USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 29
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Mr. Cherry has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Martha Davis, by whom he had four children but two of the number are now deceased, the surviving daughters being: Laura, who resides in Paxton; and Etta, the widow of Samuel Strong, a resident of Ford county. The wife and mother passed away in 1870, and three years later Mr. Cherry was married again, his second union being with Margaret Archer, who was born in Washington county. Pennsylvania, in 1835. She graduated from the high school in Washington. Pennsylvania, and for eight years prior to her marriage was successfully engaged in teaching. The parents of Mrs. Cherry were natives of Virginia and of Pennsylvania respectively, and she is one of a family of thirteen chil- dren, of whom only three survive, her sisters being: Sarah, the wife of Charles Ross, of Crawford county, Illinois; and Charlotte, the widow of Jonathan Raney, of Ohio.
Mr. Cherry has always given his support to the republican party and aside from serving as school director for several years has filled no public office, his time and attention during his active business career having been fully oceu- pied with his private business affairs. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the United Presbyterian church at Paxton. He has lived in Ford county for more than four decades and during that time has witnessed many changes as pioneer conditions have given way to more modern methods in various lines. His acquaintance is wide and no man of this section of the state enjoys in larger degree the esteem and high regard of his neighbors and
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friends. He has now reached the advanced age of seventy-five years and his persistent labor in former years now enables him to enjoy in retirement the accumulations of a profitable, successful and honorable eareer, while in the companionship of his estimable wife he takes great delight.
A. W. BARROW.
A. W. Barrow, a farmer and one of the early citizens of Ford county, now living in Gibson City, has by well directed labor gained enviable sueeess. As he has prospered judicious investments have been made in property until he is now the owner of several good farms in Ford county. Although he is now practically living retired. he vet buys and sells stock and for a time con- ducted a grain business at Elliott, while he makes his home in Gibson City.
Mr. Barrow is the son of Frederick and Mary (Smith) Barrow, the for- mer a native of Frederick county, Virginia, who devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and school teaching. A. W. Barrow was born near Winchester, Vir- ginia, and there began his education, but when a young boy he accompanied his parents on their removal to Bloomington. Illinois, in 1865. His father pur- chased land east of Gibson City and the son attended the Scotland school on the prairie. When not busy with his text-books he worked on his father's farm, comprising four hundred acres of rich farming land.
After attaining his majority A. W. Barrow was united in marriage to Miss Florence Richardson, a daughter of John Richardson, a grain dealer of Elliott, who retired in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Barrow now have one son and one dangh- ter. The parents are members of the First Methodist church at Gibson City. For a considerable period Mr. Barrow gave his undivided time and attention to general agrienltural pursuits and was very successful. He became the owner of several good farms devoting them to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. He also dealt in live stock and although he is now practically retired, he still buys and sells stock and derives from this business a good income. Hle is also a grain dealer at Elliott but he rents the greater part of his land, the remainder being devoted to corn and oats and to pasturage. He has a fine home in Gibson City and the family are prominent in social life here.
In his political views Mr. Barrow is a democrat, in thorough sympathy with the principles of the party, but he has never sought nor desired office,
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preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. Thus he gained the prosperity which he now enjoys and which enables him largely to live retired. In manner he is genial and jovial and his many good traits of character have gained him the confidence, good will and friendship of those with whom he has been associated.
SAMUEL CLARK.
Samuel Clark, who was a well known resident of Ford county, his home being in Brenton township, belonged to that class of representative American citizens who, though of foreign birth, are always loyal to the interests of their adopted land and in their home localities contribute in large measure to sub- stantial development and improvement. Moreover, Mr. Clark was one who owed his success entirely to his well directed labors, for he started out in life empty-handed.
IIe was born near Londonderry. Ireland, May 20, 1825, and when a small boy crossed the Atlantic to Canada with his parents, John and Martha (Wells) Clark, both of whom died in Ohio. In their family were six sons and three daughters. The family remained in Canada for only about two years and then went to Washington county, Pennsylvania, whenee they afterward removed to Guernsey county, Ohio. Samuel Clark was a youth in his teens at that time and he remained upon the home farm with his parents up to the time of his marriage, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He gained practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and was thus well qualified to engage in farming on his own account when he married and established a home of his own.
He continued a resident of Guernsey county, Ohio, until his removal to Chenoa, Livingston county, Illinois, where he resided for about a quarter of a century. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode upon a farm on section 22, Brenton township, which was his place of abode for seventeen years or until his death, which occurred on the 16th of January, 1905, when he had reached the ripe old age of eighty years. Throughout his entire life he gave his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits and owned a farm in Ohio and in Livingston county as well as his home property in Bren- ton township. In 1890 he purchased the place upon which his widow yet
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resides, securing one hundred and sixty acres on section 22 and also another tract of eighty acres. His care and diligence brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and he annually gathered good harvests. Year after year he prospered. so that he was enabled to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances.
Mr. Clark was married in 1853 to Miss Jane Morrow, who was born December 12, 1828, in Guernsey county, Ohio, a daughter of William and Martha (Atchison) Morrow, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Westmoreland county and the latter in Washington county. They entered land in Guernsey county, Ohio, and there developed a new farm. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born eight children : David, who is now operating the home farm; Martha, the wife of Spencer McCreight, of Aledo, Illinois; Malinda. the wife of W. J. Hester, of Chenoa, this state; John A., whose home is in Stanton, Nebraska; William M., a resident of Rantoul, Illinois; Anna Jane, at home; Mathew, also of Rantoul; and Harriett, the wife of Thomas Simpson, of Iowa.
In his political views Mr. Clark was a democrat but manifested only a citizen's interest in the political questions, never seeking nor desiring office. HIe held membership in the United Presbyterian church and his life was an honorable and upright one, gaining for him the respect and good will of those with whom he was associated. He reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey and his record was characterized by all that is commendable in man's relations with his fellowmen. He provided well for his family and lived a life of honesty as well as industry, so that he left to his children a good name. Mrs. Clark still survives her husband and is now living on the old home farm on section 22, Brenton township. She is widely known in this part of the county, where she has many friends.
ALBERT BUCHHOLZ.
Albert Buchholz is the village president of Melvin and a citizen whose devotion to the general good is above question. He is well known here and the public regard in which he is held results from a long acquaintance with him and familiarity with the creditable principles which have governed his life in its various relations. He was formerly extensively engaged in the grain
MR. AND MRS. ALBERT BUCHHOLZ
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trade, owning a large elevator at Melvin, and his success enables him to now enjoy well earned rest from further labor.
Illinois may be proud to number such a man among her native sons. Ilis birth occurred near Magnolia, Marshall county, March 3, 1860, his parents being August and Caroline (Funte) Buchholz, the former born in Berlin, Ger- many, August 14, 1821, and the latter in Westphalia in November, 1834. They came to the United States about 1849 and were married in Chicago. The father worked first on the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad and afterward followed shoemaking in Magnolia, having learned that trade in the old country. During the remainder of his active life he was identified with farming interests and he is still the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land around the town. He also owns several sections of land in Iowa and Minnesota, which he gave to his children. He has been very prosperous and this is due entirely to his unremitting diligence and labor
intelligently applied. As the years have passed he has made the most of his opportunities and certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. He now resides at Oakland, California, with his oldest son, Charles, having there made his home for three years. Ilis wife died upon a farm south of Melvin, August 11, 1890. Their eldest child, Charles Buchholz, is a graduate of the Des Moines School of Osteopathy, as is his wife, and both are practicing in Oakland. Albert is the second of the family. William, of Melvin, is inter- ested with his brother Frank in a cotton plantation of about eighteen hundred acres in Mississippi. Amandus follows general merchandising in Melvin. Frank has resided upon the home farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Peach Orchard township since the father removed to California and, as stated, is a partner of his brother William in their cotton interests in the south. Emma is with her father at Oakland, California. Laura is a teacher of physical culture in Boston, Massachusetts. Mabel is the wife of George T. Hersch, a general merchant of Melvin.
Albert Buchholz spent the first eight years of his life in his native county and in December, 1868, came with his parents to Ford county, the family home being established on a farm adjoining the village of Melvin. He con- tinued with his parents up to the time of his marriage and acquired his edu- cation in the public schools. During the periods of vacation he worked in the fields and thus gained practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. When he attained his majority he began farm- ing near the town and for nine years continued to cultivate land belonging to his father. In November, 1890, he entered the grain trade, in which he con-
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tinued for seventeen years or until July, 1907, when he sold out. Ile not only dealt in grain but also in seeds, coal and building materials and built up a very extensive business. He wrought along modern lines of business activity, made good use of his opportunities and as the years passed became recognized as one of the foremost representatives of the grain trade in Ford county. Ile built in Melvin an elevator with a capacity of eighty thousand bushels and later sold that and bought another elevator in Melvin with a capacity of ninety thousand bushels. At first he was associated with his brother in the ownership of the latter but at the end of three years he purchased his brother's interest and continued the business alone for two years or until he sold out. The annual trade reached a very extensive figure and throughout this part of the state the name of Buchholz is recognized as a synonym for commercial integ- rity and honor.
On the 1st of April, 1885, occurred the marriage of Albert Buchholz and Miss Elizabeth Schueneman, who was born near Magnolia, Illinois, December 11, 1860, and when five years of age went to Randolph county, Missouri, with her parents, August and Dorothy Eliza (Spellmyer) Schneneman, there resid- ing until her marriage. Both her father and mother were natives of Westphalia, Germany, the former born January 16, 1834, and the latter Decem- ber 5, 1837. They were married at the home of Mr. and Mrs. August Buchholz in Magnolia, and the father died in Missouri, March 3, 1899, while the mother is still living upon the old homestead in that state. Throughout his life he
followed the occupation of farming and thus provided for his family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schueneman were born eight children: Mrs. Buchholz; Kate, the wife of John Legendre, of Salisbury, Missouri; Emma, the wife of Louis Penn, of Los Angeles, California; John of Moberly, Missouri; Ida, the wife of John Thomas, a farmer of Randolph county, Missouri; Charles, a mason of Melvin; Henry, who is living on the old homestead in Randolph county; and Dora, the wife of Rev. George Turner, a Methodist Episcopal preacher of Day, Missouri. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Buchholz have been born six children : Roscoe C., now a student in the Champaign University; Arthur L., who is attending the National School of Telegraphy at Danville, Illinois; Ada Lorana, a student in the Woman's College at Jacksonville, Illinois; Ida Beryl, also attending that school; and Ruth and Ralph, twins, who are students in the schools of Melvin.
Mr. Buchholz is a stalwart republican and has been called to several pub- lie offices. He has been school director for three or four terms and is now president of the village of Melvin. He has likewise been assessor of the
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township for three or four terms and is serving on the school board in connec- tion with his duties as assessor and village president. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. On the contrary he is most loyal to the interests of town and county and his labors have been a far- reaching and effective force in promoting general progress. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs to one of the old and representative families of this part of the state and has done much to sustain the reputation which has always been associated with the name of Buchholz. In the community where he lives he stands as a man among men, unostentatious and unassuming and yet respected by all for his genuine worth.
HARM HENRICHS.
Harm IIenriehs is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty aeres which has doubled in price since it came into his possession, owing largely to the improvement he has placed upon it and his enterprising efforts in its cultivation. He was born in Hanover, Germany, August 6, 1844, his parents being Oldig and Elsie (Siebelts) Henrichs. The father was a farmer in Germany and in the family there were three sons: Malchert, who is now cultivating the old home farm; Harm, of this review; and Detert, also of Hanover.
Harm Henrichs acquired his education in the common schools of his native country, where he remained until thirty-two years of age. He came to America in the spring of 1886, settling first in Paxton, Illinois, and for one year he worked on the farm of his brother-in-law. In 1887 he removed to Ford township, where he rented land from HI. Ashley, cultivating this from 1878 until 1901. In 1900 he purchased his present property, comprising one hundred and sixty aeres in Sullivant township. Some improvements had been made upon it but he has further carried forward the work of development and improvement until the farm for which he paid seventy-five dollars per acre is today worth twice that amount. Everything about his place is indic- ative of his careful supervision and practical methods. He has studied the conditions of the soil and the demands of plant life in the matter of food and through the rotation of erops he keeps the soil in excellent condition. IIis
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life has been one of untiring industry and his perseverance has resulted in his success.
Mr. Henrichs was married in Germany in 1883 to Miss Annie Henrichs, who though of the same name was not a relative. Her parents were Profes- sor Johann and Annie (Cramer) Henrichs. The father came first to America. landing in the fall of 1886, and in October of the same year Mrs. Annie Hen- richs also came. Their family numbered five children : Elizabeth, the wife of C. Brethorst, of Peoria, Illinois; Henry, who resides in Sullivant township; Martha, the wife of P. Brethorst; John, who resides in Chariton county, Mis- souri ; and Annie, now Mrs. Henrichs. Professor Henrichs died in 1899 and his wife passed away forty-eight hours before. Both died in Germany. The father of our subject, however, still survives, at the venerable age of eighty- eight years but the mother passed away in 1902, at the age of sixty-nine. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harm Henrichs have been born nine children, namely: Otto, who is employed in the Sibley Bank; Ella, the wife of William Brucker, a resident of Sullivant township; Elizabeth ; Margaret; John; Vena; Herman ; Mildred; and Arnold.
The parents are members of the German Lutheran church and are loyal to its teachings and their professions. The record which Mr. Henrichs has made in the business world is a creditable one, for he came to America empty- handed, his substantial qualities of energy and enterprise, however, constitut- ing an excellent foundation upon which to build success and as time has passed he has so directed his labors that he is now the owner of an excellent farm returning him a good yearly income.
J. H. SNELLING.
The Prairie Grove Stock Farm, comprising three hundred and twenty acres, situated on section 11, Wall township, is a fitting monument to the life of thrift and energy of the proprietor, J. H. Snelling. He is here engaged in farming and stock-raising, having for the past twelve years made a spe- cialty of the breeding and raising of shorthorn eattle. Mr. Snelling is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred in La Salle county, on the 2d of March, 1846, a son of John and Rebecca (Shaver) Snelling. the former a native of West Virginia, while the birth of the latter occurred in Ohio. They became pioneer settlers of La Salle county, the year of their arrival
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there being 1832, and from that time until his death, which occurred in the year 1888, the father was closely identified with the agricultural interests of that section of the state. The mother, however, is still living and yet makes her home on the farm in La Salle county. Although she has reached the very advanced age of eighty-six years, she is still active and performs the major portion of her household duties. Their family numbered seven chil- dren, as follows: Nancy, the wife of Morris Weaver, of Ford county; Eliza- beth and Olive. both of whom are now deceased; J. H., of this review; David, who resides in La Salle county; and George R. of Coffeyville, Kansas; and Annis, with the mother in La Salle county.
J. II. Snelling was reared to agricultural pursuits, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm during the summer seasons, while in the winter months he pursued his education in the common schools. He later went to Chicago, Illinois, where he attended a business college, from which he was graduated. Following his gradnation he returned home and for two years assisted his father in the operation of the home place. He then accepted the principalship of a business college at Galesburg, Illinois, which position he filled for two years, but on account of failing health, occasioned by indoor life, he was compelled to resume farming operations, and again returned to Ford county, renting the homestead property for four years. On the expira- tion of that period he purchased the farm which is now his home, this place comprising three hundred and twenty acres, situated on section 11, Wall town- ship, which is known as the Prairie Grove Stock Farm. He has improved the property with excellent farm buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and has a commodious and modern country residence, so that the place in its neat and attractive appearance constitutes one of the valuable farm proper- ties of this section of Ford county. He is here engaged in raising various cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, while in his pastures are seen high grades of stock. He makes a specialty of breeding and raising shorthorn cattle and this branch of his business is proving a gratifying source of income to him.
Mr. Snelling was united in marriage to Miss Franees E. Spradling, the ceremony being performed on the 15th of September, 1872. She was born in La Salle county in 1851, and is one of a family of ten children. Her parents are both now deceased, the mother having lived to the advanced age of ninety years. The two sisters of Mrs. Snelling now living are: £
Rachel, the wife of George Debolt, a resident of La Salle county; and Elizabeth, the wife of Eugene Poller, who makes her home in Plano, Illinois.
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The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Snelling has been blessed with three sons and one daughter : Herman, who is engaged in the implement business at Paxton, Illinois; William Roy, at home; Blanch E., who is with her parents ; and John F., who is still under the parental roof. Mr. Snelling gives his political support to the men and measures of the democratic party and at one time served as supervisor of Wall township, while for fourteen years he acted as school treasurer. Although public-spirited and willing to aid in any move- ment calculated to benefit his home locality, he prefers to leave office-holding to others, his farming and stock-raising interests claiming his time and atten- tion. He finds his greatest social enjoyment at his own fireside, where his family and intimate friends know him to be a delightful companion. He has worked earnestly and persistently in the acquirement of success and today he feels amply repaid for the effort he has made in life, for the Prairie Grove Stock Farm is looked upon as one of the valuable properties of Ford county.
ALBERT GILMORE.
Among those who are classed with the prominent and representative men of Ford county mention should be made of Albert Gilmore, now a retired farmer living in Gibson City. Coming to Illinois during the pioneer epoch in the history of this county, he purchased wild, unbroken prairie land at a low figure and has profited by its rise in valne until he is one of the wealthy men of this part of the state, having very extensive landed possessions, for he has placed his capital in the safest of all investments-real estate. Ile was born in Harrison county, Ohio, near Cadiz, on the 26th of January, 1841, and is a son of Nathaniel and Mary (Craig) Gilmore. His grandfathers in both the paternal and maternal lines came from Ireland. His paternal grand- father, Samuel Gilmore, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, and on coming to America located in Pennsylvania. He married Miss Elizabeth Buchanan, a native of that state, and they were among the early settlers of Harrison county, Ohio, where they located in 1803, there residing until called from this life. They made their way westward when there was but little travel across the mountains into Ohio and more remote districts known as the Northwest Terri- tory, and they aided in reclaiming that region from the rule of the savages and converting it into a land of civilization. Samuel Gilmore was a soldier of the war of 1812 and the hard service and exposure of army life so under-
ALBERT GILMORE
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mined his health that he died September 6, 1814, only four days after his return from the war. In his family were seven children, six of whom reached adult age, but none are now living.
Nathanial Gilmore, the father, spent his boyhood and youth in Harrison county, Ohio, and in 1827 gained a companion and helpmate for life's journey by his marriage to Mary Craig, the daughter of John Craig. Twenty years later they removed to Belmont county, Ohio, where Nathaniel Gilmore engaged in farming and stock-raising for five years. He then took up his residence near LeRoy in MeLean county, Illinois, in 1852, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, as he died November 5, 1855, his grave being made in the Gilmore cemetery on the old homestead, where a monument marks his last resting place. His wife long survived him and ever remained true to his memory. Her death occurred December 21, 1884. In politics Mr. Gilmore was a democrat, progressive in citizenship and successful in business, accumu- lating a handsome estate. Ilis family mimbered twelve children: Samuel and Jane E., both of whom are now deceased; John, who was born in 1832 and is a retired farmer of Webster City, Iowa, deriving a substantial income from three good farms; Rachel, who has also passed away; Craig, one of the wealthy agriculturists and extensive landowners of Ford county, living in Drummer township three miles north of Gibson City; Sarah, deceased; Albert, of this review; William, living in Eldorado, Kansas; Mary A. and Johnson, both deceased; one who died in infancy; and Ephraim, a resident of Lee, Indi- ana, who is engaged in the ditching business. He owns twenty-eight hundred acres of swamp land, which he is now draining, and the ditch when completed will be fourteen miles long. It will reclaim a district that will be rich and productive soil and can be made very valuable.
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