USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
His cultured, accomplished wife ever warmly seconds his efforts, and for three decades has shared his joys and sorrows. It was in Streator, January, 1869, that Mr. Luther wedded Melissa E. Wilson, daughter of James Wilson, of Pennsylvania. James Wilson was of Scotch-Irish descent, born in New York in 1811. He married Hannah Baumgardner, of Mills- boro, Washington county, Pennsylvania, who died in 1852. Mr. Wilson died in California in 1855. Mrs. Luther was born in Millsboro, Pennsylvania, January 14, 1848, and was their only child. Possessing the same broad, progressive views of her husband, she endorses all movements calculated to benefit the locality in which her lot is cast, and besides taking a distinctive part in literary affairs here she has served with great credit as the president of the Women's Council, a city federation of women's clubs, and was for twenty years a member of the Ladies' Library Board. She is at present one of the trustees of the City Public Library.
DELOS ROBINSON.
No man has been more prominently connected with the public interests of Sheridan than this gentleman, who for many years was postmaster and the leading merchant of the town. His fidelity in the former position, and his reliability and enterprise in the latter, won him the confidence and respect
218
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
of the entire community, and he well deserves mention among the represen- tative citizens of LaSalle county.
Mr. Robinson was born on a farm in Tompkins county, New York, July 8, 1834, his parents being Eli and Charlotte (Young) Robinson. The father was a native of Putnam county, New York, and a son of Chapel Robinson, who also was born in the same county and was a soldier in the war of 1812. His father was one of the heroes of the Revolution, and it is believed was a native of New York, of Scotch origin. The family traditions say that the original American ancestors came to this country with the Puri- tans in the early settlement of New England. The mother of our subject was also a native of the Empire state, and was a daughter of John Young, an older brother of Brigham Young. Delos and Mrs. Celesta Rowe, of Chi- cago, were the only children born unto Eli and Charlotte Robinson. The parents removed to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1835, and in that place the daughter was born and the mother died, her death occurring in 1840, when about twenty-eight years of age. The father afterward married Sallie Ann Sprague, and about 1842 returned with his family to New York, but in 1854 again came to the west, locating in Mission township, LaSalle county, in the spring of 1855. Here the father died in 1888, at the age of seventy-six years, his remains being interred in the cemetery at Sheridan. He was a farmer by occupation, but lived a retired life in his later years, and from 1869 until his death made his home in Sheridan.
Delos Robinson accompanied his father on his various removals, com- ing with him to LaSalle county, and casting in his lot with the early settlers of this locality. His childhood days were spent on the farm, and his educa- tion was obtained in the common schools. When twenty-one years of age he started out in life for himself, and after his marriage in 1856 removed to Livingston county, where he purchased a tract of raw prairie land and developed an excellent farm of eighty acres. On the 22d of August, 1856, Miss Emeline Rowe became his wife. She was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, and by her marriage became the mother of three children, namely: Char- lotte, who died at the age of two years; Ida Belle, wife of Robert Knapp, of Sheridan; and Eugene D., a merchant of Sheridan, who became his father's successor in business about six years ago. The mother of these children died in the spring of 1865, when Mr. Robinson was in the army.
On the 8th of August, 1862, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, our sub- ject enlisted, joining the "boys in blue" of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry. He was made sergeant of his company, and continued at the front until after the cessation of hostilities, when he was mustered out June 25, 1865, in Washington, D. C. He was in the west- ern department under General W. T. Sherman and participated in the At-
.
219
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
lanta campaign, was with that general on the notable march to the sea, and then took part in the Carolina campaign to Raleigh. He was always found at his post of duty, and whether on the tented field, keeping guard in the silent watches of the night or in the thickest of the fight, he was always loyal to the starry banner on account of the cause it represented. He is now a valued member of Clayton Beardsley Post, No. 672, G. A. R., and for several years has been honored with the office of commander. He has for years taken an active interest in Freemasonry, being a Master Mason, and has served as secretary of his lodge for the last fifteen years.
Mr. Robinson resumed farming upon his return from the war, and was again married September 24, 1868, his second union being with Miss Eliza Howard, a native of Yates county, New York. They now have a daughter, Bertha N., and have lost two children, who died in infancy. The year fol- lowing his marriage, 1869, he came to Sheridan and embarked in general merchandising. He followed that business for twenty years, conducting an excellent store, well equipped with everything found in a first-class establish- ment of the time. He received a liberal patronage, which was accorded him by reason of his diligence and his straightforward dealing, and as the result of his good business he accumulated a handsome competency, which enabled him to retire from business life about six years ago, when he sold out to his son. With the progress and upbuilding of the village of Sheridan he has always been prominently identified, and has contributed largely to its advancement and prosperity. He built the first hotel in the town, and still owns the building, which is known as the Sheridan Hotel. He was also the first postmaster, and served in that office altogether for nineteen years, his continuous occupancy being interrupted during President Cleve- land's first administration. His long term plainly indicates his fidelity to duty, his administration being satisfactory to the public and the government.
In politics Mr. Robinson has always supported the party which stood by the Union in the dark days of war, and which has ever upheld American institutions and protected American interests. For more than ten years he has been a member of the Republican central committee of LaSalle county. What he has done for his town and county in political and business lines well entitles him to mention among the representative citizens. He has won the friendship of many, the respect of all with whom he has come in contact, and his example is well worthy of emulation.
Eugene D. Robinson, a son of Delos Robinson, was born near Pontiac, Livingston county, Illinois, October 7, 1862, and obtained his education in the common schools, acquiring a knowledge of the English branches that fit one for the practical duties of life. He assisted his father in the store in his youth, and in 1891 became his successor, since which time he has engaged
220
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
in merchandising on his own account. He is a man of marked enterprise and energy, and his well directed efforts are bringing to him a merited pros- perity.
In 1887 Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Ola Hoffman, who died in 1897, leaving a son, Clair E. In 1899 he wedded Mrs. Addie Breuer, and in this community both are held in high regard. In his political affiliations Mr. Robinson is a stanch Republican, and socially he is a Master Mason. He ranks among the reliable business men and popular merchants of Sheridan.
MATHIAS GOCHANOUR.
Among the men who have contributed largely to the prosperity and development of LaSalle county, Illinois, none is more widely known or stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than Mathias Gochanour, of Otter Creek township. He was born April 20, 1845, in Licking county, Ohio, and is the son of Jonathan C. and Lucinda (Ritter) Gochanour. The father is descended from Revolutionary stock and was born in the state of Virginia, which was also the birthplace of the mother. Nine children were born to them, namely: William H., of Otter Creek township; Mathias; Angus, of Cass county; James, of Otter Creek township; John; Edward, also of this township; Amanda Larry, a resident of Iowa; Jane Marsh, also of that state; and Ann Johnson, of Otter Creek township. The mother was taken to her heavenly home in 1895, when in her sixty-third year. She is survived by her venerable husband, who is an honored resident of this county and is past eighty years of age. He has been an industrious, hard- working man and was engaged in the carpenter trade for many years.
Our subject was little more than two years of age when his parents moved to this county, and it was here he received his education in the common schools, and here he grew to a noble manhood. About twenty-four years ago he purchased eighty acres of land, to which he has since added until he now has a farm of two hundred and fifty acres. He is a capable farmer and his place shows that thrift and care are part of his system of work. He has improved his land with good barns and neat, roomy resi- dence, and he has one of the most attractive homes in the neighborhood.
September 16, 1866, Mathias Gochanour and Miss Anna E. McKernan were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. A family of seven children have been born to them, namely: Ralph A., at home; Clara A., wife of Henry Rumph, of Otter Creek township; Hugh J .; Pearl; Lloyd W .; Paul, who died at the tender age of three years; and an infant daughter, who was also transplanted to the heavenly garden. Mr. Gochanour is a Repub-
22I
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
lican in his political views and has served as township collector. He has been a member of the school board for a great many terms, and is a strong friend to education. He possesses a wide scope of knowledge and keeps thoroughly conversant with all current topics of the day. Mrs. Gochanour was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, and is a woman of worth. She is a daughter of Captain James J. McKernan, deceased, an officer of Company F, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteers, and the maiden name of her mother was Mary Cramer. The children born to Captain James J. and Mary (Cramer) McKernan are as follows: Ralph; Rosanna Kleiber, of this township; Candice Ackerman; Anna Gochanour, wife of our subject; George; Samuel; Charles; and Augusta.
JOHN DOLDER.
France has contributed a host of sterling citizens to Illinois, and none more worthy and patriotic than the family represented by the subject of this biography. For fifty-five years the Dolders have been numbered among the residents of LaSalle county, actively interested in its progress, and ma- terially aiding in the development of its resources. Their lives have been models of good citizenship, and in the multiplicity of their own private and business affairs they have still found time to faithfully discharge their public duties.
The father of the subject of this memoir, John Dolder, Sr., was born in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, in 1816, and married there Martha Dolder, a native of the same locality. After the birth of their first child, the worthy couple decided to cast in their fortunes with the people of the United States, and in 1844 crossed the Atlantic. Coming direct to LaSalle county they located upon a farm in Northville township, whence they later removed to Serena township. For about half a century the father was actively and successfully engaged in agriculture, and bore an enviable reputation for uprightness and integrity of word and deed. His long and useful career came to a peaceful close in 1895, when he was in his eightieth year. His faithful helpmate passed to the better land when she was in her eighty-fifth year. They were the parents of seven children, all but one born in the United States. Two of the number died in infancy, and William, the eldest, and Frederick, the third child, are deceased. Magdalene is the wife of George Lentz, and Elizabeth married Aaron Knight.
John Dolder, Jr., was born on the old farm in Serena township, LaSalle county, May 1, 1856, and in his boyhood received a liberal education in the common schools. He remained with his parents, giving his time to his
222
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
father until he reached his majority, when he was given charge of the farm, as he had already given proof of his competence to manage the place. He continued to cultivate the farm until 1890, when he came to Sheridan and succeeded J. W. Wedding in business, buying that gentleman's interest in the already established firm. At first Mr. Dolder dealt only in lumber and coal, but he soon added farm implements and carriages to his stock in trade, and has steadily prospered, his business growing rapidly from year to year. He is eminently deserving of success, for he is energetic and business- like, giving his full time and mind to meeting the desires of his customers, and treating every one with whom he has dealings in a uniformly kind, courteous, fair manner. His reputation for integrity and faithful execution of all of his contracts is something of which he has reason to be proud, and without exception his customers are his warm friends.
In 1881 Mr. Dolder married Alice Morel, a daughter of Charles and Marie (Bloom) Morel, natives of Alsace-Lorraine, France, and in 1866 came to the United States and became early settlers of LaSalle county. Mrs. Dolder was born in Belmont, Alsace-Lorraine, France, May 23, 1857, and came to the United States in 1866, with her parents, who settled in Serena township, this county. Two sons and four daughters have been born to our subject and wife, their names in order of birth being as follows: Emma Elizabeth, Henry George, Samuel Alfred, Ida May, Laura Ellen and Evaline Alice.
Since becoming a voter, Mr. Dolder has given his allegiance to the Re- publican party. He has capably officiated in several minor local positions, and is an ex-member of the Sheridan village board of trustees and a present member of the school board. He is deeply interested in the cause of educa- tion and all movements calculated to benefit and elevate the race, and he and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee, and are esteemed in social circles of the town.
MILAM J. BARACKMAN.
Both as a patriot and as a business man, Milam James Barackman has an enviable record, and, if for no other reason than for what he suffered and endured that the Union might be preserved, he is entitled to a high place in the annals of his country and state.
Born in Reading township, Livingston county, Illinois, September 26, 1842, he is a son of James and Ellen (Moon) Barackman, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Their deaths occurred when Milam J. was about four years old, and he became a member of the household of his uncle,
223
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
Albert Moon. Daniel Barackman, the paternal grandfather of our subject, an early settler of Reading township, and a native of the Blue Grass state, died in 1864. Jacob Moon, the maternal grandfather, was born in Virginia, whence he removed to Ohio, and subsequently to Reading township, Liv- ingston county, Illinois. Daniel, the only brother of Milam J., died at the age of nine years, and his two sisters are Mrs. Cary, of Normal, Illinois, and Mrs. Ellen Latham, of Saginaw, Michigan.
Until he was about eighteen years of age Milam J. Barackman lived with his uncle, Albert Moon, and attended the local schools of his native township. He then entered Lombard University, at Galesburg, Illinois, and was making good progress in his studies when the outbreak of the war routed all other interests from his mind. Upon the president's first call for volunteers, he enlisted in Company D, Twentieth Illinois Regiment of In- fantry, and was filled with chagrin and disappointment when his guardian withheld his permission for him to be mustered into the service on the ground that he was not of age. After remaining at home for two weeks the young man re-enlisted, this time in Company C, Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry, for the term of three years, Colonel Noblesdorff being his commander. With his regiment he was ordered in pursuit of General Price, after which cam- paign he participated in the battles of Pea Ridge and Perryville, and fought under the leadership of General Rosecrans at the battle of Stone River, that officer then being in charge of the Army of the Cumberland. For his meritorious services in the great battle last mentioned Mr. Barackman's name was placed upon a special roll of honor of non-commissioned officers, to whose daring and fidelity General Rosecrans felt much indebted, and thus acknowledged publicly. Later, when in the Twentieth Army Corps, com- manded by General McCook, our subject took an active part in the famous battles of Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. At Stone River, where the Union forces suffered so dreadfully, Mr. Barackman was injured, and lost his right eye, but it was not until 1864, when his regiment veteranized, that the matter came before the notice of the proper authorities, who refused to allow him to re-enter the lists with his comrades, as he desired to do. He was accordingly mustered out of the service and honorably discharged, at the Marine Hospital in Chicago.
Returning to his old home in Reading township, Mr. Barackman became interested in coal operations, to which he gave much of his attention for the succeeding thirty years, then turning the entire business over to his son, Arthur M. In the meantime he had also been successfully engaged in farming, and owns a finely improved homestead of four hundred acres, in his native township. One of the pioneer coal operators of Streator and vicinity, he accomplished a great deal for this great industry, and is well known
224
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
throughout this region. For some years he was the president of the Barackman Coal Company, and was the senior member of the firm of Barackman & Son, who for a period conducted a grocery in Streator. By his well directed energy and financial ability he accumulated a snug little for- tune, and now owns a large amount of valuable property aside from his splendid farm, which he now rents to responsible tenants. Fraternally he be- longs to Streator Post, No. 68, G. A. R., and in politics he favors the Republican party.
In 1866 Mr. Barackman and Miss Fanny W. Goodyear, of Parkville, Missouri, were united in marriage. Mrs. Barackman died in 1872, and left two children, Arthur M. and Eulola F., the latter now the wife of Albert Finchman, of Streator. In 1876 Miss Alice C. Tutlow, of Ottawa, Illinois, became the wife of our subject. Their children, in order of birth, are as follows: Harry E., Guy B., Jessie F., William G., and May. They are receiving good educational advantages, and are being well equipped for the battles of life.
ROBERT LINFOR.
An ex-soldier of the civil war and a well known and much respected citizen of Allen township, LaSalle county, Illinois, is found in the subject of this sketch, Robert Linfor, whose post-office address is Ransom.
Mr. Linfor dates his birth in Longsutton, Lincolnshire, England, Oc- tober 1, 1846, and is a son of William and Dinah (Isaba) Linfor. He spent the first two years of his life in his native land and in 1849 came with his parents and other members of the family to America, their objective point being Ottawa, Illinois, where they settled and lived a short time and whence, in 1856, they subsequently moved upon section 20, Allen township, locating on a farm. Here the father lived until 1879, when he removed to Syracuse, New York, where he is now living, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. The mother died February 28, 1879, at the age of seventy-three years. They were the parents of four children, namely: John, a resident of the same township in which his brother Robert lives, and, like him a veteran of the civil war; William, of Walnut, Iowa; Sarah Golder, who died in Kansas; and Robert, whose name introduces this review.
Robert Linfor was engaged in work on his father's farm at the time the civil war broke out. His love for his adopted country at once asserted itself by his enlistment in the Union army. As a member of Company C, First Illinois Light Artillery, under Captain M. H. Prescott and Colonel Charles Hathling, he went to the front, being with the forces that operated in the south. He was in the engagements at Kenesaw Mountain, Bentonville and
225
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
Atlanta; was on that famous "march to the sea," and took part in the grand review of the victorious armies at Washington, D. C. June 12, 1865, he was honorably discharged and returned home.
Mr. Linfor has made farming his life work. Since 1875 he has owned and occupied his present farm, a fine tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Allen township. His modern residence he erected in 1891; he has large barns and other farm buildings, and the general appearance of his farm is indicative of thrift and prosperity.
June 9, 1867, was consummated Mr. Linfor's marriage to Miss Cynthia Alice Isgrig, of Allen township, LaSalle county, Illinois. She was born in Ohio and is a daughter of Wilson and Mahala (Loveland) Isgrig, natives of New York and now residents of Glidden, Carroll county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Linfor have four children, namely: Carrie, wife of Grant West, of Chi- cago; Lottie, wife of A. Berge, of Allen township; John W., at home, was a member of the Third Illinois Infantry, Illinois National Guards, from 1893 to 1897; and Mabel, at home.
Mr. Linfor has always given his support to the Republican party and has taken an active interest in local affairs, serving officially in various ca- pacities. For twelve years he has been a member of the school board and he has served as township collector two years. He is a member of several fraternal organizations, including the Knights of Pythias, Lodge 312, of Ransom, and the G. A. R. post at the same place.
JACOB DOLDER.
America would be much more desirable and better in every way if the foreign-born citizens who came to dwell beneath her flag were all as loyal and patriotic as is the subject of this notice. It would seem that a spirit of love and gratitude should fill the heart of every man who has sought pro- tection, wealth and citizenship, and found what he desired in liberal measure, under the dear old Stars and Stripes; but too frequently, alas! is heard throughout the land, in the press and from the platform and in public and private gatherings, the voices of the malcontents, decrying the institutions, laws and customs of the very country which has nourished them and their children, and given them the luxuries, perhaps, which were reserved for the nobility of their own fatherlands. But in the case of Jacob Dolder, as will be seen, the utmost loyalty to the United States reigns in his heart.
He was born in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, France, November I, 1827, the fifth in order of birth of the eight children of Leonard and Magda- lene (Stoffer) Dolder, the others being named Charles, Leonard, Caroline,
226
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
Louis, Christian, Benjamin and Felix. The parents were likewise natives of Alsace-Lorraine and the father serve under the great Napoleon in the French army.
In his early manhood, Jacob Dolder learned the blacksmith's trade, which he pursued until he was well along in years. In 1844 he came to the United States, and came direct to LaSalle county, where he remained for a year. Then, going to Chicago, he spent four years in that place, then a small village, with little promise of the great future in store for it. In 1849 he returned and established a blacksmith's shop on the hill just east of the Ellerding water-power mill, and there for twenty-one years he played the role of "the village blacksmith," after which he was similarly employed at Sandwich, Illinois, for about a year. Feeling the need of a change, Mr. Dolder next settled upon a farm in Northville township, and for eight years devoted his entire attention to agriculture, with good success. Since 1873 he has made his home in the town of Sheridan, where, for seven years, he was engaged in the lumber business. Then selling out, he later embarked in the hardware business here, and for eight years commanded a large and lucrative trade. At the end of that period he disposed of his stock and retired from the commercial world for a brief time. We next find him conducting a meat market, and in this venture, as in all others, he met with success. After five years in this line of business he sold out and retired to enjoy the competence which he had acquired by a life-time of hard and industrious enterprise.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.