History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 111

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 111

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).

862

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

the Republic, being a senior post commander. He has also held the position of council of the administration in the state department of Illinois and has been elected a delegate to the national encampment a number of times.

ELISHA M. MERRITT.

Elisha M. Merrit, a scientist and retired farmer living in the village of Troy Grove, is one of the prominent and influential citizens of his portion of La Salle county, having shaped a successful business career and at the same time given much attention to scientific research and investigation, whereby he has constantly broadened his knowl- edge and gained a thorough understanding of the structural formation of the earth. His inter- est centers chiefly in geology and few men out- side of professional lines have as intimate and accurate knowledge of the science.

Mr. Merritt is a native of New York, having been born in Auburn, Cayuga county, on the 7th of April, 1826. He has, therefore, passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, but in spirit and interest seems yet in his prime. He is of Holland Dutch descent in both the paternal and maternal lines. His grandfather Merritt was a native of New Jersey and a farmer by oc- cupation. He lived to attain advanced years and reared a family of six children, five sons and one daughter. Isaac Ray, the maternal grand- father of Mr. Merritt, was a native of New Jer- sey, followed the occupation of farming and had a family of two daughters, one of whom, Chris- tiana Ray, also born in New Jersey, became the wife of Henry Merritt and the mother of our subject. Henry Merritt devoted his life to agricul- tural pursuits, and from New Jersey, his native state, removed to New York, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1861, at the age of sixty-four years. He was twice married, the mother of our subject being his second wife. There were two sons and two daughters by the previous marriage, but all have passed away. Unto Henry and Christiana Merritt were born three sons and three daughters. Both parents were members of the Society of Friends and in that faith spent their entire lives. The wife and mother passed away in 1857.

Reared to the occupation of farming, Elisha M. Merritt worked in the fields through the sum- mer months and in the winter seasons acquired his preliminary education in the district schools and his more advanced education in a local acad- emy. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until twenty years of age, when he

started out upon an independent business career and was employed in a hotel at Little Sodus Bay for a few months. Removing to Auburn, New York, he served as jailer there under the sheriff of the county, but in 1849, thinking to enjoy bet- ter business opportunities in the west, he came to La Salle county and entered upon his business career here as a farm hand in Ophir township. Thus he gained his start and when his earnings were sufficient to enable him to purchase land he invested in forty acres in the same district. Later he sold that property advantageously and bought another farm. Of this he also afterward dis- posed 'and he invested his capital in a quarter section of land in McLean county. He did not leave La Salle county, Illinois, but leased his farm to responsible tenants until he sold it in order to buy stock in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. For almost three decades he has lived retired in the village of Troy Grove and is one of its most respected and worthy resi- dents. His success in business is attributable to his labor, perseverance, judicious investment and keen insight, and his prosperity has been of a de- gree that has enabled him for a long period to rest from further arduous labor.

On the 22d of December, 1852, Mr. Merritt was united in marriage to Miss Ann L. Searls, 2 daughter of Captain Gurdon and Eunice (Lathrop) Searls, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. In 1838 they removed to Illinois, casting in their lot with the pioneer residents of Rockwell, La Salle county, and for a consider- able period there was no house between their own home and Ottawa. They came west with a colony by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, taking three weeks to make the trip and coming over the Allegeheny mountains in tram cars, which had stationary engines for motive power. Mr. Searls was a successful farmer and was ac- tively engaged in his chosen vocation until his death in 1856, when he was sixty-three years of age. After surviving him for a few years his widow passed away in 1862, at the age of sixty- three years and six months. Mr. Searis was generally known by the title of captain, as he held that rank in a cavalry company during the war of 1812, and won lasting honor in that sec- ond great conflict of this country with England.

Mr. and Mrs. Merritt now occupy a fine home in Troy Grove. They have traveled life's jour- ney together for more than a half century, shar- ing with each other its joys and sorrows, ad- versity and prosperity. Altogether they have had many happy years and are now surrounded by the comforts that go to make life worth liv- ing. Mr. Merritt is a man of generous disposi- tion and liberal qualities, giving freely of his

E. M. MERRITT.

865

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

means for matters of public interest, or for the aid of the poor and needy. His time is largely devoted to the study of geology and he has one of the finest private collections of geological specimens in Illinois, having devoted a quarter of a century to gathering these. A few years ago he gave a part of his collection to the schools of Saybrook, Illinois. He has given much time to reading and investigation along that line, now spending his years largely in geological re- search. In politics he is a strong prohibition- ist, advocating the cause of temperance and all that pertains to the suppression of the liquor traffic. His life has been characterized by all that is honorable and by all that is straightfor- ward in his relations with his fellowmen. His strong mentality, his sterling characteristics and his devotion to principle have rendered him a man whom to know is to respect and honor and throughout the county he is held in the highest esteem, while the long period of his residence here well entitles him to representation in this volume.

JOHN F. McDONNELL.

John F. McDonnell is the owner of an ex- cellent farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 22 and 23, Wallace township. It is all under a high state of cultivation and is im- proved with a large two-story frame residence, a commodious barn, corn cribs, granaries and other equipments of a model farm of the twen- tieth century. In all of his work he is progres- sive and enterprising and his labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of prosperity. Born in Ottawa on the 22d of February, 1856, he is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (O'Conner) McDonnell, both of whom were natives of Ire- land. The father came from the Emerald isle to America with his parents and was married in Ottawa, where for many years he was en- gaged in the coal business. He devoted his en- ergies to that pursuit in the days when it was customary to make an excavation and mine the coal by a process which they called stripping. He later removed to a farm in Wallace township, making his home there until his death, which occurred about ten years ago, when he was sev- enty-three years of age. His widow is still liv- ing in Ottawa. In their family were four chil- dren: Mary, now the wife of John Gary, a res- ident of Ottawa; John F., of this review; Thomas, who died at the age of thirteen years ; and Robert, who is living on the old homestead in Wallace township.

John F. McDonnell spent his early years in the city of his birth and later removed with his parents to the farm, whereon he made his home up to the time of his marriage, working in the fields from the time of early spring planting un- til crops were harvested in the late autumn. Seeking a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney, he was married on the 18th of April, 1883, to Miss Alice O'Donnell, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Edmund O'Donnell, now deceased. The young couple began their domestic life on a farm of eighty acres near the old homestead, which Mr. McDonnell purchased and where they resided for five years. He then bought the farm whereon he now lives. It is known as the Babcock farm and comprises two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, so that the fields annually return golden harvests for the care and labor bestowed upon them. He has also built an attractive and commodious two-story residence and in the rear has put up large barns, corn cribs, a granary and other buildings. He has also laid many rods of tiling to drain the place and altogether has one of the best farms in Wallace township.

Mr. and Mrs. McDonnell have had five chil- dren, four of whom are at home: Robert E .. Isabell, Mary, Elizabeth, and Margaret, who died in infancy. Mr. McDonnell has always been a democrat, following in the political footsteps of his father in this connection, and he and his family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church. He has served for many years as school director and was treasurer of his district for six years. He is a man of sound judgment, a good financier and is one of the substantial citi- zens of the county, whose life of activity and enterprise has resulted in the acquirement of a handsome competence. He is well able to re- tire but has led a life of industry and prefers to remain upon the farm, giving his supervision to its management.

CHARLES A. CRONE.

Charles A. Crone, who is conducting large farming interests near Rutland, is a native of the province of Smoland, Sweden, where he was born June 28, 1855. His parents were Gustav and Eva Crone, who in September, 1866, became residents of Henry, Illinois, settling upon a farm. The mother died December 25, 1901, at the age of seventy-seven years. The father is still liv- ing at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. He served as a soldier of the regular army in

866

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

Sweden. In the family were seven children : Josephine, now the wife of N. P. Johnson, of Stromsburg, Nebraska; Gustav W., also living at that place; Matilda, the widow of Charles Nelson and a resident of Wenona, Illinois ; Charles A .; Franz O., living in Osage township, La Salle county ; John F., of Osage township; and Emma, the wife of Charles A. Lindgren, of Evans township, Marshall county.

Charles A. Crone was educated in the dis- trict schools and spent his early life upon the home farm, but when still a young man began work by the month and throughout his entire life has been identified with agricultural pur- suits. In 1876 he rented a stock farm in Living- ston county, Illinois, where he remained for four years, on the expiration of which period he came to Groveland township, La Salle county, to a large farm of six hundred and forty acres be- longing to the Davis estate. This is a stock farm covering section 5, Groveland township, and is a very valuable property, which is capably conducted by Mr. Crone. He has acted as agent and superintendent for the Davis and Clark lands in this vicinity and has held other posi- tions of trust and responsibility. He also owns lands in Nebraska.

On the 6th of February, 1884, was celebrated the marriage of Charles A. Crone and Miss Caro- line Lindgren, a daughter of C. G. Lindgren, of Marshall county, Illinois. This marriage has been blessed with seven children: Alma F., Robert W., Charles E., Carrie E., Pearl I., George A. and Hattie Elanore, who died Octo- ber 23, 1889. The parents are members of the Swedish Lutheran church of Wenona and polit- ically Mr. Crone is a republican. He has served and is still filling the office of school trustee and has been road commissioner for three years. These duties are faithfully performed by him because he regards a public office as a public trust and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. As a busi- ness man he is well known for his probity, fair- ness and honorable methods and in all things has been eminently practical.

PATRICK WOODS.

Patrick Woods, the largest cattle feeder in Freedom township and one of the most promi- nent in this line of business in La Salle county, has valuable farming interests and is conducting a business which in extent and importance makes him one of the leading representatives of agricultural life in this part of the county.

He was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, March, 14, 1859. His father, Patrick Woods, Sr., is now living in Hastings, Nebraska. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Cathe- rine Tuslon, now makes her home in Wallace township with her son John.

When Patrick Woods was eighteen years of age he came to America and was employed at farm labor near Ottawa for about four months. He then secured work on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad with what was called the freighting gang, doing construction and repair work. By strict attention to business, combined with his natural ability and energy, he entered upon a business career which has eventually re- sulted in winning him success. At the end of the year he was put in charge of a force of sixty men, being placed above men who had been in the business for years. His promotion came as a surprise to him as well as to his fellow work- men but he had won the attention of those above him and his fidelity, ability and unflagging in- dustry constituted the secret of his advancement. Not liking the associations of such a life and knowing that he had not the education to fit him for higher positions he resigned his work after six months and turned his attention to farming labor. For three and a half years he was thus employed, spending three years in the service of one man, who was a large cattle feeder in Serena township. He received twenty-five dollars per month the year round, which was more than was usually paid at that time but the value of his services was recognized. He determined to learn the business and after doing so engaged in farming on his own account.

He first rented eighty acres of land for two years, after which he rented a farm of three hundred and twenty acres for eleven years. Before the expiration of that period, however, he had purchased the Bostwick farm, compris- ing one hundred and ninety acres. Eleven years ago he removed to his present place of residence, where he has since made his home. He has remodeled and enlarged the house, making it an attractive residence and has also built barns and cattle sheds until the place with its many build- ings looks like a little village. He is the largest cattle-feeder in Freedom township and one of the most prominent in La Salle county, feeding on an average of eleven thousand bushels of corn per year. He raises about a hundred head of cattle every year and buys the rest in surround- ing districts. He keeps one man busy about six months a year hauling and spreading manure. He has the latest improved farm tools and ma- chinery and everything about his place is thoroughly modern and up-to-date. For fifteen

867

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

years he has raised cattle eligible to register although he does not take the trouble to register. He has made a speciality of black polled Angus cattle and has some very fine stock upon his place. He employs a number of workmen and gives his financial and stock-raising interests his personal supervision.

In 1887 Mr. Woods was united in marriage to Miss Mary Corbett, a native of County Cork, Ireland, and they now have three children : James, eighteen years of age; Katherine; and Mary, who is fourteen years of age and is at- tending a convent in Chicago. The two eldest are at home.

Formerly Mr. Woods was a democrat but now casts an independent ballot, voting for the men whom he regards as best qualified for office without considering party affiliations. He has served as school director for six years and was spoken of as a candidate for sheriff but he had no aspiration in that direction and would not permit his name to be used. His educational privileges were very limited but nevertheless he is a man of unusual business ability and sound judgment. He is public-spirited and never afraid to spend a dollar for the general good. He now has two telephones in his house, having put the second in in order to help the company get a start. His church relationship is with the Catholics. "Pat" Woods, as he is familiarly called, is very widely and favorably known in this part of the county and certainly deserves much credit for the success which he has achieved and which has resulted from his dili- gence and enterprise. He has worked hard and persistently and his life record proves that earnest labor is a safe basis upon which to build success.

SIMON BAKER.

Simon Baker is now living a retired life in Ottawa but for many years was a representative farmer of this county and through the careful conduct of his business affairs won the compe- tence that now enables him to enjoy a well earned rest. He is moreover a worthy repre- sentative of the citizenship that Germany has furnished to this state. Born in the fatherland. he acquired his education in its public schools and came to America when twenty years of age, attracted by the broader possibilities and op- portunities of the new world. The voyage was made in a sailing vessel to New Orleans, whence he proceeded up the Mississippi river to the Illi- nois and thence by way of that water course to Peru. He worked by the month until his mar-

riage, which occurred when he was twenty-five years of age, the lady of his choice being Miss Matilda Miller, also a native of Germany.

The young couple began their domestic life in Eden township, where Mr. Baker energetically took up the work of the farm, transforming his land into very productive fields, from which he annually gathered rich harvests. As his finan- cial resources permitted he invested more and more largely in land and became the owner of a valuable tract of one hundred and twenty acres on section 19, and one hundred and five acres on section II, Eden township. This land is still in his possession, although he is now retired from its active management. He has lived a life of industry and thrift and his strong purpose and indefatigable labor brought to him a large measure of success as the years went by, so that with a comfortable competence he is enjoying a rest that is well merited. In the spring of 1906 he left the farm and removed to Ottawa, where .he is now residing.

Unto Mr. Baker and his first wife were born the following named : Emma, deceased; Au- gusta ; Lizzie ; Charlie ; Anna, who has also passed away ; Victor ; Ida and Rudolph, both deceased ; and Edwin. Mr. Baker was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife and has since mar- ried Susanna Richard, who was born in Penn- sylvania. There was one child of this mar- riage, Minnie, now deceased.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Baker hold membership in the Evangelical church and his political alle- giance has been given to the republican party since he became a naturalized American citizen. He has never been active as an office seeker, preferring to leave that to others, but has served as road commissioner and as a private citizen has done effective work for public progress in his support of many measures that have been instituted for the general good. In all of his business undertakings he has not only been en- ergetic but likewise reliable and trustworthy and is esteemed by all with whom he has been brought in contact.

Since the father left the farm Edwin Baker and his sister Lizzie have resided thereon and the former is in charge of the work of the fields, while his sister is acting as housekeeper. He was born upon this farm in 1885 and spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farm lads, devoting his time between the work of the school- room, the pleasures of the playground and the tasks which were assigned him in the fields. By broad, practical experience he became well equipped to take up the work which now occu- pies his attention and in the spring of 1906 the farm was given over to his management and

868

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

he is now capably conducting it. He, too, is a republican in his political views and religiously is connected with the Evangelical church.

CHESTER B. CLARK.

Chester B. Clark was for forty years a mer- chant at Earlville and his name is therefore in- dissolubly connected with the history of the town and its commercial progress. He stood for advancement in public as well as in business life and was the advocate of improvements at all times, so that his death, which occurred March 30, 1901, was the occasion of deep and wide-spread regret. He was born at Torring- ford, Connecticut, in 1827, a son of Converse and Almira (Burr) Clark, who were likewise natives of Connecticut. They removed to Erie county, Pennsylvania, on leaving New England and resided for many years.in Green township, where the father was engaged in dairy farm- ing. He afterward removed with his family to Springfield in the same county and there his death occurred December 29, 1853, when he was fifty-three years of age, for he was born February 29, 1800. His widow, long surviving him, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wattles, in Earlville, Illinois, August 19, 1890. She was born in 1803 and was therefore about eighty-seven years of age when called to her final rest. In the family of this worthy couple were six children : George, who has been a great traveler and is now residing in Leavenworth, Kansas, at the age of more than eighty years; Chester B., of this review; Mrs. Flora Wat- tles, who was for many years a resident of Earlville but died at Walnut, Illinois; Mrs. Jane Rea, a widow, living at Girard, Pennsylvania ; and Almon, also of Girard.

Chester B. Clark was reared in Pennsylvania and the public-school system of the state afforded him his early educational privileges. Having arrived at years of maturity he was married to Miss Laura A. Baldwin, whose birth occurred in Rutland, Vermont, and whose parents were Clark H. and Belinda (Hart) Baldwin, who removed to Erie county, Pennsylvania, and re- sided for a number of years at Springfield. They were natives of the Green Mountain state, the former born at Rutland, Vermont, February 28, 1802, while his death occurred at Springfield, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1885. His wife, who was born in Vermont, August 14, 1813, died at Springfield, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1892, at the venerable age of seventy-eight years. They were farming people and were pioneer resi-

dents of Erie county, Pennsylvania, with the work and development of which they became closely associated. Their daughter, Mrs. Clark, was one of a family of eight children : Mrs. Mary J. Sherman, who is now residing at Springfield, Pennsylvania; Isaac C., who died at Princeton, Illinois ; William H., who pasesd away at Spring- field, Pennsylvania; Harriet G., who died in the same city ; George C. and Frank, who are resi- dents of Conneaut, Ohio; and Ella A., who has departed this life. Mrs. Clark was prac- tically reared in Erie county, Pennsylvania, which was her home until her marriage.

Following his marriage Mr. Clark followed surveying to some extent in the east and also engaged in teaching school, although he was reared to the occupation of dairy farming. Seek- ing a home and business opportunities in the middle west, he arrived in Princeton, Illinois, in 1854 and there resided for thirteen years. He was engaged in the grain and stock business and also in merchandising. After the war he removed with his family to La Salle county, locating at Earlville in 1867. Here he engaged in merchandising and was for forty years identi- fied with commercial pursuits in this town, add- ing largely to its business development and up- building through his spirit of enterprise, dili- gence and perseverance. In all of his business transactions he was found trustworthy and he put forth strenuous and active effort for the public good as well as for his individual interests.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born three children, all born in Princeton, namely: Frank Chester, who died September 5, 1860, at the age of four years; one who died in infancy; and Frederick Converse, who was a professor in the Columbus State University of Ohio for seven years. He was born August 27, 1865, and died at Columbus in 1903.

Politically Mr. Clark was always an earnest republican and kept well informed on questions and issues of the day, but steadily refused to hold office. Socially he was an Odd Fellow. In a review of his life work we find that he overcame many difficulties and obstacles in his path and that he worked his way upward unaided from a humble financial position to one of affluence. He allowed no difficulties to brook his path and because of his strong and deter- mined purpose the obstacles which he en- countered vanished before him like mist before the morning sun. Mrs. Clark, who was ever a worthy helpmate to her husband, is a member of the Methodist church, and has been a teacher in the Sabbath-school for over thirty-three years. She still lives in Earlville, where for so many years they made their home and there

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 111

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