USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 47
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It was on the 5th of February, 1872, that Mr. Brown came to Henry county, establishing his home on a farm near the village of Osco in Osco township. There he lived for two or three years, after which he purchased his father's farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. Meeting with success in its culti- vation he afterward extended its boundaries by the additional purchase of eighty acres, and his time and energies were given to its further development and improvement until his demise. It became a valuable property, the fields being rich and productive, so that large harvests were annually gathered.
It was just before his removal to this county that Mr. Brown was united in marriage in Farmington, Illinois, on the 25th of January, 1872, to Miss Mat- tie E. Myers. She was born in Farmington township, Fulton county, June 15, 1848, a daughter of Henry and Maria (Eshelman) Myers. Her father's birth occurred in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, November 2, 1813, and there his youthful days were passed. He acquired his education in the subscription
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schools of that period while spending his boyhood in the home of his father, Val- entine Myers, who lived much of his life in Franklin county. His son Henry was but ten years of age at the time of the father's death. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Crill, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, and they were the parents of eleven children. Having arrived at years of maturity Henry Myers wedded Maria Eshelman, a daughter of John and Martha (Horsh) Eshelman, who were also natives of Franklin county, Pennsyl- vania, and of an old family of that state. The maternal grandfather came to this country from Germany. He reared his family in Franklin county, and his daugh- ter Martha became the wife of John Eshelman and the mother of eight children, namely : Samuel, John, Maria, Daniel, Abraham, Martha, Michael and Catherine. Of this number Maria gave her hand in marriage to Henry Myers and for thirteen years thereafter resided in Pennsylvania, where five of their children were born. Believing that better opportunities might be secured in the Mississippi valley, Mr. Myers, in 1848, brought his family to the middle west, floating down the Ohio river from Pittsburg to its junction with the Mississippi. Proceeding northward they arrived at Copperas Creek, Fulton county, Illinois, in the latter part of April, and Mr. Myers made investment in land, securing eighty acres in Farmington township, which he afterward sold. In time, however, he became one the extensive landholders of that section of the state, his possessions aggre- gating a thousand acres. He displayed sound judgment in his investment and good management in all of his business affairs, and not only did he win prosperity for himself but assisted his children in getting a good start in life.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henry Myers were born thirteen children. Isaac Newton, who married Sarah Elliott, now deceased, was a member of Company G, One Hundred and Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, thus giving his life in defense of the Union. John Wesley married Helen Vittum and resides in Champaign, Illi- nois. Joseph C., deceased, married Mary Switzer and lived in Canton, Illi- nois. David M., married Kate Burrows and is engaged in farming near Bushnell, Illinois. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in the same company of which his brother was a member and with his command took part in many hard fought battles. William Henry married Mida Kessler and is now a retired farmer of Canton. Daniel A., married Anna Negley and is a retired farmer of Wichita, Kansas. Henry William died in infancy. Mary C., died at the age of nineteen years. Mattie E., the wife of our subject, is next in order of birth. Adeline B. is the wife of William Norton, a farmer of Fairview township, Ful- ton county. Susan E., deceased, was the wife of Charles Mull, a farmer living near Wichita, Kansas. Amanda J., is the wife of Henry Cheek, a farmer near Bushnell, Illinois. Nancy M., died at the age of two years.
Mr. Myers was a member of the German Baptist church, and like those of the same faith his life was simple, straightforward and unpretentious. He was a thoroughly good man, kind and charitable toward all, and his unswerving hon- esty was a marked feature of his character. He was an uncompromising tem- perance man and was in hearty sympathy with the prohibition movement. In early life he was a whig and cast his vote for William Henry Harrison. His death occurred in 1895. His good wife, who was also a member of the Ger-
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man Baptist church, was called to her final rest in December, 1896. They were both buried in the Dunkard cemetery at Farmington, Illinois.
The entire period of their married life Mr. and Mrs. James M. Brown spent in Osco township, and here three children were born unto them: Mae E., who was born February 13, 1874; Roy Scott, who was born January 5, 1881, and attended Geneseo Collegiate Institute; and Frank H., who was born July 29, 1882, and completed his education in the same school. The death of the husband and father occurred May 4, 1893, after a year's illness. He left his family in very comfortable financial circumstances, and, more than that, he left to them the priceless heritage of a good name. Wherever known he was respected and honored for his substantial qualities of heart and mind, and at all times he was as loyal in his citizenship as when he followed the old flag on southern battle- fields. Mrs. Brown yet makes her home in Osco township and is yet a member of the Presbyterian church, to which her husband also belonged. During thirty- eight years' residence here she has become widely known and has an extensive circle of warm friends.
WILLIS FILLMORE EVANS.
Few residents of Phenix township have gained greater success along agri- cultural lines than Willis Fillmore Evans, a well known farmer and stock-dealer who makes his home on section 20, where he owns an excellent farm of one hundred and forty-five acres. A native of this township, he was born on May 20, 1865, upon the farm which is now his home, his parents being Thomas and Christina (Hershman) Evans. The family has long been represented in this district, the paternal grandparents, James and Lydia (Spaid) Evans, hav- ing come to Illinois from Pennsylvania at an early date, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Phenix township, where the grandfather eventually became a large landowner. His son, Thomas Evans, who followed agricultural pur- suits throughout his lifetime, purchased ninety-six acres of his father's property and later became the owner of still another farm in Phenix township. He was prominent in the affairs of the community in which he resided and was a stal- wart supporter of the republican party. He served one term as road commis- sioner, but otherwise was not an office-seeker, preferring to devote his time and attention to his personal interests. He married Lydia Spaid, a native of Pennsylvania. The maternal grandparents had been numbered among the pio- neers of Ohio and were also early settlers in Michigan prior to their arrival in Illinois. Thomas Evans, who a few years before his demise had retired from active business life, passed away on the 22d of November, 1891, while his wife's death occurred on the 27th of September, 1886. Their remains were interred in Pink Prairie cemetery, Phenix township. In their family were four children, of which Willis Fillmore, of this review, is the eldest. The others were: Alta M., residing in Kansas, where she is a teacher in the schools of that state; Charles G., who passed away at the age of fourteen years, his death being the result of
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a kick by a horse; and Thomas Millard, who is a farmer and stock raiser of Sterlingville, Alberta, Canada.
No event of especial importance came to vary the routine of life for Willis Fillmore Evans during the period of his boyhood and youth, which were spent in the usual manner of the country lad. He enjoyed the advantages of a good common-school education and after laying aside his text-books remained on his father's farm, assisting in the work of the fields and in the school of experi- ence gaining a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the best methods of carrying on agriculture. When twenty-two years of age he began working for his father by the month, and continued in that capacity until his twenty-fifth year.
On the 3Ist of December, 1890, in Phenix township, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Cora E. Sieben, a native of this township and the daughter of Val- entine and Caroline (Butzer) Sieben. Her mother was also born in Phenix town- ship, while the father was a native of Germany, coming to America, with his parents, Joseph and Abaline Sieben, at an early date.
Mr. Evans continued to reside with his father after his marriage and he and his bride began their domestic life upon the farm which is yet their home. He operated the homestead for his father until the latter's death, when he purchased the place at the administrator's sale. The farm which has been brought under a high state of cultivation, consists of one hundred and forty-five acres on sections 20, and 21, and in its midst stand substantial and commodious build- ings. The old house in which Mr. Evans was born still remains upon the place and is utilized as a storage and work room. The dwelling in which the family reside was erected by the subject's father, but Mr. Evans has since made many improvements upon it and it is now equipped with all the accessories and con- viences of a modern home. He devotes himself to general farming pursuits and also is an extensive stock-raiser, feeder and shipper, the latter branch of his business being a source of most gratifying remuneration to him. He has car- ried on his various affairs along strictly modern and up-to-date lines and his pro- gressive methods and excellent business ability have been the salient elements in a prosperity which has made him one of the substantial residents of Phenix township.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Evans has been blessed with one son, Glenn L., whose birth occurred on the 15th of September, 1894, and who is still a student in the public schools. In the public affairs of the community Mr. Evans has taken a very active part and is an influential and potent factor in local political circles. He is a stalwart supporter of republican principles, having cast his first ballot in 1888 for President Harrison. Since that time he has voted for every candi- date on that ticket, and has also been called to offices of responsibility and trust by his fellow citizens. During the years 1890 and 1891, he served as township collector and was also road commissioner for one year. He was then elected township assessor and served for five years, when he refused renomination. After two years, however, he was again elected and served for four years. He was elected school trustee in 1892 and has remained in that office to the pres- ent time. For one year he served on the township central committee and was sent as a delegate to the senatorial convention held in Galva in 1906, at which
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convention he supported Senator Baker. Throughout his incumbency in public office he has proved a very capable official, at all times proving true to the trust imposed in him and performing the duties that devolve upon him with an effi- ciency that not only brings credit upon himself but reflects honor upon his constituents. Preeminently a man of affairs, his has been a life of continuous activity which has been crowned with a most substantial success. He has ever kept well informed on all issues and questions of the day and that he is pro- gressive and up-to-date in his views is shown in the fact that in 1908 he pur- chased the first automobile in Phenix township. His entire life has been passed in this township and the fact that some of his warmest friends are those who have known him from boyhood is an indication that his salient characteristics are those which inspire confidence, trust and good will in his fellow citizens.
JUDGE CHESTER MYERS TURNER.
In no profession is there a career more open to talent than that of the law and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Unflagging application, intuitive wisdom and a determination to fully utilize the means at hand are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the stern conservator of justice. Possessing all the requisite qualities of the able lawyer, Judge Turner is now successfully practicing at the Henry county bar.
A native of Stark county, Illinois, he was born in Toulon, November I, 1861, representing one of the old and well known families of that district. His grandfather, Charles Turner, was a native of Delaware and of English des- cent. He married and had two sons and two daughters : Charles, Benjamin, Mrs. Mary Stowe and Mrs. Schockley. His father, Benjamin Turner, was a native of Dover, Delaware, born December 5, 1807, and in the year 1839 he arrived in Stark county, Illinois, at which time the greater part of the district was still a wild, unsettled and unimproved region. He bought the first lot in Toulon at a public sale of lots and put up the first residence and store there. He took an active part in shaping the history of the county during its formative period and at an early day served as sheriff and county collector, while later he filled the office of county treasurer and for sixteen years was postmaster of his town. He was one of the best informed men of the district, not only concerning mat- ters of local importance but also events of general interest. He was twice mar- ried, his first union being with Miss McWilliams, by whom he had a daughter Sarah H., who died at the age of fifty years. For his second wife Benjamin Turner chose Ruth A. Myers, a native of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Stark) Myers, who were also natives of the Keystone state, their marriage occurring June 2, 1857. She was one of a large family of children, only three of whom are now living, namely: Charles Myers, of Toulon, Illinois; P. H. Myers, of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania; and
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Ruth A. Myers, the mother of the subject of this sketch. One of her brothers died in the Mexican war, and another in the Civil war. The death of Benjamin Turner occurred March 21, 1887, when he was in his eightieth year, and his widow, who was born November 8, 1832, now resides in Toulon.
Judge Turner, who is the only survivor in a family of five children, the others having died in infancy was largely reared upon a Stark county farm and during that period attended the public schools. He was a member of the first class that was graduated from the Toulon high school on the 16th of May, 1879, while later he entered Knox College, at Galesburg, Illinois, and was there graduated in 1884. While remaining at home he took up the study of law in the office of the Hon. Martin Shallenberger, an old resident of Toulon and one of the best practitioners in Illinois. After thorough preliminary reading he was admitted to the bar in 1888 and practiced in Toulon for about two years. On the 30th of June, 1890, he came to Cambridge and has since been a practi- tioner at the Henry county bar save for the period of his service on the bench. He was elected judge of the county court on the 6th of June, 1899-the tenth anniversary of his marriage-and held the office for four years, his judicial ser- vice being characterized by all that marks the able jurist whose knowledge of the law is comprehensive, whose reasoning is sound and deductions logical. That he was correct in the application of the points at law is manifest in the fact that few of his decisions were ever reversed. Retiring from the bench he resumed private practice and is recognized as one of the leading attorneys in Henry county, his preparation of his cases being very thorough, while his presentation of his cause is always clear and forceful.
On the 6th of June, 1889, Judge Turner was married to Miss Emma E. Fol- lett, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Benjamin C. and Helen M. (Rhodes). Follett, natives of Ohio and Illinois respectively. The mother died in 1892 at the age of fifty years but the father still survives and now lives with his daugh- ter, Mrs. Turner. He served as an Ohio soldier in the Civil war. Unto him and his wife were born three children: Mrs. Turner; Plessie A., the wife of R. F. Peterson, living near Sedalia, Missouri; and John B., of Houston, Texas. Unto Judge and Mrs. Turner have been born three children: Helen M., now a sopho- more in Knox College, at Galesburg, Illinois; Ruth A., a scholar in the Cam- bridge high school; and Benjamin Follett, a little lad of six summers.
Judge Turner is a director in the Farmers National Bank. In community affairs he has long been prominent and influential and his cooperation has been a potent force for good in many lines of public progress. He is now serving for the eighth term as the president of the board of education, and while in Toulon he acted as justice of the peace for several years. He has likewise been president of the village of Cambridge and for four years served on the board of trustees. He has ever been fearless in espousing the principles in which he believes and never hesitates to avow his honest convictions. He is president of the board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church, and belongs to Cambridge Lodge, No. 49, A. F. & A. M., and Geneseo Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M., while in Scottish Rite Masonry, he has attained the thirty-second degree. He has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of Mahomet Temple of the Mystic Shrine, of Peoria. He likewise belongs to Cambridge Lodge, No. 199, I. O. O. F., and is a past grand
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patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Illinois and a past grand representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is likewise treasurer of the Department Council Patriarchs Militant of the state of Illinois and a major on the staff of the department commander.
THEODORE F. ERDMAN.
Theodore F. Erdman is a farmer, stock feeder and shipper of Geneseo town- ship. His home is on section 27, where he has about eighty acres of land, and on section 26 he has one hundred acres. His farm is, therefore, quite an ex- tensive one and is a valuable property, equipped with modern improvements, and it produces large crops by reason of the practical and systematic method of its cultivation.
Mr. Erdman is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having oc- curred in Edford township, January 13, 1871. He is a son of John and Anna (Hintz) Erdman. The father, a native of Germany, is now living in Edford township, where he has long made his home. In the family were nine children and the record is remarkable in that the circle remains unbroken by the hand of death. The sons and daughters of the household are: Theresa, the wife of Emil Meeske, who is living in Wyoming, Stark county, Illinois; Theodore F .; Emil, who married Emma Hollatz and lives in Geneseo township; Henry, who wedded Martha Miller and makes his home in Minnesota; Otto, who married Louise Kreger and lives in Edford township; Johan, who married Lena Krin- job and is a farmer of Edford township; Mary, the wife of Otto Miller, a resi- dent farmer of Edford township; and Arthur and Ella, at home.
To the occupation of the farm Theodore F. Erdman was reared, and les- sons of industry and perseverance were early impressed upon his mind and have borne good fruit in his later years. Through the winter months he at- tended the common schools and in the summer seasons he followed the plow or gathered the harvest. At twenty-one years of age he began to do for himself, making his start in the business world by working as a farm hand by the month, in which manner he was employed until about twenty-five years of age, saving during that period the sum of six hundred dollars. It is evident that he was careful in his expenditures, making no useless purchases, and that he was con- tinuously employed shows those whom he served found him diligent and capable.
On the 16th of April, 1896, Mr. Erdman was married to Miss Augusta Klewin, whose home was in Edford township, where she was born. She is a daughter of William and Paulina (Pommeramke) Klewin, who are still residents of Edford township. They were born, reared and married in Germany and in 1862 made the long voyage across the Atlantic to the new world. On the same ship sailed John Erdman, the father of our subject, who was then unmarried. Mrs. Erd- man, the wife of our subject, is the youngest of a family of ten children, of whom five reached years of maturity and are still living, namely: Julius, who married Mrs. Augusta (Steinke) Hannewald, and lives in Edford; Anna, the wife of Charles Hamann, a resident of Geneseo; Edward, who wedded Mary Fulrath
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and is located in Edford; Paulina, the wife of William Hamann, who is located in Galt, Missouri; and Mrs. Erdman.
About the time of his marriage Mr. Erdman rented a farm in Edford town- ship and there carried on general agricultural pursuits for four years. He after- ward removed to Phenix township, where he lived for nine years, and in 1908 came to his present home in Geneseo township, having one hundred and eighty acres of land on sections 26 and 27. He has here a comfortable home and good buildings and uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He rotates his crops and utilizes improved methods of farming and in all of his work is meeting with substantial success. He has engaged in thresh- ing for several years and became the owner of a thresher in 1904.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Erdman have been born three children: Roy, Herbert and Myrtle, the first two having been born in Edford township, and the last named in Phenix township. In his political views, Mr. Erdman is a republican with independent tendencies. He has served as road commissioner for three years and proved a capable and efficient officer, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which are capably directed and are winning him a very de- sirable competence. For three years he was a member of the state militia.
ISAIAH RICHMOND ( 1809-1899).
Isaiah Richmond, one of the early residents of Geneseo and for many years one of its most influential citizens, was born in Middleboro, Massachusetts, August 5, 1809. He was the youngest son of Benjamin and Abigail (Dean) Richmond and eighth in descent from John Richmond of Wiltshire, England, who is said to have been a descendant of the first Duke of Richmond. He traced his ancestry back through Benjamin, Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, John and John. John Richmond came to America about 1635, being one of the first purchasers of Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1637. "The family were large land- owners in the easterly part of the town and gave to a village in that section the name of Richmondtown, which it still bears. Walter Deane, also, his maternal ancestor, was one of the original purchasers of Taunton and Dean street was named in his honor. The descendants in both Dean and Richmond lines were stanch defenders of the colonies in the trying times of the Revolution.
Mr. Richmond, while a student at Scituate, Rhode Island, met Eliza Angell Fenner, also a student at the same seminary, whom he afterward married Octo- ber 28, 1833. She was a daughter of Jeremiah Fenner, of North Scituate, a descendant of Thomas Fenner, who came from England and died in Branford, Connecticut, in 1647, whose son Captain Arthur Fenner and his descendants were prominent in the history of Providence, Rhode Island, and who furnished two governors to the state. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Richmond lived about four years at the Richmond homestead in Middleboro, Massachusetts, when they removed to North Scituate, Rhode Island. Here at the Fenner homestead they resided for ten years and here were born three of their children: Mary Eliza,
ISAIAH RICHMOND
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who was born March 16, 1837, and died December 31, 1892; Joseph Warren, born February 20, 1840; and Edwin Adelbert, born October 4, 1842.
In 1835, Mr. Richmond first invested in land on the prairies of Illinois, in Tazewell county. Part of the land was purchased of residents of Tremont and part from the "Smithfield Western Emigrating Association" of Tremont. In November, 1839, he bought of the government one hundred and sixty acres in this vicinity, the papers bearing the name of President Van Buren. Mr. Rich- mond made two journeys to the west on horseback to look after his extensive landholdings-about one thousand acres in all-but not untill 1844, did he bring his family to the new country. He made a home for one year at Tremont, which place he left for Groveland near Peoria, where he lived till 1854. There were hard times in those days of "Wild Cat" money and is was difficult to ob- tain money sufficient to pay taxes on land. In Groveland, Mr. Richmond con- ducted a hotel which was maintained a temperance house. In that day the use of intoxicants was much more common than at the present time and it required great courage to thus go against public opinion, but he stood firmly by his convictions and thus by his example advocated the cause of temperance.
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