History of Bureau County, Illinois, Part 81

Author: Bradsby, Henry C., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago, World publishing company
Number of Pages: 776

USA > Illinois > Bureau County > History of Bureau County, Illinois > Part 81

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF BUREAU COUNTY.

pose of lumber, and then went to Chicago, purchased two car loads, which he shipped to Pond Creek. But then he could not get his own corn delivered, so something had to be done, and Mr. Knox, never lacking in ingen- nity, began buying corn from farmers as they were on their way to Tiskilwa, and soon had his cars loaded and shipped. He then figured up the profits on his lumber and the corn he had bought, and finding the profits excellent, he engaged in the lumber and grain business at Pond Creek for some time, but later moved to Wyanet, where he con- tinned in the same business, and also kept a general store, and was the first Postmaster of the village. In 1858 or 1859 he sold out his business in Wyanet and gave his atten- tion more to the study of law, which he had begun in 1857, reading under Charles Barry. In 1861 he removed to Princeton and read law with Milton T. Peters till he was admit- ted in the fall of the same year. For a term of four years - from 1861 to 1865- he served as County Judge. In 1860 he was the Democratic candidate for the State Legis- lature from this district, but was defeated by Joseph Harris, the Republican nominee. Judge Knox continued in the practice of law till 1876, since which time he has given his entire attention to the land agency business. Previous to that he had dealt as agent for the Baltimore & Missouri Railroad in real estate. He was agent for the lands of the Baltimore & Missouri Railroad for about ten years. Since 1880 he has been selling the lands of the Union Pacific Rail- road in Nebraska, and stands at the head of all the Eastern agents. He also has invested in lands for himself, in Kansas and Nebraska, till now he has over 20,000 acres. De- cember 31, 1854, he was married at Wyanet to Miss H. H. Weaver, a daughter of Obadiah Weaver, who came from Allentown, Penn., to Bureau County in 1844, and is yet living at Wyanet. Mrs. Knox is the mother of two sons and two daughters, viz .: Anson H., born October 8, 1855; Mary K., June 10, 1857, wife of J. M. Stevens; Ada L., July 31, 1861; Frank, Angust 8, 1863. The sons are associated with their father in the land business. In 1867, on account of failing health, he had to leave his office, and in com-

pany with Mr. Joseph Taylor made the tour of Europe, remaining abroad one year. Judge Knox is far advanced in Masonry, having taken all degrees up to the Scottish Rite, the thirty-second degree.

ISAAC KURTZ, JR., Walnut, was born in Montgomery County, Penn., August 14, 1832, but from the age of eight years he was reared in Juniata County, Penn. In 1861 he came to Bureau County, Ill., and in 1864 engaged in farming and shipping stock. At the age of nineteen years he had begun, while in Penn- sylvania, shipping stock on his own account. He continued in the stock business and farm- ing till 1875, since which time he has given his entire attention to stock, but still retains his farm, which contains 336 acres, in Bu- reau and Walnut Townships. For some years Mr. Kurtz has had as a partner, Mr. A. L. Wilson, of Walnut, and they have done an extensive business. During the years 1883 and 1884 they shipped each year about 400 head of horses to Juniata and Snyder Coun- ties, Penn., where they sold mostly at public sale. They have also made a number of public sales of cattle in Bureau County, and in this way, during the summer of 1884, dis- posed of about 800 head of cattle, many of which were of the Jersey breed. Mr. Kurtz was married in this county to Mary J. Ross, only daughter of Jacob Ross, of Princeton. She is the mother of four children, viz .: Al- cie, Jennie, John and Jay. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party.

ABRAHAM S. LANCE, Hall, was born November 28, 1831, in Warren County, N. J. The family is of German descent and the name was formerly written Lantz, and is still by some of the descendants. The great-grandparents are supposed to have come from the old country. The grandfather, George Lantz, was a farmer, and lived and died in Warren County, N. J. He reared a family of eight children, viz .: Michael, Martha, George, Abraham, John, Mrs. Anna Shoemaker, Mrs. Susan Ciphers and Mrs. Elizabeth Thatcher. Of these Abraham Lance married Mary Mixell, a native of New Jersey, where they both died. They had nine children who reached maturity, viz. : George, Mrs. Rebecca A. Vroom, Maria, Elizabeth, Catherine, Samantha, Mahala and Abraham

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S. (twins), and Caroline. Abraham S. Lance was reared in New Jersey, and came to Bu- reau County in May, 1854. He worked by the month for two years, then bought eighty acres of land in Westfield Township, and nine acres of timber in Hall Township, where he has now 133 acres of well-improved land. He also owns 1,920 acres in Nebraska. Much of his successful life he owes to his thorough and systematic business habits. March 26, 1861, Mr. Lance was married, in this county, to Margaret Martin, who was born June 12, 1836, in Warren County, N. J. Her parents, Henry and Mary (Brown) Martin, were natives of New Jersey, and came to this county in 1855, where he died; but his widow still survives, and is the mother of nine chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Lance have one daugh- ter, Olivia, born May 22, 1867. Mr. Lance is a member of the Bureau Baptist Church, and his wife of the Methodist. Politically he is a Democrat.

FRANK LANGWORTHY, Ohio, was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., November 20, 1836, and is the son of George and Lou- ise Langworthy. The father was born in Vermont in December, 1803. The mother was born in New York in August, 1803. They were married in 1829, and were the par- ents of eight children, as follows: James J., Harvey, Amanda, Laura and Phebe A. are dead; Frank, John E. and Mary are those now living. The subject of this sketch first came to this county with his parents in the fall of 1837, and settled in what is now Arispe Township, where they remained till 1846. He then removed with his parents to New Hampshire, where his parents died, the mother in 1852, the father in 1853. Frank remained in New Hampshire till 1851, when he went to York County, Me., and remained till 1855, when he returned to this county and settled in Ohio Township. In 1860, November 29, Mr. Langworthy married Re- becca Lesher, who was born in Wayne Coun- ty, Ohio, August 15, 1836, and is the daugh- ter of Daniel and Fannie Lesher. The father was born in Pennsylvania, the mother in Virginia. Both died in Ohio. The mother died in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Langworthy are the parents of five children, four living: Albert D. was born November 12, 1861; Mary

E., January 1, 1864; Martha A., February 19, 1865; John E., May 12, 1866; Laura L., August 17, 1870, died March 17, 1871. Cyrus Langworthy, an uncle of the subject of this sketch, was the first Sheriff of Bureau County, and was elected on the first Monday in June, 1837. His nephew is still in pos- session of many thrilling incidents connected with the uncle's service during his years of office. The Langworthy family is of Scotch origin, and Mr. Langworthy has in his family a fine cut of the coat-of-arms of his Scotch ancestry. The Lesher family is of English and German origin. Martha A. Langworthy is a teacher in the public schools of this county. Mr. Langworthy is the owner of 120 acres in Ohio Township, 640 acres in Texas, and 160 in Dakota. In politics is a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Protestant Church.

P. G. LARSON, Princeton. A. P. Larson, father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, is a native of Sweden, born May 28, 1816. At the age of eighteen he began learning the trade of joiner and cabinet- maker, and for years followed his trade suc- cessfully in the old country, at one time employing nine men to assist him in the shop. He was also the owner of a good farm, but lost all his property by being se- curity for his brother. He was married in Sweden in 1843 to Anna C. Carlson, born August 17, 1815. To them one son and three daughters have been born. One daughter was born in America and died here. The eldest daughter is now the wife of S. O. Josephson, a skilled mechanic of Princeton. The youngest daughter is the wife of John A. Stem, a prominent grocer of Princeton. In 1852 Mr. Larson came to America, and settled at Princeton, bringing with him his wife and oldest daughter. For some time he worked for other parties, but as soon as he had a small capital he invested in business for himself, gradually increasing it as his capital increased. May 1, 1870, the build- ing he occupied was burned, but part of his stock of goods was saved, and this he moved into a temporary building, and immediately began the construction of his present brick business house. He and his son now carry a complete stock of furniture and undertaking

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goods, valued at about $4,000. His son, P. G. Larson, was born in Sweden, in the city of Wadstena, July 19, 1845. His early life was spent in his native town attending school. In 1858 he and his younger sister joined their parents in Princeton, where he attended school for some time. At the age of nineteen he began learning the trade of cabinet-maker, completing it in 1866 in Chicago, Ill., with Ulricks Alexander, now A. H. Andrews & Co., manufacturers of desks, etc. He continued to follow his trade until 1880, since which time he has given his attention to undertak- ing and upholstering. He is a member of the Undertakers' Association of the State. April 29, 1869, Mr. Larson was married to Matilda U. Stem, who was born March 24, 1847. She died July 25, 1876, leaving two ' daughters: Minnie E., born June 9, 1870, and Evelyne M., July 19, 1872. December 7, 1882, Mr. Larson was united in marriage in Princeton to Miss Jennie Paul, who was born in Bedford County, Penn., December 9, 1855. She is the daughter of David and Susan (Earnest) Paul, who are now residents of Princeton, having moved here during Mrs. Larson's infancy.

WATSON F. LAWTON, Sheffield, was born in Windham County, Vt., Decem- ber 29, 1828. He is the son of Israel and Malissa (Freeman) Lawton. Israel Lawton was born January 9, 1798, and died January 11, 1860. His wife was boru August 27, 1801, and yet resides on the old homestead in Ver- mont. She is the mother of seven children, viz. : Mrs. Eveline Sargent, of Wilmington, Vt .; Mrs. Sarah B. Adams, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Watson F., of Sheffield, Ill .; Augusta L. Lawton, of Brooklyn, N . Y .; Orsamus B, on the old homestead; Oscar M., in New York City; and Cyren B., who was a Lieutenant in the Civil war in the Sixteenth Vermont Reg iment, and was killed July 3, 1863. at the battle of Gettysburg. Our subject was reared on a farm, and had but little opportunity for attending school, only a few weeks in the winter time, but in his contact with the world he has imbibed the practical part of all edu- cation. In May, 1852, Mr. Lawton landed in Bureau County, Ill., and till 1854 he re- mained at Perkins Grove, in Clarion Town- ship, but in 1854 located at the then new vil-

lage of Sheffield, and the following year, af- ter erecting a store room, he in partnership with E. F. Pulsifer opened a general stock of merchandise, but after continuing in this bus- iness for nine years Mr. Lawton sold his in- terests, but soon after embarked in the same business in partnership with William Wilson, but in 1873 he retired from the mercantile life entirely in order to give his attention more to the stock business. In 1857 Mr. Lawton began buying and shipping stock, when it was carried by attaching the stock cars to the night passenger train. He has dealt quite extensively in stock until later years, during which time he has given most of his attention to his farms. Mr. Lawton came to this county with comparatively noth- ing, aud borrowed money to start in business, but his has been an industrious life, and suc-

cess has rewarded his industry. He now owns about 1,600 acres of land in Bureau County. In politics he is an active Republican. From 1865 to 1875, with the exception of two years, he was the member of the Board of Supervisors from this township, and during that time he was a member of the Drainage Committee, and except the first year was its Chairman, and to him this county owes much for its present drainage system. During his terms of office he paid for work for drainage about $140,000. He is a member of the Ames Lodge, No. 142, A. F. & A. M., of Sheffield. January 30, 1856, he returned to his native county in Vermont. and was united in mar- riage to Miss Carrie T. Estabrook, who was born June 27, 1830. She is the mother of two children, viz .: Alice C., born December 25, 1856, and now the wife of Henry Howard, of Sheffield, and Edwin W., born August 30, 1864. Mrs. Lawton is the daughter of Hen- ry and Hannah S. (Clapp) Estabrook. The mother was born in 1800, and died April 10, 1883. They were the parents of six children, viz .: Mrs. Harriet Haynes, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Mrs. Minerva Harris, of Mineral, III .; Wells Estabrook, deceased; Mrs. Maryett Ward, who died in Putney, Vt. ; Mrs. Carrie T. Lawton, of Sheffield; and William Esta- brook, deceased.

DR. F. W. LEE, Tiskilwa, was born June 10, 1834, in Guilford, New Haven Co., Conn. His parents, Frederick W. and Re-

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becca (Richards) Lee, were natives of Con- necticut, where the former was a carriage- maker. He is yet living with our subject, aged nearly eighty-seven years. His father, Timothy Lee, was a native of Connecticut, but of English descent. In regard to the genealogy of the Lee family, it is known that four brothers came to America from England in an early day. One settled in the South, and was the progenitor of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Our subject was educated in New Haven, Conn. In 1857 he came to DeKalb County, Ill., where Dr. Merriam was his preceptor in the study of medicine. In 1859, at the death of his mother, our subject returned to Connecticut, where he resided till 1861, when he enlisted as a private in the Tenth Regiment of Connecticut Volun- teers. After the expiration of his term he re enlisted in the Twentieth Regiment, and was appointed Hospital Steward, serving till the fall of 1864, when he was taken sick and returned home. In the summer of 1865 he attended a course of lectures at Yale College, graduating the same year, and then removed to Aurora, Kane Co., Ill. He followed his profession there for two years, and then went to Lee County, where he practiced till 1880, when he came to Tiskilwa, where he now follows his profession with marked success. Dr. Lee was married in October, 1856, in Connecticut, to Lucy A. Abell, born July, 1839, in Middlesex County, Conn. She is a daughter of J. L. and Sarah (Young) Abell, and is the mother of six children now living, viz .: Mrs. Gracie M. Fitch, of Chicago, Mrs. Addie A. Benson, Charles F., Ernest, Mary D. aud Kittie C. Dr. and Mrs. Lee are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an A. F. & A. M. and a Republican.

H. B. LEEPER, Princeton, was born April 16, 1821, in Bond County, Ill. He is a son of Judge John Leeper, who was a native of Bedford County, Penn., where he was born August 23, 1786. He died Decem- ber 14, 1835, in Leepertown Township, Bureau Co., Ill. Judge Leeper was educated in his native county. He was a man of ster- ling qualities, such as have often character- ized our Illinois frontier men-a man suited to the times, and a pioneer in the true

sense of the word, but of that superior qual- ity which could build up and further any good enterprise. It may truly be said that he was a leader in every community where he lived. He took a special interest in church matters, and assisted in the building of different edifices. Early in life he moved to Georgia with his parents, and there became a farmer. (See General History.) He moved to Jacksonville in Morgan County in November 2, 1823. While there he was elected a member of the Legislature, and was also County Judge of that county. Oc- tober 10, 1831, he came to Putnam County, where he lived two years near Hennepin, and then crossed the Illinois River and settled in what is now known as Leepertown Township, Bureau County. The township was named after him. Here, in 1834, he erected a very fine water-mill at a cost of nearly $13,000, a big sum in those days. It had a carding and saw-mill attached, and in those days when even a horse-mill was considered quite a convenience this water-mill was considered a blessing, aud when it burnt to the ground in 1838 it was considered a great calamity. For a distance of thirty miles in all direc- tions, even as far as the Rock River country, the people would patronize this mill. In the neighborhood of the mill the Judge owned 900 acres of land. His main occupa- tion, even in this county, was farming, and on his farm he died. His home was ever open to the stranger, to the poor and needy, none appealing to him in vain. His home was the resort of the minister, who often held meetings in it, the Judge being an Elder of the Presbyterian Church. Judge Leeper was married in 1806 to Fidillis McCord, who was born December 22, 1790, in North Carolina. She died May 14, 1840, in Putnam County, Ill., and with her hus- band lies buried in the Princeton cemetery. She was a daughter of Robert and Fannie (Black) McCord. She was one of a family of eighteen children. and was herself the mother of fourteen children, of whom five are now living, viz. : James, a resident of Cali- fornia; Charles, a resident of Ford County, Ill .; Mrs. Mary Stuart, of Philadelphia; William H., of Page County, Neb., and Harvey B., whose name heads this sketch.

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James Leeper, the father of Judge Leeper, was a native of Ireland, where he was born February 28, 1743. He died April 14, 1811, in Bedford County, Tenn. He was also a farmer, and came to the United States with his parents, Allen and Elizabeth (Cummings) Leeper, who were of Scotch descent. James Leeper married Mary Blair, a native of Down County, Ireland, who died March 29, 1828. She was a daughter of Hugh and Mary (Dawson) Blair, both natives of Ire. land. A sister of James Leeper married Thomas Ewing. Gen. Ewing, who is a brother-in-law of Gen. Sherman, is of this family. Harvey B. Leeper was twelve years old when he came to this county. He re ceived a limited education in a log school- house in Putnam County, to which place he had moved in 1839. Here be farmed; then followed the carpenter's trade three years, after which he taught school for a number of years, especially in the winter, farming in the summer. In 1860 he was elected Sheriff of Putnam County, serving one term, and then bought and sold land for a number of years. In the fall of 1864 he removed to Normal, Ill., where he dealt in real estate. While there he was elected and served as President of the Soldiers' Orphan Home. In the fall of 1874 he came to Princeton, where he now resides. In 1843, November 23, he was married to Mary A. Laughlin, who was born April 15, 1823, in Bond County, Ill. She is a daughter of Samuel D. and Rebecca (Dunlavy) Laughlin. Mr. and Mrs. Leeper are members of the Congre- gational Church, in which he is a Deacon. In political matters he is a Republican.

F. J. LEIBIGER, Princeton, was born in Easton, Northampton Co., Penn., March 7, 1843. He is the son of M. and C. Leibiger, who were born in Baden-Baden, Germany, but came to the United States in 1837. By trade the father was a stone mason; he died December, 1881, The mother yet resides at the old home in Pennsylvania. She is the mother of four sons and two daughters, all of whom are living and are married. The subject of this sketch remained at home till he was fourteen years of age, and then was apprenticed to a jeweler in Philadelphia for five years ; this jeweler was an Englishman,

and had learned his trade in London, After remaining for five years with him, Mr. Leibi- ger went to work with some jewelers who had learned their trade in Switzerland. With these he remained for two years and three months. After this he worked as a journey- man watchmaker for about three years. He then went to Wamego, Pottawatomie Co., Kan., in 1869, having nothing but his tools, but he opened a shop and continued till 1873, when he came to Princeton, bringing about $2,000 with him, which he had made in Wamego. This money he applied on a stock of goods which he opened in North Princeton. He has continued in the business since, and has been remarkably successful ; his stock of goods and fixtures reach at least $8,000 in value. One secret of Mr. Leibi- ger's success is the thoroughness with which he does his work. His long years of appren- ticeship gave him a skill which few possess -there being scarcely any kind of intricate work which he cannot do. He was married in Princeton, January, 1874, to Miss Sophia M. Richards, who was born in May, 1845, and is the daughter of Franklin Richards, a retired farmer of Princeton. To Mr. and Mrs. Leibiger one son was born-Henry N., born October, 1874. In politics Mr. L. is identified with the Republican party.

ALBERT LEWIS, Ohio, was born Sep- tember 16, 1827, in Belmont County, Ohio, and is the son of Thomas and Lydia Lewis, of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio at an early day, and settled in the county where the subject of this sketch was born. He re- sided in his native county until 1849, when he went to Johnson County, Ind., and re- mained there till 1850. He then returned to Ohio, where he resided till 1852, when he came to this county, arriving at Princeton March 12. He located in Ohio Township, where he worked on a farm till May 24, 1855, when he married Annie M. Kiser. She is the daughter of George and Magdalene Kiser, formerly of Pennsylvania, and was born November 3, 1831, at Allegheny, Penn. The father was born November 20, 1799. The mother was born February 17, 1800, and died in this county October 2, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Kiser removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1833, where they remained till

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1843, when they came to this county and set- tled on Government land. Of Mr. Kiser's family there were ten children, six of whom are now living, as follows: Lewis Kiser is farming in Nebraska; Daniel is living in Sedgwick, Kan .; David is at Newton, Iowa; James is at State Center, Iowa; Annie M. Lewis has a pleasant home with the subject of this sketch at Ohio, Ill .; Caroline Mead lives on a farm near Edenville, Iowa; Lewis, Aaron and Benjamin F. were all members of Company B, Ninety third Illinois Infantry during the late war. Aaron died at Mem- phis, Tenn., March 3, 1863; Benjamin F. died at Centerville, Ga., October 9, 1864, of wounds received at the battle of Allatoona Pass. Mr. Lewis first settled after his mar- riage at Princetou in 1855, where he re- mained till March, 1857. He then settled in Ohio Township on the farm now occupied by S. B. Tower, where he remained a year, when he removed to the farm on which he now lives, being the north one half of southeast quarter Section 14. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of five children, three of whom are now living, as follows: Herman E. Lewis was born June 27, 1856, and is now married and living on his own farm in Iowa; Harry W. Lewis was born May 29, 1861, and died August 29, 1862; Genve A. Lewis was born May 18, 1863; Albert E. Lewis and Delbert E. Lewis were born March 2, 1869; Delbert E. Lewis died March 11, 1870. Mr. Lewis owns besides his farm in Ohio Township 320 acres in Brown Coun- ty, Dak. In politics was formerly a Whig, and is now a Republican.

JOSEPH W. LEWIS, Arlington, was born July 25, 1810, in Fayette County, Penn. He is a son of Noah Lewis, a farmer by occupa- tion, who was born March 28, 1767, near New York City. He died November 6, 1825, in Fayette County, Penn. Noah Lewis mar- ried Esther Woodmansee, who was born March 16, 1788, in Redstone Township, Fay- ette Co., Penn. She was a daughter of Joseph and Ann (Rodgers) Woodmansee, who were good old-fashioned Quakers. Mrs. Esther Lewis died March 27, 1868. She was the mother of the following children: Eliza, Jo- seph W. (our subject), George, Mary A., John W., James, Nancy, Alfred and Noah Lewis.

Of the above, Mrs. Nancy Winters, Joseph W., James and Alfred Lewis are yet living. Our subject was reared in his native State, where he also learned the carpenters' trade. In the fall of 1831, after reaching his major- ity, he went to Belmont County, Ohio, where he followed his trade till 1851, when he re- moved to Lamoille Township, Bureau Co., Ill., where he bought a farm of 177 acres, which he yet owns. He farmed a little, but worked at his trade most of the time. He came to Arlington in 1856, and has made that town his home ever since. Here he is living a re- tired life. He supported his aged mother for years, and is universally liked, and better known by the name of " Uncle Joe." Relig- iously Mr. Lewis is counected with the Pres- byterian Church. Politically he is now a Re- publican, and was formerly a Whig.

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History of Bureau County, Illinois, Part 81

Author: Bradsby, Henry C., [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Chicago, World publishing company Number of Pages: 776

Author: Bradsby, Henry C., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago, World publishing company
Number of Pages: 776