USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 27
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W. H. VOSBURGH.
Lee county numbers among its progressive and representa- tive native sons W. H. Vosburgh, who occupies two hundred and forty acres of fine land on sections 23 and 26, Willow Creek town- ship, and gives practically his entire attention to its improvement and cultivation. He was born in the house where he now resides July 10, 1867, a son of S. and Ellen (Atherton) Vosburgh, the former of whom came from Pennsylvania to Lee county, Illinois, in 1856, and settled upon the property which his son now occu-
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pies. It was at that time a tract of wild prairie land, which with characteristic energy the father cultivated and improved, mak- ing it in time an attractive and valuable farm. S. Vosburgh was one of the prominent men of affairs in Lee county in early times and held various positions of public trust and responsibility, serv- ing for seven years as supervisor, for four years as township assessor and also as trustee and school director. He is now living retired at Lee, in De Kalb county, having survived his wife since March, 1912. Her death occurred when she was seventy-eight years of age, and she was laid to rest in the Ellsworth cemetery. The Vosburgh family is of Dutch origin, and the paternal an- cestors came from Holland to this country in very early times. Representatives of the maternal lines fought in the Revolutionary war.
W. H. Vosburgh acquired his education in the district schools of Lee county and afterward spent two years in Jennings Semi- nary in Aurora. When he was twenty-one years of age he turned his attention to teaching, following this occupation in the district schools for five years. At the end of that time he located upon the old homestead and has since operated this property, raising grain and stock. He has met with a gratifying degree of success and is known today as a substantial and progressive agriculturist.
In Shabbona township, De Kalb county, Illinois, June 9, 1898, Mr. Vosburgh married Miss Addie M. Cutts, a daughter of Sam- uel and Mary Cutts, the former a pioneer of that locality. Both have passed away and are buried in the English cemetery in Shab- bona township. Mr. and Mrs. Vosburgh are the parents of a daughter, Margaret, who is attending district school. Mr. Vos- burgh is a progressive republican in his political beliefs and has served as township supervisor and school trustee. He is inter- ested in the development of the community in which he has spent his entire life and where his name has been held in high honor and respect since pioneer times.
P. G. TYRRELL.
P. G. Tyrrell, who owns one hundred and thirty acres of ex- cellent land on sections 3 and 10, May township, is a native of Lee county, born in Marion township, November 25, 1866. He is a son of John and Mary Tyrrell, the former of whom came to this
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part of Illinois in 1860 and followed farming here for the re- mainder of his life. He died in 1892 and is buried in Prairie Repose cemetery. His wife makes her home in Amboy. The fam- ily is of Norwegian origin but its representatives settled in Ireland in the fourteenth century.
P. G. Tyrrell is one of a family of eight children. He acquired his education in the district schools of May township and laid aside his books at the age of twenty. He then rented land, follow- ing farming upon this property for twenty years, at the end of which time he purchased his present farm. He owns one hundred and thirty acres on sections 3 and 10, May township, and upon this property raises grain and live stock, meeting with excellent success.
In Dixon, Illinois, April 3, 1895, Mr. Tyrrell was united in mar- riage to Miss Isabelle Reeves, a daughter of Benjamin and Isa- belle Reeves, the former a well known farmer of Lee county, now residing in Amboy. Mr. Tyrrell is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America and a republican in his political beliefs. He is a director of the school board and for the past five years has served as assessor of the township. He is numbered among the most pro- gressive and representative of Lee county's native sons, and his worth as a man and a citizen is widely acknowledged.
WILLIAM KILLMER.
William Killmer was born upon the farm in Bradford town- ship which he operated for twenty years from the time of his marriage, and during most of his active life has been con- nected with agricultural interests of this locality, being today numbered among its representative and successful farmers. His birth occurred January 31, 1859, his parents being Nicholas and Mary . (Halbmaier) Killmer, natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1852, settling in Lee county, Illi- nois, and some months later the mother also arrived in Lee county, where they were married. In 1884 they removed to Ashton, where they resided during the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1892 and the mother in 1893. They were the parents of six children, of whom two survive.
William Killmer acquired his education in the district schools of Bradford township and remained at home until his marriage.
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He then rented the old home farm and after operating it for some years inherited it. This comprises one hundred and twenty acres of excellent land and upon it Mr. Killmer has made excellent im- provements, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation and erecting substantial barns and outbuildings. In addition to this property he owns a livery barn and a modern dwelling in Ashton and his wife has ninety-two acres of land in Ashton town- ship and a residence property in Ashton. For nine years Mr. Killmer was engaged in the livery business in Ashton and he built a garage which he has since sold. His son Alfred conducts the home farm, while another son, George, is conducting his mother's place, and Mr. Killmer expects soon to engage in the automobile and garage business in Ashton.
.When he was twenty-five years of age Mr. Killmer married Miss Mary E. Ross, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, a daugh- ter of William and Katherine E. (Aschenbrenner) Ross, natives of Germany, both of whom died in Lee county. Mr. and Mrs. Kill- mer became the parents of four children: George M., who was born February 9, 1885; Alfred W., born December 1, 1887; Mary Elizabeth, born June 2, 1890; and Anna W., whose birth occurred May 2, 1892.
The parents and children are members of the United Evangel- ical church and Mr. Killmer gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has served as school trustee and is progres- sive and public-spirited in all matters of citizenship, cooperating heartily in movements for the general good. A resident of Lee county since his birth, he is well known throughout the commu- nity and his energy and enterprise have gained him the respect and confidence of all who come in contact with him.
JAMES BUCKLEY.
James Buckley, a representative and esteemed citizen of Lee county, devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits with gratifying success and is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 21, May township. His birth occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1854, his parents being Michael and Rosanna (McGreer) Buckley. In 1861 the family came to Lee county, Illinois, and here the parents spent their re- maining days. Michael Buckley passed away in 1878 and his wife,
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surviving him for almost a quarter of a century, died in 1902. Their remains were interred in St. Patrick's cemetery of May township.
James Buckley was a little lad of seven when he came to this county with his parents and here attended school until twenty-two years of age. He assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until the latter's demise and subsequently went west, spending about two years in that part of the country in railroad work. On returning home he took possession of the farm of two hundred and forty acres which he now owns and in the operation of which he has won a gratifying annual income. He engages in mixed farm- ing and keeps about eighteen horses, thirty head of cattle, sixty hogs and several hundred head of poultry. He erected the resi- dence and other buildings which adorn his property, has ever followed the most modern and resultant methods in the conduct of his agricultural interests and has long been numbered among the substantial and leading citizens of the community.
In 1884, in May township, Mr. Buckley was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret Dougherty, a daughter of Charles and Catherine Dougherty, who are deceased and lie buried in the Dixon cemetery. Our subject and his wife have seven children, as follows: John, Charles, William, Harry, Edward, James and Frank, all at home.
Mr. Buckley gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several positions of public trust. He has ably served in the capacity of supervisor since 1905, also acted as col- lector for about two years, as town clerk for four years and as a school director for six years, ever discharging his public duties in a prompt and capable manner. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and is also a devout communicant of the Catholic church. That his life has been well spent is indicated by the fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present.
LAFAYETTE LONG.
For many years Lafayette Long has been closely and promi- nently connected with agricultural interests of Lee county and is today the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres on sections 24 and 18, May township. He was born upon a farm about one
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mile from his present place of residence April 29, 1849, and is a son of John R. and Elizabeth (Moore) Long, the former of whom came from Pennsylvania in 1846 and settled on a farm in May township. He was a pioneer in that locality and upon his arrival found nothing but a wilderness of prairie land. He broke and cultivated the tract which he took up and became in the course of years one of the best known and most highly respected residents of the locality. He died May 7, 1889, at the age of sixty-seven, and was long survived by his wife, who passed away September 23, 1913, being over eighty-eight years of age. She lived to be one of the oldest white women in that part of Lee county.
She and her husband were married in Pennsylvania, March 6, 1845, and became the parents of six children: Austin, who died in infancy; Mary, now the wife of R. L. Smith, of Fort Williams, Canada; Lafayette, the subject of this review; Lucinda, who died in infancy; James M., who passed away January 11, 1886, at the age of thirty-three years; and Joseph W., whose death occurred May 9, 1887, when he was thirty-one years of age.
Lafayette Long acquired his education in district school, attending until he was twenty years of age. He afterward worked as a monthly laborer for six years and at the end of that time pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm. He has since added to this and has now two hundred acres, lying on sec- tions 24 and 18, May township. He engages in mixed farming, raising grain and keeping forty head of cattle and a number of horses and hogs.
Mr. Long is a republican in his political beliefs and is connected fraternally with the Masonic lodge and chapter. The success which he has attained in his farming operations is entirely due to his own industry and enterprise and places him among the men of prominence and worth in his locality.
FRANK C. VAUGHAN.
Lee county has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied her public office, for on the whole they have been found trustworthy and competent in the discharge of their duties and the interests of the county have therefore been ably conserved. On the list of officials at the present time appears the name of
FRANK C. VAUGHAN
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Frank C. Vaughan. He is county treasurer and the first democrat elected in the county in twenty years, a fact which indicates his per- sonal popularity and the confidence reposed in him. He was born in Amboy, Illinois, March 17, 1863, and is a son of C. D. and Louisa M. (Balch) Vaughan, who were natives of Plattsburg, New York. Removing westward to Illinois in 1854, they settled in Amboy, where the father became the first furniture dealer and undertaker of the town. For a long period he was an active factor in busi- ness circles there and was equally prominent in other connections. He was one of the leaders of the democratic party in this county and filled the office of clerk of the court of common pleas. He was also alderman and mayor of Amboy for a number of years and exercised his official prerogatives in support of many valuable public measures contributing to the welfare and advancement of the city. The public passed high encomiums upon him because of his fidelity to duty and when he passed away in 1888 the news of his demise brought a sense of personal bereavement to almost every home in Amboy His widow still survives and is now living in Amboy, at the age of eighty-four years.
Frank C. Vaughan acquired a high-school education in his native town. His business training was begun when he was a lad of fourteen, at which time he entered his father's store, of which he is now the proprietor. He has the oldest furniture and under- taking business in the county. In the conduct of the establish- ment he has followed progressive methods, keeping in touch with the latest things which the furniture market affords, and his en- terprising spirit and progressive methods have brought him substantial success. He was elected president of the State Under- takers Association for two years, the only time in the history of that organization that anyone has served a second term. Mr. Vaughan first held minor political positions in Amboy and his faithfulness in that connection led to his selection for higher honors. In 1910 he was chosen county treasurer, being the first democrat elected in Lee county for two decades and the first repre- sentative of his party to occupy offices in the new courthouse, which was completed in 1901. He has brought to bear in the discharge of his present duties the same spirit of fidelity that marked his course in former official connections and even those holding op- posing political views have naught to say derogatory to his service. For twenty years he has been chief of the Amboy fire department and has thus figured in many public connections, all of which have been of benefit to the district which he represents.
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On the 25th of February, 1889, Mr. Vaughan was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Briggs, of Amboy, and they have be- come the parents of two children, Frank and Edith Caroline. Mr. Vaughan is a very prominent Mason, holding membership in the lodge and in the various branches of York Rite Masonry and also in the consistory and the shrine. He is likewise connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America and holds membership in the Baptist church, which finds him loyal to its teachings and gen- erous in its support. The social position of the family is one of prominence and they have an extensive circle of warm friends in Lee county
JOHN KERSTEN.
Among the early pioneers of Lee county was John Kersten, a self-made man whose gratifying prosperity had its root in fru- gality, industry and determination. He was numbered among the early pioneers of his section of Illinois, arriving in 1857. His birth occurred in Germany, February 15, 1831, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. Hartman Kersten, the former born in the father- land, September 30, 1801, and the latter in 1802.
John Kersten acquired his education in schools of Germany and remained at home until twenty-five years of age, assisting his father, his thorough training giving him experience and knowl- edge which proved of marked value in later years.
On the 18th of June, 1856, Mr. Kersten was united in marriage to Miss Christine Hildebrandt, a native of Gelfershausen, Kreis- Rothenburg, Kerr-Hessen, Germany, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Speck) Hildebrandt, the former born in 1787 and the latter in 1799. The year following their marriage John Kersten and his young wife came to the new world, crossing the Atlantic in order to seek their fortune in America, having heard many favorable reports concerning the advantages and opportunities of- fered in this land. Mr. Kersten arrived in Lee county with but a dollar and a half in his pocket. Necessity made it imperative that he seek immediate employment. He was energetic and ambitious to earn a good living and by his frugality, unabating energy and economy he added to his savings year by year until he became the owner of a fine farm which he developed and improved. As the
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years rolled by he won prosperity and at the time of his death was the owner of six hundred and forty acres of as valuable land as could be found in Lee county, and there is no richer elsewhere. His life is an example of what the sturdy German can accomplish when energy and resolute purpose point out the way. Moreover, he left to his family an inheritance which money cannot buy-that of an untarnished name.
Mr. and Mrs. Kersten became the parents of eleven children, ten of whom survive. Mr. Kersten passed away on the 10th of July, 1912, and just three months later, on the 10th of October, the death of Mrs. Kersten occurred, the county thereby losing two of its valued and worthy pioneer citizens.
CARL MARTIN EWALD.
No history of Lee county would be complete without extended mention of the Ewald family. Its members are known through- out this part of the state as progressive farmers and stock-raisers and each of the sons has displayed sterling characteristics of industry and determination in the conduct of his business affairs, thereby attaining success and winning a place among the self-made men of the county. Carl Martin Ewald was born in Germany, April 18, 1872, and is a son of Henry and Anna Martha Ewald, who in 1873 bade adieu to friends and native land and with their family sailed for the new world. Coming to Illinois, they estab- lished their home in Ogle county and in 1879 removed to Lee county. Carl M. Ewald continued with his parents until thirty- one years of age, at which time he was united in marriage to Miss Ida Wendt, who was born in Bradford township, September 27, 1883, and is a daughter of William and Amelia (Engal) Wendt, both of whom were natives of Germany but in early life came to the new world and were married in this country. They established their home in Lee county, where they lived for a long period. The father passed away in 1887, but the mother survives and is now a resident of Ashton. They had a family of seven children: Frank, who is a resident of Nebraska; Grace, the wife of Conrad Smith, of Ashton; Fred, living in Lee county; Emma, the wife of John Schaffer, of Cook county, Illinois; William, who makes his home in Rochelle, this state; Mrs. Ewald; and Matilda, who is the wife of William Rankie, of Ashton.
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Following his marriage Carl M. Ewald established his home upon a rented farm, where he lived for some years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until he was able to pur- chase property. In 1910 he became the owner of the farm of two hundred acres on section 24, Reynolds township, on which he now makes his home. He has always been interested in stock-raising, handling not only cattle but also horses and hogs, which he raises and feeds, preparing them for the market. He keeps on hand high-grade stock and is one of the leading live-stock dealers in his part of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Ewald have a family of three children: Earl H., born January 30, 1904; Clarence C., February 7, 1906; and Lucile Grace, May 18, 1909. Mrs. Ewald is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Ewald contributes to its support. He votes with the republican party but has not sought nor desired political preferment. He has served, however, as school director and recognizes the value of education as a prep- aration for life's practical and responsible duties. Industry has been the keynote of his character and it is because he has worked hard, directing his labor by sound judgment, that he has reached a place among the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of Reynolds township.
JOSEPH M. HERRMANN.
Joseph M. Herrmann is one of the extensive landowners and most prosperous and representative farmers and stock-raisers in Willow Creek township, owning six hundred and six acres of fine I'and on sections 17, 18, 20 and 21. He has lived upon his property for many years and has been very successful in its cultivation, his prosperity being entirely the result of his unremitting energy and sound judgment. Mr. Herrmann has been a resident of Lee county since 1856 but was born in New Jersey in 1850, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Eck) Herrmann, both of whom have passed away. The former died in 1872 and the latter in 1888, and they are buried in Twin Groves cemetery, Willow Creek township.
Joseph M. Herrmann acquired his education in the public schools of Lee county and after laying aside his books assisted his father with the work of the farm until the latter's death. He and his brothers then operated the homestead in their mother's inter-
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ests for a number of years. After her death the property was divided, Mr. Herrmann of this review receiving as his share one hundred and sixty acres, upon which there was a mortgage of four thousand dollars. With characteristic energy he applied him- . self to the work of developing this property and soon had it en- tirely free from debt and in excellent condition. At intervals thereafter he added to his holdings until he now owns six hundred and six acres lying on sections 17, 18, 20 and 21. In addition to raising grain he is a stock breeder on an extensive scale and has on an average one hundred head of cattle, forty hogs, twenty sheep and twenty horses. He is one of the successful men of this town- ship and may truly be called a self-made man, for his prosperity has been won entirely through his own well directed efforts.
In Rochelle, Illinois, on the 16th of November, 1881, Mr. Herr- mann married Miss Mary E. Riley, a daughter of John and Cather- ine Riley, residents of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Herrmann have six children: Joseph Albert, assistant cashier in the Rochelle National Bank; William H., manager of the Scarboro Elevator Company at Scarboro, Illinois; Robert J., a farmer of Lee county ; Louise, at home; and Irvin and Claude, who are assisting their father.
Mr. Herrmann is a member of the Catholic church and is con- nected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a democrat in his political beliefs and has held various public offices, serving as highway commissioner for twenty years, as as- sessor for fourteen years and as school treasurer for thirteen. He is also president of The Scarboro Elevator Company and a director of The Lee State Bank. A man of enterprise, energy and am- bition, he has identified his interests thoroughly with those of the community and for many years his activities have been a force in advancement. His life is exemplary in all respects and he holds the esteem and confidence of all who are associated with him.
CHARLES THOMAS SELF.
Among the successful business men of Dixon, Illinois, is Charles Thomas Self, who for a number of years has conducted a black- smith shop here. Mr. Self is a native of Lee county, where he was born August 14, 1882, three and a half miles north of Franklin Grove, his parents being Francis Enoch and Nancy Lorella Self.
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Charles T. Self received his education in the public schools of Franklin Grove, graduating in 1900, in which year he removed to Dixon. There he entered his father's blacksmith shop and in part- nership with his brother, G. H. Self, bought out the father's inter- est in the business in 1903. Mr. Self continued until 1909 as part owner, but in that year acquired his brother's share. He has proved himself a reliable business man and has an up-to-date shop, enjoying a large patronage. Although yet young in years, he is well on the road to prosperity.
Mr. Self has always interested himself in public affairs and has given his support to a number of worthy enterprises that have been of benefit to the community and the county. On the progres- sive ticket he made the race for circuit clerk but was defeated by a majority of two hundred and thirty votes, the republican candi- date being elected. Considering the strength of the latter party in the county, Mr. Self made a remarkable showing. In 1912 he was elected as county supervisor for a term of two years and now serves with efficiency in the county government, ably representing his dis- trict on the board. Along religious lines he is a member of the Christian church. He is well known in Y. M. C. A. circles, of which organization he is a member, and he is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to which society he has belonged since 1904. Mr. Self takes interest in bowling and for the past six years has been a member of the city bowling team of Dixon. He is esteemed and respected by all who know him and in social and business circles has made many friends who honor him for his high qualities of character.
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