USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 4
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On the 13th of January, 1887, C. A. Larson was married to Miss Anna Larson, a daughter of Andrew Larson, of Paxton, and unto them have been born four children, of whom three are now living: Clarence R., who is attend- ing Culver Military School at Culver, Indiana ; and Mabel A. B. and Grace V .. both at home. The second son, Noble, is deceased. The father is a member
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of Paxton Lodge, No. 210. I. O. O. F., and Patton Lodge, No. 398, K. P. He also belongs to the Court of Honor, the Independent Order of Foresters, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen of America. In community affairs he is deeply and helpfully interested, being a member of the board of trustees of the public library of Paxton, a member of the Swedish Lutheran church and a cooperant factor in many measures for the public good. He is one of the most prominent of Paxton's successful business men and one of its foremost citizens.
T. J. Larson, vice president of the P. Larson Company, and also of the P. Larson Clothing Company of Gibson City, was born in Attica, Indiana, September 26, 1861, and was therefore but three years of age when his parents arrived in this city in 1864. At the usual age he began his education, passing through successive grades in the Paxton schools until he became a high-school student. His business training was received under the direction of his father and as a salesman in the store. He continued in aetive connection with the business until 1883, when he became a member of the firm that succeeded to the father's business.
T. J. Larson was first married to Miss Nellie Nelson, a daughter of August Nelson, of Paxton. The only child of that marriage is deceased, and the mother has also passed away. In 1887 T. J. Larson was again married, his second union being with Emily Peterson, by whom he had four children, three yet living : Harry P., who is attending the State University at Champaign; Edna and Orville, at home. Fraternally he is connected with various branches of Masonry, with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his wife is connected with the ladies auxiliary of the last named. For a number of years T. J. Larson served as a member of the board of aldermen of Paxton and his official support was ever given to those measures which tended to promote municipal interests and upbuilding. He is a man of genial nature whose friends are many, while his record in business circles commands for him the confidence and admiration of all.
Peter E. Larson, the youngest of the three brothers, was born in Attica, Indiana, in Angust, 1863. Like the others, he was a student in the public schools of Paxton and later he continued his education in Rice Collegiate Institute. He, too, received his business training in the store established by his father, and in 1887 became a member of the firm, in which year the Gibson City store was established and he became manager. In 1891 on the opening of the store in Watseka, he removed to that city and took charge there. In Watseka he wedded Mary E. Netterville, and to them has been born a daughter,
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Marguerite L. They still reside in Watseka, where Peter E. Larson is numbered among the leading and public-spirited citizens.
The Larson brothers are extensive owners of farm property in this state and Towa, having made judicious investments of their surplus earnings in real estate. They are numbered among Ford county's most successful business men and belong to that class of representative American citizens who promote public progress in advancing individual snecess. Perhaps no history published in this volume can serve as a better illustration to young men of the power of honesty, integrity and nabating industry in insuring success. They are men of broad capabilities who have recognized and utilized oppor- tunity and while making constant progress along the pathway of success they have at the same time manifested a public-spirited devotion to the general good that has received tangible evidence in their substantial aid of the various measures that have contributed to Paxton's upbuilding and prosperity.
HIENRY A. DRENDEL.
The name of Drendel has for four decades figured in connection with the agricultural development of Ford county and upon the old family homestead in Mona township occurred the birth of Henry A. Drendel, his natal day being November 16, 1875. He is a son of Frank S. and Mary (Slater) Drendel and a brother of George Drendel, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. At the usual age he entered the public schools and mastered the branches of learning therein taught. In the periods of vacation he assisted in the work of the fields and under the careful direction of his father gained intimate knowledge of the best methods of carrying on the farm work in all of its departments. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, on attaining his majority he began farming where he now lives and is today engaged in the cultivation and further improvement of two hundred acres of the old homestead. Ile is living a life of industry and enterprise and the years have marked successful accomplishments in his business.
Mr. Drendel is pleasantly situated in his home life, having been married in 1900 to Miss Iney Koerner, who was born in Livingston county, Illinois, and was one of the seven children whose parents are Frank and Gertrude (Elbert) Koerner. Her father was born in Germany and her mother in Woodford county, Illinois. They are now living in Cullom, being well known residents
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of that place. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Drendel has been blessed with four children: Esther E., Harry F., Francis HI. and Viola E.
The parents are communicants of the Catholic church at Cullom and Mr. Drendel gives his political allegiance to the democracy. He is serving as a school director but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs. He has been a member of the Woodmen lodge at Cullom sinee November, 1896, and is much esteemed in the order and wherever he is known. His life history is as an open book to his many friends in Ford county, for he always lived within its borders.
AUGUST VOGELBACHER.
August Vogelbacher is cultivating an excellent farm of two hundred and eighty acres on section 2, Brenton township. It is a fine property to which he has added modern improvements and equipments and throughout this locality he is regarded as one of the leading agriculturists. He was born in Baden, Ger- many, December 26, 1867, his parents being John and Nothburger (Hettich) Vogelbacher, who spent their entire lives in Baden. Their family numbered six children, of whom August was the fifth in order of birth. He was, however, the first to come to America and the others arrived in the following year. The members of the family are : Isadore, who is living at Big Stone City, South Da- kota; Mary, now the wife of Anthony Boma, of Brenton township; Bertha, the wife of Killian Way of Iroquois county, Illinois ; Julius, living in Big Stone City, South Dakota; August of this review; and Pauline, the wife of John Smith, of Mason City, Iowa. The mother was killed by lightning when her son August was but nine years of age and by a second marriage the father had three chil- dren : Xavier, Emma and Nothburger.
August Vogelbacher was a youth of seventeen years when in 1884 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States with a cousin, Anthony Boma. He has lived in Ford county continuously to the present time, covering a period of twenty- four years. Empty-handed at the time of his arrival he immediately sought and secured employment as a farm hand and was thus engaged for seven years when, desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he rented a traet of land, on which he lived for about five years. He also became a partner of his father-in-law, Joseph Burger, and at his death Mr. and Mrs. Vogelbacher re-
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MR. AND MRS. AUGUST VOGELBACHER
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moved to their present farm, which had formerly belonged to her father. They have two hundred and eighty acres of land all in Brenton township. There is eighty acres in the home farm on section 2, another eighty acre tract on the same section, forty aeres on section 3, and eighty acres on section 6. Upon this farm are two sets of good buildings. The fine modern residence which adorns the place and is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Vogelbacher was erected by our sub- ject. It is attractive and commodious, containing ten rooms, and is modern in all of its appointments. He also erected good outbuildings, putting up all excepting the barns. His entire time and attention are devoted to the farm and his business interests are bringing him a gratifying financial return.
On the 16th of June, 1892, Mr. Vogelbacher was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Augusta Burger, who was born at Norwich, Connecticut, April 6, 1857. and with her parents went to Fulton county, Illinois, in 1866, removing thence to Ford county in the spring of 1869. Extensive mention of her father and his family is made elsewhere in this work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vogelbacher have been born four daughters: Edna, Dora, Mary and Josephine. The family are prominent socially, their many friends entertaining for them warm regard.
In politics Mr. Vogelbacher is a democrat and has served as one of the three school trustees of Brenton township. He belongs to Piper Camp, No. 718, M. W. A. Ford county has no more loyal citizen than this adopted son, who has a deep attachment for America and her institutions. While he still main- tains a love for the land of his birth his interest centers in the United States and he is in hearty sympathy with its institutions, its purposes and its govermental policy.
AUGUST BRUCKER.
August Brucker has since 1890 resided upon his present farm which at the time of his purchase comprised one hundred and sixty acres. In the years which have since elapsed he has added to his possessions until he is now one of the extensive landowners of the county and one of its most prominent agricul- turists. With him the possession of wealth indicates a life of well directed industry and unfaltering perseverance, the careful utilization of his opportunities and the ability to adjust himself to circumstances.
Mr. Brucker is a native of Tazewell county, Illinois, born February 27, 1861, his parents being Gotlieb and Catherine (Clabe) Brneker, who were natives of
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Germany. They came to America about 1848 and settled in Tazewell county, where they were identified with farming interests. Following a later removal to Livingston county. Mr. Brucker there purchased land and for a long period carried on general agricultural pursuits, meeting with success in his undertakings but at length he retired. He died in Cropsey, May 22. 1908, at the age of seventy-six years. His family numbered nine children, namely : Adam ; August, of this review; Henry; Annie, the wife of Jacob Huppert; Caroline, the wife of John Stein; Charley; Emma, the wife of Ernest Lange; John ; and Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Sutter.
The public schools afforded August Brucker his educational privileges although his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited. When he attained his majority he began farming on his own account, renting land for this purpose. For eight years he continued to cultivate leased land and eventu- ally purchased one hundred and twenty acres of improved land, for which he paid fifty dollars per acre. It was with genuine pleasure that he located upon this farm. knowing it to be his own, and for some years he continued its im- provement and development. He then sold it and in 1890 he purchased the place upon which he now resides, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid forty-seven dollars per acre. It was also improved to some extent. As the years passed he has added to the property from time to time until he now owns in all nine hundred acres. costing from forty-seven to one hundred and fifteen dollars per acre. Today it is worth on an average of one hundred and fifty dollars per acre and upon it are good improvements. Ile and his sons cultivate the entire amount and all are men of untiring industry and commendable energy.
Mr. Brucker was married on the 8th of November, 1882, to Miss Mary E. Steine, a daughter of Henry and Christina (Burlett) Steine, who were natives of Germany. They came to America in 1868, settling in Livingston county, where Mr. Brucker engaged in farming. In 1881 he removed to Ford county, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring November 24, 1904. He left a widow and five children, as follows : Mary E., now Mrs. Brucker; John; Fred; Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Brucker; and Henry.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brucker has been blessed with twelve children and the record is a notable one in that the family yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. The children are as follows : Henry, William, George, John, Albert, Edward, Catherine. Alice, Charley. Arthur, Ida and Oscar.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Brucker are members of the Evangelical church of Sibley and he gives his political support to the republican party. £ He has, however,
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never sought nor desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. He is a representative of the best type of American manhood and chivalry. By perseverance, determination and energy, he has overthrown the obstacles which barred his path to success and reached the goal of prosperity. He is widely and favorably known throughout his part of the state and his record should serve to encourage and inspire others, showing what can be accomplished if one but has the will to dare and to do.
RANSOM REED MURDOCK.
There are few men whose lives can be crowned with the honor and respect that were uniformly accorded Ransom Reed Murdock, nor in so large a measure have enjoyed the love and confidence of their fellowmen. A life governed by the most honorable principles, Mr. Murdock never deviated from what he believed to be right between himself and his fellowmen and in much that he did was actuated by a public spirit that found manifestation in the tangible aid which he gave to the city of his adoption. His personal charac- teristics, his straightforward business career and his efficient publie service have made his memory sacredly cherished since he was called from this life.
He was born October 21, 1829, in the town of Ridgeway, Orleans county, New York, and was the eldest child of Seymour B. and Eliza A. Murdock, the former a farmer of considerable wealth and influence in his county.
In early life Mr. Murdock displayed a keen interest in horticulture and fortified himself for work of that character by acquiring an extensive knowledge along that line. After several prospecting trips to the west he finally decided on Paxton as a location, and here purchased large tracts of land. From the time of his settlement here he gave his heartiest efforts and loyal support to the upbuilding of the city and county. He established and conducted a large nursery, developing an extensive business in that line, and he has propagated a breed of corn known today as Murdock's Early, or Murdock's Corn. He was also the first to discover and make the test with the clay of this region which proved that it was suitable for tile. He took the clay for this purpose from the present site of the Brick & Tile Company in Paxton. In many other ways he promoted the city and forwarded its interests. His business affairs were always of a nature that contributed to public progress. He learned to correctly value life's contacts and experiences.
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In 1885 he removed to Chicago, where for fifteen years he was interested in real estate, handling property in both the north and the south. He was largely instrumental in the upbuilding of Hammond, Louisiana, which is now so well known as a winter resort. He likewise traveled quite extensively, taking parties to Oklahoma and thus promoting the interests of the new state.
In 1858 Mr. Murdock was married to Miss Louise S. Hoag, and unto them were born two daughters, Effie E. and Luella C., but the latter died in 1893.
While living in Paxton Mr. Murdock held many public offices, including those of trustee and alderman. He was always a stanch democrat and was connected with every publie enterprise affecting the welfare of the city, especially during the early period of its existence. He was largely instrumental in securing the railroad station, the postoffice, the county seat and the court- honse. His publie service was of such a nature as to render his history an integral part of the annals of Paxton. For years he was an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, but dropped his connection after removing to Chicago. Although never a member of any church organization, in early training and in belief through life he was an Universalist. Ile died at his home in Chicago, December 20, 1907. All who knew him found him a faithful and considerate neighbor, a man of kindly thought and spirit, generous and helpful in actions. Ile realized as few men seem to do, his obligation to his fellowmen and to the city of his residence. He looked at life from a broad standpoint, and the simple weight of his character and ability carried him into important relations with the public and with business affairs.
HENRY C. HALL.
Henry C. Hall was too well known in business eireles in Paxton to need special introduction to the readers of this vohne. Ilis name was an important one in trade circles and was a synonym of all that is honorable, straightforward and reliable in business transactions. For many years he operated extensively in grain but later gave his attention to real-estate investments and the sale of property.
Mr. Ilall was a native of Fountain county, Indiana, born October 11, 1841. His father, James Dow Hall, was born in Ross county, Ohio, April, 1821, and died in Paxton, in January, 1903, when in the eighty-second year of his age. With an older brother, William Hall, he went to Fountain county, Indiana, where
HENRY C. HALL
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he remained for several years, subsequently removing to Warren county, that state, where he opened up and improved a farm, upon which he lived for nine years. In 1852 he arrived in Ford county, Illinois. Two years previously he had driven one hundred milk cows to Wisconsin, where he sold them to the farmers in the dairy district, this being before the era of railroad shipment. On the way he met George B. MeClellan, afterward General Mcclellan, commander of the Union forces, who, with a staff of assistants, was surveying for the route of the Illinois Central Railroad. Through General MeClellan he became enthused regarding the conditions of the country through which the railroad was to pass and decided to locate near the line. Accordingly, in 1852, he settled twelve miles east of Paxton, at Henderson's Grove, Vermilion county, but not being able to secure government land in that neighborhood he removed in the spring of 1854 to a claim five miles southeast of Paxton, where the greater part of his life was passed, his time and energies being given to the cultivation of his farm, which became a valuable property. His early political allegiance was given to the whig party and on its dissolution he became a republican. He was elected the second sheriff of Ford county, serving for two years, beginning in 1860. During the first year of his service the old courthouse was built and in the following year he had his office there, being the first sheriff in that temple of justice. Ile married Eliza Whisman, a native of Wythe county. Virginia, who was reared by her grandparents in that county. She died in Paxton, at the age of seventy-nine. In their family were four children: Henry C .; William Franklin, who died forty years ago; Melvina E., the deceased wife of Dr. Pickerd, of Indianapolis, Indiana ; and Mrs. Rebecca Snyder, a widow, living in Paxton.
Henry C. Hall was but ten years of age when he came to Illinois, the family home being established in Vermilion county, where for two years they lived prior to a removal to what became the old farm homestead near Paxton. For fifty-six years Henry C. Hall lived in or near this city. The experiences of pioneer life with all its attendant hardships, privations, duties and pleasures beeame familiar to him. His education was acquired in the common schools and when not occupied with his text-books he aided in the labors of the farm. Ou attaining his majority, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, Mr. Hall came to Paxton in March, 1862, and entered the grain trade here, being success- fully and extensively connected therewith until four years ago. He did not confine his attention, however, to the grain trade alone but dealt also in live stock, lumber and coal, operating in all those lines during the greater part of the time. The sphere of his activity was also extended to include neighboring towns and
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cities as well as Paxton and at one time he had twelve different stations. He established business before he was of age and for about three years was alone, after which his father became his partner, under the firm style of J. D. & II. C. Hall. That relation was terminated after five years and Henry C. Hall was then joined by his brother-in-law. under the firm name of Hall & Snyder. They were together for five or six years, after which Mr. Hall admitted Timm Ross to a partnership and they operated in the above mentioned lines under the firm style of Hall & Ross. Later Mr. Hall was alone. He became the largest operator in grain, lumber. live stock and coal of any man in the business. He bought and sold grain most extensively, though he shipped large quantities of live stock of all kinds and his annual sales brought him a very gratifying
financial return. For thirty-six years he has occupied offices in the Clark block. After he had been in the office for a year he was married and built the present residence of his widow on West Franklin street, which was afterward his home. Four years before his death he sold his grain business and withdrew from the trade for two years but later was engaged in the real-estate and loan business. Ile admitted J. M. Marsh to a partnership, under the firm style of Ilall & Marsh. In this connection he handled much property and negotiated many important realty transfers. Ile was a man of resourceful business ability, readily recognizing and utilizing opportunities and his efforts were so discerningly directed along well defined lines that he won a most gratifying measure of success.
On the 10th of October, 1872. Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Mary Pierpont, who was born in 1849, in Morris, Connecticut, and in 1858 came to Ford county with her parents, Leonard and Cynthia Pierpont, who were also natives of Connecticut. Her father was the youngest brother of the Rev. John Pierpont, a man of national reputation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall were born five children : Mary T., now the wife of George L. Shaw, of Chicago; Bertha M. and Edith P., at home; Clara W. who died in 1880; and Henry Pierpont, who was born in June, 1885, and died of typhoid fever in February, 1907. He was a young man six feet in height, of athletic build and a favorite with his many friends, so that his death was deeply regretted in social circles as well as by his immediate family.
In his political views Mr. Hall was always a stalwart republican after cast- ing his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He served as township trustee for forty consecutive years and declined to fill the office for a longer period. This simple statement is the highest proof that can be given of the position which he held in public regard and in the confidence of those who
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knew him. For twelve years he was a member of the city council and was still serving on the board of alderman at the time of his death. His fidelity to muni- cipal progress found tangible evidence in his active work for many movements for the publie good. IIe belonged to the Congregational church, to the support of which he contributed liberally, and his family were associated with him in this membership. He found appropriate place among those men of business and enterprise in the state of Illinois whose force of character, whose fortitude amid discouragements, whose sterling integrity, whose good sense in the management of complicated affairs and marked success in shaping large industries and bring- ing to completion great schemes of trade and profit, have contributed in eminent degree to the development of the resources of this noble commonwealth. His career was not helped by accident, or luck, or wealth, or family or powerful friends. He was in the broadest sense a self-made man, being both the architect and builder of his own fortunes.
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