Bureau County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1885 (part 1 of 13)

Biographical sketches

Amanda Yarrington ; Sarah,deceased ; Thomas, who was killed at the battle of Belmont, Mo.; Harriet; Jashub W. The latter continues his father's occupation, and has a herd of twenty-live thoroughbred cattle; among them are Victoria and Bed Rose. Mr. Aldrich was married February 4, 1884, to Miss Mary E. Borop, who was born December 22, 1847, in this county. She is a daughter of Niles and Elizabeth (Hoover) Borop, the former a native of Denmark, the latter of New York State.

SULLIVAN ALDEICH. Wyanet, was born in Providence County, R. I., December 29, 1837. He remained in his native State, attending school, etc., till 1855, when he came to Bureau County, 111., and has since made this county his home. The first year he worked with his brother, who had bought a farm near Wyanet, but the second year he began for himself in farming. He gave his attention to farming and dealing in stock till December 1, 1879, when he invested in the lumber business in Wyanet. November, 1882, he removed from the farm to Wyanet. Mr. Aldrich's life has been one of activity and of success. He now owns in this township over 800 acres of land. Mr. Aldrich is also a contractor on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, he having the contract to change the course of Bureau Creek in Section 35 of this township. In polities he is identified with the Republican party, and for six years was Supervisor of Wyanet Township. He has taken the degrees of Masonry to that of Knight Templar. December 11, 1859, Mr. Aldrich was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Mowry, who was born in Steuben County, N. Y., October 20, 1839. Mrs. Aldrich is the mother of the following-named children: Lucy M., born November 25, 1860; Silas N., born September 20, 1862, died September 14, 1863; Bertha, born October 1, 1864, died August 24, 1867; Laura G., born April 12, 1867; J. Roscoe, born November 24, 1 869 ; Howard G. , born June 22, 1872; Myra Anna, December 24, 1874. Lucy was married to William Reynolds November 16, 1882, and has one son, Harley Clyde, born September 27, 1883. Sullivan Aldrich is the son of Simon and Anna H. (Daniels) Aldrich. The father was born February 10, 1794, and the mother February 8, 1803, and were married October 6, 1825. They died in Rhode Island. Of their family of children, Andrew lives in New York City; Pliny in Fairmount, Neb. ; Lucy, wife of John Royce, resides in Sutton, Neb.; Phebe, wife of Ornando Vose, lives at Cumberland Hill, R. I.; Sullivan, our subject; and Anna I. Aldrich is a teacher in Woonsocket, R. I. Mrs. Sullivan Aldrich is the daughter of George and Nancy (Jack) Mowry. The father was born April 19, 1804, in Rhode Island, but the mother was born in Maryland, October 25, 1806. In 1841 they removed^ rom New York State to Putnam County, 111., and in 1850 to Bureau County, where they now reside. He is a minister of the Quaker faith. They are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are now living, viz. : Martha, wife of F. S. Aldrich, of Bureau County; Jesse, of Wyanet; Thomas, a farmer in Bureafl Township; George, in Wyanet; Robert, of Montgomery County, Kan.; Mrs. Sullivan Aldrich; Welcome, of Tama County, Iowa, and Nancy, wife of Webster Moses, of Minnesota.

ELISHA ALLEN, Lamoille, is a native of Warren County, N. J. , where he was born October, 1818. His parents, James and Sarah (Groff) Allen, were natives of New Jersey, where they died. The mother was of German extraction and grandfather Allen was also of German descent. Our subject was reared in his native State, where he followed farming till he came to the West, which was in March, 1871. He bought a farm two miles northeast of Princeton, Bureau Co., 111., which he sold in 1876 and then bought a farm of 124 acres in Lamoille Township, where he now resides. Mr. Allen was married October 3, 1840, in New Jersey, to Elizabeth Lake, who was born January 18, 1820, in the above State. She was a daughter of John and Sarah (Pettie) Lake, who were also natives of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of the following children: John, a resident of New Jersey; Sarah F. and Lydia are deceased; Mrs. Mary C. Norton, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Jane, deceased; James A., of Iowa; ImlaL.; Mrs. Rebecca S. Trimmer, of Kansas; William M., Mancious H. and Adeline. Mrs.

JOSEPH1 ALLEN, Clarion, who is the subject of the following biography, was born May 21, 1813, in Hampshire County, Mass. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Davis) Allen, were both natives of Massachusetts, where they died. They reared a family of three boys and three girls, viz. : Persis, Sally, Lucy, Davenport, Joseph and David. Of these, only Mrs. Lncy Rodes, David and Joseph Allen are yet living. The Allen family in America is of English extraction and were prominent among the pioneers of New England. Our subject was reared and educated in his native State, where he farmed till April, 1836, when he emigrated and came to Bureau County, 111. After one year's residence west of Princeton, became to Lamoille Township, and made a claim on Section 18, consisting of 120 acres which he bought as soon as the land came into market. Owing to his untiring perseverance and industry, Mr. Allen was enabled to buy more land, and at present owns 600 acres in his homestead, 160 acres in the northwest part of the county and 200 acres in Ford County, besides other securitiea He has been a successful farmer and stockman and a self-made man in every respect. And to-day, in the evening of his life, surrounded by many friends who know him to respect and revere him, we are glad to place him among our wealthiest citizens of Bureau County.

MARK ANDERSON, Macon, was born in Bedford County, Penn., October 23, 1831. He is the son of Samuel and Margaret (Tygart) Anderson. The father was born in Maryland and was the son of William Anderson, a native of Scotland. The mother was of Irish descent, her parents being natives of the Emerald Isle. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Anderson were the parents of ten children, but only the following now survive: Thomas, a resident of Nebraska; Mark, our subject; Mrs. Susan "Wible, of Fulton County, Penn. and Porter Anderson, also of Fulton County, Penn. In 1856 Mark Anderson came to Bureau County, 111., and .bought eighty acres of his present farm and began its improvement, it being at that time open prairie land. He now owns 200 acres of land and gives his attention to stock raising. He was reared on a farm and has made farming his occupation during life. He was married in Bedford County, Penn., in April, 1853, to Wealthy Horton, a daughter of Thomas I. and Sarah (Foster) Horton, natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Bureau County, 111., and the father died here; the mother yet survives. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of seven children, viz.: Uphamy J., wife of Frank Henderson, of this county, a

: native of New England; Margaret, wife of Neal Anderson, a native of Canada, now of Buda; Allen, of Buda; Sarah E., Lyman T. Samuel and Hugh, at home. In politics Mr.

! Sr., was also a native of Rhode Island, where he died. His son, Isaac Anthony, Jr., was born and died there. The latter was a Captain in the war of 1812. He married Nancy Fish, who was the mother of nine children that reached maturity. Of these Alfred was the youngest. He came here with the Providence colony, and was married here to Mary A. Gushing, a daughter of Caleb Gushing. She is the mother of six children now living, viz. : Edward B. , the subject of this biography; Charles R., Mrs. Emily F. Dexter, Mrs. Josephine R. Griswold, wife of Dr. Griswold, of Memphis, Tenn. ; George A. and Willie H. Anthony. Our subject received a common school education in his native county. In the fall of 1867, he went to Ottawa, and the spring following to Chicago, where he clerked in a wholesale millinery store about seven years. After this he went to Peoria, where he clerked in a wholesale notion store, also acting as commercial traveler. Of late years he has been keeping a general store in Providence and is also Postmaster. Mr. Anthony was married here, October 15, 1865, to Anna Patterson, who was born April 13, 1844, in South Bend, Ind. Her parents were William H. and

GEORGE ANTHONY, Wyanet. Jacob Anthony was born in Sussex County, N. J., May 4, 1808. Since he was thirteen years old he has made his own way in life, for many years working in foundries and iron works. After his marriage in 1828 he lived most of the time in Morris County, and for some time was teaming in New York City. He afterward bought a farm in Roxbury Township, Morris Co., N. J., and remained there till 1850, when he sold out and came to Bureau County, and settled on his present farm when there were but two cabins in sight. He now owns 135 acres of land, which jhe has obtained through hard work, having always been obliged to depend on himself. He was married in New Jersey, March 24, 1828, to Sally Tapin; she was born October 13, 1810, in the same neighborhood as her husband. They have two children: Martin T. in Adair County, Iowa, and George, of this county. George Anthony was born in Morris County, N. J. , August 29, 1832. His early life was spent on a farm in his native county, where he obtained his education in the common schools. He came to Bureau County in 1859, and has since resided in Wyanet Township, and given his attention to farming and stockgrowing. He was married August 31, 1858, to Mary A. Krieger, who was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., August 26, 1841; she came to this county in March, 1855, with her parents, George and Susan (Miller) Krieger, natives of Pennsylvania. They now reside in Lewis, Cass Co., Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Anthony have nine children, viz.: Charles W. , born August 27, 1860; Frederick, born June 28, 1862; John, born January 28, 1864; Abby J., born October 11, 1865; Emma, born November 25, 1867; Henry, born January 10, 1870; Laura, born September 18, 1872; Nellie, born November 8,1875; George E., born July 8, 1877; Mr. Anthony settled on his present farm in 1867; he now owns 380 acres, the result of hard work. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

JOHN ARMSTRONG, Neponset, was born February 17, 1836, in Newcastleton, Roxboroshire, Scotland. His father, Wm. Armstrong, was also a native of Scotland, where he died. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and a mason by occupation. The grandfather of our subject, John Armstrong, Sr., was a native of Scotland, where his ancestors had resided several centuries, they being one of the first families in the realm, and are honorably mentioned in the history of Scotland as ardent supporters of the Scottish crown. (See Scottish ChiefsV The mother of our subject, Margaret Telfor, is a native of Scotland, where she yet resides. She is the mother of seven children, viz.: Hannah, Elizabeth, Mrs. Mary Turnbull (now a resident of Stark County, III.), John (our subject), James, William, and Walter, a resident of Page County, Iowa. The other children are yet living in Scotland. Our subject was educated in his native country, where he learned and followed the mason's trade for six years, after which he farmed. In 1856 he came to Stark County, 111., where he worked three years for one man, and then commenced to farm for himself in Neponset Township, Bureau County, where he bought eighty acres in Section 32, and now owns 160 acres. He was married here June 6, 1867, to Ellen Hull, born June 10, 1844, in Scotland. She is a daughter of William and Mary (Scott) Hall, who are the parents of William Hall, Andrew Hall and Mrs. Ellen Armstrong, who is the mother of eight children, viz. : William H. , Mary M., Charley W., Henry J., Jane, Ellen, Etta M., and an infant son. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are members of the United Presbyterian Church of America. He is a Republican, and a self-made man in every respect, as he came to the United States without means.

WILLIAM ARNETT. The subject of this biography is one of our oldest settlers in Neponset Township; he was born July 16, 1826, in Leppington, Yorkshire, England. His grandfather, William Arnett, Sr., was a native of England and a farmer by occupation. His parents, John and Mary (Midgler) Arnett, were also farmers and natives of England, where they died. They were the parents of four children: Mrs. Elizabeth Rawntree, Thomas, John, and William, our subject. The two oldest children are yet living in England. John came to Neponset Township with his brother William; he lived here about twenty -seven years, and then removed to Tama County, Iowa, where he farms on a large scale. Our subject landed in Neponset Township May 12, 1849; the following year he bought 160 acres of land in Section 21, where he now resides. In 1865 he visited England, where he was married May 5, 1866, returning to the United States the same year. He married Elizabeth Muncaster, born March 6, 1840, in Fulford, near York, Yorkshire, England. Her parents, Thomas and Mary (Midgley) Muncaster, were natives of England, where they died. Mrs. Arnett is the mother of four children, viz. : Thomas A., born February 26, 1867; Mary I., born August 14, 1869; William A., born May 25, 1871; and John V., born June 27, 1881. Mrs. Arnett has two brothers, John and William Muncaster, in York County, Neb.; a brother and sister, Alfred and Isabell, in New South Wales, Australia; and two sisters, Mary and Jane, yet living in England. Politically, Mr. Arnett is a Democrat.

THOMAS AUGHEY, Lamoille, was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1835. He is a son of Christopher and Bridget (Wood) Aughey, both natives of Ireland, and now residents of Ohio Township, in this county. They are the parents of the following children: Mrs. Mary Gould, of Oxford, Iowa, Thomas Aughey, Mrs. Bridget McGuire, and Jane Aughey. Our subject came to the United States with his parents in the fall of 1847. He landed in New Orleans, and the next spring came to Bureau County, 111., where his parents first settled west of Dennis Driscoll. In Lamoille Township Mr. Aughey now owns a fine farm of 240 acres, most of which was improved by himself. He was married here to Jane Pinley, who is the mother of Thomas, Henry C., Edmond, Blanche, and Henrietta Aughey. Mr. and Mrs. Aughey are members of the Catholic Church. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party.

A. N. BACON, Princeton, was born May 5, 1815, in South Egremont, Berkshire Co. , Mass. He is a son of Andrew Bacon, who was born 1791 in Canaan, Conn. He died 1875 in Egremont, Mass. He was a farmer by occupation, and was married to Clarissa Vosburgh, who was born in Sheffield, Mass. She died in 1828, in Egremout. aged thirtyeight years. She was the daughter of Henry Vosburgh, and was the mother of six children, viz.: Henry V., Amos N. , Milton H. (deceased), Mrs. Amelia C. Hull, Porter A. and Andrew U, (deceased). Mr. Andrew Bacon was married a second time to Betsey Bronson. She was the mother of two children, viz. : Mrs. Nancy J. Potts and John Bacon. Our subject received a common school education in his native town, but is mainly self educated. In early life he was a farmer by occupation, and has always followed that pursuit In 1838 he came to Bureau County, 111., where he bought land in Section 3, and yet resides. He was joined in matrimony in this county May 9, 1841, to Julia A. Harris, who was born January 11, 1824, in Harrisville, Medina Co., Ohio. Her parents were Ebenezer and Lucy (Lawrence) Harris, who were natives of Connecticut. Mrs. Bacon is the mother of the following children, viz.: Coridan H, Mary L. , Clinton V. (deceased), Ernest W. , Herman L. (deceased). Alida M. and Harry E. Mr. nnd Mrs. Bacon are members of the Presbyterian Church. The former is an active member of the " Princeton Academy of Science." During the war he was a member of " Union League." Although Mr. Bacon may not have reached the acme as a speaker or writer, yet to his credit it must be said that he has always striven for the advancement of good instead of evil.

G. H. BACON, Indiantown. The Yellowstone National Park, with its many attractions, is well known to our citizens, but few know the fact that the subject of this biography was one of the discoverers of that wonderland. Mr. Bacon was born May 4, 1838, in Amanda Township, Hancock Co., Ohio. His father, Harvey Bacon, was a native of Candor Township, Tioga Co., N. Y., born April 9, 1806. He died January 19, 1883, in Tiskilwa. He was a successful farmer, an Abolitionist and a school teacher in early life. He fostered education and tilled school offices. The grandfather of our subject, Eli Bacon, was born 1778, in Connecticut. He died 1854 in Bureau County, to which he came in 1847. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died in the terrible prison ships in Wallabout Bay. The mother of our subject, Betsey A. Robininson, was born in Barton, Orleans Co., Vt. She is a daughter of Joel and Celia (Whitaker) Robinson, who died in New York. Mrs. Betsey Bacon survives her husband, and is now living in Tiskilwa. She is the mother of four children, viz.: George H., Mrs. Mary J. Harsh, Charles H. and Seymore A. Our subject was educated in Bureau County, and reared on the farm. In the spring of 1863 he went West, passing through Denver and Salt Lake City till he reached Virginia City in Montana Territory, where he mined, and was also engaged in the stock business for a period of nearly nine years. During that time he traveled over a great part of the Northwest. In the fall of 1863 he, with a party of thirty men, discovered the geysers, solfataras, etc., in the Yellowstone Park, which remained unknown to the outside world till the fall of 1869, when Mr. Bacon acted as guide to a party of fortyeight men, consisting of the Governor, two Chief Justices, tourists, artists and reporters, who circulated the news of the wonderful discovery. In 1864 Mr. Bacon participated in one of the most noted events in the history of the Territory, namely, the extermination 'of Henry Plummer's noted band of road agents by the Vigilantes. While Superintendent of Mines and acting as amalgamator he was also interested in the stock business, and after an absence of nine years, which were full of adventure, he returned to his old home, where he now has a farm of 240 acres. He was married June 17, 1875, to Elizabeth R. Phelps, who was born September 4, 1838, in Sharon, Medina Co., Ohio. She is a daughter of Cicero and Betsey (Crane) Phelps. To Mr. and Mrs. Bacon four children, now living, were born, viz. : Cicero Phelps, J. Harvey, George Arthur and Grace E. Politically Mr. Bacon is Independent. He is also an A. F. & A. M. , Sharon Lodge, No. 550, and with his esteemed wife is an active member of the Congregational Church.

P. C. BACON, Indiantown, was born August 24, 1856, in Senachwine Township, Putnam Co., 111. His father, Emory Bacon, was a native of Ohio. He fought bravely in the late war, and died in the hospital at Memphis, Tenn. He was married to Susan L. Ash, who died in Putnam County. She was the mother of three children, who are now living and whom she reared after her husband had offered up his life on the altar of his country. The names of the children are: Paul Clifford, Joseph Chauncy and Maud Bacon. Our subject was educated at the State Normal University. He came to this county in 1877, and bought 160 acres of land. The last four years he has been engaged in the cheese business. He was married February 7, 1877, to Mary E. Dorr, a native of this county. She is the mother of two children, viz.: Edgar D., born October 29, 1880, and Jessie M., born August 27, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are members of the Congregational Church. He is a Republican, an

D. D. BAILEY, Berlin, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, June 20, 1838. His parents, Wyatt and Maranda (Wooten) Bailey, were both natives of Virginia, but had removed to Ohio in early life, and were among the pioneers of that State. The father died there in October, 1851, and the mother died in August, 1861, in Wisconsin. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools, and Academy of Barnesville, Ohio. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching in his native county, and continued till he came to Bureau County in 1859. September 17, 1861, he enlisted in Company

B, Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col. Isaac Wilson. He was mustered in as First Sergeant of the company, and promoted to the captaincy May 10, 1862. He remained in the service till October 24, 1864, and was mustered out at Rome, Ga. The first battle he took part in was at Pittsburg Landing; he was also engaged in the siege and battle of Corinth, luka, Atlanta, etc. After leaving the army Mr. Bailey again engaged in teaching, in Lamoille, Maiden and vicinity, until May, 1878, when he entered the firm of J. James & Co., in the grain business in Maiden. Mr. Bailey was married in Monroe County, Ohio, February, 1859, to Miss Isabella Chaddock, born in Jefferson County,

Ohio, February 25, 1842. She is the daughter of Richard and Eliza (Nicholson) Chad dock, both natives of Baltimore County, Ind. , where the father was born December-24, 1805, and his wife September 4, 1808. They came to Bureau County in 1864, and are now residents of -Maiden. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have two children living and two dead, viz: Ida, born November 15, 1859, died May 13, 1860: David M., born April 23, 1861, died March 25, 1881; Everett H., born May 28, 1862, a resident of Lincoln, Neb.; May, born October 22, 1868. In politics Mr. Bailey has been a Republican until recently, but is now identified with the Prohibition party. He is a member of I. O. G. T., of Maiden, and of A. P. & A. M., Lamoille Lodge, No. 383.

JOHN W. BAILEY, Princeton, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 15, 1830. He is the son of William S. and Caroline A. (Withnall) Bailey. William S. Bailey is a native of Massachusetts, but in childhood removed West with his family, and settled in Ohio, and there he was married. At the age of eleven years, after having spent live years in the common schools, John W. Bailey commenced as "devil boy" in a Cincinnati job office, where he remained until he had thoroughly mastered the jobbing trade; and in the meantime had begun to write sketches for the daily papers of the city. Mr. Bailey then became connected with various daily papers of Cincinnati as a reporter and news editor; next assisted in establishing a Republican paper in Indiana, and in 1858 became a half owner of the Tiffin, Ohio, Tribune. His interest in this he sold in 1860, and became a one-third owner of the Daily Toledo Commercial. In 1863 Mr. Bailey purchased the Bureau County Republican, and has since resided at Princeton (see chapter on the press). In early life he was identified with the Abolition party, and also with the ' ' underground railroad" business, and as he lived on the dividing line, he relates many incidents connected with the work which would read well in romance. He cast his first vote for Gen. Winfield Scott, in 1852, while strongly sympathizing with the Free Soil party under the lead of John P. Hull, realizing full well that either Scott or Pierce would be the choice of the people. He vigorously opposed the repeal of the Missouri Compromise in 1854, voted for John C. Fremont in 1856, and for every Republican President since that time, always the uncompromising opponent of slavery, and the firm advocate of liberty. He was among the first to favor the arming of the negroes to help put down the Rebellion; to favor their right to citizenship and the ballot, and he maintains now that the points of the war to preserve a free Republic will be lost unless the purity of the ballot can be firmly established. The chief energies of his life have been devoted to upbuilding the newspapers with which he has been so long connected, and his papers have ever taken the part of all enterprises calculated to benefit the public. The Republican has ever been the stanch supporter of the high school, manufactories and various improvements. Mr. Bailey has given but little attention to any other business than that of conducting his paper in the best and most successful way. However, at the beginning of the war he spent one winter in Washington, D. C., as correspondent for his paper, in the mailing department of the House; and in 1880 he accepted the Supervisorship of the Census for the Third Illinois District, embracing fourteen counties lying between Bureau County and the Mississippi River. In Masonry he has become far advanced, and is now a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery, and in Scottish Rite Masonry he has taken the thirty-second degree. He is an I. O. O. F., and in religion is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. March 27, 1860, at Tiffin, Ohio, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma D. Mc- Clelland, who was born in Lancaster Count}', Penn., October 10, 1835. She is the mother of the following named children: Ella C. , William J. , Harry U., J. Howard andMable; also two others who died in infancy. The two eldest are following in the footsteps of their " dad, " and are now in the Republican office.

JOHN W. BAILEY, Ohio, was born in Syracuse, N. Y., October 12, 1838, and is the son of Throupe and Olive Bailey, formerly of Vermont. The father was born June 19, 1803. The mother was born June 17, 1805. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom are now living: Lewis M. Bailey, born May 13, 1826, lives in Wisconsin; Hester A., born September 16, 1828, now Mrs. G. B. Young, P. O. Roscoe, III.; Caleb, born February 13, 1831, died in 1852; Andrew, born September 24, 1834, lives in Iowa; John W., subject of this sketch; Deborah A., born January 14, 1842, now Mrs. G. Teachout of Minneapolis, Minn.; Elijah F., born August 21, 1847, lives in Illinois. The subject of this sketch lived on a farm in his native State until he came to this State with his parents in 1853, and settled in Boone County. Mr. Bailey finished the course in the Rock River Seminary in 1858. December 25, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Juliette Wheeler, of this county, a daughter of Charles and Martha B. Wheeler, formerly of Windsor County, Vt. The father was born at Royalton, Vt., March 28, 1808. The mother was born at Tunbridge, Vt., September 23, 1810. They were married January 1, 1834, and came to this county in February, 1853. The father, Charles Wheeler, died August, 1863, from injuries inflicted by a vicious horse, surviving but a few hours. The mother died December 8, 1864, leaving six children living of a family of seven: William W., born December 1, 1834, of Malcom, Iowa; Martha B. , October 27, 1837, died September, 1859; Juliette, (Mrs. J. W. Bailey), born July 3, 1839, of Ohio, III; Orin M., February 7, 1842, of Malcom, Iowa; Charles H., July 15, 1844, killed by the cyclone at Grinnell, Iowa, January 17, 1882; Ethan Allen, June 7, 1846, of Montezuma, Iowa; Luna P., January 2, 1850, (now Mrs. F. A. Winslow), Chicago, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are now living, as follows: Charles W., born December 13, 1861, died March 4, 1863; infant daughter, born January 25, 1863, died April 3, 1863; Martha L., born November 25, 1864; Olive A., March 28, 1867; Glenn G., December 25, 1868; Susan K, December 29, 1870; Fred E., April 1, 1873; John W., Jr., March 21, 1875; Bessie B., March 28, 1877, died September 15, 1877; Chester V., born September 15, 1879; Dexter W., November 3, 1882. Mr. Bailey has taught a winter term of school in this county during the past seventeen years, and during the past twenty-five years in the State. Mrs. Bailey is a teacher of large experience, having taught twelve years in this county. Martha L. Bailey having prepared herself for the profession at the State Normal, is now engaged in the graded school at Ohio, 111., while Olive A. Bailey is engaged in teaching in the public schools of her own township. Mr. Bailey is Republican, and owns 240 acres of land in Ohio Township.

CHARLES C. BAIRD, Lamoille, was born June 28, 1818, in Fairfield Township, Westmoreland Co., Penn. His grandfather was William Baird. His father, Joseph Baird, was a native of Chambersburg, Penn. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in Bolivar, Penn. The mother of our subject, Jenny Henderson, was a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., where she died. Her mother, Mrs. Polly Henderson, was a native of Ireland, and was three months crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Mrs. Jennie Baird was the mother of seven boys and two girls. Of these only three are living, viz. : Charles, our subject, who is the oldest child; Joseph Baird, a resident of Ford County, 111., and Samuel, who is the youngest child, and resides in Lamoille Township. Our subject was reared in Pennsylvania, where he boated seven years on the Pennsylvania Canal. First, he drove for $12 per month, and then steered for $14 per month. After that he worked three years repairing the Pennsylvania Canal at 75 cents per day, boarding himself and family. After this he farmed successfully. In February, 1865, he removed to Bureau County, 111., where he bought a farm of 180 acres, at $40 per acre. He has now 230 acres of land and ten acres of town property in Lamoille Township. On his farm he keeps some tine horses. His success in life is due to his indomitable perseverance and industry. Our subject was married in Pennsylvania to Martha Snyder, a native of Westmoreland County, Penn, and the daughter of Nicholas and Christina Snyder. Mrs. Baird is the mother of seven children, who are now living, viz. : Mrs. Hannah J. McCray, Mrs. Sarah Hainey, Mrs. Martha Maine, Mrs. Mary Schwabenland, Francis R., Andy J. and

Charles T. Baird, who is managing the home farm. All the children own real estate, and are settled in Lamoille Township. Politically, Mr. Baird is a Republican. He and his excellent wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their grand-daughter, Miss Sally McCray, brightens their home with her presence.

JUDGE MAETIN BALLOU, Princeton, : was born July 18, 1812, in Halifax, Windham Co., Vt. His father, Asahel Ballou, wae born January 18, 1771, in Rhode Island; he died March *20, 1851, in Halifax, Vt. He was a i mechanic and farmer by occupation, and a son of Benjamin Ballou, whose brother, Hosea Ballon, was the celebrated clergyman of New England. The Ballou family is of French extraction. The mother of the Judge was Martha (Starr) Ballou, who was born May 28, 1776; she died October 9, 1839, at Halifax, Vt She was the mother of nine children, viz. : Hosea, Asahel, Perley, Levi, "William S., Reuben and Martha (twins), Alvin and Almon. Of these Reuben died in infancy, and only Martin, our subject, Alvin and Almon still survive. Judge Ballou received j his primary education in the common schools , and academy of Brattleboro, Vt. Afterward he studied law with C. K. Field, of Wilmington, Vt. , and also attended the Harvard Law > School at Cambridge, Mass., and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1839, at Fayetteville, Vt. He then resolved to go West to grow up with the country. In the same year that he was admitted to the bar he hung out his shingle in Princeton, Bureau Co., 111., and here he has followed his profession ever since, and is the oldest member in the legal fraternity. In March, 1857, he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of the old Twenty-third Circuit, serving till June, 1861. The Judge can look back with pleasure upon a wellspent, active, professional life, from which he is gradually retiring. Judge Ballou was joined in matrimony in Princeton, 111., to Miss Catharine S. Tuttle, who was born in Medina County, Ohio. She is a daughter of Carolus Tuttle, a native of Connecticut- Mrs. Martin Ballou is the mother of five children, viz. : Charles T., now living in Marshalltown, Iowa; William S., an attorney in Colorado; Frank M., a merchant in Boone, Iowa; Elizabeth

M. , who is the wife of Seth Mendell, a merchant of Boston, Mass., and Addie B., a student in Boston, Mass. Mrs. Judge Ballou is a member of the Congregational Church. The Judge and his estimable wife have made many friends in Bureau County, and are widely esteemed for their many good qualities of head and heart.

J. J. BAMBURG & CO., Princeton. In 1856 M. Dernhara engaged in business in Princeton, and the same business has been continued till the present time. In his employ were Messrs. J. J. Bamburg and A. Oppenheim, both natives of Baden, Germany. In 1872 Mr. J. J. Bamburg purchased the business of M. Dernham, and the same year took as a partner Mr. Oppenheim, and for twelve years the firm of J. J. Bamburg & Co. nave done a large and successful business as clothiers and merchant tailors. They carry a stock of goods which will aggregate at least 125,000 in value, and have annual sales reaching from $45,000 to $50,- 000. In the tailoring department they employ eight hands besides the cutter, and in this department, as in all else, their customers are given the benefit of the proprietors' large and judicious purchases.

GEORGE BARR, Berlin, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 26, 1841. His father, George Barr, was also a native of Germany, where he passed his life chiefly in farming, though for twenty years he served in the army. His wife, Salmon Busteter, was of French birth, but moved to Germany with her family when a girl. She died when her son George was six years old. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom are still living, all except- one in America. Our subject came to this country when about eleven years old, and lived in Wisconsin three years, removing to Bureau County in the spring of 1859. August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, served for one year, when he was discharged for disability. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg. Since his return from the war he has been engaged in farming, and has also run a threshing-machine and corn-sheller for several years. In 1877 he bought his present farm of eighty acres in Section 33, Berlin Township. Previously he had resided on a farm near De Pue. He was married October 14, 1867, to Rachel Martin, a native of Warren County, N. J., born October 14, 1840. She is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Brown) Martin, both natives of New Jersey. Mr. Martin died at Maiden in April, 1879, but his widow still resides there. Mr. and Mrs. Barr have two children, viz. : Fleedia, born March 14, 1870, and Henry, born October 30, 1874. In politics Mr. Barr is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Maiden.

BENJAMIN BARRETT, deceased, was born March 12, 1809, in Jonesboro, County Aramah, Ireland. He died August 6, 1879, in this county, where he had spent the best part of his life and labored faithfully for his family and for all things pertaining to the interest of the community, especially in the support of churches and schools. His parents were George and Mary Barrett. He was married April 18, 1834, to Elizabeth Barrett, born November 14, 1814, in Jonesboro, Ireland, where her parents, William and Jane (O'Neil) Barrett died. Soon after Mr. Barrett was married he removed to Belmont County, Ohio. In 1847 he removed to LaSalle, 111., and in September, 1856, came to Westfield, Bureau County, 111., where he bought a farm which he improved and ou which he died. Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett survives her husband and is living on the old homestead. She is the mother of nine children, viz. : Mrs. Mary A.. Nelson ; William, of Mendota; Ann J. ;Mrs. Elizabeth Holbrook; Joseph, of Wyanet; Robert, of Dakota; 'Mrs. Fannie Butler; James M., of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Mattie Gill of this county. Of these Fannie is the wife of William H. Butler, a native of Madison County, N. Y. They were married October 1, 1878, and are the parents of Nettie E. and Jessie M. Butler. Religiously, Mrs. Barrett is connected with the Protestant Episcopal Church, as was also her husband.

CHARLES P. BASCOM, Princeton, was born July 5, 1842, in Chicago, 111., and is the eldest son of Flavel Bascom, D. D. , and Elizabeth Bascom, nee Sparhawk. The latter died in Galesburg, 111. Rev. Flavel

Bascom was born in Connecticut, June 8, 1804. After working his way through Yale College, he came to Illinois in 1833, under the auspices of the Home Missionary Society. For some years he resided at Pekin,"but later went to Chicago, where he was pastor of a church for ten years and during that time was President of the first anti -slavery society in Chicago. In 1850 he became pastor of the Congregational Church at Galesburg. In 1855 he removed to Dover, 111., and in 1864 to Princeton, where he was pastor of the Congregational Church. He now resides at Hinsdale, 111. More of his life will be found in connection with the church history of Bureau County. Since 1855 Mr. Charles P. Bascom has been a resident of this county. He was educated in Beloit College, Wisconsin, graduating in the class of 1864. December 11, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucia M. Colton, who was born in this county and is the daughter of Egbert Colton, deceased. December, 1874, Mr. Bascom became junior partner in the Republican printing office, and his connection with this paper will be found in the chapter on the Press.

EDWIN BASS, SB., Maiden. The Bass family came from England to this country some time in the seventeenth century, and settled in Massachusetts. From there the different branches scattered; our subject being a descendant of a family which located in Connecticut, where for 150 years the old farm in Windham County has been owned by some one of the Bass name. Edwin Bass, Sr., was born in Windham, Windham Co., Conn., January 28, 1816. His father, Ebenezer Bass, was born July 4, 1784. and died February 28, 1875. His wife, Sarah Mc- Curdy, was a native of Nova Scotia, born May 9, 1789, and died September 24, 1850. In early life she removed to Connecticut and was there married. They were the parents of seven sons and five daughters, all of whom are living except two sons and two daughters, but are scattered through Missouri, Kansas, Connecticut and Illinois. Edwin Bass was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native State, afterward teaching several terms. At the age of twenty -one he began working by the month, and in three years saved $400. April 13, 1840, he started for this county, and after three weeks on the way, by the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, he landed at Hennepin. He then invested the remainder of his $400 in ninety acres of land in Berlin Township, and for three years worked by the month, teaching school, etc. April 27, 1843, he was married to Emeline J. Stanard, born May 6, 1824, in Madison County, N. Y. She is the daughter of Lebius and Luceba (Fay) Stanard. The father was a native of Vermont, near Montpelier, the mother of Connecticut. They came to the county in the fall of 1840, and lived in Lamoille for Home time. Mr. Stanard died in Clarion Township in October, 1858, and his wife died January 3, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Bass are the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living: Caroline L., born August 28, 1844, died February 6, 1873, wife of Thomas L. Phillips; Lucian, born March 26, 1847, lives in Walnut Township, Bureau County (he was in the Civil war for one year); Luther G., born July 25, 1848, is a physician in Roseland, 111. ; Sidney B. , born March 18, 1850, died October 26, 1853; Charlotte M., born April 12, 1852, died October 27, 1853; Oscar S., born May 19, 1854, an attorney by profession; Edwin, Jr., born April 23, 1856, a farmer in Berlin Township; Heber and Howard, born February 15, 1858 (Howard died September 15, 1858, Heber died September 25, 1858); Wallace, born March 12, 1860, a farmer in Lee County, 111. ; Alonzo C., April 12, 1862. After marriage Mr. Bass remained on the farm he first bought until February, 1851, when he came to his present farm in the corporation of Maiden. Mr. Bass has been successful in his business career, and now owns as the result of his labor 1,432 acres of land in this and Lee Counties, besides other property. He has been a Republican in politics since the party was first organized. Mr. Bass and wife are members of the Baptist Church of Dover.

EUGENE C. BATES, Princeton, was born in Cummington, Mass., November 9, 1840, his parents also being natives of the same Green Mountain nook. Jacob Bates, son of Alvin Bates, and father of Eugene C., was born in 1805, was bred a farmer, and served for a time as Captain of Massachusetts militia. He married in 1831 Miss Mary Mason, daughter of Elisha Mason, a lady five years his junior, of great personal beauty and unusual intelligence, with whom he lived happily until her death in Princeton, in 1878. The fruits of this union were a large family of energetic sons and daughters, faithful in filial affection, and, like their parents, " diligent in business, serving the Lord," in a manner excellent, if not evangelical. These parents, Jacob and Mary M. Bates, were active of mind and body, liberal and outspoken in religion, earnest in the cause of temperance, and stood with the faithful few, unflinching in devotion to liberty, in the days when it cost something to be an Abolitionist. It was in this healthy atmosphere that E. C. Bates passed his boyhood, and learned to believe in honest industry and liberty as the right and left hands of human progress. His early years were divided between the schoolhouse and the farm, the latter getting the larger share. At the age of eighteen he took his place behind the counter of a store in his native town, where he served four years, afterward adding a shorter term as salesman in the city of New York. Meantime the war for the Union being in progress, he enlisted, but on account of his slender physique could not be accepted. A second attempt was no more successful, though he did succeed in getting as far as Key West on a man-of-war. On this trip a severe sickness came very near terminating his voyage of life. In 1864 Mr. Bates married Miss Lora S. Ward, of Worthington, Mass., and in 1865, rich in a wife's companionship, but quite otherwise in the matter of funds, he came to Peoria County, 111. After a few months' work as salesman in Elmwood, he removed to Princeton, where, in partnership with his brother, J. R. Bates, he opened the dry goods store which afterward became so widely and favorably known. J. R. retired in 1869, and removed to Stuart, Iowa, and Mr. Bates continued the business alone till 1878, when another brother, Charles E. Bates, and C. M. Durley became members of the firm, C. E. Bates retiring in 1882. In November of the same year the firm sold the business to Messrs. Palmer Bros., since which time Mr. Bates has conducted a real estate and loan business with marked success, being himself an extensive land owner in Bureau County and in the West. He was also for fourteen years a partner in the firm of Robinson & Bates, in the boot and shoe trade, withdrawing in 1884. He is also a Director and stockholder in the First National Bank of Princeton. Successful business men are not rare in Bureau County, but the success of E. C. Bates has been so unusual in degree and of so broad a character as to demand special mention. Business is not alone a means of making money, but, properly conducted, it is also a civilizing force, a means of maintaining social order and friendship and for the development of character. The business conducted by Mr. Bates is a forcible illustration of this fact. His clerks and salesmen, as well as most of his customers, became his firm friends. From small beginnings the trade grew, until for ten years the pay roll of employes averaged $17,000 per annum, an amount larger than that of any manufacturing concern in the town. In seventeen years over $2,100,000 worth of goods were sold over the counters. Over $1,000,000 of that amount went on to the books of the house as credit sales. Of this amount, strange to say, the loss by bad debts was less than one- fourth of one per cent. Facts like this are not only honorable to the people of Bureau County, but prove Mr. Bates' accurate judgment of men and his admirable methods of doing business. These close collections were not the result of harsh measures, for, in the entire seventeen years, only four or five law- suits were brought against customers. Mr. Bates has been doubly fortunate in being able to keep his head cool and his heart warm, and it is not too much to say that his example as a trader will be felt for good in this region for many years to come. Mr. Bates has recently built and furnished and now occupies a capacious and elegant residence in the city, which, with its wide and generous sweep of lawn, is a credit to Princeton, and a source of well-earned satisfaction to its occupants. Mrs. Lora S. (Ward) Bates, wife of our subject, was born in 1840, in Worthington, Mass., where her father, Daniel Ward, was also born, and where he died in 188 J. The Ward family was of English extraction, with many salient traits of character. This was true of Daniel Ward, the father, and especially so of Col. William Ward, grandfather of Mrs. Bates. He was for a long time a prominent figure in western Massachusetts, a gentleman of the old school, and of a type of character now seldom met with in real life. Mrs. Lucretia Ward, an amiable and wellpreserved lady, mother of Mrs. Bates, resides with her daughter. This sketch of the social and business career of E. C. Bates would be sadly incomplete if we failed to state that during all these busy years Mrs. Bates has been a most efficient co-worker, both in the store and the home. Her rare and wellknown taste and skill in the dry goods business were only equalled by her easy grace in society, thus furnishing a living testimony to the fact that business tact and capacity are not necessarily incompatible with true delicacy and gentle womanhood.

T. BATES, Neponset, was born October 26, 1823, in Derbyshire, England. He is a son of John Bates, an able minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who was born in 1790 in England. He died September 18, 1871, in Bureau County, 111. The mother of our subject, Mary (Weekley) Bates, was born in England, and died in August, 1847, in Madison County, 111. Our subject, T. Bates, came to Neponset in 1849; he settled on Section 16, where he now resides, and owns 240 acres of well improved land. He was married March 14, 1850, in Madison County, 111., to Emma Handsaker, who was born June 19, 1829, in Derbyshire, England. She is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Falkner) Handsaker, natives of England, where he died August 5, 1836. She died in Madison County, 111., and was an intelligent and religious lady. Mrs. Emma Bates was the mother of six children, viz.: Joseph H., born January 4, 1851 (he married Mary J. Wood); Mrs. Mary J. Weed, September 10, 1852; Samuel H., January 1, 1855 (he married Fannie E. Handsaker); John William, July 17, 1857 (he married Emma J. Carr); James T., March 28,1860; and George E., who was born July 1, 1868. Mr. Bates' eldest son, Joseph H. Bates, is a physician in Neponset; he has practiced three years in Altona, 111. He was educated in the Northwestern University of Evanston, Til., and received his medical education at the Chicago Medical College, where he graduated. Politically Mr. Bates is a Republican, and religiously he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

MAJ. SILAS BATTEY was born in Providence County, R. I., July 10, 1815, to Sampson and Abigail (Phillips) Battey. The father was a native of Warwick, R. I., and of an old family of that State. The life of Maj. Battey has been quite varied. He was reared on a farm, but soon after starting for himself became interested in an iron foundry, and there learned the business of moulder, and later years followed his trade in Providence, Bristol and Pawtucket, until coining to Bureau County in 1854, where he purchased a farm, upon which he lived until the fall of 1862, when, having been elected Sheriff of the county, he moved to Princeton. After a term of two years as Sheriff, he. in the early part of 1865, recruited a company of soldiers for the war, and was mustered into the service as its Captain in February of that year. They were assigned to the One Hundred and Fiftyfirst Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as Company H, whereupon Captain Battey was almost immediately commissioned Major of the regiment. During most of his service the regiment was stationed at different points in Georgia. They were mustered out in January, 1866, at Columbus, Ga. Maj. Battey also had four sons in the army: F. A., who enlisted on the 12th day of September, 1861, as a private in Company F, Fifty-seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and passing through all the successive grades, except that of Lieutenant, became Colonel of his regiment, one of the youngest of that grade in the army. He served through the entire-war, and participated in all the battles of his regiment, being twice wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and once a prisoner, captured at Dalton, Ga. In command of his regiment he was with Sherman on his famous ' ' march to the sea. " After the close of the war he was commissioned First Lieutenant in the Regular Army, and served as such until he resigned, October 31, 1870. Marshall enlisted in the same regiment and company with F. A. in the fall of 1861, but was afterward promoted to a Lieutenancy, then to a Captaincy in the One Hundred and Eleventh United States Colored Infantry, serving through the entire war, and participating in some of the most sanguinary battles of the West. George and Alonzo each served about six months toward the close of the war, the former as Orderly Sergeant. After retir ing from the army Maj. Battey moved to a farm about one mile west of Sheffield, which he had purchased, and upon which are extensive coal deposits. For a number of years he varied his farm pursuits with coal mining, operating at times quite largely. His valuable farm consists of about 500 acres, well improved. In March, 1884, he moved to Sheffield, retiring from active life. Maj. Battey has ever taken an active interest in the political matters of the day, and since the Republican party was organized has been identified with its principles. While still in his native State he was a participant in the Constitutional troubles of Rhode Island, and was on the side of the people. He also served as Deputy Sheriff of Providence County for some time, and besides being Sheriff of this county has held various township offices. November 9, 1833, he was united in marriage to Miss Mercy Bennett, who was born November 23, 1814, in the same township as her husband, and the daughter of George and Martha (Wilcox) Bennett, both natives of Providence County, R. I. Mr. and Mrs. Battey are members of the Unitarian Church of Sheffield. Mrs. Battey is a woman of sterling qualities, her life and energies having been dedicated to the good of those about her. To the interests of her large family she has been especially devoted, and to her husband she has been a helpmate indeed, a reliance in the weary strife of life. They are the parents of fifteen children, viz. : Sanford W., born January 8, 1835; Martha M., March 12, 1836; George, July 4, 1837; Frederick A., November 21, 1838; Cyrean, August 27, 1840; Bernard, November 17, 1841; Marshall, February 26, 1843; Silas Alonzo, October 19, 1844; Betsey M., July 7, 1846, died in Providence, R. I., December 27, 1852; Linnams A., February 28, 1849, died in Providence May 25, 1853; Linnaeus A., the 2d, May 14, 1853; Edson T., September 19, 1854, died April 28, 1862; Jared, April 29, 1856, died April 5, 1882; Herbert 0., October 26, 1857, died November 3, 1882, and Elmer E., born June 11, 1861. Sanford is in the mercantile business at Creston, Iowa; Martha is the wife of C. W. Abbott, of Bureau County; George is in Portsmouth, Iowa, dealing in grain, etc. ; F. A. is an extensive publisher in Chicago, 111.; Cyrean is a teacher in Bureau County; Bernard is railroad agent, etc., in Dexter, Iowa; Marshall is in business at Sabetha, Kan. ; 8. Alonzo, a farmer of Nickerson, Kan.; Linnaeus A. is a farmer in Bureau County; and Elmer E. is with Col. Battey, of Chicago. O. W. BATTEY, Tiskilwa, was born June 15, 1823, in Foster, Providence Co., B. I. He is a son of Sampson Battey (see the preceding sketch). Our subject received a common school education in Connecticut, where his early life was spent on the farm. He came to Illinois with his parents, and lived several years in Peoria and La- Salle Counties. In 1854 he came to Tiskilwa, where he was appointed station agent on the Chicago, Bock Island & Pacific Bailroad, which position he has filled ever since, and is known as the oldest and most trusted agent on the route. For the last twenty years he has also been engaged in the grain and lumber business. He was married March 18,1851, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Pauline A. Walker, who was born February 1, 1825, in Vermont. Her parents were Asa and Elizabeth (Mathewson) Walker. She is the mother of three children: Galen S., Losada L. and Owen W. Mrs. Battey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Battey has filled town and school offices. He has taken a lively interest in political affairs, and has supported the Bepublican party. He was formerly a warm supporter of the famous underground railroad, which has done so much to break the shackels of slavery in the land of the free.

"JOHN H. BAUEB, Clarion, was born June 3, 1818, in Au Kronau, Bavaria, Germany. His parents, Henry and Catharina (Bauer) Bauer, died in Germany. They were the parents of the following children : George, deceased; John H., our subject; John, deceased; Thomas Bauer, of New York City; Mrs. Julia Fisher, of Bavaria, and Margaretha Bauer. John H. Bauer, our subject, came to this country in August, 1847. He worked fourteen months for Squire Dayton, and two years for William Lewis, and then moved on to his farm of eighty acres, which he entered in 1848. At present he has 340 acres, the result of hard work and economy, as he came here a poor man, and gradually worked his way to his present prosperity. Mr. Bauer was married here in December, 1850, to Kunigunda Miller, who was born in March, 1826, in Au, Bavaria. She is the mother of nine children: Thomas, George, Mrs. Susan Keen, Mrs. Katie Bapp, Mary, Barbara, Lucy, Bosa, and Philip, who died in infancy. Of the above Lucy Bauer is one of Bureau County's wide-awake teachers. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are members of the German Emanuel Evangelical Church. Politically he is connected with the Bepublican party.

C. HENBY BAUEB, Clarion, was born January 16, 1828, in Strauszfort, Prussia, where his parents, Friedeinann and Sophia (Starkey) Bauer died. They were the parents of seven children, viz.: Frederick, William, Fritz, C. Henry our subject, Mrs. Fredericka Goetz, Mrs. Hannah Schultze and Mrs. Minnie Ditmar. Our subject, C. Henry Bauer, came to Clarion Township, Bureau Co., 111., in 1854; here he worked on a farm and finally, in about 1862, had saved enough money to buy forty acres of land. He has now 273 acres of land which is the reward of persistent industry and economy. Mr. Bauer was married here to Mrs. Catharina Erlenborn (nee Schulle), who died here. She was the mother of seven children, viz.: Henry Erlen born, Mrs. Bebecca Buehlhorn (nee Bauer), William. John, Therese, August and Louisa Bauer. He was married a second time to Maggie Zopf, who is the mother of Augusta, Fred and Matilda Bauer. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are members of the Lutheran Church.

DB. J. M. BEACH, Princeton, was born in Burlington, Hartford Co., Conn., December 16, 1813. He is the son of Joel and Lydia (Sutlift") Beach, both natives of Connecticut, which State they made their home till the time of their death. Of their family one son and two daughters yet survive, viz. : Dr. J. M., of Princeton; Mrs. Squires, of Winona, widow of Martin Squires, and Mrs. F. A. Raymond, of Henry, 111. Dr. Beach was reared in his native county, and in 1836 began the study of dentistry with Dr. Crane, of Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1839 he began the practice of his profession in Pittsburg, Penn. In 1851 he came West and settled in Mount Palatine, Putnam Co., 111., where he continued the practice till 1864, when he located in Princeton. The Doctor has been in active practice for forty-five years, and is one of the oldest dentists in the State. In 1844 he was married in Pittsburg, to Miss Josephine Williams, a native of Philadelphia. She died in 1849 of the cholera; she was the mother of one son - James - who died when about eighteen months of age. In 1851 Dr. Beach was united in marriage to Mrs. Ann (Wiley) Smith. She was born in Pittsburg and died in Princeton in 1879. She was the mother of one daughter by Dr. Beach, viz. : Anna J., wife of Dr. William Landreth. Dr. Beach cast his first vote for Henry Clay, and is now identified with the Republican party. He is an active worker for the temperance cause. In 1880 in order to be relieved of some of his professional duties, Dr. Beach formed a partnership with his son-in-law, Dr. William M. Landreth, and they have practiced together since. Dr. Landreth is a native of Philadelphia, and is the son of one of the founders of the seed industry of Philadelphia, he being previous to death one of the members of the Ijandreth seed firm of that city. His widow is now a resident of Battle Creek, Mich., and one son, Albert Landreth, is a wholesale seed grocer, of Manitowoc, Wis. In early life Dr. Landreth received the appointment to West Point, but after a few months had to give up the position on account of not being able to endure the training. For some time he was a resident of Battle Creek, Mich., and came to Princeton from there, and was here married to Miss Anna J. Beach. This union has been blessed with the following named children: Anna, Alice and Beach. In politics he is Republican. He and wife are members of the Congregational Church.

AMASA E. BELDEN, Berlin, was born in Wyoming County, N. Y., April 17, 1813. His early life was spent in farming in his native county. His father, Amasa Belden, was a native of Vermont, and was in the war of 1812; his wife, Amy Banister, was a native of Connecticut. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom are now living, viz. : Amasa E., Timothy and Sylvester P. Our subject came to Bureau County in 1845. He crossed the lakes to Chicago, and then came by team to this county, where he has since resided. He first bought the farm at Dover now owned by J. Hoyt, on which he built a house, hauling the lumber from Chicago, which he also made his grain market. He lived in Dover for eight years, and then bought his present farm in Section 28, which was then unimproved prairie. Mr. Belden was married, in Wyoming County, N. Y., to Miss Mary Kellogg, a daughter of Deacon Daniel Kellogg. She was born in 1816, and died at the age of sixty years and two months. She was the mother of three sons and three daughters: Daniel K. ; Harlan A.; Augustus H., who was in the army three years; Sarah, wife of W. B. Howe of Chicago; Amy, wife of Rev. James Hunter Clark, who is pastor of the Congregational Church at Millard Avenue Station, Chicago; Janie B. , wife of W. H. Lewis, a farmer of Berlin Township. The sons are all dead, but all were married; one left a wife and four children, another a wife and two children. In politics Mr. Belden is identified with the Republican party, and in earlier days was associated with Lovejoy, Bryant, and others in the Abolition movement in this county. He has been a member of the Congregational Church most of his life, and has been a Deacon in the church at Maiden since its organization. Mr. Belden has always believed in a strict observance of the law, of the Sabbath, and of morality, and his influence has not been unfelt.

ELI B. BELKNAP, Berlin, was born in Niagara County, N. Y., April 13, 1819. His parents, Elisha and Lucy (Finch) Belknap, were both natives of New York, and in 1830 moved to Licking County, Ohio, where the father died in 1839, at the age of fifty-two years. Eli B. Belknap spent his early life on the farm in New York and Ohio, till 1839, when he came to Bureau County. In 1840 he brought his widowed mother here, where she died in 1845, at the age of sixty-three years. July 3, 1844, he was married, in Licking County, Ohio, to Miss Mary Whitehead, who was born in that county July 3, 1826. She is the daughter of E. F. and Margaret (Doremus) Whitehead, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, removed to New York when small, and after marriage, to Ohio. He was born November, 1796, and died in Ohio, at the age of seventy- one years. His wife was born July 31, 1799; died August 13, 1880. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Belknap came to Bureau County, but after a residence here of two years they returned to Ohio; remained there four years, and then again came !o this county, settling in 1852 on their present farm of 160 acres, in Section 3, Berlin Township. They are the parents of six children living, viz.: Augustus H., born February 20, 1848, married Lydia S. Palmer, and resides in Pocahontas County, Iowa; Edwin F. , born April 26, 1850, married Esther Hall, and lives in Mitchell County, Kan.: Jerome B., born August 2, 1852, lives in Wright County, Iowa, married Flora L Taylor; Harry W., born June 15, 1855, resides on the old homestead, married MaryM. Cater; Mary L.,born June 3. I860, wife of Edward H. Cater, of Pottawatomie County, Iowa; Emma S. , born May 3, 1862, wife of Elias Bower, of Adair County, Iowa. The eldest child, Sarah, born September 9, 1845, died October 5, 1845. Mr. Belknap and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Arlington. In politics, he has been a Republican since the party was organized, and previous to that was an Abolitionist.

JULIUS BENEDICT, Berlin, was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., August 6, 1826. His parents, L. Nathan and Clarissa (Thatcher) Benedict, were both natives of Vermont. At the age of sixteen years he left home and worked for three years in Rochester, N. Y., and in 1846 came to Lamoille, 111., which he made his home for three years, though during that time he traveled south through Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas, engaging in whatever work presented itself. In 1849 he made the overland trip to California and engaged in mining for three years. In 1852 he returned to this county and was married May 9, 1852, to Henrietta Cleveland, a native of Skaneateles, N. Y. After marriage they settled on Section 1, Berlin Township, and made that their home until January, 1884, when they broke up housekeeping and have since resided at different points. Mr. Benedict has been very successful in his agricultural pursuits; his home farm contains 1,200 acres, and he also owns a ranch of 7,000 acres in Dawson County, Neb., which is stocked with cattle. His family consists of five sons, viz. : Emerson, born September 1853, a farmer in this county, married to Ida Chamblin, of Mason City, 111. ; Harry, a farmer in this county, is married to Belle Kyle, of Princeton; Lewis, a commission merchant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Charles and Frank, in Dawson County, Neb. Mr. Benedict is an Independent Republican in politics. He is a member of the Baptist Church of Lamoille.

T. N. BENNETT, Neponset. The subject of the following biography was born March 24, 1854, in the State of Indiana. His father, Timothy Bennett, was born April 15, 1813, in Clinton Co. , Ohio. He was a farmer by occupation and well known for his many good qualities of head and heart. He came to Neponset Township, Bureau Co., 111., in 1856. and died here February 6, 1872. The grandfather of our subject, Timothy Bennett, Sr. , was a native of Kentucky. The great-grandfather's name was also Timothy Bennett. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth (Russell) Bennett, was born May 9, 1814, in Clinton County, Ohio; she is now residing with her son Timothy N. Bennett. She is the mother of seven children now living, viz: Mrs. Mary J. Williamson, George M. , Mrs. Juretta Judkins, Samuel H., Mrs. Alice Gridley, Timothy N. and Mrs. Laura Gould. Mr. Bennett was educated in the common schools of Bureau County, 111., to which he came in the fall of 1856. Here he has resided ever since and is the owner of a fine farm of 200 acres. Here he was joined in marriage, August 8, 1879, to Miss Laura Addie Scott, a daughter of Robert Scott (see sketch). Mrs. Bennett is a native of Bureau County; was born March 14, 1861. She is the mother of the follow- ing children: Grace, born August 8, 1880, and Elsie, who was born September 12,1882. Mr. Bennett has been a township and school officer. Politically he is identified with the Republican party.

A. BENSON, Arispe, who is one of Bureau County's self-made and prosperous farmers, was born February 27, 1823, in Douglass, Mass. His father, Alanson Benson, Sr., was born in 1783 in Massachusetts. He came to this county in 1839, and settled on Section 21, in Arispe Township, and died here in 1857. His mother, Lucina (Lapham) Benson, was born April 25, 1792, in Burrilville, E. I. She died here in 1853. She was the mother of nine children, viz. : Mrs. Maria Blake, Rufus, Mrs. Sarah Sherman, Mrs. Henrietta Woodford, Alanson, Elias T. , Mrs. Mary A. Culver, Mrs. Lucina Allen and Darius Benson. The Benson family is of Scotch and English descent, and the grandparents of oar subject were Aaron and Lydia (Bairbanks) Benson, natives of Massachusetts. The former was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his ancestors were among the pioneers of New England. Our subject was educated in his native State and this county. Here he commenced to farm with eighty acres, but at present owns 1,500 acres of land in this county, also a farm of 400 acres of land in Iowa, and an interest in a cattle ranch in Montana. Mr. Benson was married here February 27, 1851, to Sarah Loop, who was born November 3, 1828, in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. Mrs. Benson is the mother of the following children: Alanson, who was born March 31, 1858; he died in his early manhood March 9, 1876; Clara P., wife of James M. Gardner; Lucina and Lora Benson. Financially, Mr. Benson's life has been a grand success. Religiously, he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Politically he is a Republican, and has been Supervisor for two years.

BURGHARD BERGE, Fairfield, was born July 17, 1831, in Landerfeld, Cur Hessen, Germany. His parents were Paulus and Elizabeth (Herte) Berger. The father died in Germany, but the mother came to America in 1860, and died in Bureau County, 111., March 28, 1878. She was the mother of five children: Carl, Burghard, Andrew. George and Mrs. Elizabeth Sippel. Of the above, Burghard Berge came to America in August, 1857. He worked three and a half years by the month in Tazewell County, 111., and then married and removed to Woodford County, where he farmed three and a half years. He then removed to Henry County, where he farmed another year, after which, in March, 1866, he came to Bureau County, 111. He bought eighty acres, which he sold, and bought 160 acres in Fairfield Township, where he resides. He was married July 25, 1862, to Hattie E. Parks, who died in Henry County. He was married a second time January 9, 1866, to Martha E. Miller, born July 5, 1844, Vockerode, Cur Hessen, Germany, daughter of Johannes and Catharina E. (Grabe) Miller, who died in Germany. Mrs. Berge is the mother of seven children, viz. : Matilda, Johannah, Frederick William, J. Burghard, Carl William, Rosette and Lydia E. Berge. Mr. and Mrs. Berge are members of the German Evangelical Church. Politically he is a Republican.

JOHN BERKSTRESSER, Buda, was born in Bedford County, Penn., January 1, 1818. He is the son of John and Barbara (Sheckler) Berkstresser, both natives of Pennsylvania but of German descent. Their ancestors had lived in the State for several generations, except the mother's mother, who was born in Germany. They were the parents of seven sons and one daughter, all of whom yet survive, except the eldest son. Our subject was reared on a farm among the hills of Pennsylvania, with but very limited means for an education; but with a determination to succeed in life and to overcome all obstacles, he entered life's contest fearlessly. His first work for himself was to clear land, and for his work have the first crop. So the first season he succeeded in clearing seven acres, on which he raised a good crop of wheat, but the price being low, the net profits were but about $75. He then purchased a saw-mill which was built for the purpose of sawing up the timber on a tract of land supposed to be owned by our subject's uncle, and each to have half of the timber, the one for furnishing the timber, the other for the sawing. After Mr. Berkstresser had run the mill for one week, it was destroyed by fire; but nothing daunted, he again rebuilt the mill, but before it was completed the water of the stream was too low to run it, and so work was suspended for the season, and before the next season came, it was found that his uncle's title to the land was not good, and so the mill had to be stopped, and was worthless property, and Mr. Berkstresser was left without anything except a debt of $300 hanging over him, and the time appointed for his marriage rapidly approaching. Being a man always prompt to keep any engagement, he was married at the appointed time, but for the six succeeding years his struggles were such that a less determined and ambitious man would have failed. He rented land in Huntingdon County, Penn., and began working on it, and knew no rest day or night scarcely for six years, at the end of which time he had paid his way through, and in 1854 sold out what property he had accumulated and then found himself clear of debt and $700 ahead, with which he came to Bureau County, 111., in 1854, and located on Section 16 in Macon Township. He remained on that farm till 1876, when he removed to his farm of 400 acres adjoining Buda on the south. However, in 1S82 he removed to Buda, where he now resides, but still retains his farm adjoining town. In March, 1878, he bought one-half interest in the Buda Bank of Benedict & Son, and two years later bought the entire banking and clothing business, which had been carried on together. This was the first established bank in Buda. In 1882, at the earnest solicitation of citizens of Hennepin, Putnam Co., 111., Mr. Berkstresser established a bank there, and leaves it in charge of the cashier, Mr. I. B. Lesh. Mr. Berkstresser has been very successful in business since coming to this county, but he has used the same energy and determination which carried him through his early years of struggle. In 1844 he was married in Bedford County, Penn., to Miss Elizabeth Carper, who was born in Lebanon County, and is the daughter of Samuel and Christina Carper, both natives of Pennsylvania but of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Berkstresser have the following children: William Henry, who died at six years of age; Christina, now of Clay County, Neb., and wife of George Lee; Levi, who is in the bank of J. Berkstresser & Son, of Buda; Rev. William Irving Berkstresser, of Carroll County, 111., who is a minister in the Church of God; Mary, who is also a minister, and has for three years had regular charges; Martha, of Clay County, Neb., wife of William Pitt; Lizzie, who died after reaching womanhood; Beckie, wife of S. L. Ewing, of this county. Mr. Berkstresser and family are members of the Church of God. During his entire life he has taken an active interest in political matters, first as a Whig and then as a Republican.

JACOB BERNHARD, De Pue, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, October 13, 1832. He is the son of Christian and Mary (Lied) Bernhard. The father's occupation was that of a farmer. He died in 1842, but his widow lived till 1859. Our subject was educated in the schools of his native country, and in early life learned the trade of shoemaking. In 1853 he came to the United States, and for one year remained in New York City, working at shoemaking. He then went to Hudson City, N. Y., and there followed his trade for one year. In 1855 he came to Bureau County, 111., and began clerking in the store of Benjamin Newell at Trenton, now De Pue. He remained with Mr. Newell for three years, when he engaged in business in partnership with Moses Mercer and John W. York After several changes in the firm Mr. Bernhard sold out his interest in 1864. In December, 1864, enlisted in Company A, Forty -eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served till September. 1865. when they were discharged. He participated in the battle at Nashville, Tenn., being under Gen. Thomas at that time. He was also in the encounter with Bragg at Kingston, N. C. In 1866 he engaged in the mercantile business again at De Pue, and has since continued here. He carries a general stock of goods valued at about $10,000. For a number of years he has also been in the grain business, buying and shipping by water. For some time the annual shipments of grain have averaged about 200,000 bushels. Besides his different business investments, Mr. Bernhard owns about 1,000 acres of Bureau County's valuable land. Such is the success attained by energy, industry and a close application to business. Mr. Bernhard came to this county without any capital, but his business ability soon made him a successful merchant and business man. He was married in this county in April, 1858, to Miss Rosina Frey, who is a native of Baden, Germany, but came to America the same year as her husband. Her parents, Bernhard and Elizabeth Frey, first settled in Philadelphia, but in 1856 came to this county and died here. To Mr. and Mrs. Bernhard eight children have been born, viz. : Lissetta, Charles, Emma, Mary. J. A., W. M., Albert and Franklin. In polities Mr. Bernhard is Republican. He is a member of the De Pue Lodge, No. 669, I. O. O. F. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Church at Hollowayville, which church he helped build.

G. C. BETZ, Lamoille, is a native of the Grand Duchy of Darmstadt, Germany, as were also his parents, Adam and Elizabeth Betz. Adam Betz was a soldier under Napoleon Bonapart I, the great emperor and conqueror, and with him participated in the world-famed battles of Austerlitz and Jena and a number of other engagements. He was a farmer and came to the United States in 1844. He died in Peru, 111., in March, 1864. aged 82 years. Our subject went to school in the old country and there learned the shoemaker trade. He immigrated to the United States in 1840, and followed his trade in Philadelphia till 1848, when he removed to Lamoille, 111., where he worked at his trade till 1861, when he became a successful farmer. He yet owns a farm of ninety acres. Politically Mr. Betz has been a Republican and filled the office of Postmaster from 1858 to 1875; the office of Commissioner for six years; and Justice of the Peace and Police Magistrate almost from 1870 to the present time. Religiously he is an earnest member of the Congregational Church. He was married November 23, 1843, in Philadelphia, to Fredericka Steltz, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. She died here February 3, 1876, aged fifty-five years. Her two children now living are Charles H., of 'Sork County, Neb. and Mrs Lillie I. Morrison, also a resident of Nebraska. She is the mother of Mr. Betz's two grandchildren, George and Herman Morrison.

county August 18, 1853. He is a son of Jacob Betz, who was born in 1813 in Germany. He came to New York in 1842. Two years afterward he came to Bureau County, where he bought a claim of Joseph Screaeh, in Clarion Township, where our subject now owns 390 acres. The grandfather of our subject was Adam Betz (see proceeding sketch). The mother 'of our subject was Elizabeth (Fauble) Betz, who died in 1883. She was the mother of nine children, viz. : Jacob, George, Adam, Philip H, Mary. Sarah, Susan, Ruth and Lydia. Philip H Betz was married here to Emma Eby, a daughter of Moses and Sarah Eby, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Emma Betz was born August 26, 1854, in LaSalle County, 111. She is the mother of Frankie A. , who was born October 16, 1881, and Anna M., born April 26, 1883. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Betz are connected with the German Evangelical Church.

GEORGE M. BETZ, Clarion, was born November 4, 1845, in Clarion Township, south of Perkins Grove. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fauble) Betz (see preceding sketch). Mr. Betz was reared here and has been engaged in farming and stock raising, which latter he follows mainly. On his farm of 311 acres he raises short- -horu and Jersey cattle, Clydesdale horses (of which two are imported), Jersey Reds and Poland-China hogs, and also a drove of 300 head of pure bred "Cots wool" sheep, which are renowned for their wool as well as their mutton. Mr. Betz is a firm believer that it pays to raise different kinds of stock on a farm, and his excellent success proves the soundness of his theory. He pays, however, the most attention to the raising of short-horns, having a herd of 100 head of thoroughbred cattle. Mr. Betz was joined in matrimony July 13, 1871, in Mendota, 111., to Ann M. Eby, who was born July 13, 1851, in Mendota Township, La Salle Co., 111., of which place her parents, Moses and Sarah (Hawk) Eby, were pioneers. To Mr. and Mrs. Betz siz children were born : Sarah I., Lizzie E., William A., George M., Eddie E., and an infant son. Mr. Betz is a firm supporter of the Republican party, and of every enterprise which will be a benefit to the community wherein he resides.

W. D. BILLHOBN, Clarion, is a son of Sebastian and Elizabeth (Bauer) Billhorn, natives of Germany, where the family name was spelled Buehlhorn. The grandparents of our subject were Peter and Margaretha (Wagner) Buehlhorn, also natives of Germany, where the grandfather died February 13. 1849, aged fifty-one years. The grandmother died June 28, 1883, aged seventyeight years. They were the parents of seven children: Sebastian, John, Mrs. Catharine Trockenbrod, deceased ; Mrs. Sophia Shaller, Veit; Mrs. Margaret. Wilder and Frederick Buehlhorn.

SEBASTIAN BUEHLHORN was born January 25, 1825, in Kueps, Ober Frankin, Bavaria, Germany. He came to this country June 17, 1850. He was in debt $1.50 when he arrived in Clarion Township, Bureau Co., 111., where he worked three years, then rented, and afterward bought 103 acres. He has now 262 acres, and has been a successful farmer. He was married here June 19, 1853, to Elizabeth Bauer, born January 1, 1829, in Baickheim, Germany. She is the mother of the following children: Mrs. Jane White, White D., whose name heads this biography, Mrs. Elizabeth Sark, John, Margaret and Henry Buehlhorn. The Buehlhorn family are members of the Lutheran Church.

JOHN BUEHLHORN was born September 25, 1829. He came to New York September 1, 1853, and the next day was married to Barbara Ullman, born July 21, 1832, in Thonberg, Bavaria. She is the mother of ten children: Mrs. Katie Pohl, Mrs. Sophia Beck, Sebastian (deceased), Maggie, Henry, Thomas, Mrs. Louisa Ellenborne, Mary, Frederick and Lewis Buehlhorn.

GEORGE W. BLACK, Walnut, was born November 22, 1829, in Perry County, Ohio. He is the son of Samuel and Rebecca (Skinner) Black. The father was born in Pennsylvania August 1, 1808. At an early day he removed to Ohio, and died in Sandusky County, Ohio, April 11, 1846. The mother was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 22, 1812. She now resides in Bureau County, 111., wife of a Mr. Ferguson. George W. Black is the oldest child and only son of a family of nine. The daughters are: Mary Black, who lives with her mother; Lucinda, deceased; Emeline, wife of William Ferguson of Walnut, 111.; Elizabeth, wife of James Brown, of Whiting, Kan.; Rhoda, wife of Alonzo Rider, of Adel, Iowa; Sophia, wife of William Cronkwright, of Adel, Iowa; Eliza J., wife of George B. Jones, of Princeton; Rebecca, wife of William Catherman, of Walnut Township. April 18, 1850, Mr. Black was married to Mary C. Paden, who was born in Middletown, Md., December 31, 1829, and is the daughter of Alexander and Mary (Remsberg) Paden. The father was born June 8, 1806, in Funkstown, Washington Co., Md., and now resides in Bureau County, 111. The mother was born August 10, 1810, in Middletown, Frederick Co., Md. , and died in Bureau County, 111., December 9, 1875, whither she had come with her husband in 1860. She was the mother of six daughters and five sons. Mr. and Mrs. Black are the parents of two sons, viz.: George F. and George W. Jr., George F. was born July 7, 1853, in Sandusky County, Ohio; October 12, 1875, was married to Laura F. Remsburg, of this county. They are the parents of four children, viz. : Harvey O. , born October 16, 1876 ; Charles W., born February 13, 1878; Edward V., born September 7, 1879; Morris F., born October 25, 1881. George W. Black, Jr., was born in Cass County, Mich., August 30, 1856. December 23, 1877, was married to Miss Emma Wymer, of this county. They are the parents of two children, viz: Foster, born July 7, 1881; and Mabel C., bom June 26, 1883. George W. Black was reared on a farm in Sandusky County, Ohio, but in 1853 removed to Cass County, Mich., where he remained till 1865, when he came to Bureau County, 111. Mr. Black's farm in Walnut Township contains 320 acres and is under a good state of cultivation.

ISAAC C. BLACK, Arlington, was born September 22, 1832, in Plumstead Township, Bucks Co., Penn. He is a son of Isaac and Cynthia (Carver) Black, who were natives of the same place and were the parents of nine children, viz.: Sophia, William, Catharine, Anna, Levi, Isaac C. , Ezra, Abraham and Jesse Black. Of these Abraham was killed in the battle of the Wilderness. Only our subject and his brother William Black, who is a farmer in Ohio Township, came to Bureau

County. Isaac C. Black was reared in his native county, where he worked at saw-milling and carpentering till August 3. 1854, when he came to Lost Grove, now Arlington, where he helped to build the first business place in the town. After following his trade several years he farmed about three years and then went into the grain business. In 1865 he commenced business in the elevator built by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. The next year he worked for S. C. Gray, in the new elevator and was there for fourteen years. In 1882, after working two years at his trade, he took an interest in the firm of J. H. Dole & Co., commission men, and now has charge of both elevators. Mr. Black was married July 8, 1858, to Mariah H. Simpson, a daughter of James and Lydia (Pickelheimer) Simpson. They are the parents of eleven children, who are all living. Mrs. Black is the mother of the following children: Anna, deceased; Mrs. Ada D. Miller; Millie R., deceased; Louis I., deceased; Joseph R., and Bertha I., deceased. The grandparents of Mrs. Black were Joshua and Sarah (Rose) Simpson. Religiously Mrs. Black is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Black is an Ancient I. O. O. F., politically a Republican, and the oldest male resi - dent in Arlington.

WILLIAM H. BLOOM, Tiskilwa, was born October 10, 1833, in Eaton, Green Co. , Ohio. His father, Peter Bloom, a native of New Jersey, was a farmer by occupation and settled on Section 12, near Tiskilwa, where he died May 17, 1867. William Bloom, the grandfather of our subject, came from Germany to America about the year 1800. He first settled in New Jersey, bat removed to Ohio, where he died. He reared a family of six boys and two girls, and was a farmer and weaver by occupation. The mother of our subject, Jane Hankins, was born at the Blue Ridge in Virginia. Her parents, Thomas and Anna Hankins, were born iu Virginia. The latter's mother was one of the many children captured in Ireland at an early day and sent to this country. Mrs. Jane (Hankins) Bloom died here December 12, 1870. She was the mother of the following children: Eliza A., Mary, Catharine, Elizabeth, Sarah, William H. , Martha J., James and Francis

Bloom. Mr. Bloom's early life was spent on the farm. He has been a grain and lumber merchant in Buda, 111. After that he was a contractor on the Southwestern Railroad in Iowa one year. In 1855 he returned to Tiskilwa, where he merchandized one year and then farmed. At present he resides in Tiskilwa. He owns over 500 acres of land in this county. Mr. Bloom also owns a onesixth interest in a large cattle ranch in Colorado and Nebraska. The company is known as the "Putnam Live Stock Company," and has the brighest prospect of success. Mr. Bloom was married December 16, 1856, in Clinton County, Ohio, to Eliza M. Hester, born December 16, 1834. Her parents, David and Mary (Vandervort) Hester, were natives of Ohio, and of German descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Bloom the following children were born: Emery C., David H., William C., Jennie, Cora May and Ida Bloom. Mr. and Mrs. Bloom are religiously connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Bloom is Independent. In the stock business he is well posted and wide awake. He is an A. F. & A. M. and is also an I. O. O. F.

G. F. BLUST, Princeton, was born in Freeport, 111., February 24, 1857. He is the son of George and Mary (Heck) Blnst. Mr. Blust was reared and educated in Freeport. For seven years in early life he clerked for Best & Morgan, of Freeport, and there laid the foundation for his future success as a business man. In 1877, after having been absent from his native city for some time, he returned, and in partnership with Mr. R. j Donaldson engaged in the dry goods and I notion business. In 1880 Mr. Blust located at Princeton, where he has since done a successful business. He has increased his stock of goods year by year till he now has a very complete stock of dry goods, millinery, fancy goods and notions, most of which he purchases in the East for cash. When first engaging in business in Princeton it was in partnership with Mr. W. G. Flindt. They also had a branch store at Rockford. 111. February 5, 1882, the firm dissolved partnership, Mr. Flindt continuing at Rockford and Mr. Blust at Princeton. February 24, 1881, at Freeport, Mr. Blust was united in mar- riage to Miss Ida A. Wcde, a daughter of -lohn and Agnes (Moore) Wade. Mr. and Mrs. Blust have one child, viz. : May Josephine, born May 3, 1883.

DR. JAMES F. BOAL. Buda, was born in Union County, Ohio, April 24, 1817. He is the son of James and Margaret (Mitchell) Boal. The father was born in Pennsylvania, but. in about the year 1800, removed to Green County, Ohio, and after marriage to Union County, and that State was his home till 1834, when he removed to Indiana. He and wife both died in Indiana, he in 1838, and she in 1839. His wife was born in Kentucky, and was the daughter of Judge David Mitchell, who removed from Pennsylvania to Kentucky in 1796, but two years later - in 1798 - settled in Union County, Ohio, and became a large land owner. One of his sons, Jesse Mitchell, was the first white child born in Union County. Dr. Boal's early life was spent in his native State, and' in 1846 he began the practice of medicine, having attended lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, but in 1849 he graduated from the Sterling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio. He continued his practice in Franklin County, Ohio, till in the spring of 1857, when he removed to Knox County, 111., where he remained about seven years, and then located in Tipton, Iowa, where he remained till July, 1866, and then came to Buda, 111., and continued in the practice of his profession for some years. However, in the spring of 1867 he opened a stock of drugs in Buda, and has continued' the business since, the firm now being J. F. Boal & Son. Thoy carry a stock of goods valued at about $5,000. In 1847 he was united in marriage in Columbus, Ohio, to MissLucinda Starr, by whom he has one son - Albert F. - and one daughter - Ella. Dr. Boal is a member of the A. F. & A. M. of Buda. and also of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a stanch Kepublican. Albert F. Boal was born November 12, 1848, in Franklin County, Ohio. He was united in marriage November, 1871, to Miss Elizabeth Murphey, who died January, 1874, and left one son - Tracy E. - who was born October 10, 1872..

15, 1810, in Lancastershire, England. His parents, Robert and Ann (Radcliff) Boardman, were both natives of England, where their ancestors had resided for many generations. Our subject immigrated to the United States, April 13, 1849. He worked nearly one year in New York City, and then went back to his native country, where his family resided, but returned to New York in 1851. The following year he sent for his family. While in New York he followed the occupation of an iron molder. In 1859 he removed to Bureau County, 111., where he farmed seventeen years on Section 7, in Milo Township. In April, 1876, he came to Mineral, where he at present resides. Mr. Boardman was married January 26, 1833, in England, to Jane Chatterton, who is a native of England. She is the mother of ten children; of these four ar.e now living, viz.: Joseph, Mrs. Mary A. Walker, Mrs. Jane Vantassell and Mrs. Amelia Conibear. Mr. and Mrs Boardman have been active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty-two years. They have celebrated their golden wedding, and their retrospective view of life is satisfactory. As a farmer Mr. Boardman has been fairly successful. He owns 160 acres in Shelby County, Iowa, besides property in this county. Politically he supports the Republican party.