Bureau County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1906 (part 25 of 28)

John Quinn

John Quinn was born upon a farm in Bureau county, January 23, 1863, and his entire life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits. His parents, Thomas and Jane (Wood) Quinn, were natives of Ireland, and after coming to America located in La Moille township. Bureau county, upon a farm on section 20. They had a family of five children : James, Mary A., Alice J., Frank E. and John. Of this number James and Frank are still single and are living upon the old homestead. They are partners of our subject in its ownership and operation, and also buy stock together under the firm name of Quinn Brothers.

Having acquired a good practical education in the public schools, John Quinn concentrated his energies upon his business aflfairs. He was married June 28. 1899, to Miss Florence Brown, who was born in Bureau county, January 2, 1869. She was educated in the district schools of La Moille township and in Princeton Commercial College. Her parents, George and Eebecca (Goddard) Brown, were natives of Massachusetts and of Leicestershire, England, respectively, and were married in Princeton, Illinois. This union was blessed with seven children, of whom Mrs. Quinn is the fifth in order of birth.

The firm of Quinn Brothers own four hundred and twenty-six acres of land, of whieh one hundred and twenty acres is comprised within the old homestead farm whereon their parents resided. Here they raise and feed stock and gather good crops, both branches of their business proving profitable. They have clung loyally together through all the years, four of the number remaining single and keeping up the old home. They have ever been loath to sever the associations of their childhood, and the brothers carry on their business in complete harmony, the labors of one ably supplementing the efforts of the others, so that the best results are obtainable.

John Quinn of this review is president of Father Mathews' Temperance Society, of which he has been a member for twenty-four years, ever loyal to tlic pledge which he signed in early life. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, and both he and his wife are zealous communicants of the Catholic church.

William Bueke

Many of the residents of Westfield townshiji arc of Irish birth or lineage, and among this number is William Burke, who has displayed in his business life the versatility, ready adaptability and industry characteristic of the sons of the Emerald isle. He deserves classification with the representative men of his community, and, having a wide and favorable acquaintance, his history cannot fail to prove of interest to many of the readers of tills volume. He was born September 30, 1804, in La Salic county, Illinois, his parents being Thomas and Bridget (McGraw) Burke, both of whom were born in Ireland. They became residents of La Salle county with the early settlers and there reared their family.

At the usual age William Burke entered pulilic schools and therein continued his education until he put aside his te.xt-books in order to devote his entire time and energies to the labors of the farm. He is still actively interested in general farming, and also conducts a livery barn in the village of Arlington, employing others to work his fields. He has been in the livery business for the past five years, and has a well equipped stable, having good horses and carriages, which he lets out on demand. His earnest desire to please his patrons, combined with his reasonable prices, hate secured him a volume of business which makes his investment a very profitable one. His le^idcnce in Bureau county dates from 1900, but he has always lived in this section of the state, and is wdl known in both Bureau and La Salle counties.

On the 7th of February, 1899, occurred the marriage of William Burke and Miss Mary Dutfy, who was born in Bureau county in 187 1, a daughter of John and Ellen (Prendergast) Dully, both natives of Ireland. Crossing the Atlantic to America, they became early residents of Bureau county, where tile father followed the occupation of fanning, thus providing a livelihood for his wife aJid children. In 1902, however, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who in that year was called to her final rest. He is now living retij-ed, making his home in Arlington, 'i'he fatlier of Mr. Burke is also living, and is a retired farmer of La Salle county, while Mrs. Burke, his wife, passed away on the 23d of August, 1900. Unto our subject and his wife have been born a son and three daughters: John, Eleanor, Lucile and Angela, and the family circle yet remains uibroken by the hand of death.

The farm which Mr. Burke owns comprises one hundred and twenty acres of good land in Westfield township, and is a carefully improved property, on which large crops of corn and oats are annually raised. Land is now very valuable in this part of the state, and this farm is today worth from one hundred and seventy-five to two hundred dollars per acre. The family residence stands upon the farm, of which forty acres lie within the corporation limits of Arlington, but while giving his supervision to his agricultural interests Mr. Burke largely devotes his time and energies to the management of his livery business, while the work of the fields is carried on by others. Ilis fraternal relations are with Keenan council of the Tonights of Columbus, and he is a member of the Catholic church. He votes with the democracy, and for two years was alderman of Arlington, while for four years he has held the position of school director. His endorsement and co-operation are given to many measures which have direct bearing upon the general good, and in an active business career his success is attributable entirely to his own labors.

John W. Chambers

JOHN W. CHAMBERS. John W. Chambers, one of the younger representatives of agricultural interests in Bureau county, where he is operating a farm of seventyeight acres belonging to his mother, is a native son of this county, his birth having occurred November 30, 1873. He is a son of Leander and Mary J. (Smith) Chambers, who are represented elsewhere in this volume. His father was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, August 26, 1843, wliiie the mother's birth occurred in Bureau county, Illinois, August 26. 1852. John W. Chambers is the younger of two children born unto Mr. and

The subject of this review ae<iuircd his education in the public schools of his native county, and was here reared to farm life. He is now operating his mother's farm of seventy-eight acres, situated in Ohio township, to which he gives careful supervision, each year harvesting good crops in return for the care which he bestows upon tiie fields. He is an enterprising young business man, thoroughly familiar with the best methods of farming the land and caring for tlie crops, so that he is numbered among the substantial citizens of Bureau county.

Mr. Chambers was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Stewart, the wedding ceremony being performed on the 19th of January, 1898. She was born in Bureau county, June 23, 1877, a daughter of James E. and Adeline (Lailerty) Stewart, the former likewise a native of this county, while the mother's birth occurred in Ohio. Mrs. Chambers is the second in order of birth in a family of seven children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Stewart. She received her education in Bureau county, completing a high-school course at Princeton.

Two children grace the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Chambers: Albert L., born December 1, 1898; and Louie B., born June 19, 1901. Mr. Chanil)ers gives his political support to the republican party, and his wife is a member of the Jlelhodist Protestant church. Mr. Chambers is progressive in his work of carrying on the cultivation of the fields, and he raises stock to some e.\tent. He and his wife occupy a beautiful home, surrounded by fine shade trees, and neatness jjcrvades the entire place. They are excellent young people and have a host of warm friends throughout the iDwn.shi]) in which they live.

Charles A. Andrews

CHARLES A. ANDREWS. Charles A. Andrews, living in Manlius township, was born in Concord town.ship, November 24, 1859. His parents were Henry P. and Su-san L. (Nash) Andrews. The fatlier came to Bureau county from Marvlnnd in 1851 and the mother came from Massachusetts to Illinois in 1834. The Andrews family on their westward trip proceeded down the Ohio river and thence up the jfississippi and Illinois rivers to Hennepin, I'utnam county, while the Nash family traveled by way of the lakes from Buffalo to Chicago and thence overland by ox team to Putnam county. In early manhood Henry P. .\ndrews conducted a general mercantile store in Sheflield, but after the war turned his attention to farming. He had previously followed that pursuit to some extent in Putnam county and he resumed agricultural life in Manlius township in 1868. There he engaged in tilling the soil for some years but at length retired on account of poor health and died in 1875, at the age of fifty

Charles A. Andrews, a native son of Sheffield, acquired his early education in the country schools and afterward spent a year and a half in work in machine shops in Buda. In 1884 he went to Nebraska, where he engaged in farming, having taken up a homestead claim, upon which he remained for seven years. He then sold that property and returned to Manlius township. In 1891 he bought his fathers farm, purchasing the interest of the other heirs in the property, and has since resided thereon. Here he raises Hereford cattle, keeping registered stock and also standard bred horses, and he is well known as a leading stockman of the county.

On" the 3d of May, 1883, Mr. Andrews wedded Miss Kittie McKenzie. of Buda, a daughter of Gideon and Carrie McKenzie, the father an employe of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have seven children : Henry G., George G., Paul M., Gwendolyn D., Lura N., Jessie C. and William P. The family circle vet remains unbroken and all are still at home.

Mr. Andrews is a Master Mason, belonging to the lodge at Sheffield, and he is likewise a member of the Unitarian church at Buda. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served as school director but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, prefering to leave the contests of the political arena to others, while he gives his individual attention to his business affairs, wherein he is now meeting with a goodly measure of prosperity.

George Hunt

George Hunt, deceased, was one of the pioneer settlers of Bureau county, who took up his abode here in 1846 and found many evidences of frontier life, for much of the land was still unclaimed and uncultivated, only a comparatively few roads had been made and the work of development and uplniilding had scarcely been begun In many districts of the county, while the now thriving towns and cities were then little villages. Mr. Hunt was a young man of twenty-six years at the time of his arrival, his birth having ocoirred in Massachusetts in 1820. His life portrayed many of the typical characteristics of the New Englander, including the thrift and industry which led him from humble surroundings to the plane of affluence. In 186(3 he became the owner of what is now the old family homestead, comprising eighty acres of land in Gold township, whereon he continued to reside until his death, his attention being given to the further cultivation and improvement of the fields.

here in 1834 with her parents. Upon the home farm Mr. and Mrs. Hunt reared their family. The father there resided to the age of si.xty-four j'ears, when, in 1888, he was called from this life. For more than four decades he had been a resident of the county and had assisted in its early reclamation. He had kept in touch with modern progress in agricultural affairs and his life was one of business activity and honor. His widow still survives him, and resides upon the old homestead at the age of seventy-four years.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hunt were born six children : George C, the eldest, who is a farmer of Gold township; Charles D., who at the age of forty-six years is engaged in the raising of bees at New Bedford ; ilary, forty-four years of age, the wife of George W. Culberson, of Dover, Illinois, who is agent for the Reader Medicine Company, of Peoria : William L.. of whom mention will be made later; Bertha, thirty-six years of age, the wife of Arthur Williams, a resident farmer of Manlius township; and Cora, who has reached the age of tliirty-three and is the wife of Pearl Webb, a carpenter living in Buda.

Of this family William L. Hunt is now managing the estate left by his father. He was born in 186T, was educated in the district school and was reared to the occupation of farming, which he has always followed. He is now manager of the estate, which as yet is undivided, and he keeps the farm under a high state of cultivation and makes many modern improvements thereon.

William L. Hunt was married to Miss Ann B. Fay, and they became the parents of three children: Hazel, Virgil and Dora, aged respectively fifteen, thirteen and ten years, and all yet at home. Mr. Hunt served as a member of the police force of Sheffield for one year, 1900-1, but his attention is now confined to his farming interests. He supports the republican party and is in thorough sympathy with its principles and purposes. Fraternally he is connected with the t)dd Fellows lodge, No. 808, at Sheftield, and with the Modern Woodmen camp. No. 166, at New Bedford. The family are all Methodists in religious faith. The name of Hunt has long figured prominently and honorably in this county in connection with business affairs, the material interests and the intellectual and moral development, and is worthy of an honored place on the pages of the county's hislovv.

William Mercer

WILLIAM MERCER. William Mercer, representing the agricultural interests of Bureau, his native county, where he was born September 26, 1876, is operating a tract of one hundred and eighty-six acres, belonging to his mother. He is a son of Dr. Thomas D. and Margaret R. (Kasbeer) Mercer, likewise natives of Bureau county, Illinois. The father was a physician and surgeon, practicing his profession for many j-uars in the village of Ohio, but he is now deceased. In their I'amily were four children, two of whom have also passed away, the sister of our subject being Alice G. Mercer, who was born August l(i. 1ST9.

William Mercer, the subject of this review, was reared on the place which is yet his home, and was educated in the public schools of his native place. He is now operating his mother's farm of one hundred and eighty-si.\ acres, located in Ohio township, and that he is an enterprising and progressive young farmer is indicated by the fact that each year abundant harvests are gathered as the result of the larc and labor lie exercises in the cultivation of the land. He keeps everything about the place in good condition, so that this property is considered among the best in Ohio township.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Mercer chose Miss Florence L. Limerick, a popular young lady of Bureau county, to whom he was married December 22, 1897. She was born July 2G, 1877, and was about twenty years of age when she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Mercer. Her parents are Eobert and Mary ( Perry ) Limerick, both natives of Illinois, the father born in Bureau county, while the mother's birth occurred in La Salle county. Mrs. Mercer is the aldest of the four children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Limerick. Two sons and a daughter grace the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mercer: Eobert T., born September 10, 1898; John G., August 21, 1900; and Gladys, May 3, 1904.

In his political views Mr. Mercer is a republican, and while keeping informed on political questions, is not active in the work of the party, preferring to give his entire time to his farming interests, in which he is meeting with very desirable success. Fraternally he is connected with the American Stars of .Equity, belonging to lodge No. 33, at Kasbeer. and his wife is also a member of the order, while their church membership is with the Methodist Protestant denomination at Kasbeer. They are excellent young people, having many warm personal friends throughout the community in which thev live.

Haery W. Palmer

HAERY W. PALMER. Ilarrv W. Palmer, actively associated with farming interests in La Moille township, was born in Bureau county. May 22. 1875. His parents were Charles W. and Elizabeth (.Ames) Palmer, the former a native of Belmont. Ohio, and the latter of Wyoming county, Pennsylvania. They were married in the Keystone state, and, removing to the middle west, settled in Bureau county, Illinois. It was at an earlv period in the development of this locality that Charles Palmer took up his abode here, inaking a permanent location. He secured land and began the development of a farm.

to the further cultivation and improvement of wliieh he devoted his energies tliroughout his remaining days. He was a devoted husband and father and worthy citizen, and was held in high esteem by neighbors an<l friends. He was twice married, and by the lirst union had three children, while by the second nuirriagc there were born a son and daugliter, Harry W. and Ilattie J., twins, who are still at home with their mother,

Harry W. Palmer of this review was educated in the schools of La Jloille, and is well known as a dealer in horses, which he l)ree(ls and raises, also buys and sells. He is an excellent juilgc of horses, being seldom at error in the valuation which he places upon an animal, and is thus able to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. He is an enterprising, active young business man, who has made a creditable record and won the respect and confidence of the entire business community.

In connection with his motiier and sister ilr. Palmer owns a beautiful home within the corporation limits of the village of La Moille, where they have eight and one-half acres of ground, and the residence is surrounded by many fine old shade trees and a well kept lawn, which adds much to its attractive appearance. In his political affiliation Mr. Palmer is a republican, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is orthodox in his religious belief, and, with his mother and sister, attends the services of the Methodist Episcopal chureh, of which they are members. All occupy an enviable position in social circles and are highly esteemed by many friends, whose number is almost as great as the number of their acquaintances.

Uauuing Piper

Among the more successful of the younger representatives of fanning interests in Bureau county is Harding Piper, of La Moille township. He was born in this county, August 7, lS7(i, and is a member of a prominent and well known family, his ]iarents being Harding H. and Mary A. ( Mc- Williams) Piper, in whose family of ten children he is the youngest. At the usual age he entered the public schools and therein mastered the branches of English learning which commonly constitute the curriculum of a district school. He was trained to habits of business activity and enterprise under the direction of his father, one of the prominent and successful business men of the county and one of its largest landowners. Harding Piper is now manager anil heir of five hundred and fifty-six acres of choice land belonging to his father, and in his business alfairs shows excellent executive force and keen discernment. He allows no obstacle to brook his path and is making steady advancement toward the goal of prosperity.

Past And Pkesext Of Bueeau Couxty

September 25, 1878, a daughter of John and Margaret (Jay) Jullian, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The mother came to Illinois in 1851 and the father in 1855. and they were married in Bureau county, November 30, 1865. The death cf Mr. Jullian occurred July 17, 1892, and the community thereby lost one of its representative and honored citizens. In his family were nine children, of whom Mrs. Piper was the eighth in order of birth. Three children grace this marriage : Asa H., born January 28, 1900 ; Francis J., January 28, 1902; and Mary L., August 16, 1903.

Mr. Piper holds fraternal relations with camp No. 227 of the Modern Woodmen of America. He votes with the republican party, and while he keeps well informed on questions and issues of the day has never been an office seeker. He has served as school director, but otherwise has held no official positions in his township. He is a thoroughly progressive farmer, having a home equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences. He keeps an automobile, and in all of his business and social interests manifests a progressive spirit. The Piper family is one of the most prominent and influential in Bureau county. Its men having been noted for their prowess in acquiring wealth, while they are equally notable for the honorable methods followed in business. The sterling traits of character which Harding Piper has already displayed indicates that he possesses the family characteristics in this regard, and he is now accorded a prominent position among the leading representatis'es of agricultural life in Bureau county."

Patrick H. Hickey

Patrick H. Hickey, who is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres of choice land on sections 12 and 13, Walnut township, and who, moreover, is entitled to representation in this volume, not only as a substantial resident of Bureau county, but also as an honored veteran of the Civil War, having been one of the loyal defenders of the Union, was born in Tipperary, Ireland, Xovember 9, 1831. His parents were Thomas and Margaret (Maher) Hickey. The father, who was bom on the Emerald isle in 1780, passed away in 1838, while his wife, whose birth occurred there in 1782, died in 1882, at the remarkable age of one hundred years.

Thomas Hickey was a farmer by occupation and thus Patrick H. Hickey was reared to farm life. His education was acquired in the schools of his native country, and he remained a resident of Ireland until 1861, when he came to America, settling in Sandwich, Illinois, where he made his home with his sister until his enlistment in the Union army in 1862. He proved his loyalty to his adopted country by offering his services to the government and going to the front as a member of Company K, Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. With that command he was in active duty until June, 1865, when he was transferred to the ±ifty-ninth Illinois Volunteers and sent to Texas, where he remained until December 8, 1865. when he returned to Springfield, Illinois, for final discharge. He participated in many important and sanguinary battles, including the engagements at Stone Eiver, Liberty Gap, Chickamau^a, Mission Eidge, Knoxville. Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Pulaski and Franklin, Tennessee. In the battle of Resaca he was wounded in the right limb just above the knee, the bullet passing through the knee, but in three weeks' time he was again vrith his regiment.

Following- his return home ^Mr. Hickey began farming, and has since followed that occupation. Through earnest, unremittinff toil, accompanied by economy, he was at length enabled to make purchase of land, and is now the owner of a valuable tract of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 12 and 13, Walnut township, valued at from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-live dollars per acre. His possessions are now such as would enable him to spend his declining years in retirement from business. Following his return from the war he lived at Sandwich, Illinois, until 1868, when he removed to Serena, but aftenvard returned to Sandwich, where he lived for five years. Subsequently he spent seven years in Lee county, Illinois, and then took up his abode in Walnut township, where he has since resided.

It was on the 29th of August, 1868, that Mr. Hickey was married to Miss Hannah X'ora Hunt, who was born January 28, 1848, and acquired her education in Ireland, her native country. Her parents were Terence and Margaret (Morstan) Hunt, who were liKewise natives of Ireland. The father was born in 1811 and died in 1854, while his wite, whose birth occurred in 1817, passed away June 30, 1882. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hickey have been born seven children, of whom four are yet living: Martin T., born May 28, 1869; Mary E., December 15, 1873 : Caroline I., November 4. 1875, and Esther, March 6, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Hickey and their children are members of the Catholic church.

Mr. Hickey is a republican in his political views and stanchly advocates the principles of the party, although he has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. He belongs to Brewer post. No. 577, G. A. E., at Walnut, and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades with whom, wearing the blue uniform, he marched in defense of the stars and stripes. Many vears of labor now enable him to enjoy an age of ease, and in the evening of life he can surround himself with many of the comforts and luxuries which go to make life worth living.

John Condon

John Condon resides upon a farm in Manlius township, a portion of whit-h hu j)Uivliasi'd in 18(iT, and while giving much of his attention to general agneultural pursuits, he has also been connected with building operations and has worked on a number of important buildings in the county.

John Condon was born June 13, 1829, in Ireland, and came to America in 1838, when a youth of but nine years. In 1843, at the age of fourteen, he went to Syracuse, New York, and entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the mason's trade, at which he worked in the Empire state until 18.J4. That year witnessed liis arrival in Illinois, and he assisted in building the brick station and freight house at Mendota. Subsequently he removed to Princeton, where he erected a number of the best buildings, including the American House and other important structures there. He lived in Princeton for some years, working at his trade, and evidences of his handiwork are seen in the residence of Justice Stevens and also in the poor-farm buildings of Henry county. He likewise aided in building a number of the business blocks of Sheffield and of Buda, and thus he has worked at various places in the county, becoming well known in building circles. In 1867 he purchased eighty acres of his present home place, and has since extended the boundaries of the farm until he now has one hundred and twenty acres. Here he has worked at his trade also, erecting the Catholic church in Sheffield and other buildings in this part of the county. He is likewise a stockholder in the Farmers" Mutual Telephone Company.

Mr. Condon was married in Syracuse, New York, in November, 18.52, to Miss Bridget Flaherty, a native of Ireland, who was a maiden of nine summers when she crossed the Atlantic to the new world. They now have si.x living children: William H., a farmer and mason of Sheffield ; John J., who also follows farming; Edward \'., proprietor of the Hotel Antlers at Taylorville, Illinois: Mary B., at home; Kate, the wife of James Coggins; and Anna, the wife of Patrick Curren, an engineer on the Northwestern Railroad, who was fortunate enough to draw land in the Rosebud reservation. As her husband could not go, Mrs. Curren secured a car from the railroad and went to Bonestoel, South Dakota, whence she travleed overland with the car on wheels and there lived for eight months with her five children, ])roving up the claim. Prior to her marriage she engaged in teaching school. Mr. and Mrs. Coiulon have lost four children: Eugene, who died at the age of thirteen years; Frank, who died at the age of twenty-nine ; and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Condon supports the democracy and is an active worker for the party, while he and his family are communicants of the Catliolic church at Sheffield. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey, and, reviewing the past, we note that he has ever been a busy, active man.

placing his dependence upon the safe and sub- qualities of industry and perseverance in order to gain a good living and j)rovide for his family. Whatever success lie lias achieved is the direct result of his own labors, and while lie has never sought to figure prominently in public affairs, there has been much in his life tiiat is worthy of emulation.

Dr. Louis II. Wiman, an able and prominent meilical practitioner of Bureau county, living in the village of La Moille, was born in Yale, Illinois, .\pril 19, 1877, his parents being (Jeorge H. and .lane E. (Power) Wiman. natives of Illinois and Ohio resjiectively. In their family were seven chihlren, of whom Dr. Wiman is the second, and with the exception of the two youngest all are college graduates.

The Doctor spent his early life in attendance at the common and high schools of La Moille, being graduated from the latter with the class of 1895. He afterward engaged in teaching schmil for one year and then entered .\ustin College, from which he was graduate<l with the degree of Bachelor of .\rts in 11>00. He again engaged in teaching during the succeeding year and subsequently matriculated as a member of the sophomore ela.ss of the Medical College of Indiana in the fall of 1901. He was under the preccptoragc of Dr. E. D. Clark, and he located for active practice in La Moille on the (Jth of August, 1901.

On the 4th of .Vugust, inOl, I "r. Winian was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Grogan, who was born in Crawford county, Illinois, September 20, 1879. This union has been blessed with one t.on, Louis H., born June 5, 1905. Mrs. Wiman is a daughter of George W. and Elsie W. (Wilkin) Grogan, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of this state. Their family numbered three children, of whom Mrs. Wiman is the eldest. She pursued her early education in the public schools of Crawford county, Illinois, and is a graduate of Liebling"s Conservatory of Music in Terre Haute, Indiana. She holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.

In his political affiliation Ur. Winiaii is a republican, ami while he never seeks or desires office, he nlways keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at La Moille, and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Dr. Wiman, in the line of his profession, is connected with the Bureau County Medical Society and the Stale Medical Society. Conscientious and zealous in his practice, a man of energy at all times and strong in his friendships, he has made for himself a creditable position in professional circles and in public reganl in this county. A lover of music, a friend of education, he stands for all that pro-

Allison Wilson

Allison Wilson, who, starting out in life on his ovm account, has worked liis way steadily upward from a humble position to one of affluence, makes his home in Ohio township, where he owns a good farm of one hundred and eighty acres. His success in a business way would entitle him to representation in this volume, but he furthermore deserves mention by reason of the fact that he is an honored veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, June 15, 1841, and has been a resident of Bureau county since 1858, when he was brought to this locality by his grandfather. He is a son of William and Ruth (Wilkinson) Wilson, also natives of Belmont county. His mother died in 1849, in that county, when he was very young, leaving four children, of whom Allison was the third in order of birth. The father's death occurred in Dover township, Bureau county, Illinois, in 1879.

Brought to Bureau county when only seventeen years of age, Allison Wilson acquired his education, in the common schools and in his youth became familiar with farm labor. He put aside all personal and business considerations, however, at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, enlisting at Dover in response to the country's call as a member of Company B, Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served for nearly three years with the Fifteenth Army Corps and participated in many important engagements, including the battles of Champion Ililis. "S'ickshurg. Mission Ridge, Altoona Pass and others. He was twice wounded and was honorably discharged on account of his injuries after five months spent in a hospital. He carried a minie-ball weighing an ounce in his body for five years, three months and fourteen days. He had many narrow escapes while serving his country and met the usual experiences and hardships meted out to the soldier.

It was not long after his return that Mr. Wilson was married, on the 7th of January, 1866, to Miss Maria Ary, who was born in this county, December 31, 1847, the daughter of Tobias and Sarah (Ogan) Ary, who were natives of Greene county, Ohio. In that state they were married and in 1846 came to Bureau county. They had but two children, of whom Mrs. Wilson, who was born December 31, 1847, is the elder. She, too, is indebted to the public-school system of this county for the educational privileges she enjoyed, and by her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Linconie, who was born April 8, 1868; and Herbert E., born February 3, 1875. Mrs. Wilson belongs to the Methodist Protestant church, and Mr. Wilson is orthodox in his belief although not a member of any church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has alwavs stood as a loyal defender of that party, which was the champion of the Union cause in the dark days of the Civil war.

Throughout his business career he has carried on general farming and is the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of choice land, valued at from one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars per acre. His farm lies neav the village of Ohio and his fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation, responding readily to the care and labor bestowed upon them. Mr. Wilson has watched with interest the changes that have been made in the methods of farming and has kept abreast with the general progress and improvement. For eleven yearse he served as school director and has done much to further public education in his home locality. He and his wife now occupy a beautiful residence and they enjoy the esteem of all who know them, being numbered among Bureau county's best citizens. Mr. Wilson's residence here covers a period of almost sixty years and thus his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present, for he recalls many scenes of pioneer life and the experiences incident to the development of a new farm upon the frontier.

Jacob James Kinnick

Jacob James Kinnick in 1849 took up his abode en his present farm in Gold township, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land_, and has here since engaged in general farming and stock-raising, keeping everything about the place in first class condition, evidences of modern agricultural progress being seen in all departments of the farm.

He was born in Dover township, four miles north of Princeton, on what is known as the James Garvin farm, on January 4, 1846, and is therefore sixty years of age. He is a son of Walter and Susan Kinnick, who for some time lived upon the Garvin farm, where the death of the father occurred when he was forty-three years of age. Three sons of tlic family are still living: Walter, who has retired from business life and resides in Buda; Joseph, who makes his home in Park City, Montana; and Jacob J., of this review.

Jacob J. Kinnick was reared to farm life, and in the schools of Princeton acquired his education. He served for one year in the Civil war, enlisting in October, 1864, in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, and during his year at the front saw arduous service, being honorably discharged July 8, 1865. He then returned to his home and has since followed farming in this county. At one time he owned forty acres of land in Concord township, near Buda, and he came to his present farm in Gold to\vnshi|) in 18ii4, at whii-h time he purc'liasod one liundred and sixty acres of land, whii.-h is now well tilled. The raising of cereals adapted to soil and climate constitutes one feature of his l)usiness, and he is also engaged in stock-raising, having some good cattle, horses and hogs upon his place. Investigation into the methods which he follows shows that he is not only thoroughly familiar with modern farm processes, but that he follows them and therefore derives from his work the best posible results.

Mr. Kinnick was married to Miss Fannie Fletcher, who was born in Virginia, whence she removed to Ohio and thence came to this county in 1844. Her father was a cooper by trade, but engaged in stock-raising after coming to the middle west. She was largely reared in this county, remaining in her parents' home until she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Kinnick in 1872. They are both well known in the county, where they have lived through many decades, being properly classed with the early settlers, their memory compassing the period of early pioneer development anil improvement here as well as the later era of progress and prosperity. Mr. Kinnick is a member of the Grand Army post of Buda and his wife is a member of the Wesleyan church.

John A. Murphy

John A. Murphy, deceased, who was a respected, worthy and successful farmer of Manlius township, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, and was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the work cf field and meadow. He became a resident of Princeton, Illinois, in 1855, and, having no capital, he at once sought employment, which he secured upon a farm. He was thus employed at farm labor until 1859, when he purchased his first land, consisting of fifteen acres near Princeton.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Murphy chose Miss Catherine O'Toole, whom he married in Kome, New Y'ork, on the 8th of January, 1853. She is also a native of the green isle of Erin, and came to America when a young lady of seventeen years. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Murphy removed to Williams county, Ohio, where (hey remained for three years, and then settled in Bureau county, Illinois. Here Mr. Murphy spent his remaining days, his death occurring in Princeton on the 12th of November, 1860.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Murphy were born six children who are yet living: Katie, the wife of Albert B. Elliott, a farmer residing in Princeton township; James A., who follows farming in Manlius township; Michael F.. also a farmer of the same township; Mary A., the wife of Patrick Clinton, an agriculturist of Manlius township; and Anna E., the wife of Marion M. GrifTm, who likewise

Mrs. Murphy is now the owner of a valuable farm property of two hundri'd acres, from which she derives a good income, for the place is kept under a high slate of cultivation and the fields therefore return rich harvests. Her son James has a farm of eighty acres and Michael one hundred and twenty acres, so that thd family possessions aggregate four hundred acres. In politics the sons are supporters of the democracy, while the family are all members of the Catholic church of Sheffield. They are widely and favorably known in the community where they reside and are prominent lY'preseiilatives of the farming interests of this part of the county.

Mrs. Alice (Kasbeer) McCleary, living in Ohio township, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Bureau county, and now owns and occupies the original Kasbeer homestead, vacated by her parents in 1868. She was born March '^. 1865, and is a daughter of John S. and Hannah (Ross) Kasbeer. Her father was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, December 28, 1818, and the mother's birth occurred in the same county, February 12, 1826. There were twelve children in the family, of whom four are now deceased. Mrs. McCleary, who is the tenth in order of birth, atten<led the district schools and also spent four terms as a student in Princeton and one term in the State Normal University at Normal, Illinois.

On the 18th of February, 1902, she gave her hand in marriage to Daniel C. McCleary, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, September 10, 185G, a son of Henry and Edith (Darlene) McCleary, who were likewise natives of that countv, the former born January 8, 1821, and the latter February 26. 1827. This worthy couple were the parents of seven well trained children, who were taught temperance habits, and of whom four have now passed away. Daniel C. McCleary, the sixth of the family, was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania and Virginia and is today an industrious farmer and stock-raiser, making a specialty of polled .\ngus and Calloway cattle. He makes a large quantity of butter for market and raises a large number of chickens. On the 17th of March. 1880. in Cass county. Missouri, he married Elizabeth Marsh, a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Ross) Hunter. She was born in Bureau county, July i:i, 1S5.3. and died September 6. 1900. Of the two" children born of that marriage Nellie T/aurena was born November 19. 1881. and died May .30. 1891. and a little son died in infancy, duties and assisting her father in business matters. Her farm adjoins the village of Kasbeer on the Jiorth, and the house was erected by her father sixty years ago, but has since been greatly remodeled and enlarged, making it a very attractive home. The framework, sleepers, joists and laths were hewed out of hard timber. The late country home of the parents went to their youngest son, John William Kasbeer, at their death. Mrs. McCleary is the only lady notary public ever registered at the courthouse in Princeton, and has served in that capacity for the past eight years to the entire satisfaction of ail concerned. She is a writer of considerable aliility, and has contributed many able articles to the press.

Mr. and Mrs. McCleary are members of the Methodist Protestant church and are most highly esteemed residents of Ohio township. Their friends are many, and entertain for them the highest respect. They are interested in church work and all that pertains to the moral progress of the community, and Mrs. McCleary was for twenty-one years teacher of a class in Sunday-school. She is also a member of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of her church and iiclongs to a temperance society which was organized in 187.5 and is still in existence. The family have long been stalwart advocates of the cause of temperance, and are pidliibitionisls in their political faith and affiliation.

Upon a farm in La Moille township lives John J. Costehio, who for ten years has had charge of the Stacy place of two hundred and ninety-three acres. He was born in the ncigliboring county of La Salle on the 20th of September, 18G8, and is of Irish lineage. His father, John Costehio, born on the Emerald isle, came to the United States in 1861, and in Pennsylvania was united in marriage to Miss Katharine Hrennen. whose birth occurred in Lvlaud and who canu' to this country in 180.3. In a family of seven children who graced this marriage the subject of this review was the third, and, like the other members of tlie household, he was reared upon the home fami, acquiring his education in the schools of La Moille township, while in the summer months he assisted in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. His labors proved a practical training school for the experiences of his later years when he started out in life on his own account.

Happy in his home surroundings, Mr. Costehio was married on the 0th of October, 189G, to Miss Savilla Sterns, who was born in Ohio, October 0, 1860. She was the second in a family of eight children whose parents were William and Sarah (Criswell) Dority, natives of Ohio, whence they came to Illinois in 1866. Mrs. Costehio was then a little maiden of six summers, and her education was acquired in the Bureau county public schools. There are two children of this marriage : Joseph J., born October 8, 1897 ; and James W., born February 11. 1900.

Mr. Costehio is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, and affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his political views lead him to indorse the principles of the republican party. He has had charge of the Stacy farm, consisting of two hundred and ninety-three acres, for the past ten years, and is here engaged in raising both grain and stock. He is a self-made man wlio started out in life a poor boy to make his own way in the world. His life exemplifies the phrase, "through struggles to triumph," for by hard work he has accumulated a nice competence, which he keeps invested in stock. He is an excellent judge of stock, being seldom, if ever, at errot in placing a valuation upon domestic animals, and this has been one element in his success. He is spoken of among those who know him as an excellent neighbor and a valuable friend, and. moreover, he has made a creditable record in the business world.

George E. Seibel

(icorge E. Seibel is a representative of one of the old and prominent families of this county, and resides upon the Seibel homestead, in Manlius townhsip, where he owns and operates one hundred and eighty acres of land. It was in this township that his birth occurred on the 5th of November, 1854, his parents being John J. and Priscilla P. (Follet) Seibel, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. .\t the usual age George E. Seibel began his education and studied in Manlius and Slu'l'- fiold. When he put aside his text-books he took up farming with his father, and has always resided in Manlius township with the exception of a period of six years, which he spent in Gold township, where he now owns laud. He at the present time resides upon the old Seibel homestead, where a valuable fai-m of one hundred and eighty acres [)ays tribute to his labor, care and management. 'I'he fields are rich soil and return good harvests, and everything about the place is kept in accordance with modern ideas of progressive agriculture.

On the 20th of July, 1875, Mr. Seibel was married to ]\Iiss Eva E. ilcXaughton. a daughter of John F. and Elizabeth (Liddell) Mi-\aughton, farming people of Fairfield ownship. They came to Illinois from Vermont in 1856 and took up their abode in this county in 1874, spending here their remaining days. The father died at the age of sixty-nine years, while the mother passed away at the more advanced age of seventy-four years. In the last ten years of Mr. McNaughton's life he was engaged in the conduct of a hotel at Tainpico. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Seibel have been born five children, of whom two have passed away, while those living are: Grace L., born December 30, 1883; Vernon M., June 25, 1892; and Leonard M., January 29, 18!)S. All are still under the parental roof. One son, Frank J., died June 3U, 1880, when a year old, and a daughter, Ethel C., who was born May 10, 1887, died Decemter 12, 1903, at the age of sixteen years.

In politics Mr. Seibel is a republican, and has served as school director, and was also justice of the peace, but resigned the latter position, for his aspiration is not in the line of otlice holding, although he stands for good government and does everything in his power to promote local progress and national advancement. He and his family are members of the United Brethren church of Manlius, of which he is one of the trustees, and he is now serving on the finance and building committees, having in charge the construction of a new church. He is interested in all that pertains to educational and moral development here, and his record has ever been in harmony with that of the prominent pioneer family which he represents.

Heebert Leslie Littlefield

Herbert Leslie Littlefield. now operating the old home farm of the family, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, February 15, 1867, and is a son of Joseph Emerson and Sarah Anne (Baker) Littlefield, who were farming people and came to Sheffield in 1870. Near that town the father rented land for eight years and, living frugally and economically and carrying on his farm work with energy and determination, he at length secured a sum of money sufficient to enable him, in 1878, to purchase the home farm of eighty acres, whereon he lived and labored until his death, which occurred on the IGth of February, 1905. He had for two years survived his wife, who died on the ISth of February, 1903. Mr. Littlefield was a native of Kennebec, Maine, born October 31, 1828, and his wife was a native of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, born March 24, 1831. Both w^ere of English descent and were people of genuine worth, whoso many sterling qualities won for them the fi'iendlv ri'gard of all with whom they came in contact.

Herbert L. Litllelield was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the work of Held and meadow. He acquired his education in the public schools, his time being divided between the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the duties incumlient upon him as a farmer's son. He is now residing on the old homestead place, which he had worked with his father through the period of his minority and early manhood. This farm was left to him and his sister, Mary Louise, who resides with him. She was also born in Boston and was brought by her parents to Illinois, where she has since resided. She supplemented her early educational privileges by study in the Sheffield high school and in Kno.x College at Galesburg, after which she spent four years in Hoslon. but she is now living with her brother upon the old homestead, which is owned jointly by them. He is a republican with firm faith in the principles of the party but without desire for office, his atteiitioii being concentrated upon his business affairs, and in their management he displays keen discernment and executive force as well as unfaltering diligence.

Henry Popp, who for a third of a century has been i<lentili('(l with the agrieultural interests of Macon township, was born in Frederickshafen, Bavaria, Germany, April 24, 1858. His parents were Lawrence and Lena (Fry) Popp, who were likewise natives of Frederickshafen, the former Ijorn in 1821 and the latter in 1830. The father was a farmer by occupation and was a man of considerable loeal prominence, serving for many years as mayor of his town. He was also a soldier of the German army for several years and held membership in the Lutheran church, in the faith of which he died at the age of si.xty-tlve. His widow is still living on the old homestead in the fatherland. In their family were si.x children, of whom three are now living: John and Mattie, being residents of Germany.

At the usual age Henry Popp began his education in the jjublic schools of his native country and when twenty years of age he entered the German army, serving for three years as a musician. He also followed farming in his native province for one year and in October, 1852, he iiade adieu to friends and childhood's home and left his native soil for -America, landing at Philadelphia. He afterward made his way to South Ghieago, where he remained for about six months, and then came to Macon township. Bureau county, where he has since been a representative of its agricultural life, now farming one hundred and sixty acres of land, whereon he also raises some stock. His is one of the typically fine farms of Illinois, and the property has been acquired entirely through his own unaided labors.

Mr. Popp was married, January 20. 1885. to Miss Mary .Mbrecht, who was born in Tiskilwa. this county, April 7, 1854, a daughter of Cliristian and Katherinc (Euggy) Albrecht, natives of Bavaria, the former born in 1830 and the latter in IS 10. They are now residents of Tiskilwa and in their family are six children: John, who married Liz/.ie hViser; Lena, the wife of John Hingenberg: Mrs. Popp; Katie, who married Samuel Simniion; T..izzie, and Kmnia, the wife of Peter Einkenberger. Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht came to the United States and settled in Bureau county among its earliest residents, ilrs. Albrecht being but seven years of age when with her parents she crossed the Atlantic. In 1896, Mr. Albrecht, after having followed farming for many years, retired and has since lived in Tiskilwa without recourse to further labor, his competence being sufficient to supply him with all the comforts and some of the lu.xuries of life. He has also given to each of his children eighty acres of land. He and his wife hold membership in the Mennonite church and are most highly esteemed people.

Mr. and Mrs. Popp also hold membership with the same religious demonination and in politics he is independent, voting for the best man. Their family numbers five children: Christian L., who was born February 9, 1886, and died June 10, 1887; Ida, born September 7, 1888; Henry, January 10, 1891; Laura, December 30, 1892; and Harry, November 18, 1898. In a review of his life during the last third of a century, in which time he has lived in this county, it will be found that Mr. Popp has displayed sterling traits of character, business rectitude, loyal citizenship and consideration for the rights of others, of which the regard in which he is uniformly held is the legitimate outcome.

Elisha W. Fassett

ELISHA W. FASSETT. The life of Eli-sha W. Fassett was so constant in its activity, so honorable in its purposes and so far-reaching and beneficial in its effects that it became an integral part of the history of La Moille and since he has passed from this life his name" has been honored and his memory cherished by all who knew him. A native of New Hampshire, he was born in Cheshire county, June 23, 1823, and his life record compassed the period between that date and 1891. His parents were Elisha and Lovina (Angier) Fas.«ett. natives of Fitzwilliams, New Hampshire, which fact indicates that their respective families were estalilishod in America in colonial days. The Revolutionary war had been hrnuglit to a close only about a decade before the birth of the father, on "the 20th of October, 1792. For many years he remained a resident of the Old Granite state, but in June, 183,i, they sought a home in the then far west, coming to Bureau county, Illinois, which, liowever, at tliat time was a part of Putnam county. All of the conditions of frontier life were here in evidence and many were the hardships and privations which the family experienced, making their lot a very <lifferent one from what they had known in New England, where the older civilization enabled them to secure many of the comforts of life. Eli- .sha Fassett, of this review, was the voungest of their three children, the daughters l)eing Xancv and Rosijla. The wife and mother was not long permitted to enjoy her new homo, for her death occurred in La MoUle, August 1, 1837. Elisha Fassett, Sr., long survived her and departed this life in Canon City, Colorado, November 17, 1884, at the venerable age of ninety-two years.

Elisha Fassett, whose name introduces this record, was reared in the state of his nativity and is indebted to the schools of New Hampshire for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He was a young man of twenty-two years at the time of the removal of the family to Bureau count}% and here at the age of twenty-nine vears he was married, December 7, 1842, to :Miss"Parmelia W. B. Morton, wliose residence in Bureau county antedates that of the great majority of its old settlers. She was born in Hatfield, Hampshire countv', Massachusetts, May 21, 1823, a daughter of Cotton and Nancy H. (Herrick) Morton, also natives of the Bay state. The Morton family is of Scotch extracti(m, and for many generations have made their home at Hatfield. Massachusetts. Mrs. Fassett traces her ancestry back to Richard and Ruth Morton, both of whom lived to a ripe old age, the former dying April 3, 1710, and the latter December 31, 1714. Soon after their marriage, in about 1668 or 1669, they removed to Hatfield, Massachusetts, where, for many generations, the family have resided, but the only one now living there is Silas Porter, a cousin of our subject, who is unmarried.

From Richard and Ruth Morton, tracing toward the present time and omitting several generations, we find the honored names of Lieutenant Jonathan Morton, and his wife Sarah, the latter of whom died October .5, 1760, at the age of seventy-three years. In some of the early wars, probably the French and Indian, the former gained his title. Jonathan Morton, the son of this worthy couple, married Eunice Smith, and their only child of whom we have any knowledge is William, who married Hannah Chambers June 23, 1783. He died November 12, 1837, and his wife jiassed away February 2,5, 1838.

Cotton ]\forton. the father of ilrs. Fassett, was one of their family of twelve children. His death occurred February 19, 1845. at the age of forty-nine years and ten months, and his wife departed this life in 1886, at the age of eighty-six years, her birth occurring November 30, 1800. ^Irs. Fassett is the oldest in their family of seven children, the others being as follows: Plina F. married Eleanor Gannon, of New Jer.sey. who died in October. 189.5. and he now resides in California. Caroline M. was married in 1856 to George Brush, who died March 12, 1888, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and she is now making her home in La Jloille. Harriet N. is the wife of William Burnside. a resident of Riverside, a suburb of Chicago. Andrew J. wedded ^lary Cook, and died while on a visit to Chicago. Illinois. Nancy C. is the wife of Isaac Harkmess. of Bloomington, Illinois. Martdn V. B. married Marv .\damson, and is now livinsr in Princeton.

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fassett removed to La Moille and from that time until his death he was closely associated with its business interests and material development. For a long period he was a successful merchant, carr3ing on a store in which he met with a good patronage, owing to his straightforward business methods, his reasonable prices and the earnest effort he made to please liis customers. He won an unassailable reputation in business circles because of his strict conformity to a high standard of commercial ethics. He was never known to take advantage of the necessities of another in a business transaction and his prosperity was therefore well merited. In community affairs, too, he was active and helpful. He recognized the duties and obligations of citizenship and he stood for improvement and progress along all those lines which contribute to public stability and the general welfare. He did much toward securing the Allen school building, of which the citizens of La Moille are justly proud. He held membership in the Baptist church, of which Mrs. Fassett is also a member, and to its support he contributed generousl}', while in its various activities he did his full share.

Six children were born to Mr. and ilrs. Fassett, as follows: Hattie L. P. is the wife of J. E. AVoods, a banker of La Moille, and they have three children - Parmelia F., Eiley F. and Lydia M. Fannie died at the age of fourteen years. Charles W. married Sarah B. Eambeau, now deceased. They had one son, Claude V. His second wife was Emma V. BorofF, by whom he has two children - Edith V. and Kittie H. Frank married Amanda Long and has two daughters, Florence Vienna and Lillian. Florence Vienna, the fifth child of our subject, died at the age of twenty months. Elisha Pearl, a resident of Chicago, married Jennie Penfield of Quincy, Hlinois, and they have three children - Leon Penfield, Elisha W. and Charles.

The death of the husband and father occurred in La Moille October 17, 1891, when he was in his sixty-ninth year. He was worthy the respect and honor of his fellowmen because of the use he made of his talents and his opportunities and because his thoughts were not self-centered, but were given to the mastery of life problems and the fulfillment of his duty as a man in his relations to his fellowmen and as a citizen in his relations to his home locality and his county. Mrs. Fassett still survives her husband and resides in La Mo'Ue, where she has lived for about sixtyfour years, being the oldest resident of tlie village in years of continuous connection therewith. Her residence in the county covers a period of sixty-eight years, for in 1838 she accompanied her 'inrcnts on their removal to Princeton. Pew have longer resided within the borders of the county and throughout all the decades which have been added to the cycle of the centuries since 1838 she has been an interested witness of (lie changes which have occurred. Her mind bears the impress of the early liistoric annals of the county and forms a connecting link between the primitive pioneer past and the present with all of its progression and higher civilization.

James William Coggins

James William Coggins is the owner of a pleasant home in the midst of a good farm in Manlius township. He first opened his eyes to the light of day in Sheffield, on the 4th of February, 18Ga, and is of Irish lineage, his parents being Patrick and Katherine Coggins, who came from Ireland, the father crossing the Atlantic at the age of eighteen years. He survived to the age of seventy-four years, passing away in 1902, and his widow still lives in Sheffield.

Mr. Coggins of this review is indebted to the public-school system of his native town for the educational privileges he enjoyed and which qualified him to undertake the duties of a business career in later life. He first began earning his living by working in the coal mines, and was thus employed until May, 1893, when he purchased his present home of one hundred and sixty acres. His attention has since been given to general agricultural pursuits, and ho has developed his land, making it productive through the capable manner in which he has tilled the soil and rotated crops. He suffered a great loss by fire on the IGth of July, 1906, when all of the buildings upon his place were destroyed, but with resolute spirit and undaunted courage he set to work to retrieve his lost possessions, and has since erected a beautiful modern residence, containing ten rooms. He has likewise built good barns and made all other modern improvements, and now has one of the best farms in the county. He raises good horses, cattle and hogs, all from registered stock, and this branch of his business is likewise proving to him profitable.

Mr. Coggins was married September 15. 1885, the lady of his choice being Miss Kate Frances Condon, of Manlius township, a daughter of John Condon, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. They have become the parents of seven children : Anna B., who is engaged in teaching school; Mildred C. ; John C. ; LelJoy J.; William; Eugene G. : and Evaline M. The family are now pleasantly situated in their new home, which is tastefully furnished and supplied with many modern comforts.

Mr. Coggins is independent in politics, voting without regard to party ties. He has .served as school director, but has never desired public office. Starting at the very bottom round of the ladder, he has steadily climbed upward, and has made a business record wliich any man might be proud to possess. He has faithfully met all obligations and kept all business engagements, and although he started out for himself at the age of twenty-one years without capital, he had a pair of willing hands and strong determination, and with these he has builded his success, and is now one of the substantial farmers of Manlius township.

Valentine Warkins

Valentine Warkins, one of the prominent and intluoitia) residents of Bureau county, owning and operating a tract of land of one hundred and tv.-cnty acres, situated on sections 7 and IS, La Moille township, is a native of Rockingham, Virginia, born on the 10th of January, 1831. He is a son of St. Clair and Jane (Shiflett) Warkins, both natives of Virginia, the former born in 1809 and the latter in 1813. They removed to Illinois in 1851, locating first at Princeton, where they remained for several years, but later made their way to Dover township. Bureau county. In their family were nine children, of whom Valentine Warkins is the second in order of birth.

The subject of this review was reared in Ohio and Indiana, where he received a common-school education, and at the age of sixteen years started out in life on his own account. At that time he came to Illinois, the year of his arrival being 1847, and he first worked as a farm hand by the month, being employed by William Knox, with whom he remained for eight years. His place constituted the present site of Peru. By industry and economy Mr. Warkins was enabled in a few years to purchase land of his own and engage in an independent business career. As he prospered in his undertakings he added to his property from time to time until he is now in possession of one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, situated on sections 7 and 18, La Moille townsliip. Here for many years he has been engaged in general agricultural pursuits, each year adding to his financial resources, and he has placed many improvements upon the farm, including good fences, a nice home and substantial outbuildings, besides a gas well. He has been successful in his undertakings, so that he is now able to lay aside the more arduous tasks of a business life.

On the 27th of March, 1857, Mr. Warkins was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Vickrey, who was born April 2, 1838, a daughter of Christopher and Mary (Aery) Vickrey, natives of South Carolina and Greene county, Ohio, respectively. They removed to Illinois at an early day, being numbered among its first settlers. In their family were born twelve children, of whom Mrs. Warkins is the eleventh in order of birth. She was educated in the schools of Ohio and Illinois, and gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Warkins at the age of about nineteen years. She has become the mother of

Mr. Warkins is a democrat in his political views. He has been a hard working man, for he started out in life as a farm hand, but by industry and economy worked his way steadily upward until after a few years he was enabled to engage in business on his own account, having purchased a tract of land, to which he added from time to time until now, in his old age, he is the possessor of one hundred and twenty acres, from which he derives a good income, so that he and his wife may enjoy the evening of life in their quiet country home, surrounded by the comforts of life. Mrs. Warkins is an estimable lady, possessing many sterling traits of character, and she is loved wherever known. Having spent the greater portion of their lives in Bureau county, they have a wide acquaintance, and are classed among the highly respected citizens of this section of the state.

James W. Smith

James W. Smith, who was formerly engaged in school teaching and is now carrying on farming, has spent his entire life in Bureau county, where he first opened his eyes to the light of day May 20, 1864. In his father's family were but two children, the sister being Elizabeth A., who was born September 15, 1862. The parents are Joseph and ^lary J. (McNurlin) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania. The father came to Illinois in 1852, and was married in this state in 1859.

As a school boy James W. Smith mastered the branches of learning usually taught in the public sehools and continued his studies in Aurora (Illinois) Seminary, lie was thus well equipped by liberal educational j)rivileges for the profession of teaching, which he followed for twelve years, proving a capable educator, who became quite widely known as a representative of public instruction in this state. Under his guidance the schools of which he had charge made rapid and satisfactory progress and maintained a high standard of intellectual development and training. On leaving the schoolroom Mr. Smith concentrated his energies upon farm work, and has so continued to the j)resent time. He now owns an interest in the farm upon which he resides, and although it is not very large, comprising forty acres, it is valuable land, worth from one hundred and fifty to two huiulred dollars per acre. He is now meeting with success in what he undertakes, and, moreover, he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he has made his own way in the world, securing his own education with funds that he earned, while since entering business life he has depended en- tirely upon his own resources. Each advanced step that he has taken has brought him a broader outlook, and througli the improvement of his opportunities he has already gained a good living for his family and is steadily progressing toward the goal of affluence.

On the 5th of December, 1895, was celebrated his marriage with Miss Ida \' . Smith, who was born in this county, September 1, lS7o, her parents being Mark and Caroline (Lowe) Smith, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New- Jersey. They came to Bureau county, Illinois, in 1847, and were married in Livingston, this state. In their family were four children, Mrs. Smith being the third in order of birth. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children : Edith M., born December (i, liSIHi; and Florence B., born December 25, 1898. The family have a nice home, and the two interesting little daughters add life and light to the household.

Mr. Smith stands for all that is progressive in citizenship, is a friend of the cause of education and keeps in touch with the interests and questions of the day through broad and comprehensive reading. Matters of local progress and national advancement are both dear to his heart, and he stands among the representative men who keep in touch with the world's advanced thought, and while not neglectful of business interests or responsibilities, yet finds time for the consideration of those matters which bear upon the general interests of society.

Martin H. McMahon owns and operates one hundred and sL\ty acres of rich and arable land in Manlius township. He was born in Ireland, July 18, 1862, the place of his nativity being in County Clare. He was educated in the public .schools of his native country, and when nineteen years and eight months of age came to America, attracted by the favorable reports wliicli be had heard of its possibilities for business advancement. He iirst settled near Worcester, Massachusetts, where he worked as a laborer and farm hand for about seven months, when he continued on his westward way and became a resident of Bureau county, where lived his uncle, for whom he worked on a farm for one year, and three years, summer and winter, on the Cnshing farm, west of Providence. He then began farming on his own account on a tract of eighty acres, which he rented, and thiec years later, having prospered in his undertakings, he purchased his present home place in Manlius township, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land, which responds readily to the care and labor bestowed up on it, yielding large crops. He also raises standard bred cattle, horses and hogs and has excellent stock upon his place.

the marriage of Mr. McMahon and Miss Ellen Frances Dwyer, of Manlius township, a daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth (Molloy) Dwyer, the former a farmer by oc(uj)alion. Unto this marriage have been born eight thildreii : Bessie, Katherine, Paul, Marie, (ienevieve, .\nna, Margaret and Bertha. The family circle remains unbroken by the hand of death, and the children are still under the parental roof.

St. Patrick's Catholic church at' Shelfield, and his political allegiance is given the democracy, for he is in hearty sympathy with its principles. He has been school director for the past twelve years and clerk of the school board for the same length of time, and he does everything in his power to promote the interests of the schools, realizing ho^ valuable is a good education as a preparation for life's work.

John G. Rasmusson, farmer and stock-raiser, was iiorn in Denmark August 5, 18G4, and ac- (juired his education in that country while spending his boyhood days under the parental roof. Both his father and mother are now deceased, having always remained in Denmark - their native country.

John (i. Rasmusson there remained until nineteen years of age, when consideration of the business outlook there convinced him that the opportunities of the country were comparatively limited, and he resolved to try his fortune in .\merica. .\ccordingly he made the voyage to the new world, having little more than woubl pay his pa.ssage, and in (iold township, this couiily, he sought and obtained farm work. Thus he made his start in life, and he has always been industrious and diligent, realizing that unremitting labor is the basis of all success.

Mr. Rasmusson was niarrieil in l!t()l to Miss .\mia D. Erickson, a native of tiold township and a daughter of Mads Erickson, who was of Danish birlh. Two children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Rasmusson: Henry M., three years of age; and Marie, now in her Iirst year. Mr. and Mrs. Rasmusson reside u})on his mother-in-law's farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which is situated on section 2',i. Gold township, and here he carries on general farming and stock-raising, giving his attention unremittingly to the further di-velopment and improvement of the place. He also rents eighty acres on section 24.

He and his wife hold membership in the Danish Lutheran church. Politically he is independent, voting for the candidates whom he regards as best qualified for office, without reference to party affiliation. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and fidelity, have chosen him for the office of collector for three years, and he has also been a school trustee. He had nothing when he came to America, but his stout heart and strong resolution stood him instead of capital, and these qualities have enabled him to make progress along the high road to success since his arrival in the new world.

John S. Robinson

John S. Robinson, numbered among the pioneer residents of Bureau county, where for more than a half century he has made his home, claims the far-off state of Maine as the place of his nativity. His birth occurred near Skowhegau, on the 11th of April, 1838, and he represents one of the old families of the Pine Tree state. His father, Josiah Robinson, was born in Hallowell, Kennebec county, Maine, in 1801, and became a pioneer settler of Somerset county, Maine, where he carried on business as a farmer and stockdealer. He purchased cattle which he drove through to the old Brighton market near Boston, Massachusetts, making the entire journey on foot - a distance of two hundred and fifteen miles. He was not only active and successful in his business affairs, but was also one of the influential factors in community life and held a number of township offices. He and his family were members of the Baptist church and liis political allegiance was given to democratic principles as advocated by Jackson until 1854, when he became a republican. He had been reared in the Baptist faith, his father being a minister of that denomination, and his life was in harmony with his profession. He died at the age of fifty-five years, while his wife, wlio was born in Somerset county, Maine, June 5, 1804. died in the mouth of May, 1850. In their family were four children : John S. ; Richard J., who was born June 6, 1832, and died in October, 1905; Judith, who was born December 19, 1836, and is the wife of C. C. McDaniels, of Somerset county, Maine; and George H., who was born March 19, 1840, and is living in Macon township, this county.

John S. Robinson in liis boyhood days worked on the home farm with his father, who engaged in the live stock business, and the son assisted him in driving cattle from his home in Maine to the Brighton market near Boston, being weeks at a time upon the road, for they journeyed on foot, following the herd of stock. They would travel through the forests and at times late in the year would get caught in heavy snow storms. This was before the Kennobec & Portland Railroad, now the Maine Central Railroad, was built. After the construction of the line the father shipped his cattle by rail in the winter time.

Mr. Robinson of this review became familiar with all the farm work in its different departments, and at twenty-two years of age he left home to work for himself, being employed in the lumber camps and in driving logs down the Kennebec river. He also worked in the shipyards of Reed and Page, continuing his residence in Maine until April, 1852, when he left the Pine Tree state and traveled by rail to Buffalo, New York. There he took passage on the steamer Atlantic for Detroit, Michigan, where he boarded the Michigan Central Railroad and continued his journey to New Buffalo, Michigan, which was at that time the terminus of the road. He proceeded by steamer to Chicago and then by boat down the Illinois & Jlichisan canal to La Salle and across the country by team to Princeton and on to the French Grove postoffice, where the town of Buda now stands. He soon purchased forty acres of land on the old state road at three dollars per acre. After a brief residence in this county, however, he went to Iowa and up through Minnesota, whence he crossed into Wisconsin and made his way through the woods to Sheboj'gan., that state. He thence proceeded by packet steamer to Buffalo, New York, being five days on the lakes, after which he returned to Maine, where he resided until the spring of 1855. In that year he returned to Bureau county, settling in Macon township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie land, for which he paid six dollars and a quarter per acre. He built thereon a frame residence, which he occupied until 1881, when he erected a fine home in which he is now living. He has added to this land until he now owns four hundred acres constituting a very valuable property. His farm is well improved, the rich productive fields yielding him large harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. He was formerly engaged extensively and successfully in breeding shorthorn Durham cattle, but at the present time is giving his attention to black Galloway cattle, having at this writing, in 1906, more than one hundred and forty head upon his place. He is also a breeder of Shropshire sheep and his flocks number two hundred and twenty-five head of sheep and lambs. He has shipped one carload of lambs to the Chicago market in the present summer, as well as many summers previous, and there he secures the highest market price. He also breeds Poland China hogs, having seventy head upon his farm at the present time, and he likewise raises good horses, of which he has fifteen head. He says it costs less to raise good stock than those of inferior grades, and he is known as one of the foremost stock-raisers of this part of the county, carrying on his business on an extensive scale that results in the acquirement of very gratifying prosperity.

On the 4th of July, 1857, Mr. Robinson was happily married to Miss Rose Bigelow, who was born in Somerset county, Maine. April 13, 1834, and died in November, 1891. She was a daughter of Aholeb and Rebecca Bigelow. Her father was born in Bloomfield, Somerset county, Maine, while his wife was born in Anson, Maine. Mr.

Bigelow was a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit iu the Pine Tree state until 1851, when lio came to Bureau county, Illinois, settling at French Grove, now the site of Buda. He boi]ght eighty acres of land, bordering the old state road, at three dollars per acre, building thereon a house, and engaged in breaking the prairie and transforming it into cultivable fields. He was one of the early pioneers of the locality and his labors proved an important factor in reclaiming this district for the uses of civilization. He was also active in public life and served as road commissioner. His political support was given to the whig party and he was a member of the Baptist church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow were born six children, but only two are now living: Philena, the widow of George H. Wells; and H. E. Bigelow, who resides near Sioux City, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Robinson became the parents of a daughter and two sons: Lottie May, the wife of Charles Norton, of Neponset; Arthur M. and Richard W. The death of the mother was the occasion of deep and widespread regret in Neponset township and ilacon and Bureau county, where she had many warm friends. She was devoted to the welfare and happiness of her family, where her loss comes with greatest force. Mr. Robinson has been somewhat active in public life in Macon township, and for four years served as collector. He was also school director for several years, was road commissioner for four years and has held other offices. He cast a ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and 1864, but in more recent years has given his political allegiance to the democracy. He has now traveled life's journey for more than seventy-eight years and his has been the record of an honorable, upright man, whose business affairs have been carefully directed and whose diligence and laudable ambition have con.stituted the basis of his success. He is, moreover, known as one of the early settlers of the county, having for more than a half century lived witliin its borders, so that he is largely familiar with its history and what to many are matters of record are to him matters of experience, as he has witnessed the many changes that have occurred, boarins his part in the work of public improvement and development.

Solomon C. Doty

Solomon C. Doty, engaged in general farming in Gold township, is a native of the Empire state, his birth having ociurrod in Milan, Dutchess county, New Y'ork, August 13, 1828. He is a son of Samuel and P^lizabeth (Sanford) Doty, both repreresentatives of old New England families, founded in America during an early epoch in the history of the country. Joseph Doty, the emigrant, came over in the Mayflower.

C. Doty has always followed that pursuit, and it is this line of business which is now utilized as a source of livelihood, bringing to him an annual income tliat classes him with the substantial residents of Gold township. He has resided in this county since 18T6, and while the years have been devoted to the quiet pursuits of the farm and the conduct of his individual interests, he has yet found time and opportunity to manifest the qualities of good citizenship, to indorse progressive public measures and to co-operate in behalf of those movements which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.

Mr. Doty was united in marriage November 25, 1S54, to Miss Christine Wilsey, and to them were born three children, but one died at the age of seventeen years. Those living are: Seely, now thirty-nine years of age; and Willis, aged thirtyseven. The latter is married and resides in Dingley, where he is conducting a store and is also serving as postmaster, being one of the leading and influential men of the town.

Mr. Doty is a republican, and keeps well informed on the questions and issues which divide the two great parties, so that he is able to defend his position by intelligent argument. For fifteen years he has filled the office of justice of the peace, rendering opinions which are strictly fair and impartial and "winning goblon opinions from all sorts of people," as is indicated by his long retention in otrioe. The welfare of the county is a matter of deep interest to him, and he is thoroughly imbued with the spirit of enterprise and progress which have been the dominant factors in the upbuilding of the middle west.

Timothy Ford

Timothy Ford, a veteran of the Civil war, has since 1874 lived upon his present farm in Manlius township. His life record began in County Galway, Ireland, November 20, 1843, and coming to America in 1855, when twenty-two years of age, he began work on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, being thus employed until 18G1, when he gave evidence of his patriotic spirit and his loyalty to the American government by enlisting, on the 4th of October, as a member of Company K, Fifty-seventh Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. This command was engaged in the battles at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth, and then marched through .\ial):tnia, taking jiarl in (he engagements at I)('(atur. Himtsville. Bear Creek, Resaca, Rome Crossroads. Altoona Pass and Rome. Ho was with the reserve and the rear guard during the siege of Atlanta, and marched with Shennnii to the sea. proceeding northward from Savanna!) through South Carolina and on to Gpldslioro and Ralcigii. North Carolina, to Richmcuid, and then to Wasiiington, D. C, where he participated in the grand review, the naost celebrated military pageant ever seen in the western hemisphere. He was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 7, 1865.

Returning to Buda, Mr. Ford again worked for the railroad company until 1874, when his bank account had sufficiently increased to justify his purchase of one hundred and twenty acres of land. He then became the owner of his present farm in Manlius township, and has since engaged in general agricultural pursuits, ably performing the various duties connected with the capable management of a farm property along modern lines, using the latest improved nuichinery to facilitate the work of the fields and keeping everything about his place in a state of good repair.

Sir. Ford is much respected in the community, and for thirty-five years he has been school director in his district, while for two years he was pathmaster. In politics he is a democrat, and the family are communicants of St. Patrick's Catholic church at Sheffield.

On the loth of September. ISiiS. Mr. Ford was married to iliss Margaret Ili'nneman, of Wyanet, who is also a native of Ireland, and they now have eleven living children : Mary Emnui, the wife of John Brady, of Kewanee, Illinois; Margaret, a milliner of Sheffield; Patrick M., a carpenter; Edwa^-d J. and Francis, who follow farming; Alice, ac home ; Agnes, who is living in Concord township; Uatherine, who is attending business college at Moline, Illinois ; Jennie, a school teacher ; Angcline. who is attending school at Sheffield ; and William, at home.

Such is the life record of Timothy Ford, who. with sound judgment, recognized the superior advantages of the new world and came to America to cnjov the broader opportunities here. Xor has be bc'.n disappointed in his liope of bettering his tinancial condition, for. empty-handed at the time of his arrival, he is now in possession of a comfortable comTutence.

JAMES II. ('L.M!K. James II. Clark, who as a business nuui has l)een conspicuous among his associates not only for his success but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods, is now living in Buda. He has been for many years associated with financial and agricultural interests, his life being one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor. Today he is numiiered among the substantial citizens of Bureau county and is in possession of a handsome competence that enables him to rest from further business cares. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of the community in which he resides, and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and co-operation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful (ievelopnieul.

A native of Pennsylvania, he was born on the 19th of March, 1S42, near Uniontown, Fayette county, a son of John M. and Jane (Ilankins) Clark. His father being a farmer, he was reared amid rural scenes, becoming familiar with the duties of an agriculturist and acquiring fiis education in the common schools near his home. Entering upon an independent business career at the age of twenty years, he operated a farm on shares which belonged to his uncle, and during tliat time succeeded in saving a small amount. He first came to Buda in March, 1867, and for five years thereafter was employed on a farm. He then returned to Pennsylvania, where he again operated a farm on shares for three years, on the expiration of which period he located at Lombardville, in Stark county, Illinois. There he conducted a grain business for three years in the employ of ('. C. Warren & Company, after which he went to Dorchester, Saline county, Xebraska, where he followed the grain business on his own account from 1878 until 1890. He prospered in that undertaking and also became interested in banking as one of the organizers of the First Xational Bank of Dorchester, of which he was a prominent stockholder and director. He was elected its first president and re-elected seven consecutive terms, at the end of which time the bank went into voluntary liquidation. The Citizens' Bank of Dorchester having gone into voluntary liquidation at the same time, the Dorchester State Bank was at once organized, composed of the stockholders of the two former banks, and Mr. Clark was elected its president, serving in that office for fifteen terms, making twenty-two years in all to the present time, a period of continued service as bank president not often exceeded. Mr. Clark has also served four vears as village trustee and at present is serving his second year as ]>resident of the village board of t rustees.

On the 17th of April, 1877, ilr. Clark was united in marriage to iliss Celia Maria Chase, a daughter of Colonel Charles and Celia B. (Pitts) Chase and a native of Fairfield, Somerset county, ifainc. born February 6, 1839. She is descended from early New England families. Representatives of the name went from France to England at an early ilay and during tlie stormy years that followed the accession of the house of Stuart they came to this country soon after the landing of the Pilgrims. Several members of her grandfather's family served in the Kevolutionary war and two were in the battle of Bunker Hill and were not heard from afterward. Later - in 1824 - two of her ancestors were appointed escorts of Lafayette on his visit to Anu-rica and subsecjuently they visited France. A cousin of her mother liad the contract for the building of the Bunker Hill monument.

Her father. Colonel Chase, was a master lumbernuui and for twenty-eight years each spring l)i-oUirlit i-afts of lumber down the river. He was also a iiieiiiljL'i- of the state legislature and served with the rank of eolonel in the stale militia. At the beginning of the Mexieau war he was olfered a eonunission as e(}lonel by the war department at Washington but deelined to enter service on aetount of business interests. Twin brothers of her mother, John A. and Ilirani A. Pitts, were inventors and manufaeturers of the Pitts threshing niaehine with establishments at Buffalo and Chieago.