USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 21
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promote the growth and extend the influence of that great political organiza- tion. For ten years he served as school director and the cause of education found in him a stalwart friend. Called to his final rest. his remains were laid in the Melvin cemetery, while his loss was deeply monrned by many friends as well as his immediate family. He left his children the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and an example well worthy of emulation.
Mrs. Dixon now owns and occupies a fine residence in the village of Melvin. She taught school for ten terms prior to her marriage and has always advocated those interests which promote the general culture and mental and moral progress. Her entire life has been passed in this section, where she has many friends.
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B. S. THOMPSON.
Although he started out in life empty-handed, B. S. Thompson is now one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of Pella township. He was born in Woodford county, Illinois, in 1866, and is a son of A. R. and M. W. Thomp- son, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. As a farm lad the subject of this review became familiar with the work of the fields, assisting his father from the time of early spring planting until erops were harvested in the late autumn. During the winter months he attended the public schools and in the school of experience he has also learned many valuable lessons. ITis early training, under the direction of his father, well qualified him to engage in farming on his own account when he attained his majority.
For two years Mr. Thompson rented a farm in Iroquois county and then came to Ford county, where he cultivated rented land for ten years. In the meantime, careful of expenditure and displaying unremitting industry in his work, he acquired the capital which in 1895 enabled him to purchase a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of rich land on section 27, Pella township. Later he bought an adjoining tract of one hundred and twenty acres, so that he now owns in his home place a valuable farm of four hundred and forty aeres. This lies in Pella township and in addition he is interested with his brother A. C. Thompson in the ownership of four hundred and forty aeres in Rock Island and Whiteside counties. His property interests are the visible evidence of a life of untiring thrift and energy, and proves what may be ac- complished through well defined purpose and unfaltering perseverance.
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carrying on his farm Mr. Thompson displays modern methods of agriculture, is practical and energetic, and has made his home place one of the valuable farm properties of the county.
In 1903 Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Mary Sherwin, and to them have been born two children, Martha Sherwin and Gwendolyn G. Mrs. Thompson belongs to the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Thompson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He was road commissioner and for seven years was school director. Whatever public service is entrusted to his care is faithfully performed and his aid and cooperation can always be countd upon to further any movement for the public good. He belongs to Piper City Lodge, No. 608, A. F. & A. M .. and to the Knight Templar Commandery at Fairbury. He has been very successful through life and he now owns one of the finest farms of the Pan Handle valley.
ALFRED PRESTON BAYLER.
Alfred Preston Bayler is now a retired farmer living in Roberts. For many years his life was one of intense and well directed activity as he carried on general agricultural pursuits and the years of his labor brought to him the competence that now enables him to live in well merited ease. He traces his ancestry back to Jacob Bayler, his great-grandfather, who was born in Germany and came to America with his son John on a sailing vessel. Before embarkation he agreed to pay a certain sum provided they crossed within a given time, and if not, to pay for the extra time required to make the voyage. They were much delayed on the passage because of rough seas and as Mr. Bayler was unable to pay the extra money, he sold his son John's time to one who would pay the passage for him and required the least length of service in return. Finally the arrangements were concluded whereby John Bayler was to work for seven years for a blacksmith at York, Pennsylvania. Jacob Bayler died at Hanover, Pennsylvania, in 1788. He crossed the Atlantic accompanied only by his son John, but brought the others of the family as he was able to do so, earning funds for their passage money. At his death he left six children : Jacob, Joseph, John, Mrs. Clowes, Mrs. Elizabeth Shultz and Mrs. Barbara Shaffer.
John Bayler, who had come with his father to the new world, was married, after attaining his majority, to Miss Katharine Kuhn, in 1813. He served his
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country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was present in defense of Baltimore. His death occurred May 30, 1832. His children were: Jacob Elder, now deceased; John, who died in Tazewell county, Illinois; Mrs. Elizabeth Stumbaugh, deceased ; George, William and Katharine, who died in childhood; Henry, deceased; Joseph, who now resides in Oregon; and Mrs. Comfort Reader and Mrs. Amanda Smith, both of whom have passed away.
Of this family, George Bayler, the father of our subject, was born in Hanover county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1819. At the age of four years he removed with his parents to Columbus, Ohio, where he remained until 1841. While there the father died and the family then came to Illinois in 1841, settling in Tazewell county, where George Bayler aided in the pioneer development of the locality. In 1845 he returned to Ohio and was married to Miss Elizabeth Flenniken, who was born March 6, 1823, a daughter of Andrew Flenniken, who served in the regular army during the battle of Lundy's Lane in the war of 1812, and was wounded by the explosion of a shell, which tore his arm to pieces. His wife bore the maiden name of Anna Mahan. All his life George Bayler followed the occupation of farming, and at his death left a good property of a half section of land. He died April 1, 1897, while living with his son Alfred at Emington, Illinois, and the mother died in January. 1908, at the home of Mr. Bayler in Roberts. There was one other child of the family, Joseph, who is now deceased.
Alfred Preston Bayler is a native of Illinois, having been born in Tazewell county, September 16, 1846. He was six years of age when his father removed from the timber to the prairie, and upon the home farm he remained until his marriage, assisting in the work of the field and meadow as the years went by, and gaining the practical experience and knowledge which well qualified him to carry on a farm of his own in later years. In October, 1869, he began operating part of his father's land and so continued until 1881, when he removed to Emington, Livingston county, and purchased one hundred and fourteen acres on section 17, Broughton township. There he lived until the spring of 1899, when he came to Roberts and, having sold his land in Livingston county, he bought two hundred and forty aeres on section 27. Lyman township. a mile south of Roberts. His time and energies were then devoted to its further development and improvement until two years ago, when he built his present fine home in the village and has since lived retired, deriving a good income from his property and invested interests. He has made good use of his opportunities as the years have passed and, more than all, his success has been based upon unremitting labor.
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In 1869 Mr. Bayler was married to Miss Nancy Elizabeth Van Meter, who was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, July 2, 1851, a daughter of Nathaniel and Corinna (Dorsey) Van Meter, who were natives of Kentucky and were reared and married there. They afterward resided in Indiana prior to taking up their abode in Tazewell county, Illinois, where the father died in 1865. The mother then came to live with Mr. and Mrs. Bayler, with whom she continued until her demise. Their family numbered six sons and four daughters.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bayler have been born the following named: Carrie Belle, who was born in July, 1870, became the wife of James Collins of Forrest, Illinois, and died June 2, 1901; Laura Alda, born January 27, 1874, became the wife of William Walden and died in Phoenix, Arizona, February 17, 1903; Jesse Gilbert, of Roberts, who was born July 2, 1875, was married February 26, 1902, to Carrie E. Stutzman and unto them have been born three children : Ruth, Florence and Gladys Marie. Lizzie Lenora, born February 2, 1878, is the wife of S. O. Burnett, living near Webster City, Iowa, and they have three children: Pearl, Grace Marie and Clifford Earl. Una Myrtle, born July 10, 1880, died when about fifteen years of age. Hattie Lucretia, born January 8, 1882, died when about three years of age. George Raymond, born October 9, 1883, and now following farming near Roberts, wedded Maude Stonebreaker and has one daughter, Ethel Evaline. Ernest Lee, born June 22, 1886, learned telegraphy and was an operator for a time, but is now a fireman on the Illinois Central Railroad in Iowa. Clarence Elton, born January 21, 1889, is now attending the State Normal School at Normal. Illinois. Clifford Earl, born March 9, 1891, died in infancy ; and Edith Mary, born June 8, 1892, died in February, 1900.
Since his retirement Mr. Bayler and his wife have traveled quite exten- sively, visiting points of interest in this country. He has been a life-long republican, and while residing in Livingston county, served for seven years as township assessor. Ile was serving his first term there as supervisor of the township, when he sold his farm and removed to Ford county. He was one of the drain commissioners of the Little Lyman drainage district and of the Lyman and Wall townships district. He was also one of the township school trustees and the cause of education has found in him a stalwart and earnest champion. Since his marriage in 1869 he has continuously been a school official with the exception of three years and prior to his marriage he taught school for two years, beginning in 1867. His early educa- tion had been supplemented by two years' study in the Northwestern College at Plainfield, and reading, experience and observation have also broadened his
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knowledge, making him a well informed man. That he is personally popular is indicated by the fact that while living in Broughton township, Livingston county, he polled a majority of thirty as the republican candidate, while the township usually gave a democratic majority of twenty. His worth as a citizen is widely acknowledged and it is a well known fact that he always stands for improvement and progress. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1865 and his life, ever upright and honorable, has gained for him the warm esteem and unqualified confidence of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
R. E. BRADBURY.
Although one of the younger representatives of agricultural interests in Ford county, R. E. Bradbury is none the less prominent. He is operating two hundred and thirty acres of land on sections 3 and 4, Lyman township, and in addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he also conducts a dairy business. He was born in Livingston county, Illinois September 2, 1875, and is the eldest in a family of three children, whose parents are A. J. and Christina (Watson) Bradbury, the other members of the family being : James F., of Ford county ; and Ida, the wife of Dan Cowden, a resident of Nebraska. The father, a native of Massachusetts, accompanied his parents to Peoria county, Illinois, when a small boy. He settled in Ford county in the year 1892, at which time he purchased three hundred and ninety acres of land in the Pan Handle district, this tract being located near Piper City, in which city he now makes his home.
R. E. Bradbury, whose name introduces this review, was reared as a farm lad, early becoming familiar with the duties of the agriculturist. Hle was educated in the district schools of Ford county, pursuing his studies in the winter months, while in the summer seasons he assisted in the work of the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-three years, when he rented a portion of his father's land and began business on his own account. He is now operating two hundred and thirty acres situated on sections 3 and 4, Lyman township, and in addition to this work is conducting a dairy, in which he is meeting with excellent success, the products of his dairy finding a ready sale on the market, where they command the highest prices. He possesses considerable inventive genius
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MR. AND MRS. R. E. BRADBURY
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and patented an umbrella holder, August 4, 1903, and has also patented a stove ventilator.
Mr. Bradbury was married in 1905 to Miss Amy Mosher, a native of Ford county, and a daughter of Louis and Margaret Mosher, of German descent. Their family numbers five children. The parents now make their home in Roberts, Illinois. Mrs. Bradbury received a good education, having graduated from the Roberts high school. By her marriage she has become the mother of an interesting little daughter and son, Helen Ethel and Franklin Eugene.
Mr. Bradbury supports the men and measures of the republican party. He is now serving as constable and as school director, in which connections he is giving uniform satisfaction, for his official duties are ever discharged with the same promptness and fidelity that is characteristic of his private interests. HIe and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Roberts, in the work of which they are deeply interested. They are numbered among the highly esteemed young people of the community, and have a host of warm friends.
SAMUEL LUDLOW.
Samnel Ludlow, a successful practitioner at the Ford county bar, maintaining his residence in Paxton, was born in the town of Ludlow, Illinois, being the eldest of the three surviving children of James D. and Susan (Middlecoff) Indlow, whose family at one time numbered four children. The living daughters are: Teresa, the wife of John L. Benedict of Indianapols, Indiana ; and Katharine, the wife of William H. White, cashier of the First National Bank of Paxton.
The father was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1823, and there spent his youth. He supplemented his publie-school education by a knowledge of eivil engineering and about 1850 came to Illinois, after which he spent six years at surveying in different parts of the state. Desirous of owning property, in 1856 he invested in farm lands, settling in Champaign county on the present site of Ludlow, and when the town was laid out much of it was upon his lands and was named in his honor. There he resided until 1882, when he removed to Paxton, where he lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest up to the time of his death in 1886. He was a republican in politics, influential in the ranks of the party, and for some years held the office of county judge in
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Champaign county. He was a member of the Christian church and a man of sterling qualities of heart and mind.
Samuel Ludlow spent his youth in his parents' home and early in the '90s began preparation for a professional career as a law student in the office of Judge J. II. Moffett. He also studied under Judge H. H. Kerr, and in 1895 passed the examination and was admitted to the bar. He then opened an office in Paxton, where he has since practiced and in the intervening twelve years has gained an enviable reputation as an able barrister. ITis knowledge of the law is comprehensive and his application thereof to the points in litigation is accurate and sound. He is clear in his reasoning and his deduc- tions follow in logical sequence, so that he has won many notable forensic victories.
In 1890 Mr. Ludlow was married to Miss Adella Martin, a daughter of James Martin of Paxton. They are parents of four children, of whom three survive: Helen, Albert and Edmund, all yet at home. The parents are members of the Christian church, in which Mr. Ludlow is serving as elder. His political support is given to the republican party, but without hope or desire for political preferment as a reward for party fealty. His standpoint upon any question is ever a rational one and he looks at life with a broad understanding of its purposes and its possibilities, realizing man's obligations to his fellowmen.
ROBERT B. CHAMBERS.
Robert B. Chambers, well known in Roberts and Ford county as an enter- prising merchant and supervisor of his township, was born in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1853, and there spent the first eighteen years of his life in the home of his parents, Robert and Matilda (Smith) Chambers, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state, the former of English lineage and the latter of German descent. The grandfather, who also bore the name of Robert Chambers, was the founder of the city of Chambersburg. Pennsylvania. An old clock which he formerly owned is now in possession of Robert B. Chambers of this review. It stands as high as the ceiling and may well be a cherished heirloom in the family.
Robert Chambers, the father, died when Robert B. Chambers was but ten years of age and the mother when he was eight years of age. The boy
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remained with his older brothers and sisters upon the home farm, being one of a family of nine children, namely: M. B., who is now living at Prairie City, Illinois ; Katherine E., who died at the age of seventy years; James, who was drowned at two years of age; James M., who is living in Avon, Illinois; W. J. also a resident of Avon; Rhoda, who died at the age of twelve years; C. M., a resident of Hutchinson, Kansas; Robert B., of this review; and Mrs. Sarah A. Wyland, of Massachusetts.
In his early boyhood Robert B. Chambers attended the public schools as opportunity offered and during the periods of vacation worked on the home farm. When sixteen years of age he began clerking in a country store and was thus employed for two years. In 1870 he arrived in Piper City, Illinois, where he made his home for two years, working as a clerk in a general store for J. A. Montelius, who in 1872 sent him to Roberts to superintend his branch general store at that place. Mr. Chambers continued clerking for Mr. Montelius until 1875, when his employer sold out. In the spring of that year Mr. Chambers erected a business block and established a general mercantile store on his own account, condneting it with constantly growing success for sixteen years. He then traded it for his present store, which is the one that he formerly conducted for Mr. Montelius. Mr. Chambers also carried on a creamery in connection with his store for ten years, and he has made judicious investment in property, being now the owner of four hundred acres of produc- tive and valuable land on section 5. Lyman township, which he rents. He was likewise one of the organizers and stockholders of the Lyman Telephone Company and he owns a store and dwelling in Roberts.
On the 11th of August, 1875, was celebrated the marriage which united the destinies of Mr. Chambers and Miss Annie E. Thompson, who was born in New York city in 1855. her parents being Rev. John L. and Mrs. Thompson. the former a Baptist clergyman. Mrs. Chambers came with her parents to Illinois in early life, the family home being established at Onarga, and follow- ing their death she came to Roberts at the age of eighteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers became the parents of four children but Willie, the eldest. died in infancy and Ora T., the youngest, died at the age of two years. Robert Elmer, who assists his father in the store, wedded Bessie Davis of Roberts, and has one child, Milton J., now three years of age. Lonis G .. who cultivates a half seetion of land for his father, wedded Jennie White, of Missouri, and has one son, Robert W.
In polities Robert B. Chambers has been a life-long republican and is now serving for the second term as supervisor of Lyman township. He was also president of the village board for two years and was alderman from the time
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of the incorporation of the town until elected president. In fact only one year has passed since that time when he has not been an officer of the village and all unite in commending him for capable, efficient service that has brought practical and desired results. Ile is active as a worker in republican ranks and has frequently been chosen as a delegate to the conventions of the party. Ile became one of the charter members of the Congregational church, has held all of its offices and for the past fifteen years has been one of its deaeons. He labors earnestly and untiringly for the advancement of the church and the extension of its influence. He is also a charter member of the Modern Wood- men Camp at Roberts and is well known in the county, where he has now made his home for thirty-six years. With the interests and upbuilding of Roberts he has been most closely associated and is one of its best known and most highly respected citizens.
JOSEPH K. MONTELIUS.
For more than forty years the name of Montelius has figured prominently in the business life and substantial development of Ford county and he whose name heads this review has reflected credit upon the family record. He was born in Piper City, February 17, 1870, and has here spent his entire life. IIe pursued his early education as a pupil in the public schools, afterward studied under a private teacher at home for two years and then spent two years in Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy. Following his return home he worked in his father's office until he entered the Piper City Bank in 1898 as cashier. This institution, then condueted by his father as a private bank, was reorganized on the 15th of May, 1900, as the First National Bank of Piper City, and Joseph K. Montelius has continued as cashier to the present time, the success of the bank being attributable in no small degree to his elose application, his assiduous and unrelaxing attention to the details of the business and his unabating energy. Like his father he has made an honorable name for himself in business circles, nor has it been influence, nor parental aid that has gained him the respect of his fellowmen but the sterling worth of his own character as manifested in finan- cial circles and in matters of citizenship.
Mr. Montelius has been a lifelong republican, thoroughly in sympathy with the principles and purposes of the party. Ile is the present supervisor of Brenton township, having been elected in 1905 and again in 1907, so that he is
J. K. MONTELIUS
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
now serving for the second term. He was also president of the village for two years, beginning in 1903. The moral development of the community awakens his deepest interest and at the present writing he is serving as treasurer of the Presbyterian church, while for many years he has been secretary of the Sunday school. Fraternally he is connected with Piper City Lodge, No. 608, A. F. & A. M. and also with the Modern Woodmen Camp of Piper City.
On the 30th of November, 1898, Mr. Montelius was married to Miss IIelen B. Stadler, who was born in Ford county, about seven miles south of Piper City, a daughter of John and Catherine Stadler, who were natives of Germany, whence they crossed the Atlantic to New York. Later they became residents of Chicago and subsequently of Kewanee, Illinois, after which they came to Piper City. The father died on a farm in Ford county and his widow still resides in Piper City, Ilinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Montelius have been born four children, Harry A., Catherine Louise, Alfred F. and Ruth E.
BENJAMIN FRANK ILER.
The farm which Benjamin Frank Iler now owns and operates has been in his possession since 1882. He is furthermore well known as the only living charter member of Meadow Mound Grange and through a long period has been closely associated with the agricultural development of his community. He resides on section 10, Lyman township.
His birth oeeurred in Tusearawas county, Ohio, July 24, 1848, his parents being Salem and Elizabeth (Snelling) Iler. The Ilers are of German descent and the Snellings of English lineage, the maternal grandfather of our subjeet having come from England to the new world. Salem Iler was born in Ohio, September 15, 1805, and having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Elizabeth Snelling, who was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, August 22, 1808, and accompanied her parents to Ohio. There she was married June 29, 1836, and Mr. Iler at once began farming, which he followed as a life work. About 1860 he arrived in Illinois and lived for a time in La Salle county but spent his last days in Wall township at the home of his son, Benjamin, passing away on the 30th of June, 1872. His wife survived him and died at the home of her son Benjamin at the age of eighty-four years, three months and twelve days. Their family numbered six children : Mary Elizabeth, now the widow
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