History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 56

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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Owing to the unsettled condition of the county during his boyhood days Lewis Long enjoyed but meager educational privileges. He frequently had to walk several miles to and from school and attended only through the winter months, for during the remainder of the year his services were needed upon the home farm and the habits of industry and enterprise which he then culti- vated bore fruit in later years in his own success- ful business career. In early manhood he chose a companion and helpmate for life's journey, be- ing married in Ottawa on the 14th of December, 1852, to Miss Emily E. Barber, who was born in Schoharie county, New York, November 9, 1832, her parents being Zina and Sarah ( Potter) Bar- ber, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. The mother died during the early child- hood of her daughter, Mrs. Long, leaving three children : Charles N., now deceased; Mrs. Long ; and Sarah, the wife of M. Morgan, of Crawford county, Iowa. Mr. Barber afterward wedded

Lewis Long

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Huldah Deans, and they became the parents of eight children, including Alden, who died in Libby prison during the Civil war; Cicero, who was killed in battle while defending the stars and stripes; John, also a veteran of the same war; Mrs. Caroline Mussy ; and Mrs. Ruth Edi- son. The father, Zina Barber, was a millwright by trade and his last days were spent in Miller township, La Salle county, where he passed away in 1857. He was a firm believer in the Methodist faith, and his political support was given to the whig party. Mrs. Long came with the family to La Salle county, Illinois, in 1851. She was at that time a young lady of nineteen years. She was educated in the schools of New York and engaged in teaching prior to her marriage. Following their marriage Mr. Long took his bride to a farm in Rutland township and began the develop- ment of new land there, becoming owner of several hundred acres, much of which he placed under a high state of cultivation. About 1859 or 1860 he removed to North Prairie, where he pur- chased a place upon which few improvements had been made. He owned there over a section of land and also had land in Rutland and Brook- field townships. He made a specialty of the culti- vation of grain and was widely recognized as one of the most enterprising as well as most influential and wealthy farmers of his community. His displayed great diligence and perseverance, and his strong determination and indefatigable energy were indispensable elements to success. As his financial resources increased from time to time he eventually found himself the owner of more than a thousand acres of very rich and fer- tile land in La Salle county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Long were born eight children, of whom seven are yet living, for they lost their first child, Sarah Helen, in infancy, after which they took an infant of six weeks into their own home and reared and educated her. She is now the wife of William H. States, of North Dakota. Of their own children, Eugene C. is a farmer living in Rutland township. Emma F. is the wife of G. J. States, a farmer of Miller township, and they have two children, Maude and Lena. Charles W. is a resident farmer of Rutland township and the present supervisor, and he married Mae Clark and has two children, Harry L. and Esther E. Ruth Inez married George M. Pinkle, lives in Marseilles and has three children, Alta, Blanche and Ray W. Bertha is the wife of Fred Spencer, of Ottawa, and has one child, Grace. Lewis Walter is a farmer of Miller township, and he married Cora M. Brum- bach, and has two children, Walter Floyd and Elsie L. Arthur F. married Sarah Etta Grove and with his wife and one daughter, Dorothy B., lives on a farm in Miller township.

Throughout his entire life Lewis Long was a resident of La Salle county. For many years he was one of its best known farmers and had the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact. He attended the Universalist church and voted with the republican party but was without political aspiration, although in matters of citizenship his devotion to the public good was strongly manifest. In his business affairs he was thoroughly reliable, never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any trade trans- action. He watched his opportunities for judi- cious investments and worked energetically and persistently year after year until his possessions were extensive and remunerative. He died upon the old homestead in Miller township, where he had lived for more than a third of a century, and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He had a strong face, yet one that was kindly as well as firm, with eyes that showed a genial light and gave evidence of a fund of humor. In his home he was a devoted husband and father and wherever known was held in highest respect. Mrs. Long in 1904 purchased a residence in Marseilles which she has added to and repaired, transforming it into a neat and attractive home, which she now enjoys.

IRA AMBURN.

Ira Amburn, now living a retired life in Le- land, was for many years actively identified with farming interests in La Salle county and still owns a valuable farm of more than one hun- dred acres pleasantly situated in Adams town- ship about three miles from the village. Many have been the changes that have occurred since Mr. Amburn took up his abode in La Salle county, his residence here dating from 1851. He was born in Norway in 1835, and spent the first sixteen years of his life in that country. He then came to the new world, joining some friends in La Salle county and in order to pro- vide for his support he worked by the month as a farm hand for a few years, or until his ac- cumulated savings made it possible for him to engage in farming on his own account. He first operated rented land for ten years and then bought eighty-two acres of land, on which the work of improvement had been begun but there were no buildings. He at once resolutely took up the task of further developing and cultivating this place and later he bought twenty acres ad- joining. He erected fair buildings, fenced the fields, tiled the land and developed a good farm, residing thereon until 1898, when he rented the

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farm. He afterward traveled abroad visiting Norway and a number of the important centers of Europe, visiting Liverpool, London and some points in Germany. He has also visited the western part of this country, viewing many places of scenic interest. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he has never sought or desired office. He belongs to the Lutheran church and has lived a life of upright- ness during the fifty-five years of his residence in Illinois. He is one of the few remaining old settlers and his memory compasses the period of early pioneer development as well as later-day progress, and forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the present with its many evidences of an advanced civilization. He has now resided in Leland for several years and is enjoying a well earned rest, for his earnest, in- defatigable and honest labor has constituted the basis of the prosperity which he now enjoys.

OLE HIGHLAND.

Ole Highland living on section 16, Adams township, where he carries on general agricul- tural pursuits, is pleasantly located within a mile and a half of Leland and derives a good income from the operation of his farm of eighty acres. He was born in Norway, December 28, 1842, and was there reared to the age of twenty years, dur- ing which time he acquired a common-school edu- cation. Ambitious to succeed and feeling that better opportunities were afforded in America than could be enjoyed in his native country he came to the new world in 1862 and at once crossed the country to La Salle county. Here to provide for his support he began work as a farm hand by the month and was thus employed for seven years. Interested in his native land and loyal thereto he enlisted in February, 1865, for active service with the Union army, joining Com- pany H of the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illi- nois Volunteers. He went to Chicago, where he was mustered in and then proceeded southward to Tennessee, being engaged in doing guard duty at different places, patrolling and guarding at Memphis and also at Chattanooga. He thus served until the close of the war, when he was mustered out and honorably discharged in the fall of 1865.

Mr. Highland at once returned to his home when the country no longer needed his aid and here he purchased a corn sheller and thresher. He engaged in threshing during the harvest sea- sons for over twenty years and became well known in the county as a man of business activi-

ty, enterprise and integrity. He also broke prairie land in both Ford and Champaign coun- ties and likewise operated a corn sheller in the latter county. He thus eagerly availed himself of every opportunity for advancing his business interests and when his capital had become suf- ficient to justify his investment in land he bought eighty acres near Olwell, which he afterward traded for a farm that he now owns, coming into possession of this property in 1883. He began to farm and improve the place and fence and tile the land, adding modern equipments that pro- moted the productiveness of the soil and add to the success of the farm. He also built a good house and has recently erected a substantial new barn to replace the one which was burned in 1905.

On March 22, 1883, in Adams township, Mr. Highland was married to Miss Julia Edwinson, a native of Norway, who was reared, however, in Illinois. There are four living children of this marriage: Orton, George, Lila and Melva. They also lost one child, Harold. who died in infancy. The parents are faithful members of the Lutheran church and are active and inter- ested in its work. Mr. Highland is a believer in good schools and has done effective service in behalf of public education while acting as a mem- ber of the school board. Politically he has been a life-long republican. He belongs to the Grand Army post at Somonauk and is one of the few surviving old soldiers who fought for the flag and the Union in the land of his adoption. H has lived an upright, exemplary life, his industry and honesty being salient features in his record. and for forty-four years he has been known in La Salle county, where his business affairs have brought him a wide acquaintance and his honor- able methods have gained him friendly regard.

J. R. HUNT.

J. R. Hunt, a dairyman and general farmer located on section 13, South Ottawa township, has thus been engaged in business for the past thirty-five years and has resided in La Salle county since the fall of 1868, when he came from Wisconsin to this locality. He was born in 1847 in the Sandwich Islands, a son of the Rev. T. Dwight and Mary (Hedges) Hunt, who were missionaries to the Sandwich Islands, sent there under the auspices of the American Board of Missions. The father was a minister of the Congregational church and devoted his life for more than forty years to the preaching of the gospel, his influence being widely felt as a moving factor for the uplifting of his fel-

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lowmen. Both he and his wife have now been deceased for many years."

J. R. Hunt spent his early life in various states, but largely in New York and California. He was one of a family of seven children, of whom one brother is the Rev. George E. Hunt, a Presbyterian minister, now located in Madi- son, Wisconsin. Another brother is in Chicago and three sisters are in the state of New York. In the public schools J. R. Hunt acquired a good education and afterward prepared for col- lege. La Salle county has largely been the scene of his activities since he entered upon his business career. He was married in Wiscon- sin, however, to Miss Evelyn Bangs, a daughter of A. M. Bangs, who resided for many years at Ottawa and who was a carpenter by trade, being closely identified with building operations in this part of the state. He has now passed away.

As stated, Mr. Hunt came with his wife to La Salle county in 1868 and has since resided in South Ottawa township, where he is largely engaged in the dairy business. He operates a farm of three hundred acres of rich and pro- ductive land and has about one hundred head of cattle upon his place, together with a large number of horses. He ran a milk wagon until a recent date, when he sold his routes, but furnishes the milk that is sold to the retail trade. He owns an eighty-acre farm, which is a part of the large farm which he operates, and he employs from three to five hands in carrying on his place, which is known as the Spring Hill Dairy Farm. In all of his work he is practical, displaying systematic and methodical habits in the management of his business affairs and through his close application and energy he has won a merited success.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have been born seven children, six of whom were born in La Salle county. The family record is as follows : Rev. William B. Hunt, who although now at home temporarily, is a missionary to Korea ; Mrs. Mary Evans, residing in Carrollton, Greene county, Illinois ; Henry H., a traveling salesman for the Moline Plow Company and living in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Charlotte F., the wife of R. W. Poundstone, of Los Angeles, California ; Laura L. and Gertrude M., both at home; and J. Raymond, who is a high-school student in Ottawa.

In his political views Mr. Hunt is an earnest republican, interested in the success of his party and well informed concerning the questions and issues of the day. He has served for several years as a member of the high-school board and the cause of education finds in him a stal-

wart and progressive friend. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp and he and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. He made no mistake in choosing La Salle county as a place of residence, for in his business affairs here he has won a merited and desirable measure of success and is now con- trolling an extensive business.

L. WALTER LONG.

Active and enterprising in his farm labor L. Walter Long owns a farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 28 and 29, Miller town- ship. This constitutes the old Long homestead and is the birthplace of the subject of this re- view, who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 23d of September, 1870. He is a son of Lewis Long, who is mentioned on another page of this volume. During his boyhood days he attended the country schools and when not busy with his text-books aided in the labors of the fields. He remained with his father until he had attained his majority and the practical knowledge which he gained of farming methods has proven of much benefit to him, as he has carried on general agricultural pursuits on his own account in later years.

L. Walter Long was married in Rutland town- ship, February 24, 1892, to Miss Cora Bell Brumbach, a daughter of Elton Brumbach, a prominent farmer of Rutland township, whose life history is given on another page of this volume. Mrs. Long was born, reared and educated in Rutland township, and following their marriage the young couple located on a farm in that township, where they lived for several years. On the expiration of that period they removed to Miller township, and in 1903 took up their abode on the old farm homestead, where the father had settled a number of years prior to the Civil war, spending his remaining days upon this place. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Long has been blessed with two children, Walter Floyd and Elsie Lalia, both of whom are students in the public schools.

Mr. Long gives his time and attention to general agricultural pursuits and has now a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres, which is well developed and improved with modern equipments. Good farm machinery facilitates the work of the fields and the task of plowing, planting and harvesting is carried on in accordance with the methods which practical experience and science have demonstrated to be superior. His fields return him good harvests

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and the place is neat and thrifty in appearance. Mr. Long has always been a republican, fol- lowing in the footsteps of his father in this di- rection, because mature judgment has sanctioned the principles of the party. He has never sought or desired office, however, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with signal success. His entire life having been passed in this county and characterized by fidelity to honorable prin- ciples, he is therefore widely and favorably known.

ELMER E. GLADFELTER.

Elmer E. Gladfelter is now proprietor of one of the leading furniture establishments of Ottawa and one of its oldest business enterprises, for the store has had a continuous existence since 1847. While conducting a business along the safe, con- servative and honorable lines on which it was es- tablished he has also instituted modern methods of progress and improvements, and the trade has grown with the development of the city, making this one of the profitable commercial concerns of Ottawa.

Mr. Gladfelter is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Clinton county in No- vember, 1861. He came to Illinois in May, 1876, then a young man of fifteen years. In the meantime he had acquired his education in the public schools of the east. In 1886 he became a resident of Ottawa and after his marriage en- tered the employ of Simon Zimmerman, the founder of the store, who continued the business until 1889, when Mr. Gladfelter assumed its management, having entire charge for five years before the death of Mr. Zimmerman in 1894. He then became proprietor of the establishment which has since been conducted under his name. He carries a large and well selected stock of all kinds and grades of furniture, his being one of the leading establishments of this character in the city. His patronage is extensive and his earnest desire to please his customers has been one of the strong and salient features in his pros- perity. He is also funeral director and em- balmer and has as fine turnouts as can be found in the city.

In November, 1886, Mr. Gladfelter was united in marriage to Miss Anna Zimmerman, a daugh- ter of his employer, Simon Zimmerman, who was born on a farm near Highspire, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1821. In his youth he did not find farming congenial and turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, which he followed in

the east until 1849, when he removed to Ottawa. For a brief period he was identified with build- ing operations here and then entered into part- nership with Henry Coles, now of Springfield, Illinois, in the conduct of a furniture manufac- tory in the Rugg Building at the canal. This was carried on until the early '6os, when he sold his interest to George H. Rugg. He then bought the Mechanics Hall and opened a large furniture store, in which for thirty-one years he conducted a constantly increasing and prosperous business. By careful, conservative business methods, he developed a good trade and secured a comfortable bank account. He remained in the active management of the store until 1889, when his son-in-law, Mr. Gladfelter, assumed charge, the business, however, being conducted in Mr. Zimmerman's name until the latter's death in 1894. He erected a fine modern brick block extending from his original building to Clinton street and materially improving that sec- tion of the city.

In 1861, Mr. Zimmerman was united in mar- riage to Miss Olive Cooper, of Chicago, who still survives him together with their two daughters, Jennie and Anna, the latter now Mrs. Gladfelter. Mr. Zimmerman belonged to Occidental lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M., which he joined on its organization. He never sought nor desired public office or preferment and the only public position which he ever held was that of vice presi- dent of the Illinois Funeral Directors' Associa- tion. He preferred to devote his time and ener- gies to his business interests and to the enjoy- ments of home life. With him friendship was inviolable and his devotion to his family arose not only from a sense of duty but from an unself- fish nature, which always sought the welfare and happiness of others even at personal sacrifice. He was a man whose thought was pure, whose life was kindly, whose motives were honorable and he shed around him through his genial disposi- tion and spirit of helpfulness much of life's sun- shine. At all times he valued his own self-re- spect and the confidence of his fellowmen more than wealth or fame, and he, therefore, left be- hind him an example which is indeed well worthy of emulation. He passed away at the age of seventy-three years and nine months.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gladfelter have been born four daughters : Della, Rae, Monna and Ruth. Mr. Gladfelter is a member of Occidental lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M., Shabbona chapter, No. 37, R. A. M., and Ottawa commandery, No. 10, K. T., while both he and his wife are affiliated with the Eastern Star. Mr. Gladfelter likewise holds membership with St. Elmo lodge, No. 70, K. P., and Ottawa lodge, No. 41, I. O. O. F. He

E. E. GLADFELTER.

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was elected alderman of the second ward in April, 1904, and is still holding office. He was chairman of the light and license committee, of which he is still a member, and is now chairman of the sewerage committee. His interest in any- thing pertaining to the welfare of the city is deep and sincere, and his co-operation can be counted upon to further progressive public measures. He is one of Ottawa's leading and enterprising busi- ness men, who, though not a pioneer in years of residence here, is a pioneer in progress.

GEORGE F. COUTANT, M. D.

Dr. George F. Coutant, who is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in La Salle, is descended from the Huguenots of France, al- though coming of a Holland branch and is of the eighth generation of the family born in America. His parents were Gilbert and Sarah (Ferguson) Coutant. The father was a builder and con- tractor, of New York, who two years prior to his death retired from active business and went to live in New Haven, Connecticut, where he died at the age of fifty-four years, while his wife passed away when forty-five years of age. In their family were five children, who are yet liv- ing: George F .; Mrs. Elizabeth Mellish, of New York; William, of California ; Mrs. F. P. Locke, who is living in Ottawa ; and Mrs. Stella Swift, whose home is in New Haven, Connecti- cut.

Dr. Coutant was born in Rosendale, Ulster county, New York. December 15, 1838, and ac- quired his early education there and at Hones- dale, Pennsylvania. Later he studied medicine under the direction of the late Dr. Denny, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and subsequently was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia with the class of 1872. £ He be- gan practice in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained for a few months, when, in 1872, he came to La Salle and has here practiced with suc- cess continuously since. He has ever maintained a high standard of professional ethics, has con- stantly broadened his knowledge and promoted his efficiency through research and investigation and has found in the faithful performance of each day's duties the inspiration and encourage- ment for the labors of the succeeding day. He served as health officer of La Salle for seven years and he is a member of the Homeopathic State Medical Society and the American Institute of Homeopathy. In addition to his professional interests he is president of the Eureka Building Association of La Salle, his connection therewith

continuing for the past twenty-one years. He was one of the promoters of this association. For several years he was a director of the La Salle Pressed Brick Company when it was first incor- porated, and was also a director of the Western Clock Company for a few years, but is not con- nected with either concern at the present time.

Dr. Coutant was maried in Pennsylvania in 1860 to Miss Sarah Batten, a native of England, who came with her parents to America when four years of age, the family home being established in the Keystone state. Three children have been born of this marriage, Sarah, George and Leilla. Sarah is the wife of William A. Locke, of La Salle, by whom she has four children, Walter Jennie, George and Wilbur. George died when six years of age and Leilla is at home.

In his political views Dr. Coutant is a stalwart republican and is serving as coroner of the coun- ty at this writing, in 1906, having been elected in 1904 for a four years' term. He has also been alderman of the fourth ward and his public duties have been faithfully performed in accordance with high ideals of citizenship. For the past thirty-two years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity and he also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. The family attend the Methodist church. Dr. Coutant has a wide and favorable acquaintance in the city where he has now made his home for more than a third of a century and his professional service has gained for him high rank as a representative practitioner of La Salle.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 56

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