History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 103

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > History of La Salle County, Illinois > Part 103

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In his political views Mr. Pottinger is a stal- wart republican and has served as commissioner of highways and as school trustee, while for twelve years he has been justice of the peace. rendering decisions which are strictly fair and1 impartial. The family are all members of the Presbyterian church, and the daughter Viola holds membership with the Mystic Workers. Mr. Pottinger's life illustrates what intelligent and hard work can accomplish for he has worked his way upward from poverty to affluence. Coming to this county in 1849 when in very limited financial circumstances, he is now one of the wealthy farmers of Dimmick township. Al-

though he had the privilege of attending the country school only a few months he is today a writer, whose articles are read with interest by thousands of farmers, for he is continually broadening his knowledge through reading, ob- servation and experience and has given out of his rich stores of wisdom for the benefit of others. At one time living in a pioneer cabin, he is now occupying a beautiful home, in which are found many evidences of luxury, together with all of the comforts and conveniences of life. He has never allowed the acquirement of wealth, however, to warp his kindly nature and is a most liberal man, contributing to the support of many worthy enterprises.

About a quarter of a century ago Mr. Pot- tinger was requested by the publisher of a work on agriculture and the advantages and disad- vantage of country life to write an article show- ing which is the most preferable life for the aver- age American. Having given the subject a fair and candid analysis so far as his experience at that time went he closed the article with the fol- lowing sentences which are as applicable to his case now as then, only infinitely more so, because of the advent of all modern inventions that have come into being to relieve the druggery that farm- ers endured from the time of Abel until the period of grain harvesters, corn planters, binders, mow- ers, etc., besides the great and unspeakable bless- ings of the rural delivery and the telephone. "In closing this article I will say for my part as a farmer and stock-raiser, I am conscious that the life of one who tills the soil is not a poetical one. There is always much to do however convenient and handy everything may be, but so long as I can maintain the independent life of the yeoman I ask nothing more. I am satisfied to move down the stream of life in the vocation that has made me a fortune and given me a home which I probably could not have duplicated had I fol- lowed any other calling in life."

ORVILLE C. MARSHALL.

Orville C. Marshall, the junior member of the firm of Marshall & Son, dealers in lumber, coal and tile, at Dana, was born in Groveland town- ship, this county, March 17, 1882, his parents being Ezekiel and Nettie (Jones) Marshall, na- tives of Wood county. West Virginia, and of Champaign county, Ohio, respectively. They are still living and the father is a farmer of Groveland township as well as the senior mem- ber of the firm of Marshall & Son. In the family are two brothers, the younger being Howard E., still upon the home farm.

800

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

At the usual age Orville C. Marshall entered the district schools and was graduated from the Dana high school in the class of 1900. Sub- sequently he attended Dixon College at Dixon, Illinois, and the Illinois Wesleyan University, wherein he completed his collegiate training. In the fall of 1901 he purchased a lumber, coal and tile business from L. M. Bane at Dana and has since continued in this line of trade, building up and managing a fine business. He carries a large stock of lumber, tile, anthracite coal, wire fencing, building stone, cement, plaster and sand and enjoys a good trade. He has wrought along lines of modern business activity, realizing that close application and enterprise constitute the real foundation of success and with the pass- ing years his trade has constantly increased until it has reached large and gratifying proportions.

On the Ist of January, 1906, Mr. Marshall wedded Miss Jessie M. Sauer, a daughter of C. G. and Matilda Sauer, of Dana. His political allegiance is given the republican party and he is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is a young man of enterprise who in business is achieving success through honorable effort, untiring industry and capable management, while in private life he is gaining that warm personal regard which arises from true nobility of char- acter, deference for the opinions of others, kindness and geniality.

GUSTAV KOEHLER.

Gustav Koehler, devoting his time and energies to farming and stock-raising, is located on sec- tion 29, Richland township, and his birth oc- curred at Depue, Bureau county, Illinois, April 7, 1855, his parents being Ferdinand and Wil- helmina (Seepe) Koehler. The mother died in March, 1901, when more than sixty-seven years of age, while the father is now living in Ford county, Illinois. He was born in Saxony, Ger- many, in 1827 and was there reared and edu- cated, attending the noted college of that prov- ince. The year 1849 witnessed his arrival in America. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made his way direct to the interior of the country and settled at Troy Grove in La Salle county. His father, John Koehler, had come to the United States in 1844 and had taken up his abode upon a farm near Troy Grove, where he resided until 1869, when he removed to Liv- ingston county, Illinois, and made his home there with a daughter. He subsequently returned to La Salle county and died at the home of his

son in 1879, when he had reached the age of eighty-eight years and nine months.

Ferdinand Koehler spent a portion of his time with his father and also at Peru, where he was variously employed, doing hand labor mostly. He was a strong man physically and was thus able to perform much arduous service. As the years passed he became the owner of good city property in Peru. For twenty-three years, how- ever, he has now resided in Ford county, Illinois, and is one of its respected and worthy citizens. His wife came to America in 1848 or 1849 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gerhart Seepe, who settled at Peru, Illinois. Her father was a gen- eral contractor, carrying on business along that line for years, and resided at Peru until his death, which occurred in 1882, when he was sixty-seven years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Koehler were born seven sons and four daughters, namely: Charles, who is resid- ing in Ford county ; Gustav, of this review ; Fred, John, Ferdinand, William and Albert, all of whom are living in Ford county ; Mrs. Caroline Faust, who died at her home in Nebraska in 1888; Amelia, living in Ford county; Annie Christina, the wife of W. G. Wygandt, of Ford county ; and Sophia, the wife of Ole Munson, of Ford county.

Gustav Koehler, whose name introduces this record, was reared in La Salle county and at- tended the common schools. He spent his earlier years in Peru and in 1881 went to Putnam county, Illinois, where he rented a farm, residing thereon for about two years. He saved his earn- ings during that time and in 1883 removed to his present home, purchasing his farm of eighty acres in 1904. He has built a new barn and his farm is now well improved with modern equip- ments and accessories, including good machinery, substantial buildings and well kept fences. He devotes his time and energies to the tilling of the soil and the production of the crops best adapted to the soil and climate, and he also raises some stock.

Mr. Koehler was married in Peru to Miss Elizabeth Obenauer, who was born in La Salle township, this county, in 1856 and is a daughter of John and Maria (Meyer) Obenauer, who came to this county in 1852 or 1853 from Hessen, Germany. Both are now deceased, the father having passed away about seventeen years ago, while the mother's death occurred about two years ago. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Koehler was born one child, Bertram Sylvester, who was born November 4, 1897, and died in the spring of 1898, when but six months old.

Politically Mr. Koehler is a republican and has served as school director but has never been a

GUSTAV KOEHLER.

803

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY ..

politician in the sense of the office seeking. So- cially he is connected with the Mystic Workers and also with the Masonic lodge at Lostant. He is loyal to the teachings of these orders and is thoroughly in sympathy with their principles. Spending almost his entire life in this county, his residence here covers a period of almost a half century, during which time he has witnessed many changes as the work of growth and im- provement has been carried forward. In an active business career he has steadily worked his way upward, for he started out in life empty- handed. He possessed, however, a realization of the fact that prosperity comes as the reward of earnest, persistent labor and along the line of close application and untiring activity he has won the prosperity which he now enjoys.

V. H. HACKETT.

V. H. Hackett is the proprietor of a livery, feed and sale stable at the corner of Illinois and Jefferson streets in Mendota.

W. M. BROWN.

W. M. Brown, living on section 5, Dayton township, is the owner of the old homestead, which he purchased from his father. He was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, May 22, 1839, his parents being Sylvester and Catherine ( Alton- burg) Brown, both of whom were natives of New York, the father born January 5, 1805, and the mother on the 26th of March, 1808. They were married in the Empire state and subse- quently lived for seven years in Ohio. In 1846 they came to La Salle county, settling upon the farm which is now the home of their son, W. M. Brown. This farm was then new and unim- proved and Sylvester Brown built a sawmille, sawed the lumber and built the first house upon the place. He possessed much natural mechani- cal ingenuity and was very handy with tools. In the early days he made coffins for the settlers and he was able to do all of the mechanical work upon his own place. He operated a threshing machine for many years in the days when horse power was used. His farm was all covered with timber when it came into his possession, but he cleared away the trees, grubbed out the stumps and improved the place, making his home thereon until 1887, when he sold it to his son and retired to private life, establishing his home in Ottawa. He was always a good

workman, enjoyed excellent health, being a stout, robust man until a week prior to his death, which occurred when he was eighty-nine years of age. His political support was given to the democracy and for many years he served as supervisor. He also acted as school director and in other minor offices. Those who knew him respected him for his genuine worth, for his activity in business, his honesty in his trade re- lations and his honor under all conditions. His wife also passed away in Ottawa at the age of eighty-nine years. She was a devoted member of the Baptist church and was most faithful to her family

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born seven children, of whom six are now living: Andrew J., who is engaged in the grain business in Chicago ; Elizabeth J., the deceased wife of Isaac Thorn, a resident of Ottawa; Emma Jane, the widow of John Greenleaf, living in Ottawa; W. M., of this review; Loretta, the wife of William Martin, who resides in South Dakota; Sylvester E., living in Seattle, Washington; and Mrs. Anna Neiswanger, of South Dakota.

W. M. Brown was educated in the country schools and in the public schools of Ottawa and when twenty years of age he went west and for four years was engaged in mining in Montana and Idaho. He then returned and lived in Otta- wa for a few years. Later he went upon his father's farm, which he rented for ten years and subsequently he purchased the property which has since been his home. For years he traveled for the Nichols & Shepherd Machine Company and for a decade was their local agent. In 1868 he brought a portable engine into the county and by his own ingenuity added it to a separator, after which for twelve years he run the only steam threshing outfit in the county. His father had operated a thresher by horse power and, studying this machine, Mr. Brown conceived the idea of using the engine and found it very satisfactory.

In 1871 Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Kate Hess, a daughter of Levi Hess, who came to La Salle county in 1852. Mrs. Brown was born July 1, 1839, and by her mar- riage has become the mother of three children. Lester, who died at the age of nineteen years ; Wells H., who married Effie Fike, by whom he has a son, Everett, who for nine years was engaged in the restaurant business in Ottawa; and Frank M., who married Miss Margaret Talbot and is conducting a restaurant in Ottawa.

In his political views Mr. Brown is a demo- crat. He has served as road commissioner and school director but has not been ambitious for public office. For thirty-five years he has been

804

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

identified with the Masonic fraternity, has at- tained high rank in the order and is now a mem- ber of the Mystic Shrine. His entire life has been in harmony with the teachings and tenets of the organization and all who know him recognize his fidelity to Masonic principles and his alle- giance to principles of life that neither seek nor require disguise.

GEORGE H. ATHERTON.

George H. Atherton, of Streator, is now liv- ing retired at No. 405 North Wasson street, but for many years was extensively connected with the operation of the coal fields in various parts of the country, opening many mines in a number of different states. He is a native of England, having been born in Pemberton, near Wigan, Lancastershire, May 29, 1829. His parents were Edward and Elizabeth (Harrison) Ather- ton, who were likewise natives of the locality in which their son George was born and there they spent their entire lives, the father passing away at the age of fifty-five years, while the mother's death occurred when she had reached the age of seventy-eight years. They had a family of eight sons and two daughters and four of the number are now living, George H., Henry Michael and James. The three brothers of Mr. Atherton are still living in England.

In his youth George H. Atherton received but limited educational privileges, gaining his knowl- edge through attending night school, for at an early age he began to provide for his own sup- port. In July, 1862, he crossed the Atlantic to America, and made his way to La Salle county, locating first at Lowell, where he lived for seven years, having a local coal shaft here. On the 15th of September, 1867, he sank a coal shaft at Minonk, and in 1869 removed to that place, where he resided until 1871. In the latter year he came to Streator, where he has since made his home although his business interests have called him to various sections of the country. He was in charge of the coal mines here until March, 1880, and then went to Stanton, where he opened up a coal shaft. In May, 1882, he went to Wenona, where he also opened up a coal shaft and in the fall of 1882 in his business capacity he was called to Guernsey, Ohio, where he took charge of a mine already opened, and in 1884 he opened a coal shaft in Guernsey county, Ohio, for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Coal Company, having fifteen hundred men in their employ. He was in charge of the business and remained with the company until 1888, when he returned to

Streator and again took charge of No. I shaft remaining one year, and in 1889 he went back to Ohio and opened up three large mines at Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, in Jefferson county. In 1893 he purchased an interest in a mine at Barton, Belmont county, Ohio, which he sold to a coal mining company in 1902. He then returned to Streator, where he has since lived a retired life, enjoying in a pleasant home the fruits of his former labor.

On the 4th of September, 1853, Mr. Atherton was married to Miss Sarah Simpkin, the wedding being celebrated in the old parish church at Wigan, England. She was born in that parish on the 6th of July, 1835, and for almost a half century they traveled life's journey together, but were separated by the death of Mrs. Atherton on the 15th of June, 1903. She was a daugh- ter of Daniel and Mary Ann (Flood) Simpkin, both of whom were natives of England, where they spent their entire lives, the father passing away at the age of seventy years and his wife when forty-seven years of age. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Atherton has been blessed with eight children, two sons and six daughters, of whom one son and four daughters are yet living.

Mr. Atherton is a member of the Episcopal church and gives his political support to the republican party but has never sought or de- sired office, having always preferred to concen- trate his energies upon his business affairs whereby he has met with well merited success. He has always made the most of his opportuni- ties and as the years went by he labored earn- estly and persistently, his efficiency in the line of his chosen pursuit being such as to enable him to command responsible positions and high - wages. Thus he is now enabled to live retired, enjoying at his home in Streator a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

ADAM MORRISON.

Adam Morrison, a retired farmer living at No. 307 West Lincoln street, is one of the worthy citizens that Scotland has furnished to La Salle county. His birth occurred in Nelson in the land of hills and heather, April 29, 1828. He was only nine years of age when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in a sailing vessel which weighed anchor at Glasgow and dropped anchor in the harbor of Boston. He afterward went to Burlington, Massachusetts, and thence to Fall River, that state, where he resided until the fall of 1848, working in a cloth factory in

805

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

making prints. The latter year witnessed his arrival in La Salle county and for almost sixty years he has continued to reside here, being now numbered among its early and honored settlers. He started in life as a farmer when twenty-three years of age, and at one time owned two hundred and fifty acres of rich, productive and valuable land. This was all wild prairie when it came into his possession, being covered with its native grasses. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place but with char- acteristic energy be began its development. He was one of the pioneers of Otter Creek town- ship and the journey to La Salle county was made by canal from Chicago to Ottawa in the year 1848 in company with his parents. He has seen many changes that have been wrought by time and man as the country has been re- claimed for the uses of civilization and as the years passed he labored persistently and earnest- ly to develop a farm, his work resulting suc- cessfully as the years went by. He continued actively in agricultural pursuits until 1896, when he took up his abode at his home in Streator and is now taking life easy.

Mr. Morrison has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Fannie Dickinson on the 19th of March, 1854. She was born in Manchester, England, March 7, 1835, and died in April, 1896. She was a daughter of William and Sarah Dickinson, and by her marriage she be- came the mother of five children, two sons and three daughters, namely: Josephine C., the wife of David A. Mitchel, a resident of Livingston county ; Adam F., who married Mary Welch and resides in Livingston county; Fannie E., the wife of William Pool, living in Otter Creek township; William W., who married Rose Horn, and resides in Livingston county ; and Sarah A., the wife of Henry Gleim, of La Salle county.

Having lost his first wife Mr. Morrison wedded Mrs. Melvina Morrison, the widow of his brother, Matthew Morrison. By her first mar- riage she had four sons, Samuel, Oliver, Albert, and Jabez. Her marriage to Matthew Morrison was celebrated in Bruce township, and he died in 1881. He was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in November, 1861, as a member of Company C, Fifty-third Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He joined for three years and served for the full term but lost his life through the exposures and hardships of war. He after- ward, however, continued to manage the home farm up to the time of his death.

In his political views Mr. Morrison of this review is a democrat. He is a Good Templar and was appointed the first past worthy chief templar of Advance lodge, No. 406, I. O. G. T.,

which was organized September 9, 1874, by J. B. Hill. Mr. Morrison has a very wide and favorable acquaintance in the county in which he has so long lived and labored and justly de- serves mention among its representative citizens whose labors have contributed to general progress and improvement.

CHRISTIAN LOEBACH.

In the years of an active business career Christian Loebach has devoted his time and at- tention to general farming and stock-raising and is now located on section II, Eagle township, where he owns and cultivates three hundred and ninety-three acres of finely improved land, the entire farm lying in Eagle township, save forty acres which extends across the line in Vermil- lion township. His residence in La Salle county dates from 1867, in which year he came from his old home on the Rhine, in Prussia, Germany, to the new world. He was born in 1845, his parents being Henry and Frances (Stokhausen) Loebach, both of whom died in Germany, the father pass- ing away in 1883, and the mother in 1872. He was born in 1802, and his wife in 1807. Henry Loebach visited this country in 1874, remaining a year, after which he returned to his native land. In his family were six children, one of whom, Mrs. Gertrude Honscheid, died in Living- ston county, Illinois, June 19, 1906, while a son Henry Loebach, died at Leonore, Illinois, June I, 1901, at the age of sixty-two years. The others, George, Barbara, and Mary, all died in Germany.

Christian Loebach, the only surviving member of the family, spent his youth in the land of his nativity and is indebted to the public-school sys- tem there for the educational privileges he en- joyed. He engaged in farming in that country to some extent and had practically no funds when he arrived here. Locating in Richland township in the year 1867, being then a young man of twenty-two years, he began work as a farm hand and was thus employed for a consider- able period but at length his labors and economy brought him sufficient capital to enable him to secure a farm of his own. His first purchase of land was a tract of one hundred and thirteen acres in Eagle township, of which he became the possessor in 1896, and he afterward bought eighty acres of the Lock farm in the same town- ship, so that he is now the owner of an excellent property. He has also further added to the tract until his place comprises three hundred and ninety-three acres, upon which excellent modern improvements have been made. Besides this he

806

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

has an improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Lamoure county, North Dakota, which he rents.

Mr. Loebach was married in this county to Miss Elizabeth Eschbach, who was born in La Salle county, a daughter of Conrad and Chris- tina (Vogle) Eschbach, early settlers, who died years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Loebach have four- teen children : Christina, at home; Conrad, who is married and resides in Richland township; Peter J., who is married and lives in the same township : Henry C., at home; John, who is mar- ried and lives in Vermillion township; William ; Charles J .; Frank J .; Anton; Mary L .; Eliza- beth M .; Katie A .; Margaret G .; Minnie S .; and one child who died in infancy.

Mr. Loebach votes an independent ballot, sup- porting men and measures rather than party. He has served as school director of district No. 31 for thirty-one years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He is es- pecially interested in the development of schools along those lines that work for a practical educa- tion. He and his family are communicants of the German Catholic church of Richland. For almost forty years Mr. Loebach has resided in this county and has never had occasion to re- gret his determination to leave his native land and seek a home in the new world, for he has recognized and utilized opportunities here and through the best use of his advantages has grad- ually worked his way upward until his position among the men of affluence of Eagle township is a creditable and enviable one.

WILLIAM H. PIKE.

William H. Pike, a farmer and stock-raiser lo- cated on section 24, South Ottawa township, owns a finely improved tract of land of two hundred acres on which are good buildings and modern equipments. His residence in La Salle county dates from 1884. He was a young man of about twenty-three years when he came to Illinois, his birth having occurred in Devonshire, England, in 1861, his parents being Samuel and Elizabeth (Way) Pike, who always remained in England and were there engaged in the dairy business. Both have died since their son William came to America. In their family were six children who are yet living and two sons and a daughter who are now deceased. With the exception of our subject all still reside in England.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 103

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855 Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286