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 88
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
Peter Enos (deceased), another shining light of this township, has gone the way of all flesh. He was born in Cayuga county, New York, on the 24th of March, 1826, and was the son of Jonathan and Cynthia (Howard) Enos, who raised a family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. Mr. Enos left New York at the age of ten years (1836) with his parents, and settled in Michigan, where he remained on a farm till the age of twenty-eight. He removed to Kankakee about 1853, and about 1855 or 1856 came to Chebanse township and preempted 160 acres of land, purchasing the same when it came into market. He has since added forty acres to his farm, and in 1876 he built a handsome residence, where his widow still resides in peace and quietude. Mr. E. left two other fine farms, which he had accumulated by industry and economy, besides considerable per- sonal property, having dealt in stock to a great extent. The farm where his wife resides is one of the finest in the township, having an elegant new frame building, surrounded with shrubbery and a dense grove of evergreens; also fine out-houses, etc. He was one of the most thorough and energetic farmers in the county. An upright, generous, whole-souled man, a friend of the oppressed, he was loved by all who came in contact with him. His word was as good as his bond. He had no enemies, and none knew him but to admire, and spoke of him but to praise. He was a member of no sect or society ; took no particular interest in politics, but was of the republican faith. He died of consumption, January 28, 1880. He went south during the summer of 1879, came home, and died in Kankakee at his brother's residence, eleven days afterward, leaving a loving wife to mourn his untimely end. When the gold fever broke out his ambition was at once fired, and with his team he started for Pike's Peak, and from there he went to California. He was married January 19, 1865, to Miss Mary E. Luce, who was born on Long Island, January 4, 1843.
Joseph Haigh, farmer, Chebanse, deserves something more than a passing notice at our hands. He was born March 25, 1824, in York- shire, England. Until twenty-six years of age he was engaged in the manufacture of cloth, when, in 1851, he came to America, settling in Philadelphia, and started in the business of manufacturing cotton cloth. Leaving there in the spring of 1855, he went to Chicago and improved a forty-acre tract of land for a personal friend, and in the month of July of the same year he came to Chebanse, settling on the farm where he now resides, within a mile of the village of Chebanse. He has at present nearly 160 acres, with very neat and pleasant resi- ·dence, commodious out-buildings, good fences, etc., which has a com- manding view of the village and its surroundings. He has followed
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the occupation of farming and stock-raising, but for the past ten years has led a more retired life. He being a man of great literary attain- ments, he has devoted a great deal of his leisure moments to writing for publications, both editorial and poetical. September 3, 1855, he started on foot, after sunrise, for Danville, a distance of seventy-five miles, making sixty-three miles the first day. His mission was for the purpose of entering his land, the land office being then located at Dan- ville. He was school treasurer for seven years, and many a time has he walked to Watseka for the purpose of transacting business in con- nection with his office and otherwise. He was the first town clerk elected, holding the same some seven or eight years. On two occa- sions lie and Robert Nation, Esq., visited Camp Butler, at Springfield, with their pockets full of money, for the purpose of paying town boun- ties to soldiers who enlisted on behalf of Chebanse township, its quota being double what it should have been. He was married, April 6, 1861, in this place, to Miss Mary A. McGrady. She was born in Can- ada, August 24, 1834. They have an only child, John Freeman. Mr. Haigh belongs to no denomination or society, and is looked upon as a representative man by all who know him best.
Joseph Vander Poorten, farmer, Clifton, was born in the province of Flanders, Belgium, February 16, 1828. He was reared on a farm, and received a good common-school education. At the age of twenty- seven he emigrated to America, residing one year in Lewis county, New York, and in April, 1856, he came to this township. He pur- chased 80 acres of land, and has since added 120 more, and in 1877 he built himself a very commodious and comfortable residence, where he still resides. He was married in L'Erable, January 15, 1861, to Miss Auralia Bunker, who was born in Chambly, on the Sorel river, Can- ada, April 12, 1840. They have been made the happy parents of nine interesting children, six living: Emily, Delphine, Eugene, Walter, Nor- bert and Stephen; the deceased were : Emma, Edwin and Addie. Mr. Vander Poorten has held the position of commissioner of highways, and been school director ever since 1864. By perseverance, industry and hard labor, he has had the satisfaction of accumulating a nice property. He embraces the Catholic faith ; and in politics votes for the man who, in his opinion, is the ablest and most desirable.
F. Fronville, farmer, Clifton, was born in Bonneff, Belgium, April 12, 1838. His parents were Joseph and Catherine (Thiry) Fronville. He came with his parents to this country in 1856, stopping three months in Chicago. He then came to Iroquois, residing there three years ; tlience to Kansas for six months. Returning again to this town- ship he worked here and there, wherever he could obtain work. In
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
1861 he bought 40 acres, and has since erected a nice residence, and has devoted his energies to farming. He was married, March 3, 1862, to Miss Rosalie Ponton, who was born in Canada, September 29, 1842. They have eight children : Rosa, Mary L., Mary A., Eugene, Melina L., Emile A., Amelia F. and Louis J .; and one deceased. Mr. Fron- ville's father still resides with him, at the good old age of seventy-three years. Mr. Fronville has been school director two years. He had one brother (Louis) killed in the late war.
E. W. Dodson, farmer, Chebanse, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 1830. His parents were Stephen B. and Flavia (Cobbs) Dobson, both natives of the same county. Mr. Dobson was raised as a farmer, but taught school, clerked, etc., part of the time. In 1854 he moved to Cook county, Illinois, teaching school that winter. In 1855 he came to Kankakee county, and in 1856 to Iro- quois county. He has followed surveying to some extent. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the 10th Ill. Inf., and reënlisted in January, 1864. He participated in the battles of the siege of Corinth, Atlanta, New Madrid, Lookout Mountain, Jonesboro, Sherman's march to the sea, back through the Carolinas, and at Bentonville, North Carolina,- Sherman's last fight. He then went to Washington and participated in the grand review May 25; was mustered out July 4, at Louis- ville, Kentucky, and was paid off in Chicago on the 12th, and returned home. In 1865 he was elected county surveyor, and reelected in 1867. He also held other minor offices. He has under cultivation 120 acres. He is a member of no denomination, and is an active republican. He was married, November 29, 1877, to Miss Martha E. Babcock, who was born in Charleston, Massachusetts, December 27, 1840.
- James M. Burroughs, Chebanse, was among the early settlers in this vicinity, and we devote space to his biography with considerable pleasure. He was born in Alstead, New Hampshire, April 16, 1812, and was a resident of that immediate locality for some forty-five years. He was raised as a farmer lad, but served his time at the carpenter's trade, following the same in connection with farming till about 1856, at which time he moved west and settled in Sugar Island, this county, having preëmpted 160 acres. He soon added another 40, and farmed for some ten years. For two years he kept store, with Dr. Buckner as a partner. In March, 1869, he moved to the village of Chebanse, purchased a large lot and built himself a house. He fol- lowed his trade for six years, and was in the furniture business for three years. He built the school-house, Congregational church and was engaged on the Methodist, and on every hand can be seen evidences of his handiwork, both in the town and country. He has been a
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member of the town council, school director and town trustee. Mrs. Burroughs is an honored member of the Congregational church. He was married in Bloomington, April 2, 1858, to Martha A. Ransdell, who was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, December 25, 1826. They have two children : Fred M. and Burt E., both born in Sugar Island. Mrs .. Burroughs has one child, deceased (Anna Ransdell), who was the wife of Edwin B. Tyler. She died December 29, 1872. Mrs. Burrough's wedding tour was of the most primitive nature, and our fair damsels of to-day would scarce embark on the sea of matri- mony, knowing that their wedding trip was to be in a lumber wagon, mounted on their " Saratoga," and that their " best bib and tucker " had to be protected from the rain by the friendly shelter of a sheep- skin, lovingly thrown around her by her sworn protector. Her recep- tion room was furnished with an old rag carpet, bedstead, a chair or two, and an old rusty cook-stove took the place of a " base-burner."
Francis W. Howe, farmer, Clifton, an old settler and a well-to-do farmer, was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts, December 18, 1819. He lived with his parents until twenty years of age, and then went to New York city, going into the wholesale dry-goods business, in which he remained till 1857. In the fall of 1857 he moved west, settling in Clifton, this township, where he has continued to remain. C. O. Howe and brothers bought 4,000 acres of land here, of the Illinois Central Railroad Company and Solomon Sturgis, of Chicago, in or about 1855. Mr. Howe came two years later and took up 120 acres. He was married, January 8, 1845, to Miss Sarah S. Cowdrey, of New York city. She died February 16, 1866, in her forty-second year. He was again married, October 3, 1867, to the widow of the late H. K. White, a well known and respected citizen of Clifton. She was born April 18, 1830. He has six children by first marriage : Helena C., wife of Edward S. Perry, of New Haven, Connecticut; Arthur L., Walter M., Oscar C., William F. and Isabel A. Josephine D. Howe died in New York, August 17, 1853. Mr. Howe has a cozy residence on the outskirts of the village of Clifton, with large and beautiful grounds surrounding it, uniformly laid out with shade trees, and it is just such a home as any one might well covet.
J. P. H. Trescott, justice of the peace, Chebanse, was born in Luzerne county, Huntington township, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1825. His father, Luther, was born in Canaan, Connecticut, and his mother, Eleanor (Parke), was raised in New Jersey,-both being of Quaker parentage. The father died in the winter of 1878, and the mother in February, 1864. Mr. Trescott was reared on a farm, and lived in his native township until 1857, when he removed to this vil-
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
lage, arriving here March 28. While in Luzerne county he farmed during the summer and taught school during the winter. He also followed farming in this township for three years, and teaching school through the winter seasons, receiving $22 a month and board. The times being very hard he considered himself extremely lucky to obtain employment at almost any remuneration. After three years of ill health, and his doctor's bills being so high, he was obliged to quit farming. He moved to the village of Chebanse, May 1, 1860, and on September 1 he formed a partnership with Amos M. Wilson, with a combined capital of $40, and opened a butcher shop, and two months thereafter he bought out his partner and continued the business until 1867, in connection with farming, teaching, etc. In April, 1862, he was elected justice of the peace, and has continuously held the office up to the present time. Mr. Trescott was married to Miss Sallie A. Dodson, September 22, 1850. She was born in Luzerne county, Jan- uary 21, 1829. They have liad ten children, six living : Stephen O., Luther R., Amy E., William H., Lloyd F. and Edward L. . The names of the deceased are : Olin R., Ada C., Harry A. and Charles F. The first was buried in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, and the last three in Sugar Island Cemetery, Kankakee county. Mr. Trescott was formerly an old line wliig, but has voted for every republican candidate for pres- ident that has been placed in the field.
A. B. Cummings, justice of the peace, Clifton, was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, April 22, 1820, his mother dying when he was but ten months old, and his little sister aged two years.' They were placed in the care of a relative till he was about sixteen years old, when they were both compelled to paddle their own canoe. He drifted about till 1840, when he went to Milford and remained there till 1842, going to school. Then he went to Holliston 'Academy, graduating in 1844. He taught school in the east and west for twenty-two years. He came west about 1854, locating in Granville, Putnam county, Illinois, where he got his first " boost " toward prosperity, teaching there in the Granville Academy for two and a half years. He went to Wenona, Marshall county, and thence to Clifton, in this township, where he has permanently resided. He went into the coal and lumber business, and continued in active business life till 1877. He was elected justice of the peace in the spring of 1870, and is still acting in that capacity. He was married on Thanksgiving day, 1847, to Miss Emily Fowler, who was born in July, 1820, in Grafton, Massachusetts. They have two children : Robert F. and Mary. One son died, Marion P.
William A. Viets, retired, Clifton, is virtually the founder of the village of Clifton. He was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts,
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February 20, 1813. He was brought up a farmer, as was his father before him. In 1830 he went to New York, stopping five years, as a clerk; then to Cleveland, Ohio, for three years, and back again to New York, and going into business for himself till 1854. He then came to Illinois, stopping in Chicago till 1858, and from there he came to Clifton and settled, he owning some 200 acres of land. He laid out the town in 1861, at that time there being but two houses on the east side of the railroad. The town was first settled by some ten families from the east,-first-class citizens and well-to-do,-most of whom have left for other parts. Mr. Viets took great pride in decorating the town with shade trees, nearly all of which were planted by or through him. The beautiful little cemetery is, we understand, owned by him, and kept up at his own expense, he having made great outlay in ornamenting with trees, shrubbery, etc. The citizens are indebted to him to a great extent for his pride and generosity in furthering the interests and welfare of the town. He has lield all the various town offices, although not very desirable positions. He was married in New York, May 17, 1836, to Miss Mary E. Pennoyer, who was born in New York city, July 21, 1816. She died in New York, March 11, 1853. September 17, 1856, he was married to Mrs. Frances N. Reeves, of Boston, in the city of Chicago. She was born in Boston, February 20, 1823. He had by first marriage : Catharine, wife of John R. Cam- eron, of Ottawa, Illinois; Mary P., wife of Madison H. Ferris, of Chi- cago; and Charlotte. By second marriage : Helen C., born in Chicago, June 22, 1857; and William H., born in Clifton, November 1, 1864, and accidentally killed, Marclı 17, 1879, by a gunshot while out hunt- ing. He being a briglit, intelligent boy, a dutiful, a loving and an only son, it was a severe and sad blow to his fond parents and doting sisters.
Jerome Bard, merchant, Chebanse, was born in Maine, June 18, 1832. His parents were William and Mehitable (Wood) Bard. Mr. Bard lived in his native town until twenty-one years old, then moved to Massachusetts, residing there some eight or ten years, and then came out west, landing in Chicago in May, 1860, and shortly afterward came to this township, where he engaged in the purchase and shipping of grain to Chicago for a year following. He then enlisted in Co. G, 25th Ill. Vol., June 1, 1861, serving something over three years. He enlisted as a "high " private and was mustered out as an orderly- sergeant in the city of Springfield in the month of August, 1864. He was engaged in every battle his company participated in during the war, the first being that of Pea Ridge, followed successively by the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
numerous skirmishes on the line of march from Chattanooga to Atlanta, some of them being very heavy engagements. Shortly after reaching Atlanta his regiment turned about-face and returned to Spring- field, Illinois, where they disbanded. Returning to Chebanse he clerked for six years, excepting two years, being laid up with rheuma- tisın, since which time he has been in business for himself, having a branch store at Cabery, Kankakee county. His partner is Francis T. McKee. Mr. Bard was married to Miss Mary E. Robinson, at Kankakee, in October, 1867, by the Rev. Mr. Whitehead. He has two living chil- dren : Bertie and Shirley ; and two deceased : Mabel L. and an infant. Mrs. Bard was born in Ohio in March, 1844. He has lived here nine- teen years; at present is a town trustee, and has always voted the republican ticket, -Abraham Lincoln being the first presidential candi- date to receive his ballot.
J. N. Frooninckx, farmer, Chebanse, was born in Lubeck, Belgium, August 30, 1823. He lived at the place of his nativity until thirty- three years of age, and attended school until he was fifteen years old, and has farmed during his life. He came to America in 1856, coming direct to Iroquois county, locating on what is known as the Belgian Farm, buying his present homestead of 160 acres in 1860. He was married in the old country, March 25, 1856, to Miss Mary A. Lefevre. She died three years after coming to this country. April 2, 1866, he was married to Miss Victoria Shanjelon; she was born in Belgium December 22, 1835. They have four children : Mary, Joseph, Emil and Gustav. He has held the position of school director, taking great interest in matters pertaining to education. He is a member of the Catholic church.
John H. Sands, assessor, Chebanse, was born in Holbeach, Lincoln- shire, England, March 3, 1824, and is the son of Henry and Mar- garet E. (Ward) Sands. Mr. Sands served an apprenticeship as a general wood-worker, and at the age of twenty came to this country, locating in New York. He lived there until 1855, and then moved to Kendall county, Illinois, farmed five years, and then moved to the township of Chebanse in 1861, where he has continued the occupation ever since, owning 120 acres, in a good state of cultivation. In 1870 and 1871 he was elected to the position of township collector, and during the years 1876 to 1879 inclusive, held the office of assessor, which duty he has performed faithfully and well. In the fall of 1863 he entered the pioneer corps, and for eight months served in the vicinity of Chattanooga, and was discharged in July, 1864. He was married in the town of Williamsburg (now consolidated with the city of Brook- lyn) September 1, 1845, to Mrs. Mary A. Smithi, who was born in
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the town of Tydd, St. Mary, England, May 13, 1813. They have had four children, two living: William F. W., and Margaret E. W., now the wife of Peter Wright. The two deceased were : Anna M. W. and John H. W. Mrs. Sands had, by a previous marriage, two children, both living : Mrs. Anna Bagley, of Brooklyn, born in Lincolnshire, England, May 15, 1835; and Jane L., wife of John Jackson, of this township, born in New York city, March 28, 1840. Mr. Bagley and Mr. Jackson have been through the late war, and Mr. Jackson has been a resident of this township since 1855. Mr. Sands was captain of police of the first ward of Williamsburg, the first year it became a city. He is a member of the M. E. church; of the Chebanse Lodge, No. 429, of which lodge he has held the office of Master for five years ; and has always been a democrat. Mr. Bagley was killed in Washington immediately after his discharge, before he reached home, by the mere wanton act of a guard on duty-a flagrant murder.
Judson D. Miner, farmer, Chebanse, was born in the town of Proviso, Cook county, Illinois, July 28, 1850. His parents were Peter and Lavina (Ackley) Miner. With his parents he moved to Wheaton, DuPage county, he being then six years of age, and lived there till June 1861, and then moved to Chebanse, leading a farmer's life. His brother (Henry A.) died in September, 1862, while serving his country in the late war. Mr. Miner. was married October 8, 1878, to Miss Eva Luella Colburn, who was born in Hillsdale, Columbia county, New York, July 21, 1853. Mr. Miner has a snug farm of 80 acres under good cultivation.
Louis Henrotin, justice of the peace, Clifton, was born at St. Hubert, in the province of Luxemburg, kingdom of Belgium, July 19, 1839. He resided there till 1859, studying medicine and graduating from the University of Liege, Belgium. In 1860 he came to America and joined his uncle in Chicago,-Dr. J. F. Henrotin, then Belgian consul. In the fall of the same year he settled in Iroquois county, and returned to Belgium in the fall of 1861, and in the spring of 1862 he returned to his adopted country. It is presumed that he went on most important business, as he was married, December 26, 1861, to Miss Amelia Lam- bert, who was born May 9, 1838. Clifton became their abiding place. He was grain merchant from 1862 to 1868, and then went into mercan- tile operations till the fall of 1870, and in the same year was elected justice of the peace. In 1871 he took another trip to Europe, with his family, remaining there nearly one year, and coming back in 1872, once more settled down to business. As a coincidence we might relate that the train that pulled him and family out of Chicago on their last
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trip to Europe, at 5:15 Sunday evening, was the last that went out on that road before the "big fire," and when they arrived in Canada the electric news reached them of the dreadful conflagration. In connec- tion with his office he holds the position of town collector. He has three children : Louisa, Amelia and Gustav. Edmund L. died October 10, 1879.
J. D. De Veling, justice of the peace, Chebanse, was born in Co- burg, Canada, December 23, 1829. His parents were John and Mary (Twig) De Veling. He was raised in Canada, and at the age of twenty- four moved to Michigan, and after a two-years sojourn returned to Canada, and remained there till the winter of 1858-9. From there he went to southern Illinois. In September, 1861, he took up his abode in Sugar Island, and in the fall of 1863 came to this village, and has ever since resided here. He was a graduate of the Eclectic College of Cincinnati, taking two courses. Prior to going to Cincinnati he studied medicine in Canada. In 1864 he opened a drug store, which he car- ried on, in connection with his profession, till 1875, his son then assum- ing control. At one time C. C. Sawyer was a partner. He was elected police justice in the summer of 1868, for four years, and reelected in 1877, and also held the office of notary public. He was married to Joana Bebee, in Canada West, in the winter of 1849-50. They are the parents of six children, four living : Mary W., John M., W. R. and Clara A. The other two died in infancy. Mr. De Veling's parents were from Glasgow, Scotland. In connection with his general business he is engaged in the manufacture of "Dezeng's patent no-haine wood horse-collar," of which he is the assignee of the patentee. This state is under his sole control, and he is also interested in the balance of the states. Formerly he was an independent, having published a weekly- "The Independent"-for six years, but now he is identified with the republican party.
William Hunter, retired farmer, Chebanse, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1797. When two years old his parents moved to Ohio and located in what has since become Fairfield county. He farmed, worked at the cooper's and carpenter's trades, and was judge of the Lincoln county court for six years. He moved to Huntington, Indiana, where he carried on the hardware business for ten years. He came to this state in the spring of 1865, settling in Kankakee county, and in October, 1875, came to this village, living a peaceful and retired life. He has been married three times, his first wife being Miss Eliza Cisney, who died September 15, 1823; the sec- ond was Mary Ann Matlock, who died July 12, 1829, and he married his third wife, Miss Mary Ann Crane, March 5, 1830. They will have
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