History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 55

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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ROBERT C. LUCAS.

Freedom township finds a worthy representa- tive of its farming interests in Robert C. Lucas, who is carrying on general agricultural pursuits on section 24, and is also engaged in breeding registered Percheron horses and black polled Angus cattle. He was born in this township. October 16, 1855, and is a son of Robert and Jane (Hall) Lucas. The father was born in Ireland, August 2, 1819, and on the 15th of Feb- ruary, 1844, was married in Castle Coffield, to Miss Jane Hall, whose birth occurred in Tyrone county, Ireland, January 20, 1819. Immediately after their marriage they sailed for the United States and located at Kingston, New York, where Mr. Lucas operated a stone quarry until 1851. He then came with his family to La Salle county and purchased a half section of land, after which he turned his attention to general farming. He was very successful in the conduct of his business af-

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fairs and also prospered through judicious in- vestments in real estate and at one time he owned one thousand acres of land. He was an exten- sive farmer and also fed cattle and hogs on a large scale. He made his home upon the farm until 1891, when he retired to Harding, Illinois, where he spent his remaining days in the enjoy- ment of a well earned rest, the fruits of his for- mer toil supplying him with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He voted with the republican party and held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife died in Harding, October 21, 1890, while he passed away there June 21, 1903. In their family were ten children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being as follows : Mary Ann, the deceased wife of J. B. Pool, a resident of Freedom township; Jane, the deceased wife of Joe Cowden, a resi- dent of Ottawa; James, who is living in Kansas ; Sarah, the wife of W. S. Hinkson, of this town- ship; Henrietta, deceased; Robert C., of this re- view; and W. J. and George H., both of whom are living in Kansas.

From earliest youth Mr. Lucas has been identi- fied with farm labor, devoting his leisure hours to the various tasks of the farm when not busy with his school books. After attending the dis- trict school he became a student in Aurora, Illi- nois, and was subsequently graduated from a busi- ness college in Chicago. He is thus well equipped for life's practical and responsible duties. He chose as a life work the occupation to which he was reared and he now owns two farms in Free- dom township. He has one hundred and seven- ty-five acres of land where he now resides and which was for many years his father's place of residence. Here the father built a house in 1856 but on the 3d of July, 1897, it was destroyed by fire. Robert C. Lucas afterward erected a com- modious and beautiful frame residence, which is one of the pleasing features of the landscape. He likewise has a farm of one hundred and thirty acres a mile to the west. Here he has engaged in the cultivation of the cereals best adopted to the soil and climate and is also well known as a breeder of registered Percheron horses and black polled Angus cattle. He has some of the finest stock in the township and has every reason to be proud of his herd.

On the 17th of September, 1879, Mr. Lucas was married to Miss Adelaide Helliwell, a native of Toronto, Canada, and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Morse) Helliwell, both of whom were natives of Canada and are now living in Manitoba, near Winnipeg. Mr. Helliwell was a sailor in early life and later a miller. Subse- quently he became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, but is now living retired. Unto

Mr. and Mrs. Lucas have been born five children and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. These are: Carrie A., now the wife of Roy W. Sinclair, of Clarion, Iowa; Charles R., who wedded Inez McAvoy and is living on his father's farm to the west of the homestead property ; Thomas, at home; Wini- fred, who is a graduate in music in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso; and Nellie H., who is now attending school in Valparaiso, Indiana.

The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and for nineteen years Mr. Lucas has been an exemplary Mason. He car- ries insurance in Mission, Serena & Freedom Township Mutual Company, which is one of the best companies in existence. His political sup- port is given to the republican party and he is now serving for the fourth year as assessor of his township. For more than a half century he has lived in this township and has therefore wit- nessed many of the changes which time and man have wrought. For the progressive citizenship in this part of the county has led to the adoption of all new and improved methods in farm work, in machinery and in all those walks of business life has contributed to success and progress. He has always stood for advancement and is an enterpris- ing man who carries forward to successful com- pletion whatever engages his attention.

HARRY W. LUKINS.

Harry W. Lukins, serving for the third term as treasurer of Streator and recognized as an influential factor in local political circles, has also won a creditable name as a representative of the financial interests of his city, where he is widely and favorably known as cashier of the Streator National Bank. He was born in Earlville, La Salle county, on the 3Ist of January, 1862, his parents being William Hayes and Fannie (Moorar) Lukins, who are represented on an- other page of this volume.

In the high school of Streator Harry W. Lukins completed his education by graduation with the class of 1879 and entered upon his business ca- reer as bill clerk in the freight office of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Subse- quently he became cashier, acting in that capaci- ty for about two years, after which he worked for the Coal Run Coal Company for about five years. He was general office man and clerk to the gener- al manager. Mr. Lukins has been connected. with the Streator National Bank since 1887, when he entered the institution as bookkeeper, acting

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

in that capacity until his promotion to cashier on the 26th of December, 1890. He has thus been connected with the bank to the present time and his able administration of his department of the institution has been an important element in its successful conduct. He is well known as a prominent representative of financial interests here and his genial and obliging manner has made him a popular official with the patrons of the bank.

Mr. Lukins is, moreover, an influential repub- lican, having given unfaltering allegiance to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. On that ticket he was elected city treasurer of Streator in 1891, again in 1895 and for a third term of two years in 1905, so that he is the present incumbent. He is a member of the Streator Club, of which he has been presi- dent, and he is popular in political, social and business circles, having the warm and favorable regard of many friends, a large number of whom have known him from his boyhood days down to the present, as his entire life has been passed in La Salle county.

ARTHUR T. BARTELS.

Arthur T. Bartels, who for thirty-six years has been engaged in business in Ottawa as a manu- facturer and retailer of furs, was born in Hamil- ton county, Ohio, but when only six years of age was brought to La Salle county, Illinois, and was reared in Freedom township upon the farm of Moses Dyer until fourteen years of age. Dur- ing that period he acquired his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools and later he continued his studies and further prepared for life's prac . tical and responsible duties by a year and a half spent in study in Kenyon College in Ohio. Re- turning to La Salle county, he located in Otta- wa and entered upon his business life as an em- ploye of F. C. Prescott, a furrier. He has since continued in the trade with the exception of a brief period spent as clerk of the probate court from 1882 until 1886. He is perfectly familiar with every branch of the business in principle and detail and is now regarded as one of the leading merchants of the city, where as a manufacturer and retailer of furs he is carrying on an exten- sive business. He purchases raw furs of all kinds which he converts into clothing and every description of fur garments, according to the prevailing styles and the tastes of his customers. His patronage is extensive, for he keeps in touch with the advancement made in this branch of business and he has a large and well equipped

store. In connection with his sister-in-law, Miss Effie A. Rowe, he is also engaged in the millinery business and her experience in the fur trade like- wise covers a long period. Mr. Bartels has de- voted practically his entire life to this branch of merchandising. and his close application, careful management, his watchfulness of the market and his progressive ideas constitute the basis of a very desirable success.

Mr. Bartels was married in Ottawa to Miss Ella J. Rowe, a daughter of Frederick and Nancy A. (Pierce) Rowe, both of whom died in 1905. Her father came to this city in 1849, and, being pleased with its prospects, determined to make it his home. He then returned to Connecticut and was married. In 1851 he came again to Ottawa for the purpose of making a permanent location in La Salle county and settled on a farm in Grand Rapids township, where he resided for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Ottawa, where he was for a number of years engaged in broom-making. He put up the first chain pump in the county and for years handled and sold pumps of this descrip- tion all over this part of the state. He was rec- ognized as a man of marked business enterprise and capacity and possessed, inoreover, many sterling qualities that were manifest in his pub- lic and private life. He served in a number of school offices and was highly esteemed through- out the community. He and his wife traveled life's journey together for fifty-three years, cele- brating their golden wedding in 1901. They came to Ottawa on a packet boat from Chicago and on reaching the county seat sought enter- tainment at the hotel known as the old Fox River House. The city of today bears little resem- blance to the small town which greeted them at that time. There were but few business houses a proportionate number of residences, no paved streets and few public improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe became the parents of three children : Mrs. Bartels ; Effie A., who, as stated, is con- nected with her brother-in-law in business ; and a son, George Pierce Rowe, who died of diphtheria at the age of nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Bartels have one living daughter, Anna Louise, the wife of L. H. Jones, a merchant tailor of this city.

In his political views Mr. Bartels is a demo. crat, unfaltering in his advocacy of the party and has several times been called to positions of po- litical preferment. As before stated, he served as clerk of the probate court from 1828 until 1886, was city clerk for six years and has also acted as alderman and in other public offices, the duties of which have been promptly and faithfully per- formed. Fraternally he is connected with the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks and with

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the Modern Woodmen camp and in former years was also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The family attend the services of the Episcopal church. Mr. Bartels' business career has been marked by steady progress and his advancement has come through the "merit system." Straightforward and trustworthy in all of his business dealings, he has wrought along modern business lines and has long maintained a foremost place in com- mercial circles, enjoying the full confidence of his contemporaries and winning the admiration of all by what he has accomplished.

BERGO THOMPSON.

Bergo Thompson is one of the public-spirited and prominent citizens of Mission township, liv- ing in Sheridan. For many years he engaged in merchandising and in farming and is now living retired, having well earned the rest which he is now enjoying. Moreover, he is entitled to mention in this volume as a veteran of the Civil war. He has made his home in Illinois since 1843 and in La Salle county since 1844. He was born in Norway, January 3, 1838. When a child of five years he was brought by his parents to America, the family home being established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and later in Chicago. After spending the winter in the latter city the father removed to La Salle county, Illinois, set- tling in what is now Mission township. He pur- chased eighty acres of land near the town of Norway and there opened up a farm, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for he passed away soon afterward. His widow sur- vived him for many years and married a second time.

Bergo Thompson was reared on the old home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the common schools and when not busy with his text-books worked in the fields. In 1861, when twenty-three years of age, he responded to the call of his adopted country and joined Company F, Thirty-sixth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. The regiment was assigned to the western army and the first engagement in which he participated was at Pea Ridge, Arkan- sas. He served on detached duty from time to time and took part in the battle of Corinth, of Stone River and Chickamauga. At the last named he was wounded by a gun-shot in the head and left on the field for dead. He was reported killed but was taken to the hospital at Nashville and when he had recovered he rejoined his regi-

ment at Chattanooga. He participated in the two days' fight at Resaca and the engagements at Adairsville and Dallas, sustaining at the last named a gun-shot wound in the leg which per- manently disabled him. He was in the hospital there for some time and later at Camp Douglas, Chicago. For a whole year he was unable to use the wounded leg in walking. He had been promoted corporal, sergeant and first sergeant and was afterward commissioned first lieutenant and with that rank was honorably discharged in 1865, being mustered out with a most creditable military record. Promotions had come to him in recognition of his valor and meritorious serv- ice on the field of battle and he made a splendid record, never faltering in the performance of any duty whether it called him on the lonely picket line or stationed him on the firing line.

When the war was over Mr. Thompson re- turned home to Mission township and was on the farm for two or three years. He then came to Sheridan and engaged in clerking for several years, thus receiving a fair business training. Subsequently he engaged in merchandising on his own account, being thus occupied for five years.

In December, 1866, in Mission township, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Martha Johnson, who was born in that township and was reared in Adams township. They became the parents of two sons and two daughters: Carrie L., who died in infancy ; Ole H., who is married, follows farming in Adams township and has a son, Leo; Burt M., who conducts a meat market in Sheri- dan and married Ida Hass, of Serena township; and Carrie, who began teaching when seventeen years of age and for seven years has been a successful teacher of Sheridan.

Mr. Thompson has always voted with the re- publican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, his first presidential bal- lot being cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and for each nominee at the head of the ticket since that time. He has been a recognized leader in local political circles and has filled a number of town offices of honor and trust. He was town clerk for seven or eight years and has also been a member of the village board. He served as assessor for twelve years and has recently made the twelfth assessment of Mission township. He also served for two years as collector and in all these offices discharged his duties with prompt- ness and fidelity. In 1891 he removed to Kane county and took charge of a dairy farm near Huntley, where he spent three years. He was there elected and served as justice of the peace and also township trustee. He returned to Sher- idan in 1894 and is recognized as a leading and influential resident of the town. He and his wife

BERGO THOMPSON.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

attend the Methodist Episcopal church and he be- longs to the Grand Army of the Republic and has served as commander of his post, while for several years past he has filled the position of quartermaster. At the time of the grand review in Washington at the close of the war there was a great banner flung across the streets of the city, bearing the inscription, "The only debt that the nation cannot pay is the debt that she owes to her victorious Union soldiers," and as time passes the country more and more realizes this and all honor is due to the men who wore the blue and fought for the defense of the Union in the Civil war.

WILLIAM HAYES LUKINS.

William Hayes Lukins, who for many years was prominently indentified with the business interests of Streator, was born near Cadiz, Har- rison county, Ohio, February 22, 1827, and died in Streator, May 18, 1900, at the age of seventy- three years. He came to Illinois in 1846 with his parents, Benjamin and Elizabeth (Worrall) Lukins, who established their home in La Salle county about twelve miles north of Ottawa.

On attaining his majority William H. Lukins began working at the carpenter's trade in Hard- ing, Illinois, where he remained until his mar- riage in 1852 to Miss Fannie Moorar, of East Wilton, Maine. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in Ophir township and for four years Mr. Lukins devoted his at- tention to the cultivation of the soil, after which he removed to Earlville, where he conducted a lumberyard until 1858. He then engaged in merchandising in Earlville until the spring of 1861, when he became a grain merchant, con- tinuing in that business until 1869 and also devoting a portion of his time during that period to the lumber trade and to dealing in agricultural implements.

Thus various business enterprises claimed his attention until 1871, when he removed to Streator, where for a year he dealt in grain and live stock. In the fall of 1873 he began burning linie and dealing in building materials, carrying on that business enterprise together with other pursuits. In 1876 he became lessee of the Streator gas works and after the business was consolidated in 1886 under the name of the Streator Gas Light & Coke Works he remained as manager for a few years. In 1879 he pur- chased the Oriental Hall building in connection with Frederick Gleim and for five years was manager of public amusements in Streator. In

1882 he was one of the organizers of the stock company that built the Plumb Hotel, superin- tending its construction. This is a magnificent structure supplied with all modern conveniences and is an ornament to the city. It was erected at a cost of fifty-five thousand dollars and Mr. Lukins was the prime mover in the enterprise. Thus his interests of a wide and varied char- acter proved of the utmost benefit to Streator in its upbuilding and substantial progress. In 1882 he was associated with others in incorporating the Streator National Bank, of which he was elected a director.

Mr. Lukins was also a factor in public life, being elected to various township and county offices. He was a member of the board of supervisors of La Salle county and always took a deep interest in education. In 1875 he was a member of the board of township school trus- tees and during his incumbency the present high-school system of Streator was inaugurated, it being the second of the kind in the state at that time.

In January, 1870, Mr. Lukins was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died leaving four sons. Frank M., Frederick W., Albert A., and Harry W. On the 3Ist of January, 1871, he married Miss Dora Samsey and they had one child, Gertrude R.

CHESTER C. PARR.

Chester C. Parr, farming on section 5, Man- lius township, is one of the active, thrifty and prosperous agriculturists of the community, giv- ing his attention to the supervision and cultiva- tion of a valuable and well improved tract of land of two hundred acres, from which he annually harvests good crops. He is a native of La Salle county, having been born in Manlius township on the old homestead farm, which adjoins his present residence. The date of his birth is November 12. 1877. He is a son of Joseph Parr, a native of La Salle county, who was born in 1845, and a grandson of Thomas Parr, who was one of the pioneers of this county. Having arrived at years of maturity Joseph Parr wedded Sally Knicker- bocker, a native of Miller township. La Salle county. He, too, was a farmer by occupation and opened up and improved a farm of one hun- dred and ninety-two acres which he placed under a high state of cultivation, annually harvesting good crops. He reared his family and spent his life upon this place, his death occuring on the Ist of October, 1900. His wife still survives him and now resides in Iowa with his son. Chester C.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

Parr is the youngest of three sons, the others be- ing James Parr, of Greene county, Iowa, and Melvin, of Story county, Iowa.

C. C. Parr was reared and educated in La Salle county, attending the district schools and afterward continued his studies in Marseilles and in the Ottawa high school. He remained with his father and after attaining his majority took charge of the farm and business, and his life has been that of an enterprising agriculturist, whose labors have been well directed by sound judg- ment, resulting from broad and practical experi- ence. He is thoroughly informed concerning the best methods of tilling the soil and produc- ing rich crops and the annual sale of his grain yields an excellent financial return. In appear .. ance the farm is neat and thrifty and all the lat- est improvements in the way of machinery, to- gether with all modern equipments are here found.

On the 4th of January, 1899, Mr. Parr was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Barber, who was born and reared in Miller township, a daughter of J. L. Barber, one of the leading agriculturists of that township. They have two children, Wil- bur J. and Lucile M. At the time of their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Parr began their domestic life upon the farm which has since been their home and he has further improved the property. He is an independent voter, supporting the can- didates whom he regards as best qualified for of- fice without regard to party affiliation. The cause of public education finds in him a stalwart advocate and he believes in good schools and com- petent teachers, doing much for public instruc- tion by his capable service as a member of the school board. He and his wife attend the Meth- odist Episcopal church and are esteemed in the community by reason of many good qualities which have won them warm friendships and high regard.

LEWIS LONG.

Lewis Long, whose name is on the roll of La Salle county's honored dead, was for many years one of the prominent agriculturists of this part of the state, and as the result of judicious invest- ments and capable business management became the owner of more than one thousand acres of land. For many years he made his home on sec- tion 28, Miller township, and there passed away February 8, 1904. respected and honored by all who knew him.

Mr. Long was born in this state in 1825, his natal place supposed to be Greene county. He is descended from German ancestry, his grand-

father, Christopher Long, Sr., having been born in Germany, whence he came to America in his childhood days, settling in New York. Having arrived at years of maturity he was married and inade his home in Fulton county, New York, where the birth of his son, Christopher Long, Jr., occurred. In 1818 the latter came from the Empire state to Illinois and took up his abode in Pike county. There on the 18th of March, 1824, he was united in marriage , to Miss Sallie Booth, whose birth occurred in Con- necticut, her father being A. Booth, of that state. The following year the young couple became residents of La Salle county, Illinois, and after living at South Ottawa for a number of years took up their abode near Marseilles in 1831. The following year the Indians went upon the warpath and Christopher Long assisted in building the fort which afforded refuge to the whitesettlers during the period when Black Hawk and his followers were on the war- path. Mrs. Long died in 1832, leaving three children: Catherine, the deceased wife of Elias Trumbow, of Rutland township; Elizabeth, the deceased wife of John Stadden ; and Lewis Long, whose name introduces this record. Christopher Long was afterward married again, his second union being with Miss Alvard, by whom he had four children, but only one is now living, William H. Long, who resides in Plano, Illinois, Throughout the period of his residence in this state Christopher Long engaged in farming and his death occurred upon the homestead farm near Marseilles in1849, when he was about fifty years of age. He voted with the whig party and took an active and helpful part in the pioneer develop- ment of this portion of the state.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 55

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