USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 10
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BART SIEGLER.
Bart Siegler, agent for the United States and American Express Com- panies at LaSalle, Illinois, was born in Sublette, LaSalle county, this state, December 12, 1864, a son of Bartholomew and Helen (Heltenberg) Siegler, both natives of Germany. When he was five years old his parents moved to LaSalle, and here he was reared and educated, having the benefit of the public schools. At the age of fifteen he left school and began hustling for himself. First his attention was directed to the tinner's trade, at which he worked about six years. Next he became driver for the United States Express Company and two years later was given the position of express messenger for the same company, with the run out of Peoria. Later he was made night agent at the depot at Peoria, which position he filled one year, then being given day service. In July, 1894, he was sent back to LaSalle, as agent for the company. In November, 1897, when the Amer- ican and United States Express Companies combined their business, he was retained in the service, doing the business for both, and this position he still fills. Mr. Siegler is an enterprising young business man, prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties, and that his efficient services are appreciated by his employers is evidenced by his long continuance with them.
In 1892 Mr. Siegler married Miss Katie Berghardt, and they have one child, Helen. He and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic church, and politically he is a Democrat, not, however, taking an active part in politics.
HOSMER C. CHAPMAN.
The Chapmans are a family that have long been identified with LaSalle county, Illinois, and occupying a representative place among them is the subject of this sketch, Hosmer C. Chapman, who is engaged in farming in Miller township, Marseilles being his post-office address.
Hiram W. Chapman, the father of Hosmer C., was one of the pioneer settlers of the county. He was born in East Bloomfield, Ontario county. New York, January 16, 1824, son of Amasa Chapman and his wife, whose
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maiden name was Emily D. Cooley. She was born in Canandaigua, New York, July 4, 1799, and he in Hancock, Massachusetts, September 29, 1793. He died April 27, 1836, and she passed away April 30, 1842.
Hiram W. Chapman grew to manhood in New York and was there married, January 23, 1849, the lady of his choice being Miss Ann E. Davis, daughter of Cornelius Davis. Mrs. Chapman was born and reared in Victor, Ontario county, New York, and was a woman of great strength of character.
In 1854 she accompanied her husband to Illinois and the following year they purchased a farm in LaSalle county, its location being in Miller township, and here they reared their family and passed the rest of their lives. She died at the homestead in February, 1882, at the age of fifty- three years, and he survived her until March 1, 1898, when he died at the age of seventy-four. Politically he was a Republican, interested in public affairs, and for a number of years served as a member of the school board and also filled other local offices. Mrs. Chapman was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They reared to maturity five children, four sons and one daughter, namely: George H., Hosmer C., Della Lucina, Frank O. and Otis L. The daughter died in 1880, at the age of twenty-two years.
Hosmer C. Chapman was born March 16, 1853, and was eighteen months old when his parents moved to Miller township, and consequently has never known any other home than this. He was reared on his father's farm, receiving his education in the schools of the district, and since he reached adult years he has carried on farming operations on his own ac- count. He has lived on his present farm nine years. This farm, known to many as the "Jesse Mick Farm," is well improved with modern residence and other good farm buildings, and its cultivated fields and general appear- ance at once indicate that a prosperous, energetic man is at the head of its operations.
Mr. Chapman was married February 14, 1878, to Miss Clara M. Snyder, of Manlius township, LaSalle county, daughter of John and Sarah (Petefish) Snyder, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Chapman were born two children .- Mabel June, born May 24, 1882, and Arthur Jay, born November 29, 1887.
Mr. and Mrs. Snyder came to LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1854, and here spent the rest of their lives and died, his death occurring when he was sixty-four years of age; hers at seventy-four. Both were members of the Christian church. They were the parents of nine children. five of whom are now living, namely: Samuel, a veteran of the civil war, is now a resident of Springfield, Missouri; Mrs. Francis Battles, of Perry, Iowa: Maggie,
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wife of G. A. Willmarth, of Miller township, LaSalle county; Clara M., wife of our subject; and John N., of Farnam, Dawson county, Nebraska.
The deceased members of the family were: William, who was a soldier in the civil war, and who died in Dallas county, Iowa; Tabitha, who was the wife of C. N. Rolph, of Miller township; Sarah E., who was the wife of W. A. Harris, of Perry, Iowa; and Emma E., who was the wife of F. O. Chapman of Miller township.
Mr. Chapman gives his support to the Republican party, and is now serving as a member of the school board. He is fraternally identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, having membership in Chapter No. 258, of Marseilles.
OTIS L. CHAPMAN.
Otis L. Chapman, whose farm is located on section 33, Miller township, LaSalle county, Illinois, is a native of the township in which he lives and is ranked with its respected and influential citizens.
Mr. Chapman's father, Hiram Chapman, deceased, was a native of East Bloomfield, Ontario county, New York, where he was born January 16, 1824. the son of Amasa Chapman, a native of Hancock, Massachusetts. The latter was born September 29, 1793, and died April 27, 1836. His wife, who was before marriage Miss Emily D. Cooley, was born July 4, 1799, and died April 30, 1842. They both lived and died in New York state.
Their son Hiram grew to manhood in New York, and was there mar- ried, on January 23, 1849, the lady of his choice being Miss Ann E. Davis, daughter of Cornelius Davis, a native of New England. In 1854 the young married couple cante west to Illinois and the following year settled in Miller township, LaSalle county, where they resided until death. She died at the age of fifty-three years and his age at death was seventy-four.
They were the parents of seven children, and of these four sons and a daughter grew to maturity, namely: George H., of Odell, Illinois; Hos- mer C., of Miller township, LaSalle county; Della Lucina, who died in 1880, at the age of twenty-two years; Frank O., of Miller township; and Otis L.
Otis L. Chapman was born, October 29, 1863. on his father's farm, and received his education in the public schools of the district. While at home he always found plenty to do, assisting in the farm work and the care of stock, his father having one of the largest stock farms in the county, and thus young Chapman early became so familiar with every detail of
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the work that he was fitted to take charge of a farm of his own. He now has a large stock farm and is conducting his operations successfully.
Mr. Chapman was married January 15, 1890, to Miss Martha Jane Hohenshell, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Waltz) Hohenshell, of Grundy county, Illinois. They have three children,-William Henry, born March II, 1891; Hiram Wesley, born February 23, 1892; and Della Catherine, born April 8. 1895.
Mr. Chapman is a Republican, and is at present serving as a member of the school board.
JOHN D. HARBER.
John D. Harber, an ex-soldier and prominent farmer of LaSalle county, Illinois, is a resident of Otter Creek township. He was born June 19, 1847, in Champaign county, Ohio, and is a son of Elijah and Francis (Waller) Harber. The grandfather, Elisha Harber, Sr., resided in the state of Ohio, where the father of our subject was born and grew to manhood. Elisha, the grandfather, fought in the war of 1812, and died at the age of eighty years. The lady whom he married was formerly Miss Francis Waller, a native of Logan county, Ohio. They had three sons and two daughters, John D., our subject, being the eldest. Franklyn, Mary Anne and Amandy Jane, the youngest child, are deceased. Elisha resides at Fort Madison, Iowa, Mary Anne Fordery in the state of Missouri, and Willard at Fort Madison. The father was a Democrat. He died in Indiana, at the age of sixty-seven years and his wife at the age of fifty-five.
Jolın D. Harber was educated in Indiana, about twenty-five miles from Fort Wayne, where he remained until the breaking out of the re- bellion. Although but sixteen years of age he at once enlisted in Company D, Captain McDonald, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Volun- teers, under Colonel Case, and for eighteen months saw active service, taking part in some sharp battles, among which were the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, all in Georgia, and Franklin and Nash- ville, Tennessee. He received a severe wound in the hip and was honorably discharged in 1865, when he returned to his old home in Indiana. He has a kindly interest in the "boys in blue" who took part in that struggle, and they are sure of meeting a hearty welcome from him. Post No. 68. G. A. R., of Streator, Illinois, claims him as an honored member.
He was married in 1867. in Whitley county, Indiana, to Miss Marilla Pimlot, a daughter of Joseph Pimlot. Five children have blessed their union, viz .: Wallace, who married Miss Hattie Hillison and resides in
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this township; and Arthur, who married Miss Ida Cooper and resides also in this township; Emma, the wife of Richard Hilgert, also of this town- ship; and Anna and Ralph. Mr. Harber is a stanch Republican and takes a prominent part in the politics of his county. He was the efficient road commissioner of Otter Creek township, for three years, and has done creditable work in improving the highways in a permanent manner; and he is the deputy sheriff of LaSalle county. He is quiet and retiring in disposi- tion rather than aggressive, and his many excellent traits of character have caused him to be highly esteemed.
Joseplı Pimlot was born in Chesterfield, England, and enlisted in the English army and was captured on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813, by Commodore Perry. After he was released as prisoner he moved to Akron, Ohio, where he was married, and to this union five children were born,- three sons and two daughters: The oldest son, Clark, and Stanton are deceased; Cary is now residing in Kansas; Melissa and Orpha, both deceased. By his marriage to Louisa Lockwood there have been three children,-Meralda and Martha, deceased, and Greeley, who resides in Oklahoma.
CHARLES STRUEVER.
It is a fact freely conceded that America has no better citizens than those sons of the Fatherland who have cast in their lot with the people of this country, becoming thoroughly identified with every institution, upholding our laws and working for the good of the community in which their home is made. Such a valued citizen is Charles Struever, a member of the firm of Struever & Son, of Peru, LaSalle county.
Born in Gottingen, province of Hanover, Germany, July 15, 1816, our subject is a son of George and Dorothea (Biel) Struever, both of whom were natives of the province of Hanover, Germany, where they passed their entire lives. The father was a forester by occupation, and for half a century was in the employ of a wealthy landholder, von Bodenhausen, whose extensive forests he looked after. He was honest, industrious and faithful to the in- terests of his employer, and was respected by all who were associated with him in any manner. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and reared their children in that faith. The father died about 1886, when at an advanced age, and the mother departed this life in 1871. Of their four sons and four daughters but two are now living,-Charles and William,- the latter being a resident of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Those who have passed away are Augusta, who died unmarried; George, who died in the war of the
Charles Streever
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rebellion; Sophia, who became the wife of Mr. Schimmelpfennig; Betty, who married a Mr. Scheidermann; Louis, whose widow still lives in Stras- burg; and Jeannetta, who married a man named Annaker.
Charles Struever obtained a liberal education in the common schools of his native land, and later received private instruction in special lines of study, and spent two years in Gottingen University. When he had arrived at his majority he was called home in order to draw cuts that it might be de- termined whether or not he was to serve for a period in the regular army, the result being that he was absolved. For six years he held a responsible position as overseer of a farm in Mecklenburg, after which he acted in a similar capacity for Minister von Trott. While there he became acquainted with the late Mr. von Baumbach, of Milwaukee, who induced the young man to accompany him to the United States, in 1849. Von Baumbach purchased a farm in the vicinity of Elyria, Ohio, in Lorain county, and his son, aided by Mr. Struever, attended to the cultivation of the place. At the end of two years our subject removed to Wisconsin, where he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Winnebago county, not far from Oshkosh. Subsequently he added another quarter section of land to his original farm, on which he made material improvements. In 1854 he sold the property to Mr. von Baumbach, and soon afterward he came to Peru, where he has dwelt ever since, engaged in various enterprises. At first he carried on a grocery for a couple of years. Becoming local agent for the Matthiessen & Hegeler Zinc Company, in the purchase of coal lands, he bargained for several farms, and thus was initiated into his present line of business. For many years he has been one of the leading real-estate men of this section of the state, and he also represents most of the first-class insur- ance companies.
Almost half a century ago Mr. Struever was united in marriage with Miss Mary Minthorn, who is still sharing his joys and sorrows. Their mar- riage was celebrated at Elyria, Ohio, September 17. 1851, and they became the parents of two children, Doretta and Rudolph F. The daughter wedded Charles Bolster and lived on a farm at Sugar Grove, near Aurora, Illinois. She died, leaving a little son, who was taken to the home of our subject, but when he was about two years and a half old he was called away to the better land. Rudolph F. has been associated with his father in business for the past eleven years, and is an able young man. He married Miss Mary Hun- toon, and they have one child, Charles, named in honor of his grandfather.
A few months after his coming to Peru Mr. Struever bought a house on Fifth avenue, and, since remodeling it, has now made it his home for about forty-five years. He is active as a Republican; was one of the first city marshals of Peru, and for four years served the public as county coroner.
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Socially he has been a member of Mokena Lodge, No. 34, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, for many years. Though Lutherans in religious faith, Mr. and Mrs. Struever have not identified themselves with any church. They enjoy the friendship of all who know them, and few are better known in Peru. Mrs. Struever was born in Torringford, Litchfield county, Connec- ticut, February 15, 1828. Her parents were Hiram and Hulda (Cowles) Minthorn; father born in Torrington, Connecticut, of Holland ancestors, and her mother was born in Litchfield, same state, of English descent. When eight years of age her parents removed to Elyria, Ohio, where she was married. Mrs. Struever was a school teacher in early life, in Ohio for a time and in Peru five years.
JOHN J. VOHS.
John J. Vohs, who occupies the position of bookkeeper in the state department of the Matthiessen & Hegeler Zinc Company, of LaSalle, Illi- nois, was born in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, May 1, 1868, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Linz) Vohs, both natives of Germany and now residents of Galena, Illinois. J. J. Vohs left his parental home in 1884, coming to LaSalle. Illinois, where he entered the employ of the M. & H. Zinc Company. He was married in 1893, and had three children, two now living.
GEORGE A. BENNETT.
The history of Utica township would be incomplete should the name which begins this article be omitted, since for more than thirty years he has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits here, and has been fore- most in all movements tending toward the general prosperity of this locality.
The father of our subject was William Bennett, who was born in Kent, Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1809, a son of Stephen and Diana Ben- nett. The former also was a native of Litchfield county, and was of Scotch- English extraction. William Bennett chose for a wife Sarah, a daughter of Hiram Bronson. She was born in the same county, in the village of Warren, in 1813, and lived to the advanced age of eighty-six years, her death taking place in 1899.
In 1852 William Bennett came with his family to LaSalle county and made a settlement in Deer Park township, upon a farm of eighty acres which he had purchased the preceding year. Later he bought one hundred
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and forty acres in Farm Ridge township. He was accounted one of the most progressive and prosperous farmers of Deer Park township, where he continued his residence till he died. His sterling qualities of heart and mind won for him the admiration and good will of his neighbors, and his death, March 22, 1868, was deeply mourned in the community and felt to be a public loss. His widow survived him more than thirty years, as previously stated, and she continued to dwell upon the old homestead up to thirteen years previous to her death. during which latter period she lived with her daughter in Normal, Illinois. Ten children were born to this worthy couple. Those besides our subject were: Diana C., who married the Rev. A. S. Calkins, of Normal: Isaac H., of Deer Park; George A., of Utica: Henry F., a farmer of Deer Park township; Charles F., a resident of California; Edgar, of Mendota, Illinois; Edwin, of Iowa; Nelson G., of Livingston county, this state; and Emma, who died aged four years.
The birth of George A. Bennett occurred in the town where his father and grandfather before him had been born. The date of this event was May 25. 1837, and in his native town the lad acquired his elementary education. In 1852 he accompanied the family to this county, and until he arrived at his majority he continued to dwell at his parental home. After coming here he attended a district school at Bunker Hill for a period, and by private study and reading has kept abreast of the times. In his early manhood he was very industrious, methodical and economical, and thus made his first steps toward an independent fortune. In 1868 he bought one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land on section 4. Utica township, and later he pur- chased forty acres more, thus making his homestead a full quarter section in extent. During the years which have since rolled away he has made sub- stantial improvements, and now is the possessor of a model farm, with excellent buildings and conveniences in keeping with the progressive spirit of the age.
In 1861 Mr. Bennett married Miss Semantha E. Shaver, of Rutland township, LaSalle county. She is a daughter of Ephraim and Mary Ellen (Mortin) Shaver. Ephraim Shaver was born in Rockingham county, Vir- ginia, in 1812, and was a son of George and Hannah (Sites) Shaver, of German extraction. When a young man he went from his native state to Indiana, where he was married. In January, 1839, he came to LaSalle county and settled in Rutland township, where he died in 1888. His wife was a daughter of William and Mary (West) Mortin. She died in 1896. aged seventy-six years. Ephraim Shaver and wife had the following chil- dren: Semantha E., George W., Mary L., Margert H .. Sybella N .. Isadore E .. Delsena V., Levi Peter and Emily G. Mrs. Bennett was born in Rut- land, Illinois, in 1839, and prior to her marriage she was successfully en-
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gaged in teaching school for about nine years. Emma L., the only daughter of our subject and wife, is the wife of George Sargent, of Deer Park, and their three children are Wilbur Henry, Jetta Naomi and King George. Dee A., the only son of Mr. Bennett, married Nancy Aiken and is an enterprising farmer.
In his political creed Mr. Bennett is a stanch Democrat, and fraternally he is a member of Waltham Lodge, No. 384. F. & A. M. For eight years he was the president of the Home Mutual Insurance Company, of which organization he was a charter member.
THOMAS WILSON.
Thomas Wilson, deceased, was born in Earl township, LaSalle county, Illinois, August 10, 1839, and died here January 17, 1885, at the age of forty-five years. He was a son of Osman John and Sarah Caroline (Thorn- ton) Wilson. Reared on his father's farm in Earl township, he chose the occupation of farming and followed it through life, meeting with success in his operations and being recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of his locality. After his marriage he moved to his own farm, one hundred acres, on section 9. Earl township, having built a home previous to his marriage, and there he passed the rest of his life and died. At the time of his death he and his wife together owned two hundred and fifty acres. Mr. Wilson was a man well known and highly respected in his community. For a number of years he served his township as road commissioner. He was a Republican and a member of the G. A. R.,-Mccullough Post. No. 59. During the civil war he enlisted. September 23, 1861. for a term of three years, as a private in Company I, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and was in the service nine months. at the end of that time being discharged, April 28, 1862, on account of physical disability. Among the engagements in which he participated was the battle of Pittsburg Landing.
February 25, 1869, was consummated his marriage to Miss Mary Catherine Wood, daughter of Nicholas and Catherine Maria (Race) Wood, natives of New York state, he of English descent and she of Dutch. Their happy union was blessed in the birth of two sons and five daughters, namely: Cora Ann, Carrie Gertrude, Sarah Adaline, Charley Thomas, John Henry, Mary, and one that died in infancy. Carrie Gertrude is the wife of Edward R. Emory and resides near Baraboo, Wisconsin, and has one child, Orlou Viola. Sarah Adaline married Wilford S. Flinn, and they also live near Baraboo. Mr. and Mrs. Flinn have one child,-Edith Mildred. Mrs. Wil- son and her other children reside at the home farm.
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Mrs. Wilson was one of six children,-four sons and two daughters .- of whom four are now living, viz .: Isaac N., of Earlville, Illinois; Mrs. Mary C. Wilson; Eliza, wife of John W. Stall; and Gordon Wood, of Nevada. Iowa. Their father, Nicholas Wood, was a farmer. He came to Illinois in the spring of 1863, landing in LaSalle county on the 17th of April, and shortly after his arrival purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land two miles and a half northeast of Earlville, where he spent the rest of his life, and died in 1871. at the age of fifty-five years. His widow survives him, is now in the eighty-first year of her age, and resides in Earlville. She is a devoted member of the Baptist church, as also was her husband. Mrs. Wilson's grandfather, David Wood, died on the Conklin farm in LaSalle county, in 1843, well advanced in years. He had a large family. He was twice married and was the father of three children by his first wife and fifteen by his second wife. Grandfather Race, Mrs. Wilson's grandfather on her mother's side, was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a native of New York state. Grandmother Race lived to the remark- able age of one hundred and one years, her death occurring in 1894. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are living.
JAMES W. PARRISH. 1
James William Parrish, one of the most extensive farmers of the town- ship of Dimmick. LaSalle county, Illinois, is of Virginia birth and is descended from a line of farmers. his father and grandfather having been farmers in the Old Dominion. Great-grandfather Parrish was an English emigrant to this country. Josiah Parrish. the father of James W., was born in Virginia in 1822, and died in Christian county, Illinois, in February. 1896. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Slonaker, died in Virginia. In 1869 he came with his family to Illinois and settled in Dimmick town- ship, LaSalle county, and three years later they removed to Christian county, where his younger children were reared. His family comprised the following named members: Sarah, wife of Charles Vest, of Keyser, West Virginia: Mollie, the wife of John Bailey, of Mineral county, West Vir- ginia: Margaret, wife of Ed. Witcraft, of Iowa: Benjamin, of Christian county, Illinois: Frank, a resident of Mineral county. West Virginia: George, of Christian county, Illinois; and James W., whose name intro- duces this sketch.
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