USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
In 1873 Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Bute, who was born in Pennsylvania, July 18, 1854, a daughter of John F. and Eliza (Houston) Bute. Her parents were natives of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and in 1858 arrived in Illinois, settling in Putnam county, where they lived for a year. On the expiration of that period they removed to La Salle county, where they resided for ten years and then came to Ford county, where both parents died.
Mrs. Shaw was the eldest of a family of eight children. By her marriage she has become the mother of three daughters : Lottie May, at home; Laura E.,
811
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
now the wife of HI. F. Stewart; and Inla, at home. The last named is a graduate of the Kempton high school. The eldest daughter possesses consid- erable musical talent and has been organist in the Methodist Episcopal church from the age of twelve years. Mr. Shaw and his family are all members of the Methodist church, of which he is a local preacher. They are much interested in the work of the church and their labors have contributed in substantial measure to its growth and upbuilding.
In politics Mr. Shaw is a republican. During the period of his residence in Mona township he has been regarded as one of its leading and representative men, whose position on all questions of moment is never an equivocal one. On the contrary he stands loyally in support of what he believes to be right and as the years have passed his labors and influence have contributed to the general welfare of the community.
SILAS D. HEVENER.
Silas D. Hevener owns and operates an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty aeres, situated on section 18, Pella township. He is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred on a farm near Little Rock, Kendall county, on the 2d of December, 1861. His parental grandparents were Andrew H. and Betsy E. Hevener, the death of the former occurring in 1840, while the latter died in 1859. His parents were Robert and Lossie M. (Rogers) Hevener, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, the birth of the former having occurred in Oneida eounty, October 13, 1835.
The father spent his boyhood and early youth on a farm in his native state but at the age of seventeen years, believing that he might enjoy better business opportunities in the then "far west," he made his way to Illinois, settling in Kendall county, where he was employed at farm labor during the succeeding deeade. Believing his first duty was to his country, he then responded to the call for troops to do service in the Civil war, enlisting on the 14th of August, 1862, as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Twenty- seventh Illinois Infantry, under Colonel John II. Van Armen. The regiment was mustered in at Chicago, Illinois, from which eity they at once made their way to Memphis, Tennessee. ITis regiment met the enemy at Chickasaw Swamp, where a hard battle ensued. Under General Grant he then partici- .
812
IHISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
pated in the siege at Vicksburg, where in the first charge the regiment lost sixty men in less than an hour. He then participated in the battles at Chattanooga. Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain. The regiment then went into winter quarters at Larkinsville, Alabama, and on the 1st of May started for Atlanta. Being ill, Mr. Hevener was detailed to drive a team for the surgeon, and while not actively engaged in field duty, was present at the battles of Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Allatoona Pass and others of minor im- portance. Continuing the march from Atlanta to the sea, Mr. Hevener met with an accident, by which he was incapacitated for service and after spending five months in the Jefferson Barracks Hospital at St. Louis, he received an honorable discharge in June, 1865. Following his service in the army he returned to Kendall county, where he resumed his farming operations, being thus engaged for three years, subsequent to which time he removed to Ford county, where he bought an unimproved tract of land of eighty acres, this being located in Pella township. He built a commodious country residenee and added many outbuildings to the place and there made his home during the remainder of his life. He was a publie-spirited man and was called to fill many positions of honor and trust, serving as constable. township trustee and town supervisor. His political views accorded with the principles of the republican party. It was on the 15th of February, 1859, that he was married in Kendall county, to Miss Lossie M. Rogers, and this union was blessed with a son and daughter, but the latter, Mary, died when four years of age. The death of Robert ITevener occurred in 1898 and was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends, for during the long years of his residence in Ford county he had come to be known as an upright, honorable and conscientious citizen. His widow, however, still survives and is yet making her home on the farm in Pella township.
Silas D. Hevener is the only surviving child of his father's family. He remained under the parental roof until he reached mature years, having in the meantime attended the common schools near his parents' home, while later he attended the high school at Piper City, after which he engaged in teaching for one term. Agricultural pursuits, however, proving more con- genial to him, he then resumed farming, having purchased a farm adjoining the homestead, which constitutes a portion of his present home place. He has sinee added a forty-acre traet, so that his place now embraces one hundred and sixty acres, situated on section 18, Pella township. He is engaged in raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and each year gathers rich harvests as a reward for the eare and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
813
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
In 1883 Mr. Hevener was united in marriage to Miss Alice L. MeLean, who was born in Henderson county, Illinois. Her parents have now reached the venerable age of eighty-one years, and make their home with their daughter, Mrs. Hevener, she being one of a family of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Hevener have one son, Floyd, and they have also adopted a daughter, Dora. The son has been afforded liberal educational advantages, having pursued a university course at Normal, Illinois. IIe is now engaged in teaching at Martinton, Illinois.
Following in the political footsteps of his father, Mr. Hevener gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party and has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill some public office, having served as supervisor of Pella township for six years, while for several years he served as a school director. He and his wife are members of the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints. Mr. Hevener is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Ford county. He has spent his entire life here and is therefore widely and favorably known, commanding the high regard of all with whom he has been associated.
PATRICK O'MARA.
Patrick O'Mara, who is successfully operating three hundred and sixty acres of fine land on section 14, Pella township, was born in Grundy county, Illinois, on the 15th of May, 1860, a son of Patrick and Nora O'Mara, mention of whom is made in the sketch of Thomas Gallahue on another page of this work.
Patrick O'Mara remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, acquiring his education in the common schools of Grandy county. When he had reached man's estate he began farming a rented tract of land in Grundy county, being thus engaged for three years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Ford county and here again rented a farm. IIe now operates three hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land on section 14, Pella township, the fields annually returning golden harvests in return for the care and labor he bestows upon them. He is recognized throughout the community as an enterprising and progressive agriculturist, the neat and thrifty appearance of his place giving proof of his capability and energy in its management.
814
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
In 1890 Mr. O'Mara was united in marriage to Miss Katie Gallahne, a daughter of Peter and Julia Gallahne, who are mentioned at length in the sketch of Patrick Gallahue, which appears on another page of this volume. Seven children have been born unto our subject and his wife, six of whom still survive: John Raymond, Nora Cecelia, James C., George T., Johanna M., Peter Arthur, and Leo, who has passed away.
In his political views Mr. O'Mara is a democrat and has held the offices of school director and road commissioner for several years, while for two years he has acted as collector, discharging his public duties in an efficient, energetic and conscientious manner. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Catholic church at Piper City and are widely and favorably known by reason of their sterling traits of character and genuine personal worth. For almost a quarter of a century he has been a representative of agricultural interests here and has therefore been an active factor in the development and upbuild- ing of Ford county.
HENRY ATWOOD.
Henry Atwood, well known as a prominent agriculturist of Pella township, now living retired with his son Wyllie, was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, February 6, 1832, his parents being William H. and Lenora (Atkins) Atwood. The father was born on Cape Cod and when but eight years of age went to Boston with his father, who soon afterward purchased a farm at Chelsea, Massachusetts. While still but a boy William H. Atwood began providing for his own support as clerk in a store, and throughout his entire life was connected with mercantile interests. He learned to read by poring over newspapers at every available opportunity. He was entirely self-educated, but through his efforts became a well informed man, using his leisure for reading, study and investigation. In the school of experience he learned, too, many valuable lessons, acquainting himself with the methods in vogue in the business world, and by well directed thrift and enterprise, established a large business as a wholesale and retail dealer in oysters. In this enterprise he was associated with his brother, and for a long period they enjoyed an extensive patronage.
William II. Atwood was married at Chelsea, Massachusetts, to Miss Lenora Atkins, a native of Cape Cod, who died when their son Henry was but
W. T. ATWOOD
817
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
twelve years of age. The father afterward wedded Ruth Newcome and subsequent to her death was a third time married. Ile served as a captain of a military company and throughout his entire life gave his political support to the democracy. He died at the old home in Chelsea in 1878, at the age of seventy-four years. His children were seven in number: Franklin, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Henry; Lenora, deceased; Cordelia, who is a widow and lives in Massachusetts ; Daniel, who served in the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts regiment throughout the Civil war, and is now living in the Bay state; Thomas II., who was a member of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry in support of the Union; and Otis, who resides in Boston.
When thirteen years of age Henry Atwood secured a position in a whole- sale drug store in Boston, and that he was trustworthy. reliable and diligent, is indicated by the fact that he remained there until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1857 he determined to try his fortune in the west, hoping to enjoy better business opportunities than he could secure in the east. He spent a short time in Minnesota for his health, and was in Minneapolis when the first building was ereeted in that city. Later in the year he came to Ford county, Illinois, and purchased eighty acres of wild land in Pella township, where he has sinee made his home. It was not long before he had brought his entire farm under cultivation. In its midst he erected a small house, twelve by twelve feet. Trees were planted and many other improvements made which indicated the progressive spirit and practical methods of the owner. His was the first house erected in Pella township, and indeed Mr. Atwood was one of the early settlers of the county, having now for more than a half century made his home within its borders. He has been prominently identified with its growth and progress during all these years. Ile served on the first jury of Ford county in Paxton and has been called upon to fill many positions of honor and trust. the duties of which he has ever discharged with promptness and fidelity. He belongs to the band of faithful and courageous pioneers of Ford county who aided in extending the frontier and in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present development and progress of the county.
On the 16th of November, 1859, Mr. Atwood was married, in Onarga, Iroquois county, to Miss Mary Wyllie, who was born in Warren, Maine, and is a daughter of William and Harriet Wyllie. Mrs. Atwood taught the first school held in Pella township in her own home. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children : Lillie A., who was born and reared on the old homestead, is now the wife of David E. Tufts ,of Steele county, North Dakota; Wyllie T. married Miss Loressa Wilson, who was born in Peoria
818
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
county. Illinois, and was one of a family of six children. He is now operating his father's farm and owns two hundred and forty acres of land in Iowa; Flora B. is the wife of Hazel Carr, of Rensselaer, Indiana.
Mr. Atwood is a member of the Presbyterian church and his life has been actuated by high and honorable principles and worthy motives. He cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont and has since been a republican, stanch and true. The cause of education has found in him a stalwart cham- pion and he has done much toward the advancement of the schools of Ford county. During the long period of his residence here he has enjoyed in full measure the confidence and regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact. Men know him as an energetic, progressive and reliable business man and agriculturist and as a citizen always loyal to the public good. He has aided largely in the agricultural progress of this section of the state and at the same time has cooperated in many other measures which have been of great value to the county.
In 1907 Mr. Atwood was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was born in Warren, Maine, May 27, 1831, and passed away at Piper City, March 12, 1907, after an illness of ten days. She was one of the charter members of the First Presbyterian church and had continued in constant affiliation there- with, exemplifying in her life its teachings and its principles. Her loss was most deeply mourned by many friends as well as her immediate family. Mr. Atwood is now living retired on the homestead with his son Wyllie and his rest is well merited, having been honorably won through years of former toil and activity.
WILLIAM A. HUTCHISON.
William A. Hutchison is the present coroner of Ford county and in all of his citizenship, as manifest either in office or out of it, has been found loyal to those interests which promote the welfare of the community and uphold its political and legal status. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, December 16, 1850, his parents being Samuel T. and Mary (Rodgers) Hutchison. His family comes of Scotch ancestry, but the first representatives of the name in America located here at an early period in the development of the new world. William Hutchison, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and traveled by keelboat to Ohio, becoming a resident of
819
IIISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
Wayne county, that state, in 1811. He had journeyed several hundred miles in a boat of that character over rivers whose banks were destitute of any settlement for miles and miles. He took up his abode in Holmes county, later removing to Wayne county, and in the new state proved a prominent and helpful citizen, whose efforts in behalf of public progress were far-reaching and beneficial. IIe served as probate judge of Holmes county and left the impress of his individuality upon its public interests. There he remained for some years, when he removed to Wayne county, where he died. He served as an adjutant in the Ohio Militia.
Samuel Hutchison. father of our subject, was reared in Wayne county, Ohio, and also became a representative of his district in the military service of his country, enlisting in 1864 as a member of Company I of the One Ilundred and Sixty-sixth Ohio Infantry, serving until the 1st of September of that year. He continued his residence in Ohio until 1868, when he came to Ford county, Illinois, settling in Butler township, where he made his home until his death. He passed away in 1892, at the age of sixty-nine years. He is still survived by his wife, who by her marriage became the mother of four children: Eliza- beth, the wife of R. W. Gorsuch, of Pekin, Illinois; William A .; John R., who is living in Butler township; and Samuel I., whose home is in Logansport, Indiana.
William A. Hutchison pursued his education in the public schools of his native state and came with his father to Ford county when a young man of about eighteen years. He devoted his attention to farming until 1876, when he removed to the village of Clarence, where he has since resided. He was the first postmaster of the town and served continuously and efficiently in that position for twelve years. He has since been connected with various business enterprises and in 1897 he was again called to public office by appointment to the position of coroner. In 1898 he was reelected and has been continued in the office by reelection to the present time, so that his service covers ten years. He has also filled the office of drainage commissioner for four years and in this connection has been active in promoting what is justly regarded as the greatest public improvement in Ford county.
In 1876 occurred the marriage of Mr. Hutchison and Miss Margaret Gormley, a daughter of Thomas Gormley, of Logan county, Illinois. Their children are: Dr. O. G. Ilutchison, who is married and is engaged in the practice of his profession in Wichita, Kansas; Mary, the wife of Rev. E. A. Culter, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Effie, who is attending college at Milwaukee.
820
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
For forty years William A. Hutchison has resided in Ford county and is thoroughly identified with its interests. He has watched much of its growth and progress as the years have gone by, nor has he been alone an interested witness, for he has aided in the work of development and has made a creditable record in every official position to which he has been called.
JOEL EMERY FARLEY.
In a history of the agricultural development of Ford county mention should be made of Joel Emery Farley, who has now departed this life but who, when an active factor in the world's work, was closely and honorably associ- ated with the farming interests of this part of the state. He was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1833, and was of Scotch descent.
His parents were Samuel Chandler and Jane Ann (Walker) Farley, na- tives of Canada and of Pennsylvania respectively. The father was a preacher of the Mormon faith but while believing in their principles of religion he did not endorse the plurality of marriages. He walked all the way from Erie county, Pennsylvania, to Salt Lake City, Utah, and on the way crossed the farm in De Kalb county that later became the property of his son Joel. On the trip he sold notions and thus met the expenses of the journey. Later he returned to Pennsylvania and then brought his family to the middle west, settling in Kendall county, Illinois, while afterward he became a resident of De Kalb county. He next removed to Rogers township, Ford county, in 1864, and upon this place he contined to make his home until called to his final rest at the age of seventy-four years. ITis wife survived him for about two years and was also seventy-four years of age at the time of her demise. Her mother came from Ireland with her parents when a little maiden of twelve years. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Farley were four sons and two daughters, as follows: Isaac Perry, who in early life followed farming and afterward took up the study and practice of medicine but is now deceased ; James Deca- tur, who made farming his life work and died at the age of fifty-three years; Mrs. Hannah JJ. Bullock, deceased; JJoel E. of this review; Dr. Benjamin F. Farley, a physician of York, Nebraska; and Mrs. Sarah Margaret Bogg, also of York, Nebraska.
Joel Emery Farley spent the first fifteen years of his life in the east and acquired his education in the public schools there. He then accompanied his
MR. AND MRS. J. E. FARLEY
823
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
parents on their removal to De Kalb county, Illinois, and remained at home up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated on the 24th of November, 1855. He then continued to reside in De Kalb county until 1865, when he re- moved to Norton township, Kankakee county, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land near the Ford county line. He further developed and im- proved that place, which he sold in 1879, prior to purchasing eighty acres of land in Mona township. To this he afterward added one hundred and sixty acres, thus becoming the owner of a valuable farm property of two hundred and forty acres, which he successfully cultivated for many years. He brought his fields into a high state of fertility and annually gathered good harvests, con- tinuing to improve his farm until about three years prior to his death, when he took up his abode in Kempton, living retired there until he was called to the home beyond on the 1st of January, 1897. He possessed considerable mechan- ical ingenuity and also worked at carpentering in addition to farming. His life was one of intense and well directed activity and the success he achieved is attributable entirely to his own labors.
Mr. Farley was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Hall, who was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1839, a daughter of Amasa and Mercy (Mead) Hall, likewise natives of the Keystone state. They journeyed westward in a covered wagon when their daughter, Mrs. Farley, was five years of age, their destination being Sandwich, Illinois, but their last days were spent in Virginia, where the father died when about seventy years of age, and his wife when a year younger. He was of English parentage and Mrs. HIall was of Holland descent. Their family numbered nine children, including Mrs. Farley, who from the age of five years remained a resident of De Kalb county until after her marriage, when she came with her husband to Ford county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Farley were born eight children. Emma Jane, the eldest, is the wife of C. E. Gifford, of Cabery. Frank C. is a carpenter and mechanic living with his mother and carrying on the farm. George is a resi- dent farmer of Mona township. Cora is the wife of A. L. Love, of Los Angeles, California. William C. is a resident farmer of Livingston county. Lney May is the wife of J. R. Stuart of Kempton. Perry is a carpenter and builder of California and Ada L. is the wife of William Watts, of Cabery. All of the boys have inherited their father's mechanical skill and ingenuity and are effi- cient in carpenter and like work.
Mr. Farley was a stalwart and inflexible advocate of the temperance eause and in polities a stanch prohibitionist. At the time of his death he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He believed more firmly in the
824
IHISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
principles and doctrines of the Christian church but as there was no organiza- tion of that denomination in his neighborhood he allied himself with the Meth- odist people and took an active part in both temperance and church work. In fact, he did everything in his power to promote the moral development of the community. He served as clerk and assessor in his township and for several terms was justice of the peace, discharging his duties with a fairness and fidel- ity and in the justice court rendering decisions which were strictly fair and impartial. His life was actuated by high principles and characterized by up- right conduct and to his family he left not only good farm property but also an untarnished name. Mrs. Farley and her son Frank reside together in Kempton in the fine home which was built by Frank Farley, who is a carpenter and builder, one of the reliable business men of Mona township.
D. B. KEIGHIN.
D. B. Keighin, who is engaged in operating four hundred and eighty acres of land on section 11. Mona township, was born in Peoria, Illinois, July 17. 1860, his parents being David and Mary Ann (Cowley) Keighin. The father, who is now a resident of Chicago, was born in Peel, on the Isle of Man, May 18. 1825, his parents being Thomas and Betsy (Garrette) Keighin. As passenger on a sailing vessel he crossed the Atlantic to New Orleans in April. 1849, reaching his destination after a long and tedious voyage. In May of the same year he made his way to Peoria, Illinois, and was there identified with building operations for a number of years or until October, 1862. At that time he entered the army as a sntler of the Seventy-seventh Ilinois Regiment and remained until the close of the war, after which he returned to his family.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.