Henry County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 19 of 31)

r lonzo Morgan is a pioneer of Henry Coun- |£ ty and also of Munson Township, where he settled in 1853. His farm is situated on section 29, and he is considered one of the representative agriculturists of this part of the county. He was born at Alexander Bay, in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., on a farm located on the banks of the river of the same name. His birth occurred March 31, 1824. His father, Pliny W. Mor- 'gan, was a native of the same State and was descended from Connecticut parentage. The latter was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1802. His family were among the pioneers of that county. He married Hannah Porter in 1822. She was born in Connecticut. They were residents of St. Lawrence County, where they went soon after their marriage, but a short time, and then went to Steuben Township, in the county of Oneida. The elder Morgan was a shoemaker and removed his family to those places in which he was able to obtain patronage in his business, as the customs of those days and that period differed greatly from the present. In 1840 he bought a farm in Oneida County and was occupied in the pursuit of agriculture thereon until the date of his removal to Henry County. The first land of which he was the owner was located on section 34, and he retained his claim upon it until 1858, when he sold it and removed to the township of Cornwall. There he bought 80 acres of uncultivated land on section 16, where he proceeded to improve a farm, and erected a good set of necessary farm buildings. This continued in his possession until 1867. When he sold the place he removed to the city of Geneseoand established his residence, which he maintained there until 1 88 1, when he went to Davenport. In the year 1883 he died, in that city. He was twice married.

The issue of the first marriage was four children. All but one, the subject of this biographical narration, died in infancy. The first wife died Feb. 26, 1828. The second wife before her marriage was Miss Ruey Hamilton. They had two children. Albert W. lives at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Herbert J. is a citizen cf Chicago.

Mr. Morgan, of this sketch, was but four years old when he lost his mother, and as soon as he was old enough he took into his own hands the question of sustaining himself. He worked as a farm assistant in Oneida County, and at first was able to command but $6 per month. However, that was a difficulty that was substantially remedied by the lapse of time, and as he was able to increase his usefulness his wages increased in proportion.

In 1844 he became a married man. His union with Martha P. Tuttle occurred on the 4th day of August, in the year named. Mrs. Morgan is the daughter of Orris and Amy (Smith) Tuttle. Her parents were both born in Camden, N. Y. Her grandparents in both lines of descent were natives of the State of Connecticut. Her father was the first white male child born in Camden. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan settled, after their union in the bonds of matrimony, in Onondaga Co., N. Y., where they occupied a rented farm four years. In 1848 they came to Illinois. They made the journey thither by canal to Buffalo, and from there by the lakes to Chicago. From there they took passage on the Illinois Canal to LaSalle, whence they went on the river of the same name to Peoria.

They bought a farm in the township of Trivoli in Peoria County, after they had been there two years, during which time Mr. Morgan was operating as an agriculturist. The purchase included but 40 acres, and it was of the quality of land known there as hazel-brush land. He built a frame house on it, 16 x 1 8 feet in dimensions, " grubbed " a few acres, and occupied the place until 1853. In 1852 he came to Henry County and entered 80 acres of land situated on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 29, in the township where he is at present a resident. After making his claim he returned to Peoria County and remained until the fall of the next year, when he took possession of his property in Henry County. He had employed assistance to break a few acres in the previous summer and to build a house, of which the family took possession on their removal hither. In the spring of 1854 Mr. Morgan entered into the work of putting the place under the best grade of cultivation. The, stock he owned at that time consisted of a pair of horses, a cow and calf and one hog. At first he interested himself in the work of raising grain. For some years past he has given his attention to stock-raising. He has made further purchases of land and is now, the owner of 270 acres, which is all enclosed and is either under improvement or is in pasture He keeps an average of 40 head of cattle, six or eight horses and a drove of hogs.

Adelbert L., the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, lives in the city of Chicago. Edgar W. removed to Colorado. Amanda A. is the wife of Edward C. Sayre, of Munson Township.

1810 left his family in* the old country for the express purpose of realizing upon it and returning to Scotland ; but when once in the United States he found the country and the people so congenial that he decided to remain. So, when his family arrived they found him at Alexandria, where, instead of having prepared for them a home, his generosity had gotten the better of his judgment, and his appetite for strong drink had caused him to waste the substance of his inheritance. Thus they were in a strange land without money. After probably two years' stay at Alexandria, they removed to Caledonia Co., Vt, where the senior Mr. Lyle died, in 1834, at the age of 66 years.-

In 1836 the subject of this sketch came into Stark County and entered a tract of land in Elmira Township, and the following year his mother and two of his brothers removed from Vermont, and the little family was once more united. The old lady lived to -be 95 years of age, and died at the home of her son Thomas, who was the youngest of the family.. (See biography of Thomas Lyle.) John Lyle received a limited education at the subscription schools, and when 17 years of age bought his time from his father, paying him therefor, as soon as he could earn it, the sum of $75. After striking out for himself his first employment was as a charcoal burner at Chesterfield, N. Y., where he worked for four years, and, as he says, sowed his " wild oats." He was 30 years of age when he came into Illinois, and for the succeeding ten years a fair estimate places his labor upon the farm at not less than 18 hours out of every 24. His inheritance consisted in an iron constitution and a physique capable of extraordinary endurance. From the age of 1 2 years up to nearly four score he labored like a hireling, and a success of his efforts will only partially appear in his history. How many farms he purchased and improved is forgotten even by himself, though his mind and memory are as bright at this writing (July, 1885) as if he were but 40 years. Within the past ten years over $75,000 of his well earned money has been wiped out by bankrupts, and it is related that in one single instance he canceled a mortgage claim of $56,000 in exchange for a two-year-old stallion, worth probably less than $1,500. His files contain stacks of outlawed notes and mortgages, and the aggregate value of such paper yet in force is unknown to himself. To his three grandchildren, who since the death of his son constitute his only heirs, he has given in money and other property not less than $120,000, and yet the sum of his possessions, for one who has made his money as he has, is quite large. He has~not made his money as a gambler in margins, nor as a stock jobber or Government contractor, nor indeed at the expense of his less fortunate neighbors, but as a quiet, unostentatious farmer, a laborer, by the buying of unimproved lands and converting them into improved property and fine farms, and disposing of them at their legitimately appreciated value ; by these and similar methods his money has been made, and his residuary possessions we say are remarkable.

On the 24th day of May, 1864, he enlisted as a patriot soldier in Co. K, 134th 111. Vol. Inf., and served until the expiration of his term, Oct. 25 of the same year. . When the company arrived in Chicago, examinations preliminary to being mustered into service disclosed the fact of his age,, and his enrollment was peremptorily refused. This was a sad disappointment to him, and he. returned to Kewanee. Here he visited a barber shop and had his gray hairs blackened, and returned with some new recruits to Chicago. Not even his old comrades recognized him. Concealing his real age from the officer, that matter was no longer in the way; but he had another difficulty to overcome. When a young man and while engaged upon the construction of a house in Vermont, a brother workman accidentally thrust the blade of an ax obliquely through his left hand ; this permanently disabled that member. In order to conceal another fact that would undoubtedly debar enrollment upon his second application, Mr. Lyle held the wounded hand behind him while the examining surgeon thumped his chest and held his ear to his heart, and went through the various maneuvers usual in such cases, and when the officer passed to an examination of the volunteer's " rear elevation " the wounded hand was immediately passed to the front and the good right hand took its place in the rear! Thus, one hand was examined twice, the recruit was accepted, and at once took his march to the front. While in the army he did his full share of duty, both as a soldier and a forager; in fact, it is claimed that he could scent a chicken roost farther than any other man in the company, and that his " mess " never suffered fiom a lack of variety of the delicacies of the season.

In the summer of 1863 Mr. Lyle, loaded with all sorts of keepsakes and kindly remembrances, visited the " boys " at Vicksburg, and by permission of the commanding officer accompanied the army six weeks upon the Meridian campaign. It was probably upon that occasion that his extraordinary ability as a "forager" first displayed itself. It is said that upon one occasion he had so many chickens strung upon an old musket that they weighed him down, and he decided to reconnoiter for a beast of burden. Learning that there were a couple of mules upon a certain plantation in the neighborhood, he proceeded to pay his respects to the barn in which they were confined, with a view to " borrowing " one of them for a few days! As he neared the barn-yard the planter came out of the stable leading the two animals to water. That settled it. He knew at 6nce that neither of those mules was for " loan," and he retraced his steps to camp. Relating his experience to the " boys," one of them volunteered to bring in a quadruped of some sort upon short notice. The terms were accepted, and when the army moved again the " boss forager " was mounted.

of mercy, and while here and in company with Mr. Lyle related how that, in the summer of 1863, the Union army "had depleted his hen roosts, gleaned his fields and his gardens, stripped his fruit-trees and ransacked his pantry, and worst of all a soldier led away the last old mule that had been left him to draw his family to and from church. The mule was minutely described and the picture was complete. The whilom owner of the contraband donkey and the man who rode it away upon the Meridian campaign stood face to face !

June 19, 1833, Mr. Lyle was married, in Vermont, to Miss Hester D. Craig, who through all the long years of toil, accompanied often by hardship, has been his faithful companion, sharing alike his pleasures and his sorrows. Their only child, George Lyle, was born in October, 1834, and died May 19, 1862.

But few men are more deserving a prominent place in the history of this county than Mr. John Lyle. Few, if any, have done more toward its improvement; have exhibited greater enterprise or led a more energetic life. To his memory, for it is worthy of perpetuation, we place a full-page portrait of Mr. Lyle in this Album, and as a fitting and worthy companion to his we place the portrait of his wife. She has been a co-worker with him in his many labors.

eorge Poppleton, a well known, respected and thrifty farmer of Osco Township, his residence being on sectior 24, was born in Lincolnshire, England, August 15, 1831. His parents were William and Mary (Bannister) Poppleton, natives of Lincolnshire, Eng., and of their family often children George, our subject, was the ninth in order of birth.

He lived at home, under the influence of his parents, until 1851, meanwhile assisting his father on the farm and attending school winters, but we are sorry to say his school privileges were somewhat limited. In the spring of 1851 he came to America, and lived in Niagara County, N. Y., for three and a half years, learning the carpenter's trade in the meantime, and in 1855 came to Geneseo, 111., where he worked at his trade for four years. He then purchased forty acres in Osco Township, on section 24, his present homestead, where he settled and has since been a resident. He has built a fine set of buildings upon his farm and is now the owner and possessor of 353 acres of land, all highly cultivated. Mr. Poppleton was married in Cambridge, 111., Dec. 31, 1855, to Esther Hall, daughter of John and Jane (Baiiey) Hall, natives of Ireland. She was the youngest of a family of eight children, and was born in the North of Ireland, May 8, 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Poppleton are the parents of six children, viz. : Mary J., George B., Britton L., Sherman W., John W., Esther A. George B. was united in marriage Oct. 3, 1881, to Hattie W. Jackson. They have two children, - Ruby and Ray. Mr. P. has held several of the minor offices of the township. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the Episcopal Church.

ames Withrow, a farmer of Henry County, |^ was born Feb. t, 1833, at Shawneetown, Gallatin Co., 111., and is the son of Neely and Polly (Eveleth) Withrow, pioneers of the same county, and of whom an account is given on another page of this work. He came to this county with his parents, and underwent the experiences of the son of a pioneer in an unsettled country. The educational facilities were of the same primitive fashion as the other surroundings, and the privileges were of the same grade. His life was passed on the farm until the country had need of his services in her defense, and he'made three efforts to enroll as a soldier, but in vain, as he was physically disabled, and there was no such thing as escaping the vigilant eye of the examining surgeon. He was obliged to be content with the life of a civilian. His marriage to Mary A., daughter of Jonathan and Charlotte Allen, took place Oct. 3, 1857. She was born in the State of Pennsylvania. Their children are three in number - two sons and a daughter. Arthur married Luella Cherry and lives in Phenix Township. Mary A. died when she was three years old. Edward E. is a resident of Phenix. The mother died April 23, 1875.

The family removed to Geneseo in 1865, and, with the exception of one year, have been here ever since. In 1875 they were on the farm. The estate of Mr.

Withrow contains 240 acres in Phenix Township, and 40 acres situated in the vicinity 'of Geneseo. He is also the owner of 240 acres in Nebraska. It is located in Merrick County, and joins the village called Central City.

In political connection Mr. Withrow is a Republican of decided stripe, and he has been prominent in the local offices of the county. He has served 14 years as Deputy Sheriff, and has been Constable 12 years. He has officiated in the capacity of City Marshal two years. The Fair Grounds of Geneseo are on his property, and he takes great interest in good trotting stock.

amuel Peterson, living on section 15, Osco Township, and one of the largest landowners in that township, as well as one of the successful farmers and respected citizens of Henry County, is a native of Sweden. He was. born in that country Jan. 23, 1836, and on attaining the age of majority, in 1857, he emigrated to the United States.

On coming to this country, Mr. Peterson located in Iowa, where he resided until i860. In the fall of that year he came to this county and for three years rented land which he cultivated. At the expiration of that time he purchased a tract of land in Osco Township, on which he moved with his family. At the present time he is the owner of 7 84 acres in Osco Township, a large proportion of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. He is also the owner of mill property in Orion and has several hundred acres of land in Minnesota and Iowa. He keeps about 60 head of cattle, 24 head of horses and' fattens about 100 head of hogs on his place annually. From the foregoing, we see that Mr. Peterson has accumulated largely of real-estate and personal property. Possessing but little with which to commence a life of business activity on arriving in this country, he has by good judgment and energetic effort procured a competency, and to his own indomitable perseverance, coupled with the active co-operation of his good wife, may be ascribed all the honor. He is a gentleman whose word is accepted as equal to his bond ; a respected citizen and a progressive and successful follower of his vocation in life.

Mr. Peterson was married in this country March 22, 1865, to Miss Anna M. Mangulson, a native of Sweden, where she was born Oct. 1, 1847. The issue of their union is ten children, seven living and three deceased. The living are John L., Delia, Lydia W., Otis F., Phebe E., Clifford R. and Florence, and the deceased were named' Gilmore, Theresa and Oscar. Iii politics Mr. Peterson is identified with the Republican party.

X eely Withrow, deceased, was a pioneer of Henry County, of 1835. He arrived here in August of that year, and was a resident of the township of Phenix ever after until his death, which took place Jan. 25, 1839, and which was the result of an accident. He was born near the city of Louisville, Ky., Feb. 16, i8ro, and was brought up a farmer. William Withrow, his father, removed with his family to Shawneetown, 111., in 1828. Mr. Withrow of this sketch was married in that place to Polly Eveleth. She was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born Feb. 12, 1806. Their marriage occurred May 20, 1830.

Mr. Withrow was the owner of a tract of land in White County, and they were its occupants until 1833, \,hen they came to Henry County. They came hither in company with several other families, and all traveled in the primitive manner in vogue in those days, there being no method of public conveyance, and the days of railroads in unsettled regions being things of a later period of civilization. But the long tedious progress was not without its benefit, and families became closer knit together in the days that were of necessity wearisome ; and their new homes did not seem so desolate and remote from the limits of civilization left behind, when contrasted with the monotonous journey that extended through several weeks. Their means of locomotion included both horse and ox teams, and all the ins and outs of the domestic machinery were kept in operation. The cooking was done by the wayside, and at night they slept in their wagons. Mr. Withrow stopped a few months at Knoxville, and in the month of August pushed on to Henry County. He made a stop at Red Oak Grove, where he took a claim and prepared to establish a permanent residence. He built a pioneer's cabin of logs in the primitive method of those that wrought with such facilities as the times and place afforded, and covered the structure with clapboards and laid a floor with puncheon, there being no lumber in the State. In the fall of the next year he came to what is now Phenix Township. He sold his claim in Red Oak, and secured another on section 20 of the township named. He made the same preparations for living, and followed the same plans in his building. The roof, as in the other instance, was of clapboards, and the floor and doors were of puncheon. He was the owner of several head of cattle, and he did his first breaking with oxen. He was killed by being thrown from a sleigh. His widow was married Feb. 24, 1841, to Harvey Hickox. He died Nov. 4, 1853, and she is a member of the family of her son Amariah. The children of the first marriage are Amariah, James N., John Wesley, Lucy and Neely. Two of three children born of the second marriage are not living. Eunice, the only survivor, is the wife of Asaph King, of Central City, Mo.

Neely Withrow was the first Justice of the Peace in the township of Phenix. There was no county jail, and he had a big blo~k in his house in which he drove staples, to which he was in the habit of chaining prisoners. They could then reach the fire and go to bed when occasion demanded. Mr. Withrow is recorded as one of the first voters at the first election held in the county, June ro, T837. The oldest son married Mary Houston, and lives in Phenix Township. James married Mary Allen, and they reside at Geneseo. John W. married Arvilla Allea, and is a citizen of Hanna Township. Lucy is the wife of Robert Barge, of Central City, Neb. Neely married Ellen Paddock, and they live at the place last named.

ohn Robb, an agriculturist in the township f of Munson, became a land-holder in Henry County in 1858. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and his ancestors for many years %F were born in the same State. His great-grand- ' ? father was the owner of immense tracts of land, and the inheritance belonging to the grandfather of

Mr. Robb was born Aug. 16, 181 2, and is the third son of James and Sarah (Russell) Robb. Parents and son were born in Chester County in the Keystone State.

The family removed to Ohio when the son was 15. The settlement was made in Wayne County, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. Before he was 20, he was occupied as an assistant on the homestead farm of his father, and at that age he determined to learn a trade, and served an apprenticeship at that of carpenter and builder. He operated in Wayne County until 1855, when he went to Iowa. He located in Johnson County and secured the title to 80 acres of land. The tract was in a wild condition and he passed three succeeding years in the capacity of a renter.

In that year he came to Illinois and located in Henry County. He passed the first year in the the township of Osco, and in 1859 bought the farm on which he has since operated and made a success of agriculture. It is located on section 8. Since 1862 Mr. Robb has given his undivided attention to his farming, and has continued to increase his estate until he is at present the proprietor of nearly 80 acres. The immense property is all under good improvements, and all the appurtenances of the place are of a character suited to its extent and the methods of management practiced by the owner.

The marriage of Mr. Robb and Ann Elliott occurred in 1 8s 5. The children which were born of their union are three in number : Nathan lives in Adair Co., Iowa; Walter C. lives at home, also the youngest child, Simon E. Mrs. Robb was born April 13, 1825, in Wayne Co., Ohio. She and her husband are Presbyterians in religious belief and connection.

f ohn Wachs, a farmer residing on section 13, Cornwall Township, is a native of Switzerland, in which country he was born Jan. 7, 1851. At the age of four years he accompanied his step-mother and uncle to the United States, his father having preceded them to this country two years before. Mr. Wachs, his uncle and step-mother, after a pleasant voyage across the briny waters, landed at New York, where, after remaining a few days, they went to Ohio, remained about three months, and then came to Kewanee, this county. The father of Mr. Wachs, of this sketch, was also a native of Switzerland, having been born in that country in May, 1828. He married Miss Cathrina Schwab in 1849, m Switzerland. She died in 1852, leaving one child, John, the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Wachs was married to Miss Catherine E. Knapper, Feb. 26, 1878. She was born in this county, and her father, Gottlieb Knapper, was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and on the 18th of February, 182 1, he first saw the light of day in that country. He was united in marriage with Christina Kingsinger in 1839.

Mr. Wachs, of whom we write, is. at present the proprietor of 280 acres of good farm land, 120 of it being in Annawan Township, and the remainder in Cornwall Township. Of their union four children were born, - Jacob B., Catherine E., Bertha M. and John William. They are all members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. Wachs is liberal in his views.

illiam L. Robinson, a farmer of Munson Township, has been a resident of the County since 1855. He was born in Clermont Co., Ohio (Stone Lick Township), Marrh 17, 1825. He is the only s6n of John and Phebe (Hall) Robinson. His grandfather, whose name was John Robinson, was born in the capital city of Ireland, and emigrated to this country about 1800. He came with a nephew who had the same name - John Robinson. The former settled at first in Virginia and went thence to Pennsylvania. At a date somewhat later he removed to Ohio and settled in the county in which the subject of this sketch was born. He died there about 181 1. Richard Hall, the grandfather on the maternal side, was a resident in the State of Ohio, and gained considerable notoriety as an Indian fighter, as in those days the depredations of the red men demanded all possible vigilance and courage on the part of the whites. John Robinson died in Clermont County,

Mr. Robinson was but three years of age when his father died. He lived with his mother until he was 11, when he went to reside with an older sister in Hamilton Co., Ohio, and he made his home with her for three years. He then returned to his mother and was with her -two years. He had acquired a good education, which enabled him to teach, and he followed that occupation six years. He had also fitted himself for the career of a builder, if necessity or opportunity should demand. In 1850 he came to Illinois. He operated as a book agent in Peoria for six months and then returned to his native State. After teaching a term of school in Goshen, Ohio, he returned to Peoria County and engaged in the business of a carpenter. He was married there March 30, 1851, to Mrs. Catherine (Jameson) Hedstrom. She was born in Litchfield, Conn., and is the daughter of Thomas and Laura (Ford) Jameson. Her birth took place Dec. 20, 1823. She was the widow of John Hedstrom.

After the marriage of Mr. Robinson, he and his wife went to Knoxville, and he there managed the same business as he had followed at Brimfield, where he was married. Six months later, they returned to Peoria County. He passed six months in the same employ in the same township, and then became a land-holder there by the purchase of a farm. He passed the years that intervened between that time and 1855 in that business in Brimfield Township. He then sold the farm and came to Henry County, reaching his destination in October. He bought land in what was then township 16, now Munson. It was located on section 23, and a house had been nearly completed by its former owner, and it constituted the entire improvements on the farm. The new proprietor went on with the improvements and erected all the buildings and put the place under excellent culture. In December, i860, the family residence was destroyed by fire, and that now occupied by them was built soon after.

The children belonging to the household, now living, are four in number : Melvina is the wife of the Rev. J. D. Calhoun, a preacher in the Methodist Church, now stationed at Port Byron ; Ellen L. is the wife of Rev. H. K. Metcalf, who is the Pastor of a Church in New Boston, Mercer Co., 111. ; John F. is a preacher in the interests of the same denomination, and is connected with the Conference of Central Illinois: he is officiating on the Rock River Circuit. Albert J. was born Jan. 1, 1859, and died Aug. 12, 1884, in Omaha, Neb. He was one of the head clerks in the office of the Pacific Express Company in that city. Florence M. is the name of the youngest. She and her mother are members of the Methodist Church.

mira (Clapp) Stoughton, natives of Connecticut. The parents of Mr. Stoughton, of this sketch, were united in marriage and sett'ed in Ashtabula Ohio, where they resided until their deaths. Eight children were born of their union : Jonathan C, Aura A., Mary, Emily, Hardin, Sarah, Henry E. and Sophronia A.

Henry E. Stoughton, the gentleman whose name heads this notice, is a native of Ohio, having been been born in Ashtabula County, that State, April 15, 1837. The years of his minority were passed on the farm, and in attending the common schools of his native county. He remained under the parental roof-tree until he was 23 years of age, passing the major portion of his life on the farm and in learning the blacksmith's trade. Reaching that age in life, he left the old homestead, and for nearly three years worked at his trade.

Aug. 25, 1864, Mr. Stoughton enlisted in the 177th Ohio Vol. Inf., and fought in defense of his country's flag until the close of war, July 7, 1865. After this Mr. Stoughton returned to Ohio, where he remained until the following February, 1866, variously occupied, when he came to this county and purchased 40 acres of land located in Osco Township. He afterward sold his 40 acres and purchased 80 acres where he is at present residing, on section 22, same township. Mr. Stoughton, by energetic effort and economy, has succeeded in increasing his landed interests until at present he is the proprietor of a farm containing 200 acres of well improved land. He has erected on his farm good buildings, thoroughly and completely fenced it, and its appearance is indicative of that energy possessed by its proprietor.

Mr. Stoughton, March 26, 1861, chose Miss Phienry E. Stoughton, the owner of 200 acres of . good farming land in Osco Township, and residing on section22,is asonof Henry and Al- lenda Richmond as the lady to share his joys and sorrows, successes and reverses, through the future, and they were united in marriage in Ashtabula County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Alanson and Asenath Richmond, natives of New York, and was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, Feb. r, 1841. Of their union five children were born, - Fitz J., Henry L., Eddie, Frank L. and Bertha M. The demise of Eddie occurred when he was three years of age.

Mr. S tough ton has held the office of Collector, School Trustee, School Treasurer ai.d Township Assessor, and in politics is a stanch Republican. Socially, Mr. Stoughton is a member of the Order of Masonry. He is a gentleman respected for his straightforward and manly dealings with his fellowman, and his accumulations are the outgrowth of an energetic disposition.

lbridge D. Richardson, cashier of the Farmers' National Bank at Cambridge, as a native of the Green Mountain State. He was born July 21, 1839, in Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vt. The family to which he belonged is of English extraction and settled in the State of Massachusetts. Mr. Richardson is the fourth in descent from Elijah Richardson, and the son of the latter, Baruch Richardson, was a farmer in the State mentioned as being the first in which the family located. James H. Richardson, the son of Baruch, was born in Barnard, Vermont. He was educated in that State as a physician and a graduate from the Medical College at Woodstock, Vt , which in its primal days had the reputation of supplying some of the best qualified medical practitioners known in the profession. He established his business at Westford, in the same State, and went thence later in life to Winooski, in the immediate vicinity of the city of Burlington, where he is at present located. He married Barbara B. Gibson, who is a native of Pomfret, Vt. She is the daughter of William and Susan (Burns) Gibson and her parents were also born in Vermont. On her mother's side the family is of Scotch extraction. They had four children. Elbridge D. is the oldest. Mrs. Ellen M. (Richardson) Allen is a resident of Vermont, as is Mrs. Susan G. (Richardson) Allen. Clara is deceased. She died at the age of 15.

In October, 1865, Mr. Richardson came to Cambridge. He passed about three years in the sale of groceries, and, selling out at the end of that time, he embarked in trade in hardware. He was interested in that line of traffic five years. During the time, he was appointed Postmaster at Cambridge, receiving his appointment from President Grant in 1870. He discharged the duties of the position until 1881. In Sept., 1873, Mr. Richardson entered the employ of C. R. Wheeler & Co., private bankers at Cambridge, in the capacity of book-keeper. He continued in their service until July, i88r, when he was appointed assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Cambridge. In October, of the same year, he received his appointment to the position in which he has since officiated. He has the reputation of being a most reliable and efficient accountant.

His marriage to Sarah M. Alfred took place May 31, 1865, at Fairfax, Vt. She was born in Berkshire, Vermont, June 30, 1839, and is the daughter of Samuel D. and Polly (Smith) Alfred. Her parents were natives respectively of Massachusetts and Vermont. Her father is of English descent. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Richardson were born as follows: Mary H, Oct. 2, 1867, and Clara G., Aug. 2, 1870.

^aniel Hagin, member of the firm of Gaines & Hagin, at Cambridge, has been a business man of Henry County since 1874. He was born in Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. , Feb. 12, 1842. His paternal grandfather, Charles Hagin, was a native of Ireland. The latter was a soldier in the British army, and was brought to America to fight the Colonists, who were in armed rebellion against unjust taxation. He was in sympathy with the cause of the rebels, and had too strong a proclivity to taste the sweets of liberty hirhself to. feel much like aiding in the troubles of others coming from the same source, and he exchanged his red-coat for the nondescript uniform of the Continental Army. He fought valiantly, and was made a Lieutenant. He lost an arm in the cause he served. After the termination of the war he settled at Syracuse in the State of New York. His wife was Miss Mary Smith, who was a relative of Governor Yost, of Pennsylvania. Their children were named Francis S., John B., Sally (Mrs. Howe), Charles C, Matilda (Mrs. Teeter), and Barnard M. The oldest son was born Feb. 12, 1816, in Lansing, N. Y., and died in the same place July 2, 1883. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and enlisted in the 109th Regt. N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was enrolled in Co. G. He was in the battles of the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania and North Anna.

Catherine Teeter, who became his wife, was born in Lansing, N. Y., May 1, 1832. She died there July 8, 1856. She was one of a family including one on and nine daughters. She became the mother of eight children, - Daniel, Mrs. Flaville Etter, Charles M. and Franklin M. (twins), Amsey, George, Seth (deceased) and Mary. Franklin M. and George were enrolled soldiers in the 15th N. Y. Vol. Cav. ; Amsey and George are deceased.

Mr. Hagin was educated in the place where he was born, and after finishing his studies he engaged in the business of a farmer until he entered the military service of the United States. Aug. 2, 1862, he enlisted in the 109th Regt. N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was under rebel fire in the actions in the Wilderness, North and South Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and the campaign in the vicinity of Richmond. After the war was closed he returned to his nat ve State, and was a grain operator at Ithaca, and he also interested himself in building canal boats and in that variety of navigation for about four years. In 1866 he came to Cambridge, and through the first year he was interested in farming. He went to the pineries of the North, and from there returned to his native State. He resumed his old interests in the construction of canal-boats, and on the canal, and passed several years in that avenue of business. In March, 1874, he returned to Cambridge, and formed the partnership in which he is at present interested.

Mr. Hagin was married Aog. 20, 1868, in Erie, Pa., to Dovia G. Owen. She was born Aug. 3, 1849, in Warren Co., Pa. John Owen, her great-grandfather, was 108 years of age when he died. He was a soldier in the French and Indian wars and in the Revolutionary struggle. Reuben Fenton, late ex-Governor of the State of New York, was one of his grandsons. His son, Eben Owen, was the father of

Eben G. Owen, who died Aug. 2, 1864, in Warren Co., Pa. The latter married Sarah S. Loucks, and they had the following children : Mrs. Terrissa H. Middaugh, Mrs. Dovia G. Hagin, Mrs. Odessa Mentzer and Mrs. Alissa M. Mentzer. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hagen were born as follows : Fred E., June 3, 1869; Frank G, June 26, 1873; Eddie S., March 7, 1878; Alissa L., Jan. 10, 1881.

'ohn D. Hill, a farmer of the township of jjjf- Munson, is the son of William T. Hill, of whom a sketch is to be found on another page. He was born in Rappahannock Co., Va., March 19, 1843. An account of the removal of the family to Illinois is given in connection with the sketch referred to, and Mr. Hill celebrated his arrival at the age of 12 years while on the journey hither. He passed the remainder of his minority on the farm in Munson Township where he attended the public schools. In 1862 he entered the military service of the United States. He enlisted in Co. C, 112th Regt. 111. Vol. Inf., and remained in active military duty three years. He received his discharge after the close of the war. The list of battles in which he was a participant are as follows : Knoxville, Sanders' Raid, Bean Station, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Pine Mountain, Eutaw Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Nashville, Wilmington (N. C), Fort Anderson, Kelly's Ford, Dandridge, and many others of greater or less importance. During the last year of the war he was the colorbearer. June 20, 1865, he found himself at liberty to return to home and friends.

His marriage to Esther, daughter of Buenos and Sarah (Osborn) Ayers, took place Sept. 30, 1867. Mrs. Hill was born May 14, 1845, in Hicksville, Ohio. Her parents are at present residing in Geneseo, but they were then farmers in Munson Township.

In February, 1868, Mr. Hill bought land in Iowa, but he did not remove to it, and later he exchanged it for land in the township of Cambridge, Henry County. Of that he took possession in 1872. Meanwhile he was the manager of the farm of Mr. Ayers. After a residence of two years in Cambridge, Mr. Hill sold the property there and bought a considerarfm% ble tract of real estate on sections 7 and 8 in Munson Township. The family have since been its occupants, and their residence is located on the west half of section 8. In 1880 Mr. Hill bought the west half of the northwest quarter of section 17 in the same township, and he is now the owner of 243 acres of good land under the best type of improvements. He is interested in rearing Hereford cattle. His horses are of good grades and he turns off a large number of hogs from his estate yearly.

Iraf uman Woodward, a successful farmer of EJylf this county, residing on section 21, Osco Township, is a son of Hiram and Cynthia (Root) Woodward, natives of Vermont and Ohio. The grandfather of Mr. Woodward of this sketch, Asa Woodward, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Luman's father and mother after marriage settled in Licking Co., Ohio, where they resided following the vocation of farming until 1852, when they came to this county with a team and wagon and settled in Osco Township. For a more extended notice of their lives see the biography of Hiram Woodward, elsewhere in this volume. The children of the parents were nine in number.

Luman Woodward was the eldest in order of birth of the children of his parent's family. He was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Feb. 4, 1831. The school privileges of Mr. Woodward were limited, and his accumulation of practical knowledge is due to his own individual efforts, and what education he is possessed of was acquired by the same perseverance on his own part as the practical knowledge that he possesses. He resided at home or. his father's farm in Licking Co., Ohio, assisting him in the labors thereon until 1 85 1. In the spring of 1855, Mr. Woodward came with his wife and one child to this county, and purchased 60 acres of land on section 21, Osco Township. He with his family settled on his land and engaged vigorously and energetically upon the task of its improvement and cultivation. He has erected fine buildings, set out numerous shade trees on his farm, and by economy and energetic labor has increased his landed interests until he is at present

The marriage of Mr. Woodward took place in Licking Co., Ohio, Aug. 15, 1852, and the lady chosen to accompany him through the trials of the future was Miss Laura, the accomplished daughter of Norman and Mary (Edelblute) Woodworth, natives of Vermont and Virginia respectively. After her parents' marriage they settled in Licking Co., Ohio, where they reared a family of six children, namely : Charles, Laura, Rebecca, Gilmore, Seibert and Norman, and where they continued to reside until their deaths.

Mrs. Woodward was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Aug. n, 1834. She has borne her husband one child, Cynthia Alice, who was married to John W. Hadley, a resident of Newman, Jasper Co., Iowa, and who were the parents of two children, Mary A. and Laura M. Mary A. died April 24, 1882, in her 27th year, of diptheria, and Laura M. died in 1864.

Mr. Woodward has held the office of Commissioner of Highways, as well as other minor offices within the gift of the people of his township. Politically, he is a believer in and supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party.

In selecting persons in different parts of the county to represent the different callings and professions in the portrait department of this work, we find in Osco Township a number of truly representative agriculturists. Prominent among these, however, ranks Mr. Woodward, of this sketch, and we give his portrait in connection with this sketch.

.ohn W. Chapman, father of Chapman Brothers, editors of the Chronicle, published at Cambridge, was born Feb. 10, 1835, in Madison, Ind. He is the son of John and Mary A. (McKin) Chapman, who were natives of the State of Ohio. The family to which he belongs is of English extraction, his grandfather, John Chapman, having descended from that nationality. The latter was a resident of Lancaster Co., Pa. His son John was the father of five children, - Elizabeth V., Henry C, William (deceased), John W. and M. Frances. John Chapman, Sr., was born in Ohio, and died in

Madison, Ind., in 1841, at the age of 41. In early life he was a boatman on the Ohio River, and in later years he was a magistrate in the city of Madison. He also served as City Marshal and as City Assessor. He was a man of excellent abilities and was the recipient of general esteem.

His son, John W. Chapman, was reared in Madison, and there made himself ready for the contest of life by learning the trade of wagon-maker. March 2, 1858, he was married to Catherine Sturgis. She was the daughter of Levick and Mary (Simons) Sturgis, and died Oct. 25, 1883, at the age of 45. The three children to whom she gave birth are living, and are named William O., J. Harvey and Emma E. Mr. Chapman afterward removed to Indianapolis, where he followed his trade for eight years. In April, 1876, he came thence to Cambridge, and has since been occupied in the pursuit of his vocation here.

His sons were educated in the public schools of Indianapolis, and began their acquaintance with journalism in that city, in the capacity of newsboys, which was their occupation while attending school. In the year succeeding that in which the family came to Cambridge, William O. Chapman, of the Chronicle, entered the office of that journal, then in the hands of George C. Smithe, and began to obtain a knowledge of the trade of a printer. He passed one year subsequently in Rock Island and at Davenport working at his trade. When Harvey Chapman reached the age of 14, he became at attache of the Chronicle office, where he also learned his trade. February r, 1885, the two brothers took charge of the paper, and are engaged in its successful management.

red Stahl is a farmer on section 13, Munson Township, and is engaged in the management of 144 acres of valuable land. He is a native of Germany, and was born in /JRC the Province of Holstein, Jan. 17, 1842. He attended the schools of his native country as long as the law prescribed, and at 16 he went to work on a farm. He continued in that employ until he came to America.

the privileges which he believed were the inherent right of every man, and he landed at Quebec, in the Dominion of Canada. After a stay of two days he left that city for Chicago. Arriving there, he made no stop, but at once set out from there for Henry County. He found a cousin - Charles Stahl - with whom he remained a short time. He speedily obtained work, and he operated as a farm assistant until 1869.

In that year he was married to Minnie Peterson. She is a native of Sweden, and was born Feb. 1, i84r. As soon as he was married Mr. Stahl rented land and conducted his affairs after that method two years. In 187 1 he bought a farm on section 13. There was a house on the place, which he has rebuilt, and he has also erected a good frame barn, having a stone basement. Mr. Stahl is interested in raising stock and grain.

teenry L. Goold, dealer in fine furniture, pii^ pianos and organs, at Kewanee, 111., was born in Knox County, this State, Dec. 26, 1850. His parents, Sylvester and Ella T. (Macklin) Goold, natives of Vermont and Delaware respectively, reared a family of two sons and one daughter, Henry being the eldest. Sylvester Goold was for many years a merchant in Galva, and carried on farming and stock trading pretty extensively at the same time. In T877 he removed to San Benito Co., Cal., where he has since been engaged in the live-stock business.

The subject of this sketch was brought up on his father's farm and liberally educated at commor. schools, graduating at the Galva High School in 1869, and subsequently spending two years at the Evanston University. In the spring of 1872 he went to California and remained about three years teaching school, keeping books and . civil-engineering. Returning to Illinois in 1875, he at once formed a partnership with a Mr. Fairbanks, and engaged in his present business. In 1879 a third party was admitted to the firm, changing the style to Fairbanks, Goold & Blanchard, and in 1881 Mr. Goold became sole proprietor. In addition to the furniture and musical instrument business, he is the most extensive undertaker in the village. He is largely interested in agriculture in Iowa and Nebraska ; is a stockholder in the " Haxtun Steam Heater Works," Kewanee, and also in the First National Bank of that place. For so young a man, Mr. Goold's success has been decidedly flattering. Not a cent has been given him. What he has he has worked for. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and prominently identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. -In April, 1875, he was married at Galva, 111., to Miss Florence F. Hurd, who died in 1881, aged about 28 years, leaving three children: Ellen Frances, Theodore, Fred and Harry. Feb. 5, 1884, at Kewanee, Mr. Goold contracted a second marriage, the lady being Miss Matilda Wentworth, the accomplished daughter of John Wentworth, Esq., retired contractor and builder, formerly of Maine, but has made his home in Kewanee since 1881.

eorge Goodrich, jeweler at Cambridge, was born in 1829, in Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y. The family is of Scotch and English extraction. Their ancestors settled in the State of Connecticut. Henry C. Goodrich removed from the "land of wooden nutmegs" to the State of New York with his family in 1812, and 'there died, at the age of 65 years. His demise occurred in 1848. He was a citizen of prominence, and was active in the affairs of the State militia, in which he was a Captain. By occupation he was a farmer. He'was married in Connecticut to Sally Gillett, a native of that State. She died in Hamilton, N. Y. Of the 12 children of which she became the mother seven reached maturity. Mrs. Eunice Martin is a resident of Oneida, 111. George is the next in order. Parma still survives. Two daughters, Mary and Ellen, died in Knox Co , 111. Five children died in the State of New York.

Mr. Goodrich was reared on a farm till he was of age. He then learned the trade of a millwright, and followed it in connection with the business of a carpenter until he came in 1849 to Victoria, Knox Co., 111., where he was similarly occupied until the spring oi 1853, when he yielded to the desire to see the El

Dorado of the American Continent, and joined a company of 20 men, who crossed the plains to California. The entire trip was made without accident. In California Mr. Goodrich operated in the mines six years, but with unsatisfactory results after the first. He then went to the Redwood country, where he joined a logging camp. He passed three years there, and operated meanwhile to some extent as a mechanic. Finally he interested himself in farming, in which he passed seven years, with excellent success. He managed a cattle ranch, and owned a great number of working oxen, with which he hauled his supplies - sometimes adistance of from 30 to 150 miles, as occasion demanded. He made from $r,ooo to $3,000 annually. He remained on the Pacific coast 17 years, and at the expiration of that time he returned to Knox Co., 111. He rested there a year, and then came to Cambridge, where he embarked in the sale of drugs, and also maintained a boot and shoe store. Not long afterward he opened the business of a jeweler, in partnership with John A. Hart, now a resident of Oskaloosa, Kan. The latter relation continued five years, and at the end of that time Mr. Goodrich bought the interest of his partner, and has since managed the business alone. The drug interest in which he had a share was terminated at the end of six months by its destruction by fire. During the last ten years he has been engaged in the management of a saloon and billiard hall. Mr. Goodrich has devoted much interest to the advancement of the business prosperity of Cambridge, and has erected a number of business buildings.

_arl Swiger is one of the representative agriculturists of the county, where he has resided since i860. He was born in Saxony, Germany, Feb. 7, 1836. Carl and Christina (Richter) Swiger, his parents, were also of German birth. After he passed the time required by law in attendance at school he was put to work on a farm. He was 24 when he left the land of his birth for the New World. He crossed the ocean on a sail vessel, and after a voyage of six weeks landed at the port of New Orleans. He stayed in the Crescent City two days, and proceeded thence to St. Louis. He remained there two days, and then came to Rock Island. The next day he came to Henry County. He was the possessor of $10 when he arrived in the county, where he is now an independent land-holder. He engaged in farming in Munson Township and did his first work for D. P. Merrill.

In September, in 1861, he enlisted in the Ninth 111. Cav., enrolling in Co. B. He obtained a discharge for disability in June, 1862, and returned to the township from which he enlisted. For several months he was unable to do any work, and as soon as he was sufficiently recovered he again interested himself in farming. He entered the employ of the same man - Mr. Merrill. In 1867 he bought 80 acres of land on section 10, where he operated with the most unqualified success as an agriculturist. In 1371 he exchanged the property for the place where he has since lived and carried on his plans with the same good results. The farm is situated on section 9, and is supplied with good and creditable farm fixtures. The buildings are of the same type, and the place is increased in value and appearance by the addition of fruit and shade trees. Mr. Swiger raises stock and grain, and is interested in the dairy business.

The marriage of Mr. Swiger and Miss Theresa Miller occurred Oct. 26, 1867. Their children are named Hattie and Frank. Mrs. Swiger was born in Saxony, Germany. Both herself and husband are members of the Lutheran Church.

i illiam H. Terpening. The name that opens this biographical notice will be recognized as that of a pioneer of Munson Township of 1851. Mr. Terpening was born in the township of Virgil, Cortland Co., N. , April 22, 181 8. His father, Henry Terpening, was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., and married Sarah Byram, a native of the State of Vermont. They located their home in the county where their son was born, about the year 181 2. The father was a carpenter and joiner by profession, and he purchased a tract of land which was covered with the heavy forest for which the Empire State was noted in its primeval days, and, as he wished to follow his trade, he employed assistance in the labor of clearing the farm in Virgil Township. After some years he abandoned his business as a builder, and and gave his undivided attention to farming. His wife died on the homestead, and he was again married. He went to the village of Cortland to pass the closing years of his life, and died there, at the age of 78.

Mr. Terpening of this sketch was instructed in the details of farming, and also in those of the trade of a carpenter, by his father, and acquired a complete knowledge of both by working under the competent instructions of his sire. He was the assistant-on the farm and in the work of a carpenteruntil he was 20, when he was released from his obligation to his parents and commenced the world in his own interest. He started for the West, and went to Brownsville, Union Co., Ind., where he worked as a carpenter a year. At the end of that time he bought a saw-mill ( n and engaged in the lumber business. He also pur- ^ chased land and erected a commodious frame house This was burned five years later, and he lost his mill J}{{ on a judgment held against the man from whom he §j§ had bought the property, and these disasters, both 5j^ coming together, nearly ruined him in a financial Q sense. He went to Fayette County in the Hoosier 4 State, and there, in company with a man named / >J Sands, he built a saw-mill two miles from Connersville, and operated as a business man four years. He then sold his interest in the mill, and went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he obtained employment at his trade until the year he came to Illinois. He settled in Henry County in June, and made a claim on section 36, in what was then township 16, and is now included in the territory of Munson. Mr. Terpening commenced the building of a house, but did not complete it, as he went to Knox County, and remained until late in the month of December. He then returned to Henry County, and brought his family back with him. As their own abode was not ready for their accommodation, they lived in another until the following March, when Mr. Terpening completed the house he had begun on first coming to the county. | They took possession of it as soon as possible, and V the proprietor at once began the improvement of the Jy land. He secured his claim from the Government, pj\ and was its occupant until 1855. ®j started for Iowa. He was a second time a pioneer, and he settled among the first in Union County, where he entered 560 acres of land. He also bought an improved claim of 160 acres, which contained a house. He entered with energy into the work of an agriculturist on an extensive scale, and continued to increase his acreage until he was the owner of i.too acres. He also took an active part in matters pertaining to the general welfare of the public, and he was elected to fill the position of Justice of the Peace and as Supervisor. After a residence there of nine years he returned to the township of Munson. He had rented the estate in Iowa, and he bought 168 acres on section 27. No improvements had been made on it, and he has placed the whole under the best type of cultivation. He has erected good buildings and improved the acreage of the farm, and has operated in the same methods to which he has been accustomed all his life, and has increased his estate in Munson Township until he is the owner of 284 acres. Mr. Terpening is interested in raising stock and in mixed husbandry.

While a resident of Iowa he enlisted as a soldier in the cause of the Union. He was enrolled in August, 1 863, in the 29th Iowa Regt., I. V. I , and after staying in the camp at Council Bluffs two months he fell ill, and was discharged as unfit for the rugged duties of a soldier. His sons, George and Clinton, enlisted in 1863, in the 12th 111. Cav., and each served nearly three years. Both were minors at the time they enlisted, and both returned with health permanently impaired. They receive a pension of $12 monthly.

Mr. Terpening is a man of uncommon abilities. He has a well-stored mind, is a great reader and a -close observer of all things that have a beneficial effect on the mental powers. In political faith he is an adherent of the National Greenback party, and holds to tolerant religious views. He is a pleasant companion socially, and has a good understanding and control of fluent speech.

June 18, 1839, Mr. Terpening was married to Eliza A. Mason. She is a native of Cincinnati, and was born May 4, 1816. The record of the children which constitute the issue of the union is as follows : Martha is the wife of Samuel Wilson, and they are living in Republic Co., Kan. ; Missouri A. married William Reese, who was a soldier in the 4th Iowa Vol., and died in the military service of the United

States; she afterward married George A. Terpening, her cousin, and lives in Munson Township; George A. lives in Republic Co., Kan., and is a farmer there, and Justice of the Peace ; Clinton W. is a photographer in Bedford, Iowa; Francis is a prominent citizen of Washington Co., Kan. ; he is a farmer and merchant at Alba, and also officiates as Postmaster; Melissa A. married E. G. Ball, of Chicago; Minnie married William Hutchinson, and they are residents of the township of Munson ; Marion is a business man in Creston Iowa; he is a druggist and an extensive farmer ; Charles S. lives in Washington Territory; he is a teacher by profession and is also interested in farming; Mary E. is married to James Orr, of Cornwall Township, this county.

ohn A. Schoettler, dealer in groceries, etc., at Cambridge, was born in the township of Concord, in Bureau Co., 111., Aug. 26, 1852. He is the son of Frederick and Maria (Schwarzentraub) Schoettler, both of whom were natives of Germany. The former was born in Hesse and the latter in Bath. The father died in Bureau County in 1879, and the mother in the same county Jan; 10 of the same year. His death took place July 30. They came to Illinois and settled in the county where they passed the remaining years of their lives, in the year 1842. They located in the vicinity of Tiskilwa. Their children were ten in number, and were named Christian L., Jacob F., Mary Eliza, Joseph W., John A., Emma F., Amelia F., Mina L., George E. and Ellen L. All are living and married, with two exceptions.

The gentleman of whom this sketch is given was educated in the county where he was born, and after passing some years in the labors of the homestead, he went to Buda, 111., and entered the employ of B. F. Waite, who was engaged in the business of a merchant at that place. He operated as a clerk about 13 months, and then commenced to work in a similar capacity in the interests of B. N. Stevens & Sons, in Tiskilwa. He remained in their employ a year, and passed the year ensuing in farming on the homestead. The next year he traveled in Nebraska, and when his journeying was ended he returned to Buda and passed a year in the prosecution of the work of a carpenter there. He came to Cambridge from the place last mentioned and operated in the capacity of Assistant Postmaster under W. J. Vannice. He filled that position two years, and next received an appointment as postal clerk on the railroad between Bureau and Peoria. He ran between the two points 15 months, and at the end of that time he came again to Cambridge. He opened the line of business in which he has since been engaged, and which he is conducting with satisfactory results.

His marriage to Eliza R. Buck took place Feb. 18, 1885. She is a native of the township of Munson, in Henry County, where she was born May 7, 1857. She is the daughter of Edmund and Margaretta (Woolsey) Buck. Her father is a pioneer of the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Schoettler are connected by membership with the Congregational Church. He is a member of the I. O. G. T., and has been identified with no party in politics, but has acted independently.

'[juiigust Samuelson, engaged in farming on section 34, is one of the prosperous and energetic farmers of Osco Township. He was born in Sweden, Oct. n, 1839, and came to America in 185 1 with his parents, who located in Western Township, this county, where the father died. Mrs. Samuelson still survives.

August is the youngest of his parents' family of ten children, and lived at home, attending the district schools in the acquisition of an English education, and actively engaged with his father in the pursuits of the farm until he was 28 years of age. At that period in life occurred one of the most important events of our subject, which was his marriage, in Rock Island County, on the 24th of October, 1867, to Matilda L. Anderson, also a native of Sweden. She was born Jan. 1, 1851, and was but a child of six years when with her grandmother they emigrated to the New World.

In the fall of 1870, August, of whom we write, made a purchase of a tract of land of 1 60 acres, located on section 34, Osco Township, his present site, and upon the same entered immediately on its improvement jind cultivation, and now has some of the finest land, being in excellent condition, in his township. He has also increased his landed interests by subsequent purchases, until he is now the possessor and proprietor of 274 acres of good tillable land in this county.

Mr. and Mrs. Samuelson have had their home blessed by the birth of five children, - Emil G., Etta A., Ely A., Lillie G. and August W. being their names. Mr. Samuelson and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically Mr. S.'s affiliations are with the Republican party.

f time located on section 31, of what was then town 16, and is now Munson. He is therefore justly entitled to the cognomen of a pioneer of the county.

He was born in Bowling Green, Warren Co., Ky., Sept. 18, 1828, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Howard) Crawford. His father was a native of Virginia, and was a preacher in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. When he was still a young man he left his native State to settle in Kentucky, where he remained until 1833, the year in which he came to Illinois. He set out with his wife and four children, and with two pair of oxen and a wagon, in company with a party of pilgrims with the same object in view as led the great army of pioneers to the Prairie State. The entire party led the lives of gipsies while they were on the journey ; and, when it is remembered that it is a fast growing custom for the delicate and refined in higher social circles, to make such trips for the sake of their novelty and adventure, as well as for health, it may well be conjectured that the travelers in search of homes found something to make their travel pleasant and profitable. They located in Knox County. The father of Mr. Crawford bought land of the United States Government, on which the city of Abingdon is now built. He erected a log house, which had a puncheon floor and was roofed with clapboards. He was occupied with his farming and preaching at that place until his death. His widow still owns a farm in the vicinity of Abingdon, where she makes her home.

until 1850, when he came, as has been stated, to Henry County. The place where he bought this tract of land was all wild prairie, and cut logs and had them sawed into material suitable for a frame house, which he built for the accommodation of his family, and which was 16 x 18 feet in dimensions. He broke first 40 acres and fenced it. He was the owner and occupant of that place until he exchanged it for land on section 19 in the same township, which transaction took place in 1852. In the spring of 1855 he commenced the work of breaking the acres of his new farm, and in the fall he erected a house and removed thither. He still holds the place and has added to its dimensions until it comprises 240 acres. It has all been improved and good and suitable buildings erected. Mr. Crawford has set out a considerable variety of trees.

He was married Aug. 14, 185 1, to Mary E. Snyder. Mrs. Crawford was born in Warren Co., Ohio, was the daughter of Frederick and Hannah (High) Snyder. She became the mother of three children : Libbie H. is the wife of William Sheaffer, Farragut, Iowa ; Ida J. married Byron Markham, who lives in Washington, Kan. ; Clara A. is the wife of George Howard, and they reside near Shenandoah, Iowa. The mother died Nov. 3, 1863. Julia Morrow became her successor June 14, 1864, and of the second marriage there are six children: Nory Ella, who died Aug. 5, 1883; Minnie M., Arthur J., John W., Jay Edson and Jessie Martin.

i,ri Wilson, a citizen of Cambridge, where he is living in retirement from active life, has been a resident of Henry County since 1855, when he settled on a farm of 100 acres in Burns Township. He continued its occupant until the spring of 1882, when he removed to Cambridge. He operated as a general farmer and stockman, reaping the reward of industry and frugality. He made additional purchases of land, and is now the owner of 195 acres in Burns Township, which is in profitable agricultural condition. Mr. Wilson was born April 3, 1819, in Otsego Co.,

N. Y. His parents, John and Jane (Decker) Wilson, were born in the State of New York. The family of the former was of Scotch origin. Jacob Decker, the maternal grandsire, was of Dutch extraction. John Wilson died in the State of New York. Eight children were born to himself and wife, in the following order: Jessie, Marvin, Harriet, Asenath, Uri, Ahira, James and John. Jessie went to Michigan. Marvin became a soldier in the Civil War, and died in the summer of 1885. The other children, with the exception of Mr. Wilson, of this sketch, went to Iowa.

The latter was a farmer in his native State. In February, 1855, he came to Henry County, and in the fall of that year he located in Burns Township. He is a Republican, and while a resident there he filled several local official positions.

He was married April 5, 1840, in Friendship, Allegany Co., N. Y., to Rebecca Britton, who has borne eight children. Selecta (Mrs. Clark) is not living; Sylvia is Mrs. Taylor ; Nathaniel, Ersula (deceased), Sarah, Emma, Julia and Etta were born in the order named.

Mrs. Wilson was born June 26, 18 19, in Lycoming Co., Pa. Nathaniel and Hannah (Howe) Britton, her parents, were natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. William Howe, her paternal grandfather, was a soldier of the Revolution.

eorge W. Benedict, Supervisor of Cornwall Township, and a general farmer, residing "K on section 15, is a New Englander by birth. He is the son of Elijah and Dolly (Foster) Benedict, also natives of the Green Mountain State. They married and settled in Cornwall, Vt., where they lived until 1841, when they came to Morton, Tazewell Co., 111. Here they lived until 1852, when they moved still further northward and settled in Cornwall Township, Henry County. Here the elder Benedict died, May 6, 1876. His widow still survives him and resides in Cornwall. They had born to them a family of five children, as follows: Elijah F., Abel E., Rollin Z., George W. and Albert J. Rollin Z. died when about seven years of age.

He received a good common-school education, which was supplemented by an attendance at the academy at Geneseo and at Knox Academy, Galesburg. He has devoted his efforts to general farming, with the exception of three years spent in the army in the defense of his country's flag. He enlisted Aug. 9, 1862, in the 112th 111. Vol. Inf., and for nearly three fears faithfully served his country. He was discharged at Alexandria, Va., and at once returned to his home in Cornwall Township, where he has since lived. Here he owns a farm of 165 acres, most of which is tillable. He has been entrusted with the affairs of his township as Supervisor, and given a prominent position in the management of the affairs of his county for five years. He has also served as Township Clerk for several years, and was Justice of the Peace for eight years. The people have also called upon him to serve as Collector and School Director. In fact, he has "gone the rounds" of all the offices of his township. He is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party.

Mr. Benedict was married in Burns Township, this county, on the 25th of May, 1869, to Lydia A. Brown. She was the daughter of Coles J. and Sally M. (Coul) Brown, and was born in Putnam Co., N. Y., Jan. 30, 1844. She was the youngest of a family of three children, the two older being Benjamin J. and James B. Her children number three : Minerva E., Rollin I. and Mary K.

lames Mascall, resident at Cambridge, is a pioneer of Henry County of 1838. He was born Jan. 29, 1814, in East Kent, England, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Neeves) Mascall. His parents came to America with their surviving children in 1830. A fuller account of them is given in connection with the sketch of Richard Mascall, which appears elsewhere in this volume. The family lived in Litchfield, Bradford Co., Pa., eight years, when they came to Illinois, and after a short stay in Stark County, in June, 1838, they came to Henry County. The first business outside of his farming (and this was 18 years after coming to Henry County) in which Mr. Mascall was^engaged was the sale of groceries and provisions at Cambridge, and in the spring of 1838 he bought 160 acres of land on section 15, in Cambridge Township. This was the beginning of his transactions in real estate, and he has pursued his business schemes and relations until he is one of the solid men of Henry County. His first land entry included 80 acres, and he is now the owner of an estate of 1,300 acres in excellent agricultural condition. The first few years were full of struggle. He realized small proceeds from his crops and at the time he was ready to settle in life, in 1848, he was the possessor of a cash capital of about $40, with which to fit his home for living purposes and to pay his taxes.

He was married April 4, 1848, in Cambridge, to Mary A. Lilly. She was born Aug. 1, 1827, in Oneida Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Carlo H. and Wealthy (Ladd) Lilly. Her paternal grandfather was named Norman Lilly, and was a native of New England. Her mother was the daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Franks) Ladd, the former a native of England. Carlo Lilly and his wife were born in the State of New York, where the father died, and the mother died in the township of Andover, Henry Co., 111., whither she came in June, 1846. The had eight children. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Mascall are six in number: John R., Mrs. Sallie J. Walline, Daniel S., Mrs. Anna Perkins, Mrs. Mary Melloy and Emma L.

The business career of Mr. Mascall is one of marked interest, from the fact that he has for years labored under the most disheartening circumstances, such as would have relegated most men to oblivion and life-long poverty. Since 1856 he has not experienced a day of firm, sound health. In the first days of that year he sprained his knee and he has suffered from unremitting lameness since that date, 30 years ago, and much of, the time he has been compelled to use crutches. Notwithstanding his infirmity, he never allowed his large and increasing business relations to grow less or be interrupted. In April, 1863, he incidentally pricked his right hand with a needle, and although the injury was seemingly very slight, the puncture not being deep enough to draw blood, the hand became permanently lame. In 1882 his other hand became lame. The crowning affliction which overtook -Mr. Mascall was the loss of his eyesight, which occurred in 1878, as then a cataract commenced on the right eye. He can now descern daylight, but, since 1879, has been wholly unable to read or use his eyes in business.

He is now a member of the mercantile firm of Mascall, Walline & Co., dry goods and groceries. He has been in the mercantile business for 28 years, and also heavily engaged in buying and selling stock and grain for about five years since he came to Cambridge.

I iram Woodward, residing on section 2 1 , Osco Township, is a son of Asa and Ruth (Joy) Woodward, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts. The parents of Hiram Woodward were married and settled in Vermont, and in 181 8 remov.ed to Licking Co., Ohio, where the father died Aug. 30, 1837. The mother's demise occurred in Knox County, that State, June 22, 1853. Asa Woodward was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and was with Washington at Valley Forge. He was also with Ethan Allen at the taking of Ticonderoga, where through the strategy of their Colonel not a man was lost or a single drop of blood shed. The children of Asa and Ruth Woodward were nine in number, namely : Sally, Margaret, Masury and Asa B. (twins), Ebenezer G., Arunah, Hiram, John M. and Sarah.

Hiram Woodward, whose name heads this sketch, was bom in Cornwall, Addison Co., Vt, July 6, 1807. He continued to reside in his native State until he attained the age of 1 1 years, when he accompanied his father to Licking Co., Ohio. What schooling Mr. Woodward has received was acquired in a log school house in Licking Co., Ohio. He resided at home, assisting in the maintenance of the family by working on the farm, until he attained the age of 24 years. In the fall of 1852 Mr. Woodward came to this county and " took up " 320 acres of Government land in Osco Township, on a portion of which he has resided until the present time. He has disposed of all his landed interests in^he county except onequarter of section 21, Osco Township. On this traet he has resided, passing the sunset of his years in peace and quiet, respected by all who know him as a gentleman, fair and honest in his dealings with his fellow-man, and one who possesses a heart that always responds to the sufferings, afflictions and troubles of others.

of Noble and Damaris (Bennett) Root, natives of Massachusetts, and whose children were seven in number, named: Alanson, Belinda, Cynthia, Rebecca, Laura, Orrila and Amanda. Cynthia (Mrs. Woodward) was born in Granville, Ohio, Feb. 28, 18 10. She has borne to her husband eight children : Luman, Laurinda, Amanda, Jerusha, Eben, Franklin, Mary and Martha. Jerusha, Mary and Martha are deceased.

Mr. Woodward has held the office of Supervisor two terms, and likewise other minor offices within the gift of the people of his township. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and politically Mr. W. is identified with the Republican party.

For over 30 years he has lived in this community. Indeed, the community has grown up around him. As a venerable patriarch, and one who has done much hard work and given much valuable aid toward building up the county and moulding the character of the people, his memory should be cherished and preserved. It will live in the minds of those who know him personally as long as they live, but the generations to come will know nothing of his labors, his trials and good works unless some means are taken to hand down to them a record of his life. This brief sketch and the accompanying portrait will serve to perpetuate the memory of a good pioneer of Henry County.

County since his permanent removal to the State in 1862 His farm is located on section 28 and contains 205 acres- The land is of excellent type and is well fitted for the prosecution of the plans of the owner. Two pood dwellings have been erected on the place, two barns of extra dimensions and two smaller ones.

Mr. Boomer was born in the State of New York, July 23, 1826. Michael Boomer, his father, was born April 23, 1794, and he married Martha Moore, who was born in 1795. The son was an inmate of the parental home until his minority was passed. He came, on being released from his obligations to his parents, to Illinois, and located at Elgin in 1847. He was there about a year and then returned to his native State. He continued there three years and was married meanwhile. Julia Wood became his wife March i, 1849. She was born in the State of New York, Aug. 10, 1828. James Wood, her father, was born April 22, 1779. Barbara Ireland Wood, her mother, was born Oct. 3, 1785. In 185 1 Mr. Boomer returned to Illinois and passed a season in trapping on Fox River, catching mink and beaver. He made about $600 for the season's work. He spent another year in his native State, and in 1852 came to Aurora. In the course of the next year he removed to LaSalle County and there engaged in farming during the next nine years. He came thence, as has been stated, to Henry County. Mr. Boomer is an adherent of the Greenback party.

,oses Adams, a former citizen of Munson Township, at present residing in Chicago, is a native of the State of Maine and re- ^*f\ moved to Henry County in 1852. He was a citizen of the same township until his removal to Chicago in 1877. He was born in Old Falmouth, Cumberland Co., Me., Dec. 21, 181 1, and is the second son of Moses and Sarah (Skillin) Adams. The grandfather of our subject was a soldier of the War of the Revolution, and was in the fight at Bunker Hill. He was in the Colonial service throughout the war and after the declaration of peace he settled near Portland, Me. He was born in Newbury, Mass. The father of Mr. Adams inherited the traits of his father, and when the second war with the British Government was declared he enlisted in the defense of his country. He was bom Sept. 16, 1775. After his marriage he settled at Portland in Maine. The family removed there when the son who is represented in this sketch was about 16. The latter was apprenticed to a merchant and was in the same employ five years, officiating as a clerk. When he was 21 his employer set him up in business in Portland and he conducted his commercial operations there 16 years. A disastrous fire ruined him in a financial sense, or nearly so~ and he returned to his former station of clerk. He engaged at first as an assistant in a warehouse and later as a clerk in a store. He came West in 1851 and was employed in the positions last named in La Salle, 111.

In 1 85 2 he came to Henry County and entered a claim of land in Munson Township, or what is now known as such. It was situated on the northwest quarter of section 22. He took possession of the place as resident owner and manager in 1854, and occupied it as long as he remained in the county. Mr. Adams is a member of the fraternity of Masons and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. He has been connected with the latter since December,. 1843. He was brought up in the tenets of the Presbyterian Church, but he is now a believer in the principles of the Universalist Church. He is a firm believer in the doctrine of the final subjugation of sin and the restoration of all mankind to a reconciliation with the Savior.

In 1835 Mr. Adams formed a matrimonial alliance with Frances E. Cutler. She was born in Medford, Mass., May 26, 1811, and died in Munson Township, Aug. T7, 1867. Seven of the children of which she became the mother are living : Frank, the oldest son, was a soldier in the 14th 111. Cav., and was for a long time a prisoner at Andersonville: his health was injured beyond recovery by the privations he endured, and he is now a resident of Topeka, Kan. ; Moses A. lives in Cook County ; Edward is an engineer in Oregon; Sarah M. is the widow of Asa Smith: he served in the 124th 111. Vol. Inf., and lost his life in the war; Elethea is the widow of Lorenzo Eldredge; Mary married Henry Boyce; Charlotte L. is the youngest.

harles F. Wennerstrum, a merchant of I^IJS Cambridge, was born July 29, 1852, in g Nye, near Hwetlanda, Sweden, and is the son of Jonas P. and Frederika (Lindgren) Wennerl strum. The former died in that place (in f which he was also born), March 8, 1885. He was 70 years and six months old. The mother is still living. Her children are Hilda, C. F. and Johan. ( Mr. Wennerstrom obtained such education as was ^ possible in his circumstances in his native land, and ( came thence to the United States in i860. ,

He located in Woodhull, this county, and was at first employed as a farm assistant. He operated in that capacity until 1874, when he entered the employment of Mr. J. D. Bell, a merchant in that place, and continued in the same service three years, during which time he went to Nebraska in the interests of his employer to take charge of his large farm. He remained there seven months, from March 17 to Nov. 10, 1877. In the fall of 1877 he went to Moline, near Rock Island, and became an assistant in the mercantile establishment of J. W. S. Home. He was in the employ of that gentleman until the spring of 1878, when he went to Texas. After a short stay there he returned to thi North and made a brief tarry in the State of Kansas. In the fall of the same year he returned to Henry County. In the spring of the year succeeding he became a clerk in the mercantile establishment of John Johnson, of Osco, and continued in his employ-two years. He next obtained a situation at Woodhull in the same capacity and was in that place one year in the interest of Edward Wea ver & Co. In the spring of 1882 he formed a partnership with James Mascall and P. E. Walline, of Cambridge. They have one of the finest business houses in this locality and are engaged in the prosecution of a popular and prosperous trade. Messrs. Walline & Wennerstrum are the agents for all the trans-Atlantic steamship lines, and also buy foreign exchange for the accommodation of the traveling public in this vicinity.

The marriage of Mr. Wennerstrum to Tillie Wentrand occurred Jan. 18, 1880, at Cambridge. She was born June 1, 1856, in Sweden. They have a daughter, Winnifred, who was born Aug. 20, 1883. Mrs. Wennerstrum is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Wennerstrum is a Republican in his political sympathies, and he is a member of the Order of Masonry.

Alexander lives in Cambridge Township. William is a citizen of Cornwall Township. Helen, a sister, married James Richmond and settled in Adair Co., Iowa.

Mr. Walker was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1839. He was reared in the shire where he was born and in 1858 he came to Amercia. He sailed from his native land in August and landed at the port of Quebec after a voyage of seven weeks and five days. He came directly to Henry County and remained a year. In company with his brothers he rented land in Munson and Cornwall Townships. They managed the land which they had taken five years and at the end of that time three of the brothers bought the southwest quarter of section 9 in Munson Township. Soon after Mr. Walker, of this sketch, bought 80 acres of land on section 27. The brothers operated together for two years. From that time Mr. Walker has managed his affairs alone. He broke the land on section 27 and retained possession of it two years. On selling it, he bought the south half of the southeast quarter of section 8, and has since made additions to his estate until he is the owner of 264 acres of land, which is all improved and constitutes a valuable estate. The family residence is located on section 16.

^.dward Bell, deceased, formerly a farmer on section 20 of Western Township, is son of Josiah and Sarah Bell, who were natives of Tennessee and died in Ohio State when Edward was very young. His mother died of cancer, after having gone to Preble Co.» Ohio, when Edward was somewhat grown up.

The subject of this sketch was married three times. The first time he wedded Miss M. McWhinney, who died in Ohio, leaving one child, Angie by name. She married Eugene Mercer and resides in San Buenaventura, Ventura Co., Cal. Mr. Bell's second wife was Miss Elizabeth Adams, whom he married in

Preble County, Ohio, and who died in Western Township, this county, about 1865, leaving two children, - Herbert J., who has since died of consumption, and Albert W., now living in Norlhville, Spink Co., Dak. Mr. Bell's third marriage was to Miss Sarah J. McHenry, daughter of John and Mary (Williamson) McHenry, natives of Indiana Co., Pa. The latter were married in that county, and Mrs. Bell, of this sketch, was born April 18, 1835. Her father was a farmer and came to Illinois when their daughter was about. 17 years old, settling in Western Township, this county, where she lived until her marriage. Her parents afterward, in T879, removed to Lynn Co., Kan. They are now aged respectively 76 and 75 years.

After his marriage Mr. Bell settled on a farm in Western Township, where he finally died, May 6th, 1872, at the age of 48 years. Mrs. B. is the mother of four children, two of whom are deceased. The living are John and Elmer, and Laura and Maria died when young. Mrs. B. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also her husband. He had been Justice of the Peace of his township for 12 years before his death; was a Republican, and was an exemplary citizen, a devoted husband and father, and his loss was borne by a large circle of acquaintances. Mrs. Bell has a quarter-section of land in her homestead and it is managed by her sons.

harles Van Housen, a prominent citizen of Munson Township, was born Jan. 6, 1824, in Greene Co., N. Y. He is the son of Cornelius and Harriet (Hogabome) ?^ Van Housen, and they were born in Coxsackie, Cumberland Co., N. Y. Mr. Van Housen grew to manhood in Lexington, where he was born and was reared a farmer. The most important event of his early manhood was his marriage to Elizabeth Smith. She was born in Prattsville, Greene Co., N. Y., |and was married to Mr. Van Housen Nov. 17, 1847. They took possession of a rented farm in Lexington and were its occupants until 1859, when they came to Illinois. They passed three years in La Salle County, where they first located, renting land in the township of Tonica. In 1862 they removed for a permanency to Henry County. Mr.

Van Housen bought a farm on section 14 in the same township where he is now a resident. He was at first the proprietor of 80 acres, but by a later purchase has increased his possessions and is now the owner of 120 acres, all of it being in a valuable and well improved state.

Hezekiah, the oldest son, lives in Laramie, Wyoming Territory ; Arlington is a resident of Colfax, Neb.; Romain is living at the same place; Lora is the wife of Warren Cramer, and they are settled in Munson Township; Iretus lives at home. The parents are connected in membership with the Christian Church. Mrs. Van Housen is the daughter of Hezekiah and Chloe Smith.

[Vs horses, was born Aug. 1, 1849, in Darke* County, Ohio, and is a son of Adam C. and (I Catherine (Vail) Deem. The latter is a' daughter of Shobal and Elizabeth Vail, and i her home was blessed with two children, our subject 1 and his brother Adam. S