Portrait and biographical record of Ford County ... - University Library

UilNOlS HISTORICAL SURVEY

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pi\Ep/^?E.^>£^ h^;h- >«5*f-.[IE greatest of English historians, Macaulay, and one of the most brilliant -writers ofthe present ceutur>-, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of thelives of its pec^jle." In conformity with this idea the Poutkait and BiooR.u'incALRecord of tj^ig county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, andtaking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by but few, ourcorps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by theirenterprise ai| d industry, brought the county to rank second to none among thosecomprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their lifestruggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligentpublic.In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy theimitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, byindustry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limitedadvantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with aniuduence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men whohave risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names havebecome 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 many, veryman3-, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," contentto have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy— "they have done whatthey could."It tells how that many in the pride and strenr''! of j'oung manhood left the plow and theanvil, the lawj-er's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their countrj^'sJ call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peaceonce more reigned in the land.In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should notbe lost upon those who follow after.Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the factthat it contains so much that would never find its way into puljlic records, and which would otherwise beinaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possiblegiven to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers flatter themselvesthat they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence.In addition to the biographicalsketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given.The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this thepublishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give theinformation necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent.Occasionally some member oftlie family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interestedone would be withheld.at their residence or place of business.In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls were mjidc.July, 18'J2. Lakk Crrv rii-.LisiiiNG Co.

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GEORGE WASHINGTON.irip was a perilous one, and several limes he came nearlosing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnisheda full and useful report of his expedition. A regimentof 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in commandof Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington wascommissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war wasthen begun against the French and Indians, in whichWashington took a most important part. In thememorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Braddock'sdefeat, Washington was almost the only officerof distinction who escaped from the calamities of theday with life and honor. The other aids of Braddockwere disabled early in the action, and Washingtonalone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letterto his brother he says : "I had four bullets throughmy coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escapedunhurt, though death was levelino my companionson every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he wasnot born to be killed by a bullet, for he had takendirect aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hithim.After having been five years in the militarj- service,and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, hetook advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and theexpulsion of the French from the valley of tlie Ohio,to resign his commission. Soon after he entered theLegislature, where, although not a leader, he took anactive and important part. January 17, 1759, hemarried Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthywidow of John Parke Custis.When the British Parliament had closed the port^f Boston, the cry went up throughout the provincesthat "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all."It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Congressof all the colonies was called to meet at Philadelphia.Sept.5, 1774, to secure their common liberties,[;eaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Washingtonwas sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, theCongress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions ofEngland were plainly apparent. The battles of Concordand Lexington had been fought. Among thefirst acts of this Congress was the election of a commander-in-chiefof the colonial forces. This high andresponsible office was conferred upon Washington,who was still a memberof the Congress. He acceptedon June 19, but upon the express condition that heitreceive no salary. He would keep an exact accountof expenses and expect Congress 10 pay them andnothing more. It is not the object of this sketch totrace the military acts of Washington, to whom thefortunes and liberties of the people of this countrywere so long confided. The war was conducted byhim under ever)- possible disadvantage, and while hisforces often met with reverses, yet he overcame everyobstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotionand matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatestnation of earth. On Dec. 23, 17S3, Washington, ina patting address of surpassing beauty, lesigned hiscommission as commander-in-chief of the army 10to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. Heretired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumedhis occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning allconnection with public lite.In February, 1 7 89, Washington was unanimouslyelected President. In his presidential career he wassubject to the peculiar trials incidental to a riewgovernment ; trials from lack of confidence on the partof other governments; trials from want of harmonybetween the diflerent sections of our own country;trials from the impoverished condition of the country,owing to the war and want of credit; trials from thebeginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. Hisclear judg.nent could discern the golden mean; andwhile perhaps this alone kept our government fromsinking at the very outset, it left him exposed toattacks from both sides, which were often bitter andvery annoying.At the expiration of his first term he was unanimouslyre-elected. At the end of this term manywere anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutelyrefused a third nominaiion. On the fourth of March,1797, at the expiraton of his second term as President,he returned to his home, hoping to pass therehis few remaining years free from the annoyances ofpublic life. Later in the year, however, his reposeseemed likely to be interrupted by war with France-At the prospect of such a war he was again urged totake command of the armies. He chose his subordinateofficers and left to them the charge of mattersin the field, which he superintei.ded from hishome. In accepting the command he made thereservation that he was not to be in the field untilit was necessary. In the midst of these preiiarationshis life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he tooka severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settlingin h's throat, produced inflammation, and terminatedfatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eighteenthhis body was borne wi'h military honors to itsfinal resting place, and interred in the family vault atMount Vernon.Of the character of Washington it is impossible tospeak but in terms of the highest respect and ad-«miration. The more we see of the operations ofour government, and the more deeply we feel thedifficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest,the more highly we must estimate the force of his talentand character, which have be-^n able to challengethe reverence of all parties, and principles, and nations,and to win a fame as extended as the limitsof the globe, and which we cannot but believe willbe as lasting as the existence of man.The person of Washington was unusally tali, erectand well proportioned. His muscular strength wasgreat. His features were of a beautiful symmetryHe commanded respect without any a]. pea ranee qthaughtiness, and ever seiipus withouf l-^ine; dull.

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SECOND PSESIDENT.''\|l OHN ADAMS, the second\ President and the first Vice-'President of the United States,was born \\\ Braintree ( nowQuincy),Mass., and about tenmiles from Boston, Oct. ig,1735. His great-grandfather, HenryAdams, emigrated from Englandabout 1640, with a family of eightsons, and settled at Braiatree. Theparents of John were John andSusannah (Boylston) Adams. Hisfather was a farmer of limitedmeans, to which he added the businessof shoemaking. He gave hiseldest son, John, a classical educationat Harvard College. Johngraduated in 1755, and at once took charge of theschool in Worcester, Mass. This lie found but a'school of afflic-tion," from which hi endeavored togain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to thestudy of law. For this purpose he placed himselfHeunder the tuition of the only lawyer in the town.had thought seriously of the clerical professionbut seems to have been turned from this liy what hetermed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical counjils,of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,"of the operations of which he had been a witness inhis native town. He was well fitted for the legaljiTofession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, beingready and fluenc of speech, and having quick perceptivepowers. He gradually gained practice, and in1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister,and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after hismarriage, (i7f'5), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa-'ion turi'i'-jd him from law to politics. He took initialsteps toward holdin^ i town meeting, and the resolutionshe offered on the subject became very populaithroughout the Province, and were adopted word forword by over forty different towns. He moved to Boston in 1768, and became one of the most courageousand prominent advocatesof the popular cause, andwas chosen a member of the General Court (the Leglislature)in 1770.Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegatesfrom Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress,which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himsellby his capacity for business and for debate, and advocatedthe movement for independence against tb^majority of the members. In May, 1776, he mcvedand carried a resolution in Congress that the Coloniesshould assume the duties of self-government. Hewas a prominent member of the committee of .iveappointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of independence.This article was drawn by Jefferson, buton Adams devolved the task of battling it throughCongress in a three days debate.On the day after the Declaration of Independencewas passed, while his soul was yet warm with thaglow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wifewhich, as we read it now, seems to have been dictatedby the spirit of prophecy."Yesterday," he says, "thegreatest question was decided that ever was debatedin America; and greater, perhaps, never was or wilbe decided among men. A resolution was passedwithout one dissendng colony, ' that these UnitedStates are, and of right ought to be, free and independentstates.' The day is passed. Tlie fourth ofJuly, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the historyof America. I am apt to believe it will be celebratedby succeeding generations, as the great anniversaryfestival.It ought to be commemorated as the day ofdeliverance by solemn acts of devotion to AlmightyGod, It ought to be solemnized v.'ith pomp, shows.

24 JOHN ADAMS.games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminationsfrom one end of the continent to the other, from thistime forward for ever. Vou will think me transportedwith enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware ofthe toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost tomaintain this declaration, and support and defendthese States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see therays of hght and glory. I can see that the end isWurlh more than all the means; and that posteritywill triumph, although you and I may rue, which Iho[ie we shall not."In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed addegate to France and to co-operate with BemjaminFranklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, inthe endeavor to obtain assistance in arms qnd moneyfrom the French Government. This was a severe trialto his patriotism, as it separated him from his home,comiielled him to cross the ocean in winter, and exposedhim to greatperilof capture by the British cruisers,who were seeking him. He left France June 17,1779. In September of the same year he was againchosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readinessto negotiate a treaty of peace and of commercewith Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinetmight Ije found willing to listen to such pvoposels. Hesailed for France in November, from there he went toH lUand, where he negotiated important loans andformed important commercial treatiesFinally a treaty of peace with England was signedJan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement,and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passedtoilthrew him into a fever. After suffering from a continuedfever and becoming feeble and emaciated hewas advised to go to England to drink the waters ofBith. ^Vhile in England, still drooping anddesponding,he received dispatches from his own governmenturging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam tonegotiate another loan. It was winter, his health wasdelicate, yet he immediately set out, and throughstorm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made the trip.February 24, 1785^ Congress appointed Mr. Adamsenvoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met faceto face the King of England, who had so long regardedhim as a traitor. As England did notcondescend to appoint a minister to the UnitedStates, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accomplishingbut little, he sought permission to return tonis own country, where he arrived in June, 1788.When Washington was first chosen President, JohnAdams, rendered illustiious by his signal services athome and abroad, was chosen Vice President. .Againat the second election of Washington as President,Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Washingtonretired from public life, and Mr. Adams waselected President,though not without much opposition.Serving in this office four years,he was succeeded byMr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics.While Mr. Adams was Vice President the greatFrench Revolution shook the continent of Euroije,and it was upon this point which he was atissujwuhthe majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson.Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French peoplein their struggle, for he had no confidence in theirpower of self-government, and he utterly abhored theclassof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it.On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were stronglyenlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence originatedthe alienation between these distinguishedmen, and two powerful parties were thus soon organized,Adams at the head of the one whose sympathieswere with England and Jefferson led the other insympathy with France.The world has seldom seen a spectacle of moremoral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by theold age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feelinghad died away, and he had begun to receive that justappreciation which, to most men, is not accorded tillafter death. No one could look upon his venerableform, and think of what he had done and suffered,and how he had given up all the prime and strengthof his life to the public good, without the deepestemotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiargood fortune to witness the comjilete success of theinstitution which he had l)een so active in creating andsupporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filledto the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the higheststation in the gift of the people.The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the halfcentury since the signing of the Declaration of Independence,arrived, and there were but three of thesigners of that immortal instrument left upon theearth to hail its morning light. And, as it iswell known, on that day two of these finished theirearthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable asto seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr.Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morningof the fourth he found himself too weak to rise fromhis bed. On being requested to name a toast for thecustomary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " IndependenceFOREVER." When the day was usheredin, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons,he was asked by one of his attendants if he knewwhat day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the gloriousfourth of July—God bless it—God bless you all.''In the course of the day he said, "It is a great andglorious day." The last words he uttered were,"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, resignedhis spirit into the hands of his God.The personal appearance and manners of Mr.Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face,as his portrait manifests,was intellectual ard expressive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and h''-manners were frequently abrupt and unrourteousHe had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nrithe engaging elegance and gracefulness which markedthe manners and address of Jefferson.

THIRD PRESIDENT.27HOMAS JEFFERSON wasliorn April 2, 1743, at Shadl^well,Albermarle county, Va.His parents were Peter andJane ( Randolph) Jefferson,the former a native of Wales,and the latter born in London.To them were born sixdaughters and two sons, ofwhom Thomas was the elder.When 14 years of age hisfather died. He received amost liberal education, havingbeen kept diligently at schoolfrom the time he was five years ofage.In 1760 he entered Williamend Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seatof the Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashiona.id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping finehorses, and much caressed by gay society, yet liewas earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproachaablein his morals. It is strange, however, undersuch influences, that he was not ruined. In the secondyear of his college course, moved by some unexplainedinward impulse, he discarded his horses,society, and even his favorite violin, to which he hadpreviously given much time. He often devoted fifteenhours a day to hard study, allowing himself for e.xerciseonly a run in the evening twilight of a mile outof the city and back again. He thus attained veryhigli intellectual culture, alike excellence in philosophyand the languages. The most difficult Latin andGreek authors he read with facility. A more finishedscholar has seldom gone fortli from college halls; anvithere was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, amore pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man.Immediately upon leaving college he began thestudy of law.For the short time he continued in thepractice of his profession he rose rapidly and distinguishedhimself by his energy and accuteness as alawyer. But the times called for greater action.The policy of England had awakened the spirit ofresistance of the American Colonies, and tlie enlargedviews which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon ledhim into active political life. In 1769 he was choser.a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, In1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beautiful,wealthy and highly accomplished young widowUpon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, therewas a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, whichcommanded a prospect of wonderful extent andbeauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his newhome; and here he reared a mansion of modest ye^elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernonbecame the most distinguished resort in our land.In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress,where, though a silent member, his abilities as awriter and a reasoner soon become known, and hewas placed upon a number of important committees,and was chairman of the one appointed for the drawingup of a declaration of independence. This committeeconsisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R.Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointedto draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggesteda few verbal changes before it was submitted to Congress.On June 28, a few slight changes were madein It by Congress, and it was jxissed and signed July4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that

—-28 THOMAS JEFFERSON.man—what the emotions that swelled his breastwho was charged with the preparatioii of that Declaration,which, while it made known the wrongs ofAmerica, -.vas also to publish her to the world, free,soverign and independent. It is one of the most remarkablepapers ever written ;and did no other effortof the mind of its author exist, that alone would besufficient to stamp his name with immortality.Ill 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor toPatrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one timethe British officer, Taileton, sent.a secret expedition toMoniicelio, to capture the Governor. Scarcely fiveminutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jeffersonand his family, ere his mansion was in possessionof the British troops. His wife's health, neververy good, was much injured by this excitement, andin the summer of 1782 she died.Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783.Two ye us later he was appointed Minister Plenipotentiaryto France. Returning to the United Statesin September, 1789, he became Secretary of Statem Washington's cabinet. This position he resignedJan. r, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice President,and four years later was elected President overMr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity,and George Glinton, Vice President.The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstrationwas disturbed by an event which threatened thetranquility and peace of the Union; this was the conspiracyof Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late electionto the Vice Presidency, and led on by an uni^rincipledambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of amilitary expedition intc the Spanish territories on our>oathwestern frontier, for the purpose of lorming therea new republic. This has been generally supposedwas a mere pretext ; and although it has not beengenerally known what his real plans were, there is nodoubt that they were of a f:ir more dangerouscharacter.In 1809, at the expiration of the second term forwhich Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determinedto retire from political life. For a period of nearly:3rty years, he had been continually before the pubic,and all tliattime had l)een employed in offices ofthe greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus devotedthe best part of his life to the service of hiscountry, he now felt desirous of that rest which hisdeclining years recjuired, and upon the organization ofthe new administration, in March, i8og, he bid farewellforever to public life, and retired to Monticello.Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Wholefamilies came in their coaches with their horses,fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies andnurses,—and remained three and even six months.Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at afashionable watering-place.The fourth of July 1826, being the fiftieth anniversaryof the Declaration of American Independence,great preparations were made in every part of theUnion lor its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, andthe citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnityot the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer.and one of the few surviving signers of the Declaration,to participate in their lestivities. But an illness,which had been of several weeks duration, andhad been continually increasing, compelled him todecline the invitation.On the second of July, the disease under whichhe was laboring left him, but in such a reducedstate that his medical attendants, entertained nchope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectlysensible that his last hour was at hand. On the ne.x*day, which was Monday, he asked of those aroundhim, the day of the month, and on being told it wasthe third of July, he expressed the earnest wish tha;he might be permitted to breathe the air of the fiftiethanniversary. His prayer was heard—that day, whosedawn was hailed with such rapture through our land,burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed forever.And what a noble consummation of a noblelife! To die on that day,—the birthday of a nation,-the day which his own name and his own act hadrendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings andfestivities 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 kindredspirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bearhim company, left the scene of his earthly honors.Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions offreedom ;hand in hand, during the dark and desperatestruggle of the Revolution, they had cheered andanimated their desponding countrymen; for half acentury they had lalwred together for tne good ofthe country; and row hand in hand they depart.In their lives they had been united in the same greatcause of liberty, and in their deaths they were notdivided.In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, ratherabove six feet in height, but well formed; his eyeswere light, his hair orit;inally red, in after life becamewhite and silvery; his complexion was fair, his foreheadbroad, and his whole cou]^»^enance intelligent andthoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as;Avell as personal courage and :.':s command of temperwas such that his oldest and most intimate friendsnever recollected to have seen him in a passion.His manners, though dignified, were simple and unaffected,and his hospitality was so unbounded thatall found at his house a ready welcome. In conversationhe was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; andHehis language was remarkably pure and correct.was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings isdiscernable the care with which he formed his styleupon the best models of antiquity.

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'FOURTH FRfSIDENT. 31;3jiir|EsnpDisoii.(711AMES MADISON, "Father%) of the Constitution," and fourthPresident of the United States,was born Marcli 16, 1757, anddied at his home in Virginia,^ June 28, 1836. The name ofJames Madison is inseparably connectedwith most of the importantevents in that heroic period of ourcountry during which the foundationsof this great repubUc werelaid. He was the last of the foundersof the Constitution of tlie UnitedStates to be called to his eternalreward.The Madison family were amongthe early emigrants to the New World,landing upon the shores of the Chesapeakebut 15 years after the settlementof Jamestown. The father ofJames Madison was an opulentplanter, residing upon a very fine estatecalled "Montpelier," Orange Co.,Va. The mansion was situated inthe midst of scenery highly picturesqueand romantic, on the west sideof South-west Mountain, at the foot ofBlue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home ofJefferson at Monticello. The closest personal andpolitical attachment existed between these illustriousmen, from their early youth until death.The early education of Mr. Madison wasconducteilmostly at home under a private tutor.At the age of18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey.Here he applied himself to study with the most imprudentzeal; allowing himself, for months, but threehours' sleep out of the 24.His health thus became soseriously impaired that he never recovered any vigorof constitution. He graduated in 1771, with a feeblebody, with a character of utmost purity, and with amind highly disciplined and richly stored with learningwhich embellished and gave proficiency to his subsfquent career.Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study oflaw and a course of extensive and systematic reading.This educational course, the spirit of the times inwhich he lived, and the society with which he associated,all combined to inspire hiin with a stronglove of liberty, and to train him for his life-work o!a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn ofmind, and his frail health leading him to think thathis life was not to be long, he directed especial attentionto theological studies. Endowed with a mindsingularly free from passion and prejudice, and withalmost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighedall the arguments for and against revealed religion,until his faith became so established as never tobe shaken.In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, hewas elected a member of the Virginia Convention, toframe 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, andconsequently lost his election ; but those who hadwitnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of themodest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf,and he was appointed to the Executive Council.Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson wereGovernors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remainedmember of the Council ; and their appreciation of his

32 JAMES MADISON.mtellectual, social and moral worth, contributed nota little to his subsequent eminence. In the year1780, he was elected a member of the ContinentalCongress. Here he u;et the most illustrious men inour land, and he was immediately assigned to one ofthe most conspicuous positions among them.For three years Mr. Madi^en continued in Congress,one of its most active and influential members.In tlie year 17S4, his term having expired, he waselected a member of the Virginia Legislature.No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison theutter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no nationalgovernment, with no power to form treatieswliich would be binding, or to enforce law. Therewas not any State more prominent than Virginia inthe declaration, that an efficient national governmentmust be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madisoncarried a resolution through the General Assembly ofVirginia, inviting the other States to appoint commissionersto meet in convention at Annapolis to discusstliis subject. Five States only were represented. Theconvention, however, issued another call, drawn upby Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send theirdelegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to drafta Constitution for the United States, to take the placeof that Confederate League. The delegates met atihe time appointed. F.very State but Rhode Islandwas represented. George Washington was chosenpresident of the convention; and the present Constitutionof the United States was then and there formed.There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more activein framing this immortal document than the mindand the pen of James Madison.The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, wasto be presented to the several States for acceptance.But grave solicitude was felt. Should it l)e rejectedwe should be left but a conglomeration of independentStates, with but litile power at home and little lespectabroad. Mr. Madison was selected by tne conventionto draw up an address to the people of the UnitedStates, expounding the principles of the Constitution,and urging its adoption. There was great oppositionto it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, andwent into effect in 1789.Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Representativesin the first Congress, and soon became theavowed leader of the Republican party. Wliile inNew York attending Congress, he met Mrs Todd, ayoung widow of remarkable power of fascination,whom he married. She was in person and characterqueenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupiedso prominent a position in the very peculiar societywhich has constituted our republican court as Mrs.Mndison.Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State underJefferson, and at the close of his administrationwas chosen President. At this time the encroachmentsof England had brought us to the verge of war.British orders in council destioyed our commerce, andour flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madisonwas a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiringin his disi)osition, war had no charms for him. But themeekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's bloodboil, even now, to think of an American ship broughtto, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser.A young lieutenant steps on board and orders thecrcw to be paraded before him. With great nonchalancehe selects any number whom he may please todesignate as British subjects ; orders them down theship's side into his boat; and places them on the gundeckof his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, thebattles of England. This right of search and impressment,no efforts of our Government could inducethe British cabinet to relinquish.On the 1 8th of June, 18 12, President Madison gavehis approval to an act of Congress declaring waragainst Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitterhostility of the Federal party to the war, the countryin general approved; and iVIr. Madison, on the 4thof March, 1813, was re-elected by a large majority,and enieied upon his second term of office. This isnot the place to describe the various adventures ofthis war on the land and on the water. Our infan.navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grapplingv.'iih the most formidable power which everswept the seas. The contest commenced in earnestby the appearance of a British fleet, early in February,1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the wholecoast of the United States under blockade.The Emperor of Russia offered his services as meditator. America accepted; England refused. A Britishforce of five thousand men landed on the banksof the Patu.xet River, near its entrance into ChesapeakeBay, and inarched rapidly, by way of Bladensburg,upon Washington.The straggling little city of Washington was throwninto consternation. The cannon of the brief conflictat Bladensljurg echoed through the streets of themetropolis. The whole ]X)pulaticn fled from the city.The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the WhiteHouse, with her carriage drawn up at the doer toawait his speedy return, hurried to meet the officersin a council of war He met our troops utterly routed,and he could not go back without danger of beingcaptured. But few hours elapsed ere the PresidentialMansion, the Ca[)itol, and all the public buildings inWashington were in flames.The war closed after two years of fighting, and onFeb. 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent.On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term ofoffice expired, and he resigned the Presidential chairto his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beautifulhome at Montpelier, and there passed the remainderof his days. On June 28, 1836, then at theage of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madisondied July 12, 1849.

'yC^'7 /^ -^^- / 1 ^> ^-^

FIFTH PRESIDENi:35_j^j,^kiLtdjQ^^ ha^^i^pi]QESn]OI|ROE.u-, .;

36 JAMES MONROE.lie was in the succeeding year chosen a member ofthe Congress of the United States.Deeplyas Mr. Moinoeft;h the imperfections of the oldConfederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution,Thinking, with many others of *:he Republican party,that it gave too much power to the Central Government,and not enough to the individual States. Still he retainedthe esteem of his friends who were its warmsupporters, aiid who, notwithstanding his oppositionsecured its ado[)tion. In 1789, he became a memberof the United States Senate; which office he held forfour years. Every month the line of distinction betweenthe two great parties which divided the nation,the Federal and the Republican, was growing moredistinct. The two prominent ideas which now separatedthem were, that the Republican party was insympathy with France, and also in favor of such astrict construction of the Constitution as to give theCentral Government as little power, and the StateGovernments as much power, as the Constitution wouldwarrant. The Federalists sympathized with England,and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Constitution,which would give as much power to theCentral Government as that document could possiblyauthorize.The leading Federalists and Republicans werealike noble men, consecrating all their energies to thegood of the nation. Two more honest men or morepure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, andJames Monroe the Republican, never breathed. Inbuilding up this majestic nation, which is destinedto eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the combinationof their antagonism was needed to create thelight equilibrium. And yet each in his day was denouncedas almost a demon.Washington was then President. England had espousedthe cause of the Bourbons against the principlesof the French Revolution. All Europe w^s drawninto the conflict. We were feeble and far away.Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality betweenthese contending powers. France had helpedus in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotismsof Europe were now combined to prevent the Frenchfrom escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worsethan that which we had endured Col. Monroe, moremagnanimous than [jrudent, was anxious that, atwhatever hazard, we should help our old allies intheir extremity. It was the impulse of a generousand noble nature. He violently opposed the President'sproclamation as ungrateful and wanting inmagnanimity.Washington, who could appreciate such a character,developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness,by appointing that very James Monroe, who was denouncingthe policy of the Government, as the ministerof that Government to the Republic of France. Mr.Monroe was welcomed by the National Conventionin France witn the most enthusiastic demonstr/^tions.Shortly after his return to this countrv, Mr. Monroewas elected Governor of Virginia, and held theoffice for three yeais. He was again sent to France tuco-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtainingthe vast territory then known as the Province ofLouisiana, which France had but shortly before obtainedfrom Spain. Their united efforts were successful.For the comparatively small sum of fifteenmillions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans anddistrict of Louisiana were added to the United States.This was probably the largest transfcr of real estatewhich was ever made in all the history of the world.From France Mr. Monroe went to England to obtainfrom that country some recognition of ourrights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against thoseodious impressments of our seamen. but Englandwas unrelenting. He again returned to Englandon the same mission, but coidd receive noredress. He returned to his home and was againchosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resignedto accept the position of Secretary of State undc"Madison. While in this office war with England wasdeclared, the Secretary ot War resigned, and duringthese trying times, the duties of the War Departnienwere also put upon him. He was truly the armorbearerof President Madison, and the most efficientbusiness man in his cabinet. Upon the return olpeace he resigned the Dei)artment of War, but continuedin the office of Secretary of State until the ex-])iration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the electionheld the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself hadbeen chosen President with but little opiX)sition, andupon March 4, rSiy, was inaugurated. Four year?later he was elected for a second term.Among the important measures of his Presidencvwere the cession of Florida to the LTnited States; theMissouri Comiiromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroedoctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At tha^time the United States had recognized the independenceof tlie South American states, and did not wishto have European powers longer attempting to subdue portions of the American Continent. The doctrineis as follows: "That we should consider any attempton the part of European powers to extend their systemto any portion of this hemisphere as dangerousto our peace and safety," and "that we could no'view any interposition for the ])urpose of oppressingor controlling American governments or provinces inany other light than as a manifestation by Europe.nipowersof an unfriendly disposition toward the UnircrStates." This doctrine immediately affected the courseof foreign governments, and has become the approvedsentiment of the United States.At the end of his f econd term Mr Monroe retiredto his home in Virginia, where he lived unii! 1S30when he went to New York to live with his son-inlaw. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831

J «,^ ,c/it i Ctyyy^^

SIXTH PRESIDRNT.39A;Mrj/^^ 7^'«»^;;.*#wLs^$;:S^-s-s#$;k^«s;s>^i::s-»&i;i^*i;:;$«&$;;s**Aicti.lOm QniI]6Y ^D^^EQS.'l'^:&»J^:S--«^iS-ss-*s:s->s^is^s^is*^;gHpg!g.^^tg,».OHN QUINCY ADAMS, thesixth President of the United^States, was born in the ruralhome of his honored father,John Adams, in Quincy, Mass.,on the I ith cf July, 1767. Hismother, a woman of exaUedworth, watched over his childhoodduring the almost constant absenceof his father. When buteight years of age, he stood withhis mother on an eminence, listening"'to the booming of the great bat-tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing onupon the smoke and flames billowingup from the conflagration ofCharlestown.When but eleven years old hetook a tearful adieu of his mother,to sail with iiis falner for Europe,through a fleet ot liostile British cruisers. The bright,animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, whereliis father was associated with Franklin and Lee asminister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attractedthe notice of these distinguished men, and he receivedfrom them flattering m;irks of attention.Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to thiscou/.try, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again(ol-.n Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris heapplied himself with great diligence, for six months,to -.nidy; then accompained his fatlier to Holland,where he entered, first a school in .\msterdam, thenthe University at Leyden. About a year from thistime, in t78i, when the manly 1 oy was but fourteenyea—, of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our ministerto the Russian court, as his private secretar)'.Tn this school of incessant labor and of enoblingculture he spent fourteen months, and then returned!o Holland thiough Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg andBremen. This l(>ng journey he took alone, in thewinter, when in his sixteenth year. Aijain he resumednis studies, under a pn-'^te tutor, at Hague. Thence,in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father tsParis, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintancewith the most distinguished men on the Continentexaminingarchitectural remains, galleries of paintingsand all renowned works of art. At Paris he againbecame associated with the most illustrious men olall lands in the contemplations of thcloftiest temporalthemes which can engross the human mind. Afte"a short visit to England he returned to Paris, anaconsecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785,when he returned to America. To a brilliant youngman of eighteen, who had seen much of the world,and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, aresidence with his father in London, under such cir-CLunstances, must have been extremely attractivebut with judgment very rare in one of his age, he preferredto return to America to complete his educationin an American college. He wished then to studylaw, that with an honorable profession, he might beable to obtain an independent support.Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twentyhestudied law for three years. In June, 1794, beingthen but tv/enty-seven years of age, he was appointedby Washington, resident minister at theNetherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reacheaLondon in October, where he was immediately admitted^to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney,assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty wit):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 asminister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal,upon arriving in London, he met with despatches,directing him to the court of Beiiin, but requesting!him to remain in London until he should receive hisinstructions. While wr.iting he was married to ar.American lady to whom he had been previously engaged,—MissLouisa Catherine Johnson, daughte'of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in I ondona lady endownd with that beauty and those accomplishmentwhich eminently fitted her to move in X.\aelevated sphere for which she w»s

*o JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ;where he remained until July, 1799, when, having fulfilledall the purposes of his mission, he sohcited hisrecall.Soon after his return, in 1S02, he was chosen toIhe Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and thenwas elected Senator of the United States for six years,from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, hisability and his experience, placed him immediatelyamong the most prominent and influential membersof that body. Especially did he sustain the Governmentin its measures of resistance to the encroachmentsof England, destroying our commerce and insultingour flag. There was no man in America morefamiliar with the arrogance of the British court uponthese points, and no one more resolved to presenta firm resistance.In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Presidentialchair, and he immediately nominated JohnQuincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resigninghis professorship in Harvard College, he embarkedat Boston, in August, 1809.Wiiile in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense student.He devoted his attention to the language andhistory of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to theEuropean system of weights, measures, and coins ; tothe climate and astronomical observations; while heKept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek andLatin classics. In all the universities of Europe, amore accouiplished scholar could scarcely be found.All through life the Bible constituted an importartpart of his studies. It was his rule to read fivechapters every day.On the 4th of March, 1S17, Mr. Monroe took thePresidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr..'Vdams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his numerousfriends in public and private life in Europe, hesailed in June, i8ig, for the United States. On the1 8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of hishome in Quincy. During the eight yearsof Mr. Monroe'sadministration, Mr Adams continued Secretaryof State.Some time before '.he close of Mr. Monroe's secondterm of office, new candidates began to lie presentedfor the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams l.)roughtforward his name. It was an exciting campaign.Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred andsixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson receivedninety nine; John Quincy .\dams, eighty-four;William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirtyseven.As there was no choice by the people, thequestion went to the House of Re[)resentatives. Mr.Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, andhe was elected.The friends of all the disappointed candidates now:ombined in a venomous and persistent assault uponMr. Adams. Tliere is nothing more disgraceful in•V»e nast history of our country than the abuse whichwas poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon thishigh-minded, upright, patriotic man. 'i'here never wasan administration more pure in principles, more conscientiouslydevoted to the best interests of the country,than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, perhaps,was there an administration more unscrupulouslyand outrageously assailed.Mr Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, abstemiousand temperate ui his habits; always risingearly, and taking much exercise. VMien at his homeinQuincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast,seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was saidthat he was the first man up in the city, lighting hisown fire and applying himself to work in his libraryoften long before dawn.On the 4th of March, 1820, Mr. Adams retiredfrom the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew-Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice President.The slavery question now began to assumeportentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned toQuiiicy and to his studies, which he pursued witii unabatedzeal. But he was not long permitted to remainin retirement. In November, 1830, he waselected re|)resentative to Congress. For seventeenyears, until his death, he occupied the post as representative,towering above all his [leers, ever ready todo brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat inthe House, he announced that he should hold himselfbound to no party. Probably there never was amember more devoted to his duties. He was usuallythe first in his place in the morning, and the last toleave his seat in the evening. Not a measure couldbe brouglit forward and escape his scru'lin)-. 'I hebattle wliich Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, againstthe proslavery party in the Government, was sul)limein Its moral dating and heroism. For persisting inpresenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, hewas threatened with indictment by the grand jurywith expulsion from tlic Houfe, with assassinationbut no threats could intimidate him, and his finaltriumph was complete.It has been said of President Adams, that when hisbody was bent and his hair silvered liy the lapse offourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a littlechild, he was accustomed to repeat every night, l)eforche slept, the prajer which his mother taught him inhis infant years.On the 2 1 St of February, 1848, he rose on llie lloorof Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address fliespeaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by ]iar;ilysis, and was caught in the arms of those around liiin.For a time he was senseless, as he was convened tothe sofa in the rotunda. With reviving consciousness,he opened his eyes, looked calmly around andsaid " This is the end of earth .-"then after a moment'spause he add'.'d, ''\T am eonteiif" These were thelast words of the grand " Old Man Eloquent."

'SEVENTH FRESIl^ENT. 43,E 5'(T? -^cMisim^r i^)S-.©^fc@^'^4,¥©««^R-aiaiJ®^^^'''^^'^£^|4.fl^|f jf..^-^J/SrjfJnn-NDREW JACKSON, theseventh Presider.t of theUnited States, was born inWaxhaw settlement, N. C,March 15, 1767, a few daysafter his father's death. Hisparents were poor einigrantsfrom Ireland, and took uptheir abode in Waxhaw settlement,where they lived indeepest poverty.Andrew, or Andy, as he wasuniversally called, grew up a veryrough, rude, turbulent boy. Hisfeatures were coarse, his form ungainly;and there was but verylittle in his character, made- visible, which was attractive.When only thirteen years old he joined the volunteersof Carolina against the British invasion. InlySr, he and his brother Robert were captured andimprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officerordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I ama prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply ofthe dauntless boy.-The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperateDlow at the head of the helpless young prisoner.Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fearfulgashes,—one on the hand and the other upon thehead. The officer then turned to his brother Robertwith the same demand. He also refused, and receiveda blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quitedisabled him, and which probably soon after causedhis death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, andwere finally stricken with the small-pox. Theirmother was successfi'-l 'i> >i".itainin5 their exchange,and took her sick boys home. After a long illnjss.Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother s;oonloft him e.itirely friendless.Andrew supported himself in various ways, s i:h asworking at the saddler's trade, teaching school andclerking in a ge:ieral store, until 1784, when heentered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however,gave more attention to the wild amusements of thetimes than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointedsolicitcr for the western district of North Carolina, olwhicli Tennessee was then a part. This involvedmany long and tedioas journeys amid dangers ofevery kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear,and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmishwitn the Sharp Knife.In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman whosupposed 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 beendefinitely settled by the first husband. The marriageceremony was performed a second time, but the occurrencewas often used by his enemies to bring Mr.Jackson into disfavor.During these years he worked hard at his profession, and frequently had one or more duels on hand,one of which, when hekilled Dickenson, was especiallydisgraceful.In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee thencontaining nearly eighty tliousand inhabitants, thepeople met in convention at Knoxville to frame a constitution.Five were sent from each of the elevencounties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delega'es.The new State was entitled to but one meml cr ivthe National House of Representatives. Andrew Jadesonwas chosen that member. Mounting his horse herode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its

44 ANDREW JACKSON.sessions,—a distance of about eight hundred miles.Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Democraticparty. Jefferson was his idol. He admiredBonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr.Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whosesecond term of office was then expiring, delivered hislast speech to Congress. A committee drew up acomplimentary address in reply. Andrew Jacksondid not approve of the address, and was one of thetwelve who voted against it. He was not willing tosay that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been" wise, firm and patriotic."Mr. Jackson was elected to the United StatesSenate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home.Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Courtof his State, which jjosition he held for si.\ years.When the war of 18 12 with Great Britian commenced,Madison occupied the Presidential chair.Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there wasan unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, whowould do credit to a commission if one were conferreduix)n him. Just at that time Gen. Jacksonoffered his services and those of twenty-five hundredvolunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troopswere assembled at Nashville.As the British were hourly expected to make an attackupon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson wasin command, he was ordered to descend the riverwith fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. Theexpedition reached Natchez; and afteradelay of severalweeks there, without accomi)llshing anything,the men were ordered back to their homes. But theenergy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entiredevotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won himgolden opiniotrs; and he became the most popularman in the State. It was in this expedition that histoughness gave him the nickname of "Old Hickory."Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col.Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentlemanmade about his taking a part as second in a ditel, inwhich a younger brother of Benton's was engaged,he received two severe pistol wounds. While he waslingering upon a bed of suffering news came that theIndians, who had combined under Tecumseh fromFlorida to the Lakes, to extenrtinate the white settlers,were committing the most awful ravages. Decisiveaction became necessary. Gen. Jackson, withhis fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm ina sling, and unable to mount his horse without assistance,gave his amazing energies to the raising of anarmy to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama.The Creek Indians had established a strong fort onone of the bendsof the Tallapoosa River, near the centerof Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother.With an army of two thousand men. Gen. Jacksontraversed the pathless wilderness in a march of elevendays. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka orHorse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814. The bendof the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres o."tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrowneck the Indrans had constructed a formidable brea^jlworkof logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors,with an ample suply of arms were assembled.The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly desperate.Not an Indian would accept of quarter. Whenbleeding and dying, they would fight those who endeavoredto spare their lives. From ten in the morninguntil dark, the battle raged. The carnage wasawful and revolting. Some threw themselves into theriver; but the unerring bullet struck their heads asthey swani. Nearly everyone of the niire hundred warrioswere killed A few probably, in the night, swamthe river and escaped. This ended the war. The[jower of the Creeks was broken forever. This boldplunge into the wilderness, with itsterriffic slaughter,so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnantsof the bands came to the camp, begging for peace.This closing of the Creek war enabled us to concentrateall our militia upon the British, who were theallies of the Indians No man of less resolute willthari Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indiancampaign to so successful an issue Immediately hewas appointed major-general.Late in August, with an army of two thousandmen, on a rushing march. Gen. Jackson came toMobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landeda force ujxm the beach, arrchored near the little fort,and from both ship and shore conmienccd a furiousassault The battle was long and doubtful. At lengthone of the ships was blown up and the rest retired.Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his littlearmy, he moved his troops to New Orleans,And the battle of New Orleans w hich soon ensued,was in reality a very arduous campaign. This wonfor Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here histroops, which numbered about four thousand men,won a signal victory over the Briiish army of aboutnine thousand. His loss was but thineen, while theloss of the British was two thousand six hundred.The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be mentionedin connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824,he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however,successful in the election of 1S28, and was re-electedfor a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before heassumed the reins of the government, he met withthe most terrible affliction of his life in the death ofhis wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which hasperhaps never been surpassed. From the shock ofher death he never recovered.His administration was one of the most n^cmcrabiein the annals of our country; applaude'' oy one party,condemned by the other. No man had more bitterenemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of histwo terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, wherehe died Tune 8, 1845. The last vears of Mr. Jackson'slife were that of a devoted Christian man.

7 ^ZJ^/ ^c^jU^c.^^^

EIGHTH FRESIDENT.')«s^^\2)(£)-/®>S^

48 MARTIN VAN BUREN.the moral courage to avow that true democracy didnot require that '' universal suffrage" which admitsthe vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right ofgoverning the State. In true consistency with hisdemocratic principles, he contended that, while thepath leading to the privilege of voting should be opento every man without distinction, no one should beinvested with that sacred prerogative, unless he werein some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtueand some property interests in the welfare of theState.In 182 I he was elected ;. member of the UnitedStates Senate; and in the same year, he took a seatin the convention to revise the constitution of his.lative State. His course in this convention securedthe approval of men of all parties. No one coulddoubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote theinterests of all classes in the community. In theSenate of the United States, he rose at once to aconspicuous position as an active and usefullegislator.In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in thePresidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to.tie Senate. He had been from the beginning a delerminedopposer of the Administration, adopting the'Stare Rights" view in opposition to what wasdeemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams.Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governor ofthe State of New York, and accordingly resigned hisseat in the Senate. Probably no one in the UnitedStates contributed so much towards ejecting John Q.Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in itAndrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whetherentitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was regardedthrougiiout the United States as one of thejnost skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians.Itwas supix)sed that no one knew so well as he howto touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all;he wires to put his machinery in motion; and how toorganize a political army which would, secretly andpter-'thily accomplish the most gigantic results. Bythese powers it is said tliat he outv.'itted Mr. Adams,Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results whichfew thought then could be accomplished.\^\\i:\ Andrew Jackson was elected President heappointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. Thisposition he resigned in i83t, and was immediatelyappointed Minister to England, where he went thesame autumn. The Senate, however, when it met,.'etu:>ed to ratifv the nomination, and he returnedhome, apparently imtroubled; was nominated VicePresident in the pLace of Calhoun, at the re-electionof President lackson ; and with smiles for all andfiowns for none, he took his place at the head of thatSenate which lud refused to confirm hisas ambassador.nominationHis rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal ofPresident Jackson in behalf ofhis repudiated favorite; andthis, probably mure than any other cause,secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Esecutive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren receivedthe Democratic nomination to succeed Gen.Jackson as President of the United States He waselected by a handsome majority, to the delight of theretiring President. " Leaving New York out of thecanvass," sa_ i Mr. Parton, 'the election of Mr. VanBuren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen.Jackson as though the Constitution had conferredupon him the power to appoint a successor."His administration was filled with exciting events-'i"he insurrection in Canada, which threatened to involvethis country in war with England, the agitationof the slavery question, and finally the great commercialpanic which spread over the country, all weretrials to his wisdom. The financial distress was attributedto the management of the Democratic party,and brought the President into such disfavor that hefailed of re-election.With the exception of being nominated for thePresidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848,Mr. Van Buren lived quietVy upon his estate untilhis death.He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits,and living within his income, had now fortunately acompetence for his declining years. His unblemishedcharacter, his commanding abilities, his unquestionedpatriotism, and the distinguished positions which hehad occupied in the government of our country, securedto him not only the homage of his party, but 4the respect ot the whole community. It was on the4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired fromthe presidency. From his fine estate at Lind^nwald.he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politicsof the country. From this time until his death, onthe 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, heresided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, ofculture and of wealth; enjoyirg in a healthy oldage, probably far more happiness than he had beforeexperienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life.

Zt/. /5f /V/iS-'^.^-^TA.^

NINTH PRESIDENT.5«wtjs8si4® aiiif a4Rass®sii^ILLIAM HENRY HARRIf.^SON, the ninth President of|S tlie United States, was bornIn at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773.Q His father, Benjamin Harrison,was in comparatively opulentcircumstances, and wasone of the most distinguishedmen of his day. He was anintimate friend of GeorgeWashington, ^\as early electeda member of the ContinentalCongress, and was conspicuousamong the patriots of Virginia inresisting the encroachments of theISritish crown. In the celebratedCongress of 1775, Benjamin Harrisonand John Hancock wereboth candidates for the office ofspeaker.Mr Harrison was subsequentlychosen Governor of Virginia, andwas twice re-elected. His son,William Henry, of course enjoyedin childhood all the advantages which wealth andintellectual and cultivated society could give. Havingreceived a thorough common-school education, heentered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduatedwith honor soon after the death of his father. Hechen repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine underthe instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship oflObert Morris, both of whom were, with his father,signers of the Declaration of Independence.Jpon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and notv/ithstandlngthe 'emonslrances of his friends, heaDando'-'ed liis medical studies and entered tlie army,.laving obtained a commission of Ensign from PresidentWashington. He was then but 19 years old.From that time he passed gradually upward in rankuntil he became aid to General Wayne, after whosedeath he resigned his commission. He was then aj)-pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. ThisTerritory was then entitled to but one member inCongress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill thatposition.In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territorywas divided by Congress into two portions. Theeastern portion, comprising the region now embracedin the State of Ohio, was called The '" Territorynorth-west of the Ohio." The western portion, whichincluded what is now called Indiana, Illinois andWisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wibliam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was apixjinted by John Adams, Governor of the IndianaTerritory, and immediately after, also Governor ofUpper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost asHeextensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe.was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was investedwith powers nearly dictatorial over the n&wrapidly increasing white population. The ability andfidelity with which he discharged these responsibleduties may be inferred from the fact that he was fourtimes appointed to this office—first by John Adams,twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by PresidentMadison.When he began his adminstration there were butthree white settlements in that almost boundless region,now crowded with cities and resounding with all thetumult of wealth and traffic. Oneof these settlementswas on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one atVincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a Frenchsettlement.The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrisoi»reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. Aboi"IIBRARY0NIVERSITY OP lll.lNniS

Harrison52 WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers,of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One ofthese was called Tecumseh, or " The CrouchingPanther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or "The Prophet."Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a manof great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomitableperseverance in any enterprise in which he mightengage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm,and had long regarded with dread and with hatredthe encroachment of the whites upon the huntinggroundsof his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, wasan orator, who could sway the feelings of the untutoredIndian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath whichthey dwelt.But the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was,in the superstitious minds of the Indians, investedwith the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or amagician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peterthe Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he wentfrom tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sentby the Great Spirit.Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliatethe Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippecanoethe Indians were routed with great slaughter.October 28, 1812, his army began its march. Whennear the Prophet's town three Indians of rank madetheir appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison wasapproaching them in so hostile an attitude. After ashort conference, arrangements were made for a meetingthe next day, to agree upon terms of peace.But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted withthe Indian character to be deceived by such protestationsSelecting a favorable six)t for his night's encampment,he took every precaution against surprise.His troops were posted in a hollow square, and sleptupon their arms.The troops threw themselves upon the ground forrest; but every man had his accourtrements on, hisloaded musket by his side,and his bayonet fixed. Thewakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock inthe morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversationwith his aids by the embers of a waning fire. Itwas a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. Inthe darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possible,and j'lst then, with a savage yell, rushed, with allthe desperation which superstition and passion mosthighly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of thehttle army. The savages had been amply providedwith guns and ammunition by the English. Theirwar-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets.The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as thelight aided the Indians in their aim. With hideousyells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubtii-.g aspeedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison'stroops stood as immovable as the rocks around themuntil day dawned : they then made a simultaneouscharge with the bayonet, and swept every thing beforethem, and completely routing th^ foe.Gov. Harrison now had all his energies taskedto the utmost. The British descending Iruni theCanadas,were of themselves a very formidal)ie force ;butwith their savage allies, rushing like wolves I'roni theforest, searching out every remote farm-house, Imrning,plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontierwas plunged into a state of consternation wliich eventhe most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive.Tiie war-whoop was resounding everywhere in theforest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagrationof the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had madethe ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit.Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrisonwas appointed by President Madison commander-inchiefof the North-western army, with orders to retakeDetroit, and to protect the frontiers.It would be difficult to place a man in a situationdemanding more energy, sagacity and courage; bulGeneral Harrison was found equal to the position,and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the responsibilities.He won the love of his soldiers by always sharingwith them their fatigue. His whole baggage, whilepursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in avalise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanketlashed 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 roastedbefore the fire, witliout bread or salt.In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member ofthe National House of Representatives, to representthe District of Ohio. In Congress he proved anactive member; and whenever he spoke, it was withforce of reason and power of eloquence, which arrestedthe attention of all the members.In 1819, Harrison was elected to the Senate ofOhio; and in 1824, as one of the jjresidential electorsof that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. Tliesame year he was chosen to the United States Senate.In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought himforward as a candidate for the Presidency againstVan Buren, but he was defeated. At the close ofMr. Van Buren's term, he was re -nominated by hisparty, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominatedby the Whigs, with John Tyler forthe Vice Presidency.The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gaveall his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; buthis triumph was signal.The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Websterat its head as Secretary of State, was one of the mostbrilliant with wliich any President had ever beensurrounded. Never were the prospects of an administrationmore flattering, or the hopes of the countrymore sanguine. In the midst of these bright andjoyous prospects. Gen. . was seized by apleurisv-fever and after a few days of violent sickness,died on the 4th of April ;just one month afterhis inauguration as President of the United States.

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!gTENTH PRESIDENT.S5-ife Presidentof the United States.He was born in Charles-cityCo., Va., March 29, 1790.Hewas the favored child of affluenceand high social position.At the early age oftwelve, John entered Williamand Mary College and graduatedwith much honor whenbut seventeen years old. Aftergraduating, he devoted himselfwith great assiduity to thestudy of law, partly with hisfather and partly with Edmundfi Randolph, one of the most distinguishedlawyers of Virginia.At nineteen years of age, necommenced the practice of law.His success was rapid and astonishing.It is said that threemonths had not elapsed ere therewas scarcely a case on thedock-I et of the court in which he was1. 3t retained. When but twenty-one years of age, hewas almost unanimously ejected to a seat in the StateLegislature. He connected himself with the Democr;iticparty, and warmly advocated the measures oflefferson and Madison.For five successive years he\vi;s elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly theunanimous vote or his county.When but twenty-six years of age, he wasa niemiier of Congress.electedHere he acted earnestly andably with ihe Democratic party, opposing a nationalbank, inu-nal improvements by the General 'Government,a protective tariff, and advocatmg a strict constructionof the Constitution, and the most carefulvigilance over State rights. His labors in Congresswere so arduous that before the close of his secondterm he found it necessary to resign and retire to hisestate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He,however, soon after consented to take his seat in theState Legislature, where his influence was powerfulin promoting public works of great utility. VVith areputation thus canstantly increasing, he waschosenby a very large majority of votes, Governor of hisnative State.His administration was signally a successfulone. His popularity secured his re-election.John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazedman, then represented Virginia in the Senate of theUnited States, k portion of the Democratic partywas displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course,and brought forward John Tyler as his op|X)nenf,considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficientpopularity to succeed against the renowned orator ofRoanoke.Mr. Tyler was the victor.In accordance with his professions, upon taking hisseat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposition.He opposed the tariff"; he spoke against andvoted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he strenuouslyopposed all restrictions upon slavery, resistingall projects of internal improvements by the GeneralGovernment, and avowed his sympathy with Mr.Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen.Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, hadabandoned the principles of the Democratic party.Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress,—a recordin perfect accordance with the principles which behad always avowed.Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice ofhis profession. There was a rplii in the Democratic

JOHN TYLER.J arty. His friends still regarded him as a true Jefieisonian,gave him a dinner, and showered complimentsupon him. He had now attained the age offorty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In consequenceof his devotion to public business, his privateaffairs had fallen into some disorder; and it wasnot without satisfaction that he resumed the practiceof law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plantation.Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg,for the better education of his children ; and he againlook his seat in the Legislature of Virginia.By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the nationalconvention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in7839. The maioritv of votes were given to Gen. Harrison,a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment ofthe South, who wished for Henry Clay. To conciliatethe Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, theconvention then nominated John Tyler for Vice President.It was well known that he was not in sympathywith the Whig party in the Noith: but the VicePresident has but very little power in the Government,his main and almost only duty being to presideover the meetings of the Senate. Thus it happenedthat a Whig President, and, in reality, aDemocratic Vice President were chosen.In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presidentof the United States. In one short month fromthat time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tylerthus -:und himself, to his own surprise and that ofthe whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidentialchair. This was a new test of the stability of ourinstitutions, as it was the first time in the history of ourcountry that such an event had occured. Mr. Tylerwas at home in Williamsburg when he received theune.xpected tidings of the death of President Harrison.He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th ofA;"ril v/as inaugurated to the high and responsibleoffice. He was placed in a position of exceedingdelicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had beenopposed tc the main principles of the party which hadbrought him into power. He had ever been a consistent,honL:t man, with an unblemished record.Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Shouldhe retain them, and thus surround himself with counsellorswhose views were antagonistic to his own.' or,on the other hand, should he turn against the partywhich had elected him and select a cabinet in harnr.onywith himself, and which would oppose all thoseviews which the Whigs deemed essential to the publicwelfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He invitedthe cabinet which President Hanrison hadselected to retain their seats. He reccomm-nded aday of fasting and prayer, that God would guide andbless us.The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for theincor[X)ration of a fiscal bank of the United States.The President, after ten days' delay, returned it withhis veto. He suaeested, however, that he wouldapprove of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as heproposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, andprivately submitted to him. He gave it his approval.It ",vas passed without alteration, and he sent it backwith his veto. Here commenced the open rupture.It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this measureby a published letter from the Hon. John M.Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severelytouched the pride of the President.The opposition now exultingly received the Presidentinto their arms. The party which elected himdenounced him bitterl)-. All the members of hiscabinet, e.xcepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigsof Congress, both the Senate and the House, held ameeting and issued an address to the people of theUnited States, proclaiming tliat all political alliancebetween the Whigs and President Tyler were atan end.Still the President attempted to conciliate. Heappointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs andConservatives, carefully leaving out all strong partymen. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign,forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thusthe four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administrationpassed sadly away. iVo one was satisfied. Theland was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigsand Democrats alike assailed him. More and more,however, he brought himself into sympathy with hisold friends, the Democrats, until at the 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, he retired from theharassments of office, to the regret of neither party, andprobably to his own unspeakable relief. His first wife.Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842;and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married,New York, to Miss Julia (lardiner, a young lady ofatmany personal and intellectual accomplishments.The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainlyin retirement at his beautiful home,—Sherwood Forest,Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman inhis manners, richly furnished with information frombooks and experience in the world, and possessingbrilliant powers of conversation, his family circle wasthe scene of unusual attractions. With sufficientmeans for the exercise of a generous hospitality, hemight have enjoyed a serene old age with the fewfriends who gathered around him, were it not for thestorms of civil war which his own principles andpolicy had helped to introduce.When the great Rebellion rose, which the Staterightsand nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Ca\-houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced hisallegiance to the United States, and joined the Confederates.He was chosen a member of their Congress;and while engaged in active measures to destroy, b"force of arms, the Government over which he hadonce presided, he was taken sick and soon died.

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ELEVENTH PRESIDENT.59AMES K. POLK, the eleventh|LPresident of the United States,was born in Mecklenburg Co.,N. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His parentswere Samuel and Jane(Knox) Polk, the former a sonof Col. Thomas Polk, who locatedat the above place, as one of thefirst pioneers, in 1735.In the )'ear i3o6, with his wifeand children, and soon afterfollowedby most of the members ofthe Polk famly, Samuel Polk emigratedsome two or three hundredmiles farther west, to the rich valleyof the Duck River. Here in themidst of the wilderness, in a regionwhich was subsequently called MauryCo., they reared their log huts,and established their homes.In thehard toil of a new farm in the wilderness,James K. Polk spent theearly years of his childhood andyouth. His father, adding the pursuitcf a surveyor to that of a farmer,gradually increased in wealth untilhe became one of the leading men of the region. Hismother was a superior woman, of strong commonsense and earnest piety.Very early in life, James developed a taste forreading and expressed the strongest desire to obtaina liberal education. His mother's training had madeliim methodical in his habits, had taught him punctualityand industry, and had inspired him with loftyprinciples of morality. His health was frail ;and his£ather, fearing that he migiit not be able to endure asedentary life, got a situation for him behind thecounter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits.This was to James a bitter disappointment. Hehad no taste for these duties, and his daily taskswere irksome in the extreme. He remained in thisuncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at hisearnest solicitation his father removed hiwi, and madearrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soonafter he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. Withardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressedforward in his studies, and in less than two and a halfyears, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomoreclass in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel'Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary ofscholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowinghimself to be absent from a recitation or a religiousservice.He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, beingdeemed the best scholar of his class, both inmathematics and the classics. He was then twentythreeyears of age. Mr. Polk's health was at thistime much impaired by the assiduity with which hehad prosecuted his studies. After a short season ofrelaxation he went to Nashville, and entered theoffice of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polkrenewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, whoresided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a fewmiles from Nashville. They had probably beenslightly acquainted before.Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican,and James K. Polk ever adliered to the same politicalfaith. He was a popular public speaker, and wasconstantly called upon to address the meetings of hisparty friends. His skill as a speaker was such thathe was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump.He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and

6o /AMES K. POLK.courterus in his bearing, and with that sympatheticnature in the jo) s and gnefs of others which ever gavehim troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was electedto the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave hisstrong intluence towards the election of his friend,Mr. Jackso:i, to the Presidency of the United States.In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss SarahChildress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride wasaltogether worthy of him,—a lady of beauty and culture.In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen amember of Congress. The satisfaction which he gaveto his constituents may be inferred from the fact, thatfor fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was continuecin that office. He then voluntarily withdrew,only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chairof Tennessee. In Congress he was a laboriousmember, a frequent and a po[)ular speaker. He wasalwoys in his seat, always courteous; and wheneverhe spoke it was always to the point, and without anyambitious rhetorical display.During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk wasSpeaker of the House Strong passions were roused,and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr Polk performedhis arduous duties to a very generalsatisfaction,and a unanimous vote of thanks to him waspassed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th ofMarch, 1839.In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as acandidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He waselected by a large majority, and on the 14th of October,1839, took the oath of office at Nashville.Ini84i,his term of office expired, and he was again the candidateof the Democratic party, but was defeated.On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inauguratedPresident of the United States. The verdict ofthe country in favor of the annexalionof Texas, exertedits influence upon Congress ; and the last act of theadministration of President Tyler was to affix his signatureto a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas tothe American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texasas one of her provinces, the Mexican minister,Almonte, immediately demanded his passports andleft the country, declaring the act of the annexationto be an act hostile to Mexico.In his first message. President Polk urged thatTexas should immediately, by act of Congress, be receivedinto the Union on the same footing with theother States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sentwith an army into Texas to hold the country.sent firstHe wasto Nueces, which the Mexicans said wis thewestern boundary of Texas. Then he was sent .nearlytwo hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande,where he erected batteries which commanded theMexican city of Matamoras, which was situated onthe western banks.The anticipated collision soon took place, and waiwas declared against Mexico by President Polk. Thewar was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administrationwith great vigor.Gen. Taylor, whose army was firstcalled one of "observation," then of "occupation,'thenof" invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. Thefeeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelesslyand awfully slaughtered. The day of judgementalone can reveal the misery which this war caused.It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administrationthat the war was brought on.'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico wasprostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands.We now consented to peace upon the condition thatMexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas,all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower California.This new demand embraced, exclusive ofTexas, eight hundred thousand square miles. Thiswas an extent of territory equal to nine States of thesize of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteenmajestic States to be added to the Union. There weresome Americans who thought it all right: there wereothers who thought it all wrong. In the prosecutionof this war, we expended twentv thousand lives andmore than a hundred million of dollars. Of thismoney fifteen millions were paid to Mexico.On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired fromoffice, having served one term. The next day wasSunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inauguratedas his successor. Mr Polk rode to the Capitol in tliesame carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same evening,with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return toTennessee. 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 tiesof the dearest nature, it seemed as though long yearsof tranquility and happiness were before him. But thecholera—that fearful scourge— was then sweeping upthe Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted,and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fiftv-fourthyear of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen.

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TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 63i-1C^V.V.j?l^'^•^^S^J^tJ-S'W^Jy'^ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfthPresident of the United States,-^

—04 ZACHARY TAYLOR.tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventfulyears rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank ofcolonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted inthe capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylortook 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 m'employments so obscure, that his name was unknownbeyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance.In the year 1836, he was seat to Florida to compelthe Seminole Indians to vacate that region and retirebeyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty,iiac' promised they should do. The services renderedhe.c secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation ofthe Government; and as a reward, he was elevatedtc .he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soonafter, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief commandof the United States troops in Florida.After two years of svich wearisome employmentriHiidst the everglades of the peninsula. Gen. 'Faylorobtained, at his own request, a change of command,r.nd was stationed over the Department of the Southwest.This field embraced Louisiana, Mississijipi,Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquartersat Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his familyto a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue.Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were,from the world, but faithfully discharging every dutyimixjsed ujxin him.In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the landbetween the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter riverbeing the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed.by the United States. Soon the war with Mexicowas brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de laPalma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over theMexicans. The rank of major-general by brevetwas then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his nameWas received with enthusiasm almost everywhere inthe Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey andBuena Vista in which he won signal victories overforces much larger than he commanded.His careless habits of dress and his unaffectedsimplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops,\\\^ sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.'Tiie tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista.-pread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. Thename of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. TheWhig party decided to take advantage of this wonderfulpopularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un-"•ed, honest soldier as their candidate for theI'residency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the announcement,and for a time would not listen to it; declaringthat he was not at all qualified for such anofftce. So little interest had he taken in politics that,for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was notwithout chagrin that several distinguished statesmenwho had lieen long years m the ])ublic service found'\.z\x claims set aside in behalf of one whose namehad never been heard of, save in connection with PaloAlto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and BuenaVista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste remarked," It is a nomination not fit to be made."Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a finewriter His friends took possession of him, and preparedsuch few communications as it was needfulshould be presented to the public. The popularity ofthe successful warrior swept the land. He was triumphantlyelected over two opposing candidates,Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren.Thougli he selected an excellent cabinet, the goodold man found himself in a very uncongenial position,and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed.His mental sufferings were very severe, and probablytended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery partywas pushing its claims with tireless energy , expeditionswere fitting out to capture Cuba ;California waspleading for admission to the Union, while slaverystood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor foundthe political conflicts in Washington to be far moretrying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans orIndiansIn the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor,after he had occupied the Presidential chair but littleover a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness ofbut little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850.His last words were, " I am not afraid to die. I amready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He dieduniversally respected and beloved. An honest, unpretendingman, he had been steadily growing in theaffections of the people ; and the Nation bitterly lamentedhis death.Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted withGen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthfuldescription of his character:— " With a good store ofcommon sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been enlargedand refreshed by reading, or much conversewith the world. Rigidity of ideas was the consequence.The frontiers and small military posts hadbeen his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for hisrank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His simplicitywas child-like, and with innumerable prejudices,amusing and incorrigible, well suited to thetender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable,chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hata little on one side of his head; or an officer to leavea corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out*side pocket,—in any such case, this critic held theoffi.'nder to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse),whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase,'touch with a pair of tongs.'"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dilworth'sspelling-book, on the part of one wearing asword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utterunfitness for heavy marchings and combats. Inshor*few men have ever had a more comfortarAe. '-'>^'^t.saving contempt for learning of every kind.'

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thirteejsTth president. 67'HiMILLflRn FILLMnHE.-e-^4^'^'^ILLARD FILLMORE, thir-^ teentli President of the UnitedStates, was born at SummerHill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., onthe 7th of January, 1800. Hisfather was a farmer, and owingto misfortune, in haml)le circumstances.Of his mother, thedaughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard,of Pittsfield, Mass., it has beensaid tliat she [xjssessed an intellectof very high order, united with muchpersonal loveliness, sweetness of disposition,graceful manners and exquisitesensibilities. She died in1831 ; having lived to see her son a'young man of distinguished promise,though she was not permitted to witness the highdignity which he finally attained.In consequence of the secluded home andlimitedraeans of his father, Millard enjoyed liut slender advantagesfor education in his early years. The commonschools, which he occasionally attended werevery imperfect institutions; and books were scarceand expensive.There was nothing then in his characterto indicate the brilliant career upon which hewas about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy;intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacredinfluences 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 himsome hundred miles from home, to the then wilds ofLivingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier.Neav the mill there was a small villiage, where someenterprising man had commenced the collection of avillage library. Tliis proved an inestimable blessingto young Fillmore.His evenings were spent in reading.Soon every leisure moment was occupied withbooks. His thirst for knowledge became insatiateand the selections which he made were continuallymore elevating and instructive. He read history,biography, oratory , and thus gradually there was enkindledin his heart a desire to be something morethan a mere worker with his hands;and he was becoming,almost unknown to himself, a well-informed,educated man.The young clothier had now attained the age ofnineteen years, and was of fine personal appearanceand of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened tha'.there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of amplepecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge WalterWood,—who was struck with the prepossessing anpearanceof young Fillmore. He made his acquaintance,and was so much impressed with his ability andattainments that he advised him to abandon histrade and devote himself to the study of the law. Theyoung man replied, that he had no means of his own,r.o friends to help him and that his previous educationhad been very imperfect.But Judge Wood hadso much confidence in him that he kindly offered totake him into his own office, and to loan him suchmoney as he needed. Most gratefully the generousoffer was accepted.There is in many minds a strange delusion abouta collegiate education. A young man is supposed tobe liberally educated if he has graduated at some college.But many a boy loiters through university hal'ind then enters a law office, who is by no means as

06 MILLARD FILLMORE.well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as wasMillard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothingmillat the end of four years of manual labor, duringwhich every leisure moment had been devoted to intensemental culture.In 1S23, when twenty-three years of age, he v/asadmitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He thenwent to the village of Aurora, and commenced thepractice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region,his practice of course was limited, and there wasopportunity for a sudden rise in foitune or in fame.Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of greatmoral worth, and one capable of adorning any stationshe 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 toenter into partnership under highly advantageouscircumstances, with an elder member of the bar inPiuffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829,he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of theState of New York, as a representative from ErieCounty. Though he'had never taken a very activepart in politics, his vote and his sympathies were withthe Whig party. The State was then Democratic,and he found himself in a helpless minority in theLegislature , still the testimony comes from all parties,that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a veryunusual degn e the respect of his associates.In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat inthe United States Congress He entered that troubledarena in some of the most tumultuous hours of ournational history. The great conflict respecting thenational bank and the removal of the deposits, wasthen raging.His term of two years closed ;and he returned tohis profession, which he pursued with increasing reputationand success. After a lapse of two yearshe again became a candidate for Congress ; was reelected,and took his seat in 1837. His past experienceas a representative gave hmi sttength andconfidence. The first term of service in Congress toany man can be but little more than an introduction.He was now prepared for active duty. All his energieswere brought to bear w\x>n the public good.measure received his impress.Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute,noEveryandhis popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847,he was elected Comptroller of the State.Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-sevenyears. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, inCongress and as Comptroller, had given him very considerablefame. The Whigs were casting about tofind suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presidentat the approaching election.Far away, on thewaters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough oldsoldier, who had fought one or two successful battleswith the Mexicans, which had caused his name to beproclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. Butit was necessary to associate with him on the sameticket some man of reputation as a statesman.Under the influence of tliese considerations, tlienamesof Zachary Taylor ar.d Millard Fillmore becamethe rallying-cry of tjie Whigs, as their candidates furPresident and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket wassignally triumphant. On tlie 4th of March, 1849,Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and MillardFillmore Vice-President, of the United States.On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, butabout one year and lour mcnths after his inauguiation, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Constitution,Vice-President Fillmore thus became President.He appointed a very able cabinet, of whichthe illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State.Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contendwith, since the opiwsition had a majority in bothHouses. He did everything in his power tocontiliatethe South; but the pro-slavery party in the South feltthe inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation.The population of the free States was so rapidly increasingover that of the slave States that it was inevitablethat the power of the Government sliouldsoon pass into the hands of the free States. Thefamous compromise measures were adopted under Mr.Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expeditionwas sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr, Fillmore,liaving served one term, retired.In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Presidencyby the " Know Nothing " party, but was beatenby Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived inretirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war,he was mostly silent.It was generally supposed iha*his sympathies were rather with those who wereendeavoringto overthrow our instUutions. PresidentFillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without anycordial words of cheer to the one party or the other.He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ri])eold age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874.

FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 71(is\ ''-*\ \ ?',:!*- -iiOT„„. ». , TI TT Tr mr TT' T Tmr Tt w-wt -rx -w-i -*-t u ._ ..„-'?': (^i '^i- FRANKLIN FIEHEE. 3

72 FRANKLIN FIERCE.three sons who were born to them, all now sleep withtheir parents in the grave.In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fameand increasing business as a lawyer, took up hisresidence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire.President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointedMr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; butthe offer was declined, in consequence of numerousprofessional engagements at home, and the precariuosstate of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about thesame time declined the nomination for governor by theDemocratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr.Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment ofbrigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion oftroops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847.He took an important part in this war, proving himselfa brave and true soldier.When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his nativeState, he was received enthusiastically by the advocatesof the Mexican war, and coldly by his opponents.He resumed the practice of his profession,very frequently taking an active part in political questions,giving his cordial support to the pro-slaverywing of the Democratic party. The compromisemeasures met cordially with his approval ; and hestrenuously advocated the enforcement of the infamousfugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religioussensibilities of llie North. He thus became distinguishedas a " Northern man with Southern principles.''The strong partisans of slavery in the South consequentlyregarded him as a man whom they couldsafely trust in office to carry out their plans.On the I 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conventionmet in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for thePresidency.hisFor four days they continued in session,=nd in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained atwo-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrownfor Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegationbrought forward his name. There were fourteenmore ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantlygained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, hereceived two hundred and eighty-two votes, and allother candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott wasthe Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen withgreat unanimity. Only four States—Vermont, Massachusetts,Kentucky and Tennessee— cast theirelectoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pieicewas therefore inaugurated President of the UnitedStates on the 4th of March, 1853.His administration proved one of the most stormy ourcountry had ever experienced. The controversy ijetween slavery and freedom was then approachingculminating pointitsIi became evident that there wasan " irrepressible conflict" between them, and thatthis Nation could not long exist " half slave and halffree." President Pierce, during the whole of his administration,did every thing he could to conciliatethe South ;but it was all in vain. The conflict everyyear grew more violent, and threats of the dissolutionof the Union were borne to the North on every Southernbreeze.Such was the condition of affairs when PresidentPierce approached the close of his four-years' termof office. The North had become thoroughly edienatedfrom him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goadedby great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; ;illthe intellectual ability and social worth of PresidentPierce were forgotten in deep repreliension of his administrativeacts. The slaveholders of the Soutli, also,unmindful of the fidelity with whicli he had advocatedthose measures of Government winch they approved,and perhaps, ' also, feeling that he hadrendered himself so unpopular as no longer to beable accejJtably to serve them, ungratefully drop[)edhim, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed liim.On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce retiredto his home in Concord. Of three children, twohad died, and his only surviving child had beenkilled before his eyes by a railroad accident , and b.iswife, one of the most estimable ajid accomplished ofladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. Thehour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was leftalone in the world, without wife or child.When the terrible Reljellion burst forth, which dividedour country into two parties, and two only, Mr.Pierce remained steadfast in the principles whichhad always cherished, and gave his sympathies tothat pro-slavery party with which he had ever beenallied. He declined to do anything, either by voiteor pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Government.He continued to reside in Concord untilthe time of his death, which occurred in Oclol er,1869. He was one of the most genial and social olmen, an honored communicant of tlie EpiscopalChurch, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Generous to a fault, he conttibuted liberally for the alleviationof suffering and want, and many of his lowrspeople were often gladened by his material bounty.he

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76 JAMES BUCHANAN.sals against France, to enforce the payment of ourclaims against that country ; and defended the courseof the President in his unprecedented and wholesaleremoval from office of those who were not the supportersof his administration. Upon this question heWas brought into direct collision with Henry Clay.He also, with voice and vote, advocated expungingfrom tire journal of the Senate the vote of censureagainst Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits.Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in theDistrict of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of thecirculation of anti-slavery documents by the UnitedStates mails.As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advocatedthat they should be respectfully received; andthat the reply should be returned, that Congress hadno power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress,"said he, " might as well undertake to interfere withslavery under a foreign government as in any of theStates 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 ofthe Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossingthe Nueces by the American troops into the disputedterritory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to crossthe Rio Crande into that territory was a declarationof war. No candid man can read with pleasure theaccount of the course our Government pursued in thatmovementMr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly withthe party devoted to the pi'rpetuation and extensionof slavery, and brought all the energies of his mindto bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave hiscordial approval to the compromise measures of 1050,which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce,upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr.Buchanan with tlie mission to England.In the year 1856, a national Democratic conventionnominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. Thepolitical conflict was one of the most severe in whichour country has ever engaged. All the friends ofslavery were on one side ; all the advocates of its restrictionand final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fremont,the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re-•eived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received174, and was elected. The popular vote stoodt, 340, 618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. OnMarch 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated.Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only fourvears were wanting to fill up his threescore years andten. His own friends, those with whom he had beenallied in political principles and action for years, wereseeking the destruction of the Government, that theymight rear upon the ruins of our free institutions anation whose corner-stone should be human slavery.In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly bewilderedHe could not, with his long-avowed principles,consistently oppose the State-rights party intheir assumptions. As President of the United States,bound by his oath faithfully to administer the lawshe could not, without perjury of the grossest kind,unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the republic.He therefore did nothing.The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administrationnominalcd Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearerin the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slaveryparty declared, that if he were elected, and ihe controlof the Government were thus taken from theirhands, they would secede from the Union, takingwith them, as they retired, the National Capitol atWashington, and the lion's share of the territory ofthe United States.Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slaveryparty was such, that he had been willing to ofTerthemfar more than they had ventured to claim. All theSouth had professed to ask of the North was noninterventionupon the subject of slavery. Mr. Buchananhad been ready to offer them the active cooperationof the Government to defend and extendthe institution.As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholdersclaiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avowingthat Congress had no power to prevent it, one ofthe most pitiable exhibitions of governmental imbecilitywas exhibited the world has ever seen. Hedeclared that Congress had no power to enforce itslaws in any .State which had withdrawn, or whichwas attempting to withdraw from the Union. Thiswas not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, withhis hand upon his sword hilt, he exclaimed, " TheUnion must and shall be preserved!"South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearlythree months before the inauguration of PresidentLincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair.The rebel flag was raised in Charleston : Fort Sumpterwas besieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenalswere seized; our depots of military stoies were plundered; and our custom-houses and post-offices wereappropriated by the rebels.The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of ourExecutive, were alike marvelous. The Nation lookedon in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away,and close the administration, so terrilile in its weaknessAt length the long-looked-for hour of deliverancecame, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive thescepter.The administration of President Buchanan wascertainly the most calamitous our country has experienced.His best friends cannot recall it with])leasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame,that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billowsof flame and blood over our whole land, no word camefrom his lips to indicate his wish that our country'sbanner should trium|ih over the flag of the rebellionHe died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868.

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SIXTEENTH PRES/DEIVT. 79HRAHAM LINCOLN, thesixteenth President of theIJI^Uiuted States, w.is horn inHardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12,iSog. About the year 1 7 So, aman by the name of AbrahamLincohi left Virginia with hisfamily and moved into the thenwildsof Kentucky. Only two yearsafter this emigration, still a youngman, while working one day in afield, was stealthily appro.xhed byan Indian andshot dead. His widowwas left in extreme poverty with fivetittle children, three boys and twogirls. Thomas, the youngest of theboys, was four years of age at hisfather's death. This Thomas wasthe father of Abraham Lincoln, thePresident of the United Stateswhose name must henceforth foi-ever be enrolledwith tlie most prominent in the annals of our world.Of course no record has been kept of the lifeof one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was amongthe poorest of the poor. His home was a wretchedlog-cabin ; his food the coarsest and the meanest.Education he had none; he could never either reador write. As soon as he was able to do anything forhimself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of hisstarving mother, and push out into the world, a friendless,wandering boy, seeking work. He hired himselfout, and thus spent the whole of his youth as aowe to my angel-mother.When he was eight years of age, his father sold his?iborer in the fields of others.When twenty-eight years of age he buill a logcabinof his own, and married Nancy Hanks, thedaughter of another family of poor Kentucky emigrants,who had also come from Virginia. Theirsecond child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject ofthis sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noblewoman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorna palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel."All 'hat I am, or hope to be," exclaims the gratefulson " Icabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana Wheitwoyears later his mother died.Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducatedcommunity around him. He could not have had abetter school than this to teach him to put thoughtsinto words. He also became an eager reader. Thebooks he could obtain were few ; but these he eadand re-read until they were almost committf ^ tcmemory.As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly familjwas the usual lot of humanity. There were joys aniigriefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sistt iSarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mairied when a child of but fourteen years of age, andsoon died. The family was gradually scattered. MrThomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830and emigrated to Macon Co., 111.Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age.With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearinganother log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at thisuntil he saw the family comfortably settled, and thei'sm.all lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, whenhe announced to his father his intention to leavehome, and to go out into the world and seek his fortune.Little did he or his friends imagine how brilliantthat fortune was to be. He saw the value oieducation and was intensely earnest to improve hismind to the utmost of his power He saw the ruinwhich ardent spirits were causing, and be< amestrictly temperate;refusing to allow a drop of intoxicatingliquor to pass his lips. And he had read inGod's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of theLord thy God in vain;" and a profane expression hewas never heard to utter. Religion he revered. Hismorals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by asingle vice.Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired laboreiamong the farmers. Then he went to .Siiringfield,where he was employed in building a large flat-boatIn this he took a herd of swine, floated them dowi,the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mississippito New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lincolnundertook, he performed so faithfully as to givegreat satisfaction to his employers. In this adven

:8oABRAHAM LINCOLN.ture his employers were so well pleased, lliat uponhis return they placed a store and Uiill under his care.In 1832, at the outbreak, of the lilack Hawk war, heenlisted and was chosen captain of a company. Hereturned to Sangamon County, and although only 23years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, butwas defeated. He soon after received from AndrewJackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem,His only post-office was his hat. All the letters hereceived he carried there ready to deliver to thosehe chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soonmade this his business. In 1834 he again became acandidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr.Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. Hewalked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed ofMr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back andbegan his legal studies. When the Legislature assembledhe trudged on foot with his pack on his backone hundred miles to Vandalia, then tlie capital. In1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here itwas he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he removedto Springfield and began the practice of law.His success with the jury was so great that he wassoon 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 becameone of th.e leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln'sspeeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the contestin 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a mostnotable part of his history. The issue was on theilavery question, and he took the broad ground of.he Declaration of Independence, that all men arecreated equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated' in this contest,but won a far higher prize.The great Republican Convention met at Chicagoon the 1 6th ot June, i860. The delegates andstrangers who crowded the city amounted to twentyfivethousand. An immense building called "TheWigwam," was reared to accommodate the Convention.There were eleven candidates for whom voteswere thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fameas a statesman had long filled the land, was the mostorominent. It was generally supposed he would bethe nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, receivedthe nomination on the third ballot. Little did he thendream of the weary years of toil and care, and thebloody death, to which that nomination doomed himand as little did he dream that he was to render servicesto his country, which would fi.x upon him the eyes ofthe whole civilized world, and which would give hima place in the affections of his countrymen, secondcnly, if second, to that of Washington.Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore,constitutionally elected President of the United States.The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this goodand merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, wasgreater than upon any other man ever elected to thi.->high position. In February, 186 i, Mr. Lincoln startedfor Washington, stopping m all the large cities on hisway making speeches. The whole journey was froughlwith much danger. Many of the Southern States hadalready seceded, and several attempts at assassinationwere afterwards brought to light. A gang in Baltimorehad arranged, upon his arrival to" get up a row,"and in the confusion to make sure of his death withrevolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelledthe plot. A secret and special train was provided tatake him from Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at anunexpected hour of the night. The train started athalf-past ten ; and to prevent ai.y possible communicationon the part ot the Secessionists with their Confederategang in Baltimore, as soon as the train hacstarted the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincolnreached Washington in safety and was inaugurated,although great anxiety was felt by all loyal peopleIn the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gaveto Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to otherprominent opponents before the convention he gaveimportant positions.During no other administration have the dutiesdevolving upon the President been so manifold, andthe responsibilities so great, as those which fell tothe lot of President Lincoln. Knowirg this, andfeeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and inhis own strength to cope with, the difficulties, helearned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance indetermining his plans, and Divine comfort in all histrials, bo'h personal and national Contrary to hisown estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of themost courageous of men. He went directly into therebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving,with no guard but a few sailors. From the time hehad left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had beenmade for his assassination, and he at last fell a victimtooneofthem. Ai^ril 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant,was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. Itwas announced that they would Le present. Gen.Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feeling,witn his characteristic kindliness of heart, thatit would be a disappointment if he should fail them,very reluctantly consented to go. While listening tothe play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Boothentered the box where the President and family wereseated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died thenext morning at seven o'clock.Never before, in the history of tlie world was a nationplunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler.Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechlessanguish. It is not too much to say that a nation wasin tears. His was a life which will fitly become amodel. His name as the savior of his country w-:!!live with that of Washington's, ils father; his c^v-ntrymenbeing unable to decide whii K is tl>e greater.

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SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT 8j}:S,U O K SifW INDREW JOHNSON, seventeenthPresident of the UnitedStates. The early life ofAndrew Johnson contains butthe record of poverty, destitutionand friendlessness. Hewas born December 29, 180S,in Raleigh, N. C. His parents,belonging to the class of the"poor whites " of the South, werein such circumstances, that theycould not c';nf:r ^.-er. the slightestadvantages of education upontheir child. When Andrew was fiveyears of age, his father accidentallylost his life while herorically endeavoring to save afriend from drowning, ^^nvil ten years of age, Andrewwas a ragged boy abour the streets, supported by thelabor of his mother, who obtained her living withher own hands.He then, having never attended a school one day,and being unable either to read or write, was apprenticedto a tailor in his native town. A gentlemanwas in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasionally,and reading to the boys at work there. He oftenread from the speeches of distinguished British statesmen.Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of morethan ordinary native ability, became much interestedin these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and hewas inspired with a strong desire to learn to read.He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, andwith the assistance of some of his fellow-workmen,jearned his letters. He then called upon the gentlemanto borrow the book of si>eeches. The owner.pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book,but assisted him in learning to combine the lettersinto words. Under such difficulties he pressed oiwardlaboriously, spending usually ten or twelve houi-sat work in the shop, and then robbing himself of restand recreatior to devote such time as he could toreading.He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located z.tGreenville, where he married a young lady who possessed some education. Under her instructions helearned to write and cipher. He became prominentin the village debating society, and a favorite withthe students of Greenville College. In 1828, he organizeda working man's party, which elected himalderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, whichposition he held three years.He now began to take a lively interest in politicalaffairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes,to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected amember of the House of Representatives of Tennessee.He was then just twenty-seven years of age.He became a very active member of the legislaturegave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin VanBuren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to thoSvof Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired muchreadiness as a speaker, and extended and increasedhis reputation.In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, hewas elected a member of Congress, and by successiveelections, held that important post for ten years. In1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, andwas re-elected in 1855. In all these resixjnsible ]X)sitions,he discharged his duties with distinguished abi'.

ANDREW JOHNSON.ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the workingclasses. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was electedUnited States Senator.Years before, in 1S45, he had warmly advocatedthe annexation of Texas, stating however, as hisreason, that he thought this annexationwould probablyprove " to be the gateway out of which the sable50ns of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom,(ind become merged in a population congenial tothemselves." In 1850, he also supported the compromisemeasures, the two essential features of whichwere, that the white people of the Territoriesshouldbe permitted to decide for themselves whether theywould enslave the colored people or not, and thatthe *'ree States of the North should return to the3ouLh persons who attempted to escape from slavery.Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin:on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing thathe owed his distinction to his own exertions."Sir,"said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forgetthat I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adamwas a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Saviorwas the son of a carpenter."In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of i8bo, newas the choice of the Tennessee Democrats forthe"Presidency. In 1S61, when the purpose of the SouthirnDemocracy became apparent, he took adecidedstand in favor of the Union, and held that " slaverymust be held subordinate to the Union at whatevercost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedlyimperiled his own life to protect the Unionists ofTennesee. Tennessee having seceded from theUnion, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, appointedhim Military Governor of the State, and heestablished the most stringent military rule. Hisnumerous proclamations attracted wide attention.1864, he was elected Vice-President of the UnitedStates, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15,1865, became President. In a speech two days laterhe said, " The American people must be taught, ifthey do not already feel, that treason is a crime andmust be rvinished ; that the Government will notalways beat with its enemies ; that it is strong notonly to protect, but to punish. * * The peoplemust understand that it (treason) is the blackest ofcrimes, and will surely be punished."InYet his wholeadministration, the history of which is so well known,was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violentopposition to, the principles laid down in that speechIn his loose policy of reconstruction and generalamnesty, he was opposed by Congress; and he characterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlesslydefied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. Inthe beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimesand misdemeanors," the principal of which was theremoval of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Tenureof Office Act, articles of impeachment were preferredagainst him, and the trial began March 23.It was very tedious, continuing for nearly threemonths. A test article of the impeachment was atlength submitted to the court for its action. It wascertain that as the court voted upon that article sowould it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronouncedthe President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was necessaryto his condemnation, he was pronounced acquitted,notwithstanding the great majority againsthim. The change of one vote from the not guiltyside would have sustained the impeachment.The President, for the remainder of his term, wasbut little regarded. He continued, though impotent!--,his conflict with Congress. His own party did notthink it expedient to renominate him for the Presidency.The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unparalleledsince the days of Washington, around the nameof Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten.The bullet of the assassin introduced him to thePresident's chair. Notwithstanding this, never wasthere presented to a man a better opportunity to immortalizehis name, and to win the gratitude of anation. He failed utterly. He retired to his homein Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part inpolitics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an excitingstruggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Tennessee,United States Senator in the forty-fourth Congress,and took his seat in that body, at the specialsession convened by President Grant, on the 5th ofMarch. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-Presidentmade a visit to his daughter's home, near CarterStation, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he wasapparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reachingthe residence of his child the following day, wasstricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious.He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His funeralwas attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August,with every demonstration of respect.

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—EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. «7®)®®V3Xs)^^LYSSES S. GRANT, theeighteenth President of theUnited States, was born onthe 29th of April, 1822, of_^^:j 5 Christian parents, in a humble-:'W home, at Point Pleasant, on thebanks of the Ohio. Shortly afterhis father moved to Georgetown,Brown Co., O. In this remotefrontier hamlet, Ulyssesreceived a common-school education.At the age of seventeen,in the year 1839, he enteredthe Military Academy at WestPoint.Here he was regarded as aiolid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and ofsturdy, honest character. He took respectable rankas a scholar.In June, 1843, he graduated, about themiddle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of infantryto one of the distant military posts in the MissouriTerritory. Two years he past in these drearysolitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperatingIndians.The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant wassent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His firstbattle was at Palo Alto.There was no chance herefor the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor atResaca de la Palma, his second battle.At the battleof Monterey, his third engagement, it is said thatne performed a signal service of daring and skillfulhorsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its ammunition.A messenger must be sent for more, alonga route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut.Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians,grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon oneside of the anin^-il, ran the gauntlet in entire safety.From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry,to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. Inpreparation for the march to the city of Mexico, hewas appointed quartermaster of his regiment.At thebattle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to afirst lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Chapultepec.At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant returnedwith his regiment to New York, and was againsent to one of the military posts on the frontier. Thediscovery of gold in California causing an immensetide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt.Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, inOregon, for the protecrion of the interests of the immigrants.Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt.Grant resigned his commission and returned to theStates; and having married, entered upon the cultivationof a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had butlittle skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not remunerative,he turned to mercantile life, entering intothe leather business, with a younger brother, at Galena,111. This was in the year i860. As the tidingsof the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the earsof Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said,"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army: thoughI have served him through one war, I do not feel thatI have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to dischargemy obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my ewordand see Uncle Sam through this war too."He went into the streets, raised a company of volunteers,and led them as their captain to Springfield,the capital of the State, where their services wereoffered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed bythe zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt.Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in thevolunteer organization that was being formed in theState in behalf of the Government. On the 15 th of

83 UL YSSES S. GRA NT.June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission asColonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Volunteers.His merits as a West Point graduate, whohad served for 15 years in the regular army, were suchthat he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General and was placed in command at Cairo. Therebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the moutliof the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds appearedin the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there.Therebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star andstripes were unfurled in its stead.He entered the service with great determinationand immediately began active duty. This was the beginning,and until the surrender of Lee at Richmondhe was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor andeffectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he surprisedand routed the rebels, then at Fort Henrywon another victory. Then came the brilliant fightat Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by thevictory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue wasimmediately made a Major-General, and the militaryiistrict of Tennessee was assigned to him.Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well howto secure the results of victory. He immediatelyDushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came theterrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and thesiege of Vicksburg, where Gen.Pemberton made anunconditional surrender of the city with over thirtythousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two cannon.The fall of Vicksburg was by far the mostsevere 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 withGen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and proceededto New Orleans, where he was thrown fromhis horse, and received severe injuries, from which hewas laid up for months. He then rushed to the aidof Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, andby a wonderful series of strategic and technical measuresput the Union Army infighting condition. Thenfollowed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, LookoutMountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebelswere routed with great loss. This won for him unboundedpraise in the North. On the 4th of February,1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenantgeneral,and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant.He repaired to Washington to receive his credentialsand enter upon '.hp duties of his new ofl^ceGen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of• the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed Nationaltroops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominalcapital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to destroythe rebel armies which would be promptly assembledfrom all quarters for its defence. The wholecontinent seemed to tremble under the tramp of thesemajestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field.Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trainswere burdened with closely packed thousands. Hisplans were comprehensive and involved a series ofcampaigns, which were executed with remarkable energyand ability, and were consummated at the surrenderof Lee, April 9, 1865.The war was ended. The Union was saved. Thealmost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen.Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its salvation.The eminent services he had thus renderedthe country brought him conspicuously forward as theRepublican candidate for the Presidential chair.At the Republican Convention held at Chicago,May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for thePresidency, and at the autumn election received amajority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294electoral votes.The National Convention of the Republican partywhich met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872,placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second termby a unanimous vote. The selection was emphaticallyindorsed by the people five months later, 292electoral votes being cast for him.Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. Grantstarted upon his famous trip around the world. Hevisited almost every country of the civilized worid,and was everywhere received with such ovationsand demonstrations of respect and honor, privateas well as public and ofiicial, as were never beforebestowed upon any citizen of the United States.He was the most prominent candidate before theRepublican National Convention in 1880 for a renominationfor President. He went to New York andembarked in the brokerage business under the firmnameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain,wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent tothe penitentiary. The General was attacked withcancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-likemanner, never complaining. He was re-instated asGeneral of the Army and retired by Congress. Thecancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23,1885, the nation wenf in mourning over the death ofthe illustrious General.

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'andNINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 91UTHERFORD B.HAYES,the nineteentli President ofthe United States, was born inDelaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, almostthree months after thedeath of his father, RutherfordHayes. His ancestry on bothIt can be traced, it is said,as far back as 1280, when Hayes andthe paternal and maternal sides,was of the most honorable character.Rutherford were two Scottish chieftains,fighting side by side withBaliol, William Wallace and RobertBruce. Both families belonged to thenobility, owned extensive estates,had a large following. Misfortaneovtrtaking the family, George Hayes left Scotlandin i6iSo, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His sonGeorge wai, born in Windsor, and remained thereduring his life.Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, marriedSarah Lee, and lived from the time of his marriageuntil his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel,son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufacturerof scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes,son of Ezekiel aud grandfather of President Hayes, wasborn in New Haven, in August, t756. He was a fanner,blacksmith and tavern-keepyer. He emigrated toVermont at an unknown date, settling in BraMleboro,where he established a hotel. Here his son RutherfordHayes the father of President Hayes, wasborn. He was married, in September, 18 13, to SophiaBirchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emigratedthither from Connecticut, they having beenamong the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich.Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal foundersof Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiersin the Revolutionary War.The father of President Hayes was an industriousfrugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a mechanicalturn, and could mend a plow, knit a stocking,or do almost anything else that he choose toundertake. He was a member of the Church, activein all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and conductedhis business on Christian principles. Afterthe close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicableto his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio.The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that daywhen there were no canals, steamers, not railways,was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection wasfirst made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes determined to move to Delaware, where the family arrivedin 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarialfever, less than three months before the birth of theson, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore bereavement,found the support she so much needed inher brother Sardis, who had been a member of thehousehold from the day of its departure from Vermont,and in an orphan girl whom she had adoptedsome time before as an act of charity.Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the

92 RUTHERFORD B. HA YES.subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that hewas not expected to live beyond a month or two atmost. As the months went by he grew weaker andweaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of inquiringfrom time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby diedlast night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was onfamiliar terms with the family, after alludnig to theboy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care ofhim, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick tohim. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn'twonder if he would really come to something yet."" You r.eed not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " Youivait and see. You cau't tell but I shall make himPresident of the United States yet." The boy lived,in spite of the universal predictions of his speedydeath; and when, in 1825, his older brother wasdrowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to hismother.The boy was seven years old before he w

'III/':TWENTIETH PRESIDENT.95%'AMES A. GARi'IELD, twentiethPresident of the UnitedStates, was born Nov. ig,1 83 1, in the woods of Orange,Cuyahoga Co., O His parentswere Abram and EUza(Ballon) Garfield, both of NewEngland ancestry and from familieswell known in the early historyof that section of our country,but had moved to the WesternReserve, in Ohio, early in its settlement.The house in which James A. wasborn was not unlike the houses ofpoor Ohio farmers of that day. It, tic about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be-.\/2en the logs filled with clay. His father was aaard working farmer, and he soon had his fieldscleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built,f he household comprised the father and mother and/.heir four children— Mehetabel, 'I'iiomas, Mary andTames. In May, i823j the father, from a cold con-.racted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. Atdiis time James was about eighteen montlis old, andThomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, canfell how much James was indebted to his biother'stoil and self sacrifice during the twenty years succeedinghis father's death, but undoubtedly verymuch. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sisterslive in .Solon, O., near their birthplace.The early educational advantages young Garfieldenjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most ofthem. He labored at farm work for others, did carpenterwork, chopped wood, or did anything thatwould bring in a few dollars to aid his widowedmother in he' struggles to keep the little family together.Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of hisorigin, and he never forgot the friends of his strugglingchildhood, youth and manhood, neither did theyever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor,the humblest f)iend of his boyhood was as kindlygreeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of thesympathy of one who had known all the bitternessof want and the sweetness of bread earned by thesweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain,modest gentleman.The highest ambition of young Garfield until hiwas about si.xteen years old was to be a captain ofa vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboarda vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. Shefinally consented to his going to Cleveland, with theunderstanding, however, that he sliould try to obtainsome other kind of employment. He walked all theway to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the cityAfter making many applications for work, and tryingto get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting withsuccess, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, AmosLetcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He remainedat this work but a short time when he wentiiome, and attended the seminary at Chester forabout three years, when he entered Hiram and theEclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of schoolinthe meantime, and doing other work. This schoolwas started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, ofwhich church he was then a member. He becamejanitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his wayHe then became both teacher and pupil. He soon" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in thefall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from whichhe graduated in 1856, taking one of the liighest hc*,,-ors of his class. He afterwards returned to HiramCollege as its President. As above slated, he earlyunited with the Christian or Diciples Church atHiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous member,often preaching in its pulpit and places wherehe happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President ofYale College, says of him in reference to his religion

9« JAMES A. GARFIELD." President Garfield was more than a man ofstrong moral and religious convictions. His wholehistory, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty toandman and to God, and devotion to Christ and lifefaith and spiritual commission were controlling springsof his being, and to a more than usual degree. Inmy judgment there is no more interesting feature ofhis character than his loyal allegiance to the body ofChristians in which he was trained, and the ferventsympathy which he ever showed in their Christiancommunion. Not many of the few 'wise and mightyand noble who are called' show a similar loyalty tothe less stately and cultured Christian communionsin which they have been reared. Too often it is truethat as they step upward in social and political significancethey step upward from one degree toanother in some of the many types of fashionableChristianity. President Garfield adhered to thechurch of his mother, the church in which he wastrained, and in which he served as a pillar and anevangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsect,ariancharity for all 'who love our Lord in sincerity.'"Mr. Garfield was united in marriage witli MissLucretia Rudolph, Nov. ii, 1858, who proved herselfworthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved andmourned. To them were born seven children, five ofwhom are still living, four boys and one girl.Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856,jn Hiram and the neighboring villages, and threeyears later he began to speak at county mass-meetings,and became the favorite speaker wherever hewas. During this year he was elected to the OhioSenate. He also began to study law at Cleveland,and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The greatRebellion broke out in the early part of this year,and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he hadtalked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He receivedhis commission as Lieut.-Colonel of the FortysecondRegiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug.14, 1861. He was immediately put into active service,and before he had ever seen a gun fired inaction,was placed in command of four regiments of infantryand eight companies of cavalry, charged with thework of driving out of his native State the officer'Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest ofthose, not educated to war whom Kentucky had givento the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speedilyaccomplished, although against great odds. PresidentLincoln, on his success commissioned himBrigadier-General, Jan. ro, 1862; and as "he hadbeen the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two yearsbefore, so now he was the youngest General in thearmy." He was with Gen. Baell's army at Shiloh,in its operations around Corinth and its march throughAlabama. He was then detailed as a member of theGeneral Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-JohnPorter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rosecrans,and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff."The military tJstory of Gen. Garfield closed withhis brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he woethe stars of the Major-General.Without an effort on his part Ge? Garfield wa»elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from theNineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohiohad been represented in Congress for si.xty year*mainly by two men— Elisha Whittlesey and JoshuKR. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that heresigned his place in the army. At the time he enteredCongress he was the youngest member in thatbody. There he remained by successive reelectionsuntil he was elected President in 1880.Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says :" Sincethe year 1864 you cannot think of a question whiciihas been debated in Congress, or discussed before &tribunel of the American people, in regard to whicLyou will not find, if you wish mstruction, the argumenton one side stated, in almost every instancebetter than by anybody else, in some speech made inthe House of Representatives or on the hustings byMr. Garfield."Uix>n Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected tothe U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of thesame year, was nominated as the candidate of hisparty for President at the great Chicago Convention.He was elected in the following November, and onMarch 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no administrationever opened its existence under brighterauspices than that of President Garfield, and everyday it grew in favor with the people, and by the firstof July he had completed all the initiatory and preliminarywork of his administration and was preparingto leave the city to meet his friends at WilliamsCollege. While on his way and at the dejxjt, in companywith Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behindhim, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back.The President tottered and fell, and as he did so theassassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting theleft coat sleeve of his victim, but in.licting no furtherinjury. It has been very truthfully said that this was" the shot that was heard round the world " Neverbefore in the history of the Narion had anything occurredwhich so nearly froze the blood of the peoplefor the moment, as this awful deed. He was smittenon the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, andwas at the summit of his power and hope. For eightydays, all during the hot months of July and August,he lingered and suffered. He, however, remainedmaster of himself till the last, and by his magnificentbearing was teaching the country and the world thenoblest of human lessons—how to live grandly in thevery clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpassinglygreat in death. He passed serenely away Sept.rg, 1883, at Elberon, N. J.,on the very bank of theocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. Theworid wept at his death, as it never had done on thedeath of any other man who had ever lived upon it.The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and executed,in one year after he committed the foul deed.

ofTWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT. 99IHESTER A. ARTHUR,twenty-first Presi'^.^ni of theUnited States, was born inFranklin Cour ty, Vermont, onthefifthofOc'ober, 1830, and isthe oldest of a family,twosons and five daughters. Hisfather was the Rev. Dr. WilliamArthur, aBaptisld'-fgyman,whoemigrated to tb'.s country fromthe county Antnm, Ireland, in'M his 1 8th year, and died in 1875, '"Newtonville, neai Albany, after along and successful ministry.Young Arthur was educated atUnion College, S( henectady, wherehe excelled in all his studies. Afterhis graduation he taught schoolin Vermont for two years, and atthe expiration of that time came toNew York, with $500 in his pocket,and ewtered the office of ex- JudgeE. D. Culver as student. Afterbeing admitted to the bar he formeda partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate,Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicingin the West, and for three months they roamed aboutin the Western States in search of an eligible site,but in the end returned to New York, where theyhung out their shingle, and entered upon a success^ful career almost from the start. General Arthursoon afterward raaxped the daughter of LieutenantHerndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost atsea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow inrecognition of the bravery he displayed on that occasion.Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur'snommation to the Vice Presidency, leaving twochildren.Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrityin his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit,brought to recover possession of eight slaves who hadbeen declared free by Judge Paine, of the SuperiorCourt of New York City. It was in 1852 that JonathanLemmon, of Virginia, went to New York withhis slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, whenthey were discovered and freed. The Judge decidedthat they could not be held by the owner under theFugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up fromthe South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized theAttorney General of that State to assist in an appeal,Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employedto represent the People, and they won their case,which then went to the Supreme Court of the UnitedStates. Charles O'Conor here esjxjused the causeof the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by MessrsEvarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken towardthe emancipation of the black race.Another great service was rendered by Genera!Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings,a respectable colored woman, was put off a FourthAvenue car with violence after she had paid her fare.General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured averdict of $500 damages. The next day the companyissued an order to admit colored persons to rideon their cars, and the other car companies quickly

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.followed their example. Before that the Sixth AvenueCompany ran a few special cars for colored personsand the other lines refused to let them ride at all.General Arthur was a delegate to the Conventionat Saratoga that founded the Republican party.Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of theSecond Brigade of the State of New York, and GovernorMorgan, of that State, appointed him Engineerin-Chiefof his staff.In 1861, he was made InspectorGeneral, and soon afterward became Quartermaster-General.In each of these offices he renderedgreat service to the Government during the war.the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed thepractice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr.Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorneyof New York, was added to the firm. The legal practiceof this well-known firm was very large and lucrative,each of the gentlemen composing it were ablelawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, ifnot indeed one of national extent.He always took a leading part in State and citypolitics. He was apix)inted Collector of the Port ofNew York by President Grant, Nov. 21 -1872, to succeedThomas Murphy, and held the office until July,20, 1 87 8, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt.Mr. -Arthur was nominated on the Presidentialticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famousNational Republican Convention held at Chicago inJune, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest politicalconvention that ever assembled on the continent. Itwas composed of the 'sading politicians of the Republicanparty, all able men, and each stood firm andfought vigorously and with signal tenacity for theirrespective candidates that were before the conventionfor the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield receivedthe nomination for President and Gen. Arthurfor Vice-President. The campaign which followedwas one of the most animated known in the history ofour country.AtGen. Hancock, the standard-bearer ofthe Democratic party, was a popular man, and hisparty made a valiant fight for his election.Finally the election came and the country's choice.vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inauguratedMarch 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President.k few months only had passed ere the newly chosenPresident was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Thencame terrible weeks of suffering,—those moments ofanxious suspense, wher the hearts of all civilized nationswere throbbing in unison, longing for the recovery of the noble, the good President. The remarkablepatience that he manifested during those hoursand weeks, and even months, of the most terrible sufferingman has often been called upon to endure, wasseemingly more than human. It was certainly Godlike.During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr.Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to hiscredit that his every action displayed only an earnestdesire that the suffering Garfield might recover, toserve the remainder of the term he had so auspiciouslybegun. Not a selfish feeling was manifestedin deed or look of this man, even though the mosthonored ]X)sition in the world tvas at any momentlikely to fall to him.At last God in his mercy relieved President Garfieldfrom further suffering, and the world, as neverbefore in its history over the death of any otherman, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty ofthe Vice President to assume the responsibilitiis ofthe high office, and he took the oath in New \'ork.Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarr.issingone to him, made doubly so from the facts that alleyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do,what policy he would pursue, and who he would selectas advisers. The duties of the office had beengreatly neglected during the President's long illness,and many important measures were to be immediatelydecided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him hedid not fail to realize under what circumstances hebecame President, and knew the feelings of many onthis point. Under these trying circumstances PresideptArthur took the reins of the Government in }-is i'\.hands; and, as embarrassing as were the condition ^'affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting sowisely that but few criticised liis administration.He served the nation well and faithfully, until tlieclose of his administration, March 4, 1885, and wasa popular candidate before his party for a secondterm.His name was ably presented before the conventionat Chicago, and was received with greatfavor, and doubtless but for the personal popularityof one of the opposing candidates, he would havebeen selected as the standard-bearer of his partyfor another campaign. He retired to private life carryingwith him the best wishes of the Americanpeople,whom he had served in a manner satisfactoryto them and with credit to himself.

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TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 103mir/>s.^m^!«s;s-'«'i;:;j'i^;;;^"-»;\:>'^-^:;T'i'^;;:5-A$;;g

What;S. GROVER CLEVELAND.calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order,he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of soingto a city. He lirst mougnc ot Cleveland, Uhio, asthere was some charm in that name for him; butbefore proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo tojisk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a notedstock- breeder of that place. The latter did notspeak enthusiastically. " What is it you want to do,my boy.''" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to studylav," was the reply, "Good gracious!" remarkedih« old gentleman " .''; do you, indeed ever putthat into your head? How much money have yougot?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got»any.After a long consultation, his uncle offered him aplace temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 ayear, while he could "look around." One day soonafterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers,Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told Ihem what hewanted. A number of young men were already engagedin the office, but Grover's persistency won, andhe was finally permitted to come as an office boy andHave the use of the law library, for the nominal sumof $3 or $4 a week. Out of tliis he had to pay forhis board and washing. The walk to and from hisuncle's was a long and rugged one; and, althoughthe first winter was a memorably severe one, hisshoes were out of repair and his overcoat—he hadnone — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular.On the first day of his service here, his senior employerthrew down a copy of Blackstone before himwith a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That'swhere they all begin." A titter ran around the littlecircle of clerks and students, as they thought thatwas enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ;but in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume.Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Clevelandexhibited a talent for executiveness rather than forchasing principles through all their metaphysicalpossibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and doit," was practically his motto.The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland waseiected was tliat of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., inwhich Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fellto his duty to inflict capital pi'-'.ishment upon twocainiinals. Li r88i he was elected Mayor of theCity of Buffilo. on the Democratic ticket, with especialreference to the bringing about certain reformsin the administration of the municipal affairs of thatcit" In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, hisperiormance of duty has generally been consideredfair, with possibly a few exceptions which were ferretedout and magnified during the last Presidentialcampaign. As a specimen of his plain language ina veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui^tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time foiplain speech, and my objection to your action shallbe plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination ofa mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless schemeto betray the interests of the peopls and to wors3than squander the people's money." The New YorkSun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleveland'sadministration as Mayor of Buffalo, and tliereuponrecommended him for Governor of the EmpireState. To the latter office he was elected in 1882,and his administration of the affairs of State wasgenerally satisfactory. The mistakes he made^ ifany, were made very public throughout the nationafter he was nominated for President of the UnitedStates.For this high office he was nominated JulyIt, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention atChicago, when other competitors were Thomas F.Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks,Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.: and hewas elected by the people, by a majority of about athousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Republicanstatesman, James G. Blaine.President Clevelandresigned his office as Governor of New York inJanuary, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties asthe Chief Executive of ihe United States, in whichcapacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th ofMarch, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selectedthe following gentlemen: For Secretary of State,Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of theTreasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ;Secretaryof War, William C. Endicott, of MassachusettsSecretary of the Navy, WiUiam C. Whitney, of NewYork; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, ofMississippi ; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas,of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, ofArkansas.The silver question precipitated a controversy betweenthose who were in favor of the continuance ofsilver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr.Cleveland answering for the latter, even before hisinauguration.

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TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT. 107»o»o..@JXl®"*«"I'ENJAMIN HARRISON, thetwenty-third President, isthe descendant of one of thehistorical families of thiscountry. The head of thefamily was a Major GeneralHarrison, one of OliverCromwell's trusted followersand fighters. In the zenith of Cromwell'spower it became the duty of thisHarrison to participate in the trial ofCharles I, and afterward tc sign thedeath warrant of the king. He subsequentlypaid for this with his life, beinghung Oct. 13, 1660. His descendantscame to America, and the next of thefamily that appears in history is BenjarzinHarrison, of Virginia, great-grandfatherof the subject of this sketch, andafter whom he was named. Benjamin Harrisonwaa a member of the Continental Congress duringthe years 1 774-5-6, and was one of the originalsigners of the Declaration of Independence. Hewa^ three times elected Governor of Virginia.Qen William Henry Harrison, the son of thedistinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a successfulcareer as a soldier during the War of 1812,and with -a clean record as Governor of the NorthwesternTerritory, was elected President of theUnited States in 1840. His caroer was cut shortby death within one month after jis innuguration.President Harrison was born at North Bend,Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. 20, 1883.His life up tothe time of his graduation by the Miami University,at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a countrylad of a family of small means.His father wasable to give him a good education, and nothingmore. He became engaged while at college to thsdaughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female schoolat Oxford.After graduating he determined to enterupon the study of the law. He went to Cincinnati and then read law for two years. At theexpiration of that time young Harrison received th'.only inheritance of his life ; his aunt dying left hima lot valued at $800. He regarded this legacy as afortune, and decided to get married at once, »aksthis money and go to some Eastern town an '. beginthe practice of law. He sold his lot, and withthe money in his pocket, he started out wita hisyoung wife to fight for a place in the world. Me

108 BENJAMIN HARRISON.decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even atIhat time a town of promise. He met with sliglitencouragement at first, making scarcely an^'thingthe first year. He worked diligently, applj"ing himselfclosely to his calling, built up an extensivepractice and took a leading rank in the legal profession,lie is the father of two children.In 1860 Mr. Harrison was nominated for theposition of Supreme Court Reporter, and then beganhis experience as a stump speake; He canvassedthe State thoroughly, and was elected by ahandsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 17thIndiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel.Hisregiment was composed of the rawest of material,out Col. Harrison employed all his time at firstmastering military tactics and drilling his men,when he therefore came to move toward the Eastwith Sherman his regiment was one of the bestdrilled and organized in the army. At Resaca heespecially distinguished himself, and for his braveryat Peachtree Cl'eek he was made a Brig.adier General,Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the mostcomplimentary terms.During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the fieldhe Supreme Court declared the office of the SupremeCourt Reporter vacant, and another personwas elected to the position. From the time of leavingIndiana with his regiment until the fiill ot 1864be had taken no leave of absence, but having beennominated that year for the same office, he got athirty-day leave of absence, and during that timemade a brilliant canvass ot the State, and was electedfor another term. He then started to rejoin Sherman,but on the way was stricken down with scarletfever, and after a most trying siege made his wayto the front in time to participate in the closing'xcidents of the warIn 1868 Gen. Harrison declined re-election as;eporter, and resumed the practice of law In 1876fle was a candidate for Governor. Although deeated,the brilliant campaign hb made won ior hima National reputation, and he was much sought, especial.yin the East, to make speeches. In 1880,as usual, he took an active part; in the campaign,snd wi^-: elected to the Vnited States Senate. Hereuc sei-ved six years, and vas known as one oi theftblest men, best lawyer' ^nd stronges*' debaters inthat body. With the expiration of his Scnaioiia)term he returned to the practice of his profession,becoming the head of one of the strongest firms inthe State.The political campaign of 1888 was one of themost memorable in the history of our country. Theconvention which assembled in Chicago in June andnamed Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearerof the Republican party, was great in ever}' particular,and on this .account, and the attitude it assumedupon the vital questions of the day, chiefamong which was the tariff, awoke a deep interestin the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortlyafter the nomination delegations began to visit Mr.Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This movementbecame popul.ar, and from all sections of thecountry societies, clubs and delegations journeyedthither to pay their respects to the distinguishedstatesman. The popularity of these was greatlyincreased on account of the remarkable speechesmade by Mr. Harrison. He spoke dail}- all throughthe summer and autumn to these visiting delegations,and so varied, masterly and eloquent werehis speeches that they at once placed him in theforemost rank of American orators and statesmen.On account of his eloquence as a speaker and hirpower as a debater, he was called upon at an uncommonlyearly age to take part in the discussionof the great questions that then began to agitatetlie country. He was an uncompromising antislavery man, and was matched against some of tLemost eminent Democratic speakers of his State.No man who felt the touch of his blade der'red tobe pitted with him again.With all his eloq^'enceas an orator ho never spoke for oratorical etfect,but his words always went like bullets to the markHe is purely American in his ideas and is a splecdid type of the American statesman.Gifted witliquick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue,he is one of the most distinguished impromptuspeakers in the Nation. Many of these speechessparkled with the rarest of eloquence and containedarguments of greatest weight. Many of his tersestatements have alreadr become aphorisms.Origlnalin thought precise in logic, terse In statement,yet withal faultless in elo'yience, he is recognized asthe sound statesman and brilUan: or.ator c ta^ day

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GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.E^KS^-K!®'^®'^jlP^HADRACH BOND, the firstGovernor of Illinois after itsorganization as a State, servingfrom 1818 to 1822, was bom inFrederick County, Maryland,in the year r773, and wasraised a farmer on liis father'splantation, receiving only a plainEnglish education. He emigratedto this State in 1794, when it was apart of the "Northwest Territory,"continuing in the vocation in whichhe had been brought up in his nativeState, in the " New Design," nearEagle Creek, in what is now MonroeCounty. He served several terms asa member of the General Assemblyof Indiana Territory, after it was organized as such,and in 1812-14 he was a Delegate to the Twelfthand Thirteenth Congresses, taking his seat Dec. 3,1812, and serving until Oct. 3, (814. These werethe times, the reader will recollect, when this Governmenthad its last struggle with Great Britain.The year 1812 is also noted in the history of thisState as that in which the first Territorial Legislaturewas held. It convened at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, andadjourned Dec. 26, following.While serving as Delegate to Congress, Mr. Bondwas instrumental in procuring the right of pre-emptionon the public domain. On the expiration of histerm at Washington he was appointed Receiver ofPublic Moneys at Kaskaskia, then the capital of theTerritory. In company wiih John G. Comyges,Thomas H. Harris, Charles Slade, Michael Jones,Warren Brown. Edward Humphries and Charles WHunter, he became a proprietor of the site of theinitial city of Cairo, which they hoped, from its favorablelocation at the junction of the two greatrivers near the center of the Great West, wouldrapidly develop into a metropolis. To aid the enterprise,they obtained a special charter from the Legislature,incorporating both the City and the Bank ofCairo.In i8r8 Mr. Bond was elected the first Governorof the State of Illinois, being inaugurated Oct. 6that year, which was several weeks before Illinoiswas actually admitted. The facts are these: InJanuary, i8i8, the Territorial Legislature sent a petitionto Congress for the admission of Illinois as aState, Nathaniel Pope being then Delegate. Thepetition was granted, fixing the northern line of theState on the latitude of the southern extremity ofLake Michigan; but the bill was afterward so amendedas to extend this line to its present latitude. InJuly a convention was called at Kaskaskia to draft aconstitution, which, however, was not submitted tothe people. By its provisions, supreme judges, prosecuting attorneys, county and circuit judges, recordersand justices of the peace were all to be appointedby the Governor or elected by the Legislature.constitution was accepted by Congress Dec. 30.Thisthat time Illinois comprised but eleven counties,namely, Randolph, Madison, Gallatin, Johnson,Pope, Jackson, Crawford, Bond, Union, Washingtonand Franklin, the northern portion of the State beingmainly in Madison County. Thus it appearsthat Mr. Bond was honored by the naming of aAt

SHADRACH BOND.county before he was elected Governor, The presentcounty of Bond is of small limitations, about 60 to 80miles south of Springfield. For Lieutenant Governortiie people chose Pierre Menard, a prominent andworthy Frenchman, after whom a county in this Stateis named. In this election there were no oppositioncandidates, as the popularity of these men had madetheir promotion to the chief offices of the Siate, evenDefore the constitution was drafted, a foregone conclusion.The principal points that excited the people inreference to political issues at this period were localor "internal improvements," as they were called.State banks, location of the capital, slavery and thepersonal characteristics of the proposed candidates.Mr. Bond represented the " Convention party," forintroducing slavery into the State, supported by EliasKe It Kane, his Secretary of State, and John Mc-Lean, while Nathaniel Pope and John P. Cook ledthe anti-slavery element. The people, however, didnot become very much excited over this issue until1820, when the faraius Missouri Compromise wasadopted by Congress, limiting slavery to the southof the parallel of 36° 30' except in Missouri. Whilethis measure settled the great slavery controversy,so far as the average public sentiment was temporarilyconcerned, until 1854, when it was repealedunder the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas, the issueas considered locally in this State was not decideduntil 1,824, after a most furious campaign. (Seesketch of Gov. Coles.) The ticket of 181 8 was acompromise one, Bond representing (moderately) thepro-slavery sentiment and Menard the anti-slavery.An awkward element in the State governmentunder Gov. Bond's administration, was the imperfectionof the State constitution. The Conventionwished to have Elijah C. Berry for the first Auditorof Public Accounts, but, as it was believed that thenew Governor would not appoint him to tiie office,the Convention declared in a schedule that " anauditor of public accounts, an attorney general andsuch other officers of the State as may be necessary,may be appointed by the General Assembly." TheConstitution, as it stood, vested a very large appointingpower in the Governor; but for the purpose ofgetting one man into office, a total change was made,and the power vested in the Legislature. Of thisprovision the Legislature took advantage, and deGlared that State's attorneys, canal commissioners,bank directors, etc., were all '" officers of the State'and must therefore be appointed by itself independentlyof the Governor.During Gov. Bond's administration a general lawwas passed for the incorporation of academies andtowns, and one authorizing lotteries. The session of1822 authorized the Governor to appoint commissioners,to act in conjunction with like commissionersappointed by the State of Lidiana, to report on thepracticability and expediency of improving the navigationof the Wabash River; also inland navigationgenerally. Many improvements were recommended,some of which have been feebly worked at even tillthe present day, those along the Wabash being of novalue.Also, during Gov. Bond's term of office, thecapital of the State was removed from Kaskaskia toVandalia. In 1820 a law was passed by Congressauthorizing this State to open a canal through thepublic lands. The State appointed commissioners10 explore the route and prepare the necessary surveysand estimates, preparatory to its execution;but, being unable out of its own resources to defraythe expenses of the undertaking, it was abandoneduntil some time after Congress made the grant ofland for the purpose of its construction.On the whole. Gov. Bond's administration wasfairly good, not being open to severe criticism fromany party. In 1824, two years after the expirationof his term of office, he was brought out as a candidatefor Congress against the formidable John P.Cook, but received only 4,374 votes to 7,460 for thelatter. Gov. Bond was no orator, but had mademany fast friends by a judicious bect-jwment of hisgubernatorial patronage, and these worked zealouslyfor him in the campaign.In 1827 ex-Gov. Bond was appointed by the Legislature,with Wm. P. McKee and Dr. GershoniJayne, as Commissioners to locate a site for a penitentiaryon the Mississippi at or near Alton.Mr. Bond was of a benevolent and convivial disposition,a man of shrewd observation and clear appreciationof events. His person was erect, standingsix feet in height, and after middle life becameportly, weighing 200 pounds. His features werestrongly masculine, complexion dark, h.iir jet andeyes hazel ; was a favorite wiili the ladies. He diedApril II, 1S30, in peace and -ontentment

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GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. "5DWARD COLES, secondGovernor of Illinois, 1823-, 6, was born Dec. 15, 1786,in Albemarle Co., Va., onthe old family estate called" Enniscorthy," on theGreen Mountain. His father,John Coles, was a Colonel in theRevolutionary War. Having been fittedfor college by private tutors, hewas sent to Hampden Sidney, wherehe remained until the autumn of 1805,when he was removed to William andgCT) OJlf^S' Mary College, at Williamsburg, Va.^SyP'/tw This college he left in the summer of1807, a short time before the final and graduatingexamination. Among his classmates were Lieut.Gen. Scott, President John Tyler, Wm. S. Archer,United States Senator froni Virginia, and JusticeBaldwin, of the United States Supreme Court. ThePresident of the latter college. Bishop Madison, wasa cousin of President James Madison, and that circumstancewas the occasion of Mr. Coles becomingpersonally acquainted with the President and receivinga position as his private secretary, 1809-15.The family of Coles was a prominent one in Virginia,and their mansion was the seat of the oldfashionedVirginian hospitality. It was visited bysuch notables as Patrick Henry, Jefferson, Madison,Monroe, the Randolphs, Tazewell, Wirt, etc. At theage of 23, young Coles founa himself heir to a plantationand a considerable numljer of slaves. Eversince his earlier college days his attention had beendrawn to the questio'i of slavery. He read everythingon the subject that came in his way, andlistened to lectures on the rights of man. The morehe reflected upon the subject, the more impossiblewas it for liim to reconcile the immortal declaration"that all men are born free and equal " with thepractice of slave-holding. He resolved, therefore, tofree his slaves the first opportunity, and even removehis residence to a free State. One reason which determinedhim to accept the appointment as privatesecretary to Mr. Madison was because he believedthat through the acquaintances he could make atWashington he could better determine in what partof the non-slaveholding portion of the Union he woulcprefer to settle.The relations between Mr. Coles and PresidentMadison, as well as Jefferson and other distinguishedmen, were of a very friendly character, arising fromthe similarity of their views on the question of slaveryand their sympathy for each other in holding doctrinesso much at variance with the prevailing sentimentin their own State.In 1857, he resigned his secretaryship and spent aportion of the following autumn in exploring theNorthwest Territory, for the purpose of finding a locationand purchasing lands on which to settle hisnegroes. He traveled with a horse and buggy, withan extra man and horse for emergencies, throughmany parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri,determining finally to settle in Illinois. At this time,however, a misunderstanding arose between ourGovernment and Russia, and Mr. Coles was selectedto repair to St. Petersburg on a special mission, bearingimportant papers concerning the matter at issueThe result was a conviction of the Emperor (Alex-

,ii6EDWARD COLES.ander) of the error committed by his minister atWashington, and the consequent withdrawal of thethe latter from the post. On his return, Mr. Colesvisited other i)arts of Europe, especially Paris, wherehe was introduced to Gen. Lafayette.\\\ the spring of 1819, he removed with all hisnegroes from Virginia to Edwardsville, 111., with theiinention of giving them their liberty. He did notmake known to ihem his intention until one beautifulmorning in April, as tliey were descending the OhioR'ver. He lashed all the boats together and calledall the negroes on deck and made them a short address,concluding his remarks by so expressing himselfthat by a turn of a sentence he proclaimed inthe shortest and fullest manner that they were nolonger slaves, but free as he was and were at libertyto proceed with him or go ashore at their pleasure.A description of the effect upon the negroes isbest desciibed in his own language :"The effect upon them was electrical. They staredat rr.e and then at each other, as if doubting the accuracyor reality of what they heard. In breathlesssilence they stood before me, unable to utter a word,but with countenances beaming with expression whichno words could convey, and which no languagecan describe. As they began to see the truth ofwhat they had heard, and realize their situation, therecame on a kind of hysterical, giggling laugh. Aftera pause of intense and unutterable emotion, bathedin tears, and with tremulous voices, they gave vent totheir gratitude and implored the blessing of Godon me."Before landing he gave them a general certificateof freedom, and afterward conformed more particularlywith tiie law of this State requiring that eachindividual should have a certificate. This act ofMr. Coles, all the more noble and heroic consideringthe overwhelming pro-slavery influences surroundinghim, has challenged the admiration of every philanthropistof modern times.March 5, 1819, President Monroe appointed Mr.Coles Registrar of the Land Office at EdwardsviLe,at that time one of the principal land offices in theState. While acting in this capacity and gainingmany friends by his politeness and general intelligence,the greatest struggle that ever occurred inIllinois on the slavery ques ion culminated in thefurious contest characterizing the campaigns andelections of 1822-4. In the summer of 1823, when anew Governor was to be elected to succeed Mr.Bond, the pro-slavery element divided into factions,iiuiting forward for the executive office JosephI'hillips, Chief Justice of the State, Thomas C.Browne and Gen. James B. Moore, of the State Mili'.ia.The anti-slavery element united upon Mr.Coles, and, after one of the most bitter campaigns,s'lcceeded in electing him as Governor. His pluralityover Judge Phillips was only 59 in a total vote ofover 8,000. The Lieutenant Governor was electedby the slavery men. Mr. Coles' inauguration speechwas marked by calmness, deliberation and such awise expression of appropiiate suggestions as toelicit the sanction of all judicious politicians. Buthe compromised not witli evil. In his message tothe Legislature, the seat of Government being thenat Vandalia, he strongly urged the abrogation of themodified form of slavery whi';h then existed in thisState, contrary to the Ordinance of 1787. His positionon this subject seems the more remarkable, whenit is considered that he was a minority Governor, thepopulation of Illinois being at that lime almost exclusivelyfrom slave-holding States and by a largemajority in favor of the perpetuation of that old relicof barbarism. The Legislature itself was, of course,a reflex of the popular sentiment, and a majority ofthem were led on by fiery men in denunciations ofthe conscientious Governor, and in curses loud anddeep upon him and all his friends. Some of thepublic men, indeed, went so far as to head a sort ofmob, or "shiveree" party, who visited the residenceof the Governor and others at Vandalia and yelledand groaned and spat fire.The Constitution, not establishing or permittingslavery in this State, was thought therefore to bedefective by the slavery politicians, and they desireda State Convention to be elected, to devise and submita new Constitution; and the dominant politicsof the day was "Convention" and "anti-Convention."Both parties issued addresses to the people.Gov. Coles himself being the author of the addresspublished by the latter party. This address revealedthe schemes of the conspirators in a masterly .tianner.It is difficult for us at this distant day to estimatethe critical and extremely delicate situation inwhich the Governor was placed at that time.Our hero maintained himself honorably and withsupreme dignity throughout his administration, andin his honor a county in this State is named. Hewas truly a great man, and those who lived inthis State during his sojourn here, like those wholive at the baseof tlie mountain, were too nearto seeand recognize the greatness that overshadowed i hem.Mr. Coles was married Nov. 28, 1833, by BisliopDe Lancey, to Miss Sally Logan Roberts, a daughterof Hugh Roberts, a descendant of Welsh ancestrvwho cami to this country with Wm. Penn in 1682.After tlie expiration of his term of service. Gov.Coles continued his residence in Edwardsville, superintendinghis farm in the vicinity. He "as font agriculturalsociety in the State. On account of illhealth, however, and having no family to tie himdown, he spent much of his time in Eastern cities.About 1832 he changed his residence to I'hiladelphia,where he died July 7, 1868, and is buried at\V'oodland, near that city.

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GO VEUNORS OF ILLINOIS. 119I ill aISM••

NINIAN ED WARDS.vole, to select their own officers, both civil and military.The noted John J. Crittenden, afterwardUnited States Senator from Kentucky, was appointedby Gev. Edwards to the office of Attorney General ofthe Territory, which office was accepted for a shorttime only.The Indians in tSio committing sundry depredationsin the Territory, crossing the Mississippi fromthe Territory of Louisiana, a long correspondence followedbetween the respective Governors concerningthe remedies, which ended in a council with the savagesat Peoria in 1812, and a fresh interpretation ofthe treaties. Peoria was depopulated by these depredations,and was not re -settled for many je^rsafterward.As Gov. Edwards' term of office expired by law in1812, he was re-appointed for another term of threeyears, and again in 1815 for a third term, servinguntil the organization of the State in the fall of 1818and the inauguration of Gov. Bond. At this timeex-Gov. Edwards was sent to the United StatesSenate, his colleague being Jesse B. Thomas. AsSenator, Mr. Edwards took a conspicuous part, andacquitted himself honorably in all the measures thatcame up in that body, being well posted, an able debaterand a conscientious statesman. He thoughtseriously of resigning this situation in 1821, but waspersuaded by liis old friend, Wm. Wirt, and others tocontinue in office, which he did to the end of theterm.He was then appointed Minister to Mexico byPresident Monroe. About this time, it appears thatMr. Edwards saw suspicious signs in the conduct ofWm. H. Crawford, Secretary of the United StatesTreasury, and an ambitious candidate for the Presidency,and being implicated by the latter in some ofhis statements, he resigned his Mexican mission inorder fully to investigate the charges. The resultwas the exculpation of Mr. Edwards.Pro-slavery regulations, often termed "Black Laws,"disgraced the statute books of both the Territory andihe Stale of Illinois during the whole of his career in/his commcnwealtli, and Mr. Edwards always maintainedthe doctrines of freedom, and was an importantactor in the great struggle which ended in a victoryfor his parfy in 1824.In 1826 7 the Winnebago and other Indians committedsoue depredations in the northern part of theState, and the white settlers, who desired the land?and wished to exasperate the savages into an evacuationof the country, magnified the misdemeanors ofthe aborigines and thereby produced a hostility betweenthe races so great as to precipitate a little war,known in history as the "Winnebago War." A fewchases and skirmishes were had, when Gen. Atkinsonsucceeded in capturing Red Bird, the Indian chief,and putting him to death, thus ending the contest, atleast until the troubles commenced which ended inthe " Black Hawk War " of 1832. In the interpretationof treaties and execution of their provisionsGov. Edwards had much vexatious work to do. TheIndians kept themselves generally within the jurisdictionof Michigan Territory, and its Governor,Lewis Cass, was at a point so remote that ready correspondencewith him was difficult or impossible.Gov. Edwards' administration, however, in regard tothe protection of the Illinois frontier, seems to havjbeen very efficient and satisfactory.For a considerable portion of his time after his removalto Illinois, Gov. Edwards resided upon hisfarm near Kaskaskia, which he had well stocked withhorses, cattle and sheep from Kentucky, also withfruit-trees, grape-vines and shrubbery. He establishedsaw andgrist-mills, and engaged extensivelyin mercantilebusiness, having no less than eight or tenstores in this State and Missouri. Notwithstandingthe arduous duties of liis office, he nearly always purchasedthe goods himself with which to supply thestores.Although not a regular practitioner of medicine,he studied the healing art to a considerable extent,and took great pleasure in prescribing for, andtaking care of, the sick, generally without charge.He was also liberal to the poor, several widows andministers of the gospel becoming indebted to himeven for their homes.He married Miss Elvira Lane, of Maryland, in1803, and they became the affectionate parents ofseveral children, one of wiiom, especially, is well'known to the people of the " Prairie State," namely,Ninian Wirt Edwards, once the Superintendent c

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GO VERAORS OF ILLINOIS.I2J4^5^C3»^eV@)@@V(2)6'€^f(2)'((^HN REYNOLDS, Governor 1831-Iff^s^ 4, \v;is boil"! in Montgomery Counig:ty, Pennsylvania, Feb. 26, 1788.His father, Robert Reynolds andliis mother, nee Margaret Moore,were both natives of Ireland, fromwliich country they emigrated tothe United States in 1785, landingat Philadelphia. The seniorReynolds entertained an undyinghostility to the British Government.When the subject of tliissketch was about six months old,hjs parents emigrated with him toTennessee, where many of theirrelatives had already located, at the base of theCopper Ridge Mountain, about 14 miles northeast ofthe present city of Knoxville.There they were exoosedto Indian depredations, and were much molestedby them. In 1794 they moved into the interiorof the State. They were poor, and brought up theirchildren to habits of manual industry.In i8oo tlie fimily removed to Kaskaskia, III., witheight horses and two wagons, encountering manyHardships on the way. Here young Reynolds passedthe most of his childhood, while his character beganto develop, the most prominent traits of which wereambition and energy. He also adopted the principleand practice of total abstinence from intoxicatingliquors.In 1807 the family made another removal,this time to the " Goshen Settlement," at the foot oftlie Mississippi bluffs three or four miles southwestof Edwardsville.On arriving at his 20th year, Mr. Reynolds, seeingthat he must look about for his own livelihood andnot yet having determined what calling to pursue,concluded first to attend college, and he accordinglywent to such an institution of learning, near Knoxville,Tenn., where he had relatives. Imagine hisdiffidence, when, after passing the first 20 years ofhis life without ever having seen a carpet, a paperedwall or a Windsor chair, and never having lived in ashingle-roofed house, he suddenly ushered himseirinto the society of the wealthy in the vicinity ofKnoxville! He attended college nearly two years,going through the principal Latin authors; but itseems that he, like the rest of the world in moderntimes, had but very little use for his Latin in afterlife. He always failed, indeed, to exhibit any gooddegree of literary disciphne. He commenced thestudy of law in Knoxville, but a pulmonary troublecame on and compelled him to change his modeof life. Accordingly he returned home and recuperated,and in 1812 resumed his college andlaw studies at Knoxville. In the fall of 181 2 he wasadmitted to the Bar at Kaskaskia. About this timehe also learned the French language, which hepracticed with pleasure in conversation with hisfamily for many years. He regarded this languageas being superior to all others for social intercourse.

12/1 JOHN REYNOLDS.From his services in the West, in the war of i8i 2,he obtained the sobriquet of the " Old Ranger." Hewas Orderly Sergeant, then Judge Advocate.Mr. Reynolds opened his first law office in thewinter and spring of 1814, inthe French village of(3ahokia, then the capital of St. Clair County.In the fall of 1818 he was elected an AssociateJustice upon the Supreme Bench by the GeneralAssembly. In 1825 he entered more earnestly thanever into the practice of law, and the very next yearwas elected a member of the Legislature, where heacted independently of all cliques and private interests.In 1828 the Whigs and Democrats were forthe first time distinctively organized as such in Illinois,and the usual party bitterness grew up andraged on all sides, while Mr. Reynolds preserved aiudicial calmness and moderation. The real animus,if the campaign was " Jackson " and " anti-Jackson,"'he former party carrying the State.In August, 1S30, Mr. Reynolds was elected Governor,amid great e.xciteraent. Installed in office, hedid all within his power to advance the cause of education,internal improvements, the Illinois & MichiganCanal, the harbor at Chicago, settling the country,etc.; also recc mmended the winding up of theState Bank, as its affairs had become dangerouslycomplicated. In his national politics, he was amoderate supporter of General Jackson. But themost celebrated event of his gubernatorial administrationwas the Black Hawk War, which occurredin 1832. He called out the militia and prosecutedthe contest with commendable diligence, appearingin person on the battle-grounds during the mostcritical periods. He was recognized by the Presidentas Major-General, and authorized by him to maketreaties vi'itli the Indians. By the assistance of thegeneral Government the war was terminated withoutmuch bloodshed, but after many serious fights. Thiswar, as well as everything else, was materially retardedby the occurrence of Asiatic cholera in theWest. This was its first appearance here, and wasthe next event in prominence during Gov. Reynolds'term.South Carolina nullification coming up at this time,t was heartily condemned by both President Jacksonand Gov. Reynolds, who took precisely the samegrounds as the Unionists in the last war.On the termination of his gubernatorial term in• 834, Gov. Reynolds was elected a Member of Congress,still coiisidering himself a backwoodsman, as^e had scarcely been outside of the State since hebecame of age, and had spent nearly all his youthfuldays in the wildest region of the frontier. His firstmove in Congress was to adopt a resolution that inall elections made by the House for officers the votesshould be given viva voce, each member in his ])lacenaming aloud the person for whom he votes. Thiscreated considerable heated discussion, but was essentiallyadopted, and remained the controlling principlefor many years. The ex Governor was scarcelyAbsent from his seat a single day, during eight sessionsof Congress, covering a period of seven year^,and he never vacillated in a party vote; but he failedto get the Democratic party to foster his " NationalRoad" scheme. He says, in "My Own Times" (alarge autobiography he published), that it was onlyby rigid economy that he avoided insolvency while inWashington. During his sojourn in that city he wasmarried, to a lidy of the place.In 1837, while out of Congress, and in companywith a few others, he built the first railroad in theMississippi Valley, namely, one about six miles long,leading from his coal mine in the Mississippi bluff tothe bank of the river opposite St. Louis. Hiving notthe means to purchase a locomotive, they operated itby horse-power. The next spring, however, the companysold out, at great sacrifice.In 1839 the ex-Governor was appointed one of theCanal Commissioners, and authorized to borrowmoney to prosecute the enterprise. Accordingly, herepaired to Philadelphia and succeeding in obtaininga million dollars, which, however, was only a fourthof what was wanted. The same year he and hiswife made at our of Europe. This year, also, Mr.Reynolds had the rather awkward little responsibilityof introducing to President Van Buren the notedMormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, as a " Latter-DaySaint!"In 1846 Gov. Reynolds was elected a member ofthe Legislature from St. Clair County, more particularly for the purixsse of obtaining a feasible charterfor a macadamized road from Belleville to St. Louis,a distance of nearly 14 miles. This was immediatelybuilt, and was the first road of the kind in the State.He was again elected to the Legislature in 1852, whenhe was chosen Speaker of the House. In i860, agedand infirm, he attended the National DemocraticConvention at Charleston, S. C , as an anti-DouglasDelegate, where he received more attention from theSouthern Delegates than any other member. Hesupported Breckenridge for the Presidency. Afterthe October elections foreshadowed the success ofLincoln, he published an address urging the Democratsto rally to the support of Douglas. Immediatelypreceding and during the late war, his correspondenceevinced a clear sympathy for the Southernsecession, and about the first of March, i86r, heurged upon the Buchanan officials the seizure of thetreasure and arms in the custom-house and arsenalat St. Louis. Mr. Reynolds was a rather talkativeman, and apt in all the Western plirases and catchwordsthat ever gained currency, besides many cunningand odd ones of his own manufacture.He was married twice, but had no children. Hedied in Belleville, in May, 1865, just after the closeof the war.

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. '27LLIAM LEE I).EWING,Governor of Illinois Nov. 3^^«s to 17, 1834, was a nativeof Kentucky, and probablyof Scotch ancestry. He bada fine education, was a gentlemanof polished manners andrefined sentiment. In 1830 John Reynoldswas elected Governor of the State,and Zadok Casey Lieutenant Governor,and for the principal events that followed,and the characteristics of the times, seesketch of Gov. Reynolds. The first we^Ph/ see in history concerning Mr. Ewing, informsus that he was a Receiver of PublicMor.eys at Vandalia soon after the organization ofthis State, and that the public moneys in his liandsv.'ere deposited in various banks, as they are usuallyW-aW i^resent day. In 1823 the State Bank was-ubbed,by which disaster Mr. Ewing lost a thousanddollardeposit.The subject of this sketcli had a commission asColonel in the Black Hawk War, and in emergenciesne acted also as Major. In the summer of 1832,when I "ras rumored among the whites that BlackHawk and his men had encamped somewhere onRock River, Gen. Henry was sent or. a tour ofreconnoisance, and witii orders to drive the Indiansfrom the State. After some opposition from hislubordinate officers, Henry resolved to proceed upRock River in searcii of the enemy. On the 19th ofuly, early in the morning, five baggage wagons.cainp equipage and all heavy and cumbersome articleswere piled up and left, so that the army migli'-make speedy and forced marches. For some milesthe travel was exceedingly bad, crossing swampsand the worst thickets; but the large, fresh trailgave life and animation to t!',e Americans. Gen.Dodge and Col. Ewing were both acting as Majors,and composed the " spy corps " or vanguard of thearmy. It is supposed the army marched nearly 50miles this day, and the Indian trail they followedbecame fresher, and was strewed with much propertyand trinkets of the red-skin-, that they had lost orthrown away to hasten their march. During 'hefollowing night there was a terrific thunder-storm, andthe soldiery, with all their appurtenances, were dioroughlydrenched.On approaching nearer the Indians the next day.Gen. Dodge and Major Ewing, each commanding abattalion of men, were placed in front to bring on thebattle, but the savages were not overtaken this dayForced marches were continued until they reached.Wisconsin River, where a veritable battle ensued,resulting in the death of about 68 of Black Hawk'smen. The next day they continued the chase, andas soon as he discovered the trail of the Indiansleading tow.ird the Mississippi, Maj. Ewing formedhis battalion in order of battle and awaited the orderof Gen. Henry. The latter soon appeared on theground and ordered a charge, wliich directly resultedin chasing the red warriors across the great river.Maj. Ewing and his command proved particularlyefficient in war, as it seems they were the chief actorsin driving the main body of the Sacs and Foxes, in-

T28 WILLIAM L. D. EWING.eluding Black Hawk himself, across the Mississippi,while Gen. Atkinson, commander-in-chief of the expedition,with a body of the army, was hunting forthem -.n another direction.In the above affair Maj. Ewmg is often referred toas a "General," which title he had derived from hisconnection with the militia.It was in the latter part of the same year (1832)that Lieutenant Governor Casey was elected to Congressand Gen. Ewing, who had been elected to theSenate, was chosen to preside over that body. Atthe August election of 1834, Gov. Reynolds was alsoelected to Congress, more than a year ahead of thetime at which he could actually take his seat, as wasthen tlie law. His predecessor, Chailes Slade, hadjust died of Asiatic cholera, soon after the election,and Gov. Reynolds was chosen to serve out hisunexpired term. Accordingly he set out for Washingtonin November of that year to take his seat inCongress, and Gen. Ewing, by virtue of his office asPresident of the Senate, became Governor of theState of Illinois, his term covering only a period of15 days, namely, from the 3d to the 17th days, inclusive,of November. On the 17th the Legislaturemet, and Gov. Ewing transmitted to that body hismessage, giving a statement of the condition of theaffairs of the State at that time, and urging a continuanceof the policy adopted by his predecessor; andon the same day Governor elect Joseph Duncanwas sworn into office, thus relieving Mr. Ewing fromthe responsible situation. This is the only time thatsuch a juncture has happened in the historyof Illinois.On the 29th of December, 1835, Gen. Ewing waselected a United States Senator to serve out theunexpired term of Elias Kent Kane, deceased. Thelatter gentleman was a very prominent figure in theearly politics of Illinois, and a county in this State isnamed in his honor. The election of Gen. Ewing tothe Senate was a protracted struggle.His competitorswere James Semple, who af erwards held severalimportant offices in this State, and Richard M.Young, afterward a United States Senator and aSupreme Judge and a man of vast influence. Onthe first ballot Mr. Semple had 25 votes. Young 19and Ewing 18. On the eighth ballot Young wasdropped ; the ninth and tenth stood a tie ;but onthe 1 2th E.ving received 40, to Semple 37, and wasaccordingly declared elected. In 1837 Mr. Ewin^;received some votes for a continuance of his term inCongress, when Mr. Young, just referred to, waselected. In 1842 Mr. Ewing was elected StateAudit-^r on the ticket with Gov, Ford.Gen. Ewing was a gentleman of culture, a lawyerby profession, and was much in public life. In personhe was above medium height and of heavy builJ,with auburn hair, blue eyes, large-sized head andshort face. He was genial, social, friendly andaffable, with fair talent, though of no high degree o'originality. He died March 25, 1846.

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GO VEKNOKS OF ILLINOIS.!-!I'i'^'isi££M^^

;'32 JOSEPH DUNCAN.sincere in his opposition to the old hero, as the latteri\zA vetoed several important western measureswhich were dear to Mr. Duncan. In his inauguralmessage he threw off the mask and took a bold standogainst the course of tiie President. The measures'.e recommended in his message, however, were sodesirable that the Legislature, although by a largemajority consisting of Jackson men, could not refrainfrom endorsing them. These measures relatedMainly to banks and internal improvements.It was while Mr. Duncan was Governor that thepeople of Illinois went whirling on with bank and internalimprovement schemes that well nigh bank-'upted the State. The hard times of 1837 came on,and the disasters that attended the inauguration ofJiese plans and the operation of the banks were mutuallycharged upon the two political parties. Hadany one man autocratic power to introduce andcarry on any one of these measures, he would probablyhave succeeded to the satisfaction of the publicbut as many jealous men had hold of the same plowhandle, no success followed and each blamed the other•or the failure. In this great vortex Gov. Duncanwas carried along, suffering the like derogation ofcharacter with his fellow citizens.At the height of the e-xcitement the Legislature"provided for" railroads from Galena to Cairo, Altonto Shawneetown, Alton to Mount Carmel, Alton to theeastern boundary of the State in the direction ofTerre Haute, Quincy via Springfield to the Wabash,Bloomington to Pekin, and Peoria to Warsaw,—in allabout 1,300 miles of road. It also provided for theimprovement 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 improvements were ordered to be made as above. Theestimate for the expenses for all these projects wasplaced at a little over $10,000,000, which was notmore inan half enough! That would now be equal tosaddling upon the State a debt of $225,000,000!was sufficient to bankrupt the State several timesover, even counting all the possible benefits.One of the most exciting events that ever occurredin this fair State was the murder of Elijah P. Loveipyin the fall of 1837, at Alton, during Mr. Duncan'sterm as Governor. Lovejoy was an "Abolitionist,"editing the Observer at that place, and the proslaveryslums there formed themselves into a mob,Itand after destroying successiveJy three presses belongingto Mr. Lovejoy, surrounded the warehousewhere the fourth press was stored away, endeavoringto destroy it, and where Lovejoy and his friendswere entrenching themselves, and shot and killed thebrave reformer!About this time, also, the question of removing 1112State capital again came up, as the 20 years' limit forits existence at Vandalia was drawing to a closeThere was, of course, considerable excitement overthe matter, the two main points competing for it beingSpringfield and Peoria. The jealousy of the latterplace is not even yet, 45 years afterward, fullyallayed.Gov. Duncan's term expired in 1838. In 1842he was again proposed as a candidate for the Executivechair, this time by the Whig party, against Adan:W. Snyder, of St. Clair County, the nominee of theDemocrats. Charles W. Hunter was a third candidate for the same position.Mr. Snyder, however, di^^dbefore the campaign had advanced very far, and liisparty substituted Thomas Ford, who was electedreceiving 46,901 votes, to 38,584 for Duncan, and909 for Hunter. The cause of Democratic successat this time is mainly attributed to the temporarysupport of the Mormons which they enjoyed, and thewant o.' any knowledge, on the part of the masses,ihiit Mr. Ford was opposed to any given policy entertainedin the respective localities.Gov. Duncan was a man of rather limited education,but with naturally fine abilities he profitedgreatly by his various public services, and gathereda store of knowledge regarding public affairs whichserved him a ready purpose. He possessed a clearjudgment, decision, confidence in himself and moralcourage to carry out his convictions of right. In hisdeportment he was well adapted to gain tlie admiration of the people. His intercourse with them wasboth affable and dignified. His portrait at the Governor'smansion, from which the accompanying w.i.imade, represents liim as having a swarthy complcj:-ion, high cheek bones, broad forehead, piercing blail:eyes and straight black hair.He was a liberal patron of the Illinois College aiJacksonville, a member of its Board of Trustees, anddied, after a short illness, Jan. 15, 1S44, a devotcilmember of the Presbyterian Church, leaving a wifi.-but no children. Two children, born to theui, iiaddied in infancy.

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GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. '35A-y^^MHOMAS CARLIN, the sixth""" 'Governor of the State ofIllinois, serving from 1838to 1842, was also a Kentuckian,being born nearFrankfort, that State, July18, 1789, of Irish paternity.The opportunities for an educationbeing very meager in his nativelace, he, on approaching years ofjiid 'tnent and maturity, appliedhimself to those branches of learningthat seemed most important,and thus became a self-made man ;and his taste for reading andstudy remained with him throughlife. In 1803 his father removed10 Missouri, then a part of " New Spain," where hedied in 1810.In 18 r 2 young Carlin came to Illinois and participatedin all the "ranging" service incident to thewar of that period, proving himself a soldier of undauntedbravery. In 1814 he married RebeccaHuitt, and lived for four years on the bank of theMississippi River, opposite the mouth of the Misscari,where he followed farming, and then removedto Greene County. He located the town site of Carrt»'ton,intliat county, and in 1825 made a liberaldonation of land for county building purposes. Hewas the first Sheriff of that county after its separateorganization, and afterward was twice elected, as alackson Democrat, to the Illinois Senate. In theBlack Hawk War he commanded a spy battalion, apost of considerable danger. In 1834 he was ap-(xjinted by President Jackson to the position ofReceiver of Pul>lic Mon-'vs, and to fulfill the officemore conveniently lie removed to the city of Quincy.While, in 1838, the unwieldy internal iin[)rovemeiitsystem of the State was in full operation, witli all itsex|)ensive machinery, amidst bank suspensionsthroughout the United States, a great stringency inthe money market everywhere, and Illinois bondsforced to sale at a heavy discount, and the " liardesttimes " existing that the people of the Prairie Stateever saw, the general election of State officers wasapproaching. Discreet men who had ciierished tiiehope of a speedy subsidence of the public infatuation,met with disappointment. A Governor andLegislature were to be elected, and these were nowlooked forward to for a repeal of the ruinous Statepolicy. But the grand schenif; had not yet lost it-fdazzling influence upon the minds of the people.Time and e.xperience had not yet fully demonstratedits utter absurdity. Hence the question of arrestingits career of profligate expenditures did not becomea leading one with the dominant party during thecampaign, and most of the old members of the Legislatuie were returned at this election.Under these circumstances the Democrats, in StateG)nvention assembled, nominated Mr. Carlin for theoffice of Gov-'rnor, and S. H. Anderson for LieutenantGovernor, while the Whigs nominated Cyrus Edwards,brotherof Ninian Edwards, formerly Governor,and W. H. Davidson. Edwards came out stronglyfor a continuance of the State policy, while Car!:;-remained non-committal. This was the first tuncthat the two main political parties in this State wereunembar'assed Ijy any third party in the field. Theresult of the election was: Carlin, 35,573 ; Anderson,30,335; Edwards, 29,629; and Davidson, 28,-Ui)on the meeting of the subsequent Legislature(1839), the retiring Governor CDuncan) in his mes-

—•36 THOMAS CARLIN.sage spoke in emphatic terms of the impolicy of theinternal improvement system, presaging the evilsthreatened, and uiged that body to do their utmostto correct the great error ;yet, on the contrary, theLegislature not only decided to continue the policybut also added to its burden by voting more appropriationsand ordering more improvements. Althoughthe money market was still stringent, a further loanof $4,000,000 was ordered for the Illinois & MichiganCanal alone. Cn'cago at that time began toloom up and promise to be an important city, eventhe great emporium of the West, as it has since indeedcame to be. Ex-Gov. Reynolds, an incompetentfinancier, was commissioned to effect the loan,and accordingly hastened to the East on this responsibleerrand, and negotiated the loans, at considerablesacrifice to the State. Besides this embarrassmentX. Carlin's administration, the Legislature also declaredthat he had no authority to appoint a Secretaryof State until a vacancy existed, and A. P. Field, aWhig, who had already held the post by appointment.hrough three administrations, was determined tokeep the place a while longer, in spite of Gov. Carlinspreferences. The course of the Legislature inthis regard, however, was finally sustained by theSupreme Court, in a quo ivarranio case brought upbefore it by Jchn A. McClernand, whom the Governorhad nominated for the office. Thereuwn thatdignified body was denounced as a "Whig Court!"endeavoring to establish the principle of life-tenureof office.A new law was adopted re-organizing the Judiciary,and under it five additional Supreme Judgeswere elected by the Legislature, namely, ThomasFord (afterward Governor), Sidney Breese, Walter B.Scales, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen A. DouglasallDemocrats.It was during Gov. Carlin's administration that thenoisy campaign of " Tippecanoe and Tyler too " occurred,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 bythe Mormons and their removal from Independence,Mo., to Nauvoo, 111., in 1840. At the same timethey began to figure somewhat in State politics. Onaccount of their believing—as they thought, accordingto the New Testament—that they should have" all things common," and that consequently " allthe earth " and all that is upon it were the" Lord's "and therefore the property of his " saints," theywere suspected, and correctly, too, of committingmany of the deeds of larceny, robbery, etc., thatwere so rife throughout this country in those days.Hence a feeling of violence grew up between theMormons and "anti-Mormons." In the State ofMissouri the Mormons always supported the Democracyuntil they were driven out by the Democraticgovernment, when they turned their support to theWhigs. They were becoming numerous, and in theLegislature of 1840-1, therefore, it became a matterof great interest with both parties to conciliate thesepeople. Through the agency of one John C. Bennett,a scamp, the Mormons succeeded in rushingthrough the Legislature (both parties not darinj» tooppose) a charter for the city of Nauvoo which virtuallyerected a hierarchy co-ordinate with the FederalGovernment itself. In the fall of 1841 theGovernor 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 th^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 dischargedby the municipal court on a writ of habeas corpus.In December, 1841, the Democratic Conventionnominated Adam W. Snyder, of Belleville, for Governor.As he had been, as a member of the Legislature,rather friendly to the Mormons, the latternaturally turned their support to the Democraticparty. The next spring the Whigs nominated Ex-Gov. Duncan for the same office. In the meantimethe Mormons began to grow more odious to themasses of the people, and the comparative prospectsof the respective parties for success became veryproblematical. Mr. Snyder died in May, andThomas Ford, a Supreme Judge, was substituted asa candidate, and was elected.At the close of his gubernatorial term, Mr. Carlinremoved back to his old home at Carrollton, wherehe spent tha remainder of his life, as before his elevationto office, in agricultural pursuits. In 1849he served out the unexpired term of J. D. Fry in theIllinois House of Representatives, and died Feb. 4,1852, at his residence at Carrollton, leaving a wifeand seven children.

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^.——GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 139N?>*->gHOMAS FORD, Governorfrom 1842 to 1846, and authorof a very interestinghistory of Illinois, was bornat Uniontown, Pa., in theyear 1 800. His mother, afterthe death of her first husband(Mr. Forquer), married RobertFord, who was killed in 1802,by the Indians in the mountainsof Pennsylvania. She was consequentlyleft in indigent circumstances,with a large family, mostlygirls. With a view to better hercondition, she, in 1804, removed toMissouri, where it had been customaryby the Spanish Governmentto give land to actual settlers; but upon herarrival at St. Louis she found the country ceded tothe United States, and the liberal policy toward settlerschanged by the new ownership. After somesickness to herself and family, she finally removed toIllinois, and settled some three miles south of Waterloo,but the following year moved nearer the Mississippibluffs. Here young Ford received his first 1schooling, under the instructions of a Mr. Hum[)hrey,for which he had to walk three miles. His mother,though lacking a thorough education, was a womanof superior mental endowments, joined to energyand determination of character. She inculcated inher children those high-toned principles which distinguishedher sons in public life. She exercised arigid economy to provide her children an education;but George Forquer, her oldest son (six years olderthan Thomas Ford), at an early age had to quitschool to aid by his labor in the support of the family.He afterward became an eminent man in Illinoisaffairs, and but for his early death would jMobablyhave been elected to the United States Senate.Young Ford, with somewhat better opportunities,received a better education, though limited to thecurriculum of the common school of those pioneertimes.His mind gave early promise of superior endowments,with an inclination for mathematics.Hisproficiency attracted the attention of Hon. Daniel P.Co)k, who became his efficient patron and friendThe latter gentleman was an eminent Illinois statesmanwho, as a Member of Congress, obtained a grantof 300,000 acres of land to aid in completing theIllinois & Michigan Canal, and after whom thecounty of Cook was named. Through the advice of

140 THOMAS FORD.this gentleman, Mr. Ford turned his attention to thestudy of law; but Forq;ier, then merchandising, regardinghis education defective, sent him to TransylvaniaUniversity, where, however, he remained butone term, owing to Forquer's failure in business. Onhis return he aUernated his law reading with teachirigschool for support.In 1829 Gov. Edwards app;jinled him Pro-iecutingAttorney, and in 1831 he was re-appointed by Gov.Reynolds, and after that he was four times elected aJudge by the Legislature, without opposition, twice aCircuit Judge, oice a Judge of Chicago, and as AssociateJudge of the Supreme Court, when, in 1841,the latter tribunal was re -organized by the additionof five Judges, all Democrats. Ford was assigned tothe Ninth Judicial Circuit, and while in this capacityne was holding Court in Ogle County he received anotice of his nomination by the Democratic Conventionfor the office of Governor. He immediately resignedhis place and entered upon the canvass. InAugust, 1842, he was elected, and ou the 8th of Decemberfollowing he was inaugurated.All the offices which he had lield were unsolicitedby him. He received them upon the true Jeffersonjanprinciple,—Mever to a-.k and never to refuseoffice. Both as a lawyer and as a Judge he stooddeservedly high, but his cau of intellect fitted himrather for a writer upon law than a practicing advocatein the courts. In the latter capacity he was voidof the moving Dower of eloquence, so necessary tosuccess with juries. As a Judge his opinions were'ound, lucid and able expositions of the law. In,)ractice, he was a stranger to the tact, skill and insinuatingaddress of the politician, but he saw throughhe arts of demagogues as w;:ll as any man. He wasplain in his demeanor, so much so, indeed, that atone time after the expiration of his term of office,during a session of the Legislature, he was taken bya stranger 10 be a seeker for the position of door-Keeper, and was wai;ed upon at his hotel near midr.ightby a knot of small office-seekers with the viewof effecting a " "combination !Mr. Ford had not the " brass " of the ordinarypolitician, nor that impetuosity which characterizes apolitical leader. He cared little for money, andfiardly enough for a decent support. In person hewas of small stature, slender, of dark complexion,with black hair, sharp features, deep-set eyes, apointed, aquiline nose having a decided twist to oneside, and a small mouth.The three most important events in Gov. Ford'sr.dn".inistration were the establishment of the highfinancial credit of the State, the " Mormon War "and.he Me.xican War.In the first of tnese the Governor proved himself'a be eir;inently wise. On coming into office he foundthe State badly paralyzed by the rui'ious effects of•.ne r.otocious "internal improvement" schemes ofthe preceding decade, with scarcely anything tc;show by w-iy of "improvement." The enterprisethat seemed to be getting ahead more than all therest was the Illinois & Michigan Canal. As thispromised to be the most important thoroughfare,feasible to the people, it was well under headway inits construction. Therefore the State policy wasalmost concentrated upon it, in order to rush it on tecompletion. The bonded indebtedness of the Statewas growing so large as to frighten the people, andthey were about ready to entertain a proposition forrepudiation. But the Governor had the foresight torecommend such measures as would maintain thepublic credit, for which every citizen to-day feelsthankful.But perhaps the Governor is remembered more forhis connection with the Mormon troubles than foranything else; for it was during his term of officethat the " Latter-Day Saints " becam? so strong atNauvoo, built their temple there, incre.tsed their numbersthroughout thecount-y, committed misdemeanors,taught dangerous doctrines, suffered the loss oftheir leader, Jo Smith, by a violent death, were drivenout of Nauvoo to the far West, etc. Having i)een aJudge for so many years previously, Mr. Ford ofcourse was no i-committal concerning Mormon affairs,and was therefore claimed by both parties and alsoaccused by each of sympathizing too greatly with theother side. Mormonism claiming to be a system ofreligion, the Governor no doubt was " between twofires," and felt compelled to touch the matter rather" gingerly," and doubtless felt greatly relieved whenthat pestilential people left the State. Such complicatedmatters, especially when religion is mixed upwith them, expose every person particijiating inthem to criticism from all parties.The Mexican War was begun in the sjjring of1845, and was continued into the gubernatorial termof Mr. Ford's su;ce5Sor. The Governor's connectionwith this war, however, was not conspicuous, as itwas only administrative, commissioning officers, etc.Ford's " History of Illinois " is a very readable andentertaining work, of 450 small octavo pages, and isdestined to increase in value with the lapse of time.It exhibits a natural flow of compact and forciblethought, never failing to convey the nicest sense. Intracing with his trenchant pen the devious operptionsof the professional politician, in which he is inimitable,his account is open, perhaps, to the objectionthat all his contemporaries are treated as mere placeseekers,while many of them have since been judgedby the people to be worthy statesmen. His writingsseem slightly open to the criticism that they exhibita litile splenetic partiality against those of his contemporarieswho were prominent during his term ofoffice as Governor.The death of Gov. Ford took place at Peoria, III.,Nov. 2, i8i;o.

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GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 143IS-t '-...^'-if-Augustus a French.{^i:^iUGUSTUS C.FRENCH,Governor of Illinois from1846 to 1852, was born inthe town of Hill, in theState of New Hampshire,Aug. 2, 1808. He was adescendant in the fourthgeneration of NathanielFrench, who emigrated from Englandin 1687 and settled in Saybury, Mass.In early life young French lost hisfather, but continued to receive instructionfrom an exemplary andChristian mother until he was 19 yearsold, when she also died, confiding tohis care and trust four younger brothersand one sister. He discharged his trust withparental devotion. His education in early life wassuch mainly as a common school afforded. For abrief period he attended Dartmouth College, butfrom pecuniary causes and the care of his brothersand sister, he did not graduate. He subsequentlyread law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1831, andshortly afterward removed to Illinois, settling first atAlbion, Edwards County, where he established himselfin the practice of law. The following year heremoved to Paris, Edgar County. Here he attainedeminence in his profession, and entered public lifeby representing that county in the Legislature. Astrong attachment sprang up between him and StephenA. Douglas.In 1839, Mr. French was appointed Receiver ofthe United States Land Office at Palestine, CrawfordCounty, at which place he was a resident whenelevated to the gubernatorial chair.In 1844 he wasa Presidential Elector, and as such he voted forJames K. Polk.The Democratic State Convention of 1846, meetingat Springfield Feb. 10, nominated Mr. Frenchfor Governor. Other Democratic candidates wereLyman Trumbull, John Calhoun (subsequently ofLecompton Constitution notoriety), Walter B. Scates.Richard M. Young and A. W. Cavarly,—an array ofvery able and prominent names. Trumbull was perhapsdefeated in the Convention by the rumor thathe was opposed to the Illinois and Michigan Canal,as he had been a year previously. For LieutenantGovernor J. B. Wells was chosen, while other candidateswere Lewis Ross, Wm. McMurlry, NewtonCloud, J. B. Hamilton and W. W. Thompson. Theresolutions declared strongly against the resuscitationof the old State Banks.The Whigs, who were in a hopeless minority, heldtheir convention June 8, at Peoria, and selectedThomas M. Kilpatrick, of Scott County, for Governor,and Gen. Nathaniel G. Wilcox, of Schuyler, forLieutenant Governor.In the campaign the latter exposed Mr. French'srecord and connection with the passage of the internalimprovement system, urging it against hiselection; but in the meantime the war with Mexicobroke out, regarding which the Whig recordwas unpopularin this State. The war was the absorbingand dominating question of the period, sweepingevery other political issue in its course. The electionin August gave Mr. French 58,700 votes, andKilpatrick only 36,775. Richard Eells, Abolitionistcandidate for the same office, received 5,152 vots>s

144 AUGUSTUS C. FRENCH.By the new Constitution of 1848, a new election forState officers was ordered in November of that year,before Gov. French's terra was half out, and he wasre-elected for the term of four years. He was thereforethe incumbenl for six consecutive years, theonly Governor of this State who has ever served inthat capacity so long at one time. As there was noorganized opposition to his election, he received 67,-453 votes, to 5,639 for Pierre Menard (son of thefirst Lieutenant Governor), 4,748 for Charles V.Dyer, 3,834 for W. L. D. Morrison, and i,36t forJames I.. D. Morrison. But Wm. McMurtry, ofKnox County, was elected Lieutenant Governor, inplace of Joseph B. Wells, who was before electedand did not run again.Governor French was inaugurated into office duringthe progress of the Mexican War, which closedduring the summer of 1847, although the treaty ofGuadalupe Hidalgo was not made until Feb. 2,1848. The policy of Gov. French's party was committedto that war, but in connection with that affairhe was, of course, only an administrative officer.During his term of office, Feb. 19, 1847, the Legislature,by special permission of Congress, declared tiiatall Government lands sold to settlers should be immediatelysubject to State taxation; before this theywere exempt for five years after sale. By this arrangementthe revenue was materially increased.About the same lime, the distribution of Government!and warrants among the Mexican soldiers as bountythrew upon the market a great quantity of goodlands, and this enhanced the settlement of the State.The same Legislature authorized, with the recommendationof the Governor, the sale of the NorthernCross Railroad (from Springfield to Meredosia, thefirst 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 reservein Gallatin County, granted by the general Governmentto the State, were also authorized by theGovernor to be sold, to apply on the State debt. \\\1850, for the first time since 1839, the accruing Staterevenue, exclusive of specific appropriations, wassufficient to meet the current demands upon thetreasury. The aggregate taxable property of theState at this time was over $100,000,000, and thepopulation 851,470.In 1S49 the Legisiivture adopted the township organizationlaw, which, however, proved defective,and was properly amended in 185 1. At its sessionin the latter year, the General Assembly also pasieda law to exempt homesteads from sale on executionsThis beneficent measure had been repeatedly urgecjupon that body by Gov. French.In 1S50 some business men in St. Louis commencedto build a dike opposite the lower part oftheir city on the Illinois side, to keep the Mississippiin its channel near St. Louis, instead of breakingaway from them as it sometimes threatened to do.This they undertook without permission from theLegislature or Executive authority of this State ;andas many of the inhabitants thera complained thatthe scheme would inundate and ruin much valuableland, there was a slight conflict of jurisdictions, resultingin favor of the St. Louis project; and sincethen 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 grantedto this State nearly 3,000,000 acres of land in aid ofthe completion of the Illinois Central Railroad,which constituted the most important epoch in therailroad—we might say internal improvement—historyof the State. The road was rushed on to completion,which accelerated the settlement of the interiorof the State by a good class of industrious citizens,and by the charter a good income to the StateTreasury is paid in from the earnings of the road.In 185 r the Legislature passed a law autliorizingfree stock banks, which was the source of much legislativediscussion for a number of years.But we have not space further to particularizeconcerning legislation. Gov. French's administrationwas 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 complexioned, with ruddy faceand pleasant countenance. In manners he wasplain and agreeable. By nature he was somewhatdiffident, but he was often very outspoken in his convictionsof duty. In public speech he was not anorator, but was chaste, earnest and persuasive. Inbusiness he was accurate and methodical, and in hisadministration he kept up the credit of the State.He died in 1865, at his home in Lebanon, St.Clair Co., Til.

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 147l0el %. plsi'ttes0tt!.

[48 JOEL A. MATTESON.greed for office, unwilling to represent his districtunder the circumstances, immediately resigned hisunexpired term of two years. A bill was passed in afew hours ordering a new election, and in ten days'time Mr. Matteson was returnedre-elected and tookhis seat as Senator. From his well-known capacityas a business man, he was made Chairman of theCommittee on Finance, a position he held duringthis half and two full succeeding Senatorial terms,discharging its im[X)rtant duties with ability and faithfulness.Besides his extensive woolen-mill interest,when work was resumed on the canal under the newloan of $[,600,000 he again became a heavy contractor,and also subsequently operated largely inbuilding railroads. Thus he showed himself a mostenergetic and thorough business man.He was nominated for Governor by the DemocraticState Convention which met at SpringfieldApril 20, 1852. Other candidates before the Conventionwere D. L. Gregg and F. C. Sherman, ofCook ;John Dement, of Lee ;Thomas L. Harris, ofMenard; Lewis W. Ross, of Fulton ;and D. P. Bush,of Pike. Gustavus Koerner, of St. Clair, was nominatedfor Lieutenant Governor.For the same officesthe Whigs nominated Edwin B. Webb and Dexter A.Knowlton. Mr. Matteson received 80,645 votes atthe election, while Mr. Webb received 64,408. Matteson'sforte was not on the stump; he had not cultivatedthe art of oily flattery, or the faculty of beingall things to all men.His intellectual qualities tookrather the direction of efficient executive ability. Histurn consisted not so much in the adroit managementof party, or the powerful advocacy of great governmentalprinciples, as in those more solid andenduring operations which cause the physical developmentand advancement of a State,—of commerceand business enterprise, into which he labored withsuccess to lead the people. As a politician he wasjust and liberal in his views, and both in official andprivate life he then stood untainted and free fromblemish. As a man, in active benevolence, socialrirtues and all the amiable qualities of neighbor orcitizen, he had few superiors.His messages presenta perspicuous array of facts as to the condition of theState, and are often couched in forcible and elegantdiction.The greatest excitement during his term of officewas the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, by Congress,under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas in1854, when the bill was passed organizing the Territoryof Kansas and Nebraska. A large portion ofthe Whig parfy of the North, through their bitter oppositionto the Democratic party, naturally driftedinto the doctrine of anti-slavery, and thus led to vi'hatwas temporarily called the "Anti-Nebraska" party,while the followers of Douglas were known as" Nebraskaor Douglas Democrats." It was during thisembryo stage of the Republican party that AbrahamLincoln was brought forward as the " Anti-Nebraska "candidate for the United States Senatorship, whileGen. James Shields, the incumbent, was re-nominatedby the Democrats. But after a fewballotingsin 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 ballotMr. Trumbull obtained one majority, and was accordinglydeclared elected.Before Gov. Matteson'sterm expired, the Republicans were fully organizedas a national party, and in 1856 put into the field afull national and State ticket, carrying the State, butnot the nation.The Legislature of 1855 passed two very importantmeasures,—the present free-school system and asubmission of the Maine liquor law to a vote of thepeople. The latter was defeated by a small majorityof the popular vote.During the four years of Gov. Matteson's administrationthe taxable wealth of the State was abouttrebled, from $137,818,07910 $349,951,272; the publicdebt was reduced from $17,398,985 to $12,843,-144; taxation was at the same time reduced, and theState resumed paying interest on its debt in NewYork as fast as it fell due ; railroads were increasedin their mileage fronr something less than 400 toabout 3.000 ; and the population of Chicago wasnearly doubled, and its commerce more than quadrupled.Before closing this account, we regret that we haveto say that Mr. Matteson, in all other respects anupright man and a good Governor, was implicatedin a false re-issue of redeemed canal scrio, amountingto $224,182.66. By a suit in the Sangamon CircuitCourt the State recovered the jirincipal and a.llthe interest excepting $27,500.He died in the winter of 1872--3, at Chicago.

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#GO VERJ^ORS OF ILLINOIS. 151^^e^1-5—a^®-t>[LLIAM H. BISSELL, Governor1857-60, was bornp A]5ril 25, 181 1, in theState of New York, nearPainted Post, Yates County.His parents were obscure,honest, God-fearing people,who reared their children under the dailyexample of industry and frugality, accordingto the custom of that class of Easternsociety. Mr. Bissell received a respectablebut not thorough academical education.By assiduous application he acquired aknowledge of medicine, and in his earlymanhood came West and located in MonroeCounty, this State, where he engaged in thepractice of that profession. But he was not enamoredof his calling: he was swayed by a broaderambitiori, to such an extent that the mysteries of thehealing art and itsarduous duties failed to yield himfurther any charms. In a few years he discoveredhis choice of a profession to be a mistake, and whenhe approached the age of 30 he sought to beginanew. Dr. Bissell, no doubt unexpectedly to himself,discovered a singular facility and charm ofspeech, the exercise of which acquired for him aready local notoriety. It soon came lo be understoodthat he desired to abandon his profession andtake up that of the law. During terms of Court hewould spend his time at the county seat among themembers of the Bar, who extended to him a readywelcome.It was not strange, therefore, that he should driftinto public life. In 1840 he was elected as a Democratto the Legislature from Monroe County, andwas an efficient member of that body. On his returnhome he qualified himself for admission to theBar and speedily rose to the front rank as an advocate.His powers of oratory were captivating. With apure diction, charming and inimitable gestures,clearness of statement, and a remarkable vein of slyhumor, his efforts before a jury told with irresistibleeffect. He was chosen by the Legislature ProsecutingAttorney for the Circuit in which he lived, andin that position he fully discharged his duty to theState, gained the esteem of the Bar, and seldomfailed to convict the offender of the law.In stature he was somewliat tall and slender, andwith a straight, military bearing, he presented a distinguishedappearance. His complexion was dark,his head well poised, though not large, his addresspleasant and manner winning. Hi* was exemplaryin his habits, a devoted husband and kind parent.He was twice married, the first time to Miss James,

'52 WILLIAM H. BISSELL.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 daughterof Elias K. Kane, previously a United States Senatorfrom this State. She survived hi.oi but a short time,and died without issue.When the war with Mexico was declared in 1846,Mr. Bissell enlisted and was elected Colonel of hisregiment, over Hon. Don Morrison, by an almostunanimous vote,—807 to 6.Considering the limitadopportunities he had had, he evinced a high order ofmilitary talent. On the bloody field of Buena Vistahe acquitted himself with intrepid and distinguishedability, contributing with his regiment, the SecondIllinois, in no small degree toward saving the waveringfortunes of our arms during that long and fiercelycontested battle.After his return home, at the close of the war, hewas elected to Congress, his opponents being tlieHons. P. B. Fouke and Joseph Gillespie. He servedtwo terms in Congress. He was an ardent jjolitician.During the great contest of 1850 he voted in favorof the adjustment measures; but in 1854 he opposedthe repeal of the Missouri Compromise act andtherefore the Kansas-Nebraska bill of Douglas, andthus became identified with the nascent Republicanparty.During his first Congressional term, while theSouthern members were following their old practiceof intimidating the North by bullying language,and claiming most of the credit for victories in theMexican War, and Jefferson Davis claiming for theMississippi troops all the credit for success at BuenaVista, Mr. Bissell bravely defended the Northerntroops ; whereupon Davis challenged Bissell to a duel,which was accepted. This matter was brought u))against Bissell when he was candidate for Governorand during his term of office, as the Constitution ofthis State forbade any duelist from holding a Stateoffice.In 1856, when the Republican party first put fortha candidate, John C. Fremont, for President of theUnited States, the same party nominated Mr. Bissellfor Governor of Illinois, and John Wood, of Quincy,for Lieutenant Governor, while the Democrats nominatedHon. W. A. Richardson, of Adams County,for Governor, and Col. R. J. Hamilton, of CookCounty, for Lieutenant Governor. The result of theelection was a plurality of 4,729 votes over Richardson.The American, or Know-Nothing, party had aticket in the field. The Legislature was nearly balanced,but was politically opposed to the Governor.His message to the Legislature was short and ratherordinary, and was criticised for expressing the supposedobligations of the people to the incorporatorsof the Illinois Central Railroad Company and for reopeningthe slavery question by allusions to theKansas troubles. Late in the session an apportionmentbill, based upon the State census of 1855, waspassed, amid much partisan strife. The Governorat first signed the bill and then vetoed it. A furiousdebate followed, and the question whether the Governorhad the authority to recall a signature wasreferred to the Courts, that of last resort deciding infavor of the Governor. Two years afterward anotheroutrageous attempt was made for a re-apportionmentand to gerrymander the State, but the Legislaturefailed to pass the bill over the veto of the Governor.It was during Gov. Bissell's administration thatthe notorious canal scrip fraud was brought to light''mplicating ex-Gov, Matteson and other prominentState officials. The principal and interest, aggregating$255,500, was all recovered by the State excepting$27,500.(See sketch of Gov. Matteson.)In 1859 an attempt was discovered to fraudulentlyrefund the Macalister and Stebbins bonds andthus rob the State Treasury of nearly a quarter of amillion dollars. The State Government was implicatedin this affair, and to this day remains unexplainedor unatoned for. For the above, and othermatters previously mentioned. Gov. Bissell has beenseverely criticised, and he has also been most shamefullylibelled and slandered.On account of e.xposure in the army, the remotecause of a nervous form of disease gained entranceinto his system and eventually developed paraplegia,affecting his lower extremities, which, wiiile it lefthis body in comparative health, deprived him of locomotione.xcept by the aid of crutches.While he wasgenerally hopeful of ultimate recovery, this mysteriousdisease pursued him, without once relaxing itsstealthy hold, to the close of his life, March 18,i860, over nine months before the expiration of hisgubernatorial term, at the early age of 48 years.Hedied in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church. o

Go VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. •55#^;( )HN WOOD, Governof 1860-1, andft^ the first settler of Quincy, 111.,was born in the town of Sempronius(now Moravia), Cayuga Co.,N. Y., Dec. 20, 1798. He wasthe second child and only son ofDr. Daniel Wood. His mother,nee Catherine Crause, was ofGerman parentage, and diedwhile he was an infant. Dr.Wood was a learned and skillfulphysician, of classical attainmentsand proficient in severalmodern lai guages, who, afterserving throughout the RevolutionaryWar as a Surgeon, settled on the land grantedhiin by the Government, and resided there a respectedand leading influence in his section until hisdeatli, at the ripe age of 92 years.The subject of this sketch, impelled by the spiritof Western adventure then pervading everywhere,left his home, Nov. 2, 1818, and passed the succeedingwinter in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following summerhe pushed on to Illinois, landing at Shavvneetown,and spent the fall and following winter in CalhounCounty. In 1820, in company with Willard Keyes,he settled in Pike County, about 30 miles southeastof Quincy, where for the next two years he pursuedfarming. In i82r he visited "the Bluffs" (as thepresent siie of Quincy was called, then uninhabited)and, pleased with its prospects, soon after purchaseda quarter-section of land near by, and in the followingfall (1822) erected near the river a small cabin,18 X 20 feet, the first building in Quincy, of whichhe then became the first and for some months theonly occupant.Aiiout this time he visited his old friends in PikeCounty, chief of wliom was William Ross, the leadingman in building up the village of Atlas, of thatcounty, which was thought then to be the possiblecommencement of 3 city. One day they and otherswere traveling together over the country between thetwo points named, making observations on the comparativemerits of the respective localities. On approachingthe Mississippi near Mr. Wood's place,the latter told his companions to follow him and hewould show them where he was going to build a city.They went about a mile ofifthe main trail, to a highpoint, from which the view in every direction wasmost magnificent, as it had been for ages and as yetuntouched by the hand of man. Before them sweptby the majestic Father of Waters, yet unburdened bynavigation. After Mr. Wood had expatiated atlength on the advantages of the situation, Mr. Rossreplied, " But it's too near Atlas ever to amount toanything! "Atlas is still a cultivated farm, and Quincy is 3city of over 30,000 population.In 1824 Mr. Wood gave a newspaper notice,as the law then prescribed, of his intention to applyto the General Assembly for the formation of a newcounty. This was done the following winter, resultingin the establishment of the present AdamsCounty. During the next summer Quincy was selectedas the county seat, it and the vicinity thencontaining but four adult male residents and half

150 JOHN WOOD.that number of females. Since that period Mr.Wood resided at the place of his early adoption untilhis death, and far more than any other man washe identified with every measure of its progress andhistory, and almost continuously kept in public positions.He was one of the early town Trustees, and afterthe place became a city he was often a member ofthe City Council, many times elected Mayor, in theface of a constant large opposition political majority.In 1850 he was elected to the State Senate. In 1856,on the organization of the Republican party, he waschosen Lieutenant Governor of the State, on theticketwith Wm. H. Bissell for Governor, and on thedeath of the latter, March 18, i860, he succeeded tothe Chief Executive chair, which he occupied untilGov. Yates was inaugurated nearly ten months afterward.Nothing very marked characterized the administrationof Gov. Wood. The great anti-slavery campaignof i860, resulting in tlie election of the honestlUinoisan, Abraham Lincoln, to the Presidency of theUnited States, occurred during the short periodwhile Mr. Wood was Governor, and tne excitementand issues of that struggle dominated over everyother consideration,—indeed, supplanted them in agreat measure. The people of Illinois, during allthat time, were passing the comparatively petty strifesunder Bissell's administration to the overwhelmingissue of preserving the whole nacion from destruction.In 1861 ex-Gov. Wood was one of the five Delegatesfrom Illinois to the " Peace Convention " atWashington, and in April of the sanr.e year, on thebreaking om of the Rebellion, he was appointedQuartermaster-General of the State, which positionhe held throughout the war. In 1864 he took commandas Colonel of the 137th 111. Vol. Inf., withwhom he served until the period of enlistment expired.Politically, Gov. Wood was always acdvely identifiedwith tlie Whig and Republican parties. Fewmen have in personal experience comprehended somany surprising and advancing local changes asvested in the more than half century recollections ofGov. Wood. Sixty-four years ago a solitary settleron the "Bluffs," with no family, and no neighborwithin a score of miles, the world of civilization awaybehind him, and the strolling red-man almost hisonly visitant, he lived to see growing around him,and under his auspices and aid, overspreading thewild hills and scraggy forest a teaming city, secondonly in size in the State, and surpassed nowhere inbeauty, prosperity and promise ; whose people recognizeas with a single voice the proverbial honor andliberality that attach to the name and lengthenedlife of their pioneer settler, "the old Governor."Gov. Wood was twice married,—first in January,1826, to Ann M. Streeter, daughterof Joshua Streeter,formeriy of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. They hadeight children. Mrs. W. died Oct. 8, 1863, and inJune, 1865, Gov. Wood married Mrs. Mary A., widowof Rev. Joseph T. Holmes. Gov. Wood died June 4,1880, at his residence in Quincy. Four of his eightchildren 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. Thelast mentioned now resides at Atchison, Kansas, andall the rest are still at Quincy.

'59T^^igi^y^ .A'^v-V .^pV:c^f-.VT.-^>?V:yiS2a;UCHARD YATES, the"WarGovernor," 1861-4, was bornJan. 18, 18 18, on the banks ofthe Ohio River, at Warsaw,Gallatin Co., Ky. His lather'^ moved in 1831 to Illinois, and^after stopping for a time inSpringfield, settled at IslandGrove, Sangamon County. Here,after attending school, Richard joinedtlie family. Subsequently he enteredIllinois College at Jacksonville,where, in 1837, he graduated withfirst honors. He cho-,e for his professionthe law, the Hon. J. J.Hardinbeing his instructor. After admissionto the Bar he soon rose to distinction as anadvocate.Gifted with a fluent and ready oratory, he soonappeared in the political hustings, and, being apassionate admirer of the great Whig leader of theWest. Henry Clay, he joined his political fortunes to.he party of his idol. In 1 840 he engaged with great=Tdor in the exciting " hard cider " campaign forriarrison. Two years later he was elected to theLegislature from Morgan County, a Democraticstronghold. He served three or four terms in theLegislature, and such was the fascination of his ora-Tory that by 1850 his large Congressional District,extending from Morgan and Sangamon CountiesOTth to include LaSalle, unanimously tendered him.tne Whig nomination for Congress. His Democraticopponent was Maj. Thomas L. Harris, a very popularman who had won distinction at the battle ofCerro Gordo, in the Mexican War, and who hadacaten Hon. Stephen T. Logan for the same position.two years before, by a large majority. Yates wa?elected. Two years later he was re-elected, overJohn Calhoun.It was during Yates second term in Congress thatthe great question of the repeal of the Missouri Compromisewas agitated, and the bars laid down for reopeningthe dreaded anti-slavery question. He tookstrong grounds against the repeal, and thus becameidentified with the rising Republican party. Consequentlyhe fell into the minority in his district, whichwas pro-slavery. Even then, in a third contest, hefell behind Major Harris only 200 votes, after thedistrict had two years before given Pierce 2,000majority for President.The Republican State Convention of t86o met atDecatur May 9, and nominated for the offi.:e of GovernorMr. Yates, in preference to Hon. Norman B.Judd, of Chicago, and Leonard Swett, of Bloomington,two of the ablest men of the State, who werealso candidates before the Convention. Francis A.Hoffman, of DuPage County, was nominated foiLieutenant Governor. This was the year when Mr.Lincoln was a candidate for President, a period rememberedas characterized by the great whidpoolwhich precipitated the bloody War of the Rebellion.The Douglas Democrats nominated J. C. Allen ofCrawford County, for Governor, and Lewis W. Ross,of Fulton County, for Lieutenant Governor. TheBreckenridge Democrats and the Bell-Everett partyhad also full tickets in the field. After a most fearfulcampaign, 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 didMr. Lincoln himself.Gov. Yates occupied the chair of State during the

l6o RICHARD YATES.most critical period of our country's history.In thefate of the nation was involved that of each State.The life struggle of the former derived its sustenancefrom the loyalty of the latter; and Gov. Yatesseemed to realize the situation, and proved himselfboth loyal and wise in upholding the Government.He had a deep hold upon the affections of thepeople, won by his moving eloquence and genialmanners. Erect and symmetrical in person, of prepossessingappearance, with a winning address and amagnetic power, few men possessed more of the elementsof popularity.His oratory was scholarly andcaptivating, his hearers hardly knowing why theywere transported. He was social and convivial. Inthe latter respect he was ultimately carried too far.The very creditable military efforts of this Stateduring the War of the Rebellion, in putting into thefield the enormous number of about 200,000 soldiers,were ever promptly and ably seconded by his excellency;and the was ambitious to deserve the title of"the soldier's friend." Immediately after the battleofShiloh he repaired to the field of carnage to lookafter the wounded, and his appeals for aid werepromptly responded to by the people. His proclamationscalling for volunteers were impassionateappeals, urging upon the people the duties and requirementsof patriotism; and his special messagein 1863 to the Democratic Legislature of this Statepleading for material aid for the sick and woundedsoldiers of Illinoisregiments, breathes a deep fervorof noble sentiment and feeling rarely equaled inbeauty or felicity of expression. Generally his messageson political and civil affairs were able and comprehensive.During his administration, however,there were no civil events of an engrossing character,although two years of his time were replete withpartisan quarrels of great bitterness. Military arrests,Knights of the Golden Circle, riot in FultonCounty, attempted suppression of the Chicago Timesand the usurping State Constitutional Convention of1862, were the chief local topics that were excitingduring the Governor's term.This Convention assembledJan. 7, and at once took the high position thathe law calling it was no longer binding, and that it:,ad supreme power; that it represented a virtualassemblage of the whole people of the State, and wassovereign in the exercise of all power necessary toeffect a peaceable revolution of the State Governmentand to the re-establishment of one for the "happiness.,prosperity and freedom of the citizens," limited onlyby the Federal Con^jtitution. Notwithstanding thelaw calling the Convention required its members totake an oath to support the Constitution of the Stateas well as that of the general Government, theyutterly refused to take such oath. They also assumedlegislative powers and passed several important"laws!" Interfering with the (then) presentexecutive duties, Gov. Yates was provoked to tellthem plainly that " he did not acknowledge the rightof the Convention to instruct him in the performanceof his duty."In 1863 the Governor astonished the Democratsby " proroguing " their Legislature.This body, aftera recess, met June 2, that year, and soon began towaste time upon various partisan resolutions ; and,while the two houses were disagreeing upon thequestion of adjourning ««,? die, the Governor, havingthe authority in such cases, surprised them all byadjourning them " to the Saturday next preceding thefirst Monday in"January, 1865 ! This led to greatexcitement and confusion, and to a reference of theGovernor's act to the Supreme Court, who decided inhis favor. Then it was the Court's turn to receiveabuse for weeks and months afterward.During the autumn of 1864 a conspiracy was detectedat Chicago which had for its object the liberationof the prisoners of war at Camp Douglas, theburning of the city and the inauguration of rebellionin the North. Gen. Sweet, who had charge of thecamp at the time, first had his suspicions of dangeraroused by a number of enigmatically worded letterswhich passed through the Camp postoffice. A detectiveafterward discovered that the rebel Gen.Marmaduke was in the city, under an assumedname, and he, with other rebel officers—Grenfell,Morgan, Cantrell, Buckner Morris, and CharlesWalsh—was arrested, most of whom were convictedby a court-martial at Cincinnati and sentenced toimprisonment,—Grenfell to be hung. The sentenceof the latter was afterward commuted to imprisonmentfor life, and all the others, after nine months'imprisonment, were pardoned.In March, 1873, Gov. Yates was appointed a GovernmentDirector of the Union Pacific Railroad, inwhich office he continued until his decease, at St.Louis, Mo., on the 27th of November following.

GGVhRA'ORS OF ILLINOIS. 163Michard J.Ogleshy-^3-^%^rCHARD J.OGLESBY, Governor1865-8, and re-electedin 1872 and 1884, was bornJuly 25, 1824, in Oldham Co.,Ky.,— the State which mightbe considered the " mother ofIllinois Governors." Bereft ofhis parents at the tender ageof eight years, his early educationwas neglected. When 12 years ofage, and after he had worked a yearand a half at the carpenter's trade,he removed with an uncle, WillisOglesby, into whose care he hadbeen committed, to Decatur, thisState, where he continued liis apprenticeshipas a mechanic, working six months forHon. E. O. Smith.In 1844 he commenced studying law at Springfield,with Judge Silas Robbins, and read with himone year. He was admitted to the Bar in 1845, andcommenced the practice of his chosen profession atSullivan, the county seat of Moultrie County.The next year the war with Mexico was commenced,and in June, 1846, Mr. Oglesby volunteered,was elected First Lieutenant of Co. C, Fourth IllinoisRegiment of Volunteers, and participated in the battlesof Vera Cru2. and Cerro Gordo.On liis return he sought to perfect his law studiesby attending a course of lectures at Louisville, buton the breaking out of the California "gold fever " in1849, lie crossed the plains and mountains to thenew 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, andwas placed that year by the Whig party on the ticketof Presidential Electors.lu 1856 he visited Europe,.\jia and Africa, being absent 20 months. On hisreturn home he resumed the practice of law, as amember of the fir.n of Gallagher, Wait & Oglesby.In 1858 he was the Republican noininee for theLower House of Congress, but was defeated by theHon. James C. Robinson, Democrat. In i860 hewas elected to the Illinois State Senate ; and on theevening the returns of this election were coming in.Mr. Oglesby had a fisticuff encounter with " CerroGordo Williams," in which he came out victorious,and which was regarded as " the first fight of theRebellion." The following spring, when the warhad commenced in earnest, his ardent naturequickly responded to the demands of patriotism andhe enlisted. The extra session of the Legislatureelected him Colonel of the Eighth Illinois Infantry,the second one in the State raised to suppress thegreat Rebellion.He WIS shortly entrusted with important commands.For a time he was stationed at Bird's Pointand Cairo; in April he was promoted Brigadier Gen>eral ; at Fort Donelson his brigade was in the van,being stationed on the right of General Grant's armyand the first brigade to be attacked. He lost 500men before re-inforcements arrived. Many of thesemen were from Macon County. He was engaged inthe battle of Corinth, and, in a brave charge at thisplace, was shot in the left lung with an ounce ball,and was carried from the field in expectation of im-

164 RICHARD J. OGLESBY.mediate death. That rebel ball he carries to thisday. On his partial recovery he was promoted asMajor General, for gdlantry, his commission to rankfrom November, 1862. In the spring of 1863 hewas assigned to the command of the i6th ArmyCorps, but, owing to inability froii the effects of liiswound, he relinquished this command in July, thatyear. Gen. Grant, however, refused to accept hisresignation, and he was detailed, in December following,to court-martial and try the Surgeon General oftlie Army at Washington, where he remained untilMay, 1864, when he returned home.The Republican, or Uiion, State Convention of1864 was held at Springfield, May 25, when Mr.Oglesby was nominated for the office of Governor,while other candidates before the Convention wereAllen C. Fuller, of Boone, Jesse K. Dubois, of Sangamon,and John M. Palmer, of .Macoupin. Wm.Bross, of Chicago, was nominated for LieutenantGovernor. On the Democratic State ticket wereJames C. Robinson, of Clark, for Governor, and S.Corning Judd, of Fulton, for Lieutenant Governor.The general election gave Gen. Oglesby a majorityof about 31,000 votes. The Republicans had also amajority in both the Legislature and in the representationin Congress.Gov. Oglesby was duly inaugurated Jan. 17, 1865.The day before the first time set for his installationdeath visited his ]ij;ne at Decatur, and took from ithis only son, an intelligent and sprightly lad of sixyears, a great favorite of the bereaved parents. Thiscaused the inauguration to be postponed a week.The political events of the Legislative session of1865 were the election of ex-Gov. Yates to theUnited States Senate, and the ratification of the 13thamendment to the Constitution of the United States,abolishing slavery. This session also signalizeditself by repealing the notorious " black laws," partof which, although a dead letter, had held their placeupon the statute books since 1819. Also, la.vs requiringtlie registration of voters, and establisiiing aState Board of Equalization, were passed by this Legislature.But the same body evinced that it was corruptlyinfluenced by a mercenary lobby, as it adoptedsome bad legislation, over the Governor's veto, notablyan amendment to a charter for a Chicago horserailway, granted in 1859 for 25 years, and nowsought to be extended 99 years. As this measurewas promptly passed over his veto by both branchesof the Legislature, he deemed it useless further toattempt to check their headlong career. At thissession no law of a general useful character or publicinterest was perfected, unless we count such theturning over of the canal to Chicago to be deepened.The session of 1867 was still more productive ofprivate and special acts. Many omnibus bills wereprcpcsed, and seme passed. The contests over theiC-cation of the Industrial College, the dipital, theSouthern Penitentiary, and the canal enlargementand Illinois River improvement, dominated everything else.During the year 1872, it became evident that i(the Republicans could re-elect Mr. Oglesby to theoffice of Governor, they could also elect him to theUnited_ States Senate, which they desired to do.Accordingly they re-nominated him for the Executivechair, and placed upon the ticket with him forLieutenant Governor, John L. Beveridge, of CookCounty. On the other side the Democrats put intothe field Gustavus Koerner for Governor and JohnC. Black for Lieutenant Governor. The electiongave the Republican ticket majorities ranging from3S'334 to 56,i74,^the Democratic defection beingcaused mainly Ijy their having an old-time Wliig andAbolitionist, Horace Greeley, on the national ticketfor President. According to the general understandinghad beforehand, as soon as the Legislature metit elected Gov. Oglesby to the United States Senate,whereupon Mr. Beveridge became Governor. SenatorOglesby 's term expired March 4, 1879, -havingserved his party faithfully and exhibited an order ofstatesmanship beyond criticism.During the campaign of 1884 Mr. Oglesby wasnominated for a "third term" as Executive of theState of Illinois, against Carter H. Harrison, Mayorof Chicago, nominated by the Democrats. Bothgentlemen "stumped " the State, and while the peopleelected a Legislature which was a tie on a join;ballot, as between the two parties, they gave thejovial " Dick" Oglesby a majority of 15,018 for Governor,and he was inaugurated Jan. 30, 1885. TheLegislature did not fully organize until this date, onaccount of its equal division between the two mainparties and the consequent desperate tactics of eacl:party to clieckmate the latter in the organization ofthe House.Gov. Oglesby is a fine-appearing, affable man, withregular, well defined features and rotund face. Instature he is a little above tiiedium height, of a largeframe and somewhat fleshy. His physical a|)pearanceis striking and prepossessing, while his straightout,not to say bluff, manner and speech are wcLcalculated favorably to impress the average masses.Arlent in feeling and si rongly committed to the policiesof his party, he intensifies Republicani.;n-.among Republicans, while at the same time hisjovia.and liberal manner prevents those of the oppositeparty from hating him.He is quite an effective stump orator. With vehement,passionate and scornful tone and gestures.tremendous physical power, which in speaking heexercises to the utmost; with frequent descents tothe grotesque; and with al)undant homely comparisonsor frontier figures, expressed in the broadestvernacular and enforced with stentorian emphacis,he delights a promiscuous audience beyond measure

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GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.1U7O-v-J oHN M. Pa lmerr^'^'§§l'^'^^:;-^^l^.;:l^V'l^i^|^^;'l^?a'gl>:^';:'l '.^i'..'! •.-'.•..'.•..';. ''•.'tgg't^-^i^t^t^ta;;'':'^:OHN Mc AUl.EY PALMER, Governor1869-72, was born onEngle Creek, Scott Co., Ky ,Sept. 13, 1817. During his infancy,his father, who had beena soldier in the war of 18 12, removedto Christian Co., Ky.,where lands were cheap. Herethe future Governor of the greatPrairie State spent his ciiildhoodand received such meager schoolingas the new and sparsely settledcountry afforded. To thishe added materially by diligentreading, for which he evinced aneaily aptitude. His father, an ardent Jackson man,was also noted for his anti-slavery sentiments, whichhe thoroughly impressed upon his children. In 1831he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Madison County.Here the labor of improving a farm was pursued forabout two years, when the death of Mr. P.ilmer'sKiother broke up the family. About tliis tmie AltonCollege was opened, on the "manual labor " system,and in the spring of 1834 young Palmer, with hiselder brother, Elilui, entered this school and remained18 months. Next, for over three years, he triedvariously coopering, peddling and school-teaching.Dunng lire summer of 1838 he formed the acquaintanceof Stephen A, Douglas, then making hisfirst canvass for Congress. Young, eloquent and inl)olitical accord with Mr. Palmer, he won his confidence,fired his ambition and fixed his purpose. Thefollowing winter, while teaching near Canton, he beganto devote his spare time to a desultory readingof la.v, and in the spring entered a law office at Carli;iville,making liis home with his elder brother,Elihu. (I'he latter was a learned clergyman, of considerableorginality of thought and doctrine.) Onthe next meeting of the Supreme Court he was admittedto the Bar, Douglas being one of his examiners.He was not immediately successful in his profession,and would have located elsewhere than Carlinvillehad he the requisite means. Thus his early povertywas a blessing in disguise, for to it he now attributesthe success of his life.From 1839 on, while he diligently pursued hisprofession, he participated more or less in localpolitics. In 1843 he became Probate Judge. Irt847 he was elected to the State Constitutional Convention, where he took a leading part. In 1852 ht.was elected to the State Senate, and at the specialsession of February, 1854, true to the anti-slaverysentiments bred in him, he took a firm stand in oppositionto the repeal of the Missouri Compromise,and when the Nebraska question became a partyissue he refused to receive a re-nomination for thiSenatorship at the hands of the Democracy, issuinga circular to that effect. A few weeks afterward

i68JOHN MC AULEY PALMER.however, hesitating to break with his party, he participatedin a Congressional Convention which noini-T. L. Harris against Richard Yates, and whichunqualifiedly approved the principles of the Kansas-Nebraska act. But later in the campaign he madethe plunge, ran for the Senate as an Anti-NebraskaDemocrat, and was elected. The following winterne put in nomination for the United States SenateMr. Trumbull, and was one of the five steadfast menwho voted for him until all the Whigs came to theirsupport and elected their man.In 1856 he was Chairman of the Republican StateConvention at Bloomington. He ran for Congress in3859, but was defeated. In i860 he was RepublicanPresidential Elector for the State at large. In 1861fle was appointed one of the five Delegates (all Republicans)sent by Illinois to the peace congress atWashington.When the civil conflict broke out, he offered hisservices to his country, and was elected Colonel of theJ4th 111. Vol. Inf , and participated in the engagementsat Island No. 10; at Farmington, where he skillfullyextricated his command from a dangerous position ;at Stone River, where his division for several hours,Dec. 31, 1862, held the advance and stood like arock, and for his gallantrythere he was made MajorGeneral; at Chickamanga, where his and Van Cleve'sdivisions for two hours maintained their positionwhen they were cut off by overpowering numbers.Under Gen. Sherman, he was assigned to the i4lhArmy Corps and participated in the Atlanta campaign.At Peach-Tree Creek his prudence did much to avertdisaster. In February, 1865, Gen. Palmer was assignedto the military administration of Kentucky,which was a delicate post. That State was abouthalf rebel and half Union, and those of the latterelement 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 extraordinarypower over the persons and property of his fellowmen, with which he was vested in his capacity asmilitary Governor ; and he exhibited great caution inthe execution of the duties of his post.Gen. Palmer wasnominated for Governor of Illinoisby the Republican State Convention which metat Peoria May 6, 1868, and his nomination wouldprobably have been made by acclamation had he notoersistenily declared that he could not accept a candidaturefor the office. The result of the ensuir.j;election gave Mr. Palmer a majority of 44,707 overJohn R. Eden, the Democratic nominee.On the meeting of the Legislature in January,1869, the first thing to arrest public attention wasthat portion of the Governor's message which tookbroad State's rights ground. This and some minorpoints, which were mare in keeping with the Demacraticsentiment, constituted the entering wedge f jrthe criticisms and reproofs he afterward receivedfrom the Republican party, and ultim.itely resultedin his entire aleniation from the latter element. TheLegislature just referred to was noted for the introductionof numerous bills in the interest of privateparties, which were embarrassing to the Governor.Among the public acts passed was that which limitedrailroad charges for passenger travel to a maximumof three cents per mile ; and it was passed over theGovernor's veto. Also, they passed, over his veto,the "tax-grabbing law" to pay r'.ilror.d subscriptions,the Chicago Lake Front bill, etc. The new StateConstitution of 1870, far superior to the old, was apeaceful " revolution" which took place during Gov.Palmer's term of office. The suffering caused by thegreat Chicago Fire of October, 187 1, was greatlyalleviated by the prompt responses of his excellency.Since the expiration of Gov. Palmers's term, he hasbeen somewhat prominent in Illinois politics, andhas been talked of by many, especially in the Democraticparty, as the best man in the State for aUnited States Senator. His business during life hasbeen that of the law. Few excel him in an accurateappreciation of the depth and scope of its principles-The great number of his able veto messages abundantlytestify not only this but also a rare capacity topoint them out. He is a logical and cogent reasonerand an interesting, forcible and convincing speaker,though not fluent or ornate.Without brilliancy, hisdealings are rather with facts and ideas than withappeals to passions and prejudices. He is a patriotand a statesman of very high order.Physically he isabove the medium height, of robust frame, ruddycomplexion and sanguine-nervous temperament. Hehas a largo cranial development, is vivacious, socialin disposition, easy of approach, unostentatious in hisiiabits of life, democratic in his habits and mannersand is a true American in his fundamental principle*of statesmanship.

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Gc' VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 171"^^^;y^'?;^'g^'^t^'^t?^'^tjfi)tiga'^» sesasmwOHN LOWRiE BEVER-IDGE, Governor 187 3-6, wasborn in the town of Greenwich,Washington Co., N. Y.,July 6, 1824. His parentswere George and Ann Bever-^-r'^^ idge. His father's parents, Andrewand Isabel Bcveridge, beforetheir marriage emigrated1 from Scotland just before the\|Revolutionary War, settling in^ Washington County. His fatherwas the eldest of eight brothers, theyounpest of whom was 60 years ofage when tlie first one of the numliL-rdied. His mother's parents,James and Agnes Hoy, emigratedfrom Scotland at the close of theRevolutionary War, settling also inWashington Co., N. Y., with theirfisl-born, whose " native land " w.;sthe wild ocean. His parents ar.dgrandparents lived beyond the timeallotted to man, their average agebeing over 8o years. They belonged to the " AssociateChurch," a seceding Presbyterian body ofAmerica from the old Scotch school ; and so rig dwas the training of young Beveridge that he neverheard a sermon from any other minister except thatof his own denomination until he was in his 19thyear. Later in life he became a member of theMethodistholds.Episcopal Church, which relation he stillMr. Beveridge received a good common-school education,but his parents, who could obtain a livelihoodonly by rigid economy and industry, could not sendhim away to college. He was raised upon a farm,and was in his i8th year when the family removedto De Kalb County, this State, when that section wasvery sparsely settled. Chicago had less than 7,000inhabitants. In this wild West he continued as afarm laborer, teaching school during the wintermonths to supply the means of an education.In thefill of 1842 he attended one term at the academy atGranville, Putnam Co., 111., and subsequently severalterms at the Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris,Ogle Co., 111., completing the academic course. Atthis time, the fall of 1845, his parents and brotherswere anxious to have him go to college, even thoughhe had not money sufficient; but, njt willing to burdenthe family, he jiacked his trunk and with only^40 in money started South to seek liis fortune

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 175Shelby M, €vllom.HELBY M. CULLOM, Governor1877-83,15 tlie sixth childof the' late Richard N. CuUom,and was born Nov. 22, 1829, inWayne Co., Ky., where his fatherthen resided, and whenceboth the lUinois and Tennesseebranches of the faiiily originated. Inthe following year the family emigratedto the vicinity of Washington,Tazewell Co., 111., when that sectionwas very sparsely settled. They locatedon Deer Creek, in a grove atthe time occupied by a paity of Indians,attracted there by the superiorhunting and fishing afforded in thatvicinity. The following winter wasknown as the " hard winter," the snow being verydeep and lasting and the weather severely cold; andthe family had to subsist mainly on boiled corn orhominy, and some wild game, for several weeks.the course of time Mr. R. N. Cullom became a prominentcitizen and was several times elected to theLegislature, both before and after the removal of thecar>ital from Vandalia to Springfield. He died about'«73-Until about 19 years of age young Cullom grew upto agricultural pursuits, attending school as he had•DDortunity during tiie winter. Within this time,*v;ever, he spent several months teaching- ^rhool.Inand in the following summer he "broke prairie "withan ox team for tlie Lcij^hbors With the money o!)-tained by these various ventures, he undertook acourse of study at the Rock River Seminary, aMethodist institution at Mt. Morris, Ogle County:but the sudden change to the in-door life of a studenttold severely upon his health, and he was takenhome, being considered in a hopelesj condition. Whileat Mt. Morris lie heard Hon. E. B Washburne makehis first speech.On recovering health, Mr. Cullom concluded tostudy law, under the instruction of Abraham Lincoln,at Springfield, who had by this time attained somenotoriety as an able lawyer; but the latter, being absentfrom 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 healthfailed again, and he was obliged to return once moreto out-door life. Accordingly he bought hogs forpacking, for A. G. Tyng, in Peoria, and while he regainedhis health he gained in purse, netting $400 ina few weeks. Having been admitted to the Bar, heweat to Springfield, where he was soon elected CityAttorney, on the .\nti-Nebraska ticket.^In 1856 he ran on the Fillmore ticket as a PresidentialElector, and, although failing to be elected assuch, he was at the same time elected a Representativein the Legislature from Sangamon County, by alocal coalition of the American and Republican parlies.On the organization of the House, he receivedthe vote of tlie Fillmore men for Speaker. Practicir^

;176 SHELB Y M. CULLOM.law until iS6o, he was again elected to the Legislature,as a Republican, while the county went Democraticon the Presidential ticket. In January followinghe was elected Speaker, probably the youngestman who had ever presided over an Illinois Legislature.After the session of iS6i, he was a candidatefor the State Constitutional Convention called forthat year, but was defeated, and thus escaped thedisgrace of being connected with that abortive parlyscheme to revolutionize the State Government. In1862 he was a candidate for the State Senate, butwas defeated. The same year, however, he was appointedby President Lincoln on a GovernmentCommission, in company with Gov. Boutwell ofMassachusetts and Cnarles A. Dana, since of theNew York Sun, to investigate the affairs of theQuartermaster's and Commissary Departments atCairo. He devoted several months to this duty.In 1864 he enteted upon a larger political field,being nominated qs the Republican candidate lorCongress from the Eighth (Springfield) District, inopposition to the incumbent, JohnT. Stuart, who hadbeen elected in 1862 by about 1,500 majority overLeonard Swett, then of Bloomington, now of Chicago.The result was the election of Mr. Cullom in Novemberfollowing by a majority of 1,785. In 1866 hewas re-elected to Congress, over Dr. E. S. Fowler, bythe magnificent majority of 4,103 ! In i868 he wasagain 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 theCommittee on Foreign Affairs and Expenditures inthe Treasury Department; in his second term, onthe Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Territoriesand in his third term he succeeded Mr. Ashley, ofOhio, to the Chairmanship of the latter. He introduceda bill in the House, to aid in the execution oflaw in Utah, which caused more consternation amongthe Mormons than any measure had previously, butwhich, though it passed the House, failed to pass theSenate.The Republican Convention which met May 25,1876, nominated Mr. Cullom for Governor, while theother contestant was Gov. Beveridge.For Lieutenant-Governorthey nominated Andrew Shuman, editorof the Chicago Journal. For the same offices theDemocrats, combining with the Anti-Monopolists,Dlaced in nomination Lewis Steward, a wealthyfarmer and manufacturer, and A. A. Glenn. Theresult of the election was rather close, Mr. Cullomobtaining only 6,800 majority. He was inauguratedJan. 8, 1877.Great depression prevailed in financial circles atthis time, as a consecjuence of the heavy failures of187 3 and afterward, the effect of which had seemedto gather force from that time to the end of Gov.Cullom's first administration. This unspeculativeperiod was not calculated to call forth any newissues,but the Governor's energies were at one timeput to task to quell a spirit of insubordination thathad been begun in Pittsburg, Pa., among the laboringclasses, and transferred to Illinois at Chicago, EastSt. Louis and Braidwood, at which places laboringmen for a short time refused to work or allow othersto work. These disturbances were soon quelled andthe wheels of industry again set in motion.In May, 1880, Gov. Cullom was re-nominated bythe Republicans, against Lyman Trumbull, by theDemocrats; and although the former party was somewhathandicapped in the campaign by a zealousfaction opposed to Grant for President and to Grantmen for office generally, Mr. Cullom was re-electedby about 314,565, to 277,532 forthe Democratic Stateticket. The Greenback vote at the same tmie wasabout 27,000. Both Houses of the Legislature againbecame Republican, and no representative of theGreenback or Socialist parties were elected. Gov.Cullom was inaugurated Jan. 10, 1S81. In his messagehe announced that the last dollar of the Statedebt had been provided for.March 4, 1883, the term of David Davis as UnitedStates Senator from Illinois expired, and Gov. Cullon was chosen to succeed him. This promotedLieutenant-Governor John M. Hamilton to the Governorship.Senator Cullom's term in the UnitedStates Senate will expire March 4, 18S9.As a practitioner oflaw Mr. C. has been a memberof the firm of Cullom, Scholes & Mather, alSpringfit:ld; and he has also b^en President of the StateNational Bank.He has been married twice,—the first time Dec.ii:, 1855, to Miss Hannah Fisher, by whom he hadt\io daughters; and the second tipie May 5, 1863,to Julia Fisher. Mrs. C is a member of the MethodislEpiscopal Church, with which religious body Mr.C. is also in sympathy.

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GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. '79>^:?^1Sm:2^^'S^;;S^?"S*$;;:^>»s"?

JOHN MARSHALL HAMILTON.and in the following May he again enlisted, for thefourth time, when he was placed in the 141st III.Vol Inf., a regiment then being raised at Elgin, 111.,for the loo-day service. He took with him 13 otherlads from his neighborhood, for enlistment in theservice. This regiment operated in SouthwesternKentucky, for about five months, under Gen.Paine.The following winter, 1864-5, ^''- Hamilton taughtschool, and during the two college years 1865-7, h'^went through three years of the curriculum of theOhio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. Thethird year he graduated, the fourth in a class of 46,in the classical department. In due time he receivedthe degree of M. A. For a few months he was thePrincipal of Marshall " College " at Henry, an academyunder the auspices of the M. E. Church. Bythis time he had commenced the study of law, andafter earning some money as a temporary Professorof Latin at the Illinois Wesleyan University atBloomington, he entered the law office of Weldon,Tipton & Benjamin, of that city. Each member ofthis firm has since been distinguished as a Judge.Admitted to the Bar in May, 1870, Mr. Hamiltonwas given an interest in the same firm, Tipton havingbeen elected Judge. In October following heformed a partnership with J.H. Rowell, at that timeProsecuting Attorney. Their business was thensmall, but they increased it to very large proportions,practicing in all grades of courts, including even theU. S. Supreme Court, and this partnership continuedu:il)roken until Feb. 6, 1883, when Mr. Hamiltonwas sworn in as E.xecutive of Illinois. On the 4thIn July, 187 1, Mr. Hamilton married Miss HelenM. V/illiams, the daughter of Prof. Wni. 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 theof March following Mr. Rowell took his seat in Congress.Republicansfor the State Senate, over other and oldercompetitors. He took an active part '' on the stump "in tlie campaign, for the success of iiis party, and waselected by a majority of 1,640 over his Democratic-Greenback opponent. In the Senate he served onthe Committees on Judiciary, Revenue, State Institutions,Appropriations, Education, and on Miscellany;and during the contest for the election of aU. S. Senator, the Republicans endeavoring to reelectJohn A. Logan, he voted for the war chief onevery ballot, even alone when all the other Republicanshad gone over to the Hon. E. B. Lawrence andthe Democrats and Independents elected JudgeDavid Davis. .At this session, also, was passed thefirst Board of Health and Medical Practice act, ofwhich Mr. Hamilton was a champion, agains* c;much opposition that the bill was several times" laid on the table." Also, this session authorizedthe location and establishment of a southern peritentiary,which was fixed at Chester.In the sessionof 1879 Mr. Hamilton was elected President //(? /t'wz.of the Senate, and was a zealous supporter of JohnA. Logan for the U. S. Senate, who was this timeelected without any trouble.In May, 1880, Mr. Hamilton was nominated onthe Republican ticket for Lieutenant Governor, hisprincipal competitors before the Convention beingHon. Wm. A. James, ex-Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives, Judge Robert Bell, of '*^abashCounty, Hon. T. T. Fountain, of Perry County, andHon. M. M. Saddler, of Marion County. He engagedactively in the campaign, and his ticket was electedby a majority of 41,200. As Lieutenant Governor,he presided almost continuously over the Senate inthe 32d General Assembly and during the early daysof the 33d, until he succeeded to the Governorship.When the Legislature of 1883 elected Gov. Cullomto the United States Senate, Lieut. Gov. Hamiltonsucceeded him, under the Constitution, taking theoath of office Feb. 6, 1883. He bravely met all theannoyances and embarrassments incidental upontaking up another's administration. The principalevents with which Gov. Hamilton was connected asthe Chief Executive of the State were, the mine disasterat Braidwood, the riots in St. Clair and MadisonCounties in May, 1883, the appropriations for theState militia, the adoption of the Harper high-licensjliquor law, the veto of a dangerous railroad bill, etc.The Governor was a Delegate at large to theNational Republican Convention at Chicago in June,1884, where his first choice for President w.is JohnA. Logan, and second choice Chester A. .Arthur; butIreafterward zealously worked for the election of Mr.Blaine, true to his party.Mr. Hamilton's term as Governor expired Ja.;. 30,1885, when the great favorite " Dick " Oglesby wasinaugurated.I

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GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 183'^USEPII WILSON FIFER. ThisV|: distinguished gentleman was|,;^^|»« elected Governor of Illinois"^f:)'®jjP% 'ill" November 6, 1888. He wasp(>liularly known during thecampaign as "Private Joe." Hehad served with great devotionto his country during the Rebellion,in the Thirty-thirdIllinois Infantry. A native ofVirginia, he was born in 1840.His parents, John and Mary(Daniels) Fifer, were Americanborn, though of German descent.His father was a brickand stone mason, and an oldHenry Clay Whig in polities. John and MaryFifer had nine children, o/ whom Joseph was thesixth, and naturally, with so large a family, it wasall the father could do to keep the wolf from thedoor, to say nothing of giving his children anythinglike good educational advantages.Joseph attended sciiool for a while in Yirgina,but it was not a good school, and when his fatlierremoved to the West, in 18.57, Joseph had not advancedmuch further than the "First Reader."Oursuliject was sixteen then and suffered a greatmisfortune in the loss of his mother. After thedeath of Mrs. Fifer, which occurred in Missouri,the family returned to Virgina, but remained onlya short time, as during the same year Mr. Fifercame to Illinois. He settled in McLean Countyand started a brickyard. Here Joseph and hisbrothers were jiut to work. The elder Mr. Fifer soonbought a farm near Bloomington and began lifeas an agriculturist. Here Joe worked and attendedthe neighbciring school.lie alternated farm-work,and brick-Jaying, going to the district school forthe succeeding few years. It was all work and noplay for Joe, yet it by no means made a dull boyof him.All the time he was thinking of the greatworld outside, of which he had caught a glimpsewhen coming from Virginia, yet he did not knowjust how he was going to get out into it. Hecould not feel that the woods around the new farmand the log cabin, in which the family lived, wereto hold him.Theopportunit}' to get out into tlie world wassoon offered to jouug Joe. He traveled a dozenmiles barefoot, in company with his brother George,and enlisted in Company C, Tliirty-lhird IllinoisInfantry, he being then twenty years old. In afew daj's, the regiment was sent to Camp Butler,and then over into Missouri, and saw some vigorousservice there.After a second time helping tochase Price out of Missouri, the Thirty-third Regi-

184 JOSEPH W. FIFER.ment went down to Milliken 's Bend, and for severalweeks "Private Joe" worked on Grant's famousditch. Tlie regiment then joined the forces operatingagainst Port Gibson and Vicksburg. Joewas on guard dutj' in the front ditches when theflag of surrender was run up on the 4th of July,and stuck tlie bayonet of his gun into the embankmentand went into the city with the vanguard ofUnion soldiers.The next day, July 5, the Thirty-third joinedthe force after Johnston, who had been threateningGrant's rear; and finally an assault was made on himat Jackson, Miss. In this charge ''Private Joe" fell,terribly wounded. He was loading his gun, whena minie-ball struck him and passed entirelythrough his body. He was regarded as mortallywounded. His brother, George, who had beenmade a Lieutenant, proved to be the means of savinghis life. The Surgeon told him that unless hehad ice his brother could not live. It was flf t^^ milesto the nearest point where ice could be obtained,and the roads were rough. A comrade, a McLeanCounty man, who had been wounded, offei-ed tomake the trip. An ambulance was secured andthe brother soldier started on the journey. He returnedwith the ice, but the trip, owing to theroughness of the road, was very hard on him.Aftera few montlis' careful nursing, Mr. Fifer was ableto come home. The Thirty-third came home on afurlough, and when the b03'S were ready to returnto the tented field, young Fifer was ready to gowith them, for he was determined to finish histerm of three years. He was mustered out in October,1864, having been in the service three yearsand two months."Private Joe" came out of the army a tall, tanned,and awkward young man of twenty-four.About all he possessed was ambition to be somebody-—andpluck. Though at an age when mostmen liave finished their college course, the youngsoldier saw that if he was to be anybody he musthave an education. Yet he had no means to enablehim to enter school as most young men do.He was determined to have an education, however,and that to him meant success. For the followingfour years he struggled with his books. He enteredWesleyan University January 1, 1865. Hewas not a brilliant student, being neither at thehead nor at the foot of his class. He was in greatearnest, however, studied hard and came forth witha well-stored and disciplined mind.Immediately after being graduated, he enteredan office at Bloomington as a law student. Hehad previously read law a little, and as he continuedto work hard, with the spur of poverty and promptingsof ambition ever with him, he was ready tohang out his professional shingle in 1869. Beingtrustworthy, he soon gathered about him some influentialfriends.In 1871 he was elected CorporationCounsel of Bloomington. In 1872 he waselected State's Attorney of McLean County.Thisoffice he held eight years, when he took his seat inthe State Senate. He served for four years. Hisability to perform abundance of hard work madehim a most valued member of the Legislature.Mr. Fifer was married in 1870 to Gertie, daughterof William J. Lewis, of Bloomington.Mr. Fiferis six feet in height and is spare, weighing only onehundred and fifty pounds. He has a swarthy complexion,keen black eyes, quick movement, and possessesa frank and sympathetic nature, and naturllym.akes friends wherever he goes. During thelate gubernatorial campaign his visits throughoutthe State proved a great power in his behalf.Hisfaculty of winning the confidence and good wishesof those with whom he comes in personal contactis a source of great popularity, especially during apolitical battle. As a speaker he is fluent, his languageis good, voice clear and agreeal)le, and mannerforcible.His manifest earnestness in what hesays, as well as his tact as a pulilic speaker, and hiseloquent and forceful language, make him a mostvaluable campaign orator and a powerful pleaderat the bar. At the Republican State Convention,held in May, 1888, Mr. Fifer was chosen as itscandidate for Governor. He proved a popularnominee, and the name of "Private Joe" becamefamiliar to eveiyone throughout the State. Hewaged a vigorous campaign, was elected by a goodmajority, and in due time assumed the duties ofthe Chief Jlxecutive of Illinois.

FORD COUNTY,Illinois.©£ •— -

•=-^4- Ml 4-3r-^m iNTRODUQTORY.»»^^^•^I^-^x^5HE time has arrived when itbecomes the duty of thepeople of this county to perpetuatethe names of theirpioneers, to furnish a recordof their early settlement,and relate the story of theirprogress. The civilization of ourthe enlightenment of the ageand the duty that men of the presenttime owe to their ancestors, tothemselves and to their posterity,demand that a record of their livesand deeds should be made. In biographicalhistory is found a powerto instruct man by precedent, toenliven the mental faculties, andto waft down the river of time asafe vessel in which the names and actions of thepeople who contributed to raise this country from itsprimitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidlythe great and aged men, who in their prime enteredthe wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as theirheritage, are passing to their graves. The number remainingwho can relate the incidents of the first daysof settlement is becoming small indeed, so that anactual necessity exists for the collection and preservationof events without delay, before all the earlysettlers are cut down by the scythe of Time.To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankindfrom remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough,in spite of their best works and the most earnestefforts of their friends to perserve the memory oftheir lives. The means employed to prevent oblivionand to perpetuate their memory has been in proportionto the amount of intelligence they possessed.Th-; pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate thenames and deeds of their great rulers.** The exhumationsmade by the archeologists of Egypt fromburied Memphis indicate a desire of those peopleto perpetuate the memory of their achievementsThe erection of the great obelisks were for the samepurpose. Coming down to a later period, we find tiitGreeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monuments,and carving out statues to chronicle theirgreat achievements and carry them down the ages.It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in pilingup their great mounds of earth, had but this idea—to leave something to show that they had lived. Allthese works, though many of them costly in the extreme,give but a faint idea of the lives and charactersof those whose memory they were intended toperpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses ofthe people that then lived. The great pyramids andsome of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity;the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crumblinginto dust.It was left to modern ages to establish an intelligent,undecaying, immutable method of perpetuatinga full history—immutable in that it is almost unlimitedin extent and perpetual in its action ; andthis is through the art of printing.To the present generation, however, we are indebtedfor the introduction of the admirable systemof local biography. By this system every man, thouglhe 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 thephysical man is left. The monument which his childrenor friends may erect to his memory in the cemeterywill crumble into dust and pass away; but hishis achievements, the work he has accomplished,life,which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuatedby a record of this kind.To preserve the lineaments of our companions weengrave their portraits, for the same reason we collectthe attainable facts of their history. Nor do wethink it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, towait until they are dead, or until those who knowthem are gone: to do this we are ashamed only topublish to the world the history of those whose live?are unworthy of public record.

~^~^^^ILLIAM H. PELLS, who was so wellknown to the early settlers of this comnuinityfor his enterprise, integrity and sterlingwortli, may well be called not only one of thefathers of Paxton, but also of Ford County, liewas a native of PougUkeepsie, N. Y., born June12, 1813. His educational advantages were limitedto a few years' attendance at the schools ofhis native city, but by reading, and contact withthe Inisiness world, he became a well-informedman and a shrewd financier. When onl\' thirteenj-ears of age, he was compelled by force of circumstancesto begin the struggle for food, clothing andshelter on his own account. His father, who wasfinancially well-to-do, by endorsing for others becameinvolved in financial ruin.The indei)endenee and self-reliance of youngWilliam asserted themselves in a marked degree.Going to New York City, he spent six monthsdriving a milk wagon, after which he secured aposition as clerk in a grocery-store, continuinguntil 1830. That year witnessed his emigrationto Palmyra, N. Y., where he arrived penniless.Though not an experienced woodsman, lie replenishedhis exchequer by chopping wood and clearingland. Though a mere boy, he was possessed ofindomitable energy, and if he could not get emplo3^mcntto wliieh he was accustomed, he accustomedhimself to such employment as he couldgot. The .same business he followed at Ridgeway.There on the lOtli of November, 1831, he enteredthe store of H. Francis as clerk. His carefully husbandedearnings were judiciously invested in goodlands in that vicinity, which were then quitecheap, and thus was laid a safe foundation forfinancial growth. Domestic by nature, Mr. Pellsearly in life sought to surround himself with thehallowed influences of wife and home. The ladj'of his choice was Miss Maria B. Whitaker, a nativeof Norfolk, England, to whom he was married in1836.After clerking ten 3'ears, Mr. Pells became a fullpartner in the store with his employer, and in1846 became sole proprietor, continuing until1851 with marked success. Admitting his brotherto partnersiiip, the business was carried on by thetwo until 1856, when Mr. PelLs disposed of his entireinterest. The same .year, he purchased fromthe Medina & Alab.ama Plank Road Company thatpart of the road extending from Medina to Ridgeway.In the hands of the company, it had been alosing investment, but Mr. Pells with characteristicthoroughness made it one of the best roads inthe State, paying a liberal yearly dividend on thelarge amount of money expended in its construction.He continued to operate the road until thecharter expired in 1881.In 1856, Mr. Pells came to what is now Ford

192 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.County, 111., though then it was a part of VermilionCounty.He, R. R. Murdoek and LcanderBritt purchased the site and laid out ProspectCitj-, as Paxton was then called. With commendal)lepride, he watched the growth of the infanttown, and to the last heartily assisted in ever^--thmg that would advance its growth. In 1850,he took a prominent part in the organization ofFord County, and in making Paxton the seat ofjustice. Schools, churches and charities of all kindsfound in him a liberal supporter. Every interestpromising to l)e beneficial to the town or county,claimed his attention. He was one of the i)romotersand organizers of the Lafnyette, Bloomington& Mississippi Railroad Company, and for severalyears was its "\^ice-president. But for his earnestefforts and those of a few others along the lineof the road, it proliably never would have lieenbuilt. It has since become a part of tlie Lake ErieifeWestern system.In 1876, he visited Petoskey, Mich., and, beingfavorably im|)ressed with the climate and soil, purchaseda large tract of land containing twelvethousand acres in Emmet County, which was thenalmost an unbroken forest, inhabited bj' onehundred whites and eleven hundred Indians.In 1882, the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroadran through Mv. Pells" tract of land, near thecenter of wiiieh sprang up a flourishing town,named I)}' the railroad company in honor of him,Pellston.In political sentiment,Democrat, and,Mr. Pells was an old-linethough not an aspirant tor iilacesof jniblic trust, he held a number of ollicial positions.In religious belief, he was a Universalist.Mr. and Mrs. Pells had a family of three children,though only two are now living: HannahW., wife of Col. Charles Bogardus, of Paxton; andEdgar Z., who makes his home with his sister,Mrs. Bogardus, at Paxton, 111.After a brief married life of only nine years, Mr.Pells was deprived, by death, of his companion.Notwithstanding he survived her over forty years,she was his only wedded companion. On the 2Gthof June, 1880, Mr. Pells joined hiswife and childin the spirit world, while his body was laid to restbeside that of his wife at Kidgewaj', N. Y. He1)was a man possessed of suchtraits of character asare worthy to be imitated, and should never beforgotten; shrewd and far-sighted in business affairs,scrupulously honest, free-hearted, charitable,loving everybody with a royal good-will.'• '^i mmmOHN J. WALDSCHMIDT, one of the honoredearly settlers of Ford County, nowresides on section 20, Rogers Township,where he is engaged in general farming. Hewas born in Germany, April 19, 182G, and is a sonof Frederick and Elizabeth (Colb) Waldschmidt,both of whom spent their entire lives in the P'atherland.Our subject acquired his education in German_y,where he attended the jiuhlic schools foreight years. He then worked in a copper minefor a time, after which he emigrated to the NewWorld in 1850. He crossed the Atlantic in a sailing-vesselfrom Antwerp and after a voyage oftwenty-eight daj'S landed in New York in June.He then went to Pennsylvania, where he spent thefirst summer working on a railroad. During thethree succeeding years of his life he was employedin a brickyard in New York, and in 1854, he emigratedWestward. He first located on the FoxRiver in Kendall County, 111., and was employedin a stone quarry for several 3'ears. He then becamea partner in a firm and engaged in the manufactureof brick, near Bristol, for two years. On the expirationof that period, he returned to the stonequarry, where he again worked four years, afterwhich he engaged in farming near Dwight for threeyears. This was his first experience as an agriculturist.In 1864, Mr. AValdschmidtcame to Ford Country,and first purchased eighty acres of raw prairieland, constituting a i)art of his present fine farm.He broke it, fenced it and transformed the wildtract into rich and fertile fields. He now ownsand operates one hundred and sixty acres, uponwhich may be found good buildings, and all theimprovements and .accessories of a model farm.Mr. Waldschmidt was married in Ottawa, LaSalle County, 111., in 1856, to Miss Caroline Decker,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 193a native of Germany, and a claughter of JacobDeuker, one of the early settlers of La Salle County.Unto them have been born ten children: J^liza, wifeof John Kerstine, a resident of AVright County,Iowa; William, who is married and follows farmingin Cedar County, Neb.; Matilda at home; Caroline,wife of Joseph Reising, who lives in Bloomington,Ill.;Minnie, wife of Clio Sniitii,a resident ofMichigan; Fred, who aids in the operation of thehome farm; Louisa at home; Eninia.who is attendingNormal School in Blooiningtou ;Anna at home;and John, who is yei in school.Mr. AValdschmidt cast Ids first Presidentialvotefor Abraliam Lincoln and has supported each Presidentinlnominee of the Republican party since thattime. He takes an active interest in the success ofhis party but has never been oflice-seeker. Hisresidence in Ford County covers a period of twenty-eightyears, .and throughout the community heis regarded as a highly esteemed citizen. Hisemigration to America lie need never regret, forhere he has met with prosperity, has secured a goodhome and met with many pleasant friends.bHE MEL^'IN SCHOOLS.This pretty littletown, located on the Illinois Central Kailroad,in Peach Orchard Township, is noted'for its churches and its public schools. The publicschools are justly the pride of every citizen ofMelvin. Their history is as follows:The first election for district 1, township 24.range 8, was held at the residence of Charles Phillips,April 18, 1870. At that early date in thehistory of the primitive school, there were onl}'five votes cast in the district. August Bucholz,Charles Phillips and William Lackey were electedas the first Board of Directors. In the fall of 1870,a small schoolhouse was built on the southeastcorner of section 2, and in April, 1871, the firstterm of school began, with Miss Hettie E. Mathisas teacher, and the enrollment was six males andeight females.Miss Clara B. Huston was the next teacher, beginningin April, 1872. She taught a term of threemonths, followed by W. H. Thompson as teacherfor the fall and winter terms. Fannie J. Robbinstaught the spring term of 1873, and W. H. Thompsonthe winter term.Mr. Thompson was followedby David Bookwalter, who wielded the ferrule duringthe spring term of 1874. He was followed byMiss Emma L. Hinchman for the fall and winterterms.In the spring of 1875, at a special election, itwas voted to purchase a new site in the village ofMelvin and also to erect a new schoolhouse. Thenew building was completed and Miss Clara B.Huston taught the first term in the new schoolhouse.She was followed by S. S. Max, who wasthe teacher for two consecutive years, followed byhis wife for a term of two months. Then cameKoscie Clinebell for three years. He was a verysuccessful teacher and raised the standard of theschool to the front ranks of the village schools ofthe county of Ford. James Karr followed Mr.Clinebell for one year, beginning September 1,1881. Frank McMurray was the next teacher forone year.It was then found that it was necessaryto have more room and more teachers, consequentlya new building, •SOx.'jO feet and two stories high,was built adjoining the old schoolhouse.Guyn Foreman was employed as principal andMiss Mattie Haight as primary teacher, beginningin September, 1883, and they have continued inthe same positions year after year until the presenttime. In 1887, it became necessary to have anotherteacher, and IMiss Ida Haight was emplo3ed as intermediateteacher, remaining two years.followed by Miss Mary Heath, one year.She wasSince theschools increased so in numbers, it was apparentto the Board that the services of another teacherwere necessary, and Miss Delia Hunt w.as employedas intermediate teacher and Miss Sidney B. Fristoeas second primary teacher, both remaining untilthe present time.The corps of teachers is as follows: Principal,Guyn Foreman; intermediate, Miss Delia Hunt;second primary. Miss Sidney F'ristoe; primary, Mrs.Mattie (Haight) Foreman. Present enrollment, onehundred and sixty-one: males, seventy-four; females,eighty-seven.The first Board of Directors was followed by the

194 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.election of Lot Rohb in 1872, James D. Carroll in1873, T. D. Tliompson in 1874, Enocli S. Hunt in1875, August Bucliolz in 1876, F. M. Steepleton in1877, T. D. Tliompson in 1877, D.J. Freese in 1878(to fill vacancy b}^ the removal of F. M. Steepleton),C. W. Freelove, 1879, T. D. Thompson in 1880,D.J. Freese, 1881, J. D. Kilgore in 1882, T. D.Thom)ison in 1883, T. B. Fletcher in 1884, L. S.Heath in 1885 (to fill vacancy caused b.y the removalof T. B. Fletcher). Dr. E. B. Perry in 1885,T. D. Thompson in 1886, L. S. Heath in 1887,George T.Arends in 1890, E. B. Perry in 1891, andT. D. Thompson in 1892.It will l>enoticed to the credit of T. D. Thompsonand the good judgment of the citizens of Melvin,that j\Ir. Thompson has been continually amember of the Board of Directors since 1H74, aterm of eighteen 3-ears of directorshi]i in theschools.The schools afford the very best of practical education,and tiie pupils, when they have finishedunder Mr. Foreman, can readily pass the teacliers'examination for a certificate, as well .as being fittedto enter well in schools of higher instruction.4^ =4^W A. CRANIJ.VLL, a well-known farmer ofJT)!) Pella Township, residing on section 9,i^^ was born in Cook County, 111., in 184 9,i^0) and is a son of Herman Crandall, whowas born in Vermont, September 5, 1812, and in1824 removed to Franklin Count\-, N. Y. AV^hena young man, he emigrated to Illinois and made aclaim in Cook County. He married Lydia Bushnell,and engaged in agricultural pursuits for aniimber of years. The land which he purchasedat $1.25 per acre he sold at ¥80 per acre. He wasa prominent citizen of the community and a successfulf.armer. In politics, he was first a Whigand afterwards a Republican. His death occurredin Ford County, ]\Iarch 12, 1890. His wife isstill living and makes her home in California.Further mention is made of these worthy peoplein the sketch of C. C. Crandall on another page ofthis work. Their family nnmliered eleven children:Abigail, who is now in California; Ruey,who is living in Danville, 111.; Mary, a residentof Nebraska; Martha, who is living in CookCounty; C. C, who served in the Thirty-ninthIllinois Infantry- during the late war and is nowa resident of Pella Township; Imogene, a residentof Blue Island, Cook County; H. A., of thissketch; George, who is living in "Will County;Eva, who makes her home in Wisconsin; Alfred,of Nebraska; and Benjamin, in Ford Count}', III.We now take >ip the personal history of our subject,who spent the days of his boyhood and youthin the county of his nativity, remaining upon thehome farm until twentj' years of age. The educationaladvantages which he received were thoseafforded b^- the common schools. In 1869, hecame to Fcjrd County and purchased the land onwhich he now resides. He afterward returned toCook County, where he spent the years of 1874and 1875, but since that time has made his homecontinuously in Pella Township, where he ownstwo hundred and forty-one acres of valuable land,which he improved from the raw prairie. It iswell equipped with good buildings and all theaccessories of a model farm, and the well-tilledfields j-ield to him a good income.In the autumn of 1870, Mr. Crandall was joinedin wedlock with jNIary Riche, who was born inCook County, her father being one of the earl}'settlers of that region and a contractor on theWabash Canal. They have a family of three children:Aliigail, who was born in Cook County, in1875; William, in 1883; and Mary, in 1885. Thefamily is well known throughout the communityand the members of the Crandall household rankhigh ill the social circles in which they move.iNIr. Crand.all is a member of the Masonic fraternityof Piper Cit}-, and his wife is a member ofthe Presbyterian Church. He has Iteen a memberof the Drainage Commission and has taken .anactive ])art in all that pertains to the welfare andupbuilding of town and county. For nine yearehe has served as Township and Drainage Commissioner,a fact which indicates his faithfulnessand fidelity to duty. He cast his first Presidentialvote for Aliraham Lincoln and has since been asupporter of the Republican party .and has often

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 195sciverl as a dclcirate to its conventions. Mr.Cranrlall lias a wide acqu.aintance throiigliout tliecomnuinity, and for hissterling worth and integrityis held in hi"h regard.-=^m>-M-le pl.aces in thecommunity, its neat appearance indicating thethrift and enterprise of tlie owner, while its manyimprovements attest the fact that he is a practicaland progressive agriculturist,thoroughly conversantwith his business in all its details. He is fairand honest in all his dealings, and thereby has wonthe confidence and regard of those with whom hehas been brought in contact.Mr. Spellnieyer exercises his right of fr.anchisein support of the Republican party, whose principleshe has advocated since he became a voter.He Iws never sought public office but h.as served asRoad Commissioner. Himself and family are membersof the German Lutheran Church, and amongthe worthy citizens of the community who haveaided in the upbuilding and developement of thecount}-^, he iseAPT.numbered.FRANK O.WALRICH, a member ofthe firm of Walrich A Parsons, generalmerchants of Piper City, was born in theProvince of Hanover, Germany, Deceml)er 21,1844, and is a son of Otto R. Walrich, a farmer byoccupation, who served in the army of tlie Fatlicilandfor three j'ears and married Margaret Hempken,who was liorn and reared in the .same localityas her husband. AVith their five children, theysailed to America In April, 1857, and after nineweeks and two d.ays spent upon the bosom of theAtliintic, landed in New Orleans, whence they wentup the river to Alton, III. In the spring of 18,'')8.they settled on a farm near Washburn, WoodfordCounty, 111., and in 18.5'.> came to a farm nearChatsworth, which is still in possession of the family.The father died upon that farm and the motherthere still makes her home. In politics, hewiis a Republican and himself and wife were membersof the Lutheran C'liurch. Their family numberedtwelve children, one of whom died in in-

196 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD.fancy. The Captain is the eldest; Fredericka istlie wife of .John McKinncy, whose sketch appearselsewhere in this work; Mary, wife of John Iliden,of Peoria, died in 1874; Tiionias resides in PiperCity; Christina is the wife of G. W. Madden, aijrain dealer and .lustice of the Peace of Charlotte,Livingston County; Magoie, wife of .Tames Kief,of Piper City; Hannah .1., widow of .Tesse I). Parsons,is tlie (lartner of Ca[)t. Walrieh; Theresa, wifeof F. Beckniann, of Cliatswortli, 111.; Cordelia, wifeof M. IMadden, of SiiUivant, Livingston County;Elizabeth, wife of IL Flessner, who is living on theold home farm; and Willie, who was bitten by arattlesnake at the age of four years and died in1865.Our subject Iiegan his scliool life in Germany,attended for three montlis at Dorsey Station,Madison County, III., and in tlie winter of 1861-62was a student in the scliools of Avoca, LivingstonCount.y.Tliis completed his scliool life, for on the21st of February, 1862, when a little past sixteenyears of .age, he laid aside his books and entered hiscountry's service as a member of Comp.any B,Sixty-fifth Illinois Infantry, which w.as organizedat Camp Douglas, Chicago. He went on duty thefirst night after his arrival in camp, guardingprisoners captured at Ft. Donelson. In May, hewas sent to Martinsbuig, Va., where he did guardduty until tlie 1st of September. The first engagementsin which he participated were skirmishesin the vicinity of Falling Waters and Winchester,Va.; these were followed by the battle of Harper'sFerry, where he was captured but was soon afterwardparoUwl. Tiie succeeding winter was spentmostly at Camp Douglas, Ciiicago, and in the springhis regiment was transferred to Eastern Kentucky,where they saw much hard marching and service.In the fall, the troops prepared for the Knoxvillecampaign and the Sixt3--riftli Regiment sufferedmuch during the siege of Knoxville. Mr. Walriehre-enlisted, March 30, 1864, and went home on aveteran furlough. After his return, he took partin Sherman's campaign, and at the battle of Resacathe brigade lost live hundred men. He participatedin the battles of Dallas Woods, Lost Mountain, ChattahoocheeRiver, Atlanta, Rough and Ready Station,and Jonesboro; he then transferred to Pulaski,Tenn., to meet Gen. Hood. He was .also in the engagementsat Columbia, Franklin and Naslu'ille,following Gen. Hood on his retreat as far .as Clifton,Tenn.Tiie Sixty-fifth w.as .sent by transportsto Cincinnati, thence by rail to Washington andon to Annapolis, where the brigade assembled. Embarkingon transports, they proceeded, by w.ayFortress Monroe, to Ft. Fisher, experiencing theusual unpleasantness of a sea voy.age around CapeHatteras. Capt. Walrieh was at the cai^ture of Ft.Anderson and subsequently took part in the engagementat Old Town Creek, when his regiment.and the Tweltli Kentucky captured a liriijade, includinga battery; helped capture Wilmington andtook part in the sharp engagement at Kinston,N. C, the last contlict in which he took part. Havingmarched from Goldsboro to Raleigli .and ojito Greensboro, where Johnston's army surrendered,the Fifty-sixth assisted in caring for the capturedproperty. Capt. Walrieh w.as discharged July 1.3,1865, and was mustered out of service at Camj)Douglas. Returning home, he resumed farming-He was a faitliful soldier, ever found at the post ofduty, and his army record is one of wliich he maywell be proud.On the 4th of August, 1870, Capt. Walrieh marriedMiss Sebrina C. Hamlin, daughter of Alonzoand Esther Hamlin, who came from Vermont toIllinois. With his wife, he came to Piper City andentered the employ of Mr. McKinney, a lumberand hardware merchant, with whom he remainedthree years, when, in 1873, he secured a positi(mwith Conrow it Co., the successors to Montelius

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 197coiniiiunity, holding a high position in social circles.C'apt. Walrich cast his firstPresidential vote forU. S. Grant in 1868, and has since been a supporterof Republican principles. He has served as amember of the Village Board of Trustees, was alsoits President, and from 1876 until 1885 was amember of the National Guards, serving as Lieutenantand Captain for nearly eight j'ears. He is amember of the Odd Fellows' society; was the firstCommander of tiie Grand Army Post of PiperCity, serving for four terms in that olflee; and is amember of the Presbyterian Church, to which hisfamily also I)elongs. His life has indeed been asuccessful and an honorable one. He possesses excellentbusiness ability and by his persistent industry,perseverance and good management hasacquired a handsome competence. His record as asoldier and citizen is as worthy of commendationas his business record. He is a pleasant, genialgentleman and his friends throughout the communityarc many.Vl"^i-^4^l=~OHN BROADBENT, a well-known farmerof Rogers Township, residing on section 32,is of Englisli birth. He was born Novem-^_ J ber 15, 1817, and is one of a family ofseven children, whose parents, Joseph and Ann(Siddol) Broadbent, were both natives of England.John is the second in the family; Sarah, the eldest,is now deceased; Daniel is living in England; Roberthas also departed this life; Sarah Ann is thewife of John Matthews, a resident farmer of KendallCounty, 111.; William is a farmer residing inKendall County; and Mary is the wife of JohnFinley, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits inKendall County.The subject of this sketch had very limited opportunitiesin his youth, and is a self-educatedand self-made man He remained with his parentsuntil twenty-two years of age and worked in thecotton factories of his native land until he cameto America. Tlie year 1848 witnessed his emigrationto the New World. The voyage consumedseven weeks .and four days and he spent his thirtyfirstbirthday on the water. At length, he landedsafely at New Orleans, whence he went up the Mississippiand Ohio Rivers to Cincinnati. He workedin the cotton factories of that city until June,1850, and then came to Illinois.Mr. Broadlient was married, onChristmas Day,of 1839, to Miss Mary Ann Dawson, daugliter ofJohn and Charity Dawson. They became the parentsof nine children as follow;: Edward, who diedin infancy; Esther, wife of Robert Hall; Sarah, wifeof Charles Coop; William; Joseph, who died in infancy;James, also deceased; Robert; and Elizabeth,wife of August Schultz.On coining to Illinois, Mr. Broadbent first locatedin Kendall County, residing near Lisbon.For thirteen months he worked as a farm hand,and then began farming for himself in that locality.He continued to reside in Kendall County foreighteen years, coming to Ford County in 1868.Since that time he has resided upon the farm whichis still his home. He purchased one hundred andsixty acres on section 32, and has developed itinto a rich and fertile tract which yields to him agood iftcorae in return for his care and cultivation.He is recognized as one of the leading citizensof the community and has been honored withthe office of Road Commissioner for twelve years,a fact which indicates his faithful and efficientperformance of duty. In politics, he is a supporterof the Democratic part}-.His property representshis own hard labors for he came to thiscountry empty-handed, and through liis industry.and enterprise h.as acquired all he now possesses.For his success in life he certainl}- deserves muchcredit.~.5..5..5..{.i^^g(| IVILLARD E. PROCTOR, who is eng.agedin general\oJ/lmerch.andising, in connection^y^ with his brother Frank, in the village ofProctor, was born in Wallingford, Conn., on the]3tli of October, 1854, and is a son ofC'apt. Proctor,a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in thiswork. No event of special importance occurred

198 I'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.during bis chilclliood. He acquired a good businesseducation inthe public schools and remainedwith his parents until twenty-two 3'ears of age,when he left home, starting out in life for himself.On the 30th of November, 1876, Mr. Proctorled to the marriage altar Miss Carrie M. Allen,who was born in Rutland, Vt., .Tune 26, 1857, andis a daughter of Dr. Allen, now of Rutland, 111.By their marriage was born a daughter, FloraMae. Tiic mother departed this life July 30,1890, and her remains were interred in the GibsonCemetery, where alast resting place.beautiful monument marks herThe Rev. Robert Stevens conductedthe funeral ceremonies. In speaking ofher death, the Gibson City Enterprise says: "Thedeceased lady Lad been in delicate health for years,but not until la grippe attacked her last winterwere any apprehensions felt for her life. lUitsince then she gradually declined in spite of thetender care of loving fiiends and the best medicalaid that could be procured. With a sublime faithin the glorious awakening, and as gently- as a tiredchild, she sank to rest.'•We thought her dying when she slept,And sleeping when she

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.ly.torganized, lie became an ardent admirer of itsprinciple-s. He was a gentleman firm in Ills convictionsand very determined in manner. He heldtlieoHice of Justice of tlie Peace, of Laconia, Ind.,for eiglit years, and Judge Walter (J.Gresliamprosecuted cases in his court.Mr. Marsh and his family came to Ford Countyin the fall of 1^74, and were honored and respectedcitizens of the community from that time. Bothwere earnest members of the Jlethodist Church ofMelvin, and he was a Master Mason and a leadingmember of Lodge No. 17'.),K. of P., of Melvin, 111.Mrs. Marsh was the fourth in a family of livesons and three daughters, four of whom are stillliving: Mary, wife of William Frakes, a farmerresiding in Indiana; Margaret, wife of our subject;John W., who served in the late war as one of tlieboys in bhie and is now married and follows farmingin Coiydon, Ind.; and Rachel, wife of JohnLove, also a soldier of the late war, now residingin New Amsterdam, Ind.Mr. Marsh was called to his final rest on tlie19thof January, 1891, after he and iiis loving wife hadtraveled life's journey together for thirty-sixjears. lie was interred in Melvin Cemetery,under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, anda beautiful monument has been erected to markhis last resting place. Mrs. Marsh still resides withher daughter Laura in their comfortable home inMelvin, where she is surrounded by her lovingchildren and her many friends.SillOMAS CUFj is a well-known farmer ofHrenton Township, residing on section 15,where he has a well-improved farm that hasbeen his home for seventeen years. It comprisesone hundred and sixt3'-five acres of arable land,the greater part of which is under a high state ofcultivation and yields to him a golden tribute inreturn for his care and labor. He has erected goodbarns and other oiitbuihliiigs and has made manyimprovements, all of which indicate the thriftand enterprise of the owner. He is a successfulfarmer and also deals in stock.lie raises cattle andhogs, which he sells directly to the Chicago markets,and makes a sjjecialty of heavy draft liorses.The life record of Mr. Cue is as follows: He wasborn in Bishopstorne, Wiltshire, England, in August,1837, and is one of eight children, whose parentswere Thomas and F^lizabeth Cue. His father followedfarming and died in 186(5, at the age ofseventy years. His wife de[)arted this life in 1867,at the age of sixty-eight years. Both were membersof the Episcopal Church. Of their family,William and Mary both died in England; Janedied in Woodford County, 111., in 1892, at theage of sixty years; Joseph is a resident farmerof Crawford County, Iowa; Thomas is the nextyounger; Elizabeth died in F^ngland in 1882; Edwinresides on the old homestead in England; andRichard died in Iowa about fourteen years ago.Thomas Cue, of this sketch, attended the commonschools of his native land until fourteenyears of age and then devoted his time and attentionto work upon his father's farm for fourj^ears. At the age of eighteen, he bade good-byeto friends and native land and went to London,whence he sailed to the United States, reachingNew York after a voyage of five weeks. Thiswas in 1855. He came to Illinois, locating inWoodford County, where he began work as a farmhand and was tlius employed for some time. Hecame to Ford Count}' in 1870, and five years laterpurchased the farm upon which he has since resided.In Woodford County, on the 30tli of IMarcli,1870, Mr. Cue led to the marriage altiir Miss VictoriaArrowsmith, who was born in New York, andis a daughter of Thomas and Anna Arrowsmith,natives of England, who came to the UnitedStates in 1830. They emigrated Westward to Illinoisin 1847, and both spent their last days inOnarga, where they died about five years ago.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cue have been born four children:Thomas 11., who was born in this county,April 2, 1872, now aids his father in the operationof the home farm; Elizabeth Ann died about 1879at the age of five years; Mary Jane, who issixteen years of age; and Nora, Ellen, a maiden offourteen summers, still reside with their parents.Mrs. Cue is a member of the Methodist Church.

200 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Mr. Cue cast his first Presidential vote for Gen.Harrison. He is an intelligent man, well informedconcerning the questions of the day, and, in hisbusiness career, has met with good success, of whichhe iswell deserving.C-Xf50-AMES M. AVRIGHT,\who is a retired farmernow residing in Keinpton, was born inTrenton, N. J., February 15, 1835, and is ason of George and Mary Wright, both ofwhom were natives of Lincolnshire, England. Hisfather came to America about 1830. Crossing theAtlantic he settled in New .Jersey, where for sometime he made his home. In 1854, he emigratedWestward to Illinois, locating in WinnebagoCounty. His deatli occurred in Vermillion, S.Dak., on the 7th of September, 1889. His wifepassed away on the 3d of November, 1886. Eightchildren have been born unto them: William, whodied in infancy; James M. of this sketch; John,who died in 1857; Mary Ann, wife of Isaiah Washburn,a resident farmer of South Dakota; George,who is also engaged in farming in Soutii Dakota;Charles, who died in 1832; and Peter, whose deatlioccurred the same 3'ear.Our subject acquired a common-school educationin the State of his nativity. He accompanied hisparents on their removal to the West and has residedin Illinois almost continuously since. He remainedwith his father, working on the farm, for two years,and then started out in life for himself, workingas a farm hand by the month, until the breakingout of the late war. When the South rebelled in1861, he responded to the call for troops to aid inthe preservation of the Union and enlisted as aprivate in Company C, Fift3'-fifth Illinois Infantry.The important engagements in which he participatedwere the siege of Corinth, Arkansas Post,Champion Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, and thebattles of Jackson, Mission Ridge and Atlanta.When his three years' term of service had expired,he was honorably discharged on the 30th of October,1864.Mr. Wright then returned to Illinois and againengaged in farming. Tn 1865, he removed toGrundy Count}-, locating near Lisbon, where heresided until 1871. That year witnessed his arrivalin Ford County. He had previously married onthe 3d of September, 1868, the lady of his choicebeing Miss Sarah E. Ashton, daughter of John andElizal)eth (Sliaw) Ashton. Three children havebeen born of their union but all are now deceased.Clara died April 19, 1880; George H., April 20,1880; and Alice May, August 27, 1887.On coming to Ford County, Mr. Wright madea location in Mona Township, where he rented landfor seven years. He then purchased a farm oftwo hundred acres on section 32, Rogers Townsiiip,where he made his home until 1884. In that yearhe came to Keinpton, where he has since made hishome, living retired. His life has I)een well andworthily spent and by his industrious and perseveringefforts, he accumulated a sufficient capitalto enable him to rest from business cares and spendhis remaining days in peace and retirement. Heis a prominent citizen and well deserves representationin this volume.OIIN J. CLESS, who is engaged in generalfanning on section 30, Brenton Township,has had a varied life. He was born in Germany,has shared in the hardships of piooneerlife in Illinois and the experiences of goldmining in California, and is now living quietly asa farmer. His birth occurred in Wurtemberg onthe 10th of July, 1827. He is one of ten childrenborn to Gotlieb and Catherina (Buckenberg) Cless.His father was a stonemason and spent liis entirelife in his native land. When eighteen years ofage, he served in the armj- against Napoleon andwas wounded at the battle of Lille on the returnof the French Emperor from Russia. The childrenof the Cless family are Gotlieb, now a resident ofNewark, N. J.; Conrad, who came to this countryand died of sunstroke; John, of this sketch; William,who is living in Newark, N. J.; Gustaf, whodied in Germany, and Fredericka, who is living inNewark, N. J. The others of the family are all

'IfIIIPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 201deceased and those who still survive are residentsof America.At tlie age of fourteen, our subject began learningthe carpenter's trade, which he followeduntiltwenty-two years of age, wlieu he determined toseek his fortune in the United States and in 1849sailed from Havre to New York. The succeedingthree jears of his life were spent in New Jersey',where he worked for a time at cabinet-making atlow wages, and followed any other pursuit wherebyhe might earn an honest living.Attracted by thediscovery of gold, he sailed for California in thespring of 1852, going bj' the Isthmus route, andspent three and a half years in the mines on thePacific Slope, meeting with a fair degree of success.He returned in 1855 by the wa}- of the Nicaraguaroute and remained in Newark, N. J., until1856, when he removed to Wisconsin and purchaseda farm in Waukesha County, upon whichhe made his home for ten years. He then sold out,and in 1866 came to La Salle County, 111., where hespent two years.In September, 1856, at the age of twenty-nine,Mr. Cless was married, in Newark, N. J., to BarbaraStadler. who was born in Baden, Germany,and when a maiden of nine summers came withher parents to the United States. They had sevensons and two dauglitcrs: William, a barber of Chicago;George, a policeman of the same city; Jacob,who operates the farm; Samuel, who is living inChicago, where he is employed as a sign-hanger;Henry, Charles, Edward; Louisa, wife of Dan Millgrain,a farmer of Brenton Township, and Emma,wife of .John Burger, who is engaged in agriculturalpursuits in Brenton Township.The year 1868 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Clessand family in Ford Count}-. He purchased one hun-fdred and sixty acres of land, upon which he hassi nee made his home, with the exception of five yearswhich he spent in Chicago just after the greatfire, his farm being rented during that period. Hehas made many good improvements, has erected acomfortable house and barns and planted hedgesand shade trees, which add both to the value andattractive appearance of the place. He is now livingretired while his sons o|)erate the farm. Whenhe came to America he had onl}' ^oO in his pocket,and he certainly deserves great credit for the successwhich has crowned his efforts and made himone of the substantial citizens of the communitj-.Mr. Cless cast his first Presidential vote forFranklin Pierce in 1852. He voted for AbrahamLincoln in 1860, and on questions of national importanceaffiliates with the Republican party, butat local elections votes independently. He hasheld the office of Overseer of Highways in his districtbut has never sought for public preferincnt.In religious belief, he is a member of the LutheranChurch, as is also his wife. In the communitywhere he h.as made his home for almost a cpiarterof a centuiy, he is widely and favorably- known andisrecognized as a valued citizen.^'i*^ >» >I>?IROF. EDWARD H. MILLER, Principal ofthe public schools of Piper City, is a nativeof the llawkeye State. He was born nearBurlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, onthe 18th of July, 1864, and is a son of B. II. and CarrieA. (Styer) Miller. His parents were natives ofPennsylvania and after their marriage removed toIowa, in 1845, locating in Burlington, where thefather followed bis trade of milling. His deathoccurred at the age of thirty-three years, and hiswife also died when young. They were the parentsof four children, but the eldest, Mrs. Alice A.Ballard, died m Burlington; II. II., who was educatedin Burlington, is now Professor of Mathematicsin a business college of California; our subjectis the next younger, and J. E., who completesthe family, is attending school in Iowa.Prof. Miller was a lad of only fourteen years whenhis parents died, since which time he has made hisown way in the world, being entirely dependent onhis own efforts. He went to La Salle County, wherehe worked by the month on a stock farm nearMendota for six mouths, and through the remainderof the year he attended school. He wasdesirous of securing a good education, and in orderto do this he had to earn the money necessary topay his expenses. He pursued a four-years' classicalcourse in the Normal School of Dixon, 111.,

202 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArillCAL RECORD.from which he was graduated in 1886, and thenengaged in teaching for two years in Mendota, beingassistant Principal of the High School. In188'.), he went to Paxtou where lie secured a positionas Professor of Mathematics in the Rice CollegiateInstitute, serving as such for three ji^ears,when he came to Piper City and has since beenPrincipal of its schools.Prof. Miller was married on ilie 6th of October,1887, in Mendota, 111., IMiss Marcia M. Freelandbecoming his wife. She is a native of that placeand a daughter of John M. and Sarah Freeland,residents of Colfax, 111. Two children grace theunion of our subject and his wife, a son anddaughter: Stafford De Witt and Margaret. Prof,and Mrs. Miller are both members of the PresbyterianChurch and are prominent people in thiscommunity and held in high esteem by theirmany friends.In his social relations, the Professor is an OddFellow and, in i)olitics, votes with the Republicanparty, but has never been an oflice-seeker. Heis an intelligent, .iljle young man, a most successfulinstructor, and has won general favor inthe communities where he has been employed asteacher. He may well be termed a self-made man,for since a very early age he has made his own wayin life, never having a cent but what he earnedhimself. The industrj', enterprise and perseverancewhich have characterized his career argue well fora successful future.,,.., LFRED PHILLIPS, who owns and operates(^'Ol ninety acres of land on section 12, PeachOrchard Township, has the honor of beinga native of Illinois. He was bornJanuar}' 15, 1857, near Caledonia, Putnam Couut}',and is a worthy representative of one of the pioneerfamilies of that county. His parents wereGeorge and Jane (Lights) Phillips. His fatherwas bornin England and when thirteen 3'ears ofage came to the United States. His mother wasborn in Chester County, Pa. They came to Illinoisin 1837, locating near jMagnolia, Putnam Count}-,where Mr. Phillips built a tlouring-mill on thebank of Sandy Creek.He also built a sawmill onClear Creek. Until 1863, he made his home inthat county and then removed to La Salle County,where he purchased a farm, upon which he madehis home one year. The year 1864 witnessed hishis home until his death in 1869. In 1866, heserved his township as Justice of the Peace. Hewas a member of the Methodist Church and of theOdd Fellows' fraternity. Mrs. Phillips died in 1865.The family numbered seven children: Catherine,wife of John Tliackary, a farmer residing in Peacharrival in Ford County. He purchased all of section12, Peach Orchard Township, and in the fallof the same year bought one hundred and sixtyacres more on section 16. LTpon his farm, he madeOrchard Township; Jane, wife of George II. AVarner,of Normal, 111.; Mary, deceased, wife of WilliamBaxter; George, who is living in Slelvin, 111.;Alfred, of this sketch; Susan, wife of Frank Thompson,a retired farmer residing in Melvin, and AbrahamL., an attorney at law of Gibson City.We now take up the personal history of oursubject, who in his youth attended the districtschools and acquired a practical English education.He began life for himself in 1875, when eighteenyears of age. He engaged in farming for himselffor two 3'ears, after which he worked as a farmhand by the month. Throughout his entire life,he followed agi'icultural pursuits and has been verysuccessful in his business dealings.After his marriage,he removed to the farm on which he hassince resided, and in connection with its cultivationcarries on stock-raising. His landed possessionsare quite extensive. He owns ninety-eightand one-half acres in his home farm, eighty acreson section 8, Peach Orchard Township, a likeamount iu Dix Township and one hundred andtwenty acres in Wall Township.Sei)tember 29, 1879. Mr. Phillips married MissSarah, daughter of John and Lizzie Brooks, andthey began their domestic life upon the farm whichis still their home. Their union has been blessedwith one daughter, Edna, who was born January23, 1884. The parents are highly respected peopleof this communitj- and have many warmfriends. In his political atliliations, Mr. Phillipsis a Republican.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 205ION. ALFRED SAMPLE, Circuit Judge ofthe Eleventh .hulieial District of Illinois,has won honorable distinction in the line!s£)) of his profession and well deserves representationin this volume. A native of Ohio, hewas horn in Butler County. November 27, 1846.His parents were .James and Jane (Beard) Sample.The father was a native of Kentucky and themother of \'irginia. The father was a farmer andstock-dealer. With his fanuly he removed fromOhio to Livingston County, 111., in 1857, and wasa resident of that and McLean County until hisdeath, which occurred April 20, 1883. Ilis wife,the mother of our subject, a woman possessed ofmany excellencies of character, survived her liuslianduntil April 13, 1892.Alfred Sample came to Illinois with his parentswhen eleven years of age and, when not attendingschool, was employed in agricultural pursuits on thehome farm. November 24, 1863, when but sixteenyears of age, he enlisted for the late war as a memberof Company G, One Hundred and TwentyninthIllinois Infantry, and immediately wentinto active service.His regiment was assigned toSherman's Army and participated in the Atlantacampaign. At the battle of Resaca, Ga., May 15,1864, the young soldier of wliom we are writingwas severely, and at that time su|)posed to be mortally,wt)unded, being shot in the breast andthrough both arms. Thus unBtted for duty, hereceived an honorable disciiarge I)eceml)cr 6, 1864,on account of Ins wounds received on the field ofbattle. He carries with him through life a crippledarm as a memento of the so-called ''late unpleasantnessbetween the States."(Jn returning from the war, Mr. Samiile becamea student in Eureka College, where he pursuedhis studies for three years, after which he enteredMonmouth College, taking a special course ineach, and giving particular attention to the classicsand mathematics. While at college, he taughtselect school several terras during vacations andwas engaged in teaching schooJ for one year afterleaving Monmouth College. He then enteredupon the study of lawunder the preeoptorship ofthe Hon. Robert G. Ingersoll, tiie famous Americanorator and attorney at law of Washington,9D. C, then a jtrominent lawyer of Illinois anda resident of Peoria. In 1871, after the regularexamination, Mr. Sain[jle was admitted to the Barand that same year openeil an ollice at Paxton,where he entered upon a successful jji-actice of hisprofession. His talent and ability soon won forhim an honorable position in the Bar of EasternIllinois.In politics. Judge Sample is a Republican, buthe has never sought or desired piominence in theline of political distinction, but has [Jieferred to devotehis energies to the practice of his profession,and to .accept such preferment as is the legitimateoutgrowth of success in that direction. The onlypurel}' political position he has been known to fillwas that of Presidential elector in the campaignof 1880, when James A. (iarfield was chosen President.He has served as State Attorney for eightyears. City Attorney of Paxton for four years,and in June, 1885, was nominated and elected withoutopposition to the honorable position of Judge ofthe Eleventh Judicial District of Illinois. Afterserving a term of six years, he was again nominatedand elected for the succeeding term withoutopposition. The fact of Judge Sample being theunanimous choice of the citizens of that districton both occasions speaks volumes in his praise andis a compliment of which he m.ay well be jiioikLThe Eleventh Judicial District of Illinois includeswithin its limits the counties of Livingston, Kankakee,Iroquois, McLean and Ford, and JudgeSample's associates are Judges Charles R. Starr andThomas F. Tipton. In June, 1891, Judge Samplewas appointed to the Appellate Bench of the FourthDistrict of Illinois, which position he holds at thepresent time.On the fifth of September, 1876, the Judge wasmariied to Miss E'lorence A. Cook, a daughterof Col. H. D. Cook, a well-known and piomincntcitizen of Illinois, a sketch of whom a|)pcars elsewherein this work. The lady was born in Cappa,Woodford County, 111. .Judge and Mrs. Samplehave two daughters: Florence I. and Lois A., bothborn in Paxton. Socially, Judge Sample is a Masonand a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.He belongs to Paxton Lodge No. 416, A.F. & A. M.; Ford Chapter No. 113, R. A. M.; Mt.

206 PORTRAIT AND EJOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Olivet ConiTnanclcry No. 38, K. T., and was in thej'car 1878 the Grand Orator of the Masonic (4 randLodge of the State of Illinois. He is also a memberof Paxton Post No. 387, G. A. K.Tlie personal popularity of the Jndge has grownwith the yeais of his service in a judicial capacity.He is comparatively a young man .and has thephysical strength to hold court until the workon the docket is disposed of, not having lost aday on account of illness in about seven years.He li.as the executive ability to dispatch businesswith rapidity and without any undue haste, and hiscareer as a lawyer has been successful from thestart. He is studious by habit, possessing quick perceptivefaculties and a mind well adapted to the intellectualprofession of his choice. Asa judge, hisrulings have ever been fair and impartial, so thatlawyers and litigants interested feel at the conclusionthat they have been fairly and impartiallytreated. In manner. Judge .Sample is unassuming,yet dignified, cordial and aflfable, gifted as a conversationalistand always good company'. He haswon his success in life by hard study and earnestapplication to business, and is essentially a selfmademan. He is the owner of valuable tracts ofland and has recenth' erected at Paxton a verycomfortable and modern residence, which he designedfor a permanent home. Several yearsprior to his elevation to the bencli, .Judge Sampledistinguished himself by the able and successfulmanner in which he conducted suits against railroadcompanies to eomiiel tlie adoption of the legalrate of three cents a mile fare and to prevent theannoyance and loss to the traveling public of tlieillegal rate of four cents.This laih'oad litigation,which was of public interest at the time, attractedgeneral attention and tlie marked sucttess attendingihe efforts of Judge Sample won for him muchfavorable comment and well-merited praise.VILLIAMJ. WILSON, president of theprivate banking house of Mattlnson, Wilson& Co., of Gibson City, 111., is a nativeof Clarke County, Ohio, and was born on the.29th of June, 1838. His parents, Washingtonand IMary A. (Forman) Wilson, were from Ohio.His father's birth occurred on the 18th of October,1811, near Fairfield, Greene County, and themother was born in Clarke County. They weremarried May 22, 183(3, and lived together as liusbandand wife for nearly lialf ii century, whencalled to their fin.al rest. Wasliington Wilsondied at his home inSi)ringfield, Ohio, on Sunday,April 2G, 188."), at tlie age of seventy-three yearsand seven months. His wife i)assed away on the5th of Maj' following, surviving her husband onlynine days. They had joined the Christian Churchtogether in 1839, and remained worthy and consistentmembers of that society to the close oftheir lives. It is said of them that they were remarkablyadapted to e.acli other and were possessedof noble traits of char.icter.Michael Wilson, the father of AVashington Wilson,was a soldier of the War of 1812, and diedsoon after his return from the war from tlie effectsof exposure while in the service. His widow removedto Harmony Township, and later made herhome with her son Washington in Springfield,where she died in 1880, at the advanced age ofninetj--two years.Washington andMary A. AVilson were the parentsof eleven children: Michael, William J.,George W., Harrison, John, Addison; Luther, deceased;Nancy T., Harriet; Mary A., deceased,was the wife of Dr. Strain; Flora is now Mrs. Dr.Claience Kay; Michael and Addison reside inSpiingfield, Ohio; George W., who w.as State Senator,makes his home in London, Ohio; Harriet isa resident of London, Ohio; Nancy T. is the wifeof John J. (ioodfellow; Harrison is a farmer ofMadison County, Ohio, and .hjhn resides in (iibsonCity.Washington Wilson made his home in Springfieldat an early day. He was industrious andfrugal, and .accumulated a large landed estate, havingnearly two thousand acres of land near Springfieldat the time of his death. He was one of theprime movers in the firgauization of the ChristianCliurch in Springfield, and was one of its oHicers andmost earnest supporters. As a Christian, he wasBiblically orthodox, and practically evangelicalwith charity for all. He was active as a speaker

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 207and worker in duircli, prnvcr meetings and Siinday-sciiool,and his iios|iitaiitv to tlie ministerswas lilieral and nuicli iiartaken ot. He was notedfor steadfastness of purpose, a broad C'liristianspirit and for liis efforts to do good in his eonimunityand to encourage and develop a true Cliristiansiiirit in those who came witliin tlio rangeof his inrtuence. The sterling (pialities of thisworthy nian and his estimable wife, wliieli gavethem sucli high standing in their eomnuinity, havehad their intluenee in forming the eharacter oftheir children, who have become useful and worth}'members of society.William J. '\Vilst)n was reared to agriculturalpursuits and was educated in the i)ublic schools ofSi)ringfield, Ohio. On the 17tli of September,1863, he was married, in his native county, toMiss L3'dia Goodfellow, a daughter of John andLucy (Bennett) (Joodfellow,and a native of ClarkeCount}-, Ohio.On attaining man's estate, Mr. Wilson engagedin farming near his old home, and continued inthat vocation until 1875, when he embarked inthe grocery business at London, Ohio. In 1876,he sold out and removed to Gibson City, 111., andengaged in the grain trade, which he conductedsuccessfully until the burning of his elevator. Oncoming to Gibson Cit}^ Mr. AVilson invested infarming lauds in Ford County, and has increasedhis acreage until he now owns fifteen hundredacres of agricultural lands, which are situatedpartly in the following counties: Ford, ^'ermilionand Lee. Two years after he settled in GibsonCity, Mr. Wilson became a [lartner in the bankinghouse now carried on under the firm title ofMattinson, Wilson ife Co., the oldest bank in thecity, and has maintained partnership relations withthat institution continuously since.In addition tothe business interests already mentioned, Mr. Wilsonhas done an extensive business in growing,buying, feeding and shipping live stock. lie isalso a member of the Gibson Canning Company,of which he is Vice-President.Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. AVilson,three sons and six daughters now living:]\Iinnie B. is the wife of Evan IMattiiLson, ofthe banking house of Mattinson, Wilson & Co.;Luther B. is engaged in the real-estate lousiness inDixon, 111.; Cora IMay resides with lier parents;Lucy V. is the wife of Albert Browning, a farmerof Drummer Township; William J., Jr.; MaryMaud, Grace, Mabel and Arthur Glenn. Onedied in infancy.In politics, IMr. Wilson is a Republican, but hasnever sought or desired public ollice. In theirreligious views, Mr. Wilson, his wife and olderchildren are Presbyterians, and he is a member ofthe Board of Trustees of that church. The childrenolder than Mary Maud were born in ClarkeCounty, Ohio, while she and those younger arenatives of Gibson City.Since his residence at Gibson City, Mr. Wilsonhas been actively and prominently identified withits commercial and linaneial interests, and it is noflattery to say of him that his record has been thatof a man of strict integrity, enterprise and ability.In his business career, he has been eminentlysuccessful, and has succeeded in accumulating alarge and valuable property, while his uniformlyupright course in life and just regard for therights of others have entitled him to a place in theforemost ranks of the most respected and worthycitizens of Ford County.•^^A. COAL, proprietor, editor and publisherof the daily and weekly Gilison City Enterjmse,the leading Republican journal in thewestern part of Ford County, is a nativeof Washington, Pa., and was born November 28,1856. His father is Dr. W. P. T. Coal, a retiredphysician, now of Bloomington, 111., but formerlyof Washington County, Pa. He still owns the oldfamily homestead in Steuben County, N. Y., thathas been in the possession of the family since thepatent was obtained from the Government inColonial days. He was born in Steuben County,N. Y., on the 16th of November, 1818, and is ofGerman descent, several generations remote. Hewas graduated from Bath Medical College andpracticed his profession for forty years. He is athorough scholar, though largely self-educated, and

)Principal208 PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPIIICAL EECORD,is a contriljutor to several Eastern majjazines andperiodicals. His wife, the mother of our subject,was born in Breckenridge Count}', Ky., in May,1819, and was descended from one of the oldestand most prominent of Kentucky families. Shepassed to her fmal rest many years ago, her deathoccurring in December, 1859.The subject of this sketch came to Illinois in1858, and was educated in the High School atTremont and at the Normal University, at Normal,spending about two j-ears as a student in the lastnamedinstitution. On completing his term at theUniversity, he engaged in teaching school and wasemplo3-ed in that vocation for nine years. Hetaught the Sibley School, the P^lliott School andwhat is known as the Dixon School, to the south ofGibson City. During a part of this time, hetaught two different schools in the same year, sothat he really taught twelve months in the year.In December, 1879, he started the Sibley Index,and on the 5th of June, 1883, established the GibsonCity Enterprise, a straight Republican weeklypaper, still continuing the publication of the Indexa year and a half later. He started the daily GibsonQity Enterprise in December, 1889. a six-columnfolio, still carrying on the weekly Enterprise, asix-column quarto. He has continued the publicationof both to the present time, having made asuccess of the venture and built up a prosperousbusiness. He has in connection with his newspaperpublishing a well-appointed job ofJlce and does anextensive business in the line of first-class commercialjob work.On the 29th of December, 1879, Mr. Coal wasmarried, in Gibson City, to Miss Sadie E. Black, adaughter of William and Sarah J. Black. Herfather is deceased and her mother is now the wifeof J. H. Dungan, of Gibson City. Mrs. Coal wasbom in Clinton County, Ind.,and came to Illinoisin childhood. She has become the mother of onechild, a son. Earl H. D., who was born on the 26thof June, 1888. The parents are both members ofthe Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work ofwhich they take an active interest.Mr. Coal is a Knight Templar Mason, a memberof Gibson Lodge No. 733, A. F. & A. M.; of GibsonChapter No. 183, R. A. M.; of Gibson CouncilNo. 72; and Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 38, K. T.,of Paxtou. He is an active and earnest supporterof Republican principles and is a potent factor incampaign work. His acquaintance is extensivethroughout the county and his friends are manyand among the best of his fellow-citizens. Hepossesses a genial and fraternal spirit, is alwayscourteous and cordi.al in manner with strangers aswell as friends. He is a fluent, easj' writer and hispapers are among the best published in this i)art ofthe State. He and his wife rank high in social circlesand are numbered among the prominent andworthy citizens of Ford County.S ^ROF. JOHN D. SHOOP, who has beenof the Gibson City schools sinceSeptember, 1890, was born in Sabina, Clin-I \ ton County, Ohio, March 3, 1857, and is ason of Jonathan and Margaret (Sn3-der) Shoop.His father was born in Pennsylvania, and hismother in Fleming County, \s.y. Our subject wasorphaned in childhood, his mother dying while hewas yet an infant, and his father passing awaywhen he was but seven years of age. His parentswere in limited circumstances, and John D. wasleft, at the early age of seven, to fight the battleof life alone and unaided. He was reared tomanhood among strangers, and was apprenticed toa farmer until twenty-one years of age. His educationwas obtained at private schools and by selfculture.He began teaching in 1878, in FayetteCounty, Ohio, and was Principal of the schools atBlooiningburg, Ohio, for three years. Subsequently,he taught in the Institute at Washington CourtHouse, where he remained until 1889.On the 1st of September, 1887, Prof. Siioop wasunited in marriage with Miss Jennie B. Perrill.Mrs. Shoop was born at Washington Court House,and IS a daughter of James and Rebecca Perrill.Her father is a prominent farmer of her nativecounty, and one of the highl}' esteemed citizens.In 1889. Prof. Shooji came to Illinois, settling inSaybrook. McLean County, where he was employed

c;!^^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 211as Principal of the schools foi' one year. At theexpiration of that time, he resigned to accept hispresent position, that of Principal of the GibsonC'it.y Schools. These schools have an enrollmentof five hiuuli'ed pupils. Ten teachers are emploj'edand the schools arc in a prosperous andtliriving condition.Mr. and Mrs. Shoop hold membership with theMethodist Episcopal Church, and, in politics, healliliates with the Republican part^-, of which he isa stanch supporter, but has never been an aspirantfor public office. He is a Knight Templar M.ason,being a member of Garfield Coramandery No. 28,of Washington Court House, Ohio, and also belongsto Hope Lodge No. 140, K. of P., of Saybrook,111. Prof. Shoop is recognized as an eminentlyqualified and skillful educator and duringhis two years' charge of the Gibson City schools,has won the confidence and good opinion of thoseinterested in the cause of education at that place.He is thorough and systematic in the managementof the schools, and is well supported by an ablecorps of teachers, and the school is ra|)idly advancingto a high standard of perfection.^-^i.~S1^4-^ ir^

212 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.11th of July, 1888, he has been general managerof the estate in Ford and Livingston Counties.In politics, Mr. Bicket is a Republican, and hasbeen active and inlluential in tlie local cam|)aignwork of his party. He is a member of the FordCounty RepuVilican Committee, liaving often servedas delegate to district.couuty and State conventions,and has held various official positions. For fourteen3'ears he has been Supervisor of SullivantTownship, was Coroner of Ford County for fouryears and has held every office at times in thevill.igc of Sibley from President of tlie Board ofEducation to President of the village. He is aKnight Templar Mason, belonging to Sibley LodgeNo. 761, A. F. & A. M.; Gibson Cliapter No. 183,U. A. M.; Gibson Council No. 72; and Mt. OlivetConimandery No. 38, K. T. lie is also a memberof Lott Post No. 70, G. A. R., of Gibson.On the 14th of February, 1867, Mr. Bicket wasunited in marriage at Faribault, Minn., to MissEllen Pratt, who was born in Berlin, Wis., and is adaughter of Henrj- and Jane E. Pratt.Iler fatherwas among the pioneers of Minnesota, and was inthe Government service at the Winnebago IndianAgency at an early day. Eight children wereborn to Mr. and Mrs. Bicket, of wliom six arc yetliving: Mary Gertrude, wife of the Rev. ElbertH. Alford, of the Methodist Church, of Sibley, bywhom she has two children, Don Bicket and Genevieve;Nellie Louise is employed in her father'soffice in Siblej'; Effie May is a teacher in the Sibleyschools; James Pratt is a student in ChaddockCollege, of (Juincy, 111.; William Albert died atthe age of titeen months; Harry Leckie died whentwelve months old; Grace Darling and Hiram Sibley,the youngest of the family, now surviving.In their religious belief, the family are Methodists,members of the church in Sibley, of whichMr. Bicket is a Trustee.It is now twenty years since our subject becameidentified with the property known as the HiramSibley estate and fifteen years since he had fullcontrol of the management of the entire estate inFord and Livingston Counties. The history ofthe growth and development of the property iscovered in a description of the estate publishedelsewhere in this work, which speaks volumes inpraise of thesagacity, fidelity and executive abilityof the manager. His just, liberal and impartialtreatment of tlie tenants has won their regardand confidence, while his honest and judiciousdischarge of duty has been eminently satisfactoryto tliose interested in the estate.UGH ALEXANDER KELSO, M. D., theoldest medical practitioner in continuousyears of practice of Ford County, as'jj well as one of the most successful physiciansand surgeons of Eastern Illinois, first sawthe light of day in Morgan County, Ind., onthe 6th of December, 1829, and is a son of JamesB. and Malvina (Hudeburg) Kelso. His paternalancestors were from Jamestown, Va., and thebranch of the family from which tlie Doctor isdescended removed, some time in the latter part ofthe last century, to North Carolina, and thence toEastern Tennessee early in the present century.Dr. Kelso's father was born in East Tennessee,in 1807, and was reared and educated in his nativeState, and was there married, about 1828, to MissHudeburg. The following year he removed withhis wife to Morgan County, Ind. He entertainedstrong abolition principles and left Tennessee onaccount of his hostility to the institution of slaveiy.His wife died in Indiana in 1840, at theage of thirty-five. Mr. Kelso remained in thatState until 18.59, when he came to Illinois, locatingin Cumberland County. Subsequently, lie removedto Vernon, 111., but afterward returned toCumberland County, where his death occurred in1882, at the age of seventy-five years.Dr. Kelso, after attending preparatory schools,entered the State University at Bloomington, Ind.,where he was a student during 1848 and 1849.He then went South and engaged in teachingschool in Louisiana.In 1850, he began the studyof medicine in Morehouse Parish, La., and attendedlectures at the Ohio State Medical College,of Cincinnati. In 1855, he established himselfin practice in Morgan County, Ind., where hecontinued with success until 1858, when he came

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 213to Illinois and located at Farmington, ColesCiiiiiity. Tliere lie soon built iiji a large practice,whicli he aliaiuloned to iMiter the volunteer servicefor the late war.The Doctor became First Assistant Surgeon ofthe One Hundred and Twent^y-tliird Illinois Infantryin August, 1M(;2. That regiment was underGen. Buell at first, but was subsequently mountedand armed with Spencer rifles and assigned toGen. Thomas' Division. They participated in thebattles of Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862; Chickamauga,September 19 and 20, 1863; LoolioutMountain, November 24; and Missionarj' Ridgethe following day, together with the capture ofHoover's Gap. At the battle of Chiekamauga,when the Union forces had fallen back. Dr. Kelsoremained on the field, seeking the wounded whomight need a surgeon's care, with the view ofbeing admitted through the rebel lines with theprivilege of serving our injured in the hands ofthe Confederates. After relieving tlie few wounded,finding in the woods a much less number than heexpected, he saw appi'oaching a train of twenty.ambulances from Crawfish Springs Hospital, andsaw a lot of straggling Union troops in squadsabout in the woods. An officer expressed theopinion that to escape cai)ture was impossible, andthat they might as well stay where they were andsurrender. The idea of surrendering had not occurredto the Doctor who replied, "You can getout of here if you want to." Tiie Captain thensaid, "If you can get us out, lead the w.ay." Havingliy previous excursions become familiar withthe country, and believing they might be led insafety to join their comrades, Dr. Kelso assumedcommand, directing orderlies to the various squadswith instructions tor all to fall in line and followthe amlnihinces, one of which he mounted, leadingoff .across the country regardless of roads, overhills, through valleys and woods until, havingcovered a distance of two miles, tliey came upwith the One Hundred and Twenty-third IllinoisMounted Infantry, cut off from the main armyand ready to fall back, ^'ery much to the surpriseof the commanding officer, the Doctor provedto have a following nearly equal in number tothe One Hundred and Twenty-third. He wasthen informed that he had been in demand toform one of a detail of Federal surgeons to gothrough the Confederate lines and aid inthe careof the wounded, which opportunity he had missed,an event for which he w.as not sorry when helearned subsequently liow the Union surgeonsthat did go were misused. This story is relatedas one of the peculiar experiences the Doctor metduring Ids term of service, a curious feature of theaffair being that the very means he took to getinto the Confederate lines defeated his purpose,while, on the other hand, he was the means ofsaving a train of ambulances and a considerablebody of troops from capture, and thus renderedthe Government valuable service entirely outsidehis line of duty.Following the battle of Chiekamauga, Dr. Kelsowas detailed under Surg.-Gen. Blair to establisha general hos|iilal near the field of Chiekamauga,which he did, devoting a month to thatduty. He was then placed in charge of a longtrain of ambulances, conveying a body of partiallyconvalescent troops from Chiekamauga over themountains to Stephenson Station, whence theywere to be sent home on furlough. Having performedthat duty, he was detailedto join a squadof cavalry that w.as sent out in search of guerrillas,but w.-is recalled to take charge of a smallpox hospitalat Paint Rock, Ala., where he spent somemonths.Later, he went down the river to Iluntsville,rejoined his regiment and was detailed toestablish a hospital near there for .Stanley's CavalryDivision. He approiiriated the elegant privateresidence of United States Senator ClementC. Clay for the purpose. The mansion was richlyfurnished and the cellars were stocked with choicewines and delicacies that proved a very valuableauxiliary to the usual hospital stores. He remainedin charge at that hospital until the springof 1861, when he resigned and returned to hishome in Illinois. Perryville was the first regularbattle in which the regiment was engaged, and Dr.Kelso tells a rather humorous anecdote in thefirst experience of his line of duty on thatoccasion. He had only been a month in the serviceand, as opportunity offered, he read theprinted ariny regulations and the instructions

214 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.in regard to the proper disposition of the ambulancesand liospital force relative to the regiment.The surgeon's assistants were to take positionten paces to tlie rear of their respectivecompanies and the aminilances were to be placedfifty paces in the rear of each company. Whentiieregiment was drawn up in the line of battle atPerryville, he placed his force and the ambulancesaccording to regulation directions, as he supposed,and about the time his arrangements were completed,Gen. Terry came riding by. The surgeon,after saluting, asked the Gener.al if tlie arrangementof the ambulance corps was all rigiit, andwas a little surprised that the General laughed ashe said ".Ml right." A few minutes later a cannonball knocked the front end of one ambulanceto slivers.Later, the surgeon discovered that theregulations he had followed were intended fordress parade, and that in action tiic ambulanceswere safer more distant from the front and wouldbe more apt to be in condition for service whenneeded than if placed in dress parade style. Itwas then plain to him why Gen. Terry had beenso amused on the occasion mentioned. The eventmay have been the last to bring a smile to theGeneral's lips, as he was killed within three hoursafterward. The One Hundred and Twenty-thirdIllinois Mounted Infantry was in the hottest ofthe fight at Perryville and sustained a loss ofthirt^'-seven killed on the field. Seven died soonafterward of their wounds .and one hundred andseventeen were seriously injured. At the close ofthe engagement, l^r. Kelso was the only surgeonwith his regiment able for duty, the others, withthe exception of one at Louisville, being sick.In July following his return from the army, tlieDoctor established piaclice at Paxton, which hehas since pursued with marked success, covering aperiod of twenty-eight years. During the earlyyears of his practice in Ford County, the countrywas but sparsely settled, the roads were few andbridges not often met with, and the Doctor, likehis brethren of the profession throughout thecountry at that time, w.as forced to endure muchhardship and sometimes danger of liodily injury.Blizzards, with the mercury at thirty degrees belowzero, were encountered on open prairies wheremiles intervened between human habitations.Thefording of swollen streams, which was not unusual,was not conducive to comfort or health, but, astime passed andthe country became better settled,things improved and the Doctor's business becameextended until he enjoyed a large and lucrativepractice, which he has held to the jji-esent time.Dr. Kelso has been twice married, first in earlymanhood in his native county to Miss Sarah Knox,who died in little less than a year from her weddingda^^ In September, 1858, at Charleston, ColesCounty, 111., he married Miss Margaret Brashares,daughter of the Kev. Perry Brashares, who was alocal minister and a near and intimate neighbor ofthe parents of Abraham Lincoln. The Doctor andhis wife had three children: Perry, who died atthe age of three years. Elmer Lincoln, who wasborn in Coles County in November, ItSGO, w.aseducated at Champaign and studied for the medicalprofession in the Chicago Medical College, fromwh.ich he was graduated March 27, 188.3, with thedegree of M. D. He married Miss Leota Keffnerand entered upon the practice of his profession atPaxt(jn, having secured a liberal patronage.IlugliA., the second surviving son, was born in ColesCounty and graduated from the Paxton CollegiateInstitute. Possessing marked musical talent, hestudied under the best masters in the countiy, andis now the leading pianist at the Conservatory ofMusic, in the Chicago Auditorium, under Prof.Sherwood. He has also been the pianist of theNational Chautauqua, of New York, under thesame leader.Dr. Kelso is a Republican and a Knight TemplarMason. He belongs to Paxton Lodge No.416, A. F. A A. M.; Ford Chapter No. 113, R.A.M;andMt. Olivet Commandery No. 38, K. T., all ofPaxton. He is a member of the Illinois State]\ledical Society, the Central Illinois Medical Societyand an honorary graduate of the ChicagoMedical College of Chicago. Dr. Kelso has wonan envi.able reputution throughout Eastern Illinois,both as a i)hysician and surgeon, and hiswell-known ability, skill and experience liave placedhim in the front rank of his profession. He hasbeen a tlK)rough student and careful reader of thebest current literature of the profession, so that

\^'7. /. Scnry-C

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 21:he has kept himself well abreast of the medicaland scientific discoveries of tiie day from year toyear. His acquaintance is extensive throughoutEastern and Central Illinois, where he has mademany friends who hold him in hijjii esteem.^4.4.4..;.^^^^ •^•^•r*^k:^^^^^^^^)^^^^r^RANCE L. COOK, State Attorney of Ford.rr(s)] County, who is now serving his twelfth/l^ year in that office, is one of the well-knownand prominent citizens of Paxton. A native oftlie Empire State, he was born in Oneida County,August 3, 1842, and is a son of the Hon. Harry D.and Joanna (Hall) Cook, a sketch of whom appearson another ))age of this work.Our subject came to Illinois withhis parents, in1850, while yet a child of eight years, and, afterattending the public schools,entered Eureka College,and subsequently continued his studies inKnox College, where his literar}' education wascompleted. For four years, from 1862 to 1866,he was in tlie employ of the Illinois Central RailroadCompany as agent at Kappa, this State,and,in the latter year, went to Washington, D. C, asassistant of his father, who was financialagent ofIllinois in charge of collection of State claimsagainst the general Government, growing out ofthe late war.During 1867-68, he was Clerk of thecommittee on foreign affairs, of which Gen. Banks,of the House of Representatives, was Chairman.Subsequent!}- he was made Clerk of the committeeon Territories, of which Senator CuUom, of Illinois,vvas Chairman. At the same time he wasreading law, and was a student of the ColumbianLaw College of Washington, from which he wasgraduated in the Class of '71, and was admittedto the Bar the same year. In the autumn of thatyear, he returned to his home in Normal, 111., andthe following spring opened a law office in Paxton,where he has been in active and successfulpractice continuously since. He was alone in businessuntil 1885, when the existing partnershipwas formed with W. S. Moffett, and tlie (inn styleof Cook & Moffett was assumed.On November 8, 1870, Mr. Cook vvas joined inwedlock, in Normal, III., with Miss Kate Anderson,of that place, who was barn in Ohio, and is adaughter of William Anderson, a pioneer ofBloomington, 111. She came to this State in childhood,and was educated at the State NormalSchool at Normal, after s|)(>nding her earlier yearsin Bloomington.Since old enough to take aninterest in politics,which was during the exciting da^-s of the CivilWar, Mr. Cook has alway.s been an advocate ofRepul)lican jirinciples. In 1880, he was electedState Attorney for Ford County, has been twicere-elected, and is now serving his twelfth j-ear inthat position. He is a Knight Templar Mason,holding membership witli Paxton Lodge No. 416,A. F. A A. M.; Ford Chapter No. 113, R. A. M.,and of Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 38, K. T., allof Paxton. He is also Vice-president of the FirstNational Bank, and a member of the Board of Directors.We find in Mr. Cook a lawyer of acknowledgedability, who occupies a foremost positionat the Ford Count}^ Bar. His life in Washington,during one of the most interesting periodsof our country's history, afforded him an opportunityto observe, more or less intimately, tlieleading men in public life of that day, many ofwhom have become historic characters. A closeobserver of men and events, a good memory anda happy faculty for ex()iessing his thoughts andviews, make Mr. Cook an entertaining conversationalistand a most agreeable companion.\]^xETER PAPINEAU, of Paxton, is numberedamong the early .settlers of Ford County.^Jl)He was born in Montreal, Canada, on the/ \ 20th of June, 1837, and is a son of Josephand Maria Papineau. Both of his parents were ofFrench extraction. The subject of this sketch isa self-made man, and whatever success he hasachieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts.He had very limited school privileges, only attendinguntil about eleven years of age, and nospecial advantages of an}' kind. He remained un-

218 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.der the parental roof until seventeen years of age,when he left his father's home and started out toearn his own livelihood.His choice of an occupationfell upon the blacksmith's trade, and afterlearning that business, he followed it for someyears in his native land.It was in 1857 that he came to the United States,and his first location was made in Illinois. He becamea resident of Kankakee, where he worked athis trade for three years, and then went to Galena,111., where the succeeding year of his life wiispassed. He then spent one year in St; Ann, andin 18(53 we find him a resident of Ford County.He made a location in tlie city of Paxton, and soonafterward erected a blacksmith shop and beganbusiness.Since that time he has engaged in blacksmithingand carri.age-making continuously, and,being an expert workman, has secured a liberalpatronage, which he retains by his courteous treatment.ind earnest efforts to please his i)atrons.On the 6th of July, 1859, Mr. P.apineau led tothe marriage altar Miss Caroline Beaugard, who isa native of Canada, and is also of French descent.Their union lias been blessed witli a family of thirteenchildren, who, in order of birth, are as follows:Peter, Edward, Charles, Josephine; George, whodied in infancy; Joseph, River, Reener, Arthur,John, Amy, Leo and Loraine. The parents andthe children are memliers of the Catholic Church,and throughout Ford County the f.amily is welland favorably known. Mr. Papineau is an enterprisingbusiness man, who by his own efforts hasmade liis life a successful one. lie is wide awaketo tlie interests of the city, faithfully jierforms allhis duties of citizenship, and is well worthy ofrepresentation in this volume.^->^^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 219most liiirlilvrcspeeterl citizens of tliat cominunity.In iiis social relations, he is a Mason and, in politics,is a Republican. He cast his first Presidential votefor John ()iiincy Adams, and afterwards supportedthe AViiig party until the rise of the Republicanparty.There was not much to vary the monotony ofthe early life of our sulijcct, which was spent infarm work and in the attendance at the commonschools. As tiie family was in limited circumstances,he saw something of the harder side of life. Hishealth not being very good, he learned the trade ofa saddler, which he followed in the Keystone Stateuntil Ibi'iS, when, believing he could better his financialcondition, he emigrated to Putnam County,111., in the spring of 1854, and for two yearsworked by the day as a farm hand. He then engagedin farming for himself until 1856, when heremoved to La Salle County, whei-e he rented landuntil 1K71, when he came to Ford County, andbought an unimproved tract of eighty acres. Tothis he has since added, until he now owns one hundredand sixty acres, a good farm well improvedand highly cultivated.In 1850, in the county of his nativity, Mr. Kenneywas joined in wedlock to Miss INIary Mc^'ain,who was born in Greene County, Pa., and is adaughter of Moses and Mary (Keys) ]McVain. Herfather was a native of Greene County. I'a., anddied when about seventy years of age. He was ablacksmith by trade and was an industrious man.In jiolitics, he was a Democrat. Ilis wife diedwhen Mrs. Kenncy was only a small child, scarce!}-nine years of age. In the common schools, Jlrs.Kenney acquired her education. She is a kind andloving wife and mother, and hand in hand our subjectand his wife have walked for forty-one years.Unto them have been born twelve children, six yetliving: Elizabeth A., a resident of La Salle County,111.; Mary E. and Martha J., deceased; Mary M.,wife of Charles Stoneljieaker, who resides in Roberts,111.; James M., who is living in VermilionCounty; Asbury G., deceased; Charles L., a farmerof Wall Township, Ford County; John "\V. andMaggie F., deceased; Leander S., a resident farmerof Wall Township; John F., at home, and Mabelwho has also passed away.INIr. Kenney cast his first Presidential vote forWintield Scott, and was an advocate of Whig principlesuntil 1856, when he voted for Fremont, sincewhich time he has been a stalwart Rei)ublican.He has often been a delegate to the conventionsof his party and served on its committees. For sevenyears he has been Supervisor of Wall Township,and was its Treasurer for about fourteen years.True to every trust reposed in him, his duties werefaithfully discharged, and he won the confidenceand regard of all with whom he had been broughtin contact. He is a highl}- resiiected citizen of thecommunity and one who has the best interests ofthe county at heartj^M)jl!ENJAMIN STITES, a pioneer of Ford.^ County of 1855, settled on section 17, onGovernment land, and made that his homeHe was bornfor the remainder of his life.in Butler County, Ohio, October 14, 1805, and w.asa son of Benjamin Stites. His grandfatlier was aIMajor in the German Army, and emigrated to theUnited States prior to the Revolutionary War. Hetook part in the struggle for independence, andheld the rank of Captain. He and one JudgeSyinmes had a grant of three million acres of land,which they located on the north side of the OhioRiver. Mr. Stites located the town of Columbia,Ohio, and made that place his home. Of the tractso located, a considerable portion is still in possessionof the descendants of the original proprietors.In an early day, the subject of this sketch removedto Cincinnati, where he owned and operatedan extensive stone-quarry, which was locatedat what is now the head of North Sycamore Streetof that city. He was twice married. His Qrst wifedied in 1828, leaving two children, both now deceased.In his native State he afterward marriedMiss Susan E. Stewart, a native of Hamilton, ButlerCounty, Ohio, and a daughter of Charles andSusan Stewart. Eight children were born of theirunion: Benjamin F. wedded Miss Martha A. Dunn,and died in the fall c>f 1889; Sarah A. was the wifeof Henry A. Dewey, and died in 1861; Hannah S.

220 PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.is tlie wife of Eliliu Swisher, of Paxton; Plirebe A.is the wife of John White, of Paxton; MargaretE. married Jonathan Covalt, and is now a widow,residing m Oswego, Kan.; William H. marriedClara A. MoKee. and resides in Paxton; Samuel S.is a resident of Elwood, Ind.; and Susan M. is thewife of Samuel Hill, whose home is in Cincinnati,Ohio.Pluebe A. and those 30unger were born inIllinois, while the elder members of the familywei'e born in Ohio.Mr. Stites continued to reside in Cincinnati until1837, when, with his family, he emigrated Westwardand settled near Dan ville, Vermilion County,111., where he was engaged in farming until March.ISofi, when he removed to what is now FordCounty. In 1854, he came to this county andopened a farm on section 17, town of Patton, andon the site of the village of Prairie Cit^- (nowPaxton), which he platted, and of which he mayproperly be called the founder, where he made hishome until his death, wliich occurred December fi,1860. Ilis good wife survived him until IMay 13,1887, when she too passed away. Mr. Stites took anactive interest in getting the territory, of whichFord County is composed, set off from certaincounties. The county was very new and sparselysettled at the time, and he suffered from exposurein traveling to secure signatures to a petition tothe Legislature of 18r)9 to have Ford Count\^created. His death is said to have resulted fromdisease contracted while emplo^'cd in that duty. Hewas an earnest member of the Methodist Church,and sometimes served as local preacher while residingin Illinois. His family were members of thesame denomination. AVliile in Ohio, they belongedto the Baptist Church, but on coming tothis State, had found no organized society of thatchurch, and attached themselves to the MethodistChinch.For some years prior to the building of tiiehouse of worship in Paxton, religious meetings wereheld at the home of Mr. Stites, and he and his wifewere ctmsistent members of the Paxton Church.In politics, f)ur subject was an original Abolitionist,and joined the Republican party in Illinoisat its organization. He voted for Fremont andDayton in 18.')(), and for Lincoln and Hamilton in1860, which was his last vote, as his death occurredthe following December.In manner, he was plainand unpretending, and in every act of life earnestand sincere. Integrity and rectitude characterizedhis intercourse with his fellow-men, and none knewhim but to esteem and respect lum.','D'.'."IjSamuel Stites, the j'oungestson, was born in A'ermilionCounty, 111., September 20, 1849, received acommon-school education, and was rearedto agriculturalpursuits. Until 1883. he was engaged infarming, and then embarked in the real-estate businessin Kansas, subsequently extending his operationsinto Colorado, Texas, Missouri, New Mexico,and the Indian Territory.In December, 1890, liebecame interested in the real-estate business in theyoung and booming town of F]hvood, Ind.. a placethat has sjjrung from a small village to a city offive thousand people in a short time, through itswonderful supjjly of natural gas, which furnishesheat, light and power for mechanical purposes, andwhich is rapidly developing into an importantmanufacturing center.N 4^S«^ yi^^ AMITEL EMMONS, one of the pioneer set-^^^ tiers of F\)rd County, was born in Maniill^l/j|ton County, Ohio, September 13, 1836, andis a son of William and Rebecca (Pearson)F^mmons. The father was born in New Jersey,and when young removed to Ohio with his parents,who were among the early settlers of thatState.In Hamilton County, he married Miss Pearson,a native of that county. About 1838, thej'removed to Mercer County, Ohio, which was thena wilderness, their nearest neighbor being fivemiles distant. Having built a log house and clearedsome ten acres of land, Mr. Emmons took sick anddied, in 1840, when in the prime of life, being onlythirty-six years of age. He left three cliildren, theeldest of whom was burned to death in childhood.Samuel was the next in order of birth, and Almira,the youngest, is now Mrs. Lind, of Cincinnati,Ohio. The mother afterward married again, butp,assed to her final reward in 1890, being .seventysixyears of age.\

PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAi'lIlCAL RECORD. 223Our subjc't't is the only one of tlie family livingin this county, and, sini'u about the age of nineyears, has made his own wa\' in the world. Havingworlced for wages for several years, he beganfarming for iiimself. Mr. Emmons wedded MaryU. George, on the SUlh of October, IbfJO. She wasa native of Darke County, Oliio, and a hidy ofFrench descent. Soon after tlieir marriage, tiieyremoved to Le Ro_v, .AIcLean County, ill., wherehe carried on a farm until August 8. 1862.On tiiat date, Mr. Emmons enlisted in Compan}'(i, Ninety-fourtli Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Theregiment was sent to Southern Missouri and NorthernArkans.as. and the fust battle in whieli oursuliject engaged was Prairie (irove, Ark., whichwas followed by the siege of Vicksburg, the caplureof Yazoo City and Morganza. In 186:5, thecommand crossed the Gulf and captured Brownsville,after which it returned and captured Ft.Morgan, was engaged in the battles of Fish River,Pasca Gula, and Spanish Fort, which was the lastengagement in which our subject participated. Hewas never wounded or taken prisoner, but soonafter the battle of Vicksbuig, while on a march betweenYazoo City and Jackson, he received a sunstrokefrom which lie has never recovered. Hewas a biave soldier, and was discharged at Springfield,111., in August, 1865, after the close of thewar.Returning to McLean County, Mr. Emmonsturned his attention to farming, and in 1867 removedto Ford County, but soon after went againto McLean County, where he spent a year and thenreturned to this county. Having farmed until1872, he came to Gibson Cit_y, and has since madethis place his home.In 1880, Mrs. Emmons was called to her finalrest, leaving six children, of whorn Ave are stillliving: Addie, wife of J. S. Jloore, of Gibson City;William M., an expressman of Gibson; Amy, Minnie,and Gertrude, now the wife of P. Ryan, ofGibson Cit}-. The mother was a member of theUnited Brethren Church, and a true Chiistian lady.On the 5tli of Maj', 1881, Mr.Emmons was .againunited in marriage, this time to Mrs. Laura L.Moore, adaughterof A. N. and Delilah (Hamilton)Nevin, who emigrated from Brown County, Ohio,to McLean County, 111., aI)out 18.5.5, and in thatcounty Mrs. Emmons married James Moore, bywhom she had four children, two of whom arc stillliving, Blanche and Bertha. Mr. Moore died in1874, and, in 1881, his widow married oursuliject,as is given above. Of this union two children wereborn, Mamie and Lucilc.Mrs. Emmons is a Methodistin religious belief, and in the church of thatdenomination is an earnest worker.Since coming to Gibson City, Mr. Emmons liasengaged in a variety of occupations, carrying on ameat market, a restaurant, and a draying and icebusiness. In political sentiment, he is a Republican,and takes an active interest in the success ofthat party. Socially, he is member of Lott PostNo. 7(), G. A. R., of which he is a charter meinlier,and has held all the ollices. In the war, he was abiave iind valiant soldier, and in peace is a trueand worthy citizen.*»'OHN H.MOFFETT, Mayor of Paxton andthe senior member of the law firm ofMoffett ifc Day, is well known as one of theI prominent and highly-respected citizens ofFord Count3'. He was born in Cl.ayton, AdamsCounty, 111., on the 2.5tli of I'el^ruary, 18.56, andisthe son of Samuel R. and Mary (Strong) Moffctt,both of whom were natives of South Carolina.In 1834, the father left his native State, emigratingto Monroe County, Inc)., where he made his homeuntil 1855, wliich year witnessed his arrival inIllinois. He located in Adams County, but afterremaining there for a period of two 3-ears, thefamily returned to Indiana. It was in April,1865, that they again came to Illinois and settledin Paxton, where the father died in 1879. Themother yet survives him and is still a resident ofPaxton.The subject of this sketch went to MonroeCounty, Ind., with his parents in infancy andbegan his school life in that county. In 1865, hecame with the family to Paxton and attended thepublic school of that city, where he iirepared himselffor college, after which he attended Mou-

224 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.mouth College, of Moiimoutli, 111., for two years.He entered upon the study of law, under the prece[)torshipof .Tohn R. Kinnear, of Paxton, andwas admitted to the IJar in Springfield, in January,1880, after which lie embarked in the prosecutionof tlie legal profession in Rixton, in comijanywith his former preceptor. That connection wascontinued until I\Ir. Kinnear removed to Seattle,Wash., in May, 1883. In tlie following Septemlier,'Sh: IMoffett liecame associated in practice with.ludge Tipton, of IMoomington, 111., he being theresident partner of the firm in Paxton. In .Tune,1890, C. L. Day was admitted to i)artnersiiip, thefirm becoming Tii)ton, Moffett & Day, which connectionwas continued until .Tune, 18'J1, when.Judge Tipton withdrew, and since that time thelirm has existed as at present, doing business underthe firm title of .Aloffett & Day.On May 16, 1878, Mr. IMoffett was marriedin Loda, the lady of his choice being Miss MarthaS.Gray, a native of Crawford County, Ohio, anda daughter of Samuel and Mary .T. Gray. Fourchildren have been born of their union; two diedin childhood and two survive: Samuel Claudeand .lolin Carl. The parents arc both members ofthe United Presbyterian Church.In his political views, Mr. Moffett is a Republican,and in 1888 served as Cit}' Alderman of Paxton;while in the spring of 18'J1 he was electedMayoi', and is now filling that otiice with credit tohimself and to the satisfaction of his constituents.lie has been an industrious student and is wellgrounded in the theory and practice of his profession.He possesses superior natural aljility, untiringenergy and strict integrity, and while com-|)arativoly a young man, he has won an envhablereputation as a lawyer.«#-'*^-* ••• r^ '^>^ AMES L. SAXTON, a leading merchant ofGibson City, a dealer in dry-goods, carjiets,boots and shoes, estalilished business in that^_^ town on the 10th of April, 187;"). He wasborn in the town of German, Chenango County,N. Y., August 13, 1847, and is a son of Henry andSerenia (Brown) Saxton, both natives of ISIassachusetts.His father was born TNlarch 12, lM14,andhis mother's birth occurred December 24, 1816.Both are still living and make their home in Cincinuatus,Cortland County, N. Y.When James L. was six years of age, he removedwith his parents to Cincinnatus, where he receivedan academic education, after which he was engagedin teaching school until August, 1866, when hecame to Illinois, and was employed .as a merchant'sclerk in Henry, Marshall County, for three years.He was next engaged in the same capacity inMackinaw, Tazewell County, for a year and a half,after which he became an equal partner of hisbrother William, of that place, and there continuedmerchandising until March, 187.^, when he came toGibson Cit}', starting his present business. He wasquite successful, and has now an annual tradeamounting to 840,000 and upwards. lie is theoldest dry-goods merchant in the city in continuousj'ears of business, and, since the beginning, histrade has rapidly increased.On the 20th of June, 1871, Mr. Saxton married,in Henry, Marsh.all County, III, Miss Mary E.AVhitney. The lady is a native of Fulton County,111., and is a daughter of John and Jane Whitney;the former, a native of Massachusetts, is now deceased.Her mother, who is still living, was bornin Indiana, and is a resident of (Tibson Cit^'.In politics, Mr. Saxton affiliates with the Republicanparty, and lie and his wife ai'e consistentmembers of the First Presbyterian Church of (Tibson,in which he holds the oHice of clerk. InSunday-school wiork, Mr. Saxton takes an activeinterest and part, having been Superintendenteight j'ears; President of the Ford County SundayschoolAssociation one term; Treasurer of the samethree j'cars; President of the Sixth District SundayschoolAssociation two terms.In 1886, he removed to Owatonna, Minn., wherefor two years he carried on merchandising, andthen returned toGilisoii City and resumed tnisinessthere. With the excei)tii)n of the two years spentin Owatonna, he has been engaged in business inGibson City continuously since 187.1.Mr. Saxtoncarries a full and complete stock of goods in hisline, is alwajs up with the times in styles, and is

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 225one of the most poiiular and successfulmei-chantsiu Ford County, where he is widely and favorablyknown. As a business man and citizen he standsdeservedly high, and during his many years ofbusiness in Gibson lias won the good opinion ofthe best people in the city and adjacent country,will) whom ho has liad business or social vel.ations.RED W. BEARDSLEY, Secretary of iheGibson Canning Company, was the leading))spirit in founding that institution and hasbeen actively identifled with its successful managementever since. He is a native of Ohio, bornin Cantield, Mahoning County, on the WesternReserve, on the 27tli of November, 1831. Hisparents were Philo and Lois Smith (Gun) Beardsley,botii members of old N(;w England families.The father was born in Warren, Litchfield County,Conn., August 14, 1794, and was of English descent.Tiie Beardsley family, of which our subjectis a member, was founded in America by WilliamBeardsley, an English emigrant, who first settledin what is now Stratford, Conn., in 1635. Themother of Fred W. w.as born December 24, 1797,in New Preston, Litchfield County, Conn., andwas descended from Scotch ancestry, her familydating its settlement in the New World prior tothe Revolutionary War. The parents of our subjectwere married at New Preston, Conn., March3, 1810, and the same year moved by ox-team toOliio, settling on the Western Reserve, which, atthat time, was a wild and almost uninhabitedregion. Philo Beardsley was a man of excellentbusiness ability, and, in course of time, became awell-to-do farmer. In politics, he w.as a Whiguntil the agitation of the slavery question, whenhe became a strong Abolitionist. On the rise ofthe Republican part}', he espoused its pi inciplesand ever remained true to them. Botli he andwife were active workers in the CongregationalCiiurch.In the days when each State required itscitizens to spend some time each year in militarydrill, Mr. Beardsley held the office of Captain, andwas ever afterward known as CM|)t. Beardsley.On the 27tli of August, 1818, his wife p.-issedfrom among the living. She wiis the mother oftwelve children, six sons and six daugliters, ofwhom eight are still living. Mr. Beardsley diedFebruary 21, 1870.F'red W. Beardsley is tlie eighth of the abovenamedfamil}-. After a preparatory course in thepublic scliools, he entered Mt. Union College, takinga scientific course, but left during the senioryear. F'or some six winters he engaged successfullyin teaching school, and at the same timeconducted writing-schools.It is doubtful whetlierthere is a finer penman in tlie county than Mr.Beardsley. In 1860, he was elected Clerk ofthe Court of Common Pleas and ex-()tficio Clerkof the District Court for Mahoning County, and wasre-elected b}- acclamation, serving in all six years.Wliile tlius engaged, he spent his leisure hours inreading law, and in 1866 was admitted to the Bar,in Cantteld, Ohio, where he practiced his professionuntil his removal to the West.In October, 1860, our subject was married, inhis native county, to Miss Jaqueline Gee, a daughterof Peter and Almira Gee.Mrs. Beardsley wasborn iu Berlin Centre, Mahoning Count}', Ohio.Her father was a native of Ellsworth, MahoningCount}', and the mother of Deerfield, PortageCounty, of the same State. Three children havebeen born to Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley, of whom twoare living: Almira Day, the eldest, is now the wifeof Thomas Finnegan, of Kankakee, 111.; Lois G.died at the age of twenty-two years; and Bertha E.resides with her father.In 1872, Mr. Beardsley came to Illinois as businessmanager for an Ohio capitalist, who had largesums of money loaned and invested in this State,and in 1876 moved his family to ChampaignCounty, where he resided three years, and in 1879removed to Gibson City, where he still makes hishome. He was in charge of the same business from1872 until 1888, collecting and re-loaning, untilthe capital was withdrawn from the State. Muchof that business covered investments in farmino'lands, which w.as conducted with ability and fidelityand to the satisfaction of the proprietor. Besidesthis, he was extensively interested in raisino-

226 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.live stock. In 1885, Mr. Beardsley interestedhimself in the organization of the Gibson CanningFactory. He was cliosen secretary, which positionhe has since filled. These works are tiie secondlargest in capacity in the United States, and inround numbers pack annually two million cans ofcorn, and in the summer of 18!)2 they expect toexceed that amount. In addition to his interestin the canning business, Mr. Beardsley is the ownerof four farms, lying in Ford County, aggregatingsix hundred and seven acres. One of them, a farmof two hundred and forty acres, is situated atwhat is known as Switch 1), on the Lake Erie &Western Railroad; another, of one hundred andsixty acres, is a mile west of Gibson City; another,of fifty-two acres, joins the city on the soutli; andthe last, of one hundred and fifty-five acres, joinsGibson City on the west. He keeps a herd of onehundred and fifty Sliort-horn and high-grade cattle,a flock of Oxford Downs sheep, besides Berkshireand Poland-China hogs and Morgan horses.On the 21st of December, 1891, Mr. Beardsleywas called upon to mourn the death of his wife,who had been his faithful and devoted com|)anionthrough the joys and sorrows, the hopes and fears,the trials and successes of his life for thirty-oneyears. She was an earnest Christian woman andfor many years was a consistent member of theJlethodist Episcopal Church. During all theseyears, she was faithful to every duty, devoted toher husband and children and always made her influencefor good felt, not only within the limits ofher liome, but in the social circles and the communitywhere she dwelt..lust a few weeks prior to her death, Mr. andMrs. Beardsley had moved into their new home,which is one of the finest in Gibson City, and amodel of convenience. Every department of thehouse is furnished with both hot and cold w-ater,supplied from a reservoir above which is filled bya hot-air pump; private gas apparatus lights thehouse, and the latest improved hot-water systemfurnishes it with heat. In short, it would be difficultto conceive of a home more complete in itsappointments. How different this edifice is fromthe pioneer cabin of twenty years ago!Mr. Beardsley and his daughter are members ofthe same church to which tlic wife and mother belonged.In politics, he is a Republican and hasalways taken an active interest in the success ofhis party. In the days of slavery agitation, Mr.Beardslej', true to the traditions of the "Old WesternReserve," was an original Abolitionist, andduring the war that grew out of the slaverytroubles, he gave the Government a hearty andpatriotic support, contributing more money to thecause than any other itjan in his native township.During his residence in ISIahoning County, Ohio,he was chosen and served as Secretary and Treasurerof the County Fair Association, was Secretaryof his local School Board, and was otherwiseprominently connected with public affairs. Sincehis residence in Ford County, 111., he has alwaysshown a laudable interest in local matters and hasever been found public-spirited. A thoroughly'practical business man, he enjoys in a markeddegree the confidence and esteem of his fellowcitizens.^'^"T^c,,.,, MMON COOMES. Among the entcrprisingand successful business men of Paxtou(.QSjOlit should be numbered the popular druggistwhose name heads this sketch. Mr. Coomesestablished business in this cit3' in May, 1882, witha full line of drugs, medicines, paints, oil, wallpaper and toilet articles, and has continued thebusiness with marked success to the present time,covering a period of ten years.Our subject was born in Licking County, Ohio,September 15, 1849, and is a son of Upton andMary J. (Gregg) Coomes. The father was bornon the 28th of July, 1828, in the same county asthe son, and the mother on the 4th of June of thesame year, in Virginia.The}' emigrated to Illinoisin 1855, and settled in McLean County, near Gridley,and, in 1875, removed to Streator, where theynow reside. For a number of years Mr. Coomeswas a minister in the Christian Church.Amnion Coomes came to Illinois with his parentswhen a lad of six summers, and attended school atGridley, preparing himself for college, after which

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 22!^he entei-ed Eureka College, and was graduatedfrom that institution in the Class of '73. He followedteaching school for several years as a vocation,serving as |)rlncii)al of village schools, but,not content to make this his life work, in JMay,1882, he formed a i)artnershi|) with William Me-Taggart, under the firm name of McTaggart &Coonies, druggists at Paxton. Mr. Coonies madea study of the business in a practical way, and,after passing a very llatteriug examination beforethe Illinois State Board of Pharmacy, was awardeda diploma. In 1884, he purchased his partner'sinterest and has since conducted the business alonewith marked success, having an excellent tradeand the liberal patronage is certainly well deserved.In I'iper City, Ford County, on the 2.5th of November,1883, Mr. Coonies wedded Miss MargaretClark, a daughter of Alexander and Eliza Clark,and a native of Paterson, N. ,1. With her parentsshe came to Illinois in 18(i4. Mr. and Mrs. Coomeshold membership with the Congregational Churchof Paxton. They are well known throughout thiscommunity and rank high in social circles. Mr.Coomes exercises his right of franchise in supportof the Republican part}-, and keeps himself wellinformed on the issues of the day, but has neversought or desired public otiiee.A!n^i - 1 1 > I >]^i VAN MATTINSON, cashier and member ofthe banking firm of Mattinson, Wilson ACo., was born in Clarke Count}', Ohio, September30, 18.')7, and is a son of Matthew and Margaret(Evans) Mattinson. His father was iiorn inWestmoreland County, England, October 15, 1810,and came to America when about twenty-fouryears of age. He made his home in Clarke County,Ohio, where he was married, Decemlier 20, 1841,to Miss Margaret Evans, a daughter of EdwardEvans. Mrs. Mattinson was born in North Walesin 1820, and came to the Fnited States in 1837.Both yet reside in Clarke County, Ohio.Evan Mattinson was reared on a farm and reoeivcdhis education in the schools of South Charles-10ton, Clarke County, Ohio, closing in the HighSchools of that city. He was engaged in farmingin his native State until 1880, when he came toIllinois and located in Gil)son City. He then engagedas clerk in the banking house of Burwell,Leffel & Co., of wliicli the present bank is an outgrowth.When the existing firm was formed, hewas made casliicr and has continued to serve inthat capacity until the present time.On the 5th of JIarch, 1885, Mr. ^Mattinson wasunited in marriage, at Gibson City, to Miss MinnieBelle Wilson, a daughter of AVilliam .1. and Lydia(Goodfellow) Wilson. She was born in ClarkeCounty, Ohio, and came to Gibson City with herparents in 187G. One child, M. Clarence, has beenborn to them.In politics, Mr. Mattinson is a Republican, whilehe and his wife are meiiil)ers of the PresbyterianChurch. He is a Knight Templar Jl.ason, a memberof all the Masonic bodies of Gibson City, and ofMt. Olivet Commanderv No. 38, Knights Templarof Paxton. He is also a member of Gibson Camp,Modern Woodmen of America. He has been CityTreasurer of Gibson City several times, also Treasurerof the Gibson Building and Loan Association,and of the Gibson Canning Comijany.As a financier and business man, Mr. Mattinsonstands deservedly high. His management of theaffairs of the bank has been such as to insure publicconfidence and make friends of its patrons. Heis enterprising, yet conservative, and his integrityis beyond question. The successful career of thebank since his connection with it bears no uncertaintestimony as to his right to a fair share of thecredit, without detracting at all from the healthfulinfluence of his worthy associates.R. DEKALB DENMAN is one of the wellknowncontractors and builders of Paxton,and his handiwork may be seen in many ofthe principal buildings of this city. The liferecord of this gentleman is as follows: He wasborn in Jlontgomery County, Ind., February 4,1842, and was one of a family of six sons and four

230 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD.daughters who grew to mature j'ears, but one sonand two daughters are now deceased. The father,A. J. Denman, was born iu Ohio, April 20, 1811,and in 1829 accompanied his father, William Denman,to La Fayette, Ind., where the grandfathersettled with his family. About three years later,he removed to Montgomery County, becomingone of its pioneer settlers, and iu its developmentaided largely. He had served his country in theWar of 1812.A. J. Denman acquired a good education and iuhis younger life suceessf ull}' engaged in teachingschool for a time.In Montgomery County, Ind.,he married Nancy Smith, who was a native ofOhio, but spent the daj's of lier maidenhood inIndiana, whither she came witli her lather, SamuelSmith, who was born iu Virginia. They begantheir domestic life upon a farm in MontgomeryCounty, where they resided until 1852, .when theyremoved to Fountain County, where Mr. Denmanis still living, a hale and hearty old gentlemanof eighty-one years. His eldest son carrieson the farm. The death of his wife occurred December31, 1888.The educational privileges which our subject receivedwere only those afforded by the commonschools. The days of his boyhood and youth werepassed upon his father's farm,but, wishing to followsome other pursuit beside that of agriculture,he served a four-3ears' apprenticeship to the carpenter'strade iij Montgomery County. He wasunited in marriage in this county on tlie lltli ofFebruary, 1869, to Elvira Lytic, a native of MontgomeryCounty, Ind., and a daughter of SetliLytic, who was born iu Ohio, hut when a youngman went to the Hoosier State. He was theremarried and for some time resided in MontgomeryCount}', but afterward became one of the honoredpioneers of Ford County of 1859. He located ona farm near the city but is now residing iu Paxton.After his marriage, Mr. Denman returned toIndiana, where he worked at his trade for twoyears and then became a resident of Paxton.Since 187G, he lias engaged in contracting andbuilding, and has done an excellent business whichis constantl}' increasing. He has liuilt a largenumber of the residences and business houses ofthe city and also has been employed largelythroughout the surrounding country. He eu!plo3'son an average about eight hands. As he alwaysdoes his work in a satisfactory manner and isknown to be a straightforward, honorable businessman, he receives the liberal patronage ofwhich he is so deserving.Mr. and Mrs. Denman have four children: Aimer,who graduated from the Paxton CollegiateInstitute, is now station-agent on the WisconsinCentral Railroad at Franklin Park, a suburb ofChicago; Eva, Clarence and Amy. They also lostthree children: Ernest, who died at the age of feight years; Delbert, who died at the age of sixteenmonths; and Gussie, who died at the age oftwo years.Mr. and Mis Denman hold membership witli theFirst Congregational Church of Paxton. Heformerly exercised his right of franchise in supportof the Democratic party, and, on account of hisviews concerning the temperance question, is nowa Prohibitionist. He has never been an officeseeker,.but has served as Alderman of the cityin an efficient manner. Mr. Denman commencedlife a poor man, with his own way to make in theworld. There were many hardships in his pathand many difficulties to overcome, but by perseveranceand determination he has worked his wayupward to success and is now in comfortable circumstances.He has the best interests of the cityat heart and is held in high regard by tiiose withwliom he has been l)rouglit in contact. M^[AMES R. PHILLIPS, an enterprising andsuccessful farmer, residinsi; on section 28Button Township, claims Ohio as the Stateof his nativity. He was born in MahoningCount}-, May 16, 1831, and is a son of John Phillips,a native of Scotland, who emigrated to theNew World when a child of three summers withhis father, .James Phillips, the family settling inOhio, among the pioneers of Mahoning County.The fatlier of our subject was there reared, and

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 231married Miss Elizabetli White, who was born inPennsylvania. With his wife, he afterward removedto Cuyalioga County, which was then analmost inibrolven wilderness and, in the midst ofthe forest, he cleared and dovelo|)ed a farm, uponwhich he reared his family and spent the I'cmainderof his life, lie i)assed away on tiie 1 Itii of.July, 1840, and was laid to rest in the old familycemetery, llo left a widow and four small children.Mrs. Phillips long survived her husband,her death occurring in Feliruary, 1881, when shewas laid l)y his side. A beautiful monument nowmarks their resting place. Our subject is the eldestof their four sons; Nathaniel White, the second,resides with his family in Cleveland, Ohio; DavidLittle operates the old homesteadfarm; and NicholasAllen is married and also resides on the oldhomestead.Our subject remained with his mother until afterhe had attained to man's estate, and in his youthacquired a good English education. On the ytliof December, 185G, ni Mahoning County, he wasunited in marriage with Denisa Henderson, a nativeof Portage County, Ohit), and a sister of .JohnHenderson, whose sketch appears elsewhere in thisW(.)rk. In the spring of 185U, they came to Illinois,locating first in Putnam County, where Mr.Phillips worked with his father-in-law for one3'car.In 1860, they removed to Kansas, settling nearLawrence, but, after one summer spent in thatState, returned to Illinois, and again located inPutnam County, where Mr. Phillips purcliased asawmill and engaged in the manufacture of lumber.After six years he sold out, and, in Ihe fall of 1«()7,came to lord County.In the meantime, on the 11th of May, 1861, hejoined Comi)any 15, of the One Hundred and Tliirty-ninlhIllinois Infantry, and served until thefollowing October. On his arrival in this county,he purch.ased a tract of wild laud of eighty .acres,and began its development, building fences, plowingand cultivating his land and making a goodhome. Ills farm is now one of the desirable placesin this locality, and he is recognized as one of thethrifty and enterprising agriculturists of IJutttmTownshi|>.In 1882, Mr. Phillips w.as called uiion to unburnthe loss of his wife, who died on the 13th of October,leaving four children: William Henderson, whois married, and follows the printing business inGrand Crossing, 111.; Albert II., who operates thehome falm; Elizabeth, wife of Henry France, ofSawyer, Kan.; and Ella Fiances, who is attendingthe home school. Mr. Phillips was again married,November 24, 1886, his second union being withMartha A. Ivoss, a native of Pennsylvania, and adaughter of Samuel II. Ross. They are both membersof the United Presb3'terian Church of Rankin.In politics, Mr. Phillips is a stalwart Republican,having supported eveiy Presidential nominee ofthat party since he cast his first vote for Hon. .JohnC. Fremont. He has held the ottice of Commissionerof Highways for several years, and has beena member of the School Ikiard. His i)ublic dutieshave ever been faithfully discharged, and he isalike true to every private trust.=^^>^^

232 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAI HICAL RECORD.learned telegraphy, at which he worked until hecaiue to Sibley, in 1885. For some time after locatinghere, he was emi)lo3ed in the Sibley estateoflice under Mr. Bicket as assistant book-keeper,and after three years took the contract of puttingin all tiie tiling on the Sibley estate, and still ismanager of that branch of the business connectedwith that vast property.In the year 1888, he hadlaid one hundred and flfty-flve miles of tiling.On the 8th of June, 1888, Mr. Diers marriedMiss Susan Robbins, daughter of James and Jane(Scott) Robbins. Unto them have been born threechildren: Frederick, born in 188i»; Raymond, whowas liorn in 1890 and died on the 8th of May,1891, and Cecil, born March 3, 1892.In connection with his other business industries,Mr. Diers established a nursery at Sibley in 1890,and the following >'ear added to this a greenhouse.He is also editor of the Sibley Gazette, which wasestablislied in 1892 and has a circulation of liireehundred. In politics, he is a supporter of Republicanprinciiiles and was elected Township Clerk in1891. lie is a member of tlie Masonic order and acharter member of the Modern Woodmen. Ho belongsto the German Lutheran Church, and is apublic-spirited citizen and one favorably knownthroughout this community.^flAMES E. CRAMMOND, tlie oldest grocerin Gibson City in years of business at thatplace, as well as one of its most enterprisingand (prosperous citizens, establislied tradethere in July, 1873. In the fall of that year, hebuilt the first bric]< building in the cit}', and tliefollowing year occupied it, carrying on businessthere for nearly ten years, or until it was destroyedby Are on the night of January 30, 1883. It was23x64 feet, two stories in height, with a basement,and, in its day, was one of the best business blocksin the city. He rebuilt tlie following summer, butthe second building is one stor}' in heiglit, with abasement, and is 25x100 feet. The store-room issixteen feet high.Mr. Crammond does an annualbusiness of from $8,000 to 810,000, and carries afull and complete line of staple and fancy groceries,queensware, wooden-ware and provisions.The subject of this sketch was born in Hawesville,Hancock County, Ky., August 22, 1852, andis a son of John and Eliza (Augustus) Crammond.His father was born in Scotland, and came toAmerica when a lad of fourteen summers, and settledin Kentucky', wliere he was afterward married.He was a steamboat owner, his boats plying on theOhio River. His death occurred in March, 1867.Tlie mother was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1824,and died in August, 1878.James E. was educated in tlie i)rivate schools ofhis native State, and from an early age was employedon his father's steamboats as a pilot on theOhio, until the spring of 1873. On the 28th ofMay, of that year, he was married, in his nativecounty, to Mary H. Davidson. Mrs. Crammondwas born in Hawesville, Hancock County, Ky.,andwas a daughter of N. C. Davidson, formerly ofKentucky, but now of Farmer City, 111.Imraediatel\' after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs.Crammond settled in Gibson City, Ford County,111. In July, 1873, he began business as a grocerin Gibson, as previously stated. He has now beenin business in that city for nearly twent3- years,having one of the best stores in his line.On the 3d of December, 1889, Mrs. Crammondpassed away, leaving six children, three sons andthree daughters: Daisy E., Maggie H., John D.,.James E., AVilliam C, and Lucile M., all of whomwere born in Gibson City.Mrs. Crammond was aconsistent member of the Presbyterian Church, akind and affectionate wife and mother, and herloss was a sad lilow to her husband and children.She left many friends in this community, whereshe was beloved by all who knew her. She was alineal descendant of the Hardin family, one of themost distinguished families of Kentucky. Mr.Crammond is an active inemlier of tlie same churchto which his wife belonged, and has been a memberof its Board of Trustees for six years, andPresident of the same for four years. The olderchildren also hold membership with the PresbyterianChurch.In politics, Mr. Crammond is a Democrat and anearnest supporter of the principles of that party.

'(MmaL-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 235Although living in n Repuliliean town, he hasthrough personal popularity- been chosen to fillvarious local otfices. He has been Village Trusteefive years, and President of the Board for twoyears. He has served three years as Director ofthe Gibson School Board, and has recentlj' beenre-elected for another term of the same number ofyears, and has also held the office of Clerk of theBoard of Education. For three years he has beenChairman of the Ford County Democratic Committee,being an active and influential man in thelocal councils of his party. He is a member ofGibson Lodge No. 542, 1. O. O. F.,and of Brothers'Encampment No. 158, of the same order. He hasfilled the official chairs of tlie subordinate lodgeand encampment, has been representative to theGrand Bodies of the State, and is tlie present DistrictDeputy-. He holds membership with CantonFord Patri.-irch Militant No. 55, and of DrummerLodge No. l,Gll,Iv. of H., being presiding officerof the last-named body at one time, and is thepresent F'inancial and Corresponding Reporter orSecretarj'. He belongs to the Board of Directorsof the Building and Loan Association of GibsonCit}'.Enterprise, public spirit and integrity havecharacterized Mr. Crammond's course inlife, whilehis intercourse with both acquaintance and strangeris always marked b\- courtesy and kindness.•5'^E«=_VfflOMAS R. WT LEY, M. D., B. S., the pioneerphysician and surgeon of Gibson City, orthe oldest in years of practice now residingthere, was born near Colfax, McLean County, 111.,.June 19, 1844. His parents were Lyttle R. andSarah R. Wiley. The father was a native of Kentucky,born near Lexington, on the 16th ofNovember, 181K, and came to Illinois in 1840, engagingin farming in McLean County. His marriagewas celebrated in Indiana, his wile being anative of that Slate, born in Switzerland County.He died in November, 1889, but her death occurredat her home in McLean County, this State, in September,1885.Thom.as R. was reared on a farm until twentyyears of age and after attending the preparatoryschools, took a full collegiate course at the IllinoisWesleyan University, being graduated with thedegree of B. S. in tiie class of 1871. He then beganthe study of medicine with Dr. Hill, of Blooniingtoii,and later took a course of lectures at theMichigan State University at Ann Arbor. Later heattended Rush Medical College of Chicago, wherehe further fitted himself for the practice of hisprofession, and was graduated in the class of February,1874. The following March he establishedpractice in Gibson City, which he has continuedwith marked success to the present time. He is amember of the Illinois Central Medical Associationand of the National Railway Surgeons' Association.He has been the local surgeon of the Illinois CentralRailroad for four years and is examining physicianand surgeon for the following named insurancecompanies and societies: New York Life, NewYork Mutual, the Equitable of New York, NewYork Home; Aetna, of Hartford; NortliwesternMutual, of Milwaukee, Wis.; Franklin, of Hartford,Conn.; the INIutual, of Hartford, Travelers', andothers.On the 17th of June, 1874, Dr. Wiley was marriedin Bloomington, 111., to Miss Mattie E. Reeves,a daughter of O. S. Reeves. Mrs. Wiley was bornin McLean County, and was reared in Lero}', 111.She is a devoted member of the Christian Churchand one of its earnest workers. Her father diedwhen she was a child and her mother, who stillsurvives her husband, makes her home in Bloomington.Dr. and Mrs. Wiley have one child, adaughter, Beulali Belle, who was liorn in GibsonCity.The Doctor is a member of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch and, in political sentiment, is independent.He has been chosen by his fellow-citizensto various official positions of honor andtrust. He was the second Piesident, of GibsonVillage Board. For several years he has been amember of tiie Village School Board, for threeyears of that time serving as itsPresident and hasshown much interest in the advancement of education.He was one of the organizers of thePeople's International Investment and Loan Asso-

236 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.ciatiou, of which lie has been its President, and adirector. He is also interested in the land syndicatethat h."i.s invested in tiie city real estate underthe title of the Gibson Land Improvement Company.In addition to valuable city property, Dr.Wiley is the owner of a fine farm of five hundredand thirty acres, situated in tlie town of Brown,Champaign County, which he leases. The Doctoris a physician and surgeon of recognized abilitj',thorough culture and large experience. He hasbeen eminently successful in his practice, accumulatinga valuable property, and has won a foremostplace among the skilled of liis profession in Easternand Cciitial Illinois.WALLACESHUMWAY LAMB, the leadingfui'niture dealer of Gibson City, is numberedamong the energetic young businessmen who are lapidly advancing that town to thefirst place in business importance of any in thecoujit3'. His parents, John and Mary (Shumway)Lamb, were among the early settlers of StephensonCounty, 111., whither the father emigrated in1840, his wife moving there at a later date. Aftertheir marriage, they located on a farm, Mr. Lambbecoming a well-to-do farmer. He was a native ofKentucky and his wife of Ohio, but since comingto Illinois they have made their home in StqjhensonCounty, Mr. Lamb still residing in Yellow Creekat the age of sevent3'-seveu j'ears. His wife, whowas an active member of the Baptist Church, diedin that faith in 1886. Politically, he w.as a Whig,but when the question of al)olishing human slaveryarose, he threw his influence in that direction,making public addresses as well as private arguments.Since the rise of the Republican party, heh.as been a strong advocate of its principles thoughnot an otlice-seeker. The family of Mr. and Mrs.Lamb consisted of seven chddren, five sous andtwo daughters, all of whom are-still living.Our subject, who was born in Freeport, 111., May5, 1862, is the youngest of the family, and untilthe age of sixteen j'ears he spent his time on thefarm and in the district schools. He subsequentlypursued a business course at Dixon, 111., graduateing in 1881, and the following four jears wasbook-keeper for Seelej' it Read, of Freeport. Havingserved three years in the wholesale carpet departmentof Marshall Field & Co., of Chicago, heestablished business on his own account in Wilcox,Neb. In 1888, he came to Gibson City and succeededS. L. Ilarnit & Co. in the furniture business,and the firm title adopted is W. S. Lamb ctCo. They carry the largest stock of furniture inthe county, to which they have added an undertakingbusiness. Their main store, one hundredfeet deep, fronts on Galena Avenue, the principalbusiness street of the town, while a fortj'-foot storeroomfi-onts on the street on the south. Besides,they have a two-story warehouse, and all are filledwith select goods. Mr. Lamb is a genial, wideawakeyoung man, justly deserving the success hehas met in his financial undertakings.Mr. Lamb visited Shawneetown, 111., and wiiilethere was married, on the 10th of March, 1887, toMiss Abbie A. Edwards, a native of that i)laee.By this marri.agc have been born two children:Wilber E. and Wallace S. In religious belief, bothMr. and Mrs. Lamb are members of the PresbyterianChurch, and, in politics, he is a Republican.Socially, he is a member of the Masonic order and'of the Knights of Pythias.AMES^Y/ D. HALL is an honored pioneer ofwhat is now Ford County and resides inPaxton. He came to the county in F^ebruary,1852, and soon after his settlementhere, the Tax Collector called at his house and toldhim that there were then but eighteen settlers'cabins in the region now embraced in Ford Countj',that was set off from Vermilion.Mr. ILall was born in the town of Adelphi, RossCounty, Ohio, April 10, 1821, and is a son ofJames and Hester (Hilleiy) Hall. His parents werefrom Cumberland County, Md.,and settled in Ohioprior to the War of 1812, in which his father anduncles took part. In his j'onth, our subject learnedthe blacksmith's trade and in 1830 worked in

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 237Indiana, locating near Attica, where he engagedin farm work and teaming, receiving for one j'ear'sservices only ¥!100. Two years later, he removedto Warren Connty of the same State, where herented a farm for two years. In the summer of1814, in company with nine others, he enteredeleven hundred acres of Government land on theprairie by pre-emption, and the first _year a part ofthis was broken and planted in crops. The followingyear, Mr. Hall had his share separatedandafterward added to his farm by subsequent purchase.In a small wa}', he began dealing in cattleand continued buying, raising and selling until hedid an extensive business in that line. In 1851,he took a drove of cows through to Northern Wisconsin,selling them in Oshkosh, that State. On hisreturn, he prospected for a location in Illinois, andin February, 1852, settled in what was known asHenderson's Grove, then in Vermilion but now inFord County. There he engaged in farming andstock-raising.Mr. Hall was married in Fountain County, Ind.,in 1811. the lady of his choice being Miss Eliza A.Wisman, a native of Virginia, and a daughter ofJohn Wisman. Five children were liorn of theirunion, but onl}' two are now living. Henry C,the eldest, wedded Miss Mary Pierpont and is engagedin the grain business inPaxton; Hester diedin infancT; William F. was drowned in the MississippiRiver when eighteen years of age; andRebecca, widow of David II. Snyder, resides inPaxton.Mr. Hall made his home in Henderson's Groveuntil the spring of 1851, when he bought a tractof land on section 33, Patton Township. He issaid to have built the fir.st frame house north ofthe Vermilion River, in what is now Ford County.His farm contained two hundred and eighty-sixacres and was one of the best in the county. In1860, he was elected Sheriff of Ford County andserved a term of two 3ears in that office. On hiselection to the position, he removed to Paxton, returningto his farm at the close of his term of serviceand in 1865 again came to Paxton, where, incompany with his son, Henry C, he engaged inthe grain trade. In 1869, we again find him uponthe farm but he also continued business as a graindealer. Since 1885, he has resided in the city. Heexercises his right of franchise in support of theRepublican party, and in his views on the subjectof religion is an avowed atheist. Mr. Hall is oneof the oldest surviving pioneers of Ford Countyand well deserves mention among her early settlers.ICHAEL H. DOLAN is well deserving ofrepresentation in the history of FordCounty, for he is an enterprising citizenof Roberts. He claims New York as theState of his nativity. He was born in Lockport,March 28, 1859, and is the eldest of ten children,six sons and four daughters, born unto John andBelle (Hooks) Dolan. His father, a native of Ireland,was born in Ma}^, 1819, and was reared as astock-raiser. On attaining his majority, he crossedthe briny deep and became a resident of Canada,where he remained for two years, when he w^entto Lockport, N. Y., and was foreman in a stonequarry for some time. He became one of the pioneersof Farmer City, 111., removing thence when itcontained only two stores. He is now one of thethree oldest citizens of that place and himself andwife are classed among its prominent people. Theyare members of the Catholic Church and he hasbeen a supporter of Democratic principles sincecoming to America.The seven children of the Dolan family yet livingare Michael H., of this sketch; James, an employeof the Illinois Central Railroad Company;Edward, who is agent on the Big Four Railroadat Farmer City, 111.; Robert, who is operator atthe same place; Phoebe, who is clerking for BufordBrothers, of Farmer City; Anna, who is oneof the successful teachei's of Ford County, andNellie, who is engaged in dress-making in FarmerCity.Our subject was quite young when he camewith his parents to the West and in Farmer Cityhe acquired his education. He left the parentalroof and began life for himself at the age oftwenty-four years, and since August, 1880, has re-

238 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.sided in Roberts, being employed as a section foremanof the Illinois Central Kailroad. Mis longcontinued service with one company indicates hisfaithful performance of duty and tlie confi'lencereposed in him Itj' his employers.On the 20th of December, 188.3, Mr. Dolan wasunited in marriage with ]\Iiss Sadie Eisaman, whowas l)orn in Woodford Connty, 111., May 12, 1862.They were married in Paxton and their union hasbeen l)lessed with two little daughtei's: Edna Pearl,aged seven, and Ina. The mother is a member ofthe Metiiodist Churcli of Roberts. The Dolanhousehold is the abode of hospitality and its doorsarc ever open for the reception of the many friendsof (nii-suiijrct and wife.Mr. Dolan on questions of national importancevotes with the Democratic party, but at local electionsvotes for the man whom he thinks best qualifiedfor the office, regardless of part\' aftiliations.For two j'ears he has served as one ofthe VillageTrustees of Roberts, and has proved an ellicientoHicer. He is an honored member of LymanLodge No. 293, K. P., of Roljerts, which he joinedon its organization and is n()w serving as Prelate.An open-hearted, generous man, he has given liberallyfor the support of all enterprises calculated toprove of ((ublic benefit, and is a citizen of sterlingworth.^ILLIAM A. HUTCHISON, engineer, ofClarence, Ford County, 111., is a native ofOhio, born in Holmes County, December16,1850. His grandfather. Col. William Hutchison,was a native of Pennsylvania but of Scotchparentage. After attaining his m.ajority, he moved,in about 1800, to Holmes County, Ohio, where hebecame a prominent and influential citizen, beingthe first .Judge of Holmes County, and a C'olonelof the militia. His father, Samuel I. Hutchison,grew to manhood in Holmes Count}- and theremarried Mary Rodgers, a nativeof Wajne County,Ohio, and a daughter of John Rodgers, who wasone of the pioneer settlers of tiiat county.Aftertheir marriage, he was engaged in agricultural pursuitsin his native county for a number of years.He enlisted in the one-hundred-day S(!rvice forthe late war and served during the term of his enlistment.In 1868, he moved to Illinois and settledin Button Township, Ford County, where heopened up a farm on which he resided for a numberof years. He died in Clarence, March 4, 1892.His wife survives him and resides with her son.They had a family of three sons and one daughter,all of wliom are living and are heads of families.William A. is tiie ehlest; John, a farmer in ButtonTownship, is the next in order of birth; Irvin isan engineer residing in Rochester, Ind.; andi;iizaljeth is the wife of R. M. Garsuch, a prosperousfarmer of Button Township.William A. Hutchison came with his parents toFord County when a young man of eighteenj-ears. His youth was spent on a farm and in attendingthe common schools of his native .State.He also attended school a short time after locatingin Illinois. He continued in agricultural pursuitsuntil 1876, when he gave up farming and engasjedin merchandisins' in the villasje of Clarence.He was appointed Postmaster of the place andserved in that cap.acity for twelve years. Whenhe sold out his mercantile business, he engagedin running a stationary engine in Clarence, inwhich business he is_yet engaged. He is the ownerof a good farm adjoining the village and has alsogood residence propertj' both in Clarence andPaxton.Mr. Hutchison was united in marriage, in LoganCounty, Ohio, in November, 1876, to MissMargaret Ghormaley, a native of Ohio. By thismarriage there are four children: Owen, Mary,Elsie and an infant. There are eight years' differencein the ages of the last two children, andboth were born on the same d.ay of the same month,the first, February- 29, 1884, and the latter, February29, 1892.Mv. Hutchison is identified with the Republicanparty, of which he has been an earnest supportersince his majority. He has served in severallocal positions, having been Collector of ButtonTownship, also Clerk and Assessor. He is aman of good business habits and is one of the mostenterprising men of the village, in which he has

^^5.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 241resided for fifteen j-ears. He was tlie first to locateat the place and weiglied the first load ofgrain marketed in the village. He and bis wifeare mcmljers of the Presbyterian Church, and areheld in the highest esteem by all who know them.A most worthy citizen, a good friend and neighbor,he well deserves reiiresentation in this volume.-^i ^-A^P=ANIEL 11. ANDREWS, a f.armcr rehidiugon section 7, Wall Township, is a nativeof Illinois, born in Fulton County, on the2.5th of October, 18,50, and is a son ofIlarman Andrews, who was born in New York, andwas of English descent. When veiy young, hisfather died, and he was compelled to begin life forhimself. He worked for a time as a farm hand, butat the age of fourteen began learning the ship carpenter'strade, at which he was employed untd theage of twenty-two. He followed this occupationchiefly with his brothers, in New Orleans. In 1842,Mr. Andrews came to Illinois, settling in FultonCounty, and began the cultivation of a farm, lieenlisted in this State under Col. E. D. liaker in theMexican War, and was made Cor|)oral, serving oneyear.Harman Andrews was united in marriage in FultonCounty, November 22, 1843, to Eliza Peterson,who was a native of Ohio, but of German descent.They became the parents of eight children,three sons and five daughters: Flora, who diedApril 14, 1870; Benjamin C, a farmer of WallTownship, this county, was born on the 27th ofSeptember, 1846, and his sketch appears on anotherpage of this work; Julia C, born September24, 1848, died in 1878; our subject is the next inorder of birth; .Tosiah S., born November 24, 1852,was called to his final rest October 15, 1854; SarahE., wife of Charles Brandenburg, of Nebraska, wasborn on the 13th of March, 1855: James II., afarmer of Wall Township, was born September 25,1857; and Eliza Jane, born June 13, 1861, was thewife of C. C. Broadus, and is now deceased.The father of this family served for two years'as Captain of Company (i. Forty-seventh IllinoisInfantry, in the late war. Resigning that command.he returned home and raised another company,becoming its Captain. It wa.s mustered into theservice as Company A, of the One Hundred andFifty-first Illinois Infantry. With this companyhe served until the close of the war. He waswounded at the battle of Corinth, a piece of shellshattering his left arm, after which he was takenprisoner, but at the end of sixteen days was parolled.Capt. Andrews participated in several importantengagements, including that at Island No.10, luka. New Madrid and Corinth, and was in theVicksburg campaign until the fall of that city. Hereceived his discharge in January, 1866.From Fulton County, Capt. Andrews removedto IMarshall County, this State, where he laid hisland warrant in 1855, and there engaged in farminguntil his death, which occurred on the 27th ofFebruary, 1875, at the age of fifty-five years, hisbirth being on the 29th of January, 1820. Hiswife followed himto the final home only thirteendays later, and both were buried in MarshallCounty. In religious belief, he was a Methodist,and sociall}' was a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity.He took an active part in political affairs,and was first a Whig, but on the organization ofthe Republican party, became one of its stanch supporters,and was a strong Lincoln man. He servedfor two terms as County Treasurer of MarshallCounty.Daniel H. Andrews was reared to manhood onhis father's farm, where he remained until past theage of twenty-one, receiving his literary educationin the district schools. At the age of thirteen,when his father was fighting for the Union, he assistedhis mother in the management of the homefarm. When he had reached his majority, he beganlife for himself as a farmer in Marshall County,where he remained one year, and then came toFord County, where he has since made his home.He is now the owner of two hiindrtd and seventyacres of arable land, but on coming to this county,he only purchased ninety acres. He is now engagedin general farming and stock-raising, beinga breeder of fast horses, and is one of the enterprisingfarmers of the community.Our sul)ject was married in Marshall County.March 5, 1872, to Miss Minnie Durfey. She is a

242 i'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.native of Oliio, born on the 29th of October,1850, and the fourth in a family of eight childrenborn unto Reuben and I^lmily M. (Vining)Durfey. Her parents were both natives of Ohio.Throughout the greater part of his life, her fatherhas followed the occupation of farming. Attractedby tlic discovery of gold, lie went to California in1850, making his way across the plains. He wasquite successful in his mining operations, and afterabout a year, returned by the Isthmus of Panama.The old money belt whijsh he brought with him isnow in the Durfey home. He is a member of thePresbyterian Cliurch. His wife, who died in 1874,was also a member of the Presbyterian Church. Oftheir family, five are yet living: Elmer, who ismarried and resides with his wife and three childrenupon a farm in Ohio; Sarah, wife of JohnDavis, a resident farmer of Delaware, Ohio; Mrs.Andrews, wife of our subject; Alice, wife of ClarenceManter, of Ohio; Elsie, who is married andresides in Delaware, Ohio; Girard, the eldest ofthe family, was one of the bojs in blue. He enlistedin Company C, Fourth Ohio Infantry, underCapt. Crawford, and his regiment was assigned totlie Army of the Potomac. He was wounded atthe battle of Bull Run, losing all the fingers of hisright hand, after which he never enjoyed a day'shealth. In 1865, he was married, but liis wife diedIn 1876, leaving a son. In October, 1888, deathrelieved him of his sufferings while an inmate ofWashington Hospital, where he had gone fortreatment.Mrs. Andrews spent her ni.iidenhood days underthe parental roof, and, after attending the commonschools, was for two years a student in the selectschool and one and a half years in the female seminaryof Delaware, Ohio, after which she triedteaching in her native county. She is a lady ofculture and refinement, and pre.sides with graceover her hospit.able liome. Unto our subject andhis wife have been born nine children: Frankie,born July 14, 1873, died Januarj' 15, 1876; Fannie,born February 22, 1875; Orville, July 17, 1876;Otis, December 28, 1878; Willie, March 24, 1880;Alice, February 8, 1882; Maggie, February 14,1884; Minnie, M.arch 21, 1889; and Hazel, .lanii-,ar}' 25, 1891; all of whom are with their parents.Mr. Andrews and his wife are consistent membersof the Methodist Episcopal Church at Melvin,and take an active interest in its work. He is astrong Republican in his political sentiment, buth.is never been an olHce-seeker, though he doesmuch for the advancement of the party.Socially,he is a member of the Sons of Veterans, being thepresent Commander of Camp No. 369, of Melvin.He is one f)f the prominent citizens of Wall Township,.and is liheral with his me.ans in the advancementof those enterprises for the benelit of thecommunity.jiA LLIAM E. THOMPSON, who is recognized'X,\/\/// ^^ ^"'^ °^ ^'^^ rising young business men^^U of Melvin, is a memlier of the ThompsonCompany, dealers in farm implements, lumber andpaints. Ijelinont County, Ohio, is the place ofhis nativity, and February 9, 1863, the date of hisbirth. With his parents, John M. and Jane (Day)Thompson, he came to Illinois in 1865, and since1872 he has been a resident of Melvin. Afterleaving the public schools of that jilace, he spenttwo years in the liter.ary department of WesleyanUniversity at Bloomington, 111. Subsequently hepursued a commercial course in the same institution,graduating with the Class of '83. Soonthereafter he entered his father's implement andlumber establishment, continuing until 1886, whenhe and his uncle, W. H. Thompson, became partnersiji the implement and lumber trade, assumingthe firm title of Thompson Company. They havean extensive patronage, which has been won byfair and honorable dealing. It is no ex:iggerationto say that thej', both as individuals and as a businessfirm, have the unallo3'ed confidence of thecommunity.On the 11th of November, 1885, Mr. Thompsonwedded Miss Maggie Stather. The lady is a native of Canada, but in girUiood came with herparents to Ford County, where she has since madeher home.Unto Mr. and INIrs. Thompson were born threechildren, but Elma J. is the onl3' one surviving.

'^AULPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 243two having died in infanoy. Both he and wifeare members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,and, in political principles, he is a stanch Republican,taking an active interest in the success of hispartj-. Socially, Mr. Thompson is a member ofLodge No. 179, K. P., having p.assed throughall the chairs, and of the Odd Fellows' society.No. l.')9. For eiglit years he has served as NotaryPublic. In all the relations of life he h.asshown himself a man. He is a gentleman of superiorability- and accomplishments. During liisschool life, whether in public school or in college,he always stood among tlie best students in hiscl.ass, and in business circles he takes a frontrank.?RANK B. FAGERBURO, proprietor of the^l Bon Ton Boot and Shoe Store, is one ofthe leading young business men of the city,wide-awake and enterprising. He has been eng.agedin his present line for only a few monthsbut has already won a liberal patronage and hisstore is rapidly gaining favor with the public. Mr.Fagerburg was born in Shelbjville, Shelby County,111., on the 21st of .September, 1863, and is a sonof Alfred and Catherine (.Johnson) Fagerburg.His parents were born in Sweden and, leaving theirnative laud in 18.53, crossed the Atlantic to America,settling in Rockford, 111. They now residein McLean Count}- of this .State, where the fatheris engaged in farming.We now take up the personal iiistory of tliegentleman whose name heads this sketch. He receivedliberal educational advantages, attendedAugustana College of Rock Island, where helearned the Swedish langu.agc, and w.as graduatedfrom the Wesleyan University in the Class of '80,following which he took a course at the BusinessCollege of Bloomington, 111., and was graduatedfrom that institution in 1881. Having thus beenwell-fitted for a business career, he then .acceptedthe position of .assistant p.aymaster of the ChicagoAlton Railroad Company, which he held for sixitand a half years, being a trusted employe of theroad. He then went to Boston and for two yearswas secretary for the superintendent of motivepower for the New York and New England R:iilroadCompany'. At the expiration of tliat time,he came to Paxton, and since December, 181)1, hasbeen engaged in his present business. In Bloomington,111., September 25, 1884, he wedded .lessieL. Wolcott, who died about a year later. Onechild of this marriage, Rudolph F., died in infancy.On the 2d of May, 1890, Mr. Fagerburg was unitedin marriage with Miss Charlotte F. Anderson,a native of this State, born in Champaign, and adaughter of Peter Anderson. lie and his wifeboth belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church,and, in his political affiliations, he isa Reiniblican,having supported that party since he attained hismajority. Soci.ally, Mr. P\agerburg is a KnightTemplar M.ason, holding membership with PaxtonLodge No. 416, A. F. & A. M.; Ford Chapter No.113, R. A. M.; and Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 38,K. T. He also belongs to Paxton Lodge I. O. O. F.He is one of the live young business men of Paxton,has a well-stocked and tasty store and isbuilding up a prosperous and increasing trade,which he well merits.KOESTNER, deceased, was for some^Jl)3'ears a well-known and prominent farmerof Ford County, and it is but meet that thisI \ sketch of his life be given in the history ofhis adopted county. He was a native of Bavaria,Germ.any, born on the 20th of August, 1851, andwas one of eight children whose paren ts, .lohu andCatherine Koestner, where also of German birth.Our subject spent his early boyhood d.ays in hisnative land and in 1866, when a lad of fifteenyears, came to America. Crossing the ocean, heLanded at New York City, continuing his Westwardjourney until he arrived in Henry, MarshallCounty, 111., where he began life for himself as afarm hand, working by the month. He therespent several years and in 1871 came to FordCounty, where he continued to make his iiomc un-

244 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.til his death. For two .years, he continued towork upon a farm by the month and then rentedland both in Wall and Peacli Orchard Townships.He also gave considerable attention to stock-raisingand it was while on his wa}' to Chicago with stockthat he met liis death in a railroad accident on thenth of .lanuar}', 1888. He was then but in theprime of life and his loss was a deep blow to hisfamily and friends. His remains were broughtback to Ford County and interred in MelvinCemetery. In politics, he was a Demf)crat and wasa worthy and respected citizen of the community.The lady who bears the name of iNIrs. Koestnerwas in her maidenhood Jliss Fannie Holmes,daughter of W. B. and Eliza (Wrenn) Holmes, whowere tiie first white settlers to make a permanentlocation in Peach Orcliard Township. A sketch oftheir lives is given on another page of this work.Mrs. Koestner was the first child born in thattownship, and she remained under the parentalroof until her marriage on the 23d of March, 1881.By this union were born three cliildien, two ofwhom are j'ct living: Frankie and William, whomake their home with their mother. Henry, theeldest, died August 22, 1884.Mrs. Koestner, sinceher husband's deatli, has removed to Melvin,where she openeda boot and shoe store which shestill carries on. She is a lady of good liusinessability, characterized by industry and enterprise,and in her commercial efforts is meeting with goodsuccess which she justly deserves.W| AMES HOCK, a pioneer of the territorj- nowcomprising Ford County, who dates hisfirst coming here from 1852, and permanentlysettled at what is now the city of Paxtonin the winter of 1853-4, was born in FountainCounty, Ind., November 5, 1834, and is a son ofJacob and Amy (Leatherman) Hock. His fatherwas twice married and James was the youngest ofthe second family of children. There were eightchildren in all who grew to mature years. Mr.Hock, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, and duringhis childhood removed with his parents toPreble County, Ohio. In the Buckeye State, hewas married and then took up his residence inFountain County, Ind., where he spent the remainderof his days, dying at the age of fifty-twoyears. His wife, the mother of our subject, wasborn in Ohio, and died in middle life.In 1852, James Hock came to Illinois to what isnow Ford County, but made no permanent settlement.The following summer he returned to Indianaand, in the spring of 1853, we once more findhim in Illinois. During the greater part of thesucceeding summer, he was employed in haulingtimber for bridge and culvert building on the IllinoisCentral Railroad through Iroquois County,and also engaged at farm work. In the winter of1853-4, he returned to Ford County and made hishome a mile from Prairie City, now Paxton. Fora while he rented land and was engaged in farming.A few j'ears later, he removed to the neighborhoodof Danville, where he followed agriculturalpursuits.On the 27tli of March, 1859, in Prairie City, Mr.Hock was united in marriage with Miss CordeliaDay, a daughter of Samuel and Peggy (Puviance)Day. Siie was born in Preltle Count}-, Ohio, andcame to Illinois in the fall of 1851 vvith her parents,the family settling in Paxton in the summerof 1854. A sketch of her father appears elsewherein this work. Mr. and Mr. Hock have two children,a son and a daughter: Clara, now the wifeof George Laybourn, a resident of Duluth, Minn.,and Ross, who is engaged in the lumber businessin Peoria.In 1866, Mr. Hock purchased a quarter-section ofland on section 34, township of Wall, FordCounty, adjoining the north line of Patton Township,and situated about four miles northwest ofthe city of Paxton, which he still owns and whichisone of the best improved and most valucil farmsof Ford County. There he engaged in farmingand stock-raising until 1871, when he removed toPaxton and engaged in the live-stock business,continuing operations in that line very successfullyfor twelve years. Later he was engaged in thegrain and farm implement business and for a timewas in the groceiy business in Paxton, also was

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 247owner of a lumber yard for a year. At the presenttime, he is practically living a retired life, at-Icniling only to the care of his property. Himselfand wife are miimbcrs of the Congregational Churchand tlicir daughter of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch, and, in politics, Mr. Hock is a Republican,having supported that party siuce he cast his firstPresidential vote for .John C. Fremont. AVilh theexception of an interval of two years, he has madehis home in Ford County since coming here fortyj-ears ago, and is highly esteemed for his integrityof character and the upright and manly spirit thathas always marked his intercourse with his fellowcitizens.^ ^^- -hSHO.MAS M< NEISII. who was one of themost (irorainent citizens of Roberts, wasborn in Dumbartonshire, Scotland, March 2i184.S. His parents were Thomas and Jean (Duncan)McNeish. His father was a boot and shoe-)naker by trade and was an excellent workman.He crossed the Atlantic in 1832, and, after threeyears spent in Penusj'lvania, came to Ford County,where he [lurchased eighty acres of raw laud andmade a farm. He and his wife were members of thePresbyterian Church in Scotland, and joined theUnited Brethren in Ford County. They were uprightcitizens, who had the respect of all. Mr.McNeish was laid to rest in Benton Harbor, IMich.,and his wife was buried in Roberts. They had twosons and three daughters: Margaret, wife of Mr.Watt, a retired boot and shoe merchant, of Scotland;Marian, wife of John Mason, of Pennsylvania;and Thomas, of this sketch.Our subject was twent^'-one jears of age wlienhe came to Ford County. He followed farmingfor a number of years, and when Roberts was laidout, purchased a lot in the village and began themanufacture of boots and shoes. He afterwardengaged in the harness business. He commencedlife for himself empty-handed, and, by his persistentefforts, acquired a comfortable competence.His example is well worthy of emulation.Mr. McNeish was joined in wedlock with MissIsabella Burnett, a native of Dumfriesshire, Scotland.Their union was celebrated September 1,1873, .and unto them have been born nine children,three sons and six daughters, of whom three arenow deceased: Jeanne carries on the harness andshoe store, with the aid of Frank L. Hanson. Shewas educated in the graded schools of BentonHarbor, Mich., and of Roberts. With her father,she took a trip to England and Scotland, in June,1890. They sailed from New York to (ilasgow,and went to Cumbernauld, the old homestead ofMr. McNeish. They remained in Europe until thefollowing September, and visited Edinburg, (il.asgow,the Trossachs, Dumbarton Castle, Sterling,Perth, Rothesay, Inverness, Ben Nevis, Loch Lomond,Ellen's Isle, Ayr, Greenock, and Paisley.Over many miles of thLs delightful country theyjourneyed on foot, feasting on the beautiful Scotchscenery. They also visited the home of RobertBurns, and the great exposition in Edinburg, andspent eight days in the city of London, where theysaw the Cr3'Stal Palace, Hampton Court Palace, theLondon Docks, Tower of London, WestminsterAbbey, Houses of Parliament, Cleopatra's Needle,the Sphinxes, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Prince Albert'smonument in Hyde Park, which cost £1,-000,000. They also visited the Zoological Garden,the British Museum, and Regent's Park. InSeptember they returned from Glasgow as passengerson board the "State of Indiana." On thereturn trip they encountered a severe storm, butat length reached New York in safety. The othermembers of the family are Mary, Harris, Agnes,John Wilson, and Ellen Isabella, all of whom areat school, except the latter, who completes thefamily.Mr. McNeish was a Democrat and took quite aninterest in political affairs. He was one of thehonored members of the Town Council in Roberts,and socially, he was a Mason, and a member of theKnights of Labor. He was accidentally killed bya sk}' rocket, July 4, 1891, and his loss was deploredby all who knew him, lor he w.as not onl\ avalued citizen, Ijut was an entertaining companionand faithful friend, lie was one of the kindestand best of iiusbands and his place in the familycircle can never be filled. We here ipiote thewords which were often upon his lips:

'ies,248 PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD."Again, the band of commerce was designedTo associate all the branches of mankind;And if a boundless plenty be the robe,Trade is the golden girdle of the globe.Wise to promote whatever end He means,God opens fruitful Nature's various scenes;Each climate needs what other climes produce,And offers something to the general use;Nj land but listens to the common callAnd in return receives supply from all.This general intcrcoui-se and mutual aidCheer what were else a universal shade.Calls Nature from her ivy-mantled den.And softens human rock-work into men."Mrs. McNeish still carries on the business incompany with her daughter. .She has a pleasanthome in Roberts and is one of its most estimableladies, being held in high regard by all who knowher.of Piper City, deals in dry goods, grocerlM. THOMPSON, a prominent merchantboots and shoes, and has one of theneatest and best-appointed stores of theplace. He was born in Juniata Countj-, Pa., and Isa son of R. N. and Rebecca (Thompson) Thompson,the former born in Juniata County, and thelatter in Chillicotlie. Ohio. The Thompson familywas founded in America by a native of Scotland,in the early part of the seventeenth century. Thegreat-grandfather of our subject served in the RevolutionaryWar.R. N. Thompson was a farmer,and, in. 1851, emigrated to Hlinois, locating inWarren County. He came to Piper City in 1866,and engaged in farming in this localitj' until hisdeath. He enlisted in the Eighty-third Illinois Infantryfor the late war, but wasdischarged on accountof disal)ility.In connection with Mr. Lewis,he served as land-agent for the Illinois CentralRailroad. In politics, he was a Whig, and wasamong the first to espouse the cause of the Republicanpart}-. He held membership with the UnitedPresbjterian Church. His wife is still living, andmakes her home in Colorado with her son.Unto this worthy couple were born the followingchildren: A. M., of this sketch; Mary E., who diediu Piper City; Rebecca J., wife of J. J. Greenlee, ofKansas; Mrs. Sarah I. Williamson, also living inKansas; Thomas S., who served for a short time inthe Sevent>' -seventh Illinois Regiment during thelate war; Mrs. Florence A. Shotwell. who makesher home in Kansas; Julia A., who went with hermother to Colorado for her health; David S., whois engaged in business in Greeley, Col.; and Ida,a teacher of Kansas.AVe now take up the personal history of oursubject, who spent his boyhood days in AV'arrenCounty, 111., and acquired a good education in thepublic schools and at Monmouth College. In 1861,at the age of eighteen, he left school to enlist inhis country's service as a member of Company I,Fiftieth Illinois Infantry.The regiment assembledat (juinc}', and was sent into Missouri. The lirstengagement in which Mr. Thompson participatedwas at Ft. Henry. This was followed by thebattles of Ft. Donelson, Pittsburg Landing,Corinth, Chattanooga, Rome, Resaca, and AltoonaPass. He saw the signals which Gen. Shermanmade to "Hold the Fort," and with him made thecelebrated march to the sea. The last engagementin which he took part was the battle of Bentonville,N. C. He then marched through Peteisburgand Richmond to Washington, where heparticipated in the Grand Review. His term ofservice having expired, he then re-enlisted andserved for four years as Corporal and Sergeant.He was honoral)ly discharged in Springlield, in1865.Immediately upon the close of tlie war. Mr.Thompson returned home, and, in 1866, came toFord County, where he embarkeil in farming inBrcnton Township, one mile south of l'ii>er Cily.He secured an unimproved tract of laud and engagedin its cultivation until 1869, when he beganbusiness with his brother-in-law, Jasper J. Greenlee,in a restaurant. A few years later, he bought outhis partner's interest, and continued alone. Forthe past ten years he has been proprietor of a drygoodsand grocery store.In the meantime, he hasspent three years in Dakota, but the business wascarried on by his brother. In Dakota, he took upaGovernn ent claim in the Red River Valley, whichhe still holds. He began business with the smallcapital which he had saved iu the army and has

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 249steadily worked his way upward until he is now aprosijerous merchant doing a thriving business.In 1876, Mr. Thompson married Miss Lizzie.Johnson, their union lieing celebrated in lilooniington,Tnd., her native city. She is a daughter ofDavid and Jlary Johnson. Her father is now deceased,but her mother is .jij=^' 1)(;AR NORMAN .STEVENS, the efficientfe and popular Postmaster of Paxton sinceJL jj^ January 18, 1890, is a son and partner ofHon. N. E. Stevens, publisher, editor and proprietorof the Paxton Record, the leading Republicanpaper of Ford County. (See the sketch of Hon.N. E. Stevens, elsewhere in this work.)The subject of this sketch claims IMinnesota asthe Stale of his nativity, having been born inWabasha County, on the 25th of July, 1858. Hismother's maiden name was Adah Hulda Clark.t]dgar N. received his rudimentary education inthe public schools of Paxton, during the years 1866to 1874, inclusive. From that time, he was a studentof the Paxton Higii School and graduated with honors,after a three-years' course, in the Cla.ss of '77,being elected valedictorian of his class. This wasthe lirst class to graduate from the High School, thePrincipal at that time being Prof. T. L. Evans, andthe Trustees, Col. Charles Bogardus, George W.Cruzen and W. 15. Travis. On leaving the HighSchool, Mr. Stevens entered Knox Academy,where he remained to complete the classical freshmanyear of Knox College, in the spring of 1879,after which he took one term at the Illinois StateUniversity at Champaign, when he was forced byfailing health to discontinue his studies.Mr. Stevens then entered his father's employ'in the office of the Paxton Record, having previouslyserved his apprenticeship while attendingschool, and, after a year and three months' service,was admitted to partnership in the business, onthe 30th of March, 1881. He still maintains hisconnection with the paper. While in the RecordolHce, Mr. Stevens edited the exchange column,was local editor several 3'ears and obtained a fairknowledge of journalistic work. At the same time,he waited on customers, read proofs, kept the ollicebooks, made contracts and, in the absence of thesenior partner, had the management of the ollice.Soon after becoming a partner, he joined the IllinoisState Press Association, of which body he isyet a member. During the session of the ThirtyfifthGeneral Assembly, Mr. Stevens was chosenClerk of the House Committees of Public Charitiesand Libraries, by recommendation of RepresentativeCharles Bogardus. He was elected Clerk ofthe Senate Committee on Judiciaiy, of which SenatorHadley was Chairman, and of Agriculture,Horticulture and Farm Drainage, Senator CharlesBogardus, Chairman, during the Thirty-sixth GeneralAssembly.Since his appointment as Postmaster, Mr. Stevenshas refitted and remodeled the post-office fixturesand facilities and has furnished a good burglar-proofsafe, the whole improvements costingabout $850. The business of the office has steadilyincreased since the present incumbent took possession.The business for the fiscal year of 1889, exclusiveof the money order department, was 84,188;for 1890, it was $4,536 and for 1891, $5,404, theincrease the first year being $347 and the secondyear, $868. During the fall of 1891, Mr. Stevensinspected the various post-offices in the county,by virtue of his position as Postmaster at thecounty seat.Our subject has been a member of the CongregationalChurch since fourteen years of age, wasfor a short time a member of the First Church ofChrist in Galesburg, and has been actively identifiedwith church and Suiidaj-scliool work, lie is

250 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.the present »Secretary of the Ford County ChristianEndeavor Union and was substitute Delegateto tlie International Christian Endeavor Conventionin Minneapolis in the summer of 1891. Mr.Stevens is a member of Paxton Lodge No. 416,A. F. &. A. M., of which he has served as Secretarj'for two terms. He is a charter member of PaxtonCamp No. 259, M. W. A., and has held the ofllceof Clerk in that order two terms.Since the fall of 18U5, Mr. Stevens has been aresident of Paxton and enjoys an extended acquaintancein tliat city and the county at large.His course at school and college was distinguishedby studious habits, success in examination andgeneral good scholarsliip. He is a fine penman, anda methodical, exact and neat book-keeper. Hisbooks at tiie [)ost-olHce are fine specimens of correct,plain and tasty book-keeping, and his administrationof the ottice has been most satisfactory tothe postal authorities and the patrons of the office.jAMES WARREN, who is now living a retiredlife in Pii)er City, successfully engagedin farmi^ig for a number of years in thiscounty. He is one of the worthy citizensthat England has furnished to this community. Hewas born in the village of Munden, Norfolk, on the7tli of March, 1829, and w.as one of a family ofseven children. His parents were also natives ofthat community and were members of the EnglishChurch.His father, Richard AVarren, who followedfarming for a livelihood, died April 1, 1889, at theage of eight^'-four ^uars. Of the family, Samueland Annie are now deceased; .lames is the nextyounger; Harriet and George are also deceased;and Eliza is living in England.No event of special importance occurred duringthe boyhood of our subject, lie had no specialprivileges; indeed, his educational advantages werevery limited. He worked upon the farm untilabout eighteen years of age, and then enlisted inthe Royal Artillery service of his native land as aprivate. The troops were first stationed at Woolwich,p;ngland, where they remained eighteenmonths, and the next three years were passed inBirmingham. Another year was then spent inWoolwich, after which they, were at Gibraltar forfive years. Returning then to Woolwich, Mr.Warren joined the Royal Horse Artillery, andwent to the Crimea in the spring of 1854. Thefirst battle in which he particii)ated was at Alma,and he witnessed the famous charge of the LightBrigade at Balaklava, made immortal by Tennison'spoem. He next participated in the battle ofInkermau and the siege of Seb.asto[)ol, where heserved as a gunner.His batterj- lost fifty men, andour subject had his coat-sleeve shot away by a ritleball. At the close of the Crimean War, he returnedto England, and then went to Gibraltar,where he remained for three 3'ears. He was forthirteen years in the service, and received his dischargein July, 1858. By the Governor of Gibraltarhe was presented with a silver medal in commemorationof his services, and this memento isby him highly cherished.The year 1858 also witnessed the emigration ofMr. Warren to the United States. He sailed fromGibraltar, and a month later reached New York.He then went to Philadelphia, where he remainedtwo years, employed in marble works of that city.He went to Ohio in 1860, and, after two years spentin farming in the Buckeye State, came by team toFord County, and purchasedeighty acres of wildland in Brenton Township, upon which not a furrowhad been turned or an improvement made.On the 8th of .lanuary, 1849, in his native land,Mr. Warren was united in marriage with MissElizabeth Snook, who was born in Sheffield, England,and is a daughter of William and ElizabethSnook. She was with him all through his armylife after their marriage. They have no childrenof their own, but have reared an adopted son. Hisname was Albert Finley, but he now bears thename of John Albert Warren. He was a soldier'sorphan, and, at the age of four, came to live withour subject and his wife. Upon the farm he wasreared to manhood, and acquired his education inthe public schools. He is now engaged in blacksmithingin Chicago. He married Delia Munson,whose father is a farmer of Brenton Township, andthey have two little daughters.

^ W^ m r-4^^^^^,K'S^T^C^U^O^ ^JL C^,OuC,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPPnCAL RECORD. 255For a. number of years, Mr. Warren gave his entiretime and attention to tlie development of hisland and transformed it into a rich and fertilefarm, whicli yielded him a golden tribute for thecare and labor he bestowed upon it. lie camehere with only S50 and his team and wagon, butnow has a handsome competence, and owes no mana cent. Since 1881, he has resided in Piper City,where he has a comfortable home, the hospitabledoors of which are ever open for the reception ofthe many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Warren. Inpolitics, be has been a Republican since he cast hisfirst Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, andhas frequently served as delegate to the conventionsof his party. Socially, he is a member of theMasonic fraternity, and himself and wife are membersof the Presbyterian Church. He has taken anactive interest in all that pertains to the welfareaud upbuilding of the comnuuiity and in all i)OSsibleways has aided in the advancement of thecounty's interests."^^z^ROF. KOSCIE CL1ISE15ELL m.-ikes hishome in Melvin. J. G. Holland truthfullysays tbat the teacher's professi(jn is one ofthe most ennobling. In presenting tiielife records of those who have been conspicuous inthe educational circles of Little Ford, that of KoscieClinebcll should not be omitted, for he is welland favorably known as one of Ford County'smost successful teachers, having followed that professionin Ford County from the year 1875 until1889, inclusive.Mr. Clinebell is a native of West Virginia. Hewas born in Monroe Count}', Ma}' 24, 1856, and isthe eldest of a family of three children, born untoJohn and Minerva C. (Alford) Clinebell, natives ofVirginia. His lirother, De Witt Clinton, is a residentof Bloomington, 111., living with his mother.He IS now one of the head salesmen in the firm ofPixley ik Co., the largest clothing firm in the cilj'of Bloomington. He was educated in the commonschools of McLean County, and the gradedschools of Noiinal, 111. He is a sterling young man11of business tact and ability. He belongs to theKnights of Pytliias of Bloomington, and is a stanchDemocrat in politics. The only daughter in theClinebell family, Laura Josephine, was educated inthe common schools for a teacher, and resides inDanvers Township, McLean County.The father of our subject was one of the menwho died in the service of the South during thegreat Rebellion. The motlier is still living at theage of fifty-seven years.She was reared and educatedin Virginia, having been a student in StauntonSeminary, of Staunton, Va.The first eight years of Mr. Clinel)eirs life werespent in the State of his nativity. While a smallboy, he was stricken with typhoid fever and whiteswelling, which cri])pled him for life, but the All-Wise Being gave him a fertile brain and an indomitablewill-power, which has made him thesuccessful man he is to-daj'. His education wascommenced in the typical log school-house so familiarto many of the Southerners. It was a subscriptionschool, for the free-school s^'stem was notthen known in the South. During the war, thefamily lost all of their property as well as the father.The mother and grandmother, with the threelittle children, came to Illinois in 1866, aud residedfor a year in Fairbury, where our subject had achance of attending the first graded free school heever saw. Thence the}' removed to Sac City, Iowa,and after two years returned to McLean County,111., where they were almost penniless. The childrenwere scattered among entire strangers, andour subject found in William Paul, of Stanford,111., a true friend. He made his home at the houseof that gentleman for about two years, aud attendedthe district schools. He then obtained asecond-grade certificate and secured a summerschool in Mackinaw Township, Tazewell County,at 125 per month, the first money he ever earned.He made a success of his first school, and was reengagedfor the fall and winter terms at $33.33^per month.Mr. Clinebell saved his money, and the springof 1872 found him in Normal, 111., where he renteda little liouse, and his mother, brother and himselfwent to house-keeping, and Koscie entered theState Normal I'nivcrsity.His resources afterward

256 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.gave out, and he was compelled to quit school andgo to teaching. He then attended school and engagedin teaching alternately until 1875, when hecame to Ford County, where he engaged as ateacher near Melvin. After two years' successfulteaching, he assumed the Principalship of the Melvinpublic schools, and retained that position until1881. During his career as teacher in Melvin, hisschool took fourteen premiums, and the sweepstakepremium in the County Educational Exhibitat the Ford County Fair.On August 16, 1881, Mr. Clinebell celct)ratcd hismarriage with ]\Iiss Ida Mae Marsh, a native of Laconia,Harrison County, Ind., born August 16,1862, and a daughter of Jesse P. and Margaret(Fowler) Marsh, natives of Indiana. The lady waseducated in the graded schools, and is well read.She has decided skill and talent in painting andartistic needle- work. She has been one of FordCounty's brightest primary teachers, and was herhusband's assistant for four years in the Sibley publicschools. By their union were born two children,both daughters. The eldest is Edith Maud,a bright, winning little miss of nine summers, whois now a pupil in the Melvin schools. She has pronouncedtalent in music, and is bright in her scholasticwork. Ethel Inez died at the age of sixteenmonths and twentj'-two days.Mr. and Mrs. Clinebell assumed charge of theSibley public schools September 5, 1881, and hewas for eight years Principal of this excellentschool, under the efficient Board of Directors, consistingof W. A. Picket, Eli Harvey and Swen Anderson.On the 4th of December, 1882, the beautifuland imposing Sibley school building, erectedat a cost of 14,500, was dedicated by Dr. E. C.Hewitt, President of the State Normal University,of Normal, 111. In this school is where Mr. Clinebellmade his mark as a teacher and manager ofschools. While Principal of these schools, he establisheda system of practical business education,which was a factor of great importance to the pupilsas well as the parents. His school competedsix years out of the eight in the State EducationalExhibit at the Illinois State Fair, and the schoolwas awarded second sweep-stakes of the State FairEducational Exhibit, besides 152 as premiummoney, fourteen ribbons and tvvo firstdiplomas ofthe State Exhibit. Between 1886 and 188;), withthe aid of his teachers, pupils and Mrs. Hiram Sibley,Mr. Clinebell founded a school library, containingfive hundred and seven volumes of thechoicest literature. Hon. Hiram Sibley was a particularfriend of Prof. Clinebell, and when visitingin Great Britiau and Europe, he secured a valuablecollection of engravings of historical scenes, whichhe presented framed to the school.Tiiisis said tobe the finest collection of the kind in Central Illinois.Through Mr. Sibley's influence, Mr. Lamb,of Rochester, N. Y., presented the school with a J$125 outfit in microscopy.After Mr. Clinebell had decided to quit teaching,his friends advised him to try for a positionas .Superintendent of some of the Governmentalschools. This he did, and his friends in Central Illinois,and the press of Bloomington and FordCounty, strongly' endorsed him for the position.The following is a copy of a letter sent to UnitedStates Senator S. M. Cullom, and Congressman L.E. Payson,froin the prominent citizens of Faxton:To the Hon. S. M. Cullom and Hon. L. E. Payson:Gentlemen:—Prof. Koscie Clinebell, of Sibley,Ford Count\', 111., is an applicant for the positionof Superintendent of a Governmental School. Wehave personally known Prof. Clinebell for manyyears, and know him to be a thorough and successfulteacher, a gentleman of high character and integrity,a thorough Republican, a most desirable^citizen, and one in whom we have entire confi- ?dence. IMr. Clinebell will, in the position to whichhe has aspired, do credit to himself, his friends andhis party. (Signed by fifteen of the prominentcitizens of Paxton, 111.)To the above, Judge AValter Q. Gresham, a friendof the family, added these words:Believing Prof. Clinebell to be cai)able, honestand deserving, I take pleasure in joining in theabove recommendations. W. Q. Gkeshaji,Circuit Judge of the United States CircuitCourt of Northern Illinois.Prof. Clinebell also received recommendationsfrom W. O. Davis, editor and proprietor of theBloomington Pantagraph, of Bloomington, 111.;also from Dr. Richard Edwards, StateSuperintendentof public schools, Dr. Seliin H. Peabody, Regentof the University of Illinois, and a strong

,^PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 257endorsement from Gov. Joseph W. Fifer, beside aletter from the faculty of the State Xonnal University,and Prof. Clinebell's IJoard of Educationin Sibley. His appointment was duly recognized,and he was tendered by the Commissioner of IndianAtfairs, lion. John Oberly, the .Superintendencyof the San Carlos schools in Arizona, but hepreferred to wait until the next appointment,which woidd include his wife, and in the meantimehe entered the biographical field with theGoodspeed Building Company, and was upon thestaff of its writers in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa,Louisiana. Mississippi and Ohio. In the spring of1891, he entered the field with the Lake City PublishingCompany, by which he is now employed.Mr. Clinebell is known by his friends to be anindefatigable worker, and is ever ready to aid thosein distress and need as far as he is able. In politics,he is a Re^)ublican, but in local affairs aims to casthis vote for the man, rather than the party. lieis an honored member of Lodge No. 17i), K. of P.,of Melvin, and also a member of Camp No. 1,512,M. W. A., of Buckingham, 111. Himself and wifeare members of the Methodist E|nscopal Church,and for many years have been connected with theSundaj'-school interests of Ford County. Prof.Clinebell was Superintendent of the MethodistSunday-school in Sibley for several years, and wasa member of the Illinois State Teachers' Association,the Central Illinois Teachers' Association andthe Teachers' Association, of Ford County. Himselfand wife are honored citizens of Melvin, wherethey have a neat and pretty home, and this sketchof these worthy people will be read by many whoknow them well and favorably. Their |)ortraitsappear elsewhere in this volume.ing occurred in Marshall County, on the 15tli ofOctober, 1H3.3. He is a son of Cornelius and Ann(Sidle) Hunt, who were pioneer settlers of his nativecounty, and a sketch of this worthy c(iu|ile isgiven on another (lage of this work. Our subjectwas reared to manhood upon a farm, and enjoyedbut limited educational advantages, as schools werenot only few Init poor in Marshall County in his3'outh, and his services were reipiired on the farmin assisting his father. When fourteen \ears ofage he removed with his parents to La SalleCounty, where he made his home until coming toFord County.On the 21st of December, 1854, in Lacon, 111.,Mr. Hunt was joined in wedlock with Miss jNIaryGnffln, who was born and reared in ^MarshallCounty, and is a daughter of David and RuthGrillin, who were pioneers of that count\- of 1830,having come there from Pennsylvania. LTntoMr. and Mrs. Hunt have been born three childrenwho are yet living and they lost one. Esther, theeldest, is the wife of C. B. Ellis, a resident of Independence,Iowa; Jessie is the widow of S. A.Bookwater and resides in Melvin; Mary is the wifeof W. P. Sreve, a farmer of Peach Orchard, andWilliam Wallace died in 18G2, at the age of fourteenmouths.Mr. Hunt was successfully engaged in farmingin La Salle County until 1867, when he lemovedto Peach Orchard Township, Ford County, andpurchased a large farm, one half section of whichis the site of the present village of Melvin. Hemade the original plat of that village and subsequentlyplatted two additions to the town. His farmhouse was situated near the northwest corner ofthe village plat and one hundied rods from thepost-office. There he made his home until 1800,when he purchased and removed to his presentline residence to the southeast of the depot. He^NOCH S. HUNT, the original owner of thetown site of Melvin, and one of the mostij^!^/ successful farmers of Ford County, claimsIllinois as the State of his nativity, his birth hav-still has three hundred and fifty acres of his originalfarm which he leases, besides fourteenlots inthe village of Melvin, and his wife owns a farm oftwo hundred and forty acres, so their aggregatepossessions amount to six Inmdred acres, all inPeach Orchard Township.In politics, Mr. Hunt is an out-and-out Republican,a stalwart supporter of that party's principles,and has served as Assessor and Road Commissionerfor Peach Orchard Township, and held the office ofCollector for many years in La Salle County. His

258 PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.wife and daughters are members of the CongregationalChurch. For a quarter of a century', Mr.Hunt has been a resident of Ford County, and ofPeacli Orchard Township; in fact, he was on theground when the township was set off and organizedand is properly the founder of tlie village ofMelvin. His life has been a busj' and useful one,and by untiring industry, the exercise of goodjudgment and by strict integrity has succeededin acquiring a valuable property. His success iscertainly well deserved. He has recently retiredfrom active farming and is living comfortablywith his family in the enjoyment of a well-earnedcompetence and the kind regard ofhis old neighborsand friends.-^r^., BRAM L. PHILLIPS, a laomiueut member(@i01 of the Ford County Bar, and a resident ofGibson City since 1884, was born in PutnamCounty, 111., Jul}' 2, 1862, and is ason of George and Martha A. (Light) Phillips.His father was born in England in 1820, and cameto America when thirty years of age. At first, hemade his home near Pittsburg, Pa., where he marriedMiss Martha A. Light, a native of that State.In 1857, he came with his family to Illinois, settlingin Putnam County, where he built the firststeam sawmill erected in that county. He engaged inmilling until his removal to Ford County in 1867.He was one of the first Justices of the Peace ofPeach Orchard Township, which olHce he held untilthe time of his death, which occurred in the fallof 1874, his wife, the mother of Abram L.. dyingabout two years previous. They were highl}' respectedcitizens and made many ft lends in thecommunity where they made their home.The subject of this sketch attended the districtschools of his native covmty in childhood, therereceiving his primary education. This was supplementedby a course in the Wesleyan University ofBloomington, 111. He began the study of law underGen. Bloomfleld and was graduated from theBloomington Law School in the Class of '84. Ontaking his degree, he at once entered upon thepractice of his profession at Gibson City, and hassucceeded in building up a prosperous business.He is now one of the able lawyers and prominentcitizens of Ford County.On the 17th of November, 1885, Mr. Phillipswas united in marriage in Vermilion County, 111.,to Miss Zadie Stevely. The lady is a daughter ofGeorge and Hannah Stevely, and is a native ofIllinois, born in Vermilion County. Unto oursubject and his wife has been born one child, a son,Wendell, born in Gibson City on the 3d of October,1891.In political sentiment, Mr. Phillips is a Republican,being a stanch supporter of the principles ofthat party. He served one term as City Attorneyof Gibson to the credit of himself and to the satisfactionof his constituents. Socially, he holdsmembership with Gibson Lodge No. 733, A. F. &A. M.; is a member of Hesperon Lodge No. 123,K. of P., and also belongs to the Modern Woodmenof America, being a member of Gibson CampNo. 235. Mr. Phillips and his wife stand high insocial circles and receive the respect and esteem oftheir many friends and acquaintances. In April, m1892, Sir. Phillips was nominated by the Republicanparty for the position of States Attorney,and the strength of his party, as well as his personalpopularity, assures his election in November.jENJAMIN H. McCLURE, familiarly knownas '-Uncle Ben," is one of the well-knownf(^') .)]pioneers of Illinois of 1824. He is a na-^^^^ tive of Indiana, born in Posey County,June 8, 1818, and his parents were Thomas andSusan (Hines) McClure. The father was a nativeof Rockingham County, Va., born on the loth ofJuly, 1765, and the mother was born in Kentucky,December 23, 1774. Thomas McClure went toKentucky in 1782, in the pioneer days of thatregion, when the Indians were far more numerousthan the white settlers and still had most of theland in their possession. In that State he wasmarried, and moved to Indiana in 1815, but in1824, still seeking the frontier of civilization, he

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 259came to Central Illinois and laid a claim eightmiles east of Springlield. Three j'cars later, heremoved to McLean County, where his death occurredJanuary 3, 1847, at the age of eighty-twoyears.Our subject, Benjamin H. McClure, accompaniedhis parents to McLean County in 1827,being then nine years of age. He was reared tomanhood on his father's farm, receiving little orno educational advantages, on account of the newnessof the settlements. One of the importantevents in his life was his marriage, October 13,1835, in McLean Count}-, at Stout's Grove,with Miss Frances Killiani, a daughter of Jolmand Sarah (Shackelford) Killiam. Mrs. McClurewas born in Casey County, Ky., May 1, 1811, andin 1824 came with her parents to Illinois.Mr. McClure and his estimalile wife have becomethe parents of nine children: John T. marriedJane Deal and makes his home in DrummerTownship, Ford County; William F., a resident ofPearl County, Miss., wedded Augusta McClure;Sarah J. died in childhood, at the age of eightj'ears; Sus.an Elizabetli is the wife of Milton Bailey,of Gibson City; Mar^- Ellen died when eightyeai's old; James Marion was united in marriagewith Josephine Hall and resides in Plaquomine,La.; Harriet Newell is the wife of the Hon. JohnH. Collier, of Gibson City, of whom see a sketchelsewliere in this work; Frances P. died at theage of four years; and one child died in infancj'.Mr. McClure was engaged in agricultural pursuitsin McLean County until 1868, when he removedto Ford Count}', settling in DrummerTownship, some four miles northwest of GibsonCity, where he made his liome until 1876, whenhe went to Gibson without disposing of his land.The farm contains one hundred and fifty-six acresof good arable land and is still the propertj' ofour subject.In early life, Mr. McClure was an old-line Whigand cast liis first vote for William Henry Harrisonfor President in 1840. He joined the Republicanparty on its organization, and still supportsit with his ballot. He has held a number of townshipotlices, among which are those of Sui)ervisorand Road Commissioner. He was reared underthe auspices of the Cumberland PresbyterianCliurch, and united with that denomination in1845. His wife joined at the same time, and theyhave now for nearly fifty years been devotedmembers of tiiat church and active workers intheir Master's vine^'ard.Mr. McClure has been aDeacon since 1847, and w.as made an Elder in1869, when he helped to organize the church inFord County. He is one of the worthy pioneersof Illinois and early settlers of this county, andthis work would be incomplete without his history.He has led a bus}' and useful life, and ishighly esteemed for his sterling worth and integrity.Pt'RANKE. SHARP, proprietor of a livery,S)^ feed and sale stable in Gibson City, first^ "opened his eyes to the light of day inGeauga County, Ohio, on the 20tli of November,1857, and is a son of George and Sarah (Austin)Sharp. His parents were born in the State ofNew York. About 1858, the family removed toRock County, Wis., and the following year cameto Ford County, III., spent a year and returned toRock County, where they made their home till1864, when they again came to Ford County.They settled in Wall Township, but returned toWisconsin, locating in Walworth County in 1890.Our subject accompanied his parents from Ohioto AVisconsin, and from there to this county, arrivingin 1864. He received his educationaltraining in the common schools and was reared tomanhood under the parental roof. In 1877, heengaged in farming on his own account in AVallTownship, and continued there until 1882, whenhe removed to Elliott. There he learned theharness-maker's trade and was engaged in thatvocation for three years. He then bought a farm,which he operated one year, and then came to(iibson City, buying into the livery business,which he continued for only a few months, whenhe engaged in harness-making, which he carriedon until he established his present business inMarch, 1892. In nddition to his livery stable, he

2C0PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.also owns and operates a dray line, which he iscarr3'ing on very successfully, doing a good l)usiness.Mr. Sh.ari) led to the marriage altar, on tlie 30thof June, 1887, in Elliott, Miss Lou Miller. Mr.s.Sharf) is a native of Illinois and is a dauglitcr of.lames Miller. She is a consistent ineniber of theMethodist Church and by lier union with our subjecthas become the mother of one child, Shirley,aged four years.In political sentiment, Mr. Sliarp is a stalwartsupporter of the Democratic party, and takes anactive interest in its advancement. lie belongsto tlio Kniulits (if Pythias fraternity, holding nienibcrsliipwith llespcron Lodge No. 123. He andhis wife are leading members of the .social circlein which tliey move, and arc jn'ominent citizensof (tilison. He is public-spirited and progressive,and is one of the enterprising business men of tliecommunity.;^® ' ^=^^. -g.^ii"ilJONATHAN DIXON WYl.IK, M. I)., wasborn in Chester District, >S. C, in 1825, andwas a son of Samuel and Agnes Wylie. Hisparents were natives (>f Chester Count}-,S. C, and were descended from old families of tliePalmetto State. The Doctor's ancestors were origin.allyfrom Scotland and the first to come toAmerica were Associate Reform Presbyterians, whocame from Scotland .and settled in South Carolina.Samuel Wylie was strongly opposed to slavery, althoughreared in its midst and served by slaves,the property of his father. When he had attainedto man's estate, he made his home in the abolitionState of Indiana, where he reared his childicn to alove of freedom for all the human family. Manyof the family descended from the original SouthCarolina stock have achieved a prominence in thelearned jirofessions and in statesmanship, and espcciall}^in the medical profession.Dr. AVylie received his literary education in the.State University of Indiana, and w.ns graduated in1850 from the Oliio INIedical College of Cincinnati.He came at once to Illinois and established himselfin practice in Oakland, Coles County, then almosta wilderness. He was married in Beaver Falls, Pa.,in 1851, to Miss Agnes Crawford. The ladj' is anative of Beaver Falls and a daughter of SamuelCrawford of that place. Dr. Wylie and his wifereared three sons: Samuel M., the eldest, is a practicingphysician of Paxton and his sketch is givenelsewhere in this work; Allen 1). is in railway employin the West, and t)scar H., tlie youngest, isthe present Deputy Clerk of the Court of FordCounty and is in discharge of the whole duties ofthat oHice.In 18G2, Dr. AV3iie entered the service of theUnited .States for the late war as Assistant Surgeonof the Thirty-fifth Regiment, Illinois Infantry,was promoted to be Surgeon of the regiment andserved until the close of the war, doing good andfaithful service. On his return from the army, lieresumed practice in Oakland, where he continuedto reside until 1868, when he canie to Paxtonand w.as in active pr.actice in this cit}' until hisfatal illness. His death occurred on the 5th ofMarch, 1876.Dr. Wylie was a member of the .State MedicalSociet}' of Illinois and of the American Society ofthe United States. He also held membership withthe United Presbyterian Church of Paxton, as doeshis wife, and was anearnest Repulilican in politics.As a pliysician, he was talented and skillful anilthroughout his days of activity maintained a largeand lucrative practice.-^^zeOL.El*^^^HARRY D. COOK. Among the prominentcitizens of Illinois who were .activelyidentified with the war history of the Stateand soldier interest sul3sequent to the return ofpeace, few, if any, are deserving of more favor.ablemention than the gentleman whose name headsthis sketch.Col. Cook was Ijorn in Oneida County, N. Y., in1818, and was a son of .Joliii Cook. His fatherwas a close friend of Gai'rett Smith, and was descendedfrom an old New York family, the grandfatherof the Colonel being a soldier in the Revo-

PORTRAIT AND BIOaRAPHlCAL RECORD. 261lutionary War.H. D. Cook received a liberal education,and in liis youth learned the carpenter'strade. In 1K41, he was married in New York toMiss .loanna Hall, daughter of AVilliam and SallyHall. The lad3' was born in New York and comesof an old family of that State.In 1850, Col. Cook emigrated from the East toIllinois and settled in Fulton Count}', but after ayear removed to McLean Country, locating on afarm near Bloomington. He was emplo3'ed on tlieIllinois Central Railroad as a bridge-builder, andin 18.53 removed to Woodford County. In 1860,he was elected to the Illinois Legislature on theRepublican ticket, and in Maj' of the followingyear entered the volunteer service for the latewar as Captain of Company G, Fourth IllinoisCavalry. He participated in the active service ofthe war, was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel andcommanded his regiment. When mustered outafter three years of service, he held the rank ofColonel.On his return to the North, Col. Cook was reelectedto the Legislature and after the close ofthe war was commissioned by Gov. Oglesb}- asmilitary financial agent for Illinois and ordered toWashington to secure the payment of State claimsagainst the general Government, growing out ofthe late war. So well did he discharge his duty,that he secured the payment of nearly all theclaims due the State, manifesting superior businessability and tact. When the railroad and warehousecommission was organized by actof Legislature,Col. Cook was a[)pointed by Gov. Beveridgea member of that boar

•262 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD.tural pursuits until 1876, when he left the farmand embarked in his present business as a dealer inlumber and farm machinery in Melvin, where hehas since made his home. He is a straightforward,upright business man and is held in high regardby all who know him. He and bis wife are membersof the Methodist Episcopal Church, and inhis |)olitieal alliliations he is a stalwart Republican,warmly advocating the principles of that party andlaboring for its success and upbuilding. Duringhis residence in Peacli Orchard Township, he hasheld various official ijositions of honor and trust,having served for one year as Collector, as Presidentof the Village of Melvin for two years, andas United States Census Enumerator for his homedi.'st ict in 1890. Mr. Thompson and his partnerhave built up an extensive trade in their line, asthe result of good management and an earnest desireto please their patrons, and are esteemed amongthe worthy and relial)le luisiness men of FordCounty, llis entire life since attaining to years ofmatuiity our subject has passed in this communityand h.Ts thus formed a wide and extensive acquaintance.—^ ^g -^''OHN WOOLSTONCROFT, one of the extensiveland-owners of Lyman Township,residing on section 18, claims England asthe land of his nativity and also has someScotch l>lood in his veins. He was born in Lancashire,in 1810, and was one of a family ofeight children, two sons and six daughters, whoseparents were John and Mary (Woods) Woolstonci''oft.His father was a weaver of cotton cloth.He died at the age of sixt3'-four and his wife passedaway at the age of fifty. The only members ofthe famil}' yet living are three sisters of our subject:Mary and Janet, both of whom are widowsand reside in Lancashire, England, and Sarah, whoresides in Philadelphia.Our subject began to earn his own livelihood atthe age of eight j'ears, working at the weaver'strade from that time until twelve years of age,when he learned the trade of brick-making andalso laid brick.Wlien about twenty years of age.he determined to try his fortune in America and,in 1831, sailed from Liverpool to New York. Hewas almost penniless when he arrived in this country,a stranger in a strange land. He first securedwork as a weaver in Philadelphia, where he remainedfor six years, and in the spring of 1837,he went to Ohio, where he spent about fivemonths. He next located in Putnam County, III.,and, making his home in Magnolia, engaged inweaving in the winter season and in brick-hyingin the summer.While residing in Putnam County, Mr. Woolstoncroftwas united in marriage to ElizabethPhillips, a native of England. Tlicir union wascelebrated in April, 1838, and unto them wereborn six sons and six daughters, eight of whomare now living: David, tiie eldest, wedded MaryWarner, a native of this .State, by whom he hasthree children. He is a plasterer and brick masonand one of the prominent citizens of Roberts, and ,in politics, is a stanch Republican. .John marriedMiss Hannom and follows farming in Kansas; he,too, is a Republican. Abraham married Miss Pettitand is a resident farmer of Kansas; Wilber wasjoined in wedlock to Miss Hawthorne, and followsfarming in Kans.as; Alice is the wife of GeorgeDykes, an agriculturist of Illinois; F^lizabeth isthe wife of John Warner, whose sketch appearselsewhere in this work; Hannah is the wife of EdwardOwens, a farmer of AVall Township; Maria,who successfully engaged in teaching in Onargaand in F'ord County, is now the wife of NelsonBuzick, farmer, by whom she has six children,namely: Earl, who aids his father in tiiefarm work;Flora, a student in Onarga Seminary; Maiy, Jessie,John AV. and James. Mrs. Woolstoncroft diedMay 7, 1864, and was interred in Magnolia Cemetery,where a beautiful monument marks her lastresting place.In 1867, Mr. Woolstoncroft came to this countywith John Hunt, and purchased four hundredacres of raw land. The towns of Melvin and Robertswere not then laid out, wild game ot all kindswas plentiful and at that day one could not haverealized that such a rapid change was so st)on totake place. Our subject bought land at ^9 per acreand began the development of a fine farm. His

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 265labors were successful and he has become one ofthe well-to-do citizens of the community. In earlylife, he was a Whig and cast his first Presidentialvote for William Henr}' Harrison, but since theorganization of the Republican party, he has beenone of its stanch supporters. Througliout the community,he is held in the highest regard and theword of John Woolstoncroft is as good as hisbond, for his upright life and sterling worth havewon him the the confidence of all. He is noweighty-two years of age but is still enjoying goodhealth.^^HARLES SPELLMEYER, who carries onS^'ieral farming on section 16, Wall Town-(li tr^^;^ ship, was born in the town of Mahnan, inthe Province of Westphalia, in Meinden County,Germany, September 17, 1831. His father wasalso a native of that localit3' and in later life emigratedto America. Further mention is made ofhim in the sketch of George H. Spellme}'er onanother page of this work.In accordance with the laws of his native land,our subject attended school between the ages ofseven and fourteen years. When about twentythreeyears of age, he determined to try his fortunein America and sailed for New York in 1853,landing after a voyage of six weeks. Four 3earslater, he was followed by the family. Charlescame on at once to Illinois, making bis first locationin Putnam Count}', where he worked by theday or month as a farm hand for some time.j'ear.sFivelater, he went to La Salle County, where herented land and engaged in farming for himself.He is truly a self-made man, for he started in lifeempty-h.anded. and the success wliiclihas crownedhis efforts is due entirely to Ins industry and perseverance.After renting land for about eightyears, during which time he saved some capital,he purchased eighty acres in La Salle County in1876, and settled upon that land. A small shantyconstituted the improvements, but onlj- a shorttime liad elapsed ere a great change was wroughtin that place, and wliat was once a barren tractHe now engages in genbecamea valuable farm,eral fanning and stock-raising and owns five hundredand twenty-eight acres of land, all in WallTownship.A marriage ceremony performed in La SalleCounty on the 17th of Ma}-, 1858, united the destiniesof Mr. Spellmej-er and Miss Louisa Kotlkamp,who was born in the same town as her husbandand came to America in the year 1857.She is a daughter of Henry and Anna Marie Kottcamp,who spent their entire lives in Germany.Both parents passed away when about sixty-oneyears of age. They were members of the GermanLutheran Church and the father was a tanner bytrade. They had a family of ten children, six sonsand four daughters, but only two are now living:Lottie is the widow of F'red .Schwartze, of St. Louis,Mo., and iSIrs. Spellmeyer, who is the elder. She waseducated in the German schools, and at about theage of twenty emigrated to America. The othermembers of the famil}- all died in infancy exceptHenrietta, whose death occurred in Germany whenabout eighteen years of age.By the union of our subject and his wife havebeen bom nine children, five sons and four daughters,as follows: George W., a farmer of WallTownship, who wedded Mary Carson; Mary, wifeof Charles Kenney, of the same township; HenryC, a hardware merchant of Melvin, whose sketchappears elsewhere in this work; Frank, who makeshis home in Vermilion County, 111.; Amelia,Charles and Lillie Louisa, all yet at home. Thechildren have been afforded good educationalprivileges and reared to habits of industiy, thusfitting them to become useful citizens. Two otherchildren are now deceased: Mina, who died in LaSalle County when only six weeks old, and a sonwho died in infancy.Mr. and Mrs. Spellmeyer are members of theLutheran Church of Melvin and are worthy Germanpeople whose many excellencies of characterhave won them high regard. In politics, he is astalwart Democrat, having supported that partysince he cast his first Presidential vote for StephenA. Douglas. He is also a good business man anda successful fanner, and his prosperity is but thejust reward of his own efforts. He came to this

266 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.country a penniless young man. A stranger in astrange land, he commenced life here 120 indebt,but lias steadily worked his way upward until he hasacquired a handsome competence. This recordwill be cherished and held sacred by their childrenwhen father and motlier have passed away.ON. DAVID PATTON, in whose honor thetownship of Patton was named, is the oldestsurviving member of the Ford CountyBar and was in practice in tiie territory'which is now Ford County, which was then a part ofVermilion County. Judge Patton located at whatis known as Ten Mile Grove, situated about threemiles southwest of Paxton,in October, 1849. He wasborn in Clark County, Ky., in 1806. and accompaniedhisfamily to Butler County, that State, in1810.When eighteen j-ears of age, Mr. Patton beganthe study of law in the office of Oliver H. Smitii,at Connersville, Ind., and while so engaged taughtthe district school to earn money to defray hiscurrent expenses. He was admitted to the Bar in1828 and entered upon the practice of his professionat La Fayette, Ind., where he secured a largeand lucrative practice. Frank, upright and generousin disposition, he was held in high esteemby the people and regarded as a leading lawyer byhis brethren at the Bar.His unguarded liberality,however, proved a snare to him financially, andhis earnings for ten years were soon swept away inthe payment of debts for his friends, and he wascompelled to start anew in life. With this objectin view, he came to Illinois and located four hundredacres of land at Ten Jlile Grove, then in Vermilion,now Ford County. The country was butsparsely settled, affording little, if any, field forbusiness in the line of his profession, hence heturned his attention to farming and stock-raising,occasionally practicing in justice courts, not a fewof the leading lawyers of Vermilion County expressingsurprise at being outgeneraled and beatenby the farm lawyer. To his efforts the passage ofthe act of the Legislature creating Ford Countywas largely due. At a special election held in 1859,he was elected Judge of the County Court by alarge majority over his opponent, Gideon Camp,and he was re-elected at the succeeding electionsof 1860-64-68.Before the close of his fourth officialterm, the weight of years and his extensivepersonal interests decided him to decline furtherpublic service. The monetary panic of 1873 and1875, in connection with his losses as surety forsome of his friends, again stripped him of nearlyall his worldly possessions, but notwithstanding hismisfortune in this i>articular, he lias the liigher andbetter consolation of having merited the esteemand confidence of his fellow-citizens by an activeand useful life in their midst for more than thirtyyears. He was a good lawyer, a quaint, entertainingspeaker, and at alltimes a kind and indulgentparent; a friend to the poor and needy, and an enterprisingand public-spirited citizen, and above all,a steadfast lover of justice and hum.anity..JudgePatton still makes his home in Paxton, where hesettled in 1865, but is in feeble health, and his advancedage of eighty-six years admonishes hisfriends that his end is not far distant. The writeris under oliligations to the publishers of the lateCoiintij Alias for the facts above stated.-^1=crULm^ ACOB BLESCH, one of the extensive landownersand leading citizens of LymanTownship, residing on section 11, was bornin Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, April 9,1839, and is the eldest in a family of three childrenborn unto George and Elizabeth (Obennauer)Blesch. His father was a German farmer, and, inthe spring of 1853, bade adieu to his old home andwith his family crossed the broad Atlantic toAmerica, sailing from Havre to New York, wherehe arrived after a pleasant voyage of forty-twoAoiys,. The parents located in Du Page County,111., whence they removed to Cook County, wherethe death of Mr. Blesch occurred in 1870. Hecame to thiscountr3' in very limited circumstances,but by his industry and good management, at the

IPellaPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 267time of his death was the owner of one hundredand eighty acres of valuable land in Cook County.His wife, who was horn April 1), 1811, is still livingat the advanced age of eighty-one years. Sheis a member of the Lutheran Church, to which lierhusband also belonged.Our subject was a lad of fourteen years when,with his parents, he came to this country. He remainedunder the parental roof until his marriage,which was celebrated on Christmas Day of 1867,Miss Rosalie Gurard, who was born September20, 1845, in IJyron, (Germany, becoming liis wife.She was only three months old when brought toAmerica by her parents, who located in CookCount}'. Her father was a manufacturer in (ierman3'audwas quite wealthy when he come to theUnited States. Both he aud his wife are now deceased,and a beautiful monument marks theirlast resting place in a cemetery of Cook County.The maiden days of Mrs. Blesch were spent inCook County, where she acquired her education.She became the mother of three sons and threedaughters: Anna, who was educated in both Germanand English, is now the wife of A. jNIcDonald,who was one of the successful teachers of FordCounty, and is now engaged in merchandising inOdell, III.; Reynold, who pursued a commeicialcourse of study in Valparaiso College, of Indiana,now aids his father in the laliors of the farm;George died at the age of three jears; Clara istaking a teacher's course in the Valparaiso NormalSchool; Eddie died at the age of twelve years;and Lydia comi)letes the family.Mr. and Mrs. Blescli have resided in Ford CountysinceFel)ruarj% 188.3, at which time our subjectpurchased three hundred and twenty acres of landconveniently' and pleasantly- located within threemiles of Roberts. Since that time he has mademany good improvements and the farm has becomeone of tlie beautiful and desirable places inL_yman Township. In addition to the fine residence,there are outbuildings which are models ofconvenience, and many other improvements, bothuseful and ornamental. Mr. Blesch has served asSchool Director during almost his entire residencehere, and the cause of education has found in hima warm friend. In politics, he has been a stanchRepublican since he cast his first Presidential votefor Abraham Lincoln, and he nnd his wife are consistentmembers of the Lutheran Church. Theyare justly classed among the licstand most prominentcitizens of Lyman Township and well deservethe high regard in which tliev are held.'' ' ^3- E^^ENRY ATWOOD has longer resided inTownship than any other of its citizens.He has here made his home forthirty-five years, and is now living on section22. With the history of Ford County, hehas been prominently identified and has everborne his part in the work of upbuilding and advancement.As he is widely and favorably knownthroughout the community, wc feel assured tliatthis sketch will prove of interest to many of ourreaders.Mr. Atwood was born in Chelsea, Mass., February6, 1832. His grandfather, Stephen Atwood, wasborn at Cape Cod, spent his early life as a sailor andafterward became a farmer. Ills son, William II. Atwood,father of Henry, was Iiorn on Cape Cod,and when about eight years old went to Bostonwith his father, who bought a farm at Chelsea.William went into a store and was ever afterwardconnected with mercantile interests. He learnedto read by poring over newspapers, and w.as entirelyself-educated, but through his own effortsbecame a well-informed man. With his brother,he did a large business as a wholesale and retaildealer in oysters. He was married in Chelsea, toMiss Lenora Atkins, a native of Cape Cod, whodied when our subject was about twelve years old.He then married Ruth Newcome, and, after herdeath, was a third time married. He served .as Captainof a military company and throughout hislife was a Democrat. He died in the old home atChelsea, in 1878, at the age of seventy-four years.The children of the Atwood family were Franklin,who died at the age of twenty-one; Henry, ofthis sketcii; Lenora, who died at the age of twentj--one; Cordelia, who is living in Newton, M.a.ss.;Daniel, who served in the Twentv-seventh Massa-

"' section268 POKTRAIT AND BIOaRAPHICAL RECORD.chusetts Regiment throughout the late war; ThomasH., who was in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry; andOtis, of Massachusetts. By the second marriagewere born five children and of the fourteen, tenare now living.Our subject spent the first twelve years of hislife in Chelsea and then went to Boston, where heattended the public schools for two years. Heafterward went to night school for two j^ears andwas a student in the Brocton School, but ill healthforced him to abandon his studies. He was afterwardengaged for nine years in the wholesale drugbusiness. In 1857, he determined to try his fortunein the West. He spent a short time in Minnesotafor his health, and was at Minneapolis whenthe first building was erected in that city. Later inthe year, he came to Illinois and purchased eightyacres of wild land in Pella Township, where he hassince made his home. It was not long before he hadhis entire farm under a iiigh state of cultivation.A home was built, trees were planted and manyother improvements made, which add both to thevalue and attractive appearance of the place. Mr.Atwood was one of the earliest settlers of thecounty and has been prominentl3^ identified withits growth and progress during all these years.He served on the first jury of Ford County, inPaxton, and has been called upon to fill manyposition of honor and trust, the duties of whichhe has ever discharged with promptness and fidelity.On the 16th of November, 1859, in Onarga,Iroquois County, Mr. Atwood wedded Miss MaryWyllie, who was born in Warren, Me., and is adaughter of William and Harriet Wyllie. Shetaught the first school in Pella Township in herown home. Three children have been born oftheir union: Lillie A., who was born and rearedon the old home farm and educated in the publicschools and Onarga Seminary, is the wife of DavidE. Tufts, a farmer of Steele County, N. Dak.;Wyllie is a successful teacher of North Dakota,and Flora B. is a teacher of recognized ability inPella Township.Mr. and Mrs. Atwood are charter members ofthe Presbyterian Church in Piper City, to whichtheir children also belong, and he is now servingas one of its Elders. He cast iiis first Presidentialvote for John C. Fremont and has since been aRepublican, stanch and true. The cause of educationhas found in him a warm friend and he hasdone much for the advancement of the schoolsin this neighborhood. During the thirty-fiveyears of his residence in Ford County, he has wonthe confidence and regard of all with whom hehas been brought in contact and this work wouldbe incomplete without the sketch of Henry Atwood.EBENAVAIT, isa representative farmer andleading citizen of this county, residing on17, Button Township. His liferecord is as follows: He was born in SchuylerCounty, N.Y., February 26, 1823, and is a son ofAbijah Wait. The father was born in Jlassachusctts,February 2, 17'.t(l, and when a .young manwent to New York, settling in Schuyler County,where he married Hannah Calvert, a native of theEmpire State. Upon their farm, they spent theremainder of their lives and were buried in thefamily cemetery. They had a famil3- of two sonsand four daughters, all of whom grew to maturej-ears, namely: Phcebe, who became the wife ofAaron I'arish, of Schuyler County; both are nowdeceased. Nancy, wife of Frederick Stamp, a residentof Paxton; Henry, lately a farmer of SchuylerCounty, N. Y.; Eben of this sketch; Margaret,who is residing on the old homestead, and SarahAnn, who is also living on the old home farm inNew York.The educational advantages which our subjectreceived were only those afforded by the commonschools, and his boyhood days were spent in theusual manner of farmer lads. With his parentshe remained until after he had attained his majorit}-,when, on the 26th of Februar}-, 1845, in TompkinsCojinty, N. Y., he married Louisa Stamp, whowas born and reaied in Schuyler County, and is adaughter of Daniel Stamp, one of the pioneers ofthat locality Unto them have been born two sons:Elbert A., a substantial farmer of Button Township,and Adrian D., a j'Oiing man of sterling

\(^/(T^^c^ L^^^T-iyViil^Cic^f^^^^^L-C^i^^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 271wt)rtli and good business ability, who iiiiis his fatherin carrying on the liome farm.After liis marriage, Mr. Wait engaged in fanningin Lis native county for a number of years,and in 1855 emigrated Westward, taking up bisresidence in what is now Ford County, 111. Therewas no town where the city of Paxton now stands,the land was all in its primitive condition, and thework of progress and development seemed scarcelybegun. He bore all the hardships and privationsof pioneer life but his efforts were afterwardcrowned with success. He developed and improveda farm of eighty acres of valuable land,which is his present home. It is an excellent farm,supplied with substantial improvements, and itsneat appearance indicates the thrift and enleri)riseof the owner.Mr. Wait has helped to make Ford Count}' whatit is to-day, one of the best counties in the State,and is numbered among its honored pioneers. Hewas originally a Jackson Democrat, but on the organizationof the Republican party joined itsranks and is one of its stanch supporters. He hasheld several offices of honor and trust, includingthat of Commissioner of Highways, and has alsobeen a member of the School Board. He and hiswife are members of the Methodist Church andare highly respected members of this community,well deserving representation in the history of theiradopted county.OL. CHARLES BOGARDUS.To apiilaudworthy achievements is an instinct of humannature, and when noble results havelieen accomplished by one's own efforts, thrice deservingis he of praise. All delight to pay tributeto a self-made man, one who, despite great disadvantages,has achieved distinction.Such a one isthe well-known gentleman whose name heads thismemoir.The progenitor of the different branches of theBogardus family in America was Everardus Bogardus,a Dutch Reform clergyman, who emigratedfrom Holland to New Amsterdam (now New YorkCity) in 1633 and was the second minister in thatcitj'. residing on what is now Broad Street. In1638, he married Annetje, widow of Roelof Jansen,who had obtained a grant of sixty-two acres ofland in what is now the center of New York City.This farm, long known as "Dominie's Bowery," intime became vested in Trinity Church by unfairmeans and has caused continuous litigation sLaceii.'vL'.cHe is the only one of the name that has come to'J^'"this country.Col. Bogardus is a lineal descendant of the abovegentleman and is a son of James H. and LouisaBogardus. He was born in Cayuga County, N.Y.,March 28, 1841, and when only six years of agewas left an orphan, both parents being taken awayb}^ an epidemic. He was taken by an uncle, W. H.Bogardus, who gave him common-school advantagesuntil he was some twelve years of age, at whichtime young Charles entered a grocery store as clerk,at a salary of $1.50 per week, his kind uncle furnishinghim both board and clothes.This positionhe held for four years, receiving increase in salaryfrom time to time. His earnings were paid everySaturday night to the uncle, who, without the boy 'sknowledge, invested the same for him, and subsequentlyoffered to turn all over to him, notwithstandinghis uncle was a poor man. But the boy,although only eighteen years of age, declinedoffer and the mone^' with thanks.Borrowing means, he wenttheto Ridgeway, N. Y.,to accept a clerkship in the store of another uncleat $S per month.In this position, he served until1862, getting a yearly increase of salary. On the13th of August, 1862, Col. Bogardus, having justattained his majority, enlisted for the war in CompanyA, One Hundred and Fift^'-first New YorkInfantry. But before going to the field, as wasnot uncommon with the boys who feared someothers might woo and win their sweethearts (hiringtheir absence, he married, August 17, 1862.Miss Hannah W., daughter of William H. Pells,whose sketch is found on another page of thiswork. It is difficult to comprehend just how muchsacrifice and courage is necessary to leave a 3'ouugwife and face an armed foe. On the organizationof the company. Col. Bogardus was elected FirstLieutenant; was promoted U> be Caiitain of Com-

cerns of the kind in the State; one of the incoriporators272 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.panyl, Decem))er 12, 1862; to Lieutenant-ColonelDecember 10, 1864; and was breveted Colonel byorder of the President of the United States "'forgallant and meritorious services in the charge infront uf Petersliurg, Va., April 2, 1865." Theletter from the Governor of New York accompanyingthe commission states the reason for grantingthe commission, and is here given:"Colonel, 1 liave tlu' i)leasure to transmit herewitha brevet commission conferred by the President,in recognition of your faithful and distinguishedservices in the war. I feel a just pride inthis acknowledgment of the gallantry and devotionof an oUicer of this State, which serves toheighten the re|)utation won l)y the valor and constancyof the soldieis of New York."Veiy truly yours,"R. E. Fenton."The principal battles in which Col. Bogardustook part were the following: Mouocacy, Md., anengagement comparatively insignificant in itself,was important in its results. Three thousandUnion trooiis, by the skillful management of Gen.Lew AVallacc, held in check nearly six times theirnumber for twenty-four hours, thus giving Gen.Grant barely time to bring up the First and SecondDivisions of the Sixth Armj' Corps, as the ConfederateGen. Early appeared in front of the outerdefenses of Washington. Had that heroic littleband of boys in blue given way, the Capitol Citymust have fallen a i)rey to the enemy. In the battleof the AVilderness, the corps to which Col. Bogardusbelonged was on the extreme right, and allwell remember what a desperate effort Lee made tocrush that part of Grant's army. The battle ofSpottsylvania; Tolopotomoy; Cold Harbor, inwhich the One Hundred and Fifty-first lost fivecaptains; Petersburg, Sailor Creek, and Lee s surrenderwill ever be remembered as experiences inour subject's army life. At the battle of Monocacy,July 9, 1864, Col. Bogardus was so severelywounded that he could iKjt endure to be transferredby ambulance, hence was carried three miles on astretcher to the Confederate hosintal at FrederickCity, Md. Had his injuries been less, he wouldhave been sent to Richmond or to Libby Prison.Frederick City soon fell into the hands of theUnion troops, and he was transferred, about threemonths after, when able to travel, to the olliccrs'hospital at Annapolis, Md., where he regained hisstrength sufliciontly to come home on crutches andcast his tirst Presidential vote for Lincoln. Assoon as he could get about liy the use

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 2731884 to 1888, in the Ivower House of the State Legislature,and at the close of his second term as Representative,he was elected, in 1888, State Senatorfrom the Eighteenth Senatorial District, makingeight consecutive years that lie has been a memberof the Legislature, and has been unanimously endorsedby the counties of his District for renominationby the Republican part\' as their candidatefor the State Senate. Among the important billslie was instrumental in passing, two should be mentioned:one compelling instruction, in the publicschools, in pliysiology and hygiene, with referenceto the effects of alcoholic beverages, stimulantsand narcotics on the human system; and the otiierregulating the weight of Hour and corn meal, compellingfull weights under severe penalties. In theThirty-fourth General Assembly, he was one ofthe Republican members who in that memorableSenatorial contest, wliich lasted four months, succeededin electing Gen. John A. Logan to the Senateof the United States. Subsequently, the onehundred and three Republicans who stood so firmlyby the General organized themselves into a societycalled the "Logan 103," of which Col. Bogarduswas Secretary and Treasurer from its organizationuntil the last meeting, when he declined to servelonger. In the Thirty-fifth General Assembly, hewas unanimously chosen Chairman of the RepublicanHouse caucus for the session. At each session,he was appointed on some of the most importantcommittees, and held several importantchairmanships.Eor years, Col. Bogardus has taken an activeinterest in the State militia with a desire to putthe four thousand Illinois troops in the higheststate of efficiency.For four years, be held the positionof Colonel and A. D. C, on the staff of Gov.Oglesby, and is now holding the same positionunder Gov. Fifer.To the affairs of Paxton he has given attention,having been six years a member of the Council,and eight years a member of the School Board, ofwhich he was President a part of that time, and aTrustee of Paxton Collegiate Institute since itsorganization.Socially, he is a Knight Templar Mason and PastCommander of Paxton Post No. .'587, G. A. R.Col. Bogardus has but one living child, MariaMjwife of Oscar R. Zip, an attorney of Salt Lake City.In the support of church and charities. Col. Bogardusis liberal, giving where it is most needed,rather than where it would bring popularity.Mrs. Bogardus, who also owns extensive realestateinterests, is a woman of broad charity andis a zealous church worker, as is also the daughter,who is gratefully remembered by the people ofPaxton for her devout life and for her excei)ti(inalbusiness ability.Col. Bogardus is thoroughly American and hasalways been in syin[)ath(!tic touch with the laboringman. It is dillicult to estimate the true worthof a man like Col. Bogardus to any community.Possessed of superior mental powers, trained tothink and and act with coolness in the heat of battleand in the perplexities of business affairs, ableand willing to assist in every public lienefactionor private charity, just and honorable in his

274 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Republican, and is a member of the EvangelicalChurch of Lyman Townshi|). Although seventysevenyears of age, he is still hale and hearty. Hiswife died March 7, 1876, and her remains were interredin Livingston County.The eight children of the Fell wock family are allliving at this writing: Augusta, the eldest, is thewife of Mr. Lomarsh, a farmer of LivingstonCounty; Charles is the next younger; Mollie isthe wife of Adam Gihrish, a butcher of Chenoa,111.; Herman is married, and is a butcher of Beatrice,Neb.; Linda is the wife of Chris. Gehrish, ofChenoa, 111.; Louis is a stock-raiser of Beatrice,Neb.; Linnie is the wife of Mr. Alden, who successfullycarries on a meat market in Beatrice, Neb.;and Emile follows farming in Kankakee, 111.In the usual manner of farmer lads, our subjectwas reared to manhood, .lud was educatedboth inEnglish and German. He has inherited the industriousdisposition of his German ancestors, andhas made of his life a success. He now owns andoperates two hundred and forty acres of arableland, which is under a high state of cultivationand well improved with all the conveniences of amodel farm. There are large barns and other outbuildingsand the beautiful residence is one of thefinest in the township. This is a most desirableand valuable place. In addition to general farming,Mr. Fellwock also makes a specialty of thebreeding of fine horses, and now has a fine im-|)orted English shire horse about ten years old.On the 18th of April, 1867, our sulgect weddedMiss Katie Barrick, a native of Wayne County,N. Y., born April 3, 1839. Her education wasacquired in the common schools, and she is a ladyof gentle manner and kind and benevolent disposition.Her parents are both deceased. Her fatherdied in Yates County, N. Y., at the age of fortythreeyears, and his wife died in Ford Count3', atthe age of sixty. INIrs. Fellwock has one sister,Lydia, who is living in Lyman Township, and ahalf brother, Levi J. Pfaat, a resident of Fairbury,111.Three children were born unto our subject andhis wife, but Laura and Lewis both died in infancy.Lydia M. is the wife of Joseph A. Miiicli, a residentof Lyman Township. She is the only livingchild and the comfort of her parents.She belongsto the Evangelical Church, and was married November19, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Fellwock are bothmembers of the German Evangelical Church, areearnest workers in the Master's vineyard and formany years have been identified with the Sundayschoolwork. In politics, he is a warm advocateof Republican principles and east his first Presidentialvote -for Abraham Lincoln. His uprightlife and sterling worth have won him high regard,and he well deserves representation in this volume.RANK OREN CULTER, M. D., theonlyhomeopathic phj'sician of Ciibson City anda most successful practitioner, is a nativeof Brown Countj', Ohio, and was born in Russellville,ofthat count}', on the 8th of May, 1861. Hisparents, Allen M. and Mary (Geeslin) Culler, werealso natives of Ohio. The mother was called toher final rest in the fall of 1891, but her husbandstill survives and resides in Russellville, Ohio.The subject of this sketch received his literaryeducation in the schools of his native town, closingin the High School. On leaving school, heentered upon the stud}' of medicine in the PulteMedical College, of Cincinnati, Ohio, whence hewas graduated in the Class of '87. Or. receivinghis diploma, he began the practice of his professi(mm Dover, Kj'.Dr. Culter continued in that place until ho w.asunited in marriage, which important event occurredon the 28th of May, 1889. The lady wasin her maidenhood Miss Lucy J. Aminer, a daughterof John S. and Margaret Ammer, of Augusta,Ky. Mrs. Culter was born and reared in that placeand there received her education. Immediatelyafter their marriage, the Doctor and his wife cameto Gibson City, 1 11., where they have since resided.Dr. Culter is one of the practicing physicians ofhis school in Ford County and has already achievedprominence in his profession in consequence of hisskill, ability and uniform success in practice. He isone of the prominent young business men of theplace and takes an active interest in the welfare of

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the community. In |Hilitical sentiment, the Doctoris a stalwart Hepubliean, and is a Piesbyterianin religious affiliations. Mis. Culter was rearedunder the auspiws of the Bai)tist Churcli and belonsi:sto that denomination. This couple rankhigh in social circles and he is a member of(libson Lodge No. 733, A. F. it A. M. He is nowerecting a line dwelling house in (iibson City anddesigns niuking that town his permanent place ofresidence.PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 279T/ NDREW JORDAN, one of the earliestsettlers of Ford County and one of her(li most successful farmers, now owns andoperates eight hundred and eighty acresof very fine land, his home being situated on section13, Drummer Township. In accordance withhis enteri)rising and progressive spirit, his farm isunder a high state of cultivation and well suppliedwith excellent buildings and good improvements,both useful and ornamental, which add to itsvalue and attractive ap|)earance.Mr. Jordan was born near Louisville, Ky.,August 28, 1828, and is a son of William andLovica (Brooks) Jordan, both of whom were nativesof Virginia and located in Kentucky about1818. A few years later, they removed to MonroeCounty, near Gosport, Ind., where they spent theremainder of their lives. The father died about185.") and the nioLher about 1849. By occupation,he was a farmer and ever followed that businessfor a livelihood.Himself and wife were both adherentsof the I}a[)tist Churcli and, in i)olitics, hewas a supporter of Democratic [irinciples.Our subject was fifth in order of birth in a familyof twelve children. He received but a limitededucation and remained with his paients until hehad attained his majurity, when he started out inlife for himself. With a horse and *15 inmoney, he located near Virginia, Cass County,III.,and began work as a farm hand, receiving ^13per month. In the fall of I s oil. he returned toIndiana, and after a short time went to Bloomington.111., where he worked for about six months.12lie then became a resident of Cass County, III.,where he was engaged as a farm hand. Once more,he returned to Indiana and subsequently locatedin Champaign County, having jiurchased one hundredacres of land. A year later, however, he exchangedfarms with his father-iii-lavv, receivingeighty acres, which INIr. Devore had entered fromthe Government.Mr. Jordan was married, on the 30th of November,1852, to INIiss Amanda Devore, who w.as bornnear Gosport, Owen County, Ind., March 16, 1835,and is a daughter of Nicholas and Polly (Hartzog)Devore, who were of German lineage. They werealso members of the Christian Church, and, in politics,Mr. Devore was a stalwart Rei)ublican.Immediatelyafter their marriage, our subject and hiswife settled on their farm in Champaign County,but in March, 1854, came to their present home.From time to time, he added to his possessionsuntil he became the owner of eleven hundredacres, but has since sold a portion of it andnow owns eight hundred and eighty acres of valuableland. He also owns and operates one of thelargest brick and tile works in the county and, incounecliou with his farming, raises a fine grade ofhorses and cattle. He has been very successful inhis business career and his success is well deserved.He bore all the hardships and trials of frontier life,however. The first home of himself and wife wasa log cabin. They did their first corn plantingunder trying circumstances. Mr. Jordan wouldtake the baby (their son William) in his arms andplow for a time, while his wife would drop thecorn. At length, he fixed a box on top of theplow and, placing the little fellow in that, resumedhis work. There were no near markets. Paxton,Loda, Elliott, Gibson, Melvin and Sibley, all nowthriving towns, were not then laid out. They sawthe introduction of all the railroads in this part ofthe county and have been eye-witnesses of muchof the growth and development of this community.Five children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs.Jordan: AVilliam, who is engaged in farming inSibley; James, a resident farmer of Kansas; John,who operates the old homestead; Lizzie, wife ofDr. CamiJiell, a physician of Ft. Recovery, Ohio;and Charlie, who is engaged in agricultural i)ur-

280 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.suits iri Dix Township. The parents are people ofbenevolent disposition, hold raerahership witli theCliristian Church in Gibson, and take an activeinterest in its work. Church and Sunday-sclioolwere held in their home and that of their neighborsin the early days. In the fall of 1890, Mr.Jordan donated two hundred and tvvent_y tliousandbrick for the beautiful church edifice in wliich henow worships, and which stands as a monumentto his benevolence. The first Township and tliefirst Presidential elections in Drummer Townshipwere held in his home, in 1861.Mr. Jordan was the lirst .Supervisor of DrummerTownship, which otiice he filled for two years,and is recognized as one of the most honored andprominent citizens of the county. His life hasbeen well and worthily sijent, and in the faithfuldischarge of his duties and every trust reposedin liim, iic has won the confidence and high regardof all.J'OHN McKINNEY, a member of the firm ofJ. McKinuey & Son, has been engaged inbusiness in Piper City since 1869, and isone of the honored pioneers of the county.He is a native of the Emerald Isle. He was bornin Cookstown, near Belfast, November 28, 1834,and is a son of Archibald McKinney, wlio was hornand reared in the same localit3',and was a merchantin the linen trade. He married Elizabeth McKinney,who bore the same name but was no relative,and ail of the cliildren who are yet living wereborn in Ireland.Tlie family left their native landin 1847, sailing from Liverpool, and after sixweeks arrived at Pliiladelphia. In 1857, the fathercame West and settled upon a tract of wild prairieland in Brenton Township, where lie resided untileight years ago, since which time he has made hishome in Piper City. He is now ninety years ofage, but his wife died June 1, 1892, within threedays of her ciglitieth birtliday. He and his familj^are all members of the Presbj'terian Church, and,in politics, lie is a Republican. Three children areyet living: John, of this sketch; Mrs. Perry, whois now a widow and resides with her father, andMrs. McLauglilin, of Piper City.Our subject spent the first fourteen years of hislife in liis native land and tlien accompanied hisparents to this country. He attended a niglitschool in Philadelphia, and acquired a good Englisheducation. After serving a five-3'cars' apprenticeshipto the carpenter's trade, he worked ina brick yard, and, in 18.56, emigrated to Illinois,and w.is employed on the Illinois Central Railroad,before the city of Paxton was established. In 1859,he came to Piper Citj', before it was laid out, wherehe has since made his home, and, in 1866, tookcharge of the lumber department of the business ofJ. A. Montelius. Three years later, he went intobusiness for himself .as a lumber-dealer, and in1871 admitted liis brother William into partnership.They opened a furniture and hardwarestore and the connection was continued until 1880,when the brother died, and Mr. McKinuey wasagain alone in business until 1888, when he admittedhis son Will to partnership. They dealin lumber, carry a large stock of hardware and fur- 1niture, and do an undertaking business, their salesthe i)ast year amounting to $37,000. From thebeginning, their trade has constantly increased andthey are well deserving the liberal patronage whichthey receive.April 23, 1865, in this county, Mr. McKinneywas united in marriage with Fredericka Walrich,who was born in Hanover, Germany, and, when achild, was brought to this countr3'. They havefive children living and have lost one: Lizzie R.w.as married June 16, 1892, to Rev. Amery S. Haskins;Will O., who attended Bryant & .Stratton'sBusiness College of Chicago, has for four yearsbeen a partner of his father and is an enterprisingyoung business man; Kate M. graduated from theOnarga Academy in .June, 1892; Jennie M. andEmily F. are at home; and Maggie died at the ageof nine years.Mr. McKinnej' cast his first I'residential votefor Abraham Lincoln and has since been a stalwartsupjiorter of Republican principles. He has servedas a delegate to the county conventions and is influentialin its councils. He has held a number oflocal offices, including that of Township Collector,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 281and was a inemlier of the Village TJoard. ITeandliisfamily belong to the Presbyterian Cliuich of IMperCity, of whieli he was a charter member, and ofwliieli lie is now Tiustee. He takes an active partin its growth and upbuilding, and has been lil)eralwith his jneans in its support. l\Ir. IMcKinneycame to b'ord County l)efore it was organized andlias been iirominently connected witli its history.lie deserves great credit for what he has dime forthe coinmnnity .and his name shoidd be enrolledanK)ng the founders of Pijjcr t'ity.In his Inisinesscareer he has met with signal success, for wliieh hehas no one to thank but himself, as his prosperityhas come as the reward of his own efforts.T KTHUR SWANICK is now living aretired life in Roberts. He is a self-mademan and one of the lu'ominent citizens ofthe county. He started out in life emptyhanded,with no capital save a young man's brighthope of the future, but through industry, enterpriseand good management, he has steadily workedhis way upward to a position of affluence, and the uiJrightlife that he has lived is well worthy ofemulation.He was born in County Mayo, Ireland,September16, 1832, and is a son of .John and Frances(Kirkpatrick) Swanick, also natives of the samecounty. The father vvas a farmer and died on theEmerald Isle when in the prime of life. His wifeafterward came to America and died in Robertsin 1873. Of their four sons and two daughters,five are yet living: Arthur, of tiiis sketch; Mary,wife of Peter Welsli, a contractor of Saratoga.Springs, N. Y.; Sarah, wife of Abraham Code, aboot and shoe merchant of La Salle County, 111.;.John, an agriculturist of Lj-raan Townsiiip; andAlexander, who makes his home in Mendota and isan employe on the Chicago, Lurlington A- tiuincyRailroad.Our subject siient the dajs of his boyiiood andyouth in the usual manner of farmer lads, and onattaining his majority decided to try his fortunein America. He sailed from Liverpool, and, aftera voyage of six weeks and two days, landed atNew York, from whence he went to Saratoga, thatState, where he had friends living. After sevenyears spent in that locality, he came to Illinois,locating lirst in La Salle County, and afterwardresiding in Kane County, where he became acquaintedwith and married ISIiss Rose Layden, anativeof County Leitrim, I rcland. Their union wascelebrated .luly 13, 18t;2, and unto them were bornthree daughters and a son. Their daughter Alice,who became the wife of David Smith, of LymanTownship, died January 19, 1892. She was a noblemindedwoman who had a host of friends throughoutthis community. She left a husband and twolittle daughters to mourn her loss."We shall miss her, we shall miss her.Mother, sister, friend so dear.For the face tliat smiled so sweetly'Ne'er again shall greet us here."But the Glod of truth and justice,On whose bosom now she leans.Tells us that unto the faithfulSoon there'll be no parting scenes."Sarah, the second child of the family, resides inRoberts; Susan is a successful teacher in the publicschools; and .John is an enterprising agriculturistof this county'.The mother came to America when a child ofseven summers, and resided in New Y'ork untileighteen years of age, when she came to Illinois.Mr. .Swanick's first purchase of land consistedof eighty acres of raw prairie, for which hepaid SlO per acre. It had no improvementsupon it, but he built a small frame house, 16x24feet. As the result of his persistent efforts andindustry, his possessions have constantly increasedand he is now the owner of a fine farm oftwo hundred and sixty acres, twenty acres ofwhich are within the village. He has followed theoccupation of farming as his chief pursuit, but isnow living a retired life in his pleasant home onMain Street, where he owns a comfortable home andcommodious residence, which is the abode of hospitality.He cast his first Presidential vote forAbraham Lincoln, but since that time has votedwith the Democratic party, except at localelections, when he supports the man, regardless of

282 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'mCAL RECORD.party atlili:iti(/ns. His wife is a member of tlieCatholic Cliurcli. He is a public-spirited gentleman,of benevolent disposition, and the poor andneedy never leave his door empty-handed.'F ^ ENRY BROCK, a retired farmer who makes'^his home in Piper City, was born in TomjikinsCounty, N. Y., May 8, 1824, and is ofI, Scotch descent. The great-grandfather, accompaniedby two brothers, came from Scotland toAmerica prior to the Revolutionary War, and theformer served in the struggle for indepeiidence.He was with AVashington during the hard winterat Valley Forge, where the bleeding feet of the soldiersmade tracks upon the snow.The father of our subject, Thom.as Brock, w.isborn and reared in Dutchess County, N. Y., upona farm, and in an early day removed to TompkinsCounty. After his father's death, he and his brotherstook care of, and supported, the family. Hewas married, in that county, to PhoBbe Woodruff, anative of Connecticut. In i)olitics, he was a Democratfor some j'ears, and afterward became a Whig.In religious belief, he was a Congregationalist. Hedied in 1872, at the age of sixty-seven years. Hiswife survived him several j'ears, and passed awayat the advanced age of eighty-four. During the lastyears of her life she was lilind. The family numberedthe following children: Maria, deceased; Henry,of this sketch; John, who is living near the oldhomestead;Lavina, wife of Abel Baker, who was ateacher in the Deaf and Dumb As3ium of Illinoisfor a time; Alfred, who lives on the old homesteadin New York; Chester, who died in childhood;Alecta, now Mrs. Holister, of New York, andPhcebe; one died in infancy.Our subject acquired his education in the publicand at a select school. His school life was endedat the age of eighteen years, after which he devotedhis entire time and attention to farm work. Onattaining his majority, he began working for himself,and four years later came to Illinois, in 1849,locating near Ottawa, where he engaged in .agriculturalpursuits for twenty years. During that time,he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah ,1. Woodruff,who died in La Salle Couut3'.Mr. Brock wasagain married in 1882, in tliis county, his secondunion being with Mrs. INIariette Thomas, widow (jfFrancis Thom.as.She has one son by her first marriage,John, who resides at home and operateseighty acres of land.In 18(39, Mr. Brock came to Ford County, andpurchased one hundred and twenty .acres of unimprovedi)rairie land in IVlla Township. This hedrained, transforming the wild land into rich andfertile fields, and making it a valuable farm, uponwhich he resided until 18H."), although he continuedto operate his land until two years ago. His healthhaving failed, he has since lived a retired life inPiper City. He is a man of good business aliility,enterprising and progressive, and by his own effortshas accumulated his property.Mr. Brock is a member of the M.asonic lodge, ofPiper City. In early life, he w.as a sujiporter ofthe Whig party, and cast his first Presidential votefor Gen. T.aylor. In 1860, he supported Lincoln,and since that time has voted with the Republicanparty, except in 1872, when he cast his ballot forHorace Greeley. AVliile in La Salle Count}', heserved as Commissioner of Highways, has beenSchool Trustee for a number of 3'ears, and hasserved as Trustee of Piper City, but has never beenan office-seeker. He is recognized as one of thesubstantial citizens of the community, and is bothwell and favorably known throughout his adoiitedcounty.OBERr SHAMBROOK is numbered amongif the representative and enterprising farmersof Lyman Township. His home is on^^ section .5, where he owns eighty acres ofarable land under a high state of cultivation andwell improved. The well-tilled fields and neat appearanceof the place indicate his thrift and enterpriseand his is one of tlie model farms of the community.Mr. Shambrook was liorn in Devonshire, nearBarnstable, England, June 19, 1825, and was the

Isecond in order of hiitli in a family of five cliildren,four sons and one dangliler, but he lias onlyone brother now liviiiij, John, a successful fanner,who is married and resides in Lyman Township.The parents were Henry and Frances (Braley).Shambrook, both natives of Devcnisliire. Tiiefather was a fanier and died at the ago of sixtyyears. He and his wife were both members of theEpiscopal Church.The subject of this sketch received but limitededucational advantages, but by reading and observatit)nin after life, he has made himself a well-informedman. In 1853, he was united in marriage toMiss Prudence Ridge, also a native of Devonshire,and with his bride sailed for America. Coming tothis country, he took up his residence in FordCounty, 111., in 1874, where he has since carriedon farming. Four children were born unto Mr.and l\Irs. Shamlirook, and the family circle j^et remainsunbroken: Sarah, wife of Martin Beer, anagriculturist, by whom she had five children; FannieJane, wife of Henry Forney, a resident farmerof Lyman Township; John Henry, who marriedMiss Jane Huxtable and is living in Lyman Township;and Elizabeth, who also makes lier home in LymanTownship. The mother of this family diedOctober 24, 1875, and lier remains were interred inRoberts Cemeterj'. Mr. Shambrook was againpiarried, September 24, 1876, at the MethodistChapel in Barnstable, KInglaiid, his second unionbeing with Miss Grace Braund, a native of Barnstable,born March 13, 1831, and a daughter ofHenry and Elizabeth (Green) Braund.After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Shambrookset sail for America at Liverjiool and at lengtli arrivedat Quebec, whence they came to FordCounty. Since that time, they have been residentsof L3'man Township, and are among itshighly respected citizens. They are members ofthe Baptist Church, and have taken much interestin the Sunday-school work.In politics, INIr. Shambrookhas been a stanch Republican since tlic organizationof the party. He cast his first Presidentialvote for Gen. Winfield Scott. He hasserved as School Director but has never been anoffice-seeker, preferring to devote his entire timeand attention to his business interests, which he1PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 283has followed with good success. He commencedlife in this country as a farm hand, workingat ^12per month, and, in addition to his home farm, heowns one hundred and sixty acres of land inWhite County, Ind. His success has all been dueto his own efforts and for it he certainly deservesniueh credit. He and his wife are kind-hearted,generous peoi)le and arc lield in the highest regardby all who know them for their sterling worth.i >« >i »• I 1"il/ ()HN H. HOIiMES is the resident and managingpartner of the firm of Keiser, Holmescfe AVhite, Elevator Company, of GibsonCity. This coinpan3' was organized in December.188(). and does a general grain and lumberbusiness. They have an elevator at Gibson whichhas a storage capacity of forty-five tliou.sand liushels;one at East Lynn, of twenty-five thousandbushels, and handle grain at Switch D. Theyhandle during the shipping season a total of threehundred thousand bushels of grain. Their lumberbusiness, which is extensive, is limited to the GibsonCity yard.Mr. Holmes was born in Pike County, 111., onthe 22(1 of May, 1851, and is a son of Cyrus andCalista (Bennett) Holmes. His father was l)orn inWalthani, Mass., in 1817, and his mother was anative of the State of New York. iMr. Holmes,Sr., came to Illinois when about seventeen yearsof age, and the mother of our subject removed tothis State in girlhood. They were married inPrinceton, III., and made their home in PikeCounty, where Mr. Holmes engaged in farming.He continued that occu|iation in Pike Countyuntil LSO'.l. then moved on a farm near Ludlow,Champaign County, where he remained until hisdeath, in 1886. Mrs. Holmes survived her husbandfive years, being called to her final rest inFebruary, 1891. They were highly respectedpeople and received the confidence of the entirecommunity where tiiey made their home.Our subject was reared on his father's farmuntil twenty-one years of age, and received hiseducation in the country- schools of Pike Count3-.

284 i'ORTRAlT AND JilOGRAPHICAL RECORD.On tlic 31st of Decemlier, 1873. he was married inLudlow, III., to Miss Maiy Clo^d, a daughter ofArchie C'lo^^d, and a native of Mercer County, K3^Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holmes Iiave been born fourchildren, but throe are now deceased.Belva, theireldest, died at the .ige of six years; Bertha, deceased,was of the same age .as lier sister; F.ay diedwhen eleven months old, and Stella, their onlyliving child, is the youngest.In 1877, Mr. Holmes removed witli his family towhat is now known as Fall River, Kan., and theremade his home until 1880, when he returned toIllinois and eng.aged in .agricultural pursuits fortwo years. Tie came to Gibson City in August,lH,s-2, and engaged in buying and shipping hayuntil 188

members of the Congreoatioiial Clnirch and theirupright lives liave won them the liigli regard ofall. Tlieir pleasant home, which is the nl)ode ofhospitality, is located on an eiglity-aere farm,whose rich and fertile fields yield a golden tributeto the care and cultivation of the owner. Mr.Bunker east his first Presidential vote for Gen.Grant, and tlie Republican party has ever foundin him a stanch advocate of its principles. He hasbeen olficially connected with the school of LymanTownship for a number of years, and while in Robertswas a member of the Board of Education.Socially, he is a member of the Grand Army.PREDERICK/ *^*sPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 285_VE. STEININIANN, who is engagedin general farming and stock-raisingon section 6, Wall Townsliip, is aErnest died in Germany; Henry, whose sketch appearselsewhere in this work, is a farmer of WallTownship; Katherina is the widow of Joe Feldhus,and resides in St. Louis; and Cliarlotte is the wifeof George Spellmeyer.Our subject spent his childhood days in his nativeland, crossing the Atlantic to America whentwenty-five years of age. This was in 1857, andin 1866 the other members of the family emigratedto America. The father, who was born inSeptember, 1802, died at the home of Henry Spellmeyer,in Ford County, in 1875. His wife diedin her native land in 1858, at the age of fifty-flveyears. Frederick acquired his education in theschools of Germany, which he attended for eightyears, and later worked in the coal mines for fouryears. He also served for two years in the Germanarmj' as a member of the Fifteenth Infantry,and in 1857 he sailed from Bremen, landing atNew Orleans after a voyage of nine weeks. Hethen made his way up the river to St. Louis,Mo., where he lived seven and one-half years, andfor two years and a half w.as cmi)loyed in a foundry,and three years in a shot tower and brickj-ard.Sul)sequently, he joined Company A, of theSecond Missouri Regiment, and for two years didservice with that command, being principally engagedin border warfare.On the expiration of that time, Mr. Steinmannwas advised l)y his physician to leave the city onaccount of poor health, and he determined tocome to Illinois, and after four years spent in LaSalle County, where he followed farming, came toFord County in 1870. He here iiurchased eightyacres of wild prairie land, upon which he }'etmakes his home, but now owns six hundred andforty-seven acres. Besides the home farm of onehundred and sixty acres on section 6, Wall Township,he has two eighty-acre tracts of land on sec-both of whom were born and reared in the samenative of Prussia. He was born in the town of tion 16, L3'inan Township; two on section 2, .andBlossheira, on the 26th of August, 18.32, and is a one eighty-acre tract on section 2.3, L)'man Township,son of Gerhardt and Mar}' (Becker) Steinmann,and one eighty-seven acre tract of land onsection 12, Peach Orchard Township. The home|locality, and the father served in the German farm is under a high state of cultivation, andarmy. Seven children were born of their union in buildings and other improvements indicate theGermany, the eldest of whom is Frederick; Louisa progressive spirit of the owner, who is now doingis the wife of Henry Spellmeyer; William and a successful business as a general farmer and stockraiser.His life has been a busy one, yet he hasfound time to aid in the advancement of thoseenterprises calculated to promote the best interestsof the community. In politics, Mr. Steinmann isa Republican. He has served as School Directorfor fifteen years and the cause of education hasfound in him a warm friend. He and his wife andchildren are members of the German MethodistChurch, of Melvin.Mr. Steinmann was married in Germany, on the25th of May, 1857, just prior to emigrating toAmerica, his union being with Miss Louisa Spellmeyer.Her father, Gotlieb Spellmeyer, who wasborn in Germany, April y, 1806, and died in April,1888, at the home of his daughter, when abouteighty-one years of age, had seven children, ofwhom five are living. Mr. Spellmeyer came toAmerica in the year 1857. He was a member of

•286 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.the Lutheran Church, and, in politics, was a Democrat.His wife, wlio bore the maiden name ofCarolina Kustcr, was born in Germany, January1, 1807, and died in 1880. She also was a memberof tiic Lutheran Cliurch. Mrs. Steinmann waseducated in the German schools. She was a kindand loving wife and mother, and has been a valuablehelpmate to her husband, with whom she hastraveled life's journey for thirty-five years.Unto this worthy couple have been born tenchildren, seven of whom arc yet living, as follows:Carrie wa.> married, May 28, 1884, to Adam Schafer,a merchant of Melvin;Henry, who was educatedin Xapi'rvillo College, of Naperville, 111., and isMr. Silialcr's [lartner in business, married SusannaScliafcr October 6, 188(),and their home is in Melvin;Louisa .1., Frederick W.; Mary W., Emma jM.and Johnnie L. are still at home. The four eldestchildren were born in St. Louis, the others arenatives of Illinois. The family is widely and favorablyknown in this (ommuiiity and ranks highin social circles. Mr. Stcmmann is one of themost prominent farmers of Wall Township, andis an influential and valued citizen.C. MAXSON, a practical and progressivefarmer of Lyman Township, residing onsection 14, claims Connecticut as the Stateof his nativity. He was born February8, 1821, and traces his ancestry back to the dayswhen the Pilgrim Fathers landed on the shores ofMassachusetts. His parents were Amos Champaignand Elizabeth (Tinker) Maxson. His father wasborn in Connecticut, and was a carpenter by trade.In politics, he was a Democrat, and in religious beliefwas a Baptist. He died at the age of ninetythreeyears. His family numbered four sons andtwo daughters, but, with the exception of oursubject, only one is now living, Nancy, who residesin Connecticut, at the age of ninety-two. Theearly boyhood days of our subject were spent underthe parental roof, where he remained untilfourteen years of age, when he shipjied aboard asailing-vessel on the high seas, leaving New Yorkon a packet bound for London. He followed this -?life for seven years, and became mate of a vessel.He has sailed to the Sandwich Islands, Havre,Rotterdam, Ital}', Sicily, Antwerp, and .around CapeHorn. He made fifteen voyages on the "Wellington"to London, one on the "Hector" to Mobile,one each to Liverpool on the "Metoka," the "Sidons"and the "Cornelia," one each to London onthe "Toronto" and the "Montreal;" was secondmate on the brig "Republic" during three voyages,and the brig "Mettamora" on two voj-agesto Aitpalachicola, was boatswain on two voyages toLiverpool, was first mate on the "Sampson" onthree voyages, on the barque "Curtis" from NewOrleans to Philadcliihia, on the brig "Emeline," onthe brig "Ocilla, which went around Cape Horn toCalifornia, on the barrpie "Mayflower," for twoyears, on the "Sir Robert Peel," during two V03'-ages, and the "Lenore," and the "American Congress"during one voyage. He was Captain of tlicships "Tonera," and "Edwina" each a voyage.He w.as on the high seas for about a quarter of acentury, during which time they encountei'cd manysevere storms, and on one occasion the crew wereat the pumps for seven days and seven nights.In 1852, Mr. Maxson was united in marriagewith Miss Phojhe Elizaljeth Pierson, a native ofLime, Conn., and unto them were born three sonsand three daughters, all yet living, namely: EttieLouise, who was educated in Grand Prairie Seminaryin Onarga, and is a successful teacher of thiscounty;Laura, wife of Henry Clay Miner, of GeneseeCounty, N. Y.; Bertha, wife of John Dopps,of Bloomington, III.; John Arthur, who is marriedand resides in Brentou Township; Pierson R., whois married, and is employed in the shops of theChicago & Alton Railroad at Bloomington, 111.;and Wilber R., who completes the family. Themother dei)arted this life .July 19, 187',), and herremains were interred in Roberts Cemetery, wherea beautiful monument marks her last resting place.In 18.59, INIr. Maxson came to Ford County, thena part of Vermilion Count}', and, although he hasresided upon the same farm, h.as lived in two countiesand three different township organizations,Stockton, Brentou and Lyman. He entered onehundred and sixty acres of raw land ui)on which

-i^.&^-^^K^>^.1

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD.28Hnot a furrow had been turned f>r an improvementmade. Gibson, ]\lelvin, Ui>l)crts and Piper Citywere not then laid out, and wild game roamedover the prairies upon wliicli those towns are nowloeated. Mr. INIaxson now owns eighty acres ofimproved land and his valuable farm yields to hima good ineome. In his political allillations, he is aRepublican, but has never sought or desired publicotlice, preferring to devotehis entire time and attentionto his bu.siness interests. His career hasbeen a checkered one, \'et one of honor, and he isregarded as one of the valued and representativecitizens of Ford County. He is also numberedamong its honoretl pioneers, having been an eyewitnessof its growth and npliuilding for a thirdof a century.'ARON BROWN, recently dccea.sed, was anative of Piper City. In presenting to/// 111 our readers a sketch of this gentleman, we^(1 give the record of a self-made man, onewho by his own efforts worked his way upwardfrom a humble position in life to one of affluence,and his example in many respects is well worthyof emulation. He was born in Lancaster County,Pa., IMarch 29, 1836, and was a son of Christianand Elizabeth (Hoover) Brown, both of whomwere natives of Pennsylvania. They removed tothe West about 185(1, locating in Peoria County,111., where Mr. Brown purchased a farm of one hundredand sixty acres, nine miles from Peoria, andthere spent the remainder of his life, his death occurringDecember 2, 1879. His wife passed awayMarch 6, 1881, at the age of seventy-three years,eleven months and twenty-nine days. Mr. Brownwas a successful business man and made a goodhome. In politics, he was a Democrat and was amember of the Presbyterian Church. The familynumbered ten children: John, deceased; Jacob andSamuel (twins), who died in childhood; Celinda,deceased; Reuben, who was killed by lightning;Henry, deceased; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Fisher, ofWoodford County, 111.; Mrs. Mary L. Stoner, ofTaylor Count}-, Iowa; Christian II., who is employedin a corn-planter works in Peoria; .andAaron.The boyhood days of our subject wei-c spent inthe Keystone State, where his education wasacquired in the primitive log schools with itsslab seats. At the age of fourteen, he came to Illinoisand before attaining his majority started outin life for himself. From 1858 until near the closeof his life, he followed the occupation of farming,but in 1865, he laid aside all business caresand, on the 16tli of Februaiy, joined Company G,of the Fourteenth Illinois Infantry. The regimentmarched through to Raleigh and joined Sherman'sArmy. After the surrender of Johnson,they went to Richmond, Va. Tlu^y were underGen. Sherman at the battles of Parkersburg, Va.,and Louisville, Ky., and participated in the grandreview in Washington. Mr. Brown was in the servicefor eight months, during which time he traveledmany hundreds of miles. On his returnhome, he resumed farming in Peoria County,where he remained for two or three 3ears, thenwent to Livingston Count}-, where he spent fourteenyears. In 1883, he moved to Ford Count}-,which was his home until his death, and in PellaTownship the family still owns one hundred andsixty acres of good land, although they now maketheir home in Piper City.Mr. Brown was married inPeoria County, January26, 1858, the lady of his choice being MissSarah II. Pierce, a native of that county and adaughter of John and Mary (Wilbur) Pierce, whoemigrated from Massachusetts to Illinois in 1838,becoming early settlers of Peoria, where the fatherfollowed the occupation of carpentering. Theyhad a family of eight children: Frank, who is nowliving retired in Oregon; Mary, who died in childhood;Mrs. Mary L. Conover, of Peoria; Henry C,who served as Fife Major during the late war inthe Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry, is now deceased;Mrs. Brown is the next younger; Charlesdied in infancy; and Charles, the second of thatname, who served as a soldier in the late war, is aresident of Chicago; Samuel resides in BrentonTownship.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born the followingchildren, viz: Mrs. Anna F. Ives, now of

290 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Forest, Livingston County; Elizabeth, deceased;Carrie P., wife of Thomas Claris, of Ciillom, 111.;Celinda, deceased; Ida, wife of Edward Hevener,a farmer, of Pella Township; Sadie, wife of AlbertMcKinney, of Piper City; Charles, who diedin cbildliood; Lula, Mabel, Willie and Iva, athome. Tlie children have all received good educationaladvantages and the older ones are nowoccupying useful and responsible positions in life.Mrs. Brown and all the children, save the youngesttwo, are Presb3'terians, as was also Mr. Brown,who served as a Trustee. They are worthy citizensof the communit}', and have the warm regardof many friends. In politics, Mr. Brown was aRepublican, having supported that party since becast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.On the evening of the 10th of May, 1892, hewith his family attended a church social, returninghome at lialf past ten o'clock. Within a few minutes,he complained of not feeling well; medicalaid was called, but nothing could be done to relievehim. At two o'clock the -next morning, bisspirit took its flight.IIis loss was mourned by bisfamily and man 3- friends, for lie was a kind fatlier,husliand and valued citizen. His remains werelaid to rest in tiie Cliatsworth Cemetery.^^-^=^^>-^^

is n Republican, Imvinn; supported that [larty sincehe attained his majority. He belongs to the firecompany of Pii)er City and li

292 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIHICAL RECORD. 1in the army in his native land, serving a term ofthree years. He coutinucfl to reside in Prussiauntil 1852, when hebade good-bye to home andfriends and embarked for America upon a sailingvesselwhich reached New York about a monthlater. He then continued his journey across thecountry to Chicago, tlien just beginning to be atown of some importance, and there commenced towork at his trade for 14 per month. After a shorttime, however, he began work on the Illinois CentralRailroad, which was then in process of building,and was thus employed for about a year, afterwhich he went to Magnolia, Putnam Countj% andestablished a shoe shop, cavrj'ing on business inthat line until 1865. In that year, he removed toMarshall County, where he engaged in farming fortwo years, after which he came to Ford Count3'andpurchased three hundred and twenty acres of land,located on section 1, Peach Orchard Township.Here he has made his home continuously since, carryingon general farming and stock-raising, and inall his business undertakings he has met with thatsuccess which comes as the result of industry, enterpriseand perseverance, supplemented by goodman.agement and close attention to all the detailsof l)usiness. As his financial resources have increased,he has added to his possessions, until hislands now aggregate al)out fifteen hundred acres.Besides his liome farm, he now owns eighty acreson section 35, and one hundred and sixty acres onsection 10, Peach Orchard Township; one hundredand sixty-eight acres in Lyman Township; threehundred and twenty acres in Oceola County, Iowa;and six hundred acres of improved land m .JacksonCounty, Minn.On the 14th of October, 1855, Mr. Buchholz wasunited in marriage with Miss Caroline Funte.Their union has been blessed with eight children,and the family circle is still unbroken at this writing,the spring of 1892. The three eldest, Charles,Albert and William, are all business men of Melvin;Amanda and Emma are at home; Frank andLaura are attending the Normal College of Bloomington.111., and May completes the number. TheBuchholz household is the abode of hospitality andits members rank high in social circles.In his political alliliations, Mr. Buchholz is a Republicanbut has never sought or desired publicofflce, preferring to devote his entire attention tohis business, which he has followed with signalsuccess. He maj- truly be called a self-made manand his life should serve to encourage others, who,likehimself, have to start out to fight life's battleempty-handed.He is now one of the wealthy citizensof the count}' as well as one of the leadingmen, and it is with pleasure that we present thissketch to our readers.J****,* i,****!-=l***+^^''M"i-+"\t|O.SEPH FARLIN, deceased, was born inTazewell County, 111., April 10, 1858, anddied at his home in Drummer Township, onthe 9th of September, 1887, respected by allwho knew him. His parents were Jonas and Martha(Lattimore) Farlin,the former a native of NewYork and the latter of New Jersey, although bothwere of English descent. In early life, they emigratedto Ohio, where they were married, and untothem were born six children, as follows: Samuel,Pernielia, Charles, Harriet, Thomas, John andJoseph. The parents were both members of theMethodist Church, and the father w.as a Republicanin political sentiment.Joseph Farlin, whose name heads this record,acquired his education in the common schools ofthe neighborhood during the winter months, whilein the summer season he aided his father in thefarm work. At the age of twenty-seven, he engagedin farming for himself and secured as a companionand helpmate on life's journey Miss EllenRoberts, their union being celebrated on the 23dof November, 1876. The lady is a native of TazewellCounty, 111., born January, 18, 1858, and is adaughter of Joseph and Catherine (Bosserman)Roberts, who reared a family of ten children.Mr.and Mrs. Roberts came to Ford County in 1877,and he purchased five hundred and twenty acres offine land, known as one of the best farms in thiscommunity. Upon it he made his home for a numberof years, but sold in 1886 and removed to JasperCounty, 111., where he again purchased land,now owning some thirteen hundred acres. In

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 295politics, he isa supporter of Rei)iil)Iican principles.Hie wife died February 28, 1891, in the faith ofthe Methodist Church.After his marriage, Mr. Farliu embarked in farmingin Tazewell County, 111., where he remainedfor three years, when, in 1881, he came to FordCounty and purchased eighty acres of land inDrummer Townshij). He afterward added to itanother eighty-acre tract and this farm of one hundredand sixty acres he placedunder a high stateof cultivation, making many improvements thereonwhich added greatly to its value and attractive appearance.He was an industrious and enterprisingman and met with well-deserved success in his undertakings.He continued farming up to the timeof liis death, which occurred September 9, 1887.Since the death of her Inisband, Mrs. Farlin hasleft the farm and removed to the village of Proctor,where she is now living, but the managementof her land is still under her personal supervision.She is a most estimable lady and has many friendsthroughout this community'. Her two children,Clementine and George Bruce, are still with her.OHN ROHRBACH, who is engaged in genoralfarming on section 26, Brenton Township,has the honor of being a native ofl}}^/. Illinois. He was torn in Tazewell County,September 22, 18.51, and is a son of Conrad andMary (Dingledine) Rohrbach, both of whom werenatives of (iermany. The grandfather was a Germansoldier and served under Napoleon throughtlieItalian campaign, until the battle of Waterloo.Tiie father of our subject came to America in 1832,when thirteen years of age, sailing from Havre toNew Orleans and up the river to Havana, 111.After one vear spent at that place, he went toPeoria, 111., which was then called Ft. Clark. Helearned the cooper's trade, which he followed someyears and also engaged in teaming to Chicagowhen that city contained onl}' a hotel, a fort anda few cabins. He could have bought a quartersectionof laud in that locality for a yoke of oxen.Mr. Rohrbacli was married, in Tazewell County,to Miss Dingledine, who came from (iermany tothis country when a maiden of sixteen summers.In that county he cleared and improved a farmand also followed his trade until the winter of1858, when he came to Ford County and purcliasedone hundred and sixty acres of land, the farmupon which our subject now resides, to which heremoved his family in 1861. The land was allwild and uncultivated and much of it was still inthe possession of the Government. His nearestneighbor was two miles away, and wild game ofall kinds was plentiful. Mr. Rohrbach residedupon his farm until 1875, when he removed toPiper City where his death occurred July 12, 1884,at the age of sixty-three years. His wife died August14, 1889. She was a member of the LutheranChurch and .ifterward joined the PresbyterianChurch. Mr. Rohrbach held memliershii) with theReformed Cliureii. He took considerable interestin political affairs and supported the Democraticparty until 1860, after which he voted with theRepublican party until 1880, when he again su|)-ported the Democratic party. He held a number oflocal offices and was a member of the Masonic fraternity.From the .age of thirteen years, he madehis own way in the world, and for his success inlife deserved much credit.Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs.Rohrbach: Henry, now deceased; Kate, wife ofB. E., Laraborn, a resident of Thawville, IroquoisCounty; .John, of this sketch; and Mary Matilda,dece.ised, who was the wife of W. W. Post, of PiperCit3'. All of these children were born in TazewellCounty.Our subject has been a resident of Ford Countysince nine years of age. His early education, acquiredin the common schools, was su|)plementedby a course in Onarga Seminary, after which heengaged in teaching school for four years, and atthe same time read law under the instruction ofGilbert Wyman, of Chatsworth, and then engagedin teaching school in Indiana for three terms. Hew.as admitted to the 15ar in that State in l«76,andengaged in practice for some time at North Manchester,Wab,ash County, when he aliandcmod thatprofession and returned to the old home farm, of

11296 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.which he assumed the management. He has residedupon the farm since 1877, and tlie liighlycultivated fields, witli tlieir many excellent improvements,tell that his life has been a busy anduseful one.On the 17th of .June, 1884, in Piper City, Mr.Kolirbach led to the marriage altar Miss Alice Jeffery,daugliter of Thomas .Jeffery, whose sketch appearselsewhere in this work. .She was born inBrenton Townshi[). By their union, they havethree children: Marietta, .John Henry and EvaIsabel. The family hold a high position in socialcircles.Sir. Rohrbach is a member of the Masonic fraternityand the Odd Fellows' society of Piper City,and cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grantin 1872, since which time he h.as been a stalwartRepublican. He aided in the organization of theMutual Fire Insurance Company of BrentonTownship, and was First Lieutenant of the companyof militia in Piper City for some years. Heis an intelligent, well-informed man, industrious,energetic, public-spirited and progressive. He isnumbered among the representative citizens of thecommunity where he has so long made his home.>» i 1 1ELIASp I 1 »> I < . I -.B. BEIGHLE resides on section 3,Lyman Townshii). It is said that the historyof a county is best told in the lives ofits people, so we here record the sketch of one ofthe representative citizens of this community. Mr.Beighle was born in Butler Ccnuity, Pa., February14, 1836. His parents, Daniel and Catherine(Kifer) Beighle. had a family of si.x; sons and sixdaughters, of whom he was the third in order ofbirth. The father was born in Penns3'lvania, wasa carpenter and joiner by trade, and also followedthe occupation of farming. Bidding good-bye tohis old home in 1856, he emigrated to AdamsCounty, Ohio, and, in 1868, removed to St. ClairCounty, Mo., where he purchased land and engagedin farming until his death, which occurredat the age of seventy-seven years. In politics, hewas first a Whig, and then a member of the Knownothingparty, and afterward became a Republican.Himself and wife were members of the LutheranChurch in early life, but afterward united with theMethodist Church. The lady w.as l)orn in Pennsylvania,in 1810, and died in .January, 1892, at theadvanced age, of eighty-two years. Si.x of theirchildren are yet living: Elias, of this sketch; Caroline,wife of Mr. Baumgardner, a farmer of Indiana;Sue C, wife of Mr. Brooks, a carpenter and joinerof St. Clair County, Mo.; Benjamin, a farmer ofCowlitz County, Wash.; Isaac Newton, who is married,and is a lumberman of Cowlitz County; andMelissa, wife of Mr. Gardner, a farmer.Mr. Beighle of this sketch remained in tlie Stateof his nativitj'' until nineteen years of age, andwas reared to agricultural pursuits. At the .age oftwenty-two, he began earning his own livelihood,working as a farm hand in Pendleton County, Ky.,at $14 per month. After a short time, however, hewent to Adams County, Ohio, where he spent eightyears, and during that time led to the marriagealtar Miss Catherine Wallace, a daughter of .Tosiahand Eliza (Smith) Wall.ace. They were married onthe 1st of January, 1862, and unto them have beenborn five sons and four daughters, seven of whomare yet living: INIary, who was educated in theNormal School of Danville, Ind., has successfullyengaged in teaching in this county for six terms,and is a member of the United Presbyterian Church;Roscoe W., who was educated in Danville and theValparaiso State Normal of Indiana, is one of theprofessors in Clark's Universit^y; Anna Ketura, whowas educated in Grand Prairie .Seminary, of Onarga,111., is a teacher of recognized ability in this county;Calvin Spence, who was educated in Onarga Seminary,follows farming; Marcus M., Leila Louisaand Ernest, are yet at home. In 1884, Mr. Beighlewas called upon to mourn tlie loss of his wife, wIk)died on the 6th of March and was laid to lest inthe cemetery of Roberts. She was a kind and lovingwife and mother, and was a devoted memberof the United Presbyterian Church.During the late war, Mr. Beighle gave evidenceof his loyalty to the Government by enlisting, in.Tune, 1863, .as a member of Company A, SecondOhio Heavy Artillery, under Capt. George F. Sonner.The troops were first ordered to Rolling

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 297Fork. Ky.. where they did guard duty, and werethen sent to Chattanooga, and to Clevehiud toguard the raihoad. We next find them at Knoxville,Tenn., after whicli they went to Church Gap.At the close of the war, our subject was musteredout in Nashville, Tenn., in August, 1865, and washonorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, on the28th of August. He was a faithful soldier and wasnever off duty, except when sick in the hospitalfor about six weeks. He now receives a good pensionin recognition of his faithful service.jSIr. Beighle cast his first Presidential vote forAbraham Lincoln, and is an inflexible adherent ofRepublican principles. He has been officially connectedwith the public schools of this communityfor many years and has done much for their advancementby securing good teachers. With theUnited Presbyterian Church of Piper City he holdsmembership, and in the community where he resideslie is recognized as a gentleman of irreproachableciiaracter whose word is as good as his bond.He now owns one hundred and twenty acres ofgood l.aud, and is accounted one of the substantialfarmers of the community.ll@"©@l"W^\ EY. EDWIN vS. McCLURE, Pastor of the[UrrPresbyterian Church of Piper City, was borni4i\\\ in Des IMoiues County, Iowa, February 6,'^^1 1861, and is of Scotch descent. Thegreat-grandfather of our subject, the founder ofthe family in ,\moriea, was a native of .Scotland.The grandfather, William IMcClure, removed fromOhio to Iowa in 1850, and there engaged in farminguntil his death, which occurred during thewar.John McClure, the father of our subject, wasborn in Illinois but reared in Iowa as a farmer.He graduated from the Yellow S|>rings College, ofKossuth, Iowa. In 1859, near Sparta, 111., he marriedMiss JaneCampbell, a lady of Scotch descent.In 1861, at the first call for three-year men, he enlistedin October as a member of the FourteenthIowa Infantry, and participated in the battles ofFt. Henry, Ft. Donelson and Shiloh. He was inthe thickest of the fight on that memorable Sundayafternoon and was taken prisoner and for tlireemonths confined at Macon, (ia., where the prisonerswere almost starved. On his release, he rejoinedhis regiment at St. Louis and participated in thesiege of Vicksburg, the Red River campaign andthe campaigns under Gens. Grant and Sherman.He was in the service for three years and onemonth. On his return home, he continued to engagein farming in Iowa for a few years, and thenaccepted a professorship in the Deaf and DumliInstitute of Omaha, Neb., where he remained forfifteen years. He then resigned on account offailing eyesight, resulting from his army experience.He is now living on a fine farm near Sioux City,Iowa. In politics, he is a stanch Republican andis a member of the Grand Army Post. Hiin.sclfand >vife are both active members of the PresbyterianChurch and are highly respected people.The McClure family numbered eight children,two of whom are deceased. Our subject is theeldest; Addie, who has been a teacher in deaf anddumb institutes both in Kansas and Minnesota, isnow at home; William is engaged in merchandisingin Omaha, Neb.; D. F. is a professor in a deaf anddumb asylum in Faribault, Minn.; Lillie died in1887, at the age of fourteen years; Bertha andGrace are at home.The Rev. Mr McClure was educated at Parsons'College, of Fairlield, Iowa, Lake Forest Universityand the Seminary of the Northwest, now called theMcCormick Theological .School. He siient threeyears in that school, studying for the ministry, andafter his graduation at the age of twenty-five, hecamePastor of a Presbyterian Church in Lenox,Iowa, where he remained for two years. Duringthat time he was united in marri.age, on the 27thof June, 1888, to Sarah M. Gordon, a native ofthe Hawkeye State. Their union has been blessedwith one daughter, Edna Lucile, who was bornJuly 27, 1889, and died March 20, 1892.On leaving Lenox, ]\Ir. McClure accepted a callfrom the church in Red Oak, Iowa, where he remainedfor two years, when he engaged in missionwork in Oinalia, Neb., spending one year in thatcity. On the 1st of April, 1891, he came to PiperCity, and has since been Pastor of the Presbyterian

298 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Church at this phice. His labors have been verysuccessful. During the past year he had sixty-oneadditions. He is held iu the highest regard, notonly by the members of his own congregationbutby all who know him, his upright life and courteousmanner winning him high esteem. He is aman of great energy and perseverance and hischurch is now in a flourishing condition. In politics,be is a stanch Republican, having supportedthat party since he attained his majority.AC015 DELLO MELMXfJKR. Prominentamong the lai'ge farm owners and stockmen of Drummer Township should bementioned the gentleman whose namebeads this sketch, and who has been a residentof Gibson since April, 1873. He was born in LancasterCount}', Pa., August 13, 1841, and is a .sonof Jacob and Martha (Ilertzler) Mellinger. Hisparents were also natives of Lancaster County,and his father was descended from an old Pennsjlvanianfamily of German origin, whose settlementin the Keystone State dates prior to the Warof the Revolution, five generations remote.Jacob Mellinger, 8r., was born Jul}' 28, 1802,and on the 30th of August, 1831, married MarthaIlertzler. He removed to Clarke County, Ohio, in181!). He was a farmer by occupation, and followedthat pursuit throughout his entire life.Hisdeath occurred April 23, 1888, at the age ofeighty-five years, eight months and twenty-sixdays. His wife was born in 1812, and died inOiiio in 1890. They have two daughters and twosons: Mar}', who resides in Clarke Count}-, Ohio;John II., who wedded Rachel Rosser, and is livingin Yellow .Siirings, Greene County, Ohio; Martha,wife of Montgomery Patton, of Clarke County,Ohio: and Jacob D., of this sketch.Our subject was but eight years of age when hisparents removed to Clarke County, Ohio. He wasthere reared to manhood, attended the commonschools in his childhood and later took a regularcourse in Antioch College, of Yellow Springs, Ohio.On reaching man's estate, be began farming andstock-raising for himself and, as a helpmate on life'sjourney, chose Miss Martha Ellen Wheeler, theirmarriage being celebrated in S|)ringHeld, Oiiio,on tlie 7th of December, 1871. The lady .vasborn in the city of Springfield and is a daughterof the Hon. Stephen and Mary (Thompi )n)Wheeler, both of whom were natives of CI; ikeCounty, Ohio, and were of Scotch-Irish descent.Her father, who was a man of fine scholarly attainments,was a member of the Ohio Legislature.He died when liis daughter was nine years old,but his widow still survives and is living withour subject.Two children were born unto Mr. and JIis.Mellinger, the elder of whom, Dello, was bornMay 18, 1877, and died at the age of sixteenmouths. Frank Ilertzler, the younger, was bornDecember 5, 188G, and is a bright and |)roniisingboy of nearly six years. In addition to their ownfamily, Mr. and Mr.s. Mellinger took, at the ageof seven years, Louie J. Mellinger, whom theyeducated in the Gibson City schools and iu LakeForest University, where she pursued a musicalcourse, becoming quite noted as a vocalist.Whilein the university, she became sick, was broughthome and died five weeks later, February 27, 1887,aged twenty years.In 1871. our subject and his father bought ahalf interest in a fine tract of land, C(jnsisting ofnine hundred and sixty acres, in Drummer Township,now adjoining (iibson City, the land at thattime belonging equally to J. H. Mellinger andJacolt Ilertzler. In 1875, our subject purchasedMr. Ilertzler's remaining interest and removedhere with his family. He at once erected finebuildings on the premises, tiled, fenced, and otherwiseimproved the land. In 1883, be purchasedhis father's interest, tlie tract now being ownedby J. D. and J. H. Mellinger, ecpially. In the pastnine years about two hundred and eighty acreshave been .sold at from $75 to $100 per acre. Theremaining land is considered worth not less than$125 per acre. JSIr. Mellinger has lately i>latted anumber of lots and is putting them on the market.In addition to the half interest of the land ofJ. D. and J. H. Mellinger, our subject owns indi-

PORTRAIT AMD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 303viiUmlly n fine lioine .•irljoininij; Gibson City. Fieluases liis f'ainiiiii,^ huid, and has the luniainderin glass, lie deals extensively in cattle and hogs,buying, feeding and selling. He also bieeds standard-l.u'edhorses ijuite extensively.In his political atliiiations, Mr. Mellinger is astalwart I\e|)ul)lican, but has never been ambitiousof ofiicial distinction. He attends the First PresbyterianChurch regularly with his wife, who isa consistent member of that congregation. Formany 3ears he has been a Director of the (iibsonBuilding ife Loan Association, and is now a memberof the Gibson Land Improvement Company,recently organized. He was one of the fust toadvocate the advisability of bnihting pike roadswith gravel in the region of (iibson, and, whileserving as Commissioner, inaugurated that importantpublic improvement, which has sinceproved a grand success and aided materially in facilitatingtravel and transportation. There arenow many miles of road leading to Gibson City,that through the piking .system have made goodroads even in the wettest weather.In all the relations of life, Mr. Mellinger hasproved himself an upright, honorable businessman, a good neighbor and worthy citizen, andenjoys, as he merits, the respect and good-will ofall who know him."02"RTIIUK S. CATRON, who owns one of thefinest farms of the county, located on section3."), Drummer Township, has thehonor of being a native of Illinois. Hewas born in Fulton Count}', August 24, 18.'5i),andis a son of Israel M. and Savina (Smith) Catron.His father was born and reared in Virginia andthroughout life followed agricultural pursuits.an early tlay, he emigrated to Illinois, locatingin Fulton County, where he rejnained fifteen years.He was there married, in 1838, to l\Iiss Smith, whowas born in Fast Tennessee, and with her parentscame to Illinois before the Black Hawk War. Onleaving this State, the parents of our subject wentto Polk County, Iowa,where the father resided until13In1881, when he went to Walla Walla Valley in theState of Washington and operated the farm whichhe yet occupies. His wife died in 1844 and wasburied in Fulttm County. They had a family ofthree children: Arthur S., of this sketch; Nancy E.,now deceased, and George E , an engineer in Arizona.Our subject acquired a common-school education,and at the age of nineteen Ijegan teaching, whichI)rofession he followed until the 1 1th of October,1861. Promi)ted by i)atriotic impulses, he respondedto the call for troops, and enlisted as amember of Company D, Second Iowa Cavalry, forthree years. On the expiration of that period, heveteranized and was in the service until the 7thof October, 18()5, when he was mustered out at Selma,Ala.,as First Sergeant of hiscomi)anv. He participatedin eighty-three engagements, includingthe siege of Corinth and the battles of luka, Corinth,Tupelo, Nashville, Jackson and Moscow, andmany others.On his return home, Mr. Catron embarked inmerchandising in Ipava, Fulton County, 111., followingthat business for a year, and then beganfanning, to which occupation he has devoted hisenergies continuously since. He is one of the mostextensive farmers in Drummer Township. He hastwenty-nine head of horses and makes a specialtyof raising an excellent grade of horses of the Normanstock. He has some of the finest mares inthis section of the country.Ere leaving Fulton Count}', Mr. Catron wasunited in marriage, July 20, 1866, the lady of hischoice being Mary S. Lacey, who was born in thatcounty April 25, 1849, and is a daughter of Johnand C'loe (Hurd) Lacey, natives of the EmpireState and of English and Irish extraction, resi)ectively.Eight children have been born of theirunion, but Manning C, their eldest, and Lyman C,their fourth child, are now deceased. The livingare Roscoe M., Arthur B., Bayard D., Mary D..Bruce and John.In politics, Mr. Catron exercises his right offranchise in support of the Republican party, ofwhich he is a stanch advocate. He cast his firstPresidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Whileresiding in McLean County, he served as Justice

304 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.of the Peace two terms and was also a schoolofficer. Socially, he is a member of BloomingtonPost No. 146, G. A. R. Ill 1892, he located on thecelebrated Roberts' farm on sections 8, 26, 34 and35, Drummer Township. It contains five hundredand three acres, for which he paid $75 per acre.It is highly improved, well cultivated and one ofthe most desirable places in the county. Mr. Catronis recognized as a pul)lic-spirited and progressivecitizen of Drummer Township.«^»=^NDKEW P. UREMER is iiigaged in farmingon section 8, Patton Township. Svvedenhas furnished many worthy citizens toFord County, and not the least of these isour subject, who was born in that country August28, 1845. He had no special advantages in hisyouth save fair school privileges. His childhooddajs were spent upon his father's farm, where hewas early inured to labor; he later learned thecarpenter's trade, which he followed for a time.With the adventurous spirit of young men andalso with the hope of bettering his financial conditionby emigrating to the New World, of whoseadvantages he had heard so much, Mr. Bremersailed for America on a steamer which left Gottenburgon the 7th of Maj-, 1869, and dropped anchorin the harbor of New York on the 7th of June, anentire month being consumed in making the trip.He at once came to the West, stopping first atChicago, and thence came to Paxton. He foundhimself a stranger in a strange land, with nofriends near and no one to whom he might lookfor aid. He spent the first two summers after hisarrival in a brick-yard near Paxton, then beganworking bj' the mouth as a farm hand, which occupationhe followed until 1877.In April of that year, Mr. Bremer led to themarriage altar Miss Nellie Anderson, who was bornand reared in Sweden and is a daughter of A. W.Anderson, now deceased. Mr. Bremer had previouslypurchased eighty acres of land and theyoung couple began their domestic life upon thatfarm. Their home has been blessed by the presenceof four children: Anna, Harry, Hilina andAgnes. Harry and Ililnia are attending the homeschool. Anna is attending school in Paxton.Mr. Bremer at once began to clear and improvehis farm.It was covered with a good crop of cuckleburrs,and a small frame house wa-s the only improvement.Not a tree or bush was to be foundupon the place, but furrows were soon turned, untilacre after acre had been placed under a highstate of cultivation and the fields were tiled andfences built, so that now it is one of the fine farmsin the community. There is also a substantialand comfortable residence and a good orchard hasbeen planted, while, with the additional forty acresthat has been purchased, a valuable tract of onehundred and twenty acres now pays a golden tributeto the care and cultivation of Mr. Bremer.Like many of his fellow-countrymen, our subjectcame to America empty-handed but he was possessedof a thrifty and industrious nature and wasnot afraid of hard work. His life has been welland worthily spent, and he is justly regarded as aman of sterling character and integrity. In politics,he does not affiliate with any party but votesfor the candidate whom he thinks best qualified tofill the position. He has served as a member ofthe School Board and is a warm friend of thecause of education, believing in good schools andcompetent teachers, if the children are to be trainedfor useful and responsible positions in life. He andhis wife are members of the Lutheran Cliurch ofFarmersville.^=m>^^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 30.5liands to liis face. He was thus Incapacitated forlabor, but was a good manager. His wife was oneamong a tiiousand women, of good business abilityand an industrious and self-sacrificing lad3-. Bothdied at the age of seventy-four years. The motherwas a member of the Christian Church. In theirfamily were twelve children, live of wliom are yetliving.Our sul)jecl was the fourth in order of birtli. Hewas reared in a wooded couutr\-, and as soon asold enough to pick brush, he began to aid in clearingthe farm. Wlien about thirteen years of age,he was taught to weave and, from that time untilhe attained his majority, wove the cloth with whichthe family were clothed. This was done duringrainy weather and after the fall work was finished.His lime being thus largely occupied, his educationaladvantages were necessarily limited. Havingremained with his father until twenty-one years ofage, he hired out at ^9 per montli, clearing landand farming m among the stumps. In iiis earlylife he used an old-fasiiioned sickle in reaping thegrain and afterwaid cut it with a cradle, lie becameexpert in this direction, being able to cut fiveacres of oats in a day.In Licking, Ohio, Mr. Conger wasmarried September21, 1847, to Miss Rebecca Marriott, a nativeof Licking County. In 18.54, he came with hisyoung wife to McLean County, 111., locating nearTowanda, and in 1877, he removed to Ford County,and became Superintendent of a section of Suddethfarm, four miles west of Gibson City. Hethere continued to reside until 1889, when he removedto Gibson City, where he has since livedretired.Unto Mr, and Mrs. Conger have been bornlivechildren: William M., who operates the Suddethfarm; Aaron R., a farmer of Oregon; Mary; Elmer,who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in DrummerTownship; and Rosa. In politics, Mr. Congerisindependent, voting for the man he thinks bestqualified to fillthe olHcc, regardless of part}- atliliatious.In life he has had much to contend with,but nevertheless he has worked his waj' upwardand is now able to live retired.W. M. Conger, son of the foregoing, was bornin Licking County, Ohio, June 12, 1848, and acquiredhis education in liie common schools. Onattaining his majority, he started out in life forhimself, renting land in Ford and McLean Counties,and has made farming his life work. He isnow the overseer of the noted Suddeth farm. InJlarch, 1879, he entered u\Km the duties of thatposition and now operates four hundred acres ofgood land, the neat appearance of which indicateshis tiirift and enterprise. On the 9th of Sei)teinber,1874, Mr. Conger was joined in wedlock withLouise Donner, who was born in Iowa, September10, 1854, and is a daughter of Greenbur^' andMary Ann Donner, both of whom are now deceased.Seven children have been born unto our subjectand his wife, namely: Cary Roy, born July 11,1875; HattieE., March 1, 1878; Mandy M., November5, 1880; Grade P., on the 2d of January, 1884;Harvey M., November 6, 1886; Orville W., January21, 1890; and Goldie, March 7, 1892.The parents are both members of the UnitedBrethren Church and the three eldest children alsobelong.Mr. Conger has served as Church Trusteefor four years, was Sunday-school Treasurer two3'ears and Steward two years and is now servingthe third term as District School Director; he wasalso Superintendent of the Sunday-school for threeterms. The family is well and favorably knownin tliis community and its members rank high inthe social circles in which they move.IL^ENRY H. LEININGER, who for twentytwoyears has made his home in FordCounty, is now living retired in PiperCity.August 15,He was born in Stark County, Ohio,1839, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth(Sclusser) Leininger, both of whom were nativesof Pennsylvania. They were married inOhio and came to Illinois in 1857, locating inEden Township, La Salle County, where Mr. Leiningerspent the remainder of his life. He died in18fi8, at the .age of seventy-three years. Hiswidow is still living at the age f)f eighty-six andmakes her home with our subject. He was a life-

306 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.long member of the Methodist Churcli and ahighly respected citizen. The family numberednine sons and two daughters, three of whom arestill living: George S., who makes his home in Virginia;J. W., a resident of Tonica, 111.; andHenry H.Our subject was the sixth son. His boyhooddays were spent upon a farm in Ohio until sixteenyears of age, when he came to Illinois. Hehad begun his school life in his native State andcompleted his education in select schools of Peruand Tonica. On attaining his majority, he startedout in life for himself, and, in 18G0, made anoverland trip to Colorado, arriving at his destinationafter four weeks of travel. He spent threeyears in the Empire mining district and helpedlocate the village of Georgetown. In the winterof 1863-64, he returned to Illinois and began farmingin Lee County on land given him by hisfather. He there made his home for three years,when, in the autumn of 1867, he sold out. Thefollowing jear, he purchased land in Ford County,where he has made his home since 1870. Heowned all of section 8, in Pella Township, and engagedin agricultural pursuits until 1874, when heremoved to Piper City, where he is now living aretired life. In 1876, he was proprietor of a drugstorein Chatsworth. He still owns three hundredand twenty acres of land, which jields to hima good income.December 6,1864, in La Salle County, Mr. Leiningerwas united in marriage with Miss Alice G.McPherson, who was born in that county and is adaughter of Harvey McPherson, of Iiish descent.They have one child, .Jennie, wiio was born inLee County, and is now the wife of Albert Doolittle,of Dixon, 111. She graduated from the PiperCity schools, and completed her education inOnarga Seminary.Mr. Leininger cast his first Presidential votefor Lincoln in 1860, and has since been a stanchsupporter of the Republican part3- and has oftenserved as a delegate to its conventions. He hasserved as Trustee of Piper City, and also as Presidentof the Village Board. Socially, he is a memberof the Masonic fraternit}', and his wife holdsmembership with the Methodist Church, to thesupport of which he contributes liberally. He isone of the highly respected citizens of the communityand has made his own way in life. He is nowwell-to-do, having acquired through his own cfh)rtsa handsome competence.[=~f(^\ ETII LYTLE, who is now living a retired^^^^ life in Paxton, is a native of Ohio. HexJLi^ was born near r Somci Somcrsville, Butler County,March 25, 1817, and is a son of WilliamLytle, who was a native of Pennsylvania and ofIrish descent. His mother bore the maiden nameTheyof Annie Glines, and was of English lineage.became the parents of eight children, the eldest ofwhom, Melinda, died at the age of six years; Sethis the second in order of birth; .John died in infancy;Daniel resides in Butler County, Ohio; James, aweaver by trade, resides in Butler County; Samuelcarries on farming in Champaign County, 111.;Mary Ann is the wife of Isaac A. Rockhill, a residentfarmer of Richland County, Wis.; and .JaneP. died at the age of eight yeais. The father ofthis family was born August 12, 1792, and diedNovember 6, 1869. The death of his wife occurredAugust 2.5, 1889, and had she lived till March 25,following, would have been ninety-six years old.Both were members of the Methodist Church.Seth Lytle was reared to manhood upon hisfather's farm, and the first school which he attendedwas in a small log-cabin, built in the woods, threemiles from his father's home. During nine years,he was able to attend school but ninety-five days,which was the extent of his schooling. At the ageof seventeen, he bought his time of his father, payinghim $65, and then began to work as a farm handin the neighborhood by the month. He continuedto reside m Ohio until 1841, when he emigratedWestward to Montgomery County, Ind., where hewas again engaged in agricultural pursuits.In that county, in the autumn of 1843, Mr.Lytle was united in marriage with Miss MariaFink, daughter of John and Mary (Climer) Fink.Having rented a farm for some time, he moved toThorntown and engaged in huxtering. Going to

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 307La Fayette, Ind., he engaged in the grocery businessa year, when he went to Montgomery Count}',Ind., and after farming five years bought a tannerj'and ran it six years. Tlie year 1859 witnessed his arrivalin Ford County. He made his first settlementin Wall Township, where he purchased two hundredand sixty acres of land on section 19, the purchaseprice being 13.50 per acre. It continued to be hishome for twenty years, or until 1879, when hecame to Paxton, where he has since resided, withthe exception of five years which he spent inKansas. He was tliere extensively engaged infarming but is now living a retired life, havinggained a suflieient competency to enable him to layaside all business cares.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lytle were born ten children:Annie, who died in infancy; Elvira, wife of D. 1^.Denman,a contractor and builder residing in Paxton;William, a farmer; Mar}', wife of Samuel Longwho follows agricultural pursuits in RepublicCounty, Kan.; Melissa was the wife of Albert Haw,but is now deceased; Emma, wife of .lames Applegate,a resident farmer of Indiana; Alfred died inIndiana; Albert, who is in Kansas; Etta, wife ofFrank Carr, living in Paxton; .and Hulda who diedat the age of twelve years.In political affiliations, Mr. Lytle is a Prohibitionist,but at local elections votes for the manwhom bethinks will best fill Ihe olfice. He hasnever sought or desired political preferment forhimself, having been content to devote his attentionto his business interests. He is a well-knownresident of Paxton, and is a public-spirited andprogressive citizen who does all in his power forthe interests of the community in which he resides.\l/_ IRAM Y. SIDESINGER, who is engagedin general farming on section 22, DrummerTownship, was l)orn in Adams County,Pa., January 29, 1829, and is a son ofLeonard and Nancy (Elcook) Sidesinger. Thefather was also a native of Adams County .andwas one of three children born unto GrandfatlierSidesinger, of Germany, who emigrated to Americain an early day. The children were Leonard,Margaret and Nancy. The first-named, the fatherof our subject, remained in Pennsylvania until1830, when he came to Ohio, locating in ChampaignCounty, where he engaged in farming until1850. He then became a resident of Logan County,Ohio, where he made his home until his death,December 21, 1869. His wife, born .June 6, 1786,died a number of years previous, passing awayabout 1841, and was interred in Champaign Cemetery.Both were members of the Lutheran Churchand the father spoke the German language. Inpolitics, Mr. Sidesinger was first a Whig and afterwarda Republican. The family nvimbered tenchildren, as follows: Samuel, deceased; AVesley;Sarah, deceased; Alvina; John, of Logan County,Ohio; Harriet, deceased; Hiram, of this sketch;Gordon, Alfred and Rebecca, all of whom, withthe exception of our subject, have passed away.In taking up the history of our subject, wepresent to our readers the life record of one ofthe worthy citizens of Drummer Township. Mr.Sidesinger acquired his education in the commonschools and in an academy, where he pursued along course of study, preparing him for a businesscareer. He then engaged in teaching for aquarter of a century and also followed civil engineering.He w.as very successful in these lines,and with the money thus acquired, in 1876 hepurch.ased a fine farm of one hundred and sixtyacres under a high state of cultivation and wellimproved. He brought the same energy and industryto .agriculture that char.acterized his otherpursuits and is likewise meeting with success inthis undertaking.On the 20th of May, 1861, Mr. Sidesinger wasunited in marriage to Miss Catiierine Wiles, whowas born in Brown County, Ohio, February 14,1839, and is a daughter of Fred. M. and Catherine(Foley) Wiles, also of Brown County, andof French and Scotch extraction, respectively.The union of our subject and his wife has beenblessed with three children: .loliii C, a residentof Tippecanoe County, Ind.; U. S. (Jrant, deceased;and Cora M.ay, now the wife of Charles Moreland,an expressman on the Big Four Railroad atFiirmers' City, I)e Witt County, III.

308 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.In politics, Mr. Sidesinger is a supporter of Reinil)lic'aiiprinciples iiiul has served as Deputy Surveyorfor two terras. He cast his first Presidentialvote for Gen. .Tolm C Fremont. lie and his wifeare adheients c)f tlie Methodist Church. The^' locatedin Ford County in l.ssi.and have a pleasanthome in Drummer Township, the hospitable doorsof whicli are always open to their raau\' friends.ART.TON I. REMSBURG, one of the hon-11 died veterans of the late war. who servedhis country faithfully and well in herstruggle to preserve the Union, is engaged in generalfarming on section 3, L3-nian Township. Hewas born in Frederick County, Md., April 6, 1845,and is a son of Solomon and Mary Remslnirg. Hisfather was a native of Mar\land anfl is now a retiredfarmei' of Bureau County, III.In early life,he was a Whig and east his first Presidential votefor William Henry Harrison. He is nf)w a .stanchRepublican and a valuable citizen in the communitywhere he yet resides. lie has reached the ageof sevent^'-five years. Ilis wife died when oursubject was an infant and her remains were interredin a cemetery of Ohio. She left two sons: Isaiah,who served for about eighteen months in CompanyI, Twelfth Illinois Infantry, is now married andfollows farming in liuroau Count}'; Carlton is thenext younger. By a second marriage there werethree children but one died in infancy. Anna R.,who is Postmistress of Ohio, Bureau County, 111., isthe widow of James Ruff, who served as a soldier inthe late war and was cashier in a bank in Ohio.George is married and is a successful farmer andstock-de.aler of Bureau County.The educational advantages which our subjectreceived were those of the common schools. Hewas a lad of only fourteen years when he accompaniedhis father to Bureau County, 111., where heremained until nineteen years of age, when,prompted by patriotic impulses, he enlisted in CompanyA, One Hundred and Forty-cigiith IllinoisInfantry in Janu.ary, 18(15, at Princeton, 111. Theregiment was ordered to Quincy and then to CampButler, whence they were sent to Nashville andassigned to the Army of the Cumberland underGen. Thomas. They were then ordered to Tullahoma,Tenn., on guard duty. They afterward didguard duty in McMinnville, Tenn., and subsequentlyreturned to Nashville, where they weremustered out of service September 5, 1865, andhonorably discharged at Springfield ten days later.During his service, Mr. Remsburg was taken .sickand confined in the Cumberland Hospital at Nashville,Tenn., for aboiit six weeks. With the exceptionof this period, he w.as always found at hispost of duty, faithful to the cause for which hehad enlisted.On the 12th of December, 18G9, our subject wasunited in marriage with Sarah A. Ilauenstein, whowas born in Indiana, July 23, 1849. Her father,Abraham Ilauenstein, w.as a native of .Switzerlandand a farmer by occupation. He was born June21, 1822, and died in Ford County in March, ls,S(i,at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife bore themaiden name of Susan Kindle, was a native ofNew Jersey and died at the age of forty yeai-s.Both were members of the Episcopal Church andthe family numbered three children: Mary, wife ofJames Goodrich, a resident of Thawvillc, 1 11.; Sarah,wife of our subject, and Josei)h who married MissMinnie T.aylor and is a landlord of Dwight, 111.Mrs. Remsburg w.as educated in the commonschools and is a lady of genial and social dispositionwho has proved a valued helpmate to her husband.They have three children: Josie, BlancheandHarold, and the family circle yet remains unbroken.Their home is pleasantly situated withintwo and a half miles of Thawville, upon a farm of(me hundred and thirty-seven acres, under a highstate of cultivation and well improved.In politics, Mr. Remsburg has been a stanchRepublican since he cast his first Presidentialvote for Gen. U. S. Cirant. He has been afaithful school otiicial for nine j-ears, and thecause of education has found in him a warmfriend, but he has never sought or desired thehonors or emoluments of public office. Socially,he is a member of the Grand Armj' Post of PiperCity, and its present Commander. He attended

IPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 309the State Encampment at Springfield on the 6th,Tilland 8th of April, 1892, as a delegate from hispost. Ill' and his wife are held in tlie liighest regardtliroughout the community, and hy theirupright lives and sterling wortli have won tlicconfidence of all.(I * I 'I I ' ^ILTON T. SNYDI:R, who resides on section22, Wall Township, is not only aA\ representative farmer of this coinraunit3',hut is also one of the early settlers. Hewas born on a farm near Keedysville, WashingtonCount}', Md., October 14, 1848, and is a son ofChristian and Jane (Wright) Snyder. His fatherwas a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent.By trade he was a weaver, but followed farmingthroughout much of his life. The Snyder familynumbered ten children, the eldest of whom,Adeline C, became the wife of David Bombargerand died in 1866; Elizabeth is the wife of DavidSnider, a shoe-maker residing in Odell, Ind.; Susan,dece.ised, was the wife of William McBride, M.D.; Jacob is a real-estate agent residing in Indiana;Samuel follows farming in Wall Townshiji; JohnW. is engaged in farming near Harrison, BooneCounty, Ark.; iNIary J. is the wife of Perry Coon,an agriculturist of Indiana; Alfred follows farmingnear Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; David isnow deceased; and our subject completes the fam-iiy-It was in 1862 that Christian Snyder, accompaniedby his wife and children, came to Illinois, locatingin Ford County. He rented a farm nearPaxton, which he operated for two years, andthen inirchased one hundred and sixty acres ofrailroad land on section 22, Wall Township, wherehe made his iiome until his death, a respected andvalued citizen of the community'. In politics, liewas a sujiporter of Re|)ublican principles and wasa member of the United Brethren Church, liepassed away on the 17th of April, 1873, and hiswife died on the 11th of March, 1883.Milton Snyder, whose name heads tiiis record,was a lad of fourteen years when, with his parents.he came to Illinois. In this county he was rearedto manhood, and in the district schools, which heattended until eighteen years of age, he completedhis education. Under tiie [laiental roof he remaineduntil he attained his majority, and thentook charge of his father's farm. That place hasbeen his home since the first location of the familyhere, thirty years ago. He now owns eighty acresof the old homestead, and engages in general farming.His lields are well tilled, the place presentsa neat and attractive appearance and everythingis in keeping with the idea of a model farm.An important event, in the life of Mr. Snyderoccurred on the 22d of December, 1870, when heled to the marriage altar Miss Maggie Rolib, daughterof John and iNIary (Latimer) Rolib. They havea pleasant home, which is the abode of hospitality,and their friends in this community are many.The lady is a member of the United PresbyterianChurch of Paxton. B3' their union have beenliorn five children, two sons and three daughters,but two are now deceased. Those living are ZeldaMay, and Oscar and Nannie, twins. In his politicalalliliatioiis, Mr. Snyder is a Reiiiililican. Heis also a member of the United Brethren Church,and one of the iirominent and well-known citizensof Wall Township.l)EV.•^^1 .H^^;'Ei: 1^^^^JEREMIAH ALLGAIER, pastor of their \il German Lutheran Church of Melvin, is ofiii W German liirtli. He was born in Wurtemberg,Gerinanj', on the 31st of December,18.55, and is a son of David and Rosiiia (Muehler)Allgaier. His parents were born and reared in theOld Country, and still reside there.The subject of this sketch was partially educatedin his native land, where he remaiiKKl until the autumnof 1882, when he emigrated to America, andon reaching the shores of this country, came atonce to Illinois. For two years, lie was a studentin the Mendota Theological Seminary-, and was assistantpastor of the church of his denomination inCompromise, Chamiiaigii County.After completinghis studies, he was ordained, in 188.'j, a minister

310 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.of the Gerniaii Lutheran Church, anrl served aspastor at Compromise until xVpril, 1887. when hecame to Melvin to accept the pastorate of the Melvinchureli. Its pulpit he has since filled, coverin_o'a period of five years, and from this it will beseen that his services are very acceptable to hispeople.On the 18th of .September, 188;'), Mr. Allgaierwas joined in wedlock to Miss Annie l.artell. thewedding being celebrated in Compromise, nowR03'al, Champaign County. The lady is a nativeof Adams County, 111., Iiorn on the 4th of February,1861, and is a daughter of Fred and Agathar.artcU. Four children have been born of theunion of iMr. and Mrs. Allgaier, two sons and twodaughters: Kose Agatha, born .Tuly 10, 188(1; FredGodhelp, April 27, 1888; ISIartha :Mary, IMay 29,1890; and Emanuel David, December 26, 1891.The German Lutheran Church of INIelvin wasorganized in 1872, the first p.astor being the Rev.George Suessc, who served from tiiat year untilA)H-il, 1875, when he was succeeded by the Rev.Henry Ilebler, whose term of service continuedfrom April, 1875 until April, 1878, when he wassucceeded by the Rev. Helwig Staehling, who leftthe pastorate on the 15th of December, 1886. Atthat time the Rev. Mr. Allgaier became pastor, andhas since filled that position. This society embracesabout thirty-five families, and the present churchedifice was erected in 1888. The church is in aflourishing condition, and prospers under themanagement of the pastor now in charge.'JOSEPHv_r~.1. BROWN, an early settlor ofFord County, is now living a retired life inPiper City. For a number of years, he wasa leading farmer of the community, and byhis industry, perseverance and good managementacquired a competency, which now enaliles him torest and enjo}' the fruits of his former toil. Mr.Brown is of English birth. He w.as horn in Nortiihamptonshire,January 10, 18;?9, .and is one offour sons and five daughters, whose parents wereGeorge and Louisa (White) Brown, natives of thesame locality-.Our subject spent his early life in the usualmanner of farmer lads, no event of special importanceoccurring dining his childhood. At the ageof seventeen, he left home and liegan earning hisown livelihood. He worked on the railroad, or atany labor which would earn him an honest dollar,until he had attained liis majority, when he enteredthe military service of his country. He served inIreland, was in Gibraltar for one year and fivemonths, was on the Island of Malta for two years,in (Juebec and ISIontreal, Canada, for three yearsand then returned to (Tl.asgow, Scotland, where hewas dischai'ged after eight years of service. Duringa part of the time, he held the office of Corporal.On leaving the army, Mr. Brown visitedhis old home, after which he spent sf)me time inLondon, and, in March, 1868, sailed from Liverpoolto New York. He spent three years in theEmpire State, engaging in farm work, spent onewinter in the pineries of Michigan, and in thespring of 1872 came to Ford Count\'.For a time,he was employed upon the Sibley farm, after whichhe worked on the section of the railroad at PiperCity and operated a hay-press. He also carriedon a livery-stable, and when he had acquireda sufticient capital, purchased eighty acres ofland in Pella Township and engaged in farmingfrom 1878 until 1892. He now owns two hundredand twenty acres of fine land, the greater part ofwhich is under a high state of cultivation and wellimproved. During the present 3ear, lie removedto Piper Cit}-, where he has a Ijeautiful new residenceand the pltiasant home is supplied withall the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.On the 21st of June, 1877, Mr. Ihown wasunited in marriage, in Chatsworth, with l\Irs. CarrieWhite, a daughter of David and Sarah Ruff.She was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., whenfifteen years of age went to Indiana, and in Valparaisowas married to David White, a native ofHadley, Hampshire County, Mass. On coming toIllinois, they located in Ford County, where Mr.White died about nineteen years ago, leaving twosons: Charles F. and David M., both of whom areengaged in farming in Pella Township. Mrs.

•SbBfc"iia^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 313Brown has resided in Ford County for twentythreeyears, and has seen it« development from awild, uncultivated tract to one of rich fertility.She is an estimable lady who has nianj' friendsthroughout the community. Mr. Brown is a Repuhlicanin politics, having supported that partysince he cast his first Presidential vote for R. B.Il.ayes. Soci.ally, he is a meuihcr of the Odd Fellows'fraternity. He is a worthy citizen of thecommunity, who takes a commendable interest inall that pertains to the welf.are and upbuilding ofthe county.c^^^ J. SOWERS, who resides on section 23,f/^^s Pella Township, is a native of the Keystone^^^'' St.ate. He was born in Perry County, December.30, 1840, and is a son of Daniel .and Elizabeth(Reiber) Sowers. Both were of Germandescent; the former w.as born Mai-eh 14, 1813, andthe latter in 1820. He gave his attention to farmingand, inpolitics, was a Whig and afterward aRepublican. His wife died in 1857, and his deathoccurred when about seventy years of age. Theyhad a family of eight children, three of whom arcnow living: Thomas, of this sketch; Barbara E.,widow of B. F. Bender, of Pennsylvania, and SarahA., wife of Jacob Bender, of Perry County, Pa.;Caroline died at the age of eleven years;Margaretw.as married and died at the age of twenty-two;Samuel, who died at the age of thirty-four years;P>lizabeth, who died at the age of eighteen; andWilliam H., who died at the Jige of eight years.The subject of this sketch acquired a good common-schooleducation and remained upon thehome farm until he had attained his majority,when he worked at carpentering for one year, oruntil August, 1863, when he enlisted in the ThirtysixthPennsylvania Regiment of Home Guards,raised at the time of the Gettysburg invasion, andserved two months. In September, 1864, he enlistedin the Two Hundred and Eighth PennsylvaniaInfantry, and was Orderly Sergeant of CompanyF, until the close of the war. The regimentwas organized at Harrisburg and commanded bvCol. A. B. McAlmont. They did guard duty onthe banks of the Apjiomattox and in the last ofNovember were in front of Petersburg. At thebattle of Ft. Stedman, on the 2.5tli of March, l.S6,5,in the charge the regiment lost one hundred men.The troops of the Two Hundred and Eighth participatedin the ong.agement on the 2d of April, whenPetersburg was captured, and followed Lee's Army,participating in the engagement at Ai)pomattoxCourt House, where Lee surrendered. They participatedin the Gr.and Review at Washington and,returning to Harrisburg, were mustered out on the6th of June, 1865.Mr. Sowers returned to Blain, Perry County,where he resumed work at the carpenter's trade.On the 22d of August, 1865, he was there unitedin marri.age with Miss Addie Snyder, a native ofthat county, and a daughter of John and SusanSnyder, who were natives of England. They begantheir domestic life in the Keystone State, whereMr. Sowers followed his trade until the spring of1869, when he came with his family to FordCount}', 111., and embarked in farming in I'ellaTownship, where he has since resided. In 1872,he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife,who died on the 7th of June, leaving one sen,John L., who was born July 2, 1866, was educatedin the public schools, the Paxton Collegiate Instituteand the Normal School of ^"alparaiso, Ind.He successfully engaged in teaching for some time,and for the past two years has been in the railw.aymail service.On the 3d of June, 1873, in Piper City, Mr. Sowerswas again married, his second union being withM.aggie E. Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania anda daughter of George and Sarah Taylor, both ofwhom are still living. The father is now sixtysixyears of age and the mother seventy-one. Oursubject and his wife had a family of four children,but one is now deceased, Delmar Miles, the secondchild, who w.as born September 29, 1879, and diedMarch 8, 1880. Those who still survive are GeorgeT., born September 6, 1874; Charles Roscoe, November6, 1882; and Lester Floyd, September 12,1886.For nine j-ears Mr. Sowers has resided upon hisjjreseut farm, a one hundred and twenty acre tract

314 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.of rich lanrl. well improvefl and under a high stateof cultivation. lie has Iteen successful in his businesscareer and is now nunihered among the substantialcitizens of the community. He has beencalled upon to serve in positions of public trust,having filled the otKcc of Township Clerk for fourterms, was Collector and Supervisor for one termeach, and is now serving his eleventh term as Assessor.He has been Township Treasurer of schoolssince January, 1875, and for ten years has filledthe office of Justice of the Peace. His long continuedservice in these positions indicates his fidelityto duty and his faithfulness to the trust reposedin him. He cast his first Presidential vote whilein the army for Aliraham r>incoln, has since beena stalwart Republican, and has often been delegateto the count}', congressional and State conventions.His wife is a member of the MethodistChurch and a most estimable lady. Socially, Mr.Sowers belongs to the Grand Army Post of Pi)jerClity, the Odd Fellows' lodge of Mt. Dempsay, Pa.,and is Master of the Masonic lodge of Piper City.He has been Vice-president of the Fair Associationsince its organization and has been a Director ofthe Fire Insurance Company of IJrenton and PellaTownship since it w.as organized. He is a prominentand valued citizen of the community andwell deserves representation in this volume.WJLLIAMi^ «•* t Hrf"A. CAMPBELL, a worthy representativeof one of the honored i)ioneer^, ^ families of Ford County', now engaged ingeneral farming on section 35, Wall Township,was born in Northumberland County, Pa., March29, 1843. His parents were Obadiah and MargaretL. (Po3'er) Campbell, both of whom were natives ofthe Keystone State. The father was a carpenterby trade and made his home in the East until1856, when, with his family, he emigrated to F'ordCounty, 111., settling in what is now Button Township,where he purchased eighty' acres of unimprovedland and began the development of afarm. He here made his home throughout the remainderof his life, being called to his final restFebruary 17, 1885. His wife had passed away inFebruary, 1865, and his remains were laid by theside of her who had gone before in Paxton Cemetery.The}' were the parents of nine children: RobertF., who is engaged in farming and carpenteringnear Kirksville, Adair County, Mo.; AbrahamL., an agriculturist; William A., who is the nextyounger; Francis M., a resident of Chicago; Josephine,who died in 1881; Oscar L., a farmer ofButton Township; Henrietta, wife of Daniel Moudy,also an agriculturist of Button Township; Ann L.,wife of J. N. Swinford, a retired farmer residing inPaxton, and Lee Britt, who is engaged in agriculturalpursuits in Button Township.As our subject has so long made his home inthe county, he has here a wide acquaintance, andwe feel assured that this record of his life will bereceived with interest by many of our readers.His early life passed uneventfully in attendanceat the district schools, where he acquired a fairEnglish education, and in work upon the farm, towhich he devoted his energies during the summermonths. He remained at home with his fatheruntil his marriage, which was celebrated on the23d of April, 18(57, the lady of his choice beingMiss Elizabeth Irvin, daughter of William andMary (Hock) Irvin. Her father was a native ofVirginia and was of Irish descent. By occupation,he was a farmer and died at the age of thirty-nineyears. His wife was a native of Ohio, and diedwhen about fifty years of age. Mrs. Campbell waseducated in the common schools and has been avaluable helpmate to her husband. Their unionhas been blessed with two sons and two daughters:Marguerite, the eldest, w.as a student in the BusinessCollege in Terre Haute, Ind., where she tooka full course of instruction in stenography. Shethen went to Chicago, where she worked as a stenographerand was also a student in the PolytechnicSchool of that city. She afterwards entered theBryant and Stratton Business College and is nowat home with her parents. B. Pearl is also athome. Pain aids in the cultivation of the homefarm, and Lowelll. completes the family.After their marriageMr. Campbell rented landin Button Township, and there the young couplebegan their domestic life. With the exception of

—PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 315one year spent in Cli.iniiiaign County, he continuedto engage in the operation of that farm until 1874,when, having acquired some capital through industryand perseverance, he purchased one hundredand sixty acres of land located on section ST), WallTownship, where he now carries on general farmingand has ever since resided. He now ownstwo hundred and fourteen acres of arable landand his beautiful country residence indicates histhrift and enterprise. He is an energetic and successfulbusiness man and all that he possesses hasbeen achieved through his own efforts. He beganlife with scarcely any capital, but by industry,frugality and care, he has made a handsome competency.He takes no very prominent part inpublic affairs, save in the faithfuldischarge of hisduties of citizenship. He cast his first Presidentialvote for Gen. George B. McClellan, and hassince been a Democrat, but has never sought ordesired political preferment.—J^i>-^^

^316 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.is now the wife of David Hanna, of Nebraska;Watson is a carpenter of Broken Bow, Neb.; ClaraB., who graduated from tlie Normal University,of Normal, 111., is now engaged in teaching inHarvard; Clarence died when about a 3ear old,and Edward aids in the operation of the homefarm.^I^DWARD M. LYMAN, who is engaged infe] general farming on section 17, Lj'nian—jTownship, l' is a worthy representative ofthe honored pioneer family for whicli this townshipwas named. He was born in Soutliampton, Mass.,May 23, 1850, and was the youngest of live sons,whose parents were Samuel and Lucetta (Burk)Lyman. The father was born in the Bay State,July 1(3, 181 ], followed the occupation of farming,and emigrated to the West in 18.56. Locating inthis county, he purchased two hundred and thirtyacres of wild land and his home was the only oneIbetween Del Re}' and Oliver Grove. The townshipfirst bore the name of Stockton, which was afterwardchanged to Brenton, and later was named forJNlr. Lyman. Deer, geese, ducks and all kinds ofwild game were plentiful and the experiences ofpioneer life were all borne by the Lyman family.The parents were both members of the CongregationalChurch and instilled into the minds of theirchildren lessons of industry and morality. Inpolitics, Mr. Lyman was a stanch Republican andwas a widely-known citizen of this community,held in high regard for his sterling worth and integrity.His wife died in Onarga, Septembei- 2.5,1875, and he passed away on Christmas Day of1877. They were laid to rest side by side in RobertsCemetery, where a beautiful monument haseen erected sacred to their niemor}-.Three sons of this worth j' couple are still living.The eldest, Samuel B., was born in Massachusetts,was reared to agricultural p\irsuits and acquired acommon-school education. During the late war,he donned the blue and served throughout the entirestruggle. At Harper's Ferry, he was takenprisoner but was afterward exchanged.Later, heenlisted in an Illinois regiment and was given aplace on the detective force in securing "bountyjumpers."When the war was over, he received hisdischarge and returned home. He has lieen twicemarried. He first married Samantha Harris, whodied in 1873, leaving four children, after which hewas joined in wedlock to Mrs. Maggie Rams.ay.They now reside in Rolfe, Iowa, where Mr. Lymanis living retired. He was one of Ford County'shonored citizens for a number of years and servedas Sheriff from 1875 until 1882, proving one ofthe most efficient officers that the county has everknown.George P., who for some time was a leadingmerchant of Roberts, 111., resides in Pasadena,Cal., where he is engaged in the milling business.He married Helen Searls.Our subject is the third son. He spent thefirst six years of his life in his native State, thencame with his parents to Illinois. His educationwas acquired in the Grand Prairie Seminary inOnarga and he is a well-informed man. At theage of twenty-four, he started out in life for himselfwith no capital, but is now a well-to-do farmerof Lyman Township.On the 26tii of November, 1874, Mr. Lyman wasimited in marriage to Miss Harriet Samantha Harding,a native of Illinois. She was educated in thecommon schools and for six terms was a successfulteacher in Tazewell County. Her mother is stillliving and resides with Mrs. Lyman. She was bornin May, 1824, and is now about sixtj'-eight 3-earsof age. Our subject and his wife have one son,Eugene H.. who is attending school in Roberts.The parents are both devout members of the CongregationalChurch of Roberts, to which Mrs.Harding also belongs, and they have been .activeworkers for its interest and upbuilding. Mr.Lyman is one of the Deacons of the church, alsoa member of the Board of Trustees and ,i workerin the Sunday-school. His wife is a member ofthe Christian Endeavor Society an

POKTRAIT AND lilOCJRAril'CAL RECORD. 319of tlic Indepondcnt, Ordor of Good Templars ofRoliei'ts and are miiiihured among the best citizensof tliis community, being held in high regard byall for their manv cxcollencics of character."S!^-^ (^_ [="^ DWIN RICE was for nianj' years one of themost prominent residents of Paxton, .andthe history of Ford County would be incompletewithout this record of his life. He wasa native of INIassachusetts, born in WorcesterCounty, December 21, 1834. His parents, Silasand Elizabeth (Corey) Rice, were both natives ofNew England.Our subject spent his \outh with his parents inAshburnham, where he acquired a good education,supiiiemented by study in Oxford, M.ass. He afterwardengaged in teaching for about two years, andin the spring of 185.5 came West, locating in Chicago,where he accepted a position as salesman inthe mercantile house of D. B. Fisk it Co. A fewmonths later, he left the city and went to Lisbon,Kendall County, 111., where he accepted a positionin the dry-goods house of John Moore, and aftertwo years became a partner in the business.In Lisbon, on the 10th of August, 1859, Sir.Rice wedded Miss M. Almarine Moore, daughter ofScliuyler and Lucretia (Kingsbury) Moore. Herfather was a well-educated man and a native ofConnecticut.In early uianhood, he went to NewYork, locating in Skaneateles, where he engaged inbusiness, was married and reared his family. Hisdeath occurred in that place in 1863. His wifesurvived her husband a number of years and departedthis life in August, 1891. Both were buriedin the cemetery near their old home. Mrs. Ricewas reared and educated in that city. Havingrelatives in Lisbon, 111., she came to that town andeiiiratred in teaching for some time.On account of failing health, Mr. Rice withdrewfrom the firm of Moore & Rice, and in 1865 madea trip to California, where he spent about sixmonths, settling up the estate of his wife's uncle,Denman Kingsbury', who was a pioneer of thatState, a bridge builder and prominent citizen duringits early history. On his return to Illinois,Mr. Rice became a grain dealer ofMorris, but thefollowing December removed to Paxton, where he[michased an elevator. In 1882. he suffered aheavy loss, his elevator being destroyed by fire,but he rebuilt it soon afterward and resumed business,which he carried on until his death. He wasconnected with various enterprises, also w.as one ofthe incorporators of the First National Bank undera Nation.al charter in Ford Count3'. It was afterwardre-organized as the Ford County Bank, ofwhich Mr. Rice was a stockholder until his death,and he was also a large stockholder in the LinseedOil Works, of Toledo, Ohio. He was a most enterprisingand successful business man and was public-spiritedand progressive. He gave liberally ofhis means to the support of the CongregationalChurch, of which he was an active worker, and alsogave freely to charitable and benevolent purposes.The cause of temperance found in liim a warmadvocate, and he was a member of the City Councilwhich closed the saloons of Paxton. He was everready to advance the interests of the communitywhere he lived, and certainly did much for theupbuilding of this city.Mr. Rice passed away on the 24th of April,1884, respected by all who knew him and mournedby the entire community. His remains were interredin Glen Cemetery, where a beautiful monumentmarks his last resting place. The poor andneedy great!}- mourned his loss for they found inhim a true fiiend. He was a man of unblemishedcharacter and his life was iu many respects wellworthy of emulation.Mr. and Mrs. Rice had no children of their ownbut reared in their home the lad3''s niece. MissAlmarine Gaylord, who came to them when aboutthree and a half j'ears of .age. She has giown towomanhood and is an accomplished young lady,still residing with her aunt.Further mention should be made of theestimablewife of the worthy pioneer whose life recordwe have just given. After her husband's deatli,she took charge of the estate and business. To thegrain business, she gave her personal attention forabout two yeai-s, when a stock companv was organized,of which she was the priucii)al stock-

320 POUTKAIT A^'D BIO(iUAFIIICAL RECORD,liolder. She also owns an interest in the FordCounty Bank. She is a lady of superior businessability, and her efforts have been very successful.Of recent years, she has invested largely in FordCounty real estate and is the owner of three goodfarms of one hundred and sixty acres each, highlycultivated and well improved. Of her means shehas given liberally for the advancement of thoseenterprises calculated to |)romote the best interestsof the city, and has been prominently connectedwith its upl)uilding. In 1889, some three yearsafter the discontinuance of the Paxton CollegiateI nstitute, siie purchased the college building andl)roperty, which siie then deeded to the trustees.It was soon afterwaid re-opeued and the RiceCollegiate Institute, for so it is now called, is in anourishing condition.After the death of Rlr. Kice, his widow built aneat and substantial residence in Paxton, one ofthe best homes in the city, where she is still living.She was again married, on the .'5d of February, 1891,becoming the wife of Dr. B. F. Miles, of Peoria.Their union was celebrated at the residence of Mrs.Moore, in Skaneateles, N. Y. The Doctor is a nativeof Pennsylvania, and was educated at DartmouthCollege, N. Y., and was graduated fromMarshall College, Pa. After completing bis literarycourse, he studied medicine and was graduatedfrom the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia.He became one of the pioneers of Peoria, where hewas engaged in the drug busniess for a number ofyears. Dr. and Mrs. Miles are both faithful membersand active workers in the Paxton CongregationalChurch, and are well-known citizens of FordCounty, held in high esteem by all.R^•J••^•^[-OHN A. INIONTKLIFS, one of the mostprominent and inlluential citizens of FordCounty, is a dealer in real estate, grain and^ agricultural implements in Piper City. Thiswork would be incomplete without his sketch,which we feel assured will i>rove of interest tomany of our readers. He was liorn in MitHinburg,Pa., Ma3' 29, 1844, and is a descendant of FredMarcus IMontelius, who started .across the Atlanticin the winter of 1773, landing in Philadelphia onthe 2oth of August.For some time he engaged inmerchandising ui the City of Brotherly Love, afterwhich he removed to Reamstown, where his deathoccurred. His son John, the giandfather of oursubject, settled in Mifflinburg, Pa., about 1800, andthere spent the remainder of his life,following thetrade of a tanner. He served as Associate Judgeof the c()unt\- and represented his district in theState Legislature.Charles Montelius, father of our subject, w.asborn in 181 1, and was one of six sons and sixdaughters. He acquired his education in the publicschools, and in 1837 married Rebecca HowardPiper. When a young man, he learned the tanner'strade but afterwards engaged in merchandising.His wife died in 1860, and the following year hecame to Piper City and resided with his son. Theywere in business together from 1807 until 1873.The death of the father occurred in 1882, and liisremains were taken back to Pennsylvania and laidby the side of his wife. In politics, he was lirst aWhig and afterwards a Republican. In religiousbelief, he was a Presbyterian and served as Elderof the church for many years. His family numberedfour sons, all of whom were born inMitHinburg,but two died in infancy. William Piper,brother of our subject, completed his literarv educationin La Fayette College, after which he wasfor two years a student in the Western TheologicalSeminary of Pittsburg. He then became connectedwith the Christian Commission ami in the fall of1864 was stationed at Iluntsville, Ala. He diedthe following year.The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood daysin his native cit}', where he was educated in thepublic schools and in an academy. In 18.59, he lefthome and for a year engaged in clerking in Milton,Pa., after which he spent one year in Lewisburg.On the 17th of June, 1863, he enlisted for the onehundred days' service and spent the time at Cumberland,Md., as a member of Comi)an3' D, ThirtyfirstPennsylvania Infantry. He was discharged atHarrisburg, August 8, 1863, and on the 12th ofJuly, 1K04, re-enlisted in the First B.attalion ofPennsylvania Infantry, and served until November

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 32111, 1864. He participated iu no battles, but onone occasion niaiciied thirty-five miles in one dayto guard tlie iron works at Johnstown. In the fallof 1865, he went to Philadelphia and attended the(Quaker City Business College, and iu the summerof the following year held a i)Osition in the CornExchange National Bank, of that city.Mr. Monteliuscame AVest in the autumn of IHGG,reaching Piper City on the 14th of November. Onthe 6th of December, he began general merchandisingin connection with his uncle. Dr. Piper, forwhom the town was named. The firm afterwardsbecame Piper, Montelius & Co., subsequently C.Montelius ife Son, and business is now carried onunder the name of J. A. Montelius, our subject beingsole proprietor. He was also engaged in bankingwith his father until 1877, when he sold out toCami)bell ife Thompson, with the intention of devotinghis time to his extensive land interests.order to give emploj-meut to his brother, he begandealing in agricultural implements and aflervvardsin grain. He owns two elevators in Piper Cit}',has a branch implement store at Kemptf)n and ownslive thousand acres of farming land in Ford, Livingstonand Iioquois Counties. His cash transactionsamount to about f 600,000 annually.On the 8lh of October, 1867, in Mifflinburg, Pa.,Mr. Montelius married Kate Gast, who was born inthat city and is a daughter of Henry and MaryGast. Her mother is now deceased, but her fatherisstill living. They have a family of five children:Joseph K., who is now twenty-two years old, wasborn in Piper City, is a graduate of the publicschools, for two years studied at Lake Forest, andis now employed in his father's office; Maggie wasalso educated at the public schools and at LakeForest; George D. attended the Military Academyof Orchard Lake, Mich., for two j'ears; John A. wasin the same school for one year; .and Mary Rebeccacompletes the family.The cause of education has ever found in Mr.Montelius a warm friend, and while serving as amember of the School Board, he did effective workin its interest. In 1867, be laid out the town ofPiper City and in a room twelve feet square, a partof his present oHice, the first school convened witheight pupils. There were only four houses iu thisInlocality when he located here, and witli every progressivestep of I'iper City, our subject has beenidentified.In his political affiliations, he has beena stalwart Republican since he cast his first Presidentialvote for Lincoln, in 1864, when in the army,and he usually attends the county and congressionalconventions of his party. Socially, he is amember of Piper Lodge No. 608, A. F. ct A. M.;Chapter No. 99, R. A. M.; St. Paul CommanderyNo. 34, K. T., and Gibson Council; also the(JrandArmy Post. He and his wife are leading membersof the Presbyterian Church, take an .active interestin its work and for twenty years Mr. Montelius hasserved as Elder and for man}' years has been Superintendentof the Sunday-school. He started outin life with nothing and came to Piper City withonly $1,200, but by his industry, enterprise, perseveranceand good management, he has increasedhis possessions until he is now the wealthiest manin the county. Strict integrity and upright dealinghave characterized his life and won him theconfidence of all. Of his means he has givenliberally to educational and moral interests andevery enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit.AVID NEWMAN, deceased,was born inSussex County, N. J., on the 14th of July,1808, and was of English descent. Hisparents, John and Anna (Schofield) Newman,had a family of seven children. They weremembers of the Presbyterian Church, and, in politics,John Newman was first a Whig and afterwarda Republican.Our subject was reared to manhood in the Stateof his nativity and on the 28tli of July, 1833, wasunited in marriage to Miss Maria Conkle, a nativeof New Jersej'. Unto them was born a family offour children, three sons and a daughter: John,George, Sarah and Ezra, but all are now deceased.The mother was called to her final rest August 30,1839. Mr. Newman was again married on the24th of September, 184r), his second union beingwith Miss Mary .1. Koe, who was born in Stroudsbuig,Pa., and was a daughter of Samuel and Mary

'322 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.(Haines) Roe. Mr. Roe was a native of Hollandand of Englisli descent. This union was blessedwith seven children, as follows: Wickliffe, Anna,Ezekiel, Samuel (deceased), Phcebe, Clara (deceased)and David E.Ju 1860, having come to Illinois, Mr. Newmanlocated in Bloomington for five years, lii 1865, hepurchased a tine farm of one hundred and sixtyacres, upon whicli he made his home until his death,lie followed agricultural pursuits throughout hisentire life and was (piite successful inhis businesscareer. He and iiis wife were members of thePresbyterian Church, and in his political afliliations,]\Ir. Newman was a Republican. His deathoccurred on the I'Jth of .January, 1892, and hiswife died on the 21st of Januar3' of the sameyear. Speaking of tiiem, one of the county newspapersgave the following: "Mr. and Mrs. Newmanwere two of tiie band of twenty who gatheredin the Union Schoolhouse, in 1871, to organizetiie First Presbyterian Church, under the leadership of Rev. Criswell.of Normal. From that bandof Iwentj', the churcli had grown in their lifetimeto a membership of over two hundred, amongwhom Mr. and Mrs. Newman were ever prominent.The}' were, indeed, iiiglily res[)ected people of thiscommunit}', who had the confidence and warm regardof allwith whom they were brought in contact.'David E. Newman, the youngest son, has thecontrol of the old homestead, and is one of FordCounty's most enterprising and industrious youngmen. He isanieml)er of the Presbyterian Church,'exercises his right of franchise in the support of theRepublican party and is held in high esteem by hismany friends and ac(iuaiiitances.J'OHN VAN NOSTIN, a representative farmerof Drummer Township, living on section 27,was born on Ins father's farm in WhitewaterTownship, Hamilton County, Ohio, February7, 1836. His father, Abram Van Nostin, wa.s anative of New .Jersey. He was reared as a farmer butafterward became a boot and siioe maker. He removedto Hamilton County, Oiiio, in an early dayand became one of the pioneers of McLean County,111., of 1840. He there resided until his death,which occurred in 1852, his remains being interredin the cemetery near Downs. His wife long survivedhim and passed away in 181)0. He was amember of tiie Universalist Church and she lieldmembership with the Christian Cluuch. Theirfamily numbered ten children: Aaron, now deceased;Ann, widow of William C. King; Eliza,wife of D. Ilarboard; Alirain, deceased; Alexander,of Kansas; Charlotte, who is living in I(.>wa;Hannah; .John, of this sketch; Margaret, Amandaand Sarah.John Van Nostin, whose name heads this record,has S|ient almost his entire life in lUinoi' his parentslocating in McLean County when he ,j a ladof only four summers. He aided in the lors ofthe farm during the summer montlis ar . in tiiewinter season, when his services were not neededat home, attended the district schools of tl >neigiiborhood,where he acquired a limited education.He remained under the parental roof iiiilil his father'sdeath and tiieii began working as a farmhand by the mouth and took care of his widowedmother.On the ytli C)f .lanuary, 1861,in McLean County,Mr. Van Nostin,was united in the holy bonds ofmatrimony to Miss Martha S. Pliillips, a native ofKentucky, born in Nicholsville in 1844. Her parents,Beauford and Lucy (Settles) Phillips, werenatives of Kentucky. For thirty-nine years, Mr.A'an Nostin engaged in farming in McLean Countyand then, accompanied by his wife, removed tothis count}' in January, 1875. Soon afterward, hepurchased the farm upon which he now resides,consisting of eighty acres of arable land, under agood stiite of cultivation and well improved. Inconnection with general farming, he engages instock-raising, making a specialty of thoroughbredhorses.In politics, he is a Democrat liut has neversought or desired puljlic oHice, preferring to devotehis entire attention to Ins business.His wifeis a member of the Protestant Methodist Cliurcli.They are worthy citizens of this community andare held in high regard by their many friends.

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^1PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 325BEL C. THOMPSON, now deceased, wasWLm one of the prominent and influential businessmen of Paxton, and his name is inseparablyconnected witii the upbuildingand history of the city. lie was born in LuzerneCounty, Pa., August 6, 1818, and was a son ofJohn and Mary (Gardner) Thompson. His father,also a native of the Keystone State, was descendedfrom Scotch-Irish ancestors, and was a man ofcharacter and worth. The family of John andMary Thom[)Son consisted of eight children: Fannieis the wife of Benjamin Sailor, a merchant ofFranklin, Pa.; Sallie is the widow of George Swallow,a capitalist of Abington, Pa.; Jesse, a merchantof Carboudale, Pa.; James, a retired farmerof the same place; Enoch, a farmer of Shenandoah,Iowa, and Rebecca, wife of Thomas Whait, of Waverly, Pa.Abel C. Thompson, whose n.ame heads thisarticle, was reared to manhood upon his father'sfarm, receiving such education as the districtschools of those days afforded. At the age ofeighteen, he began the battle of life for himself byworking on the farm at 112 per mouth. Not satisfiedwith his educational attainments, he investedhis careful!}' husbanded earnings in a course ofhigher studies in the schools of Hartford, Pa.Having accumulated !)>' industrj' and economya smallcapital, he opened a general store in Exeter,Pa., which he r.an successfully some two orthree years. Removing to Ransom, in the sameState, he again embarked in mercantile pursuits,continuing with marked success for many years.In 1852, he disposed of his interests in Ransom,and moved to Pittstown, Pa., where he w.as alsoengaged in trade for some time, when he sold hisstore and turned his attention to journalism, becomingeditor and proprietor of the Fillstuwn. Gazelle.A man of varied ability, he proved himselfcapable in this field, as well as in business affairs.Other interests claimed his attention, for he hadownership in extensive coal fields. But nowheredid his excellencies of character more clearly manifestthemselves than in the home circle. To himhome was the haven of rest from annoyances thatmust come to every business man.On the 20th of October, 1845, Mr. Thompson14married Miss Catherine, daughter of Solomon andElizabeth (Searle) Brown. Mrs. Thompson is oneof seven children, as follows: Daniel is a farmer ofExeter, Pa.; Catherine; Elizabeth and ]>awrence,deceased; Rasselas; Clara, wife of F. A. Thompson,of Paxton; Myron, a resident of Exeter.I\Ir. and !\Irs. Thomiison became the parents oftwo children. Lawrence died in infancy. Theironly surviving child, Marian, was born October12, 1846, received her education in Miss Anabel'sCollege, of Philadelphia, Pa., and on the 22d ofSeptember, 1868, became the wife of I. J. Sutton,manager of the Roller IMills of Paxton. Theyhave one child, Stanley T., the eflicient book-keeperfor the Ford County Bank.Failing health caused Mr. Thompson to seek ahome in the AVest. It was his intention to go to Minneapolis,Minn., but on the way he stopped to visitrelatives at Paxtou. His healtli improved so rapidlythat he determined to locate in Paxton. The fallof the same year, 1808, he returned to the East,disposed of his interests and moved his family totheir western home.Having purchased an interestin the Ford County Bank, he was made itsPresident, which position he held continuously tothe date of his deatii. He was public-spiritedand liberal toward all worthy enterprises, andwhatever he took hold of he pushed with his characteristicenergy and determination. Through hispersonal efforts the old gristmill of Paxton wasconverted into one of the best roller mills of EasternIllinois.Ill tlie truest sense, Mr. Thompson was a selfmademan; beginning as a wage-earner, he arose bypersistent and well-directed effort to a position ofinfiuence and wealth, his intercourse with his fellowmen ever being m.arked by honesty and justice.In political affairs, ISIr. Thompson always tookan active part, working for the triumph of theRepublican principles. In Pennsylvania he servedas Justice of the Peace and after coming to Paxtonheld the office of Mayor of the city two terms.Hew.as not a man that sought places of public trust,but when he once accepted such trust, he performedhis part with conscientious fidelitj'.A record of the life of Mr. Thompson would

Iwith326 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.lack in the most essential element were it not tospeak of his religious faith and works. In earlylife he was converted, and became a member of theMethodist Episcopal Church, in which he wasever a zealous and cheerful worker.If a superintendentof the Sunda3--school was needed, he wascapable and willing; when a class-leader was wantedMr. Thompson was available; was financial supportnecessary, he could always be relied upon to do hisshare. In a word, he was a pillar of the church.Is it any wonder that family, friends, and communityshould mourn the loss of one so helpful in allthat tends to make life brighter and mankind better.?On the 24th of September, 1890, while at themill, Mr. Thom})son met with an accident that resultedin his death six days later. In GlennCemetery, at Paxton, his remains wei'e laid to rest,but he will long be remembered as one of nature'snoblemen and one of God's faithful servants.jflOHN C. KENWARD has been identifiedthe history of Ford County since 1869.He now resides in Roberts, and is half_ owner and foreman in the tile factory. Hewas born in Sussex, England, October 2, 1832.His parents, John and Mercy (Standing) Kenward,never left their native land. The father diedat the age of eighty-six years, and his wife passedaway at the age of fifty-five. Both were membersof the Baptist Church. They had a family ofthree sons and two daughters: Mercy E., wife ofMr. Johnson, grocer and draper ofStenning, SussexCount}', England; John, of this sketch; SamuelS., who was one of the boys in blue of the latewar, and died in the service in 1863; George, acommission merchant, who is married, and lives inSpokane Falls, Wash.; and Sarah J., wife of JohnStacey, a merchant of East Grinstead, England.Our subject attended school until thirteen yearsof age, when he began serving an apprenticeshipto the miller's trade, working in that capacity untilseventeen years of age. By an uncle, he wasadvised to come to America,and, acting upon hisadvice, in May, 1850, sailed from Liverpool onthe "John McKinzie," and, after seven weeks,landed in New York with only $25 in his pocket.He had formed the acquaintance of a young manon board, and together thej' went to Buffalo.There they fell in with a man who robbed Mr.Ken ward's friend of ^200, and the poor boysfound themselves with only three sovereigns,which belonged to our sul)ject. At Sandusky, Mr.Kenward was offered §2.50 for a musket which hecarried, and he gladly exchanged it for themoney. The young men started to walk to Perrysburg,Ohio, where the friend secured work as amechanic, and our subject found employment in amill. A short tune afterward, however, he leftthat place, and at length wentto Marshall, Mich.,where he worked until the si)ring of 1851 in amill, and then returned to Detroit. In May, ofthat .year, he landed on Rock Island, in AYisconsin,and there engaged in fishing through the summer,but his employer failed to pay him for his services.The following winter he spent in Waukegan,where he did chores for his board, and inthe spring went to Washington Island, Wis.While on that island, in November, 1852, Mr.Kenward married Miss Nanc}' Westbrook, daughterof Joel and Lucinda (Kilbourn) AVestbrook.Unto them have been born ten children, sevensons and three daughters, eight of whom are j'etliving: Joel, who was educated at Normal Unionand successfully engaged in teaching for a numberof years, is now married, and is engaged in thejewelry business in Roberts; John, who was educatedin the AVesle^'an University, resides in LosAngeles, Cal.; Ira, who was graduated from theWeslej'an University in 1888, and for a time engagedin teaching, is now married and practiceslaw in Protho, Utah; Samuel is married and resideson the old homestead; Aaron is an agriculturistof AVall Township; Patience, .lanieand AVillard,at home.In 1869, Mr. Kenward came with his family toAVall Township. For eighteen years he had engagedin fishing on Washington Island, and nowturned his attention to farming. He purchasedonediundred and sixty acres of raw land, at $10per acre, and transformed the uncultivated tract

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 327into rich and fertile fields.The boundaries of hisfarm he also extended, until he now owns threehundred and tn-enty acres of highly improvedland. In 188,5, he came to Roberts, and ha.3 sinceIwen foreman of the tile factor.)', in which he ownsa lialf interest. It has a eapacitj' of about sixhundred thousand tile annually and the sales ofbrick and tile amount to from *8,0()0 to * 10,000.A poor friendless boy, he started out for himselfin America and for iiis success in life deservesgreat credit as he has worked his way uitward to aposition of affluence and also to a higli position inthe esteem of his fellow-townsmen. Himself andwife are members of the Metliodist Cliurch and thelady is a member of the Foreign Missionary Society.Tliey have given freelj' of their means forthe erection of churches and to all benevolent andcharitable considerations. Mr. Kenward cast hisfirst Presidential vote for Gen. Fremont, and sincethe organization of the Republican p.arty has beenone of its stanch advocates. He has served asAssessor of Wall Township for about six years,was Collector, School Director and is SchoolTrustee of Lyman Township at the present time.He was also liglit-house keeper on Pilot Island,Wis., for three years. While only twenty- twoyears of age, he served as .Justice of the Peace, andlaugliingly tells of how he was called upon tomarry a couple when his embarrassment was asgreat as that of the contracting parties. In thesummer of 1882, Mr. Kenward paid a visit tohis old home in England, wliere he spent fourmonths.W;ILLIAMHURST isf'«j'*j**j»»j*Fnumbered among theearly settlers of Ford County, where hehas made his home for the past thirtyfourj'ears. He is a native of Lancashire, England,born on the lOtli of January, 1838, and is theninth in order of birth in a family often children,three sons and seven daugliters. The parents wereJoseph and Maiy (Bowers) Hurst. The father wasa native of Lancashire, was a well-educatedgentleman and was emploj'ed as book-keeper in acotton manufactory. About 1847, accompaniedby his wife and family, he determined to emigrateto America, and crossed the Atlantic from Liverpoolto Philadelphia. He made a location atGloucester, N. J., and there remained until hisdeath, which occurred June 23, 1849. His remainswere interred in AVoodbury, N. J. His wife cameto the West and died July 26, 187.5. She was laidaway in Peach Orchard Cemetery, where a beautifulstone marks her last resting iJace. Both weremembers of the Society of Friends.The children of the family areBettie, a residentof Lj'man Township; Alice, wife of James Roberts,whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work;Ellen, who is living on section 30, in LymanTownship; Ann, wife of Joseph Tucker, a railroademploye, residing in Camden County, N. J.; Mary,wife of Jlatthew Biichenough, a farmer of IroquoisCounty; Joseph, a prominent agriculturist ofLyman Township, whose sketch is given in this volume;William, our subject; and Hannah, who isliving on section 30, L^-man Township.William Hurst was a lad of nine years whenwith his parents he came to America. He workedfor his mother upon the farm between theages ofnineteen and twenty-four years and then beganlife for himself, his property consisting solely of ateam. As a companion and helpmate on life'sjourney, he chose Miss Mary Jane Roberts, daughterof James Roberts.Their union was celebratedFebruary 13, 1867, and has been blessed with afamily of five children, but the only son, Walter,died at the age of fifteen years. Lizzie is now thewife of David Kenned}^ an agriculturist of Roberts,and unto them have been born a son anddaughter. Mary is attending school and has alsoreceived instructions in instrumental music.Cynthia is also in school, and Elsie is the baby ofthe household. Mrs. Hurst, who is a native ofSussex, England, is a well-educated lady and engagedin teaching prior to her marriage.Mr. Hurst exercises his right of franchise insupport of the Republican party, with which hehas been identified since casting his first Presidentialvote for Abraham Lincoln. For nine years,he has served as School Director and the cause ofeducation has found in liim a waim friend, He

328 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,and his wife are members of the CongregationalCliiircli, are benevolent and worthy people, andthe poor and needy are never turned from thedoor empty-handed. Mr. Hurst is now living retired.For man^^ years he followed farming andwas very successful, so that now he can lay asideall business cares. He first became owner of onehundred acres of raw land, but transformed it intorich and fertile fields, and extended tlie boundariesof his farm until he now has a richly cultivatedtract of one hundred and eighty acres.Hissterling worth well entitles him to representationin this volume.-^1^+^ (^_"^\t7 EVI MILLER, an enterprising farmer andI (j^ one of the prominent early settlers of thisjlL^^ county, now resides on section 24, WallTownship. He is a native of the Keystone State,born in Berks County, April 9, 1831, and is a sonof Frederick Miller, also a native of Pennsylvaniaand of German descent, his ancestors havingcome from that country in an earl_v day and settledin Mar3dand. Frederick Miller removed toOhio in 1833, settling in ISIontgomery County,where he engaged in agricultural pursuits untilhis death, which occurred in 1842. His first wifewas in her maideniiood Miss Rieagle, and by hermarriage became the mother of the following children:Isaac and Jonathan, both now deceased;Alvina, a resident of Darke Count}*, Ohio; andHarriet, who died near Salem, Oliio. Mr. Millerwas again married in Pennsylvania to CatherineWhitman. She passed away in that State, leavingtwo children to mourn her loss, our subject andJeremiah, who resides near Sidney, Ohio, where hecarries on farming and is one of the County Commissionersof Shelby County. The father of thisfamily was a United Brethren in religious belief,and in politics was a Jackson Democrat and astanch supporter of his party.Levi Miller was taken by his parents to Ohiowhen but eighteen months old and was therereared.His father died when he was eleven yearsof age, and he was then bound out for six years.His educational privileges were limited, he only attendingschool three or four months in a year.At the age of seventeen, lie began learning thecarpenter's trade, at which he worked for threeyears. After liis marriage, he removed to DarkeCounty, (Jhio, making his home near Greenville,where he followed his trade. He then came toIllinois and settled in La Salle County, where heengaged in the same occupation for ten years,when, in 1864, he came to Ford County, purchasinghis present farm. At that time the countrywas so thinly settled that he could get on hishorse andride straight to the court-house in Paxtonwitliout turning either to the right or the left.His farm consisted of eighty acres of wild prairieland, and on the whole amount there was not asingle tree. All this is now greatly changed. Onhis fine farm is a comfortable and commodious residence,surrounded l\y a grove of beautiful trees.This has all been accomplished by industrious andenterprising efforts of our subject, who is one ofthe successful farmers of Ford County. He hasnow one tree on his place which is two feet indiameter and over sixty feet high, which he setout, it being a slip that he cut off with his plowwhile at work.On the 29th of July, 18.52, in Preble County,Ohio, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to MissMaria Werts, a native of that county. The unionof our subject and his estimable wife has beenblessed by the birth of nine children, namely:Mary, wife of James Harris, of Loda, 111.; Jeremiahmakes his home in Cliicago; Viola is a residentof Big Bend, Kan.; Hamer and Theresa, nowdeceased; Lee lives in Loda; Charles is in Chicago;and Lucretia and Arthur make their home withtheir parents. All of the children have had commoneducational advantages and have had thebenefit of a good district school. Mrs. Miller isa consistent member of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch and her children attend Victor Church.Mr. Miller takes an active part in public affairs,.and helped to organize Wall Township and wasits first Commissioner. He was Clerk of the Boardof Commissioners some time and made out thefirst road tax. He has held four different officesat the same time, thus showing the high regard in

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 331which he is held. He was Supervisor in the year1872, and for twenty' 3-ears held the office of Justiceof the Peace. He takes an active interest ineducational matters and has held all the schooloffices. He was Assessor of his township and inall the official positions he has held, he has dischargedthe duties with promptness and fidelity.He cast his first Presidential vote for PresidentPierce, and is a stalwart Democrat in political sentiment,often acting as a delegate to the conventionsof his party. Mr. Miller is essentially a selfmademan, having secured all that he now possessesby his able management and good businessabilitj'. He has done much for the upbuilding ofthe county and is one of its honored pioneers.r \yT. MORRISON has a pleasant home onsection 7, Button Township, where he isengaged in geneial farming. He is a wellknowncitizen of this community and one highlyesteemed. He was born in Adams County, Oliio,August 11, 1840, and is of Irish descent. Hisfather, Mitchell Morrison, was a native of thesame county, but the gmnd father, .ludge RobertMorrison, was born on the Emerald Isle. When aboy he came to this country- and located in SouthCarolina, where he grew to manhood. In 180.3,he emigrated to Ohio, becoming one of the pioneersettlers of Adams County, and was quite prominentin the early history of that eoninmnity. Forabout thirty j'ears he served as Probate .hulge andalso held the rank of Major in the State militia.Mitchell Morrison was joined in wedlock withJane Wright, a native of Adams County, Ohio,and there followed farming until 1856, when hecame with his family to Illinois and east his lotamong the early settlers of McLean County. Locatingwest of Bloomington,he there resided until1868, which year witnessed his arrival in FordCounty, and in Button Township he made hishome until his death, in 1879. His first wifedied in 18.50, but his second wife still surviveshim. Our subject is the third in order of birth ina family of five sons and three daughters, twodaughters being children of the second marriage.A brother and two sisters are still living.W. T. Morrison was sixteen years of age whenwith his father he came to Illinois. During thelate war, he joined Company lil, of the NinetyfourthIllinois Infantry, on the 7th of August, 1862,and served until after the cessation of hostilities,when he was mustered out at Galveston, Tex.,in August, 1865, receiving his discharge in Springfield,111. He participated in all the engagementsof his regiment, including the battle of Prairie(irove. Ark., the siege of Vicksburg, the battle ofMobile and man}^ others. I n the first-named hereceived a flesh wound just behind the ear butotherwise escapeduninjured and was never in thehospital. He was always found on dut}', faithfulto his post, and made for himself an honorable warrecord.After his return to the North, Mr. Morrison engagedin farming for two years in McLean County,and in 1868 came to this county, locating on afarm in I?utton Township. He purchased onehundred and twenty acres of land, a part of hispresent farm, and began its development. Itsboundaries have since been extended, until nowtwo hundred and fifty acres pay tribute to thecare and labor which he bestows upon it and thehighly cultivated fields indicate his thrift and enterprise.Many improvements are there to be seen,including good barns and other outbuildings anda large two-story residence.In this county on the 17th of January, 1871,Mr. Morrison wedded Miss Mary Moore, who wasborn and reared in Holmes County, Ohio, and is adaughter of Alexander Moore. Their union hasbeen blessed with six children: Edward C, Laura J.,Lena, Myrtle, Llo^d and Herman Leota. The parentshold membership with the Presbyterian Churchof Clarence. Mr. Morrison cast his first Presidentialvote for Gen. U. S. Grant and has supportede.ach Presidential nominee since that time. He takesquite an active interest in political affairs and hasfilled several pul)lic offices. After serving as Assessor,he was Justice of the Peace of Button Townshipfor eleven years and is serving his seventhyear as a. member of the County Board of Super-

I ( I332 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.visors and for tlie second time is its Chairman.Mr. Morrison possesses good business ability andwell deserves the success which has crowned hisefforts. lie has lived an upriirht life, is a man ofsterling wortli, and is held in the highest esteemand confidence by all.•te^tor I I t i f > fi • \ I^jp5^AMUEL DAY. Among tlie early settlers^!^^ of the territory now comprising FordIfl/J)}) County, was he whose name heads thissketch, and whose family has been prominentlyidentified with the business interests anddevelopment of the county since its organization.Mr. Da}^ was born in Kenton County, Ky., onthe16th of April, 179i), while that region was still awilderness. I lis father was the Kev. John Day, anative of Maryland and a jiioneer of Kentuck}-,when the red men held almost undisputed sway inthat region.In 1803, he removed with his familyto Preble County, Ohio, where, by the help of hissons, he cleared and improved a farm in that heavilytimbered region, which was his home for theremainder of his daj-s. His wife died in middlelife and was buried in Preble County. The husbandsurvived till old age, remaining single. Hewas a minister of what is now known as the ChristianChurch, and was ever faithful in the dischargeof his duties.His death occurred in Shelby Connt3',Ind., while on a visit to his children, and he wasthere buried.Samuel Day was reared on his father's farm andin his youth learned the carpenter's trade, althoughhe made agricultural pursuits the iirincipal occupationof his life. On the 8th of March, 1821, hewas joined in wedlock to Miss Peggy Purviance,a daughter of the Hon. David Purviance, and anative of Kentucky. Her father was a prominentman of that State and distinguished himself by hisopen hostility to slavery, lieing an original Abolitionist.In earl}' life he had settled in Kentucky,where he was elected to the State Senate, and fromhis peculiar and then unpopular views on the allexcitingsubject of slavery, he became renownedfor the bold defense of his opinions and for tliehostility he encountered and successfully combatted.In 1807, he removed to Preble County,Ohio, where he passed the latter years of his life.Mr. and Mrs. Day had a family of nine children,all born in Preble County, of whom only four arenow living: Eliza, the eldest, died in her nativeState at the age of seventeen; John P. marriedMiss Melinda Swisher, and is a well-known pioneerbusiness man of Paxton, 111.; Mary A., the nextj'ounger, died at the age of twelve years; Sophiabecame the wife of Alonzo Loutzenhiser and diedin Champaign County, III., November 11, 1854.Samuel L. wedded Susanna Swisher, who died inApril, 1858, and in 1860, he married his presentwife, wlio was Miss Jennie Lj'cm; he is also apioneer business man of Paxton and is representedelsewhere in this work.Nicholas B., the third son,married Barbara Stoner and is one of the oldestmerchants of Paxton; the next in order is adaughter who died in infancy; Cordelia is nowthe wife of James Hock, of Paxton; and theyoungest of the family, a son, died while a babe.Mr. Day continued his residence in Ohio untilAugust, 1851, when with his family he removedto Miami Countj', Ind., and settled on a farm nearPeru. In November, 1853, accompanied b}- hiswife and children, he emigrated to Illinois, travelingwith teams and driving the stock.They locatednear Danville, where, after sjiending a year,Mr. Day and his sons, Samuel and Nicholas B.,came to what is now Ford County, then a part ofVermilion. Mr. D.ay, Sr., ])urchased a partly improvedfaim of one hundred and twenty acresnear Prairie City, now Paxton, where he continuedto reside until his death, which occurred inFebruary, 1858. He was in feeble health when hecame to Illinois and died soon after coming here,so that he was not actively identified with theaffairs of the county. Politically, he was a Whigfrom early manhood until tiie disruption of thatpart}', after which he was a Kepublican and alwaj'Santi-slavery. He filled the position of Assessorand other minor ollices in Ford County. He andills wife were consistent members of tlie ChristianChurch in former years.Mrs. Day survived her husband many years andlater in life, not having an organized society of

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 333her own church at Paxton, she joined the churchof the United Brethren of that place. Her deathoccurred on the 9th of August, 1890, in her ninet^'-thirdjear. She was possessed of a remarkablystrong constitution and superior mental force andpreserved her faculties almost unimpaired up tothe day of her death. She was devoted to herfamily and reared her children to habits of industryand frugality, and inculcated the lessons ofsound moralitj' and Christian faith that resultedin their becoming worthy and respected membersof society. She was a noble woman and her memoryis held in great veneration by her childrenand surviving friends of the pioneer days of FordCountJ^WAN PETERSON, the leading florist ofFord County and the only one of GibsonCity, established business at that place in1882. Mr. Peterson is a native of Swedenand was born in Kristianstad, December 29. 1860.His parents' Christi.-in names were Jens and Mary,respectively, and they were also natives of thesame country.The subject of this sketch was educated in hisnative land and served a regular apprenticeshipto the trade of a florist.In 1880, when not quitetwenty years of age, he emigrated from Sweden toAmerica, coming direct to (iibson City. For two3'^ears he worked at whatever he could lind to do,by which he could eain an honest dollar, and inthe meantime learned the English Language. Inthe spring of 1882, having accumulated a very smallcapital whicli he had saved from his earnings, hebegan raising flowers in a small way, under glass.His business prospered and he invested the profitsin improvements, until he now h.as an extensiveestablishment with Ave lots, ."iOxlGO feet e.ach,situated in the eastern part of the city. He has5,500 square feet of glass, and all the facilities fora first-class greenhouse. His princii)al liusiness isin cut flowers and his specialties are carnationsand violets, while he has a fine collection cf rosesand otlier plants. His principal markets are inChicago and St. Louis. He has a commission merchantin both cities who handle his goods. Inaddition to the business he does in Chicago andSt. Louis, he has quite an important trade at homeand in neighboring Illinois cities. His annualtrade is large. Supplying floral decorations forweddings and funerals constitutes an importantpart of his business, and his good taste in suchmatters is conceded by all.Mr. Peterson was united in marriage, on the16th of May, 1886, to Miss Sarah Moline, a daughterof Swan and Permelia Moline. Mrs. Petersonwas born in Southern Sweden, and emigrated toAmerica with her parents when six years of age.Three children were born to our subject and hiswife, one of whom is now deceased, Freddie, theonly son, who died at the age of two and a halfyears. The living are Freda Maria and Annap]lizabeth.In politics, Mr. Petersf)n is a Republican, castinghis vote in support of that party. He and hiswife are consistent members of the Swedish EvangelicalLutheran Church, and are highly respectedin this community. He is an upright and honestcitizen and is greatly esteemed for his sterlingworth.ILLIAM BAKER is a prominent joung^ I^ILLJAM 15AKEU is a prominef'^''i"''''

334 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.purcliased land and engaged in agricultural pursuitsfor himself. He had owned several farms inLa Salle County prior to 1871, when he carac toFord County, settling upon the farm which is nowthe home of our subject. He there resided until1889, when he removed to Streator, 111., where heis now engaged in mercliandising.In La Salle County, in 1858, Henry Baker marriedMiss Louisa Eberhart, a native of New York.Her father was a Frenchman by birth and hermother was born near Straslnirg, (iermany. UntoMr. and Mrs. Baker were born six children whoare yet living, and they have also lost one. Henryis now a merchant of Streator, 111.; William is thesecond in order of birth ; Edward is now a student inthe V.alparaiso Normal School of Indiana, andmakes his home witli his parents; John is now engagedin clerking in Chicago; Benjamin and Carolineare at home.Mr. 15aker came to this countrywitli no capital, but accumulated a fine property.He now owns one and three-quarter sections ofland, besides business and residence property inStreator. In politics, he is a Republican and is amember of the Evangelical Association, to whichhis family also belongs.Our subject was born in La Salle County, on the8th of September, 1864, and in the usual mannerof farmer lads spent the d.ays of his boyhood andyouth. He attended the public schools, and theeducation which he there acquired was supplementedby a six months' course in the High Schoolin Streator and also six niontiis' study in Naperville.When six years old, he came to FordCounty, where he has resided almost continuouslysince. When his father left the farm in 1889, Mr.Baker took charge of it and is now engaged in generalfarming and stock-raisuig. He is a successfulyoung business man, wide-awake and enterprising,and is well and favor.alily known in this community.On the 14th of June, 1888, Mr. Baker weddedMiss Mary Rienenschneider, a native of WillCounty, 111., and a daughter of August and Barbara(Klingert) Rienenschneider, who reside inLyman Township, that county. Their union hasbeen blessed with one son, Samuel Walter, whowas born on the 6th of July, 1889. The parentsare both members of the Evangelical Church, ofwhich Mr. Baker is a Trustee. He also serves asSuperintendent of the Sundaj'-school. He cast hisfirst Presidenti.al vote for Gen. Harrison, in 1888.He has served as School Director for three j'ears,but has never been an office-seeker. His fellowtownsmenrecognize in him an honorable and uprightyoung man, and he is regarded as one of theprominent and representative farmers of the community.•'^^S^'ellARLES':=r-~|^- ,«^=^S)^?^C. PEARCE, as a breeder ofstandard-lired horses and astock-raiser, iswell known to tlie people of Ford County.He comes from Kentucky, a State noted for its finehorses. He was born in Flemingsburg, FlemingCounty, April 5, 1866. His father, Edwin E.Pearce, was born on the 3d of August, 1822, in thesame county where he has p.assed his entire life.His career has been a remaikable one. Beginninghis business life as a clerk in a store at $50 peryear, he has become a man of infiuenceand wealth,much of his time being devoted to the raising ofstandard-bred horses.In an early day, Mr. Pearce,Sr., purchased lands in different counties in Illinoisat a nominal sum, which have since become veryvaluable through the rise in the price of land andthe improvements he has made thereon. Besidesowning several farms in Kentucky, he is presidentof the banking house of Pearce, Fant & Co. ofFlemingsburg. Notwithstanding he owned a largenumber of slaves, he was an advoc.ite of emancipation,and when the war broke out gave his supportto the Union cause. On the 10th of November,1857, Mr. Pearce was united in marriage toMiss Anna J. Clarke, a native of Mason County,Ky., born April 4, 1838, and called to her finalrest on the 4th of October, 1878. Unto this worthycouple were born five children, four ofnow living.whom areCharles C. Pearce, the subject of this sketch,whois the third child of the family, spent his early lifeon the farm. In the private schools of his nativecounty, he began his education, which was com-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 337pleted at Lexington University.Having remainedon the farm until 1881, he entered the liank ofPearce, Fant & Co., as book-keeper, remaining inthat position for tliree years, and since 188G hehas been a member of the Board of Directors of thatinstitution. In August, 1887, Mr. Pearce came toGibson City and began farming and stock-raisingon a section of land which his father had purchasedmany years before.The following year our sulijcet returned to Kentuckyand there, October 3, 1888, near Tallesboro,married Miss Hattie M., daughter of Madison M.and Mary E. (Means) Walker. Mr. Walker stilllives, his wife having died some years ago. ]>othwere born in Kentucky and their only survivingchild is INIrs. Pearce. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pearcewas born a son, Edwin M., who lived to be nearlytwo years old, when he was called home. Themother is a consistent member of the PresbyterianChurch, in the interests of which she is an activeworker.In political sentiment,Mr. Pearce is a Republican,and is a stanch supporter of that party, as is alsohis fatiier. He is now devoting himself chielly tothe raising of standard-bred horses, of which he haseleven at the present time on his farm, being .someof the flnesthorses of the county. In early boyhood,he learned to handle horses and has acquiredmore than a local reputation as a good horseman.He is enterprising and progressive and is numberedamong the worthy citizens of Ford County.^^.^ M ^—'ff|OIIN PURYIANCE DAY, a pioneer businessman of Paxton, Ford County, who locatedhere in March, 1857, and for the past thirty-(^^ three years has been prominently identifiedwith its real-estate and other business interests,was born in Preble Count}', Ohio, on the 8th ofSeptember, 1824. He is a son of Samuel andPeggy (Purviance) Day, a sketch of whom appearselsewhere in this work, and was reared on hisfather's farm in the woods of Preble County,Ohio. He enjoyed the limited educational advantagesof the public schools of those da3's in thati-egion, and was early inured to hard labor, clearingthe heavy timber and fitting the landfor cultivationHaving attained to man's estate, Mr. Day wasunited in marriage, in IMiami County, Ind., on the25th of September, 1845, to Miss Malinda Swisher,daughter of George and Elizabeth (Bassett) Swisher.The lady was born in Ripley, Ind., and wasreared in Preble Count_v, where she was a neighborand associate of her husband in childhood.Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Day madetheir home on a farm in a heavily timbered sectionof Miami County, Ind. For seven years, Mr. Dayswung the ax and tilled the soil, enjojing lifekeenly in the possession of the substantials of life,where all were on a common footing, never longingfor or missing the luxuries of more moderncivilization.In the fall of 1853, he and his family, with teamsand a portion of their household effects, joined hisfather and brothers in their emigration to EasternIllinois, and in November reached a point nearDanville, where they located %ind bought land.John P. Day and family remained on their farmat that place until March, 1857, when they removedto Paxton, in what is now Ford County. He becameinterested in merchandising at that pointand later sold his farm near Danville and concentratedhis business at Paxton. In .Tune, 1859,Ford Count}' was organized and at the first electionof the county officers, which occurred the followingfall, Mr. Day was elected County Treasurer.He was re-elected at the two succeeding electionsand subsequently filled an unexpired term on thedeath of the Treasurer, serving from March 22,1866, to November, 1867, making his entire servicein that office amount to nearly eight years. Inpolitics, he was a AVhig in early life and joined theRepublican party at its organization in Illinois in1854. AVhile serving as County Treasurer, he becamevery familiar with the land of Ford Count}',and .acted as agent for many non-residents in thesettlement of taxes and in buying and selling realestate on commission. On retiring from office, henaturally turned his attention to the real-estatebusiness, which he has carried on successfully eversince. His official and land business did not, how-

338 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.ever, occupy his time exclusively, as he has beeninterested three different times with his brotliersin merchandising, and at this writing is a partnerof his brother, N. B. Da3', in one of the largest dr^^goodsand general stores in Paxton. He and hisbrother, Samuel L., were associated in merchandising,farming, real estate and general trading. Mr.Day handled live stoclv extensively, buying, feedingand shipping. Thej' began merchandising inPaxton, in March, 18.58, having the second generalstore in tliis place. In 18G0, ,Tohn P. Day cmbarkedin the land business, since which time liehas bought and sold, either as principal or agent,many thousand of acres of land in Illinois andother Western States. At this writing, he is thesenior member of the real-estate and loan agencyfirm of Day Brotliers, of Paxton. This firm doesan extensive business, not only in Illinois, butin Kansas, Iowa and Missouri lands, and in cityproperty.Three childrenwere born to Mr. and IMis. Daj':Cordelia E., tlie eldest, now tlie wife of GeorgeWright, of Chicago, and the muther of three children,two sons and a daughter.Margaret died atthe age of six years, and Alice M. married TlieodoreM. King, a leading druggist of Paxton; theyhave one son, Claude. The parents and tlieirdaughters are members of the CongregationalChurch.Mr. Day was the first President of the town ofPaxton, to whicli office he waselected April 15,1861,on the incorporation of the town or village. Hewas also a member of the first Grand .lury of F^ordCounty, in November, 1859, as well as the firstCounty Treasurer to serve a full term. His lifehas been an active and useful one, and his businessrelations have been sucli .as to give liim an extendedacquaintance throughout Ford and adjacent counties,where his opinion and good judgment, especiallyon the suliject of land values, are generallyaccepted as authority. It is gener.all3' concededthat no man has liad a wider experience or possessesmore reliable information in that directionthan Mr. Day. In all his intercourse with hisfellow-citizens and the world in general, he hasalwa3's been found upright and reliable. Whileconservative and prudent in all his business transactions,yet he is enterprising and ready to venturewhere his good judgment sanctions investmentand he seldom makes mistakes. Perhapsthat isone reason why he has been so successful inbusiness and is so generally respected. It is nowforty-six years since Mr. Day began business onhis own account and in all that time he has neversued or been sued in a court of justice, a recordan3' man might be proud of.^/^^S\ IIARLES O. HAYES, a prominent and rep-(I ^-^^ resentative citizen of Roberts and the pop-^^^J ular host of the Glencoe House, is a nativeof Clinton Count3-, N. Y. He was born June II,1834, and was the eighth in a family of seven sonsand three daughters, born unto Asa and Laura(Larkin) Ilaycs. The father was born in theGreen JMoiiiitaiii State, where he remained untileleven years of age, and then removed to NewYork, where he spent the greater part of his lifeand engaged in Ijusiness as a lumberman. In hischildhood da\s, when the Revolutionaiy War wasin i)rogross, he fre(iueiitly carried dis[)atches fromPlattsburg to Ogdensburg, N. Y., through the unbrokenforests. In politics, he was a .leffersonDemocrat. lie emigrated to McLean County, 111.,in 1863, and, purchasing f)roperty, there made hishome until his death. His wife died at the age offifty and her remains were interred by the side ofher two daughters in the cemeteiy of Beekmantown,N. Y., while Mr. Ha3'es was laid to rest inLivingston County, 111. They were highly resi)ectedpeople and their lives were worthy of thewarm regard in which they were held.Five children of their family are 3'et living:Hiram, who served as Ca|i1ain in the late war, isnow married and lives a retired life in Whitewater,Wis.; Mary is the wife of the Rev. S. P. Alford, aMethodist niinister; Charles is the next younger;.John, who wore the blue during the late war, is marriedand lives a retired life near Plattsburg, N. Y.;and .loel P.. who was (^uarterni.aster of his companyduring the late war, is engaged in farming nearNeosha P'alls, Kan. The following are now de-

PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 339ceased: Lo^-al. who was horn in New York, followedfarming and died in Vermont, wliere hiswife and famil3' reside; Christiana became thewife of L. 8. Robinson, a farmer of New York, anddied at about the age of thirty-live jears; Harriet,who became the wife of Levi Stafford, a mechanic,died in New York, and since her deatii her familyhus emigrated to JMichigan; P^noch and Lorindied at about twelve and fifteen years of age,respectively.Our subject acquired his education in the commonschools and is a self-made man who had tobegin life for himself empty-handed. In f.act, heborrowed $5 with which to come to the West.On attaining his majoritv, he emigrated to Illinois,and in 18.56. began working as a farm hand inKendall County. He spent the year 18.58 in AValworthCounty, Wis., hut with tlie exception ofthat time has since made his home in Illinois. Onthe .5th of ()ctol)er, 18.5',), he married Lucenia R.,daughter of Wesley .and Cornelia (Randall) Alford.Her father was a native of New York and emigratedto this State in 185.5, locating in KendallCounty, where our subject and his wife were married.She w.as born October 30, 1842, and w.as oneof live sons and four daughters. Her birth wasfollowed by that of Hannah, who became the wifeof William Skinner, a farmer, now deceased, whoresides in Fiirest, 111.; Setli, of Cropse^y, 111.; Emma,wife of Sherman .lohnson, a farmer of LivingstonCounty, III.; Lorenzo, a merchant of Cropsey;fleorge, who makes his home in the same place;and Allen, who is employed as a .salesman b_y hisbrother Lorenzo.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have been born fourdaughters: Ada, who was educated in Saybrook,.and passed the teachers' examination, possessesconsiderable musical talent and was instructedthat art by Prof. Hugh Kilso, now of t,he Conservatoryof Music in the Auditorium of Chicago.She became the wife of Orville CUieney, who waseducated at Wesle3"an College, and is a well-knownfarmer of INIcLe.an Count}\ He cast his first votefor Gen. Grant and is a stalwart Republican.Julia is the wife of Andrew .1. O'llarra, a contractorand builder, of Englewood; Nellie, whowas educated in Saybrook, is the wife of N. F.inDavis, a contractor and builder, of Gano, III., anda iirominent member of the Patriotic Order ofSons of America. Ilattie is the wife of RoyM.ah.aflfey, who is now engaged in merch.andizingin Englewood, III.Mr. Hayes proudly cast his first Presidential votefor .John C. Fremont and has since been a stalwartRepublican. He was Constable of McLean Countyfor four consecutive years but has never been anolhce-seeker. Himself and wife are faithful membersof the Methodist Church and contributedliberally to the erection of the beautiful churchedifice. He is one of the Trustees and was also.Steward. His wife was President of the Ladies'Aid Societ}', and is a member of the F'oreign MissionarySociety, and botli have been identified withthe .Sunday-school work.Glencoe House is one of the leading hotels inthis part of the county and has found favor withthe traveling public. Everything is kept in firstclassorder which insures it a liberal jiatronage.Besides this, Mr. Hayes owns other valuable property'in Roberts luit expects soon to go South onaccount of his health. In his removal the countywill lo.se a valuable citizen.|r^)OBERT POLLOCK is a prominent and rep-ILiir resentative farmer of Patton Township,residing on section 24, and it is with ple.asurethat we record his sketch in this volume,for he is well worthy of representation inthis history of his adopted count3'. Indiana isthe State of his nativity and his birth occurred inLa Fayette, November 28, 1840. The Pollockfamily is of Scotch origin and was founded in thiscountry' in earl3' Colonial days by ancestors whosettled in JIaryland. The name, however, wasoriginally Polk, and was thus written l)y thegrandfather of our subject, Robert Polk, a Revolutionarj'soldier, who emigrated from Marylandto Ohio in an earl}- d.ay. He w.as accompaniedby his s(m William, father of our subject,who was then a lad. It w.as William and hisbrothers who changed the spelling of the family

340 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.name. He remained in the Buckeye State untileighteen years of age, and then removed to Indiana,locating in La Fayette.Mr. Pollock was there united in marriage toP0II3' Ann I'atton, a native of Indiana and adaugliter of Judge David Patton, an earlj- pioneerand prominent citizen of Ford County, wliosesketch appears elsewliere in this work. After tlieirmarriage, Mr. and Mrs. Pollock resided for tlireeyears in La Fayette, and thenremoved to KankakeeCounty, 111., where he engaged in farmingfor a few years. Later, he engaged in agriculturalpursuits in Monee Station, Will Count}',and in l>i.')l removed with his family to what isnow Ford County, settling at Ten Mile Grove,where he was engaged in farming for more thantwenty years. He now resides near the city ofMaryville, Nodaway Count}', Mo., where he hasmade his home since 1880. The Pollock familynumbered eight sons and four daughters and,with one exception, all reached adult age.Robert Pollock, whose name heads this record,came with his parents to this part of Illinois in1851, a lad of eleven years, and hence almost hisentire life has been passed in Ford County. Thedays of his boyhood and youth were spent in theusual manner of farmer lads, he aiding in thefarm labors during the summer months, while inthe winter season he attended the public schools.His primary education was supplemented by acourse in Abingdon College, and he further pursuedhis studies in Lombard University. He beganteaching when only seventeen years of age,and followed that profession for several terms,but at length left the schoolroom for the farm,and for several ye-ii'S engaged in agricultuial pmsuits.In Kankakee County, 111., in the spring of 18G3,Mr. Pollock wedded Miss Margaret Olson, a nativeof Sweden. He has always taken quite aninterest in political affairs, and has been honoredwith several positions of i)ublic trust. He servedas Marshal of Paxton, was also Constable andDeputy Sheriff, and filled other official positions anumber of years. On questions of national importance,he casts his ballot in support of Democraticprinciples, but at local elections votes forthe man whom he thinks best qualified to fill theoffice, regardless of party alHliations.In 1880, helocated upon his farm, three miles from Paxtou,where he now resides, and has since given his timeto agricultural pursuits.The home of Mr. and Mrs. Pollock has beenblessed by the presence of three children: FrederickJ., who lives at home and follows farming;William, who aids his bruther in the operation ofthe farm; and Irena C, wife of Charles Graham,of Paxton. The parents attend the CongregationalChurch and contribute to its support, althoughthey are not members. Since a lad ofeleven summers, Mr. Pollock has resided in FordCount}', wiiere hehas a wide acquaintance and isheld in high regard, for he is esteemed Iiy his fellow-citizensas a man of sterling worth and exemplarycharacter. Ilis life h.as been a busy anduseful one and, as a result of his own enter|)risingefforts, he has accumulated a comfortable competence.-5--^^ -^AVID RKEP, who is engaged in generalfarming and stock-raising, owns and operatesone hundred and eighty-nine acres of valuableland situated on section 28, Patton Townshii).The farm is pleasantly situated aliout three and ahalf miles from Paxton. It is under a high state ofcultivation, well im])roved with good buildings andstocked with a fine grade of horses and cattle. Indeed,the owner is regarded as one of the enterprisingand successful agriculturists of the community.Mr. Reep was Itorn in Butler County, P.a., December3, 1845, and is a son of Isaac Reep, whowas born in 1812. The grandfather also borethe name of Isaac Reep, and was likewise a nativeof the Keystone State, where the German ancestorsof the family settled at an early day. The grandfatherserved as a soldier in the War of 1812. Thefather of our subject spent his boyhood days andyouth in Butler County, and afterward m.arriedLydia Barnhart, who was born in that county andwas a daughter of Andrew Barnhart, also a nativeof Pennsylvania and a soldier in the War of 1812.

; Iri /d-^A^/CfJ^^^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 343Mr. and Jlrs. Reep located upon a farm in thecounty of their nativity, and there reared theirfamily. The father still resides on the old homestead,and, at the age of sevent^'-nine 3'ears, is livinga retired life. He has been an ardent supporterof the Republican party since its organization andhas held numerous local olliccs. In religious belief,he is a Lutheran and takes an active interestin church work.David Reep, whose name heads this sketch, wasreared to manhood upon his father's farm, acquireda good common-school education and remainedunder the parental roof until after he had attainedhis majority, wlien he left home, and on the 22dof October, 1867, was joined in wedlock to MissNannie Jane Kinkaid, who was born and reared inButler County, and is a daughter of James andElizabeth Kinkaid, who were also natives of theKeystone State. They began their domestic lifeupon a farm near the old Reep homestead, andour subject there engaged in agricultural pursuitsfor a number of j'ears, after which he sold out. Itwas in 1879, that he cauie to Illinois, locating firstin Kankakee County, where he rented a farm fora year. He then came to Ford County, and purchaseda tract of land—his present farm. He firstbought only one hundred and nine acres but hassince added to it an eighty-acre tract, and to farmingand stock-raising has devoted his entire attentioncontinuously since.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reep have beeu Ijorn eightchildren, the eldest of whom, John F., is now employedin the railroad shops at Evansvillc, Ind.;Minnie, who has engaged in teaching, is now attendingthe university at Bloomington, 111.; Libbieis attending the Collegiate Institute of Paxton;Alexander is attending the public schools of Paxton;James C, Albert and Iva May are attendingthe home school, and Charles Everett completesthe family. They have lost two cliildren.The Reep household is a hospitable one and themembers of the family rank high in social circles.Both Mr. and i\Iis. Reep are members of theMethodist Church at Paxton. In politics, he wasformerly a supporter of the Republican party, but,being a stanch advocate of the cause of tera])erance,his views on that question led him to identifyhimself with the Prohibitionist party. He is afriend to all social, moral and educational interests,and whatever tends to benefit the community' orpromote the general welfare is sure to receive hishearty support and co-operation. He is indeed avalued citizen and one deserving of representationin the history of his adopted county.r^^ OBERT BLACKSTOCK, of the Ford County'^t' Bank, of Paxton, of which Thompson,Blackstock & Co. are proprietors, is an'^- earl 3- settler of Ford Count\' and has beenidentified with its financial history for nearlytwenty-two years and a resident for thirty-eightyears. He is a native of Ontario, Canada, his birthhaving occurred in Peterboro, of that province, onthe 3d of August, 1825. His parents, the Rev.Moses and Jane (Morrow) Blackstock, emigratedfrom Ireland to Canada in 1818. The Rev. MosesBlackstock was a clergyman of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch and was distinguished for his earnestChristian piety and consistent and faithful workin his holy calling. His wife was in full sj'mpathywith her husband and possessed in a marked degreethe true Christian virtues that adorn and perfectthe character of a woman whose husband is a ministerof the Gospel. Tlie families of both were ofScottish origin. The paternal grandfather of oursubject was a Presbyterian clerg3-nian of Scotland,w)io became chaplain for a Scottish colony underLord Farnham, which located near Dublin inCounty Cavan, Ireland. The Rev. Moses Blackstock,after attending the meetings in Dublin of anEnglish Methodist missionary, named Gideon Ousley,united with the Methodist Church.After hisconversion, he went to Canada as a Methodist missionary,taking with him his wife, whom he hadmarried two years previous. He was continuouslyand successfully engaged in ministerial work inthat country' until 1855, when he emigrated to theUnited States and located near La Fayette, Ind.,where he united with the Northwestern IndianaConference and labored faithfully and industri-

344 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.ously in that field until his death, which occurredin September, 1876.His wife had died some eighteenyears previous, in La Fayette.Robert Blackstock was reared and educated inCanada under the best moral influences and thestrictest Christian discipline. At the age of nineteen,lie began learning the trade of harness-makerand was employed in that vocation for the succeedingeight 3ears. In 1852, he went to ShawneeMound, and engaged in farming. In February,1853, he was united in marriage to MissEmily Meharrj', daughter of Hugh and Susan(Ambrose) Meharry, of Shawnee Mound, Ind.,whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Fivechildren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Blackstock, ofwhom three died in childhood, while a son and adaughter are yet living. Ira B., the elder, is nowengaged with his father in the management of theFord County Bank, of which he is one of the proprietors,and R. May presides over her father'shousehold.In the year 1856, Mr. Blackstock removed fromIndiana to Ford County, 111., and commencedfarming about three miles west of the site ofthe present city of Paxton, which occupationhe pursued with marked success for a period oftwelve years and accumulated considerableproperty.In 1870, he removed to Paxton and becameinterested in banking, and on the 1st of Novemberof the follovving year, in company with A. C.Thompson, Edwin Rice and C. E. Ilendenson, heparticipated in the incorporation of the First NationalBank of Paxton, in which he was a stockholder.In the spring of 1874, he was chosencashier of the bank to succeed S. J. Toy, and continuedto serve in that position until February 10,1876, when the bank went into voluntary liquidation.Then the existing firm of Thompson, Blackstock& Co. organized the Ford County Bank,which has since conducted a safe and increasingbusiness and which is now under the managementof Mr. Blackstock and his son, Ira B., resident partners.In January, 1890, Mr. Blackstock was called tomourn the loss of his wife, who passed to hereternal rest on the 9th day of the month.In politics, our subject is an earnest Republicanbut has never sought or desired prommence inpublic affairs. His life has been distinguished by thestrictest observance of Christian duty and an earnestand active interest in the cause of the church of hischoice, the Methodist P^piscopal, of which he hasbeen a consistent member from his youth up. Hewas one of the constituent members of the firstchurch established in Paxton, and has been an activeand efficient worker in the Sunday-school andin all that pertains to the advance of the best interestsof societ3' aud the Christian religion. Heand his brother-in-law, Francis Meharry , were thepriucipal contributors in the construction of theMeharry Chapel, the Methodist house of worship,situated at a point four miles west of Paxton. Itwas built at a cost of ^1,400 and was the first regularmeeting-house erected in Ford County. Hewas also a liberal contributor toward the buildingof the Methodist Church in Paxton. Mr. Blackstockis one of the organizers of the Building, Loan andSavings Association of this place and was chosenTreasurer of the association. In all the affairs oflife, he has proved true to the high moral principlesinculcated in his youth by his venerated parentsand is esteemed a most worthy and respectedcitizen by a wide circle of acquaintances.V^^^^ICHOLAS BALFOUR DAY, awell-knownearly settler of Ford County, and a pioneerI jjjlAS^ merchant of Paxton, now the manager andjunior partner in the mercantile firm of J. P. Day& Co., was born in Preble County, Ohio, on the12th of November, 1835, and is a son of Samueland Peggy (Purviance) Day, whose sketch appearselsewhere in this work.The childhood and youth of our subject werepassed on his father's farm. He attended the districtschool and learned to swing an ax about asearly as he learned to read. His home was in aheavil_v timbered region, where every acre of landrepresented an immense amount of hard labor,compared with the land whereon he subsequentlymade his home in Illinois. When he was sixteenyears of age, he removed with his parents to Miami

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 345Comity, Iiid., and after there rosidiiiijupon a farmfor two years, the family, eonsistiiiif of the parents,two married sons and their families, and one marrieddaughter and iier family, also Nicholas 11. andhis younger sister, emigrated to Illinois. They leftIndiana in the fall of 1853, with teams and wagonsloaded with houseliold goods, in addition to whiehthey drove eonsideraI)le live stock, making (piite acaravan. They made their way to N'ermilion County,111., and settled on land near Danville. The followingsiiring they put in crops, hut decided to gofarther to the Northwest where the country wasmore newly settled, and land cheaper. In August,18.'54,Mr. Day and his sons, Samuel and N. n.,cameto what is now Ford County, and settled near thesite of the jjresent city of Paxton, then a wild prairie.An incident illustrating the primitive conditionof the situatKjn is given by our suliject, whorelates the story of his one day running a prairiewolf down while out on horsehack, and his killingthe animal at a point tliat is now the center of thecity of Paxton. The killing was accomplished bythe common method in pioneer da3's. The riderhaving tii'edthe wolf out, took off one of the stirrupswith the strap attached and struck the wolfover the head without dismounting. He alsohelped to build the first house in Prairie City, nowPaxton, so that he may be said to have been inprett}' near the beginning of civilization at thecounty seat of Ford County.Mr. Daj' spent the fall and winter of 1854 inassisting his father in getting a home established,and was back and forth between the new home andthe farm near Danville, aiding in securing tiiecrops. The next winter he helped break prairie,and on the loth of December, a month after histwentieth birthda\', was married at the lady's home,to Miss Barbara, the eldest daughter of Daniel C.and Susan Stoner, who was one year his jnnior.She was born in Tippecanoe Count)-, Ind., andcame to lord County with her parents in 1852.The \'oung couple who at so early an age hadlaunched their ship in life upon the sea of matrimony',were rich only in youth, hope and energy,and a determination to succeed in making theirway in the world. Mr. Day's worldly possessionsconsisted solel}- in the ownership of a horse andsaddle, whieh may have been very useful for purposesof locomotion over the prairie, and no doul)tmight carry double on a [linch, but could not verywell be utilized for shelter, food or raiment. Thebride's father was well-to-do for a settler in thenew country, and was evidently shrewd and sensible,and instead of reaching for his [locket-lxiokand making the opening chapter of the married lifeof iiis daughter and son-in-law cheerful aTid easy,took Mr. Day at his word when lie said he onlyasked him for his daughter, and let the young folkslearn by experience tliat married life without meanswas no summer holiday. And the^- learned it.But their independence and pluck, backed by indefatigableenergy, soon made theroad smoother.Sir. Day rented a partially improved farm, wherehe and his wife worked with all their strength andendurance to make a start. Those were hard times,too, in the history of the West; produce broughtbut small return for labor, and money w.as scarce,especially in the years 1857, 1858 and 1859. Aftera few years, hoping to better themselves, theyrented land near Danville and removed there.IMr.Stoner had evidently watched with satisfaction themanly independent course of his son-in-law, andhad made up his mind that the time had comewhen he might safely lend a helping hand, especiallyas he had learned that a valuable farm nearby was on the market at a very low figure.So hewrote Mr. Day that lie wanted to see him .at once.On our subject's arrival, he was surprised to learnthat it was the desire of his wife's father that heshould buy this farm of two hundred and twenty.acres at a cost of about ¥3,000, and that the firstpa3'ment of §1,000 w.as made by Mr. Stoner, hetaking Mr. Da\"s note for the same. The oldgentleman then took from all the holes in the wallsof the rude cabin that amount in gold, for whichhe took a note on a long time. When Mr. Stonerwas fully satisfied that his son-in-law was afinancial success, he made his wife a present of that% 1 ,000 note as a birthday present. The purchase wasmade, and Mr. Day found himself the owner of afine farm partially improved, but he was also deeplyin debt. He had given his notes for the deferred])ayments in amounts of $500, running one, twoand three years. Then came the tug of war. He

346 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.raised a big crop of corn the first year, but on liaulinga load into Paxton, was offered onlj' ten centsa bushel for it. lie finally sold it for twelve anda half cents per bushel, but decided not to sell anymore at those figures. The date of payment of thefirstnote came round, and, for the first and last timein his life, he had to admit that he could not meethis obligation. He had a lot of corn in store andsome cattle, but to sell at going prices would onlymake his ruin more complete. So he got an extensionof time. This was during the first year ofthe war; gold had disa|)peared from sight, andprices were tending upward. To make a long storyshort, he sold his ten-cent corn for seventy-fivecents per bushel, and his cattle, that had been heldat two cents per pound, for six or seven, and hesoon had his land paid for and money to spare.After the farm was clear, Mr. Day found thatboth he and his wife, by their long continued struggle,were broken down in healtii. and they decidedto let the farm, move to Paxton and take a3car'smuch needed rest. The change was made in thefall of 1863, but the result was not what they anticipated.The sudden change from active andcontinuous labor to idleness was terrible to Mr.Day, who became so uneasy that he had no comfortor pleasure in life. It happened that an acquaintanceoffered him a position as clerk in a generalstore at a modest salary, which he gladlyaccepted in order to have something to occupy histime. He learned to like his new work, and continuedin it about two years, or until he had thoroughlylearned the mercantile business, when hestarted in the dry-goods trade for himself in 1865,and has followed it almost continually since, makinghim the oldest merchant in Paxton in years ofbusiness experience. During all this time, he hasstill held the title to his farm, which is one of themost productive and valualile in the couiit3'.Hiswife inherited one hundred and sixty acres adjoiningit, which IS also valuable land.Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Da}-, ason and two daughters: Florence A., the eldest, isnow the wife of William P. Martin, of Paxton;Viola E. married Wilnier Wright, and is now residingin Chicago; Curtis, the only son, is singleand in business with his father in Paxton.Recently a partnership was formed between Mr.Day and his brother, .John P., in the mercantilebusiness, under the firm name of J. P. Day & Co.While this partnership has existed only a year,they have been associated in business, in one wayand another, for the greater part of their maturej'ears. It has been a marked characteristic of theDay brothers, that they have always worked togetherin harmony and mutual confidence; theyounger ones looking up to John P. as the head oftheir family, and their counselor and adviser.N. B. Day has alw.ays been a Republican in politics,and while he has served as Supervisor of histownship for six years, he has never been an aspirantfor public office. His religious training inearly life was under the auspices of the ChristianChurch, to which his parents belonged, lint laterin life he became associated with the MethodistChurch as an oHScialmember, and with his familyattends that church. Mr. Day has lieen known tothe citizens of Ford and adjacent counties fromearly manhood, with whom he has maintained intimatesocial and Ijusiness relations, and it is noflattery to say of him that his integrity is abovequestion, and his character without reproach. Heis genial, cordial and unassuming in manner, andis always to be relied upon for a fair and honorabledischarge of the duties devolving upon him inthe relations of life.allENRY C. RAWLINGS, a member of theRice Grain Elevator Company and of theWabash Valley Coal Company, is a promiyjnent citizen of Paxton, and well deservesmention in this volume. He claims Indiana as theState of his nativity', his birth having occurred in.Jennings County on the 23d of July, 1848. Hisparents are Henry and Caroline (Amnions) Rawlings,the former a native of Kentucky, and the latterof Jefferson County, Ind. Both are still livingand reside in Jackson County, Ind., near Seymour.Henry C. Rawlings,whose name heads this record,was educated in the country schools of his nativeState, where the days of his boyhood and 3-outh

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 351were passed.Thinking Paxton fui-nished a goodopening, lie came to this city in the latter part of187.'5, and engaged in the harness-making business.Some time afterwards he embarked in the dry-goodstrade and continued merchandising until 1890,when lie became connected with the Rice GrainElevator Company of Paxton.When a young man, in December, 1 864, Mr. Rawlingsresponded to the country's call for troops tohelp crush out the rebellion and became a memberof Company F, One Hundred and Forty-fifth IndianaInfantry. He went into the service as adrummer boy, being then less than seventeen 3'earsof age, and served until the close of the war, whenhe was honorably discharged. He is now a memberof Paxton Post, No. 387, G. A. R., and of Mt.Olivet Commandery, No. 38, K. T. He exerciseshis right of franchise in support of the Prohibitionparty, and as every true American citizenshoulddo, takes an interest in political affairs although hehas never sought public ofHce.The lady who is now Mrs. Rawlings bore themaiden name of Margaret Cooper. She is a nativeof Springl'icld, Ohio, and a daughter of James andElizabeth Cooper. Their marriage was celebratedon the 22d of February, 1876. Both Mr. and Mrs.Rawlings are members of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch. He is widely and favorably known as apopular merchant and successful business man andboth he and his wife are highly respected membersof Paxton societ}'.fp^REDERICK J. .lOHNSON, who owns andpHcTji operates two hundred and forty acres ofjk^ laud on section 15, Patton Township, isnumbered among the earl}^ settlers of the county,bis residence here covering a period of twentysevenyears. He was born on the 6th of July,1842, in Sweden, and is a son of John and Johanna(Anderson) Johnson. The family crossed the Atlanticto America in 1853, taking passage at Gutenbergon the 24th of July, in a sailing-vessel, whichreached Boston on the 22d of October, after thirteenweeks spent upon the broad Atlantic. Mr.15Johnson at once came West, locating in La Fayette,Ind., where he made his home for a few years. Itwas in 1865 that he came to Illinois and settled inFord County, where he bought a tract of land oftwo hundred acres near Paxton and began its development.His wife died the following year. Mr.Johnson still resides with his s

352 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIHICAL RECORD.of Paxton; William E. is also a student in thatschool; Anna .J. and Julia A. complete tlie family.Mr. .Johnson and his wife are members of theSwedish Lutheran Church and he is one of itstrustees. The Republican party finds in him astalwart supporter, and for all of its Presidentialcandidates he has voted since the time when hecast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He is amember of the Grand Army Post of Paxton andhas served on the School Boai-d in his district fora numlier of 3'ears. "We find in Mr. .Johnson apubiic-s|)irited and progressive citizen, who takesan active interest in all that pertains to the welfareof the community and the promotion of those enterprisescalculated to prove of public benefit. Heis a straightforward and upright business man whohas the confidence of all with whom he luas beenbrought in contact.^1^^ AMLTEL .lOlIN TAPP, one of the promi-^^^ nent and influential citizens of Roberts, is(ll/^j inseparably connected with tlie businesshistory of this place. He is a native ofSomersetshire, England, and was born on the 28tliof May, 1845, the third in a family of four sons andfour daughters, whose parents were John and JaneE. (Hull) Tapp. His father was born in Devonshire,England, January 21, 1816, was a mechanicby trade and spent his entire life in his native land,his doatli occurring May 7, 188."). His wife wasborn in Devonshire, January 20, 1812, and is nowliving in Somersetshire, at the advanced age ofeighty j-ears. Their children yet living are: Mary,who is a teacher in the industrial department ofthe National School, of Somersetshire, England;Samuel J., of this sketch; Thomas, a mechanicof Somersetshire, who is married and has fourdaughters; Elizabeth Jane, wife of Webb Stanford,who resides with his wife and six children in Cardiff,Wales; William, who is living with his wifeand three children in London, and is a successfulcontractor and builder; Anna Eliza, who is engagedin dress-making in Bath, England. JaneAnn, deceased, was thewife of John Lock.At the age of fifteen years, our subject beganlearning the trade of a blacksmith and long followedthat occu|)ation. About 18(i2 he went to Londonto finish learning that trade and while there determinedto seek a home in America, so he crossedthe Atlantic from Liverpool, and, landing at NewYork Cit}', went to Chicago. He spent three j'earsin Onarga, 111., and in July, 1872. came to Roberts,then a small hamlet of three stores and about fiveresidences. He here opened a smithy and beganbusiness. He had then only ^500, which formedthe nucleus of his present competence.While in Onarga, Mr. Tapp met and marriedMiss Louisa Tliompson, a native of Washington,N. J., and a daughter of Rev. .John L. Thompson,who was born in the Empire State, and, after puisuinga collegiate course of study, became a Baptistclergyman. After forty years spent as a ministerof the Gospel, he died at the age of sixty-two.His wife bore the maiden name of Harriet Marsh,and was a native of New York City. Theirfamily numbered four sons and three daughters.Those yet living are: Mrs. Tapp, of this sketch;John M., a barber of Prescott, Ark., who is marriedand has two sons; Anna Eliza, wife of RobertChambers, a leading merchant of Roberts; and CorneliusH., who is living in Iv.ankakee. iNIrs. Tappis a highly cultured and refined lady. With herparents, she came to Illinois about 18(il), and hassince made her home in this State. On the 22d ofJuly, 1873, she gave her hand in marriage to Mr.Tapp, tlie wedding ceremony being performed onthe old homestead of her parents, by Polder Palmer.Our subject is a philanthropic and progressivecitizen and has done all in his power for the upbuildingof the community in which he resides.He cast his first Presidential vote for Peter Cooper.He was one of the first members of the Board ofTrustees of Roberts, and is now one of its members.He belongs to the Odd Fellows' society of Onarga,and both himself and wife were charter membersof the Good Templars' society of Roberts. Theyare also faithful and consistent members of theCongregational Church, and have ever given theirsupport to educational and moral interests calculatedto benefit and improve the community.The}' are benevolent, worthy people and are held

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 353in warm regard. In 1877, Mr. Tapp abandoned Instrade and became a partner in tlie mercantile businessof Mr. Chambers, but after two years, in conil)anywitli John Kalp, he again engaged in blacl

354 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Himself and wife are inemhers of the LutheranChurch. Mr. Thompson is an industrious andenterprising man and has by his own labor, perseveranceand good management accumulated theproperty which numbers him among tlie well-to-docitizens of the communit}'.i^y^ ATTHIAS W. NEWHART, a wortliy pioneerof Ford County, of 1864, now a retiredfarmer and resident of (iibson City,was born in Northampton, now MonroeCounty, Pa., on the 11th of November, 1822, andis a sou of George and Louisa (Wilbert) Newhart.His parents were also natives of Pennsylvania, andwere of German descent, their grandparents havingemigrated from Germany in an early day.Our subject was reared on his father's farm andattended the public schools until eighteen years ofage, when he left home and learned the miller'strade in New Jersey. On the 1st of April, 1850,he was married to Miss Sarah A. Rowe, the weddingbeing performed near Newton m Sussex County,N. .1. The lady was a daughter of Samuel Roweand a native of Pennsylvania. In 1853, Mr. Newhartreturned to his native State, settling near hisold home, where he followed milling for a fewyears and then purchased a farm in Jackson Township,Monroe County, whicii he operated successfullj'.Subsequently he removed to Pike Countj^,Pa., where he resided until 1864, when he came toFord County, 111., settling in what is now DrummerTownship, but was then a part of Dix, andparticipated in the organization of the new townshipof Drummer. He bought a tract of good land,one hundred and sixt^' acres in extent, which heimproved and occupied until January 4, 1882,whenhe leased it and moved to Gibson City. There hepurchased a residence, which he recentlj' sold, andbought the property where he now resides. Hecontinued to rent his farm until the fall of 1891,when he sold it, realizing a handsome profit.Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Newhart,of whom five are living: Jennie, the eldest was thewife of David Watson, and died October 12, 1889;Frank P. married Blattie Zenii and resides in Jackson,Tcnn.; Mary Louisa is the wife of Ira Davis,Ida County, Iowa; Pha'be C. married James Lyonsand lives in Gibson City, 111.; and Sarah Elizabethand D. Anna reside witii tiieir father. Mrs. Newhart,who was a devoted wife and mother, and aciMisistent member of the Presbyterian Church,passed away on the 2d of January, 1892. Shewas a lady of many excellencies of character andleft many friends to mourn her loss. Mr. Newhartis also a member of the Preslnteriau Church, as arehis daughters, Sarah and Anna. Frank P. and hiswife, .also Louisa, hold memlK'rsliip with the ChristianChurch, and the daugliter Phcebe is a Methodistin religious belief.In politics, Mr. Newhart atHliates with the Democraticparty and has held a number of minor of-He has been Schoolfices to the satisfaction of all.Director and Road Overseer of his township. Socially,he is a member of Gibson Lodge, No. 542,I. O. (). F., and also belongs to the camp and Rebeccadegrees. He was initiated into the Odd Fellows'fraternit}^ in Stillwater, N. J., in 1850, and isthe oldest member of the order in his lodge. Hehas p,isscd all the chairs and is now Past Grand.Mr. Newhart has led a busy and useful life and isone of the upright and honorable citizens of FordCounty. He is now i)assing his decliniug 3'ears inthe enjoyment of a well-earned rest and is possessedof a substantial quantity of this world's goods. Hehas the highest respect of his fellow-citizens and iswell and favorably known in the community wherehe has so long made his home.^^EORGE W. IIAUPT. a harness-maker ofIIIGibson City, was born in Pottsville, Schuyl-^^^ kill County, Pa., May 29, 1847, and is ason of Lsaac and Mary (Persing) Haupt. TheIlaupt family is of German extraction, thoughmany years have elapsed since they crossed theocean to this country. The father of our subjectw.as born in Northumberland County, Pa., but wasmarried in Pottsville. The mother was also born

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 355in Pennsylvania, her father being of Hiignenotdescent, and her mother, who was a Campbell, beingof Scotch lineage. By trade Isaac Haupt wasa carpenter.In 1850, he moved to Indiana, locatingin Fountain County, where he worked at histrade. The country was new and his serviceswere in demand and some of the houses he constructedare still standing as monuments to histhrift and industry. His wife died during thesickly season of 1855, but he is still living in Covington,]nd. lie served as Treasurer for four yearsin his county, and in politics was a Democratuntil the rise of the Republican party, since whichtime he has been one of its stalwart supporters.Both he and his wife were Presbyterians in religiousbelief.Tlie}' became the parents of Ave children,four sons and one daughter, of whom oursubject is the eldest.George W. Haupt was educated m the districtschools, and in March, 1864, though not yet seventeenyears of age, enlisted in Company B, P>leventhIndiana Infantry. The regiment first wentto New Orleans and from there to FortressMonroe, and then on to Washington. Going toShenandoah Vallev, they took part in the battlesof Ilalltown, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and CedarCreek, where Sheridan made his famous ride. Atthe battle of Winchester, he received a wound inthe left arm, besides having his canteen shotoff and a ball passing through his haversack.After leaving the Siienandoah Valley, he was on' detached duty at Baltimore, Md., where he wasmustered out. being discharged at Indianapolis inAugust, 1865.After the close of the war, Mr. llaupt went toCovington, Ind., and began to learn the harnessmakingbusiness. He was to have served an apprenticeshipof three years, but after a year and a halfhe left his emplo3'er and came to Fairbur}', 111., in1867, wliere lie worked under instructions for sixmonths and then worked as a journeyman. InOctober, 1864, he came to Gibson City, and openeda harness shop. As his trade increased, he extendedhis business and has now a fine trade and is widelyknown as a first-cla.ss workman.In Covington, Ind., on the 10th of July, 1872,Mr. Haupt led to the marriage altar Miss AdellaC, daughter of Abraham and Susan (Wertz) Royer,both of whom are of German descent. About theyear 1845, they removed to Fountain County, Ind.,in which State Mr. Royer still lives at the age ofeighty years. To Mr. and ]\Irs. Royer were borneight children, all girls, of wliom Mrs. Haupt is thesixth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Haupt havebecome tlie parents of six children: Frank C, whoassists his father; Bertha G., Lela L.,Guy I., PearlA. and Edna F.Mr. Haupt, his wife and their three oldest childrenare members of the Presbyterian Church, and,in politics, he is a Republican but not an officeseeker.Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows'society and the Knights of Pythias fraternity,having been Deputy of the latter order for someeiglit years and having held about all the otticesof both lodges. He also belongs to Lott Post No.70, G. A. R., of Gibson. As a business man he hasbeen quite successful, having accumulated a goodproperty and si cured a good trade. For eighteenyears he has been in the mercantile business inGibson City, and is the only one in his line thatlias made no chanoe in the firm title.AMUEL LEVI DAY, of the firm of Dayreal-estate and loan agents of Paxisone of the very earliest settlers ofthe city of Paxton, and was the first Clerkof the Circuit Court of Ford Countv. He is welldeserving of representationin this volume and itis with pleasure that we present his sketch to ourreaders. Mr. Day was born in Preble Count}',Ohio, on the 25tli of February, 183.3, his parentsbeing Samuel and Peggy (Purviance) Day.In the month of August, 1851, the family ofour subject removed to Miami County, Ind., Samuelaccompanying them. The succeeding twoyears of his life were passed on a farm in the vicinityof Peru, and in the autumn of 1853 theyall emigrated to Eastern Illinois. Their firsthome in this State was fixed near Danville, whereland was occupied, and the following year a cropplanted. In the summer of 1854, Mr. Day, Sr.,

'356 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.accompanied by his sons, Samuel L. and N. B.,came to what is now Ford County. The fathermade his liome near Prairie City, now Paxton,where he spent the remainder of his days.Samuel L. Day was married in Illinois, about1856, to Miss Susanna Swisher, who died in 1858,leaving no living children. In 18&0, lie was againmarried, his second union being withMiss .JennieLyons, a daughter of Alexander Lyons, of OrleansCounty, X. Y. She is a member of the CongregationalChurch. Her birth occurred in OnondagaCounty, N. Y., and she came to Illinois in1857. Three children, sons, have been born oftheir union, as follows: Mark L. married LibbieDaley, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and resides in Chicago;Fred L. married Ella Blackstone and also residesin Cliicago, where to them was born, in 18!)1,a daughter named Doroth3'. Mark L. and FredL. are now classed among the most prosperous cloaksalesmen of Chicago. Cljde A., who was bornin Paxton, June 25, 1869, was educated in thepublic schools and the Collegiate Institute of hisnative citj', studied law under the direction ofCook & Moffett, of Paxton, and passed a satisfactoryexamination before the committee of .Judgesof the Supreme Court of Illinois, when he wasbut eighteen years old, but his license was withhelduntil he became of age. He was probably theyoungest law student to pass a successful examinationin the State. For a time after securinghis license he was in practice alone, but in June,181(0, became a member of the law firm of Tipton,Moffett & Day, now Moffett & Day. He is a KnightTemplar, belonging to Paxton Lodge No. 416,A.F. & A.M.; Ford Chapter No. 113, R. A. M..and Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 38.On the formation of Ford County, in 1859, Mr.Day, of this sketch, was elected the first Clerk ofthe Circuit Court and Recorder of the new county,which position he held for two terms, or fouryears. He opened the books of the office andserved under Judge David Davis. On leavingthe service of the county, he engaged in the hardwarebusiness in company with Gen. L. A. Dodd,which connection continued several years, whenhe became a member of the dry-goods house ofDay Bros. & King. Later, he joined J. P. Middlecoffin the same line and continued that connectionuntil 1876, when he became connected withthe real-estate firm of Hanley, Sutton, Cloud &Day. Subsequently, he became a member of tliereal-estate firm of Da}-, Bogardus dr Jlorris, and,in 1877, he went to Champaign, where he representedthe Illinois Loan & Trust Company until1879, and has since been engaged in the real-estatebusiness with his brothers, under the firm nameof Day Bros.In politics, Mr. D.ay was a Republican until1872, since which time he hits affiliated with theDemocrats. In 1872, he was a delegate to theDemocratic Convention which nominated HoraceGreeley for the Presidency. While but a middleagedman, Mr. Day is one of the oldest in business3'ears in the city of Paxton, and is one ofthe most highly respected citizens of that place.ELMER-^^ENOCH, one of the most extensivestock dealers of Ford County' and a promi-nent resident of Roberts, is so well known inthis community that he needs no special introductionlo our readers wlio will, we feel assured, receivethis record of his life with interest. He wasborn in McLean County, 111., April 10, 1860, andis a S(m of Joseph and Sarah (Mitchell) Enoch.His father was born in McLean County, in 1832,acquired a common-school education and is now a ^dealer in real estate and live stock. In politics, heis a Republican and is a member of the MethodistChurch, to which his wife also belonged. Herdeath occurred in 1869. Our subject has twosisters: Lottie, who is married and resides in Chicago;and Louisa, who is married and makes herhome in Mcl^ean County.Elmer Enoch acquired a good practical educationin the common schools, and at the age of seventeencommenced life for himself with no capital sdve adisposition to succeed and a pair of willing hands.He gave his attention to the pursuit with which hehad been familiar since his boyhood, that of stockraising, and until 1884, resided in McLean County.In that year, he came to Roberts, where he has since

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 357made his liome.Duriiiij 1891, lie sliippcfl over theIllinois Central Raih-oad one hundred and fifty-fivecar loads of stock, the largest shii)inent made onthis division of the road in that year by one man.He purchases all kinds of live stock and makes aspecialty of hogs and cattle. He deals directlywith the Chicago markets and liis sales in the pastyear amounted to about ¥l

358 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.of the luxuries of life.They are members of theMethodist Church, and Mr. Cooper is President ofthe Epworth League, wliieh was established in 1891,and has a membership of sixty-five. Socially, heis a member of Lyman Lodge No. 293, K. P., and,in politics, is an adherent of the Republican party,which he has supported since he cast his firstPresidential vote for James A. Garfield. He hasserved as School Director and as a member of theVillage Board. For his success in life he certainlydeserves great credit and iiis example is well worthyof emulation.lEORGE H. SPELLMEYER, who is engagedin general farming on section 17, WallTownship, is a native of Germany. Hewas born in the town of Manan, County Lubecka,February 17, 1846, and is a son of Gotlieb S. andCaroline (Becker) Spelhneyer, also natives of thatlocality. Ere leaving their native land, the followingchildren were liorn unto them: William,now deceased; Charles, a resident farmer of WallTownship; Louisa, wife of Fred Steinman, of thesame township; Elizabeth, wife of August Schueneniann,a farmer of Missouri; llenr^-, who residesin Peach Orchard Townshii); and George H., ofthis sketch.The family sailed from Bremen in 1858, andafter a voyage of six weeks landed at New York,whence Gotlieb Spellmeyer went to PutnamCounty, 111., locating near Magnolia. The nextspring he removed to I^a Salle County, and a yearlater went to Livingston Countj-, but after twoyears returned to La Salle.After renting land forfive years, he purchased a farm in that county, andthere made his home until after the death of hiswife, when he came to Ford County to live withhis children. He died at the home of a daughter,in 1889, at the age of eighty-one years. He wasa member of the Lutheran Church and an honestand upright man, respected l)y all who knew him.The subject of this sketch entered the schoolsof his native land when a lad of seven summers.With his parents, he crossed the broadAtlantic when a youth of twelve 3-ears, andafter locating in Illinois, attended school atvarious intervals, in all about nine months. Hisboyhood days were spent in the usual mannerof farmer lads, and he aided his father untiltwenty-seven years of age, when he left home andl)egan farming for himself in La Salle County,where he worked for two years. He then came toFord County and purchased his present farm ofone hundred and sixtv acres on section 17, WallTownship. It was entirelj' destitute of improvementsexcept a hedge fence, buthe at once beganits development and now has one of the bestfarms in the locality, supplied with good buildingsand many other improvements. Its boundarieshave also been extended until two hundredand forty acres of valuable land now paytribute to the care and cultivation of the owner.In La Salle County, in 1868, Mr. Spellmeyer wasunited in marriage to Miss Charlotte Steinman,who was born in the same neighborhood .as herhusband, August 26, 1816, and has proved to hima valualile helpmate. Her parents, Gerhardt andAnna Maria (Becker) Steinman, were both nativesof Germany. Accompanied by his children, thefather came to America, sailing from Bremen toNew Orleans, whence he came up the Mississippito St. Louis. He made his first location in LaSalle County, 111. His death occurred in FordCounty, at tiie age of seventy-two years, and amonument has been erected to his memory. Mrs.Spellmeyer has two brothers and two sisters vetliving: Fred, who is represented elsewhere in thisvolume; Louisa, wife of Henry Spellmeyer, afarmer, whose sketch is also given in this work;Henry, who is married and follows farming inWall Township; and Catlierine, wife of JohnFeldhus, deceased, a resident of St. Louis.Jlr. and Mrs. Spellmeyer have a family of ninechildren; Caroline, ISIary, Gotlieb, Henry, William,Annie, Emma, Lizzie and Edna, and theyhave also lost three children.The}- intend to educatethem in the German and English languages.Both parents and children are members of theLutheran Cliurcli, of Melvin, and the family iswidely and favoralily known in this community.In his. political atliliations, Mr. Spellmeyer sup-I

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 361ports the Republican partj' on questions of nationalimportance, but at local elections votes forthe man whom he thinks best qualified to fill theposition, regardless of party affiliations. He isone of the siil)stautial citizens and leading farmersof Wall Township, who has ever lioriie his partin the upbuilding and advancement of the county'sinterests, and is held in high regard by all.l^'jEUBEN-'^^i^-M^—^'NEWKIRK, a representative farmerand stock-raiser of Patton Townsliip, resid-J^AV ing on section 1.3, claims Ohio as the Stateof his nativity. Fairfield Count}' is theplace of his birth, and the date, February 2, 1846.The fainil}- is of German origin, and was establishedin America at an early day, the ancestorsbeing residents of Virginia, of wiiich State ReubenNewkirk, grandfather of our subject, was a native.The father, Shipinan Newkirk, was born in Virginia,in 1807, and, with his parents, removed toOhio in an early day, the family becoming pioneersettlers of Fairfield County.After attainingto mature years, he married Elizabeth Rice, a nativeof P^airfield County .Ohio, and a daughter of MichaelRice, who was of German descent, and came to theBuckeye State in an early day, from Pennsylvania.Mr. Newkirk was a millwright by trade, and alsoowned and operated a flouring mill in FairfieldCounty. Ilis death occurred in 1852, at the ageof forty-five years. His wife still survives him,and, altliough eight3'-five j'ears of age, is an activeold lady, her physical and mental faculties beingbut slightly impaireci. She resides with awidowed daughter in Paxton. In the family'were seven children, two sons and five daughters,who grew to mature years: Rachel, wife of H.Propeck, a resident farmer of Logan County, 111.;Mary, wife of .James Work, who is living in HuntingtonCounty, Ind.; Hannah became the wife ofS. Moreliead, but both are now deceased; Margaretis the widow of Edward llathawaj', and resides inPaxtfm; and George, who is also living in Paxton,completes the family. Reuben is the youngest.We now take up the personal liistory of oursubject, who spent the days of his youth upon afarm and received but limited school privileges,his education being mostl}' acquired througli hisown efforts. At the age of sixteen, he removedfrom Fairfield to Pickaway County, Ohio, wherehe resided for six years, and, during that time,was united in marriage on the 1st of July, 1867,with Miss Sophia Graham, daughter of A. D.Graham, one of the pioneers of Pickawaj' County,and a native of New York. TliS lady was bornin Pickaway County, and there remained untilabout a year after her marriage, wlien Mr. Newkirkbrought his wife to Illinois. The}- located inLogan County, in September of that year, andthere rented a fai-m for six years, after which theyremoved to Champaign County, where an improvedfarm of eighty acres was purchased. Forseven years Mr. Newkirk engaged in operatingthat land, and then sold out, buying in tlie samecounty a farm near town, and one better improved.Two years later, however, he sold it,and, in 1883, came to Ford County, where he purchaseda tract of one hundred acres, about a mileand a half from the city of Paxton.The home of Mr. and Mrs. Newkirk has beenblessed with two sons:Albert, who is nOw attendingschool in Chicago, and Gu}' E., a student inthe home schools. The family has a nice home,which is the abode of hospitality, and in socialcircles they rank higii, their friends throughoutthe community being many.Since casting his first Presidential vote for Gen.U. S. Grant, Mr. Newkirk has been a stalwart Republican,but has never sought or desired politicalpreferment for liimself.lie is a citizen who takesan active interest in all that pertains to the welfareof the community, and to its advancement andprogress. We see in Mr. Newkirk a self-mademan. He started out in life empty-handed, liisonly capital being a young man's bright hope of thefuture and a determination to succeed, but he hasovercome all tlie difiiculties in his patli, and hasaccumulated a comfortable competence. He is deservingof all the more credit, from the fact thathe has lieen in poor health nearly all of his life.In 1889, he made a trip to Europe, visiting

362 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.France, Belgium, England, and returned muchimproved.Mr. Newkirk well deserves representationin this volume, and it is with pleasure thatwe record his sketch. He and his wife are membersof the American Secular Union.ll^ETER WAGNER, a leading merchant and^ ^Jl) one of the early settlers of Gibson City,was born in St. Johnsville, N. Y., May 3,j \ 1837, and is a son of .John P. and Polly(Fox) Wagner. His greatgrandfather on thepaternal side was from Germany and settled inNew York, and his grandfather, Peter Wagner,was a prominent business man, having grist, sawand fulling mills, and also a distillery, drawingcustom from a large section of countiy. Duringthe Revolutionnry War he served as a Colonel.John P. Wagner, the father of our subject, wasborn in Montgomery County, N. Y., and in earlylife engaged in mercantile i)ursiiits, but later,carried on a farm. In the State militia he servedas a Captain and was always known by that title.In New York, he wedded Miss Fox, who was alsoa native of Montgomery County and of Germandescent. They became the parents of nine children,but our subject is the only one living in theWest. Mr. Wagner served in a number of officialpositions, being Sheriff of Montgomery Countyfor some years. Both he and his wife lived to beover eighty years of age.The subject of this sketch is the youngest in hisfather's family and was reared on a farm, receivinghis education at the common schools. Wheneighteen years of age, he commenced learning thebricklayer's and plasterer's trade, with his brotherin-law,P. C. Knowles, an extensive contractor,and after working for two years he became a partnerin the business. They did an extensive business,employing some fifteen to twenty men.The war coming on, prices became good and thusour subject made his start in the world. In thefall of 1871, he came to Gilman, 111., and beingan expert workman, was employed to do the finecornice work on the Redfield House. On the 8thof April, 1872, he came to Gibson Cit}', which thenconsisted of a few cheap houses and stores, withplenty of corn cribs. The town was beginning togrow and he found his services in great demand, andhere engaged in contracting until 1880. About1875, he bought out Dr. Stevens' drug store, whichhe has run to the present time. In 1886, he alsoopened a general store, though he has now dividedthe stock and has one room for clothing and onefor dry-goods, boots and shoes, besides being interestedin farming.In 1866, in Montgomery County, N. Y., Mr.Wagner married Miss Mary Reals, a native of thatcountj', but of German descent. In religious belief,she is a Presbyterian. Mr. Wagner is a Republicanin politics, but not a politician in thecommon acceptation of that word. Socially, he isa Knight Templar Mason of Gibson Lodge No. 733;Gibson Chapter No. 183; Gibson Council No. 72,Mt. Olivet Conimandery No. 38, of Paxton; andas a business man has been very successful, havingsecured a comfortable competence by his ownefforts and good business ability. He is a directorin the International Building and Loan Association,and is recognized as one of the most stirringand reliable business men of Gibson City, wherehe has now resided for twenty years.I^ANIEL C. STONER, a worthy pioneer ofjY Ford County, was born near FredericktownIJ^Md., November 27, 1808. After the deathof his father, his mother removed, the followingspring, to Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio.At the age of fourteen years, Daniel C. was apprenticedto the tanner's trade, serving until nineteen,during which time he received but three months'schooling each year. At the age of eighteen, hebegan teaching school and "boarding around" inMontgomery County, receiving 115 per month salary,which was the fii-st money he ever earned.1828, he left Ohio and removed to near La Fayette,Tippecanoe County, Ind., where he began improvinga two-hundred-acre farm. In the summer of1850, he visited the region now known as FordIn

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 363Count.y on a prospecting' tour, and, being wellpleased with the eouiiti y, purchased land situatedon sections 3, 4, 9 and 10, township 23, range 9,east, amounting to seven hundred and forty-sevenacres, where he established a liorae, erecting a loghouse, to which he moved liis family in the fall of1851.On the 6th of .Tuly, 1833, Mr. Stoner was marriedto Susan Ahell, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio,who with her parents came to Indiana in 1831,and settled in La Fayette, where her father workedat the trade of a merchant tailor.Seven childrenwere born to Mr. and Mrs. Stoner, of wlioni fourare now living: John P'., who resides in I'axton;Barbara Ann, wife of N. B. Day, a merchant ofPaxton; Minerva C, wife of William Perdue, aprominent farmer of Paxton I'ownship, residingin the city; and Reliecca ,7., wife of Calvin C.Robinson, a resident of Kansas.While a resident of Indiana, Mr. Stoner was amember of the State Militia, and during the Indianscare at La Fayette, was on duty at that place.In the early days of his settlement in Hiinois, heplayed a conspicuous part in the public affairs ofhis section of the State. He took an active partin the organization of Ford County, was appointedits first Assessor and was chosen the first CountyTreasurer, serving from .June, 185;), until the followingNovember, when, at the first regular electionof county oHicers, he was succeeded by J. P.Day, Esq. Later in life, he did not particiitateprominently in pulilic affairs. He w.as an industrious,prudent man, of good business ability, andaccumulated a valuable property.In the early days, when the country had nobanks of deposit, Mr. Stoner resorted to an originalmethod of secreting his money to keep it safefrom rolibers. He bored two-incli auger holes inthe logs of his calim, in his living room, in whichhe drove wooilen [jinsto support shelves.Boringthe hole considerably deeper than the length ofthe inserted part of the pin, he would shove intoit double eagles and drive the i)in in its place,thinking no robber would look for mone}' thushidden. It was noticed that in selling stock orfarm produce, he always got his money into gold,of the required denomination if possible, but thesecret of its hiding place w.as known only to himselfand wife. It was from these holes in the wallthat he extracted the 81,000 which he loaned hisson-in-law, N. 15. Day, to help purchase a farm, astold in Mr. Day's sketch.Mr. Stoner died, September 21, 1882, and hiswife passed away the 6th of March, previous.Hewas a man of strict integrity; enterprising yetconservative, and enjoyed in a marked degree theconfidence .and resiiect of all who knew him.-^Cil jilLLlAM TRICKEL, who is eng.aged in\/\/// farming on section 27, Patlon Township,V^^ has long been a resident of the county,having for a half-century made his home withinits borders. He claims Oiiio as tiie State of hisnativity, his birth having occurred in PickawayCounty, on the 17th of October, 182/). He is oneof fourteen children, six sons and eight daughters,who grew to mature years and became heads offamilies. Three sons and five daughters are yetliving at this writing. The father, Joshua Trickel,was Ijorn and reared in Virginia and there weddedMary Ileaton, a native of Ohio. For a fewyears, he engaged in farming in Pickaway Countyand then came to Illinois, locating in Danville.This was in 1827. After a residence there of fouryears, he removed to Champaign Countj' and locatednear Urbana, where he opened up and improveda farm, residing thereon for about seven3ears. In 1840, he came to what is now FordCounty and settled at Trickel's Crove, where heagain engaged in agricultural inirsuits and madehis home until his death. His wife survived himonly a few 3ears.Our subject was a lad of six summers whenwith his parents he came to Illinois, and in thisState he was reared to manhood. No event ofspecial importance occurred during his childhood.He had very limited educational privileges, as hehad to go three miles to school, and had to walkon crutches, for he was crippled. He remainedwith his mother until her death, and then continuedto carry on the farm for a year, when he pur-

364 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.chased a tract of land where he now resides. Ithas since been liis liome, and tlie improvementsfound thereon stand as monuments to his thriftand industry. He first Ijougiit eighty acres, whichhe cleared, plowed and planted, also built fencesand otlierwise improved it. He afterward purchasedan adjoining forty acres, and subsequentlyanother eighty-acre tract, making in all a valuablefarm of two hundred acres, which is located fivemiles southwest of tlie city of Paxton.In Champaign County, on the 7tli of January,1857, Mr. Trickel was joined in wedlock to MissElizabeth, daughter of Alexander Henry, one ofthe honored pioneers of Iroquois County. Thelady was born in Lawrence County, Ind., and inher infancy was brought to Illinois, where thedays of her maidenhood were passed. Twelvechildren have been born unto Mr. and Mrs.Trickel, seven of whom are yet living: Sarah E.,now the wife of John Fitzgerald, of Ford County;William C, a resident farmer of this county; Edward,who is engaged in farming in Minnesota;Mary, wife of Matt (Jdell, of Paxton; Ida, wife ofCharles Anderson, of Ford County; Thomas Dudley,who aids his father in operating the homefarm; and Harry Clark, tiie >-oungest of the family.Of tliose deceased, three died in infancy-;Francis Marion died October 7, 1883, at the age ofeighteen years; and Carny died at the age ofse\^n months.Ml'. Trickel is an old Jackson Democrat and astanch advocate of the principles of that partly.He cast his first Presidential vote for Martin VanBuren before he had attained liis majority. Hecommenced life a poor man, witliout capital, savean enter[irising disi)Osition, 3'et is now one of thethrifty and well-to-do farmeis of Patton Township.His success is not due to any good luck, butis the result of his own industiy, good managementand the exercise of correct business principles.He is straightforwai'd and honest in all thathe does and has the confidence of the entire community.He has long made his home in P'ordCounty, and has tluis been an eye-witness of almostits entire growth, has seen the advance ofprogress and civilization and has aided largely inits development. Much is due the early settlerswho bore all the hardships and trials of pioneerlife to make homes in the Far West, and were thusfounders of the county. Amcmg these was Mr.Trickel and we take pleasure in presenting thisbrief record of his life to our readers.OIIN II. MOXTZ has for seventeen yearsbeen identified with the interests of FordCounty and is a practical and progressiveagriculturist, residing on section 33, Lj--man Township. A native of Germany, he wasborn in Hesse Cassel, April 13. 1847, and is theeldest in a family of two sons and two daughters.His brother Luther is a stone and brick mason,residing in Roberts. He married Miss YandaSliambrook, and they are members of the MctliodistCliurch. The father of our subject crossedthe briny (lee|) in 185(1, landing at Baltimore,whence he went lo Chambersburg, Pa., where heresided for tliuty-seven years. He and his wifenow make their home with their son John. Theyare hale and hearty old people, and are membersof the German Reformed Church.Our subject was onl}' three years old whenbrought by his parents to America. He was rearedto agricultural pursuits, and acquired his educationin the common schools, but b}' reading andobservation lias made himself a well-informedman, who can converse readil.y and fluently onthe current topics of the day. He resided in theKeystone State until he was tliirt3"-two years ofage, when, in 1870, he came with his family toFord County, which was then a swampy region,containing more water than land.On the 29th of October, 1871, Mr. Montz wasunited in marriage to Miss Catherine Hoover, anative of Pennsylvania, and a daugliter of Michaeland Susanna (Etter) Hoover. Unto them havebeen born eight children, five sons and threedaughters, six of whom are yet living: Mintie V.,Maggie S., Anna Florence, Irwin Y., John II.,Cliarlie, Roy and Clarence M. The parents are devoutmembers of the Methodist Church of Roberts,and Mr. INIontz lias been a leader of the choir for

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 367seven years. He has also been closely identifiedwith the .Sunday-Sfhool work and has acted asdelegate to the county conventionsof the Sundayschoolmany times. lie has been Steward andTrustee of tiie church for many years, and is AssistantSuijerintendent of the Sunday-school.Hisconsistent Christian life has won him thehigh reg.ardand confidence of all. In politics, he is a stalwartRci)ul)lican and cast hisfirst Presidential vote forGen. George B. McClelland. The cause of educationfinds in him a warm friend, and while servingfor nine years as one of the Board of Directors,he has done effective service for the schools ofthis community. Socially, he belongs to theMeadow JNIound Grange, of which he is now Secretary.Of a benevolent disi)Osition, he givesliberally to charities and his aid is never withheldfrom any interest calculated to prove of publicbenefil and promote the general welfare.^ ON. .JONATHAN P. MIDDLECOFF, presidentand general manager of the PaxtonISrick and Tile Company and of the Paxton^S^J Canning Company, is one of the prominentbusiness men of Ford County, having resided inPaxton since the pioneer days of the city. He wasborn in Richmond, Ind., on the 20th of February,1838. His parents, Daniel and Theresa (Newcomer)Middlecoff, were natives of Maryland, thefather born in 1800, and the mother in 1809. Onremoving from that State in 1827, they located inIndiana, where they resided until 1849, which yearsaw them residents of Cincinnati, Ohio, where Mr.Middlecoff, Sr., carried on the wholesale grocerybusiness for many years, and in 1861, came to FordCounty, III., locating in Patton Townsiiip, wherehis death occurred in 18C6. His wife still surviveshim and now resides in Paxton.Our subject was a lad of eleven years when hei-emoved with his parents from Indiana to Cincinnati,where he attended the city schools and laterpursued his educaticni in St. .John's College andFarmers' College of Ohio. In 1857, he came toIllinois and embarked in the mercantile businessin Ludlow, Champaign County, where he remaineduntil 18fi2, when he removed to his farm in FordCounty. He then engaged in agricultural pursuitsuntil 1867, when he came to Paxton and opened ahardware store, which he carried on for sevei'alyears. In 1881, he became associated with C. Bogardus,P. Whitmer and F. L. Cook in the manufactureof drain tile and brick, under the style of thePaxton Brick and Tile Companj', of which he waschosen president and general manager and hassince continued to hold that position up to thepresent time, covering a period of eleven years.During this time, the company has prospered andhas built uji a large and successful business, whichhas not only benefited the proprietors but hasproved a lasting advantage to the farmers in thevicinity. In 1888, he helped to organize the PaxtonCanning Company, of which he is presidentand general manager, and which has now been insuccessful operation for four years, and in additionto his manufacturing interests above alluded to, hehas an extensive real-estate property, includingseveral valuable farms and city property.In .January, 1864, Mr. Middlecoff was marriedin Cincinnati, Ohio, to Miss Mary F. Fox, a daughterof Richard Fox, the original starch manufacturer.The lady is a native of Cincinnati and inthat city her education was acquired. Three childrenwere born of their union, hut ail are now deceased.Alice, the eldest, died at the age of sixteenmonths; Samuel died at the age of twentj^-twomonths; while Addle, who lived to be an accomplishedand attractive young woman, died Marchy, 1891.In polities, Mr. Middlecoff is a Republican. Hewas several times elected Supervisor of PattonTownship, serving as such during the years 1866,1867, 1872, 1877, and 1878. The two Last years,he was chairman of the County Board. In 1872,he was elected a member of the Twent3--eighthGeneral Assembly, .where he served on the Committeeson Public Buildings and Grounds, andCorporations, aI»o on the Committee on Countyand Township Organizations, and proved a usefuland inlluential member of the House of Representatives.He has twice served as Mayor of Paxton

368 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.and has ever been active in the promotion of thecitj's best interests. It was during his secondterm as !aa\or that the city established its presenteffleient s^'Stem of water-worlvs.Mv. Middlecoflf ispresident of the board of trustees of the Rice CollegiateInstitute of Paxton. A Knight TemplarMason, he holds meml)ership with Paxton LodgeNo. 416, A. F. ^

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 369esteemeil in this locality. In politics, he was aDemocrat, but of late years has been independent,voting for the man, regardless of party affiliations.His residence in Ford County covers a period ofalmost twenty years, during which time he haswon many friends and the confidence and regardof all witli whom he has been brought in contact.^SGOOD THOMPSON is now living a retiredlife in Melvin, resting after many years spentin toil and labor which brought him thecompetence whicii now enables him to lay aside allbusiness cares. We have in our subject a nativeof the Pine Tree State, who was born iu SomersetCounty, on the 30tii of December, 1821. Hisfather, James Thompson, was alsoanative of Maine,and was of English descent. He married SarahBacon and they became the parents of four children,as follows: Timothy, a cooper and carpenter bj'trade, who died in 1884; Osgood, of this sketch;Lemuel, who died iu 1850; and James, a residentfarmer of IMaine. The mother was called to herfinal home in 1832, and a few years 'ater the fatherwas again married, his second union being withMatilda Stiles, by whom he had five children:Sarah, wife of Benjamin Moody; Hannah J.,wifeof Robert Sehaddock; John, a farmer of Maine;Mary E. is married and lives in Maine; and Lydia,wife of Albert Small; Arietta is married and livesin Maine.The educational advantages which our subjectreceived were those afforded by the district schoolsof his native State, which he attended until fifteenyears of age. He tlien began learning the carpenter'strade and made his home under the parentalroof until he had attained his majority, when hestarted out in life for himself, working on a farmby the month and also at carpenter work. As acompanion and helpmate on life's journey, he choseMiss Hannah W. Wentwortli, daugliter of Reubenand Sarah Wentworth, the marriage ceremony beingperformed on the 18th of December, 1842.The 3'oung coujile began their domestic life inthe Pine Tree State where they resided until 1866,when thej' came to Illinois, and in Highland,Grundy County, Mr. Thompson rented land andbegan farming. The following year, be Hime toFord County, purchased eighty acres of raw landin Wall township and made some improvementsthereon, after which he returned to Grundy County,where he continued to reside until 1869. In thatyear he brought his family to the farm in Walltownship, and now devoted his entire time andattention to its cultivation. His fields were welltilled and, in consequence, abundant harvests rewardedhis efi'orts, so that in the course of time hewas enabled to lay by some money and is now thepossessor of a competence. After carrying ongeneral farming for some time, he purchased propertyin Melvin and, as before stated, is there livinga retired life.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have been born afamily of seven children, namely:William, who isa retired farmer of Mindeu, Neb.; Frederick G.,district sergeant in one of the police stations inChicago; Ann B., at home; RovelloG., a farmer residingin Grund3' County, 111.; James S., who occupiesthe position of overseer in the tile factoryof Melvin; May, wife of Charles Vananthro]), alsoa resident of Melvin; and Byron O., who makes hishome in Chicago.In his political views, Mr. Thompson is a Republican,have long supported that party, although hehas never sought or desired public office. He andhis wife are members of the Methodist Church, andhe is a worthy and respected citizen of Ford County,where he has now made his home for about twentj'-three years. He has lived the (juietand unobtrusivelifeof a farmer but his true worth has been recognizedby the high esteem which is tendered him._y(^p^IMOTHY ROSS, a grain merchant and a/^>;, member of the County Board of Supervisors^^^ from Drummer Township, has been a residentof Ford County for twenty-six years and fornineteen years has made his home in Gibson City.Mr. Ross is a native of the Keystone State, born

370 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.in Greene County on the 18th" of October, 1846,and is a son of Abuer and INIarinda (McClelland)Ross, wl# were of Scoteli and Irish descent, respectively,but of American ancestry many generationsremote. His parents both died while our subjectwas hut a child. He was only seven \ears of agewhen he lost his mother, who died in Pennsylvania,and his fattier died in Iowa when he was ten 3'earsold.Timothy Ross was brought up by an uncle in hisnative State until he reached the age of eighteenyears. He then solicited and received the amountof his patrimony, $200, with which he determinedto gratify a craving to see the West and seek anopportunity to make his way in the world. In pursuanceof this desire, he made his way to Chicago in1866, but soon afterward continued his journey toLudlow, where he made the acquaintance of ThomasStevens, an extensive farmer and prominent stockmanof Champaign County. The acquaintancel)roving mutually agreeable, he engaged to workfor ^Ir. Stevens, whose home was just to the southand near the Ford County line. He continuedin the employ of Mr. Stevens until 1869, when heentered upon the business, but still made his homewith that gentleman for four j'ears, when he establishedhimself in the grain business, in 1873. inGibson Citj'.On the 30th of September, 1875, Mr. Ross wasunited in marriage at the home of her father inDrummer Township, Ford County, to Miss JuliaA. Stevens, her father being the earl}' friend andemployer of her husband. Mrs. Ross was born inChampaign Count}', 111., and her motlier's maidenname was Hannah Catherine. Four children, twosons and two daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs.Ross: Charles E., Beulah May, William Chalmersand Clella, all of whom were born in Gibson City.In political sentiment, our subject affiliates withthe Republican party and has held a number ofofficial positions, proving a faithful and efficientofficer. He has been School Director and VillageTrustee and was appointed Supervisor for DrummerTownship on the 1st of June, 1891, beingelected his own successor in April of the followingyear, without opposition, for a term of two years.He is a member of the present Village Board andDirector of the school district. Socially, he is aMason, holding menibershii) with Gibson LodgeNo. 733 A. F. & A. INI.; Gilison Chapter No. 183R. A. M., and Mt. Olivet Commander}' No. 38K. T., of Paxton. Mr. Ross has a line farm of twoluindred and eighty acres, situated in BrownTownship, Champaign County, which he rents.He has been in the grain business for fourteenyears and has built up a large and lucrative trade.He is now buying at four different stations besidesGibson City, namely: Harpster, Guthrie and Ludlow,on the Illinois Central, and Garber on theWabash Railroad. The grain bought consists ofcorn and oats, and the aggregate annual businessamounts to about seven hundred and fifty thousandbushels.Mr. Ross is one of the prominent citizensof the county and highly respected throughout thecommunity.OIIN C. AMM is one of the widely-knownand highly respected farmers of Pattonj_-^. Township, his home being on section 35,'^^ where he has a valuable farm. We arepleased to record a sketch of his life in this work,for we know it will be received with interest byhis many friends in this community. Mr. Ammwas born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 21st of Ma}',1834, and is a son of Henry Amm, also a native ofBavaria. The father there grew to manhood, wasmarried and reared his family. He never left theland of his birth, but there followed farmingthroughout his entire life.Our subject was one of a family of ten children,eight sons and two daughters, all of whom reachedthe years of maturity. At the age of six, he enteredthe public schools, where he remained untila youth of fourteen. In 1853, when a young manof nineteen years, he bade good-bye to his old homeand started out to seek his fortune in the NewWorld. It was the 5 th of June that he sailedfrom Bremen, and on the lltli of August, he arrivedin Baltimore, Md., after a pleasant voyageof sixty-seven days. He did not pause long, however,in Baltimore, but went directly to Preble

Ji^^/0^^^i

I'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 375County, Ohio, where he secured work in buildingstone fences. He then worked upon a farni bj'the month for three years, .after whii'h, in 185(),lie came to Illinois.Mr. Amm's first location in Illinois was madein Shelb.y County, where he continued to work asa f.irm hand, by the month, for a year, when, in1857, he went to Peoria County. Three yearsLater we find him a resident of Tazewell Count}^where he was employed as a farm hand for fouryears. He had been industrious and economical inall this time and thus havina: .accumulated somecapital, in 1864 he m.ade his first purchase of land,bu3'ing an improved farm of ninety acres, whichhe operated for three years. On the ex[)iratiun ofthat time he removed to Logan County and renteda farm for four years. It was in 1874 that Mr.Amm came to Ford County and bought a one hundredand sixty acre tr.ict, the same upon which henow resides. It was then but slightly improved,but he cleared and broke the land, planted crops,and the fertile fields were soon 3'ielding himabundant harvest. He has erected good buildingsand the Amm homestead, which is pleasantly locatedfive miles from Paxton, is considered one ofthe valuable farms in the township.While residing in Tazewell County, Mr. Aramwas united in marriage to Miss Hannah J.,daughter of .Jesse and Emily M. (Davis) Dillon.Her father, a native of Ohio, w.as one of the honoredpioneers of Tazewell Count}-, where the daughterwas born. Their union was celebrated on the5th of September, 186.5, and has been blessed witha family of five children: John Henry, wlio isnow married and resides on a farm in ChampaignCounty; Leo Leroy, who is living on an adjoiningfarm in Ford County; Saphrona Alice, Mar}- andThomas Davis, who complete the family. Theyhave also lost two children: Theresa A., who diedat the age of seven months; and Martin L., whodied at the age of five years.Mr. and Mrs. Amm are memliers of the ChristianChurch of Ludlow, and are highl}- respected people,esteemed for their many excellencies of character.In politics, he is a Republican, having supportedthatparty since he cast his firstPresidentialvote for Abraham Lincoln. He has served for16nine consecutive years as a member of the SchoolBoard, and the cause of education has found inhim a warm and faithful friend. In the summerof 1891, he made a trij) to (icrmany and visitedhis old home and the scenes of his youth. liethus spent two months very pleasantly, afterwhich he returned to his home.AURICE II. WE.WER is the owner of afine farm of two hundred acres, situatedon sections 15 and 22, Wall Township, andhis landed possessions here and elsewhereaggregate five hundred and sixty acres. He is aprominent and representative farmer of the communityand one who has a wide .acquaintancethroughout the countj-. He was born on the 19thof August, 1833, in Oneida County, N. Y., .and isa son of Henry and Louise (Si)encer) Weaver.Hisfather was born in the Empire State, .lanuary 6,1804, and followed the occupation of farming. Inpolitics, he was a Whig, and liimself and wife weremembers of the Methodist Church. His deathoccurred February 22,1846, and his remains were interredin the cemetery of Deerfield Corners, OneidaCounty, where a l)eautiful monument marks hislast resting place.His wife was born in New England,October 6, 1807, came to the West in 1874,and spent her remaining days with her son jNIauricc.She died July 6, 1888, and was buried inIjoda Cemetery.Their family numbered six children, four sonsand two daughters: Catherine E., wife of John K.Gray, a speculator and gardener of Oneida County,N. Y.; Albert, who served as a soldier in the latewar as a member of a New York regiment, died inFord County; George Henry died in New York;Maria Louisa, wife of Josejih Mansfield, is livingin Toledo, Ohio; Maurice is the next younger; andJoseph H., who has also followed agricultural pursuits,resides with his brother Maurice.We now take up the personal history of oursubject, feeling that it will prove of interest tomany of our readers, .as he is widely and favorablyknown. Nothing occurred to vary the monotony

376 POETEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.of bis boyhood days, which were spent upon hisfather's farm and in attendance at the districtschools until about sixteen years of age. Hisfather died when he was a lad of fourteen ^ears.after which he went to live with one of his uncles.On leaving school, he began life for himself andfor five years worked as a farm hand at $8 permonth. In 1855, he went to Ottawa, III., wherehe worked upon a farm for one year, and it wasthus that he got his start in life. Ho next rentedland near Ottawa, where he made his home until1865, when he purchased an eighty-acre farm withthe means he had accumulated through his ownlaliors. He afterward sold out at an advance andthen purchased sixty-five acres. Upon that farmhe continued to make his home until 1870, whenhe sold and came to Ford County, purchasing twohundred acres of land on sections 15 and 22, WallTownship. There he has made his home continuouslysince, covering a period of more than twentytwoyears. He is truly a self-made man. He commencedlife empty-handed but has prospered sincecoming to this county, his l)usiness ventures haveproved successful and he is now the owner of fivehundred and sixty acres of land, all situated inWall Township.On the 8th of November, 1860, Mr. Weaver ledto the marriage altar Miss Nancy Snelling, who wasborn March 8, 1842, and is a daughter of John andRebecca (Shaver) Snelling. Her father was bornnear Culpeper Court House, Va., March 11,1812,and was a carpenter and joiner by trade, but fol-He camelowed farming through much of his life.to Illinois in 1840, and in 184',>, attracted by thediscovery of gold in California, went across theplains with an ox-team and remained on the Pacificslope for twenty-two months. The trip was verysuccessful, and he returned home by way of thePacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the MississippiRiver. In politics, he was a Democrat. Hiswife is a daughter of David and Nancy (Grove)Shaver, both of whom were of German extraction.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Snelling were born three sonsand three daughters, five of whom are yet living:Mrs. Weaver, of this sketch ; .fames, who resides inWall Townshi|) and is represented elsewhere inthis work; David, who is mairied and followsfarming in La Salle County; Annis, wife of HaleFrancis, a resident farmer of La Salle County;George, who was graduated from the Wesleyan LawSchool of rsioomington, is now married and engagesin the practice of his |)rofession in Anthony,Kan. There are two children now deceased: Elizabeth,who w.as educated in (Jalesburg, was a successfulteacher and died at the age of thirty-eight;and Olive, who died in infancy.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weaver h.as been born a son,John Henry, who aids his father in the operationof the home farm. He was educated in the publicschools of Paxton, the Paxton Collegiate Institute,the Normal of that place, and in 1887 and 1888,was a student in the State Normal University. Hehas been one of Ford County's successful teachersand also taught in JIcLean County. He marriedMiss Allie Augustine, a native of Pontiac, 111.,their union being celebrated Februaiy 23, 1892.The lady was educated in the Normal Universityof Normal and w.as a teacher of recognized ability.The young couple are people of high social standingin the community. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver havealso had Miss Lenora Gibson with them since shewas five and a half years of age. .She is a mostestimable young lady and is a member of the MethodistChurch of Wall Township.The Weaver household is the aliode of hospitalityand its members rank high in social circles forthey possess that true worth of character whichentitles everyone to respect.In his political affiliations,Mr. Weaver is a Democrat but has never beena politician in the sense of office-seeking. He casthis first Presidential vote for James Buchanan andhis son voted first for Grover Cleveland and is awarm advocate of the Democracy.w/ILLIAM CYRUS WRIGHT, a member of'''"^ '^"^ ^^ Cooper & Wright, dealers in^^ lumber, of Roberts, was born in BrownCounty, Ohio, February 25, 1841, and is a son ofJames and Melinda (Bayne) Wright. The fatherwas born in Biown County, Ohio, January 21, 1808,

''yPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 377and in early life engaged in carding wool, butafterward turned his attention to farming, whichoccupation lie followed in Decatin, Ohio.In liS/il,he started Westward with his family, their destinationbeing Washington, III. Mr. Wright purchasedone hundred and eighty acres of partially- improvedland, but after some years removed to C'enterville,Iowa, in 1883. and his death occurred on the 1st ofJune, following. He always voted with the Repnltlicanparty and was a stalwart supporter of itsprinciples. His wife was a member of the UnitedPresbyterian Church. Siie was born September 14,1810, and died at the age of seventj'-five years.Both patents were buried in C'enterville, Iowa.Their family numbered seven children, four sonsand three daughters, six of whom are yet living:Carey C, a retired farmer who resides with his familyin Ottawa, Kan.; Eleanor E., deceased; SamuelN., who is married and is foreman in the roundhouse of the Texas & Pacific Railroad, his homebeing in Dallas, Tex.; William, of this sketch; JuliaA., who is engaged in teaching; .lolin T., who followsfarming in South Dakota; and ]\Iargaret E.,who is also living in Rapids Cit^'.Under the parental roof, our subject spent hisboyhood days, leaving home on attaining his majority.He was married October 17, 1876, the lad^yof his choice being Miss Jennie C. Wilson, a nativeof Allegheny County, Pa., and daughter of Samueland Susan P. McCannahan. She is a well-educatedlady and prior to her marriage engaged in teaching.Unto them were born five children: Julia B., whois studying music; Linnie P. and Morna E., whoare attending school; Jesse M., who died at the ageof four years; and Wilson Bayne, who completesthe family.Prior to his marriage, Mr. Wright went to C'henoa,in 1870, and engaged in farming in YatesTownship, where he spent ten j'ears. He then removedto Gardner, (Jrundy County, 111., where heengaged in the lumber business with his uncle, M.Bayne. After one year he bought out his uncle'sinterest and carried on business alone very successfullyfor five and a half years. He also had an interestin a lumber yard in Winona, 111. In 1887,he sold his business in Gardner to Harry Snyder,and on coining to Roberts bought out Lisk Bros.,dealers in hardware, lumber, and furniture. Hecontinued to operate in those lines until July,1891, when he sold the hardware and furniture toLandel it Son and soon afterward admitted A.Cooper toi)artnerslii|) in the lumlicr business, whrleat the same time he purchased an interest in theagricultural implement business of Thompson &Co., Mr. Cooper being the company, and the firmof Coojier A Wright now deal in coal, lumber andagricultural implements. They also carry a fullline of wagons, Iniggies, surreys, carriages, carts,etc. They have about « 10,000 invested, and arenumbered among the leading and enterprising businessmen of Roberts.Their fair dealing and courteoustreatment have secured them a liberal patronage.Mr. Wright is recognized .as one of the substantialcitizens of the communit}- and ranks highin business circles.-^•I ' 6 •T^-pi-r^HRISTIAN JACOB BUCHNER, anearlysettler of Ford County, and a leading^^' blacksmith of Gibson City, does generalblaeksmithing, carriage and machinery repairingand horse shoeing. He w.as born in the Stateof Wurlemlierg, Germany, September 8, 1835, andis a son of Johannes and Christiana Buchner,both natives of that country. lie acquired hiseducation and learned his trade in his native land,serving a regular apjirenticeship.On the 25th of December, 1854, Mr. Buchneremigrated to America, sailing from Antwerp in asailing-vessel. They encountered several severestorms and after nsuch discomfort and considerablehardship, in a voyage of forty-five da^'S, theyreached New York City. On arriving in the NewWorld, Mr. Buchner found employment at histrade, working in JSTewark, N. J., until May, 1855,when he went to Northumberland, Pa., where heengaged in the same occupation for one year. In185G, he removed to Chicago, being there emploj-edfor a year in Wright's Reaper Factory, where hemade the first self-rake used in the country-. Onleaving Chicago, he went to Champaign, where hewas engaged in building cattle-guards from that

378 PORTRAIT AND EIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.city to Danville, on the line of the Great WesternRailroad, now the main line of the Wabash.The winter of 1856-57, Mr. Buclmer spent ina shop at Homer, and the following spring wentto Urbana, where for six months he worked in amachine shop. He then made his home in BigGrove, Champaign County, until Ma^' 23, 1858,when he located at Ten Mile Grove, Patton Township,Ford County, and engaged as a journeymanin the blacksmith shop of AVilliam Trickel, andcontinued in his emplo.v one j^ear, when he boughtout that gentleman and carried on business therefor six years on his own account. From TenMile Grove, he went to Paxton, where he openedand ran a shop for four years. At the expiration ofthat time, he removed to Dix Township, where hepurchased a farm, which he improved and cultivateduntil April, 1873, when he came to GibsonCity, engaging in his present business, and hassince made that place his home.Mr. Buclmer was joined in wedlock, on the 12thof April, 1859, in Urbana, Miss Louise Lohmannbecoming his wife. Mrs. Buclmer was born inHanover, Germany, and is adaugliter of Christianand Caroline (Pieper) Lohmann. Her fatlier diedin the old country, in 1857, and her mother, whocame to the United States in 1863, lives in Champaign,ni., aged ninety-two years. Mr. Lohmannwas a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Buclmer cameto America with her brother in 1855, locating atChicago.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Buchner were born six children,as follows: John W. died at the age of twelve3'ears; Viola C. died in her second year; Louis A.is Secretary of the International Building andLoan Association of Gibson City; Charles diedwhen fifteen months old; Edward F. is an instructorin Yale University, and Minnie Etta ispursuing* post-graduate course in music in GottschalkLyric School at Chicago.Mr. and Mrs. Buchner are members of thechurch of United Brethren in Christ, and are activeworkers in the Master's vineyard. In politics,he is a Republican, and while at Ten Mile Groveserved as School Trustee for two terms, and sincecoming to Gibson City has been a member of theVillage Board and has held the office of Trusteefor five years in succession.He and his wife owna fine farm of three hundred and twent3- acres,situated in Dix Township. Mr. Buchner is widelyand favorably known to the citizens of Ford andadjoining counties, as an industrious, hard-workingman, who has, hj' the help of his wife, acquired avaluable property. He has always shown a warminterest in the growth and improvement of thetown, and is highly esteemed by his fellow-citizensfor his integrity' and honesty in all the affairs oflife.In }-ears to come, his children and children'schildren may well point with pride to this recordof the father, and also of the grandfather, who isentitled to the credit of being the founder of hisfamily in America.€^W?OHN P. SMITH is the senior member ofthe firm of Smitli & Ha|)l)ron, grain dealersof Roberts. He was born in Canada,.July 17, 1855, and is a son of James F.Smith, an honored pioneer whose sketch appearselsewhere in this work. He acquired his educationin the common schools, after wliich he learnedtelegraphy and was employed as telegraph operatorfor about seven years in Cornland, 111., on thelUinoij Central Railroad. He commenced lifeempty-handed, having only an industrious dispositionand a pair of willing hands, but by hisenergy, good management and close application tobusiness, he has won success.On the 6th of October, 1880, Mr. Smith marriedMiss Sarah N. Day, a native of Logan County, 111.Three children have been born unto them, but theson, Clyde, died at the age of nine years. Thetwo daughters, Edna and Delia, twins, eight yearsof age, are attending school. The parents rankhigh in social circles and have many warm friendsthroughout the community.In politics, Mr. Smith has been a Republicansince he cast his first Presidential vote for RutherfordB. Hayes. He has served as a member of theTown Council since its organization and is nowPresident of the Board. He w.as one of the memberswho framed the constitution of the village of

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 379Roberts. He has also been connected witli theSchool Board for some time and has done everythingin his power for the educational, moral andsocial interests of the community. Himself andwife are members of the Methodist Church andtake quite an active interest in its growth andupbuilding, lieing especially active in Sundaj'-school work.In the fall of l^M, Mr. Smith embarked in thegrain business in Roberts, erecting a new elevatorat a cost of ^4,000, and the annual shipmentsamount to one hundred thousand bushels. Hehas met with signal success in his undertakingsand has won the confidence of all as an uprightand straightforward business man. He also handlescoal, both bituminous and anthracite. He owns apleasant and commodious home on IMain Street,besides other property in Roberts and LymanTownshi]), and is now in comfortable circumstances.He is a worthy representative of anhonored pioneer family and it is with pleasure thatwe present his sketch to our readers.^^I@' •Q \^RANZ GOTTLIEB LOHMAN, who hasbeen prominently connected with the educationalinterests of Ford County and is aprominent citizen of Roberts, was born of Germanparents in Watertown, Wis., January- 7, 1849. Inthe summer of 1851, when he was only a jear anda half old, Ijoth his parents died of cholera, whichat that time raged with unparalleled fury.YoungFranz was now left to the care of his grandfather,a widower. Without doubt he loved his grandchilddearly and cared for him tenderly, but hewas of such a type thatinto the early life of the 3'oung lad.but few pleasures enteredIndeed, it wasthe grandfather's ardent desire that Franz shouldbecome a German Lutheran minister.When our subject was nearly thirteen years old,his grandfather died, leaving some means which hehad set aside for the education of his grandchild. Hewas accordingly sent to a select school for a j-earand then entered the preparatory department ofthe Northwestern University of Watertown, aninstitution under the auspices of the LutheranSynod of Wisconsin. Franz was bright and studiousand before he was seventeen years old he hadsuccessfully passed an examination for the freshmanclass, but the means for furthering his educationbeing now exhausted, he seized upon this opl>ortunitvas an excuse for discontinuing his studiesfitting him for the ministry, as he was averse tomaking that profession his life work. So he leftschool, notwithstanding members of the faculty andprivate citizens proffered him aid.Mr. Lohinan now entered the field as a teacher,first in the primary department of a (4ei'man parochialschool in Watertown, Wis., and afterward asa teacher in the grammar department of a Germanschool in Milwaukee. His health liecoming impaired,he returned to Watertown and accepted aposition in a steam sawmill, where he had workedduring vacations and in his bojhood days. InApril, 1869, he was attacked with hip disease,which dislocated the hip joint and left him in asomewhat lame condition. Thinking that theclimate in Wisconsin was too severe, he came toFord C'ounty, III., where he worked upon a farmfor several years.In August, 1878, Mr. Loliman was united inmarriage to Miss Florence Belle McCann, andby their union have been born two sons and threedaughters, namely: Sherrill B., Leona A., HowardA., Florence B. and Adelaide L. The parents arewidely and favorably known in this community.In the fall of 1875, Mr. Loliman again enteredthe ranks of teachers and was exceptionally successfulin his work. In .June, 1882, he receivedthe nomination for Count}' Superintendent on theRepublican ticket and was elected the followingNovember by a large majority. Having faithfullyserved for four years, he was again elected in1886. Politically, he had been a Republican, butwhen the tariff was made the issue, in 1888, hevoted with the Democratic party, which drewupon him the hatred of the leaders of the partywhich had twice nominated and elected him. In1890, he announced himself as an independentcandidate for County Superintendent, and wasendorsed by the People's Convention. Althoughthe Republican majority is three to one, Mr. Loh-

380 PORTRAIT AND BIOGKAPHICAL RECORD.man was defeated by only twenty-five votes,which fact indicates his personal popularity, notwithstandinghis withdrawal from the old partJ^Since that time, he has withdrawn to private life.He is especially successful as an instructor and deservesmuch credit for what he has done for theschools of Ford Countv.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 381Township; Mary, widow of John Stone, and aresident of England; Ellen, widow of Thomas Oldham,residing in Roberts; Eliza, wife of Josej)h Barrington,a packer residing in Manchester; William,who is the eighteenth in order of birth; andJames, who is married and is a veterinary surgeon,of Streator, 111. Tlie father was a native ofLancashire, England, and a cabinet-maker bytrade. In 1859, he sailed from Liverjiool to America,and after landing in New York, came to Illinois,locating in Streator, where he lived retireduntil his death at the age of sixty years.His wifedied in her native land at about the age of tiftysix.Our sul)ject had only limited educational privileges,but tlu'ough his own efforts he liecame a wellinformedman and has ever been a friend to tliecause of education. In his youtli, he learned thetrade of brick-making, and in September, 1858, incompany witli his brother J.imes, bade adieu tohis native land and crossed the Atlantic to America.He went to Livingston County, 111., wherehe remained from 1858 until 1863, since whichtime he has been an honored resident of FordCounty. His success in life has been due to hisown efforts, and from an humble position he hasworked his way ujiward to one of affluence.Mr. Bond has been three times married. Hispresent wife l>ore the maiden name of Sarah Barnett.She is a native of Illinois, and their unionwas celebrated in 1873. Unto them have beenborn seven children, three sons and four daugliters,namely: Delia, wife of Henry Stcinman, amerchant; Fannie, William A., Arena, Edwin,Jessie and an infant.As before stated, Mr. Bond is engaged in thedrug business. The firm of Bond & Reinhardtcarrj' a full line of staple and fancy drugs, chemicals,oils, varnishes, fancy perfumes, brushes anda full line of wall-paper, paints, etc. Their businessamounts to about $2,000 annually, and, inaddition to this, Mr. Bond is a partner of WilliamHalm in the wagon and f^arriage making business.They repair both spring and lumber wagons andbuggies and have a good trade. Our subject ownstwo hundred and sixty-four .acres of imi)rovedland in Lym.an Townshi|). which yields a goldentribute to him and adds not a little to his income.He is an industrious, persevering and sagaciousbusiness man, and by close attention to businessand fair and honest dealing has acquired a comfortablecompetence.Mr. Bond cast his first Presidential vote forAl)raham Lincoln and has since been an ardentRepublican. He takes considerable interest inpolitical affairs, and by his fellow-citizens has beencalled upon to serve for six years as School Director,and for three consecutive terms was unanimouslychosen Highway Commissioner.Socially,he is a member of Lyman Lodge No. 293, K. T.,and serves as Inner Guard.(^^HE FORD COUNTY BANK,Thompson,Blackstock ifc Co., proprietors,(f((^^successors tov>^^ the First National Bank of Paxton, is theoldest bank in the direct line in Ford County.This is a private banking house, doing a generallianking business, and is conducted under the managementof Robert and Ira B. Blackstock. TheFord County Bank was established, January 1,1866, by S. J. Toy. In August, 1868, A. C. Thompsonjoined Mr. Toy, and the firm name was Toy &Thompson. On the 1st of November, 1871, thebank was converted into the First National Bankof Paxton, S. J. Toy, A. C. Thompson, RobertBlackstock, Edwin Rice and C. E. Henderson incorporators.The capital stock was •t50,000. A. C.Thom[)son was made President and S.J. Toy, Cashier.In the spring of 1874, Mr. Toy sold his interestto J. M. Clevenger, and Robert Bl.ackstock becameCashier. The bank continued business untilthe 10th of February, 1876, when its proprietorsclosed it out by voluntary liquidation, after whichA. C. Thompson, Robert Blackstock and WilliamBlackstock organized the present Ford CountyBank, of Thompson, Bl.ackstock & Co., successorsto the First National Bank.Business was continuedunder their management until April 15, 1883,at which time W. M. Blackstock withdrew fromthe firm. On the third of May following, EdwinRice, a citizen of Paxton, bought an interest in

382 PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.the bank, which has continued with marked successto the present time, without cliange of firmname. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Rice are both nowdeceased, and the present proprietors are Mrs. A.C. Thompson, Mrs. Rice-Miles, R. Blackstock andI. B. Blackstock. The Ford County Bank has alwaysmaintained its good name and is widely andfavorablj' known as one of the solid financial institutionsof Eastern Illinois.ARMON STRAYER, who isliving a retiredlife in Paxtou, is one of the well-to-do citizensof Ford Coiintj' and a man of prominencein the community. A native of Ohio,he was born in Fairfield County, September 20,1820, and is a son of Jacob Straj-er. The familyis of German descent and was founded in Americaat an early day by John Strayer, the great-grandfatherof our subject, who left his native land andbecame a resident of Pennsylvania in his youth.In that State, he was married and from there removedto Virginia in 1782. The father of oursubject was born in Berkeley County, Va., June 7,1796, spent his boj'hood days in that State andwhen a young man went to Ohio, where he marriedElizabeth Harmon, who was born in the BuckeyeState in 1803. Her father, Jacob Harmon,was also a native of Germany and came to theUnited States when a young man. He served as asoldier in the Revolutionarj' War and was takenprisoner at the battle of Monmouth, but succeededin making his escape.Jacob Strayer and his wifebegan their domestic life upon a farm in (Jhio,and in 1824 removed to Indiana, locating inFountain County. They settled in the wilderness,there developed a farm, and aided in the upbuildingand growth of that countj'. It was in 185-1 thatJacob Strayer brought his family to Illinois, locatingin what is now Ford County. He was one ofthe first settlers in Button Township, and theremade a farm, upon which he resided until hisdeath, which occurred January 3, 1869. His wifesurvived him for a number of years and died onthe 22d of June, 1883. Thej^ were laid to rest inMt. Olivet Cemetery' in Button Township.The subject of this sketch is the eldest in a familyof five sons and four daughters who grew tomature years. The second in order of birth isMary, wife of Moses Stroup, of Iroquois County;Susanna is the wife of Robert Robertson, of FountainCounty, Ind.; ISIilton makes his home in ButtonTownship; Elizabeth is the wife of DavidRobinson, a resident of Fountain County, Ind.;.John M. grew to manhood, married and reared afamily, but is now deceased; Thomas B. has alsopassed away; Josephine is the wife of Joseph Harris,of Benton County, Ind.; and H. S., a residentof Paxtou, completes the family.No event of special impottanee occurred duringthe boyhood of our subject. He had but limitedschool privileges and spent his time in the usualmanner of farmer lads, remaining under the parentalroof until after he had attained his majorit}'.It was in 1851 tiiat they came to Illinois, locatingfirst in Champaign Country, where he entered aquarter-section of land in the northeast portion oftiial county. Upon it he built a house, and brokeand fenced about thirty acres of land. In 1855,he sold, and settled on land in Button Township,F"ord County, pre-empting a tract of one hundredand sixty acres. He afterward extended theboundaries of his farm by additional purchase, untilhe had three hundred and fifty acres, and madehis one of the most desirable country homes inthat part of the county.Mr. Stra3'er came to Illinois a single man but in1858 returned to Fountain County, Ind., and onthe 29th of November of that 3-ear led to the marriagealtar Miss Martha McClure, daughter ofSamuel and Anna (Watt) McClure, who settled inOhio in an earl}' day. She was born in Ohio, butspent her maidenhood days in Indiana. They hadfour children but lost two in infancy. Thomas B.is the elder of the two living and Lizzie A., theyounger, is the wife of J. C. Martin, of Paxton.They have two children, Willie H. and an infantdaughter.Mr. Strayer continued to engage in agriculturalpursuits until 1886, when he removed to Jacksonand there opened up a farm whichCounty, ]\riini.,

..-w-»s^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 385he carried on for about six years. He tlien soldthat land and returned to Ford County, sincewhich time he has made his home in Paxton,where he is now living a retired life. In politics,he was first a Wliig and ctist his first Presidentialvote for Henry Clay. He then supported MartinVan Buren, but since the organization of the Republicanparty he has been fovuid in its ranks. Forfive years, he has served as Assessor of ButtonTownship and in 18.58 was Assessor of PattonTownship wlien it Iielonged to Vermilion Count}'and included all of what is now Ford County. Hewas also Highway Commissioner, and in eacli positionthat he h.as been called upon to fill he hasproved an able and efficient officer. Tlic best interestsof the community ever find in him a warmfriend, and himself and wife are members of theChristian Church. He is now living a retired lifein Paxton, enjoying a well-earned rest.=-^-^+^^ ~^ON. .lOIIN H. COLLIER, the pioneer hardwaremerchant of Gibson City, has beena leading Inisiness man of that place sinceits inception. He was born in Sangerfield,Oneida County, N. Y., March 29, 1844, and is ason of Joseph and Mary A. (De Forrest) Collier.His father was born in Buckinghamshire, England,on the 3d of August, 1820, and was descendedfrom an old English family of that region. Whennine years of age, he emigrated with his parents toAmerica, the family locating in Oneida County,N. Y., wiiere he was married and made his home.Five sons and two daughters were born unto Mr.and Mrs. Joseph Collier, of whom John II. is theeldest, and in order of birth the others are, .Tames,Chauncey, Scott, Sophia, George, Martha. Jamesand Chauncey were soldiers of the late w.ar, mcmbersofthe Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry; Chaunceydied in 1865 from wounds received on the field ofbattle; Sophia became the wife of Edward Leiber,of Antioch, Lake County, 111.; and Martha is thewife of Wall.ace Arnold, of Chicago. In 18.55, thefainilj- came to Illinois and settled on a farm inL.ake County, where the wife and mother died in1860. The husband and father survives and resideswith his son, John 11., in Gibson City.The subject of this sketch attended the districtschools of Antioch, acquiring a good Finglish education.(Jn the 29th of July, 1862, when onlyeighteen years of age, he enlisted for the late waras a member of Company D, Ni: ety-sixth IllinoisInfantry. The following year, he was promoted inregular order to be Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenantand Captain, a very high rank consideringhis j'outh. At the battle of Chiekamauga, on the20th of September, 1863, he was wounded by a gunshotin the left tliigli, and again at the battle ofNashville, December 1 G, 1864, by a gun-sliot woundin the left arm.His service was mostly in the Armyof the Cumberland. He was mustered out of servicein 1866.On his return to Illinois, Mr. Collier engaged inmerchandising in Antioch, Lake County, where hecontinued to reside until 1871, which year witnessedhis removal to Gibson, Ford County, wherehe, with II. J. Ring, opened the first hardware storein that place, later on purchasing Mr. Ring's interest,thereby becoming sole owner. With markedsuccess, he has carried on business continuouslysince and has one of the most complete and welliissortedstocks of goods in the way of generalhardware and farm implements to be found in thecounty.In his political affiliations, Mr. Collier is a Republicanand has held various public offices ofhonor and trust. In 1873, he was elected Supervisorfor Drummer Township, was re-elected and servedseveral consecutive years. He was a member ofthe first Board of Trustees of the town of Gibson,has served several terms since, and has been Presidentof the Board. In 1876, he w.as elected tothe Thirtieth General Assembly of Illinois, wastwice re-elected, serving in the Thirty-second andThirty-third Assemblies, representing Ford andLivingston Counties. In 1888, he was elected amember of the State Board of Equalization for aterm of four years. Ilis course in official life hasever been such as to win him the commendation ofalU concerned and has gained him the respect ofeven his political enemies..Sociall}-, Mr. Collier isa Knight Templar iVIason, belonging to Gibson

386 POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Lodge No. 733, A. F. & A. M., Gibson ChapterNo. 183, R. A. M., and Mt. Olivet CommanderyNo. 38, K. T., of Paxton. He is also a member ofLott Post No. 70, G. A. R., of which he was FirstCommander. He also enjoys the distinction andhonor of being a member of the military order ofthe Loyal Legion Commandery of Illinois.On the 5th of May, 1875, Mr. Collier weddedMiss Harriet McClure, who was born in McLeanCount3-, 111., and is a daughter of Benjamin H. andPVances McClure. Two children were born of theirunion, a son and daughter: Ben, born October 1,1878, and Kate, on the 25th of August, 1882. Thelady is a member of the Cumberland PresbyterianChurch.Mr. Collier is interested in agricultural pursuits,as well as mercantile, and is the owner of a wellimprovedfarm of one hundred and sixty acres inDrummer Township. In (jursuit of the hardwarebusiness, he ac(|uired a comfortable competence, forhe has labored to please his customers, and his dealingshave been characterized b\' honesty and uplightness.Thus has he won a liberal and welldeservedpatronage.J'J*'5''?''5" i if****!-"•5**j**5**{**^S^P*4*4*4fEREMIAH CLEM is a practical and progressiveagriculturist living on section 36,Button Township. He was born in WarrenCounty, Ind., on tlie 25tli of September, 1850,and is descended from one of the old Revolutionaryheroes, his paternal grandfather, Henry Clem,having fought in the War for Independence. Heremoved from Butler County, Ohio, to WarrenCount}', Ind., about 1830.Tlie father of our subject,Abraham Clem, was born in the formercounty about 1826, and was therefore only fouryears old when he went to the Iloosier State. Hethere grew to manhood and married MargaretN. Stary, a native of Virginia, wlio came to Indianawhen a young maiden, and there resided untilafter her marriage. Her father, Nicholas Star}',was one of the first settlers of Warren Count}'.After his marriage, Mr. Clem engaged in farming,and now resides upon a farm adjoining the oldhomestead. He has reached the age of sixty-sixyears and is living a retired life. In politics, he haslong been a Democrat, but has never been an officeseeker,and himself and wife are members of theMethodist Church. Their family numbered fivesons and three daughters, who grew to matureyears, the eldest of whom, Israel, is now engagedin farming in Warren County; .leremiah is thenext younger; Elmira is the wife of Peter Lowe,of AVarren Count}-; Cornelius is also an agriculturistof Warren County; Louis makes his homein the same county; .losephiue is the wife ofEd Spencer, a farmer of Warren County; Charlesaids in the operation of the old homestead in Indiana;and Mary completes the family.Jeremiah Clem, whose name heads this record,spent the days of his boyhood and youth in thecounty of his nativity, remaining witli his parentsuntil after he had attained to mature years. Hereceived tlie educational advantages afforded bythe common schools, and after he had attained hismajority began working upon a farm for himself.It was in the siniiig of 1871t that he first made hishome in Illinois, locating in A'ermilion County.He there resided upon a farm for two years, afterwhich he removed to Champaign County, wherehe purchased one hundred and twenty acres ofland and upon tliat farm resided for about fouryears. On the exjiiration of that period, he cameto Ford County and purchased one liundred andfifty-two acres of land—an improved farm, whichis yet his home. He has since bought a tract ofone hundred and twenty acres near Paxton, and aflfteen-acre tract of timber land, making in all anaggregate of two hundred and eighty-seven acres.He keeps his farm well improved, his fields arewell tilled and he is a successful agriculturist.In Vermilion County, on the 29tli of December,1878, Mr. Clem wedded Miss Maria E. Campbell,who was born in Fountain County, Ind., and, whena maiden of fourteen siunmers, went to VermilionCounty, 111., in company witli her father, WilliamCampbell, one of the substantial farmers of thatcounty. Their union has been blessed with twochildren: Auiil and Orville B. The family is welland favorably known throughont this community,although their residence here covers a compara-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 387tively short period. In politics, Mr. Clem haslieen a lifeloug Democrat anil takes a deep interestin ti\e success and growth of his party. He is oneof the enterprising and substantial farmers of FordCounty, and his sterling wortli and upright characterwell entitle him to representation in thisvolume.SiIIE IIIRA3I SIBLEY ESTATE, of whichWilliam A, Bicket is general manager, isan important part of the original Sullivantpurchase in Ford and Livingston Counties andcomprises twenty-one thousand two hundred andseventeen acres, valued at $1,326,73,5, and is dividedinto one hundred and thirty-six well-improvedfarms. Each farm has a tasty, roomy andcomfortable tenant house and suitable farm andoutbuildings.AVell-im proved roads run on sectionlines, and many hedges mark farmboundaries, dividingthe land into farms of one hundred andsixty acres each. These farms are rented to a superiorclass of tenants on shares, or for cash rent,as the tenant may choose. Wlien on shares, thetenant gives for the use of the land two-fifths ofthe corn crop and one-third of the small grain andhay. The rents for the year 1891 amounted iuround numbers to $90,000. The crops of that yearwere represented by three hinidred thousand bushelsof corn, two hundred thousand bushels of oats,and seeds and other products not enumerated.Garden and field seeds are grown extensively butnot so much so as during the life of the proprietor,who was one of the greatest seed-growers and dealersin the Union.The soil of these farms is a black prairie loam,very rich and fertile, and well adapted to generalfarming and stock-raising. A system of tiie draininghas been extensively adopted with markedsuccess, and farms that were held at from $12 to$15 per acre in Mr. Sullivant's day are now worthfrom $60 to $80. Thirt^^ sections of the propertyare situated in the township of Sullivant. FordCounty, and five sections in Fayette Township,Livingston County. The town of Sibley, .an incorporatedvillage of five hundred inhabitants, issituated in the township of Sullivant and in thegeographical center of the estate. It is astationon the Wabash Railroad and is situated on themain line between Chicago and St. Louis, beingone hundred anil three miles south of Chicago andone hundred and eight3'-two miles north of St.Louis. The railroad, then the Chicago & Paducah,was built to this point in 1873, since which timeSiblej' has grown to be a thrifty and prosperoustown. The village has three churches and fourreligious societies: the Methodist Episcopal, SwedishEvangelical Lutheran, German Lutheran andGerman Methodist. The town is noted for its excellentschools. Social and secret societies arerepresented by the following-named: Masonic,Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America,Good Templars and the Clover Club. The townhas a good hotel, several mercantile houses and twoimportant manufactories: the Illinois CanningWorks, which have a canning capacity of the productof one thousand acres of sugar corn, and thedrain tile works that supply the farmers of thesurrounding countiy with a very necessary articlefor improving their land. The Sibley property includesthe grain elevator, having a storagecapacityof fifty thousand bushels and facilities forloading thirty cars a day, being the largest on theWabash Railroad between Chicago and St. Louis,with one exception.The tenants of the Sibley estate are of variousnationalities, Americans, Germans, Swedes, English,Irish and French being represented, and tiie totalnumber included in the tenant population is aboutan even thousand. The educational wants of thefarmers' families are provided for by ten goodcountry schools which are conducted under theState laws as district schools and are governed Ityofficers elected by the people. A beautiful and interestingfeature of the Sibley landscape is thelittle lake adjoining the village, which is wellstocked with fish and adds much to the attr.activenessof the place.Under the careful and judicious management ofMr. Bicket, the estate has attained a degree ofthrift that has not only brought profit and largeincrease in value to the owners but competence,

388 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,comfort and contentment to the industrious andenterprisini"' tenants.It is safe to assert that tlieieis not another property of like extent on the faceof the globe that is occupied under leases wherethe tenants are as prosperous, independent andcontented as those on tlie Sibley estate. Thecauses for tliis happy result are easily discovered.First may be mentioned the wonderful richnessand fertility of the soil, a plentiful sup|)ly of goodwater, cheapness of fuel and salubrity and healthfulnessof the climate; secondly, the convenienceto market; and last, but not least, the wise, liberaland judicious policy of the management, which affordsevery man a fair leturn for his labor and theadvantages of schools and churches for his family.So popular have the leases of this property becomethat they are sought for as most desirable by themost respectable and worthy renters. For twentyyears the manager has been weeding out the objectional)letenants and supi)lying their places withthe wortliy and desiralile lease-holder, until at thisdate the land is peopled by a model tenantry. Thetown contains a good library of well-selectedbooks and many elegant works of art, and theHigh School can boast the most complete set ofscientific ajiparatus for educational purijoses to befound in the county, all furnished through theliberality of Mr. Sibley and the efforts of the pupils,and should be credited to the broad-mindedsystem of management, which has been so faithfullyand successfully carried out by the Board ofEducation.H ! I f ^rf . *

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 391and sixty acres of valuable land and his pleasantand commodious home located on Maple fStreet.He is truly a self-made man. liy the exercise ofgood business principles, supplemented by industryand perseverance, he has acquired a handsomeproperty, and tlie prosperity wiiich has crownedhis efforts is certainly well deserved. He is nownumbered among the substantial citizens of thecommunity and it is with pleasure that we presentthis record of his life to our readers.EMANUEL^S*LOWRY, editor and proprietorof the Gibson Courier, is a resident of Ford,. County and has made Gibson City hishome since 1875. He was born in ^Somerset County,Pa., January 22, 1837, and is a son of Michael andSalome (Moyer) Lowry. The parents were Ijothnatives of Pennsylvania and passed away in thatState, greatly beloved by all who knew them.Emanuel Lowry received his primary educationin the common schools of his native count}' andafterward took a classical course in Bethany College,in West Virginia, graduating in the Class of'66. lie served a regular apprenticeshij) to theprinter's trade in Somerset, Pa., and then spentsome years teacliing in the public and normalschools of the county. In 18G0, he went to Bethany,W. Va., where he followed the occupation ofprinting, devoting his leisure hours to study, and111 this way working his way through college. In1870, he left Bethany and bought a half-interest Ina paper in Wadsworth, Ohio—the Wadsworth £!iiterprise,with whicli he was connected for one year.He then sold out and came to Illinois, settling atP'ureka, and there purchased the Eureka Journal,in .January, 1872. He conducted tliat paper fortliree years, and in 1875 came to Gibson, purchasingthe Courier, which he has since carried on,with the exception of one year, 1884-85, which hespent at Pontiac, 111., where he bought a halfinterestin the Pontiac Senlind, which lie stillholds. The SvnUnel is the leading Rei)ublicanpaper in Livingston County and is very ably andwell conducted.A marriage ceremony performed on the 24th ofSeptember, 1862, in Somerset, Pa., united the destiniesof MissPluebe Colliorn and Mr. Lowry. Tlielady is a daughter of Sylvester and Olive Colborn,and was born in Somerset County, Pa. Shewas a sucessful teacher in the public schools ofher native county at the time of her marriage, occupyinga front rank in her profession, and is alady of culture and fine literaiy taste, a truehelpmate to her husband in his literary work.Unto ]Mr. and Jlrs. Lowiy have been born sevenchildren, but two died in infancy, and one daughter,Emil}', died at the age of twenty- j'ears. Theliving are: diaries E., who is in the Courier officewith his father; James P. and John A., who arestudents in the University of Illinois at Champaign,111.; and Russell, the youngest of thefamil}'.Mr. Lowry and liis wife are members of theChristian Church and take an active interest inwork. The}- are botli members of the Society ofRoyal Templars of Temperance, and in activesympathy with every movement which has for itsobject the moral and intellectual uplifting of society.Mr. Lowry is an experienced and successfuljournalist, and in his hands the Courier hasbeen a potent f.actor in the development of goodmoral sentiment in tlie community and in promotingthe cause of temperance. His outspoken advocacyof temperance sentiment in his paper hasdone much to crystallize public sentiment againstthe saloon and drive it from the communityin which he makes his home. The good effects ofhis teaching and example will live after him.f^-_^UGH MEHARRY was born in Connellsville,Pa., February 12, 17!I7, and the next yearmoved with his parents to Adams County,Ohio, where he resided until 1828, when hemarried Miss Susan Ambrose and at once movedto Montgomery County, Ind., near Shawnee Mound,where he and his new bride settled for life.By Industry and economy and the great opportunitythere offered for buying land of a superiorits

392 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,quality very cheap, he amassed a large fortune.His father died before he left Ohio. About twoyears after the son removed to Indiana, his motheralso moved from the Buckeye State with sixother sons and one daughter, and settled atShawnee Mound, near Hugh. The sisters andbrothers all married and settled in the neighborliood,and, like Hugh, were very prosperous, andbecame wealthy, notwithstanding their large donationsto colleges, churches and benevolentinstitutions.Prominent among our subject's philanthropicdeeds was the endowing of a professorship in theCentral Tennessee College, iu Nashville. He alsocontributed largely to the building and endowingof the Illinois Wesleyan University, of Bloomington,111.When this part of Illinois was comparativelynew, 3Ir. Meharry came here and secured a largeam

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 393charge of a night office, but after a year returnedhome. Three years later he resumed telegraphyand in 1874 became connected with the IllinoisCentral Railroad. He has been in the employ ofthe company since that time, which shows that hehas faithfully dischaiged his duties and that hisservices have been very acceptable.In 1876, Jlr. King married Miss Nannie Newman,who died in 1888, leaving one son, Clyde, whonow attends school. In 1889, our subject weddedMiss Anna Newman, a native of Kentucky and adaughter of William Inghram Newman. He wasborn lu Campbell County, Ky., June 28, 1820, wasreared to agricultural pursuits and emigrated toBarcla}', 111., in 18G4. He there engaged in farminguntil 1874, when he became proprietor of theNewman House, of Roberts, and continued in thatbusiness for ten years. He afterward traded hisproperty for land in McLean County. He was astalwart Republican, a well-informed man, and hadthe high regard of all with whom he came in contact.He was a member of the Methodist Church,and a devoted Christian gentleman. His deathoccurred in Roberts, November 1,5, 1889. His wifewas born in Kentucky, July 11, 1819, and diedAugust 16, 1887. The\' were married September1, 1842, and had a family of nine children, ofwhom four sons and three daughteis are yet living:Edward, who resides in Sibley, 111.; RoUa T.,who makes his home in Englewood, 111.; Mary J.,wife of William B. Flora, a farmer of Lj'inan Township,whose sketch appears elsewhere in tliis work;Elizabeth N., wife of David C. Kemper, of Deerfteld.Mo.; Dick and Fiauk, residents of Roberts;and Anna, honored wife of our suliject.Mr. and Mrs. King are parents of two sons, Royand Milo S. The mother is a most estimable ladyand a member of the Methodist Church. Mr.King has always been an advocate of Republicanprinciples and a stanch supporter of that partysince he cast his lirst Presidential vote for U. vS.firant. The cause of temperance finds in him atrue friend and he gives his support to all thoseinterests calculated to prove of i)ublic benefit tothe communit}'. He was one of the first memliersof the Village Board and helped to draft its by-Jaws and ordinances. Socially', he is a member ofLyman Lodge, No. 29.3, K. P., in which he holdsthe office of Deputy, and is Master Mason of BuckleyLodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M. Himself andwife are pleasant, genial people, who for manyyears have been identified with tiie interests ofRoberts and are held in high esteem by all whoknow them. They have a pleasant and commodioushome on Green Street.EIS ARENDS, a well-known German-Americancitizen of Melvin, was born in the townof Noordan, Hanover, German}', on the 13thof August, 1818, and is a son of Onno and Gertrude(Feters) Arends. His parents were nativesof the same district and there spent their entirelives, both being now deceased.The subject of this sketch spent the days of hisboyhood and youth in his native country, wherehe also acqirired a common-school education andlearned the shoemaker's trade. He has been twicemarried.Kie leaving the Fatherland, on the 25thof December, 1847, he was joined in wedlock toTeda Becker, a daughter of John Becker, and inthe following March, having bade good-bye to theold home, the young couple emigrated to America.On board tlic ship, Mr. Arends was taken sick withthe prevailing fever, and wlien they landed inNew Orleans, he was still ill and had but $100 inmoney. In hopes of improving his health, theycame up the Mississippi River to Illinois withoutmuch delay and settled in Peoria, where Mr. Arends,having partially regained his health, w.asemploj-ed at his trade. Three years later, he removedto Pekin, but remained there only twoyears, when he returned to Peoria and againworked at his trade for three years.In 1859, Mrs. Arends died, leaving four children:George T., the eldest, was married to jMissTelca Weiss and is a member of the firm of lehl ACo., bankers of Melviii; Hannah, wife of GottliebHarsch, a resident of Chicago, and Mary now thewife of John lehl, a banker of Melvin. On the31st of December, 1860, Mr. Arends was againmarried, the ceremony being performed in Pekin.

394 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.The bride was Mrs. Mary Frasius, widow of PeterFrasius, and a daugliter of Joliau Poplien. Shewas born in Wittniont, Hanover, German}', andcame to America in tlie fall of 1859. She luis twochildren by her former marriage, a son and daughter:William Frasius, who is married and lives inKansas, and Hannah, wife of Carl Gaertner, ofYoungstown, Ohio. Two children were born ofthe present marriage, but both died in infancy.Mr. Arends was engaged in farming near Pekinfor a couple ofyears and traveled back and forthbetween that city and Peoria at short intervals,until finally he removed to Mason County, 111.,and was there engaged in farming until 1870, whenhe removed with his family to Peach OrchardTownship, Ford County, where he owns a fine farmof three hundred and twenty acres and has alsoan eighty-acre tract not far distant. They continuedto reside on the farm until 1877, when, beingalone and finding the farm work too laborious forold age, Mr. and ]\Irs. Arends removed to the villageof Melvin, where they have since resided inthe enjo.ymcnt of well-earned ease.This worthycouple are members of the German MethodistChurch and, in i)olitics, our subject is a Kei^ublican.He has always been an industrious, frugal manthroughout life and has accumulated sufficientpropertj' to make him and his wife independent intheir declining years. Both are highly respectedin the community where they have so long residedand it is with pleasure that we present this recordof their lives to our readers.-OS.\2>sL/C'X>SO~I? EWIS E. ROCKWOOD, Assistant Cashier ofCo., of Gibson City, has been an employeof that company, as book-keeper and assistantcashier, continuous!}' since 1883. Mr. Rockwoodwas born in La Salle County, 111., October 15, 1855,and is a son of .lohn A. and Sarah J. (Lewis) Rockwood.In 1863, he removed with his parents toNormal, this State, and there received his educationin the |Hiblic schools, completing his literarystudies in the High School. He came to GibsonCity in 1872, wlien it was but a hamlet of a year'sgrowlli, and made his home with his parents on afarm in Drummer Township until 1880, sincewhich time he has resided in the city. During theyears of his residence on the farm, he engaged inagricultural |)ursuitsand in teaching school, havingtaught in all nine terms. The two years just precedinghis coming to Gilison, he devoted his timealmost exclusively to teaching, and was very successfulin that occupation. Until 1883, he wasemplojedas a book-keeper by a Gibson grain firm,and at the expiration of that time, lie entered uponthe duties of his present position in the bank.Mr. Rockwood has been twice married, the firsttime in Paxton on the 10th of July, 1884, to MissFlorence Moffett, a daughter of S. R. Moffett. Mrs.Rockwood was born in Indiana, and accompaniedher parents to Paxton in childhood. She wascalled to her final rest on the 1st of November,1885, and her death was deeply mourned by alarge circle of friends and acquaintances. On the9th of May, 1889, Jlr. Rockwood was unitedin marriage in Gibson to his present wife, whosemaiden name was Ida Baird. Mrs. Rockwood is anative of Illinois, born in McLean County, and is adaughter of W. .1. Baird. of Gibson Cit}-. Onechild graces this union, a son, Roscoe, who wasborn in Gibson, Febru.ary 20, 1890.In politics, Mr. Rockwood easts his vote with theDemocracy, and is a stalwart supporter of the i)artyprinciples. He has been a member of the VillageBoard two terms, and now holds the position ofPresident of the City School Board. He and hiswife hold membership with the Methodist Church,and are earnest Christian people. Our subject is aKnight Templar Mason, belonging to Gibson LodgeNo. 733, A. F. & A. M.; to Gibson Chapter No.183, R. A. M.; to Gibson Council No. 72; and toMt. Olivet Cominandery No. 38, K. T., of Paxton.He was ISIaster of his lodge in 1877, 1878 and1879, and is an active member of the fraternity.Mr. Rockwood h.as now been emplojcd in thebank of Mattinson, Wilson A' Co. for nearly ten3'ears, and has, by the strict and faithful dischargeof the duties of his position, grown in favor withthe firm, and is honored with their confidence andtrust. His services in the School Board have

^~e.-'^^^*~\^^^/Ck. ^^^t7-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 397helped to advance the educational interests of thecity, which are now grown to important dimensions,while his courteous liearing- and e-orroct businessmethods in the discharge of liis duties at tliebank liave won for him the respect and can, Sweden, December 12, \S'd'S, was reared andeducated in his native country and there learnedthe tailor's trade. In 1854, he emigrated to Americaand made his first location in Attica, Ind., wliere hewas engaged in business and where lie was married,in 1857, to Miss Lavisa Gustafson, a daugliter ofJacob tJustafson. Tlie lad^' was born in Linderas,Sweden, and came to America in 1853.The union of Mr. and Mrs. Larson was blessedby a family of six children, four of wliom areyet living: Charles Albert, the eldest, is now atthe liead of the mercantile house of P. Larson &Co., of Paxton, with branch stores at Gilison Cityand Watseka. Jacob Theodore wedded KmilyPeterson, and conducts the Gibson store. PeterEdward is the resident partner and manager ofthe branch store in Watseka. Kmil and Ida Ottiliadied in infancy; and Ida Ottilia, tlie second of tliatname, resides with her motlier in Paxton.In 1864, Mi'. Larson came to Paxton and engagedin merchant tailoring, also doing business asa dealer in ready-made clothing, in company withWilliam Liudberg and John Nelson, under thefirm name of Lindberg, Larson & Nelson. From1870 until 188.3, lie was alsne in business and succeededin building up a large and successful trade.In October of the latter year, he sold out to hissons, C. Albert and J. T., and C. A. Englund, thefirm name of P. Larson & Co. being retained forbusiness advantages. In 1887, a younger brother,Peter E., became a member of the firm and, with17those above named, constitute the companj'. Thishouse does a general trade .as merchant tailors anddealers in ready-made clothing and gents' furnishinggoods and the aggregate business of the threestores amounts to an even ^100,000 annu.ally. Thefirm has succeeded to the good-will of the customersof Peter Larson and still maintains the reputationof the house for selling good goods and forfair and honest dealing. While they have thelargest trade of any house in their line in FordCounty, they also enjoy a corresponding popularity.The branch store at Gibson City was openedFebruary 27, 1887, and tliat at Watseka in August,1891.Charles Albert Larson was born in Attica, Ind.,F'ebruary 1, 1859, came to Paxton, III., with hisparents in 1864, was educated in the public schools,and received liis business oducaticm in his father'sstore, beginning when he was but thirteen j-earsold. In October, 18«3, he became the head of thehouse as previously stated. He was married inPaxton, on the 13th of .lanuary, 1887, to MissAnnie Larson, who was born in Chicago and is adaughter of Andrew Larson. Tiie3' have one child,a son, Clarence Raymond, who was born March12, 1888.Mr. Larson and his wife are members of theEvangelical Lutheran Church and by his ballot hesupports the Republican party. He is also a Directorin the F^irsl National Hank of Paxton andis accounted one of the foremost business men ofthecitj'.l^+^iOIIN NEWMAN isNewman ita member of the firm ofPeterson, undertakers and dealersin furniture, of Paxton. lie is a nativeof Denmark, his birth having occurred onthe 6th of March, 1848. His parents, Hans andCecelia Newman, who were also natives of thesame countrj', are both deceased. lie was rearedto manhood in his native land, acfpiired his educationin its public schools and learned the trade ofa machinist, at which he worked until 1869, whenhe determined to seek his fortune in Ameriga,

398 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD.Bidding good-bye to home and friends, he crossedthe Atlantic and came direct to Illinois, locatingin Kankakee. He remained there, however, onlya short time, after wliicli he went to Wilmington,where he was employedin cabinet-making. Later,he returned to Kankakee, and thence came to Paxtonin 1871. Ills residence in this city, therefore,covers a period of twenty-one years. In 1873, heformed the existing partnership with J. Peterson.This is the oldest house in their line of business inthe count}' seat and one of the most popular inthe county, as their customers can always dependon getting well-made goods at reasonable prices.On the 12th of March, 1874, Mr. Newman wasunited in marriage to Miss Anna Nelson, the weddingbeing celebrated in this city. The lady is anative of Denmark and a daughter of Nils Nelson.Five children have been born of their union, twosons and three daughters: Jolin C, Cecelia, Ileniy,Hazel and Leta, all born in Paxton.Mr. Newman and his wife are members of theLutheran Church. In politics, he is a supporterof Republican principles, having afliliated withthat party for many years, and is a member of thePaxton Board of Education. He also belongs toPaxton Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. Thefirm of Newman & Peterson has now been in businessnearly twenty years, without change, and isclassed as one of the successful houses of Paxton.They are enjoying a well-deserved prosperity,which is the reward of industry, perseverance andearnest and well-directed efforts.=1***+^"^ OHN S. JOHNSON, a farmer residing on section26, Patton Township, is a native ofSweden, his birth having occurred on the10th of August, 1841. His father, JonasJohnson, was also born in that country, there grewto manhood, was married, reared his family andspent his entire life. Our subject was the only sonand the youngest child in a family of nine children.He remained in his native land until fi'fteenyears of age, spending the greater \)a.rt of his timein school, where he acquired a good education.Itwas in 1856 that he emigrated to America in companywith his married sister and her husband.They sailed from (Jottenburg in June, and afterseven weeks spent on the bosom of the Atlantic,arrived at Boston in the latter part of July. Onthe loth of August following, the_v reached La Fayette,Ind., where Mr. Johnson joined a brotherin-law,and worked for about a year and a half topay for his passage to this country. He also attendedschool in the winter seasons for a time, andremained in La Fayette for about thirteen years.The year 1869 witnessed liis arrival in Illinois,and saw him a resident of Ford County.In this count}', in October, 1879, Mr. Johnsonw.is married, the lady of his choice being Miss SophiaJohnson, wiio was also a native of Sweden,and when a young lady came to this country, makingher home with a sister in Paxton. Unto themhave been born five chihlren: Helen R., at home;Eva, Hannah and Norma, who are attending thehome school; and Otto S., the youngest of thefamily.For several years after locating in Ford County,l\Ir. Johnson rented land, I)ut at length, having accumulatedsome capital through his industr}' andeconomy, he purchased a part of the farm on whichhe now resides. This was in 1874. He becamethe owner of one hundred and twent^'-one acres,and with characteristic energy be began its cultivationand improvement. The boundaries of his farmhe has since extended by an additional purchase ofeighty acres, making in all two hundred and oneacres of valuable land which pays a golden tributeto the care and labor he bestows upon it. It is allunder a high state of cultivation and well improved.There is a good home and other necessarybuildings, and the owner is regarded as oneof the substantial farmers of Patton Township.Mr. Johnson is a man who takes an .active interestin all that pertains to the welfare of the communityin which he resides, and is a true friend toall educational and moral interests. He has beenhonored with several local offices of trust, and tothose who know him it is needless to say that, hisduties were ever faithfully performed. Himselfand wife are church members, and are well andfavorably known throughout this community. Mr,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 399Johnson is a self-inade man. At the early age offifteen years he began life for himself and workedhis way upward, overcoming all dilliculties andobstacles in his path. He may well be proud of liissuccess, which has licen achieved by his own unaidedefforts.

400 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIHICAL RECORD.daughter Lutecia, who was born in the Chesterdistrict, became the wife of Samuel Strong.Aftertheir marriage they removed to Indiana, becominghonored pioneers of Monroe Count\'. They settledin tlie wilderness and in the midst of the forestMr. Strong developed a farm which he madehis home until his death in 185.5. His wife survivedhim about twenty years, passing away in1874. In the family were six sons and two daughters,who grew to manhood and womanhood, theeldest of whom is Robert; .lohn enlisted for thelate war in the Eight3'-second Indiana Infantry,was taken sick and died in the service in Tennessee,August 4, 1863; .James died in Indiana, in 1890,leaving a family; .Jennie died in earl>' womanhood;William B. is a resident farmer of this county;Rev. Charles S. is the minister of the United Presb^'terianChurch in Lawrence, Kan.; Samuel W. isengaged in agricultural pursuits in Monroe Count}',Ind., and Sarah, widow of .John Harris, resides inColorado.The childhood and youtii of our subject were spentupon his father's farm in the county of his nativity.As soon as old enough, he aided in its operationand his training at farm labor w.as muchmore extensive than that received in tiie schoolroom, his educational advantages being verymeagre. After arriving at years of maturity, heremained upon tlie farm with his mother for atime, after which he was joined in wedlock toMiss Martha .J. Miller, daughter of .James Miller,a native of South Carolina, and a pioneer of MonroeCounty, Ind. Their union was celebrated onthe 13th of October, 1859, and unto them havebeen boin four sons who are yet living: SamuelO., who operates a farm adjoining tiiat of hisfather; .James, who follows agricultural pursuits inIroquois County; .John T., a farmer residing withhis father, and Charles D., a lad of twelve years,attending the home school.For five years after his marriage, Mr. Strongfollowed farming in Monroe Ctuuity, and in 1864came to Ford County, 111., since which time he hasresided on the farm which now yields to him agolden tribute for the care and cultivation he bestowsupon it. He started out in life emptyl)ande

sm^^Ns^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 403eight or nine years of age. Six children have beenborn to our subject and his wife, but two are nowdeceased. Johnson J. married IMiss Jlaggie Morrison,and they reside in Paxton; Mary E. is athome; Hattie, wife of Robert Moffett, also makesher home in Paxton; Annie became the wife ofJohn McElro}', but was called to her final rest inMay, 1887; Charles M. and AUie are at home.Mr. Morris continued to make his liome on hisfarm in^ Wall Township from April, 1858, untilthe fall of 1876, when he came to Paxton, and hashere since resided. He was elected Justice of thePeace in April, 1886, and has held that office continuouslysince, being re-elected on the 5th ofApril, 1889. He is also engaged in the insurancebusiness, and has been quite successful in tli.it line.In politics, he is a Republiciin, .and a stanch supporterof the principles of that part3'.Religiously,he holds membership with the United PresbyterianChurch, and is one of the highly respected citizensof the community. He stands high in social aswell as business circles, and is one of the enterprisingmen of Ford County.it/OHN GEORGE BERNHARDT owns andoperates a finely improved farm of eightyacres, pleasantly situated within two milesof Roberts. He is one of the worthy citizensthat Germany has furnished Ford County. Hewas born February 17, 1833, and is the fifth in a familyof five sons and one daughter, but he h.as noaccount of his brothers and sister, whether they areliving or not. His parents, John and Elizabeth(Heinmann) Bernhardt, are both deceased. Thefather died in July, 1847, at the age of flfty-twoyears. He was a blacksmith by trade and possessedmuch mechanical genius. For sixyeare, he servedin the German army and was in two invasionsinto France. He well remembered the three Bonapartes.His wife died in October, 1849, at the ageof fifty-three years. Both were members of theGerman I/Utheran Church.Our subject spent the days of his boyhood andyouth upon his father's farm, and at the age oftwenty-one years, having determined to try hisfortune in America, sailed from Bremen to NewYork, where he arrived after a voyage of fortyfivedays. He went to Paterson, N. J., where hisbrother John was working at the shoemaker'strade, and there resided for eighteen months, afterwhich he went to Iowa City, Iowa, and later toChicago. He then removed to Putnam County,where he began life emijty-handed. In 1868, hecame to Ford County, and purchased eighty acresof raw prairie land near the present site of Roberts,though the vill.age was not then laid out, and sincethat time has been a prominent resident of FordCounty.Mr. Bernhardt resjionded to the call of hisadopted country during the late war and enlistedat Granville, Putnam County, September 27, 1862,as a member of Company E, Fourth IllinoisCavalry, under Capt. AVardlaw. The regiment wasassigned to the Army of the Tennessee and orderedfirst to Trenton, Tenn. They afterward went toJackson and then entered upon the long marchesand raids which proved so disastrous to many ofthe brave boj's. Sometimes they weie not out ofthe saddle for days together, but rode throughmud, rain and snow with scared}' anything to eat,save what they could pick up along the route. Inthe latter part of January, 1863, the regiment wentinto winter quarters in Collierville, Tenn. Mr. Bernhardtwhile scouting was taken prisoner but w.asparolled the next da}-. Feeling a sickness comingon, he obtained leave of absence, and had hardlyreached home when he was t.aken seriously ill andthe doctor said there were no hopes of his recover}',but by careful nursing he at length pulled throughand returned to his regiment, then in the rear ofVicksburg. He remained in that vicinity for abouta year and suffered many of the hardships andprivations of army life. Often they had notenough to eat. On one occasion, Mr. Bernhardt toldhis companion he would hold his horse if he wouldgo into a cabin near by and get something to e.at.His comrade returned with a piece of corn bread,and going on to the next house they secured abucket of stewed peaches. Off this they dined, andMr. Bernhardt s.ays that no Christmas dinner evertasted better tiian that lunch. He went with his

404 PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.regiment on the raid through Mississippi, Alabamaand Georgia, and when the war was over was honorablydischarged at Memphis, Tenn., in June,1865, and was mustered out and jjaid off in Springfield.On the 20th of .Tanuary, 1872, Mr. Bernhardtmarried Miss Amelia Smith. Their union wascelebrated in Lyman Township, and unto themiiave been born three sons and two daughters, threeof whom are yet living: Charlie, who is engagedin agricultural pursuits; .Tennie and George. Themother died on the 18tli of Jul^y, 1878, and wasburied in the Roberts Cemetery. Mr. Bernhardtwas again married, his second union being withMrs. Jlaria (Frcel)ury) Wagner, a native of NewYork. She was lirought to Illinois when a maidenof three years and educated in La Salle County. Herfather, Tiiom.as Freelmry, was a native of England,and in tliat country married Margaret Harvey.Crossing the Atlantic, they settled in the EmpireState, after which they came to Illinois, and havesince been residents of La Salle County. Mrs. Bernhardtis a lady of genial manners and presideswith grace over her hospitable home, where hermany friends delight to gather. Mr. Bernhardthas served for nine years as School Director in hisdistrict and does all in his power for the advancementof the cause of education. He also contributesliber.ally to other worthy enterprises calculatedto benefit and improve the communit}'. Socially,he is a member of Meadow Mound GrangeNo. 711, and his wife is a member of the EvangelicalChurch, of Lyman Township.^M NDREW J. NELSON, who is engaged in@ytj[ general farming on section 4, Button//[ 14 Township, was born on the 1st of January,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 405reijiirrl hy their many friends and acquaintancesthrougliout this comnumity. Mr. Nelson has siientthe greater part of his life in Ford County, and inits history is well deserving of mention, for he hasever proved himself a (jublic-spirited and valuedcitizen.—5-m>^^

406 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,in 1880, at the age of eighty-seven. Both lieburied in Mt. Hope Cemeter}", where a monumentmarks their last vesting place. Mr. Flaggwas a ver}' active and successful business man andaccumulated considerable propertj'. He lived anupright life and was a consistent member of theCongregational Church, to the support of which healso coutril)uted liberall3'.In the Flagg family were six children who grewto mature jears: Frances Maria, who became thewife of Frederick A. Jarvis, of Castine, Me., but isnow deceased; Henrj' J., who was engaged inmerchandising in Chicago and died in that city in1866; James H., of this sketch; Kdmund W., whoengaged in the practice of law in Bangor, Me.,until his death, when he was laid by the side ofhis parents in Mt. Hope Cemetery; William H.,a retired merchant, of Bangor; and Arthur, anhonored pioneer of Ford Count}', now deceased.We now take up the personal history of Mr.Flagg, whose name heads this record. With hisparents lie went to Bangor when a lad of ninesummers and in the public schools acquired a goodeducation, which was supplemented by a two years'course of stud}' in South Boston. He afterwardentered the store of his brother and engaged inclerking for two years, but becoming tired of thatlife, he shipped as a common sailor before the mastand followed the high seas for a period of ten3'ears. He won promotion and finallj' becamemaster of a vessel, sailing as such for two years.During liis experience as a sailor, he visited manyof the ports of Europe, made twelve voyages tothe West Indies and sailed around Cape Horn onthe Pacific Ocean to California. This was in1849, and the gold fever was then at its height.On arriving at San Francisco, the entire crew leftthe ship, Mr. Flagg with the rest, and with othershe went to Sacramento and on to Bear River,where he spent about a month. He then went toTelona, where the first discovery of gold was made,and there found einplo\'njent as the keeper of atoll gate at a good salary and continued thatoccupation for about a year and a half.Ill 1852, Mr. Flagg returned to his family inBangor. In Surry, Me., on the 6th of November,1846, he had wedded Miss Mar}' Ann, daughter ofCapt. F. A. Garvis, who was captain of a Governmentrevenue cutter. He left liis wife in Bangorwhile he followed the sea and during his stay onthe Pacific slope. After his return, he removedwith his family to Buffalo, N. Y., where with anolder brother he engaged in merchandising untQ1857. He then emigrnted to Wisconsin and purchaseda tract of land in the town of Mt. Pleasant,Racine County, where he first engaged in agriculturalpursuits. After two years he sold out hisinterest there and came to Illinois in 1850, settlingin Button Township, Ford County. He first purchasedeighty acres of land, and when he had itunder cultivation bought an adjoining eightyacretract. He built a substantial and pleasantresidence, good barns and other necessaiy buildings,and is the owner of one of the desirableplaces in that township. At length he determinedto lay aside all business cares, and, in 1889, wentto Clarence, where he is now enjoying the restwliich lie has so truly earned and richlj' deserves.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Flagg were born eight children:Frances Maria, wife of AV. T. Patton, a substantialand prominent farmer and stock dealer ofthis county; James W., a prosperous agriculturist ofVermilion County; Ella, wife of W. H. Goodwin, anenterprising farmer of Button Township; CharlesH., a merchant of Clarence; Carrie L., at home;Frederick E., a substantial farmer of Button Township;Lyman, who also follow.s that pursuit in thiscounty; and Edmund, who is a graduate of theChicago School of Pharmacy and is now employedin Paxton.Mr. Flagg has been identified with the Republicanparty since its organization, having supportedeach Presidential nominee from Gen. John C.Fremont to Hon. Benjamin Harrison. He hastiiken quite a prominent part in public affairs andhas served as a delegate to the county, districtand State conventions. He has held the office ofCommissioner of Highways, was Assessor of ButtonTownship for several years, was a member ofthe County Board of Supervisors for five yearsand its chairman f(ir two years and is now Justiceof the Peace of Button Township. The cause ofeducation finds in him a warm friend. He believes

i Thisin hiring competent teachers in order to have goodschools and, while serving as a member of theSchool Board, did effective.service along that line.Himself and wife are among the original membersof the Pleasant Grove Methodist Church andare active workers in its interest. His life hasbeen well and worthily spent and it has also beena prosperous one. At the same time that he waswinning his competence he was also gaining thehigh regard of those with whom he was broughtincontact and none are more favorably known inthis comnuinitv than James H. Flagg.ylLLIAM B. HOLMES, a prominent citizenPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 409of Ford Count3', now living a retiredlifein Melvin, 111., was born in Derltyshiie,England, September 23, 1820, on a farm which hadbeen in the Holmes family for four hundred years.His father, AVilliam Holmes, Sr., who followed agriculturalpursuits, married Miss Mary Woniack.Seven children graced their union, as follows:John, who died March 9, 1881; Lizzie, wife ofAaron Fletcher; Jane, deceased, wife of WilliamGreen; Charles, a carpenter, now living a retiredlife in Danville; William, of this sketch; and Henryalso deceased. The father died December 15, 185',),and the death of his wife occurred in 1842. The}'were both members of the Methodist Church.The boyhood days of our subject were spentupon the farm, and at the age of fifteen, his fatherapprenticed him to a coach-maker for a term ofsix years, during which he received no wages. Hecontinued that work in Ilngland until 1849, when,with the hope of meeting a more successful businesscareer, he crossed the Atlantic on a sailingvesselfrom Bristol to New York Citj', accompaniedb}' his brother Charles. Forty-nine days they wereupon the bosom of the Atlantic, and then landedat their destination. Jlr. Holmes started for theWest by way of AUiany, Buffalo and the Lakes,and, locating in Milwaukee, began working in asash and door factory, where he was employed fora short time. Having purchased forty acres ofGovernment land in Fond du Lac County, Wis.,which was covered with heavy timber, he beganthe development of a farm. He built a small logcabin, bought a team of unbroken oxen, and madehis first attempt at agriculture. He cleared severalacres of his land, placed it under cultivation, andat length sold, removing to Georgetown, VermilionCounty, 111., in 1852. His brother Charles was livingthere, and with him he engaged in carpenterwork until 1855, when he came to what is nowFord County, but was then Vermilion County, andpurchased three hundred and twenty acres of Governmentland on section 27, of what is now PeachOrchard Township. He liroke ten acres and madeother improvements, including the erection of ahouse, after which he returned to Georgetown,and two years later, in 1857, brought his family tothe home which he had prepared for them.family were the first white settlers in thattownship. They experienced many of the hardshipsand privation of pioneer life, but as yearspassed by, all these obstacles were overcome, andthe pioneer home, once unadorned by scarcely morethan the necessities of life, was provided with itscomforts and many of its luxuries. About thetime of Mr. Holmes' coming, Joshua Nicholson alsosettled in that community, bringing with him aboutone thousand peach sprouts, which he set out onhis new farm, and thus the name of Peach Orchardwas given to the township.On the 26th of December, 1844, Mr. Holmes w.isunited in marriage with Miss Eliza, daughter ofWilliam and Sarah D. (Bennett) Wrenn. Her father,who was born in the city of Gloucester, Engl.and,was a professor of music, and a descendantof Christopher Wrenn, the great architect of London,who built St. Paul's Cathedral and manyother noted buildings. In the Wrenn family wereeight children: William, who died in 1845; Ann,who became the wife of James Thorn, died in1860; Henry, who occupies a Government positionin London; Eliza, wife of our subject; andAlfred, a resident of Chicago;the other three diedin infancy. The father died in 1855, and thedeath of the mother occurred in 1844, and both areburied at Bristol, England.in Bristol, England, October 5, 1820.Mrs. Holmes was born

410 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holmes were born ten children:Henry, who died in 1845; Bart, whoengagesin buying and shipping horses in Melvin, was bornin Crewe, Clieshire, England; Lizzie, who died in1852; Henry C. died aged twenty-one years; William,an attorney-at-law, of Ellingham, 111.; .JohnW., who runs a dray and express line in Omaha,Neb.; Fannie, the first native white child in PeachOrchard Township, who was born May 29, 1857, isnow the widow of Paul Koestner, and a residentof Melvin; Mary, who died in 1887; Sarah E. andAlfred L., both of whom died in infancy. Thechildren were all reared on the old homesteadfarm, and those younger than Bart were born onthis side of the Atlantic.Mr. Holmes there continued to reside until 1888,when he removed to Melvin, where he is now livinga retired life. He still owns the farm uponwhich he located in 1857. To its early settlers thecounty is indebted for much that it is to-day.Among these is our subject, who has long been identifiedwith its history. He resided in Peach OrchardTownship for ten ^-ears before there were settlersenough in the town to organize a Board ofDirectors. He was one of its first Supervisors, wasTownship Assessor, Highway Commissioner, SchoolTrustee, and for about fourteen years served asJustice of the Peace. In politics, he is a Democrat,and a strong supjiortei' of party principles. Heattends the Congregational Church, of which hisworthy wife is a faithful member. ThroughoutFord County, Mr. Holmes has a wide acquaintanceand is highly esteemed by all who know him forhis sterling wortli and the upright life which hehas ever led.-^]-^}^+^[ylLLIAM T. PATTON, farmer and stockdealer,resides on section 33, Button Township,his post-ofiice being Clarence, 111.He is a native of Indiana, born in Fountain County,October 20, 1845, and is a son of David and JanePatton, who were among the pioneers of thiscounty', and whose .sketch ap[)ears elsewhere in thiswork. He came to this county and State with hisparents when a lad of nine years, and here grew tomanhood. His primary education was obtained inthe public schools, after which he attended IllinoisCollege for a time, and then took a course in tiieAgricultural College of Champaign. After finishinghis studies, he was engaged in teaching inFord County for aliout three years. On tlie 25thof November, 1875, he was united in marriageto Miss Fannie Flagg, a native of Maine and adaughter of James H. Flagg, of Clarence, anotherof tlie honored pioneers of Ford County, a sketchof whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs.Patton was mostly reared and educated in FordCounty.After his marriage, Mr. Patton settled on a farmand engaged in agricultural pursuits, also dealingin and shipping stock. Of late years he hasgiven most of his time and attention to the stockbusiness and is the largest dealer and shiiJi)er inthe eastern portion of Ford County. An enteii>risingand thorough business man, he has been (piitesuccessful in the stock business. He is the ownerof a farm of about six hundred acres, all good andwell improved land, located about four miles southof Clarence and adjoining the south line of FordCounty.Formerly, Mr. I'atton was a Republican in (lolitics,but of late years he has identified himself withthe Prohibition party and is an advocate of theprinciples of temperance and prohibition. He wascandidate on the old Creenback ticket for CountyTreasurer, but was defeated, although he ran aheadof his ticket. He was elected and served as oneof the members of the Board of Supervisors of hiscounty and has also held the office of Assessor andother local official positions in his township. Hehas served as a delegate to county conventionsand is one of the Central Committee of the Prohibitionparty. He is a friend of education andbelieves in good schools and good teachers. For3'ears he has served as a member of the SchoolBoard.Mr. and Mrs. Patton have a family of five children:Ada, David, Charles, Carrie and Elsie, all ofwhom are attending school. Mr. Patton and hiswife arc active members of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch, of which he is one of the official mem-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 411hers. He is an active worker in lioth cliiircli andSunday-school and has served as Superintendenlof the Sunday-school for a nural)er of years. Hewas one of the charter members of the PellsvilleLodge, I. O. (). F., and also one of the cliarter membersof the lodge at CUirence.Mr. Patton has been a resident of Ford C'ounty,and of Button Township, almost his entire life.He h.as grown from a child to mature years amongits people and is regarded as one of its foremostcitizens. No man stands higher in pulilic esteemthan does William T. Patton.--• a4'*'5"!',^^-3"5"5"5'r5-**->i t^^^^if^EY. OSCAR V. IIOLMGIJAIN, the efficientv^ County Treasurer of Ford C'ounty, who\V ranks among the best citizens of Paxton,was born on the 11th of March, 1852, inthe Parish of Simtuna, near the cit3' of Westeros,one of the oldest, if not the oldest, cit3-of Sweden.His father was a professor of music. Oscar attendedthe public schools and afterwards enteredcollege, from which he was graduated on the 19thof May, 1871, at tlie age of nineteen years. Healso studied philosophy for a short time in the universityof Upsala and was thereafter admitted tosome of the Government departments in Stockholm,but all of these departments were crowded l)y thoseseeking preferment, and seeing the hopeless taskof expecting to gain a competency for man^^ yearsto come, Mr. Holmgrain resolved to try his fortunein America, where he believed that better opportunitieswere afforded young men than in the oldercountries across the Atlantic.Carrying out his resolution, he landed at NewYork on the 6th of May, 1872, and went to Philadelphia,Pa., where he first obtained a position ina wholesale establishment on Market Street. Afterwardhe was employed in a jewelry store in Pittsburg,Pa., until the spring of 1879, when he determinedto fit himself for tlie ministry and enterupon gospel work. To this end, he made his wayAVestward, and as a student entered AuguslanaCollege and Theological Seminary located in RockIsland, III., and while studying theology was emplo3'ed as assistant teacher in the college department.In .June, 1882, he was ordained for theministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church andaccepted a call as pastor from the congregation inBeaver, Iroquois County, 111. He labored therefor more than threes-ears, or until the fall of 188,'),when he removed to Worcester, Mass., to takecharge of the Elvangelical Lutheran Cluuch in thatplace. He there continued his pastoral labors fortwo years, when, in the autumn of 1887, he againcame to Illinois, accepting a call from the churchat Farmersville, Ford Count}', 111. (Farmersville,by the wa}', is no village at all, but merely a settlementwithout fixed boundaries, covering someeight or ten square miles and situated some six oreight miles southwest of Paxton. The settlers aremostl}' Swedish and Norwegian farmers).On the 24tli of June, 1882, Mr. Holmgrain wasunited in the hoi}' bonds of matrimony with MissJennie Christina Linderholm, of Sterling, 111., andunto them have been born two children: ElmerFrederick, born August 21, 1888, and Erick Oscar,the 3d of March, 1891.Entirely unsolicited by him, in September, 1890,Mr. Holmgrain was nominated for the position ofCounty Treasurer on the people's ticket and electedto fill that position for a term of four years fromDecember 1, 1890. He is proving a capal)le andefficient officer, ever prompt and faithful in thedischarge of his duties. His life has been an uprightand honorable one, and not only l)y thepeople of his own church but by all who knowhim he is held in the highest rearard.^^^USTAVE FREDERICKSON follows^Jfarmingon section 21, Patton Township. Amongthe substantial agriculturists of foreignbirth who have commenced life empty-handedin Illinois and acquired a competence and anhonorable name, should he mentioned the subjectof this sketch. He was born in Sweden, November4, 1845, and his youth was spent on a farmin his native country. He received fair oduca-

i^^412 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.tional advantages in the mother tongue, but iswholly self-educated in English. When a youngman of twenty-tiiree years, he emigrated to Americain 1868, crossing the Atlantic in a steamer,which dro|ij)ed anchor in the harbor of New Yorkafter seventeen days spent upon the Atlantic,during six of which they encountered very severeweather. It was on tlie 22d of April that Mr.Frederickson first set foot on American soil.Our subject came direct to Paxton and joinedan uncle who had located here some three 3'earsprevious, and resided on a farm about three milessouth of the cit}'. lie then secured employmentwith M. L. Sullivant, one of the most extensivefarmers of Ford County, at that time employingover four hundred men. Mr. Frederickson beganworking l)y the month and remained in the employof this prominent farmer seven jears, five yearsof which time he was one of the foremen. Duringthat period he lost only two weeks' time fromwork, and that was caused by sickness during thesecond year of his service. In the meantime,another important event in his life occurred—hismarriage to Miss Anna Peterson, a native ofSweden, who came to the United .States when amaiden of nineteen summers. Their union wascelebrated on the 13th of October, 1872.In 1875, Mr. Frederickson rentedland and engaijedin farming for himself, continuing to rentfor about ten years. During that time he purchasedone hundred and sixty acres of raw land,which constitutes his present farm, and placed itunder cultivation, fenced and tiled it, and builtthe necessary buildings thereon. To that farmhe removed in 1887, and it has since been hishome. He has built a commodious and substantialresidence which, with the other improvementson the place, stands as a monument to the thriftand enterprise of the owner. As the years havepassed and his financial resources have increased,he has also extended the boundaries of his farm,until it now comprises four hundred and eightyacres in one body on section 21. It is a desirableand valuable place, and the owner is one of theprogressive and prominent farmers of PattonTownship.In 1884, Mr. Frederickson embarked in themercantile business at Henderson Station, liut didnot discontinue farming, and carried on a successfultrade there for six 3-ears. He also bought anddealt in grain. In 1890, he sold out his business,and has since given his entire attention to thefarm and stock-dealing. He has been most successfulin all his undertakings, and liis success hasbeen all the greater when we take into considerationthe fact that he began life with 0UI3' a pairof willing hands to aid him in climbing the hill ofprosperity. He is a man of unblemished character,straightforward and honorable in all the relationsof life, and is highly esteemed by his neighbors.and friends. He and his wife are members ofthe Farmersville Lutheran Church, and, in politics,he is a Republican. He takes quite an active partin local politics, and has served for six years asCommissioner of Highways. Mr. Frederickson inmanner is pleasant and courteous, and tlie respecttendered him by all with wliom he comes in contactis well merited.ETF.R RASMUS is a photographer engagedin business in Paxton, 111., and his liferecord is as follows: A native of .Sweden,he was born in Gamalstorp, on the 12thof September, 1862, his parents being Ake and IdaRasmus, natives of the same countiy. With hisparents, when a lad of five years, he crossed theAtlantic to America, the family settling in thiscity. His father died in 1882, aged fifty-nineyears and three months:, Ijut his mother j'et survivesand is still a resident of Paxton.The subject of this sketch spent the days of hisboyhood and youth in the usual manner of farmerlads and acquired his education in the commonschools of the neighborhood. In 1885, he beganlearning photography with (). D. Noble, of Paxton,with whom lie worked about a year, and then wentto Chicago, where he worked a year, perfectinghimself in his business. He then returned to Paxtonand formed a partnership with Mr. Noble,under the firm name of Noble & Rasmus. On the9tli of February, 1886, he estal>lishcd a branch

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,PattonPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 415gallery in Gibson, Ford County, which he condiK'terlfor two years, while Mr. Noble liad chargeof the one here. After two years lie closed it outand returned to Paxton, and, purchasing his partner'sinterest in the business, has since carried onthe gallery alone.A marriage ceremony performed in Paxtonon the 1 1th of December, 1890, united the destiniesof Mr. Rasmus and Miss Hannah K. .Swanson, whowas Ijorn in Pntton Townsliip, Ford County, andis a daugiitcr of John and Emily Swanson. llcrfather is now deceased and her motlier is living,being the wife of Gus Carlson. Mr. and Mrs.Rasmus are members of the ^Evangelical LutheranChurch and are people of sterling worth, widelyand favorably known in this community. In hispolitical views, Mr. Rasmus is a Republican, and inhis social relations, is a Knight of Pytliias, belongingto Gibson Lodge No. 123. His gallery hasbeen longer in existence in Paxton than any other,and he does all kinds of work in the line of hisart in first-class style. The coming summer, hedesigns makinga specialty of dning view work, inthe way of farm and \\nc residence views. Heearnestly desires to please his customers, and hisefforts in tliat direction, combined with his courteoustreatment, have won for him a liberal patronage.4^EDWARD"^i^DWARD BABCOCK, who is engaged ingeneral farming on secti

416 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.ley, Iroquois County, wliere he lived a retiredlife for some time as his health was greatly impaired.After eight years spent in this way, inthe fall of 1889, he purchased his present home.It is a desirable place, comprising forty acres ofvaluable laud, situated witliin a half mile of Paxton.The fields are well tilled, improvementskept up and all the accessories of a model farmmay there be seen, indicating the practical andprogressive spirit of the owner.Mr. Babcock was originally a Democrat, but atLincoln's second election supported him and hassince been identified with the Republican party.He takes quite an active part in politics and hasbeen honored with severalpositions of trust, havingserved as Township Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurerand Road Commissioner. The cause of educationhas found in him a warm friend and,while serving as a member of the School Board,he has done effective service in the interest of theschools.His residence in Ford County covers almosta quarter of a century, and he has thereforewitnessed much of its growth and development.•^^l a:«»H !M^^HARLKS HOWARD YKOIM A NS, abstracterof titles, is associated with the firm of Day^z Brothers, real estate and loan agents ofPaxton. His life recoid is as follows: He wasborn in Delaware County, N. Y., Decembei- 2,1846, and is a sou of .lames and Sarah (Redfield)Yeomans. His father was a native of DelawareCounty, N. Y., born in March, 1815, and was ofScottish ancestry. The paternal grandfather of oursubject was born in Scotland, and emigrated toAmerica in the first 3ears of the present century,settling in Delaware County, N. Y. His sonJames was a farmer by occupation, and, with hisfamily, removed to Kane County, lib, in 1851.His death occurred in Inxjuois County, of thesame State, in January, 1877. His wife was bornnear Delhi, Delaware County, N. Y., and was adaughter of the Hon. .1. (J. Redfield, and is a linealdescendant of Theophilus and IViseilla Redfield,who were members of that historic band thatlanded from the •'Mayflower"that memoralile 21st of December, 1620.at Plymouth Rock,She survivesher husband, and now resides in (iilman,HI.Charles Howard Yeomans came to Illinoiswithhis parents in 1851, when but four years of age.He was reared to manhood on his father's farm,and eujojod the advantage of the country districtschool, which was supplemented by persistentstudy in spare hours out of school. At the age offourteen, he found it necessary to make an effort,outside of the home farm, to aid his father, whowas broken dowu in health and liadly crippledfinancially through the jjanic of 1857. At thistime the lands along the line of the Illinois CentralRailroad were being opened to settlement,and the demand for labor was apparent. Fittinghimself out with a breaking-team and plow, hestruck out a distance of fifty miles from home, andspent the entire season in breaking prairie near thetown of Peotone, Will County, which was butjust starting into life. He remained on the farmuntil eighteen years of age, at which time hisyounger brothers were old enough to operate it.Our subject became impatient to secure an education.He had begun teaching school at the age ofseventeen, but had not saved any money fromthat source. His first financial investment waswhen he was eleven years old. lie took a scythe,went to the marsh and put up two loads of marshhay, which he hauled to market, and with the proceedspurchased two steer calves, which he raisedand broke to work, selling them when three yearsold for IKK). This mone}' constituted his capital,when, in the fall of 1864, he entered Ripon College,in Ripon, Wis., as a student. He pursuedhis course at college, interrupted only by terms ofschool teaching, by which he earned the necessar}'means to defray his expenses until he was graduated,in June, 1.S71, with the degree of A. B.Two years ])revious to the time of completing hiscollegiate course, being' in advance of his class inhis studies, he took up the studydirection of the lion. Jerryof law under theDobbs, a leading lawyerof IJipon. Working double time at his literaryand legal studies, he was admitted to the WisconsinBar, October 10, 1870, one year before

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 417graduating from college. He received the degreeof A. I\I. from the same college in 1879, on theoccasion of his return to his alma mater to deliverthe annual address before the Alumni Society.After graduating, he aeceiitcd the iiosition ofprincipal of the Ouarga graded schools for ayear, declining a re-appointment in order to enteriijion the practice of his profession. In -Tuly, 1872,he located in Gibson, Ford County, and was admittedto practice in the Illinois courts throughthe Supreme Court of this State, in September,1872. He had opened an otlice in (Jibson the previousspring, being the first lawyer at that place,and, from the start, he took an .active interest inbuilding up and improving the little village wherehe resided, and made substantial improvements.On October I, 1874, Air. Veomans was united inmarriage with Miss Mar}' Kaney, who was bornin Peoria County. 1 11., and is a daughter of Dr.Henry A. and Susan Raney. JMr. and Mrs.Yeomans have tiiree children: Fred H., born October7, 1.^77; Cora, November 1, 1880; and Nellie,February 14, 1884.Mr. Yeomans contiiuud to reside in Gibson untilSeptember 18, 1884, when he was compelled tosell out his practice on account of sickness in hisfamily, and try a change of climate. Kansasseemed to olTer the advantage sought, and he removedto that State, making his home in (lirard,where he pursued the practice of law until thespring of 1889, when his family having fully recoveredtheir health, he returned to Ford Countyand settled in Paxton, which h.as since been hishome. On cnining to this place, he engaged inthe abstract business, and is also associated withthe firm of Day Brothers in the real-estate business.He h.as a full set of abstracts for FordCount}', and is devoting his time princi|)ally tothat and the real-estate business, pursuing thepractice of law only in cases involving (jueslionsof title to real estate.In politics, Mr. Yeomans is a Republican, andhas held a number of offices of honor and trust.For several years he was City Attorney of CSibson,was Supervisor from Gibson in 1882, was Chairmanof the Ford County lioard of Supervisors in1883, and was also Trustee of Gibson. Socially,he is a KnightTemjilar Mnson, a member of PaxtonLodge No. 416, A. F. & A.M.; Ford ChapterNo. 113, R. A. M., and Olivet Commaudery No.38, K. T. He has served as chief officer in all ofthese bodies. Mr. Yeomans is an indefatigableworker, and any business entrusted to his carereceivesprompt and effective attention. His businesscareer has been characterized b}' strict integrityand fair and honorable discharge of his obligations.—J-OSCAR^>^^

418 POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD."wayside inn," often furnishing accommodationsto tliuty men and tlieir teams at niglit. He wasan old .laelvson Democrat and adlieiud to tlie principlesand supported tlie measures of that partyduring liis life. He tooii quite an active interestin local politics hut never sought office for himself,lie won his title by serving .as Captain ofMilitia in his native State.The death of Mrs. Canipliell occurred on the 4thof February, 1868. Mr. Campbell survived hiswife some seventeen years and died on the 24th ofFebruary, 1885. He was well known throughoutFord County and was a man of sterling characterand one of its honored [uoneers, esteemed and respectedby all who knew him. At his death, manyfriends mourned his loss and a monument has beenerected to his memory. This worthy couple had afamily of nine children, the eldest of whom,Robert F., is a carpenter of Adair County, Mo.;Abraham L. is engaged in farming in Indiana;William A. is an agriculturist of Ford County;Francis M. resides in Chicago; Josephine died inFord County, December 5, 1882; Oscar L. is thenext j'ounger; Henrietta is the wife of DanielMoudy, of Ford County; Ann Louisa was born inPennsylvania, and is now the wife of J. N.Swinford; Lee Britt, born on the old homestead,operates the home farm in connection with oursubject.O. L. Campbell has spent almost his entire lifein Ford County, for he was a lad of but five summerswhen his parents here located. He receivedsuch educational advantages as the district schoolsof the neighborhood afforded and was reared tomaniiood upon the home farm. After he had attainedhis majority, he engaged in the flouringmill business in Potomac, Vermilion Count}', forabout three j'ears, after which he returned to thiscounty and in connection with his brother leasedand carried on the homestead farm until after thedeath of the father, since which time it has becometheir property and is now carried on by them conjointly.On the 3d of .lune, 1886, Mr. Campbell led tothe maniage altar Mrs. Eliza A. Kirbj-, daughterof William Bryan, who removed to AppanooseCounty, Iowa, when his daughter was a maiden ofnine summers. He was a native of England andbecame one of the early settlers of Ford County.In Appanoose County, the lady was mostly rearedand educated. She became the wife of Isaac Kirbyand unto then were born two children: Archie andBertiia May. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Campbell havealso been born two cliildren: Russell and Iva C.iNIr. Cami)bell is a Democrat when (juestions ofnational imijortance are under consideration, butat local elections supports the man whom he thinkswill Ijest fill the ofHce. His fellow-citizens havefrequently called np(jn him to serve in positionsof (niblic trust, he having filled the ofHce of HighwayCommissioner; he is now a member of the SchoolBoard. O. L. and Lee Britt Campbell are amongthe thrifty and enterprising farmers of ButtonTownship, and are well known throughout FordCounty as men of sterling worth, upright andhonorable in allImsiness affairs and deserving theesteem in wliich they are held. They are worthyrepresentatives of an honored pioneer familywhich has long been identified with the historj- ofthe county.^|>^ICIIOLAS M. KEMP, a farmer and stockll,PattonTown-raiser residing on section[| jfj/iyi^ ship, has long been a resident of this countyand is well deserving of representation in thisvolume. A native of Pennsylvania, he was bornin Fayette Count}-, on the 4th of January, 1844,and comes of an old family of New Jersey. Hisgrandfather, Charles Kemp, a native of that State,became one of the pioneer settlers of FayetteCount}', Pa. He was of German descent, the familybeing founded in New Jersey in Colonial days.Jacob Kemp, the father of our subject, was born inthe Keystone State, Novemlier 25, 1821, and afterattaining to mature years married Sarah Parnell,anative of Fayette County, where her father, IsraelParnell, was a substantial farmer. The young couplebegan their domestic life on a farm, but after anumber of years removed Westward in 1856, locatingin Marshall County, 111. The father is one ofthe honored early settlers of that county, and is

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 423still living on the old homestead there. He hasbeen three times married, his first wife having diedin Pennsylvania. In politics, lie is a Republicanand has been honored with several local positionsof trust. In the family were three children whogrew to mature years, Nicholas, of this sketch, beingthe eldest. Sarah ^I. is now the wife of WilliamGriHin, a farmer of La Salle County, 111., andMarian Elizabeth resides in Paxton.Nicholas Kemp came to Illinois with his fatherin 1856, a lad of twelve years, and grew to manlioodin Marshall County. He received good educationaladvantages and remained under the parentalroof until after he had attained his majority.He began earning his own livelihood, however, atthe age of eighteen, when he commenced teachingin the public schools of Marshall County.For tenyears, he followed that profession. In May, 1864,he responded to the country's call for troops, enlistingas a member of Company Y, One Hundredand Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry. He was withhis regiment through Kentucky and Missouri andparticipated in some minor engagements.He receivedhis discharge in Chicago in the fall of1864.On his return to the North, Mr. Kemp turnedhis attention to farming, which he followed duringthe summer season, while in the winter months heengaged in teaching. In the spring of 1875, hecame to Ford County and purchased one hundredand twentj' acres of land, situated four mileswest of Paxton. The place was then but sparselyimproved, but it has since undergone great changes,a commodious and substantial residence havingbeen erected, good barns and outbuildings built,and the whole transformed into a valuable andwell-improved farm. He gives his entire time andattention to his business interests, having nevertaken part in political affairs other than castinghis ballot for Republican candidates.However, heserved for a number of years as a member of theSchool Board.In Marshall Countj-, 111., on the 12th of March,1865, Mr. Kemp led to the marriage altar MissCatherine Axline, who was born in Ohio, butspent her girlhood days in Marshall County, whereher father, Aaron Axline, is one of the substantial18farmers and an honored pioneer. Eight childrenhave been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Kemp, namely:Justin A., who was graduated from a commercialcollege and is now employed in Paxton; Luella B.,wife of R. A. McCracken, of Paxton; Perle A.,who was graduated from the Collegiate Instituteand is now employed in Paxton; Edna, who is engagedin teaching music; Victor, Willard and Myrtle,who are attending school, and Ralph W., whocompletes the famil}'.The parents and the three eldest children areactive members of the Methodist Church of Paxton,and Mr. Kemp is a member of the PaxtonGrand Army Post. He was appointed crop rejjoiterfor tiie county by the State Board of Agriculturefor the ^-ears 1891 and 1892. ThroughoutFord and adjoining counties, Mr. Kemp is well andfavorably known as one of the enterprising andprogressive farmers of this community and a manof unblemished character who deserves the highesteem in which he is held.\T/ OHN lEHL, senior member of the privatebanking firm of lehl & Co., of Melvin, andone of the oldest settlers and most enterprisingmen of that place, was born in BaldenheimAlsace, France, now a province of Germany,on the 13th of January, 1839. His parents, .lohnand Barbara lehl, were natives of the same province,and the mother bore the same family name as herhusband, but was not related to him prior to hermarriage.Tlie subject of this sketch emigrated from Alsaceto America with his parents in 1850, when a ladof eleven years, and settled in Deerfield Township,Lake County, 111., where the parents remained forsome 3ears, the father carrying on a farm until1888, when he removed to Northfield Township,Cook Count}', 111., where he still makes his home.He was born on the 20th of May, 1809, and hiswife in Ajjril of tiie same 3-ear. Her death occurredin Dearfield, in April, 1852, at the age of fort}--three years. In their family are three living childrenas follows: Barbara, who was born Blarch 17,

424 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.1836, married Phillip Laesser and resides in Northfield,Cook County, 111.; Salome, born July 28,1842, became the wife of David llorenberger, andmakes her home in Deerfield, Lake County, 111.Our subject was reared to manhood upon hisfatlier's farm and acqviired his education partlythe schools of his native country and partly in theAmerican public schools. On attaining his majority,he left liome and began life for himself as a farmhand. In 1864, he commenced farming in his owninterest in Marshall County. 111., where he continuedto reside for four years, or until 1868, when he removedto a farm of one liundred and sixty acreswhich he had purchased the jear previous in PeachOrchard Township, Ford County. There he spentseveral years engaged in farming and stock-raisingwith marked success, and in 1873, he formed apartnership with Messrs. Frasius and George T.Arends at Melvin, under the firm name of Frasius,lehl & Co., dealers in grain, seeds and coal. Thefirm continued business without change until 1876,when Mr. Frasius sold out to his partners and withdrewfrom the business. The firm name was thenchanged to lehl & Co., and those gentlemen continuedoperations until November, 1890, when theysold out and established the private banking houseof lehl ife Co., of Melvin. It was the first bankinghouse in that place and is still conducted by itsoriginal proprietors. Messrs. lehl and Arends haveinvested extensively in farming lands in FordCounty, buying farms from time to time, until tlieiraggregate possessions, in common, amount toeleven hundred and twenty acres, while Mr. lehlhas one farm of one hundred and sixt3' acres whichhe owns individually'. "Witii the exception of aneighty-acre tract in Wall Township and a quartersectionin Sullivant Township, their possessions alllie in Peach Orchard Township. It is all arable,rich farming land which has increased in valuevery rapidly witliin the last few years.On the 3d of June, 1871, in Peach OrchardTownship, Mr. lehl was united in marriage withMiss Mary Arends, whose birth occurred in GrovelandTownship, Tazewell County, 111., on the 5th ofNovember, 1854. Iler parents are Tels and TedaArends. Six children have been born to Mr. andinMrs. lehl, four of whom are yet living: Teda Johanna,the eldest, was born JuneSO, 1872, and diedMarch 15, 1875; John George, born April 17, 1875,died April 8, 1879; Johanna Alvina was bornNovember 25, 1877; George Teis February 20, 1880;Clara Marj', June 4, 1884; and Edwin Albert onthe 27th of October, 1887.Airs. lehl is a member of the German MethodistChurch, which Mr. lehl also attends, although hedoes not belong. He is a Reimblican in politicsand is the present Su|)ervisor in the County Boardfrom Peach Orchard Township. He was alsochosen a member of the village Board of Trusteeson its organization, holding the position untilApril, 1892. The second year after Peach Orchardwas organized, he was chosen Assessor and servedone term. His life has been well and worthilyspent and his career has been a useful one. Hestarted out empty-handed, but liy industry, integrityand the exercise of good business judgment,has acquired a large property, and vvon a foremostplace among tlie successful and cnteiprising citizensof Ford County. His counsel and advice in businessand political matters is sought and respectedby his fellow-citizens, by whom he is held in highesteem.WjILLIAME. McMULLEN, a horticulturist,has been a resident of Gibson City since„ „ the spring of 1876, and of Illinois since1851. He was Jjorn in D;ide County, Mo., October15, 1842, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth(Janes) Mc^IuUen. His father was born inPendleton County, Va., on the 26th of May, 1816,and was descended from an old Virginia family ofScotch origin. When seven years of age, SamuelMcMuUen removed with his parents to Eaj'etteCounty, Ohio, where he w.as reared to agriculturalpursuits, and there was united in marriage to MissElizabeth Janes, a daughter of Edward Janes, asoldier of the War of 1812. Her brother Henrywas a pioneer of Wisconsin and was the founderof the city of Janesville, which bears his name.Mrs, McMuUen was born in Fayette County, Ohio,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 425In 18-il, Mr. McMullen leraoved with liis famil}^to Darle Count)', Mo., but returned to the oldhome iu Ohio seven j'ears later. From there theycame to Illinois in 1851, settling near Lexington,in MoLeau County, where the father of our subjectbought a farm, and there engaged in farmingand stock-raising successfully until age necessitatedhis retirement from active life, when he removedto Lexington, where he now resides. Hisestimable wife departed this life on the 3d ofAugust, 1887, beloved by all who knew her.William E. was reared to farm pursuits and receivedhis education in the district schools. Noevent of sjiecial importance occurred during hise.irly life until his enlistment with the boys inblue for the late war, on the 7th of August, 1862.He entered tlie service as a member of ComijanyE, Ninety-fourth Illinois Infantry, and serveduntil mustered out, .July 19, 1865, after the closeof the war. His regiment was in the ThirteenthArmy Corps and his principal field of service wason the frontier. They were first ordered to Missouri,and thence to Arkansas in the fall of thesame year. He participated in the battle of. PrairieGrove, Ark., December 7, 1862; took part inthe siege of Vicksburg from .June 11 until its surrenderJuly 4, 1863; and was next ordered toLouisiana, where he took part iu the skirmish atMorgan za Bend, after which he went to New Orleansand joinedGen. Banks' fleet on the expeditionto the mouth of the Rio Grande River, inTexas. In October of that year, they took possessionof Brownsville, in that State, and were ongarrison duty at that point until August, 1864,when tlie}^ returned to New Orleans and joinedthe siege of Ft. Morgan, Ala. From their camp atthat point they made a raid west of Mobile. InApril, 1865, he took part in the siege and captureof Spanish Fort and Mobile. After taking possessionof that cit3% the^' returned to Texas andwere stationed at Galveston until mustered out.On leaving the service, Mr. McMullen returned tohis home in McLean County and engaged infarming.On the 4th of July, 1866, our subject was married,in Bloomington, 111., to Miss Ada J. Trimmer,a daughter of Daniel and Mary A. (Stretch)Trimmer. Mrs. McMullen was born in McLeanCountj', where her people had settled in 1840.Her father was born near Trenton, N. J., and wasof French descent on his father's side, and of Germanon the mother's, her maiden name beingVan Dolah, and that of her mother was Lanterman.Mr. Trimmer was a stanch Republican inpolitics and a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln.He was accidentally shot and killed while on hisway to the polls to east his vote for the "IMartyrPresident" on the 6th of November, 1860. Theparents of Mrs. McMullen made their home inFa^'ette County, Ohio, previous to coming to II linois, and the mother still resides on the old homesteadin McLean Count}-.Nine children were born to Mr. and Jlrs. iVlc-Mullen, of whom six are living: Otho J., Eflie A.;Lnla, who died at the age of six'and one-half years;Stella; Orville, who died, aged two years and threemonths; Burtus A., Noah E.; Nellie O., who diedwhen one j'ear old; and Nettie A., who is theyoungest.In the fall of 1867, Mr. McMullen quit farmingand engaged in the grocery business in Towanda,111., but sold out in 1869, and resumed agriculturalpursuits in Cheney Grove. In 1875, heagain gave up farming and removed to Bloomington,where he spent one ^ear in a wholesalehouse, after which he came to Gibson City. Tliefirst year there he was employed in a grocerystore, then carried on a farm for three years, andfor the next two years was engaged in the dra}--ing business, after which he was appointed Postmasterunder President Arthur. He received hiscommission in February, 1883, and served for fouryears, since which time he has been engaged inmarket gardening and the growing of small fruits.He has a valuable tract of eight acres, lying almostcontiguous to the northern boundary of the city.In politics, Mr. McMullen is a radical Republicanand has served two terms on the GibsonCity Board, and has been Tax Collector for oneterm. He has proved a faithful and etticient publicofficer and has gained the respect of the entirecommunity. He belongs to the Grand Army ofthe Republic, holding membership with Lott PostNo. 70, of Gibson City. In their religious views,

426 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Mr. and Mrs. McMuUeii affiliate with the churchof the United Brethren in Christ. The recordshows Mr. McMullen to be a patriotic, enterprisingand reputable citizen. In the discharge ofoflicial duty, he was ever prompt, correct andobliging, and in liis business relations his integrityis above question, and his general coursehasbeen such as to command the respect and esteemof all who know him.-^1^'ji7 OCKHAKT B. FARRAR, M. U. No otliprI(^ physician has so long resided in Paxton as/*'—^^, the gentleman whose name lieads thissketch, and although he now forms no businessacquaintances, practically living a retired life, heyet lias a wide acquaintance throughout Ford andadjoining counties.In this communit}^, to say onedoes not know Di. Farrar is almost to argue oneselfunknown. He was born in the town of Langdon,Sullivan County, N. H., August 29, 1822, andcomes of an old English family that traces its ancestryback to the time of the Norman conquest.The date of its settlement in America is 1640.Isaac Farrar, the grandfather of our subject, wasborn in Massachusetts, August 10, 1719.George Farrar, father of the Doctor, was born inthe Baj' State in 176.5, there grew to manhood andacquired his education. He was twice married, hissecond union being with Abigail Graves, a nativeof Saybrook, Conn., born November 8, 1781. Herfather was a native of New England and a pioneerof New Hampshire. George Farrar died in February,1825, when the Doctor was a mere child, andhis wife passed away May 13, 1861.Our subject remained with his mother until alad of nine years, when he spent one >'ear in thehome of an uncle and then began farm work, whichhe followed for six years, attending school duringthe winter season. At the age of sixteen, he leftthe farm and became a student in some of thehigher schools and academies of his native-State,after which he engaged in teaching during thewinter seasons, while in the summer he furtherpursued his studies. At length he determined toengage in the practice of medicine and to this endtook a course of lectures at Woodstock, VI. Afterwardhe took a second course in the BerkshireMedical College, of Pittstield, Mass., from which hewas graduated in the fall of 1848. The Doctorfirst opened an office in Ilollis, N. H., where heprosecuted his chosen profession for three 3-ears,removing from there to Manchester, Mass., wherehe continued for a similar period.Dr. Farrar thentook a supplemental^ course of medical lecturesand hospital observations at New York and Philadelphiain the winter of 1854-55. The followingyear he came to Illinois, locating in IroquoisCount}-, where he bought land and improved andopened up a farm, following agriculturalpursuitsfor about two and a lialf years. He then abandonedfai-ming and in 1858 came to Paxton, thena village of about half a dozen residences and twostores. He resumed the practice of his professionand worked up an extensive business, extendingover a radius of from fifteen to twenty miles in alldirections. Once more he abandoned this work, in1869, in which year he went to Ann Arbor andfor two terms was a student in the law departmentof the State LTuiversity, from which he was graduatedin 1871. He then returned to Paxton, and tothe practice of law devoted his energies for threeyears, after which he once more resumed medicalpractice. In the meantime, he had made a studyof homeopathy and now combined its practicewith that of allopathy, being governed b^' hisjudgment concerning the case under consideration.Dr. Farrar has been three times married. Onthe 25th of April, 1849, in New Hampshire, hewedded Miss Frances Maria Graves, also a nativeof the Granite State and a daughter of Caleb P.and Rebecca Graves. She died in Paxton, November16, 1863, leaving a daughter, Ellen, whosedeath occurred at the .age of six years.On the 22d of June, 1864, -the Doctor led to themarriage altar Miss Ellen M. Kirkaldie, a nativeof Michigan, and her death occurred April 2, 1874.There was also one daughter born of this union,Ellen M., born March 30, 1874. She was leftmotherless when only tliree days old. She wasreared and educated in Paxton and on the 12th ofOctober, 1889, in her sixteenth year, became the

^0i-^^/xf-^aAA

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 429wife of George W. Crossman, of Garland, Tex. Shewas called to her final home April 28, 1891. Onthe 4th of Noveml)er, 1875, in Chicago, Dr. Farrarmarried Laura E. Stearns, a native of Vermont, anda lady of intelligence and culture. She is a graduateof the Hahnemann Medical College of Cliicago,of the Class of '72.The Doctor and his wife are niemljers of theCongregational Church and throughout this communityare held in high regard. The Doctor isnot now engaged in active practice but is livingretired. He owns some valuable land in and adjoiningthe city, and the property he acquiredin former years is sutHeient to keep him comfortablytluough his remaining days. He has alwaj'sbeen a great reader and has quite an extensivelibrary. Among the ))ioneers of the county, Dr.Farrar is numljered, and few have a wider acquaintanceand none are held in higher regard in thecommunity than the subject of this sketch."lYJOHN KARR, who is now living a retired lifein Paxton. is a native of the Buckeye State,but has long been a prominent citizen of_ Ford County. He was born in HarrisonCounty, Ohio, Ma}' 22, 1820, and is a son of RobertKarr, who was a native of W.ashington County,Pa. Tiie Karr family- is of Scotch extraction, butthe mother of our subject was of Irish descent. Hermaiden name was Mary Endsley, and she was bornin Pennsylvania. In the family were seven children,the eldest of whom is our subject; Isabella,the next younger, is the wife of .Jolin i\IcKinscy, aresident farmer of Michigan; Nancy is the widowof .lames McKinsey, a farmer of Summit County,Ohio; Andrew lives near the old homestead inOhio; Roliert follows agricultural pursuits in WallTownship, this count}-; Mary .1., who liecame thewife of John Duncan,, died in 18(')."); Matilda,the wife of Alonzo Bradley, resides in Michigan.The father of these children was called to his finalrest in 1881, but the mother passed away in 1840.They were both members of the United PresbyterianChurch and were highly respected people.After the death of his first wife, the father marriedMartha Young, by whom he had three children:Elizabeth A. is married and living in SummitCounty, Ohio; Martha H, wife of John Dougharty,of Coshocton County, Ohio; James A. is deceased.We now take up the personal history of oursubject, who received the educational advantagesafforded by the district schools of the neighborhood,and remained at home upon his father's farmuntil nineteen years of age, when he started out toearn his own livelihood. He began for himself bylearning the blacksmith's trade, and for manyyears followed that occupation. As a companionand helpmate on life's journey, he chose Miss MaryKlingelsraith, daughter ofPeter and Mary Klingelsmith,her father being of German descent. Theirunion was celebrated June 14, 1849, and untothem were born six children, as follows: Mitchel A.,who is now engaged in farming in Sioux County,Iowa; James C, who follows farming in SiouxCounty, Iowa; Robert A., a retired agriculturist ofPaxton; Alexander S., who is engaged in agriculturalpursuits in Sioux County, Iowa, and GeorgeWashington, also a retired farmer, who makes hishome in Paxton; Thomas M. died in infancy.After his marriage, Mr. Karr erected a blacksmithshop which he carried on in connection withgeneral farming, and in the county of his nativit}-he continued to make his home until the autumnof 1858, when he came West by te.am, making hisfirst location in Carrol County, near Camden, Ind.Mr. Karr there rented land and made his home forabout a year, after which he went to IroquoisCounty, 111., and resided upon a rented farm fortwo years. He then purchased one hundred andsixty acres of good farming land, but two yearslater sold out and came to Ford County. Againhe made a purchase of land, this time becoming theowner of two hundred and forty acres in ButtonTownship, to which he afterward added one hundredand sixty acres and carried on general farminguntil 1878, when lie rented his land and cameto Paxton.In 1876, Mr. Karr was called upon to mourn theloss of his wife, who died on the 12th of Marchand was laid to rest in (ilenn Cemetery, of Paxton.In June, 1877, he w.as again married, his second

430 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.union being witli Margaret Simmons.His marriagehas been blessed b}' one daugliter, Sadie E., who isstill with her parents. They have a pleasant homein Paxton and arc surrounded by many friendswho esteem them highly for their man}' excellenciesof cliaraeter.On his removal to the city. Mr. Karr opened agrocery store and engaged in business in that linefor two j'ears, after which he returned to his farm,m.aking it his home until 1888. In tiiat year, hepurchased propertj' in Paxton, again rented hisfarm and once more came to the city, where he isnow living a retired life, resting in the enjoymentof the fruits of former toil. In liis political atHliations,he is a Prohibitionist. He served his townshipas Commissioner of Highways for fourteenyears, a fact which indicates his faithfulness toduty and the trust reposed in him by his fellowtownsmen."With the United Presbyterian Churchhe and his wife hold membership, and in all publicinterests calculated to benefit the community hebears a share. He has been a resident of FordCounty for a third of a century and is recognizedas one of its most worthy citizens.'"• *SaARLF. CARLSON, who is engaged in generalfarming on section 18, Patton Town-'ship, was born in Sweden, on the 22d ofAugust, 1834, and in the usual manner of farmer'slads was reared to manhood. He also acquired afair education in his native tongue. After he hadarrived at man's estate, he was married, in June,1857, to Miss Louisa Nelson, who was born andreared in Sweden. The wedding tour of theyoung couple consisted of the voj'age to America,for they had determined to try their fortune in theNew World, of whose advantages and privilegesthey had heard much. They took passage on asailing-vessel at Hamburg, and after nine weeksand three days spent on the broad Atlantic, apleasant voyage was ended by their arrival in NewYork. They at once started "West by way of Albanj',going by rail to Buffalo, across the Lakes toDetroit and thence b}' rail to Chicago.Mr. and Mrs. Carlson made their first locationin Marshall Count}', where the}' had acquaintancesliving. This was the beginning of a new epochin their lives. They both began working for anAmerican farmer, and after a year, Mr. Carlson, incompany with others, went to Kansas, took a claimin Butler County, and built a log house, andthere remained for a few weeks. He then returnedto his wife and was again employed by the farmerbefore mentioned, clearing and developing land,while the wife did the work of a domestic. Thustwo years passed, during w.hicli time Mr. Carlsonpurchased a team and Ihe iniiilements necessary forfarming. He then rented land in Putnam County,but afterwards returned to Mai'shall County, wherehe continued to operate a rented farm until 1863.In that year he came to Ford County and bought atract of railroad land of eiglity acres, the greaterpart of which was in its primitive condition, butbe at once began breaking, fenced it and built asmall liut comfortable home. After he had succeededin paying for this farm, he made a purchaseof one hundred and sixty acres, a half mile west,and since that time has also bought one hundredand eighty-seven acres adjoining his home farm."We can see from this that Mr. Carlson has prospered.There were many hardships to be borne,many ditliculties to be overcome, but helalioredonuntiringly and the success which is the reward ofpersistent effort at length came to him. lie nowowns four hundred and twenty-seven acres of valuableland, well improved. The little home haslong since been replaced by a commodious andsubstantial residence; good barns and other outbuildingshave been erected, and over |i2,00() worthof tiling has been put on the place. He also ownsresidence property in Elliott.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carlson have been born sixchildren, who are yet living: August, who is nowmarried and operates one of his father's farms:Betsy, wife of AVilliam AVestland, a residentfarmer of this county; Amanda, wife of AlbertFroid, a farmer of this county; Frank, who is marriedand follows agricultural pursuits in PattonTownship; Albert and Lynda at home. They alsolost four children: Mary S., who died at the ageof fourteen years; Ida, who died at the age of

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 431twelve years; Albert, whose death occurred at theage of ten, dying of smallpox in March, 1874, andLudwick, who was drowned in the creek near hishome in 1888, at the age of eighteen years.Mr. and Mrs. Carlson are members of the LutheranChurch, and, in i)olitics, he is independent,voting for the man whom he thinks best qualifiedto fill the office, regardless of party affiliations.He has helped to make Ford County what it is today,and his enterprising and progressive si)irithas made him one of its valued citizens. His lifemay well serve to encourage others who, like himself,have to begin empty-handed, depending onlyon their own exertions. He may truly be calleda self made man, for his success is due entirely tohis own efforts, and he is now one of the wealthymen of the communit}'. In his intercourse withhis fellow-men, he has ever been straightforwardaud honoralile, thus winning the confidence of all.^I^€- -eV-RUMAN D. SPALDING, of the firm ofijj^N Eggleston & Spalding, dealers in lumber,"grain and coal of Gibson City, is a nativeof the Empire State. He was born in Lcwiston,Niagara Count}', on the l;jth of Jlarch, 1839, andis a son of Sterne and Caroline (Dewey) Spaldii.g.The parents were also natives of New York, in whichState they were reared and married and there resideduntil the spring of 1858, when they removedto Steuben County, Ind. It was in March, 1860,that they left their home in that county and becameresidents of Palmyra, Lenawee County,Mich., where the father died in 1871. The motherstill survives. She came to (Tibson in 1873, andresides with her sou, Truman D., at the advancedage of eighty-three years.The subject of this sketch was a man of nineteenyears when he left his native State andwith his parents went to Indiana, where he taughtschool. He also accompanied tiiem on their removalto Michigan. His education was acquiredin the High School and at the Commercial College,of Buffalo, N. Y. In 1862, he went to Chicago,where he secured a position with a lumber firm, audwas thus employed as shipping clerk, foreman andsalesman until March, 1871, when he came to Gibson,then a railwaj' station only just establishedand with onlj- five houses in the place. After satisfyinghimself that this was a favorable locationfor a lumber-yard, he returned to Chicago and onthe 1st of April following came to Gibson as apermanent settler, opening a lumber-yard in thisplace. He hauled his lumber from Paxton duringthe following summer, for the railroad was notcompleted until the succeeding September. Thefirst car unloaded at Gibson was freighted by Mr.Spalding on tlie Illinois Central Railroad and containedhis household goods and some lumber.was unloaded on the 4th of September, 1871.The firm of which Jlr. Spalding was a memberwas composed of the following named gentlemen:Truman D. Spalding, \V. H. Simms and E. H. Eldridge,and the firm was styled Spalding, Simms &Co. After two years, Mr. Simms bought out Mr.Eldridge's interest and the firm name was changedto Simms & Spalding, under which title business'was continued until August, 1878, when Mr.Spalding purchased his partner'sItinterest and wasalone in business until 1880, when George S.Eggleston bought an interest and the existingfirm of Eggleston & Spalding was organized.These gentlemen are extensively engaged in themanufacture of drain tile, which industiy they establishedin Gibson in 1880. They are also buyingand shipping gniin at otherstations than Gibson,including Guthrie and Ilarpster on the IllinoisCentral, and at Garber and Proctor on theWabash Kailroad, having elevators at Guthrie,Garber and Gibson; they also continue to handlelumber and other building material.On the 19th of April, 1868, Mr. Spalding wasmarried in Fremont, Ind., the lady of his choicebeing Miss Wealthy R. Dewey, a native of Monroe,Ohio, and a daughter of Truman C. Dewey.Their union has been blessed with two sons: HarryL. and Fred M. The last-named is a student inthe civil engineering class of the University ofIllinois in Chaiui)aign.Mr. Spalding exercises his right of franchise insupport of the Hepublicau party, l)eing a BlaineRepublican, and is the present Mayor, being elected

432 POUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.-011 the anti-license ticket in 1891 and again in1892; he also was the first to hold that olfice on theorganization of the town in 1872. Socially, he isa member of the Royal Templars of Temperance,of Gibson City Council, No. 32, and has been Secretaryand Treasurer of that body. He is recognizedas one of the most prominent and enterprisingbusiness men of Gibson City, and has alwaysborne a conspicuous part in aiding all worthy publicenterprises that are calculated to improve anddevelop tlie city and county. His course has everbeen that of an upright business man, whose integrityand good name liave been abovereproach.In the spring of 1873, the Gibson District FairAssociation was organized, with Dr. J. E. Davis,President; J. H. Collier, Treasurer; and T. D. Spalding,Secretary, which office he held for two years.He was then elected Treasurer for the next year andtiie following year General Superintendent. In1880, he was appointed Township School Treasurer,which office he has held continuously since.In January, 1881, at a meeting of the State Tilemakers'Association, held at Springfield, 111., hewas elected Secretary of the association, and reelectedagain in 1882 and 1883 and in 1890 waselected President of the association. He was oneof the first in the township to advocate the makingof gravel roads and it was through his efforts tiiattiie first appropriation of $300 was made for makinga trial piece of road, in 1883, of one-half mile.So great was the success of the piece, that the townshipnow has about fifteen miles of good gravelroad.ylLLIAM POWELL, the only merchant inGibson City that carries on an exclusivel}'boot and shoe store, is a native of KosciuskoCounty, Ind., born November 14, 1841.His grandfather, Philip Powell, was one of thefirst settlers of Indiana, to which State he emigratedfrom Kentucky. The fatlier of our subject, whoalso bore the name of William Powell, was a nativeof Kentucky and bj^ occupation was a farmer. Onreaching manliood he returned to Kentucky andthere married Miss Sarah Kelso, who was a nativeof that State. Returning to Indiana, they madethat their home until the death of the wife andmother, soon after which Mr. Powell removed toDarke County, Ohio, where he was engaged in thestock business. In 1856, he came to McLean County,111., and later went to Clarke County, Iowa, butcame again to the former county, passing his lastdays there with our subject.William Powell, Jr., was only six years of agewhen his mother died, and some two j^ears laterwent to live with an uncle in Fayette County,Ohio, where he made his home for some time,working on the farm and attending the districtscliools of the neighborhood. In 1856, he accompaniedhis father to Illinois and also went on withhim to Iowa. When the gold excitement at Pike'sPeak ran high in 1860, he journeyed thither, butafter mining a short time he returned the sameyear to Iowa and afterward located in McLeanCounty, this State.On the 4th of October, 1864, !\Ir. Powell wasunited in marriage witli Miss Elizaljeth E. Bunn,adaugliter of John and Mary A. (Wilej') Bunn. Mr.Bunn was born in Bucks County, Pa., and his wifewas a native of Switzerland County, Ind. Botliwere earlj- settlers of McLean County, 111., wheretheir marriage was celebrated. On their arrival inthat county, tlie country was almost an unbrokenprairie and game of all kinds was ver}' plentiful.Mr. Bunn has the distinction of having hauled fromChicago the lumber to Iniild the first schoolhouseand the first church in Martin Township, McLeanCounty. He was a farmer b}' occupation and aman of sterling worth. He passed away at the ageof fifty-six, and his estimable wife was fifty-fouryears of age at the time of her death. Mrs. Powellis the oldest of their ten children, two sons andeight daughters, and is a native of McLean County,born on the 19th of August, 1844.Soon after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Powell,they located in Martin Township of her nativecounty, purchasing one hundred and sixt}- acres ofland, mostly on credit, and devoted their unitedefforts to its payment and improvement.Assistedby his estimable wife, our subject became one ofthe sul)stantial farmers of tlie community, wherehe was widely and favorablj- known. In 1886, he

PORTRAIT AND BICGRAPIIJCAL RECORD. 435removed to Gibson Cit3' and engaged in the bootand shoe trade, carrjing a full and complete lineof the latest styles. Notwithstanding strong opposition,lie has built up a good trade and is one ofthe successful merchants of the place.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Powell were born eiglit children,of whom five are still living, as follows:Lucius M., Lydia E., Wiley K., Shelby C. andBertie E. Mr. Powell is an active worker in theChristian Church and his wife a Methodist in religionsbelief.' In political sentiment, he is an uncompromisingProhibitionist and while in JIcLeauCounty- held a number of otticial positions, includingthat of Collector, School Director and others.Not a little credit is due our subject and his worthywife, for, beginning life in limited circumstances,they have by their own efforts accumulated a valuableproperty to leave to their children; but betterthan all they will leave them the priceless heritageof a good example. The}- stand high in socialcircles and have manv friends in this communily.-^^^SCAR HENRY DAMON, a retired merchantof Gibson City, is a native of the old ( Jranite^^^ State. He was born in Hanover, N. II., May24, 1835, and is a son of Ebenezer and Chloe A.(Lawrence) Damon. The founder of the fan;ilyin the United States was Deacon .lolin Damon, wlu)emigrated from Reading, England, to Reading,Mass., about the middle of the seventeenth century.His son Samuel emigrated to Dedhain, Mass., and inthe line of descent w.as followed b_v Samuel, Ebenezerand Ik'ujamin. The last-named married AnnaPratt and removed to Ashby, jM.ass. Their son,Benjamin, wedded Eannie .lasef and afterwardbecame a resident of Kirby, Xi.The father of our subject was born in Ashby,Mass., November 4, 180C, .and wedded Chloe A.Lawrence, in Lyndon, Vt., November 5, 1832. .Shewas born in Kirb3', that State, March 1, 1812, anddescended from John Lawrence, of Asliton Hall,isin Derliy, England, and ^Nlary Townle3', of TownleyHall, ^Manchester County.This young cou|)leeloped, came to the United States about 1712, andare said to have located in Massachusetts. Largeestates were left by both families, and rightfullybelong to their heirs, but as the young couple didnot keep up correspondence with their relatives inEngland, it is now dillicult to prove who are therightful heirs.The father of our suliject in early life engagedin merchandising and subsequently traveled forthe Fairbanks' Scale Co)npany, of St. .Johnsbury,Vt. Going to Lawrence. JNIass., he there residedfor some six years and aided in the constructionof the Pacific Woolen .ind Cotton Mills. In 1856, heemigrated to Adams County, Wis., .and some fouryears later to La Salle County, 111., where he diedin 1871. The death of his wife occurred in 1890,at the home of our subject. In their family weresix children, four sons and two daughters: Dr. O.B. Damon, who was acting Assistant Surgeon inthe navy for four years during the late war, is nowa practicing physician of Chicago; Albert O., whowent out as a private of Battery K, Second IllinoisLight Artillery, was detailed as Post Ordnance Sergeantat Columbus, Ky., and later promoted to Adjutantof the Fourth Heavy Artillery, UnitedStates Colored Troops, is in business at Olympia,Wash.Oscar II. Damon is the second child of the familyin order of birth. He received a common-schooleducation and when twenty years of age beganlife for himself. He visited AVisconsin and Iowa,after which he returned to the East, and in 1859joined his brother in a mercantile business in Rutland,111. To the interests of his store he devotedhis attention until the 15th of October, 1861, whenhe laid .aside all business cares and, respondingto the country's call for troops, enlisted inBattery K, Second Illinois Light Artillery. Amonth longer and he would have served threeyears, when he was discharged, September 14, 1864,at Natchez, ISIiss., on account of ill health.Returning to La S.alle County, Mr. Damon againengaged in merchandising in Rutland, and was appointedP(jstmasterat that place. In 1866, he wentto Canada and embarked in the drug business atCoaticook, (Quebec, where he continued operationsfor nine years, when he was forced to sell out onaccount of ill health. After spending two years

436. PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.on tlie Pacific Slope he went to Chicago, where heremained until 1878.That year witnessed his arrivalin Gibson City, where he came to look afterand improve his lands.On the 19th of May, 186G, Blr. Damon was unitedin marriage to Mrs. Margaret A. Lott, widowof J. B. Lott. Mr. Damon is an Elder of the PresbyterianChurch, and Superintendent of the Sundayschool.His wife belongs to the Christian Church,of which she is a Trustee, and teacher in the Sunday-school,and takes an active part in benevolentand charitable works. In politics, Mr. Damonis a stanch Republican, and has served as TownClerk and as a member and Presidentof the VillageBoard. He is Secretary of the Count3' SundayschoolAssociation, and is an active worker in LottPost, No. 70, G. A. R., of Gibson City, havingserved two terms as Post Commander and beingnow Post Adjutant. Bj' his own efforts, he hasmade a competence, and by his upright life andsterling worth has won the highest regard of allwith whom he has come in contact.His duties ofcitizenship have ever been faithfully performedand he has lieen true to every trust reposed inhim.—!-"^^SSSị>-^^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 437in the prosecution of his profession, to which hedevotes his entire time and attention with mostexcellent results.In Paxton, in March, 1869, tlie Doctor led tothe marriage altar Miss Anna George, a native ofOhio, and unto them were born two sons: Vernon,an art student in Chicago; and liryson, wlio is employedin the Mattinson & Wilson 15ank,of GihsonCity. The mother, who was a member of thePresbyterian Church, died in August, 1872. InOctober, 1878, the Doctor wedded Sarali E. McKeever, and they have three children : Ethel M.,Elizabeth W. and Charles E.Tlie parents are botliactive workers in the Presbyterian Cliurch, ofwhich Dr. Strauss is an Elder.Politically, he is a Republican, and is a memberof Lott Post No. 70, G. A. R., of which he is Surgeon;also belongs to the Central Illinois MedicalSociety. For fourteen years lie has lieen in activepractice, and is accounted one of tlie leading jihysieiansandsurgeons of the county.eHRlSTOPHER ANDERSON, one of themost prominent citizens of Roberts, engagedin the banking liusiness, is a nativeof Scotland. He was born in Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire,Scotland, April28, 1842, and was the sixthin a famil}' of seven children, four of whom areyet living, namely: Mary, wife of AlexanderSmart, late of Rutherglen, Scotland; .lames, whoresides near Glasgow, Scotland; Christopher, ofthis sketch; .Teanie, wife of George Campbell, abanker of Piper City. The father, Adam (Goodlet)Anderson, was born December 14, 1801), receiveda liberal education and was a mining engineerby profession. He married Martha Hamilton,daughter of Capt. James Hamilton, who was a volunteerin the British army. Mr. Anderson diedOctober 15, 1886, and his wife passed aw.iy in 1858.Our subject spent the first six years of his life inhis native county and then went to Morrison'sHaven, his father being the manager of coal minesbelonging to Sir George Grant Suttie. Cliristopheracquired his education in the Musselburggrammar school, and at the age of fourteen beganserving an apprenticeship in the Audit Accountant'soffice of the Edinburgh & Glasgow RailroadCompany at Glasgow, where he remained for five3'ears. He then joined his fatlier in the coal interests,going to Dumliartcmsliire, where he remaineduntil his emigration tt> America. He sailed fromGlasgow on the 4th of -July, 1866, for Montreal,where he arrived after a voyage of fourteen days,and then went to Ciiicago, and thence to INIarshallCounty, 111., where he spent the autumn with anuncle. During that time, he purchased one liundredand sixty acres of land in Lyman Township,Ford County, and in 1872 entered into partnershipin general merchandising with ,1. A. MonteliusandGeorge Campbell, in Roberts, 111. There wereonly four stores in the village at that time andabout eight residences. Mr. Anderson continuedto engage in general merchandising until 1881,when he purchased the banking business of J. B.Meserve & Co., and has been actively engaged ingeneral banking since that time. While a merchant,he also dealt extensively in grain. In 1883, heestablished the Roberts brick and tile factory,which was totally destroyed by fire in February,1855. The following spring, in company- with JohnKenward, he rebuilt the factory and tile works,and their stock is now worth 110,000. They aredoing an excellent business, which is constantlyincreasing.Mr. Anderson does a general bankingbusiness, both foreign and local, and is Presidentof the Roberts Exchange Bank, of which liis daughter,Miss Maggie, is the efficient cashier, havingserved in that position since 1886.Mr. Anderson led to the marri.age altar MissJlarj^ Goodlet Martin, who was Ijorn in PeoriaCounty, September 21, 1851. Tlieir union wascelebrated October 12, 1869, and unto them havebeen born one son and nine daughters: Maggie,cashier in her father's bank; Martha, who attendedthe Rice Collegiate Institute and is now pursuinga classical course of study at Ferry Hall, LakeForest, 111.; Georgie, wlio is visiting and studyingat Helensburgh, Scotland; Jlary, Bethia, Jeanie,Anne, Marian, Flora and Adam. Mrs. Andersonwas born in Peoria County and was reared in MarshallCount}', 111. Her father, John Martin, was a

438 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.native of Dumfriesshire, and a stonemason bytrade. He died December 9, 1887, in his seventythirdyear. His wife, who bore the maiden nameof Margaret Anderson, died April 22, 1880, in hersixty-ninth year.Mr. Anderson was a volunteer in tiie NineteenthLanarkshire Killenien and afterward joined the4 A Battalion, Lanarkshire Kegiineut, by which hewas presented with a medal for his excellent .skill asa marksman. This medal reads as follows:Presented byMajor Hozier1862."Won byColor Sergeant Christopher AndersonNinety-fifth Company4 A BattalionL. R. V.In iiolitics, Mr. Anderson is a Democrat andcast his first Presidential vote for Horace Greeley.He has taken quite a prominent part in politicalaffairs and has been a member of the School Boardfor many years. He served as Justice of the Peacefor fifteen years and is holding the office at thepresent time. He and his wife are members of thePresbyterian Chui'ch and are classed among theprominent and influential citizens of this community-.They have a beautiful home, situated at thecorner of Maple and Green Streets.Both in businessand social circles, Mr. Anderson ranks high.He is sagacious and far sighted and his success inlife is due entirely to his own efforts.ENJAJnN F. MASON, a well-known citizenof Paxton, claims New York as theStrife of his nativity, but for a quarter of acentury has made his home in Paxton.Oswego County was the place of his birth and thedate June 15, 1832. His parents, Benjamin F. andPolly (Porter) Mason, were natives, respectively,of New Hampshire and New York and were ofEnglish descent. They had a family of sevenchildren, as follows: Phwbe, wife of Joseph Myers,a farmer residing in Oswego County, if. Y.; Betsy,wife of George Raymond, also a farmer of thatcounty; Loraine, wife of J. Daniel Gardner, anagriculturist of the Empire State; Emily, deceased;Granville, who died in 1879; and Ashbel, whodied in 1854. The father of this family- wascalled to his final rest in 1878. having long survivedhis wife, who passed away in 1833.As our subject was only nine months old whenhis mother died, he was taken to the home of anuncle, where he remained for some j-ears. He attendedthe district schools of the neighborhoodand acquired a good business education. He beganlife for himself when quite young, working asa farm hand, and was also employed in a sawmilland shingle-mill, or at other pursuits, whereby hemight earn an honest dollar and thus provide forhis own maintenance. At the age of nineteen, hebegan serving an apprenticeship to the blacksmithtrade in Pulaski, N. Y., and was thus emplo^-eduntil the breaking out of the late war.In the meantime, on the 5th of October, 1851,Mr. Mason was united in marriage with Miss ElizaJ., daughter of William and Fannie A'anderiioff.When tiie war broke out, he left his h(mie and family,enlisting at the first call lor troops. He hadwatched with interest the progress of events, andresolved that if the South attempted secession hewould strike a blow for the preservation of theUnion, so, in April, 1861, he became a member ofCompany G, Twenty-fourth New York Infantry.His fiist active service was at the second battle ofBull Run, and he participated in many other engagementsuntil discharged from the service onthe 29th of May, 1863, when he returned to hisnative State. The following October he again enlistedas a private of Company G, Twenty-fourthNew York Cavalry, but was soon promoted to beQuartermaster-Sergeant of his regiment, andserved as such until the close of the war, when hewas honorably discharged on the 26th of June,1865.Mr. Mason immediately thereafter returned tohis old home in New York and engaged in blacksmithing,continuing business there until thespring of 1869, when he came to Paxton. Herehe opened a smithy, and continued business in theline of his trade until the autumn of 1885, whenhe was elected Sheriff of Ford County on the Re-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 441publican ticket, liolding the oltice for four years.He was also one of tlie first Board of Aldernu-n inthe city of Paxton, and in both positions provedliiinsolf a capable official, wortliy of the confidenceand trust re|)osed in liiiii. Socially, lie is a memberof the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows' societyand the (Irand Army Post ofPaxton, and, |)olitically,is a stalwait Ke])ulilican, adhering closely tothe principles of that i)arty.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mason were hmn nine rhildren,but they have lost six of the number. Theliving are Mary F., Nora B. and Ilarr^- W. Theeldest is now the wife of David McCracken, abreeder of fine horses and cattle in Patton Township.The family is widely and favorably knownthroughout tliis community and well deserving ofrepresentation in this volume. Mr. Mason w.as afaithful soldier during the late war and is a valuedcitizen, respected by all who know him.^4^^ AVEN ANDERSON, a dealer in^^^ coal,of Sibley, was born near Lund, SwevL^m)z^lumber and'^'^"' ^" ''''^ ''^'' "^^ January, 1844, and is ason of Andrew and Carrie (Lnnquist) Anderson,both natives of Sweden. In the familywerefour children, our subject being the eldest:Hannah is now the wife of Charlie Hosine; PeterC. is an agriculturist of Noble Couuty, Minn., andLewis is also a farmer of that county.Mr. Anderson, wiiose name lieads this record,acquired a common-school education in his nativeland and attended High School one term. lie wasreared in the usual manner of farmer lads andfollowed agricultural pursuits until he came toAmerica. When twent}' years of age, he determinedto try his fortune in this country. lie crossedthe Atlantic from Liverpool, England, to NewYork City in the sailing-vessel, "North America,"landing on the 4th of July, 1864, with only ^S inhis pocket. The first man he met was a recruitingofficer who offered him $300 to enlist, but he refusedand came on to Chami)aign County, 111. Thefirst letter he received from iiis parents in the oldcountry cost bim 12.02. He remained in ChampaignCounty until the year 18(58, when he came to FordCounty and began working upon the Sullivaiit estateby the month. He was thus employed until1876, and during the last six years of that time heldthe position of foreman. The forty thousand acresof the Siillivant estate were then almost unimproved,and he aided in la.ying out tlie section linesand the highways of SuUivant Township. At thattime there was not a house in Sibley. In 1876,Jlr. Anderson rented land and engaged in farmingfor himself for a i)eriod of six years, after which hewent to Sibley and opened a lumber yard and coaloffice. He is still engaged in that line of trade,and is doing an excellent business. His annualsales amount to $10,000, and of his success he maywell be proud, for it is all due to his own efforts.In addition to the business already mentioned, heagent for the Equitable Trust Company of NewisLondon, Conn., and also agent for a number ofthe substantial insurance companies, and has donequite a large volume of business in this line.On the 25th of December, 1874, Mr. Andersonwas united in marriage to Jliss Lottie, daughterof August and Mary Swanson. Their union hasbeen blessed with four children who are yet living:Carry, Albert, George and James. They havealso lost three: Albert, Sophia and Oscar. Theparents are both members of the Swedish LutheranChurch, and have done much for its upbuildingand growth.Mr. Anderson was one of the foundersof the church in Sibley. In the summer of1889, he commenced the project of erecting ahouse of worslii|), which was com|)leted in 1891.Through the unflagging zeal and efforts of oursubject, a beautiful church worth $2,000 was completed.He has held the offices of Deacon and Secretary.Mr. Anderson holds membership with the Masonicfraternity, and was Secretary of Sibley LodgeNo. 761, A. F. & A. M. for about five terms, and atthis writing is Worsliipful Master. He cast hisfirst Presidential vote for Gen. U. S. Grant. liehas since been a supporter of Republican principlesand has been honored with various offices of publictrust. He held the olfice of Justice of the Peacefor sixteen consecutive years, was Assessor for four}-ears, served as Collector for five years, filled the

442 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.position of Township Clerk for a term of two years,was one of the Directors of the public schools ofSible3- for nine years, and for seven 3"ears has beenNotary Public and is still holding that office. Thathe has faithfully performed the duties of these variouspositions is well indicated by his long continuedservice in each office. He is recognized asa valued citizen of the community, and is a pulilicspiritedand progressive man who does all in hispower for the ui)building of the county and topromote the general welfare."if AME8 F. SMITH has been a resident ofLyman Townshi|> longer tlian an}' other ofIits present citizens. He was born in Canada,near tlie city of Prescott, April 15,1821. and was the second in a familv of threesons and one daughter, three of whom are jetliviiio. Tlie parents were Peter and Electa (Barton)Smith. The father was a Scotch Highlander,born in Inverness-shire. He followed farmingthroughout his entire life and died at the age ofeighty-three years. Emigrating to America, helanded at Nova Scotia and thence went to Canada,where he spent the remainder of his days.He was a member of the Piesbjtcrian Church andwas highly regarded by all. His wife has alsobeen called to her final rest. The surviving meml)ersof their familj- are: James, of tliis sketch;Alexander, who is married and follows farmingin the village of Kem|)tville, Canada; and Mary,wife of William Fraser, a Scotchman l)y birth,now engaged in farming.Our subject acquired his early education in thecommon schools, being under tlie instruction ofAVilliam Bower f(u- twelve years. Tlie three R"sconstituted the curriculum of study in those days,but they were well drilled in those branches,especiallj' in mathematics. When ^Ir. Smith leftschool he had a good education in the commonbranches. On the 8th of November, 1849, he ledto the marriage altar Miss Eliza McKelvej-, a nativeof St. Lawrence Count}', N. Y., and a daughterof William and Jane (Carson) McKelvey. Herfather was a native of Ireland, and, on emigratingto America, located in Southern Illinois,where he followed farming for about thirty-sevenyears, until his death, which occurred in the sixtyseventh\earof his age. Both he and his wife weremembers of the Reformed Presbj'terian Church.Mrs. Smith was educated in the common schools,and for about seven terms engaged in teaching inNew York, having to "lioard 'round" among thescholars of the district.Seven children were born unto our sulijeet andhis wife. The eldest, the Rev. William A. Smith,was educated at Wabash College, of Crawfordsville,Ind., and at Lane's Theological Seminaiy.He married Miss Lula Keats, a native of Missouri,and is the pastor of the Presliyterian Church ofSavanuah, that State. He has traveled throughtlie Holy Land, visiting many of the scenes ofBible history, and in his journeyings also went to]\It. Vesuvius, Pompeii, Glasgow, Rome, Paris,London and Naples. After his return, he compileda work, entitled, "From Occident to Orient,"which he dedicated to his mother in the followingwords: "To the mother whose tender care andprayerful interest have ever followed me throughchildhood's little griefs, the temptations of youngmanhood, tiie joj's and sorrows of more matureyears and the perils of travel in foreign lands; aswell as to the multitude of personal friends withwhom we have been more or less associated iutimes past, is this little volume affectionatelyinscribed by the author." The Rev. Mr. Smith is ascholar of [)rofouiid thought, and has the highest regardof his people and the esteem and confidence ofallwho know him. The next child, Jane, is the wifeof A. T. Light, an agriculturist. John P., who waseducated iu the common schools and at the ValparaisoSchool of Telegraphy and Book-keeiiing, actedas Station Agent at Cornlaud, on the Illinois CentralRailroad, for nearly eight years, Init is nowan enterprising l)usiness man of Roberts, 111.,dealing in grain, coai and farm implements. Hemarried Miss Sadie Day, a native of Illinois.Mary, wife of Ransom ISIontague, is a teacher ofabilit)' and her husband is a farmer of North Dakota.Margaret, who obtained a teacher's certificateat the age of fifteen and successfullv followed

PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 443that profession in Forrl County, is now tlie wifeof William Curry, in Patton Township. David,wlio is engaged in the manufacture of dry-pressedbrit'k in Brunswick, Mo., married Miss AliceSwanick; who died recently. James R. is associatedin business with his brother in Brunswick,Mo., as president of the Urunswick Hrick and TileCompany.Not long after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs.Smith determined to try their fortime in theWest and went to Southern Illinois, but after tendays spent in au uninviting region they concludedto go back to Canada and located atQueen's Bush, where Mr. Smith engaged in mereliandising.Tliat venture, however, proved afailure for ho was unable to make collections. Onthe 2d of May, 1859, he went to Onarga, 111., andthence came to Lyman Township, where he madea claim of half a section of land. After sixmonths, his wife joined him with their five littlechildren. There were nian\- hardships and privationsto be borne. Prairie fires were a source ofterror to the early settlers and the home andpremises were always plowed around to keep theflames from crossing to their land. On one occasion,Mr. Smith was in the dooryard when apack of prairie wolves came rushing upon him.He ran into the house, shut the door and, goingupstairs, opened the window and fired upon theanimals, but failed to drive them away. In themorning he found that the wolves had brokeninto his hen house and destroyed all of hischickens but two. Deer were plentiful, and onone occasion he saw a drove of twenty-seven.Many of the towns and villages had not sprunginto existence. The first school, called the MarsdenSchool, was located on section 2, and its patronscame from the whole township.The cold winter of 1862-63 is never to be forgotten.On the last day of 1862, Mr. Smith wentto school for his son, taking buffalo robes andshawls to protect him, but a terrible blizzardcame on, and it was almost impossible to keepfrom freezing. Many did lose tlieir lives on thatmemorable night. In politics, Mr. Smith has beena stalwart Republican since he cast his first Presidentialvote for Abraham Lincoln. For fifteenyears he served as School Director, and the causeof education has ever found in him a warm friend.He and his wife are members of the PresliyterianChurch and are kindly, l)enevolent people, fromwhose door the [loor are never turned emptyhanded.Their U[)right lives have won them thelove of all, and none are held in higher esteemthan these honored pioneers. They are now livingretired in Roberts, where they have a nicehome, and are also the owners of one hundred andsixty acres of land in Lyman Township.-^^WAN I. HOLMQUEST, a carpenter andjoiner of Paxton, whose residence in FordCounty covers the long period of twentynineyears, is a self-made man who, b3'his own efforts, has worked hisw.ay upward froma humble position to one of prominence. A nativeof Sweden, he was born on the 1st of May,1830, and is a son of Swan .Tohnson, who spenthis entire life in that countiy.Our subject had but limited school privileges,his education having been mostly acquired sincehe has attained to mature years. He learned thetrade of a carpenter and builder in his native land,serving three years as an api)rentice and workingfour years at his trade ere he emigrated to America.He was also married in his native land, inApril, 1854, and soon afterward brought his youngbride to this country. They boarded a vessel atGottenburg, and at Liverpool took passage on aWestern-bound sailing-vessel, which at lengthdropped anchor in the harbor of New York, onthe 10th of August, after seven long weeks spentupon the bosom of the Atlantic, during whichthey encountered some severe weather. Mr. Holmquestmade his first location at Hempstead, L. I.,where he worked on a farm for a few monthsand then engaged in carpentering.About a year later, in August, 1855, our subjectremoved to Chicago and followed his tradein the employ of the Rock Island IJailroad Company,working at bridge construction and thebuilding of depots for about four years. He then

444 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.engaged with a bridge constructingcompany andwas sent Soutli, worliing in Alabama and Mississippifor about two years, after which he returnedto his home and family in Chicago and resumedcarpenter work, following the same in tiiat city fora period of three years. In December, 1863, Mr.Holmquest came to Paxton, where he worked athis trade for two years, and in 1866 removed to afarm which lie had purcliased ere becoming aresident of Ford Count3'. He greatl}' improvedhis land, residing tiiereon for two yeais, when hesold out, going to Champaign County, where hepurchased another farm. After continuing itscultivation for two years, he rented his land andreturned to Paxton, where he resumed carpenterwork, which he followed until the autumn of1869.In that year, J\lr. Holmquest, accompanied byhis wife, returned to their native land, and spentmany happy hours in visiting the scenes of theirjouth and renewing old acquaintances. They remainedin Sweden for about a 3'ear, and in thefall of 1870 again came to their adopted countrj',where Mr. Holmquest resumed agriculturalpursuits on his farm in Champaign County.Afterthree years he again rented his land, came with hisfamily to Paxton and embarked in carpenter workin this city, where he has resided most of the timesince. He has sold his farm in Champaign Countyand purchased land in Ford County, near Paxton,which he still owns—a valuable and well-improvedfarm. He has built for himself some eight residencesin this cit}', most all of which he has sincesold.In politics, Mr. Holmquest is a Democrat. Hecast his first Presidential vote for the Hon. StephenA.Douglas, then supported Abraham Lincoln, but,since the war, has renewed his allegiance to theDemocratic party and supported its men andmeasures. He has held several local offices ofhonor and trust, was elected and servedsix 3-earsas Township Commissioner, and for j-ears hasbeen a member of the School Board. The causeof education and other worthy interests have alwaysreceived his hearty co-operation and support.He and his wife and family are members ofthe Swedish Mission Lutheran Church, of whichhe was one of the original members. The successwhich has crowned the efforts of Mr. Holm-(juest has been but the just reward of his labors,for he has striven long and earnestl3' for success.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holmquest were born fivechildren: Thomas Heniy, who acquired a goodeducation and now occupies a responsible positionwith the McCormick Manufacturing Company,of Chicago; Charles G., who is working atthe tinner's trade in Chicago; and Elleh Christina,a j'ouug lad^- at home. The sons are bothmarried and have families. Two children died ininfancy."iri OHN SKOG is one of the extensive landownersof Patton Township. He resideson section 18, and his landed possessionsairoregate some four hundred acres.Therehe has made his home since March, 1871, or for aperiod of twentj'-one j'cars. A native of Sweden,he was born on the 18th of May, 1832, and grewto manhood in that country. lie had but limitedschool privileges and the days of his boyhoodand youth were spent in the usual manner of farmerlad.".In 1865, he bade good-b3'c to his old home, and,with the determination of trying his fortune inthe New World, sailed for America. He took passageon a vessel at Gutenberg, and in the latterpart of June arrived in New York. Among hisfellow-passengers on that V03'age wag a 3'oung lad3-,Miss Clara Pearson, also a native of Sweden, andin the month of December following their arrivalthey were united in marriage, in Menard County,III.In that count3f, Mr. Skog was emplo3-ed as afarm iiand for about seven months and then rentedland for two years. In 1870, he came to FordCounty and purchased a farm in Patton Township,upon which he located in March, 1871. It thencomprised only eighty acres and was but slightl3^improved. He at once began its cultivation, alsorented other land, and in partnership with hisbrother-in-law, Gus Pearson, bought and fannedanother tract. He is now the owner of four hun-

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./^^ /0^0X^1'G^^UOzo^.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 449(Ired acres of aralilo laud and his farm is consideredone of the liucsl in tliat locality. The homeis a substantial rcsidcuce, there are yood barns andother outbuildiuLi^s and the iniprovenieiits that arefound on a model farm are not lacking on the>Skog homestead.Unto Mr. and Mrs Skog have been born sixchildren, the eldest of whom, Jt)hn K., aids hisfather in the operation of tlie home farm; Freda isthe wife of Ephraim Carlson, a resident of HendersonStation; Edward, Clara, Amandus and Uedaare all at home. They also lost four children inearly childhood. Mr. Skog anil his family aremembers of the Lutheran Cluirch, and in socialcircles they rank high, being well and favorablyknown throughout this comnuinit}'. Their homeisthe abode of hospitality and their many friendsare sure to receive a hearty welcome as the}' crossits threshold.In his political afliliations, Mr. Skog is a Rei)ublican,having been a stanch advocate of thatpart3''s principles since he cast his first vote forGen. Grant. However, he has never sought ordesired public office, preferring to devote his entiretime and attention to his business interests.From a humble position in life he has worked hisway upward to one of affluence, overcoming allobstacles in his })atii and surmounting all difiicultiesby his indomitable will and energy. In all hisbusiness dealings, his associates have found himstraightforward and honorable, and as a man ofsterling worth, he is held in high esteem by allwith whom he has been brought in contact.^^ EORGE T. ARENDS.a member of the firm ofIII (—-, lehl & Co., bankers of Melvin, was born in'^^i Peoria, 111., August 9,Teis and Teda (Becker) Arends, a sketch of whomappears elsewhere in this work.1849, and is a son ofHis parents wereboth natives of Gerinanj% and, leaving the Fatherland,emigrated to America in 1847. They landedin New Orleans, La., where they spent one month,and then came North, making location in Peoria,111., where the mother died when George T. was a19child. The father was afterward again marriedand with his family came to Ford County in 1870,settling in the township of I'oach Orchard. Oursubject spent the da^-s of his lioyhood and ytiuthin the usual manner of farmer lads and attendedthe district schools. He began business for himselfin 1872, becoming a member of the lirm ofFrasius, lehl & Co., dealers in grain, feed and coalin Melvin. That (inn continued until 1876, whenMr. Frasius retired and the business was continuedb}' Messrs. lehl and Arends until the fall of 1890)when they sold out their elevator .and stock andengaged in banking, establishing the first bank atMelvin. They do liusiness under the firm nameof lehl & Co.This firm owns seven farms, aggregatingeleven hundred and twenty acres of land,and, with the exception of one farm of eighty acresin Wall Towiishiii and another of one hundredand sixty acres in SuUivant Township, all theirland is in Peach Orchard Township. The}' beganbusiness as private bankers on a large real-estatesecurity and by their long residence here, and bythe reputation they have made as men of strictintegrity and correct business principles, they havesecnred the confidence and good-will of the public.While the bank is _yet new and the business inconsequence not large, the institution is a muchneededadjunct to the business facilities of thetown and will no doubt rapidly- grow in importanceas its advantages are realized.On the 10th of December, 1874, ]\Ir. Arends wasunited in marriage in the town of L^'man, FordCounty, to Miss Talea Weiss, who was born inOsefriesland, Hanover, Germany, September 5, 1851,and is a daughter, of William and Dina Weiss. Shecame to America with her parents when fifteenyears of age. Eight children have been born toMr. and Mrs. Arends, five of whom, three sons andtwo daughters, are yet living, as follows: TedaTalea, born August 29, 1877; Andrew, July 24,1879; Hannah, May 8, 1885; Frederick G., November1, 1887; Albert T., June 17, 1890. Three diedin childhood: Willie, Dina E. and an infant.With the German Methodist Church of Melvin,Mr. and Mrs. Arends hold membership and, in hispolitical afliliations, our subject is a Republican buthas never sought or desired official preferment.

450 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.He has made his home in Melviu since 1872, or fora period of twenty consecutive years, and is liiglilyrespected as an upriglit and successful business man.ATTHEW SPEED] E, a retired fanner residingin Gibson Cit>', and one of the earliestsettlers of Ford County, was born inGlenfoot, Parish of Abernethy, Perthshire,Scotland, February 14, 1819, his parents being Andrewand Ellen (Crighton) Speedie. On both sides,the families had lived in that neigliborhood forover three iiundred years. The father followedweaving in the winter and seineing fish in the summer.He was a wortliy man, and became well-todo.Both himself and wife were members of thePresbyterian Church. Their death occurred in theOld Countrv at the ages of eighty-four and seventyfouryears, respectively.In their family were tenchildren, seven sons and three daughters, but onlytwo are now living. These two were tlie only oneswho came to the United States. David, who livesin Talbot Count}', Md., has been an extensivelandscape gardener, but is now a farmer. Anotherson of the above worthy couple, Alexander, becamethe most extensive fisherman in Scotland,paying a yearly rental of $55,000. A third son,William, a teacher by |)rofession, died in Canada.The remainder of tlie family spent their lives intheir native land.Our subject was tlie eighth ciiikl in order ofbirth. He acquired a common-school education,and when about fifteen years of age, entered upona three 3-ears' apprenticeship at the wagon maker'strade. His term having expired, he then servedthree years at the millwright and carpenter's trade.For that six years" work he received only his board iand had to furnish bis own tools and pay his tuitionin school. He worked as a journeyman untilhis emigration to the United States.On the I2th of June, 1840, Mr. Speedie wasjoined in wedlock with Elizabeth .Jack, who diedon the 28th of February, 1844, leaving one child,Andrew, who is now a farmer of Dix Township.On the 11th of June, 1847, he wedded Isabella Colston,a native of Fifeshire,' Scotland, born October10, 1820. She is one of nine children, six sonsand three daughters, whose parents were Thomasand Rachel (Baxter) Colston. She is the eldest ofthe three children that are now living, and is theonly one of her family that came to the UnitedStates.In 1840, Mr. Speedie, accompanied by his wifeand children, sailed for America, and after a stormyvoyage of forty-two daj-s, during forty days ofwhich our subject was sea-sick, they landed atPictou, Nova Scotia. There was a hogshead ofbrandy on board, and of this the captain and firstmate (lartook too freely, being intoxicated duringnearly the entire voyage, and had it not been forthe second mate, all on board would have beenlost. After some five months spent in Nova Scotia,Mr. Speedie went to Providence, R. I., but notgetting into business there, he obtained the positionof engineer at Fall River, Mass.. and for sixteenyears was employed as millwright for theGlobe Printing Company. About 1855, his brotherDavid came to Ford County and purchased a quarter-sectionof land for himself and our subject at$8 per acre. In 1865, Matthew Speedie removedto Logan County. 111., where he left his family untilhe could break a part of his land in this countyand build thereon. It was in 1866 that he removedto his farm, which he still owns, havingbought his brother's interest in the same. He laidthe first tile in Ford Count}-, paying 835 per thousandfor three-inch tile, and made his place one ofthe best farms in this part of the State. He continuedits cultivation with good success until 1887,when he removed to Gibson City, to enjoy a wellearnedrest.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Speedie were born four children:David, who is now a farmer of Dix Township;Isabella J., wife of John S. Martin, a residentof Allen County, Kan.; William T., who isengaged in farming in Dix Township; and INIaryE., wife of Jacob Preston, a resident of GibsonCity.Mr. Speedie has been a life-long Republican, buthas never been a politician in the sense of officeseeking.In the cause of Christianity, he, his wifeand all the children are zealous workers, being

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 451members of the Presbyterian Cliiurh, in wliioli lieis a Ruling Elder. Not only by profession, but byconsistent ('liristi.an lives, tliey haveset fortli tlieirfaitii m (iod and the trutlis of the Bible. Few settlershave k)nger resided in Ford County tlian Mr.and Mrs. .Speedie, and for tlieir true worth noneare more highlv esteemed.IIIE^ROF. P:1)WARI) A. GARDNER, CountySuperinti'iident of Sciiools of Ford C'oiinty,and a well-known citizen of Paxton, wasborn in Westmoreland County, Pa., December29, 18(il, and is a son of Samuel and Jane(Hill) Gardner. His father, who was of Scotcli-Irish descent, was born in the same county as theson, and is still engaged in farming in WestmorelandCounty, of which place the mother was also anative.Prof. Gardner received his primary education inthe district schools of the neigliborhood near hishome, and afterward attended Mariile Academy,of Markle, Pa., and, at the age of seventeen, wasengaged in teach.ing school. In 1883, he came toIllinois and settled in Ford Count}-. Not contentwith the advantages he had already received,he took a course of study at the Paxton Normaland Collegiate Institute, now the Rice CollegiateInstitute, and afterward engaged in teachingschool in this county. He was very successful asan instructor. For one year he was Principal ofthe Elliott School, and for two years was Principalof the Caldwell School, Kansas.After teaching two3^ears in the Paxton High School, he was chosenPrincipal of the same, which position he held twoyears.In November, 1890, he was elected to theotHce of County Superintendent, and enteredupon the duties of the office in December of thatyear. There are one hundred and seven schoolsunder his supervision, and he is proving himselffully competent to have them in charge.On the 27th of October, 1891, in his nativecounty in Pennsylvania, Prof. Gardner led to themarriage altar Jliss Eva Alice Ross, a daughter ofGeorge W. and E ther A. (Irwin) Ross.Mr. Gardner is a Knight Templar Mason. Heis a member and the present Master of PaxtonLodge No. 416, A. F. A A. M.; and is a memberand officer of F^ord Chapter No. 11.3, R. A. M. ; alsobelongs to Mt. Olivet Commander}- No. 38, K. T.,all of Paxton; and of Gibson Council No. 72, R. &S. BI.; also of Paxton Camp of the Modern Woodmenot America. Himself and wife are membersof the Methodist Episcopal Church of Paxton.Prof. Gardner is an experienced educator, havingbeen a te.acher for eleven 3-ears, during which timehe was principal of several graded and HighSchools. During his administration of the officeof County Superintendent, he has provedhimselfvery capable and attentive to the duties of theposition, whereliy he has won much [)i'aise andpersonal popularity.lf|_^ ARRY LEA GREGORY, of the firm of H.|/ L. Gregorj' & Co., dealers in dry-goods,cloaks, boots, shoes, carpets, etc., is numberedamong the leading business men ofGibson Cily. He is a native of Marshall Countj^,111., born on the 9tli of F'ebruary, 18.57, and is ason of Harrison and Mar}- (Sivers) Gregory, whoemigrated to Peoria County, 111., among the earlysettlers. The father was a well-to-do farmer, makingthat calling his life work. About the year 1867,he removed to Henry, Marshall County, 111. Himselfand wife have both passed to their final rest,leaving six children to mourn their loss, three sonsand three daughters. They were well known andhighly esteemed citizens, worthy the resijcct of all\\iio knew them.Our subject is the ^^oungest of their family, and,until ten years of age, spent his time on a farm,and in attendance at the district schools, where hereceived his primary education.After the removalof his parents to Henry, he attended the publicschools, where he completed his literary training.At the age of seventeen, he commenced clerking ina store and for fourteen years continued with oneestablishment, thus showing by his continued servicethat his duties were well and faithfully per-

—452 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD.formed. In 1887, be came to Gibson City, and onthe 10th of November of that year began businessunder the style of the firm given above, and nowhas an excellent trade. During the five years whichhave passed since the opening of liis present store,he lias increased his stock until it is one of tlielargest carried in the city, and his store-room exceedsany other in size, being 25x110 feet.Prior to leaving Henry, Mr. Gregory was unitedin marriage with Miss Ida Jones, a native of MarshallCounty, their unionbeing celebrated on the1st of May, 1878, and she is one of the estimableladies of Gibson City. Unto this worthj^ couplehave been born three children: J. II., p]thel Leaand Kirk W., all of whom are still living. Mrs.Gregory is a member of the Presbyterian Chuich,and an earnest and devoted worker in the cause ofChristian! t}'.Politically, Mr. Gregory affiliates with the Republicanparty, of which he is a stalwart su|)porter,but has never sought or desired any official recognition,preferring to devote his time to his business,in which he has been quite successful. He isone of the self-made men of Gibson City, havingaccumulated what he has by his industry, perseveranceand good management. He may well beclassed among the leading merchants of that place.'^ M ^"^ OSEPH WHORRALL, one of tlie prominentand influential citizens of Ford County, isengaged in general farming on section 32,Lyman Township. He owns and operatesone hundred and sixty acres of valuable land,which is under a high state of cultivation andwell improved. There are a comfortable home,good outbuildings and all the other accessories ofa model farm, and the well-tilled fields and neatappearance of the place indicate the thrift andenterprise of the owner.Mr. "Whorrall is a native of Warwickshire, England.He was born January 11, 1835, and is theyoungest child of William and Sarah (Yardley)AVhorrall. In the family were thirteen children,eight sons and five daughters, but he has only twobrothers now living: Thomas, who is married andfollows farming in Iowa; and George, who ismarried and resides in Chicago. The father wasa stock-raiser in Engl.and. In 1853, he emigratedto America, and settled in Woodford County', 111.,where he engaged in land speculation. He diedin 1885, at the age of seventy -seven, and his wifedied in 1862, at the age of seventy-four years.Their remains were interred in Rose Hill Cemetery,of Chicago.In the usual manner of farmerlads, our subjectspent the days of his bo^'hood and 30Ulh, andwhen seventeen years of age bade good-bye to hisold home and crossed the Atlantic to America.In company with his brother George, he sailedfrom Liverpool on tlie "Florida," and landed inNew York in June, 1851. They came direct toIllinois, where Mr. Whorrall at once engaged infarming. He and his brother secured one liundredand sixty acres of raw prairie land six miles fromMelaraora for $120, but it was entirely destituteof improvements.The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Whorrallwas in her maidenhood Miss Deborah Manning.Their union was celebrated in November, 1857, andunto them have been born nine children, sevensons and two daughters, all of wiiom are yet living:Edwin, a photographer, who is married andresides in Chicago; Joseph E., a paper-hanger andpainter, of Roberts; William, also a paper-hangerand painter, who is married and resides in Roberts;Eliz.abeth, wife of Oscar Roberts, a farmer; Sarah,wife of Cela Foster, of Roberts; Miles, who marriedMiss Maud E. Longmyer and resides on theold homestead; Walter, a watchmaker and jewelerliving at home; Cliarles Herbert and Henry Arthur,who aid their father in the cultivation of thefarm.Mr. Whorrall came with his family to FordCounty in 1875, and has since been identifiedwith its growth and upbuilding. He purchasedone hundred and sixty acres of partiall}' improvedland at i^35 per acre, which is now worth from^65 to $100 per aci'e. The many improvementshe li.as placed upon it and the highly cultivatedstate of the fields have made it valuable and desirableproperty. He also owns propertj' in Roberts,

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 455In politics, he is a Republican, and his first votewas cast for Abraham Lincoln, lie has served as a.Director of the public schools for five years, buthas never been an office-seeker. He and his wife aremembers of the Methodist Church of Roberts, andare stanch advocates of temperance [irinciples.Tliey have given liberally to all worthy enterprises,are charitable and benevolent people, andthe poor and needy are never turned from theirdoor empty-lianded. They have many friends,and their liorae is Icnown f.ir and wide for its hospitality.-^1=^.^^^/^^ HARLES BUCHHOLZ, senior memlier of the(if"^^^firm of Buchholz Bros., of Melvin, dealers ingrain, feed and coal, is a native of this State.Marsliall County was the place of liis birth and thedate October 22, 1857. His parents are August andCaroline (Funte) Buchliolz, and a sketch of theirlives is given elsewhere in this work. We nowtake up the personal history of our subject, whowas reared upon a farm and acquired his educationin the Melvin schools, also at tlie college of Valparaiso,Ind., the Northern Indiana Normal. Beingnow fitted for his life work, in tlie spring of1885 he went to Jackson County, Minn., wherehe was employed in teacliing school for one 3'earand then turned his attention to farming, whichhe followed with good success, being an industriousand enterprising agriculturist.In August, 1887, Mr. Buchholz led to the marriagealtar Miss Lillie Fletcher, tlieir union beingcelebrated in Osceola County, Iowa. Tlie ladywas born in Kendall County, 111., and is a daughterof Joseph and Sarah Fletcher. Two children liavebeen born of their union, a son and daugliter:Millie, who was born November 16, 1888, andFletcher, on the 2d of July, 1890. Both were bornin Jackson Countj', Minn.Mr. Buchholz continued to engage in farming inthat county until the autumn of 1891, when he returnedto Melvin and eml>arked in liis jjresent lineof trade in company with his brotlier William.This firm liought out the old established firm oflehl & Co.The Buchholz Bros, do an annual businessamounting to $125,000 and upwards and areheld to be among tlie largest dealers in their linein the county. They were both reared from childhoodin Melvin, enjoy a wide acquaintance in thecountry adjacent, and are esteemed as upright andhonorable men.iJIOMAS O. THOMPSON, who is engagedin general farming on section 29, Patton^^^ Township, is a Norwegian by birth. Hefirst opened his eyes to the light of day on the11th of August, 1847. He was reared to manhoodon a farm and as soon as old enough began to aidin its cultivation. When he reached that periodwhen it was necessary for him to begin life for himself,he determined to seek a home in the NewWorld, and, in 1868, crossed the Atlantic on asailing-vessel, wiiich left harbor in the latter partof April, and after six weeks and three days spentupon the broad Atlantic, a pleasant voyage on thewhole, arrived at Quebec, Canada.Soon afterwards, ISIr. Thompson came to Illinois,locating in Leland, La Salle County, where he hada sister and other friends living. He then beganwork upon a farm and was employed by tlie montiias a farm liand for seven >'ears. On the exi^irationof that period, he rented land in La Salle County,which he operated for a year. As a coinpanionand lielpmate on life's journey, he chose Miss MelindaBergeson, who is also a native of Norway,and during her infancy was brought to this countryby her father, Ole Bergeson, who settled in LaSalle County, where she was reared and educated.Their marriage was celebrated in tliat county onthe 1st of March, 1866, and they began their domesticlife upon a rented farm in VermilionCounty, where they resided for a j'car.It was in the spring of 1877 that they came toFord County, where Mr. Thompson purchased atract of land of one hundred and nine acres, hispresent home. He lias since here engaged in farmingand has bought an additional eighty-acre tractof land across the road on section 20. A good

456 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.farm of one himdied and eighty-nine acres nowpaj's a golden tribute to the care and cultivationwhich the owner bestows upon it. The nian^' goodimprovements there seen and the well-tilh^d fieldsallindicate his thrift and enterprise and tell of thebusy and useful life spent in honoral^le labor.Hegives his entire attention to his business interests,never having taken an active part in public affairs,been one of its sui)porters since he cast his firstPresidential ballot for James A. Garfield. Himselfand wife are members of the Lutheran Church.Unto this worthy couple have lieen born sixchildren: iMartin O., Olvin I?., Cora Josephine,Melvin T., Ruby M., and Amos H. The familyhas resided in Ford County for fifteen years, andthe parents are well known as people of sterlingworth, well deserving the regard of their manyfriends.save in faithfull3' discliarging his duties of citizenship.He votes with the Republican party, having_^]--^- T^^ (3_t^Vi 'AMES H. WHITE, ageneral grocer of GibsonCitj', estalilished business at that placein June, 187S>, and has now a large and lu-_ crative trade. He was born in Leith, Scotland,June .30, 1858, and is a son of James andAgnes (Main) AVhite, both natives of the samecountr}'. The father was born in Boness, Scotland,on the 15th of April, 1815, and his wife, whowas over four years his junior, was born January31, 1820, and died on the 12th of February, 1883,respected b}' all who knew her. She was descendedfrom an old Scotch family that traces its ancestryback for six hundred years. The father of oursubject is still living and resides in Susquehanna,Pa., where he made his home on first emigratingto America, in 1865.James II. "Wiiite came with his parents to thiscountry and here received his education in thegraded schools of Susquehanna, Pa. For twoyeai'S he was engaged in a twine factory in Xenia,Ohio, going to that city in 1877, but he came toGibson City in 1879, and here l>egan business, asbefore mentioned, liefore he had attained his m.ajority.He lias carried on the grocery trade eversince and has built up a large and prosperousbusiness. He began in a small way but has nowone of the best stores in Gibson and has made allthat he has ly his own unaided efforts.In Xenia, Ohio, Mr. White was united in marriage,on the 30th of December, 1880, with MissRachel C. Thompson, a daughter of .Tohn Thompson.Her father was a soldier in the late war andlaid down his life on tlie altar of his countr3'.Mrs. White is a native of the Buckeye State, bornin Xenia, and liy her marriage has become themother of two children, daughters: jNIaud Ellenand Ethel Agnes, both born in Gibson. Tiie parentsare members of the Presbyterian Churcli andtake an active interest in its work.In politics, Mr. White is a stanch supporter ofthe Republican party and has been a member ofthe Village Board. He helped to organize theGibson Building and Loan Association, and servedas its President one year, while for another yearhe was its Vice-president. He is a member of allof the Masonic bodies of Gibson City and alsoholds membership with Mt. Olivet CommanderyNo. 38, K. T., of Paxton. He stands very highboth in business and social circles and is one of thehighly respected citizens of Ford County. HeIS enterprising and progressive, and well worthythe confidence he receives.''^».,W>«y>p ti >hiON. NORMAN EDMUND STEVENS, pro-])rietor, editor and publisher of the PaxtonRecord, the leading paper in Ford County,^ established his office in I'axton in January,1865, and has since been actively engaged in lliepublication of the Record, covering a period oftwenty-seven years. He began with a very modestoutfit, when the county was sparselj' settled, andhas increased his facilities for business as thegrowth of Ford and adjoining counties developeda demand, until he now has one of the most completeprinting establishments in Eastern and CentralIllinois. The Record is a weekly Republicanjournal, 38x40 inclies in size, and an eight-column

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 457quarto in form. It is printed on a steam press andhas a circulation of fifteen Imndred. The officeoccupies the ground Hooi of a two-story bricl^, hasthree steam presses and a complete modern outfitfor newspajier and job work. It has undoubtedlythe best and most extensive facilities for job workof any office in this section of tlie State. The officeand building, which are the property of the publisher,are estimated to be worth $12,000.Mr. Stevens was born in what is now the city ofKent, Portage Count3', Ohio, on the 25th of April,1834, and is a son of Marcus and Orpha (Phelps)Stevens, the parents being pioneers of that region.The families of both emigrated from Springfield,Mass., and settled in Portage County, Ohio, in1808. Marcus Stevens, who was in moderate circumstances,died when his son Norman E. was butfive 3'ears of age from the effects of a freezing ofthe extremities during exposure in severe winterweather. His death occurred in May, 1840, andhe left a wife and five small children, all boj'S.The family continued to live at the old home, butthrough necessity, the sons, as they attained theage of ten years, were put out to live with farmers,where they had to work for their own support,getting but limited opportunities for education.In accordance with this rule, Norman E., at theage of ten, began life for himself as a farm hand.The mother married again after the lapse of somefourteen years, her second husband being DavidMcBride. They made their home in Oberlin,Ohio,the better to educate the younger children, andsubsequently removed to Sparta, Wis., where thehusband died in 1880, aged eighty-two j'ears,while the wife passed away in 1886, at the age ofeight^'-three. When our subject was a lad of fifteen,he left the farm and went to Oberlin with theview of attending college, but after a year and ahalf of study was obliged to suspend his schoolingto earn the means of support. With the end in viewof resuming his studies, he decided to learn theprinter'strade, and, when not quite seventeen, heapprenticed himself to the publisher of the Elyria(Ohio) Courier. On the office being destroyed byfire some months later, Mr. Stevens went to Cleveland,Ohio, and secured a situation in the office ofthe Daibj Forest City, which was edited by JosephMedill, since more widely known as the editor ofthe Chicago Tribune.Subsequently, the /)«% iJ'orestCity was merged with the Free Democrat, the twoconstituting the Cleveland Z/eacfer. In that officeour subject completed his trade as a printer, and in1852 removed t() Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio,and engaged in the office of the Ashtabula CountyDemocrat, then published by Bennett Loomis.Afterworking for nearly two years and drawing but asmall portion of his salary he was obliged to bu}'' theoffice or lose his accumulated earnings. The Democratwas a Douglas paper and was sufiported largelyby Democrats. The political views of Stephen A.Douglas being distasteful to Mr. Stevens, he soldout the De)iiocrat in 1854 and went to AVatertown,Wis., where he bought a half-interest in the Chronicleand became a member of the firm of Rose &Stevens, publishers. That paper supported Fremontfor the Presidency in 1856.On the 19tli of March, 1857, j\Ir. Stevens wasmarried in that city to Mrs. Adda II. McMillen,widow of Milo C. McMillen, and a daughter ofJames Clark, Esq., of Livonia, N. Y. The followingAugust, he sold his interest in the Chronicle,taking up his residence in Reed's Landing, a wideawakelumbering and shipping point on the UpperMississippi. There he established the WabashaCounty Herald, a weekly Republicanpaper, whichhe conducted successfully until the fall of 1863,when he sold out and removed to Chicago. Heworked at his trade in that city until January,1865, when he came to Paxton and established thePaxton Record, which he has since conducted withsignal success. The Record has always been thoroughlyRepublican, doing the best service in supportof that party, but it has also been sincerelyand earnestly devoted to local interests in thebroadest sense of the term, and has won a stronghold upon the good-will of its patrons. Whileactive in the arena of politics as a writer andworker, Mr. Stevens has not been an asjjirant forthe honors or emoluments of pulilic office.In thefall of 1878, he was nominated for Representativeto the Illinois Assembly against his wishes, andwas duly elected. He faithfully represented thedistrict and did good work on important commitees.Prior to the succeeding election, he was urged to

458 PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.accept a ru-noinination but declined the honor.With the exception of holding some minor offices,he has not since been connected with public service.By her first marriage, Mrs. Stevens had twodaughters and a son: Leonore H., who became thewife of Henry Kelsey, publisher of the Times inOlivia, Minn., where they reside with their familyof nine children; Belle E. became the wife ofAbram Croft and died in Paxton in 1881; Willis,the only sou, is married, and is engaged in thereal-estate business in San Francisco, Cal. To Mr.and Mrs. N. E. Stevens two sons were born: EdgarN., who is single, is tlie present Postmaster of Paxtonand is associated in business with his father inthe publication of the liecord; H. Arthur is editorand proprietor of tlie Auburn Z>/sjwfc7i, of Auburn,De Kalb Count3', Ind. He married Miss MinnieHefner, daughter of H. C. Hefner, of Paxton, andhas one son, Harold H.N. E. Stevens is an Odd Fellow, a charter memberof Paxton IjOdge, and is a Knight TemplarMason, while, in religious belief, he and his famil}^are Congregationalists.In the twenty-seven yearsthat he has been publishing the Record, Mr. Stevenshas advocated with ability and fearlessnessthat which he thought to be right in every causethat affected the best interests and welfare of tliecommunity where he resides, and of humanity ingeneral. While in the heat of political campaignshe has fired hot shot into the ranks of the enemy,he has retained the respect and regard of thosewhom he opposed and has won the good-will andconfidence of his fellow-citizens in general. Allworthy public enterprises have ever received fromhis pen a cordial and earnest support, and his influencefor good is recognized l)v all.-^.,(@WJ I|v_ =s^^» /W. KJELLSTRAND,who for a quarter ofa century has made his home in Paxton, isone of the worthy citizens that Swedenhas furnished to Illinois. He was bornin that country July 15, 1832, and is a son of C.A. Kjellstrand, who was also a native of Sweden,and there spent his entire life. Our subject passedthe days of his boyhood and youth in the land ofhis nativity and received good educational advantagesin its schools. He then learned the painter'strade, serving a five-j'ears' apprenticeship,after which lie worked at the business for ten yearsbefore emigrating to America.As a companion and helpmate on life's journey,Mr. Kjellstrand chose Jliss C. H. Gunnarson, alsoa native of Sweden, their union being celebratedin February, 1859. Ten years later, he bade goodbyeto his home and on a steamer sailed from Gottenburg to London. He crossed England by railto Liverpool, and from thence took passage to NewYork, where he arrived in April, of that year.His first location was made in Silver Creek, in thewestern part of the Empire State, where he remainedfor about two months and a half. Hereached Illinois on the 2d of July following, and,making a location in Paxton, embarked in businessin the line of his chosen trade. Being pleasedwith the country and feeling that prospects weregood, he sent for his family, who were still residingin Sweden, and on the 14th of June, 1870, wasjoined by his wife and four sons, the eldest ofwhom was then ten 3"ears old, the youngest a ladof four summers. Since that time the}' have losttwo children: C. W., who died at the age of nineteenyears, and J. T., who died in his tenth year.The elder son now living is C. J. A., who married,and follows merchandising in Paxton. The j'ounger,A. W., is professor of languages in Betany College,of Lindsborg, Kan. He is a man of superior educationand of their sons the parents may well beproud.On the arrival of his family, Mr. Kjellstrandbegan work with renewed energy and has since followedhis trade, his enterprise and industrj- gainingfor him a nice home and comfortable income,together with a large and constantly increasing business.His success has been due entirely to his ownefforts and he certainly deserves great credit for it.Himself and wife are active workers in the EvangelicalLutheran Church, in which he has been anofficer for fifteen years. He is now a member ofthe School Board and the cause of education finds

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 461in liim a warm friend. As a puhlic-si^iritod andprogressive citizen, lie gives his hearty support toall that is calculated to benefit the community orpromote the general welfare. In i)olitics, he casthis lirst vote for Geu. U. S. (hant, and has supportedevery Presidential candidate of the Republicanparty since that time. Among the peoijle ofthis community he has lived a blameless life andhas thereb3' won the confidence and esteem of alarge circle of friends and acquaintances."f -- ^>-^^—EDWARDWUNDP:R isone of the prominentfarmers of Wall Township, residing on section20. lie has made his home in FordCount}' for twenty-one years and well deservesrepresentation in this volume. A native of MarshallCounty, 111., he was born July G, 1858, and isthe seventh in a family of nine children. The parrents,Jolm and Margaret (Dyerling) Wnuder, wereboth natives of the Province of Byron, Germany.The father has followed farming throughout hisentire life. He is still living, at the age of seventy-twoyears. His wife passed away in March,1882. Six of their ciiildren are yet living: George,who is represented elsewhere in this volume; Maggie,wife of George Trundley, a farmer residing inIroquois County; Andrew, who is deceased; Henry,who is married and resides in Ottawa, 111.; John,who died in infancy; the next child died in infancy;Edward, of this sketch; Samuel, who ismarried and follows farming in Canada, and Peter,who is a resident of the .same locality.Our subject has spent the greater part of his lifein Ford County. He was educated in both Germanand English schools. Mr. Wiinder is truly a selfmademan for he started out in life empty-ii.andedand by his own exertions has worked his way upward.With his only dollar, he purch.ased a hog,and the investment proved a profitable one. Sincethat time his career has been generally successful.He lias had to overcome some obstacles and disadvantages,but by industry and good managementhas secured for liinisclf a handsome competencewhich numbers him among the substantial citizensof the community.On the 24th of December, 1882, Mr. Wunderwas united in marriage to Miss Cora PearlSharp, who was born September 9, 1866, and is adaugiiter of (Jeorge and Sarah ( Austin) .Siiarp,botii of wiioni are natives of the Empire State. Herparents are still living. Mr. Sharp, who is nowfifty-nine years of age, is engaged in agriculturalpursuits in Walworth County, Wis. In politics, heis a Democrat. By the union of our subject andhis wife four children have been born, two sonsand two daughters: (ieorge Edward, eight years ofage; John W., now deceased; Imo, aged five, andVerna, deceased.Mr. Wunder cast liis first Presidential vote forGen. Hancock and h.as since been a supporter ofDeniociatic principles. He is now serving as SchoolDirector in his district and has been Clerk of theSchool Board. In religious belief, he is a Catholic,holding nieinl)ersliip with tiie church in Loda. 111.,of which Father Lewis is pastor. He devotes histime and attention to the development of hisfinefarm, which comprises two hundred and ft)rty acresof land, partly in AVall and partly in Dix Township.He has a neat and comfortable home and the improvementsupon the place are such as are generallyseen upon a model farm. During his residenceinin itsthe count}', Mr. Wunder has ever borne his partupliuilding and development, and has manifesteda commendable interest in all tiiat pertainsto its advancement.« felLLIAM R. TRICKEL, the oldest surviv-^"8' pioneer of Ford Count}-, now residing\/iJ//y^^ in Paxton, is a native of Indiana. Hewas born near Vincennes, on the 21st of January,1821, and is a son of Robert and Catherine (Bensyl)Trickel. His father was born in Virginia, in1795, and, in his youth, went to I'ickaway County,Ohio, where he was married. He afterward emigrated,about 1819, to Indiana, and to Illinois in1823, locating in Vermilion County, building amill at Danville, whence he removed to ChampaignCounty, in 1826. He there resided tvvelveyears, or, until 1838, when he came to what is now

462 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Ford Count}', and settled at Trickel's Grove, socalled after its fii'st settler. He subsequently becamea resident of Green County, Wis., where hisdeath occurred in 1877.AVilliani R. Trickel, whosename heads this record,was brought by his parents to Illinois in 1823,when a babe of two summers. Tlie family settledin A'ermilion County. He afterward accompaniedthem to Champaign County, and later came withthem to what is now Button Township, FordCount}', in 1838, the family locating at Trickel'sGrove. He endured all the hardsliips and privationsofpioneer life, and has been an e}'e-witnessof the growth of the county since the das'S of itsearliest infancy. He was married in this countyin 1848, the lady of his choice being Miss CatiierineTrickel, and unto them has been born a familyof five children, who are yet living.INIr. Trickel made his home at Ten Mile Groveafter liis marriage, where he engaged in merchandising,and also carried on a blacksmith and gunshop. He there continued to live until 1867,when he removed to Pax ton, where he still carrieson a gun shop. We find in him a typical pioneer,and, althougii seventy-one years of age, his memoryis good and his intellect bright. He possessesa rare fund of information relative to pioneerdays in this section of Illinois, which, unfortunately,is not adapted to this work.ANIEL H. STRINE is engaged in merchandisingin Roberts. For many yearshe was connected with the agricultural interestsof Ford County, and since comingto this community has been recognized as one of itsprominent citizens. He was born in York County,Pa., May G, 1855. His father, Michael Strine, wasborn Februar}- 26, 1821, in the Keystone State,and was of German extraction. He started out inlife empty-handed, but was very successful, andacquired a good property. In politics, he was astalwart Republican, and himself and wife were devoutmembers of the Evangelical Association. Hemarried Salome Miller, who was born March 12,1812, and died March 4, 1885. Mr. Strine diedMarch 24, 1884. They had a family of three sonsand four daughters: David, a clergyman, who ismarried and lives in Williamsport, Pa.; William,who is married and follows farming in YorkCounty, Pa.; Anna, wife of George Toomey, ofHigh Spire, Daupliin County, Pa.; Maggie, wife ofE. B. Miller, of St(.)rn] Lake, Iowa; Adeline, wifeof Solomon llrich, an agriculturist of YorkCount}', Pa.; Sarah C, wife of George Crowl, ofDauphin County, Pa.; and Daniel, who completesthe family.In presenting this sketcii of Mr. Strine, we recordthe life work of a self-made man, who startedout for himself at the age of twenty-two years,and, with no capital on which to depend, hasworked his way upward, overcoming all obstacles,until lie is now numbered among the substantialcitizens of the community. He began working ona farm at $8 per month, and continued to serve inthat way until his inarri.ige. He was joined inwedlock, December 31, 1884, with Miss FlorenceDeems, who was born in Washington County, Pa.,and reared in Putnam County, 111. Her parents,John and Eveline (Fitzsiramons) Deems, were nativesof tlie Keystone State, the former born September27, 1822, and the latter August 11,1825.Tlioy now reside in Loda, 111., and are members ofthe Methodist Church. Mr. Deems is a retiredfarmer. The family numbered three sons andthree daughters, but one son is now deceased.Ann, the eldest, is the wife of R. C. Anderson, afarmer of Ford County, 111.; William is marriedand resides in Hutcliinson, Kan.; .1. W. is marriedand follows farming in Kidder, Mo.; Mrs. Strine isnext younger; Georgie is now deceased; and Dorais the wife of A. J. Lytic, a carpenter and joinerof Paxton.In 1875, Mr. Strine located in Wall Township,where he rented land for some time, and afterwardengaged in farming. He had many obstaclesto overcome, yet steadily worked his way upwardand won success. On .lanuary 18, 1892, heopened a store in Roberts, and now carries a fullline of staple and fancy groceries, queensware andclothing. His stock is valued at $2,000. His fair

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 463and honest dealing and liis courteous treatment ofbiscustomers have already wou him a liberal patronage,which has increased from the beginning.Mv. and Mrs. .Strine are Ijoth members of theMethodist Ciiureh and she belongs to the F"oreignMissionary Society. They have no children oftheir own, but have an adopted daughter, May,who is now nine years of age, and has resided withthem for four years. In politics. Mr. Strine is aRepublican, and cast his first Presidential vote forRutherford B. Hayes. He was one of the Paxtondelegation which paid a visit to Gen. Harrison.He is classed among the representative and progressivecitizens of Roberts, and is highly respectedthroughout the community where he hasso long made his home. Industry, frugality andthrift have formed the rounds of the ladder bywhich he has mounted to the proud position whichhe to-day occupies.-^ ^'^••••^ -^•jOBERTS' PUBLIC SCHOOLS.The schooldistrict No. 5 was organized in 1868, andijf^ the same year the schoolhouse was built onthe southeast comer of section 16, LymanTownship. The first teacher was W. W. Graham,son of A. B. Graham, a highly respected farmer ofthis neighborhood. In 1872, after the village ofRoberts was laid out, it was deemed proper to havethe rural academy near the center of population,therefore the people voted to have the schoolhousemoved into the village. For several years, theschool struggled on under the burden of a bondeddebt and teachers of diverse efficiency. In 1876,having increased sufficiently in numerical strengthand wealth, tiie Directors thought it necessary tohave a teacher of more than ordinary qualifications,so tliey ap|)lied to R. N. Gorsuch, thenCount}' Superintendent, to send them an efficientteacher. The Superintendent urged F. G. Lohman,who had made an excellect record in a large countr}-school, to go at once to Roberts.On the 7th of September, 1876, ;Mr. Lohmanpresented himself before two of the Directors andwas employed for one mouth onl^', the Directorssajingthat they had had so much bad luck in securingteachers that thev would employ permanentlyonly on a month's trial.Mr. Lohman acceptedand began his labors on Tuesday morning,September 17. He at once began trying to raisethe grade of the school. The enrollment wassixty-one the first day and the number was soonswelled to eighty-five, so that the task seemedalmost hopeless. At the end of the month, heappeared before the Directors to ask if he shouldcontinue the work, and when told to do so urgedthe necessity of an assistant. The request wasgranted and ]\Iiss Helen Wycot¥ was employed as aprimary teacher. From that time the school hassteadily advanced in excellence. For a primary'room the Town Hall was rented and for years the littlefolks were kept there under the most unfavorablecircumstances. Mr. Lohman remained in chargefor five 3'ears, giving the school a new impetus anddoing efficient and practical work. Many of hispupils afterward became excellent teachers. Amongthem. Miss Jennie Sackett, afterwaid Mrs. LawrenceCampbell, in a public examination for ateacher's certificate carried off the highest gradeever made by an ap|)licant up to that time. In1882, the school retrograded under an inefficientteacher. The following year, 1883, F. E. Bonneywas called to the work and rescued tlie school fromthe chaotic condition into which it had againlapsed after Mr. Lohman left it. He remained incharge for six j'ears.In 1881, a large .schoolhousewas built and another teacher added to the force.George Bloomer and W. R. Stone were next employed,the former serving two years, the latter oneyear. Among the i)rimary teachers, Miss MadgeCrowner was the most successful and filled the positionwith credit for six 3-ears.best primary teachers in Eastern Illinois.She is one of theIn 1892, F. G. Lohman, who in the meantimehad served eight years as County Superintendent,was again called to the Principalship. Althoughthe respective teachers had worked upon somesort of system, no grading had been attempted.When Mr. Lohman was again jjlaced at the headof the school, the Directors had him prepare agraded course of study, which was adopted andordered published. The school is now in a flour-

464 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIHICAL RECORD.isliing condition, and though the course adoptedisnot as extensive as courses in schools with eightor more teachers, yet it covers sufficient ground tofit young people for higher institutions of learningand for a practical, useful life. The success of theschool is certainly due in a great degree to Prof.Lehman, and under the efHcient management of thepresent Directors, Christopher Anderson, J. P.Smith and Robert Chambers, the school will undoubtedlybe kept at a high standard and retainits excellent reputation.]UDSON CUBBUCK, one of the leading iiiiotograpliersof Gibson City, was born in 1 Ilornellsville,Steuben County, N. Y., on the^^^ 19th of March, 1858, and is a son of Rev.John and Jerusha 15. (Ratlibun) Culil)uck. TheCubbuck family was founded m America by twobrothers who escaped from England during Cromwell'sreign and settled in Oneida Count}', N. Y.Their descendants have been largelygiven to theprofessional callings, being mostlj- doctors, lawj'ers,ministers and literary men.Rev. John Cubbuck, the father of our subject,was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in 1819, and onhis grandmother's side was of German and Frenchdescent. When very young lie lost his father andwas reared to manhood by his grandmother. Atabout the age of fifteen years, he entered the OneidaHerald office and there acquired most of hiseducation. On account of failing health, he traveledfor ten years as a reporter, visiting China,Japan, Farther India, Burmah, Australia, New Zealand,Cape Colony, nearly every island of the Pacific,every country of South America and all thecountries of Europe. While in Australia, hefounded the Sydney Press, but returned to Lockport,N. Y., and was associated with the Xi.agaraDemocrat. When St. Paul, Minn., was a mere village,he went thither and became connected with theSt. Paul Democrat. Some three years later, he cameto Ogle County, 111., where he owned a section ofland, which he sold for fl.2o per acre. The followingyear he went to Fremont, N. Y., and wasordained as a minister of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch, tluiugh he preached but a short time.When the question of slavery came before the people,he took an active part in its discussion, and onthe I)reaking out of the war enlisted in that strugglewith nearly Iiis entire congregation. lie wasoffered a cliaplaincy, but refused it, desiring ratherto enter the ranks. In iiis own words, he "wentout to fight, not to pray," and became a memberof Company C, Twenty-third New York Infantry.At tlie battle of Antietam, he receivedseveral wounds, being injured by a ball cuttingthe cords on the back of his left hand; anotherball entered his right elbow and came out back ofhis shoulder. Having fallen, a wagon ran overhim, bruising him so badl}' that on .accfumt of hiswounds he was discharged, and, returning home,lived some nine years, earning his livelihood by hispen. lie was an alile writer and a man of superiorability. lie died very suddenly, and his loss wasdeeply lamented liy all who knew him, for he wasone of the true Christian gentlemen of the communitywhere he resided.In Steuben County, N. Y., Rev. .lohn Cubbuckwas united in marriage to Miss .Terusha B. Rath-Inin. a native of that county. She is of Englishdescent, her people being among the ear\y settlersof Connecticut. Her father, J. B. Rathbun, was apioneer settler of Fremont, N. Y.. l)eing its firstinhabitant. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cubbuck wereborn eleven children, five sons and six daughters,all of whom are yet living. The mother still livesin Fremont, where she is highly esteemed for hermany worthy qualities. Emily Frances Cubbuck,who wrote under the ;(r>wi dep/M^fie, "Fannie Foster,"was the wife of Dr. Adoniram Judson, thefirst Christian missionary to Burmah, and was anown cousin of Rev. John Cubbuck.Our suliject, Judson Cubbuck, is the sixth childin order of birth in the above fan-.ily, and his educationwas received at Alford University, in Allegan}'County, N. Y., but failing health caused himto leave the school before he had completed thecourse. Since thirteen years of age, he has madehis own way in the world and when only fifteengave lectures and recitals in public for the [)urposeof obtaining monev to attend school.In 1877, he

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 467came to Ogle County, 111., teaching there for two3'ears, and then went to South Dakota, wliere hetaught the first school between Huron and Pierre.On the 14th of August, 1879, Mr. Cubbuck marriedMiss Lillie M. Alma, a native of Homer, N.Y., but she was called to her final rest the followingspring, in Chicago. Going to Mc Lean County,111., he there tauglit for four 3ears, his schoolstanding the liighest in the county on examination.Mr. Cubbuck was again married, .June 30,1884, in Ilornellsville, N. Y., this time to jNIiss .JennieSutton, a d.aughter of William .Sutton, whohiis been a photographer of that city for thirty3'ears, being one of the best artists in that part ofthe State. By this union has been born one child,Helen L. After tlie marriage of our subject, he returnedto Illinois and again taught school for fouryears. Going back to New York, he learned thephotographing business and in 1891 purchased agaller_v in Gibson City, of J. H. Ashby, which hehas since conducted.Mr Cul)lnu'k is a Democrat in politics, and sociallyis a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge, theSons of Veterans and the Order of Red Men. Hiswife is a member of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch, in the work of which she takesan activepart. Mr. Cubbuck has been a correspondent forsome of the best newspapers of this country, contributingIjoth prose and poetry.^^IIOMAS D. THOMPSON, general merchant///SN and Postmaster of ^Nlelvin, and one of its\^- earliest settlers, located in that place inSeptember, 1871, and built the first residence there.Into it he moved with his family, and there hissecond son, Clyde, was born, the first white childliorn in the vill.age.( )ur subject is a native of Monroe County, Ohio,where his birth occurred on the 4th of December,1847. His i)arents, William and Catherine (Dyer)Thompson, are represented on another page ofthis work, in connection with .John M. Thompson'ssketch. With the family, he came to Illinois in1864, locating first in Marshall County, near NewRutland, La Salle County, where the father wasengaged in farming.Thomas I). Thompson has been a resident ofIllinois since 1864. He was reared to manhoodupon his father's farm, an

468 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.ing four sons and three daughters: McCalmount,Clj-de, B. Ralph, Cestia A., Gertrude, Eliza M. andGlenn. All were born in Jlelvin except the eldest,who is a native of Peach Orchard Township.In his political views, Mr. Thompson is a Republican,and has served one term as Supervisor ofPeach Orchard. lie has been School Director ofthe Melvin schools since 1872, or for twenty years,and has held minor oliices. He and his wife areconsistent members of tlie Methodist Church ofMelvin and Mr. Thompson has been Superintendentof the Sunday-school siuce its organization, whichwas effected at the time the church was instituted,in 1872. In years of residence in Melvin, he is theoldest settler. J^ver since he came here, he hasbeen one of the most active and enterprising citizensof the place, and is popular, botli as a merchantand Postmaster. In the discharge of his oflieialduties, he is prompt, correct, and attentive to thewants of the patrons of the olHce. The MethodistChurch has ever found in him a faithful andconsistent member, as well as a lilier.al contributorto its support, while his worthy wife has also borneher part in the work of the church and societies,and both are held in high esteem by those whoknow them.^LBERT S. SMITH, of Paxton, who is en-(Cf"^£j||gaged in painting, is a native of Massachusetts,lie was born in Norfolk Count}',that State, April .3, 1828, and is descendedfrom good old Revolutionary stock. His grandfather,Benjamin Smith, was a hero in tlie War forIndependence, servingthroughout the struggle asa musician, and lived to the advanced age of onehundred and three years. The father of our subject,Benjamin Smith, .Tr., was born in Massachusetts,in 1800, and was a self-educated and a selfmademan linanciallj'. By trade he was a carpenterand followed that occupation during his earl}' life,but afterward became overseer in a cotton factory.In his native county he married Wealthy Leonard,who was born in Taunton, Mass. With his familyhe removed to Illinois in the spring of 1858, locatingin Paxton, Ford County, then a village composedof a few houses, the settlement being calledProspect Cit}'. Mr. Smith engaged in carpentering,and, with the exception of four years, hereresided until his death, which occurred on ChristmasDay of 1890. He was originally a JacksonDemocrat, was a stanch Abolitionist, and on its organizationbecame a supporter of the Republicanparty. He held a number of official ))ositions ofhonor and trust and was a man whom allrespectedfor his sterling worth. He spent the last years ofhis life in the home of our subject. His wife diedabout six months previous to the death of herhusband.A. S. Smith, whose name heads this record, receivedthe .advantages afforded by good i)ublicschools, and afterward learned the painter's trade,at which he worked for a few years in the East,but believing that better opportunities were affordedyoung men in the West, in the fall of 1858he joined his father in Paxton, and began workingat his trade in this city. Asa companion and helpmateon life's journey, he chose Miss Raciiel E.Schoonmaker. They went to Kankakee, wheretheir marriage was celebrated in November, 1860;afterward tiiey returned to Paxton. The lady isa native of Ulster Count}-, N. Y., and with herfather, John Schoonmaker, came AVest in the springof 1858, locating in what is now Ford County.After his marriage, Mr. Smith continued to workat his trade in Paxton until December, 1863, whenhe responded to the country's call for troops, joinedthe Chicago Mercantile Battery and went south toLouisiana. The regiment went with Banks on hisRed River expedition. Mr. Smith served until theclose of the war, but was taken sick and wasin the hospital at two different times, being musteredout from the one in New Orleans in thesummer of 1805. On his return to Paxton, he locatedon a farm, liut worked at his trade until1870, when he became a resident of CherokeeCounty, Kan. He there eng.aged in farming withindifferent success for about four years, when heagain came to Paxton and resumed work as apainter. He h.as a reputation for doing good work,is a straightforward man in all his dealings, andtherefore has won a liberal patronage.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 469Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children yet living:Herbert W., who is in partnership with hisfather, is married and resides in Paxton; andGeorge W., the younger, is a printer by trade.They also lost one son, Raymond V., who died atthe age of eighteen years. .Socially, Mr. Smith isa member of Paxton Post No. 387, G. A. R., andat this writing is its Commander. Himself andwife hold membership with the CongregationalChurcli. His residence in Fold County covers aperiod of thirty-four years, and he is widelyknown among its best citizens as a man of sterlingworth, whose many excellencies of character wellentitle him to the high regard in which he is held."S3!^-i^^l-^=^EOHGE WUNDER now owns and operates',11 ^-—, a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres^i^ on section 22, AVall Township, where he hasmade his home for about eighteen years. He hasthe land under a high state of cultivation andwell improved with good buildings and the otheracces,sories of a model farm. He is one of therepresentative agriculturists of this community andhas a wide acquaintance in Ford County, where hehas so long resided.Mr. Wunder is a native of Bavaria, (ierman^'.He was born October .30, 1847, being the eldestchild in a family of nine cliildren, whose parentswere John and .Margaret (Darling) Wunder. Jamesand Andrew, the next younger, are both deceased;Margaret is the wife of George Trundley, a farmerof Iroquois County; Henry is an engineer residingin Ottawa, 111.; Adam is a farmer living in WallTownship; Samuel is engaged in agricultural pursuitsnear Manitolja, British America; and Petermakes his luimo in the same locality. The fatherof this family was a caliinet-maker by trade andfollowed that business for a livelihood in his nativeland. Willi the hope of bettering his financialcondition, he emigrated to America in June,1852, and after sixty-four days spent upon thebosom of the Atlantic, landed at New Orleans. Hecame up the Mississippi Hiver to St. Louis andfrom thence went to Marshall County, 111., locatingin Henry To^niship, where he turned his attentionto agricultural pursuits. He there made his homeuntil 1871, when he came to Ford County andmade a imrcliase of one hundred and sixty acres ofland on section 20, Wall Township, where he followedfarming until 1882, when he retired fromactive business on account of increasing years.The death of his wife occurred on the 12th ofMarch, 1881.Our subject spent the days of his boyhood andyouth upon his father's farm and, in the winterseason, when he did not engage In farm labor, heattended the schools of the neighborhood andacquired a good P^nglish education. At the ageof twentj'-three, he left home and chose as a companionand helpmate on life's journey Miss MaryHeim, their union being celebrated on the 6th ofFebruary, 1871. The lady is a daughter of Jonathanand Mai\v A. (Adams) Heim, both of whomwere natives of Pennsylvania and were of Germandescent. The fathtr was a carpenter by trade. Hebrought his family to Marshall County, 111., wherehe made his home until his death. With the MethodistChurch he held membership and was a highlyrespected citizen. In the family were eight children:Harriet, wife of John Eckliort, a farmer andgardener residing in Marshall County, 111.; Kate,wife of Aaron Defenbaugh, a resident of Streator,111.; Sophia, wife of Joseph Merdian, a residentof McHenry, Marshall County; Sarah, wife ofWilliam Snyder, who follows farming in StarkCounty, 111.; IMary, honored wife of our subject;Elizabeth, wife of James Ilarron, an agriculturistof Marshall County, III.; .lolin, deceased; andAmanda, wife of Thomas Gilkeison, of BattleCreek, Mich.^Ir. and Mrs. Wunder liegantheir domestic lifeupon a farm which he rented until 1874. In thatyear he came with his family to Ford County, andpurchased eighty acres of land on section 22, WallTownship, where he has since made his home. Inthe meantime he has extended the boundaries ofhis farm until it now corajirises a quarter-sectionof valuable land. Mr. Wunder is also generalagent for the Erie Windmill Compan_y, located inHenry, 111. He takes an active interest in all thatpertains to the welfare of the community, is a

470 PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.warm friend of tlie cause of education and hasserved for ten ,year.s as Scliool Director. In politics,he is a supporter of Democratic principles.Six children graced the union of Mr. and JMrs.Wunder, five of whom are living at this writing,in the spring of 1892, namely: Maxie, Amanda,Edward, William and Harry.child, died at the .age of four years.-Johnnie, the secondMr. and Mis.AVuuder and their children are members of theMetiiodist Cliurch and the family is one well deservingof representation in this volume. Hestarted out in life for himself a poor man, withnothing to depend upon but his own exertions andthose of his estinable wife, but his industry, perseveranceand good m.anagement have proved sufficientto gain him a comfortable competence.A.'pMn 'II ^ » i fai p^AVID E. SIVEKLING, proprietor of ameat market in Sibley, was born in CrawfordCounty, Pa., April 20, 18.57, and isa son of .Jolin and Marj^ Smith (Vader)Siverling. The parents were both twice married.The father first wedded Miss Mitchell, and untothem was born a son, Albert Bird, who is now aresident of Gibson. For his second wife he inarriedMrs. Vader, whose maiden name was Boyd.She w.as a native of Pennsylvania, and was bornAugust 26, 1828. By her first husband, FrankVader, she had one son, Albert, a miller by trade,residing in Drake's Mills, Pa. Unto Mi-, and Mrs.Siverling were born ten children, six sons and fourdaugliters, seven of whom are yet living:WilliamL., who is married and follows farming in Pennsylv.ania;David E., of this sketch; Perrj- L., who resideson the old homestead; .J.acob L., who is foremanof an oil tank line and is married and makeshis home in Venango County, Pa.; Leona J., wifeof G.ardie Foltz, a farmer of Erie County, Pa.;Fred B., who is employed in his brother's meat market,and is Chancellor Commander of the Knightsof Pythias Lodge, of Sibley, 111.; .John M., who ismarried and follows farming in Pennsylvania.The other three children died in infancy. Themother is still living at the age of sixty-four years,and is a devout member of the CongregationalChurch.Our subject spent the days of his boyhood andyouth upon his father's farm, and began his educationin the district schools of the neighborhood, butcompleted his studies at the Edinboro State NormalSchool, of Peunsj'lvania. He gave his fatherthe benefit of his la!)ors, and remained at homeuntil twenty-two years of age, when he determinedto try Jiis fortune in the West, emigrating to Illinoisin the autumn of 1871). He located in the townof Sibley and began work for Hiram Sibley.Aftertwo years, he engaged as salesman in the stoie ofGeorge T. Elliott, where he remained one .year,and then again was in the employ of Hiram .Sibleyfor a year, or until 1883.During that year heopened up a meat market in Sible^^, carrying onbusiness until 1884.On the 19th of October, 1883, Mr. Siverling wasunited in marri.age to Miss Caddie P., daughter ofGeorge II. and Mary (Leland) Woodward. Theirunion has been blessed with one child, Lula May,who was born on the 16th of November, 1886. Afterremaining in Sibley for a year, Mr. and Mrs.Siverling went to Nebraska, where they spent fourmonths, after which they returned to Ford County,in the fall of 1885, and our subject was again engagedon the Sibley estate, where he remained untilthe autumn of 1888, when lie with two otherbrothers purchased a meat market in Gibson, andthere carried on business until 1889. We next findhim in Rantoul, 111., where he, with one brother,Fred B., opened a meat market and again engagedin business in that line. On the 15th of December,1890, he returned to Sibley and once more establishedhimself in business as proprietor of a meatmarket, also forming a partnership with WilliamR. Harvey, and engaged in buying stock. Thesegentlemen are now enjoj'ing a good patron.age, ofwhich they are well deserving.Mr. Siverling is known .as a man of much energyand determination and possesses excellent businessability. He and wife have a pleasant home onHigh Street, whose hospitable doors are ever opento their many friends. In politics, he is a Republican,having supported that party since he cast hisfirst vote for James A. Garfield. Soci.allv, he is a

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I PeachI Melvin,PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 475member and Senior Deacon of the Masonic Lodge,and is Lodge Deputy of the Independent Order ofGood Templars, also a member of the ModernWoodmL'u of America fraternity. Me and his wifeare members of the Methodist Church and have contributedlargely to its support, and labored earnesth'for its uitbuilding. He is Assistant Superintendentof the Sunday-school, of which hisischorister.V.rwife^ OllX S. HUNT, a worthy pioneer farmer ofOrchard Township, now residing in^f^was born near Danville, Vermilion^/y County, HI., on the 4th of January, 1829,and is a son of Cornelius and Ann (Sidle) Hunt.His parents were natives of New Jersej'. Hisfather was born August 9, 1799, and died in LaSalle County, 111., in May, 1874, in his seventyfifthyear. The mother was born August 6, 1803,and is still living, at the advanced age of eightynineyears, making her home in Melvin.When asmall child, Mr. Hunt, Sr., removed with liis parentsfrom New .Jersey to Luzerne County, Pa.,and when he was a youth the family took nj) theirresidence in Muskingum County, Ohio, where hewas reared upon a farm, and, on attaining man'sestate, was married in Muskingum County to MissAnn Sidle, who had removed with her parents toOhio in childhood. In the fall of 1828, he wentwith his family to Illinois, locating near Danville,Vermilion County. He was one of the earliestpioneers of that region. Having lived there eighteenmonths, he removed to Putnam County, locatingnear the corner of Putnam, where Marshall andLa Salle join, and, on moving but a short distance,he lived in all three. About ten years later, hewent to Marshall County, and, in 1847, we lindhim in La Salle County, where he continued toengage in farming and stock-raising until hisdeath.John S. Hunt, wliose name heads tliis record,accompanied his father and the family on theirvarious removals in Illinois, was reared to agricul-20tural pursuits, and obtained his education in thepublic schools. After attaining to mature years,he was married in La Salle County, on theAugust, 1852, to Miss Jane22d ofBurley, who was bornin Adams County, Ohio, and is a daughter ofDaniel and Margaret (Anderson) Burley. Herfather died in Adams County, Ohio, February 17,1847, at the age of sixty-two years, and themother, after the loss of her husband, came to Illinoisand spent the last years of her life with Mrs.Hunt. Her death occurred in La Salle County,December 6, 1867, at the age of sevent3'-six years.Mr. and Mrs. Hunt were blessed with a family ofeleven children, eight of whom are yet living:George R., the eldest, died when a year old; ElizabethA. is the wife of Joseph McMahon, a residentof Livingston County, 111.; Ruth Harriet marriedWilliam II. Thompson and resides in Melvin;Nina V. is the wife of Paul lloobler, of Melvin;Julia wedded Clarence Salter, and they also residein Melvin; James William is living in Colfax, 111.;Delia is at home; Dora Madilla is the wife of JohnBrown, of Sibley; and John M., who married MissMamie Goggins, is a farmer of Peach OrchardTownship.Mr. Hunt continued his residence in La SalleCounty until (Jctober 17, 18G7, when he removedto Peach Orchard Township, in Ford County, purchasinga choice tract of land, upon which he carriedon farming and stock-raising very successfullyuntil November, 1882, when, for the greater comfortof himself and famil}', he leased his farm andremoved to iNIelvin, where he still resides. Heyet owns his land, consisting of live hundred andsixty acres, well improved, of which he leases thegreater portion, retaining a small part witliwhichto occupy his time and gratify his love for farming.Pea

476 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.traveling by ox-teams across the plains to the goldfields, and engaged in mining with marked success.His work was one hundred and twelve feetbelow the surface of the earth. At the expirationof two years, with others, he was to start for NewYork, by way of the ocean and Panama route.The steamer by which thej' were to sail reachedSan Francisco in a disabled condition, and waslikely to be detained some weelis for repairs; sothe part}' took passage on a sailing-vessel. Sheproved a bad sailor, and, meeting with adversewinds, was out forty-six days.It then had to putin at Acapuloo, having made a voyage of fifteenhundred miles. Food and water became exhausted,and for many davs the passengers andcrew were put on short rations, having only a halfpint of water and a ship's biscuit each da^^Theirfare on the vessel was i

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 47'public schools. He served as a member of theSchool Board for about fifteen years. Mr. andMis. Smith are members of tlie PresbyterianChurch of Clarence, and he is one of its Trustees.They are the parents of two sons: Hairy R., awell-educated young man, is now helping to carryon the home farm; and Orville L., also engagedin helping to carry on the home farm. They havealso lost one son, Clj'de, who died at the age ofeight years, on the 27th of JIarch, 1876. CoraCulver, a niece of Mrs. Smith, is also a member ofthe family. Her mother, Amelia Culver, died in1888, since which time she has lived with the familyof our subject.Mr. Smith has lieen a resident of the county fora quarter of a century and is well known throughoutthe county. He is a man of sterling characterand worth and enjoys the respect and esteem ofall who know him._os^^^M^mm a3;vC20_xrso"!)HEODORE .7. LARSON, resident partnerand manager of the extensive and popularclothing house of P. Larson

478 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.tered a woolen factory, where he worked until hewas grown. Hearing that, this eountr}' offeredbelter advantages to ,voung men, he resolved totry his fortune in America, and, in 1857, leftPlymouth on a sailing-vessel. He started fromhome on Easter Monday, and three days later tlieship in which lie engaged passage weighed anchorand was soon out upon the broad Atlantic. Thevo3'age lasted eight weeks, but at length Mr. Blackmorearrived in Quebec, Canada, in June. Hewent from there to Orleans County, N. Y., wherehe was employed as a farm hand, this being hisfirst experience as an agriculturist. He there residedfor about a year, and, in the spring of 1858,emigrated Westward, locating in what is now FordCount}', 111. Here he again worked upon a farmby the month, being thus employed for threej'ears, after which he rented land, raising his cropson shares. He then bought a team and continuedthus to farm until 1866.In November, 1865, Mr. Blackmore was unitedin marriiige with Mrs. Anna Perry, a native ofBedfordshire, England, and a daughter of ThomasDa}'. After their marriage, they removed to tiiefarm upon which they now reside, and, after rentingfor several years, Jlr. Blackmore made purchaseof forty acres. He afterwards made otherpurchases, and is now the owner of one bundledand sixty acres of valuable land, highly improved.As it was in its primitive condition at the time ofhis purchase, he broke it, fenced it and tiansformedthe raw prairie into rich and fertile fields. Hisown labor and enterprise have been the secret ofhis success.Mr. and Mrs. Blackmore have four children, andMrs. Blackmore had Ave children by a former marriage:Rhoda, the eldest of the famil}', is the wifeof Samuel Murdock; Sarah is the next 3'ounger;Annie is the wife of John Murdock; Albert A.died at tiie age of fourteen years; and Susan diedat the age of five years. Of the four children ofthe Blackmore family: Edward died in the winterof 1887, at the age of twenty-one; Rose is at home;Martha is the wife of A. Flick; and David aids hisfather in the operation of the home farm.Since becoming a voter, Mr. Blackmore h.as exercisedhis right of franchise in support of theDemocratic party, but has never been an officeseeker.He takes an active interest in all thatpertains to the welfare of the community and, asone of the earlj- settlers, has aided in the upbuildingof Ford County and done his part in the workof development and progress. He is accountedone of the valued citizens, as well as one of theleading agriculturists of the communityVji>,^#!•neer of Ford County of 1856, was born inC. M. EiiFEVRE, M. D., an honored piollli Miami County, Ohio, January 11, 1814,and was a son of Christian LeFevre. His fatherwas a native of Pennsylvania, and was of Frenchdescent on his father's and German on his mother'sside. He married an Irish lady. Our subject waseducated in Hanover College, of Indiana, and wasa graduate of the Medical College of Ohio, in theClass of '41. lie was married in Troy, Ohio, Juney, 1840, to Miss iNIartha Jewett. Mrs. LeFevre isa native of St. Johnsbury, Yt., born May 28, 1817,and is a daughter of Luther and Nancy Jewett.Upon his marriage, Dr. LeFevre located in Troy,Ohio, where he practiced his profession until 1848,when he removed with his family to Attica, Ind.,and there built up a large and luciative practice.He resided in that city until 1856, when he cameto Illinois. On coming to this State, he settled inwhat is now the township of Drummer, FordCounty, but was then a part of Yermilion County,and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. Onechild, a son, wasborn to the Doctor and his wife,Samuel J., whose sketch appears on another pageof this work.In political sentiment. Dr. LeFevre was an originalAbolitionist, and was among the first to jointhe Republican party on its organization. Someseven years after the formation of Ford Count}', hewas appointed to the office of County Su[>erintendentof Schools, to fill an unexpired term, and atthe succeeding election he was elected to the sameoffice, but was compelled to resign on account ofill health. The Doctor had a half-section, or threehundred and twenty acres, of land in Drummer

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,PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 481Township, and was engaged in farming and stockraisingup to the time of his deatli,whidi occurredon tlie 1st of December, 1869. He was one of thewell-iinown citizens of this county and took aprominent part in its upbuilding and advancement.He was public-spirited and progressiveand was highlj- esteemed for his sterling worthand integrity. Our subject and his vvife were botliconsistent members of tlie Presbyterian Churchand in its work took an active part. INIrs. LeFevrewas a lady possessed of many excellencies of character,and was called to her final rest a few yearsprior to the death of her husband, passing away inFebruary, 18Gf), beloved by all who knew iier.?MANUELKERNS, a well-known businessman of .Sibley, is a dealer iu hardware and?j farm implements. IIis life record is as follows:He was born in Ross County, Ohio, on the8tli of November, 18;)2, and is a son of .John andMary (Routt) Kerns, both of whom were of Germanextraction. His father was a native of Ohio,and was assassinated at or near Carlyle in this State,when Emanuel was but a child. His wife was alsoborn in the Buckeye State and died about 18()5. Oursubject is the seventh in order of birth of eightchildren. The eldest of the family is Benjamin,a farmer residing in the Buckeye State; Henry,who follows agricultural pursuits in Ross Count}-,Ohio; George, who died in 1862 at Cairo, 111.,from the effects of hard service in the army, hehaving enlisted as a member of Company' A,Seventj'-third Ohio Infantry; Mary, wife ofJohn Drake, a farmer residing in Ohio; Martha,twin sister of Mary, and the wife of .JohnHarrington, who resides in the city of Chillicothe,in the Buckeye State; Emanuel, of thissketch; and John, a carpenter and builder living inSibley. The father of this family died in 1855, andthe mother was called to her final rest in 1866.Our subject was only three years of age at thetime of his father's death. His educational advantageswere very limited, and from an earl}- agehe had to make Iiis own way in the world. He beganlife for himself as a farm-hand, working by themonth, and was thus employed until twenty 3-earsof age, when he rented land, operating that farmfor one year. During the succeeding year, he wasforeman of quite a large farm, after which he beganwork at the carpenter's trade and followed itcontinuously until 1890, being quite successful inthat line. He has been a resident of Illinois since1869, during which year lie located in PiattCounty, 111., where he made his home until 1881.During that time, Mr. Kerns was united in marriageto Miss Martha Hettinger, a daughter ofWilliam and Margaret Hettinger, and the secondin a family of eleven children, eight of whom areyet living: .James, the eldest, is married and residesin Champaign County, 111.; Nelson N. is marriedand follows farming in that county; Williamis also married and follows farming in ChampaignCounty; Frank resides in Piatt Count}' and is married,but his wife is now deceased; Edward is marriedand follows farming in Champaign County;George is engaged in agricultural pursuits in PiattCounty; and Oscar is also a farmer in that county.Mrs. Kerns was educated in the common schoolsand li.as been a valualile helpmate to her husband.Their union was celebrated March 29, 1874, andhas been blessed with six children, namely: Lottie,Minnie, William E., Arthur N., Albert II. andRo}- E.In 1881, Mr. Kerns removed to Strawu, 111.,where he spent four years, working at his tradeuntil 1885. He then came to Sibley and took chargeof the building interests on the great Hiram Sibleyestate, where he continued from April 1, 1885, toJanuary 1, 1890. He is a most excellent workman,and although he did an immense amount ofwork during that time, it was all perfectly satisfactoryto the general manager of the estate.Mr.Kerns is also dealing in farm implements and hardware,and has a full line of buggies, carriages,phwtons, harness, etc., and a full line of builder'smaterials. His volume of business is large. He isa man of good business ability and hispersistentindustry and good management have won him acomfortable competence.In politics, Mr. Kerns is an ardent supporter ofthe Prohibition party, and in religious belief is a

482 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Methodist.He has served as Steward, Trustee andTreasurer of his church, and has beenvery activein Sunday-sciiool work, having served as Superintendentin Sibley for two years and in Strawn forthe same period. He is President of theSullivantTownship Sunday-school organization, and, since1890, has been corresponding member of theBloomington District Committee of the YoungMen's Clu'istian Association. His labors have beenproductive of much good and his upright life haswon him the confidence and high regard of all.He belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge No.321, of Modern Woodmen Camp No. 1,136, andthe Independent Order of Good Templars' LodgeNo. 3fi3. P"or a period of three years he hasfilled the office of Justice of the Peace, and hasserved as President of the Board of Trustees ofSibley for the years 1890 and 1891.Mr. Kerns is, recognized as one of the leading citizens of thispl.ace and well deserves mention in the history ofhis adopted county.,=ofT/_^^AMILTON .J. BAKROW, retired farmer and*^^^ early settler of Ford County, is now a residentof Gibson C'it3\ He was born in FredcrickCounty, Va., and is a son of Frederickand Sallie A. Barrow, both of whom were nativesof the same State as our subject. The mother diedwhen Hamilton was but four jears of age and alsoleft two other sons: Andrew J., who was killed inthe late war, and .lolni AV.After her death, the fatherwas again united in marriage, .and in the year1867 removed with his famil}' to what is now DixTownship, Ford County. Having purchased newland, he soon turned his attention to its development,and before his death was the owner of a finefarm, which was highly cultivated and improved.He passed from this life when well advanced inyears, dying in the faith of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch, of which he was a consistent member.In politics, he voted with the Democratic party.No event of special importance occurred duringtlie boyhood of our subject, he being reared tomanhood on his father's farm and attending thedistrict schools of the neighborhood, where he secureda limited education. With his parents, hecame to Ford County in 1867, and here workedfor a year as a f.irm hand by the month.Five years later, Mr. Bari-ow returned to Virginia,and on the 27th of March, 1872, in FauquierCounty, led to the marriage altar Miss Susan A.Bradford, a daughter of George and Marj- (Brook)Bradford, both natives of Virginia and of Englishdescent. In th.at State they both died, thefather passing away at the age of sixty-two and themother when fifty-five years of age.Mr. Bradfordwas a lineal des(endant of Gov. William Bradford,of Massachusetts, and a member of the New-lightBaptist Church.In the early days, when the militiaused to muster, he held the office of First Lieutenant.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bradford were borneleven children, of whom Mrs. Barrow was the eldest,but three of that number are now deceased.She was born on the 18th of January, 1844, inFauquier County, Va.Upon the marriage of our subject, he returnedwith his young bride to Ford County, where theybegan their domestic life in a frame house, 16x22feet, without lath or pi.astcring. This was soonmade comfortable and remained their home untilthey removed to Gibson City, which is the onlyremoval since their marriage, By industry andgood management, thay have accumulated a handsomeproperty, and their two hundred and twentysevenacres of unimproved land are now cultivatedand have become one of the best farms in the community.In 1887, thej' removed to Gibson City,where they have an elegant house, surrounded byeight and a third acres of fine land.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barrow were liorn threechildren: Anna Belle, Cari-ie Ma}' and CiiarlesMarshall. The parents hold membership with theMethodist Episcopal Church, and their eldestdaughter with the Cumberland Presbyterian. Politicall}',Mr. Barrow is a stalwart Democrat andcast his first vote for Gen. McClellan. In July,1861, he enlisted in Company C, Fifty-first VirginiaInf.intry, C. S. A., and served some sevenmonths. He participated in two minor engagements,in the second of which he was struck bv a

I'—PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 483ball in the left cheek, passing through his head andcoming out behind the right ear, thus disablinghnn for further service. Mr. Barrow is essentiallya self-made men, making all he has b^- his own industryand good business ability.rp5, LIAS A. STARE, proprietor of the Sibley«j Tile Factory, of Sibley, 111., and a well---^ known business man of Ford County, isone of the worth}- citizens that Pennsylvania hasfurnished to this State. He was born in YorkCounty, October 1, 1844, and is a son of Henryand Lydia (Auchenbaugh) Stare, both of whomwere natives of Pennsylvania, the former bornNovember 19, 1790, and the latter September 14,1807. In his early life, the father drove a teambetween Baltimore and Harrisburg, Pa., and afterwardengaged in farming. In politics, he was anold-line Whig until the organization of the Republicanparty, when he joined its ranks. Hisdeath occurred October 5, 1865, and his remainswere interred in Liverpool, Pa. A beautiful stonestands at his head. After her husband's death,Mrs. Stare emigrated to Illinois and spent herlast days in Decatur, dying on the 7th of April,1879.The faniih- of this worthy couple numberedthirteen children: John, who died in 1892; Leah,wife of Henry Kain, a carpenter and builder ofDecatur; George, who is living retired in Decatur;Harriet, wife of John JIarkley, a resident farmerof Macon County; Sarah, wife of John Knapp, ofDecatur; Rudolph, who died in 1854; IMoses, whofollows the trade of carpentering in Dec.itur;Lydia, wife of Robert Iliggins, a harness-maker, ofPawnee, 111.; Nancy, whose home is in Decatur;Lovey, wife of E. B. Eicholtz, a carpenter andbuilder residing in St. Louis, Mo.; Elias, of thissketch; Mary, wife of Taylor Blaine, whose homeis in Decatur, and Willie, who died in infancy.No event of special importance occurred duringthe childhood days of our subject, which werespent upon his father's farm and in attendance atthe district schools, where he ac(piircd a goodEnglish education. He started out in life forhimself at the age of nineteen years, and emigratingWestward, located in Decatur, 111., in1864. He had learned the carpenter's trade andthere followed that occupation until 1870, whenhe estalilishcd a lumber yard and also engagedin buying grain until 1874, when he sold out andwent to the South. He first located in Dallas,Tex., and was one of the stockholders and erecteda 1160,000 elevator at that place. He was Superintendentuntil 1878, when, selling his interest inthe elevator, he removed toGrayson County, Tex.,and purchased a large tract of wild land, uponwhich he made many improvements, and there residedfor a year and a half. His next place ofresidence was in Gainesville, Tex., where he engagedin the implement business until 1880, whenhe sold out and returned to the North. On oncemore locating in Decatur, he established a tile factory,the first in Macoupin County, 111. In 1881,he sold out and came to Sibley, where he erecteda tile factory which he still operates, manufacturingabout a million and a half tiles annually. Healso owns considerable property, including somevaluable real estate in Chicago, and is recognizedas one of the substantial citizens of the community.The lady who is now Mrs. Stare was, in hermaidenhood. Miss Lizzie Reeme. Her parents,AVilliam H. and Catherine (Shaffer) Reeme, werenatives of Pennsylvania. The father was born inDaui)hin County, on the 12th of July, 1811, wasreared to agricultural pui-suits and educated in thecommon schools. At the age of twenty-eight, hebegan dealing in general merchandise. He emigratedto Ohio in the spring of 1857, and thereremained eight years, after which he spent twentyyears engaged in general merchandising in Decatur,111. He was one of the pioneer business men ofthe city. In 1886, he was called upon to mournthe loss of his wife, who died on the 13th of Februar\',at the age of sixty-five }-ears, two monthsand seventeen days. For fort3'-five years theyhad traveled life's journey together, sharing itsjoys and sorrows, adversity and prosperity. Theyhad a family of nine children, four sons and fivedaughters, but only the daughters are now living:

484 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Ellen is the wife of Benjamin Knepper, a farmerresiding near Tiflin, Ohio; Mrs. Stare is the nextyounger; Sarah is the wife of Kilburn Howard, ofDecatur, 111., who for twenty-live years has been atrusted employe of the Wabash Railroad Company;Emma is the wife of Judge Davidson, ofMontieello, 111., County Judge of Piatt County;and Ida is a saleslady in a large mercantile establishmentof Decatur.Mrs. Stare was born January 23, 1845, acquiredher education in the common schools and is anestimable lady. The marriage of our subject aridhis wife was celebrated December 14, 1874, andunto them have been born five children: Frank,Burton, Fred, Mary B. (deceased), and Willie.The family has a beautiful and elegant home onOhio Street, and its members rank high in socialcircles. The parents are members of the MethodistChurch and are earnest supporters ofall thosebenevolent institutions which are worth}' of theirconsideration.In politics, IMr. Stare is a Prohibitionist. He belongsto the Modern Woodmen, Camp No. 1135, ofSibley, and is a man who has the best interest ofthe community at heart and does all in his powerfor the advancement of those enterprises calculatedto prove of public good. He was one of the membersof the Building Committee at the time of theerection of the Methodist Church in Sibley, and hasbeen Superintendent of the Sunday-school for four}-ears.Mr. Stare is a patentee of several valuabledevices, including the steel and iron road, whichwas patented December IG, 1890, and is a valuableinvention.~=)I^^h^iC. HENDERSON now owns and oper-J"'OHNates two hundred and forty acres of arableland on section 28, Button Township. Itis considered one of the best farms in theneighborhood, being improved with a substantialresidence, good barns and outbuildings and all theother accessories of a model farm. The fields arewell tilled and the neat appearance of the placeindicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner.Jlr. Henderson was born in Portage County,Ohio. M.ay 19, 1842. His grandfather removedfrom Westmoreland County, Pa., to Ohio about1828, becoming one of the pioneers of SummitCounty, and there Alexander Henderson, fatherof John, was reared to manhood. He was bornin Westmoreland County-, in 1816. In SummitCounty, he wedded Mary Lantz, a, native of theKe^'stone State, and a daughter of .Tacob Lantz,one of the early settlers of Summit County.Aftertheir marriage, Mr. Henderson )emoved with hiswife to Portage County, which was then an almostunbroken wilderness, and cleared and developeda farm, upon which he resided until 1853. Hethen sold out and removed to Northfield, SummitCounty, where he engaged in farming five ^-ears.In 1858, he came to Illinois and entered a farm inLa Salle County. In the spring of the followingyear, he settled upon land iii Putnam County,where he engaged in agricultural pursuits forsome time. He then again sold out and removedto Princeton, Bureau County, where he made hishome until his death on the 5th of March, 1880.His wife died in November, 1889, at the home ofher daughter, in Beatrice, Neb., but she was laidto rest b}- the side of her husband in Princeton,111., where a nice monument has been erected totheir memory. For many \-ears they were activemembers of the Presbyterian Church, in whichMr. Henderson long served as an Elder. He wasa successful business man, and was esteemed andrespected wherever known.Our subject is the second in order of birth intheir family of three sons and two daughters whoreached adult age: Denisa, deceased, wife of J. R.Phillips, of Ford County, whose sketch appearselsewhere in this work; John C, whose nameheads this record; Robert F., a farmer of GageCounty, Neb.; Walter L., a lawyer of Creighton,Knox County, Neb.; Leila A., wife of John Pollock,of Beatrice, Neb.Until fourteen years of age, John Hendersonresided in the State of his nativity and acquireda good common-school education. With his i)arents,he came to Illinois in 1858, and remainedwith his father until he had attaiiied his majority.He then began operating a portion of the homeI

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farm on his own account, and continued its cnltivationfor several years. As a companion andlielpmate on life's journey, he chose INIiss SusannaPackinghani, a natiye of Putnam ('ounty, III., anda daughter of .lames Paekingliain. one of the honoredpioneers of Putnam County, wlio came tothis State from Winsted, Conn. The union of oursubject and his wife was celebrated in (uanville,Putnam County, January 25, 18C6, and they begantheir domestic life upon the home farm, butafter a few years came to Ford County in 1871,and settled upon wild land in Button Township.Mr. Henderson first purchased forty acres, andafter he had broken and improved this tract hebought an additional forty, lying just acro.ss theline in ^'ermilion County. As his financial resourceshave increased, he has since added to theamount, and is now the owner of a valuable placeof which we have before spoken.Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have no children oftheir own, but have reared three orphan children:Thomas IMcMurray, Mary Alma Morrison andJohn F. Correll being still with tiiem. Mr. Hendersonand his wife are members of tiie PresbyterianChurch and are very highly respectedpeople, whose upright lives have won them thewarm regard of all with whom they have comein contact. He is a thrifty, enterprising man,who began life for himself empty-handed, but hasworked his way upward by the assistance of hisestimable wife to a position of affluence. He certainlydeserves great credit for his success, and itis with pleasure that we present this brief recordof so worthy a man to our readers.w f\ y " ll ^ f ?—i-

488 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Trustees. Ho is a warm friend of the cause ofeducation and believes in promoting the interestsof the schools by securing the best teachers. Heis now serving as a member of the School Board,but has never been an oflice-seeker, preferring togive his entire time and attention to his business.He cast liis first Presidential vote for tiie Hon.R. B. Hayes, and has supported each Republicannominee for President since that time. He is awarm advocate of the principles of the Republicanparty and greatly interested in its success. Mr.McCracken is recognized as one of the wide-awakeand enterprising business men of the county, whohas not only labored for the advancement of hisown interests but has worked for the upbuildingand development of the community as well.His life has been well and worthily spent, and hisupright character has won him high esteem.Pi)'REDERICK HAMER, one of the enterisingand well-known farmers of Patton Township,residing on section 29, is a native ofHanover, Germany. He was born March 5, 1858,and is a son of the Rev. Peter Hamer, a ministerof the Reformed Church. His mother was in hermaidenhood Miss Fulkamena Bussen, and bothwere natives of Germany. They spent their entirelives in the Fatherland, and at length were calledto their final rest.The subject of this sketch was reared to manhoodin the land of his nativity. At the age oftwenty, he determined to seek his fortune in theNew World, believing that better opportunitieswere here offered than the old and more thicklysettled countries afforded. So it was that in 1878,in company with his brother Thaddeus, he boardeda Westward-bound vessel at Bremen and in July ofthat year arrived at New York. He at once cameto the West and made his first location in LoganCount3', 111., where he worked upon a farm by themonth for a year. He then went to Hartzburg,Logan County, where he was employed as a clerkfor a year. He then bought a store in Hartzburg andengaged in general merchandising for himself, carryinga stock of hardware and drugs. For seven3'ears, he continued business at that place and thensold out, after which he purchased a farm in PiattCounty, 111., and once more resumed agriculturalpursuits. The two succeeding years of his lifewere spent in operating that land, after which hesold that farm and, coming to Ford County, boughtthe one which is now his home. He located thereonin .January. 1891. It is a well-developed tract ofone hundred and eighty-eight acres of valuableland, highly improved and located within twomiles of Paxton. The city thus being easy of access,he can readily obtain its luxuries and at the sametime enjoy the pleasures of rural life.In Logan County, on the 28th of October, 1886,Mr. Hamer led to the marriage altar Miss MaggieMcAvoy, daughter of Daniel McAvoy. She is anative of the Emerald Isle, but was educated andreared in Logan County, 111. Three children gr.acedtheir union, sons: Freddie, Richard and Philip.Mr. Hamer cast his first Presidential vote forGrover Cleveland, and has since been identifiedwith the Democratic party, being a stanch advocateof its principles. He has, however, neversought or desired political preferment for himself.Although he has resided in Ford Count\- but ashort time, he is recognized as a public-spiritedcitizen and one of sterling worth and integrity.It was a fortunate day for our subject when hedetermined to seek a home in America, for in thisland of freedom he has prosi)ered, and b^- his ownefforts has become a well-to-do farmer.— 5- "^^^tg)i->^^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 489born in Rush County, Ind., June 5, 1846, and is ason of "William and Elizabeth (Kirk) Huntei\ Hisfather was born in Cumberland County, Pa., jNIay11, 1793, and died in Jefferson Co\inty, 111., June12, 1878. The mother was born near Annapolis,Md., April 10, 1804, and departed this life in BelleRive, 111., November 16, 1884. Our suliject cameto this State with his parents in 1856, when a ladof ten summers, spent a few years in TazewellCountj% and then settled in Jefferson County, ofthe same State. He attended the public schools,and on the 1st of March, 1864, wlien eighteenyears old, enlisted in Compan3^ I, Ninety-fourthIllinois Infantr3'. Entering active service, hetook part in the Mobile campaign, the siege andcapture of Ft. Morgan and Spanish Fort and invarious skirmishes, closing with the battle of FranklinCreek, Miss. In July, 186.'), he was transferredto the Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry, becominga member of Companj- G, and was mustered outMay 30, 1866. On his return from the army, heengaged in farming in Jefferson County, which hecontinued until 1868, when he turned his attentionto school teaching and spent three years in traveland teaching, after which he resumedagriculturalpursuits.On the 5th of October. 1871, the marri.age ceremonyof Mr. Hunter and Miss Olive II. Rotramel,daughter of David R. Rotramel, was performed in.Tefferson County, the lady's native county. Threechildren have been born to them, two of whom areyet living: Fred, seventeen, and Clyde, eight;David Harry died at the age of five years.In 1873, Mr. Hunter went to Elk County, Kan.,where he resided two years, and then removed toJefferson County, 111., after which he became aresident of Belle Rive, 111., in 1881. There he wasengaged in the lumber aud agricultural implementbusiness until 1886, when he came to Paxton, andhas since devoted his energies to the pursuit wliichnow occupies his attention. Mr. Hunter and hiswife are members of the Methodist Church, and, inpolitics, he is a Republican. He .served as Assessorin Jefferson Countj', 111., for four years, and hasserved as President of the Board of Education ofthe cit3' of Paxton. He is a meml)er of PaxtonLodge No. 416, A. F. & A. M.; raid is Fast Commanderof Paxton Post No. 387, G. A. R. Hewas appointed Aide-de-Camp on the staff of Gen.S. Clark, Commander of the Department of theIllinois Grand Army of the Republic, and liasbeen one of the inspectors of this district. Heis also a member of the Modern Woodmen Lodge,of Paxton. By his fellow-citizens, Mr. Hunter isvery generally esteemed for his courteous andgenial manner and upright and manly course inIllsintercourse with them.$ MLLIAM CURRIE is engaged in general\/\///farming and stock-raising on section 10,^f/^ Patton Township, where he has made hishome since 1890, but his residence in the countycovers a period of almost a quarter of a century..Scotland is the land of his birth, but he is of Englishdescent. His parents, Thomas and Jane (Bruce)Currie, were both born and reared in England.They resided in Scotland until 1865, when theydetermined to make a home in the New "World andcrossed the briny deep. Their first settlement wasmade in Marshall County, 111., where Mr. Currieengaged in farming for two jears, and then withhis family came to Ford County in 1867, locatingupon a tract of land in Will Township, where hehas since resided. In 1888, he was called u])on tomourn the loss of his wife, who died in November.AVilliam Currie was born near Green Lawn,*Scotland, September 15, 1852, and was a lad ofthirteen years at the time of the emigration of hisparents to this country. He grew to manhood inFord County, the days of his youth being spent inthe usual manner of farmer lads. He aided in thecultivation and development of his father's landin the summer months, and in the winter seasonattended the district schools of tiie neighborhood.Under the parental roof, he remained until afterhe had attained his majority, when he started outfor himself. Asa companion and helpmate onthe journey of life, he chose Miss MargaretSmith, daughter of James F. and Eliza (McKeldy)Smith, both of whom were natives of Canada.They are numbered among the early settlers of

490 PORTEAIT AND ETOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Ford County, having liei-e located in 1859. Mrs.Currrie was born in Canada, hut spent licr maidenhoodda^s in this covinty, remaining witli herparents until she gave her hand in marriage to oursubject, on the 2(ith of October, 1882. They liavea family of three bright little children, who arethe light of tlieir parents' home: Elizabeth J.,Thomas James and Florence Leona.After liis marriage, Mr. Currie located on a farmnear Roberts Station, where he engaged in agriculturalpursuits for three years. He then disposedof that land and became a resident of Paxton,engaging in business in tlie city for threeyears. At lengtli he sold out his business and oncemore resumed farming, removing, in 1890, to hispresent fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres,conveniently- located aljout two and a half milesfrom Paxton. Tiie land is well improved and undera high state of cultivation, tlie fertile fieldsyielding a golden tribute to the care and labor bestowedupon them by the owner. INIr. Currie isnot onl\' regarded as one of the most successfulagriculturists of the community, but is also knownto be a public-spirited and [)rogressive citizen. lieand his estimable wife are held in high regardthrougliout the community, having won the esteemof all by their sterling worth and many excellenciesof character.AMUEL .J. LkFEVRE, an early settler ofl'\:)rd County and one of the first to establisha lumlier and coal yard at GiljsonCity, is a native of Ohio, and was born inMontgomery County of that State, on the IGth ofApril, 1841. Ilis parents were Dr. W. C. M. andMartha (Jewett) LeFevre, of whom see a sketchelsewhere in this work.Samuel J. removed with his parents when sixyears of age to Attica, Fountain County, Ind.,where he attended school for nine years, when, in1856, he accomi)anied his father to VermilionCounty, 111. The family settled in what is nowDrummer Township, Ford County, but was then apart of Dix T(jwnship, Vermilion County. Therehe was employed in assisting his father on thefarm, receiving little or no additional sciiooling.On the 13th of August, 18G2, Mr. LeFevre enlistedas a member of Company K, Seventy-sixthRegiment of Illinois Infantry and served as a noncommissionedotHcer until near the close of thewar, lieing mustered out .luly 24, 18(15, afterthree years of hard fighting. He participated inthe siege of Vicksburg; siege of Fort Blakely andnumerous minor engagements. He received a severegun-shot wound in the left foot in the captureof P^ort Blakely. near Mobile, Ala., on the 9th ofApril, 18(55, the last day's fight of the war.Receiving his discharge, ]\Ir. LeFevre returnedhome and on recovering from his wound engagedin farming on the old homestead. He was marriedin Dix Township, on the 23d of December, 18(;G,to Miss Laura A. Carver, a native of Norton, Mas-.sachusetts, and a daughter of David L. Carver,a descendant of Gov. Carver. Two daughtersgrace the union of our subject and his estimablewife: Anna .Land Mary Etta, both born in DrummerTownshiii.In 1872, Mr. LeFevre engaged in the lunil>erand coal business in (iibson City, which he continuedup to 1887, when he sold out his lumberyardbut still retained the coal business. In thewinter of 1891-2, he erected an electric light i)lantat that place, which he put in operation in .Tanuaiy,1892, and has since conducted successful!}', beingthe sole proprietor and manager. In addition tohis other proiierty, Mr. LeFevre h.as a well-improvedfarm of one hundred and sixty acres, whichis described as the northwest quarter of section 13,township 23, range 7, and which corners with citylimits of Gibson. He has made his home in thattown since beginning business there in 1872.Mr. LeFevre is a Republican in politics and astalwart advocate of its principles. He has servedas School Treasurer four years, Township Trusteesix years, for three years was a member of the VillageBoard and President of the same for oneyear. He has held the otfice of Supervisor ofDrummer Township for three and a half years andfor two years was Chairman of the County Boardof Supervisors. He is a prominent and representa-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPII'CAL RECORD. 493tive business man of Ford County and is lield inhigh esteem by his felhiw-eitizons. Soeiallj', he isa Mason, being a member of (libson Lodge No.733, A. F. & A. M.; of Gibson Chapter No. 183,R. A. M.; of Gibson Council No. 72; of Mt. OlivetCoramandery No. 38, K. T., of I'axton; and PastCommander of Lott Post No. 70, (i. A. II.if OHN MEAD THOMPSON. Among themost worth}' early settlers of Melviu mustbe mentioned the gentleman whose nameheads this sketch and who has been the localJustice of the Peace of Melvin for the p.ast fifteenyears. He is a native of Noble County, Ohio, hisbirth having occurred on the 24th of April, 1837,and is a son of William and Catherine (Dyer)Thompson, who wore natives of ^'irginia, and whoin their youth went with tlieir respective parentsto l>elmont Countv, Ohio, wlici-e they made theirhomes, the mother's family settling tliere duringher childhood and the father's in the year 1825.William Thompson and his wife were married inBelmont Count}', in 1729, and soon after movedto Noble County. In 1843, they moved to MonroeCounty and seven years later returned to ]>elmontCounty, which was the home of the family till theycame West.In politics, Mr. Thompson was a Democrat untilthe war and it was a hard struggle for him to severold party affiliations, but when principle demandedit, he changed and was ever afterward a warm Republican,liotli he and his wife were zealous membersof the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother,who was a worthy Christian woman, died inBelmont County, Ohio, April 8, 1863, at the ageof fifty-four years. The father came to Illinois in18C4,and settled first in Marshall County, near NewRutland, La Salle Count}-, where he engaged infarming. He was an upright Christian man and agood citizen. His death occurred in Melvin inMarch, 1874, he having been a resident of thatplace some four years.John M. Tiiompson was reared on a farm andsecured an academic education, Jo early manhood.he engaged in teaching school, following that callingsome four years. On the 31st of October,1861, in Barnesville, Belmont County, Ohio, he wasunited in marriage witli Miss Jane Day, a daughterof John and Anna Day. The lady was born inBarnesville and became the mother of three children;AVilliam Edward, wiio was born February 9,1863, married Miss Maggie Statiier and is a memberof the firm of William II. & W. E. Thompson,dealers in lumber and agricultural implements ofMelvin; Anna, the only daughter., died June 17,1874, at the age of three years; and Franc Mead,the youngest child, was born February 3, 1877.Mr. Thompson came to Illinois in 1864 with hisfamily, spent one year in Grundy County, then removedto Marshall County, and located within amile of New Rutland, La Salle County, where hewas engaged in farming three years. In 1869, heremoved to Woodford County, near p]l Paso, buta year later crossed the line into McLean County.He came in 1872 to INIelvin and engaged in theagricultural implement .and grocery business incompany with his brother Tliomas D. The partnershipwas dissolved in 1878 and our subject continuedalone in the implement business, to whichhe added the lumber business, until 1886, sincewhich time he has devoted his attention to his officialduties as Justice of the Peace and to conveyancingand collecting. On the 15th of May, 1887,Mr. Thompson was called upon to mourn the lossof his wife. She w!is a consistent member of theMethodist Episcopal Church from childhood.On the 6th of December, 1888, Mr. Thompsonwas united in marriage tlie second time, the ceremonybeing performed in Melvin, while Mrs. JaneThompson became his wife. She was the widowof Isr.iel A. Thompson and a d.aughter of JosephFletcher. Her birth occurred in Bury, Lancashire,England..and she came to America with her parentsin childhood. She has one child by her formermarriage, Sarah Catherine Thompson.In politics, Mr. Tliomi)Son is a Republican andat this writing is President of the Village Board ofMelvin. In 1890, he was one of the census enumerators,and he will have held the office ofJustice of the Peace for sixteen years when iiispresent term expires. He has been secretary and a

494 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,trustee of tlie Melviii Brick and Tile Company sinceits organization. He is a cliarter member of PeachOrcLiard Lodge No. 179, K. P., in which lie hasfilled the official chairs, and lias held the office ofDeputy Grand Chancellor since the lodge was instituted,lie has been actively identified with thecitizens of Peach Orchard and adjoining townshipsfor the past twenty years, in business and officialrelations, and it is no tlatteiy to say of him thathis upright and honorable course with all withwhom he has come in contact has won him universalrespect and confidence. He is looked up to byevery one and has been of niiicli service to manyin the wa.v of seasonable and sound advice on mattersof differences in business or in the way ofbusiness transactions in the ordinal y course of life.Plain and unpretending in manner, courteous andobliging, he has made many friends and has few,if any, enemies. Himself and wife and their childrenare members of the Methodist Church ofMelvin, to which Mr. Thompson has been a liberalcontributor and has been active in its support, ashas also his wife.j****^='**

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 495Royal College of Belfast, jriadnating about 1844and the followiug jear he einigrated to America,locating in Pittsburg, Pa., where, having studiedtheology, he was soon licensed to preach. Acceptinga call from Austintown, Ohio, he became alocal pastor of tliat city, and was there, on the 29thof May, 18 IS, ordained a minister of tlie ReformedPresbyterian Church.On the SDth of jNIay, 1840, just a year after his ordination,Kev. ^Ir. ISIcCracken was united in the holybonds of matrimony with Miss Elizabeth C. Hogg,who was born in Canfleld, Ohio, October 16, 1827,and is a da\ighter of AVilliam an

496 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.values of jiroperty is reliahle, and he possesses anatuial aptness and liking for business transactionsthat have led liini into many profitable investments,principally^ in real estate. In a marked degree, Mr.MeCracken enjoys the confidence and esteem ofhis fellow-citizens and all with whom he has hadbusiness or social relations.^ IS' H'OIIN TI'jTER is one of tlic prominent farmersof Pattoii Township, liis home being onsection 22. West Virginia is the State ofhis nativity, liis birth having occurred inPendleton County ,November 24, 1843. His father,Benjamin Tcter, was also a native of West Virginia,and his grandfather, .John Teter, was bornin Pennsylvania, from whence he removed toPendleton County, W. Va. With the other membersof the family, Benjamin was there reared tomanhood, and after attaining to years of maturity,he wedded Maiy Hartman, a native of thatState and a daughter of John Ilartman, who atan early day removed to Iowa, where he madehis home until his death. The father of our subjectis a blacksmith b}' trade, but has also followedfarming for many years. On his emigrationto Illinois, lie located in McLean Count3',in 1850, and for about thirt3-tive years has residedupon the farm which is still his home. Heis a hale and hearty old gentleman of seventyfiveyears, wljo is now living a retired life in theenjoyment of the rest he has so well earned andtruly deserved. His first wife died in McLeanCounty in 1853, after which he was a second timemarried.Our subject was the second in the family of twosons and two daughters who were born of thetirst marriage, grew to mature 3ears and becameheads of families. Elizabeth is now deceased;Sarah is the wife of Charles West, a resident ofColorado; and .Joseph, wlio joined the One Hundredand Eiftieth Illinois Infantry in 1865, diedin Jeffersonville, Ind.John Teter, whose name heads this record, remainedin McLean County- until the age of eighteenyears, working upon his father's farm andreceiving but limited educational advantages. Onthe 26th of December, 1861, he enlisted in tliecountry's service as a memijer of Company K,Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry. He was then onlyeighteen years of age and weighed but ninetypounds. With his regiment, he participated inthirty-two engagements, many of which wereamong the most important of the war. He tookpart in the battle at New Madrid, both engagementsat Corinth, the battle of luka, the siege of\'icksbnrg and the battleof Jackson, where he receivedtwo flesh wounds, one caused by a musketball and the other b^- a piece of shell. He wascarried from the field, but as soon as he had sufficientlyrecovered, re-joined his command and participatedin the battle of Mission Ridge and thoseof the Atlanta campaign, also in tiie memorablemarch to the sea with Sherman. He likewise tookpart in the Grand Review at Washington at theclose of the war, and with his regiment was musteredout at Louisville,receiving his discharge inSpringfield, 111.. July 21), 1865. He was a faithfulsoldier and ever found at his post of duty, neverfailing to respond to his name at roll-call, exceptafter he was wounded, and in 1862, when he laysick in the hospital with measles and rheumatism.On the year following his return from the war,Mr. Teter was married, April 12, 1866, to MissHeniietta Coffej-, who was born in Indiana, andcame with her father, Hiram Coffej', to Illinoiswhen a child and spent her maidenhood days inISIcLean County. The ^oung couple there begantheir domestic life upon a rented farm, and aftertwo years Mr. Teter purchased forty acres of rawland which he improved, selling it after threeyears. He then went to Sedgwick Count}', Kan.,but did not locate as he intended. Returning toIllinois, he again rented a farm for three ^earsand then purchased land in INIcLean County. Six3'ears later, he again sold, after which he rentedfor two 3'ears, and, in 1882, bought one hundredand sixty acres of land in Piatt County, uponwhich he made his home for two years. He thenleased another farm and together operated thetwo places until 1888, when he bought a farm ofeight3' acres near Deland.In 1889, he exchanged

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tionedPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 501his Piatt County lands for the farm upon whichhe now resides, and it has been liis home since thespring of 1890. Within its boundaries are comprisedfour hundred and eiglity acres and it is oneof the desirable places in Patton Township. Hehas greatly improved it since locating thereon,having put in tiling to the value of 12,500 andmade otlier extensive improvements.Unto Mr. and Mr. Teter have been horn fourchildren: Albert O., who is engaged in the mercantilebusiness at Henderson Station; William E.,who is in partnership with his brother; Arthur D.,and Grace at home.Mr. Teter has been a stanch advocate of Republicanprinciples since he cast his first Presidentialvote for Gen. U. S. Grant. He is now serving asa member of the School Board.Tlie county findsin him one of its valued citizens, who does all inhis power to advance the best interests of the communityand promote the general welfare. He isa practical and progressive farmer, now numberedamong the substantial citizens of the community.His is another instance of where latjor, determinationand perseverance have wrought out success,unaided by wealth or influential friends.Among the leadingcitizens of Wall Township should be menj^I-^1."S)^^ [="W AMES H. SNELLING.the gentleman whose name heads^J^// this sketch, a well-known farmer residingon section 11. His life record is as follows: Heclaims tlie honor of being a native of Illinois, hisbirth having occurred in La Salle County, on the2d of March, 1845. His father, John Snelling, wasbom near Manassas, Va., in 1813, and learned thecarpenter's trade with his father, following thatoccupation until twenty-eight years of age. Whena j'Oung man of eighteen years, he removed toOhio, and came to Illinois about the year 1838,taking up his residence in La Salle Count}^ wherehe engaged in agricultural pursuits until called tohis final rest. He died upon his farm at the age ofseventy-five years. He was married in La SalleCounty to Rebecca J. Shaver, a native of Ohio,21who came to Illinois in 1832. She is yet living,and still resides on the old homestead. Mr. Snellingwas quite successful in business. He began in lifewith only a set of carpenter's tools, but his industryand enterprise won for him a competence, andat his death he was worth $40,000.The children of the Snelling family are as follows:Nanc3', wife of M. H. Weaver, a resident ofWall Township; Elizabeth, now deceased; James H.,of this sketch; David, wlio is living near the oldhome in La Salle County; Annis, who resides onthe old farm; and George, who is practicing law inAnthony, Kan.The boyhood da3'S of our subject were spentupon his father's farm, and in his youth he receivedexcellent educational advantages. Afterattending the common schools for some time, he becamea student in a business college of London,Canada, afterward entered Eastman Business Collegeof Chicago and subsequently attended thebusiness college of Madison, Wis. He later wasPrincipal of the Western Business College at Galesburgfor two years, being Professor of penmanshipand book-keeping. He is a most expert penman, andhas some very fine and artistic specimens of hiswork which would be hard to excel.On the 15th of September, 1872, in the countyof his nativity, Mr. Snelling married Miss FrancesSpradling, who was born August 11, 1851. Herparents were Enoch and Sarah (Dart) Spradling.The former was born in Tennessee, June 10, 1811,and the latter in Indiana, May 25, 1817. Thefather was reared to agricultural pursuits and becamea successful business man. In an early day,he emigrated to Indiana, .md in 1841 become a residentof La Salle County, 111., where his death occurredMay 18, 1883.In politics, he was a stanchRepublican. His widow is still living at the advancedage of seventy-five and resides on the oldhomestead in La Salle County. She is a memberof the Methodist Church. In the family were tenchildren, two sons and eight daughters, but onlythree arc now living: Raciiel, wife of George Debolt,a native of Ohio, now engaged in farming inLa Salle County; Elizabeth, wife of Eugene Pooler,also a native of the Buckeye State and an agriculturistof La Salle County; and Frances, wife of our

502 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.subject. Her early education acquired in the commonschools was supplemented bj' study in theHigh School of Newark, 111.In the spring of 1873, iSIr. Snelling removedwith his family to a farm in La Salle County, whichhe operated three and a half 3'ears. He came toFord Count}' in 1879, and settled upon his presentfarm, having the year previous purchased one hundredand sixty acres of land. The work of improvementhad then been scarcely commenced but he atonce began its development, and as the result ofhis industrious efforts has now a valuable farm, theboundaries of which have been extended until itnow comprises three hundred and twenty acres ofrich land. He has led a busy and useful life andis a well-to-do farmer.Unto Mr. and Snelling were born four children,Herman, who was born October 6, 1873; WilliamRoy, November 26, 1875; Blanche E., January'4, 1878; and John F., born August 5, 1883.The three eldest children are natives of La SalleCounty, the youngest was born in Ford County.The family has a nice home and the members ofthe Snelling household are highly respected people.Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for Seymourin 1868, and has since supported each Democraticcandidate, with the exception of HoraceGreeley. He has served as School Director andSupervisor, and has proved himself a capable andefficient officer. He is a good business man, haswon prosperity in his undertakings, and is highlyesteemed.I^OBERT M. MOFFETT, a resident of Paxton,IWf^ was born near the town of Bloomington,i4\ flA Monroe County, Ind., on the 14th of October,1856, and is a son of James and Jane(Strong) Moffett, both of whom were natives ofSouth Carolina. His father was born in ChesterDistrict, that State, January 22, 1822, and was oneof a family of seven children, three sons and fourdaughters, all of whom grew to mature years andbecame heads of families. Two sisters and twobrothers are now deceased.The father died wlienJaroes was quite young, and he removed with hismother to Monroe County, Ind., where ho receiveda good education and was reared to manhoodupon a farm. He remained with liis motheruntil his marriage, when he located on a piece oftimber land, which he had [ireviously purchased,and now cleared and improved it. It continuedto be his home until 1865, when he came to FordCounty, 111., and purchased a slightly improvedfarm near the city of Paxton. There he engagedin agricultural pursuits until 1889, when herented his land and purchased a residence in Paxton.He is now living retired from the activeduties and labors of farm life and enjoying therest which he has so truly earned.In his politicalaffiliations, Sir. Moffett is a Republican, and hasserved as member of the School Board for a numberof years. He is a valued citizen and a manhighly respected by all who know liim.In the Moffett family were seven children: Augustus,the eldest, is now a farmer and resides onthe old homestead in Patton Township; David isengaged in business in the city of Paxton; RobertM., of this sketch, is the next younger; Louiseand Lora carry on a millinery store in Paxton;Emma resides at home with her parents; andRena is a stenographer, holding a responsible positionas book-keeper and stenographer in Chicago.The subject of this sketch spent the days of hisb03'hood and youtli upon his father's farm, histime being passed in the usual manner of farmerlads. His education was acquired in the districtschools of the neighborhood, and he remainedunder the parental roof until 1881, in which 3'earhis marriage was celebrated. It was on the 29thof April that he led to the marriage altar MissHattie, daughter of James 51. and Jane Morris.By their union have been born four childien:Arthur, Earl, Dora and an infant.Mr. and Mrs. Moffett began their domestic lifeupon a farm in Patton Township, whicli he continuedto operate and improve until 1887, whenhe determined to turn his attention to other pursuitsand, removing to Paxton, engaged in the liver}'business, which he has followed continuouslysince with good success. He keeps a first-classlivery stable, and by his fair and honest dealingand courteous treatment of his patrons has built

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 503up an excellent trade. lie does not take a veryprominent part in public affairs l)ut votes withthe Rejjulilican party, and in his religious views isa Preshyterian, lidding nieniliersliip with thechurcli of Paxtoii.GEORGE GROVE, a dealer inlumber, build-,^^p ing material and coal, is one of the successfulbusiness men of Paxlon. lie wasborn in Greencastle, Franklin County, Pa., November20, 1848, and is a son of George andCatherine (Whitmer) Grove. They were bothnatives of the same region, the father born in1815, and the mother in 1822. She was called toher final rest in the fall of 1891, I)ut tlie fatherstill survives, making his home in Sterling, 111.Thev came to Illinois in 1857, settling in Blooniington,where they remained but three months,and then went to Sterling, where the father wasengaged in farming for a number of j'ears, butsince 1886 has lived a retired life in the city.]\Ir. Grove whose name heads this sketch wasreared on liis father's farm until lie attained theage of nineteen 3'ears, and began liis literarytrainingin the district schools. Me later becamea student in tlieCommercial College of Bloomington.He engaged in agricultural pursuits until1872, and then entered the lumber _yard of Whitmer& Brunn, continuing that business until thespring of 1875. At that time, he came to Paxtonand formed a partnership with George Means, tiiefirm liecoming Means & Grove. That connectioncontinued until January, 1878, when Mr. Whitmerbecame a member of the firm. Mr. Grovestill had charge of the business until .lanuary,1892, when he bought out the interests of hispartners, and has since conducted tlie businessalone. He is a stockholder in the Paxton Brick& Tile Company, and was one of the original organizersof that corporation. He lias now beenlonger engaged in business than any other manin Paxton, and has a large and flourishing trade.On tlie 27th of November, 1873, Mr, Grove wasjoined in wedlock with Miss Ella Wright, adaugliter of Dr. Wright, formerly of Bloomington,III., but now of San Francisco, Cal. Mrs.Grove is a native of New York. She is an estimablelady and in this community has manyfriends.Our suliject is a Republican in polities and astalwart supporter of the principles of that party,and takes an .active part in public affairs. Fortwo years he served as Alderman of Paxton, andfilled that office to the satisfaction of all. Sociallj',he is a Mason, holding membership with PaxtonLodge No. 410, A. F. it A. M.; Ford ChapterNo. 1 U3, R. A. M.; and IMt. Olivet CommanderyNo. 38, K. T. He is a member of the ElectricLight Company, and is one of the prominent businessmen of the city. He has become one of thewell-to-do citizens of Ford County and is one ofthe popular gentlemen of this community, wherehe isheld in the highest regard."-J--. —reim>-^^'m S5=^ i—RS. .JANE PATTON resides on section 33,Button Township. We have spoken muchof what the men have done for the upbuildingand development ofthe county,liut the women were none the less truly concernedin this work. They had their part to perform anddid it well. Among these should be mentionedthe lady whose name heads this sketch. She wasthe first white child born in Fountain County, Ind.,the date of her birth being May 3, 1824. Herfather, William Cade,was born in Delaware, October4, 1789, and was a son of Richard Cade, also a nativeof Delaware, born of Welsh and English parentage.He came of old New England families.With his wife and children, he removed to Ohioabout 1800, settling in what is now PickawayCounty.The father of Mrs. Patton there spent his childhooddays and on the 16th of January, 1823, weddedMartha Campbell, a native of Kentuck3', butreared in Pickaway Count}'. Soon afterward, tKeyoung couple removed to Indiana, becoming honoredpioneers of Fountain County, and there reared

'504 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.tlieir family-. In his earlj- life, Mr. Cade made tentrips oil a flathoat to New Orleans and seven timesreturned to Ohio on foot. Duringthe war of 1812,he served three months on the northern frontier.He took quite an active part iu political affairs inan early day, and was the Whig candidate forRepresentative but was defeated. The death ofhis wife occurred in 1840, and ]\Ir. Cade was calledto Ills final rest on the 14th of November, 1846.Mrs. Patton spent her girlhood days in the countyof her nativity, aided her mother in the householdduties and acquired her education in the districtschools, her privileges in that direction, however,being quite limited. On the 10th of December, 1844,she gave her hand in marriage to David Patton,who was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 20,1815, and was a son of Thomas Patton, who was anative of the Ke^'Stone State, but became a residentof Ross County, Ohio, in an early day. In 1818,he removed with his family- to Indiana, locatingnear Terre Haute, and Ave years later went toFountain County, where liis son David spent hisboyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Patton were born eight cliildren,who grew to mature years: William T., asubstantial farmer of this countj; S. H., who aidsin the operation of the liome farm; Martha, wifeof J. W. Flagg, of Vermilion County; La Fayette,who has been a deaf mute nearly all of his life butis, notwithstanding, a successful farmer of ChampaignCounty; Charles D., a young man of sterlingworth, who died February 23, 1S84, at the age oftwenty-seven years; Frank, at home; Ida, wife ofC.A.Lamb, of Ford Count}'; and Mary AUie, ateacher of recognized ability in this count}'.For ten years after his marriage, IMr. Patton residedin Fountain County, Ind., and in November,1854, came to what is now Ford County, 111., becomingone of the earliest settlers of Button Township.He and his estimable wife suffered many ofthe hardships of pioneer life, and during those firstyears the members of the family were victims ofthe prevailing disease, spinal-meningitis, and one oftheir sons entirely lost his hearing. Mr. Pattonentered four hundred and eighty acres of landand began the development of a farm. Ashis flnancial resources increased, he extended itsboundaries, until, at the time of his death, heowned about two thousand acres in Ford andadjoining counties. He was one of the enterprising,successful and progressive farmers ofthe community and was a man of sterlingworth, who had the respect of all who knewhim. His death occurred Februar\- 29, 1880, inFountain County, Ind., whither he had gone to attendsome business. He was there taken sick anddied and liis remains were interred in the familycemetery in tliat county. In his early life he wasa Jackson Democrat, but on the organization ofthe Republican part}' joined its ranks and continuedone of its stanch su])portcrs, although he wasnever an aspirant for public ottice. The cause ofeducation found in hini a warm friend and hissupport was ever given to those interests calculatedto benefit the community. He was an active memberof the Methodist Church, and lived a worthyand uprigiit life, so that when lie was called to hisfinal rest many friends mourned hisloss.Since the deatli of her husband, Mrs. Patton hascontinued to reside on her fine farm, and has hadthe entire management of the place.She possessessuperior business and executive ability and is alady possessing many estimable qualities whichjustly entitle her to the liigh regard in which sheis held. The Methodist Church finds in her afaithful member and with it she has been connectedsince her sixteenth year._cs^~oii,$:::^^Si£:^.x> - AOHN WESLEY REED, the leading dentistof Ford County, is a native of the BuckeyeState. The place of his birth was West-minster, Allen County, and the date September4, 1851. His father, the Rev. Samuel KarrReed, was born in Martinsburg, Va., in the year1803. He wedded Mary C. Magee, who was bornin Tarleton, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1827.Both are still living and are residents of Champaign.His father is a minister of the MethodistEpiscopal Church, and is now eighty-nine years ofage.It was in the fall of 1860, when a lad of nine

f a

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 507summers, that Dr. Reed came with his parents toIllinois, the family locating in Cliampaign, wherehe attended the public schools, but his educationalprivileges were not such as many received. Hisfather's profession w.as not a lucrative one and theassistance of the son in support of the family wasin demand as soon as he was able to earn anything.The Doctor entered upon his business career asclerk in a general store and was thus employed foreleven years, after which, as a traveling salesman,he was upon the road for a short time, but the salaryhe received was not such as to induce him topursue that course as a means of livelihood. Hethen decided to make the practice of dentistry hislife work and began its stud3' in 1877, under thepreceptorship of Dr. O. F. Britton, of Champaign,at that time the best dentist in Central Illinois.Indue time, he was admitted to partnership withhis preceptor, and continued with Dr. Britton untilMay, 1883, when he decided to open an officein Paxton. Success crowned his efforts from thebeginning, and he was soon enabled to supplyhimself with necessary and improved appliances forhis work and to furnish his rooms with taste andelegance. His skill and business-like methods commendhim to the public, and his business has increasedsteadily, until at this writing his appointmentbook provides for every hour of his time forseveral weeks in advance.On the 23d of October, 1884, in Paxton, Dr.Reed was joined in wedlock to Miss Kate AdeleCooper, who was born in .Jefferson County, 111., andis a daughter, of H. O. Cooper. Her father is nowdeceased, and since his death her mother has becomethe wife of the Rev. George Schlosser, ofPaxton. Socially, the Doctor is a Master Mason,belonging to Paxton Lodge No. 416, A. F. & A. M.,and Paxton Camp No. 259, M. W. A., of which hewas Venerable Counsel for three successive terms.He also belongs to the PJastern Illinois Dental Associationand at this writing is its President.Dr. Reed is well up in his profession, being aliberalpatron of the best dental periodicals and athorough student and practical workman of superiorskill. His office is supplied with the mostmodern and perfect instruments and appliances andhe does all classes of work that is usually done by theleading dentists of the large cities in the country.His work is done so thoroughly and conscientiouslythat his patrons are earnest and sincere in theirexpressions of satisfaction. Personally, Dr. Reedis a genial, bright and intelligent gentleman whoseintegrity and business standing are above reproachand whose success in life has been won by his ownunaided efforts, natural ability and energetic applicationto his business.rjj^ ANDOLPH CRUZEN, a hardware merchant'^ of Paxton, who has resided in that citysince 1868, was born in Harper's Ferry, Va.,^on the 16th of December, 1835. His father,Thomas Jefferson Cruzen, was also a native of thatState, and was descended from an old family ofGerman origin. After he had arrived at j'cars ofmaturity, he married Elizabeth McBride, a lady ofScotch descent.When only three _years old, the subject of thissketch removed with his parents from Virginia toFayette County, and subsequently to MadisonCounty, Ohio, where he acquired his educationthe public schools and was employed on his father'sfarm until twenty years of age,wlien he determinedto turn his attention to other pursuits, and secureda position as merchant's clerk. At length he resolvedto seek a home further Westward, and, in 1856, hecame to Illinois, locating near Fairmont, VermilionCounty, where he engaged in farming until1864, when he embarked in the mercantile business.Four years later, in 1869, he came to Paxton andbought out George Wright, in the dry-goods trade,carrying on that business until 1872, when he becamea hardware merchant, forming a partnershipwith R. Clark, which connection was continueduntil 1882, when Mr. Clark retired from the firm.In October, 1868, while a resident of Fairmont,Mr. Cruzen was united in marriage to MissAnnie E. Clark, a daughter of Remembrance andHenrietta A. (Durgin) Clark, the ceremony beingperformed at the home of her parents, in Paxton.Mrs. Cruzen was born in Bangor, Me., and came toin

508 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Illinois with her parents in 1858, the family settlingin what is now Paxton. One son has beenborn unto our subject and his wife—Charles R., ayoung man now twenty-one years of age.In addition to his mercantile business, Mr.Cruzen is connected with several other enterprisesof importance. He is a member of the PaxtonCanning Company, of the Paxton Hemp Company,and of the Paxton Grain Company. He also handlesmore or less live stock, having dealt in thatline for many years. In his political affiliations,he is a Republican, and, withthe Congregational Church.his wife, he attendsMr. Cruzen has longbeen recognized as one of Paxton 's most influentialand prominent business men, and well merits,by his integrity and upright course in life, thehigh esteem in which he is held by all who knowhim. He takes an active interest in all that pertainsto the welfare of the city, and has aidedlargely in itsupbuilding and advancement.^4^ ^ib^.«.^ i^ •«. t-ap^ b^-|»HARLES E. WEKSLUND well deservesrepresentation in this volume, for he is oneof the most prominent farmers of PattonTownship. His home is on section 21. He is anative of Sweden, his birth having occurred on the15th of March, 1853. His training to farm laborwas not as limited as his school privileges. Hiseducation has been mostly acquired through hisown efforts and since attaining to mature years,but he has made himself a well-informed man.In the year 1870, he bade adieu to his old homeand the friends of his youth and crossed the brinydeep to the New World, sailing from Gottenburgon a steamer which reached New York in .Tune ofthat year.Mr. Wesslund was then a young man of eighteenyears. He came at once to Illinois, settling inFord County, where he began working upon afarm by the month, and was thus employed fornine long j^ears. On the expiration of that period,he rented a large farm of four hundred acres, andthere extensively engaged in farming for sevenyears. In the meantime, he purchased one hundredand six acres of land which he rented. In1889, he sold that farm and bought one hundredand sixty acres, comprising the farm on which henow makes his home. This place is well tiled andfinely improved; in fact, it is a model farm. Thehouse is a commodious and substantial residence,neatlj' and tastefully furnished; the lawn is ornamentedwith a large variety of evergreen andother shade trees,together with flowering shrubs;a fine young orchard of select fruit has been setout, and the farm seems complete in all its appointments.The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Wesslundwas in her maidenhood Miss Hilda WilhelrainaAsp. She was born and reared in Sweden andwhen a j'oung lady came to this country. Theirmarriage was celebrated in Ford County on the13th of March, 1881, and unto them have beenborn four interesting children: Harry, Elmer, Antonand Mabel. The parents are both members ofthe Paxton Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr.Wesslund is a Republican, having supported thatparty since he became a voter. He has never beenan aspirant for public office,preferring to devotehis time and attention to his business interests,which he has followed with signal success. Hecommenced life in Illinois a poor young man,emptj'-h.anded, but by his own industry, enterpriseand labor he has accumulated a large, valuable anddesirable farm and a good home and is now regardedas one of the thrifty and well-to-do agriculturistsof Patton Township. He is respectedby his neighbors, esteemed by his friends, and itwith pleasure we present this record of his life toour readers.a,-!-^"?"?-,^•5-i-**''i»'OHN H. WARNER (deceased), who wasfor many years a resident of Ford County,was born in Belleville, near St. Louis, Mo.,April 1, 1844. His parents, George andElizabeth (Smith) Warner, emigrated from Germanyin early life and located at St. Louis, wherethe father was employed as a cooper and as bookkeeper.Having moved to Putnam County, 111.,is

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 509he engaged in farming for a time, but later removedto Peru, 111. He died in that place, but hiswife, who subsequeutly married, resides in Roberts,Ford Count}-. John H. Warner, the second in orderof birth of Ove children, was only eight yearsof age at the time of his father's dcatli. His educationaladvantages were meagre, as he early inlife began to lielp sui^port himself. When twentyyears of age, he commenced life's battle on hisown account by working on a farm.Maj' 8, 1872, he married Miss Elizabeth E.,daughter of .lohn Woolstoncroft. The lady was))orn in Putnam County, 111., but was chietly rearedin La Salle County. She came with her parentsto Ford County in 1867, and was married in LymanTownship to Mr. Warner, who had come tothe county some four years before her. Afterspending a year in Dix Townshij), Mr. Warner removedto Peach Orchard Township, where hefarmed successfully until his death, .lune 18, 1881.He had been in poor health for several years, butwas confined to his bed only nine days. He wasreared under the auspices of the Lutheran Church,and, in politics, was a Republican. He was a manheld in high esteem by his fellow-citizens.Mrs. Warner, who is a member of the MethodistEpiscopal Church, is a lady of many excellenciesof character.Left a widow with an eightyear-oldson, vSeth R., to rear and educate, she hasdone her part nobly.ellARLESASIIBY, a retired farmer, now residingin Gibson City, was born in JeffersonCounty, Ohio, June 4, 1833, and is a son ofAbel and Harriet (Conowa) Ashby. His parentswere both natives of Maryland, and removed toOliio, settling in Steubenville, before their marriage.The fatlier died when Charles was but nineyears of age, but tlie mother survived until 1854.The subject of this sketch was reared to manhoodon a farm and attended the district schools,there receiving his literary education. On the 8thof May, 1855, he was united in marriage, in JeffersonCounty, Ohio, to Miss Margaret Hanson.Thelady is a native of that count}' and is a daughterof John and Lydia Hanson.Mr. Asliby was engaged in farming in Ohio until1856, when he removed to Illinois, settling inHe3'worth Townsliip, INIcLean County, where hecarried on agricultural pursuits for the two succeedingyeai-s. At the expiration of that time, heremoved to Empire Townsliip, but in October of thesame year, 1859, went South and resided in Mississippiand Louisiana until the breaking out of thewar. Returning to McLean County, he enlisted,on the 8th of August, 1862, as a member of CompanyG, Ninety-fourtli Illinois Infantry. He wasa non-commissioned officer and participated in thebattles of Prairie Grove, Ark., December 7, 1862;Van Buren, Ark., and was in the siege of Vicksburguntil the capture of that place.Later he wasin the Black River cami)aign under Gen. Herron,and was in the battle of Port Hudson, La. He thenwent to Brownsville, Tex., thence to Ft. Morgan,Ala., and took part in the capture of Spanish Fort.He was mustered out on the 12th of August, 1865.On his return from the war, Mr. Ashby was notactively emplojed for a year. He then engagedin farming in McLean County, continuing thereuntil the year 1868, when he removed to FordCounty, settling in Dix Township. He there engagedin agricultural pursuits until 1881, whenhe went to Champaign Count}', where for twoyears he made his home, engaged in farming. Hethen removed to Normal, where he lived threeyears, after which he spent one year inBloomington,and in the fall of 1889 came to Gibson City.Unto our subject and his estimable wife havebeen born three cliildren: John H.,the eldest, marriedLola Phillips, and is a photographer of Melvin;Leonora E. and Emma J.reside with their parents.Mr. and Mrs. Ashby and their eldest daughter aremembers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Churchand take an active part in its work. Mr. Ashbyjoined the church in 1860, and his wife becamea member in 1862. He is a Democrat in politics,and was a member of the School Board whilein Champaign County. He held the oHice of Assessorof Drummer Township in 1891, and is oneof the public-spirited and enterprising citizens of

510 PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.the community. lie is lield in high respect for hissterling worth and integrity, and is one of the uprightmen of Gibson Citj'.*^^S:h' HJ \^^'OHN A. WESSLUND follows farming onsection 18, Patton Township. The geutle-,^ man whose name heads this sketch is an ex-^^^J!/ ample of what can be accomplished by energyand thrift, supplemented by good managementand well-directed efforts. Like many of hiscountrymen, he came to this country a pooryoung man to seek his fortune. He was emptyhanded,having nothing but the gifts with whichNature has endowed him, but he has steadilyworked his way upward, and is now the owner oftwo valuable and well-improved farms, one Ij'ingjust outside the city limits of P.axton.Mr. Wesslund was born in Sweden on the 22dof .June, 1850, and his boyhood was spent upona farm. His educational advantages were verylimited, for he had to assist in the labors of thefarm and do what he could towards supportingthe family. When a young man of eighteen years,in 1868, we find him among the passengers onboard the "City of Brooklyn," which weighed anchorat Gottenburg, and, after a passage of ninedays, arrived safe at New York harbor on the 27thof April, of that year. He came at once to theWest, going first to Indiana. He had an uncle andsome other relatives living at Attica, Ind., and soonfound work as a farm hand bj' the month in thatloealitj'. The succeeding year he continued hisWestward journey to Ford County, III., where hejoined his uncle, Jonas Froj-d, since deceased, andwent to work on the farm for him. The four succeedingyears of his life were tlius passed, afterwhich he rented a farm of Mr. Middlecoff and forfour years operated it successfully. Ilis cropswere good and products brought a fair price, so thathis financial resources were increased, and he wasenabled to purchase sixty acres of land, to whichhe afterward removed and which is still his property,it being now a well-improved and valuablefarm.For several years, Mr. Wesslund continuedto operate that land and then purchased the farmon which he now resides, adjoining the cit}- ofPaxton, in August, 1891.On the 24th of September, 1885, Mr. Wesslundled to the marriage altar Miss Gusta Salstrom, anative of Sweden, who came to Ford Count}', 111.,in 1867. Their union has been blessed with a littledaughter, Esther E. The parents are bothmembers of the Paxton Lutheran Church, and arepeople of sterling worth, who rank high in socialcircles and are well and favorably known throughoutthis communit}'. Mr. Wesslund exercises hisright of franchise in the support of the Republicanpart}-, and, as every true American citizenshould do, feels an interest in political affairs, yethas never sought or desired public office. He hasnow resided in Ford County for nearly a quarterof a century and is well known within its borders.ELMER^^-|^^[LINCOLN KELS(J, M. D., a risingyoung physician and surgeon of Paxton, is? a native of this State, born in Coles County,on the 14lh of November, 1861, and is a son ofDr. H. A. and Margaret (Brashares) Kelso, whosesketch appears on another page of this woik. Oursubject came to Paxton with his parents m 1865,and after attending the city schools for some time,he entered the State Universitv at Champaign,taking a tliree-years' scientific and classical course.Subsequently, he became a student of the ChicagoMedical College, whence he was graduated after atliree-3-ears' course, in the Class of '83. On receivinghis degree, he returned to Paxton at onceand the following day attended his first case, sincewhich time he has been in continuous and successfulpractice, which covers a period of ninej-ears. He has assisted his father in the dischargeof his duties as local ph3'sician and surgeon for theIllinois Central Railroad Company, and is examiningphysician for the Equitable Life InsuranceCompany, of New York, and for the NorthwesternMutual, of Milwaukee, Wis.Dr. Kelso was married in Paxton on the 1st ofNovember, 1887, to Miss Leota Hefner, a daugh-

c^^a/mi

ter of H. C. and Oren O. Hefner. Mrs. Kelso is anative of Illinois, and her parents are early settlersof Ford Count}'. Tlie Doctor and his wife haveone child, a son, Lee Woodford, who was bornAugust 8, 1890.Socially, Dr. Kelso is a Knight Templar Mason,holding membership with Paxtoii Lodge No. 41G,A. F. & A. M.; Ford Chapter No. 113, R. A. M.;and Mt. Olivet Comniandery No. 38, K. T., ofPaxton. He has by his skill, industry and promptnessin discharge of his professional duties, succeededin building up a large and lucrative practice.No conditions of road or weatber are consideredwhen his services are required, and his patientsand the public generallj- have learned that theyoung physician is no fair-weather doctor. He isa meml)er of the Central Illinois Medical Associationand is recognized by his brethren of the professionas a well-read and skillful practitioner.\f|PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 513'I ' I IAMES ROBERTS, one of the honored pioneersof Ford Count}' of 1858, is now residingin the village of Roberts, and noneof its citizens are more worthy of representationin this volume than our subject. Hewas bom in Sussex County, England, August 11,1816, and is the seventh in a family of elevenchildren, numbering five sons and six daughters,whose parents were .John and Elizabeth (Scott)Roberts. His father was a horticulturist andalso a native of Sussex County, while his motherwas born in Kent Countj\ Both parents are nowdeceased. The members of the family who stillsurvive are: Marj', widow of George Stace, ofEngland; Mrs. Fannie Hall, a widow, residing inEngland; .Jane, wife of Samuel Winchester, of thesame count}'; .James, of this sketch; William,Elizabeth, Sarah and Jesse, all of whom are stillin their native land.The subject of this sketch acquired a very limitededucation and spent his early life upon thefarm. He has been twice married. In his nativeland he wedded Miss Elizabeth (lilbert, by whomhe had three children, one son and two daughters:Mercy, who is now the wife of John Pierce, anagriculturist; Mary Jane, wife of William Hurst,a prominent farmer of Lyman Township; andJohn T., deceased. In 1851, Mr. Roberts emigratedwith his family to America. He sailedfrom London, and, after one month spent uponthe briny dee|j, landed at New York, made hisway up the Hudson River, went by canal fromAlbany to Buffalo, and in the latter place securedemployment in a brickyard, after which he workedupon a farm. Subsequently, he came to Princeton,111., where he worked at anything he couldfind to do, whereby he might earn an honest dollar.He there built a little home and remained inPrinceton three years, when he sold out and wentto Chicago and purchased some of the railroadland in Ford County. Since 1858, he has been aresident of this locality.Mr. Roberts lost his first wife in New York, andDecember 27, 1859, married Miss Alice Hurst, anative of Lancashire, England. They have oneson, Oscar J., an enterprising and industriousyoung man. In politics, the son is a Democrat,having cast his first vote for Grover Cleveland. Hewedded Miss Mary Elizabeth Whorrall, and untothem were born three children: Alice Deborah,Ralph Oscar and Floss.Uncle James Roberts, as he is known throughoutthe county, is an honored pioneer who haswatched the entire growth and development ofFord County, and has ever borne his part in its upbuildingand advancement. He is a self-mademan, who began life empty-handed, but determinedto win success in the world. On cominghere, he made a claim of one hundred and sixtyacres, but had to let eighty acres go, and in thoseearly days found it hard work to pay for theother eighty acres. However, he worked on steadilyand, as a result, is now the owner of two hundredand eighty acres of land, which yield tohim a good income, besides his comfortable homein Roberts. He is a public-spirited and progressivecitizen who has ever manifested an interestin all that pertains to the welfare of the communityand has given liberally to the promotion ofthose enterprises calculated to prove of publicbenefit. He cast his first Presidential vote for

514 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Franklin Pierce, and lias since been a stalwart adherentof Democratic principles. He and his wifeare mernbers of the Congregational Church, andaided in the erection of the house of wor.ship.They are benevolent and charitable, and throughoutthe community are held in high regard, ofwhich the}' are well deserving.THOMAS W. CAIN, a well-known liveryman,is one of the jirominent citizens of GibsonCity. He claims Ohio as the State of hisnativity, having been born in Fairfield County,November 5, 1842, unto Nehemiah C. and RachelR. (Herron) Cain. His father, who was born in NewYork, is of Irish descent and in early life emigratedwith his parents to Ohio, where he wasafterward married. His wife, who was also descendedfrom Irish ancestry, was born in the BuckeyeState.In 184.3, they came to De Witt County,111., settling on an unimproved farm, but Mr. Cainsoon began clearing and cultivating the land andbecame one of the prosperous farmers of the community.Both he and his wife were Methodists inreligious sentiment, and he was a stalwart supporterof the Republican part}'. He died at the ageof flfty-four years in De Witt County in 1863, andshe also passed away in the same county at aboutthe same age, in 186G. Their union was blessed bythe birth of seven children, five of whom still survive.Thomas W. Cain w.as the third child in order ofbirth in the family- and received his education atthe old-time district school. He was reared underthe parental roof and, like a dutiful son, cared forhis mother as long as she lived and after her deathstill had charge of the home place, assisting theyounger members of the family until they wereable to care for themselves.A marriage ceremony performed on the 21st ofSeptember, 1876, united the destinies of Mr. Cainand Miss Palmyra M. Newman. The lady is a nativeof Knox County, Ohio, and a daughter ofGeorge Newman, who emigrated from Ohio to thisState in an early day, settling in Knox County.Five children grace the union of our subject andhis estimable wife, namely: Hattie, George I.,Elva,Clinton and Myra, all of whom are still with theirparents.Religiously, Mr. Cain is a member of the PresbyterianChurch, to which his wife belongs. He hasheld several public oflices of trust, including thoseof Supervisor, Tax Collector, School Director andRoad Commissioner of his townsliip. He is a Republicanin politics and takes an active interest in thesuccess of that party. From 1869 until 1875, Mr.Cain bought and shi|)ped stock quite extensivel}',three years of the time being engaged in that businessin Kansas. He purchased one hundred andsixty-six acres of land in Rutledge Townsliip, DeWitt County, 111., in 1883, on which he resideduntil coming to Gibson City four years later. Hehere purchased the livery stable before alluded to,which he has carried on continuously since. He isa valued citizen and one of the successful businessmen of the community, where he is held in thehighest esteem.\^^ILS DAHLGREN is a plow manufacturerIjjl and one of the early settlers of Paxton,I^JlL) who has resided in the city for more thana quarter of a century. He is a native of SouthernSweden, his birth having occurred in Sivarp MalmohusLan, on the 26th of Februaiy, 1832. Thedays of his boyhood and youth were spent in thatcountry, where he learned the blacksmith trade.Thinking to better his financial condition by emigratingto the New World, he bade good-bye tohis old home in 1854, and crossed the Atlanticto America. The two succeeding years of his lifewere spent in Boston, where he worked at his trade,after which he came to Illinois and located in Moline,where he was employed in the great plow factoryof .Tohn Deer for nine j'ears, or from April,1856, until 1865. At the expiration of that time,he came to Paxton and, establishing a plow factoryof his own in this jilace, h.asmarked success.since carried it on with

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 515Mr. Dahlgren bas been twice married. In thefull of 1861, he was joined in wedlock to MissHannah Jolinson, and by tliis union was born adaughter, Ellen A., who is now the wife of FredTelander, of Paxton. On the 2d of October, 1869,he was married to liis present wife, whose maidenname was Cecelia Olson. She was born in Swenstorp,in Kristianstads Lan, Sweden. They haveone child, a daughter, Hannah, who resides withher parents. The family belongs to the SwedeMission Church.In his political affiliations. Mi'. Dahlgren is aRepublican, but was elected as an independentcandidate to the oflice of County Treasurer ofFord County and served one term of four years.He has also served two years as Trustee of Paxton.Socially, he is a Knight Templar Mason and holdsmembershi|) with Paxton Lodge No. 416, A. F.

'from516 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD.Burfoi'd and was admitted to the Bar in Crawfordsville,Ind. He now holds a responsible position inthe United States land office at Oklalioma City,under Judge Burford; Walter A. holds a good positionin the Illinois Central Railroad office at Paxton;Herbert R. is attending the Rice Collegiate Institute,and Claude M. is a pupil in the publicschools.In politics, Mr. Hanley is a standi Republican,having supported each Presidential nominee ofthat part}' since casting his first ballot for AbrahamLincoln.Altliough he feels an interest in politicalaffairs, he has never been an aspirant for office,preferring to devote his entire time and attentionto his business interests. The cause of education hasever received his hearty support, and for years hehas been connected with the School Board, whileat this writing he is the efficient President of theBoard. Socially, he is a member of the Masonicfraternity, a Knight Templar, and has served asEminent Commander for two years and as Prelatefor six j-ears. He also represented his commander}'in the Grand Comniandery for two years. Mr.Hanley and his estimable wife are both .activeworkers inthe Methodist Church and are held inhigh regard throughout the communit}', where hehas made his home for a third of a century.4^!^ •?• •** •"pi *il'AMES JACKSON, a retired farmer nowresiding in Paxton, is numbered among theearly pioneer settlers of the county, whoan early day has been identified withits histoiy, has witnessed its progress and aided inits development. He is therefore well deservingof representation in this volume, and it is withpleasure that we present this sketch to our readers.Mr. Jackson is a native of England, born August4, 1822. He is the second in order of birth ina family of four sons whose parents were Thomasand Isabel (Remmer) Jackson, both of whom werenatives of Yorkshire, where thev spent their entirelives as farming peo[)le. .Tames was reared in theusual manner of farmer lads, having few advantagesof any character, unless it was his unlimitedtraining to work. His education has been mostlyacquired since he has arrived at years of maturity.In November, 1846, in his native county, Mr..lacksou was united in marriage to Miss Jane A.C4ale, also a native of that country and-a daughterof (ieorge and Jane Gale. For about four yearsafter his marriage, Mr. Jackson worked as a farmhand by week or day and then determined to tryhis fortune in America. It was in 1850 that hebade good-bye to his native land and sailedfromLiverpool, reaching Nevv York in May of that year,after a pleasant voyage of seven weeks. He thenstarted for the West, going by way of the HudsonRiver to Albany and by rail to Cleveland and onto Cincinnati, Ohio, where he made his first location.In that vicinity, he worked upon a farm bythe month a few years and then bought some lotsin Cumminsville, a suburb of Cincinnati, where hebuilt a residence and made his home until 1865. Hew.as appointed sexton of Spring Grove Cemeteryand held that i)Osition for three years. He thenrented a small farm and engaged in fancy farmingand raising vegetables for the Cincinnati marketuntil 1863, when he was taken sick and was an invalidfor about two years.In 1861, Mr. Jackson had visited Illinois andpurchased land in Ford County, and in the springof 1865 he brought his family to the farm whichhe had previousl}' purchased, it being locatedabout four miles south of Paxton. Although itwas then in a poorly improved condition, heplaced it under a high state of cultivation, builtfences, erected buildings and added all the accessoriesof a model farm. He continued to engagein agricultural pursuits until 1889, when he rentedthe place and removed to Paxton, where he hassince resided. He is now living a retired life, enjoyingthe rest which he has so truly earned.Years of toil and labor at length brought him theirreward in the shape of a handsome competencewhich now enables him to la}' aside business cares.Himself and "wife are members of the MethodistChurch of Paxton and are numbered among its mosthighly respected citizens.In politics, he is a stanchRepublican, having lieen identified with that partysince he cast his first Presidential vote for John C.Fremont. He has held a number of local offices of

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•UntoPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 519honor and trust, having serTed as a member of theBoard of Coniraissicners of Ford Countj- forseveral .years and as a member of the School Boardfor some years.Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been born si.xchildren: Ida Belle, wife of John Bickett, a residentof Paxton; John, who is engaged in farmingin Crescent, Wash.; George W., a stock dealer ofColorado; Jenny, wife of Ira Blackmer, a residentof Ludloiv; William T., who operates the homefarm; and Alice Priscilla, wife of John Simons,who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in PattonTownship. This family is well and favorablyknown throughout the community.'AMES YOUNG CAMPBELL, M. D. Markedsuccess in life is seldom won except bybilit y, energy and a persistent applicationto duty. Especiallj^ is this true of thosewho have started in the race, unsupported bythe power of wealth and influential friends,and prominent in the business circles of theworld and in the learned professions are to befound many whose life histories teach a wholesomelesson to the young to encourage them toput forth their most earnest efforts with hope ofsuccess. Dr. Campbell began life as a poor farmerboy with limited educational advantages. Hardmanual labor was his portion in 3'outh, and hiseducation was largely obtained by his own unaidedefforts. His choice of a profession wasluckily adapted to his disposition and naturalability, and its pursuit has brought him bothwealth and honor.On the 30th of July, 1831, our subject was bornin Huntington County, Pa., to Mark and Matilda(Goshorn) Camiibell. The father was ofScotch and the mother of German and Englishdescent, but both were native-born Americans.The Doctor's father was a farmer, and was engagedin that occupation in Pennsylvania until1837, when he removed with his family to Frankfort,Ind., where he continued in tlie same vocation,and there he and hiswife spent the remainderof their days.James was reared on his father's farm undergood moral influences, and laid the foundation ofhis education in the country scliool. At the ageof seventeen, he entered the High School at Frankfort,where he was a student for eighteen months,after which he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, wherehe was employed as a merchant's clerk, taking acourse in a commercial college at the same time.Early in life he evinced a taste for study and determinedto enter one of the learned professions.At first he undertook the study of law, but soondecided to change to tlie medical profession. Hewas without means to pay his way through college,so he engaged in teaching school for thepurpose of securing the necessary funds. Afterthree years' stud^' under the preceptorship of Dr.R. Q. Wilson, of Rossville, Ind., he entered RushMedical College, at Chicago, and attended lecturesduring 1856 and 1857. He then settled in Durand,111., where he established a successful practice.Continuing his studies, he attended a regularcourse of lectures in the Chicago MedicalCollege in the years 1864 and 1865, and wasgraduated from tiial institution in the spring of1865.Dr. Campbell has been twice married. In 1853,he wedded Miss ^Nlary J. Slipher, of Rossville,Ind., who only lived six months after her marriage.In 1856, he married Miss Hattie C. Potts,of La Faj'ctte, Ind., a native of Ohio.Dr. Campbell continued to practice in Diiranduntil the fall of 1866, when he came to Paxton,where he soon succeeded in building up a largeand lucrative practice, continuing here until thefall of 1869, when he removed to Mississippi,opening an office in Enterprise, where, in connectionwith his professional business, he engaged injournalism as editor and publisher of The Star,of Euterprise, a well-known journal of that State.Two 3'ears later, he removed to Meridian, of thesame State, where he established the MeridianStar, in connection with his practice, and at thesame time conducted the Star Printing House.He was eminently successful both as a journalistand as a physician, but was not in sympathy,politicall}', with the Southern people, or overwell suited with the hot climate, so, in August,

520 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD.1873, he letuined to Paxtoii and has since madethis city his liome, devoting liis time exclusivelyto the practice of his profession and to scientiticstudy. His only diversion has been the care ofhis two fine farms in the town of Wall, of onehundred and sixty acres each. Both are well improvedand under a high state of cultivation, andare leased at a good rental.Dr. Cam])bcll has an extensive practice both incity and country, and enjoys an enviable reputationfor ability and skill in his profession. Notonly has he been successful in practice, but alsoin his investments and business management, andis held to be one of the wealthiest men in hisprofession in Eastern Illinois. 'In addition to histwo large farms, he owns valuable city property,and has recently completed tiie lincst residence inFord County. The liouse is commodious andbuilt in the Queen Anne style of architecture. Thedesign, both externally and internally, is uniqueand attractive, and the interior finish is of oakand cypress, with an oil linish on the naturalgrain. The most modern conveniences and appliancesare in use throughout. The house isheated by hot-water registers and gas grates, andit is lighted by gas, with electric lighting, and byelectric lights. It is being furnished in keepingwith the general design and is a home that itsproprietor may well beproud of, and which addsa substantial and attractive improvement to thecity of Paxton. Dr. Campbell has a library ofwell-selected books, of which the best medicaland scientific works form an important feature;while his collection of surgical and scientific instrumentsis second to none in the State outsideof the large cities.In his religious views, the Doctor is liberalrather than orthodox, and, in politics, is decidedlyRepublican. He has held various local officessince residing inPaxton, more through a sense ofduty than any desire to serve in a public capacity.He was elected Alderman in 1868, was Mayorin 1878 and 1879, and was Supervisor in 1879and 1880. He is a member of the Paxton Masonicbodies. Dr. Campbell has now been in theactive and successful practice of his professionfor thirty-five years, and enjoys an extensive acquaintanceamong the citizens of Eastern andCentral Illinois. He is a member of the IllinoisState and American Medical Societies. He is agenial, courteous gentleman whose acquaintanceit is a pleasure to make, and whose upright andstraightforward course in life h.as w(m for himthe confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.'X'C. DUNHAM, the founder, editor and publisherof the Eastern Illinois Recjister, ofPaxton, HI., is a native of Connecticut. Hewas born in Tolland Count}', on the 31st of,)uly, 1830, and is a son of the Rev. E. and Roxa(Harris) Dunham. Our subject is descended fromgood old Revolutionary stock, for both of hisgrandfathers were heroes in that struggle for independence.His parents were also natives of TollandCounty, Conn., and his father was the firstMethodist Episcopal minister to hold meetings ororganize a class in Paxton.The subject of this sketch received good schoolprivileges, acquiring an academic education in theEast. Under the ])arental roof, he remained untilabout the time when he attained his majority. Hethen left home and went to Canada, where he residedfor a few years, after which he came toIllinois,in 1861, locating in Loda, Iroquois County,where he resided for some time, engaged in thepractice of dentistry. It was in 1880 thaUhe leftthat place and came to Paxton, since which timehe has devoted his entire attention to the publishingbusiness, which he commenced inleaving Loda.1875, beforeMr. Dunham has been twice married. He wasfirst joined in wedlock with Miss Harriet IMcBurney,of Peterboro, Canada, who died in 1877. Two3'ears later, in 1879, he was again married, his secondunion being with Miss Elizabeth G. Knapp,then a resident of Loda, III., but who is a native ofMemphis, Tenn. Both Mi. and Mrs. Dunham arewell known in this communit}' and are highly respectedpeople. In the fall of 1891, he erected asubstantial two-story brick building on Pell Street,

ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 521Paxton.It is well lighted ami fully equii)perl as aprinting ottice, being one of the best of its kindin Central Illinois. Although ho publishes a Democraticpaper in a strong Republican county, hehas by liis sterling integrity and ability compelledthe respect generally of his most pronounced politicalopponents. The Eastern Illinois Bf/ister hasnow been in existence for about seventeen years.It is a bright, newsy sheet, well edited, and the successwhich has attended its publication is wellmerited.Mason, holding membership with Paxton LodgeXo. 416, A. F. it A. JI., and he exercises his rightof franchise in support of the Republican part3'.He was appointed Master in Chancery for FordCounty in 1887, and is recognized as a risingyoung lawyer of good ability and unimpeachablecharacter. He has p.asscd almost his entire life inthis community, has taken an active part in itsupbuilding and progress, and is recognized as oneof the valued citizens of Paxton.ylLLIAM S. MOFFETT, of the firm ofCook it Moffett, attorneys-at-law, of Pax-^J^^ ton, and the present Master in Chanceryfor Ford County, claims Indiana as the .State ofhis nativity.lie was born in Bloom ington, on the13th of October, 1864, and is a son of Samuel R.and Mary (Strong) Moffett. His parents came toPaxton in 1865, when their son was but a year old,so that for twenty-seven years this city has beenhis home. He was educated in the Paxton HighSchool and further pursued his studies at the RiceCollegiate Institute of this city. On com|)letinghis literary education, he entered upon the studyof law under the preceptorship of Judge AlfredSample, wishing to make legal practice his lifework, and after a thorough preparation was admittedto the Bar in August, 1884. He then beldamea law partner of his former preceptor, theirconnection continuing until Mr. Sample's electionto the bench of the Circuit Court in 1885, whenthe partnership w.as dissolved and the existing partnershipwith State's Attomej' F. L. Cook wasformed.On the 13th of October, 1886, in Paxton, Mr.Moffett married Miss Sue E. Meharry, who wasborn in Patton Township and is a daughter ofFrancis and Margaret (Blackstock) Meharry, pioneersettlers of this county. By the union of oursubject and his wife has been born one child,Frank W., who was born in Paxton, August 20,1888.Jn his social relations, Mr. Moffett is a MasterJOHNY. DOUGHERTY, overseer of theSibley estate, is a i-epresentative citizen ofthis community. He was born in Monroe^_^ County, Ohio, near the city of Woodsfleld,on the 7th of October, 1847, and is a son of Jeremiahand Mary (Young) Doughertj'. The parentswere both natives of the Keystone State, and theformer was of Irish extraction, while the latterwas of English descent. The year 1856 witnessedthe emigration of the family to Illinois. The fathersettled near Cherry Grove, Edgar County,where he made his home until 1859, when he removedto Vermilion County, and settling nearHomer, there made his home until his death, onthe 24th of December, 1864. His wife had diedon the 15tli of September, of the same year. Theywere both members of the Presbj-terian Church.In their family were seven children, the eldest ofwhom, Sarah J., became the wife of C. C. Powers,an attorney-at-law living in Carroll Cit}', Iowa;Balford is a farmer of Missouri; Amanda is thewife of Jefferson Cook, a cari)enter and builder ofVermilion County, 111.; Elizabeth is the wife ofGeorge M. Melton, who is engaged in agriculturalpursuits in Iroquois County. 111. ; Maggie residesin Sibley with her brother, John Y.; .lerome is afarmer of Vermilion County; and Delia is thewife of William Boyd, a railroad conductor.We now take up the personal history of JohnDoughert}', who was a lad of seven j-ears whenhis parents came to Illinois. He attended thedistrict schools at intervals until twenty-two yearsof age, and remained with his parents until theirdeath. He resided upon the old homestead in

522 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Champaign Count}' for twelve years, during whichtime he worked as a farm hand by the month,being employed by one man for six years andanother for a period of fl ve years. His long continuedservice indicates his faithfulness to his employersand the efficient manner in whichhe performedhis duties.On the 29th of November, 1879, ISIr. Doughertywedded Miss Ella M., daughter of D.aniel andLaura (McGee) Welsh, and their marriage hasbeen blessed with two children: Eunice E., bornNovember 1, liS82; and Eugene E., November 11,1886. The same year of his marriage our subjectcame to Ford County, 111., and for two years operateda rented farm, after which he came to Sibleyand again rented land for two j^ears. In 1883,he was offered the position of overseer of theSibleyestate, and is still serving as such. He hasone hundred and thirty-six farms under his supervision,and his management of the affairs hasproven entirel}' satisfactory to his employers.He isa straightforward and upright business man, andhas the confidence of all with whom he has beenbrought in contact. In politics, he is a stalwartRepublican and has held the office of RoadCommissioner, and is now a member of the VillageBoard of Trustees. He also belongs to the Ancient,Free and Accepted Masons, and Pa^'sonLodge No.- 762, I. O. O. F., of Stiawn, 111.S,-.-^ifILLIAM(^j^ILLIAM ALFRED BAKER, D. Y. S., a na-Rome, Oneida County, N. Y., wasW^ born September 3, 1854, and is a son ofAlfred B. and Adeline T. (Loomis) Baker. Thefather was born in London, England and in childhoodcame with his parents to the United States,arriving about the year 1827. The mother was anative of New York, and belongs to the notedLoomis family of England, from which countryher grandfather removed in an early day. AlfredBaker was married to Miss Loomis in OneidaCounty, N. Y., and in 1857 went to Oconomowoc,Wis., where he engaged in contracting and building.Both he and his wife received collegiateeducations, and in New York Mr. Baker learnedthe trade of an architect and stair builder. Manyof the buildings of Oconomowoc were constructedby him, and he did an extensive business, employingas many as one hundred hands. At the timeof the great fire, he went to Chicago and did muchof the fine work on Hoole}''s Opera House. In1874, he moved to Champaign Count}', 111., wherehe still makes his home, having been for sixteenyears superintendent of buildings and repairsfortlie State University. In Waukesha County, Wis.,Mr. Baker held several prominent count}- offices,and during the war was enrolling ollicer. He wasfirst a AVhig in political sentiment but since therise of the Repulilican party has been one of itsstalwart supporters. Religiously, both he and hiswife are members of the Congregational Church,in the work of which they take an active part, andhold a high position in social circles. In theirfamily weie seven children, but four are uow deceased.The living are Ilattie A., wife of L. A.Stare; Kittle M., wife of John G. Wadswortli, is agraduate of the State University and a notedsinger and instructor in voice culture; and oursubject.W. A. Baker received his education in the publicschools and in the academy of Oconomowoc, AVis.At the State University, he took a course in theline of his profession, and, in 1884, entered theChicago Veterinary College, graduating in the Classof '86.Locating in Champaign, he was api)ointedAssistant State Veterinarian in .Tune of that year,which position he still holds. In .Tanuary, 1891,he removed to Gibson City, where he still residesand is one of the industrious and enterprising citizens.He is a member of the Illinois State A'eterinaryMedical Association, of which he was Vicepresidentin 1887.At Elgin, Minn., on the 28th of September,1880, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to EttaE., daughter of Harry and Caroline (Mixer) Goodrich,both of whom were natives of New York,from which State they removed, about 1844, toBeaver Dam, Wis., and in 1867 went to Elgin,Minn., where they have since passed away, belovedby all who knew them. Mr. Goodrich died at theage of fifty-seven years, and his wife was fifty-four

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."P'i^^m^Kr^a^^x ^^z^y.

POKTRAIT AND EIOGRAPIIICAL RPX'ORD. 527years when she was called to her final rest. Mrs.Baker is tlie fifth child in order of birth in theirfamily of six cliildreii, and her l)irth occurred inDodge Count\', Wis., on the 2d of August, 1861.Unto our subject and his wife have been bcrn onechild, Frank lUicklaml.Mr. and Mrs. IJakcr are members of theFresbyterinnChurch and have many friends in this communit_y,where they are widely and favorablyknown. Socially, he is a Knight Templar Mason.Dr. Baker is acconuted a skillful veterinarian andis one of the progressive citizens of Ford County.'ifOSEPH B. LEACH, an honored veteran ofthe late war, who has long been identifiedwitli the history of Roberts and the up-_ building of its social, educational andmoral interests, deserves special mention in thecounty's history. He was born near Springfield,Mass., June 22, 1833, and was the younger oftwo children. His sister, Mary Ann, is now aresident of West Millbury, Mass. The father,Elisha B. Leach, was a boot and shoe maker b}'trade, and was of Spanish descent. He died on hisway across the plains to Pike's Peak. He was twicemarried. He first wedded Ruth Metcalf and afterwardLaura Bceman became his wife.The mother of our subject died when he wasonly three months old, and he was left in cliargeof his aunt, F'annic Ciane, at Mormon Hollow,Mass. His early boyhood days weie an\tiiing butpleasant. At the age of eight, he went to livewith L. B. Anderson, a farmei- of Montague, Mass.His educational ailvantages were very meagre, forhe could only attend school about one month intiie year. Whenever he could pick up a |)iece ofprinted pai)er, he would study it over and over,until he had mastered its contents, and if becameacross a word whose meaning he did not know,he wouhl listen until he heard the word used inconversation, and tlius learn its meaning. He isnow a well-informed man, but it has been onlythrough his own efl'orts. At the age of fifteen, he22started out in life for himself. It was his desireto become a mechanic, bnt he was forced to learn thetinner's trade instead, and worked at that occupationuntil the breaking out of the Rebellion.While in Albany, N. Y., he lost all that he had inthe financial panic of 1857. From there he wentto Utica, M. Y.,and entered tiie employ of I. A.Williams, a manufacturer of locomotive headlights,with whom he remained for seven years.He is really the inventor of the air cliamber in thehead-light of the locomotive. Tliis has made afortune to the manufacturers, but Blr. Le.ach onlyreceived $1.50, although out of his brain wasevolved the idea.On the 11th of August, 1852, Mr. Leach weddedMiss Mary Millard, a native of Stamford, Vt., andunto them were born two daughters: Lillian andMary, both of whom reside in Stamford. Themother died in 1856, and Mr. Leach was againmarried, August 10, 1857, his second union beingwith JMi.ss Mary E. .Jones, a native of Manchester,England, who, when a maiden of ten summers,came with her grandparents to America. The^'sailed in the " Brittauica," and when they camearound the banks of Newfoundland, there vvas aheavy fog and they just escaped two large icebergs.They were wrecked on a shoal, but signalsof distress were given auct small boats came to therescue of the passengers, who, with ropes aroundtiieir waists, were lowered into the little fishingIxiats, two hundred and fifty thus being saved.Tliey were landed at St. John's, Newfoundland,and there resided four years, when they started forBoston, but were again siiipwrecked and delayedfor two weeks. They afterward made their wayto Utica, N. Y., where Mrs. Leacli resided forfifteen years, llei education was limited, liul byreading siie lias ke|)t well informed on tiie eventsof the day. .She is the mother of one child andhas two ado|)ted daughters. Geoige, the only son,died at the age of three months; Adda is a memberof the Congregational Chuicli, and is (piiteproficient in both vocal and instrunu'utal music.Jennie, the adopted daughter, is now attendingthe public schools.Wiien Presi

528 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFX'ORD,of the Rebellion, Mr. Leach was working at histrade, but he and his companion decided to atonce enter the service. He went to his home, andto his wife said: " Nellie, I have enlisted. Youmust go to your father in Chicago." So theyboth left home, and Mr. Leach joined Company Eof the New York Fourteenth Regiment Infantry,which was ordered to Albany for drill and thensent to Washington. While there the citizens presentedthe regiment vvitli a beautiful flag, valuedat $600, with the request: " Col. IMcWade, we askonly that your regiment will protect these starsand stripes, and not a star be dropped from thefield." The Colonel replied: " This flag shall returnunsullied, or our bodies will find graves inSouthern soil." The regiment originally numberedseven hundred and fifty, but only fortysixwere mustered out at the close of the war.Mr. Leach participated in the battle of Hanover,the seven days' battle of the Wilderness, andat Gaines' Mill was appointed to put all thedamaged shells, powder and broken guns in a tent,which he was to fire when the troops left. Onthe approach of the rebels, he applied the torchand jumped down an embankment just in time tosave his life. He saw Jeff Davis in an old hut,and was about to fire upon him when two womentook their station in front of him. Mr. Leachalso participated in the battles of Big Bethel,Malvern Hill, Cold Harbor, Fair Oaks, SouthMountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg,Gettysburg, and many others of importance.He was in active service for two years and sixmonths, and was then honorabl.y discharged. Hewas a true soldier, ever found at his post of duty,and his army record is one of which he may justlybe proud.On his return, Mr. Leach spent about a year inthe Adirondack Mountains, after which he againworked in Utica, N. Y. In 1865, he came toOnarga, 111., and engaged in farming for a year,when he entered the employ of Cultra ik Pearson,of Onarga, with whom he remained seven years.Since that time he has been an honored andrespected citizen of Roberts. In 1886, he patentedLeach's improved roaster and liaker, and for twoyears engaged in its manufacture, when the salesbecame too large for his labor alone, and a stockcompany was formed in 1888. The first plant waslocated in Roberts, but on account of the bettershipping facilities was removed to Paxton. Aboutfive thousand bakers are manufactured and soldeach month, and twenty men are emplo^'ed in tliiswork. Mr. Leach is paid a good royalty, and nowifi his declining years is enabled to live retired,being surrounded by all the comforts and many ofthe luxuries of life.In politics, Mr. Leach was an old-line Whig, andcast his first vote for James K. Polk. Since theorganization of the Re|)ublican party, he has beenone of its stanch advocates. He was a chartermember and the first Chaplain of Melyju PostNo. 500, G. A. R., and has also served as its Commander.His wife is a leading member of theWomen 's Relief Corps, and the parents and theirdaughter Adda are members of Roberts LodgeNo. 323, I. O. G. T. Mr. and Mrs. Leach bothhold membership with the Methodist Church, andtake an active interest in its ui)building and inSunday-school work. They are charitable andbenevolent people, and the upright lives whichthey have led have won them the high regard oftheir many friends. As a prominent citizen ofRoberts, and an honored veteran, Mr. Leach is welldeserving of representation in the history of hisadopted county.-M-RVIiJ.K I). SACKETT, deceased, was oneof the well-known and highly respectedcitizens of Paxton, and it is but justice tohis friends that he be represented in this volume.He was born in Plymouth, Chenango County,N. Y''., on the 11th of Januar3', 1837, and was ason of Dexter and Electa (Bement) Sackett, bothof whom were natives of the Empire State andwere of English extraction.In their family wereeight children: J. B., who is now living in St.Peters, Minn.; Orville I)., whose name heads thisrecord; Addison, ex-State Senator of Minnesota,and extensively engaged in the milling businessin St. Peters, Minn.; Clarissa, wife of Peter Ben-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 529nett, a farmer residing near Courtland, 111.; Mary,wife of E. O. Newman, who is engaged in meieanlik'pursuits at Sibley; Franklin, who died in18(58; and De L., a photographer making his homein Chicago; Helen died in her twentieth year.The Sackett family came to Illinois in 1866,and the father settled in Courtland, De KalbCounty, where he purchased land and still makeshis home. Our subject attended the district schoolsuntil fourteen years of age, when he started outin life for himself, working as a farm hand by themonth. At the age of sixteen, he went to SouthernWisconsin, where he spent one year, workingon a farm by the mouth, and then returned tohis home in the East, there i-emaining until 1866.That year witnessed his arrival in DeKalb County,111. Two years later he came to Ford Count}', andlocated in Lyman Township, where he purchasedone hundred and sixty acres of unimproved landand began the development of a farm, makingone of the best improved farms in that section.On the 4th of October, 1859, Mr. Sackett wasjoined in wedlock with Miss Angeline, daughterof Marvin and Maria (Curtis) Steward. The family'is of Scotch descent. Two children were bornof this union, a daughter and a son: Jennie, nowthe wife of Lawrence E. Campbell, a dealer in importedhorses; and .lay B., a resident of Paxton.After locating in this county, Mr. Sackett continuedto eng.age in farming until 1884, when healjandoned agricultural pursuits and removed toPaxton.In tins city he purchased a meat-market,and to that business devoted his attention forsome time. In 1880, he was elected a member ofthe State Board of Equalization of Illinois, andheld that office until the time of his death Inpolitics, he was a supporter of Republican principlesand took an active interest in everythingpertaining to the success and growth of his party.He twice served as Supervisor, and several yearsas Assessor, while residnig in Lyman Township,and proved an eflicient oflicer.Socially, he was aRoyal Arch Mason, and in religious belief was aCongregationalist. He jjassed away December 30,1887, respected by all who knew him, and in hisdeath the county lost a valuable citizen, his neighborsa faithful friend, and his family a lovinghusband and father. He had come to Ford Countyin an early day, and had ever borne his part inits history and upbuilding. He was a man honorablein all his dealings, and one that ever meritedthe confidence and high regard of his fellowcitizens.s^EANIEL DWYER is classed among the representativeand practical agriculturists ofFord County. He resides on section 20,Patton Township, where he owns and operatestwo hundred and twenty acres of good land.Upon this farm he has many rods of tiling, fieldsof convenient size are separated by well-keptfences and near the substantial residence are goodoutbuildings, such as are necessary for the care ofstock and grain. The land is under a high stateof cultivation, and in return for the care andlabor bestowed upon it yields a golden tribute tothe owner.Mr. Dwyer was born in County Kerry, Ireland,November 9, 1836, and spent his youth upon afarm until the age of sixteen 3'ears, when, in 1854,he crossed the broad Atlantic. In the month ofJune of that year he boarded a sailing-vessel atLiverpool, and after thirteen weeks and foiu- daysspent upon the bosom of the deep, arrived safely'in New York. However, they experienced manydangers during the passage. They encounteredsome terrible storms and were three times shipwrecked,but no lives were lost. The first wreckoccurred off the coast of Scotland, the next off thecoast of Newfoundland, but they arrived safely inSeptember of that year, and Mr. Dwyer securedemployment as a farmhand in the Flinpi re State,where he worked for four years, being in the employof one man during that entire period. In1858, we find him a resident of Wisconsin, butafter a short time spent in that State he came toIllinois and located in what is now Ford County.For twenty-one years, he was in the employ of afirm in Paxton, a fact which indicates his trustworthinessand fidelity. During this time he purchasedeighty acres of land and afterward added

530 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.to it by additional purchase, until lie now ownstwo hundred and twenty acres—his present home.illIn New York, in 1856, Mr. Dwjer was joinedwedlock with Miss Mary Doran, also a native ofIreland. Unto them has been liorn a family ofseven children, the eldest of whom, Margaret, isnow the wife of Frank Little, a resident of Dallas,Tex.; Maiy is the wife of Daniel Sullivan, ateacher residing in Chicago; John, who is now arailroad engineer, makes his home in Dallas,Tex.; Kate is the wife of E. Shugrue, whois living in Chicago; Daniel and Richard aidtheir father in operating the home farm; andNora is now a student in Paxton College. Theyalso lost two children: Richard, who died at theage of six months; and Nellie, who was called tothe home beyond at the age of fifteen years.Mr. Dwyer has resided in Ford County since itsorganization and is well known tlirougliout thecommunity as a man of sterling worth and uprightcharacter. He has the confidence and esteemof neighbors and friends, for his life hasbeen well spent and his trustworthiness is shownby his long continuance in one service. In localpolitics, he casts his ballot for the man whom hethinks will best fill the office, regardless of partyaffiliations, but on questions of national importancehe votes with the Democratic party. Heand his family arc members of the Catholic Churcli.^GHN M. VAUGHN, a dealer in farm machineryand real estate in Gibson Cit^^was born near Loudonville, Ohio, June 21,1844, and is a son of .John and Susan(Danner) Vaughn, botli of whom were natives ofRichland Count}', Ohio. The old homestead ofthe Vaughn family, that was entered by the grandfatherof our subject from the Go^'crnment, isstillin the possession of one of his descendants. Thefather died in May, 1865, at the age of sixtj'-seven years, and his wife departed this life in September,1862.Our subject remained at home until the 27th ofMaj% 1861, when he responded to the country'scall for troops, enlisting as amember of CompanyD, Twenty-fifth Ohio Infantry, in which regimenthe served until the 18th of November of thesame year, wjien he was honorably discliarged onaccount of physical disability. On the 3d of Februaiy,1864, he re-enlisted in Comiiany G, TwentythirdOhio Infantry, and served uiiiil after theclose of the war. He took part in the light atCloyd Mountain, in the battles of Lynchburg,Winchester and Cedar Creek, and was musteredout August 10, 1865.On leaving the armj', Mr. Vaughn returned toOhio, and immediately afterwards came to Illinois,locating in Peoria County on the Tith ofAugust, 1865. He there continued to reside untilthe fall of 1869, when he came to DrummerTownship, Ford County, where he rented a farmand engaged in agricultural pursuits until 187 1.In that year, he removed to Gibson City, and in1875 embarked in his present business. In additionto his dealings in farm implements, since 1885he has carried on an extensive real-estate liusiness,mostly in lauds in Northwestern Iowa and Minnesota.On the 10th of September, 1862, Mr. Vaughnwas united in marriage, in Emmon Valley, Pa.,to Miss Priscilla Riblet, who was born in AshlandCounty, Ohio, and is a daughter of Levi and MaryRiblet. With the Baptist Church she holds membership.Eleven children have been born of thisunion, four sons and seven daughters: Lines A.,who married Miss Trac.y Kopesca and is the engineerin charge of the Gibson City Electric LightWorks; Mary Ida, wife of Edward Smith, of Gilman,111.; Ettft J., who married Frank J. Van Houtenand resides in Knox County, Neb.; Annie,wife of Ed. Conner, a resident of Chicago; Amy,wife of James Reese, of Ford Count}-; Ella, LutherJ., Benjamin, Fuller P.. Jessie and Dollie E., whoare stillat home.In |)olitics, Mr. Vaughn is an earnest Rejjublican,a warm advocate of that party's principles.Sociall}-, he is a member of Gibson Lodge No.542, I. O. 0. F.,of Brothers' Encampment No. 158,and he and his wife belong to the Rebecca Degreeof the same order. He is also a member of LottPost No. 70, G. A. R.Mr. Vaughn has prosiiered in

h^^'.-Mfii.^i^%DI^

his business, his efforts being crowned with awell-deserved success, and he has a large andvaried stock of goods in his line, pr()l)ahly thelargest and most complete stociv of farm machineryto he found in Ford County.PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 533I LI HARVEY, general nieichanl and Postmasterof Sibley, is the only remaining set-/ j' —^) tier of the first group who were em|)loycdby Mr. Sullivant in improving and developingwhat IS now tiic town of .Sullivant. In 1867, heplanted the first hedge plant that was set out intliat township, and was there engaged in farmingjfor a year.Our suf»ject was horn in Clinton County, Ohio,June 20, 1837, and is a son of David and Sarah(Dakin) Harvey. His father was l)orn in Pittsboro,Chatham County, N. C, April;"), l.SO.'j, andwas descended from Scottish ancestry, also was amember of the Society of Friends or fSullivant, and was appointedClerk of the first town meeting held inthat township, Mr. Sullivant being Moderator.This was in the spring of 1868. The fall previous,he had returned to the Smith farm and was only inSullivant temporaril\', in the spring of 1867, toassist Mr. Sullivant in the organization of thetown. He continued as overseer of the Smithfarm until 1875, when he returned to SullivantTownship and located in Sible)-, where he hassince resided. He w.as overseer of the farm underMr. Sullivant, and was in charge of the tenants onthe farm under Mr. Sibley and for the estate until1885, when he engaged in merchandising in Sibley,having successfully- continued that businesssince.On the 29th of March, 1881), Mr. Harvey w.ascommissioned Postmaster of Sibley by PresidentHarrison, being the first one commissioned in thisdistrict. He is a Republican in politics, and hasbeen chosen to various local oltices. For sixteenyears he has been a Director on the School Board,Township Assessor for thirteen years, and is holdingthose offices at this writing. He was a memberof the Village Board of Sibley from its oi-ganizationuntil 1890, and was Constable from 1876until 1887, Commissioner of Highways from 1875until 1889, and held various other offices at thesame time.On the lOUi of December, 1859, Mr. Harvey wasmarried, in the town of Princeton, Bureau Countysto Miss Eliza Campbell, who was born in Athens,Ohio, and is a daughter of William and Mary A.(Grimes) Campbell. They have two children,daughters: Emma, now the wife of Albert Lough,of Fairbury, Livingston County; and Eva, whois employed in dress-making in Bloomington, 111.Slie almost completed the course in the Deaf andDumb Asylum, of Jacksonville, III. The motherdied August 9, 1869. On the 15th of September,1870, i\fr. Harvey was again married, the ceremonybeing performed in Loda, III. His present wife,wiiose maiden name was Anna AVoodward, was

534 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.born in Jefferson ville, lud., July 25, 1852, nnd isa daughter of George H. and Mary (Leland)Woodward. Four children gr.ace this union:William R., who is now twenty-one years of age,is a partner in his father's store and is also engagedin stock-buying; Ida May is clerking inthe post office for her father; Franklin MacVcaghand Zola .are the youngest. Mr. Harvey is a KnightTemplar Mason, belonging to Sibley Lodge No.761, A. F. & A. M.; Gibson Chapter No. 183,R. A. M.; and St. Paul Comraandery No. 38, ofFairbury, 111. He has aided in the erection of thechurch edifices of Sibley, and the cause of educationhas found in him a warm friend.His labors havebeen laigt-ly instrumental in securing the excellentschools for which Sibley is noted.Mr. Harvey cast his first Presidential vote forJohn C. Fremont, he and his comrades walkingtwo miles in order to deposit their ballots. Sincethat time he has been a stanch supporter of theRepublican part^-. He does the largest generalbusiness in Sible3', his annual sales amounting tofully $20,000. He carries a full and complete lineof dry-goods, fancy and staple groceries, hats andcaps, boots and shoes, etc., in fact, ever^'thingfound in a first-class store. In his business hehas been quite successful, and is widely and favorablyknown to the citizens of Ford and adjoiningcounties as a man of strict integrity, who hasever proved faihful to every public trust, andexact and correct in the discharge of his duties. Inhis business relations with his customers, he is accommod.atingand fair, and enjoys, as he deserves,the good-will and confidence of all who know him.I^EV. ERIC PETER OLSSON, pastor of thev^ Ev.angelical Lutheran Church of Paxton,was born in the Province of Norrland,Sweden, November 24, 1857, and is a sonof John and M.argaret Olsson. In 1869, his parentsbade good-bj'e to their old home and emigratedto America, accompanied by their children.On reaching this countiy, the family settled inSusquehanna County, Pa., where tlicy resided until1874, and then removed to Western Kansas,locating near Larned, on the Atchison, Topeka& Santa Fe Railroad, where Mr. Olsson, Sr., engagedin farming and stock-growing and where thefamily still reside.The subject of this sketch attended the publicschools near his home in Pennsylvania for threeyears and then went with his parents to Larned,Kan. In 1879, he became a student in AugustanaCollege, of Rock Island, III., where he pursued aliterary and scientific course and was graduatedin the Class of '85, with the degree of A. B. Hethen entered upon a theological course in thesame institution and was graduated in 1887, afterwhich he was ordained a minister of the livangelicalLutheran Church at Chicago in June of thesame year. While a student in Augustana College,he frequentlyserved the congregation of hischurch in Marquette, McPherson County, Kan.,during vacations, and when ordained he was assignedto that place,it being his first regular pastorate.From June, 1887, until December, 1888,he. continued his pastoral labors in the JMarquetteChurch, after which he was assigned to the PaxtonChurch, of which he has since been pastor, coveringa period of nearly four years. The Rev.Mr. Olsson is a scholarly man, of commandingpresence,affable and courteous in manner, earnestand able in the discharge of his duty, and hasgrown in popularity witii his congregation from thetime of his becoming their pastor to the present.The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paxtonwas organized in 1863, by Dr. T. N. Ilasselquist,who was the first pastor, and the following-namedmembers were its first officers: P. Erickson, Secretary;P^ric Carlson, C. M. Johnson and EmanuelCollins, Trustees; P. Peterson, S. Randall, C. Anderson,N. P. Nelson, J. Olson and Swan Anderson,Deacons. The first meetings of the societywereheld m the public school building, whichwas subsequently purcli.ased and used for a houseof worship in 1872, when the congregation havingincreased beyond its capacity of accommod.ation,the present church was built at a cost of$10,000. The building is 45x100 feet, with aspire one hundred feet in height; 1*700 was expendedfor seats and in 1884 a fine pipe organ

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 535was purchased at a cost of ^1,200. Besides thechurch edifice, tlie society has a schoolliouseworth $1,000 and a parsonage wortli $1,200. Atthis writing, the church property of this society isvalued at $15,000. Two teachers are employed inthe parochial school, and the scholars number onehundred, while the Sunday-school, with oHlcers,teachers and scholars, numbers three hundred andtwenty-seven. Dr. Hasselquist served as pastorfrom 1863 until 1875, when he was succeeded bythe Rev. N. T. Winquist, who served from 1875until 1879, when Rev. A. I'^dgren became pastor.He remained in charge from 18711 until December,1888, when the Rev. E. P. Olsson, tiie presentpastor, entered upon the duties of the position.The congregation of this church numbers ninehundred and eight^'-five members, of whom sixhundred and nine are communicants, and is thelargest church in Ford County. Many of its membersare farmers living in Patton and adjacenttownships.TACY DANIELS, the oldest living settlerof Paxton, and a plasterer by trnde, wasborn in Hamilton County, Ohio, December27, 1825. He is descended from one ofthe Revolutionary heroes, his grandfather servingin the struggle for independence and his father inthe War vf 1812. His mother was in her maidenhoodJliss Lottie Carnahan and by her marriageshe became the mother of six children: Jacob, whodied in 18(U; Martha, wife of William Hoffman,died in 1889; William died in 1877;.John is a carriagemaker of Paris, Ky., and Sheriff of his county;Frances M. is the wife of Herman Lawrence, ofCincinnati, Ohio; Stacy is the next younger. Thefather was called to his final rest October 12, 1825,but the mother long survived, her death occurringin 1879.We now take up the personal history of oursubject, knowing that this record of his life willprove of interest to many of our readers.Duringhis boyhood, the winter mouths were spent in attendanceat the district schools, while in the summerseason he aided in the labors of the farm. Atthe age of seventeen, he began life for himself andthe occupation to which he was reared he nolonger followed, but turned his attention to theplasterer's trade, at which he served a four-years'apprenticeship. It has been his life work and hehas followed it faithfully, therebj"^ accumulating acomfortable competence.Mr. Daniels was married, December 27, 1849, toMiss Margaret Rush, who died February 13, 1859,and was buried in the Old Settlers' Graveyard ofPaxton. Four children were born of that union,but Martha and Mary A. are now deceased; andCora, the youngest, died in infancy. Emma, thethird child, is the wife of Edward Field, a travelingsalesman employed by the Standard Oil Companyof Chicago. On the 25tli of July, 1865, Mr.Daniels was again married, his second union beingwith Mary Williams. They had one child thatdied in infancy. His wife died October 1, 1867.On June 23, 1868, he married Rebecca Kempton,by whom he has one child, Albert K.Mr. Daniels first came to Illinois in October,1856, locating in what is now Paxton, but thesame winter returned to Ohio, and in April, 1857,brought his family to Prospect City, as Paxtonwas then called. There were not more than twelvefamilies in the place at that time and the mercantiletrade was carried on in one small store, theproperly of Messrs. Lewis cfe Donley. Mr. Danielspurchased twelve acres of land, where the beautifulhome of Geo. Shepherdson now stands.In thefall of 1859, he went to California, making thetrip by water to San Francisco, where he workedat his trade until the spring of 1861, when he returnedto his home for the purpose of enlisting inthe service of his country. Going to Ohio, on the22d of August, 1862, a private of the P:igiit3'-thirdOhio Infantry, he was made (Quartermaster-Sergeantuntil August 3, 1863, when he was mustered as(Quartermaster, continuing in the service until theexpiration of his term of service, when he was honorablydischarged at Natchez. Having received aCaptain's commission, he was mustered out as such.The most important engagements in which heparticipated were at Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas

536 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Post, Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, Vicksburgand tlie battle of Mobile. His army experiencecovered a period of three j^ears and he hadproved himself a faithful soldier and made anhonorable war record.On again coming to Paxton, Mr. Daniels oncemore resumed work at his trade and lias sincemade this city his home. Upright and honorablein all his business relations, he has won the confidenceof all with whom he has been brought incontact, and has thereby received a liberal patronage.In politics, he is a stanch supporter of Republicanprinciples, and in his social relations was anOdd Fellow for many years. He has long beenideiiliiicd uilh the history of Paxton, has witnessedalmost ils entire growth and has ever borne hispart in the promotion of those interests calculatedto prove of public benefit.arc cliurcli members...jl NDREW D.-^^-His wife and daughterANDERSON, who owns and(©/lJU operates a fine farm of two hundred acreson section 28, Patton Township, was bornin Sweden on the 1st of May, 1842, andspent his childhood daj's in his native land. Noevent of S))ecial importance occurred during hisyouth. He resided upon his father's farm and attendedthe public schools, where he acquired afair education. On attaining his majority, hebade good-bye to the land of his birth and emigratedto the New World, sailing in 1863 fromCopenhagen to Hamburg, where he boarded thewell-known steamer "Saxonia," and after sixteendays arrived in New York, about the 1st of October.It was an important day of his life when hedetermined to come to America, for his careerhas been a prosperous one, and, although in thoseearly days he had many obstacles to encounter,he has steadily worked his way upward and isnow in comfortable circumstances.Mr. Anderson made his first location in Chicago,but spent only a week there, after which he cameto Paxton, and spent the winter with Prof. Hazelquist.In the summer of 1864, he began workingupon a farm by the month, entering the employof Ben Dei, witli whom he remained for ten years,or until the death of that gentleman.Mr. Dei interestedhimself in behalf of our subject andbought an eighty-acre tract of land for him,which he was to pay for as he could find opportunity.In 1874, Mr. Anderson returned toSweden, and spent two months in visiting theold home and the scenes of his childhood, andpassing many happy hours with his relatives andfriends of his youth. Tlie following July lie returnedto this country and the next year locatedon the land which he had previously purchased,and which is still his home.In March, 187o, in Ford County, Mr. Andersonmarried Miss Augusta Carlson, who is a native ofSweden and came to Paxton when a young lady.They have two children, a sou and a daughter:Emil Ephraim and Anna Sophia, botli attendingschool. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson began their domesticlife upon the farm which is still their home.Although it was then uncultivated, he at once beganto clear and operate it, and soon rich and fertilefields were j'ielding him a golden harvest inreturn for his labors. As time passed and hisfinancial resources increased, he added to his farmby additional purchase, and now has two hundredacres of land in Patton Township, together with aquarter-section of land in Iowa. Near his comfortablehome, which is a substantial residence,are good buildings, and these, in turn, are surroundedby well-cultivated fields.In his political attiliations, Mr. Anderson is aRepublican, having been a stanch advocate of thatparty since he cast his first Presidential vote forGen. U. S. Grant. However, he has never soughtpublic office, the attractions of the political arenahaving never called his attention from his businesscares. He and his wife are memliers of the LutheranChurch, of Farinersville, and take an activeinterest in its work, Mr. Anderson having servedfor about fifteen years as Trustee of the church.His residence in Ford County covers a period ofabout thirty years, and he has, therefore, witne.ssedmuch of the growth and development, andhas aided in its upbuilding and advancement. Heis

PORTRAIT AND ItlOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.53!'one of its leading agriculturists and valued citizens.His life lias been well and woitliily spentin the pursuit of legitimate liusiness, and the rewardof earnest labor has come to him in theshape of a comfortable competence.^^"^ ONATIIAX R LOTT, deceased, was born inLicking County, Ohio, February 14, 183!».and when eight years of age came with hisparents to McLean County, 111., where hegrew to manhood on a farm. He was a schoolmateof C4ov. Fifer, and when the war broke outenlisted on the same day, in Company C, ThirtythirdIllinois Infantry, and was with the regimentforover three 3'ears. On tlie 1st of .January, 1864,he veteranized and served until discharged atNew Orleans, .June lf>, 1865. He was twicewounded, once a ball cutting across the top of hishead, inflicting a scalp wound, and ere that washealed, contrary to the orders of the surgeon, horan away from the hospital and joined his regiment.A few days later he was wounded in the left arm,which partially disabled it for life. Wlien JoeFifer was wounded and the doctor said only icewould save his life, Mr. Lott volunteered to makethe attempt to i)rocure it, which though very hazardous,was successful. Gov. Fifer has oftenspoken of Mr. Lott as the one who saved his life.Mr. Lott was a brave soldier, ever found at hispost of duty, and when discharged held the positionof Sergeant.After returning from the war, Mr. Lott attendedthe Wesleyan College, of Bloomington, 111., and inthat city he was married, on the 1st of .January,1867, to Margaret A., daughter of .James and MaiyE. (Stevenson) Gibson. Mr. Gibson was born inSouth Carolina, being of Swiss and Irish extraction,and when seventeen }'ears of age. went to GieeneCounty, Ohio, where he married Miss Stevenson,who was a native of that county. He died inGreene County in 1849, but his wife, who afterwaudmarried again and emigrated to Indianapolis,survived until 18!) 1. Of the first marriage weretwo children:Margaret A., and Martha R., now thewife of Bruce McCoinLick. She came to Bloomington,III., in 1865, where she was joined by hersister the next year. Having married Mr. Lott,she came with him to Gibson City in 1861), andwas soon after joined by her sister.The shanty, 12x14 feet in dimensions, liuilt byMr. Lott w.as the first building to mark the siteof what is now Gibson City, but before winterwas over he had a good frame house erected. Helaid out the town in 1871, and named it Gilison,in honor of his wife's maiden name. He was instrumentalin securing the post-ottice there, but asit was so much like Gilson, another town in theState, the oftiee was changed to Gibson City. Hewas the prime mover in securing the railroad for(iribson, and in every public enter|iri.-c took an activeinterest.Mr. Lott was a Republican in politics, but notan oflice-seeker. He was very popular, much beloved,and always in sympathetic touch with thepoor. He was a member of the Christian Church,and died in that faith on the 18th of September,1879. In honor of him, the Grand Army Post ofGibson City was named Lott Post, No. 70. Heleft no family save his wife, who is now ISIrs. O. II.Damon and is the oldest living settler of Gibson.In every thing that would lietter society, he tooka deep interest and was very liberal vvith ins means.After Gibson City was laid out, he gave his attentionto the real-estate business, accumulating goodproperty. He deserves great credit, as he was aself-made man, and one of which any communitymight be proud.p^[era . \i, ,AMUEL MACK WYLIE, jM.D., of P axt( n^^^^ established a practice in this city, in 1878,%jff_^ Jind has since conducted it with markedsuccess up to the present time, covering aperiod of fourteen years. The Doctor was born inOakland, Coles County, 111., on the 15tli of July,1855, and is a son of Dr. .Jonathan D. and Agnes(Crawford) Wylie, a sketch of wliiini appears elsewherein tliis work.Our subject received his literary education in

540 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.the Indiiiiiapolis Higli School and Monmouth College,of Monmouth, 111. After completing hiscollegi.ate CDurse, he entered upon the study ofmedicine n,t the Chicago Medical College, fromwhich he was graduated with honors in 1878, beingthe valedictoiian of his class. On taking hisdegree, he at once entered upon the practice ofhis profession in Paxton, wliere he iiad made hishome in 1868. In order to better perfect himselfin the line of liis profession, Dr. Wylie spentsome months, at intervals, in study and hospitalpractice in New York City, and, in 1890, for thesame purpose, lie made a tour to Europe and pursuedtlie study of medicine and surgery under themost distinguished practitioners of London, England;Loipsic, Dresden and Berlin, riermany; andof Paris, France.On the I'JtIi of June, 1879, Dr. Wylie was unitedin marriage to Miss Emily Bushnell, the weddingbeing celebrated in Paxton. The lady is a nativeof Illinois, born iu Lisbon, Kendall Count}-, and adaughter of S. P. Buslinell, lately President of theFirst Nati(jnal Bank of Paxton. The Doctor andhis wife are b:)th members of tlie Methodist Churchof this city and hold a high rank in social circles.Tlie political views of Dr. Wylie are those ofthe Republican i)arty, but he has never sought ordesired public olHoc, the only office he has held beingthat of Cit}' Piiysician of Paxton, and thatposition he resigned on going to Europe in 1890.He is a member of the Central Illinois MedicalSociety, of the State Medical Society and of theAmerican iNIedical Society, being President of thefirst-named. He also belongs to Paxton LodgeNo. 416, A. F. & A. M.,and Ford Chapter No. 113,R. A. M., of Paxton.Dr. Wylie has proved very proficient in surgery,for which he has a decided talent and special fondnessand he has, by uniform success—often in complicatedcases—won a State-wide reputation in thatbranch of his profession, while in general practice,he has been uniformly successful. His surgicalinstruments and appliances are of the best modernstj'le of manufacture and were purchased in theInrgest cities of America and P^urope as opportunityoffered, and iu extent and variet}' are unexcellediu the State. He has a large and well-selectedlil)rary of medical, scientific and historical worksand standard books in other fields of literature.He is a liberal patron of current literature in theline of his profession, so that he keeps well up withthe scientific and medical discoveries of the time,^.^\f AMKS C. KIRKPATRICK is a merchantand grain dealer of Kirks, 111. He is a nativeof Adams Count}', Ohio, born February13, 1837. Mitchell Kirkpatrick, his father,was born in the same county and State, wiiile liisgrandfather, Adam Kirkpatrick, w.as also a nativeof Adams County, of Irish parentage, the Kirkjjatrickfamily being among the first settlers ofAdams County.Adam Kirkpatrick was a soldier in the War of1812. He was twice married and reared a familyof eighteen children, nearly all of whom grew to matureyears and became heads of families.MitchellKirkpatrick grew to manhood in his native countyand there married Susan Gylinger. who was a nativeof West Virginia and who moved to AdamsCounty, Ohio, with her father, George G^ylinger, inan early day. After their marriage, MitchellKirkpatrick engaged in farming in Adams Count}'for a number of ye.ars, and, in 18.51, removed toIllinois and settled on a farm in McLean County,where he resided until his death, in 1854. His remainswere interred in Oak Grove Cemetery. Hiswife survived Jiim a number of years and departedthis life at the residence of her daughter near Denver,Col., in 1889, but was buried in Oak GroveCemetery l\y theside of the body of her husband,where a monument marks lier last resting placeBoth were lifelong members of the United Presb3terianChurch.James C. Kirkpatrick is third in order of birthIn a family of live sons and three daughters whogrew to mature years. Of this family, the eldest,George L., died in Kansas in 1889, leaving a largefamily; Adam IC. resides in Arkansas City, Kan.,living a retired life; James C. is next in order ofbirth; Joseph P. resides in Arkansas City, Kan.and is now living a retired life; he was a soldier

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 541during the late war. Wilson B. resides in Topcka,Kan., and is engaged in merchandising; Susan Lis the wife of J. AV. Wannsfield of Arkansas City,Kan.; Catlierine C. is the wife of Franlv Woodleyand resides near Denver, Col..James C. Kirkpatrick came to I lliiiois with hisparents a youth of sixteen, and remained on tliefarm of his father until his father's death, and withhis mother until his majority'.lie had but limitedschool advantages. After the death of his father,the management of the farm and the care of thefamily greatly depended on him, his school d.aysbeing thus cutshort. lie was united in marriage inMcLean County, April 16, 1857, to Miss Sarah A.White, a native of Pennsylvania, born in WashingtonCounty. When but eleven years of age, sheremoved with her father, Patterson White, to Ohio,and to McLean County, 111., in 1851. After hismarriage, Mr. Kirkpatrick rented land and farmedfor four years in McLean County. lie then purchaseda farm at Oak Grove in that county,where he remained two j-ears and then sold andmoved to Livingston County, where he bouglitraw land and opened up a farm and continuedthere for six years. In 1871, he sold his LivingstonCounty farm and, removing to Ford Count}',purchased one hundred and sixty acres in ButtonTownship, near Kirk Station. Only forty acres ofthis land had been broken, but a small residencehad been erected on it. He at once commencedthe work of improvement and afterwards purchasedmore land, and at this time owns fivehundred and eight}' acres which is under cultivation.In addition to this, he has helped his twooldest sons each to a good eighty-acre tract.In 1879, Mr. Kirkpatrick engaged in the grainbusiness at Kirk Station and a little later also engagedin merchandising, in which lines of businesshe has continued to the present time. In 1888,he moved his family to the village.lie has latelyerected a fine large residence whicli is one of thebest in the place. He has also built a grain elevatorin this i)lace.Mr. Kirkpatrick commenced life for himself apoor man with no means but with a good constitutionand two willing hands, and by his industryenterprise, and witli the assistance of his most estimablewife, accumulated a large estate and is atthis time one of the substantial men of Ford County.He has been identified with the Republican partysince he became a voter, casting his first Presidentialballot for Abraham Lincoln. He has votedfor the nominees of the Repuljlican party at everyPresidential as well as local election since thattime.In local politics, he has taken quite an activepart and has served in several positions of honorand trust. He served eight years as one of theBoard of Supervisors, and has held other localoffices. A friend of education, he is a strong believerin and supporter of the public schools.Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick have a family of sevenchildren. The eldest, Anna M., is the wife of WalterAtha of Sparland, 111.; L. M. is a farmer ofFord County; John B. resides in Clarence andassists his father inthe mercantile and grain business.He is married and has a family; Minnie isthe wife of J. W. Healey, a railroad agent of KirkStation; Lorenzo J. resides at home; Ellie C. is thewife of Sherman Frederick, an active and prominentbusiness man of Kirk Station ; Jessie Maud residesat home.Mr. Kirkpatrick has been a resident of Illinoissince the age of sixteen and of Ford Count}'nearly a cpmrter of a century. He is well knownin Ford and adjoining counties. He is one of themost enterprising and public-spirited of the citizensof Button Township, and is a man of sterling,upright character, esteemed by all. He and hiswife are active members of the United PresbyterianChurch.;«lIk ILLIAM H. H. ELLIOTT, an enterprising'^•'"'""''' ''esiding\/\/ion section 25, Button\^f^ Township, is a native of Ohio. He wasborn in Morgan County, on tlie 7th of December,1835, and is the second in order of birth in a familyof eight children, burn unto Matthew andAnna (Wilson) Elliott. The paternal grandfather,Thomas Elliott, was of Irish descent. His sonMatthew was born in the District of Columbia, in17!l'.(, and when a young man of about nineteen

542 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.years, went, to ()l)erlin. Ohio, where he located,becoming one of tlie pioneers of liiat State. Someyears after liis marriage, lie settled in MorganCount}', where he made his home for a number ofyears, or until 18.52, when he came to Illinois. Hetook up his residence upon a tract of land in FordCount}', which is now the home of our subject,and made his home in this community, an honoredand respected citizen, until 18K1. His land, heentered from the Government and developedtherefrom a fine farm of three hundred acres, uponwhich he reared his family and continued to makehis home until his death, in 1881. He was an oldlineWhig, and, at the organization of the Republicanparty, joined its ranks, becoming one of itsstanch sui)porters. He held a number of localoHices, was a valued citizen and was a member of,and helped to organize. Pleasant (Jrove Chapel, aMethodist Church. His wife still survives hiin,and is now living with a daughter in \'ermiIionCounty.The children of their family were: Matilda,who is deceased; W. H. II., of this sketch; AmosW., who died in September, 1891; Sarah, also deceased;Thomas 1\I., a farmer of Nebraska; Hannah.]., wife of E. P. I)awgus, of A'ermilion Count}';Plnube A., wife of W. R. Wilson, of Hismark, VermilionCounty; and George R., who has beencalled to his final rest.We now take up the (lersonal history of our subject,who, at the age of sixteen years, came withhis parents to Illinois. His educational privilegeswere limited. While two of his brothers were inservice during the late war, he remained with hisfather upon the farm and managed all the businessaffairs connected with it.In 1859, in Ford County, Mr. Elliott was unitedin marriage to Demeris Lyon, who was born inIndiana and there resided until fourteen years ofage, when her family removed to Illinois, becomingresidents of Champaign County. Her father,Thomas Lyon, is numbered among the pioneers ofthat county.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have been born ninechildren, eight of whom are living at this writing:Thomas M., who is engaged in merchandising, in]>lue (Jrass, Vermilion County; Charles W., farmerof Sioux County, Iowa; AV. IL, who is engaged inthe drug business, in I^udlow; Jesse, a student ina school of |>harmacy in Chicago; RoI)ert E., AllenL., Sarah A., and John R., all yet at home.LillieB. died in 1883, at the age of twenty years.The parents of this family arc members ofPleasant Grove Chapel, Mothodist EpiscopalChurch, in which Mr. Elliott served as an officerfor a number of years.Politically, he is a Republican,having cast his first Presidential vote forAbraham Lincoln. lie has been called upon to filla number of local offices, and the duties of thosepositions he has ever discharged with promptnessand fidelity. The greater jiart of his time, however,is devoted to agricultural pursuits, and henow owns a fine farm of two hundred and fortysixacres, the old homestead, which he purchasedof the other heirs after the death of his father.It is under a high state of cultivation and wellimproved, and the neat appearance of the placeindicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner.Mr. Elliott is numbered among the early settlers ofthis community, few having longer resided inButton Township than he. He has ever borne hispart in the promotion of its best interests and isnumbered among the valued citizens, as well asthe honored pioneers, of Ford County. As a farmer,he has made his life a success and has acquireda handsome competence.\tl ENRY C. SPELLINIEYER is a dealer inhardware, stoves and tinware, and Melvinfinds in him one of its enterprising andprogressive business men. He is also amember of the firm of H. C. Spellmeycr & Co.,undertakers, of the same place. His life record isas follows: He is a native of Illinois, his birthhaving occurred near Lostant, La Salle County,on the 20th of January, 1864. His parents, Charlesand Louisa Spellmeyer, are both natives of Hamburg,Germany and in their youth left the Fatherland,emigrating to America.Their marriage wascelebrated in this country, and Mr. Spellmeyer en-

£^Jy

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 545gaged in farming in La Salle County, III., until187G, wlica he came, with liis family, to FordCounty, lie now follows agiioultural pursuits inWall 'i'ownshi|), where he and his wife have apleasant home.Henry C. Spellmeyer, whose name heads thisrecord, spent the days of his boyhood and youthin the usual manner of farmer lads. In the winterseason, he attended the district schools and in thesummer months his labors were devoted to farmwork, but after he had attained to man's estate,he turned his attention to other pursuits.On the 22d of February, 1888, a marriage ceremonywas performed, in Peach Orchard Township,wliiehunited the destinies of our subject and MissIda Helen Otto, one of Ford County's fair daughters.The lady was born in that township, herfather, Michael Otto, being one of its early settlers.She is a member of the German Methodist Churchand an estimable lady, who has many friendsthroughout this community.Mr. JSpellmeyer continued to engage in farminguntil 1889, when he removed toiNIclvin and establishedhis present business. In the thiee yearsthat have since passc^d, he has built up a very satisfactorytrade and is regarded as one of the leadingmerchants of the town. As a citizen, he ispublic spirited and progressive and takes an activeinterest in all that pertains to the upbuilding andwelfare of the community. In politics, he is asup|K)rter of the Democratic party but has neversought or desired public office.•-5- ^^ -5—S^.EMEMBRANCE CLARK, an iionoied [liu-V^/ neer of Ford County, was for many yearsa prominent merchant of Paxton, where lie^^iStill resides. He is a native of New Hampshire,his birth having occurred in .StraffordCounty, that State, September 29, 1810. He wasreared to agricultural pursuits in his native State,and in 1834 went to Frankfort, Me., where he madehis home for about thirteen years. In 1847, wefind him a resident of Bangor, devoting his energiesto mercantile business, and in 1860, he cameto Illinois, locating in Paxton. He soon becamea prominent merchant of this place, and in 1867erected the largest brick house in this city. It isknown as Clark's Block and contains Clark's Hall,the principal public hall in town. In 1872, heopened a store, taking as partners his sons-in-law,R. Cruzen and II. R. Daggett. That connectionwas continued until 1882, when he sold out hisshare in the business to Mr. Cruzen.In 1834, Mr. Clark was united in marriage toMiss Henrietta Durgin, a daughter of Francis Durginand a native of the old Granite State. Thewedding ceremony w.as performed in Tamworth,N. H., and by their union were born six children,but only two are now living: Annie E., the wifeof R. Cruzen; and Mary, wife of II. R. Daggett, ofPetoskey, Mich.]\Ir. Clark's life was a busy and useful one,until he was obliged by the weight of j'ears to retirefrom active business. His career has beendistinguished by strict integrity and a uniformkindliness that has endeared him to all vvho wereprivileged to enjoy his intimate acquaintance.No blemish or shadow of wrong-doing has everfallen across the open page ofhis life, and his decliningyears are being spent in quiet retirement,after a well-spent and prosperous business career.His wife, the worthy helpmate of a long life, stilllives and shares with hir husband the respect andesteem of nianv friends.i^^ICNRY CL HALL is a grain and commissionmerchant of Paxton, III., and one of theleading liusiness men of the city. He is a[^^ native of Indiana, his birth having occurredin Fountain Connty, (ui the 1 1th of October,1841, and he is a son of .lames I), and Eliza(Wisman) Ihill. in Feliru:ny, 1852, when a lad ofeleven years, he came to Illinois with his parents,who settled in what is now known as Henderson '^Grove, N'ermiiion Connty, since included in FordCounty. In the nsual manner of fanner lads, hespent the days of his boyhood and. attended thepiililic schools of the pioneer days of that region.

546 PORTRAIT AND UIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Coming to Paxton, he began business m hispresentline of trade in INIareh, IHtJ'i, and was associatedwith Tim Ross, under the lirni name of Ilallife Ross, at Gibson, as general deah'rs in grain until1889, since which time it has been known as T. Koss& Co.On the 10th of October, 1872, an importantevent occurred in the life of Mr. Hall. He wasmarried in Paxton to Miss Mary Pierpont, daughterof Leonard I'iei-pont, and a native of Connecticut,who came to Illinois with her parents in 18;")8.Four children have been born to IMr. ami Mrs.Hall, three daughters and one son, and the familycircle 'yet remains unbroken. They are Blary T.,Bertha M., Edith and Pierpont.All were born inPaxton, where Mr. Hall has made his home since1860, or for a period covering almost a third of acentury.In his [Kilitical atliliations, Mr. Hall is a Republican,having cast his first Presidential vote forAbraham Lincoln at the election of 1864. Forsix years, he has been a member of the PaxtonCity Council, proving a capable and efficient officer.In their religious views, he and his wife areCongregationalists, holding membership with tliechurch of tliat denomination in Paxton.\'^ ETER C. BOWEN, one of the pioneer set-))' tiers of Illinois, was born in MontgomeryCounty, N. Y., on the 8th of .January,1816, and is a son of Caleb and Ruth (Randall)Bowen. The great-graudfatiier of Mr. Bowenon the paternal side came from Wales and settledin Montgomei'v County, N. Y., prior to the RevolutionaryWar, in which Peter Bowen, the grandfatherof our subject, served.Caleb Bowen, the father, was born October 5,1790, in Montgomery County, N. Y., where hegrew to manhood and was married to Miss Randall,who was a native of Vermont, though hergrandfather, on her mother's side, w.as from Ireland.When two ycar.s of age, she emigrated withher parents from her native vStateCounty.to MontgomeryCaleb Bowen was a shoemaker by trade,and in 1838 came by wagon to Illinois, locating inAugusta, Hancock County, where he improved afarm for another man, on which he continued toreside until 1845. IJemoving to INIason County,he purclia.sed a farm and improved it. and therehe and his wife si)ent the remainder of their da3'S.In their family were nine children, three sons andsix daughters, of whom only three are stillliving.Peter C. Bowen is the ehlest child of the abovefamily and was reared to manhood on a farm, receivingbut a limited education at the districtschools. Until twent3-eight years of age, he remainedat liome helping his father to develop agood farm, which was then divided, our subject'sshare being forty acres. By industry, he increasedhis land until he wa^ the i)ossessor of one hundredand sixt}' acres, which he sold, and then removed toHancock County, where he bought the sameamount. The Wabash Railroad ran through hisfarm, and he laid out the town, which was calledBowen in his honor. In 1864, he wemoved toLogan County and purchased one hundred andsixty acres of land through which a railroad ran,but afterward sold this and went to McLeanCounty, where he purchased two hundred andforty acres. Financial difficulties overtaking him,he came to Gibson City, where for four yearshe was night policeman, and. in 1885, was policemanin the Legislature of the State. Since thatyear he has been engaged in mercantile pursuitsinGiljson.In iNIason County, 111., on the 17th of June,1845, Mr. Bowen was united in marriage withMary Camp, a native of Morgan County, thisState. She died Noveml)er 21), 1846, leaving oneson, William IL, an enteri)rising merchant of GibsonCity. Mr. liowen w.as again married, August2, 1849, this time to Sarah A. Layman, but she,too, w.as called to her final rest, .July 16, 1878.By this marriage he became the father of five children,but only one is now living, Charles E., thewell-known actor. His present wife was MarthaA. .Snediker, whom he married September 29, 1880.In political sentiment, Mr. Bowen was a Whiguntil the rise of the Republican party, when he becameone of its supporters, but since Grant's secondterra he has been atflliating with the Democ-1

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 547racy, of which he is a stanch advocate, though notan olllce-seeker. Religiously, he has been a membei-of the Methodist E|)iscopal Church for fiftyoneyears and is one of the active workers in hisMaster's vinej'ard.lie is a man of sterling worthand is highly esteemed by all whi) know him asone of the leading citizens of the community.Socially, he is a Master M.isou.^)f/_^KNRY T. STEINMANN is successfully engagedin farming on section 3, Wall Township,lie may well be called one of theself-made men of the county, for when hestarted out in life fur himself he had no capitalsave a 3'ouug man's bright ho|)e of the future anda determination to succeed, and he has succeeded.By his industrj' and enterprise, he has worked hisway upward and is now the owner of a fine farmwhich yields him a good income.Mr. Steinmann was born in the town of Blotslieim,Prussia, on the 9th of August, 1838, andwas the fourth child of Gerhardt Steinmann whois mentioned in the sketch of Frederick Steinmannon another page of this work. Our subject grewto manhood on his father's farm and acquired hiseducation in the public schools, which he attendedbetween the ages of six and fourteen years. Hewas a man of twenty-eight j'ears, wiien, witli hisfather, he crossed the broad Atlantic to America,in 1866, sailing from Bremen to New Orleans,where he anived about ten weeks later. He thenwent up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, wherelie si)ent a short time, after which he resided forone year in La Salle County, working as a farmhand+by the month. The year 1868 witnessed Insarrival in Ford County, where he has since madehis home. He rented land for five years and thenbought eighty acres on section 4, Wall Township,where he has since c.nrried on general farming andstock-raising.An important event in the life of Mr. Steinmannoccurred ere leaving his native land—his marriagewith Miss Cliarlotte Winter, who was born inSockhausen, and roared in the same neiii;hborlioodas her husband. Their union was celebrated inApril, 1851, and has been blessed with a family ofthree children: Henry, who was born in (Jermany,and died in his native land; Henry, the second ofthat name, who was born in German^' and is amerchant of Roberts, 111.; and Frank, who wasborn in Ford County and is still living on thehtune farm. The sons were given good educationsboth in German and English.Mr. Steinmann and his family hold membershipwith the Lutheran Church and are quite prominentpeople in this community, being held in highesteem for their sterling worth. In addition tothe property of her husband, Mrs. Steinmann ownstwo hundred and forty acres of good land. Inpolitics, our subject is a Republican and cist hisfirst Presidential vote for Gen. (irant. He hasserved as School Director and is a warm friend ofeducational and other interests calculated to benefitthe communit3\ but has never sought publicoffice, preferring to devotehis entire attention tohis business, and the success which has crowned hisefforts shows the wisdom of this course.^^Tl=,p^ AMUEL G. RANDLES, who is now livinga retired life f>n his farm on section 18,Patton Township, is one of the representativecitizens and honored pioneers of thecounty. A native of the Empire State, he wasborn in W.asliington County, under the shadowsof the Green Mountailis, October 15, 1830. Thefamily is of Irish origin and was founded inAmerica by the grandfather of our subject, HughRandies, who left his home on the Emerald Isleand Ijecami one of the pioneer settlers of WashingtonCounty, N. VIn that county. William Randies, father of oursubject, was born and reared, acquiring a g(;od educationin the public schools. lie served as a soldieron the north frontier in the War of 1812.After lie had anived at man's estate, he marriedNancy (iiilhrie, also a native of New York, andafter his marriage engaged in farming in WashingtonCounty, whure he reared his family and S[)ent

548 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.the greater pari of Lis life. The death of his wifeoccurred iu 1857. and in 1868 he came to Illinoisand spent two 3'ears wilii his son, but on the expirationof that period returned to his old home,where he resided until his death in 1870, an honoredand I'especled old gentleman. lie held duringhis life several local otlicial [)Ositions of honorand trust and was a lifelong member of the Presbyto-ianChurch, in the work of which he took anAcWfe interest.Our subject is tiie third in order of birtli in afamily of six sons and two daughters, of whomfour sous are yet living. He grew to manhood inhis native count}'^ and his youth was spent upona farm and in attendance at the common school.He afterwards completed his education in a higiierschool in his native State. He then engaged inteaching, which profession he followed for severalyears during the winter months, while in the summerseason he worked upon a farm. Wlien hehad attained to man's estate, he engaged in clerkingfor about a year, wlien tlie sickness of hisfather called him from the store to the liome farm,and he afterwards engaged in agricultural pursuitsiu partnership with his brothers for several jears.On the 30th of November, 186"!, Mr. Randiesand Miss Margaret P. Barkiey were married. Thelady was also a native of Washington County, N. Y.,and a daugiiter of Robert Barkiey, who was bornon the Emerald Isle and came to the United Stateswhen a youngman. In 1867, Mr. Randies broughthis family to Ford County, III., locating on a farmadjoining the then small village of Paxton. Hisland was but slightly improved, but he has had ittiled, built good barns and oilier outbuildings, acomfortable residence, and made other improvementswhich have transformed the farm into oneof the valuable places in tlie count3^ With theexception of one j'ear spent in mercantile pursuitsin Paxton, he has devoted his energies to nothingbut agricultural pursuits. However, he is now livinga retired life after many years spent in faithfullabor which brought him a comfortable competenceand now enables him to rest from activebusiness.In 188;5, Mr. Randies was called upon to mournthe loss of his wife. Two children had been bornof that union: Willie, who died at the age of sismonths, iu 1868, aud Hattie, who died May 2,1879, in her fifteenth year. On tlie 8th of Jul}',1891, Mr. Randies was again married, his secondunion being with Mrs. Lucretia Wilson, who washorn and reared in Indiana. Her father, .JohnCastle, was a native of South Carolina and becameone of the pioneers of the Hoosier State. Heremoved with his family to Iowa when his daughterwas a maiden of sixteen summers. In Albia,Monroe County, that State, she afterwards becamethe wife of David Wilson, who was one of the bo^'sin blue during the late war, serving in an Indianaregiment. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson afterwards cameto Ford County, and engaged in farming in Pat^ton Township for a number of years prior to hisdeath. Two children were borp unto them butboth are now deceased: Anna Eudora, who died atthe age of ten \'ears, and Laura Amanda, who diedat the age of six years.jMr. and Mrs. Randies are members of the UnitedPresbyterian Church of Paxton, of which he is anEhler. This worthy couple rank high in socialcircles and are well and favorably known throughoutthe community, being greatly esteemed bytheir many friends. They well deserve represen-eHARLEStation in this volume and it is with pleasure thatwe record their sketchiii^A. NORDGREN is a member of. the firm of R. Cruzen & Co.. hardware,merchants of Paxton, and is recognized asone of the leading business men of the jilace.Hislife record is as follows: He was born in Westergotland,Sweden, on the 23d of October, 1861,and is a son of Charles and Caroline Nordgren.He received liberal educational advantages, pursuinga collegiate course in Jonkoping College,and, at the age of t\ventj%crossed the Atlantic toAmerica. This was in 1881. The first year afterhis arrival iu tiie United States was spent in Chicagoand in 1882, he came to Paxton, where hesecured a position as salesman with the hardwarefirm of Clarke ik Cruzen, serving these gentlemen

i^M.ccn t' '^'-(yiAX^^((2ii

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 553ill tli;it capacity until 1!S',M), wlioii he bought aniiiti'ivst in tlie liusinos.s aiul has since been a iiiemlierof the linn.On the nth of Felinmry, 1885, Mr. Nordgrenwas united in marriage to Miss Emma S. Krickson,a (iaiighler of .lohn Eiickson. The lady is also anative of Sweden and, when a maiden, came toAmerica, taking up her residence in Paxton. Thefather of our subject died in the Old Country buthis mother still survives and is yet living in .Sweden.Since becoming an American citizen, Mi"- Nordgrenhas held the views of the Republican partybut has never sought or desired official preferment.Socially, he is a member of Paxton Camp, 'SI. W. A.,and he and his wife hold meinbershii) with the EvangelicalLutheran Church of this place. An activeyoung business man is Mr. Nordgren and a thoroughmaster of his business, and lie also maintainsan excellent reputation for integrity and fair andhonest dealing. The firm receives a liberal patronage,of which it is well deserving.5o~~^ffAMES B. FOLEY, one of the substantialfarmers of Drummer Township, who is alsoextensively engaged in the breeding of tinei horses, owns a i)leasant home on section 20.He w.as born in Adams County, Ohio, October 30,1847, and is a son of John and Rachel (Burnside)Foley, natives of Washington County', Pa. Theywere married in that county in 1844. Shortlyafterward they removed to Ohio, and wlien oursubject was a child of three summers, came to Illinois,locating on a farm in Putnam County, wherethey resided until 1891. In that year, they removedto Gibson City, where they are now livingretired. Both are members of the Presbytcri.anChurch, and are highly respected people. In hispolitical alliliations, Mr. Foley is a Republican, andis a very prominent citizen. Tlu' children of thefamily, eight in numlier, are as follows: lMary,nowdeceased; James, of this sketch: Martin, WilliamC, Martha, Anna, Elmer and Frank. In the usualmanner of farmer lads, James 15. Foley was reared23^to manhood. His primary education, acquired inthe common schools of the neighborhood, was supplementedby a year's study in the Normal School,of Normal, HI., and one year in the University ofniinois, and he was thus well fitted for business.He remained under the parental roof until twentj'-two years of age, when he started out in life forhimself and engaged in farming through the summermonths .and teaching in the winter season, followingthe latter profession for eight terms. Animportant event in his life occurred on the 24thof December, 1874, when was celebrated his marriagewith Miss Olive Skeel, who was lioin in PutnamCounty, 111., and is a daughter of L. li. andFlora (Morrison) Skeel, who were of Welsh andScotch descent. Two children have been born oftheir union, but F'rank V.,the younger son, is nowdeceased. John L. is still with his parents.In 1874, Mr. F^oley came to this county and isnow numbered among its most substantial farmers.He owns two hundred and forty acres of valuableland, under a high state of cultivation and wellimproved, and in connection vvith general farming,he makes a specialty of the breeding of fine horses.In 1887, he made a trip to England to purchaseheavy draft horses. He now has fifteen full-bloodedshire horses on his farm. Mrs. Foley accompaniedhim to the old world. The^' visited Glasgow,Edinburg, Perth, Sterling and Alierdeen, in Scotland,and Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Rugby andShefiield, England. They spent four days in thecity of London, being present at the time ofQueen Victoria's Jubilee, in September, 1887, whenwas celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of her reign.Mr. and Mrs. Foley were admitted to see the i)resentsgiven the Oueeu.Mr. Foley has led a busy life, yet has foundtime to serve his fellow-citizens in public positions,having filled the offices of Highway Commissionerand School Trustee. In politics, he is aRepublican and one of the stalwart advocates ofthat party's principles. Himself and wife areprominent members and active workeis in thePresbyterian Church, and Mr. Foley has served .asan officer both in church and Sunday-school. InMay, 1892, he was one of the commissionerselected by the Bloomington I'resbytery as its rep-

554 PORTRAIT AND BIOGEAIillCAL RECORD.resesentatives to the One Hundred and FourthGeneral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.Hiswife accompanied him. They made the journeyby way of the Union Pacific Hailroad and returnedby the Nortliern Pacific. Mr. Foley is a charitableand benevolent man, iniblic-spiritcd and progressive,and has the confidence of all with whom hehas come in contact.4^?RANK S.=^|eDAVIS, one of the oldest nativecitizens of Fold County, and a resident ofirAVS"/li, Gibson Citj', was born in Drummer Township,.September 24, 185'J. lie is a son of Dr.,). E.and Ellen (Hall) Davis, the former a native ofDublin, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and inearly life began the study ofmedicine, laler graduatingfrom the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College.Soon after his graduation, he went South andpracticed in Rodnej' and Grand Gulf, Miss., andduring the cholera scourge remained at his post ofduty, while many other doctors fied the countr}'.In Mississippi, Dr. Davis was united in marriagewith Miss Hall, a native of Indiana. About 1849,the Doctor came to Saybrook, McLean County,111., there practicing about a year, when he cameto Ford Count}^ He had an extensive practiceand, as he accumulated means, bought land, untilhe owned seven hundred and five acres, wliich hegreatly improved and cultivated. He was alsoagent for much of the land in this county. Throughhim, J. B. Lott bought the tract on which Gib,sonCity was built. He is a highly esteemed citizenand has been called upon to fill many official positionsof honor and trust in the county, includingthat of Supervisor and man}' minor ones.In politics,he was a Whig in early life, but since the riseof the Republican party has been one of its stanchadvocates. He was a delegate to the conventionthat nominated "Dick" Yates for Governor, beinarone of his earnest supporters. On account ofrheumatism, he has had to abandon his practiceand for the last two years has lived a retired life.Socially', he is a member of the Masonic order.Until 1875, Dr. Davis remained on his farm.which he then sold. In addition to farming andpracticing medicine, he was extensively engaged inhandling live stock, in partnership with another.Financial reverses ovotook them and, as the Doctorwas a responsible man, it devolved upon himto pay #2 1,000, which took nearly all the accumulationsof his many years of toil and sacrifice.Coming to Gibson City, he practiced medicine,while his wife and son ran the Gault House, butin 1881, he removed to Bloomington, remainingthere two years and then went to Chicago, wherehe and his wife still live. He was a very successfulphysician and during his entire practice neverlost a case of lung fever. The Doctor and his wifeare consistent members of the Methodist Church.In their family were eight children, of whomseven still survive, four sons and three daughters.Frank S. Davis, the subject of this sketch, wasroared to manhood on his father's farm and receivedhis literary educ.-ition in the district schoolsof this county. With his parents, he came toGilison City, and assisted his mother in runningthe hotel, but when his parents moved to Bloomington,he went to Grundy County, 111., where heclerked in a grocery store and assisted in carryingon a creamer^-. Returning to Gibson City, hethere remained for a time and then removed to afarm which he carried on until 1891, when hewent to Vermilion Parish, La., there j)urchasingrice land. Rheumatism caused him again to returnto Gibson Cit}', where he is now engaged as abook-keeper for the firm of Kisser, Holmes &White, Grain Elevator Company.The marriage of Mr. Davis was celebrated inGibson City, on the 2d of December, 1880, whenhe was joined in wedlock to IMiss Ida R, Meeks, anative of JIcLean County, and a daughter of Winstonand CheurLssa (Crigler) Meeks. Her parentswere both born in Virginia and came in the samecolony to Me Lean County, in 1850, which theymade their home until 1873, when they came tothis county, where the father afterward died andthe mother still makes her home. Of the fourchildren born to this worthy couple, BIrs. Davis isthe eldest. The family circle of our subject andhis wife has been increased by the birth of sixchildren: Earl M., Mamie R., Tottie M., Thomas E.,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 555Dora D. .iiid Kdiia M. Tlie mother of tliis faniilj'lioldi nieinlifisliii) with Ibo C'umbeilaiul rresb}'-terian Church and takes an active interest in itswork.In |)olilical sentiment, Mr. Davis is a Ucinililican,and is a stanch supporter of that party. He hasserved a year as Town Clerk and a year as CityClerk. In social circles, he ranks high and is amember of the Knights of Pythias and the ModernWoodmen.AMUEL W. NEWLIN, a contractor andbuilder, residing in Paxton, is one of the111 well-known citizens and business men ofFord County, and we feel assured that thisrecord of his life will be received with interest bymany of our readers. He was born in MontgomeryCounty, Ind., on the 18th of October, 1834,and is of English descent. His father, John Newlin,was a native of Ohio, the Ncwlin family beingnumbered among the early settlers of the BuckeyeState. He there grew to manhood and, after attainingto mature years, wedded Mary Denniston,also a native of Ohio. They removed thence toIndiana, locating in Waynetown, MontgomeryCounty, where Mr. Newlin followed his trade ofcoopering, and also operated a farm which heowned close by. He lost his wife about 183U,and,after a few years, married again. Subsequently,he removed to Fountain County, Ind., and laterto Putnam County, 111., where his death occurredin 18.54.After the death of his mother, .Samuel Newlinwent to live with an aunt, with whom he resideduntil about fourteen years of age, when the ladywas called to her final rest. Two years later, hebegan .serving an a|)prenticesliip to the carpenter'strade, working for a term of three years. He thencontinued to follow his choien trade in Indianauntil 18,57, when he went to Kansas and was employedas a cariienter and builder in Atchisonuntil the w-ar. Promi)ted by i)atriotic impulsesand desiring to aid his country in her efforts topreserve the Union, he enlisted, on the 8th ofSeptember, 18G1, as a member of Company C,Eighth Kansas Infuntry, serving until his dischargein September, 1861. For the first eighteen monthshe was on guard dutj- on the frontier of Kansas.He participated in the battle of Chickamauga,where he received a gun-shot wound in the footwhich disabled him for further service, and forseveral months he was in the hospital in Louisville,Ky. He then went to Leavenworth, Kan.,where he was mustered out, his three-j^ears' term ofenlistment having expired.After receiving his discharge, Mr. Newlin cameto Paxton, 111., to visit relatives and recuperate hishealth, which was broken down through hard service,and after this object was accomplished, hedecided here to locate and engage in cabinet-makingfor a year. He then turned his attention tocarpentering, and for a (juarter of a century hasbeen one of the leading contractors and buildersof Paxton. For the first ten years, his work wasmostly in the adjoining country, but since thattime he has been emplojed almost exclusively in thecity and some of the best residences of Paxton arehis handiwork.A marriage ceremony, performed October 29,1869, united the destinies of Mr. Newlin and MissMay A. Copeland, who was born in New York City,but was reared and educated in Ohio and Illinois,coming to this State when a maiden of thirteensummers. Unto our subject and his wife havebeen born t'we children: Frederick F., a well-educatedyoung man, now studying dentistry in Paxton;Willie E., a graduate of the Paxton HighSchool, now working at the carpenter's trade withhis father; Gertrude L. and Myrtle 1!., who attendthe home schools. They also lost three children ininfancy or early childhood, namely: Evalina, Lconaand Harry.Mr. Newlin cast his first Presidential ballot forGen. U. S. Grant, and has since been identifiedwith the IJeiniblican party. As every true Americancitizen should do, he feels an interest in politicalaffairs liut has never sought or desired prefermentfor himself, lie and his wife are members ofthe Congregational Chini-li of Paxton, and he alsobelongs to the (irand Army Post and the Mjisonio

556 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.orders of this cit}'. Mr. Nowliii is well anil favorablyknown as a straightforward business manwhose dealings have ever been eharaeterized byuprightness, and botli in business and social circleshe ishighly esteemed./p^EORGE W. 15.-^3.^+^[^JOIIiS.SON, Road Comniis-sioner of Drummer Township, was born in[II ^—;^^ McLean County, 111, July U!, 1«15, and isa son of Isaac and Margaret (Barnett) .lohnson.The former was born in Kentucky-, where his parentswere married, but his father was from Irelandand his mother from Wales. In his native State,Isaac Johnson grew to manhood and marriedBlissBarnett, who was also a native of Kentucky,though her father was of English and her motherof German extraction. Her father, Moses Barnett,was an extensive horse-raiser and the Morganstock of horses is traced back to Barnett 's "MoneyChanger." Among the first settlers of McLeanCounty, 111., were Mr. Barnett and his family-, andprior to "the winter of the deep snow," 1830, theJohnson family also came to the same county, bothfamilies locating in the same community. Johnson'sPoint of Buckle's Grove was named in honorof Isaac Johnson's father. Both the Johnsons andBarnetts passed through all the hardshii)S of |)ioneerlife in Illinois, and so scarce were the ordinaryimplements used on a farm, that Margaret Barnettrode fifteen miles on horseback to borrow anauger.In McLean County, 111., Isaac Johnson and MissMargaret Barnett were married in 1833, he beingnineteen years of age and she seventeen. They begantheir domestic life in an old-time log cabin.In his younger years, Mr. Johnson farmed, but laterworked at the plasterer's trade. Though deprivedof school advantages, he became a well-informedman, especially in the .Scriptures, and for manyyears was a local minister in the Missionary BaptistChurch. For six or seven years lefore his death,he was an invalid from rheumatism and hearttrouble and was called to his final rest in 1864. Inpolitics, he was first a Whig, and subseipiently anAbolitionist, but on the organization of the Republicani>arty, he joined its ranks and became oneof its stalwart supporters. His wife, who was alsoa member of the Missionary Baptist Church, diedin 1888. In their family were thirteen children,seven sons and six daughters, of whom nine arestill living. Five of the boys served their countryduring the late war, the eldest, AVilliam (i., beinga member of Company C, One Hundred andSeventh Illinois Infantr}', serving in the cai)acityof a blacksmith; Andrew joined Company C,Twentieth Illinois Infantry, and after serving ashort time was discharged on account of disability;Thomas served in Company C, Twentieth IllinoisInfantry, three jears, and then veteranized butdied in Andersonville Prison, on the llth ofFebruary, 1861; Joshua H. served three years inCompany I, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, andtlieu veteranized, serving in all nearly Ave years.George W. B. Johnson, who served in the samecompany, is the sixth child in the above family'.He was reared McLean County and received hiseducation in the old log schoolhouse. When fourteen3ears of age, he began carrying mail fromBloomington to Champaign on horseback, a distanceof flfty-one miles, making the trip twice aweek, and was thus engaged for three years.In August, 1863, Mr. Johnson enlisted in CompanyI, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and hisregiment was sent to the Army of the James. Thefirst battle in which he participated was BermudaHundred, and was followed by the battles of DurasBluff, Weir Bottom Church, siege of Petersburg,Deep Bottom, Chapen's Fiirm, and DarliytownCrossroads, where he was wounded in the left knee,injuring him for life. This was followed by thebattles of Ft. Gregg and Appomattox CourtHouse. In all, he was in twenty-three engagements,or in all in which his regiment took partafter he joined it. He was discharged at Richmond,on the 2d of May, 186.5.Returning to McLean County, Mr. Johnson engagedin farming, and on the 3d of April, 1867,-married Sarah Ferguson, a native of Ohio. Bythis union were born nine children, five of whomare still living: Ernest E., .lohn I., Harry F., MaryE. and Georgie B. Upon his marriage, our subject

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 659came to Ford County, where lie suijcrintcndcd thebreaking and improving of a large farm, but a3'ear later returned to McLean County and carriedon mole ditching. In 1870, lie .again came to FordCount}- and engaged in fanning, but in the year1875, he superintended one of the Sullivant farmsin Sullivant Township. The following year, hecame to Gibson City, since which time he has beenengaged in dealing in live stock.On the 27th of December, 18.S8, Mrs. .Tohnsonwas called home, being a faithful member of theMethodist Episcopal Church. Mr. .Johnson wasagain married, August 22, 1889. to Mrs. Sarah Z.lirickey, daughter of Lemuel N. and Elsa A. (IJradford)IMshop. Mrs. .Johnson was born in Mechanicsliurg,Champaign County, Ohio, August 19,1819, and when two and a half years old camewith her parents to McLean Count}', 111., where, onthe 28th of December, 18G9, she wedded .John II.Brickey, who was a school teacher by profession.He was a stanch Democrat in political sentimentand was Assessor of his townshij) for eight ^-cars.lie departed this life October 1, 1883, beloved byall who knew liiiu.Mv. .Johnson is a Republican in politics andtakes an active interest in the success of that partyl)ut has never been an offlce-seeker. In 1891, liewas chosen Roa

560 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Allen, of Fella Township; Morris, Nellie, Jennie,Irene and Bessie are still at home.Mr. Linn cast his first Presidential vote in 1852for Franklin Pierce, voted for J. C. Fremont in1856, and since that time has generally- supportedthe Democratic party. He has been a resident ofFord County since 1869, has aided in the advancementof its public enterprises, has ever bornehis share in its development and upliuilding, andschoolsand churches have found in liim a friend.EI X HOLD A. KEITZMANN, a prominentand leading farmer, residing on section 16,Wall Township, Ford County, is a native^S) of Germany. He was born in Schonlanke,Prussia, on the 9th of May, 1838. His father, MichaelKeitzmann, w.as born in the same country, wherehe married Miss Mina Yerke, who died in thatcountry in 1855. Michael Keitzmann spent hisentire life in Germany and there engaged in f.arminguntil his death, which occurred in 1856, whenhe was forty years of age. He and his wife wereboth members of the Lutheran Church, and werethe parents of eight children, three of whom arenow deceased. Those living are Julia, who residesin Germany; our subject is next in order of birth;Mina and William, who still reside in their nativeland; llulda, and liertha, who makes her home inGermany.The subject of this sketch was reared to farmlabor and attended the public schools of his nativeland until fourteen j^cars of age, in accordancewith the laws of that country. After leaving theschoolroom, he engaged in agricultural pursuitsfor some time and then entered the German army.He served in the war with Austria in 1864, remainingin the service seven months, and participatingin several important battles.In 18C6, Mr. Keitzmann decided to try his fortunein America, and therefore set sail from Hamburg,and after a voj-age of fourteen days landedin New York Cit^-. He did not remain in the East,but came directly to Illinois, going to MarshallCountj', where he worked l)y the month as a farmhand.He came to this country empty-handedand has had to make his own way in the world.After farming in that county for several years, hecame to Ford County in 1875, and purchased afarm of one hundred and sixty acres of fine land,which has now been his home for nearly twentyyears. He is a successful farmer and is highly esteemedby his neighbors and friends for his sterlingworth. He is progressive and industrious and isone of the self-made men of the community. Henow carries on general farming and his land is undera high state of cultivation.Mr. Keitzmann led to the marriage altar MissWilhelmcna Sabel, the marriage ceremony beingperformed in Marshall County, in 1872. The ladyis a native of the same country as her husband,and by her marriage has become the mother ofnine children, of whom seven are still living:William, who assists his father in the managementof the home place; Augusta, Emil, Alvena, Reinhold,Otto and Eddie, who are still with their parents.The children have all received good educationaladvantages, both in the English an

POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 561he came to Illinois with his jjarents, settling inPutnam, and later in La Salle County, lie wasemployed in farming until the fall of 1851), when,whilethreshing, he had the misfortune to lose hisright arm near the shoulder, by having it caughtin the cylinder of a threshing machine. Afterthat he worked at various occupations until thebreaking out of the late war for the Union, whenhe .secured a pl.ace in the Quartermaster's Department,asforageniaster, at Nicholasville, Ky., servinguntil the close of the war.In 18(58, Mr. Worrell settled at Molvin, FordCounty, or at what was the site of the presentvillage, and hauled lumlier from Loda to build thefirst house of that place. From Melvin he cameto Gibson, in February, 1871, being among the firstsettlers of that place. For the succeeding eighteenyears, he was engaged in the insurance business andin official duties. lie was the first Constable inthe town;was Street Commissioner for four years;for the same length of time served as Tax Collector;and was Assessor for ten years. For fouryears he was a member of the Town Board; Directorof the School Hoard one term; served for sixyears as Deputy SheritT; was the first Notary Publicof the town; for twelve years was .lustice ofthe Peace; and has been Postmaster since February10, 18'Jl. Of course he was holding two or threeof these ottices at Ihe same time.These show thathe is held in high regard by his fellow-citizens andhas filled all the otlices with credit to himself andto the satisfaction ofall.Mr. Worrell was united in mariiage, in Paxton,on the 20tli of October, 1868, to Miss Jennie Hamilton,a daughter of Alfred and Susan Ilainilton.They have liecome the parents of the followingchildren: Susie Janet, the eldest, is the wife of HerbertRowlans of Jlelvin, and is the only one of thefamily married. The \'Ounger members are HarryF., Fmma Isabella, Milton Leroy, Dick Hay, ZadieIlerniee and Ralph.In politics, Mr. Worrell is a stanch Republican,and in religious sentiment is a Presbyterian, as isalso his wife. He holds membership with GibsonLodge No. 542, I. O. O. F. Since canying on thepost-office, our subject has kept a news-stand anda stock of 1 ks and stati^)nerv in the front partof the ollice building and has built up a prosperoustrade in that line. As his record shows, he hasbeen almost continuously in public office sincecoming to Gibson City, and it can be truthfullysaid of him that he has discharged the variousduties of his several ollices with ability, impartiality and fidelity.^^>-^^

562 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.will graduate in the Class of '93.The Judge andhis wife are members of tiie United PresbyterianChurch of Paxton, and are liighly respected membersof society, their friends indeed being many.He raiiks high in business circles and it is withpleasure that we present this sketch to our readers.HARL FOGAR is a practicaland enterprisingfanner residing in Paxton, his landlying just without the city limits. A nativeof Sweden, our subject was born on the 28thof August. 182S, and is a son of Swan and Sarah(.lolmsdii) Fogar, both of whom were also nativesof Sweden. In the family were seven children,the eldest of whom is the one whose name headsthis record; John, the second in order of birth, isstill residing in .Sweden; August is a farmer of hisnative land; Gus is engaged in farming near Sibley,111.; Lottie is tiie wife of Alfred Leingquist, afarmer residing in Patton Townsliip; and twociiildrendied in infancj'.The subject of this sketcli spent the d!i3'S of hisboyhood and youth upon the farm, and attendedschool until sixteen years of .age, acquiring a faireducation in his native tongue. Under the parentalroof he remained until twenty-flve years ofage, when he determined to seek his fortune inAmerica. He bade good-bye to home, friends andnative land, and sailed for the United States in1853. After thirteen weeks spent upon the bosomof the Atlantic, the vessel dropped anchor in theharbor of New York, and Mr. Fogar landed in theNew World. From New York City he went directlyto La F.ayette, Ind., where he arrived withonly fifty cents in his pocket. He literally beganlife in this country empty-handed, and, in orderto earn a livelihood, he began working by themonth as a farm hand. About seven years of hislife were spent in the vicinity of La F.aj'ette, afterwhich he removed to Warren County, Ind., wherehe a^ain engaged in farming for about five years.On tiie expiration of that period we find him aresident of Ford County, 111. This was in 1865.'lie purchased eighty .acres of Land in Wall Township,on section 33, to which he added till he hadtwo hundred acres which he still owns, and to itscultivation and improvement devoted his energiesuntil 1883, when he purchased forty acres of landjust inside the city limits of Paxton, whicli is nowhis home.Mr. Fogar has been twice married, lii 1857, hewas joined in wedlock with Miss Jlary L!irK)n,who died in 1864, leaving two children, daughters,Mary and Annie. In 1865, Mr. Fogar was againmarried, his second union being with Sophia Peterson.Their union has been blessed with threechildren, namely: Matilda, Hulda and Martin. Thefirst two children are married; Marj' is the wifeof John P. Louden, and Annie, the wife of CharlesAspergren. Mrs. Fogar had three children bv aformer marriage: one deceased; Emma, wife ofT. J. Larson ; and Charles Peterson, a resident ofIndiana.In his political aHiliations, Mr. Fogar isa Repul)-lican, but has never sought or desired public office,and in his religious views he is a Lutheran, belongingto the Swedish Lutheran Church of Paxton.He is accounted an enterprising and successfulfanner, and b}- industry, perseverance, good managementand close attention to business, has secureda comfortable competence. It was a fortunateday for him when he decided to emigrate toAmerica, for he has here met with prosperity andhas never _yet had occasion to regret iiis coining.^ ATTINSON, WILSON A CO., liankcis ofGibson City, 111., do a general bankingbusiness, receive deposits, buy and sellexchange, loan money and make collections.This is a private banking house and its responsibilityis based on the large capital employedin the business, and on the large lauded and otherproperty ownership of its proprietors and theirgood repute in the financial circles of the countyand State. The bank was established March 8,1873, by M. T. Burwell. Some changes occurredin the ownership befurc 1878, when William J.AVil-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 565son was afliiiilted to partnerslii|) and the lirm namewas made Harwell & Wilson. About two j'earslater, Edward Leffel joined the firm, which took thetitle of Burwell, Leffel tfe Co. In the spring of1882. Mr. Leffel retired and the firm became Burwell,Mattinson A- Wilson. That connection continueduntil the fall of that year, when Mi-. liurwellretired and the existing firm of Mattinson,Wilson & Co. was formed, William J. AVilson lieingPresident and Evan Mattinson, Cashier.Thisis the oldest Ijanking house in Gibson City, havinga continuous existence of nearlj' twenty years.history shows it to have a successful career, whilethe uniform covirse of the bank has been distinguishedby a fair, liberal, yet conservative treatmentof its patrons, thereby winning in a markeddegree popular favor and confidence.^^^ AMUEL D. CULBERTSON, M. D., withone exception, is the oldest praetiticmer inFord County, and in connection with hispractice also carries on the drug businessin Piper City. He was born in Carlisle, Pa., September5, 1839, and is a son of John Culbertson,who was born and reared in the same locality, beingof English descent. lie followed farmingthroughout his entire life and died on the old homestead.His wife bore the maiden name of HannahReed. He took quite an active part in politics,supporting the Democratic party, and was AssociateJudge of the county. He also served in the Statemilitia with the rank of Captain.ItsIn his religiousbelief, he was a United Presb3'terianand took quitean active part in the growth of that denomination.The Doctor is the fourth child in a family ofeight children. He spent his boyhood days upona farm and in attendance at the common schools.He afterward attended the higher schools of thecounty and in 1863 entered the Jefferson MedicalCollege, pursuing his studies under some of themost eminent physicians and surgeons of thecountry, including S. D. Gross, Joseph Pancoast,Robley Dunglison, Samuel Dixon, Prof. Biddlc,Prof. Rand. Prof. Mitchell and Prof. E. AVallace.He s|)ent three years in the college, from which hewas graduated in 1866. He also took a specialcourse in operative surgery under Dr. Forbes, latesurgeon in the Crimean W.ar, intending to fit himselfto serve as a surgeon in the army. AVhenreading medicine, he enlisted in 1862 as a memberof Company F, One Hundred and Thirtieth I'ennsylvaniaInfantry, under Col. H. I. Zinn, who w.askilled at the battle of Fredericksburg and vvas succeededb^' Col. Marsh. He participated in the secondbattle of Bull Run, South Mountain andAntietam, where the regiment suffered heavily.He was also in the battle of Fredericksburg at Ray'sHill, where seven of his school-mates were killedby his side. At Chaucellorsvillc, he was right, infront of the place where Stonewall Jackson waskilled after his famous charge on the EleventhCorps. After nine months, his time having expired,he received his discharge. He was woundedat Fredericksburg, shot through the arm, and wasin the hospital for two months.On finishing his medical studies, Mr. Culbertsoncame to the West, locating first in Keokuk, Iowa,after which he came to Piper City, in tlie spring of1867, and has here been in continuous practicesince. He has traveled over the prairies when allwas wild and uncultivated,over a radius of many miles.his i)ractice extendingF'rom the beginning,he has had a liberal patronage .and his success isbut the just reward of his skill and ability. Forthe past year, he has also engaged in the drugbusiness, and in his absence his wife, who is a registeredpharm,acist, attends to the store.On the 5th of September, 1866, in Springfield,111., the Doctor wedded Miss Clara K. Culver, a nativeof Carlisle, Pa., and a daughter of John andElizabeth (Zug) Culver. Her father died ofcholera in Pittsburg many years ago, but her motheris still living and makes her home with herdaughter. Mrs. Culbertson spent her maidenhooddays in her native city and graduated withhonors from the Nevvville Normal and the YorkFemale College. She engaged in teaching in the^schools of Mt. Holly and holds a prfifessionalcertificate.Dr. Culbertson .and his wife have a family offour children: John C, now an electrician of

566 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Chicago; Samuel C, who g^raduated from RochesterAcademy of New York, is [)iirsiiing a five-years'course of study in the North westeru University,fitting himself for tlie medical profession; HelenM. and Joza I. are at home.In politics. Dr. Culliertson has been a Republi-9an since he cast his first Presidential vote forAbraham Lincoln. He is quite an influentialmember of his |)arty in this communit}' and hasheld several local offices, although he has neverbeen an otHce-seelrer. His wife is a member of theUnited Presbyterian Cliurch, with which she hasbeen prominently connected for years. She alsotakes quite an active interest in the MissionarySociety and is a lady whose benevolent and charitablespirit lias won her tlie high regard of all.The Doctor is a member of the Grand Arm3- Postat Piper City, of wliich he has beenSurgeon sinceits organization and is now Senior Vice-Commander.He has witnessed the entire growth anddevelo|)meiit of Piijcr City and has ever borne hisshare in its advancement. He is a well-informedman who stands higli in the community and isalike prominent among his professional bretlirenof the county. He is a raeml)er of the IllinoisState Medical Society, and of the Illinois CentralMedical Society, as well as the county medicalsocieties of Livington and Irocpiois Counties. Totlie literature of the profession, lie has contributeda nimilier of well-written articles. In the Cliatsworllirailroad wreck, in 18)^7, he took a prominentpart in the care of the wounded. None arc moredeserving of representation in this volume than theDoctor and it is with i)leasure that wc record hissketch.BRAINI SEYMOUR HOPKINS, the senior(J^/lJIi member of the firm of Hopkins Ai Co.,Is dealers in wagon and carriage wood stock,hardwood lumber, paints, oils and painter'ssupplies, of Paxton, is a pioneer settler ofIllinois, dating his settlement here back si.Kty years.He was born in Onondaga County, N. Y.. September'.). 181G, and is a son of Nathan and Laura(Seymour) Hopkins. He acquired a commonschooleducation, and at the age of sixteen yearscome to Illinois, in 1832, locating in Will County,where he followed farming and stock-raising.In IKil, Mr. Hopkins was married, in thatcounty, to Miss Phrobe Ann Tomlinson.She wasborn in 1814, in the same town as was her husband,was his schoolmate in childhood and in 1834 cameto Will County, 111. Three children were born oftheir union, one of whom is yet living: WilliamT., the eldest, wedded Miss Eliza Hughes and is engagedin Inisiness with his father in Paxton; John,who was a soldier in the late war, a memlier of theOne Hundredth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers,was killed at the battle of Mnrfreesboro, or StoneRiver, Tenn., Decemlier 31, 18G3; Nathan, theyoungest, died at the age of twenty-four years.In 18G8, Paxton became possessed of a valuablecitizen in the person of Mr. Hopkins, who camehci-e to help his son start in business in carriageand wagon making, and engaged in the boot andshoe trade. In an early day, he went to Chicago,where his son w.as engaged in the real-estate business,and, becoming interested in that line, he investedconsiderable money in suburban pro|)crty.Subsequently, he traded some Chicago properly fora small fruit farm near St. Joseph, ]Micli., which heheld for a time and then traded for three acres, astore building and a stock of general merchandiseat a country cross-roads in Central Michigan. Hesold goods there for a short time, then i)acked andship|ied his stock to Chicago, intending to sell itat auction.halfIn the meantime, he had traded for ainterest in a wagon and carriage factory andother propertjr^ including a store building at Sandwich,111., and his son William T. was there, helpingto conduct the business.Piv the son's advice,Mr. Hopkins took his stock of merchandise toSandwich and in a vacant store building beganbusiness, which he carried on successfully for twoyears and then transferred the stock to Millington,111., where, after selling goods for two years, heclosed out the business. Not long afterward, hesold out his interest in the factory and other i)ropertyat Sandwich and concentrated his interests inPaxton, where he has since resided.One imiioitiint episode in flic life of Mr. Hop-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 567kins has tlius far been oniittcd in tliis sketch. Itis his experience in C'alifurnia. during the gold excitement,lie was not exactly' what is termeda. 'I'.ler, but it was in the spring of 1850 that, incompany with other emigrants, he crossed theplains and mountains with teams to California,where he spent four years, being variously eraployed.He engaged in merchandising, miningand hotel-keeping, and in 18.55 returned to theStates by way of the ocean and Panama route toNew York and thence to his home in Illinois. Hisexperience during his stay in California and on hisoutward trip and return voyage would make aninteresting story of itself, had we space for its insertion.Mr. Hopkins is a Repulilican in politics, and hasserved six years as a ineml)er of the Paxton CityCouncil, but has not otiierwise distinguished himselfm pulilic life. In all the relations of life, hehas proved a true man, industrious, intelligent,ujiright and honorable and always reliable.li7SAAC OTTO BLOOM, a leading grocer of GibsonC'it3', established business in that place inl\ April, 1882. He was born in .lonkoping, Sweden,February 19, 1816, and is a son of .lohn andMary Bloom. His education was obtained in llieschools of his native country, after which lie serveda regular apprenticeship to the tailor's trade, andin 1867, when twenty years of age, emigrated toAmerica.After his arrival in this country, Mr. Bloomcame to Ford County and engaged with Mr. Sullivant,of .Sullivant Township, as a farm hand, continuingwith that gentleman for two years. Hethen vvent to Paxton, where for thirteen years hewas employed at his trade in the shop of Peter [.arson,the founder of the well-known clothing houseof P. Larson ik Co. On leaving Mr. Larson, hewent toP.loomington, where, with his accumulatedearnings, he started in the grocery business. Thisventure proved disastrous and he lost heavdy.After only a lirief sojourn in Bloomington, hecame to Gilison Cit3', and in April, 1882, openedhis present store, which he has since carried onvery successfully. Since coming to this place, hehas prospered and has now placed himself on asound financial footing.On the 15th of August, 1870, Mr. Bloom wasunited in marriage to Miss Clara C. Selbnrg, adaughter of John Selbnrg, their wedding beingcelebrated in Paxton. Mrs. Bloom was born inSweden and came to the linited States in 1864.Six children were born of this union, but threedied in infancy. Those living are: Theodore J.,George H. and Linda M. On the 22d of May,1885. Mr. Bloom was called upon to mourn theloss of his wife, who had been a devoted companionand faithful heli)mato to him for fifteen years.He was again married, August 13, 1888, his presentwife being in her maidenhood Miss Ida 1\LGustafson, who is also a native of Sweden. Shewas born in .Jonkoping, that country, and emigratedto America in 1882. They have becomethe parents of two children: Hen ton Is.aac andSelma C.In politics, INIr. Bloom is independent, votingfor the man whom he thinks will best fillregardless of political sentiment.theottice,He and his wifeare both devoted memliers of the Swedish EvangelicalLutheran Church, lie is a member of theGibsf)n Land Improvement C(jmpaiiy. Mr. Bloomisesteemed one of the prosi)erous and enter|)risingbusiness men of (iibsou and is highly respected forhis sterling worth and integrity._^]~SJ^+^ [^~ [3_"^ AMES R. REZENER, Sheriff of Ford County,and a resident of Paxton, was born in MonroeCounty, Tenn., June 22, 1837, and is ason of Nicholas and Mary (Taylor) Rczener.His father, a native of Virginia, was born in theShenandoah Valley, in 1797. and died in 18t(>.The mother was born in Cunilierlaud County, Pa.,in 1801, and died in 1852.The subject of this sketch was reared to manhoodin his native State and was educated in thecommon schools. In 1858, he came to Illinois and

( II568 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.settled in Henderson Count}', where he engaged infarming. (Jn the 27th of November, 1861, lie enlistedfor the War for the Union as a member ofCompany II, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, of whichthe celebrated Robert IngersoU was Colonel. Hewas promoted to be Second Lieutenant, September6. 1864, became First Lieutenant, March 28, 1865,and served until mustered out on the 16th of Septemberfollowing, after the close of the war. Duringhis term of service, he participated in thebattle of Shiloh; the siege and battle of Corinth,October .3 and 4, 1862; the capture of Vicksburg,battle of Lexington, and in various skirmishes andin much scouting duty. He was made a prisoner atthe battle of Lexington, on the 14th of December,1862, was taken to Murfreesboro, and parolled, aftera detention of twenty days. In a skirmish atEgypt Station on tiic Mobile & Oliio Railroad, hewas wounded, on the 28th of Decemtier, 1864, by agun shot in the right hip, that rendered him unfitfor active duty until June, 1865.On his return from the army, Mr. Rezener resumedfarming in Henderson County, 111. He wasmarried on the 16th of September, 1869, in thatcounty, to Miss Louisa Shopshirc, who was bornin Muscatine, Iowa, and is a daughter of WilliamShopshire.Foiu- children have been born of theirunion: Cena, George, Jennie and Dakota, but thelast-named died at the age of seven years.Mr. Rezener continued to reside in HendersonCount}' until 1871, when he removed to FordCounty, and settled in ri()er City, where he purchaseda farm and made his home. In 1884, hetook up a soldier's claim and a tree claim in SteeleCounty, N. Dak., made the necessary improvementsand proved up on the soldier's claim, returning tohis old home in Ford County after an absence ofa little less than a year. He still holds the title toboth of those tracts.Mr. Rezener continued farminguntil the fall of 1890, when he was electedSheriff of Ford County on the Democratic ticket.The county has a strong Republican majority, andour subject was the only successful candidate ofhis party at the election, which fact he has reasonto be proud of as it is a compliment to his personalworth. On tlic 1st of December of that year, onthe opening day of court, he entered upon the dischargeof the duties of the office for a term of fouryears. While residing in Piper City he held theottice of Justice of the Peace for two years. Mr.Rezener is a Master Mason, a member of PiperCity Lodge No. 608, A. F. & A. M.; and is a memberof Piper City Post No. 361, G. A. R. On hiselection to the office of Sheriff, he removed liisfamily to Paxton, but still considers Piper City hisplace of residence.Mr. Rezener makes an efficientand popular officer, and enjoys the respect of allwitli wiiom he has had business or social relations.>'iiy H l iiyi ^i ^ ? I1^.^^ALPII B. ROCKWOOD, senior memlier ofthe firm of Rockwood & Foley, dealerstii \V groceries, glassware and queensware, isy^^ numbered among the leading young businessmen of Gibson City. This firm is doing anexcellent trade and deserves the liberal jiatronagewhich it receives.Our subject cbiinis Illinois as the State of hisnativity, having been born near Ottawa, February11, 1858. He is a son of John A. and SaraliJ. (Lewis) Rockwood, wlio are mentioned elsewherein this work. His boyhood days were passedat work on his father's farm and in attendance atthe district schools of the county. When fourteenyears of age, he accompanied his parents toFord County, and continued agricultural pursuitsuntil 1883. At that date he came to Gibson Cityand engaged as a clerk for J. H. White, continuingin his employ for six years, thus showing howhighly liis services were appreciated by Mr. White.In 1889, he formed a partnership with E. E. Foleyin their present business, and the fiiTn becameRockwood i& Foley. They have one of the largeststores of the kind in Gibson City and do a thrivingbusiness.Mr. Rockwood was united in marriage to MissSarah M. Moore, tlie wedding being celebratedon the 8th of April, 1882, in Gibson City.The lady is a native of Ohio, and is a daughterof Josiah Moore. Two children have beenborn to this worthy couple: Grace and Gertrude.The parents are active workers in the Pres-in

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 571byterian Church, he being a chorister of both tliechurch and Sunday-school.Mr. Hoekwood deserves liigli coiniiicudiilion forIlls success in business life, fur, notwilhsliuidingtlie fact tliat he lias twice had to stai t at tlie botloniroundof the ladder, lie has, by untiring industryand perseverance, worked his way ujiward tojus picsent position. He is now one of the suceessfu!young business men of the city, and hassecured all that he possesses b}' enterprise and fairdealing. He is public-spirited and progressive, andstiinds high in social as well as business circles.In politics, Mr. Rockwotid is a Republican, andlakes an active interest in tlie welfare of hisparty.\f/ INDSEY CORBLY, an early settler of theI(@) territory now comprised in Ford County,/IL^^ is a native of Pennsylvania. lie was bornin Greene County, tiiat State, on the loth of Kovember,1831, and is a son of William and Ueliecca(Stevens) Corbly, both of whom were natives ofGreene County. His father was a son of tlie Rev.John Corbl}', a minister of the Baptist Church anda native of England, who emigrated to Americasome time prior to the AVar of the Revolutionand settled in Greene County, I'a., which was thena wilderness. He had three children in.assacicd bythe Indians, and his history has been commemoratedby several centennial sketches of historicinterest, pertaining to the early settlement of thatpart of the Keystone State. He vviis an active andinfluential minister, and was the founder of severalchurches. Great energy and decision werehis prominent traits of character. Ills deathoccurred in 1803.William Corbly, the father of our subject, wasborn, reared and married in Greene County, andthe same was true of his wife. Thc\' had a lamilyof eight children, of whom Lindse^ywas the fourth,and he and three sisters are all that now survive.In 1837, the family emigrated to Athens County,Ohio, now Vinton, and settled atMcArlhiir, whereour subject attended the public schools until sixteenyears of age, at which time lie left home andentered the service of an uncle, Thomas Stevens,who was largely engaged in the live-stock businessinFairlield County, Ohio, and with whom he madeseveral trips across the mountains with stock toPhiladelphia and New York. In 18r)3,he came toIllinois and first settled in Cliain|iaign County.On the 24tli of February, 1856, in VermilionCounty, this State, Mr. Corbly was united in marriagewith Miss Sarah Wood, a daughter of HenryWood. Their union has been graced with threechildren, who yet survive: Henry L., who marriedJulia B. Webber, is a farmer of Harwood Township,Champaign County; William Sherman, whowedded Mary Youle, is an agriculturist of ButtonTownship, Ford County; and James L., who marriedEllen Shehan. His home is in Kerr Township,Chami)aign County, and he also followsagricultural pursuits.In the fall of 1855, Mr. Corbly removed towhat is noA' Ford County, and here resided until1863, when he returned to Champaign County,locating on a farm in the near neighborhood ofhis Ford County farm. His wife, an estimablewoman, died Jaiiuaiy 17, 1866, and on the 24thof March, 1867, he was joined in wedlock, inMeadville,Pa., to Miss Mary A. Sclioll, a daughterof Dr. Peter and Elizabeth (Woodring) Sclioll.The lady was born in Crawford County, Pa., whereher family resided for many years. They havethree children: Freddie M., Lora F. and Evalyn.Mr. Corbly continued to reside in ChampaignCounty until the fall of 1881, when he came toPaxton, wlieie he has since made his home, avalued and respected citizen. He has been anindustrious and thrifty man, and lias succeededaccumulating a large property, having at thepresent time four farms, aggregating aboutseventeen hundred acres of valuable land. Hehas been largely engaged in growing and dealingin live-stock, and for many years has bought,fed and sold stock, and as a rule has been quitesuccessful in the business. In [jolitics, he was aWhig in early life, joining the Republican [lartyon its organization. He served .as a member ofthe first election board in the town of Gibson,Ford County, was a member of the liist Boaid ofin

572 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.County Coinniissiouers that divided P'oid Countyinto lownsliips, and served as a niemhcr of theflr3t Grand Jury of that county. He was Supervisorof Kerr Township, Champaign County, foreleven years, was Trustee twenty 3ears, and ff)uryears Treasurer of the same township. Fromyouth, he was a Metliodist, and regularly attendedthat eliurch. but did not unite with it until 1875.His wife, two daughters and eldest son are membersof the same church. Mr. Ctirbly is a stewardof the Paxton ciuirch.and is active and influentialin its support. His wife is one of the efficientworkers among the ladies of her church, and isalways to be relied upon to perform her full duty.Mr. Corbly is well known to the citizens of Fordand adjacent counties as a man of unimpeachableintegrity and financial respt>usiliility.SI « l^n.LlAM I^,ILL1AM PHEBUS, who IS is ei engaged in gen-'^''''' f!i'''"'"g t>" section 16, Button Townip,is IS a native of oi Indiana. inaiana. He was\/\/l/W^l shii), bornin Fountain County, on the 10th of September,1834, and is a son of Edou Phebus, who was bornnear Chillicothe, Ohio, February 14, 1814. Thegrandfather, Lewis Phebus, was a n.ative of Virginia,and his familv were among the pioneers ofthat State. He served as a soldier of the War of1812. Al)Out 1826, he removed from Ohio to Indiana,and was among the honored pioneers ofFountain C

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 573nearly all lliat be i>ossesses he has made in thattime. lie is a blaeksmitii 1)\- trade, and after locatinj;in this loeality, built a sliop and carried onl)iisiness for some twenty years in connection withtiie operation of his farm. In polities, he is a!)cni(HT;it. .-niil lias served as a memher of theSeliuol Hoard for a number of years.He gives hishearty support to the public schools, and his aid isnever wilhlield from any wortliy enterprise calculatedto |)rove of public benelit. He is a valuedcitizen of this commuuity, and one well and favorablyknown.^5- =^^>^^

574 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.has, by Iiis industry, enterprise and good businessability, become one of tlie well-to-do citizens ofFord, where he is lield in the highest respect andesteem by all who know him.nATHANL. SEARS, deceased, an lionoredand e.arlj' settler of Illinois, was a nativeof the Eni])ire State, his birth having occurredin the town of Cairoll, Chautaucjua County,on the 16th of June, 1812. lie was a son of Williamand Ruby (Cheney) Sears and was a lineal descendantof the Rhode Island Sears, the [jiogenitorof the family in this country, who located inthat common w-ealth in Colonial days and later removedto Vermont. The subject of this sketchreceived his education in his native count}' andwas reared to agricultural pursuits. Having attainedhis majority, he wedded Miss Deborah Hall,a daughter of Samuel Hall and a native of ChautauquaCounty, Is'. Y. Mrs. Sears departed thislife, leaving two children to mourn iier loss: StatiraM. isthe widow of Henry W. Barr and residesin Denver, Colo., and Susan Deborah (deceased),was the wife of Josiah Davis.On the 21st of June, 1838, Mr. Sears was againunited in marriage. The present Mrs. Sears wasthen Mrs. Polly Marsh, widow of HoUis Marsh, anda daughter of Joel and Hannah Scudder. She wasborn in the town of Victor, Ontario County, N. Y.,January 25, 1815, and was married to Mr. IVIarshon the 15tli of April, 1834. B3' her former marriage,she became the mother of one son, HoUisMarsh, who married Jliss Ellen Coy and resides inIiandolph,N. Y. His father died May 7, 1837. Theunion of our subject and his wife was blessed withseven children, four of whom are still living:William Seward, the eldest, was Second Lieutenantof Company C, Twentieth Illinois Infantry, andwas killed at the battle of Raymond, Miss., May14, 1863; Nathan Lester was a member of the SeventiethIllinois Infantry, and died on the 13th ofAugust, 1862, from disease contracted while in thearmy; Charles Clintcm is a Justice of the Peace ofGibson City, 111.; Josei)liine Calista is the widowof Samuel Armstro g, and now has charge of thegirls at the Normal Soldiers" Orphan Home; Abner,the next younger, married Miss Laura IStrickler,and is a minister of tiie Metliodist Church, now aresident of Merritt, Scott County, 111.; Lewis Halldied in infancy, and Ruby Hannah is the wife ofthe Rev. William H. Flint, of Lohrville, Iowa, whois also a preacher of the Methodist denomination.Mrs. Sears has reason to be proud of the jtatrioticrecord of her family- for several generations.Her paternal grandfather was a soldier in the AVarfor Indejiendence; her father participated in theWar of 1812, and two of her sons laid down theirlives on the altar of their country during the latewar in defense of the Union.At Limestone, CattaraugusCounty, N. Y., Mr.Sears was engaged in farming and the sawmillbusiness and also carried on a public house forsome eight years i)rior to coming to Illinois. In1856, he removed from that place to ShelbyCounty, this State, where he remained for oneyear and then went to Bloomington, McLeanCounty. There he engaged in agricultural pursuitsand stock-raising until 1872, when he cameto Gibson Cit}' and there spent the remainder ofhis days.Mr. Sears was an old-time Abolitionist and joinedthe Republican part}' on its organization. Heserved for several years as Police Magistrate inGibson City .and also as Supervisor in McLeanCounty. His death occurred on the 5th of January,1887. He w,as a man of positive views, uprighttind honorable in his intercourse with hisfellow-man and a consistent Christian. For manyyears, he w.is a member of the Methodist EpiscojialChurch, and his wife, who survives iiim, belongs tothe same denomination. Mrs. Sears, although inher seventy-eighth year, is well preserved physicallyand mentally, and is a highly respected memberof societ}' and a true Christian woman. Shehas the distinction of being a sister of the lateGov. Fenton's wife, of New York.Charles Clinton Sears was born in the town ofR.andolph, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., June 30,1845. He was reared to manhood on a farm, receivinghis primary education in the district schools,and later attended the Wesleyan University at

o4.S. cA-'^n^

'Si5fc*-t

PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 579Bloomington, where his literary education wascompleted. After leaving school, he engaged inteaching for a time. In 1871, he went to P^asternNebraska, where he was employed at farm laborfor seven years, when he came to Gibson City in1878, and has since made that place his home. Inpolitics, he is a supporter of the Republican party,and served as Collector of the town of Towanda,McLean County. He was elected Justice of thePeace of Gibson in 1889 for a term of four years,which position he still holds, and is a popular andefficient officer.^r~ H-S-^*IV'ILLIAM W. BURNS, deceased, was a native*^^ ^^'^ Buckeye .State. lie was born in\/iJ/lW^ Adams County, on the 16th of May, 1816,and was one of the eight children whose parentswere James and Mary (Wallace) Burns, both ofwhom were natives of Virginia, and were ofEnglish descent. Their marriage was celcliratedin that State, from whence they emigrated toOhio in an early day, locating in Adams County,where they spent the remainder of their lives.The father died in 1855, and the mother passedaway in 1856. He was a Democrat in politics, andboth were members of the United PresbyterianChurch. Their children are Andrew, a farmer ofSa}'brook; Elizabeth, wife of James McClellan, ofAdams Count}', Ohio; John, of the same county;William W., of this sketch; Jane, wife of SamuelWilliamson, of Ross County-, Ohio; Rachel O.,wife of Thomas Couser; Mary E., wife of JosephEllenberger, who is now deceased; .James L., alsoof Adams County, Ohio.Mr. Burns of this sketcli gave his father the benefitof his labors until twenty-one years of age,when he began farming for himself. As a companionand helpmate on life's journe3',he chose, in1838, Miss IMargaret McClellan, of Ohio, adaughter of Thomas McClellan. By their marriagethey had five children, but James Gray and Maryare now deceased, and two others died ininfanc.y.Sarah J., the only surviving member of the family,24is the wife of E. S. F. Henry, of Drummer Township.The mother died in 1856, and Mr. Burnswas again married, on the 8th of November, 1859,in Adams County, Ohio, his second union beingwith Louisa A. AVallace, who was born in HampshireCounty, Va., May 19, 18.34, and is a daughter ofJohn and Mary (Rannells) AVallace, natives ofVirginia and of English origin. Their familynumbered ten children: Thomas, deceased; MaryM., wife of John J. Ellis; Sarah J., deceased;Louisa A., now Mrs. Burns; Elizabeth, deceased;Robert, of Adams County, Ohio; John N., ConradW., and James Samuel, all of whom have passedaway, and Miss Lucy S. Wallace, who resides withMrs. Burns. The mother of this family died in1859, the father being called to his final rest in1887. They were farming people and members ofthe Presbyterian Church, and, in politics, Mr.Wallace was a Democrat.After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Burnslocated upon a farm in Adams County, Ohio,where they remained until 1863, and then removedto McLean County, 111., where Mr. Burnspurchased eighty acres of land and engaged in itscultivation and development for four years. Hethen removed with his family to LivingstonCounty, where the succeeding seven j'ears of hislife were passed, and in 1874 he took up hisresidence upon the farm which is now the homeof his widow. He made it a valuable place; thefields were well tilled and many improvementsindicate his thrift and enterprise. The farm comprisestwo hundred and eighty acres. His deathoccurred on the 31st of August, 1890, and his remainswere interred in the Gibson Cemetery,where a monument marks his last resting pl.ace. Inpolitics, he was a Democrat, and served as Assessorand in other local offices, ever proving true to thetrust reposed in him. He held membershi)) withthe United Presbyterian Church but hassince unitedwith the First Presbyterian Church of Gibson, towhich Mrs. Burns also belongs. She is a most estimablelady, and one held in high regard throughoutthis community.The only child of this worthy cou))le is JlargaretL., wife of John AV. Swearingen, a well-known andprominent farmer of Drummer Township. He

580 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.was born in Adams County, Ohio, on the 10th ofMarch, 1856, and is a son of George W. andSarah Swearingen. He came to Illinois in 1879,and was united in marriage with Miss MargaretBurns, a native of Adams County, Ohio, born in1861. Their union has been blessed with fourchildren: "William Spencer, .Sarah L., George andOlivia May.In his political affiliations, Mr. Swearingen is aDemocrat, but has never been an office-seeker. Heisthe owner of eighty acres of land and is regardedas a wide-awake and enterprising young farmerof this coramunit}'. He is also public-spirited andprogressive, and takes a deep interest in all thatpertains to the welfare of the community and thepromotion of those enterprises calculated for theupbuilding and advancement of the county. Himselfand wife arc held in high regard by all whoknow them.ETER JIAIN, deceased, was born in Scot-)land on the 19th of August, 1825, and-Mf^ was one of a family of seven children,I \ whose parents were "William and Elizabeth(Aitken) Main. He attended the common schoolsfor a short time, but not content with such limitededucationalprivileges, he entered a High School,and by his own personal application became a wellinformedman. He spent the days of his boyhoodand youth in the land of his nativity, and wasthere united in marriage, August 5, 1850, withMiss Marion Ross. By their union one child wasborn, namely, Marion, who is now the wife ofGeorge Dusold. After the death of his first wife,Mr. Main was again married, his second union beingwith Miss Elizabeth Aitken, December 31. 1851.In 1854, our subject determined to try his fortunein America. Crossing the Atlantic in a sailing-vessel,he landed at New Orleans, whence hecame to Peoria, 111. After a short time spent inthat city, he removed to "Woodford County, 111.,where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for afew years, and also was a resident of TazewellCounty. His next place of residence was in LoganCounty, 111., where he made his home and engagedin farming until 1866. That year witnessed hisarrival in Ford County. He took up his residenceupon a one hundred and sixty acre farm on section8, Dix Township, which he had purchased thej'ear previous. It was railroad land for which hepaid %% per acre. Paxton was then the nearesttrading post. The work of development had notlong been begun in Ford County, and one couldlittle imagine at that time that so great a transformationwould be wrought in the years whichhave since passed.By the second union of ]Mr. Main there wereborn four children, the eldest of whom died in infancj';William is also now deceased; Peter, whois living with his mother on the old homestead, isan enterprising and progressive farmer of the community,and a highly respected citizen; and .lamesis a resident farmer of Champaign County, 111.In his political afliliations. Mi'. Main was a Republican.He held membership with the UnitedBrethren Church of Gibson Citj-, was one of itsfirst Board of Trustees, and took an active interestin its work and upbuilding. He helped organizethe schools in this locality, and was prominentlyidentified with many other interests calculated toprove of public benefit. He was a valued and worthycitizen, and his death proved a loss to the entire community.He passed awaj^ December 14, 1880, at theage of fifty-five 3ears, and his remains were interredin Gibson Ccmeteiy. Mrs. Main still survives herhusband, and is yet living on the old homesteadat the age of seveut^'-two years. She is a mostestimable lady, and has many warm friends throughoutFord County.eHARLES"SEERINGEISEN, who owns and operatesone hundred and sixty acres of valuableland on section 7, Lyman Township,was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 25, 1844. Hisparents, John Jacob and Catherina ("Webber) Ringeisen,were also natives of the same locality. Thefather was born in 1811, and in 1850 emigrated

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 581witli his family to Ameiic.i, sailing from Havre,PVauce, on tlie "Baltimore." Tlie^y landed in NewYork, and thence went to Buffalo, where the familywere all taken sick with typhoid fever, so aftertwo months they came West, locating inTazewellCounty, 111. The father died at the age of fortj--seven years, but the mother is still living at theage of seventy-six and makes her home in (iilnian.The^' had eight children, three sons and five daughters:Michael, who is married and is a retired farmerresiding in Iroquois County; Kate, wife of CharlesLayer, a merchant of Oilman, 111.; Charles, ofthis sketch; Elizabeth, wife of R. D. Smith, whois employed with the McCormick i% Co.'s manufactoryin Chicago; Caroline, wife of Jlr. Dennis,a commercial traveler of El Paso, 111.; Margaret,wife of Richard Hughes, an employe in the Mc-Cormick Reaper Works of Chicago, and Jacob, whois married and engages in the bakery business inOklahom.a.Our subject is practically a self-educated man,for his school privileges were very limited. Hisfather died when he was fourteen years of age andupon him devolved the responsibility of supportinghis mother and managing the eighty-acre farm.He was twent3'-two years of age before he beganlife for himself and then he had to start outempty-handed, but by persistent effort, perseveranceand good raanagemont, he has steadily' workedhis way upward and is now the owner of one hundredand sixty acres of land under a high state ofcultivation and well improved.Mr. Ringeisen was married January 2, 1867, thelady of his choice being Sophia Gable, daughterof John and Elizabeth Catherine (Breglier) (iable.Unto them were born eight children, and all areyet living: John, a farmer of Wayne County, Neb.;Kudolph, who attended Aliingdon College; FredC, who attended the Paxton Collegiate Instituteand is a successful teacher; Luther C, B'rank, MinnieK., Robert and Lillie.Together Mr. and Mrs.Ringeisen traveled life's journey for twentj'-fouryears, but on the 17th of August, 1890, the wifeand mother wjis called to her final rest. She wasa most estimable lady, beloved by all who knewher.Mr. Ringeisen cast his first Presidential vote forU. S. Grant, but is now independent in politics.While in Tazewell Count3-, he was officially connectedwith the schools, and was Commisiouer ofHighways for one term. He has been SchoolTrustee of Lyman Township for three terms andwas one of the Drainage Commissioners.Socially,he is a member of Lodge No. 306, L O. O. F.,of Washington. He is a public-spirited man and liberal,and gives of his time and money for all thatcan benefit the community.^^bornETER LITWILLER, who owns a good farmon section 22, Drummer Township, is oneof the worthy citizens that the BuckeyeState has furnished Ford County. He wason the 9th of September 1840, in ButlerCount}-, Ohio, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Mosiman)Litwiller, both of whom were natives ofFrance, and in early life crossed the broad Atlanticto America. They were married in Ohio, whereMr. Litwiller followed his trade of milling and alsoengaged in farming. They reared a famil}- ofthirteen children, five of whom grew to matureyears. In 1844, the parents removed to TazewellCounty, 111., where they spent the remainder oftheir days. Mr. Litwiller was a prosperous farmer,and, in politics, was a Democrat. He and his wifewere both members of the Menonnite Church. Hisdeath occurred June 23, 1871, and his wife wascalled to her final rest November 30, 187 LThe subject of this sketch was educated in TazewellCounty, but his advantages in that directionwere limited. At the age of twenty-three, he startedout in life for himself, and has since followed theoccupation of farming in pursuit of fortune. Asa companion and helpmate on life's journey, hechose Miss Josephine Ropp, their union being celebratedon the 20th of November, 1863. The ladywas born in Tazewell Count}', 111., April 6, 1844,and is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Slegel)Ropp.Unto our subject and his wife have been bornseven children, and the family circle yet remainsunbroken. In order of birth they are as follows:

582 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Simon D., Moses D., Albert D., Amelia E., BenjaminP., Ida C. and Reuben D. The parents areboth members of the Menonnite Cliurch, and archighly respected people, who have a large circle offriends and acquaintances throughout this community.Mr. Litwiller came with his family to FordCounty in 1869, but after six months went toTazewell County, and there resided for ten years,after which lie returned to this county, and hassince made his home upon the farm which he nowoccupies. He owns two hundred and forty acresof valu.ilile land, and the rich and fertile fieldsyield a golden tribute to his care and cultivation.He is recognized as one of the substantial farmersof the community. His life lias ever been quietlyspent as a farmer, and, by close application to business,he has won a comfortable competence.-^^ENRY S. CARPENTER, a prominent citizenof Brenton Township, is engaged ingeneral farming, his home being located onsection 8, where he owns eighty acres ofvaluable land. In addition to this, he operatesthree hundred and twenty acres of fine landwhicli belonged to his father, and carries on bothfarming and stock-raising with good success, beingindustrious and enterprising and possessing goodbusiness ability.Mr. Carpenter was born on the 23d of October,1844, in the town of Norway, Ilerliimer County,N. Y., and is a son of William and Ann E.(Randall) Carpenter. His father was born inHopkinton, R. I., February 22, 181], and is adescendant of one of six brothers who came tothis country from England and founded thefamily during early Colonial days. William Carpenterbecame an early settler of Herkimer County,where he resided until after the birth of all of hischildren, when, in March, 1867, he iourne3'edWestward to Illinois and purcliascd the old homesteadfarm. His wife died April 15, 1877, afterwhich he was again married. He continued farmingfor a number of years but spent his last daysin the home of our subject, where he died, January21, 1892, at the age of eighty-one years. While inNew York, he served as Supervisor, and was alsoJustice of the Peace, and after coining to Illinoisbe filled the office of Magistrate twelve years. Inpolitics, he was a Whig until 1860, when he votedfor Lincoln, and was after that a Republican. Himselfand wife were members of the ]\IethodistChuroii and were much interested in church work.The}' had a family of six children: Charles P.,who resides in Concordia, Kan.; Helen J., wife ofWilliam D. Pope, who was the first settler ofBrenton Township, where he located in 1856, andis now a resident of Steele County, N. Uak.;Henry, of this sketch; Mrs. Sarah Adelaide Finney,who died in Evanston in 1890; Jlary E., wife ofRobert Pope, of Steele County, N. Dak.; andMrs.Hattie M., wife of Samuel F. Pope, also of thesame county. Three sisters of the Carpenterfamily married three Ijrothers of the Pope family.Our subject acquired his early education in thecommon schools, which was supplemented bystudy in the Fairfield Seminary in his nativecounty, and he was afterward graduated fromEastman Commercial College, of Poughkeepsie,N. Y. When twenly-tliree years of age, he cameto Illinois, and since that time has been engagedin farming, He was married in Piper City, December16, 1869, to Miss Mary A. Cariienter, daughterof Joseph Carpenter, one of the oldest residents ofthe village. Their union has been blessed withfive eliiklren: Wiiinefied A., who is engaged inteaching music; Dora M., who was educated in thepublic schools and Onarga Seminary, and is nowteaching school; Ilulda E., Georgie V., andJosie M.Mr. Carpenter takes an active interest in allpublic matters, especially those calculated to proveof benefit to the community. He was one of theorganizers of the Piper Cit}' Fair Association, ofwhich he has been Secretary since its formation.He has also been Secretary of the Brenton andPella Farmers' Mutual Insurancs Company sinceit was organized. Socially, he is a member of theMasonic fraternity, and formerly belonged to theOdd Fellows' sociot}-. He has been a life-longsupporter of the Republican party, but has never

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 585been an office-seeker, although he has served asTownship Clerk for the past three years. In thetwenty-five years of his residence here he li.as wonthe high regard of all witli whom he has come incontact.OSEPII SWALLC )'^lW, who resides on section3:5, Dix Township, is one of the self-mademen of Ford County, and his life in manyrespects is wortliy of emulation. His successis due entirely to his own efforts, for whiclihe deserves much credit. Mr. Swallow was bornin Allegheny County, Pa., April 22, 1815, and isone of tliirteen children whose parents were Frederickand Hannah (Eckles) Swallow. His fatherwas also a native of tlie Keystone State and wasof (ierman extraction. He learned the blacksmith'strade, which he followed for many years.His death occurred in 1841, and his wife passedaway in 1856. They were Iioth members of thePresbyterian Ciiurch, and were highly respectedpeople.Our suliject had very limited educational advantages.He attended the subscription schoolsuntil about twelve 3'ears of age, and then startedout in life for himself, working as a farm li.indby the month. He received only $4 from hisfirst mcmth's labor. To farm work he devotedhis energies for four years and then began workingin a turning factor^' of Wilkins Township,Alleglieny County, Pa., wliere he was employeduntil 1845. In that year he removed to GreeneCounty, Pa., where he engaged in the same lineof business for nine years. In 1854, he came to Illinoisand cast in his lot with the early settlers ofWoodford County. He tliere engaged in farminguntil 1876, when he came to Ford County andpurchased one hundred and sixtj' acres of landon section 33, Dix Township, where he has sincemade his home. Since tliat time lie has been engagedin general farming with good success. Hiswell-tilled fields and highly improved farm indicatethe thrift and enterprise of the owner.In the autumn of 1«48, Mr. Swallow led to themarriage altar Miss Nancy Willson, a daughter ofGeorge and Nancy (Marrow) Willson. Theirunion has been blessed with a family of nine children:Mary A., now the wife of .John Frederick, aresident of Peoria, 111.; Harriet J., wife of .JeriyRay, a farmer residing in Woodford County, III.;George W.; John; Elizabeth, wife of BenjaminMyers; Col well; Frank; Sarah, deceased; and Stella,who died in infancy.Mr. Swallow' supports the Democratic party byhis ballot and, as every true American citizenshould do, feels an interest in political affairs, althoughhe has never been an office-seeker. Hiswife belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and theyare friends to all enterprises calculated to proveof public benefit. He started out in life for himselfempty-handed and by his industry, enterpriseand perseverance has overcome the difficulties inhis path and steadily worked his way upward.The upright life which he has led has won himmany friends, and we feel assured that this reccH'dwill prove of interest to many of our readers.GUIS FALTER, one of the enterprisingand highly res])ected farmers of MouajiL^» Township, resides on section 4, where heowns and operates three hundred and twenty acresof valuable land. He has a pleasant home and allmodern improvements, his fields are well tilled,and the neat appearance of the place indicates thethrift and enterprise of the owner.Mr. Falter was born in Germanj^ Ai)ril 4, 1837,and is a son of Louis and Gertrude (Lugub) Falter,both of whom weic natives of Germany. In 1847,the father came with his family to America, crossingthe Atlantic in a sailing-vessel, which, after avoj'age of forty-four days, reached the harbor ofNew York. He went to Columbus, Ohio, where hewas employed as a general laborer for a few years,and then engaged in farming near that city until1865. In that year, he continued his Westwardjourney to Illinois, and made a location in Joliet,where he was engaged in mercantile business forabout four years. In 1869, he came to FordCounty, and purchased three hundred and twenty

of586 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.acres of land on section 4, Mona Township, wherehe resided until 1875. He then retired from farmlife. His death occurred in August, 1885. Hiswife passed away April 6, 1889. The_y were bothmembers of the German Lutheran Church.Of the seven children constituting their familyLouis is the eldest; John, who enlisted as a privateduring tlie late war, died during the service in1863, and now lies sleeping on South'ern soil; Frederickis a resident farmer of Livingston County,111.; George is engaged in agricultural pursuits inKankakee Count}'; Caroline is the wife of .JohnHeller, a farmer residing in Iroquois County; Kateis the wife of Charles Scheltz, a farmer living inMona Townsiiip; Frances is the wife of MatthewFaddling, whose home is in Gardner, 111.The subject of this sketch w.is reared in theusual manner of farmer lads, and .acquired a goodeducation in the public schools. After coming toAmerica, his father hired him out to work on afarm for three 3'ears, aud he was engaged in generallabor until lie had attained his majority-, whenhe started out in life for himself. He spent thetwo succeeding years working as a farm hand bythe montli. As a companion aud helpmate on life'sjourney, he chose Miss Margaret, daughter ofGeorge and Catherine Amig. Their union wascelebrated in 1860, and they resided in Ohio until1864, when they came to Illinois, locating nearJoliet. In 1869, the}- came to Ford County, andMr. Falter purchased an eighty-acre farm on section4, Mona Township. He has resided here continuouslysince, with the exception of five yearsspent in general merchandising in Chebanse, IroquoisCounty, 111. The boundaries of his farmhave since been extended until lie now owns threehundred and twenty acres, constituting one of thedesirable places of the community. In additionto general farming, he is also engaged in stockraising.Unto Mr. and Mrs. F.altcr have been born thefollowing chihlren : Caroline, wife of George Spyes;George, who died in infancy; Frederick, who alsodied in infancy; George, who died on the 1st ofMay, 1872; Lillie; .John; Katie; Matthew, whodied in 1867; Nora, who died May 29, 1876; andMaggie, wlio completes the f.amil}'.In his political afBliations, Mr. Falter is a Democratand has been honored with various offices oftrust. He has served for nine years as Road Commissioner,was School Director and also filled theoffice of Town Treasurer. He is a stockliolder inthe creainei\y located in Cabeiy. Socially, he is ameml)er of tlie Masonic fraternity.VILLIAM^•v-i^KNEALE, one of tlie extensiveland-owners of Mona Township, who issuccessfully engaged in general farmingon section 17, was born on the Isle of Man, in1826, and is a son of William and MargaretKneale. There were only two children in thefamily, his sister Ellen being his junior. Tiieeducational advantages which he received werethose afforded by tlie common schools, and in theusual manner . fanner lads lie was reared tomanhood.It was in 1857 that Mr. Kneale determined tocome to America in the hope of bettering hisfinancial condition. He crossed tlie broad Atlanticin a sailing-vessel, aud after a voj'age of thirtydays reached his destination. He came on atonce to Illinois and located in Henry County,where he began working as a farm hand b^' themonth, and was thus emploj'ed for ten years.During that time he was united in marriage withMiss .Jane Lewin, their union being celebrated in1865. Four children grace this marriage, two sonsand two daughters, and all are yet living, namel}':William .J., Frederick F., Arthur and I^uella. Themotlier was called to her final rest in 1885.It was about 1867 that Mr. Kneale made hisfirstpurchase of land. He then removed to his farmand engaged in its cultivation until 1878, whenhe came to Ford County and settled in MonaTownship, purchasing one hundred and sixtyacres of land on section 17. Here he has sincemade his home, and prosperity has attended hisefforts. From time to time he has made otherpurchases, until his landed possessions now aggregatesix hundred and forty acres, all of which lie

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 587in Mona Township. Industry and energy havecharacterized the life of our subject, who is recognizedas one of the practical and progressivefarmers of the community. His sterling worthand integrity liave made him many friends and heIms the confidence and good-will of all with whomhe has come in contact. In [jolitics, he is a sup-]3orter of the Republican party, Init h.as neversought otlice, preferring to devote his entire attentionto his business, in which he has met withsignal success.aHARLES W. DOWN is^^S^^one of the represen-, tative farmers and stock-raisers of FordCounty, and one of its extensive land-owners.He resides on section II, Rogers Township,wliere he has four hundred acres of valuable landunder a high state of cultivation and well improved.His large and pleasant residence is oneof the liospitable homes of the community. Inthe rear of the dwelling are good barns and otheroutbuildings, which are surrounded by broad fields,well tilled.Mr. Down is a native of Devonshire, England.He w.as born October 20, 1837, and is a sou ofThomas and Lydia (Dunn) Down, also natives ofDevonshire. Tiirougliout his life, the father followedfarming. He died in his native land about1819. His mother died in 1840.The subject of this sketch spent his early boyhooddays in England, and when a lad f(f thirteen yearscame with an uncle to America, in 18ol,uponasailing-vessel, which weighed anchor in Bristol,and after a voyage of six weeks and two davs,reached New York harbor in August. Mr. Downlocated in Buffalo, where he attended the publicschools for three years. He then went to I^ockport,wliere he spent one year with an uncle, in thebutcher business, then went to Erie County with anotheruncle and staid with him two years on a farm.In 1857, he came alone to Illinois, locating inLa Salle County, where he was afterward joinedby an uncle, with whom he remained one summer.He spent about two years and a half, working asa farm hand by the month, in the town of DeerPark, La Salle County, after which he rented afarm and began business for himself.While in La Salle County, Mr. Down w.as married,December 31, 1861, to Cythera Surdum, a nativeof Connecticut, who came to Illinois when achild of six summers with her father, Lewis L.Surdum, one of the early settlers of La Salle Countj'.Eight children have been born of their union:Elmer W. and AVard W., who operate the homefarm; Frank T., Olive E. and Julia A. They havealso lost three children : W. L., the eldest, whodied while attending the Collegiate Instituteof Paxtou, in Marcli, 1883, at the age of twentyyears and ten months; Royce C. a farmer of RogersTownship, who died February 18, 1888, at theage of twenty-four years; and George C, who diedOctober 20, 1880, at the age of twenty-four years.Mr. Down continued to engage in farming inLa Salle County until 1867. He then came toFord County and purchased of the Central RailroadCompany two hundred .acres of raw prairieland, upon which not a furrow liad been turned oran improvement made. He broke and fenced theentire amount and extended tlie boundaries of hisfarm until it now comprises foiu' hundred acres ofthe home farm. The Iniildings were also erected1)3' him and stand as monuments to his thrift andenterprise.Success has crowned the efforts of oursubject, and a mile from his home farm he also hasa quarter-section. His landed possessions aggreo-.atetwelve hundred acres, five hundred and sixty ofwhich are situated in Rogers Township, the remainderbeing in Iroquois County. All are wellimproved and j'ield to him an excellent income.Mr. Down started out in life a poor boy, withhis own wiiy to m.ake in the world. When hereached La S.alle County, a half-dollar and a pairof willing hands constituted his capital, but hisuprightness, industry and enterprise have broughthim wealth and he is considered one of the substantialfarmers and stock-raisers of Ford County.In politics, he was first a Republican, and supportedthat part}' from the time he cast his first vote forAbi'aham Lincoln until Grant's second administration,since wiiich time he has been identified withthe Democr.atic party. lie served .as Road Commis-

588 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.sioner in an early day and helped lay out most ofthe roads in Rogers and Mona Townships. Thecause of education has ever found in him a stanchfriend. His influence lias ever been used for goodschools and teachers, and for twent3'-three consecutiveyears he proved an eflicient member ofthe School Board. His residence in Ford Countycovers the long period of twenty-five j'ears andfor a quarter of a century he has resided in Rogers^Township.OLUMBUS JENNINGS, one of the prominentand well-known citizens of FordCounty, residing on section 5, BrentonTownship, was born in Knox County-, 111., on the29th of September, 1837. His grandfather, TliomasJennings, was a native of England, and for someyears resided in Kentucky, where Theodore Jennings,the father of our subject, was born andreared. AVhen a young man, he left his native Stateand traveled extensively all over the Union. InWarren County, 111., he married Arabella Gilraore,a native of Ohio. Her father served in the AVarof 1812, and was an early settler of this State. Mr.and Mrs. Jennings spent much of their after lifein Knox County. In company- with his brotherin-law,however, he became one of the pioneers ofIowa, resided for a time in Burlington and ownedthe first ferry boat that crossed the river at thatplace. On one occasion, he was coming up theMississippi River on a steamer, which exploded,and he was blown through a door into the watera half-mile from shore. Many of the passengerswere drowned but Mr. Jennings swam back to theboat and when it sank swam ashore.His last dayswere spent in "Warren County, 111., and his wifedied at the home of our subject. He took quitean active interest in public affairs and was a supporterof the Democratic party. He held membershipwith the Ciiristian Church and liis wife was amember of the Presbyterian Cliurch. The faniiljnumberedtwo sons and two daughters, of whomColumbus is the eldest: Mary is the wife of JamesWhisnand,a farmer of North Dakota; Robert, whoserved in the army, died in 1863; and Iowa is thewife of Charles Munson, an agriculturist of BrentonTownship.Our subject spent his boyhood days upon hisfather's farm in Knox and Warren Counties. Hiseducation was acquired in the common schools. Itwas his desire to enter college, but, being the eldestof the family, much of the farm labor devolvedupon him and at his father's death, which occurredwhen Mr. Jennings was twenty years ofage, the management of the farm and the care ofhis mother and sisters devolved upon him. Inthe fall of 18fi7, he came to Ford County- and purchasedone luindrcd and thirty acres of land, thegreater part of which was in its primitive condition,while an old house and barn constituted theimprovements.Since that time he has built a goodresidence and outbuihlings, has planted trees,drained his land and now has one of the most desirablefarms in the county.Mr. Jennings was married in Spring GroveTownship. Warren Comity, 111., the lady of hischoice being Miss iNIary Jane McGee, a native ofPreble County, Ohio. Her parents, Thomas andMary McGee, died of cholera in the BuckeyeState. Our sulijecl and his wife have two sons yetliving and ten children died in infancy. Robert,who was born on the home farm. May 16, 1868,was educated in the schools of- Piper Cit^^ and atMonmouth College, where he pursued his studiesfor two years. He then successfully followedteaching and is now employed in a bank in PiperCity. James T., who was born January 28, 1872,was also educated in Piper City and pursued acommercial course of study in Davenport, Iowa.He now aids his father in the cultivation of thehome farm.AVlien Mr. Jennings started out in life, he wasin limited circumstances, but step by step he hasworked his way upward, winning a competence 1)3'his own energy and industiy. He is recogn ized asone of the leading farmers of Brenton Townshipand one of its substantial citizens. He was instrumentalin organizing the Brenton and Pella Fireand Lightning Insurance Company and has beenone of its Directors since its formation. He wasVice-President and one of the boai-d of managers

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD.r)9iof the Piper City Fair Association, and, in politics,he was a Democrat in early life. He east his firstvote for Stephen A. Douglas, after wliich he hearda debate in Galesburg between Douglas and Lincoln,and at the next election he voted for the latter.He then continued tosupport tlie Republicanpart3' until 1884, since which time he has been aProhibitionist. He has often served as delegate tothe conventions of his i)arty, is now Chairman ofthe Prohibition Central Committee of Ford Countyand is a delegate to the State Convention. Henow liolds the office of .Justice of the Peace andhas filled other positions. He and his wife are activeand consistent members of the United PresbyterianChurcli, in which IMr. .Jennings serves asElder. He has been ."superintendent of the Sunday-school,and is now President of the FordCounty Sunday-school Association. Ilis upright,honorable life has won for him the high regard ofall with wliom he has come in contact and he ranksanions' Ford County's best citizens.-m-VENJAMIN C. ANDREWS is engaged ingeneral farming on section 9, Wall Town-KiVSJJ IIJ ship, and is one of the representative citizensof the community. His entire life hasbeen p.asscd in this State. He was l)orn in FultonCounty, September 27, 1846, educated in the districtschools of the neighborhood and was rearedto farm life, no event of special importance occurringto vary the monotony of the daily routineuntil he was seventeen years of age.At that time, although but a youth and weighingonly one hundred and twenty pounds, Mr.Andrews responded to the country's call for troopsand on tlie 1st of December, 1863, became one ofthe boys in blue of Company H, Eleventh IllinoisCavalry, under Col. Robert IngersoU. He joinedthe regiment at Clear Creek, about twelve milesfrom Mcksburg, and the first engagement in whichhe participated was thirty miles from that city,where the troops destroyed the Mississiinii CentralRailroad. lie was also in the Greirson raid, whichlasted a month, and took part in other raids andsuch duty throughout the succeeding winter.Heserved for one year and ten months, .and at theclose of the war was mustered out, on the 1st ofOctol)er, 186.5, at Memphis, Tenn., receiving hisdisch.arge in Springfield, 111.AVhen the country no longer needed his services,Mr. Andrews returned to the home farm and againentered school. In 1867, he began farming forhimself in INIarshall County, where two years later,in February, 1869. he was joined in wedlock withMiss Ruth Ann Hunt. She was the tenth in a familyof thirteen children, six sons and seven daugliters.The parents, Richard and Ruth (Horrom)Hunt, were both natives of New Jersey, the formerborn May 9, 1804, and the latter, November 17,1812. Mr. Hunt acquired a good practical educationand was a successful teacher in Ohio, where heresided for some 3cars.In politics, he was a stalwartRepublican from the formation of the part}'.He died in .September, 1881, and his remains wereinterred in Marshall County, where a beautifulmonument marks his last resting place. Hiswidowstill survives him and is living in Nebraska.Seven children of the family arc yet living: Lyman,who is married and follows farming near theold homestead in Marshall County, 111.; Timothy,who IS married and follows farming in the samecounty; Sylvia, wife of Alfred Diehl, an agriculturistof Republic County, Kan.;Eleanor, who residesin Nebraska; Jennie, wife of Richard Delmege,a carpenter and joiner in I'nion County,Iowa; Ruth, wife of our subject; and Mary, who isliving in Nebraska. Those deceased all died ininf.ancy, with the exception of Mahlon, who vvas ameml)er of Comi)any B, Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry,and died from the effect of a gun-shotwound.Mrs. Andrews was born August 8, 1849, and .acquiredher education in the common schools.Sheis an estimable lad}- and an earnest worker in theWomen's Relief Corps of Melvin. In 1869, shegave her hand in marriage to Mr. Andrews. Thefollowing year, the young couple removed to FordCounty, locating on section 9, Wall Township,upon wild prairie land, entirely unimproved. Theyhave since spent two 3'ears in Marshall County,but are now living on section 9. At first the farm

592 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.comprised onl^' eighty acres, but as his financialresources increased, Mr. Andrews lias extended itsboundaries. He now owns three liuiidred acres offine hind in Ford County, all under a high stateof cultivation and well improved. His farm is welltilled, and he raises excellent horses and otherstock. He and his wife are numbered among theprosperous citizens of the community. They havea beautiful home, neatly and tastefully furnished,and its hospitable doors always stand open for thereception of their many friends.The union of ^Ir. and ]\Irs. Andrews has beenblessed "with four children: Leslie D., Ella B.,BeunieL. and Jlonard H., all of whom are still underthe parental roof.Our subject takes quite an active interest in politicalaffairs and has been a life-long supporter ofthe Republican party. He has filled the office ofRoad Commissioner and was elected Collector, butwas not eligible at that time. He has never soughtfor political preferment, desiring rather to give hisentire time and attention to his business interests,wliich he has followed with signal success, thusacquiring a handsome competence. He holds membershipwith the (Trand Army Post of Melvin,andhas been .lunior and .Senior Vice-Commander, andwas Adjutant for six years. He is a public-s|)iiitedand progressive man, ever ready to aid in the advancementof those enterprises calculated to benefittlie community, and is recognized as a i)rominentand intluential citizen of Wall Township.»'' ()HX KEEFFE, ^ho resides on section 2,Pella Townshii), where he is engaged in^,^ gener.al farming, claims Ireland as the^^// land of his nativity-. He was born inCounty Tipperaiy, about 1830, and is a son ofJames Kceffe, a farmer of the Emerald Isle. Hemarried Ellen Henness}' and with our suljject andtwo daughters came to America in 1844, themother joining them about one year later. Mr.Keeffe spent about seven 3ears in Canada Westand then, selling his property, came to Illinois in1851. locating in La Salle Count}-. For some years.he resided in Ottawa and afterward made hishome in Dwight. His death occurred in IroquoisCounty, in 1884, and his wife passed away in LaSalle County. In politics, he was a Democrat andwas a member of the Catholic Church.Our subject was a lad of fourteen ^ears when hecrossed the Atlantic to America.His educationaladvantages were limited and as his parents were inpoor circumstances, he had to begin to earn hisown livelihood at an early age. He remained withhis parents until thirty-two years of age, when heleft home and in 1864. in La Salle County, led tothe marriage altar Catherine Condon, a nativeof the Emerald Isle, who came to this countrywhen about a year old. Unto tliem have been bornfour sons and three daughters: James, who died inLivingston County at the age of ten years; Mary,who was educated at A'alparaiso, Ind., is now engagedin school-teaching in Faxton;William, whowas educated at Valparaiso, has engaged in farmingon section 29, Pella Township; Joseph andFrank, who aid in the operation of the home farm;Lena, who is attending school in Chatsworth;John and Catherine, who are at home.In 1852, Mr. Keeffe enlisted in New York State,in Company B, First Dragoon Regiment, underPhil Kerne}', and served on tlie plains at Ft. Leavenworthand Pike's Peak, guaiding emigrantsagainst the Indians. On one occasion, he waswounded in the forehead by a bullet. He servedfor four years and nine months, being dischargedthree months before tlie expiration of his time onaccount of good behavior. During the late war,he served for a short time in the MassachusettsHeavy Artillery and, in 1865, came to F'ordCounty, locating on section 15, Pella Townshii).He bougiit eighty acres of unimproved land andthere made liis home until 1877, since which timehe has resided upon liis present farm on section 2.He is one of the extensive land-owners of thecounty and one of the prosperous farmers. Hishome farm now comprises four hundred and fortyacres and he also owns a one hundred and sixtyacre tract on section 29. He started in life withonly ^15. Industry and enteiprise have alwaysbeen numbered among his chief characteristics andhe has worked his way upward until he is now one

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFX'ORD. 593of the substantial citizens of the community.Forhis success, which is entirely- due to liisown efforts,he certainly deserves great credit.Mr. Keeffe is a member of the Catholic Churchof Pii)er City, and to its support contributes liberally.He cast his first Presidential vote forBuchanan, but has never allied Iiimself with anypolitical party, preferring to support wliom hepleases, regardless of party affiliations. His lastvote was cast for President Harrison. He is wellknown throughout the community and is held inhigh regard. He is numbered among the best citizensof Pella Township, for he always aids in theadvancement of pulilic enterprises and is a friendto all interests calculated to promote the generalwelfare.AMES SHELDON, who is engaged in farmingand stock-raising on section 30, Pella'^fTownship, was born in 1824, in ColumbiaCounty, N. Y. His great-grandfather settledin the Empire State in an earl^' day, and fourgenerations of the family tlierc resided. Thegrandfather was a Revolutionarj- soldier and waspresent at Burgoyne's surrender. The father ofour sul)ject, Gideon Sheldon, spent his entire lifeupon a farm in Columbia Countj', and followedagricultural pursuits. He married Lydia Leak, anative of the same county. His death occurredwhen our subject was a mere boy, his wife passingawaj' a few years later. He served as Justice ofthe Peace some years, was a life-long supporter ofthe Whig party and was an anti-Mason. He wasliighly esteemed as a valued citizen in tiie communitywliere he made his liome.In the family werenine children, three of whom are yet living:Eliza, James and Emma. Those deceased areHenry, Daniel. Albert, Sarah, Desire and Evelyn.Mr. Sheldon, whose name heads this record,spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm andacquired his education in a select school and .anacademy. He remained at home until he attainedhis majority and operated the farm for two 3'ears.He then began farming for himself, and for nineyears followed tliat occupation in Genesee County,N. Y., after which he emigrated to Illinois, in 1865,and purchased eighty acres of land still in itsprimitive condition. His was the sixth houseerected in Pella Township, and he could ridestraight over the prairie to Chatsworth with nofences to impede his progress. He brought sixhundred sheep from ]\Iicliigan, but disease gotamong them and he lost i!2,000 thereby. Tlie obstaclesand difficulties which have arisen in hispath he has overcome, however, and by his industryand enterprise has steadily worked his way upward.He now owns one hundred and twent3'acres of as fine land as can be found in Illinois andengages in general farming and stock-raising,making a specialty of sheep.In Columbia County, N. Y.,in September, 1845,Mr. Sheldon was joined in wedlock with MissAnnie VanDusen, a native of that county and adescendant of one of the earlj' families of the State.Her parents, Richard and Clara Van Dusen, spenttheir entire lives in Columbia County as farmingpeople, the father owning nine hundred acres ofland. Our subject and his wife have one child,Gideon, whom we will mention later on.Mr. Sheldon cast Iiis first Presidential vote forGen. Taylor and was a Wliiguntil voting for Fremontin 1856. He was a member of the first Stateconvention of the Republican party in New York,and has since often served as delegate to the conventionsand is one of the stanchest advocates ofKepublican principles. He served as TownshipSupervisor for four years, being elected in 1872,and at the same time as a meml3cr of the CountyBoard. He has fre(iuently refused offices, preferringto devote his time and attention to his businessinterests, in which he h.as met with signal success.He is sagacious and far-siglited, enterprisingand progressive, and by his fair and lionest dealinghas won a handsome property. He is regardedas one of the leading citizens of the county andhis friends throughout the community are many.Gideon Sheldon, the only child, was born inColumbia County, N. Y., January 22, 1849, andwiis about sixteen years of age when he camewith his parents to Illinois. His education wascompleted in the public schools of this county and

594 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.by one year's attendance at Onarga Seminary.He lierded cattle for his fatlicr all over the countryfor seven years and has killed door in PellaTownshiii. Lesser game was to be had in abundanceand wolves were still numerous in the neigliborhood.On th(! 24th of .July, 1872, in GeneseeCounty, N. Y. he married Nellie Clark, and untothem have lieen liorn four children: Addie. Lorena,Nellie and .lames.In 1882, Mr. Sheldon went to Griggs County,N. Dak., where he entered a claim of governmentland and spent seven years. He is a well-knownfarmer of this community and. like his father, is aman of sterling wortii. In polities, he has been alife-long Ke})ublican and h.as held several localoffices.^p^EORGE ^EORGE RAN] RANDALL, a retired farmer ofi/(—. Piper City,- W£ was born in Norway Township,^JJ^ Herkimer Cov junty, N. v., .Tuly .31, 1820,and traces his ancestry back to .Tosepli Randall,the founder of the family in ,\merica. He was anative of Brest, France, and on emigrating to thiscountr}^ located in Providence, R. I. He was acalker by trade. He was married July 26, 1716,in Providence, and died Jlarch 30, 1760, at theage of seventy-six years. Peter Randall, hisfourth son, was born .June 12, 1723, and diedMarch 9, 1808. He w.as a sulistantial farmer andhad a large family.John, sixth son of Peter, wasborn June 23, 17.58, successfully followed farming,.and died August 27, 1831. He w.as married,March 11, 1781, to Mercy Mo wry, daughter ofCol. Elisha Mowry, of Smithfield. They had sixchildren, the second in order of birth beingSmith Randall, father of our subject. He wasborn August 6, 1784, and died March 12, 1831.He wedded JIary, a daughter of Elisha Olnej', ofSmithfield. She was born November 26, 1787,their union was celebrated May 2, 1811, and herdeath occurred July 17, 1852. They iiad a familyof eleven children, five sons and si-x daughters,but only two are now living, our subject and Mrs.Adeline Smith, who resides near the old homesteadin New York.The father was quite activein political afliairs and a prominent member of theAnti-Masonic Society at the time of the Morganexcitement. His wife was a memlier of the BaptistChurch.George Randall was the youngest of fivebrothers. He was reared to manhood upon theold homestead, and iiccpiired his education in thecommon schools and an .academy. His father diedwhen George was eleven years of age, and hebegan to earn his own livelihood at the age ofsixteen.In 1853, he married Frances E. Crane, anative of Norway, N. Y., who w.as born May 17,1829, and a daughter of .Joseph C. and Sarah(Bushnell) Cr.ane, natives of Connecticut. Herfather was a painter and paper hanger liy tradeand served .as l^ostmaster of Norway for twentyyears. Mr. and Mrs. Randall began their domesticlife in Norway, wliere he w.as engaged as aparpenter and stock dealer for seventeen 3'ears. In1870, he came to Illinois, reaching Piper Cit}' onthe 1st of April. He located upon a farm twomiles south of the town, and transformed the wildtr.aet of one hundred and sixty .acres into rich andfertile fields, which yielded to him a good income.He there resided until 1889, when he came toPiper City, and has since lived retired, resting inthe enjoj'meut of the fruits of his former labors.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Randall were born threechildren, who are j-et living: Ileniy S., who wasborn and reared in New York, was for a numberof years a successful school teacher in FordCountj', and is now engaged in the furniturebusiness in Buckingham, III.; Cora E., who was aschool te.acher, is now the wife of G. Reeder, whoresides on a farm twc) miles south of Piper City;Chancey, who w.as born in New York, is a painterand paper hanger of I'iper City.In politics, Mr. Randall was a Whig from thetime when he cast his first Presidential vote forWilliam Henry Harrison until he voted forLincoln in 1860. Since that time he h.as been aninflexible adherent of Republican principles, andhas often served as delegate to the conventions ofhis party but would not accept public office. Whileresiding in New Y'ork, however, he served asJustice of the Peace for eight 3'ears, and was

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 597])epiity Sheriff of Herkimer County for nine 3'ears.His wife was a member of the Episcopal Cluircliwhen in the Empire State. This worthy coupleare highly respected people, widely and favorablyknownin Eord County. Mr. Randall is a selfmademan who began life empty-handed, but byhis own exertions worked his way uiiward to aposition among the suljstantial citizens of tiiecommunity.>,rpointmentof Postmaster of Gibson, but he declined to acceptthe position on account of business considerations.He is interested in real estate in Chicago and is theowner of a fine farm of three hundred and twentyacres of land in Clarke County, Iowa, which he hasrented. He is a practical business man and hasbeen

598 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.His mature years have been largely passed in Gibson,or at least tliat place lias been liis home sincehe has attained man's estate, and the warm regardand high respect of his fellow-citizens speak loudlyin praise of his high standing as a man and citizen.=^!)HOMAS REED, a substantial fanner of PellaTownship residing on section 12, was bornon the 26th of September, 1843, in ChautauquaCounty, N. Y., and is a son of Thomas and Eliza(Ferguson) Reed. The former was born in SaratogaCounty, but was married in Chautauqua County.By occupation, he was a farmer and followed thatbusiness throughout his entire life. His death occnri-edin July, 1861, at the age of sixty j'ears.The famil}' came West in 1863, locating in Ottawa,La Salle County, where they spent six years andthen came to Ford County. In the family wereeleven children: Edwin, who is living in La SalleCounty; Franklin, who enlisted in the Sixty-thirdIllinois Infantry-, had an arm and leg shot off atthe battle of .lackson, and died in the hospital, ofgangrene, September 19, 1863; Harriet, who is thewife of Nelson Steilnian, of Piper City; Heniy,twin brother of Helen, was in the Ninth New YorkCavalry and died in the arm^', of tyhoid fever,July 27, 1862; Helen is the wife of Henry Morris,a wealthy citizen of Tennessee; Thomas is the nextyounger; Butler is a farmer of Pella Township;Theodore, Charles and Arb}' also reside in PelluTownship; James Emniett was the next younger,and died November 8, 1870, at the age of sixteenyears.With the other members of the family, ThomasReed came to Ford County in 1869 and with hisbrothers purchased the farm upon which he is nowresiding. Since that time, he has engaged in generalfarming and stock-raising and his landed possessionsaggregate three hundred and sixty acres.He is recognized as one of the enterprising andprogressive agriculturists of this community, andthe well-tilled fields and many improvements uponthe place indicate his thrift.As a companion and hel innate on life's journey,Mr. Reed chose Miss Emma Spaulding, but herdeath occurred in 1876. She left two sons: Williamat home; and Frank, who resides with hisuncle in La Salle County.Sir. Reed next marriedChatine Hench, who died three years later, and onthe ."jth of April, 1885, in this county, he weddedINIaggie Smith, a daughter of William Smith, whofor almost a quarter of a century has made hishome in Pella Township. jMrs. Reed was born inScotland, and when a child came to America. Adaughter has been born of the third unif)n— Clara,a little maiden of six summers. The parents areboth members of the Methodist Church and takean active part in its work. Mr. Reed has givenliberally to its support. He is a charitable andbenevolent man and a highly esteemed citizen.Since casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln,he has supported the Republican party and hasoften served as a delegate to its conventions. Hehas held some public offices but prefers to give hisentire time and attention to his business interest,which he carries on successfully.^^^^p5^ AMUEE BELL, who owns and operates a^^^ farm in Wall Township, has made his'"""^ '" ^'''"^vt£9)county since 1857, or for tiielong period of thirtj'-five years. In thattime he has witnessed the greater part of itsgrowth and development, and has ever borne hisshare in its upiiuilding. He claims England .asthe land of his nativity, his birth having occurredin Westmoreland, on the 6th of August, 1829.His father, Samuel Bell, was a hoop-maker bytrade. He was twice married, and by his firstunion was born one son, James, who is now deceased.He was again married, his second unionbeing with Elizabeth Dawson. Unto thein wereborn eight children: John D., who resides in DixTownship, Ford Count}', where he follows farming;William, deceased; Elizabeth; Thomas, also deceased;Sarah, wife of David Metcalf, a residentfarmer of Dix Township; Samuel, whose nameheads this sketch; Emma A., was the wife ofJames Mills, who was an engraver b}' trade; and

Mary A., who died in infancy-.PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 599The father departedBefore his enlistment he was married, January 8, in 1844, at the age of sixty-seven years. In tlie1860, to Miss Lavina Travis. Five children weretliis life November 17, 1870, his wife siirvivingborn of their union: William T., who is marrieduntil the 19th of July, 187;!.and follows farming in Peacli Orchard Township;Mary E., who resides at her father's home; MiltonA., who died when about two years of age,- hisbirth having occurred Jul}' 27, 1869, and his deathhe attended at intervals until he had attained February 15, 1871; Emma D., and Lephel, both atliis majority. He learned the hoop-maker's trade, home. For twenty-one years, Mr. and Mrs. Bellwhich he followed for seven years prior to his had traveled life's journe}' together. She wasemigration to America. It was in 1851 that he then called to her final rest, January 7, 1881, andcrossed the Atlantic to this countrj'. He took her remains were interred in Meharry Cemetery,p.ass.age on a sailing-vessel at Liverpool, and, after in Patton Township. The mother and wife area voyage of thirtj^ days, landed at New York, sadly missed in the household, but Mr. Bell isfrom whence he soon went to Globe Village, R. I., comforted in his declining j'ears by his faithfulwhere he worked in a calico-printing establishmentand loving children.for about eighteen months. He then re-Mr. Bell is a member of Grand Army Post No. 387,turned to England, but after a visit of three of Paxton, and in his political affiliations is amonths again came to America to seek his fortune. Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote forOn his return, he settled in Globe A'illage, R. I., Abniham Lincoln. He has been honored witliwhere he resided until 1857, and then emigrated several positions of public trust, having served asWestward. His first location in the Mississippi Road Commissioner for three j'ears and Clerk ofValley- was in Vermilion Count3^, in the portion Wall Township for seventeen consecutive years,which fact indicates the trust reposed in him byhis fellow-townsmen and his own faithfulness toworked upon a farm by the month until 1859, his office and the efficient discharge of his duties.when he purchased a team and rented land, operatingHe is a well-known citizen of this community, andthat farm until 1863. In that jear he ever has its best interests at heart.responded to the country's call for troops, enlistingin Chicago, on the 31st of December, as aprivate in the Chicago Mercantile Battery. PatrickH. White was Captain of the company, theFirst Lieutenant was Pickney S. Cone, the Junior ^^EOKGE W. GLASS, who is now living re-First Lieutenant was Henry Roe, the Senior SecondIII (=- tired in Piper Cit}', has led a bus}- andLieutenant was Florus D. Meacham, and the \\^^i5J useful life. He claims New York as theJunior Second Lieutenant was James C. Sinclair. State of his nativity, his birth having occurred inThe first active engagement in which Mr. Bell Onondaga County, February 11, 1826. Hisgraudfatlierparticipated was at Sabine Cross Roads, where hewas a native of Ireland, and in the latterwas captured by the enemy and sent to Ft. T3ier, part of the 18th century crossed the Atlantic andTex., where he was held prisoner for four estalilished his family in the town of Elbridge,hundred and fourteen days, or until the close of Onondaga Count}'. The father of our subject,the war. When the country' no longer needed his William Glass, came with his parents to Americaservices, he was honorably discharged in Cliicago, when a child and sjient his entire life in Newon the 10th of July, 1865.Y'ork, where he followed the occupation of farmingSoon after Mr. Bell's return to the Nortli, hein pursuit of fortune. He married Clarissapurchased forty acres of land on section 28, Wall Whipple, a native of Vermont, .and her deathTownship, where he has since made his home. occurred in 1836. He was called to his final restIn his native land our subject spent the days ofhis boyhood and 3'outli and acquired a goodEnglish education in tlie common schools, whichwhich is now a part of Ford Count}'. He becamea resident near Prospect City, now Paxton, and

Iowners600 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.family were five children who grew to manhood andwomanhood: Eunice, now Mrs. Choate, is engagedin the practice of medicine in Cliicago;William, who served in the army and died in1863; Adeline, whose death occurred in Syracuse,N. Y.; George W., of tiiis sketch; and James, whodied in Auburn, N. Y.We now take u)) tlic personal history of oursubject. lie attended the common schools andalso acquired an academical education.His fatherdied when he was eighteen years of age and hethen began to earn his own livelihood, working onthe railroad at anjthing he could lind to do. Hewas also employed as engineer, and spent someyears in the railroad shops. Subse(]uently, heoperated a portable engine, making tliat his businessuntil forty years of age. The year 18.53witnessed his removal to Ohio, where he oi)eratedhis portable engine, making his home in SanduskJ^Mr. Glass was married in the autumn of 1863,in the neighborhood where he w.as leared in NewYork, to Miss Maiy E. Yates, also a native of theEmpire State, and they began their domestic lifeat Patterson, Hardin County, (^hio. In 1865, theyremoved to Stark County, 111., where they spentthe winter, and in the following spring went toLa Salle County, locating upon a farm nearStreator, where they resided until 1873. In thatyear they came to Ford County, and Mr. Glasspurchased one hundred and sixty acres of land inPella Township. It was a trsict of wet prairie,entirely unimjiroved, but he began its cultivationand development and transformed it into a finefarm, upon whicli he made his home until hisremoval to Piper City in 1892. He is now livinga retired life, and his rest is well deserved.To Mr. and Mrs. Glass were born two sons andthree daughters, as follows: George E., who waseducated in the public schools of Piper Citj- andStreator, and at Onarga Seminary, is now engagedin the practice of law in Stieator; P.age is studyinglaw in Streator; Minnie died at the age oftwenty-one years, and Fannie and Alice are stillunder the parental roof. The Glass household isthe abode of hospitality and the members holdhigh positions in social circles. On the 10th ofApril, 1890, Mrs. Glass passed to her final rest,being a member of the Baptist Church.Mr. Glass cast his first Presidential vote forJohn C. Fremont, and continued to support theRepublican partj^ until 1876, when he voted forCooper and Carey. Since that time he has beenindependent in politics, holding himself free tosupport whoever he pleases, regardless of part}'atliliations. In his social relations, he is a Mason3^S^\l|OHN A. SCOTT, one of the extensive landofMona Township, is engaged ingeneral farming and stock-raising on section9, where he owns a fine farm. A nativeof W.ashington County, Pa., he was born Januar}'1, 1848. His father, John Scott, Sr., was born inPennsylvania and was of Scotch descent. He marriedLydia Pees, who was also a native of theKej'stone State and was of German lineage. Theybecame, the ptarents of eight children, as follows:Franklin, a i)racticing ph^'sician, residing in MonongahelaCity,Washington County, Pa.; William.I.,who is engaged in farming in Washington County,Ohio; AVinfield, a resident farmer of Mona Township;George, Mary; Lydia J., wife of Lewis D.igue,deceased; Sarah E. died iu 1873, and John, of thissketch. The father of this family died in 1886, atthe age of eighty-two j'ears. The mother passedaway in 1888. Both were members of the PresbyterianChurch and highly resjfccted people.Our subject w.as born and reared on his father'sfarm, and after attending the district schools of theneighborhood for some time, completed his educationin the lloge Summit Academy, located inWashington, Pa. He began the study of medicine,but in 1866 abandoned it in order to come West.He made his first location in Morris, GrundyCounty, 111., where he worked at whatever hecould find to do for about a year. He then lieganfarming, following that occupation during thesummer months, while he engaged in teaching inthe winter season for three years. He made hishome in Grundy and Marshall Counties until1870, when he came to Ford County. He located

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POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 605in Mona Township, where lie has since made liishome. He now owns six hundred and forty acresof valuable land, and his farm is one of the mostdesirable places in the community. The fields arewell tilled, he raises a good grade of stock and themanj' improvements upon the place indicate histhrift and enterprise.In 1870, Mr. Scott was united in marriage toMiss Margaret A. Collins, daughter of Philip andAnn Collins. Their union has been blessed withfive children: Marniion H., who is now studyinglaw in Kankakee, 111.; LilaMaj-, Frank K., Philip C.and Milla. The Scott household is the abode ofhospitality and its members rank high in socialcircles.Mr. Scott supports the Democratic party and hasalways taken a great interest in political affairs.He has served his township as School Director,Road Commissioner, School Treasurer .and TownshipSupervisor, and it is needless to say that hisduties have ever been faithfully performed. Mr.Scott is a man of good business ability and sterlingworth. His life has been a successful oue, and theprosperity that has crowned his efforts has beenwell deserved.^^ OHN F. KI:NNEY, one of the extensiveland-owners and a prominent farmer ofFord Count}', residing on section 14, WallTownship, claims Pennsylvania as the Stateof his nativity, and on the paternal side is of Irishextraction. He was born near Brownsville, Pa.,on the 13th of December, 1835, and is a son ofJames Kenney, who now resides upon a farm whichwas his birthiilace, and which was located by hisfather about 180U. It has been the home of theKenneys since 1802.In connection with its cultivation,Mr. Kenney has devoted his life and talentsto the upbuilding of the Methodist Church, ofwhich he has long been a minister. He marriedAnn Sproat, who died in the spring of 1837, leavingfour children, as follows: William, who is nowengaged in farming in Ford County; Elizabeth,wife of Asbury Greenfield, a resident of Santa25Paula, Cal.; C3rus, a farmer and fruit-grower, residingin the same place; and .John F., whose nameheads this sketch.Rev. Kenney was again married, Feb. 5, 1839,his second union ))eing with Patience IMoore, andthey became the parents of seven children, as follows:Benjamin, a fruit-grower of California;Eliza A., now deceased, was the wife of JohnFreeman, who is engaged in farming; Margaret,wife of Wilson Ward, an agriculturist residing inWashington County, Pa.; James W., who is also afarmer of that county; Rebecca J., and Sarah J.,twins; and Mary M., wife of Lewis M. Cleaver,who is a general merchant in Washington County,Pa.The educational advantages whichour sulijectreceived were not of a very superior character.He attended school at intervals until about twentyyears of age, and under the parental roof he remaineduntil after he attained his m.ajorit}'. Atlength he determined to try his fortune in theWest, believing that on its broad prairies onemight have better opportunities than were affordedin the more thickly' settled States of the East. Itwas in 1857 that he became a resident of La SalleCounty, where he began working by the month ona farm, and was thus employed for two years. Hethen purchased a team, rented land, and in thisway got his start.A marriage ceremony, performed on the 3d ofJanuary, 1860, united the destinies of Mr. Kenneyand Miss MaryE., daughter of Josephusand Lydia(Clark) Phelps. Her father was a native of M.assachusetts,born September 13, 1805. He was rearedto manhood in his native State, where he learnedthe trade of a carpenter and joiner. Coming tothe West, he located in Michigan, and in the fallof 1832 took up his residence in Putnam County,where he remained until his death, wliicli occurredFebruary 4, 1892, at the age of eighty-seven j-ears.His wife, who was born October 15, 1820, is stillliving in Putnam County. She is a member ofthe Baptist Church and an estimable ladj'. Mr.Phelps was a Universalist in religious belief. Theyhad a famil}- of eleven children, seven of whomare yet living: Fabius E., a mechanic, who is marriedand resides in Nebraska; Mrs. Kenney; Irene,

606 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.wife of George Williamson, who resided iu PutnamCounty, but died in La Salle County; CalvinArthur, a carpenter and joiner, who is married andmakes liis home in Nebraska; Quincy Irvin, amechanic, living in Putnam Count}'; FlavinsJosephus, a mechanic, who is married and makeshis home in La Salle County, and Charles, a mechanic,who is married and resides in Nebraska.Mrs. Kenney was educated in the commonschools and in an academy in her native cit}'.She is a member of the Methodist Church, and herselfand husband aided liberally in the erection ofthe beautiful church buildings in Wall Township.They began their domestic life in Putnam County,where they continued to reside until 1867, whenMr. Kenney purchased one hundred and sixtyacres of land on section 14, "Wall Township, FordCounty, but remained in Putnam County, wherehe made his home until 1872. He then settledupon his present farm, ninety acres of which hadbeen broken, and for twenty years it has now beenhis home.In connection with general farming, hehas engaged extensively in stock-raising, successcrowning his efforts, and as his financial resourceshave increased, he has extended the boundaries ofhis farm, until he now owns six hundred acresof land, all in Wall Township. He is an enterprisingand successful business man, an industriousfarmer, and through his own efforts has accumulateda handsome property.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kenney have been born fourteenchildren, as follows: Cyrus A., who was appointedto a Government position during PresidentHarrison's administration, and is located inLawrenceburg, K}'.; Belle, wife of Frank D. Calder,a resident farmer of Wall Township; Walter G.,Sidney, Lillian, Mary E., Merton D., Irvin andFletcher N. The other three are deceased.Mr. Kenney was elected to the office of TownshipSupervisor in 1877, and served as such until1880. In 1889, he was again the people's choicefor that position and still holds the office. He hasalso served as School Trustee, and at present is thePublic Guardian of the County, to which positionhe was appointed by Governor Fifer in 1890. Inpolitics, he is a supporter of the Republican partyand a stanch advocate of its principles. He casthis fli'st Presidential vote for "Honest Abe," theMartyr President of the United States. He is awell-known citizen of the community, and is trulydeserving of representation in this volume."^l OSEPH MITCHINSON, who owns and operateseighty acres of land on section 6, BrentonTownship, has been an eye-witness ofthe growth and development of FordCounty since an earl}' da}', and he cut away hiscorn in order that the first house in Piper Citycould be built. His life record is as follows: Hewas born in Cumberland County, England. .Tunc28, 1838, and is a son of John and Frances (Gunson)Mitchinson, both of whom were natives ofEngland. The mother died in that country in1857, and in 1869 the father emigrated to America.He spent his last days in Ford County, where hisdeath occurred in 1877. He and his wife wereboth members of the Episcopal Church.Tiiey hada family of ten children, eight of whom are ^etliving, namely: Margaret; Mary, who resides inEngland; William, who died in infancy; Henry,who was killed at the age of seventeen by fallingfrom the top mast onto the deck below; Joseph,of this sketch;Thomas and Frances, both of whomreside in England; John, who is living near Peoria,111.; Martha, of Chicago, and Kate, wife of M.Cross, of Piiier City.In the usual manner of farmer lads, our subjectspent the daj's of his boyhood and acquired acommon-school education. At the age of sixteen,he left school and devoted his attention exclusivelyto farm work until twenty years of age,when, on the 3d of June, 1858, he started forAmerica in company with an aunt and uncle. Hesailed from Liverpool, and two weeks later arrivedat Quebec, whence he went to Chicago and thencame to Piper Cit}'. He has since made his homein this locality, where for some time he workedas a farm hand, then operated rented land, and in1880 purchased a farm in Pella Township. Heengaged in its cultivation for some 3'ears and forthe past \ear lias made his home upon his present

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 607farm on section 6, Brenton Township. It compriseseightj' acres of highly improved hind, :ind theneat appearance of the place in(iicates the owneras one of tlie leading farmers of the community.In 18(i5, Mr. Mitchiuson returned to his nativeland and was united in marriage with ElizabethAgnew, who was liorn and reared in CumberlandCounty, England, and is a daughter of Wilson A.and Jane (Bone) Agnew. Her father was a teacherand taught navigation in a private school. Hermother died after Mrs. Mitchinson came to thiscountry but her father was called to his final restprevious to her emigration to America. Unto oursubject and his wife were born six children: FrancesJane; John Wilson, now deceased; ]\IargaretAnn, Joseph Ilenr^-; Elizabeth Ada, who died ininfancy, and Martha Maria. All of the childrenwere born in Ford County, and tliose yet livingare still under the parental roof.The parents arc members of the PresbyterianChurch of Piper City and are numl)ered among thebest citizens of Brenton Township, being held inhigh regard for their sterling worth. They havea pleasant home and all of their possessions havebeen acquired througli the untiring efforts of oursubject. When he first came to this country, heworked as a farm hand at 814 per month, and bj'his enterprise, good management and the exerciseof correct business principles, he has acquired acomfortable home."iffACOB FUOSS is a well-to-do farmer of BrentonTownship, residing on section 26. Anative of Germany, he was born inthe villageof Bernstadt, Wurtemberg, Ma}' 11,1839, and is one of three children, whose parentswere John George and Maggie Fuoss. The fatherowned a small farm. Both parents died in theirnative land. John George, their eldest child, cameto America in 1883, and is now living in Nebraska;Jacobin is a resident of Germany.Our subject is the youngest of the children. Hewas educated in the Lutheran schools and in thepublic schools, and in 1854 came to America. Biddinggood-bye to his native land, with three otherboys he sailed from Bremen to New York, wherehe arrived after sixty-three days spent upon thebosom of the Atlantic, lie came on at once toIllinois, and earned his first money by working asa railroad hand between Peru .and Peoria. Hethen entered the employ of a farmer in WoodfordCounty, .and since that time has been connectedwith agricultural pursuits. He resided in WoodfordCounty until 1856, when he went to El Paso,111., and in 1851) became a resident of TazewellCount}', where he worked upon a farm until August,1861.B}' that time it was seen that the war was to beno holiday affair, and Mr. Fuoss enlisted in CompanyE, Seventeenth Missouri Infantry, the regimentbeing formed in St. Louis. In October, thetroops were sent to Sedalia, and met the enemy ina skirmish near Springfield. They also participatedin the battle of Pea Ridge, l)Ut our subject was illat the time. In January-, 1863, the}' settled downto the siege of Vicksburg, and with his regimentMr. Fuoss there remained until the surrender ofthe city on the 4th of Jul}-, after which he wassent to the Invalid Corps, and went to Rock Islandin the Fourth Veteran Reserve Corps, wherehis duty was in guarding prisoners. On the expirationof his three-3'ears' term of enlistment, hewas honorably discharged, September 24, 1864. Hishealth was permanently injured b}' the hardshipsand privations of army life. He now receives apension in recognition of his services.When mustered out, Mr. Fuoss returned to TazewellCounty, and, in the spring of 1865, was joinedin wedlock to Mary Dingledine, who was born inTazewell County, and is of German descent. Hebrought his bride to Ford Count}', and began farmingin Brenton Township, having made his homeupon his present farm since 1866. He now ownsthree hundred and forty acres of valuable land undera high state of cultivation, and, in connectionwith general farming, engages in raising fine stock,making a specialty of Clydesdale horses. The improvementsupon the place are in keeping with amodel farm, and indicate the thrift and enterpriseof the owner. He has led a busy and useful life.

608 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.and has ever borne his share in promoting thoseinterests calculated to prove of public benefit. Hecast hie first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln,and has since been a standi Republican.Socially,he is a member of the Grand Army Post of PiperCity, and also belongs to the Lutheran Church.Four children grace the union of INIr. and Mrs.Fuoss: Olivia, who is now the wife of Silas Dillon,a resident farmer of Brenton Township; Emma,H.attie and Edward, all of whom are still underthe parental roof. Tlie f.imily circle yet remainsunbroken, and the members of the Fuoss householdrank high in social circles. All the children wereborn and reared upon the home farm, and wereeducated in the public schools. Emma was also astudent in Grand Prairie Seminary of Onarga, andengaged in te.aehing for several terms._i-

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^kJ/.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 611was born and reared in La Salle County, and is adaughter of Isora Smith, who was a member of theOne Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantrj^ waswounded at Chiekamauga, and died from the amputationof his arm. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Millerhave been born six children, four of whom are yetliving: Albert Merrill, who assists his father inbusiness; Clara Etta and Bessie, both deceased; JennieMay, .lohn Isom and William Ilarrv.« IftlLLlAM II. SIMMS, President of the Gib-**^" Canning Company, and one of the\/iJ//V7\y very earliest pioneers of Gibson City, is anative of England. He was born in the town ofQuainton, Buckinghamshire, on the 18th of July,184.5. Ills parents were George and Rebecca (Burnell)Siinms, natives of England and descendantsof old English families. The father died in hisnative land in 1846, at the age of twenty-sevenyears.In the course of time, the mother was againmarried, her second husb.ind being Isaac Cannon.William H. Simms, whose name heads thisrecord,attended school in bis native town until 1854,when, in company with his mother, step-father andsister, he crossed the broad Atlantic to America.They made the passage in a sailing-vessel, and afterfive weeks spent on the sea, arrived in NewYork on the 20tb of May of that j-ear. On reachingthis country, they proceeded at once to Michigan,.and settled on a farm in Lenawee County.Our subject spent the succeeding four years of hislife on this farm in the woods, attending the districtschool as opportunity offered, and in Februaryof his thirteenth year, hired out at a sawmillto wheel sawdust at 14 per month. His stepfatherhad died, leaving iiis wife in indigent circumstances,and with two 3'oung children tosupport. William gave his earnings, or such apart as he could get, in orders on the store, towardhelping support his mother and the family, butwas not able to collect the greater part of his paj'.This failure was not very encouraging for a youthtrying to make a start in the world. After workingin the sawmill for eighteen months, he hiredas clerk in a country store, where he spent twoyears, and was also in the employ of a physicianfor one year, and later worked in abroom-h.indleand stave mill, working willingly at anythingwhich would yield him an honest dollar.On the 12th of December, 18G3, at the age ofeighteen years, Mr. Simms enlisted for the late waras a member of Company L, First Michigan Regimentof Engineers. He was captured at Christi.ana,near Murfreesboro, Tenn., December 15, 1864, wasstripped of his shoes and much of his clothes, aswere also his comrades, and then marched overfrozen ground with bleeding feet and sufferingfrom cold. They were halted two diiys at Meridian,and then taken to Selma, Ala., whence theywere sent by rail and boat to Andersonville Prison,where Mr. Simms spent four months and thirteendays, subjected to hardship and the well-known horrorsof that notorious den, until mustered out bya general order regarding prisoners on the 25th ofJune, 1865.On his release from prison, our subject returnedto Lenawee County, Mich., where he spent severalmonths in regaining his health and strength. Thenwith money saved from his soldier earnings andsome credit, he opened a general store in a smallway, at Palmyra, then only a country cross-roadtown, with C. E. Crane, under the name of C. E.Crane & Co. He was also Postmaster at that placefor three years. His business prospered and increasedin importance until 1871, when he sold outand went to Chicago. One week after going tothat city, he joined T. D. Spalding in a businessventure at Gibson, 111., opening a lumber-yard. Atfirst, Mr. Eldridge was associated with them, andthe firm name w.as Spalding, Simms cfe Co., untilMarch, 1873, when Mr. Eldridge sold out to Mr.Simms, and business was carried on under the titleof Simms & Spalding until 1878, when Mr. Simmssold out and engaged in the farm implement businesswhich he carried on for two years. He thenturned his attention to the real-estate business, inwhich he h.ad lieen previously interested.In 1881, he boughta one-third interest in a cattleranch in W^yomingTerritoiy in partnership withothers, the company being known as Suddulh,Montgomerj' & Co. They owned from two thou-

612 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.sand to twenty-five hundred cattle. After fiveye.irs that connection was dissolved.In the meantime,Mr. Siniras had continued in the real-estatebusiness, handling large quantities of land as agentfor other parties, having had the care of and soldupward of ten thousand acres. He now has four improvedfarms of his own, aggregating five hundredand sixty acres, all lying in Drummer Township. Inaddition to tills, he is largeh" interested in fruitfarming in Tulare County, Cal., and owns a fineproperty in San Diego, Cal. During six monthsof the year 1883, as a partner of Mr. Haff, he wasproprietor of one of the largest dry-goods stores inthe county. While in the implement business, Mr.Simms also bought grain extensively, and continuedin that line until 1885, when he closed outand engaged in the canning business, with whichhe is now connected. He is President of the GibsonCanning Company, which was organized in1885, and is the second largest factory in capacityin the United States.It annually packs two millioncans of corn, and the business will be increasedthis year (1892).On the 30th of August, 1877, Mr. Simms wasmarried, in Gibson, to Miss Emma Canterbury', whowas born at Athens, 111., and is a daughter of AsaCanterl)ury, of Drummer Township.Their unionhas been blessed with three children. Their daughter,Chloe, who was born in Gibson City, in 1882,isthe only one surviving.In politics, Mr. Simms is a pronounced Republican,and has served as Supervisor from Drummertwo years, and has been Chairman of the CountyBoard one year. He was also a member of the GibsonSchool Board two ye.ars. In 1866, he wasmade a Mason in Palmyra, Mich., took a demitseveral years later and became a charter member ofGibson City Lodge No. 733, A. F. & A. M., towhich he still belongs. He is also a member ofGibson Chapter No. 183, R. A. M., and of Mt.Olivet Commandery No. 38, K. T. He was one ofthe first otilcers of the Blue Lodge, and served asMaster in 1875 and 1876. To Lott Post No. 70,G. A. R., he also belongs, and has served as itsCommander. Mrs. Simms belongs to the ChristianChurch, and her husband attends the same.In 1890, our subject built one of the largest andhandsomest houses in Gibson, erecting his ownwater and gas works.This house was also the firsthouse in Ford County to put in the hot-water systemfor heating.During his residence of twenty-one years in GibsonCity, Mr. Simms has always taken a leadingpart in its business affairs, and has been active andliberal in support of local enterprises which werecalculated to benefit the city and county. He hasprospered in business and accumulated a large andvaluable property. His career as a business manhas been characterized by strict integrity, sagacityand enterprise, and his success in life, which hasbeen most notable, has been won by his own unaidedefforts through energy and persevering applicationsto his undertakings in all their details.He is a man of broad views on subjects of generalinterest. An earnest Republican, he is an enthusiaston the subject of protection to American industries,and has never wavered in loy.alty to hisparty or in support of its State and national candidates.Genial and courteous in manner, hemakes friends readily, and holds, with a more thancommon tie, the regard and esteem of those whohave known him many years./ X'^' W. HERRON, one of the well-known andpopular farmers of Brenton Township, residingon section 16, was born on the 21stof August, 1825, in Brown County, Ohio,and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Herrou.He was a native of Pennsylvania, andserved in the War of 1812, under Capt. Buch.anan,afterwards President Buchanan, and received aland warrant for his services. He was married inthe Keystone State, and he and his wife rode onhorseback to Ohio, where they located in 1815,and made their home until 1848, when the famil}'came b^' wagon to Illinois, settling in AVoodfordCounty. Mr. Herron purchased two hundred andforty acres of Land and improved a good farm nearMelamora. In politics, he was a .Jackson Democratand was a member of the Methodist Church,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 613while his wife belong'ed to the United Presl)yterianChurch. His death occurred iu 1871, at the ageof eighty-two years.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Herron were born the followingchildren: Ellen Jane, who died in 1854; RebeccaAnn, who now resides in Newton, Iowa; JohnC, a resident farmer of Newton; J. W., of thissketch; Mary, who was called to her linal rest in188.5, and Andrew who died in Ford County in1869.Mr. Herronwhose name heads this record cameto Illinois at the age of twenty-three years.His educationaladvantages were meagre but his trainingin farm work was not so limited, for he earlylearned to swing the ax and follow the plow.Whenhe began life for himself, he worked at the carpenter'strade which he followed for three years, when,with the money he had thus obtained, he purchasedland and has since engaged in farming. He residedupon that farm until February, 1886, whenhe came to Ford Countj', and bought the farm ofeighty acres on which he now resides. He alsoowns one hundred and twenty acres one mile east.He has a comfortable home, surrounded liy shadetrees, has good barns and other outbuildings, andthe fields are well tilled. He is recognized as oneof the successful farmers of the community andwell deserves the prosperity which has crownedhis efforts, for it is the result of persistent industryand good management.On tiie 6th of April, 18.54, Mr. Herron wasunited in marriage with Miss Carrie Trunnell, ofMetamora Township, who was born in BrownCounty, Ohio, November 29, 1837, and died inNovember, 1879, leaving six children: John is engagedin farming in IJrenton Township; GeorgeW., who is living in Woodford County; James P.,Mary E., Minnie 15. and Nellie. Mr. Herron wasagain married, m Brown County, Ohio, in February,1881, his second union being with Mary E. licrry,daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Hamilton) Berry,natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers ofHrown County ,01iio. Mrs. Herron spent her maidenhooddays upon a farm onl}- a mile from the homeof her husband. She is a pleasant, companionableLad}', who is held in high regard for her manyexcellencies of character. Mrs. Herron and childrenare members of the Methodist Church, to thesupport of which they contribute liberally, and inits work take an active interest. The poor andneedy have found in Mr. Herron a friend, andfrom charitable and benevolent interests he neverwithholds his aid. He cast his first Presidentialvote for Ta3'lor iu 1852, then supported Fremontand Lincoln but did not vote for Grant, with whomhe was personally acquainted. He cast his ballotfor Garfield and then supported Gov. St. John,since which time he has been a stanch Prohibitionist.He is a man of decided opinions, who alwayst.akes a firm stand in support of what he believesto be right. He is a genial gentleman and quitepoi)ular throughout the community.^ ACOB W. SPERA has for fifteen years residedupon his i)reseut farm on section 5,Brentou Township. He is a native of theBuckeye State, his birth having occurred inWayne County, December 17, 1841. He is one ofthree children who were born unto George andMary A. (Johnson) Si)era. His father was bornand reared in Lancaster County, Pa., and therelearned the trade of shoe making. In 1835, heemigrated Westward to Ohio, where he turned hisattention to agricultural ])ursuits, and in WayneCount}', on Christmas Eve of 1840, he was unitedin marriage with Miss Johnson, a native of Ohio.All of their children were born in Wayne County.The year 1857 witnessed their removal to Illinois,and saw them located in Knox County, wherethey made their home for about nine years, when,in the spring of 1866, Mr. Spera came with hisfamily to Ford County, and purchased eightyacres of land upon which his younger brotherHenrj' now resides. It was then in its primitivecondition, not a furrow having been turned or animprovement made, but he developed it into agood farm. He was called to his final rest onthe nth of April, 1886. His wife is still livingin Piper City. He exercised his right of franchisein support of the Democratic [larty until 1856,when he voted for Fremont and was ever after-

614 i»ORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.wards a Republican. He was a member of theMethodist Churcli, to which Mrs. Spera also belongs.Their children are all yet living: Jacob, of thissketch; Mrs. L. J. Clay, of Chicago, and Henry, aresident farmer of Brenton Township.Our subject spent the first fifteen years of hislife in Ohio, where he attended the common schools.His early education was supplemented by study inthe graded school of Oneida, 111. He was rearedto agricultural pursuits and has followed farmingthroughout his entire life. At the age oftwenty-two, he left the home farm and began workingfor himself. As a companion and helpmate onlife's jouine}-, he chose Miss Nellie E. .Tellifife, theirunion being celebrated in Knox County, November9, 1865. The lady was born in New .Jerseyand is a daughter of Fletcher G. and Mary W. Jelliffe,the former a native of Connecticut and thelatter of New York. They came to Illinois in1858, and are now residents of Galesburg.Mr. Spera engaged in farming in Knox Countyuntil 1869, when he came to Ford County. Hehad visited the county in 1865, but did not makea permanent location until four years later. Henow owns forty acres of good land and also operatessome rented land. His wife is a member oftlie Methodist Church. Mr. Spera cast his firstPresidential vote for Abraham Lincoln for his secondterm, and heard his debate with Stephen A.Douglas in Galesburg. He has alwa3's affiliatedwith the Republican party and has served as Collectorand Assessor of his Township.For twentythreeyears he has been an eye-witness of thegrowth and upbuilding of Piper Citj', and is higlilyrespected as a man who has made his own w.iy inthe world.©_--^]."^^+^ l^"LEXANDER CLARKE, who isnow livinga retired life in Piper City, was born inCounty Fermanagh, Ireland, on the 7th ofJune, 1819, .and is a son of Alex. Clarkea farmer of Ireland, who spent his entire life inhis native land. He married Pisther Whitley, andboth died on the old homestead. He was a memberof the Presbyterian Church and served as Elderfor many j'ears. In the family were ten children,but only two are now living: William, theyoungest, resides on the old home farm on theEmerald Isle. One brother came to America anddied in Ohio.Mr. Clarke of this sketch was reared to manhoodupon his father's farm, acquired his educationprior to the age of fifteen years and after that timedevoted his entire attention to farm work. He remainedin the land of his birth until about 18405when, with a brother, he came to America. Theyboarded a sailing-vessel at Liverpool and, afterfive weeks spent upon the bosom of the Atlantic,the ship anchored in New York harbor and thetwo young men went ashore. Our subject madehis first location in Paterson, N. J., where lielearned the trade of a machinist and worked in alocomotive factory for twenty-two years.In Paterson, Mr. Clarke was united in marriagewith jNIiss Eliza McCuUom, who was born in Irelaud.Their family numbered the following children:John who was a prominent merchant ofPiper Cit}' and is now deceased; Alexander, whowas educated in AVabash College, and is engagedin the practice of law in Chicago; AVilliam, wiioattended two terms of school in Valparaiso, Ind.,and is now engaged as a traveling salesman; Arabella,wife of the Rev. Fred Johnson, a Presbj'terianminister of California; Esther, who has goneto California for her health, and Maggie, wife ofA. Coombs, a druggist and leading citizen of Paxton.The children were all given good educationaladvantages, which fitted them for the practicalduties of life, and all are now occupying usefuland responsible positions.In 1865, Mr. Clarke came to Illinois, purchasingland in Knox Count}', where he resided for fouryears. On selling out, he came to Ford Countyand purchased one hundred and sixt}' acres of landsouth of Piper Cit}', for which he paid 814 peracre. It was then a wild tract but he improved itand on selling some time ago received ^50 peracre. For the past ten years he has lived a retiredlife in Piper City, enjoying tiie rest whichhe has truly earned and richly deserves. He liadonly about $100 when he came to America, but

MS*

PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 6i;with that small sura as a start, has worked his wayupward until lie now has a comfortable competence.In politics, lie w.as first a "Whig. He cast his firstPresidential vote for Henry Clay and on the dissolutionof the Whig party became a Republican,but for the past four years has been a Prohibitionist,being a stalwart advocate of temperance principles.IIo is a member of the Presb^yterian Church,in which he holds the olHce of Polder. The uprightlife which he has lived has won him the confidenceof all with whom he has come in contactand has classed liini among the best citizens ofFord County.'^' OHN HUMMEL, who is engaged in generalfarming and stock-raising on section 9, LymauTownship, was born in Germany,1 August 7, 1834, and is the son of Ludwigand Catherine (Glock) Hummel. The family emigratedto America about 1850, crossing the Atlanticin a sailing-vessel from Bremen to Baltimore.The father located in Franklin County, Pa., afterwhich he removed to Knox County, 111., in 1856,and, purchasing land, engaged in farming for anumber of years ere his removal to Ford County,where he resided until his death. He was twicemarried, his second wife being the mother of oursubject. His death occurred at the age of seventytwoyears. The Hummel family numbered fivesons and two daughters: Anna, wife of George H.Strott, now deceased, resides in Baltimore; .Tolinis the next j-ounger; Nicholas is a farmer of LymanTownship; Catlierine is the wife of PeterGose, a resident of Iroquois County; Peter is marriedand follows farming and sheep-raising inKansas; and Adam is an agriculturist of thatState.Our subject spent the first sixteen j'ears of hislife in his native land. He started out for himselfat the age of twenty-one and had a capital ofonlj^ 840, so he concluded to try his fortune inthe West, and in order to save his money, hired outto Henry Welty to drive a team from Chambersburg,Pa., to Knoxville, III. He then worked forthat gentleman for a year, and with the 1200which he received as his year's earnings, iiurchaseda team and began farming for himself; but whenthe war broke out, he put aside every other considerationand enlisted in Company E, EightythirdIllinois Infantry, under Col. Harding, ofMonmouth, the regiment being mostly formedof Warren and Knox County boys. They wereordered to Cairo, and thence toFt. Henry and onto Ft. Donelson, Clarksville and Nashville, Tenn.Their duty was to keep up the communicntions inthe railroad and telegraph system. They afterwardwent South to Tennessee and Alabama, and,at the close of the war, Mr. Hummel was honorably'discharged at Nashville in June, 1865. Hethen returned to Chicago, where he was musteredout on the 5th of July.On the 1st of January, 1867, our subject wasunited in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Upson,who was born near the city of Akroii, Ohio,June 21, 1846. Her father, Roland W. Upson,was born in Sununit County, in 1806, andmarried Phttbe M. Randall, a native of OrangeCounty, N. Y., born in 1815. They emigratedfrom Ohio to Illinois in 1852. The father andmother both died when sixty-nine years of age.They were members of the Congregational Churchof Galesburg, and had a family of eight children,three sons and five daughteis, five of whom areyet living: Lucy M., who resides in Fulton Countyand is the wife of Granville Wright; Albert, whois married and follows farming near Galesburg,111.; Sarah, wife of our subject; Martha L., wife ofEdward Taylor, who is successfully engaged inthe real-estate and loan Inisiness in Galesburg; andHannah F., wife of AVilliam Wright, a live-stockand commission merchant of Kansas City, Mo.Unto iNIr. and Mrs. Hummel have been borneight children, seven of whom are yet living:Anna F., wife of A. E. Cook, a farmer of LymanTownship, by whom she had two children, a sonand a daughter; Kittie M., who resides with herparents; Ida, a teacher of recognized ability inthis county; Sarah M., who is attending school;Adam A., an enterprising young farmer; Hattie L.and William G., botii at home.

.618 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.In 1869, Mr. Flummel came with bis family toLyman Township, l-'ord County, where he hassince made his home. lie purchased one hundredand sixty acres of wild land, but his landed possessionsare now twice that, and the commodiousdwelling and other improvements upon the placeindicate the thrift and enter[)rise of the owner,who is regarded as one of the model farmers ofthe communit3\ He makes a specialty of raisingfine stock, including Short-horn cattle, Englishshire horses and Poland-China hogs. In politics,he is a stalwart Republican, and has served asRoad Commissioner for three years and was alsoSchool Director, but has never been an office-seeker.Himself, wife and children are members of theCongregational Church and the family is one thatranks high in social circles in this community.The parents celebrated their silver wedding January1, 1892.^T' OHN CLAYTON. Among the well-knownfarmers of the county none are more deserv-^.^ ing of representation in this volume than'^^y our subject, who resides on section 25, RogersTownship. He is the owner of one of the bestfarms in the community. The fields are well tilled,there is a large residence, and good barns and allthe accessories of a model farm can there be found,indicating the thrift and enterprise of the owner.Mr. Clayton was born near the citj- of Philadelphia,Pa., May 10, 181;"), and is a son of HenryClayton, a native of England, who, when a youngman,emigrated to this country. He settled inOhio. Previously, he married Sarah Ogden, alsoa native of England. For several years, he engagedin farming in the Buckeye State and thenremoved to Pennsylvania. He had learned thetrade of manufacturing cotton goods in the OldCountry, and in Pennsylvania secured a responsibleposition in a cotton factory. At length, he emigratedto Illinois, becoming one of the early settlersof Grundy County, in 1853. He purchasedland and developed two farms in the several yearsof his residence there. On selling out, he came toFord County in 1868 and bought about sixteenhundred acres of laud. He made his home uponthe farm where our subject now resides and afterseveral years removed to Kankakee, where he livedretired until his death. He was one of the enterprisingand prominent farmers of Ford Countyand an honored early settler of Illinois. In politics,he was first a Republican, but afterward becameidentified with the Democratic party. A manof good business ability, he met with excellentsuccess in his undertakings and accumulated alarge property. He jiassed away March 26, 1888.His wife still survives him and resides in Kankakee.This worthy couple had a family of three sonsand three daughters, but one died in early childhood.One sister grew to mature years and locatedin Ford County, but is now deceased. The othersare John; Alfred, of Cabery, Elizabeth and Alice.Our subject was a lad of only seven summers whenhe came with liis parents to the West. He wasreared in Grundy County, and acquired iiis educationin the public schools. In 1868, he came toFord Count}- with his father and, after his removalto Kankakee, took charge of the home farm.After his father's death, and the settling up of theestate, he came into i)ossession of the old homestead.He now owns a half-section of valuableland, one of the best improved places in the community,also a farm of one hundred and sixty acresin Iroquois County, about a half-mile from hishome, which is well tiled and improved with goodbuildings.Mr. Clayton has been twice married.In RogersTownship, in 1,S71, he wedded Mary A. Kemp, anative of Illinois, whose death occurred Septemlier14, 1873. He was again married, October 4, 1877,his second union being with Miss Sarah Duncan,who was born and reared in Whiteside County,111., and is a daughter of Alexander Duncan, ofScotch parentage. Two daughters have beenborn of this marriage: Edith and Minnie.Mr. Clayton is a stalwart advocate of Democraticprinciples but has never been an oUice-seeker.Nearly his entire life has been passed in Illinois,and for about a quarter of a century he has residedin Ford County. He has a wide acquaintancethroughout this and adjoining counties and the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 619upright life which he has lived has made him ahighly respected citizen. He has the best interestsot the commnnit3' at heart and has ever given hissupport to those enterprises calculated to promotethe general welfare.4^ #.4..^ s^>JOHNSTADLER, deceased, was born inBaden, Germany, June 8, 18.36, and was asou of George and Sybilla (Bachfisch) Stad-— ler, who emigrated to America when oursubject was a lad of eleven years, and settledin Newark, N. J. The son afterwards became aresident of Cocheeton, N. Y., where he engaged infarming for a time, and was there married to MissMatilda Detzel, who died in the Empire Stateleaving two sons, George and John, both in businessin Chicago. He was a second time marriedin Cocheeton, Sullivan County, on the 14tli ofAugust, 1861, Catherine Valendor becoming biswife.She is a native of Germany, born in Baden,and a daughter of John and Catherine Valendor.She was a maiden of but six summers when shecame to New York, where the death of her fatheroccurred. Her mother died in Baden and Mrs.Stadler came to America with her father and stepmother.Mr. Stadler continued to engage in farming inNew York until 1867, when he emigrated Westwardand purchased a farm of one hundred andsixty acres on section 30, Brenton Township, FordCounty, 111., where his family now reside. It wasthen a tract of wild prairie land, but he built acomfortable home, good outbuildings, plantedmany rods of hedge fence and made other improvements,becoming owner of one of the finest farmsin this locality. He started in life empty-handedbut at his death was the owner of three hundredand sixty acres of valuable land. His success inlife was all due to his industry, enterprise, goodmanagement and the exercise of correct businessprinciple.'^.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stadler was born a family often children: J.acob, who was born in New York,married Annie Ristow, and is a farmer of BrentonTownship; Louis, who died on the home farm atthe age of twentv-six years; Catherine, now thewife of Fred Ristow, of Piper City; Frank, whooperates the home farm for his mother; William,now deceased; Helen, Sam, Annie, Elizabeth andCharlie, .ill of whom are still at home.Mr. Sadler was a member of the Lutheran Church,to which his family also belongs. In politics, hewas a supporter of Democratic principles but wasnever an oflice-seeker. He was recognized as avalued citizen of the community, who took a commendableinterest in all that pertained to thewelfare of the county and the promotion of itsleading enterprises. He died September 26, 1884,at the age of forty-nine years and eight months,and lies buried in Brenton Cemetery. His deathwas mourned bj' man3' friends as well as his immediatefamily. He had a wide acquaintance throughoutthe community.-" •{• •J*•?• •?• 15^TiATHER BERNARD E. O'lAIAHONY, Pas-^^tor of St. Peter's Catholic Church of PiperI Cit}', is a native of County Limerick, Ireland.He was born in the town of Bruff, .Tune 29,1856, and is a son of JIatthow O'Mahony, who wasborn and reared in the same locality. He was agrocer of that community and there spent his entirelife, his death occurring in 1882. He marriedMargaret Emmet, who is still living at the oldhomestead. She is the only member of her familythat never came to this country. Her father,Patrick Emmet, crossed the Atlantic, and was aresident of Tama Coimty, Iowa, for many years,but has returned to Ireland.The live children of the O'Mahony family areCatherine, wife of William Costello, a resident ofLimerick Cit3-, Ireland; Maria, a sister in the NorthPresentation Convent of Cork, Ireland; Matthewand Margaret, both of whom are still with theirmother; Father O'Mahony, of this sketch; and onechild who died in infanc3'. The parents were bothmembers of the Catholic Churcli, and the fathertook an active part in Irish politics, advocating theNationalist part3'.

620 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Our subject spent his early boyliood days withhis parents, and began his education in theCiiristianBrotiiers' schools of Bruff. At the age of fifteen,he went to the Diocesan College, of Limerick,where he spent one J'ear, and then entered Maj'-nooth, the greatest ecclesiastical college in theworld.lie there spent eight years, completing theprescrilied course of study at the age of twent^'-fivc. He was ordained a })riest of the CatholicChurch on the •29th of June, 1881, in LimerickCity. As there were too many priests in that diocese,he was sent to the diocese of Clogher in NorthIreland, where he remained three years as assistantin Uromore, County- T^'rone. He then returned tothe home diocese, where he remained until September,1890. when he crossed the Atlantic to Americaand became a member of Bishop Spalding's diocesein Peoria. He served as assistant in ChampaignCounty, w.as at Ivesdale Tor one year, and,since the 1st of November. 1891,h.is been pastor ofSt. Peter's Church in Piper City. He also hascliarge of St. .James Church in Forest.Not reluctantly did Father O'JMahony renouncehis allegiance to Queen Victoria when he took outpajjers as an American citizen. He is an ardentfriend of liberty and took a great interest in theNational movement in Ireland. He is an intelligentand able young man and has already mademany friends in this communit}'. He has a fineresidence here and is a highly respected citizen.(^^HEOPHILUS M. GLENN, a retiredfarmerresiding in Piper City, who for many yearshas been a prominent resident of this community,claims Indiana as the State of his birth.He was born in Bloomington, May 13, 1846, and isa son of John Glenn, a native of South Carolina,who during his boyhood emigrated with his parentsto Indiana and settled in Monroe County. Hebecame an agriculturist, and, in the midst of theforest, hewed out a farm. In that State he marriedMargaret C. Graham. They removed to Iowa,where his wife died, and, after a short time, hereturned to Indiana, but soon came to Illinois, locatingin Henderson County, just across the riverfrom Burlington, Iowa. Upon the farm wliicliMr. Glenn there purchased, his death occurred atthe age of sixty-four. He was an industrious man,and in every community where he resided wasregarded as a valued citizen.In politics, he was aRepublican, and was a member of the United I'rcsbyterianChurch. Of the family one child died ininfancy, while four grew to mature years. JamesH. until recently resided upon the old homestead,but is now living in Monmouth. 111.; Theophilusis the nextyounger; Edward G., who engaged inteaching for several years and is a graduate ofMonmouth College, is now engaged in the realestatebusiness in Omaha, Neb.; and Sarah A. alsoresides in Omaha.Our subject was a lad of only five summerswhen he came with his father to Illinois. Uponthe old homestead lie was reared to manhood andwas early inured to hard lalxtr. Throughout thesummer season he worked upon the farm and inthe winter montlis acquired his education in thedistrict schools. He remained at home until 1870,when he came to Ford County, jjurcluased one hundredand sixty acres of land on section 35,BrentonTownship, in its primitive condition, and beganthe development of a farm, upon which he madehis home until 1888, when, on .account of failinghealth, he came to Piper City, and has since residedin this village, owning a beautiful residenceon the outskirts of the town.In Lyman Township, February 21, 1878, IMr.Glenn was united in marriage with Miss ElizabethMosher, a daughter of Alexander and ElizabethMosher, who werenatives of New York, and nowreside in Lyman Township. Mrs. Glenn w.as bornin the Empire State, December 13, 1853, and, whena child, came to Illinois, her maidenhood days beingspent in Peoria County. Five children havebeen born of their union, but Emma died in infancy.Those still living are Elsie M., Jessie M.,Edward M., and Theophilus M. The parents areboth members of the United Presbyterian Churchand Mrs. Glenn is an active worker in the Missionar}'Society. Mr. Glenn has ever borne his part insupporting all worthy enterprises and has taken a

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RPX'ORD. 623commendable interest in tlie growth and upbuildingof the county and the promotion of its leadingenterprises.lie cast his first Presidential votefor Gen. Grant in 1868, and has since been a supporterof Republican principles. His businesscareer has been one of success, and, by his ownunaided efforts, lie has won prosperity. In additionto his home in Piper Citj^, he still owns hisfarm of three hundred and twenty acres, one ofthe most desirable places in Brenton Township.is all tiled, three miles of hedge fence have been setout, and, among the other improvements, are a largehouse, good barns and outbuildings, all of whiciiindicate the thrift and enterprise uf the owner.^>^^

624 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.home in this county for twentj'-three 3'ears andare uumhered among its best citizens. Mr. Havenerwas a faithful soldier during the late war andis now a valued resident of this community.H> H !P^^^*OUIS SCHUNK, one of the self-made menof Ford County, and a liiglily respectedcitizen of Hrenton Township, engaged infarming on section 27, claims Germany as the landof his liirtli. He was born in Bavaria, on the 25thof April, 1K52, and is a son of Louis and Kate(Rupp) Schuiik. His father was born and rearedin the village of Webenheim, and throughout hislife followed the occupation of farming. Heentered the army in 1848, but left it to join theRevolution, but the Revolution failed and he wascaptured and held as a prisoner for some time. Hedied in 1880, at the age of sixty years, and thedeath of his wife occurred in 1872. They werethe parents of five children:Louis of this sketch;Jacob, who is engaged in farming near Milwaukee,"Wis.; Christ and Fred, who reside in Germany;and Charles, a resident of New York."We now take up the personal history of our subjectwho attended school in his native land untilthirteen j'ears of age. The following jear, he camealone to America, anxious to try his fortune in theNew World. He sailed from Hamburg to Englandand from thence came to New York, the 3'ear 1866witnessing his arrival in Illinois. He locatedin the town of Morton, Tazewell Count3', where hebegan working as a farm hand at ^1.25 per day.In 1872, he removed to "Woodford County, wherehe was married on the 10th of .Tanuary, 1874, thelady of his choice being Miss Mary AVagner, whowas born in that county, and there spent the daj'sof her maidenhood. Her father was a native ofGermany and crossed the broad Atlantic to thiscountry in 1827. His sketch appears in connectionwith that of .Jacob C. "U'^agner.Six children grace the union of our subject andhis wife and the family circle yet remains unbroken.All are still under the parental roof andin order of birth thej^ are as follows: Charles,Emma, Albert, Lizzie, Henry and Mabel.The parentsare both members of the Lutheran Church.Their home is pleasantly situated upon a goodfarm of one hundred and sixt3' acres which Mr.Schunk has developed from wild prairie land. Itsfertile fields now yield him a good income, and itsneat ajaperance attests the supervision of a carefulmanager. He is a good business man, sagaciousand enterprising, and well deserves the successwhich has crowned his efforts.Pul)lic-spirited andprogressive, he takes an active interest in all thatpertains to the welfare of the communit)-. He hasexercised his right of franchise in support of theRepublican party since casting his first Presidentialvote for R. B. Hayes, and keeps himself well informedon the questions of the day, both politicaland otherwise. For thirteen years, he has servedas School Director and by his earnest efforts thecause of education in this community has beengreatly advanced. Mr. Schunk h:is never had occasionto regret his removal to Ameri

; lican,Idaho; David W., of this sketch; Mary, wife ofFrederick Metzger, of Chillicothe, Ohio; William,Erastus and Sarah, all deceased; Adeline, wife ofThomas Marshall, who is living a retired life inSpringfield, Ohio; Orlando, of Humboldt, Kan.;and Ellen, who has also been called to her finalhome.\Ve now take up the personal history of our subject,who is so widely and favorably knownthroughout this county. lie ac(iuired a good common-schooleducation and remained with his parentsuntil seventeen j'ears of age, when he becamean apprentice in a cooper shop and followed thatbusiness for ten years. He then engaged in farmingin Henderson County, 111., where the succeedingsix years of his life were passed, when, at thebeginning of the Rebellion, he returned to theState of his nativity and made it his home until1870. On the 2d of May, 1864, he entered hiscountry's service as a member of Company C, OneHundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteers, andserved one hundred days, receiving liis dischargeon the 5lh of September following at Camp Dennison.He participated in many skirmishes anddid duty mostly as a scout and guard of wagontrains.On thePORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 625loth of Jlay, 1851, Mr. Green was married,in Ross County, Ohio, to Miss Augusta Haynes,the ceremony being performed by the Rev. JohnBouton, of the Methodist Church. The lady wasborn in Ross County, Ohio, January 4, 1832, andis a daughter of Andrew and Hannah (Bateham)Haynes, the former of German descent and thelatter of English lineage. The father was a farmerand died in August, 1884. He wa» a member ofthe Methodist Church and, in politics, was first aWhig and then a Republican. His wife, a nativeof England, came to America at the age of fourteenj'cars. She still resides in Madison County,Ohio, at the age of eighty-three j-ears, with hertwo youngest sons, and she is also a member of theMethodist Church.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Haynes were born nine sonsand three daughters, of whom six are yet living:Mrs. Green is the eldest; Julia, widow of ThomasMendenhall, resides in Ross County, Ohio; Emoryis married and follows farming in Madison Count}',Ohio; Edward is married and is also a farmer ofthat county; Martin and John reside in MadisonCounty. With the exception of Martin, all thechildren are members of the IMethodist Church.Mrs. Green was educated in the common schoolsand attended one term in the grammar schools ofColumbus, Ohio. Unto our subject and his wifehave been born thirteen children:Herbert, an enterprisingyoung farmer of this township, was bornin Ross County, Ohio, was educated in the commonschools and remained with his parents until thirtyoneyears of age. He was married, February 29,1883, in Chapin, 111., to Miss Amanda S. Fox, whowas born in Morgan County, 111., February Hi,1862, and is a daughter of Haughton and Maria(Beam) Fox. They are the parents of four children:Blanche (deceased), Grace, Lee and Raymond.Herl)ert and his wife are members of theMethodist Protestant Church, and in politics, he is aProhibitionist. He owns three hundred and thirtythreeacres of fine land, highly improved. Melvinais the wife of Jacob Carr, of Lawrence County,Mo.; Julia is now deceased; John is a minister ofthe Baptist Church, of Bluffton, Ind.; Victoria isthe wife of Charles Baxter, a resident of CowleyCounty, Kan.; George and Josephine are both deceased;Lincoln is the next younger; he was one ofFord County's popular teachers and a young manof superior intelligence. He was educated in thecommon schools and for three years attendedAdrian College, of Adrian, Mich. He would havecompleted the classical course, as he expected todevote his life to the ministry, but his health failedhim. Emma is the wife of James Carpenter, ofDix Township; Martha E!. is now deceased; Wilberand Emractt are at home; Anna has also passedaway.Mr. Green on coming to Illinois was in limitedcircumstances. He began with almost nothing, andhis enteri)rise and industry have earned him ahandsome farm of two hundred acres of well-improvedland, upon which is a commodious andcomfortable dwelling, whose hospitable doors arealways open to their hosts of friends. Mr. and Mrs.Green are members of the Methodist Church ofGibson City, and, in politics, he is a stanch Repub-doing all in his i)ower for the interest of his

626 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.party. He has held the office of Seliool Directorfor fifteen years and has done much in tlie interestof education in this community. He located inthe county in 1870 and is one of its most highlyrespected citizens.tMv^^ t p >y fa f h,[|/^_^ ENRY BENSON, who is engaged in generalfarming on section 1, Mona Township, wasborn in England, May 2, 1839, and is one•^j of ninecliildren whose parents were Henryand Ann (Heap) Benson. Tlie fatlier was a calicoprinter by trade. He came to America in 1855,and first located in Kendall County, near Lisbon,111., where lie operated a rented farm for threeyears. He tlien purchased land and made bishome in Kendall County' until 1867, wlien hesold out and removed to Kane County. He therespent his last days, liis death occurring May 11,1877. His wife passed away March 12, 1865. Bothwere members of the New Jerusalem Church. Inpolitics, Mr. Benson was a Ke])ublican. He was aself-educated and self-made man and was verysuccessful in life, owing to his own industriousefforts.Of the family. Heap died in 1891 ; Alice is thewife of James AVoddington, who resides near Manchester,England; William died in 1878; Henry isthe next in order of birth; Ellen is the wife of T.B. Compton, a resident farmer of Iroipiois Count}-;Bridget is the wife of Edward llargraves; Ann isthe wife of George Burton, a hardware merchantresiding in Balavia, Kane County; Mary J. is thewife of James Miller, who makes his home in SanFrancisco, Cal., and Lizzie is the wife of S. G. Isreal,whose home is in Baltimore, Md.The subject of this sketch attended the commonschools until twenty-eight years of age and accpiireda good business education which has well fittedhim for the practical duties of life. With his parentshe came to America and remained at homeuntil twenty _years of age. In 1867, he came toFord County, locating in Rogers Township, wherehe made his home for three years. On the expirationof that period, he removed to Mona Township,and purchased one hundred and sixty acres ofland on section 1, where he has since made hishome. The boundaries of his farm have been extendedfrom time to time and he now owns fourhundred and eighty acres of valuable laud, all inMona Township. He engages in general farmingand stock-raising and is one of the substantialcitizens of the community. His own labors iiaveplaced him in this position, for he began life emptyhandedand liy his energy and enterprise has accumulateda handsome competence.Mr. Benson was married, on New Year's Eve of1869, to Miss Hannah Kemp, daughter of Wrightand Elizabeth Kemp. Seven children graced theirunion, as follows: Mary Alice, now the wife ofDavid B. Keighin, a resident farmer of MonaTownship; Horace, Henry W., Wilber J., WalterE., Arthur II., and Minnie E., who died in 1891.Mr. Benson exercises his right of franchise insupport of the Republican party, and is a stanchadvocate of its principles. He has served hisTownship .as School Trustee for about nine yearsand w!is also Township Supervisor. He belongsto the New Jerusalem Church, and is recognizedas one of the prominent and infiuenlial citizens ofthe community._^]_"^^-f^[ILLIAM P. LANDEL.Among the enterprisingrud wide-awake business men ofRoberts should be mentioned the gentlemanwhose name heads this sketch, who, undoubtedly,is one of the 3'oungest merchants of FordCounty, but this does not deter him from beinga successful one.Our subject has the honor of being a native ofFord Count}'. He was born in Lyman Township,on the 29th of December, 1870, and is the eldestand only son in a family of four children bornunto Jacob and Susan (Gype) Landel.isHis fathera farmer and William was reared to agricultural])ursuits, and lessons of industry and economy wereearly instilled into his mind. His literary educationw.as ac

"jfe^ilJOz^t-if//yTf-^c-^^- C- Ci^^:i

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 631farm, but, when nearing the age when he couldcare for himself, he determined to give his attentionto other business interests.Mr. Landel is now the only proprietor of ahardware establisliment in Roberts. He carries afull and complete stock inthis line, including thestandard makes of stoves, such as the "Garland,"the "Jewel" and the "Blooniington." He has emplo_veda practical tinner and roofer and is readyto till all orders in this line. In connection withhis other business, he also docs an undertakingbusiness and has a nice stock of furniture, modernin style and moderate in price. He well deservessuccess and his career will undoubtedlybe a prosperousone. Genial and pleasant in manner,courteous in his treatment of his customers andfair and honest in his dealings, he has already secureda liberal patronage. Industry and enterpriseare among his chief characteristics and, aseveryone knows, they are important factors ofsuccess.Mr. Landel is a young man of strict tempeianceprinciples and afliliates with the Prohibition party.Socially, he is a member of L3'man Lodge No.292, K. of P. His entire life has been passed inthis communitj', and those who have known himfrom boyhood and have witnessed his uprightcareer are anion"; his stanchest friendjs.f'IRGIL OILMAN WAY, who owns .and operatesone hundred and sixt}' acres of valuableland on section 27, Drummer Township,is widely known throughout Ford and othercounties of Illinois, having been prominently connectedwith public affairs. He was born in CaledoniaCounty, Vt., March 17, 1847, and is a sonof Wells II. and Susan B. (Newell) Way, who wereof English extraction.His grandfather Way wasa Saxon and his wife was of Irish descent.His fatherwas a Revolutionarj^ soldier .and, while in thearmy, the English burned the town of NewLondon, Conn., including the home of the Wayfamily, from which the mother and her twelve26children were forced to flee. The grandfather ofour subject was then a lad of twelve j'ears. Whenthe mother and her children were in the street,carrying the few things which they had been ableto save from the fire, an F^nglish soldier jeeringlysaid: "There goes John Rogers' wife and hernine children." Love for a "red coat" neverfound lodgment in the breasts of any of thosechildren or their descendants. The grandfatherdied about 1857. The father of our subject diedJuly 16, 1868, and his remains were interred iuRutland, La Salle County, where a beautiful monumentmarks his last resting-pLace. In politics, hewas a Democrat, and in religious belief a Univeisalist.His widow still survives him and isliving at the home of our subject, at the age ofeighty-one j'ears. She is a member of the Congregation.alChurch and a most estimable lady.Virgil Way spent the first five years of his lifein the Green Mountain State, and for four yearsresided in Nashua, N. H. He then removed toVernon Countj', AVis., where he spent two years,and at the age of twelve he became a resident ofRutland, La Salle Count}-, 111. When seventeenyears of age, he enlisted in Company B, ThirtythirdIllinois Infantry, for three years' serviceunder Capt. N. G. Gill. He participated in thesiege and battle of Mobile and many other engagements.He was wounded in the leg by abayonet at Meridian, Miss., and had his handmangled in a railroad accident on the 4th ofMarch, 1865. He now draws a pension.After the war, Mr. Way returned to his parents'home, and there remained until he attained hism.ajority. He was married, March 31, 1868, toSarah D. Proctor, who was born in Rutland, Vt.,March 5, 1849, and is a daughter of Capt. Proctor,a prominent citizen of 4his communit}'. Theirunion has been blessed with eight children: OtisW., now of Iowa; Virgilla G., who isengaged inteaching in that State; Elliott W., also of Iowa;Henry N., Chauncey C, Susan S., William E. F.and George W. F.At the age of twentj', Mr. Way began teachingschool, and has taught thirty-one terms. He is aman of more than ordinary intelligence and education,and he is blessed with a fertile brain and a

632 PORTRAIT AND EIOGKAPHICAL RECORD.strong determination to accomplish whatever heundertakes. When a young man, he also learnedthe painter's trade, and by following that occupationacquired a sulHcient sum to purchase hispresent farm.While residing in La Salle County,111., he was a member of the Republican CentralCommittee, of that county, for eight years, andfor two years was Assistant Inspector of the differentGrand Army Posts of Ford County.Sincelocating in this county, he has served as Overseerof Highways for several years, and was superintendentof construction of the gravel roads inDrummer Township. He was Census Enumeratorin 1890 of the township and received a letter ofcommendation from R. P. Porter, Census Commissionerof the United States. He was Deputj' UnitedStates Marshal for four months and had charge ofthe Federal Court-room at Springfield, 111., duringthe winter session of 1890-91.Socially', Mr. Way is a Master Mason, belongingto Lodge No. 733, A. F. & A. M., of Gibson;the Chapter No. 183, and Council No. 72. Hehas been agent for this State for Gen. Logan'sworks, having traveled throughout Illinois appointingagents, and has also sold the works ofGen. Grant and James G. Blaine. He has taken amost active interest in the building and success ofthe Republican party, and few men are morewidely known than our subject.^ felLLlAM T. GASH, who is engaged in gen-^''^' farming in Peach Orchard Township,\/\///^^^ his home being on section 23, is anotherof the English-born citizens of this community.He first opened his e3'es to the light of day in Lincolnshire,on the 3d of June, 1887, his parents beingThomas and Mary (BuUimore) Gash, both ofwhom were also natives of that country. Thedeath of the father occurred in 1856, but his mothersurvived some time, passing away in 1888. In theirfamilj' were eight children, in order of birth asfollows: Ann, Thomas, Robert, William T., Charles,Edward, Ellen and ISLary.William T. Gash, whose name heads this record.acquired his education in the schools of his nativeland before fourteen years of age, when he beganto earn his own livelihood by taking service in agentleman's family, where he remained for sevenyears, or until he had attained his majority. Havingheard much of the advantages afforded youngmen in the New World, he then determined to tryhis fortune in America, and in 1858 took ])assageat Liverpool on a sailing-vessel, which bore him tothe shores of the United States. Thirty-one dayswere spent upon the bosom of the briny deep andhe then landed in New York Cit3', whence he madehis way Westward to Henry Count}', 111. Heearned his first money in the New World byworking as a farm hand by the month. He wasemployed in that way for two years when he purchasedteams and rented laud, continuing its cultivationuntil 1868.In the meantime, Mr. Gash was united in marriagewith Miss Sarah Bevins, a native of NewJersey, born August 9, 1845, daughter of Williamand IVLary Bevins, who were born in Leicestershire,England, but came to the United States in 1843.1858, they came to Henry County, 111., where bothdied, leaving a family of ten children, two of whomdied in childiiood. Their union was celebrated onthe 31st of May, 1864, and unto them have beenborn the following children: William H., who isnow engaged in farming in Livingston County;Elizabeth E., wife of William McLaughlin, a residentof Melvin; Clifford and Cora N., wlio are yetunder the parental roof. Thej- have a pleasant homein Peach Orchard Township and the family is welland favorably known throughout the community.Mr. Gash continued to reside in Henry Countyuntil 1869, when he came to Ford County and purchasedeighty acres of land on section 23, PeachOrchard Township, where he has since made hishome and to which he has added forty more acres.It was then in a wild state but he has it now highlj'cultivated and has made many improvements bothof a useful and ornamental character, which addgreatly to its value and attractive appearance. Heis accounted one of the leading farmers in thiscommunity and his fellow-townsmen have attestedtheir confidence in him and his worth and abilityby electing him to several positions of public trust.In

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 633He has held the office of Pathmaster, TownshipCollector and Assessor, and at the present time isJustice of the Peace. He has been School Directorsince 1875, covering a period of seventeen consecutiveyears. It is needless to say to those whoknow Mr. Gash that his duties have been faithfullyj)erformed in a prompt and able manner. He is apublic-spirited and progressive citizen, interestedin all that pertains to the welfare of the communityand the advancement of those enterprises whichare calculated to prove of public benefit.In his religious faith, Mr. Gash is .an Episcopalian,and his wife belongs to the Methodist EpiscopalChurch. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity,lieing Representative and Deput3- GrandMaster. Politicallj^, he has always been a Republican.Financially, he has been quite successful,having made all he has by his own efforts, abl}-assisted b_y his wife. When they were marriedthey were $500 in debt.•Id,-'' '•f#H ^^^EORGE MINCH, who is engaged in farmingon section 27, Lyman Township, has^^fl the honor of being a native of Illinois.He was born March 24, 1847, in Tazewell County,and is a son of John and Catherine (Giinbel)Minch. They had a family of ten children, eightsons and two daughters: Jacob, who was one ofthe boys in blue during the late war is married andfollows farming in Washington, 111. Sebestian wasa member of the Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry,served faithfully for over three years and participatedin sixteen important battles; he died, leavinga widow. Henry, who served in the One Hundredand Fifty-fifth Illinois Regiment, is married andsuccessfully follows farming in Henry County,III.; George is the next in order of birth; Johnis marriecl and is a substantial farmer of Henr}'County; William is also married and is engagedin agricultural pursuits in Lyman Township;Daniel is married and resides on the old homestead;Frank is a successful farmer, residing withhis family in Wall Township.The father of this family was a native of Germanyand when nineteen years of age crossed theAtlantic to America. He made his way to Peoria,111., where he arrived in 1831, without a dollar inhis pocket, but he was an industrious man andthrough his enterprise and good management wona comfortable competence. He was married, April27, 1837, to Catherine Gimbel, and on the 27thof April, 1887, they celebrated their golden wedding,at which all of their children were present,llis death occurred September 28, 1889, at the ageof seventy-seven years, six months and twenty-sixdays. The mother is still living in Washington,111., at the age of seventy-eight years, and is remarkablywell preserved.Our subject spent his boyhood days upon thefarm until sixteen years of age, when he beganlearning the carpenter's and joiner's trade, followingthat occupation until his marriage, whichwas celebrated December 17, 1868, Miss CatherineMagdelena Luther becoming his wife. She wasborn and reared in Henry County, 111. Her father,Peter Luther, was a German farmer andemigrated to this country when quite young. Hisdeath occurred in Henry County, at the age ofseventy-five j^ears. His wife bore the maidenname of Mary Miller and was seven years of agewhen she crossed the Atlantic from Germany toAmerica. She now resides in Geneseo, 111., at theage of sevent3'-five, but her years rest lightlyupon her.Mr. Minch enlisted in February, 1865, for thelate war as a member of Coaipany K, One Hundredand Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and wasordered to Tallalioma on camp duty, whence hewas sent to Murfreesboro. He remained with theregiment until honorably discharged at the closeof the war, September 4, 1865. In 1881, he camewith his family to Ford County, and now owns avaluable farm of three hundred and twenty acreson section 27, Lyman Township. The arableland is all under a high state of cultivation, thebarns and outbuildings are models of convenience,and the beautiful residence is tastefullj' furnishedand supplied with all the comforts of life. Hekeeps on hand a good grade of stock and is amodel fanner. In politics, he is a stanch advocateof Republican principles, having supported

634 POUTRAIT AXD BIOGPvArHICAL RECORD,that party since he cast his firstPresidential votefor U. S. Grant. He is now President of theBoard of School Directors, and for many years hasbeen connected offlciallj' with the educational interestsof this community.Both Mr. and Mrs. Minch are members of theEvangelical Church and have given liberall}' toits support. They have aided in the Sundayschoolwork and our subject is now teacher of theBible class. This worthy couple have a familyof four sons and three daughters: Joseph S., whosuccessfully engaged in teaching in Ford and LivingstonCounties, is now engaged in farming inLyman Township. He married Miss Lillie Felwock.The other children of the family are OliveMay, David, Millie, Forest, Charlie and Flossie.A. BOAL, a well-known druggist ofPiper Cit)', is a worthy representativeof one of tlie pioneer families of FordCount}', his father, Dr. A. J. Boal, havingbeen one of the earl^' physicians of the county.The Doctor was born in Greene Count}', Ohio, upona farm, and his parents died when he was onlythree years old. He was reared by his elder brothers,who arc physicians in Knox Count}% 111. Heacquired a common-school education, and at theage of nineteen,York City, and on leaving that institution afterentered a medical college in Newthree years opened an otHce and engaged in practicefor one year in IClmwood, Peoria Count}', ill.He then removed to Oneida, Knox County. Heowed his brother $2,800 for his tuition and expenseswhile in school, and so successful was hewhile in Oneida, that during the first year he wasenabled to pay off his indebtedness. In 1867, heremoved to Vermont, 111., and in 1868 came toPiper City, where he made his home until hisdeath on the 28th of November, 1871, at the ageof thirty-six years. On account of ill health, hewas forced to abandon his profession somewliatand engage in tlie drug business. He was marriednear Union town, Knox County, 111., April 10,1856, to Miss Mary E. Hall, who was born in Ohio,and with her parents removed to Illinois in 1844.Her father, Chancey Hall, is now deceased, but hermother is still living. Mrs. Boal, mother of oursubject, has made her home in Chicago for thepast four years. The Doctor was first a Wiiig inpolitics, and afterward a Republican, and in hissocial relations was a Mason. They had a familyof three children: Stella, wife of W. E. Bakei-, ofAzusa, Cal.; D. A., of this sketch; and Minnie, whoresides witii her mother.Our subject was born in Oneida, Knox County,on the 2(1 of April, 1859, there spent his boyhooddays and began his education. He afterwardspent two years in the business college and'HighSchool of Galesburg, and, in the year 1874, studieddraughting in a patent oflice, with the intention ofmaking it his business, but abandoned that callingfor the drug business. His mother is a registeredpharmacist and after the death of her husband,she carried on the business successfully with thehelp of her son for eight years.Mr. Boal has beenfamiliar with the business of a druggist since hisboyliood and is also a registered pharmacist. Hehas now a fine store in Piper City and carries afull and complete stock in his line.In his leisure hours, Mr. Boal devotes all histime and attention to painting. He possessesmuch artistic talent, which has been cultivateduntil his works will compare favorably with thoseof many artists of note. His work sells readily,and, if necessary, he could support himself by hisbrush. Nearly every season he joins a sketchingparty from Chicago, who, with the best instructors,visit places of interest, noted for their scenery.They have been to the White Mountains, Baraboo,Wis., Devil's Lake, and other picturesque parts ofthe country, and Mr. Boal has many beautifulscenes preserved by his pencil, brush or kodak asmementoes of those expeditions. He especiallyexcels in painting fruit, and some of his work hastaken high rank over hundreds of competingpieces by the decision of good judges. His modestymakes him depreciate his own work in thisline, but undoubtedly Mr. Boal possesses artistictalent of a high order.On the 16th of November, 1881, Mr. Boal wasunited in marriage with Miss Charlotta Plank, the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 637daughter of J. B. Plank, of Piper City. Tlie^y liavetwo children: Howard and Lola. In politics, Mr.Boal is a stanch Republican and cast his firstPresidentialvote for Gen. Garfield. Socially, he is amember of the Masonic lodge, in which he holdstiie office of Secretary. His wife is a member ofthe Presbyterian Ciiurch. In social circles, thisworth\' couple rank high and tlieii- friendsthroughout the community are man}'. Our subjecthas made liis own way in business and as theresult of his own industry and enterprise has wona handsome competence.|y(ACOB C. WAGNER, who is engaged in generalfarming and stock-raising on section2S, Brenton Township, has made his homein tlie county for twenty-nine years, andin all that time has resided upon his present farm.As an early settler and leading citizen, he well deservesrepresentation in this volume, and it is withpleasure that we present his sketch to our readers.He was born in Woodford County, 111., September29, 1841, and is a son of Michael Wagner, a nativeof Germany. In the Fatherland he served as ashepherd, and when a young man crossed the Atlanticto America, landing at New York, fromwhence he went to Ohio, where he engaged infarming for a few years. He then came to Illinois,made a claim in Wood Township, WoodfordCounty, and began the development of a farm.The Indians had not then left the neighborhood,and the entire country round about was wild andunsettled. In that county Mr. AVagner marriedAnna Matiiews, who was born in Germany, and isstill living on the old home farm. The husbanddied in 1882, at the age of eighty years. He wasa respected citizen, and always kept well informedon the questions of the day. In religious belief, hewas a Lutheran, and in politics a Republican, andserved as a memlier of the Board of Supervisors.He came to America in limited circumstances, butby his industry and good management secured acomfortable competence.LTnto Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were born sevenchildren: Joiin, who is now living in BrentonTown.ship; Michael, a resident farmer of WoodfordCounty; Jacob, of this sketch; Catherine, who isliving in Woodford County; Daniel, who lives onthe old homestead; Henry, who operates his mother'sland; and Mary, wife of Lewis Schunk, a farmerof Brenton Township.We now take up the personal history of Mr.Wagner, whose name heads this record. His boyhooddays were spent upon his father's farm inWoodford Count}', and until sixteen years of agehe attended the German schools. After that timehe devoted his entire attention to work upon thehome farm until twenty-two years of age, whenhe was united in marriage with Miss Mary Dingledine,a native of Tazewell County, 111. Immediatelyafterward, they removed to P'ord County,and Mr. Wagner purchased one hundred and sixtyacres of wild prairie land and began the developmentof a farm. Not many years had passed beforethe entire amount was under cultivation, andgood improvements were made. He now has avaluable farm and in connection with the raisingof cereals adapted to this climate, he engages instock-raising. He is a straightforward and uprightbusiness man and has made a valuable property,owning three hundred and twenty acres.Twelve children gr.aced the union of Mr. andMrs. Wagner, of whom seven are living, four sonsand three daughters. In order of birth they areas follows: John Henry, who is engaged in agriculturalpursuits in Brenton Township; Katie,Frank, Jacob, Kmma, George and Martin. Thechildren were all horn and reared on the farmwhich is yet their home, and acquired good educationsin the i)ubHc schools.Mr. Wagner has ever been a friend to the causeof education, and has served for many years asSchool Director. In politics, he has been a stalwartRepublican since he cast his firstPresidentialvote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has oftenserved as a delegate to the conventions of hisp.arty, and is a member of the Lutheran Church.He helped to move the first house to Piper City,which was the beginning of that place, and fortwenty-nine years has borne his share in the up-

638 POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD.building and development of the county, and inpromoting its best interests. Socially, he belongsto the Odd Fellows and the Druids, a social andinsurance order.-5-^>-^¥r~-AMES KEMP, a leading business man ofKcmpton, was born in Kendall County, 111.,on the 24tli of November, 1853, and is oneof nine children. The parents, Wright andElizabeth (Butterworth) Kemp, were both nativesof England. Of tiie family, Sarah is now the wifeof David Stockslegger, a farmer residing in Indiana;Hannah, the wife of Henry Benson, a prominentfarmer of Mona Township; Mavy A. is thewife of John Clayton, who is engaged in agriculturalpursuits in Rogers Township ; James is the nextyounger; John is a resident farmer of LivingstonCounty; Frank is a barber of Kerapton; WrightE., a railroad employe, resides in Kankakee, 111.,and two children died in infancy.The father of tiiis family came to America in1845, on a sailing-vessel, which dropped anchor inthe harbor of New Orleans after a voyage of sevenweeks. He worked in the Crescent City as a generallaborer for a time, and then came to KendallCounty, 111., where he was joined by his family thefollowing year. For two years he was employedas a farm hand, and then began farming for himself.In 1864, he purchased land in Dudley Count}-,where he resided until 1866, when he sold his farmand came to Ford County. He here jjurchasedonehundred and sixty acres of land on sectioji 3 1 ,RogersTownship, and in 1869, bought one hundred andtwenty acres on section 6, where the town of Kemptonnow stands. He laid out that town, which wasnamed in his honor by the Illinois Central Railroad,as he had given the land where the town waslocated. Mr. Kemp continued to reside in FordCounty until 1885, when he removed to Kankakee,where he is now living a retired life. In politics,he isa Democrat, and is a member of the EpiscopalChurch, to which his wife also belonged. Her deathoccurred January 28, 18!)2, and her remains wereinterred in Kankakee Cemetery.James Kemp, whose name heads this record, wasreared to manhood upon his father's farm, and acquireda good business education. On attaininghis majority, he started out in life for himself, andfollowed agricultural pursuits until 1884. In thatyear he removed to Kcmpton and began the manufactureof the Kemp hay press, an invention of hisown, which was patented in 1886. His factor}' islocated in that place, and his invention has provedto be an excellent one. He has also invented ariding harrow, but has never applied for apatent.In 1891, he opened a hotel and restaurant in Kem])-ton, and is still engaged in that business.On the 3rd of July, 1877, Mr. Kemp was unitedin marriage to Miss Carrie M., daughter of Johnand Myrtle (Bensley) Switzer. Three children havebeen born of their union, all daughters: Mary B.,Adda E. and Myrtle E.In his political alHliations, Mr. Kemp is a Prohibitionist,and has served his township as Clerkfor one year. With the Methodist Church beholdsmembership, and gives his support to all enterprisesand interests calculated to prove of publicbenefit. He is always found on the side of morality,temperance .and integrity, and is firm in his convictionsof right and wrong.ICHAEL OTTO, who isnumbered amongthe leading citizens of Peach C)rchardTownship, and is an enterprising farmerresiding on section 13, was born on the4th of April, 1841, at Lemnitz Czarnikow, Prussia.His parents, Michael and Rose L. (Zabel) Otto,were also natives of that country and were theparents of three children, two sons and one daughter:Michael; Julia A., who became the wife ofAndrew Zebert, a farmer, and died in 1874; andGustav, who is engaged in agricultural pursuitsin Putnam County, 111. The father died whenour subject was but an infant and the mother departedthis life in 1877.Michael Otto acquired his education in thecommon schools of his native land, which he attendeduntil fourteen years of age, and then began

IOIINPORTRAIT AND mOGRAPHTCAL RECORD. 639to learn llie wagon-makers' trade, which he followediu Prussia until 1801. That year witnessedhis emigration to America.Believing betteropportunities were afforded young men in thiscountry than could be obtained elsewhere, hebade good-li^'e to his old home and sailed fromHamburg to New York City, whence he made hisway to Chicago; then to I'eru, 111., from whiclicity he walked to Magnolia, Putnam County, becausehe had no money to paj' his railroad fare,and began working u|)on a farm by the month.To this labor he devoted his time and attentionuntil IHI)'), in which year he was united in marriagewith Miss Ida Funte, daughter of Williamand Tina Funte.Soon afterwards, Mr. Otto rentedland, which he operated for three years, and onthe expiration of that period, in 1868, he came toFord County and made the purchase of one hundredand sixty acres on section 13, Peach OrchardTownship. It has since been his home, and duringthe years that have passed he has transformedthe wild tract into rich and fertile fields, highlycultivated and well improved.Nine children have been born of the union ofMr. and IMrs. Otto: Mary A., now the wife of GottliebDrager, a resident farmer of Iroquois Cbunt^';Ida El., wife of Henry C. Spellme>er, a hardwaremerchant residing in Melvin; Minnie L., wife ofAlle Uml larger, an agriculturist of Wall Township;John M., Anna II. I., Gustav A. and Fred W. A.;George H. A., deceased; and Delia R. L.In addition to his home farm, Mr. Otto ownsother property, and his landed possessions aggregateseven hundred and twenty acres, all locatedin Wall and Peach Orchard Townships and allimproved. He is a truly self-made man, for hestarted out in life with only a pair of willinghands and a young man's Iniglit hope of the future,but he determined to win success and hasreached the goal of his hopes. Among the wealthycitizens of the community he is numliered, and heis also one of the most i)rominent farmers of histownship.With the (Terinan Lutheran Church heholds membership, and in his i)olitical affiliationsis a Republican, having served his fellow-townsmenas Road Commissioner for three years, whilefor twelve years he has filled the office of SchoolDirector. The cause of education has found inhim a warm friend, and he also gives his heartysupport and co-operation to other interests calculatedto prove of public benefit, or enterprisestending to (iromote the general welfare.W. GILKESON now owns and operateseighty acres of land, on section 13Wall Township, where he has made hishome for about twelve years. A native ofIllinois, he was born in Peoria Countj^ on the11th of August, 1854, but was reared in MarshallCounty, and is the second child of William B. andCecelia (Lytle) Gilkeson.His father was a nativeof Indiana, and in that State spent his early childhooddaj's. When he was only four years old,his father died and, with his mother, he afterwardremoved to Peoria County, 111., where he grew tomanhood and acfjuired a common-school education.He began earning his own livelihood as afarm hand, working out by the month, and wasin early life entirelj' dependent upon his own resources.In Peoria County, on attaining his majority,he was joined in wedlock to Miss Lytle, anative of the Buckeye State, born I'>bruary 12,1834. who during her childhood came with herparents to Illinois. After bis marriage, Mr. Gilkesonengaged in farming for himself for a fewj-ears, and then removed to Marshall County, 111.,where he operated rented land until March, 1867,when he came to E'ord County. He here purcUiasedone hundred and sixty acres of land onsection 15, Wall Township, and upon that farmmade his home until about fcnu- years ago, when,on account of failing health, he went to Chicagoin order to secure better medical attendance, andis still residing in that city. He began life emptyhanded,but has met with good success in his businessundertakings and now owns avaluable farmof one hundred and sixty acres.During the late war, William B. Gilkeson, thefather of our subject, served for fourteeninonthsas one of the boys in blue. He was taken pris-

640 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD.oner on the Tombigbee River by guerrillas, alongwitli thirteen or fourteen comrades, but all weregiven their freedom except him. He was placedon board a boat loaded with cotton. The rebelsafterward landed the cotton, using it for breastworks.An old darky escai)ed from the boat whilethej' were thus employed and carried word to theUnion army, which at once advanced. When theblue coats appeared on the scene, the rebels fled indisorder and Mr. Gilkeson was recaptured. He takesconsiderable interest in political affairs and is astalwart Rcpulilican. He holds membership withthe Methodist Episcopal Church, and is also amember of the Grand Army of tlie Republic.lu the Gilkeson faniil3- were four sons and onedaughter: Janet, who died at the age of sevenyears; John W., whose name heads this record;Thomas E., a resident of Battle Creek, Mich.; Fremont,a farmer of Wall Township; and Morris,who is living in Chicago with his parents.Our subject received the educational advantagesof the common schools and remained uponhis father's farm until he had attained his major!t3^ He was a young man of seventeen yearswhen he came with the family to Ford County.He made his first purchase of land in the j'ear1880, comprising eighty acres, upon which nota furrow had been turned or an improvementmade. In the years which have since come andgone, he has placed the entire amount under ahigh state of cultivation. Good buildings havebeen erected, the fields are well tilled and theGilkeson home is indeed a model farm. He alsocarries on stock-raising and feeds a carload ofcattle each year.In 1881, Mr. Gilkeson was united in marriageto Miss Mary McClellan, a native of the EmpireState, and a daughter of William and Catherine(Myers) McClellan, who were natives of the EmeraldIsle. The father was a farmer and died in1865, at the age of fortj--fivc years. His wife isstill living in Loda, HI.In their family were twosons and six daughters: Mary, now deceased;Margaret, wife of William Houston, a resident ofIowa; Mrs. Gilkeson, wife of our subject; James,who is married and resides in Chicago; Eleanor,wife of Chalmers Fairly, a resident farmer of JeffersonCounty, Neb.; Martha, wife of CharlesHouston, a farmer residing in Peoria Countj^ 111.;David, who is engaged in .agricultural pursuits inWashington; and Elizabeth, who makes her homein Iroquois County.Mrs. (iilkeson acquired an excellent educationin the Loda schools and was a teacher of recognizedability. She taught for twenty-one terrasin Iroquois County, and for four terms in FordCounty. Our subject and his wife aie Jlethodists,belonging to the Victor Church. Two childrengrace their union: Myrtie and Charles Howard.Mr. Gilkeson is a Republican, having supportedthat party since he cast his first Presidential votefor Grant. He has served as a chUegate to itsconventions and takes an active interest in itssuccess.He has served as Commissioner of Highwaysfor three years, and was School Director fornine years. He is a reliable, straightforward businessman, highly esteemed by all who know him,and his .acquaintances in this community are many.ffi>>»fc*>w^UGUSTUS TINDALL, a prominent farmerresiding on section 7, Brenton Township,has the honor of being a native of Illinois.He was born in Rock Island County, onthe 22d of October, 1846, and is a son of WilliamT. and Ann (Collier) Tiudall, the former a nativeof Maryland and the latter of Delaware. In 1834,they emigrated AVestward and settled in RockIsland County, 111.Is was then a wild and almostunimproved tract. Not a house marked the siteof the present city of Rock Island, which thencontained only a trovcrnment post. Mr. Tiudallbegan the development of a farm and was verysuccessful in his business operations, becoming awell-to-do man.His wife died at the birth of oursubject, after which he wedded Maria (Weiskeaver)Hamilton. His death occurred in 1883, at the ageof seventy-tliree years. In politics, he was a Republican,and, in religious belief, was a Universalist.The family numbered eight children: AVilliamE., who now resides in Washington; C. H., whoserved in the California militia at the time of the

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 645war and was an old resident of Ford Count}', diedin Dakota; Mrs. Mary Moore is living in Montana;Berryman, who served in tlie One Hundred andTwenty-sixtli Illinois Infantry for three years, isnow a resident of Kansas; Augustus is the nextyounger; Lemuel L. is a resident of Iowa; andCordelia Alice is living in Kans.as. The Last twochildren were born of the second marriage.Our subject spent his childhood days upon hisfather's farm in Rock Island County, where heacquired a common-school education. Mo eventof special importance occurred in his youth luitileighteen years of age wlien, on the 2d of March,1865, he enlisted in the country's service. Whenhis brother started for the war, Augustus alsowished to go, but .is ha was then only fifteen yearsof age, his father objected, telling him that hecould go at eighteen, and so when he had arrivedat that age, he at once enlisted, joining CompanyG, of the Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry. Hewas among the recruits, six companies of whomjoined the regiment at Spanish Fort, ne.ar Mobile,Ala. He served through the sieges of Mobile andSpanish Fort, afterward went to Montgomery,Ala., and then to Selraa, thence to Randolph andCamden, and subsequent!}- returned to Selma,where he was engaged in guarding Governmentproperty. He went into winter quarters at Selmain the winter of 1865-66, and was there musteredout in February of the latter year, receiving hisdischarge in Springfield, III.When the war w.as over, Mr. Tindall returnedhome and for five years worked upon a farm, when,in 1871, he came to Ford County, locating on hispresent farm.It was then an unimproved tract ofland, but now one hundred .andtwenty acres, dividedinto rich and fertile fields, yield to hima golden tribute. He is the inventor of severalimproved farm appliances, including a cultivatorwliich he has patented. He has considerable geniusin this direction and very much enjoys working inmechanics.On the 1st of October, 1873, Mr. Tindall w.asjoined in wedlock with Miss Mary A. P.atterson, adaughter of Henry and Anna J. I\atterson, theformer a native of Pennsylvania and the latter ofOhio. They came to Illinois in 18C3, locating inKnox County, and are now residents of Piper City.Mrs. Tindall was l)orn in the Buckeye State, butspent her childhood daj's in Knox County. Byher marriage she has become the mother of fourchildren, two sons and two daughters: Arthur A.,who is attending school in Davenport; .lerome L.,Sadie E., and ]\Iyrtlc Jane. The famil>- holds ahigh position in social circles. Mr. Tindall is amember of the Grand Army Post of Piper City,and, in politics, has been a stal w.art Republican sincehe cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grantin 1868. He is a good business man and is highlyesteemed for his sterling worth._=]."^^H^ n=' {^~^AMES L. SAXTON, a le.ading merchfiut ofGibson Cit}', a dealer in dry-goods, carpets,boots and shoes, established business in thattown on the 10th of April, 1875. He wasborn in the town of German, Chenango Count}-,N. Y., August 13, 1847, .and is a son of He'nryandSerenia (Brown) Saxton, both natives of M.assacluisetts.His father w.as born ISIaich 12, 1814, andhis mother's birth occurred Deceiiilier 24, 1816.Botli are still living .and make their home in Cincinnatus,Cortland County, N. Y.When James L. was six years of .age, he removedwith his parents to Cincinnatus, where he receivedan .academic education, after which he was engagedin teaching school until August, 1866, when hecame to Illinois, and was employed .as a merchant'sclerk in Henry, Marshall County, for three years.He was next engaged in the same capacity inMackinaw, Tazewell County, for a year and a half,after which he became an equal partner of hisbrother William, of that place, and there continuedmereh.andising until March, 1875, when he came toGilison City, starting his present business. He wasquite successful, and has now an annual tradeamounting to $40,000 and upwards. He is theoldest dry-goods merchant in the city in continuousyears of business, and, since the beginning, histrade h.as rapidly increased.On the 20th of June, 1871, Mi. Saxton married,in Henry, Marshall County, III., Miss Mary E.

646 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Whitney. The lady is a native of Fulton County,111., and is a daughter of John and .lane Whitne3-;the former, a native of Massachusetts, is now deceased.Her mother, who is still living, was bornin Indiana, and is a resident of (Jibson City.In politics, Mr. Saxton attiliates with the Republicanparty, and he and his wife are consistentnieniliers of the First Presbyterian Church of Gibson,in wliich ho holds the office of clerk. InSunda^'-school work, Mr. Saxton takes an activeinterest and part, having been .Superintendenteight years; President of the Ford County SundayschoolAssociation one term; Treasurer of the samethree 3'ears; President of the .Sixtli District SundayschoolAssociation two terms.In 1886, he removed to Owatonna, ISIinn., wherefor two years he carried on merchandising, andthen returned to Gibson City and resumed businessthere. AVitli the exception of the two years spentin Owatonna, he has lieen engaged in business inGibson City continuously since 1875.Mr. Saxtoncarries a full and complete stock of goods in hisline, is always up with the times in styles, and isone of the most popular and successfulmerchantsin Ford County, where he is widelj' and favorablyknown.As a business man and citizen he standsdeservedly high, and during his many years ofbusiness in Gibson has won the good opinion ofthe best people in the city and adjacent country,witli whom he has had business or social relations.'THERTON W. THAYER, who owns andoperates two hundred and forty acres ofvalualile land on section 24, BrentonTownship, is a native of the old Bay State.He was born in South Rraintree, Norfolk County,on the 1st of November, 1838, and traces his ancestryback to the day of the Pilgrim forefathers.His great-grandfather served in the War of 1812.His father, J. W. Thayer, was born and reared inMassachusetts, and yet makes his home in SouthBraintree at the age of seventy-seven years. Helearned the trade of a boot and shoe maker andwas a successful business man. He now lives retired.He was married in his native State to SusanWilde, who died in 1865, leaving six children,four sons and two daughters, namely:AVarrenA., a well-known boot and shoe man, of Onurga,III., who died in that place; A. W., of this sketch;J. Q., who resides with his brother; Susan, Avisand Elmer are living in Massachusetts.A. W. Thayer spent his boyhood days under theparental roof and with his father learned the tradeof shoe-making, which he followed for sixteen3'ears. He acquired his early Education in the commonschools, and subsequently attended the HollisAcademy, of South Braintree, for four 3-ears, graduatingat the age of eighteen. He then resumedwork at his trade, which he successfully followeduntil 1803, when he determined to try his fortunein Illinois and make a location in Lj'man Township,Ford County. He there remained until 1865,when he returned to the East and again workedat his trade for some years. It was in 1871 thathe once more sought a home in Ford Count3' andpurciiased the farm on which he now resides. Itis a two hundred and forty acre tract of valuableland which he opcr.ates in connection with hisbrother. He carries on general farming and is alsoengaged in stock-raising. Not an improvementwas on the place at the time of his purchase. Hehas built a residence and barns and in the preseurtyear has laid fourteen thousand tile. His laborshave thus made his land veiy valuable.In this county on the 22d of March, 1864, Mr.Thayer was united in marriage with Miss RoxanaMargaret Pierce, a native of Randolph, Mass.,where her parents spent their entire lives.She wasborn July 18, 1842. Their union has been blessedwith two children: Ilattie Susan, who was educatedinTha3'er Academy and the Braintree High School,spending five years in study in the I^ast, successfull3-eng.aged in teaching for several terms. Sheis now the wife of Ilarr3' Ilanfoid, who is employedin the railroad shops at Savannah, 111.Atherton Augustus now aids his father in the cultivationof the home farm.Mr. Tha3-er cast his first Presidential vote forAbraham Lincoln, but since that time has been anadvocate of Democratic ininciples. He has never

'32,PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 647taken any very active part in political affairs butmanifests a commendable interest in all tliat pertainsto thewelfare of the community, and to thecause of education he is a warm friend. His lifehas been an uprightaiid honorable one and, by hissterling worth and integrity,he has won the confidenceand high regard of those with whom hehas been brought in contact.aALEBMcKEEVER, wlio is practically livinga retired life upon his farm on sectionDrummer Townsiiip, was born nearBrandywine,Del., on the 8th of May, 1825, and is ason of William and Sarah(Harlan) McKeever, bothof whom were born in Chester County, Pa., wheretlieirmarriage was celebrated in 18i 2. The fatherwas of Scotch extraction. "When a lad of fifteenyears, he was one day sent for a jug of molasses,but he hid the jug and ran awa}- to sea andremained away from home for four years. On hisreturn he looked for the jug of molasses but failedto find it. After his marriage, he removed withhis family to Delaware County, and about 1830,returned to Chester Count}', Pa., where he resideduntil 1833, when he went to Urbana, Ohio, spendingone year at that place. He then located upona farm east of Urbana, where the mother died in] 842, at the age of forty-six years, her remains beinginterred in the cemetery near her home. The fatherremained in Clianipaign County until 1867, whenhe went to Iowa, residing with his daughter until1870. He then came to Ford County and madehis home with our subject until his death, whichoccurred November 23, 1874. He was a Democratin politics, and his wife was a (.Quaker in religiousbelief. They reared a fainil}- of six children: .Johnand Isaac, who are now deceased; Margaret, wifeof D. Osborn, of Oakland, 111.; Caleb, of thissketch; Mary, wife of William C. Ii\incuttcr, who isliving a retired life in Iowa; and Rutli A., wife of.1. Spain, a carpenter of Iowa.Our subject acquired his education liy attendanceat the district school for about thi'ce montlisin the year. On attaining his majority, he startedout in life for himself and engaged in farm laborby the month until twenty-seven jears of age,when, on the 6th of November, 18.51, he was unitedin marriage with Sarah E. Thompson, who was bornin Champaign County, Ohio, on the 12th of December,1826, and is a daughter of .John and Elizabeth(King) Thompson. Her father was born inPennsylvania and was of Scotch-Irish extraction,and the mother was born in County Armagh, Ireland,and came to America with her parents whena maiden of twelve summers. They were married inNewville, Cumberland County-, Pa., and unto themwere born the following ciiildren: Clarissa, Nancy,.Tames K. and .Jane Mary, all deceased; .John K.and Thomas Iv., both of Urbana, Ohio; SamuelAlex, now deceased; and Sarah E., wife of our subject.The parents resided in Pennsylvania until1820, when they removed to Champaign Count}-,Ohio, and Mr. Thompson became a ver}' successfuland wealthy citizen of that community. Heserved as Justice of the Peace for twenty-oneyears, and took (piite a prominent part in publicaffairs. In politics, he was a Whig and afterwarda Republican. He and his wife were members oftlie Presbyterian Church.Mr. and Mrs. McKeever were married in ChampaignCountv, Ohio, and began their domestic lifeupon a farm in Logan County, where they madetheir home for ten years, when they removed toSangamon County, 111. Our subject there purchasedtwo hundred and sixty acres of land, butin February, 186.5, he sold it and removed withhis family to this county, where lie has since madehis home. He now owns two hundred and twentyacres of valualile land, constituting one of themost beautiful and desiralile homes in this locality,and has also given forty acres to his son. He isan enter|)rising and capalile l)usiness man and thesuccess of his life is all due to his own efforts.Unto INIr. and Mrs. McKeever were born sixchildren: .Jolin T., a farmer of Drummer Township;Alex, deceased; Sarah E., wife of Dr. Strauss;William, a resident farmer of Drummer Township;and Stephen and .James, both deceased. Mr. Mc-Keever cast his first I'residential vote for I^ewisCass, of Michigan. lie has been a true-blue Republicansince the civil rebellion, an inflexible ad-

648 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.hercnt of his party's principles. He has served asTownship Supervisor and School Director formany years and is a charter member of the Masonicfraternity of Gibson. 111. His estimable wife holdsmembership with the Presbyterian Church. He isnow living a retired life, having by liis labor informer years acquired a competence sufficient tokeep him in his declining days.4^ -^THOMAS P. JEFFERY, one of the early setjf^^^^tiers of Ford County, who is engaged in^^y the nursery and gardening business in PiperCity, was born at Campbell Hill House, in theParish of Cromton, Somersetsiiire, England, onthe 3d of September, 1828, and is a sou of William.Jeffer\-, who resided upon tlie furin wliere his grandfatherand gieat-grandfather had lived before iiim.He wedded Miss Mary Page, who died when oursuljjeet was a small cliild, leaving a family- of fivesous, all of whom are now deceased, with the exceptionof our subject. William died in London;John in New Orleans; .lames in Ford County; andCharles, a silk merchant, died in London, about1874.Mr. Jeffery was again married, his second unionbeing with ills brother's widow, whose maidenname was Emily Knight. They had two children,both of whom reside in England. Tlie father diedMarch 30, 1876, at the age of eighty-two vears.He took quite a prominent part in i)olitical affairs,supporting the liberal party. He held the officeof Overseer of the Poor. Himself and familyweremembers of the Episcopal Cliurch.(Jur subject spent his early boyhood days uponhis fatlier's farm and at the age of ten was sent toboarding-school at Clapham Common, East London.Through the courtesy of Lord Portman, he afterwardsentered the Blue Coat School to preparefor naval service and, in 1844, received jiis commissionas midshipman. In October of the sameyear, he went on board tlie "Vulture" and sailedwith the outgoing East Indian Squadron on a threeyears' cruise under Admiral Lord Reaghle. Ontheir return, he arrived at Portsmouth dock inAugust, 1847, and was given a ninety-days' furlough.He then sailed in the ''Wellington," a flagship,under Admiral Lord Raglan, and cruised fortwo years in the Indian Ocean, near Bomliay andCalcutta, when they were again ordered liome, liyway of Van Dieman's Land, the Australian Coastand the Island of Sicily. They heard of thewonderful gold discoveries in Australia, but tlietroops were not allowed to go ashore at any placewhere they stopped on the Australian coast, forfear they would run away. Tlie vessel arrived atWoolwich dock in July, 1850, and Mr. Jefifery gaveup iiis commission and returned to the gold fieldsof Australia, arriving m Melliourne in May, 1851.He at once started for the mines and engaged inmining for about tiiree years with fair success.Two years of that time lie never saw a coin, everythingbeing paid for in gold dust. He next spenttwo years in tlie freight business with his brotherJames and made considerable money in that way.In February, 1856, Mr. Jeffery left Australiafor England, and soon afterward came to America,landing at Ouebec, whence he made his way toChicago. Looking about him for a location, hefinally settled on section 32, Brenton Township,on the 12th of July. 1856, where he secured a halfsectionof wild land. At that time tliere was onlyone house l)etween him and Onarga. He and hisbrollier James lived alone for four years and engagedin cattle-raising. In February, 1870, herented his farm and came to Piper City. Sincethat time he has spent four years upon his farmand tlie remainder of the time has resided in thevillage, w4ieie he lias a pleasant home and is engagedin gardening and the nursery business, havingabout eight acres, of which over a third iswitliin the corporate limits of Piper Citj-.On the IStli of November. 1861, in Ford County,Mr. Jeffery wedded Isabella J. Forbes, who wasborn in County Monaghan. Ireland, August 3,1839, and is a daughter of John T. and Armanella(Robinson) Forbes. She was a maiden of tensummers wiien she came to America with her parents,who lived in South Boston. In 1856, theycame to Lymau Township, Ford County. Fourchildren have been born unto them: James William,who was born on the 11th of September, 1862, and

.* >

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 651is now a butcher of Piper City; Alice Armanella,wiio was boru February 1, 1864, and is the wifeof J. Rohbach, of Hrenton Township; Mary Louise,who was born September 25, 1866, and is tlie wifeof Asa Burger, of Brenton Township; John Henry,born August 18, 1868, follows farming in BrentonTownship. The children were all given good educationaladvantages, which fitted them for therpractical duties of life.Mr. Jcfferj', his wife and family, are alliiiembersof the Episcopal Church. He is an Odd Fellow,having been connected witli that fraternity forforty years. He was reinstated in the homelodge in England when lie revisited his nativeland in October, l«9(l. He cast his first Presidentialvote for Lincoln and has since attiliated withthe Republican party when voting on questions ofnational importance, Imt at local elections supportsthe man whom he thinks best (jualified to fillthe ottice. He has ever done his shai-e for the upbuildingand development of this community andis a valued citizen of the township. He is also aself-made man, who began life empty-handed, butby his own efforts has won a competence.JOSEPH BUROER, a reiiresentative farmerand extensive land owner of Brenton Township,residing on section 2, is of German_ birth. He was born in Baden on the 31stof August, 1833, and is a son of F. A. Burger, whowas born and reared in the village of Laurisheim,where he followed the occupation of farming. Heserved in the German army for thirteen j-earsand in the latter part of his life carried on a hotel.He married Anna Maria Kech, and after the birthof seven children emigrated with his family toAmerica, sailing from Havre to New York, wherehe arrived after a voyage of thirty-three days. Helocated in New London County, Conn., where hisdeath occurred in 1865, while his wife passed awayin 1863. Both were members of the CatholicChurch. Of the family: Jacob died in Connecticut;John died in Brenton Township; George is a residentfarmer of Iroquois County; Joseph is the nextyounger; Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips resides in thiscounty; Mrs. Mar}' Haubach is living in IroquoisCounty; and Johanna is a resident of New LondonCount}', Conn.Our subject attended school in his native landbetween the ages of six and fourteen years andwhen seventeen years of age crossed the briny deepwith his parents, and worked with his father inConnecticut for four years. He than began life forhimself in Connecticut as a farmer and in 1866 removedto Fulton County, 111., where he spent threeyears.In 1868, he came to Ford County and purchasedone hundred and twenty acres on section2, Brenton Townsliip, and on the 1st of February,1869, moved his family thereon. But little improvementhad been made. He planted each bushand shrub upon it and the buildings all stand asmonuments to his thrift and enterprise. He nowowns six hundred acres of valuable land, fourhundred and forty of which are in one body.Mr. Burger brought witli him to the West hiswife, a native of New London County, Conn. November12, 1854, he had wedded Mary Gore, anative of that count}-, born October 14, 1821,daughter of Asa A. and Ruth Gore, and unto themwere born three children in Connecticut: Ruth A.,who married Aug. ^'ogelbacher, a farmer C)f BrentonTownship; one that died in infancy, and AsaE. The latter attended the Seminary of Onarga,married Mary Jeffrey, and is now engaged in farmingin Brenton Township. Mrs. Burger's father,Asa A. Gore, was a survivor of the Wyoming massacre.His father and a number of relatives werekilled b}' the Indians and he was carried to a placeof safet}' 1)}' his mother on horseback.Mr. Burger cast his first Presidential vote forBuchanan in 1856. He then voted for Douglas,Lincoln, Seymour, Peler Cooper, Weaver andCleveland. He has been independent, but has alwaystaken an active interest in political affairs.With the exception of two j'ears, he has continuouslyserved in some township office since movinghere and has been Supervisor of Brenton Townsliipsince 1876. In 1884, he was a candidate for theLegislature on the (Greenback ticket. This countyhas a Republican majority of two to one, but hecarried the county, although he lost in the other

652 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.county of the district. The large majority whichhe received In his own county Indicates his greatpersonal popularity and the high regard in whichhe Is held. He has been prominently connectedwith the upbuilding and advancement of this community,and was the first man to circulate a petitionfor drainage In this region. No other enterprisehas done so much for the county as this,and Mr. Burger certainly deserves great credit forhis earnest labors in securing the drainage.He isa self-made man and the handsome property ofwhich he is now the possessor has been acquiredthrough his own efforts.^^W. TALLMAN, Principal of the Sibley(I ^, schools, was born in iShelbyvUle, 111., Sep-^^^ tember 1, 1855. His parents were engagedin the hotel business in that city. They were nativesof Virginia, and removed to Illinois in 1836.In 1860, they located on their farm south of Shelbyville,and there our subject was introduced tothe bus.y pursuits of an agricultural life. Beingof a delicate constitution, he was the favored andpetted one of the family. During the summermonths, he worked in the fields and in the winterattended the district schools. He possessed a naturalaptitude for study and made the most of hisprivileges. At the ago of twenty, he was givenpermission to enter Shelby College. He had a roomin one corner of the building, in which he cookedand did his own work, pajing the rental by sweepingand building fires In the college. Those werelonel}' days to the country boy, but he there laidthe foundation for success. The next year a schoolwas offered him just south of Shelby ville, and, afterteaching for a number of yeai'S in the countryschools, the principalshlp of the Moweaqua schoolswas offered him and he satisfactorily filled the position,as his recommendation at the close of twoyears shows. He then went to Normal, 111., andspent two and a half years in study at the StateUniversity.In the meantime, I'rof. Tallman was united Inmarrl.age with Miss Susie C Mlddleton, of TowerHill, 111. They reside in Slble^-, where thej- havemany friends. Mr. Tallman is a Mason in goodstanding, and is also a member of the ModernWoodmen and the Independent Order of GoodTemplars. He is also a member of the MethodistChurch and an active worker in the Sunday-school.In 1891, he was engaged to assist the County SuperintendentIn the Teachers' Institute, and hisability has been recognized by a renewal of theengagement for the present year.In the summer of 1888, Prof. Tallman removedwith his family to Sibley, 111., having previouslybeen tendered the principalshlp of its schools.Prof. Clinebell, his predecessor, had held the positionfor eight years, and it was with no smallamount of trepidation that our subject assumedhis place, for Mr. Clinebell was an educator possessinga wide-spread reputation. He had made aspecialtj- of the common branches, thus preparingthe way for higher work. The new Principal beganon the foundation thus laid and has addedbranch after itranch to the course of stud^- untilthe scope of the work done in the Slble;*' school isalmost on a par with that of Gibson and Paxton.He has remained here three j'ears, 3-et in that shorttime the intellectual status of the schools has beenwonderfully broadened. A great impetus has beengiven to the school !:>}• the introduction of thisnew order of studies. Any pupil completing thecourse of stud}' in the Slblc}' schools is fitted topass an excellent examination and well preparedfor the practical affairs of life. The two assistantsin the school are JMlss Lizzie McDonald, of Bloomingtou,andMiss Eftle Bicket, a daughter of W. A.Bicket, of Siblej-.A peculiar feature of the school Is what is calledthe S. S. Society, Introduced b}' Mr. Clinebell in1882, an organization which meets on Fridaj' evenings.Here parliamentary usages are learned andpracticed, and the children are taught the mannerof putting motions and of presiding over deliberativebodies. Prof. Tallman possesses a scientificturn of mind, as his work here shows. Being su))-ported by an intelligent and progressive SchoolBoard, addition after addition was made to thescientific apparatus, which Is now equal to. If it does

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 653not excel, that of anj' other school in Ford County.A laboratory was also built, by partitioning off onecorner of the larij:e room cf the biiildiny'. Thishas been supplied Mith all tlie necessary app.aratusand chemicals for demonstrating anything connectedwith an ordinary IIiii:li School course. Amongthe many pieces of useful apparatus is a porte luminere,having an imported magic lantern attachment,also a microscopic attachment for projectingthe microscope mountings upon the curtain b}'means of solar light. Anotliei instrument is acompound microscope, one of the finest instrumentsever given to a school. It was presented bjaneastern firm through the intercession of Mr.Clinebell, and out of respect to Hiram Sibley.Another fine piece of apparatus is the air-pumj),with its five different forms of receivers, by meansof which nearly any desired experiment with gasescan be made.Prof. Tallman lias inaugurated and is carryingout a work seldom ever attempted in our townschools. With the aid of the worthy Sciiool Boardand his pupils, he has succeeded in fitting out aroom in the building for a museum. After thenecessarj' casing was completed, W. A. Bicket madean assortment of his large collection of mineralsand presented a valuable collection to the museum.He is also constantlj' finding and adding somethingnew to his already magnificent gift andalmost daily the collection is being enlarged bykind donors. The museum contains many valuableantiipie relics and the number is constantly growing.The Professor is also a taxidermist and, liavinga great love for zoological research, has within thelast year mounted over half a hundred specimens,among which are five different species of owls, includinga large white Arctic owl.Tiiere are tlireedifferent kinds of hawks, .an eagle, many specimensof song birds and water birds, and amongthe mammals are found the opossum, raccoon, fox,tree and ground squiirels, mink .ind shrew. Themuseum room is well carpeted and supplied withcomfortable chairs and, as the Sibley Gazette hassaid, "It is a profitable place in which to spend anhour or two." The ornithological collection isincreasing very rapidly, as high as six specimenshaving been added in one week and another largeease has already been reipiircd. The efHcientSchool Board, composed of W. A. Bicket, Swcn Andersonand Eli Harvey, who are doing all they canto further the interest of this valuable addition tothe school. This museum is the pride of SullivantTownship, and well it ma\' be.The school grounds and buildings, built in thefall of 1882 at a cost of 15,000, are not to beoverlooked. Upon the front of the school buildingis a tower four stories high, surmounted by am.aiisard roof, and containing an open bell-tower.The view of the landscape from this tower is probablythe finest in the count}-. As j-ou stand uponits summit, Sibley Lake, a most beautiful littlesheet of water, seems to lie nestled close belowyou, although it is more than sixty rods distant.Sibley, with her many rows of shady stieets, looksmore like a pleasure park tlian the busy littlebustling town it is. The grounds surrounding thebuilding are commodious and well shaded andcover nearlj' a whole block.^5— .^^^_^^.sd^ !—'\flOIIN R. LEWIS, the efficient County Surveyorof Ford County and a leading andinfluential man of Piper City, was born ona farm in Herkimer County, N. Y., ,Iune 6,1828. His grandfather, Reese Lewis, a native ofAVales, was over six feet, seven inches high, andwas drafted into tlio English service to form oneof the regiment of such large men to go to thefront and serve in the war against Napoleon, butMr. Lewis, not wishing to enter the army, made hisescape and came to America in 1815, accompaniedby his son, Lewis L. He settled near Utica, N. Y.,became a contractor on the Erie Canal and builtmany locks. His wife, who bore tiie maiden nameof Ann Jones, with the rest of the children sailedfor this country about 1820, and, after a voyageof eleven weeks, reached New York, joining herhusband at his home near Utica. He was a successfulbusiness man and an influential citizen. Hedied near Utica about 1845.The father of our subject, David Lewis, was born

654 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.in Wales, and, when seventeen years of age, cametil this country. He worked with his father for atime and also was employed in a starch factorynear Utiea. He there met and married Miss NancyA. Nichols, a native of Massachusetts, of Englishdescent, who removed with her parents to NewYork in a ver^- early day. Her father was a Revolutionarysoldier and his uncle was Gen. Nichols,of Revolutionarj- fame. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis weremarried in 1821, and began their domestic life inthe timber region of New York, where the husliandbought land and developed a fine farm, uponwhich he made his home until his death, which occurredin 1876. He was a public-spirited and progressivecitizen, a member of the CongregationalChurch and of the Welsh Club. In lii.s businessaffairs he was very successful.In connection withfarming, he burned lime and operated a stonequarry.His wife passed away about eight yearsprior to the death of her husband. Their faniilj'numbered the following children: Mary A., nowdeceased; Dennis N., who resides on the old homefarm; John R., of this sketch; Leonard J., whowent with James, the 30ungestson, to California in1851, but has not been heard from for the pastfour years; and Margaret E., who resides in Ulica,N. Y.The boyhood days of our subject were spent inattendance at the common schools during the winterseason and in hard labor on the farm duringthe summer months, until seventeen years of age.In 1846, he went to Whitestown Seminary, and,after pursuing a three-years' course of study, engagedin teaching for three winter terms. In thespring of 1850, he came to Illinois, locating atNaperville, where he remained until the 4th ofJuly. He then engaged in farm work until December,when he began teaching school, and to thetwo pursuits devoted his energies until 1856, whenhe came to Ford County, at that time Vermilion,and made the fust settlement in Brenton Township.He purchased three hundred and twenty acres ofland at $8 per acre, and engaged in farming forsome time. In 1865, he located on what is nowthe site of Piper City, but it was all a tract of wildprairie at that time. The following year he beganto sell laud for the Illinois Central Railroad, continuingeighteen years. He has bought and soldprobabl}' more land than any other man in thecounty. When he settled here there was not ahouse to be seen and one could ride thirty miles tothe north without coming across a settlement. Fortwo j'ears he Lad charge of the land sales on theSullivant estate.In 1871, he removed to Chicago,returning to Ford Countv in 1878, and locating ona farm in Fella Township. In February, 1881, hecame to Piper City, where he has since made hishome.Mr. Lewis was married on the 3d of .June, 1852,near Naperville, to Miss Delia O. Johnson, a daughterof Hiram and .Sarah A. Johnson, both of whomwere natives of Vermont. The daughter was bornin Rutland County, Vt., May 27, 1833, and cameto Illinois in 1844. Her father made a claim ofGovernment land, and followed farming for sometime. He died in Aurora.Four children have been born to our subject andhis wife: Sarah E., now the wife of Albert J. Johnson,a hardware merchant of Hull, Iowa; WallaceDavid, who is engaged in the real-estate business inChicago; Albert W., a civil and railroad engineer,employed b3' the Burlington & Missouri RailroadCompany, residing in Plattsiuouth, Neb.; AdelaideB., who was educated at Normal, 111., and now hascharge of the grammar department in the publicschools of Piper City.Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have been members of thePresbyterian Church of Pii»er Cit3' since its organization.Tlie3' are honored pioneers of the count}',who have witnessed its entire growth and havebeen prominent in its development and upbuilding.None are more worth}' of representation in thisvolume than they. Mr. Lewis has filled variouspublic positions of trust. For eight years he hasserved as Surve^'or of Ford County, and was Deputyfor some time previous. In 1859, he waselected Justice of the Peace and has held thatoffice altogether for about a quarter of a century.He has served as Assessor, Clerk and Supervisorand the duties of these offices have ever beenpromptlj' and faithfully discharged. He was thefirst Postmaster of Piper City. He cast his firstPresidential vote for Winfield Scott, and was aWhig until 1856, when he supported Gen. Fre-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 659mont and since that time he has voted for eachRepublican candidate. No man is more familiarwith the early history and settlement of the countythan our subject, who knows each foot of landwithin its borders. His friends througlrout thecommunity are many and his popularity is onlyequaled by the high regard in which he is held.eAPT.^1= 3E5"WILLARD PROCTOR, an honoredveteran of the late war, now residing in thevillage of Proctor, is a native of the GreenMountain State. The family is of English descentand the ancestry can be traced back to 1461. Hewas born iu Rutland County on tlic .5th of March,1827, and is a son of Philip and Dorcas (Dimmick)Proctor. The former was born in the vicinitj' ofBoston, Mass., and the latter in Connecticut. Theywere married in Sullivan, N. H., in September, 1809,and reared a familj^ of eight children, of whomWillard is the youngest. By occupation, Mr. Proctorwas a farmer, and followed that businessthroughout his entire life. He and his wife weremembers of the Baptist Church, and were highlyrespected people.Their remains were laid to restin the cemeterj' near their old home.The educational advantages which the Captainreceived were those afforded by the commonschools. He remained under the parental roofuntil twenty j'ears of age, and, being the youngestof the family, the care of his parents devolvedupon him, and he faithfully performed his duty.On the 10th of March, 1847, he was united inmarriage, in Rutland County, Vt., with Miss SarahA. Hewitt, who was born in that county, February22, 1829, and is a daughter of Jonathan and Esther(Doolittle) Hewitt, natives of Connecticut, anil ofEnglish descent. Her grandfather, Amos Hewitt,was a Revolutionary hero. Her father was bornin Vermont about 1800, and his last days werespent in his native State. By trade he was a cooper.His wife was born in Mt. Holl}', Vt., about 1802,and died at the age of sixty-four. In the familywere three children: Chauncey E., who is marriedand follows farming in Sudburj, Vt.; Mrs. Proctor,27of this sketch; and Horace, who is married, and followsfarming, and also carries on a meat market inShrewsbur}', Vt.Mrs. Proctor was reared upon a farm and educatedin the common schools and iu the academyof West Rutland, Vt., which she attended oneterm. Our subject and his wife began their domesticlife upon the old homestead, where they remaineduntil 1850, when Capt. Proctor begandealing in lumber, following that business for twoyears. He then went to Connecticut, where he engagedin the real-estate business until 1855. Thatyear witnessed his emigration to Illinois. He locatedin La Salle County, where he was residing,when in August, 1862, he responded to the country'scall for troops, and joined the boys in blueof Company I, One Hundred and Fourth Infantry.He served for three years, and was discharged inJune, 1865, having participated in many hardfoughtl)attles. He entered the service as FirstLieutenant, and, in recognition of his meritoriousconduct, was promoted to the rank of Captain.His regiment was joined to the Fourteenth ArmyCorps, commanded by Gen. Thomas, and assignedto the Army of the Cumberland. At the battle ofIlartsville, Tenn., the brigade was taken prisonerand sent to Murfreesboro, but were parolled withina week. Capt. Proctor participated in the battlesof Chickaniauga, Lookout Mountain, MissionRidge and Chattanooga, where Capt. Proctor wasknocked down by a shell. He was also in the battlesof Pumpkin Vine, Kennesaw Mountain, Resaca,Ringgold, the siege of Atlanta and the battleof Peach Tree Creek. He was present when theforces entered Savannah, Ga., and was there takensick and confined to the hospital. He then receiveda furlough and returned home, not expectingto live, but recovered and rejoined his regiment.He was present at the review in Washington, thegrandest military pageant on record. He receivedhis discharge iu the Capitol City.When the war was over, Mr. Proctor returnedto his home in La Salle County, where he resideduntil 1872, when he removed to Rutland, 111., theremaking his home until 1879, when became to FordCounty, and purchased a farm on section 34,Drummer Township. To its cultivation and im-

660 POETRAIT AND BIOGEAPHICAL EECORD.provement he devoted his energies until 1890,when he sold his beautiful home and removed tothe village of Proctor, where he is now living aretired life. His business career has been a prf)Sperousone and by his enterprising efforts he acquireda handsome competence, which now enableshim to lay aside all care. In politics, he is a stanchEepublican.Unto Captain and Mrs. Proctor have been bornthe following children: Sarah D., now the wife ofV. G. Way, who is mentioned elsewhere in thiswork; P211en E., wife of M. Y. Ames, a farmer ofIowa; Willard E., whose sketch is given elsewherein this volume; Etta, uow deceased; William S., aresident of Shelby County, 111.; Frank, a partnerof his brother Willard; Florence E., deceased; andI. Belle, an accomplished young lady, at home.The family is one of prominence in this community,its meml)ers ranking high in social and businesscircles.HUNT, who owns and operatesone hundred and twenty acres of landon section 36, Peach Orchard Township,W>ILLIA]M J.has the honor of being a native citizen of Illinois,his birth having occurred on the 30th of Januarj',1841, in Marshall County. His father, CorneliusHunt, was a native of New Jersey, and of Germanextraction. He came to Illinois about 1831, locatingnear Magnolia, and the usual experiences ofl)ioneer life were his. He served in the BlackHawk War, and was one of the honored early settlers.His wife bore the name of Ann Sidle, andwas also of German descent. His death occurredin 1873, and his remains were laid to rest in MagnoliaCemetery, but Mrs. Hunt is still living, andmakes her home in Melvin.Unto this worthy conple were born twelve children,as follows: Mary is the wife of Harry Crawford,of Gibson City; Caroline, deceased, was tliewife of Edward Fazzie; Ann is also deceased;John S. is a retired farmer of Melvin; Enoch S.also lives in Melvin ; Sarah wedded Joshua Polling,and lives in Ottawa, 111.; Ruth, the widow ofAndrew Miller, makes her home in Melvin; Janeis the wife of James Dixon, of Saybrook, 111.;William J., of this sketch; Jacob was killed at Altuna,Tenn., during the late war; Elizabeth marriedGeorge Dixon, and lives in Melvin; and Philipis a retired farmer of Paxton.The subject of this sketch was reared to manhoodamong the wild scenes of pioneer life, andspent his boyhood days in tlie usual manner offarmer lads, attending the district schools of theneighborhood through the winter season untilabout nineteen years of age, while in the summermonths he worked upon the farm. He remainedwith his parents until he had almost attained hismajority, when the late war having broken out, heresponded to the country's call for troops, andenlisted, in August, 1861, as a member of CompanyH, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry. Hewas mustered into service at Ottawa, and wentsouth with his regiment. The first active engagementin which he participated was at HartsviUe,Tenn., where he was taken prisoner, but some timeafterward was exchanged. The next battles inwhich he braved the rebel fire were Cbickamauga,Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He liadbeen sick for some time, and after the last-namedbattle, received an honorable discharge, and returnedhome in February, 1864.On partially recovering his health, Mr. Huntrented land near Magnolia, Marshall County, andturned his attention lo agricultural pursuits. Onthe 20th of December, 1865, a marriage ceremonywas performed which united his destiny with thatof Miss ISIary U. Van Home, a daughter of Josei)hand Ann Van Home. Two children grace theirunion, a daughter .and son: Annie, wife of AtwoodWliite, a butcher residing in Roberts, III.;and Jacob Clyde, who is still at home. Mrs. Huntisa member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.It was in 1872 that Mr. Hunt left his nativecounty and came to Ford County, where hepurchasedone hundred and twenty acres of unimprovedland on section 36, Peach Orchard Township,and began its development. He has therebeen engaged in general farming continuouslysince, and has been very successful in his opera-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 661tions, being numbered among the well-to-do agriculturistsof this community. He has ever proveda viilued citizen, as he was a faitlifiil soldier, andliis sterling worth li.as won him nian3' friends. Heexercises his right of franchise in support of tlieRepublican party, and in his social relations is amember of both the Knights of Pythias lodge andthe Grand Army of the Republic.^\ ICHAEL COX (deceased) was a worthyson of the Emerald Isle. He was born inMunster. Ireland, September 1.5. 1823, andwas the third of nine children born untoMichael and Bridget (Hunt) Cox, who were worthycitizens of Munster, Ireland. They were born,reared, married and spent their entire lives in onecounty. Mr. Cox followed the occupation of farmingand was accounted one of the most wealthycitizens of his native county. He and his wifewere firm believers in the Roman Catholic religionand reared their children in that faith. They werewidel3' known and their many excellencies ofcharacter won them the high regard of all.Michael Cox was reared under the parental roofand acquired his education in the common schools.On the 4th of March, 1848, he was united in marriagewith Miss Margaret "Walsh, who was born inMunster, Ireland, November 11, 1828, and is adaughter of William and Mary (Mulvahill) Walsh.Her parents were also natives of Ireland and werefarming people who owned consideral)le property'.They were members of the Catholic Church, andreared a family of nine children.Our subject and his wife liegan their domesticlife ill the Old Country, and three years later, inApril, 1851, bade good-bye to the land of theirbirth and sailed from Limerick to America.Aftera pleasant voyage of twenty-three days, theylanded in Nevv York and thence went to Albany,where they remained for about four montiis, whileMr. Cox engaged in general labor in order to secvu'efunds for their further journey, .as his moneyhad been exhausted. They afterward made theirway to La Porte Count}', Ind., where they residedfor a year and then removed to La Salle, 111.,where the succeeding yearof their lives was passed.They next became residents of Bloomington, 111.,and in that localit.y Mr. Cox engaged in farmingfor twenty years. In 187.5, lie came to FordCounty and located upon a farm which is yet thehome of his widow. It is a model farm, highlyimproved and cultivated, and fields a good incometo its owner.Mr. and Mrs. Cox were consistent members ofthe Roman Catholic Church, and iu that faith oursubject died, .Januar.y 21, 1888. His remains wereinterred in Bloomington Cemetery, where a monumentmarks his last resting place. He was aDemocrat in political sentiment and a worthy citizen,upright and honorable in all things and heldin high regard for his many excellencies of character.The Cox family numbered nine children, theeldest of whom is MaryG.; the second is Michael,who was born in INIunster, County of Kerry, Ireland,on the 21st of May, 1850, and was only a year oldwhen brought to this country, acquired his educationin the public schools and remained with hisparents until his marri.age. On the 12th of January,1879, he wedded Ellen Crummy, who was bornin Kentucky and is a daughter of Berney andMary Crumm}-, who were of Irish extraction. Theyhave five children: Mary E.,aged eleven; Maggie,aged nine; Lizzie, seven years old; Sadie, a littlemaiden of five; and James, the two year-old baby.The parents are both members of the CatholicChurch. In politics, Michael is a Democrat. Heowns five hundred and sixt^' acres of well-improvedland in this county and three hundred and twentyacres in Minnesota.William, the next younger, was born in La Fayette,Ind., November 11, 1852, attended the commonschools and began life for himself at the ageof eighteen years. In 1874, he made his first purchaseof land of two hundred acres, which nowconstitutes the old home. He operated it until1880 when he purchased his present beautifulfarm of one hundred and si.xtj^ acres, a most desirableplace, with a pleasant residence, good outbuildingsand all the improvements of a modelfarm. He was married, September 5, 1881, to Liz-

'"="=]J662 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.zie Graden, who was born in Heyworth, 111., in1859, and is a daughter of John and Mar}- (Jones)Graden, who were of Irish descent. They havefive children: James, William, John, Nellie andMaggie. The father is a Democrat and a worthycitizen who ever has the interest of this county atheart. He and his wife are members of the CatholicChurcli.John, the fourth child, is a farmer and stockraiserof Minnesota; James is a real-estate agent ofMinnesota; Margaret is one of the most successfulschool teachers in this county; Thomas is a graduateof Mt. St. Mary's School of Maryland, was ordaineda priest in Niagara and is now tlie honored assistantof the Rev. Father Cashman, of St. Jarlath'sParisli, of West Chicago; Robert, who was born inMcLean County, 111., October 10, 1862, and alsoacquired a common-school education, is one ofFord County's most successful and enterprisingfarmers. In connection with Joseph, who was bornFebruary 22, 1865, and is tlie youngest of the family,he owns and operates three hundred and fortyacres of valuable land, which pays a golden tributeto their care and cultivation. Both are membersof the Catholic Church and are sturdy workers forthe Democratic party. By their many friendsand neighbors they are honored for their manyexcellencies of character.s t=i'^'OSIAH UMBARGER, who resides on sec.Miss Cassel, by whom he had three children:e>tion 26, Peach Orchard Township, where liefollows general farming, was born in DauphinCounty, Pa., January 15, 1833, and isa son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bear) Umbarger,both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania andwere of German extraction. His first wife wasCornelius,who is engaged in agricultural pursuits inPutnam County; Catherine (deceased) was thewife of David Patton, of Livingston Count}', 111.,and John, deceased. The father was again married,in Pennsylvania, this time to Miss Bear. In earlydays, the father came with his family to Illinois,about 1844, locating in Putnam County, where hespentone year, when he removed to Bureau County.Some fifteen years later, however, he returned toPutnam County, where he resided until bis death,earring on general farming. He was called to hisfinal rest in August, 1877, and his wife passed awayin January, 1876. They were both members of theMethodist Churcli. He was a Repulilican. In theirfamily were ten children, five sons and five daughters,of whom our suliject is the second in or.der ofbirth. His boyhood days were spent in the usualmanner of farmer lads and he acquired his educationin the common schools, which he attended untilabout seventeen years of age. He remained withhis parents until after he had attained his majority,wlien he began farming for himself. He firstworked in a brick-yard, where lie was employed forthree or four years, and then commenced to workas a farmhand by the month, being thus employeduntil his marriage, which was celebrated November17, 1858, the lady of his choice being Miss JaneAllen, daughter of James and Rosana Allen.After his marriage. Mr. Umbarger began farmingon rented land. In 1862, he came West, locatingin La Salle County, where he resided for four years.Removing to Ford County in 1866, he settled uponthe farm which has since been his home. He firstpurchased eighty acres of unimproved railroadland on section 26, Peach Orchard Township, andafterward bought another eighty-acre tract, andsince has added eighty acres more, making a finefarm of two hundred and forty acres. He is anenterprising farmer and as the result of his industriousefforts has won success. He well deserveshis prosperity, for his life has been a busy and usefulone.Five children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs.Umbarger, namely: Ada, wife of Thomas Huxtable,a farmer residing near Sibley, Ford County; Hattie,at home; Almond, a resident farmer of WallTownship; and Jesse and Jennie, twins. The latteris the wife of William Short, a resident of DixTownship, and Jesse farms at home.In his political affiliations, Mr. Umbarger is aRepublican, having supported that party since heattained his majority. He has held the offices ofRoad Commissioner, School Trustee and SchoolDirector. The cause of education finds in him a

^mim^^^/^/^/hir///^^

'aPOKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 665warm friend, and he takes an active interest in allthat pertains to the welfare and upbuilding ofthe town and county.Unancially, he has made agrand success; commencing witli nothing, he hasmade all he has by his own efforts, ably assisted byhis wife.\T| OHN WAGNER, who is numbered amongthe pioneer settlers of Brentoii Township,has made his home for almost a quarter ofcentury upon his present farm, on section34. lie was born in Woodford Count\-, 111., September5, 1839. His father, Michael Wagner, wasborn in Bavaria, Germany, and when a young mancame to America. He lierded sheep in the oldcountry and, on coming to the United States,made a location near Cincinnati, Ohio. He afterwardremoved to Illinois, becoming one of theearly settlers of Woodford County, and was thereunited in marriage to Anna Mathews, a native ofGermany. His death occurred in that county atthe age of eighty years, but his widow is still livingon the old homestead. He applied himselfclosely to his business and became n well to-do citizen.In politics, he was a Republican and in religiousbelief was a Lutheran, his wife holding membershipwith the same church.The family of this worthy couple numberedseven children: .John and Michael twins, the lattera farmer of Woodford County; Jacob, who is engagedin agricultural pursuits in Brenton Township;Dan and Henry, who reside on the old homefarm; Kate, the wife of Michael Barth, a residentof Minonk, 111.; and Mary, wife of Lewis Schunk,wlio is living in Brenton Township.Our subject was reared amid the wild scenes offrontier life in his native county and was early inuredto the arduous labor of developing a newfarm. There were no English schools in the neighborhoodat that time and in the winter season, untilfourteen years of age, he attended the Germanschool, which was held in a log house furnished inthe primitive manner of the time. On attaininghis majority, he started out in life for himself andfor two years was employed as a farm hand nearEl Paso, when circumstances arose which causedhim to abandon that work. The war had brokenout and in July, 1862, Mr. Wagner joined CompanyD, One Hundred and Eighth Illinois Infantry,assembled in Peoria. The troops were sent toCincinnati and on through Kentucky to Memphis,Tenn., andparticipated in the siege of Vicksburg.Mr. Wagner aided in making the canal which letthe boats through and was present at the surrenderof the city on the 4th of July. He participated inthe battles of Little Rock, Ft. Gibson, ChampionHill, Memphis and Corinth, the siege of Mobileand of Spanish Fort. On the close of the war, hewas discharged in A'icksburg, in August, 186.5,and was mustered out at Chicago after three yearsof faithful service.Mr. Wagner then returned to his home inWoodford County, and remained with his fatheruntil his marri.ige. On the 17th of February, 1868,he wedded Miss Rachel, daughter of Christianand Sophia (Pepper) Meinholt, who were nativesof Germany. The^' came to America in 1841 andspent the remainder of their lives in WoodfordCount}', where their daughter was born and reared.Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have a family of sevenchildren: Anna M., who was educated in the publicschools and at Onarga Seminary, is a teacher ofrecognized ability; Lewis, Charles, AVilliam, August,Eddie and Albert are still under the parentalroof.After his marriage, Mr. Wagner came with hisyoung wife to Ford County, and purchased onehundred and sixty acres of wild land, which hehas transformed into the fine farm upon which hemakes his home. He has erected good buildings,planted trees and made other improvements whichadd both to the value and attractive appearance ofthe pl.ace and in connection with general farming,he successfully carries on stock-raising. Himselfand wife are both members of the Lutheran Churchand are hospitable, kindly people, well and favorablyknown in this community. Socially, Mr.Wagner is a member of the Grand Army Post ofPiper City aud, in politics, has been a warm advocateof theRepublican party since he cast his first

666 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Viestarted out in life with only a young man's brighthope of the future and a determination to succeed.That resolve he has fully carried out, for he isnow considered one of the prosperous farmers ofthis community.So~NDREW STUART, a retired farmer residingin Kempton, was born on the 20th ofSeptember, 1829, in Canada East, and is ason of David and Margery A. (Fife)Stuart. His parents were both natives of Scotland.They had a family of fourteen children: Daniel,now deceased; Mary; Isabel, deceased; Elizabeth;Margaret, who has also passed away; Ann; Catherine,now deceased; An(h'ew, of this sketch; David,now deceased; Charles; Elijah, .James and Agnes,all of whom have departed this life; Daniel; andMary J., deceased. The father of this family diedin 1845, and tiie mother passed awaj' in 1871.Andrew Stuart was born and reared upon hisfather's farm. He was early inured to the hardlabors of farm life, but his training in school wasmuch more limited. Indeed, he is self-educated,for he never attended school after eight years ofage. In 1844, he came to Illinois with his parents,locating in Grundy County, where they residedfor one year, after which they removed to LivingstonCounty, where the father and mother spenttheir last days. Our subject remained with hismother on the old homestead until twenty-fouryears of age. He was then married, in 1853, to MissMyra Leonard, daughter of Edmund D. and I^lizabethH. Leonard. The previous fall he had purchasedeight3'-eight acres of land, upon which theyoung couple began their domestic life, and Mr.Stuart devoted his energies to its cultivation untilthe breaking out of the late war.On the call for troops to put down the Rebellion,he enlisted as a private in Company G, One Hundredand Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and thefirst important engagement in which he participatedwas at Ringgold. He afterward took part inthe battles of Buzzards' Roost, Kenesaw Mountain,Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, and was with Shermanon his celebrated march to the sea. When the warwas over, he was honorably discharged in June,1865. He had proved himself a faithful and loy.aldefender of his country, and of his army recordmay well be proud.When the war was over, Mr. Stuart returned tohis home in Grundy County, 111., whither his wifehad removed during his absence, living with hisbrother-in-law. He again turned his attention tofarming, and resided in that county until 1870,when he removed to Ford County. Locating inRogers Township, he purchased one hundred andsixty acres of land on section .32, where he lesideduntil 1888. He was a practical and progressivefarmer, and by his good management and perseverance,acquired a handsome competence. He hasnow laid ;iside all business cares, and is resting inthe enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.politics, he is a stalwart Republican, and belongsto the Grand Arir.y Post, and to the MethodistChurch. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stuart were bornseven children: Alice, who died November 13,1882; Frank, Maggie E., Daniel; Edmund, whodied in infancy; and Anna IMaiia.'/('M\^i*THOMAS ROWAN, deceased, was born inCounty Mayo, Ireland, on the 22d of De-^>i^/ cember, 1827. His early boyhood da3'S werespent on the Emerald Isle, but when a young manhe determined to try his fortune in America andcrossed the broad Atlantic to New York City. Hemade his firstInlocation in Albany, N. Y., where heremained for four months, removing thenee toMontgomery County, N. Y., where he engaged infarming for some time.It was in that county, on the 19th of March, 1850,that Mr. Rowan was united in marriage with MissBridget Brown, who was born in Ireland on the5th of April, 1825, and is a daughter of .John andMary (Ma3-ea) Brown. Her mother died when shewas only two and a half years of age. She cameto America with a smuggler, who was a cousin ofhers, and landed in New York in 1840, after hav-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 667ing spent three months upon the bosom of the Atlantic.However, they had a pleasant voyage andthe passengers on board numbered three hundredand seven. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rowan were bornten children, six of whom are yet living: Mary,wife of B. C. Bumbarger, who is engaged in farmingin Iowa; Annie, wife of G. B. Dungan, of Oklahoma;Johnnie, Maggie and .Jane, all deceased;L^'dia, who resides with her mother; Millie, wifeof William West, a farmer of Adrian, Minn.;Michael, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits inDrummer Township; Charles, a farmer of Williams,Iowa; and one who died in infancy.After their marriage, Mr. Rowan resided inMontgomery County, N. Y., where he engaged infarming until 1859, when they emigrated Westwardto Dodge Count}', Wis., where they remained until1867. The succeeding three years of their liveswere passed in Saybrook, 111., after which they removedto the farm which is now the home of thewidow. It comprises eighty acres of land, and thewell-tilled fields j-ield a golden tribute to theowner. The death of Mr. Rowan occurred on theold homestead on the 4th of June, 1886, from acancer, and he was laid to rest in Gibson Cemeterj',where a monument was erected to his memory.politics, he was a supporter of Republican principles,and was a member of the Roman CatholicChurch. He led a busy and useful life and waswell and favorably known throughout this communityas a man of sterling worth and strict integrity.He was public-spirited and progressiveand took a deep interest in all that pertained tothe welfare of the communitj- and the upbuildingof the county. His loss was mourned by manyfriends as well as by his immediate family.COBERT BARBER CHAMBERS, one ofthemost prominent merchants of Roberts andone of its leading and inlluential citizens,^'^ was born in Union County, Pa., August 10,1852, and is a son of Robert and Matilda (Smith)Chambers. The father was born in Union County,Pa., February 1, 181 1, and was a tanner by tradeInbut afterward engaged in fanning and stock-raising.He commenced life for himself at the age oftwenty and was married, October 20, 1835, to MissSmith, who was born Januar}' 15, 1815. He wonsuccess as a tanner and his career as a farmer wasequall}' prosperous. He made two different tripsto the West and saw Illinois when this State wasin its primitive condition. In politics, he w.as anold-line Whig and cast his flist Presidential votefor John Quincy Adams, but afterward became astanch Republican, though never an ofHce-seeker.He was a member of the First Presbyterian Churchand his wife of the German Reformed Church.His death occurred October 15, 1864, and his wifedied August 2, 1863. Both were interred in UnionCounty, where a beautiful monument marks theirlast resting place.In the Chambers family were nine children,seven of whom are yet living: M. B., who marriedMiss Annie Sheckler and resides in Prairie Cit}',111.; Katie E., who is living in Mifflinburg, Pa.;James, deceased; J. M., who married Miss LizzieCole, and is a farmer of Prairie City; W. J., whomarried Miss Lizzie Bogenreif, and is a farmer ofAvon, 111.; Rhoda, who died at the age of twelveyears; C. M., who married Miss Alice Stroubel, andis a farmer of Edwards County, Kan.; Robert, ofthis sketch, and Sarah A., wife of G. G. AVyland,a skillful machinist of Williamsport, Pa.The boyhood days of our subject were spenthis native county, and his early educntion wassupplemented by a commercial course in NewBerlin Seminary. He afterward engaged in clerking.In the fall of 1872, he determined to try hisfortune in the West and went to Piper City, 111.,where he began clerking for C. Montelius & Son,general merchants and grain dealers. When thatfirm sold out, he came to Roberts, in 1873, andclerked with J. A. Montelius. In 1875, he purchaseda lot, upon which he erected a frame building,two stories in height, nnd put in a generalstock of merchandise worth $3,000. Robert Chambersis inseparably connected with the businesshistory of this locality. He owns a half interestin the Roberts' Creamery, an enterprise of muchimportance in this community. They ship the entireproducts of the creamery to New Orleans,in

668 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.where there is a good demand.They have latelyplaced a new boiler of sixteen-liorse power, at anexpense of 1400. They employ three men, at anexpense of $125 per month, and have four teamsin use in gathering cream from the surroundingfarms. They feed about four car loads of hogsannually from the products of the creamery, andthis adds not a little to their income.Mr. Chambers was married, August 11, 1875, toMiss Anna E. Thompson, who was the sixth childin the family- of the Rev. J. L. and Harriet (Marsh)Thompson. Her father was born May 25, 1811,and died October 12, 1872. He was graduatedfrom Hamilton College, N. Y., in 1831, and on the6th of November, 1836, wedded Miss Marsh, whowas born December 10, 1821, and died April 23,1870. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chambers have beenborn four sons: Willie, who died in infancy; Elmerand Louis Gill, who are attending school, and OraT., who died at the age of one year, ten monthsand twenty-one days.In politics, Mr. Cliambers is a stalward Republicanand cast his first Presidential vote for R B.Hayes. The cause of education finds in him a warmfriend, and he has served as a member of theSchool Board nine years. He is now President ofthe Board, ever using his influence iu securingefficient teachers and thereby good schools. Theschool building, erected at a cost of 82,700, wasbuilt since he has been on the Board. He alsoserved as Alderman two years and was Treasurerof Roberts. He and his wife are members of theCongregational Church and were largely instrumentalin securing their present excellent house of.worship.Close application and enterprise have been importantfactors in Mr. Chambers' success. He isnow enjoying a flourishing trade as a merchant,carrying a full and complete stock of staple andfancy groceries, dry-goods, clothing, hats and caps,boots and shoes, etc. His stock is valued at |!10,-000, and his annual sales amount to 135,000. Healso owns eighty acres of highly cultivated land.His residence, standing on Main Street, is one ofthe most commodious in town and is the abodeof hospitality. He is an affable, courteous gentleman,fair and upright in all business transactions,and has the high regard ofall with whom he hasbeen brought in contact. This work would be incompletewithout the sketch of Mr. Chambers andwe feel assured that it will be received with interestby many of our readers."jfjOHN W. SMITH, who owns and operatesninety-seven acres of valuable land on section15, Drummer Township, is a representa-^_^ five farmer of the community and onewidely and favorably known in Ford County. Heis a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurredon the 16th of October, 1849.His parentswere William C. and Mary J. (Everil) Smith, theformer of German and the latter of Irish descent.They were married in Perry County, in 1837, andreared a family of five children: Sarah J.; JohnW., of this sketch; Anna E., wife of N. Hinshaw,a farmer of McLean County, 111.; Samuel E., whois also living in McLean County; and Wilhelmina,now dece.ased. The parents now reside in DanversTownship, McLean County, where Mr. Smith followsthe carpenter's trade. Himself and wife aremembers of the Methodist Church and are highlyrespected i>eople. He attlliates with the Republicanparty, and during the late war served for threej'ears as a member of the Third Ohio Cavalry, provinga faitliful soldier.John W. Smith, whose name heads this record,was a young lad when his parents removed toMcLean County, 111. In the common schools ofthe community he acquired his education and remainedwith his parents until twenty-three yearsof age, .assisting in the labors of the farm. (Jnthe 29th of February, 1872, he was united in marriagewith Miss Jennie Hinshaw, who died on the11th of December of the same year, leaving an infantdaughter, Jennie, who is now the wife of WilburD. Knick, a resident of Danvers, 111. Mr.Smith was again married, December 19, 1881, hissecond union being with Miss Caroline F. Williams,a daughter of Joseph and .Tane (McCracken) Williams,natives of the Keystone State, and of ling-

Jk.i. f-^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 673lish and Irish lineagre, respectively. Mrs. Smithwas born in Pennsylvania in 1846. She acquiredher education at the State Xonnal in Edinboro, Pa.,and came to Illinois in the fall of 1872, and thatwinter taught the first school ever taught in GibsonCity.In his political affiliations, Mr. Smith is a Republican,having supported that party since he attainedhis majority, but has never been an officeseeker,preferring to devote his entire time andattention to his business interests. As beforestated, he owns a good farm of ninety-seven acres,which lias been mostly improved b}' his own hardlabor. Its neat appearance and the many goodimprovements found tliercon indicate his thriftand enterprise._^=^)M>^-

674 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.enterprising and progressive agriculturist. Hislande'l possessions now aggregate six liundredacres—a valuable property—all of which, saveeighty acres in Gernianville Township, LivingstonCounty, is situated in Peach Orchard Township.Mr. Crawford is a man of determination and industry,and whatever he undertakes he geuerallycarries forward to a successful completion. Hehas been upright and honorable in all his dealings,and the prosperity which has crowned his effortsand made him a wealtiiy citizen is certainly* justlydeserved.j^.KOF.^1 H; B 3M^D. GUYN FOREMAN, Principal ofthe Melvin schools, has held that positionfor the past nine years, winning commendationfrom all concerned, in respect tohis able management. A native of Ohio, he wasborn in Dover, Union County, September 28,1856, and is a sou of Samuel S. and Mar^v (Diltz)Foreman. His father was born near AVheeling,W. Va., July 7, 1822, and removed with his parentsto Union County, Ohio, when four ^-ears ofage, there residing until after iiis marriage. Helearned the mason's trade, at which he worked afew years in Union County, and then removedwith his family to Delaware County, where he remaineduntil 1865, when he came to Illinois. Heand his wife are still residing in LivingstonCounty, where they first settled. Mr. Foremanwas reared under the auspices of the United BrethrenChurch and his wife is a member of the MethodistChurch.Our subject remained under the parental roofuntil after the removal of the family to LivingstonCounty, 111., in 1865. He was educated atGrand Prairie Seminary, of Onarga, pursuing aLatin and scientific course, and was graduated inthe Class of '82. Prof. Foreman enjoys the distinctionof being a self-educated man. By workingon the farm and carefully husbanding hisearnings, he procured the means to carry himthrough the first two years of his college course. Desiringto complete the work begun,and not possessedof the requisite funds, he served during the remainingtwo \'ears as janitor, carrying coal, building firesand performing various other duties, while most ofthe other students were taking recreation. Thistraining in manual labor he considers more beneficialas giving vigor, health and physical developmentthan a regular course in gymnastics. Inaddition to the manual labor, he carried on asman^' studies as the others. Apparent hardshipsare often the greatest conservators of manhood.Upon graduation, he engaged in teaching in theCrescent City Schools, where he was employed oneyear and then accepted the position of Principalof the Melvin graded schools, which he has heldto the present time, covering a period of nineyears. At the last meeting of the School Board,he was chosen to the same position for the tenthyear. This school has one hundred and eightystudeuts and four trained teachers.On the 14th of August, 1884, Prof. Foremanwas married, in Onarga, 111., to Miss Mattie AndersonHaight, who was bor]i April 22, 1866, , inOnarga, and is a daughter of Orriu Sheperd andJane (Anderson) Haight. Her father was bornnear Rensselaerville, Rensselaer County, N. Y.,January 30, 1829, and her mother was born inMayfield, Fulton County, N. Y., on the 11th ofMay, 1835. They came to Iroquois County, 111.,about 1860, making that their home until 1890,when they removed to Oklahoma, their presentplace of residence.Mrs. Foreman is a self-educated woman. Whenonly thirteen years of age, she taught her firstschool, at Plato, 111. Subsequently, she attendedthe Grand Prairie Seminary, at Onarga, III., graduatingfrom the scientific department in the Classof '81. In 1882, she was engaged by Prof. J. II. Atwood,of the Commercial College, of Onarga, as hisassistant, and spent one j'ear in that work, takinga commercial course in the evenings and instructingclasses in the day time.She was graduatedfrom this department in 1882, and the nextyear was engaged in teaching in the northern partof Iroquois County. In 1883, she accepted theposition of primary teacher in theMelvin schools,which she has held without interrui)tion to thepresent time.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 675Since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Foremanhave made their home in Melvin. In June, 1890,he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixt3'acres in Sullivant Township, within two and ahalf miles of Sibley, on which he has made substantialimprovements. Tlie farm is pleasantly located,the soil is good and it is destined to beone of the vahiable farms of Ford County.Prof. Foreman is a Republican, but has had notime to devote to active politic*. lie is a memljerof the Good Templars' order and has served asChief Templar of the lodge in Melvin. He andhis wife have both won enviable reputations aseducators and rank among the most able and conscientiouste.achers in this part of the Slate.Theirlong continuance in the positions they now holdspeaks volumes in their favor. They have bypersistent and well-directed effort advanced thestandard of scholarship in the Melvin school untilit ranks among the best schools of Ford County.^^[if^^V ^^^ J=5.^=* AAPT. NAPOLEON .SNYDER, one of theearly settlers ofGibson Cit}', is a man well^^^J(J known in business circles. Easton, Pa., isthe place of his birth, and tlie date is .January 8,1832. His father, .Tohn Snyder, in early life wentto sea, and for nine ^ears was with Commodore Decatur.During the War of 1812, he served onboard a man-of-war, "The Old Constitution," andsubsequently married and settled in Pennsylv^ania.In 1836, he loaded liis family and worldly effectsinto a six-horse wagon and started across the mountainsfor the Far West. His purpose was to godirect to the lead mines of Galena, III., l)ut onreaching Tazewell Connt\', he decided there to locate.For a numlier of 3-ears he was engaged inteaming, and as there were no railroads at thattime, he w.as often called upon to haul loads bothfrom Chicago and St. Louis. He also engaged infarming in Tazewell County. In politics, he votedwith the Democratic party. His wife, whosemaiden name was Elizabetli Lunger, died in TazewellCounty in the jn-ime of life. He passed awayat the age of sixty-two years. Mrs. Snyder, whowas a devoted member of the Baptist Church, becamethe mother of eight children, only tliree ofwhom are now living.Our subject is the fouitli child in oi-der of birthin the family. He was reared to m.inhood in theusual manner of farmer lads, and until fourteenyears of age attended tiie district school, where lieacquired his literary education. Being then left anorphan, he hired out on a farm, receiving ^6 permonth as a comjiensation for liis labors.Before Mr. Snyder reached liis niaj(nity, he wasunited in marriage, on the 22d of October, 1852, toMiss .luliet, daughter of Myron B. and Sarah(Spike) Sjn-ague, who were natives of A'ermont andNew York, resiieetively. In 1850, Mr. Spraguecame bj' water to Illinois, locating in Tremont,Tazewell County, and there engaged in agriculturalpursuits, though by trade he was a cooper.He went to Clieney's Grove, McLean County-, in1853, where he entered Land from the Government,and began its cultivation. There himself and wifespent the remainder of their daj-s, he dying at theage of eighty-two, and she p.assing away at aboutthe same age. Mrs. Snyder is the second in theirfamily of seven children, five sons andtvro daughters.In 1855, Mr. Snyder and wife also moved toCheney's Grove, wiiere he secured one hundred andsixty acres of raw land on a land warrant which hehad purciiased. To the breaking and im[)roving ofthis he gave his entire time and attention, and soonhad the land under a high state of cultivation.The war having broken out, lie left his farm, stockand crops to be cared for by his wife, and October12, 1861, enlisted as a meinlier of Comiiany L,Fourth Illinois Cavalry. The regiment was orderedto join Grant's Brigade at Cairo, III. Thechief liattles in which onr suliject i)articipated wereFt. Heniy, Ft. Donelson and Shiloh. On the 1stof .July, 1864, Mr. Snyder was commissioned Captainof Company D, Mississippi iNIounted Rifles,and one year later, the war having closed, he wasmustered out of service .June 1!», 1865. During hisentire service he was never off duty, and never ina hospital. Upon being discharged, he returned tohis farm. During his absence, his wife had battled

-676 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.heroically to keep home affairs in a prosperous condition,and her efforts were not in vain. Havingremained on the farm until 1873, they removed toGibson City, and soon after disposed of their landin McLean County.For some ten or twelve years, Capt. Snyder engagedin the grocery business in Gibson City, beingassociated with N. B. Tyler two years ofthattime. As a traveling salesman, he has been empl03'edfor about five years, and is now travelingfor John vS. Gould

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 079every true American citizen should do, takes anactive interest in political affairs. He has beenhonored with various offices of public trust andhis duties have ever been faithfully performed.In 1885, lie was elected Justice of the Peace ofFord County and was re-elected. He afterwardresigned, however, and was elected Police Magistrate,which position he has since filled with creditto himself and satisfaction to his constituents.Mr. Hilborn has also served as a delegate to thecounty conventions. He has been a resident ofIllinois for a quarter of a century and is widelyand favorabl}' known in Ford and adjoiningcounties.^/I'GUST OPPERMAN, who is engaged in^/IM general farming on section 28, BrentonTownship, is a son of David Opperman,,^^ who was born in the town of Wollmirstadt,Saxony, Germany, November 13, 1824.Hisfather was a miller and he learned th.at trade,which he followed for some years. He marriedDorothea Brauman, who died, leaving one child,Frederick, who was killed at Beaumont in theFranco-German AVar, August 30, 1870. DavidOpperman, after the death of his first wife, marriedher sister, Frcdericka Brauman, and in 1868 theycrossed tlie Atlantic to America, sailing fromBremen to New York.Two weeks after landing in this country, Mr.Opperman reached Chatsworth, where he purchaseda team and engaged in the operation ofrented land until 1875, when he bought eightyacres of land, the present home of his family. Heafterward bought another eighty-acre tract andleft his widow a comfortable home and a finefarm of one hundred and sixty acres. Every improvementupon the land stands as a monument tohis thrift and enterprise. He was a prominentand intluential citizen of this community, andhighlj' esteemed by all who knew him. In politics,he was n life-long Republican, and for someyears held the office of .Tustice of the Peace. Hisdeath occurred on tlie Gth of May, 1888, at theage of sixty-three years. His widow is still livingwith her son August.The Opperman famil>' numbered seven children,as follows: Fredericka, wife of F. Bork, afarmer of Brenton Township; William and Charles,who are also engaged in agricultural pursuits inthe same township; August, of this sketch; Emma,wife of Andrew Ilecht, of Pella Township; Lizzie,wife of William Brauman, of Brenton Township;and Ernest, at home; the latter was born in thiscountry, the others being natives of Germany.Our subject was a lad of six years when, withhis parents, he crossed the Atlantic. lie has alwaysresided with his mother, and since liis father'sdeath has had charge of the farm. lie nowoperates two hundred and eighty acres of goodland and is one of the energetic and wide-awakeyoung business men of the community. The neatappearance of the place indicates his thrift andenterprise. He takes an active interest in allthat pertains to the welfare of the community andis a public-spirited and progressive citizen. Headvocates Republican principles and cast his firstPresidential vote for .Tames G. Blaine. He hasserved as delegate to the county conventions andhas held the office of Commissioner of Highways.Mr. Opperman is quite a skilled musician, especiallyon the violin and wind instruments, andhe and three of his brothers are members of theArtesia Band, of Thawville. In his social relations,he is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, belonging to thesocieties of Piper City. He has spent the greaterpart of his life in this locality, and by all whoknow him he is held in high esteem for his sterlingworth.^AVID WOOLSTONCROFT, an honoredveteran of the late war and a prominentcitizen of Roberts, claims Illinois as theState of his nativity. He was born inMagnolia, Putnam County, July 18, 1840, andmention is made of his father's family on anotherpage of this work. In the usual manner of farmerlads, his boyhood days were spent, and he after-

I680 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.ward learned the trade of a stone and brick masonand plasterer. On attaining liis majority, lie startedout in life for liimself and from that time was dependentupon hi.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 681ter, Florence. Mr. Hurst lias affiliated with theRepublican party since he cast his first Presidentialvote for Abraham Lincoln. He is a well-informedman, both on political questions and otherwise,and lias filled numerous offices to the credit of himselfand the satisfaction of his constituents. Hehas filled the office of Assessor for a longer periodthan almost any citizen of the community. Hewas Supervisor of Lyman Township for a numberof j-eai's, was Collector two terms, was SchoolTrustee for two terms and Highway Commissionerfor a number of years. Tlie cause of educationhas ever found in him a warm friend. He organizedthe first school in the western part of thetownship, and his labors in behalf of the schoolshave been instrumental of much good. He is anhonored jiioneer of the county, having witnessedits growth from the da^'S when its lands were alluncultivated, when deer roamed over the prairie,and when many of its villages had not yet sprunginto existence. The earlj' settlers were the foundersof the county, and to them we owe a debt ofgratitude which can never be iei)aid for what theyhave done in its behalf.Vj^^ELSON STEDMAN, a retired farmer resid-I )/)i"g ill Piper City, is a rfative of the Emflit^pire State. He was born in Genesee County,May 27, 1833, .and is a son of .John and Sally (Silliway)Stedman. His father was born in Rhode Islandin 1800, became a New York farmer, andvisited Uuffalo just after that cit}' was burned bythe British in 1813. He S[)ent the remainder ofhis life in Erie County, N. Y., and in the midst ofthe forest developed a farm. Unto Mr. and Mrs.Stedman were born three sons and four daughters:Mrs. Bassett, of Minnesota; La Fayette, who residesin Wyoming County, N. Y.; -John, deceased;Nelson, of this sketch; Sophia, now Mrs. Clark, ofJamestown, N. Y;Mrs. Dolly A. Brooks, who diedin Dakota; and Mrs. Melissa Mandel, a widow residingnear Buffalo, N. Y.The subject of this sketch spent his boyliooddays in the usual manner of fanner lads, and hiseducational advantages were very limited. At theearly age of nine years, he began earning his ownlivelihood, working as a farm band at $7 permonth. He was afterward employed in the lumberwoods, and in summer worked in the sawmillsfor ten years. In 1864, he bade good-bye to hishome in the East, and came to Illinois, locating inOttawa, where he worked upon a farm for nearlyseven years. He had to begin life empty-handedin this State. From the low wages which he hadreceived in the East, he had managed to save$1,000, but lost it all by signing notes. In the autumnof 1870, he came to Ford County and purchasedone hundred and sixt}' acres of wild landin Pella Township. This he tiled and drained andplaced the entire amount under a high state of cultivation.He also extended the boundaries of hisfarm until it comprises four hundred acres of valua,bleland, which 3'ields bountifully. The incomehe derives therefrom now enables him to live a retiredlife, and he is resting, after many years offaithful labor, at his pleasant home in Piper City.Mr. Stedman was married in New York, on the6th of November, 18.59, to Miss Harriet Read, anative of ChauLauqua County, born August 1,1837. Their union has been blessed with a familyof seven children: Earl, who was born in the P^mpireState, operates his father's farm ; John, who wasborn in Illinois, educated at Valparaiso, and pursuedhis medical studies in Keokuk, Iowa, is nowengaged in the practice of medicine in Chicago,where he resides with his wife, having married JennieTyler, of Aurora, 111.; INIary is the wife ofLewis Stafford, a merchant of Chicago; Nellie;James is a farmer of Iroquois County; Nora andHenry.The father of Mr. Stedman was a Demociat inpolitics, but he cast his first Presidential vote forFremont, and has been a stalw.art supporter of theRepublican party since that time. He has beenofficially connected with the schools of this community,and served as Pathmaster for fourteenyears, but has never been an office-seeker, in fact,has refused to fill public positions. His wife hasbeen a member of the Methodist Church for manyyears. Mr. Stedman is numbered among the pioneersettlers of this community. He has traveled

682 J^ORTEAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.all over tlie swamijs of Ford County, and in theearlier da)s reaped quite an income as a trapper.He has caught large numbers of muskrats andminks, and still follows this business to a limitedextent, which is the onl3- industr}' which now occupieshis attention. He has done much for theupbuilding of the county, has taken a commendableinterest in all its leading enterjjrises, and welldeserves mention in its history.-T^^"=5^*ENRY A. FORNEY, who is engaged in generalfarming on section 5, Lyman Township,is a native of the Keystone State. He•J was born .Tune 29, 1849, and is a son ofJames II. and Margaret (Allewelt) Forney. Thefather now resides in Rrimfield,Ill. He is a painterby trade, and also engages in teaching. He waseducated in Hanover, Fa., and has taught bothGerman and English. He emigrated to Illinois inthe spring of 1855, locating in Feoria Count3-, andis one of its hont)red and respected citizens. Apublic-spirited man, he has always beenidentifiedwith tliose interests calculated to benefit the community,and has held a number of official positions.In i)olitics, he is a stalwart Democrat, and himselfand wife are members of the Lutheran Church.Unto this worthy couple were born seven children,and the family circle yet.remains unbroken:Henr^- A., of this sketch is the eldest; Adolphus ismarried and is living in Feoria County, 111.; Ephraimis .also married, and is a farmer of JubileeTownship; Belmina E. is the wife of Joseph Hart,who is engaged in the manufacture of tile in Dunlap,Feoria County; Leander is married and successfullyfollows farming in Kansas; James is anagriculturist residing witli his family in PeoriaCounty; and Cora is the wife of William Hay word,a merchant of Brimfield, 111.Our subject was only five years of age, when,with his family, he came to Illinois. The da^'S ofhis boj'hood and youtli were spent in PeoriaCounty, where he acquired a common-school education,and became inured to the labors of the farm.On attaining his majority, he commenced life forhimself with a cash capital of about ^300.Removingto Woodford County, he spent about five years,and since that time has been a resident of FordCounty. He now owns and operates eighty acresof rich land which yields to him a golden tributein return for the care and cultivation he bestowsupon it. The home is a lieautiful and comfortableresidence, and its surrounding are such as arefound on a model farm.On tlie 5th of September, 1872, a marriage ceremonywas performed which united the destinies ofMr. Forne}- and Miss Frances Shambrook, daughterof Robert Shambrook, a sketch of whom appearselsewhere in this work. She was born inTazewell County, May 25, 1854, but the greaterpart of her maidenhood days were passed in WoodfordCounty. By their marriage was born a littledaughter, Eva May, who died at the age of eightmonths. Mr. and Mrs. Forney are well-knownpeo])le of this community. He cast his first Fresidentialvote for II ^race Greeley, and has sincevoted with the Demccratic party, the principles ofwhich he warmly advocates. He has been a teacherin the Union Sunday-school of the district for threeyears, and ever gives his sujiport to those interestsand enterprises calculated to improve and upbuildthe community.^ OSEFH McKINNEY', deceased, was a prominentearly settler of Ford County. A nativeof the Emerald Isle, he was born March17, 1840, and was a son of Archil)ald andP.lizabeth McKinney, also natives of Ireland. Heacquired a common-school education in his nativeland, and at the age of seventeen accompaniedhis parents on their emigration to America in1857. Tlie family first located in Breuton Township,Ford County.Mr. McKinney remained under the parentalroof until his marriage, which was celebrated onthe 6th of November, 1873, Miss Susie Goodmanbecoming his wife. She is a daughter of Johnand Sarah (Bellamy) Goodman, and is a most esti-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 687inable lady. Two children were born of theirunion: Archibald and Sarah, both of whom arestillwith their mother.Mr. McKinnej- continued to engage in farmingfor a number of years, making his home in BrentonTownship until 1880. In that year he cameto Kempton and establisiied a hardware store andlumber yard, carrying on business in that lineuntil the time of his death, which occurred on the10th of Januarj', 1885. He was a good businessman, enterprising andprogressive, and his successin life was all due to his own efforts. His remainswere interred in the cemetery of Piper Cit}' andmanj' friends mourned his loss, forhe was widel}'and favorablj' known in this communitj-. In politics,he was a Republican, and alwa^'S took an activeinterest in political affairs, keeping himselfwell informed on the issues of the day, and on allsubjects of general interest. He held membershipwith the Presbyterian Church. His widow stillresides in Kempton, where she has man}' friends.She is a lady of many excellencies of character,and to her husband proved a true helpmate andcompanion.•^^E^^«' OIIN THACKRAY, one of the highly respectedfarmers of Peacli Orchard Township,resides on section 14, where he owns avaluable tract of land. He first purchasedeighty acres, but as the 3'ears have passed he hasmade additional purchase, and his possessions nowaggregate five hundred and twelve acres, whichyield to him a golden tribute for his care and cultivation.His home farm is well improved withfair buildings and all the accessories of a modelfarm, and in the pursuit of ins chosenhe has acquired a handsome competence.occupationMr. Thackray was born in Yorkshire, England,March 2'J, 1834, and is a son of John and Isabella(Dawson) Thackraj', who were the parents of ninechildren, namely: William, now deceased; John oftliis sketch; Thomas, also deceased; Henry, a tailorresiding in Bradford, England; Charles, who hasdeparted this life; George, a resident of Bradford,28England, and a blacksmith by trade; Elizabeth,now Mrs. Franks; Mary and James. The father ofthis familj' followed blaoksmithing in pursuit offortune, and was called to his final rest in 1890,his wife having departed this life in 1888. Theywere both members of the Church of England, andwere people highly esteemed.The common schools of his native land affordedour subject his educational privileges. He startedout in life for himself at the age of sixteen 3 ears,working as a farm hand and at other laborwhereby he might earn an honest dollar and providefor his own support. At length, he determinedto make a home in America, of whose excellent advantagesand prospects he had heard much. In1856, he sailed from Liverpool, and after aboutseven weeks spent upon the broad Atlantic, reachedNew York City in safetv. He soon afterwardmade his way to Chicago, and began work at day'slabor in a chair"factory of that place, in whichwas employed until 1857. That year was spent inMichigan, chopping cord wood and clearing land,working either by the mouth or day, and in thespring of 1858, we find him at Keastner's Mills,Putnam County, 111. He also worked upon a farm.To that employment he devoted his energies untilthe winter ofhe1859, when he began chopping cordwood. In the spring, he purchased some land inPutnam County, a tract heavily timbered, and beganthe development and improvement of thefarm, clearing it and placing it under a good stateof cultivation.On the 13th of June, 1865, INIr. Thackray wasunited in marriage to Miss Catherine Phillips,daughter of George and Martha Phillips, both ofwhom were of English descent. Eight childrenhave blessed their union, namely: George \V., nowengaged in farming in Peach Orchard Township;Edward, who died in infancy'; Martha I., at home;Mary, who died in infancy'; John, Amos, MaryEtta and James, who are still under the parentalroof.In the spring of 1869, Mr. Thackrav left PutnamCounty, III., sold his farm and came to FordCounty, locating on section 14, Peach OrchardTownship, on railroad land, where he has since resided.He is a Republican in] politics, and, as

688 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.every true American citizen should do, feels an interestin political affairs. He has served both asSchool Director and Township Trustee.All enterprisescalculated to prove of public benefit receivehis hearty support and co-operation, and his aid isnever withheld from an\' interest which tends topromote the general welfare. lie is a valued andrepresentative citizen, and one well deserving ofhonorable mention in tiie history of his adoptedcounty.THOMAS MoDERJIOTT, who is numberedamong the early settlers of Ford County,residing on section 9, Pella Township, was\nn\ in County Roscommon, Ireland, on the 19thof March, 1837.His parents, Patrick and Bridget(Conlon) McDermott, were both natives of theEmerald Isle. The father was a farmer, and in1851 emigrated to America. After a year and ahalf spent in the Empire State, he came to Illinoisin 1853, locating in Peoria County. Helived in that count>- with his son during the remainderof his life, his death occurring in Peoriain 1874. His wife passed away in that city in1860. Unto them were born the following children:James, who is now engaged in farming inPeoria County; .John, wlio served in the Fort>'-seventh Illinois Infantry during the late war andnow resides in Streator, 111.; Patrick, who makeshis iiome in Chicago; Ann, who is living in PeoriaCounty; Michael, now deceased; and Thomas, ofthis sketch. All of the children were born andreared in Ireland.Our subject began his school life in his nativeland and completed his education in the schoolsof this country, whither he came with his parentswhen fourteen 3-ears of age. He remainedunder the parental roof until he had attained hismajority, and then began working as a farm handbj- the month. As soon as he had acquired sufficientmeans, he purchased land and began farmingin Peoria County, where he made his homeuntil 1869, when lie came to Ford County andpurchased one hundred and sixty acres of land,constituting his present farm. It has since beenhis home, and in the years which have since comeand gone he has transformed it from a wild tractinto a highly-improved place, whose rich and fertilefields yield to him a good income. In connectionwith general farming, he engages in stockraising,having for about fifteen years made aspeeialt}' of thorough-bred horses.On the 12th of May, 1860, Mr. McDermott wasunited in marriage with Ellen Berigan, a nativeof Ireland, who came to America when aboutnine years old with her parents, Patrick and Ann(Macke3') Berigan, who settled on Staten Island,and after five years spent in that locality emigratedto Peoria, 111. The mother now resides inChatsworth, Livingston County. The father diedMay 20, 1892. Both Mr. and Mrs. McDermott aremembers of the Catholic Church of Piper City, andin this communit}' are well and favorably known,having many friends throughout the county.Mr. McDermott cast his first Presidential votefor Stephen A. Douglas, and has since been astanch advocate of Democratic principles. He hasbeen honored with a number of local olflces; foreleven consecutive j-ears he has been Supervisor ofhis township, for eight 3'ears served as Assessor,was Commissioner of Highways, and Treasurer ofseveral drainage districts. He is now Treasurer ofDistricts Nos. 1 and 2. The land in Ford Countybeing swampy and low, it was unfit for farmingpurposes until drained, and those citizens whohave labored so earnestly in this direction deservegreat credit for what they have done. Mr. Mc-Dermott has ever had the best interests of thecommunity at heart and is a highly respectedcitizen of Pella Township.-^¥r/i^^ HRISTOPHER C. CRANDALL, a well-(11 ^-^ known farmer of Pella Township, residing^^^ on section 4, was born September 3, 1845,in Cook Count}', 111. His father, Heman Crandall,was a native of Vermont and a son of JohnCraudall, a farmer who served in the War of 1812.He resided for many years in the town of Mona,Franklin County, N. Y., where his death occurred

PORTRAIT A^D WOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 689in 1867. Heman Crandall came to Illinois in thefall of 1833, and settled at Chicago, which wasthen only a log tavern. He was at the first landsale which occurred at that place and purchasedland in Cook County, wliere he made his homefor many years, devoting his time and attentionto agricultural pursuits. lie served as a Lieutenantin the Illinois Militia under Gov. Carlin, asa member of Company A, Sixtieth Illinois Infantry-,and the commission, which bore date June15, 1842, is still in possession of his son, ChristopherC. He married Lydia Bushnell, who wasborn near Mentor, Ohio, and when twelve yearsof age came to Illinois and worked in the old NewYork House, the first hotel in Chicago. She wasthere married, .lune 13, 1836, when sixteen yearsof age, and is still living in California at the ageof seventy-two years. The death of Mr. Crandalloccurred in Ford Countj-, and his remains werelaid to rest in Brentou Cemetery.In the familj' were eleven children: Eady, bornSeptember 12, 1837; Ruey K., September 17, 1839;Mary M., July 14, 1841; Martha E., October 6,1843; Christopher C, September 3, 1845; ImogeneE., October 9, 1847; Herman A., December 8,1849; George C, October 11, 1851; Lydia S., whowas born March 20, 1854, and died September 3,1855; Eva E., born April 4, 1857; Benjamin S.,March 6, 1859; and William A., June 2, 1861.The early life of our subject passed uneventfullyin the usual manner of farmer lads on thefrontier, but after the breaking out of the late war,he responded to the call for troops, enlisting atJolict, in 1862, as a member of the Eighth Phalanx,Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry—Gov. Yates' pickedregiment. Their first service was in the ShenandoahValley, and they were the first regiment atthe siege of Charlestown. Mr. Crandall participatedin Butler's expedition up the James River,the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Appomattox,and has in his possession a piece of the appletree under which the surrender was made. At thebattle of Deep Bottom, Va., Mr. Crandall was hitby a piece of shell in the shoulder, his ribs werebroken, a piece of the shell cracked his skull andhe received seven bullet wounds, all in going sixteenrods. Of all the officers of the regiment whowent into the service only one lieutenant returned.After the surrender of Ft. Monroe, Va.,our subject received his discharge, in October, 1865,and was mustered out at Springfield in December.On the 28th of March of the following year,Mr. Crandall was married, in Chicago, to MissRoxanna Reed, who was born in Bristol, OntarioCounty, N. Y. They removed to Martin County,Minn., and took up a claim of Government land, onwhich they resided for a year, when they returnedto Illinois. In the spring of 1871, they went toMissouri, and for eleven years Mr. Crandall engagedin farming in Adair County. He came toFord County in 1882, and has since made hishome on section 4, Fella Township, where he ownseight}' acres of valuable land. However, he operatestwo hundred acres. He is a practical andprogressive farmer, and by close attention to businesshas won a competence. Socially, he is amember of the Grand Army Post and the Masonicfraternity of Piper City. In politics, he has beena stalwart Republican since he cast his first Presidentialvote for Gen. Grant. His wife and twoeldest children are members of the MethodistChurch.Unto Mr. aud Mrs. Crandall were born sevenchildren: George M., who was born in CookCounty, April 1, 1869, is now engaged in farmingin Pella Township; Lizzie K., born April 5, 1875;Henry M., born February 6, 1876, is in Wilson,Mo.; Bessie E., born December 15, 1879; MarthaE., July 31, 1882; Inez 0., September 18, 1884;and Christopher C, April 15, 1887. Carrie, theeldest, was born June 5, 1867, in Minnesota, anddied in Missouri, in 1872.AVID BAARE. who is engaged in generalfarming on section 27, Rogers Township,claims Pennsj'lvania as the State of his nativitj'.He was born in Lancaster County, October16, 1836, and is a son of David Baare, Sr., who wasalso born in Lancaster County. The grandfatherwas a native of Germany and became one of thehonored pioneers of Lancaster County. The mother

:690 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.of our subject, who bore the maideu name of CatherineSanders, died whan her son was a babe ofnine months. The father was a carpenter by tradeand did business as a contractor and builder for anumber of years. He came to Illinois in 1855, locatingin Naperville, Du Page County, where hemade his home for a few j^ears, when he removedto Will County, locating in Joliet.His death occurredseveral years later, in 1870.The subject of this sketch spent the days of hisboyhood and j'outh in the county of his nativity,and when a young man came to the West with hisfather. He began working for himself, and wasemployed as a farm hand by the month for severalyears.In 1864;, he joined the Fourth Illinois Cavalry,which was afterward consolidated with theTwelfth Regiment of Cavalry, and served imtilthe close of the war, when be was discharged, inOctober, 1865. He went South with his regimentand did duty in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.When the country no longer needed his services,Mr. Baare returned to his home and spent one 3'earas a farm hand in Will County.In 1867, he cameto Ford County, and purchased an eighty-acretract of wild land. He was one of the first settlersof this community. He began the development ofhis farm, and after a time extended its boundariesuntil it now comprises one hundred and sixty acres,all under a high state of cultivation and well improved.The house, barn, and other outbuildingsall stand as monuments to his thrift andenterprise.A marriage ceremony performed in Will Count}',March 19, 18G7, united the destinies of Mr. Baareand Mrs. Margaret Ann INIanser. She was thewidow of Samuel Manser and a daughter of BenjaminPennell. By her first marriage she had twochildren: John F., who resides in Cabery; andMayMelinda, wife of Samuel Dorman, who residesin Livingston County. Mrs. Baare is a native ofLancaster County, Pa. By the second marriagethere have been born three children: Henry S., acarpenter employed by a bridge company in Mississippi;David M. and William A., who aid inthe operation of the home farm.Mr. Baare votes with the Democratic party.Wesee in him a self-made man, who began life withonly a young man's bright hope of the future anda determination to succeed, and he has succeeded,winning his way upward to au enviable positionamong the substantial and prominent citizens ofFord County. Ilislife has been well and worthilyspent, and it is with pleasure that we present thisrecord to our readers.^^[l(3^"HRISTIAN HOLMES, who owns and oper-ates a good farm of eighty acres on section^^J/j 31, Brenton Township, is a native of Denmark.He was born near AUinge, February 20,1842, and is a son of Anders Holm, who lived ona little island called Allinge. He spelled his nameHolm, but since the family came to America theletters e and s have been added. He married CarenC. Kaas, who was reared on the same island. Hisdeath occurred in 1877, at the age of seventy-sevenyears, and his wife passed away at the age of eightyyears. They were both members of the LutheranChurch and their family numbered eight childrenHans Cliristian, a cooper of Louisville, Ky.; Christianof this sketch; and Christina who died in Denmark.The other children died in infancy.The education of our subject was acquired inhis native land prior to his fifteenth year, andwhen sixteen years of age he began learning thecarpenter's trade, which he followed in the OldCountry until 1865,when, having determined to tryhis fortune in America, he made his way to Liverpool,England, from whence he sailed to New York,reaching his destination after a voyage of sixteendays. He made his first location in Jamestown, N.Y., and after a few months went to Chicago, afterwardsspending a short time in Cincinnati, in Indianapolisand in Greencastle, Ind. He did Governmentwork as a carpenter for a few months and inFebruary, 1866, went to Nashville, WashingtonCounty, 111., where he spent two years working atcar|)entering. We next find him in Normal, Mc-Lean County, where he resided from 1868 until1875, when he came to Ford County and purchasedhis present farm of eighty acres. A little shanty'constituted the improvements at that time and the

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 693land was still in its primitive condition, but acreafter acre was soon cleared and the well-tilledfields now yield to him a golden tribute. A comfortablehome has been built and all the accessoriesof a model farm can there be found.In Chicago, in 1869, Mr. Holmes was united inmarriage with Miss Maria Hansen, who was liorn inDenmark, and crossed the Atlantic to this countryabout 1869. By their union have been born sevenchildren, namely: Hannah, wife of Ira Knight, aresident farmer of Livingston County; Lewis,George, Minnie, Johnnie, Fred and William. Thethree eldest children were born in Normal and allwere educated in the public schools.In his political affiliations, Mr. Holmes is a Republican.Wlien ho landed at New York, he hadonly $20 in gold, and he may well be termed a selfmademan, for by his own efforts he has acquired agood competence and is recognized as one of theprosperous had valued citizens of this community.He has made his home in Ford County for seventeenj'cars, his duties of citizenship have ever beenfaithfully performed and the upright life which hehas led has won him the confidence of all.RS. JOHN PHIPPS, who resides on section6, Lyman Township, was born in Ilowardville,Center County, Pa., May 21, 1841,and is a daughter of James and Eliza(Courter) Britton. Her father was born in theKeystone State, March 8, 181.3, acquired a common-schooleducation, and was early inured to hardwork. For some tune, he engaged in the manufactureof iron goods, but after a time concluded totry his fortune on the broad prairies of the AVest,and with a team made an overland journey to Illinoisacross the States of Pennsylvania, Ohio andIndiana. He first located in Kendall County,where he remained for about eleven years, whenhe came to Ford County and made his fiist |)urchaseof land, becoming owner of forty acres, laterof fort^' more of unbroken prairie. His death occurredat the age of sixty j'ears. His wife, whowas bom April 1, 1818, died June 12, 1892. Theywere parents of six children, three sons and threedaughters, of whom three are yet living: ThomasT. is now married and engaged in the manufactureof medicine in Re3'nolds, Ind. He served in theEight3'-ninth Infantry during the late war, andwas badly wounded in the head at MissionRidge,on the 2.5th of November, 186.3. Mrs. Phipps is thenext younger; Franklin Pierce is married and followsfarming in Livingston Count}', III.; John M.,Dorcas M. and Mary C. are all deceased, and therewas only eight days' difference in their deaths.Mrs. Phipps was a maiden of fifteen summerswhen, with her parents, she came to Illinois. Shewas educated in the seminary in Howardville, Pa.,and in the schools of this State. On the 27th ofSeptember, 1865, in Bristol, Kendall County, shebecame the wife of John Phipps, who was a nativeof New York, but was reared in Kendall County.B}' occupation he was a farmer, but when the countr3'called for troops during the late war, he abandonedhis work and entered the service, August 15,1862, as one of the brave boys of Company D,Ninety-first Illinois Infantry, under Capt. AugustP. Stover. The regiment was assigned to the Armyof the Cumberland, and its line of duty laythrough Kentucky, Tennessee, ]Mississippi and Alabama.Mr. Phipps participated in the battles ofElizabethtown. Point Isabel, Atchafalaya, WhiteRanch, Whistlers' Station, and the siege of SpanishFoit. He twice crossed the Gulf of Mexico, andwas taken prisoner in Kentucky, but was parolledshortly afterward. On the close of the war, hewas honorably discharged, July 12, 1865, in Mobile.When the country no longer needed his services,Mr. Phipps returned to his home in Kendall Count}')and in 1857 brought his family to Ford County.He became owner of one hundred and sixt}- acresof highly improved land, and made it an excellentfarm, devoting his energies to its cultivation anddevelopment.He was called to his final rest, May9, 1889, and his remains were interred in Chatworth(Jemeterj', his death being deepl}' regrettedby all. In politics, he was a stalwart Republican.He served as School Director, and did everythingin his power for the u[)building and improvementof the community.

694 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Phipps were born four children,three sons and a daughter, two of whom areyet living: Eddy .T., superintends the managementof his mother's farm, and resides on the old homestead.He was educated in the High School and theNormal School, both of Morris,Gruudy County, andis a man of excellent business ability. He weddedMiss Mamie, daughter of Oliver and Olive (Kilpatriclv)Woodrow. They were married March 20,1888, and unto them was born a daughter, GraceB., and a son, but the latter is now deceased. AdaB. became the wife of .lohn Hawthorne, a residentfarmer of Lyman Township, March 4, 1890, andthej' have a little son, Leroy James.Mrs. Phipps is a member of the Methodist Cluirch,and is a lady of cliaritable and I)enevoIent impulses,whose good works have won lier the loveof manj'. She still resides on the old home farmwhere she has a commodious and comfortalilo residence,supplied with all the comforts and many ofthe luxuries of life.E^HARLES E. CHAPIN, M. D. Among the#, successful young physicians and surgeons^^^.' of Ford County, who have built up a largeand rapidly increasing practice, and have arisenby their own merit, must be mentioned the gentlemanwhose name heads this sketch, a prominentpractitioner of Melvin. He was born in De Witt,De Witt County, 111., on the 29th of .January, 1866,and is a son of Stillman A. and Susan (Lafifertj)Chapin.His father is also a native of Illinois, andwas l)orn on the site of East St. Louis, in 1821, hisparents being natives of Virginia, who emigratedto Illinois about the time this State was admittedto the Union. The Doctor's mother was born inChampaign County, Ohio, in 1823, and during herchildhood came with her family to Illinois.Botliparents are still living, and yet reside in De Witt,where they have made their liome since early life.In their familj' are four children, three sons and adaughter. All the boys are physicians: Samuel L.,of Saybrook, 111.; Hiram 8., of Holder, 111.; andCharles E., of this sketch.Charles E. Chapin acquired his literary educationin the Clinton High School, and, having determinedto enter tiie medical profession, beganfitting himself for practice.After pursuing a threeyears'course of study in the Rush Medical Collegeof Chicago, he was graduated from that institutionin the Class of '91, and on receiving his diploma,he at once established practice in Melvin.Dr. Chapin is well up in his profession, is energeticand prompt in the discharge of his professionalduties, and has rapidly won his way into the confidenceand esteem of his patrons.In LeRoy, 111., on the 8th of May, 1889. theDoctor was joined in wedlock with Miss LizzieSterling, who was born near that city, and is adaughter of Samuel and Martlia (West) Sterling.Their union has been blessed with one child, a son,Arnett Sterling, who was born in Le Roy, on the7th of September, 1890. The parents are well andfavorabl}' known in this comniuuity, and rank highin social circles. Dr. Chapin is a member of jNIelvinLodge No. 811, A. F. ife A. M., and also belongsto Peach Orchard Lodge No. 179, K. P. In hispolitical affiliations, he is a Democrat, and hasserved two years as Postmaster of De Witt, 111.,under President Cleveland's administration. Hehas already won an enviable recognition amonghis professional brethren of experience, and has theability which will make him a successful physician.(* IVILLIAIM PERDUE, a retired farmer and\rj// Stock-grower now residing in Paxton, isW^the owner of six hundred and ten acres ofvaluable land in Ford County, situated in tractson sections 2, 4, 9 and 14, Town 23, Range 9, PattonTownship. The old homestead lies on section2, and the tracts are mostly contiguous.The subject of this sketch is a native of Pennsylvania,and was born in Chester County, on thenth of April, 1840, being the third of eight children,six sons and two daughters. His parents wereMentor and Marj' Perdue. His father was born inSouthern Virginia, December 1, 1796, of parentswho were emigrants from Pennsylvania. In earlj'

PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 695life, he made his home in Chester County, Pa., andwith his family emigrated to Illinois in 1852, locatingin Chicago. He had been an extensive ironmanufacturer in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Mar}'-land. In 18.")y, accompanied by his wife and children,lie removed to Ford County, and located onwhat was later the homestead farm of his son William,on section 2, Patton Township. The parentsboth died in this county, the death of the fatheroccurring September 22, 1872, and the mother, whowas born February 29, 1811, p.assed awaj' April 2,1889. Both were members of the Quaker Church,to wliicli they ever adhered.William Perdue, whose name heads this record,spent his childhood on his father's farm in Pennsylvania,and when twelve years of age, came withthe family to Chicago, where he spent seven j-earsand attended the Chicago schools. When elevendaj'S p.ast his majority, he started out in life forhimself with the small capital whicli he iiad earnedthe summer before in tlie harvest field. One yearlater, he began farming in iNIorris, and after threeyears returned to Patton, where he purchased afarm of one hundred and sixty acres, mostly oncredit, to which he has added by additional purchaseuntil his landed possessions now aggregatesix hundred and ten acres. He early began raisingstock, and by care in breeding became quitesuccessful in that line.On the 23rd of September, 18G3, Mr. Perdue wasunited in marriage in Paxton with Miss MinervaC. Stoner, daugliter of Daniel C. Stoner, a pioneersettler of Patton Township. The lady is a nativeof La F'ayette, Ind., and came to wliat is now PattonTownship with her parents in 18.51. Mr. .indMrs. Perdue have four daughters and one son:Susan A., Lena B., Bessie G., Hortense and DanielStoner, all of whom were born in Patton Township.In iiis political attiliations, Mr. Perdue is a Republican,but has never sought or desired publicoffice. He and his wife, also their daughters, aremembers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, andsince 1883 tlie family has resided in Paxton. Mr.Pel due is well known as one of the early settlersand successful farmers of Ford County. He has ledan .active and useful life, has been an indu^tli()usman, and h.as accumulated a valuable property.His intercourse with his fellow-men h.as been distinguishedb3' strict integrity, kind and .accommodatingways, and a Christian spirit, so th.at all withwhom business or pleasure has brought him in contactentertain for him only kind regard and profound respect.-^^-^—^ OHN ESSINGTON lias for seventeen yearsresided upon his present farm on section12, Mona Townsliip, and is numbered_ among the leading farmers of tlie community.He was born in England, March 7, 1849,and is a son of George and Sar.ali (Scott) Essington,both of whom were natives of F^ngland. Thefather was a blacksmith by trade. He came toAmerica on a sailing-vessel in 1856, reaching NewYork after a V03\age of thirty days. He then cameto Illinois, locating in Du Page, where he spentone 3ear working at his chosen occupation. Hethen removed to Plainfield, Will Count}-, wherehe purchased a shop and engaged in business fora few years, afterward purchasing a farm, uponwhich he spent tlie remainder of liis days, his deathoccurring February 12, 1886.His remains were interredin Plainfield Cemetery. In politics, he w.as aDemocratand was a prominentcitizen. His wife hadlong since passed awa\', liaving lieen called to thehome beyond in 1854, and he was .again married, inFjngland, this time to Mary Buffhan, a widow lady,by whom there were born the following children:Mary D. D. and .Tolin .losepli. She now resides atDwight with her son .loliii. Unto this worthycouple were born eight children: Mar}', widow ofJohn Clayton, resides in Kendall County, 111.;(reorge is a farmer of Mona Township; Hugh diedin 1876; Henry is a farmer residing in RogersTownship; Eliza became the wife of AVilliain Bryant,a resident fanner of Kendall County, 111., andwas called to her final rest in 1885; John, of thissketch, is the next younger; Edwin is engaged inagricultural pursuits in Kendall County; and Caroline,who completes the family, is the wife ofLewis Pierson, also a farmer oi Kendall County.

696 POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD.In the common scliools, John Essington acquiredan education which has well fitted him for thepractical duties of life. He began to earn his ownlivelihood at the age of seventeen years, workingas a farm hand by the month for a year. Hethen engaged in business for himself, rentingland. In 1871, he came to Ford County, and forfour years operated a rented farm in Mona Township.By his industry, perseverance and goodmanagement, he acquired some capital, and in1875 made purchase of one hundred and sixtyacres of land on section 12, where he has since resided.On the 11th of February, 1875, Mr. Essingtonled to the marriage altar Miss Clara Olson, daughterof Charlie and Elizabeth Olson.Nine childrenhave been born of their union, but two died ininfancy. The two sons and five daughters yetliving are: Walter, Mabel, Jennie, Rachel, Julia,Emma and Wallace. The family have a pleasanthome, and tiie farm which our subject owns isone of the desirable places of the community.It is well improved and the highly cultivated landyields him a golden tribute for the care and laborhe bestows upon it. In his political affiliations,Mr. Essington is a Republican.fcllOMAS SCOTT, a leading agriculturist ofDix Township, residing on section 31, wasborn on the 29th of November, 1841, nearMagnolia, La Salle, County, III., and is a son ofGeorge and Harriet B. (riiillips) Scott, the formera native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky.They became the parents of five children: Nancj'J., wife of Lewis Luddington, who is one of thegrain inspectors in Chicago; Thomas, of tliis sketch;Lewis, who died in infancy; Henry, a dealer infarm implements of Kansas City, Mo.; and GeorgeZ., an attorney at law, located in Decatur, 111. Thefather of this family-, attracted by the discovery ofgold on the Pacific slope, made an overland trip toCalifornia in 1850, reaching his destination afterabout six months of travel. He made the returnjourney by water. In 1870, he came to FordCounty, 111., and located in Wall Township, wherehe purchased land.After two years spent in farmingin that locality, he removed to Dix Township,and purchased a one hundred and twenty acre farmon section 31, where he resided until called to thehome beyond. He died February 7, 1885, and hisremains were interred in Gibson Cemetery.In hispolitical affiliations, he was a Republican. Hiswidow still lives, making her home in Gibson City.Mr. Scott of this record attended the districtschools in his earlier years and completed his educationin the Northern Illinois Institute, afterwhich he located in Henry, 111. He started out inlife for himself when nineleen years of age, andhas made farming his principal occupation. Onattaining his majority, he responded to the country'scall for volunteers to crush out the Rebellion,and, in 1862, enlisted in Company B, Eighty-sixthIllinois Infantry. He was mustered into serviceat Peoria, August 27, and the first important engagementin which he participated was at Perryville,Ky. He went with Sherman on the celebratedmarch from Atlanta to the sea. In askirmish at Kenesaw Mountain, he was woundedin the left arm by a rainie ball and was taken tothe field hospital in Nashville. Soon afterward, hewas granted a furlough and returned home. Subsequently,he was transferred to Company K, OneHundred and Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and waspromoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. Heparticipated in man^- other engagements, and whenthe war was over was honorably discharged, in December,1865.Mr. Scott then returned to his home, and, withhis parents, came to Ford County. He is still livingon the old homestead. As a companion andhelpmate on life's journey, he chose Miss LauraMcCann, a daugliter of William W. and Sarah H.(Bell) McCann. Tiieir union was celebrated December2, 1874, and unto them have been born sevenchildren, .as follows: Jennie, Harry, Mabel, Ilattie,Laura, Lona and Florence. With the exception ofLaura, who died Februaiy 2, 1891, all are yetliving.Mr. Scott supports that party which stood bythe Union during the late war, and is a stalwartRepublican. He was a faithful soldier, ever found

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;PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 699at his post of duty, and by his meritorious conductwon promotion. He is also a valued citizen ofthe community' in which he makes his home, and isa successful farmer.f,OBERT M. KARR resides on section 34,Wall Township, where he follows generalJi \\\ farming. He was born in CoslioctonCounty, Ohio, October 13, 1834, and is ason of Robert Karr, a native of Pennsylvania, whoremoved to Ohio in an earl}' day. He also followedfarming as a means of livelihood. Hewedded Mary .1. Endsley, who was of English descentand unto them were born a family of sevenchildren: John, a retired farmer, residing in PaxtonIsal)ella, wife of John MuKinsley, who followsfarming near Otter Lake, Mich.; Nancy, wife ofJames McKinsley, a resident farmer of SummitCounty, Ohio; Andrew, who is living near theold homestead in Ohio; Mary Jane, deceased, andMatilda, wife of Alonzo Bradley, who also engagesin agricultural pursuits near Otter Creek,Mich. The mother of this family died in 1841,and in 1844. Mr. Karr married Martha Young, bywhom he had three children: Elizabeth A., wife ofIsaac 'Rush, a farmer residing in Summit County,Ohio; Martha E., wife of John Doughtery, afarmer residing in Ohio, and James A., deceased.Robert Karr attended the district schools untilabout fifteen years of age, when his school lifewas ended and he gave his attention to farm work.He remained under the parental roof until twent}'-four years of age. As a companion and helpmateon life's journey he chose Miss Martha Ann, daughterof Andrew and Jane (McArmlty) McLaughlin.Her father was a native of Belfast, Ireland, andwas a weaver by trade. He came to Americaabout 1820, the vo\'age across the Atlantic consuminga month, and in New York he followedweas'ing. Afterward, he went to Pittsburg andlater to Holmes County, Ohio, where, in 1824, heentered land from the Government and turnedhis attention to agricultural pursuits. In the Mc-Laughlin family were seven sons and seven daughters,of whom four sons and two daughters areyet living: John, who wore the blue during thelate war and has since followed farming in Iowa;Mrs. Karr, wife of our subject; Mar}', wife of Col.Anderson, a farmer residing in Green City, Mo.;Robert, who for four years was a union soldierdaring the late war, resides with his wife and fourchildren in Iowa; Hugh, who is also a veteran ofthe late war, and was an inmate of Libby Prison,married a daughter of Thomas Yates, a brother ofthe War Governor, and resides in Springfield, andGeorge, the youngest, is living with his motherin Missouri. Mrs. McLaughlin survives at theage of eighty-eight jears and is still hale andheartj'. Mrs. Karr is a lad}' of pleasing addressand has been a valued helpmate to her husband.She has in her home an old English volume on religion,which was published in 1767, and is acentury and a quarter old. This is a cherishedheirloom and probaljly in Ford Count}' there isnot another volume bearing so ancient a date.Soon after his marriage, Mr. Karr purchased onehundred acres of land in Ohio, and there engagedin farming until the breaking out of the late warwhen, in the spring of 18G3, lie responded to thecountry's call for troops, enlisting in CompanyH, One Hundred and Forty-third Ohio Infantry.He was mustered into service at Camp Chase andgiven .the rank of Corporal ere the close of the war.With his command he engaged in active duty untilhis services were no longer needed, when hewas discharged September 13, 1864, and returnedto his home in Ohio, where he resided until 1869.That year witnessed his arrival in Ford County,111. For three years he rented land near Paxtonand then purchased eighty acres in Wall Township,upon which he made his home for four years.He afterwards purchased the farm on which henow resides, then comprising one hundred andsixty acres on section 34. He has succeeded inhis undertakings and with the increase of his financialresources has made other purchases, his landedpossessions now aggregating ihree hundred andtwenty acres, one hundred and sixty on section 34and one hundred and sixty on section 35.Seven children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs.Karr: William, who now lives with his wife and

700 PORTRAIT AM> BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.one child upon a farm in Wall Township; Thomas;Mary E., who is blind and graduated from theJacksonville Institute for the Blind in 1887; Edwardand Frank, twins; Samuel L., and NettieBelle, who died in infaiic}'.Mr. and Mrs. Karr are members of the UnitedPresbyterian Church of Paxton; he also holds membershipwith Post No. 387, G. A. R., of Paxton,and in his political affiliations is a Republican.He has held the office of Road Commissionerfor nine years and his long continued serviceis proof of the fact that his duties were everfaithfully discharged. Those who have met Mr.Karr esteem him highly and we know him worthyof their regard./,.., N.SP^LM T. BLAKE, who resides on sectionOl 28, Uix Township, where he is engaged infarming, is numbered among the earl^'setv5g^-m y^tiers of the county, his residence here coveringa period of twenty-three j'ears. With thehistory of the communit}' he has been prominentlyidentified, and is recognized as one of its leadingand influential citizens.On the -iStli of March, 1824, Mr. Blake was bornin Cable County, Va. His father, David Blake,was a native of Ohio. He was born in the oldblock house at Marietta, Washington County, duringthe Indian war, and was of English descent.For many years he was a hop-grower in the BuckeyeState.In 1850, he came with his wife to Illinois,locating in Wayne Count}', where they spentthe remainder of their lives. The father died in1861, and Mrs. Blake, who bore the maiden nameof Marj' Slone, passed away in 1868. They werethe parents of seven children, .as follows: John 8.,Anselm T., Elizabeth, Benjamin, Sarah, Augustaand William.The subject of this sketch began his educationin a little logschoolhouse with slab seats and puncheonfloor, to which he had to walk a mile and ahalf. He attended school at intervals until eighteenyears of age and remained with his parentsuntil twentj'-two years of age. He then engagedin building and running flat-boats down the OhioRiver, from Sample's Lauding to Cincinnati.Afterfour or five years spent in that way, he emigratedto Illinois, in 1848, locating in Wayne County,where he engaged in farming. In 1855, he removedto Logan County, settling near Lincoln,where he continued to reside until 1859.In the meantime, Mr. Blake was united in marriagewith Miss Cynthia, a daughter of Isaac andElizabeth Staats. Their union was celebrated in1848, and unto them have been born a familj' ofsix children, as follows: Harriet, Amanda. Viola,Atlanta, Lucy and Arizona.In 1859, on leaving Logan County, ]\Ir. Blakecame to Ford County, settling in Dix Township.He purchased his present farm on section 28, andsince that time has here made his home. He hasled a busy and useful life, yet has found time todevote to public interests. He has held the officeof Constable, served as Road Commissioner, fornine j'ears was School Director, and in an earlyd.ay kept a post-office in his home for twelve years.In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and in hissocial relations is an Odd Fellow, having been connectedwith that fraternity since 1856. He is apublic-spirited and progressive citizen, who has thebest interests of the comraunit^y at heart. His publicduties have ever beeu faithfull}' performed andhe has therefore won the confidence of all, whilehis upright life has gained him the respect of alarge circle of friends and acquaintances.^- ^^^^ERD GERDES now owns and operates forty1(1 ,—, acres of ijood land on section 27, Dix Town-Ill (^ ^^^J) ship. He is a native of Germany, and oneof eight children born unto Gerd and Gertrude(Wilkins) Gordes. The father was a farmer andfollowed that occupation throughout his entirelife. Neither of the parents ever left their nativeland and both are now deceased.The subject of this sketch spent the daj-s of hisboyhood and 3-outh upon his father's farm in Germany,and acquired a good education in the public

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.roischools of his native land.In 1840, he was unitedin marriage with Miss Gasscha Franz.an, and untothem were born five children, tliree sons and twodaughters, namely: Abbie F.,Mary, Frank, Charlieand Annie.Mr. Gerdes continued to make his home in Germanyuutil 1872, when, in company with his family,he emigrated to America. He crossed tiieAtlantic to New York Citj', and came on at onceto Illinois, making a settlement in McLean County,where he spent the two succeeding years of hislife. He then came to Ford County, and engagedin the operation of rented land for seven years.He was successful in his business undertakings duringthat period and, with the capital thus acquired,purchased forty acres of land on section 27, DixTownship, where he has since made his home.Hehas lived the quiet, unassuming life of a farmer,.and has busied himself with his agricultural interests.He has never taken a very prominent partin public affairs, but has proved himself a worthyand valued citizen of the community. In his politicalaftiliations, he isa Democrat.It was a fortunate day for Mv. Gerdes when hedecided to emigrate to America, for here he hasfound a pleasant home and has met with success inhis business career.S] RA W. HAND, one of the prominent farmersI of Pella Township, residing on section 10, was/li born in Oneida County, N. Y., near tlie city ofUtica, on the 1st of April, 1831. The father, 8ethHand, was born in Vermont, May 20, 1807, andduring his boyhood removed toNew York, settlingat York Mills, Oneida County. He engaged inmilling until his death, which occurred December19, 1845. He was married, in the Empire State, toIrene Runnyan, a native of New York, who wasborn December 9, 1810, and died in HerkimerCounty, in August, 1891. Four children yet survive:Thaddeus, who is living in I'tica, N. Y.; Ira.of this sketch; Charles, a traveling salesman, whoresides in New York City; and AVilliam Harrison,of Little Falls, Herkimer County.Our subject had limited educational advantages.He attended the night scliools, for when his fatherdied he had to begin to earn his own livelihood.He was married, on the 23d of August, 1853, toIMiss Harriet Seeber, a native of JlontgomcryCounty, N. Y., and a daughter of David and Lana(Yorden) Seeber, who were of German descent.Both grandparents of David Seeber served in theRevolutionary- War. The parents of Mrs. Handdied in Sandwich, De Kalb County, 111. She wasreared in Boouesville, Oneida County, N. Y., andin 1856 accompanied her husband on his emigrationto DeKalb County. Mr. Hand there engagedin farming, having purchased his land with moneythat he had saved from his earnings while workingin a factory. In 1859, he came to La Salle Countyand two years later removed to Livingston County,where he purchased a farm.On the 12tli of August, 1862, Mr. Hand enlistedfor the late war as a member of the One Hundredand Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry, under Col. G.P. Smith. The regiment was sent to TyOuisville,'Ky., and assigned to the Tenth Division, R. S.Gr.anger being commander of the Brigade. Theywent in pursuit of Bragg to Crab Orchard, thenretreated to Danville, and were sent to garrisonMitchellville, Ky., November 21, 1862. They wereafterward on guard duty atFt. Thomas, and Gallatin,and in August, 1863, marched to Nashville,where they did guard duty until February 24, 1864.Previous to this, the regiment had been assignedto the First Brigade, Third Division, TwentiethArmy Corps, under Gen. Joseph Hooker. On the3d of May, they started for Atlanta with Gen.Sherman and particiiiated in tlie battles of Resaca,Buzzards" Roost, Dallas and Peach Tree Creek. Mr.Hand w.as wounded at Kenesaw ^Mountain in theleft leg. The ball p.assed through the leg andlodged in his pocket-book and tiiis piece of lead heyet has in his possession. The wound proved quiteserious and he was confined in the hospital untilthe 24th of .lune, when he was sent l)ack to Chattanooga,and afterward to the Cumlierland Hospitalin Nashville. By the neglect of the surgeon, g.angreneset in .and his sufferings were intense. Hisfather-in-law came for him and he returned home,just two years from the day of his enlistment.He

702 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,receivt-fl his discharge January 28, 1865. He mighthave had a position as Captain of a colored regimentbut determined to remain with the regimentin which he had enlisted. They marched to thefront with nine hundred and twenty-seven andreturned with less than two hundred.Mr. Hand began farming with crutches under hisarms, having not yet recovered from his wound.He resided in Livingston County until 1872, whenhe came to Ford Count}- and purchased eightyacres of land which has since been his home. Henow has a good residence surrounded with shadeand orn.imental trees, barns and outbuildings liavebeen erected for the care of his grain and stock,and every improvement upon the place is thework of his own hands.Mr. and Mrs. Hand have a family of seven children:Cora, who was born in New York, was married,November 28,'1877, to Jacob L. Miller, a farmerof Pella Township; David S., who was born inLa Salle County, was married, February 1.5, 1882to Minnie McLean, and resides in Seward County,Neb.; Warren, born in La Salle County, was married,on Christmas Day of 1888, to Cora A. Serine,in Randalia, Iowa, and resides in Fayette County,that State; AViliiam, born in DeKalb County, ledto the marriage altar Miss Edith Geary, on the28th of February, 1890, and is living in Seward,Neb.; Curtis J., who was born in LivingstonCounty, and follows fanning in Mona Township,married Virginia Thompson, who died February24, 1892; Alma I., who was born in LivingstonCounty, is keeping house for Curtis; Lewis S., whow.as born in Ford County, is still on the home farmwith his parents; Seth, the eldest child, who wasborn, in DeKalb County, died in LivingstonCounty, April 7, 18GG, at the age of nine years.The children have all been given good educationaladvantages and thereby fitted for the practicalduties of life. Fatlier and sons are all supportersof the Republican part}'. Mr. Hand and his wifehave been members of the Methodist Church forman}' years and he is a charter member of theGrand Army Post of Piper Cit}', of wliich lie servedas Chaplain for some years, was Adjutant and isnow Past Commander. He is also a member of theMasonic fraternity. He has served as Clerk ofPella Townshij) for about fourteen years, was Commissionerof Highways and Drainage Commissioner,has been Treasurer of the Fair Associationfor seven years, and is serving his second term asa director of the Brenton and Pella Fire InsuranceCompany. No man h.as done more for the drainageinterests of the county than our subject andno other enterprise has aided so greatly in improvingand developing the count}-. INIr. Handhas frequently served as delegate to the countyand State conventions of his party, and in 1887was policeman in the Capitol during the ThirtyfifthGeneral Assembly. The community find inhim a valued citizen and a public-spirited andprogressive man, who has ever liorne his share inthe upbuilding of town and county. He is highlyesteemed liy all who know him as a man of sterlingwt)rtli, and well deserves representation in thisvolume.^ OHN GOODMAN, who is living a retiredlife in Kempton, claims England as the landof his nativity. He was born in Huntingtonshire,on the 6th of July, 1818, and is ason of William and Mary (Russell) Goodman, whowere also natives of England. Both parents arenow deceased. The mother died in 182.5, and thefather survived her only about three years, passingaway in 1828. In their family were four children,the eldest of whom is our subject; Sarah isnow deceased; William died in infancy; Mary isthe wife of William Hall and resides in Nebraska.The subject of this sketch was born and rearedupon a farm, and the educational advantageswiiich he received were those afforded by the commonschools. Left an orjihan at an early age, hestarted out in life for himself when a lad of tensummers, and did general work or anything hecould find to do in order to provide for his ownmaintenance. At length, he determined to tryhis fortune in America and sailed for NewYork, where he arrived after a voyage of oneinonth. He made his first settlement in ErieCounty, Ohio, where he worked as a farm hand

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 703bj' the month until 1856. In that year hecame to Forrl County, III., and located in BrentonTownship, where he purchased eighty .acres ofrailroad land at 88 per .acre. Piper City at thattime had not been founded and the nearest tradingpoint was Onarga, twelve miles aw.ay.Mr. Goodman was united in marriage, March17, 1852, to Miss Sarah Bellamy, daughter of Samueland Susan Bellamy. Four children gracedtheir union, as follows: Susie, wife of .Joseph Mc-Kinney, who died in .January, 1885; William, ahardware merchant residing in Kempton; Samuel,a dealer in hardware in Caber^-, 111.; and Sophia,wife of .lohn Herron, who resides in Kempton.After purchasing his farm in Brenton Township,Mr. (ioodman turned his attention to its careand cultivation, and made it one of the desirableplaces of the cunimunity. He there continued toreside until 1882, when he removed to Piper City.The succeeding eight years of his life were therepassed, and in 1890 became to Kempton, where hehas since lived retired. In politics, he is a supporterof Republican principles, and, in religiousbelief, is a Methodist. His name li.as been an indexto his character, and his honorable, upright life haswon him the high regard of all with whom he hasbeen Ijrought in contact. He is numbered amongthe early settlers of the community, his residencein the county covering a period of thirty-sixyears. He has, therefore, watched the greaterpart of its growth and development, and he hasaided in its advancement and upbuilding, doingall in his power to promote its best interests.=^>-^< i£a^/p^ LIVER A. SHIRLEY, an honored veteranlj( of the late wtir and an influential and promi-I^^ nent farmer of Drummer Township, residingon section 36, claims Kentucky as the Stateof his nativity. His birth occurred in Scott County,March 28, 1843, and he is the son of William R.and Elizabeth (Alsop) Shirley, both of whomwere natives of Virginia. In that State theywere married and there resided until 1846, whenthey removed to Logan County, 111. The fatherthere departed this life on the 4th of August,1862. He was a stalwart Repulilican in (joliticsand was a member of the Christian Church. Byoccupation, he was a farmer and followed that businessthroughout his entire life. His widow stillsurvives him. .She continued to reside on the oldhome in Logan Country until 1891, when she wentto Nebraska and now resides with her daughter.Their children areas follows: James, who operatesthe old homestead; Martha, Wesley, Henry, Oliver;Emily and .Sarah, lioth deceased; George, Charles,Sarah and Margaret.We now take up the personal history- of oursubject, who acquired his education in the commonschools of his native county and spent histime in the usual manner of farming people until1861, when, on the 12tli of August, at the .age ofeighteen years, he enlisted in Company B, SecondIllinois Cavalry, for three years' service, but wasnot discharged until .January-, 1866, having thereforeworn the blue for four and a half years. Henow receives a pension of 812 per month. He participatedin the battles of Ft. Donelson, Shiloh. andmany others of importance. He was ever faithfulto his duty and need never be ashamed of hisarmy record.On his return from the war, Mr. Shirley againgave his attention to farming, and on the loth ofApril, 1869, was m.arried in Logan County, III.,the lady of his choice being Mary F. Sumner, whowas born in Darke County, Ohio, on the 20th ofOctober, 1843. Her parents, Orin and Elizabeth(Carn.ahan) Sumner, were natives of \ermont, .andwere of English and tierman extraction, respectively.Three children grace the union ofoursul)-ject and his wife, and the family circle yet remainsunbroken. They are as follows: Harry,Elizabeth and Ollie.Mr. Shirley continued to reside in LoganCounty until 1869, when he removed with hisfamily to Ford County and settled upon the farmwhich is now his home. It then comprised onehundred and twenty acres, but he has sincedoubled it in extent. When he came to the county,his means were limited, but by his persistent efforts,industry and enterprise, he has steadily worked hisway upward and secured a handsome competence,

704 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.being ranked among the substantial farmers oC tiiecommunity. In connection with general farminghe has considerable stock. Socially, he is a memberof the (Jrand Army of the Republic, and, inpolitics, is a supporter of Republican principles.lie and his wife are members of the ChristianChurch and tlirougliout the community are heldin high regard.^•{•^••{••S*•{••{••{•t;(f^^HOMAS J. LYNCH, a manufacturer anddealer in harness, etc., is one of the eniery^^prising young business men and influential'^W^^citizens of Melvin. His parents, Timothy andMargaret (Long) Lynch, were natives of the EmeraldIsle. The father was born in County Kerryand the mother in the city of Limerick. He cameto the United States about 18r34, and his wifesoon followed. They were married in New Jersey,and later removed to Yates County, N. Y., wherethey spent the remainder of their lives. Mr.Lynch died in 1860, at the age of forty-sevenyears. By trade, he was a blacksmith. His widowsubsequently married again. She was the motherof nine children, four of whom are still living, oneborn of the first marriage and three of the second.In 1889, she too passed from among the living.Our subject, the eldest surviving child of thefamily, was born September 19, 1857, inPennY'an,Y'ates County, N. Y'. Having acquired a commonschooleducation, he began to learn the harnessmaker'strade, serving a three-years' apprenticeshipin Penn Y'an. After completing his trade, heworked two years as a journeyman, and for thenext year and a half, he acted the role of clogdancer,negro and Irish comedian for the Dan BurleyNew Y'ork Serenaders. During the followingfour j'ears, he was on the stage or worked at histrade, by turns. In 1880, he went to Hillsdale,Mich., where he worked at his trade until the fallof 1882, then went to New Orleans, and, afterclerking in a store for a time, joined the DonaldsonLondon Ghost Show and S[)eeialty Compan}-and went with it to Mississippi in the spring of1883. At Canton, Miss., he parted with that companyand in July of that year came to Paxton,111. Soon afterward, he located in Ro.berts, wherehe was engaged at his trade.On the 22d of September, 1886, Mr. Lynchwedded Miss Inez W. Thompson, daughter of PoliceSergeant F. G. Thomj^son, of Chicago. Thefollowing year he came to Melvin, and purchased ahalf interest in the harness establishment of E. G.Collins, but in the autumn of the same year he soldout his share. Removing to Chicago, he was employedat his trade for two years and a half, withC. H. Lanyon, of P^nglewood. In 1889, he againcame to Melvin, and, after working in the harnessshop of (). Thompson & Son for a time, he purchasedtheir interests in June, 1891, and hassince done a prosperous business.In his political affiliations, Mr. Lynch is a Republican,and, socially, is Past Chancellor of theKnights of Pythias lodge in Melvin. His wifeholds membership with the Methodist Church. Mr.Lynch is courteous and pleasant in all his businessrelations, thereby winning a liberal patronageand the good-will of all. He is an enterprisingbusiness man and well merits success./ 5.J.SS*/^^EORGE ESSINGTON, who resideson scc-(il J-—,tion 1, Mona Township, is a native of Lin-*^^l[fcolnshire, England. He was born September25, 1840, and is a son of George and Sarah(Scott) E;ssington. In their family were eightchildren: ]\Iary, wife of John Clayton, deceased,resides in Kendall County, 111.; George is the secondin order of birth; Hugh died in 1876; Henryis a resident farmer of Rogers Township; Eliza,who died in 1885, was the wife of William Bryant,a farmer of Kendall County; .John is engaged infarming in IMona Township; Edward followsagricultural pursuits in Kendall County; Carolineis the wife of Lewis Pierson, a resident farmer ofKendall County. The father of this family was ablacksmith by trade. He came to America on asailing-vessel in 1856, and was thirty days on thewater. He located in Du Page, 111., where he com-

POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 705menced work at his trade, and after a few monthsthere removed to Pl.ainfleld, Will County, 111.Establishinga smithy, he there engaged in businessfor three years, after which he purchased a farm,where he spent the remainder of his daj-s. Hedied January 20, 1887, and was laid to rest in thePlainfield Cemetery. In politics, he was a Democrat.His wife departed this life in 1854."With his parents our subject came to Americaand acquired his education in the public schools.At the age of twenty, he began life for himself.Renting land, he lived in Kendall County until1871, when he came to Ford Count}' and settled inMona Township, purchasing eighty acres of landon section 1, where he lias since made his home.March 20, 1866, Mr. Essingtoii was joined inwedlock with Miss Amelia Bryant, daughter ofJames Bryant. B^' their union were born four children:William, Sarah; Herbert and Laura, twins.Laura is the wife of A. T. Crane, a farmer residingin Mona Township. Mrs. Essington died December1, 1874 and our subject was again married, in1876, this time to Miss Bertha Thorson. Untothem have been born four children : Cora, Ida,Hugh and Vernon.Mr. Essington afHliates with the Republicanparty and for five years has held the office ofHighway Commissioner. He is a believer in thedoctrines of the New Jerusalem Church, and isone of the highly respected citizens of the community,as well as a representative and enterprisingfarmer. He has made his own wa}' in theworld and whatever success he has achieved is theresult of his own efforts.-^].!^+^l^^fBNER McLaughlin, a retired fanner{m/u\\ residing in Piper City, was born in AVestBeaver, Columbiana County, Ohio, February17, 1828, and is of Scotch descent.His grandfather, John McLaughlin, a native ofScotland, came to America before the RevolutionaryAVar, and served in Washington's army at thebattle of Valley Forge. He was wounded in theshoulder at White Plains, and his death resultedfrom his army experience. He was an extensivefarmer, owning large tracts of land, of which hegave to each of his children one hundred acres.Joseph McLaughlin, father of our subject, wasborn in Eastern Pennsylvania, Dtcember 4, 1801,and when quite young went with his p.irents toColumbiana County, Ohio, the family settling nearWellsville, where he grew to manhood on a farm.There were no free schools in the locality at thattime, and his educational privileges were quitelimited. He married Alicia Morgan, a lady ofWelsh descent, whose father settled in Marylandunder Lord Baltimore. They began their domesticlife upon a farm in Ohio, where Mr. McLaughlinspent the remainder of his days, his deathoccurring ui 1854. His wife came to the West withher sons in 1853, and died near Piper City. Theirfamily numbered five children, as follows: Mrs.Grafton, now a resident of (Jliio; Abner, of thissketch; James H. and Robert M., who died in Ohiowhen young men; and Mrs. McKnight, of WarrenCounty, 111.The subject of this sketch spent his boyhooddays upon the farm in Ohio and in a flouring mill,which he operated after his father's death.In thewinter season he conned his lessons in a log schoolhouseuntil sixteen years of age, when he left school.After attaining his majority, he attended a higherschool for five months, which completed his education.The year 1858 witnessed his arrival inIllinois. He located in Galesburg. Knox County,where he engaged in teaching until 1861, afterwhich he came to Ford County, where he taughtfor three winters. His home was located about amile west of where Piper City now stands. Therewas no house between this place and Gilman, forFord County was then in its infancy. He purchasedone hundred and sixty acres of unimprovedland and for sixteen years successfuU}' engaged infarming, after which he came to Piper Citj', wheiefor the past seven years he has lived a retired life.On the 23d of April, 1865, in Ford County, Mr.McLaughlin was united in marriage with Miss MargaretMcKinnej', a sister of John McKinney, whosesketch appears elsewhere in this work. They haveno children of their own, but have reared Jessieand Jennie McKinney, twin daughters of William

706 POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.McKinney, a brother of Mrs. McLaughlin. Thewife of our subject is a native of Ireland. Shewas born near Cookstown, and when about fouryears old was brought to America.She attendedsciiool in Philadelphia until fourteen j'ears old,when she came to Illinois. Our subject and hiswife have been members of the Presbyterian Churchsince its organization, and have taken an activeinterest in its upbuilding.Mr. McLaughlin cast his first Presidential vote forFranklin Piei'ce. He first voted in Illinois for.Stephen A. Douglas and supported Lincoln for hissecond term, but has generally affiliated with theDemocratic partj' and has served as a delegate toa number of its conventions.For the long periodof eighteen years he held the office of School Treasurerand for five years was President of the VillageBoard, faithfully discharging his duties. Hehas ever been a warm friend to the cause of educationand mf)ralitv, and does all in his power forthe promotion of those interests calculated to upbuildand benefit the communit\'. Himself andwife have a comfortable home in Pi[(er City andare clas.sed among its best people.*^-ME H' im 11*^^'OIIN EDMOND HAGIN, who resides onsection 13, Dix Township, is a worthyrepresentative of one of the pioneer familiesof Ford County, his father, J. B. Hagin,having located here in a very early day. He wasborn in New Jersey and was of German extraction.On attaining to man's estate, he weddedMary Nickerson, who vvas also a native of NewJersey and was of P^nglish descent. Mr. Hagincame AVest with his family in 1836, locating firstin Ohio, where he spent about eighteen months.The trip was made by water and stage. A yearand a half later, he removed with teams to TippecanoeCounty, Ind., where he engaged in farminguntil 1845. In that year, he formed a partnershipwith Judge Patton, and the two gentlemen purchaseda part of land of four hundred acres inwhat was then Vermilion County, but is now apart of Patton Township, Ford Count}-. The}-each built a log cabin upon the land and continuedto operate it conjointly for five 3'ears,when Mr. Hagin sold his interest to the Judge andpurchased t^o hundred acres of land on sections9 and 10, where Henderson Station now stands.His nearest trading post was La Fayette, Ind. Hewas a pioneer of this section of the State, and himselfand family experienced all the hardships andprivations of frontier life. In politics, he was aDemocrat, and in religious belief was a Methodist,as was also his wife. His death occurred on hisfarm on section 9, December 13, 1858, and wasmourned by many friends. His wife was called toher final rest September 14, 1879.Unto this worthy couple were born sevenchildren, of whom our subject was the eldest;Stephen died in childhood; Rosanna became thewife of Jesse Todd, a farmer residing in DixTownship, and died in 1888; Eliza J., died ininfancy; Laura E. is the wife of A. D. P. Ferguson,who IS living in Clay County, Kan.;Oliver P., is a resident farmer of Dix Township;and Albert is a farmer in the State of Washington.J. E. Hagin, whose name heads this sketcii, wasborn in Cape May County, N. J., June 7, 1836,and vvas only about a year old when his parentsleft his native State. He was reared to manhoodamid the wild scenes of frontier life, and hiseducational advantages were necessarily limited, asthe schools in a new country are not of pronouncedexcellence. By his own efforts, however, he hasmade himself a well-informed man. Soon afterhis father's death, he started out in life for himself,and has since engaged in farming.Mr. Hagin was married, March 26, 1858, toMiss Barbara E. Crutcher, and unto them was bornone child, who died in infancy. The mother diedin 1863, and our subject was again married, hissecond union being with Miss Ellen Myers,daughter of Joseph and Theresa Myers, a native ofBaden, Germany, who, when about eighteen monthsold, came with her parents to America. Mr. andMrs. Hagin have no children of their own. butraised an orphan who came to them when three yearsold. She took the name of Alvina Hagin, and, onreaching womanhood, married A. P. Smith, a farmerof Drummer Township. Our subject removed to

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 711his present farm in 1874, which was his first purchaseof land. He became owner of one hundredand sixty acres on section 13, and has since engagedin its cultivation and development, his labors havingmade it one of the desirable places of the township.He has given some attention to public duties,having served his township as Palhmaster, SchoolDirector and Township Trustee, and two years asa member of the County Board of Supervisors. In|)olitics, he is independent, voting for the manwhom he thinks best qualified for the office, regardlessof party affllintions. Socially, he is amember of the Odd Fellows' fraternity. Mr.Il.agin is recognized as one of the leading citizensof the community. He is public-spirited and progressive,and takes an active interest in all thatpertains to the welfare of the community and itsu|ibuilding. He has long been a resident of FordCouut3', and has been an eye-witness of its entiregrowth.\/i\/liULLIAM J. WILSON, President of thePi'ivate banking house of Mattinson, Wil-'^'son it Co., of Gibson City, III., is a jiativcof Clarke County, Ohio, and was born on the2'.itli of June, 1838. His parents, Washingtonand Mary A. (Forman) Wilson, were from Ohio.His father's birth occurred on the 18th of October,18 11, near F'airfield, Greene County, and themother was born in Clarke Count}'. They weremarried May 22, 1836, and lived together as husbandand wife for nearly half a century, whencalled to their final rest. Washington Wilsondied at his home in Springfield, Ohio, on Sunday,April 26, 1885, at the age of seventy-three yearsand seven months. His wife passed away on the5th of Ma_v following, surviving her husband onlynine d.ays. They had joined the Christian Churchtogether in 1839, and remained worthy and consistentmembers of that soeietj' to the close oftheir lives. It is said of them that the}' were remarkablyadapted to each other and were possessedof noble traits of character.Michael AVilson, the father of Washington Wil-29son, was a soldier of the War of 1812, and diedsoon after his return from the war from the effectsof exposure while in the service. His widow removedto Harmony Township, and later made herhome with her son Washington in Springfield,where she died in 1880, at the advanced age ofninety-two years.Washington and Mary A. Wilson were the [)arentsof eleven children: ISIichael, AVilliani .J.,George W., Harrison, John, Addison; Luther, deceased:Nancy T., Harriet; Mary A., deceased,was the wife of Dr. Strain; Flora is now Mrs. Dr.Clarence Kay. Michael and Addison reside inSpringfield, Ohio; George W., who was State Senator,makes his home in London, Ohio; Harriet isa resident of London, Ohio; Nancy T. is the wifeof John J. Goodfellow; Harrison is a farmer ofMadison County, Ohio, and .lohn resides in GibsonCity.Wiishington Wilson made his home in Springfieldat an early day. He was industrious andfrugal, and accumulated a large landed estate, havingnearly two thousand acres of land near Springfieldat the time of his death. lie was one of theprime movers in the organization of the ChristianChurch in Springfield, and was one of its officers andmost earnest supporters. As a Christian, he wasBiblically orthodox, and practically evangelical,with charity for all. He was active as a speakerand worker in church, prayer meetings and Sunday-school,and his hospitality to the ministerswas liberal and much partaken of. He was notedfor steadfastness of purpose, a broad Christianspirit and for his efforts to do good in his communityand to encourage and develop a true Christianspirit in those who came within the rangeof his influence. The sterling qualities of thisworthy man and his estimable wife, which gavethem such high standing in their community,have had their intluence in forming the characterof their children, who have become useful andworthy members of society.William J. Wilson was reared to agriculturalpursuits and was educated in the public schools ofSpringfield, Ohio. On the 17th of September,1863, he was married, in his native county, toMiss Lydia Goodfellow, a daughter of John and

712 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Lucy (Bennett) Goodfellow. autl a native of ClarkeCounty, Ohio.On attaining man's estate, Mr. Wilson engagedin farming near bis old home, and continued inthat vocation until 1875, when he embarked inthe grocery business at London, Ohio. In 1876,he sold out and removed to Gibson City, 111., andengaged in the grain trade, which he conductedsuccessfully until the burning of his elevator. Oncoming to Gibson Citj^, Mr. Wilson invested infarming lands in Ford County, and has increasedhis acreage until he now owns fifteen hundredacres of agricultural lands, which are situatedpartly in the following counties: Ford, Vermilionand Lee. Two years after he settled in GibsonCity, Mr. Wilson became a partner in the bankinghouse now carried on under the firm title ofMattinson, Wilson & Co., the oldest bank in thecity, and has maintained partnership relations withthat institution continuouslj' since. In addition tothe business interests already mentioned, Mr. Wilsonhas done an extensive business in growing,bujing, feeding and shipping live stock. He isalso a member of the Gibson Canning Company,of which he is Vice-President.Ten children were born to Jlr. and Mrs. AVilson,three sons and six daughters now living:Minnie B. is the wife of Evan Mattinson. ofthe banking house of Mattinson, Wilson tk Co.;Luther B. is engaged in the real-estate business inDixon, 111.; Cora May resides with her parents;Lucy F. is the wife of Albert Browning, a farmerof Drummer Township; William J., Jr.; Mar}'Maud, Grace, Mabel and Arthur Glenn. Onedied in infancy.In politics, Mr. Wilso)i is a Republican, but hasnever sought or desired public office. In theirreligious views, Mr. AVilson, his wife and olderchildren are Presbyterians, and he is a member ofthe Board of Trustees of that church. The childrenolder than Mary Maud were born in ClarkeCounty, Ohio, while she and those younger arenatives of Gibson City.Since his residence at Gibson City, Mr. Wilsonhas been actively and prominently identified withits commercial and financial interests, and it is noflattery to sa}- of him that his record has been thatof a man of strict integrity, enterprise and abilitJ^In his business career he has been eminentlysuccessful, and has succeeded in accumulating alarge and valuable property, while his uniformlyupright course iu life and just regard for therights of others have entitled him to a place in theforemost ranks of the most respected and worthycitizens of Ford County."N— =«-•••^=^.E WITT C. WOODRUM, who owns andoperates one hundred and sixty acres ofvaluable land on section 20, Dix Township,is one of the leading agriculturists of the community,and a well-known and prominent citizen.His life record is as follows: He was born in ShastaCounty, Cal., October 5, 1855, and is one of twochildren born unto Clinton and Nancj' H. (Bfassfield)Woodrum. The father was a native of Illinoisand the mother of Indiana, andboth were ofEnglish descent. They had two children, but theother is now deceased. After Mr. Woodrum 'sdeath, his widow was married, in 1865, to AVilliamD. Lowden, who was a native of Ilarrisburg, Pa.,and of German descent. Two children were bornof that union. Mr. Lowden died in 1874. Themother of our subject is now the wife of H. J.'Adams, a retired farmer residing in MarshallCounty, HI.Mr. AVoodrum whose name heads this i-ecordspent the greater part of his boyhood da^'s in tliisState. He acquired a good classical education inthe schools of Marshall County, and, at an earlyage, began to earn his own livelihood. He maytruly be called a self-made man, for he began forhimself without means. For a time, he worked asa farm hand by the month, and from his meagreearnings saved enough to purchase property.by stepStej)he has worked his way upward, overcomingall difficulties and obstacles in his path, untilhe now has a comfortable competence. His farmof one hundred and sixty acres is a highly-cultivatedtract of land and well improved with goodbuildings and all the accessories of a model farm.On the 1st of December, 1876, Mr. AVoodrum

.educationPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 713was united in marriage with Miss Adeline Wood, anative of Illinois and a daughter of Girard andHannah (Williams) Wood. Iler parents were nativesof Indiana and were of English extraction.By this union were born two children, daughters,but Nina is now deceased. Edna is still with herparents.Mr. and Mrs. Woodrum rank high in socialcircles.Their home is the abode of hospitalityand tlieir friends throughout the community aremany. In his political affiliations, he is a Democrat,and has held the office of School Director andRoad Commissioner.(«1 I»ILL1AM MILLER, M. IX, a prominent\/\/f phj'sician and druggist of Cabery, is a na-^^^ tive of Pennsylvania. He was born inFaj-ette County, October 28, 1859, and is a son ofDr. G. M. Miller, llis father was born in WestmorelandCounty, Pa., and after attaining to matureyears married Miss Rebecca J. Shroyer, a nativeof Fa3'ette County. Ilewasamanof superioreducation and a prominent ph3'sician iu FayetteCounty for a number of years. He removed tothe West in 1871, locating in La Salle County, 111.,upon a farm where he made his home until hisdeath, which occurred in .Tune, 1871). Ho tookquite a prominent part in political affairs, support-M;. ing the Republican part^^ but was never an aspirant^ for office. His wife survives him and resides onthe old homestead in La Salle Count}'.Our subject is one of a family of four sons andfive daughters, all of whom grew to mature yearsand are yet living. The Doctor received a goodat the public and High Schools, and wishingto enter the medical profession, he began studyingwith his father. He was afterwards in theoHiee of Dr. R. F. Dyer of Ottawa, and subscquonll}'took a course of lectures in the Rush Medical Collegeof Chicago, from which he was graduated1884. He then located in Cabery in April of thatyear and began the practice of his chosen profession,which he has since followed with excellentsuccess.On the 30th of October, 1886, the Doctor wasinjoined in wedlock with Miss Alice Clayton, daughterof William Clayton, now deceased. The ladywas reared and educated in Ford County. Twochildren grace their union: Hazel and young Doc.The parents, who are most estimable people, rankhigh in social circles and have the respect of allwho know them.In 1885, Dr. Miller embarked in the drug businessand now carries a large stock of drugs, medicines,paints, oils, wall paper, notions, etc. By fairtreatment and courteous dealing he has secured aliljeral patronage, of which he is well deserving.He stands in the front rank among his professionalbrethren, his skill and ability being widely acknowledged.In his political affiliations, the Doctoris a Republican, having been identified withthat party since he cast his first Presidential votefor Gen. Garfield. He has taken quite an activepart in local political affairs and has served as amember of the Town Board, and of the CentralCommittee for four years. He is a public-spiritedand progressive citizen, who gives his hearty supportto any enterprise calculated to promote thegeneral welfare, and the cause of education findsin him a warm friend. He is a man of upright, sterlingcharacter, who well deserves representationin this volume.'jl7 EWIS ALD, an enterprising and highly re-I (^ spected farmer residing on section 19, Dix/I'—^Vi Township, has the honor of being a nativeof Illinois. His birth occurred in WoodfordCounty, on the 22d of September, 1846.His parents,Henry J. and Minnie (Ristine) Aid, were bothnatives of Germany. They had a family of sevenchildren, five sons and two daughters: Minnie,William, llenrj-, Charles, Lev/is, Kate and Christ.No event of special importance occurred duringthe childhood of our subject. He was reared inthe usual manner of farmer lads, aiding in thelabors of the farm during the summer months,while in the winter season he attended the districtschools, where he acquired a good English educa-

—714 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD.tion. He remained with his parents until he arrivedat man's estate and tlien started out in lifefor himself, working as a farm liand by the monthfor a short time. He then rented land and continuedto malve his home in the county of his nativityuntil 1874, with the exception of one year,when he made his liome in Champaign County,111. He came to Ford County in 1874, and locatedin Dix Township, renting land until 1882,when he purchased his |)resent home a, good farmof eighty acres situated on section 19. The landis now under a high state of cultivation and tlieplace is well improved. The well-tilled fields indicatethe thrift and enterprise of the owner, andthe neat appearance of the farm gives evidence ofthe supervision of a careful manager.In 1874, Mr. Aid led to the marriage altar MissEmma Thomas, a daughter of Joim and ElizaThomas and a most estimable lad}'. Three childrenhave been born of their union, one sou and twodaughters, and tlie family- circle j'et remains unbroken.In order of birth, they are as follows:Ida, Minnie and Clarence. The Aid household isa hospitable one and the members of the familyhold a high rank in the social circles in whichthey move.In his political atliliations, Mr. Aid is a Republican,having supported that party since attaininghis majority. lie has never been an office-seeker,liowever, preferring to devote his attention exclusivelyto his business interests. His entire lifehas been passed in Illinois and he is a publicspiritedand progressive citizen of Ford County.^ ESSE G. BARKER is the owner of one ofthe fine farms of Dix Township, located onsection 31. He was born in Newport, R. I.,!^W on the 12th of April, 1837, and is the eldestchild of Abraham and Sophronia (Gould) Barker.They had five children, the other members of thefamily being Mar3^ who became the wife of GeorgeManchester, and died in 1873; Victoria L., wife ofAbraham Reed, a carpenter by trade, residing inMassachusetts; Frank, an insurance and land agentliving in Washington, D. C; Ellen, who makes herhome in Fall River, Mass. Tlie father of this familydied in 1877, but the mother is still living inFall River, Mass.Our subject is a self-made man, whose life inmany respects is well worthy of emulation. Atthe early age of nine years, he began to earn hisown liveliliood, working upon a farm. He receivedonly $3 for his first montli's work. He afterwardworked at the blacksmith's trade for two years.The year 1857 witnessed his emigration to Illinois.In the autumn of that year, he located in DixTownship, Ford County, where he resumed farmwork by the month and was tlius employed untilthe breaking out of the late war.Mr. Barker had watched with interest the progressof events in the South. It was soon seenthat the war was to be an affair of more importancethan was at first thought, and on the 15th ofAugust, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company(i, Tliirty-seventh Illinois Infantry. The regimentwas mustered into service at Chicago, andthence went to the front.Mr. Barker participatedin the battle of Pea Ridge, was afterward in thesiege of Vicksburg, and participated in many otherengagements and skirmishes.After serving faithfullyfor three j^ears, he was honorably dischargedon the 4th of October, 18G4, and went to ChampaignCounty, 111., but on the 4th of Februaryfollowing, he again entered the service as a memberof Company K, One Hundred and FiftiethIllinois Infantry. He received his final discharge.lanuary 30, 1866. He was a faithful soldier, everfound at his post of dut}-, loyal to the cause underwhose banner he fought.On his return to the North, Mr. Barker locatedin Champaign County, but soon afterward came toFord County, and began the improvement of hiseighty-acre tract of land on section 31, Dix Township.He had purchased this property in 1861, andit has since been his home, but the boundaries ofhis farm have been greatlj'extended as his financialresources have increased. He now owns twohundred and sixty-two acres, a part of which liesin Champaign Count}'. The entire farm is undercultivation and the well-tilled fields and manj' improvementsupon the place indicate the thrift and

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POETRATT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 717enterprise of the owner who is one of the substantialcitizens of tlie community.On the 1st of ISIarch, 1867, Mr. Barker was unitedin marriage with Miss Rachel A. AVood, bornin Ft. Wayne, Ind., April 14, 1816, a daughter ofNoah and Rachel (Oliver) Wood. They aie the])arenls of ten children, as follows: F'rances L.,(4oorge A., Charles W., Anna, Nellie, Mary Alta;William and Winnie, twins; Lula J., and Elsie R.In bis political affiliations, Mr. Barker is a Republican;in religions belief, is a Methodist, as is alsohis wife, and in his social relations he is an Odd Fellow,and a member of Lott Post No. 70, G. A. R.,of Gibson. His success in life has all been due tohis own efforts. Since his tenth 3ear he has madehis own way in the world and b.y his enterpriseand perseverance has worked his way upward tosuccess.—J ^-^^,1--5—Mi>^^

718 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.ber of the well-known firm of Flora & Newman,who continued operations for sixteen years. Theyfirst carried only a grocery stoclv, but afterwardengaged in general merchandising, and worked upan excellent trade. In 1883, their volume of businessamounted to $40,000.Mr. Floi-a was married, February 2, 1873, to MissMary .1., daughter of W. I. and Ruth C. (Parisli)Newman, who are mentioned in the sltetcli ofJoseph V. King, on anotlier page of this work.Unto them have been born four sons and twodaughters: Bessie, A'inccnt, Harry. Claude, Groverand JIabel. The motlier and eldest daughter aremembers of the Methodist Church, and Miss Bessiebelongs to the Epworth Le.ague, the Ladies'Foreign Missionary Society, and the TemperanceSociety.Mr. Flora cast his first Presidential vote for Gen.Grant, and has since been an inflexible adherent ofthe Republican party. He takes quite an activeinterest in political affairs, has served as TownClerk, and has filled the otlice of Supervisor formany terms. He has several times been tenderedthe chairmanship of the Board, and has served onthe most important committees. Since 1876, hehas been olHcially connected with the educationalinterests of the communit3', and for many yearshas served as School Treasurer of Lyman Township.Socially, lie is a charter member of BuckleyLodge No. 634, A. F. & A. M.; Lyman LodgeNo. 293, K. P.; and of Melvin Post No. 500,G. A. R. Mr. Flora is widely and favorably knownthroughout this community .as a public-spiritedand progressive citizen, well deserving of a re])resentationin this volume. He is spoken of in thehighest terms by his fellow-townsmen, .and is deservingof their warm regard."f/OHN A. IIATTEBERG, a self-made m.anand one of the enterprising fanners residingon section 24, Dix Township, is a n.ativeof Norwa3^ He w.as born on the 5thof October, 1839, and is a son of Andrew andJohanna (Johnson) Hatteberg. Their familj' numberedfive children: James; Thore, deceased;John A., of this sketch; Thore, the second of thatname; and Mary, deceased.Our subject w.as reared to manhood upon hisfather's farm, and the educational adv.antageswhich he received were those afforded by the commonschools. He remained under the parentalroof until twenty-one ye.ars of age, when he badegood-bye to home and native land and emigratedto America. He crossed the Atlantic in a sailingvesselin 1860, which, after a voyage of four weeks,dropped anchor in the harbor of Queliec.Mr. Hattebergcame on at once to Illinois, locating in Lisbon,Kendall County, .and beg.an working upon afarm by the montii. The succeeding three yearsof his life were thus passed, after which he rentedland in Kendall Count3- until 1868. He, in eompanj'with his brotlier and stepfather, purchasedone hundred and sixty .acres in (Truiidy County,where he made his home until 1875, wlien hecame to P'ord County, locating in Dix Township.His first purchase of land here consisted of a onehundred and twenty acre tract on section 24, butas liis financial resources have increased, lie hasbought other land and now has one hundred andninety-seven and one-half acres, all in Dix Township.He is a practical, progressive .and successfulfarmer and his well-tilled fields yield to liim agolden tribute for the care and cultivation lie liasbestowed upon them.In 1868, ]\Ir. Ilattelierg led to the niarri.age altarMiss Margaret Anderson, who w.as liorn in Norway,May 19, 1841 and in 1864 came to America,and unto them have been born ten children, eightof whom are \et living, as follows: Mary, Olie A.,John, Johanna, Andrew, Blartha, Lars and Annie.Those deceased arc Allie and Lars. The familyhave a pleasant home in Dix Township and arewell and favorably known throughout the community.Mr. Hatteberg and all the family are membersof the Lutheran Church, and, in polities, is independent,voting for the man whom he thinks bestqualified to till the ottice, regardless of part\' affiliations.He has been the architect of his own fortuneand has builded wisely and well.His possessionshave all been .accumulated by his own hardI

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 719labor and his life shows what can be accomplishedb}' enei-o;}-. industry and determination. Likemany of his fellow countrymen, he came to Americaemi>ty-handedbut is now numbered among thesubstantial citizens of Dix Township.IjlV ^*^* /ILLIAM T. DURHAM, a member of thefirm of Durham l'>rothers, bankers of PiperCity, and a prominent young business man,was born in Parke County,! nd., on the 2(lth of May,18.58, and is a son of David Durliam. His paternalgrandfather, Daniel Durham, removed from Kentuck3'to Terre Haute, Ind., in an early day. DavidDurham was born in Kentuck}' and was reared tomanhood in Indiana as a farmer. lie afterwardsremoved to Kankakee, 111., wliere his death occurred,after which his wife went with lier family toIroquois County, in 1868, in order to educate herchildren in the Grand Prairie Seminary.William'smotlier's maiden name was Lucy A. Harris, adaugliter of one of the most prominent physiciansof Richmond, Va., Dr. Thomas Harris.,Mr. and Mrs. David Durham wore married inIndiana. In politics, he was an earnest Republicanand was a very successful business man. There areseven children in the family, three sons and fourdaughters. The three brothers have two banks,one at Onarga and one at Piper City. BenjaminH. and P^zra D. reside at Onarga and William T.at Piper City. Our subject was quite young whenhis p.arents left Indiana and removed to Illinois.He there spent live j-ears upon a farm near Kankakee,before the family removed to Onarga. Heattended the pulilic school and seminary at Onargaand graduated at Commercial College. When hiseducation was finished, he entered upon his lifework, becoming connected witti the bank of Onarga,where he remained until April, 1888, when lie andhis brothers purchased the bank of George Campl)ellin Piper City, and since tliat time Mr. Durliamh.as had charge of the bank at this place, wliile liisbrothers conduct the one at Onarga.On the i.'UI of August, 188(!, INIr. Durliam wasunited in marriage with Miss .Josie Ward, theirunion being celebrated in Onarga. She was educatedin the same school as her husband and herfamily are old residents of Onarga. Her father andniotlier, lioth formerly from West Virginia, are nowresiding in California. Mr. and Mrs. Durham areprominent young people of this community, beingwidely and favoralily known, .and are held in highregard by a large circle of friends. Mrs. Durhamis a member of the Methodist Church and is prominentin both musical and church circles. Mr. Durhamwas reared as a member of the Society ofFriends. He cast his first Presidential vote forGen. Garfield and has never been an office-seeker.He is a careful business man, enterprising andsagacious, and has been very successful in his bankingbusiness.ellARLES1^+^ [^_ [=~CURD resides on section 20^Rogers Township. To the record of tlieold settlers of Ford County we wish to addthe sketch of Mr. Curd, who is recognized as oneof the substantial farmers and honored citizensthe community'. He was born in Kent, England,in 1833. His father, John Curd, was also born inKent and there wedded ISIary Town. He was afarmer by occupation and spent his entire life inhis native land.Our subject passed his boyhood d.ays upon hisfather's farm, and when a j-oung m.an emigratedto the New World, crossing tlie Atlantic about18.50. He spent about four years in the State of NewYork, working upon a farm. He came to Illinoisin the spring of 1860, making his first location inLisbon, where he worked by the month for alxiutthree years. He then determined to engage in businessfor himself and rented land in Kendall County,where he engaged in farming for about four years.Mr. Curd was married in Kendall Count)- to MissLucy Scott, a native of Oneida County, N. Y. Removingto Iroquois County, he rented a farm nearChebanse, and eng.aged in its cultivation for sevenyears. On coming to Ford County, he bought landin Rogers Township—an improved farm of twoof

^720 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.hundred acres. Since tliat time lie has sold fortyacres, still owning a valuable tract of one hundredand sixty acres, which is pleasantly situated withintwo miles of Cabery. The union of Mr. and Mrs.Curd has been blessed with four children: Lucy,who is now the wife of John Smith, a farmer ofRogers Township; Libbie D. at homo; William A.,who aids his father in the cultivation of the homofarm; .and Mary, who died in 1883, at .about theage of tiiree jears.Mr. Curd began life for himself empty-handed,but he determined to win success, and overcomingthe v.arious obstacles in his path, he has worked hisw.a3' upward until he is now numbered among thesubstanti.al .agriculturists of the community. Inpolitics, he is identified with the Republican partybut has never been an office-seeker, preferring todevote his entire time and attention to his businessinterests, in wliich he h.as met with signal success.He is a man of unblemished character and sterlingworth and he and his estimable wife have the highregard of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

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^PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 725member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Mr.Harry deserves not a little credit for the industry,perseverance and business (Hialities he has displayed.'ill AMES H. ANDREWS is a prominent agriculturistof Ford County, residing on section33, and is the owner of a model farmJ in Wall Township. He has the honor ofbeing a native of Illinois, his birth having occurredin Marshall County, on the 25111 of September,1857. In the family of eight children, he was theseventh. His parents, Capt. Harmoud and Eliza(Peterson) Andrews, are mentioned in the sketchof 15. C. Andrews, on another page of this work.Our subject acquired his education in the commonschools and there laid the foundation for thesuccess which cliaracterized his after life. At theage of seventeen, he started out in life for himself,and has since made his own way in the world. Hehad a small capital, which he increased by his industry,economy and perseverance, until he is nownumbered among the substantial citizens of thecommunity. He is a sagacious and far-sightedbusiness man, of good executive ability, and welldeserves the success which has crowned his efforts^Mr. Andrews led to the marriage altar MissPhcebe Agnes Darby, daughter of Solomon andEmily (Ueed) Darby. Her father, a native ofOhio, w.as born Octolier 4, 1827, and is still living.Througlunit his entire life, he has followed theoccupation of farming. In politics, he is a supporterof Democratic princiijles. Mrs. Darby, whowas born November 23, 182!), died on the IGth ofFebruary, 1880. Mrs. Andrews was born on the18th of April, 1857, in Peoria County, 111., but thedays of her maidenhood were si)eut in MarshallCounty, where she acquired her education in thecommon schools.The marriage of our siilijcct and his wife wascelebrated January 10,187s, and has been blessedwith four children, two sons and two daughters,three of whom are yet living: Harry N., agedtwelve years, is attending the public schools andis a bright lad in his studies; James F. is now sevenyears of age; Jennie, who was a bright little girland the light of the household, died at the age ofthree years, one month and twenty-eight daj^s; andEdna M., aged nineteen months, is the pet of thefamily.Mr. Andrews has been a resident of Wall Townshipsmce1881, and is now the ownerof a valuablefarm of two hundred and forty .acres, includingsome of the (inest land in that township. Thehome is a beautiful frame residence and the welltrimmedhedges, the rich and fertile fields, andother improvements, make it one of the most beautifulestates in this locality. In politics, Mr. Andrewsis a stanch supporter of Republican principles,having alHliated with that party since he casthis first Presidential vote for Gen. James A. Garfield.For two years, he has held the oflice ofHighway Commissioner and has also served asSchool Director, but has never been an office-seeker,preferring to devote his whole time and attentionto his business interests, in which he has met withsignal success. He has a wide circle of friendsand acquainiances throughout this community andthis sketch of his life will lie received with interestby many of the prominent citizens of Ford County,where he is so favorably known.4^ —"^ OHN P. GRANGER, who is engaged in generalfarming on section 25,Dix Township,where he h.as made his home for twentyoneyears, is a native of the Empire State.He W.1S born in Saratoga, November 29, 1H22, andtraces his ancestry back to the Pilgrim forefathers,who came over to this country in the "Mayflower."His parents were Rosel and Sarah (Bussing)Granger. They had a family of five children:Harmon, now residing in Hillsdale, Mich.; Sidney,a carpenter, who makes his home in Howard City,Mich.; John P. of this sketch; .losiali, a wagonmaker, who follows his trader in Hacine, Wis.; andFrancis, deceased. The father of this family diedin 1832, at an earl}' age. His wife long survivedhim, i)assing away in 188;>.

726 i'OETRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.Mrs. Granger after the death of ]ier husband removedto the home of her father in ISIontgomeryCounty, N. Y., where our subject spent his boyhooddays. He attended the common schools untilabout eigliteen years of age, and then startedout in life for himself, since which time lie hasmade his own way in tlie world. For about fiveyears, he was employed in a tannery and tlienworked at carpentering and in a cliair factory. In1869, he liecame a resident of Toledo, Ohio, wherehe was employed in a chair factor3- for two years.He then resumed his Westward journey and in 1871located in Ford County, 111., purchasing eightyacres of land on section 25, Dix Township, wherehe has since made his home. He has added fortyacres I)y purchase.Mr. Granger was married, vVpril 20, 1848, to MissJulia A. Ilawes, a daughter of Cornelius andPhffibe Hawes. One child has been born untothem, a daughter, Kittie jVI., wife of Wallace J.Woods, a farmer wlio now resides in Dix Township.Mr. and Mrs. Granger are well-known peopleof this community and tlieir sterling wortli andmany excellencies of character liave won them higiiregard.In politics, Mr. (iranger is a Republican, liavingsupported that party for many years. Both heand his wife arc I'.aptists in religious faith. lie isa gof)d farmer, industrious and energetic, and allof his possessions stand as monuments to his thriftand enterprise, for they have been .acquired throughhis own etforts, .as he had to begin life emptyhanded.-u->to, -I II ,i"^ OSEPII RICHMOND, who is engaged in thedrug business in Elliott, was born in Darlington,Durham County, England, November8, 1828, and is one of nine children,wht)se parents were William and Ilaiiiiah (Teesdale)Richmond. Both were natives of the samelocality- as our subject, and both are now deceased.The father died in 1850, and the mother, who survivedhim for a quarter of a century, [lassed awayin 1876. They had a family of nine children:Elizabeth, widow of .John Copley, a printer andbook-seller, residing in Thompsonville, Conn.;John, who was a shoemaker by trade, died in IS'.ll;William died after reaching manhood; Thomas isliving a retired life in Thompsonville, Conn.; Annais the wife of Samuel Mulligan, a resident of Pennsylvania;Joseph is the next younger; David diedin 1852; Jane A. is the widow of Tiiomas Parkes, anengineer living in New York City; and Harrymakes his home in Elliott.The educational advantages afforded our sulijectwere very limited. He began to earn his own liveliiioodat the age of eleven, securing employmentin a brick and tile factoiy, where he worked forfive years. He then went to Halifax, Yorkshire,England. Entering a printing office, he spent twoyears in that cit}\ Not content with the educationhe had acquired, he then attended the NormalSchool, located in Darlington, England, for oneyear, after which he accepted the position offeredhim by the Joseph Pease Company as land surveyorand clerk in a drug store. Thus he gainedhis first knowledge of drugs. He remained withtiiat firm until 1852, when he determined to seek ahome in America and crossed the broad Atlantic.He first located in Brooklyn, N. Y., where heentered the employ of the Lake P^rie A WesternRailroad Com|)aiiy in the freight department. In18G1, he left that employ and engaged with theAdams Express Company as a clerk, which positionhe filled until 1875, That year witnessed hisremoval to Illinois. He first settled in Rantoul,Champaign County, but after a few months cameto Elliott, Ford County, and embarked in the drugbusiness, which he has since carried on with goodsuccess.Mr. Richmond has been twice married. On the17th of May, 1860, he wedded Miss Ellen Pritchard,daughter of Owen and Alice Pritchard. Shedied Ma}' 14, 1882, and her remains were interredin the Rantoul Cemetery. Our subject was .againmarried, December 27, 1883, his second unicm beingwith Miss Louise Lewis. They have aple.as.anthome in Elliott. Mr. Richmond is a s.agacious andenterprising business man and has built up an excellenttrade. In politics, he is a Democrat andserved .as Postmaster during President Cleveland's

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 727administration, but has never been a politicianin the sense of ottice-seeking. Sociallj', lie is amember of the Masonic fraternity.^ AMIiS DYSERT, who is eng.igerl in generalfarming on section 19, Drummer Township.is numliered among the early settlers ofFord County of 18.57. The count\' wasthen a part of Vermilion County. lie was horn inWayne County, Ohio, on the 23r(l of May, 182fi,and is a son of .John and Elizabeth (ISIcFillen)Dysert, both of whom were natives of WestmorelandCounty, Pa. Their marriage was celebratedin 1822, and unto them were born six children:r.enjamin, born .lune 22, 1824, died Aiiril 17, 180.3;Mary .J., born March 27, 1827, resides in ChampaignCounty, 111.; the next child died in infanc3-;Margaret, born .Jul}' 20, 1833, is the wife of .JohnNicewander, of Champaign County; Elizabeth,born .January- Ifi, 1836, is the wife of ThomasDavis, of La Fayette, Ind.The parents of this family were pioneer settlersof Wajne County, Ohio, where tlicy resided formore than fort}' years. In 18.t9, they came to FordCounty, III., where they spent the remainder oftheir lives. The mother died October 17, 1861,but the father long survived, passing away in WestPoint, Ind., September 5, 1887, at an advancedage.Mr. Dysert whose name heads this record acquireda common-school education in his nali\ocounty, and began life for himself on attaining hismajority. Renting a farm in Logan County, Ohio,he there engaged in farming. On the 31st of August,1855, he led to the marriage altar Miss MaiyE. McFarland, a native of Champaign County,Ohio, born March 27, 1837. Her parents were JesseB. and Elizabeth (Yeazel) McFarland, the formera native of Virginia, and tiie latter of Kentucky.Mrs. Dj-sert had three brothers: 'Robert is married,and resides in Kansas City, Mo., where he is successfullyengaged in the practice of medicine andsurgery; .Jesse B. is married and follows farmingin Oklahoma; William was a physician, but is nowdeceased.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dysert have been bornfivechildren, three of whom are yet living. The eldest,Annie, born March 11, 1857. is the wife of AlfredWoodruff, a resident farmer of Union County,Iowa; Cora, born February 21, 1860, became thewife of Joseph Stevenson, and died March 16,1886; Love J., born September 22, 1862, gave herhand in marriage to J. Jennings, a resident of Dakota;Alice, born December 10, 1864, became thewife of Isaac N. Hilem.an, and died October 29,1891; and .Jesse W., born November 6, 1867, completesthe family.Upon their marriage,Mr. Dysert removed withhis bride to McLean County, 111., in the fall of1855, where he spent two years engaged in farming,and then in 1857 came to Ford County, locatingupon the farm which is now his home. He hereowns a neat and comfortable home .and well-tilledfarm, and the rich and fertile fields yield to him agolden tribute for his care .and cultivation. Hisland is highly iminoved, and he is regarded as oneof the representative agriculturists of this community.He and his wife are members of the UnitedBrethren Church, and Mr. Dysert affiliates with theDemocratic party. He manifested his loyalty to theGovernment during the late war by enlisting, onthe 26th of Septemlier, 1864, as a member of CompanyB, Eighth minois Infantry, for one year'sservice, and was honoralil}- discharged on the 6thof October, 1865. In the army he contracted adisease from which he has never yet recovered, andnow receives a pension, lie is a valued citizen ofthe community, and takes a dee^i interest in all thatpertains to the general welfare or the advancementof the count}-.

728 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.trict. In McLean County, III., on the 17th of October,1877, Mr. Bowen was united in marriage withIrena Johnson, a native of Indiana, and they havebecome the parents of one child, Charles L.In 1878. Mr. Bowen came to tliis county andpurchased one hundred and ten acres of land inDix Township, at $li per acre, which he sold in1891 at §62.50, thus receiving quite a ])roflt. Mr.Bowen removed to Gibson City in the ^ear 1881,and clerked for Lewis ife Oliver for a short time.He then served in the .^ame capacit3' for N. B. Taylorand for A. Crabbs. In 1885, he began hispresent business onhis own account, which he hascarried on ever since, having built up an excellenttrade. He has become a successful business man,and has made all that he possesses by industry andgood management.Mr. Bowen is a Republican in political sentimentand takes quite an active part in the promotion oftiiat part}'. Socially, he is a memlier of theKnights of Pythias order. ]\[r. Bowen is well deservingmention among tlie young business menof (iihson."it^OIIN SIIILTS, one of the extensive landownersof the county, residing on section24, Dix Township, is a native of Germany.He was born in Wittenlnirg, Jlay 22, 1847,and is a son of iNIichael and Agatha (Shoemaker)Siiilts. The father was a baker by trade. In 1852,he emigrated with his family to America, crossingthe Atlantic in a sailing-vessel, which, after a voyageof forty-eight days, dropped anchor in theharbor of New York. Mr. Sliilts cf)iitinued hisjourney overland to Chicago, and finally locatedin Kane County, 111., where he worked as a da.ylaborer until 1857. He afterward resided in Montgomeryand Bureau Counties. In the year 1867,he came to Ford County and purchased two hundredand eighty acres of land in Dix Township.This he afterward sold and bougiit one hundredand sixty acres of land on section 13, Peach OrchardTownship, then known as Dix Township,wiiere he made his home until his death in 1885.In politics, he was a Democrat, and in religious beliefwas a Catholic. His wife, who was a memberof the same church, had been called to her finalrest in 1876.The Shilts family numbered eight children:.lohn, whose name heads this record; .loseph, afarmer residing in Dix Township; Reulien, afarmer residing in Bureau County, 111.; Mary,wife of Robert Underwood, who is engaged inagricultural ]nirsnits in Dix Township;Margaret,wife of Thomas I'nderwood. a resident farmer ofPeach Orchard Township; and Kate, wife ofGeorge Morris, of Tacoma, Wash., who is the3'ounge.st of the family; Matthew, who makeshis home with John Shiltz; and Prank, who liveswith Robert Underwood.The subject of this sketch acquired his educationin the district schools, which he attended atintervals until twenty years of age. He was a ladof only five summers when he came with tlie familyto America. He remained with his parents untiltwenty-three jears of age and then began farmingfor himself on rented land. In 1871, he wasjoined in wedlock with Miss Hannah McGee,daughter of (ieorgeand Minerva McGee, and untothem have been born seven children: Minervaand Sybil, V)oth decea.sed; Nancy J.; Calvert R.,deceased; Ida May, Stella and Elsie. The familyhave a pleasant Jiome in Dix Township.In 1873, Mr. Shilts purchased eighty acres ofland on section 24, Dix Township. That tract ofland is still in his possession and he made it hishome until 1891, when he removed to his presentplace of residence. His landed possessions nowaggregatethree hundred and thirty acres, two hundredand eighty of which are in Dix Township anda fifty-acre tract in Wall Township. He carrieson general farming and stock-raising and lias metwith excellent success in his business dealings.His land is well cultivated and the well-tilled fieldsyield to him a golden Iriliute in return for hiscare and cultivation. He is now numbered amongthe sulistantial citizens of the community. In hispolitical alliliations, he is a Democrat and has heldthe oftices of School Director and Road Supervisor.He is a meml)er of the Catholic Church.Mrs. Shilts had one brother and one sister. The

Js^ 1\

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 731eldest of the family, Mrs. Shilts, was born October12, 1852, near Pittsburgh, Pa.; she was a girl offive summers when her parents emigrated to Illinois.She was educated in tiie common schools.The next in order of ))irth w.as Margaret, wife ofJolin Crawford, a resident near Aberdeen, >S.Dak. lie is a farmer, (leorge is engaged in farmingin Kansas, and is m;irre(l to Miss Mary Lacke}'.Both of Mrs. Shilts' parents are dead. She is a memberof the United IJreUiren Churcli, of Elliott, HI.,and is a kind and genial lady, who has been a valuablehelpmate to her husband. She graiihicallytells that she has driven her cows, when a girl offifteen, over the site ofMelvin, when not a housewas to be seen. Elliott, Gibson, Melvin, Sible}'and Roberts were not known when Mrs. Shilts firstremoved to Ford County.Mr. and Jlrs. Shilts arc truly pioneer citizens ofFord County, and their excellent life sketchwill be read by many hundreds of the present citizensof Ford County who well know them for theirsterling worth and integrity'.d****^'****'^^ OIIN D. BELL, who is engaged in generalfarming on section 30, Dix Township, isnumbered among the honored pioneer settlersof the county', having been identifiedwith its liistor>' since 1857. He was born in Westmoreland,England, November 22, 181'.), and is ason of S.amuel and Elizabeth Bell. Our subject isthe eldest of their children; William died in Lawrence,Mass.; Elizabeth is also deceased; Thomasdied on reaching manhood; Sarah is the wife ofDavid Metcalf, a resident farmer of Dix Township;Samuel isengaged in agricultural pursuits in WallTownship; Emma is the wife of James iMills, aresident of Mass.achusetts; and one child died ininfancy.John Bell, whose name heads this sketch, acquireda common-school education in his nativeland and at the age of fourteen was apprenticedfor seven years to learn the trade of tailoring andupholstering. He served the entire term and becamean excellent workman in that line. When aj'oung man of twenty-four years, he determined totry his fortune in America, of whose advantagesand privileges he had heard such favorable reports.In 1841, he sailed from Liverpool, thevessel dropping anchor in the harbor of New Yorkafter a voyage of thirty d;iys. His first locationwas made in Providence, R. I., where he secureda position in a calico- |)rinting factory. Afterfive years spent in that line, he removed to GlobeVillage, Tiverton, R. I., where he was engaged asclerk and time-keeper until 1857. Emigrating tothe West, he then became a resident of what wasthen Vermilion, but is now Ford, County. Purchasingseventy acres of railroad land, he beganthe development of a farm, u|)on which he hassince resided. His nearest trading point in thosedays was Prospect City, or Paxton, as it is nowcalled. His land was still in its primitive condition,but his energy and industry have transformedit into a rich and fertile farm.On the Uth of May, 1846, Mr. Bell weddedMiss Alice Sunderland, daughter of Daniel andNanc^- (Slocum) Sunderland. Six children havebeen born unto them: Samuel, who died in infancy;Elizabeth, wife of William Lewis; James,who died in 1878; William A. D., a resident ofIdaho; George, who follows farming .and resideswith his parents on the old homestead; and onechild who died in infancy.During the late war, Mr. Bell responded to thecountry's call for troops, enlisting on the 30th ofDecember, 18G3, as a private in the Chicago MercantileIJattery. His first active eng.agement wasat Sabine Cross Roads, after whichhe participatedin many other battles and skirmishes. On theclo.se of the war, he received his discharge, July 9,18G5, and returned to his home, since which timehe h.as been engaged in carrying on general farming.As a result of the exposure and hardships of armylife, he lost the sight of one eye. He has led a busy,useful life, yet has found time to devote to publicinterests. He served as the first Clerk of Dix Township,and held the office for sixteen years. Hewas also Highway Commissioner, Constable, Collector,Assessor, and was one of the first SchoolTrustees. The duties of these various officeswere ever discharged with promptness and fidelity.

732 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.and he is always true to every trust reposed inbim. In politics, lie is a stanch advocate of Republicanprinciples, and, sociall^^ he is a member ofLott Post No. 70, G. A. R,, of Gibson. Both heand his wife are Christian people and attend thePresbyterian Church./ *^-5^jEORGE INI. WOODBURN, who owns and-, operates two hundred and eighty acres of>i|j land on section 28, I)ix Township, wherehe has made his home for thirteen years, was bornin Richland County, Ohio, near Mansfield, onthe24th of May, 1838. His parents were William S.and Sarah (Maxwell) Woodburn, natives of Pennsylvania.They emigrated from the Keystone.State to Illinois in 1857, making tiie journe}' byteam, and located in Woodford Countj', where Mr.\\^0(jdliurii resided until his death. He passedaway February 18, 1877, and his wife died July27, 1874. They had a family of eight children:Agnes, wife of Henr>- l^edgewood; Charles, a farmerresiding near Forest, 111.; IMar}-, deceased, wife ofMarion Acres; George M. of this sketch; .James E.deceased; Jennie, deceased, wife of Henry Wilson;Matthew, a farmer residing in Kansas; and Maggie,who died in infancy.AVe now take up the personal history of Mr.Woodburn of tiiis sketch, who is a representativecitizen of the community-.His education was ac-(juired in the district schools of Ohio and he wasreared upon his father's farm, but wishing to followsome other pursuit, he learned the carpenter'strade. He was still under the parental roof, however,at the breaking out of the late war. AboutAugust 14, 1862, he donned the Ijlue and marchedto the front as a private of Company C, SeventyseventhIllinois Infantry. He was mustered intoservice at Peoria, and with his regiment went South,participating in tlie battle of Yazoo Swamps, firstattack on Yicksburg, siege and capture of Vicksburgand Milliken Bend; he was on the Red Rivercampaign; was on the campaign through Alabama,and on the expedition to Schreveport, during whichhe was in the battle of Sabine Cross Roads. Healso participated in many other engagements andskirmishes and at the close of the war was honorablydischarged, August, 18G5.AVhen the country no longer needed his services,Mr. Woodburn returned to the North and resumedwork on the old homestead farm in WoodfordCounty, where he remained until his marriage. Onthe mtli of November, 1871, he was joined inwedlock with INliss Martha AUender, a daughter ofWilliam B. and Mary J. Allender. Their uuionhas been blessed with five children, four of whomare yet living: Godfrey F., Allender, Alta andMabel; M^'rtle, the second child, died in infancy.Mr. Woodburn continued to reside in WoodfordCounty until 1877, when he came to Ford County.He purchased two hundred and forty acres of landin Dix Township, upon wliich he has made hishome since 187!>,and the boundaries of which he hasextended until now two iiundred and eighty acresof arable land p.aytribute to his care and cultivation.The entire farm is well improved and is oneof the desirable country places of the township.Its neat appearance is an index to the character ofthe owner, who is regarded as one of the enterprising,progressive and representative agriculturistsof the communit}'. In politics, he votes with theRepublican party. His army record is one ofwhich he may well be proud and his entire life hasbeen well and worthily spent.e-^-f^i^^\ APT. LEMUEL NEWTON BISHOP, one(l( „ of the pioneer settlers of Forfl Countj-, was^^^/ born in Clarke County, Ohio, January 14,1825, and is a son of John and Nancy (Welsh)Bishop. The father was born in Loudoun County,Va., on his father's plantation, where the battle ofBull Run was afterward fought, and his people allbelonged to the Society of Friends. The motherwas a native of Fauquier Count}', the same State,where thej^ were married, and then emigrated toOhio, about the 3'ear 1807, settling in ClarkeCounty, where was then an almost unbrokenwilderness. In 1830, the parents removed to

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.r33Chainpaigu County, Ohio, where they passed theirlast days, respected by all who knew them. Theirhome was tiie abode of hospitality and there thepioneer preachers alwa3-s enjoyed a iiearty welcome,and the use of the house as a place of worship.Mr. Bishop, who was an ardent Democrat in politicalsentiment, died in 1842, at the age of sixty-twoyears. The mother survived her husband aboutten years, passing away in 1852, when sixty-sixyears of age.In their family were twelve children,of whom only three are now living.Our subject is the eleventh child in order ofbirth and was reared to manhood in the usualmanner of farmer boys and attended the old-timelog schoolhouse, where he received his primaryeducation.This was supplemented by a course ata select school, and, being an apt pupil, he acquireda good practical education. At the age of sixteenj'ears, he began learning the carpenter's trade,serving an apprenticeshii) of three j'ears, receivingas a compensation for his laliors $6 per month andboard. Having completed his trade, he turned hisattention to farming, and on the breaking out ofthe Mexican AVar prepared to leave for the front,but, learning that Ohio's quota was full, he againresumed business.On the 8th of July, 1847, Capt. Bisliop was unitedin marriage with Elsie A., daughter of IsaacB. and Sarah (Steere) Bradford. The former, a nativeof Rhode Island, was a grandson of Gov.William Bradford, of Massachusetts. The motherof Mrs. Bishop was also born in Rhode Island, andwas descended from Quaker stock. In 18,31, Mr.Bradfoi'd moved to Champaign County, Ohio, andtwenty years later went to Van Buren C'ounty,Iowa, where he was called from this life whenabout the age of seventh-five 3'ears, but his wifewas some seven tj'-eight years of age at the time ofher death. They were among the highly respectedcitizens of the community where they resided, andwere the parents of seven children, two of whomare still living at the present writing. Mrs. Bishopis the youngest of their family and was born inRhode Island, on the 21st of February, 1826.Mr. Bishop went with a company to Californiain 1850, going by water as far as Kansas City, andthen proceeding by wagons. Having continuedto the sink of the Humboldt River, their teams beinggreatly reduced, they threw aside their w.agonsand everything not absolutely necessary. Packingtheir goods on their animals, lliey went on toNevada City, where they ai'rived after one hundredand four days of travel over the plains. Atone time, the\' lived three days on rice and driedai)ples. After mining for a time, Mr. Bishop wastaken with rheumatism and so returned home by thePanama route, having been absent fointcen months.The same year, 1851, he came to McLean County,111., and engaged in merchandising at Leroy forsome five 3'ears, after wiiich lie carried on a farmfor two 3'eais and again sold goods in Saybrookfor about the same lengtli of time. Having purchaseda farm of two hundred and l'ort3-eiglit acresnear the latter place, he moved thereon in 1860.On the 9th of August, 1862, Mr. Bishop enlistedas a private for the late war. The comiiaii3' towhich he belonged was to join the Ninety-fourthIllinois Infantry, l)Ut it had a full quota of captainsand the members refused to join an\' regiment unlessMr. Bishop could be their captain. The3- tiieiiproposed to join the One Hundred and SeventhRegiment, but it too had a full corps of oMicers. Tiiecompany lacked twenty men of having enough toform, so Mr. Bishop went over the State recruiting.Several of his company vvere taken from jails, butmade good soldiers. On the 30th of September,1862, liis company was mustered into the serviceas Comi»an3' F, One Hundred and Sixteenth IllinoisInfantry and he was chosen captain. They joinedthe Fifteenth Army Corps at Mem[)liis, Tenn., andhe led his coini)any in tiie battle of Haines Bluffand in the capture of Arkansas Post, but resigned,April 12, 1863, on account of disability. AVhiletearing up a railroad west of Vicksburg, he receivedinjuries from which he has never recovered.Returning to McLean County, he engaged infarming for a short time, then moved to Lerov,where he lived until 1870. Returning to iiis ol

734 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.gaged in fruit-growing. In politics, he is independentand is one of tlie enterprising and progressivecitizens of tlie place.Unto Mr. and Mrs. IJisliop have been born elevenchildren, six sons and five daughters, seven ofwliom are still living: Sarah Z., wife of G. W. B.Johnson, of (4ibson City;Steplien A. D. resides inFairfield, Iowa; La Delle B., wife of .7. W. Anderson,resides near Mattoon, 111.; Albert N. resides inBonaparte, Iowa; Nannie E., a teaclier of I)e WittCounty, III.; Lillie M., wife of .1. Cornelius, residesin Champaign County, 111.; and Minnie, a teacherof Paxton, now of Gil)son, 111.AMES McBRIDE, a retired farmer andItrominent citizen of Brenton Township,now living in Piper City, is a native of theEmerald Isle. He was born in County Antrim,.Tanuary 12, 1842, and is a son of Robert andRuth (Kirker) McBride, who were natives of thesame locality. In 1843, the parents sailed fromBelfast to New York, and made a location in BelmontCountj', Ohio, wiiere they spent the remainderof their lives upon a farm. The mother diedJuly 3, 1857, and the death of the fatlier occurredMarch 5, 1861. He was a good business man, andwon a comfortable competence. In politics, he wasa stanch Democrat, and liis wife was a member ofthe Presbyterian Church. They had a family ofseven children: Gilbert, who resides in BelmontCounty, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Finney, who is living inthe Buckeye State; John, a resident of Paw Paw,Lee County, 111.; Robert A., who is living nearMendota; Alex, a prominent attorney at law, anda wealthy citizen of New YorkCit^-; James, of thissketch; and Rebecca J., who died in Ohio, in 1871.She was born after her parents came to this country.Our subject spent tlie days of his boyhood andyouth in the Buckeye State, where he worked uponthe farm during the summer months, and in thewinter season attended the common schools of theneighborhood.In August, 1862, he responded tothe call for troops, and enlisted in Company- B,Ninety-eighth Ohio Infantry-, which was organizedat Steubenville, on the 6th of the month, and wentinto camp on the 12th. The troops participatedin an engagement near Lexington, Ky., afterwardhelped fortify Louisville, and were in the hottestof the fight at Perryville. By boat they went toNashville, participated in the second battle of Ft.Donelson, Cliickamauga and Chattanooga. Theyalso went to Atlanta, fought at Resaca, KenesawMountain, Peach Orchard and at Marietta, Ga.,and went w^th Sherman on the celebrated marchto the sea. After Lee's surrender, Mr. McBridemarched in the Grand Review in Washington, andwiis mustered out in that city on the 25th of June,1865. He was a faithful soldier, ever true to thecause under whose banner he had enlisted.On his return from the war, Mr. McBride workedon a farm near the old homestead until November,when he came to Illinois. He located in Mendota,and in Septemlier, 1868, came to Ford County,where he purchased eightj- acres of land in BrentonTownship. He is now one of the extensive landownersof the county, his possessions .aggregatingeight hundred and ninety-two acres, four hundredand eighty of which are in one body. Upon thehome farm he resided for fourteen years, and madeit one of the valuable places of the community, itsmany improvements standing as monuments to histhrift and enterjjrise.In connection with generalfarming, he engaged quite extensively in stockraising,and was very successful in that line.Mr. McBride was married on the 4th of March,1869, in Medina Count}% Ohio, to Miss ClarildaStrank, a native of that county. They have fourchildren: Celestia May, wife of Hugh Hawthorne,who resides near Thawville; Sarah, Jessie W., andOrville F., deceased. The children w'ere born andreared in Ford Count}-, and acrpiired their educationin the public schools. The mother departedthis life on the 12th of April, 1890, and was buriedin Brenton Cemeteiy. Her death was deeplymourned, for she had many friends throughout thecommunit}'.Mr. McBride has made his home in Piper Citysince March, 1892. He voted for Abraham Lincolnwhile in the army, but has since been a Democrat,often serving as an influential delegate to his

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 739party conventions. Socially, he is a member ofthe Grand Army I'ost. He has never sought ordesired public olJiue, preferring to devote his entiretime and attention to his business interests whichhe has followed with signal success. lie has workedhis way upward from a humble position to one ofaffluence, and his example in many respects is wellworthy of emulation.Vt^slDWARD VAN STEENBERGII, one of tlicmost prominent citizens of Lyman Township,who, since 1871, has been identifiedwith the growth and upbuilding of Ford County,wasborn in Ulster County, N. Y., on the banks ofthe Hudson, November 25, 1814, and is the ninthin a famil3'of twelve children, nine sons and threedaughters, but he has only two sisters now living:Sally C, widow of Christopher Crumb, an agriculturistof Ulster County, N. Y.; and Matilda,widow of Walter Cook, residing in Ulster County.The parents were Cornelius and Alida (Wreightmeyer)Van Steenbergh. The father was born onthe Hudson, in Ulster County, INIarch 25, 1774, andlearned the trade of scjthe making when a youngman liut was reared as a farmer. His father anduncles were Revolutionary heroes. He was an oldlineWhig in politics and a stanch advocate oftemperance principles. He died June 29, 1846.His wife was born in Ulster County, March 17,1778, and departed this life February 4, 1859. Theparents were members of the Methodist Churchand were highly resiiected peojjle.Our subject spent the days of liis boyhood andyouth in the county (jf his nativity and in earlylife learned the binestone-eutting trade but hasmade farming his principal pursuit. He was married,June 4, 1840, to Miss Maria F. Davis, a nativeof Ulster Count}', and unto them were born sevensons and a daughter, and, with the exception ofone son, all are yet living: Isaac, who is marriedand resides in Brooklyn, N. Y., is a custom-houseoHicer, having been appointed by President Hayes.He served his country faithfully throughout the30late war, enlisting as a private but was musteredout as Captain. He was Color-bearer at the battlesof Antietam and Gettysburg and participated inthe engagements at Lookout Mountain, MissionaryRidge, the Wilderness, Ringgold, Ga., Atlanta,Peach Tree Creek, Rome, and the celeln'ated marchto the sea. He was also present at the Grand Reviewin Washington, one of the most magnificentmilitary pageants on record. He is a stalwartRepublican and has served as a Supervisor inUlster County, N. Y. Himself and wife are membersof the Methodist Church. William, the nextchild, died at the age of sixteen months. Samuelmarried and is a prominent grain and coal-dealerisand farmer at Oriska, Barnes County, N. Dak.Wesley, a successful farmer, is married and residesin Barnes County. Nathan Rice is a stone-cutterof Ulster, N. Y., and was employed on the StateCapitol in Albany. He is also married. Janie isthe wife of Ira S. Angevine, an architectural designerof New York City. Thomas is married andis a successful farmer of Barnes County, N. Dak.Benson is a farmer residing with his family nearJackson, Madison Count}', Tenn. The mother wasa member of the Methodist Church, and diedMarch 21, 1870.Mr. Van Steenbergh was again married, March 7,1871, his second union being with Miss Emily M.Smith, a native of Otsego County, N. Y., born inOctober, 1829.She was a most estimable lady, and,prior to her marriage, was a successful schoolteacher. She died October 20, 1889, and her remainsare interred at Willwick Cemetery, Kingston,N. Y., where a beautiful monument marks her lastresting-place.Jlr. Vslw Steenbergh now resides athis beautiful home near Roberts, and is one of thehonored citizens of Ford Count}-. When he firstcame to this ct)unty in 1867, he purchased a halfsection of raw prairie land, all unimproved, andin 1870 he bought a tract of eighty acres, thepresent site of his home. Upon it was a smallhouse, which has been replaced by a commodiousand beautiful residence, while good barns andother outbuildings have been erected, such as arefound on a model farm. He is now the owner offour hundred .acres of valuable land, which }ieldsto him a handsome income.For some years he has

740 PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.been activel}' engaged in sbip))ing liay to New Orleans,New York, Chicago, Springfield and Cairo,and the volume of his business is great. Whenhe started out in life for himself, he worked at 812per month, and to the high position he now occupies,he has climbed unaided.Mr. Van Steenbergh cast his first Presidentialvote for William Henry Harrison, and supportedtlie Whig party until the organization of the Republicanparty, of which he lias since been a stalwartadvocate. He has served for years as aDirector of the public schools and has done all inhis power for the advancement of the cause of education.He is a stalwart advocate of temperance principles,and is a member of the Methodist p]piscopalChurch, in which he served .as Trustee. He hasgiven liberally of his means to its support and alsoto charitable and benevolent interests, and liis aidisnever withheld from any enterprise calculated tobenefit the community or promote the generalwelfare. Mr. Van Steenbergh is now over seventyfivej-ears of age, but is as hale and hearty as a manin middle life. He can read without glasses, hismemory is excellent and he is an entertaining conversationalist.He has a station i-ight within threehuudied feet of his barn, where he does his shipping.eHRISTRIERSON, a leading and influentialfarmer of Dix Township, who owns onehundred and sixty acres of land on section28, is a native of Norway, his birth having occurredon the 2d of July, 1832. His parents,Richard and Annie (Larson) Rierson, were bothborn in the same province, where they spent theirentire lives. The father died in 1875 and themother passed away the same year. They wereboth members of the Lutheran Church. Theirfamily numbered nine children: Lewis, a sailorresiding in Norway; Oscar, who operates the oldhome farm in his native land; Peter, an agriculturistof Story County, Iowa;Olie, a farmer residingin Fillmore Count}', Minn.; Christ of thissketch; Thomas E., a resident farmer of LivingtouCount}', 111.; Amos, a blacksmith wlio follows histrade in La Salle County; and Belle, wife of HenryHenderson, of Norway.Our subject attended school in his native landuntil about fourteen j'ears of age, when he wasbound out as an apprentice to a shoemaker andfollowed that trade until he came to America.1857, he crossed the broad Atlantic on a sailingvessel.His first location was made in Otter Creek,La Salle County, 111., and for three years he earnedhislivelihood by working as a farm hand by themonth. He then engaged in operating rented landfrom 1860 until 1867. In the spring of 1868, hecame to Ford County and settled in Dix Township,on the farm where he now resides. He firstpurchased one hundred and twenty acres of landon section 28, to which he has since added a fortyacretract. The rich and fertile fields are welltilled and the many improvements upon tiie placeindicate the owner to be one of the progressiveand substantial citizens of the community. Foralmost a quarter of a century he has here carriedon general farming and in his business dealingshas met with good success.In the autumn of 1860, Mr. Rierson weddedMiss Isabella Knudson, daughter of Knud andAnnie (.Johnson) Knudson. They have becomethe parents of a family of ten children: Annie,who is the wife of Michael Peterson, a merchantresiding in Elliott; Richard, who died in infancy;Carrie, deceased; Josie, wife of jMichael Yeager, aresident farmer of Dix Township; Christina, Celia,Sarah, Richard, Lena, and Carrie. Miss SarahRierson is one of the successful teachers of FordCounty; Miss Carrie is taking instrumental music.In politics, Mr. Rierson is a Republican, and, inreligious belief, he and his wife are Lutherans. Heisa worthy citizen of the community and well deservesrepresentation in this volume.Mrs. Rierson 's parents are both deceased. Thefather died in Norway and the mother in America.Her father was a boot and shoe maker by trade anda farmer by occupation. Her girlhood days were Sspent in her native land and she was educated in •her native tongue. She was a young lady whenshe came to America. She has been a faithful andvaluable helpmate to her husband during thirty-In

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 741two years of married life, sharing the joj's andsorrows of life. She had three brothers and sixsisters, of wliom four are living, including Mrs.Riersou.Julia i-esides in Norw.ay and was marriedto John Uderson, who is now deceased; Knud ismarried, resides in Livingston County and is afarmer; Ole resides in Norway and is married;Mrs. Rierson is next in order of birth.^ OIIN JOGS, a veteran of the late war, andone of the substantial citizens of Dix Township,residing on section 28, claims Germany_^ ,as the land of his birth. lie was bornAugust 12, 1812, in Wurtemberg, and is a son ofJohn and Regina (Schueler) Joos, both natives ofGermany. Thay were married in 1840, and shortlyafter the birth of our subject, crossed the broadAtlantic to America. They landed in New YorkCity, from whence they went to Milwaukee, Wis.,where the father engaged in general labor for afew 3'ears. lie then turned his attention to farming,which business he followed for fifteen years.At the expiration of that period, he again locatedin Milwaukee, where he made his home until hisdeath in March, 1886. His wife is still living andis a resident of Kankakee, 111. Unto them wasborn a family of Ave children, the eldest of whom,Mary, is deceased; John comes next; Matthew andAndrew, who live in Kankakee, 111.; and Annie,who is deceased.Our subject acquired his education in the commonschools, but his advantages were very limited.He started out in life for liimself when only nineand a half years of age. By working on a farmby the month, he earned his livelihood until nineteenyears of age, but he laid aside all businessconsiderations on the breaking out of the late warand enlisted as a private for three years' service.'Joining the boys in blue of Company C, TwentyseventhWisconsin Volunteers, he participated inthe siege of Vicksburg and the battles of Mobileand .lackson, Ala., and many other engagements oflesser importance. He was once wounded by aminie ball in the right arm just below the elliovv.After his term of service had expired, Mr. Jooswas honorably discharged, August 29, 1865, andreturned to the North. He again worked upon afarm for six years. AVith the money saved fromhis earnings, he tlien purchased, in 1869, the farmupon which he has since resided. It is a threehundred and twenty acre tract of valuable landand is one of the finest farms of the township.Its well-tilled lields and many improvementsindicate the thrift and enterprise of the ownoi',and the neat appearance of the place attests thesupervision of a careful manager.On the 15th of November, 1870, Mr. Joos wasjoined in wedlock with Miss Abigail Bracken, adaughter of James and Mary (Wright) Bracken,natives of Kentucky. Five children have beenborn of their union, as follows: Flora, now thewife of J. C. Fitzpatrick, a resident of Guthrie, 111.;Minnie E., John W. and Harry E., at home, andone who died in infanc}'. The members of thefamily rank high in social circles in which theymove and the hospitable doors of the Joos homeare ever open for the many friends of the family.In politics, Mr. Joos is a Democrat, and he casthis first Presidential vote for the Martyr President,A. Lincoln. He enlisted during the Civil AVar,and the first engagement in which he took partwas at Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was a member ofthe famous Gen. Bank's expedition up the RedRiver, and took part in many otiier engagements.He was a faithful soldier during his term of enlistment,and endured many of the hardships of asoldier's life. He was placed in the hospital atColumbus, Ky., for rheumatism, caused by exposure.He was confined there for three weeks.From there he was ready for the famous siege ofVicksburg, and was present at the entire siege.After that he was ordered to Helena, Ark., andfrom there to the siege of Little Rock, Ark., andthen was in the expedition up the Red River. Hewas wounded in the right arm by a minie ballduring the Bank's expedition. At Mobile, Ala.,he was in the skirmish line in front of the rifle pitsby the rebel forts and he was struck a glancingshot on the left cheek by a bullet, which w.as a closecall. He was never captured during his enlistmentnor ever was in the guard iiouse, which shows his

742 fORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.faithful service. Ilis army life took him in thefollowing States: Arkansas. Kentucky, Florida,Mississippi, Texas, Indian Territory, Missouri,Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee. He was atBrownsville, Tex., when he was honorably musteredout of the United States service.IMrs. Joos' girlhood days were spent in MenardCounty, where she was born May 27, 1852. Shewas educated in the common schools. There wereeleven in the family, four sons and seven daughters,of whom there arc nine living. Bettie E.,wife of John Dudley, a resident of Missouri; Jane,wife of William Hutchison, a resident of Missouri;Sarah, wife of Layton Rice, resides in Illinois;Emma, wife of John Phelps, resides in Missouri;IMrs. Joos is the next of the daughters; Jacob L.,a resi

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PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 745order, and he also belongs to the Methodist Church.A public-spirited and progressive citizen, he hasever manifostod a commendable interest in everythingpertaining to tiie welfare of the comnuinity.mourned the death of this worthy citizen. He hadthe high regard of all who knew him, for his lifewas well and worthily spent. His widow and childrenstill reside on the old home farm, which compriseseight}' acres of fine tillable land in Dix Township.Mr. and Mrs. Bulger were both members ofthe Methodist Church of Gibson, 111.^(OIIN BULGER, deceased, was born in Indiana,May 8, 1844, and died at his home inDix Township, on the 14th of March. 1892,resjiected by all who knew him. He wasone of a family of six children. His parents diedwhen he was an infant, and he was reared in thefamily of Mr. Hill, with whom he came to Illinoisin 1859. They located in Fulton County, and Mr.Bulger there resided until 1861, when, respondingto the country's (all for troops, he enlisted as aprivate of Comp.any D, Fift\-fifth Illinois Infantr}',First Divison Fifteenth Army Corps, for throeyears' service. He participated in the battle ofShiloh and all the battles of the Atlanta campaignand many other engagements, and when histerm of enlistment had expired was lionorabl\' dischargedin 18G4.After being mustered out of service, Mr. Bulgerretuined to Fulton Countj% III., where he beganworking on a farm by the month. Hecontinued to make his home in that locality until1871, when he cnnie to Ford Count}', 111., settlingin Dix Tfiwnship. He purchased forty acres ofrailroad land on sectiiin 5, and lieg.an its development,carrying on general farming until his death,which occurred on the 14th of March, .as beforestated.On the 28tli of .January, 1874, Mr. Bulger wasunited in marriage with Miss Maggie (ientle,daughter of .Tohn and Louisa (Iligdon) (Jentlc.Their union was blessed with five children, but twodied in infancy: Harry and Clarence. Charlie,Louise and Bertha are still with their niotiier.In his political afliliations, Mr. Bulger was aRepublican and took an active interest in the successof that party. Sueially. he was a member ofthe Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army ofthe Republic, both of (iibson City. His remainswere inlerred in (Jibson Cemetery and many friendsOIIN KERCHANFAUT, a prominent andwell-known citizen of Ford County, residingon section 32, Dix Township, where hofollows general farming,claims Wurtembcrg,Germany, as the land of his lurth. He was born onthe 27th of January, 1833, and is a son of Frederickand Elizabeth (House) Kerchanfaut.Their familynumliercd four children: Fredericka, now deceased;.John of this sketch; Frederick, who is living inGermany and follows the trade of coopering; andJoseph G., a resident of America.We now take up the personal history of our subject,who attended school until fourteen years of.ago. He was then bound out to serve a throe-years'apprenticesliii) to the trade of rope making, and hefollowed that occupation until his emigration toAmerica in 1855. Having attained his majority,he determined to seek a home in the New Worldand embarked on a sailing-vessel which reachedthe harbor of New York after thirty-six d.ays. Mr.Kerchanfaut made his first location near Sellisville,Bucks County, Pa., and beg.an working on therailroad. After a year s|)ent in that way ho cameto Illinois, settling in Ford County, whore heworked upon a farm for some time. He is nowengaged in agricultural pursuits for himself andhas been quite successful in his undertakings.Mr. Kerchanfaut w.as united in marriage to MissMary Myers, March 20, 1860, and by their unionhave been born Ihe fdlhiwing children: Williama farmer of Dix Township; Elizabeth, Jennie andtwins are deceased; Charles, a farmer of Dix Township;James farming with Charles; Fannie; Fred,deceased; Calvin and Albert.In his political alliliations, Mr. Kerchanfaut is aDemocrat. He has lu'ld the olHce of Pathmaster

746 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.for thirteen years and was School Director fortwelve _years, his long continued service indicatinghis faithful ]ierf

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 747Purchasing three hundred acres of land, he thereengaged in farming until his death which occurredin 1855. He was a very successful business manand accumulated quite a liundsome property. Inpolitics, he was a Democrat. His wife survivedhim a number of years and died in 1884. Of theirfamily, Samuel died in 1851; Elizfi J., who wasthe wife of Alexander M. Shaver, died in 1867;Jolni was a farmer residing near Le Roy, McLeanCounty, 111.; Rachel died about the age of threeyears; Craig is engaged in agricultural pursuitsin Drummer Township; Sarah died in 1852; Albertis a farmer living in Drummer Township.William is the next younger; Mary A. died in1857; Joiinson died in 1861; and Ephraim carrieson farming in Champaign County.Mr. Gilmore whose name heads this record acquiredhis early education in the district schoolsof the neighborhood, and afterwards pursued acourse of study in Bloomington, 111., at the WesleyanUniversity. He was thus well fitted foi thepractical duties of life. In 1870, he came to FordCount}' and located in Drummer Township, wherehe spent seven 3'ears.In 1877, he removed to DixTownship, where he has since carried on generalfarming and stock-raising. His home farm is locatedon section 16, and his landed possessionsaggregate six hundred and forty acres, all ofwhich are in Dix Township; also six hundred andforty acres in Osceola County, Iowa. Nearlj' theentire amount is under a high state of cultivationand IS well improved. There are good buildingsupon the home farm and all modern accessories,and the well-tilled fields yield a golden tribute tothe care and cultivation of the owner.On the 3d of February, 1879, Mr. Gilmore wasunited in marriage with Miss Julia I. Bunch, adaughter of William and JL'iiy(Clarke) Bunch, bornOctober 5, 1853. The family' circle numbers fourchildren, as follows: Mary Etta, who was born October3, 1883; Walter E., March 2, 1886; and CarrieHarrison and Benjamin Harrison, twins, whowere born on the 9th of April, 1889. The parentsarc prominent people in this community and havea large circle of friends and acquaintances whoesteem them highly for their many excellencies ofcharacter.Mr. Gilmore is a stalwart supporter of Republicanprinciples, and his first Presidential vote wascast for Abraham Lincoln. For six years he filledthe office of Township Trustee, and for nine j-earshas served as School Director.His long service inthese positions indicates his faithfulness and fidelityto dut}'.He is a public-spirited and progressivecitizen who takes an active interest in everythingpertaining to the welfare of the community, andis an enterprising and progressive farmer. Hisown industry, perseverance and good managementhave been important factors in iiis success.Mrs. Gilmore 's father, William Bunch, died in1853, when she was but a child. He was a farmerby occupation. Her mother, Mary (Clarke) Bunch,was a native of North Carolina, and is yet livingat the age of about sixty. She resides in EdwardsCount}-.Mrs. Gilmore's girlhood days were spenton the farm, and she was educated in a limited way.She had one brother, Joseph H., who resides inRichland County, III., and married Miss Jane Gates.He is a farmer. ]Mrs. Gilmore has been a valuablehelpmate to her husband in the acquisition oftheir beautiful and valuable home. She is a lovingmother, and this excellent life sketch of fatherand mother will ever be cherished by their childrenwhen they have passed away.I^+^P'j|(OSEPH N. MARSHALL, who followsgeneralfarming on sections 32 and 33, DixTownship, is a native of the Green MountainState. His birth occurred in WindsorCounty, on the 10th of July, 1827. His father.Nelson Marshall, was also a native of Vermontand was of Scotch extraction.After attaining toman's estate, he was united in marriage to MissDelia Lewis and unto them were born six children,the eldest of whom is our subject; Abigail is nowdeceased; Harvey is twin brother; Heniy, whodied in infancy; Alvin resides in Massachusetts;and Minerva is a resident of Giljson City. The parentsare both deceased. The death of the motheroccurred in 1878 and Mr. Marshall died in 1883.We now take up the personal history of our

748 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.subject, who is one of the most widely-known citizensof Dix Township. He acquired a good businesseducation in the common schools, which heattended until nineteen years of age. Under theparental roof he remained until lie had attainedhis majority, when he started out in life for himselfas a farm hand, working by the month. He wasthus cmploj'^ed for three years, after which hebade good-bye to the State of liis nativity and emigratedto Illinois in 1850. He made his first settlementin Peoria County, and resided in Marshall,Knox, Woodford and Peoria Counties until hisremoval to Ford Count}' in 1875.On tlie 6th of Februaiy, 1859, Mr. Marshall wasunited in mnn-iage to Mrs. Eliza DeMottc, widowof Williain l)e Molte and a daughter of Charlesand Elizabetii (Hargraves) Do Bruler. Mrs. Marshall'sgreat-gr.andfather on her father's side camefrom France, accompanied by two brothers. Hermother was of English extraction. Charles DeBruler and wife were married in North Carolina,in 1816, and emigrated to Pike County, Ind., notlong after. He was drowned while crossing WiiiteRiver in 1835 and his wife died in 184.3.Mrs. Marshall is one of eight children, thoughonly three now live. On October 11, 1848, shemarried William H. DeMotte and the followingyear the}- moved to Woodford County, 111., whereMr. DeMottc died in 1851, leaving two little girlsto be reared and educated by his widow. Theyare Lizzie, wife of J. M. Marshall, a fanner of IroquoisCounty and Clara, wife of M. W. Scott, aresident of Cherry Vale, Kan.By the union of our subject and his wife havebeen born three children, one of whom died in ininfancy;Omah Jay, who is married and resides onthe home farm; and Elmer M., who died May 22,1890, in his twenty- fourth year. His remainswere interred in Gibson Cemetery. He was a brilliantj'oung man and one of noble character.After attending the Onarga Seminary, he began amedical course of study to which he seemed especiallysuited. His whole aim in life was to becomea skillful physician that he might thereb}- relievesuffering humanity and .accomplish the most goodin the world.On coming to Ford Count}-, Mr. Marshall purchasedtwo hundred and forty acres of land situatedon sections 32 and 33, Dix Township, wherehe has since resided. He has a pleasant home anda well-improved farm and the neat ajipeaiance ofthe pl.ace indicates the careful supervision of athrifty manager. He is a practical and progressivefarmer and a successful business man, who is nownumbered among the substantial citizens of thecommunity. Himself and wife are both membersof the Methodist Church, and, in his political aflili'ations, Jlr. Marshall is a supporter of Republicanprinciples. He started out in life empty-handed,with no capital save a young man's bright hopeof the future and a determination to succeed. Hislife is an example of what may be accomi)lishodby industry and perseverance and is well worthyof emulation.i(_^ARVEY M.DALLY, M. D., a well-knownand leading practitioner of Kempton, wasborn in Putnam County, III., near Hennei)in,November 20, 1855. His father, Williameight children, the eldest of whom, Mary, isDally ,was a native of Penn.sylvania and was of Germanand French extraction. He married JohannaNcwburn, who was also a native of the KeystoneState, and was of German descent. They had a familyofnow the wife of Ellis Hughes, a farmer and rancherresiding in Montana; Lydiadied in 1878; Annie isthe wife of Nelson Russell, a real-estate dealermaking his home in Milwaukee, Wis.; George is abrick and tile manufacturer residing in Sauleniann,111.; John (lied in 1863; the Doctor is the nextyounger; Williain is a farmer who makes his homein Jlona Township, and Charles died in 1863. Thefather of this family emigrated to Illinois in 1850,locating in I'utnam County. He is still a residentof Pontiac. His wife departed this life in 1872.Dr. Dally was born and reared upon his father'sfarm and acquired his primary education in the districtschool. He completed his education at Valparaiso,Ind., attending that college from 1875 until1879. In the meantime, be also engaged in teachingand in his leisure hours studied medicine.In

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land-ownersPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 7531879, having determined to make that professionhis life work, he entered tlie medical college ofIndiannpolis, Ind., where he was graduated withhonor March 3, 1881. He soon afterward went toElmwood, 111., and began the practice of medicine.After spending a year at that place, he came toKempton, 111., where he has since made his home.On the 4th of October, 187(;, Dr. Dally wasunited in marriage to JMiss Rose E. Hannah, daughterof William R. Hannah. Two children havebeen born of this union, a son and daugliter, NoraMay and Homer H.In his political alliliations, the Doctor is a Republicanbut has never been an ofHce-seeker, andsocially is a member of the Masonic order. In 1884,he established a drug store in Kempton, which hecarries on in connection with his practice and doesa good business. His skill and .ability have wonhim a liberal patronage, and he ranks liigh amonghis professional brethren of the community. TheDoctor h.as a wide acquaintance, and l\y tliosc whoknow him lie is held in warm regard.^^Il LRERT GILMORE, one of the e.xlen.sive^/4jl and prominent citizens of|IL Drummer Township, residing on section1^ 27, was born in Harrison County, Ohio,January 2(i, 1811, and is a son of Nathaniel andMar}' (Craig) Gilmore. His grand fathers bothcame from Ireland. His grandfathers were amongthe first settlers of Harrison County, moving tiiereabout 1803, and making their liome.s in HarrisonCounty until their death. Graiidfalhcr Gilmorewas a soldier in the War of 1812, and his hardservice so undermined his health that he diedshortly after his return.In his family were sevenchildTen. six of whom grew to mature years, butnone are now living.The father of our subject siieut the days of hisboyhood and youth in Harrison County, and in1827 wedded JNIiss Craig, daughter of .John Craig.Twenty years later, they removed to RelmontCounty, where he engaged in farming and stockraisingfor five years, when lie took up his residencenear Le Roy, McLean County, III., in 1852.His death there occurred on the 5th of November,1855, and his remains were interred in the GilmoreCemetery on the old homestead, where a monumentmarks his last resting place. His wife longsurvived him and was called to her final restDecember 21, 1884. In politics, he was a Democratand in his business affairs was quite successful,leaving a handsome properly. The familynumbered twelve children: Samuel and .lane E.,both deceased; .lohn, a farmer of Iowa; Rachel,also deceased; Craig, who is living in DrummerTownship and who is represented elsewhere in thisvolume; Sarah, deceased; Albert, of this sketch;William, of Dix Township; Mary A. and .lohnson,who have also passed away; one who died in infanc}',and Ephraim, of Champaign County.No event of special importance occurred duringthe childhood of our subject.His early education,•acquired in the common schools, w'as supplementedby a two-terms' attendance at the Wesleyan V-mversityof Bloomington, 111. Throughout life, hehas engaged in farming and stock-raising. Heremained at home until thirty years of age, andthen went to a farm of his own, upon which helived alone for ten years. In 18(!4, with his brothers,.lohn, Craig and William, he came to thiscounty and purchased sixteen hundred acres ofwild land at from $4.25 to *8 per acre and beganits development and cultivation. Rut he did notin.ake Ford County his place of residence until1870. They also jiurchased six hundred acres inChamiiaign County about 186G. In the spring ofthat year, four hundred acres were broken. Thelirothers all worked together until 1870, when thelan

754 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.June' 19, 1858, ancl is a (laughter of William andpjlizabetli (Ilili) Boundy, who were of English descent.The lady is a member of the PresbyterianChurch. By her marriage, she has become themother of five cliiidren, four yet living; Samuel,SImma J., Lillie M. and C^yntliia M. "Willie A. isnow deceased.In politics, Mr. Gilmore is a Rei)ublican. Hecast his first Presidential vote for the Martyr President,Abraham Lincoln. He is a self-made man,having l)y his own industrious and enterjirisingefforts worked his wa3' upward to the position ofafHuence which he to-day occupies.4^fc'»'r^p= -^>UDGE HUGH P. BEACH, a lawyer of Piper\JlCity and editor and proprietor of thePan Handle Adiinvatp, was born in a logcabin in the wilderness about thirty milessouth of Cleveland, Ohio, more than fifty yearsago. On the paternal side he is descended froman old family- of New .Terse}'. His grandfather,David Bc.acli. served in tlie War of the Revolution,and his grandmother was a near relative of DanielD. Tompkins, who was prominent in the early historyof this country and at one time was Governorof New York, and afterward Vice-President of theUnited States.Moses Tompkins Be.ach, father of our subject,was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1810, ajidwas reared to agricultural jiursuits in that State.He married Maria Wylie Gillett, also a native ofNew York, but directly connected with the Gilletts,Fullers, Phelpses, Pages, and other leadingfamilies of Hartford, Conn., and vicinity, in theearly history of that State. With her he movedto the AVestern Reserve of Ohio, about 1830.Being a skillful woodsman, he cleared and improvedseveral farms in that heavily-wooded section,but later in life engaged in the practice ofmedicine until his death. In politics, he was aWhig and afterward a Republican, and was a strongopponent of slavery.Tlie mother of our subject died when he wasfourteen years of age, but to her teachings and theremembiance of her exemplary character he owesmuch. He was the fourth in a large family. Hewas early inured to hard labor on the farm butacquired a good education, for that period, for thesettlers in the Western Reserve always establishedgood schools, no matter what else had to be sacrificed.When his mother died, he left school andbegan to earn his own livelihood, with no resourcesbut his intellect and a strong determination tosucceed. He had read accounts of the strugglesand successes of Benjamin Franklin, and a desirewas created thereby to become a printer. In thespring of 1857, the opportunity presented itself togratify the ambition, and for the next two yearshe was constantly employed in that work, successivelyin two well-appointed newspaper offices, inthe course of which he passed through all gi'adesof work, from "printer's devil," to assistant in thelocal news department. Like manj^ others, he isindebted to this early newspaper work for much ofhis earlier general information in regard to publicaffairs. Succeeding this, a desire was aroused tobecome a lawyer, and accordingly, for two followingyears he was found under the able tutelage oftwo of the leading lawyers of the State, Hon.Henry Grove and Hon. J. K. Cooper (both nowdeceased), perusing tlie "labyrinthine intricacies"of the law, as embraced in Blackstone, Kent, andother leadiaig text-books of that department oflearning. At tliat time he was a member of alioine company of Zouaves, and when the countrywas startled b}' the firing upon Ft. Sumpter,the services of his company were immediately tenderedto Gov. Richard Yates, at Springfield. Notreceiving any satisfaction from the Governor, theysent one of tlieir officers to Springfield to conferwith him, but, such was the patriotic rush to thedefense of the country. Gov. Yates replied to theeffect that the applications ahead of the Zouaveswere sufficient to fill the Illinois quota severaltimes over. Nothing daunted, these determinedpatriots met in their armory and decided to tendertheir services direct to the General Government,and thereupon wired the then Secretary of War,Hon. Simon Cameron, at Washington, D. C, tothat effect. Imagine their disappointment whenhis re|)ly came back: "Consult your Governor"!This tended to abate the ardor of their patriotism,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 755as there was no immediate hope of their servicesbeing accepted. A good part of the compan.y returnedto their accustomed pursuits, but otherskept up the organization, and, montlis afterward,with recruited ranks, went to St. Louis, and joinedthe Eighth Missouri Infantry. Still engaged inthe study of the law, it was not until the Governmentcalled for three hundred thousand volunteersthat our subject went into actual service. Thenfor more than four years and a half continuously,in both Infantry and heavy artillery, he servedsuccessively in about all i)ositions from private tothat of commander of his company. He was fora time Clerk in the Quartermaster's Department atNew Orleans, La.; also Clerk of a Court Martial,in that city, and after his commission was a memberof a Military Commission b}' appointment ofGen. Sheridan, Commander of the Dci)artment ofthe Gulf. He campaigned through Kentucky,Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana,and across Lake Pontchartrain, and the Gulfof Mexico. He participated in some of the mostimportant military operations of the MississippiValley, under Gens. Grant, Sherman, Sheridan,Banks, McClernand, A. J. Smith, Canby, Hiirlbut,Ord, and others, and was present at the engagementsat Ilaine's Bluff, Chickasaw B.ayou, ArkansasPost, Magnolia Hills, Grand Gulf, Port (iibson.Champion Hills, Raymond, Black River Bridge,and the siege of Vicksburg. He went on the famouscampaign of Gen. Banks up Red River, andthe march of Gen. Gordon Granger through EasternMississippi in the combined movement .againstMobile, being then in command of his companj-.During the latter part of his service, he was stationedsuccessively at Ft. St. Philip, and P^t.Jackson, commanding the defenses of New Orleans,on the Gulf coast, at the mouth of the Mississippi.Through all his long and perilous service,he received only two slight wounds, but he hasnow in his possession his army carLridge-box whichundoubtedly saved his life, as it was perforated bya ball of the enemy in an engagement, while it wasdrawn in front of his bodj' for convenience inloading his gun, as was the practice in a fight.While in the service and in command of hiscompany, he raised a subscription in the companyto the National Lincoln Monument at Springfieldof 1715.30, and received a personal letter fromGov. Oglesby in acknowledgment of its receipt,expressed in the most complimentary terms.Just about the close of his military career, hew.as brevetted to a higher rank by the Presidentof the United Slates, "for faithful and meritoriousservices," as the parchment commission states. Asingular incident is connected with this. Thecommission was forwarded at the proper time butto the wrong post-offlce, and, i.ot being called for,the commission until about eighteen months ago,when, accidentally, a brother otticer in the p]ast,who knew about it, mentioned the fact in a letter.This gratifying news led to correspondence withwas returned to the War Department, at Washington.As the fact of being brevetted was unknownto the recipient of the honor, no call was made forthe War Department, and the highly-[)rlzed documentwas forwarded by return mail, after slumberingin the official vaults of the Government forabout twenty-four years! However, it was nonethe less gratefully received.Another matter relating to his military service,which also has a most grateful side to it, is the factthat no complete settlement was ever had with theGovernment of his accounts as an officer untilthis last winter (1892), when the Governmentindebted to the .Judge several hundredfound itselfdollars!While in the military service. Judge Beachwedded Mary Estelle Smith, of Louisiana, a daughterof Capt. Henry Lyon Smith, of the EngineerCorps of the Regular Army, and Mrs. Armalie II.Smith, nee Hebert. Capt. Smith was a graduate ofthe West Point Military Academy, and for a timeprofessor at that school. Although himself a nativeof Maine, his military duties took him toLouisiana, where he married Armalie II. Hebert, asister of his class-mate at West Point, Gen. LouisHebert. The Hebcrts were a very prominent familyunder the old order of affairs before the war. GrandfatherVallery Hebert held a prominent position underGen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans in1815. Paul O. Hebert was a Governor, another representativewas a Speaker of the legislature, still anotherwas a Superintendent of one of their railways.

:works,756 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.while another, Mrs. Ernestine S. .Stevens, widow ofthe late Gen. Walter Stevens, was first librarian ofthe I'atent Ottice, at Washington, 1). C, and formany years since has been Librarian of tlie Departmentof Agriculture, which position she still holds.She is rightfully classed among the great womenof the nation. Slie is Mrs. Leach's aunt.The sul)jeet of our sketch received his dischargefrom the army February 22, 18(w, and, with hisyoung wife, inimediatelj' came North, locating atPiper C'it\- (then called New Lrenton), where theyariived April 111. His sister, Mrs. Mary A. Wilber,now deceased, then resided here. At Piper Cityhe resumed the study of tiie law, and, in 187(1, wasadmitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court of theState, and has since practiced th.at profession. Inthe early histor}' of Piper City, he was electedPresident of the Board of Trustees, and it wasduring his administration that many importantstreets were graded, the town park, now a beautifulgrove, was planted, and a numlier of artesianfire wells sunk in different localities, wliich latterhave since saved the [ilace at least two very disastrousconflagrations. During said term, the firstflrc-engine was l)Ought, which eventually led up tothe present etticient fire department service of thevillage. In the spring of 1873, his fcllow-town.smcnelected him a member of the County Boardof Supervisors. In that body his advocacy of retrenchment,economy and reform in county affairscalled public attention to him, and he was the sameyear nominated and elected County- Judge, andwas re-elected for two successive terms.lie serveduntil December, 1886, a year having been addedby an amendment to the State constitution, and itis not too much to say that he had the good-willand confidenee of the people as a just, faithfuland upright Judge.For the past nine years he has been editor, publisherand proprietor of the Pan Handle Admcale.It is sullicient to say that .as a journalist he h.asalw.iys endeavored to advocate that which w.asfor the very best interests of the people amongwhom the j)aper circulates, and he is always ableto state in clear and forcible language just whatlie me.ans. His success in this department is highlydeserved. He is a Knight Templar in M.asonr3', isa Patriarch in Odd-Fellowship, and has been inattendance ujmju the (irand Lodges of both bodies.He is Past Commander of Piper City Post, No.30 1, Department of Illinois, G. A. R., andwhile commander took the initiatory steps whichresulted in organizing Gresham Camp No. 187,Sons of Veterans, of which the Judge is anhonorary member. Judge Beach cast his firstPresidential vote for Abraham Lincoln at Chicago,in 18(50, and has always been a believer in Republicanprinciples. He heard Lincoln .and Dougl.asill the great joint discussion of 18r)8; li.as alsolistened to Lovejoy, Lf)gan, Trumbull, Seward,Corwin, Hale, Ingcrsoll, Blaine, Oglesby, Harrison,and a host of other leading orators of the Lastthirty years; h.as heard the greatest imlpit orator,Beecher; the greatest living actor, Booth; and thegreatest songstress. Patti. He was a member ofthe Pioneer Wide Awake Club of Chicago, in 18(i0,the Captain of which was Ord. Sergt. J. R. Hayden,of the famous Ellswortli Zouave cadets.Judge Beach has not accumulated wealtii, buthis l()ve of good literature has brought around himone of the finest private libraries to be foundanywhere. The field covered is very wide. Besideshis law library, there are works of history,biograph\', travel, philosophy, science, mathematics,rhetoric, poetry, art, music, .also medical, theological,political, military, .agricultural, horticultural,poinological, stock-raising, and various otherthe .accumulations of a third of a century.These, and current leading journals and m.agazinesof the d.ay, furnish an extensive field forintellectual thought and culture on all manner ofinteresting subjects. Some years ago, the Judgefound that his long and arduous military service,and too close confinement to sedentary pursuitssince, had made inrfiads upon his health, to counteractwhich he has felt compelled to seek more.active life in the ojieii air than formerly, and inthis connection he has what he calls his "gymnasium."It consists in interesting himself in theraising of blooded roadster horses, and Jersey cattle,and taking care of them himself! It is toosoon to s.ay what the financial outcome may be,but one thing seems already assured, and that is,greatlj' benefited health.

PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPHi'CAL RECORD.H)lJudge and Mrs. Beach have a family of fiveliving children: Henry Lyon, formerly uf the Advocate,now employed as a reporter on the ChicagoDail}' Tribune; Carrie Estelle, who is assistantmanager and chief compositor of the Advocate;Ernestine Kellogg, assistant coni|)osilor of theAdvocate; Mettie Armalio and Daisy May, not yetin tiieir teens. Lillian Mar}', tlic second daughter,pronounced a very interesting child by allwho knew her, died suddenly of membranouscroup in the fourtli year of her age.In closing tiiis outline of the biography of oneof Ford Count3's best known citizens, let us sa}'that Judge Beach is an unassuming, (ilcasant andcompanionable gentleman, and stands among thefirst for integrity of purpose and general highcharacter in the community where he has so longresided.ft^v^b^^V**^j^OBERT WILSON, a well-known and enterprisingfarmer lesiding on section 32'Dix Township, is a native of Glasgow,Scotland. He was born on the 13th o^March, 1822, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth(Riddel) Wilson.His father was a native ofIreland, and at an early da}' emigrated to Scotland.In the family were seven children, as follows:John, a farmer residing in Loda, 111.; Jamesand Agnes, who are living in Dix Township withour subject; and the other three are now deceased.The mother of tliis faniil}' died in Logan County,111., in 1849, and the father was called to his linalhome in1843, in Glasgow, Scotland.Mr. Wilson whose name heads this record attendedthe common schools until twelve years ofage, since which time he has made his own wa}-in the world. In his native land he learneil thespinner's trade, which he followed until his emigrationto America.Hearing much of the advantagesand opportunities of the New World, hedetermined to try his fortune in this country. Crossingthe Atlantic in 1848, he settled in Fall River,Mass., where he resided for four \ears. He thencame Westward to Illinois in 18.")2. locating inLogan County, 111., near Lincoln. With his fatherand brothers, he purchased one hundred andsixty acres of Goveinnient land, upon which heresided until 1867.In the meantime, .Mr. Wilson responded to thecall of his adopted country for troops, and in1862 enlisted as a private of Company F, OneHundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry. The tirstengagement in which he participated was at Jackson,Tenn. He was afterward in the siege ofVicksburg and under lire at the battles of LittleRock, Ark., Pine Bluff, and many others of minorimportance. He w.as alwa3s found at his post,faithfully discharging any duty which devolvedupon him. In 1865, on the close of the war, hewas honorably discharged and returned to hishome.As before stated, Mr. Wilson resided in LoganCounty until 1867, when he came to Ford Countyand purchased one hundred and si.Kt}' acres ofrailroad land on section 32, Dix Township.There,with his brother James and sister Agnes, he hassince made his home. He devotes his entire timeand attention to general farming and has a highlyimprovedquarter-section of land, which yields tohim a golden tribute in leturn for the care andlabor he bestows upon it. Mr. Wilson exerciseshis right of rranchise in support of the Democraticparty, lie is ahv;iys ready and willing toaid in the advancement of public enterprises, andhas ever borne his share in the upbuilding anddevelopment of the coiiiiiiunity where he has nowresided fiir a (juaiter of a eeiitiiry.1/ ILANI) STIMPSON" is engaged in farmingon section I'J, Dix Townshi|i. .41thoughbe has resided in Ford County a com[)ara-^S>^ 'ively short time, he has formed a wideacquaintance and is favoralily known A nativeof Ohio, he was born in Summit C(ninty, on thePJth of November, 1833.His grandfather, ElliottStimpson, was a native of New York aii

758 PORTRAIT AND BIOCIJAPIIICAL RECORD,son, married Cloy Riley and unto them were bornthe following children: Byron, who now resides inMissouri; George, a farmer, who makes his home inMichigan; Hiland, of this sketch; Joseph E., a masonby trade, living in San Francisco. Cal.; Edgar,a carpenter residing In Michigan; Harley, also amason of San Francisco; Richard, who died in 1875;Richard L., a farmer living in Michigan, and Cyrus,who died in 1846.The educational advantages which our subjectreceived were those afforded by the commonschools, but by reading and observation in subsequentyears, he has become a well-informed man.AVhen eleven years old, his parents emigrated fromOhio to Calhoun County, Mich., and though it wasFebruarj', and the snow about two feet deep, hedrove a flock of sheep all the vvay, a distance oftwo hundred and eighty miles, a task that wouldnow be thought hard for a man. At the age offourteen, he began working as a farm hand by themonth and was Lhus employed for four years. Decidingto follow some other pursuit, he then serveda three-years apprenticeship to the mason's trade.In 1865, he came to Illinois, locating in La SalleCounty, where he worked at his trade for tenyears, when, in 1875, he removed to De WittCounty. On coining to Ford County in 1880, heresumed the occupation of farming and purchasedone hundred acres of land on section 19, DixTownship, where he has since made Ins home.September 15, 185-1, Mr. Stimjjson was united inmarriage with Miss Mary Bigelow, daughter ofAmos and Nancy Bigelow. The lady was born inRedford, Wayne County, Mich., July 25, 1838.Four children were born unto them: Richard L.,who is nowcarr3'iug on a meat market in Gibson;Susan B., wife of W. S Proctor; Maud, who died in1889, and one child who died in infancy. They alsoreared an adopted son, Frank Fellen. The Stimpsonhousehold is tiie abode of hospitality, and themembers of the family have many warm friends inthe community.Mr. Stimpson and wife are members of the SeventhDay Adventist Church, and, in politics he is asupporter of Repulilican principles. He is a citizenwho takes an active interest in all that pertains tothe welfare of the community and the promotionof those enterprises calculated to prove of publicbenefit.Those who know him esteem him highlyfor his sterling worth, and he well deserves theirwarm regard, for his life has been well spent.z^^i^^r;;:?^oS-^||-^^|EV. HENRY DUERINGER, who is nowsuccessfully engaged in general farmingand stock-raising on section 21, Dix Town-^^ ship, was born in Kurhessen, Germany,November 8, 1844, and is a son of William andPaulina (Haberl) Dueringer. His parents weremariied in Kurhessen in the 3'ear 184(1, and bytheir union were born four children: Katherine,wife of Adam Gehres, of Streator, III.; Ileniy, ofthis sketch; Fredericka, wife of a Mr. Smith, a locksmithof Newark, N. J.; and Minnie, wife of LewisMoniot, a farmer of Girard, Kan. The father ofthis family followed the occniiation of fanning asa means of livelihood for many years. In 1852,he emigrated with his wife and children to America,locating in the city of Newark. N. J., wherehe spent ten months. lie then came to Illinois,locating in La Salle County, where he followedfarming until 1890. Since that time, he and hiswife have lived retired in the city of Ottawa. Bothare members of the German Lutheran Chuich, andin politics. Rev. Dueringer is a Democrat. Hislife has been an industrious one anil perseveranceand careful management have gained for him ahandsome competence.Our subject acquired a good classical educationin Newark, N. J., preparing himself for the ministry,but when his education was finished, like manyother brave men, he abandoned his chosen workfor his country's service. Enlisting in November,1861, he became a mcmberof the First Battalion ofYates' Sharpshooters, Sixt3--fourth Illinois. Heparticipated in the siege of Corinth and was underfire nineteen times. He was not wounded, but contractedlung trouble, which has totally disabledhim for his chosen profession, and after eighteenmonths' service, he vyas discharged on account ofdisabilitj'.The following letter of commendation wasgiven him on his discharge:

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 759Headquarters Post Glendale,Camp of Yates' Sharpshooters.Glendale, Mlss, JMay 1,5, 18G3.To wliom it may concern:The bearer hereof, IIenr\' Duerinyer. private ofCoiui)any A, Yates' Sharpshooters, .Sixty-fourthRegiment Illinois Volunteers, was enlisted at Ottawa,November 2, 1861, and from that time to thejjresent, has, under all circumstances, done his dutyas a good soldier, lie has never comniitted anybreach of discipline, nor suffered any military punishment,but has at all times conducted himselfso as to win the approbation of his regimentaland company commander.C. I. CoNGEH, First Lieutenant,Commanding Company A, Yates' Sharpshooters.Approved: Joiix Mohuill, Lieut.-Colonel,Commanding Yates' Sharpsiiooters.I take pleasure in aflirining the above statementand much regret the necessity of his dischargefrom the service. J. T. Stewart,Surgeon of the Regiment.On the 21st of January, 1868, Rev. Dueringermarried JMiss Minnie Morsch, who was born inBaden, Germany, September 27, 1846, and is adaughter of Conrad and Ernestine (Brandner)Morsch. Thirteen children have been born oftheir union as follows: Henry W., George E., OscarJ., Rose P., Charles F., Minnie K., .Jennie M., AValterA.; Emma L., deceased; Herman J., Lewis T.,Gilbert H. and Clara E.In 1873, Rev. Dueringer was called to takecharge of the German Methodist Churcliof Frankford,Will County, 111., and continued to serve asits i)astor for three successive years. From F'rankfordhe was called to Arlington Heights, CookCounty, and remained there for one year. Thencehe went to Peru, 111., and remained there twoyears; from there to Cedar Lake, Ind., remainingthere three years, and thence to the city of Chicago,to Emanuel Church, on the "West Side. He remainedthere for one 3"ear, when his health entireljfailedhim and he retired to his present homefarm, in Dix Township, where he has ever remainedsince. In connection with the raising ofcereals, he gives considerable attention to stockraising,making a specialty of thorouglibred horsesand hogs. His home lias been in Ford Countysince 1868, and he is widely and favorable knownthroughout the community, where he makes hishome. He has tilled the office of Justice of thePeace and Notary Public for six years and wasalso Assessor for one year. He is a true friend tothe grand system of public-school instruction inthe United States. He has been identified with theofficial board of his district for seven years and isat present Clerk of the board. He is a member ofLott Post, G. A. R. No. 70, Department of Illinois.He is ex-Chaplain.In political affiliations, he is a Republican, andcast his first Presidential vote for the Martyr President,Abraham Lincoln. He still holds a superannuatedrelation to the Chicago German Conferenceof the Methodist Church. He receives a pensionin recognition ofhis faithful services duringthe laie war. His fidelity to duty in that case is butcharacteristic of his entire life, for no trust, eitherpublic or private, has ever suffered at his hands.Mrs. Dueringer, the wife of our subject, was bornin Baden, Germany, but her girlhood days werespent in Illinois. She was educated in the publicschools of Illinois and is a reader of German andEnglish. She is a kind and cordial lady, a lovingand tender mother, an affectionate wife and a valuablehelpmate of her husband.Rev. and Mrs. Dueringer have traveled the journeyof life together hand in hand for one quarterof a century, sharing tlie joj'S and sorrows of lifetogether, and this beautiful life sketch will beread by many of the excellent people of FordCounty, who well know him for his sterling worthand integrit3'.AVID ISIETCALF is engaged in generalfarming on section 30, Dix Township,where he owns eighty acres which he purchasedfrom the railroad coinpan3' thirtyfiveyears ago. This county was then a part ofVermilion County, so that Mr. Metcalf has wit^nessed its entire growth. He was born in Westmoreland,England, November 26, 1823, and is ason of Leonard and Dorothy' (McKay) Metcalf.

760 PORTRAIT A>'D BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.They had .1 family of tliree children: David, ofthis sketuli;(ioori^e, a cooper by trade, residing inFord County, and Isaljella, wlio is living in England.The father wa-s a farmer by occupation anddied in 1831. His wife long survived him, passingaway in 18G9. The}' were members of the MethodistChurch. r>i)lh spent their entire lives inEngland.The educational advantages of our sul)ject werelimited. He attended the common schools onlyuntil twelveyears of age and was then bound outfoi three years to learn the cooper's trade, whichhe followed until conung to America. Takingpassage on a sailing-vessel, he crossed the broadAtlantic from Livci|>ool to New York City in1852. Ills Inst location was made in Fall River,Mass. He Ijegan working in the print works ofthat placL and was there employed until 18.J7, whenhe came to Illinois. He purchased sixty-nine acresof railroad land on what is now section 30, DixTownship, to wliich he has since added b}- |)urchasethirty acres and has here since made his home..lust before sailing for America, Mr. JTetcalf wasmarried. May 8, 1852, to Miss Sarah Bell, daughterof Samuel and Elizal)eth (Dawson) Bell. She, too,was born in Westmorelaml, England, April 29,1827. Four children were born of their union:SamuelLeonard, a farmer residing in Kansas; SarahI.,wife of David Speedie. a farmer residing inDix Township; William C, who is engaged in agriculturalpursuits m Nebraska, and George D.,who died on the 5th of July, 1875.During the late war, Mr. Jletcalf enlisted, September27, 1864, asa private in Comiiany B, EighthIllinois Infantry. He participated in the siege andbattle of Mobile and many other engagements andat the close of the war was honorabh" discharged,October 5, 1865. When his country no longerneeded his services, he returned to liis home inFord County and resumed farming. He has metwith good success in his undertakings and has becomeone of the sulistantial citizens of the community.AVhatever success he has achieved in lifehas been due to his own efforts and he is truly aself-made man. In i)olitical opinion, Mr. Metcalfis a Republican, and, in religious belief, is a Methodist,as is also his wife. He has long been a valuedcitizen of the comin'unity and is deserving ofmention in the history of his adopted county. Heisa strong advocate of temperance principles.[-I* tif,***-?-!-^t%, AVID KEIGIHN, one of Mona's oldest settlers,was born in Peel, Isle of Man, May 18,1825. He was a son of Thomas and Betsy(Garrette) Keighin. He left the island, and aftera long voyage in a sailing-vessel landed in NewOrleans in Ajtril, 1849. He went to Peoria in May,1849, wiiere he engaged in tlie building businessuntil October, 1862, when he entered the army assutler of the Seventy-seventh Illinois, where heremained until the close of the war. In May,1851, he was married to Mary Ann Cowley, daughterof Thomas and Kate (Teare) Cowley.Siie wasborn in the Isle of Man. August 31, 1827, landedin New Orleans, JNIay 15, 1848, and settled in Memphisuntil her marriage.For four years after the close of the war, Mr.Keighin remained in the .South raising cotton. Hethen returned to Peoria, and shortly afterwardscame to Ford County, locating in Mona Township.He purchased four hundred and eighty acres ofland on section 11, and developed therefrom a finefarm upon which he made his home until 1883. Inthat3ear he removed to Kempton, 111., where heengaged in buying grain for six years. At thepresent time he is living a retired life in Chicago.He was the first Sui)ervisor of Mona Township andwas honored with other public offices.In politics,he is a Republican and is a member of the CongregationalChurch. In the Keighin family wereseven children: William T., who is now living onthe old homestead; Lizzie and Isabell, who died ininfancy; Charles B"., who died in 1889; David B.;;Margaret A., who married S. A. Goodman, November15. 1889; and Minnie E. who is living with herparents in Chicago. Charles F. was engaged in thegrain business with his father until his death August26, 1889; his wife, Ella J., died nine weeks before,leaving one child, Harold B.. three years old.William T. was born in Peoria, where he receivedhis education; David B. .acquired his education in

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 765,the schools of Peoria and Paxton.lie was rearedto nianhood under the parental roof and on attaininghis majority was united in marriage withMiss Alice Benson, a daughter of Henry and Hannah(Keniji) Benson. Their union has been gracedby one child, a sou, Clarence B. Mr. Keighin andhis wife are well-known young people of this communityand are highly esteemed by a wide circleof friends and acquaintances.AVilliam T. and David B. operate the old homesteadfarm, comprising four hundred and eightyacres. In ccmnection with general farming theyengage quite extensively in stock-raising, makinga specialty of thoroughbred cattle. They are successfulfarmers and are recognized as among theleading agriculturists of the community.«^MOS S. ARNOLD, who is engagud iuCg//J I[ general fai-ming on section 9, Lyman_yll) Township, is a native of Clinton County,N. Y., born January 20, 1830. His parentswere Stukley and Lovicy (Lobdell) Arnold,the former a native of Clinton County, N. Y., andthe latter of the Green Mountain State. By occupation,the father was a farmer and followed thatbusiness throughout his entire life. He served asa member of the old State militia, and inhis politicalattiliations was a AVhig. He died in his nativecounty at the age of sevent3--six, and his wifedied at the age of eighty-three. They had a famil3'ot four children, all of whom are yet living: MayL., who resides in Clinton County, N. Y.; Samantha,who also makes her home in that county;Abigail, wife of J. B. White, Sheriff of ClintonCountj-, elected on the Reiiublican ticket.Amvjs S. Arnold is the eldest child and onl^^sonof the ."amily. The educational [nivileges whichhe recei 'cd were those afforded by the commonschools, and when he began earning his own livelihood,he worked as a farm hand at *H per month.He was married, Jul.y 23, 1858, to Miss Lora N.Johnson, a daughter of David and Ceba (Ayers)Johnson, a native of Clinton County, N. Y. Her31father was a farmer, and could trace his lineageback to England. His father was a soldier in theWar of 1812, and was given a land warrant forone hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Johnson was aWhig in his political afliliations until the rise ofthe Ke|)ul)licanparly, with which he became identified.His death occurred at the age of sixty-fiveyears, but his wife is still living on tlie old homestead,at the age of seventy-three. They had sixchildren: Flora, Lora, Elizabeth, Amanda, Martha,and Iva; all, except one, are living. UrttoMr. andMrs. Arnold have been born seven children: Hattie,who was born in the Empire State, and was a studentin the Valparaiso Normal, is now the wife ofEli McNeil, a farmer of Clinton County, N. Y., bywhom he has one daughter, Pearl; Johnson D., afarmer of Lyman Township, married RebeccaSwigg, and they have two sons, Clyde and Ralph;Elma is the wife of Carvasso Cook, of FordCounty, 111., and they have a son and daughter,Ellis and Vina L.; Mary E.. is the wife of ErvinBunker, a farmer; Ceba, Silas S. and Seward M.are at home.In 18()8, Mr. Arnold bade good-bye to his oldhome, and, with his family, emigrated to FordCounty, which was then a sparsely settled region,the land being mostly iu its primitive condition.It -was a great contrast for the family, who hadleft a pleasant home iu the East to live in this unsettledregion and bear all the hardships and privationsof frontier life. Lyman Township wasthen a part of P>renton, .and Jlelvin and Rol)ertswere not yet laid out. With the growth and developmentof the county since that time, Mr. Arnoldhas been prominently identified, and has everborne his part in its uiibuilding and advancement.He is now one of the extensive land-owners of thiscommunity, owning five hundred and sixty acresof rich land in Ford County, boides property elsewhere.Their beautiful home, with its mau\' insprovements,gives evidence of the industrious lifeand indicates the euter[)rising and progressivespirit of the owner.Mr. Arnold cast his first Presidential vote forGen. AVin field Scott, and is now a stalwart supporterof the Republican partly. He is a friend toalleducational, social and moral interests, and any

766 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.enterprise calculated to benefit the community.His wife is a member of the Methodist Church.Mr. Arnold is classed among the wealthy and influentialcitizens of the community, and is held inhigh regard by all who know him. He may wellbe termed a self-made man, for to liis own effortsalone is due his success in life.1^+^l^r^AMES MOLLOY, who is engaged in generalfarming on section 21, Dix Townshipshas long lieen a resident of Ford Countyand has witnessed almost its entire growthand development. A native of the P^mcrald Isle,he was born in County Meade, in 1832, and is theyoungest in a family of five children. The parents,Thomas and Mary (Fox) Moilo}', were alsonatives of Ireland. Of their children, Patrick, theeldest, and Allen, the fourth, are both deceased;Kate, Elizabeth and James are still living.The subject of this sketch was reared to manhoodupon his father's farm, no event of importanceoccurring during his boyhood. His educationwas acquired in the common schools. At theage of eighteen, he determined to try his fortunein America, and in 1850 sailed for the UnitedStates, landing in New York City. He made hisfirst location in Middleton, Conn., where he beganto earn his livelihood as a day laborer. Eightyears of his life were passed in that State, afterwhich he removed to Pennsylvania, locating inBucks County, where he spent one year. He thencame to the West, locating in Henderson County,111., where he resided until 1869. That year witnessedhis arrival in Ford County, and he hassince been one of its prominent citizens. Hepurchased eighty acres of land on section 21, andhas since made his home there and engaged ingeneral farming and stock-raising. He now has agood farm, and in his business dealings he hasbeen quite successful.In 1857, Mr. Molloy was united in marriage toMiss Julia INIartin, in Bucks Countj^ Pa., andunto them have been born five children, foursons and one daughter, of whom three are yet living:Thomas, who now makes his home in Liv-.ingston County, 111., is married and is an agriculturist;James, a resident of Texas, is engaged inrailroading on the Santa Fe; and John C, who residesin Illinois, is engaged in traveling. Frankand Allen are both deceased.In his political attiliations, Mr. Molloy is aDemocrat, but has never been an otlice-seeker,preferring to devote his entire time and attentionto his business interests. Religiously, he is a memberof the Catholic Church. His residence inFord County covers the long period of twent_vtlirecyears. He has witnessed its growth fromthe da3's of its early infancy, and has ever bornehis share in the work of upliuilding and advancement.He has taken a coinmendalile interest inall that pertains to the welfare of the communityand has proved himself a valuable citizen of DixTow7iship.-^^lH.' 'Bf^T^RANK S.DRENDEL, who owns and oper-Mjgj) ates four hundred acres of land on section[[ 21, Mona Township, is widely and favorablyknown throughout this community andwe feel assured that this record of his life willprove of interest to many of our readers. He wasborn in Germany on the 11th of November, 1839,and is one of five children, whose parents wereMartin and Mary (Smith) Drendel. In order ofbirth, the children were as follows: Francis, FrankS., Barbara, George and Lewis.Our subject was born and reared upon his father'sfarm, no event of special importance occurringduring his boyhood days. He was educated in bothFrench and German. At the age of fourteen, hehired out as a farm hand in the old country, workingby the year, and was thus employed until 1865.when he determined to try his fortune in America.Crossing the broad Atlantic, he landed at NewY'ork City. Coming at once to Illinois, he locatedin Du Page County, where he worked upon a fai-mfor two months. He then went to J^t. Louis, Mo.,and subsequently to New Orleans, after which hereturned to Illinois. In the spring of 1866, we

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 767find him in Joliet, wliere he worked as a laborer fortwo years, and in 1868 lie came to Ford County.Hero he first rented land and broke prairie for fiveyears. Having in the nieunlime acquired somecapital by his industry and perseverance, he thenpurchased one iiuudred and sixty acres of land onsection 21, IMona Township, where he has sinceresided. The boundaries of his farm have sincebeen extended until he now owns four hundredacres of valuable land under a high state of cultivationand well improved. The fields are welltilled and the neat appearance of the place indicatesthe careful supervision of a thrifty manager.In 1869, Mr. Drendel was united in marriage toMiss Mary .Slater, and by the union of this worthycouple nine children have been born, live sonsaudfoui- daughters, as follows: George, Rebecca, Susie,Henrj, Frank, Frederick, Mary, Annie and Jlartin.The family circle remains unbroken and all are yetunder the parental roof.In ills political aOiliations, Mr. Drendel is aDemocrat, but has never been an office-seeker,|)referring to devote his entire time and attentionto his business interests. He holds meml)ershipwith the Catholic Cliurch and has given liberallyto its support. The cause of education finds in hima warm friend, and for sixteen years he has servedas School Director, during which time lie has doneeffective service for its interests. He is numberedamong the substantial citizens of the community,is highly respected and well deserves representationin this volume.lEORGE D. WOOD, deceased, was born inMonroe County, N. Y., September 2, 1828,mj and is a son of John and Mary (Brooks)Wood, who were also natives of the Empire State.Tiie following children were born to them: Charles,who is now deceased; .lane, Emily, George D.,Lewis; Ellen .J., .Tolin and Lewis, all three deceased;Mary, Henderson; Wallace, deceased; and one whodied in infancy.The subject of this sketch spent his boyhooddays upon a farm and ac(|uired his education inthe common schools of the neighboriiood. Heremained at home until the time of the gold excitementin California, when he made a trip by waterto that State, and spent three years on the Pacificslope, (^n the expiration of that period, he returnedto New York, where he lived the quiet lifeof a farmer until the breaking out of the latewar.In September, 1862, he responded to the call fortroops, enlisting .as one of the boys in blue of CompanyD, One Hundred and Fortieth New YorkInfantry. He served under Gen. Grant at Gettysburg,was at the battles of Richmond, the siege ofVicksburg, and many other engagements of lessimportance. While on picket duty, he was takenprisoner and confined in Libby and Andcrsonvilleprisons for nearly six months, after which he wasexchanged. He tjien rejoined his regiment andserved until the close of the war. He was honorablydischarged on the 3d of .lune, 1865, aftermore than two years and a half of faithful service.Mr. Wood then returned to his home in NewYork and after a year came to Illinois, in 1866.He settled in Livingston Count}', near Chatsworth,and engaged in farming. In 1867, he sold thatfarm and came to Ford County, where he purchasedone hundred and sixty acres of railroadland on section 9, Dix Township. On the 21tli ofDecember, of that year, he married Miss Sarah L.Gridley, daughter of .ludah and Eunice (Andrews)Gridley, both of whom were natives of New York.Four children were born of this marriage: AVilliam,who wedded Miss Mattie Colwell and hascharge of tlie old home farm; Clayton, who died in1874; Una, at home; and Hudson, who died in1876.Mr. AVood placed his land all under a highstate of cultivation and upon the home farm resideduntil his death, which occurred on the 26thof October, 1876, his remains being inferred inGibson Cemeterj'. He was a prominent citizen ofthe community and many friends mourn his loss.He lived an upright life and won the high regardof all with whom he came in contact. In politics,he was a Democrat. Mrs. AVood is still living onthe home farm with her children.She is an estimablelady and is held in high regard througiioutthe community.

768 POETEAIT AND BIOGRAI HICAL RECORD.Mrs. Wood's father, Judah B. Gridley, was a nativeof New York. He was reared in his nativeState, and he made agriculture his chosen avocation,but was a dealer in vehicles. He was aRepublican in his political beliefs. He died in1876, in New York. The mother, Eunice Andrews,was a native of the old Bay State, and was rearedin New York. Both parents were educated in thecommon schools. She died in 1858.Mrs. Wood's girlhood da3'^s were spent upon thefarm, and she was educated in the common schools,and was a student in the Riga Academy, in MonroeCounty, N. Y., for about one school year, and at aselect school at Bergen, N. Y., for three winters.Mrs. Wood is a member of the Methodist Churchat Gibson, 111.iTTOHN PETERS is a well-known and enterprisingagriculturist of Dix Township. Heowns a fine farm of one hundred and sixtyacres, situated on section 20. It has beenhis home for only about two j-ears, but alread}'shows the effect of the careful management of theowner. The fields are well tilled, the improvementswell kept up, and the stock which he raises is ofgood grades. The place is complete in all its appointmentsand is one of the model farms of theneighborhood.Mr. Peters is a native of Holstein, (jermany.He was born on the 12th of March, 1842, and isone of SIX children who were born unto Hans andMargaret (Heesch) Peters. His parents were nativesof the same province and were there reared andmarried. The father served as a soldier in his nativeland for many years. His death occurred in1870, and his wife, who survived him ten years,passed away in 1880. Of their family, Henry isnow living in America; Catherine has never leftthe Fatherland; John is the next j^ounger; Peteris a resident of McLean Count}', 111.; Heinrich isliving in Germany; and William is also yet in theOld Country.In the schools of his native laud our subject acquireda good classical education, which has fittedhim for the practical duties of life.After attainingto mature years he was united in marriage on the24th of December, 1865, with Miss Catherine Shoemaker,who was l)orn in German}', December .30,1844, and is a daughter of John and Anna(Dethlefs) Shoemaker. By their union iiave beenborn ten children and three are living, a son andtwo daughters: Adeline, the eldest, is the wife ofEdgar Thornton, a resident farmer of this county;John and Rosa arc still at home.It was in 1868 that Mr. Peters, accompanied byhis farail}', crossed the broad Atlantic to New YorkCity, from whence he came to Illinois. His firstlocation was made at Bloomington, III., and in thatlocality he engaged in working upon a farm by themonth for three years. On the expiration of thatperiod, he began farming for himself in that count}-,where he made his home until 1880. Coming toFord County in the spring of 1880, he i)urchasedhis beautiful home. In his political affiliations,Mr. Peters is'a supporter of tiie Democratic party,and with the German Lutheran Church he holdsmembership. It was an important day for him whenhe decided to come to America, for in this countryhe has prospered and won for himself a handsomecompetence.Mrs. Peters' girlhood days were spent in thetown of Hennstedt, Province of Holstein, Germany.She was educated in the German schools.five sisters and one brotiier.She hadThere are five living,as follows: Eda,wife of Dethlef Tabberl, who residesin Bioomington, engaged in mercantile life; Anna,wife of John Sieh, an agriculturist, resides in Kansas;Mrs. Peters is the next in the genealogy;Phcebe, wife of Albert Veniuo, engaged m themanufacture of wax flowers, resides in New Jersey;Mary, wife of C. J. Heckens, a farmer, resides inDrummer Township. She is the youngest living.Both of Mrs. Peters' parents are deceased, the fatherdying in America. For over a quarter of a century,Mr. and Mrs. Peters have traveled the pilgrimageof life hand in hand. She has been a valuablehelpmate to her husband, and has shared alike thejoys and sorrows of life together.Mr. Peters was a soldier in the Prussian armyfor one and a-half years. He was faithful to theduties entrusted to him and honorably discharged.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 769Besides liis I)eantiful home in Dix Township, heIms one huiidied and sixt^' acres of ijood land inKnox C'ountv, Nel). He and wife are consideredamonijst tlie best citizens of l>ix Townshi)) and hisword as good as iiis bond.is,j.^ w. ^ .>-ETER nOLLEN is one of the extensiveland owners and a prosperons farmer ofDix Township, residing on section 3. Hewas born in Denmark, August 20, 18.54, andone of a family of seven children, whose parentswere Peter and Margaret Ilollen. Caroline, theeldest child, "is now the wife of (George Madison, afarmer of Denmark; .John died on the 13th ofOctober, 1891, and his remains were interred in thecemeterj' of Gibson Citj'; Sophia is the wife of .JohnPeterson, a resident of Denmark; Peter, of thissketch, is the next younger; .laeob is an agricultuiistof California; Hannah M. is the wife of EliJohnson, who resides in Minnesota.Mr. HoUen whose name lieads this recordsjienthis early boyhood u[ion his father's farm in hisnative land. He attended the common schoolsuntil fourteen years of age, and the followingyear began to earn his own livelihood by workingas a farm hand by the month. He was only a ladof fifteen when he cros.sed the Atlantic to America,landing in New York City in 1867. He came atonce to Illinois, locating in La Salle County, wherehe worked on a farm by the month for five years.The money that he acquired during tiiat time bj'his industry and economy, he invested in landin Ford County, whithei' he came in 1875. Inconnection with his brother John, he purchasedeighty acres of land on section 3, Dix Township,and began the development of a farm. He liasthere since made his home. In his business dealings,he h.as been very successful and as his financialresources have increased, he lias increased hispossessions until he is now the owner of threehundred and twenty acres of good land, all in DixTownshii).Mr. Ilollen was married December 13, 1881, thelady of his choice being Miss Annie Longmeyer, adaughter of John and .Tulia (Lackey) Longmeyer.By this marri.age have lieen born two children, adaughter and sou: Allie May and John Milton.The parents are worthy people who hold an enviableposition in social circles and are highly esteemedby their many warm friends throughoutthe community.In his political affiliations, Mr. Hollen is a Democratand takes an active interest in the success ofthat party. He is a sagacious Iiusiness man, enterprisingand industrious, and his fair and honestdealings have not only won him success Init havesecured him the confidence and well wishes of allwith whom he has come in contact.^*^-^R, ISAAC P. FARLEY, a retired farmer residingin Rogers Township, is one of therepresentative and substantial citizens ofFord County, widely and prominently knownthroughout the community. His life record is asfollows: He was born in Crawford County, Pa.,November 22, 1829. and is a son of Samuel C.Farley, who was born in New York in 1807. Thegrandfather, Kindall Farley, was also a native ofthe Empire State. He died during the childhoodof Samuel, who removed with his mother to Pennsylvania.She afterward became the wife of BartholomewForbes, a native of the Keystone State,and settled in Erie County. Samuel Farley wasa contractor and builder and did a good businessin that line. In 1844, he emigrated to La SalleCounty, 111., where he purchased land and alsofollowed his trade. Subsequently, he resided inGrundy County, and later in Ford County. liewas married, in Pennsylvania, to Jane A. Walker,an own cousin of President James Buchanan. Shewas a native of Pennsylvania, as was her father,Walter Walker. Mr. F'arley died in Rogers Townshipin 1871. His wife survived him about twoyears and died in 1873. Both lie buried in I-CldridgevilleCemeterj', where a niominienl markstheir Last resting jilace.The Farley family iiuiiiliered five sons and two

770 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.daughters, the Doctor being the second in orderof birth; Kindall, the eldest, died in early manhood;Hannah is the wife of David Bullock, afarmer of Rogers Township; Joel E. resides nearKempton; James D., now deceased, was a farmerof Iroquois County; Benjamin F. is a prominentphysician of York, Neb.; and Sarah M. is the wifeof John Bagg, who resides near York, Neb.Dr. Farley was only about sixteen years of agewhen he came to Illinois. He completed his literaryeducation in the Sandwich High School andremained with his father until after he had attainedhis majority. He was united in marriageia De Kalb County, on the 7th of January, 1850,with M'lii Bjlinda Eunice Eddy, who wasborn inthe town of Turin, Lewis County, N. Y. Her father,the Rev. William H. Eddy, a Methodist minister,emigrated to Ohio in 1838, and about a yearlater came to Illinois, locating near Joliet. Aftera year spent in that place, he settled in De KalbCounty.After his marriage, the Doctor located in DeKalb County, having a large and one of the bestimproved farms in that locality. He was a thriftyand enterprising agriculturist and was very successfulin his undertakings. He afterwards locatedupon his present farm in Rogers Township,where he then spent two years. The ten succeedingyears of his life were passed in Chieago,during which time he pursued four courses of lecturesin the Rush Medical College, from whichhe was graduated in 1885. He then made a locationin Cabery. This was in 1890. He built afine residence, and after engaging in practice forabout two years, came to the farm in the spring of1892, and is now boarding with his son, whooperates the land. He expects soon, however, tolocate in Waterman, De Kalb County, where heowns a fine residence. He also owns a pleasantdwelling in Chieago.Unto the Doctor and his wife have been bornthree children, who are yet living, and they havelost two: William Kindall is a prominent physicianof Waterman. 111., having graduated fromRush Medical College in 1886; Deloss P. is a leadingfarmer of this county; Eugene V., a commercialtraveler, resides in Chicago; Hurford E., am.an of superior education and a graduate of RushMedical College, died July 13, 1882, at the age oftwenty-six years; Elnora F. became the wife ofGeorge R. Sapp, of Indiana, and they residedwith her parents until her death, which occurredMay 15, 1888, at the age of thirty j-ears. Dr.Farley and his wife also had an adoiited daughter,Hattie, a lady of most estimable character.She passed away January 17, 1879, at the age ofthirty years.The Doctor and his wife have spent almost theirentire life in Illinois, and are well and favorablyknown throughout the State. Ho has lieen an activeand successful business man all his life andhas taken quite a prominent part in public .affairs,doing all in his power to promote those interestscalculated to advance the public welfare.In politics,he was formerly a Republican, but now voteswith the Prohibition part}' and is .an activeworker in the temperance cause. He and his estimablewife are numbered among Ford County- "sbest citizens.OSEPH K. JONES is a practical .and progressivefarmer of Dix Township,'jf?residingon section 33. Throughout this coininunit\',f^fJ he is widelj- known, and we feel assuredthat this record of his life will prove of interest tomany of our readers. He was born in MadisonCount}', Ind., October 11, 1849, and is a son ofHenry and Susan (Dunn) Jones. His parents weremarried in Madison County, and reared a familyof eight children, as follows: Is.aac P., now deceased;John, who is living in Indiana; James, aresident fanner of Dix Township; AVilliam H. andRachel, both deceased; Emma, wife of M.V.Davis,of Paxton. 111.; and Joseph K., who completes thefamily.In 1855, Henry Jones came with his family toIllinois, settling in Vermilion County, where heeng.aged in farming for five years. In 1860, hecame to Ford County and settled in Button Township,where he engaged in farming. He passedaway in 1868, and his wife, who survived him

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 771some jears, departed this life on tlie lotli of July,1889. Tlie^' w(^re l)otli nioml)ers of tbe MethodistChurch and were highly resiieoted people.We now take u\} the personal history of JosephK. Jones, who acquired a fair business educationin the common schools and was thereby fitted forthe practical duties of life. He remained underthe parental roof until he had attained his majorityand then started out in life for himself. In1875, he purchased a farm on which he now resides.It is a one hundred and twenty acre tract of arablelaud on section 33, Dix Township, and the welltilledfields and many improvemenis to be seenupon the place indicate the thrift and enterpriseof the owner, who is regarded as one of the leadingagriculturists of the community. lie is an uprightand straightforward business man and is one of thehighly respected citizens of the community.On the 6th of March, 1875, Mr. Jones was unitedin marriage to Miss Jennie P.arrow, a daughler ofJ. F. Barrow, and their union lias been blessed bya family of six children, three sons and threedaughters, namel\ : Delia, Fred !>.. Floy, Raymond,Earl an

772 iPORTRAlT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.trude; Willard, deceased; Mattie; Annie B.; JlaryMay, and one who died in infancy. The family isone of prominence in the community, its membersranking high in the social circles in which theymove.By his ballot, Mr. ColwoU supports the Democraticparty. lie has served as School Director,but has never been an office-seeker, preferring todevote his entire time and attention to his businessinterests, wiiicli he has followed with good success.He is a worthy citizen of the community andhighly respected by all. He is numbered amongthe earliest settlers of Ford County, having madehis home within its borders since 1853, with theexception of the two 3'cars spent in IroquoisCounty. He has witnessed its entire growth anddevelopment, and has seen its wild lands transformedinto rich and fertile farms, while townsand villages have sprung up where the land wasnot even improved at the time of his arrival.— " I— I—.•' ^.^5=^^ll'ARON C. BULLIN(TTON,a prominent and(@0 well- respected citizen who is engaged initi general farming on section 19, Dix Township,is a native of Adams Couuty, 111..born March 20, 1844.His father, Robert Bullington,was born in Kentucky and was of Scotchdescent, l^y occupation he was a farmer. He marriedMiss Mar}' Long, who was born in Indianaand was of German extraction. Her death occurredin 1882, and Mr. Bullingtou passed awa}' in 1889.In their family were eleven children, as followsElizabeth, wife of George Harper, died in 1858William A. died in 185(5; John C. died in infancyJames C. is a practicing physician of Attica, Ind.Julia A. died in infancy-; Martha A. is the wife ofElijah Pierce, a farmer residing in WoodfordCounty, 111.; Aaron is the next younger; Berniceis the wife of Charles Ashraore, a farmer residingin Piatt County-; Robert is engaged in farming inShelbj' Count}', 111.; Samuel follows agriculturalpursuits near Sibley, Iowa; and Mar}' S. is the wifeof William H. Patton, a farmer.In the usual manner of farmer lads, Mr. Bullingtonof this sketch spent the days of hisboyliood andyouth. He was attending school at the time of thebreaking out of the late war, but laid aside hisbooks to enter the service of his country. On the27th of June; 1862, he enlisted as a private ofCompany A, Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, andwas mustered into service at Peoria. Tlie first importantengagement in which he partici|5ated wasthe battle of Perryvillc, Ky., after which he metthe enemy in the battles of Mission Ridge. Chickamauga,Resaca, Rome, Dalton, Big Shanty andKcnesaw Mountain, where he was wounded in theright knee and knocked down l\v the explosion ofa shell. He afterward participated in the battlesof Peachtree Creek, Jon esboro, Savannah and Bentonville.He had Ijecn promoted to be Corporal,and received his discliargein Washington in June,1865, after the cessation of hostilities.On his return home, Mr. Bullington resumed hisstudies in Eureka College, where he remained fortwo years. He then engaged in teaching schooland worked at the carpenter's trade for two yeai'S,after whicli he followed farming and teaching fortwo year.s. In the meantime, Mr. Bullington wasmarried. Marcli 19, 1868, to Miss Mary C daughterof Jacob and Catherine Leonard. Her deathoccurred on the 4th of October, 1875. Two childrenwere born of that union: Claude J. and WilliamO., who died when two years of age. Oursubject was again married, January 25, 1877, hissecond union being with Miss Atlanta Blake,daughter of A. T. and Cynthia Blake. Five cliildrengrace their union: Frank A., Ethel C, EdnaL., Robert A. and Harry B.In 1875, Mr. Bullington came to Ford County,locating in Dix Township, where he operated arented farm for three years. He then purchased afarm on section 26, where he made his home forfour years. On the expiration of that period, heremoved to Elliott, where he rented a farm andengaged as a dealer in farm implements, under thefirm name of A. C. Bullington lV Co. This firmalso carried on a lumber-yard and continued businessfor two years. Mr. Bullington then sold outand removed to Champaign County, where hespent one year, after which he purcliased the farmthat is now his home. It is a one hundred and

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.sixty acre tract of arable land on section 19, DixTownship. Almost the entire amount is under ahigh state of cultivation and is well improved withallthe accessories of a good farm.In politics, Mr. BuUington is a supporter of theRepublican part}'. Both he and his wife are membersof the Christian Church. He is a well-informedman, botli on political questions and otherwise, andis a representative citizen of the community. Heand his wife are well known in Dix Township andare highly respected citizens who hold an envialileposition in social circles. Socially, he is a masonand a member of Lott Post No. 70, C A. K.^ILLIAJI S. HUSTON is numbered amongthe leading farmers of Drummer Township.He is a native of Pennsylvania,born on the 1st of February, 1819, in ChesterCounty, on the same farm which was the birthplaceof his father and grandfather. His greatgrandfather,John Huston, emigrated from Scotlandto America about the beginning of theRevolutionary War, joined the Colonial armyand was one of the heroes who spent that memorablewinter with Washington at Valley Forge. Heparticipated in the battle of Brandywine andafter the close of the war purchased a tract ofland in Chester Count}-, Pa., a part of which hasbeen in possession of the family ever since. Thefamily name was formerly spelled Houston; hedropped the o. spelling the name .as at present.For a wife he chose a lady of English birth. Thegrandfather Huston, who also bore the Christianname of John, was born, lived and died on theold homestead, where the father of our subjectw.as born. The father was a well-to-do farmerand his marriage was celebrated in Cecil County,Md., of which county his wife was a native. Hotliare consistent members of the Presbyterian Church,and are now well advanced in life. The\' are theparents of ten children, five sons and five daughters,all of whom are still living: p]inma H., wifeoi Thomas Smetiiey, a resident of Philadelphia,Pa., a manufacturer; Eliza IT., wife of J. S. INIoore,a resident of Philadelphia, I'a., and Roadinaster ofthe Market Street Railroad; J. Newton, attorneyat law at West Chester, Pa., is mariicd; ]\[r. Hustonis next in the genealogy; J. L. M. is on the oldhomestead; Walter H., a resident of New Jersey;A. J., wife of Mr. MeCoe, of Philadeliiliia; Pluebe,at home; Minnie, at Pliiladelpliia; IMarshall, aresident of Pliiladelpliia, is married.AVilliam S. Huston, the subject of this sketch,spent his boyhood under the parental roof andwas the fifth child in order of l)irth in the family.His educational ailvantages were good for thatday. After attending the public schools, he spentsome time in the New London Academy, where hecompleted his literary studies. About lSfi8, hecame to Putnam County, 111., but soon after wentto Grundy Count}', where he acquired a farm ofeighty acres. Selling that, he located in DrummerTownship, Ford County, in 1876, purchasing aquarter-section of land at 135 per acre. So rapidhas Iieen the advancement of property in thiscounty that the same land would now command$75. By industry and the exercise of good businessability, Mr. Huston lias increased his farmuntil he now owns four hundred and eighty acresof good arable land, which yield a golden tributeto his care and cultivation. He is a strongbeliever in tile draining and has a number ofmiles of it on his farm. He has the reputation ofbeing one of the most progressive agriculturistsof his township.In Putnam County, III., on the 26th of February,1874, Mr. Huston was married to Miss MaryFoley, who died October 19, 18H0. She was a devotedmember of the Presbyterian Church, towhich our subject also belongs. Two childrenwere born of this unicm, namely, J. Walter andFrederick. Mrs. Huston had living four brothersand two sisters: J. B. Foley is the eldest, andis represented elsewhere in this volume; Martinis a resident of Nebraska, and a farmer; W. C.Foley, is a resident of Drummer Township, and afarmer; Mattie, wife of Mr. Fieipont, of (iibson;Anna, wife of Frank Ross, of Chicago; Elmer E.resides in Gibson, and is married.In political sentiment, Mr. Huston is a liepub-

778 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.lican, taking an active interest in the success ofIlls party, but is not au aspinint for official distinction.He cast his first Presidential vote forthe Soldier President, U. S. Grant. He has nowlived in Ford County for sixteen years, and haswitnessed the rapid growth and development ofthe county, in whicii he has also taken part. Heispublic-spirited and progressive, and is highl}' esteemedfor liis sterling worth and integrity.'OHN HUGHS is engaged in general farmingon section 24, Rogers Township, wherehe owns and operates three hundred andtwentj' acres of land. He was born inWales, about 1818, and is a son of David andSarah Hughs, both of whom were natives of thatcountry. In his younger years the father servedin the British army. Knitting was his trade, andhe earned his livelihood by making fancy work.He spent his entire life in the laud of his birth.Our subject remained in Wales until thirty ^earsof age. His educational privileges were verv limited.At the age of twelve, he began farming andfollowed that occupation until 18.51, wiiich 3'earwitnessed his emigration to America. Going toLiverpool, he there embarked on a sailing-vessel,and after six weeks spent upon the bosom of theliroad Atlantic, he arrived in New York in June.He began work on a farm near Utica, N. Y., residingiu that locality for about four ^-ears.On tlie 23d f)f November, 1854, in OneidaCounty, Mr. Hughs was joined in wedlock with MissMary Morris, a native of Wales. AVith her father,GrifHn Morris, she came to the United States, andsettled in New York in April, 1853. The yearsucceeding their marriage, Mr. Hughs removed toWisconsin, locating near Mygats Corners, RacineCount3', where he engaged in work as a farm hand.He remained in that locality for about ten years, oruntil after the war, wlien he came to Illinois.Settlingin Ford County in 1800, he bought a tractof wild land of one hundred and twenty acres,which he develojied into a good farm. As hisfinancial resources have increased, he has made additionalpurchases, until now three hundred andtwenty acres, divided into rich and fertile fields,yield to him a golden tribute.Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hughs have been born sixchildren: Mar}' J., now the wife of Norman C.Hill, a resident of Ford Count\-; Ann Elizabeth,wife of Daniel Bouh, who is engaged in farmingnear Cabei^y;Katie Sarah, wife of Eugene George,of Livingston County; David, who is married andfollows agricultural pursuits in Rogers Township;John M., and Thomas E., both of whom are marriedand reside on the old homestead.IVIr. Hughs exercises his right of franchise insupport of the Republican party. He is one ofthe early settlers of this community, having residedin Ford County for more than a quarter of acentury. He is well known in this community andis highly esteemed for his sterling worth. He deservesgreat credit for his success in life, which isthe result of his own unaided efforts, as he startedout to earn his own livelihood emptj'-handed andwith no inlluential friends to aid him. He is tliefounder of his family iu America, and in futureyears his descendants may point with pride to theirancestor.LBERT E. M0TTH:R carries on generalfarming on section 5, Dix Township, wiierehe has made his home for twelve years.He there owns and operates two hundredand forty-five acres of valuable land, constitutingone of the finest farms of this locality. The landis all under a high state of cultivation, and he hasmade many good improvements which stand asmonuments to his thrift and enterprise.Mr. Mottier was born near Cincinnati, HamiltonCounty, Ohio, February 22, 1837, and is a son ofJohn E. Mottier. His father w.as born in Switzerlandin 1801, and was of French descent. Wheneighteen years of age he came to America, andworked three years to pa}' his passage across theAtlantic. His first location was made in SwitzerlandCc)untv, Ind., and when his labor had paidfo)' his passage, he began working as a farm hand

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 79bj' the month. Three years he spent in that way,and then removed to Hamilton County, Ohio,where he engaged in cultivating a vineyard until1865. Tliat year witnessed his removal to ErieCount}', Pa., where he followed the same line ofbusiness until his death, which occurred in 1888.He was a member of the Universalist Church, andexercised his right of franchise in support of theRepublican party. His wife, who bore the maidenname of Maria Seibenthal. died in 1867. Theywere members of the Universalist Church.The Mottier family numbered twelve children,as follows: John E., who died in infancy-; Cecil;Eliza, deceased; Susan, wife of P"rank Murph}', afarmer and fruit-grower, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Zelia,wife of A. Longley; Albert E., of this sketch;John F., a fruit-grower residing in Erie, Pa.; FavorZ., who died in 1867, was a veteran of the latewar, and for six months was held a prisoner at Andersonvillo;Charles H., a fruit-grower of EasternPennsylvania, who was a member of the FourthOhio Cavalry, and was honorably discliarged at theclose of the war; George L. died in infancy; Paulineis the wife of Jasper Murphy, a horticulturist,residing near Cincinnati, Ohio; and Lewis G., whodied in infancy.Mr. Mottier whose name heads this record acquireda good English education in the commonschools,and spent his bo3hood daj'S in the usualmanner of farmer lads. He remained under the parentalroof until he had attained his majority, whenhe started out in life for himself. In 1859, hecame to Illinois, where he spent one year workingon a farm, and then returned to his old home.Soon afterward he was married to Miss Phenie Gentle,a daughter of John and Louisa (Iligdon) Gentle.Their union was celebrated November 27i1860, and they began their domestic life upon afruit farm near Cincinnati, to the cultivation ofwhich he devoted his energies.In 1880, Mr. Mottierremoved with his family to Ford County, 111.,and located upon the beautiful farm which is yethis home. Mrs. Mottier had ten brothers and sisters,of whom there are six living at present: The eldest,Mary J., widow of J. H. Stathem, resides inBloomington, 111.; Mrs. Mottier is next in order;Thomas S. Gentle, who is married, and is a farmer,is a resident of Farmington, 111.; Maggie, wife ofJohn Bulger, whose sketch appears elsewhere; Hattic,wife of George Babbitt, a commission merchant,resides in Ashland, Neb; Lulu M., wife ofFrank Ashton, who is interested in coal mining,resides in Bryant, Fulton County, 111., and is theyoungest living.Mrs. Mottier was born near Cincinnati, Ohio,November 4, 1838, and her maidenhood days werespent near that locality Slie was educated in thecountry schools near Cincinnati, and in the Farmingtongraded schools.In Illinois she was one ofFulton County's successful teachers. Mrs. Mottieris a devout member of the Methodist Church, andhas alwaj'S faithfully performed her duty. She isa member of the Foreign Missionary Society atGibson Cit}', 111.Four children were born unto our subject andhis wife, but only two are now living: Charliedied in infancy; William C. is a farmer residing inDix Township; AValter F. is married and resideson the home farm; and Julia G. died on tiie 2ndof August, 1890. She was a sweet girl, and wasof that loving and affectionate nature which endearedher to all with whom she came in contact.The Mottier family is one well and favorablyknown in this community. In polities, Mr. Mottieris a Republican, and in religious belief is aMethodist. He has led an upright life, and wonthe confidence and high regard of all. With theaid of his son Walter, who is an enterprising j'oungfarmer, he carries on general farming, and thehomestead has been transformed into one of themodel farms of the communitv.^^UGH DUXNAN, who resides on section 34,Dix Township, is one of the extensive landownersof Ford County. He was born inLawrence County, Pa., near Mt. Jackson,on the 4th of April, 1839, and is a son of JohnDunnan, who was a native of Ireland, and was ofScotch extraction. He married Ann Smiley, a nativeof Allegheny' County, Pa., and they becamethe parents of eight children. The two eldest died

780 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.ill infaiic}'. The otliers, all sons, are David, John,James, Samuel, Robert and Hugh. The father ofthis family died in 184'6. The mother survivedhim thirty years, being called to her final rest in1876.Mr. Dunnaii wliose name heads tliis record spentthe days of his boyhood and youth in the usualmanner of farmer lads. He attended the districtschools, and acquired a good English education.During the progress of the late war, he enlisted, inAugust, 18G4, as a private of Company B, TwoHundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Infantry. Thefirst engagement in which he participated was atSalem, Va. He subsequently met the enemy inbattle at AVhite Plains and Piatt Mound, and inman}' other less important engagements. On theclose of the war he was honorably discharged, inJune, 1865.When the country no longer needed his services,he returned to his old home in Pennsylvania andresumed farming. As a companion and helpmateon life's journey, he chose Mi.ss Eliza Wallace,daughter of James and Jane Wallace, both of whomweie natives of Ohio. Their union was celebratedon the 19th of October, 1876. Mrs. Dunnan waseducated in the State Normal School of Edinboro,Pa., and is a grand-daughter of the late JudgeJames Wallace, of iSIahoning County, Ohio.Sheis a lady of culture and refinement, and hermany excellencies of character have won herhigh regard. In the Dunnan household are fivechildren, one son and four daughters: James AVallace,Margaret, Martha, Annie Janet and Luella,and the familj' circle is yet unbroken.Mr. Dunnan continued to reside in Pennsylvaniauntil 1882, when he came with his family toIllinois, locating in Ford County. He has sincemade his home in Dix Township. He first purchasedtwo hundred and sixty acres of land on section 34,his present home, and has since made additionalpurchases, until his landed possessions now aggregatesix hundred acres of valuable land, all ofwhich is located in Ford County. He is an enterprisingand successful agriculturist, and a sagaciousand far-sighted business man. who through his ownperseverance and good management has won prosperity.He and his wife hohl membership with thePresljyterian Church, and give liberally to its support.In politics, he is a Democrat. Mr. Dunnanisrecognized as one of the prominent and influentialcitizens of the community, and it is with pleasurethat we present this record of his life to ourreaders.m' " °-^ ^^"if/OHN II. LEONARD, who for eighteen yearshas resided upon his present farm on section27, Dix Township, was born in RoanokeCounty, Va.,on the 30th of May, 1842, andis one of seven children, wiiose parents were Jacoband Elizabeth (Beazel) Leonard. Both parentsare now deceased. The mother died in 1867, andthe father departed this life in 1882. Of the family',Eliza is now the wife of John Humphries;David died in 1887; Daniel died in 18,56; Jacobis a resident farmer of Montgomery County, IMo.;Samuel, who enlisted in his country's service, waskilled during the war in 1863; John H. is the nextyounger, and completes the family.Mr. Leonard of this sketch acquired his educationin the common schools of the neighborhood,which he attended through the winter season, whilein the summer months he aided in the labors ofthe home farm. He was still under the parentalroof at the time of the breaking out of tiic latewar. At the age of twenty, he responded to thecountry's call for troops, enlisting in March, 1862,as a member of the Salem Light Artillery, of Virginia.The first engagement in wiiicli he particii)atedwas at Crany Island. He afterwardsfought in the battles of Richmond, Seven Pines,and in allthe other engagements in which his regimentparticipated. On the close of the war hewas honorably discharged and returned to his oldhome in Virginia, where he spent a short time.The year 1868 witnessed the arrival of Mr.Leonard in Illinois. He made his first locationin Woodford County, and while there residingwas inarricd, in 1870, to Miss Emma Gullett, daughterof AVilliam and Priscilla Gullett. Threechildren have been born of their union, but two

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 783died ill infancy. Edith E. is now a successfulschool teacher.In 1874, Ml'- Leonard came willi his family toFord County and purchasedone luindred acres ofland on section 27, Dix Townsliip. He lias heremade his home continuously since and devotes histime and attention to general farming. In 1878,he was called upon to mourn tlie loss of iiis wife,who died on the 2d of January and was laid torest in tlie AVagner Cemeterj' in Dix Township.He was a second time married, in 1882, his unionheing with IMiss Annie Whorr.iU, daughter ofThomas and Euphemia AVhorrall. Two cliildrengrace this marriage: John T. and William H.Mr. Leonard is a Democrat, having supportedthat party for some j'ears. His fellow-citizens,appreciating his worth and ability, have severaltimes called upon him to serve in positions of publictrust. For three j-ears he held tlie otHce ofCommissioner of Highways of Dix Township, wasSupervisor for two years and served as Assessorthree terms. His re-election to these offices attestshis faithfulness and indicates the prompt mannerin which he discharges his duties. Sociall}', he isa member of the Odd Fellows' society and alsoholds membership with the Lutheran Church.^smiTi AMES H. MERRILL, who is engaged in generalfarming on section 14, Rogers Township,is one of the representative citizens ofthe county. A native of Vermont, he wasborn in Franklin County, June 24, 1834. His father,Capt. Harlow Merrill, was also a native of A'ermont,where the days of his boyhood and \-outhwere passed. After attaining to mature years, hemarried Nancy Parmalee, who was born in LiUlilield.Conn., but spent her maidenhood days in theGreen Mountain State. Capt. Merrill was a farmerof Franklin County. In 18.54, he went with hisfamil}' to Ohio, locating in Franklin Township,Portage County, and spent his last days in thehome of his eldest son in that place. His wife diedin 18G2, a few 3'ears previous to the death of herhusband. He won his title while serving in theState' militia of Vermont. In the jMerrill familywere three sons: Sam 1'., a resident farmer of PortageCounty, Ohio; Charles S., a physician in Marshallville;and our subject..James H. Merrill remained in the State of hisnativity until twenty years of age, and acquiredhis early education in the public schools andlater in the Northampton Institute of Fairfax. Heafterward commenced teaching, and was connectedwith that profession for many jears. Hehas taught in A'ermout, Ohio and Illinois, havingdevoted his time in the winter season to that laborfor over thirty years. He came to this State in thespring of 1865, first locating in Lockport To\toship.Will County, where he purchased a farm. Afterengaging in its cultivation for one year, he soldout and removed to Cook County, where he .againpurchased a farm, making it his home for fifteenyears. On the expiration of that jieriod, havingsold his property, he came to Ford County, in1882, and bought the farm on which he now resides.It is a valuable tract of one hundred andtwenty acres, pleasantlj- situated two miles and ahalf to the east of Cabery. Mr. Merrill is recognizedas an enterprising and practical farmer, andmay well be termed a self-made man, for he hasworked his waj- upward to a position of affluence.In Fairfax, Vt, in 18.")6, Mr. Merrill led to themarriage altar ]Miss Jlaria Daniels, who was born,reared and educated in the Green Mountain State,and is a daughter of {;ideou E. Daniels. Four childrengrace their union: Emogeuc M., now the wifeof William Runge, a resident of Frederick, S. Dak.Emogene was born at Earlville, Ohio, in 1858,and after passing through the common schools ofIllinois, she prepared herself for teaching, by attendingthe Cook County Normal, from which shewas graduated in 1870, after which she taught incountj'and graded schools until she was married in1882. Sanl'ord E., a well-i'ducated young man, engagedin teaching inl'liornton, 111., is also an Ohioanby birth; he was born in 18(3(1, and after receivinghis training as a te.acher in the Cook County Normal,he began his work in that profession, and hastaught successfully in Will, Ford and Cook Counties.George E., who holds a responsible positionin Chicago, was born at Palos, III., in 18G9, and

784 i'OETEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.when ahout one and a half years old, lost his hearing,a.s tlie lesnlt of an attaeli of brain fever. Hewas graduated witli honor from the institute forthe deaf anil dunih, at Jacksonville, 111., after a tenyears' course. Jay IL, was born at Palus, 111., in1878, and is still at home.Mr. IMerrill is a valued citizen of the community,for Le takes an active pait in all that pertainsto its welfare, and has done much for theu|ibuilding of town and county. His inlUience isever given in support of those interests calculatedto prove of public lieneflt. He believes in goodschools, and to secure these, believes tiiat competentteachers should be iiired. In politics, he haslicen a sup[)orter of Kepublican princi|jles since heattained his majority. His upriglit life has wonhim the confidence and higii regard of all withwhom he has come in contact, and lie well deservesrei)resentation in this volume.^I'AMES J. HOUSTON, an honored pioneerand wealthy farmer of I)ix Township, residingon section 30, is of Scottish birth. HeJ was born in South Scotland. Januaiy 29,1837. His father, James Houston, was also a nativeof tlial locality. After attaining to mature years,he wedded Peggy Gilchrist, their union being celebratedin 1821. Crossing the Atlantic to Americain 1847, they located in Fall River, Mass., whereMr. Houston retired from his trade of weaving onaccount of ill health. In the year 1850, he removedto Logan County, III., where he resideduntil 18(J7. He tlien came to Ford County, andhere made his home until his death, which occurredSeplemlier 26, 1881. His wife was called to herfinal rest on the 20th of Se[)tember, 1865. Theyhad a famil3' of ten childreu: Jane, wife of CharlesThompson, an engineer residing in Joliet, III.;Thom.as, now deceased; Ellen, wife of Henry Bush,a farmer of Benton, Kan.; Margaret, wife of RoliertJardine, a farmer of Dix Township, Ford County;Janet, wife of James Ewart, a merchant of Colfax,Wash.; William, who was engaged in farming inLogan County, III., now living retired in Lincoln,III.; James J., of this sketch; Catherine, wife ofWilliam (iilchrist, a retired farmer living in GrandIsland, Neb.; John (J. and Mary, both deceased.Our subject began his school life in Scotland.He was a lad of ten summers when with his parentshe crossed the broad Atlantic to America.Hiseducation was completed in the district schools,where he jirepared himself for farm life which hehas always followed. During the late war he respondedto the country's call for troops, enlistingas a private in 1861, for three years' service. Hewas assigned to Company 15,of the Second IllinoisCavalry, and [larticipated in many hard fought battlesand skirmishes. He w\as at the battles of Ft.Donelson and Sliiloh and the siege of Corinth, andwas under fire many other times but received nowounds. He was a faithful soldier, always foundat his post of duty and loj'al to the cause underwhose banner he enlisted.On the 29th of September, 1864, Mr. Houstonwedded Miss Jane J. Gilchrist, a native of RhodeIsland. She was born August 24, 1844, and is adaughter of James and Jane (Harper) Gilchrist,both of whom were of Scotch descent. Theirunion was blessed with eight children, but DavidJ., the eldest; Thomas, the third; D. W., andPeggy J., the fourth and fifth; and Mary H., theseventh child, are now deceased. Those still livingare, John R., Peggy E. .J., and Margaret J.The famil}' reside upon a pleasant farm of onehundred and forty-five acres, which is under a highstate of cultivation and well iiuiiroved. The neatappearance of the place indicates the careful supervisionof the owner who is regarded as one ofthe leading agriculturists of the community. Inreligious belief, INIr. and Mrs. Houston are membersof the Cumlierland Presbyterian Church in Gibson,and, in his political relations, our subject is a Republican,having supported that party since he cast hisfirst Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He hasserved as Highway Commissioner, and filled otherminor ollices, promjitly and faithfully dischargingthe duties of each. Mr. Houston has been a memberof the School Board of his district for ten longyears, which shows his fidelity to the cause of education.This alone is a strong testimonial to the

POBTliAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 785re|>iitation of Mr. Houston. Sirs. Houston's girlhooddays were sj)eut in Logan County, where she receivedher education in tiie common schools. Sheh.as a little souvenir pin, in memory of the famous"Tippecanoe and Tyler, too" cani|)aign, which shecherishes.She and her husband have traveled thepalhw.ay of life for over a quarter of a century,siiariug alike the joys and sorrows of life. Theyhave always been identified witli all religiouswork, and have taken an active part in the Sundayschoolwork. Mr. Houston is an Elder in the church,and has been an officer in some important place inhis church for almost a quarter of a century. Heis a member of the J. B. Lott Post No. 70, (J. .\.R., of Gibson, 111.Mrs. Houston had^four brothers and one sister.The brothers are all living: William J. is a residentof Vallej' Center, Kan., is married and is a farmerand grain merchant; Jolm R., a well-known citizenof Dix Township, is a dealer in grain andreal estate, and is married; Joseph D. is a residentof A'alley Center, Kan., is married, and is engagedin grain Iniying and farming. Both of Mrs Houston's parents aie deceased.'\|'OHN BOND, a leading and influential farmerof Dix Township, now residing in Gibson,TIL, is a native of England. He was bornlj(^/ in Manchester, Lancashire, Ai)ril 12, 1822,and is a son of Zachariah and IMary (Dixon)Bond, both of whom were natives of the samecounty.There they were reared and married, andthe mother's deatji there occurred on the UHli ofMarch, 1858, in her fifty-fifth year. Her remainswere interred in Cheatamill. The following yearMr. Bond came to America, crossing the Atlanticto New York City. Locating in Livingston County,111., he there made his home until called to his finalrest on the 27th of September, 1865. He wasburied in the Livingston Cemetery. The familyof this worthy couple numbered nineteen cliildri^n,seven of whom grew to mature years, luuncly:.Tolin, Mary, Ellen, Eliza, Elizabeth, William II.and James A.John Bond of this sketch was educated in theschools of Manchester, England, and spent his boyhooddays in his native land. He first came toAmerica in 1811, but after a year and a half returnedto his native land on account of business.In 1859, he again came to this countrj'. Landingat New York City, he made his way thence to LivingstonCounty, 111., where he engaged in the manufactureof brick, which business he had learnedin England. He resided in that county- until 1875,when, with his family, he came to Eord County,and purchased his present home in Dix Townshii).He has since followed farming and now owns twohundred acres of valuable land, constituting oneof the desirable places of this localit\'.In politics,he is a Repuljlican. He has never sought or desiredpublic office, preferring to devote his entireattention to his business interests. In religiousbelief, he is a iNIethodist.The lady who is now Mrs. Bond was in her maidenhoodEliza Aslam. Her parents, Abraham andAnice (Knott) Aslam, were natives of Manchester,England. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bond wascelebrated July 9, 1843, at Eccles Church, Lancashire,and unto them have been born nine children,as foUow^s: Mary, now the wife of Moses Mellington,a resident of Kansas; Jane, deceased; Helen,now the wife of William Hinds, of Ford County;John, Zachariah; .\nice, deceased; Wilber, Elizaand Isaac.|OBERT JARDINE, a prominent citizenthe coinmuiiily and anofenterprising farmer-\ residing on section 4, Dix Township, claims^^ Scotland as the land of his nativity. Hewas born in 1822, and is the only child of Robertand Sarah (JIcMuUen) Jardine, who were also nativesof Scotland. The father w.as a farmer andfollowed that occupation in pursuit of fortunethroughout his entire life. He and his wife wereboth members of the Presbyterian Church.Our subject was born and reared upon the homefarm and w.as early inured to hard lal)or. Heattendedthe common schools of the neighborhood

786 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.until sixteen years of age, and remained witli hisfather until eighteen years of age, when lie startedout to earn his own liveliiiood, working as a farmhand by the month. At length, he determined totry his fortune in America and, on attaining man'sestate, he crossed the Atlantic. He left the OldCountry in a sailing-vessel in August, 1853, andafter six weeks and three days spent upon thebosom of the Atlantic, Landed in New York City.He made his first location in Syracuse, N. Y.,where he worked as a farm hand by the month forthree years. In 1856, he emigrated Westward andtook up his residence in Lincoln, Logan County,111., where he worked at the carpenter's trade until1867.In the meantime, Mr. Jardine was united inmarriage with Miss Margaret Houston, a daughterof James and Peggy (Gilchrist) Iloustou. Tlieirunion was celebrated July 4, 1858, and unto themhave been born three children, all sons: Robert,a farmer now residing in Dix Township; James,who is also engaged in farming in tliesame township;and John, who died in infancy.In 1867, Mr. Jardine came to Ford County andpurchased eighty acres of railroad land on section-1, Dix Township, where he has since made hishome. He engaged in general farming and hasmet with good success in his undertakings. Hislife has been a busy one, yet he has found time todevote to public interests and has faithfullyserved his fellow-citizens in official cajxacities. Heis a stanch sujjporter of the Republican party,having been connected with it since he cast histirst Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Inan early day he was elected and served as one ofthe Board of Commissioners. For three years hefilled the office of Township Trustee and for aboutseven years has been School Director. The causeof education finds in him a warm friend and hedoes all in his power in support of those enterpriseswhich are calculated to prove of publicgood. He has ever discharged his otiicial dutieswith promptness and fidelity and is recognized asa worthy and valued citizen of Dix Township.need never be an occasion of regret to him that heleft his native land for America, for in this countryhe has found a pleasant home and met withItprosperit}'. Both Mr. and Mrs. -Jardine are membersof the Cumberland Presbyterian Church ofGibson, 111., and are classed amongst the best citizensof Ford County.Mrs. Jardine is a native of .Scotland and was amaiden of sixteen summers when she came toAmerica. She received her education in the commonschools. She had four brothers and five sisters,of whom there are two brothers and foursisters living: Jane, the wife of Charles Thompson,resides in Joliet, 111.; Ellen, wife of Henry Bush, ofKansas, who is engaged in agriculture; .TennetteP., wife of James Ewart, of Colfax, Wash.;Catharine, wife of William Gilchrist, of Nebraska;William, a resident of Lincoln, Logan County, 111.,is a retired farmer; James J., who is representedelsewhere in this volume.Mrs. Jardine has been avaluable helpmate of her husband during their pilgrimageof thirt3f-four years together.Miss Lizzie Ramsden, a talented young lady, h.asmade her home with Mr. and Mrs. Jardine sinceshe was a little child.She has found in them truel)arental love and affection. .She has received anexcellent education, having been a student ofLincoln University and also of the Illinois .StateNormal University for five terms. .She has taughtsuccessfully in Ford County for about two years,and she is now engaged as one of the corps ofte.achers in the Melviu public schools. She is amember of the Cumberland Presbyterian Churchat Gibson.4M:;i-^-\I/ AURIN N. A.SHLEY, one of the extensiveIi'(g, land-owners of Sullivant Township, residjl'--^ing on section 17, was born in Stockbridge,Windsor County, Vt, on the 2d of July, 1826.His parents, Jason and Lois (Graves) Ashley, werealso natives of the Green Mountain State and wereof English descent. In the year 1839, they lefttheir old home to try their fortune on the broadprairies of the West, and after forty-seven daj's oftravel by team reached their destination. They

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 791forded the Wabash River above Terra Haute, Ind.,and made a settlement in MaguoUa, PutnamCounty, for one year. Mr. Asliley purchased afarm in La Salle County, upon which he has sincemade his home. He is now ninety-six j'ears of age.His wife died about 1866. They had a family ofseven children: Harrison and Dennison (twins),who died in infancy; Laurin N., of this skelcli;Amos, a farmer residing in La Salle County, 111.;Harriet, now deceased; Melinda, who has also beencalled to her final home; Harr}' D., who is also engagedin farming in Sullivant Township.Our subject was a lad of thirteen years when hecame with his parents to Illinois, and since thattime be has been a resident of this .State. He acquiredhis education in the common scliools ofthe neighborhood and remained at home aidinghis father iu the labors of the farm until twentytwoyears of age, when he began farming for himself,his time thus being spent for two years.With the money he saved in that time, he thenpurchased one hundred and sixty acres of unimprovedland near the old homestead and upon thefarm which he there developed continued to resideuntil 1884. He added a two hundred-acretract and placed the entire amount under a stateof good cultivation. At the same time he carriedon general farming and also engaged in stockraising.On the12th of July, 1843, Mr. Ashley weddedMiss Polly Densraore, daugliter of Ephraim andAlice (Hold) Densmore. B}' their union were borneight children: Ella, who died in infancy; Louis,in partnership with his father; Edwin and Elwin,both of whom died in infancy; Ellis, at home;Mary,wife of Jay Smith, a farmer of Kansas; HattieE., at home, and Eddie, who is engaged iu teachingschool. The mother of this family was calledto her final rest January 22, 1887, and her remainswere interred in the ]\It. Hope Cemetery of Sibley.In 1884, Mr. Ashley removed to SullivantTownship and established a stock farm, raising afine grade of short-horn cattle, sheep and horses.He owns altogether thirteen hundred and seventyfiveacres of laud, situated on sections 17, 18 and9, and has one of the largest stock farms in F'ordCounty. He has been very successful in his busi-32ness career and deserves great credit, as his ])ro.sperityis entirely the result of his own efforts. In-^— m —^—polities, he is a supporter of the Greenback party,and is a member of the Masonic order.JJCHARD TRIGGER, a prominentand progressivefarmer of Ford County, residingon section 11, Wall Township, is a nativeof England, born in Devonshire, March 10,1832. His father, John Trigger, was born andreared in the same part of England, where hefollowed the occupation of farming and gardening.He there wedded Mary Quick, and theirchildren, nine in numbw, were born in that country.The family sailed from Plymouth to (Quebecin 1851, with the exception of one brother, wiiocrossed the Atlantic the previous year. FromQuebec tlmy went to Buffalo, and thence to Peoria,111. After a residence there of about five years,the father died at the age of sixty-seven, his wifehaving died two years before, when about seventyyears of age. Thej' were both laid to rest in thecemetery at Jubilee, Peoria County. Mr. Triggerand his family were members of the EpiscopalChurch.Of their children, John was the eldest; Marydied in Peoria County; Elizal)eth, who is stillliving, makes her home in London, England;William is in Peoria Count}'; the next, a son,died in England; James also lives in PeoriaCounty; the next child died in England in infancy;and Richard, our subject, completes tiiefamil}-.Mr. Trigger, of this sketch, attended the freeschools of his ixativc country until twelve 3'earsof age, after which he worked with his father, andlater was employed in carrying the mail for twoj'ears in the country. When he came to Americahe was about nineteen years of age, and at firstworked for Bishop Chase, of the Episcopal Church,on his farm near Peoria. After three years spentin this way, he rented a farm, whicii he cultivatedfor himself for the period of three j'ears,after which lie removed to Stark County. Hethere again rented land, on whicli he lived forabout twelve years, and then came to Ford County,

i792 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.settling ou his present farm in the year 1869.He purchased one luuuhed and sixty acres ofraw prairie land, which was entirely unimproved.He now owns three hundred and twenty acres offine land on section 11, and one hundred andsixty on section 1, of the same township. AVheuhe came to Peoria, Mr. Trigger had but one Englislisovereign and a few shillings, but by his indomitablewill, energy and enterprise, he hasacquired a fine, well-stocked farm and is recognizedas one of the substantial citizens of thecommunity.In thes|)ring of 1855, our subject was marriedin Peoria County to Miss Elizabeth A. Stoves,who is a native of Durham County, England. Herparents, Jacob and Mary Stoves, were born inDurham County, her father about the year 1800.At the time of his death, he was eighty-fouryears of age. Mrs. Stoves is still living and isnow eighty ycnvs of age, and hale and hearty.She spends the winters with herdaughter, returningin the spring to her home in Stark County,111. None of the family to which Jacob Stovesbelonged are now living and his wife is the onlj'surviving member of her family. The father ofMrs. Trigger came to this country in 1849, workingfor a short time in the anthracite coal regionsof Pennsylvania at coal mining. He then changedhis place of residence for a few months, livingat Kingston, on the Illinois River, in PeoriaCounty. He tlieu rejoined his family in Pennsylvania,walking the entire distance, as therewere no means of conveyance at that early day,arriving at Pottsville after twenty-six days. Mr.Stoves witnessed the starting of the first railroad,and remembered well the first trip madeover the road. His father and several brotherswere engineers at the great coal mines in Durham,England, and the celebrated George Stephenson,the inventor of the railroad locomotive, took hisfirst lessons in engineering of the father, andfrequently consulted him on difficult questionsalong that line. Mrs. Trigger was one of fourchildren, having three brothers, two of whom diedin infanc}-. The remaining ones reside in theState of Washington. Mrs. Trigger crossed theAtlantic when about ten }-ears old. It is rathera coincidence that she and her future husbandleft England at the same time, though by differentroutes, and landed in America after a voyageof exactly five weeks, he landing at Quebec andshe in Philadelphia.To Mr. and Mrs. Trigger was born a family oftwelve children, three of whom are deceased.Those living are: Thomas, who is still on the farmat home; John, who owns a farm in AVall Townshipon section 10, married Miss Ellen Dodd; MaryJane, wife of William Renshaw, of SullivantTownship; Pha'be, wife of Jacob Giep, an .agriculturistof Kansas; Jacob S., living in Nebraska;Ellen, Alice, Mabel and Lewis are still under theparental roof. William Henry, twin brother ofPhoebe, died in childhood; Elizabeth died in 1869,in Ford County; James died when a child. The childrenall received good educational advantages inthe public schools and Phoebe was in the NormalSchool two years at Bloomington, after which shetaught school successfuUj' for one ^ear.Mr. Trigger has always supported the Republicanparty, casting his first ballot for Lincoln.That he is a friend to education, and that he iswell appreciated by his neighbors and fellowtownsmen,is shown by the fact that he has beenelected by them to fill numerous positions oftrust and honor. Among those we may name thatof School Director, which he has held for twentyyears; that of Assessor, in which capacit}' heserved three years. He has also been TownshiiiCommissioner of Highways for a period of twelveyears. Mr. Trigger is recognized by all as a goodcitizen and business man of strict integrity andsterling worth. He has been the architect of iiisfortune and has builded wisely and well. Thosewho know him, and his acquaintances are many,liold him in the highest regard, and it is withpleasure that we present this sketch of his life toour readers.WILLIAM H. GOODWIN owns and operatesone hundred and thirty acres of land onsection 30, Button Township. He is a nativeof Ohio, his birth having occurred in HawkinsCounty, on the 25th of October, 1849. His

PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 793falher, W. R. (iooilwin, was boiii in the KeystoneState abont 1830, and in liis youth went to Ohio,where he was afteiwaid uniteil in marriage toElizabeth Crawford, a native of that State. Hethen engaged in farming for a nnmlier of years,after which lie emigrated Westwani in 1855, locatingin what is now Button Townshii), Ford County,upon the land now owned and occupied by oursubject. To its development, for it was then anunbroken tract, he devoted his energies until thebreaking out of the late war, when he enlisted inCompany E, of the Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry,and served until peace was restored. lie i)articipatedin all the engagements of his regiment, includingthe battlesof Pea Kidge, Murfreesboro, StoneRiver and Lookout Mounbiin, and was transferredfrom tiie infantry to the cavalry, serving in thelatter for about two years. While he was in thewar, his wife died, on the •27th of April, 1862. Onhis return, he resumed farming on the old homestead,where he resided until 1880. He w.as againmarried, in 1870, and with his wife is living in RepublicCounty, Kan.Our subject is the eldest of a family of six sonsand two daughters, who grew to mature years.After the death ofhis mother, our subject residedwith Martin Dudlej^ for three years, and thenworked as a farm hand by the month for abouttwo years. On his father's second marri.age, he returned home, and for two j'ears aided in the operationof the old homestead farm. On the 8th ofDeceml)er, 1872, in Button Townshi(), he led to themarriage altar Miss Ella .1. Flagg, daughter ofJames H. Flagg, of Clarence, and one of the honoredpioneers of this county, where the lady wasborn, reared and educated.Their union has beenblessed with a family of five childen: Delbert II.,.Tames M., May and Fay (twins), and Grace.After his marriage, Mr. Goodwin purcha.sed afarm in Champaign County, where he was engagedin .agricultural pursuits for about seven years. In1881, he purchased the old homestead, and it hassince been his place of residence. His farm, comprisingone liundred and thirty acres of valuable land,is pleasantly' situated about four miles south of Clarence.He is recognized as one of the enterprising,andsuccessful farmers of Button Township, and is alsoconsidered one of the valued citizens of the communit}'.He has led an honorable .and upright life, sothat he has won the confidence and regard of all withwhom he has come in contact. His estimable wifeis a member of the JMethodist Church. Althoughnot a member, Mr. Goodwin is a man of strongmoral character, and gives liberally to the supportof the church and charitable and benevolent interests.RS. MARY ANN UNDERWOOD. Theladies of our land play an important [lart•in the history of our nation, and in the annalsof Ford County we are glad to addthe sketches of some of the sterling old settlers,and especially that of ^Irs. Underwood, who resideson section 26, Peach Orcliard Township. She is anative of Yorkshire, England, and was born November18, 1827, being the sixth in a family ofeleven children, numbering two sons and ninedaughters. Tlie parents were William and Sarah(Taylor) Chappell. Thi-ee of the family- are nowliving, as follows: Catherine, wife of Daniel Booth,an agriculturist of Cook County, 111.; Mrs. Underwood;and William Chappell, who is married andfollows farming in Cook County. The father ofthis family was ,a native of Yorkshire, England,was educated in the common schools and became arailroad contractor. The mother was also a nativeof Yorkshire and was similarly educated. Mr. andMrs. Chappell were members of the Church of England.About ]84!l, they emigrated to America,locating in Cook County, where they spent theremainder of their lives. They were grand oldpeople and were highly respected by all.ISIrs. Underwood was reared in her native landand educated in the common schools. She is alady of a kind and geni.al manner, and is a truefriend to all. She became the wife of WilliamUnderwood, Maj- 1, 1844, in Staffordshire, England,and by this union were born eleven children, foursons and seven daughters, of whom ten are yetliving: William is married and follows farming inDix Township; Robert is married, and is also afarmer of Dix Township; Thomas is married, and

794 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.makes his home in Peach Orchard Townsliip; Johnresides on the old homestead; Rosa is the wife ofJames Campbell, a resident of Bellflower, 111., andan employe on the Illinois Central Railroad; Emmais the wife of Joseph Shilz, a farmer; Johanna,Mary A., Elizabeth and Agnes are at home withtheir mother. The children were provided withgood educational advantages.Mr. Underwood was l)orn in Northamptonsliire,England, May 1, 1.S14, and was the third in a largefamily of children. AVlien he was seven years ofage, his mother died, and after a few years he wasapprenticed to learn the boot and shoe maker'strade. However, he left his place and went to livewith a family by the name of Cooke. He remainedwith tliem nnlil twenty-one years of age, and duringthat time learned the collier's trade. He wasa poor boy and had to make his own way in theworld. "When he commenced life for himself, hewas at the bottom of the ladder but worked hisway up to success. He left to his familj' a finefarm.In 1848, Mr. and Mrs. Underwood concluded tocome to America, and set sail from Liverpool onthe sailing vessel "Liberty," bound for New YorkCity. It was seven weeks and three da^'s afterleaving port before they sighted land. They wentdirect to Chicago, and thence to Jefferson, wherethey remained for about three years, when they removedto Missouri. A short time afterward, theyreturned to Cook County and purchased forty acresof land. Three years later, this was sold and theybecame residents of La Salle County, 111., whereMr. Underwood engaged in farming until his removalto Ford County, in 1866. They were amongthe earliest settlers of this locality and saw thecounty in its infancy, when the undulating prairieswere covered with the long prairie grass and wildflowers. Wild game was plentiful. Gibson, Melvin,Roberts, Elliott and Sibley were then unknown.There were no churches or schoolhouses,and Chatsworth and Loda were the nearest marketsat that ti me. Mrs. Underwood can well rememberthe hardships of the early pioneers in thisthen new count}'.Mr. Underwood was a stalwart Democrat, butnot an oflice-seeker. He was a man of his wordand had the respect of liis many friends. Himselfand wife were adherents of the Methodist faith.Mr. Underwood was taken sick in December, 1889,and after a short illness departed this life on the•26th of that month. His remains were interred inMelvin Cemetery, where a beautiful monumentstands at his head sacred to his memory. Thefather's jilace in the family circle can never befilled and his teachings and admonitions can neverbe forgotten.Mrs. Underwood and some of her children resideon the old homestead, which comprises two hundredand forty acres of highly improved land. Thefamilj' is well known in Ford County, and thissketch of Mr. and Mrs. Underwood will be lead bymany of the best citizens of Ford County and becherished and held sacred by their loving childrenwhen father and mother are sweetly sleeping beneaththe sod.^ipOHN W. DICKEY, veterinary surgeon ofGibson City, and a well-known resident ofthat place, has the honor of being a nativeof Illinois. He was born in Clark County,on the 24th of September, 1854, and is a son of A.C. and Emily (Leese) Dickey, who were natives ofTennessee and Penns}lvania, respectively. Inearly life they removed to Clark County, 111.,where their marriage was celebrated. In 1861,they became residents of Douglas County, 111., andMr. Dickey is one of the most extensive farmersin that county. He still lives in Douglas County,at the age of seventy-two years. In his politicalaffiliations he is a Democrat. His wife died in October,1889.In their family were three children:William, a farmer of Douglas County; John W.,of this sketch, and Mattie the only daughter.Dr. Dickey was reared upon a farm, and educatedin the coramou schools and in the .Seminaryin Charleston, 111., where he spent one year. Atthe age of twenty-five, he began the studj' of hisprofession with George Morgan, D. V. S., a gr.aduuateof the school in Toronto, Canada. With himhe remained one year, and then studied three years

.^jf,!^^^l^^%'.j^-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 797with C. U. Wright, D. V. S. From boyliood he hada special liking and aptitude for veterinary practice,and his aid was often called for before hetook up the work as a profession. The Doctorfirst established himself in business in Tuscola, 111.,where he ran a livery stable and practiced his profession.In August. 1887, lie came to Gibson City,and has chiefly devoted himself to veterinary surgerysince that time, although he is also interestedin the breeding of Percheron horses, and owns aninterest in two fine imported animals.In Tuscola, 111., on the 15tli of September, 1874,Dr. Dickey was united in ruarriage with Miss JennieC. Lewis, a native of Indiana, and a daughterof J. T. Lewis. By their union have been born twochildren: Willie and Oltie.Jlrs. Dickey is a member of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch, and is a most estimable lady. In hissocial relations, the Doctor is an Odd Fellow, andin politics, he is a supporter of Democratic principles.He possesses natural ability in the line ofhis profession, concerning which he is thoroughlyinformed, and has thereby won a liberal patronageand secured the confidence and good-will of allwith whom he has come inJONATHANcontact.B. LOTT, deceased,So'was born inLicking County, Ohio, February 14, 1839,and when eight years of age came with his,^^_^ parents to McLean County, 111., where hegrew to manhood on a farm. He was a schoolmateof Gov. Fifer, and when the war broke outenlisted on the same day, in Companj' C, ThirtythirdIllinois Infantry, and was with the regimentfor over three jears. On the 1st of January, 1864,he veteranized and served until discharged at NewOrleans, June 15, 1865. He was twice wounded;once a ball cutting across the top of his head inflicteda scalp wound, and ere that w.as healed,contrary to the orders of the surgeon, ho ran awayfrom the hospital and joined his regiment. Afew days later he was wounded in the left arm,which partially disabled it for life. When JoeFifer was wounded and the doctor said only icewould save his life, Mr. Lott volunteered to'makethe attempt to procure it, which, though veryhazardous, was successful. Gov. Fifer has oftenspoken of Mr. Lott as the one who saved his life.Mr. Lott was a brave soldier, ever found at hispost of duty, and when discharged, held the positionof Sergeant.After returning from the war, Mr. Lott attendedthe Wesleyan College, of Bloomingtou, 111., and inthat city he was married, on the 1st of January,1867, to Margaret A., daughter of James and ]\IaryE. (Stevenson) Gibson. Mr. Gibson was born inSouth Carolina, being of Swiss and Irish extraction,and when seventeen years of age, went toGreene Countj^, Ohio, where he married Miss Stevenson,who was a native of that county. He diedin Greene County in 1849, but his wife, who afterwardmarried again and emigrated to Indianapolis,survived until 1891. Of the first marriage weretwo children: Margaret A., and Martha R., nowthe wife of Bruce McCormsick. She came to PJoomington,111., in 1865, where she was joined by hersister the next year. Having married Mr. Lott,she came with him to Gibson City in 1869, andwas soon after joined by her sister.The shanty, 12x14 feet in dimensions, built byMr. Lott was the first building to mark the site ofwhat is now Giljson City, but before winter wasover he had a good frame house erected.He laidout the town in 1871, and named it Gibson, inhonor of his wife's maiden name. He was instrumentalin securing the postoffice there, but as itwas so much like Gilson, another town in theState, the olHcc was changed to Gibson City. Hewas the prime mover in securing the railroad forGibson, and in every pulilic enterprise took anactive interest.Mr. Lott was a Republican in politics, but notan office-seeker. He was very popular, much beloved,and always in symi)atlietic touch with thepoor. He was a member of the Christian Church,and died in that faith on the 18th of September,1879. In honor of him, the Grand Army Post ofGibson Cit}' was named Lott Post, No. 70. Heleft no family save his wife, who is now Mrs. O. H.Damon, and is the oldest living settler of Gibson;In everything that would belter .society, he took a

798 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.deep intci-est, and was very liberal with his means.After (Tibson City was laid out, he gave his attentionto the real-estate business, accumulating goodproperty. He deserves great credit, as he was aself-made man, and one of whom any communitymight be proud.SH*=y'illOH N MATTHIAS MINER, residing onthe northwest section of Dix Township, isthe gentleman whose name heads this sketch,and is not only an honored pioneer, but ahighly respected citizen of the communit}\ Hehas aided in the ui)l)iiilding and development oftown and count}^, and well deserves representationin this volume. lie was born in Byron, German}',Marcli 18, 1838. His parents, John andBarbara Miner, were married in 1836, and reareda family of six children, as follows: John M., ofthis sketch; Peter J., who is a carpenter of FranklinCounty, Ohio; Barbara, wife of Andrew Sandlebach,a resident of Columbus, Oiiio, and a veteranof the late war; Joseph, now deceased; Michael, ateamster of Columlms, Ohio; and Lizzie, wife ofChristopher Schuler. The father, John Miner, wasa farmer by occupation.In August, 1840, accompaniedby his family, hesailed for America, landingin New York City on the 1st of September.There the family remained for three months, whilethe father was looking for a suitable location.Not satisfied with what they saw in the East, theywended their way Westward to Franklin County,Ohio, where Mr. Miner resided until liis death,wliich occurred March 17,1885. His wife is still livingand resides on the old homestead. He led a busyand useful life. The poor and needy found in hima friend, and his benevolence won him the highregard of all.In politics, he was a Democrat, anda member of the German Catholic Church, while hiswife belongs to the German Lutheran Church. Hisremains were interred in Green Lawn Cemeter}', inColumbus, Ohio, where a beautiful monumentmarks his last resting place.Our subject began his education in the Sectarianschools of Columbus, Ohio, which he attendeduntiltwelve years of age. He next engaged in drivingstock from Columbus to Champaign County,111., for M. Ij. Sullivant, the king of farmers, makingsixteen successive trips overland. In ISGl, hebecame foreman of the Sullivant stock farm, servingas such until the fall of 1875. In the meantime,he delivered stock to the headquarters of theUnion army, and for three months was wagon masterat Camp Chase.Mr. Miner has been twice married. His first wifewas Miss Rosa Mabes, daughter of John and MaryMabes. She was a native of Indiana. One childwas born of this union, Rosa, now the wife of JohnL. Hale, a farmer of Peach Orchard Township.Mrs. Miner died December 3, 1863, and Sejitember28, 1867, Mr. Miner married Miss Julia Southworth,who was born in Birmingham, Erie County,Ohio, and is a daughter of John R. and Anna(Acres) Southwoitli. The parents were natives ofConnecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively, andwere of English extraction. Bj' the union of Mr.and Mrs. ISIiner were born the following children:Addie L., Harry M., John W., Florence A., Julia F.,Maj- E., Clara E. (deceased), Allen G., Bessie L.and Leslie E.Mr. Miner purchased two hundred acres of landin Dix Township, in the fall of 1871, all virginland. In 1875, he added to the original purchaseone iiundred and twenty acres in Dix Township,one hundred and sixty acres in Sullivant Townshipin 1890, and now has four hundred and eightyacres of well improved land, all in Dix and SullivantTownships. He is a practical and progressivefarmer, and deserves great credit for his success,which is due entirel}' to his own efforts. He andhis wife are identified with the Methodist EpiscopalChurch of Gibson, 111., and Mr. Miner affiliateswith the Republican party. He cast his first Presidentialvote for Stephen A. Douglas. He is a public-spiritedand progressive citizen, who has everborne his part in the upbuilding and developmentof town and county, and aided in the promotionof itsleading enterprises.Mr. Miner has been identified with the publicschool system of his county as an active Directoror School Trustee ever since 18C1, over one-quarter

PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 799of a century, which record has no parallelin DixTownship. He was Justice of the Peace in SullivantTownship for eight years, and received hiscommissions from Gov. Oglesby and Gov. Beveridge.He was Assessor and Collector of SiiUivantTownship for seven years. He has served as delegateto his county- conventions several times, so itwill be seen that he truly has been a valuable andhonorable citizen of Ford Count}'.Mr. Miner is a charter memlier of Lodge No. 358,I. O. O. F., at Gutlu-ie, 111., and a member of Brother'sEncampment No. 158, and of Canton Ford No.55, of Gibson, 111. He is an officer in all of theseorders.Mrs. Miner, the present wife of our subject,is a native of Ohio, and her girlhood d.ays were spentin Cliampaign County, 111. She was educated in thepublic schools of Michigan, Illinois and Ohio, andwas one of the successful teachers in DouglasCounty, 111., for some time. She has been a valuablehelpmate of her husband many years, and the Mineriiousehold is known far and wide for its hospitality.Addie L., the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Miner,is the wife of Campbell G. Brothcrton, a dealer ingrain, in Guthrie, 111. They have two children, bothsous, Roy E. and Floyd W. Mr. and Mrs. Brotiiertonare members of the First Presbyterian Churchof Gibson, 111. Mr. Brothcrton is a Democrat, inpolitics.4^'fl^.HILIP EPPELSHEIMER, a prominentfarmer of Wall Township residing on section3, is of German birth. He was bornon the 29th of December, 1845, in HesseDarmstadt, and is a son of Philip Eppelsheimer,Sr., who was born and reared in the same locality.He is now seventy-three years of age and resideswith our subject. B}- trade, he was a carpenterand cabinet-maker and also engaged in farming.In his native land, he served as an Artillerymanfor three years. He married Margaretta Stieb, alsoa native of Germany, who is still living with herson. In the family are six children and two diedin German}-. Those living are, Philip, of thissketch; J.acob, a resident of Oilman, 111.; George,who is engaged in farming in Wall Township;Elizabeth, wife of Joe Adams Weston, of McLeanCountv; Catherine, wife of Levi Pfat,a resident ofFairbury, III., and Lewis, who is engaged in theagricultural implement business in Oilman, 111.The family came to America in 1867, sailing fromHamburg and reaching New York nine daj'S later.P'rom thence the}- went to Ottawa, 111., and afterwardcame to Ford County, where the father renteda farm. He purchased land in 1871, on section 4,Wall Townsliip, where his son now resides, andwhere he is living a retired life. In his politicalaffiliations, he is a Republican and himself andfamily are all members of the Evangelical ProtestantChurch.Our subject spent the days of his boyhood underthe parental roof and in his native land learnedthe cabinet-maker's trade and followed farming.At the age of twenty years, he entered the Army,serving as a member of the Third Infantry for sixteenmonths, and participating in the war withAustria. In the battle of Hessbach, he waswounded by a gun-shot in the arm and was capturedand lield a prisoner for a week, but was releasedthrough the intercession of the Princess ofPrussia. When a }'0ung man of twenty-two years,he bade good-bye to his old home and sailed forAmerica. He worked for his father for seven yearsand then purchased land—an eighty-acre tract onsection 3, Wall Township, where he still resides.His landed possessions now aggregate one hundredand sixty acres, all of which are under a high stateof cultiv.ation and well supplied with good buildingsand the modern improvements and accessorieswhich go to make up a model farm of the nineteenthcentury. He engages in general farmingand stock-raising and is an energetic and straightforwardbusiness man who has the confidence ofallwith whom he has come in contact.Mrs. Eppelsheimer bore the maiden name ofMargaretta Walldorf. She was born in the samevillage as her husband and came to this countryseven years later. Their marriage was celebratedin Ford County, January 28, 1874. They haveno children of their own but have adopted two,children of the lady's sister. In politics, Mr.Eppelsheimer has been a stalwart Republican since

of800 J^ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.he cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. U. S.Grant in 1872. lie has filled the office of SchoolDirector for fifteen years and was Road Supervisorfor five years, his long*eon tinned service showingthat liisduties were faithfully discharged and in aprompt and efficient manner.lie is recognized asa successful farmer, as well as one of tlie leadingcitizens of Wall Township.A^^ EORGE W. PRESTON, an honoredi[(—,veteranthe late war, who now owns and operates^>^i;=^ a good farm on section 8, Dix Township,claims Ohio as tlie State of his nativity. He wasborn near Newark, on the 10th of November, 1839,and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Harding) Preston.The father was also a native of Ohio, andw.as of English descent, while the mother's familywasof German lineage. The f.ather's death occurredin Ma}', 18G6.Mrs. Preston is still living, at the advancedage of seventy-seven years.In their familywere eleven children, as follows: Mary, wife ofGeorge W. Sandford, .Judge of the County Court,and a resident of Morgan County, Mo.; George, ofthis sketch; Martha .T., now deceased; William N.,a miller l)y trade, residing near Bloomfield, Mo.;Calista A., wife of Napoleon Wright, a farmer residingin Gibson City; Sarah E. and Aleatha, bothof whom are now deceased; Samuel IL, a farmer residingin Dis Township; .Jacob, a dealer in farmimplements and .Justice of the Peace of Gibson City;Henry T., a horse-dealer of Gibson City; and WalterW., the youngest, is deceased.Our subject s])ent the da3'S of his boyhood andyouth upon iiis fatlier's farm, and in the winterseason attended the district schools until abouttwenty' years of age. At the age of twenty-two, heleft liome and began working upon a farm by themonth, but when the war broke out enlisted in1861. He became a member of Companj' C, Seventy-sixthOhio Infantry, and was mustered intoservice at Newark. The first engagement in whichhe participated was at Ft. Donelson. He afterwardmet the eneni}- at the battles of PittsburgLanding, Shiloh, Corinth, Arkansas Post, .Jackson,Miss., Black River, Canton, Lookout Mountain,Mission Ridge and Ringgold, where he waswounded, a minie ball entering his left thigh, anotherhis riglit leg, while the third entered thelower part of liis neck and came out under the leftshoulder-blade. He was also in the siege of Vicksburgfor forty-seven d.ays. After being wounded,he was discharged on account of disability, and returnedto his home in Ohio.When he liad partially recovered his health, Mr.Preston began working as a farm liand by themonth. December 8, 1864, he was united in marliagewith Miss Catherine, daughter of Simon andHannah (Marple) Haas. They have no childrenof their own, but have an adopted son, William C.Mrs. Preston's girlhood d.ays were spent inLicking Count}', Ohio, where she was born February12, 1840. She was educated in the commonschools. She had three brothers and three sisters:Ezra Haas, who is a resident of Wabash County,Ind., is a commercial man and is married; Harrietis the wife of Daniel Lamson, a resident of Utica,Ohio, and a farmer; Mrs. Preston is next in orderof birth; the next was an infant who died; Fi-ank,a resident of Newark, Oliio, is a merchant and ismarried; Charlotte M. is the wife of WilsonWright, a furniture dealer and undertaker, ofRushs^'lvania, Ohio. Slie is the joungest. Neitherof Mrs. Preston's parents are living. Siie is amember of the Methodist E|)iscopal Church ofGibson and a cliarter member of tiie Woman'sRelief Corps of the same place. She has been avaluable helpmate to her husband and has traveledthe path of life liand in hand with him for over aquarter of a century.Mr. Preston has been a member of the SchoolBoard for nine years, which shows that he is a devotedfriend of the public schools, that bulwark ofthe Nation. Mr. Preston cast liis first Presidentialvote for the Martyr President, Abraliam Lincoln,and has ever since been true to the principles ofRepublicanism.The adopted son, AVilliam C, was taken intothe home of Mr. and Mrs. Preston at the age ofsixteen months and found there true and lovingfriends whose kind and patient care lias provided

PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 803him a comfortable and liapp}' home and given hima good, practical education. He will probablypass his life as an agriculturist.Mr. Preston continued to reside in the State ofhis nativitj^ until 1868, when he came with hiswife to Illinois and settled in McLean County,near Blooinington. He was there engaged in farmingfor seven years, and in 1875 came to FordCounty, since which time he has resided upon hispresent farm on section. 8, Dix Townslnp. Hethere has a pleasant home and a good property.His fellow-townsmen, recognizing his worth andability, have frequentlj' called upon him to servein public positions of trust. He filled the office ofJustice of the Peace for four 3'ears, was Tax Collectorfor one year and at this writing (in thesummer of 1892) is serving as Township Trustee.In his social relations, he is a member of the GrandArmy Post of Gibson City. He was a loyal soldierduring the late war, and has been alike true toevery trust reposed in him.^^RAIG GILMORE, one of the extensive(l( „ land-owners and a well-known farmer of^^^ Drummer Township, makes his home onsection 26. As he has a wide acquaintancethroughout the community, we feel assured thatthis sketch of his life will prove of interest to manyof our readers. He was born in Harrison County,Ohio, January 7, 1837, and is a son of Nathanieland Mary (Craig) Gilmore. The paternal grandfather,Samuel Gilmore, was born in County Cavan,Ireland, and when a lad came to America, fir.st locatingin Penns^^lvania, from which State he emigratedto Ohio in 180.3. He married Miss ElizabethBuchanan, a distant relative of PresidentBuchanan and thej' reared a family of seven children,all of whom are now deceased. During theWar of 1812, he enlisted in the service of hisadopted country-, and while in the service he wastaken sick near Lake Michigan, and was carried tohis home on a bed borne by ten of his comrades,dying four days later, September 6, 1814.Nathaniel Gilmore was born in 1803, and in theusual manner of farmer lads was reared to manhoodin Harrison County, Ohio. In November,1828, he wedded Mary Craig, and they remainedin that county until 1847, when they went to BelmontCounty, Ohio, and in the spring of 1852 removedto McLean County, 111., where the death ofthe father occurred in November, 1855. The motherbecame a resident of Champaign Countj% III.,in 1881, and on the 21st of December, 1884, wascalled to her final rest. They had a family oftwelve children. The parents were adherents ofthe United Presbyterian Church and were prominentand highly respected people.In politics, Mr.Gilmore was a Democrat.Our subject acquired his education in the publicschools of Ohio and Illinois, and under the parentalroof remained until 1869, when he came toFord County, since which time he has resided onthe farm which is yet his home. On the 25th ofMarch of that year, he led to the marriage altarMiss Ruth E. Riciie}-, who was born on the 30th ofJanuary, 1837, and is a daughter of John M. andAnn (Gilmore) Richey, both of whom were of Irishextraction. John M. Riche}' is a native of HarrisonCount}', Ohio, born November 2, 1808. Hewas reared as a farmer and acquired his educationin the common schools of his native county. Mrs.Richey was a native of Jefferson County, Ohio,born April 16, 1817, and died in 1880. Theirfamily consisted of nine children, seven of whomare yet living:Ruth E., now Mrs. Gilmore; ElizaJane, wife of Samuel McFadden; Arabella, wife ofJames McFadden ; Thomas, a farmer of Cadiz, Ohio;Robert G., residing in Marj'ville, Mo.; Samuel, inHarrison Count}-, Ohio; Mattie, wife of CharlesOsborne. Mr. Richey, now almost eighty-fouryears of age, while this sketch is being prepared isa visitor at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Gilmore.The union of Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore has beenblessed with a family of five children, three sonsand two daughters: PxUvin S., John R., Annie M.,Ida B. and Craig M. Mrs. Gilmore is a member ofthe Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gilmore has beenone of the influential men in the ei'ection of thebeautiful church edifice in Gibson, 111. In politics,Mr. Gilmore is a Democrat and has held the offices

804 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.of School and Township Treasurer for fifteen years,his long continued service attesting his faithfulperformance of duty. He is a large landowuei',and is a man of good business ability, sagacious andfar-sighted, and ithasljeen principally through hisown efforts that he has won his excellent success.He is one of those oi)en-liearted and generous men,who is well liked and respected b}' his manyfriends.jf?EWIS E. BKESSIE. Among the well-knownI (^ business men of Roberts, 111., none are/JL^i more worthj' of representation in thisvolume than the gentleman whose name heads thissketch. Mr. Bressie is a native of WashingtonCounty, Ind., was born April 17, 184.5, and is ason of William F. and Ann (Finger) Bressie. Hisfather was a native of Virginia, and was reared inthat State and North Carolina until the age oftwenty-two years. He learned the trade of a boatcarpenter,but spent the most of his life as an agriculturist.He was born March 8, 1808, and waseducated in the coniinon schools. He died July 9,1880, in Washington Countj-, Ind. The motherof our subject was born in North Carolina, March15, 1815, was reared in Indiana, and died August12, 1884. Both were members of the MethodistEpiscopal Church.Mr. Bressie, our subject, spent his boyhood daysin Washington Count}', Ind., and his educationwas acquired in the common schools. He wasreared as an agriculturist until the age of twentytwoyears. He was one of the heroes of the CivilWar, enlisting in Company C, One Hundred andSeventeenth Indiana Infantry, in April, 1863, underCapt. Stephen B. Sales, who afterward commandedthe regiment. Mr. Bressie was engagedin guard duty at Indiauaiiolis, from there went toCamp Nelson, Ky., and then marched through toGreenville. Tenn., to meet Gen. Johnson, the notedRebel commander. He thence returned to BullsGap, afterward went to Cumberland Gap, and laterto near Knoxville to do guard duty during thesiege. Their object was to keep Gen. Longstreetfrom entering Kentucky. This was the army lifeand record of Mr. Bressie until his term expired.From Strawberry Plains, the brigade went toBean's Station, and here the regiment was surroundedby the Rebels. In the skirmish, seven ofMr. Bressie's company and twenty-three of theregiment were captured. On tlie 5th of December,1863, the regiment again met Gen. Longstreet'sarmy near Blaine's Cross Roads in Tennessee.The}' were held in check until Christmas Day, thenreturned to Strawberry Plains to guard Knoxvillein keeping Longstreet's army back; here theyremained until the cold New Year's Day so wellremembered b}' the soldiers, thence went to CumberlandGap, where two-thirds of the regimentwere bare-footed and without overcoats. All Mr.Bressie had on his feet that cold day during themarch of twent3'-three miles was a pair of solesfastened with thongs of hide, and two-thirds ofthe regiment were in the same condition. He leenlisted,January 25, 1865, in Company C, OneHundred and Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, forone year. The regiment was sent from Indianapolisto Harper's Ferry and there his division, underGen. Hancock, was ordered to Winchester,where they remained until tiie close of the war,when our subject was honorably discharged, August12, 1865, near Winchester.On the 4th of January, 1866, Mr. Bressie marriedMiss Sarah Ann Supplee, daughter of Edwardand Rebecca (Griffiths) Supplee.Thej- were marriednear Salem, Ind., at the home of Mrs. Bressie'sparents, and by their union have been born threechildren, two sons and a daughter: Albert J., whowedded Miss May Moore, is an engineer on theIllinois Central Railroad. Charles E., who engagedwith the same company, has been faithful to hisduties and is a trusted employe. He wedded Miss.Jennie Hawthorne. Minnie Bertha died at the ageof six years, four months and six days.Mrs. Bressie was born June 30, 1840, in BeaverCounty, Pa., and was educated in the commonschools. She was reared in her native State untilthirteen years of age, when she became a residentof New Albany, Ind. She was the eighth in afamily of ten children, and with tlie exception ofherself all are now deceased. Her father and mo-

C'ity,PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 805ther were natives of Pennsylvania. The formerwas born March 17, 1803, and died December 24,1878. lie was an ornamental i)lasterer by tradeand worked in Pittsburg, Cincinnati and Louisville.In religious faith, he was a true Baptist,was a man of known integrity, whose word was asgood as his bond, and he was highly regarded byall. His wife was born March 26, 1802, and diedJune 9, 1882.She was a r>ai)tist in religious belief,was an educated lady and a woman of morethan ordinary talent and ability.Mr. Supplee wasintei'red in Mill Creek Ccmeterj', AVashingtonCounty, Ind. After the death of her husband,Mrs. Supplee made her liome with Mrs. F)rcssieand there died. Her remains were interred in thecemetery of Roberts.Mrs. Bressie has in her possession two valuablepieces of needle-work. One of these, worked onsatin, is supposed to have been made in 1773, andthe other, on linen, was made in 1798. These areamong the oldest relics in Ford County. The ageof these has made them very valuable and Mrs.Bressie was ofifered $50 for the satin piece, whichwas wanted for the Centennial of 1876.Mr. Bressie emigrated to Ford County in 1874,located in Roberts and followed his trade of plasteringuntil 1885. In that year, he emliarkcd inthe boot and slioe and harness business, which hecontinued until the spring of 1888, when he soldout and bought a general store of the old firmknown as Flora it Newman, who had been generalmerchants for some years. Mr. Bressie embarkedin general merchandising in 1888, and he has beenone of the pushing merchants of Roberts ever since.By his fair dealing and honest treatment of hismany patrons, he is doing a good business year byyear. He is known as a man of integrity, and hiscourtesy to all is sure to win for him success.Mr. Bressie is a Republican in his political sentimentsand cast his first Presidential vote foi- R. B.Hayes. He has been actively connected with theupbuilding of his county's interests and has been adelegate a number of times to his count}' conventions,and has filled the position of chairman ofLym.an Township Republican Central Committee.He .icled as .lustice of the Peace in tiie townshipof Lyman for al)Out four years. .Socially, Jlr.Bressie is a member of the Masonic lodge of GibsonCity. He was first a memlier of BuckleyLodge in 1874. He also holds membership witlithe (irand Army Post No. 500, of Melvin, and ischaiter member of Lyman Lodge No. 293, Knightsof Pythias, of Roberts. He has held imi)0rtant officesin this tiiriving order. Mrs. Ihessie is amember of the Congregational Church of Roberts.They are el.assed among tiie representative andhonored citizens of Lyman Township and are heldin high regard by all for their sterling wortli andintegritv.^,.^1,'JIIOHN A. PENCE, dealer in drugs, medicines,jiaints, oils, and wall-|)aper in Gibsonis a native of Ohio. He was born in'^^d^'' Adams County on the 26th of January,1859, and is a son of F. S. and Sarah J. (McNeil)Pence, both of whom were also natives of theBucke3'e State.In tlie family were only two children,our subject and a sister. Tiie father is a carpenterbj' trade. In 1867, he came to Illinois,locating in De Witt County, and in 1884, he wentto Edwards Count}', Kan., where he and his wifereside.The subject of this sketch was a lad of aboutstilleight summers when lie came with his parents toIllinois. His education was acquired in the schoolsof Kenney, DeWitt County, and during the summermonths he worked on a farm for some five orsix years. AVIien about seventeen }'ears of age,he entered a drug store as salesman and has beenconnected with that line of business continuouslysince.After clerking in Kenney for several years,he managed a store for W. McCraig, in Beason,for about a 3"ear, when the store was sold. Throughthe aid of his former employer, he became managerof a store in Cooksville, McLean County, remainingin charge for about a 3"ear, when thatstore was sold.In July, 1884, Mr. Pence came toGibson C'lty and began clerking for Drs. Ragsdale& Baughman, who were then running a drug store.Having clerked until Septemher 23, 1887, lie ac-a

806 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.quired a half interest in the business, tlie firm hecomingRagsdale & Pence. In April, 1889, oursubject bought out his partner's interest and liassince been sole proprietor.Mr. Pence was married on the 16th of June,1887, to Miss P'annie F. Canterbury, a native ofIllinois. She is a most estimable lady and is amember of the Christian Church. The youngcouple are well and favorabl3' known in tliis community,wliere they have many friends.In his i)olitical alliliations, Mi. Pence is a Democrat,and, socially, is a member of the Modern"Woodmen of America. Through courtesy andclose attention to liusiness, he has secured a liberalpatronage and has won general confidence.lie isa progressive young business man and deservessuccess in his chosen work.ERNi:ST~i^='—^T,'^'=^^^'a. REINIFARDT, M. D. The professionalman is one of the important factorsin the personnel of a community, andthe physicians, especially, should be represented,so we here record the life sketch of Dr. E. G. Keinhardtof L^'inan Township, one of the leading andrising pliysicians of Ford County, who stands highin his profession, as well as a gentleman and citizen,lie is a native of Golconda, Pope County,111., and was born Septemlier 7, 186.3, and was thesixth in a family of eight children, viz: five sonsand three daughters, born unto Carl Frederick andWillielmina (Schmidt) Reinhardt. There are fourof the children living: Charles A., resides in Golconda,111., and by trade is a contractor and builder.At present he is engaged in the furniture business.He is married. The Doctor is next in order ofbirth living; Clara W. is the wife of Sim V. Clanahan,who resides in Golconda, 111. He is editorand publisher of the Hernkl Enterprise, a newsy,folio weekly paper; Robert resides in Paducah,Kj'., and is engaged in merchandising. His fatherwas a native of the city of Dresden, Germany, andwas born December 4, 1823, and died November1, 1877. He was a polished gentleman in cultureand education and spoke with fluency five differentlanguages. He was a finished student in the gymnasium.By profession he was a landscape designer,who stood high in his native land in hischosen occupation. We clip from a diploma whichwas awarded him in Germany:"This certifies to the fact that Carl F. Reinhardtwas for three years Associate Landscape Gardenerwith Frederick Muller to Fabian Frederick WilliamOtto, Count of Schlabrendorf Seppan, and that hestood in high favor with the Count, as well as hisassociate, having thoroughlj' mastered the art oflandscape gardening, as well as having acquired athorough knowledge of the flora of that region."His father's early life and manhood were mostlyspent in the beautiful city of Dresden. At theage of thirty-one, he and his family, consisting ofhis wife and three sons, bade adieu to their nativeland in 18,54, and set sail for America, and theylanded in the city of Baltimore, JNId. Thence theywent to Cincinnati, and from there to Southern Illinois,and located on a farm near Golconda, remainingthere until 1856, when they came into the townto reside. He was a stanch friend to education andall those measures which tend to elevate mankind.He devoted his time while a resident of Illinois tothe culture of flowers. He and his wife were membersof the Lutheran Church. Mr. Reinhardt wasa member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.He was a stanch Democrat in his politicalbelief. In his younger days he was a tnivelcr ofsome note, mostly over continental F^urope.The mother of the Doctor was a well-educatedlady in her native tongue. She was a native ofRoitzsch, Germany, and was born September 9,18.30, and died January 16, 1883. The remains ofthe Doctor's parents are interred in the Odd Fellows'Cemetery at Golconda, 111., and beautiful headstonesmark their last resting place. Dr. Reinhardt'searly boyhood days were spent upon thefarm until tiiree years of age, when his parentscame to the town to reside, where he remained untilthe age of seventeen, and his time was devotedchiefly to attending school. Like many ambitiousboys, the Doctor resolved to launch out in life onhis own natural resources, so at the age of seventeen,he left home, and all the capital he had was tiiat energeticdisposition to make things move.His first

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 809time was taken up as a typo in a printing officeHe returned home after an absence of two and ahalf years, and engaged with his brother in mercantilelife. After remaining for a time, he thenengaged witli the large nulling firm of Nordyke,Marmou & Co., of Indianapolis, Ind., where he wasemployed a portion of each year for seven years withthis well-known firm. The Doctor is a gentlemanwho possesses much natural ability and acumen,and this well-known firm found in _young Reinhardta valuable man. Industry, energy and auindomitable will are the cardinal characteristics ofa successful man's life. Up to this time he liadbeen engaged in the business channels of life; nowhe resolved to enter a professional life, and chose thefield of medicine and surgery. He read medicineunder the eminent practitioner, Dr. J. .1. Boone, ofMt. Victor}', Ohio, where he made rapid progress.He entered the Rush Bledical College of Chicago,in September, 1888, where he took a full and completecourse in medicine and surgery, and, as a sidestudy, he took a thorough course, under Prof.Thurman W. Brophy, in Dental Pathology andSurgery. He graduated March 30, 1891, in a classof over two hundred. After his graduation, hepaid his old home a visit, ere he settled down tohis professional life. He came to Roberts, 111.,April 28, 1891, where he has laid the solid foundationof a large and lucrative practice. The Doctorhas made a most favorable impression on thepeople of the vicinity of Roberts, by his courteousand gentlemanly decorum, as well as by his skillin his profession. He is associated with W. H..Bend in the drug Inisiness, carrying a full line ofstaple drugs, oils, and all commodities which go tomake up a good drug store. He is public-sjjiritedand generous to all. He is Chancellor Ctmimanderof the K. of P. Lodge No. 293, Roberts, 111.Dr. Reinhardt'sand Miss Mamie Hales' weddingwas celebrated May 31, 1891. She is a daughterof Dr. S. F. Hale, and was born January' 5, 1866,in Bunker Hill, 111. She is an accomplished lady.She was a student at St. Mary's Academy for twoyears, at Notre Dame, Ind., and spent two years atthe New England Conservatory of Music, at Boston,Mass. She was a student in vocal music with W.L. Whitney, son of Myron W. Whitney, of musicalfame.Mrs. Dr. Reinhardt is one of a family of fivebrothers and one sister. Dr. and Mrs. Reinhardtare classed among the most prominent citizens ofthe town of Roberts, 111.He wasJ^ETEIv .1. Y EAGER, a general merchantof Guthrie, 111., is one of the leading businessmen of Ford County, and is too wellknown to need any special introduction.)orn in Franklin County, Ohio, April 10,1859, and is the eldest child in a family of sixsons and one daughter, all of whom are now living,as follows: Mr. John W. Yeager resides inWest Jefferson, Ohio, is a merchant and is married;August resides in Derby, Ohio, and is also a merchantand married; ]\Iary E. resides on the oldhomestead with her parents near Columbus, Ohio;Michael L, a resident of Guthrie, 111., and engagedin agricultural pursuits, is married; Christ J., aresident of West Jefferson, Ohio, is a clothingmerchant; Stephen A., who is the youngest ofthechildren, is a resident of Guthrie, III., and is engagedwith his brother Peter.The father of our subject, Peter Y''eager, Sr.,was born in Bavaria, Germany, in the year 1830.He is a gentleman of finished education, havinggraduated from the German High Schools. Afterspending six years of iiis life in the Gcnman army,he concluded to seek his fortune in America, so,early in the spring of 1858, he and Mrs. Yeagerset sail from Bremen direct to New Y'ork, thenceto Columbus, Ohio, then known as Franklinton.Landing in the United States almost penniless,his German spirit of industry and economj- soonwon for liim wealth and a place in the walks oflife worthy of the industrious adopted Americancitizen. For the first several years in America heworked at his trade, that of a boot and shoe maker,then followed farming for a couple of 3'ears, andwas then engaged in merchandising for sixteenyears. He was very successful in his business, andhas lately retired in good circumstances. He isstill living at the age of about sixty-two years. •The mother of our subject, whose maiden name

810 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.was Mary Ness, is also living at the age of sixtyoneyears.The boyhood days of our subject were spent as asalesman. He was early initiated into the channelsof mercantile life, and those principles werethoroughly grounded in his composition whichformed the foundation of his successful career as amerchant. He spent five years of his life runninga grocery wagon, which shows that he was everready to do anything to turn an honest penny.He received his education in the common schoolsand commenced the voyage of life for himself atthe age of twenty with only a capital of 1500. Heleft his native State to locate in the West andselected Guthrie, 111., as his base of future operations.He opened up business with a little grocerystore, April 21, 1879, and here he has remainedcontinuously by his business, with that push, industryand determination which are his cardinalcharacteristics.He has since added to his little capital of 1500,until now the volume of his property aggregates$17,000. His present stock of merchandise is estimatedat 15,000. Mr. Yeager is also proprietorof the Guthrie Creamery and owns three hundredand twenty acres of tillable land in Dix Township,and other property, all of which testifies to hisenterprise and push during his residence in FordCounty since 1879. He is a fair, square-dealingbusiness man, sagacious and practical, and enjoysthe entire confidence of his numerous patrons.He married Miss Mary Weller December 6,1881, and there have been born to this union twosons and three daughters: Frederick P., Grover C,Irene E., Valeria II. and Mary E., all of whom arenow living. Mrs. Yeager is a daughter of GeorgeWeller, a native of Germany. He was for manyyears a resident of Ford County', now of Nebraska.Mrs. Y'eager was educated in the common schools.vShe has three brothers and one sister. The eldestis Lena, wife of .Tohn Ernest, who is City Engineerof Hoopeston, 111. .John Weller resides in Nebraska,follows farming and is married; Mrs.Yeager is next; George and Henry, the youngest,live in Nebraska.Mr. Yeager has alw.ays been an ardent supporterof the Democratic party .and cast his first Presidentialvote for Gen. Win field S. Hancock. lieis a gentleman who has been very pronounced inhis political views but not so radical as to interferewith his business. He has always been held inhigh esteem by his friends and commands theirrespect.Mr. Yeager was the efficient Postmaster of Guthrie,111., for twelve years. He received his commissionfrom President Hayes and was the incumbentof the office from 1879 to 1891. He servedunder Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland and apart of Harrison's term of administration. Hetendered his resignation in the year 1888, whichwas not accepted until 1891. He served as SchoolDirector for two years and is one of the board atpresent. He was elected Supervisor of Dix Townshipin the spring of1892, on the People's ticket,which conclusively shows him to be a popular citizen.He has proven an active and energetic memberof the board and is on more committees thanany member of the board. He aims to representhis people to the best of his ability.He h.as filled the position of delegate to the DemocraticState conventions, as well as delegate tohis county conventions, and was Chairman of thecounty convention of Ford Count}' in 1892.He is a member in high standing of the I .(). (). F.,of Guthrie, 111., also a leading member of the Encampmentand Canton Ford, of Gibson, 111.HARLES A. COOK, who for twenty-two., years has resided in this county, is nowen-^^f^ gugod in farming on section 30, Pella Township,where he owns a fine farm of one hundredand twent}' acres. His pleasant residence is surroundedby good barns and other necessarj- outbuildings,which in turn lie in the midst of welltilled fields which yield to him a golden tributein return for his care and cultivation. Every improvement upon the place is the work of his ownhands and indicates his thrift and enterprise.Mr. Cook is a native of London, Province ofOntario, Canada. He was born Novembers, 1845,and is a son of Charles and Rosetta (Root) Cook.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 811His father was born in England, and when twentyonej'ears of age crossed the Atlantic lo Canada,where he was employed in a wholesale store inHamilton for some time. He was there marriedand his wife died about 1851. In 1857, he cameto Chicago, where he engaged in the real-estatebusiness for a time and then removed to St. Louis.He afterwards returned to New York City, wherehe held the position of Superintendent of theHoward Mission. He is now living near London,Canada, with a daughter. The children of thefamily are Charles of this sketch; George, who isliving in North Dakota; and Mrs. Mary F. Pemberton.a widow who resides at Camden, on LakeHuron.Our subject spent the first twelve j^ears of hislife in Canada, and then removed to Chicago,where lie began life for himself. He spent oneyear in a law office in that city, after which hewent to a farm in Sandwich, 111., and was engagedin agricultural pursuits for fourteen years. On the11th of December, 1870, he married Angeline Dean,who was born in Sandwich, and is a daughter ofNelson and Sarah Dean, both of Pennsylvania.They are now deceased. In the spring of 1871,Mr. Cook came with his young wife to FordCounty, and purchased the farm on which he nowmakes his home.In July, 1877, Mrs. Cook was called to her finalrest, after which our subject married Carrie Montelius,daughter of Ed. ]\Iontelius. She diedin 1883, leaving two children: Charles, now thirteenj'ears of age; and Mary eleven years of age.In the spring of 1884, Mr. Cook was married inPiper City to Minnie Montelius, a sister of hissecond wife. She was born in Freeport, 111., butwas reared in Piper City, where her parents removedin 1879. Three children have been bornof this union: Anna Bertha, born in August, 1885;Mertie, born in December, 1887; and.Josie, born inJune, 1891.Mr. Cook is a member of the Masonic fraternityof Piper Cit}', and his wife belongs to the MethodistChurch. He cast his first Presidential votefor Grant in 1868, and has since been a Republican.He has often served as delegate to tlie conventionsof his party and is a warm advocate of its principles.He h.as served as Commissioner of Highwaysfor thirteen years and has been Treasurer. Hestarted out in life for himself at the age of twelveand since that time has been dependent on his ownexertions. Whatever success he has achieved inlife is due to his unaided efforts. His persistentindustry, enterprise and good management havewon him a comfortable competence and his life maywell be regarded as a successful one.^^c^^^^HE FIRST NATKJNAL BANK, of Paxton,the only National Bank in Ford County,was incorporated May 7, 1883, with a capitalof $50,000. The incorporators were S. B. Bushnell,W. H. Holcomb, L N. Perry, A. Sample, D. A.Frederick, J. P. Day and J. B. Shaw.The first officers were President, S. B. Bushnell;Vice-President, J. P. Daj'; Cashier, J. B. Shaw.On the 12th of January, 1892, ISIr. Bushnell soldhis interest and retired, and J. B.Shaw was electedPresident, F. L. Cook succeeded Mr. J. P. Day asVice-President, in 1884, and A. S. Bushnell succeededJ. B. Shaw as Cashier in 1892. Tiiese lastmentioned are the present officers of tiic bank,while the present Board of Directors is composedof the following named gentlemen: F. L. Cook,C. A. Larson, Dr. S. M. Wylie, W. II. Holcomb andJ. B. Sh.iw.The bank has declared since its organizationdividends to the amount of $40,000, and now hasa surplus of $10,000, and is in a prosperous condition.II AWRENCE McGRAIL, a well-knownfarmer and stock-raiser of Drummer Township,residing on section 28, w.as born inIreland, in 1827, and is one of a family of ninechildren born unto John and Mary (Kane) IMc-Grail. They were natives of the same count3' asour subject and were there reared .ind married.Of their family, Patrick and John arc now deceased;Miciiael is the next younger^ Austin is

812 PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.also deceased; Richard; James has passed from thislife; Lawrence, Charles; and two children, bothof whom bore the name of Mary, are deceased.The father of this familj' was a farmer and followedthat occupation throughout his entire life.He and his wife never left tlie old home, hut silenttheir entire lives in their native land. IJoth weremembers of the Catholic Church.We now take up the personal history of LawrenceMcGrail, who acquired his education in theschools of liis native land and remained under tlieparental roof until thirty-two jears of age. Hetlien married, in 1859, the lady of his choice beingMaria O'Mally, also a native of the EmeraldIsle and a daugliter of Patrick O'Mallj-. By theirunion have been liorn nine children, as follows:Michael, now a resident of W.ashington ; Patrick,deceased; Mary and Nora, who are residents of St.Louis; John, James, Charles, Lawrence and Ella.It was in 1865 that Mr. ]Mc(jrail, .accompaniedby his family, bade good-bye to their old homeand crossed the broad Atlantic to America. Hemade his first location in Chicago, 111., and workedon the railroad for seventeen ^'earsas section foreman,being emploj'ed by the Burlington RailroadCompany. On the expiration of that i)eriod, he removedto Ford County and has since resided inDrummer Township, where he has a pleasant home.In connection with farming, he is engaged in raisingfine liorses, and has some very fine animalsupon his pLace.In politics, !Mr. McGrail supports the Republicanpart3% but is not strict! >• partisan, holdinghimself free to vote for tlie candidate wliom liethinks best cpialified for the office. Himself andwife hold membership witii the Catholic Church.Our subject need never regret his removal to thiscoiinti V, for here he has found a pleasant home,made manj' warm friends and has secured a comfortablecompetence which numliers him among thesubstantial citizens of the community.

1BIOGI^p^F^I^spI^-Adams, John 2;^Adams, John Q 39Aid, Lewis 713Allgaier, Rev. J 309Amm, John C 370Anderson. Andrew I) 536^Vaderson, Christopher 137Anderson, Swen 441Andrews, Benjamin C 591Andrews, Daniel H 241Andrews, J. H 725Arends, George T 449Arends.Teis 393Arnold, A. S 7»i5Arthur, Chester A 99Ashby, Charles 509Ashley, L. N 786Atwood, Henry 267BBaare, David 683Babcock. Edward 415Baker, W. A 522Baker, William ; 333Barker, Jesse G 714Barrow, Hamilton J 482Beach, Judge H. P 754Beardsley, F. W 225Beighle, K. B2fl(iBell, John D 731Bell, Samuel5H8Benson, Henry 02(5Bernhardt, J. G 103Beveridge, John L 171Bicket, William A 211Bishop, Capt. L. N 732Bishop, Lucas T 315Bissell, William H 151Blackmore, James 477Blackstock, Robert 343Blake, Anselm T 700Blesch, Jacob2C6Bloom, Isaac 567Boal, D. AKUBogardus, Col. Charles 271Bond, John 785Bond, Shadrach 1 1Bond, William 380Bowen, P. C.,.MRBowen, W.H. 727Bremer, A. P 304Bressie, L. E 804Broadbent, John1M7Brock, Henry 282Brown, Aaron 28!)Brown, Joseph J 310Buchanan. James 75Bucbholz, August 291Buchholz, Charles 455Buchner, C. J 377Bulger, John 745Bullington, A C 772Bunker, John E 281Bui-ger, Joseph 651Burns, William W 579Cain, Thomas W 514Campbell, Dr. J. Y .'ilflCampbell. O. L 417Campbell, William A 314Carlin, Thomas 135Carlson, C. F 430Carpenter, Henry S .582Catron, Arthur S 303Chambers, R. B 667Chapin, Dr. Charles E nu4Clark, Remembrance .545Clarke, Alex 614Clayton, John 618Clem, Jeremiah 386Cless, J. J 200Cleveland, S. Grover 103Climpson, Richard 746Clinebell, Prof. Koscie 2.55Coal, P. A 207Coles, Edward 115Collier, Hon. J. H 385Colwell, Michael 771Conger, CM 304Cook, Charles A 810Cook. F. L 217Cook, Col. H. D 260Coomes, Ammon 226Cooper, James Alfred 357Corbly, Lindsey 571Co.x, Michael 661Cramniond. James E 232Crandall, C. C6SSCrandall, H. A 194Crawford, James 673Cruzen, Randolph 507Cubbuck, Judson 464Cue, Thomas 199Culbertson , Dr. S. D .565Cullom, Shelby M 175Culter, Dr. F. O 274Curd, Charles 719Currie, William (89DDahlgren, Nils 514Dally, Dr. H. M 748Damon, O.H4a5Daniels, Stacy 535Davis, F. S .554Day, John P 337Day,N. B 344Day, Samuel 332Day, Samuel L.:tt5Denman, Dr. De Kalb 229Dickey , J. W 794Diers, Henry 231Dolan.M. H 237Dougherty, John Y 521Down, C. W 587Drendel, Frank S 766Dueringer, Rev. Henry 7.58Duncan, Joseph 131Dunham, J. C 520Dunnan, Hugh 779Durham, W illiamT 719Dwyer, Daniel 529Dysert, James 727EEdwards, Ninian 119Elliott, W. H. H 541Emmons, Samuel 220Enoch, Elmer 366Eppelsheimer, Philip 799Essington, George 704Essington, John 695Ewing, William L. D 127Fagerburg, Frank B 243Falter, Louis .585Farley, Dr. Isaac P 769Farlin, Joseph 2!i2Farrar, Dr. L. B 426Felhvock. Charles A 273Fifer, Joseph W 183Fillmore, MillardB7First Nat'l Bank of Paxton..8IlFlagg, James H4tt5Flora, W. B 717Fogar, Charl 562Foley, James B 553Ford Coimty Bank 381Ford , Thomas 139Foreman, Prof. D. G 674Forney, H. A 682Frederickson, Gustave 411French, Augustus C 143Fuoss, Jacob 607Gardner, Edward A 451Garfield, James A 95Gash, William T 6:12Gerdes, Gerd 700

JohnINDEX.Gilkeson, J. W 639Gilmore, Albert 753Gilmore, CraigS03Gilmore, William 746Glass, George W 599Glenn, Theophilus M 620Goodman, John 702Goodwin, W.H 792Granger, John F 725Grant, Ulysses S 87Green, David W 624Gregory, H. L 451Grove, GeorgeoCiHHagin, Jol^n E 706Han,H.C 545Hall, James D 236Hamer, Frederick 488Hamilton, John M 179Hand, Ira W 701Hanley, J.M ...515Harrison , Benjamin 107Harrison, William Henry— 51Harry, E.H 720Harvey, Eli 533Hatteberg, John A 7WHaupt, George W 3.54Hayes, CO33SHayes, Rutherford B 91Henderson, J. C 484Herron, J. W 612Hevener, Robert 623Hilborn, Calvin 676Hock, James 244Hollen, Peter 769Holmes, Christian 690Holmes, John H 283Holmes, William B 409Holmgrain, Rev. O. V 411Holmquest, S. 1 443Hoover, W. A 399Hopkins, A. S 566Houston, James J 784Hughs, John 778Hummel, John 617Hunt, Enoch S2.')7Hunt, John S 475Hunt, W.J 660Hunter, William H 488Hurst, Joseph 680Hurst, William 327Huston, W.S 777Hutchison, William A 238lehl, John 4231mm, Michael 291Jackson, Andrew 43Jackson, Jam^s 516Jardine, Robert 785Jellcrson, Thou as 27Jeffery, Thomas P 648Jennings, Columbus .588Johnson, .\ndrew 83Johnson, F. J.. 3.51Johnson, G. w'. B 5,56Johnson, JohnS 398Joos, John 741Jones, Joseph K 770Jordan, Andrew 279KKarr,j9hn, 429Karr, Robert M 699Keetfe, John 592Keighin, David 760Keitzmann, Reinhold A 560Keitzmann, William 3?^0Kelso, Dr.E.L 510Kelso, Dr. H. A 212Kemp, James 638Kemp, Nicholas M 418Kenney.JohnF 605Kenney. William 218Ken ward, John C 326Kerchanfaut, John 745Kerns. Emanuel 481Kiblinger, S.H 290Kimler,A. H.'^73King, Joseph V 392Kirkpatrick, J. C 540Kjellstrand, A. \V 4.58Kneale, William .586Koestner, Paul 243Lamb, Wallace S 236Laiidel,W. P 626Larson, Peter 397Larson, Theodore J 477Leach, J. B 527Le Fevre, S. J 490Le Fevre. Dr. W. C. M 478Leininger, Henry H 305Leonard, John H 780Lewis, John R 633Lincoln, Abraham 79Linn, J. C 6.59Litwiller, Peter 581Lohman, Franz Gottlieb 379Lott, J.B 797Lowry, Emanuel 391Ludlow, James D 405Lyman, E. H 316Lynch, Thomas J 701Lytle, Seth 306MMadison, James 31Main, Peter f>80Marsh, Jesse P 198Marshall, Joseph N 747Mason, Benjamin F 438Matteson, Joel A 147Mattinson, Evan 229Mattinson, Wilson i% Co 5(12Maxson, A. C 286McBride, James 7:i4McClure, B. H 258McClurc, Rev. E. S 297McCracken. David P 487McCracken, Rev. Robert 494McDermott, Thomas 688McElroy, Judge A 561McGrail, Lawrence 811McLaughlin, Abner 705McKeever, Caleb 617McKinney ,280Mc Kinney, Jo.seph 682McMullen, William E 424McNeish, Thomas 247Mellinger, J. D 298Meharry, Hugh 391Melvin Public Schools 193Merrill, James H 783Metcalf, David 759Middlecoff, Hon. J. P 367Miller, 1. C 608Miller, Prof. E. H 201Miller, Levi 328Miller, William, M. D 713Minch , George 633Miner, John M 798Mitchinson, Joseph 606Motlett, John H 223Moffett, Robert M 502Motfett, William S 521MoUoy. Jaraes 766Monroe, James 35Montelius, J. A 320Montz, John H 364Morris, John 400Morrison, W. T 331Mottler, Albert E 778NNelson, Andrew J 404Newhart. M. W 354Newkirk, Reuben3U1Newlin, Samuel W 555Newmau, David 321Newman, John 397Nordgren , Charles A &48oOglesby , Kichaid J 163Olsson, Rev. Eric P 534OMahony, Rev. B. E 619Oppermaun, August 679Ortlepp, John 388Otto, Michael 638Palmer, John M 167Papineau, Peter 217Patton, Hon. David 266Patton, Mrs. Jane 503Patton, William T 410Pearce, C. C 334Pells, William H 191Pence, J. A 805Perdue, William 694Peters, John 768Peterson, Swan :i33Phebus, William 572Phillips, Alfred 202Phillips, A. L 258Phillips, J. R 230Phipps, Mrs. John 693Pierce, Franklin 71Polk, James K .59Pollock, Robert 339Pool, Albert J 368Powell, William 432Preston, George W 800Proctor, Capt. Willard 659Proctor, W.E 197RRandall, George .594Randies, Samuel G 547Rasmus, Peter 412Rawlings, H. C :t46Reed, Dr. J. W 504Keed, Thomas 598Keep, David 340Reinhardt.Dr. E. G 806Kemsburg, Carlton 1 308Reynolds, John 123Rezener, J. K 567Rice, Edwin 319Richmond, Joseph 726Rierson, Christ 740Ringeisen, Charles 580Roberts, James. 513Roberts Public Schools 463

.Smith,JohnINDEX.Rockwood, L. E 394Kockwooil, H. B 568Bohrbach , 295Ross, Timothy 369Rowan, Thomas6iiSaokett.Orville DS28Sample, Hon. Alfred 205Saxton, J. 1 645Schiuik, Louis 624Scott, John A 600Scott, Thomas69fiSears, Nathan L 574Shambrook, Robert 282Sharp, Frank E 2.WShearer, Lewis 742Sheldon, James 593Shilts, John 728Shirley, Oliver A 703Shoop, Prof . John D 20SSibley Estate 387Sibley Public Schools 652Sideainger, Hiram Y 307Simms, William HtillSiverling, D. E 470Skoft, John 444Smith, A. S 468Smith, James F 442Smith, John P 378John W H68Smith, R.G 476Snelling, James H 501Snyder, Capt. Napoleon 675Snyder, Milton T 309Sowers, T.J 313Spalding, T. D 4.31Speedie, Matthew 4.50Spellmeyer, Charles 265Spellmeyer, George H;J5SSpellmeyer, Henry 195Spellmeyer, H.' C 542Spera, J. W 613Stadler, John 619Stare. Elias A 483Stedmaii, Nelson 681Steinniann, Frederick E 285Steinmann, Henry T. 547Stevens, Edgar N 249Stevens, Hon. N. E 456Stimpson, Hiland 757Stites, Benjamin 219Stites, William H 4

INDEX.-4-^#^^*^-^-Adams, John 22Adams, John Q 38Andrews, B. C 590Andrews. Mrs. B. C 590Andrews. D. H 240Andrews, Mrs. D. H 240Andrews. James H 722.Vndrews, Mrs. James 723.\nderson , Swen 440Arends, George T 4 1(5Arends, Mrs. George T 417Arnold, Amos 762Arnold, Mrs. Amos 7f>3Arthur, Chester A 98Babcock, Edward 414Beardsley , F. W 22.5Beardsley , Mre. F. W 22.TBell, John DTX>Bell, Mrs. John D 730Bernhardt, John G 402Bernhardt, Mrs. John G 402Beveridge, John L 170Bicket,\V.A 210Bissell, William H 150Blackstock, K 312Bogardus, Charles 270Bond, shadrach 110Brown, Aaron28SBrown, jMrs. Aaron 288Buchanan, James 74Buchholz, Charles 454Bulger, John 744Burger, Joseph 650Burns, Mrs. W. W,')7fiBurns, W. W 577Campbell, J. Y 518Carlin, Thomas 1*4Catron, A. S 301Catron, Mrs. A. S 300Clark, R 544Cleveland , S. Grover 102Collier, J. H 3»lColes, Edward 114Cook, F. L 216Corbly, L 570Clinebell, Koscie 252Clinebell, Mrs. K 253Crawford, James 671Crawford, IMrs. James 670Cruzen, Randolph 506Culbertson, Dr. S. D 564Cullom, Shelby M 174Damon, O. H 4*4Damon, Mi-s.O. H 434Day, J. P 336Duncan, Joseph 130Edwards, Ninian 118Ewing. William L. D 126Fillmore, Millard 66Fifer, Joseph W 182Flora, W.B 716Foley, J. B .551Foley, Mrs. J. B 550Ford, Thomas 138French, Augustus C 142Garfield, J. A 94Gilmore, Albert 750Gilmore, Mrs. Albert 751Gilmore, Craig 802Gilmore, Mrs. Craig 802Grant, U.S 86Hamilton, John M 178Harrison, Benjamin 106Harrison, W. H 50Harvey, Eli 532Hayes, R.B 90Hevener, Robert 622Holmes, W. B 108Holmes, Mrs. W. B 408Hummel, John 616Hummel, Mrs. John 616Hunt, John S 472Hunt, Mrs. John .S 173Huston, W.S 774Huston, 5Irs. W.S 773lehl, John 420lehl, Mrs. John 421Jackson, Andrew 42Jefferson , Thomas 26Johnson, AndrewS2Johnson, F. J 349Johnson, Mrs. F. J 348Jordan , Andrew 277Jordan, Mrs. Andrew 276Karr, John 428Karr, R. M 697Karr, Mrs. R. M 698Kenney, John F 602Kenney, Mrs. John F 603Kerns,E 480Larson, Peter 396Leach, J. B 524Leach, Mrs. J. B .525Lincoln, Abraham 78Linn, J. C 558Linn, Mrs. J. C .558Lott, J. B ...796Lowry, E 390Lowi-y, Mrs. E 390Madi.son, James 30Matteson, Joel A 146Mattinson, E 228Mattinson, Mrs. E 227McCracken, D. P 486McCracken, Mrs. D. P 486McNeish, Thomas 246Merrill, J. H 782Merrill, Mi-s. J. H 782MiddlecofT. J. P 366Moffett, J. H 222Monroe, James 34Morrison, W. T .3.30Newkirk, Reuben 3,59Newkirk, Mrs. Reuben 360Oglesby , Richard J 162Oppermann, August 678Palmer, John M 166Pells, W. H 190Phipps, John 692Pierce, Franklin 70Polk, J. K 58Proctor, Capt. W 657Proctor, Jlrs. Sarall A 656Reynolds, John 122Roberts, James 512Rohrbach, John 294Rice, Edwin 318Ross. Tini 369Sample, Alfred. 204Saxton, J. L (M3Saxton.Mrs. J. L 642Simms, William H 610Simnis, Mrs. William H 609Snelling, J. H 198Snelling, Mrs. J. H 499Sowers, T.J 312Sowers, Mrs. T.J 312Spellmeyer, Charles 2(>4Spellmeyer, Mi-s. Charles 264Stevens, E.N 249Stevens, N. E 456Taylor, Zachary 62Thackray , John 684Thackray , Mrs. John 685Thompson. A. C 321Thompson , John M 492Tliompson, T. D 466Trigger, Richard 789Trigger, Mrs. Richard 788Tj-ler, John 54Tyler, N. B 596Van Buren, Martin 46Van Steenbergh , Edward 736Van Steenbergh, Mrs. E 737W^agner, .Jacob C 636Wagner, John 664Washington, George 18Way, V. G 629Way, Mrs. V. G .628Weaver, M. H 372Weaver, Mrs. M. H 373Wiley, Dr. T. R 233Wiley, Mrs. T. R 231Wilson, William J 709Wilson, Mi-s. W. J 708Wood, John 154W^under, Edward 460Wunder, Mrs. Edward 460Wylie.S. M 538Yates, Richard 158Yeager, Peter J 808

HECKMANBINDERY INaBound .To -PlaJULY 95N MANCHESTER,INDIANA 46962