Will County, Illinois - The whole text, 1878 (part 23 of 29)

JOHN H. WARD, insurance, Braidwood; was born in Ireland, Aug. 15, 1840 ; toiigrated to America with his parents in 1846 ; his father, Hugh Ward, was a mason, by trade ; was engaged in working on the Erie Canal ; first settled in Pennsylvania, here about one and a half years ; then to Bufi'alo, N. Y., and remained for three years ; came West to Illinois and settled in Wilmington, Will Co., in 1851 ; Mr. Ward, in 1866, came to Braidwood, and has been engaged at his trade, mason, having plastered the first houses built in Braidwood ; he is agent for some most reliable insurance companies of the United States : Continental, of New York ; Home, of Columbus, Ohio ; German- American, of New York, etc. At the breaking-out of the late war, enlisted in Co. 1, 100th I. V. I.; was honorably discharged on the account of sickness. Mr. Ward has held several' oiBces of trust in his township ; Town. Clerk and School Director. Democrat in politics ; member of the Catholic Church. Married twice ; in 1865, to Miss Lustatia Brown ; second wife, 1876, to Miss Mary Keane, of Illinois ; three children by first wife and one child by second wife. His parents are now living in Joliet, 111.

COL. EDWIN WAKEFIELD, Justice of the Peace, Braidwood ; the subject of this sketch was born in Monmouthshire, Eng., in 1830, and is the son of Charles and Mary Ann (Leohie) Wakefield; his father was a professional gardener ; Col. Wakefield -worked with his father in the garden until he was about 13 years of age; he then entered the coal mines, and followed coal mining for over twenty-five years; in 1855-6, Col. Wakefield served as gunner in the British Royal Artillery, in the Crimean war. In 1857, he emigrated to America; he has been enaged in mining in difierent parts of Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois. At the breaking-out of the war, he enlisted as Captain of Co. D, 7th Mo. V. I., June 1861 ; he participated in some of the hard-fought battles ; was at the siege and capture of Vicksburg, Miss.; was promoted as Major of the 7th Mo., Nov. 29, 1862 ; resigned Aug. 1, 1863. He then came to Illinois, and settled in Braceville, Grundy Co., nine years in mining ; in 1874, came to Braidwood, and entered the mercantile business. Has held the ofiice of Justice of the Peace in Grundy Co. Is a National Greenbacker in politics. Married in 1863, to Josephine Brumfield, of Ottawa, 111.; have four children.

JOHN WALKER, saloon and boarding stable, Braidwood ; born in Ayrshire, Scot> land, about 1837, and is the son of Andrew and Jane(Ritchie ) Walker, of Scotland. His father was an engineer in the coal mines ; Mr. Walker, at the age between 8 and 9 years, commenced working in coal mines; and followed mining and sinking of shafts while in Scotland ; in 1866, he emigrated to America, and came direct to Braidwood ; here he was first engaged in helping sinking coal shafts ; in 1868, he commenced the butcher business, and followed this business about sixteen months; he then entered the saloon business ; this business he has followed principally ever since. Mr.-

JOHN YOUNG, merchant, Braidwood; was born in Gateside, Ayrshire Co., Scotland, Dec. 25, 1840, and is the son of John and Margaret (McCollum) Young, of Scotland. Mr. Young, when he was about 8 years of age, commenced to work in the coal mines in the Parish of Dairy, Scotland, and followed this business ; in 1867, he emigrated to America, and landed in New York City ; he came direct West to Illinois, and settled in Braidwood in 1867 ; here he commenced mining, and continued in this business until 1877, when he entered the mercantile business. He was nominated by the National Greenback party in 1877) for Supervisor of Reed Tp., and was elected to that office, and from the faithful manner he filled the office, he was re-elected to the same office in 1878, by a large majority ; he has held other offices of public trust in which he has acquitted himself in an efficient manner. Mr. Young was married in 1859 to Miss Mary Colquhoun of Scotland, by whom they have had eleven children, five living. Is a National Greenbacker in politics, and is a strong worker in the ranks ; member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Young's father died in 1849, at 58 years of age ; his mother is now living in Scotland, and is a descendent of the poet, Robert Burns.

J. B. AUSTIN, fai-mer. Sec. 11 ; Gooding's Grove, P. 0. ; was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., July 4, 1824 ; he lived with his parents up to the age of 14, when he came with his uncle, Ira Austin, to this county in 1838, who settled near Gooding's Grove P. 0., and lived with him until 1851. He purchased the farm he now resides on in 1851. Has been Collector, Assessor, Constable and School Director. Mr. Austin was the Captain of the first canal-boat that went through the Illinois and Michigan Canal. His first wife was Laura Sanders of N. Y. State ; she died July 3, 1865 ; they have four children, William B., born in 1851 ; Marion E., April 26, 1853 ; Albert H., Feb. 6, 1854; Lyman A., Nov. 26, 1856. He married his second wife. Miss Betsey McGregor, in Homer Township, Oct. 22, 1867 ; she was born Mov. 17, 1845 ; have seven children - Jennie, born Dec. 16, 1868; BuelP., born July 22, 1870 ; Ira W., born Nov. 6, 1871, and died March 3, 1873 ; Charles H., born Nov. 16, 1874 ; James H., born Aug. 9, 1876, and John, bom Aug. 4, 1878. Mr. Austin served in the Commissary Department during our late war, from Aug. 2, 1862, to Feb. 1, 1865.

THOMAS BUMP, deceased, farmer. Sec. 24 ; was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., June 7, 1819 ; he came to this county in 1834 with his parents, who were among

ISRAEL BROWN, deceased, farmer, Sec. 11 ; was born in New Jersey, June 15, 1799 ; he first went to the State of New York, when quite a boy, and remained there until he was 2 1 years of age ; he then went to Black Rock, N. Y., remaining there ten years, working as a wagonmaker ; in 1822, he went to Canada, where he lived for thirty-six years carrying on the business of wagon-maker; in 1858, he came to this county and settled upon his farm where he resided up to the day of his decease, Sept. 7, 1873 ; his widow still lives upon the farm. He held the office of

SAMUEL J. BLOUNT, deceased, far., Sec. 11 ; was born in Richmond, N. Y., on July 6, 1815 ; he lived there with his parents till he was 21 years of age, engaged in farming, until his coming to this county (1836), when he first worked for William Gooding, on Sec. 3, and resided always in the neighborhood of "Gooding's Grove;" in 1845, he purchased the claim to the farm his widow now resides on, and lived there until his decease, Feb. 28, 1878 ; had been Postmaster at "Gooding's Grove" many years, Justice of the Peace, School Trustee, Road Commissioner, Collector and Supervisor. Married Mrs. Caroline A. Bliss (daughter of James Gooding, Jr., and widow of Philenzo P. Bliss), in Homer Township, Jan. 3, 1841 ; Mrs. Blount had one child by Mr. Bliss - Philenzo P., Jr., born June 16, 1839, and eight children by Mr. Blount - -Rhoda, born Nov. 12, 1841 ; James, born in April, 1843, died in Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 11, 1862, from disease contracted in the army; George, born Nov. 17, 1844 ; Mary M., Dec. 5, 1846; Caroline, June 3, 1849; Elva Lucretia, Dec. 3, 1851 ; Frank A., July 22, 1854, and Azuba, Oct. 17, 1857.

WM. J. BBNTLEY, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Homer Tp. March 28, 1843 ; he lived in this county until the age of 17, when he moved to Cook Co., remaining two years. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. F, 100th 111. V. I., and served as such seven months, and discharged on account of disability. He married Miss Ann M. Dixon, of Lockport, in Homer Tp., Feb. 28, 1867 ; she was born Aug. 2, 1841. His father, Robert Bentley, was born in Cambridgeshire, Bng., Aug. 13, 1814 ; he came to America with his parents in 1833, who settled in Lockport, N. Y., remaining there six years ; in 1842, he came West and settled in Homer Tp., living there sixteen years, when they went to Palos, Cook Co. ; in 1862, they returned to Will Co. ; in 1875, he purchased his present farm. Has been School Director and Path Master. Married Catharine Rahill, of Southampton, Eng., in Lockport, N. Y., May 10, 1842 ; she was born Nov. 1, 1821 ; they had ten children, seven living - William Joseph, Robert James, Charles Edward, Mary Ann, Martha Ellen, Alice Kate, Asa Lincoln ; three dead - Sarah Ann, Frederick Benjamin and Florence Jenette.

H. F. BOWEN, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., April 10, 1812; he lived there until the age of 20, when he went to Plymouth, Mich., and remained there ten years, carrying on mercantile business and school teaching ; in 1850, he came to Chicago, remaining there nearly a year, and then returned to Plymouth, Mich.; about a year after, he returned to Chicago, and went from there to Marengo, McHenry Co., and taught school ; in the fall of 1852, having moved to this county, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides. Has been Town Clerk four years. Married first wife. Miss Mary T. Bennett, from near Rochester, N. Y., in Plymouth, Mich., in April, 1835; she died in June, 1850; they had three children - Lowell M., John M. and Charles H., all dead. He married his second wife (widow of Alonzo Ingersoll) Feb. 20, 1852; she died Oct. 5, 1861 ; he married his present wife (widow of David E. Davis) April 17, 1862; they have one child (adopted) - Mary E., daughter of David B. Peck, brother of Mrs. H. F. Bowen, born Feb. 9, 1863, in Des Moines, Iowa.

JEFFERSON BUMP, farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0. Lockport; was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Jan. 31, 1826, and remained theie until he was 8 years of age ; in the fall of 1834, he came West with his parents and settled in Will Co. ; in 1852, he crossed the plains to California, and prospected in the mines and tended packtrains of mules across the mountains until 1859, when he returned to this county and purchased the farm in 1860 upon which he resides, containing eighty acres, being onehalf the land originally preempted by his parents. Has been School Director three years. Married Miss Fannie Mariah Rockafellow (daughter of James and Nancy Rockafellow, of Chautauqua Co., N. Y.) in Plainfield Dec. 20, 1860 ; she was born April 30, 1844 ; they have six children- Sarah Angelina, born Nov. 4, 1861 ; Nelson James, May 7, 1864, Clarence Josiah, Oct. 24, 1863; Nancy Helen, Sept. 20, 1867; Frank Gile, July 20, 1869, and Lucy Loretta, born June 28, 1873.

LEANDER BUMP, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., May 7, 1809; his parents moved to Crawford Co., Penn., when he was 6 years of age, and after remaining there some four years, went to Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and after remaining twelve or fourteen years, moved West in the fall of 1834, and settled in Will Co., in this township, on the farm he and his brother Jefferson now reside on. His father, Jacob, died Aug. 12, 1849, and his mother, Lydia, April 16, 1852 ; they were among the first settler's in this county, and with their families passed through the many hardships and trials of a pioneer's life. He married Miss Elizabeth Lucy Dixon, of Milton, Mowbray, Leicestershire, Eng., in Homer Tp., April 13, 1859; she was born Sept. 1, 1839 ; they have four children - Walter James, boro Sept. 4, 1860; Florence Ann, born Dec. 16, 1863, and died May 15, 1876 ; Lydia Jane, born Sept. 25, 1867, and George Jacob, born July 17, 1869.

A. B. BROOKS, farmer. Sec. 10, P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Feb. 14, 1809 ; his parents moved to Delaware County when he was 10 years old, and remained there until 1826, when they moved to Erie Co., N. Y,; in 1837, he moved to this county, his parents following. His father, Benjamin, died on the farm his son Alonzo now resides on, in 1864, and his mother, Annie, in 1836 ; in 1839, Alonzo moved to his present farm, where he has ever since resided. Has been Justice of the Peace nearly twenty years. Assessor, Highway Commissioner, School Director, President Homer Mutual Insurance Co. Married first wife, Annie Edmonds, of Delaware Co., N. Y., in October, 1831 ; she died October 14, 1837 ; they had one child - Joseph E., born October, 1833. He married second wife, Jane Weaver, in Homer Township, Aug. 29, 1838 ; she was born Jan. 20, 1807 ; they had five children, one living - Sterling A., born Jan. 21, 1848; four dead - William Harrison, Harrison and two who died at birth.

JOSEPH E. BROOKS,farmer,Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Gooding's Grove ; was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Oct. 12, 1833; he lived there until he was 4 years of age, and then came with his mother, in 1837, to this county, and after the death of his mother in October of same year, he went to live with Holder Sisson until spring of 1838, when he lived with Wm. Frazer up to August, from which time until he was 21 he remained with his father, Alonzo; in 1867, he moved to the farm upon which he now resides. In 1869, he went to Cass Co., Mo., remaining four years, and then returned to this township, and has lived since on his farm. Has been School Director. Married Eunice Z. Coon, of Mokena, Will Co., Nov. 28, 1855; she was born Jan. 25, 1834 ; have three children - Louis D., born Oct. 5, 1856 ; William H., born Dec. 18, 1858, and Annis I., born Aug. 13, 1862.

JOHN BRINCKERHOFF, far., Sec. 31; P. 0. Lockport; was born in Watervliet, N. Y., May 15, 1836 ; he moved to this county with his parents in 1838, and worked upon the farm until the age of 22 ; in 1860, he crossed the plains to Pike's Peak, returning the same fall; in 1866, he went to Chicago and carried on the grocery business two years; he returned to this township; in 1869, he purchased from his father the homestead upon which he now resides, containing 160 acres. Has been School Director three terms, and is such at present. He married Rebecca Breckenridge, of Canada in New Lenox Township, Aug. 19, 1858; she was born in Canada Dec. 7, 1839 ; they have six children - Clarence Eugene, born Nov. 9, 1859; George Erwin, March 8, 1862; Martin Schuyler, Jan. 29, 1866 ; John Jerome, Jan. 18, 1869; Howard Horace, Aug. 19, 1872, and Gertrude Rebecca, Oct. 14, 1875.

MARTIN B. BRINCKERHOFF, retired farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Lockport; was born in Albany, N. Y., July 11, 1806 ; he attended school to the age of 14, when his father sent him to the country to learn farming, receiving only his board; at the age of 20, he worked his own farm in Albany Co., and remained on it up to

1837 ; he came West in 1838 and settled on farm Sec. 31, and continued such up to 1869, when his son purchased the farm, with whom he has since resided. Has been School Director and Road Commissioner. He married Eliza Van Duser, of Madison Co., N. Y., in Montgomery Co., N. Y., Dec. 24, 1827 ; she was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1808, and died in Homer Tp., Jan. 4, 1873 ; they had seven children, three living - Gertrude (now Mrs. Mellen), born April 5, 1829; John, born May 15, 1836 ; Mary (now Mrs. Harris), Feb. 4, 1834, and four dead - John, died Feb. 5,1832; James, March 7, 1833 ; Martin, died at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 8, 1863, from disease contracted in the army, and Emma Cecilia, in September, 1870.

A. C. CUTLER, farmer. Sec. 26; P. 0. Hadley ; was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Sept. 13, 1827 ; he lived there until he was 7 or 8 years of age, when he moved with his parents to Erie Co., Ohio, and from there lo Huron Co., Ohio ; at the age of 13, he followed the life of a sailor upon the lakes; in the fall of 1844, he came with his parents to Illinois, traveling most of the way by team; for some years he drove stage for Fink & Walker, of Chicago ; he also freighted through this Western country, and afterward went to Chicago and was engaged in the manufacture of shingles and also connected with the Police Department for eight years ; in 1865, he crossed the plains to Colorado, mining and prospecting, and again in 1866 ; he came to this county in 1869, and first settled on Sec. 36, and moved from there to Hadley P. 0., being its Postmaster for three years ; in 1873, he came to his present farm of 105 acres. He married Miss Elizabeth Glines, of Homer Tp., Sept. 6, 1870; she was born in Feb., 1864 ; they have two children - Clinton E. B., born July 3, 1871, and Ida Lucy, Feb. 5, 1875.

LEROY CORWIN, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Goodintr's Grove ; was born in West Lockport May 15, 1851 ; he came with his parents to this township when he was about 3 years old ; he remained with his parents, engaged on the farm until he was 15 years of age, from which time he has worked his own way through life ; he now works the farm of H. McGregor. He married Miss Hannah Adams, of Indidiana, in Richland Co., Wis., Sept. 5, 1875 ; she was born Feb. 11, 1855.

FREDERIC COLLINS, farmer, Sec. 21; P. 0. Lockport; was born in Berkshire, Tioga Co., N. Y., June 29, 1812 ; he was engaged in farming with his parents until the year 1833, when he came to this county and first settled on Sees. 27 and 28, and obtained a pre-emption upon the land, where he resided forty-one years, and in the winter of 1874, moved to where he now resides ; Mr. Collins was among the first settlers, when a fence was a novelty and the red men were their neighbors. He married Miss Nancy Mason White, daughter of Jonah White, of Spencer, Mass., in Lockport Tp., March 13, 1839; she was born in Skaneateles, N. Y., July 23, 1814 ; they had four children, three living - Horatio, born Feb. 3, 1840 ; Adeline Eliza, (now Mrs. Hatch), born Sept. 19, 1841, and Ellen Samantha (now Mrs. Bird, of Michigan), born Aug. 13, 1850, and Emma Adella, born Sept. 5, 1856, and died July 26, 1857. Mr. Collins has passed through the many struggles and incidents and dangers so common to the pioneer of the Great West, and is to-day hardy and robust at the ripe old age of 66.

NATHAN CORWIN, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., March 15, 1810; he lived there, engaged in farming, up to the time he was 24 years of age, when he came West, and first moved to Wayne Co., Mich., and was engaged in clearing up timber land; two years afterward, he moved to La Grange Co., Ind., where he remained thirteeo years ; he oame to this county in 1848, and first lived in Plainfield two years, and then in Lockport Tp. three years, farming;, and in Lockport three years, keeping hotel ; in 1855, he came to this township, where he has since resided ; - has been Poor Master and School Director. Married his first wife, Sophia Jewell, of Arcadia, Wayne Co., N. Y., June 30, 1831; she died Jan. 26, 1843 ; they had five children - Melissa, Mary U., Horace T., Henry E. and Lydia. He married his second wife, Eliza Ann Cole, of Wayne Co., N. Y., in 1848 ; they had seven children - David R., Austin, Leroy, De Witt C, Alice, Edward L. and William F.

Grange Co., Ind., Aug. 4, 1836 ; he moved to this county with his parents in 1855, and lived with them until the age of 21 ; in 1874, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, now containing seventy acres. He has been School Director three years. He married Miss Helen C. Heed (daughter of George Reed) in Homer Tp., Jan. 31, 1867 ; she was born in Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., Sept. 24, 1845 ; they have two children - Elmer R., born Feb. 20, 1867, and Myrtie J., born June 10, 1877. Mr. Corwin served three years as Sergeant of Co. G, 39th 111. Inf., and was wounded at Bermuda Hundred in 1864, and served the balance of his enlistment in Marine Hospital in Chicago.

REV. SAMUEL COWELL, Episcopal clergyman, Lockport ; was born in Providence, R. I., July 3, 1820 ; at the age of 20, he graduated at Brown University ; he then studied law one year with his father, the Hon. Benj. Cowell, Chief Justice of Court of Common Pleas of Rhode Island ; in 1844, he was ordained as an Episcopal Minister; he first preached in Western Pennsylvania for seven years ; in 1854, he moved to Saco, Maine, and was Pastor of Trinity Church four years ; in June, 1858, he came to Lockport, and was Pastor of St. John's Episcopal Church four years and Chaplain of State Penitentiary four years under the appointment of Gov. Bissell ; although compelled by ill health to iretire from the ministry, Mr. Cowell has been engaged upon missionary work, and laid the corner-stones of two churches at Lockport and New Lenox, in this county ; he now resides on his farm, about -one and one-half miles from Lockport. Married Margaret Marshall in Washington, Penn.j'Oct. 4, 1852; she was born in Washington, Penn,, Oct. 27, 1829 ; they had five children, four of whom are living.

BENJAMIN M. DANCER (deceased), farmer. Sec. 25 ; was born in the State of New York, Dec. 24, 1809 ; when he came West, first settled in Chicago, remaining there about two years ; his parents coming West, they all went to Kankakee Co., 111., where his mother died, when he first came to this county he lived near Hadley P. 0. ; in 1843, he settled upon the farm his widow now resides on.

PATRICK DUNN, farmer. Sec. 22; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in the parish of Laighlin Bridge, Carroll Co., Ireland, March 17, 1825, and lived there until he was 25, years of age when he emigrated to America, and first lived in Salem Co. Mo., one year; he then crossed the plains to California, and remained six years, coming to this county where he has resided ever since ; he purchased his present farm in 1861, now containing 150 acres. He enlisted as a private in Co. F, 100th 111. Inf., Aug. 10, 1862, and served to the close of the war in 1865. He married Miss Johanna Dugen in Lockport, March 6, 1869 ; she was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1839, and came to America in 1858 ; they have two children - William, born Feb. 1, 1870, and Mary, born Nov. 13, 1871.

PETER DICK, farmer, Sec. 15; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Rheinboyer, "Germany, May 19, 1821 ; he came to America with his father in 1845, who settled in Williams Co., Ohio, and lived there thirteen years; in 1858, he came to this county, and lived in Lockport Tp. five years, when he purchased and moved upon the farm he now resides on, containing eighty acres. He married Miss Barbara Saltsgiver Feb. 6, 1847, in Williams Co., Ohio, Dec. 25, 1828; they had nine children - George B.,born Nov. 23, 1847; Liddy C, born Nov. 5, 1849 ,; John W., Aug. 28, 1851; Lewis L., June 8, 1853 ; Theodore R., Feb. 6, 1855 ; Michael A., Jan. 23, 1858 ; William H., Feb. 24, 1862, died March 15, 1863 ; Mertie, June 15, 1864, and Bertie, July 26, 1866 - both the latter dying at birth.

GEORGE DAMM, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Bavaria. Germany, Feb. 8, 1828 ; came to America in in 1847, witt his parents, who settled on the Du Page Co., 111., and lived with them until he was 27 years old in 1865, he came to this county and settled upon the farm upon which he now resides, containing 160 acres. Has been Road Master. Married Miss Elizabeth Ott in Du Page Co.,. 111., May 8, 1855 ; she was born in Central Square, N. Y.; they had seven children - Laura Mariah and Francis Ellen (twins), born April 4, 1857 ; Frank Stephen, Jan. 18, 1860 ; Edward Valentine, May 27, 1862 ; Albert Casper, Aug. 27, 1866, and died Jan. 10, 1874; Barney Joseph, Nov. 30, 1871, died April 17, 1872, and Mary Sophronia, April 6, 1873.

JAMES D. FRAZER, farmer; P.O. Lockport ; was born in Pittsford, Monroe Co., N. Y., Oct. 5, 1821 ; he was one of nine children ; his mother was of Dutch and his father of Scotch extraction ; his great grandfather was frozen to death on the Green Mountains, Vt.; his parents being poor, the subject of this sketch was thrown upon his own resources early in life, working upon a farm until 19 years of age, from which time up to the age of 27 he was employed in collecting and driving stock from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Western New York to Boston ; on June 8, 1849, he came West and purchased a farm in this township, now owned and occupied by Harmon V., one of his brothers ; in 1852, he crossed the plains to California, remaining there nineteen months mining at Yreka ; he returned to this county in April, 1854, and has been engaged in farming ever since; in 1854, was elected Highway Commissioner, and in 1861, was elected Supervisor of the town, and having in that year oifered a resolution before the Board of Supervisors instructing the County Treasurer to receive the county taxes in "greenbacks" has been called and known as the " Veteran Greenbacker;" in 1865, he was elected Assessor, and in 1874, was again elected Supervisor, beingre-elected in 1878 to the same position ; he has always taken an active part in politics, and in whatever would advance the interests of his county has always taken a prominent part ; he was a Delegate to the convention of 1856, which organized the Republican party. He married Mary P. Lane (daughter of John Lane, the inventor of the first steel plow), in Lockport in this county, April 12, 1857 ; she was born in Pittsford, N. Y., Sept. 4, 1830 ; they have three children - John D., born March 29, 1858; Mattie J., Jan. 16, 1863, and Mary F., Feb. 16, 1867.

SAMUEL GOTTS (deceased), farmer; was born in Norfolk, Eng., Jan. 19, 1819 ; he came to America at the age of 14; he first settled in the State of New York, and afterward in Canada ; he came to this county in 1852, and lived here up to the time of his decease. May 2, 1878; he came to his present farm in the spring of 1855, where his widow now resides, containing eighty acres. He married Mrs. Hannah Luther in Joliet Aug. 15, 1850; she was born in Franklin Co., Mass., April 18, 1827; she has six children - Lydia Luther (by first husband), born Aug. 23, 1848; by second husband - Isabella,, born. Feb. 9, 1856; Sarah, born Dec. 5, 1858; AloDzo, born Jan. 9, 1863 ; Wilham, born Nov. 13, 1868, and Charles, born June 17, 1872.

JOHN HALEY, farmer. Sec. 35j P. 0. Hadley ; was born in Waldec, Prussia, Germany, April 2, 1822; he lived there until he was 25 years of age, when he came to America in July, 1 847, and settled first in Wayne Co., N. Y., living there six and a half years, blacksmithing ; moved from there to Prince Edward Co., Can,, working at the same trade ; in the spring of 1860, he came to Will Co., and settled where he now resides ; farms 250 acres. Has been Highway Commissiocer six years and School Director many years. He married Miss Elizabeth Kunzen, of Prussia, in Alliance, Wayne Co., N. Y., in July, 1847; she was born Oct. 21, 1823 ; they have eight children - John, born May 14, 1848 ; George L., born Jan. 7, 1850; Carrie, born Nov. 3, 1852; William H., born Nov. 17, 1854; Charles P., born Sept. 26, 1857 ; Alexander, born Oct. 3, 1860 ; Frank, born Dec. 18, 1864, and Emma, born June 16, 1868.

CHARLES HALEY, blacksmith, Hadley; was born in Waldec, Prussia, Germany, Jan. 21, 1836; he was engaged in learning the trade of blacksmith from the age of 15 up to 18, when he came to-

Canada with his mother in 1854, living there up to 1874, carrying on the trade of blacksmith, and from there he came to Hadley Postoffice, in this township, carrying on a blacksmith shop, and is now also Postmaster. He married Miss Aldura Lawson, of Prince Edward Co., Upper Canada, May 5, 1863; she was born April 18, 1842 ; they have four children - Manly B., born June 20, 1864; John C, born April 7, 1867; Adolph, born Dec. 13, 1870, and Carrie, born Oct. 10, 1872.

PETER HOMEDING, farmer. Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Gooding's Grove ; was born in Prussia, Germany, Sept. 18, 1829 ; he lived there until he was 23 years old, farming ; in 1852, he came to America, and came to Will Co., and has lived here ever since; in 1864, he purchased the farm upon which he lives, containing sixty-four acres. Married Miss Susan Miller, of Prussia, in Joliet, Nov. 28, 1858 ; she was born Feb. 2, 1824; had five children - Katie, born Sept. 15, 1858; Maggie, born April 16, 1860; Matt, born May 10, 1861; Nicholas, born in 1864, died in 1865, and Peter, born March 24, 1866.

LEVI HARTWELL, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Hadley, Mass., Deo. 10, 1817 ; at the age of 11, he was thrown upon his own resources ; at the age of 12, he learned the trade of blacksmithing with John Lane, and served an apprenticeship of seven years - three years in New York State and four years in Illinois, having come to this county in 1833 with Mr. Lane ; he also worked for John J?. Manny one year, and in Galena about a year; returning to this township in 1838, he again worked for John Lane up to 1842, when he settled upon the farm upon which he now resides, making all the improvements on thirty acres, at the same time carrying on the manufacture of steel plows up to 1862, since which time he has devoted himself to his farm, now containing 110 acres. Has held the office of Constable and Path Master seven or eight terms ; Town Commissioner thirteen years ; School Director twelve years ; Supervisor two years and Poor Master one year. He married his first wife, Miss Louisa Poor, in Homer Tp., Nov. 3, 1842 ; she was born in Indiana, Sept. 11, 1823, and died Oct. 26, 1867 ; they had five children, one only living - :Samuel, born June 27, 1856, and

A. A. INGE RSOLL, farmer. Sec. 9; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Plainfield^ Will Co., 111., Nov. 20, 1839 ; he haa always been a resident of this county. His mother came with her parents from Syracuse, N. Y., in Oct., 1833, and settled upon the farm upon which he now resides, and died there. The subject of this sketch lived with them up to the year 1862 ; he then enlisted in Co. G, 100th Regt. I. V. I., serving three months, when he was transferred to the Pioneer Corps of the Army of the Cumberland ; remained in such from Nov. 27, 1862, to Oct. 8, 1863, and then was transferred to the First U. S. Vet. V. Engineers until mustered out, July 2, 1865. Has been Town Clerk, and is now Justice of the Peace. He married Miss Fanny M. Myrick, of Orland, Cook Co., March 28, 1866; she was born Sept. 19, 1847 ; they had three children, two living - Annie A., born Oct. 15, 1867, and Walter Judson, born March 19, 1869, and one dead - Florence B., born Aug. 1, 1874, and died April 20,1877. His grandparents, Benjamin and Phoebe, came to this county in October, 1833, and were among the first settlers in the county, therebeing but very few families, and as the pioneers of this county, they and their families passed through the many dangers and hardships only to be found in a new country. In 1847, his grandfather, Chester IngersoU, crossed the plains to California, and was the first white man that built a house in San Francisco. Benjamin Weaver died March 2, 1870, and Phcebe died Nov. 15, 1859, and lie buried in Brooks' burying-ground, on Sec. 10, near the homestead.

JOHN JUNGBL, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Gooding's Grove ; was born in Luxemburg, Germany, May 8, 1829 ; he lived there until he was 23 years of age, engaged in farming, when he came to America (1852), and settled in Du Page Co., living there three years ; in 1855, he came to this-

SETH B. JONES, deceased, farmer. Sec. 11 ; was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Aug. 31, 1828 ; his parents moved to Ontario Co., N. Y., when he was a child, where he remained until he was 27 years of age, engaged in farming ; in 1855, he moved West and settled in Kankakee Co., 111., where he lived until his coming to this county in 1865, and settled upon the farm containing 110 acres, upon which his widow now resides, and where he lived until his decease, Nov. 20, 1875. Had been School Trustee. Married Miss Julia E. Codding, of Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., Nov. 28, 1850 ; she was born in Bristol, N. Y., March 3, 1831 ; they had five children - Elliott E., born' Sept. 20, 1853 ; Arthur, born March 30, 1857 ; Annette 0., born Deo. 3, 1858, and died Feb. 17, 1861; Theresa L., born Oct. 17, 1860, and Marcia C, born Aug. 22, 1862, and died May 3, 1876.

W. H. LANFEAR, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Lookport ; was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1830 ; he moved with his parents to this township, when he was 5 years of age, and was engaged with them in farming until the age of 21 ; his father died June 23, 1871 ; his mother still lives, at the ripe old age of 82. The subject of this. sketch purchased the farm, upon which he now lives, in 1852, having made all the improvements and set out all the trees upon it, containing at present 200 acres. He was Town Commissioner in 1875, 1876 and 1877 ; also School Director six years. He married Miss Emily M. Savage, daughter of Levi Savage, of this township, Feb. 25, 1852 ; she was born in G-ranville, Washington Co., N. Y., July 24, 1830 ; they had seven children, three living - Mary Ann, born Dec. 16, 1852; Albert H.,0ct. 31, 1865, and Nettie E., Dec. 26, 1867,

J. S. L\NPEAR, farmer and stock raiser. Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Lookport ; was born in Homer Tp., July 25, 1837, in ihe homestead where his parents had resided since 1835, and where his father died June 23, 1871 ; Mr. Lanfear has farmed the same since he was old enough to do so, and lives on the same place at present, now containing 150 acres. He. has held the office of Town Clerk six years, and School Director seven years, which position he still holds. He married Miss Amelia Hill, a daughter of Isaac F. Hill, of Madison Co., N. Y., in Homer Tp., Sept. 1, 1857; she was born in Oneida Tp., Madison Co., N. Y., Oct. 1, 1834 ; they have one child -De Etta, born March 20, 1852.

RICHARD S. McL AUGHRY, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. O. Lookport ; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Feb. 13, 1822 ; he lived there until he was 12 years of age, when he came West with his parents, who first settled in Paddock's Settlement, in Cook Co., where his parents died ; in 1850, he crossed the plains to California, prospecting and mining one year, when he returned to Cook Co.; in 1860, he lived upon his farm near Gooding's Grove. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted in Co. F, 100th 111. V. I., and was elected as Captain of the same company, serving up to 1864 ; he was wounded at Mission Ridge, Georgia. He married his first wife, Mary Pitzsimmons, in Cook Co., 111., Oct. 10, 1844 ; she died Deo. 8, 1845 ; they had one child - Thomas J., born Dec. 8, 1845, died in Andersonville prison, Georgia, in 1864; he married his second wife, Jane Pettyjohn, in Cook Co., in 1847 ; she died in April, 1853 ; they had two children - WiUiam L., born in June, 1848, and Hannah M., born Sept. 21, 1850, died Oet. 20, 1869 ; married his present wife, Elizabeth Benton, of Geauga Co., Ohio, Jan. 3, 1854; they have seven children - Richard M., born Nov. 23, 1853 ; Helen E., Jan. 17, 1858; Alice G., Feb. 26, 1860 ; Jessie P., Nov. 19, 1862 ; Herman T., July 15, 1865 ; Bernice, Jan. 28, 1868, and Florence M., July 10, 1870. '

HORACE MESSENGER, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., April 26, 1807 ; he lived with his parents to the age of 20, farming, then farmed six years in Onondaga Co., N. Y., by the month; in 1834, he came to this county (then Cook) and made his claim ; then returning to Onondaga County, married and returned with his wife in 1835, and worked and improved the farm upon which he has ever since resided, containing over four hundred acres ; Mr. Messenger is one of the earliest settlers in the coutny. Has been Highway Commissioner, but, although repeatedly requested, steadily has refused to hold any other office. Married Miss Fanny Shead (daughter of Stephen Shead, Onondaga Co., N. Y.) in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in April, 1835 ; she was born in Vernon, N. Y., June 13, 1810 ; they had seven children, six living - Horace, born April 26, 1807 ; Fanny S., June 13, 1810; Mary Jane, Nov. 4, 1838; Francis Ann, March 18, 1840 ; Horace Isaac, Feb. 5, 1844, and Helen Louisa, April 18, 1847 ; one dead - William H., born Feb. 20, 1836, died April 4, 1839.

JAMES W. MOONEY, farmer. See. 32; P. 0. Lockport; was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., Nov. 6, 1815, where he was engaged in farming, except four years, when he clerked in a grocery store ; he came to this county in 1848, and first settled in Homer Tp. ; in 1861 he moved, into Lockport Tp. and after remaining sixteen years, returned to Homer Tp, and for two years was engaged in boating on the Illinois & Michigan Canal, and now resides with his sons, John H. and Charles W., who work the Garden Farm in this township. Was Township Assesor and Highway Overseer in Lockport Tp. Married Lydia Ann Burt (daughter of Harlow and Hannah Burt, of Wayne Co., N. Y.) in Wayne Co., N. Y., Dec. 31, 1836 ; had eleven children- Jane M., born Aug. 16, 1839; Julia A., May 1, 1841 ; Francis, born Aug. 30, 1842, died Aug. 26, 1843 ; Charity, born Feb. 3, 1844 ; died March 4, 1849 ; Mary, born April 14, 1846 ; Helen, Aug. 24, 1847; John Henry, Dec. 30, 1849; Harriet Francelia, March 17, 1851 ; Lydia Josephine, Sept. 11, 1853; William Burt, April 7, 1855, died May 4,

BARNEY OTT, farmer. Sec. 14; P. 0. Gooding's Grove; was born in Baden, Germany, June 5, 1821 ; he lived with his parents fifteen years ; from that time up to tlie age of 2 1 , he worked at the trade of weaver; he came to America in 1842; and the first year lived in Onondaga Co., N. Y., working in a salt factory ; from there he went to Canada, remaining two years farming; in 1846, he came to this State and lived in Du Page Co. nineteen years farming, when he moved to this county (1865), and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, of 152 acres. He married Miss Elizabeth Walter (daughter of Andrew Walter, of Darmstadt, Germany,) inDu Page Co., Sept. 10, 1851 ; she was born June 8, 1 831 ; they had thirteen children - Frank, born Feb. 16, 1853, died Feb. 26, 1854; Michael, born May 10, 1854; Eva, Oct. 30, 1855; Catharine, born April 16, 1857, died Feb. 26, 1858 ; Mary, born Feb. 2, 1859 ; Libhie, Jan. 8, 1861 ; John, Aug 8, 1862 ; Katie, July 14, 1864; Peter, Jan. 2, 1866; Clara, March 20, 1868; Emma, March 9, 1870 ; Maggie, Oct. 21, 1872, and George B., Nov. 24, 1874.

DWIGHT PRESTON, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. O. Gooding's Grove ; was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Feb. 21, 1823; he moved with his parents to Otsego Co. when he was 4 years old, and lived there until 1852, when he came to this county and settled on Sec. 11 ; in

NELSON KEED, farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0. Lockport; was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Deo. 4, 1827 ; he lived with his parents until 9 years of age, when he was thrown upon his own resources, and has made his way in life upon his own exertions ever since ; he came to this county in January, 1 852, and first settled on a farm in Sec. 9 ; in 1872, he purchased the farm henow resides on, his wife's parents, James and Eve Ritchey, residing with them from that time. Has been School Director several terms, and is so at present. Married Miss Margaret Ritchey in Homer Tp. Jan. 21, 1858 ; she was born on the " Ritchey Homestead," Nov. 6, 1838 ; they have four children - Carson, born Feb. 19, 1860; William R., April 14, 1866; Mary P., Dec. 8, 1868, and Harry, Oct. 25, 1874.

JAMES RITCHEY, retired farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Oct. 30, 1800 ; he remained there until he was 4 years of age, when his parents moved to Ross Co., Ohio, and remained there until Oct. 20, 1830, when Mr. Ritchey and family moved to Fountain Co., Ind., and in Nov. 24, 1830, he came to this county, and took up his claim to the land he now resides on, and returning, brought his family on in the fall of 1831; in 1832, himself andfamily were compelled to take refuge in B'ort Dearborn for eighteen days ; his family then returned to Indiana, and he himself came back to his farm, returning several times that season to visit his family; the fall of same year, he brought his family again to Will Co., where they have resided ever since. He married Miss Eve Thatcher (daughter of Sylvester Thatcher, of Ross Co., Va.) in Ross Co., Ohio, Dec. 30, 1823; she was born in Aug., 1801 ; tbey had eight children - Mary (now Mrs. Lewis Bush), born Dee. 5, 182^ ; Riley, Oct. 2, 1827, and died Nov. 7, 1862, at Cave City, Ky., from disease contracted in the army; George, April 26, 1830 (now residing in Oregon) ; Samuel I., Aug. 16, 1833 (now living in Montana); John, May 24, 1836 (residing in Boulder City, Colo.; Margaret (wife of Nelson Reed), Nov. 6, 1838 ; James Marion, April 7, 1841, and died at the age of 10 months, and Elizabeth R. (wife of Levi Poor, of Audrain Co., Mo.), Oct. 30, 1843. Mr. Ritchey and wife are the only living persons who were in this township who were "forted"in May, 1832; when he came here there was but one family (the Johnstons, now all dead) ; as a pioneer of this county, he has encountered many hardships and struggles in the wilds of this great West, when their only companions were the Indians and the wild beasts of the forest ; his recollection of the events of that early day are vivid and fresh to him, and he is now in the enjoyment of a hale and hearty old age, being near 78 ; he lost, however, his eyesight from inflammation in 1854; his journey to Indiana from Ohio, was made by horse-teams, and from there to this county by ox-teams, as the roads at that day were impassable to horses, being "mired down;" he has made numerous trips to Indiana for provisions, it being the only place they could get them in the years 1831, 1832 and 1833, as they raised nothing until 1834 ; Chicago in 1833 contained only 170 persons.

HENRY REED, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Lockport; was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Nov. 30, 1825 ; he lived there until there until the age of 27, engaged in farming; in January, 1852, he moved to this county and with his brother was engaged in buying and selling cattle, near Gooding s Grove, for two years ; he then purchased a farm near Hadley, and lived on it until the winter of 1864, when he returned East, and after' remaining one year, returned and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, in January, 1868. Has been Supervisor two years. Assessor one year, Road Commissioner two years in Orland,Cook Co., 111., and is now Road Commissioner of Homer Tp. He married Miss Mary Tot-

J. B. ROWLEY, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Lockport ; was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Feb. 11, 1811, where he resided fifteen years, and afterward in Monroe Co. seven years ; in 1833, he moved to this county and made a claim, and afterward purchased the land upon which he now resides, at the land sale in Chicago in 1835 ; his farm now contains over 210 acres, which belaid out, and upon which he made all the improvements. Married Miss Ardelia Lanfear in Homer Tp., April 13, 1836 ; she was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Feb. 17, 1818 ; they had six children, two living - Olive (now Mrs. Link), born April 21, 1838 ; Irvin E., born May 11, 1863, and four dead - Francis B., born April 17, 1844, died Dec. 9, 1844 ; Adelia Ann, born Feb. 25, 1846, died April 23, 1848 ; Albert, born Feb. 27, 1851 , died April 6, 1865, and Ella M., born June 21, 1858, died Deo. 30, 1859. Mr. Rowley was among the first settlers, and passed through the many struggles of a pioneer life.

HIRAM ROWLEY was one of the earliest settlers of Will Co.; he arrived in the year 1833 ; we are indebted to his son, John K. Rowley, of Chicago, the historian of the Rowley family in the United States, for the following extract from the proofsheets, pertaining to the lineage of Mr. Rowley ; he says, "After years of research, my conclusions are that the Rowleys are all related ; that Moses Rowley, who emigrated from South Wales in the year 1700, was the original Rowley in this country ; he married at Cape Cod, Mass., and settled in East Haddam, Conn. Joseph Rowley, the grandfather of Hiram, resided in Richmond, Mass., where he enlisted Oct. 1, 1775, in the Revolutionary war; was in Col. Simon's regiment ; marched to Lake George, thence by boats to Ticonderoga, N. Y., where trace is lost of his exploits. In 1776, he served under Col. Ford, hunting Tories ; in 1777, was in the same service under Col. Ashlev. During

1778, 1779 and 1780, frequently volunteered to go out in scouting parties after Tories and Indians. He was a brave soldier, and would have served longer had it not been for an accidental fall, which rendered him unfit for hard service. He was born in Colchester, Conn., in 1752, and died at Victor, N. Y., Dec. 23, 1835. Col. Aaron Rowley, of Revolutionary fame, was a brother of his." Capt. Jireh Rowley, the father of Hiram, was twice married. The second time to the mother of Charles M. and George M. Gray, well-known citizens of this county, as well as the county of Cook, in fact, throughout our whole country. The Captain in business, was the Vanderbilt of his time, and distinguished himself as a true citizen and brave defender of his country in the war of 1812. - More of his life will be found elsewhere in this history. Hiram Rowley was born Nov. 16, 1813, and was one of the family of eight children who grew to maturity by the first wife, consisting of one daughter and seven sons, all of whom are now living but three. Jireh Rowley, Jr., died Aug. 6, 1875. It is a singular coincidence, that he was named after the father of so large a family, and filled a similarly prominent place in the estimation of the public in Western New York, where he always lived. Hiram had none of the advantages in early life for cultivatioa children now have. His mother died when he was quite young, and to use his own language, " he came up instead of being brought up." The spirit of adventure seized him at the age of 20 years, and he left his home in Victor, Ontario Co., N. Y., and all the hallowed associations of his youthful days for the uninhabited West. The journey by boat and stage took three weeks. He settled on a tract of 376 acres of land at Beebe's Grove, three miles east of Crete, where he commenced the struggle for a livelihood on his own account. Farming in those days meant hard labor without any of the luxuries of life, and as an evidence, one year in particular, Mr. Rowley transported oats by ox-teams to Chicago, a distance of thirty miles, and sold them for 10 cents per bushel, and other cereals at a proportionate rate ; but notwithstanding all discouragements, he persevered and finally built on his place a comfortable log house, and married Cynthia Kile, in 1837, who, like himself, h^d come with her family from an adjoining county in the Empire State. H. N. Marsh, Esq., of JoHet, married Miss Mary Kile, a sister of Mrs. Rowley, for his first wife. Aunt Cynthia, so called, on account of her eagerness to be doing Christian acts for everybody and everywhere, proved a helpmeet indeed, and the young couple, prospered in a worldly point of view. A few years later, they sold their farm and moved to Yankee Settlement, now Homer Tp., and settled permanently upon the east half of his father's homestead, about one mile west of Hadley. Here is where the old settlers locate them, and where a thousand memories cluster, dear to their hearts, because the scenes enacted there were at a period in their Hves when they had become matured and best calcula,ted to enter into the arena of life in earnest. They added farm to farm, and were honorably prosperous. The result of their marriage, has been three sons and one daughter. The eldest son became quite well known as a teacher in this county before he took up his abode in Chicago, where he has for many years been prominently identified in the banking and real estate business. The second son, Andrew W., also became known as a music teacher. His youngest son, Asa B., and charming daughter, Sarah E., the Benjamin of the flock, also became proficient in music before the family moved to Lockport, and afterward to Chicago, where they all now reside. Mr. Rowley was too far advanced in life to imitate his forefathers in the late rebellion, but the Union army had his hearty sympathy, and his sons, although they did not enlist, aided with their means the families of those who did enter the service. In politics, he has been an unswerving Republican since the organization of the party. The success of the Roman Catholic Church in this country has given him much uneasiness. He has always been a warm advocate of free schools and of having the Bible read in them. Personally, Mr. Rowley is of a sympathetic nature, and clings with great tenacity to the beliefs he has once espoused. His house was a home for itinerant Methodist preachers, and he has for forty years been a zealous member of that denomination. He is hale, hearty and temperate, and has the promise of many years of life. His sons are all married and settled in life, and he has a

JOHN SUTTEN, farmer. Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Lockport; was born in Hackonby, Lincolnshire, Eng., Sept. 21, 1819 ; he was engaged in farming up to the time of his coming to America, in 1854; he first stopped in Arnoldsville, Steuben Co., N. Y., eighteen months, when he came to Lockport; in 1870, he settled upon the farm upon which he now resides. He married Mrs. Ruth Beals (widow of Ebenezer Beals, of Cambridge, Eng.) in Lockport on Nov. 20, 1870; she was borninDitton, Cambridgeshire, Eng., Dee. 24, 1814.

GEORGE SPERRY, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Rochester, N. Y., April 27, 1826 ; he carried on agricultural implements business two years, and taught school forthree years in the State of New York ; in 1856, he came to this county, teaching school eight years during the winter months and farming during the summer ; in 1857, he came to the farm he now resides on. He enlisted as a private in 1862, in the 100th 111. V. I., serving two years, and was promoted to First Lieutenant 22d N. Y. Cav., serving as such six months, when he was promoted as Captain in the same regiment, and also served as Regimental Quartermaster, and subsequently, before being mustered out,, as Brigade Quartermaster ; he was jiromoted to the rank of Major for service in the field in the capture of Early's army at Waynesboro, Va., and remained such until mustered out July 4, 1865 ; Mr. Sperrj, during his term of service, was responsible for over one million and a half of Government property, and, what very few officers of our army can say, has certificates of non-indebtedness from every department of the Government from which he had drawn supplies, consisting of the Quartermaster's, Ordnance and Commissary. In 1873, he went to Kansas and took up a claim of 160 acres under the " Homestead Law." He married his first wife Miss Mary D. Cook (daughter of Hon. Bates Cook, former Controller of the State of New York under the late Gov. DeWitt Clinton) in Lewiston, N. Y., July 6, 1851 ; she died in Henrietta, N. Y., April 6, 1853; he married his second wife, Mrs. Oliver Peck. April 5, 1857.

HON. AMOS SAVAGE, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Lookport ; was born in Homer Tp. June 18, 1836, on the homestead where his parents had settled in 1833; his educational advantages were limited, as was the case among the early settlers in the wilds of the West; the subject of this sketch taught district school from the age of 19 to 24 during the winter months, working upon the farm during the summer ; he was first elected Supervisor in 1861, and resigned shortly afterward to enter the army as Second Lieutenant of the 39th I. V. I., being afterward promoted to First Lieutenant, and then as Captain, serving three years and three months, until discharged on account of disability ; upon his return to the county he was again elected Supervisor, serving continuously until his election to the Legislature of IlHnois in the fall of 1872, serving one term of two years, upon which he was again elected Supervisor, serving up to 1876, when he was elected to the State Board of Equahzation for the Seventh Congressional District for the term of four years. Mr. Savage has always been active in politics, and has worked faithfully in whatever position he has been elected to fill to the best interestsof the county. He married Miss Mary L. Slate (daughter of Asahel Slate, of Georgetown, S. C.), in Lemont, Cook Co., Feb. 25, 1864 ; she was born in Georgetown, S. C, June 22, 1837; has five children - Helen E., born Dec. 8, 1864; Frank M., born July 19, 1867; John H., born June 25, 1870 ; Willard A., born Sept. 14, 1872, and Mary A., born May 13, 1874.

WILLIAM TILSY, farmer, Sec. 24 ; P. O. Gooding's Grove ; was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, May 15, 1833; when he was 17 years of age, he came to America and worked on the canal, and afterward worked for many farmers in Will Co. - six years for A. B. Brooks ; he purchased his farm in 1856, and settled where he now lives in 1876 ; has been School Director six years. Married Miss Dora Holm, of Mecklenburg, Germany, in Chicago, Nov. 7, 1857 ; she was born Sept. 3, 1838; they have five children - Lewis, born Sept. 3, 1858 ; William, born May 3, 1862; Mary E., born Nov. 25, 1864; Henry, born Dec. 29, 1869, and Carrie, born Aug. 5, 1873.

P. P. THOMAS, farmer, Sec. 2; P. 0. Gooding's Grove ; was born in Darien, N. Y., Nov. 17, 1834; he went with his parents to Naperville in June, 1835, and remained with them until the age of 12, when his mother died in December, 1846, and he was then thrown upon his own resources; at the age of 13, he drove a notion wagon through Northern Illinois and Wisconsin; at the age of 16, he worked in the lead mines near Mineral Point, and at various other places, and smelted for Corwith & Co. at the age of 19, after which he worked at the trade of carpenter and joiner up to the spring of 1864 ; in May of the same year, he crossed the plains to Montana, mining and prospecting for five years ; in December, 1868,. he returned to Chicago, and, in February,. 1869, purchased the farm upon which he now resides, containing 320 acres; has been School Director. Married Miss Mary Rogers, daughter of D. B. Rogers, of Luzerne Co., Penn., Dec. 30, 1870.

MATHIAS WAGNER, farmer. Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Gooding's Grove ; was born in Rhenish Prussia, Germany, in October, 1822 ; he lived there until he was 3 years of age, when he came to this country in 1852 ;'he first lived in Du Page Co., 111., three months, and then lived with Augustus Gooding about a year ; in the spring of 1854, he moved where he now lives; he owns 138 acres. He married his first wife, Annie Piefer, of Rhenish Prussia, Germany, in 1852 ; she died in April, 1862 ; they had four children ; two died in. infancy - Martin, born May 4, 1853 ; Mary, born in 1854, died the same year. He married Margaret Hermon, of Rhenish Prussia, in May, 1862; they have seven children - Mary, born Dec. 29, 1866; Katie, born June 28, 1867; Maria, born Mareh 14, 1869 ; Lena, born June 24, 1871; Attila, born March 24, 1873; Susanna, born Nov. 28, 1874, and Pete, born July 30, 1878; two died - Margaret, in 1864, and an infant.

ROBERT WHITE, farmer. Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Lockport ; was born in Cambridgeshire, Eng., March 19, 1833 ; he came to America in 1854 ; he farmed up to his coming to this county ; he settled in Yankee Settlement, Homer Township, the same year, and worked for Robert Bentley ^ in 1865, he moved to Orland, Cook Co.,

Biogkaphical Sketches

111., remaining there seven years farming, when he returned to this township and settled where he now resides ; has fifty-one acres. He enlisted in Co. P, 100th Kegiment 111. Inf., and served during the war, being mustered out with his regiment June 13, 1865 ; he was wounded through the thighs at Kenesaw, Mountain, on June 27, 1864. Has been School Director seven years. He married Mrs. Francis Vandewater (widow of Daniel Vandewater) in Homer Township, March 14, 1861 ; they have eight children, three by Mr. Vandewater-Hannah ( now Mrs. Martin O'Brien), born March 17, 1852; Sarah Jane, Sept. 3, 1855, and William D., Aug. 29, 1857; five by Mr. White - Robert J., born Dec. 31, 1861; John Thomas, Dec. 8, 1866; Elizabeth Ann, Jan. 25, 1869 ; Charles H., July 1, 1871, and George W. R., Nov. .29, 1873.

NICHOLAS WELTER, farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0. Gooding's Grove; was born in Moltzh, Rhenish Prussia, Germany, Nov. 16, 1841 ; he lived there until he was 15 years old, when he came to America (1857) and first went to Chicago, staying there three or four years ; in 1864, he came to Will County and settled upon his farm; in 1872, kept store at Gooding's Grove P. 0., and came to where he now lives the

ABEL BLISS, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Now Lenox ; was born in Hampden Co., Mass., Feb. 9, 1810; came to this State in 1837, and settled in New Lenox Tp., Will Co.; the township at that time was called Van Horn's Point, deriving its name from the point or stretch of timber running south from Hickory Creek, and at that time owned by Mr. Van Horn. Mr. Bliss was married May 6, 1840, to Miss Lucinda Blake ; she was born in Hampden Co., Mass., Oct. 14, 1816; they have had seven children, three of whom are living - Harriet M., Abel, Jr. and Alice P.; deceased - Ellen J., William S., Mary B.and Josie. Mr. B.'s farm contains 500 acres, valued at $60 per acre.

MRS. ANN BROADIE, farmer; P. O. New Lenox; one of our earliest settlers; was born in Brown Co., Ohio, Feb. 28, 1832 ; came to this State with her father's family when she was 3 years old, and settled in New Lenox, Will Co., where she has since made her home. She was married May 11, 1854, to the late Robert J. Broadie, deceased, who was born in Ohio Feb. 5, 1829, and who died Deo. 21, 1873; they have had five children, three of whom are living - Esther Ann, John G. and Sarah A.; deceased - Lydia and Anna. The farm of Mrs. Broadie consists of 735 acres, valued at $40,000.

GEORGE S. BROWN, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. New Lenox ; was born in Tolland Co., Conn., May 18, 1825 ; came to this State in 1850, and settled in Mokena, where he remained two years ; he removed from there to Lockport in

1852, and from there to New Lenox in 1876, where he now resides ; his farm consists of eighty acres, valued at $5,000. "Was married in New York Dec. 5, 1848, to Miss Martha A. Petteys, who was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., Dec. 23, 1830 ; they have had seven children, five nf whom are living - Ida E., G. W., Rose Belle, Edward C. L. and Lillie May ; deceased - Millard P. and Frankie. Mr. Brown was a participant in the Mexican war of 1816. In his boyhood, he had a curiosity to see the world, and travel ; he, therefore, left his home at the age of 16, and set out for New London, where he shipped on board the ship Mystic, bound for the northwestern coast of North America ; she left her port Sept. 14, 1841 ; he was discharged at the Sandwich Islands, and there shipped aboard the sloop Portsmouth, a man-ofwar, for the Mexican service; he served two years, and was discharged at the close of the war, at Boston, Mass., in May, 1848.

Mrs. Bridget Cunningham

MRS. BRIDGET CUNNINGHAM, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Spencer ; was born in Kilkenny Co., Ireland, Oct. 8, 1822 ; came to this country in 1850, and settled in the East, where she remained several years, when she removed to this State, and settled in Manhattan, Will Co., in 1857; she removed from there to her present home in New Lenox in 1866 ; she now owns 160 acres, valued at $8,000; is the widow of the late James Cunningliam, deceased, who was born in Longford Co., Ireland ; they have had eight children - Mathew, Thomas, Richard G., Martin, Mary E., Michael J., Katie L., Maggie E. Mr. C, previous to his death, held several public offices in New Lenox Tp.; he died March 27, 1874.

PELEG CROSS, farmer and dairyman ; P. 0. New Lenox ; was born in Rhode Island, May 10, 1821 ; came to this State in 1869, and settled in New Lenox, where he now resides; his farm consists of 113 acres, valued at $7,000. He was married Dec. 31, 1852, to Miss Phebe Felps, who was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., Feb. 16, 1829 ; they have had three children - Sarah E., Mary A., and Phebe F. Mr. Cross, previous to his coming to this State, held the offices of Township Clerk and Assessor several terms in Rotterdam Tp., New York .State.

R. W. CROSSEN, carriage manufacturer. New Lenox ; was born in Coburg, Ont., Feb. 25, 1855 ; came to the United States in 1865, and settled in Joliet, Will Co., 111.; he obtained a liberal education by close and early attendance at school until he was 1 8 years of age; he engaged as an apprentice in carriage-making, and served three years, at the expiration of which time he went into business on his o^n account, and in which he continued for two years ; finally disposing of his stock and other collaterals, he removed to New Lenox and purchased the right he now owns. His parents and relations are still residents of Joliet.

JEROME DOXTADER, farmer and hotel-keeper ; P. 0. New Lenox ; was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., Nov. 1, 1829; came to Illinois, and settled in New Lenox, Will Co., in 1852, where he now resides. He was married to Miss Delia Hartshorn Sept. 24, 1856 ; she was born in Will Co., Ill, Oct. 23, 1840, and died July 24, 1878 ; they have had three children - Willard, born Jan. 6, 1859; John D., Feb. 13, 1862 ; Lydia L., Oct. 6,. 1868. Mr. Doxtader is now the proprietor of the first hotel constructed in New Lenox ; his present farm consists of ninety-four acres, valued at $7,000.

JOHN FRANCIS, farmer and stockraiser ; P. 0. New Lenox ; was born in Will Co. , 111., Jan. 8, 1843 ; is the son of the late Abraham Francis, deceased, who was one of our first settlers ; the farm of Mr. Francis consists of 375 acres of land, valued at $18,- 500 ; is situated on Sees. 9,. 5 and 8. He was married to Miss Harriet M. Bliss, who was born in New Lenox, Will Co., 111., Sept. 5, 1846 ; they have had three children - John E., Howard B. and Hattie. Mr. Francis has held the office of School Trustee nine years. Township Collector two years, and Supervisor five years.

A. ALLEN FRANCIS, farmer and dealer in live-stock, also breeder of shorthorn Durham cattle ; P. 0. New Lenox ; was born in New Lenox, Will Co., 111., Sept. 7, 1840 ; is the son of the late Abraham Francis, who came to this State in 1831 ; the farm of Mr. Francis consists of 1,000 acres, valued at $60,000. He was married to Miss Lizzie J. Haven Sept. 15, 1870, who was born in New Lenox, Will Co., 111., March 31, 1849 ; they have one child - Mary Luella, born Oct. 20, 1877. At present holds the position of President of Will Co., Agricultural and Mechanical Association, and President of New Lenox Mutual Fire Ins. Co.

ISAAC M. GILLETT, Jr., farmer and stock, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Spencer ; was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., Oct. 6, 1850 ; he lived in New York about six years ; then with his parents came West and settled in Homer Tp., Will Co.; he remained here on the farm about sixteen years when he came to his present place and has remained here since ; the place belongs to his father, and contains 300 acres, 240 of which are located on Sec. 1, in Manhattan Tp., and is principally devoted to stock-raising ; he makes a specialty of pure Sufl'olk swine. See advertisment.

WILLIAM GOUGAR, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. New Lenox ; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Aug. 24, 1818 ; came to this State with his father's family in 1831 ; has been a farmer and stock -raiser from boyhood ; his present farm consists of 372 acres of land, valued at $22,000, situated on Sec. 20, in New Lenox Tp., and on Sec. 20, in Joliet. He was married Dec. 29, 1859, to Miss Clarissa Hawkins, who was born in Kankakee Co., 111., Feb. 19, 1839 ; they have had four children, three of whom are living - William, Nellie and Frank ; deceased, Hester. Mr. Gougar participated in the Black Hawk war, which is fully described by him in the general history of the township.

A. GALLAGHER, hardware dealer; P. 0. Spencer ; was hoxfi in New Brunswick, Dominion of Canada, April 25, 1848 ; came to this State and settled in New Lenox in 1876, where he has since resided. He was married to Miss Jane Denny, who was born in Will Co., 111., Jan. 4, 1848 ; they have had two chOdren, viz. : Elsie May and Jennie M. Mr. G., beside his merchandising operations, owns and carries OQ a farm situated on Sec. 23, and valued at $3,000.

MRS. N. GOUGAR, farming and dairy ; P. 0. New Lenox ; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Jan. 3, 1823, and is the widow of the late Nicholas Gougar, who was born in Montour Co., Penn., Oct. 30, 1813, and who died Jan. 12, 1878; they were married April 9, 1851; have two adopted children, viz. : Lydia and Eugene. Mrs. G. came to this State from Ohio in 1850, and settled with her parents in New Lenox. Her farm contains 135 acres, valued at 110,000.

J. E. GOUGAR, farmer and dairyman ; P. 0. Joliet ; was born in New Lenox, Will Co., March 21, 1834 excepting the time spent in receiving his education at Beloit, Wis., and Joliet, 111., he has been a permanent resident in New Lenox. He was married to Miss Hattie Perkins Nov. 24, 1864; she was born in Grundy Co., Ill, Deo. 28, 1841 ; ihey have had four children, two of whom are living, viz.: Charles P. and Hattie May ; deceased - Ella and Florence. Mr. Gougar has followed the pursuits of a farmer from boyhood ; he now owns 1 60 acres, valued at $10,000. He has also held the office of Assessor three terms, and Township Collector several years.

JOHN, GOUGAR, farmer and stockraiser ; P. 0. Joliet ; one of our very early settlers ; was born in Montour Co., Penn., March 20, 1810 ; he removed with his father's family to Ohio when he was 8 years old, and from there to Indiana when he was in his 12th year ; he remained there but a short time, when he came to this State ' and settled where he now resides in New Lenox; at the time of his arrival, the surrounding country was all embraced in Cook Co., and what is now the township of New Lenox did not then have a name ; he arrived here Sept. 10, 1830, at which time there was but one building in Chicago, which was then used as a French trading-post, and was situated on the west side of the river ; Mr. Gougar has now spent forty-eight years in this county, during which time his occupation has been that of a farmer and stock-raiser; his present farm contains 340 acres, valued at $20,400. He was married in this State Jan. 2, 1849, to Miss Mary A. Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania May 21, 1813 ; they have had one child, viz. : Lewis, born Nov. 10, 1852.

SAMUEL H. HINE, farmer and stockraiser ; P. O. Speucer ; was born in Chautauquk Co., N. Y., Feb. 19, 1825; came to this State in 1836, and settled in New Lenox, Will Co., where he now resides; his farm consists of 290 acres, valued at $17,000. He was married Jan. 1,

1850 ; came to this State in 1860, and settled in Homer Tp.; he removed from Homer to New Lenox in 1876 ; he has now under cultivation thirty-five acres, valued at $2,100. He was married Nov. 25, 1875, to Miss Emma L. Dancer, who was born in Homer, Will Co., 111., May 14,

DENNIS HOGAN, farmer and stockraiser; P. 0. Spencer; was born in Ireland March 12, 1820 ; came to the United States in 1848, and to Illinois in 1854; settled in New Lenox, where he now resides. He was married to Miss Mary A. McCabe, who was born in Ireland May 6, 1837 ; they have five children - Ellen E., Katie M., Denice L., Gregory M. and Theresa J. The farm of Mr. Hogan consists of 240 acres, valued at $14,500.

J. S. HOLMES, dealer in grain, coal and ground feed ; P. 0. Spencer ; was born in New Lenox, Will Co., Aug. .30, 1848 ; is the son of the late Asher Holmes, deceased, who came from New York State in 1835. Mr. H. was married Jan. 24, 1871, to Miss Sophie Willis, who was born in New York City Aug. 14, 1852 ; they have had five children - Rayuor E., Arthur W., Laura E., Herbert H. and Bessie J. Mr. H. is at present School Trustee ; was elected in April, 1878.

JAMES E.HOLMES, farmer and stockraiser ; P. 0. Spencer ; one of our early settlers ; was born in Chautauqua Co. N. y., June 25,. 1827; came to this State with his father's family and settled where he now resides, in New Lenox Tp, in 1835. He was married Jan. 8, 1854, to Miss Mary E. Stiffler, who was born in Miami Co., Ohio, Jan. 29, 1838; they have had four children, three of whom are living, viz.: Delia J., 'William R. and George E. ; deceased - -Rosilla. The farm of Mr. H. consists of 138 acres, valued at $8,500. Since his residence in this township, he has held the office of Town Clerk one year, Postmaster twenty-two years, which position he still retains ; also the office of Street Commissioner nearly two years.

ASHER HOLMES, deceased. New Lenox Tp., whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Sherburne, Chenango Co., N. Y., in September, 1796 ; at the age of 9, his parents moved to Chautauqua Co., N. Y. ; in 1826, he returned to Chenango Co., and married Aug. 26 of the same year Miss Eliza Ann Elmore ; they moved back to Chautauqua Co., and remained there until the year 1831, when they again returned to Chenango Co., remaining there until his coming to Will Co. in the spring of 1835 ; he settled on Sec. 22, in New Lenox Tp., where he died ; his widow still lives on the homestead. He held the office of Justice of the Peace in Chenango Co., and that of School Treasurer in New Lenox Tp. He had six children, five living - James E., born June 25, 1827 ; Myron P., born June 8, 1830 ; Orsamus, born in August, 1838 ; Lydia E., born Feb. 5, 1840, and Sophie, born Aug. 14, 1852, and one deceased - EHza Ann, born Jan. 18, 1834, died in May, 1873.

CHAS. E. KERCHEVAL, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Joliot ; was born in New Lenox, Will Co., Sept. 21, 1843; he is the son of the late Jas. C. Kercbeval, deceased, who was a native of Ohio, and emigrated to this State in 1830 ; he was a participant in the Mohawk war, and one of the first settlers in the State ; Mr. Chas. Keroheval was married April 29, 1868, to Miss Hattie A. Frazer, who was born in Will Co., 111., Jan. 20, 1850. Mr. K. for the past ten years has, in addition to farming, given special attention to raising and breeding fancy swine ; his present farm consists of eighty acres, valued at $6,000. He has also acted as School Trustee ; held offices of Assessor and Township Collector.

M. H. KELLOGG, farmer and stockraiser ; P. 0. New Lenox ; was born in Madison Co., N. Y., May 17, 1830 ; came to this State and settled in Chicago in 1853; he removed from there to New Lenox, Will Co., where he now resides, in 1867. He was married to Miss Mary A. McElcheran Aug. 24, 1861 ; she was born in Albany, N. Y.,Sept. 24, 1830 ; they have had two children - one of whom is living, viz., Myron B., born Oct. 26, 1863 ; deceased - an infant. Mr. Kellogg's farm consists of 100 acres of fine rolling prai-

TUNIS LYNK, general merchant, New Lenox; an old and prominent [settler; was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., Jan. 20, 1829 ; came to this State and settled in New Lenox in 1848, where he has since resided. He was married to Miss Lydia Ann Hartshorn, who was born in Rutland Co., Vt., May 30, 1831, and who died Jan. 7, 1877 ; Mr. L. was married again Feb. 5, 1878, to Miss Olive 0. Rugg, who was born in New Lenox, Will Co., 111., March 1, 1847. Immediately after his arrival in this township, he purchased the property now owned by William Gougar, which then consisted of 105 acres, and on which was located the second saw-mill built in the township ; he pursued the business of millwright and farmer until his purchase of his second farm, now owned by Jacob Waltz. At the outbreak of the war, Mr. L. entered into mercantile business, in which he yet continues ; he has also acted as gencr.il depot agent since that time and has also held the office of Postmaster in New Lenox Tp, from April, 1867, until June, 1869 ; he was also the first express agent in the township ; has held the office of Township Collector four terms ; is at present general freight agent.

CORIDON S. LEWIS, retired ; P. 0. New Lenox ; was born in Decatur, Otsego Co., N. Y., Dec. 13, 1816 ; came to this State in 1849, and settled in Stephenson Co. ; removed from there to New Lenox, Will Co., in 1865, where he now resides ; his occupation while in Stephenson Co. was that of a carpenter and builder. He was married Jan. 11, 1838, to Miss Catherine Bogardus, who was born in Berne, Albany Co., N. Y., June 14, 1814 ; they have had four children, three of whom are living, viz. : Leslie, Candace and Carrie ; deceased - Marilla.

CYRUS A. LEWIS, farmer and stockraiser ; P. 0. New Lenox ; was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., July 19, 1824 ; came to this State in 1850, and settled in New Lenox ; his farm consists of 268 acres, valued at $18,000. He was married to Miss Emeline Seward, who was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 1825 ; they have had nine children, seven of whom are living, viz. . Mary R., Spencer, Cannie,

Nellie, Almon, Sherman and Jennie; deceased, two infants. Mr. L. has held the offices of School Director, School Trustee and Road Commissioner several years.

WM. PINK, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Spencer ; was born in Germany Feb. 28, 1830 ; came to this country in 1856, and settled in Illinois ; he has been a resident of New Lenox since 1866 ; his farm consists of seventy-five acres, valued at $4,000. He was married to Miss Mary Pullman, who was born in Germany ; they have had eight children, seven of whom are living, viz. : Bernard, Susie, Kittie, Peter, Annie, Mary and Nick ; deceased, Mary.

GEN. J. S. REYNOLDS, lawyer, Chicago, formerly of New Lenox Tp. ; was born Dec. 3, 1839, in New Lenox Tp., Will Co., 111., where his parents, Isaac N. and his wife, still reside ; the son, after arriving at the age of 17, went to Chicago, and attended the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1861. On the breaking out of the war, he presided over a series of war mass-meetings of young men ; he soon enlisted, and began recruiting the battalion called Yates' Sharpshooters ; he was in active service nearly four years, and made a gallant record ; he was promoted five times by commissions from the Governor of Illinois, and twice by commission from President Lincoln ; he took part in seventeen battles and many skirmishes, was thrice wounded, and tad his sword shot from his hand at Resaca ; he commanded the 64th I. V. I., which he had once helped to recruit under the name of Yates' Sharpshooters, during its march with Gen. Sherman from Atlanta to the sea; at the recommendation of his superior officers, he was promoted to Brigadier General, near the close of the war. After leaving the army, in 1865, he began the study of law in Chicago, graduated from the law department of the Chicago University, was Admitted to the bar in 1866, and began the practice of law in Chicago, at first with a partner ; he is now engaged in the practice of admiralty alone in the city of Chicago. In 1867, he was elected a member of the Illinois Legislature, from Chicago, and re-elected in 1869, where he served with honor ; he also served four years on the Chicago Board of Educa- tion ; in 1872, lie was elected to represent the First District in the Illinois State Sen ate, after which he was appointed, by the Governor, a commissioner from Illinois to the Exposition at Vienna ; in May, 1873, he sailed abroad, and his travels extended throughout most of the countries of Europe and into Asia Minor ; in 1875, he became a a member of the Board of Commissioners to locate the State Institution for the Education of Feeble-minded Children ; in 1875, he was elected Senior Vice Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. Jan. 31, 1877, he was married to Mattie A. Carey, of Chicago, daughter of George W. Carey, Esq. ; has one child - born Jan. 23, 1878, named Joseph S., Jr.

ISAAC N. REYNOLDS, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. New Lenox ; one of the earliest and most prominent settlers : was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1811 ; came to this State with his father's family in 1818, and settled in the southern part, where he remained until 1833, when he came north to Will Co. and settled in New Lenox, where he now owns 365 acres, valued at $27,000. He was married April 10, 1834, to Miss Ruey A. Halderman, who was born in Ross Co., Ohio, March 26, 1815 ; she is the daughter of Abram Halderman, who was among the very first settlers in La Salle Co. ; they have had ten children, seven of whom are living, viz.: Abram, Joseph S., Isaac N., Charlotte E., Hattie A., William N. and Ruena P. ; deceased, Sarah J., John H. and Charles P.

JOHN M. REYNOLDS, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Mokena; one of our early settlers ; was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Feb. 11, 1813; came to this State with his father's family in 1818, and settled in the southern part, where he remained until 1833, when he came north to Will Co., and settled in New Lenox. He was married Oct. 15, 1835, to Miss E. W. Snapp, who was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Oct. 2, 1818. She is the daughter of Mr. Abram Snapp, now deceased, who was the first settler, and constructor of the first building on the prairie then called the Yankee Settlement ; they have had four children, two of whom are living - Clara M. and Nellie I. ; deceased - Abram S. and Sarah J. The farm of Mr. Reynolds consists of 290 acres ; its probable value is 818,000.

MRS. CARRIE STORMS, farmer ; P. 0. Hadley ; was born in New York Nov. 3, 1851 ; came to this State in 1860 ; is the widow of the late James Storms, deceased, who was born in Scotland Dec. 15, 1846, and who died May 23, 1877 ; they have one child - -Harry W., born Aug. 9> 1874. The farm of Mrs. Storms consists of sixty acres, valued at $4,000.

HEINRICH STEIN, farmer and stockraiser; P. 0. Spencer; was bora in Germany, Jan. 15, 1837 ; came to the United States in 1856, and settled on his present farm in New Lenox, Will Co., 111. ; it contains 148 acres ; is situated on Sec. 34, and is valued at $7,500. He was married to Miss Louise Stricher, who was was born in Germany July 22, 1838 ; they have had four children - Henry, Lizzie, Emma and Louise. Mr. Stein has held offices of Street Commissioner and School Trustee, three years each.

MRS. W. A. SHARTS, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. New Lenox ; was born in Herkimer, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1822; is the widow of the late W. A. Sharts, who was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., Feb. 12, 1825, and who died Feb. 2, 1878; they were married Oct. 23, 1851 ; they have had three children, two of whom are living - Ellen, born Nov. 11, 1852 ; Josephine, June 22, 1857 ; Charles T., born Jan. 1, 1856 ; died Jan. 17, 1864. Mrs. Sharts continues the business in which her husband was engaged, it being that of a farmer and stock-raiser; her farm contains 108 acres, valued at $7,000.

HENRY SCHRADER, farmer ; P. O. New Lenox ; was born in Germany, Jan. 13, 1816; came to the United States in 1851 ; settled in Joliet, 111., in 1853, where he remained until 1873, when he removed to New Lenox ; his present farm consists of 140 acres, valued at $11,000. He was married Nov. 15, 1855, to Miss Dora Bues, who was born in Germany March 28, 1835; they have had seven children, five of whom are living - Arvine, William, Alfred, Meta and Cora ; deceased - Henry and an infant. Mr. S.is at present School Director in District No. 2, New Lenox Tp.

0. New Lenox ; was born in Worcester Co., Mass., Sept. 28, 1826 ; came to this State in 1861, and settled in McLean Co.; lie removed to Will Co., and settled in New Lenox in 1S70 ; his present farm consists of eighty acres, valued at $6,000. He was married Oct. 9, 1849, to Miss Maria A. Woods, who was born in Worcester Co., Mass., March 8, 1826 ; they have had four children, three of whom are living - Nellie M., Kate F. and Fred M.; deceased - Charles E.

CALVIN SEWARD, farmer and stockraiser ; P. 0. Joliet ; one of our early settlers; was born in Otsego Co.,N. Y., Sept. 23, 1812 ; came to this State, and settled in Joliet, Will Co., in 1846, where he remained until his arrival on his farm in New Lenox, which contains 160 acres, valued at $10,000. He was married May 17, 1838, to Miss Sarah M. Van Dusen, who was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., March 22, 1815 ; they have had ten children - five of whom are now living - Nancy E., Gilbert, Luoinda J., Margaret E. and Sarah M.; deceased ^- four infants and Andrew J. Mr. S. has held the office of Collector in New Lenox Tp. one year.

FRANK SEARLES, farmer and stockraiser; P. 0. Hadley ; was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., July 24, 1823 ; came to this State in 1850, and settled in Homer, where he remained four years ; he removed from there to New Lenox in 1854, where he has since resided ; his farm consists of 104 acres, valued at $8,000. He was married to Miss Emily White April

1, 1851 ; she was born in Lake Co., Ohio, June 6, 1827 ; they have had two children - Frank W. and Agnes E. Mr. S. has held township offices of different kinds in New Lenox for several years. His son Frank W. passed examination and received diploma at Chicago Medical College as physician and surgeon ; he is at present the only physician in New Lenox.

ALEXANDER M. STORMS, farmer and stock raiser ; P. 0. New Lenox ; was born in Ross-shire, Septland, Jan. 10, 1840 ; came to the United States in 1861, and settled in New Lenox, Will Co., 111., where he now resides. He was married Feb. 17, 1876, to Miss Emily M. Frank, who was born in New Lenox, Will Co., 111., March 12, 1848 ; thev have one child - Frank R, born April" 4, 1877. The farm of Mr. Storms consists of 172^ acres, valued at $13,000.

JOHN J. WALZ, farmer and stock raiser ; P.O. Spencer ; was born in Germany, Feb. 5, 1836 ; came to the United States in 1854, and settled in New Lenox, Will Co., 111., in 1856 ; his farm contains 240 acres of land, valued at $14,000. He was married April 6, 1868, to Miss Henrietta Stricher, who was born in Germany Nov. 20, 1846 ; they have had three children, two of whom are living - Adeline and George A..; deceased, Herman Frank. Mr. Waltz is at present Commissioner of Highways.

W. C. WILSON, farmer and carpenter ; P. 0. Spencer ; one of our early settlers ; was born in Cortland Co., N. Y.; came to this State in 1835, and settled in Joliet ; he removed from there to New Lenox in 1837, where he has since resided ; his farm consists of eighty-five acres, valued at $4,500. He was married to Miss Eliza Ann Gougar, who was born in Indiana ; they have had eight children, six of whom are living - Charles L., Catharine J., William W., John F., Lewis F. and Mary L.; deceased, George W. and Eliza A.

SCHUYLER ACKERMAN, farmer; P. 0. Wilmington ; was born in Passaic Co., N. J., May 4, 1834, and is the son of John V. W. and Helen Ackerman, of New Jersey ; his father was a farmer, died in 1859, 56 years old ; his mother died in 1878, 74 years old ; Mr. Ackerman was raised on his father's farm ; in 1857, with his brother Henry, they emigrated West to Illinois, and settled in Wesley Tp.; here he has remained ever since, engaged in farming His brother, James E., was in the late war ; participated in some of the prominent battles. Mr Ackerman is

:a Republican in politics. Held several offices of trust in Wesley Tp.; is Township Treasurer, which of&ce he has filled for the last three years. Married in January, 1867, to Miss Abbie C. Carpenter ; born Feb. 26, 1840 ; daughter of Charles Carpenter of New York ; born March 4, 1808. Was an early settler of Will Co.; have one child - Annie Elizabeth. Mr. Ackerman is a member of the M. E Church.

GUY M. BECKWITH, farmer ; P. 0. Kankakee ; was born in Wesley Tp., Will Ill, Sept. 12, 1840, and is the son of Geo. M. and Phoebe S. (Barden) Beokwith; his father was born in Bedford Co., Penn., about the year 1816 ; when he was 2] years old, his parents moved to Newark, Wayae Co., N. Y.; he and his brother left New York together for the Far West, first stopping on the Wabash River near Terre Haute, Ind., thence to North Ann Prairie, four miles northeast of Paris, 111., which is thirty-six miles south of Danville, 111., where they broke land; in 1818 or 1819, they came to the salt-works, four miles west of Danville, where they worked liard for several years. June 22, 1827, George M. Beckwith married Charlotte Gilbert, by whom he had one child - Lucy E.; the wife died Feb. 10, 1831, 26 years old. He was a Captain, and his brother was a Major in the Black Hawk war. He came to Wesley Tp., Will Co., at an early day, being about the first settler here ; he engaged in farming ; he died respected and honored. Guy M. Beckwith enlisted as private in Co. A, 100th 111. V. I., in August, 1862 ; participated in all the battles of this regiment; was mustered out in June, 1865. In 1873, was Supervisor of Wesley Tp. Owns 228 acres of fine improved land. Married in 1868, to Miss OrceUa E. Pain, of Michigan, by whom he has three children.