History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 81

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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JOHN NORWICK.

John Norwick dates his residence in La Salle county from 1853 and is therefore one of its pioneer residents. He is moreover one of its venerable citizens, having for seventy-nine years traveled life's journey and his sterling traits have been such as to win for him the respect and confidence of his fellowmen. He was born in Norway August 12, 1827, and remained a resi- cent of the land of the midnight sun until twen- ty-six years of age, during which time he ac- quired a good education in his native town. At-

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tracted by the favorable reports which he heard concerning business conditions and possibilities in the United States he made his way to America in 1853, nor did he tarry on the Atlantic coast but came at once to Illinois and to La Salle county. He had no capital with which to purchase land and for three or four years he engaged in work as a farm hand. In February, 1858, in this county, he was married to Miss Christina Fruland, who was born in La Salle county and is a daughter of Nels Fruland, who was one of the first settlers of this part of the state. She is also a sister of William Fruland, a sketch of whom is given else- where in this volume. After his marriage Mr. Norwick engaged in farming on the Fruland place for two years and at the end of that time purchased one hundred and ten acres of land of his father-in-law and commenced the develop- ment of the new farm. He and his wife met many hardships and suffered many privations during those early days because of the unim- proved condition of the county and his own lim -- ited financial resources. He built a small house and as the years passed by he erected two large and modern houses upon his place. He also built a barn and outbuildings and developed the farm from a wild and uncultivated tract of land into a splendidly improved property, rich in its productiveness. He still owns this place of one hundred and ten acres and annually there are gathered therefrom good crops which supply him with a very desirable income, enabling him to enjoy the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Norwick have been born three children, who are living. Henry, who is married and is farming one of his father's places of eighty acres, now has nine children, Luella, Harvey, Florence, Freda, Vance, Myrtle, Floyd, Walter and Edith. The daughter, Mrs. Carrie Larson; is now a widow and has one son, Andy Chester Larson. George Norwick, the youngest, was born and reared in this county and is carry- ing on the home farm. He married Alice Lar- son, also a native of this county, and they have one child, Mabel, who has just entered school. A daughter, Matilda, died in early womanhood. Nels grew to mature years and assisted in carry- ing on the home farm until his death at the age of twenty-eight years. Bertha is the deceased wife of John Thompson. Allie became the wife of John Thompson after her sister's death and she, too, has passed away. Jemima died when about twelve years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Nor- wick, together with their son George and his wife, are all members of the Lutheran church and the father and son are republicans in their political faith. Mr. Norwick of this review served as a

member of the school board and has also been road boss, while George Norwick is now acting as a member of the school board. Mr. Norwick has led the life of an industrious and frugal farmer, living in Miller township for fifty-three years, and through his own labor and the assist- ance of his estimable wife he has accumulated fine property interests, now owning two good and well improved farms. He has long been account- ed one of the substantial citizens of the commu- nity and his labors have been of direct benefit in agricultural development here. His has been a long, useful and honorable career and, although he came to America empty-handed, he is now in possession of a valuable property and moreover has won the esteem of those with whom he has been associated, for the methods that he has fol- lowed are such as require no disguise.

CARL ROBERT SCHURMAN.

There is particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of Carl Robert Schurman, for he has made good use of his opportunities and has prospered from year to year, conducting all busi- ness matters carefully and successfully and in all his acts displaying an aptitude for successful management. He was formerly closely identi- fied with business interests as a manufacturer, builder and contractor in this part of the state, but is now a representative of the ice trade in Streator.

A native of Hanover, Germany, he was born April 4, 1850, his parents being Conrad H. and Amelia (Voight) Schurman. The father was a cigarmaker and engaged in business as a manu- facturer in Germany up to the time of his death. The mother, accompanied by her children, after- ward crossed the Atlantic to the new world and made her home in Pekin, Illinois, until her death in 1890. In the family were four sons, of whom Herman Schurman is now bookkeeper in the Farmers National Bank at Pekin. Ernest died in 1901 and Louis is 1906.

Carl R. Schurman, or better known as Charles R. Schurman, is the youngest member of the fam- ily and came with his mother to the new world in 1886. He had completed his education in a gymnasium in Germany, which institution cor- responds to the high school of America and later he occupied a position as bookkeeper in a grocery store in Norden. As stated, he came with his mother to America and they settled in Pekin, Illi- nois, where his eldest brother had located four years before. After spending three months in the public schools in order to acquaint himself

C. R. SCHURMAN.

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with the English language Mr. Schurman ac- cepted a clerkship in the dry-goods store of Bonk & Company and was afterward made bookkeeper by that firm. In 1872 he entered the office of the T. & H. Smith Company as assistant book- keeper, which firm had a branch bank at Delavan conducted under the name of Smith Brothers Bank. Mr. Schurman was sent to that city as bookkeeper in 1875 and was connected with the bank there for a year, after which he returned to Pekin. He then made application and secured the position of bookkeeper in the Farmers Na- tional Bank, where he remained until he resigned in order to become identified with the lumber and building interests of the firm of Weiss & Com- pany, contractors and lumber dealers, with which firm his brother Ernest had formerly become con- nected. At length Mr. Weiss sold his interest to Mr. Hippen and the firm then become Conklin, Schurman & Hippen. An extensive business was conducted, from forty to fifty men being em- ployed in the planing mill, while the warerooms covered about one block. The mill is one of the finest in this section of Illinois, the output being unsurpassed for quality and workmanship. Mr. Schurman contributed in substantial measure to the successful management of the enterprise for a number of years, but at length disposed of his interests in Pekin and came to Streator, where he arrived in the fall of 1894. Here he purchased the business of A. A. Colley of the Home Ice Company, who handled about four thousand tons of ice annually. Mr. Schurman has since en- larged the business, handling ice at Spring Lake, and he now sells from ten to eleven thousand tons each year. He has a very extensive patronage and has developed his trade along modern busi- ness lines, resulting in success.

Mr. Schurman was married September 13, 1876, to Miss Clara Ackerman, the wedding being celebrated in Windsor, Ontario. The lady is a native of Ohio and a daughter of C. W. Acker- man, of Pekin, Illinois, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Schurman have five children : Edwin R., who married Miss Gladys Allen and has one son, Edwin A. ; Richard H., who married Ellen Barg- reen and they have a daughter, Lenora ; and Rob- ert, Elsie and Clarence, at home.

Mr. Schurman has served as supervisor of Pekin township for two terms and has occupied other local positions of trust. He became a Mason in Empire lodge, No. 126, A. F. & A. M., at Pekin, also took the Royal Arch degree, and was a member of the Mutual Aid and the Turner Society. On removing to Streator he demitted from the Pekin lodge of Masons and joined Streator lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M., and Streator chapter, No. 301, R. A. M. He also

demitted from Ottawa commandery, No. 10, K. T., becoming a charter member of Streator com- mandery, No. 70, in March, 1906. He is also a member of the Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, is a republican in his political affiliation and belongs to the Good Will church at Streator. His has been an honorable and active business career. He has been watchful of all the details of his business and of all indications pointing to- ward prosperity and from the beginning has had an abiding faith in the success of the enterprise with which he has been connected and without which success is never achieved. He has gained a prominent place among the substantial resi- dents of Streator, yet this has not been alone the goal for which he has striven, for he belongs to that class of representative American citizens who promote the general prosperity while advancing individual interests.

O. H. JOHNSON.

O. H. Johnson, living on section 2, Miller township, is one of the active and successful farmers whose life of industry and thrift is indi- cated by the splendid appearance of his farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He is a young man, having been born in Miller township, Feb- ruary 24, 1874, and he comes of Norwegian an- cestry. His father, Henry H. Johnson, a native of Norway, was born near Stavanger, June 14, 1835, and when a young man of eighteen years came to the United States in 1853. He made his way direct to La Salle county and was mar- ried here to Miss Ellen Olson, also a native of Norway, who was reared, however, in Amer- ica. Mr. Johnson purchased eighty acres of raw land which he at once began to cultivate and developed. He opened up a farm there and later sold that property and in 1874 purchased where his son, O. H. Johnson, now resides. He culti- vated the fields, transforming the place into a rich and productive tract, built fences, erected buildings and continued the further improve- ment and development of the farm up to the time when his life's labors were ended in death in the year 1892. His widow still survives him and yet resides with her son upon the old home- stead.

O. H. Johnson was reared upon his father's farm and acquired his education in the district schools. He is the only son of the family of three living children, his sisters being Mrs. Andrew Varland, of Rutland township, and Hattie, the wife of Andrew Lewis, of DeKalb county, Mis- souri. Being the only son the task of assisting

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the father in carrying on the work of the fields devolved upon Mr. Johnson of this review and he continued the farm work until the father's death, when he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old home property and thus became its owner. He has placed many rods of tiling upon the farm and thus drained it, has also repaired the buildings and keeps everything about the place in good condition. He is widely recognized as one of the enterprising and sub- stantial young farmers of the community and in connection with the cultivation of the fields he is also engaged in raising good graded stock.

On the 16th of December, 1896, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Haver, a daughter of G. L. Haver, who is mentioned else- where in this volume. She was born and reared in Miller township and by her marriage has be- come the mother of two daughters, Mamie and Grace. The parents belong to the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Miller township and Mr. Johnson has given his political allegiance to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but he has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs and although yet a young man he has made a creditable record as a wide-awake and energetic agriculturist.

JOSEPH ALCORN.

Joseph Alcorn is a retired farmer living in Earlville and during the years of his residence in this part of the state has exercised consider- able influence on the religious and political life of the community. His has been an honorable and upright career and should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to the young. He was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1824, his parents being John and Eliza- beth (Pierce) Alcorn, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. The father was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and later removed to Armstrong county in the western part of the state. There he was engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life. His grandfather had emigrated from Ireland to the new world and had settled in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, when the country was an almost unbroken wilderness. His wife one day left the house to get a cup from a spring which was only a short distance away. She never returned and to this day the mystery of her disappearance has never been solved. Some thought that she was eaten by wild animals, while others believed that the Indians captured

her and carried her away. The maternal grand- parents of Mr. Alcorn came from Holland to America. Joseph Alcorn was one of a family of eight children, of whom three sons and a daughter are yet living, but he is the only one who resides in Illinois.

Until twenty-one years of age Joseph Alcorn remained upon the home farm in Pennsylvania and was early trained to the arduous and difficult labor incident to the development and improve- ment of a new farm. He did not have the privi- lege of attending school until after he became fourteen years of age and his entire schooling did not cover more than sixteen months. How- ever, he took advantage of the opportunity that was granted him and learned to read and write, also acquiring a fair knowledge of arithmetic. He remained with his parents until he had passed his minority, assisting his father in the work of the fields and in the woods and when reaching the age of twenty-one years he started out in life on his own account. He was first employed at chopping wood at forty cents a day, and the money he thus earned he invested in an ax and iron wedge. He then worked for fifty cents a day and afterward bought a mowing scythe. From that time for three years he worked by the day and month at whatever he could get to do and in the meantime he saved his earnings until he was enabled to purchase a small tract of land. For two years and a half he kept house alone. During this time his mother did baking for him but finally told him there were plenty of good girls in Pennsylvania and he ought to get married. This he straight- way did.

The lady of his choice was Miss Jane Mar- shall, a native of Pennsylvania, and for many years they traveled life's journey happily to- gether. For five years after his marriage Mr. Alcorn continued to engage in farming in Penn- sylvania and then, thinking that he might have better opportunities in the middle west, he started for Illinois. After putting his wife and one child aboard a train he made the journey on horse-back, bringing with him eight head of horses. He came direct to Earlville and for three years engaged in operating land on the shares. He then bought a farm in Earl town- ship, whereon he made his home until about twelve years ago, when he retired from farm work and took up his abode in the village of Earlville, there to enjoy a well earned rest.

Soon after taking up his abode in Earlville Mr. Alcorn was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. In 1898 he married Mrs. William C. Perry, nee Miller, of Ottawa, and they are now living in a comfortable home on the north side

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of Earlville, which Mr. Alcorn purchased sev- eral years ago. He had four children by his first marriage: Almira E., now the wife of Ed Simison, living in Earlville; Alexander M., who rents the old home place from his father and is married and has children; Carrie, the wife of William Stitt, a railroad engineer living in Urbana, Illinois; and Archibald J., who is a graduate of Rush Medical College of Chicago and is now practicing his profession in that city.

Mr. Alcorn's business life was interrupted only by his service in the Civil war. In 1864 he enlisted at Ottawa as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry. Anxious to serve his country and yet not wishing to be drafted, he joined a company being raised at Ottawa and was ac- credited to Deer Park township, thus serving until the close of hostilities. The troops traveled by boat and rail or on the march eight thousand miles during that time in the states of Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Flor- ida and South Carolina. This regiment was at- tached to General Sherman's command but was not with him all the time, being frequently sent on detached duty where large bodies of men could not go. Mr. Alcorn participated in the battle of Glay's Ferry, March 20, 1865; in the engagement at Spring Place on the following day; another engagement at that place on the 2d of April; at Pullen's Ferry on the 3d of April; and were present at the surrender of Brigadier General Wofford at Resaca, Georgia, May 2, 1864. Mr. Alcorn was honorably dis- charged at Atlanta, Georgia, and was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, following the close of the war. He then returned to his farm in Earl township. He now receives a pension of twelve dollars per month, which though very acceptable was unsolicited.

From early manhood Mr. Alcorn has been active in religious and political work and has labored untiringly in these directions in Earlville. For two years he filled the office of justice of the peace. He has long been recognized as one of the prominent members of the prohibition party in this county since its organization and in 1884 he aided in nominating its first candidate for president, John P. St. John. When he was a young man it was customary that every one should drink and no harm was connected with this, but times have changed and for nearly half a century Mr. Alcorn has never been in a place where liquor was sold nor indulged in its use in any form. Two years ago he and his wife were delegates to the state prohibition conven- tion at Springfield, Illinois, and four years ago were sent on a similar mission to Peoria, Illinois. In 1905 they were delegates to the county con-

vention of the prohibition party at Ottawa and in the spring of 1906 went to Springfield as delegates. Mr. Alcorn is a very generous and liberal contributor to the cause of temperance and to churches, and his influence has long been given on the side of right, progress and improve- ment. From early manhood he was an active member of the Presbyterian church in Earlville, of which he was a trustee for many years, and also served as elder. Only a short time ago, while working for the best interests of the church and doing what his conscience told him was right, he was called to task by the church and by taking advantage of his absence and giving him anything but fair and impartial trial he was excommunicated. He has been urged to come back into the fold, but rather than apolo- gize and repent for what he thought was his duty he prefers to stay out and he now attends the Methodist Episcopal church, but while he has been deserted by men from whom he should have deserved better treatment he feels that he has not been deserted by God and continues to live the same life of uprightness and fidelity, being true in his inmost thoughts to his Maker. There are many tangible evidences of his upright life, his generous spirit and his kindly disposi- tion and he has the very warm regard of a large circle of friends.

JAMES FORD.

James Ford, a native son of Illinois, living in La Salle county from pioneer times and now in- terested in general farming on section 34, Wal- lace township, was born January 15, 1842, in Will county, this state. His parents were Mich- ael and Ellen (Craughwell) Ford, both of whom were natives of Ireland. In that country they were married about 1830, and in 1832 came to America, arriving here during a cholera epidemic. They made their way to Quebec, but after a brief period spent in that city continued their journey to Schenectady, New York, where Mr. Ford worked on the first railroad built in the United States. In 1842 he removed to Illinois, locating in Will county, and there engaged in the con- struction of Illinois and Michigan canal, but the state, by which he was employed, went into bankruptcy and he received only twenty-five cents on the dollar for his wages. He afterward went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he took contracts for digging cellars. Later he made his way to Louisiana, where he took contracts for ditching and draining sugar plantations. He was very successful in this and made considerable money in that way. In 1848 he came to La Salle county

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and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, on which but few improvements had been made, a little log cabin, however, having been built. Upon this farm Mr. Ford made his home until his death, which occurred when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-three years. His life was an active and useful one and his success was attributable entirely to his own per- severance and labor. His wife died upon the old homestead farm at the age of seventy-six years. In their family were five children, but only James and his sister, Mrs. Mary O'Donnell, are now living. His brother John came into possession of the home farm and at his death about a year ago James Ford purchased his sis- ter's share in the estate and now owns the property.

James Ford was only six years of age at the time his parents settled upon this place and his boyhood days were here passed. He early be- came familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended school in Ottawa, gaining a good education, and in 1862 he went to Nevada, where he worked in the silver mines for three years. On the expira- tion of that period he returned to La Salle county and learned the printer's trade in Ottawa, though he never worked at it very long. His father had given him forty acres of land in Wallace township, joining the old home in Ottawa town- ship and upon that tract Mr. Ford built a home and other buildings and there resided for some time.

In 1875 was celebrated the marriage of James Ford and Miss Margaret Dunford, who was born in County Kerry, Ireland, and came to America in 1857. They have three children who are living, while two died in infancy. Those who still survive are Ellen A., now in Chicago; Michael and Joseph, both at home.

On the farm stands the old house which was built by Mr. Ford's father in 1855. For seven years the family lived in a log house which stood in what afterward became the public highway. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of good land and is cultivating his farm along modern lines of progress and improvement. His polit- ical allegiance has always been given to the re- publican party and for three years he served as supervisor, while for thirty years he has been justice of the peace, rendering decisions which are strictly fair and impartial. He has also served on the town board for thirty years and is a capable and faithful public official. He has always taken an active interest in politics and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is a member of the Catholic

church, of which his parents were also commu- nicants, and he has been secretary of the Sunday- school organization. He is a well posted man and good scholar, having better recollections of the early days than any resident of Wallace town- ship. He has lived in the 'county almost con- tinuously for fifty-eight years and is thoroughly familiar with its history as it has emerged from pioneer conditions and taken on all the advan- tages and evidences of modern civilization.

FRED GLEIM.

Fred Gleim is a - retired farmer and stock- raiser residing in Streator, who through intense and well directed business activity has worked his way steadily upward until he is now one of the substantial residents of the county, his invest- ments and property holdings being extensive. He was born in Germany, January II, 1829, and when only six years of age was brought to America by his parents, George and Katherine (Witzel) Gleim, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father's birth occurred January 27, 1800, and he passed away in 1867, at the age of sixty-seven years, while his wife died in 1844, when forty-four years of age. In their family were five children, but only two are now living, the daughter being Mrs. Annie G. Na- geller, the widow of Leonard Nageller, who was drafted for service in the Confederate army and lost his life in battle.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 81

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