USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 27
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Mr. Keighin had been married in May, 1851, to Miss Mary Ann Cowley. a daughter of Thomas and Kate (Teare) Cowley. She was also a native of the Isle of Man, born Angust 31, 1827, and on the 15th of May, 1848. she arrived in New Orleans, after which she made her home in Memphis, Tennessee, up to the time of her marriage.
For four years after the close of the war Mr. Keighin was a resident of the south, where he engaged in raising cotton. Ile then returned to Peoria bnt soon afterward removed to Ford county, establishing his home in Mona town- ship, where he invested in four hundred and eighty acres of land on section 11. With characteristic energy he began the further development and improve-
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ment of this place and converted it into a fine farm, upon which he made his home until 1883. In that year he retired from agricultural life to become identified with the business interests of Kempton, where for six years he was engaged in buying grain. His business affairs were capably managed and brought him a gratifying measure of success that now provides him with the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. At the present writing he is living retired in Chicago in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, but in 1904 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who had for more than a half century been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey.
Mr. Keighin is yet remembered as one of the prominent farmers and lead- ing business men of Ford county and has many friends here, frequently returning on a visit. He was the first supervisor of Mona township and was honored with other offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. His political allegiance was given to the republican party on its organization and he has since remained one of its stalwart champions. Ilis religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Congregational church and the integrity and uprightness of his life exemplifies his Christian belief. He met success not through speculation or by taking advantage of the necessities of another in a trade transaction but through close application determined purpose and honorable effort and today he justly merits the con- fidence and respect which are uniformly extended to him.
D. B. Keighin, one of a family of seven children, was reared upon the old homestead farm and remained with his father until 1891. He was then married, on the 25th of March of that year, to Miss Mary Alice Benson, whose birth occurred in Rogers township, Ford county, March 9, 1870. Her parents are still living, being residents of Kankakee and their family numbered seven children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keighin have been born four children, Clarence B .. Charles W., Robert A. and Mary Alice.
Mr. Keighin has during the greater part of his life carried on agricultural pursuits although at one time he was engaged in merchandising. In 1894 he removed to Cabery, where he was interested in the hardware and lumber business for nine years, conducting the enterprise successfully during that period. In 1903 he sold a half interest in the business and returned to the home farm, upon which he has since resided. He now operates four hundred and eighty acres of land on section 11, Mona township and has the place under a high state of cultivation, the rich and well tilled fields returning him ex- cellent harvests annually. He also has a fine herd of full blooded Jersey cattle upon his place. His business interests have been carefully conducted
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and his keen insight into complex business problems has brought him a grati- fying measure of success.
His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he served for six years as school director but otherwise has never held nor desired public office. Fraternally he is connected with Cabery Lodge, No. 631. A. F. & A. M. and belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge of Kempton, and to the Wood- men Camp, of Cabery. He and his wife are connected with the Royal Neighbors at Cabery and he has filled all of the offices in the Masonic Lodge. His life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. Almost his entire life has been passed in this locality and his fellow townsmen know that his life record has been characterized by fidelity to duty and by honor in all his relations with his fellowmen.
JOIIN A. SCOTT.
John A. Scott, a retired agriculturist residing in Piper City, was formerly extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 9. Mona township, where he owns a fine farm of six hundred and forty acres. A native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, he was born January 1, 1848. Ilis father, John Scott, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania and was of Scotch descent. He married Lydia Pees, who was also a native of the Keystone state and was of German lineage. They became the parents of eight children, as follows: Franklin, a practicing physician residing in Monongahela City, Washington county, Pennsylvania; William J., who is engaged in farming in Washington county, Ohio; Winfield, a resident farmer of Mona township; George; Mary; Lydia J., the deceased wife of Lewis Dague; Sarah E., who died in 1873; and John, of this review. The father of this family died in 1886 at the age of eighty-two years, while the mother passed away in 1888. Both were members of the Presbyterian church and highly respected people.
John A. Scott was born and reared on his father's farm and, after attend- ing the district schools of the neighborhood for some time, completed his edu- cation in the Hoge Summit Academy, of Washington, Pennsylvania. He began the study of medicine, but in 1866 abandoned it in order to come west, making his first location in Morris, Grundy county, Illinois, where he worked at whatever he could find to do for about a year. Ile then began farming,
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following that occupation during the summer months, while he engaged in teaching in the winter season for three years. He made his home in Grundy and Marshall counties until 1870, when he came to Ford county, locating in Mona township, where he became extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising. His farm, comprising six hundred and forty acres, is one of the most desirable and valuable in the community, the fields annually returning golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestowed upon them. He also made many improvements on the place and in addition to the work of tilling the soil also raised a good grade of stock, meeting with a gratifying and creditable measure of success in both branches of his business. He is now, however, living retired in Piper City, having gained a competence that enables him to enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life without further recourse to labor.
In 1870 occurred the marriage of Mr. Scott and Miss Margaret A. Collins, daughter of Philip and Ann Collins. Their union has been blessed with five children : Marion H., Lila May, Frank R., Philip C. and Milla.
Mr. Scott is a stalwart champion of the democratic party and has always taken a great interest in political affairs. While living in Mona township he served as school director, road commissioner, school treasurer and township supervisor, discharging every duty entrusted to his care in an efficient and capable manner. He has prospered from year to year and has conducted all business matters carefully and successfully, and in all his acts displayed an aptitude for successful management. He is widely recognized as one of Ford county's substantial and enterprising citizens, and both he and his wife have gained an extensive cirele of friends during their residence here.
WILLIAM FREDERICK ELDER.
William Frederick Elder, the well known and genial proprietor of the Middleeoff Hotel of Paxton, is a native of Londonderry, Ireland, and a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Duncan) Elder. He was only eight years of age when he left his native land and came with his father and one brother to America. His father dying shortly afterward, he was then adopted by James Pells, a farmer living near Paxton, Illinois, for whom he worked until he attained his majority.
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At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Elder started out in life for himself and engaged in farming on his own account for several years, during which time he saved his money. He then came to Paxton, where he worked in a hotel for two years, and during that time became thoroughly familiar with the business in all its details. Going to Sheridan, Indiana, in June, 1897. he took charge of a hotel at that place, which he successfully conducted for three years, and on selling out at the end of that time he returned to Paxton and purchased the Paxton Hotel, which he ran until the 19th of May, 1906. Since that time he has been proprietor of the Middlecoff, which is a fine new hotel, supplied with all modern conveniences, and in the conduct of this establishment he has met with marked success, gaining a liberal patronage.
On the 12th of June, 1897, Mr. Elder was united in marriage with Rosie Sassin, who was born in Germany and has one son, Elmer, by a former marriage. She has been of great assistance to her husband in his business, doing her share in the management of the hotel, and not a little of his success is due to her aid and encouragement.
Mr. Elder is a self-made man for he started out in life for himself with no capital but by industry, economy and good management he has overcome the obstacles in the path to success and is now quite well-to-do. Besides his business he has a farm in Nebraska and several city lots in Paxton and is regarded as one of the wide-awake and progressive business men of the place. Politically he is identified with the republican party and socially is connected with Paxton Lodge, No. 418, I. O. O. F .; Paxton Lodge, No. 416, A. F. & A. M. HIe is also a member of Gibson Council, No. 72, R. & S. M .; Ford Chapter, No. 113, R. A. M .; Mt. Olivet Commandery, No. 38, K. T .; Mohammed Temple of Peoria ; and Danville Lodge of Perfection.
FRANK PHILLIPS.
Frank Phillips, the well known assessor of Wall township and the owner of a fine farm of ninety acres on section 18, was born at Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 17, 1837, and the first twenty-two years of his life were passed under the parental roof. His parents were Patrick and Mary (Dorsey) Phillips, natives of Ireland, in which country they were reared and married. Immediately afterward, however, about 1827, they came to the United States and lived for a time in New York, the father working on the Erie Canal. He afterward
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removed to Michigan, where his remaining days were passed, his time and ener- gies being devoted to the development and improvement of his farm. ITis wife died when about fifty years of age, while he passed away in 1875, at the age of seventy-five years. Frank Phillips was the fourth in order of birth in a family of twelve children, of whom three are now living. His brother, older than himself, is John Phillips, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and his sister, who is his junior, is Mrs. Maggie Connety, of Detroit, Michigan.
Reared upon the home farm near Ann Arbor, Michigan, Frank Phillips had little opportunity for attending school as his time was occupied with the labors of field and meadow. However, he learned the value of unremitting diligence and developed a spirit of self-reliance which has since been a strong element in his latter success. In 1859 he left home and went to northern Kansas and southern Nebraska and engaged in work there. Returning to Illinois, he settled at Galva, Henry county, where he worked for ten years by the month as a farm hand. In 1869 he arrived in Dix township, Ford county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, but, being unable to make the payments upon the place, he had to sell out. In 1875 he purchased his present farm, comprising ninety acres of land on section 18, Wall township. Ile has made all of the improvements on this place, which was largely unbroken land when it came into his possession. In fact much of the land was covered with water but he has drained it and the work of reclamation which he has carried forward has transformed it into a valuable property. Ile has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and year by year has carried on the work of the farm until it has become a very desirable property, from which he annually gathers rich crops that bring to him a good financial return.
In 1861 Mr. Phillips was married to Miss Vashtia French, a native of Summit county, Ohio, born November 1, 1843. At the age of nine years she became a resident of Henry county, Illinois, accompanying her parents, William A. and Amanda (Thorpe) French, who were likewise natives of the Buckeye state. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have two sons and a daughter living : Alby, of Indiana; Ida, the wife of John Worthington, of Melvin; and John, at home. They also lost two children-Frank, who died in April, 1886, at the age of twenty-two years; and Maggie, who died in 1873, when about seventeen months old.
Mr. Phillips gives his political support to the republican party and is somewhat prominent in its local ranks. Nine years ago he was elected assessor of Wall township and held the office for two terms. He was then out for one term, after which he was again elected and has since continued in this position,
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the duties of which he discharges in prompt and capable manner. He belongs to that class of self-made men who are the architects and builders of their own fortunes. Starting out in life empty-handed, he has worked his way steadily upward, realizing that untiring labor is the basis of all success. Today, at the age of seventy-one years, he is in possession of a good farm property and pleasant home and his well spent life merits the confidence and respect of his fellowmen.
GARRETT NUGENT.
The business affairs of Garrett Nugent are eapably eondueted and make him one of the leading residents of the village of Cabery. He possesses untir- ing energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, while his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which he is today enjoying.
He was born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, August 5, 1855, and when eleven years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Wilmington, Will eounty, Illinois. He is a son of Nicholas Nugent, who was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and erossed the Atlantic to Canada when a young man. There he acted as baggagemaster on the Great Western Railroad for four years and following his marriage removed with his family to Illinois. settling in Will county, where he lived for one year. He then removed to Essex township, Kankakee county, where he owned and operated a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, his time and energies being devoted to its further development and improvement until he laid aside the more active cares of business life. In early manhood he wedded Sarah Magher, a native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, who came to Canada with two brothers, Thomas and Patrick Magher. The death of Nicholas Nugent occurred on the 19th of May, 1901, when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years, while his wife survived until the 6th of November, 1907, and was eighty-five years of age at the time of her death.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nugent were born seven children, namely: Garrett, of this review ; Michael, a retired farmer of Essex township, Kankakee county; Mrs. Bridget Hayes, of Sibley, Ford county, Illinois; Richard E., who resides on the home farm in Essex township, Kankakee county; Nicholas, who follows
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agricultural pursuits in Essex township; Thomas, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; and Mrs. Margaret A. Mulligan, who also resides on the old homestead in Essex township.
Garrett Nugent may well be termed a self-made man, for he started out in the business world at the early age of twelve years and for thirty-two years was in the employ of the Shobey family as a farm hand and as a clerk in their store in Union Hill. What higher testimonial of capability and fidelity could be given than the fact that he was so long retained in that employ. Desirous to engage in business on his own account, however, he joined his brother in the grain trade at Cabery in 1898 and after a three years' partnership bought out his brother's interest and has since conducted the business under his own name, operating an elevator with a capacity of twenty thousand bushels. As a grain merchant his business is not only of value to himself but also to the community, furnishing a good market for the farmers of this locality. He likewise deals in coal and agricultural implements and his business is con- stantly increasing, owing to his tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose.
In 1888 Mr. Nugent was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Ryan, who was born in Wilmington, Will county, Illinois, in 1866, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ryan, who were natives of Ireland but spent their last days in Wilmington. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Nugent has been blessed with two daughters, Alice and Margaret, and the family is prominent socially. They attend the services of the Catholic church and Mr. Nugent is fraternally connected with the Woodmen, while politically he is a stalwart republican. He has made a most creditable record in the business world and has con- tributed in substantial measure to the promotion of commercial activity in the village in which he lives.
JAMES WALLACE DUNNAN.
James Wallace Dunnan, the only son and eldest child of Hugh and Eliza Jennings (Wallace) Dunnan, was born November 9, 1877, at Mount Jackson, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and when four years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, his family being established upon a farm three and a half miles south of Elliott in Dix township. Ford county. There James W. Dunnan lived the life of a farm lad and attended the district schools
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until 1892, when his parents removed to Paxton. He was then fifteen years of age and entered the public schools, being graduated with honor from the Paxton high school in June, 1896, at the age of eighteen years.
In the fall of the same year he entered Monmouth College, at Monmouth, Illinois, and on the completion of a three years' course there was graduated with the class of 1899. While in college he took high rank and gained spec- ial distinction in the Eccritean Literary Society, of which he was a member, being called upon on many special occasions to deliver orations, give readings or appear in debate. In the senior year he was a member of Monmouth's team in the annual debate between Monmouth and Drake University, of lowa. He also appeared as one of the orators of the annual commencement exercises, delivering the winning oration in the contest between the Philo and Eceritean Literary Societies. While in college he was also local editor of the Oracle, the students paper, and was a reporter for the Monmonth Daily Gazette.
In the winter of 1899-1900 Mr. Dunnan was in the south and in July, 1900, he purchased and became the editor and publisher of the Eastern Illinois Register, which was founded in 1875 by Dr. J. C. Dunnan and was the only democratic newspaper in the county. He has edited this paper to the present time with marked ability, making it always a power to be reckoned with, not only in Paxton but throughout Ford county, where the paper has a large and growing circulation. While a stanch democrat in his political views and always supporting the party's nominees loyally in national and state affairs, Mr. Dunman is ever impartial and unprejudiced in his editorial utterances regarding candidates of the opposition and in local matters it has always been his policy to support the men he considered best qualified for the office, irre- spective of party affiliation. His paper, therefore, might properly be termed an independent democratie journal. In 1902 Mr. Dunnan was honored by his fellow citizens by election to the board of alderman of the city of Paxton, where he served on important committees and also as chairman of special committees, having charge of extensive improvements made in connection with the waterworks system. In 1904 he was honored by members of his party with the nomination for state senator in the twenty-sixth senatorial district, composed of Ford and MeLean counties, and although defeated, he ran far ahead of his ticket. In 1904, and again in 1906, he attended the state con- ventions of his party as a delegate from Ford county.
On the 16th of June, 1903, Mr. Dunman was married to Miss Mabel White, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver White. For many years Mr. White was circuit clerk and recorder of Ford county and was prominent in its
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public life. Mrs. Dunnan is a graduate of the Paxton high school of the class of 1898 and also a graduate of the Chicago Piano College, which indicates her native and acquired ability in the art of music. Two daughters have been born of this union: Katharyn Jane, born May 6, 1904; and Martha Belle, born September 22, 1906. The parents are members and prominent workers in the United Presbyterian church at Paxton, while Mr. Dunnan is a welcome visitor in the lodge meetings of the societies of the Modern Woodmen and the Court of Honor, with both of which he holds membership.
WILLIAM DANCER.
William Dancer is one of the prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of Mona township, deriving an excellent annual income from a farm of four hundred acres, while through the raising and feeding of stock he yearly augments his capital. His life record began in Will county, Ilinois, on the 12th of Novem- ber, 1844, his parents being Benjamin and Emily Dancer. The father was a native of Rochester, New York, and became a resident of Illinois when it was a frontier district. The early settlers had to endure many hardships and privations incident to the settlement of the frontier and at times the Indians, who were still hunting and trapping over this district, were hostile, resenting the encroachment of the white race upon their hunting grounds. In the family of Benjamin and Emily Dancer were seven children, of whom three are still living. William and John were twins and always remained together, associated in their social, business and other interests until the death of the latter. Marie, the next in order of birth, is still a resident of Will county. Mary is deceased. Emily is the wife of George Haley of Will county and the others have passed away.
William Daneer, whose name introduces this review, remained upon the old home farm, assisting in its development until the death of his father, which occurred when the son was nineteen years of age. He afterward engaged in herding cattle, being thus employed for four years, and in 1868 he and his brother John came to Ford county and purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of land, situated on section 14, Mona township. Three years later in 1871, they began to improve and cultivate this traet and upon the farm William Dancer has since remained. The brothers were associated in the development of the fields and in feeding cattle until the death of John Dancer,
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at which time they were the owners of six hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land in Mona township. Their interests were then divided, the brother's widow receiving three hundred and twenty aeres, while a similar amount came into the individual possession of William Dancer. He has since purchased an additionl traet of eighty acres, so that he now owns a large and valuable farm of four hundred acres in Mona township. He is today the most extensive feeder of Ford county and a man of splendid business ability, executive force and keen diseernment. In his business affairs he so ably directs his interests that splendid success has attended him, making him one of the wealthy representatives of agricultural life in Mona township and this part of the state. He had no special advantages at the outset of his career but depended upon his own labors and his diligence has been the foundation of his success. He still operates his home farm.
In his political views Mr. Dancer is a stalwart republican and recognized as one of the leaders in the local ranks of the party, doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. For three years he filled the office of school director and is the present drainage commissioner. having acted in this capacity for twelve years. He is justly accounted one of the most successful business men of this part of the state and is widely known as a stock-feeder.
DAVID REEP.
David Reep, deceased, was for a long period connected with the farming interests of Patton township, Ford county, and his well directed energy and diligence brought him a gratifying measure of success. He was born in Pennsylvania, December 3, 1845, his parents being Isaac and Hannah (Barn- hart ) Reep. The father was of German descent and spent his entire life in the Keystone state. The son pursned his education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and was there reared and married. It was in the year 1867 that he wedded Miss Nannie J. Kinkaid, a native of Pennsylvania' and a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Moore) Kinkaid, who were likewise repre- sentatives of old families of Pennsylvania.
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