Derinda Township (part 2 of 5)

The father of our subject, likewise named John, was one of the early settlers of this region. He was born in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1792, and was there reared to farming pursuits, and continued to reside in his native isle until his emigration to this country in 1822, while he was still unmarried. He came to the State of Illinois, and at the land sale held at Dixon purchased 240 acres of land, which is comprised in the tract of 700 acres now owned by his son John. He built a small log cabin, which was equipped with the scant and primitive furniture of a pioneer's home. And in a wilderness far removed from the centers of civilization he began life under auspices not the most favorable for comfort and happiness, as, not marrying for several years after pitching his tent in the wilds of Illinois, it is presumed that he kept bachelor's hall. He was eventually wedded, however, to Ann Carroll, daughter of a fellow-pioneer, Oct. 28, 1828. For several j'ears after locating here, Mr. Furlong was engaged in mining on the mining company's land, and was successful to a considerable degree. Subsequently turning his attention to farming, he began the improvement and cultivation of his land, in which he was actively engaged the remainder of his life, and was prospered very much in his agricultural ventures. He purchased 240 acres of land in Sinsinawa,Wis., and owned other valuable property. He was well fitted to cope with the hardships and dangers of pioneer life, being a man of medium size and possessing great physical strength and powers of endurance, besides courage, self-reliance and stability, and capacity to do well and promptly whatever he attempted. During the Indian border warfare he did active service in defense of the homes and lives of the settlers, particularly in the time of the Black Hawk War, and the gun which he carried in service is now owned by his son of whom we write, and by him and his family is highly prized as a relic of an interesting and historic past. To the parents of subject were born seven children, as follows: William, born Aug. 30, 1829, and died Aug. 16, 1832, and he was the first white child born in Vinegar Hill Township; Terrence, born Oct. 26, 1831, resides in Nevada; William, born Feb. 7, 1834, lives in Sinsinawa, Wis.; John E., born Nov. 16, 1837, lives on the old homestead; Nicholas, born Oct. 6, 1839, is now dead ; Mary L., born Dec. 13, 1842, died Feb. 21, 1845; Walter, born April 28, 1845, died Oct. 4, 1851. The father of our subject departed this life Jan. 22, 1 845, and his wife died April 4, 1847, aged thirty -seven years. She was like himself a native of Ireland, born in County Kilkenny. They were both members in good standing'of the Catholic Church.

John Furlongi subject of this sketch, was born on the place where he now lives, Nov. 16, 1837. He was reared on the home farm, and his early education was conducted in schools kept in the houses in the neighborhood, usually a week about. Subsequently he enjoyed a course of studies at the Sinsinawa Mound College, in Wisconsin, where he acquired a good practical English education. He was eight years old when his father died, and ten years of age when his mother departed this life,in consequence of which sad events he was thrown on his own resources at a time when he could least afford to be deprived of the counsel of parents. He has been very successful in business affairs, and has accumulated a plenty of this world's goods, owning at present 700 acres of good land, upon which are erected comfortable and commodious buildings. He farms to grain and stock, the latter consisting of high grades and thoroughbreds, of which he has manj' fine specimens.

Mr. Furlong has been twice married. His first marriage was in 1858 to Ellen, daughter of Martin and Catherine Gray, of whom mention is made elsewhere. She bore him one child, William.' After a brief but happy wedded life Mrs. Furlong died.* She was a member of the Catholic Church, and was greatly beloved for her many attractive qualities. The second marriage of our subject was with Catherine, daughter of Patrick and Mary Murray, early settlers of Grant County, Wis., where Mrs. Furlong was born in 1848. She was married to our subject Jaji. 27, 1864, and June 11, 1875, their pleasant wedded life was brought to a close by her untimely death. She was an earnest member of the Catholic Church, and by all who knew her was held in high estimation. Six children were born of that marriage to our subject, of whom the following is the record : Anna C, born Jan. 25, 1865; Lawrence, Sept. 17, 1866; William P., Sept. 23, 1868; James E., Jan. 15, 1871; Mary C, Feb. 3, 1873; Agnes E., born May 2, 1875, died July 22, 1875.

Mr. Furlong is a valued member of this community, who, through his enterprise and thrift, has added materially to its wealth. He is known to be a man of high moral character, whose probity is unimpeachable, and whose word is never doubted. He and his family belong to the Catholic Church, and he contributes liberally to its support, as well as to other things that will in any way benefit the township religiously, socially, or materially. He is a thorough Democrat in his political views, earnestly espousing the cause of his party.

WILLIAM TIPPETT, one of the honored pioneers of this county, resides on section 22, in Elizabeth Township and is favorably known to the large proportion of its people. He was born in Cornwall County England, March 2, 1818, and is the son of John and Jane Tippett, who were natives of the-same country. He was reared to manhood near the home of his birth and entered the mines when a lad of twelve years, following mining until emigrating to America.

On the 23d of March, 1842, our subject was. united in marriage with Miss Jane King, also a native of England, and by whom he became the father of eleven children. Eight of these are living, viz.: Mary, the wife of Richard Eustice ; Nannie, Mrs. John Bowden; Elizabeth J., William, Caroline; Lucinda E., the wife of David E. Reed; James K. and John G.

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tippett emigrated to America on a sailing-vessel, and six weeks from the time of starting landed in Quebec, Canada. Thence they came directly to this county, via Lake Ontario to Kingston, thence to

Buffalo, and from there to Chicago. From the latter point they journeyed overland to Galena, where they spent two years, our subject most of the time engaged in mining on his own account. Thence they removed to Weston, where they lived three years, and in the fall of 1847, during the excitement iff the Lake Superior copper mines, Mr. Tippett went therewith his wife and one child and spent five years.

At the expiration of this time onr subject returned with his family to this county and settled on the land which comprises his present farm. He is now the owner of 120 acres, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and upon which he has effected good improvements. Politically he is a Republican, and has served as School Director in his district. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are highly esteemed by all -Who know them.

J'OHN SPEER. The year 1857 found the subject of this notice located, on the farm which he now owns and occupies, and where he has since resided. He came to this county during the period of its early settlement, and shared, with his fellow-pioneers, the hardships of life at a time when their neighbors were few and far between, and before transportation was effected otherwise than by the slow method of teams. He was then a boy, and has practically grown up with the country. He is now a man who has passed his three-score years, and he has been an an interested witness of the many changes which have occurred since his first settlement in Northern Illinois.

A native of County Monaghan, Ireland, our subject was born July 20, 1828, and is the son of James and Mary (Rogers) Speer, who were natives of the North of Ireland, and who, in 1833, set out for the United States. They embarked on a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage of eight weeks and four days landed in Philadelphia, where all but the father remained until the spring of 1835. The father in the meantime came to this county, in the fall of 1834, and earned sufficient money during the winter to send for his family in the spring. He had been located in Galena, and there they all sojourned until the fall of 1838. They then removed to Irish Hollow, in Elizabeth Township, and settled on a large tract of land before the survey had been made. In 1847, when the land came into market, the elder Speer purchased his claim, paying $1.25 per acre, the regular Government price. The old log cabin in which they resided is still preserved, standing on the farm of William Speer, in Elizabeth Township, although in rather a dilapitated condition.

The father of our subject was one of the earliest settlers of Irish Hollow. He had come to this country poor in purse, but possessed great courage and endurance, and, in due time, became the owner of a large property, leaving at his death a fine estate for his family. He died at the old homestead Dec. 25, 1862, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. He became a naturalized citizen during the existence of the old Whig party, with wlrch he allied himself, and he was a member of the Seceders' Presbyterian Church. Six of the seven children born to the parents are now living, namely: Elizabeth, Mrs. Steele, a widow, and a resident of Rice Township; Margaret, John, James R, William, and Charles.

Mr. Speer was reared to man's estate in this county, receiving his education in its primitive schools, although not attending after the age of ten years. It then became necessary for him to assist his father, and two years later, although still but a lad, owing to the ill-health of his father, he assumed many of the responsibilities of its management. He was assisted by his brothers and sisters as soon as they grew old enough, and they all worked together with a mutual interest. On the 28th of October, 1857, our subject took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Mary Moore, a native of this county and born in July, 1838." Her parents were Charles and Hannah (Rogers) Moore, who may also be properly mentioned as among the early pioneers. The young couple began life together where they now reside, and in due time the household circle embraced eight children - one of whom, James, died when eight ye.ars old. The sur- vivors are: .Tosiah, Minnie H., Elizabeth J., John M., Agnes I., Margaret T., and Charles A. The training of Mr. Speer was calculated to develop within him the best qualities of manhood and citizenship. Following the footsteps of his honored father, he readily gave his support to the Republican party. Both he and his estimable wife are connected with the United Presbyterian Church. Their children are receiving an excellent home training and the education suitable to their means and position in life.

^t/ AMES GINN. There was a large area of land in its original wild state at the time this gentleman came to Illinois with his parents in the spring of 1836. The settlers in Rice Township were few and far between, and occasionally there might be seen a band of roving Indians) even after his father had made his first purchase He still owns and occupies the land which his par. ents then settled upon, and has watched with the liveliest interest the growth and prosperity of the great State of Illinois. He has done good service in the building up of Jo Daviess County, assisting in contributing to it one of its best homesteads, and in his community has uniformly been recognized as a liberal and public-spirited citizen, encouraging the enterprises calculated for the best good of its people.

A native of the city of Philadelphia, Pa., our subject was born in 1830; but such were his surroundings that his educational advantages were limited. He attended the common school a few years after coming to this county, then assisted his father in the development of the new farm until starting out in life for himself. Upon reaching man's estate he was wedded to Miss Jane Funston, who was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1839, and came with her parents to America when a child of twelve years, they proceeding directly westward and settling in Galena, this county.

Mr. and Mrs. Ginn began their wedded life together on a farm, where our subject labored in common with his neighbors in bringing a portion of the soil to a state of cultivation, and gathering about himself and family the comforts and conveniences essential to their happiness and wellbeing. In due time there gathered around the family board the faces of eight bright and interesting children, seven of whom still remain under the parental roof. The eldest, a son, James E., is farming in Dickinson County, Kan.; the others were named respectively: George I., Frank C, Florence E., Henry R., Adam A., Herbert L., and Anna M.

Johnston Ginn, the father of our subject, a native of County Fermanagh, Ireland, was born in 1798, and emigrated to America in 1824, landing at Philadelphia, Pa., where he sojourned a period of ten years. He was a weaver by trade, but in May, 1834, upon leaving the Quaker City came directly to this county and rented a farm of Moses Halleck, a speculator. Subsequently he purchased the land from which he constructed the homestead now occupied by our subject. Mrs. Jane (Crawford) Ginn, the mother, was also a native of Ireland, arid lived there until reaching womanhood. Of her union with Johnston Ginn there were born eight children. The eldest son, William, was first married to Martha Robinson of Galena, who died, and he was then married to Jennie Woods of the same place. They are now living at San Pedro, N. M. This son is employed in operating a smelting furnace for copper and lead ore. Robert married Miss Susanna Hunter, formerly of Bucks County, Pa., but later of Stephenson County, 111., and is occupied as a grain-dealer in the town of Perry, Dallas Co., Iowa. Ann is the widow of Andrew Crawford, formerly of Wisconsin, and lives in Galena. Elizabeth married Thomas Fargert of Galena, and they live on a farm near Hampden in Franklin County, Iowa; Mary J. is the wife of James W. Hunter, a practicing attorney of Mt. Carroll, this State.

Mr. Ginn during his early manhood learned a trade and evinced much skill as a natural mechanic, but he prefers the pursuits of farm life, and to these has given the most of his attention. Politically, he is a strong Republican, and during the late Civil War enlisted, in September, 1861, participating in many of the important battles which followed, being at Vicksburg, Atlanta, and other _^___ _^.

engagements in which the Union troops came out victorious. He has officiated as Sheriff of Jo Daviess County, represented- Eice Township in the County Board of Supervisors, and has also been Treasurer of his township. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He in earlier years enjoyed a personal acquaintance with Gen. Grant, E. B. Washburne, and other prominent men of Northern Illinois.

OHN M. LEEKLEY, one of the younger members of the legal fraternity in Galena, in entering upon the practice of his profession settled among the friends of his boyhood and youth, who are watching his career with kindly interest, and predict that it will be one more than ordinarily honorable and successful. He opened ah office in 1881, having been admitted to the bar on the 16th of June that year, passing a fine examination before the Supreme Court. He was graduated from the Union Law College of Chicago, after which lie entered at once upon the practice of his profession, and two years later, in June, 1883, became the partner of James S. Baume, who was then, as he is now, Master in Chancery.

Our subject was born in the city of Galena March 30, 1859, but thirty years ago there was little to indicate its future importance. His father, Thomas B. Leekley, was an old settler of this county, and for years one of its most active and prominent business men, being one of the largest lead smelters in this region. He came to Illinois as early as 1832, and operated as a practical miner, understanding fully the best methods of obtaining the ore from its original beds. To this he devoted the most of his time and attention until his death, which occurred Nov. 10, 1883, at the age of seventy-four years.

The father of our subject was a strong, active and intelligent gentleman, and retained his mental faculties, as well as his physical strength, in a marked degree. In addition to the mining industry he was also associated for some time with the Galena woolen mills, officiating as President of the company. In religious matters he was a strong adherent of the Presbyterian Church, giving liberally to its support. Politically, he was a sound Republican. He inherited the best qualities of his substantial English ancestry, and was himself of English birth and parentage, the county of Durham being the place of his nativity. He had emigrated to America when a youth of nineteen years, earning the money with which to pay his passage. He first located in one of the Carolinas, and operated for a time as agent of the London Mining Company. Upon leaving the South he settled in Pennsylvania, and there gained additional knowledge in regard to this industry.

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Sarah Wilde, a native of Yorkshire. England. She came with her parents to America in heryouth, and they settled among the earliest pioneers of Dubuque County, Iowa, where John Wilde spent the remainder of his days. Mrs. Leekley, the mother of our subject, is still living, and is now sixty-six years old. She is a very intelligent lady, and one possessing all the Christian virtues. She, like her husband, identified herself with the Presbyterian Church years ago. They are the parents of a large family of children, several of 'whom died in infancy. Four are yet living.. James F. married Miss Mary Leekley carried on farming a number of years, but is now living in Galena; Thomas M. is unmarried and makes his home with his mother; JohnM., our subject, is the next in point of years; Mary is the wife of J. G. McKibbins, and they reside at Englewood, a beautiful suburb of Chicago; Mr. McKibbins being connected with the American Express Company.

The common schools furnished to our subject his rudimentary education, and later he entered the State Normal School, where he completed his studies. Upon leaving school he entered a law office, and not long afterward the present partnership was formed. Mr. Leekley was married to one of the most estimable young ladies of his native city, Miss Annie E. Gelston. Mrs. Leekley, like her husband, is of English descent, and the daughter of L. G. and Isabelle (Townsend) Gelston. Mr. Gelston for a number of years before his death operated as a commission merchant in the interests , of Harlow, Gelston & Co., of St. Louis, Mo. He died at his home in Galena in August, 1876. Here his widow has since made her home, being now about fifty years old, and a lady veiy intelligent, one who numbers her friends by the score. Mr. Gelston was a practical business man, usually successful in his enterprises, and a member in good standing of the First Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Leekley was educated in St. Louis, Mo., where she made her home until the death of her father. She has inherited the good qualities of both parents and is a lady held in high esteem in her community. Of this union there are two children, Eugene G. and Robert T. Mrs. Leekley is a member in good standing of the First Presbyterian Church. Our subject, politically, is a stanch Republican, and socially is identified with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Blue Lodge and Chapter, in which he has held the various offices; also Miner Lodge No. 273, in which he is Senior Warden. He has a neat and convenient office, fully equipped with all the documents necessaiy to the successful practice of his profession, and being a close student, it is predicted that in the near future he will make his mark.

EDWARD L. BEDFORD. For a period of twenty yeai-s Mr. Bedford has been identified with the legal fraternity of Northern Illinois. He came to this county with his parents in 1855, locating first at Warren, where he sojourned until 1874, then removed to Galena, of which he has since been a resident. He was graduated from the law department of the Michigan State University, March 25, 1868, being at the same time admitted to the bar, and later to practice in the Supreme Court of the State. Officiating at that time and upon that occasion were Judges Sidney Rees, P. II. Walker and C. B. Lawrence, celebrated jurists of the State, now deceased.

He was elected State's Attorney for this county in 1870, which position occupied his time for the four years following, during which he acquitted himself with great credit. At the expiration of this time he was accorded a vote of thanks from the

County Board of Supervisors, for the faithful manner in which he had discharged his duties. In connection with this, a local paper remarked that " but few men of his age could show as good a record." At a meeting of the Bar Association of Illinois in 1888, Mr. Bedford, who was absent, was awarded the unexpected honor of being elected Vice-President, there being a Vice-President for each Supreme Judicial District.

A Republican politically, Mr. Bedford has been of signal service to his party in this section of the State. At the County Convention which convened at Galena in the spring of 1888, there was passed a unanimous resolution instructing the delegates from the county to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Convention, to be held at Freeport, to present the name of Mr. Bedford as a candidate for Circuit Judge - the circuit embracing seven counties. This fact is mentioned as indicating the position which he occupies among his fellow-citizens and as a lawyer. He has been a close student and an extensive reader, also an industrious worker, and may be denominated a successful man in the best sense of the term.

Jefferson County, N. Y., was the native place of our subject, his birth occurring Sept. 15, 1844, near Cape Vincent. His father was John W. Bedford, a native of the township of Marysburg, Prince Edwards District, now Province of Ontario, Canada, and born of American parents, his father being a native of Ulster County, New York. He was a well-educated man, but fond of country life, and while following the profession of a teacher, also carried on farming. He was possessed of more than ordinary genius in connection with mathematics, and was the author of Bedford's Arithmetic, which was generally adopted in the public schools of Northern New York.

The father of our subject came to the States soon after the close of the war of 1812, with his parents, settling in Jefferson County, N. Y., where he was married to Miss Mary, sister of Prof. L. C. Cooley, of Vassar College. This lady was born in Steuben County, N. Y., of parents who were natives of New England. The elder Bedford emigrated with his family to this country in 1855, and settled in Warren Township. His death took place in AVarren March 12, 1880, when he was past sixty-nine years of age. He was a sound Republican politically, as well as a Prohibitionist, a man of decided viewsj and one respected. The wife and mother, still living, is now seventy years of age, and makes her home with her only daughter, Mrs. Judge Rogers, of Denver, Col. She is a wellpreserved old lady, bright and intelligent, and has hosts of friends wherever she has been known. To the parents of our subject there were born four children: Ellen A., wife of Judge Rogers; Edward L., and two, deceased, passed away at a tender age.

Mr. Bedford spent his boyhood days in this county, and was trained to habits of industry and economy, which he does not now regret, for that early experience was probably the best schooling which could have been given him. Upon reaching man's estate, he was married, in Steuben County, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1871, to Miss Ellie Evans, who was a native of that county, and born Oct. 8, 1850. Her parents were Clinton and Mary (Deuel) Evans, and the father, a trader and merchant, died in Steuben County, in the prime of life. The mother is still living, having remained a widow, and continues her residence in Steuben County, being sixty-five years old. Mrs. Bedford was reared to womanhood in the county of her birth. She is a very intelligent lady, and Nature has conferred upon her an unusual talent, that of a sculptor, in connection with which she has done some creditable work in plaster casts and similar things. She is also quite skillful as a painter, and their snug home is decorated with many evidences of her taste and skill. To Mr. and Mrs. Bedford there was born one child only, a son, Claude, who died when an interesting lad of fourteen years. It is hardly necessary to say that this was a severe blow to the parents, and they received the deep sympathy of many friends. They are favorites in the social circle, and Mrs. Bedford is a regular attendant of the Presbyterian Church. The following is an article on the " Sudden Death of Claude E. Bedford," which appeared in the Galena Gazette of April 8, 1887, and shows the high regard the young man's comrades had for him : the sad news of the death of their only child, Claude Evans Bedford, who breathed his last at 6 o'clock this morning, at the age of fourteen years six months and fifteen days. Claude was taken ill on Sunday evening, and it soon became apparent to his physician that his disease was cerebro spinal meningitis. The symptoms, however, did not assume a serious aspect until last evening, when the attendants became alarmed by the patient's delirium and other alarming symptoms. He grew worse during the night, and it became evident that the end «was near.

" Claude was a bright, studious boy, and possessed traits of dignity and manliness far beyond his years. He was a student in the German-English College, where he stood high in his class, and was greatly esteemed by the faculty for his manly conduct and studious habits. This sudden taking off of an only child, and one so full of promise, brings a crushing weight of affliction to his fond parents. They have the heartfelt sympathy of the community.

"- Upon hearing of the sudden and unexpected death of our highly respected and dearly beloved friend, pupil and schoolmate, Claude E. Bedford, we, the faculty and students of the German-English College, of which he was an honored member at the time of his death, having endeared himself to all by his gentleness, generosity, honesty and courage in the discharge of his duties as student, meriting in death such tribute of respect and expression of regret as will manifest our appreciation of the irreparable loss we have hereby sustained, unanimously adopt the following resolutions :

'" First. That the example of Claude's life and untimely death is full of lessons for the young, which we will, with Divine help, earnestly observe.

" 'Second. That we deeply lament his loss, and tender our heartfelt sympathy to his afflicted parents, reminding them in this, the saddest hour of their lives, of the consolation offered by the knowledge that in the faithful discharge of his obligations towards God, and his responsibilities toward his parents, teachers, schoolmates and friends, he has earned for himself an everlasting repose from the trials of life and ills that flesh is heir to, commending them in their sorrow to the Giver of all Good, "who doeth all things well.' "

RS. ELIZABETH EUSTICE. In the first settlement of Jo Daviess County the pioneer wives and mothers amply fulfilled their part, and should not be passed by without mention. They stood up bravely by the side of their husbands during the early days of tod and struggle, and reared their children to be strong of muscle and independent in disposition. Among them should be prominently mentioned the lady with whose name we preface this sketch. She was born in Monmouthshire, England, May 11, 1822, and is the daughter of William and Elizabeth Smith, with whom she resided in her native county until a young lady of twenty years.

About 1842 William Smith set sail for America with his family, embarking at Liverpool on a sailing-vessel, and, after an ocean voyage of about eight weeks, landed in Baltimore City. Thence the parents proceeded to Springfield, Ohio; but their daughter Elizabeth remained in Baltimore for about one year thereafter in company with her two younger sisters, the parents not knowing then where they would settle. From Springfield they shortly afterward removed to Youngstown, where they resided a short time, then returned to Maryland, and lived three years. . At the expiration of this time they returned to Ohio, settling on land near Youngstown, and the father was subsequently murdered by one of two hunters who had been trespassing on his farm. He was shot, and died three days afterward. The murderer and his friend were both Mormons. The mother, after the death of her husband, remained on the farm until her common schools of her native county. She was first married there Sept. 5, 1843, to John Green, also a native of England, and who died-a few years after their marriage. Mrs. Green was married to John Eustice, and became the mother of two sons - Daniel N. and Edward A. The former is a traveling salesman for a Galena establishment, and the latter is located in Warren, 111., and is a general merchant. Mr. Eustice was born in England, and emigrated to America in early manhood, settling in Elizabeth Township, this county, about 18404 He purchased eighty acres of land from the Government, upon which he operated succcesst'ully. and later added to his real estate, until at the time of his decease, which occurred Feb. 13, 1872, he had a fine farm of 280 acres. He had retired from active labor, and spent his last years amid the comfort? of a pleasant home in Elizabeth village. His pioneer record is similar to that of many of the men of his time; he taking up wild land, bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation, and enduring in common with his neighbors many hardships and privations, it often requiring great ingenuity to make both ends meet. He occasionally occupied himself as a miner, but usually gave his attention to farming pursuits.

Our subject was the second wife of Mr. Eustice. By his first there was born a large family of children, of whom the following are known to be living, namely: William H., Ann (Mrs. Chynoweth), Mary (the wife of Thomas Lawrence), Jenefor (Mrs. Woodman Thompson), and Richard. Mr. Eustice was a man highly respected in his community, and always took an active interest in everything calculated to improve the county and elevate society. Politically, he was a Republican, and in religious matters a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a member of the Village Board of Trustees; was noted for his liberality, and in his family was a kind and indulgent father and husband. His name is held in kindly remembrance by hosts of friends.

Mrs. Eustice, in addition to valuable property in Elizabeth, is also owner of the farm which was built up by her husband from the wilderness, and which is the source of a handsome income. During her long residence in this county she has become widely and favorably known, and is numbered among the pioneer wives and mothers who have a ripe experience, and have been permitted to look upon scenes which can never be repeated in the history of Illinois. She can tell many an interesting tale of life in the early days, and her experience with others of that period is one which should be preserved for the benefit of generations yet unborn.

JM. IRVIN, the pioneer merchant of Apple River, came to Northern Illinois before the Indians had left the Prairie State, and before the iron horse had made his inroads into the center of the State. He was born in Leba.- non County, Pa., May 25, 1825, and there spent his childhood and youth on a farm. His educational advantages were quite limited, he having to go three miles to school, which was conducted princpally in the winter season. He was at an early age taught to use the axe, the scythe and the cradle, and trained to those habits of industry which have served him well in later years. He was led to come West through the influence of his brothers, one of whom, William, conducted a store of general merchandise at Cedarville, and for whom our subject officiated as cleik for a time after his arrival here, in 1853. The year following, Mr. Irvin put up a store building for himself, 20x30 feet in dimensions, drawing the lumber from Galena, and thus was inaugurated the first mercantile establishment at Apple River. He has since that time been engaged in this business, and has built up an extensive patronage. He put up his residence in 1870, and has a very neat and comfortable home. He served as Postmaster for a period of sixteen years, then resigned in favor of another man. He voted with the Republican party for many years, but is now strongly in sympathy with the Prohibition movement. He has officiated as School Director for many years, and in the Methodist Episcopal Church as a Steward and Trustee.

The parents of our subject were John and Elizabeth (Brown) Irvin - the father born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and the mother in the city of Reading, Pa.; the latter was of German descent.

After emigrating to the United States, John Irvin became owner of a farm in Pennsylvania, and died there in 1855, at the age of seventy-three years. Tbe mother had died at the same age, in 1853. They were the parents of six children, the eldest of whom, Catherine, is the wife of Marcus Montelius, ex-Surveyor of Stephenson County, and she is now residing near Buena Vista; John B. died near Jonesboro, this State; he had been connected with the Illinois Central Railroad, in which he was one of the pioneer contractors of the State, beginning operations as early as 1834. He was at Leavenworth, Kas., during the time of the Kansas-Nebraska troubles, and took an active part in suppressing them, thus justly earning the title of Colonel. He was at one time the Republican nominee for Governor of Kansas. William, also deceased, was likewise a noted railroad contractor, and at the outbreak of tha Rebellion raised a company of soldiers in Rock River Township, Stephenson County, of which he became Captain. He died in Geneseo, this State, where he had been living in retirement for some time. George W. is farming in Howard County, Kas.; -lacob died at Sibley, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Irvin became the parents of seven children, only one of whom is living - a son, George Washington. He is a promising young man, a scholar of more than ordinary ability, and expects to enter the Northwestern University, at Evanston, 111., in September of the current year (1889).

(v> n oldest and most highly respected citizens of ^^f Apple River, and a pioneer of this county, among other good natural capacities is possessed of a remarkable memory, and readily recalls many of the scenes and incidents which made life interesting during the early settlement of Apple River Township. During his long residence in this section he has become widely and favorably known to a large proportion of its people, having served the public in various capacities, and been uniformly a man of worth and responsibility.

In making their journey to Illinois the family traveled after the fashion of those days, going to Pittsburgh in a wagon, and thence down the Ohio River on a flat-boat, which landed them at Golconda, 111., where the father had relatives. The present site of Galena was then a hamlet of twenty log-cabins. In 1827 our subject saw the whole tribe of Black Hawk Indians at Kock Island, who were then being held on the Black Hawk Reservation. About that time occurred the Indian troubles; but the Government soon sent out troops sufficient to effect terms of peace. Local companies of militia were raised in 1832, in which our subject and his father did service under Capt. Scales, and assisted in guarding the garrison at Mt. Charles. Upon the cessation of difficulties they returned to their farm, and settled down to mining and the peaceful pursuits of agriculture.

Mr. Lichtenberger attended the first school in the county outside of Galena, and which was conducted iu a log house, the floor of mother earth and the roof covered with sod. One log was cut out of the south end of the building, and therein was placed a row of panes of glass, through which light was admitted. The school was sustained on the subscription plan, and taught by George Cubbage, from New Jersey. Young Lichtenberger secured his education by an attendance of eight months at this institution ; but he has been a reader all his life, and improved his opportunities for knowledge, so that he is more than ordinarily well informed. He often looks back with fond recollection to the old days, and has a valuable relic in the shape of a powder-horn, made from the right horn of one of the oxen which assisted in breaking the first 10-acre lot of prairie in this county. The family experienced all the hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier, and our subject distinctly remembers the time when wild turkeys, prairie chickens, pheasants, wolves, quail, and other wild creatures roamed fearlessly over the country, which had been little disturbed by the foot of white men. There were also wild ducks and geese5 and one time, while residing at Scales Mound, on a drizzly, dark night, myriads of pigeons settled in the timber near his home, and lighted in such numbers as to break down some large oak trees. Mr. Lichtenberger and several others went out and caught about 1,200 of the birds with clubs and their bare hands.

The life of Mr. Lichtenberger has been spent mostly in farming, teaming, and mining. In 1840 he was married to Miss Hettie Hooper, whose parents were natives, respectively, of Kentucky and North Carolina, and the former of Welsh and English ancestry. The mother was descended from , the Scotch-Irish, and the paternal grandfather was an own cousin of Gen. Jackson. The parents were married in North Carolina, whence they emigrated to Indiana as early as 1814. Mr. Hooper was a frontiersman in the War of 1812. Finally, leaying Indiana, they crossed the Mississippi into Jefferson County, Mo., where they lived three years; and then, in 1833. came to this count}', and settled on a farm near Scales Mound, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. Hooper died in 1 850, at the age of fifty-three years, and. his wife in 1866, aged sixty-three. Their seven children were named respectively, Mary, Lydia, Harvey, Hettie, Jackson, Volney,-and Ann. Hettie and her brother Volney are the only survivors.

Mrs. Lichtenberger was born Feb. 9, 1826, six miles south of Terre Haute, Ind., and received a common-school education. She was married when a maiden of seventeen, and to her and our subject there were born nine children, namely: Helen M., Eli L., Alfred A., James Jackson, Olive C, Frank P., George V., Alice, and Harry B. The eldest daughter is the wife of Lloyd Underwood, a gas-fitter of Freeport, and the mother of one child, Jennie; Eli L. married Miss Aulia Smith, of Meridian, Iowa, and is engaged as a butcher at that place; they have one child, a son, Lee. Alfred A. died in 1867; James J. married Miss Aurelia Bell, of Apple River, and occupies himself as a carpenter at Meridian, Iowa; they have four children - Viola, Milly, Harry, and Cora. Olive C. (Mrs. Frederick Held) is a resident of Freeport; Frank P., a carpenter by trade, married Miss Ruth Matthews, and has two children - Lola and Alice. George V. is represented elsewhere in this work;

Mr. Lichtenberger carried on farming in Scales Mound Township during the summer season, and prosecuted mining in winter, until 1867, when he sold his farm there, and purchased a homestead in Apple River. He raised crops three seasons, and then retired from active labor. For the past ten years he has been Street Commissioner, and prior to this had been Supervisor of Scales Mound Township, and Highway Commissioner there about three years. He has held this latter office in Apple River Township for a period of fifteen years, and has discharged the duties pertaining to it in a remarkably efficient manner. He has uniformly signalized himself as the friend of education, and was -one of the first School Commissioners of Scales Mound Township. Although now in the seventythird year of his age, he is remarkably well-preserved, and on New Year's day, 1889, cut and piled up a cord of wood, besides doing his chores, walking to the timber, one and one-fourth miles and back, and then would not own to being fatigued. He is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party.

The parents of our subject were Conrad and Julia Ann (Kimmel) Lichtenberger, natives of Somerset County, Pa. The father served in the Black Hawk War, in the same company with his son, Cyrus, and prior to this had been a soldier in the War of 1812. The family on both sides of the house is of German ancestry, and the maternal grandfather of our subject, George Kimmel, a native of the Fatherland, crossed the Atlantic with his parents when a boy of twelve years, they settling near Philadelphia. The parents of our subject were married in Somerset County, Pa., and emigrated to Illinois with their children in 1822, and settled first in Jackson County. The father was a tanner and currier by trade, and established a tanyard here; but on account of sickness sold out and removed to Randolph County, settling near Kaskaskh. He lived there for a time on a rented f.inn, then went to St. Clair County, and erected another tan-yard near Belleville. He lived there until 1827, in which year he sold out and came to Galena. Here he engaged in mining, settling on the east fork of the Fever River, near what is now

Scales Mound. Finally he took up a tract of land, which he improved, and upon which he remained until his death, which occurred Oct. 29, 1836, at the age of forty-seven years. The mother resided on the homestead until about a year before her decease, when she removed to Chicago, and made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Amanda Nourse, until her death, which occurred in 1867, at the age of seventy-nine years. The following children comprised the parental household, namely: Harriet, Cyrus, Eliza A., James Monroe, Julia, Amanda, George, and Alexander. Of these there are only three living - Julia, Amanda, and- our subject.

^ WILLIAM T. PENY. The property of which this gentleman is the owner was acquired by him through hard labor and the practice of economy. He commenced in life dependent upon his own resources, and has been rewarded with a goodly measure of success. He owns and occupies a well-regulated farm of 152 acres on section 19, Scales Mound Township, and might now retire from active labor, as he is in possession of a competence.

In glancing back at the history of William T. we find that his father, William Peny, Sr., wa§ born in Windham Parish, Cornwall Co., England, and married Miss Margaret Moyle, a native of the same. Grandfather Peny, also a native of Cornwall County; engaged in farming, and there spent his entire life. Grandfather Thomas Moyle was a Cornish miner, and died in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. William Peny spent the years of his early manhood as a miner in his native county, and also owned a small farm. Not being satisfied with his condition or his prospects, he sold out, and in 1849 emigrated to America. Coming to this county, he thereafter made his home at Scales Mound until his death, which occurred in November, 1857, at the age of fifty-five years. The mother had died in England, in 1848, at the age of forty-five. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Five of their ten children lived to mature years - William T., our subject; Martha, who died in this county; Eliza-

Our subject was born in Cornwall County, England, March 9, 1828, and at an early age was put to work on the farm. Later he occupied himself in a rock quarry, and at the age of sixteen years began mining. He continued at this until twentytwo years old, and on the 15th of June, 1850, embarked on the vessel "Oregon" for America. After a voyage, of six weeks and four da3's,.he landed in New York City, whence he proceeded to Chicago, and from there by team to White Oak Springs, where he engaged in lead-mining on his own account. In 1853 he went up Lake Superior into the copper mines, working 1,000 feet below the surface until the spring of 1857. Later he turned his attention to lead-mining, and in 1859 quit the business altogether, giving his attention to agricultural pursuits. He rented a tract of land in Scales Mound Township, and in 1870 purchased his present farm, which was then an uncultivated tract of land, eighty-six acres in extent. Twentythree acres of this had been broken ; but aside from this there had been no attempt at improvement. He put up a dwelling, erected barns, corn cribs and sheds, and in 1876 purchased 66 acres adjoining on the same section. He now has a good farm of 132 acres, with modern improvements, a grove of forest trees and a flourishing apple orchard, besides 20 acres of native timber. He is considerably interested in stock-raising, keeping graded Short-horn cattle and good breeds of horses.

Mr. Peny was married in Scales Mound Township, July 24, 1857, to Miss Eliza, daughter of William and Susanna (Thomas) Hancock. She was born in Camburn, England, in January, 1836, and came with her parents to America when a little girl of five years. Her parents were also natives of Cornwall County, and her paternal grandfather, Stephen Hancock, was a Cornish miner, who died in England. He was a worthy man and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also Grandfather Gilbert Thomas, who followed the occupation of a teamster.

small farm and carried on agriculture and mining combined. He died at his comfortable homestead, in April, 1884, on Easter Sunday, at the age of seventy-three years. The mother had passed away in 1868, at the age of fifty-four years. Their six children were named, respectively, Eliza, Richard, deceased; Edward, a resident of Wisconsin; Joseph, who lives in Iowa; William and Stephen, in Wisconsin.

To Mr. and Mrs. Peny there were born ten children, namely: Susan J., William T., Jr.; Eliza A., Richard, Edward, Mary, Martha, Henry, John and Joseph. Susan is the wife of Thomas Wright, a farmer of Scales Mound Township; the others are at home with their parents. Mr. Peny politically is a sound Republican, and has held the various local offices, being a member of the School Board three years and Road Supervisor seven years. In religious matters he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAMES H ANNA. To note all the interesting events in the career of Mr. Hanna, one of the prominent and wealthy residents of Hanover Township, would comprise a volume of interesting reading, treating largely of the manner in which he labored and persevered for a series of years in the cultivation of a large tract of land, and the establishment of a homestead. He is now the owner of 400 broad acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and upon which he has erected the necessary buildings, meeting the requirements of the intelligent modern agriculturist. In his accumulations he has been unaided, except by his excellent and_ sensible wife, having commenced at the foot of the ladder dependent upon his own resources. He is numbered among the leading citizens and pioneers of Jo Daviess County. His home lies on section 7, in Hanover Township, and forms one of the most attractive features the in landscape of that region.

Our subject was born in County Monaghan, in the North of Ireland, about the year 1812, and is the son of James and Margaret (Greer) Hanna, who were of Irish birth and parentage. He received a common-school education, and was reared to man's estate in his native county. He started for Americain 1 834, when a young man of about twenty-three years, securing passage at Belfast on a sailing-vessel, which, after a voyage of seven weeks and three days, landed him in the city of Baltimore, Md. Thence he proceeded to Washington County, Pa., but a short time afterward set out for Northern Illinois. Locating in Hanover Township, this county, he carried on farming a number of years; then, longing for a sight of the old faces, he recrossed the Atlantic to Ireland, and spent six months with his parents and among the friends of his youth. Then returning to this county, he settled on his present farm. He entered nearly 400 acres of land from the Government at the time when there had been very little attempt made at improvement, and it is hardly necessary to say that in bringing it to its present condition he has expended years of labor, and hundreds of dollars. There could be reared no finer monument to his industry and perseverance than this property, which will serve to keep him from want in his declining years.

Mr. Hanna found his bride in this county, being in married in Hanover Township, Nov. 23, 1843, to Miss Mary Crawford. This union has resulted in the birth of six children. The eldest daughter, Agnes, is the wife of John Dick, of Scott County, Kan.; Maggie married Mr. Stewart Sanderson, and lives in Hanover Township; William, John, Lizzie, and Hattie remain at home with their parents. Mrs. Manna has proved a most efficient assistant to her husband in his labors and struggles, and has reared her children in a manner which has made of them good and worthy citizens. As among the most worthy pioneers of this county, they have thus, in the building up of one of its finest farms, contributed much toward its growth and development, and the value of its real estate.

Mrs. Hanna was born in the North of Ireland, November, 1819, and is the daughter of John and Agnes (Stewart) Crawford, who were also natives of that same region. Her father died when she was a child of seven years. When a young woman of twenty years, she came to America with her mother, and they sojourned a few months in Orange County, N. Y. In 1842 they set out for Northern Illinois, where she soon met her future husband. The mother died at the home of her son-in-law. Samuel Sanderson, in Rice Township, in 1876. The parental family consisted of seven children, three of whom are living and are all resident of Jo Daviess County, 111.

MOS H. WEIR. In this gentleman Woodbine Township finds one of her most intelligent and skillful farmers and stockraisers, and one of her leading citizens, who has borne an honorable part in the management of her public affairs. He is a Pennsylvanian by birth, having been born in Mercer County, that State, Jan. 19,1836. His father, the late James Weir, a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., was well known as an active pioneer of Jo Daviess County, although he was not among its earliest settlers. He came here with his family in 1850, and located first on section 35, this township, and subsequently removed to his present place.

James Weir's death occurred here July 12, 1886, when he rounded out a long life of eighty-seven years-years fraught with usefulness and good works, wherein he gained and retained the regard of his neighbors by the integrity of his character and his upright dealings. His widow, who is equally well esteemed, survives him at the venerable age of eightyeight years, and makes her home with her son, our subject, who surrounds her by every comfort, and makes her declining years pleasant and free from every care. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Hill, and she was born in Mercer County, Pa. She is the mother of six children, as follows : Julia A., now Mrs. Reed; Sarah, now Mrs. Dean ; Esther,now Mrs. McGrath; Amos H.; Nancy J., and Emeline Rankins, of this township.

The subject of this brief biographical notice passed the first fourteen years of his life in his native State, and was the recipient of a very good education. The remainder of his life has been spent in this State. He grew to a stalwart, independent manhood, and early selecting the calling of a farmer, has since successfully pursued it, and now owns one of the best appointed and best man- aged farms in this vicinity. It comprises 181 acres of unsurpassed fertility, which are under careful cultivation, and yields abundant returns in reward for the labor expended on them. The farm is supplied with suitable buildings, and is in all respects admirably adapted to raising stock, to which branch of agriculture our subject pays much attention, having fine herds of well-graded stock.

Mr. Weir has an attractive, cosy home, presided over by one of the best of wives, who looks well after the comfort of her household. Mrs. Weir's maiden name was Nancy Wilkinson, and she was born in this county in 1846, being a daughter of the late William and Jane (Guthrey) Wilkinson, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively, and pioneers of this county. Her marriage with our subject was solemnized Nov. 18, 1863, and their pleasant home circle is completed by the two daughters born to them - Lottie M. and Bertha - two intelligent, well-bred young ladies, whom their father takes great pride in giving the best educational advantages in his power.

Having lived here since boyhood Mr. Weir is well-known throughout this and adjoining townships, and none know him but to respect him, as he has ever shown himself to be guided by the highest principles of honor and integrity. His intelligent, well-informed mind, tact, and capacity for business have made him, in the eyes of his fellow-citizens, a desirable public official, and he has taken an active part in the administration of local affairs, having been Assessor of the Township four years, and Highway Commissioner eight years. He is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church as one of its most consistent members.

! /OHN MATTM1LLEE. The ideal country home is admirably illustrated in that owned and occupied by this citizen, who is one of the most valued members of the community of Dunleith Township. His farm, which is pleasantly located on sections 3, 34 and 35, possesses for him more than ordinary significance, as it comprises the land which he secured when first coming a pioneer to Jo Daviess County. The im- provements then consisted of a small shanty, 10x12 feet in area and 8 feet in height, in which the family lived about a year until they could build a better residence. This next structure they occupied until 1865, and then there was erected a substantial dwelling of brick and stone on the hill near by.

The task of climbing the hill, however, became a burden to the Mattmiller family, and in 1882 our subject, to whom the property had in the meantime fallen, partly as his share and partly by purchase, constructed his present commodious farm-house at the foot of the hill and near the highway. Other buildings in the meantime have sprung up around it, including a fine, large barn, across the road from the house used for general purposes, and a large hay-barn with a capacit}' of 100 tons. This latter is situated some distance away. Upon the hill, east, there is still another barn. Mr. Mattmiller at present is giving his attention chiefly to stock-raising, making a specialty of Short-horn cattle, of which he feeds annually about 100 head.

The first twelve years of the life of our subject were spent on the other side of the Atlantic, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, where he was born June 22, 1835. He came with his parents, William and Sarah (Messner) Mattmiller, to the United States in 1847, and until 1860 they sojourned in the State of New York, and in Northern Wisconsin (at a place now called Menominee City). In the spring of this year they removed to this county, and our subject, in company with his brother Jake, rented the land upon which the subject of our sketch lives. In 1864 this farm, comprising 605 acres, became theirs by joint purchase. In 1875 our subject purchased the interest of his brother in the property, and he has since given to it his best efforts, with the results which we behold to-day, and which it would seem he might reflect upon with abundant satisfaction. It is hardly necessary to say that it has been brought to its present state only by years of industrious labor and the outlay of a large amount of money. In the fall of 1882 Mr. Mattmiller and his family visited the home of his childhood in Germany, spending the winter following with the friends and associates of his childhood.

marriage of our subject with Miss Frederica Geigele. This lady was born in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany. Her parents were Gottleib and Elizabeth (Miller) Geigele, who were also born in the Grand Duchy of Baden, where they were reared and ' married. Mrs. Mattmiller came to the United States in 1866. Her mother is now living in Germany, and her father is deceased. They were all Protestants in religion, and Mrs. Mattmiller belongs to the Zion's (Evangelical) Church. To Mr. Mattmiller and wife have Been born six children, viz.: Carrie Elizabeth, Katie Melia, John Louis, Raymond Frederick, Henry Elmer and Addie Idella. Mr. Mattmiller has two brothers, one of whom, Jake, resides near Portland, Oregon, where he is farming; the other, Frederick, is farming at Algona, Iowa. They both own farms. He has three sisters - Kate Mink, who resides with her husband at Burton, Wis. ; Sarah Mark, who resides near Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Caroline Thill, who resides in East Dubuque.

Our subject politically usually affiliates with the Republican party; he voted for Lincoln, and has been quite prominent in local affairs, serving as Commissioner of Highways several terms and as a School Trustee in his district a number of years.

^^^y spection District of the United States, constituting the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries above Keokuk, Iowa, the Red River, and that part of the Missouri River and its tributaries above Yankton, Dak., . and the Lake Superior regions bounded b}' the States of Minnesota and Wisconsin. This is a Federal office, and has been held by the Captain for the last ten years.

Capt. Scott has had an extended river experience as a steam-boat engineer, and for a period of nine years (during which he was a resident of Fulton) he was Chief Engineer of the Diamond Jo Steamboat Company. He has also officiated in the same capacity for the Minnesota Packet Company. In early manhood he served a thorough apprenticeship as a machinist and blacksmith at Pittsburgh, Pa., and commenced his experience as an engineer as early as 1848. He labored as a machinist a number of years, and served for a time in the forging rooms of the Holmes edged tool factory at Pittsburgh, where he became an expert as a finisher, and by his close acquaintance with the master temperer of tools, obtained a fine knowledge of this art. He worked in different places in Pennsylvania, and naturally became generally acquainted with the manufacture of iron and steel.

The father of our subject, Hugh Scott, was in early manhood engaged as a scythe manufacturer, and later took up general blacksmithing in and around Pittsburgh, and was noted for his skill as a mechanic. He died at the age of sixty-five years. He was born in the Keystone State, and descended from Scotch ancestry, as also did the mother, Mrs. Jennie (McComyne) Scott. The latter was born and reared in Washington County, Pa. She survived her husband, and died in her native State, at the age of seventy-two years. Both were active members of the Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of six sons and five daughters, four of whom, two sons and two daughters, are living. The sons, like their father before them, follow blacksmithing. John G., our subject, is the only one living in the West, the others preferring their native State.

Capt. Scott lived with his father until the death of the latter, although away some of the time, working to obtain money so that he might pursue his education. When ready to establish domestic ties of his own he was married to Miss Anna Delany, a native of Ireland, who came with her parents to America when quite young. The latter died soon afterward, and she was reared by friends and strangers. The children of her union with our subject are recorded as follows: Jennie, Kittie, and Belle died young; Frank married Miss Mina Boughton, and is engaged in an iron manufactory at Dubuque; Estella i.s the wife of Dr. J. F. McCarthy, of Dubuque.

Capt. Scott was nearly three years in the service, and received his appointment as Assistant Chief Engineer, U. S. N., Mississippi Squadron, Dec. 2, 1862. On the 4th of June, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of Chief Engineer, which post he held until the close of the war. He saw some active service, but escaped unharmed. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Subordinate Lodge No. 12, at Dubuque, and in the Masonic fraternity is connected with the Bine Lodge, and Metropolitan Lodge No. 49, at Dubuque. He is also a member of the G. A. R.

f-ILLIAM JOHNSON, an honored resident of Stockton Township, is a venerable pioneer of Jo Daviess County. He has witnessed almost the entire growth of this section of Illinois, and has honorably done his part to promote it by his labors as a farmer. He is a veteran of the Black Hawk War, and can relate many interesting episodes of that famous contest with the aboriginal owners of the soil for the possession of this part of the country. And our subject can also give much valuable information concerning , the early settlement of this county and its pioneer history. He has been a hard worker, having had his own way to make in the world, has been prospered in his undertakings, and is comfortably well off in this world's goods. He has a good farm of seventysix and one-half acres, located on section 21, which, in point of cultivation and improvements, ranks as one of the best managed estates in all Stockton Township.

Mr. Johnson was born in Jackson County, 111., Dec. 8, 1814, his father, Robert B. Johnson, who was born near Bowling Green, Ky., having been an early pioneer of that part of Illinois. He subsequently removed to Worth County, Mo., and died there in 1862. The maiden name of his wife, mother of our subject, was Sarah Flack. She was born in one of the Carolinas, and died in Davis County, Mo.

Our subject was reared amid the pioneer scenes that surrounded his early home in Jackson County, and he received his education in a subscription school that was held in a rude log-cabin, with split poles for seats, puncheon floor, and a board on pins against the wall served the double purpose of desk for the pupils to write on, and to cover the long opening in the wall that served :i» :i uindo"', when it was bad weather. Early in his youth he became an independent, self-supporting individual, and for several years after coming to this county he ran a sawmill. May 25, 1830, he settled on the Dixon and Galena road, ten miles east of Galena, in what is now Guilford Township. He subsequently enlisted in 1832 to take part in suppressing the Indian uprising under the noted Indian chief, Black Hawk, although he was then but a youth of eighteen years. He was stationed in the fort at Elizabeth, and helped to repel the attack of the savages. There was but one white man killed in the struggle, a friend and neighbor of our subject, who was shot down at his side. When our subject came to Jo Daviess County he found it in a very wild condition; as its early settlers had scarce had time to make any marked improvement. There were many deer, wild turkeys, and other game in abundance roaming at will over these prairies, and our subject often shot a deer or other wild animal, although he did not follow hunting regularly. When first, settling here he mined for a short time, but soon turned his attention to farming; and removed from Mill Creek, in Jo Daviess County, to Rush Creek, in the same county, in 1843, where he took up a claim, which was subsequently sold to Jacob Buck. When land came into market, about the year 1846, he purchased Government land, on which he built a double log cabin, broke prairie, built fences, and performed all necessary work in the opening of a good farm. In 1853 he sold this farm to Hezekiah Milligan, and purchased 177 acres of David T. Barr, in the northeast corner of Derinda Township, same county, where he engaged in merchandising, carried mail, run a tavern, held the offices of Postmaster and Constable, engaged in buying and shipping live-stock, and made himself generally useful as a prominent member of the frontier heroes. In 1870 he sold his Derinda farm to his son-in-law, H. W. Holland, and removed to Stockton ; five miles northeast. Here he engaged in farming, though on a smaller scale; carried mail a portion of the time from Winter's PostofHce to Mt. Carroll, and also, in company with a son-in-law, Henry Winter, did a successful business in a general store for ten years, when the partnership of Winter & Johnson was dissolved. He continued the mercantile busi- ness until 1885, -when he was thrown from a wagon and received injuries which have confined him to his bed up to this date. This affliction has not, however, impaired his mental faculties in the least, his mind remaining as clear as ever, and he bears his great trouble with characteristic cheerfulness and fortitude.

June 9, 1833, nearly fifty-five years ago, William Johnson and Sarah A. Johnson were united in the holy bonds of matrimony, and have since faithfully shared with each other life's joj's and sorrows. She, too, is a native of Jackson County, 111., born April 7, 1818, a daughter of William Johnson, a pioneer of that county. Of the happy wedded life of our subject and his wife nine children have been born, seven of whom are living: Elvira J., Jasper N., Henry H., Sarah A., Minerva S., Amanda L., Adolphus M. Elvira married Allen Whitson, and by him had three children - William Z., Robert A., Sarah J. Mr. Whitson died, and Elvira married for her second husband Henry Holland, of Villisca, Iowa, and they have five children - Patrick H., Leola, Elizabeth, Frances and Bertha; Jasper married for his first wife Delilah Whitson, and they had three children, two of whom are living - James B. and Ida M. Jasper married for his second wife Malinda Miller, and they live in Hanover Township. They have eight children, six of whom are living : LiUie, Alice, Lizzie, Jennie, Samuel, and Georgia. Henry H. married Amanda O'Keefe, and they live in Elizabeth; Sarah married Patrick Hewitt, who was killed in the late war, leaving her with one child, William H. She married a second time, James Sheridan, of Carbon, Iowa, becoming her husband, and they have nine children: Peter, John, Sarah, Amanda, Marcus, Mary, Celia, Lillie, and William H. Minerva married Henry Winter, of Hanover, this county, and they have eleven children: George W., Rose A., Clara V., Maggie R., Christina S., Mabel M., Bertha, Henry G., Sarah E., Alva R., and Ethel V. Amanda married Byron Clay, of Nora Springs, Iowa, and they have two children - Louisa E. and Roy; Adolphus, who Jives with his parents, married Rosetta Sheridan, and they have five children - Florence E., Maggie V.,Hattie B., Sarah J., and William M.

For fifty-nine years Mr. Johnson has been a resident of Jo Daviess County, and during that long period of time has held the respect of his fellowmen by his manly, straightforward course in all the duties of life that have devolved upon him as a man and a citizen. One by one the old pioneers of this county have passed away until there are but few left to tell the tale of those early days; of the sacrifices, hardships, and privations involved in settling up this country by the sturdy, energetic, determined men who had in many cases left friends and comfortable firesides to build up new homes for themselves and families on the wild prairies of the West. As a representative pioneer who has honorably borne a part in the development of this great and wealthy county, and one who is still with us, it gives us great pleasure to place this sketch of his life in this Biographical Albom.

OHN C. WOLFRAM, one of the younger members of the farming community of Rush Township, possesses those qualities of most value in perpetuating the reputation of a prosperous and progressive class of people. He is intelligent, active, industrious and temperate, and is rapidly taking his place among the leading men of this section. His career is watched with friendly interest by his neighbors and acquaintances, who bespeak for him all the success in life which his merit deserves.

Christopher Wolfram, the father of our subject, was born in the southern portion of far-away Prussia in 1812, and married Miss Mary Ann Gille, a native of his own province. They continued residents there until in August, 1851, when they emigrated to America, landing in New York City and sojourning in the Empire State about one and onehalf years. Thence they removed to La Fayette County, Wis., and for sixteen years were residents of New Diggings Township. The father then sold his farm, and coming to this county purchased improved land in Rush Township, the family settling upon it in April, 1869. The father died there Dec. 20, 1878, leaving a comfortable property, comprising a farm of 168 acres provided with substantial buildings. There were only three , children in the parental family: Margaret, the wife of Martin Fiedler, of Rush Township; John C, our subject; and Philip, who is in Rush Township. Mr. Wolfram, on the 10th day of February, 1885, took unto himself a wife and helpmate. Miss Elizabeth Wetzel, who was born in Guilford Township,this county, Nov. 19, 1859. Of this union there have been born two children, a son and daughter - Frank S. and Mary Josephine. Mr. W. politically, supports the Democracy, and with his estimable wife is a member of the Catholic Church; attending services at Apple River. He has held some of the minor offices, and in public, as in private life, discharges all his obligations in that faithful and intelligent manner which insures him the esteem and confidence of all who know him.

(OBERT BRAND, Surveyor of the Port and District of Galena, has held his present po- ^4>»\ sition two years, and has jurisdiction over ^§5! thirty-two boats of registry at this place. He received his appointment under the administration of President Cleveland, and, it is hardly necessary to saj', is a stanch Democrat. He has been connected with the history of Galena since 1850. Upon first coming here he engaged as an auctioneer and real-estate dealer, and in March, 1858, was elected Mayor of the city, which office he held for eight years. Later he was appointed County Superintendent of Schools, the duties of which office he has discharged for thirteen years in succession. He has also been Collector and Auditor, and represented the township in the County Board of Supervisors.

Mr. Brand came to Northern Illinois from St. Louis, Mo., of which he had been a resident ten years. He received his early education in Lexington, Ky., at what is now the Transylvania College, and also attended St. Joseph College, at Bardstown, from which latter institution he graduated, and had for a class-mate Attorney-General Garland. At Lexington one of his fellow-students was Senator

Our subject was born in the city of New Orleans, March 21, 1821, and is the son of Robert and Ameli i (Barbe) Brand, the former of Scotch descent and a native of Charlottesville,Va., and the latter of French and Spanish extraction, and a native of New Orleans, where she was married, and where they resided. Mr. Brand engaged as a cabinet-maker, conducting his own establishment and overseeing his workmen - mostly negroes, whom he held in possession, and who became quite skillful in the art which he taught them. The father of our subject died in t,he Crescent City, in 1832, while still in the prime of life, leaving a comfortable property.

The mother of our subject, after the death of her husband, went with her children to Lexington, Ky., where they were reared to mature years and given a good education. In 1860 they removed to St. Louis, Mo., and from there later to Hot Springs, Ark., where Mrs. Brand made her home with her daughter until her death, which occurred in 1885, when she was eighty-seven years of age. She was then still an active, intelligent and beautiful old lady. Robert, our subject, was the third child in a family of five sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to be married, but only three survive - the two besides himself being Amelia, the wife of Dr. Alfred Ormand, of Hot Springs, and Louis R., a farm.er, living near Edina, Mo.

The subject of this sketch was married near St. Louis, Mo., to Miss Emily B. Hereford, who was born near Point Pleasant, Va., Sept. 11, 1830. She became the mother of a large family, and died at her home in Galena, July 8, 1871. One son and one daughter are deceased. The former, William C, died Nov. 25, 1888, at the age of forty years, in Milwaukee, Wis. He was a commercial traveler, and a man successful and prominent in his calling. Mary A. is the wife of Henry A.Nelson, of San Diego, Cal.; Eva B. married James S. Parker, a rancher, and the Postmaster of Parker, Colo.; Emma Z., Mrs. Frank Barrows, lives in Denver, Colo. ; Emily T. is the wife of Orville H. Curtis, President of the Omaha (Neb.) Rubber Co.; Galena is the wife of William H. May, of Marion,

Iowa, Mr. May being Private Secretary of Superintendent Campbell, of the C. M. & St. P. E. R.; Eliza B. remains at home ; Robert E. is engaged as a clerk at San Diego, Cal. Mr. Brand is an active member of the I. O. 0. F., and holds a prominent position in his lodge.

rf^i EORGE N. TOWNSEND. In the career of this aged and highly respected veteran, we have that of one of the earliest pioneers of Jo Daviess County, one who has seen much of life, and has improved his opportunities by observation of men and things. As a young man he served in the Winnebago War, and can tell many a tale of life on the frontier before the march of civilization had driven away the red man and the wild animals, which at one period roamed without restraint over this part of the country. He has witnessed with the livliest interest the growth and development of Northern Illinois, and the scenes which have passed like a panorama before his eyes, doubtless appear more like a dream than a reality. The men of his time are fast passing away, and it is therefore important that their deeds should be recorded before it is too late.

Mr. Townsend was born in Sussex County, N. J., Aug. 28, 1806, moved to Steuben County, N. Y., when four years old, and there acquired a practical common-school education. With his father and brother Absalom he came West in the fall of 1826. They built a large flat-bottom boat atOlean, on the Alleghany River, upon which were loaded three families, also three span of horses with wagons, and a stock of dry-goods, which they traded as they journeyed. Six weeks were consumed in reaching Lawrenceburg, and they there sold their boat for $350. They then took to their wagons and crossed Indiana to Lawrenceville, on the Wabash.

At this point they left the wagons, and our subject with his father, his brother Absalom, and Dr. W. R. Davis, started across the Grand Prairie on foot to Ft. Clark, now Peoria. They crossed the Wabash Dec. 26. 1826, and started off on an Indian trail running northwest, camping in a grove twenty-five miles beyond on the prairie. On the

27th of December they had to go forty miles to Fielder's Grove, over a prairie upon which stood only one house. The travelers approached the door and inquired if they could stay all night. Mr. F. answered ''Yes, we will have to keep you, for there is no other house within forty miles." Upon broaching the question of supper, Mr. F. stated that he would have to go to mill before he could get them anything to eat. Father Townsend asked how far it was to mill. Mr. F. replied "Fifty-five miles."

There was soon heard a noise at the back of the house, which proved to be Mr. Fielder grinding corn between two stones the shape of a grindstone, about two feet in diameter, a hole in the edge of the top stone, with a stick in it going up into a log that projected overhead. Mr. Fielder turned the stone round and round with his right hand, while with his left he fed the corn into the hole in the center of the top stone. In about one hour there was ready a fine repast of corn bread, venison and honey, which tasted very good to the travelers, who had camped in a grove the night before, and had had no dinner that day. When ready to retire they laid down on the floor, each one in his own blanket. It was forty-five miles to the next grove, and they arrived there just after dark next day. The morning of the 29th opened very cold, with a bitter northwest wind, which our travelers were obliged to face. It was forty miles to the next clump of trees, called Dorson's Grove, where Mr. Dorson lived. They walked single file, Indian fashion, one behind the other, our subject bringing up the rear, and Davis in front of him. After goino- five or six miles the Doctor's hat blew off, but he did not turn to get it. Our subject picked up the hat and put it on him, and then noticed that his face was frozen. Upon reporting this fact to his father, and the latter turning around, it was found that the face of the latter was also white. Their troubles now began in earnest. Father Townsend got on one side of the Doctor, and George N. on the other, endeavoring to warm him, and thus walked along six or eight miles. By this time he could scarcely speak. Father Townsend directed George N. to go ahead and send some one to their relief while he and Absalom would keep the Doctor going

Upon setting out by himself ahead of his party, our subject endeavored to run, but could make only little headway. He had his rifle and knapsack to carry, but his father told him to throw them down. This, however, he declined to do, and made his way onward until he could see the grove he sought, and by looking back could see the party in the rear advancing slowly. The trail led him around the field, which he undertook to cross in the endeavor to save sixt}' or eighty rods of travel, but he fell into a ditch which had been filled with snow, and so finally had to follow the direct trail. He finally reached the house at the edge of the grove, and rapped loudly on the door. After waiting awhile it was opened by an old lady, who remarked, -'You can't come in for there is a woman sick here." Our subject replied, "I want Mr. Dorson to go with a team after some men who are freezing to death out on the prairie." In a few minutes Mr. Dorson made his appearance with the information that he had but one pony and no sleigh, but would go with him. He directed Mr. Townsend to make a fire in a structure which he had built for his smoke house, but which had no roof. There was soon a roaring fire in the center of it, and looking out he saw Mr. Dorson returning on the pony, with one of Dr. Davis' arms up over the pony's neck, and Mr. D. holdinghim up by his other shoulder, and urging him along pretty lively. The Doctor seemed to realize his situation and exerted himself to his utmost.

The party reached the smoke house just before dark, took the frozen man in by the fire, rubbed his face and ears with snow, removed his boots, and put his feet in cold water. The latter, however, were not so badly frozen as they appeared, and he was soon quite comfortable. The elder Townsend probably saved his own life by the exertion required to rescue his friend. They had their supper between nine and ten o'clock, and went into a bed of buffalo robes and blankets for the night.

The next morning the Doctor's feet were in better condition than they had dared to hope for, and by wrapping them in woolen cloths and putting on a pair of moccasins, they were able to proceed on their journey. The next house was thwty miles away, over broken ground and scattered timber, as they neared the river. They followed the Indian trail the first eighteen miles, then struck a wagonroad that led to the fort. The boy Absalom was only fifteen years old, and was even more wearied than the others, but the whole party were nearly "used up." About nine o'clock that night they reached the brow of the hill, and looking down saw sparks coming out of a chimney. This proved to be "old Dad Joe Smith's." Here Absalom staid all night, but the other travelers went on to the next house.

This last was the home of Mr. Pepper, who was quite comfortably situated. The boy Absalom joined them in the morning, and the whole party rested all day. The next day was New Year's, Jan. 1, 1827. The party were ferried across the Illinois River to Ft. Clark. Such were the trials of crossing the prairie sixty years ago. The travelers passed a little south of the present city of Bloomington At the fort John L. Bogardus kept a small tavern. He and his wife were from New York City; he was a magistrate and a lawyer. Mr. Townsend saw one case tried before him, in which one man sued another, and Mr. Bogardus plead the case on one side.

Mr. Bogardus employed our subject to attend to the tavern and stable, Dr. Davis to post books, and the father and Absalom to attend the ferry, and on the 12th of February, our subject, in company with eighteen men, started out for the lead mines, claimed to be a distance of 200 miles away. There was neither road or trail, they having to make their way by compass. Two men by the name of Fulton had been to the mines, and acted as guides. The party carried parched ground corn, sweetened with sugar, to eat, some bread and some meal, and for meat hunted squirrels and prairie chickens. They also carried each a blanket, rifle or ax, and went from grove to grove, cutting down trees at night to build a fire. In sleeping they lay with their feet to the fire, so the wind would take the heat and smoke over them and keep them warm. They were, six days on the journey, the snow being knee deep almost all the way. Upon reaching New Diggings they found six or seven dugouts, and

About this time Mr. Townsend set foot upon the present site of Galena. It was then marked by one house, a small double-log shanty, within which two bachelors kept a, store. What is now the flat was then a marsh. During the summer of 1827 a number of houses were built upon higher ground, which is now called Old Town. Mr. Townsend did not tarry here, but went right back to New Diggings. He prospected considerably, then entered the employ of Henry Gratiot, to work in a smelting furnace. Gen. Dodge discovered the mines at Dodgeville. The Winnebago Indians were working them some, the mineral being near the surface. Gen. Dodge went up and took possession, followed by Mr. Townsend, with others, who began prospecting. The Indians became indignant, and as the whites had no fire-arms, they were obliged to retire gracefully to Gratiot Grove, where they built a fort.

All that could get away now went south to the settlement, taking their teams and effects with them. The Government sent by way of the Mississippi 600 stands of arms and ammunition, and Mr. Townsend, with his comrades, raised four companies of mounted volunteers, who were provided with horses taken by force from their owners if they refused them. Thus they secured between 500 and 600 horses and mules for packing. Mr. Townsend, after passing his twenty-first birthday, enlisted under Col. Dodge and Capt. Wm. S. Hamilton, was elected Orderly Sergeant in a few days, and started for the northeast. They struck the Wisconsin River at English Prairie, where they met Gen. Atkinson, from Ft. Crawford, now called Prairie du Chien, going up in small boats, skiffs, etc., with about 1,000 soldiers, The river was Very low, and they had to get out and pull and push the boats over the sand-bars and shallow places. Gen. Atkinson had some cannon with him, which he fired as he went along, among it one 24-pounder, which so frightened the Indians that they would come and surrender, and were directed to meet them at the Portage on a given day. Gen. Fifer came from Green Bay and met the boys at Portage with some 300 soldiers and a company or so of

Stockbridge Indians. Upon the day appointed there were gathered from 6,000 to 8,000 of the latter, and a good many speeches were made on both sides by the aid of an interpreter. The object was to have the Indians sell their land. When the cannon was fired off, the Winnebagoes would fall back and exclaim, "wa-tee-yah-kin," meaning "Oh dear me;" but one of the Stockbridge Indians slapped his hand on it and said, "that's a d - n big musket," which showed the difference in the two tribes.

After finishing up with the Indians, the soldiers went back to Galena, where they were discharged. They had been obliged to drink very poor water, and in consequence were all sick. A number of their horses were bitten by rattlesnakes, and of course died; others died from exposure. They had all been appraised before starting, and the Government paid full price for them.

Father Townsend and Absalom tarried at Ft. Clark, and raised a crop, which they sold, then proceeded to the mines, which thej' reached about the time Ft. Gratiot was built. The Mississippi was very low, so that boats could not pass the rapids, and consequently provisions were high, a barrel of flour costing 1,000 pounds of mineral. The elder Townsend and six others, including George N., started clown to Sangamon, near Springfield, to buy flour, calculating to get back to the mines in the spring ahead of the boats. They took with them four wagons, four yoke of oxen to each wagon, and twenty-five or thirty cows and calves. They started between- Christmas and New Year's, 1827, when there was about ten inches of snow on the ground, although the weather had moderated before they started. Their wagons were loaded with hay, beef hides, flour, dressed hogs, sugar, coffee, etc. Upon reaching Apple River they found the' water very high, and the forward cattle reached the opposite bank about the time the wagon went in. The current was strong, turned the load over and swung it around against the bank on the other side, so they lost their hay and provisions. They had to cut the bindings loose and let the load go in order to save their wagon. They found a place wider but not so deep, but lost considerable of another load. Thereafter they had no further trouble until reach- ing Rock River, sixty miles further, at which they arrived four days afterward. There was ice on the river, so they unyoked the cattle and drove a few across at a time, and run the wagon over by hand. They camped in groves the entire distance. The miners had employed one John Boles to stake out a road from the mines to Ft. Clark, for which they paid him $120. After crossing Rock River they fed the last of their hay to the cattle. The next morning was warm and rainy, and the travelers started out early. After going six or eight miles they reached Winnebago Inlet, which was very high, with big willows on the other side. They first drove the loose cattle across, then started with the oxen and wagons. Again the wagons swung around against the bank, and they had to detach the oxen. The water was very cold, and one animal was chilled to death before he could be gotten out. For four long hours they worked in this icy water up to the armpits, and then their first business was to get a fire. Fortunately there were old dead trees on the other side, which they cut down. They had no matches, but by the aid of flint and punk which one of the men happened to have in a cotton handkerchief in his hat, they finally got a blaze started, which saved their lives. They, kept the wind off with hides stretched up, and dried themselves as well as they could, but did not get much sleep that night. The next morning there was a cold west wind, and nothing to eat for the cattle, and only fresh veal without salt, for the men. Upon this they subsisted for five days. They drove their cattle about a mile into a red oak grove, and cut down the trees so they could browse, and they got a little grass, as the snow was going off.

At this point our party were passed by three men on horseback, bound for Ft. Clark. They sent word how they were situated, with the request that some one would come to them with supplies. It was about three days' travel to Shell Creek, where they again found high water, but tied their wagon-boxes down, and had no trouble in crossing. There they met the man who had come to relieve them. They were now about twenty-five miles from Ft. Clark, which they reached without further trouble. The weather turning cold, they went into their winter quarters, about seven miles from Springfield. They started back about the 1st of March with four covered wagons loaded with flour and other provisions, and about forty fat steers. At Salt Creek, twenty-five miles away, there was a ferry, and when they reached it the boat was on the other side. The house of the man who kept it was forty rods away, and they could not make him hear. They drove the cattle into the water, and our subject, jumping upon the back of one big, fat steer, rode across, secured the boat, and returning, ferried the wagons and provisions over. Upon reaching Winnebago Inlet they had to take the wagons all to pieces and carry everything in their arms, walking over on a tree which had been felled and laid across the stream.

The next camping place was four miles from the present site of Dixon. When reaching Rock River they lashed together four Indian canoes, ferried their goods across, and induced their cattle to swim the stream. They arrived at Gratiot's Grove March 27. The boats came in two days ahead of them, making the price of flour about $4 per 100. They disposed of their stock and flour, and all things taken together, came out about even, after a hard winter's work.

Mr. Townsend, about the 1st of April, repaired to Dodgeville to work at his old diggings, and remained until about Aug. 1. Then, selling out, he started, about Aug. 20, for New York State. He rode back to his old home on horseback, reaching there the 1st of October, 1828.