USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 12
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When it was seen that the northern troops could not achieve victory as easily as it was anticipated and that the war would prove a long continued contest Mr. Hand, with patriotic ardor, responded to the country's call, enlist-
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ing on the 12th of August, 1862, as a member of the One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Illinois Infantry under Colonel G. P. Smith. The regiment was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, and assigned to the Tenth Division, R. S. Granger being commander of the brigade. They went in pursuit of Bragg to Crab Orchard, then retreated to Danville, and were sent to garrison Mitchellville, Kentucky, November 21, 1862. They were afterward on guard duty at Fort Thomas, and Gallatin, and in August, 1863, marched to Nashville, where they did guard duty until February 24, 1864. Previous to this, the regiment had been assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth Army Corps, under General Joseph Hooker. On the 3d of May, they started for Atlanta with General Sherman and participated in the battles of Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Dallas and Peach Tree Creek. Mr. Hand was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain in the left leg. The ball passed through the leg and lodged in his pocket-book and this piece of lead he yet has in his possession. The wound proved quite serions and he was confined in the hospital until the 24th of June, when he was sent back to Chattanooga, and afterward to the Cumberland Hospital in Nashville. By the neglect of the surgeon, gangrene set in and his sufferings were intense. His father-in-law came for him and he returned home, just two years from the day of his enlistment. He received his discharge January 28. 1865. He might have had a position as captain of a colored regiment but determined to remain with the reigment in which he had enlisted. They marched to the front with nine hundred and twenty-seven and returned with less than two hundred, some being killed and others transferred.
The war having ended, Mr. Hand returned to his home with a most creditable military record. He was still suffering from his injuries and was yet on crutches when he resumed farm work in La Salle county, where he remained until 1872. That year witnessed his arrival in Ford county, where he has since remained. Here he purchased eighty aeres of land and at once began the further development and improvement of his farm, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation, while upon the place he put up sub- stantial buildings affording ample shelter for grain, stock and farm machinery. Everything about the place indicated his careful supervision and for about thirty years he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits. In 1902, however, he put aside the more active work of the fields and removed to Piper City, erecting a pleasant and attractive residence of eight rooms at the corner of Walnut and Pine streets, where he has since lived. He is now enjoying well earned rest and derives a good income from property in Minnesota. After selling his farm in Pella township he went to Minnesota with his sons,
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David and Warren, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land three miles north of Staples, which property he still owns.
Mr. and Mrs. Hand are the parents of Cora, a native of New York, who was married November 29, 1877. to Jacob L. Miller, who lived for a time in Pella township and now resides at Staples, Minnesota. David S., who was born in La Salle county, was married February 15, 1882, to Minnie MeLean and was at one time a resident of Seward county, Nebraska, but is now at Staples. War- ren, born in La Salle county, was married on Christmas day of 1888 to Cora A. Serine in Randalia, Iowa, and is now living in Hawkeye, Iowa. William. born in De Kalb county, was married February 28, 1890, to Miss Edith Geary and is likewise a resident of Staples, Minnesota. Curtis J., who was born in Livingston county, Illinois, and is also located at Staples, married Virginia Thompson, who died February 24, 1892. Alma I., who was born in Livingston county, and Lewis S., a native of Ford county, are both at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hand also lost their firstborn, who was a native of De Kalb county, Illinois, and died in Livingston county, April 7, 1866, at the age of nine years. The children were provided with good educational privileges and the sons have followed in the political footsteps of the father. being stalwart advocates of the republican party.
Mr. Hand has long been recognized as one of the stalwart champions of republican principles in Ford county. While in Pella township he was made clerk of the board of drainage commissioners and acted with that board during the construction of all three districts. He justly claims the best drain- age record of any man in the United States. He and Charles A. Cook worked together on this board for many years. He labored untiringly for the develop- ment of the county through an improved system of drainage and although his work was opposed by many men of wealth and numerous injunctions were served on him, he was victorious in the courts, his course being sustained by the United States courts at Springfield. There is perhaps no other agency which has contributed so largely to the welfare of the county as has the drain- age work, whereby many acres of swamp land have been reclaimed and converted into fields of rich fertility. Mr. Hand has frequently served as a delegate to county and state conventions of his party and in 1887 was police- man in the capitol during the thirty-fifth general assembly. For fifteen years he was a director of the Brenton & Pella Fire Insurance Company and he has always been deeply interested in every movement and measure tending to bene- fit the community at large and promote its wonderful development. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church, with which they have
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long been identified, and of the Grand Army Post at Piper City Mr. Hand is a prominent representative. He thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades and for some years he served as chaplain of the post and was also adjutant and commander. He was likewise treasurer of the Fair Associa- tion of the county for a number of years and no practical, progressive movement in the county has failed to elicit his endorsement and in many in- stances his active cooperation. Starting out in life on his own account when but fourteen years of age, denied many of the advantages which many boys receive through inheritance, he nevertheless possesed the strength of character that enabled him to overcome difficulties and obstacles and to work his way steadily upward to a position of affluence. He is now comfortably situated in life and moreover he commands the respect and trust of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
JAMES A. JORDAN.
A student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Ford county without learning of the early and close connection of the Jordan family with its agricultural progress and with various interests and events which have left their impress upon the county's development. James A. Jordan was born in 1854 in a log cabin which constituted the family residence in the early days of their settlement here. It was in March, 1854, that the parents, Andrew and Amanda (Devore) Jordan, came to this county. The father's birth occurred in Louisville, Kentucky, in August, 1828, and he was descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry. Coming to Illinois, he settled in Cass county and after living for a while in Champaign county removed to Ford county, where he made purchase of one hundred acres of land and established his home upon the frontier. The family shared in the hardships and priva- tions incident to pioneer settlement and as the years passed bore their full share in the work of improvement.
The primitive schools of the community afforded to James A. Jordan the educational privileges which qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. He was married in 1876 to Miss Martha Barney, and although they began their domestic life in Ford county, in 1881 they removed to Kansas and spent eleven years in Montgomery county, after which they returned to Illinois. As the years passed by several children were added to the household,
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the eldest being Norah Adelia, now the wife of George Hendricks, of Dwight, Illinois. The others are: Rolla E., now living in Rankin; Jennie E., the widow of Charles Quirk; and Henry H. and Andrew, both at home.
The father, James A. Jordan, occupies his time and attention with the cultivation of a half section of land belonging to the father's estate, adjoining the place upon which his brother Charles A. Jordan lives. The fields are rich and productive and he annually gathers large harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. In all of his work he is practical and, moreover, his methods are honorable, commanding for him the confidence and good will of those with whom he is associated. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen, holding membership with Drum- mer camp. No. 235. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has supported the men and measure of the republican party at the polls, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church. ITis many good qualities are displayed by the friendship which is uniformly accorded him by those who know him.
JAMES PAGE GLASS.
James Page Glass, chairman of the village board of Piper City, has long been recognized as an active factor in democratic cireles and is also well known as an enterprising and prosperous farmer, deriving his income from valuable properties in Pella township and also in Winnipeg, Canada. He was born in Hardin county, Ohio, February 4, 1859, his parents being George W. and Mary E. (Yates) Glass. The paternal great-grandfather was a native of Ireland, and in the latter part of the eighteenth century crossed the Atlantic and estab- lished his home in the town of Elbridge, Onondaga county, New York. The grandfather, William Glass, accompanied his parents on their emigration from Ireland to the new world, and spent his entire life in the Empire state, where he engaged actively in farming. He wedded Clarissa Whipple, a native of Vermont, whose death occurred in 1836, while he survived until 1844, passing away at the age of sixty-seven years. In his family were five children : Mrs. Eunice Choate; William, who served in the Civil war and died in 1863; Adeline, who died in Syracuse, New York; George W .; and JJames, whose death occurred in Auburn, New York.
JAMES P. GLASS
MRS. JAMES P. GLASS
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The father of our subject, George W. Glass, was born in Onondaga county, New York, February 11, 1826. Through the death of his father, he was thrown upon his own resources at the age of eighteen years. He secured work on the railroad and at anything that would bring him an honest living. He was also employed as an engineer and spent some years in the railroad shops. He afterward operated a portable engine, making that his business until he had reached the age of forty years. In 1853 he made his way to Sandusky, Ohio, where he continued to operate his portable engine. Ile was married in the fall of 1863 to Miss Mary E. Yates, who was also born in the Empire state and was reared in the same neighborhood as was her husband. The young couple began their domestic life in Patterson, Hardin county, Ohio, where they lived for twelve years, subsequent to which time they removed to Stark county, Illi- nois, where they spent the winter, and in the following spring continued their journey to La Salle county, locating upon a farm near Streator, where they made their home until 1873. In that year they came to Ford county, where Mr. Glass purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land situated in Pella township. It was a tract of wet prairie, entirely unimproved, but he began its cultivation and development and in due course of time had made it an excellent tract of land. He made his home thereon until 1892, in which year he retired and removed to Piper City, where his death occurred in 1904, having survived his wife for about fourteen years, her death having occurred in 1890: Ile was thus identified with the agricultural interests of Ford county for almost three decades and was a respected farmer and business man. Unto him and his wife were born five children : George E .; James Page, of this review; Minnie, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Fannie; and Alice.
James Page Glass accompanied his parents on their various removals and during the period of his boyhood and youth he assisted his father in the work of the home farm and was occupied with the duties of the schoolroom in the acquirement of his education. While remaining an active factor in business life he continued to engage in farming and prospered in his work. To his possessions he added from time to time until he now owns two hundred and ninety acres in Pella township on sections 34 and 35, and also one hundred and sixty acres near Winnipeg, Canada. His home farm is very valuable and pro- duetive and returns him a gratifying annual income. Ile made it his place of abode for a long period and brought it under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Glass was married in 1895 to Miss Lottie Thompson, a representative of one of the well known and prominent families of the county, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Glass is the abode of
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gracious and warm-hearted hospitality and they occupy an enviable position in social circles. In his political views Mr. Glass is an earnest democrat and has been active in the local ranks of his party, doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. Ile has served for four years as supervisor and at present is chairman of the village board of Piper City. His official ser- vice has always been characterized by the utmost devotion to the publie good. ITe has ever placed the general welfare before partisanship and has done effective work officially and otherwise in behalf of publie progress in his community. Fraternally he is connected with Piper City Lodge, No. 608, A. F. & A. M. and has also taken the Knights Templar degrees in the chapter at Fairbury. His residence in the county covers more than a third of a century and during this period he has largely witnessed the growth and progress which have marked the county's advancement and development. His cooperation has never been sought in vain in support of progressive publie movements and his worth as a citizen is widely acknowledged.
ISAAC C. LEMNA.
Isaac C. Lemna, engaged in the livery business in Piper City, was born in Detroit, Canada, November 12, 1849, his parents being Isaac and Amelia (Besonett) Lemna, who were likewise natives of Canada, whence they came to Illinois in 1855, locating first in Iroquois county, where they lived for ten years. They then moved to Chatsworth, Illinois, and the father was employed in the sugar factory there. The mother's death occurred in Chatsworth in 1899, and the father passed away on the 11th of October, 1907. In their family were twelve children, of whom six are now living, Isaac C. being the eldest. The others are: Frank, a resident of Kankakee, Illinois; Mary, the wife of F. M. Tavares of Dwight. this state; Lizzie, the wife of Godfrey Fortier of Kansas; Lena, the widow of John Daney and a resident of Chatsworth; and Cena, the wife of John Hoyle, living at Pleasant Hope, Missouri.
Isaac C. Lemna was but seven years of age when brought by his parents from Canada to this state and in his parents' home he spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He worked with his father until twenty-three years of age and in the public schools acquired a limited education. In the school of experience, however, he has learned many valuable lessons. On starting out in life for himself at the age of twenty-three years he rented a farm in Livings-
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ton county, Illinois, where he resided for thirty years. He then bought a farm in Jasper county, Indiana, whereon he resided for two years, after which he sold his property there and came to Piper City, where he established a livery business, which he is largely conducting, his son Jesse being his partner in this enterprise. They keep a number of good horses and fine vehicles and receive a liberal patronage.
Mr. Lemna was married in 1873 to Miss Anna Fortier, who was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, and was one of a family of twelve children. Iler parents are now deceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lemna has been blessed with nine children but two of the number have passed away. Those who still survive are: Jesse, who is now in business with his father; William, residing in Piper City; Fred. who is conducting a barber shop at Chatsworth, Illinois ; Frank, at home ; Sadie, Mary and Leo, who are yet under the parental roof.
The parents are communicants of the Catholic church and contribute generously to its support. In addition to his livery business Mr. Lemna owns a fine residence in the village of Piper City. In polities he is a republican and though he has not sought or desired public office he has been called upon to serve as school director and has filled the position for nine years, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart supporter. Ile is widely known in this county and as a business man displays a spirit of enterprise which has brought to him a desirable measure of success.
DAVID CARL SWANSON.
David Carl Swanson, postmaster of Paxton, was born in the province of Jonkoping, near the town of Grana, Sweden, January 20, 1869. His parents, Lars J. and Hilda Swanson, immigrated to the United States in May, 1869, when their son David was but three months old. They resided for about a year in Beaver township, Iroquois county, after which they removed to Ford county and from that time on made their home within a radius of ten miles of Paxton. The father gave his entire life to agricultural pursuits and thus provided a comfortable living for his family. He was a republican in polities but never an aspirant for office, although he was ever a good citizen, loyal to the best interests of the community and the nation at large. He was a consistent member of the Swedish Mission church and died in that faith in March, 1889,
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at the age of fifty-three years. Mrs. Swanson still survives and resides in Paxton. She too is a member of the Swedish Mission church. In their family were nine children and all are yet living, namely: David C .; Hannah J., the wife of John A. Walgren of Portland, Oregon; Gustav E., of Osage, Iowa; Amanda J., of Paxton; Eva C., living in Portland, Oregon; Jennie O., the wife of Elof Carlson of Rockford, Illinois; Oscar S., of Osage. Iowa; Ida. the wife of John Platt of Paw Paw, Ilinois; and Esther, of Paxton.
David C. Swanson was reared on his father's farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agrienlturist. He acquired his education in the district schools and as a youth of fourteen came to Paxton, where he secured a position as errand boy, working for one year in a grocery store and for one year in the mill. In October, 1885, he entered the drugstore of Hanson & King, which later became the firm of King & Helmer while subsequently John F. Helmer was the sole proprietor. Mr. Swanson remained in this store as a most faithful and trusted employe for eighteen years and then resigned his position, in May, 1903, on account of ill health caused by close confinement in the store. He then accepted a position in the Inmber yard of B. P. Andrews, where he remained for eighteen months, when he returned to his former position in the drugstore, there continuing until he resigned to become postmaster of Paxton under appointment of President Roosevelt.
This is not the only office which Mr. Swanson has filled. In April, 1893. he was elected to the office of city clerk of Paxton, acting therein continuously for ten years and retiring from the office May 1, 1903. as he had entered it -- with the confidence and respect of all concerned.
Mr. Swanson is a member of Paxton Lodge, No. 418, I. O. O. F., Paxton Lodge, No. 398, K. P., Paxton Camp, No. 259, M. W. A., and Council, No. 20, of the Yeomen of America. He attends and supports the Swedish Mission church and is one of Paxton's esteemed and honored citizens.
LOUIS MUELLER.
Louis Mueller, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, Mona township, was born in Germany on the 1st of February, 1859, a son of Adolph and Louisa Mueller. The father passed away in Ger- many and the mother afterward emigrated to the United States, now living
MR. AND MRS. LOUIS MUELLER
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near Seattle, Washington, with one of her daughters. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Mueller were six children, as follows : Carl, who resides in Germany; Louis, of this review; Adolph, deceased; Hannah, the wife of God- ford Borchard, who lives near Seattle, Washington; Matilda, deceased; and Bertha, who became the wife of James Parson and also makes her home near Seattle, Washington.
Louis Mueller acquired a common-school education in his native country and when fourteen years of age began elerking, being employed in the same store for six years at a salary of six dollars per month. He had heard many fav- orable reports concerning the broader business opportunities of the new world and when twenty years of age crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locat- ing first in Champaign county, Illinois, where he secured employment on a farm. For about three months he was engaged in digging a tile ditch in com- pany with several other men and at the end of that time his employer hired him as foreman and overseer of his farms. Mr. Mueller having already given practi- cal demonstration of his fidelity and capability. He remained in this position for twelve years, but in 1889, desiring to engage in farming on his own account, he rented a tract of land which he successfully operated for four years. On the expiration of that period he purchased eighty acres of land on section 27, Mona township, which he conducted for three years, when he sold out and bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 22, Mona township. He has met with a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests and is recognized as one of the substantial and enterprising farmers of the county.
In 1889 Mr. Mueller was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Stofferan, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1857, a daughter of Paul and Mary (Fleser) Stofferan. The parents were natives of Germany but emigrated to America in an early day, locating in Chicago, where the father worked at the carpenter's trade until 1870. Ile then purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Mona township, Ford county, successfully following agricultural pursuits here until the time of his death in March, 1906. Mrs. Stofferan departed this life in 1898 and the county thus mourned the loss of two of its worthy pioneer
settlers. Their family, including Mrs. Mueller, numbered five children. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children, as follows: Emma Marie and Lillie Minnie, who are both graduates of the high school at Cullom ; and Etta L. and Benjamin, both at home.
In his political views Mr. Mueller is a stalwart republican but has never taken any active part in politics, preferring to give his undivided attention to
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his business interests. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Lutheran church and are widely and favorably known throughout the entire community. They are self-made people, for they started out in life empty- handed and acquired the prosperity which they now enjoy entirely through their own well directed labors and untiring perseverance.
CLAUS JOHANNSEN.
Claus Johannsen, who carries on general farming on section 22, Dix town- ship, was born in Germany in West Hamburg in 1858, his parents being Claus and Margaret (Hanson) Johannsen, who were farming people. The father was seventy years of age at the time of his death, which occurred in 1899. The mother came to America on a visit in 1894 and remained for eight months, after which she returned to the old home in Germany, where she is now resid- ing. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Phebe, who lives in Germany; Hans, who follows farming in Wall township, Ford county; Claus, of this review; Margaret, Cathrina and Christian, all of whom have passed away; and Christina, who also makes her home in Germany.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Claus Johannsen in his boyhood days. He assisted his father in the culti- vation of the fields and in the public schools acquired his education. Hle was twenty years of age when he joined the German army, rendering three years' military service to his country between 1878 and 1881 and receiving a medal for canon firing. The year after leaving the army he came to America, landing at New York city in July. 1882. He made his way direct from the metropolis to Anchor, Melean county, Illinois, where for a time he worked by the day in order to provide for his support, for he brought no capital with him on his emigration to the new world. Believing that his labors might prove more beneficial to himself if he was not in the employ of others, he rented a small place north of Gibson City and there lived for five years. Hle afterward rented a farm three miles east of his present home from a Mr. Peters and also continued there for five years. He next removed to the John Richardson farm two miles north of Elliott, where he resided for five years, and in 1899 he purchased his present place then comprising two hundred acres of very wet swampy land, for which he paid sixty-one and a half dollars per acre. Later a dredge ditch was built through and Mr. Johannsen now owns one of the best
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