Vienna Township

Vienna Township

Daniel and Rhoda (Cummins) ReuifT; raised and educated in Franlilin County, Mass.; by trade a carpenter. He came to Illinois in 1842, and located in Putnam Countj', where he lived twelve years. Here he was married, December 25, 1848, to Miss Lutheria E. Chittenden, daughter of Daniel and Mary Chittenden ; she was born in the State of New York, March 19, 1831, and came to Illinois when six 3'ears old. They have a family of five children - Lucius M. Reniff, born in Putnam County July 22 1850, married to Miss Jennie Lord, daughter of Abram Lord, of Morris, September 29, 1872 ; Grace E. Reniff, born February 22, 1853, married to Bruce Cooper, February 22, 1874, died in Norman Township May 2, 1875 ; Clara A. Reniff, born April 2, 1856, and married to Engem Van Atta, March 3, 1878 ; Ida M. Reniff, born February 21, 1859 ; Herman G. Reniff, born March 28, 1865. Subject moved to Grundy County in December, 1853, and settled in Norman Township, where he now lives. He owns a farm of 120 acres in Sections 14 and 26. Residence, eight miles southwest from Morris ; land valued at $50 an acre. Mr. Reniff's father died in this county in August, 1861, and his mother in February, 1864. Mrs. Reniff is a member of the Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, of Norman Township Her mother. Mar}- A. (Lowel) Chittenden, was born in Vermont January 24, 1806, and died in Grundy County July 13, 1881. Her father was a uative of York State, where he died in 1837.

THOMAS WINSOR, farmer, P. 0. Morris. The snliject of this sketch is a native of Devonshire, Ipplepen, near Torquaj-, England, born April 21, 1816 ; son of James and Elizabeth Winsor. Subject is the seventh of a family of eleven children ; raised and educated in the elements of an Englisii education in his native country. Married, Februarj' 12, 1843, in England, to Miss Martha Thomas, daughter of William and Mary Thomas, born in Devonshire, near Torquaj-, July 15, 1819. They came to the United States in the sailing vessel "Agnes," landed at New York and came bj- canal and lakes to Joliet, settled in Kendall County for two years, and then removed to Grundy County in 1850 and located in Saratoga Township, where he bought land and lived until 1864, when he removed to Norman Township, where he now lives. Here he owns a farm of 160 acres in Section 24, residence five and a half miles southwest from Morris. Thej' have a family of eleven children, two of whom are dead, one son dying in England, and one daughter in Grundy County. Mr. Winsor is a Republican, and has served Norman Township as Justice of the Peace for eleven consecutive years.

JAMES ANDERSON, retired, Verona, is a native of Huntingdon County, Penn., born May 27, 1817, son of Andrew and Elizabeth Anderson, of Ireland, who came to the United States in 1793, he being then but three years old. When subject was nine j'ears old, his parents moved from Pennsylvania to Harrison County, Ohio, where they lived until 1840, when they removed to Illinois, and settled in

Pike County. There our subject was married, March 25, 1841, to Miss Lydia Marshall, daughter of David and Elizabeth Marshall, born in Huntingdon County, Penn., May 16, 1804. Mrs. Anderson has been blind since the fall of 1874. They came to Grundy County in June, 1855, and settled in Section 13, of Vienna Township, where he owned 330 acres of land, including 168 acres in Section 18 of Mazon

Biographical

Township, where he lived until 1873; he has lately sold his farms and bought property- in the village of Verona, where thej- have lived for the past two years, his father died iu this county February 19, 1857; his mother died in Macon County, 111.; in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Presbj'teriau Church of Verona. Since selling his farms he has retired, and they expect to spend the remainder of their days in the quiet of the village of Verona.

A. H. BRUCE, farmer, P. 0. Verona, is a native of Westford, Mass., born September 29, 1828. When he was two years old, his parents removed to Oneida County, N. Y., where subject was raised and educated; he was married in Oneida County, N. Y., May 31, 1850, to Miss Malvina Janes, daughter of David and Elizabeth Janes; she was born in Oneida County, N. Y., September 17, 1827. In the spring of 1852. they came to Illinois aud settled in Vienna Township, Grriind}- Couutj', where they own a farm of sixty acres, improved land, in Section 26, worth $50 per acre; their residence, is one mile northeast from Verona. They have a family of ten children, three of whom are dead: Lucy A., born March 11, 1851, married to O. Johnson September 11, 1869; Mary E. born September 12, 1852, married to William Dewey June 18, 1873; Lero3- A., born November 25, 1854r, married to Christina Coles January 24, 1878; Elizabeth M., born June 16, 1856, married to James Bennett February 6, 1876; Fred J., born March 21, 1858, died June 1, 1858; Ada A., born June 16, 1859, died March 12, 18G4; Eddie L., horn May 19, 1861, died March 11, 1862; Katie M., born June 16, 1864; Herman A., born March 17, 1866; and Sarah E., born October 23, 1869. Mr. Bruce is one of the early settlers of the county, and remembers when the wolves were very plentiful, and has had them jump at his horse as he rode along. Mr. and Mrs. Janes, parents of Mrs. Bruce, died at the residence of Mr. Bruce

GEORGE W. CARPENTER, grain, Verona, is a native of West Greenwich, R. I.; he was born April 15, 1826, son of Amos and Mary (Baile^') Carpenter, he being the sixth of a family of nine children. When he was about six j-ears old, his father moved to Eastern Connecticut, where george W. was raised and educated. In 1854, he came West and settled in Grundy Count}', 111.; bought 160 acres of land in Section 9, of Mazon Township, where he lived twelve years, and then moved to Morris, where he engaged in the implement and grain business. He remained there in business until 1878, when he came to Verona and engaged in the grain trade, which he still carries on. He shipped, in 1880, 153,638 bushels of corn. He was married first, in 1854, to Miss Sarah Underwood, born in Woodstock, Conn., in 1830, who died while on a visit at Binghamton, N. Y., in 1878. They had three childien, one of whom is dead - Ella A., born in Grundy Count}' April, 1857, married in 1876 to Mr. A. H. Gage, of New York ; Mary B., born in 1861, died in 1863; and Mary Lilian, born December 26, 1866. He married in March, 1881, Mrs. Rebecca Murphy, formerly of Ohio. They have a farm of eighty acres of improved land in Section 12, of Vienna, worth $55 per acre. He is a Republican, and has frequently been elected to the offices of his township. He has an elevator aud a nice residence in the village of Verona.

THOMAS S. COLMAN, farmer, P. 0. Wauponsee, is a native of Putnam County, III, born August 2, 1838, son of John and Mary A. Colman, who moved into Putnam County, 111., from the State of New York, in 1835. His father was born in Vermont in 1797 and died in La Salle County May 2, 1849, and his mother in New Hampshire, in January, 1806 ; she died at the residence of her son, in Norman Township, Grundy County, July 13, 1881. Our subject was raised and educated prinoipall}- in La Salle Cinmty. 111. He married, November 25, 1864, Miss Catharine Nelson, daughter of Miles and Adeline Nelson of New York. She was born in Steuben County, N. Y., December 15, 1838, and is the eldest of a family of five children. Tiieir family consists of three children - John N., born October 1, 1865 ; Guy A., born September 12, 1860 ; William T,, born August 22, 1871. Mr. Colman now owns IGO acres of improved farm land In Section 12, of Vienna Township, valued at 855 per acre ; he resides one half mile south of Wauponsee Station. He is a member of the JIasonic fraternity ; in politics, he is a Kepublican, and has been elected to the offices of his township. He has one brother, John T. Colman, living in Norman Township, Grundy County.

MATTHEW DIX, farmer, P. 0. Verona, is a native of Berkshire, England, born Maj' 4, 1831, son of Charles and Martha Dix, of England. He is the fifth of a fiimily of eight children, and was raised and educated in England. He came to the United States in 1856, in the vessel " Amazon," being six weeks on the passage. He came immediatel)' to Illinois and settled in Kendall Countj', where he engaged in farming for eight years ; came to Grundy County in the spring of 1865. Here he located in Section 22, of Vienna Township, where he owns a farm of 160 acres of well-improved land, and resides one and one-half miles northwest from Verona ; the land is valued at $50 per acre. Mr. Dix was married in Kendall County, September 21, 1864, to Miss Gertrude Cody, daughter of Thomas and Harriet Cody, born in Oneida County, N. Y., July 8, 1843. They have a family of seven children, three of whom are dead - Freddy L., born in Grundy County December 26, 1868 ; Lewis M., December 24, 1870, died of diphtheria December 22,1880; Clara A., born November 2, 1872; MinaG., January 20, 1876, died June 12, 1877 ; Sadie E., born February 3, 1878 ; and Effie !

J., born August 27, 1 879. George T., Mr. Dix's eldest son, boru January 21, 1865, drowned by falling into a tub of water in October, 1866. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Verona.

THOMAS B. GRANBY, farmer, P. 0. Verona, is a native of Greene County, N. Y.; born September 10, 1840, son of James A. and Eliza A. Granby, our subject being the eldest of a family of eight children. His parents came to this county in 1855, from New York ; his mother, Eliza A. (Carter) Granby, died in Grundy County in the tail of 1877 ; his father died December 23, 1879. Mr. Granby was educated in his native State. He enlisted August 10, 1862, in Company D, Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the Vicksburg campaign, under Grant, in 1862, and in the seige of Vicksburg in 1863 ; battle of Raymond, Miss.; Champion Hills; Black River Bridge ; Fort Hill (charge) ; Franklin, Tenn., where he was captured November 30, 1864, by Gen. Hood's force and held in Andersonville and other prisons until March 10, 1865, and was then paroled and in August was mustered out at Springfield, 111. He married November 10, 1872, Miss Mary E. Cooper, daughter of William Cooper. She was born in Indiana July 12, 1846. They have one son - Edgar A., born in Grundy Count}', August 16, 1873. Mr. Granby owns 100 acres of improved land ; eighty acres in Section 10 of Vienna, and twenty acres in Section 29 of Norman Township. He is a Republican.

HENRY G. GORHAM, farmer and grain merchant, Wauponsee, is a native of. Putnam County, III., born November 5, 1848, son of Gardner T. and Elizabeth A. Gorham, who settled in this county in 1849. His mother is a daughter of Jesse and Jane Newport, who settled in Vienna Township in 1834. Mr. Gorham was educated in the common schools of Grundy County, and, at the Lombard LTniversity of Galesbnrg, Ills. He was maiTied, November 6,

1878, to Jliss Clara Lord, daughter of L. M. Lord, of Morris. She was born in Kendall County, III, November 7, 1852. They have one daughter, Mabel, born in Grundy County December 31, 1870. Mr. Gorham is engaged in the grain trade at Hill Park, and has control of the Gorham estate, consisting of 860 acres of farm land in Section 1 of Vienna Township, and Section 6 of blazon Township. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Morris Commandery. His father, who was a native of New York, born in 1804, died in Grundy County October 1, 1872.

AARON HARFORD, Verona, is a son of Harry and JIaria (Tyler) Harford, was born in South Salem, Westchester Co., N. Y., July 2, 1822, and was raised and received the elements of English education in his native State. His mother and President John Tyler were first cousins; she died in San Francisco, Cal., March 10, 1881, in her eighty-eighth year; his father, Harry Harford, died in the same citj' December 25, 1874; he was a soldier through the war of 1812, and was in his ninetieth year at the time of his death. Our subject came to Illinois with his father, and located four miles east of Lisbon, in Kendall Countj', coming the entire distance from the Hudson River with a team. Here he remained with his father until twenty-four years old, at which time, November 1, 1847, he married Miss Francis Dewey, daughter of John and Mary Dewej-, born in Ketton, Rutlandshire, Eng., December 4, 1825, and came to the United States with her parents when about eleven years old. They settled at Wauponsee Grove, in Grundy County, on the farm now occupied by A. Newport, in the spring of 1839, being among the pioneers of Grund3' County. Mr. Harford began life for himself by settling in Vienna Township, where he now lives on land then owned by his wife's father (Dewey). His taxes for first year were about 76 cents; he now owns a tract of land consisting of 620 acres in Sections 14 and 23, of Vienna Township. They have had a family of seven children, three of whom are dead : Cornelia D., born August 9, 1848; married, April 8, 1872, to Mr. Edwin C. Slosson, of Vienna Township; Mary, born February 4, 1850, died June 4, 1851; Fannie M., born November 24, 1852; married, March 28, 1877, to James Mulvanie; Frederick, born September 27, 1854; married to Clara Pomeroy, April 4, 187G; Addison, born :\Lavch 14, 1857, died May 25, 1875; Olive, born July 7, 1861; died June 7, 1870, and Ellen, born April 12, 1864. Mr. Harford has for many years been an extensive stock-raiser, but of late years has tu rned his attention to blooded horses, having first introduced the English draft, Norman and Clydesdale breeds into the county. Politically, he was formerly what was known as an abolitionist; was a Republican during the war, and at present an Independent Greenbacker.

FRED HARFORD, farmer, Vienna, is a son of Aaron and Frances Harford, was born in Grundy County September 27, 1854, and educated in the schools of this county. He married, at Benton Harbor, Mich.- April 4, 1876, Miss Clara A. Pomeroy, daughter of Alexander and Hannah E. Pomeroy. She was born in Portage County, Ohio; was educated at Niles, Mich., and Morris, 111., and taught school during twelve years, from 1864 to 1876, principally in Grundy County, where she enjoys an enviable reputation as a teacher. They have two children; Leland F., born February 15, 1878, died February 23, 1878, and Aaron C, born September 5, 1880. Mr. Harford now owns a farm consisting of 240 acres of valuable land; 160 acres in Section 13, and eighty acres in Section 13 of Vienna Township; his residence is situated two and a half miles northeast from Verona. In politics, he is a Greenbacker, and has served his township officially.

CHARLES A. HILL, farmer, P. 0. Wauponsee, is a native of New Hampshire, born September 18, 1836; son of Capt. Alfred and Ann (Lea) Hill. He is a descendant of Peter

Hill, one of the passengers of the Mayflower in 1G20. His father, Capt. Alfred Hill, was a seaman, being a captain from the time he was twenty-one 3-ears old until the time of his death, which occurred at the wreck of the steamship Rhode Island, when four days out from Xew York, bound for San Francisco, Cal. His mother's ancestry dates back to the nobility of England. She was lost at sea in the wreck of the steamship Home, seven miles off the coast of Charleston, S. C , her husband saving his life on this occasion by swimming ashore. Subject was raised in Oneida Count}', N. Y., by his grandparents (Lea). He married at Verona, Oneida County, N. Y., March 5, 1856, Miss Sarah E. Overocker, daughter of Jacob E. and Betsey Overocker. She was born in New York January 8, 1832. Thej' have a fomil}' of three children - Annie L., born October 20, 1860, married to E. W. Overocker November 11, 1878; Clara A., born August 18, 1867, and Ada B., born July 20, 1869. Mr. Hill came to Grundy County in March, 1859, and has since been a resident of the county. Since 1866, he has lived in Vienna Township, where he owns a farm of 160 acres in Sections 2 and 11, his residence being Hill's Park Station. Mrs. Hill is a member of the Congregational Church of Wauponsee Grove.

JOSEPH HUTCHINGS, farmer, P. O. Verona, is a native of Lincolnshire, Eng., born October 26, 1827; son of William and Mary Hutchings, and was raised and educated in the old country. He came to the United States in 1851, and located in the State of New York for four years, engaged in farming. In the fall of 1855, he came to Illinois and settled in Norman Township, Grundy County, where he lived six years. In the winter of 1861, he bouglit a farm of Aaron Harford, in Vienna Township, upon which he has lived since. He now owns a farm of 320 acres of improved land in Sections 11 and 14, valued at $50 per acre, his residence being two and a half miles north of

Verona. He married in Buffalo, N. Y., November 4, 1855, Miss Bridget Clark, of Ireland, horn December 25, 1833. They have a ftxmily of five children, one of whom is dead - Francis M., born November 4, 1856; Mar}' E.. born September 29, 1859 ; Margaret W., born February 9, 1803, died December 6, 1881 ; John J., born April 27, 1866, and James W., born January 1, 1871. They are members of the Catholic Church of Highland. He is a Democrat.

ALBERT HOLLENBECK, farmer, P. 0. Verona, is a son of Abram and Jane A. Hollenbeck, and is a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., born August 22, 1845. His parents came to Illinois and yettled in Vienna Township, Grundj' County. His father, Abram Hollenbeck, was born in New York June 23, 1809, and died in Vienna Township, Grundy County, October 10, 1854. His mother is now living in Morris, wife of William II. Curtis, one of the pioneers of the count}'. Mr. Hollenbeck is the third of a family of Ave children. He received the elements of an English education in Grundy County, and January 1, 1880, married Miss Iraogene Reed, of La Salle County, 111., born in Freedom Township, La Salle County, July 5, 1860. They have a son - Marion A., born in this county December 6, 1880. Mr. Hollenbeck now owns a farm of 130 acres of land in Section 18 of Vienna Township, besides controlling a farm of 190 acres in Sections 17 and 18, owned liy William H. Curtis. His residence is seven miles southeast from Seneca and five miles northwest from Verona. Mr. Hollenbeck is among the substantial farmers of Vienna Township. In politics, he is Republican, and he is a member of the Central Committee. His mother, Jane A. Hinchman, was born in New York February 13, 1817, and was married to Abram Hollenbeck January 15, 1835.

Haj-moud, he a native of Virginia, slae of Kenucky. When subject was only one year old, his parents removed to Illinois, and settled in Kendall County in 1 837, where he received his education principally. He came to this county in 1855, and in 186-i bought a farm in Section 2 of Vienna Township. Here he still lives owning a farm of 122 acres of valuable land with splendid improvements, situated on the west side of Section 2, the land being worth S60 per acre. He was marriea in Grundy County October 10, 1861, to Miss Eliza M. Pangburn, daughter of Moses Pangburn, of "Wauponsee Township; she was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., September 22, 1841. They have a family of two children, one living - Freddie, born in Grundy County December 25, 1865, died May 10. 1866, and Katie May born in this county February 24, 1868.

J. W. MARTIN, Verona, was born in Brown County, Ohio, November 7, 1840; son of Benjamin M. and Elizabeth Martin. When he was six years old, his parents removed to Illinois in 1846, and settled in La Salle County, where they lived about ten years, engaged in farming. They then removed to Highland Township, Grundy County, where his father died in September, 1866. His mother now lives in Dwight, Livingston Co., 111., aged seventy years. Mr. Martin enlisted August 15, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty seventh 111. Vol. lufantrj- (Capt. Chandler), in which he served during the war, and was discharged at Washington in June, 1865. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg. and was with Sherman through his entire career. He married, March 7, 1877, Miss Emily J. Crozier, daughter of Christopher Crozier, of Grundy Count}-; born in Ross County, Ohio, May 18, 1846. They have a familj' of five children - Carrie J., born in Grundy County January 13, 1868; Ira L., born in Grundy County May 14, 1869; Early William, born in Grundy County February 9, 1871; Nellie, born in Grund}' County July 8, 1876, and Maud, born in Grundy County January 13, 1881. Mr. Martin has a farm of 160 acres of improved farm land in Section 18, of Highland Township. He is now engaged in mercantile business in the village of Verona, and owns two store-rooms stocked with a general stock. He came here in the spring of 1876. In politics, he is a Republican.

WILLIAM PETERSON, Verona, was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 6, 1816, where he was raised on a farm, and educated in South Salem Academy. He followed the profession of teaching for fifteen years, principally in Ross County. He was married March 13, 1843, in Ross County to Miss Louisa Fearrell, born April 23, 1820, daughter of James and Elizabeth Fearrell, of Ohio. They came to Illinois and settled in Wauponsee Grove, Grundy County, in the fall of 1853. He remained there for three years, then sold his farm and moved to Vienna Township, where he now owns a farm of 320 acres of improved land in Section 35, of Vienna Township, valued at $50 per acre, on which he is engaged in stock-raising. They have a fivmily of three sons - Hamilton C, the eldest, was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 13, 1844. His first official work was that of teacher; he afterward entered the army, and served through the war; was then commissioned Second Lieutenant in the regular army, subsequently promoted to First Lieutenant, and after serving four years resigned to engage in the practice of law. He died at Laredo, Tex., in April, 1878. John H., the second son, was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 25, 1846, and is now living in Verona. The youngest son, Rufus A., was born in Highland County, Ohio, February, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are members of thePresbj-terian Church of Verona. He is a Republican. Their residence is situated one mile south of Verona.

Catharine Reardon, who were born in Ireland ; his father died in Morris, this county, and his mother, Catharine (Curtis) Reardon, died in Au Sable Township, this count3-. Subject came with his parents to Illinois in 1851. Thej* settled in Grundy County and remained until their death. Mr. Reardon received the elements of an English education principally in York State; he was married, November 12, 1856, in Grundy County to Miss Sarah A. Cryder, daughter of Israel and Elizabeth Cryder ; she was born in Penns3-lvania November 13, 1837. Mr. Reardon began life for himself in the town of Au Sable, where he lived about eight j'ears ; he then sold his farm and removed to Saratoga Township, where he followed farming for one year, when he sold out and moved to Morris where he resided three years. Since then he has lived in Vienna Township, where he has a farm of eighty acres of improved land in Section 2, his residence being ten miles southwest from Morris, and one mile west from Wauponsee Station. He engages in general farming on his place which is valued at $60 per acre. He is a supporter of the Republican part3-.

WILLIAM RANSLEY, farmer, P. 0. Verona, is a native of the county of Kent, Parish of Frindsbury, England, born February 22, 1817, son of William and Sarah Ransley, of England, and was raised and educated in his native country. September 17, 1854, he landed at New York City, and remained in New York until January, 1855, then came to Illinois and settled in Grundy County, February 7, 1855, he located in Vienna Township, where he now owns a farm of 290 acres of improved land including four dwelling houses in Section 26 of Vienna Township, the land being valued at $55 per acre. His residence is situated one-half mile north of Verona. He was married November 19, 1869, in Milton, Ulster Co., N. Y., to Miss Dinah Susans, born at Gravesend, England, in 1844. They have a family of three children - William, born in Grundy County, August 28, 1870 ; Beatrice, born in Grund}' Count)' June 2, 1872, and Frank, born in Grund}- County March 17, 1875. Mr. Ransley has crossed the ocean five times ; first on the Yorktown, thirty-eight days ; second. City of Antwerp, eleven daj's ; third, City of Brooklyn, ten days ; fourth, City of Brooklyn, ten daj-s ; fifth. City of Richmond, ten days. He is a supporter of the Republican party.

NICHOLAS AND DANIEL RAGAN, farmers. P. 0. Verona, are sons of Timotli^' and Bridget Ragan, of Ireland. Daniel was born in Grundy County August 31, 1849 ; Nicholas also was born in Grundy County April 5, 1853. Their father, Timothj* Ragan, assisted in the construction of the canal and was one of the early settlers of this county ; he died in Grundj- County- in April, 1853. They first settled in Erienna Township, where they lived until 1867, when the familj' consisting of Nicholas, Daniel, their mother and one sister, removed to Vienna Township. Their sister, Fannie, was born in La Salle County JIarch 7, 1848, and was married, February 27, 1870, to Mr. John Fitzpatrick, who died in Grundy County September 21, 1873. Mrs. Fitzpatrick has a daughter Mary A., born in Grundy County November 27, 1870. The brothers iiavea farm of eight}- acres in Section 34, of Vienna Township, and eight}- acres in Section 3, of Highland Township, including two dwelling houses, their present residence being situated one mile southwest from Verona. The land is valued at $50 per acre. The}- are all members of the Catholic Church of Higliland Township. Daniel Ragan is Assessor for Vienna Township. They are engaged in stock-raising and general husbandry ; in politics, they are Independent.

D. S. RENNE, hardware, Verona, is a son of Justin and Maria Renne, formerly of New York State. He was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., October 27, 1845. The fifth of a family of seven children ; he received the elements of

BIOGRAPHICALan English education in his native county, and engaged in farming until 1875, when he was employed as station agent of the Chicago, Pekin & South-Western Railroad, in which office he remained five years. In September, 1881, he associated himself with D. Beal in the hardware, stove and implement trade, on Division street, Verona, where they keep on hand an extensive stock of general hardware. Mr. Renne was married, February 16, 1879, to Miss Anna M. Ryder, born in Ottawa, 111., February 4, 1857. daughter of John and Adelia Ryder, of this county. Mr. Renne is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; in politics, he is a Democrat. The biography of his parents appears elsewhere iu this work.

HARRIS SMALL, retired, Verona, is a native of Somerset County, Me., born May 24, 1817, son of Nathan and Susan Small. He was raised and educated in his native State. He married, November 29, 1838, Miss Sophrona Lombard, born in Somerset County, Me., February 19, 1819, daughter of Nathaniel and Abigail Lombard, of Maine. He came to Illinois in 1854, and settled in Grund}- County, Highland Township, where they lived until the spring of 1877, when he retired from farm life and moved to Verona, where he now lives. They rent their farm of eighty acres in Section 12, of Highland Township. They have a family of eight children, five of whom are still living: Franklin S., born September 26, 1839, died February 19, 1842; Daniel, born May 27, 1841, died June 13, 1842; Wilson, born January 1, 1843; Emily J., born February 15. 1844; Shepherd D., born Januarj- 6, 1846; Livona, born May 19, 1848; Millard F., born July 31, 1850, and Ellen M., born May 9, 1857. All except the last named were born in Maine; Ellen M. was born in Grundy County; Livona died January 25, 1878. Mrs. Small is a member of the Congregational Church of Verona. When Mr. Small came to Grundy County, Highland Township had about twelve voters.

AARON SMALL, mechanic, Verona, is a son of Alvin and Anna Small, formerly of Maine, and was born October 6, 1837, in Athens County, Me. His parents moved to Illinois when he was about six years old; settled for about one year in Kane County; thence moved to Highland Township, Grundy County, wliere his father is still living, in his seventy-ninth year; his mother, Anna (Stephens) Small, born in Maine, died in Highland Townsbip, Grundy County, November 22, 1858. Mr. Small was raised and educated in Grundj- Count3-; began learning the trade of a blacksmith when eighteen years of age, and has followed that business ever since. For six years, he has been manufacturing wagons and buggies, and handling farm implements in the village of Verona. He married, June 6, 1860, Miss Sarah Hart, daughter of Rev. William and Jane Hart. She was born in Delaware County, Penn. Tiicy have a fiimily of four children, two sons and two daughters - Ella, born in Gardner, Grundy County, April 11, 1862, married to Walter Ward, of Grundy County; William A., born in Grundy County, February 8, 1865; Verdett, born in Grundy County, August 19, 1867, and Lula, born in Grundy County, December 7, 1873. Mr. Small is a member of the Masonic fraternity (Knights Templar). He owns forty acres of improved farm land in Section 1 of Highland Township, valued at $50 per acre, and also owns the shops and residence in Verona, Grundy Cuuuty. In politics, he is Republican. Mrs. Small's parents are now living in Mazon Township.

JAMES SEAMARKS, farmer, P. 0. Verona, is a native of England, born in the county of Kent February 15, 1810; was raised on a farm and educated in England, and came to the United States in 1839, landing at New York City. He came over in the sailing vessel Quebec. He first settled in Mahoning Count}-, Ohio, where he lived for fifteen years, coming to Illinois in the spring of 1854, where he had previously bought land in Vienna Township, Grundy County. He still lives upon the same farm, which consists of 240 acres of splendid farming land, including three dwelling houses, situated in Section 27, the residence being threequarters of a mile northwest from the village of Verona. The land is valued at $50 per acre. Mr. Seamarks was married, in England, May 22, 1835, to Miss Mary Ransley, of England, born September 4, 1814, and who died at their home in Vienna Township, December 21, 1881. Tiiey iiad a family of two children - Charlotte, born in England September 11, 1837; married, March 31, 1856, to Richard Hughes, of England, now living in Marseilles, 111., and Fannie, born in England August 21, 1839. married, March 31, 1856, to Mr. Levi Earner - she died April 10, 1874, in Livingston County, leaving a familj- of eight children, three of whom are with their grandfather, Mr. Seamarks; Anna, born March 6. 1864; Fannie, born October 19, 1808; Frank, born October 10, 1870. Mr. S. also owns 240 acres in Livingston County-, 111., with two dwellings, also a dwelling house in Verona.

EDWIN C. SLOSSON,manufacturer,Verona, is a son of Rufus K. Slosson, M. D., and Hannah G. (Brown) Slosson, and was born in Ca3'uga County, N. Y., February 25, 1843. In the spring of 1854, his parents came to Illinois, and settled in Vienna Township, Grundy County, where our subject received the elements of an English education. He enlisted August 22, 1862, in Company C, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantr3", in which he served during the war and was discharged in Chicago in August, 1865. During his term of service he participated in the siege of Vicksburg, Jack son ; siege of Fort Blakel}', where he was shot through both thighs. April 8, 1872, he married Cornelia D. Harford, daughter of Aaron and Frances Harford, of Vienna Township, born August 9, 1848. They then went to California where he engaged in the lumber trade for five

3'ears, then returned to Grund}- County, and has since been in Verona, engaged in manufacturing the " Slosson Cultivator." He is associated in business with his brother, Eugene Slosson. Mr. aud Mrs. Slosson have one child now living, and have lost two - Vallie, born in Oregon February 2, 1873, died died in Grundy County August 25, 1880 ; Fannie May, born in Oregon August 11, 1875, died in Grundy County September 1, 1880, and Ellen, born in Grundj' Couuty, August 14, 1881. He is a Republican.

JOHN C. SCHROEDER, farmer, P. O. Seneca, is a native of Mechlenburg-Schwerin, Germany, born October 8, 1830 ; raised and educated in German}- ; came to the United States in 1858 ; landed at New York Cit_v, and came immediately to Marseilles, 111. He lived in La Salle County for about five years, then settled in Vienna Township, Grundj' Countj-. where he now owns 200 acres of valuable improved farm land in Section 4 ; residence three miles west from Wauponsee Station. Our subject was married, in La Salle County, October 31, 1863, to Miss Mary Schroeder, daughter of Christian and Eva Schroeder, of German}'. She was born January 1, 1833 ; they have a family of five children, one dead - Wilhelmina, born born Januar}' 19, 1865 ; Caroline, December 19, 1869 ; Dorothea, April 29, 1872 ; Mary, February 17, 1875; also one eon who died in infancy. The entire family are members of the German Lutheran Church. Mrs. Schroeder's father died in Grundy Count}', November 27, 1881. Her mother is now living with them in her seventy -third year. Mr. Schroeder is engaged in stock-raising and general husbandry.

JACOB STONER, farmer, P. 0 Verona, is a native of Cumberland County, Penn., born January 15, 1824 ; son of George and Mary Stoner, of Pennsylvania. In 1835, his parents removed to Summit County, Ohio, where subject resided until 1845, when he came West, spent some time in Illinois, and, until 1849, was traveling in Louisiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. In 1849, he settled in Grundy County, 111., and has been a resident of the county ever since. He now owns a ftirm of 173 acres of improved land in Section 22 of Vienna Township, and resides two and three-quarter miles northwest from Verona. His land is valued at $50 per acre. He was married, in Grundy County. July 4, 1855, to Miss Caroline Nance, daughter of Eaton and Mary Xance, formerly of Kentucky. She was born in Sangamon County, 111.. January 24. 1838. They have a family of seven children, all born in Grundy County - Charles E., born August 2, 1857 ; De Alton, born January 24. 1859, died February 14, 1859 ; J. Irwin, born October 5, 1861 ; Lulu, born February 29, 1864 ; Ulysses G., born July 20, 1865 ; Mary C, born December 14, 1867 ; and Sarah M.. born SepU^mber 6, 1876. Mr. Stoner is engaged in general husbandry.

ALLEN S. TILDEN. farmer, P. 0. Verona, is a native of Addison County, Vt, born December 25, 1822 ; son of Isaac and Minerva Tilden. Wheu about thirteen years old his parents removed to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where they remained until 1852, then came to Grundy County, 111. When subject became of age, he went to North Leverett, Franklin Co., Mass., where he engaged at his trade (that of a lilacksmith) ; worked there four years, and afterward three in the northern part of New Hampshire, and came to Illinois in 1852 and settled in Vienna Township, where he now owns a farm of 560 acres of land, 400 in Sections 9 and 16 of Vienna Township. His residence with extensive improvements being located five miles northwest from Verona. He was married, in May, 1852, to Miss Elvira Willis, daughter of Ezra Willis, born in Franklin County, Mass., in 1831. They have three children - Eva E.. born in Grundy County September 24, 1853 ; Lucy C, born in Grundj- County October 17, 1860, married to E. Willson December 3, 1879 ; and Frank C, born

December 20, 1872. Mr. Tilden's mother "is now living with him. She is now eightj'-two years of age. His father, Isaac Tilden, died at subject's residence in August, 1366.

I. C. TILDEN, farmer, P. 0. Verona, is a native of Addison County, Vt, born June 15, 1830 ; son of Isaac and Minerva (Sherwood) Tilden, who removed to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where our subject was principally raised and educated. In 1852. they came to lUiuois and settled in Vienna Township, Grundy County, where the sons purchased land. Our subject is the fifth of a family of eight children. He was married, Februar}" 10. 1839, to Miss Roxana Porter, daughter of Arza and Jane Porter, of Vienna Township. Mrs. Tilden was born in Livingston County, N. Y., April 2. 1836. They have a family of three children, all born in this county - Mary E., born June 4, 1864 ; Frances M., March 10, 1868 ; and Katie L., November 6, 1872, died when within one hour of being one year old. November 6, 1873. Mr. Tilden has a farm of 320 acres of improved land in Section 21 of Vienna Township. His residence, with all valuable improvements, lies two and one-half miles west from Verona. The land is valued atSG2.50 per acre. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Veroua. He is engaged in stockraising as a specialty. Mrs. Tilden's father, Arza Porter, for some years a resident of Vienna Township, died in January, 1858 ; her mother is still living in Vienna Township.

L. H. TILDEN, farmer, P. O. Wauponsee, is a native of Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., born April 23, 1841, son of Isaac and Minerva Tilden, subject being the youngest of a family of eight children. He came to Illinois with his parents, and settled in Grundy County, where he has since lived, and where he was educated principally. He enlisted, September 6, 1862, in Company D, One Hundi-ed and Twentv-seventh Illinois

Vienna Toavxship

Volunteer Infantry, in which he served two years, afterward detailed to Battery A, First Illinois, and mustered out at Chattanooga, Tenn., June 19, I860. He participated in the following engagements: Chickasaw Swamp, Arkansas Post, Black Bayou, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahootchie River, Atlanta and Jonesboro. He married, April 10, 1806, Miss Lucy E. Willis, daughter of Ezra and Electa "Willis. She was born in Leverett, Franklin Co., Mass. , January 20, 1842. They have a family of four childi-en, all born in Grundy County, named as follows: Lillian E., born September 27, 1870; Gay W., born October 9, 1873; Mary E., born August 14, 1877; and Roy E., born July 2, 1879. Mi-. Tildenowns 120 acres of improved farm land in Section 3 of Vienna Township, Grundy County. Hie residence is one mile west from Hill's Park Station. Value of farm land, $50 per acre. In politics, he is a Republican.

JONATHAN WILSON, farmer, P. O. Verona, is a native of Union County, Ky., born December 3, 1810. "When about fourteen years old, his parents, Thornton and Elizabeth Wilson, moved to Illinois and settled in Sangamc>n County for one year, after which they lived near Tremont, in Tazewell County, for two yeai-s. In the fall of 1827, they moved into Putnam County, where they jiiu'- chased a farm; there the father died, March 9, 1835 ; the mother had previously died in Tazewell County, in February, 1826. Subject remained in Putnam County till 1850, and while there was married, January 24, 1839, to Miss Elma Hoyle, daughter of William and Edith Hoyle; her father was a native of England, and her mother a native of Pennsylvania; her mother died in Putnam County August 5, 1840, and her father died in the same county January 9, 1876. Mrs. Wilson was born in Jefferson County, Ohio,

August 27, 1824. Since 1850, IVIr. Wilson has resided in Vienna Township, of Grundy County, 111. They now own the " Old Jonah Newjjort " farm, consisting of 326 acres, in Sections 4 and 9 of Vienna, their residence being situated twelve miles southwest from MoiTis. Mr. and Mi-s. Wilson are parents of ten children - William A., born March 3, 1840, died February 28, 1871; Edith E., bom October 4, 1843; Mary E., born March 18, 1845, man-ied to Albert Hollenbeck on February 18, 1875, and died August 22, 1875; Joseph A., born February 20, 1849, married Hattie E. Collins March 5, 1879; Oliver T., born January 1, 1852, died January 31, 1852; Sabina M., born April 6, 1854; Edward F., born April 6, 1856, maiTied December 3, 1879, to Miss Lucy M. Tilden; Marshall B., born March 11, 1859; Charley E., bom March 29, 1864, and Orville T., bom June 15, 1868. Mr. Wilson is engaged in general husbandry.

EDWARD WILSON, farmer, P. O. Wauponsee, is a native of Grundy County, HI. , born April 6, 1856. the seventh of a family of ten children born to Jonathan and Elenor Wilson. He was educated in the schools of his native county, and took a commercial com'se at Grand Prairie Seminary. He was married, December 3, 1879, to Miss Lucy Tilden, born October 17, 1860, daughter of A. S. and Alvira Tilden, of Vienna Township; they have one daughter - Eva May, born in Grundy County May 8, 1881. Mr. Wilson owns a farm of 160 acres of improved land, in Sections 9 and 10 of Vienna Township, and resides^ two and a half miles west from Wauponsee Station; his land is valued at $50 an acre. He is a Republican.

JOHN WELDON. farmer, P. 0. Verona. The subject of this sketch is a son of John and Bridget (Mede) Weldon, formerly of Ii-eland, who emigi-ated to the United States in

1832 and settled in New York, where subject wag born November 18, 1837. "U'hen he was six years old (in 1843), his pai-ents moved to Illinois and settled in "Will County, where they remained, engaged in farming, until 1849. They then moved to Grundy County and bought land in Vienna Township. Subject enlisted, August 4, 1861, in Company I, Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infanti-y, in which he served three years, and was discharged at Nashvi lie, Tenn., November 1, 1864- He participated in the battles of Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Tenn. , battle of Nashville, and others; was taken prisoner at or near Memphis by Richardson's guerrillas, from whom he escaped three days after, and retui-ned to his regiment. His brother, Lieut. James Weldon, of Company H, Fiftyfifth Regiment, was killed in the battle of Shiloh. Thomas AVeldon, another brother, was a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Regiment, in which he served three years; wdunded. After returning, Mr. Weldon was man'ied, October 11, 1865, to Miss Ellen Slattery, daughter of William Slattery, of Ireland. She was born in County Tipperary, in December, 1 841 , and came to the United States in 1853. Their family consists of seven children, thi-ee of whom are dead - Dora E.. born September 26, 1868; William J., born January 30, 1872; Eveleen M., born February 23, 'l876; and Clara A., born April 26, 1879. They own a farm of 268 acres of improved land in Sections 33 and 27 of Vienna Township, valued at $50 per acre, their residence being two miles southwest of Verona. They are members of the Catholic Chtu-ch. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and, in politics, is a National Greenbacker.

York State. He remained till ten years old in New York, when his parents moved to Genesee County, N. Y., where they lived about nine years. They then went to Ohio and settled in Hancock County for a few years, and afterward moved to Muskingum County, Ohio, where subject was married, November 10, 1844, to Miss Nancy Bryant, born in Muskingum County, Ohio, May 4, 1827, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Bi-yant, of Virginia. By this union they have a family of six children - Alwilda M., born in Ohio March 10, 1847, married, March 12, 1806, to Henry Jones, of Grundy County; Romando W., born January 20, 1848, married, in the spring of 1868, to Miss Martha A. Allison, of Grundy County; Alice M., born March 26, 1851, married toRhonelle Thompson in 1871; Edgar B., born January 11, 1856, married, in September, 1877, to Miss Zelma Paxton, of Grundy County; Emma T., born Se})tember 11, 1853; and Newton, born November 11, 1858. Mr. Wait removed from Ohio to Kane County, 111., in 1848, and. the year- following, moved to Grundy County, and settled in Mazon, where he lived one year, then moved on a farm, which he had previously bought, in Highland Township, upon which they lived until 1876, when they removed to the village of Verona. Mr. Wait now owns two farms in Highland Township - 111 acres in Section 14, and eighty acres in Section 2, including two dwelling houses, the land being valued at $50 per acre. He also owns a desirable property in the village of Verona. While living in Mazon, Mr. Wait sustained the loss of his only team by a violent storm, which occurred on May 28, 1851. After this, he lost, on an average, one horse each year for twenty-seven years.