History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 153

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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to successfully carry on business on his own ac- count after he had attained his majority. He entered from the government the farm on which Elbert Snyder now lives, comprising one hun- dred and twenty acres on section 10, Troy Grove township .. With characteristic energy he began converting the wild tract into productive fields, and as the years passed by he prospered in his undertakings, accumulating a large estate. He kept in touch with the ideas of modern progress concerning farming and as new farm machinery was invented and introduced he adopted it to fa- cilitate the work of the fields, and in the course of years the old hand plow and the sickle gave place to the modern driving plow and the har- vesting machinery. The little cabin home, too, was replaced by a more modern and substantial residence. Good barns and outbuildings were erected, substantial fences were built and in fact all up-to-date improvements and accessories were added. Thus as the years went by Chauncey Wixom rose from abject poverty and afterwards became one of the wealthy tillers of the soil.

Chauncey Wixom was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hawk, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Illinois with her parents when twelve years of age, the family home being es- tablished in Troy Grove township. She was trained to the duties of the household and re- mained with her parents up to the time of her marriage, when she went to the home which her husband provided for her. As the years passed by six children were added to the family: Clara, who is now the wife of Montford Crandall, a prominent and representative farmer of this county ; Byon, who is living in New Mexico; Reuben, a resident of Nebraska; Justin, who is a twin brother of Reuben and lives in Idaho; William, who is in Wichita, Kansas ; Irus, who now owns and lives upon the old Hawk farm in Troy Grove township.

In disposition Chauncey Wixom was rather quiet and reserved. He was, however, a man of firm conviction, unfaltering in support of the cause which he believed to be right and neither fear nor favor could swerve him in such a course. He became a strong advocate of prohibition and the temperance cause and took an active part in the campaign of 1876, being a stanch advocate of Solon Chase. He was widely known in his community for his inflexible honesty. In all business affairs he was thoroughly just and re- liable, being never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any trade transaction. He was. moreover, active in local charities and the poor and needy found in him a friend. He exemplified in his life the true Christian spirit although he was not a member

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of the church. He had firm belief, however, in religious principles and he was a member of the local Grange. All who knew him respected him and he left to his family not only a handsome property but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and to the county the record of an honored and valued pioneer citizen.

PETER J. AMFAHR.

It is not the men who are born rich or who come into an inheritance that make the most of life. On the contrary it is usually the men who in youth are denied many of the comforts of life and its opportunities who achieve the best results. In no country are such excellent advan- tages offered for business advancement as in America, for here labor is unhampered by caste or class and determined, earnest purpose will gain its sure reward. Peter J. Amfahr is numbered among those who are now classed with the substantial agriculturists of La Salle county and who owe their success to diligence when guided by sound judgment.

He is a native of Germany, having been born near Cullom, Prussia, whence he came to the United States in 1851 or 1852 with his parents, Peter and Gertrude (Hensler) Amfahr. The father was also born near Cullom, while the mother's birth occurred near Wellesburg. They were married in Prussia and crossed the Atlantic on a sailing vessel, Oneida, which was eighty- two days in accomplishing the voyage. They encountered a very severe storm on Christmas day but at length arrived safely at New York. They then resumed their journey toward the interior of the country, but had proceeded only as far as Buffalo, New York, when their supply of money was exhausted and the whole family went to the poorhouse in order to have some- thing to eat. The father then walked from Buffalo to the village of Troy Grove, where lived his brother-in-law, who loaned him money to bring his family to La Salle county. The father worked on the Burlington Railroad for the first year after his arrival and thus was enabled to meet the immediate expenses of the household, but it was his desire and ambition to secure a farm and he at length rented eighty acres of land from his brother-in-law. operating the place on the shares. The succeeding year he rented a farm from Anthony Reck and con- tinued its cultivation for three years. Subse- quently he removed to a farm near Mendota, upon which he lived for three years, when in

1866 or 1867 he removed to Black Hawk county, Iowa, where he purchased land. There he spent his remaining days, both he and his wife dying in that county.

Their first residence in La Salle county was a board shanty and Peter J. Amfahr well re- members seeing wolves and deer on the prairie near his home, but the Indians and buffaloes were gone at the time of his arrival. Many evidences of pioneer life, however, were still to be seen and the environments were those of the frontier with few of the advantages and improvements known to the older and more thickly settled east. Having come from Prussia to America with his parents, he lived at the family home in La Salle county up to the time of his marriage.

It was in 1866 that he wedded Miss Christina Reck, who was born in Troy Grove township, March 9, 1847, a daughter of Anthony and Christina (Kratz) Reck. Of the six chidren born of this union, the first born died in infancy. Those still living are Peter E., who married Emily McDonald in 1898 and is now living in Peru; Anthony, the second of that name, who is operating eighty acres of his father's land in Troy Grove township; Mary, who married Charles Emerick in 1901 and lives on a farm in Troy Grove township; Henry W., who mar- ried Clara Hoffman in 1905 and lives on a farm in Bureau county ; and Philomena M., who mar- ried Joseph P. Schneider and they reside with her father.

Mr. Amfahr has led a very industrious life followed by excellent results. In connection with general farming he has operated a thresher and corn sheller. He rented land until 1880 and then made a purchase of a tract and since that time he has bought other property and is today the owner of a valuable farm, comprising one hun- dred and sixty acres on sections 20 and 29, Troy Grove township, his residence standing on the former section. He also owns one hundred and eighty-one acres of land in Bureau county, Illinois. In 1860 he bought his first thresher (a horse-power Russell) and soon he secured a liberal patronage, his services in this particular being in constant demand. He thus made money and about eighteen years ago he purchased a steam thresher, which he operated for a long period. His farm is largely devoted to grain raising and he prospered in the work of tilling the soil as well as in operating his thresher and corn sheller. He has drained his land and added many modern improvements and now has a val- uable property. About two years ago he retired from the active work of the farm and is today enjoying a well earned rest. He was ably as- sisted by his wife, who was indeed to him a

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faithful companion and helpmate on life's jour- ney, but she died November 18, 1895.

In his political views Mr. Amfahr has always been a democrat and for many years has served as school director, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. His financial condition in early life was that of dire necessity, but he has risen to be one of the wealthy farmers of Troy Grove township and his life record proves what may be accomplished through earnest and persistent labor. Although not a church member his actions have ever been guided by the strictest principles of honesty and integrity and all who know him esteem him for his genuine worth. His sons have followed the business which gave him a good start in life and still operate the thresher and corn sheller, at the same time caring for the farm. They have good machinery upon the place and all modern equipments to facilitate the farm work. The record of the father is a most com- mendable one, for without any special advan- tages in his youth Mr. Amfahr has worked his way steadily upward and is today a prosperous and representative agriculturist of his com- munity with a competence sufficient to enable him now to enjoy a well earned rest.

ADOLPH HALLECK FARLEY.

Adolph Halleck Farley, a resident of Leland, where he is familiarly called "Eddy" by his nu- merous friends, has been identified with the inter- ests of Leland for the past nine years. He was born in Adams township, August II, 1874. His father, Christopher Farley, was born in Norway and came to the new world when a lad of nine years, making his way to Wisconsin, while soon afterward he took up his abode in La Salle county, Illinois. Here he was reared and mar- ried, his wife being Miss Helen Sanderson, a native of Norway. Turning his attention to farming he actively and successfully carried on agricultural pursuits in Adams township and here reared his family. He held a number of school offices and other positions of honor and trust and was respected as an enterprising business man, who in all his life displayed sterling traits of character.

Mr. Farley of this review was reared on the old homestead farm and acquired his education in the county schools, supplemented by one year's study in the Rockford Business College, pur- suing his course there after having been en- gaged in business for two years. Coming to Leland he joined his brother in the conduct of a grocery store, which they conducted for two

years and he then entered the Rockford Busi- ness College. Returning to Leland, he engaged in clerking for his brother in a clothing store for a year, after which he took charge of the elevator business, spending two and a half years in that way in the employ of his uncle and brother. He was manager of the grain trade at this point, after which the firm sold out to the Farmers Elevator & Grain Company. Mr. Farley con- tinued in control of the business for the new firm and has been the buyer and had charge of the elevator and grain business at this point up to the present time. He has the entire confidence of the company and of the general public and stands high as a man in business judgment and unquestioned integrity in all trade transactions.

On the IIth of September, 1900, in Leland, Mr. Farley was married to Miss Sophia Chally, who was born in Ford county, Illinois, but was reared in La Salle county. She passed away on the 22d of July, 1904, and was laid to rest in Baker cemetery. Mr. Farley is a member of the Lutheran church. He gives his political support to the republican party and was elected and served for one term as a member of the school board. He was also elected township treasurer and by re-election is now serving for the fourth term, making his incumbency in office a period of five years, as he was appointed to fill a vacancy. He has been superintendent of the school fund, which he has loaned out and re- ceived five per cent interest. In the First Na- tional Bank of Leland he is a stockholder and his business qualifications have been manifest in the control of his personal interests and also in the management of the public trusts which have been given to his care. He is a man of public spirit, devoted to the general welfare, and Le- land and La Salle county have profited by his efforts in their behalf.

MILTON HOMER SWIFT.

Milton Homer Swift, who died May 14. 1886, twice mayor of Ottawa and an honored member of the La Salle county bar, was born in Kent, Connecticut, October 2, 1815. his parents being Homer and Electa Swift. His father was also an attorney at law. The son pursued his early education in the district schools of Connecticut near the town of New Preston and although he did not have the advantage of a college educa- tion he was an extensive reader of the best English literature and a man of broad and most excellent information. Taking up the study of law, he was graduated from the famous law

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school of Litchfield, Connecticut, and came west to Ottawa, Illinois, in 1838. He opened a law office here and continued more or less actively in practice until his death, having a large clientage which connected him with much important liti- gation tried in the courts of his district. He was also one of the original incorporators of the First National Bank of Ottawa and in 1866 was elected its president, which office he held until poor health caused his resignation in 1878. He after- ward opened a law office in connection with his son, Edward C. Swift, and continued a member of the La Salle county bar until his demise. He exerted considerable influence in community affairs and the confidence reposed in him and his position in public regard are indicated by the fact that in 1874 and again in 1875 he was elected mayor of Ottawa without opposition. His fraternal relations were with the Masons.

In April, 1847, Mr. Swift was married to Miss Susan W. Miles and they became the parents of two sons and two daughters: Sarah J., the deceased wife of George H. Marsland ; George H., who died in 1860; Helen D., who died in 1876; and Edward C. Swift, who was born March 7. 1855, and is the sole surviving member of the family.

ALEXANDER FULLER.

Alexander Fuller has passed the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey and is living retired in Streator. He has been connected with much work that has had direct bearing upon the im- provement and substantial progress of the county and in former years was closely identified with the building of railroads, which some one has said must always be had to drain a new land of savagery. Later he was identified with ranch- ing interests and with the development of coal fields and his labors have ever been of a charac- ter that have not only promoted his individual success but have contributed to general pros- perity. One of the most venerable citizens of Streator, no history of La Salle county would be complete without the record of his life.

A native of Hartford, Trumbull county, Ohio, Mr. Fuller was born June 4, 1820, his parents being Davis and Hannah (Bushnell) Fuller, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. The maternal grandfather, Alexander Bushnell, was a captain in the Revolutionary war and died in the year 1818. Davis Fuller's mother was at Long Island at the time General Howe captured New York. One of the ancestors of our subject, Samuel Fuller, was surgeon on the Mayflower,

which brought the first settlers to New Eng -. land. His grandmothers both lived to a ripe old age and both died through accident, one at the age of ninety-five and the other at the age of ninety-seven years.

Davis Fuller, father of our subject, on leaving New England removed to Ohio in 1806. He was a saddle-maker by trade and followed that pur- suit in the employ of the government for some time. He also served as a drum major in the war of 1812. He was the first saddle-maker in the Western Reserve, becoming one of the pioneer settlers who aided in reclaiming that region from the dominion of the red race and for the uses of the white man. In connection with six others he organized the first anti-slavery so- ciety in this country and for many years was a stanch opponent of the custom of holding the negroes in bondage. Alexander Fuller became one of the conductors on the famous under- ground railroad and on many occasions would leave his bed and home at midnight and with horse and wagon would drive fugitive slaves on their way to the next "station" on this under -- ground road. He was acquainted with the col- ored people who figure as George and Eliza in Mrs. Stowe's story of Uncle Tom's Cabin. His son, Alexander, was well acquainted with Abbie Kelley and Mr. Foster, the leaders in the anti- slavery movement, having been with them many times when they were in danger of being killed. Davis Fuller did not live to see the emancipation of the negro, dying in 1855, at the age of seventy- six years. His wife passed away in 1848, when seventy-five years of age.

The father instilled into the minds of his chil- dren the strong anti-slavery principles which he entertained and Alexander Fuller became a stanch advocate of freedom. He was not only associated with the leaders of the anti-slavery movement, but also figured in political circles even at an earlier period, being a member of the glee club which sang in General Harrison's campaign. His education was acquired in the public schools and in an academy. He came to Streator in April, 1866, and was a warm per- sonal friend of Dr. Streator, for whom the city was named. From the time of his arrival here Mr. Fuller was closely identified with move- ments resulting beneficially to the city and county. He had a contract with the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Company for the bridg- ing of three hundred and fifty miles of road and furnished from the stump all of the timber used in building this line, having purchased the land on which the timber stood. From time to time he also invested in property on his own account and bought that section of land in Grundy

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county, which he owns today six hundred and forty acres, having in the meantime added to his original holdings there. He spent the years 1887, 1888 and 1889 in Ohio, building the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad and he bought for the com- pany twenty-five hundred acres of coal land. His general office was at Mount Pleasant, from which point he superintended the operations. When three years had passed he returned to Streator and at a later date he purchased a ranch in Kan- sas comprising five thousand acres, which he afterward sold. In 1896 he lost his wife and has done no business since that time, but has lived retired in Streator in the enjoyment of a rest which he richly deserves.

In January, 1842, Mr. Fuller was united in marriage to Miss Almira Gates, who was born in Ohio in 1823. Her parents were Richard and Eliza (Borden) Gates. Her father was born in Massachusetts and died at the age of seventy- six years, while her mother reached the very advanced age of ninety-two years. Mr. Gates was a farmer by occupation, following that pur- suit in Ohio, where he spent almost his entire life, having become one of the pioneers of the state. His father served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and participated in the battle at Fort Erie. In the Gates family were eight children, of whom three are now living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fuller were born. five children, two sons and three daughters and those still living are: Candace, the wife of J. A. Gray, of Chicago; Lizzie and Carrie, who are witth their father in Streator, the wife and mother having passed away in 1896.

Mr. Fuller was a member of Streator lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M. and served as its master, but has withdrawn from active connection with the craft. In politics he was originally a whig, but an abolitionist in antebellum days and when the republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks. He has long been acquainteed with this part of the state and his efforts in behalf of public prog- ress and improvement constitute an important factor in the work of upbuilding. Now in the evening of life he is resting from further toil and his labors redound to his honor and credit.

EDWARD CASSIUS SWIFT.

Edward Cassius Swift, an active practitioner of the La Salle county bar and vice president of the First National Bank of Ottawa,. was born March 7, 1855, in the city which is yet his place of residence. His parents were Milton H. and

Susan W. Swift, and he is of the third genera- tion of the family in direct line connected with the legal profession. After completing the work of the ward schools he was graduated from the high school of Ottawa in 1872 and pursued his more specifically literary course in Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, where after four years of study he was graduated from the liter- ary department in 1876. The following year he engaged in teaching and then took up the study of law with his father as his preceptor. After thorough preliminary reading, which qualified him for passing the required examinations, he entered actively upon the practice of his chosen profession in Ottawa and for a number of years was associated with his father. . For the past ten years he has been vice president of the First National Bank of Ottawa and his position in financial and legal circles classes him with the representative men of the city.

While in the university Mr. Swift became a member of the Chi Psi fraternity. He is a republican in politics and for eighteen years, from 1878 until 1896, was a member of the board of education of the Ottawa schools. He was also assistant supervisor of the town of Ottawa in 1877, 1878 and 1879.

Mr. Swift was married October 23, 1878, in Kent, Connecticut, to Miss Helen C. Vincent and their children, Helen Dickinson and Susanne Gertrude, are vet at homc.

HENRY HOFFMAN.

Henry Hoffman, a contractor and builder iden- tified with the substantial improvement of La Salle, is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, born in 1849, his parents being Charles and Matilda (Liedoff) Hoffman, who were natives of Sax- ony, Germany, in which country they were mar- ried. They came to the United States in 1849, settling in Cleveland, Ohio, whence, in 1854, they removed to Iowa, where the father followed farming. He was a bell-maker and brass-worker in Germany but in this country devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits, carrying on farming operations in Iowa until his death, which occurred when he was seventy years of age. His wife survived him and died at the age of seventy-seven years. In their family were five children, who vet survive: Minnic, who is the wife of Adam Fortney; Henry; Burnett ; Edward ; and Louis.

In the public schools of La Salle, to which state he removed with his parents when a little lad of five years, Henry Hoffman acquired his education, and when a young man of twenty-

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three years came to La Salle in 1873. He had gained considerable knowledge of carpentering in Iowa and completed his trade in this city, following that pursuit as a journeyman until 1881, when he began business on his own ac- count as a carpenter and contractor. He has since continued in this line with fair success, the number and nature of his contracts making constant demands upon his time and energies. He is thus leading a busy and useful life and is regarded as a hard-working, honest and up- right citizen.

In 1875 Mr. Hoffman was married in La Salle to Miss Whilemilla Larine, a daughter of Wil- liam Larine. They have four children: Ma- tilda, the wife of Theodore Dean; Emma; Wil- liam; and Louis. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church and Mr. Hoffman has membership relations with the Mystic Work- ers. He exercises his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of the republican party but is without aspiration for office, pre- ferring to devote his time and energies to busi- ness affairs, wherein he has advanced from an humble position to one of affluence. His name is always spoken with respect in trade circles in La Salle and he has a most creditable record as a reliable man.

JOHN ARENZ.

John Arenz, now living retired at the "settle- ment" in Richland township, is a native of Ger- many. His birth occurred in the city of Kolm on the Rhine, February 8, 1829. His parents were Jerry and Katherine (Burkholz) Arenz, both of whom died in Germany, where they were well known farming people.

John Arenz was reared in Germany and ac- quired his education in the public schools of that country, where he resided until 1861, when, at- tracted by the broader opportunities and advan- tages of the new world, he came to America, lo- cating first at Peru, in La Salle county, Illinois. There he remained for about a year, after which he resided upon a farm near Peru, where he lived for about two years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode upon a rented farm in Richland township and later he bought the farm, on section 22, Richland township, now operated by his son, John Arenz, Jr. His next investment of land made him owner of a farm in Eagle township, which has since been sold to his children, and he afterward bought another farm near Garfield, Illinois, which is being op-

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 153

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