USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 14
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In his political views Mr. Cook is a republican, having stanehly supported the party since casting his first presidential ballot for U. S. Grant in 1868. Ile takes considerable interest in local polities and at the present writing is serving as assessor of Pella township. He has been school director for thirty
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years and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend, for he believes in the maintenance of good schools and the employment of competent teachers. Ile has been a delegate to a number of the conventions of his party, was com- missioner of highways for thirteen years and has also been township treasurer. Ilis wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. From early boyhood Mr. Cook has depended upon his own resources for a living. He soon realized that there is no royal road to wealth and that there is no excellence without labor. He found too, that honesty is the best policy and that success can be most quickly and surely secured through unfaltering perseverance and close application. These qualities have characterized him throughout his entire life and have made him one of the valued and representative farmers and successful business men of Pella township. His good qualities have gained him popularity and the consensus of public opinion places him with the lead- ing citizens of Ford county.
W. H. AYRESMAN.
W. H. Ayresman is the owner of a farm of seventy-four acres on seetion 17, Drummer township. His fields are largely devoted to the raising of corn and he is also well known in the community in connection with his work in shelling corn, having a sheller and receiving the patronage of a large majority of the people of this locality.
He is one of the native sons of MeLean county, Illinois, born July 25, 1854. Ilis parents were Jacob and Julia Ayresman, natives of southern Germany, whence they emigrated to the United States and settled in MeLean county. While spending his boyhood days under the parental roof W. H. Ayresman gained practical knowledge concerning all the farm work and also acquired a good English education as a public-school student. He continued a resident of his native county until 1870, when he removed to Switch D, a corn market of Ford county. He has always been identified with agricultural interests and is now the owner of seventy-four acres of rich and productive land, from which he annually gathers a large corn erop. He likewise has a corn sheller and the work which he does for his neighbors keeps him busily employed through much of the year.
In 1889 Mr. Ayresman was married to Miss Jennie Favor, a daughter of Solomon Favor, of Ford county, and unto them have been born the following
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named: Frank Lewis, who is now deceased; Myrtle and Clarence, both at home; Solomon, who has also passed away; and Loren and Ernest, yet at home.
Mr. Ayresman is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political views are in accord with the principals of the republican party, for he believes the platform of that great organization is best calculated to conserve the public welfare. He belongs to the Methodist church and his life is governed by its principles, fair dealing and consideration for the rights of others being numbered among his strong characteristics.
CHARLES M. READ.
That Ford county affords ample opportunity for the acquirement of wealth through agricultural pursuits finds verification in the fact that Charles M. Read is now one of the prosperous and well-to-do agriculturists of this section of Illinois, owning at the present time eight hundred acres of valuable land, situated in Pella township. He is a native of the state of New York, his birth having occurred in Chautauqua county on the 24th of June, 1852, his parents being Thomas and Elizabeth (Ferguson) Read, extended mention of whom is made in connection with the sketch of Thomas Read on another page of this work.
Charles M. Read acquired a common-school education during the period of his boyhood and youth and when he embarked upon a business venture he chose as his occupation the tilling of the soil. To know of the success he has gained thereby one needs but to glance at his valuable farm, comprising eight hundred acres, situated in Pella township-a farm which for productiveness is exceeded by no other in this portion of Ford county. In addition to this land Mr. Read also owns seven hundred aeres in Mississippi, from which he derives an excellent income. In his farming operations Mr. Read has always followed practical and progressive methods and his place in all its equipments presents an attractive appearance. He has improved his property with good outbuildings and a nice country residence, where are found many conveniences and comforts to be enjoyed by the members of the household.
It was in 1889 that Mr. Read established a home of his own by his marriage on the 25th of September of that year to Miss Melvina Marble, who was born in Odell, Livingston county, Illinois, in the year 1862, a daughter of Daniel and
CHARLES M. RE '
AND FAMILY
1
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Alzada (Hugobonn) Marble, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. In 1860 they made their way westward, locating in Missouri, where they spent one year, subsequent to which time, in 1861, they removed to Livingston county, Illinois. In 1869 the father removed with his family to Ford county and the father here passed away during that same year. He was a carpenter by trade, always following that pursuit in order to provide for his family, which numbered seven children. The mother, however, is still living and makes her home about a mile west of Piper City.
Mrs. Read was practically reared in the county in which she now makes her home, being a little maiden of but seven years when she accompanied her parents on their removal from Livingston to Ford county, and in the schools of the latter place she acquired her education. Prior to her marriage she engaged in teaching for four years, meeting with success in this venture. She has become the mother of three children, Charles Edwin, Orvil and Elmo E., all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Read voices his political allegiance through his support of the men and measures of the republican party. At the present time he is serving as a school director and ever takes a deep interest in educational affairs, doing all in his power to uphold the standard of the schools. He is a Mason, belonging to lodge No. 608, at Piper City, and the commandery at Fairbury. IIe also affiliates with Modern Woodmen Camp at Piper City, while both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The family is one well known not only in their immediate neighborhood but throughout various sections of Ford county and Mr. Read is numbered among the well-to-do landowners and capable business men of this section of the state.
W. W. PORTER.
W. W. Porter, who has passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey, is now living retired in Kempton. He was for many years closely. actively and honorably associated with agricultural interests in this county and moreover, has a splendid record for military service as a loyal defender of the Union cause in the Civil war. He has always stood for those things which are right and honorable between man and man and of those principles which tend to promote the intellectual and moral progress of the race. He was born February 2, 1831, in the state of New York, his parents being
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Benjamin W. and Polly M. ( Wood) Porter, natives of Vermont and Connecti- eut respectively. The father was a cooper by trade and in 1844 removed to Lake county, Illinois, while subsequently he engaged in farming in MeHenry county, this state, residing there for several years. He next took up his abode in Lake county, where he remained until called to his final rest. In his family were seven children, of whom four are yet living, namely: John A., a resident of łowa; Versal, whose home is in Colorado; W. W., of this review; and Jarvis, living in California.
W. W. Porter spent the first seventeen years of his life under the parental roof and accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois. On starting ont in life on his own account he worked by the month as a farm hand until he attained the age of twenty-two years, when he was married in 1853 to Miss Arminda Northrup, whose birth occurred in MeHenry county, Illinois. In the '50s they removed to Minnesota, where Mr. Porter purchased a farm upon which he resided until 1864.
In that year he enlisted for service in the Civil war and continued with the army until the close of hostilities. Ile participated in the engagements at Nashville and at the close of the battle found in his clothing twenty-four bullet holes but only one bullet did him any injury. He was a true and loyal soldier, faithfully defending the old flag and the cause which it espoused.
When the war was over Mr. Porter resumed his residence in Minnesota but remained there only a short time and in 1866 again came to Illinois, settling in Ford county. Here he purchased a farm which he continued to cultivate and improve for twenty years, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation and gathering therefrom rich crops. When two decades had passed he sold his property and took up his abode at Kempton, where he lived for five years. Ile then removed to Sibley, Illinois, where he lived for ton years, after which he returned to Kempton and erected a nice home that he yet occupies, enjoying here a well earned rest.
Mr. Porter was married a second time in 1868 to Miss Clara Sleezer, who was born in Kendall county, Illinois, a daughter of George and Harriet (Barrow) Sleezer, who were natives of the Empire state and came to Illinois at an early day. Mrs. Porter was one of a family of six children, and by her marriage has become the mother of seven children: Harriet E., now the wife of Thomas Drew; Mary A., the wife of Howard Woertendyke, of California; Elizabeth, who has departed this life; George W., living in Minnesota; Margaret M., the wife of Jacob W. Drew, of Kempton; Benjamin, living in Chicago; and William A., also of that city.
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Mr. Porter is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Cabery, and has filled all of its chairs, while in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirt of the craft. Hle is likewise a member of the Woodmen Camp, No. 1758, at Kempton, and he and his wife are associated with the Royal Neighbors, No. 4367. His political allegiance is now given to the republican party, for it embodies his ideas upon the temperance question. For ten years he served as justice of the peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and the equity in the case. He has also served as school director for several years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. His influence has ever been given on the side of right, truth and progress and he cooperates in all movements that are tended to uplift humanity. Mr. Porter, while well advanced in years, having passed the scriptural span of three score years and ten, in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. He has kept himself young, as every man should do, and his youthful spirit was manifest in his riding a bicycle. He cared not for any criticism which might involve, stating his position on such in a few verses under the subject, "Riding on a Bike." Mr. Porter has always to greater or less extent written poetry and while in the army at Demopolis, Alabama, in August, 1865, he penned the following :
WHEN SHALL WE ALL MEET AGAIN ?
In eighteen hundred and sixty-one Clouds of darkness covered the sun. The nation's heart convulsively throbbed, Assailed by secession and treasonably mobbed, And the question was asked by the cannon's flame, When shall we all meet again?
They raised their banner, they made a stand, And swore they would divide the land; One half to be slave, the rest to be free, They called their half the Confederacy. But our bugles ask on the fields of fame, When shall we all meet again ?
On the battlefields of strife and gore, Where sabers clash, where cannons roar, Where the battle surges to and fro, Causing pain, and grief and woe, And the dying asks in grief and pain, When shall we all meet again ?
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The wounded man thinks of his home; Ilis wife and family are all alone ; In distant states his children prattle, While he lies on the field of battle, Suffering from thirst, fatigue and pain, Saying, When shall we all meet again ?
The battle is o'er, the victory gained,
The dead lie in heaps, the field is stained. Their bodies in a common grave are whirled;
Their spirits have gone to a better world; But the question applies to the living and slain, When shall we all meet again ?
The war is o'er, the victory gained, The bondmen are free, they are unchained; Our flag waves o'er our soldiers' graves, Who gallantly were the Union's braves. From heaven they speak in loving strains Saying. Here's where we shall meet again.
ROBERT C. WILSON.
When death claimed Robert C. Wilson, Ford county lost one of its repre- sentative farmers and a citizen whom to know was to respect and honor. IIe is yet well remembered by those among whom he lived, although twenty-three years have come and gone since he passed from this life. He was born in Greenbrier county, Virginia, April 4, 1824, and passed away on the old home- stead farm on section 8, Brenton township, Ford county, in April, 1885. He was a son of John and Susan Wilson and had two sisters and three brothers. Ilis boyhood and youth were spent in the south and his educational privileges were those afforded by the public schools. He was about twenty-one or twenty- two years of age when he came to Ilinois, settling first in Knox county. He arrived in Ford county about seven years prior to his marriage, which was celebrated in 1867, and his remaining days were here passed upon his farm, comprising the southwest quarter of section 8, Brenton township. He broke a part of this land and all of the buildings upon the place were put here by
ROBERT C. WILSON
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Mr. Wilson and his family. His entire life was devoted to general agricul- tural pursuits and in addition to the homestead property he owned two other farms of eighty acres each, which he sold. Both were situated in Brenton township.
In 1867 Mr. Wilson chose as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Julia Dunn, who was born in Warren county, Illinois, in 1842 and came to Ford county in 1865 when a young lady of twenty-three years. Her par- ents were Joseph and Mary ( Paddox) Dunn, natives of New Jersey and Kentucky respectively. They came here in the spring of 1865 and further mention of them is made upon another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Richard Dunn. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born five chil- dren : William Joseph, who is living in Brenton township; Robert Lee, who remains at home and operates the old farm; Lillian May, the wife of Robert Codlin, of Fairbury, Illinois : James Albert, of Brenton township; and Harvey Elmer, of Chicago, Illinois.
Mr. Wilson exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy but was not a politician in the sense of office seek- ing. IIe belonged to the Masonic fraternity and to the Presbyterian church- associations which indicated much of his character as a man and citizen, show- ing forth the principles which governed his conduct in his relations with his fellowmen. He was thoroughly trustworthy, being never known to take advantage of the necessities of others in a business transaction. On the con- trary he was just in his dealings, and his honesty and geniality made him popular with those who knew him.
ALBERT A. ABSHER, M. D.
Dr. Albert A. Absher, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Sibley, was born at Emma, White county, Illinois, February 5, 1869. ITis father, Samuel Absher, was a native of Kentucky and in early manhood came to Illinois, settling in White county, where he engaged in farming. After living there for some years he became actively interested in politics and was recognized as one of the local leaders of his party. He was first elected to the office of justice of the peace, wherein he served for many years, his fair and impartial decisions winning him golden opinions from all sorts of people. He was later elected associate judge and served in that judicial capacity for
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many years with the same fidelity and trustworthiness that he had displayed in the lesser court. In fact he was holding the office at the time of his death, which occurred Angust 2, 1868.
His wife bore the maiden name of Amelia J. Tanquaury, and unto them were born three children : Ida, the wife of Henry Shook, of Bellmont, Illinois; George S., also of Bellmont ; and Albert A., whose name introduces this record. After losing her first husband Mrs. Absher was married in 1873 to Benjamin Finn, who died in 1886. Mrs. Finn now resides in Bellmont, Wabash county. Illinois, at the age of seventy years.
Albert A. Absher was a student in the Bellmont public schools and at the age of sixteen entered the State Normal School at Carbondale, Illinois, where he remained for a year. For two years he engaged in teaching in southern Illinois and at the age of nineteen entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, which is the medical department of the Illinois University. IIe was graduated therefrom at the age of twenty-three, and, locating at Sibley, has since practiced his profession here. He was one of ten who were on the roll of honor and at the graduating exercises was a member of the executive committee. He was also of the twelve men who during his entire college course was never marked down or "plucked," as college boys term it during the entire four years. Since his graduation he has kept in touch with the onward march of the profession and through reading and investigation has constantly broadened his knowledge and promoted his efficiency. That he has the confidence of the general public is indicated by the liberal patronage which is accorded him. In addition to his professional interests Dr. Absher was one of the organizers of the Sibley Telephone Company and has served as its only president.
On the 22d of Angust, 1891, Dr. Absher was married to Miss Lenora Hehnick, a daughter of Frank and Annett (Foulkes) Helmiek, early settlers of McLean county. Mr. and Mrs. Helmick were the parents of six children, as follows: Lenora, now Mrs. Dr. Absher; Ella, the wife of Ernest Holiday ; Otto, who is practicing dentistry in Clinton, Illinois; Bessie, the wife of Bert Althouse, a resident of Cerro Gordo, Illinois; Fred, of Bellflower, Illinois; and Ilelen, also of that city.
Dr. and Mrs. Absher have but one daughter, Genevieve, who was born Jume 6, 1895. He and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church and his political allegiance is given to the democracy. He has served as a member of the town board of Sibley and is always interested in the welfare of the village, doing much for its progress and improvement. Fraternally he is
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connected with Sibley Lodge, No. 761, A. F. & A. M .; with Burr Oak Lodge, No. 321, K. P .; with Lookout Camp, No. 1136, M. W. A., of which he is camp physician ; and with Liberty Camp, No. 278, of the Royal Neighbors. In professional lines he is connected with MeLean County Medical Association, the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He adheres to a high standard of professional ethics and enjoys in large measure the con- fidence and good will of his professional brethren as well as of the general public.
ROBERT BRUCE CODDINGTON.
Robert Bruce Coddington is engaged in the lumber business at Paxton and has built up a trade which makes his a profitable enterprise. He was born in Warren county, Ohio, April 13, 1849, a son of James and Harriet (Brown) Coddington, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. The father, through an active business life, conducted a real-estate office. He came to Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1852 and in 1855 or 1856 removed to Logan county, where he resided until his death in March, 1907, at the very venerable age of ninety-one years. He was one of the early real-estate men of the state and negotiated many important property transfers. He reared a family of four children: Charles E., now residing in Logan county, Illinois; Anna E., the wife of N. W. Barrett, of Logan county; Robert, of this review ; and David, a resident of Logan county. The wife and mother passed away in 1876.
Robert B. Coddington began his education in the public schools of Lincoln, Illinois, and after completing the course there spent three years as a student in Notre Dame University at South Bend, Indiana. He left school at the age of 'twenty-two and entering business life engaged in the grain trade for ten years, meeting with good success in that undertaking, for he was watchful of all the details of his business and manifested that adjustment of circumstances and conditions in the business world which constituted the secret of all com- mercial prosperity. In 1878 he removed to South Dakota, loeating at Blount, Inghes county, where he engaged in general farming and in the stock business. Ile followed this for eleven years and in 1889 he removed to Logan county, where he resided until 1896. He was, during that period, a resident of the town of Lincoln and conducted there a lumber business until his removal to Paxton, where he established a lumber yard, in which he has been quite
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successful. As the years have passed he has seenred a liberal patronage here and the volume of trade which he has seenred makes him one of the representa- tive merchants of the city.
In 1890 Mr. Coddington was married to Miss C. B. Andrews. a daughter of Baker B. and Martha Andrews, who were early residents of Lincoln. Their family numbered three sons and four daughters, namely: Mrs. Coddington; Lee, who resides in Canton, Illinois; F. J., of Jacksonville, this state; Louisa, the wife of J. C. Turner, of New York city; J. D., whose home is in Mattoon, Illinois ; and William and Mamie A., both of whom are deceased. The Andrews family are all engaged in the lumber business. The father, Baker B. Andrews was one of the largest Inmber dealers in the state, having at one time a line of lumber yards throughout Illinois to the number of fifteen. He thus controlled a large share of the trade in the state and in his business career displayed notable power in assimilating business interests and shaping them into a harmonious union. He died in 1906, at the age of seventy-one years. He was twice married, his first wife, who was the mother of his children, dying in 1889. after which he wedded Emma Hand, who still resides in Lincoln.
In his political views Mr. Coddington was a democrat for many years but votes an independent ticket at the present time, being strongly inelined toward that movement which is very common at the present time whereby measures and not party are made the dominant issue of a campaign. He belongs to Paxton Lodge, I. O. O. F., and his social qualities render him popular, while his business capacity and enterprise have gained him classification with the leading citizens of Paxton.
JOIIN T. MeCLURE.
John T. MeClure, a prosperous and progressive farmer, owning and con- trolling extensive interests in Drummer township, Ford county, is one of the native sons of Illinois, always interested in the welfare and upbuilding of his state and in the advancement of local interests as well. IIe was born in 1837 at Stouts Grove, MeLean county, where his father, B. II. McCInre, had located in 1825. He was a native of Posey county, Indiana, and wedded Frances Kellam, a native of Virginia. Following the removal to Illinois he became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land, which he converted into well tilled fields. In his farm work he had the assis-
MR. AND MRS. J. T. MCCLURE
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tance of his son, John T. McClure, who aided him more and more largely in the development of the fields as his age and strength increased. In his youth he was a pupil in the public schools and upon the home farm continued until twenty years of age, when he started out upon an independent business career.
In 1861 John T. MeClure secured a companion and helpmate for life's journey through his marriage to Miss Jane A. Deal, a daughter of John Deal, of Dry Grove, MeLean county, Illinois, who was a farmer and tanner. The . year following his marriage Mr. MeClure enlisted for active service at the front in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company D, Ninety-fourth Illinois Reg- iment of Volunteers. He participated in seventeen hotly contested battles and skirmishes, including the engagements of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, the siege of Vicksburg, the capture of Fort Morgan, and others of note, remain- ing at the front until mustered out with the rank of orderly sergeant, July 17, 1865.
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