History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 136

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 136

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On the 25th of March, 1906, Mr. and Mrs. Minor celebrated their golden wedding, all of their children being in attendance, while one hun-

dred and fifty guests called during the day and evening, while fifty-six were entertained at din- ner. Many congratulatory letters were received from friends from all parts of the country and many substantial tokens of esteem in the way of beautiful golden presents were received. An active and useful life crowned with well merited rest from labor has been vouchsafed to Mr. Minor, who has now passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey. He is well known in the northern part of Illinois and the circle of his friends is an extensive one, owing to the many good qualities which he has displayed in an active, honorable and upright business career and in all life's relations.

FRANK NETTLEINGHAM.

Frank Nettleingham, whose home is on section 26, Adams township, is one of the prosperous agriculturists of his community, the well tilled fields upon the tract of one hundred and twenty acres returning him rich harvests. He was born in Serena township, February 1, 1861, and is a son of John Nettleingham, a native of Eng- land, in which country he was married. He emigrated to the new world in 1854 and at once sought a home in La Salle county, Illinois, for friends of his had previously located here. He took up his abode in Serena township and opened up a new farm, which to this time had been a tract of unimproved land. He commenced with forty acres of land and added to his property as his financial resources increased until he had large and valuable holdings. He was married in Serena township to Miss Sarah Middleton, whose birth occurred in La Salle county, and who was a daughter of George Middleton, one of the first settlers in this county from England. Upon his arrival he took up his abode in Serena township and there reared his family. Mr. and Mrs. John Nettleingham lived for many years upon the old homestead property in Serena town- ship, where his death occurred in the fall of 1885. His wife long survived him and departed this life in the spring of 1906.

Frank Nettleingham is the eldest in a family of three sons and four daughters, who are yet living, namely : William, a farmer of Serena township; Henry, who resides upon a part of the old home place; Mary, who makes her home with her brothers; Emily, the wife of Ed Mar- shall, a resident farmer of Serena township; Ida, who is with her brother Henry; and Myrtle, the wife of Jesse Kember.

MR. AND MRS. FRANK NETTLEINGHAM.

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Frank Nettleingham, the eldest of the family, spent his boyhood and youth on the old home- stead, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him. He was educated in the common schools and re- mained with his father until his marriage. It was on the 19th of September, 1883, that he wedded Miss Christiana Liertz, who was born and reared in Wisconsin, and came to Illinois when a young lady. Following their mar- riage they lived upon the old home property for five years, and in 1890 Mr. Nettleingham pur- chased the place whereon he now resides on sec- tion 26, Adams township. He has since car- ried on general farming here. Amid excellent improvements upon the place is a deep well with a windpump. He has also laid many rods of tiling and has enclosed his farm with fences, his fields are richly cultivated and in addition to the tilling of the soil he raises and feeds stock. His work has been carefully managed and has resulted in transforming his land into a rich- ly productive property.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nettleingham have been born four children : Mabel, John, Arthur and Addie. Mr. Nettleingham votes with the re- publican party, being thoroughly in sympathy with its principles and purposes. He has served for years as a member of the school board and as clerk of his district. No feasible plan for the benefit of the community solicits his aid in vain and he is a public-spirited citizen, while at the same time he is known as a business man of diligence and energy.

ROBERT C. McMANUS.

Robert C. McManus, for nine years attorney for Swift & Company, of Chicago, with offices at the stockyards, spent much of his youth in Otta- wa but was born in Lostant, La Salle county, May 18, 1870. His parents were James and Anne E. (McCaleb) McManus. His father, a man of considerable local prominence, was one of the best known men of the county and stood high in public regard. He filled the office of deputy county clerk and also served as county treasurer. His residence in Illinois dated from the pioneer epoch in the history of Bureau county, where his parents took up their abode when it was still a frontier settlement. In 1870 he became a resident of Ottawa, where he con- tinued to make his home until his death, which occurred in 1897. Mrs. McManus still survives, making her home in Ottawa, and there is also a daughter, Anna.

Passing through successive grades in the pub- lic schools, Robert C. McManus completed the high-school course in Ottawa, and in 1891 came to Chicago, where he matriculated in the North- western Law School, being graduated with the class of June, 1892. He continued in the gen- eral practice of law from the time of his gradua- tion until February, 1897, when he became at- torney for Swift & Company, being one of eight lawyers in Chicago who are thus engaged as legal representatives of the extensive packing interests of this corporation.

In 1899 Mr. McManus was married to Miss Mabel Merrifield, a daughter of Albert H. Merri- field, of Ottawa. Albert H. Merrifield was a prominent business man and manufacturer of Ottawa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McManus have been born four sons, Robert James, William Al- bert, Fred James and James Lawrence. Mr. McManus has attained high rank in Masonry, belonging to the lodge, chapter, council and com- mandery. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine, and he and his wife hold membership with the Eastern Star. They are identified with the La Salle County Association, thus maintain- ing pleasant relations with frends of earlier years.

A. R. VAN SKIVER.

A progressive, public-spirited citizen of Strea- tor is he whose name heads this sketch. His in- fluence, which is not slight, is always to be found upon the side of good government, the enforce- ment of the law, progress and improvement along all lines, better educational facilities and high- class teachers for the rising generation, and everything which will be of permanent benefit to the public of this community.

A native of Preble county, Ohio, Mr. Van Skiver was born in the vicinity of the town of Camden, September 20, 1856, his parents being Joseph G. and Rebecca B. Van Skiver. After receiving a liberal education in the public schools, the young man engaged in teaching and en- joyed the dignity of conducting a school before he was twenty years of age. Feeling the need of a better education in the higher branches, he pursued a scientific course of study in the Na- tional Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, be- ing graduated in that well known institution in 1879. He continued to devote his time and energy to teaching and self-improvement until 1884, when he came to Streator. Here he pur- chased a half interest in the Free Press, be- coming a member of the firm of Van Skiver & Fornof. His partner, J. W. Fornof, is the

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present postmaster of Streator, and thus the ma- jor share of the business of managing the paper falls upon our subject.

The Free Press is a wide-awake, representa- tive journal, devoted to the interests of the citi- zens of Streator and locality. It aims to give a clear, concise account of the events which are occupying the attention of the busy world, and at the same time gives items of especial interest to the people of this section. It is republican in political creed, and is a fearless champion of the right. The well grounded opinions of its editors are frequently reflected upon its pages, and with- out doubt the paper is growing in popularity constantly.

Mr. Van Skiver has a very pleasant and at- tractive home, which is presided. over by the lady whom he made his wife in 1881. She was then Miss Fannie Beall, a daughter of F. A. Beall, of Preble county, Ohio.

JOHN .R. LAMBERT.

The life history of John R. Lambert is a record of large successes. The story of his early poverty and his edurance of pioneer hardships during the period of development in Illinois could be profitably read by every American youth who desires to achieve success through his individual effort. "Some men are born great, others have greatness thrust upon them," but the only really successful and truly great men are those who have learned through life's bitter struggles to overcome obstacles, turn personal de- feat into victory, poverty into wealth and to change conditions so as to bring general pros- perity, usefulness and happiness to themselves and those about them. To this class belongs John R. Lambert, now living retired in Tonica.

A native of Knox county, Illinois, Mr. Lam- bert was born October 12, 1836. His father, Joel Lambert, was a native of Kentucky and a son of Benjamin Lambert, who was of German lineage. The latter was a native of Virginia and an early settler of Kentucky. He followed the occupation of farming and was also a local min- ister of the old school Baptist creed. A worthy man, he gained the respect and confidence of all who knew him and passed to his reward at a ripe old age, his death occurring in Indiana.

Joel Lambert accompanied his father to In- diana and thence removed to Knox county, Illi- nois, nearly eighty years ago. He afterward bought eighty acres of land in Warren county, where he spent his last years, his death occurring in 1840, when he was still in his prime, being then

but thirty-eight years of age. During the early history of the state he belonged to the Light Horse Cavalry, a state militia organization. He married Sarah Reed, who was born in Kentucky and died in 1890, at the age of seventy-five years. She and her hunband were members of the Baptist church and in their family were five children, two of whom have passed away. Those surviving are: John R .; James A .; and Ann Jane, who is the widow of Coleman Hailey, of Putnam county, Illinois. Following the death of her first husband Mrs. Lambert afterward be- came the wife of Hartwell Hailey, by whom she had two children : Lida, who died in her seventeenth year; and Ara, who is the wife of L. T. Broaddus and resides in Horton, Kansas.

John R. Lambert was reared to farm life and owing to the early death of his father was thrown upon his own resources when a very young lad. In 1845 he went to Putnam county, Illinois, being at that time nine years of age, and after two years he took up his abode in La Salle county. When he left home to earn his own livelihood he had but six dollars and this he had made by working for neighbors. As soon as possible he rented a farm in Putnam county and after two years removed to La Salle county, where after renting land for a year he purchased eighty acres in Hope township. . Sometime after- ward he sold that tract at a good advance and invested the proceeds in a quarter section of land in the same township. Not only did he provide and excellent farm for himself but also assisted each of his two sons in the purchase of a quarter section of land. He has made substantial im- provements of his property, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation and adding all modern equipments and accessories. Through- out his entire life he has strictly adhered to just and upright principles and in consequence enjoys the good will and esteem of all who know him. He still owns farms in Hope and Eden town- ships, amounting to five hundred and seventy acres, and also has one hundred acres of land in Ohio, but for several years has lived retired in Tonica, enjoying a well earned rest.

Mr. Lambert was married on the 3d of De- cember, 1847, to Miss Emily E. Hiltabrand, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Gunn) Hilta- brand. Her death occurred in 1886, when she was in her forty-sixth year. In the family were two sons. Edward F., now proprietor of the Tonica lumberyard, married Miss Julia Born- gasser and has five children, Vey, Edward, Fern, Norman and George. George H. Lambert, the younger son, managed the old homestead until his death, which occurred in 1902, when he was forty years of age. He had married Mary Weber

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and they had four children: Nora, Merlin, Har- old and Verner.

Mr. Lambert is a faithful member of the Baptist church, to which his wife also belonged. He votes with the democracy and is recognized as a leader in the local ranks of his party. He has held the offices of town clerk and school trustee and for the past five years has repre- sented Eden township on the board of super- visors. He was first elected to the office in 1902, was re-elected in 1904 and again in 1906, so that he is now serving for the third term. Although he is practically retired from business life, in- dolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and he cannot content himself without some business interests. He has therefore in- vested in telephone companies and has been pres- ident of the Tonica Telephone Switchboard Sys- tem and president of the Ten Central Telephone System. The position which he holds today in social and business circles stands in marked con- trast with his humble surroundings of only a few years ago, but as a man of great business ability and keen foresight he closely studied his oppor- tunities and improved them, working along modern lines of progress and at the same time contributing in substantial measure to the devel- opment and settlement of this portion of the state.

WALTER D. STRAWN.

For several years Walter D. Strawn was active- ly identified with agricultural pursuits in this county but is now practically living a retired life in his pleasant home at No. 702 Chapel street, Ot- tawa. A native of La Salle county, he was born in South Ottawa township, on the Ist of August, 1850, and is a son of David and Sarah (Loyd) Strawn. On the paternal side he comes of a family which was established in America in 1682. His father was born in Licking county, Ohio, and was a son of Jeremiah Strawn, whose father, Isaiah Strawn, was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania.

In April, 1830, David Strawn came with his parents from Ohio to Putnam county, Illinois, and as time passed he became extensively en- gaged in general farming and stock-raising, handling a large amount of stock annually and owning about eight thousand acres of land in La Salle and Livingston counties. He assisted in building what is now the Wabash Railroad south from Streator, serving as a contractor from 1870 to 1872 inclusive. Being a prompt, ener- getic business man, he prospered in all his under- takings and became one of the most prominent

citizens of his community. After a useful and well spent life he died in 1873, and his wife passed away in June, 1887. They had eleven children, of whom nine reached years of matur- ity and five are still living.

Walter D. Strawn grew to manhood in this county and acquired his early education in the common schools, later attending the Ottawa high school for two years and the State Normal School for the same length of time. He began his business career as a farmer and for fifteen years devoted considerable time to the stock busi- ness in Livingston county, at the end of which time he returned to La Salle county. In Novem- ber, 1890, he removed to Ottawa and erected a beautiful residence on the banks of the Fox river, where he has since resided. He is now practically living retired, though he continues to look after his invested interests and acts as direc- tor of the National City Bank, having held that position since 1904. Success has attended his well directed efforts.

On the 8th of September, 1875, Mr. Walter D. Strawn married Miss Florence M. Parr, a native of Serena township, La Salle county, old- est daughter of H. K. and Elsie (Armstrong) Parr. Her father was also born in this county, his birth occurring in Rutland township, Decem- ber 22, 1830,' and was the oldest male white child born in the county, where he still resides. He is a son of William and Sarah (Trumbo) Parr, of Newark, Licking county, Ohio, who came here in 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Strawn have two children: Mrs. Pearl Strawn Trumbo, of Marseilles, Illinois ; and Nevoy, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Trumbo have one son, Strawn Trumbo.

By his ballot Mr. Strawn supports the men and measures of the republican party. He is a Knight Templar Mason and is quite popular both in business and social circles.

HENRY GLEIM.

Henry Gleim, residing on a valuable tract of land on section 36, Farm Ridge township, has altogether two hundred and thirty-seven acres in this and Bruce townships. He leases his land for general farming purposes but was formerly quite successfully engaged in the tilling of the soil and more especially in feeding and ship- ping stock, making a creditable business record and one which in its activity and enterprise should well serve as a source of emulation and inspira- tion to others. He was born January 18, 1871, in the township where he yet resides and is a son of Frederick Gleim, a prominent and influen-

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tial resident of Streator, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Upon the old farm home- stead Henry Gleim was reared and at the usual age he entered the public schools, making con- secutive progress until he had mastered the branches usually forming the curriculum of pub- lic instruction. He was reared to the occupation of farming to which he has devoted much of his life, being engaged mainly in the cultivation of the soil and in stock-raising and feeding. He now devotes his attention to looking after his farms and he has two hundred acres in Farm Ridge township, with thirty-seven acres in Bruce township.

Mr. Gleim was married to Miss Sadie Mor- rison, who was born in Otter Creek township, June 19, 1876, and is a daughter of Adam Mor- rison, who is now living retired, his home being in Streator. He, too, was an early resident of La Salle county and his memory forms a connect- ing link between the primitive past and the pro- gressive present. Mrs. Gleim was the youngest of a family of five children, the others being : Josephine, now the wife of E. A. Mitchell, of Cor- nell, Illinois; A. F., a farmer living near Cor- nell, Livingston county, Illinois ; Fannie E., the wife of William Pool, of Otter Creek township, who is the owner of an excellent farm there which he leases ; and W. W., who is married and is a grain-buyer of Rowe, Livingston county, Illinois. Mrs. Gleim, the youngest of the fam- ily, was reared in La Salle county, and after at- tending the common schools spent two years as a high-school student. By her marriage she has become the mother of one son, Frederick H., who was born August 4, 1896, and is now attending school:

The parents attend the services of the Meth- odist Episcopal church at Grand Ridge. Mr. Gleim is at present a director of school district No. 97. He votes with the democracy but has never been a politician in the sense of office seek- ing, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs, and although a young man he has achieved a measure of success which is in- deed gratifying, while his property interests are such as to render him one of the substantial residents of this part of the county.

E. C. SCHWEITZER.

E. C. Schweitzer, residing in Leland, Illinois, is numbered among its enterprising and success- ful business men and is also one of the well known farmers and stock-dealers, his agricul- tural interests being in Adams township. He

was born in that township July 28, 1864. His father, Joseph Schweitzer, was a native of Alsace, France, and was a baker by trade. When a young man he came to Illinois, settling first in Ottawa, where he worked at his trade and later he took up his abode upon a farm in Adams township. He was married in La Salle to Miss Ida Walters, also a native of Alsace, France. Turning his attention to farming in Adams town- ship, he there reared his family and afterward re- moved to Iowa, settling in Sioux Rapids, where he died in 1904. His wife had passed away in Adams township in 1876.

E. C. Schweitzer, whose name introduces this record, was one of a family of seven sons and four daughters, of whom four sons and three daughters are yet living, namely: George; E. C .; Frank; John; Mary, the wife of Alfred Hettehemer : Clara, the wife of Alfred Graeff ; and Mrs. Emma Rigley. Three sons of the family have passed away: Alfred, who met death by drowning at the age of twenty-five years ; Edward, who died when about twelve years of age, while one son and one daughter died in infancy.

E. C. Schweitzer of this review was reared to manhood on the old homestead farm. His educational privileges were limited, for his time was largely occupied by the work of the fields, as he assisted his father in carrying on the home place until he had attained his majority. When he had reached adult age he worked as a farm hand by the month for several years and then rented land and began farming on his own ac- count. He afterward conducted a meat market in Leland for two years, when he sold out and returned to his farm. At a subsequent date, however, he again embarked in the butchering business in Leland, conducting his store there with excellent success until the spring of 1905. He bought a good brick business house in the town and also a neat and attractive residence. For many years he enjoyed a large and lucrative business, having a wide patronage, while his busi- ness methods were such as made him worthy of the success that came to him. In the last year he also resumed farming, carrying on the work of the farm in addition to his mercantile interests in the town.

Mr. Schweitzer was married in Chicago, Illi- nois. December 24. 1891, to Miss Bertha Olm- stead, a native of La Salle county, who was born and reared in Serena township. She was well educated and was a teacher prior to her marriage. For fourteen years they traveled life's journey happily together but were separated by the death of the wife on the 18th of February, 1906, her remains being laid to rest in the Leland ceme-

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tery. They had one child, Ruth Schweitzer, who is now a student in the Leland school.

Politically Mr. Schweitzer is a stalwart demo- crat, inflexible in his support of the party, and he has taken an active part in politics. He served as collector of his township for two terms and was chairman of the democratic township committee and has frequently been a delegate to the county conventions. In connection with the conduct of his meat market and his farming operations he has made a business of buying and feeding stock and is an enterprising and success- ful business man, whose activity and diligence constitute the basis of a very desirable prosperity.

LAURENCE A. CARTON.

Wherever known the name Chicago is identi- fied with the greatest live stock interests in the world, and the men who are particularly promi- nent as representatives of the great commercial interests of the middle west are they who are at the head and in control of the mammoth busi- ness conducted at the stock yards. This num- ber includes Laurence A. Carton, treasurer for Swift & Company, and also one of the directors. A native of Ireland, he is a son of James Carton, who became an early resident of Ottawa, La Salle county. The father was a farmer by occupa- tion and spent his remaining days in or near Ot- tawa. In the family are five surviving sons and a daughter. James J. Carton and Mrs. Belinda C. Boyle are still residents of Ottawa, La Salle county, Illinois.

Laurence A. Carton was a young lad, when in 1851 he accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Ottawa. He attended the public schools, being for a time under the direction of Thomas H. Clarke, a "great educator" of his day. In 1864 he went to Chicago, being at that time sev- enteen years of age. There he was for several years employed in a bank, and in 1881 he en- gaged in banking on his own account, establish- ing a private bank under the name of L. A. Car- ton & Company, in which business he continued for some twelve years. In 1893 he purchased an interest in the packing business of Swift & Com- pany, becoming one of its directors, and soon afterward was elected treasurer. The capital of Swift & Company has since that time been in- creased from fifteen million dollars to fifty mil- lion dollars. The value of annual business is more than $200,000,000 and the number of per- sons employed upward of twenty-six thousand at the present time. Mr. Carton is a member of the Chicago Club, and that he still maintains a lively

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 136

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