USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2 > Part 59
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Henry Bonser was born February 5, 1852. a son of William Thomas and Emeline (Ste- phens) Bonser. his father being a native of Eng- land who came to America when a young man and settled in Schuyler County, Ilere he mar- ried, his wife being a native of Kentucky who migrated to Indiana when a child, thence com- ing with her parents to Schuyler County. After their marriage Mr. Bonser and wife settled in Section 16, Bainbridge Township, and upon the farm there were born their eleven children. namely : Keziah. now the widow of a Mr. Wil- liam Rawson, a resident of Huntsville Town- ship: Eliza, wife of William Suggest, who lives in Alta. Canada: William, who served in the Civil War as a member of the Seventeenth 11- linois Volunteer Infantry, and is now a farmer of Phelps County, Neb. : John, who served in Company G. Twenty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for a period of three years, and died in June. 1597: Nancy J., wife of A. I. Vanorder. whose Imsband was also a soldier in the Twenty- eighth Illinois (seeing over four and a half years' service) and is now a farmer of Oakland Township. Schuyler County: James, who joined the One Hundred and Fifty-first Winoins Infan- try. died while in the service of the Union and was buried at Colundms. Ga. : Thomas and Mil- burn, farmers of Phelps County. Neb. : Henry .. ,
of this review; Edward and Marion, also agri- culturists of Phelps County, Neb. The father of this family died in the little log cabin which he had erected ou Section 16 during the your 1864. the mother surviving him for nearly twenty years and following her husband in 1893. Both were faithful members of the Union Baptist Church. and were highly honored by all as good parents, kindly neighbors and truly useful factors of their home commity.
Henry Houser was reared to the life of a farmer from carly boyhood, assisting his father on the home place, attending the district schon!, and faithfully performing; such other duties as fall to him who is convinced that he has found his useful place in the world, and has no desire to experiment in other fields. As the older mem- bers of the family left the homestead, the girls to marry and the boys to prepare homes of their own. Henry A. was placed in charge of the old fann, as the father had died when the son was only twelve years of age. The mother continued to reside on the family homestead until her death in 1893.
Mr. Bonser was married in the fall of 1873 to Miss Sarah Quinn, a native of Sehuyler County, Ill., and a daughter of Selathiel Quinn and Elizabeth Gillespie (as she was known in maidenhood ). The wife and mother died June 10, 1907. her husband having already passed away while journeying to Indiana to make a visit to friends. Mr. Bonser remained upon the farm where he was born until 1895. when, as stato, he removed with his family to the site of his present fine homestead and commenced to make the purchases and improvements which have resulted in its establishment. These two homesteads, endeared by so many filial and mar- ital associations, have witnessed the coming of eleven children to the family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Bonser. their names, given in the order of birth. being as follows: Myrtle, now the wife of Earl Brewer, and her-elf the mother of two children : Herbert and Grace, who live at home : Etta, wife of Leonard Hodges, a farmer of Woodstock Township, and mother of one child; Gertrude, residing at home: Nellie and Roy, twins; and Lydia, Electa, Ruth and Curry, who are also still with their parents, Lydia is teacher of a school in Schuyler County.
Mr. Bonser always has been considered not only one of the most progressive farmers of his township, Init one of its most intelligent and useful citizens. A strong supporter of the prin- ciples of Democracy, his political attitude has never interfered with the impartial performance of the various publie duties which have devolved upon him. He has efficiently served as School Director for many years, and has held varions other township offices. There are, in fact. no men in his township who are better known or more highly honored than Henry A. Bonser, whose life of uprightness and broad usefulness have won him wide and unshaken confidence.
BOTTENBERG, Thomas Edward .- Because of
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
natural aptitude and superior equipment. Thomas Ilward Bottenberg has taken a prominent rank in his profession iu Rushville, where he began bis career as a lawyer in Derember, 18:3, har- ing successively filled the offices of City Attor- ney of Rushville, and State's Attorney of Schny- ler County. In bis general make-up Mr. Bor- tenberg embodies the sterling qualities of his German-English ancestors, the earliest American representatives of whom of the pateristi side were his great-grandparents. Jacob and Elizabeth But- tenberg, who came from Germany and settled in Virginia, while his maternal great-grandparents. of the name of Holmes, came from England and settled in Kentucky. His grandparents. hugh Bottenberg and Nathan Holmes, were born in Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. the former marrying a native of Virginia, and the latter marrying Mana Miller, who was born in Ken- turky. Joseph Bottenberg and Mary Jane ( Hohes) Bottenberg, were born in the States of which their respective grandparents were pio- heers, and they were early settlers of MeDou- ough County, Ill., where their son, Thomas E .. was born on a farm November 28, 1.
The Rottenberg family moved from MeDon- ough County to Astoria, Fulton County, in 1851. and there Thomas Edward. then thirteen years of age, completed his common school education. Developing a liking for the profession of law, he laid the foundation for the samo at the Northern Indiana University, at Valparaiso, and after graduating from the classical course in 1889, tinight school near Vermont, Ill .. for one torm, afterward acting as Principal of the Frederick school several years. in the meantime employing lis leisure 'hours in reading law, his admission to the bar taking place in May, 1893, and his settlement in Rushville in December following, as a member of the firm of Montgomery & Glass. Ipon the removal of Mr. Montgomery to Quincy in 1896. the firm name was changed to Glass & Rottenberg. The same year Mr. Rottenberg's popularity and ability were recognized by his election to the office of State's Attorney, the alle and conscientious discharge of which brought him re-election in 1900. Besides being a leading practitioner since his admission to the har, he has "stumped" the county during every Democratic campaign and. in ISOS, was Chairman o. the Democratie Central Committee.
Socially, as well as legally and politically, Mr. Bottenberg maintains high standards and counts among his friends prominent and well known citizens of the State. He has been elveted Emi- hent Commander of the Rushville Commandery No. 56. Knights Tendar, has served Ale years. and still hohls this position. He has woven the fabric of his success with strands of lasting firm- ness and strength. sacrificing nothing of principle or procedeit. while achieving some of the most brilliant and satisfying compensations of his pro- fession.
BRINES, John T .-- A life spent within the lim- Its of one county may seem lacking in those
thrilling adventures characteristic of the careers of those who travel much by land and sea, and whip varied commercial interests take them into different parts of the world. Yet the pros- perity of a country is dependent principally upon those earnest. quiet. persevering men, who, in the daily round of duties, remain optimistic. co fragrons : spherits hearod. and who, by improving their little tracts of land. make the world more atractive by reason of their pres- once. Within the limits of Schuyler County John ". Brings was born and reared, and here the butey years of manhood were passed in the work of an agricultorist : finally, as the shadows of lite's briet day have passed the high noon. he has lifted from his shoulders some of the bur- dens of youth and now enpoys the pleasures of a pleasant country home, surrounded by the or- m: mental trees he has planted and showing the painstaking care of a man of good taste.
On Seption thirty-one. Frederick Township. where he now lives. John T. Brines was born September 26. 1849. a son of Roswell and Della ( Norton) Brines. His father was a native of New York and a member of a family comprising ten brothers and two sisters, all of whom lett the East to settle in Wabash County, Ill. When he came to Selmyler County Indiens had not yet disappearel tron their old hunting grounds, and he took part in the Black Hawk War. It was his privilege at an early day to form the ar- quaintance of Abraham Lincoln, and to enjoy the honor of running rares with the martyred Presi- dent. for whom he always maintained the most profound admiration.
Upm waning to Schuyler County the senior Brines settled on the Greer farm in Rushville Township. On selling that place he bonght a farm, Jater owned by George R. Hunter. Next ho bonght the farm new owned by John Malrom- son, and on that place he built an equipment for conducting the tanner's trade, of which he had gained a pietieal knowledge in earlier life. The next property which he acquired was situated on Sepron thirty-one. Frederick Township: the land was covered with white, black and red oak. and black and white walnut trees, and no effort had been made to bring it into condition for cul- tivation. On this place he remained until his death. which occurred in 1809 at the age of ninety-two years; his wife passing away just four weeks later, at the age of eighty-two years. Of their five sons and seven daughters, the ma- jority have been called from earth. The three surviving sous are Henry of California. George of Rushville, and John T. The daughters are Louisa Harriet, on the old homestead, and Er- mine, wife of Pulaski Reeves, a retired farmer living in Rushville.
Among srenos familiar to the boyhood years of John T. Brines were those associated with the pioneer sells, with their there of pur the us and their benches and docks of sale. His edu- ention was such as the teachers in these schools furnished. In 1992 he married Miss Elizabeth Jockish, who was born in Cass County, III. At
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
the time of his marriage he was given 195 acres of land as his share of the estate. At once he began to improve the land, where now he has a pleasant home, with fruit. shade and orna- mental trees, the whole forming offe of the best farms in the township. Interested in stock rais- ing. he makes a specialty of Shropshire sheep, in which he is deeply interested and with which he has been successful. as, indeed. he has also been in other departments of agriculture. He and his wife had three children, but lost their only son. Two daughters. Florence and Rosie, are being educated in local schools. In religion the family are identified with the christian Church at Pleasantview, while politically he always has voted with the Democratic party.
BROWN, Clyde E .- The tremendous strides in agriculture during the past few years have de- veloped a science which the land tiller of a quar- ter a century ago would hardly recognize. Hav- ing learned all that his father has been able to teach him, the young farmer of today, whose am- bitions are commeusurate with his possibilities, sees before him an ever widening vista of in- vention and experiment, and though he has mas- tered the chemistry of soils, the value of lands. and rotation in crops, and the economy of time, effort and space-in fact. has made h's own all that the student learns at the foremost ex- perimental stations in the country- - he knows there are short cuts to good results still undis- covered, and more practical and profitable meth- ods that even further eliminate drudgery, and af- ford ampler time for the general comfort and improvement of the agriculturist. Representa- tive of this far-recing and promising class of the world's workers is Clyde E. Brown, a young man of twenty-seven years, son of Hon. Robert Brown, mentioned elsewhere in this work, and whose opportunities for advancing to the highest round of the agricultural ladder have been enviable and seldom expelled.
Mr. Brown was born in a double log cabin in Woodstock Township, Schuyler County. August 24. 1850, and was educated in the country schools and the Rushville High School. Desiring ho greater honor than to do his work faithfully and well as a farmer. Mr. Brown resolved to give himself every chance for advancement. and in the fall of 1899 entered the live stock dopart- ment of the Illinois State University, at Urbana. completing the course and afterward studying in the horticultural department. equipping himself fully for all departments of fari activity. In January, 1901. he became manager of the Goorze Little farms. comprising over 3,000 acres, in Schuyler County, and on one of these farm. in Buena Vista Township. set out over three thou- sand fruit trees. He made many and extensive improvements for Mr. Little, and gained an ex- perience impossible under less favorable condi- tions. In the meantime, being desirous of get- ting into the fruit business on his own responsi- bility, in the fall of 1901 he bought eighty acres of fand in Section 2, Woodstock Township, known
as the old Kent farm, and set out thereon four- tren Iundred apple and peach trees. In the fall of 1906, after resigning his position with the Little people, he gathered his first crop of peaches and his second crop of apples. all of which brought the highest market price. At this time he realized his advantage in having gone to Louisiana to select his trees at the Stark Nur- sery.
In 1903 Mr. Brown rented an eighty-acre farm of his father, and for three years ran a bachelor hall. jotting up with all of the inconveniences and discomitorts of having to do everything for Linsen. October 4. 1965, he ameliorated his lonely condition by marrying Bertha F. Russell, daughter of D. L. Russell, formerly one of the leading surgeons and physicians of this part of Illinois, Dr. Russell became particularly promi- nent through his invention of an instrument for performing bloodless tracheotomy, the patent of which he sold at a large figure. During the Civil War he served in an Ohio regiment with the rank of Major, and in 1903 moved from Ripley to Rushville, where his death occurred in Sep- tember, 1905. Ile is survived by his wife, who still lives in Rushville. Robert Russell Brown. the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde E. Brown, was born September 28, 1906.
On his farm in Section 2. Woodstock Town- Ny, Mr. Brown is devoting his time to fruit. general produce, Hereford catle and fine draft and road horses. He aimis always at the best, and with his diversified knowledge must continue to suereed, and to inspire others with his infer- tious ideals and enthusiasm. While voting with vare and due regard for the welfare of the com- numity. he has never aided the cause of Democ- racy by official service, devoting his attention to the promotion of the best interests of the com- munity in which he resides. The coming year will find him amply in touch with its standards ail demands. for the progressive mind knows no resting place when collaborating with na- ture and her possibilities.
BROWN, Herman H .-- Agricultural. monetary and legal science have enriched the experience and extended the usefulness of Herman H. Brown. one of the most evergetie and capable of the younger generation of toffers of Rushville, and who at present is known to the community as a mineral attorney, assistant cashier of the Bank of Rushville, chief of the loeat fire department. and promoter of the Farmers' Institute. Mr. Brown is a native of Schuyler County, and was born on a farm in Woodstock Township, June 14. 1575. He represents the third generation of his impily in this part of the State. for hither came his grandfather, John Brown. of Virginia. and his wife, Jane ( Becket) Brown, of Kentucky, and here was born his father. Robert Brown. in the then small village of Rushville. The pater- mal great-grandfather, John Brown, was born in North Carolina. The maternal branch of the family named Hoffman also was etablished early in Schuster County by Samuel Hoffman of Ohio,
2 5. Moore
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
who was father of Mary, the mother of Herman Il., who married Margaret C. Nordin, a native of France. The maternal great-grandparents, Jos- eph and Mary (Myers) Hoffman, were born in Berks County, Pa.
Notwithstanding his withdrawal from agricul- ture as a direct means of livelihood, Hermau II. Brown continues an active promoter of that basic industry of the world. In his youth he received an excellent training on his father's farm, and left it only to augment his distriet school educa- tion by attendance at the Rushville Normal, from which he was graduated with honor in the class of 1892. Ile then studied law in the office of Montgomery & Glass, and. upon passing the State bar examination in 1596, when less than twenty-one years of age, was obliged to other- wise employ himself until he had reached his majority. In the emergency he became a clerk in the Bank of Rushville, soon after being ad- vanced to his present position of assistant cash- ier. Ile fulfilled the active duties of cashier until January 20, 1909, when he became a member of the law firm of Glass & Boltenberg, and since then has been engaged in the general practice of his profession in Rushville and vicinity, Mr. Brown advanced rapidly as a counselor, and in November, 1904. was elected State's Attorney of Schuyler County on the Democratic ticket. He has been active in local Democratie undertakings for several years, and while stomping the coun- try on several occasions, has evidenced strong and persuasive gifts as a speaker.
Mr. Brown is a Director in the Rushville Loan & Homestead Association, and has been connected with the Rushville fire department for the past three years, serving as its head during the greater part of that time. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, Masons and Modern Woodmen of America. His long continued interest in the Farmers' Instituto is an absorbing and practical one and has infused vigor and high standards into an organization of more than average local usefulness. November 21. 1901. Mr. Brown ws united in marriage to Grace 1 :. Hermetet. a native of Selmyler County, and graduate of the Rushville High school.
BROWN, Hon, Robert .- No resident of Rush- ville who has songht its advantages at the end of an active life has more worthily earned the right lo leisure than Hon. Robert Brown. Nor has any one now living been a more interested or industriens observer of the growth of this part of Schuyler County tra the erstwhile farmer and law-maker. The Rushville in which he was born, October 19. 1835, and nepr which he has spent the seventy-two years of his life. gave little promise of its present thrift and cosmopol- itamism. It was destined to the slow develop- ment known as agricultural, presenting within its boundaries no mining or other rapid fortune admiring resonrees. In local government am legislation alone could the settlers hope for por- sonal distinction other than that quiet kind which wines of ordinary work faithfully performed,
and it is along the line of political services that the family of which Mr. Brown represents the second generation in Illinois, has been most use- ful and comspienous.
John Brown, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Payette County, Ky., and married Jane Becket, a native of Bourbon County, that State. On both sides of his fam- ily. John Brown inherited thrifty Scotch traits, and he paved the way for success by becoming a practical farmer and a skillful carpenter and builder. Leaving his native Stare and journey- ing westward in 18SI, he settled on the present site of Rushville, and for Schuyler County he built the first court house, and later erected many residences and barns within its limit. Ile possessed marked executive and general ability, and was three times elected to the Legislature. first as Representative in 1838, Vandalia being then the State capital, a second time to the House in ISH. and to the Senate in 18H, serving during ofte session.
For many years he was one of the three Com- missioners to fransaet the general county busi- ness, and after the organization of the county, was elected Supervisor from Woodstock Town- ship. He was unchangeably Democratic in his convictions, recognizing no compromise for any reason whatever. of the ten children in his family two died in infancy and three are living. John C. the oldest son, who served two terms as Sheriff of Schuyler County, is a resident of Lamar. Mo. ; George W. is living in Cherokee, Kan .. was twice elected head of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Kansas; Nancy J., and her husband, William Hamilton, are doreased : one son is engaged in the wholesale grocery busi- ness at Pittsburg. Kan .: two others whose names have not been returned, are deceased ; Franklin died at Cherokee, Kan., in July. 1906.
Robert Brown is the second oldest in his fath- er's lares family. His youth was uneventfully pissed on the home farm, and his education was acquired in the subscription schools. Ile recalls many incidents of the early history of the county. especially the trouble with the Mormons, when a company had been started for the seat of trou- ble. which company was sent back to their homes by Governor Ford. The Governor. however, thinking to allay apprehension and furnish an indication of what might be expected in case of entersongs, caused the cannon to be operated. with the result that most of the windows in the public square were shattered. At the age of six- teen. Mr. Brown became self-supporting. and from then until the age of twenty-three. bad charge of all the work on the home place. Ile made a specialty of stock, and during the Civil War, especially during 1868, bought and sold to the army large numbers of both cattle and horses. In October. 1866. he was united in marriage to Mary M. Hoffman, and of this nion there have been born the following named children : Robert W., and Lillian, both living at home : Herman II .. State's Attorney of Schuyler County : Clyde E., a graduate of the horticultural department
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
of the State University, and now the owner of a splendid farm in Section 2, Woodstock Town- ship.
From the ownership of eighty acres of land Mr. Brown has sern his fortunes increase to 510 acres, 210 of which are in the home place. Ile has a large and comfortable home, well con- structed barus and outbuildings. Due regard is manifested for the things which contribute to the pleasure, if not the financial profit. of life, and such delights as shade and fruit trees, flow- ers and shrubs abound on every hand. When the Bank of Rushville was organized, Mr. Brown be- came one of its largest stock-holders, and he has ever since been yearly elected a director in that institution. He was President of the County Fair Association for four years, and during that time this encourager of local enterprise assumed new influence and usefulness. In 1904, he handed to younger hands and minds the management of his farms, but still controls them, while passing his days in a pleasant home in Rushville.
The beginning of Mr. Brown's political activity antedated by several years his election to the State Senate in 1ST4, in which he served four years. During this session he promoted the County Mutual Insurance bill, which has been of such invaluable aid to the people of the State, and upon his return from the Senate he was elected County President of the Insurance Company, a position which he continued to till for six years and six months, This organization now is in a flourishing condition, and for the part taken by Mr. Brown no charge was made whatever. His senatorial career was further distinguished by his attitude toward railroad rate reduction, his zeal in the matter being largely responsible for the three instead of five cent a mile rate, which prevailed for many years, flis political and agri- cultural life furnish many inspiring lessons to the youth who would succeed in these impor- tant departiments of activity, and in so well and conscientiously performing his duty he has gained that which is most valued by a good man, the respect and approval of his fellow-men.
BURNHAM, Frank Blair, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Littleton Township. Sehuy- ler County, IL., was born in Rushville Township. Schuyler County, April 17, 1860. a son of Edgar A. and Caroline (Arin-trong) Burnham, natives of Vermont and Pennsylvania, respectively. the latter having been born in the county of West- moreland. The paternal grandfather was Solo- mon Burnham, of Vermont, and the grandparents on the maternal side were John and Elizabeth ( Graff) Armstrong. of Pennsylvania. In 1851. Edgar A. Burnham journeyed from Vermont to Rock Island, IN., and in the following year caine to Rushville. Schuyler County. Caroline Arm- strong accompanied her parents to the same lo- reality in 1854. The young couple were married in 1857. and made their home for two years with the bride's parents in Rushville Township. In 1×59. Edgar A. Burnham bought 160 acres of land in the same township, disposing of eighty
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