Bureau County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1906 (part 23 of 28)

Mr. Boal is recognized as one of the leaders of the republican party in Buda and Bureau couuly, active in the work of the party and a stalwart champion of its principles. Keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he is able to support his position by intelligent argument, and for many years he has been a delegate to the various conventions of the party, and for six years he has served as chairman of the county central committee. He is well fitted for political leadership, having the ability to co-ordinate forces and utilize the means at hand in producing desired results, and his opinions are often a decisive factor in the discussion of political problems. He has been chosen by the vote of his fellow townsmen to various political offices, serving as tax collector, supervisor for four years, when he resigned, and a member of the board of trustees of Buda. Ho has been president and secretary of the school board and has filled many other offices of tri:sl in the community. Affairs relating to general improv.;- ment receive his earnest indorsement and co-operation, not only in political but in othei' lines as well, and his efforts have been effective and farreaching. He is a Mason and a past master of Buda lodge. No. 399, A. F. & A. M. He was formerly treasurer and is a member of the board of trustees of the Congregational church, of whic^h he is a member, and he gives hearty aid to all matters relating to the material, social, political, intellectual and moral progress of the community, aiul therefore deserves classification with the representative citizens.

Greg W. Drujimer

Greg W. Drummer operates the old Drummer homestead, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land in I.a Moille township. This tract of land has been in jiossession of the family since 1867. at which time it was purchased by Andrew Drummer, father of our subject, who was born in Bavaria, Germany. AVhen but seven years of age he was brought to the United States and was reared in Buffalo, New York, where he met and married ^Vfiss ]"]lizabeth Cook, a native of that city. On leaving the Empire stale they came to Illinois in 1867, settling in Bureau county, where the father secured the tract of land upon which his son Greg now resides. In the family were ten children, eight of whom are living, while two have passed away, Greg W. Drummer being the fourth in order of birth.

In his boyhood days ^Ir. Iirunimer of this review was a ])ublic-school student in Bureau county, and when not occupied with his text-books his attention was largely given to farm work. Through the periods of vacation he assisted in the lahors of the fields, and since leaving school permanently he has given undivided attention to his agricultural interests. He is today the renter of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, constituting what is known as the old homestead property. Corn, oats and hay are his main crops. The fields are well tilled, and everything about tlie place is indicative of the spirit of progress and enterprise manifested by him in the capable conduct of his business interests.

Mr. Drummer was married to Miss Chira Bell Marriott, wlio was horn in La Moille on Christmas Day of 187"), and is a daugliter of Joseph E. and ilaria C. (Booth) Jlarriott, both of whom are natives of Bureau county, where the father has carried on business as a stockman. There were nine children in the ^fariott family, of whom Clara Bell is the eldest, and on the 2fith of .\pril, 1S90, slie gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Drummer. She, too, was educated in the public schools, and, like her husband, slie is held in high esteem throughout this community. Mr. Drummer belongs to the Roman Catholic church, while his wife is a member of the Congregational church. He is identified with I.a ^foille camp, No. 227, M. W. A., wliile his political Iwllot is cast for the men and measures of the republican party. He and his wife are most highly esteemed, and their home relations are largely ideal. They are pleasantly situated, and neighbors and friends attest their good qualities and their sterling worth. They are warmly esteemed by all who know them, and the circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance.

Festus Bentley

Festus Bentley is proprietor of the Burr Oak farm, which is located in Milo township, and is a veteran of the Civil war, having in the darkest hour of our country's liistory stood loyally by the stars and stripes. A native of Indiana, his birth occurred in Ifenry county in 1841. He lost his mother in infancy, and in 18.')3 came to Bureau county with his father, Eli Bentley, who in the meantime had married again, his second union being witli Mary A. Custer. Eli Bentley settled on the farm which is now owned and occupied by his son Festus, and there spent his remaining days. He brn\ight the hinitjcr from l{oek Island for his buildings, ami ho improved the place from its natural condition, transforming wild land into richly productive fields and ad<ling many substantial buildings which are indicative of modern progre.es. His children, five in number, were all born of his first marriage, and Festus is the only one now living. The death of ^Ir. Bentley occurred in 1880, when he was seventv-two vears of age, and the community thereby lost a valued and representative citizen.

In the common schools Festus Bentley mastered the branches of learning that usually constitute sucli a curriculum, and on the 16th of August, 1861, when twenty years of age, he olfered his services to the government as a defender of the Union cause. He was assigned to duty with Company D, Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain J. C. Townsend, and had the usual experiences and hardships meted out to the soldier who engages in active duty on the field of battle. He participated in the movements and engagements of the .\riny of the Mississipi)i, the siege of Corinlji, also the battle of Farmingl(m and the second l)attle of Corinth, the charge upon Vicksburg and the siege of that city until its surrender, the Red River expedition and the battles of Pleasant Hill, New Madrid, Island No. 10, and Jackson, Mississippi. He was in more than twenty engagements in all, but was never wounded, although he was frequently in the thickest of the fight. He served until after the expiration of his three years' term of enlistment and was honorably discharged October 11, 1864, at Springfield, Illinois, when he returned home with a creditable military record, having never faltered in his allegiance to the old fiag nor the cause it represented.

Xot long after his return Mr. Bentley wedded Miss Maria J. Reid, of Indiana, a sister of J. L. Rcid, a representative farmer of Jlilo township. They are now ])arents of five children: William C, who married Gertrude Sherman, has two children and lives in Milo township; Mary Josephine, the wife of Robert Conover, of Saratoga township, Marshall county, Illinois; Alma E., the wife of Lc Roy A. Hill, a resident farmer of Whitefield township, JIarsliall county, and Walter E. and Elsie G., both at home.

Tiie home farm of the family is a fine property of two hundred and forty acres in ^lilo township, in addition to which Mr. Bentley owns eleven acres of timber land. The farm is lacking in none of the equipments and acces.sories of a model property of tiie twentieth century, for there are good buildings upon it and the fields are well tilled, while the stock which he raises is of good grades. He annually raises many hogs, and feeds both cattle and hogs, his business in this particular proving a source of gratifying profit.

On election days ilr. Bentley never wavers in his allegiance to the republican party, and at all times is prepared to give an intelligent reason for his political alTiliation because he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served as pathmaster, has been justice of the peace and was for many years n school director. He belongs to the Grand .\rmy post at Bradford, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old military comrades, and he is also identified with tlie Olid Fellows lodge at Bradford, while his wife is a member of the Methodist church. This worthv couple are highly esteemed, their many sterling traits gaining for them the friendship of the greater number of those with whom they come in contact. The diligence and enterprise of Mr. Bentley have made Burr Oak farm one of the leading agricultural properties of the county, and since starting out in life for himself he has continually progressed toward the goal of prosperity.

William Fetzee

Among the native sons of Illinois who have taken a deep and helpful interest in the agricultural development of the state is numbered William Fetzer, who was born in Lee county, September 7, 1853, a son of Casper and Frederica L. A. (Huilman) Fetzer, both natives of Germany, the former born January 16, 1829, and the latter October 13, 1839, whence they emigrated to America in 1852, locating in Bureau county, Illinois. In their family were ten children, of whom the subpect of this review is the eldest.

William Fetzer received his education in the district schools of La Moille, and after acquiring a fair knowledge of the branches there taught, started out in life on his own account. Although he inherited some property, he has through industry, economy and careful management met with success in his work, and year by year has added to his financial resources, until through purchases at different times he is now in possession of a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres, worth from one hundred and fifty to two lumdred dollars per acre. Tliis is situated in the northeast quarter of section 13, Oliio township, and here he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits, following the best methods in tilling the soil and caring for his crops, so that he annually harvests a large amount of grain as the result of his well directed efforts. He has added many modern improvements to his place, including fences, a good house and substantial outbuildings, all of which he keeps in good condition, so that his farm now ranks with the best in Bureau county.

As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Fetzer chose Miss Mary A. Miller, to whom he was married October 19, 1882. She was born August 2."), 1859, a daughter of George J. and Elizabeth Miller, who were natives of Germany, and emigrated to tliis country in 1853. Mrs. Fetzer received her education in the district schools of Clarion township and was trained to the work of the household by her mother, so that she proved to her husband a worthy assistant in his business affairs, for she was capable in the management of the duties which devolved upon lier in connection with the care of a home, and was devoted to the welfare of her family. After a happy married life of more tlian two decades, the wife was called from this life, her death occurring December 28, 1903, being the occasion of deep regret not only to her immediate family, but also to her many friends, to whom she was endeared, for she possessed many excellent traits of heart and mind and was loved wherever known. Mrs. Fetzer had become the mother of three sons and two daughters, who with the husband and father still survive. They are Ida F., born July 14, 1883 ; Gilbert W., September 25, 1881; Martha E., November 10, 1886; George C, July 14, 1889, and Oscar W., September 2, 1893. Politically Mr. Fetzer is a democrat and in religious faith he and his family are identified with the German Lutheran church of Ohio township. Interested in the cause of education, he has served as school director for sixteen years and is now filling that office, but aside from this has filled no public positions. Although Mr. Fetzer inherited some property, he has used precaution in the management of his business ailairs, and by judicious investment, energy and determination has added to his original holdings until he now has a good farm of two hundred and forty acres of as fine land as can be found in the entire county, thus classing him with the prominent representatives of this section of the state, where he has a wide and favorable acquaintance, and where, through his straightforward dealing and honorable methods, he has gained many friends.

William Haetz

William Hartz, successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits and in the raising of registered shorthorn cattle, in which connection he has gained more than a local reputation as a stockman, was born March 26, 1867, in the county which is still his home. His parents, Nicholas and Anna M. (Houk) Hartz, were both natives of Bavaria, and became residents of America in 1855, after which they located in Bureau county in 1865. Tlie father was a farmer by occupation, and in this county he reared his family, numbering eight children. He not only provided comfortably for their support, but also managed to save a goodly competence and was numbered among the successful agriculturists of the county, where he continued to make his home until his death on the 2d of October, 1889.

William Hartz was a public-school student in his boyhood and youth, and when not busy with his text-books aided his father in the work of the home farm, to which task he also gave his attention for some years after completing his education. In 1890 he made his first purchase of land, comprising eighty acres, and later, in connection with his brother, George Fred Hartz, he bought one hundred and twenty acres, making this purchase in 1893. For some time they were associated in the management and cultivation of their land, but afterward dissolved partnership. William Hartz of this review now has the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in connection with the sliare which he received after the division of the property with his brother, and the fields are well tilled, being cultivated for the raising of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. Ho also raises registered shorthorn cattle as well as good grades of horses and hogs, and his stock interests are no unimportant branch of his business.

Mr. Hartz has served as school director from the age of twenty-one years to the present time, and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion, whose labors are effective for good schools. In 1906 he was elected supervisor, and he has been road commissioner for one term and tax assessor for seven years. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, and he is prominent in the ranks of the party, being frequently chosen as a delegate to senatorial and county conventions. Fraternally he is a Mason and holds memberhip with Sheffield lodge. No. 142, A. F. & A. M., and also with the Odd Fellows lodge at New Bedford.

Thus public interests have claimed his attention, and at the same time he has won a place among the prominent business men of his county. He is a man of resourceful ability, and, while farming has been his principal occupation, he has not confined his attention entirely to the work of the fields, but has extended his efforts into other lines of trade and commerce. For the past five years he has been the president of the New Bedford Creamery Company, and for many years before was one of its directors. He is likewise the president of the Manlius Grain & Coal Company. His business interests therefore are quite extensive, and he has so conducted his affairs that he has made steady progress toward the goal of success, and finds that prosperity is ambition's answer.

George Frederick Hartz

The name of Hartz is well known in Bureau county in connection with agricultural interests, and the life record of George Frederick Hartz adds new luster to the creditable record always borne by the family. He was born December 3, 1870, in Bureau county, and, like his brother, whose sketch is given above, he was educated in the country schools of Manlius township. He worked on the home farm with liis father for years, and thus received practical ti'aiiiiiig in the best metbods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He bought eighty acres of land in 1890 and in 1893, in connection with his brother William purchased one hundred and twenty acres, which they cultivated together for six years, or until 1899. George F. Hartz now owns and operates two hundred and fortv acres, constituting a vahuible and well improved farm in JIanlius township.

Thomas Edward and Eliza S. Dale, who are mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Thomas Henry Dale. Unto iMr. and Mrs. Hartz have been born five children : George Edward, born .January 17, 1898; James William, October 21, 1899; Mary Othea, February 4, 1902; Vernon Harold, February 22, 1903, and Perry Carlysle, August 22, 1904.

Mr. Hartz votes with the democracy and is identified through membership relations witli the Odd Fellows lodge at New Bedford. He is higlily respected as an enterprising farmer, as a reliable business man and good citizen, and, although yet a young man, has attained a measure of success that many an older one might well envy.

Captain F. C. Duncan

Captain F. C. Duncan, manager of the Princeton gas plant, although one of the more recent acquisitions to the citizenship of Princeton, is so well known in business circles in Illinois as to have become already a representative resident of this place. He is a native of Bath, Maine, born March 23, 1847. His parents w^re Captain Charles C. and Hannah (Tibbetts) Duncan, wlio were likewise natives of Maine. In early life Captain Charles Duncan began following the sea and was a shipmaster. He took his family on various European and Mediterranean voyages until he established himself in New York city as a ship broker and ship owner in 1854. He also had a branch office in England, and carried on that business until 1867. Desiring to form a European connection, he took in with him a partner, whom he left in New York, while with his family lie crossed the water to England, establishin" offices in London and Liverpool, making his home in the latter city. Returning to this country, he resided in Brooklyn, New York, until ho removed to Northfield, Massachusetts, in 1885, and became interested in school work there, in which he (-(uttinucd up to the time of his death, which occurred in Northfield in 1898. His wife passed away in New York city in 1869.

Captain Duncan of tliis review largely acquired his education in the schools of Bath, Maine, and attended the Polytechnic schools of Brooklyn, New York, and he also continued his studies in iMigland to some extent. He went on his first voyage in active connection with a sea-faring life in 1859, and until 1863 be made occasional voyages between Europe and the United States, and between such trips attended school in both New York and Liverpool. In 1863 he came to the United States from England, and after receiving a special order from Gideon Welles, then ."secretary of tiie navy, to have his age waived and ids examination foregone, he obtained an acting appointment and went on board the United States ship Brooklyn as an ollicer of the United States navy, the vi^ssel being ordered to join the western gulf squadron, then in charge of Admiral Farragut. After the battle of Mobile Bay the Brooklyn was so damaged by the tire of the forts and rams that she was sent north for repairs. Mr. Duncan then took up his service on the ship Owasco, blockading ports from Mobile Bay to Galveston, and at the close of the war he returned to the merchant service and sailed as chief officer until he obtained command in 18T1. Since that date he made all of his voyages in command of ships on long voyages to different parts of the world. His last ship, Florence, was built for California trade and was so utilized for ten years. He sold the Florence in 189S at San Francisco, and for a year thereafter remained a resident of that city. On that ship he made voyages around the cape of Good Hope to the East Indies, the Philippines and Java. On nearly all of these voyages he was accompanied by his familv, and his two youngest sons were born on board that ship.

In 1899 Captain Duncan located at Galesburg, Illinois, where he became assistant secretary and treasurer of the gas and electric light company, which afterward became the Galesburg Eailway & Light Company. He was also financially interested in the enterprise. He was connected with all of these enterprises until his removal to Princeton a short time ago. When George F. Duncan of the McKinley syndicate purchased the Princeton gas works of H. S. Capron, he asked his brother to take charge of the new purchase, and he removed his family to Princeton on the 12th of ]\Iay. This is his present business connection. The gas planf had its inception in 1874 and became an established fact in 1875. At times it has had a prosperous existence and at others a precarious one, but during much of the period the business has been large and profitable, and under the capable control of its present manager - a gentleman of broad business experience - it will undoubtedly prove successful.

Captain Duncan was married in New York city to Miss Kate Belcher, a native of Brooklyn, New York. Her parents were Samuel E. and Elizabeth (Foshay) Belcher, the former for thirty-four years president of the Jefferson Fire Insurance Company of New York city, the oldest corporation of that character in the eastern metropolis. He made his home there until recent years, and now lives with his daughter in Bridgeport, Connecticut, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife passed passed away in New York city in 1902. Unto Captain and ^[rs. Duncan have been born five children : Alice, at home ; Otis Belcher, who is connecteil with the Weslei-n Electric Company in Cliieago: Kate, at home; Fred Belcher, a student in Knox College, and Charles Clifford, at home.

Captain Duncan is a republican, but has never been active in party work. He served as deputy United States sliipping commissioner in New York city. Both lie and his wife took letters to Central Congregational church at Galesburg, Illinois, from

Plymouth church of Brooklyn, New York, of which Henry Ward Beecher was so long pastor, and in which both of their fathers were deacons. The family now reside on South Pleasant street in Princeton, and are nicely located there. Captain Duncan, through considerable experience, has become well informed upon the line of business which claims his attention at the present time, and is a valualilc addition to industrial circles in this city.

William Caeey Allen

When the tocsin of war sounded men from all walks of life flocked to the standard of the nation. They came from the offices and the shops, the counting houses and the fields, all imbued with the same purpose of defending the Union cause. Among this number was William Carey Allen, who proved a loyal soldier, and the same spirit of faithful citizenship has characterized his life in days of peace. He is now living quietly upon a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in ]\Ianlius township, where in connection with the tilling of the soil he devotes considerable attention to the raising of Hereford cattle and other stock.

A native son of Bureau county, he was born September 21, 18.38, and is a soh of William and Nancy (]\IcCarter) Allen, who came from Brown county, Ohio, to Illinois in 18.34. The father was one of the early settlers who took up government land at a dollar and a quarter per acre and aided in transforming the wild prairie into cultivable fields. He devoted his entire life to farming in this count}', where he remained a resident until called to his final rest at the age of sixty-three years. His wife, surviving him for some time, died at the age of eighty years.

William Carey Allen, born and reared upon the old home farm, began his education in the district schools and continued his studies in the public schools of Princeton. On completing his education he took up the business of farming, but at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and offered his services to the government, enlisting as a private of Company K, Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry, in the fall of 1861. The regiment was sent to Cairo, Illinois, and thence by steamer to Fort Henry and on to Fort Donelson, Tennessee, where Mr. Allen participated in the engagement. He also took part in the battles of Corinth, Mississippi, and the siege and capture of that place, remaining there for nearly a year. He was also in the second battle of Corinth and afterward, with his regiment, was ordered to Tennessee. He took part in the Atlanta campaign and the battles of Dalton, Eesaca, New Hope Church, Altoona Pass, Konesaw ^lountain. Chattahoochie. and, in fact, all of the military movements of the .Atlanta campaign. Later the Fifty-seventh Illinois was ordered to Eome, Georgia, and was there when Gen- eral Sherman started on his march to the sea. They joined his command and remained with Sherman during the entire march from Savannah through South Carolina and on to Goldsboro, to Raleigh, North Carolina, and to Washington, D. C, where they participated in the grand review on the 22d of March, 1865, when the victorious army, niimbering thousands of loyal troops, marched down Pennsylvania avenue and passed the reviewing stand upon which the president greeted the return of his victorious soldiers. In the meantime Mr. Allen, his first term of service having expired, had re-enlisted as a veteran and was discharged at Louisville. Kentucky, on the 7th of July, 1865. He liad been ju'omoteil to the rank of first lieutenant of his company, and at the battle of Shiloh he was slightly wounded in the left arm, but otherwise he escaped personal injury, although experiencing the usual hardships and privations meted out to the soldier.

Returning to Bureau county when his military life was ended, Mr. Allen once more took up the occupation of farming, and as a companion and helpmate for life's journey chose Miss Jennie Shenkle, of Clermont county, Ohio, whom he wedded on the 11th of March, 1875. They now have five living children and lost two in infancy. Those who still survive are: Nancy, the wife of Robert Fox, a farmer of ^lanlius township : Ralph M., who married Ida Hurt, and is a farmer of Manlius; Iva A., the wife of William Ohda, of Greenville; Edwin R., who is farming with his father, and Eilna P., at home.

Mr. Allen today owns and operates an excellent place of one hundred and sixty acres in Manlius township. His farm is well improved, the fields teing richly cultivated, and he also raises registered Hereford cattle and good horses and hogs. He operated a thresher for a number of years, having the first traction engine and thresher in the community. Politically he i.s a democrat and sociallv he is connected with the Grand Army post at Sheffield, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old armv comrades.

JOHN RICH.Ma'D BOYLAND. John Richard Boyland, deceased, was one of Bureau county's native sons, born on the 5th of Februarv, 18(;9. TTis parents were Thomas and Marv Boyland, both natives of Ireland. He came to Bureau county with (he early settlers and reared his family here, so that John Richard Boyland spent the days of his boyhood and youth in this locality, acquiring his early education in the public schools and afterward attending the Dixon (Illinois) schools. Ho was reared to farm labor, and early became familiar with the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. As the years passed by he took up farming as a life pursuit, and alwavs encased in that business until called to his final rest. He was au energetic man, who carefully directed his labors, and his success was the direct result of his diligence and perseverance.

On the 28th of January, 1896, Mr. Boyland was married to Miss Catherine Marie Lucas, who was born February 23, 1876, a daughter of John and Catherine (Broderick) Lucas, botli of whom were natives of Ireland. They came to Bureau county, Illinois, thirty-nine years ago, and here reared their family, numbering nine sons and six daughters. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lucas are still living, and the mother is a remarkably well preserved woman, who appears almost as young as her daughters. Unto Air. and Mrs. Boyland was born one son, James John, who was nine vears of age on the 2l8t of June, 1906.

Mr. Boyland was a communicant of the Catholic church, of which his widow is also a member. He was a straightforward business man, alwaj'S reliable in his dealings, as well as energetic and diligent, and his labors resulted in the acquirement of a good farm property. His widow now owns eighty acres of land and is managing the farm, in the nudst of which stands an attractive modern residence, elegantly furnished and tastefully kept. She presides with gracious and warmhearted hospitality over her home, and it is a favorite resort with her many friends.

James Ii. Iiatnes

James II. Haines, at one time the owner of a good farm of eighty acres situated on section 4, Ohio town.«hip, which he still operates, is a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of this section of Bureau county. l\o was born in Ohio, Bureau county, Illinois, October 26, 1860, a son of Andrew J. and Julia .\. (William) Haines, the former born in Bangor, Maine, October 28, 1828, and the latter born near Bristol, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1835. Her death occurred in 1874. Of this union five children were born, of whom our subject is the eldest. The father afterward married again, his second union being with Landena II. Warner, and the only child of this marriage is now deceased.

James H. Hainos was educated in the public schools of Ohio, Illinois, and after mastering the branches therein taught started out to make his own way in the world. He inherited some property, and bv the careful supen'ision of this and through his encrsv and determination was in due course of time enabled to add to his original holdings until he at one time was (be owiii-r of eighty acres of fine farm-ng land situateil on the southwest quarter of section 4, Ohio township, but ho Un< since disposed of this property, receiving one hundred and fifty dollars per acre for the same. He still rents the land and is here engaged in raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, using practical methods in cultivating the fiehls and planting his crops so that he annually harvests a large amount of grain in return for the care and labor bestowed upon the place. At the present time he has no real-estate holdings, but has a goodly bank account and personal property, so that he is numbered among the well-to-do and progressive agriculturists of Bureau county.

On the 28th of October, 1890, Mr. Haines was united in marriage to Miss Minnie B. Staples, who was born March 30, 1876, a daughter of William and Elisabeth Staples. The father was born in the state of New York, September 3, 18.53, while the mother's birth occurred in Indiana, February 39, 1857. Mrs. Haines was educated in the Greenville district schools and was trained by her mother in the duties of the household, so that siie is now capably managing the interests of her own home. Two children grace this marriage: Eva B., born October 31, 1893, and Winnie E., born April 7, ]899. They have also lost two children. *.Ir. Haines is a republican in his political views, and he and his family are identified with the Methodist Protestant church.

Although Mr. Haines had some assistance when he started cut in life foi" himself, he has by his O'vn well directed efforts ard careful management 01 his business interests added to his possessions, and while he has now disposed of his realty holdings he has a goodly competence as a reward for his earnest toil. He is a genial gentleman, one whom it is a pleasure to meet, and he and his estimable wife are received with cordiality in the homes of their many friends throughout Bureau (bounty.

Charles Williams

Charles Williams, of Princeton township, whose farm lies on sections 2 and 3, is a native of La Moille township, horn November 6, 1882. His parents were William and Sarah (Crossman) Williams. The father was born in Bureau county, Illinois, July 7, 1854, and was a son of James H. Williams, whose birth occurred in Culpeper county, Virginia, August 24, 1821, and who was a son of Jackson and Margaret Williams, natives of Virginia. The grandparents spent their last years in Coshocton county, Ohio. Their children were Cordelia, Mary, Charlie, Addison, James H., Washington, Eliza, Amanda and Jackson Williams.

James H. Williams, grandfather of our subject, became a resident of Coshocton county, Ohio, when a youth of fifteen years. In May, 1847, he enlisted for service in the Mexican war as a member of Company B of the Third Ohio Regiment of Infantry Volunteers and served for one year. He came to Bureau county, Illinois, in the summer of 1848 and, with the land warrant received for service in the Mexican war, he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in T^a Moille township, on which he took up his abode in March, 1850. He placed it under cultivation, continued the work of improvement and added to the property from time to time until he was the owner of six hundred and twenty acres of very choice land. He was both a self-educated and self-made man, who made good use of his opportunities, and as the years advanced became one of the prosperous residents of his adopted county. He was married in Ohio to Miss Elizabeth Shirk, and they became the parents of six children : Henry, Eliza, William, James, Charles and Washington.

William Williams, whose birth occurred in this county, July 7, 1854, was here reared, and is indebted to the public-school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He has been a successful farmer and stockman, especially in buying and shipping stock, and is today one of the extensive landowners of the county, having eleven hundred acres of fine land within its borders. He was married November 7, 1877, to Miss Sarah Crossman, who was born July 5, 1854, and is a daughter of John C. Crossman, who was born January 29, 1830, in Draycott, Somersetshire, England, his parents being George and Sarah (Rhude) Crossman, both of whom died in England. J. C. Crossman came to America about 1850, and was for two j'ears employed in Onondaga county. New York, where he was married. In March, 1852, he went to La Moille, Illinois, and after living there for a year rented land and engaged in farming. In 1855 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he soon sold, and after renting for another year he bought a quarter section from William Hart. This he afterward disposed of, and in 1857 returned to the state of New York and afterward to England, where he visited his relatives, again taking up his abode in La Moille the following year. He first rented the place which he afterward bought, and eventually he became the owner of six hundred and seventeen acres of land, on which he carried on general farming, but made more of a specialty of stock-raising. He was married, July 24, 1851, to Elizabeth Weeks, who was horn December 23, 1828, in England, and was a daughter of William and Ann (Dicks) Weeks, also natives of that country. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Crossman was blessed with eight children who reached adult age, namely: Mary .\., Sarah, Eliza, Fannie, John F., Ollie, Alice and Nellie. Mr. Crossman was a republican in politics and always took an active interest in the work of the party as well as in all matters relating to the agricultural development of the county. He died in the year 1898.

Following their marriage William Williams and Sarali Crossman located upon a farm, and for many years he was closely associated with the general agricultural development of the county, in the work of which lie prospered, so that he is now enabled to live a I'ciircMl life. Unto liini and his wife were boru four cliildren: Ilarry, who was born October !), laiS, and is now living in Missouri; Charles, of this review; Mark and Glenn, both at home.

Charles Williams, whose name introduces this record, was educated in La Moille and at Princeton Business College. He married Miss Ada B. Morton, who was born in Bureau township and is a daughter of Charles and A'ancy (Beatty) Morton, now resiilents of South Dakota. Mr. aiid Mrs. Williams have one child, (iail. They own one hundred and forty-eight acres of land on sections 2 and 3, Princeton townshij), three miles from the city of Princeton, which he purchased in 1903. He carries on general farming and stockraising, buys and feeds stock and raises horses. He has sixteen head of line draft horses, also driving horses and colts, and, in fact, owns some of the best horses to be found in the county. He is a stockman of e.xeellent judgment, and his business interests have been well managed, his farm indicating in its excellent appearance his thrift and capable control. In his political views he is an independent, but without aspiration for office, and in his religious belief he is a Presby^ terian. A young man, he has made a creditable success for one of his years, and is widely and favorably known in the county where his entire life has been passed and where the family has been known from pioneer times to the present.

Albert W. Wade

Albert W. Wade, who as the architect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well and today has valuable property interests, owning and occupying three hundred and seventy-five acres of valuable land on section 22, La Moille iownship, where he follows farming, was born in this townfhip, December 20, 186G. His parents were Kirhard H. and Mary (Shoup) Wade, natives of Ohio, and his brother, John Wade, is a resident of the village of La Moille. In the family were eleven children, of whom Albert W. was the tenth in order of birth. At the usual age he entered the public schools and therein mastered the branches of English learning which equip one for life's practical and responsible duties. He has always followed the occupation to which he was reared, and a place is accorded him among the foremost and representative farmers of the county, for he has made steady and consecutive progress in his business life, manifesting the spirit of enterprise that has enabled him to overcome all dillicultics and obstacles in his path. That he lias prospered is indicated by the fart that he is today the owner of three hundred and seventy-five acres of very valuable and productive land, pleasantly and conveniently situated about two miles from the village of La Moille.

united in marriage to Miss Eva Ilaney, who was born in La Moille townshij), May 11, 18G8. Unto them have been born two children : Wilbert L., born September 30, 1889, and Ora R., September 30, 1893. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, and his religious support to the United Brethren church, of which he is a member. He withholds his co-operation from no movement for the general good, and is accounted one of the valued and representative citizens of this part of the state.

At the same time he is carefully conducting business interests of importance, which are constantly growing. He handles stock on an extensive scale, buying and feeding, and thus utilizing all of the products raised upon his farm. He handles from thirty to forty carloads of stock annually, and is thus one of the leading business men of Bureau county. His present prosperous condition is in marked contrast to his financial resources when he started out in life. He then rented land and tlius cultivated the fields until his labors had brought him sutlicieiit capital to make investment, when he purchased two hundred and thirtv-nine acres, constituting the old homestead. He has since extendicd the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises three hun<lred and seventy-five acres of as fine land as can be found in Bureau county, valued at from one hundred and seventyfive to two hundred dollars per acre. All this he has accomjjlished within a comparatively few years, for he is yet a yo\mg man. His farm is one of the attractive features of the landscape, being equipjied with beautiful buildings surrounded by fine trees and ornamental shrubs. The scene is well worthy a place on a painters canvas, for the sid)stantial home, the broad ])rairie, the richly tilled fields, the gravel roads and the cars ruuTiing within sight of his home make this an ideal countrv jilace. Mr. Wade belongs to one of the leading families of Bureau county, and with the years usually allotted to man he will rank among the wealthiest residents of this part of the state, for eaeli year adds to his success. The most envious cannot grudge him his pros])erity, so honoral)ly has it been won and so worthily used. He and jiis wife deserve all the happiness (hat comes to (hem, and all who know them are glad of their friendship.

Soren Knudsox

SOREN KNUDSOX. In a history of the men of foreign birth who have come to .\meriea and in Bureau county have advanced from humble stations in life to jiositions of allluonce, becoming also valueil citizens of (he eommunily by rea.son of their devotion to (be buxl of (heir adoption and the institutions of republican government, mention sliotild be made of Soren KnudsoTi, who, starting out in life emptyhanded, is now (he owner of four jiiindrcd and

Mr. Knudson was born in Denmark in 1S3S and spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that country. On" attaining his majority, however, and carefully considering the opportunities afforded by his native land, he decided that he might enjoy better business advantages in the new world, where labor is not hampered by caste or class, and accordingly came to the United States in 1859. He made "his way at once to Sheffield, Bureau county, and began earning his living as a farm hand, for his limited financial resources made immediate employment a necessity. He worked diligently and perseveringly, so that he was always able to secure a job, and when he had saved a considerable sum from his earnings he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of laml, which constituted the nucleus of his present fine farm. He at once began its development, and his labors constitute the secret of his splendid success. He has made additional purchases from time to time, until he is now the owner of an extensive tract of four hundred and forty acres, which would command the highest price if ])laced upon the market. He also has a half section in South Dakota.

Mr. Knudson was married after coming to this country, the lady of his choice being Miss Carrie Sophia Hanson, who came to the United States from Denmark, and is now sixty -nine years of age. She arrived in 1S(J7. having been induced to come to the new world by a brother who was living here at that time. The family numbers three children : Andrew, John and Anna, the last two being twins. These are thirty-six and thirty-two years of age, respectively, and the sons aid their father in the operation of the home farm.

The ]iarents are members of the Danisli Lutheran church, and ^Ir. Knudson is independent politically, supporting the candidates whom he thinks best qualified for office without regard to party affiliation. His present prosperity is in marked contrast to his financial condition when he arrived in this country forty-seven years ago tn seek his fortune - a ])nor boy without friends or influence to aid him and without capital to assist in gaining him a start. He possessed, however, a stout heart and willing hands, and farm labor soon gained him a start. He has never taken a backward step, but has made continuous progress in his business life, and is now a substantial agriculturist of Gold townshi]).

Maury B. Remsburg received a good education in the district and public schools of his native town, and after mastering the branches therein taught started out in life on his own responsibility, following farming pursuits for a time. He was later engaged in teaching for a time in different schools in Bureau county, and after abandoning that profession engaged in the poultry business for three years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of that interest and embarked in the hardware trade, which he conducted for a time, but is now engaged in the livery business in Ohio. He is meeting with success in his undertaking, keeping a fine line of vehicles and horses, which he rents to the public, and his livery is considered the best in his section of the county.

Mr. Remsburg was united in marriage to Miss Nellie E. Brewer, who was born in Walnut township. Bureau county, Illinois, February 20, 1872. She is a daughter of Lemuel and Clara (Van Arnam) Brewer, natives of Walnut, Illinois. Mrs. Remsburg is the eldest of five children, of whom one is deceased. She was educated in the schools of Walnut township, and is an excellent lady, possessing many sterling characteristics. She is the first reader of the Christian Scientist church, to which her husband also belongs.

Mr. Remsburg is a republican in his political views. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Schamo lodge, No. 627, and he is also a member of the Rebekahs and of the Knights of the Globe. He is a musician of more than local reputation, belonging to the Ohio band, which is considered the best organization of this character in Bureau county. Jlr. and Mrs. Remsburg are excellent people, occupying a leading place in the social circles of Ohio, where they have a host of warm ]iorsonal friends.

Maury B. Remsburg

MAURY B. REMSBURG. ^faury B. Remsburg, engaged in the livery ousiness in Ohio, is a native of Ohio township, Bureau county, Illinois, born August 25, 1873. He is the eldest of two children born unto George W. and ^fargaret R. (Ross) Remsburg, the former

FRUrZ STIER. Fritz Stier dates his residence in Bureau county from 1880. and since 18!)0 has resided upon his present farm. He now owns more than two hundred acres of land in the home property, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He was born in Stratzund, in the province of Pomerania, Germany, August 19, 1849, his parents being Chris and Mary Stier, who were farming people. Reared and educated in his native country. Fritz Stier remained in the fatherland until 1880, when at the age of thirty-one years he sailed for the United States, arriving on the fith of November. Tie spent the first year as a farm hand and then rented land in the northern part of Bureau county, where be lived for seven years. He afterward spent two years east of the home place, and for five years rented his present farm before making purchase of this on the 9th of August, 1895. That date made liim owner of one hundred and sixty acres, and in 1904 he added to this an adjoining tract of forty-five acres, so tliat he is now tlie owner of two hundred and five acres of good land, which he lias highly cultivated. .Mi of the buildings upon it are new and modern, and none of the accessories of a model farm are lacking. He raises horses, cattle and hogs, all of which are standard bred, and this branch of his business proves a good -source of income.

In June, 1876, Mr. Stier was married to Miss Minnie Eosenow, of Germany, and their eldest child, Fred Morris, was born ore their emigration to America. His birth occurred December 14, 1S77, and he now operates the home farm with his father. The other children of the family are: Emma, born September 6, 1882; Alfreda Alberta, December 2, 188.5; Charles August, July 11, 1888, and ^lina. Fred has purchased forty-five acres of land adjoining the home place, on which he has built a neat residence. Fred and Emma both belong to the Christian church of (irccnvillc, while the others are members of the German Lutheran church at Manlius.

Mr. Stier possessed a capital of hut eighty-five dollars W'hen he came to America, and all that he has since accumulated has lieen gained through hard work, industry and economy. The hope that led him to seek a home in the new world has been more than realized, and in the county of his adoption he has gained warm friendships as well as material possessions.

William Haeey Noeton

William Harry Norton, a native of Bureau county, Illinois, was born September 20, 187.5, and is a son of Edward L. and Eosella (Lorey) Norton, the former an employe of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railwav Company, located at Sheflfield, Illinois.

William H. Norton, the subject of this review, was educated in the schools of Sheffield, and after putting aside his te.xt-books engaged in farming for a time. He then entered the employ of H. L. Wood, at Sheffield, who was engaged in the lumber business, Mr. Norton acting as foreman of this enterprise for five years. On the expiration of that period he severed his connections with that firm and entered the employ of A. W. Boyden & Sons, engaged in the banking business, with whom he remained for a time, but later engaged in the lumber business, and has for the past three years been employed as manager for F. G. Lindner & Company, at Buda. He is capably filling this position, and his services are highly acceptable to his emplovers. On the 1st of November, lOOi!, he expects to take charge of a lumber yard at Somonauk, De Kalb county, under the name of W. H. Norton & Company.

On the 30th of April, 18!)9, .Mr. Norton was united in marriage to .Miss Nellie Amelia Woods, of Keithsburg, Illinois, a daugiiter of J. W. Woods, who is engaged there in liorticultural pursuits. 'J'lieir home has i)een i)lc.s.-ed with two children: Harry Woods, born .Inly 7, 1901. and Hose Genevieve, born June 21, liiOti.

Mr. Norton is a stanch democrat, having supported that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and is acting as vice chancellor of that order. Popular socially, Mr. and Mrs. Norton have a host of warm friends in Buda, where the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed.

Eobert Whitaker, who owns and operates a good farm of eighty acres on section 20, Indiantown township, was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, March G, 1843. His father, William" Whitaker, was lost on the ocean after going to England in 18.56, the vessel going down upon his return voyage to this country. The mother died when our subject was only eleven years old. Eobert and an elder brother remained at home and took care of the younger brother and sisters. There were ten children, and seven reached years of maturity.

Eobert Whitaker w'as educated in the common schools, but when thirteen years of age began working on a farm by the month. At the outbreak of the Civil war his ])atriotic spirit was aroused, and in October, 1861, he enlisted, joining the boys in blue of Comjiany H, Thirty-seventh Eegiment iif Indiana Infantry. He served for two and a half years and was honorably discharged in ^lay, 1863, at Quincy, Illinois, on account of disability. He had a horse stolen from him by John Morgan, who was then making his raid through Indiana. In August, 1863, Mr. Whitaker again enlisted, joining the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, with which lie served until March, 1866, and during that time he was sent to Texas, where he remained for nearly a year. During his first enlistment he .served in Louisville and thence went down the Ohio river to West Point, Kentucky, on to Bowling Green, to N'ashville, to .\[urfreesboro and to Huntsville, Alai)ama, where the ITnion troo]is ea]itured some prisoners under General Alitchell. They afterward proceeded to .\thens, .Mabama, an<l subsequently operated in 'J'eniiessee and ]\Iissi.«sipiii. Mr. Whitaker was never wounded, but on one occasion had his hor.se shot from under him. Becoming ill, he was in the hospital for eight months, spending six weeks of that time in Nashville, while later he was at N(>w ,\lhany, Indiana, and s\ibsequently in the hospital at Quincv, where he was discharged in May, 1863.

Past And Present Of Bueeau Couxty

he has since followed farming, with the exception of two years spent in Kansas. He bought his present place of eighty acres in January, 1902, and carries on general agricultural pursuits and stockraising, making a specialty of cattle, hogs and sheep, and raising a laige niunber of calves each year. In 1905 he built a fine residence, containing eight rooms, each one of which is sixteen feet square. This is one of the best houses in this part of the county, and he has new barns and other modern buildings upon his place, and the farm is one of the neatest and most attractive in the township.

In his political views Mr. Whitaker is a stalwart republican, and has served as highway commissioner and as a member of the school board, while socially he is connected with Swain post. No. 600, G. A. R. In his family are four children: Hettie, now engaged in school teaching; Mattie, who also taught school prior to her marriage to Nicholas Scherty; Flora, also a school teacher, and May, at home. Mr. Whitaker and his family are very sociable people, and are highly esteemed in the community where they live. He owes his success entirely to his own labors, for he started out in life empty-handed, and has worked his way steadily upward through persistent purpose and intense and well directed energy.

James Conley, Jr

James Conley, Jr., living in Manlius township, his attention being given to the supervision of his farming and stock-raising interests, was born August 8, 1867, in Concord township, this county. His parents were James and Mary (Freeman) Conley, and the father followed the occupation of farming, so that the subject of this review was reared to agricultural life. He was educated in the common schools and in Dixon Normal School at Dixon, Illinois, and when he had put aside his text-books he took up the vocation of teaching, in which he engaged for about three years. He first taught in the Red schoolhouse in Manlius township and afterward in the Douglas school at Neponset, while later he became principal of the schools of the town of Mineral. He was a capable educator, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired, but thinking that he would find agricultural interests more profitable he purchased eighty acres of land in Manlius township, whereon he has since lived. Here he has carried on general farming and stockraising and now has good standard bred horses, cattle and hogs. He likewise operates a thresher, culler and sheller and has all he can do in this line during the season. In fact he leads a very busy life and his success may all be attributed to his own well directed labors.

Newton and Naomi (Davis) Baxter, a farmer of this locality. Her father, however, has now passed away but her mother is still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Conley has been born one son, Guy Elwin, whose natal day was December 29, 1894. The parents attend the United Brethren church, of which Mrs. Conley is a member. Mr. Conley has spent his entire life in Bureau county, where he is favorably known as a teacher, agriculturist and citizen, having in all life's relations displayed sterling qualities which have commanded for him the respect and good will of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

George F. Rackley

George F. Rackley, a native of Bureau county, is the owner of eighty acres of land in Berlin township and it was in this locality that he was born June 27, 1860. Throughout his entire life he has been identified with farming interests and is now a worthy representative of agricultural life in this part of the state. He is a son of N. F. Rackley, who was an early settler of the county. The father purchased this farm in 1854, at which time he paid twenty dollars per acre for the land. He went to California in 1850, making an overland trip and spending two years on the Pacific coast. He made enough money there in his mining ventures to purchase what is now the old homestead farm upon his return to Illinois. He made the trip across the plains after the manner of travel at that time, being one hundred days without seeing any settlement in crossing the arid desert land and in climbing the mountains of the west. For many years he was closely associated with agricultural interests in Bureau county as one of the leading and enterprising farmers.

George F. Rackley acquired his education in the public schools and was trained to farm work, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him in the days of his boyhood and youth. Having arrived at years of maturity he was married in Berlin township on the 10th" of January, 1884, to Miss Anna M. Wilson, who was born in Chicago, January 26, 1861. Her father, William R. Wilson, was a native of Scotland, born April 17, 1838, and he is now living on Prairie avenue in Chicago. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Alexander and was also born in the land of hills and heather, died in Chicago in 1874. In their family were four children: Anna M., now Mrs. Rackley; Agnes, deceased ; Margaret, still living ; and Elizabeth, who has passed away. Mrs. Rackley was educated at Brcen school in Bureau county, while Mr. Rackley pursued his studies in Maiden and in Dover .\cademy. By their marriage they became the parents of one son, who is yet living, William F., who was born November 9, 1884, and was married June 6, 1906. to Lizzie B. Keel, who was born June 4,

Since attaining his majority Mr. Rackley has carried on farming on his own account and, residing upon the old homestead, is now the owner of a valuable property of eighty acres, which has been in possession of the family for more than half a century. It is a well improved tract of land, equipped with modern conveniences and accessories and everything about the place is indicative of the care and supervision of a progressive owner. He is prominent socially as a member of Dauntless lodge, No. 150, K. P., and Modern Woodmen camp. No. 468. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he adheres to the faith of the Baptist church, of which his family are also members. His entire life having been passed in the county, he is widely known to many of the citizens of Berlin township and other districts and through forty-six years he has now l)een an interested witness of the changes which have occurred as man has wrought for the improvement and development of this part of the state.

James E. Eiley

James E. Eiley, dependent upon his own resources from an early age, is now a substantial resident of the village of La Moille, trusted by his fellowmen by reason of his personal worth, his business ability and the fidelity which he has displayed toward every trust that has been reposed in him. He is, moreover, deserving of representation in this volume as one of the veterans of the Civil war, who stood loyally in defense of the Union during the dark hour in our country's history.

Mr. Riley is a native of Greene county, Indiana, born July 19, 1842, and is the eighth in a family of eleven children. The father, John Eiley, was born in Bradford, England, February 23, 1805, and was married there to Miss Eachel Dalby, who was born in the same place on the 20th of September, 1805. They came to America in 1830 and settled in Indiana, where they reared their family.

James E. Eiley spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the state of his nativity and completed his education in the schools of New Albany, Indiana. He then learned the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he worked until the outbreak of tjie Civil war. Ho had watched with interest the progress of events in the south, had noted the growing movement toward secession and had resolved that if a blow was struck to overthrow the Union he would stand loyally for its defense. Hardly had the smoke from Fort Sumter's guna cleared away when on the 16th of April, 1861, he joined Company A of the Twelfth Indiana Infantry in response to the first call for soldiers to crush out the relielliou in the south. Later he served with Company F of the Fifty-ninth Indiana Infantry, subsequently with Company A of the Forty-ninth United States Colored Infantry and afterward with Company B of the First United States Veterans. He was with the army continuously throughout the period of the war and it was not until the 4th of January, 18G6, about eight months after the actual cessation of hostilities, that he was honorably discharged. He participated in the only battle where the black flag was raised, which meant "no quarter." His regiment guarded the scaffold at Washington whereon the conspirators connected with the a.ssassination of President Lincoln wore hung. It was his regiment that buried the dead on the field thirieeu months alter the battle of the Wilderness, covering a territory twenty-one miles long. Mr. Riley saw arduous service, fraught with every dilliculty and danger known to the life of a soldier, but was never known to falter in the performance of any duty, displaying marked valor and loyalty throughout his entire connection with the army. Following the close of the wg^ he returned to his home and took up work at the carpenter's trade, which he has followed during the greater part of his life, being closely associated with building operations in this section of the county for many years. As he has prospered in his undertakings he has invested in real estate and is now the owner of town property in La Moille.

On the 8th of April, 1869, Mr. Riley was married to Miss Hattie E. Phillips, who was born in Buckland, Ma.'isachusetts, August 18, 1848, and was educated in the schools of La Moille and in Dover academy. Her parents were Elijah B. and I'^lizabt'th (Rood) Phillips, llcr father was born in Massachusetts and was of the eiglith generatioo of the descendants of Miles Standish. With his family he came to Ija Moille in 1856 and remained a resident of Bureau county until his death, save that for a short period he resided in Livingston county, Illinois, and in South Dakota. He then returned to Bureau county, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Riley has been blessed with tliree cliildren : Benjamin B., born Januarv 23, 1870; Ralph E., May 23, 18S2, and Glenn A., June 15, 1892.

Mr. Riley has filled all of the ollice.-; in the Odd Fellows lodge, of which he is a member, and has been district deputy grand master for five years. He is one of the leading members of this organization in his section of the state and has done much for its advancement. He votes witii tlie republican party and has filled various olTices, serving as township collector, as president of the village board, as trustee for eight years and for four years as clerk. He and his family hold membership in the Congregational church. Friends and neighbors esteem him, for he is a public-spirited citi- 7.cn in the truest and best sense of the term, mani- festing in days of peace the same loyalty to the governmeut in its local and national interests as when he followed the stars and stripes upon the battlefields of the south. He has fully merited the confidence of his fellowmen by an upright life, has been a trustworthy official and in business has ever been honest and reliable.

Oemoxd J. Conxer

Among the leading and influential merchants of Ohio, Bureau county, Illinois, is numbered Orniond J. Conner, who with his father, William il. Conner, is interested in the lumber and coal business. He was born in Ohio township, this county, September 18, 1871, a son of William M. and Maria Winkler, the former a native of Leesburg, A'ii-ginia, born March 2, 183T, and whose sketch api)ears elsewhere in this volume, and the latter born in Summit county, Ohio, August 20, 1841, a daughter of James and Lucinda (Boydston) Winkler. In their family have been born four children, namelv: Lucv B., born November 7, 186.5; Clarence E.,' .May 21, 1867: Roberta Y., born September 26, 1S69, and OriiKHid .1., the subject of this review.

Ormond J. Conner, the youngest member of his father's family, received his education in the public schools of Ohio, and after putting aside his text-hooks entered into business in connection with his father as a dealer in knnber and coal in the village of Ohio. By honesty and strict adherence to business they have built up a large trade, handling all kinds of lumber for huilding purposes, as well as coal, and they enjoy a large patronage both in the village of Ohio and in the surrounding country as well.

ilr. Conner was united in marriage to iliss Mae E. Fagan, the wedding ceremony being performed on tlie 29th of August, 1895. Mrs. Conner was Ijorn .lanuarv 20, 187-1. and is a daughter of :\richael and Mary E. (Shehan) Fagan. Thfe father was born in eastern Canada, December 28, 18.')0, and when a small boy was brought by his parents to the ITnited States. The mother was born in Lee county, Illinois, August 17, 1852. They became the parents of nine children, of whom ^Irs. Conner is the second in order of birth. She was educated in the public schools of the village in which she yet makes her home. Unto Mr. and ^Irs. Conner have been horn four children, namely: Ivan E., born January 10, 1897; Glen 0., born December 9, 1898: Margaret J\I., Ijorn starch 11, 1901. and Helen M., May 7, 1906.

In politics ^Ir. Coniu'r is a republican and takes an active and helpful jiart in local {)olitieal ranks, having served as councilman of the village of Ohio, and was also township clerk for four years. Fraternally he is a memher of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Schamo lodge, No. 627, and is also a Modern Woodman, belonging to yir. Conner is an energetic young business man, having through his well directed efforts and straightforward dealing built up an excellent business as a dealer in lumber and coal, and in addition to this business he is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Wisconsin and owns his residence in the village of Ohio. Thus it will be seen that he has accumulated a hand- .some competence which classes him among the prominent citizens of Bureau county. He possesses a genial nature, is courteous in manner, and both he and his wife are popular socially.

Nels Erikson

Nels Erikson is one of the extensive land owners of Bureau county, his holdings comprising five hundred and seventj' acres in Arispie township. A noted lecturer has said that "Sweden is the home pf the honest man," and throughout the world it is a recognized fact that the sons of that countrv are among the most industrious people on the face of the globe. The life record of Nels Erikson is another illustration of these statements, for his unfaltering energy, combined with his business integrity, have been the strong elements in his success, which has made him one of the prosperous residents of his adopted county.

He spent the first twenty-one years of his life in the land of his nativity, and in the year 1856 came to the United States, hoping to enjoy better business opportunities and advantages in the new world.

He lived in Minnesota for a few months, after which he removed to Moline, Illinois, where he spent a year and a half. He then came to Bureau county, and entered business life here as a farm hand, working for eleven dollars per month. .Ambitious, however, to engage in farming on his own account, he at length rented land, which he operated for a few years, and when his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital he made purchase of a farm of sixty acres in Arispie township. He became owner of this ]n-operty in 1868, and it has since been his place of residence, although from time to time, as his financial resources have increased, he has extended its boundaries, until he now owns five hundred and seventy acres of very valuable land. Much of this was covered with timber when it came into his possession, but it now constitutes one of the finest farming properties of the county, the fields having been brought under a high state of cultivation, while all modern e(iui])ments have been added, together with the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. He has been very progressive in all his work and has made a specialty of the raisinsr of

In 1866 Mr. Erikson was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Pierson, a native of Sweden, who came to the United States when nine years of age and died in April, 1899. Five children graced this marriage: Albert, deceased; Oscar, now a prosperous jeweler of Pittsfield, Illinois ; Edward, who married Freda Oberg and is living on a part of his father's farm ; Esther, the wife of S. M. Johnson, at Kewauee, Illinois; and August, who has charge of one of his father's farms in Arispie township.

Mr. Erikson is a member of the Lutheran church and is living a life in harmony with his professions. He has now passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey, and in a review of the past it will be seen that he has displayed many of the sterling traits of character which command respect and confidence in every land and clime.

James G. Lord

James G. Lord, after many years of active connection with agricultural interests, is now living retired on his farm on section 8, Milo township. He was born near Manchester, England, July 21, 1830, and is a son of Lawrence Lord. He wa.» reared in his native country and acquired his education in private schools there, having liberal advantages for intellectual development. He also attended evening schools to some extent and prepared for a business life by a ten years' apprenticeship to the iron molder's trade. He came to America in 1844, when only fourteen years of age, but after remaining for a year returned to his native country. In 1850, however, he once more came to the L^nited States and in 18.53 he went back to England, where he was married. The same year he brought his bride to the new world and has since continued in America. He first lived in New York city but in 18.5.5 came to Bureau county and purchased eighty acres of land, whereon he now resides. He made the purchase, however, for his father, while he maintained his residence in Chicago until 1ST~. when he took up his abode upon the farm which has since been his home. For twenty-two years he worked at the Iron molder's trade in Chicago and his capability always secured to him good positions. It was in 1839 that his father first came to America but later he returned to England, again coming to the United States in 1844, once more went back to his native land and in 18-51 took up his abode permanently in the new world. After living for a number of years in Bureau county he removed, in 1877, to New Jersey, where he spent his remaining days.

To his first purchase of land James G. Lord has added from time to time until he now owns two hundred and fortv acre-:, constituting a splendidly improved property. He has engaged extensively in raising cattle and hogs and has always been very successful in this work. He is now practically retired, wliile his sons carry on the labor of the farm.

In 1852 Mr. Lord was married to Miss Harriet Parr, who was born in England in 1826. a daughter of Thomas Parr. They have four children: Eliza, the wife of B. .\. Labryn. of Chicago, by whom she has a son and daughter ; James, who is the owner of a fine orange ranch in California; George, who is living near his father and has four daugiiters and an adopted son ; and Lawrence, who also lives near the old homestead and lias two sons and three daughters.

Mr. Lord votes with the republican party, of which he has been a stalwart advocate since casting his first presidential vote for Fremont. He has been school director and clerk for twenty-five years and the cause of education finds in him a warm and helpful friend. He was also commissioner of public highways for many years and has been solicited to hold other offices but would never accept, his ambition not being in the line of office holding. lie and his wife have led a very active life and as the result of their former toil and capable management they are now most comfortably situated upon their farm, which is four miles from Bradford. They have seen many changes since first coming here and Mr. Lord is one of the few old settlers who can tell from personal experience events which have left their impress upon the history of the county and bave aided in molding its destiny. He has now passed the seventysixth milestone on life's journey and he enjoys the respect of young and old, rich and poor.

George Ottoson

Among the representatives of Scandinavian race to whose efforts may be largely attributed the growth, development, progress and prosperity of Manlius township, is numbered George Ottoson, who was born in Denmark, January 17, 1844. His parents were Otto and Hannah (Jenson) Ottoson, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. There their son George was reared and educated and, attracted by the opportunities of the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1872, when twenty-eight years of age, coming direct to Bureau county. He first located at Sheffield, and for about eight years was employed at farm labor in this county, during which time he saved from his earnings a sum sufficient to justify his purchase of eighty acres of land in J[anlius township. He then began farming on his own account and now has a good property.

Mr. Ottoson was married February 8, 1880. to J[iss Anna Jacob.son, a daughter of John and Lena Johnson, of Lolland, Denmark, the former a miller bv occupation. Mrs. Ottoson came to .\mericft in 1ST8 and following their marriage the young couple began their domestic life upon the farm which has since been their home. The union has been blessed with two children but they lost their son, John Charles, who was born on the 13th of January, 1881, and died on the 18th of February of the same year. Their daughter, Hannah H., was married February 14, 1906, to Peter D. Hanson, of Fairfield township.

Mr. and Mrs. Ottoson hold membership in the Danish Lutheran church of Sheffield and are well known farming people of the community, living a quiet life, yet through the conduct of his business interests and the faithful performance of each day's duties Mr. Ottoson is making a creditable record and contributing to that general stability and progress which results from the concerted efforts of the business men of the county.

Peter Nelson

An important element in the citizenship of Manlius township and this part of the county is that which has been furnished by Sweden, "the home of the honest man." The sons of that country have always been noted for their industry and therefore prove important factors in developing the natural resources of any locality where they chance to settle. Mr. Nelson was born in Hesslehohm, Sweden, September 22, 1846, his parents being Nels and Mary (Olson) Peterson. The father, a farmer by occupation, always following that pursuit in order to provide for his family, was born in 1818 and died in 1899, while his wife, whose birth also occurred in 1818, passed away in 1904.

Their son Peter spent his boyhood days in his native country and retained his residence there to the age of twenty-three years, when in 1869 he crossed the briny deep to the new world and made his way at once into the interior of the country, reaching Moline, Illinois, on the 2d of June. Here he was first employed at laying the foundation for the Moline Wagon Works and subsequently he secured work on the canal at Keokuk, Iowa. On the l.'ith of October, 1869. he began laying track on the Buda and Elmwood branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Eailroad, and on the 26th of January, 1870, he turned his attention to farm labor and to the task of hauling lumber and logs, being thus engaged for tliree years. He next removed to Manlius township, where he rented land and began farming on his own account, remaining on that place for three years. In 1875, having carefully saved his earnings, he made purchase of eighty acres in Manlius town.ship and in 1882 purchased his present homestead of one hundred and sixty acres adjoining liis orifjinal tract, so that he owns altogether two Inmdred and forty acres of rich land in one body. He is interested in fine stock, raising full blooded cattle of the shorthorn variety and also Poland China and Duroc Jersey hogs, of which he has many head of registered stock. He likewise has good horses upon his place and his stock-raising interests are an important source of revenue to him, for their high grade insures a ready sale on the market and enables him to command the highest market price.

On the 10th of March, 1872, Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Ellen Gustavason, a native of Jonkling, Sweden, in which country her parents were farming people. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have been born eight children, of whom six are yet living: Mary Ida, at home; Freada Otellea, who is employed in the county clerk's office in Princeton ; Sadie, who was graduated from the Princeton high school in the class of 1906 and won a scholarship to the State University at Champaign ; Albert, who is operating a rented farm of three hundred and twenty-seven acres and married Miss Maud Siebel, of Manlius township, by whom he has two children. Perry and Fay ; Edward L., who is at home with his father; and Alma Nathlie, the wife of Claud Brown, county superintendent of schools. Those deceased are : Emma E., who became the wife of Max P. Siebel and died leaving one child, Glee Page; and Frederick, who died in 1877, at the age of six months.

Mr. Nelson and the family attend the Christian church in Greenville township. He has served as school director for fifteen years and in politics is a very active republican, earnestly desiring the growth and success of his party, yet never seeking office for himself. When he landed in America he had a capital of only twenty-six dollars, so that his present good fortune is the result of his own perseverance and labor. He paid thirty-two dollars per acre for the fir<t land which lie bought and forty-eight dollars and seventy-five cents per acre for the tract of one hundred and sixty acres. His farm buildings are among the best in the township and include substantial barns and sheds together with a very commodious and attractive residence. Altogether the farm is one of the pleasing features of the landscape and the owner is numbered among the leading and representative agriculturists of Manlius township.

J. S. CLAEK. J. S. Clark, a retired and wealthy farmer residing at No. 816 South Jlain street in Princeton, his native city, was born October 19, 1839, his parents being George and Nancy (Matson) Clark. The father wiis born in St. Clairsville, Ohio, March 13, 1811, and came to Bureau county in 183.'), settling on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Berlin township, hut later he purchased a homo in Dover, where he spent his last years in retirement from agricultural life. He and his wife had traveled life's journey together for fifty-six years at the time of his demise. Mrs. Clark was a sister of Nehemiah Matson, who gave to the city of Princeton its library. She was born April G, 1814, and died in her ninety-first year, passing away in Princeton on the 30th of "December, 1904, while Mr. Clark's death occurred in February, 1800. In the family were four children, three of whom are residents of Princeton, while Enis Clark is an attorney of St. Louis, Missouri.

J. S. Clark, whose name introduces this record, was educated in the common schools of Bureau county, Illinois, and always followed farming up to the time of his retirement. In 18GG he was married to Miss Annie E. Sapp, a native of this county and a daughter of Solomon Sapp, who arrived here in 1835. Two daughters grace this marriage: Fannie, the wife of H. A. Clark, of Princeton; and May, the wife of Thomas Joy, of Birmingham, Alabama.

In 1882 Mr. Clark took up his abode in Princeton, where he has since lived retired, his judiciously placed investments bringing to him a splendid income. His life has been passed without exciting incident or episode but stands as a splendid illustration of the force and power of energy, perseverance and integrity in business alTairs and the value of a high standard of conduct in winning the respect, confidence and good will of one's fellowmen.

James C. Jensen

James C. Jensen, who owns, operates and occupies a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Gold township, has spent almost his entire life in this county, although he was born in Denmark in 1870. He is a son of Andrew and Mary Jensen, who w6re likewise natives of Denmark, whence they sailed for America with their family when their son James was only a year old, making their way to Sheffield, Illinois. The father has devoted his life to farming, whicli occupation he is now following in Manlius township.

At the usual age James C. Jensen began his education in the district schools and therein mastered the common branches of English learning which equip one for the tranisactinn of business in later life and qualify him for responsible duties. The periods of vacation were largely devoted to work n[iiin the fatlier's farm as lie assisted in the labors of field and meadow and the care of the stock, and after attaining his majority he began farming on his own account. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land in Gold township and has brought his fields under a high state of cultivaticm, using the latest improved farm machinery to facilitate the work. He has also added many modern equipments and conveniences to the farm.

.sene Jensen, who was born in Denmark and came to the United States when nineteen years of age. This marriage lias been blessed with tVo children : \\'allacd, three years of age; and Martha, a year old. The parents attend the Danish Lutheran church of Sheffield, while fraternally Mr. Jensen is connected with the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 808, at Sheffield, and politically is a democrat. He has spent practically his entire life in this county and many of his warm friends arc those who have known him from his boyhood days.

James O'Brien

James O'Brien is farming a quarter section of land in Macon township which he purchased in 1900. He is one of the veterans of the Civil war and no adopted son of America has been more loyal to the interests and welfare of the nation. He was born in County Clare, Ireland, March 1, 1844, and is a son of Patrick and Bridget (Reynolds) O'Brien, both of whom were born in County Clare. Both died when about eighty years of age. They were married in Ireland and came to the new world in 1848 as pas.sengers on a sailing vessel which dropped anchor in the harbor of Quebec. They afterward proceeded to the state of New York, where they lived for a number of years and then came to Bureau county in 1856, locating in Indiantown township, where the father was first employed at fami labor and later purchased a farm comprising both timber and prairie land. He continued its cultivation throughout his remaining days, making it his home until he was called to his final rest. Both he and his wife were devoted members of the Roman Catholic church and in politics lie was a Jacksonian democrat. In their family were ten children, but only four are now living: James; Margaret; Anna, the wife of Philip Horan, of Tiskilwa; and Daniel, a resident. farmer of Indiantown township.

James O'Brien was only four years of age when the parents left Ireland, bringing their family with them to America. In his youth he worked upon the home farm in the summer months and attended school in the winter seasons. He remained at home until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when on the 15th of .\ugust, ISfi'J, at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted at Tiskilwa. Illinois, as a member of Company E, Ninety-third [llinnis Volunteer Infantry, serving with that command until honorably discharged at Camp Douglas, Chicago. July 6, 1865. On the day of his enlistment he was promoted to the rank of rorporal and was in every battle and on every march in which his regiment partiripated. He took part in the engagement at Champion Hill, Mav 16, 186.3; was in the siege of Vicksburg from the 10th of May until the 4th of July of that year; was also in the Chattanooga campaign; the battle of 'Mission Ridge; the battle of Altoona,

Georgia, on the 5th of October, 1864; the campaign in the C'arolinas; and the grand review in Washington, D. C, on the 24th of May, 1865, where the victorious army marched past the stand on which stood the president and other noted men of the nation to welcome the returning army amid the cheers of thousands of loyal Union people who lined the streets of the capital city. The war being over, Mr. O'Brien then returned to his home with a most creditable military record.

He came with the family to Bureau county and here, on the 1st of January, 1870, was married to Miss Mary Cahill, who was born in County Cork, Ireland, March 17, 1847. Her parents, Morris and Margaret (Golden) Cahill, came to the United States in 18.51, sailing from Cork and landing at Boston, Massachusetts. They located at Salmon Falls, New Hampshire, where they lived until 1863, Mr. Cahill being employed in a cotton factory. In November of that year they came to Illinois, settling at Tiskilwa. He owned three hundred acres of land in Stark county and three hundred and twenty acres in Bureau county. His remaining days were spent as a farmer of this locality. Both he and his wife were communicants of the Roman Catholic church and his political allegiance was given to the democracy. Both died when about eighty-five years of age. In their family were eleven children, five now living: Mrs. O'Brien, Stephen, Morris, William and Agnes.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien has been blessed with nine children, seven of whom survive: Anna, the wife of Daniel Johnson ; Patrick : Mary. the wife of John Turner; Morris; Elizabeth; .Tames and Agnes Veronica.

Following his marriage Mr. O'Brien began farming on his own account and throughout his entire life has carried on agricultural pursuits. He now has a well improved farm property, upon which he has lived since IDOO. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of well cultivated land and his labors are annually rewarded by abundant harvests. He has served as school director but has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking. His ballot, however, supports the democracy and he is loyal in citizenship, manifesting the same spirit of fidelity that he displayed when upon southern battlefields he followed the old flag. He and bis family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church.

N. W. ISAACSON. N. W. Isaacson is the senior partner of the leading dry goods firm of Princeton, and has a business record which any man might be proud to possess, for from a small beginning he has developed an enterprise of extensive proportions, and, moreover, has the entire confidence, good will and admiration of his business associates, for he has never incurred obligations that he has not met nor made engagements that h6 has not fulfilled. The firm of N. W. Isaacson & Company are today proprietors of the "White House," and carry an extensive line of dry goods, carpets, millinery and cloaks, this being the largest enterprise of the character in Bureau county.

The life record of Mr. Isaacson began in Christianstadt, Sweden, January 20, 1853, his parents being Peter and Carrie (Johnson) Isaacson, both of whom have passed away, the father dying when about eighty-two and a half years of age and the mother when eighty-three years of age. They came to Princeton on the 12th of June, 1865, and made their home here throughout their remaining days.

N. W. Isaacson had attended school in Sweden and completed his education in the schools of Princeton, whither he came with his parents when a youth of twelve years. When he put aside his text-books he watched for opportunities for favorable entrance into the business world, and on the 1st of March, 1870, became actively connected with the dry goods trade, in which line he has continued through the intervening years to the present time. For a quarter of a century he has been engaged in business on his own account, and the junior partners of the present firm are Miss Ohman and J. S. Anderson. From ten to twelve people are employed in the store, which is now an extensive establishment, unsurpassed by any commercial enterprise of this kind in Princeton or Bureau county. Mr. Isaacson erected the present fine building, which is forty-three and a half by ninety feet, and in 1895 he opened in this store the present stock of goods. The second story contains a suite of rooms occupied by Dr. Palmer and the Delmonti Club rooms. Mr. Isaacson gives his entire attention to the business, which is constantly growing. The stock is carefully selected with regard to the wishes of a general trade, and the enterprise, conservative business methods and yet progressive spirit which has always characterized the house have been the strong and salient features in its success.

Mr. Isaacson was married, March 84, 1881, to Miss Almeda Spake, a sister of John L. Spake, deceased. Two children grace this marriage : Roger S., who is connected with the store, and Verna L., who is now a student in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, pursuing a regular classical course and also devoting special attention to languages.

Since age confei'red u|ion ^Ir. Isaacson the rigJit of franchise he has always been a stanch republican, though never an office seeker. He docs not se.'k or desire office as a reward for his party fciliv, which is given because of his earnest belief in the principles of the party and his desire that the best interests of the country may be promoted therebv. Socially he is connected with the Miisonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Royal .Arch degree, and he attends the Methodist

The White House

Episcopal church. His interest extends to the material, intellectual, political and moral progress of his city and is manifest by tangiljle co-operation in many movements that have had direct bearing upon the general welfare. He is thorouglily identified with the interests of Princeton and Jiureau county and is justly accounted one of the most prominent Swedish-American citizens. The family residence is on South JMain street, where Mr. Isaacson has erected a very comfortable and attractive home.

THE WHITE HOUSE. The White House dry goods store, while it is not a department store, yet it is so systematically arranged that each particular line of goods is a complete store in itself. The store is divided into two parts by a double row of shelving down the center. That part facing north is filled with a co;nplete line of dress goods and silks at the front and table linens and flannels in the rear. That part facing south contains kid and fabric gloves, hojiery and velvets at the front and underwear in the rear The millinery department is located at the left as you enter the door, and is one of the strong features in the store. The south side of the store is filled to its utmost capacity with notions, prints, ginghams, cotton dress goods and stabiles. At the extreme rear, on the right, is found an up-to-dat. carpet, rug and linoleum department, and a"; the left a full line of cloaks. On a balcony at the rear is the upholsterv department, comprising lace curtains, portieres, rhades, etc., in endless variety.

George G. Bexnett

George G. Bennett, a stock-raiser and shipper of Neponsot township, living upon a good farm property which he owns, is one of New England's native sons, his birth having occurred in Peacham, Caledonia county, Vermont, March 10, 18.51. His paternal grandfather, Humphrey Bennett, was a lawyer by profession and died in the east on the 1st of January, 1834, when only twenty-nine years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Celinda Morrill, long survived him and passed away August 24, 1851, at the age of fiftv-threi* years.