USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 31
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JAMES BANE.
A native of Marshall county, West Virginia, born December 30, 1840, James Bane is a son of Nimrod and Leanna (Bowers) Bane, who were among the pioneers of Illinois, settling in Marshall county in 1850. The father was a son of Jesse Bane, a farmer, who was born in Pennsylvania, of English descent. He participated in the war of 1812 and instilled the same principles of patriotism that animated him into the minds of his several children. He passed the later years of his life in West Virginia, his death oc- curring when he was about sixty-five years of age. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Henry Bowers, likewise was a native of the Keystone state. and was of German extraction. He, too, followed agricultural pursuits, and reared a large number of children. He was about three score and ten years of age when claimed by death, in 1845.
Nimrod Bane, who is still living. is a native of Greene county, Pennsyl- vania, as was also his wife. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom were sons. Five of the number are living at this writing, namely: Henry, of Greenwood county, Kansas; James: Ephraim, of Reno county, Kansas: Jacob, of Springfield, Illinois; and Joseph, of Morris county, Kansas. As previously stated, the father removed to this state almost half a century ago, and locating upon a farm of eighty acres in Marshall county he pro- ceeded to improve and cultivate the place, which he transformed into a
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very desirable homestead. For a number of years they dwelt in the vicinity of Robert's Point, where the children received excellent educational advant- ages. The devoted wife and mother was summoned to the better land in 1876, when she was in her sixty-second year. She adhered to the religious faith of her ancestors, being a Lutheran. Of late years the father has made his home with his children. He is a Republican, and has ever taken an active part in the affairs of his own locality.
James Bane, whose name heads this sketch, has resided in Illinois since he was about ten years old, and in 1856 he became a citizen of LaSalle county. Here he worked for farmers for several years, or until the civil war was well under way, when he offered his services in the defense of the stars and stripes. Becoming a member of Company H, One hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, he continued at the post of duty to which he was assigned until there was no longer need of his aid, the war having ended. He took part in many of the leading and decisive battles of the war. among them being Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and Hartsville, Tennessee. He then went with Sherman on the world- famed march to the sea, and participated in important campaigns in Georgia. North and South Carolina, and finally went to Richmond and thence to Washington. He was captured at Hartsville, but was soon exchanged, and a second time, at Walden's Ridge, Tennessee, fell into the hands of the Confederates-General Joe Wheeler and his forces. At last he was paroled. and in his possession to-day is the parole which was signed by the adjutant- general of the officer just mentioned. After having served three years. lacking two months. he was mustered out of the Union army, in June, 1865. and returned home.
Making a permanent settlement in LaSalle county, Mr. Bane bought a farm of eighty acres in Groveland township, and six years later sold that place. He then leased farms for six years, after which he bought his present homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, two and three-quarters miles northeast of Dana, in Groveland township. As long ago as 1856 he broke prairie on this farm, and at that time there were but a few houses in the township. He is practically a self-made man, as he began earning his own livelihood when he was very young, and has had to rely solely upon him- self. He attended the old style subscription schools to a limited extent, in his boyhood, and is in the main self-educated. Fraternally he is a mem- her of Long Point Lodge. No. 552, A. F. & A. M .; a non-affiliated mem- ber of Rutland Chapter, No. 112, R. A. M., and Rutland Council, No. 52; and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, his membership being with Rutland Post No. 292. For three years he acted in the capacity of high priest of Rutland chapter and for a like period he was master of
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the Rutland blue lodge. In his political creed he is an ardent Republican.
The marriage of Mr. Bane and Miss Eliza Jane White was solemnized February 6, 1867. She is a daughter of John and Mary Ann (Whetzel) White. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bane, nine of the num- ber being sons. Austin H., now of Livingston county, Illinois, married Annie Dunbar, and has three children. Stella, Oakley and Alta. Anna Lee married Silas Blakely and has one son, James. They are residents of Jasper county, Iowa. Arthur J. wedded Cora Bailey, and dwells at Long Point. Illinois. William Orville died at the age of five years and five months. Charles C. at present is in the employ of a farmer of this locality, and all of the younger children are at home, and comprise Herbert C., Gilbert S .. Emily H .. Edward S., Robert LeRoy and DeWitt Clinton. Mr. and Mrs. Bane, both of whom are members of the Methodist church, have conscien- tiously performed their duty toward their children, church and community. and are eminently deserving of the genuine esteem in which they are held by everyone.
THOMAS MARSHALL.
Thomas Marshall, a prosperous farmer of Groveland township. LaSalle county, has been the architect of his own fortunes, and from a humble be- ginning has steadily advanced toward an influential position in the com- munity where his lot is cast.
He is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Moats) Marshall. and was born in Ohio county, Virginia, November 10, 1826. His father was born on the Atlantic ocean, while his parents were on their way to America, from their old home in Ireland. Mrs. Elizabeth Marshall was a native of Mary- land, and was married in that state. Her father, William Moats, was a pros- perous farmer of the same state, where he passed his entire life, and reared a large number of children to be useful citizens. After their arrival in this country. the parents of Robert Marshall located upon a farm in Maryland. and there he grew to manhood and learned the trade of a weaver. Later. he removed to the vicinity of Wheeling. West Virginia, and resided upon a farm there until death released him from his labors. He was then about seventy-five years of age. His wife survived him many years, and had at- tained the extreme age of ninety-eight years at the time of her death. They were adherents of the Baptist creed, but were not identified with any church in West Virginia. Mr. Marshall was a highly respected citizen of his com- munity, and, true to his patriotic principles, he enlisted in the defense of his country in the war of 1812, though he was not called upon to participate in any battle. Of his fourteen children only five are now living, namely:
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Jacob. of Stillwater, Oklahoma; William, of Wood county, West Virginia; Susanna, widow of James Pritchett, of Dana, Illinois; Thomas, of this sketch; and Mrs. Elizabeth W. M. Croft, of Streator. this county.
Thomas Marshall. whose home is on section 35, Groveland township, was born in Ohio county, West Virginia. November 10. 1826. He was reared to the pursuits of an agriculturist, and received his education in the district schools. For a number of years he lived in Wood county. West Virginia, and it was not until 1864 that he came to Illinois. His father gave to him, as he did to each of his boys, a tract of one hundred and fifty acres of timber land. After clearing twenty acres of this property, Thomas Marshall sold the farm for one thousand dollars, and it was soon after this event that he became a resident of Livingston county, Illinois.
On the 19th of August. 1855. Mr. Marshall married Bessie, daughter of William Henry and Susan (Geddy) Curgenven, all natives of England. The father died in that country, at the age of twenty-two years, when Mrs. Marshall was seven months old. and his widow married again, and accom- panied her second husband to America. They took up their abode in Wood county, West Virginia, where he died at the age of sixty years. His widow survived him, dying near the town of Rutland, Illinois. in 1874, when she was sixty-two years of age. She was a Baptist in her religious faith, and was a lady of exemplary life and amiable character. The maternal grand- father of Mrs. Marshall was the Rev. Nicholas Geddy, a minister in the Methodist denomination. and her uncle. Nicholas Geddy, Jr., was a success- ful legal practitioner and solicitor in London, his address being the Mansion House. Mrs. Marshall was a child of six years, when she came to the United States, and her early years were spent in Wood county, West Vir- ginia.
Nine children blessed the union of our subject and wife, six of the num- ber being sons. The eldest, William Henry, of Dana. married Annie Evans, and has six living children. Charles, Grace, Jenkins, Harry. Oscar and Ray. Nicholas Geddy, the next son, living three miles from Dana, chose Lizzie Huckins for his wife, and has five children, namely: Charlotte. George, Lucy, Ethel and Ralph. Milton Thomas died when fourteen years of age. Wesley, whose home is near Rutland, Illinois, wedded Mary Cunningham, and their only child is called Bessie. Susan Victoria died when two and a half years old. Harriet May, who became the wife of Loren Burton, of Scotia, Nebraska, is the mother of five children: Bessie, Jennie, Grace, John Thomas and Robert Ray. James Franklin wedded Emma Marshall, a second cousin, and their pleasant home near Dana is graced by the pres- ence of their two sons. Roscoe and Russell. Bessie Rose, also living near Dana, is the wife of John Luther Boyd, and their three children are named
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respectively Bessie, Eva and Clark. Robert, the youngest child of our sub- ject, is at home and assists in the management of the farm.
When Mr. Marshall came to Illinois with his wife and four children, thirty-five years ago, he purchased forty acres of land in Livingston county, east of Dana, and during this long period he has dwelt in the neighbor- hood of the town and been closely associated with the development of this section of the state. In the course of time, after making substantial im- provements upon his original farm, he invested in two additional tracts of forty acres each. This property he later sold and in its stead bought one hundred and thirty acres of land situated southwest of Dana, across the line, in LaSalle county. Here he has continued to reside until the present time- some twenty-three years. He is a stanch Republican, but has never sought nor desired public office. Mrs. Marshall, who has been a true helpmate, a loving wife and mother, is a member of the Methodist church, and is held in the same high regard by every one, as is also her husband.
WILLIAM G. WILSON.
William Grundy Wilson, one of the respected citizens of Lostant, Illinois, is a native of this state and dates his birth in Putnam county, May 31, 1846.
Mr. Wilson is a son of Garrison and Ann (Dugan) Wilson, natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, respectively. In their family were nine chil- dren, five sons and four daughters, and of this number seven are now living: Elizabeth D., wife of D. C. Hull, of Canton, South Dakota; Matilda A., wife of H. L. Hammitt, also of Canton; William G., of Lostant, Illinois; Mary A., widow of Daniel Kemp, of Streator, Illinois; Thomas M., of Chicago; Robert T., of Granville, Illinois; and Edward H., of Lostant. Garrison Wilson, the father, was a farmer. He came to Illinois in 1829 and located in Putnam county, being a boy at that time and accompanying his parents hither. Their settlement was in Magnolia township. There he grew to manhood and married and reared his family, and there also the evening of his life was passed. He died at the age of seventy-two years. His widow still survives and lives in Lostant with her sons. She is a Presbyterian, while he was a Methodist. In politics he was in early life a Whig and later a Republican. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, serving under Cap- tain Hawes.
The Wilsons are of Scotch origin. Thornton Wilson, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came from Kentucky to Illinois in 1829, and
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as already recorded made a settlement in Putnam county. His life was spent in agricultural pursuits, and he lived to a venerable age. In his family were five sons and two daughters. He is buried at Princeton, Illinois. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Robert Dugan, a native of Ireland, who came to America and settled in Pennsylvania; later moved to Ohio, and about 1833 came to Putnam county, Illinois, and settled on a farm. He was nearly eighty years old at the time of his death. His family comprised six members, three sons and three daughters.
William G. Wilson was reared on his father's farm in Magnolia town- ship, Putnam county, and that was his home for forty-four years, he having traveled considerably, however, in the meantime. In 1893 he moved to Lostant, LaSalle county, and he and his brother Edward H. and their mother live together in Lostant. He owns eighty acres of improved land in Putnam county, and his mother owns one hundred and ninety-five acres.
Mr. Wilson is a member of Magnolia Lodge, No. 103, F. & A. M. Politically he is a Democrat.
AARON GUNN.
Aaron Gunn, deceased, was a native of Montague, Massachusetts, having been born at that place April 4, 1806. He came to LaSalle, Illinois, in the early days and made his home, about the year 1838, at No. 1174 Creve Coeur street, where he lived until his death, March 12, 1897. From 1870 he enjoyed the distinction of being the earliest settler residing in LaSalle. He was a man good and true whose personality was strongly felt in the community and whose presence was a magnetic influence for good. He died in the ripeness of age, with the consciousness of a life well spent and much good accomplished, but his death cast a gloom over the city and surrounding country that will not soon be dissipated. The words of wisdom and guidance that fell from his lips have led many to choose the "straight and narrow way" in their walk through life, and his counsel and help in times of trouble are remembered by scores of others, who think of him with grateful hearts.
Aaron Gunn was of Scotch descent, and the name is still prominent in certain parts of the Scottish Highlands, where it is frequently found. It is thought the family in this country sprung from Jasper Gunn, a physician who came to America in 1635, from county Kerry, in the ship Defence. One of his descendants, Nathaniel Gunn, was one of the original proprietors of the town of Montague. Elihu Gunn, Aaron Gunn's father, was one of
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Aaron gunn
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eight brothers; one died at the age of sixty-five years; the others all lived to be over seventy; one reached his one hundred and second year, another was ninety-eight, while the father of our subject was eighty-eight at the time of death.
Young Aaron worked on his father's farm until he was about twenty- four, when he determined to see something of the great west, and in the fall of 1830 made a trip to central Michigan. He was so well pleased with the prospect of that country that he returned to his father's in order to make arrangements to remove permanently to the west. In the spring of 1831 he joined a company who styled themselves the "Hampshire Colony," and who left Albany, New York, by way of the Erie canal, on May 7, 1831, and arrived at Buffalo ten days later. There, much to their disappointment, they learned that the boats did not go to Chicago (then Fort Dearborn), and they were compelled to be content with a passage to Detroit. When they reached that point they made arrangements with a schooner to take their goods later, and then hired teams to convey them overland to Lake Michigan. Among the company were eight young men who were unmar- ried and whose baggage consisted only of their trunks. These, in the order of their ages, were John Leonard, John P. Blake, Aaron Gunn, Amos C. Washburn, Christopher C. Corse, George Hinsdel, E. Hinsdel Phelps and Charles C. Phelps. When the party reached Mottville seven of these young men bought two "dug-outs" of the Indians, lashed them firmly together, side by side, launched them, loaded in their trunks, and paddled down the St. Joseph river until they reached its mouth. Going to the site now occu- pied by the city of South Bend, where a French-Indian trading post was then kept by a man named Coquillard (pronounced Cut-te-aw), they hired a man and ox team to haul themselves and luggage six or eight miles across the country to the Kankakee river, which they reached at sundown on the first of June, 1831. Their boats were once more launched and they paddled down the Kankakee and Illinois rivers to Illinois Town, now LaSalle, reaching it on the 9th of June, 1831, and landing at a point just below the mouth of the Big Vermilion. Here was an Indian trading post kept by one Crozier, father of the late Amaza Crozier, of Utica, Illinois. This place was called Shippingport, and the same man had charge of the post-office, the first in LaSalle county. The white population at that time consisted of three men and one woman at LaSalle. At this time the Indians were showing their treacherous disposition and hostile feelings toward the white men, and many a narrow escape from their treachery were experienced by these pioncers.
The Black Hawk war occurred the year following the arrival of the Hampshire colony, and in this war Aaron Gunn served in the militia under
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Colonel Strawn, being mustered out after twenty-nine days' service. This war scattered the Hampshire colony to various parts of the country, and Mr. Gunn sold his claim, located at La Moille, to Moses A. Bowen, father of Colonel Bowen, of Mendota. He then entered a claim in Putnam county, not far from the Quakers' yearly-meeting house. This claim he sold later, to Joseph Hoyle, the first Quaker settler in the Clear creek neighborhood. In 1835 he entered the west half of section 10, in the town of LaSalle, which he made his home, and upon which he resided for almost fifty-nine years. He was industrious and painstaking in his work and converted his land into most desirable farm property.
In 1833, while attending religious services conducted by a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher named Mitchell, he was led to accept divine guidance in his daily life, and this conversion brought about a radical change in his whole character. From that hour it became his great object to pattern his life after that of the Savior and to aid in the uplifting and betterment of humanity. His zeal in the cause of religion would allow of no lukewarm measures, and he felt that he must take an active part in the cause that lay so near his heart. At that time there were no churches in that section of the country, services being held by traveling preachers who occasionally visited that region. He was a Baptist in belief, but as no organization of that faith had as yet been started he united with the Methodists, believing the Lord would understand and appreciate the work, whether it was carried forward under the banner of one denomination or another. It was not an easy matter at that time to find men who were able to preach the gospel, and the Methodists readily received him as one of their most earnest work- ers. They were not slow in recognizing his ability, and he held a prominent place in their meetings for several years. preaching at various points in his section of the state, and by his example and teaching influencing many to leave their burdens at the Cross and seek the better way. He had charge of the circuit one year, covering the territory east to Morris, north to Dixon, and back to the Hennepin neighborhood. He was the first Protestant minister to settle in LaSalle, and was one of the founders of the first Protestant church organized there. This was the Baptist church, which was organized about 1839. He had been actively associated with the Presbyterians in Peru for some time previous to this. He always spoke of the many pleasant associations connected with his Methodist ministry, and the remembrance of them always afforded him the keenest pleasure. When the Methodists organized in LaSalle, in 1851, he was greatly interested in the movement and assisted them by giving their first minister a home in his own household, without charge, for the seven months of his pastorate. After reaching the age of fifty years he seldom made public addresses,
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although his interest in the moral growth and development of those around him was in no measure abated. He was a man of singular purity of heart and simplicity of manner, and it has been impossible to find in his life anything of personal reproach or weakness; strong and dignified, he won the sympathy and friendship of all with whom he came in contact, and his career is a matter which reflects credit to his adopted city. He was gener- ous and extended his charities alike to all deserving objects, regardless of their nationality or beliefs; it was only necessary that he should know the help was needed to insure its speedy arrival. His strong personality was so impressed on the community that it will be felt for many years to come, and it is but natural that his death should be regarded as a public calamity, although he had nearly rounded out the century of life before he heard the call, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
May 14, 1837, Aaron Gunn was married to Miss Nancy Winters, a daughter of Obadiah and Elizabeth (Prillaman) Winters, and a grand- daughter of Moses Winters and Jacob Prillaman. Moses Winters was a native of New York and reached the extreme age of ninety-four years. Jacob Prillaman was of German descent and died in advanced years. Oba- diah Winters was a native of New York, but when a young lad went to Virginia, where he grew to manhood and married Elizabeth Prillaman, who was born in Richmond, that state. Mrs. Gunn was born in Miami county, Ohio, July 31, 1806, and is now in her ninety-fourth year. Seven children were born to herself and husband, namely: Jennett, wife of George A. Elliott, of LaSalle; Moses W., also of this city; Lucy, wife of Heman B. Chapman, of LaSalle; Lydia C., deceased; Elizabeth Sarah, wife of F. L. Ayers, of Augusta, Kansas; Aaron Elihu, deceased; and Esther Belle, wife of T. A. Williams, of Tallahassee, Florida. They also reared a pair of twins, Clarence and Clara Bradley, the latter being the wife of Harry Turner, a contractor and builder of this place. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1887, and at the time of Mr. Gunn's death had been married nearly sixty years. Mrs. Gunn was of the same religious views as her husband, and both were ardent abolitionists, and she is now also a firm believer in the principles of prohibition. She is a woman of strong Christian character and has an abiding trust and faith in her heavenly Father, a faith that is shared alike by her children and grand- children.
Mr. Gunn was a Whig, but later became an adherent of the Republican party, although he was never a politician. The emoluments of a petty- office holder offered no inducements to him. His depth and breadth of character made him a safe standard to follow, while his ready sympathy and
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simple eloquence caused him to be in frequent demand when death had claimed his own and the loved one was to be laid away; then did his voice offer comfort to the bereaved while his words led their thoughts to that better land and prepared them to so live as to be ready for the final sum- mons. The portrait of Mr. Gunn given in connection with this brief mention of his career, is from a photograph taken of him in his eighty-third year.
ALVA WINANS.
The subject of this sketch is a retired farmer and one of the highly respected citizens of Dana, Illinois, and as such his life history is of interest in this work, and is as follows:
Alva Winans was born on the Hudson river, in the town of German- town, Columbia county, New York, December 28, 1826. His parents, Alva and Eva (Hover) Winans, were natives respectively of Canaan, Massachu- setts, and Columbia county, New York, and in their family were nine children who lived to be grown, five of whom are now living: Orrin, Alva, Robert Bruce, Lavina (the widow of Lyman Utter, of Lewiston, Idaho), and Mary (the widow of John L. Boyd, of Groveland township, LaSalle county, Illi- nois). Their father, a farmer, about 1855 came out to Illinois and located on a farm in Groveland township, LaSalle county, where he bought a farm of eighty acres. He died here in 1871, past the age of seventy-three years. His wife was about seventy-two at the time of her death, which occurred three years after his. Both were members of the Advent Church. During the war of 1812 he enlisted in the service of his country and went down to New York city to enter upon active duty, but the war closed shortly afterward and he never participated in any engagements. He filled various township offices.
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