USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 6
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Mr. Chamberlin arrived in Paxton in May. 1864, and for six years was employed by the American Express Company. IIe afterwards went to Cali- fornia, where he spent one year as chief clerk in the Calistoga Springs Hotel. Later he returned to Paxton and resumed his former position with the American Express Company but gradually broadened the scope of his labors. He, with Mr. MeFerren established the McFerren & Chamberlin Bank at Hoopestown, Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1872, which institution still exists under the name of the First National Bank. In November, 1875, Mr. Chamberlin went to Rantoul, where he organized the Exchange Bank, which he successfully conducted until 1892. In that year he sold out and removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota. where for seven years he was engaged in the brokerage business. About 1899 he returned to Paxton, where he has since been associated with Colonel Charles Bogardus in the real-estate and loan business, while independently he has conducted an extensive fire insurance and brokerage business. His interests in these connections have already assumed an important character, bringing him substantial profit and he also derives a good income from his realty holdings,
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which include one hundred and sixty acres of land in South Dakota and over two hundred acres in Michigan.
On the 12th of December, 1887, Mr. Chamberlin was married to Miss Ella L. Bronson, of Swanton, Vermont, whose father was a prominent contractor and builder. Mr. Chamberlin is a member of the Congregational church, while his wife is a member of the Episcopal church, and they are active in church work and generous to the support of the church in which each worship. He is a Knight Templar and has been a Mason of high standing since 1866. Ilis political allegiance is given to the republican party and while in Rantoul he was treasurer of the school board and also city treasurer but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. His interest in public affairs is that of a citizen who without desire for the rewards of office is concerned in public af- fairs which are of vital moment, with an earnest desire to promote public progress and development. He is a strong temperance man and has done effective work in checking the liquor element in this county. He stands for all that uplifts instead of pulls down his fellowmen and his own life has ever been guided by high and honorable principles.
HENRY FARRIS.
Henry Farris is a farmer of Ford county owning and cultivating a tract of two hundred acres of rich land in Drummer township. His parents were Christopher and J. (Stauffer) Farris. The father, a native of Hanover, Germany, emigrated with his family to America when his son Henry was but a small boy. As his financial resources were limited he rented a farm for a few years, or until he was able to purchase property, when he became the owner of eighty acres, which he afterward sold at a good profit. In 1887 he bought two hundred acres, constituting the old family homestead, and as the years passed, brought this under a high state of cultivation.
Henry Farris was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors incident to the cultivation of the fields. He attended the public schools, his time being divided between the acquirement of an education and the assistance which he rendered his father, with whom he remained until his marriage. He was, however, absent in the south during the period of the Civil war, having enlisted on the 6th of August, 1861, as a member of Company F, Seventy-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. £ Ile participated in a number of
MR. AND MRS. HENRY FARRIS
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important engagements, and the hardships and rigors of war so undermined his health that he was obliged to return home before the cessation of hostilities.
In 1872 Mr. Farris was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Bonnen, a daughter of B. Bonnen, the wedding being celebrated in Paxton. They had six living children : Elizabeth, the wife of August Rosenau, of Iowa, and the mother of three children; Bennett, who lives in Minnesota; Margaret, Richard, John and Katherine, all at home. The wife and mother died December 22, 1907.
The family residence stands in the midst of a good farm of two hundred acres on section 32, Drummer township, which Mr. Farris now owns. He devotes his land to the cultivation of corn, oats and other cereals best adapted to the soil and climate and now has a well developed property, having brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. Besides his property in this county he owns a quarter section of land near Storm Lake, Iowa, where his daughter resides. In politics Mr. Farris is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. His religions faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his belief guides his life and shapes his conduct in his relations to his fellowmen.
JOIIN HUSTON.
John Huston, who for thirty-one years has been a resident of Ford county, carries on general agricultural pursuits on a farm on section 21, Dix township, and the place is neat and well improved, indicating in its attractive appearance his careful supervision and practical methods. A native of Ireland, he was born in County Meath, April 20, 1830, his parents being Christopher and Mary (Payne) Huston, both of whom spent their entire lives on the Emerald isle. Their son William is still living on the old home place there, where he follows farming.
John Huston acquired his education in the schools of his native country, where he remained until about eighteen years of age, when, attracted by the opportunities of the new world, he came to America in 1848. IIe remained here until 1857, the year of the wide-spread financial panic, when he returned to his native country and spent two years there. He then once more crossed the Atlantic and has since been a resident of this country. After some time spent in Philadelphia he was for sixteen years a resident of Rhode Island, where he engaged in working on army goods in woolen works.
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Following the close of hostilities between the north and the south Mr. Iluston came to Illinois and for a short time resided at Kirkwood near Monmouth. He afterward rented land in Henderson county, where he remained for twelve years, thence came to Ford county in 1877. In that year he located upon a farm which is yet his place of residence. IIere he first bought one hundred acres of land from his brother and later purchased sixty acres of raw prairie, since which time his undivided attention has been given to the further develop- ment and improvement of his place, which he has brought under a high state of enltivation, so that he annually gathers good crops as a reward for his care and
labor. The Illinois Central Railroad now crosses the farm at the southeast corner, taking off about five aeres. This place cost him about three thousand
dollars. Today it is as valuable as any land in the locality, being one of the excellent farms of the community. That Mr. Huston has prospered as the years have gone by is indicated by the fact that he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Sullivant township in addition to his home farm, purchasing the latter tract in 1904.
In 1865 occurred the marriage of Mr. Huston and Miss Mary Ann Josephine Ryan, who was born in Rochester, New York, in 1845. a daughter of Patrick Ryan and a sister of F. M. Ryan, who is president of the International Associa- tion Bridge & Structural Iron Works, located in the American Central Life building at Indianapolis, Indiana, a man very prominent in this field of labor. The death of Mrs. Iluston occurred November 5, 1891. The family numbers ten children, as follows: Mary E., who was born in Providence, Rhode Island October 25, 1865, and is the wife of William A. Cleary, a resident of Dix town- ship; Sarah, who was born August 27, 1867. in Kirkwood, Illinois, and is now the wife of W. G. Wilson, a resident farmer of Dix township; Elizabeth, who was born October 14, 1870, in Kirkwood, and is the wife of George Bonnen, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work ; Teresa Ann, who was born April 1, 1872, was educated in the Sisters school at Chatsworth, Livingston county, Illinois, and is now the wife of John S. Crawford, a farmer of Ford county ; Christopher. who was born June 7, 1876, and died April 17, 1878; John Francis, who was born July 29, 1878, was educated in the district schools and in the college at Valparaiso, Indiana, and is now managing the home farm for his father; Clara May, who was born March 23. 1881, and married Edward Harrington, a resident of Livingston county, Illinois; William Edward, who was born February 19, 1883, was educated in a school in Kankakee and now resides in Sullivant town- ship, Ford county; Joseph Alfred, who was born February 19, 1885, was edu- cated in the Gibson high school and also in Valparaiso, and is now teaching in
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Livingston county; and Gertrude, who was born April 28, 1889, and is now a student in St. Joseph's Academy.
Mr. Huston has served as road commissioner and is interested in having excellent public highways. In polities he is independent regarding the capabil- ity of the candidate rather than his party affiliation. IIis religious faith is that of the Catholic church. He has never had occasion to regret his determina- tion to come to America, for in this country he has found the opportunities which he sought and through their utilization has worked his way upward, becoming one of the successful representative farmers of the community, his life indicating what may be accomplished by determination and well directed energy.
C. P. SMITH.
C. P. Smith, who is the largest individual farmer in Ford county, is, moreover, a self-made man, owing his success entirely to his well directed energy and enterprise. He was born in La Salle county, Illinois, October 30, 1857, a son of Isam and Elizabeth Smith, but does not remember much about his parents, as the father was killed while serving as a loyal defender of the Union in the Civil war and the mother died a short time afterward. They had a family of four children, as follows: Mary, the wife of Albert Miller, of Piper City, Illinois ; C. P. of this review ; Harriet, who became the wife of John Madden and resides in Colorado; and Alice, the wife of Lon McCann, who lives in Forrest, Illinois.
C. P. Smith acquired his education in the public schools and after putting aside his text-books he worked at common labor until twenty-five years of age, when he rented a farm and has since followed agricultural pursuits, now operating six hundred and forty acres of land on section 31, Lyman township, Ford county. He also owns eighty acres on section 6, Wall township, this county; three hundred and twenty aeres in Iowa, and six hundred and forty acres in the state of Mississippi. He paid fifty dollars per acre for the latter tract, and now receives an annual rental of twenty-five hundred dollars therefrom. His extensive landed interests make him one of the prosperous and representative citizens of the county, and his success is all the more creditable by reason of the fact that it has been honorably gained, being entirely the result of his untiring industry and straightforward business methods.
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On the 22d of February, 1882, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Phillips, a native of Philadelphia. Her parents, who are now deceased, had a family of four children. Unto our subject and his wife were born the following named: Charles, who is married and operates his father's farm of eighty acres in Wall township; James, Albert and Benjamin, all of whom have passed away; and Phillip, John and Verne, who are still under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Smith is a republican but has never sought office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen camp at Melvin and with the Knights of Pythias at the same place, while his religious belief is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. They are well and favorably known throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth, and during the long period of their residence here have gained the respect and esteem of all with whom they have been associated. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county. Moreover, he is ready at all times to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.
LOUIS HUSSONG.
Louis Hussong, who owns one of the best improved farms in Mona township. is a native of the fatherland, his birth having occurred in Germany on the 5th of September, 1863. The parents, Louis and Louisa (Geleer) Hussong, both natives of Germany, emigrated to America in 1879 and locating in Peoria county, Illinois. There the father successfully carried on agricultural pursuits until 1887, in which year he purchased land in Ford county and brought his family here. Four children were born unto him and his wife, namely: Louis, of this review ; Louisa, the wife of John Leibly, of Woodford county, Hlinois; Conrad, who makes his home in Minnesota ; and William, who resides in Iroquois county, Illinois. The parents are both now deceased.
Louis Hussong acquired his education in the common schools of his native country and was a youth of sixteen years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. He remained under the parental roof until
MR. AND MRS. LOUIS HUSSONG
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he had attained his majority and was then employed as a farm hand by the month, working for one man for four years. He then operated a rented farm for twelve years and at the end of that time, through the exercise of careful economy, he was enabled to purchase a farm of his own. The tract comprises one hundred and sixty acres and is located on section 23, Mona township. As the years have passed he has added many substantial improvements to the place, including a handsome ten-room residence, a fine barn and all necessary out- buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, for in addition to his general farming interests he is quite extensively engaged in raising and feeding cattle. In both branches of his business he is meeting with a gratifying measure of snecess and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and enterprising agriculturists of his community. His farm is one of the best improved proper- ties in Mona township and in its neat and attractive appearance gives proof of the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
In 1888 Mr. Hussong was united in marriage to Miss Anna Schoon, who was born in Woodford county, Illinois, while her parents were natives of Germany and reared a family of seven children.
In his political views Mr. Hussong is independent, not considering himself bound by party ties but voting for the man whom he believes best qualified to fill the office to which he has been nominated. He served as assessor for one term and has also been school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a helpful friend. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows lodge at Kempton. Illinois, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, with which his wife is also identified. Save for the assistance which he received from his estimable wife, he has gained his present prosperity entirely through his own labor and perseverance, and through the utilization of the opportunities which the United States offers to ambitious, determined young men.
CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON.
There is no record which the American public holds in higher regard than that of the man who has carved out his own fortune, winning his success by enterprise, integrity and perseverance. Such has been the history of Christo- pher Anderson, now one of the most prominent business men of Ford county, owning and conducting the Roberts Exchange Bauk and also engaged in the
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manufacture of brick and tile. He has at other times been connected with other interests and is today the owner of considerable valuable farming property.
Mr. Anderson was born in Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, on the 28th of April, 1842. His parents were Adam and Martha (Hamilton) Anderson, who spent their entire lives in Scotland, where the father was a coal master. The maternal grandfather, Captain James A. Hamilton, won his title by service with the Sanquhar Volunteers and had charge of Waterloo prisoners at Sanquhar for some time. His watch and sword are now in pos- session of Mr. Anderson and are cherished heirlooms. The father's family numbered four children, namely : Mary, who first married Alexander Smart, of Scotland, and after his death came to Piper City, where she lived some years and then moved to Evanston, where she died in 1907; James, who remained in Scotland; Christopher, of this review; and Jean, the wife of George Campbell, who came to this country from Scotland in 1872 and located in Piper City, Illinois, where he conducted the Piper City Bank for some years.
Christopher Anderson was six years of age when his parents removed from his native town to East Lothian. He attended the grammar schools at Musselburg until fourteen years of age, at which time he began providing for his own support. entering the auditing department of the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railroad at Glasgow. There he continued from 1856 until 1860, and was afterward in Dumbartonshire until 1866 in connection with the coal trade.
On the ninetieth anniversary of the proclamation of American indepen- dence-July 4, 1866,-Mr, Anderson sailed from Glasgow to Montreal, Canada, whence he made his way to Chicago and on to Chatsworth, Illinois, reaching that place about six months after sailing from Glasgow. In the fall of 1866 he worked as a farm hand in Marshall county. Desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he then purchased a quarter section of land in Lyman township, Ford county. It was raw prairie, for which he paid eight dollars per acre, and in the spring of 1867 he took up his abode thereon and began its cultivation, continuing his farm work until the fall of 1872. He brought the fields into a state of rich fertility and made a number of substantial improvements upon the place. Thinking to find other business interests more congenial and more profitable, he removed to Roberts and began general merchandising in connection with J. A. Montelius and George Campbell, under the firm name of J. A. Montelius & Company. This relation was continued for about three or four years, after which Mr. Anderson pur-
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chased his partner's interests and continued the business under his own name for a number of years, meeting with success in the undertaking. He has also been engaged in the grain business from the time he located in Roberts in 1872, until 1896 or 1897. In 1878 he built the Roberts Briek & Tile Works, which he operated until 1880, when the plant was destroyed by fire. He was then joined by John Kenward and they rebuilt the works, which are still in operation under the firm style of Anderson & Kenward. In 1879 Mr. Anderson purchased the private bank then owned by J. B. Meserve and has since been sole owner of the Roberts Exchange Bank, which is a substantial financial institution of which he has active charge. His various business interests have ever been of a character that has contributed to the substantial development of the village and promoted the general welfare, at the same time proving of substantial benefit to Mr. Anderson. In addition to his financial and industrial interests, he has valuable farming property, including three hundred acres of rich land in Lyman township, and fifteen hundred acres at Tensas, Parish, Louisiana.
Aside from his business interests, Mr. Anderson has done effective work for the village in public office, serving as justice of the peace for the past thirty years. He takes considerable interest in local politics, has served on the village board and does everything in his power to promote the welfare and upbuilding of the community. He does not consider himself bound by party ties but is independent, with leanings toward the democratic party.
In 1869 Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Mary G. Martin, of Marshall county, and a native of Peoria. They have ten children : Margaret ; Dr. Martha Anderson, who is a physician of Roberts; Georgia, who is with her unele in Scotland; Mary, the wife of Irvin H. Murray, of Morgan Park, Chicago; Bethia, the wife of Reynold J. Blesch, who is engaged in farming near Roberts ; Jean, who is filling a position as bookkeeper at Clyde, Illinois; Anne, who is cashier in her father's bank; Marian, who is studying music in Chicago; and Flora and Adam, at home.
Since coming to America, Mr. Anderson has made two trips back to his native land and there learned a matter of interesting local history concerning Ford county-the naming of Paxton, which was so called in honor of Sir Joseph Paxan, the architect of the London exposition of 1851, who was knighted for that work. He was sent to America by an English syndicate that furnished the capital for the building of the Illinois Central Railroad. He remained all night at Paxton and in his honor the name of the town was changed from Prospect City to Paxton. Mr. Anderson has never had occasion
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to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world. Coming to Illinois when a young man of twenty-four years, he availed himself of the opportunities here offered. and as the years have passed he has steadily worked his way upward until his orderly progression has gained him rank with the leading. prominent and substantial residents of the county.
CHRISTIAN G. RYERSON.
Christian G. Ryerson in his life record exemplifies the sterling traits of his Norwegian ancestry. belonging to that race which has long borne a reputation for reliability and industry-qualities which are indispensable in business and are important factors in good citizenship. He now follows farming on section 28. Dix township, where he owns and cultivates a good property. He was born in the land of the midnight sun in 1832, his parents being Ryer and Anna (Larson) Ryerson, both of whom were natives of Norway, where they spent their entire lives. Christian G. Ryerson was there reared and remained a resi- dent of his native land until twenty-four years of age. He acquired his education in the schools of Norway, and in 1857 came to the new world with his brother Peter, who is now following farming in Iowa and is eighty years of age. His second brother, Ole, came to this country in 1855. Another brother. Thomas, is a retired farmer, living at Pontiac, Illinois, while Ananias is a blacksmith living at Norway, La Salle county, Illinois.
On the 7th of May, 1857, Christian G. Ryerson started for America, cross- ing the Atlantic on a sailing vessel, which ultimately reached the harbor of Quebec. June 23, 1857. He arrived at Chicago July 4, and then went to Ottawa, Illinois, where his two brothers lived. He arrived in this country during the hard times occasioned by the financial panie of 1857. As his finan- cial resources were such as to make immediate employment imperative he began working at farm labor, receiving seventy-five cents per day, or fifteen or sixteen dollars per month. Carefully saving his earnings he was at length enabled to purchase a traet of one hundred and twenty acres of railroad land in the fall of 1867, paying for this eight dollars per acre. It was all raw prairie, not a furrow having been turned nor an improvement made thercon. There were few houses between his farm and Sibley, Illinois, and upon him devolved the arduous task of converting the raw prairie into cultivable fields. In the early days he saw deer and wolves. He raised practically nothing the first
MRS. C. G. RYERSON
C. G. RYERSON
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two years, for his land was very wet and geese, brants and ducks ate up about all that was raised. With characteristic energy, however, he began to drain the fields and to make improvements thereon and he now has his place under a high state of cultivation, the farm being well tiled, while the latest improved machinery has been secured to facilitate the work. He now owns a place of one hundred and sixty acres, in the midst of which stands a valuable residence. In the early days he did most of his trading at Paxton and the roads at that time were often impassable, especially at the time of the spring rains. When he removed to his farm he built a little house there of one room, which was unplastered, but as the years have passed he has been enabled to add many comforts that go to make life worth living.
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