USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 33
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In the district schools at Wantwood Charles A. Jordan pursued his educa- tion to the age of seventeen years, after which he devoted his entire time to work upon his father's farm. He had previously received training in that line of activity through the assistance which he had rendered in the development of the fields in the periods of vacation. Having reached man's estate, he chose as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Gertrude Caldwell, a daughter of Michael Caldwell, of Dix township, who was a successful farmer. The wedding was celebrated in October, 1882, and unto Mr. and Mrs. Jordan have been born the following named: Moses Edwin, who is now a widower and has one son ; Bessie May and Charles Elmer, both of whom are deceased; Olive Belle, living at home; John Loyd, who was killed by the cars; Ralph, who attends school ; Julia Gertrude, now deceased ; and Walter, also at home.
Sinee his marriage Mr. Jordan has devoted his entire time and attention to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He makes a specialty of Percheron horses and has owned and sold some very fine specimens of this breed. He cultivates three hundred and twenty acres belonging to his father's estate and in his farm work has been very successful, the splendid appearance of the place indicating his careful supervision and practical methods. IIe belongs to the Court of Honor and to the Christian church. His political preference is for the republican party and he has served as school director. He has never sought office, however, as a reward for party fealty, for he finds that his time and attention are fully occupied by his complex business duties. A resident of the county for almost a half century, he has been a witness of much of its growth
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and development and his labors have been an element in its substantial develop- ment. The Jordan family has ever figured among the prominent and leading citizens of the community and as such Charles A. Jordan is well known.
CAMPBELL G. BROTHERTON.
In Guthrie and throughout this section of Ford county the name of Camp- bell G. Brotherton is regarded as a synonym of integrity. for over the record of his business career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He possesses unfaltering diligence and his labors are intelligently directed by sound and discriminating judgment. His birth occurred in Valley Grove, West Vir- ginia, not far from Wheeling, in 1865. £ His parents were John and Mary (Gaston) Brotherton, the former a farmer by occupation. Their son Campbell was only about a year old when his father died, being then about fifty years of age. The mother came to Illinois in 1878 and located on a farm southeast of Guthrie, which is now the property of Richard Bonnen.
Campbell G. Brotherton was a youth of thirteen years at the time of the removal to Illinois. He acquired his preliminary education in the district schools and afterward continued his studies in the Gibson high school, thus qualifying for a practical and responsible business career. In the school of experience he has also learned many valuable lessons and from the incidents, contacts and experiences of life he has learned many helpful lessons. He remained at home until seventeen years of age and then started out in life on his own account as a clerk in the store of P. J. Yager in Guthrie, where he continued for five or six years as a most trustworthy and faithful employe. Desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he then began buying grain in Guthrie and has since continued in the business, being one of the well known grain merchants of this part of the state. In the fall of 1898, in association with Mr. MeClure, he built an elevator and at the same time they established a banking business, which has been of mueh convenience to the people of the district. They also handle lumber, coal and tile and their trade is now quite extensive.
In September, 1889, Mr. Brotherton was united in marriage to Miss Addie L. Minor, a daughter of J. M. and Julia Minor, who were farming people. Her mother is now deceased, while her father resides upon a farm near Guthrie. Mrs. Brotherton was born in 1870 and died in 1902, leaving five children : Roy,
MR. AND MRS. C. G. BROTHERTON
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
Floyd, William, Vernard and Edna, all yet at home. Mr. Brotherton is devoted to the welfare and happiness of his family and regards no personal effort or sacrifice on his part too great if it will promote the welfare and inter- ests of his children.
He has been school treasurer for about fourteen years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He was made an Odd Fellow in Gibson City Lodge, No. 542, I. O. O. F., on the 25th of October, 1889, and became a charter member of the Guthrie Lodge, with which he is now indenti- fied. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. Viewed in a personal light, Mr. Brotherton is a strong man, strong in his honor and his good name, strong in his ability to plan and to performi. He is noted through- out the community for his honesty and the citizens of Guthrie and the vicinity speak of him only in terms of the highest praise. This record is such a one as any man might be proud to possess and it has won for him the entire respect of his colleagues and the admiration of his contemporaries.
WILLIAM B. HENDERSON.
William B. Henderson is conducting a successful wholesale business in the manufacture of cigars at Paxton, enjoying a large local trade, the product of his factory being almost wholly utilized throughout the surrounding district. He was born in Logan county, Ohio, December 3, 1855, his parents being Charles E. and Anna (Boggs) Henderson, who were natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively.
The father removed westward to Ohio when a young man and engaged in business as a saddler and harness maker. In 1849 he was among the argonauts who went to California in search of the golden fleece, making the overland journey. On the way he kept a journal and remained in the mining region of the Pacific coast for two years. His journal contains much of interest. With friends he started from his Ohio home, and from Independence, Missouri, then a frontier town of about three thousand people, started in a wagon train across the plains. They were not long in getting out upon that great open stretch of the country where there was nothing to be seen for miles indicating the habita- tion or existence of white men. On their journey they met Indians and saw herds of deer and buffaloes. At times they traveled along streams which were
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bordered by timber, which furnished material for fire, while the stream gave them a good supply of water. As they proceeded westward prices became very high. They thought that four dollars a week for board charged in western Missouri was very high and a dollar for ferrying a wagon and twenty-five cents for a team was much in advance of prices that they had formerly known. On reaching Salt Lake, however, the Mormons charged them four dollars for ferry- ing the wagon across. They made their way through the Rockies in the midst of mountain scenery of picturesque grandeur, but required much hard climbing for the teams and men.
Mr. Henderson was quite successful in California and after two years spent there returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama in 1852. He went through all the experiences of frontier mining life and met many hardships and difficulties. On one occasion on the trip they had to hang a man for stealing food after the party had agreed to eat only a certain amount per day as the supply was becoming exhausted. In 1853, soon after his return, Mr. Henderson was married and unto him and his wife were born three children: William B., Harry B. and Jennie B., the last named the wife of C. II. Langford, of Paxton. Mr. Henderson died September 15, 1891, at the age of sixty-six years, while his widow is still living in Paxton. He took quite an active interest in politics and was serving as county supervisor at the time of the erection of the present jail and sheriff's residence about 1870. It was in 1864 that he became a resident of Illinois, taking up his abode in Paxton, where he remained until called to his final rest. He was one of the early settlers here and the place was known as Prospect City. As the years passed he met with creditable and satisfactory success in his business, being engaged in farming and stock-raising. All who knew him respected him for his many sterling traits of character and his genuine worth.
William B. Henderson was largely educated in the public schools of Paxton and in early life he was associated with his father in various business pursuits. In 1877 he went to the west, settling in Kansas City, Missouri, where he resided for seventeen years and during that time was connected with different business enterprises, in some of which he met with good success. In 1893, however, he returned to Paxton and established a wholesale cigar manufactory, manufactur- ing a high grade of cigars, which found a ready sale in Paxton and the sur- rounding towns, nearly the entire product being consumed by the home market. Ile is an energetic, enterprising business man, constantly watchful of opportunities pointing to success, while his methods are thoroughly reliable and trustworthy.
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In 1895 Mr. Henderson was married to Miss Laura Oakey, a native of southwestern Missouri and a daughter of N. W. and Elizabeth Oakey, both of whom are now deceased. In his fraternal relations Mr. Henderson is connected with Paxton Lodge, No. 416, A. F. & A. M .; Ford Chapter, No. 113, R. A. M .; and Mount Olivet Commandery, No. 38, K. T. He also belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and several other fraternal organizations. He is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Paxton and is connected with the Woodmen and the Red Men. IIis wife is a member of the Congrega-
tional church. Mr. Henderson takes an active interest in politics, being a life- long republican and yet he has never been an office seeker but gives stalwart support to many measures for the benefit of his party and for the community at large. He is always found in the forefront among those who advocate progressive public measures and his labors in behalf of the community have been far-reaching and beneficial.
JOHN KEEFE.
The agricultural interests of Ford county are well represented by John Keefe, who owns and operates a well improved property, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, situated on section 2, Pella township. It is also the place of his birth, his natal day being July 31, and the year 1879. His parents were John and Katherine Keefe, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in Troy, New York. The father settled in Illinois in an early day, first locating in La Salle county, where for three or four years he was employed at work on the canal. He then took up his abode in Livingston county, this state, where he made his home for a few years, and in 1869 removed to Ford county, locating on the farm which is now owned by our subject. He here made his home until his demise, which occurred in 1906, while his wife passed away about a year previous, in 1905. Their family numbered eight children, of whom seven are now living, namely : Mary L., a resident of Piper City, Illinois; William, who makes his home in Iowa; Joseph, Frank and Helen, all of Piper City; John, whose name introduces this record; and Katherine, also of Piper City.
John Keefe was reared to agricultural pursuits, remaining with his father until he attained his majority, while during the period of his boyhood and youth he attended the district schools during the winter months, and later attended Bourbonnais College, at Bourbonnais, Illinois. Upon embarking in
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business for himself he chose as his occupation the work to which he had been reared and operated rented land for six years. He then bought the homestead property, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres on section 2, Pella township, which is still his home. He has here a well improved tract of land, whereon he raises the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate, each year gathering good crops as a reward for the care and labor he has bestowed upon the fields.
Mr. Keefe was married in June, 1905, the lady of his choice being Miss Ernestine Wallrichs, who was born in Livingston county, a daughter of William A. and Sophia (Dannaman) Wallrichs, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Keefe has been blessed with one child, Raymond Wayne, born February 25, 1907.
Mr. Keefe gives his political support to the republican party and for two years served as constable, discharging the duties of the office with the same promptness and fidelity that he brings to bear in his private business affairs. Ile is a communicant of the Catholic church at Piper City. Having spent his entire life in Ford county, he is well known and the success which he is now enjoying is well merited for it has come to him only through honest, persistent effort and honorable business methods.
H. S. CARPENTER.
H. S. Carpenter owns and enltivates an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 8, Brenton township. The place is well improved, is neat and thrifty in appearance and returns good erops to the owner as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. Mr. Carpenter was born in the town of Norway, Herkimer county, New York, October 23, 1844, his parents being William and Anne E. (Randall) Carpenter. The father's birth occurred in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, February 22, 1811, and he traced his ancestry back to one of six brothers who came to this country from England at an early day.
William Carpenter removed to Herkimer county, New York, during the pioneer epoch in its development and there remained until after the birth of all of his children, when in March, 1867, he joined the westward movement and made his way to Illinois, purchasing what became known as the old homestead farm. His first wife died on the 15th of April, 1874, after which he was again married and continued farming for a number of years but spent his last days in honorable retirement in the home of his son, H. S. Carpenter, there passing
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away on the 21st of January, 1892, at the venerable age of eighty-one years. While in the Empire state he served as supervisor and also as justice of the peace while subsequent to his removal to Illinois he filled the office of magistrate for twelve years. No public trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree. On the contrary, he was ever loyal to the public welfare and his labors were an element in promoting the progress of the community in which he lived. His political allegiance was given to the whig party until its dissolution. In 1860 he cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln and was afterward a stanch republican until his death. Both he and his wife were interested members of the Methodist church and took an active part in the work of the church, largely promoting its upbuilding and extending its influence through their efforts. Their lives, so upright and honorable on all occasions, cause their memory to be cherished while their example is one worthy of emulation. Their family numbered six children, of whom three are still living: Charles P., who is in California ; H. S., of this review ; and Harriet F., the wife of Samuel Pope, living in Steele county, North Dakota. Three of the number are now deceased and the family has the unusual record of three sisters marrying three brothers of the Pope family.
H. S. Carpenter remained with his father until he had attained adult age. His education was acquired in the schools of the Empire state and when not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields, becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On starting out in life on his own account he chose the occupation to which he had been reared as his vocation and for fourteen years rented land from his father, bringing the farm under a high state of cultivation and securing a good income as the result of his diligence. On the expiration of that period he bought the farm where he now lives, comprising eighty acres, to which he afterward added an additional tract of eighty acres, so that he now has a quarter section in Brenton township. He was formerly largely engaged in handling stock, buying, feeding and shipping cattle until recent date. He now carries on general agricultural pursuits and the splendid appearance of his farm is indicative of his practical and progressive ideas concerning modern agricultural methods. He was one of the organizers of the Piper City Fair and Driving Association and formerly served as its secretary. IIe has also been secretary of the Brenton & Pella Farmers Mutual Insurance Company since it was organized.
On the 16th of December, 1869, in Piper City, Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Mary A. Carpenter, a daughter of Joseph Carpenter, one of the oldest residents of the village. Iler mother is still living at the advanced age of
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eighty-five years and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Carpenter. She is still very active. possessing remarkable health and strength for one of her years. The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with five children: Winnefred A., who for several years engaged in teaching music and is now at home with her parents; Dora M., the wife of E. E. Bishop, who is living in Brenton township; Hulda, the wife of R. R. Meents ; Georgie V., who is a school teacher and lives at home; and Josephine M., yet with her parents. The children have all been provided with good educational privileges. Mrs. Bishop is a graduate of the Onarga Seminary and for several years was engaged in teaching school and the youngest daughter is likewise a graduate of Onarga Seminary.
The republican party receives from Mr. Carpenter a stalwart support. IIe cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln and has upheld the party platform since that tine. IIe is now township clerk and has held the office for twenty years, a fact which is indicative of his faithfulness and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen, who feel that they could secure no better incumbent for the office. He has also been school director for twenty-two years. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonie lodge at Piper City, having filled all of its chairs and is one of its exemplary representatives. Ile has likewise been a member of the Odd Fellows society for ten years. He takes an active and helpful interest in all public matters, especially those calculated to prove a benefit to his community and his cooperation can be counted upon to further any movement for the public good. During his entire residence in this county his record has been such as to win for him the esteem and regard of those with whom he has come in contact, while in business cireles he has made an enviable record for commercial integrity.
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JULY 95 Bound -To-Pleas® N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977.362G17H C003 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY, ILLINOIS, FROM I 1
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