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 72
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N. H. Waity, farmer and stock-raiser, Sheldon, was born in Nor- way, August 24, 1825, and lived there twelve years. With his parents he then came to the United States and settled at Beaver Creek, Illinois, where his parents died. He lived there but a few months, when he went to Monticello, Illinois, and lived there about one year. He returned to Beaver Creek and hired to a Mr. Enslen, living on the Iroquois, and soon after was bound out for four years to a Mr. Scritchfield, with whom he lived six years. He then farmed for himself, and in 1854 settled on his present place. He owns 413 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor. September 13, 1849, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Enslen, who was born in Indiana, and died August 3, 1868. Of their three children one is living, Henry E. February 13, 1870, he was married to Miss Rosanna Coughenour, who was born in Iroquois county, Illinois. Of their five children four are living : Della E., Ella S., Charles N. and Frank.
B. Bishopp, dealer in lumber, coal and agricultural implements, Sheldon, was born in Kent county, England, in November, 1838, and lived there nearly sixteen years, when with his parents he came to the United States, and settled in what is now Sheldon township, in 1855, and lived there for fifteen years, during which time he learned the carpenter's trade. September 4, 1867, he was married to Miss Martha A. Moore, who was born in this county. After the marriage he moved to Stockland township, and lived there four years. He
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then came to Sheldon and engaged in the lumber business, and took contracts for building. They have five children : Eddie B., W. Frank, Virginia M., Harry B. and John D. In 1878 he was elected super- visor of this township, and has held the office since. He has also held school offices, and the office of village trustee. He owns about 500 acres of land in this county, of which he manages 250, and has 250 rented.
Stephen Buckley, farmer and stock-raiser, Sheldon, was born in Preble county, Ohio, January 2, 1823, and lived there three years, when with his parents he moved to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and lived there until 1856. He then came to Illinois and settled on his present place, which he bought from the government in 1854. June 3, 1848, he was married to Miss Eliza Jane Harper, who was born in Montgomery county, Indiana. They had six children, five living: Samuel, Delila, Sarah, Alonzo and Moriah E. He owns 645 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor. His parents, James and Sarah (Lincoln) Buckley, were natives of North Carolina and Ohio. She died in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1844. He later married Mrs. Jacobs, and in 1854 settled in this county, where he lived about eighteen months. He then moved to Carroll county, Indiana, where he now lives.
R. W. Foster, grocer, Sheldon, is a native of Northampton county, North Carolina. He was born April 3, 1829, and when quite young in years, witlı his parents moved to Ohio and settled in Logan county, where they engaged in farming. He lived in Ohio until 1856, when he came to Illinois and settled in Iroquois county, in Crab Apple (now Stockland) township, and lived there until 1875, when he came to Sheldon and worked in a lumber yard about one year. Then, in partnership with Mr. Carroll, he bought out the lumber business and conducted it one year. They sold out and Mr. Foster engaged in his present business. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 76th Ill. Vol. Inf., and remained in service two years. He was in the battles of Vicksburg, Jackson, Benton and the other battles in which his regi- ment was engaged. In March, 1851, he was married to Miss Huldah Inskeep, who was born in Logan county, Ohio. They had three children, one living, Annettie.
A. B. Caldwell, real-estate and insurance agent, Sheldon, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, December 17, 1833, and lived there twenty- three years. He then traveled in the west for one year, and in the fall of 1857 settled in what is now Sheldon township. He was engaged in farming in the summers and taught school in the winters for the first ten years, and then confined himself to farming until 1874,
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when he moved to the village of Sheldon. He engaged in the hard- ware business, the firm being Holmes & Caldwell, which continued until June, 1875, when they sold out. In 1876 Mr. Caldwell bought back the business and continued the same until September 1, 1878, when he again sold out, and has since confined himself to the duties of his office as justice of the peace, and to his real-estate and insurance business. March 13, 1859, he was married to Miss Margaret Pinneo, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, and died June 17, 1863. They had one child, Eva. February 13, 1866, he was married to Miss Elizabeth L. Holmes, who was born in Highland county, Ohio. They have four children : Maimie, Nellie, Alburtos H. and Fred B.
A. V. Gard, proprietor of a general store, Sheldon, was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 28, 1820. He lived on the farm, working by the month, until he was twenty-two years of age; then married Miss Mary Ann Robertson, who was born in Germantown, Ohio, and died November 5, 1854. After his marriage he began farming on his own account, and about two years later he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Trenton, Ohio. In 1848 he moved to near Vernon, Indiana, where he engaged in farmning; thence to Indianapolis, where he con- ducted the Holmes House. In 1853 he move to Newton county, Indi- ana, and settled near the state line, farming for about two years; thence to Tippecanoe county, Indiana; and about 1857 he came to Iroquois county, Illinois, and settled in Beaver township, where he served as supervisor and justice of the peace, and established the Bea- ver Grove post-office during the administration of Mr. Lincoln. In 1863 he engaged in the general merchandise business in Kentland, Indiana, and in 1865 returned to his farm, where he remained until 1872, except one year in Pontiac, Illinois, where he was engaged in the general store business. In 1872 lie again went to Kentland, and was engaged selling lumber and agricultural implements. He also conducted a grocery for two years. In February, 1879, he came to Sheldon, Illinois, and engaged in his present business. November 17, 1855, he was married to Miss Josephine A. Hanger, who was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana. Of their six children four are living : Orris, Victory A., Fannie M. and Frederick H. There were three children by first marriage : Isaac N., Alexander J. and Ezra P.
William B. Fleager, banker, Sheldon, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1830, and lived there twenty-one years, during which time he received a limited education. In 1851 he came west and settled in Peoria, where he engaged as clerk in an iron store, remaining in the same four years. He then took the agency of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw rail-
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road, at Conger, Illinois, and in addition to the agency engaged in the grain and lumber business at that point. At the end of two years he was offered the agency of the P. & O. E. Ex. and Illinois Central railroads, at Gilman, Illinois, but was allowed only three days' time in which to decide. He concluded to go, and at once sold his business, receiving $3,000, and at the end of the three days was at his post in Gilman, and there remained until March 1, 1860, when he took charge of Sheldon Station, and subsequently became the leading spirit of the village. Short after his arrival he built the first house of the place, and later built the first store, in which he conducted the grocery business, and receiving the appointment of postmaster he used his store as the office. He also added the lumber business in 1861, and began buying grain and selling agricultural implements. Under his careful and energetic management all branches of his busi- ness were successful, and within a few years his grocery business, at first confined to a room 16×26 feet, became a general store with a stock valued at $10,000, and occupying a room 16×100 feet. The grain business that started in a small shed soon occupied a steam elevator. In short, his business was prosperous throughout in every branch, with the exception of two years when he served as railroad agent and post- master until 1873, when he sold out his business and built the present Fleager's Bank Building. He engaged in the banking business, and has since invested $25,000 in buildings-championing a movement that has secured to Sheldon one of the finest brick business blocks in the county. He owns about 500 acres of land in this township, on a part of which he has built his present elegant brick residence. In 1858 he married Miss Mariah Brubaker, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania ; she died in Sheldon, May 15, 1875. There were four children, two of whom are living : Charles G. and Arthur B. March 1, 1877, he mar- ried Miss Florence M. Milliman, who was born in New York. They have one child, Clarence Earl. On account of strictly temperate habits and indomitable energy, Mr. Fleager has been successful in business. He is a consistent member of the Methodist church, and has the proud satisfaction, while remembering that he has been the architect of his own fortune, to know that he has so lived as not only to win, but also to deserve, the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
Jacob Wingard, farmer and stock-raiser, Sheldon, was born in Frank- lin county, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1819, and lived there nineteen years. With his parents he then moved to Indiana and settled in Carroll county, where he lived until 1861, at which time he came to Illinois, and settled on his present place. January 5, 1841, he was married to Miss Susanna Zook, who was born in Pennsylvania. They
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had seventeen children, twelve living: Abraham, John, Catharine, Susanna, Jacob, Alexander, James, Elizabeth, Rosanna, Benjamin, Mary E. and Emily. Formerly he owned over 800 acres of land, but has since divided all but 185 among his children. Two years before he came here he shipped five cars of lumber to his sons, at Sheldon, and they improved the farm. The shipment was the first of the kind to Sheldon, and later he sold Sherman & Smith the first wheat sold at Sheldon. In addition to his land in this county he owns 640 acres in Missouri, all earned by his own labor.
George Haxby, farmer and stock-raiser, Sheldon, was born in York- shire, England, October 8, 1811, and lived there twenty-six years. He came to the United States and settled in Dearborn county, Indiana, and farmed there until February, 1862, when he came to Illinois and settled on his present place. In August, 1840, he married Miss Rachel Brown, who was born in England, and died here in 1870. Of their eight children five are living: Marthia J., Ellen, Mary, William and Joseph. In November, 1874, he married Mrs. Ellsworth, formerly Miss Mary Ketchler, who was born in England. He owns 580 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor, and upon which he has laid out the village of Haxby, an account of which will be seen elsewhere. He is no office seeker, and has held no office except con- nected with the roads.
R. G. Risser, of the firm of P. Risser & Son, dealers in general merchandise, Sheldon, is a native of Ashland county, Ohio. He was born in July, 1841, and lived in Ohio until 1862, when with his parents he came to Illinois and settled in Onarga, Iroquois county, where his father engaged in mercantile business, in which Mr. Risser assisted for five years. He then became a partner in the business, and the firm of P. Risser & Son was formed and has continued to the present time. In November, 1878, the firm opened a branch in Sheldon, Illinois, known as the New York store, of which Mr. R. G. Risser has the active control. He is also interested in the grain business, for which purpose he uses the large steam elevator lately erected. He is also connected with the firm of Risser & Dashiell, tailors and clothiers, Sheldon, Illinois. The active management of the latter firm is left with Mr. Dashiell. Mr. Risser has his time occupied in the man- agement of the business of P. Risser & Son, and in attending to his grain interests. October 2, 1878, he was married to Miss Eva Dnn- lapp, of Champaign, Illinois.
T. N. Marquis, farmer and apiarist, Woodland, Illinois, was born in Knox county, Ohio, February 1, 1834. When he was yet quite young his parents moved to Logan county, and he lived there with his
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
parents until he was twenty-three years old. March 12, 1857, he was married to Miss Hulda A. Curl, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, and died in Illinois in 1869. After the marriage he farmed on his father's farm until 1863. He afterward came to Illinois, and farmed a year in Richland county. He then came to Iroquois county and set- tled in Stockland township, where he lived one year, and then went to Belmont township, and in the spring of 1867 settled on his present place. By his first marriage he had six children, five living : Eliza- beth A., Edith E, Alice E., Mary F., and Caloin. In the fall of 1874 he married Miss Sarah B. Canaday, who was born in Virginia. They have one child, Ellen. He owns 90 acres of land in this county. In 1869 he turned his attention to the culture of the bee, starting with a swarm he caught on the fence. From information he obtained from books on the subject, his business has been successful, and he now has sixty-five hives. His crop of honey for 1878 was 3,200 pounds.
David White, farmer and stock-raiser, Sheldon, was born in Ayr- shire, Scotland, January 21, 1841, and lived there about seventeen years, during which time he received a limited education. He then came to the United States, and settled in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and lived there four years, working on a farm. He then went to Noble connty, Indiana, where he worked in the woods; thence to Warren county, Indiana, where he farmed. In 1866 he came to Illinois and settled on his present place, and has lived here since. At first he bought 40 acres, and has since increased his farm to 165. January 3, 1864, he was married to Miss Amanda Hemmilright, who was born in Ohio. They have seven children : William T., John D., Nettie J., Agnes, Emma A., Artie and Ann. He is no office seeker, and has held no office, except those connected with the school or road.
Thomas Thornill, insurance agent, Sheldon, was born in Lincoln- shire, England, November 15, 1825, and lived there seventeen years. He then came to the United States and settled in Wheeling, Cook county, Illinois, where he lived seven years, and then went to Wil- mington, Illinois, where he lived until 1863. From there he went to La Fayette, Indiana, where he engaged in the insurance business, and lived there until 1867, when he went to Reynolds and engaged in the drug business. In 1868 he came to Sheldon and engaged in the drug business. He was appointed postmaster that year, and held the office seven years. In 1876 he closed out his drug business, and has since been insurance agent. June 17, 1851, he was married to Miss E. J. Waldron, who was born in Onondaga county, New York. They had four children, three living : Franklin P., Endora E. and Jessie B.
Joseph Brubaker, farmer and stock-raiser, Sheldon, was born in
The Hlager
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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Richland county, Ohio, July 7, 1826, and lived there twenty-five years, when with his parents he moved to Illinois, and settled in Woodford county, near Eureka, where they engaged in farming. In 1853 he went to Ohio, and February 22 of that year he was married to Miss Anna M. Charles, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio. After his marriage he returned to Woodford county, Illinois, and engaged in farming on his own account, remaining there until 1868, when he came to his present place and has lived here since. He has served as road commissioner four years, and as school director ten years. He owns 490 acres in this county, which he has principally earned by his own labor. Of his four children three are living: Charles H., Wesley V. and Frank A. Mr. Brubaker has been a member of the M. E. church for nineteen years, and steward of the same during that period.
George F. Hull, farmer and stock-raiser, Sheldon, was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, November 1, 1840, and lived there seven years, when with his parents he moved to Aurora, Illinois, and lived there until 1859. He then engaged as salesman for Hewitt & Bro., general jobbers, Chicago, and traveled for them ten years, receiving the first monthi $30; the next six months he worked at the rate of $50, and then $125 per month and expenses. On his way from Louisville, Kentucky, to Chicago, he passed this county, and liking its appearance, returned and bought half of section 36, which he has sold, with the exception of liis present place of 140 acres. November 24, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary Filer, who was born in Pennsylvania, and died in 1875 here in Illinois. Of their three children two are living : Clara and Frank. April 24, 1877, he was married to Miss Margaret Roberts, a native of Indiana. They have one child, Bertha. Mr. Hull lived on his farm three years, and then, owing to sickness, moved to Sheldon and lived there five years, during which time he was engaged as traveling salesman for J. Bronson, of Detroit, Michigan, in the notion business ; J. O. Ely, wholesale jewelry, Chicago; and B. F. Boston, of Pennsylvania, for whom he sold patent-rights in the middle and western states.
Dr. David Greenlee, justice of peace, Sheldon, was born in Rock- bridge county, Virginia, September 7, 1807, and lived there fifteen years. He then moved to Ross county, Ohio, with his parents. He lived there until 1837, and studied medicine under Dr. S. Burnham, a class- mate, at Harvard, of Daniel Webster. He afterwards moved to High- land county, and began the practice of medicine, and then moved to Adams, thence to Defiance, and thence to Henry county. In 1869 he came to Sheldon, Illinois, and began the practice of medicine. February 24, 1847, he graduated at the medical branch of the Ohio Hudson 13
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
College, his diploma being signed by President Pierce. He is now living with his third wife. Her maiden name was Lydia A. Parker, and she was born in Ohio. They have four children living: Willie F., Irene A., Ida K. and Mary A. In 1873 Mr. Greenlee was elected justice of the peace, and was reëlected in 1877.
John Glass, farmer, Sheldon, was born in Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, January 25, 1833, and lived there until 1855. He then went to California via New York and Panama, and remained there five years. He was engaged in mining, and after returning the money he borrowed with which to go, he came back with $3,200. He went to Pennsylvania and lived with his mother, engaging in the sand business in partnership with Thomas Murdock. They furnished sand for many of the leading buildings of Allegheny. They continued two years. Mr. Glass then went to the oil regions, and superintended the Guepner, Heln & Co. Oil Company, and took interest in other wells. In 1869 he came to Illinois and settled on his present place. March 23, 1871, he was married to Miss Alice J. Darrough, who was born in Kentucky, and died February 1, 1877. They had four children, three living : Mattie, Gracie and Alice. He owns 175 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor.
Robert Ross, carriage and wagon-maker and blacksmith, Sheldon, was born in Canada East, December 8, 1843, and lived there fifteen years. He then moved to Lisbon, Illinois, and lived there ten years; during which time he learned the carriage and wagon-making trade. February 7, 1866, he married Miss Margaret Graham ; she was born in Canada East. After his marriage he returned to Lisbon, where he had opened a shop in 1863, and lived there until 1869, when he sold out and came to Sheldon, Illinois. He bought out the carriage and wagon-shop formerly owned by Scott King, and in 1871 moved the business to its present location. There are three children in the family : Olive V., Scott G. and Mary E. In addition to his business interests Mr. Ross owns 350 acres of land in this county. In 1873 he was elected village trustee, and reëlected in 1879. He has also served as treasurer during the same period.
J. A. Holmes, postmaster, Sheldon, was born in Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio, in December, 1842, and lived there until 1870, when he came to Iroquois county, Illinois, and settled in Sheldon. He taught school the first winter, and then superintended an elevator for Mr. Fleager for two years, when he engaged in the hardware business, the firm becoming Holmes & Wilkinson, which later changed to Holmes & Caldwell, and they continued the business until 1878, when he re- ceived the appointment of postmaster, and has held the position since.
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May 11, 1869, he was married to Miss Mary Willmoth, who was born in Ohio. They have two children : Herman R. and Mary.
W. A. Weeks, dealer in general merchandise, Sheldon, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, April 17, 1836, and lived there twelve years, when, with his parents, he moved to Monticello, Indi- ana, and lived there until 1871. He then went to Goodland, Indiana, and took charge of an elevator. In March, 1872, he came to Sheldon and engaged in the grocery and provision business. He has kept increasing his stock and variety, until now he has a general store with a stock of $7,000 worth of goods, consisting of a full line of dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hats and caps, notions, queensware and glass- ware. January 6, 1857, he was married to Miss Ann Eliza Moore, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio. They had three children, two living : Paschal B. and George A.
H. R. Fields, real estate, loan and insurance agent, Sheldon, was born in Danville, Kentucky, June 10, 1837. At an early age he clerked in his father's store, and later in the Batterton House, of which his father became proprietor. In 1860 le engaged in the dry-goods business in St. Joseph county, Indiana, and continued the business until 1863, when he enlisted in Co. H, 12th Ind. Vol. He was pro- moted to second and then to first lieutenant. His first year's service was among the guerillas of northern Alabama. September 14, 1864 he was appointed ordnance officer on the staff of Maj .- Gen. Millroy. He was at Murfreesboro, second battle of Stone River and the other engage- ments of the regiment. After the war he [returned to St. Joseph county, Indiana, and farmed until 1868. He then went to Morocco, Indiana, and engaged in the dry-goods business. This he continued until 1872, when he engaged in the business at Iroquois, Illinois, and remained there until 1873, when he came to Sheldon, and in the latter part of 1874, in company with H. L. Henry, began the publication of the " Sheldon Enterprise." In June, 1875, he sold his interest in the paper, and has since been engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business. In the real estate department of his business he has associated with him Mr. J. W. Johnson, the firm being Fields & Johnson. They publish the "Real Estate Bulletin," and do a thriving business, in addition to which Mr. Fields represents several of the leading insurance companies, and is agent for the Anchor, Inman and State line ocean steamers. By unceasing toil and honest effort he has earned for himself the reputation of an active, energetic business man, and carries this trait into all branches of his business.
Risser & Dashiell, tailors and gents' furnishers, Sheldon. Mr. Risser, of this firm, is spoken of under the firni of P. Risser & Sons.
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
Chas. E. Dashiell, who is the active partner and business manager of the firm of Risser & Dashiell, was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, January 24, 1849. During his infancy his parents moved to Kanka- kee county, Illinois, where they lived about twelve years ; then moved to Iroquois county, Illinois, near St. Mary; thence to Kankakee city ; thence to Chebanse, where his father died. The family then moved to Kankakee city. In 1871 he made a trip to Griffin's Corners, New York, where, September 6 of that year, he was married to Miss Cara E. Lee. They returned to Kankakee and lived there one year, he being engaged as clerk in the merchant tailoring business. He then bought grain at Waldron, Illinois, and subsequently sold merchandise there and at Morocco, Indiana. In 1876 he came to Sheldon, Illinois, and bought the business of O. King and conducted the same until January, 1879, when the present firm of Risser & Dashiell was formed, occupy- ing No. 5, Central Block. The first floor, 25×60 feet, is used as a salesroom, in which is exhibited a large stock of piece goods of great variety. The second floor (same size) is used as a work room, and is thronged with a busy set of city workmen of the best ability, thus affording to the city of Sheldon and surrounding country facilities in the tailoring line rarely to be found outside of the larger cities. In addition to their splendid tailoring establishment, the firm carries a large stock of ready-made clothing and a full line of gents' furnish- ing goods.
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