USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 19
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is a member of the Gibson City Business Association, formed to further the commercial interests of the town. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has attained high rank in Masonry, belonging to the lodge, chapter and conneil of Gibson City; Mount Olivet Commandery, K. T., of Paxton, Illinois; Mohamet Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Peoria; and to Oriental Consistory of the Scottish Rite at Chicago, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree. He is also identified with Gibson camp of the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Lotus Club.
Coming to Ford county in early manhood, he possessed the laudable ambition that prompts close application and earnest effort, and upon these qualities he has builded his success. His connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it is in his nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever he is associated with. He has won for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods which have won him the deserved confidence of his fellowmen.
STEPHEN LESCHI.
In reverting to the life record of Stephen Lesch it is but fitting that he should be spoken of as a "self-made man," for from the early age of ten years he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources, having at that tender age lost his father. It is true that not unlike others in similar circumstances he has met obstacles and difficulties but through his own determination to win his way in the world he has overcome these and has pressed his way onward until one needs but to glance at his excellent farm of one hundred acres, situated in Lyman and Brenton townships, to know that he has suc- ceeded well in life.
Mr. Lesch is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Lemont, Cook county, on the 15th of August, 1859. His parents were Christopher and HIelen Lesch, the former having been born on a vessel during the emigration of his parents from Germany to this country. The mother was born in Germany and came to America with her parents when she was quite young. The subject of this review is the ellest in a family of four children, the others being : Peter, a resident of Chicago ; John F .; and Maggie, the wife of Andrew Fridley, a resident of Chicago.
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As above stated, Mr. Lesch lost his father when he was a little lad of but ten years and from that time he has made his own way in the world. At that age he began to work by the month at farm labor and this continued to be his occupation until he had reached the age of twenty-four years, when he was married and established a home of his own on the farm where he has since resided. This property comprises one hundred and sixty acres of good land, eighty acres of which is located on section 2, Lyman township, on which the house stands and the other eighty-acre tract lies just across the road on section 35, Brenton township. When Mr. Lesch took possession of the property there was a poor house on it but this has since been replaced by a more modern and commodious structure. He has also erected good outbuildings, has set out an apple orchard, shade trees, and has otherwise improved the place until it is now one of the valuable farms of this section of the state. In addition to raising grain Mr. Lesch is also engaged in raising good grades of stock and both branches of his business are bringing to him a good financial return.
It was on the 11th of March, 1884, that Mr. Lesch was united in marriage to Miss Rose Worlidge, who was born in Godman, Chester county, England, October 27, 1863. £ She came to America when a young lady of seventeen years, locating in Chieago, where lived an aunt, with whom she remained until the time of her marriage. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lesch has been blessed with five children : Florence, the wife of Edward Jones, of Thawville ; Zarelda, the wife of Levi Epplehimer, of Roberts; Edna; Roy; and Susie.
Mr. Lesch gives his political support to the republican party, casting his first presidential ballot for President Garfield. Ile has served as a sehool director for the past nine years but otherwise has filled no public office. He attends and supports the Congregational church, to which the other members of the household belong. The life of Mr. Lesch has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial agriculturists of Ford county.
JOIIN SHORT.
John Short, who is living retired on his farm of three hundred and forty-one acres on sections 30 and 31, Wall township, was born in County Longford, Ireland, on the 12th of January, 1839, his parents being Edward and Mary (Thompson) Short. They came to the United States in 1845, locating
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first in Brooklyn, New York, where the father worked at his trade of stone- mason for four years. They then removed to Ottawa, Illinois, where Mr. Short was employed at his trade until the time of his demise, which occurred in 1870, his wife having passed away in 1847. They were the parents of five children, namely: John, of this review; Patrick; and Katherine, James and . Mary, all of whom are deceased.
John Short acquired a common-school education and remained with his father until he had attained his majority, when he began work as a farm hand, being employed in that way for three years. He was then employed in the butchering business at Ottawa, Illinois, for two years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Chicago, and was engaged in the same line of business for a similar length of time. Subsequently he secured a position as fireman with the Rock Island Railroad Company, the firing being done with wood. After acting in this capacity for eighteen months he returned to La Salle county and was again engaged at farm labor for five years, subse- quently operating a rented farm in that county for one year. He then removed to Lostant, Illinois, where he again went into the butchering business, but after a year moved to Livingston county, purchasing a traet of land of eighty acres, on which he lived for sixteen years. Selling that farm, in 1884 he bought three hundred and forty-one acres on sections 30 and 31, Wall township, Ford county, and has since made his home here. In addition to the work of general farming he has also made a specialty of raising and feeding stock, this branch of his business likewise bringing to him a gratifying financial return. He is now, however, living retired, having turned over the active work of the fields to his son James B. Mr. Short has met with a good measure of success in his agricultural interests, and has long been numbered among the prosperous and enterprising citizens of Ford county, having won a competence through the utilization of his native talents, combined with untiring perseverance and unabating energy.
In 1863 Mr. Short was joined in wedlock to Miss Martha Ann Philips, whose birth ocenrred in Putnam county, Illinois, in 1848, her parents being William and Martha (Roy) Philips, who were early settlers of this state and who died when their daughter, Mrs. Short, the youngest in their family of six children, was but two years of age. She is now the only survivor of the family, and by her marriage has become the mother of nine children, namely : George E., deceased; William, who makes his home in Iowa; Edward, who also resides in that state; James and Frank, both of whom have passed away; Mary E., the wife of Fred Sharp, of Wyoming; James B., who operates the homestead farm; Charles, who has also departed this life; and Nellie, who
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became the wife of Frank Foster and resides in Ford county. Our subject and his wife now have twenty grandehildren living.
In his political views Mr. Short is a democrat and has served as school director for nine years. He was reared in the Catholic faith but his wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge at Melvin. Mr. and Mrs. Short started out . in life empty-handed, but have since accumulated a good fortune, enabling them to spend their remaining days surrounded by many of the comforts and luxuries which go to make life worth living. They have gained an extensive circle of friends during the long period of their residence in this county, their genuine personal worth commending them to the confidence and esteem of all with whom they have come in contact.
JOHN H. DECKER.
John II. Deeker has for fourteen years been a resident of Ford county, where he is now engaged extensively and successfully in the raising of stock of high grades, being well known in this regard. He was born in Williamsburg, West Virginia, August 8, 1867, and was the second in order of birth in a family of four sons and three daughters whose parents are Nathaniel Green and Louisa B. (Hinkle) Decker, both of whom are natives of West Virginia, and still reside in that state, the father following the occupation of black- smithing.
John II. Decker spent his early boyhood under the parental roof, and when thirteen years of age started out in business life on his own account, working as a farm hand to the age of eighteen. Thinking to find better business opportunities and to acquire success more quickly in the west, he made his way to the western part of Kansas, where he worked on a horse ranch for three years, going thence to MeLean county, Illinois, where he resided for five or six years. He next made his way to Piper City, Ford county, and for about fourteen years has resided within the boundaries of this eounty. During the entire period he has carried on farming and stock- raising, and has owned two or three different farms, but has sold them. He is now renting the John Stadler farms, one of two hundred and forty aeres and the other of one hundred and sixty acres, both in Brenton township. Here he has resided for three years and is extensively and successfully
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engaged in business as a stock farmer, having devoted the last ten years to stock-raising. He has horses, cattle and hogs, and upon his place today are found twenty-five head of Percheron draft horses, all of which are thorough- breds, and he has won a number of premiums on exhibiting his stock. He also raises pure bred shorthorn cattle and has a pure Scotch bull, Gloster, at the head of his herd, which numbers thirty registered animals. He also keeps pure bred Duroc Jersey hogs, having one hundred and twenty-five upon the farm at present. As a stock dealer he has become very widely known and his business is extensive and profitable.
In 1891 Mr. Decker was united in marriage to Miss Katharine Irene King, a native of Ohio and a daughter of John and Lena ( Myre) King, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Ohio. The father was brought to the United States by his parents when only five weeks old. From Ohio he removed to this county, settling in Brenton township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Decker have been born four children: Nina, Leota, Iona and John Green.
Mr. Decker is a democrat and a public-spirited citizen, giving loyal support to many measures for the general good. He has served as school officer, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He is also a director of the Ford County Fair & Driving Association, and is a Master Mason of Piper City lodge. Ile likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen camp, and is loyal to the teachings of these organizations. He may well be termed a self-made man, deserving all the credit which that term implies, for he started out on his own account when a youth of thirteen years, and has since depended upon his own resources for the success he has achieved. He is now one of the best known stock-dealers of Ford county, and has done much to improve the grade of stock raised in this part of the state.
JAMES W. HIERRON.
James W. Herron, in whose death Ford county lost a valued citizen, was for many years connected with general agricultural pursuits in this part of the state and the salient qualities of his character were such as commended him to the confidence, good will and high regard of those who knew him. He was born in Georgetown, Brown county, Ohio, August 21, 1825, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Killwell) Herron. The mother, who was of Scotch lineage, died in
MR. AND MRS. J. W. HERRON
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Ohio, while the father, who was of Irish descent, spent his last days in Wood- ford county, Illinois. In their family were three sons and three daughters, namely : Mrs. Jane McCoy, deceased; Killwell, who served in defense of the Union in the Civil war and is now deceased; Mrs. Rebecca Johnson, who has also passed away ; James W., of this review ; Mrs. Mary McCoy, deceased; and Andrew, who died in Ford county.
James W. Herron was reared in the state of his nativity and his environ- ments were largely those of pioneer life, for it was during the early period of Ohio's development. He enlisted for service in the Mexican war but was rejected on account of having an injured foot. He was a young man of about twenty- three years when he came with his parents to Illinois, the family home being established in Woodford county. James W. Herron took up his abode upon a farm adjoining his father's place on the west, having there a tract of land of eighty aeres, the father giving each of his children eighty acres of land. Upon that place he lived for about six years and in 1854 removed to another farm of ninety acres. Throughout his entire business career he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits, working diligently and persistently year after year to provide for his family. In February. 1885, he removed to Ford county, settling on a
farm in Brenton township. He became the owner of two hundred acres of which eighty aeres was in one tract and one hundred and twenty in another, about a mile apart. Upon his farm in Ford county he resided, until his death, which occurred on the 31st of October, 1896, when he had reached the age of seventy-one years. After coming to Illinois he worked at the carpenter's trade for a time but with the exception of a brief period he always gave his atten- tion to a general agricultural pursuits and his practical methods and unfaltering industry constituted the foundation upon which he built his success.
On the 6th of April, 1854, Mr. Herron was married to Miss Carrie Trunnell, who was born near Georgetown in Brown county, Ohio, November 29, 1837, and died in Woodford county, Illinois, when about forty-two years of age. They were the parents of nine children, of whom six are vet living, namely : John, a resident farmer of Brenton township; George W. who is living in Woodford county, this state; James P., who is living on the old homestead farm in Brenton township ; Mary E., the wife of Joseph Tracy, of Brown county, Ohio; Minnie B., the wife of Samuel Wells, who is located in Brenton township; and Nellie, who is the widow of George Ross and resides with Mrs. Herron in Piper City. After losing his first wife Mr. Herron was again married, in 1881, his second union being with Miss Mary Elizabeth Berry, who was born in Brown county. Ohio, in the same neighborhood as her husband. Her natal day was February 1, 1835,
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and her parents were Samuel and Rebecca (Hamilton) Berry, natives of Brown and of Trumbull counties, Ohio respectively, their entire lives being passed in the Buckeye state. In their family were eight children : Lorinda Espey, de- ceased; Mrs. Jane Ward, of Ohio; Mrs. Lilla Petticorn; Mrs. Anna Parcell ; Mrs. Herron ; Mrs. Amanda Richards; Robert W., of Ohio; and Marens. Both sons engaged in teaching school for many years and are now located on farms in the Buckeye state.
In his political views Mr. Herron was a stalwart republican but never sought nor desired office. While decided in his views and holding firmly to the princi- ples in which he believed, he was never an agitator. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church at Piper City and his belief permeated his entire life, making him an honest, upright man. He was rather quiet and retiring in disposition but his genuine worth was recognized by all who knew him and at all times he did his full duty to his family, his friends and his country.
Mrs. Herron, still surviving her husband, has made her home during the past nine years in Piper City and erected the residence that she now occupies. She is a lady whom to know is to esteem and love. Her spirit is kindly, gentle and generous and to her step-children she has done a mother's full part and is loved by them with the same affection that would be given to an own mother. Her circle of friends is coextensive with the circle of her acquaint- ances and it is with gennine pleasure that we present the record of her life to the readers of this volume.
JAMES CRAWFORD.
James Crawford is one of the extensive landowners of Ford county and all that he possesses has been acquired entirely through his own labors. His life record should serve to encourage and inspire others who have to start out as he did, empty-handed. Soon coming to a realization of the value of untiring industry, he has by persistent effort gained the place which he now occupies as one of the substantial residents of this part of the state. Ile makes his home in Ford county but is of Irish birth, although he was only ten years of age when the family came to America. He was born in County Clair, Ireland, April 12, 1838, his parents being Michael and Margaret (Flarity) Crawford.
When ten years of age the mother crossed the Atlantic with her family, landing at Quebee. The husband and father had died the previous year and
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thus upon the mother devolved the support and care of her little ones. They settled in Ontario, near Hamilton, and in the fall of 1852 removed to Niagara county, New York. In the spring of 1857 they came to Illinois, taking up their abode about five miles south of Earlville, in La Salle county. There for many years Mr. Crawford followed farming and in 1875 he came to Ford county, settling on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Peach Orchard township. In 1862 he had made his first purchase of land, joining his brother John in buying eighty acres in La Salle county. At the time of his marriage, however, he sold his interest in this farm to his brother and bought another traet of eighty acres. As the years have passed he has worked persistently and energetically to achieve success, and as his financial resources have increased he has invested more and more largely in property until he now owns six hundred acres of valuable Illinois land, of which five hundred and twenty aeres lie in Peach Orchard township, and the remainder on seetion 15, Germanville township, Livingston county. Year after year Mr. Crawford carried on the work of his farm with the result that he annually gathered good harvests which found a ready sale on the market. He continued actively in agricultural work until the spring of 1900, when he put aside the more ardnous duties of a business career and removed to Melvin, where he is now living retired. He had taken unbroken prairie and trans- formed it into fine farming property. Much of the land was wet and there were many dnek ponds on it, but he drained and tiled it and made many substantial improvements. His first purchase in Ford county was made in 1872, but he did not take up his abode thereon until 1875. He gave seventeen dollars per acre for this tract, which comprises a quarter section, and as stated, he has since added to his possessions from time to time as opportunity has offered, until he is now one of the extensive landowners of the county. In addition to his property here, he has four hundred and eighty acres in Noble county, Minnesota, making a total of ten hundred and eighty acres. ITis business record is certainly most creditable, for all has been acquired through his own labors and the assistance of his children, to whom he gives much credit for the aid they have rendered him.
At the time of the Civil war, James Crawford enlisted at Chicago in February, 1865, as a member of Company L, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, under Captain Wilts, and was sent to Eastport, Mississippi, but took part in no engagements. There were not enough horses to mount all of the troops, so only a number of them participated in Wilson's raid, and Mr. Crawford was not of the number. He continued with his command until mustered ont at Springfield in October, 1865. His health was considerably injured by the
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hardships of war, as he suffered a sunstroke and was ill with ague for a year. He was formerly a member of the Grand Army post at Melvin until it was disbanded owing to an insufficient number of members.
Mr. Crawford's mother is still living and is now in her ninety-sixth year. In 1875 she became the wife of a Mr. Carpenter, and following his death she lived with her son James until about six years ago, when she went to Bloomington, Illinois. In the family were eight children, of whom five died in Ireland, while three came to America. Of these John who accumulated extensive landed possessions, died on his farm in Peach Orchard township, November 15, 1899. James is the second in order of birth and Martin Crawford is a resident of Ottawa, Illinois.
In 1866 James Crawford was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Roark, who was born at Long Island, New York, June 6, 1841, and died in Melvin, February 22, 1907. Her parents came to Illinois in 1856 and she arrived in January, 1858. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crawford were born eleven children. John R .. who is now living on his father's old homestead; Mary E., at home; Thomas, on the farm; James, who is operating a part of the old home place ; Margaret, the wife of P. II. Freihl, of Germanville; Catharine, the wife of John Mulchey, living near Rankin, Illinois; Nora, who died at the age of two years; Frank, who is upon the farm; Lney, at home; Gertrude and Walter. The sons John and Thomas have a large plantation of two thousand eight hundred aeres in Mississippi, on the delta, fourteen miles north of Vicksburg.
Mr. Crawford cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and was a republican until General Grant's second term, when he joined the greenback party and later the democracy, but is now independent in politics. For many years he served as school director and was on the town board for a time. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church. He has lived a life of industry, perseverance and enterprise, and well merits the splendid success which has crowned his labors.
RICHARD TRIGGER.
Richard Trigger, whose age exceeds the Psalmist's span of three seore years and ten, has long been accounted one of the leading and prominent farmers of Ford county. He was born in Devonshire, England, March 10, 1833, his parents being John and Mary (Quick) Trigger, who were likewise
RICHARD TRIGGER
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MRS. RICHARD TRIGGER
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natives of Devonshire. After their son emigrated to the new world they also crossed the Atlantic to America and made their way into the interior of the country. From that time on they were residents of Peoria county until called to their final rest, Mr. Trigger passing away when about sixty-four years of age, while his wife died at the age of seventy-one years. They were the par- ents of nine children, of whom three died in infancy. The others were : John ; Mary, now deceased; Elizabeth and William, who have also passed away; James, who is located in Peoria county; and Richard.
The last named was reared at his English home, remaining upon his fath- er's farm there until eighteen. years of age. In the meantime favorable reports reached him concerning America and the business opportunities here afforded. Accordingly he made his way to the United States and in 1851 reached Peoria, Illinois, in company with two brothers and a sister, Richard Trigger being the youngest. He lived in Peoria county for about five years and then went to Stark county, where he continued for eleven years. In 1869 he arrived in Ford county, where he has since made his home, and with its interests he has been closely and helpfully associated. He belongs to that class of representative American men who while promoting individual success also contribute to the public welfare. He had only about seven dollars on his arrival from England and this was largely exhausted when he reached Peoria. ITis financial condition rendered immediate employment a necessity and he worked by the month as a farm hand for about three years upon the farm of Bishop Case. Desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself he then rented a farm in Peoria county and afterward in Stark county, where he remained until he came to Ford county. Mr. Trigger then bought one hundred and sixteen acres of his home place and to this farm has added from time to time until he now has six hundred and forty acres of land lying on sections 11 and 1, Wall township, and also eighty acres on section 10 and eighty acres on section 1. All of the improvements here have been made by Mr. Trigger. There are three sets of buildings and the farm is devoted to the raising of grain and stock. This is the second largest farm in Wall township, the other being an estate. Mr. Trigger sold six thousand bushels of corn in the fall of 1907 and one year sold eight thousand bushels. IIe has used about two thousand bushels in feeding his stock and has sold as high as sixty head of hogs one year. He has also fed five carloads of cattle and his stock-raising interests have proved very profitable. His entire life has been devoted to farming. He paid twenty-five dollars per acre for his first prairie land, which is today worth from one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars per acre.
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