USA > Illinois > Bureau County > Past and present of Bureau County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead > Part 1
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Gc 977.301 B89h v. 2 1520001
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUIBIR LIBRARY 3 1833 00828 8935
PAST AND PRESENT
OF
BUREAU COUNTY, ILLINOIS
By GEORGE B. HARRINGTON, A. M ..
TOGETHER WITH
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Of many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead.
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE PIONEER PUBLISHING CO. 1906
-
489
1520001
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
store. Both are well equipped establishments and a literal patronage is enjoyed in each.
In 1875, in Tonica, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Julia Barrass, of Tonica, and they have three children: Roy, who looks after the drug business in Spring Valley; George, who has charge of the drug store in Depne and is a graduate of the Northwestern Pharmacy College; and Edua, at home. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Masonic lodge at Spring Valley and also of the Grand Army of the Republic and in his political views is a republican, active and intlu- ential in the ranks of the party. He was ap- pointed postmaster of Spring Valley on the 1st of December, 1881, and has held the office con- finuously since. He is pustly acounted one of the enterprising residents of the town in which he makes his home and his alert and enterprising spirit have been factors in ils substantial improve- ment and political progress.
GEORGE D. BAUER.
George D. Bauer was born November 22, 1853, in Clarion township, and within the borders of that township he still lives, his time and energies being devoted to general agricultural pursuits. He owns and occupies a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and the consensus of public opinion classes him with the representative agri- culturists of his district. His parents were John H. and Condy ( Miller) Baner, both of whom were natives of Bremen, Germany. In the year of 1848 the father became a resident of Burean county, Illinois, and here met and married Miss Miller, the wedding being celebrated in 1850. They be- came the parents of nine children: Thomas, Susan, George, Katie, Mary, Lucy, Barbara, Rosa and Phillip, and the last named died at the age of three years.
George D. Bauer obtained his education in dis- triet school No. 6 in Clarion township and in the periods of vacation worked at farm labor, so that he was well qualified by practical experience for the work which he undertook on attaining his majority. He is now the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land, constituting a valuable farm and in its equipments and accessories it is modern and well improved.
In 1888 Mr. Bauer was married to Miss Mari- etta Mebergall, a daughter of John and Katie (Trautwein) Mebergall. both of whom were na- tives of Germany. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bauer were six children: Louisa, Clara, LeRoy. Florence, Howard and Nettic. In his political views Mr. Bauer is a republican and has served as supervisor for two terms, as town clerk for ten years, as road commissioner three years and as school trustee for six years. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp. No. 227, at La Moille,
and he and his wife are members of the German Evangelical chareh. lle has led a life of activity and usefulness, his business methods, his public record and his private life alike conforming to the ethies which govern honorable manhood.
CHARLES EDWARD SISLER.
Charles Edward Sister, who owns and operates a farm of eighty aeres on section 13, Walnut town- ship, was born in Wyanet township, this county, August 2, 1856. His parents were George W. and Mary (Whitmarsh ) Sister. The father's birth of- eurred in Lycoming, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1814, while the mother was born in Springfield. Massa- chusetts, June 15, 1825. George W. Sisler re- moved from the Keystone state to New York and became a resident of Bureau county, Illinois, in 1839, thus casting in his lot with the early settlers who reclaimed this region and planted the seeds of early civilization and development here. Ile died in 1890, having for several years survived his wife, who passed away February 1, 1852.
Charles Edward Sister acquired his education in the district schools of this county, and was reared to manhood under the parentel roof, where he was carly trained to habits of industry, econ- ongy and perseverance, habite which have proved of the utmost value to him in his later business lite. He has always been an energetic man, and has labored persistently and earnestly to gain a start and to win success as the years have gone Ww. Ile had no especial family or pecuniary advantages at the outset of his career, and he is now the owner of eighty acres of very rich and produ tive land on section 13, Walnut township, constitating a farm that is well improved.
On the 16th of November, 1881, Mr. Sisler was married to Miss Elizabeth R. Breed. who was born January 5. 1838, a daughter of Dr. S. P. and Alzina (Powers) Breed. Her father, who was born February 1, 1819, in Rochester, New York, passed away in this county. March 21, 1902. while his wife, who was born June 3, 1821, in Mont- polier, Vermont, is now living in Princeton. Their daughter Elizabeth was educated in the public schools of Princeton and was graduated from the high school in the class of 1815. She remained at home until she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Sister. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom three are decraseil. Those still living are: George S., horn October 23, 1882; Lula P .. March 23. 1886 - Mark HT .. July 8, 1889; Guy B., February 21. 1891 ; Carl P., June 1, 1892; Clyde H., May 1. 1894: Alzina M., January 10, 1898, and Elna F., April 1:, 1900.
Mr. Sizler votes with the democracy, but has never been a politician a the sense of oto-sook- ing. Hle and his family are members of :!- Meth- odist Protestant church and are highly esteemed people in the conviomity, the hospitality of their
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
home being greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Sisler is connected with the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 17, and also with garrison No. 161, of the Knights of the Globe. His friends and neigh- bors speak of him in terms of praise and com- mendation, and have naught to say that is not favorable concerning the family. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sisler began their domestic life in this county, where they lived upon a farm until 1884, when they removed to Lincoln, Ne- braska. There they resided until 1902, when they returned to Bureau county and took up their abode in Walnut township, where they have sinee lived.
JOSEPH MCCRAY.
Joseph MeCray is now in possession of a beauti- ful farm which is the visible evidence of a well spent and active business life. lle was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 10, 1836, and his residence in Illinois dates from 1865. He was early left an orphan, being but two years of age at the time of his mother's death and hic does not remember anything about his parents. Hle pursued his education in the schools of Phila- delphia and of Westmoreland county. Pennsyl- vania, and remained a resident of the east until after the Civil war. In response to his country's call for troops he enlisted in August, 1861, and served until the close of hostilities aud participat- ed in three engagements: Bermuda Hundred, the capture of Fort Steadman on the 25th of March, 1865, and the attack on the works of Petersburg on the 3d of April of the latter year. Ifc had pre- viously been a member of the state militia and as- sisted in capturing Morgan when he made his raid in Ohio.
Following his discharge from military service Mr. McCray came to Illinois and has since been a resident of Bureau county. Here he has so di- rected his labors that he is today the owner of a valuable farm property of one hundred and eighty- four aeres. This is one of the garden spots of this section of the state. It is improved with excellent buildings and beautiful shade trees, which afford shelter from the hot rays of the summer sun. The fields have been placed under a high state of cul- tivation and have produced rich and abundant crops which, finding a ready sale upon the mar- ket, have made him one of the substantial agri- eulturists of the community.
On the 28th of March, 1860, Mr. McCray was united in marriage to Miss Hannah J. Baird, the wedding being celebrated in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where occurred the hirth of Mirs. McCray on the 6th of March, 1840. She was educated in the schools of that counts and was a daughter of Charles and Martha (Snyder) Baird. who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. Her parents hecame residents of Illinois in 1865, settling in La Moille township, Bureau county.
where her father died at the advanced age of eighty-six yente. Her mother is still loving at the rijm obl age of eighty-nine years. Mrs. McCray was the eldest of the seven children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Baird and by her marriage she has li- come the mother of twelve children: Charles B., born March 22, 1861 ; Hannah M., February 22. 1863; Sarah ML., November 25, 1864; James L., September 13, 1860; Malissa J. September 10, 1868: John W., October 21, 1870; Ida MI., August 10, 1822: Delsena. September 1, 1871; Frank. November 30, 1826; Albert, November 21, 1828; Scott .A., May 12, 1881; and Gertrude I., August 30, 18S +.
Mr. McCray belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant relations with the boys in blue, with whom he served upon the battle-fields of the south. In politics he has always been a stanch and stalwart republican since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He voted the second time for the martyred president, at Bermuda Hundred, coming off picket duty for this purpose, and with his mus- ket by his left side he depositel his ballot with his right hanyel and thus again announced his allegiance to the first republican president. He and his wife have long been members of the Methodist church, work and upbuilding they have taken an active and helpful part. Mr. McCray in his well spent life has ever displayed those traits of character which Ical to success in business, to loyahy in citizenship and which win respect from one's friends and neighbors. Ilis life has indeed been a useful and upright one and he has reared a family of which he has every reason to be proud. There are now six sons and four sous-in-law who vote the republican ticket and are ardent advo- cates of President Roosevelt. The family is in- deed a prominent one in this county and well do- serves mention in this history.
E. GRANT SEARL.
E. Grant Scarl is a worthy representative of an old and honored family of Bureau county, his father being John Searl, who was born in Dayton. Ohio. July 23. 1-30, and in 183 1. when four years of age, was brought to this county by his father. Brown Searl. who located in Slby township. tak- ing up a claim on section 32, which is now owne 1 by John Rick. Upon this farm the grandfather of our subject, who was born May 15. 1292. died January 27. 1867. He was a Mason.
Here John Sarl grew to manhood in the usual manner of farm ilds in a frontier district and con tinted to make uje home here throughout the re- mainder of his Ffe. his death occurring August 15, 1890. Herr mann in farming and m & with excellent snc ess. becoming the other of a lars acreage in Selby township, and he also god to farms in Iowa. As a prominent anl baleset
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JU SEPH RE GRAM
MPS JOSEFA MED OF
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
citizen of his community he was called upon to fill the offices of assessor, collector and supervisor, and was a man highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. In early manhood he wedded Miss Amanda Miller, who was also a native of Ohio and eame to Illinois with her father during her girlhood. She was born January 29, 1829, and died February 1, 1888. They were the parents of ten children, namely: William W., who died in lowa some two years ago; Benjamin, a resident of Selby township ; Sarah N., deceased; Mrs. Mary Minta Rawson, who makes her home in Missouri; Andrew and Millard, both residents of Princeton; Mrs. Samantha Gross, also of Princeton; Samuel, who died in this county; E. Grant, of this review ; and Mrs. Maria Hassler, of Selby township.
E. Grant Searl was born in Selby township on the old home farm, September 26, 1868, and was reared to farm work, his time being divided be- tween work in the fields and attendance at the country schools. Throughout the years of his man- hood he has carried on agricultural pursuits and in connection with general farming devotes con- siderable attention to stock-raising. Hle now owns and operates a fine farmi of one hundred and twen- ty acres, which is rich and arable and has been placed under a high state of eultivation.
Mr. Searl was married in 1892 to Miss Katie Heitz, who is also a native of Selby township and is a daughter of David Heitz, a well known resi- dent of this community. Three children blessed this union: Lloyd, who died at the age of six months; Vernon, who died at the age of three months, and Ira, who was born in October, 1900, and is now the only survivor. Mr. Searl gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party and in the spring of 1906 was elected road commissioner, which office he is now acceptably filling. He has also served as schoo! director and takes a commendable interest in ad- vancing the educational and material welfare of his township and county.
DR. L. D. HICKMAN.
Dr. L. D. Hickman, an osteopath and X-ray specialist practicing in Princeton with offices on South Main street, has followed his profession here since 1899 and is the only representative ef the science of osteopathy in this eity. He now enjoys a large and growing patronage and stands as one of the foremost exponents of the new sehool.
Dr. Hickman was born near Kirksville, Mis- souri, and is a graduate of the American School of Osteopathy in that eity of the elass of 1899. He practiced for some time before he took his course and then promoted his efficiency by broad and comprehensive study. From the beginning he has enjoyed a good practice, which has eon- «tantly grown as he has demonstrated his ability
to successfully cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the practitioner in his efforts to restore health. He has to some extent been a contributor to medical journals and he also lectures upon the methods of practice which he employs. Ile has thoroughly acquainted himself with the uses of the X-ray, which he employs sue- cessfully in his practice. His patronage comes from all parts of Bureau and neighboring counties. He has never lost a ease of pneumonia and has been particularly successful in his treatment of tuberculosis and other diseases which have for long years baffled the skill of many of the expert med- ical practitioners.
Dr. Hickman was married in Missouri to Miss Myra Hook, of Mexico, that state, and they have one child, Maurine, born March 28, 1906. Dr. Hickman belongs to the Masonie fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, and both he and his wife are affiliated with the Eastern Star, while his membership relations also embrace the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his political affiliation he is independent, and both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. Their circle of friends is extensive, their many admirable social qualities securing for theni the kindly regard and winning for them the hospitality of many of the best homes of the eity.
HARRY WIRTVER.
Harry Whitver is the owner of a valuable farm- ing property of two hundred aeres about a mile from the village of Walnut and is serving as postmaster of the village. He is one of Bureau county's native sons, having been born on the 15th of April, 1867. His parents were John and Mary (Carnahan) Whitver, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of Ohio. They beeanie residents of Illinois in 1851, settling in Bureau county. In their family were fifteen children, of whom four are now deceased.
Harry Whitver, whose name introduees this rec- ord. was the fourteenth in order of birth and to the common schools of the county he is indebted for the early educational privileges he enjoyed, which were supplemented by a course in Dixon (Illinois) Normal College. Throughout the great- er part of his life he has earried on general agri- cultural pursuits, having in his youth become familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He now owns two hun- dred acres of rieh and valuable land which he in- herited from his father and upon which he makes his home. It is pleasantly located about a mile from the village of Walnut. After leaving school he began farming and has so continued to the present time. From the beginning he has been successful and he now manages his farm in con- nection with discharging the duties of postmaster. His home is a beautiful residence and upon his
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
place are many other modern and substantial im- provements. The farm which he owns was taken up from the government by his father at a cost of a dollar and a quarter per acre and is today worth from one hundred and seventy-tive to two hundred dollars per acre. Everything about the place is kept in excellent condition and the fields, being richly tilled, bring forth bounteous harvests.
Mr. Whitver was married February 12. 1884. to Miss Carrie I. Caton, who was born in Pied- mont, West Virginia. September 5, 1867, a daugh- ter of William and Emily ( Armour) Caton, who were natives of Pennsylvania and removed to Iowa during the girlhood days of their daughter, since which time they have been residents of that state. They had four children, of whom Mrs. Whitver "- is the youngest. She was educated in the Walnut public schools and by her marriage has become the mother of seven children: Clarence C .. born July 11. 1885; Vera L., April 19, 1881 : Alma I., January 31. 1889; Hazel L., February 6, 1891; Ira M., January 28, 1893; larry Armour, April 19, 189; : and Gertrude M., May 1, 1900.
Mr. Whitver's fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to publie otlice or conferred upon him positions of public trust. He has served as township collector and is postmaster of the village of Wahnit. He is a member of Walnut lodge, No. 122, A. F. & A. M., and in his political views is a stalwart repub- liean. Ile and his family belong to the Christian church and are prominent socially in the com- munity. Mr. Whitver has spent his entire life in this locality, so that his life history is as an open book which all may read and upon its pages are found the record of many good deeds and of suc- cessful accomplishment in the business world. His genuine worth and many good qualities have won for him the respect and trust of his fellow men and he certainly deserves mention in this volume as a representative citizen.
HERMAN E. ABBOTT.
Herman E. Abbott, of Sheffield, manager of a large and valuable estate, and agent for various fire insurance companies, was born May 10, 1865, in the city which is still his home, a son of Clement W. Abbott. He pursued his preliminary education in the public schools of Sheffield and afterward attended the Dixon Normal College, at Dixon, Illinois, and Cornell College, at Mount Vernon, Iowa. He was reared to farm life and devoted his energies to general agricultural pur- suits until 1892, when he became connected with commercial interests as a dealer in lumber. agri- cultural implements. carriages. wagons, etc. The firm was known as Batiey & Abbott. and so con- tinued until 1898, when Mr. Abbott disposed of his interest. He then removed to Tiskilwa, where he remained a year, after which he re-
turned to Shetlield to look after his farming no terests and his father's estate. He now has a good farming property which yields to him a gratifying income and in the management of the Abbott estate he displays keen business sagarity and understanding. lle is also agent for differ- ent fire insurance companies.
Mr. Abbott fraternally is connected with Ame- lodge, No. 142. A. F. & A. M., of Sheffield, and Sheffield lodge, No. sos. I. O. O. F., of the same place, while religiously he is a member of the Unitarian church. He is a young man of enter- prise and his good qualities have made him popu- lar with a wide acquaintance.
MARTIN BANSCHBACHI.
The subject of this sketch was for many year- one of the truly representative citizens of Bureau county, well known and universally respected. Ile was born in Baden, Germany. June 6, 1832. and was the son of Martin and Caroline ( Bischof- berger) Banschbach, both of whom were native- of the same country, but who came to this country in 1852 or 1853. and here resided during the remainder of their lives, making their home ju Selby township, Bureau county, where the father was engaged in farming. In the sketch of Wil- liam Ban-chbach, on another page of this work. will be found more concerning this family.
Martin Banschbach, of whom we now write. came to this county in 1852, in company with his brother William, who is now residing in the city of Princeton. living a retired life. While vot in the old country he attended the public schools and laid the foundation for that active busines career which distinguished him as a man of re- sources, one calculated to deal righteously and justly with his fellowman.
On coming to this country Mr. Banschbach resided for a time in the city of Pittsburg, but in 1854 came to Bureau county with the rest of the family. Locating in Selby township. he remained there for one year and then removed to Pekin. Tazewell county. Illinois, where he re- mained until 1860, when he returned to Buren county and located at Depue, where he engaged in the grain business, buying and shipping to the markets by rail and by canal. Later he en- gaged also in the lumber business, in both of which lines he was quite successful. From time to time he purchased lands, owning and operat- ing one or two farms. In whatever line of bu-i- ness he engaged he was uniformly successful, or- ercising good judgment and business sagacity in all things.
Before leaving Pennsylvania he was united i marriage with Miss Mary N. Redlingshafer. a daughter of George and Dorothea Redlingshafer. natives of Germany, who came to this country in 1848, locating in Washington county, Pennsyl-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
vania, where they made their home until 1854, when they removed to Pekin, Illinois, where they remained one year, moving thence to Clayton county, Iowa. George Redlingshafer was by oc- cupation a farmer, and in that line of business was quite successful. He continued to reside in Clayton county during the remainder of his life. After his death his widow removed to Lucas county, Iowa, where her death occurred August 1.4, 1881, at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four are now living: Elizabeth Ann, wife of William Banschbach, residing in Princeton; John, of Sheridan, Iowa; Lott, residing near Brownsville, Pennsylvania; and Mary N., widow of our sub- ject. Mrs. Banschbach was partly reared and edu- cated in Pennsylvania, being eleven years of age when she accompanied her parents to the United States.
To Mr. and Mrs. Banschbach six children were born, three sons and three daughters: George, a flour dealer residing in Chicago; Charles, a flour agent of Depue, Illinois; William, with the Illi- nois Central Railroad at Chicago; Emma, Eliza- beth and Lillie, at home.
Politically, Mr. Banschbach was a democrat, but never a partisan. He believed the principles ad- vocated by the democratic party were more for the best interests of the people than those advo- cated by other parties, but he saw and recognized the good in his fellowmen, whether they agreed with him in politics or not. Religiously he was a member of the German Evangelical church, be- lieving in the doctrines taught by that religious body. Fraternally, he was a member of the Ma- sonic order, and in his life exemplified its prin- ciples. He tried to do his duty by his fellow- men and aimed to merit their respect. That he succeeded in this is testified by those with whom he was long associated. His death occurred March 4, 1890, when but a few months less than sixty-eight years old. In his death the com- munity lost a worthy citizen.
At his death Mr. Banschbach left a large estate. which has since been admirably managed by Mrs. Banschbach, assisted by her children. She still makes her home in Depue, her daughters being with her. She is a member of the German Evan- gelical church and endeavors to live as the Master would have her live.
GABRIEL GEUTHER.
Gabriel Geuther, engaged in farming in Clar- ion, his native township. was born March 9. 1870, his parents being Adam and Caroline (Faber) Geuther, both of whom were natives of Germany. Crossing the Atlantic from the fatherland to the world they became residents of Bureau coun- in the early '50s and the father followed farm- · ing throughout his entire life in order to provide
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