Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 1

Author: Kern, J. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 792

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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Q.977.364 K45 p

NLINO'S HISTORICAL SURVEY

PAST AND PRESENT

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

BY J. W. KERN, M. A.

TOGETHER WITH

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

OF MANY OF ITS PROMINENT AND LEADING CITIZENS AND ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD.

ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO: THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO.

1:00);

Dedicated to the Pioneers of Iroquois County

Abroadely

BIOGRAPHICAL.

HON. ADDISON GOODELL ..

llon. Addison Goodell was for many years Loda's foremost citizen. Almost countless are the individuals who unite in expressions of praise. gratitude and honor in speaking of him, and his memory is today enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him. Although his success was great it was his strong and sterling traits of character which gained for him the place that he occupied in the affections of his fellowmen. Said one who knew him well. "He was cast in the same mold of noble manhood, physically, mentally, morally and intellectually, as was Abraham Lincoln." He possessed too that entire freedom from osten- tation which characterized the martyred presi- dent. and it is improbable that he ever weighed an act of his life in the scale of policy. The course which he followed in all of his relations with his fellowmen was prompted by a spirit of kindly consideration for others and a desire to do the right as he saw and understood it.

Addison Goodell was born near Mentor in Lake county, Ohio, on the 16th of July. 1822. and was a representative in both the paternel and maternal lines of okl New England families. His parents, Nathan P. and Hannah M. (Gris- wohl) Goodell, were natives of Windham county. Connecticut, and further mention is made of the ancestral history of the family in connection with the sketch of Warren S. Goodell on another page of this work. But in this writing we are more closely concerned with the life record of Madison Goodell, who left such an indelible impression upon the commercial and financial history of

Iroquois county and exerted so strong and betle- ficial an influence over the lives of those with whom he came in contact. On leaving New Eng- land his parents removed to Ohio, becoming pio- neer residents of that section of the Western Re- serve which is now included within the borders of Lake county. The father was a woolen manu- facturer and in connection with business inter- ests of that character was identified with farm- ing and milling. Public spirited and energetic. he took a prominent and active part in all that pertained to the welfare of the community in which he made his home. His political alle- giance was given to the whig party. subsequently to the free soil party and later to the republican party. He and his wife were members of the Christian church and in the early days of Mor- mon influence Sidney Rigdon, then pastor of the church to which Mr. and Mrs. Goodell be- longed, succeeded in carrying off all of the mem- bers of his flock to the new religion save Nathan D'. and Hannah Goodell. Arousing the ire of the Mormon leaders by his expose of some of their deceitful practices, Joseph Smith, their leader, claimed to have received the revelation "that the carth would drink Mr. Goodell's blood within a year." Ilis life thus threatened Mr. Goodell disposed of his interests and removed to Paines- ville, Ohio, where he operated the city Houring mills until his demise, which occurred when he was seventy-six years of age, while his wife was seventy years at the time of her death.

Farm life early became familiar to Addison Goodell and while spending h's boyhood days under the parental roof he aided in the work of

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he died, and feel yet, a sense of personal be- reavement and loss that makes it seem an im- possibility to say why I loved him so. I never knew of his doing a little or mean thing. The mould in which he was run was too large for small things or mean things. If courage in convictions of right, if nobleness of character. if kindness of heart, if goodness of intention, and success in putting an abstract intention into con- crete definite and kindly action, if all the charac- teristics that make people lovable, so richly possessed by him, are assets for this life and of value in the life he has now entered, then he was a rich man in the esteem, affection and love of his fellowmen here, and now enjoying the enduring riches and fellowship of that life that shall never know a close."

From Hon. Horace Russell, member of the forty-third general assembly, came the following : "I have appreciated the honor he conferred on me by being friendly to me always, for back in the past when he was a younger man 1 became acquainted with him. He was always kind to me and while he was aware of my many failings and shortcomings he always passed them by and encouraged me to do better. He has left to you boys a name that few can have. It was not local by any means, but was linked with all of eastern Illinois and especially of our county. There is no one man in our county who was so well and favorably known as was Mr. Goodell. His name meant all that was honorable and good."

Writing of their father to the sons, W. R. Jewell said: "Through a period of a generation I have known Addison Goodell as one of the best men with whom I have ever associated. He had all the elements of one of the Lord's noblemen. As a citizen he was a devoted patriot. In the day of his country's deepest need he was on the side of the Union and for freedom. Ile was one of the best supporters of the martyred presi- dent, Abraham Lincoln, and was cast in the same mold of noble manhood physically, mentally, morally and intellectually, as was Mr. Lincoln. Ile was a man of the common people, above the small tricks of small men. As a husband and father he filled to fullness the spirit of Holy Writ and the laws of the land. His children will cherish his memory while their lives shall last. The older they grow, and the more they recede

by lapse of time from the days when they were. in their childhood, in their good old home, the. more will the noble fatherhood of their father shine upon them, full of all precious memories of simple going, coming, working, providing, thinking and planning for them. for their future happiness and well-being. I saw him often about this fatherly duty, and even to me the memory is now a sacred possession. He was re- ligiously devoted to home-to making it happy, to filling it with peace, unpretentious but solid. love, and all physical comforts. He was public spirited and worked and planned for the prog- ress of his town, his community. We believe that all the people of Loda will join me in saying that he was the father of your beautiful place. That he was one of the foremost of its citizens in build- ing up the churches, your library, your school houses, parks, and that all good and useful move- ments found in him a ready, cheerful helper. Soon after I became acquainted with Mr. he became a member of the constitutional convention which framed the present constitu- tion of this state. I was told by Governor Bev- eridge and others that he was one of the most useful members of that body of distinguished men on account of his great common sense and business ability. He had the elements of practical statesmanship and had he devoted himself to statecraft instead of to business he would have made an able constructive statesman. While in the constitutional convention he did service for the people which has lasted and served to this day and will last and serve for many years to come. Mr. Goodell was really a professional business man; the soul of honor, an example of industry, exactness and thrift. Ile belonged to that mighty host of business men who have pushed this country along for almost three quarters of a century, until it has become the greatest in the world. His word was as good as his bond, his name was a synonym of honor and confidence. Addison Goodell is a household word for miles and miles around Loda, and the circles of business men in Chicago, New York and other centers. It is a great triumph to gain a fair competency by sobriety, industry, honesty, persistence, and Mr. Goodell achieved that vic- tory. Besides all this he was a liberal, charitable Christian gentleman. On that side of his life I

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

owe him much, for he did much to teach ine. when I was a young man and somewhat arrogant and dogmatic in both politics and religion, how to be tolerant to other men's views while firmly holding my own. He seems to me as an okler brother, and I sincerely mourn his loss. But 1 believe in the future life most fully and stead- fastly. I believe that He who brought us here has made the noble service of this life to fit us for the future life in the highest degree. In this service Mr. Goodell had a long and noble discipline, and he has gone onward and upward with all the beauty, the sweetness, the nobleness. the love and service through which he has passed in this life, gathered into his great heart, as a store of joy in the other life. He has not left this world empty or naked. but there is a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, into which he passes, clothed in the righteousness of a noble life. His soul has be- come as vast as a world. and into it is gathered all things that are holy and true. His soul lives in God's heavens : his deeds of goodness live in this life."

HON. A. M. JONES.

Hon. A. M. Jones has left and is leaving the impress of his individuality upon public life in Iroquois county. He is distinctively a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence. and while he is known in political circles he is equally respected and honored as an enterprising and reliable business man, successfully controlling important and growing business interests in Mil- ford, where for over a quarter of a century he has dealt in hardware, lumber and farm implements. His life record is in contradistinction to the oldl allage that a "prophet is never without honor save in his own country." for Mr. Jones is a na- tive son of the county in which he has so directed his labors as to gain more than local distinction and honor.

He was born in Stockland township. May 15. 1857, and is a son of the Hon. John H. and Ilan- nah ( Pugh ) Jones, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was born in Miami county, October 30. 1823. but was reared in Warren

county, Indiana, and it was there that he wel ded Miss l'ugh. He regn ved to Illinois in 1850, set tling on a farm in Stockland township. Troque is comity, where he purchased a tract of raw land. It was entirely destitute of improvements and me a furrow had been turned, but with characteristic energy he began the ardu ais task of developing a new farm and brought the place under a high state of cultivation. He was one of the most prosperous agriculturists of this portion of the state and to his possessions added from time to time until his hollings aggregated sixteen hun- dred acres of well improved and valuable Find. He was indeed one of the prominent and success- ful agriculturists of Iroquois county, and in his business life manifested a spirit of energy and bus- iness integrity that commended him to the confi- dence and won for him the admiration of all who knew aught of his industry. He exerted. ton, a wide influence in public affairs and was well fitted for leadership because of his known ability, his thorough understanding of the problems relative to the general good and his marked devotion to the interests of the people at large without the display of class distinction. Again and again he was called to positions of public honor and trust. He served for a number of years as super- visor, was township school trustee and township treasurer for several years, filling the office at the time of his demise. In 1883 he was elected to the general assembly, where he represented his district with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents, being appointed on a number of important committees and doing valuable work in connection with instructive legislature. He was faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation, and his life of business activity and public service well entitled him to mention with the foremost men that Iroquois county has pro- duced. He died at his old home, October 27. 1803. at the age of seventy years, and for about three years was survived by his wife, who passed away in December. 1806. The family of this worthy couple numbered six sons and two daugh- ters, and in that number no death has set of- curred.

- A. M. Jones was reared upon the old home stad. The usual experiences of the boy uper the farm were his. As age and strength permit ted he worked 'in the fields from the time of carly

PAST AND PRESENT OF

spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn but he was also given opportu- nity to attend school and mastered the element- ary branches of English learning in the district school near his father's home. He completed his studies at the Northern Indiana Normal College. at Valparaiso. and thus well equipped for the responsible duties of life he entered the field of business activity as an employe in a hardware store in Watseka, where he received practical training in mercantile life. He was ambitious for advancement and success, and eagerly im- proved every opportunity toward that end. In 1879. in connection with his twin brother, E. S. Jones, he embarked in the hardware and imple- ment business at Milford. The firm of Jones Brothers carry a large and well selected stock of hardware and farm implements, valued at twenty- five thousand dollars, and have built up an exten- sive trade. They are recognized as leading busi- ness men of broad capability, keen insight and un- faltering determination, and in connection with the hardware and implement business they also have a lumberyard and carry a large stock of lumber and building materials, for which they find a ready sale.

.A. M. Jones has gained equal prominence in political circles, in which connection he has wielded a wide influence, having made a close study of all those problems which divide the two great political organizations. His position has never been an equivocal one, for he has always been known as a stalwart republican. He was Flertal and served for eight consecutive years as supervisor, being chosen to that office when he had scarcely attained his majority, so that he was known as the "boy supervisor." While a member of the honorary county board he served for tw ) years as its chairman. When choice was made for a candidate for the thirty-eighth general as- sembly the delegates to the convention agreed upon Mr. Jones and he was elected. He gave such uniform satisfaction in discharging the du- ties of the office that he was re-elected and this served for four consecutive years, giving to each question which came up for settlement in the lgislature his careful and thoughtful considera tion. He has filled numerous official positions and has always been deeply interested in the cause of public instruction, serving as a member

of the school board of Milford for a long period and as its president for twelve years. He also served on the town board as trustee. was president of the board, has been township treasurer for sey- eral years and in all these offices has rendered effi- cient aid and made an untarnished record.

In 1881. in Milford, occurred the marriage of .A. M. Jones and Miss Frances Monett, who was born and reared in Ohio. and is an accomplished and cultured lady, a daughter of John Monett. She is one of the active members of the Methodist church at Milford and has done much to advance its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Jones is an exemplary representative of the Masonic lodge at Milford, and he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star. He has also taken the degrecs of capitular and chivalric Masonry in the com- mandery and chapter at Watseka. . As an Odd Fellow he has filled all of the chairs in the local lodge and is a past grand at Milford. He has likewise been district deputy and a representative to the Grand lodge of Odd Fellows in the state. Hle and his brother have contributed in substan- tial measure to the development of the town in which they reside and have here erected a two- story business block, while cach has built an at- tractive modern home. They are among Mil- ford's most prominent and public-spirited men. To every enterprise calculated to advance the prosperity of Milford. A. M. Jones is a contribu- tor and is justly accounted one of the prominent and popular citizens.

HION. MATTHEW HENRY PETERS.

Among the residents of Iroquois county the public service of few have extended over so long a period as that of Matthew Henry Peters and none have been more faultless in honor, more fearless in conduct or more stainless in reputa- tion. As mayor and legislator he has rendered far-reaching and effective service to the city of Watseka and the district at large and as a busi- ness man his efforts have been a factor in pro- moting commercial progress and prosperity. while viewed in any light he is a strong man- strong in his honor and his good name, while his life record should serve as a source of inspi-

- Paternally hours

OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

ration and encouragement to others, showing that without the advantage of fan ily, wealth er position at the outset of one's career an individual may rise to prominence and success, winning the esteem and respect of all with whom he is asso- ciated.

A native of Germany. Major Peters was born in Rhenish Bavaria, June 1, 1843, and his par- ents, George and Mary ( Monck ) Peters, were also natives of that country. The father in the year 1813 brought his family to America, land- ing at New Orleans, but the climatic conditions of the city were detrimental to the health of the family and within a few years the mother and two sisters of Major Peters died, leaving two small boys to the care of the father, who was unian iliar with the language and customs of the people among whom he had come to dwell. His limited financial resources were soon completed exhausted through the expenses occasioned In sickness and death and a short time afterward he suffered an attack of yellow fever which ter- minated his life, so that the two little boys were kit orphans. San nel, the younger brother, was cared for in an orphan asylum.

A contemporary biographer in a history of Major Peters said, concerning his early life. "Mat- thew, then but ten years of age, was taken by an acquaintance to bring up. Instead of finding the comforts of a good home and the tender care of a humane and worthy guardian, the lit tle orphan fell a victim to the grasping cupidhits of a cruel and heartless monster. He was po rly clad, nearly starved, beaten, and instructed in criminal processes that would have done credit to the Jew Fagan, made famous in the pen of Dickens as the tutor of little Oliver Twist. This Han kept a small tailoring shop, where the boy was compelled to work from early morn until ten or eleven o'clock at night. A small slice of bread three times a day constituted Ins entire rations. so that he never knew while there what it was not to be hungry. Becoming desperate, he re- solved to make his escape, feeling that any change must be an improvement ; so early one morning in the winter of 1854-55 be, without the traditional bundle that the wall apprentice is supposed to carry when he runs away, made a start for liberty and fortune. The rags on his Jack and the welts and bruises meler them were

all he had to take except a half dollar that had been entrusted ty las care overnight for market purposes. Feeling that he could justly approper ate that amount of capital in consideration of las unrequited service and privation, he made the til with which to satisfy a much-almased stop- ach, With fear and trembling, he sought stets in a distant part of the city. His nights were spent sleeping among the cotton bales and sails of coffee, or in other places where rest could be secured. In the day time he ran the streets, nak- ing a meal from anything he could find that was edible, the waste from partially decaved fruit and the refuse from hotel tables leing his prim- cipal fare.

"In the succeeding March, In good fortune, the little lad secured employment on a Mississippi river steamboat as assistant cook, and for once in many years he was well fed. This change marked an cra of improvement in his fortune. for shortly afterward a traveling gentleman, Henry S. Roberts, attracted In the intelligent face of the boy and learning his sad story, tok a fancy to him and offered hind a home. This kind ofer was gladly accepted, and in company with his new-found friend. Matthew went to This. For a time everything went well, he made himself useful to his benefactor and was given school advantages; but misfortune agam befell him with the death of Mr. Roberts, which happened only a few weeks after young Peter- had found a hồng with him. Họ len thị bịy with his widowed mother, whose kindness and motherly love have found a full recom pense in a lifelong devotion and care on the part of the befriended boy. Since he has grown to manhood, Major Peters Pas given her a bone in his fam- ils, where she was loved and revered as though indeed bis real mother. Mrs. Roberts attained the remarkable age of one hundred and three years." Her death occurred at Major Peter- bone January 6, 1804.

Viter becoming a resident of Ohio Major Peters devoted his time and energies at different periods to farne labor and the trade of brick- making and his leisure hours were largely de- voted to reading and study. His school privi- leges had been very limited but with Laudable ambition he desired an education and improved

PAST AND PRESENT OF

every opportunity for broadening his knowledge and promoting his mental culture. Oftentimes he studied In the light of the burning kiln that he was watching while working in the brickyard -. In this way he gained sufficient knowledge to enable him to successfully pas- a teacher's exam- ination and entered actively upon the work of the profession, at the same time pursuing his in- dividual studies. It was in 1800 that he became a representative of the work of public instruc- tion, in which he continued until the outbreak of the Civil war.

In the meantime Mr. Peters had watched with interest the trend of modern thought, noting the events which were shaping the history of the country. He saw the threatening attitude of the south and resolved that if a blow was struck to overthrow the Union he would stand loyally in its defense. Accordingly on the 23d of April. 1801. he joined the Jefferson Guards of Spring- field. Ohio, becoming a member of Company E. Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, for three months' serv- ice. The regiment was assigned to duty in Vir- ginia and with his command he took part in the engagement- at Philippi, Laurel Hill and Car- rick's Ford, at which place the first Confederate general. Garnett, was killed. Having served ont the term of his first enlistment Mr. Peters re-enlisted in November of the same year at Xenia, Ohio, as a private of Company F. Sev- enty-fourth Regiment, under Colonel Granville Moxdy, the fighting parson; Walter Crook. brother of General George Crook, of Indian no- toriety, being his captain. At this time, Mr. Peters was made sergeant, soon afterward was chosen lieutenant by the company and was com- missioned by Governor Todd of Ohio on the 7th of January, 1802. During that year, he was in active service and participated in all the bat- tles and engagements in which his regiment took part.

At the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, De- comber 31, 1802. our subject was severely wounded and was thought to have been killed ; indeed, was so reported, his comrades being obliged to desert him on the field. However, he received attention in time and was eventually able to resume his post of duty. He participated in the battles of a hundred days' duration before Atlanta, On the 4th of May, 1804. Lieutenant

Peters, who had been made adjutant of the Seventy-fourth by his colonel on the reorganiza- tion of the regiment as veterans, was again wounded, while charging a rebel battery on Buz- zard Roost Mountain, being struck by a frag- ment of a shrapnel shot in the right leg. He was left lying on the field two days. On the 13th of July following, by the recommendation of his colonel, he was commissioned captain for "gallant and meritorious services." During the greater part of that summer, he was confined to his hospital cot by the serious nature of his wound, but as soon as convalescent he rejoined his regiment in Savannah, Georgia, though very feeble. During the remainder of the campaign, he was on active duty and participated in the closing battles of the war in the Carolinas under Sherman. He took part in the battles of Ben- tonville, Averysboro and Greenville, North Car- olina, and the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston, April 26, 1865. The proudest day of his military career was enjoyed at the Grand Review of the armies at Washington, May 24 and 25. 1805, when he was detailed by General George P. Buell. commanding the brigade on his staff, as assistant inspector-general. Captain Peters was retained on General Buell's staff un- til notified that his regiment was about to be mustered out, when he asked to be relieved, re- joining his comrades in their march homeward. and was mustered out July 12. 1865. But just prior to that happy event he was complimented by being commissioned major of his regiment. the regiment in which he had enlisted as a pri- vate in the first year of the war. The compli- ment was the more gratefully received as it was unsonght and came as an appropriate recognition of merit and faithful and gallant service in the field.

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Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 1

Author: Kern, J. W Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 792

Author: Kern, J. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 792