Iroquois County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1880 (part 10 of 20)

A noted writer has said : " There is no method by which history can be so profitably studied as in the biography of its leading men." This is particularly true of the history of localities. The leading men of Loda have made its history. No man has had more to* do with that history than Adam Smith. He was a man of great energy, great business capacity, unbounded expectations, and grand in the very boldness of his enterprise. It is difficult to decide which to admire most, the bold dash of the man or his consummate activity and energy. In the first flush of the " California fever " he made a fortune in shipping both to California and to Australia. He chartered or bought whatever vessels were in the market ; then, by " buzzing " around a few hours, he would engage freight or passengers enough to pay for the purchase and expense of the trip, leaving him the ship free after a single trip ; but at that early day there was no return freight, and he descended like a stick after shooting up into the business sky like a rocket. He came here in 1855 and sprang into business activity as he did in New York. There were only three houses here : the depot, freight house and section house ; but he struck out as vigorously as if he had been on Manhattan Island. He purchased 16,000 acres of land of the railroad, selecting such as he was sure he could sell at an advance before time for payment, and set men to work building, farming and developing the country. His mind was no ordinary one, and everything he undertook was done on the grandest scale. He built one of the largest houses in the county; expended thousands on an extravagantly large mill ; was the principal contributor to the finest church in the county; put up an extensive building for a hay -press ; and built a hotel, stores and other buildings on a somewhat smaller scale. He put up a barn on his farm capable of stalling 1,000 head of cattle. Fifty thousand dollars is considered a not unreasonable estimate of the money he put into buildings alone at Loda. When the income from his business enterprises would not any. longer keep the ball rolling and continue his huge schemes, he went to Chicago, where he figured as the claimant, by purchase, of large and valuable tracts of canal and other lands. This enterprise, which would have made him one of the wealthiest men in the city, fell through, and he retired to Nebraska, where he is now engaged in other magnificent land operations. All in all, he was one

Dr. Foster was early engaged in business here. He kept *the first hotel, which Smith built, for awhile, and died here. Plowman & Yirden built a large mill here, which was burned about 1861 or 1862. It was a first-class mill in all its appointments, and is said to have cost them about $25,000. It ruined them and some of their friends. . Silas Yirden & Brother commenced to rebuild it, backed by the citizens. Smith said it must go on, and finally he had to assume it. He continued to add to it and spread out until it had swallowed about $30,000 more. It was commenced as a saw-mill, and the lumber was sawed to complete the building. It is 36x48, with engine room 20x48. It was converted into a sorghum mill, and used for that purpose two or three years during the war. There was then one run of stone, and Waite & Smith put in two additional runs and flouring machinery. After this Smith put in a grain-kiln, which was used in the fall for kiln-drying the new crop, and put up a huge store room for corn, which is 36x126 feet, having nine dumps in it, and built a railroad track, which runs the grain out to the Central railroad. The extra runs of stone and the flouring machinery were removed, and Mr. E. M. Hungerford bought the entire property upon which so many thousands had been expended for about $2,000, and uses it for running his grain, flaxseed and meal trade.

The Virginia Company, composed of Hon. John Minor Botts, J. M. Hernden, John T. Lomax, J. L. Marye and others owned several thousand acres of land in this vicinity. Mr. Isaac O. Butter came here as the agent for the company. He died here, and his son remains here engaged in the lumber trade. A. D. Southworth, an engineer on the railroad, made his home here, engaging in the real-estate and surveying business. He was a gentleman of good business qualifications. For several years he was supervisor for this township, and was internal revenue collector. About 1870 he removed to Wabasha, Minnesota, and engaged in banking. G. W. Russell was the first station-agent, and Moses Wilcox first postmaster. During the intense political excitement which followed the "Kansas war," and the political unpleasantness which grew up between Senator Douglas and President Buchanan, Loda was strongly republican, and it was said that there were not democrats enough here to hold the ofiices. Mr. Copp, who had then recently come here, and a young man of strong democratic proclivities, resented this idea, and made application for the office and was appointed. He said he did not want office, but party necessity called on him to hold up the flag.

Addison Goodell has been more thoroughly interested in the growth and business of Loda than any other man. Coming here at the very first, he has continued a growing and lucrative business without change, other than enlarging as business demanded it. Strict and careful in his business habits, he has always done a safe and fairly remunerative business, at the same time holding the pecuniary interests of his customers as, in a sense, his own. Growing up in the Western Reserve daring the time when that leader of anti-slavery sentiment, Joshua R. Giddings, was the prominent advocate in congress and before the people of those doctrines which triumphed at Appomatox, it is not to be considered strange that he imbibed sentiments which, later in the history of political parties, made him a member of the republican party. When he came here to reside in 1855, he had never voted for any congressman but Mr. Giddings, and his first congressional vote cast here was for Owen Lovejoy, who was, if possible, a more radical anti-slavery man than Giddings. This was Mr. Goodell's " record," when in 1862 he was nominated and elected to the house of representatives of the general assembly of this state. That general assembly was without a parallel in the political history of this state. The writer is not aware that any impartial history of it has ever been published ; and many of the stirring characters who took part in that attempt at legislation, only seventeen short years ago, are now gone from among us.

Rev. E. Dunham, who was the pioneer Methodist preacher here, was a man full of faith and good works. He was born in Tolland county, Connecticut, in 1794. His father had been a soldier in the revolutionary army, and the lad grew up with that sentiment in favor of the universal freedom of mankind and equality before the law, which was prevalent in the " land of steady habits " at that day, and which was soon after planted in the Western Reserve by Connecticut minds. He was early converted, and joining the Methodist church commenced preaching, and in 1820 was ordained an elder. He was a man capable of great physical endurance, and often, in those early days, preached every day in the week to fill out the numerous appointments of his circuit. A man of strong convictions, good mental powers, and strong faith, he brought an earnestness to whatever he undertook, which was the real secret of his power. He early became a coadjutor of Garrison, Phillips, and other anti-slavery workers, and was a conductor on the " underground railroad " when that business was dangerous, even in the Connecticut valley, " in case of accident." He was an active worker in what was known as the third party, and then as the freesoil party. He came here in 1857, and continued his active labors as his strength would permit as a local preacher. He is supposed to have been the first to hold regular meetings of the Methodists in this vicinity, and it was he who organized the classes here and at Paxton. He frequently held meetings at Thomas Wilson's house, east of town. He died in 1878, at the age of eighty-four years. Full of years and well worn, he was gathered to his fathers, leaving as a grand heritage to his children the memory of his good name and manifold wealth of Christian labors. He left six children: Dr. J. C. Dunham, of Loda; J. M. Dunham, Esq., of Holyoke, Massachusetts; and Mrs. A. B. Brown, Mrs. E. Olmstead, Mrs. Henry Alvey and Mrs. Rev. Pliny Wood.

Samuel Hackley was one of the first to engage in the lumber trade here. Binks & Gould were early in trade, and Moses Wilcox had a furniture store here just opposite the depot. George Delker and Adam Smith were also early in trade. Daniel Healey came here from New York in 1857, and has resided here since that time. His son is engaged in the grain and coal trade. The elevator was built by Ira A. Manley. It has a capacity of 15,000 bushels, and is now owned by J. & E. Buckingham, who control a large number of similar concerns in various parts of the state, and have an elevator in Chicago. It is managed by S. B. Coleman. They have handled here 240,000 bushels of grain in a single year.

The Loda distillery was for several years one of the institutions of the place. Like all such enterprises it had its bright and dark sides. While it was running it made business lively, giving employment to a great many people, and keeping the price of grain up to a little more than it would otherwise have been. It was built, in 1858 or 1859, by a party of Englishmen : George Maxwell, George Wood and D. C. McMillen. At this time there was no government tax on spirits, and they sold at from twelve to fourteen cents per gallon. The proprietors enlarged it until it was one of the largest in the state. It had eighteen fermenting-tubs, and a capacity for running 1,800 bushels of grain per day, making about seventy-five barrels of highwines per day, and feeding 1,200 head of cattle and 2,000 hogs in the summer. Adam Smith run it for awhile, and Laduk & Gibbs had it for a time. Cleghorn, Leckey & Co. got control of it and run it for while. They emplo}red about 100 men in and about it, and so managed it that the government never had occasion to seize it for irregularity, although they did indulge in a little peculiarity in the manufacture of the barrels. The stave which was directly opposite the bung was made thicker than the others. It required four or five government officials to see to it when it was in full operation. Mr. W. A. Leckey, the manager, died, and then it was idle for a time. Archibald Leckey then took charge of it, repaired it up, and the second day after starting it he lost his life by falling into a hot-water tub. The death of nearly all those interested stopped operations, and soon after it was burned, and the ground where it stood is now in cultivation.

The destruction of the distillery was followed almost immediately by the building of the new railroads which cross each other at Hoopeston, which deprived Loda of the trade of a large region of country which had before that been tributary to it, and the building of the Gilman & Springfield road cut off from the west a portion of the trade in that direction. A number of her business men found locations elsewhere, and many of her houses were empty. The people in the country who were making new farms found it was cheaper to go to Loda and buy a house than to build one, and many were hauled out to the surrounding farms. The town is partially recovering her former business prosperity, and is by no means the dull, dead place that has been represented. The business men are fully employed and are evidently prosperous.

Churches, Societies, Etc

A preliminary meeting was held by those who desired to join in the organization of a Baptist church, February 14, 1857, at which Adam Smith was chairman. It was determined to organize a church, and articles of faith and church government were adopted, and a committee was appointed to correspond with a view to having a council of churches convene to recognize such action, according to the custom of this denomination. March 14, a council met composed of delegates from churches at Spring Creek, Hopewell, Urbana and Champaign (Rev. A. L. Farr presiding, and J. C. Griffing acting as clerk), which sanctioned the action of the church organization, with the following original members: Adam Smith and wife, D. B. Davis and wife, J. V. Riggs and wife, and Albert Riggs and wife. May 2, A. Smith, J. Y. Riggs and A. Goodell were appointed trustees.

May, 1879, a committee was appointed to represent this church in the Christian Association of Loda, composed of delegations from all churches here, for united action. In 1860 a call was extended to Rev. S. M. Brown, which was accepted. March, 1863, pastor Brown resigned. August 27, 1864, Rev. Harry Smith was chosen pastor and served two years. The first church was built in 1864 and 1865. It was 40X60, two stories high, and was built under the management and largely through the contribution of Mr. Smith. He reported that it cost nearly $10,000, which is likely, as everything he built cost a good deal more than it ought to. In 1874 Rev. John Dunham was pastor.

During his pastorate, January 31, 1875, the fine church edifice was burned. The organ, library and carpet were saved. The fire was understood to have originated around the register, from an over-heated furnace. The Methodists kindly offered the destitute congregation the use of their church, which was thankfully accepted. In 1876 Rev. W. H. Roberts was pastor. June 3, 1877, the new church was dedicated ; it cost $2,317, and it is 36x60. In 1878 Elder Roberts resigned to accept an appointment to the Burmah mission. The church numbers seventy-two members. A Sabbath school has been maintained throughout the time. W. Wait is superintendent. The school numbers about one hundred, with ten teachers.

A preliminary meeting of those desiring the organization of a Congregational church at Loda, was held October 19, 1857, at which a council was invited to meet and sanction the organization. The council met November 4r, consisting of Rev. W. W. Patton, of the First Congregational church of Chicago ; Rev. J. E. Roy, of Plymouth church ; Rev. W. H. Smith, of Kankakee ; W. S. Hoyt, from West Urbana ; and S. A. Yan Dyke. The church was organized with the following original members: Talcott Smith and wife, Mrs. M. D. Rankin, Simeon Hackley, Albert James, Mrs. William Gould, Mrs. C. E. Gould, Miss Sarah H. Gould, Dr. L. T. Haines, Mrs. Rachel Haines, Edward Lamb and wife, N. P. Clark and wife, Sarah G. Clark, James Harkness and Dorcas Hackley. Dr. L. T. Haines and Simeon Hackley were elected deacons for two years, and Albert James, clerk and treasurer. A communication was received from Mr. Charles Merriam, of Springfield, Massachusetts, one of the publishers of " Webster's Dictionary," enclosing a donation to the church of $300, on the sole condition that the clerk should each year send him a report of the condition of the church and congregation. The money was accepted and the church was named Merriam Congregational church of Loda, but for several years the report was not sent. After a few years Mr. Uriah Copp was elected clerk, and learning the delinquency in this matter, the church, like the prodigal, came to itself, and began sending the annual statements, which were acknowledged by Mr. Merriam by remittances of from $20 to $50 for the Sabbath school.

Rev. A. L. Rankin acted as minister for one year from January 1, 1858. K P. Clark was elected deacon in 1858. Rev. William Gould succeeded Mr. Rankin for two years. The church was built in 1859 and 1860 ; it is 32x50, and cost $1,500. The Sabbath school was commenced in 1859, with Mr. Gould as superintendent. For sixteen years Mr. Copp has superintended this school, and has brought the energy, tact and spirit to the work which has characterized his labors in other spheres.

It numbers about 125, with nine teachers. It has 500 volumes in its library, besides in a spirit of missionary enterprise furnishing five prairie schools with libraries. Thus has the moderate contributions of Mr. Charles Merriam borne fruit which is of inestimable value.

Organizing the Methodist church was largely due to the ministerial efforts of Father Dunham and Rev. Thomas Cotton. The latter sends, at the request of the writer, from his present home at Purdy, western Tennessee, the following reminiscences, which should find place here :

" In response to your request for some items of information concerning the organization of Methodist churches in Iroquois county, and my share in the work, I will endeavor to give a few facts in a plain, brief manner, presuming that there are some who yet remember me, and to whom they may be of interest.

"I was appointed to Middleport circuit in the fall of 1857, when it extended up the river to the Indiana state line, and included Bunkum (or Iroquois), and extended south to beyond Milford. Ash Grove had previously belonged to the charge, but was then separated. One of the most prominent and popular of my predecessors was Rev. W. J. Giddings. . . . Then were formed those strong attachments which continue to this day, and have caused my family to regard Iroquois county as their loved home. Among those who aided me in my work I must make mention of J. H. Empre, D. Fry, the Hogle Bros, (though not members of the church), and the venerable George Vennum. Hon. Samuel Williams, William Garner, and the late Jesse Eastburn. In September, 1859, 1 was appointed to Loda, then a new and weak work, with but a handful of members, and with neither church nor parsonage. The society was, I believe, organized by Rev. Jacob Horn, then pastor at Ash Grove, who died at Old Middleport a short time since. My immediate predecessor at Loda was the venerable Ella Dunham, then a recent immigrant from New England, a worthy exponent of Puritan spirit.

" During my two years at Loda we were favored with some revivals, the work was established on a more independent and permanent basis, and a parsonage erected in the western part of town. In the advancement of the church at Loda I was greatly aided by the zeal, firmness and devotion of brother E. D. Hall, afterward a minister in the Central Illinois conference, and now of Providence conference. [An extract from this interesting letter, referring to the work at Buckley, will be found under that head.] The second year of my pastoral labors closed my four-years residence in that county. I can only allude to my removal to Pontiac, to my two-years service in the army as chaplain, to five-years itineracy in Woodford county, and my more than ten-years labor in the' southern field. My present charge embraces a large scope of country, including the historic battle-field of Shiloh and the vicinity of Corinth, Mississippi.

During most of its history the Loda church has been served by the same preachers who labored at Buckley. The church was built during Mr. Collins' ministerial labors in 1864 and 1865. It is 32x50 arid cost about $2,000. The Sabbath school was organized with Mr. Amos Ford, who now resides at Normal, as first superintendent. S. E. Hitchcock and Joseph Hobbs have been his successors. The membership is about sixty.

The Koman Catholic church was first gathered here about 1870, under the ministration of Father Fanning, priest-in-charge in Oilman, now of Fairbury. Mr. Fanning has been the leader in collecting most of the congregations of his faith through this strip of territory, from Chenoa to the state line. He was followed by Fathers Bloome and Yan Schwadler. The church was built in 1874. It is 26X44, and cost about $2,000. Father Cahill was first resident priest. The parish includes Loda, Rankin, Gibson city and Melvin, and embraces about 250 families. The priest usually holds service in each point one Sabbath. Father Martin F. Kelley, who is now in charge of the parish, was born in Brooklyn, New York, and educated there and at the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels, at Niagara Falls. He has but recently arrived here, and is giving promise of great efficiency in the important field which is given into his charge by the church.

eight others as charter members. Mr. Copp was the first worthy chief, a position which he has filled for much of the time of its existence. The lodge has never omitted to send its quarterly report to the Grand Lodge since it was instituted, and has been in good working condition all the time. It has taken the lead in all temperance efforts, and has done more to educate the people to vote against licensing dram-shops, than any and all other temperance efforts combined. It has organized several other lodges in this part of the county, and has been the center from which temperance light has shed its rays in all directions. The present membership is seventy-five. The present officers are : T. N. Boue, P.W.C.T.; Addison Curtis, W.C.T. ; Allie Archer, W.V.T. ; U. Copp, Jr., W. Sec.; J. S. Sheldon, W.F.S. ; Minnie Carrington, W.T. ; George Kinsman, "W.M. ; Mary Middleton, "W.G. ; Harry Rowley, W. Sent. ; Lydia Yan Hise, W. Chap. ; Carry Carrington, Asst. Sec.; Miss L. Hungerford, E.H.S.; Fannie Sheldon, D.M., J. S. Sheldon, L.D.

The school at Loda is graded to four departments - primary, intermediate, grammar and high-school. It is under charge of W. D. Gardner, formerly of Gilman, with three assistants : Miss Emma Stanard, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hobbs. The average attendance is about 160. Pupils are taken through all the higher branches taught in the public schools of this state, and the ancient languages are optional. The school year is nine months.

In pursuance of a call signed by twenty-three citizens, a meeting was held at Dare's hotel, June 27, 1863, to vote for or against incorporation. Of these twenty-three, only J. Huestis, A. S. Austin, Jr., "W. H. Bradley and A. Goodell, are here now. The meeting voted unanimously in the affirmative. "W. E,. Smith acted as chairman, and Uriah Copp, Jr., as clerk. July 6, an election was held for five trustees ; thirty-seven votes were cast, and the following were elected : A. D. Southworth, J. T. Bullard. George Shafer and A. J. Hammond. On organizing, A. D. Southworth was chosen president, and Lewis Lyon, clerk. The boundaries of the town were fixed to include all of the original town of Loda, and all the additions which had been platted. A. D. Southworth was appointed police magistrate, and Uriah Copp, Jr., was selected by the board to fill the position of president, thus made vacant. This incorporation was under the general act then in vogue, and soon after a special charter was obtained, which somewhat enlarged the powers of the board. September 1, 1873, the town voted to accept the general act for the government of villages, passed in 1872. The present officers are : Frederick Yeder, president ; John Madix, D. Y. B. Holcomb, T. G. Butter and W. H. Copp, trustees; Yolney Weaver, clerk ; William Weaver, police magistrate ; A. Goodell, treasurer. For some years license was granted for the sale of liquors, but more recently the views of the temperance party have prevailed, and license is not granted.

The first paper published in Loda, or in this part of the county, was started by Gov. D. S. Crandall, in 1856 - " The Garden State." It was an independent, six-column paper, devoted to local interests, literature and home affairs. It was never considered a great success in a financial point of view, but was published because its proprietor had long been in the editorial harness, and could not content himself, when coming to a new country, to be "without a newspaper of his own. Its publication continued for four years.

The " Register," edited by Dr. J. C. Dunham, has been published for five years, and the " Times," edited by Yolney Weaver, is in its first year.

Fredrick Yeder, farmer, section 31, was born in New York, April 21, 1815, and moved to Milwaukee in 1836, and stayed there till 1841. He was married, in 1855, to Emily Stark; she, too, was born in New York. They are the parents of five children, three living : Peter, Angel and Tilla. The deceased are: Frederick and Harrison. Mr. Yeder has almost retired from active business life. He helped to raise recruits for the Mexican war. He was for several years engaged in building and running canal-boats, at which business he was very successful. He is a man well respected in the community in which he lives. He is a democrat, and in religion a liberal. He owns 340 acres of good land in this township.

Hon. Addison Goodell, banker, Oakalla, the subject of this sketch, and whose portrait appears in this work, is probably as widely and favorably known as any citizen of Iroquois county. He is a native of Lake county, Ohio, where he was born July 16, 1822, and is the son of N. P. and Hannah M. (Griswold) Goodell. His early life was spent at farming, he being fortunate enough, however, to have received a good academic education. He began at the age of seventeen years to teach school, which he followed as an occupation for about six years, during which time he taught a private school in Louisville,

Kentucky, for about two years. After giving up teaching he engaged in the lumber trade, making Painesville, Ohio, his headquarters. This business he became so far interested in .as to have several vessels coasting on Lake Erie, which were loaded with lumber at different ports in Ohio, Michigan and Canada, and destined for an eastern market. In 1855 he came to Illinois, and in July of that year located at Loda. Having disposed of his business in Ohio he again began the lumber trade in Loda. This, however, in a few years he gave up, as he had become interested in the real-estate business, and in the negotiating of loans in farm securities for eastern capitalists. These two branches have mostly occupied his attention since he has been a resident of Iroquois county, though in 1856 he began a banking business, which he has since continued. The building up of the town of Loda has been due mainly to his efforts, as churches, schools and all public institutions have received from him very liberal donations, and a generous support. He may have been actuated through motives of policy to have been thus anxious for the prosperity of the village, as he has been very extensively interested in real-estate in the vicinity, but his generosity as well as leniency having been thoroughly tested in hundreds of other instances, would belie the assertion. He has never sought political preferment, but being a stanch republican, in 1861 he was elected a member of the legislature, and in 1870 was chosen by the people as a member of the Illinois constitutional convention from the district of which Iroquois county is a part. Again, in 1871 and 1872, he was called upon to represent the people of Iroquois county in the state legislature. This is the extent of his political career except several home offices in Loda township. As a loan agent, Mr. Goodell has been generous, even to his own disadvantage and pecuniary loss ; yet his career in this respect has abundantly demonstrated the truth of the old axiom that " honesty is the best policy." Left in early manhood to his own exertions in the building up of an honorable name and reputation, as well as in the accumulation of property, he chose an honest and straightforward course of doing business, which, in almost all instances, has been conducive to his success. Choosing rather to sacrifice property than his good name and credit, he has during the past " hard times " met with some loss of property. His financiering ability has been put to the test, as in 1873 he owned about 2,000 acres of land, which rapidly began to depreciate in value. In addition to this, during the hard times from 1873 to 1879, he had stood as mediator between eastern capitalists and unfortunate farmers of the west, who through him had borrowed over a million of dollars. The capitalists found his statements true in every particular in cases of distress, and the farmers found him to be a true friend, as in every case possible he gained a reduction of interest-rates or an extension of time. As a consequence, both parties have learned to place in him the most implicit confidence, which to him is prized more than wealth. Thus through adversity as well as prosperity he has pursued an honorable course, which has established for him a name, a reputation and a credit not easily to be won. In 1851, while a resident of Ohio, Mr. Goodell was married to Miss Jane H. Warren, who was born in Rensselaer county, New York, in 1830. They are the parents of four children now living: Frances M., "Warren, N. P., and Bertha.

C. O. Barstow, real-estate dealer and farmer, Loda, was born March 7, 1820, in Massachusetts, and is the oldest son of Charles and Alice Barstow (deceased). He married Almira A. Stanard, of Connecticut, September 6, 1846. She was born October 12, 1822. They have one child, Charles E., who was born June 6, 1848. Mr. Barstow came to Loda in 1855, and built the first store and sold the first goods in the place. He has held the offices of justice of the peace and postmaster. His early advantages for education were the common schools, etc. He is a republican in politics, and in religion a Materialist.

Samuel Lees, farmer and stock-dealer, Loda, owns 400 acres of excellent farming land, with good buildings, 280 acres of which is in the home farm, one and a half miles northeast of Loda. He was born in Pennsylvania, July 10, 1831, and spent his boyhood days on the farm until eighteen years of age. He learned the blacksmith trade, which he continued to follow until within the last twelve years. He came to this state in 1855, and settled in Mercer county, and remained there six years. He then went to Iowa, where he lived until he came to this county. He enlisted in the late war, in 1862, in Co. H, 134th Penn. Vol., and served ten months. He was in the battles of Shepherdstown, Fredericksburg, Chancellors ville, and several others. He was married in Pennsylvania, June 19, 1862, to Nancy J. Hoge, who was born in Ohio, September 22, 1833. They are the parents of five children, four living: James B., born April 6, 1863; Francis E., born April 25, 1868 ; Essie H., born September 9, 1870, and Minnie C., born July 22, 1871 ; and one infant, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lees both belong to the Congregational church. Mr. Lees is considered one of the influential citizens of Iroquois county.

William H. Bradley, merchant, Oakalla, was born in Lake county, Ohio, December 19, 1836, and is the son of Joseph and Delia M. (Mills) Bradley. His early life was spent at farming. In 1857, when twenty-one years old, he came west and located at Loda. Though brought up on a farm and having but little knowledge of mercantile pursuits, he sought and gained employment in the capacity of clerk .in the store of 0. O. Barstow, with whom he remained in that capacity for three years. He then bought the business, and became Mr. Barstow's successor. He continued doing a general mercantile business until 1866, when he sold out and accepted the position of United States revenue agent, being located while in this business at the large distillery then in operation at Loda. In 1871 he quit the employ of the government, and again embarked in the mercantile trade, which business he has since continued. He is occupying a favorably located building, in size 24x80 feet, two floors, all of which room is well stocked with a general line of goods. The accumulation of a fair property and the building up of a good business have been the result of his own energy and industry. Mr. Bradley was married, November 3, 1862, to Miss Laura A. Southworth, who was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1837. They have three children living : William H., Carrie F. and Elouise.

T. J. Healey, grain-dealer, Oakalla, is another of the stirring business men of Loda. He was born in Livingston county, New York, November 28, ]851. In 1857, when still a child, he came west with his people, his father locating at Loda, where T. J. spent his early life attending the schools of that place, and later taking a very thorough course at the Normal University. At eighteen years of age he began teaching, and for about three years was engaged in that business in Loda and vicinity. In 1875 he became his father's successor in the coal trade, to which he added agricultural implements, and also engaged in the grain trade. In each of these three branches of trade he is now doing quite an extensive business. He is now holding the office of town clerk, and is filling his second term of office as police magistrate. In 1876, on November 28, he was married to Miss Florence Curtis, of Painesville, Ohio. They have by this union but one child, Miss Bessie L. Though a yorfng man, Mr. Healey has taken an active part in all matters relating to the general welfare of the public, and especially to the people of Loda, who have already recognized in him both ability and honesty, and have, as a consequence, placed him in such responsible positions as could be bestowed by their ballots.

Henry Alvey, farmer, Oakalla, section 22, was born in England, September 3, 1833. His father was a glove-maker. Mr. Alvey assisted his father in carrying on the trade until he came to America, in 1848. He came to this county in 1857, and settled near where he now resides. He was married in 1855 to Sarah A. Dunham. They are the parents of six children, three living. Mr. Alvey has held the office of school director and road master. Mrs. Alvey's father was one of the first

Methodist preachers in this township. He established the first Methodist church in Loda. Mr. Alvey is a republican, and in religion a Methodist. He owns 40 acres o£fine farm land, worth $45 per acre.

Edward Olmsted, farmer, Oakalla, section 32, was born in Connecticut, May 27, 1822. He came to this state in 1857, and settled on his present farm. His chances for an education were fair. He was married in Connecticut, in 1850, to Lydia "W. Dunham, who was born in Connecticut, July 18, 1825. They have two children by this union : Isadora T., born in 1852, now wife of John H. Harwood, of Topeka, Kansas ; and Edward D., born March 16, 1856. Mr. Olmsted is of English descent, and is well respected in the neighborhood where he resides. He is a republican, and his religious views are Methodist.

Henry Weaver, Jr., hotel and restaurant keeper, Oakalla, was born in "Wayne county, New York, April 20, 1836, and is the son of Henry Weaver, Sr., who is also a native of New York, and who was born November 8, 1798, and is now residing with the subject of this sketch. When Henry Weaver, Jr., first came to Illinois he settled in Kane county, and remained there but a short time, and then removed to Iroquois county, where for about ten years he was engaged in farming. This period includes the time spent in the army, which he entered as a volunteer during the rebellion of 1861-5. He enlisted, in 1861, in Co. F, 8th 111. Cav., three-years service, Gov. Beveridge being his captain. He remained in the service about eight months, and was discharged at Alexandria on account of disability. After leaving the farm he accepted the position of station baggage-master for the Illinois Central railroad, and for about twelve years continued in their employ, during which time he was located at Loda. In November, 1878, he quit the railroad and engaged in keeping a hotel and restaurant, in which business he is still engaged. Mr. Weaver was married to Miss Harriet M. Price. They have had seven children, five of whom are living : Abram H., Percy L., ^Cdith, Gertrude and Freddie. The deceased were Bertha and George.

Frederick Kemp, farmer and stock-dealer, Oakalla, w-as born in Maryland, July 10, 1816, and has followed the occupation of farmer through life. His chances for an education were poor. He went to the old style log school-house, with a fire-place reaching across one end, greased paper for window glass, and clap-board door. He came to this state in 1855, and settled near Champaign. He remained there four years, and then came to this county. Mr. Kemp has held the office of township treasurer four years, and trustee one term, and this office he still holds. He was married in Ohio, April 12, 1838, to Hannah A. Johnson. She was born in. 1816. They are the parents of four chil- dren, three living : John D., Bartley E. and William J. The deceased was Luther. Mr. Kemp is a well-to-do farmer, and respected in the neighborhood in which he resides. He owns 100 acres of good land in this township.

Robert McFarland, farmer, Oakalla, owns 86 acres of well improved farm land, worth $50 per acre. He was born in Ireland, March 26, 1832. He remained on the farm until fourteen years of age, when he commenced clerking for a grain-dealer. He came to America in 1857, and stopped in Ohio two years. He then came to this state, settling in Iroquois county in 1859, and clerked six years in Loda, then went to farming. He has held the office of school director, school trustee and assessor. Mr. McFarland is of Scotch descent. He was married in New York, in 1861, to Ellen McClelland. She was born in Ireland. They are the parents of three children : Mary J., William A., and Martha E. He is a republican in politics, and in religion a Presbyterian.

John Marvin, farmer and stock-dealer, Oakalla, was born in Indiana, November 4, 1833. He was brought up a farmer, which occupation he has followed through life. His chances for an education were limited. He came to this county in 1860, and settled where he now resides. Mr. Marvin has held the office of supervisor for four years, school trustee for two years, and school director twenty years. Mr. Marvin was married in Indiana, February 4, 1854, *to Margaret Newlin, who was born in Indiana, December 25, 1835. They have by this union seven children, six living : William, Jesse, Emma, Edward, Ella and Eliza. The deceased was Charles, who was drowned in 1874. Mr. Marvin is known as one of the most influential citizens of Iroquois county. He is a republican, and as regards religion is a Materialist. He owns 218 acres of tine land in this township.

W. S. Hawk, proprietor of the Reed House, of Loda, and one among the older class of citizens of the town, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1829, and is the son of Erastus and Amanda (Parker) Hawk, both natives of the state of Yermont. His life was spent on a farm until the age of sixteen years. He was then placed in the position of turnkey, under his uncle, in the jail of Erie county, Pennsylvania. This position he held three years, and then accepted the position of baggage-master on the New York & Erie railroad. This position he held for six years, when he quit railroading and came west, stopping at La Porte, Indiana, for about three years. In 1862 he started on a trip farther west, his destination being Pike's Peak, Colorado, but after having spent about six months in traveling over the western prairies he returned east as far as Illinois and located in

Loda, where he has since resided. Mr. Hawk has been twice married: first in Indiana, in 1858, to Miss Henrietta Reed, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, and who was born in 1839. Her death occurred in 1868. His second marriage was to Miss Cornelia Dean, a native of New York city, in 1876. She was born May 17, 1854. By the first marriage he has three children : Jay D., Eddie and Clara. Mr. Hawk is keeping the only hotel of Loda, and it is a large three-story house, well furnished and nicely managed. The building, and also the grounds attached, which are quite extensive, belong to him, all of which are the result of his own energy and industry.

Samuel McCracken, farmer and stock-raiser, Loda, was born in Ireland in 1820. He was brought up to the occupation of a farmer, which occupation he has followed successfully through life. He came to America in 1851, and settled in Massachusetts a short time, then went to Pennsylvania. After remaining a short time he came to this state in 1863, and settled where he now resides, one and a half miles northeast of Loda. He is a good farmer, and handles some cattle, hogs and sheep. He was married in Pennsylvania, in 1857, to Margaret Galo, who was born in Pennsylvania. They have had six children by this union, five living. In politics he is a republican, and his religious views are Presbyterian. His parents were natives of Ireland, and were of Scotch descent. He owns 320 acres of fine land in this township.

T. B. Kinsman, blacksmith, Oakalla, was born in England, June 24, 1827. His early life was spent at farming. At the age of nineteen years he began learning the trade of a blacksmith, this having been his business through life. In 1832 he left England and settled in Canada, where he remained until 1865. He then came to the state of Illinois and located at Loda, which has since been his home. He was married in 1850, while in Canada, to Miss Harriet Cotton, a native of England. They are the parents of eleven children, eight living : Sarah, wife of F. Stroup ; Thomas, William, George, Silas, Charles, Gertrude and Minnie. The deceased were : Louisa, Frankie and Freddie. Mr. Kinsman has recently become quite extensively interested in farming, he now having 320 acres of land under cultivation. This work is carried on mainly by his sons, while he attends to the smithing. When he came to Illinois in 1865 he was offered a good position in the shops of the Illinois Central railroad, but preferring to draw his family away from the many temptations of the city, he became a resident of Loda. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of the A.F. and A.M., and of the M. E. church, and a man whose reputation for honesty has been earned by honorable deeds.

"W. L. Kinsman, salesman, Oakalla, is one of the energetic young men of Loda. He is a native of Canada, where he was born November 18, 1857. In 1865 he came to Loda with his parents, where he continued his studies, in which he had made very rapid progress in Canada. For about eight years he continued to attend school, in which time he secured a good education. For a short time after leaving school he was engaged in the grain trade, but giving that up he began as salesman in one of Loda's prominent business houses, in which he has since continued. April 24, 1879, he was married to Miss Louise J. Stroup, who is a native of Illinois. In his political views Mr. Kinsman is a republican. He is a member of the Congregational church, and withal a young man of good morals, good habits and a good reputation.

T. N. Boue, physician and surgeon, Oakalla, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, May 18, 1837, and is the son of L. D. and Eleanor (Moffette) Boue. He received his literary education at the academies of Waveland and Ladoga, after which he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. Adkins, of Covington. He attended the Rush Medical College of Chicago, during the winter of 1863-4. Again, in 1865-6, he took a second course at the same college, from which he graduated in the spring of 1866, after which he located at Loda and began a regular practice. He has had good success, establishing an extensive and lucrative practice. The doctor is a member of Mount Olivet Commandery, A.F. and A.M., No. 38, of Paxton ; Ford Chapter, No. 138, of Paxton; and the Blue Lodge, of Loda, No. 316. June 3, 1867, he was married to Miss Effie L. Burnette, now deceased. She was a native of Ohio, born in 1842, and died September 29, 1875.

Joseph Holmes, farmer, Oakalla, section 26, was born in New Jersey, November 20, 1819. He was raised in the city. His chances for an education were limited. He came to this state in 1835 with his father, who settled in Putnam county. He remained there until 1846, and then went to Henry. He came to this county in 1868 and settled on his present farm. Mr. Holmes has held the office of supervisor of township two terms, and assessor two terms. He is at present commissioner of roads. He was married in Putnam county, this state, in 1846, to Miss Avis F. Taylor. She was born in Massachusetts, May 21, 1825. They had ten children by this union, six living: Sarah, wife of C. Weaver, of Pigeon Grove township ; Ella, Mary, J. H., Asa M., Samuel J. The deceased were : Ruth, Benjamin, Jennie and John L. Mr. Holmes is one of the solid men of Iroquois county. He and his accomplished lady are both Swedenborgians. He is a republican in politics.

B. F. Price, express agent, Loda, is the fourth son of "William and Jane G. Price, who are the parents of eight children, one daughter and seven sons, all born in Broome county, New York. They moved to this county in 1860. Menette married Henry Weaver, of this place. Joseph C., George A., B. F. and John D. are still living, and are a credit to their very much respected parents. B. F. was born in New York, May 12, 1843, and was a farmer until August of 1862, when he enlisted in Co. M, 9th 111. Vol. Cav. He served three years, and was in several skirmishes and one battle, at Guntown, Mississippi, in which he received a gun-shot wound in the left arm, which arm had to be amputated June 13, 1864. He has held the office of town collector twelve years, deputy sheriff ten years, constable ten years, and express agent twelve years. He was married in this state in 1867, to Olive Major, who was born in Indiana in 1843. They have by this union had two children : Addie A., born October 31, 1868; and Major, born December 30, 1873. All of the above are republicans, and all liberals.

John B. Taylor, farmer, Oakalla, section 22, was born in Tennessee, November 5, 1825. He has followed the occupation of a farmer successfully through life. He moved with his father to this state when but two years of age, and settled in Pike county. He staid there twenty-five years, and in 1869 came to this county and settled where he now lives. He was married to Mary Gregory, who was born in this state November 9, 1832. They are the parents of seven children, six living: Joel, David, Martha, Lizzie, Mary and Warren. Mr. Taylor's father died when he was but three years old, therefore he has been obliged to make his way through the world unaided. He now owns 360 acres of good land in this township. He is a republican, and a member of the Christian church.

David Bnrnham, hay-dealer, Oakalla, was born in Warren county, New York, December 29, 1828, and is the son of John and Ruth (Trumbell) Burnham, both natives of New York. His occupation for many years was farming. In 1861 he entered Co. A, 93d N. Y. Vol. Inf., three-years service, as second lieutenant. He remained in the service about two years, and then resigned and returned to New York state, where he raised a company for the 175th N. Y. Yol., and again entered the service, this time as first lieutenant of Co. G, threeyears service. In a short time he was promoted to quartermaster of the 175th, and remained in the service until August of 1865. In 1870 he came to Illinois and located at Loda, where for about nine years he has been engaged in baling and shipping hay to New Orleans, shipping usually about 1,000 tons per year. In 1871 he was married to

Mrs. Mary C. Knapp, daughter of Watt C. Bradford, of Memphis, Tennessee. She owned at the time of the marriage quite an extensive property in Loda and vicinity. By this union they have four children : John D., Edward, Ruth and Roy. Mr. Burnham is and has been an honorable and straightforward business man, by which course he has won the confidence and respect of the community.

P. G. Hollister, farmer, Oakalla, section 24, was born in New York, September 19, 1834, and was raised a farmer. He came to this state in 1870. Mr. Hollister enlisted, in 1861, in the 1st Mo. Eng. Corps, and served three years. He was in no battles of any consequence. He did picket duty most of the time. He was married in Illinois, November 29, 1866, to Emma Carr, who was born July 28, 1849. Their children are : Ross O., born September 28, 1874 ; and Grace, born February 6, 1875. Mr. Hollister is considered one of Iroquois county's honored and energetic citizens. In politics he is a republican, and his religious views are liberal.

Joseph Adams, farmer, Oakalla, was born in England, October 18, 1829. He was raised on a farm until fourteen years of age, and then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked seven years, and in 1852 came to America. He settled in Chicago, where he remained until 1870 ; he then went to California, where he remained six months. He was married in Chicago, in 1857, to Sarah Yogwill, who was born in England, October 8, 1829. They have had seven children, five living : Asa, Charles, Harry, Eva and Ida. The names of the deceased are Charles and Mary. Mr. Adams has held the office of school director for five years. His parents were natives of England.

Hiram L. Swick, farmer, Oakalla, was born in New York, May 14, 1839. He was brought up a farmer, and this occupation he has followed through life. He enlisted in the late war, and went forward to battle for his country. He enlisted, in 1862, in Co. E, 113th 111. Yol. Inf., and was in the battles of Chickasaw Mountain, Arkansas Post "and a number of skirmishes. He served until the close of the war. He was married in this state, in 1873, to Ida M. Oaks, who was born in Chicago. They are the parents of three children : "Willie, Frankie and an infant, deceased. Mr. Swick came to this county in 1875. He is a republican in politics. He owns 80 acres of land under good cultivation.

D. C. Hull, farmer, Oakalla, was born in New York, December 9, 1850, and was reared a farmer, which occupation he has since followed, with the exception of four years while working on the railroad as a brakeman. In 1852 his father removed to this state, at which time our subject was two years old. The family resided in La Salle county for two years, and then for twenty-three years in Grundy county. In 1875 Mr. Hull came to Iroquois county and settled where he now resides, one mile west of Loda. In 1873 he was married to Elizabeth D. Wilson, of Grundy county, who was born in this state in 1842. They have three children : Fannie, Samuel and Jennie. Mr. Hull is an industrious and enterprising man. In politics he is a republican.

J. C. Dunham, editor of " Register," Oakalla, was born in Connecticut, July 13, 1831. His early chances for an education were good, and he improved them to the best advantage. He spent the early part of his life in various portions -of New England, and came to this state in 1861, settling finally in Loda in 1876. For several years he practiced dentistry. He first edited a paper called the " Iroquois Democrat." He commenced the " Register " in 1876. The paper is well sustained in both subscription and advertising. Mr. Dunham has been twice married ; first in 1857 to Harriet McBurney, who was born in Canada. His first wife dying in 1877, he again married, in June, 1879, this time to Lizzie J. Knapp, who was born in Tennessee, December 25, 1861. Mr. Dunham has held the office of justice of the peace two terms. He is a member of the Masonic order.

Earl Barrett, farmer, Oakalla, was born in Massachusetts in 1835. He was raised a farmer, and this occupation he has followed through life. His chances for an early education were fair. In 1859 he came west and settled in Bureau county, this state, where he remained eleven years. He then went to Lee county and remained one year, and afterward went to Ford county, where he staid seven years. In the latter county, in 1877, he was married to Mary J. Johnson, who was born in New York in 1857. Mr. Barrett has held the office of road commissioner two years, and chairman of the committee for the destruction of the Canadian thistle two years. He is a republican, and a Baptist. He is a well-to-do farmer, well respected in the neighborhood in which he resides. He owns 160 acres of fine farm land, three miles east of Loda.

During most of its political existence, Danforth was a portion of Douglas township. Two years ago it was erected into a separate township. It consists of a parallelogram, four miles wide by thirteen long, having the northern two-thirds of townships 27, ranges 10 and 11 east of the third principal meridian, and 14 west of the second principal meridian.

About 1852, A. H. Danforth and George W. Danforth, of Washington, Tazewell county, formed a copartnership to buy land, which was about to be thrown on the market again, after having been withdrawn to give the Central railroad an opportunity to make selections under the law which organized that company. Between 1854 and 1860 they entered from the government or bought of the railroad company nearly 50,000 acres of land, a large body of which lay in what is now Danforth township, and the remainder in the townships north and south of it. They at once set about making it available. George W. soon after came here and made it his home, devoting his time to improving and selling farms. A great deal of the land was wet, that is, too wet for cultivation at all seasons, but a glance at the map will show, what Mr. Danforth' s practical eye discovered, that streams run in all directions from it. The Iroquois lies off to the east of it, Langham creek north, the streams running into Vermilion river flow from its western side, and the streams which flow into Spring creek, have their rise in the southern part of the town. Witji a soil of marvelous richness and depth, it was evident to him that good, thorough draining was all that was necessary to make this a garden spot in fertility and productiveness. It was just this system which he decided to follow, which was contemplated in the law which donated to the state the swamp and overflowed lands. Mr. Danforth believed that the Hollanders, who were* accustomed to living on dykes and making canals in their home, would be a useful class of people to help on the work he had to do, and early sent to that country, and offered such inducements as brought a considerable number of them here, who became purchasers of his lands and laborers in his work. Much of the land he bought was not as dry as some of that which had been selected by the county as swamp lands. Wide, open ditches were made with the oldfashioned capstan ditcher, which was worked by oxen, but that would only work in the water. Something else must be used for making the ditches through dry land, or at those seasons of the year when the sloughs were dry. The Central Railroad Company thought the earth could be removed with a dredge, and tried it on some of their lands, but it would not work. They gave away the dredge and sold their lands. About sixty miles of ditch was made with the old capstan machine. Mr. Danforth afterwards used the Tobias machine, which is worked by direct draught, and finally used the Wauchope grader. The work has been done systematically and understandingly. In the thorough grading of the highways, an eye has been continually turned toward the effectiveness of the road-ditches and drains, and have thus supplemented the wider ones which have been made as mains. Under the law of the state, which was passed to aid just such works as this, and which was afterwards declared unconstitutional, provision was made for forcing drains through other lands, and assessing the benefits on such lands as were benefited. Under this law the large ditches were constructed, and though the law was overthrown by the supreme court, such decision did not close up the ditches themselves. The act which was passed in 1879 is condemned as being too complicated to be operative. The people are sorely in want of a simple and affective drainage law, under which all these wet lands can be reclaimed. The main, running to Langham creek, is twenty feet wide and is nearly complete ; those in other directions are somewhat smaller. For some years Mr. Danforth was not able to get railroad facilities here, and indeed for a time it seemed as though he did not need them. During the war this entire country was an immense hay-field. With here and there a small tilled field, all these acres were cut over, and the hay was sent forward into the valleys of the Mississippi, the Tennessee, and the Cumberland, to help put down the rebellion. In 1862 Mr. Danforth came here to reside, and in 1866 secured a side track and station, and a post-office soon after. The long, low red warehouse was the first building put up, and that and the building east of the track were built that year.

John Huizenga, a native of Holland, was at work on the Central road when it was building, in 1853, and his attention was called to the fertility of the soil here. He lived for some years in Marshall county. When treason raised her bloody head, and the boom of rebel cannon echoed and reechoed through the country, awakening the slumbering millions to the sad but awful realities of deadly strife, he enlisted for Holland, and staid there till this cruel war was over. Returning here in 1866, in company with Mr. Heersema, he purchased and commenced making a farm. Through him and the generous advertising done by Mr. Danforth, some forty families arrived here within the next few years, and have made their strong impress felt on the soil and society of this community. Mr. Huizenga, after working a farm for some years, engaged in the grocery trade. These people display the same stolid determination, industry and perseverance which has so long marked them in their native land. Slow to conform to the habits of the country, but still quick to appreciate the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, they are recognized as some of the best farmers in the county. They are generally grain farmers, keeping a few cows and raising some live-stock, but none go into cattle speculations or stall-feeding. Their women are abandoning their custom of doing field work to a great extent, but do not abandon the wooden shoe. Here, for the first time in Iroquois county, are seen stacks of these articles for sale in the stores, and instead of going out of use others are finding out that they are a very comfortable shoe for winter use. Inquiry, however, failed to elicit an opinion in their favor as a delight in very muddy times.

All except three of them are farmers, and nearly all are connected with the Dutch Reformed church. Two families are of the Baptist persuasion. They form a neighborhood of their own, living principally north and west of the village. They readily conform to American methods of farming, but carefully retain their personal and family habits. They are not teetotalers, either in belief or practice, but are scrupulously free from intemperance and social vices. They readily accept the boon of American citizenship, and are not averse to assuming the responsibility which that term implies. They have naturally attached themselves to the party which is in the ascendancy in the county, state and nation. Among other Dutch institutions introduced here was a wind-mill for grinding grain. In their native land, water privileges as understood here (i.e. water-power) are comparatively unknown, and before the advent of the steam-engine, wind-mills and the power of man and beast were the only mechanical powers known. Their mills are run by the peculiar shaped windmills which are familiar, so far as outward appearance is concerned, to every school child. The large arms are made about 8x30 feet;, and it is only necessary for the boy who reads this to recall how his kite, which was only about 2x4 feet in size, pulls under a good stiff breeze, to imagine the tremendous force which these four monstrous fans will carry to the machinery below. This necessitates a very strong structure. The wind-mill frames, which are so common on stock farms all over the country, are puny things compared with the timbers of a Dutch mill. When once inside of one of them, the array of huge timbers slanting inward from a perpendicular position, braced and tied with girts and braces of heavy timber, is confusing to the strange eye. A peculiar and ingenious "governor" counteracts the unsteady action of the winds, and keeps a very steady motion in grinding, so that as good flour is made as by any other power. They have been introduced in various places in this country, but by the strange variations in nature, the winds have so disappeared that the proprietors have found it necessary to introduce steam-power of late years.

in their own language, in the school-house, under Mr. Duiker. The church was organized soon after, according to the polity of the denomination, by the election of two overseers : J. Schrevenga and H. Heersema ; and two deacons : J. D. Kingsens and K. K. Muller. In 1872 a neat church, 30x50 feet, was erected at a cost of $1,800, and a convenient two-story parsonage at a cost of $1,200. These were erected on a lot of six acres of land, which was donated by Mr. Danforth for the purpose, just outside of that portion of the town plat which was laid out in blocks and lots for business and resident purposes. The generous disposition displayed by the proprietor, as well as the systematic business-like plan followed in all his doings here, is evinced in this arrangement and donation. Six acres of land, just outside a thriving little village, gives all the ground needed^for any minister to spend all the time on he can spare from his study and pastoral labors, and the convenience of having the church located on it, and away from the business of the place, is advantageous.

After ^Rev.i|Mr. Duiker's pastorate, Rev. H.pHulst served the church two years ; then Mr. Duiker again one year. Rev. J. Muelendyke is the present pastor. The church numbers nearly one hundred members. A Sabbath school is maintained through the year.

The Lutheran (St. John's) church commenced holding religious service in 1870, under the preaching of Rev. Mr. Johnsen. In 1873 the church was built, and a minister's house on a piece of ground similar to the other, and donated also by the proprietor of the town. At this time an organization was perfected according to the rules of Lutheran procedure. The following were elected trustees : R. Manson, R. Hasbergen, G. Ricken, H. Comack, F. Simons, H. Causon and F. Causon. The church is 36x50 feet, and cost $1,700. The minister's house is 16x30 feet, and cost $600. The church numbers about fifty. Rev. Wm. Thole served the church as minister three and a half years after the church was built, and Rev. G. M. Fischer is the present minister. A Sunday school has been kept up about eight months in the year, with about fifty scholars. A day school has been maintained, under the rules of the church, during a portion of the time.

In 1877, the people living in the northern part of Douglas township, believed that they had got strong enough to run their own concerns, and thought that their interests would be subserved by separate township organization. At their request the board of supervisors divided the township, which was, before the division, seven and a half miles wide, so that Danforth would be four miles wide. It became a nice question how the assets and liabilities should be divided equitably. The officers of the two townships met and agreed to divide on the basis of -the assessed value of the two. The valuation of Danforth being somewhat larger, slightly more than half of the assets were given her. One item of assets it was found difficult to divide. There was in the possession of the town of Douglas $25,000 of stock in the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad Company, a defunct corporation, whose chartered rights still exist, but whose road had been purchased by the Illinois Central railroad, without assuming responsibility for its liabilities. This stock was in two certificates of $12,500 each. It was agreed that Danforth should have one of these, and that the other should remain with Douglas, whose officers solemnly agreed, and made it a matter of record, that if Douglas ever received any dividends on said stock, the equitable portion thereof, which belonged to Danforth, should be forthwith honestly and faithfully turned over into the coffers of that town, without delay, distraint or commissions for collecting, - a generous offer which will be fully appreciated whenever it is fulfilled. The4liabilities of the town, which consisted of $25,000 of 10 per cent bonds which were issued to the said railroad, were*divided on the same basis.

In 1878, at the first election of township officers, the following officers were elected : David Brunlack, supervisor ; H. R. Danforth, clerk ; L. A. Benjamin, assessor ; Fred. Kohl, collector ; H. A. Griswold, C. Davis and William A. Elliott, commissioners of highways ; ' E. S. Schlegel, justice of the peace. In 1879, 139 votes were cast. John Overacker was elected collector ; B. F. Yandolah, justice of the peace, and the other officials were reflected.

In 1873 the firm of A. H. Danforth & Co. was dissolved, George W. retaining the land, and Henry R. came here to represent the interests of his father and his own. * The firm was a strong one both in the means at its disposal, and the business enterprise, skill and energy which its members brought to the management of this large business enterprise. Where so many others failed in attempts to manage large landed interests in this portion of the state, and saw their magnificent domains swept away by debts which they could not float, the Danforths have been successful to a degree beyond their own and their neighbors' expectations. They retain still about 5,000 acres of land, which is all under cultivation, their leases calling for either one-third or two-fifths of the crop, according to the location of the farm or its quality. «

Danforth Village

The village of Danforth was laid out in 1872, on section 18 and the corner of section 17, which lay between that and the railroad ; that portion near the station into blocks and lots, with out-lots for church, school and other purposes. The switch and side track had been put in, in 1865, and a station established soon after. Danforth has several very handsome residences, which make it, to the eye of the traveler passing through, one of the handsomest places in the county, and a desirable place for residence. Its two churches are described elsewhere. A fine brick block of three stores is a real adornment to the town.

Mrs. Hannah Barden, Gilman, was born in Genesee county, New York, July, 1815, and, with her husband, located on the edge of the timber in Danforth township, on October 9, 1840. Mr. Barden voted for Harrison for president as he came through Chicago. The nearest neighbor at that time was Mr. Simons, who lived sixteen miles off; and they had to go to Wilmington to mill, forty-five miles, and all their grain had to be hauled to Chicago. Mrs. Barden would for several days at a time be left all alone, with the wolves howling around the dwelling, and suffered all the privations incidental to pioneer life. She was married in 1836 and had three children: Mary Jane, born March 27, 1840; Newton F., born September 14, 1843; and Warren A., born August 1, 1851. Her husband died January 4, 1866. They lost their eldest boy (Newton) when eleven years old, August 27, 1852. Her farm of 160 acres is well improved and in a high state of cultivation, with good orchard and timber.

James Cloke, farmer, agricultural implement agent and insurance agent, Ashkum, one of the largest farmers here, and one of the oldest settlers in the county, settled in Ashkum township on section 36, twenty-four years ago (1856), at which time land was worth $17.50 per acre. He is now fifty-six years of age. He was born in the county of Kent, England, in 1824, and sailed for America in the clipper ship London. They had rather a rough time, owing to boisterous weather, and sickness among the passengers, of whom there were 1,200 on board, eight or nine dying during the voyage, which occupied eight weeks. In addition to farming, he engaged largely in cattle raising, and herded all over this part of the county which was then all open, and for years he supplied wood for the cars, hauling it to where Ashkum now stands, employing fourteen teams and teamsters. In 1868 Mr. Cloke was married the third time. He has a family of twelve children. In 1870 he moved to Danforth township, where he now resides and is engaged largely in agricultural pursuits on his large farm of 500 acres, which is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. The McCormick Manufacturing Company has had Mr. Clpke in their employ for over fourteen years as their agent in this neighborhood, and he does a large amount of business in their goods. He is also agent for the Continental Insurance Company in these parts.

Thomas James Johnston, farmer, Danforth, is a native of Ireland. He was born in Macherfelt, county of Londonderry, province of Ulster, in 1818, and followed farming there until 1844, when he departed for the United States. He lived in New York for a few years, and then returned to Ireland on a visit. On arriving in America the second time, he came west and settled in Kendall county, Illinois, in 1851, where he continued to reside until 1863, when he moved to Danforth township, in Iroquois county, and bought forty acres of land east of the railroad as a homestead. He herded his cattle on the surrounding prairie, which was nearly all unsettled. In the course of a few years the prairie began to be broken up, so that he had not sufficient pasture for his stock, so he sold out and moved west of the track to his present location, where he bought forty-five acres at $8 per acre. At that time this part of the county was so wet that corn had to be shipped here to feed the stock. Mr. Johnston has been twice married, first to Miss Sarah Hughes in 1837, and in 1858 to Miss Isabella Aurtar, of Will county, this state. He has a family of nine children. He assisted Mr. John Wilson when surveying this part of the county, and was employed a good deal in ditching. To his original farm of forty-five acres, Mr. Johnston has kept adding as his means permitted, and now own 130 acres.

John W. F. Demoure, farmer, Piper city, one of the most enterprising farmers in the couifty, was born in Heilbronn, Wiirtemburg, Germany, in 1838, and came to the United States when he was nineteen years old, and came west, locating in Woodford county, Illinois. He remained there seven years, working on the farm, and came to Iroquois county in 1864, and entered the employment of Dr. Wilson, who owned a large tract of land in Ashkum township, known as the Wilson settlement, running a ditching machine and improving the farms. For a number of years he acted as foreman for Dr. Wilson, and finally went into farming on his own account, buying land in Danforth township and in Ford county adjoining, to which he has kept adding as his means permitted, and now owns 400 acres : 80 in Danforth, Iroquois county, and 320 in Ford county. The homestead, which is in Danforth township, consists of a handsome farmhouse, story and a half, with kitchen attached, surrounded with a large grove and ornamental shade-trees ; cribs, barn and other farm buildings, and good orchard. Mr. Demoure was married, May 12, 1866, in Ford county, and has now a family of eight children, all boys.

W. W. Gilbert, grain dealer, Danforth, was born in the city of Philadelphia, January 29, 1841, and moved west, coming to Danforth in 1864. He entered the employment of Mr. Danforth, with whom he remained for eight years ; at the end of which time he commenced business on his own account in the grain trade, in which business he has been exceedingly successful, it having increased from 25,000 bushels the first to 100,000 this present year. February 22, 1870, Mr. Gilbert married Miss Foster, the result of which union is two children : Arthur, aged six years, and Jessie, aged one year. Mr. Gilbert owns the only grain warehouse in town, and is in fact the only one engaged in the business here. His warehouse has a capacity of 20,000 bushels. His residence, which has just been completed this winter, at a cost of $7,000, is a handsome and commodious two-story structure, and is quite an ornament to the town. The main building is 54x22 feet, and the L's (one on each side) are 16x30 each.

Henry E,. Danforth, banker, Danforth, was born at 'Washington, Illinois, on November 2, 1843, and received most of his education at Lombard College, Galesburg, finishing at the Commercial College, Chicago, in 1863. He came to Iroquois county in 1865, .locating where the town of Danforth now stands, though at that time it was not in existence. For the first year he attended to land business, and in April, 1866, opened a store here, but at the start was not very successful, his receipts for the first month being only $1.50. On November 2, 1865, he married Miss Mary E. "Wenger, eldest daughter of Dr. Wenger, of Gilman, and have a family of three children, two girls and one boy. In 1873 Mr. Danforth commenced banking, and his business has steadily increased. In 1875 he erected a handsome residence in the village, at a cost of $6,000. The building is cruciform in shape, two stories high. One arm is 26 X 61, the other 26 x 56, with a tasteful verandah around the south and east sides. The lot on which the building stands is 50 x 160 feet, beautifully laid out and planted with trees and shrubs, the whole surrounded with a neat picket-fence.

Gilman, is a native of England, having been born in Bromham, Bedfordshire, England, in 1844. He engaged in agricultural pursuits on his father's farm, until 1868, when he came to the United States, sailing from Liverpool on one of the Cunard company's steamers. On arriving in this country Mr. Henman at once came west, locating in Danforth township, where, along with his brother, he kept bachelor's hall for some years. In 1877 he married Miss Emily Fru slier, a young English lady. On settling here the country was entirely unimproved, there being no graded roads or ditches, while deer and wolves were often seen. His farm of 160 acres is now well improved, ditched and hedged, with a good house, farm buildings and a young orchard, and is in good shape for raising a crop in any kind of a season.

John "W. Green, farmer, Gilman, was born in Devonshire, England, in 1826, and worked on the farm there until 1853, when he sailed for America in the ship Queen Victoria, bringing with him his wife, to whom he had been married in 1846. They met with many trials and vicissitudes on their voyage across the Atlantic, the wind being directly ahead of them during the entire trip, which occupied seven weeks and three days. On landing, Mr. Green located in New York, and worked there eight years, when seeing the advantages offered to industrious men in the west, he moved to Illinois, settling in La Salle county in 1861. Eventually seeing the great future in store for this township, he moved his family here in 1869 and bought 120 acres, being the south half of the southwest quarter, and the southwest quarter of southeast quarter of section 20, town 27, range 10 east of 3d principal meridian. When bought, the land was raw prairie, and one would hardly think that such a change could be effected in so short a time. The land is now all ditched and hedged. It has good meadows and pasture on it, a large storyand-half house, with a commodious L attached, large bearing . orchard and grove, in fact one of the best farms on the prairie. The land is a very rich black loam, yielding large crops of all kinds of grain. Mr. Green had in his possession a pumpkin, which he raised last year without any extra care, which measured six feet and two inches in circumference, and weighed 113 pounds. His family, which is now grown up, consists of three children : "William, the eldest, Elizabeth, and Helen Rebecca.

William A. Elliott, farmer, Gilman, came from Yermilion township, La Salle county, to this county, settling in Danforth township when he was twenty-two years of age. He was born in La Salle county in 1848, and has been engaged in farming all his life. In

1870 he married Miss Mary Isabella Galloway. They have two children : Harry aged seven, and Clara aged two and a half years. Mr. Elliott owns 160 acres of land, which at the time he came here was raw prairie, with no buildings upon it. Now it is all broke and under the plow, hedged and ditched, with good farm buildings upon it, and one of the handsomest farm houses on the prairie. The main building is 16x28 feet, two stories high, with stone basement, and a commodious one-story L, 26x26 feet. The farm is the result of his own labors and industry, having started with very little capital, except his own strong arms.

Edward Schegel, dealer in dry goods, groceries, hardware and tinware, Danforth, Illinois, was born in Weissenstein, province of Saxony, Germany, in the year 1840, and came to America in 1849, settling in La Salle county of this state. In 1868 he married Miss Jerusha Severence ; and has one daughter, named Minnie, aged six years. He moved to Milks' Grove, in this county, 1875, and after two-years residence there, he came to this town in 1877, engaging in the dry-goods and grocery business, and also in hardware and tinware, doing a very large trade in each department. He occupies two large store rooms, each 60x20 feet, and also fills the office of postmaster.

Ambrose Moriarty, farmer, Danforth, was born in Canada in the year 1843, and moved to the United States, settling first in La Salle county, in this state, in 1867, where he engaged in farming and was very successful. In 1870 he married Miss Hill, of Ottawa, and has now four children : three boys and one girl. In 1876 he moved to Danforth township, and bought the north half of section seven in that town, on which he has since resided, engaging largely in agricultural pursuits. "When purchased the land was raw prairie, and like the most of the land in this township was low and marshy, necessitating a large amount of ditching before there was any certainty of raising a crop. It is now all ditched ,and broke, and yields large crops in most any season. In addition to attending to his large farm, Mr. Moriarty runs a threshing machine and corn sheller, and is well patronized in each business.

Ashkum is situated near the northwestern part of the county, having Milk's Grove and Chebanse north of it, the Iroquois river for its eastern boundary, Danforth. on the south and Ford county on its west. It contains the southern four tiers of sections of townships. 28 north, ranges 10 and 11 east of the 3d principal meridian ; range 14, and all that lies west of ther river of range 13 west of the 2d principal meridian. It is sixteen miles long east and west, by four miles wide, and is little less than two congressional townships. The Illinois Central railroad runs across it a little east of its center, and has upon it the village which bears the name of the township. The land is generally beautifully undulating, and that lying near the river decidedly sandy, but rich and fertile. About the middle of town 28.10, lies one of the series of swamps which marks the head-waters of the Yermilion river, which was in the early times an impassable rnorass, but which has, by a system of ditches inaugurated by Messrs. Danforth, Milk and other large land-holders, very nearly disappeared. The law under which this work was done was afterward declared unconstitutional by the supreme court of the state, but that did not by any means tend to fill up the ditches which had been opened under it. The big ditch which was cut to drain the land south of here, and open communication with Langharn creek, runs across this township near the center of range 10. North of this it is joined by the one which was cut to drain Milk's Grove.

Nearly all of the land in the western part of the township was purchased of the county, which held it under the act of congress for the disposal of swamp and overflowed lands, by Mr. George C. Tallman, a wealthy citizen of Utica, New York, under a scheme which was not entirely creditable to those having the matter in charge. It was afterward conveyed by Tallman to Dr. Wilson, of Washington, Tazewell county, Illinois, who retained much of it until his death about a year ago. He proceeded to improve, and his heirs still own sections 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 30 and 31 of range 10, and it would hardly be known as swamp land now.

When the Central railroad was built, all west of the timber-growth of the river was open prairie. In 1857 Mr. William M. Ross, a Scotchman by birth, but engaged in New York and Chicago in the dry-goods business, and well remembered as the head of the firm of William M. Ross & Co., and afterward Ross & Gossage, purchased section 30 (range 14), one mile west of Ashkum station, with a view of making it his country home, where he could spend the few hours he might be able to snatch from the pressing and exacting cares of business in pleasure and relief. With this in view he built a snug and comfortable residence, and proceeded to surround it with a wealth of trees, embracing nearly every known variety which grows on this marvelously rich soil. Besides the evergreen and deciduous shade-trees which surround the house in rich profusion, and miles of trees in avenues across the farm, he planted some thousand or more fruit-trees, which have grown into probably the finest orchard in the county. He afterward, in 1867, added to it by the purchase of section 30 (range 11), lying just west of the former, and erected buildings, provided a beautiful deer park, and here he used to bring his friends, entertaining them with generous munificence. Hunting was rare sport in those days, and with hound and gun the days of their stay here were busily filled in loyal remembrance of and duplicating the gorgeous sports of the Scotch braves. From the Iroquois to the Mazon the wild stretch was unobstructed, and game was " plentier than blackberries." The particular kind of sport which the genial Scotchman and his guests delighted in, will never be known again in this region of the country. Then these prairies seemed only made for sport ; now nearly every acre is under cultivation, and a dozen great railroad corporations contend, as resolutely as huntsmen did then, for the game which they hope to bag, - the generous crops and the fatted herds. Lord Duiferin, governor-general of the dominion of Canada, during his tour through the United States, made a pleasant visit to the E-oss Farm, and received its hospitality. The library and decorations of the house show the elegant taste of the proprietor. Mr. Ross died here in 1876. His brother and sister occupy the residence and quietly and pleasantly maintain the delightful home. Each Fourth of July the place is the scene of gay American festivities, such as become the rural citizens who meet in memory of our nation's birthday. The country around about is just as certain to attend the Fourth of July celebration at the Ross farm as to hang up its stocking Christmas eve.

The Wilson settlement, so-called, is on the farm of the late Dr. Wilson, which embraces seven or eight sections of land, running across the entire western extremity of the township. The entire farm is beautiful rolling land, and is farmed by tenants. Mr. J. H. Carpenter is foreman, and the produce of the farm is principally fed out to stock upon the place. Dr. Wilson, in addition to his large landed interest here (which has been as an investment an entire success), was engaged with his son in banking, at Gilman, and latterly at Chatsworth, as the firm of 0. A. Wilson & Co., carrying on also a large real-estate business, being men of large business capacity and liberal means. Dr.

Wilson never resided here, but remained in Washington until his death. The earliest settlements were, of course, along the timber which skirts the river. The families of Mr. Wilson and Mr. Artis Yates were among the first who made permanent settlements there. Mr. John Wilson, whose name has been so largely connected with the history of the county since 1839, removed across the line into Iroquois township, and the reader will find under that heading a very full and very interesting account of his life, and his connection with the affairs of the county, though one of his sisters still lives in this town. Mr. Thomas Yates, who with his father, Artis, carried on an extensive cattle business, and whose wife is a sister of Mr. Wilson, sold the farm which he had here, in sections 28 and 29, to Mason Ayers, and moved to and now resides in Iroquois township. Mr. Yates remembers many incidents of early adventure along this neck of timber, and is not averse, when not too busy with the cares of his farm and cattle, to sitting down and relating stories of the early day, which seem now almost like fiction. But Mr, Yates is not the man to mix fiction with his facts. As early as 1850 the French from Canada began to come into this part of the town, and soon after settled around L'Erable in such numbers as to make a considerable settlement. Peter Spink, a man of large executive tact, was their leader and general man of business. Well educated and affable, he made many friends, and went here and there doing their business for them, caring only to help them along in a friendly way ; but like all men who try to do too much for others gratuitously, he found his own business affairs becoming deranged, and he commenced a series of business tactics, under the pressure of circumstances, which proved ruinous to him. Together with Father Chiniquy, he labored assiduously for the building up of the church, and devoted much of his time to that worthy work. He went to Danville and bought lands for the colonists, intending to let them have them at the same price they cost him, but his financial complications rendered it impossible to do wrhat he intended. In one of the matters which grew out of the colony or church matters, Spink was accused of swearing falsely. Father Chiniquy, - whether he was himself personally interested or not, does not appear, - seems to have suddenly taken sides against Mr. Spink, and said, while preaching in Mr. LaBounty's house, that people ought to be very careful in testifying, saying that there had been recently some false swearing done. Mr. Spink resented the imputation, and taking two friends with him, called on the priest for a retraction, which was refused ; and thus began the long and bitter feud which resulted in the separation of Chiniquy from the Catholic church, and the building up Protestant missions here and in Canada, under his ministrations. Mr.

Spink commenced suit against the father for slander, laying his damages at $7,000, which was in the courts for several years. The bishop interfered, and tried to put a stop to what he knew must result in spiritual disturbance of great dimensions; but Chiniquy was stubborn, and was finally removed (or withdrew) from the priesthood, and joined the Presbyterian church, and for a time continued pastoral labors in that connection. Spink became embarrassed through the reverses which overtook business in 1857, and the demands of an expensive family, and lost what would have proved a very valuable property. The place where he formerly lived, on the northeast quarter of section 17, is one of the finest in town. The house is well shaded by a stalwart growth of fine shade trees, and sho'ws the educated taste of its owner.

The Belgian settlement, which was just north of here, and will be more fully noticed under the head of " Chebanse," spread farther south, and a number of the men of that colony have found homes and work farms in the northern part of Ashkum.

The French settlement spread here from Bourbonnais Grove largely under the active management of Peter Spink. William La Bounty, who is believed to be the first of the Canadian immigrants, settled on section 9. one mile north of L'Erable, in 1850. The first religious services of this people were held in his house, probably during the following summer. He has continued to reside near this for thirty years. He now lives in Ashkum village. A gentleman of tact, he early acquired such command of the English language that he became of great service to his countrymen in helping them to transact their business. Eugene Patmois and Peter St. Peter were also early settlers. About 1851 Francis, Joseph and Nicolas Grossaint came in, with means enough to make a fair start in the new county. The old gentleman lives there yet. Anton Roboine came to section 30 at the same time and made an excellent farm there. The place was given the name of L'Erable, from the great number of sugar-trees which some of the earlier settlers planted out. The post-office was established-about 1857, and John Borland was appointed postmaster ; after him Israel Bashour was postmaster. A. F. LaMott is the present officer. A chapel was built about 1854. In 1875 the present beautiful church was built. It is about 46x80, with a spire, and is a well proportioned and sightly edifice. It has cost about $15,000, and is believed to be the finest house of worship in the county. The parsonage was built in 1857. After Chiniquy, Father Theodore Bresair ministered to this congregation as the first resident priest ; after him Father Yanderpool, Father Perner, Father Clement, and Father Routic now. A school has been kept up most of the time. The French people coming here were all, or nearly all, of Canadian birth, and like the Belgians who settled here, were all attached to the Roman Catholic church. They readily became citizens, taking an interest in public affairs, and many of them were called into official position, as in the surrounding townships. A gentleman who has long been acquainted with their life here, says that they have lived sober, industrious lives, meeting very fully the high anticipation which was held in regard to them, being free* from vices and law-abiding.