USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 43
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In 1862 Mr. Carter married Miss Mary Ann Reese, daughter of A. G. and Caroline (Helm) Reese, both of whom are deceased. The eldest born child of Mr. and Mrs. Carter is Melvin, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. He married a Miss Rambler, and has three children. Ora, eldest daughter of Mr. Carter, is the wife of George Scherrer, of Alexis, Illinois. Carrie is a successful teacher of music; and Edna and Nellie are still at home. Ellen died at the age of eighteen months, Josephine at twelve years, and Laura at the age of sixteen years.
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Politically Mr. Carter is a Democrat, and has served in a number of township offices, with credit. His means and influence are liberally used in the support of schools and churches, the temperance cause and other movements calculated to uplift and benefit humanity. He and his estimable wife are devoted members and active workers in the Methodist Episcopal church, he having acted as one of the officials of the congregation. Integrity and justice characterize all of his dealings with his fellow men and all unite in praise of his honorable, upright life.
VINCENT SCHWEICKERT.
An honored citizen of Peru is he of whom this sketch is penned. For forty-two years he has been a resident of this flourishing town, which bore little resemblance to its present proud pre-eminence when he first beheld it, a straggling hamlet. He may justly feel that he has borne his share in the making of the place, for many of the substantial public and private buildings here stand as monuments to his skill and excellent workmanship, and Peru is proud to acknowledge the debt she owes him.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was George Adam Schweickert, a farmer of Baden, Germany, where he resided until his death, at the age of seventy-six years. He had five daughters and two sons, and one of the sons was Jacob, the father of Vincent Schweickert. He was born in the last year of the eighteenth century, and plied his trade as a bleacher of cloth for some years, later engaging in agriculture and giving a part of his time to the raising of silk-worms. He died in 1871, and was survived but two years by his devoted wife, Philopena, who was seventy-three at the time of her death. She was one of the four children of August Lindenmeyer, who lived in the village of Kerrlach, Baden, and who fought in one of the wars of Germany with Austria. He was eighty-four years old at the time of his demise, in 1835. But three of the ten children of Jacob and Philopena Schweickert are living. Regina is the wife of Emanuel Scher- motty, of Wiesenthal, Baden, Germany, and Francis Xavier resides in the same town.
A native of the German village just mentioned, Vincent Schweickert was born August 24, 1831. After completing his common-school education he worked in a sugar refinery until 1850, when he turned his attention to mastering the brick and stone mason's trade. In 1853 he sailed for the United States, the land of promise, and for the next three years he made his home in Reading, Pennsylvania. Since then he has dwelt in Peru, and until he was obliged to retire on account of advancing years and the rheu-
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matism, he kept busily employed as a builder and contractor. Perfect confidence was placed in his integrity and capability, and his customers in- variably recommended his work.
On the 15th of May, 1855, Mr. Schweickert married Mary Wellner, who was born in Bavaria, Germany. Her parents were Michael and Barbara (Busch) Wellner. She and her first husband came to America and settled in Pennsylvania. Here our subject and wife were married and in 1856 came to Peru, where they have lived for thirty years in their comfortable home, which was erected by him in 1869. They are members of the Catholic church, and in his political faith Mr. Schweickert is independent.
Seven sons and two daughters blessed the marriage of this worthy couple, and of this number two, Jacob and Edward, are deceased. Charles A. married Theresa Domas, who died, leaving four children-Charles, Mary, Lizzie and Anton. Subsequently he married Theresa Beckmann, by whom he had six children, but only one survives. Mary, who became the wife of Peter Weyand, had six children-Bernard, Peter, Vincent, Charles, Francis Xavier, and one who is deceased. Henry E. wedded Lizzie Ellerbrock, and their children are Vincent, Peter Philip Muria, Henry Charles Anton Alexander, Mary Francisca, Hildegard and Mary Beatrice. Jacob married Helena Morschauser and their surviving children are named Helena, Ber- tram, Frank and Margaret. Lizzie became the wife of Frank Ellerbrock, and their three children are Lizzie, William and Peter. Bertram and wife, whose maiden name was Mary Brinkmann, have two sons, Ewald Vincent Frank and Lawrence Henry Thomas. Francis Xavier married Mary Weyand, and their only child is called Martha. Thus it may be seen that many children and grandchildren of our subject and wife are left to cheer their declining days, and on numerous festal occasions they assemble to spend a happy day or evening together.
CHARLES A. SCHWEICKERT.
Charles Anthony Schweickert is one of the enterprising business men of Peru, prominent in commercial, fraternal and political circles and highly esteemed for his sterling qualities and public spirit. A son of our well-known citizens, Vincent and Maria Schweickert, he was born in this town two-score years ago, the date of his birth being February 17, 1859.
Growing to manhood in Peru, our subject was a pupil in the parochial schools and completed his education in Saint Patrick's Academy, at LaSalle. He was a boy of twelve or thirteen years when he did his first work as a stone and brick mason, under his father's instruction, and from that time until the present he has devoted much of his attention to this line of business. In 1895
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he purchased the Peru Steam Laundry, which he operated until December, 1898, then selling out. Returning to his old trade, in which his father and brothers as well as himself are expert, it is now his intention to follow 110 other occupation henceforth. He is a partner in the firm of Schweickert Brothers & Company, which comprises the five brothers, Charles A., Henry, Jacob, Bertram and Francis, and their brother-in-law, Frank Ellerbrock. Much of the heavy masonry of Peru has been done by them, and their work has not been exclusively local, for monuments of their skill may be seen in many other towns of this county, and they execute contracts for foundations for bridges and similar public works. Reliability, promptness and thorough- ness in all work entrusted to them may be confidently expected, as they bear an enviable reputation and endeavor to please their patrons in every respect.
The commodious, substantial two-story brick house which Charles A. Schweickert owns and occupies was erected by him in 1885. He was married September 6, 1883, to Miss Theresa Domas, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Magdalena Domas. She died November 12, 1892, when in her twenty-ninth year, and left four children to mourn her loss, namely: Charles Henry, Mary Theresa, Elizabeth Margaret and Vincent Anthony. On the 4th of April, 1893, Mr. Schweickert and Miss Theresa Beckmann were united in marriage. She is a daughter of Bernhard and Theresa (Imoor) Beckmann, and by her union with our subject has six children, only one of whom, Leonore, is living. The parents are members of the Catholic church. He is connected with St. Joseph's Catholic Benevolent Society and is a member of the Twin City Band. In his political opinions he is a Democrat.
PERRY FARNHAM.
The gentleman whose name appears above was one of the oldest and best known citizens in LaSalle county, Illinois, where he resided after 1856.
Mr. Farnham was born in Marseilles, Onondaga county, New York, September 7, 1815, a son of Amasa and Rachel (Perry) Farnham. Amasa Farnham was a native of Massachusetts, a son of Reuben Farnham, who was a Revolutionary soldier. The latter moved from Massachusetts to Vermont and subsequently to New York. The family were poor and the father of our subject when a boy was "bound out," and at the age of fifteen went as a bound boy to New York state, where he grew to manhood and married. His first wife died when their son Perry was two years old, and, besides him, left four other children-Hiram, John, Alice and Sophia. The father was after- ward married again, and in New York spent the rest of his life and died.
His father a farmer, the subject of our sketch was reared to agricultural
.
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pursuits, remaining a member of the home circle until he was twenty-two years old. He then hired out as a farm hand, and not long afterward went to Ridgeway, New York, and secured a position as a clerk in a store, in which capacity he served four years. After his marriage, which event occurred in the spring of 1842, he engaged in farming in Cayuga county, New York, and gave his attention to agricultural pursuits there for twelve years. On coming to LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1856, he first settled in Ophir township, where he soon ranked with its successful farmers and where he lived until 1888, when he moved to Earlville, and here lived retired till his death occurred. He disposed of his home farm, but owned eighty acres in Iowa at the time of his death.
Mr. Farnham was married in April, 1842, to Miss Mary Ann Bishop, who died in 1860, leaving two children: Don B., still at home, and Dorr B., engaged in farming in Iowa. July 27, 1863, Mr. Farnham married Miss Nancy McGregor, a native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, born February I, 1823, a daughter of James McGregor. Her father and brother Joseph came to Illinois and settled in LaSalle county in 1852, and she joined them here in 1857.
Mr. Farnham was a hard worker all his life, and it was to his energy and his good management that his success in life was due. Politically he was a Republican. July 23, 1899, he passed to the great beyond, leaving a widow and two sons to mourn his loss; and numerous friends hold him in affection- ate memory.
GEORGE W. McCOMBS.
A popular citizen of Farm Ridge township is he of whom this sketch is penned. He is a native of German township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred June 9, 1846. His parents, John and Mary J. (Gallagher) McCombs, were members of the agricultural class, and were noted for their sterling honesty, integrity and good citizenship generally. They likewise were natives of Fayette county, where they resided during their entire lives, respected and loved by those who knew them best. The father, who was born in 1809, died at the age of seventy-four years, in 1883, and the mother, born in 1818, departed this life in 1851. He was a Repub- lican in his political creed, but was not an aspirant for public office, preferring to devote his whole attention to his business affairs and his little home circle. He set a worthy example to his children and his sons were thoroughly and systematically trained in correct business principles and in love of their country and their fellow men. Of his eleven children, two died when young
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and the others were named as follows: Margaret, Hannah, Elizabeth, Anne, George W., Mary, William, John A. and James Clark.
George W. McCombs was reared on the old homestead in the Keystone state, and was educated in the public schools of the vicinity. Believing that the west afforded greater opportunities to a young man desirous of success, he came to LaSalle county in 1866. For one year he lived upon the Finley farm. September II, 1866, he bought the S. P. Crouch farm, in Grand Rapids township, where he resided until 1876, when he purchased the John McCormick farm. This place, which has since been his home, comprises one hundred and sixty acres of rich, productive land, excellent pastures, rivaling the celebrated blue-grass meadows of Kentucky, and a substantial house and barns, windmill, fences, fine shade-trees and orchard are among the features which render this a model country home. The thrifty owner pays special attention to the raising of high-grade live stock, and on his farm there may always be found fine Jersey cattle, Poland-China swine and Per- cheron and various standard horses. In all of his farming methods Mr. Mc- Combs is progressive and practical, and the success which he has wrought out is well deserved.
Physically he is large and well proportioned, as, though he is six feet and two inches in height, he weighs two hundred and thirty pounds. In manner he is cheerful and optimistic, making the best of life and persistently looking upon the bright side of things. In several of the local offices he has served the people in an acceptable manner, and in his political creed he is a Republican. The family belongs to the Presbyterian church.
In 1870 the marriage of Mr. McCombs and Miss Martha J. Woodward was solemnized. She was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Joseph Woodward, and has been a faithful helpmate, ably seconding the plans made by her husband. They became the parents of six children, namely: Louvica A., John T., Nellie B., Maud H., Mabel, and Edward, who died when about two years of age. John T. married Anna K. Lehr, and is a well-to-do citizen of Grand Rapids township, this county.
JAMES A. POWELL.
One of the native sons of Illinois and for years an esteemed citizen of LaSalle county has ever been ready and willing to do his share as a patriot, whether in time of peace or in war. He stands deservedly high as a business man, neighbor and friend, and is very popular with all classes.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Howell F. Powell, a native
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of Wales. He crossed the broad Atlantic about 1816 and made his home in or near Boston. He had mastered the gardener's business, and after settling in New England gave his attention for some years to supplying a summer resort. He lived to attain an advanced age. He was the father of four daughters and two sons, one of whom was William H., the father of our sub- ject. He was likewise a native of Wales and in his early manhood he learned the trade of wood-carving and upholstering. In 1837 he came to Illinois and bought a tract of land from the government. He reared his children on that place and it was not until 1896 that he retired and located in Mendota, where he is now passing in quietude the remainder of his days. For thirty years he served in the capacity of justice of the peace, and for three-score years he occupied an influential place in his own community. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Warner and was a native of Massa- chusetts, died in 1865. Her father, George Warner, was born in England, and upon his arrival in America took up his abode in the Bay state, where he worked at his trade as a weaver until he came to Illinois, some sixty years ago. He located near Northville, LaSalle county, and engaged in farming there for many years. Later he returned to Massachusetts, where he died at the age of eighty-five years. Three sons and a daughter were born to Wil- liam H. and Elizabeth Powell: James A., the subject of this sketch; Mar- shall F., now deceased: Mary, wife of H. C. Ballou; and William H., Jr. The second wife of William H. Powell was Sophronia McNett, and their two children were Frank B. and Mabel.
James A. Powell was born in Northville. LaSalle county, August 29, 1844, and passed his boyhood in the usual pursuits of farmers' lads, a portion of his time being devoted to the acquisition of an education in the district schools. after which he taught school several years during the winter seasons. When the civil war broke out he was too young to be enlisted in the ranks, but he was a stanch patriot and at length was permitted to enter the army, where he was ever found at his post of duty. He was a member of Company C. One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for one year, and made an excellent record as a soldier. After the war he returned to Illinois and began farming in Kankakee county for the ensuing five years. Then, going to Harmon, Lee county, Illinois, he purchased a farm, which he carried on at that place successfully for a period of eleven years. A favor- able opportunity for disposing of the farm then presenting itself, Mr. Powell sold the farm and returning to this, his native county, invested in an eighty- acre farm situated conveniently near Mendota, only half a mile east of the town. This farm he sold at the end of five years, and, going to Nebraska, bought a larger farm, but did not locate there. Two years later he sold his western property at a good profit and invested some of his capital in the
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dairy business, which he has carried on with growing success for the past decade. His fertile farm, well adapted for pasturage, comprises eighty-six and a half acres, located in Mendota township, adjoining the city of Men- dota, and is one of the pleasantest and most attractive locations in the vicin- ity of that city.
The marriage of Mr. Powell and Miss Eliza McNett took place on the 22d of July, 1870. She is a daughter of Daniel and Mary McNett, and by her marriage has two promising sons,-Charles D. and Claude A. Charles is engaged in the mercantile business, while Claude is helping to conduct the dairy business.
Fraternally Mr. Powell is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Court of Honor, and in politics he is a true-blue Republican. For nine years he served as a highway commissioner, was clerk of the town for two years and for one year served as a collector. Mrs. Powell is a member of the Methodist church, and they are both liberal contributors to all worthy local charities.
WILLIAM R. BENNETT.
Deer Park township, LaSalle county, Illinois, has its full share of enterprising, up-to-date farmers, and among them none are more worthy of special mention in a work of this character than is William Ralph Ben- nett.
Mr. Bennett was born in the township in which he now lives, October 31, 1856, the eldest of the three sons of Isaac H. Bennett. The second son, Arthur E., is now a resident of Los Angeles, California, and the youngest. Rev. Milton G., resides at Clarion, Iowa. William R. was reared in his native township, on his father's farm. and with the exception of one year spent in Iowa, where he moved with his parents in the early '70s, he has never resided outside of Deer Park township. He remained with his father, assist- ing in the work of the farm and contributing to the common purse, until he reached his majority. At the age of twenty-four he married and settled on the farm which he now owns and occupies and which, under his manage- ment, is being successfully conducted and shows evidence of thrift and prosperity.
Mrs. Bennett was formerly Miss Belle Follett, and was born in 1859, in LaSalle county, Illinois, her father, James Follett, a well known farmer of this county, having come here in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have four children: Walter Ray, Florence, Louise and Follett F.
Mr. Bennett's traits of character are well known to the citizens of Deer Park township. He has been their collector of taxes and has given
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them faithful service. His opinions and counsels are respected on matters affecting the welfare of his town and his standing as a business man is above question or suspicion. He has the same regard for right in doing things politically that he has in the every-day affairs of life.
FRANK J. PATTERSON, L. D. S.
Mendota, Illinois, has its quota of professional men, and prominent among them is the subject of this sketch, Frank J. Patterson, who has been engaged in the practice of dentistry here for the past six years.
Dr. Patterson is a Canadian by birth and education. He was born in Glasgow, Canada, March 12, 1860. a son of Dr. Elijah and Martha (Pear- son) Patterson, both natives of Canada. The Pattersons have long been residents of Canada, to which place, it is supposed, they went from Vermont. The Pearsons are of English origin, the first representatives of the family having come from England to America in 1833 and settled in Upper Canada. Dr. Elijah Patterson has for a number of years been engaged in the practice of dentistry at Toronto, Canada.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Frank J. chose the dental profession. He was reared in Port Perry, to which place his parents moved when he was a child, and where he completed a high-school course and graduated in 1875. That same year he matriculated in the Royal College of Dental Surgeons, Toronto, and pursued his studies there for a time, following which he operated in his father's office until 1879. He then re- entered the same college, and is a graduate with its class of 1882. From the time of his graduation until 1893 he was engaged in practice in Toronto, and since January of the latter year he has been identified with the interests of Mendota, Illinois, and engaged in a successful practice here, having suc- ceeded Dr. J. D. Moody.
Dr. Patterson was married in 1880 to Miss Roby N. Kelley, of Oshawa, Ontario, and their happy union has been blessed in the birth of two children, the older one dying in infancy, and the younger, Greta N., is living.
Fraternally Dr. Patterson has a membership in the I. O. O. F. and Foresters.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977.327852 C001 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD OF
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