History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 116

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 A. DUNAWAY.

A life of intense and well directed activity has made Mr. Dunaway one of the capable and re- spected county officials of La Salle county. He is serving as county surveyor and makes his home in Ottawa, yet his professional service fre- quently occasions visits to other points. He was born in Farm Ridge township, this county, and after acquiring his preliminary education in the district schools continued his studies in the high school of Ottawa until 1884. Through the suc- ceeding four years he divided his time between teaching school and farming and later entered the State University of Illinois at Champaign, where he took the civil engineering course. Through the succeeding year he was engaged upon the relief map of the state and in other duties in connection with the Columbian Expo- sition. In 1894 he was appointed assistant city engineer of Aurora, Illinois, and from there returned to Ottawa, where he became associated with W. H. Irwin in engineering and surveying work, which lead to his nomination in 1896 for the office of county surveyor upon the repub- lican ticket. He was elected by a large majority in November of that year and has since filled the office. He not only performs varied and responsible duties in this connection but is also frequently called for professional work to the cities of Peru, La Salle, Seneca, Marseilles, Spring Valley and other places.

Mr. Dunaway is a member of Occidental lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M., and also of Ottawa lodge, No. 588, B. P. O. E. He is genial and courteous in manner and displays many sterling traits of character which have won him warm friendship and kindly regard.

CHARLES H. POOL.

Charles H. Pool, living on a farm in Freedom township, where his birth occurred on the 23d of May, 1863, is the only child of William and Harriett (Parrish) Pool. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 27th of Novem- ber, 1827, and when seven years of age came to America with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac

Pool. The family home was established in Plattsburg, New York, where they resided until William Pool was about twenty-one years of age, when they removed from the Empire state to La Salle county, Illinois. Here Isaac Pool purchased a farm on section 24, Freedom town- ship, and made his home thereon until his death.

William Pool continued to reside with his parents until about thirty-five years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. It was in 1862 that he wedded Hariett Parrish, a daughter of Gilbert Parrish, who was a native of Maryland and a soldier of the war of 1812. . Mr. Pool of this review now has in his possession a gun which was carried by the maternal grandfather in the second struggle with England. Gilbert Parrish died in New York many years ago. In the year 1862 William Pool purchased one hundred acres of land on sec- tion 35, Freedom township. It was in a poor state of cultivation and there were rude build- ings upon it, while the fence was made of rails, but he later erected good buildings, including two dwellings. He afterward bought eighty acres more and put his farm in good shape. As the years passed by he carefully carried on the work of tilling the soil and developed the place until he had an excellent property and thereon he continued to reside until his demise, which occurrred on the 19th of January, 1906. He voted with the democratic party but had no desire for office. His life was given to farming and he was a plain, unassuming agriculturist, whose activity in business and genuine personal worth, however, won him the respect and good will of his fellowmen. His widow still survives him and is now seventy-two years of age.

Reared upon the old home farm where his birth occured, Charles H. Pool was educated in the district schools and for a part of three years attended the normal school at Morris, Illi- nois. He early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, as he assisted his father in the improvement of the farm. He now owns a good property of one hundred and eighty acres, which was his father's old homestead. There are substantial buildings upon it and in its appearance it is neat and thrifty, owing to the care and labor which he gives to the fields. His mother lives in one of the houses upon the place and as Mr. Pool is an only child this property will eventually be his. He also owns three hundred and twenty acres of good farming land in Ver- non township, Palo Alto county, Iowa.

In 1886 Mr. Pool was married to Miss Edna Sinclair, a native of La Salle county, and a daughter of Watson and Laura (Beckwith) Sin-

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clair. Her father was born in Lexington, Ken- tucky, August 19, 1824, and is now deceased, but her mother, who was born in October, 1840, is still living with her sons in Iowa and enjoys fair health. Mrs. Pool died September 1, 1903, leav- ing six children, namely : Alma, who at the age of seventeen years is attending the Northern In- diana Normal School, at Valparaiso, Indiana, preparing for the teacher's profession ; Blanch, fourteen years of age; Ashel, thirteen years of age ; Everett, Helen and Laura, aged respectively twelve, ten and nine years, and all at home. On September 20, 1904, Mr. Pool was again married, his second union being with Miss Ida Kember, who was born near Somonauk, Illinois, on Sep- tember 14, 1866. Her father, William Keinber, was a native of England, born January 29, 1839, and served four years in the Civil war. Her mother, Mrs. Catherine (Reed) Kember, was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1838. Both are now deceased, passing away in Florida.

Mr. Pool is a republican, serving for the sec- ond term as road commissioner while for fifteen years he was school director. He co-operates in many measures that have for their object the benefit of the community and the advancement of general welfare. He is connected with the Knights of the Globe at Freeport, and is re- garded as one of its representative and valued members. His entire life has been passed upon the farm, where he yet makes his home and he is widely known in the community, while the fact that his circle of friends is almost co- extensive with the circle of his acquaintance in- dicates that his life has been an upright and hon- orable one.

FRANK M. SIMPSON.

Numbered among the representative citizens and successful farmers of Troy Grove township is Frank M. Simpson, who is pleasantly located on section 3, one and a half miles southeast of Mendota. He is a native of this county, his birth having occurred. in Ophir township, south of Triumph, on the 17th of November, 1851, and he is a son of Robert and Jane (Smith) Simp- son. His father was born in Washington county, Indiana, of German parentage, and the mother was a native of Pennsylvania. The former died when our subject was only three years of age. There were only two children in the family, the older being John, now a resident of Mendota.

During his boyhood Frank M. Simpson at- tended the country schools in Ophir township and as the family were in limited circumstances he

early became dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood .. He sought employment and by hard labor and economy soon gained a start in life. As years have gone by he has pros- pered in his labors and is today the owner of nearly four hundred acres of rich and valuable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and sub- stantial buildings which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.

In 1876, Mr. Simpson was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Watson, also a native of this county and a daughter of J. S. Watson, who came here from Windham, Connecticut, in 1854, and located on the farm now owned and occupied by our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have five children living: Myrtle, who is mar- ried and lives in Troy Grove township; and Ar- thur, Earl, Lyman and Elmer, all at home. Ber- tha and Fred, the two oldest, are deceased.

By his ballot Mr. Simpson supports the men and measures of the republican party, and fra- ternally he affiliates with the Code of Honor and the Loyal Americans. He is a man of good business ability and sound judgment and to these characteristics as well as to industry may be attributed his success in life. He is thoroughly upright and honorable in all that he does and he commands and retains the friend- ship of those with whom he comes in contact either in business or social life.

ROBERT J. THOMPSON.

Robert J. Thompson, living on section 3, Wal- lace township, is the owner of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of rich and product- ive land. He has made improvements upon the property that constitute it a valuable farm and its neat and thrifty appearance shows his care- ful supervision. He was born in Kingston, Can- ada, September 22, 1862, his father being Thomas Thompson, a native of Ireland, who came to America with his father, Robert Thompson, and settled on a farm near Kingston. There Thomas Thompson was reared to manhood and after arriving at years of maturity he wedded Miss Mary Lynch, who was born in Ireland and was taken to Canada by her father, Daniel Lynch, when two years old. Following his marriage Mr. Thompson engaged in farming in Canada until 1875, when he came to La Salle county and bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Wallace township, whereon he died September 9, 1903. He had for more than a quarter of a century carried on general agri-

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cultural pursuits here and was a respected and representative farmer who was diligent and re- liable in all of his business undertakings. His widow still survives and yet lives upon the farm on section 26, Wallace township, at the age of sixty-seven years.

Robert J. Thompson is the third in order of birth in a family of twelve children, of whom ten are now living. He was only thirteen years of age when he came with his parents to Illi- nois. He lived upon the home farm until twenty years of age, when he was married and estab- lished a home of his own. He wedded Miss Ellen M. Keating, who was born in Freedom township, a daughter of Edward Keating, de- ceased. Mr. Thompson began farming on one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he now owns on section 3. Wallace township. The place was improved when he took possession of it and he has built thereon a house, barn, and various outbuildings necessary for the shel- ter of grain and cattle. He has also laid tile to the value of over one thousand dollars. It is one of the best farms in the township and all has been done by our subject. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have been born six children, all of whom are at home, namely : Mary, Ella, Laura, Ed, Belle and John.

Mr. Thompson is serving his eighth year as supervisor of his township and has been school director for fifteen years. He votes with the democracy, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He holds membership in the Catholic church and is a man of enterprise, honest and fair in all his dealings. Investigation into his career shows methods that are most commendable and he has made a creditable record in politics as well as in his farming operations.

GEORGE PETERSON.

Among the representatives of the Emerald Isle who have been successful in connection with farming operations in La Salle county is num- bered George Peterson, whose home is on sec- tion 28, Grand Rapids township, where he has an excellent tract of land of eighty acres. His landed possessions, however, aggregate four hun- dred and five acres and his property is the visible evidence of a well spent and active life, for when he came to this county fifty-four years ago he was in limited financial circumstances. His birth occurred in Ireland in 1830. His father, John Peterson, a native of the same country, followed -

farming and thus provided for his family. He wedded Miss Mary Crawford, also a native of the Emerald Isle, and their children were: George, of this review ; Robert, now deceased ; and Frank. The parents were members of the 'Episcopal church and became well known and representative residents of the section of La Salle county in which they established their home.

George Peterson spent the first eighteen years of his life in the land of his nativity and ac- quired his education there. He came to America on one of the old-time sailing vessels in 1848 and landed at Quebec. For a few years he re- mained in Canada and thence came to La Salle county in 1852. He was at that time a young man of twenty-two years. Here he has since continuously followed farming. He began with no capital and today is the owner of four hun- dred and five acres of well improved land, di- vided into several tracts. He has one hundred and fifty-five acres on section 33 and eighty acres on section 28, Grand Rapids township, and one hundred and sixty-nine acres in Brookfield town- ship. He who reads between the lines may know of the enterprise, indefatigable labor and unremit- ting diligence of Mr. Peterson, who has worked on year after year, transforming his place from a wild, uncultivated district into fields of rich fer- tility and adding to his property as the years have gone by until his possessions are now extensive and valuable.

Mr. Peterson was married in this country to Miss Margaret Crawford, who was born in Ire- land, August 27, 1841. They lived for a time in New York and then removed to La Salle county, settling on section 33, Grand Rapids township, where they remained for several years. Mrs. Peterson is a daughter of Robert and Eliza Crawford, both of whom were natives of the Emerald Isle, and the mother was never in this country. The father came to the United States but did not remain long, returning to his native land, where he died at the age of seventy-five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crawford were born fourteen children : Margaret ; Catherine ; George ; . John; James ; Patrick; Robert; Mary, who is living in Scotland ; Eliza Lee, who resides in Ireland; Reba; Susie; and three who died when young.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have been born the following named: John, who wedded Mary Smith and is now living in Iowa, where he fol- lows farming; Frank, who wedded Emma Bedei and makes his home in Brookfield, Illinois ; Rob- ert, who is living upon the old home farm ; Rufus, who married Dot Evans and resides upon the old homestead with his wife and infant child; and

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Elmer, who married Ethel Singer and is living on section 33, Grand Rapids township.

Mrs. Peterson is a member of the United Brethren church. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have now traveled life's journey to- gether, sharing with each other its joys and sor- rows, its adversity and prosperity. He may truly be called a self-made man, as his labor has been the basis of his prosperity. He came to the new world empty-handed, attracted by the op- portunities and business possibilities which he had heard might be enjoyed in this country. He was anxious to achieve success and therefore he worked diligently and persistently. Whatever he has undertaken he has accomplished, not be- cause of any fortunate combination of circum- stances, but because he has been indefatigable and persevering and today he is numbered among the substantial residents of the county, being now in possession of valuable farming interests. Such a life record should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others, show- ing what can be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.

DUNCAN DUNN.

Duncan Dunn, who follows farming on sec- tion II, Freedom township, and gives evidence of the progressiveness and determination which are indispensable elements to success, is one of the worthy citizens that Scotland has furnished to La Salle county. He was born in Perthshire, October 15, 1841, his parents being Peter and Mary (McDonald) Dunn, who were likewise natives of Scotland, the former born July 24, 1807, and the latter May 3, 1810. The maternal grandparents were Duncan and Mary (Mc- Lauchlan) McDonald, the former born in Scot- land, November 3, 1774. and the latter in the same country on the 15th of March, 1770. The grandmother died in Scotland, September 12, 1812, and the grandfather subsequently came to America and died in Oswego, Illinois, in June, 1847. The parents of our subject were married in the land of hills and heather and all of their children were born there. In 1847 they started for the new world and while on the ocean the mother died on the 21st of May and was buried at sea. The father continued his journey with the children and they came to La Salle county, where John McDonald was living, having set- tled here in 1836. For a short time they re- mained with his uncle, after which Peter Dunn purchased a small tract of land near the village of Harding, residing thereon until his death.

He was a weaver by trade but followed farm- ing after coming .to the United States. He passed away in Freedom township, December 14, 1854, and thus the family of four children were left orphans. Duncan Dunn was the second in order of birth. The others were: Archibald, who was born October 25, 1838, and died March IO, 1875; May, who was born February 16, 1844, and is the wife of Ward Wilbur, a resi- dent of Nebraska; and Peter, who was born June 5, 1846, and died July 22, 1864, being killed in battle just before the siege of Atlanta, while serving as a member of the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry.

Duncan Dunn was left an orphan at the age of thirteen years and as it was necessitous that he provide for his own support he began work- ing at farm labor. He attended the country schools but had no opportunity to continue his education after he reached the age of fifteen years. When about twenty years of age he be- gan buying and selling land and for several years devoted his attention to that business. In 1873 he bought one hundred and twenty-eight acres constituting a well improved farm on section II, Freedom township, on which he has since made his home. This is now under a high state of cul- tivation and he has rebuilt the house and barn and added modern improved machinery and also secured other equipments and accessories that are found upon a model farm of the twentieth century. He has always engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits and the well tilled fields yield golden harvests as the reward of his care and labor.

On the 26th of March, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Duncan Dunn and Miss Cora Bowen, who was born in Massachusetts, Decem- ber 24, 1853. Her father, William Bowen, now deceased, settled in Meriden township, this county, in 1854, being therefore one of its earliest resi- dents. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were born three children : Harold, who married Miss Maud McClure and lives on a farm in Freedom township; Hazel and Donald, both at home.

Mr. Dunn votes with the democracy and has been honored with a number of local offices, serving as supervisor for the fourth year and as assessor for one year. For six years he was school trustee and for twenty years was school director. He has been president of the La Salle County Memorial Association, was one of its organizers and was a factor in securing the appropriation from the last legislature to erect a monument to the memory of fifteen of the early settlers, who were massacred by the Indians in 1832 on the bank of Indian creek, La Salle county. His memory goes back to early pioneer

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times in the history of the county, for during nearly sixty years he has here resided. He re- members many hardships of the early days when the people were in poor circumstances and com- forts and conveniences were difficult to obtain. Much of the land was in its primitive condition when the family arrived and many of the roads had not yet been laid out, while the thriving towns and villages of the present were but small hamlets or had not yet sprung into existence. Even Ottawa was a small place and the work of development and improvement lay largely in the future. Mr. Dunn has borne his full share in the work that has wrought the transformation, producing the present condition of advancement and civilization here and is regarded as an in- fluential and public-spirited citizen.

W. E. WILLLIAMSON.

A valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres, well improved and richly cultivated and situated on section 9, Miller township, is the property of W. E. Williamson, who is one of the native sons of this township, born on the 4th of February, 1852. His father was Endre Williamson, a native of Norway, who came to the United States in 1849, when a young man. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made his way at once into the interior of the country and located upon a part of the farm in Miller township, La Salle county, where his son, W. E. Williamson, now resides. He at first had eighty acres of land, which he broke and im- proved, and as he met with success in his under- takings he made judicious investment of his earnings in real estate until he became the owner of a half section and was recognized as one of the well-to-do farmers of the county. He dis- played the diligence and untiring industry so characteristic of the people of his race and was, moreover, widely known as a man of unques- tioned business integrity and honor. He was married in La Salle county to Miss Christiana Gunnerson, a native of Norway. Mr. William- son reared his family and spent his life here, dying on the 7th of February, 1876. His wife survived him for many years, passing away in 1899.

W. E. Williamson is one of a family of six sons and two daughters, who are yet living. He was reared on the old homestead farm and edu- cated in the common schools, remaining with his father until the latter's death, after which he carried on the cultivation and improvement of a part of the old home place. Later he

bought out the interest of the other heirs in the property and now owns two hundred and forty acres of rich land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, annually harvesting good crops from his well tilled fields.

On the 12th. of February, 1879, in Miller town- ship, Mr. Williamson was married to Miss Sally Sampson, who was born and reared in this county and is a daughter of S. K. Sampson, a pioneer farmer of Miller township. Following their marriage the young couple began their do- mestic life upon the farm where they now re- side and he has since erected a substantial resi- dence built in modern style of architecture. It is one of the attractive homes of the locality and near by stands a good barn, corn cribs and other buildings. A deep well has been dug and the water is secured through a wind pump. There is a feed mill and the machinery is thoroughly modern. In connection with the till- ing of the soil Mr. Williamson raises good stock and he is a stockholder in the Seneca Warehouse & Grain Company.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have been born seven children : Silas, who died in infancy, June 21, 1881 ; Mamie, now the wife of O. P. Hayes, a farmer of Miller township; Edith, who died in infancy, March 21, 1888; Silas; Char- lotte; Ethel and Ernest.

Politically Mr. Williamson votes an independ- ent ticket but was formerly a democrat. He was elected and served as township clerk, filling the position by re-election since 1880, or for a period of twenty-six consecutive years, a fact which is indicative of his close attention to his duties and his faithfulness in performing them. He has also been school treasurer for twenty years and is a stanch advocate of progress in the schools, believing in the employment of competent teach- ers and the adoption of all new methods for in- tellectual progress. He has frequently been a delegate to political conventions and is interested in the welfare of his community to the extent of giving hearty co-operation to many measures that have direct bearing upon the welfare of this part of the state. He and his wife hold member- ship with the Church of the Latter Day Saints, in which he is an officer and is also secretary of the northern Illinois district.

ROBERT J. McDONNELL.

Robert J. McDonnell, engaged in general farm- ing on section 28, Wallace township, is one of the native sons of La Salle county, who regards the business opportunities and advantages here

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as worthy of attention, realizing that there is no better agricultural district in all the great Mis- sissippi valley than in the Illinois prairies. He was born in Ottawa, October 1, 1863, his par- ents being Robert and Elizabeth (O'Connor) McDonnell, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of John F. McDonnell, a brother of our subject. When Robert J. McDonnell was a youth of five years his parents removed to the farm which has since been his home. He attended the district schools and worked upon the home farm for his father until the death of his parents, when he inherited the home property of one hundred and twenty acres, which is still in his possession. It is a rich and cultivable tract of land and the fields have been tilled according to modern methods until the soil is very productive, re- turning good crops, and not only is the land good but there have also been many substantial im- provements made upon the farm in the way of building and modern machinery. Mr. McDon- nell is largely engaged in raising corn and oats. He believes in the rotation of crops and thus keeps his soil in productive condition. He has all the latest improved machinery for the culti- vation of the fields and is a careful and suc- cessful agriculturist. He also raises and feeds cattle.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 116

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