USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
Fraternally Mr. MeKinney is a Mason, having taken the degrees of the commandery and of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is recognized as one of the leading business men of Piper City. It is true that he entered upon a business already established but in enlarging and controlling this many a man of less resolute spirit would have failed. He has resolutely undertaken the tasks that have devolved upon him, however, and the capable management that he has displayed, combined with unfaltering diligence, show that success is not a matter of genius or of fortunate circumstances, as held by some.
ELBERT E. HILLS.
Elbert E. Hills is devoting his time and energies to the cultivation and improvement of a farm of four hundred acres on section 23, Mona township, and is also well known as a stock-raiser. He was born in Kendall county, Illinois, October 28, 1863, his parents being Austin and Cornelia (Vreeland) Hills, the former a native of New York and the latter of New Jersey. They came to Kendall county at an early day and the father, who was a harness- maker by trade, followed that pursuit through much of his life. He and his wife are now living in Kankakee county and are well known in this part of the state. In their family were six children, of whom Elbert E. is the eldest, while the others are: Levi M. and Frederick P., both residents of Kankakee county; Henrietta, the wife of John Iukster, a resident of Herscher; Leroy W., also a resident of Herscher; and one deceased.
The boyhood and youth of Elbert E. Hills were passed in a manner similar to that of most boys of the period. He remained with father until he reached manhood, in the meantime acquiring his education in the public schools. When he had attained adult age he started out in life for himself and worked by the month for three years. He next rented a farm for fourteen years, after which he married and established his home where he now resides. The
544
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Hills was in her maidenhood Miss Emma Dancer. She was born in Ford county and is a daughter of John and Mattie Dancer. She owns eighty acres of the farm on which they live on section 23. Mona township. The place comprises four hundred acres and the soil is rich and productive, responding readily to the care and labor which is bestowed upon it. In addition to the production of the cereals best adapted to the soil and climatic conditions. Mr. Hills also makes a specialty of raising stock and fine grades of cattle are seen upon his place, while his sales annually reach a large figure.
Mrs. Hills is a graduate of the Onarga Seminary and also of the Northern Indiana Normal College at Valparaiso. She has likewise studied music and is a lady of broad and liberal culture. Her father died in 1894, leaving a wife and two children to mourn his loss, and Mrs. Dancer is now living in Cullom, Livingston county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hills have been born three children : John Russell D., Irene M. and Milton Albert, but the last named is now do- ceased.
The parents attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church and are people of genuine personal worth, enjoying in large measure the friendship and high regard of those with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr. Hills is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge. No. 612, at Herscher. He has served as school director for several years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. His political allegiance has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hills are widely and favorably known in this locality and their home is justly celebrated for its gracious and warm-hearted hospitality.
FRANK STADLER.
Frank Stadler owns and cultivates a well improved farm of one hundred fourteen and a half acres on section 1, Brenton township. His entire life has been passed in this county, his birth having occurred on the 4th of March, 1870, on a farm seven miles southwest of Piper City. There he resided continuously until 1905, when he came to his present farm, which he had purchased the pre. vious year. He is a son of John and Katharine (Valendor) Stadler, who were natives of Germany. The father came to America with his parents when eleven years of age and the family home was established on the uubroken prairie of
MR. AND MRS. FRANK STADLER
547
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
Brenton township, Ford county. Here he aided in turning the first furrows on the farm and planted the first tree. As the years went by he brought his place under a high state of cultivation, having one hundred and sixty acres on section 30. Brenton township. To this he added from time to time until he was the owner of a valuable property of three hundred and sixty acres, all in one patch on sections 30 and 31. It continued his place of residence until his death, which occurred in September, 1884, when he was but forty-nine years of age. He bought his first land at twelve dollars per acre and it was many times worth that sum when he was called from this life. A most industrious and energetic man, he labored untiringly in tilling the soil and as the years passed gained a gratify- ing measure of snecess which was proof of his well directed labor and sound business judgment. He belonged to the Lutheran church, of which Mrs Stadler was also a member. She still survives him, resides in Piper City and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
In their family were the following named: Jacob, now living in Piper City ; Louis, who died at the age of twenty-six years; Katie, the wife of Fred Risto of Piper City; Frank of this review; Helen, the wife of Joseph K. Montelius, also represented on another page of this work; Samuel, a resident of Livingston county, Illinois ; Elizabeth, the wife of Ferdinand Luther of Piper City ; Charles, also of Piper City; Anna, the wife of George Montelius; and William who died at the age of nineteen years. By a former marriage the father had two children : George, now living in California, and John, whose home is in Chicago.
In taking up the personal history of Frank Stadler we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this locality for he has always lived in Brenton township, As a boy he was occupied with the du- ties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the home farm and lessons of industry and integrity were early instilled into his mind and have borne fruit in his business career. Since attaining his majority he has worked at farm labor and his present place of residence indicates his careful supervision for it presents a most attractive appearance, being a well improved place of one hundred fourteen and a half acres on section 1. He has remodeled and added to the buildings and has made many other substantial improvements. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and rich harvests annually reward his efforts.
In 1895 Mr. Stadler was married to Miss Anna Jacobsen, who was born in Denmark in 1872 and came to Piper City in 1891 with friends, her family re- maining in the old country. Mr. and Mrs. Stadler are now members of the Second Presbyterian church of South Brenton, of which he is serving as an elder
548
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
and in the moral development and progress of the community they are deeply interested. llis political support is given the democracy. For eight years he has served as school director and has done effective work in behalf of the cause of education, of which he is a stalwart champion.
CLAUS H. REITZ.
Clans HI. Reitz, who owns a valuable traet of land of two hundred and forty acres .on sections 20 and 17. Wall township, is one of the worthy sons that Germany has furnished to the United States. his birth having occurred in Ilolstein on the 24th of May. 1855. His parents. Andrew and Margaret (Beck) Reitz, were both natives of the fatherland the former still living in that country, his wife having passed away in 1905. They were the parents of eight children, namely : Claus H., of this review ; Frederiek and Christian, both of whom are deceased; Anna, who became the wife of Henry Powerson and makes her home in Germany; John, who has also departed this life; Hans, also living in Germany; Maggie, the wife of Herman Weist, of Germany; and one who died in infancy.
Claus H. Reitz pursued his education in the common schools of his native Jand and after he had attained his majority served as a soldier for three years in accordance with the laws of his country. In 1880, however. he crossed the ocean to the new world, being desirous of testing the truth of the favorable reports which he had heard regarding the excellent business opportunities which were here offered. On his arrival in the United States he located first at Gibson City, Ford county, Illinois, where he was employed by the month for three years; on the expiration of that time he operated a rented farm for thirteen years. He then purchased eighty acres of land but subsequently traded that traet for one hundred and sixty acres in Sullivant township, and in 1899 he traded the latter traet for three hundred and twenty aeres in Iroquois county, Illinois. After living in that county for two years he sold his farm there and bought two hundred and forty aeres on sections 17 and 20, Wall township, Ford county, where he has sinee made his home and which he has partly improved. When he arrived in this country he had but one hundred dollars but as the years have passed by he has prospered, owing to his well directed labor and capable business management, and is now numbered among the substantial and enterprising agriculturists of Ford county.
549
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
Mr. Reitz has been married twice, being first wedded in Germany, in 1879, to Miss Anna Rahr, by whom he had two children: Christina, the wife of Mat Stafgan, of Wall township; and John, at home. In 1887 he was married to Miss Lena Borgers, also a native of Germany, where her birth occurred in 1866. She came to America in 1886, and has become the mother of three children : William, Margaret and Albert, all at home.
Politically Mr. Reitz is a republican, while his religions faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, with which his wife is also identi- fied. For more than a quarter of a century he has been identified with the agricultural interests of this part of the state and has therefore been an active factor in the work of development which has transformed the region from a wild and uncultivated state into one of rich fertility and productiveness. He is numbered among those who left the fatherland to identify themselves with American life and institutions, who have pushed their way to the front and who are a credit alike to the land of their birth and that of their adoption.
SAMUEL J. LEFEVRE.
Samuel J. LeFevre of Gibson City, is a native of Little York, Ohio, born April 16. 1841, and belongs to a family originally of French Huguenot ancestry. His parents were W. C. M. and Martha (Jewett) LeFevre, the latter a daughter of Doctor Jewett, a physician of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. W. C. M. LeFevre was born in Miami county, Ohio, and in 1856 came to Ford county, Illinois, settling here at an early period in its upbuilding. He, too, was a member of the medical fraternity.
Samuel J. LeFevre acquired his education in the common schools of Indiana, accompanying his parents on their removal to that state in his boyhood days. When fifteen years of age he began working for his father on the home farm and in 1872 came to Gibson City, where he entered the lumber business, continuing in that field of merchandising for several years. Sub- sequently he established a coalyard, which he yet conducts. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land adjoining Gibson City.
Mr. LeFevre was a young man of twenty-one years when in response to his country's call he joined the Union army as a private on the 24th of July, 1862, and was assigned to duty with Company K, Seventy-sixth Illinois
550
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
Volunteer Infantry. He continued at the front until the close of hostilities. and was mustered out as corporal in 1>65. He was wounded in the foot in one of the engagements in which he participated. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg and in various battles of the war. He now belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He is also a member of Gibson Lodge. No. 733. A. F. & A. M .: Gibson Chapter. No. 1-3. R. A. M .: Gibson Council. No. 72. R. & S. M .: and Mt. Olivet Commandery. No. 35. K. T .. at Paxton. Prominent in Masonry. he served as district deputy grand master for four years and was grand master of the state for the Royal and Select Masters. His political allegiance has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. and his fellow townsmen. recognizing his worth and ability. have frequently called him to positions of public honor and trust. He has filled all of the city offices, including that of president of the board.
Pleasantly situated in his home life. Mr. Lefevre was married in 1866 to Miss Laura A. Carver. a daughter of David L. and Lorena (Nash Carver. Their children are: Marietta. now Mrs. Fulton, of Charleston. Illinois, and Anna J., who is secretary to the dean of education in the University of Chicago. A resident of Ford county from his boyhood days. Samuel J. LeFevre is well known here as a man whose record in military circles. in polities, in business and in social life commends him to the good will and respect of his fellowmen. and as such he deserves classification with the representative residents of this part of the state.
WILLIAM T. GASH.
William T. Gash was for many years actively identified with the agricul- tural life of Ford county. cultivating one hundred and twenty acres of land on sprtion 23. Peach Orchard township. but since 1903 he has lived retired in Melvin. still retaining possession of his farm property. however. from which he derives a good rental. Mr. Gash was born in Wilsford. Lincolnshire. Eng- land. his natal day heine June 3. 1637. His parents. Thomas and Mary Bullimore Gash, were likewise natives of Lincolnshire, where they spent their entire lives, the father passing away there in 1856. while the mother survived for a long period and died in Isss. at the advanced age of eighty years. Their
-
WILLIAM T. GASH
553
IHISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
family numbered four sons and four daughters. Thomas and Helen are in Australia. Charles is still a resident of his native land. The other members of the family, Ann, Robert, Edward and Ellen, are all deceased, Edward hay- ing passed away in Henry county, Illinois.
William T. Gash was reared in his native land and there acquired a very meager education, having attended school but three months. Ile has, however, added greatly to his knowledge through experience, reading and observation. At the age of fourteen years he secured employment as a footman, which eon- tinued to be his work until he attained his majority. Having heard favorable reports concerning the advantages to be enjoyed in America he then, in 1858, made his way to the United States, locating first in Henry county, Illinois, to which place he was accompanied by two cousins. He secured employment at farm labor, working in that way for two years. At the end of that time, feeling justified in embarking in business on his own account, he rented eighty acres of land and through the assistance of a friend he operated it until 1864, when he was married and established a home of his own. He had a house erected on the property which he rented and in that continued to make his home for several years but in 1869 he came to Ford county and purchased eighty acres of land. He later added a tract of forty acres and now owns one hundred and twenty acres in Peach Orchard township, situated on section 23, two and a half miles northwest of Melvin. Ile was here engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout a long period, or until 1903, when he removed ยท to Melvin, where he has since lived retired, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil.
As above stated, Mr. Gash was married in 1864, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah A. Bevins, who was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1844, a daugh- ter of William and Mary (Bott) Bevins, who were natives of England. They came to the United States in 1843, locating first in New Jersey, but in 1858 they made their way to Henry county, Illinois, where they passed away. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Gash has been blessed with two daughers and two sons: Elizabeth is the wife of William E. MeLaughlin, a resident of Melvin ; Clifford, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Cora married C. M. Foster, of Clarence, and they are on our subject's farm. Their eldest child, William H., died in 1898, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving a family of five children.
Mr. Gash gives his political support to the republican party. For the past twenty years he has filled the office of justice of the peace and has also been school director for a like period, while he was road commissioner for six years, township collector three years and township assessor three years. He
554
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church, while his fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a public-spirited man, ever ready to give his aid and cooperation to any movement which tends to benefit the community. Ilis record as a business man, as an official and as a private citizen has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
JOHN A. MAXWELL.
John A. Maxwell is now living retired in Gibson City, but for a long period was identified with agricultural interests in this section of the state, and by his well directed industry and capable management gained the success which now enables him to enjoy a well carned rest. He is one of Illinois' native sons, his birth having occurred in Tazewell county, near Danvers, on the 23d of December, 1857, his parents being Eli and Amanda (Hill) Maxwell. The father was born in Greene county, Ohio, and the mother was also a native of that state. She died when her son John was but six months old and the father, long surviving her, passed away about 1893. He became a resident of Illinois in 1852, at which time he located near Danvers in Tazewell county, where he followed farming. There he remained until called to his final rest at the age of seventy-six years.
John A. Maxwell was reared upon the old homestead farm and acquired his education in the district schools of McLean county, Illinois. He early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and on starting out in life on his own account, first rented land in MeLean county. He has also been identified with industrial pursuits and for several years operated a sawmill, while for twenty years he also engaged in threshing in MeLean county, owning a threshing machine. Purchasing land, he was for a long period successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and so conducting his business affairs that his interests returned to him a gratifying annual income. He is still the owner of five hundred acres of good land which he drained, putting in twelve miles of tile, and thus brought it into a rich state of fertility. He carried on the work of tilling the soil year after year and gathered rich erops until 1897, when he left the farm and removed to Hudson, where he lived for several years. About 1900, however, he came to Gibson
555
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
City and purchased the Damman home, which is one of the finest residences of the city. He also owns another house and lot here, and from his farming property he derives a good income. In 1906 he rented his place, which was devoted to the raising of stock and grain while he resided upon it.
In March, 1879, Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Fay, a daughter of Dr. Louis Fay, who died in Florida about 1897, after having lived there for fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell have become the parents of six children: Lillian, who is the wife of William R. Greer, a farmer living near Woodford in MeLean county, Illinois; Bessie, the wife of Rollie B. Price, who carries on general farming north of Bloomington; Mahala, the wife of Roscoe Moore, who is engaged in farming about four miles southwest of Gibson ; Mollie, Ruth and Bryan, all at home.
Mr. Maxwell has been called to some local offices, serving for four terms as collector in his township before his removal from the farm. He is a member of the Lotus Club of Gibson City, and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. Ile is a man of broad mind, of genial nature and social qualities, and wins friends wherever he goes, while he and his family are held in the highest esteem by those who know them.
WARREN O. SANDERS.
Warren O. Sanders, who since the 1st of June, 1903, has been owner, editor and publisher of the Roberts Herald, was born in Lowell, Indiana, February 18, 1866, and is a son of Charles II. and Abigail (Sanders) Sanders. The mother was also a native of Lowell, while the father's birth occurred in Wood county, Ohio. He and his wife, however, now reside near Lowell. Their family numbered four sons and a daughter, of whom Warren O. Sanders is the eldest. Hle remained in the neighborhood in which his birth occurred until twenty-four years of age and attended the district schools. IIe prepared himself for teaching and, desirous of further educational develop- ment, he became a student in the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute. For eighteen years he successfully engaged in teaching, having the ability to impart clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he has acquired. For six years he was a teacher in West Creek township, Lake county, Indiana, and one year in Kankakee county, Illinois. He also taught for a short time near Winamae, Indiana, after which he resigned and for five years was a teacher
556
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
in Piatt county, Illinois, while for six years he was principal of the schools of Roberts. His labors here were effective and beneficial, as he promoted the standard of education and introduced practical methods wherewith to secure desired and advanced results. At length he determined to turn his attention to journalism and on the 1st of June, 1903, purchased the printing outfit and has since been editor of the Roberts Herald, which was established in 1898. Hle also prints the Melvin Transcript, established in 1893 and the Thawville Reporter, established in 1904. He has a well equipped office and makes a specialty of job work, and his paper and also his job office have a good patronage. The paper is conducted as a republican sheet and is published in the interests of Roberts and the locality, being devoted to the dissemination of local and general news.
Mr. Sanders was married October 7, 1894, to Miss Susannah Biser, who was born February 23, 1871, near Winamac, Indiana, her parents being Samuel and Esther (Miller) Biser, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father . still resides at Winamac but the mother is now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sanders have been born six children: Orth Biser, Esther, Fern, Clarence, Clara and Incile. All are yet living with the exception of Clarence, who died at the age of ten months.
Mr. Sanders is a stalwart champion of republican principles and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to office. He was township clerk for eight years and he also served on the school board and acts as its elerk. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and for five years has been clerk of the local camp. Ile also belongs to the Court of Honor, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Thawville and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is a gentle- man of strong mentality, who has made a success as an educator and is now capably conducting the Roberts Herald.
EUGENE HENRY GEORGE.
Eugene Henry George, identified with the farming interests of Rogers town- ship, his home being on section 22, indicates his progressive and enterprising spirit in the excellent and well kept appearance of his place. He is cultivating a half section upon which he has lived since January, 1902, devoting the farm
MR. AND MRS. E. H. GEORGE
559
IHISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
to the raising of grain and stock. He was born near Ottawa, Illinois, November 17, 1859, his parents being Newell P. and Thusy Ann ( Weeks) George.
The father was born in Sunapee, New Hampshire, July 23, 1832, a son of Worthen and Rachel (Emerson) George, representatives of old New England families, who traced their ancestry back to Scotland. Many representatives of the name lived in New Hampshire, and at one election twenty-three votes were cast by those bearing the name in one town. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, Elijah George, served as a soldier in the war of 1812. Newell P. George was afforded good educational advantages during the period of his youth, completing the high-school course. When he attained his majority he began teaching, following that pursuit for a time, after which he was employed in a mercantile establishment for five years, and it was during that time that he was married in 1855 to Miss Thusy Ann Weeks, who was born in Vermont in 1837 but at the time of her marriage was living in Massachusetts.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.