Livingston County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 25 of those read), 1909 (part 13 of 17)

A resident of Illinois from childhood years, George W. Patton alternated work on the farm in summer with attendance at school in the winter, and his experiences were thus those of the ordinary country lad. However, his ambitions did net permit him to rest satisfied with district school education, for already his eager mind had turned towards the law as a profession. In 1871 he completed his studies at the State Normal University, at Normal, Ill. after which he taught school for two years in order to earn the money needed for a law course. He then became a student in the office of Hay, Green & Littler, prominent attorneys of Springfield, Mlinois, and in January, 1875, was admitted to the bar, successfully passing an examination conducted by Judges Breese, Walker, Scott, Sheldon. McAllister, Schofield and Craig, of the Supreme Court. After the completion of his studies and his admission to the bar, he opened an office at Fairbury, where he remained until 1883. While living in that city he was united in marriage with Miss Flora E. Cook, September 20, 1877. Two children were born of their union, namely: Marie, July 7, 1883, and Proctor, March 22, 1894. The family hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In fraternal relations the Judge is identified with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Upon his removal to Pontiac in 1883 Judge Patton was an active member of the bar until his elevation to the bench. As an attorney he always proved faithful to clients and his fidelity to their interests was never questioned. In the court-room he was fair to the witness, agreeable to the opposing counsel and courteous to" judge and jury. rom his mother he inherited an excellent command of language, from his father came his logical mind and persistent will, which qualities enabled him to rise rapidly in his profession, so that within ten years he was classed among the leading lawyers of the circuit. A successful attorney must have faith in himself, faith in his cause, and faith in the court of jury before whom the suit is heard; tireless labor, thoughtful study and genial disposition constitute the trinity whose benediction he must invoke. These qualifications have found exemplification in Judge Patton and have brought him a place among the most able exponents of the law in his part of the State. During 1897 he was elected one of the Judges of his district, this being the first office he had ever held. At the expiration of the term he was again elected in 1903 for another term of six years, and has since devoted his time to a judicial service that has been in perfect harmony with his record as a citizen and as an attorney.

PAULSON, Peter - The best qualities which Denmark has to bestow upon her departing sons found expression in the industrious life of Peter Paulson, who contributed to the agricul- tural development of Dwight for twenty-nine years, and whose death, April 14, 1906, caused regret among a large circle of friends. Mr. Paulson was born in Schleswig-Holstein November 2, 1848. and his parents, Mathias and Christina (Ingobar) Paulson, were natives of the same country when it was under Danish rule.

In his youth Mr. Paulson had the average was subject to military service upon attaining his majority. He served in the army from 1869 until 1872, and during the latter year came to the United States, where he soon after located in Dwight and sought employment on farms in that vicinity. For a number of years he rented Jand in the township, then bought eighty acres of improved land in Dwight Township. upon which he lived until moving to the town of Dwight in March. 1901. He was successful as farmer and stock-raiser, and with the proceeds of the sale of his farm bought three lots and a house, there making his home and the field of his small activity until his death, April 14, 1906, the country and his friends in the town, and invariably was just and honorable in his dealings with his fellow men. He is buried in Oaklawn cemetery.

The marriage of Mr. Paulson and Krestine Neilson occurred August 12, 1881, Mrs. Paulson, like her husband, having been born in Denmark, a daughter of Gens and Sophia (Genson) Neilson, who never emigrated to the United States. Mrs. Paulson came to America with her stepmother in April, 1881. She proved a rare factor in her husband's success, invariably aiding him with her economy and unfailing sympathy in times of financial depression or general misfortune. He attended the Danish Lutheran church - as does his wife - and was also a member of the Danish Brotherhood.

PEARRE, Lemuel G., farmer, grain dealer and lawyer, (deceased), Dwight, Livingston County, IM. In their lives such men as the subject of this sketch illustrate the value and efficiency of industry, perseverance and honesty, as applied to the problem of getting on in the world and as to the influence of these qualities upon the general advancement of the communities in which they live. Mr. Pearre was born in Clermont County, Ohio, January 30, 1840, a son of Otho and Malissa (Bagby) Pearre. His father was a native of Maryland, and his mother of Virginia, and from them and from the sterling stock back of them, he inherited those qualities which enabled him to become the success that he was mentally, morally and materially. He was educated at common schools near his Ohio home, and when he was eighteen years old accompanied his parents to Livingston County, Il. His father bought a farm near Manville, and there the son lived until 1859, or about a year from the date of his coming to this State. On March 31, in the year just mentioned, he married Miss Fannie M. Cusick, a daughter of Cyrus G. and Sardine J. (Marr) Cusick. Mr. Cusick was a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., and Mrs, Cusick was born near Bangor, Maine. The parents of the former were John and Mary (Perry) Cusick, natives of New York; the parents of the latter were John and Eunice Marr, natives of Maine.

During the first four years of his married life Mr. Pearre operated a rented farm. 'Then, removing to Dwight, he engaged in the grain trade, but gave all his spare time to the study of law. After three years he disposed of his grain business and entered upon a successful practice of his profession at Dwight. He was killed November 16, 1883, in a railroad accident on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy line near Streator, Ill., and was buried at Manville. During his childhood in Ohio he became a member of the Christian Church, but after locating in Ilinois united for reasons of convenience with the Congregational Church. For many years he affiliated with the Republican party, but late in life he brought himself logically to unite his political fortunes with those of the Democratic party. He was several times elected to important offices in Dwight, which he filled with honor and integrity and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He was a Mason and in his life clearly demonstrated the beneficent principles of that order.

Mrs. Pearre is living quietly at Dwight. Her daughter Viola, born May 26, 1860, is the wife of James Campbell of that place. Her son, Knight G. Pearre, born February 9, 1870, lives at Kankakee, Ill, and is a railroad conductor. Her daughter, Belle, born May 24, 1872, is Mrs. Theodore Hayes, of Dwight. Lou, her youngest daughter. born May 9, 1879, married William Bansau and lives at Bloomington, Ill.

PENCE, Hugh W., one of the leading representatives of the mercantile interests of Fairbury, Il., and a man of sterling business qualities whose grasp of affairs has enabled him to attain success, was born in Chenoa, Ill, December 5, 1868, and he is a son of Jonathan J. and Emily (Welman) Pence. Jonathan J. Pence served in the Civil War, was crippled at the battle of Shiloh and died May 22, 1907. The ancestors of Mr. Pence were in the Revolution, fighting under Washington.

Mr. Pence was educated in the common schools of Fairbury, Fairbury High School, and took a special course at the University of Indiana and the Northwestern University. He entered the employ of Walton Brothers, general merchants, when a boy, serving first as cash boy, then was promoted to a clerkship. Later he became a bookkeeper. When the Walton Brothers Company was formed he became a stockholder, and is Secretary and a Director of the company. This firm is the oldest mercantile house except that of Walton Brothers and controls a very large trade throughout Livingston County. Mr. Pence's practical knowledge gained from serving in so many positions, working at first after school and on Saturdays, has been of great benefit to his present firm, and much of the success which has attended their history may be traced directly to this very fact.

As yet Mr. Pence is not married. He belongs to Tarbolton Lodge, A. F. & A, M.; Fairbury Chapter R. A. M.; St, Paul Commandery No. 34, K. T.; and Mohammed Temple of Peoria, and is a very enthusiastic Mason. While not a member, he attends and liberally supports the Presbyterian church. In addition to his interest in the Walton Brothers Company, Mr. Pence owns a fine farm near Fairbury and property in other parts of the county, and his success has been attained through his own efforts, intelligently directed along legitimate channels. He is a Republican in politics, and for six years has been a member of the Board of Education, and for the past year its Secretary.

PERRINE, Charles L., born in Brown County, Ohio, February 28, 1859, one of the prosperous and progressive men of Livingston County, comes of one of the old families of this locality, and his name is identified with the development and advancement of Illinois. His father Rascellus W. Perrine, of Brown County, Ohio, removed from there to La Salle County in the fall of 1864, making the trip with a wagon. The experiences of the little family on this trip would prove very interesting reading, and certainly differed from those such a trip today would entail. Arriving in the new State, the father settled on a farm and remained there for five years, and then bought land in Livingston County, the same property now owned by Thomas Perrine just opposite the home of Charles L. Perrine. There he died on March 22, 1877, of pneumonia. His widow survived him until February 20, 1902, when she too died. Her maiden name was Eva Holman, who was a native of Brown County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Rascellus W. Perrine were the parents of three boys: Charles; Thomas, a

Not satisfied with the education he received in the public schools of his locality, Mr. Charles L. Perrine has always embraced every opportunity of improving himself, and is now deeply in- | terested in the study of medicine, which he is pursuing at home. He is the owner of a very fine farm, which he operates successfully and his brother Thomas is equally industrious in his work on the homestead.

On September 3, 1884, Mr. Perrine married Miss Sarah Cottrell of Ohio, at McDowell, Ill. Mrs. Perrine comes of a family identified with the agricultural interests of Ohio. One of her two brothers operates the elevator at McDowell, while the other is a farmer of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Perrine have a daughter, Florence, now fifteen years of age, whose very decided musical talent is to be carefully cultivated. The young lady is an excellent pianist, and gives promise of developing into a genius. In religious connection the family are members of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Perrine received a college education at Valparaiso, Ind., and was teacher in public schools for five years. In politics, Mr. Perrine is a Republican, although he has not sought public preferment. Mr. and Mrs. Perrine, with their daughter, reside in their pleasant home, and are surrounded by the comforts as well as luxuries of life, and they are always ready to give of their means and sympathy to those less fortunate, living up to the teaching of the religion they not only profess but earnestly believe.

PETERSON, Peter D., one of the successful farmers of Livingston County, who for fortyseven years has made this part of the State his home and has borne his part in the development of his neighborhood, reclaiming it from timber and swamp, was born in Norway, September 9, 1840, a son of Peter and Cordelia (Osterhouse) Peterson, both natives of Norway. The parents had eleven children, six boys and five girls, When Peter Peterson was about twenty years old he came to the United States with a brother (Rasimus) who is now in Iowa, and settled in Grundy County, Ill., where he became a farmer and stock dealer, but in 1861 removed to Livingston County, locating in Broughton Township, where he has resided for nearly half a century. Through thrift and industry he has become a very successful farmer, is the owner of 320 acres of land and through his sterling worth and integrity is one of the most respected men of his Township.

Peter Peterson is a self-educated man, the little schooling he received having been obtained in Norway. so that he had, through his own efforts, to acquire a knowledge of the English language and the new customs of his adopted country. In politics he is a Republican, while his religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church. On December 18, 1868, he married Bertha Aanenson, also a native of Norway and a daughter of Aane Aanenson and Marie Ehrneson. They have one child, Oscar, born May 14. 1874. Oscar was married on December 9, 1903, to Minnie Olson, who was born July 29, 1882, and they have one son, Lloyd, a bright little fellow born July 3, 1905. Oscar Peterson lives on the farm and supervises it, his father being practically retired after his long and useful life.

PIPER, Joseph, a prosperous farmer and leading citizen of Nevada Township, Livingston County. Ill., was born in England February 1, 1888, a son of Richard and Harriet (Vasson) Piper, natives of that country. When a young man Richard Piper came to the United States, and after a short stay here went back to England, and there his marriage took place. In 1848 he returned to this country, locating on Fix River, near Newark, Kendall County, Dl, where he was employed in various ways, his last

Connty, buying a farm of 160 acres northwest of Odell. Selling this. he changed his location to a point on Rook's Creek, where he purchased eighty acres of land. subsequently adding more until he owned a 200-acre farm. On this place he died in 1898, his wife having passed away in Nevada Township in 1865, leaving five children. The father took as his second wife Nancy

Ingram, by whom he had no children. In 1872 he visited his old home in England, and on his return completed his fifth passage across the Attantic. In politics, Richard Piper was a Republican, and successfully held the offices of Highway Commissioner and Township Treasurer. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his wife being connected with the Congregational denomination. Joseph Piper passed his youth on his father's farm, his education being obtained in the common schools. Since early manhood he has followed farming and now owns 147 acres of land, on which he devotes a portion of his attention to stock raising.

Mr. Piper was married January 7, 1872, to Elizabeth M. Ingram, a native of Virginia, and eight children have resulted from this union, namely: Charles W., a farmer, born September 15, 1872; Maude, who died in infancy; Nellie, wife of William K. Landis, of Graymont, Ill; Albert, a mail carrier, born December 23, 1876; Chester, born July 28, 1880, who is at home; Nora, who died in infancy; Olive, wife of Isaac Quigley, a farmer; and Vernie H., born April 11, 1890.

In politics Mr. Piper is a Republican, and was first elected Supervisor in 1882, serving one year. He is now the incumbent of that office, the present term being the fourth in succession with which his fellow townsmen have honored him. He also acted in the capacity of Township Collector for four years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

PRATT, Anson K., long a successful farmer in the vicinity of Chatsworth, Ill, a greatly respected citizen and a gallant soldier of the Civil War, now living on his fine property in comfortable retirement, was born in Wyoming County, N. Y., December 6, 1839. His parents were Asa and Emeline (Kidder) Pratt, natives of New York State. Asa Kidder, who died in 1874, was a prominent Republican politician in his locality. He and his wife had three sons and one daughter. The family moved to Ilinois in 1845, settling in Lake County where Anson K. Pratt remained until he was twentyone years old. In December, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Forty-fifth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, his term expiring December 24, 1864, when he was mustered out of service. He fought at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, and took part in the Atlanta campaign, marching with Sherman to the sea. On returning from war he located in Livingston County, near Chatsworth, where he acquired a valuable farm of forty acres, operating it with profitable results up to the time of his withdrawal from active pursuits. He also owns valuable city property.

Mr. Pratt has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united on February 19, 1865, was Mary Reynolds, born in the State of New York. After her decease he was wedded to Alice Brigham, a native of the same State.

PRESLER, Dr. Henry A., was born near Montpelier, Williams County, Ohio, August 22, 1869. He is of German descent, his great grandfather having been born in Germany. His grandfather, Steven Presler, a native of Center County, Pa., was a miller by trade, who married in 1815 Susan Kuhus, a native of the same county. Emigrating to Ohio about the year 1820, they located in Richland County, that State, entering the last piece of government land subject for entry in that county. His wife died in 1860, and he then disposed of his farm and, in 1864, moved to Iowa, and soon after to the neighborhood of Winamac, Pulaski County, Ind., where he remained one year. His health failing, he then disposed of his property there, and returned to Richland County, Ohio, dying there in the year 1866.

Samuel Presler, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Richland County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. Learning the carpenter's trade, he followed the double occupation of farming and carpentering until the year 1868, when he moved to Williams County, Ohio, locating on a farm near Montpelier where he resided until 1907. In religious matters he was identified with the Church of God. He was married to Miss Keziah C. Weir, a native of Stark County, Ohio. whose great-great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. being one of the unfortunates who were captured by the British and imprisoned in one of their infamous prisonships in New York harbor. Mrs. Presler died in August, 1898. To this union were born three sons - Isaiah W., Hiram M. and Henry A. Isaiah W. was born near Oliversburg, Ohio, January 15, 1864, and is now a practicing lawyer at Monpelier, O. Hiram M., also born at Oliversburg, Ohio, in the year 1866, when three years of age was taken by his parents to the vicinity of Montpelier, where he grew to manhood. After attending and teaching school for some time, he began the study of medicine, finally graduating from The Scudder-Eclectic Institute, of Cincinnati. He is now practicing at Cullom, Ill.

Henry A., the subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood on the farm attending the district school, and later the Montpelier High School and Montpelier Academy. After teaching one year he entered the Veterinary Department of the Ohio State University, which he attended one year. The following year he took up his studies at the Chicago, Veterinary College, graduating in 1893, in the honor class.

After graduating he accepted a position with Dr. C. E. Sayre, who was then Professor of the chair of dentistry in the Chicago Veterinary College, with whom he practiced the following summer, after which he located at Chatsworth, Ill., in independent practice, where he remained for ten months. In May, 1894, he came to Fairbury and purchased the practice of Dr. N. I. Stringer. He has since resided in Fairbury where he has built up a large practice in this and adjoining counties. Dr. Presler is an enthusiastic member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, also the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association of which he has held the office of President and Vice-President. Dr. Presler was appointed Assistant State Veterinarian which in itself is a recognition of his ability as a practitioner. He is a Republican in politics.

June 17, 1896, Dr. Presler married Miss Alma Ogle of Montpelier, a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Hoverstock) Ogle. To. them were born four children - Ruth M., born March 28, 1898; Leland P., born June 2, 1900; Beatrice am born May 7, 1903; Harold S., born Dec. 16,

Both Dr. and Mrs. Presler are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Presler was for three years a member of the Board of Education, and in all local affairs of public moment he takes a helpful interest.

PRICER, Samuel M. - The association of Samuel M. Pricer with Livingston County dated from the early part of the Civil War until his death, December 22, 1903, at the age of nearly eighty years. His life work embraced chiefly merchandising and agriculture, in both of which he excelled, and the farm that he cultivated in Avoca Township and the home he owned and beautified in Pontiac during the years of his retirement, express his industry and resourcefulness, and his striving after the practical results of life.

Born in Ross County, Ohio, February 16, 1828, Mr. Pricer, on both sides of his family, was of German descent, his immigrating forefathers having settled in the State of Pennsylvania, where his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Benner) Pricer were born in the vicinity of Philadelphia. From the first an enquiring and earnest student, his boyhood days were spent among the hills, and in addition to the public schools he attended the South Salem Seminary, Diligence in both study and observation qualified him as a teacher while still in his teens, and at the age of eighteen years he exchanged teaching for the position of clerk and bookkeeper in a mercantile establishment. Four years later, having acquired much practical experience in merchandising, he established a store of his own in partnership with Jacob Benner, continuing thus for five years, and at the end of that time purchasing the interest of his partner and continuing alone for several years.

In 1862 Mr. Pricer came from Ohio to Avoca Township, Livingston County, Ill., and settled on 460 acres of land. the greater part of which was wild prairie. This he rented out for stock purposes until 1873, while he himself traveled around the country for his health, spending some time in St. Louis and other Southern cities. Once established on the farm, he cleared and tilled it, and made it one of the most beautiful and valuable in the township. He took special pride in that part of it which did not contribute to his financial gain, but which ministered to his sense of harmony and proportion through the medium of trees and shrubs and delightful vistas. He took an active interest in the general welfare of the township, was prominent in Republican politics, served eight years as Supervisor, and held many other offices of trust and responsibility. Of excellent habits himself, he appreciated and encouraged moderation and morality in others, and especially was a forceful promoter of the cause of temperance, and served as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Society. of Avoca Township. He was reared a Presbyterian and continued to support that church all of his life, also taking a keen and practical interest in the Sunday School.

In 1896 Mr. Pricer bought four Jots in Pontiac on North Main Street, erected a large and comfortable residence, in which he spent the rest of his life. In the meantime he derived a comfortable competence from the rent of the farm which still is owned by his widow, formerly Mary E. Latham, and whom he married in Washington, Fayette County, Ohio, in May, 1856. Mrs. Pricer was born in Grafton County, N. H.. August 23, 1835, a daughter of William and Eliza . (Converse) Latham, and granddaughter of Robert and Mary (Pike) Latham, and Lyman Converse, all natives of New Hampshire. Mrs Pricer has no children, but her interests are many, and her charity unbounded. She is much beloved for her sincerity and trustworthy character, and has many friends both in town and county.

PUFFER, John Q., a prosperous grain and coal dealer, of Chatsworth, Livingston County, Ill, began business in his present locality in 1900, and in the following year erected a grain elevator haying a capacity of 25,000 bushels, from which he has since shipped from 600,000 to 700,000 bushels of grain per annum. Mr. Puffer was formerly a stockholder in, and President of, the Peoria & Eastern Telephone Company, operating five exchanges, located in Chatsworth, Forrest, Fairbury, Washington and El Paso.

Mr. Puffer was born in Chatsworth Township, November 11, 1866. His parents, Daniel B. ana Ellen (Lambourn) Puffer - the former of English nativity and the latter born in Massachusetts - were married in Putnam County, Tll., the father having been brought to that country in 1846 when six years of age. The paternal grandfather, Samuel S. Puffer, was proprietor of a tavern on the stage coach line running out of Mt. Palatine, Putnam County. Daniel B. Puffer settled in Chatsworth Township about the year 1864, developing a new farm from the prairie soil. In that vicinity both of his parents spent the remainder of their lives, the grandfather being eighty-four years old at the time of his decease. The father operated the homstad place for seven years, removing at the end of that period to another farm situated a mile and a half west of Chatsworth. of which he still retains the title, although he has lived in retirement in the village of Chatsworth since 1897. He and his wife reared three children, namely: Ella, wife of James Barnes, of Chatsworth; Florence, who married William Cunington, of the same place; and J. Q.

The subject of this sketch followed farming until he went into the grain trade, and still has an interest in the old homestead property consisting of 400 acres, he and his father renting it out. John Q. Puffer was married February 15, 1894, to Emma Wingert, of Chicago, a daughter of Rev. J. P. Wingert, of the Evangelical church, who had been a minister of that denomination in Chatsworth for three years. Two children have resulted from this union - Eva Gertrude, and Alfred - the latter dying at the age of four years. Mr. Puffer is fond of recreation and travel, and has visited the Pacific coast, fishing at Santa Catalina Island and bringing back with him photographs of sharks and other large fish which abound in that quarter.

Politically, Mr. Puffer is a Republican. His' religious faith is that of the Baptist church, in which he has acted as Sunday School Superintendent for about seven years. His grandfather was one of the original thirteen members of the Baptist church in Chatsworth Township, officiating as deacon up to the time of his death, and the family have always been active in church work. Both as a farmer and business man, John Q. Puffer has been very successful, and is recognized as one of the leading citizens of Chatsworth.

PURSLEY, John (deceased) - One of the sturdy pioneers of Livingston County who, for over forty years made the county his home and actively participated in the wonderful improvements which were developed within its borders, was the late John Pursley, who was born in New York City, June 2, 1832, and died in 1900, aged sixty-eight years. He was a son of Mary and Godfray (Pursley) Pursley, both natives of Germany who had seven children, two boys and five girls.

While still young Mr. Pursley moved from New York to Chicago, then to Ottawa and from there to Dayton. LaSalle County, whence he came to Livingston County in 1867. For ten years prior to locating in Livingston County, Mr. Pursley worked for John Green in LaSalle County, and then took up land, which he subsequently developed converting it into a very fine farm which is in the possession of his widow at present. In religion Mr. Pursley was a Catholic, and a man widely known and highly respected.

In 1855 Mr. Pursley married Anna M. Eferling, whose parents were natives of the region of the Rhine, Germany. Mrs. Pursley was one of twelve children, and she and her husband also had twelve children, as follows: John, of Lafayette, Ind.; Charley, a farmer of Minnesota; George, connected with the agricultural works at Strawn, Livingston County; Peter, a farmer of South Dakota; Joseph M., a farmer of North Dakota;

Carrie, who married James Flanery, a farmer of North Dakota; Mrs. Jane Witzberger, of Strawn, Ill.; Mrs. Elizabeth Flanery, who married a farmer of North Dakota, and one daughter, deceased. Mrs. Pursley is a lady of advanced years who lives on the home place, tenderly cared for by her daughter Miss Rosa, a devoted nurse and companion. The family are members of the Catholic church and they all stand high in the community.

RABE, William Louis, M. D., a physician of high standing residing in Dwight, IN., was born near Steubenville, Ohio, a son of John and Elizabeth (Luce) Rabe. His elementary education was obtained chiefly under the instruction of his father, an intelligent farmer and school teacher. John Rabe was born in Pennsylvania, where he fitted himself for the work of a teacher, following that occupation in winter and farming in summer. In 1820 he moved to Jefferson County, Ohio, where he died in 1872. After completing his primary studies, Dr. Rabe was trained in the higher branches, first taking a course in Richmond College and later matriculating in Cleveland Medical University. He began the practice of his profession in Wellsville, Ohio, the principal portion of which was situated on the Virginia side of the Ohio River. During the Civil War he served as assistant surgeon of an Ohio regiment, and was wounded at the time of the capture of Gen. John Morgan, in Columbiana County, Ohio, who occupied the Doctor's bed on the night after he was made prisoner. In 1862, Dr. Rabe was elected president of Richmond College, a position which he filled two years when he resigned. In 1865, he matriculated in both McCormick Theological Seminary and Rush Medical College, in Chicago, and two years later received a diploma from each of the institutions, when he accepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church, of Bloomington, Ill., locating there in 1867 and remaining nine years. During this pastorate, he was a delegate to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States, held in the state capitol at Madison, Wis. In 1876 he moved to Dwight, Ill., where he has since acquired one of the largest and most lucrative medical practices in that section of the state. He is a constant reader of the best medical literature of the day, and is noted in medical circles as a valued contributor to the standard medical journals. He is a member of the State and Inter-state Medical Societies and the American Medical Association and a correspondent of the World's Congress.

In 1867, Dr. Rabe was married to Emma Clay Temple. of Bloomington, I., whose parents were natives of Virginia, her mother being a lineal descendant of the Parke Custis or George Washington family. Mrs. Rabe died in 1888, leaving the following children: Mildred, Mrs. Howlett Barnes, of Syracuse, N. Y.; William Louis, of Dwight. Ill, a conductor on the Chicago & Alton Railroad; Clarence Parke, of Chi- cago, who is in the real estate, loan and insurance business; and Lucille, who is at home with her father. The eldest daughter studied music two years under Prof. Phelps, of Chicago, and has been for years a salaried soloist in the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, N. Y., and has devoted her attention to church musical service and kindred engagements, and is now the wife of Charles W. Barnes, a capitalist of Syracuse. Her sister is also a singer of unusual ability.

The paternal grandfather of Dr. Rabe was Capt. Jacob Rabe. a soldier of the War of 1812 and a brother of the famous Rabe sisters, of Germany, who, in the early '30s and '40s, twice crossed the ocean to delight the New York peopte with songs and melodies of their fatherland. Jacob Rabe lived to reach the venerable age of 100 years and three months. He was born in Prussia and came to this country about the beginning of the eighteenth century, settling near the little town of Monongahela City, Pa. where he reared a family of three children.

Dr. Rabe has always been the firm defender of the regular and rational practice of medicine, and a leading assailant of the "fakes" and patent or secret medicine iniquities. He is the author of monographs, several medical treatises. published addresses and recondite contributions to medical periodicals, which have brought him honorable mention in the "Encyclopedia of American Biography,' "The American Statesman," and American Academy of Medicine. He is as conservative in medical practice as in theory, he has an intense aversion to artful and sinister dealing of any kind, and is an uncompromising but honest opponent on any issue when he believes he is in the right. He is greatly esteemed by the people of Dwight and the country surrounding, both as a physician and as a man, and is regarded as a public-spirited and useful member of the community.

RABER, John, a retired farmer now living in Gridley, Livingston County, Ill, and the owner of one of the largest and finest farms in the county, was born in McLean County, Ill, May 20, 1856, a son of John and Barbara (Nafziger) Raber, natives of Germany. who emigrated to the United States in the early half of the last century, locating at first in Ohio. About the vear 1850 they journeyed to Illinois, making their home on a farm in McLean County, where they lived nearly twenty-five years. In 1875 they moved to Livingston County, where the father died April 13, 1893, the mother surviving him until August 26, 1902, when she, too, passed away. Their family consisted of five sons and one daughter, of whom four children are still living. In politics. John Raber, Sr., was a supporter of the Republican party, and he and his wife were members of the Mennonite church. The subject of this sketch passed his early youth on his father's farm, and his education was obtained in the common schools. At the age of sixteen years he began work on a farm in Pike Township, Livingston County, and this locality has since been his home. He is the owner of 380 acres of land, and for twentytwo years has been engaged in breeding Percheron horses. His farming operations have been very successful, and he is classed among the most prosperous farmers in his portion of the county.

In 1879 Mr. Raber was joined in matrimony with Lizzie Ehresman, born in Livingston County, a daughter of Christian and Magdalena (Wagner) Ehresman, who were early settlers of the county. The father of Mrs: Raber died on the farm where she now lives, and her mother died in Waldo Township. Mr. and Mrs. Raber became the parents of five children, as follows: William M.. born July 30, 1880; Levi Edward, born December 25, 1883; Minnie, born June 19. 1885; Mabel Lena, born August 3, 1891; and Elsie May, born December 7, 1895. The eldest son, William M., received his education in the common schools, and is now operating 220 acres of land. Besides general farming he is engaged in stock-raising, and is a breeder of Percheron horses. He was married in September, 1904, to Catherine Erb, born in Nebraska Township, Livingston County, and a daughter of Christian and Anna (Springer) Erb. Mr. Erb came from Canada, and his wife is a native of Livingston County. He died in 1900, and she is living in Nebraska, her home being in Hamilton County, that State. William M. Raber and wife have one daughter, Alverda May, born August 23, 1905. Levi E., the second son of John Raber, is also a farmer. He was educated in the common schools of his district, and was married to Minnie King, of McLean County. He and his wife have one child, Clark Burnell. Minnie Raber, the eldest 'daughter of the subject of this sketch, and her sister Mabel L., have received a common school education, and are at home, while Elsie M., the youngest, is a student in the Gridley High School.

REED, Edward 0. - Some men are destined to rise above their associates, and are fitted to hold offices of public trust and responsibility. They understand and grasp quickly the essentials of government, and are capable of effecting many much needed reforms. They not only successfully conduct large business enterprises, but represent the interests of the people in various legislative bodies. Such a man is Edward O. Reed, senior member of the old established firm of Reed and Riess, cigar manufacturers of Pontiac, Livingston County, Ill., and one of the most public-spirited men and public officials of that city.

Mr. Reed was born in Bloomington, Ill., June 12, 1860. a son of Henry B. and Esther (Beck) Reed. Henry B. Reed was born January 29, 1833, in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pa., while his wife was born in Lehighton, Carbon County, Pa., May 25, 1825. By trade Henry B. Reed was a shoemaker.

Reed was the first Livingston County man to enlist, going to Joliet where he enlisted as a private in Company D, Twentieth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant for services rendered at the battle of Ft. Donelson, receiving a Reward of Merit from Governor Yates, the War Governor of Illinois. Sometime after the battle of Shiloh he resigned and came home on account A few days after arriving at home he was summoned to Springfield by Gov. Yates and commissioned to assist in organizing three companies in Livingston County, finally succeeding in organizing five companies. Later he was unanimously chosen Captain of Company G, One Hundred Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, and served in that capacity until the close of the war.

Edward O. Reed, the son and subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Pontiac, Ill, and after he left school he learned the business of cigar making, and has followed it ever since, eventually forming the firm of Reed and Riess, of which he is senior member. This firm does a very large business, manufacturing cigars, and controls a most excellent trade, which extends over a wide area. Their special brands are "Golden Legend" and "American Rose."

Mr. Reed is a very prominent Republican, and has been honored by his party in various ways. In 1890 he was elected Alderman from the Third Ward of Pontiac, and while a member of the Council, was on the Finance Committee and was instrumental in having put in a complete water and sewer system for the city. He was elected Assistant Supervisor of Pontiac Township in 1892, and appointed a member of the Finance Committee of that body. During bis term of office, a County House for the unfortunate poor and insane was built at a cost of $50,000. In 1894 he was elected Sheriff of Livingston County and County Treasurer in 1898, and faithfully and ably discharged the duties pertaining to both these important offices, and effecting many much-needed reforms. He was appointed a member of the County Board of Review both in 1903 and 1904, and bas been chosen six times as Chairman of the Republican County Central Committee, which position he occupies at the present time, and has succeeded in having elected every nominee of the Republican party for county office during this period. No mere words can adequately portray the immense service Mr. Reed has rendered his constituents, both in public office and as a member of the party whose principles he has ever ardently supported. He is a live, energetic, capable man, and one who thoroughly understands the political situation, and his people will not allow him to rest upon the laurels he has already won, but will keep on demanding further service from him,. realizing that they can find no one better fitted to represent them.

On December 15, 1897, Mv. Reed was married in Chicago, Ill., to Miss Eunice Stott, who was born in White Pigeon, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have had the following family: Esther Rosamond, born Sept. 24, 1898; Edna Orissa, born June 8, 1900; John Stott, born October 16, 1901; and Thomas Beck, born March 1, 1904.

RICH, Jeffrey A - The history of any locality is to be read in the lives of its residents, and the state of development attained is largely due to the efforts of those who have made their homes within its confines. Livingston County is no exception to this general rule, for coincident with its advancement occur the names of its old families, among whom may be mentioned the Rich and Spafford names. Jeffrey A. Rich, born in Somersetshire, England, March 27, 1851, belongs to one of these families and he married into another. When a lad of about four years, he was brought to the United States by his parents, James T, and Mary Ann Parrott Rich, in 1855. The little family first settled on a farm in Lake County, Ill., coming to this State direct from New York City, where they landed. James T. Rich was a farmer and builder in England, but when he moved to Livingston County in 1864 he began farming and, three years later, took up a farm upon which Jeffrey A. Rich now resides. Here the old father died on March 7, 1895, having attained to the venerable age of eighty-two years. The mother, who was also a native of England, survived him until July 4, 1896, when she too passed away, aged eighty-four years. Six children were born to these parents, four boys and two girls, of whom three boys and one girl survive. The latter is now Mrs. M. L. Paddock and resides in Saunemin, One brother was killed at Chickamauga during the Civil War. The two brothers living are John, who resides in Saunemin, and Joseph P., who resides in Stuttgart, Ark.

Jeffrey A. Rich was reared upon the homestead which is now his property, and attended the district school. He also studied architecture in conjunction with learning the trade of a cabinet-maker, but has really devoted the major portion of his time to farming and now owns, together with his wife, a fine property of 390 acres of most excellent land well suited for his purposes. Their home is pleasantly located just outside Saunemin, and there they welcome their many friends with cordial hospitality.

On December 25, 1880, Mr. Rich was united in marriage with Mary Spafford, who was born in Indiana, but brought to Illinois when but a child. Her family has been connected with the county's history for half a century. She is a daughter of Robert S. and Lucy (Hill) Spafford. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rich, although but two boys survive - Thomas J. married Della Shaw and they reside on one of the homestead farms. George W. is at home and both are engaged in farming. The family are Methodists in religious belief. In politics Mr. Rich is a Republican, although he has never taken a very active part in public affairs, preferring to give his time to his farm. Through well directed effort, industry and thrift, Mr. Rich has accumulated a handsome competency, and they may well be proud of the success which has attended them.

RIECK, John, who has successfully followed farming in Livingston County, Ill., nearly thirty years, making a record as one of the most energetic, persevering and successful farmers of his locality, was born in what was then the Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, December 23, 1857. He is a son of William and Charlotte (Themlitz) Rieck, both natives of Prussia, where the birth of the father took place February 24, 1823, and that of the mother, October 24, 1825. William Rieck was a farmer in the fatherland, and also served eighteen months in the German army previous to his coming to the United States. He and his wife came to this country in 1879, one year after his son John had located in Livingston County, making his home with the latter and farming on rented land. He died in 1900. The worthy widow still survives and is living with one of her sons. John Rieck received a common-school education in Germany, and attended night school after emigrating to these shores. He was twenty-one years of age when he landed in New York City, where he found employment as a stone-mason. After continuing a year in the stone works he came to Livingston County, Ill., and for twelve years, was engaged in farming on land in Nevada Township, which he rented from David MeWilliams, of Dwight. In 1893 he moved to Esmen Township, where he bought 180 acres of land, afterwards purchasing more until his farm now comprises 260 acres. All the buildings on this place are the result of his enterprise, and he has otherwise greatly improved it. Im 1904 he built a substantial, spacious and conyenient modern residence, in which all the members of his family comfortably and happily dwell.

At Nevada, Ill, on October 12, 1888, Mr. Rieck was joined in bonds of matrimony with Lucy Krimer, a daughter of William and Sophia (Lang) Krimer, who was born in Livingston County, Ill., January 10, 1870. Seven children have resulted from this union, namely: Henry, Charles, Fred, Minnie, Emma, Elsie and Amy, all of whom are at home,

In political affairs, Mr. Rieck takes an independent course, not mingling to any extent in active polities, and not desiring public offices. He has, however, served as School Director. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Court of Honor. He and his excellent wife are members of the Presbyterian church, John Rieck has made his own way in the world, beginning with very small financial resources; but through industry, economy and honesty, has amassed a snug competency, becoming one of the leading farmers in the northern part of Livingston County.

RIGGS, Miles S., manager of the Ab Lumber Company, of Pontiac, Ill., and a leading citizen of Pontiac, is a native of the same city, where he was born December 16, 1863, a son of Harvey and Sarah (Clyler) Riggs, the former born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and the latter in Pennsylvania. In 1855 they came to Dwight, Ill., and in the following year to Pontiac. The paternal grandfather was an old time resident of Dwight. For two years the father was in the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, and subsequently, for thirty years, acted in the capacity of manager for A, F. Fisher, an extensive lumber dealer, of Pontiac. Harvey Riggs died in 1904, and his wife is now a resident of Chicago. Politically, he was a supporter of the Democratic party, and served two terms as alderman. He was a member of the Baptist Church, to which his widow also belongs. They became the parents of two sons and ten daughters, and of this family seven are now living. Miles S. Riggs was reared in Pontiac, and received his education in the public schools, after which he learned the trade of a cigar maker. Finding this not to his liking, he began working in $. O. Pillsbury's lumber yard, remaining there until that gentleman went out of business. Then he became foreman of the lumber yards of the G. L. Vandenen Company, continuing thus until the company sold out in 1894. Since that time this concern has been known as the Alex Lumber Company, and Mr. Riggs has been its manager since 1906. He owns a fine residence at No. 617 West Madison Street, Pontiac.

In 1893 Mr. Riggs was united in marriage with Anna Erickson, born in Livingston County, Ill., and a daughter of Andrew Erickson. a farmer and an early settler ín the county. The father of Mrs. Riggs is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Riggs have three children, namely: Lloyd Earl, Anetta Belle and Miles.

Politically, Mr. Riggs is classed as independent, and has served three terms as alderman in Pontiac. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Independent Order Odd Fellows, Pontiac Lodge, No. 262, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Riggs is a member of the Lutheran Church.

ROGERS, A. Wilmer, one of the best known, most prosperous and highly respected farmers in the vicinity of the town of Forrest. Livingston County, Ill., was born in LaSalle County, Ill, March 30, 1867, a son of Sidney C. and Mercy (Nickerson) Rogers, natives of Massachusetts. The birth of Sidney C. Rogers occurred on Cape Cod, and he followed the sea until he reached the age of twenty-one years. After his seafaring life was over he became a carpenter, continuing this occupation until he moved to Illinois, when he turned his attention to farming. In 1870 he settled in Livingston County, and two years later located on the Rogers' homestead. He and his wife were the parents of four sons and four daughters, of whom two of the sons only are living. the brother of the subject of this sketch being a builder in Colorado Springs. The father died in 1892, but his widow still survives and is a resident of the village of Forrest. Sidney C. Rogers was a Republican in politics, and was influential in the local councils of his party, holding several township offices.

A. Wilmer Rogers was reared on the home farm, educated in the district schools, and has successfully followed farming from early manhood. On March 8, 1893, he was married to Etta Moulton, a native of Iowa, and their union has resulted in three sons and one daughter, namely: Harold, Walter K., Howard, and Rosetta, aged fourteen, eleven, nine and seven years, respectively.

Politically, Mr. Rogers is a Republican. His religious connection is with the Congregational church. In fraternal circles he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 1046, and the Court of Honor.

ROSE, Bert L., of Fairbury, Livingston County, 1l., is a blacksmith and horseshoer by trade, who maintains a high reputation in his particular vocation. People who own good horses have learned by expensive experience that the care of the horses' hoofs should not be left to careless and inexperienced blacksmiths. Horseshoeing has come to be a science, and only men of Jong and careful experience should be entrusted with it. The successful horseshoer must be something more than a good mechanic, for his work partakes somewhat of the nature of some of the work of the scientist and veterinary surgeon.

Bert L. Rose was born at Campbellsville, Taylor County, Ky., November 8, 1869, a son of Isaac V. and Sarah Rose, natives of Pennsylvania. His parents were married in the Keystone State and emigrated thence to Kentucky, where Mr. Rose, who had been a cooper, found employment as a shoemaker. There' they remained until 1872, when they removed to Divingston County, Ill, settling on a farm northeast of Forrest, where Mr. Rose planted and garnered successfully until 1884. He then moved to Adams, Neb., and remained there until 1890, when he came back to Livingston County. In 1892 he moved to Fairbury, where he lived until January 27, 1904, when he died. His widow survives him. He has been almost a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which she is still identified. There were born to them twelve children, of whom Bert L., was the youngest and of whom eleven are yet living.

The immediate subject of this sketch had scant opportunities for securing an education. As has been seen, his father had a large family to support, and even as a child, he realized that it was incumbent on him to take care of himself, if possible, in order to lighten his parents' burden. When he was eight years old, he found employment on Mrs. Young's farm, northwest of Fairbury, at thirty-five cents a day. He was a willing worker and soon developed into an effective one. When he was ten years old he was regarded as a "hand" at any labor on a farm, or even at other heavy work, and from that time his services were in demand. He bound on an old Marsh harvester, when he was so short that he was obliged to stand on sheaves of grain in order to reach its table. Accompanying his parents to Nebraska, he worked there on a horse ranch owned by the McCulley Brothers. In his farm work he had become accustomed to handling horses, and hence took very handily to that employment. Afterward for three years he was employed in a blacksmith and machine shop. In 1890 he was given a place in the blacksmith shop of Jonas Lough, one of the best all-around blacksmiths in Livingston County, who was able to do anything that was required of him to any piece of iron that might be brought to him. Young Rose was a natural mechanic, and under such an able instructor he made rapid progress as an iron worker, but naturally, perhaps because of his very considerable experience with horses, made a specialty of horseshoeing. For eighteen years he has worked at his trade at Fairbury, and during all that time has given much attention to breaking and training horses, has handled some of the best horses in Central Illinois and owns some of the best roadsters in the State, such as "Senator," "Wilkes," "Brownie Wilton,' "Royal Spinks" and "Picket," and he now owns "Sheby Sherbert," a horse that comes of as good strain as any in the West and has a speed of 2:16 on the track.

Having long made the foot of the horse a study, Mr. Rose has gained expert knowledge of it, which enables him in shoeing often to overcome a horse's lameness and materially to help it in its travel. In his specialty he has built up a reputation second to that of no man in the State. If he diagnoses a case, his judgment is accepted without question and his recommendations are acted upon. He has probably bought and sold for track work more good breed horses than any one else in all the country round about, and his judgment of a horse goes for cash in any market.

Mr. Rose married Miss Viola B. Lough, a daughter of his old instructor, August 28, 1893, and she has borne him three children: Ursel, born April 19, 1895; Harold, born February 12, 1897; Bertie, born April 9, 1900. Mrs. Rose was born at Fairbury and numbers among its best people many warm friends. Politically, Mr. Rose affiliates with the Republican party, but is without political aspirations and, though he has been often solicited to accept office, he definitely declines such honor, preferring to give all his time to his business. He is public spirited in a broad sense, and has at heart the growth and prosperity of Fairbury. He is a member of the Yeomen of America and of the North American Accident Company. Truly a self-made man, he has, by his honesty and his upright life, won the confidence of the entire community.

ily of Roth, of which the subject of this sketch is a member, has as fairly illustrated the value of German blood in American citizenship as any other family has done in Central Illinois. German thrift, industry and patriotism are proverbial; but there have been some examples of these qualities more striking than others. In his individual career, Daniel Roth has exemplified the virtue of family affection and of Christian character. Born in Tazewell County, Ill., July 26, 1852, a son of Andrew and Anna (Zimmerman) Roth, natives of Germany, he is a truly representative American, and has achieved a worthy success. Andrew Roth, after the death of his father, came from Germany to America and, locating near Cincinnati, went to work on a farm to earn money to bring his mother, three brothers and two sisters to this country. Small as were his earnings, they were probably very considerable when compared with those of his brothers in Germany. The family, being finally reunited, settled in Tazewell and Woodford Counties, and all its male members became well-to-do farmers. Daniel Roth, the youngest of the brothers, is the only one of the original family now living. The others were Peter, who died in Woodford County ; Nicholas, who died in Tazewell County ; Garber, died near Pekin, Ill.; Barbara, married a Mr. Stecker and died in Tazewell County, all of them leaving families.

Anna Zimmerman came from Germany to America with her parents, who located near Cincinnati, and there she met and married Andrew Roth and there two of her children were born. Thence she came with her husband and children in a big wagon, which also contained her scanty household effects, to Tazewell County where, in 1845, Andrew Roth bought forty acres of timber-land on which he built a log cabin with a roof of split clapboards, into which he moved his family. He had the land to clear, and improve, and he entered upon the task with characteristic energy and farmed with such success, that eventually he was able to buy 120 acres more, bringing his holding up to 160 acres, He made a good farm on which he established a comfortable and attractive home in which he and his family remained until 1871, when he sold the property to his brother Nicholas, from whom it has descended to one of his grandsons. He had bought 240 acres of land in Belle Prairie Township, Livingston County. onto which he moved, later buying 240 acres more, making a total of 480 acres, which he developed into a productive farm and managed with great success until 1886, when he died. His wife died in 1885. They were devoted members of the German Apostolic Church, and Mr. Roth was not only a kind and indulgent father. but to very many a friend in need, and more than one was helped by him ' secure a home in Livingston County.

Andrew and Anna (Zimmerman) Roth were parents of the following named children: Nicholas is a retired farmer living at Strawn, Livingston County; Anna married Jacob Cehr of Indian Grove Township, but is deceased; Barbara married Christian Garber of Belle Prairie Township, an elder of the Amish church; Peter is farming near lantha, Mo.; John is a merchant at Wellington, Kan.; Catherine lives in Fairbury; Samuel is a farmer in Belle Prairie Township. These children had Christian parents, were given Christian training, and all through their lives have perhaps unconsciously borne witness to that fact.

Daniel Roth divided his time in his boyhood between helping upon the farm and attending district schools. He came with his father's family to Livingston County, in 1871, when he was about nineteen years old, and was a member of it for nine years afterward. He married Catherine Heartein, August 1, 1880, and their married life continued twenty years until 1900, when she died as a Christian dies, regretted by all who had known her. Because of her failing health, Mr. Roth had retired from the farm in 1892. Later, he married Clara Herzog, who has borne him three children: Clara, Daniel, and Edwin, the latter in 1905. He now owns 240 acres of land-in Belle Prairie Township and four acres southeast of Fairbury, aggregating 244 acres. The land adjoining Fairbury includes his beautiful home. Mrs. Roth is associated with the German Apostolic Church, and although Mr. Roth is not a member of that organization, its faith is his and he is a regular attendant upon its services and liberal in his assistance of its various interests. As a farmer Mr. Roth has achieved a very notable success. While devoting his attention chiefly to general farming, he has given considerable attention to stock. His farm is one of the best appointed in his part of the county. As a citizen he has been distinguished for public spirit and helpfulness to all worthy causes. As a man he has been eminently fair in all his dealings, charitable in his views of the actions of others, and ever ready to extend a helping hand to the needy and the struggling. He has lived a busy and useful life, in which he has done good all along the way; and as he glances back over the road that he has traveled, he sees little that he should regret and much that should be to him a source of satisfaction.

RUSSELL, Cyrus Woods (deceased). - The roll call of men whose patience, endurance and ability helped to convert Livingston County into the ideal of agricultural prosperity, contains no name more honored than that of Cyrus Woods Russell. Mr. Russell passed from the ken of those who had known and loved him, March 13, 1898. However, the total loss of sight, for a time, from which he partially recovered after an operation by Dr. Buffin of Chicago, and the diminishing of his physical powers, failed to rob him of that patience and intrepidity which had led him far afield in the early days even to the gold mines which lured the fortune-seekers to the coast in the middle of the last century.

'of West Virginia to Ohio, and there was married to Elizabeth McArthur, with whom, and several of his children, he removed to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in the early 'forties. In Indiana, Cyrus Woods helped on the paternal farm, but finally moved to Avoca, Livingston County, UL, where he contracted the gold fever and joined other young men of the community in an Overland journey to the Pacific Coast. This little band traveled for about six months across plains and mountains in ox-carts, and Mr. Russell remained among the mines until 1856, when he returned to Illinois by way of Panama and New York, having made a fair success of his Western trip. With the money thus acquired, he purchased a farm in Owego Township, and later, having well prospered by his industry and enterprise, added to his holdings farms in the adjacent townships of Avoca, Eppards Point and Pontiac, and, although earlier he had learned the wheelwright and wagon-maker's trade, he thereafter devoted his energy to improving his farms and raising stock, succeeding so well that he amassed a comfortable competence. Owing to an affection of eyes, which resulted in a period of total blindness, of which he was later at least partially relieved as above stated, he left the farm in 1891, taking up his residence in Pontiac, where he bought the home now occupied by his surviving family. In 1892 he sold a part of his holdings, reserving eighty acres which remains to the family, in the south-east corner of Pontiac Township. This is a very valuable property. and reflects the painstaking care expended upon it by its industrious and practical owner. Mr. Russell was a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Pontiac, haying first joined the order in California. In politics, he was a Republican, and with his wife, was a consistent member of the Methodist church.

The married life of Mr. Russell was a particularly harmonious one, and in his wife, formerly Mary Jane Denton, he found an unfailing helpmate and ready sympathizer. The marriage of this worthy couple occurred April 9, 1857, after Mr. Russell bad returned from California, Mrs. Russell being a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind., born January 8, 1836, a daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Anderson) Denton, natives of West Virginia. The maternal grandfather, Richard Anderson. a native of East Virginia, was a Quaker, although the early members of the Denton family were Presbyterians.

Mr. and Mrs. Russell had no children born to them, but they opened their hearts and home to two of the children of Mr. Russell's brother, William Russell - Scott C. and Albert L., twins, died in 1882 and 1891, respectively. They also reared Caroline Rogers, who became the wife of W. B. Fyfe of Pontiac, but who died in 1893. Mr. Russell was ever a dependable neighbor and friend, an honest and wide-awake business man, and a progressive and enlightened landsman.

County, Ill., May 21, 1861. His father was William Ryan, a native of Tipperary, Ireland, who came to the United States with his wife in 1847 (at the time of the great famine in Ireland), landing in New Orleans. After being employed in that city awhile he came to Illinois, and worked two years for Bishop Chase, at Jubilee, near Peoria, as Superintendent of the farm connected with the Episcopal College. He had a collegiate education, being also a surveyor, and made himself very useful to Bishop Chase in arranging and beautifying the grounds about the latter's official residence. After the death of his wife he married again, settling in Marshall County and devoting his attention to farming. In addition to his farming operations he dealt extensively in lands. He died in 1875, at the age of sixty-three years, owning at the time of his decease about 1,600 acres of farming land. His second wife was Margaret Keough, whom he wedded while in the employ of Bishop Chase. She was a business woman and assumed the management of her husband's estate, suryiving him until 1903, and at intervals adding to the extent of the property. Of the eight children resulting from her union with William Ryan, seven were sons, and they remained at home working together, so that when the estate was divided the shares were very readily determined, entailing little expense to the heirs. The mother lived to see each of her children settled in life. When she passed away her eldest son, Rey. Daniel J. Ryan, who afterwards died at Jacksonville, Ill., conducted her funeral rites, his six brothers acting as pall-bearers, and bearing the coffin to the grave. Of the other children who were educated by her, Thomas is a farmer of Stark County, Ill.; Timothy D., is a banker, of Ogden, Utah, who was formerly in the banking business at Wyoming, Ill.; J. F. who is a farmer by occupation, after remaining at home until he was twenty-eight years old, located in 1888, half a mile north of Chatsworth, where he has since lived; William J., who stayed at the old home, where he died in 1906, his widow still owning the Ryan homestead; Michael P., twin brother of the last named, who is a farmer at Wyoming, Ill.; and Mary E., who is the wife of James Day, of Peoria.

Rey. Daniel J. Ryan was one of the leading priests of the Alton diocese, in which he officiated twenty-four years, thirteen years of this period being spent in charge of. St. Joseph's Church in Springfield. His whole life was devoted to the functions of the priesthood. The other sons were inclined towards business or

John F. Ryan was profitably engaged in farming on a large scale for a number of years, and is still the owner of three-quarters of a section of land near Chatsworth. He has given the greater portion of his attention to raising, feed- ing and shipping live stock. He is manager of a cotton plantation of 1,129 acres in Coahoma County, Miss., in which he has a half interest. Mr. Ryan was one of the organizers of the Commercial National Bank, of Chatsworth, of which he has been President since 1902, and is regarded as one of the most sagacious and conservative financiers in Livingston. County. He is the owner and occupant of a handsome residence in Chatsworth, erected by him in 1907.

The marriage of Mr. Ryan took place at Camp Grove, Ill., on February 20, 1889, on which date he was wedded to Emma M. Fennell, their union having resulted in three children: Gladys C., Marie M. and John R. Mr, Ryan has kept out of active politics, and his political action is not restricted by party lines. He supports the men and measures he thinks to the best interests of all the people. He was reared in the Catholic faith, and he and his excellent wife are devout and zealous members of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church in Chatsworth, and he is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

SAMPSON, Edward. - Perhaps no nation in the world has given America better citizens than Norway, for its people are frugal, industrious and capable. They know how to work and they are not afraid to do so, and in consequence it is a great rarity to find a poor Norseman. Edward Sampson of Section 20, Sunbury Township, Livingston County, is perhaps as good an example of what can be accomplished through honest effort, intelligently directed, as the county affords. He was born February 21, 1849, in Norway, and came to the United States in 1866. Although his education was meager, he knew how to earn his living and had worked out by the month in his native land, so when he settled at Mount, Lee County, Ill., he soon found something to do, and not only earned money, but saved it until, in 1882, he was able to buy 120 acres on Section 20, Sunbury Township, Livingston County. It was all wild land and much of it under water. With a vigor and will that belongs to his race, Mr. Sampson went to work and cleared off his land, drained it, bought rock amounting to eleven car loads, which was used for the foundation of his handsome farm house and substantial barn.

Mr. Sampson married Miss Sarah Highland, and they had children as follows: Annie at home; Gay was drowned when nine years and eleven days old; Sophia married John Peterson and they reside on another farm owned by Mr. Sampson in Sunbury; Arthur is a farmer; Sam, Garheart, Jacob, Ida, Ole, Charlie and Jesse, all at home. Mrs. Sampson died December 23, 1903, firm in the faith of the Lutheran church, of which she was a member, as are the remainder of the family.

Mr. Sampson has been very successful, owning 840 acres, 180 on his home place, and 160 in Section 34, the same township. When he landed he was eleven dollars in debt, but he soon paid that off and immediately began to save. Perhaps thrift, economy and saving are the three words that explain his success. His wealth has not come by any sudden turn of fortune, but has resulted from a careful, frugal, systematic saying of the pemnies, which have steadily rolled up into dollars. Mr. Sampson had the pleasure of a visit to his native land where he enjoyed a visit with relatives and friends. After locating in Livingston County he became an adopted citizen of the country he had chosen as his home, and has always given his vote and support to the Republican party.

SAMPSON, Ole A. - Self made, self reliant, a man who has never shirked a single duty, or wasted a cent, Ole A. Sampson is one of the yery best examples of true Norseman Livingston County has ever known. Few Americans could go into a strange land, ignorant of the language, customs and work, aad without any belp, build up a comfortable fortune in Jess than half a century; and yet this is just what he has done, and at the same time built up a reputation for honesty and faithfulness that has never failed those who trusted in him. Mr. Sampson was born in Norway, February 22, 1845, and after receiving a limited book education, but a thorough one in the more practical line of work, he left his home in 1866, and coming to America went to work for Jobn Rostal near Ottawa. Faithfully he kept on, always saving more than half his earnings, until he had accumulated $1,800, This he invested in an 103-acre farm, which he bought from Captain Strawn. This farm was located near Blackstone, and on it Mr. Sampson began to farm his own land. After he had improved it, in eight years he sold this farm, at a profit, and bought 80 acres on Section 25, and established his present home.

In 1874 he married Miss Annie Nelson, who was born in Norway. They have the following family: Ellen married Charles Pearson, a farmer of Sunbury Township; Bertha married Charles Knudson, a farmer in Sunbury Township; Nelse, Laura and Annie at home, and two who died in infancy. The home farm consists of 320 acres of as fine land as can be found in Livingston County, and upon it Mr. Sampson has made many very fine improvements. His house and barns are substantial, and his premises are orderly, while his machinery and tools are of improved makes. He and his family are Lutherans. Ever since he became a citizen of the United States, Mr. Sampson has been very patriotic, and is as proud of the stars and stripes as though he had been born beneath it. A Republican in his political faith, he votes for the candidates of that party upon every occasion. Too much praise cannot be given men of this stamp, for they have accomplished much, and not only have helped themselves, but others, in developing their locality, and setting so excellent an example of thrifty, frugal living, which results so desirably to everyone. Livingston County today has no better or more worthy farmer citizen than Ole A. Sampson.

SANDMEYER, John H., one of the most industrious and worthy farmers of Pike Township, Livingston County, Ill, was born in Versailles, Ill, August 10, 1859, a son of George and Jacobina (Moschel) Sandmeyer, natives of Bayaria, Germany. George Sandmeyer, who followed farming during his active life, located in New Jersey on arriving in the United States, moving from that state to Peoria, 11l., thence in the course of time to Versailles, and ultimately to Pike Township, where he bought eighty acres of land. On this he lived until his withdrawal from agricultural labors, when he moved to the Village of Chenoa, and is now passing his days in retirement. He and his wife reared a family of four children, all of whom are living. In politics he is a follower of the Republican party, and in religion both are Lutherans. John H. Sandmeyer was brought up on his father's farm near Versailles, and in boyhood attended the district schools of Brown County. All of his mature life has been deyoted to farming, except two years which he spent in Kansas. He is the owner of 160 acres of good land in Pike Township, well improved and conditioned, and is classed as a very thorough and substantial farmer and a useful and reliable citizen.

On December 17, 1884, John H. Sandmeyer was married, in Livingston County, to Mrs. Lily Phillips, a daughter of John T. and Elizabeth Monroe, early residents of the county. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Sandmeyer was William Monroe, a native of Scotland, and her grandfather on the maternal side was Alfred Cornelius, who came from Kentucky to Illinois in 1880. To the union of Mr. and Mrs, Sandmeyer have been born seven children, as follows: Edith Margaret, Eugene W., John Henry, Lilian Essibel, Avis, Elizabeth and Vincent M. Lilian is at home, and Edith is the wife of James Cecil Shoop.

SANTELMAN, Charles, residing on Section 31, Sunbury Township, Livingston County, was born in LaSalle County, Ill., October 12, 1857, a son of Henry and Sophia (Freeman) Santelman, both natives of Germany. Henry Santelman and his brother Gustave came to America when about twenty-five or twenty-six, and settled in LaSalle County, and there went to work at $10 per month. While living in LaSalle County Henry Santelman married about 1855, after which he rented land for some years until he was able to buy 120 acres. This he improved and farmed until selling it at a profit, he bought 240 acres. This last property he developed into a well improved farm, and on it all his children, except Charles, were born. The children were as follows: Charles; Amelia. married William Russell, who was born in Newton Township; Henry, a farmer of Amity Township; Mary, married Christ Kates, of Grand Rampel Township, La-

Salle County ; Fred, a farmer of Newtown Township; Albert, who died on the old farm in August, 1897. Henry Santelman died on his farm in 1898, aged seventy-three years. He and his wife were members of the German Evangelical Church and always took an active part in it. In politics he was a Republican, and he showed forth in his life and work what can be accomplished by one who is not afraid of hard work, and who knew how to save. He had nothing when he came to America, but he died a wealthy man, in full enjoyment of the comforts and luxuries which his own efforts had provided.

Charles Santelman was reared and educated in his native county, and remained at home until his marriage, April 20, 1883, to Miss Mary Beckman, who was born in Germany, a daughter of John Beckman and Mary (Schroder) Beckman. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Beckman came to America, and now makes her home with Mrs. Santelman. Her children were: John of Hills, Minn.; Sophia who married Henry J. Santelman, a farmer of Amity Township, and Mrs. Santelman.

Upon their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Santelman settled on a 160-acre farm, which was then in a very poor condition, and which he bought for $35 per acre. A portion of the land was under water, and this he drained, placing five car-loads of tile. He enriched the land, carefully arranged his crops, and has so improved it that he now values it at $217.50 per acre. He is a lover of good horses and those he raises are worth $2,500 a span. His preference is for Percheron stock for farm and market uses and has three magnificent brood mares. He has crossed the Cheshire with the Poland-China hogs for market, and is pleased with the results. For market, he prefers the Durham cow, but for milking purpose he thinks the Jersey is better. His experiments in crossing and raising stock have proved successful, and he is very much interested in and authority on the subject.

Mr. and Mrs. Santelman have one daughter, Lydia, who was born September 10, 1885. She married Ira Cox of Sibley, Ill., where he is engaged in hardware business, and they have one son, Elmer. Mr. Santelman is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the German Evangelical Church. He has been a good farmer, an excellent manager, and has every cause to congratulate himself upon the manner in which he has brought up his farm from the condition in which he found it and materially increased its value. He has honorably discharged every duty of life imposed upon him, and he has certainly won the respect and confidence, to a marked degree, of the community in which he has resided for so many years, and with which he has so completely identified himself.

SCHICKEDANZ, John F., whose successful farming experience in Livingston County, Ill., covers a period of nearly forty years, was born in Clark County, Ill., April 29, 1851, a son of George and Bena (Rhenmoser) Schickedanz, both natives of Germany, the former born in

Hesse-Darmstadt in October, 1819, and the latter in Wurtemburg, in June, 1823. They came to the United States in 1839, locating in Clark County, Ill, and their son George was engaged in farming there. Some years later he removed to Livingston County, settling in Pike Township, and subsequently changing his location to Eppards Point Township, where at the time of his death he owned 200 acres of land. His religious connection was with the Evangelical Association, as is that of his widow, who has reached the age of eighty-four years. Their family consisted of nine children, of whom six are living. In political action George Schickedanz followed the lead of the Republican party. He died in April, 1879. John F. Schickedanz received his education in the common schools, passing his youth on the home farm. He began farming in Livingston County in 1871, on eighty acres of land which he had bought in Pike Township. Selling this after a few years, he removed to Rooks Creek Township, where he now owns 200 acres, besides having eighty acres in Pontiac Township. In March, 1907, he withdrew from active business life, taking possession of his fine residence at No. 511 Vermilion street, Pontiac. He has had a toilsome and prosperous career, and is now living in the enjoyment of the well earned fruits of his labors.

On October 25, 1874, Mr. Schickedanz was joined in matrimony with Lucy Weber, born in Utica, N. Y., July 22, 1854, and a daughter of George and Sophia (Horner) Weber. George Weber was born in Walhousen, Wurtemburg, Germany, February 12, 1823, and his wife at the same place, September 15, 1826. They came to America in 1847, and until 1856 resided at Utica, N. Y., in the latter year removing to Woodford County, Ill. In 1869 the family located in Pike Township and some time later went to Pontiac Township, where Mrs. Weber died April 17, 1902, her husband surviving until December 10, 1905.

SCHMIDT, Herman, owner of 309 acres of choice land in Esmen Township, Livingston County, well improved and in excellent condition, and all the result of his own energy, perseverance, honesty and good management, was born in Germany, April 19, 1859. He is a son of William and Christiana (Hagelmann) Schmidt, natives of Germany. William Schmidt was a brick molder by trade, and he and his wife spent their entire lives in the land of their birth. the subject of this personal record receiving no advices from them after his arrival in this country. Both father and mother were members of the Lutheran church. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom emigrated to these shores, Herman Schmidt attended the public schools of the fatherland in his youth, and after finishing his studies, learned the trade followed by his father. In 1883 he came to the United States, and proceeding to Tllinois, located near the village of Stanton, where he worked several years. In 1898 he bought a farm of 160 acres in Esmen Township, which he has since increased in extent by purchasing 149 acres lying on the opposite side of the road, in Odell Township. All the improvements on this land were made by him. Besides general farming, he devotes considerable attention to stock-raising. He is regarded as one of the most thorough and successful farmers in his locality. a

In June, 1887, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage with Sophia Baker, who was born in Ilinois, and is a daughter of Henry and Lena (Gebeke) Baker, early settlers in the Prairie State. The father of Mrs. Schmidt is deceased. Seven children have resulted from this union, namely: Emil, William, Otto, Edwin, Walter, Lena and Clara.

Politically, Mr. Schmidt is a supporter of the Republican party. In religion, he and his wife are adherents of the Lutheran faith. Asa farmer and in his individual capacity as a citizen, Mr. Schmidt stands high in the general estimation, and he and Mrs. Schmidt are looked upon as among the best people of the township.

SCHNETZLER, Henry, contractor and builder, blacksmith, repairer and house-raiser and mover, Fairbury, Livingston County, Ill., is one of the many self-made men of this county, of whom none more richly deserves the descriptive title here applied, and to whose interesting career this all too brief account is devoted. Mr. Schnetzler was born in Monroe County, Ohio, August 23, 1856, a son of Henry and Barbara (Bruedling) Schnetzler, natives of Switzerland, who came to America in i854. His father, who had learned the trade of shoemaker in his native land, worked at it in Ohio until 1866, when, coming to Illinois, he bought a farm near Metamora, Woodford County, which he improved and on which he lived until 1871, when he died. His family remained in Woodford County until 1881, when they remoyed to Fairbury where Mrs. Schnetzler died September 22 of that year. This woman, whose character was in every way admirable, bore her husband two children, Henry and Joseph Schnetzler, the last mentioned of whom is a carpenter and wagon-maker.

Henry Schnetzler gained his education in schools in Monroe County, Ohio. He was about ten years old when his father, with his family, located in Woodford County. There the boy worked on the farm until after the death of his father. From that time until 1882 he was variously employed. In the year last mentioned, he engaged in the junk business, and in the following year, opened a general store in Fairbury, which he conducted with considerable success till 1888, when he disposed of it and bought a cutlery factory in which he manufactured pocket knives. Finding it impossible to compete in the markets with the cheap knives of foreign manufacture, he closed out that enterprise in 1889 and found employment as a carpenter with a contractor then operating at and around Fairbury.

In 1889 he began contracting and building on his own responsibility, drawing his own plans and giving to his work the utmost care, with a view to making it both artistic and durable. His painstaking proved to be 4 valuable asset in his it won for him the confidence of the public, and in a few years he was perhaps the leading and most extensive contractor and builder in his part of the county.

In 1882 Mr. Schnetzler married Miss Eliza Verkler. She was a native of Switzerland and came to the United States with her parents, who settled at Fairbury immediately after their landing. Her father died two years later, and her good mother in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Schnetzler became the parents of five children, two of whom died in infancy. Those who are still living are Charles, Edith and Emma. Charles, who is his father's partner, is an architect of the best training and of ample attainments. He has spent two years as a student in the architectural department of the University of Illinois. Emma was graduated from the Fairbury High School with the class of 1905, and has won success as a teacher in district schools near Fairbury. Edith bas, as far as possible, taken the place in the household, once filled by her mother, who died June 18, 1898, deeply regretted not only in her own family circle, but by all who had known her.

In his son, who has won honors as an archltect, Mr. Schnetzler has an able assistant. He still does his work as carefully and as conscientiously as when he began, in 1889, to do business on his own account. He has added to his enterprise a department of lumber and builders' materials, and handles lumber in carload lots and at his yards so extensively that his trade amounts to about $20,000 annually. It will be seen that his operations in lumber afford him opportunities, in figuring on contracts, to include lumber and mill work at such prices as to do away with the competition of ordinary builders. It is probable that he has erected more large residences in and around Fairbury than any competitor and his trade covers a territory extending 'sixty miles in all direction. His integrity as a man and as a builder is beyond question, and those who patronize him are certain of getting in every respect just what they pay for. During the busy season of the year he employs nearly thirty men. At his shops he is prepared to build or repair machines of any kind whether the materials are wood or iron. He has in his employ J. E. Marceau, one of the best machinists in Central Illinois. While not a member of any church, Mr. Schnetzler holds to the Christian faith: He is liberal in his aid of all religious and educational moyements, and any measure which in his opinion, promises to benefit any considerable number of his fellow citizens has his hearty support. He is identified with the Yeomen of America, a fraternal order.

the respect and good will of all his neighbors, was born in Oldenburg, Germany, January 9, 1859. He is a son of Marion and Renche (Bonnen) Schonbohm, the father dying in his native land in 1868, while the mother came to the United States, making her home in Ford County, Ill., but dying in Chicago, in 1902. They were the parents of two children who grew to manhood, viz: George, who lives in Chicago, and Ewald, the subject of this personal record. Ewald Schonbohm was brought up as a farmer, and after attending the public schools of Jever,

His brother George, with his mother came to this country in 1880 and locating in Ford County, Il., went to work on a farm. After remaining there about eight years, during the last five of which he was engaged in farming, he moyed to Livingston County, and since 1890, has rented the Noah H. Pike farm of 315 acres in Owego Township. Besides general farming he has raised considerable stock and has met with success in all his undertakings. He is the owner of 280 acres of good land in Minnesota.

On March 5, 1885, Mr. Schonbohm was joined in matrimony with Christina Peters, born in Holstein, Germany, a daughter of John and Katherine (Doren) Peters, Germans by nativity, who on emigrating to the United States settled in Chicago, where they still live. To Mr. and Mrs. Schonbohm have been born eight children, as follows: one who died in infancy; Katherine. deceased; Lizzie, Edna, George, Ernest, Martha and Edward.

In polities, Mr. Schonbohm is a Democrat and has served as School Director twelve years. Fraternally, he is a member of Pontiac Lodge, No. 262, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church,

SCHROCK, Christian, for forty years a much respected farmer in Livingston County, Ill., and formerly the owner of considerable land in the vicinity of the village of Flanagan, where he is now living in comfortable retirement after disposing of all his farming interests, is a native of Bavaria, Germany. his birth having taken place there on April 24, 1826. Mr, Schrock is a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Perky) Schrock, of German nativity, the father, whose occupation was that of a farmer, having been born in 1799 also in Bavaria. Both parents spent all of their lives in the fatherland. Christian Schrock was reared on the home farm, and when a boy, -attended the public schools of the neighborhood. In 1846 he emigrated to the United States, landing in New Orleans, and was employed at gar- -den and dairy work in that city. Four years later he journeyed to Tazewell County, Tl., where he was engaged in farming for eighteen years. In 1868, he moved to Livingston County and continued farming until his withdrawal from active business.

Mary Zimmerman, the marriage occurring in Tazewell County, Ill.,, and the bride, who was born near Paris, France, November 5, 1836, being a daughter of Michael and Mactilinia (Urb) Zimmerman, both parents being now deceased. Eleven children were the offspring of this union, as follows: Mactilinia; Menual, married Sadie Campbell, and they have three sons and one daughter, and he is employed in the cereal mill in Flanagan; Mary, married Christian Burky, and they have two sons and reside next door to Mr. Schrock; Christian (deceased), married (first) Alice Tribey, and she died leaving three children, later married Nellie Bennett and they had four boys and one girl and she now resides with her parents; Elizabeth married Joseph Donmire and they reside six miles southwest of El Paso, Ill.; Phoebe and Anna, both deceased; Sarah married James Herbert (now deceased), and she resides in Flanagan, Ill... and has three children; Barbara married James King (deceased), she resides in Waldo Township and has three daughters; Dr. Joseph, married Dr. Mary Garred, an osteopath. and their home is in Bedford, Ind.; Katherine, married Samuel Locus, a resident of Flanagan, Ill., and they have two daughters and one son; and Lucy, married Henry Gingerich, they reside in Flanagan, Ill., and have a son and daughter.

In politics, Mr. Schrock has taken an independent course of late years. His religious connection is with the Mennonite church. To Mr. Schrock and wife have been born seventeen

SCOULLER, John Deans, M. D. - The sterling and dependable qualities which ever have distinguished the typical Scotchman, whether at home or abroad, find expression in Dr. John Deans Scouller, a medical practitioner of many years experience, who, among other responsibilities growing out of his ability and high character was Superintendent of the Illinois State Reformatory at Pontiac from 1872 until 1891, and who for many years has been Pension Examiner for Pontiac and vicinity. Dr. Scouller spent the formative period of his life in mountainons Ayrshire, Scotland, where he was born January 15. 1836, and where his father, James Scouller, owned and operated a quarry and engaged in macadamizing roads. The elder Scouller in early manhood married a Miss Deans, and during his entire life remained content with the advantages offered in his native country.

After leaving the school room, John Deans Scouller applied himself to learning the shoemakers trade, thereafter following the same as a journeyman until 1863. During that year he invested his meager savings in a ticket to America, and, in Buffalo, N. Y.. worked at his trade for a year. He then came to Sparta, IN., and soon after was employed as overseer of the shoe department of the House of Refuge in St. Louis, remaining there two years, and later serving as Assistant Superintendent of the institution. From St. Louis he returned to

Buffalo and entered the medical department of the University, graduating therefrom in 1870 and beginning his initial practice in Washington County, Ill., where he remained until May, 1872, He then became Superintendent of the Illinois State Reformatory at Pontiac, and the best guarantee of his ability and worthiness lies in the fact that he retained the position uninterruptedly for nineteen years and six months, and until embarking upon an independent general practice of medicine in Pontiac in 1892,