History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 53

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 506

USA > Illinois > Grundy County > History of Grundy County, Illinois > Part 53

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GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP.

A., Herbert M. and Nathan E. Mr. Coles was the first President of the Board of Trust- ces of Gardner, and was also the first Police Magistrate of that placo; has been Town Clerk about twelve years, and Township Trustee four terms: has had the commission of Notary Public about seventeen years, and is now serving his fifth term as Justico of the Peace: he has always been a strong temper- ance man; has been a member of the M. E. Church forty years, and has belonged to the Republican party since its foundation; his wife is a Presbyterian.

SAMUEL CHRISTY, farmer, P. O. Gard- ner, was born in Ireland November 5, 1833; is a son of James and Mary Graham Chris- ty, the parents of eight children-Robert, Ellen, John, Joseph, Thomas, Samuel and one deceased. Mr. C. spent but three weeks in the schoolroom. In 1853, he came to New York City, where he engaged at weaving, and afterward in a dry goods factory. In 1860, he came to Kankakee County, Ill., where he rented a farm for nine years; in the meantime, he bought forty-three acres, and kept adding until he owned 125 acres in Kankakee County, which he sold in 1875, and bought forty acres in Grundy County, where he now lives. He was married, in 1856, to Sarah McConnell; they have no children. He is making a specialty of breed- ing Norman horses and fast stock, having at this time two fino stallions of the above- named breed. When he settled in New York he had about $500, which, by frugality, has been increased until he ranks among those of excellent circumstances; he has reared two boys-Christopher and Michael Daily.

CYRUS M. EASTON, physician, Gardner, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, October 23, 1842, to Alexander and Hannah (Loe) Easton, he born in Franklin County, Mass.,

September 25, ISO1, a local preacher by pro. fession and also a farmer; his death occurred November 1, 1880; she, born in Oppenheim, N. Y., January 5, ISII, died December 7, 1943; she was the mother of six children, of whom the Doctor was the youngest child. During his early childhood, his time was employed in rendering what assistance he could to his parents upon the homestead farm and in attending the common schools of the county, where ho received the foundation of his subsoqnont education. At the ago of fifteen years, ho emigrated to the then far West, and eventually located in Grundy County, where he was engaged about three years as a farm hand; he then returned to Ohio and entered the Western Reserve Seminary, with a view of fitting himself for school teaching, which occupation he followed a part of the three years following, when not engaged with his studies. His literary education was com- pleted at the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington; commenced the study of modi- cino with Dr. J. D. Curl, of Mazon; attended his first course "of lectures at Ann Arbor. Mich .; completed his studies and received his diploma as an M. D. at Rush Medical College of Chicago, January 17, 1872, but had been practicing about five years provi- ous; came to Gardner in August, 1874, whore ho has the satisfaction of conducting a very successful practice. Being ambitious to keep abreast of his profession, the Doctor attend ed the practitioners' conrso at Chicago, in the spring of 1882, where he also received a diploma. He was married in Kankakee County, August 20, 1867, to Miss Mary Ann Armstrong, who was born in Calhoun County, Mich., September 13, 1813, to Wellington G. and Grace (Glass) Armstrong, he a native of New York, born in 1814, March 27, diod April 1, 1876; sho a native of England, born July 6, 1811, still living. Mrs. Easton is

BIOGRAPHICAL:

the mother of three children, viz .. Cora May, born July 10, 1869; Lena Almira, born Au- gust 19, 1870; Rufus Wellington, born Feb- ruary 11, 1875. During the rebellion, Dr. Easton entered the service, in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Illinois In- fantry, Capt. Barber, and served on detached duty as Clerk and Warden of the military prison at Columbus, Ky., until mustered out in 1864 Politically, he is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party.

ALCINOUS EASTON, farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, July 25, 1837; is a son of Alexander and Hannah (Lee) Easton; his education was limited to the common school of his native county. When seventeen years old, he left the homestead farm and engaged in school teaching and farming. In 1854, he came to Grundy County, Ill., and the following year went to Minnesota, where he remained about three years. After spending three years in Iowa, he returned to Grundy County, where he has since been engaged in farming. In Wisconsin, April 23, 1857, Mr. Easton mar- ried Miss Mary Jane Doan, who was born in Lake County, Ohio, October 25, 1841, is a daughter of Seth and Lucy (Francis) Doan, natives of Ohio, both deceased. By this marriage there were ten children, viz., Han- nah, wife of Daniel Showalter; Henry, Fred- erick, Allie, Howard, Minnie, Effie, Eva, Emery and Elmer; the three last mentioned are deceased. In 1875, Mr. Easton was granted a license to preach by the M. E. Church, and he is now one of the local preachers on the Gardner Circuit. Polit- ically, he is a Republican.

HARVEY ELDRED, furniture dealer, Gardner, was born in Milford, Otsego Co., N. Y., September 3, 1830, son of Robert and Phebe (Swartwout) Eldred, natives of New York State. The father, who is dead, was a

farmer and stock-dealer. Our subject is the eldest of six children, and received a common- school education; when eighteen years of age, he came with his parents to Illinois and located in Kendall County, where, November 25, 1848, he entered into partnership with his father and three brothers, and for six years they rented and worked land. Our subject then learned the trade of a mason, which trade he followed in Gardner from 1856 to 1871; he then purchased the furni- ture business of William F. Hastings; this he has since been engaged in. Our subject was married, in New York State, in October, 1848, to Miss Margaret Self, a native of En- gland, born in 1828; she is the mother of seven children-Dr. C. C. Eldred, of Braid- wood, Ill .; Mary A., wife of Charles Butler; Robert J .; Phoebe J., a school teacher; Hattie B .; Mary and Amy, both deceased. Mr. Eldred has held several town and county offices, such as Collector and member of the Town Board, of which he is now President. He commenced life asja poor boy, and is now in good cir- cumstances; was formerly a Democrat, but voted for Garfield, and will remain in the Republican party.

ROBERT FOSTER, retired farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born July 8, 1812, in Old Vir. ginia; he is a son of Vincent and Oma (Hick- man) Foster, natives of Virginia, and the parents of three children-Sarah, Robert and Vincent. The father was in the war of 1812. Robert attended school in the pioneer cabins, walking a distance of five miles. His father was killed in the war spoken of above, and the son was rearod by his grandfather Fos- ter. At the age of seventeen, he began for himself in rural pursuits for some time, and then engaged in a brewery at Zanesville, Ohio; he was married, November 28, 1834, to Malina, a daughter of Jesse and Mary (Toben) Smith; she was born April 5, 1813,

GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP.

and was one of seven children-Maranda, Ann, Malina, John, William, Eliza and Emily. Mr. Foster's union gave him six children, five of whom survive-George, a farmer of Benton County, Ind .; Sarah E., wife of Josiah Foreman, farmer, of MeLean County, Ill .; Mary A., the wife of Franklin Clark, she is deceased; Thomas J., in Color- ado; James M., married to Sarah Daniels, the result being two children, viz., Ella B. and Anna F .; he is also a farmer in Benton County; the last son is Robert J., farmer in same county. After marriage, our subject settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, and subsequently in Belmont and Washington Counties. In 1852, he settled in Mazon Township, Grundy County, Ill., where he bought sixty acres of improved land, which he sold in 1876, and has since retired to Gardner, his present residence. He and wife have been members of the M. E. Church for forty-five years, in which he has held office and has been Superintendent of Sabbath school in said organization. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson, and is now identified with the Ropublican party.

BRIGGS FULLER, retired farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born Jannary 27, 1824. in Son- eca County, N. Y., is a son of Jesse and Ra- chel Allen Fuller, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of New York; his great-grandparents, Allen, were of German descent, and emigrated at an early day, from Holland, to America ; his parents had five children-Leroy. Abel B., William W., Sarah MI. and Callista J .; the father was a ship car- penter; the parents were Methodists. Our subject attended school but little, and that in a log cabin. In his younger days, he worked at calking canal boats and ship-building. In 1960, he came West and engaged in farming, renting for three years, and then bought eighty acres in Grundy County, and has since

added forty acres, all of which is well im- proved and the attainment of his own labors, together with that of his estimable consort, whom he married in 1851. Her maiden name was Maranda Vanhouten, born April 2, 1832, and is a daughter of Aaron and Mary (Daily) Vanhouten, the former a native of Holland and the latter of New York. Her parents came to Grundy County about 1854, settling in Goodfarm Township, where her father died August 20, 1880; her mother is still living; she was one of seven children -- Betsey, Ann (deceased), Mary, Maranda, Jane (deceased), Sarah, William; her mother was a Methodist. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have no children; they have reared Mary, a daughter of Thomas Campbell, whom they took when four years old: they are also rearing Samuel N. West, a son of Mrs. F.'s sister, Jane (de- ceased). The father of Samuel was an early settler of this county. The grandfather Al- len was a blacksmith, and made the nails for the construction of the first house in the State of New York. Mr. F. votes the Repub lican ticket. Is now living in Gardner, ro. tired from farm labors.

LEWIS C. FULLER, farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, April 14, 1849, son of Alexander aud Almira (Gates) Fuller, natives of Ohio. The father was born in 1814, came to Illinois in 1866: is a retired farmer, living at Streator, Ill. The mother was born about 1S17, and has borne five children, all of whom are living. Our subject attended the colleges of Oberlin, Ohio, and Hillsdale, Mich .; ho remained upon the home farm until twenty-seven years of age, when he came to his present place of residence. He was married, in Gardner, July 10, 1979, to Miss Maggie Allison, who was born in Illinois May 11. 1856. Mr. Fuller is extensively engaged in the raising of blooded stock, both horses and cattle. He

BIOGRAPHICAL:

is a member of the fraternity of A., F. & A. M., at Gardner, and belongs to the Repub- Iicau party, of which he is a stanch supporter.

ROBERT GLASS, farmer. Mr. Glass was born in Monroe Township, Guern- sey County, Ohio, June 29, 1824, seventh child of a family of thirteen children born to Thomas and Rebecca (Storer) Glass. Thomas Glass, who was a farmer by occupa- tion, was born near Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1787; he lived in Guernsey County, Ohio, until May, 1852, when he moved with his family to Grundy County, Ill., where he died, near Gardner, on what is now known as the " Par- ker farm," March 22, 1853, his wife, who was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1793, died in Grundy County, Ill., February 22, 1853. Of their family of thirteen children, eight are deceased, six older and two younger than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Glass received a limited education, such as the subscription schools of that day afforded, at- tending from twenty to fifty days each win- ter season, until he attained his majority, when he began working the homestead farm on shares with his father, working in that way for about one and one-half years. No- vember 12, 1846, he married Mary Little, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, born De- cember 17, 1828, eldest child of a family of eight children, born to Francis and Rebecca (McDonald) Little. Francis Little, a native of Ireland, born of Protestant parents, came to America with his parents when nine years of age, and is now living in Guernsey Coun- ty, Ohio; his wife, who was of Scotch parent- age, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, and died in Guernsey County, Ohio. After his marriage, Mr. Glass rented a part of his father's farm, which he worked for two years, then, in the spring of 1849, moved to Grundy County, Ill., and settled on the farm near Gardner, now occupied by Mr. Blaney, which

he located by a land-warrant for $130. In the spring of 1865, he sold this place to Mr. Blaney for $4,000, and bought the east half of the same section, where he lived for about sixteen years, and, in the fall of 1881, sold out for $14,000, and moved to Kansas, where he purchased 640 acres of land, on which he intends to locate permanently; his wife also owns 100 acres of land in Carroll County, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Glass have been blessed with nine children, five of whom are deceased -Rebecca, born in Guernsey County, Ohio, January 21, 1848; Thomas Francis, born in Grundy County, Ill., June 16, 1850; George Little, born October 25, 1852, died April 21, 1874, Charles Wesley, born October 27, 1855, died April 5, 1871; Alice, born July 12, 1858, died Jannary 22, 1859; Robert Lincoln, born September 3, 1862; William Mordecai, born October 23, 1865; Andrew Jackson, born June 5, 1868, died June 29, 1868, and an infant daughter, born Febru- ary 3, 1861, died the same day. Of these nine children, all, save the eldest, were born in Grundy County, and all those deceased died in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Glass are members of the Methodist Church. He is a Republican.

LOUIS GERMAIN, stock and grain-deal- er, Gardner, was born in Clinton County, N. Y., in the year 1836 to Peter and Julia (Christian) Germain; the former was a na- tive of France, born in 1791; was an ore miner by occupation; died in Clinton County, N. Y., December 16, 1865; the latter was born in New York State in May, 1803, and died in 1863; they were the parents of nine children. Louis had to depend upon the common schools for his education, but with these chances and his natural ability, he was quite well prepared for business. He was a good accountant and an elegant writer. His first business for himself was that of clerk in

GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP.

a wholesale house at Goshen, Ind. Mr. Ger- main was married to Mary Adaline Stone, at Ligonier, Ind., Marchi 29, 1859; she was born in Noble County, Ind., October 11, 1841; was the daughter of Richard and Mary (Higgins) Stone, natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Harrisburg. Soon after the marriage of our subject, he moved to this county and rented a farm a half mile west of Gardner. Although his crops were good, yet owing to the low price of produre, his profits were small. In company with R. B. Huss, he kept, for a time, a dry goods and grocery store. For abont fourteen years, he has been buying and shipping stock and grain. He has been financially successful by his own industry and economy, making himself well to do. Such has been his record, that he en- joys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He has served the public as Constable and Deputy Sheriff, as Collector and Assessor, the latter for twelve years, and three years since, was elected Supervisor, which office he still holds. As a public serv- ant, he has been faithful to every trust. He went into the army, in 1864, as a private, Company D, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was promoted to be First Lientenant; was dis- charged at the close of the war. Mr. and Mrs. Germain havo four children living- Eva, Mabel, Grace and Guy. Mr. Germain belongs to no secret society. In polities, he is an active Republican, and has been since the formation of the party.

GEORGE GOODSON, farmer, P. O. Gardner, is a native of England, born Feb- rnary 20, 1833; he had very limited educa- tional advantages while young, but, after coming to America, in 1857, he taught him- self to read and write, and acquainted him- self with the common branches of education. The parents of our subject were John and

Lucy (Howett) Goodson, natives of England; he was a day laborer, and died in 1864. She, born March 12, 1813, is still living in Gardner; she is the mother of eleven chil- dren, of whom subject is the eldest. He came to Grundy County in 1859; enlisted in Company A. One Hundred and Twenty-sev- enth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served eight months; he was disabled while building barracks in Chicago. In Jannary, 1860, he married Margaret Snyder. born in 1840; she has borne him three children, viz., Mary, Frank and John. Mr. Goodson car. ries on a general farming business, and is a member of the Republican party.

E. W. HULSE, Postmaster, Gardner, was born April 3, 1842, in Trumbull County, Ohio; is a son of C. R. and Bethsheba (Foot) Hulse, natives of Ohio and parents of four children-Rosetta, E. W., Z. F, N. J .; the mother died in 1850, and the father came to Illinois in IS51, and was subsequently mar- ried to Mary Rice, the result being one child-Henry J. The father was married a third time, to Mary J. Rutledge, and by her was blessed with two children -Judson O. and Hattie; the father survived all his wives. Was a minister of the Protestant Methodist Church. Our subject began for himself at the age of nine, his mother having diod about that time; he worked on a farm at $4 per month. When the war broke out, he offered his services, but was refused. Later, he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-sixth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, for three years, and was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, which cansed his side to bo paralyzed; he was discharged August 9, 1862. In 1865, ho enlisted in Company F', One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and remained till the close. In 1866, was mar- ried to Mary A. Currier, a daughter of John and Anna Currier, nutives of Pennsylvania,

BIOGRAPHICAL:

and parents of James, I. Lewis, Arvilla, Amanda and two deceased. Mr. H. had three children as a result of his marriage-Nelson W., Eben R., Ira N .; his wife died May 14, 1877, and he was again married, in 1878, to Elizabeth A. Wartmau, resulting in one child-Mary L. Ho engaged in the hard- ware business in Gardner under the firm name of Pratt & Hulse, for five years, and was successful. He has held several minor offices; has run for. County Superintendent of Livingston County one term. He was ap- pointed Postmaster at this place, November 10, 1879, which position he still holds. The life of Mr. H. has been one mixed with trials; he hobbled around on crutches for several years, and managed to attend the Western Reserve Seminary, at Farmington, Ohio, for two years; he is a Baptist, while his wife is of the Christian Church. He votes the Republican ticket.

ROBERT HOUSTON, retired farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born in Ireland August 14, 1809; he is a son of John and Jane (Gibson) Houston. The father died in Ireland and the mother in New York; they were .he par- ents of nine children-Ellen, Jane, Will- iam, Robert, James, John, Mary, Alexander and Thomas; the parents belonged to the First Baptist Church of Ireland. Robert had but little chance of attending school; his father died when he was small, and, at the age of eleven, he had to take charge of the family; he came to America in 1831, set- tling in New York City, where he engaged in weaving, manufacturing cotton goods; he followed weaving for twenty years; he saved enough aside from keeping his family to have $1,000 left when coming to Illinois. He was married, in 1837, to Mrs. Elizabeth Murphey, a daughter of Thomas Shaw, which union blessed him with nine children- Eliza, the wife of D. Morris; John, who

died in the late war; Robert, wounded on the Red River expedition, losing his right leg; Thomas, wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Shiloh, taken prisoner by the rebels and confined in the hospital at Mobile, Ala., and Andersonville for nine months; Ann, Mary, William, Ellen and Martha. Mr. H. bought 160 acres of land in Braceville Town- ship on coming here, for $165, which he afterward traded for 160 acres in Greenfield Township, which he still owns; this land is located on Section 14; he has retired from the rural pursuits of life, being located in good property of his own in Gardner. He and wife are active members of the Baptist Church, in which he has always held office, and is now Deacon. The financial interests of said organization have always been blessed by the relationship of Mr. Houston, he hav- ing donated largely to the construction of two churches at this place, one of which was consumed by fire. He is an unfaltering be- liever in the Savior of mankind, and shows by his walks his faith. He votes the Repnb- lican ticket.

RICHARD B. HUSS, merchant, Gardner, was born June 24, 1836, in Hocking Coun- ty, Ohio, son of Jacob and Ellen (Boyd) Huss, natives of Pennsylvania, he a farmer by occupation, dying in 1841, aged sixty- three years; she, in 1865, aged sixty-three years; she was the mother of nine children. When our subject was five years old, he was taken by his mother to Wells County, Ind .. where he learned the trade of harness-making. He first commenced business in Newark, Ken- dall Co., Ill., where he remained seven years. In 1863, he removed to Gardner and contin- ued in the harness business one year, and then enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Loveday; he remained in the service ten months, and then resumed his former

GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP.

trade, which he followed until 1866, whon he commenced dealing in butter and eggs. In 1872, he, with a partner, commenced general merchandising, under the firm name of Germain & Huss. In 1874, he purchased Mr. Germain's interest, and continued the business on his own account. In 1879, he sustained a loss by fire of about $12,000; he does a business of about $60,000 per annum. Mr. Huss has been twice marriod-first, in 1856, to Miss Rachel A. Crumley, who died in January, 1872, leaving six children-El- len E., Huldalı A., Harriet J., Nora E., Cora A. and William S. Mr. Huss was again married, in 1874, to Miss Francos M. Waters, born in Grundy County in 1852, and two children have been born to them -Howard and Maggie. Mr. Huss is a member of the M. E. Church, and a Republican.

STACEY E. HARTLEY. farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, June 1, 1839, son of Stacey and Mary (Wait) Hartley, natives of Ohio; he died in August, 1839; was a hotel-keeper; she was born in 1805, and is still living. Our sub- ject was one of a family of nine children, and received such an education as the com- mon schools of his nativo place afforded. In 1850, he came to Grundy County with George Willis, his brother-in-law, and engaged with him three years in farming, after which he labored on the railroad for one year. In 1855, he went to Iowa, where he remained three years, then settled in Gardner and en- gaged in farming. During the rebellion, our subject served for three years in Com- pany D, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with Capt. Chandler, the regiment being commanded by Col. Van Arnam. After returning from the war, Mr. Hartley resumed agricultural pur- suits, near Gardner, where he has remained since, upon his farm of 190 acres of good

land, all in a good state of cultivation. He makes no specialties, but grows the usnal farm crops and raises some stock. Mr. Hartley was married, December 19, 1868, to Rose Butterfield, born in Pennsylvania April 3, 1847; she is the daughter of Joseph and Susan Butterfield, both deceased. By this marriage, thero is one child -- Carrie, born October 25, 1870. Mr. Hartley bas been School Director, is a member of the Repub- lican party.

GEORGE W. HIBNER, farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born in Richland County, Ohio, November 16. 1840, son of Jolin and Nancy (Kurtz) Hibner, he a native of Ohio, born in 1814, a farmor by occupation, and lives near Joliet, Ill .; she, born in Penusyl- vania in 1816, is still living and the mother of thirteen children, twelve of whom are liv- ing. Our subject came to Illinois with his parents in 1847, received a common-school education and assisted his parents on the farm. In 1870, he came to Grundy County, where he has since been engaged in raising stock and carrying on general farming. He was married, in Will County, Ill., April 12, 1866, to Almeda Eibe, born in Will County July 29, 1849; she is a daughter of George and Mary Ann (Zumault) Eibe. Mr. and Mrs. Hibner have been blessed with soven children, viz., Lowis A., Clara A., Mary A., George J., Emma A., Virginia I. and Jolin A., the latter deceased. Mr. Hibner has been School Director about twelve years; he and wife are connected with the Wesleyan Moth- odist Church. Politically, Mr. Hibner has always been independent until lattorly ho has been identified with the Republican party. He commenced lifo a poor man, and, by his industry, has accumulated a property of 400 acres of Innd, well stocked and cultivated.

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History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 53

Author: Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin Number of Pages: 506

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 506