Bureau County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1885 (part 3 of 13)

JOHN CLAPP, deceased. This old pioneer was born October 1, 1814, in Northampton, Mass. He came to Bureau County in 1834, accompanied by his brother in-law, Caleb Cook, and settled near Princeton. In 1837 he was married to Lucy M.. Smith, a daughter of James Smith, another old settler of Bureau County. In 1838 John Clapp removed to Lamoille Township, where he bought 160 acres of land at $1.25 per acre. This he improved and resided on it till his death, which occurred November 22, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Clapp were active members of the Congregational Church at Lamoille, of which he was a Deacon. Politically he was a Republican and took an active part in everything pertaining to the interest of his township, in which he has tilled many offices. Mrs. Lucy M. Clapp may be classed among our proneer teachers, and many men in this county received their instruction from this wide-awake lady, who is yet living on the homestead. She was born April 19, 1818, and is the mother of seven children, viz.: Charles S., who was killed at the battle of Champion Hills; Mrs. Harriet W. Richardson, deceased; Cephas F., a Congregational minister of Yankton, Dak.; William A., a farmer in Walnut, Iowa; Dwight, deceased; Albert N., also of Walnut, Iowa, and Mrs. Alice M. Fauble, who was born October 6, 1860. She was married August 30, 1881, to John Fauble. who farms the homestead. He was born November 16, 1857, in Lee County, III., where his parents, John and Christine (Tro'itwein) Fauble, were among the earliest German settlers.

ATHERTON CLARK, Princeton, was born near Dover, 111., September '22, 1839. September 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, and served with honor till the close of the war. He was in many severe engagements, among which were those of Nashville and Franklin, Tenn., and Tupelo, Miss. He was successively promoted from Sergeani of his company, until at the close of the war he was Major of his regiment. In 1868 he was elected Sheriff of Bureau County, and after the expiration of his term of office he engaged in farming. In 1882 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of this county and tilled that position until elected City Marshal of Princeton in the spring of 1884. Maj. Clark is a member of the A. F. & A. M. fraternity and also G. A. R. Post. In politics he is a stanch Republican. December 13, 1865, Maj. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Jerusha B. Whitmarsh, who was born at Cold Springs, N. Y., July 3, 1840, and is the daughter of Alvah and Naomi (Clark) Whitmarsh, the latter of whom is yet living at the age of eighty-three years. Maj. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of four children, viz.: Hubert A. , Lora H., Henna and Alice E.

JAMES T. CLARK was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1832. In the spring of 1834 his parents, Thomas and Eleanor (Barr) Clark, came to Bureau County, and about four years later the father died. He left two sons and two daughters: Sarah M., died in June, 1880 (she was the wife of D. Scott, of Knox County, 111.); John B., died in youth in 1846; Jane, wife of J. Y. Spangler, and James, the youngest of the family. After the father's death, the widow and her children remained on the home farm and tried to make a living, but with little success. The mother survived until 1876, and died at Cheyenne, W. T. As a poor farmer boy, James T. Clark was not much of a success, and, as he told his mother, he was not cut out for a farmer. To her query as to what he was cut out for, he replied that he did not know; but when the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was being built through Bureau County, the question was answered. He began by driving a cart while they were on the grade east of the West Bureau. During the construction of the bridge over the main Bureau, an accident caused a vacancy which he was cilled on to fill, and he began the selecting of bridge timbers. He did various kinds of work till the road was completed and then was given the' position of section boss, at Buda. In 1855 he was married near that place to Miss Mary Fry. From Buda he went to Galesburg as assistant roadmaster, and was afterward promoted to roadmaster. He resigned that position and became Assistant Superintendent of the Union Pacific Railroad, and removed to Cheyenne, and was afterward made General Superintendent. In May, 1882, he became General Superintendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which position he still holds. Mr. Clark has been connected with the railroad business in some capacity ever since he began working by the day during the construction of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in Bureau County.

SAMUEL P. CLARK, Dover. George Clark, father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, March, 1811. In 1835 he came to Berlin Township in this county, buying his farm of the Government He was the first to settle on the prairie near Dover, and as he was told that the wind would blow him away, he anchored his house by setting the corner posts in the ground and mortising the sides to them. The siding and shingles he split and then dressed them by hand. He resided on his farm for forty years, when he removed to Dover and retired from active life. For a number of years before leaving the farm he dealt principally in lands, and was one of the most successful men of the county. Of late years he has put most of his money at interest, although he still owns 700 acres in Bureau County. He was married in Belmont County, Ohio, to Miss Nancy Matson, a daughter of Enos Matson and sister of N. Matson. (See sketch. ) Mr. and Mrs. Clark are both living at Dover. They are the parents of four children: Enos, of St. Louis, Mo., a prominent attorney and

Judge for many years; Samuel P.; Josephus S., of Princeton, money loaner; Mary Ann, wife of Jacob Warfield, of Princeton. Samuel P. Clark was born April 20, 1837. He was reared on the farm and educated at Mt. Morris, 111. He has given his attention chiefly to stock-raising in all its features, buying, shipping, growing, etc. For eighteen years he was one of the prominent breeders of short-horn cattle. In 1881 he made his first importation of thoroughbred Clydesdale and English draft horses, and in 1883 he visited Europe and made other purchases. Since beginning in 1881 he has made seven importations and landed sixty-eight head. When Mr. Clark started in life his father gave him $10, and he has since depended on his own resources. He now owns 302 acres of land in Sections 24 and 13. January 1, I860, he was married in this county to Miss Ann Poole, a sister of W. Poole, of Dover. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have three children: Grace, Euos and Hattie. Mr. Clark is Republican in politics, but does not take any active part.

ADAM CLEER, Westfield, was born July 31, 1830, in Merkenfritz, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany. His parents, Henry and Anna Mary (Lerch) Cleer, were also natives of Germany, where the father died in 1850. Mrs. Cleer came to America with her family in June, 1854, and died in Peru, III., the following September. She was the mother of four children, viz.: Mrs. Margaret Straw, deceased; Adam, our subject; Mrs. Mary Weber, and Henry, who was killed on the plains, while on his way to California. Adam Cleer came to Bureau County in 1854, and bought 151J acres in Hall Township, of George Mais. He also owns 333 acres in LaSalle County and ten acres of timber. He has always given his attention to farming, in which he has been very successful. He was married in Germany, December 25, 1853, to Mary C. Sittner, daughter of John and Catharine (Keutzer) Sittner, who came to this country in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Cleer have six children, viz. : John, Mrs. Mary Schwab, Dena, Henry, Charley and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Cleer are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican.

GILBERT CLEMENT, Lamoille, who ia the subject of this biography, was born June 17, 1815, in Danville, Caledonia Co., Vt. He is one of our few early settlers who came here when this county was a mere wilderness. He was here as early as 1836. His parents, Men-ill and Hannah (Morrill) Clement^ -were natives of New Hampshire, where the former died. The latter died in Hardin County, Ohio. She was an aunt of Thaddeus Stevens, the statesman and anti-slaveryman. Our subject is the youngest of a family of eleven children, of whom he and his sister, Mrs. Lydia Hatch, are the only survivors. Mr. Clement was reared in Vermont. In 1835 he, accompanied by his mother and oldest brother and family, removed to Hardin County, Ohio, where he resided one year, and then came to Bureau County, 111. He traveled by water, coming down the Ohio, then up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, landing in Princeton in December, 1836. Here he has made farming his principal occupation, but also followed the carpenter's trade ten years. He has resided in Lamoille Township with the exception of six years, which he spent in Livingston County. He was married here to Lucy A. Barton, who was born December 4, 1821, in South Hadley, Mass. She is a daughter of Ezekiel and Nancy (Cadwell) Barton, and came to this county with her aunt, Mrs. Julia Church, in October, 1836. I She is the mother of the following children: j Mrs. Elizabeth B. Bullard, Mrs. Josephine ! Eastman, Mrs. Haunah Sturdevant, Mrs. Lucella McCoiabs, Mrs. Sophronia Newberry, Alice M. Clement. Mrs. Chastina McCulloch, Eliza J. (deceased), Gilbert M., Edith M. and Norman B. Clement, the latter deceased. Mrs. Clement is an active member of the Baptist Church. Eight of her daughters have been teachers; of these seven have ! taught in this county, and thus added materially to the advancement of morality and intelligence in this community. Politically Mr. Clement is identified with the Republican party, and is greatly in favor of prohibition. He filled different offices in Clarion Township, where he resided seventeen years. When the evening twilight of life gathered about him he removed to the quiet village of Lamoille, where he now resides.

J. HARVEY CODDINGTON, Dover. James Coddington, father of the abovenamed gentleman, was born January 25, 1798, in Alleghany County, Md. He was reared on a farm, but after starting in life for himself engaged in teaching and surveying. Much of his early life was spent in hunting, and in that way he gained an acquaintance with . the mountains and passes, which was of great value to him when engaged in surveying for the National Turnpike and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In the spring of 1831 he came to Bureau County, but soon after returned to Maryland, where he remained till 1833, when he again came to this county, and settled on Section 17, Dover Township, where he lived until 1876. He was one of the most successful hunters of the county. Being of rugged and robust frame, and an average weight of 200 pounds, there were but few who could follow him in his hunting expeditions. He was married in this county to Catherine Fear, born in 1814. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are still living (four died in childhood): Mary A., wife of 1). W. Chase, of Dover Township; Caroline, wife of Calvin Shugart, died in 1873; J. Harvey, of Dover Township; Annor, wife of Milford Prazee, of Dover Township; Henry C., of Dover Township; Martha B., wife of Peter Ostram, of Lancaster County, Neb. In 1876 Mr. Coddington returned to his native State for a visit, but met with an accident, from the effects of which he died, June, 1876. His wife, who was with him, was also injured, but recovered, and is still living. J. Harvey Coddington was born January 25, 1847, in this county, where he has always resided, being engaged in farming. He was married January 25, 1872, to Miss Lizzie Keel. She is a native of Ohio, a daughter of John W. and Barbara (Bridenbaugh) Keel, now residents of Dover, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Coddington have six children, viz.: James K., born September 14, 1872; John, born June 24, 1875; Harry, born April 27, 1877; Frank, born April 21, 1879; Nellie, born April 19, 1881; Willie, born May 31, 1883. Two years after his marriage Mr. Coddington purchased his present farm, where he has since resided. He owns 280 acres, 200 of which

HENRY C. CODDINGTON, Dover, the son of James Coddington (see sketch of J. H.), was born in the old log-cabin on his present farm August 14, 1850, and has always lived on the old homestead, which he now - owns. He has always given his attention to farming, and now has 200 acres of land. He was married December 22, 1875, to Mary A. Pierce, born in East Pawpaw Grove, Lee Co., 111., in 1850. She is the daughter of Charles and Catherine (Sine) Pierce, natives of Luzerne County, Pa., but now residing at Pawpaw Grove, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Coddington have five children, viz.: Charles James, born March 27, 1877; Emma Orelia, born November 13, 1879; Mabel Pearl, born August 29, 1881 ; twin girls, born July 29, 1884. In politics Mr. Coddington is identified with the Republican party.

N. P. COLBERG, Princeton, was born March 31, 1842, in the town of Cimbritshauen, County of Christianstod, and State of Skone, Sweden. He is the son of Olof and Cecelia Colberg. The father was a gardener by profession, and died in the old country; the mother is yet living there. She is the mother of seven children, of whom N. P. is the youngest. Oar subject was educated in his native country. For five years he at-- tended the garden schools and learned the profession of gardener, and for seven years followed his profession in his native State, and then went to Germany, where for one year he was gardening at Schleswig-Holstein. He then went to Denmark, and was gardener for the King, Frank VII, for one year. After tho death of the King Mr. Colberg returned to his native country, and continued in his profession for three years, and then came to America in 1868, and has since resided in Princeton. When he first came he had no capital whatever, and worked for others until he was able to engage in business for himself. At first he bought but two acres of land and began gardening. Afterward he sold out, and in 1875 bought his present garden lot of ten acres, which was but a swamp at that time, but he has since put it in a high state of cultivation, having had $1,400 worth of tile laid. He is engaged in growing the small fruits, vegetables and flowers. He has three greenhouses and 200 hot-beds. Mr. Colberg has been very successful, but it has been through close1 attention to business and a thorough understanding of his profession. In 1883 he purchased an additional plat of ground containing thirteen acres. He was married in Sweden in June, 1862, to Christina Olson. She is the mother of five children, viz.: Nels, Anna, Albert, Ellen and Ida.

F. COLBY, Indiantown. The genealogy of the Colby family is as follows: Its progenitor in America, as far as known, was Isaac Colby, who lived in old Amesbury, Mass. He was a farmer by occupation, and the father of the following children: John, Eliphalet, Isaac, Nehemiah, Richard and Elizabeth. Of these, Eliphalet Colby was the great-grandfather of our subject. He married Polly Bodgers, who is a direct descendant of Rev. John Rodgers, a Protestant minister, who was burned at the stake February 14, 1554, at Smithtield, England, at the instigation of Queen Mary, the Catholic Re gent. Bev. John Rodgers assisted Tyndale in the translation of the Bible into the English language. His great-grandson came to Massachusetts in 1636. His son, John Rodgers, was President of Harvard College from 1682 to 1684. Eliphalet and Polly (Rodgers) Colby were the parents of four children, viz.: Eliphalet, Nicholas, Levi and Polly Colby. Of the above, Nicholas Colby was born in 1755 and died in 1836. He married Lois Martin, who was the mother of the following children, viz. : Molly, Nicholas, Ruth, Jerusha, Oliver, Joshua, Levi and Joel. Of these Levi Colby was born January 30, 1800, in Henniker, N. H. His wife, Lydia B. Colby, was born July 13, 1804, in New Hampshire. Her great-grandfather, Joseph Bartlett, was captured by the Indians during colonial times and taken to Canada, but afterward rescued. She is also a relative of Ashmead Bartlett, who married the Countess Burdett Coutts, the wealthy philanthropist. Levi Colby and wife have both passed fourscore years, and, although the evening shadows of life are gathering about them, are still in the possession of their mental faculties. They make their home with their only son, F. Colby. The latter was educated in his native town. He has followed various occupations, principally farming. He is a good mechanic;, and has erected all the buildings on his farm, among others a tine residence. He came to Bureau County in 1868, and here owns 200 acres in Indiantown Township. He was born October 22, 1826, in Henniker, N. H., and was married in his native State September 4, 1848, to Julia A. Morgan, born in the above place March 10, 1827. She is of English descent, and is the mother of Morris A. and Elmer A. Colby, the latter deceased, aged ten years and ten months. Morris A. Colby was born February 7, 1850. He is farming with his father, is an I. O. O. F. He is married to Sarah Anthony, who was born September 3, 1849, in Morristown, N. J. They have three children, viz.: Anna F., Mary E. and Norah E. Colby. Mr. F. Colby and his whole family are religiously connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

REV. JOHN COLE, Greenville, was born in Cumberland County, Ky., January 9, 1812. He is the son of Samuel and Mary (Brown) Cole. Samuel Cole was born January 23, 1778. He was married to Mary Brown December 6, 1798;- she was born January 5, 1779, and died November 11, 1851. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the following are now living: Benjamin, who was born June 17, 1809, and now resides in Kansas; John, of Bureau County; Naucy, born October 24, 1816, now in Texas, and David, born April 22, 1823, now of Clay County, 111. Sampson Cole, the oldest son, was born July 8, 1801. He came to Bureau County in 1831, and lived here till about 1838, when he removed to Arkansas, then to Texas, and finally to Los Angelos, Cal., where he died in 1881. In about 1822 John Cole removed to Memphis, Tenn. , with his parents, and a short time after this to Arkansas, where the father died. In 1825 the family settled in Union County, 111., where our subject remained till the spring of 1830, when he settled in what is now Champaign County, and in November 16, 1831, he came to this county, and has since resided here. During the Black Hawk war he enlisted at Heunepin, but most of his service was at Fort Wilbur, in LaSalle County. When first settling in this county it was in Hall Township, but about a year later he settled in Selby, where he resided till 1866, when he removed to Tiskilwa, and December 20, 1882, came to the farm one-half mile south of New Bedford, where the family owns 432 acres, one of the best stock-farms in the county. Mr. Cole's occupation has mostly been that of a farmer, but for some years he was engaged in the mercantile business in Tiskilwa. Mr. Cole's early life was spent on the frontier, and among the Indians, and so he was thoroughly fitted to fill the part of a pioneer in the settlement of this county. His was one of the early marriages of Bureau County, as he was married September 30, 1832, to Jane Tompkins, who was born in Carter County, east Tenn., September 19, 1817. She is the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Owens) ' Tompkins. William Tompkins was born November 20, 1772. He settled in Champaign County, 111., in 1829, and entered land where Urbana now stands. In 1831 he removed to Bureau County. In 1834, while returning to this county from Tennessee, he died in Champaign County. Of his family of thirteen children but four are now living, viz.: Martin, born July 3, 1809, now of Mineral, 111. ; Elizabeth Holbrook, born February 19, 1814, now resides near Tiskilwa; Mrs. Cole, and Elijah Tompkins, of Clarke County, Iowa, born October 30, 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are the parents of the following named children : Elizabeth, born January 20, 1834, wife of G. B. Wheeler, of Kansas; Maria J. , born December 31, 1836, wife of William Chenoweth. of Arispetown; Mary L., born April 5, 1844, wife of Robert Patterson, of Arispetown; Samuel, born June 6, 1848, and Charles W., born May 13, 1850. The two latter are farmers in Greenville town. In politics Mr. Cole was Democratic till 1856, since which time he has been Republican. For about forty-seven years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and most of the time a minister, and has probably preached more funerals than any one else in this county,

O. T. COLLINS, Westfield, was born January 3, 1823, in Hartford, Conn. His greatgrandfather came from Scotland. The latter's son, Simeon, was born in Connecticut, where he was a farmer and died. He was the father of six children: Silas, Jonathan, Isaac, Alvin, Simeon and Mrs. Prudence Deer. Of these Isaac Collins was a blacksmith. He married Sophia Treat. They were natives of Connecticut, where they died. They were the parents of five children: Sophia, Orin T., Emily, Lovinia and Lydia A. Of these only Orin T. survives. He was reared and educated in his native State, where he was married, November 24, 1846, to Charlotte O. Pitkin, born August 4, 1821, in Hartford, Conn., daughter of George Pitkin, who came here in 1855, and died here. She was the mother of five children: George P., Mrs. Charlotte E. Rose (of Kansas), Sophia T., Charles P. and Laura C. Collins. Mrs. Charlotte O. Collins died May 7, 1878. Mr. Collins came to Bureau County in November, 1855. He lived two years in Lamoille Township, and then bought 160 acres in Westfield Township, on Sections 25 and 26, where he now resides. Politically, he has been so far identified with the Republican party.

CYRUS COLTON, Wyanet, was born January 13, 1814, in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. His father, Jonathan S. Colton, was born July 3, 1781, in Bolton, Conn.; he died here December 11, 1854. For a number of years he lived in the State of New York. In the fall of 1835 he came to Bureau County. He served for a short time in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject was Betsey (Donaldson) Colton; she was born February 20, 1784, in Monson, Mass. She died October 4, 1846, in this county. She was married November 15, 1803. in Butternuts, Otsego Co., N. Y., and is the mother of the following children: Asa S., Heman S. and Elizabeth are deceased; Chauncey D., is now ] a resident of Bureau County; Cyrus, oar subject; Egbert E., deceased; Lewis J., now a resident of Kansas, and Eli R., a resident of Wisconsin. Our subject, Cyrus Colton, j received the benefit of a common school eduj cation in New York. Early in life he became a farmer, and has followed that vocation ever since. In 1835 he came to this county with his wife and his parents, having been married just before starting West, August 13, 1835, in Lewis County, N. Y., to Miss Fidelia L. Pitcher, who died here September 22, 1879. She was the mother of five children: Mrs. Lucretia M. Eastman, deceased; Eveline L., wife of John T. Conner; Charles P., who enlisted in August, 1861, in the Federal Army, and served faithfully to protect the stars and stripes till the close of the war (he died in 1871, aged thirty years, from disease contracted during the war); Levinia E., wife of E. D. Scott, and Seth W. Colton, who married Miss Lizzie Roberts, who is the mother of one boy - Robert P. Colton. Mr. Cyrus Colton was married a second time January 17, 1881, to Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Zearing. She died February, 1882. Mr. Cyrus Colton has been a successful farmer. His home is pleasantly located in Section 13, in Wyanet Township, and is made brighter by the presence of his son and his family. The storms of life, though often severe, have left Mr. Colton a hale old man, although he has passed the allotted three score and ten.

JACOB COLVER, Westfield, was born August 23, 1806, in Lehigh County, Penn. His parents, Jacob and Susan (Miller) Colver, were natives of the same State, where they died. His grand-parents came from New England and are of English descent. His mother is of German descent. Jacob Colver is one of a family of eleven children, who were all married. He is the only one who has made Bureau County his home. He came to Illinois via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, landing in Rock Island in December, 1845. He remained that winter in Como, 111., and the next spring came to Princeton, where he followed his trade. In 1849 he went overland to California, where he worked in the gold mines with moderate success, returning to Hennepin, 111., via Panama and New Orleans. He farmed that year near Princeton and in the spring of ] 853 removed to Westfield Township, where he had made a claim of 160 acres as early as 1847. He improved the land and added to it from time to time till at present he has 551 acres in Hall and West field Townships. Mr. Colver nan been a very successful farmer and his success is due to his industry and good management. He is now reaping his reward and enjoying his competence. He is fast approaching the good old age of four score years, and to-day, in the evening of life, surrounded by happy children and grandchildren, he can be content with a retrospect of the past and calmly await the future. Religiously he is connected with the Lutheran Church, but also supports other churches. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. Mr. Colver was joined in marriage in Pennsylvania, in April 27, 1830, to Mary A. Hoffman, daughter of Michael and Mary A. (Shirey) Hoffman, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Colver was born October 23, 1806, in Lehigh County, Penn. She shared her husband's trials in early life and was a faithful helpmeet. She died here June 4, 1880. Seven children were the result of this union, viz.: Edward; Sarah C., deceased; Emeline S., deceased; Mary A., deceased; Eliza J., Jacob H., and Ellen L. Of the above, Edward Colver, of Leadville, Col., married Hannah Webb, deceased; four children, viz. : Melissa, Clara, Edward, and Lotta. Emeline S. Colver married William Tilden; children, seven: Jacob, William, Eunice, John, Alice, Ettie and Nettie, twins. Mary A. Colver married Owen Beil; one child, Sarah E. Beil. Eliza J. Coiver, now a resident of Livingston County, 111., married Ethan Jackson. Ellen L. Colver, now of Storm Lake, Iowa, married Charley Edwards; children three, viz.: Frank, Elbert and Eldon, the latter deceased. Jacob H. Colver married Anna Miller; children ten, viz.: Howard L., Mary A. G., Ralph W., Jacob M., Laura A., Eliza J., Mabel E., Phoabe, Edward Clyde, deceased, and George Roland. Jacob H Colver enlisted November 24, 1861, in Company D, of the Fifty-first Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served nearly four years. He participated in the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, I Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission I Ridge and Resaca. At the latter battle he i was shot through the arm and transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. Since the war he has been a farmer in Bureau County.

vember 24, 1832, in Rittersville, Lehigh Co., Penn. His parents, Charles and Susanna (Keminerer) Colver, are natives of the same county and are now living near Bethlehem, Northampton Co., Penn. They are the parents of four children, viz.: Joshua J., Maria, Mrs. Feyetta Schortz (deceased), and Charles. Joshua J. Colver was reared and educated in his native county. He was married at Allentown, the county seat, on Christmas day, 1866, to Miss Matilda R. Lazarus, who was born August 15," 1839, in Northampton County, Penn. Her parents, Thomas and Polly (Bolliett) Lazarus, were natives of Pennsylvania, where the former was thrown from a buggy and killed, September, 1871, at the age of sixty -two years. His wife is still living, and is the mother of nine children, viz.: Catharine, Elizabeth, Caroline, Matilda R., Jonas E., Lovina, James, Richard and Tilghman, who died at the age of nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Colver have three sons, viz.: John T., born July 15, 1867, William H., born March 17, 1871, and Franklin B., born July 15, 1880. Mr. Colver came to this county in 1859, and the next year he and his father bought eighty acres of land. He returned to Pennsylvania the same year and in 1867carne to Bureau County to live. His farm contains 160 acres. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Colver are members of the Lutheran Church.

OLIVER COOK, Princeton, was born July 26, 1842, near Racine, Wis. He is a son of John Cook, who was born April 30, 1812; he died here in 1872, Oliver Cook's grandfather was Larkin Cook; he was a native of Maryland and, died in Vermillion County, 111., to which he came about 1825. The Cook family is of Irish extraction. The mother of Oliver Cook was Eveline (Graves) Cook. She was born 1816,in Fayette County, Ky. , and died in 1856, in Vermillion County, 111. She was a daughter of James and Margaret (Blackburn) Graves, who were also natives of Kentucky. She was the mother of ten children. Of these only three are now living, viz. : Dr. F. Cook, now a resident of Sterling, Neb., Mrs. Amanda A. Holbrooks, and Oliver, our subject, who is the oldest of the three living. He was educated principally in and near Danville, 111. He earne to to this county in 1861 ; here he farmed one year and then, in 1862, he enlisted in the Ninety-third Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company C. He served about eleven months, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability. From the fall of 1864 till thecloseof the war he served in the Forty-second Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company K, participating in the battles of Springfield, Franklin and Nashville. After the war Mr. Cook taught school for one term in this county, and then engaged in the insurance business, making his headquarters in Wyanet, 111. In September, 1881, he came to Princeton and at present is engaged in the real estate business, dealing wholly in Western lands in Nebraska, and is agent for the Burlington & Missouri Railroad lands. Mr. Cook was married February 10, 1876, to Miss Mary E. Conkling, who was born February 5, 1851, in this county. She is the daughter of Carl and Ellen (Coulter) Conkling. Four children were the result of their marriage, viz.: Charles W., Laura E., Florence N. and an infant boy. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are religiously connected with the Presbyterian Church.

HENRY COOLEY, Fairneld, was born February 19, 1830, in Pittsford, Rutland Co., Vt. His parents, John and Amanda (Cook) Cooley, died in the same State, of which they were natives Our subject's ancestors came to America in the "Mayflower.'' Henry i Cooley resided in Vermont till he was twenty - i three years old, and then immigrated to Whiteside County, 111., where he sold goods for four years. In April, 1858, he came to I Bureau County and farmed eleven years, after which he came to Yorktown, where he has been selling goods for the last fourteen years for O. W. McKenzie, and also keeping the postoffice. Subject was married in Vermont to Frances E. Rowe, who died here November 18, 1870, aged thirty five years. She was the mother of four children, viz. : Franklin H., who was born August 11, 1859 (he married Jennie Van Drew); Mary A., August 21, 1861, wife of A. O. Hunter; John H., March 14, 1867, and Frederick A. Cooley, December 24, 1869. Franklin H. Cooley has two children, viz. : Charles H. and an infant daughter. Mrs. Mary A. Hunter has two sons, viz. : Merl D. and Frederick Hunter. Mr. Cooley is one of the standbys in Fairfield Township, having filled the offices of Treasurer and Clerk for about twenty years. Politically he is a Greenbacker. He has 480 acres of land in Bureau County.

CALVIN COOPER, Mineral, is a native of Killingly, Windham Co., Conn., born March 20, 1810. His parents were of English descent, the father being a Baptist clergyman. Calvin learned the carpenter and joiner trade when a young man, which fur nished him employment for a number of years. August 26, 1833, he married Miss Harriet Kies, a native also of Windham County. She was born December 23, 1812. They resided in Connecticut until the fall of 1854, when they came to Illinois, stopping in Stephenson County until the following spring, when they settled on a farm in Bureau County. At the expiration of two years they moved to Mineral, which has since been their home. They are the parents of the following children: Daniel C., Josephine E. (deceased in infancy), Mary T., Louisa F. , Marie A., Sarah J. and Harriet Emma. All the children are married and settled in life. Daniel served as a soldier in the defense of his Government against, rebellion; enlisting as a private, but afterward was promoted to a Lieutenancy, and is now a prosperous grain merchant in Shelby, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are members of the Congregational Church, and have always exerted their influence for the moral and religious elevation of mankind. Mr. Cooper is a zealous Republican, and warm in his advocacy of the cause of the people.

HAMILTON F. COREY, Ohio, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., July 17, 1811, and is the eon of John and Lucina Corey, formerly of Connecticut. Mr. Corey's grandfather, David Rodes, was a soldier of the Revolution, and died in New York at the age of eighty -four. Our subject's father, John Corey, was a soldier of the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch was raised on the farm, where he resided till the spring of 1835, when he came to this State and settled with his sister (now Mrs. Lemuel Carey) in Morgan County, where he remained till he came to this county in 1845, and first settled in Dover Township in 1846. In 1835 Mr. Corey married Esther Mead, of New York, who was born in 1807, and came to this county with her husband, where she died in 1874. Of this marriage there is a family of six children, four now living: Mrs. Elizabeth L. Smith, Ohio, 111. ; Mrs. Almeda Hammer, King City, Mo. ; Mrs. Elsa Rainer, of Nebraska; and John H. Corey, who was born October 30, 1843. He enlisted in Company B, Ninety-third Illinois Infantry, August 11, 1862, and served till July 6, 1865; engaged in the following battles: Wyatt, Miss., December 4, 1862 ; Yazoo Pass, expedition from March 23 to April 7, 1863; Jackson, Miss., May 14, 1863; "Champion Hills, Miss., May 16, 1863; charge on Vicksburg, Miss., May 19 to July 4, 1863; Piney Creek, Ala., May 10, 1864; Dalton, Ga., June 28, 1864; Mc- Allister, Ga., July 20, 1864: Allatoona, September 3 and 5, 1864; Savannah, Ga., December 10 and 11, 1864; Salkehatchie, S. C., February 2, 1865; Columbia S. C., February 15, 1865; Lynch' s Creek, February 25, 1865; Bentonville, N. C., March 19 and 20, 1865, and Sherman's march to the sea from November 15, 1864, to April 27, 1865. He was wounded May 14, 1863, at Jackson, Miss. September 12, 1865, he married Phebe Rainer, by whom he has one son. In 1874 Mr. H. F. Corey married his second and present wife, Rachel Martin, of this county, by whom he has one son, Harry F. Corey, born September 30, 1876. Mr. Corey owns 320 acres in Ohio and 328 acres in Dover Townships. He was formerly a Whig, and is now a Republican. Mr. Corey is one of the family of seven children - four sons and three daughters - all now living; the youngest, Mrs. J. Lewis, lives at Jack's RifFs, N. Y., aged sixty -four. This family (according to Mr. Corey's own statement) is somewhat peculiar, in the fact that they had the poorest of advantages during youth - were not brought up but " came up," all beginning with nothing, and all are now well off, and every one the owner of lands.

MARTIN CORLEY, deceased, was a native of the Parish Ashgraw, County Conard, Ireland, where his parents, Daniel and Mary Moulton, died. Martin Corley came to America when quite young, and became a captain of a boat on the Genesee Biver. He was married in Rochester, N. Y. , to Sarah Biglow, born November 26, 1815, near the Canada line in Berkshire Township, Vt She is a daughter of Stephen and Phebe (Wing) Biglow, the former a native of Rhode Island and of Welsh extraction, and the latter of Connecticut and of English and Irish descent. Her father commanded one of the vessels under Gen. Wolfe at the taking of Quebec, and participated in the battle on the Plains of Abraham, receiving as reward a large tract of land in the Canadas from the British Government Her grandfather was an officer and fell at the battle of Bunker Hill. Mr. Martin Corley lived three years in Rochester, N. Y., and then, in 1841, came to LaSalle County, 111., and in December, the same year, bought 120 acres of Daniel Roth in Westtield Township, Bureau Co., in Section 10, where he died July 18, 1873, aged sixty-seven years. He was a good farmer and owned 480 acres when he died. He was respected by all who came in contact with him for his many good qualities. Mrs. Corley yet survives and is the mother of ten children, viz.: Mrs. Mary McDonald, Daniel, John, Stephen, Mrs. Phebe A. Bartlett (deceased), Martin, Mrs. Miriam Loehr, Frank, Mrs. Emma Grimes and Agnes Corley. Frank Corley and his mother now own the homestead consisting of 120 acres.

CORNELIUS C. CORSS, Bureau. The Corss family was probably among the Puritan settlers of Massachusetts, at least they were residents of Deerfield, Mass., at the time of the French and Indian massacre in 1703 and 1704, and only two of the family escaped, one of whom was the great- grandfather of C. C. Corss. The family still continued to reside in Massachusetts, and at Greenfield, Mass., our subject was born, October 13, 1807. His grandfather, Asher Corss, was among the early settlers of Greenfield, known as one of the -' old proprietors," he having taken up a large tract of land in that vicinity. Asher Corss, Jr., our subject's father, lived and died on the farm which his father had settled. Both he and his wife, Lucy Grennell, died in May, 1814. She was born April 7. 1775, and he June 5, 1775. They were the parents of three sons and six daughters, three of whom are living: Charles C. Corss, a minister of Bradford County, Penn. ; Cornelius C., our subject; Sarah, widow of Henry Newton, resides at Greenfield, Mass. Christopher G. Corss, another son of Asher Corss, Jr., came to this county previous to the Black Hawk war, and settled southeast of Princeton in Princeton Township, and lived there until his death, June 9, 1867. - Cornelius C. Corss was reared in Greenfield, Mass., and resided in that State till 1833, when he came to Bureau County, 111. , arriving here in October. He first laid claim to what is known as the Deacon Caleb Cook farm in Princeton Township, and resided there one year, when he sold his claim to Deacon Cook and then settled on his present farm in Bureau Township, Section 34, where he has lived since the fall of 1834. He and his son now own 480 acres. Mr. Corss has helped raise and handle fifty-one crops of corn in Bureau County. He was the first purchaser of any article of merchandise in Princeton, when in the spring of 1834 he bought a horse collar at a store opened by a Mr. Haskil. Mr. Corss was married in Peoria County, 111., June 1, 1837, to Mehitable Hill. She was born in New Hampshire, January 25, 1817, and is the daughter of Isaac and Mehitable (Bancroft) Hill, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire. They removed to New York when Mrs. Corss was small, and in 1833 to Peoria County, 111., afterward to Bureau County in 1838, where they lived until death. Mr. Hill died in 1846 and his wife August 3, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Corss have one son and two daughters, viz. : Henry, born June 15, 1838, lives in Bureau Township; Mrs. Lucy Thomas, of Princeton, born January 27, 1843; Climena, born April 8, 1850. In politics Mr. Corss is Republican, and has held various township offices. He was the first Supervisor of Bureau Township. He is a member of the Congregational Church of Princeton.

JAMES R. COTTLE, Princeton, was born February 26, 1835, in Singapore, East India. His father, Richard Cottle, is a native of England, and yet resides in Bristol. In early life he was a carriage trimmer, but is now Government Inspector of the Great- western Railroad. James R. Cottle. Sr., the father of Richard Cottle, was a gentleman of leisure; he was formerly a Government Collector. The mother of our subject was Eliza (Betterridge) Cottle, a native of Thatchan, Berkshire, England. She died in Bristol. She was the mother of nine children, of whom six are now living, but none in the United States except our subject. At the age of six his father brought him from Singapore to London, where he received his primary education. When he was twelve years of age he wont to Bristol, where he studied engineering till he was sixteen, and then visited Ireland, and while there he and his young friend, Joseph H. Watts, resolved to come to the United States, which they did without the knowledge of their parents, landing in New York in 1852. There he remained three months and then was induced to come to Chicago, where he worked for the Michigan Central Railroad Company a short time and then obtained a position as mailing clerk in the Chicago Journal office. In 1854 he commenced to work for the Central Military Tract Railroad, now known as the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He worked for the company until the road was completed to Monmouth, after which he worked as engineer for Robins & Lawson, millers of Princeton. In 1864 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company F, serving till the close of the war, acting as Company Clerk, being always on detached service. After the war he operated a mill in Arlington, Bureau County, one and one-half years and then started a bakery in Princeton in partnership with two other men. One of them retired after two years; the other one continued till 1881, when his interest was bought out by Mr. Cottle, who has continued the business alone ever since. He started on a small scale, but by dint of perseverance and strict attention to business he attained his present prosperity. He owns the only wholesale confectionery and cracker business in the county, and does a fine wholesale and retail business. He was married in Princeton, 111., to Miss Harriet H. Harris, a native of England. She is the mother of two children, viz. : Lida and Jennie. In politics Mr. Cottle is identified with the Republican party.

N. COTTRELL, Dover, was born December 8, 1829, in Hampshire County, Mass. His father was Rufus Cottrell, a native of Hampshire County, Mass. He was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1868, aged seventy-four years, in Maiden, 111. His grandfather, Nicholas Cottrell, was a native of Massachusetts, where he died; he was a blacksmith by occupation, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, where he served with distinction. The mother of our subject was Sarah (Odell) Cottrell, a native of Dutchess County, N. Y. ; she died in Maiden, 111., in 1872, aged seventy-six years. She was the mother of eight children who reached maturity, viz.: Mrs. Eliza Lyman, James H., John V., Mrs. Mary Granger, Frank K., Nicholas, George W. and Giles H. Our subject, Nicholas Cottrell, was educated in his native State, where he followed farming. He came to this county in 1855, and settled in Dover Township, Section 35. He has a fine farm of 190 acres. Mr. Cottrell was married, June 3, 1853, in Worthington, Mass., to Miss Mar}' Cole, who was born May 7, 1831, in Worthington, Mass. Her parents were Elijah and Freedom (Cowen) Cole. Mrs. Cottrell is the mother of three children, viz.: Junia A., wife of G. J. M. Porter, Cora M. and Herbert J. Mr. and Mrs. Cottrell are active members of the Presbyterian Church. In political matters Mr. Cottreli is connected with the Republican party, and takes an active interest in all matters relating to the affairs of the county in which he reaides, and of which he is one of the most wide-awake citizens.

B. C. COUCH, ESQ., Tiskilwa, was born September 19, 1822, in Boscawen, Merrimack Co., N. H. He is a grandson of Benjamin Couch. Sr., a native of New Hampshire, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, participating in the battle of Bunker Hill, where he had a bullet shot through his ear. He married a Miss Heath, who was the mother of five children. Of these Benjamin Couch, Jr., was the father of our subject. He was a farmer by occupation, and was a native of New Hampshire, where be died. The mother of our subject, Mrs. Sallie (Morse) Couch, was born in Portsmouth, N. H. She died January 24, 1866, aged seventy five years. She was the mother of eight children, viz. : Prescott, James S., Amos A., Plummer, Kachel, Benjamin C. (our subject), Harriman and Caleb K. Of these Prescott, James S., Plummer and Caleb K. are deceased. Squire Couch was educated in his native State. In 1843 he removed to Tazewell County, 111., and in the winter of 1845 to Henry County. In 1851 he came to this county, and first settled in Wyanet Township, where he followed the carpenter business till 1853, when he removed to Tiskilwa, where he was a grain and lumber merchant for fifteen years. Since then he has followed various occupations, and filled the office of Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace for many years with tact and ability. Mr. Couch was married in Rhode Island to Martha J. Caleb, who died in Tiskilwa. She was the mother of nine children, viz.: Dion, Cornelia A., Lauraand Lucy (twins), Sarah J., Charles S. , Ilus, Buel and Bias (twins), the latter deceased. Subject's second wife, Lydia M. Peck, died here leaving two children, viz. : Minnie I. and Hattie B. At present Mr. Couch is married to Emilie Thompson, a daughter of Daniel D. Thompson, of Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y. Politically, Squire Couch comes from the old Underground Abolition stock. At present be is not identified with any party.

JAMES McCEEEDY, Westfield, a native of Delaware, came to Bureau County, III., in the spring of 1858, and settled in Westfield Township, where he now resides. His wife, whose maiden name was Eva M. McDowell, is the mother of six children, who are now living. Squire McCreedy is an independent Democrat, voting only for the best man. He enjoys the respect of all who know him, and is one of Westfield Township's wealthiest farmers.

WILLIAM CRISMAN, Macon, was born in Bedford County, Penn., June 25, 1825. He is the son of William and Margaret (Wisegarver) Crisman. They were both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. They died in Bedford County. They had eleven children who reached maturity, and of that number six sons and two daughters yet survive. Our subject was reared on a farm, but at the age of sixteen began learning his trade of millwright, which trade he followed in his native State till coming to Bureau County, 111., where he landed April 7, 1855. For four years he did carpenter work at Bnda, but in the fall of 1859 he purchased his present farm and began its improvement by building a home on it, to which he removed March 15, 1860. When Mr. Crisman came to his farm he had but little capital with which to make improvements or stock his farm, but with his industry as the best possible capital he began, and success has crowned his efforts. His farm now contains 370 acres of well -improved land. Mr. Crisman has made a specialty of hog-raising, and through his diligence has placed himself in the front rank as a producer. April ]9, 1848, he was married in Bedford County, Penn., to Miss Elizabeth Bowser. She was born in Bedford County, March 3, 1828. She is the daughter of John and Margaret Bowser, both natives of the same county as their daughter. In 1855 they removed to Illinois, where Mr. Bowser died, but his widow yet lives in Buda. Mrs. Crisman is the eldest of a family of seven children who reached maturity. To Mr. and Mrs. Crisman eight children have been born, viz.: Calvin, William A., Margaret V., Mattie L. and Arthur V. (twins), Carrie A., Eunice E., and Beckie (deceased). In politics Mr. Crisman is identified with the Republican party. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church of Buda.

GEORGE GROSSMAN, Lamoille. Among our citizens of foreign birth, who have identified themselves with Bureau County, we must mention the subject of this sketch, who was born November 7, 1826, in Somersetshire, England, town of Bishford. His parents, George and Sarah (Rhude) Grossman, died in England, where he was a mechanic. Their children were: Henry, who died on board a man-of-war off the coast of Africa; George, our subject; John C., a resident of this county; Jane, deceased, and Mrs. Mary A. Jeffries. Mr. Grossman came to America in 1852. He was eight weeks on the ocean. He lived two years in Onondaga County, N. Y. , and then in October, 1854, came to Lamoille Township, in Bureau Coun- ty, 111. Here he rented land till 1858. when he bought forty-four acres of land, to which he added from time to time. In 1871 he sold his farm and removed to Lamoille, where he now resides, and intends to spend the remainder of his life in ease and quiet. He was married October 21, 1852, in Syracuse, N. Y., to Joanna Chapman, a daughter of William and Joanna Chapman. Mrs. Crossman, a cheerful, industrious lady, is also a native of Somersetshire, England, where she was born December 14, 1833. Mr. Grossman has been a successful farmer, and is a selfmade man in every respect. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party.

J. C. GROSSMAN, Lamoille, was born January 29, 1830, in Draycott, Somersetshire, England. (See preceding sketch.) Mr. Grossman came to the United States about 1850. He worked two years in Onondaga County, N. Y., where he was also married. In March, 1852, he came to Lamoille, 111. , and after working one year, rented land and farmed. In 1855 he bought 160 acres of land, which he soon sold, and after renting another year bought 160 acres of William Hart, which he sold, and in 1857 went to New York State, and from there to England, where he visited his relatives, returning to Lamoille the following year. Here he first rented the place which he afterward bought, and now owns 617 acres of land, on which he makes stock-raising a specialty. Our subject was married July 24, 1851, to Elizabeth Weeks, who was born December 23, 1828, in England. Her parents, William and Ann (Dix) Weeks, were also natives of England. Mrs. Grossman is the mother of the following children who reached maturity: Mrs. Mary A. Hopps (deceased), Mrs. Sarah Williams, Eliza Grossman, Mrs. Fannie Dunbar, John F. , Ollie, Alice and Nellie Grossman. When Mr. Grossman came to this county he was poor in-purse, but rich in will-power and industry, hence his prosperity. He is a strong Republican, and takes an active part in political matters, and also a deep interest in agricultural matters, and is President of the Agricultural Society of Bureau County.

WILLIAM CUMMINGS, Buda. Thornton Cammings was a native of Virginia. When a young man he immigrated to Kentucky, and was there married to Miss Sylvia Williams, a native of Kentucky. In 1816, soon after marriage, Mr. Cummings removed to Gallatin County, 111., where he resided till 1834, at which time he came to Bureau County, 111. When he reached Hennepin, he left his family there, and in company with a Frenchman as guide he traveled over the western part of Bureau County seeking a suitable location, and as he had been reared in a timbered country French Grove suited him best on account of its containing heavy timber. But when he announced his intention of settling here, his guide informed him that his own claim embraced the grove, but that he would divide, and accordingly staked off one-half, and Mr. Cummings selected the west half and there settled, and his was the first settlement in what is now Concord Township. When the land came into the market he entered 240 acres of the Grove and adjoining prairie land. He died in 1872, and his widow January 1, 1883. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom lived to reach maturity. The following are now living: Fitchyou, Sylvia (widow of Alexander Shafer) and William are in this county, and Harvey Cummings is now a resident of Minnesota. William Cummings was born in Gallatin County, 111., in 1829. He came to this county with his parents in 1834, and attended the first school taught in the western part of Bureau County. This school was taught in a log-cabin on the east of French Grove. Mr. Cummings has made this township his home since first coming to it. In 1853 he was married to Miss A. J. Hodge, who was born in the State of New York, and is the daughter of Jacob Hodge. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings are the parents of five sons, viz.: Orlando W., Marvin S. and Melvin S. (twins), Hampton B. and Harvey D. (twins.) Immediately after marriage Mr. Cummings settled on his present farm, and in August, 1870, engaged in the breeding of short-horn cattle, and has been one of the most successful breeders of thoroughbred cattle in the county, and now keeps his farm of nearly 500 acres fully stocked with the choicest cattle. June 8, 1881, and June 26, 1884, he had a public sale of short-horn cattle, each herd containing about fifty head.

FITCHYOU CUMMINGS, Concord, was born in Gallatin County, III, May 8, 1818, and is the son of Thornton Cummings, deceased. (For a more complete outline of the life and settlement of Thornton Cummings in Bureau County see sketch of William Cummings.) Fitchyou Cummings came to Bureau County with his parents in 1834, and since that time has resided in Concord Township. His opportunities for an education were the most limited. Instead of schools, when coming to French Grove, there was excellent opportunity for the hunter to find game. As Mr. Cummings was of an inde- -pendent nature, he wished to make for himself a farm, and as money was at that time almost impossible to obtain, he had to work whenever he could to make money to pay for his land, since he had laid a claim on 160 acres, and yet resides on one eighty of that first claim. Their market was Hennepin, or soon afterward Lacon, where a man named Fisher bought hogs, and paid for the same in Boston money, which he guaranteed would pay taxes. Slowly but surely Mr. Cummings worked his way to independence, and has added to his first entered land till he now owns about 400 acres. In 1850 he was married to Miss Esther Garrett, who was born in Ohio, and is the daughter of Horace Ganett, who came to this county in about 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings are the parents of four children, viz. : Sidney, Melissa J.. Delia and Roxie. In politics Mr. Cummings has ever been a firm Democrat

J. T. CURRIER, Neponset. Among our self-made men in Bureau County, who owe their success in life to their energy and perseverance, we place him whose name heads this sketch. He was born July 9, 1823, in Peacham, Caledonia County, Vt His father, Asa Currier, was born April 21, 1790, in the same place. He died March 16, 1868, in Osceola, Stark Co., 111. He came to Stark County on Sunday, August 26, 1838, having come through with teams from Vermont, where he had been a farmer, which occupation he followed here. The grandfather of J. T. Currier was David Currier, who was also a farmer, and whose father, Caleb Currier, was of foreign descent. The mother of our subject was Sally (Willey) Currier, a native of New Hampshire, where she was born June 20, 1790. She died May 1, 1873, in Neponset. She was a daughter of Paul Willey, and was the mother of nine children, viz. : David, John, Elizabeth P., Augusta, Asa, Jonathan T. (our subject), Sally and Nancy (who both died in infancy) and Mary M. Mr. Currier had but few school advantages in early life, very unlike the young men of to-day, but he inherited that strong will-power and determination to which he owes his success in life. In 1838, at the age of fifteen, he came West with his parents, and for many years farmed successfully in Stark County. In 1869 he came to Neponset, where he now resides in a spacious residence, and where he intends to enjoy the fruit of many years of toil. Financially Mr. Currier's life has been very successful. He started in life without a dollar, and now is considered one of the wealthiest men in the township, owning over 1,200 acres of choice land in Bureau and Stark Counties besides other property. He was married May 2, 1855, in Princeton, 111., to Martha J. Hoblit, who was born December 27, 1835, in Clinton County, Ohio. She is a daughter of Amos Hoblit, and is the mother of six children, viz. : Ida D. , born August 22, 1856 (she is the wife of C. M. Branson, and is the mother of three children, viz.: Louis S., Bernice and an infant girl); Albert D., was born July 29, 1861 (he is at present a student at the Northwestern University); Willie W., is deceased ; Grace E. , was born February 6, 1 869 ; Laura M., is deceased; Bertha, was born March 18, 1876. Mrs. Currier is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Currier has never held nor sought a public office, and in political affairs has generally been identified with the Republican party.

T. P. CURRIER. The subject of this biography was born July 6, 1830, in Cornville, Somerset County, Me. His father, Patten Currier, was born in May, 1801, in the same place, and is yet living there. Be was a farmer by occupation. The grandfather of our subject was Ephraim Currier, a native of Amesbury, Mass. He died in Cornville, Me. The mother of our subject,

Mary Steward, was born in Skowhegan, Me.; she died when our subject was nine years old. She was the mother of four children, viz.: Maria, Thomas P. (our subject), John M. and William H. Of the above only our subject, Thomas P. Currier, is yet living. He was educated in the common schools of Somerset County, Me. He was reared on the farm and followed farming in Maine till April, 1853, when he immigrated to Stillwater, Minn., where he worked in the pineries two years. In the summer of 1854 he visited Bureau County, and returned to it in the spring of 1855. He lived two years in Macon Township, and then bought eighty acres of land in Neponset Township. Section 13, where he now resides and owns 160 acres of fine land. Our subject was married June 21, 1860, in Skowhegan, Me., to Hannah French, born December 12, 1835, in Skowhegau, Me., daughter of Hobey and Hannah (Fox) French, natives of Maine. Mrs. Currier is the mother of three children, viz.: Perlev W., born March 16, 1861, he married Etta Dahl; Scott T., born October 16, 1866, and Charley M., born November 25, 1867. Mr. Currier is identified with the Republican party, and is a self-made man iu every respect.

J. M. CURTIS, Concord, is a native of Schaghticoke, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., where he was born August 2, 1822. His parents, Daniel and Mehitable (Masters) Curtis, were also natives of New York. The former died there; he was a farmer by occupation and also a soldier in the war of 1812. The latter died in Davenport, Iowa, aged nearly eighty-seven years. She was the mother of nine children, viz. : Erastus, Abraham, James M., Mark B. (deceased), Harman H., Phineas, Robert C., Maria (deceased) and Mrs. Cynthia C. Burch. Our subject was educated principally in the common schools of his native town. In early life he worked on the farm, and also taught school in the winter. In 1848 he immigrated to Adams County, 111., where he taught school. The following year, in 1 849, he entered some land in Section 18, in Concord Township, Bureau Co., 111., to which he moved in 1851. He was a very successful farmer, and at present owns 893 acres of land in Concord Township and 1,000 acres of swamp land in Gold, Manlius and Fairfield Townships. Mr. Curtis was married December 15, 1850, to Helen M. Stevenson, born February 7, 1831, in Carroll County, Md. She died November 7, 1871. She is a daughter of Basil D. and Henrietta (Wells) Stevenson, and is the mother of six children, viz.: Clifton, Harmon E., Mrs. Jessie M. Pervier, Charles E., Helen M. (deceased) and Carrie B. Mr. Curtis was married a second time January 9, 1878, to Maria C. Rice, a native of New York. She is the mother of Robert R. Curtis. Mr. Curtis is religiously connected with the Unitarian Church. He has taken an active part in the affairs of his township, supporting the Republican party, and filling the offices of Assessor and Supervisor, the latter for seven years.

THOMAS DALE, Fairfield, was born October 11, 1821, in East Kent, England. He is a son of John and Elizabeth Dale, natives of the above place, where they died. They were the parents of eighteen children, of whom half reached maturity; of these only one sister and our subject ever lived in Bureau County. Thomas Dale came to the United States in March, 1850. He landed in New York, and for some time roamed in Arkansas and other Southern States. In January, 1852, he came to Bureau County, 111., where he bought eighty acres of land, which he sold, and after renting three years bought 180 acres, where he now resides, and at present owns 420 acres. Mr. Dale was married here October 25, 1855, to Eliza Spargel, a native of Cornwall, England, and a daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Richards) Spargel. She is the mother of eleven children, viz.: Elizabeth, Thomas H., John R., William C., King J., Emeline, James H., Eliza J., Carrie L., Mary C. and Priscilla S. Dale. Of these Elizabeth married James Nicholas, and Thomas H. married Laura Chapman. Politically Mr. Dale is identified with the Democratic party.

LYMAN L. DANA, Neponset. The genealogy of the Dana family in America as far as is known is as follows: The name indicates that the family descended from either the Germans, Danes or Northmen, probably the last. The progenitor of the family is Jacob Dana, whose son, Samuel Dana, was born September 7, 1694. He lived at Cambridge, Mass., till 1718, when he moved to Pomfret, Conn., where he died August 22, 1770. He was married three times, and was the father of thirteen children. One of these, Elijah Dana, was the grandfather of our subject; be was born September 4, 1740, and died April 23, 1815. He married Mary Chandler, who was born July 7, 1763. She died November 30, 1784. Elijah Dana then married Elizabeth Chandler. Elijah Dana was the father of nine children. Of these David Dana, the father of our subject, was born September 18, 1777. in Connecticut. He was a blacksmith and farmer by occupation, and died aged seventythree years. He married Rachel Varnum, who was born January 1, 1785. She was the mother of nine children, and of these Lyman L. was born September 25, 1821, inPeacham, Vt.. and is the subject proper of this biography. He went to school in his native State, and lived with his father till 1843, when he went to Plainstield, Vt. , where he worked at the blacksmith's trade for fourteen years, when his health failed and he came West in 1857. He bought eighty acres of land in Neponset Township, Bureau Co., 111., where he at present resides, having farmed successfully and now owns 385 acres in this county and forty acres in Wisconsin. He was the first to buy the soldiers' claims in this township. Mr. Dana was married March 28, 1854, in Marshfield, Vt., to Rosina Cole, who was born July 27, 1832, in Marshfield, Vt. She is a daughter of Hiram and Susan M. (Kidder) Cole, both natives of Vermont, where they farmed and yet reside in the town of Marshfield. Of their three children, Nelson | and Samuel are yet living in Vermont. The j oldest, Mrs. Rosina Dana, is the mother of ten children, viz.: Mrs. Helen Miller, A.ddie, Willie V., Leonard, Susie, David, Laura, Lotta, Harry and Louis L. Mrs. Dana is a member of the Free Baptist Church. He is idontifiod with the Republican party and is a self-made man in every respect.

GEORGE G. DANA, Neponset, was born October 13, 1825, in Caledonia County, Vt. His parents, David and Rachel (Varnum) Dana, were natives of New England. (See preceding sketch, in which is given the genealogy of the Dana family in the United States.) Our subject was reared in Vermont, where he farmed. In 1851 he immigrated to California, via the Nicaraugua route. After three years of gold mining he returned home by the same route. In the spring of 1855 he removed to Neponset Township, Bureau Co., 111. He first settled on Section 35, where he- bought 100 acres of land, which he subsequently sold, and bought 160 acres in Section 33, where he now resides. Mr. Dana was married twice. His first wife, Mary Blanchard, was a native of Vermont. She died here and left two children, viz. : Francis Danu, now a resident of Iowa, and Mrs. Jennie Lemons. Mr. Dana was married a second time September 26, 1860, to Helen Dorr, born March 16, 1825, in Columbia County, N. Y. She is a daughter of Matthew and Ann B. (Mudge) Dorr, natives of New York State, where the latter was born January 28, 1793. She died November 3, 1872, in Neponset Township. Matthew Dorr was born May 21, 1786, in Columbia County, N. Y. , where he was a farmer and woolen manufacturer. In 1847 he came West, and for many years lived on Dorr's Hill, two and a half miles southeast of Providence, in Bureau County, 111. His last years were spent in Neponset, where he died February 5, 1869. Matthew Dorr was a warm friend and supporter of Owen Lovejoy. Many a fugitive slave will remember gratefully the assistance and advice received from him and his children, in connection with the underground railroad. (See General History.) Mr. Dorr and wife were religiously connected with the Congregational Church. He was Justice of the Peace for many years, and held the postoffice about twelve years. To Mr. and Mrs. Dana three children were born, viz.: Mary, born April 7, 1862; Austin, born March 25, 1864, and Owen, born April 1, 1867. Politically Mr. Dana is connected with the Republican party.

J. H. DANA, Tiskilwa, who is the subject of this biography, was born August 12, 1815, in Rhode Island. His parents, Nathaniel and Mary (Brown) Dana, were also natives of Rhode Island. Mr. Dana was educated in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and has been a reader all his life. In early life he was engaged in factory work. In 1841 he came West and settled in Indiantown Township, Bureau Co., 111., where he lived two years, and then removed to Milo Township, where he farmed successfully till 1876, when he came to Tiskilwa, where he has resided ever since. He was married in November, 1843, to Henriette B. Haskill, who was born March 31, 1822, in Newton, Mass. They have one adopted daughter, Jane Thompson. The parents of Mrs. Dana were Caleb and Huldah (Brown) Haskill, natives of Rhode Island. They came here in March, 1837, and'died here. Their parents reached nearly one hundred years. Their .son, James G., is the oldest living resident of Tiskilwa. Politically our subject is identified with the Republican party.

WILLIAM DAVENPORT, Clarion. This gentleman, who has circumnavigated the globe and has visited almost all the monarchies of Europe, was born September 2, 1822, in Harperstield, Delaware Co., N. Y. This branch of the Davenport family is of English extraction and is traced back to the fifteenth century. History also tells us of a Capt. Davenport who served with distinction in the Revolutionary war. The parents of our subject, Erastus and Lucy (Dayton) Davenport, were also natives of New York State and reared eleven children. William Davenport was reared in his native State, where he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed about two years in the plow factory of Grand Detour, 111. In 1845 he came to Bureau County, 111., where he bought a few acres south of Perkins' Grove, and for several years worked at his trade He was married in Chicago, May 16, 1847, to Margaret Phillips, who was born April 1 2, 1827, in County Cavarn, Ireland. She died here January 20, 1884. After Mr. Davenport was married he followed his trade at the old stand in Clarion Township till about 1854, when he entered 320 acres of land from the Government, which he improved. He was a successful farmer and a self-made man in every respect. From 1871 to 1879 he lived in Mendota when not traveling. He is a man that has read and traveled a great deal the last part of his life. During the Centennial year he and his wife visited Europe. Since then he has traveled around the world. Starting from California, he traveled to Japan, China, India, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, Italy, Switzerland, France, etc., visiting many for the second time, storing bis mind with useful information concerning foreign countries. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport were members of the Presbyterian Church, as is also their family, consisting of: Mrs. Henrietta M. Nettleton, of Spring Ranch, Clay Co., Neb.; Mrs. Sarah E. Price, of Nunda, Livingston Co., N. Y.; William Ira is a prosperous farmer in this county; Amelia C., deceased; Joseph P. and Alice V. Davenport. Joseph P. was educated at Cornell College, Iowa, and Valparaiso, Ind.

AMI L. DAVIS, Princeton. Among the prominent contractors and builders in this part of Illinois is Mr. A. L. Davis, who was born in Warren County, Penn., May 27, 1826. In 1854 he came to Princeton, 111., where he has been engaged in the lumber and planing- mill business, and also contracting and building. During the season of 1884 he operated mostly at Kewanee, 111., where he gave employment to thirty or forty men. In his chosen business he is eminently successful because of his thorough ability and close application. Mr. Davis is one of a family of eight children, viz.: Ferdinand S., born October, 1815, married to Betsy P. Marsh, and now resides in Princeton; James L., born February, 1818, married to Mary J. Dean, and lives in Princeton; Drusilla E., born December 1819, is the wife of Rev. W. E. Reynolds, of Chicago ; John N. , born November, 1821 (he was married to Rosetta A. Benson; in 1864 he came to Princeton, where for some time he was engaged in the grocery business, and for seven years was constable; he died May 15, 1878); Jerome L., born May, 1824, and resides in Warren, Penn. ; Ami L., the subject of this sketch; Duane T., of Pana, 111., born January, 1828, married to Frances Dudley; and Willis E., born April, 1831, married to Delilah Wise, and now lives in San Bernardino, Cal. October 1, 1857, Mr. A. L. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Headlee, who was born in Ohio, June 27, 1837, and came to Bureau County, 111., in the fall of 1842. She is the mother of the following named children:

Lucien R. Davis, who lives in Florida; Lillian I., of Princeton; Jessie M. , wife of Joseph A. Du Plaine, married January 11, 1882; Annie M., Maggie M., and Sarah F., of Princeton. Mrs. Elizabeth J. Davis is the oldest of a family of ten children, viz. : Elizabeth J. ; Sarah L., deceased; John Clark Headlee, of Lucas, Iowa, married to Elizabeth Parish; Mary A. and Francis J., Deceased; Cynthia E., of Amboy, 111.; Rebecca E., also of Amboy, and wife of Marion Wight; John L., married to Patience Holmes, and resides in Missouri; Stephen M. and Alice L. deceased.

CHARLES A. DAVIS, Sheffield, was born in Boston, Mass., January 8, 1827, and is the son of Danforth and Lydia (Mellish) Davis. Both families had resided for generations in Massachusetts, and our subject's grandfather Davis, was a Colonel in the army during the Revolutionary war, while his grandfather Mellish was a fifer in the same army. In 1836 Mr. C. A. Davis removed with his parents to Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio. He was educated in the Twinsburg Literary Institute, where he was under the instruction of Samuel Bissell. For two winters, 1846-47 and 1847-48, Mr. Davis taught a district school in the town of Solon, and at the same time had a class in vocal music in an adjoining district, which was President's Garfield's old home, and he was one of the pupils in the music class. After teaching at Solon the two following winters, Mr. Davis taught school in Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio. April 14, 1850, he was married at Warrensville, Ohio, to Miss Chloe R. Upson. She was born in Twinsburg, Ohio, October 21, 1830, and was the daughter of Asa and Chloe (Carter) Upson. Mrs. Davis was the mother of the following named children: Clarence A., born at Shalersvi lie, Ohio, September 13, 1851, and now resides at Chicago, 111, and is in the employ of C. H. Fargo & Co., wholesale dealers in boots and shoes; Frank Danforth Davis, born in Greenville Township, Bureau Co., 111., August 11, 1854, died at New Bedford, December 8, 1862; Charles S. , born in Manlius Township, Bureau County, July 16, 1856, and died November 15, 1857; Carrie A., born at Sheffield, 111., September 15, 1867, j 1875. After marriage in 1850 Mr. Davis remained on a farm for some months, but in the spring of 1851 began clerking for A. V. Horr at Shalersville, Ohio, and continued till the spring of 1853, when he was in the book business in the Western Reserve for one season. ' He then taught school during the winter of 1853-54 at Warrensville, Ohio, and in the spring of 1854 came to Bureau County, 111., and was engaged in teaching and farming until 1858, when he began in the mercantile business at New Bedford. In the spring of 1883 Mr. Davis removed to Sheffield, and in the fall of 1868 engaged in the boot and shoe business, which he has i conducted since. In 1869 he was appointed Postmaster at Sheffield, and since that time has held that office. Mr. Davis is an active Republican in politics, and is also a stanch temperance man.

i State. The former was a son of John Davis, of English descent, who married a Miss Vanderveer, and the latter was a daughter of John and Lavina (Stone) Powers. Samuel D. Davis came to Bureau County in July, 1866, and settled in Macon Township. At present he makes his home in Indiantown Township, where he owns a farm, on which his son, Marsell Davis, resides. He was a painter and miller by occupation in early life, and followed it till he came to Illinois. He is the father of the following children: Vanderveer, John J. and George N. Davis, who are prosperous farmers in Nebraska, Marsell Davis, our subject, and Mrs. Fannie H. Newcomb. Samuel D. Davis and wife, when not traveling, make Bureau County their home. Our subject, Marsell Davis, was educated iu this county, where he is a wideawake farmer. He was married December 23, 1880, in Dearborn County, Ind., to Miss Honnie G. Smith, who was born November 7, 1855, in the above place. She is a daughter of David and Martha (Grubs) Smith. This union was blessed by one son, but who only brightened their home a short time, dying in infancy. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Davis is identified with the Republican party.

18, 1810, in Delaware County, N. Y. His parents, Charles and Polly (Smith) Dayton, were natives respectively of Watertown, Litchfield County, Conn., and of Haddam, Conn. They moved to Delaware County, N. Y., when that country was new, and passed the remainder of their lives on a farm. They were the parents of twelve children, only two of whom now survive, the subject of this sketch and .a daughter, now Mrs. Polly A. Shailor. The father died January 5, 1823, aged forty-six, and the mother August

19, 1850, aged sixty- four. C. L. Dayton was reared to the life of a farmer in his native county, meantime obtaining a good education. In 1837 he decided to seek a home and fortune in the West and started from his native county with a "pack on his back" containing his worldly goods; thus he walked about 1, 100 miles, and January 1, 1838, arrived in Bureau County, 111. Here he entered land where he now resides in Clarion Township, and commenced improving the same. Two years after his arrival he returned to his native county where he was married to Lydia Brainard, born in the same county, and a daughter of Obadiah and Lydia (Fuller) Brainard. Sooii after his marriage, in company with his wife, he returned to Bureau County, their means of conveyance being a team of horses and wagon, which he drove the entire distance. Since his first entry of land, Mr. Dayton has been a continuous resident of the county, and taken no small part in its advancement, materially and socially. Politically he is a Republican, and has served his township in all of its local offices, and is now acting as Township Commissioner, Justice of the Peace and Supervisor. To the 300 acres of land first entered by him, he has since added, so that the home farm now consists of 600 acres finely improved; also owns another farm in Bureau County of 120 acres; 160 acres in Lee County, 111., and several hundred acres in Iowa and the West. Coming to this then new country with comparatively nothing except his hands and brains with which to work out a fortune and a home, he has succeeded equal to his desire, and ascribes it to a firm determination at the start, to make industry, perseverance and business integrity, his watchword. There are few men that have marked out a path in life in which to follow that have succeeded better in their aims. Much of his success he also attributes to his true and faithful companion and wife, who still lives* to enjoy the fruits of their well earned competence, and with him to continue down through the vista of years a mutual support, one to the other, until time shall have reaped, and reunited them forever. Mr. and Mrs. Dayton have had born to them ten children, as follows: James L., now of Marshall County, Iowa; Mrs. Emily C. Richardson, of Springfield, 111. ; Mrs. Lucy Ansteth of this county; Orren L., of Linn County, Mo.; Mrs. Sarah M. Fleming, of Pottawattomie County, Iowa; Porter C. and Frank E. of this county, and Ira A., Ida E. and Clarisa E. (deceased). As that of a pioneer and an honored and substantial citizen, Mr. Dayton's portrait is given elsewhere.

WILLIAM DECKER, Indiantown, was born July 21, 1818, in Seneca County, N. Y. His father, Jeremiah Decker, was born in Vermont. He was a farmer, also a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in New York, aged eighty-four years. Our subject's grandfather, John Decker, was a native of Holland. The mother of our subject was Nancy Bishop, a native of New York, where she died. She was the mother of the following children (the first six are children by her first husband, whose name wis Southwell), viz. : Asa and Edward Southwell, Mrs. Laura Graves, Mrs. Betsey Kritchet, Mrs. Lucinda McKee and Mrs. Olive Lockwood (nee Southwell). The other children are: Jeremiah Decker (deceased), William (our subject), George Trueman, Eliza and Sarah A. Decker, the last two deceased. Our subject was educated in his native State, where he farmed till 1852, when he removed to Fairfax Courthouse, Va., and remained there till the breaking-out of the war, when he removed to Fayette County, 111., where he lived four years, and then came to this county and bought eighty acres of land. At present he owns 160 acres. He has been a successful farmer. He was married in New York, March 15, 1843, to Margaret Magee, born December 4, 1823, in Argyle, N. Y. She is a daughter of John and Polly (McNiel) Magee, natives of New York, the former of Irish and the latter of Scotch descent. Mrs. Decker is the mother of six children, viz. : William Clarence, Charles, George H. (deceased, aged twenty years), John A., James E., and Mrs. Ella A. Maynard. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Decker are active members of the Congregational Church and Sunday-school.

THOMAS W. DELANEY, Hall, was born September 4, 1858, in Hall Township, Bureau County, 111. , on the old homestead. His father, Michael Delaney, was born in September, 1818, in County Dublin, Ireland. He came to Bureau County in 1837 and bonght a farm of eighty acres in Section 16, Hall Township, which he afterward increased to 200 acres. He lived for some time in Wisconsin, where he had two sisters - Mrs. Allen Gahan and Mrs, MaryBoland. His brothers, James, William and Thomas, died in this county. Michael Delaney died September, 1880, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a good citizen and highly respected by all. He had filled various school and township offices. He married Mrs. Ann O'Brian (nee Cleary), born in County Galway, Ireland, August, 1829. She came to Peru, 111., May 25, 1849, and is still living. She is the mother of three children: Michael, son of her first husband, Michael O'Brian, who died of cholera in Peru; Thomas W. and Margaret Delaney. Thomas Delaney is a Democrat in political views, as was also his father.

J. H. DELANO, Princeton, was born in Pittsfield, Mass., June 21, 1827. His father, J. R. Delano, was also a native of Piltsfield, where he spent his life. His wife, Lucy (May) Delano, was a native of Wetherstield, Conn., and of Puritan descent. She survived her husband several years, and in later life resided in Princeton, where she died in 1880. She was the mother of three children, viz. : J. H., of Princeton; Silas, who went to California in 1852 and has never returned, being now a resident of San Francisco; Lucy M., wife of Charles N. Burr, of Princeton. Mr. J. H. Delano was married in December, 1850, to Miss Martha M. Bell, a daughter of John Bell, of Pittsfield. Mrs. Delano died July 3. 1871, leaving one son - Clarence H. , born May 26, 1852. Mr. Delano was united in marriage June 11, 1874, to Miss Sarah Fowler, a native of Stark County, 111. Her father, Elias Fowler, was born in Greenfield, Mass., in 1797 or 1798. His wife, Mary Risdon, was born in about 1807 in Vermont. After marriage they resided in Highgate,Vt., but eventually came to Stark County, 111., where they resided until death in 1857. Mrs. Delano is the mother of one daughter - Kate A., born July 21, 1877. Politically Mr. Delano is a life- long Democrat. His boyhood days were spent in his native town. In 1852 he went to California, and in that romantic land took his first practical lessons in the world's great struggle of work, trade and commerce. He remained in California three years, and then returned to his native State. After a short stay at his old home he again turned his face westward and came to Princeton, 111. , where he at once entered the busy marts of trade, and for a few months was a clerk. In the spring of 1856 he purchased a stock of groceries and commenced business for himself, and this was the foundation for the business which he has successfully conducted without interruption from that day to this. The beginning was moderate and unpretentious, but with a name for public spirit, liberality and integrity as the leading characteristics, during all these years the business has grown and widened until it may be truly said that no man in the county has builded his house or fame better or more wisely. He has conducted his long business life upon the fundamental idea, the strictest justice to all; and the people who know him best will ever be the first to accord him the fullest success in the line of his laudable ambition.

G. DEUTEKMAN, Selby, was born January 1, 1842, in Borgholtz, Westphalia, Germany. His parents, Henry and Maria (Dohman) Deuterman, were also natives of Germany, where the father died. Our subject learned the miller's trade in the old country and followed it until he came to America. In

1867 he landed at New York and was engaged in milling at Atlanta, 111., and also in Missouri. In 1879 he came to Peru, 111., and ran the Peru City Mills about thirteen months, when he bought Hook's vineyard, near De Pue, in partnership with Jacob Link, to whom he sold out after a year and a half. Mr. Deuterman was married February 22, 1882, to Mrs. Catharine Hassler, widow of Dr. Jacob Hassler. They reside on a farm of '200 acres. Politically, he is a Democrat. BENJAMIN FENNO DEWEY, Sheffield, was born in Washington County, Vt., November 25, 1845. His parents, Harry H. and Mary L. (Comings) Dewey, were also born in Washington County, Vt. They removed to Sheffield in 1863, where they now reside. They have four sons and one daughter now living, viz.: Lucia L., of Sheffield; Henry H. and John C., of Centerville, Iowa; Benjamin F. (above), and William W., of Mineral, 111., who are descendants (ninth generation) of Thomas Dewey, who emigrated from England, and settled in Dorchester, Mass, about 1633. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. Since coming West with his parents in 1863 he has resided continuously in this county, excepting the years 1869 and 1870, when be was in Kansas, being one of the pioneers of the now thriving city of Wichita, in that State. For about three years he was in the employ of Porter & Boyden, at Sheffield. In the fall of 1875 Mr. Porter (the senior member of the firm) died, and the 1st of January following Mr. Dewey succeeded to the business as junior member of the firm of Boyden & Dewey. This firm does a general mercantile and banking business, carrying an average stock of $15,000 to $18,000, with annual sales aggregating f 75,000. Mr. Dewey was married December 3, 1874, to Miss Eva Coyle, who was born in Conneaut, Ohio, November 17, 1855, being the only child of Joseph E. and Sarah A. Coyle, now of Washington Territory. Mr. Dewey is a stanch Republican, and both he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. They have had two children: Grace, born September 4, 1877, who died in infancy, and Lucia, born April 7, 1881.

born October 17, 1833, at Chaumont, Jefferson Co., N. Y., and is the son of Enoch and Mary Dewey. The father was formerly from Massachusetts, and died in New York in December, 1872. The mother was born in New York, and died in Jefferson County, N. Y., February 3, 1869. The subject of this sketch was raised and resided on a farm in New York till 1856, during which time he taught in the public schools of his native State for a period of three years. In April, 1856, Mr. Dewey came to this county, and settled upon the farm which he now owns, being the southwest quarter of Section 10 of Ohio Township. January 12,1860, Mr. Dewey married Augusta Pomeroy, daughter of Hiram S. and Esther Pomeroy. (See sketch of L. T. Pomeroy.) Mrs. Dewey was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., February 5, 1839, and died at her home, near Ohio Village, March 10, 1883. During the first eight years of Mr. Dewey's residence in this county, he was engaged as teacher of the school in his own school district for five winter terms. Mr. and Mrs. Dewey are the parents of six children, five of whom are now living, viz. : Gertrude, born October 29, I860; Seth, July 30, 1862; Mark P., November 26, 1868; Wirt S., March 16, 1875; Roy M., April 30, 1879; Ralph died in 1864, aged three months. The surviving members of the family are now residing temporarily with the father at Watertown, D. T. In the past Mr. Dewey espoused the doctrines of the Democratic party, and in 1872 was elected on the minority principle as a Representative to the State Legislature from this county. Mr. Dewey owns 160 acres in Ohio Township under a fine state of cultivation, and upon which is one of the finest and largest barns in the county. He also owns 320 acres in Dakota, with a fine residence property in Watertown, D. T., which he erected during the present year at a cost of $4,000. He also owns several valuable business and residence lots in the same town.

W. W. DEWE^, Mineral, was born July 14, 1851, in Lunenburg, Vt. He is a son of Henry H. Dewey. Our subject was educated principally in Grinnell, Iowa. His early life was Hpent on a farm. Eventually he located in Sheffield, 111., where he clerked seven years, commencing in 1873, for the Sheffield Mining & Transportation Company. From 1880 till 1882 he clerked for Mahony & Williams, grain merchants of Sheffield. He then formed a partnership with A. W. Boyden, of Sheffield, which exists to the present day. The firm is known as W. W. Dewey & Co. In 1882 they bought the grain business of S. D. Abbott, of Mineral, and the following year bought out W. W. Cradell's general store. Mr. Dewey is a wide-awake business man, and does a thriving business, keeping on hand a full supply of choice goods. He was joined in marriage November 22, 1876, in Sheffield, to Miss Mary Williams, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Margaret (Palmer) Williams. She was born February 6, 1855, in Indiana, and is the mother of two children, viz. : Maggie B. , born November 2, 1880, and Charles B., born April 5, 1883. Mr. Dewey takes an active part in the affairs of the village and school. He is now School Treasurer, and politically is connected with the Republican party.

JAMES M. DEXTER, Tiskilwa. This gentleman is one of the few survivors of the old " Rhode Island Colony' ' which settled Providence in Indianfcown Township. He was born February 11, 1805, in Cumberland, R. I. His father, Timothy Dexter, was also a native of the above place, where he died. The mother of our subject, Sally (Messenger) Dexter, was a native of Wrentham, Mass. She died in Cumberland, R. I. She was the mother of four children, viz.: James M., Benjamin, Esek and Sally A. The progenitor of the Dexter family in America was Gregory Dexter, a native of England, said to have been the first printer who landed in Boston. Our subject was educated in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In early life he met with an accident and had his leg broken, after which he learned the shoe-maker trade, but being abused by his master he resented the insult and left for home. He worked near there in a machine shop some time and then went to Dover, N. H., where he also worked in the machine shops and was married, after which he returned to his native home, where he managed the old homestead till the spring of 1837.

He then joined the "Rhode Island Colony," and with them came to Bureau County, where he settled on a farm of eighty acres in Indiantown Township, but added to this in course of time. Mr. Dexter was married in 1829 to Phebe Sanborn, who was born in New Hampshire. She is the mother of nine children. Of these five are yet living, viz. : James C.. Benjamin G., Thomas S., George E. and Mrs. Ann Brainard. Mrs. Dexter is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Dexter is identified with the Republican party. He has tilled the office of Assessor and was one of the delegates that nominated Owen Lovejoy for Congress.