Lee County, Illinois - The whole text, 1881 (part 24 of 24)

Benjamin Wasson removed with his wife, formerly Elizabeth Hole, and five children, from Broome county, New York, to Illinois, in the fall of 1836. The entire journey was made with their own teams, and consumed forty daj's. They camped out most of the time after leaving New York, as they found that pleasanter than the hotel accommodations on the frontier at that time. For the comfort of his family he stopped first in Farmington, Fidton county, where a house was procurable. The same fall, with his eldest son, Lorenzo, he visited the Rock river country, and made woodland claims in Palestine Grove, and prairie claims a mile or two north. On the latter they erected, during the following year, a log house. When they had the body of it up, an oil-cloth carpet was stretched over the top for covering, and here the eldest daughter, Clara, not yet fifteen years old, kept house for her father and brother, while thej' cut the trees and converted them into puncheon for the floor, and shakes with which to cover the roof. When nightfall came, and the wolves began as usual to howl, the young girl used to seek shelter and safety in the covered wagon, drawing down the curtains closely all around, and waiting for the return of the men. This house, the first, I think, built on the prairie between Palestine and Fraidilin groves, was located about three-quarters of a mile northeast from the depot of the Illinois Central railroad, in the city of Amboy. Energy and perseverance were necessary to meet successfully the obstacles in the pathway of the early settlers, and these traits were prominent in the character of this pioneer. While the pine clapboards, glass, sash and all had to be brought from Chicago on wagons and sleds, in a very few years a new and more comfortable dwelling, with other farm buildings, surrounded the first rude home in the then far west. To this all the family I'cmoved from Farmington, in 1837, and here they lived unharmed through the perilous banditti times. The log house remained to welcome and give shelter to the families of relatives and friends who came, while they were building abodes for themselves. In this home the youngest child and daughter, the writer hereof, was born in August 1839. Although no sign of entertainment ever hung beside the gate or door, the weary wayfarer was always cheerfully welcomed, and the question " Do you need dinner ?" or supper, as the case might be, or " Are you hungry?" became a habit with the ever kind and careful mother of the household. In 1849 the California excitement induced the old gentleman to take his youngest son and cross the plains. From this journey he never returned, but died of shagress fever while on his way home in February 1851. Tlie widow continued to live on the old place until near the end of 1863, when, to the hardships of pioneer life, and numerous added atHictions, her health gave way, and the old home was broken up. The mother followed the fortunes of the youngest child until May 18, 1874, when she was called from eartli to paradise. The older children, Lorenzo D. Wasson, Dr. Harmon Wasson, and Roxy Emma, wiio became Mrs. Simon Badger, all died at Amboy in the prime of life. The surviving children are Mrs. Clara Backensto, of Iowa City, Iowa ; Mr. Warren Wasson, of Carson City,. Nevada, and Mrs. E. DeWolf, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The eldest grandson, Arthur P. Wasson, owns and lives on the old farm, while the remaining grandchildren and great-grandchildren are scattered from New York to Colorado and Nevada.

Thomas Brown, Franklin Grove, was born in Newport, Bhode Island, in 1820. He is the only son and youngest child of Thomas W. and Rebecca (Vial) Brown, whose family numbered six, five of whom are living. His paternal grandfather was a " revolutioner." His father was a tailor, and the same craft was learned by the son. In 1839 Mr. Brown came to Lee county, in company with Erastus DoWolf, and soon after made a claim. In 1840 he returned to his native state, and in April of the following year was married to Ruth Simpson. He then came back to Illinois. In 1855 Mr. Brown came to the village of Franklin Grove, having previously lived about ten years in Lee Center, at "Inlet." His family are Thomas W., Robert P., Mary E., Harriet, and Lottie. Mr. Brown is one of those men whose good memory and friendly, affable nature are indispensable in collecting matter for a work of this nature. He has lived here to see tlie great growth of this county, its prairies transformed into beautiful fields producing a wealth of golden grain, its towns and villages, churches and schools, scattered all over this beautiful land.

S. A. Griswold, physician, Franklin Grove, was born in the State of New York, Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, in the year 1839, son of Justinian and Prudence S. (Dole) Griswold, both of Vermont. His father, a teacher by profession, had a fainil}' of one son and one daughter; he died when our subject was two years old. The latter, while yet a lad, came with his mother to Lee Center; here he attended school, and as soon as qnalified began teaching. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the 13th III. Inf, Co. A, Capt. Noble, 1st Lieut. Henry Dement. He had hardly learned the drill before he was made a hospital steward. He was in Missouri and Arkansas till he was mustered out, early in 1863. He then resumed the study of medicine, which he had but just begun before enlisting; in 1866 graduated from the Cincinnati Physio- Medical Institute. In lS6-t Dr. Griswold came to Franklin Grove; January, 1867, he mari'ied Olive May, who died August 1873, leaving' one son, DeWitt E., born April 30, 1869. Mr. Griswold is a republican and a Mason ; for six years he has been a member of the town school board. In February of 1877 his mother died, aged seventy-three years, after several j'ears of married life with her third husband, Elisha Pratt, an early settler in Lee county. The doctor is one of those men who are always ready to lend a helping hand to an}' enterprise which tends to benefit or build np the community in which he lives, and his long and successful business profession in this part of the county has won for him a great many true friends.

In writing the history of the early settlors of this township we find the Reiniiaets worthy of honorable mention. They were natives of Germany, and came to Lee county, Illinois, in an early day. Andrew Reinhart was born in Hesse Cassel in 1843. He has by hard work, good management, and a close attention to business, with the help of an industrious and fiithful wife, accumulated a large amount of property. His farm, about two and a half miles south of Franklin, contains over 300 acres, is one of the best in that part of the township, and is evidence of the thrift of its owner. Coming with his parents to Lee county when a small child, he was thus deprived of the advantages of an education except such as was afforded by the pioneer schools of the county. In June, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Hafenrichter, a native of New York, who was born March 7, 1845, and came to Illinois when about one year old. They are the parents of eight children, five of whom are living : Charlotte F., Anna C, Henry C, Elizabeth, and John F. Mr. Reinhart's parents, Crist and Christina Reinhart, are buried at Lee Center.

That some families are more certainly successful than others with the same advantages, and by economy and industry rise to prosperity and wealth, is certainly illustrated by the Hansens. The two brothers, Henry and Harrison, are the pioneers of the family. They left their native home near Bangor, Maine, in the fall of 1838, arriving at Frank lin Grove in October, and soon alter bought a claim of Erastus DeWolf, a man noted for his ambition to own every good piece of land in the county. The boys went to work on the principle that time is money, and that principle has characterized them through life. They went to farming and opening up their new home as soon as the means could be raised to make the start, hauling their wheat and pork to Chicago with ox-teams, and selling the former sometimes as low as forty cents per bushel, and the latter for two and a half cents per pound, and hauling back lumber or such other commodities as could not be dispensed with. Tliese trips were made on an outlay of less than seventy-five cents in cash. For their milling they generally went to Aurora. In the fall of 1840 their father, Charles Hansen, with the rest of the family, came on and joined them in their new home. He soon bought a farm, the one where his son, S. C. Hansen, now lives. Here he lived till the time of his death, which occurred March 20, 1869, at the age of sevent^'-nine years. His wife died December 4, 1878, aged nearly eighty-nine years. Tiiey are buried in the cemetery at Franklin Grove, and a substantial monument marks their last resting place. He was the youngest of two brothers, Fredrick and Charles, whose paternal ancestor came from Saxony as an officer in the commissary department of Burgoyne's army in the time of the revolutionary war, and at the time of the surrender of that noted chieftain, when the choice was given the prisoners to be released on parol or join the Colonial ranks, he ]>roposcd that if Gen. Washington would assign to him the same ])osition he held in the British arm^- he would take the oath of allegiance to the American cause, and from that time he became forage master for Gen. Washington, and rendered very efficient service in that position till tiie close of the war. He was a Saxon-German, born and reared in wealth, being a son of a family of high rank and a learned officer of that proud nation. He died in the State of Maine, where he had married and reared his family. His eldest son, Fredrick, remained east, where he reared a family, and his second son, Charles, came to Lee county, Illinois, as above stated, and reared a prosperous family, which is now (ISSl) living in the vicinity of Franklin Grove, where they first settled.

Sylvanus C. Hansen, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove? was born in the State of Maine October 17, 1825, and in 1840 came with his parents to Lee county, Illinois. His school advantages were very meager, only such as were afforded in the old subscription schools of pioneer history. At the age of about sixteen he became the victim of a protracted fever, which finally I'esulted in a fever-sore settling in one limb. For a time his life was despaired of, at the agp of nineteen not weighing 100 pounds. Soon after, however, he changed for the better, and at the age of twenty-one was entirel}' restored. December 20, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Sal)ina Fellows, of Belvidere, Boone county, Illinois. They have become the parents of five children : Ida C, Charles F., Lillian, Grace, and May. Mr. Hansen made his start by working on his father's farm as a renter. Following up his first start, and by hard work and good management, he has been successful in so much that he now owns 680 acres of good, valuable land, and is living on part of the old homestead one mile west of Franklin Grove.

William Forbes, deceased, was born in North Carolina, June 20, 1817, and was reared a farmer, with but limited educational advantages. In 1856 he came to Illinois and settled in Ogle county, and there en. gaged in fiirming. December 20, 1857, he married Miss Susan Burges, a native of North Carolina, who was born January 22, 1827. They became the parents of si.x children, four of whom are living: Mary E.^ wife of John H. Parker, now in Kansas; Julias, Margaret, and Caleb, now at home. A son died in Washington county, Kansas, March 23, 1881, aged nearly twentj'-one years. His death was a sore affliction to his mother. In 1870 Mr. Forbes removed to Lee county, Illinois, and bought a farm in the north part of China township, and there engaged in farming till the time of his death, whicli occurred January 23, 1873. Mrs. Forbes with her children still live on their home in this township.

Hexkt W. Hillison, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove, was born in Bradford township, Lee county, Illinois, September 12, 1850, and was reared on the firm. He received a liberal education. During his early youth he attended the common schools at home, but finished his education with about two years in college, or high schools. May 8, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Barbara (Burnhart) Roth. They are the parents of three children : John H., Christian A. and William C. At the time of his marriasre Mr. Hillison moved on his farm of 200 acres in Sees. 26 and 36, T. 21, K. 10. This farm is but one of the many prosperous ones of this township, and proves its owner to be a young man of good taste and enterprise. Iti 1881 he erected one of the finest residences in the township. His father, Oman Hillison, a native of Norway, came to Lee county in an early day, and settled near Lee Center. His first residence was a sod house in what is now Bradford township. He died in June 1854. His mother, Elizabeth (Rienhart) Hillison, is by nativity a Hessian- German, and came to America when only fourteen years of age, and also became one of Lee county's early pioneers. She is still living in Bradford township.

in China townsliip, Lee county, Illinois, April 1, 1846. He, like his father, was reared a farmer. In 1804 he enlisted in the 34th 111. Vet. Vol. Inf., and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. December 10, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Julia R., daughter of E. C. Thomas, Esq., of Franklin Grove. She was born in this township August 20, 1846. They have two children, Alice M. and Byron E. Mr. Eastwood began life by working out by the month, but not with the intention of making it his business through life, but only to get a start, for soon after we find him on a rented farm for a short time, and he soon after bought a form of his own in Sec. 26, T. 21, R. 10, which he has finely improved, besides adding to his first purchase till he now owns over 20U acres, which, if no unforeseen misfortune overtakes him, he will soon have clear of debt. His parents came to Lee county in 1840, and are still living.

Leox.\kd W. Hale is one of the few early settlers yet living in Lee county. He was born in the State of New York May 25, 1806. When he was about eighteen months old his father (Jcssee Hale) died and he was taken by his grandfather, who in 1812 removed to Ohio, where young Leonard was reared in the backwoods among the Indians, and well trained in all that pertains to pioneer life and hardships. At the age of twentv he bcijan for himself bv workin<r out bv the month, which he followed successfully about eight years. He then rented a dairy farm and after following that business about ten or twelve years had secured means enough to enable him to undertake to make the trip to, and start in, a new country, so accordingly he set out for Illinois in 1847, bringing with him his family, a team of horses, and wagon. He first settled in the north part of Di.xon township, where he worked on rented land three years, and then removed to his present home farm of 160 acres in Sec. 26, T. 21, R. 10, in China township. Here he permanentlv' settled and has since lived, following the business of farming and stock raising. December 29, 1836, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Crawford, a sister of the Hon. Joseph Crawford, of Dixon. They are the parents of six children, three of whom are living: Mariett, now Mrs. John C. Leake: Alvira, wife of Adam Mynard, and Abi, wife of Bascom Decker. When Mr. Hale began in Lee county, he hauled wheat that he had raised on shares to Chicago, and sold it for thirty-seven and a half cents per bushel.

Thomas Gilbert, Franklin, was born in England, May 1, 1760, and after growing up was engaged as a shepherd, following that business principally through life. September 29, 1783, he was married to Sarah, his wife, who was born December 31, 1761. Of their children, one they called Junia, was born in Northamptonshire, England, June 13, 1800, and like his father, was reared a shepiierd. May 1, 1820, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabetli Cobley, who was also a native of England. She was born August 16, 1797. After his marriage Mr. Gilbert engaged in teaming and timber hauling, and was also engaged as a grazier. In 1859 lie set sail for America in the steamship City of Baltimore. For one year he stopped at Courtland in this state, and then came to Lee county, where he went to work on rented land near Franklin. He soon after bought land and farmed with his son George, for a number of years. Ho then sold out to George and came into the village of Franklin, where he now live?, at the advanced age of near eighty-two years. His wife died in 1S69.

Abeaiia>[ Gilbert, son of the above parents, was born in Northam]itonshirc', England, November 9, 1S28. His educational advantages consisted of about one month to a day school, and the balance of a fair education was obtained by attending night and Sunday-school, the latter being taught many years by his father. At the age of twentyone he enlisted in the British army, serving nearly four years, being in Russia in the early part of the Crimean war. In the summer of 1856 he was married to Miss Lucy Smith, also a native of Northamptonshire, England, and in 1858, with his wife and family, bade farewell to his native land and sailed for America in the steamship Kangaroo. He first stopped in Kane county, Illinois, but soon after came to Lee county, rented land and engaged in farming, working as a renter six years. He then bought his present home farm in Sec. 23, T. 22, H. 10, in China township. To tliis he has kept adding till he now owns 320 acres of good land, all earned bj' his own hard work and the help of an industrious wife. They are the parents of eight children: Caroline E., Laura E., Junia T., Evasta A., Joseph J., Unice L., Lucy M. and -Hebecca.

Thomas Gilbert, son of James and Elizabeth Gilbert, was born in Northamptonshire, England, January 25, 1833. He was reared at a mixed business of teaming, farming, etc., and received a limited education in the common schools of his native place. In 1852 he sailed for America in the sailing ship Albert Gallatin, an American vessel. His first two years in America were spent in the wood business in the State of New York, after which he went to Chicago, and engaged in the railroad business, in the capacity of brakeman, fireman and engineer, which he followed fifteen j'ears. Part of this time was spent in the soutli during the war as engineer. In 1870 he bouglit land in Bradford township and engaged in farming. Recently he bought a piece of land in China township, south oi" Franklin, where he now lives. December 5, 1861, he married Miss Ellen Gorman, a native of London, England, who was born July 12, 1817. They are the parents of ten children, and are members of the Lutheran church. The children are

George Gilbert, son of Junia and Elizabetli Gilbert, was born in Northamptonshire, England, November 13, 1S39, and was reared in the village of Warkton, engaged in attending school and teaming till 1856. He then left his parents and native land, sailing for America in the vessel City of Washington. After landing iti New York he at once went to Ciiicago, and soon after came to Lee countv and en<raged in working out by the month. In 1859, his fatlier coming here, they farmed together, first on rented land, but later bonght a farm in Sec. 26, T. -22, li. 10, where they continued to farm together for a number of years. After tbis George bought bis father out, and now owns and occupies the old home. He now owns over 500 acres of farming and pasture land, and is extensively engaged in stock raising, dealing in horses. He has introduced on his farm some of the best blood of Kentucky. He is also giving some attention to sheep and swine raising.

James W. PANKiuRsr, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove, was born in London, England, April 11, ISil. At the age of eleven years he quit school and went to work in a wagon shop, where be remained till the age of si.xteen years. He then, seeing no prospect for the future by remaining in the land of his birtii, set sail in the ship City of Washington for the United States, landing in New York in June 1857. He at once came on to Lee county, and soon after hired out to work for John Leake by the month, where he remained till the outbreak of the war of the rebellion. August 13, 1862, he enlisted in the service of his adopted country in Co. E, 75th 111. Vol. Inf. He was honorabl}' discharged June 30, 1865. After his return home he again engaged in working out by the month till 1868, when be bought* eighty acres of land in Sec. 27, T. 21, R. 10, and began farming for himself. For the four years following he lived the unenviable life of a bachelor, being his own cook and housekeeper. March 27, 1873, he married Miss Louisa, daughter of William and Atiu (Wenham) Lawrence, wlio was born in Sussex, England, September 15, 1849, and came to America in the fall of 1872. Mr. Parikhurst has by hard work and ecouoni}' made for himself a good home of 200 acres of land, which he is now improving in good shape. The success which has crowned the efforts of Mr. Pankhurst is but an evidence of what pluck and a determined will will accomplish.

William G. Bell, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove, is a son of James and Jane (.Brown) Bell, and was born near Perth, Canada, in the Province of Ontario, April 30, 1830. He was reared on a farm, and followed farming, lumbering and rafting on all the great rivers of that romantic region of northern Canada. In 1855 he went.

west as far as the borders of Lake Huron, where he remained till 1861, when he came on to Lee county and hired out on a farm, working faithfully for what is so much coveted by a young man having a spirit of enterprise, independence. February 1-i, 1867, he married Miss Freedom Johnson, a native of Ohio, who was born September 13, 1840, and came to Lee county in 1866. They have one child, Maud, born July 5, 1880. After his marriage Mr. Bell rented land and engaged in farming, at the same time turning his attention to raising hogs, which he made a success. In 1871 he bought eighty acres of the farm where he now lives, in Sec. 23, T. 22, E. 10, to which he has since kept adding, till he now owns 200 acres of good land in this township. Success will crown the efforts of faithful industry.

LuTUEE F. Ramsdell, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove, is a son of Farrington and Sarah (Fish) Earasdell,and was born in Washington, Orange county, Vermont, September 20,1833. He was reared a farmer, and educated in the common schools of his native state. December 2-1, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet M., dangliter of Eansom and Eebecca i^Darling) Eastman, who was born in Orange county, Yermont, January 29, 1836. After his marriage Mr. Eamsdell became a partner with his father in the ownership and management ot the old homestead, and followed farming till 1868, when they sold out, in view of coming to Illinois to secure a home on its beautiful prairies. In August of that j'ear Mr. Ramsdell found himself in Lee county looking about where he might suit himself in a piece of land on which to make a future home. After a short time he decided on a 160 acres in Sec. 23, T. 21, E. 10. Here he permanently located and engaged in farming and stock raising, making the business a success. That he is a man of economy, thrift and enterprise is evidenced by the neat appearance of his farm and its surroundings. Even the wind which passes over his farm is utilized in grinding grain by day and night. He has one son, Ferrie E., born in Washington, Vermont, October 31, 1858. Mr. Eamsdell's father died here December 18, 1874, and is buried in the Pines Cemetery, on the farm, and his mother died April 14, 1867, in Vermont, and is buried in her native state. Mr. Ramsdell is a descendant of one of three brothers of that name who came from England to America about the middle of the seventeenth century.

Erskine A. Bliss, son of Austin and Unice (Pease) Bliss, was born near Springfield, Massachusetts, November 13, 1824. His early youth was spent on a farm, receiving a common school education. Also during the years of his minority he learned the trade of carpenter. January 1, 1851, he married Miss Jane C. Ferre, a native of Springfield, Massachusetts. After his marriage Mr. Bliss worked at his trade in a sash and door shop till 1853, when he came west, stopping in Chicago five years, where he worked in the car shops of the Rock Island & Chicago and Burlington & Qniucv railroads. He then, in 1858, came to Lee county and bought land in the south end of Cliina township, and there engaged in farming and stock raising. This he followed till 1871, when he quit the farm and went to Minneapolis, where he engaged in railroading and the lumber business till 1881, when he returned to his farm. He has one son, Frank E., now at home on the farm.

Prominent among the early settlers of China township now living is Mr. Jacob Riddel.sbaeger, who was born of true German ancestors in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, starch 30, 1816. He was reared a farmer. He had very limited means of procuring an education, though by close observation and e.xtensive reading he has gained a fair business education atid on all subjects. Pertaining to practical business he is one of our best posted men. In the fall of 1837 he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Foreman, a daughter of Mr. Abraham Foreman, a second cousin, who is also of German ancestry. After his marriage Mr. Riddelsbarger engaged in a mixed business of farming, butciiering and saw-milling till 1845, when he came to Lee county, justly believing that on tiie broad, beautiful prairies of Illinois he would find ample room to bring into practice that early training which has characterized his principles through life. After his arrival here he at once bought a farm and engaged in farming and stock raising, living on his first farm thirty years, and then fulfilled a long-cherished desire to see settled on the old home one of his children. He sold out to his son-in-law, Mr. J. L. Miller, and built himself a residence on a little farm of eleven acres near Franklin Grove, and is now enjoying the blessings which result from a life of industry and conscientious living. His children are Catharine, wife of J. L. Miller; Susan M., wife of Peter Brechnnier, and Daniel F., now an engineer in Chicago. One daughter, Mary E., died in March 1880. Mr. Riddlcsbarger and family are members of the German Baptist church, an organization for which he has given liberally.

Jacob L. Mili.kk, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove, is among the few young men who came to Lee county poor and without means many years ago, and have since by industry, hard work and close attention to business, become wealthy, prosperous, and comfortably established in life. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (^Lahman) Miller, and was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1835. He was reared on a farm and received a common school education. In 1854, in company with Samuel Lahman and family, he came to Lee county and hired out to work on a farm for $12.50 per month. This and car- penter-work he followed till 1858, when lie rented land of H. Hansen and engaged in farming for himself. December 18, 1860, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Foreman) Riddlesbarger, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1841. In about 1861 Mr. Miller bought his first land, and after buying and selling two farms he bought out his father in-law and permanently located on Sees. 35 and 29, T. 22, R. 10, near Franklin Grove, and actively engaged in farming and stock raising. Of their four children two are living, Elmer E. and Orvil F. The parents are members of the German Baptist church.

John D. Lahman, farmer and stock grower, Franklin Grove, was born in Mar^'land, June 22, 1834, and is the son of Christian and Elizabeth (Emmert) Lahman. In 1845 his parents emigrated to Lee county, and with their familj' made a start in the new country. Here young John grew up to manhood, early educated in all that pertains to the principles of industry, economj', and hard work. His first start for himself was made by working for his father by the month at his flour mill on Franklin creek. This he followed three years. He then in company with his brother, J. C. Lahman, bought the mill of their father and successfully carried on the business a number of years. November 11, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Mar}' C, daughter of John C. and Elizabeth (Diehl) Haughtelin, a native of Adams county, Pennsylvania, who was born September 20, 1840, and came to Lee county in 1857. They are the parents of two children living, Clarence W. and Vinna A. In the spring of 1861 Mr. Lahman moved on his present home farm, where he is permanently located and engaged in farming and stock raising, making graded short-horn cattle a specialty. His farm of 160 acres is in Sec. 26, T. 22, R. 10, and indicates its owner to be a man of industry and good taste.

Charles Beackett, deceased, was born in Orange county, Vermont, May 9, 1799, where he lived till 1854, following the business of buying cattle and sheep for the Boston markets. He was first married to Armina Bowman, a native of Vermont, by whom he reared one child, who is now Mrs. Marion Bates, of Amboy. His' second marriage was to Miss Julia A. Spear, also a native of Vermont, born March 7, 1816. In 1854 Mr. Brackett came to Illinois, and after looking around for some time decided to buy laud near Aurora, and accordingly bought 160 acres near town, the same land on which the seminary now stands. This he sold the next spring, and on receipt of a letter informing him that the Temperance Hill farm could be bought, he came at once and made the purchase. This farm is located in the southwest part of China township, and is said to be the highest elevation in Lee county. Here Mr. Brackett actively engaged in farming and stock raising, making Spanish Merino sheep a specialty, following the business closely till within the last few years. He died August 14, 1881, aad is buried in the Temperance Hill Cemetery. Besides his wife he left three children who were born to him by his last wife, Julia M., now Mrs. Dr. Charles Gardner, who removed to Dakota in 18S1 ; Mary E., wife of Job Bates, and Charles S., who was born on the farm at Temperance Hill, July 29, 1860, and is now owner of the farm and engaged in farming and stock raising. He is an enterprising young man for whom we expect a successful future. He began for himself when about thirteen years of age by renting his father's farm. He now has what promises to be one of the leading farms in this part of tlie county.

Ezra WiTHET, one of the early settlers of China township, was born in Somerset county, Maine, October 22, 1813. His parents, Isaac and Polly (Russell) Withey, went far back into the wilderness on the Kennebec river when Ezra was about twelve years old, and there followed hunting, trapping and lumbering. Here the boy was reared to the wild life of a hunter, chasing the moose and bear, always depending on his trusty rifle, and trapping the beaver, otter, sable, and other animals of the fur tribe. To him schools were institutions known by tradition, and only in later years has he seen their benign influence shed over our land. January 1, 1838, he married Miss Abigal Bradberry, who was born in Somerset county, Maine, September 15, 1811. After his marriage Mr. Withey engaged in enterprises of various kinds till he secured the means to carry him to the western prairies, green tields delightfully beautiful, and in 1847 left the wilderness of the Kennebec, and came by team, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles, to Boston, and from there, b}' wa^' of Albany, Butialo, and the lakes, to Chicago, where he hired teams to bring himself, family and baggage to Grand Detour. Soon after his arrival Mr. Withey bought eighty acres of land on credit in Sec. 22, T. 22, R. 10. This he paid for, and has kept adding till he now owns a farm of four hundred and forty acres well improved. Mr. Withev's first team here was a yoke of oxen, which, howevei", he soon after exchanged for horses. In 1850 he, in company with his brother-in-law, bought a Pitts threshing machine (the first of the kind in all this part of the country) and engaged in threshing, tak injj for toll everv tenth bushel. This was hauled to Chicago and sold for 25 cents a bushel, but later, after the railroad opened up an outlet for the produce, they got cash for threshing and times became better. Mr. Withey, with his estimable lady, are now enjoying the fruits of a life of indiistry. They have three children : George C, on part of the farm ; Abigal, wife of J. L. Strock, of Franklin, and John, born Jul}' 12, 1850, and married Mary E. Negles, January 16, 1876. The last named

John Seebach, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin, was born in Germany, December 30, 1836, and is the son of John S. and Anna C. Seebach. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native country. Early in life he learned the trade of millwright, which he followed till 1855, when, in company with his brother, he set sail in the sailing vessel Republic for America. They landed in New York, but at once came on to Lee county, where he engaged in working out on a farm by the month. This he followed two years. April 22, 1858, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Casper Weishar, who was born in Germany, April 25, 1839. They are the parents of eight children : Conrat, Fredrica C, Catharine E., John S., Christian, Charlie, Anna B. and Martha. After his marriage Mr. Seebach farmed on rented land for awhile with his brother, and then bought a farm in Bradford township, which he sold and in 1870 bought the farm he had long wished to own in Sec. 25, T. 21, E. 10. Since then he has bought another piece adjoining and now owns a fine farm of 184 acres, which with the help of a faithful wife and industrious family he has earned by hard work and careful management.

Singleton W. Riegle, farmer and stock grower, Franklin, though not one of the early settlers of the county, is one who came to the prairie without money or means, and by industry and good management has made for himself a home and a name for which any man should have just reason to be proud. He was born in Fredrick county, Maryland, November 11, 1831, and in 1837 with his parents, Peter and Elizabeth (Wilt) Riegle, removed to Adams county, Pennsylvania. During his early youth his time was spent attending school. At the age of eighteen he began teaching, which he followed in connection with attending school till twenty-four years old. In 1859 he came to Lee count}', prospecting with a view of finding a place suited to his taste for farming. In the fiill of the same year he returned to Pennsylvania, and on December 28, 1859, was united in marriage with Miss Caroline M., daughter of David and Margaret (Moritz) Herman, who was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1838. In the spring of 1860 Mr. Riegle came to Lee county, rented a farm and engaged in farming. He continued renting till 1868, when, after an extended tour of prospecting, he finally bought land and permanently settled on Sec. 10, T. 21, R. 10. In 1876 he built his fine brick residence, which adds much to improve the appearance of this part of China township. Mr. Riegle is farming strictly on the principle of feeding his produce and yearly driving it to market in live stock, thus constantly keeping his farm up to a high standard of cultivation. His home is blessed with six children : Stella M., "Willis L., Charlie P., Paul S., Yergie C. and Hermione E. Mr. Riegle is a member of the Masonic and Odd-Fellows fraternities, and himself and wife are members of the Lutheran church.

JosiAH Hughes, proprietor Hughes' Hotel, Franklin Grove, was born in Otsego county, New York, February 17, 180S. His parents were William and Sallie (Dilly) Hughes, born of English ancestry. The subject of our sketch spent his early youtli in a cotton factory, where he worked prior to the invention of the lirst power loom in the United States. January 1, 1831, he married Miss Lydia, daughter of Ephraim and Lydia (Wheaton) Barry, who was born in Madison county'. New York, February 16, 1809. In the summer of IS-ii he gathered up his little means and, with his family and a team, started west, arriving in Chicago September 30. He at once pushed on to St. Charles, Illinois, where he bought a farm and engaged in farming. Tiiis he followed, together with teaming, selling stoves and other goods all over northern Illinois, till 1854, when he sold out his farm and removed' to Lee county, Illinois, where he bought a small farm adjoining what is now the village of Franklin. Here he at once engaged in the stove and tinware business, the first of the kind ever started iu Franklin. The year following he built a large stone house and engaged in hotel keeping. This business he has never abandoned, and is now the oldest landlord perhaps in Lee county, if not on the Northwestern railroad between Chicago and Omaha. Of his five children one onl\- is living, Oscar, born September 23, 1832. He is married to Mary A. Dick. They have one child, Minnie. Mr. Hughes is the right man in the right place, as his house is always an enjoyable home for all who choose to come.

Robert Hullah, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove. As an illustration of what can be accomplished by an indomitable will and a determined, persevering push-ahead character, we here give a few brief points in the life of this worthy citizen of Lee county, who was born of poor but honest parents in Yorkshire, England, February 14, 1813. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Sugdon") Hullah, also of English birth. Until the age of twelve years he was principally engaged in attending school, after which he was put to farm labor for the space of three years. At this time it was determined that he should learn the business of cloth making, and accordingly he was put to the trade, which he completed in five and a half years. He then, at the age of twenty-one, began for himself at his trade as a hired hand, and the fall following his release as an apprentice married Miss Ann, daughter of William and Sarah Pollard, also of England. By close application to his business in a few years he became a jobber, but after a time, the trade becoming so poor, abandoned it and took what little money he had saved and embarked in a small mercantile business. He had followed this new enterprise but a short time when he found liimself insolvent and in debt. This failure was brought on by trusting his goods to men whom he thought honest, but who never paid. Not discouraged at finding himself again at the foot of the hill, he went to work and was soon (with the help of a friend) able to buy a horse and cart. With this he went to work at odd jobs, and was after awhile able to buy another horse, and so kept on until he owned a number, and then went into the railroad business as a contractor. This he followed for a number years with great success, turning his attention (after paying his debts) to bu3'ing real estate and building houses, till he became the independent owner of twenty houses, and with a fair prospect of soon being able to retire to private life. But unfortunately for himself lie again entered into the cloth manufacturing business for the purpose of teaching the trade to bis sons. This time he took into the business with him two men, friends, who in a few years swindled him out of all his hard-earned mone}'. Again he gathered together a little means and started in the old trade of cloth making for the third time. After following the business closely for a few 3'ears he was again successful, but was induced to sell his goods in India through a commission merchant, by whom he lost his all, and for the third time became bankrupt. He then, in 1866, gathered together a few shillings and, with his family, took passage on the steamship ^Etna for the United States. After seventeen days' sailing tbey landed in New York, and pushed on to Lee count}', Illinois, where he at once rented a farm for three years. Thus he started in what was to him a new business in a strange country. Before his time expired as a renter he purchased a farm in Sec. 27, T. 21, K. 10, containing 160 acres, for the sum of $4,000, paying down $25, the balance to be paid as convenient, with 10 per cent interest. Some years later he bought 160 acres adjoining it of L. G. Fish, and now, with his son, Elijah, owns one of the finest farms in China township. His first wife died in 1853, aged forty-two years. His second marriage was with Miss Mary Appelby, a native of Leeds, England. He has five children : Elizabeth, David and Elijah by his first wife, and Ruth and Josiah by his present wife.

Adam Geim, M.D., physician and surgeon, Franklin Grove, was born in Green county, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1850. His early youth was spent working on a farm and attending school, the latter occupying three or four months in the winter, till 1868. He then commenced teaching, which he followed in connection with working on the farm, handling coke, coal, mining, and attending school at every opportunity, till he graduated from Dnfi's College, at Pittsburgh,

Pennsylvania, in 1872. He came to Newman, Douglas county, Illinois, March 1, 1876, and there commenced the study of medicine under the instruction of J. M. Wagner, M.D. He soon, however, found himself without means, and again resorted to teaching and working on a farm, keeping up his studies at night. He finall}' entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago, from which he graduated February 22, 1881, and the next day c. tu^ m Lee county and engage. the practice of his profession, whicii has been marked with signal success.