USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 29
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until 1902, when John A. Montelius, Jr., bought his brother's interest and has since continued the business alone under his own name. He carries a large and excellent stock and has built up an excellent trade in this direction. In addition to his mercantile interests he is a stockholder of the Piper City Telephone & Telegraph Company, which he assisted in organizing in 1903. He had been manager for the Paxton Electric Company prior to its reorgani- zation, and continued as manager for two years of the new company. For the past three years he has been secretary of the Illinois State Implement & Vehicle Dealers Association, and is widely known in trade circles as a repre- sentative, energetic and enterprising business man.
On the 20th of May. 1900, John A. Montelius, Jr., was married to Miss Emilie F. MeKinney, a native of Piper City, and a daughter of John McKinney. They are prominent socially and their own home is very attractive by reason of its warm-hearted hospitality. Mr. Montelius is a member of the Presby- terian church, and in politics is an independent republican. Fraternally he is connected with Piper City Lodge, No. 608, A. F. & A. M., and the chapter and commandery at Fairbury. He also belongs to Mohammed Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Peoria, to the Eastern Star, to the Odd Fellows society at Piper City and to the Modern Woodmen camp. Ilis ready adaptability, his laudable ambition and strong purpose have made him a force in commercial circles, nor is he unknown in business lines outside of his native city.
THOMAS GALLAHUE.
Thomas Gallahue owns and cultivates a tract of land of two hundred acres on section 23, Pella township. Nowhere throughout the entire country ean richer farm land be found than in Ford county and the tract which is in possession of our subject returns rich harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. He was born in La Salle county, Illinois, November 11, 1861, his parents being Peter and Julia (A'Hern) Gallahue, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume in connection with the history of Peter Gallahue. As a farm boy Thomas Gallahue worked in the fields, assisting in plowing, planting and harvesting up to the time when he was twenty-six years of age. He then started out upon an independent business career, cultivating a tract of rented land for a year. He made further arrangements for having a home of his own through his marriage in
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1887 to Miss Minnie O'Mara, who was born in Livingston county, Illinois, and was one of a family of eleven children. The parents were natives of the south of Ireland and came to America in early life, settling first in New York city. while subsequently they removed to Grundy county, Illinois, where Mr. O'Mara followed farming. The mother still survives and resides in Thawville, Iroquois county, but the father is now deceased. Her brothers and sisters are also living.
Following his marriage Mr. Gallahue located upon a part of the old farm homestead, of which he now owns two hundred acres, situated on section 23, Pella township. He likewise has one hundred and sixty acres in Minnesota. As a farmer he is enterprising, alert and energetic, and his unwearied diligence has brought him a very gratifying measure of prosperity. His work is conducted along modern and systematic lines and he accomplishes good results in the production of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Gallahue has been blessed with six children : William P., Thomas P., Neil, Dora Agnes, Herbert J. and Francis. The parents are communicants of the Catholic church and are widely and favor- ably known in this locality. Mr. Gallahue is a democrat in his political views, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office. He filled the position of highway commissioner for seven years, was collector for eight years and was also school director for nineteen years, in which connection he labored earnestly for the welfare of the public schools. In fact he stands as a stalwart champion of all that pertains to progressive citizenship and throughont this community in which he has so long made his home, he is held in highest esteem.
CHRIST WALTERS.
Christ Walters owns and ocenpies a beautiful residence which stands in the midst of a fine farm on section 30, Dix township, and the property is the visible evidence of a life well spent in earnest, persistent and honorable labor. He was born in Germany, February 24, 1852, his parents being Henry and Sophie Walters, who came to America in 1864. They made their way to Peoria, Illinois, and thence to Elm Grove, about seven miles east of Pekin, this state, where they had friends living. There they established their home and spent their remaining days. They had hardly a dollar when they arrived
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in this country but they possessed the thrift, energy and determination so characteristic of the German people and as the years passed gained prosperity. The father purchased timber land, which his son Christ assisted him in clearing, and eventually the home place comprised eighty-four acres, constituting one of the valuable farms of the county.
Christ Walters was a lad of twelve years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. He remained at home until he had attained his majority and the period of his youth was one of earnest and unremitting toil. His education was acquired entirely in the schools of the old country before he came to the new world. Before reaching adult age he earned at farm labor in the neighborhood from one hundred and fifty dollars to two hundred dollars each year, which he gave to his parents.
At length he resolved to engage in business on his own account, and with a single horse as his own possession, started ont. He rented land for eight years, living for five years upon a part of the Sullivant property. In the year 1881 he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of this land, for which he paid twenty-five dollars per acre, and after cultivating it for three years he sold part of it for thirty-four dollars per acre, retaining one hundred and sixty acres five years longer, after which he sold that tract for fifty dollars per aere. He next purchased the place upon which he now resides, first secur- ing one hundred and forty-four acres, for which he paid thirty-seven and a half dollars per acre. To this he later added eighty acres, and by subsequent purchase has raised his landed possessions to three hundred and eight acres. He bought eighty-four acres-the old home place at Elm Grove, Illinois, for which he paid eighty-one dollars per acre, and he is now the owner of a very valuable and productive property. He has put all of the improvements upon his home farm, laying seventy thousand tile there and thus draining a wet district and converting it into arable and valuable land. In the early days he has seen the time when he could not get out to the road, so wet was the tract lying between his house and the highway. All this has been changed through the enterprising and unfaltering efforts of Mr. Walters, who is one of the most progressive and energetic farmers of the district. In 1905 he erected the largest house in the township at a cost of eight thousand dollars, equipping it with all modern conveniences and accessories. There are also good barns and outbuildings upon the place, and in fact everything about the farm is indicative of the progressive spirit of the twentieth century.
In 1879 Mr. Walters was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bastian and unto them were born six children, three of whom are now deceased. Those still living are Rose, wife of Emil Borchard, of Ford county; Bertha, wife of
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William Struve, of Gibson City; and Mary, wife of Isaac Petrie, of Knoxville, Tennessee. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Walters was married in 1890 to Catherine Shaffer, and they have become the parents of eight children : Lilly, Myrtle, Christ, Charles, Homer, Harry, Wilhelmina and Irene.
Mr. Walters is a member of the German Lutheran church at Sibley. He formerly gave his political allegiance to the republican party but is now an advocate of democratic principles. Starting out in life for himself empty- handed, he has made steady progress and as the years have gone by he has achieved a measure of success which is most gratifying. Moreover, his business methods have ever been honorable and reliable, winning for him the respect and good will of his fellowmen.
JACOB EIIRESMAN.
Jacob Ehresman is the owner of the Hickory Grove Stock Farm on section 31, Brenton townhsip, and is one of the best known stock-dealers of this part of the state, being extensively engaged in the raising of Aberdeen Angus cattle and Shropshire sheep. He owns and cultivates three hundred and twenty acres of land and also has good pasturage upon his place, while modern equipments facilitate the work of the fields and substantial buildings provide ample shelter for grain and stock.
Mr. Ehresman is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Montgomery township, Woodford county, on the 16th of October, 1862. His parents were Christian and Fannie (Barnard) Ehresman, the former a native of Baden, Germany, while the latter was born in the Rhine country of Switzerland. They were married in Illinois and both died in Woodford county, the former at the age of seventy-five years and the latter when seventy-two years of age. By a former marriage the father had seven children, and unto Christian and Fannie Ehresman there were born eight children.
Upon the old homestead farm Jacob Ehresman spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and as age and strength increased he aided more and more largely in the work of the fields. Ilis education was acquired in the common schools and through experience and observation he has added largely to his knowledge, becoming one of the well informed men of the community. He has always followed farming and stock-raising, remaining upon the old homestead farm with his parents until twenty-three years of age, when he
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was married and removed to MeLean county, there purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in which his wife had an interest, and a few years later he bought one hundred and seventy aeres more. Upon that place he resided until he soll the property and removed to Ford county, purchasing his present farm in March, 1897. He has made many improvements here. adding all modern equipments and accessories. The place is well named the Hickory Grove Stock Farm because of the fine grove of hickory trees, covering sixteen acres. The north fork of the Vermilion river runs through his land, which is well drained and well watered, and altogether the farm presents a most attractive appearance. It comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land, the soil responding readily to the care and cultivation which he bestows upon it. Mr. Ehresman is engaged in the raising of Aberdeen Angus cattle, having about forty head, a part of which are registered. Ile is the owner of a fine registered male, Colenso of the Wells, No. 75759. He also has upon his place fifty head of Shropshire sheep and is one of the leading stock-dealers of this locality.
In 1885 Mr. Ehresman was married to Miss Elizabeth Anna Strubhar, of Danvers township, MeLean county, Illinois, born May 6, 1867. Upon the farm where her birth occurred she continued to live until she came to Ford county ten years ago. Her parents were Valentine and Barbara (Guingrich) Strubhar, natives of France. The mother was born March 19, 1828, and was a year and a half old when brought to the United States by her parents. She is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Ehresman and has reached the advanced age of eighty years. The birth of Mr. Strubhar occurred September 26, 1817, and at the age of seventeen years he came to America, residing in Ohio for about three years. He made the voyage with his widowed mother, and on leaving the Buckeye state he removed to MeLean county, Illinois, where he took up his abode in a log cabin, while the experiences and hardships of pioneer life fell to his lot. As the years passed he carried on the work of the farm and made it his home up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was sixty-four years of age. Ilis daughter, Mrs. Ehresman, was born and reared upon that farm, where she lived until her removal with her husband to Ford county. She was one of a family of eight children and by her marriage has become the mother of six children: William Roy, Elsie Pearl, Ocie Marie, Virdie Aldene, Angie May and Delbert Donald.
Mr. Ehresman exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He belongs to the South Brenton Presby- terian church, in which he is serving as an elder, while in the work of the church he takes a most active and helpful part. His life is actuated by high
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and honorable principles, and in his relations with his fellowmen he displays substantial qualities and a kindly and just spirit, which have gained for him the warm regard of those with whom he has been associated.
JERRY IIICKEY.
Jerry Hickey, the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable farm- ing land on section 7. Lyman township, was born in Ireland in November. 1839, a son of John and Mary (Welsh) Hickey, who emigrated to America in 1854. The family first located in Massachusetts, where the father worked as a laborer for four years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Bloomington, McLean county, Illinois, where he was also employed as a laborer for eight years. Ile then rented a farm in McLean county, which he successfully operated up to the time of his demise in 1887, his wife having passed away in 1885. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Hickey were born nine children, namely : Johanna, the widow of Luke Dalton, who makes her home in McLean county, Illinois; David. deceased; Jerry, of this review; James, living in Champaign county, Illinois ; Margaret, who is the widow of William Ryan and resides in Chicago; Ellen, deceased; Katherine, the wife of Patrick Murphy, of McLean county, Illinois ; Michael, deceased; and Mary, who departed this life in Ireland.
Jerry Hickey never had the advantage of school training but has never- theless acquired a practical education through experience, reading and observa- tion. Hle remained under the parental roof, assisting his father in his farming operations, until he was thirty-six years of age, when he rented a farm and was successfully engaged in its operation for ten years. On the expiration of that period he bought a tract of land of eighty acres in MeLean county, upon which he made his home until 1895. In that year he sold his original purchase and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 7, Lyman township, where he has since resided, having brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and development. Although he has almost reached the psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten he is still actively engaged in the work of his farm and, by reason of the success which he has achieved, is numbered among the prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of Ford county.
In 1879 Mr. Hickey was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Donavan, a native of Ireland, in which country her parents passed away. She was one of a family of seven children and made the voyage to the new world when but twelve years
MR. AND MRS. JERRY HICKEY
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of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hickey have been born eleven children, as follows : John J. and Thomas D., both at home; Margaret E., who is a dressmaker residing in Bloomington; Mary G., now teaching school in McLean county; Julia E., also at home; Josie F., who is a school teacher of Ford county; Alice G. and Rachel A., who are also under the parental roof; and three who are deceased.
In his political views Mr. Hickey is a democrat, while both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church at Roberts, Illinois. For almost a third of a century he has been identified with agricultural interests in this part of the state and has not only witnessed a most wonderful transfor- mation but has largely aided in the labors which have transformed the wild tract into a splendid commonwealth. He has gained the warm esteem of all with whom he has come in contact because of his upright and honorable life and also by reason of the straightforward methods he has ever followed in his business career.
JAMES R. SHAMBROOK.
James R. Shambrook, who owns and operates eighty acres of rich and productive land on section 6, Lyman township, was born in that township on the 1st of May, 1878, a son of John and Mary (Parkin) Shambrook, who were both natives of Devonshire, England. The father, whose birth occurred in 1827, emigrated to the new world in 1854, first locating in Tazewell county, Illinois, whence he came to Ford county in 1866. £ In the year 1857 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Parkin, of Woodford county, Illinois, who departed this life in 1874. John Shambrook passed away on the 30th of December, 1900, in his seventy-third year, his death being occasioned by heart failure. He was one of the first settlers in this section of the state and took a prominent part in many of the events which constitute its early history. He lived to see this region transformed from swamp land into the most fertile district of this great commonwealth, and in the work of reclamation he bore his full share. When his remains were laid to rest in the Roberts cemetery the county mourned the loss of one of its honored pioneer settlers and influential citizens. One of the eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Shambrook died in infancy, the others being: Fred, of Ford county; Mrs. V. Montz; James R., of this review; Harrison, who resides in this vicinity; Mrs. Ida
1
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Toon, of Pontiac, Illinois; Mrs. S. Moller, who makes her home at Forrest. Illinois; and Susie, living in Washburn, Illinois.
James R. Shambrook acquired his education in the common schools of his native county, and remained with his father until he had attained to mature years. He then purchased eighty acres of land on section 6, Lyman township. where he still resides and has brought the fields under a high state of cultiva- tion and improvement through the utilization of modern and progressive methods of agriculture. Though still a young man he has already gained a gratifying measure of success in his farming operations, and is widely and favorably known throughout the community.
In 1899 Mr. Shambrook was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Taylor, who was born in Brenton township, Ford county, Illinois, in 1883, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Prather) Taylor, the former a native of England and the latter of Ohio. The parents of Mrs. Shambrook had a family of six children and are still living in Brenton township, Ford county. Unto our subject and his wife were born three children, namely: Marion Eugene. Faye Elizabeth and Glenn John.
In his political views Mr. Shambrook has always been a republican, believing that the principles of this party are most conducive to good govern- ment. Both he and his wife support the Presbyterian church and are highly esteemed throughout this locality as people of genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character, having gained the confidence and regard of all with whom they have come in contact.
THOMAS NUGENT.
Thomas Nugent, proprietor of the Cabery House and a merchant of the village of Cabery, is well known as a man of energy and determination. who has placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of diligence and perseverance for the acquirement of success. He was born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, January 28. 1868, but when about a year and a half old was brought to the United States by his parents. He is a son of Nicholas Nugent, who was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and crossed the Atlantic to Canada when a young man. There he acted as baggage-master 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
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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, of whom Garrett. the eldest. is mentioned elsewhere in this vohune. The others are: 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 agricultural pursuits in Essex township; Thomas, of this review; and Mrs. Margaret A. Mulligan, who also resides on the old homestead in Essex township.
Thomas Nugent was reared to farm life, his boyhood days being devoted to the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the home farm. His father trained him to the work of the fields and lessons of industry and honesty were early instilled into his mind. He remained with his parents until June 1896. when he came to Cabery and here engaged in the grain business with George Carson under the firm name of Carson & Nugent. Two and a half years later Mr. Carson sold his interest in the business to Garrett Nugent, and the enterprise was then conducted under the firm name of Nugent Brothers for about three years, when Thomas Nugent sold out to his brother and removed to Saunemin, Illinois. There he conducted a livery stable for a year, after which he sold out and returned to Cabery, where he opened his present restaurant and hotel business, conducted under the name of the Cabery house. In connection with the hotel he conducts a confectionery and ice cream parlor, and likewise sells cigars and tobacco. HIe does a good business as a merchant and also as hotel proprietor, and is one of the leading, representative and progressive business men of Cabery.
On the 16th of February, 1898. Mr. Nugent was married to Miss Nellie M. Carey, whose birth occurred at Sullivan Center, Livingston county. Illinois, on the 14th of March, 1876, a daughter of Frank and Mary (Clark) Carey, the former a native of the state of New York, and the latter of Living- ston county. They are now residents of Kempton, this state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nugent have been born two daughters and a son, Mary Frances, James
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Ambrose and Genevieve Katherine. The family is prominent in this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Nugent occupying an enviable position in social circles. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, and he is now serving as deputy sheriff of the county, in which position he discharges his duties with promptness and fidelity. Almost his entire life has been passed in this part of the state, and he is a typical Illinoisan, alert and enterprising, who recog- nizes the fact that upon individual effort depends success and is therefore laboring earnestly to advance to the goal of prosperity.
OSCAR DONLEY.
Oscar Donley, who successfully operates one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 11, Mona township, is a native of this county, his birth having occurred on the 14th day of March, 1887. He is a son of Richard and Adelaide Donley, the father, a native of Ireland, having been brought to the United States by his parents when but six months old, while the mother was born in New Jersey. She is now deceased but the father still survives, making his home in Livingston county, Illinois. They became the parents of six children, as follows: Charles, who resides in Livingston county; Edward, who also makes his home in that county; George, of Ford county; Elsie, the wife of George Watson, of Bureau county; Jesse, living in Ford county ; and one who has passed away.
Oscar Donley acquired his education in the common schools and when he had attained the age of seventeen years began working for Mr. Dancer, of this county. He remained in that gentleman's employ for ten years and was then engaged in the butchering business at Kempton for a year. On the expiration of that period he began farming on section 11, Mona township, where he now operates one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land, which responds in bountiful harvests to the care and labor he bestows upon it. Although still a young man he has already become recognized as one of the representative and enterprising agriculturalists of his community, and is meeting with a well merited measure of success in his farming interests.
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