History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources, Part 119

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 119

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Ephraim S. Hamilton (deceased) was in all probability the greatest trader, the most energetic and successful business man ever in Ash Grove township. He was born on the Atlantic ocean, January 12, 1827. In their voyage to America the family were shipwrecked, and after many days of worry, fright and fear, reached New York some time before the 1st of February. His father's name was Edward L., his mother's Rose Ann, and they were both born in Ire- land. Mr. Hamilton's father was engaged a few years at farming in Pennsylvania, also near Springfield, Ohio. From this place they moved to Lebanon, Indiana, where both lived to an honored old age, and died. Mr. Hamilton learned the cooper trade when but eighteen years of age, and as soon as he was master of all matters connected with this employment erected a shop in Lebanon, operat- ing it about five years. From here he moved to Vermilion county, Indiana, near what is now Rossville, in Jordan township, purchasing 160'acres. This he improved and had under a fine state of cultivation, when, thinking advantages superior in Illinois, he came to Iroquois county in the fall of 1855, and preëmpted a quarter-section about seven and a half miles northeast of the village of Loda. To this he continually added, until a half-section belonged to lıim. Mr. Ham- ilton in the course of five years became disgusted with prairie life, and June 26, 1860, traded his farm of 160 acres for Mr. Boggs' saw- mill in Glenwood. Here he labored for some time withi unrelenting energy, until he engaged in the business to which he was naturally adapted, general trading, buying and shipping stock. At this he was eminently successful, and gradually accumulated a handsome property, among which was a fine homestead of 500 acres, upon which the family now live, in Sec. 19. In 1867 Mr. H. purchased a half interest in Mr. Harvey's store, and in 1870 the whole of it

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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

passed into his hands, and remained so until his death, June 13, 1876. He was formerly a whig, but a republican from the birth of the party until his death. He was also a truly christian gentleman and a Mason, joining that order at Williamsport, in 1852. Mr. Hamilton was married October 27, 1850, to Celia B. Miller, at Leb- anon, Indiana, by which union he became the father of six children, three of whom are still living, Mary Anna, Walter L., Francis E., Rosa S., Isaac M. and Edna.

Robert Clifton, farmer and stock-raiser, Woodland, although not a very early settler, is a fine representative of the northeast corner of Ash Grove. He was born in Warren county, Indiana, near Attica, February 26, 1838, and lived with his parents until he devel- oped fully into manhood, obtaining quite a liberal education. He moved to Iroquois county in the fall of 1865, settling on Sec. 1, T. 25, R. 13, where he now has a large farm, 273 acres in all, finely improved, and preparations far advanced toward building a stately addition to his house. He was married to Miss Nancy C. John, November 17, 1867, who is the daughter of the venerable Lemuel John, an old pioneer who settled in Iroquois county south of Watseka, while the Indians still inhabited the timber along the creek in what is now Belmont township, and who died November 30, 1851, his wife living until May 11, 1867. Mrs. Clifton is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Clifton is the father of two children : Sarah F. and Mary C., aged respectively ten and seven years. In poli- tics he is a democrat, casting his first vote for the "Little Giant" Stephen A. Douglas. He is also a member of the Watseka Masonic fraternity, having joined that lodge in December, 1873, and has held the unthankful office of school director for four years.

Emmet Clements, farmer, Onarga, is a man who has spent a large portion of the best years of his life in the service of his country, and to say it was not spent nobly would be casting a reproach upon her fair and honored name. He was born July 12, 1841, in Sullivan county, New York, where his early years were spent upon a farm and in school. At the age of eighteen, with his parents, he moved to Liberty Village, where he spent his time preparing for a higher course of study, intending to enter Lafayette College in the fall of 1861 ; but on the call for protectors of his country, a sense of duty and love of patriotism prompted him to sacrifice his love for a college education, home and friends and start for the tented field ; enlisting at Liberty, Sullivan county, New York, October 1, 1861, in Co. F, 56th N. Y. Vol. He was mustered out October 11, 1864. His principal engagements were the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks,

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Wade's Farm, Savage's Station, Bottoms Bridge and Malvern Hill. Mr. Clements, being a civil engineer by profession, served the last year of the war, and up to the winter of 1867, in that capacity, sur- veying the lands purchased by the government for taxes. He also took the topography of the country around Port Royal, North Caro- lina, and assisted in laying out the fort at this place; and while here engaged in looking through a telescope, was seriously wounded, which was pronounced at the time by an eminent surgeon to be fatal, · but through good care he gradually recovered. In the winter of 1867, while on his way to some western territory to engage in a sur- vey he was taken sick at Sycamore, Illinois, where he had stopped to visit friends, and, as soon as he was able to move about, resigned his position to accept a situation as cashier in the bank of Pierce, Dean & Co., of Sycamore, which was then doing a thriving busi- ness, having an average yearly deposit of $150,000. In a year's time his health again failed him, and he was compelled to give up

all work of a sedentary character. Farming was chosen, and in February, 1868, he purchased a farm on Sec. 1, T. 25, R. 14, where he now has a home of 500 acres. Mr. Clements, in political belief, is an independent republican ; was appointed school treasurer for T. 25, R, 14, November 1, 1874, which position he now holds, and was elected supervisor in the spring of 1876, honorably serving his town one term. He is a man who has seen much of the world, and is wide awake to all matters of public concern, and an excellent citizen.

Samuel Washburne, farmer and stock-raiser, Milford, is an un- compromising enemy to all kinds of hypocrisy, show and deceit, and a thorough business. man. He was born August 9, 1838, in Granby, Oswego county, New York, on a farm, where he lived with his parents until twenty-one years of age. The summer of 1860 was spent in Saginaw, Michigan, lumbering, where he held the posi- tion of sawyer in the mill of John Taylor. In the fall he returned to New York, and was engaged as superintendent in his brother's inill at Battle Island until the fall of 1861, and from this on till the fall of 1862 was engaged in threshing and various other occupations, when he was employed at New Haven, New York, until June, 1863, at which time he returned to Granby and assisted in building and running a steam saw-mill. This fall he was again threshing, while the following winter and a portion of the summer were spent in the mill (as superintendent) which he assisted in building. July 12, 1864, he arrived at Bristol, Kendal county, Illinois, prospecting, his family reaching him August 16 following. His stay in this neat little

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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

village was short, for in November of the same year he settled in Plano, Illinois, and in the winter was engaged in lumbering and milling. Near this place he commenced farming, and followed that occupation with splendid success four years. March 4, 1869, Mr. Washburne arrived in Iroquois county, settling on Sec. 14, T. 25, R. 13, where he still lives, owning the S. } of the section. December 30, 1860, he was married to Miss Jane A. Lee, at Hannibal, New York. They have four children living: Flora E., born October 9, 1862 ; Jesse L., January 14, 1865; Netta May, February 3, 1867; Char- lotte E., September 20, 1868. He has also living with him his brother's child, George T., who was left an orphan at four years of age. He has been school director ever since he has been in the county, save six months ; was elected commissioner in the spring of 1874. · He is a firm republican, casting his first presidential vote for Lincoln in 1860.

James Crangle, farmer, Woodworth, is a man of stern will and untiring energy. He was born March 17, 1832, in Down county, Ireland, and left with his parents for America when but nine years of age and settled near Morris, in Grundy county, Illinois, where he resided until he came to Iroquois county, March 4, 1869. On August 10, 1862, Mr. Crangle enlisted in the 72d Ill. Vol., under Col. Fred. Staring, being the first regiment fitted out by the board of trade in Chicago. His first engagement was Champion Hill, and on the 19th of May at the charge of Vicksburg, also on the 22d. He was also in the battle of Franklin and several skirmishes. He was married, November 29, 1855, to Miss Bridgett Farrell, at Brook- field, La Salle county, Illinois, to whom eleven children have been born, five boys and six girls. Mr. Crangle has held several im- portant public offices. He was first elected a justice of the peace in 1860, in Grundy county, and held the office for eight years; and after his settling in Ash Grove township, where he has a good home of a quarter of a section, he' was elected supervisor in the spring of 1878, and again in 1879, still representing his town honorably on the county board. To Mr. Crangle is due the honor of settling the railroad bonds so satisfactorily to a majority of the citizens of his town. His first majority was 102, being the largest ever received by any candidate for that office in his town, the issue being the enjoining of the payment of the bonds. He is a democrat, casting his first vote for James Buchanan. His father died in 1850, and his mother, in Ireland, in 1863, having gone back to that country to live the remainder of her days.

Enoch Lindley, farmer, Ash Grove, the leading representative of

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the Friends' church in Ash Grove, is a most exemplary character, and a kind-hearted, social christian gentleman. He was born in Orange county, Indiana, near Paoli, on a farm, September 16, 1828, where he lived with his parents on one of the finest farms of 400 acres in that section of country, until the spring of 1857, when, with his family, he moved to Hendricks county, Indiana, eighteen miles west of Indianapolis, and near Belleville. Here Mr. Lindley engaged in farming and with splendid success until the spring of 1865, when he came to Iroquois county, and settled on 80 acres in the'N. ¿ of Secs. 14 and 40 in the S. ₺ of Sec. 11, T. 25, R. 14, and has since built him a very convenient dwelling. Near Paoli this excel- lent gentleman received his early education in the country school, attending about three months each year, in the winter, until he ar- rived at the age of twenty-one years. In the fall of 1851 he commenced at the high school, now known as Earlham College, at which place he pursued a splendid, practical course of study for fourteen months in succession. From this time forward previous to his moving to Hendricks county, in the summer, he was engaged at farming, and averaged a four-months school each winter teaching. Mr. Lindley was married, September 19, 1855, to Miss Malinda Bales. By this union they have been blessed with four children, all living : Charles E., Flora E., Ida B. and Clara May. In political faith he is a staunch republican, formerly a whig, casting his first presidential vote for General Scott. He is a member of the Society of Friends, as is also his hospitable wife, and has held at different times various important offices in the church.

George Sinderson, farmer, Onarga, can well claim the honor of having one of the neatest homes and farms in the township, which has all been made through the economic saving of a once poor boy. He was born January 12, 1830, in the pleasant little village of Alk Borough, England. Living here with his parents until his fourteenth year he began work for himself, at the paltry sum of one dollar per . month. This was continued with constantly increasing wages until he had arrived at the age of twenty-four. In October, 1853, thinking free America was the proper home for poor industrious young inen, he started for the great republic, but owing to a wreck about 1,200 miles out from shore, they returned to their native land after many severe trials and weary days. Upon his arrival Mr. Sinderson was employed as foreman of a large tenant farm, which position he held until his successful attempt to reach America. Landing in Phila- delphia June 20, 1856, after a few days' sickness, he pushed on to Logan county, Illinois, near Lincoln, at which place he was engaged in

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farming fourteen years, coming to Iroquois county February 8, 1870, where he had purchased the N.W. ¿ of Sec. 12, T. 25, R. 14. Mr. Sinderson's education in school was such as could be obtained a few winters prior to fourteen years of age. He was married in Crossby, England, May 17, 1853, to Miss Ann Wright, and is now the father of eight children. Evelina is dead, while Charles E., William H., George W., Jane E., Thomas N., Mary A. and Kate are all living. He is a member of the M. E. church, and for many years held the offices of steward and class-leader, and has been school director and road commissioner. Mr. Sinderson was thoroughly imbued with the principles of the republican party before coming to this country, and since his naturalization has been an earnest sup- porter of that organization.

If there is one man more than another in Ash Grove township possessed of an iron will and a terrible energy, capable of surmount- · ing every difficulty that arises before road commissioners, that man is Edward Stimpson, farmer. He was born January 30, 1836, in Sutton, upon the river Trent, in Nottinghamshire county, England. His father was a day laborer, who, thinking his advantages would be improved, brought his family to America, landing in New York Oc- tober 1, 1850. From here they went to Albany, where Mr. Stimpson was hired to a weaver, where he was engaged in weaving coach lace at one dollar per week, but by application and a sturdy energy in less than a year his wages were raised to one dollar per day. In the fall of 1851 he went to Geneseo, New York, where he was engaged in blacksmithing and various other occupations. In the fall of 1854 he came to Aurora, Illinois, where he was engaged as a farm hand. At this place his father was seriously injured by the cars and was dis- abled for many weeks. The task of supporting a large family now devolved upon young Edward, but it was performed faithfully and willingly. In the spring of 1860 he moved to Lockport, Will county, Illinois, and renting a farm of Ichabod Codding, the great anti- slavery agitator, followed that occupation four years. He next farmed in DeKalb county, and afterward moved to Plano, Kendall county, where he was engaged in raising small fruits, coming to Iroquois county in the spring of 1870, renting for a while, and now owns the N.W. ¿ of Sec. 11, T. 25, R. 13. He was married, December 24, 1858, to Miss Mary Cox, at Aurora, Illinois. They now have nine children : Jesse B., Anna E., Thomas R., Fannie R., Hallie L., Sallie P., Susie E., Celia C. and Edna E. He and his wife are members of the M. E. church. He is a republican, casting his first presidential vote for A. Lincoln in 1860. He was elected commis-

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sioner in 1877, and received the nomination of his party in 1880 for the same office.

August Lucke, farmer and stock-raiser, Woodworth, is a man pos- sessed of a high moral character, a finely organized brain, and a man whose influence in Ash Grove political affairs is felt on every side. He was born October 4, 1828, in Hesse, Germany, at which place he lived until he arrived at the age of eighteen years. Coming to America with his parents he landed in Chicago, July 6, 1847. Mr. Lucke's father was acquainted with a Hessian who fought in the American revolution, and was constantly telling of the advantages in America. He was also acquainted with a gentleman of consider- able means, who had several times shipped sheep to this country, always bringing back glowing accounts of free America, which Mr. Lucke thinks influenced his parents, to a certain extent, to emigrate. Upon his arrival in Chicago young August hired to a milkman for $6 per month. Here he remained one year, when, thinking a couple of years as clerk would be of lasting benefit to him, he hired to A. T. Stewart. At the expiration of his time here he was engaged for one year at carpentering in Cook county, that being his trade he learned in Germany, and after farming another year moved to Crete, Will county, Illinois, where he busied himself at farming until the spring of 1872. From this place he came to Iroquois county, where he purchased land on the W. ¿ of Sec. 4, T. 25, R. 13, a fine farm of 360 acres. Mr. Lucke finished school at the age of fourteen, having attended every year from the time he was six, save a short time in harvest of each year. He was married, July 23, 1853, in Crete, to Miss Sophia Hue. They have seven children living. In Crete Mr. Lucke held the offices of assessor and collector each one year. In Iroquois he was elected assessor in the springs of 1878 and 1879, and was elected school trustee in 1875. He is a strong mem- ber of the Lutheran church and one of its officers. He was formerly an independent, but is now a republican, casting his first presidential vote for J. C. Fremont.

Frederick Breymeyer, farmer, Woodworth, was born in Germany, in the village of Merbeck, May 18, 1847. In compliance with the laws of that country in regard to education, Mr. Breymeyer attended the public school from the age of six years to fourteen, for nine months each year. The remainder of the time a private tutor was employed to instruct young Fred until he came to America with his parents, August 15, 1862. Arriving at Crete, Will county, Illinois, at tlie time stated above, his father purchased a partially improved farm of 160 acres, upon which he worked for his father until his twenty-

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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

fourth year, attending the evening school in Crete during the winter session after their arrival. His parents then moving to Kansas gave him, for his work at home and good behavior, 80 acres of the farm, which, after working one year longer, Mr. Breymeyer traded for the place upon which he now lives, of 111 acres, on Sec. 6, T. 25, R. 13, soon after purchasing 40 more. He was married to Miss Sophia Lucke, the daughter of one of the most influential men in Ash Grove township, February 9, 1873, at the handsome and commodious resi- dence of her father. By this union they have two children: Sophia and August. He is now a staunch republican, although casting his first vote for Horatio Seymour. He has been for six years director of his district, and one of the stewards of the Lutheran Evangelist church, of which he is a member, for the year 1876-7.

John F. W. Meier, farmer and stock-raiser, Woodworth, is one of the most genial, social and kind-hearted men in Ash Grove town- ship. He was born in Will county, Illinois, near Crete, on a farm, June 22, 1849. He lived here with his parents until he was twenty- five years of age, working in the summer and attending the district school in the winter until he reached nineteen. From this place he came to Ash Grove township in 1874, where he purchased the S. ¿ of Sec. 3, T. 25, R. 13, upon which he soon built a house surpassed by none in the town, and has just completed a commodious barn 48 feet wide, 60 long and 20 high. July 9, 1874, he married Miss Sophia Scheiwe, in Will county, near where he was raised. By this union they have three charming little ones living: John H., William and Caroline. Mr. Meier's mother died in 1869, while his father is still living on his farm near Crete, Illinois. Mr. Meier is an independent republican, casting his first presidential vote for Gen. Grant in 1872. He is also a member of the Lutheran church, having joined that or- ganization in the fall of 1874, and was elected treasurer of the board of stewards January 1, 1876, holding that office four years.

John Schwer, merchant, Woodland, the subject of this sketch, is a natural merchant, having started in life as a clerk when but four- teen years of age, and continuing in that line for twelve years, he has reached that high degree of perfection which comes only through application and a sturdy perseverance. He was born August 20, 1853, in the pleasant little village of Crete, Will county, Illinois, and left home and parents to engage in his chosen pursuit in the year 1867. His first experience was with G. Brauns, in Crete, in a store containing a stock of goods of every description. He then went to Chicago, engaging himself in the grocery store of Mr. Hurxtall, on South Halsted street. From here he went to the grocery store of

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William Baltermann, on the same street, in which place he was em- ployed a year and a half. Mr. Schwer, thinking his business educa- tion incomplete without a knowledge of the dry-goods business, next engaged himself to the well known dry-goods house of Charlie Hourstel, on the same street, in which place he was employed for five successive years. A short time was then spent in the dry-goods store of M. Burlitzheimer, on the same street. His next experience was with his old employer, Mr. Hourstel, in whose store he stayed about a year longer, and after three years' further experience with Wollf Brothers, 'on South Halsted street, he left the city, intending to commence business for himself, which he soon did at Queen City, Illinois, situated on section 2, Ash Grove township, May 25, 1876. He was married, September 15, 1878, to Miss Auguste Jaeger, at Mequon River, Wisconsin. Mr. Schwer has one child, a boy, born December 28, 1879, Walter R. W. L. He is independent in politics.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977.364B38H C001 HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY, TOGETHER WIT

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History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources, Part 119

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903 Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1180