History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 121

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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ALBERT AND ROBERT ZIMMERMAN.

Albert and Robert Zimmerman, constituting the firm of Zimmerman Brothers, are numbered among the prominent and enterprising farmers of Manlius township, living on section 4. They own and operate a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which is one of the best improved proper- ties in the township. They are native sons of the county and are twin brothers, having been born September 17, 1866, upon the farm upon which they now reside. Their father, Caleb Zim- merman, was a native of Ohio, born in Crawford county, November 4, 1841, and their grand- father was John Zimmerman, who settled in Illinois, in 1850, taking up his abode in Rutland township. Therefore Caleb Zimmerman was reared in this county amid the environments and scenes of pioneer life. He was married here to Miss Catherine Haeherle, who was born in Ger- many but was reared in Illinois. Later the young couple settled upon the farm where their sons

now reside and the father owned one hundred and twenty acres of land, developing his farm to a high state of cultivation. He reared his family upon the place and made it his home until he was called to his final rest on the 15th of November, 1889. His widow still survives him and yet resides with her sons upon the farm. In the family were seven children, three sons and four daughters, and one son, Edward, owns in Manlius township a farm adjoining the old family home- stead. The sisters are Mrs. Clara Fewell ; Louise, the wife of William Spicer, of Marseilles ; Edith, the wife of Lewis Butterfield ; and Maud, a young lady on the farm with her mother and brothers.

Albert and Robert Zimmerman were reared upon the old farm homestead and attended the common schools. They remained with their father until his death and later purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old home prop- erty. This they continued to cultivate and im- prove. They also bought one hundred and sixty acres adjoining and now own two hundred and eighty acres. They have just completed one of the best farm residences in the county, a com- modious dwelling, built in attractive, modern style of architecture, heated by furnace and lighted by acetylene gas. Water is piped to the house and bathroom and all modern con- veniences are here found. The rooms are large and well lighted and the house is covered with a slate roof. It is indeed one of the beautiful pleasing country residences, having been erected at a cost of eight thousand dollars. In addition to this they have built big barns, feedmills and other buildings. In connection with the cultiva- tion of the soil they raise and feed stock. The brothers are numbered among the most progres- sive, practical, energetic agriculturists of the county, following thoroughly modern methods and in their business affairs are always prompt and reliable, enjoying the confidence and good will of the entire community. They attend and support different churches and stand for pro- gress in citizenship, giving their co-operation to many movements which have been of direct bene- fit in the development of the county.

WILLIAM L. O'DONNELL.

Among the residents of La Salle county who are of Irish birth or lineage and who are widely acknowledged as representative and honored citi- zens of this part of the state, is numbered Wil- liam. L. O'Donnell, who was born in Wallace township, on the 2d of July, 1866. His father was William O'Donnell, a native of Ireland, born

MR. AND. MRS. CALEB ZIMMERMAN.

ROBERT AND ALBERT ZIMMERMAN.

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in the year 1820. In 1847 he came to America, and made his way into the interior of the coun- try, settling at Ottawa. He worked one year on the canal and then took up his abode in Wal- lace township, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land from the government, going to Dixon to have the papers made out, as there was no land office nearer Ottawa. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place. He was one of the first to cross the river and locate on the prairies in what is now Wallace township, and with deter- mined purpose he began tilling the toil, which soon proved to be rich and productive, good crops being gathered in return for the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields. He had a brother, Thomas O'Donnell, who was the first parish priest of St. Columba's church in Ottawa, and another brother, Michael O'Don- nell, also became a representative of the Catholic priesthood. Both later lost their lives when still young men through volunteering their services and aiding in the care of the sick during an epidemic of cholera. The mother of our sub- ject bore the maiden name of Johanna Keating, and was born in Ireland. She came to Ottawa when about eighteen or twenty years of age and is now living on the old home farm. They were married in Ottawa and reared a family of eleven children. In his political views Mr. O'Donnell was a democrat but was never an office holder nor did he seek for political preferment, tak- ing no part in politics aside from supporting the principles in which he believed, by casting his ballot at local elections. He belonged to the Catholic church, and was a typical pioneer set- tler and great worker, and from an humble be- ginning advanced steadily to the plane of af- fluence. .

Of the eleven children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. William O'Donnell eight are now liv- ing, as follows: James L., an attorney, practic- ing in Joliet, Illinois; M. P., living in South Omaha, Nebraska; Mary, the wife of William Mitchell, whose home is near Seneca, Illinois; Nora and Katie, at home ; John, a resident farmer of Wallace township; Nellie, at home; and Wil- liam L., of this review.

In taking up the personal history of William. L. O'Donnell we note that the first twenty-eight years of his life were spent upon the old home farm, while his education was acquired in the district schools. He worked in the fields through the summer months and mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools in the winter season. On the 5th of February, 1896, he married Miss Nora Dwyer, who was born in Ottawa, this county, and is a daughter of

P. M. Dwyer, now deceased. In the same year of his marriage Mr. O'Donnell purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land all improved, for which he paid eighty-five dollars per acre but it is now worth twice that amount. It is a good farm with fair buildings upon it, and in all his work as an agriculturist Mr. O'Donnell is enterprising, determined and resolute, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

His political support is given to the democ- racy and he has served as school trustee for the past year. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church. He rep- resents one of the old and prominent pioneer families, his father having been one of the earliest settlers here. Wolves were very numerous on the prairie when his father came and there were few evidences of civilization and improvement. The chief, Shabbona, and his tribe of Indians were here and often visited the homes of the white settlers where they demanded food or other supplies. William O'Donnell, Sr., hauled grain to Chicago with oxen in those early days and once stuck in the mud with his ox team on what is now State street, in Chicago. He was offered land at ten dollars per acre in the heart of Chi- cago but did not think it worth the price.

JOSEPH EICH.

Joseph Eich is now living retired but still re- sides upon his farm on section II, Eden town- ship, where for many years he labored in the cultivation and improvement of the fields. He owns this place, which is a well improved prop- erty of two hundred and forty-eight acres. His residence in La Salle county dates from 1860, at which time he located in Eden township, securing a small farm, to which he has added until it has reached its present acreage.

Mr. Eich was born on the Rhine in Welder- gosen buz Siegburg, Prussia, Germany, Novem- ber 27, 1827, and was reared and educated there. Attracted by the opportunities of the new world which he had heard from favorable reports, he determined to come to America and with some money to aid him in gaining a start in the new worid he crossed the Atlantic and as stated made his way into the interior of the country to La Salle county, being accompanied by his wife and one child. He had been married in Germany to Miss Margaretta Neuhalfen, also a native of Prussia, born in the same village in which occurred the birth of Mr. Eich, in 1837. She, too, was reared there and obtained her education in the

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public schools. By this marriage there have been born three sons and two daughters who are yet living and three have passed away, namely : Peter, Charles and Frances. Those who still survive are : Mrs. Gertrude Hopf, of Troy Grove; Mrs. Mary Falsner, residing in La Salle; Bernhart, who is married and resides near his father ; Wil- liam, at home; and Joseph, also at home.

Twenty years ago Mr. Eich purchased his present farm and until a recent date continued actively in its cultivation and improvement, but now leaves the care of the property to his sons. He was energetic and diligent in his work and his labors were guided by sound judgment that produced excellent results. His rest is well earned and in the evening of his life he is en- joying the fruits of his former toil.

Mr. Eich is independent in politics. He served as school director for five or six years and his son Bernhart is now acting in the same capacity. The family are all communicants of the Catholic church, being connected with La Salle parish. Mr. Eich has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for in La Salle county he has found the business oppor- tunities which he sought and through their utili- zation has come into possession of a handsome competence. Thus a life of activity has been crowned with success and his record is another illustration of the fact that in America, where labor is unhampered by caste or class, it always finds its sure reward.

FRED TORMAN.

Fred Torman, a well-to-do farmer living on section 31, Earl township, was born in Germany, November 10, 1829. When he was but ten years of age his father died, leaving eight small chil- dren, and he early began to work in order to aid in the support of the family. They lived upon a small farm, where Mr. Torman continued his labors until he was twenty years of age, when he was drafted in the German army, in which he served for nearly three years. In 1859 he came to America on a sailing vessel, which weighed anchor at Liverpool, and the voyage to New York covered sixty days. He was a poor man, having only enough to pay his passage to this country. He went to work on a farm in the east in order to get enough money to bring him to Chicago. On reaching that city he could find no work that suited him and con- tinued on his way to La Salle county, where he secured employment at farm labor near Northville. He afterward spent two seasons

in Wisconsin, where he purchased forty acres of land which was covered with timber. He then devoted two years to cutting down the trees and getting out the logs, after which he returned to La Salle county and again worked as a farm hand. His first purchase of land here covered eighty acres where he now resides and whereon he has made his home for over forty years. He bought the land at twenty-five dol- lars per acre, going in debt for one thousand dollars, on which he paid ten per cent interest. A small house and an old thatched roof stable were the only buildings on the place and it was some time before he could provide modern structures. He now owns two hundred acres of good land, however, on which is a substantial residence and barn, while tiling worth two thousand dollars has been laid.

Forty-one years ago Mr. Torman was mar- ried to Miss Mary Turk, a native of Germany, who came to La Salle county in 1860. Her par- ents were Mr. and Mrs. Gotlieb Turk, the for- mer now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Torman have three children : Mary and William, both at home; and Harry F., who married Miss Otter- bach, of Ophir township, and owns a fine farm of two hundred acres adjoining his father's place.

Mr. Torman rents his farm to his son Wil- liam and is now practically living retired. He has always been a hard worker, however, lead- ing a very industrious and energetic life and though now nearly seventy-five years of age is still able to do considerable work. At the pres- ent writing, in 1906, he is building a fine home in Earlville, lighted with electricity and heated by hot water. It will cost about three thou - sand dollars and will be one of the finest resi- dences in the town. Mr. Torman as soon as it is completed expects to leave the farm and take up his abode in the village, there to enjoy rest from further labor. For thirty-five years he has never spent a cent in a saloon, being strictly temperate. He has always been econom- ical and frugal and has thus acquired a goodly sum for old age.

In politics a republican, he has frequently been solicited to accept office but he has believed that the limited educational privileges of his youth unfitted him for official service and has always declined. For many years he has been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Earlville and assisted in building the new house of worship there. He is an honest, up- right citizen, enjoying good health for one of his years and the unqualified regard and confidence of his fellowmen are extended him. He has in large measure the esteem of young and old,

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rich and poor, and his life should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing that success may be accom- plished even when one is handicapped by a lack of advantages in youth. Prosperity comes as the reward of earnest, persistent effort and it has been in this way that Mr. Torman has won his place among the substantial retired farmers of the county.

ROBERT BEGLEY.

Robert Begley is a representative of one of the pioneer families of La Salle county, and was born in Wallace township, October 14, 1863. His father, James Begley, was a native of the Emerald isle. His parents died when he was quite young, and with an elder brother, John, he emigrated to America. They first stopped at- Brooklyn, New York, where for ten years they were engaged on the construction of street pave- ments. While in Brooklyn Mr. Begley was united in marriage to Miss Jane Jones. She was born in Wales, and then came to the United States with her mother in early girlhood. In 1849 James Begley came with his family to La Salle county and turned his attention to farm- ing. His first purchase comprised eighty acres of land on section 10, Wallace township. He built the first residence on the farm and lived there for several years. Later he bought ad- joining. land, upon which he built a good house, two barns and made other improvements and upon the old home place he continued to reside until his death, which occurred on the IIth of April, 1903. His wife is still living on the farm, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. James Begley was a good financier and became wealthy. Although he was in very limited finan- cial circumstances when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world he owned at the time of his death two hundred acres of very choice and valuable land in La Salle county. In his family were twelve children, eight of whom are living, as follows : Mrs. Bryan Brady, a resident of South Chicago; Patrick, residing in Indiana; Mrs. Patrick Lyons, of Colfax, Washington ; Mrs. J. J. Murry and Mrs. Ed Fanning, both of Wallace township; Mrs. Hogan, who with her husband resides with the subject of this re- view; James, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Robert.

Robert Begley, whose name introduces this review, has always made his home upon the old farm and some years ago in connection with his brother James he purchased this place, which he is now conducting. He carries on general

farming, devoting his attention largely to the raising of grain, and is rated as one of the en- terprising and practical agriculturists of the com- munity, carry on his work along progressive lines and gathering from his fields rich and abundant harvests in reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. He has never married, and his sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Hogan, live with him, his sister acting as housekeeper. His mother also makes her home with him, and although advanced in years she yet enjoys comparatively good health.

In his political views Mr. Begley has always been a stalwart democrat, as was his father, and the family are all communicants of St. Columba Catholic church in Ottawa. Mr. Begley repre- sents one of the old families, his parents having located here at a very early age. More than six decades have come and gone since that time. They found here a wild and unimproved district, much of the land being still unculti- vated and as time passed by the father took a helpful part in the work of development and progress. This work is now being carried on by his son, who is regarded as one of the pros- perous young farmers, and during the years of his residence here he has seen many changes, especially in the line of agricultural develop- ment, for in his youth the many modern farm implements of the present time were unknown and farm labor was largely done by hand.

WILLIAM GLEIM.

William Gleim, son of Fred Gleim, was born January 27, 1873, on the home farm on section 36, Farm Ridge township. There he was reared and in his boyhood days attended the common schools, after which he acquired a business edu- cation in the Ottawa Business College under Pro- fessor Toland. For the past six years he has been engaged in business on his own account. most of the time in feeding cattle, hogs and other stock, but is now devoting his energies to grain- farming, renting his land and overseeing the busi- ness for his father, who resides at Streator. He is a young man of good business discernment and enterprise whose sound judgment has been man- ifest in many successful business transactions.

In February, 1899, Mr. Gleim was married to Miss Ora Hornick, a daughter of Richard J. and Eliza (Searles) Hornick, both of whom are now deceased, the former having passed away in 1897, at the age of fifty-two years, while the latter died in 1898, at the age of forty-nine years. They were early residents of La Salle county.

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Mr. Hornick, a native of Ireland, came to Illi- nois in his childhood days and spent the remain- der of his life here, first living at Farm Ridge and afterward spending a long period at Grand Ridge. He remained active in business up to the time of his death, and his influence in behalf of public progress and improvement was far- reaching and beneficial. His wife was born in La Salle county and in her girlhood days was left an orphan by the death of her parents. Mrs. Gleim has one sister, Mrs. William Rockwood, who is living at Grand Ridge. Mrs. Gleim was also born in La Salle county and reared and educated in Grand Ridge. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children, Margaret and Lois, aged respectively six and four years.

Politically Mr. Gleim is independent. His wife belongs to the Grand Ridge Presbyterian church and both are highly esteemed in the community where they have spent their entire lives. The hospitality of many of the best homes of the neighborhood is cordially and freely extended them and their own pleasant home is a favorite resort with many friends.

SHERMAN LELAND.

Sherman Leland, abstracter of titles with offices in the Leland Block in Ottawa, has car- ried on business for twenty-five years as the senior member of the firm of Sherman Leland & Son, and his identification with the land record business covers about forty years. He was born in Oregon, Ogle county, Illinois, in 1843, his parents being Edwin and Margaret B. (Miles) Leland. The father came to Ottawa in 1835 and in the meantime secured a claim in Ogle county. He settled upon that property in 1839 and devoted his time and energies to its culti- vation and improvement until the fall of 1843. The years of his residence there secured him title to the claim, after which he returned to Ottawa, making his home in the city from that time until his death. He was an attorney by profession and practiced law throughout his entire life. His ability, comprehensive knowledge of the princi- ples of jurisprudence and devotion to his clients' interests made him one of the distinguished and able members of the La Salle county bar and also won him high honors, for he served several terms as circuit judge, on the bench being distin- guished by a masterful grasp of every problem that presented itself for solution. He left the impress of his individuality upon the legal his- tory of the county and in the courtroom ever displayed the dignity of an ideal follower of the

calling. He died in June, 1889, in his seventy- seventh year, while his wife passed away in February, 1902, in her eighty-fifth year.

Their son, George M. Leland, an attorney by profession, is now residing in Fairmount, North Dakota. After removing to the northwest he engaged in farming for eighteen or twenty years but eventually sold his large farm there and re- tired to private life, being in very comfortable financial circumstances as the result of well di- rected and enterprising labor in former years. A daughter of the family, now residing in Chicago, is the wife of Judge Gilbert, formerly county judge of La Salle county.

Sherman Leland of this family was reared at Ottawa from the age of six months and pur- sued his preliminary education in the public schools, after which he attended the State Uni- versity at Madison, Wisconsin. At the outbreak `of the Civil war he returned home and enlisted as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry. He entered the army as a private and rose to the rank of sergeant of the same company. He saw almost three years of active service and knows all of the horrors and hardships that are meted out to the soldier. His brother, George, served as a member of Company L, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, for about three years. Returning from the army Sherman Leland spent about a year in the postoffice, after which he was employed in the county recorder's office for seven years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the abstract business, to which he has since given his un- divided time, and is perhaps the oldest repre- sentative of this business in the county. He has in his possession the first map made of the city of Ottawa, which was made prior to 1836. Six- teen years ago he admitted his son, Edwin S. Leland, to a partnership under the firm style of Sherman Leland & Son, and the firm has ever maintained a foremost place in business circles in the city.

Mr. Leland was married in Ottawa to Miss E. Louise Foote, who was born near Tonica, La Salle county, a daughter of Daniel B. Foote, who owned a farm in that vicinity and was one of the early residents of La Salle county. He was married here to Miss Euphemia Powell, who was the first school teacher at Lowell, Illinois, while her father, the Rev. Powell, was a Baptist min- ister. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Leland have been born a son and daughter, who are yet living, the latter being Mrs. Octavius R. White, of Ottawa. Her husband is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Elks lodges and they have one child, a son, Robert L. White. Mr. and Mrs. Leland also lost three children, Madge and Dauphin, both of

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whom died at the age of fifteen years, and Rob- ert, who was a member of Company C, Third Illinois Infantry, and died at Springfield. He had been enrolled as a volunteer for service in the Philippines. The family residence is at No. 400 Highland Place on the south bluff.

Mr. Leland belongs to the Grand Army post at Ottawa and in politics has always been a re- publican. He served in the recorder's office but in no other political position, preferring to con- centrate his energies and efforts upon his business affairs. His best public service has been done as a private citizen and not in office. Possessed of rare foresight and clarity of views, he has pointed out the way to what has probably been the most practical solution of the problems that have risen in connection with his business affairs and thus he has met with most creditable suc- cess. In relation to public matters he believes that the world should go forward and has done his full share to move it in that direction.

Edwin S. Leland, the junior partner of the firm of Leland & Son, was born in Ottawa in 1872 and acquired his education in the public schools. He married Miss Mabel A. Hood, of this city, a daughter of F. M. Hood, who was a former resident of Ottawa, and unto them have been born two sons, George S. and Howard D. Mr. Leland brought to his father's business the enterprise and ambition of a young man and has largely contributed to the success of the firm.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 121

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