History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 104

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

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William H. Pike was educated in the common schools and is a self-made man, whose enterprise, laudable ambition and diligence constitute the

basis upon which he has builded his success. Hearing favorable reports concerning the new world and business opportunities, he resolved to try his fortune in America and made arrange- ments whereby he left his native land and came to the new world. He arrived in La Salle coun- ty in 1884 and entered the employ of a Mr. Farnsworth, who was engaged in the dairy busi- ness. He was also with Mr. Turner in Farm Ridge township. He continued with Mr. Farnsworth for about three years, after which he took charge of Dr. Dyer's farm in Utica town- ship, where he remained for nine years, carrying on a successful business. On the expiration of that period he removed to his present farm, which he rented for a term of five years. He then rented it for another term and in 1902 he purchased the property, comprising two hundred acres of high- ly cultivated and well improved land on section 24, South Ottawa township. Here he carries on general farming, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and during the past year he has also furnished considerable milk to the Spring Hill dairy. The farm is finely improved, being supplied with all modern equipments and he raises considerable stock here.

In 1887 was celebrated the marriage of Wil- liam H. Pike and Miss Mary J. Pike, who though the same name was not of the same family. She was born in Wales and was brought to America in her infancy by her father, who is now resid- ing in Ottawa. Mr. and Mrs. William Pike have become the parents of six children, all born in this county, namely: Walter, Florence, Blanche, Lillian, Elizabeth and Carlotte.

William H. Pike exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, with which he has affiliated since becoming a naturalized American citizen, and he manifests the same loyalty to our republic- an institutions that is shown by the most faith- ful of the native born citizens. Fraternally he is connected with the Loyal Americans. He was christened and confirmed in the Church of England, but he and his wife are now members of the Methodist church and his life is upright and honorable in harmony with his professions.

MARION A. WARREN.

Marion A. Warren has spent his entire life in La Salle county, where he was born October 10, I856. His birthplace was on section 5, Serena township, and upon this section he still resides, farming eighty acres of richly cultivated land, which responds readily to the care and labor he

MR. AND MRS. W. H. PIKE.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

bestows upon it, yielding in return abundant harvests. He is a son of William P. Warren, the sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Upon the old home farm he was reared, assisting in the labors of the fields and the mead- ows until twenty-nine years of age. His edu- cation was acquired in the common schools and in Paw Paw Academy. In early life he also learned surveying and worked in that way with his father who was a surveyor. Thus the years passed in active, enterprising labor and his latent talents and energies were developed and pro- duced the foundation upon which he has builded his later successes.

On the 26th of November, 1885, Mr. Warren was united in marriage in Freedom township to Miss Nancy B. Rowe, who was born in that township and was educated in a convent at Otta- wa, and attended Aurora Seminary for one term. She was a personal friend of Professor Hoffman and prior to her marriage was successfully en- · gaged in teaching for five terms. The young couple began their domestic life upon the home farm and later came to their present home, and as the years have gone by Mr. Warren has car- ried on the work of tilling the soil until the fields are now very productive. He has rotated crops and conducted his work along lines of mod- ern agricultural progress. He has also rebuilt and remodeled the house and laid many rods of tiling whereby he has drained the land. He has likewise fenced his place and built a new barn. There is a deep well and wind pump, together with an elevated tank and the water is piped to the house, so that there is hot and cold water in the bathroom and other parts of the house. The dwelling is heated and lighted by acetylene gas and they also have telephone communication with the surrounding district. The home is thorough- ly modern in every particular and one of its most pleasing features is its warm-hearted hos- pitality. In connection with general farming Mr. Warren is engaged in many surveys for drains, etc. He has followed the business for years, having learned it with his father in early manhood.

A life-long republican, Marion A. Warren was elected and served as justice of the peace for eight years. He has also been highway com- missioner and is serving now for the second term. Regarding the public-school system as one of the strong bulwarks of the nation he has put forth effective effort in behalf of the schools and the employment of competent teachers, and has done effective service as a member of the school board. He has been district clerk for fif- teen years and was president of the board for ten years. An exemplary member of the Masonic

fraternity he belongs to Freedom lodge, No. 194, A. F. & A. M., in which he has served for four years as master and has also been deacon and warden. He has likewise represented the lodge in the grand lodge at different sessions. Both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, in which, with the exception of one year, Mrs. Warren has served as matron since the organization of Rowe chapter at Harding in 1895. She has also been Grand Esther of the state association. She organized the ladies so- cial circle of Pleasant Hill church and is now its president. Both Mr. and Mrs. Warren are very prominent socially and their influence has been a potent factor in literary culture and in the de- velopment of a fraternal spirit here. Their friends are many and wherever they are known they are held in high esteem.

WILLIAM HENRY PILCHER.

William Henry Pilcher, who for many years figured prominently in connection with mercan- tile and agricultural interests in Streator, is now living retired. A life of honorable activity has been crowned with a gratifying competence which supplies him with the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. A native of Greene county, Ohio, his parents were Henry and Mar- garet (Courtney) Pilcher. Owing to his father's early death he was thrown upon his own re- sources when seventeen years of age, and in his youth he worked at farm labor. The money thus earned enabled him to pursue an academic education, and, ambitious for intellectual advance- · ment, he availed himself of the opportunity thus afforded. In early manhood he began teaching school and followed that profession in Livingston and La Salle counties, Illinois, for about twelve years, having come to this state with his father in 1847. He proved a capable educator, im- parting clearly and readily to others the knowl- edge that he had acquired but he retired from the profession in 1869 and accepted a clerkship in the hardware store of Mooar & Ames, with whom he remained for about a year, when he formed a partnership with Isaac Ames and F. M. Ryon in the hardware business under the firm style of Ames, Ryon & Pilcher. In 1870, how- ever, he became the partner of F. W. Eades and opened a hardware store under the firm name of Pilcher & Eades, which relation was continued until February, 1880. In May of that year he resumed operations as a hardware merchant in connection with George W. Anderson, under the firm style of Pilcher & Anderson, which con-

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

tinued until March, 1885, when Mr. Anderson retired from the firm and Mr. Pilcher was alone in business for a time but later was in partnership with James Sexton until 1889, when he with- drew from trade circles and has since practically lived retired. He became one of the incorpora- tors of the Union National Bank, at Streator, and at its organization was chosen one of its directors, in which capacity he served until the spring of 1902, when he resigned and moved to Indiana.

Mr. Pilcher has been married twice, his first union being with Sophia D. Shaw, a daughter of Crandal Shaw, of Livingston county, Illinois, who died leaving a daughter, Myrtilla S., who has been splendidly educated, having studied in Germany, since which time she has taught the German language. Having lost his first wife Mr. Pilcher married Miss M. L. Cooper, a daugh- ter of E. Cooper, of this county, and they have two living children : Edna L., the wife of J. H. Graham, a resident of Newcastle, Indiana; and Lela G., who was graduated from the Illinois State University in the class of 1895, and is now a high-school teacher.

In December, 1901, Mr. Pilcher purchased a farm near Newcastle, Indiana, on which he took up his abode in the spring of 1902, there re- maining until the spring of 1906 .. He after- ward sold his farm and has returned to Streator. He is the owner of two fine brick store build- ings here, having purchased one in the spring of 1906, and he also owns a beautiful residence here, together with other valuable real estate, which is improved, his property interests re- turning him a very excellent income.

Mr. Pilcher has been deeply interested in pub- lic affairs, when his labors have been of direct. and permanent good to the community. He served as a member of the board of supervisors of La Salle county for four years and was treasurer of Bruce township tor fifteen years, while for a number of years he was president of the Streator high school board. He was the first man made a Mason in Streator lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M., with which he has been identi- fied since 1869. He has served as its secretary and is a member of Streator chapter, No. 168, R. A. M .; Streator council, No. 73, R. & S. M .; and was knighted in Ottawa commandery, No. IO, K. T., May II, 1876. His interests have been thoroughly identified with those of La Salle county from his early manhood to the present time, and his recognition of opportunities for the public welfare has led him to give hearty co-operation to many movements that have had direct bearing upon the progress and develop- ment of this part of the state. His life has been

honorable and upright and has been guided by principles which in . every land and clime com- mand respect and confidence.

MRS. JULIA A. EADES.

Mrs. Julia A. Eades, residing at No. 610 Broadway, at Streator, is the widow of James Eades, who was born in Mount Rath, Ireland, on the IIth of October, 1815. His parents were James and Ellen (Calbec) Eades. The father died in Ireland, and the mother afterward came to the United States with her daughter Ellen, her death occurring in La Salle county in 1844, The daughter became the wife of Mr. Barnes and both are now deceased.

In the public schools of his native country James Eades acquired his education, and when a young man, in 1834, he crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Onondaga county, New. York, where his attention was given to the manu- facture of woolen goods. He was thus identi- fied with industrial interests in that locality for some time but afterward sold out and engaged in farming for several years in the state of New York. Thinking to enjoy still better business privileges in the middle west he came to Streator in 1877 and turned his attention to the coal min- ing business. He was one of the early operators of this county and for a number of years his son, Frederick W. Eades, was associated with him in the business. Through the development of the natural resources of the county in the direc- tion of coal mining Mr. Eades contributed in large measure to the substantial financial devel- opment of this part of the state. He was more- over a leading citizen of Streator, taking an ac- tive and helpful interets in educational affairs, and was himself a great student who read broad- ly and thought deeply. The public schools found in him a warm friend and for many years he served on the school board, doing everything in his power to advance the cause of public in- struction. When he passed away all of the schools of the city were closed in his honor on the day of the funeral.

Mr. Eades was twice married, his first union being with Miss Mary Wilson, by whom he had one son, Frederick W. Mr. Eades was mar- ried in February, 1846, to Miss Julia A. Farn- ham, who was born at Hannibal, Oswego county, New York, May 25, 1823, a daughter of William and Polly (Potter) Farnham, both of whom were natives of Bennington, Vermont, where they were married. Later they removed to Onondaga county, New York, and subsequently

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

to Oswego, that state, where the father died at the age of seventy-one years. He had devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits and had thus provided for his family. His wife sur- vived him for a brief period and died at the age of seventy-two years. In the family of this worthy couple were nine children, four sons and five daughters, but only three are now living: David, a resident of Oswego, New York; Mrs. Eades ; and Mary, who became the wife of Albert Inman, who lost his life in the Civil war. She now makes her home in Auburn, New York.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Eades was blessed with four children, of whom three are living : Mary A .; Inez E., who married Henry C. Strite but lost her husband soon afterward and is now a teacher in the Streator high school ; and Charles V., who is living in New York city. The second child, Herbert E., is deceased.

In his political views Mr. Eades was an earn- est republican and kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day but had no de- sire for public office. His broad reading, his excellent business ability, his keen insight into public conditions and possibilities made him one of the valued and substantial residents of Streator, where he continued to reside until his demise, which occurred in April, 1887, when he was seventy-two years of age. He was known and honored for his sterling worth and his in- fluence was a beneficial factor in public progress here. Mrs. Eades still. makes her home in Streator, where she has a wide circle of acquaint- ances and the kindly regard of many warm friends is extended to her.

HEBRON TOLER SWIFT.

Hebron Toler Swift, assistant superintendent of schools of La Salle county, has devoted his entire life to educational work and is recognized as a leading representative of public instruction in this part of the state. He was born August 22, 1869, on a farm in Long Point township, Liv- ingston county, Illinois, his parents being Robert Simpson and Sarah H. Swift, who came to Illi- nois from Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1857. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother's birth occurred in Virginia. They en- dured the usual hardships and experiences of pioneer life on the prairie at a period when the settlements were widely scattered and when the work of improvement and progress seemed scarcely begun in this portion of the state. At the time of the Civil war Robert S. Swift, re- sponding to his country's call for aid, became a

private of Company H, Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry, and rendered loyal service to the Union cause on the battle-fields of the south. He died in 1901 and is still survived by his widow and their seven children, five sons and two daughters.

Professor Swift, the sixth in order of birth in this family, began his education in the district schools, where he mastered the usual branches of learning taught in such institutions. Because of his good habits and known honesty he was at the age of seventeen years placed in charge of a store in a neighboring village, but soon after- ward the family removed to Eureka and this changed the tenor of his life. He was enabled to secure better educational facilities there and entered the town high school, while three years later he matriculated in Eureka College. He pursued a scientific course, giving special atten- tion to mathematics and was graduated in 1894 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He had been reared to farm labor and had learned to share in the responsibilities of home and farm life. While pursuing his education in Eureka his morning and evening hours and summer vacations were devoted to work of various kinds in order tliat he might assist in defraying the expenses of his high-school and collegiate courses. Following his graduation he accepted a position as a teacher in a country school. He held four different po- sitions as a teacher, each change bringing him a wider field and greater opportunities. After

six years' experience as a representative of the profession he was voluntarily called to the of- fice of the county superintendent of schools in La Salle county as assistant to Professor U. J. Hoffman. He acted in that capacity for more than five years with credit to himself and satis- faction to the general public. He is now assist- ant superintendent of schools in La Salle county and a candidate for the office of county superin- tendent. He is a loyal republican with a high sense of conscientious obligation regarding the duties of citizenship. He has never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty until the present time, when he is seeking a position in the line of his chosen profession and one for which his previous experience has well qualified him.

On the 28th of June. 1905. Mr. Swift was mar- ried to Miss Adaline Strait at the beautiful country home of her parents in Dayton town- ship. She was educated in the country schools and pursued a full course in Ottawa township high school. Her father. Emira H. Strait, enlisted for service in Company F. Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunter Infantry and continued with that regiment throughout the en- tire war. When his military experience was

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

ended he returned to Illinois and resumed the tilling of the soil. By long hours of hard labor and strict economy he has established himself in the front rank of the leading and successful farmers of the county and has built for himself and his family a well appointed and modern country home.

Mr. Swift's deep interest in his work and in all that tends to promote the progress of the county along material, intellectual and moral lines has been manifest by his active co-operation in many progressive public movements. He is a mem- ber of the Illinois State Teachers Asociation and of the Northern Illinois Teachers Association and was a delegate to the historic state conven- tion of 1904. In early manhood he became a member of the Christian church, but as there was no organization of that denomination in Otta- wa and wishing to take part in religious life and activity he placed his membership in the First Congregational church of this city. His influ- ence is ever on the side of right, reform, justice and progress, and his public and private life have alike awakened respect and confidence.

JAMES LANIGAN.

James Lanigan, a farmer and stockman, now retired from the active management of his prop- erty but still living on his farm on section 32, Eagle township, has been a resident of La Salle county for more than a half century, having taken up his abode here, when, in 1854, he came from County Mayo, Ireland, to America. He was born on the Emerald isle in 1838 and crossed the Atlantic alone when but nine years of age, landing in New York state, whence he made his way to Pennsylvania. There he resided until sixteen years of age, when he came to La Salle county, Illinois. He had no capital save his strong determination, courageous spirit and res- olute will. These, however, constitute a capital which will win success in the long run. He began working by the month on a farm and so continued until some years after his marriage, when, wishing to have his labors more directly benefit himself he finally rented land and later, when his crops had brought him sufficient cap- ital, he purchased his present home farm, where- on he has resided for the past thirty-eight years, or from February, 1864. He has made splendid improvements upon the place, for when it came into his possession it was a tract of raw prairie on which hardly a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. Soon the track of the plow showed that the work of cultivation had been be-

gun and in due course of time harvests were gathered as the result of the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields.

As a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney Mr. Lanigan chose Miss Mary Halcott, whom he wedded on the 22d of September, 1857. She was born in Greene county, New York, in 1836, a daughter of Colonel Thomas and Margaret (Morrison) Halcott, who came to La Salle coun- ty in 1844, driving from Chicago to Ottawa, which was then a small village, giving little promise of its present commercial and industrial enterprise. Mr. Halcott was familiarly known as Colonel, having been an officer in the New York Militia. He died more than forty years ago on the 12th of December, 1865, having re- sided in the northeast part of Eagle township from the time he came to the county until his demise. He was numbered among the early set- tlers of this portion of the state and his active co-operation in many progressive movements contributed to the general development and prog- ress of his locality. His wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1881. Their daughter, Mrs. E. M. Galloway, is now residing in Montana, at the advanced age of eighty-two years, while an- other daughter, Mrs. Julia Miller, makes her home in Ottawa.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lani- gan resided for two years in Deer Park township and since that time have made their home in Eagle township. Mrs. Lanigan is probably the longest continuous resident of Eagle township now liv- ing. Mr. Lanigan has been very successful in general farming, also in handling fine stock, in- cluding horses and cattle. He was an energetic business man, always watchful of opportunities and there was no manifestation of anything dila- tory or negligent in his business career. He continued actively in business until about three years ago, since which time his farm has been conducted by his son, William T., and he is now practically living a retired life, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He was an excellent judge of stock and in busi- ness matters connected with the farm was seldom at error.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lanigan were born five children: Ruby is the widow of L. H. New- port, who died about six years ago. She makes her home in Montana and has three children, Mary, Alice and William H. Henry B., a resi- dent of Chicago, where he is manager for a coal company, is married and has two children, Helen and James. John Oscar, also living in Chica- go, is a government inspector and for the past twelve years has been at the Union Stock Yards. He is a graduate of the Chicago Veterinary Col-

MRS. JAMES LANIGAN.

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lege and engages in the practice of veterinary surgery. He is married and has five children, Eldora, Florence, Gladys, James A. and Aliee. Herbert, who is with a coal company of Chicago, is married and has one child, Vera. William T., the youngest son, now operating the home farm, married Anna Riel and has a daughter, Margaret.

In his political views Mr. Lanigan was a dem- ocrat until recent years, since which time he has voted the republican ticket, for his study of the political issues and questions of the day led him to the belief that the latter party is follow- ing a policy most conducive to good government and the promotion of the nation's welfare. He served as road commissioner for fourteen years, when he resigned the office. He has been a faithful official, most true and loyal to the trust reposed in him. He is now living retired in the possession of a handsome competenee which has come as the merited reward of earnest, persist- ent labor. Starting out in life as he did for himself when a little lad of nine years he justly deserves all the praise that is employed in the term, a "self-made man." Facing conditions and diffieulties which would have utterly discouraged and disheartened many a man, he has neverthe- less worked his way upward and through many years of unfaltering activity has achieved most gratifying prosperity.

JOHN SCOTT.

John Scott, interested in the coal fields of La Salle county and making his home in Streator, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, near Dresden, on the 26th of April, 1822. His par- ents were Charles and Sarah (Wilson) Scott. The father was born near Covington, Kentucky, and the mother's birth occurred in Virginia. He was a forgeman by trade and was murdered for his money. His wife died at the age of sixty-six years. In their family were five sons and a daughter, but only four of the number are now living : Samuel, a resident of Columbus, Ohio ; John, of this review; Wilson, who is living in Mattoon, Illinois ; and Andrew J., who resides in Sunbury, Delaware county, Ohio. John Scott was a mere child at the time of his father's disap- pearance, but the manner of his death was not known for about fifteen years afterward. The mother later married Alexander Holmes, a na- tive of Virginia, who died in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1881, at the advanced age of eighty- six years. There were two children by that union : Martha and George.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 104

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