Peoria County Biographies

 

 

ALLEN L. FAHNESTOCK


from the Glasford (IL) Gazette, 1904
Contributed by Dick Parr

Jacob Fahnestock, the father of the subject of this sketch was a manufacturer of plug tobacco, cigars and snuff, also proprietor of a general store and postmaster in Abbottstown, Pa. He came to Illinois in 1836 and at Canton found a distant relative in the person of S. F. Bollinger. Together they came to what is now Timber Twp., and bought 160 acres in Sec. 17 and laid out the town of Lancaster. Mr. Fahnestock then returned to Pennsylvania and in the fall of 1837 with his family started for their western home.

The journey was made by rail, canal and steamboat, coming down the Ohio and up the Illinois. They, with another family, landed about a mile above where Kingston now stand, on the Tazewell County side where there was a small log cabin. There they remained overnight with nothing to eat and by morning the children made their hunger known in no uncertain tones. In the morning a deer was killed which furnished a very good breakfast. Mr. Fahnestock crossed over to this side in a canoe and proceeded to the neighborhood of his new home, secured some ox teams and moved the family and goods out to their palatial residence, a double log cabin.

Mr. D. J. Hinkle, whose biography has been given, was their closest neighbor.

Mr. & Mrs. Fahnestock had seven children: Charlotte, now Mrs. John Robbins; Allen L.; William; Charles; Samuel T.; Henry H.; and Jacob L. Samuel died in 1839 being about 3 ½ years old and was the first person buried in Lancaster Cemetery. The first four mentioned are now residents of Glasford. Henry died about a year ago in Peoria and Jacob still lives there.

Allen L. Fahnestock was born at Abbottstown, Pa., Feb. 9, 1828 and when 9 years old came to Illinois with his father who settled in Lancaster. When twelve years old he went to St. Louis with Conrad and Jacob Doll and worked in their grocery store. He returned to Lancaster in the spring of  ‘41 and for some time carried the mail from Peoria to Lancaster once a week for 25 cents. In the summer he worked on a farm for $3 a month taking pay in trade. In the winter of  ‘44 he worked three months for Mrs. Elizabeth Duffield for his board and attended school at Dry Run taught by Samuel Farmer.

Next we find him at Peoria where he worked two years for James Soles learning the cooper’s trade. For the first years work he received $35 and the second $60.

At this time there were no railroads in Peoria and all business houses were on Water St.

After serving his apprenticeship he returned to Lancaster and made sugar barrels for J. W. Robbins at 15 cents apiece. Then he bought a shop and started in business for himself.

In may 1827 he enlisted in Capt. May’s Co. for service in the Mexican War but the Captain was notified by the Governor later that there services would not be needed.

Aug. 5, 1847 he married Miss Sarah Doane and bought the Andrews’ estate and conducted three cooper shops and made barrels by the thousands for Reed Bros. Of Farmington, who owned the warehouse and packing establishment at Lancaster Landing.

In 1856 he sold his cooper shop to Herman Strube and renting the store of J. W. Robbins entered into the mercantile business and was the principal merchant and business man of Lancaster down to the settlement of Glasford when the old town ceased to exist.

In 1861 he enlisted 60 men in the 57th Ill. For service in the Civil War and intended to go himself, but circumstances so shaped his plans that he was unable to leave home at that time.

In Aug. 1862 Mr. Fahnestock organized another company of 100 men, Co. I, 86th Ill. And was unanimously elected Captain. His military ability was soon recognized and he was successfully promoted to Major, Lieu. Col., and Colonel. The first three commissions were received from Gov. Yates, father of the present Governor, the last one from Gov. Oglesby.

The Colonel’s regiment went from Peoria to Louisville, thence to Chattanooga and with Sherman on his famous March to the Sea, back through the Carolinas to Washington and was mustered out after the Grand Review, June 6, 1865.

We haven’t space to mention all the important battles in which Col. Fahnestock took part. This is a matter of history and any good war history will give the reocrd of 86th Ill. And show that he was in the “thickest of the fight” and did valiant service for his country.

Politically Mr. Fahnestock is a true blood republican and has always been recognized leader of the party in the township. He was first elected to the office of town clerk, in 1853 which office he filled for several years. Was school treasurer for fifteen years. Elected Supervisor in 1861 and at the close of the was county treasurer in ‘65-’67. Was also the first postmaster in Glasford.

Mr. & Mrs. Fahnestock raised a family of four boys and one girl. J.A., A.A., and Mrs. Minnie Cole. Frank who died last winter and two children who died in infancy.

It has already been stated in the settlement of Glasford that Mr. Fahnestock built the first store. He has ever since been the pioneer and leading merchant and many of his customers today are the grand and great grandchildren of his first customers 48 years ago.

Besides a complete stock of general merchandise, he also carries a stock of millinery goods, and also keeps a drug store, being a registered pharmacist. It can be truly said that the Col. Has been the life blood in the commercial system of the town and township.
 


 

Colusa County(California): Its History...with a Description of Its Resources... Also Biographical Sketches ...
By Justus H. Rogers

 

John F. Fouts



Few men are better known throughout the county than this pioneer of the State, John F. Fouts. He was born in Preble County, Ohio, April 26, 1829. When he was ten years old, his family removed to Lee County, iowa, where he lived seven years, moving, afterwards, to Davis County and Burlington, in the same State, at which latter place he resided till the spring of 1850, when he decided to come to this State. He set out on this long, and then adventurous journey, coming by way of the North Platte from Council Bluffs and Fort Hall, along the old Downieville road. He was over five months making the trip with ox-teams. He located in the town of Meridian, Sutter County, where he farmed and carried on a merchandise business till 1863. In 1860 he put in the first ferry-boat across Sycamore Slough, at Meridian, and was the chief instrument in laying out and building up that place, which promised to attain large proportions till a flood came along in 1867 and retarded its progress. In 1868 he built a steam saw-mill in the mountains, four miles south of Fouts Springs. These springs, whose reputation for healing waters is universally acknowledged, were located by Mr. Fouts in 1874, and opened to the public in June, 1874, when the hotel was completed and cabins ready for occupancy. Mr. Fouts still resides at the Springs, in the midst of most romantic scenery, and to our mind the most charming and delightful bit of landscape in the whole Coast Range. He was married, June 5, 1853, in Peoria County, Illinois, to Miss Elizabeth O'Neil, by whom he has had three children.

 


 

 

 

 

HENRY S. HARKNESS


from the Glasford (IL) Gazette, 1904
Contributed by Dick Parr

Henry S., son of Isaac and Sarah Harkness, was born in Trivoli township, Jan. 21, 1832, and consequently was one of the earliest settlers, and the earliest of which we have any date for a write up. He parents came from Pennsylvania in 1831 arriving in Trivoli township on Christmas Eve and settled on Sec. 4, 3 miles west and ¾ miles north of where Trivoli now stands. Here Henry was raised until he was 24 years old when he moved into Elmwood township settling on Sec. 32.

The spring after he was 22, he married Miss Sarah C. Parker and seven years ago moved into Timber township. His wife died July 15, 1901.

Mr. Harkness has two children living, Mrs. Hattie Hovenden, Red Oaks, Ia. And Charles W. Harkness, Hayden, Colo.

When a young boy Henry attended school in a log house known as the Harkness School on one corner of his father’s farm. His nearest post office, Trivoli, which was merely a cross roads with three houses, and the nearest church at Trivoli Center.

His nearest neighbors were Orton, Simpson, Watrous, Eli Wilson, James Wickwire, and two families of Fishers.

Trivoli was an open prairie with houses a mile or so apart and plenty of wild game.

 


 

NEBAT HINKLE

from the Glasford (IL) Gazette, 1904
Contributed by Dick Parr

Early in the winter we began gathering data for the “Old Settlers History” we planned to visit the old residents  and write up their early experiences, but circumstances over which we had no control spoiled our plans for the time being. First we had a fire that put us back fully two months with our plans. Next, as we just caught up with our work, sickness entered the family, and six weeks of quarantine disarranged our calculations. We are going to make start this week and while it will not contain much early history it will be a start.

This week we give a picture of Mr. Nebat Hinkle, the oldest person in point of residence in Timber township.

Mr. Hinkle was born near Peoria in 1826, his father, Daniel J. Hinkle, settling the same year on the NW ¼ of Sec. 21. So Mr. Hinkle has been a resident of Timber and Orion for 76 years. Mr. Hinkle now lives with his daughter, Mrs. B. P. Lee, in Orion Twp. He is in very poor health, is fact in not expected to live very long. We are sorry indeed that we were not able to visit Mr. Hinkle sooner, as his early recollections would make several columns of very interesting reading. If our quarantine is raised next week we shall visit him in person and hope to find him able to talk of his early days.

March 1, 1904

Not being able to visit the late Nebat Hinkle before his death by reason of quarantine, we have since received some interesting facts, but too late for last issue.

As before stated, he was born at Peoria, then a village no larger than Glasford is now, Oct. 26, 1826 and came to the wilds of Timber with his parents the following spring. There were no roads then and people going through the woods blazed their paths on trees so they could find their way back.

Mr. Hinkle lived on his father’s farm south of Lancaster until after his second marriage, his first wife dying there. From there he moved to the Ladd farm east of Lancaster, then to the Jerry Shade farm south of Lancaster and from there to his late residence in Orion township about twenty years ago.

He was not a great hunter like his father as he never really took but two hunts, but each time returning with a deer.

He was a great chopper and loved the ax better than the gun and made lots of ties for the T. P. & W. Railroad when first built through Glasford. He was an expert hatchet thrower and could stick it into a tree 20 feet away with the handle up every time.

He was a great reader, especially of the papers and was always ready for a joke or a laugh. He was also a great lover of games such as running and jumping and was the champion marble player of the country. Was also a very fast walker.

He used to make many a trip on horseback to the old Norman Smith mill at Utica carrying a sack of grain in front of him. In 1856 or ’57,  Mrs. Lee remembers going with her father to Bloomington to visit some relatives. The trip was not made in a few hours in a reclining chair car, but in an ox cart and consumed more than one day.

Mr. Hinkle was of a friendly and social disposition with his neighbors and made friends with the Indians.

He once found a broken rail in a cut west of Glasford and remained there and flagged the passenger train, for which service he was rewarded with a three year pass anywhere on the Wabash system.

Politically, Mr. Hinkle was a staunch republican.

In his religious views he was of the Methodist persuasion and was in early life a member of that church.

Little incidents frequently occurred that were amusing and indicated thoughtlessness, as while chopping he would throw his coat or scythe on a brush pile, and walking around to the other side, set fire to it and burn brush pile and whatever was on it. While performing about the last work he did in the timber, his axe came off the handle and fell into the creek. He said that was a sign that he ought to quit work.

Mr. Hinkle could have told the writer enough to have filled every one of the thirty six columns of this week’s paper, but we delayed our visit too long so we have given what we could get second handed of the first settler of Timber Township, who last week joined the silent majority and has gone to his reward.

 


 

P. A. KRATZER

 

Submitted by Joan Pearson

from Peoria, city and county, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress, and achievement , 1912

 


P. A. Kratzer, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Rosefield Township, has resided on his present farm since 1866. At that date he purchased sixty-three acres of land and later, at different times, added adjoining tracts of forty acres, seven acres, eleven acres, forty acres and eighty two acres, making in all two hundred and fifty-three acres that he now owns. He makes a specialty of raising grain and live stock. He has fifty acres in corn, forty acres in wheat, thirty acres in oats, seventeen acres in timothy, twelve acres in clover, and one hundred and forty acres in pasture land. He owns one registered imported Percheron stallion, weighting two thousand pounds, and has one hundred Duroc Jersey hogs, thirty head of cattle and twelve head of horses.

In 1889 Mr. Kratzer was united in marriage with Miss Katie Streider and they have become the parents of five children: Louis C., who is engaged in farming in Rosefield township; Lizzie, who died in November, 1907, at the age of seventeen years; and Philip, Walter and Ethel, all of whom are at home and are seventeen, fifteen and thirteen years respectively. In politics, Mr. Kratzer votes the republican ticket and he has served as road commissioner. He is greatly interested in the cause of education and has given efficient service as school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Both in raising grain and live stock Mr. Kratzer has had excellent success and he is now considered one of the substantial farmers of his township. He is thrifty and industrious and shows the most admirable traits of character in both business and social relations and, therefore, has the highest regard of all who know him.

 


WILLIAM FRANCIS KIMZEY; ELIZABETH PROCTOR KIMZEY

 
from the Glasford (IL) Gazette, 1904
Contributed by Dick Parr

Mrs. Elizabeth Kimsey

Elizabeth, daughter of Rubin and Sally Proctor, was born in Hamilton County, Ill., Dec. 13, 1830. Her parents came to parent came to Peoria County, Nov. 18, 1834 and settled on Section 16 in Logan township where Elizabeth grew to womanhood and married Wm. F. Kimzey. To this union were born eight children, five of whom are now living.

In answer to a list of questions sent out by the Gazette, Mrs. Kimzey says, “There were very few people living here when I came here with my parents. Several other families came up with us. Our nearest neighbor was three miles away. Our first hose was log. My father’s first post office was Peoria. There were no churches, meetings were held at private houses. The pastor was Rev. Thos. Lane. My first teacher was Aaron Cooper. The country was a wilderness and it was common occurrence for my father to shoot deer, wild turkey or wild hog for meat. I was fourteen years old before I saw Peoria. There were only a few houses between our home and Peoria.

 

Wm. Frances Kimzey

Son of Robert and Mary Kimzey was born in Livingston County, Ky., Oct. 15, 1823 and moved with his parents to Hamilton County arriving here July 15, 1825, where they lived fourteen years, coming to Peoria County, Nov. 17, 1839. They settled on Section 17 in Logan township, adjoining the section on which Rubin Proctor and family who also came from Hamilton, five years before, had settled.

April 9, 1848 he married Elizabeth Proctor to whom were born eight children as follows: John F. Kimzey, Eden; Mrs. Abigail Wilson, 2017 S. Adams St., Peoria; Henry L. Kimzey, Trivoli; Rubin P. Kimzey, Eden; George E. Kimzey, Lind, Wash.; Mrs. Jane Bupp, 240 Fishgate St., Peoria; William F. Kimzey, Jr., address unknown; and Alice Kimzey at home. Mr. Kimzey has always been engaged in farming and of late is giving considerable attention to bee culture.

The country has been frequently described at the time when the Kimzey and Proctor families settled. A wilderness, few log houses, plenty of wild game. Wm. And John Kimsey, Rubin Proctor and Hector McAlister were the nearest neighbors. No churches. Revs. Robt. Wrigley, Samuel Emory and Thos. Lane were the early preachers ands service were held at the houses. Mr. Kimzey first attended school in a building made of poles on Section 16 and John E. Cartermas one of the first teachers.

In speaking of Peoria, Mr. Kimzey says, “When I first came here, Peoria was a real small affair. The business part of town was on Water and Main Streets. A new brick court house had recently been built also a log jail. On the river band Cartermas & Griswood kept a grocery store and above that “Old Mother Slough” kept a small Hotel. On Water and Fulton Streets, Chas. Fischer, Jr. had a drug store. Also, on Water St. Sam and Frank Voris kept a dry good store. There were some smaller shops scattered around.

A post office was established where Trivoli now is at an early day and postage was 25 cents on each letter.

Mr. Kimzey was elected constable of Peoria County in the “50’s and served several years as path master and twenty one years as school director.

Now at the age of 81 and 74 years respectively. Mr. And Mrs. Kimzey are passing down the slope of time toward the sunset of life, known and respected by a large circle of friends and the Gazette hopes they may live many years yet to enjoy the comfort of their labors of the years gone by.

 


 

 

 

  ELEANOR BAILY LA PORTE
 

by Rose Moss Scott
Illinois state history : Daughters of the American Revolution, Danville, Ill.: Illinois Print. Co., c1929, p. 377

Eleanor Bailey LaPorte was born in Princeville, Illinois, the daughter of Josiah Fiske Bailey and Jennie Irene Kilmer, who were married in 1874.  She was married to Chas. W. La Porte of Washington, D. C., in 1896 and they have two sons, Robert Bailey La Porte, born in 1899 and Bailey La Porte, born in 1906.

She was one of the organizers of Arcadia Avenue, Presbyterian church before her marriage and Sunday School teacher before and after marriage.

She was one of the sixteen charter members of the Amateur Musical Club of Peoria, 1907-1924.  President of North Peoria Women's Club, 1909-1911; member of Peoria Women's Club; member of its Board of Directors 1916-1919.  First leader of organized Drama class in the Club, 1911-1916; one of the organizers of Little Theatre Society in Peoria, 1919; president of it, 1920-1921; member of the Allied Arts Society since its organization; editor of the Sunday edition Art column of two local papers for two years for the Art Institute of Peoria, 1924-1927, and regent of Peoria Chapter D.A.R., 1922-1923.

Mrs. La Porte was a descendant of Josiah Fiske Bailey, Company B., Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry.  He enlisted at 18 years of age, served two years when he was mustered out as a corporal with honorable discharge.  Also a descendant of David Fiske, Sturbridge, Massachusetts, Revolutionary soldier.  On the paternal side she descends from Benjamin Church of Little Compton, Rhode Island, Colonel of Colonial forces in war with King Philip of Mount Hope, a famous Indian warrior whose forces preyed with devastating fury on the Colonial pioneers, likewise a descendant of Richard Warren, Plymouth, Massachusetts, grandfather of Benjamin Church.  Richard Warren was an emigrant on the Mayflower and a signer of the Mayflower Compact, a document which in historical importance ranks alongside the Declaration of Independence.


 

 

 

HOWARD MOODY



Howard Moody, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising, is a native resident of Rosefield township.  He was born May 13, 1866, the son of James M. and Ellen M. (Morris) Moody, the father born in Ireland in 1834 and the mother in Peoria county in 1843.  James M. Moody was brought to America in 1842 by his parents, John S. and Elizabeth Moody, who located in Rosefield township, where they purchased at first one hundred and sixty acres and later added to it eighty acres.  They both died there, the other in 1868 and the father in 1900.  In their family were three children, James, Thomas, and Mary Ann.


James M. Moody remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, when he rented a farm which he operated for twelve years and subsequently purchased eighty acres in Rosefield township, and added to this forty adjoining acres.  At the death of his father, John S. Moody, James M. Moody inherited one hundred and twenty acres of land and in 1900 he purchased forty acres adjoining it.  In the family of James M. and Ellen H. (Morris) Moody were nine children, as follows: Harry M. and Nellie, both of whom are deceased; Howard, of this review; Mary A., who is the wife of Walter J. Green, of North Creek, Ohio; Catherine E., the wife of Eugene C. Wrigley, of Peoria, Illinois; James H., who is engaged in the automobile business at Trivoli; Harry, deceased; Hugh H., who is engaged in the automobile business in Peoria; and Marcus H., who is a farmer in Rosefield township.

Howard Moody was reared and educated in Rosefield township and remained with his parents until 1892, when he established a home of his own.  From 1889 to 1900 he was engaged in the threshing business.  He purchased one hundred acres of his present farm in November, 1889, and in 1904 added to it forty acres and in 1906 another one hundred acres, so that he now owns in all two hundred and forty acres.  He engages in the cultivation of grain and also raises stock, making a specialty of horses.  He has nine registered stallions, two being Percheron and seven Standard bred.  He also has twenty-three head of brood mares and colts, seven Standard bred brood mares and six of the Percheron grade, and seven Standard bred colts and three of the gelding grade.

On the 16th of November, 1892, Mr. Moody wedded Miss Clara A. Beecher, who is a daughter of A. H. and Sally (Fisher) Beecher, of Logan township.  Mr. and Mrs. Moody have became the parents of six children: Mandella H., who was born March 29, 1894, and who is studying with the International Correspondence School; Morris B., born December 1, 1896; Rilma I., born October 28, 1898; James R., born May 16, 1901; Leland M., born October 21, 1903; and Clarita E., born March 22, 1906.

Politically Mr. Moody gives his allegiance to the republican party.  He is a stanch friend of education and is rendering most efficient service as school trustee, being elected in 1910.  He is widely known in the community where he has spent many years of his life, is one of its substantial farmers and is much esteemed for his many splended qualities.  He is greatly interested in the welfare of Rosefield township and of Peoria county, and uses his influced in support of all measure of reform and progress.

 

from "Peoria City and County"

 


 

 

 

JAMES M. MOODY

Contributed by Joan Pearson

Moody, James M; Farmer; born in Leeds, England, May 3 1834; received a common school education. His parental grandparents, James and Margaret Moody, and his maternal grandparents, James and Elizabeth Metcalfe, were born in England. His parents, John S. and Ann (Metcalfe) Moody, came from Leeds to America, settling in Rosefield Twp., Peoria on Section 29 in 1842. They were members of the Methodist Church and died at the old homestead. James M. Moody enlisted in Company K. Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteers, September 3 1862, and was in the following battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Fort Gibson. Raymond. Champion Hills, Black River, Vicksburg and at the battle of Mansfield, where he was taken prisoner, being released after thirteen months and fourteen days. He was discharged June 25, 1865. Mr. Moody married Ellen H. Morris in Rosefield. April 26, 1860. They had nine children: Harry M., born April 26, 1861, died February 22, 1881: Nellie A., born April 10 1863, died October 24, 18634; Howard born May 12 1866; Mary A., born March 15, 1868; Katie E. born July 19, 1870; James H. born January 2, 1875; Hartley H., born March 7 1880; Harvey M. born March 9, 1882, died Aug 13, 1883; and Marcus H., born June 25, 1884. Mrs. Moody was born in Rosefield Twp., April 17, 1843, the daughter of Henry and Ann Morris. Her parents were born in England and came to Illinois in 1841, locating on Section 32. She died November 20 1892. Mr. Moody is a Methodist. In politics a Republican, and has held the office of Road Commissioner.


 

JOHN S. MOODY

 

Contributed by Joan Pearson

from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II , 1902

 

Moody John S. retired farmer, P. O. Rosefield, son of James and Peggy (Richardson) Moody, natives of England. Father died at the age of seventy six years, mother at the age of ninety-four, in England. Were the parents of eleven children, four of which are living. John S. was born in Yorkshire, England, December 26, 1809; came to the United States in 1842, and located on section 29, when the country was wild and the inhabitants scattering. Married Ann, daughter of James Metcalfe; she was born in England, Aug 23, 1810, died January 18, 1869, having borne four children: James M., Mary Ann, Thomas and Elizabeth, of which the two sons are living. The family are adherents of the M. E. Church. Mr. Moody has held several local offices.

 


 

GEORGE R. OJEMAN


from the Glasford (IL) Gazette, 1904
Contributed by Dick Parr

George the son of Roelf and Elizabeth Ojeman was born in Germany Oct. 13, 1830.

In 1849 being 19 years old George came to America to seek his fortune. The entire trip was made by water, across the ocean up the Mississippi, and Illinois Rivers to Peoria and settled on Section 16 in Limestone Township.

He was married to Miss Goetje Ahten who was just one day his senior being born Oct. 12, 1830. To them were born: Elizabeth, born Mar. 7, 1858; died Feb. 3, 1899. The other three are: Treintje C., now Mrs. John Heuermann; Hanna J., now Mrs. Evert Look; and Rolf G. who married Annie C. Menninga. All five live in Limestone on rural route out of Peoria.

The nearest neighbors of  Mr. and Mrs. Ojeman were: F. Campen, B. _ Bruniga, J. Farsnacht, Jas. __aton, U. Schuster, Looks, and Heuermans.

Peoria was the nearest post office and the nearest church was held in the ___ brick town house on the top of ___own’s Hill on the Smithville Road, Section 23; the pastor being Rev. ___pman.

The land in Limestone was mostly covered with timber here and there being a clearing and a log house.

The land sold from $5 to $20 an acre.

Mr. Ojeman bought 80 acres in 1857 for $1200. It had some improvements on it. Plenty of wild game, deer, etc., and some Indians.

Mr. Ojeman landed in Peoria, July 4, 1849/ Water St. was the business street of the town. No railroads. From Clark’s mill south was a large corn field.

They were celebrating the Fourth of July and young Ojeman did not know what it meant and probably thought he was getting right into a war.

Mr. Ojeman has been a farmer all his life, his only deviation being in a threshing machine and sorghum mill.

He was supervisor 3 years, commissioner of highways 6 years, collector 2 years, and town clerk 7 years. This record of eighteen years of official life in the township shows that he has always been one of the leading men, and held in high esteem. He was also one of the original founders of St. John’s German Lutheran Church of Limestone, and one of it’s trustees.

Mr. And Mrs. Ojeman, while unknown to the editor save by what he learns from others, are among the early settlers who have made a success of life, socially, religiously and financially and we trust they may live many years and enjoy their last span of life to the fullest extent possible.

 


 

 

 

HARRY BRUCE PINKERTON

Contributed by Anna Richards

Dunne
ILLINOIS,  Vol 3 p78
Peoria, Illinois

HARRY BRUCE PINKERTON, president of the Pinkerton motor Company of Peoria, is one of the pioneer automobile dealers in Illinois.  He entered the ranks of this business in 1910, when automobiles were still in a more or less experimental stage, certainly not more advanced than the airplane is today, and when there were very few improved highways in Illinois or anywhere else upon which a motor car could operate with safety and speed.

Mr. Pinkerton is an old timer of Peoria County, the home community where he was born and where he grew up and laid the foundation of his business career at Hanna City.  He was born December 30, 1870, son of Samuel W. and Eliza (McIntire) Pinkerton.  His father was a native of Ohio and came to Illinois when a small boy, in the 1840's, while the McIntire family arrived in Peoria County in 1836.  Samuel W. Pinkerton was a farmer and stock raiser in Peoria County.

Harry B. Pinkerton grew up on a farm, attended school at Hanna City, had the experience of farming routine for five years, but laid the foundation of his successful career as a general merchant at Hanna City.  He conducted a store there thirteen years and also for a short time was in business as a merchant in Nebraska.

Mr. Pinkerton was one of the organizers and for over twenty years has been president of the Hanna City State Bank, one of the very substantial institutions in the smaller towns of Peoria County.  However, since 1908 his energies have been chiefly directed to the automobile business as head of  the Pinkerton Motor Company, one of the largest as well as one of the oldest automobile sales organizations in Peoria.  Mr. Pinkerton has in every way been a leader among automobile men in the state.  He helped organize and served two years as the president of the Illinois Automobile Dealers Club, and has been president of the Peoria Automobile Club.  He has supported and backed many movements for the advancements and betterment of his City.  During the World War he did committee work in every Liberty Loan drive.  He is a member of the Creve Coeur Club, the North Shore Country Club, of which he was president in 1928, The Peoria Country Club, the University Club, and the Optimist Club.  Fraternally he is affiliated with Illinois Lodge No, 263, A. F. and A. M., is a Knight Templar and thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of Mohammed Temple of the mystic Shrine, belongs to the Eastern Star and the Royal order of Jesters.

Mr. Pinkerton married in 1893 Miss Mae Gertrude Rynerson, now deceased. in 1919 Esther Broyhill became his wife.  Mr. Pinkerton's four children are: Elmiara; Margaret, a graduate of the Emerson School of Oratory at Boston; Mae Gertrude, a graduate of St. Mary's School at Knoxville; and Mary.
 


 

 

 

REV. GEORGE BANGHART SLACK


from the Glasford (IL) Gazette, 1904
Contributed by Dick Parr

Geo. B. Slack, son of Joseph and Ann Banghart Slack, was born in Warren County, New Jersey, March, 22, 1833 where he grew to manhood. When eighteen years of age he be­gan a three years apprenticeship to the millers trade, which he followed until the autumn of 1880 when he began farming, which occupation he followed ten years.

Louisa Ann, daughter of Daniel and Rachael Wolf, was born in Straus bury, Pa., April 12, 1811 and grew to womanhood in Penn., N. J. and New York City. This young couple met as many have done before and since and with the assistance of Cupid and his little darts which had the same effect fifty years ago as now, a partnership was contracted to last through life, and on Aug. 28, 1853 at Columbia, N. J. the Rev. Isaac Van Sant, father of the late Dr. Van Sant, of Peoria, tied the nuptial knot that has stood the test of fifty year and is good for many more yet.

In 1859 Mr. and Mrs. Slack moved to Waterville, N. J. where they lived one year, moved in June 1860 to Hibblertown, Northampton Co., Pa.  In October same year they moved to Wayne Co., Pa. where they lived one year and then moved to Susquehanna, Pa. In March 1864 they moved to Illinois, locating 61/2 miles southeast of Canton where Mr. Slack ran a grist mill.  At this mill their oldest son George lost his right arm.

On August 1, 1880, they moved to Mapleton and as before stated Mr. Slack engaged in farming for ten years, discontinuing on account of his inability to do farm work. Most of the time since then he has been weaving carpets and rugs and raising bees.

Mr. Slack joined the M. E. Church at Columbia, N. J. Oct. 13, 1851, about two years before his marriage and Mrs. Slack joined at North Haverstraw during the winter of 1857. Mr. Slack was licensed as an exhort­er March 1, 1856 and as a local preacher, March 7, the next year, preaching his first sermon in the woods in the Delaware water grp on the N J. side of the river. Joined the Central Illinois Conference at  Onarga, in 1865, and was Kent to Timber circuit, which embraced Lancaster, Kingston, Union Chapel and Concord. At the conference held at Washington, Ill. in 1868 was discontinued at his own request but continued as a Local preacher and supplied Glasford charge the first year it was organized, 1887 to 1888. In church and Sunday school work, Mr. Slack has never been without some official position, having served as steward, recording steward, trus­t tee, class leader, superintendent and township vice-president.

In politics Mr. Slack is a republi­can and has served as Justice of the Peace 24 years, Notary Public 12 years, Supervisor of Hollis in 1885?1886, also Town Clerk. Mrs. Slack has always been a zealous worker in the church, Sunday school and kindred societies and has  been a great help to her companion during their fifty years of married life.

Nine children were born to this union, four of whom are dead, Wm. Estus, James Erwin, Cora Mabel and Mrs. Matvena Casleton. Five are living, Joseph F., Geo. M. , Thos. Berton, Mrs. Anna Houldsworth, Mrs. Emma Morton.

During Mr. Slack's fifty years of work as a minister he married 152 couples.  The first one being Henry Shoaf to Miss Ruhama Robbins on March 29, 1866 over 40 years ago. Mrs. Shoaf, who now lives in Peoria with about 25 other persons whom Mr. Slack married, were present to help celebrate the "Golden Jubilee" (50th Wedding Anniversary).

Glasford Gazette, Glasford, Peoria County, Il  September 3, 1908

 


 

WILHELMINA SONNEMAKER


from the Glasford (IL) Gazette, 1904
Contributed by Dick Parr

Wilhelmina Herre was born July 30th, 1836 in the village of Dorchen, Germany, and with her mother and father and four sisters came to this country in 1850 and settled in Chicago in June, being five weeks on the sea in a sailing vessel. They were in two hard storms on the sea, when the ship was like a toy, the storm was so great. In 1855 she was married to Henry Sonnemaker. They lived on a farm in Will County near Frankfort Station two years then sold and moved to Yates City in 1857 and 1858 they moved to Farmington and in 1859 moved on the Illinois River bottom in the old log house on Theodore Lightbody’s place, known as the old Harmon place. From there they moved up Dry Run to John Saylor’s farm and from there to Yocum Place on the river bank above Kingston Mines where Henry Sonnemaker was engaged in fishing. From there they moved to a Cabin boat where they lived two years then moved to Kingston Mines where Mr. Sonnemaker dug coal for 8 years.

In 1864 Henry enlisted in the Civil War and was 11 months in the service. In 1871 on the first day of August they moved on the farm where Mrs. Sonnemaker still lives.

To this union ten children were born, four of whom are living two boys and two girls, Frank and George  and Mrs. Christina Shirk and Mrs. Minnie Slone. Six children died when small, two girls and four boys. The girls names were Anna and Mollie and the boys, Albert, George, William and John. Henry Sonnemaker died March 17th, 1881. After his death hardships were plentiful which few could have endured until the last few years which have afforded more happiness. Mrs. Sonnemaker is stout and spry for her age and does not show her trials and troubles in her looks. She has had no end to sickness in her family and has been at the very door of death several times when it looked as if there was no help for her but she pulled through and is now enjoying good health at this writing.

Mrs. Sonnemaker can read and write German and read English print. She went to the German school 8 years to the same teacher, Henry Agers in Germany. She never went to an English school, but she learned herself to read and she reads the Glasford Gazette every week from beginning to the end and enjoys it very much. She has lived in Peoria Co. forty eight years and about as nearly as all over as one could in all that length of time. When she first came to Chicago, the city was about as large as Pekin is now. There was no railroad running to Peoria then. People traveled on the river canal packets. Farmers all drove cattle then in the place of horses and timber land was plentiful with lots of game of all kinds. She has been with her husband many times only a little ways from their house on the bank of the river and caught wild turkeys. Ducks would swim in shooting distance of their home.

The first time she came to Peoria all the business houses, such as Dry Goods and Groceries were all on Water St. There were no stores up the Main St. part of town where all the stores are now.

Mrs. Sonnemaker is now making her home with her daughter Mrs. Oscar Sloan, of Glasford.

 


 

 

 

THE VICKERS SISTERS:

MRS. JOANNA (STEPHEN) JACKSON

MRS. MARY (HENRY) COULTIS

 

from the Glasford (IL) Gazette, 1904
Contributed by Dick Parr

On Nov. 11, 1790 in England and on Sep 15, 1794 in Pennsylvania occurred two births of great importance to the settlement and development of Timber Township. The causes which came into existence on these dates are even today one hundred and fourteen years after, still producing their effects.

On the first date mentioned, Thos. Vickers, and the latter date, Nancy Eggman were born into the world. It is not the purpose of this article to record their early life and how Mr. Vickers came across the ocean and after growing to manhood, met and married Miss Eggman, but sufficient to say as husband and wife with one son, Isaac, they came from Ohio to Illinois in 1830 and settled in Timber Township, on the SW ¼ of Sec. 11
And about one year later, on Apr. 5, 1831 the third child Mary, was born.  Dec 20, 1832, the second daughter, Joanna, now Mrs. Stephen Jackson, was born. Mary married Henry Coultis. Pause for a moment and think of what would be the effects if all the labor and influence of the Coultis and Jackson families for the past seventy years and over, were obliterated from the history and settlement of Timber Township, and you will form some idea of the importance attaching the two births in Pa. And England over one hundred years ago.

We gave the biography of the late Nebat Hinkle as the first settler in the township, living at the time we began to write, Next, that of Mr. Branson as the oldest resident in the township in point of age. Mrs. Coultis is entitled to third place as the first resident of the township now living. Born in 1831 she of course became a resident at the same time and if there is another person living, who lived here before 1831, we are unable to locate them. We have the biography of about twenty five of the oldest settlers, but all are of later date that 1831.

Mrs. Joanna Jackson being a little over a year younger than her sister, Mary, is today the second oldest person in the township in point of residence, and the experiences of the two sisters were practically the same we will give them both together.

When girls, Mary and Joanna did not put in as much time as girls do now, making fine silk dresses or tailoring suits, but taking the wool from sheep’s backs (and there’s no doubt but they helped their father in the shearing) they spun it into yarn, and on the old hand loom wove not only the linsey for their on dresses, but jeans etc. for the men. Their nearest neighbors were Wm. Scott, three fourths of a mile and Wm. Duffield one mile away.

The nearest post office was Peoria and then Lancaster, and no doubt months passed in which many early families did not get a single piece of mail. If farmers now do not get one or more daily papers, several letters and the Gazette twice a week they think the mail service is poor.

The first church where the girls attended was three or four miles away and many times was this round trip made by foot. Before the church was built (and there wasn’t any bell, spire or art glass windows init) services were held at the houses.

As school girls, Mary and Joanna attended the  Dry Run College. We do not like to describe this magnificent log structure with its greased paper windows, split log seats and puncheon floors, for the reason that there area some who say that such a school house was good enough for our parents and grandparents and our present school house is so far ahead of the old time ones, that it ought to be good enough for two or three generations to come.

Their first teacher, according to Mrs. Jackson’s recollections, was Samuel Farmer. Daniel Farmer and Isaac Heaton were also their early teachers. About three months each winter was the extent of the schooling that the early settlers got.

Timber township was almost a wilderness, with but few acres in cultivation and few wagon roads, only foot paths. Deer, turkey and all kinds of wild game were plentiful and Mrs. Coultis tells us that Mr. Wm. Duffield killed many deer, tanned the hides and made moccasins and buck skin trousers and supplied the table with meat.

Peoria was no larger than Glasford within the recollections of these two citizens.

To write all the events in the lives of these girls would require more space than we have at our command so we pass from their school days to their marriage.

Mary married Henry Coultis and to this union were born three children, one of whom is dead. Those living are, Mrs. Josephine Watson, Glasford, and Oscar Coultis, Glasford.

In the fall of 1857, Mr. Coultis died and the widow with the two children went to live with her parents, Mr. And Mrs. Vickers. Her father died in Jan. 1866 and her mother in 1867; they remained there and kept house for her brother, Isaac who never married, until his death a few years ago, since which time she has lived alone most of the time, she is still enjoying pretty good health and the Gazette hopes she may live to see as much improvement in the country in the future as she has seen in the past.

Joanna E. Vickers married Stephen H. Jackson and to this union were born eight children, one of whom is dead. The names are: Wm. I. Jackson; Mrs. Lawrence (Ida E.) Peters, Trivoli; Mrs. Chas. (Florence M.) Scarcliff; Mrs. Sherman (Mary C.) Northrup; Mrs. Dell (Nancy M.) Beckwith, Glasford; Mrs. Lucretia Lightbody, Iola, Wis.; and Isaac N. Jackson, Monterey.

Mr. And Mrs. Jackson still live north west of town and are still in a fair way live many years yet.
 


 

 

 

W. V. WATSON


from the Glasford (IL) Gazette, 1904
Contributed by Dick Parr

It is our intention in writing up old settlers to give the history of the late Nebat Hinkle first, he being the oldest person in point of residence in the township, this to be followed with Uncle Tommy Branson then to continue down to the present date taking the settlers in order with reference to the year of their settling in this township. We are not ready this week with Mr. Branson’s write up and as Mr. Watson, after along and useful life among us has taken his departure to California, it seems appropriate to break the intended order and give his write up now.

William V. Watson was the son of William S. and Kizziah Watson and was born in Logan Township, Peoria County, Illinois, June 20, 1847, and grew up on his father’s farm near Smithville.

The nearest neighbors of the family, as Mr. Watson remembered them were Betsy Jones, John D. Smith, the latter generally knows as “Pork Bob Smith” from the fact that his wife’s maiden name was Hogg.

The country around Smithville was a wild prairie with some scrubby timber and hazel brush extending a mile or so north of the Timber Township line. Timber township was covered large heavy timber with here and there a small cleared field and log cabin. Deer, turkey and other wild game was plentiful.

Their first post office was Smithville and the mail was brought from Peoria. Their nearest church was Harmony Church half a mile north and a little east of where Saylor school house now stands. John I. Clark was Mr. Watson’s first teacher. About the first Mr. Watson remembers is a small field of flax where his father was cutting flax with a hand sickle. It was carried to the creek where it was allowed to lay in the water until the fiber was loosened, then spread on the ground to dry, then put through a hand break where the woody particles are broken up. The scutching block and knife, both wood, were both used then the hackle, a wooden paddle with a lot of sharp nails in it. This removed the broken woody fiber and left the flax ready for the spinning wheel. His mother spun it into thread, then wove it into cloth, from which clothing was made. The boys thought the tow was an important part as it made excellent wads for pop guns. The boys became very proficient in the manufacture of pop guns and a hard tow wad would make a hog squeal six or eight feet away and the gun would make a loud report.

Mr. Watson remembers going to Peoria in 1853 (being 6 years old) with his father. They went into a log store on Water St. and got some striped candy, the first he had ever seen and my! how he did relish it.

If the children in those days got a nickles worth of candy two or three times a year they were in luck and the envy of their less fortunate playmates.

Mr. Watson enlisted in the war of the rebellion when seventeen years old in the 151 Reg, Ill., Inf. And served one year. The picture shown was taken in Columbus, Ga., about two years before Mr. Watson came to Glasford and shows him as the people here first saw him.

Soon after returning from the was or on April 6, 1868 he came to Glasford to work in W. H. Davis’ saw mill. The mill was moved from the river bottom about a mile west of Lancaster Landing to Glasford. It was know as the Ladd’s Mill. It was ready to run in May 1868 and run continuously to Aug. 7,  1890, twenty two  years. Mr. Watson began as a roustabout and two years wheeled sawdust, chopped slabs, etc. For twenty years he was head sawyer, engineer and foreman.

On Dec. 29, 1869 he was married to Hattie McQuown, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. J. C. McQuown, both of whom have passed away since the writer came to Glasford. Mr. And Mrs. have never had any children (except Gyp, the dog).

In 1888 having leased the mill, he put in a small stock of pine lumber which was gradually increased until he had a full and complete stock.

Later he added grain to his business and thousands of bushels were handled and hundreds of carloads of lumber sold.

In 1898 he retired from business having leased the yards to Colvin & Peters.

Since retiring from active business, Mr. Watson has by no means been idle, but has been dealing in real estate and building houses. First he bought the Saylor farm of 40 acres inside the corporation and built the finest and most modern house in Glasford. Then he bought the Thompson farm and put new fence all around it, then the Duffield 60 north of town. Next he bought some valuable property in Peoria and thoroughly remodeled the house.

Recently sold all his property except one house and lot occupied by U. M. Bogard and the lumber yard property. With the sale of their household goods, Mr. And Mrs. Watson are footloose to roam at will and he is going to stay in the west until he is ready to come back.

It is safe to say that in many respects Glasford owes more to Mr. Watson than any other citizen who has ever lived here. Being in the saw mill business in early days, he sawed the framework for many of earlier built houses and later furnished the pine lumber for many more, besides working on some in earlier days and putting money into others later, so that there are few houses in Glasford today that Mr. Watson has not had some interest in either directly or indirectly, in the way of his own labor, material or money.

Mr. Watson was always foremost in any enterprise for the benefit of the town. He was the leading spirit in the erection of the Woodman Hall and was a liberal subscriber to the stock as well as a large donation. He was member of the Masons and G.A.R., having held the office of Commander of Timber Post.

In politics he was a stalwart republican, but not a politician, never aspiring to office, however he has served as town clerk and could have been elected supervisor.

While no one begrudges him the rest and pleasure he will get out of his western trips, we hate to see him go. Glasford cannot afford to lose such citizens, and we hope they enjoy their trip and return to settle down and spend the remainder of their days in Glasford.

Mr. And Mrs. Watson left Peoria Saturday at 8 o’clock via the Santa Fe from Galesburg and their address will be Redlands, Cal. until further notice.

 


 


THOMAS E. PATTON.

The present prosperity of Logan Township is traceable, in a large measure, to the efforts  of the pioneers, who   came here in the latter '40s, and with well trained muscles and intelligent management, tilled the undeveloped land, and put in the seed with its prophecy of autumnal reward.  From a small beginning, and with crude implements, these men from the East fostered a paternal interest in the latent resources of their surroundings, and planted and garnered with increasing largeness, as the experience of years laid bare the peculiarities of climate and soil. Through all these years Mr. Patton has labored faithfully and well, and his neighborhood knows no more enthusiastic advocate of Illinois as an agricultural region. He was born in Adams County, Ohio, August 14, 1822, and comes honestly by his special aptitude for farming, for his parents, Thomas and Jane (Glasgow) Patton, who were born in Virginia, spent the greater part of their lives on a farm. The younger Thomas became, while still young, a valuable assistant to his father, and during the summer months worked early and late, the small leisure permitted during the winter season being devoted to attendance at the old log school house down back of his father's orchard, on George's Creek.  October 4, 1844, he married Martha A. Finley, who was born in Adams County, Ohio, January 22, 1823, and three years later, in 1847 removed from the familiar surroundings of his youth to Logan Township, Illinois, of which he is still one of the honored and also one of the most venerable members of the community. Politically he is a Prohibitionist, but has never allied, himself with the official undertaking of his locality. With his wife and family he is associated with the United Presbyterian Church.

To Mr. and Mrs. Patton have been born the following children: Robert M., born June 27, 1845; Haddasah J., born in September, 1846; Thomas C., born March 14, 1850; William A. born June 22, 1852; John T., born April 4, 1854; James R., born February 1, 1856, and died January 26, 1858; Martin L., born November 8, 1857, and died May 29, 1860; and Ralph A., born January 12, 1867.   Ralph A. Patton has charge of the old homestead, and is making a success of stock-raising and general farming. October 12, 1892, he married Jessie Bariga, who was born in Minonk, Woodford County, Illinois, June 7, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph A. Patton are the parents of three children:  Martha, who was born November 15, 1893; Lester T., born May 30, 1895; and J. Herrell, born March 24, 1897.



BLANDIN, ALANSON J.; Farmer; born in Toronto, Canada, July o, 1850; is a son of Willard and Mary (Gamble) Blandin, natives, respectively, of Boston Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Simeon Blandin, born in Boston, married Sarah Pierce, a native of Smithfield, Massachusetts.  His mother was a daughter of Moses Gamble, an Irishman by birth. Mr. Blandin came from Canada in 1871 and settled at Harker's Corners. Timber Township, where he owned a farm, which he sold in 1880 in order to buy his present homestead. He married Florence Smardon, who bore him two daughters: Bertha Sophia, who is a student at the Young Ladies' Seminary at Aurora, and Ida Beatrice, who is completing her education at Bradley Polytechnic Institute, Peoria. He was again married at Harker's Corners April 4, 1889, to Sarah M. Parr, born August 14, 1860, and who has borne him two children—Myrtle Marie, born October 30, 1895, and Ernest Wilber, born October 31, 1899. Mr. Blandin is a Methodist and a Republican.



BROOKS, WILLIAM A. (deceased) ; Farmer; born in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, May 8, 1821, was a son of William Brooks, born in York County, Pennsylvania, and Elizabeth Irvin Brooks, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland.  His grandfather was Samuel Brooks, whose children were Samuel, Joseph, John, Sally, Betsy and Peggy.  William A. Brooks was a blacksmith. He came to Logan Township in 1846 with one hundred dollars in his pocket, with which he purchased forty acres of land, where he settled and where his widow now resides.  He worked at his trade and cultivated his land and with his savings bought land. At his death he owned two hundred and sixty acres. He married Rosanna F. McCullough November 29, 1848, in Logan Township.  She was born July 15, 1830, the daughter of John and Martha (Glasgow) McCullough. Eleven children were born of this marriage: John I., born April 15, 1850; William H., born August 30, 1851; Robert W., born April 1, 1853;  Martha J., born February 28, 1835; James A., born January 31. 1857; Elizabeth I., born November 11, 1858; Samuel E., born June 14, 1861, died May 26, 1875 ; Rosa P., born February 18, l864; Thomas W., born March 4, 1868; Charles W., born January 6, 1871, died December 30, 1808.  Mr. and Mrs. Brooks were strong supporters of the Presbyterian Church, and he was superintendent of the Sunday-school for years. He was a Whig until the breaking up of the Whig party, when he became a Republican, and later a Prohibitionist. For many years he was president of the local district Sunday-school Association. His death occurred April 23, 1896.



COONE, BATHENA.; (Physician; Hanna City; born in Galva, Illinois, in 1860, the daughter of George and Jane (Yinger) Coone.  Her father was born in Dover, Dutchess County, New York, and her mother in Virginia; both died in 1901.  Her grandparents on the paternal side were John and Bathena (Wilcox) Coone, the former born in Oneida County, New York, and the latter in Clare, St. Lawrence County, in the same State.  Her maternal grandparents were Casper and Winifred (Boxwell) Yinger, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of
Virginia.  The children of George and Jane Coone were: Bathena; Henrietta M., a teacher in Chicago; Emma, deceased; Walter S.; and Winifred, deceased.  Walter S. married Eva Chamblin and lives in Hanna City: they have four children: Bessie, Hazel, Clifford and Russell. Winifred married Stephen Rynearson and left two children, Sidney and Oren. Dr. Coone graduated from the Elmwood High School in 1879. Subsequently she attended the Woman's Medical College of Chicago, from which she graduated in 1894. After practicing medicine in the city of Peoria two years, she removed to Hanna City in 1897, where she has since enjoyed a successful practice. Dr. Coone is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.



COTTINGHAM, IRA D.; Farmer and Fine Stock Grower; born on Silver Ridge Farm, Logan Township, June 4, 1869, the son of Jeremiah B. and Nancy E. Cottingham. The father was born in Hamilton County, Illinois, and the mother in Logan Township. The paternal grandfather was Thomas V. Cottingham. The maternal grandparents were Robert B. Kimzey, born February 22, 1787, in North Carolina' and Mary (Lloyd) Kimzey, born in Tennessee September 10, 1802. Robert Kimzey lived to the age of one hundred and one years.  Thomas Cottingham was, for many years, a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Jeremiah B. Cottingham was prominent as a breeder of thoroughbred stock, and a pioneer breeder of Poland China hogs. He was twice married. The first wife was Nancy E. Kimzey, by whom he had two children: Ira D., and Anna M. The latter mar- ried Albert Morris and lives at Monmouth. They have two children: Nancy and Carman. Mr. Cottingham's second wife was Louisa Kline, now a widow, residing with her daughter, Elvira, in Peoria. Ira D. Cottingham is proprietor of the Silver Ridge Farm and is prominent among the breeders of fine stock in the State. He raises shorthorn cattle, Poland China bogs and high bred poultry. At the January (1899) poultry show in Peoria, he received twelve first and four second premiums on his exhibits. Mr. Cottingham married Elizabeth Morris at Eden. Peoria
County, December 22. 1892.  They have three children: Elsie, born November 15, 1893; Lloyd, born October 21, 1894; and Erma, born October 15, 1896. Mr. Cottingham graduated from Peoria (now Brown's) Business College in 1886. He is President of the Peoria County Farmers' Institute, and a member of the Poultry Association of Peoria County. He is Superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, of which church he and his wife are members.



CROWE, DAVIS; Contractor and Builder; Smithville; born in Peoria County February 17, 1861; is a grandson of James Crowe, who married a Miss Jones and a son of Davis Crowe, natives of Ohio. The latter married Eliza Stratton, daughter of James Stratton, of Irish descent, who married a Miss West. The subject of this sketch was graduated in the literary course and in architecture and drawing at Anaheim College, California, in 1881, and was a teacher of drawing and architecture at Sacramento, Truckee, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Green Valley, Montrose, Grand Junction, Dennison, Butte City, Pueblo and Denver, successively. He is now an enterprising contractor and builder at Smithville, is treasurer of the Smithville Telephone Company, and is known as an influential Democrat.  He married Maggie Downing, at Pekin, October 18, 1809. His maternal grandfather, James Stratton, was born in 1833 and brought by his father, William Stratton, to Peoria County about 1836; his grandfather, Davis Crowe, Sr., came in 1838.



DENTON, CHRISTOPHER R.; Farmer; born in Yorkshire, England, in 1828, is the son of Isaac and Harriet Wilkinson, both natives of England. The father was born in the city of London and Christopher R. Denton came to America when eighteen years of age and spent two years in New York. In 1849 he came to the city of Peoria, where he was employed twelve years as a machinist. He left this business on account of his health, and located on a farm in the northwest quarter of Section 13 in Logan Township, where he has since resided, and which he now owns. He married Alice B. Entwistle at Bronxdale, New York, in 1852.  She was born at Bolton, England, in 1836. They have nine children living: Mary A. Melvin, living at Piper City; Juliette P. Valz, of St. Louis; James G., an engineer at Rankin, Illinois; Martha Ann Pinkerton, in Nebraska; William E., of St. Louis; Gertrude Carrie Haefner, of Donaldson, Iowa; Nellie K. Taylor, of Montana. Mr. Denton is a member of the Presbyterian Church and in politics, a Republican.



DOUBET, PETER; Farmer; born in Kickapoo Township July 20, 1855; son of Joseph and Mary Ann Doubet, natives, respectively, of France and of Ohio. His grandfathers, Joseph F. Doubet and Nicholas Marie, were both born in France.  Educated in Limestone Township, Peter Doubet was brought up a farmer, and is the owner of two hundred and ninety acres of good land. He is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. He married in Kickapoo Township, in 1879, Maggie Hanlon, who was born March 6, 1863. and who has borne him
children, as follows: Mary, born January 16, 1881; Peter E., February 19, 1883; William H., June 10, 1885; Clarence E., May 2, 1887; David L., August 24, 1890; Arthur L., June 28, 1891; Maggie M., April 18, 1804; Carrie M., May 29, 1896: and Bertha F., May 24, 1898.



FORBES, THOMAS; Farmer; born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, May 3, 1830, is the son of William and Susan Graham Forbes, natives of Ireland.  The grandfather, Thomas Forbes, was also a native of Ireland. William Forbes brought his family to Smithville, Peoria County, in 1837, where he entered land and resided till his death in 1875. Mrs. Forbes died in 1885. In 1856 Thomas Forbes bought forty acres of land, to which he subsequently added one hundred and twenty acres.  In 1890 he moved to Hanna City, where he resides, but still retains eighty acres of farm land.  August 9, 1862, he enlisted in the Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served three years. He was at the battles of Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Arkansas Post, Black River Bridge, Champion Hills, Jackson and Sabine Cross Roads.  He was taken prisoner at the last named place and held thirteen months and nineteen days.  He was discharged in June, 1865.   He married Catherine Cox, in Timber Township, May 1, 1856. They have five children: Louila, wife of John Foster, resides at Monmouth; Susan, wife of John Stewart, of Smithville; Ida M., wife of Glasgow Patton, of Lenox, Iowa; Charles T. married Nora Smith and lives at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa: Fannie E., wife of Elijah M. Patton, of Clearfield, Iowa. Mr. Forbes' life occupation has been that of a farmer. In politics he is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian. Church. Mr. Forbes served two terms as Town Collector, and has been Treasurer of the Board of Highway Commissioners. He is a member of A. J. Smith Post, No. 779. G. A. R., Hanna City.



HERRELL, DAVID H.; Physician and Surgeon; Hanna City; is the son of Wiley Herrell and. Sarah (Tones) Herrell.  The father was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, and the mother in Callaway County, Kentucky. The paternal grandfather was William Herrell, of South Carolina.  The maternal great-grandfather was, Charles Jones, who was killed by Tarleton's Cavalry in the Revolution; the grandfather, William Jones, married Sarah Martindale. Both were natives of South Carolina. The father of Sarah Martindale served seven years in the Revolutionary Army and lived to be one hundred years and ten months old. Dr. Herrell remembers having seen him. Dr. Herrell was born on a farm in Chili Township, Miami County, Indiana, July 16, 1844. He came to Fulton County, Illinois in 1854 where he remained till the outbreak of the Rebellion. In 1862 he enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Infantry, serving three years, when, returning to Fulton County, he began reading medicine with Dr. Thomas Scott, an old physician, with whom he remained two years. In 1868 he went to Smithville and practiced medicine there till 1877. At that date he went to Chicago and took a course in Rush Medical College, passed examination before the State Board of Health and received license to practice medicine and surgery in the State of Illinois.  Returning to Smithville, he remained three years, but, in 1881, he moved to Hanna City, where he has since had the principal practice. He married Paulina Duncan, in Fulton County, October 17, 1868. Of this marriage have been born three children, only one of whom is living—Maud, the widow of Harry Gilyeat, now residing with her father. In 1881,  Dr. Herrell married Mary L. Norwood, who died May 21, 1890. In politics Dr. Herrell is a Prohibitionist; is a member and Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Hanna City.



HOWARD, THEODORE E.; Teacher; born in Peoria County August 5, 1867, son of Robert A. and Amanda C. (Hootman) Howard. The father was born in Westville, Ohio, and the mother in Peoria County. She is the  daughter of Samuel Hootman, born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and Lydia (Fuller) Hootman, born in Coshocton County, Ohio. The maternal grandfather was Henry Hootman, of Pennsylvania.  The children of Robert and Amanda Howard are: D. A., born in 1869; Theodore E., born in 1867; Silas J., born in 1871; Seth, born in 1874; Frank, born in 1876, and died in 1894; J. W., born in 1878; Joseph, born in 1881; George, born in 1885; and Samuel, born in 1887. Theodore E. Howard, after finishing in the common schools, took one term at the Western Normal, at Bushnell, and has been a professional teacher for eleven years. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican, has been Township Clerk two years and was Census Enumerator for North Limestone Township in 1900.



KIMZEY, ROBERT B., was born in North Carolina February 22, 1787, the third of seventeen children. He went with his parents from North Carolina to South Carolina, thence to Georgia, later to the Louisiana Purchase (now in the State of Missouri), where New Madrid stands. After living there some time, a part of the family, including Robert, moved to Livingston County, Kentucky where, on August 25, 1820, he was married to Mary Lloyd, who was born in Tennessee September 10, 1802, and died March 14. 1872. Robert B. Kimzey was a cooper and shoemaker by trade; also farmed quite extensively.  He came to Hamilton County, Illinois, July 25, 1825, and in 1839, with his family, removed to Peoria County.   It required about two weeks to travel the distance of two hundred and fifty miles. Eight log houses were the only habitations in the neighborhood at that date. "Uncle Bobby," as he was familiarly called, died at the home of his son, William F. Kimzey, August 31, 1881, aged one hundred and one years.  Twelve children were born to this couple, all of whom lived to be men and women grown and married. The eldest son was William F. Kimzey, born in Kentucky October 15, 1823. He was a farmer and married Elizabeth Proctor April 9, 1848. who was born in Hamilton County, Illinois, December 13, 1830, and came to Peoria County in 1834. She was the daughter of Reuben and Sally (Mathis) Proctor, who were born in Kentucky April 9, 1796 and February 8, 1806, respectively. They were married September 27, 1821.  To this union fifteen children were born, ten of whom are living. William F. Kimzey and wife have been the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are now living. They are, respectively. John P., born May 30, 1849; Abigail, born March 12, 1851 ; Henry L., born April 22, 1833: Reuben P., born March 11, 1855; Mary, born July 15, 1857; Sarah, born September 5, l859; Jane, born October 6, 186l ; George E., born January 13, 1864; Alice, born August 11, 1868; and William E., born August 13, 1873. Three of the daughters are now dead: An infant daughter, two weeks old, died February 5, 1872; Sarah died November 18, 1874, and Mary, June 6, 1900.   Reuben, the third son, is also a tiller of the soil. He was married December 12, 1888, to Mary C. Doll, daughter of Matthew and Sarah Ann (Coleman) Doll. Three children have been born to Robert B. Kimzey and wife, all of whom are living.  Edith Pearl, born September  28, 1889;  Minnie Frances, born April 23, 1891; Lester Dewey, born July 5, 1808.   Their mother entered into rest February 6, 1901.   Mr. Michael Coleman was born in Medina County, Ohio, May 27, 1817, and married Susannah Strayer, who was born in the same county, July 13, 1822. They were the parents of ten children, four of whom are living. Mrs. Sarah Ann Doll was one of their daughters, born in Stephenson County, Illinois, September 15, 1850, and married to Matthew Doll August 14, l868. Seven children were born to them, four of whom are living. Mr. Matthew Doll was born in Landau, Germany, October 4, 1842; his father was John Doll, who married Elizabeth Keefer.



McCULLOUGH, WILLIAM  STEELE; Farmer; born in Adams County, Ohio, September 26, 1835, is the son of John and Martha (Glasgow) McCullough. The father was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, in 1804, and died in Logan Township in 1874. The mother was born in, Adams County, Ohio, in 1810, and died in Logan Township in 1872. The great-grandfather was Thomas McCullough, of Rockbridge County, Virginia. The grandfather, also named Thomas, was born in the same county. He married a Miss McClurg. The maternal grandfather was Robert Glasgow. John McCullough settled on Section 4, in Logan Township, in 1847, and resided there till his death. At the organization of the township, in 1852, he was elected Highway Commissioner. He had a farm of one hundred and forty acres. He and his wife were members of the Associate Reformed Church until it was merged into the United Presbyterian Church, when they became members of the latter. He was an elder in Bethel Church near Hanna City. William Steele McCullough married Margaret A. Stewart in Peoria County December 15, 1858. She was born in June, 1838, in Rush County, Indiana. Four children were born of this marriage, two of whom are living: Martha J. Francis, and Melvin G., both residents of Logan Township.  Mr. McCullough is a farmer and stock raiser. He held the office of Justice of the Peace sixteen years consecutively.  He is President of the Rosefield Farmers' Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company. His education was that incident to the time and environment of his youth, but he has been a constant reader and keeps up with current thought.



McILREE, SAMUEL S.; Farmer; born in Logan Township, Peoria County, June 14, 1854. He is a son of Archibald McIlree, a native of Ireland, and Jane Salisbury, a native of New York. After settling in Logan Township, Archibald McIlree became a large land-holder and a man of influence.  He lived to be eighty-five years old, dying June 12, 1885.  He and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian church at Smithville, of which they were stanch supporters. Samuel S. McIlree married Mary Cornelia Partridge at Elmwood, July 3, 1883. She was born December 14, 1858. They have three children: Lulu P., born February 3, 1885; Jennie L., born January 24, 1887; and Franklin E., born April 3, 1888. Mr. McIlree owns a farm of one hundred and fifty-eight acres on Sections 15 and 22 and 32. He was educated at Smithville. In politics, he is a Republican. He has been Collector of Logan Township two terms, collecting taxes in 1891 to the amount of $11,687.53, and in 1899, $10,860.55.



MOORE, ARTHUR; Contractor and Builder; born in Elmwood, Peoria County, October 13, 1860, is a son of Thomas A. and Cynthia Ann (Jones) Moore.   His father was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1812, and died March 17, 1889.  His mother was a daughter of Jacob Jones, a native of Connecticut, and was born at Catskill. New York. Thomas J. Jones came from Massachusetts by wagon and located at Farmington, Fulton County, Illinois, in 1836, was a pioneer in Illinois and is remembered as a man of much education, a practicing physician, a surveyor, an astronomer and a teacher of penmanship. He surveyed the first roads from Peoria to Elmwood, Logan and Trivoli Townships, calculated eclipses and lectured on astronomy throughout Illinois, Iowa and Michigan. Jacob Jones came to Peoria with his family in 1836 and became the owner of four hundred acres of land in Rosefield and Elmwood Townships.  His daughter bore her husband, Thomas J. Moore, seven children: Cecilia P., Helen, Herschel, Juliette, Byron, Monroe and Arthur. The latter was educated in the public school and at Brown's Orchard City Business College, Burlington. Iowa, graduating in 1881. He married Ida Hildebrand, at Peoria, July 10, 1890. and they have three children:  Chester, born November 3, 1892; Raymond, born April
27, 1894, and Fern, born February 9, 1896. Mrs. Moore was born September A. 1871. Mr. Moore is a Republican and influential in local affairs.



MORTON, ANDREW; Mine Manager; was born in St. Clair County, Illinois, July 9, 186l.  His grandfathers, John Morton and Peter Drysdale, and his parents,  James and Joan (Drysdale) Morton, were born in Scotland. James Morton came to America in 1856 and settled in Pekin, Tazewell County.  He was a coal-miner. His death occurred in 1885. Andrew Morton married Emma L. Slack at Mapleton, Illinois, July 30, 1884.  She is the daughter of George B. and Louisa Wolf Slack; her father, a native of New Jersey, formerly a Methodist preacher, is now a millwright; her mother was horn in Pennsylvania; the parents now reside in Mapleton.  The children of Mr. and Mrs. Morton are Jennie, Annabel, Jessie, Mary, Cora, and George. Mr. Morton was educated in Pekin.



PARR, JAMES A.; Farmer: born January 17, 1857, on the farm on which he now resides in the southeast part of Logan Township; is a son of Joseph and Sarah M. (Stewart) Parr, who were married January 30, 1854. The father was born in County Cavan, Ireland, March 17, 1830, and died, April 12, 1893; the mother, born in Argyle, New York, December 14, 1827, died in May, 1893.  The grandparents on the paternal side were Andrew and Annis Parr, natives of Ireland. Those on the mother's side were James and Elizabeth (McCoy) Stewart, the latter born in September, 1786. Andrew Parr and his family settled in Timber Township in 1839, where he bought Government land for a dollar and a quarter an acre, and in 1854 located in Logan, Township on land bought by his father. The original title deeds from the Government are now in the hands of James A. Parr. A part of the house erected by Joseph Parr is still standing. The Stewart family was of Scotch descent, and Mr. and Mrs. James and Elizabeth Stewart had the following named children:  George, born March 5, 1810; Agnes W., born June 24, 1811; Walter, born February 21, 1813; James, born October 17, 1817; William, born September 6, 1815; Eunice, born February 17, 1820; Isabella, born December 4, 1821; Esther, born June 22, 1825; Sarah M., born December 14, 1827, and Jane, born November 1, 1831.  Elizabeth (McCoy) Stewart and her brothers and sisters were born on the following dates: Elizabeth, born September, 1786; Sarah, born September 2, 1790; Ann, born January 22, 1792; Esther, born August 31, 1793;  Mary, born September 2, 1795; Jane, born April 15, 1797; John, born December 19, 1798; Joseph, born November 15, l800; Stephen, born November 1, 1805; Rebecca, born September 1, 1807.   James A. Parr married Barbara E. Pinkerton in Logan Township, January 16. 1879.  She is the daughter of John Mansfield and Mary J. (Stevenson) Pinkerton, natives, respectively, of Preble, and Brown Counties, Ohio. The father came to Illinois early, where Mrs. Parr was born September 21, l861.  They have three children: Oscar Leroy, born June 19, 1882; Frank Willis, born July 9, 1885; Edna Pearl, born June 24, 1888. Mr. Parr is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and politically a Republican.
 



PARR, WILLIAM S.; Farmer; born in Logan Township, February 17, 1858, is the grandson of Thomas Parr, a native of Ireland, and Harriet M. (Eno) Parr, a native of Connecticut. His father, John Parr, married Mary Ann Reeve.  He was born in Peoria County, August 13, 1837, and died in September; 1895. She was born in Peoria County, March 13, 1838. Her father, Simon R. Reeve, the son of Robert Reeve, a native of England, and Mary (Adams) Reeve, a cousin of John Quincy Adams, a native of Connecticut, was born in Plattsburg, New York, March 17, 1805 and married Abigail Weaver, a Quakeress, born in Green County, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1818. The father of Abigail (Weaver) Reeve, was William Weaver, born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1791, died April 11, 1879.  William Weaver's father was Hon. Isaac Weaver, born 1756. died 1830. Isaac's wife was Abigail Price, born 1766, died 1813. William S. Parr married Lillie M. McStravick in Peoria County. February 24, 1887.  She is the daughter of James McStravick, born January 10, 1832, in Montreal, Canada, and Elizabeth Miller, born in Preble County, Ohio October 10, 1836.  James McStravick was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion. His father, Charles McStravick, married Catherine Crien. Both were natives of Ireland.  Elizabeth Miller (McStravick) was the daughter of Ezra Miller, who was born in Ohio, and married Nancy Weede. Mr. and Mrs. Parr have four children: Agnes M., born April 28, 1888; Anna C., born November 1, 1889; Eunice E., born October 19, 1893; Charles E., born September 2, 1895. Mr. Parr is a Prohibitionist and has been a Justice of the Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Parr are members of the United Presbyterian Church. She was a teacher for ten years and is now President of the Women's Christian Temperance Union of Hanna City.



PINKERTON, JOHN H. (deceased) ; Farmer; born in Preble County, Ohio, August 10, 1842, and died May 1, 1881. He was the son of Ebenezer and Mary (McCreary) Pinkerton. In 1847 Ebenezer Pinkerton removed with his family to Peoria County and located on a farm one mile east of Hanna City, where John H. Pinkerton spent the remainder of his life. Soon after the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion; he enlisted in the Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served with honor his full term of enlistment of three years. Politically he was a Republican. Mr. John H. Pinkerton was married January 28, 1869, to Nancy C. Maus, who was born in Miami County, Ohio, August 20, 1845, daughter of Charles Frederick and Catherine (Sherwood) Maus. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Maryland.—daughter of John and Sarah (King) Sherwood.  Four children, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton: Mary Luella, the wife of Elijah Hanley, of Sealy, Texas; Margaret C., at home;  William Edward, and Harriet E., wife of Richard Williams, of Logan Township. Though dead a score of years, Mr. Pinkerton is remembered by a large circle of friends as a man of high integrity of character, having left an unblemished name to be handed down to posterity.



REED, HARRISON; Farmer; born at Cincinnati, Ohio, June 30, 1837, is a son of Nathan and Hannah (Merrill) Reed, the first mentioned born in New York in 1812, the latter at Augusta, Maine, in 1815. His paternal  grandfather, Theophilus Reed, was born in Pennsylvania and married Elizabeth Hanna, a native of New York City. John Merrill, the grandfather in the maternal line, was born in Scotland, became a tanner and married an Englishwoman. Eventually they came to Virginia, and there their son John, Mr. Reed's grandfather, was born. This second John Merrill married Hannah E. Boston, a native of Maine. Harrison Reed was educated at Jacksonville, Illinois, and, September 29, 1861, enlisted at Victoria, Knox County, in the Fifty-seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participated in twenty-three battles and skirmishes, was with Sherman in his "March to the Sea," rose to be color-sergeant, and was mustered out of the service at Savannah, Georgia, on Christmas Day, 1864. He is a Republican and an influential citizen.  His wife, whom he married in Logan Township, March 7, 1867, was Margaret A. Van Arsdall, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Shepherd) Van Arsdall, who was born in Kickapoo Township, January 24, 1846. John Van Arsdall, a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, was born June 27, 1814, a son of Isaac and Nancy N. (Young) Van Arsdall, the former a native of Holland, and a son of Garret Van Arsdall.  Mrs. Reed's mother, a descendant of the old Pennsylvania family of Carmichael, was born in Greene County, that State, November 24, 1822.



ROSECRANS, ALLEN; Farmer; born in Delaware County, Ohio, June 13, 1853, is the son of John Wesley and Eliza (Fisher) Rosecrans, married August 23, 1851. The father was born in Delaware County, May 13, 1827, and died June 18, 1885. The mother was born in the same county, January 23, 1828. The grandfathers were Jacob Rosecrans, a native of Ohio, and George Fisher, a native of Germany. John A. Rosecrans was a shoemaker. Mrs. Rosecrans resides with her son Allen. Two children were born to this couple: Allen and Lydia. Lydia married John LaFollett and is the mother of three children: John, born July 6, 1876; Eliza A., born 1877, died at the age of two years; Margaret, died October 14, 1879, aged six weeks. Allen Rosecrans married Corena McVicker at Smithville in 1875. She was born in 1855. They have seven children: Charles A., born June
24, 1876; May, born January 14, 1878; Charles, born August 16, 1879; Emma, born May 30, 1881; Ada, born May 24, 1883; Frank, born December 27, 1884; Maud, born September 16, 1886. Mr. Rosecrans has a farm of one hundred acres.  He is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church.



STEWART, ROBERT A.; Farmer and Stock-raiser; was born in Timber Township, Peoria County, April 20, 1856, a son of Walter and Nancy E. (Turbett) Stewart, natives respectively of Washington County, New York, and of Ohio. Walter Stewart, a teacher and farmer, was a pioneer in Timber Township in 1837 and for five years was Supervisor of that Township. He and his wife, who have both passed away, were members of .the United Presbyterian Church. They had children as follows: James H., who owns and lives on the farm settled by his father; John T.; Robert A.; George B. and William W. The original Walter Stewart, great-grandfather of the persons just mentioned, was a native of Scotland, as was also his son James, who married Sarah McCoy.   Colonel Thomas Turbett, their great-grandfather in the maternal line, was a native of Ireland and his wife, Jane Wilson, of Scotland. They came to America, and their son, John Turbett, was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania.  The latter married Nancy Beatty, a native of Ohio, and they were the parent in the maternal line of the children of Walter and Nancy E. (Turbett) Stewart.  Robert A. Stewart married Hattie Partridge, in Nebraska, November 19, 1891, and their daughter, Lora, was born September 28, 1896. He has held the office of Supervisor for Logan Township continuously since 1887, except 1890 to 1894. Mrs. Stewart was born in Logan Township, May 21, 1863, a daughter of James and Caroline (Van Patten) Partridge, natives of the State of New York. The brothers, Robert A. and George B. Stewart, are partners in the ownership of 240 acres of land, and are prominent stock-raisers. George B. was born May 30, 1859, and on February 25, 1886, married Lizzie Smith, of Smithville, born September 19, 1860.  They have one daughter, Eleanor, born April 15, 1887.



THRUSH, ALEXANDER; Farmer; Logan Township; born in Green County, Wisconsin, April 7, 1849, son of David and Martha Ann (Pritcher) Thrush. The father, now deceased, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, and the mother in Stilesburg, Kentucky, in 1834. The paternal grandfather was Samuel Thrush, born in Pennsylvania.  Alexander Thrush married Nancy J. Bradshaw, a native of Indiana, in Peoria in 1872. Eight children were born of this marriage: Davis S., born October 4, 1873; William H., born January 26. 1875; Sarah F., born April 27, 1877; Hannah, born June 25, 1881; Laura B., born April 9, 1884; Clyde, born April 7, 1888; Charles, born May 10, 1800; and Thomas J., born February 28, 1894. Mr. Thrush was educated in the common schools.   He is a member of the Methodist Church and in politics a Prohibitionist.



TURBETT, JAMES A.; Farmer; born in Fayette County, Ohio, May 30, 1834, is the son of John and Nancy (Beatty) Turbett, natives of Pennsylvania. He traces his lineage back to John Turbett, who married Priscilla Moore in the North of Ireland April 22, 1723. Their children were Matthew, Esther, James,  Nathan, Jonathan, John, William, Thomas, and Samuel. Thomas, the grandfather, was born January 20, 1741.  He married Jane Wilson, a native of Scotland, came to America in colonial days, and settling in Pennsylvania, became a colonel in the Revolutionary Army. His name is found on the tax list of Milford Township, in 1774. He erected the first tannery in Juniata County. His  wife bore him eleven children: John, Thomas, James,  Samuel,  George,  Stewart,  William, Nancy, Mary, Esther and Priscilla.  Three of the sons settled in Ohio.  One of these was John who settled in Fairfield County, where he married. In 1829, he moved to Fayette County, but brought his family to Peoria County, Illinois, in 1840, purchased land and built, a mile and a half west of Smithville, the only tannery ever erected in that neighborhood. He died January 23, 1847, aged sixty-four years. His wife survived him till December 7, 1862.  She was a daughter of John Beatty, a native of Ireland and an early settler of Ohio. John and Nancy Turbett were the parents of ten children: Thomas, Jane, Priscilla, John B., Ann Eliza, Nancy E., Mary B., Hannah M., William S, and James A.   James started out for himself at eighteen years of age, working on a farm at fourteen dollars a month. He saved his money till he bought a 'team and later farmed on shares. Subsequently, he bought eighty acres of land in partnership with his brother William. They worked together eleven years and then had four hundred and eighty acres of land, which they divided between them. Mr. Turbett now has five hundred and ninety acres of fine land in Section 28, where he resides. He married Nancy Parr in Timber Township, March 4, 1870. They have had seven children, of whom four are now living: John G., born November 20, 1872; Stewart, born June 20, 1877 ; William, born July 27, 1882, and James H., born October 28, 1885.



TURBETT, John B. (deceased); Farmer; born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 18, 1820, died in Logan Township, Illinois, November 4, 1893; was the son of John and Nancy (Beatty) Turbett, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandparents were Thomas and Priscilla (Moore) Turbett, born and married in the North of Ireland. Mr. Turbett married Martha Ann Crow at Smithville, Illinois, December 30, 1856. She was born in Licking County, Ohio, April 19, 1838, the only child of William and Margaret Downing Crow. She was brought; up by her grandparents, who resided in Scioto County, Ohio, whence they moved to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and, in 1850, to Peoria County, Illinois. Ten children, of whom five are living, were born to this couple: Thomas A., born July 12, 1859, married Ella Karstetter, and they have one son, Beatty Earl, born September 30, 1895; Sidney M., born June 4, 1861; Luetta J., born November 23, 1862, died July 16, 1895; Walter Irvin, born October 3, 1867, died May 1, 1885; Priscilla J., born March 15, 1869, married Silas Cowser and has one son, Ralph, born August 13, 1899; Edwin Beatty, born March 20, 1871, died March 29, 1885; Orrin Proctor, born June 9, 1873, died March 6, 1885; George W., born September 5, 1874, married Vandah Rogers September 8, 1898; James B., was born December 12, 1880; John died in infancy. Walter, Edwin and Orrin died of diphtheria.  Mr. Turbett
was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics a Democrat.



WHITE, ANDREW J.; Farmer; born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, in 1832, is a son of Daniel and Jane (Galongly) White, the first mentioned born in Ireland, the latter in Pennsylvania. His father, who was a bricklayer, died in 1852, aged fifty-two years; his mother, in 1850. The grandfather, John White, was a native of Ireland. Daniel White and his family settled in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1838, and, in the spring of 1857, came on to Peoria, where Andrew J. White was for more than twenty years a contractor. Later he became a farmer in Limestone Township, where he lived three years, until he removed to a farm in Stark County which he had bought and on which he lived, only a year, when he sold it and, in 1893, bought his present farm of one hundred acres in Logan Township, at $100 an acre. He has been married twice: First to Amanda C. Carr, a native of Ohio, who died in 1888, leaving three children: Mamie, wife of H. M. Summers, of Peoria; Frank W., who died in 1898, and William C., who is Assistant Cashier of the Bank of Illinois at Peoria. His present wife, whom he married, April 6, 1892, was Emma Williams, who was born May 14, 1855, in Grant County, Wisconsin, a daughter of Elbridge Gerry and Eleanor (Sennett) Williams. Mr. Williams was born in Oneida County, New York, in 1825, and died March 6, 1861; his widow, born in Fulton County, Illinois, in 1834, lives in Dallas, Texas.



WILEY, JOHN P.; Retired Farmer; born in the city of Piqua, Miami County Ohio, September 22, 1835, is the son of Samuel and Sarah (McCullough) Wiley. The father was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, in 1810, and died in 1877; the mother, born in Adams County, Ohio, in 1809, died in 1888. Samuel Wiley, the great- grandfather, a native of Ireland, was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and died in Miami County, Ohio. His son, John Wiley, married a Miss Irvin, a native of Maryland. The maternal grandfather, was John McCullough, of Virginia. John P. Wiley was educated in the common schools.  On August 13, 1862, he enlisted in the Seventy- seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the battles of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post. the Siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Jackson (Mississippi), the Red River company and the battles of Caney River, Yellow Bayou. Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Mobile, and Whistler Station. He was discharged July 10,
1865, at Mobile, Alabama.  He married Mary E. Runkle, at Hanna City, in 1879. She died August 20, 1893. They have an adopted daughter, Jessie M. Wiley. Mr. Wiley was, for many years, engaged in farming and stock-raising, but is now retired. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church and Adjutant of A. J. Smith Post, No. 779, G. A. R., of Hanna City. In political views he is a Republican.

From Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Edited by David McCulloch, Vol. II; Chicago and Peoria: Munsell Publishing Company, Publishers, 1902.
 


 


JAMES W. JORDAN.

Commercially and agriculturally, James W. Jordan has impressed his worth upon the community of Peoria County. Of Gaelic ancestry, he was born in Zanesville, Ohio, December 10, 1851, his parents, Patrick and Catherine (Holden) Jordan, having been born in Ireland.  Patrick Jordan was a farmer in his native land, and, upon emigrating to America in 1878, settled in Zanesville, Ohio, removing in the winter of 1851 to Section 3, Limestone Township, Peoria County. A progressive and industrious man, he soon became an integral part of the prosperity of his locality, and from a comparatively small beginning accumulated lands aggregating five hundred and twelve acres.   Even greater gains were predicted as the result of his enterprise, had he not met with an accident on a bridge with a runaway team, which resulted in his death August 23, 1874. His wife survived him until February 5, 1896. James W. Jordan was reared on the home farm and educated in, the public schools, graduating from the Peoria County Normal School in 1873, and, in response to a commendable independence, set forth at an early-age to earn his own livelihood. After an absence of five years he returned to the surroundings of his boyhood, and to the hearth so soon to be desolated by the tragic calamity of his father's death.  In the settlement of the large estate, James and Patrick Jordan, both sons of the sturdy pioneer, bought out the other heirs, and Mr. Jordan is now the possessor of a  farm of two hundred and forty acres, upon a portion of which stands the memory-laden homestead.

While a successful farmer and stock-raiser, Mr. Jordan is perhaps more widely known because of his association with the Crescent Stone Company, one of the substantial enterprises of the county. The magnitude of the concern may be estimated when it is known that, during one year, the city of Peoria was furnished from their quarries thirty-three thousand tons of crushed stone. The average yearly output of the quarries is ten thousand tons, and the average price per cubic yard is $1.50. Although independent in politics, Mr. Jordan has filled many offices of trust within the gift of the people of his county, and has been Highway Commissioner for seven years, Supervisor for three years and School Director for several terms.  With his family he is a member of the Catholic Church. The marriage of Mr. Jordan and Mary Tighe occurred February 17, 1881, and of this union have been born eight children: Katie V., Josie, Martin D., Roger, Leo, Byron, James and Elizabeth. Mrs. Jordan was born in Medina Township, May 2, 1858, a daughter of John and Catherine Tighe, who were natives of Ireland. The parents came to America in 1853, and from New York State removed to Medina Township in 1856, where they farmed for the remainder of their days, and where the mother died, January 5, 1894.



BALL, EDWARD; Coal Operator; born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1850, is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Kaer) Ball. The father was born in Somerset County, England and the mother in Wales. Samuel Ball came to the United States in 1848, and first settled in Mercer County. Pennsylvania, where he remained two years. From there he brought his family to Peoria County and settled in Limestone Township, where he engaged in mining which he followed during his life. The father and mother are both dead. On arriving at his majority, Edward Ball engaged in mining for himself and is now owner and proprietor of the Ball Coal Company, whose mines have a capacity of about eight hundred bushels a day of coal. Mr. Ball was a United States Storekeeper for five years. He is now putting up some fine dwelling houses as an addition to Bartonville. He is an attendant on the Methodist Church and in politics a Republican. He married Colona Anderson, in Peoria, January 24, 1874, and they have seven children: Isola S., Lenora, Samuel E., Colbert, Wesley, Clara and Edna. Isola married Beecher Ricketts; Sarah L., married Robert D. Downing; and Samuel married Edith Brown. Mrs. Ball was born in Limestone Township May, 1855, daughter of Colbert and Juliette (Trial) Anderson. The father is dead, but the mother still living. Mrs. Ball's grandparents, John and Elizabeth Trial, came from Virginia and settled in Peoria at an early day. Mrs. Margaret Hornbocker, an aunt of Mrs. Edward Ball, was the first female child born in Peoria.



BENSON, REV. JOHN; Clergyman, Hanna City; born in Yorkshire, England, June 8, 1815.  His great-grandfather was John Benson.  His grandfather, also named John, married Ann Atkinson. His father, whose name was John, married Harriet Coupland, daughter of William and Mary (Close) Coupland, all natives of  England.  Mr. Benson came to America with his parents in 1833. They landed in New York, and came to Albion, Edwards County, Illinois, and later to Peoria. The father was a lawyer in England but did not practice his profession in America. His father before him was also a lawyer. The father died soon after coming to this country. John Benson of this sketch, was ordained a minister of the Episcopal Church in Louisiana, where he did missionary work. Afterward he took up the ministry as pastor of the Episcopal Church at Alconbury. This church was organized in 1836 by Bishop Chase, and the stone church was built in 1845. In 1866 he established St. John's church, in Peoria. Five years later he went to Lewistown, but since 1875 has resided in his present home. Connected with the church property is a cemetery. Mr. Benson married Euphemia Clark in Jubilee Township in 1842, the marriage ceremony being performed by Bishop Chase. She was born in England in 1812, the daughter of James and Isabella (Walker) Clark. Her parents came to the United States and settled in Limestone Township in 1838, where the father purchased land on Section 5. Mrs. Benson died, January 1, 1875, and since that time, Mr. Benson has resided with his brother-in-law, James Clark.



BERGMAN, HENRY; Farmer; son of Menno and Grace (Defriest) Bergman. His paternal grandparents were Henry and Tenie Bergman, and the maternal grandparents, Walfert and Anna Defriest—all natives of Germany. Mr. Bergman came to the United States in 1867, landing at New York. After reaching Illinois, he spent one year at Pekin and then rented a farm in Limestone Township, for four years, after which he bought his present farm of ninety-one acres on Sections 20 and 21, where he has a comfortable home. He married Dorothy Johnson in Limestone Township. January 15, 1872, and has six children: John H., Menno H., Engel, Hiska, Simon and Hannah A.  Mrs. Bergman was born in Germany May 28, 1848, the daughter of John T. and Engel (Behrends) Johnson, who came to the United States in 1866, and soon settled on a farm which they purchased on Section 20, Limestone Township. Both were members of the Lutheran Church.. The mother is dead; the father still living.



BONTZ, CONRAD; Farmer; Limestone Township: born in Landau, Bavaria, May 1, 1819; son of Philip Jacob and Eva (Sniderfritz) Bontz, natives of Bavaria.  He came to the United States in 1840. Coming by way of New York and Piittsburg, he went to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he worked on a farm. Subsequently he came to Peoria County and, after his marriage, went to farming near Bartonville. Selling his first farm he bought another of one hundred and twenty acres on Section 22, Limestone Township, to which he has added, and now has a farm of about four hundred acres with good buildings.  He married Mary M. Bettelon in Tazewell County, January 14, 1845.  She was born in Bavaria, September 23, 1823, daughter of Isaac and Mary Ann (Krose) Bettelon. She died October 1, 1900. The family came to the United States in 1830 and lived near Jamestown, Cambridge County, Pennsylvania, where the mother died. They then moved to Ohio, whence three years later, they came to Peoria and settling on the bluff, worked for John Armstrong on a farm. The father died in Tazewell County. The children of Conrad Bontz and wife are: Julia Anna, Mary M., Amelia Ellen, Philip Jacob, William C., Margaret Elizabeth. John D., George I., and Antoine N.  Philip married and having died, left a widow and one child. Mr. Bontz and wife are members of the Reformed Church. He is a Democrat, and has served as School Trustee
and School Director several years.



BRUNINGA, BRUNO R.; Farmer; born in the city of Peoria, July 18, 1833. His paternal grand-parents were Bruno H. and Minnie (Ojemann) Bruninga, and his maternal grandfather, Harm Gronewold. The father, Rudolph Bruninga, married Jennie Gronewald, a native of Germany. Rudolph Bruninga and two sisters came to Peoria in 1848, and two years later their father came to this country. He was a teamster for many years in Peoria, where he died. He purchased a farm in Limestone Township, Section 22, a short time before his death, but did not live to settle on it. His widow married again and lived in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois. Bruno R. Bruninga was adopted by his uncle, J. Gronewold, and lived with him till he was twenty-one years of age. He pur- chased the interest of the only other heir, his sister, in his father's farm, upon which he settled, adding to it land in Section 23, and now has two hundred and sixteen acres of land and very fine buildings. He married Jennie Seifkes in Limestone Township, February 27, 1877. They have eight children: Lizzie J., Rudolph H., Miner H., Louise E., Paul G., Hannah M., Harry H. and Elmer C.   Mrs. Bruninga was born in Limestone Township July 27, 1856, daughter of Minard and Grace (Cook) Seifkes, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1850, and settled in Limestone Township. Mr. Bruninga, wife and family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is independent.  He has filled the office of School Director. He sold to the St. Louis Coal Company the coal under one hundred acres of his farm, for which he received four thousand dollars.



CAMERON, JOHN C.; Farmer; born in Limestone Township, February 15, 1854, the son of John and Belle Cameron, natives of Scotland. The father was born in April, 1819, and died in August, 1884; the mother, born, March 25, 1825, is still living. Their marriage occurred in 1842. The maternal grandparents were William and Jane (Fisher) Cameron. John Cameron came to the United States in 1831, lived seven years in New York and in 1838, moved to Fulton County, Illinois, locating near Fairview.  He bought a farm, and by skillful management had increased it to five hundred acres at the time of his death. He served as Highway Commissioner. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. John. C. Cameron started out for himself in 1876 on a rented farm, which he worked for a few years. He then bought a tract in Section 9, Limestone Township, where he now has one hundred acres, seven miles west of Peoria. He is a Republican and a member of the Grange. He married Emma J. Bourland in Limestone Township, in December, 1880, and they have two children:  Fanny E., born October 11, 1881, and Charles Harrison, born December 13, 1889.  Mrs. Cameron was born in Peoria, May 29, 1853, the daughter of Robert and Susan (Potter) Bourland, of Pennsylvania, who came to Peoria in 1848, having previously lived in Morgan County, Illinois, for two years. They are still residing in Peoria.



DOUBET, ELEONOR, Farmer; born in France June 12, 1824, son of Joseph and Ursula Doubet, natives of France. The family came to America in 1837.  The voyage to New York was by sailing vessel, which was struck by lightning in mid-ocean and several sailors killed by the bolt. Leaving New York, the family proceeded to Pittsburg, and thence by boat to Cincinnati, where they took a steamboat to Louisville. The family stopped with a brother-in-law of Mr. Doubet in Kentucky, while the latter followed the course of the rivers to Peoria alone. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres on Section 31, Kickapoo Township, which he entered at the Land Office at Quincy at a dollar and a quarter an acre. Here he afterward brought his family and made settlement, where he finally died at the age of seventy-two. He was Mayor of the city of Belfort for some years before leaving France.  Eleonor Doubet remained at his father's home till he was twenty-six years old, then bought eighty acres of land in Limestone Township on Section 26, and has since been acquiring land, now being the owner of six hundred and eighty acres in Knox County and over four hundred in Kickapoo and Limestone Townships in Peoria County. His landed property has been somewhat lessened lately by gifts to his sons.  He married Harriet Slane in Limestone Township, January 8, 1849. She was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, April 7, 1831, the daughter of Daniel and Mahala (LaFollett) Slane, natives of Virginia. He was a carpenter and farmer and, after stopping awhile in Ohio, came to Peoria County, and bought a farm in Rosefield Township. He taught school in Ohio and also after coming to Rosefield Township, and served as fifer in the Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion.  Mr. and Mrs. Doubet are the parents of ten children, six of whom are now living: George Lafayette, Joseph Daniel, Eliza, Mahala Isabel, John Franklin, Charles, Edward, James Henry (deceased), one who died in infancy, Rebecca R. and Delilah Frances (deceased). One daughter lives in Iowa but all the others near the old home.



DOUBET, JOSEPH; Farmer; born near Belfort, France, in 1833; son of Joseph and Ursula Doubet and grandson of Joseph Doubet, all natives of France. Joseph Doubet, the second of that name, was a man of fine education, great strength of character and skillful in politics. He was a native of Belfort, of which city he was Mayor. He left France for the United States and, accompanied by his family, settled in Kickapoo Township, Peoria County, while it was yet inhabited by Indians. He was a leading Democrat and held many offices in his township. He died in 1857. Joseph, second, was but four years old when his parents came to Kickapoo Township, and his education was what the times and opportunities of sixty years ago afforded, but by hard work and good management he has acquired the ownership of a farm of five hundred acres upon which he does not owe a dollar. He married Mary Ann Marie in Kickapoo Township in 1851. She was a native of Ohio, daughter of Michael and Mary Ann Smith, both natives of France. They died when their daughter was very young.  She died December 13, 1894. The names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Doubet are: Joseph, Mary, Peter, Malinda, Eliza, Julia, Cicely, Nicholas, Henry, Ida, Eddie and Emma, who died at the age of twelve years. The eleven chil-
dren surviving are all married and all but one live in the vicinity of the old homestead.



FASH, HENRY; Farmer; born in Peoria County, November 18, 1835; son of Daniel and Phebe (Campbell) Fash. The father was born in New York City and the mother in New Jersey. Daniel Fash settled in Farmington. Fulton County, Illinois, in 1833, where he owned a farm. Subsequently he came to Peoria and bought a farm on the bluff near the village—now City of Peoria— when the Indians still lived in this section of the State. Mr. Fash, died after the family settled here. Mrs. Fash survived him about two years. Henry Fash married Lavinia Harris at Peoria, February 12, 1861. She was born in London, England in 1845. Her parents, Matthew and Jane Harris, came to the United States in 1849. The mother died soon after coming to this country, and the father started overland for California, during the great gold excitement, and was never afterward heard of. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fash: Thomas H., Catherine, Addie L.,  Daniel A. and Edgar. Catherine married John Shokell; Thomas married Anna Shaffer, and Addie married J. W. Rooksby. Mr. Fash is a Republican. He served as Constable of Limestone Township nine years and has been School Director.



GRAFELMANN, PETER; Farmer; born in Germany February 2, 1830; son of Peter and Maggie (Feinbach) Grafelmann, natives of Germany. Mr. Grafelmann came to the United States in 1855, reaching Peoria via New Orleans and the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, after a voyage of nine weeks. He spent his first year in America working on a farm for sixteen dollars a month in the summer and for less in the winter. His first purchase of land was forty acres on Section 21, to which he afterward added till he now has five hundred and thirty-seven acres. He married Gasia Grafelmann in Limestone Township in October, 1859. She was born, in Germany in March, 1828, daughter of Henry and Maggie Grafelmann. She came to America in company with her brother at the same time her husband came. The children of this marriage are: Peter, Henry, Margaret, Mary and Eliza. The family are members of the Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Grafelmann is a director and leading member. Politically he is a Democrat.



HEUERMANN, CLAUS; Farmer; Limestone Township; born in Germany March 1, 1822; son of Henry and Maggie (Devries) Heuermann, natives of Germany. The paternal grandfather was Eaf Heuermann, and the maternal grandfather. H———— Devries. Mr. Heuermann came to America in 1851, and reached Peoria via New Orleans and the river route. After living in the town of Peoria two years he settled in Limestone Township, where he worked land on shares. Subsequently he bought land on Sections 10 and 15, and now has a farm of about three hundred and thirty acres, with good buildings. His first marriage was in Germany to Hiska Lubin. Her father, Jacob Lubin, and family came to America in the same company with Mr. Heuermann. The children of this. marriage were:  Jacob, John, Henry, Maggie, Michael and Sway. The four last named grew to adult age and died, and two others died in infancy. January 6, 1874, Mr. Heuermann married Gretje Brusen, in Peoria, Illinois.  She was born August 10, 1830. Her parents were Dirk and Geske Brusen, natives of Germany. She came to America with her first husband, who died soon after his arrival in this country in 1857.  Mr. Heuermann is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.



HEUERMANN, HENRY E.; Farmer; was born in Germany May 1, 1840, a son of Henry and Minnie Heuermann, descendants of old German families. His father died in his native land, and his mother and himself and three of his brothers came to the United States. After six years' residence at Peoria, they lived for about an equal period on a farm in Limestone Township, which they rented of Mr. Culbertson. After that. for three years they rented the tract of land known as "the poor farm," and then the four brothers bought a farm of four hundred and twenty acres, which they cultivated jointly until 1870, when it was apportioned among them. To eighty acres in Section 15 which Henry thus received, he added by purchase until he now owns two hundred and twenty acres, on which are a fine house, ample outbuildings and many fruit trees. He is independent in politics and he and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. He married Tenie Dorubus, in the Limestone Lutheran, Church, June 7, 1868, and children have been born to them as follows: Henry, John H., Minnie H., Hannah H., Tenie H., Anna H., Schweer H., Bertha H., Ida H. Three others, Frankie, Mary and Claus, are dead. Mrs. Heuermann was born in Germany in, 1850, a daughter of John and Mary Dorubus, who crossed the ocean and settled at Peoria in 1861. Mr. Dorubus, who was a carpenter, became a widower some years after his arrival and married a second wife, whom he survives.
 



HILL, JOHN;  Retail Liquor Dealer; born in Scotland, December 16, 1857; son of Robert and Agnes (Laird) Hill, natives of Scotland. Robert Hill brought his family to the United States in 1866 and engaged in mining in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. In 1879, John Hill came to Peoria and worked as a miner for a while. He then gave up mining and engaged in his present business. The mother died in Pennsylvania, in 1877.  The father came to Bartonville and resided with his son till his death in 1893. John Hill married Louisa Hill March 19, 1881, the ceremony being performed by Judge Yates in the Court House at Peoria.  Mrs. Hill was born in Wesley City, Tazewell County, Illinois, April 3, 1863. She is the daughter of John and Susanna (Harris) Hill, natives of England, who came to the United States in 1860. Mr. Hill was a coal miner until he moved to Bartonville, where he ran a grocery store. He died in 1885. His widow is still living at Bartonville. The children of John and Louisa Hill are: Susanna, born September 9, 1882; Robert, born October 15, 1884; John, born January 2, 1886; Jeannette, born November 3 1889; Harry and Harris, twins, born July 16, 1893; and Lester Geher, born May 4, 1901. Mr. Hill has a fine residence overlooking the City of Peoria.  He has served as School Director of the Bartonville District four years, and he is a member of the orders of Odd Fellows and Red Men.



JOHNSON, JOHN R.; Farmer; born in Germany October 8, 1846; son of R. and Maggie (Ulrich) Johnson, natives of Germany.   R. Johnson and his family came to America in 1851, landing at New Orleans and following the rivers to Peoria. Later Mr. Johnson settled in Limestone Township and purchased a part of Section 22, where he spent the remainder of his life farming. John R. Johnson began for himself at twenty-four years of age, and after working for a while at the cooper's trade, engaged in farming. He resides on Section 8. and has a farm of over four hundred acres.  He married Katherine Beenders in Peoria, June 8, 1873. They have eight children: Reent, John, George, Henry, Charles, Anna and Maggie. Three of the sons are married. Mrs. Johnson was born in Germany in 1850, and came to America with her sister im 1872.  Mr. Johnson was educated in, Peoria. He votes the Republican ticket.



KOEPPEL, CHRISTIAN; Farmer; son of Henry Koeppel, a native of France; was born  in Limestone Township, May 12, 1845.  The  father came from France to the United States about 1842, and purchased land on Section 14, Limestone Township, where he lived till 1855, the year of his death. The mother of Christian Koeppel died when he was a small child, and the father married Elizabeth Thoma, who became the mother of three sons and two daughters. Mr. Koeppel learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked about eight years, then rented a farm, and, a few years later, bought the old homestead of eighty acres, where he has since resided. He married Elizabeth Huber in Peoria February 6, 1868. She was born in Germany in 1848, the daughter of Xavier and Frances (Thume) Huber. She and her sister came to the United States in 1861. There are eight  children of this marriage: Christian Joseph, Frank X., William S., Anton E., Joseph M., Anna E., William, Wilhelmina Elizabeth and Magdalena Katherine. Anna E., the oldest daughter, is the wife of Mick Schnur. Mr. Koeppel has served as Tax Collector of his Township, and is now School Director, which place he has occupied for twenty-one years. He is a Democrat. The members of the family are members of the Catholic Church.



OJEMANN, GEORGE; Farmer; born in Germany October 13, 1830; the son of Rolf G. and Elizabeth (Rolfs) Ojemann, natives of Germany.  The family, consisting of the parents, four sons and four daughters, emigrated to the United States in 1849, coming to New Orleans and ascending the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to Peoria, where they arrived on the Fourth of July, and were very much surprised and perplexed by the noise of booming cannon and the processions of the American's celebrating the Nation's natal day. The voyage had occupied two and a half months. Their first settlement was on a rented farm in Limestone Township, where they lived three years. Then a farm of eighty acres on Section 16 was purchased, for which twelve hundred dollars was paid. The original homestead became the property of George Ojemann, who has added to it one hundred and eighty acres, and he is now living on a farm of two hundred and-sixty acres with good buildings and conveniences. Mr.  Ojemann married Gretje Ahten in Peoria, December 27, 1854. They have had four children: Elizabeth H., Trintje M., Johanna J. and Rolf G.   Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Heuermann, died February 3, 1899. Trintje married John Heuermann. Johanna married Evert E. Lock. Rolf married Jennie Menninga, and is now Township Clerk.  Mr. Ojemann was educated in the common schools. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.  He is a Democrat and has held the office of Supervisor three years. He has also served as Highway Commissioner, Township Clerk and Collector. Mrs. Ojemann is the daughter of Weeth and Trintje (Shipper) Ahten, and was born in Germany October 12, 1830. She came to the United States with her brother in 1852.



PETERS,  ADOLPH;: Farmer; born in Germany March 8, 1848; son of John and Lena (Croft) Peters, natives of Germany; came to Peoria County in 1872. Two years later his parents came to this country. For a time they lived on a rented farm, but later Adolph bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on Section 33, in Limestone Township, which he cleared up and made into a fine farm, well improved and with good buildings. He married Anna Johnson in Limestone Township, March 20, 1883, and they have one child, Maggie. Another daughter, Lena, died at the age of nine years. John Peters died in 1895, and his wife in 1892. They were buried in the Lutheran Cemetery.  Mr. Adolph Peters and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat. Mrs. Peters was born in Peoria in 1856, daughter of Ream Johnson, a native of Germany, whose family came to this county at an early period.



ROSENBOHM, HILBERT; Farmer; born in Germany January 4, 1825. His parents were Derick and Margaret Rosenbohm. Mr. Rosenbohm served three years in an artillery regiment in the German Army and was in active service in the years 1848 and 1849 during the rebellion, and still preserves the evidence of his discharge. He came to the United States in 1857, first stopped at St. Louis and then went to Perry County, Missouri, where he lived three years, when he came to Peoria County and bought eighty acres of land on Section 34 in Limestone Township. He now has three hundred and eight acres, all the result of his own toil and management.  He married Anna Bakanhers in Germany in 1857, and they have had ten children, seven of whom are living: Anna, Helen, John D., Henry, Richard, Eliza and Herman. The deceased are: Maggie, who died aged twenty-seven; and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Rosenbohm was born in Germany in 1833, daughter of Herman Bakanhers.  The mother came to America and died in Limestone Township. The father died in Germany. Mr. Rosenbohm is a Democrat and the family are members of the Lutheran Church, of which he has been a Trustee for several years.



SHOLL, JOSEPH H.; Farmer and Coal Operator; born in Peoria November 10, 1839; son of Adam and Charlotte (Monroe) Sholl. The former, a native of Germany, was born in 1815 and died in 1894; and the latter was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1814, and died in December, 1891. Adam Sholl came to Peoria by way of New Orleans and up the rivers, making the journey all the way by water. After two years' residence in Peoria, he purchased land on Section 26 in Limestone Township, and became a coal operator, employing as many as one hundred and fifty men about his mines. He occupied the offices of Supervisor, Highway Commissioner and School Trustee. Joseph H. Sholl worked about the mines for his father for a time and then was made superintendent, which position he held for thirty-four years. The mine, which is now in Vein No. 3, produces from one to three hundred tons of coal a day. Mr. Sholl is now retired from active work. He was one of the Supervisors of the City of Peoria. In politics he is a Democrat. He married Mary E. Jenkins in Peoria, December 5, 1861. She was born in Ohio December 26, 1841, the daughter of George and Mary (Powell) Jenkins. The father was born in Virginia and the mother in Ohio.  They settled in Ohio in 1835, came to Peoria in
1843, and later moved to Hollis Township. The father and his father were carpenters. Six children were born to Joseph H. and Mary E. Sholl: Raymond P., Devere, James W., Robert L., Archie E. and Charlotte. Devere married Ella Powell;  he is now superintendent of the mine.



STRAESSER, WILLIAM; Farmer; born in Limestone Township, May 20, 1856; the son of John C. and Katharine (Haller) Straesser, and a grandson of John Straesser and Frederick Haller. His parents were born in Wurtemberg, Germany, his father in 1802 and his mother January 9, 1819. His father died May 13, l888.  John C. Straesser came from Germany to New York at the age of thirty, and went thence to Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, where he married. In 1851 he made the journey from Martinsburg to Peoria on foot and returned in the same way, after having bought a farm in Section 35, Limestone Township, to which he soon afterward brought his family by way of the lakes. He was so successful as a farmer and as a business man that he owned, besides a two hundred-acre farm in Peoria County, three hundred acres of valuable land in McLean County. His sterling integrity was recognized by all who knew him. and it is worthy of record that, before coming to America, he served twelve years in the German army. William Straesser has had a successful career as a farmer since he attained his majority, and at one time he owned a farm of one hundred and eighty-four acres, forty acres of which he sold to the State of Illinois. He gives particular attention to fine Jersey stock. Independent in politics, he wields a recognized influence in township affairs and has served his fellow citizens two years as Tax Collector and twelve years as School Director. He is a Methodist. December 24, 1878, at Peoria, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Michael M. and Catharine (Haner) Powell, natives of Wales, and they have five children: William Eugene; Elmer Morgan, Harold Carter, Catherine E. and Christina. Mrs. Straesser was born in Limestone Township April 22, 1855. Her father, born at Radnor, South Wales, January 15, 1819, emigrated to New York City and removed thence to Jefferson County, New York, where he was Constable eight years and was twice elected Justice of the Peace. After his settlement in Peoria County he was Postmaster at Dowdallville, resigning to remove to Peoria to serve as Coroner, which office he occupied several terms. He was the first Notary Public in Limestone Township. In politics he was a Democrat.



SWORDS, WILLIAM A.; Farmer and Contractor; born in Limestone Township February 15, 1854, the son of William and Sarah (Jenkins) Swords. The father was born in Ohio in 1817 and the mother in Virginia in 1818. The paternal grandparents were Jotham and Elizabeth Swords.  William Swords first visited Peoria County in 1834. At that time he says the site of the court house was open prairie for sale at four dollars an acre, but, on account of water and wood, he went eight miles away and took up land in Limestone Township. Returning to Ohio he brought his family to Peoria County the following year. He and his wife are still living in the old brick house which he built on his farm years ago, and where he raised his family of twelve children. William A. Swords remained a member of his father's family until he was married at the age of twenty-six. He now owns six hundred and eighty acres of land and good buildings.  Besides farming he has been employed as a contractor in furnishing crushed stone for street work in Peoria, and also building stone for various structures. He married Clara J. Stevens in Limestone Township March in 1881. She was born in Limestone Township in 1863, the daughter of William and Mary Ann (Rogers) Stevens, natives of England.  They came to the United States about 1860.  The father first worked at mining coal, but later bought a farm upon which he now lives, nine miles south of Canton, Illinois.  The mother died in 1899.  Mr. and Mrs. Swords have fourteen children:  William, Arthur, Albert, Chester, Elmer, Charles, George, Jessie, Clarence, Thomas Austin, John, one who died in infancy, Clara and Laura.  Mr. Swords and wife are members of the Methodist Church.  He is a Democrat.
 

From Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Edited by David McCulloch, Vol. II; Chicago and Peoria: Munsell Publishing Company, Publishers, 1902.
 


 

CHARLES H. KEACH.

During the many years of his residence in Illinois, Charles H. Keach was not only a successful and progressive farmer and stock-raiser, but a man whom all were glad to honor, because of his sterling worth and devotion to the public welfare. His death in Peoria, May 21, 1806, removed one of the developers of Kickapoo Township, deprived his friends of one upon whom they could invariably depend, and his family of a wise counselor and ever present help.   A native of Hancock, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, he was born June 1, 1833, a son of Henry W. and Lucy (Hall) Keach, the former born in Cranston, Rensselaer County, New York, July 13, 1803, and the latter at Stevenstown, the same county, November 15, 1808. The parents came to Illinois in 1846, and settled in Radnor Township, subsequently removing to Hallock Township, where the father died August 27, l888.

Charles H. Keach followed the fortunes of his parents from New York to Illinois, and naturally . early determined upon the occupation to which those nearest him had devoted their lives, his first wife and helpmate was formerly Laura Jane Doty, who died in Radnor Township, in September of 1858, leaving one son, William E. Keach, who married May Sammis, of Peoria, Illinois, and lives in Kickapoo Township. The second marriage of Mr. Keach was solemnized in Peoria, March 25, 1862, with Marion A. Fash, who was born in Peoria February 4, 1842, a daughter of Abraham B. and Georgie E. (Smith) Fash, natives respectively of New York City and Baltimore, Maryland.   The paternal grandmother, Anna Fash, was born in Holland, and the maternal grandfather, David M. Smith, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Years ago, when Peoria County was yet a wilderness, Abraham B. Fash courageously assumed the responsibilities of the pioneer, and, having learned the trade of butchering, followed the same for many years. He was actively interested in his county's development up to the time of his death in 1886. His wife, who died January 27, 1901, at the age of eighty-three years, at the home of her youngest daughter, Mrs. Frances C. Miller, in Chicago, was the mother also of Helen M. Davis, Marion A. Keach, Olive V. Hammill, and Inez E. Johnston. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Keach were born the following children: Effie G., who is the wife of George Holmes, of Akron Township; Chester B., who married Emma Slough, and lives in Kickapoo Township; Jessie I., who is living with her mother, and Cora M., who is deceased.



WILLIAM TAYLOR.

The mining of coal, long acknowledged one of the important resources of Illinois, has opened up unexpected opportunities for the acquisition of revenue to many land-owners, who thought to spend their days solely in the pursuit of general agriculture. The opportunity presented by the chance-finding of this fast diminishing national commodity, has been utilized with satisfactory results by William Taylor, one of the best known farmers and mine owners in Kickapoo Township. The family, whose reputation for industry and success Mr. Taylor so well sustains, trace their ancestry to adherents of the British crown, and in Haywood. Lancashire. England. Mr. Taylor was born October 10, 1855. His father, James Taylor, was born February 9, 1820, and his mother, Alice (Lee) Taylor, on January 29, 1820— both being natives of England, as were also the maternal grandparents, John and Alice Lee. James Taylor left the home of his forefathers and emigrated to America in 1873, reaching Elmwood, Illinois, May 4th of the same year. Subsequently he located upon a farm in Rice County, Kansas, which continued to be his home for the remainder of his life. Besides William, who was the third child in order of birth in the family, there were George, James, Daniel, Charles and Anna— the latter being now the wife of Mr. Wilkinson, of England.

In Kickapoo Township, April 12, 1876, Mr. Taylor married Martha E. Haworth, who was born in the same Township, December 24, 1851, a daughter of Richard and Alice Haworth. Mr. Haworth was also an Englishman, born, April 12, 1824, and married Alice Lonsdale, October 25, 1849. His parents, Richard and Martha (Greenwood) Haworth, emigrated from England at an early day, and were, for many years, farmers in Kickapoo Township. He is the owner of a large tract of land underlaid with coal deposits, the mining of which has yielded large returns, and it is with the mining works of this farm that Mr. Taylor has been connected since 1876. In political affiliation Mr. Taylor is a Republican, has filled the office of School Director for many years, and is at present serving his third term as Supervisor of Kickapoo Township.  Fraternally he is associated with the Woodmen of the World. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have been born the following children: Alice A., Susannah, James Richard, Ella, Mabel and Walter William.  The children have all received a common-school education, and Alice has traveled extensively in England.



ANDREWS, DAVID; Farmer; born in England, May 10, 1849; the son of David and Susan (Bond) Andrews, also English-born. The father was born at Heywood in Lancashire and came from his native county to Peoria County in 1847, his voyage across the ocean occupying about three months. He bought land on Section 29, Kickapoo Township. His family came to this country about two years subsequent to his arrival. He was killed by the caving of a well which he was digging on his farm. David (second) rented a farm of two hundred and thirty-six acres for several years, which he bought in 1891. He married Mary McKane, in Champaign County, Illinois, July 2, 1872. Mrs. Andrews was born in French Grove, Peoria County, in November, 1853, daughter of James McKane, a native of the Isle of Man, who was drowned in Spoon River and buried at Brimfield. The children of this marriage are: Susan, wife of Henry Doubet; Frank; Wesley: Edwin D.; James; Ruth ; Jennie ; George F.; Milton; Myrtle, deceased, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Andrews is a Democrat, has filled the offices of School Director and Assessor, and is now serving his third term as Township Clerk.



BOYER, JOHN A.; Farmer; born in Logan Township, Peoria County, February 19, 1855, the son of Levi and Mary Ann (Turbett) Boyer, natives of Pennsylvania. The elder Boyer came to Logan Township in 1843, and took up eighty acres of land upon which he built a log-house and where he lived for many years. He cultivated the land he owned, besides additional land which he rented, till his death in 1860. Mrs. Boyer died in Colorado at the home of her son. Their children were: Benjamin F., who lives in Montana; Melissa Jane, a resident of Richwoods Township; Nancy L., living in Decorah, Iowa; John A.; Isabel Ann; and Levi Hallman, living at Red Lodge, Montana. John A. Boyer married Mary J. Doubet, in Peoria, Illinois, February 25, 1875. She was born in Kickapoo July 25, 1854, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann (Marie) Doubet, residents of Limestone Township. Mr. Doubet is a native of Paris, France, and is a large landholder, having come to Peoria County in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat. The buildings on his farm are very fine. Harry Boyer, a nephew, and Carrie Sleeth are two young persons who have been brought up by Mr. and Mrs. Boyer.



BURDETT, JOSEPH; Farmer; born in Northamptonshire. England, May 6, 1850, the son of Joseph and Anna Burdett, natives of England. Joseph Burdett (senior) came to America in 1850, and his wife and child followed in 1851. They settled in Limestone Township, one mile from the limits of the City of Peoria, where the father engaged in mining, and afterwards in farming. He owned land in Sections 27 and 35. He served seventeen years as Supervisor of Kickapoo Township and also as Collector, dying at the age of sixty-five, and the mother at fifty-four. At twenty-one Joseph Burdett (junior) began mining and farming, and now owns the northeast quarter of Section 35. He is a Democrat and has served six years as Road Commissioner and three years as School Director; is Venerable Consul of the Order of Modern Woodmen of America, and also a member of the Royal Neighbors. He married Jane Benn in Peoria County, July 5, 1871. Mrs. Burdett was born in England in 1849, the daughter of Abram and Mary Benn, now deceased, who came to America in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Burdett have seven children: William John, Anna, Josephine,  Hester, Joseph  Stephens, Isaac Gordon and Albert. William married Harriet Wantling; Anna I. married William Wolstenholme; Josephine married Charles Adelmann. Mrs. Burdett died July 1, 1899, and Mr. Burdett was married a second time, on September 25, 1901, to Mrs. Ellen H. Tippett, of Pottstown.



CHRISTIAN, PETER; Farmer; born in Germany, August 31, 1849; the son of Valentine and Luzana (Smith) Christian, natives of Germany. Valentine Christian brought his family to Kickapoo Township in 1851, and bought eighty acres of land in Section 17, to which he afterwards added one hundred and fifteen acres in Section 7, now owned by his son Peter. Peter Christian married Katie Brutcher, in Kickapoo Township, September 4, 1877.   Mrs. Christian was born in Jubilee Township, August 19, 1856, the daughter of John and Anna Brutcher, early settlers in Peoria County, but now deceased. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Christian are: Anna, Barbara, Valentine, Frank, Josephine M.. Mary, Andrew, and Maggie. Barbara married George Kelch and lives in Kickapoo Township.   Mr. and Mrs. Christian are members of the Catholic Church. He is an Independent voter and has served as Highway Commissioner.



CRAMER, MICHAEL; Farmer; born in Germany, May 5, 1836, the son of James and Margarette Benner, natives of Germany. He came to America in 1857 and worked for a time in Cook County and later went to Tazewell County, where he bought his father-in-law's farm. He removed to Limestone Township, and, in 1897, settled in Kickapoo. He married Mary Josephine Berger in Peoria, February 27, 1859. She was born September 14, 1835, in Washington, District of Columbia.   Her parents John and Frances (Bush) Berger, natives of Baden, Germany, came to America about 1831, visiting at Washington, D. C. They removed to Cincinnati, and in 1841 settled in Tazewell County, where they purchased land at a dollar and a quarter an acre. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cramer:  Christiana Frances, Mary Elizabeth, Anna Katherine, William Philip, Adam Alex-
ander, Eva Josephine (deceased), John Michael, George Peter, Lena Victoria, Carl Frederick and Carolo James (deceased). Henry Williams was brought up in the family. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer are members of the Catholic Church. He is Independent in politics.



DICKISON, WILLIAM B.; Farmer; was born  February 9,  1834,  in Indiana.   His parents were  Griffith  and  Achsah   (Bennett) Dickison, the latter a native of Chautauqua County, New York. John Dickison. his grandfather, settled at Mossville, in 1835, with his wife, Mary (White) Dickison, his brother Griffith and Aaron G. Wilkinson. In 1855, William B. Dickison and his father bought a farm in Section 35, Radnor Township, and later, for a quarter of a century, they lived in Richwoods Township, where the former filled the office of Supervisor. March 15 1855,  Mr. Dickison married Anna Wilkinson, in Radnor Township. She was born in Indiana, March 15, 1835, a daughter of Aaron G. and Sarah (Harlan) Wilkinson, natives respectively of Virginia and Ohio. Her grandparents in the maternal line were Joseph and Sarah J. Harlan, he born in Ohio, she in Maryland. To Mr. and Mrs. Dickison were born three children:   Elizabeth B., Charles D. and William Ernest. Elizabeth B. married Frank P. Epperson. now deceased.  Charles D. married Flora Frye, who was born in Kickapoo Township, in 1858, a daughter of Henry A. and Anna (Deen) Frye, born in Pennsylvania, and at Cincinnati, Ohio, respectively, and is the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres in connection with which he manages a dairy, selling milk in Peoria. He is a Mason and has been School Director. His three children are named Elva May, Anna Elizabeth and William E. Mrs. William B. Dickison is a Presbyterian. She and her daughter, Mrs. Epperson, also a widow, live at 1001 Knoxville Avenue, Peoria.



GORDON, AUSTIN H. (deceased); Farmer; was born in Surry County, North Carolina, April 22, 1812, son of Samuel and Nancy (Hering) Gordon. The parents moved from North Carolina to Indiana, where the father bought a farm. Austin H. Gordon came to Radnor Township in 1836, and purchased eighty acres of land at a dollar arid a quarter per acre, about a mile west of Dunlap. This he sold in 1858 and purchased a farm in Sections 2 and 11, where, at the time of his death, he owned three hundred and twenty acres. He also owned a house and lot on Elizabeth Street in Peoria. He married Harriet M. Bouton, in Peoria County, March 20, 1831. She was born in Knox County, Ohio, February 17, 1825, daughter of Jehiel and Maria (Peat) Bouton. The father was born in Utica, New York, and the mother in Connecticut. The paternal grandparents were Jehiel Bouton, born in New Jersey, and Lois Dickison, a native of Scotland. The maternal grandparents were Arona and Hannah (Lum) Peat, natives of Connecticut. Jehiel Bouton (junior) came to Ohio at an early age with his parents who were farmers. In 1837 he settled in Jubilee Township, Peoria County, but lived little more than, a year. His widow subsequently bought a quarter-section of land at a dollar and a quarter an acre, and made a farm which she managed till her death in 1869—a period of about twenty years. The children of Jehiel and Maria Bouton are: Samuel, Maria Jane, Sarah Ann, Thompson P., Austin, Harriet M., Alanson, Lois Ellen, Daniel, John and Jehiel. The children born to Austin H. and Harriet M. Gordon are: Mary (deceased), Ann M., Samuel, Jennie, Henry Clay, Harriet and Austin. Mr. Gordon was a Republican, a member of the Grange and had been School Director and Township Collector. He died of pneumonia, January 17, 1870, after a sickness of five days.



HALLER, CONRAD J.; Farmer; born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 20, 1845, is the son of Conrad J. Haller and Christina (Koerner) Haller, natives of Wurtemberg. Germany. The father was born in 1804, and died in November, 1855. The mother died July 29, 1899. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Koerner, was born in Germany. Conrad J. Haller, Sr., came to America in 1818, stopping first at Pittsburg, and then at Cincinnati, where he worked at his trade as a butcher. He reached Peoria in 1850 and settled in Kickapoo Township, March 1, 1851. There he purchased a farm in Section 11, upon which he lived until his death.   Conrad Haller was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, enlisting August 11, 1862, in Company A, Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, D. P. Grier, Colonel, and serving until June 17, 1865, taking part in fifteen battles.  He was captured and held a prisoner at Camp Ford, Texas, for one year, one month, one week and a day. Returning home, he engaged in farming. For fifteen years he was a resident of Radnor Township, but for four years past has lived in Kickapoo Township, where he has eighty acres of good land in Section 1. On February 4, 1875, he was married in Kickapoo Township, to Lucina J. Dowling, who was born in Washington County, Ohio, December 5, 1846, the daughter of James F. and Jane (Perkins) Dowling. Her father was born in Ohio, came to Peoria County in 1860, and died in Kickapoo Township. The mother was born in Rhode Island, married in Ohio, and died in Muskingum County, Ohio. Mr. Haller is a Republican, a thirty-second degree Mason, and a charter member of Orange Grange, of which he was Master for eight years; is also a member of the Peoria County Pomona Grange. Mrs. Haller is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and both are members of the Alta Eastern Star Lodge.



HALLER, GEORGE H.; Farmer; born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 20, 1850, the son of Conrad and Christina (Koerner) Haller, natives of Wittenberg, Germany. The father was born in 1804 and died in November, 1855; the mother, born in 1822 and died July 29, 1899. The grandparents, Jacob Haller and Jacob and Christina Koerner, were born in Germany. Conrad Haller came to America in 1824. After learning the butcher's trade he worked for a time in Cincinnati and St. Louis, and came to Kickapoo Township in 1851, where he bought a farm on Section 11l, and where he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. George H. Haller resides on the old homestead farm. He married Augusta Patton in Richwoods Township, January 20, 1881.  She was torn in Kickapoo Township, September 12, 1859, the daughter of J. B. and Harriet Patton. Mrs. Haller died October 25, 1900. Mr. Patton first settled in Peoria County in 1854 but afterwards returned to Ohio; he died in the spring of 1891 at the home of his son Frank, in Kickapoo Township. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Haller are: Conrad J., Harry F., Henry A. and Charles Patton. Mr. Haller is a Republican, and School Director. He is a Mason, and a member of the Grange. Mrs. Haller was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, as is also Mr. Haller, who has been Worthy Master three terms.



HEINZ, ANDREW, Sr.; Farmer: born in Germany, February 16, 1823; son of Henry and Katherine Heinz, natives of Germany.   Mr. Heinz came to America in 1848, landing at New York and coming to Peoria by way of the lakes, Chicago and the Illinois River. His first work was in the brick-yards in Peoria. Later he also worked for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, and cut wood and hauled it to Peoria for seventy-five cents a load.  He bought forty acres of land and settled in Kickapoo Township, where he already had three brothers. He added to this land from time to time, and now has several farms, one of fifty-four acres near Kickapoo Village. He married Christina Reed, in Kickapoo Township. Mrs. Heinz is also a native of Germany, a daughter of Morris Reed, and came to America with her elder sister when quite young. There are seven children of this marriage: Fred, Henry, Andrew, George, Katie, Anna and Theresa.  Mr. and Mrs. Heinz are members of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat.  By his industry and thrift he has become a successful farmer.



HEINZ, ANDREW, Jr.; born in Kickapoo Township, September 25, 1847; son of George and Katherine (Henlein) Heinz, natives of Germany.   His grandfathers were Henry Heinz of Germany, and George Henlein. George Heinz came to America in 1830 and settled north of Mossville at a place called Rome. After working for Captain Moss several years, he purchased a small farm on Section 16, in Kickapoo Township. At the time of his death he owned three hundred and sixty acres of choice land.  He served as Supervisor of Kickaooo Township. He died in 1890; his wife, in 1895. Andrew Heinz remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-four years old, and then rented land of his father. He now owns four hundred and  eighty-nine acres of land in Kickapoo and other property near Peoria. Mr. Heinz married Anna Leibel in Kickapoo Township, November 3, 1875. She was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1855, daughter of Frank and Louisa Leibel, natives of Baden, Germany. The father served a year in the War of the Rebellion and died in 1889. The mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Heinz have five children:  Joseph George, Bernard John, Richard John, David Sylvester and Leo Fritz. Mr. Heinz is a Democrat, and is a member of the Catholic Church.



HEINZ, FRANK; Farmer; born in Kickapoo Township, October 10, 1842, the son of George and Katherine Heinz, natives of Germany. George Heinz came to Peoria in 1839, afterwards removing to Mossville, where he was employed by Mr. Moss until he went to farming on the Bradley place on the "Bluff." Subsequently he purchased and settled on a farm, near his brother Fred, in Kickapoo Township, where he lived till his death in 1890. Mrs. Heinz died in 1895. At twenty-three years of age, Frank Heinz rented a farm and. the following year, settled on his father's farm where he now resides. He now owns two hundred acres of land on Section 9; also owns building lots in the city of Peoria. He married Mary Heitter in Kickapoo Township in 1868. Mrs. Heinz was born in Jubilee Township March 18, 1850, daughter of Frank and Mary (Wolf) Heitter, natives of Germany, who
came to Peoria in the early settlement of the country; the father is dead; the mother is still living.  Mr. and Mrs. Heinz were the parents of ten children: Eliza K., Julius A.. Emil Valentine, Frank Sylvester, and Etta Frederica, now living; the deceased are Willie Frank, Anna Katie, Ida Katie, Clarence Peter, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Heinz is a Democrat and has served as School Director.  He and his family are members of the Catholic Church.



HEINZ, FREDERICK; Farmer; Kickapoo Township; born in Nousdorf, Hesse Cassel, Germany, May 19, 1827, the son of Henry and Katherine Heinz, natives of Germany. Frederick Heinz came to Kickapoo Township in 1848, where he joined his brother George, who had preceded him to this country. He purchased eighty acres of land, mostly timber, on Section 16, for which he paid five hundred dollars.  He cleared off the timber, replaced the log cabin with a handsome brick house, and now owns the original place, which is in a good state of cultivation, besides fifty-three acres in Section 21. He married Eva Seibert in Kickapoo Township in October, 1852.  Mrs. Heinz was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America alone to live with her sister in Kickapoo Township. She died July 6, 1894. One child was born of this marriage:  Anna Margaret; she married John Blucher, who now cultivates Mr. Heinz's farm; they have four children: Fred, Eva, Anastasia and Etta. Mr. Heinz is a member of the Catholic Church. He has served as Supervisor and Road Commissioner of Kickapoo Township, and is now School Treasurer.



KOERNER, DAVID ; Farmer ; born in Hamilton County. Ohio, October 15, 1835; son of Jacob and Christina Koerner, and grandson of Jacob Koerner, natives of Germany. The second Jacob Koerner came to America and settled, first at Cincinnati and then near Columbus, Ohio, where he rented a farm and carried on farming and stock-raising. In 1848 he came to Peoria County and purchased a farm on Section 15, Kickapoo Township, where he passed the remainder of his life. He died in 1867, and his wife in 1877. They were buried on the old farm. At twenty-five years of age David Koerner left the parental roof-tree and bought a farm of eighty acres. After his father's death he bought the interests of the other heirs and became owner of the old homestead. He now has three hundred and twenty acres of land, and is a hard working and successful farmer. He is a Democrat, and has served as School Director. In 1860 he married Louise Seibold in Kickapoo Township. She was born in Germany in 1837, daughter of Gottlieb Seibold, who came to America and was never afterward heard of.  Subsequently the mother died in Germany. Mrs. Koerner came to America in company with friends when sixteen years old. There were born of this marriage six children: David (deceased), Jacob C.; Caroline Rosina, Frederick W., Louisa C. and Mary Elizabeth.



LANDY, JAMES; Farmer; born in Ireland March 1, 1840, in which country all his ancestors, as far as he knows, were born.  His parents were William and Margaret (Barry) Landy; his paternal grandparents, John and Mary Landy, and his maternal grandparents, Edward and Anastasia (Kelley) Barry. Mr. Landy came from County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1856, direct to Peoria. He has eighty acres of land and is a farmer and stock-raiser. He has served as School Director.  In religion he is a Catholic, and in politics a Democrat. He married Mary Holder in Peoria. Mrs. Landy was born in Ireland in 1848, daughter of William and Ann (Cochran) Holden, natives of Ireland. They came to America in 1853, first locating in Ohio, after which they removed to Peoria County, settling first in Limestone, and afterwards in Kickapoo Township, where they owned land.  Mr. and Mrs. Landy are the parents of nine children: William, John, Annie, May, Anastasia, Edward, Maggie, James, and one who died in infancy. William married Flora Marigold and lives in Kickapoo Township.



MILLER, JOHN F.; Blacksmith and Wagonmaker; was born in Germany, March 1, 1840; a son of Henry and Katherine Miller, natives of Germany.  His paternal grandfather was also named Henry Miller,  Henry Miller (second) brought his family to America and to Tazewell County, by the well-known water route and reached Pekin in March, 1842. The voyage across the ocean to New Orleans took seven weeks. After working on a farm for some time, Mr. Miller bought "an eighty" in Limestone Township, where he engaged in agriculture during the remainder of his life. In 1860 John F. Miller began to learn his trade, but was interrupted by the outbreak of the War in 1861, and enlisting in Company A. Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, served four years. Returning from the war, he resumed his trade, at which he has since labored. He has carried on the business of blacksmith and wagonmaker in Kickapoo Township twenty-five years. He owns a good house and shop and the ground on which they stand.  He is politically independent, has been School Director many years, and is a member of the Methodist Church. May 20, 1862, he married Irene Toland, who was born in Pennsylvania February 23, 1847, the daughter of George D. and Lydia Ann Toland, then residents of Logan Township. The father was born January 22, 1817, and the mother April 13, l817.  Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of nine children:  Stephen Francis, born March 25, 1867, deceased; William Henry, born May 19, 1868; John Addison, born September 20, 1869, deceased; James Otto, born August 19, 1871, deceased; Clara Jane, born October 23. 1873 ; Charles Martin born January 12, 1875; Laura Ida, born September 27, 1877; Flora Eliza, born April 21, l880; Oscar Frederick, born March 26, 1888, deceased.



SECRETAN, JOHN PETER; Farmer; was born in Kickapoo Township, January 31, 1854, son of Louis M. and Charlotte (DuToit) Secretan, the father was born in Switzerland and the mother in Indiana. The father came to America in 1848, by way of New Orleans to Peoria. He purchased 160 acres of land in Kickapoo Township on Sections 33 and 34, and afterwards added eighty acres. He married about two years after coming to America. He died while on a visit to Switzerland. After the death of his father, John P. Secretan, then eighteen years old, attended to the management of the farm for his mother, who died in 1894. He married Helen Y. Trigger in Radnor Township, where she was born June 1, 1860, daughter of William and Helen (Stewart) Trigger. Mr. Trigger was one of the earliest and wealthiest settlers of Radnor Township. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Secretan are: John L.. Helen B. and Charlotte Ruth. Mr. Secretan has served as Supervisor and Collector of the Township. Mr. and Mrs. Secretan own about three hundred and ninety-five acres of land.



STAFFORD, JESSE: Miner and Farmer; born in Warwickshire, England, September 20, 1835. His parents were William and Mary (Benson) Stafford, natives of England, now deceased. Mr. Stafford came to America in April, 1860, and, after remaining for a time at Toronto, Canada, came to Detroit and thence to Peoria County, in the fall of 1862, where he has since been engaged in mining and farming. He married Mary Ann Williams in Peoria, September 8, 1881.  Mrs.Stafford was born in Pennsylvania, March 8, 1837, the daughter of Peter and Sarah Williams. Her father was Welsh, and the mother English. They came to America and settled, first in Pennsylvania, and later at Pottstown, Peoria County, Illinois, where he worked at mining.  His death was caused by his being thrown from a buggy in Peoria. The mother is also dead. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford have four children: Jesse, born July 27, 1882; Fred, born April 29, 1885; Joseph, born February 12, 1888, died in infancy. Mr. Stafford is a member of the United Mine Workers. Politically he is a Republican.



VOORHEES, JOSEPH; Farmer; born at Hamilton, Ohio, February 2, 1814, is the son of Garrett and Jerusha (Rugg) Voorhees.   The father was born in Somerset County, New Jersey, June 9, 1763, and died in his ninety-ninth year. The mother, a native of Long Island, was of English descent.  The paternal grandfather was Abraham Voorhees.  The family originated in Holland. Garrett Voorhees and wife came to Ohio, in the early settlement of that State, when there was but one shingle-roofed house in Cincinnati. He bought a farm in Hamilton County, and devoted the balance of his life to agriculture. Joseph Voorhees was the eldest of his father's second marriage, of which there were three sons. He came to Elmwood on a visit in 1835 and returned again in 1849, buying land in Kickapoo Township. In 1841 he moved to Peoria County and located on land in Section 6, in Kickapoo Township, where he has since been largely engaged in farming and stock-raising. His first dwelling was a log-house which has since givenplace to a large brick residence. He has a brick yard on his farm, and was for three years engaged in brick manufacture. He now has 800 acres of land, a part of which is in Nebraska. He married Sarah Rynearson in Peoria, Illinois, March 10, 1840. She was born in Franklin County, Indiana, August 19, 1823, and was the daughter of Miney and Sarah Rynearson, residents of Rosefield Township. The children of this marriage were twelve: Garrett H., who married Emily Cook; William M., who lives in Peoria, married Mary Simpson; Joseph M., who married Hadetta S. Bergquist, of Peoria, lives on the farm; John; Jerusha A.; Laura A.; Algernon A.; Martha A.; Elizabeth; Joseph R.; Mariah H.; Charles E. Only two of these are now living—William and Joseph M. Mrs. Voorhees was a member of the Baptist Church. She died October 14, 1889, aged seventy years. Mr. Voorhees is a Democrat, and has filled the offices of School Director and Township Assessor. He has never used tobacco or intoxicating liquors.



YATES, JOHN; County Mine Inspector and Postmaster; was born in Taylor County, West Virginia, September 8, 1847. His parents were Albert and Sarah (Fletcher) Yates, natives of West Virginia. His maternal grandfather was Harrison Fletcher, a native of Ireland. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Yates, a native of England, came to America in 1818, and settled in West Virginia. Albert Yates started for California by the overland route in 1831, and was never heard of after leaving Independence, Missouri. He is supposed to have been killed by Indians or Mormons. John Yates was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, served in Company C, Fourth Regiment West Virginia Cavalry, and in Company H, First West Virginia Light Artillery. He enlisted when only fifteen years old and served from August 5, 1862, to July 14, 1865. He participated in thirteen battles and was a prisoner in the notorious Libby Prison. He came to Peoria, Illinois, in January, 1867. After working two years on a farm he went to mining, in which he was engaged till 1881. For a time, he was a road contractor and built roads about Peoria and in the country. In 1887, he opened a coal mine, which he managed for about three years. In 1899 he was appointed County Mine Inspector, and has served as such till the present time. He has also served five terms as Assessor, and has filled the office of Justice of the Peace. He is now Postmaster at Edwards Station. He is a Republican. On July 18, 1868, he was married in Peoria to Ellen Snyder, who was born in West Virginia, June 12, 1852, the daughter of Enoch and Elizabeth (Martin) Snyder, natives of West Virginia. They came to Illinois in 1863 and settled in Rosefield Township, where they lived four years, and then came to Kickapoo Township, and settled at Edwards Station, where Mr. Snyder was engaged in farming, and where he died. Mrs. Yates died May 26, 1897. The children of John and Ellen Yates are: Emily Ann, Elizabeth, Maggie May, and John Albert. Emily married Daniel Lauer. Mary married Robert Monroe.


GEORGE MICHAEL BATEMAN.

The modern and well equipped farm of Mr. Bateman, advantageously located in the vicinity of Glasford, bespeaks the enterprise and well directed energy of the owner, and correctly indicates his place among the scientific agriculturists of Timber Township.  Eighty acres in extent, and rich productive land, this particular property has been in the possession of Mr. Bateman since 1880, while since his fourteenth year he has been an interested spectator of the growth of Illinois, and has materially aided in the many sided development.

On the maternal and paternal side of his family Mr. Bateman is descended from long-lived and rugged ancestry, for, on his father's side, he inherits the sterling Scotch traits, and on his mother's the substantial characteristics of the English. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, December 31, 1834, a son of Isaac and Harriet (Luck) Bateman, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter born in England. Isaac Bateman came to Illinois about 1848 and died in Timber Township, September 30, 1889, at the age of eighty years, his wife having predeceased him in March of 1888. The grandfather Bateman. who was born in Scotland and married a German lady, came to Pennsylvania when a young man, and eventually died in Ohio. The grandfather Luck was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church and carried on his humanitarian projects in Cincinnati and other points in the middle West. his death occurring in Davenport, Iowa, at the age of eighty years. According to precedent established all along the line of the Bateman ancestry, latter day bearers of the name may count upon years extending far beyond the scriptural allotment, for the forefathers have been renowned for their great physical strength and unusual retention of unimpaired faculties.  Of the children born to Isaac Bateman and his wife, three died in infancy, while Elizabeth, who married Joseph Glasford, and William died in Timber Township. The children now living are: Lucy, the widow of Mr. Brown, of Canton, Illinois; George M.; Mary, now the widow of Francis Raish, of Peoria; Anna, widow of H. Duffield, of Fulton County, Illinois; Susan, now Mrs. Cramer, a resident of Iowa; and Amelia, wife of John Murphy, of Fairview, Illinois.

After farming independently for many years in Illinois, Mr. Bateman entered the employment of an ice company in 1876, and for four years had charge of the boats on the river and laid in the requisite supply of ice. His time was mostly spent between Kingston, Illinois, and New Orleans, but his occupation terminated with the purchase of his present farm in 1880, since which time he has been engaged almost exclusively in farming and stock raising. His good fortune was somewhat impaired in 1885 owing to a devastating fire that destroyed his house and most of its contents, and necessitated the more recent erection of the commodious residence which constitutes the present home of himself and family. In Prairie Du Sac, Sauk County, Wisconsin, June 11, 18883*, Mr. Bateman married Mary A. De la Barre, who was born at LaPorte, Indiana, a daughter of Nathaniel and Mary De la Barre, natives, respectively, of Germany and Switzerland.  Mr. and Mrs. De la Barre settled in Prairie Du Sac in 1868, and two years later removed to the vicinity of Hebron, North Dakota, where Mr. De la Barre is at present extensively engaged in stock raising. To Mr. and Mrs. Bateman have been born three children: Newton, Ida and Lloyd. Mr. Bateman is a Republican in national politics, but has never sought official recognition.  Mrs. Bateman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal.

*transcribed as appears in the original book


ALVA MERRILL.

Hon. Alva Merrill, farmer and legislator, is perhaps, as widely known for the spirit of enterprise and expansion which he manifested in connection with affairs beyond the fences enclosing his abundant harvest -- especially those relation to the problems to be solved by the just and farseeing legislator -- as he is for his success in the more limited domain of his private business.  Possessing a conservatism of thought broadened by keen observation of men and events, and in touch with the drawbacks which retard the greater usefulness of the American agriculturist, he has at all times utilized the public honors for the best good of his fellow-townsmen, rather than as an opportunity for self-honor or personal aggrandizement.  An uncompromising Republican, the confidence of the people has placed him in many positions of credit and responsibility, including his five years' service as a member of the Poor Farm Inspectors.  His most conspicuous undertakings, however, have been in the halls of the State Legislature, to which he was elected in 1894, his re-election following in 1896, 1898 and 1900. During his four terms in the House Mr. Merrill served on many important committees, and, during the session of the Fortieth General Assembly, was Chairman of the committee on Public Charities, a position of great importance and responsibility. As a politician his reputation is unsullied, and his independence of thought and action has gained the admiration and confidence of those who elected him to office. His influence has extended into many channels of activity, and he is popular fraternally, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. A native son of Illinois, Mr. Merrill was born in Medina Township, Peoria County, October 9, 1834, a son of Samuel and Mary J. (Lake) Merrill, natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana. His paternal grandfather was also named Samuel.  Mr. Merrill was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the district schools, and in youth struggled with the vicissitudes the overcoming of which constitute the self-made man. After leaving his home surroundings he settled first in Marshall County, removing in 1860 to the farm in Hallock Township, upon which he lived until locating in Chillicothe, February 10, 1881, he married Henrietta Saxton, daughter of Frederick and Sarah Saxton, early settlers of Hallock Township.  Mrs. Merrill, who died May 13, 1892, was the mother of two children: Mabel arid Clifford. The second marriage of Mr. Merrill occurred October 16, 1900, with Mrs. Florence A. West (nee Humphrey), a native of Lima, Livingston County, New York.
 

From Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Edited by David McCulloch, Vol. II; Chicago and Peoria: Munsell Publishing Company, Publishers, 1902.

 


 

 


CAHILL, PETER; Farmer, Stock-raiser and Ex-member of the State Legislature; born in County Meath, Ireland, February 12, 1843. When only four years old his father died, and, in the summer of 1847, his mother brought her three young sons to Peoria County, where they took up their residence. Mr. Cahill obtained a thorough common-school education and has since kept abreast of the times by systematic reading. He has an enviable record as a public servant, serving faithfully as School Director, Tax Collector and Highway Commissioner, and he has also represented Jubilee Township on the County Board of Supervisors for seventeen years, three of these being as Chairman of the Board. He served three terms in the State Legislature, being elected first, in 1892, and again in 1894. In 1896 he received a third nomination, but was defeated by a small majority. In 1898 he was favored with a fourth nomination by his party, and easily carried his district. Mr. Cahill is a Democrat, and belongs to the Catholic Church. He is a prominent and influential man in the County. He is unmarried, and resides one and three-quarter miles southeast of Brimfield, his estate containing about 500 acres of land.



CORNEY, MARY (FORD); Late Widow of Philip Corney, but now deceased; born in Devonshire, England, July 12, 1817. She received her education and grew to womanhood in her native land. Her husband was also a native of England. They came to the United States in 1850, remaining in Ohio for a year and a half, when they removed to Peoria County and rented a farm. They soon afterwards bought ten acres of land, and rented other land for a period of five years. Then having sold their land, with what means they had accumulated, they purchased a larger tract on which they carried on farming more extensively. Mrs. Corney's grandfather was John Ford, whose son, Samuel Ford, married Sarah Smallridge. Mr. Corney's parents were James and Mary Corney, born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Corney were married in Devonshire, England, and were the parents of seven children: Mary Ann, James, William, Sarah, Eliza, John and Frank P.  Mrs. Corney took an active interest in the Baptist Church, of which she was a member for many years. She managed her own property, including an improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In later years this farm was managed by her son, Frank P. Corney, who married Mary Ann Koerner, whose parents were early residents of Peoria County. They have one child, Ruth. Mrs. Corney died in November, 1899, having survived her husband thirty-nine years. Her latter years were spent on the home farm with the family of her youngest son.



COULSON, FRANK E.; Postmaster and Merchant of Jubilee, in Jubilee Township; born in Colborne, Canada, May 1, 1855. His father, William Coulson, was born in Yorkshire England; his mother. Minerva (Crandall) Coulson, was a native of Canada. The elder Coulson left England when sixteen years of age for Canada, and after spending some years there, removed to Missouri, where he educated his family. He engaged in the flour and saw-mill business, at La Grange, Lewis County, which he followed on a large scale until his death, January 26, 1869.  During his life there he held the offices of County Assessor and Alderman of the City of LaGrange. His widow died March 25, 1876.  Frank E. Coulson began his business career with his father, and in 1875, he removed to Pekin, Illinois, and became identified with Myers & Wyrick, who conducted a header-works. After spending one year there he went to Jubilee Township, where he purchased a farm, which he worked until 1894, when he opened a mercantile house in Jubilee. Mr. Coulson married Anna Rosette Spaulding, of Quincy, Illinois, September 19, 1883, and they have two children: Stanley C. and Clara Louisa. Mrs. Coulson's father was Merritt Spaulding, a native of Vermont; her mother, Louisa (White) Spaulding, was born in Quincy. Mr. Coulson is a Methodist and a Republican, and was appointed Postmaster at Jubilee in 1895. Besides this political recognition, he has been Trustee for three years, Tax Collector five years, and School Director nine years, which office he now holds. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Home Forum.



MARSHALL, ALBERT A. M.; Farmer; born at Coxsackie, Greene County, New York, May 3, 1838; a son of Marvin and Lois (Bruce) Marshall and a grandson of Elijah and Mary (Percys) Marshall. His father was born in Vermont, and his grandfather in Massachusetts.   John Marshall, his great-grandfather, came from England. His father and grandfather were members of the old Whig party and he is a Republican. Lois Bruce, the wife of  Marvin Marshall, was the daughter of a Baptist minister, and was born in Vermont. Marvin Marshall, with his family, arrived at Peoria August 1, 1850, and the next day they went to Brimfield and settled where they have since lived on Section 30 in Jubilee Township.  Albert A. M. Marshall is not active in politics and has refused all offices except that of School Director. He is an influential member of the Baptist church. He married Sophia Sweet, August, 1863, and she died leaving one son, R. H. Marshall, who lives in Nebraska. January, 1867, he married Abby R. Willard, in Jubilee Township. They have had eight children: Birdie A., a teacher; Cora, a teacher; Ernest W., of Jubilee Township; William A., of Brimfield; Harry E., a traveling salesman; Janie M., at school; Nellie M., who is dead, and Stella R., a school girl.



SMITH, GEORGE E.; Farmer and Stock-raiser; was born in Jubilee Township, July 21, 1863.  His parents were natives of Germany. His father, John B. Smith, came to this county in 1852; the mother, who was Beronica Bootz, followed two years later, and, in 1856, they were married. After a short residence in Stark County, Illinois, they lived practically all their lives in Peoria County. They managed well and had accumulated over five hundred acres of land. George E. Smith was married to Emma J. Harrison, a native of Peoria County, December 12, 1888. Her grandfather was James Harrison, who early cast his fortunes in the West; her grandmother was Mary S. (Rogers) Harrison, who came from New York State. The father of Mrs. Smith was Robert W. Harrison and her mother's name was Eleanor (Lawrence) Harrison. Mr. Harrison was born in Illinois, his wife in New York State.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of three children:  Blanch V., Frank Matthews, and Jessie Eleanor. Mr. Smith owns
over three hundred and twenty acres of land. He is a public-spirited citizen and takes an active interest in the welfare of his township. He has served two terms as Tax Collector, and was appointed School Director ten years ago. He is a Democrat.
 

From Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Edited by David McCulloch, Vol. II; Chicago and Peoria: Munsell Publishing Company, Publishers, 1902.

 



LUCAS C. HICKS.

The ancestral home of the Hicks family in the snug and picturesque little country of Wales, harbored forefathers who worthily performed the tasks of citizenship, and, in their coming and going, observed the frugality, wise conservatism and forethought upon which admirable characteristics are founded the strength and solidity of Welsh national life and institutions. Long before the patience of the American Colonies was exhausted by tyrannical English rule, and found vent in the victory of the Revolution, the emigrating ancestors crossed the seas and settled in Rhode Island, afterwards removing to Nova Scotia. Later, members of the family located in New York, and from this State the grandfather, Levi Hicks, removed to Ohio, where his declining years were spent. His son, Joel Hicks, the father of Lucas C., was born in Nova Scotia, and had three other sons, Levi, Samuel and Rufus.  Lucas C., was born in Jackson County, Ohio, August 25, 1819, came with his father to Hallock Township, Illinois, in 1830, and has since been identified with the upbuilding of this resourceful part of the State. As one of the very early pioneers he has witnessed many changes, himself an integral factor in the transformation of the erstwhile prairies into farms and their abundant harvests and practically unlimited fertility. He has been foremost in political and other advancement in his neighborhood, and, on the Democratic ticket, was elected for a year to the office of Supervisor, and served as Road Commissioner for several years. The farm upon which he lives was purchased in 1846, and is one of the fine and profitable properties in the county.  September 3, 1846, Mr. Hicks married Sarah, daughter of Samuel Reed, one of the first settlers of Buffalo Grove, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Hicks have been born the following children: Lucius E. born January 31, 1848; Samuel F., born July 10, 1850; Ira J., born November 10, 1852; Emerson C., born December 15, 1855, and died October 7, 1895, leaving a wife, three sons and one daughter; Fanny A., born August 7, 1858, and died January 1, 1877; Mark I., born December 7, 1860; William, who died in infancy; and Sarah A., who was born July 26, 1866, and married John Snyder, a farmer.



WILLIAM M. SANGER.

By those who knew him best during his long and steadfast life in Illinois, William M. Sanger is remembered as a typical representative of the middle western farmer, large of purpose and high of motive, combining an intelligent grasp of the opportunities by which he was surrounded, with and appreciation of the needs of the community of which he was an honored citizen.   It may be said that he was the architect of his own building, for, at the age of fifteen, he became independent of other than his own efforts, and not long after courageously faced the obstacles in the way of the Illinois agriculturist of the middle of the century. His ambition to succeed found scope in the improvement of one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land on Section 12, Akron Township, and so unflagging was his zeal, and so well directed his energies, that at the time of his death, June 18, 1897, he was the possessor of two hundred acres of finely cultivated farm land, and an equal amount of valuable timber land. It is thus apparent that he had sound business sense and financial acumen, which, in connection with his unchallenged integrity, constituted a career worthy of admiration and emulation.

A native of New York State, Mr. Sanger was born at Honeoye Falls, Monroe County, November 22, 1828, a son of James and Maria (Wheeler) Sanger, natives of Vermont. His youth was uneventful and not unlike that of the average farm-reared boy, and his education was acquired at the district schools of New York and Vermont. A far-sighted discernment directed his steps to Illinois in 1849, and from then on he became one of the chief factors in the development of Peoria County.  In the religious work of the neighborhood he took a foremost part, and exerted a notable influence as a member of, and liberal contributor to, the Methodist Episcopal church. No less extended were his political activities, and his affiliation with the Democratic party resulted in the holding of township offices, especially that of Assessor, which position he satisfactorily filled for many years. In Chicago May 13, 1853, he married Semiramis Kemble, who was born in Paducah, Kentucky, June 28. 1835, a daughter of Colin B. and Elizabeth (Harlow) Kemble, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Sanger, who is living with her daughter, Ella, widow of R. L. Houghton, of Edelstein, Peoria County, is the mother of five children, of whom James W., Carlisle B. and Mrs. Houghton survive.



EBENEZER STOWELL.

Armed with the equipment of a strong and virile character, a determination to make the most of everything that came his way, and a true regard for the rights of all with whom he came in contact, Ebenezer Stowell became one of the prime factors in the early development of Illinois, and especially of Hallock Township, where he lived and worked and grew in the esteem of his fellowmen for nearly half a century. Remote, indeed, seem the days of a youth uneventfully passed in Chenango County, New York, where he was born October 19, 1807. Of English ancestry, his father, Abishai Stowell, was born in Windham, Windsor Township, Vermont, in 1779, and his mother, Hannah (Field) Stowell, in Brattleboro, Vermont, in 1782. Ebenezer Stowell was reared on the farm in Chenango County upon which his father had settled when a boy, and, during the cessation of labor in the winter months, attended the early subscription schools. As an aid to future independence he learned the trade of millwright, at which he worked for several years, and, in the meantime, his ambitions extended beyond the limitations of his surroundings to the almost primeval conditions of Illinois. The farm upon which he located in the course of time, and which, for so many years, was his special pride and comfort, was gained in a manner quite
incomprehensible to the latter-day purchasers of country property. With patience and faith in the future known only to the forerunners of Western civilization, he started out in the spring of 1836, with two companions, Roswell and Isaiah Nurse, to locate land in Illinois. They walked from Chenango County to Buffalo, going from there by boat to Toledo, Ohio, thence up the Maumee and down the Wabash River to Covington, Indiana, from which place they walked across the prairies to Beardstown, Illinois, and from there to Peoria County. They traveled through Knox and Fulton Counties, returning to Peoria County, where they located land in Hallock Township, which they entered at the Government Land Office at Quincy, in the summer of 1836. In the fall of the same year Mr. Stowell returned to his former home in Chenango County. New York, and farmed until the spring of 1843. Having finally disposed of his interests in the East, he brought his family to the Illinois possessions, and at once settled down to till his land, and make himself and those near him as comfortable as the crude conditions and almost utter isolation permitted. During the following years, and up to the time of his death, May 7, 1880, he was an interested spectator of the transformation of the wild prairies into harvest laden fields, and the substitution of the farm house and its attendant teeming industry for the Indian wigwam and barbaric ceremonial. He became the owner of six hundred acres of land in his adopted township. He was a stanch upholder of Republican institutions, but was never officially connected with local political undertakings.

February 23, 1833, Mr. Stowell married Paulina, daughter of Reuben and Anna Bridgeman, who was born in Chenango County, New York, April 14, 1811, and died May 7, 1834. Of this union there was one son, Orson B., now a resident of Hallock Township. The second marriage of Mr Stowell was contracted October 5, 1835, and was with Laura Bridgeman, a sister of his former wife, and also a native of Chenango County, who was born July 11, 1808, and died April 19, 1889. To them were born nine children, six of whom are living, five being married and settled in the neighborhood, and one a resident of the old homestead: Calvin, born October 5, 1836; Henry Allen, born March 14, 1841 and died March 16, 1853; Charles Edward, born September 23, 1844, and died January 19, 1846; Mary Cornelia, born April 4, 1846, and married Cyrus Root of La Prairie Township, Marshall County; Charles Edward, born March 6, 1848; Samuel Reuben, born February 23, 1850; Anna Paulina, born May 14, 1851, and married William Stephenson of Ogle County; and Ebenezer, born March 11, 1855, now deceased.



GALLUP, JOHN S.; Farmer; born in Connecticut, September 16, 1859. His father, Kinney Gallup, came to Illinois in 1865 and settled in Hallock Township. He had four sons: Prentiss, William, Frederick and John S.  Mr. John S. Gallup was married to Belle, daughter of George Burnes, September 23, 1881. They have one son and two daughters : John L., Mabel E. and Vinnie A.  Mr. Gallup is an enterprising farmer and has made a success of that occupation; he lives on the old homestead property. Politically he is a Democrat, and was elected Collector
in 1897, and in the following year was chosen Highway Commissioner. He is a member of the Masonic Order, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America

 




GOODWIN, THOMAS; Brick Manufacturer; born in England, July 1, 1847. In 1853, he came to America with his father, Joseph Goodwin, who located in, Henry, Marshall County, and there began the manufacture of brick. He afterwards removed to  Chillicothe, Peoria County, where he made brick for some years,  and later went to LaSalle, where he died. Mr. Thomas Goodwill learned the trade of brickmaking with his father and became an expert in that business. In the fall of 1877, he settled at Northampton, Hallock Township, where he has since resided and carried on his business. He was married December 30, 1875, to Mary A. Saxton, and they have one son, William. Mr. Goodwin is a Republican and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.



GULLETT, JOHN W.; Harnessmaker; born in Ohio County, Indiana, January 23, 1846; is a son of Abraham and Mary (Wheeler) Gullett, natives respectively of Maryland and Indiana. John Gullett, his grandfather, was also a Marylander by birth. Abraham removed to Indiana in his young manhood and in 1856 went thence to Hallock Township with his family, dying there in 1897. He had three sons, Joseph, William and John W. In 1861-65 John W. worked with S. B. Stowell, learning the trade of harnessmaking, and then engaged in business for himself at Northampton, Peoria County, where he has prospered to the present time.  As a Republican, he takes an active part in township affairs, and has been Township Clerk since 1894. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge at Chillicothe. Mr. Gullett married Julia M. Baggs, at Peoria, May 16, 1874, and has one son named Lewis.



HAKES, DANIEL; Carpenter and Farmer; born in Rensselaer County, New York, August 20, 1821, is the son of Rensselaer and Paulina (Eymer) Hakes.   The father was born in Rensselaer County, New York, February 16, 1788; the mother was a native of Connecticut. Her father, Anthony Eymer, emigrated from Germany to America in 1775, and died in Rensselaer County, New York, in 1826. David Hakes, the paternal great-grandfather of Daniel, was a native of England, came to America about 1783 and settled in Connecticut. His son Jesse, a native of Connecticut, served in the war of 1812, and was frozen to death while serving as sentinel. Rensselaer came to Illinois in 1860, settling in Hallock Township, where he died, March 15, 1863. Daniel came to Illinois in 1848, and settled in Hallock Township.   His two brothers, Anthony and Alanson, had come to the township in 1845. Anthony was for many years a minister and organized the Seventh Day Baptist Church at West Hallock. Daniel had learned the carpenter's trade in the East, which he followed until 1855, when he began farming on forty acres of land which he purchased when he first came to the township.  He combined farming and carpentering after 1855 and increased his farm to two hundred acres. In 1892, he retired from the farm and removed to Edelstein, where he has invested in building lots and other property. He has been a prominent citizen of the county for many years. In political faith is a Republican. He was Supervisor in 1867; also served as Commissioner of Highways for nine years, and was once elected Justice of the Peace, but never filled the office.  He taught singing school for twelve years, and for forty years was Superintendent of the Sabbath School work.  He has been Deacon and Trustee of the Seventh Day Baptist Church for many years. May 13, 1842, he married his first wife, Dorcas Saunders, daughter of Peleg and Hannah Saunders. They had one son, Zebulon P., now living in Chillicothe. Mrs. Hakes died, August 12, 1848.  For his second wife, Mr. Hakes, on May 9, 1849. married Mary Dennis, born in Ohio December 17, 1824, the daughter of Joseph and Rachel (McClellan) Dennis, natives of Pennsylvania. Three children were born of this marriage: Alonzo G., and Albert H. (both deceased), and Nellie, the widow of Walter
Simpson, of West Hallock.



HICKS, IRA J.; Farmer; born November 10, 1852, in Hallock Township,  Peoria County,  where  his   father,  Lucas C. Hicks, located in 1830.   Mr. Ira J. Hicks was married, July 1, 1875, to Nancy J. Blue, who died August 10, 1887. Three children were born to them.: Estella Pearl, born October 20, 1877, died August 11, 1878; Maud E., who was born July 1, 1881; married Elmer Steam, January 10, 1900; and Charles, born December 15, 1883.  Mr. Hicks' second marriage was with Nellie M. Sarver, February 28, 1892; she is the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Cooperrider) Sarver, of Hallock Township. They have one daughter, Drucie M., born August 2, 1894. Soon after his first marriage, Mr. Hicks settled on the homestead of his grandfather, where he lived until 1883, when he removed to his present home at Union.  He is a Democrat, and has served two terms as Town Clerk, having been first elected in 1893. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.



HOUGHTON, ROLLIN L., (deceased); Banker, Edelstein; born in Allegany County, New York, January 28, 1857, the son of Allen and Clara (Blanchard) Houghton. He received .a common school education, and in 1872, came West and settled in Iowa, where he was engaged in the lumber business for some time. In 1886, he went to Galva, Henry County, Illinois, and was there employed in the office of the E. W. Houghton Lumber Company, until 1888, when he came to Edelstein, where he had charge of the lumber yards of that company. In 1890 he opened a bank at Edelstein. He was married to Ella, daughter of William and Semiramis (Kemble) Sanger, and they had two daughters:  Elma and Letha L.  Mr. Sanger was one of the early settlers of Hallock Township. Mr. Houghton died May 11, 1900. He was a Republican and a member of the Knights of Pythias; was, also a charter member of the Congregational Church at Edelstein. Frank E. Houghton, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Allen Houghton, of Allegany County, New York, are his brothers. His parents are both dead. During his life, Mr. Houghton was one of the most prominent members of the community in which he resided.



KENDALL, RUBIE K.; born April 1, 1862. His father, John G. Kendall, came from Pennsylvania to Illinois in 1844, and his mother, Amelia (Merrill) Kendall. from the State of Ohio. in 1828. Mr. R. K. Kendall is a farmer and dairyman, and now owns the farm on which he was born, and which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and stocked with a practical herd of dairy cattle. He was married to Lutie M. Wilcox, Chicago, and, later, in the Academie-Francaise January 25, 1884, and they have five children: Maud, Chester, Earl, Ernest and Clifford. In politics Mr. Kendall has always been a stanch Republican, and was elected to the office of Assessor on that ticket. With the exception of two years spent in Kansas, Mr. Kendall has lived his entire life in Hallock Township, and is known as an honest, energetic man, whose integrity is unimpeachable. Being a member of the I.O.O.F., he believes in following implicitly the code of morality prescribed by that order. His forefathers came from Switzerland, locating in Pennsylvania at an early day.



McCOY, JOHN S.; Farmer; born in Oswego County, New York, January 4, 1860. He came to Peoria County in 1877 and worked by the month until 1886, when he began farming for himself. In 1892 he bought the farm where he now lives. He was married to Alice, daughter of Wallace Sheldon, of New York.   They have two sons and one daughter: Charles, born March 14, 1885; Edith, born May 12, l888; and a son, born April 29, 1901. Mr. McCoy is a Republican, and is one of the Highway Commissioner's of Hallock Township. He belongs
to the Congregational Church.



McDONNELL, Thomas H.; Farmer; Hallock Township, where he was born in January, 1865. His father, Matthew McDonnell, emigrated from Ireland to Illinois, settling in Hallock Township in 1851, where he was a successful farmer; he married Catharine, daughter of John Cashin; he died May 25, 1899. Thomas H. McDonnell was married to Nettie Dwyer, September 16, 1890. They have one son: Thomas, Jr. Mr. McDonnell lives on the homestead farm. He is a Democrat and belongs to the Catholic Church.



McDONNA, MATTHEW J.; Blacksmith; born in Millbrook Township, Peoria County, August 22, 1862.  His parents, Redmond and Catherine (Garegan) McDonna, were born in Ireland. They emigrated to the United States in 1849 and came to Illinois, where the father purchased a farm in Millbrook Township. In 1876 he removed to Akron Township, where he continued farming until his death, April 23, 1897. He left three sons and three daughters; Frank J.. Michael J., Matthew J., Anna, Bridget and Katie. Matthew J. McDonna was a farmer until 1894, when he went to Edelstein and began the blacksmith and wagon-making business. In 1899 he erected a larger building, and is now enjoying a rapidly growing trade. He was married to Kittie, daughter of William Cashin, June 7, 1892.  They have two sons, Matthew and Francis. Mr. McDonna is a Democrat. He is popular in the community, and is esteemed by his neighbors for his honesty and upright character.



NURSE, HENRY H.; Farmer; born in Hallock Township, Peoria County, October 26, 1843; son of Isaiah and Mary N. (Hill) Nurse. The father was born m Bainbridge, New York, March 19, 1815, and the mother in Peru, Vermont, October 3, 1813, coming to Hallock Township in August, 1834. The paternal great-grandparents were Caleb and Sarah (Fields) Nurse, natives of Vermont. The grandparents were Roswell Nurse, born in Ringe, New Hampshire, and Jerusha (Barton) Nurse, born in Canaan, Connecticut.  The maternal grandparents were Isaac and Mehitabel (Bancroft) Hill, natives of Vermont. Isaiah Nurse came from Bainbridge, New York, to Hallock Township in 1836, and settled where Henry H. Nurse now lives. He died there in 1894, leaving two sons, Newell E. and Henry H. He was a prominent man in the community, was Commissioner of Highways for many years and one of the early County Commissioners. Henry H. Nurse enlisted, in 1862, in Company C, Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until June 26, 1865, participating in the battles of Perryville,  Chickamauga, Resaca, Kenesaw, Rome and other engagements around Atlanta. He was with Sherman in the great march to the sea and through the Carolinas, in which he lost a leg, and was discharged soon afterward. He married Lucinda A. Stivens atvCamp Point, Illinois, November 5, 1869, and has one child, Elbert I. Mr. Nlirse was educated in the district schools and the Illinois Soldiers' College.   He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and votes the Republican ticket.  He is interested in public affairs, especially those of his township and county, and served as Township Assessor from 1884 to 1886, and was elected Supervisor in 1886, 1887 and 1888.



O'BYRNE, MATTHEW, Jr. ; Farmer; born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 26, 1863. His father, Matthew, came from Ireland to the United States in 1848, settling in Milwaukee. They lived there until 1864, when they removed to Peoria, and in 1879, took up their residence in this township, where he owns a farm. Matthew O'Byrne, Jr., remained on the farm until 1897, when he went to Edelstein, where he learned the harness-making trade.  In March, 1898. he opened a store, where he manufactures harness and horse furnishings. In September, 1892, he was married to Catharine, daughter of Matthew McDonnell, one of the old settlers of the township. They have two daughters: Anna and Marie. Mr. O'Byrne is a Democrat and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.



PHILLIPS, PETER E.; Merchant; was born in Hallock Township, Peoria County, February 9, 1863.  He is the son of Charles O. Phillips and grandson of Walter Evans, the first Supervisor of Hallock Township.  He got his start in life by working in a brick yard at Northampton, and in 1883, having saved $200, he established a grocery and general store at that place. He has managed well and his business has proved successful. He was married to Louisa, daughter of Mortimer Willard, and they have four children: Charles E., Blanch, Harry and Orin; Harry dying in infancy. Mr. Phillips has been a very successful man; starting with nothing, he saved his earnings and invested them wisely. He was appointed Postmaster at Northampton in 1890, the office having been established there mainly through his efforts. He is a Republican, and was Justice of the Peace eight years, and Tax Collector two years. He is a prominent Odd Fellow, member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of the Mystic Workers of the World, and of the Rebekahs.



ROOT, ALONZO M. ; Farmer; born in Hallock Township, Peoria County, March 2. 1851. His paternal grandparents were Jeriel and Sarah (Coleman) Root, born in Coventry, Connecticut. They removed to Dutchess County, New York, where Jeriel Root served as pastor of a Baptist Church, and taught school. Later they removed to Delaware County, where he purchased a farm. In 1817, he and his family located in Ross County, Ohio, and, in 1830, removed to Illinois, settling in Hallock Township, where he preached in various places in the early days. The parents of A. M. Root, were Erastus C .and Barbara A. (Reed) Root, the former born in Delaware County, New York, July 26, 1805, the latter, September 15, 1811, in the same county. They were married in Hallock Township December 16, 1830. In 1832 they removed to where Chillicothe now stands, being the first settlers in that locality; in 1836 they returned to Hallock Township. They were the parents of ten children: Jeriel, Perry, Caroline (deceased), James Lucas, Cyrus, Erastus, William, Sarah Lovina (deceased), Ann Eliza, Alonzo M. and Charles B. All the sons except Alonzo M. are farmers in Marshall County. Erastus C. Root was one of the leading men of his township. He died January 22, 1896; his wife, October 6, 1881. Alonzo M. Root resides on the old homestead property at Blue Ridge, and has been a prominent man and a prosperous farmer. He was married in Lacon, Illinois, August 18, 1874, to Lillian H. Ellsworth, who was born in Malone, Franklin County, New York, September 24, l854. the daughter of Lucien D. and Maria (Bird) Ellsworth. Two children were born to them: Julius D., born July 13, 1875; and Gertrude, born May 11,1877.  Mrs. Root died December 8, 1887, and on April 30, 1890, Mr. Root married for his second wife, Jennie Stekel. They had one son, Raymond, who died in infancy.  Mrs. Jennie Root is the daughter of Solomon and Emeline (Heinley) Stekel. Her father is still living in Princeton, Illinois.  Mr. Root is a Republican and has taken an active interest in public affairs.  He has been a member of the County Central Committee, and was Assessor for seven years, and has been school director for 19 years.  He is also a Modern Woodman of America.



SIMS, MAURICE P.; Farmer; born in Salem County, New Jersey, January 15, 1830, a son of John and Susan (Long) Sims, of old families in that county, and was reared to the work of the farm and educated in the public schools. At the age of twenty-one he located near Trivoli, Illinois, where he worked on a farm during the succeeding three years. He was married, March 25, 1854, at Peoria, to Mary Hall, who bore him four children—Elmer, George, Emily (now Mrs. Woodruff) and Fannie (now Mrs. Perkins). After his marriage he removed to Marshall County, where he was engaged in farming fourteen years. In 1869 he returned to Peoria County and settled at Lawn Ridge, Hallock Township, where he owns a farm. He is a member of the Congregational Church and in politics a Republican. His fellow citizens have called him to the offices of Supervisor and Justice of the Peace and he has filled both with much credit.



SPEERS, ALBERT J.; Grain and Stcock Dealer; born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1853 ; the son of John and Sarah Speers, John Speers, the father, was a native of the United States, and the mother of England. The ancestors came from England and Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania. The father came to Valley Township, Stark County, Illinois, in 1855, where he died in 1893. He was a prominent man and was Supervisor for more than fifteen years. Albert J. Speers was brought up oh a farm and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1894, when he removed to Edelstein, Hallock Township, and bought a grain elevator, where he has since done a good business in buying and selling grain. He also deals in coal and tile, and is a large buyer and shipper of stock. He married Anna F. Speers at Charleroi, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1887. She is the daughter of William Speers and Sarah A. Speers, and was born in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, September 26, l861. There are four children: George O., Ethel S., Bessie and Margaret. Mr. Speers is a Republican.



SPICER, JOHN GREEN; Dairyman; Edelstein; born at Hopkinton, Rhode Island, January 14, 1839, is a son of Joseph and Content (Potter) Spicer. His ancestors settled at Hopkinton before 1700, and Joseph Spicer, farmer and saddler, was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Rhode Island militia. John had eight brothers and two sisters, and was the tenth of his parents' children in order of birth. Two of them died young; William died forty years after the last of the two and there was no intervening death in the family. Charles, an engineer, died at Westerly, Rhode Island, aged seventy-one years, leaving a widow and two married daughters.  Mary, who married Judge Whipple, of Westerly, and had three children, died there September 6, 1883, aged fifty-eight. George H., a carriage-maker, born March 1, 1824, owns the family homestead in Rhode Island, and lives near it. Edward D., born March 13, 1828, lives at Adams, New York. Noyes, born April 30, 1830, was Probate Judge of Lyon County, Kansas, and is living in New York City. William, who died near West Hallock, aged forty-six, August 17, 1881, is survived by a widow and three children. Joseph Denison, born May 28, 1834, lives at Plainfield, New Jersey, and is Deacon and Clerk in the Seventh Day Baptist Church and Treasurer of the American Sabbath Tract Society. Albert H., a dentist, is a prominent citizen and official of Westerly, Rhode Island. He was born February 20, 1844. John G. Spicer was educated in the common schools in Rhode Island, and in a select school at Adams, New York, and the panic of 1857, having brought reverses to his father, began his active career as a hired farm laborer. He took the census of his native town and voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and, in 1862, offered his services in defense of his country, but was rejected because of ill health. June 29, 1863, he married near Adams Center, New York, Cornelia Babcock, who was born January 18, 1844, the daughter of Samuel and Almira Babcock, natives of New York, and in the spring of 1865 they settled on a farm near West Hallock, Illinois, but, disabled by an accident, he returned to Adams, New York, and remained there till he recovered, when he came back to Illinois and engaged in farming near Lawn Ridge. In the spring of 1871 he bought half of his present homestead and engaged in dairying.  Previous to 1893 he received more premiums for fine butter at State Fairs and at the exhibits of the Illinois State Dairymen's Association than any competitor, and he holds a beautiful medal and diploma awarded him at. the World's Columbian Exposition for the highest average excellence in butter for a four months' exhibit, being 96 3/4 out of a possible 100. He has several times been elected a Director in the Illinois State Dairymen's Association, has filled various township offices, has been director of  the Edelstein school since its organization, and for many years Clerk and Trustee in the Seventh Day Baptist Church. In poltics he is a Prohibitionist.   At this time he owns the southeast quarter of Section 18 in Hallock Township. Mr. and Mrs. Spicer have had two sons and two daughters, Clara and Ernest died young. Minnie, the eldest, died aged twenty-six, August 17, 1895, deeply regretted in church and society. Clarence, born November 30, 1875, having spent four years at Alfred University, is studying mechanical engineering at Cornell University. He married Anna Burdick, of Alfred, New York, in 1896, and they have a son, Harold W., who was born October 20, 1897. Mr. Spicer's farm is supplied with a fine residence, a creamery and ample outbuildings.



STOWELL, ORSON B.; Farmer; Hallock Township; born at Binghamton, New York, May 7, 1834: son of Ebenezer and Paulina (Bridgman) Stowell. The father was born in Chenango County, New York, October 19, 1807, and died May 7, 1880. The mother was born in New York April 14, 1811, and died May 7, 1834. The paternal grandparents were Abisha Stowell, born at Windham, Vermont, December 9, 1779, died in Hallock Township September 5, 1840 and Hannah (Fields) Stowell, born at Brattleboro, Vermont, March 20, 1784, died in 1819. Ebenezer Stowell first came west in 1836 and bought wild land in Marshall and Peoria Counties. In 1836 he returned to New York fand again came to Illinois with his family in 1843, bringing his household goods by team and wagon, and settled on Section 3 in Hallock Township. Mr. O. B. Stowell came to Illinois with his father and stepmother and remained on the farm until he was twenty years of age, and then spent four years traveling in Illinois and Indiana. After his marriage he settled on a farm in Hallock Township, where he now has two hundred and ten acres of land and good buildings. Mr. Stowell is an uncompromising Republican, has been active in local politics, and has served as Road Commissioner two terms, Town. Clerk two terms, and Justice of the Peace for several years. He is a member of the Congregational Church. He was married at Toulon, Stark County,  Illinois, May 18, 1859, to Harriet R. Church, born in St. Lawrence County, New York, October 9, 1833, the daughter of Norman and Rebecca Church—the father being a native of Massachusetts, and the mother of Vermont. Of this marriage there are five children: William L., born May 18 1860, married Alice Merrill; Paulina P., born July 23, 1862, married James P. Green; Laura Rebecca, born May 30, 1865, married J. B. Bell, died January 13, 1890; Fannie, born November 3, 1867, married William R. Peck; and Luther E., born January 20, 1875, who is a graduate of Rush Medical College, of Chicago, and is a practicing physician at Williamsfield, Knox County, Illinois.



STOWELL, SAMUEL R.; Farmer; born in Hallock Township, February 23, 1850, is a son of Ebenezer and Laura (Bridgeman) Stowell, natives of Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York. His ancestors in the paternal line settled early in Vermont, whence representatives went to New York, where Ebenezer Stowell was born October 19, 1807. His father was Abisha Stowell, and his grandfather, Israel Stowell. He learned the trade of carpenter and millwright in his native State and, in 1836, in company with Roswell and Isaiah Nurse, made a journey to Illinois on foot and entered land in Peoria County, walking to Quincy to complete the transaction at the land office there. Mr. Stowell married Paulina Bridgeman February 23, 1833, and she died May 7, 1834. On October 6, 1835, he married her sister, Laura Bridgeman.  His first wife bore him a son, Orson, his second wife seven children, as follows: Calvin, born October 5, 1836, now a farmer in Hallock Township; Charles E.. who died in infancy; Henry A.. deceased; Samuel R.; Mary C.; and Charles E. (second of the name), who is a farmer in Marshall County. The father of these children died May 7, 1880, the mother, April 19, 1889. Samuel R. Stowell married Clara Hollister, at Hamlet, Mercer County, November 4, 1886, and they have three children: Ruth, born January 19, 1888; Armina, born April 23, 1890; and Esther, born November 4, 1898. Mr. Stowell is a Republican and he and members of his family are identified with the Congregational Church, of Lawn Ridge, of which his father and mother were two of the original founders in 1845.



TALLETT, ALFRED; Wagonmaker; born in Akron Township, Peoria County, in 1863; son of Ransom and Charity (Lewis) Tallett. The father came from South Otselic, Chenango County, New York, about 1859, and settled in Akron Township, where he carried on farming until his death in 1879.  Alfred Tallett was brought up on a farm and managed a cheese factory for several years. Later he settled at West Hallock, where he has manufactured wagons and sleighs. He is also agent for a windmill company, and has erected many mills throughout the neighborhood. He married Lucy Nurse September 12, 1887. Mrs. Tallett is the daughter of R. J. Nurse, of Blue Ridge, Hallock Township, and was a very successful school teacher for some years before her marriage. Mr. Tallet is a Republican, and one of the leading men of his township. He is a member of the Republican County Central Committee, and has held many township offices.  In 1897 he was elected Supervisor, which office he now holds; he is a prominent member of the Board. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and of the Elks, of Peoria.



VARS, THOMAS; Farmer; born in Berlin, Rensselaer County, New York, September 7, 1824, where he received his education. He was the son of Benjamin, grandson of Thomas, whose father was Isaac, son of Theodata, son of Isaac, son of John, who came from France to Rhode Island in 1680.  Benjamin Vars was born in 1700, and his parents located at Berlin, New York, the same year. Thomas Vars removed to Illinois in 1854 and invested in a farm in Hallock Township, where he was one of the most prominent farmers until 1891, when he removed to Edelstein, where he has since lived. He was married October 28, 1848, to Helen Maria, daughter of Benjamin Hull, and the granddaughter of Daniel Hull. Her great-grandfather, also named Daniel, located at Berlin in 1770, and was prominent in the Revolutionary War, and had the distinction of being among the first white settlers in that section of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Vars have four children: Alma A., who was born September 20, 1851, and died March 3, 1854; Lillie M,, born November 22, 1853; Morton B., born August 17, 1859, married Nettie L. Potter, and is a farmer on the homestead farm; Olive M., born January 27, 1866, who resides with her parents.  The wife of Morton B. died in 1894, leaving four children: John T., Bessie M., Mary B. and Grace E. His second marriage was with Ruth Stillman, of Nortonville, Kansas, February 20, 1901. Thomas. Vars is a Republican and has always been active in public affairs; has served as Supervisor and Assessor, and has been Township Treasurer for twenty-six years. He is a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, of Berlin, New York.

From Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Edited by David McCulloch, Vol. II; Chicago and Peoria: Munsell Publishing Company, Publishers, 1902.
 

 

 Peoria County  |  Biographies