USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 29
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RALPH JOSEPH DEAN.
Ralph Joseph Dean, who since July 1, 1904, has edited and published the Ashton Gazette, was born in LaMoille, Bureau county, Illinois, February 7, 1881. He is a son of George B. and Grace L. (Crossman) Dean, the former of whom was engaged in business in LaMoille for about forty years, during the last twenty of which he conducted an undertaking and furniture establish- ment.
Ralph Joseph Dean acquired his education in the public schools of his native city, graduating from the LaMoille high school in Val. 11-20
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1899. Following the completion of his studies he turned his atten- tion to photography, conducting a studio in Mendota for about three years. Since July 1, 1904, he has owned and edited the Ash- ton Gazette, and he has made this paper a power in local affairs, supporting in its columns many movements of reform and advancement. He has made it an excellent news medium and under his able management its circulation and advertising patron- age have steadily increased.
In York, Nebraska, July 19, 1906, Mr. Dean married Miss Alice E. Blanchard, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Blanchard, formerly of Mendota, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Dean had two children: Roland Howard and Helen Maude, both of whom have passed away. A son, Robert Ralph, was born Janu- ary 31, 1914.
Mr. Dean is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America. being at present clerk of Ashton Camp, No. 48. He is also a mem- ber of Ashton Lodge, No. 531, A. F. & A. M., and past grand of Ashton Lodge, No. 977, I. O. O. F. He gives his political alle- giance to the republican party and is an earnest supporter of its principles and candidates. He is a man of energy, enterprise and resource qualities which he has made effective forces in promot- ing his advancement in journalistic circles.
A. J. LARSON.
A. J. Larson has devoted the greater part of his life to general farming and since 1894 has resided continuously in Lee county, giving undivided attention to agricultural pursuits. He was born in Norway, November 4, 1863, and is a son of L. and Isabella Larson, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun. The father is still living there at the age of eighty-five years, but the mother has passed away.
A. J. Larson is one of a family of seven children. He acquired a common-school education and in 1882 came to the new world, attracted by the opportunities offered on this side of the Atlantic. He located in Lee county, Illinois, where he was employed at farm labor for some years and then removed to Chicago in 1888, spending five years in that city. He afterward returned to Lee county and in 1894 began farming on his own account. He is
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energetic and persistent and whatever success he has attained is attributable entirely to his own labors, for he came to the United States empty-handed and by persistent energy has reached the position which he now occupies as one of the well-to-do citizens of Alto township.
In 1894 Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Jameson, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, a daughter of Ole and Belinda Jameson, both of whom were natives of Norway, whence they came to America in the early '60s. The mother died in this county, but the father survives. Mrs. Larson is one of a family of three children, and by her marriage became the mother of seven children: Ida B., who acquired a normal-school educa- tion and is now engaged in teaching; Leola G .; Carl A .; Ruth E .; William H .; Hattie M .; and Oscar S. The parents attend the Lutheran church, and its teachings form the guiding spirit in their lives. Mr. Larson votes with the republican party and is now serving as assessor of Alto township. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is interested in all that pertains to general progress, being a public-spirited citizen.
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JAMES F. DEMPSEY.
James F. Dempsey devotes his attention to that occupation which George Washington designated as the most honorable as well as the most useful pursuit of man, owning and operating an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Mar- ion township. His birth occurred in Lee county in 1865, his par- ents being Lawrence and Margaret (Campbell) Dempsey, both of whom are deceased and lie buried in Amboy. The father, one of the prominent old settlers of the county, came here direct from County Wexford, Ireland, and spent the remainder of his life in Lee county, passing away in 1904. The mother was called to her final rest in 1907.
James F. Dempsey attended school in his native county until twenty-three years of age and subsequently assisted his father in the operation of the home farm for about five years. At the end of that time he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, acquiring a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Marion township, in the cultivation of which he has been actively
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engaged continuously since. He devotes his attention to the rais- ing of grain and annually gathers good crops which find a ready sale on the market. The buildings on the property, including a substantial and attractive residence, were erected by him and bear evidence of his prosperity.
In 1893, in Amboy, Mr. Dempsey was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Flannery, a daughter of John and Catherine (Gallery) Flannery, who were early pioneer settlers of Lee county. Both are deceased and lied buried in Amboy, the father passing away on the 23d of November, 1894, and the mother on the 14th of Janu- ary, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey have five children, as follows: James P., Harold F., Edna, Viola and Charles, all of whom are attending school.
Mr. Dempsey gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has served in the capacity of township assessor for about two years, making a creditable record in that connection. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious belief is that of the Catholic church. Having passed all his life within the confines of Lee county, his record is well known to the residents of this community, and in the fact that he has gained widespread confidence and regard, trust and esteem, lies his truest and most enviable success.
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N. H. SANDERS.
. Lee county numbers among its most progressive and successful native sons and among the men who have in later years been prominent factors in promoting agricultural development, N. H. Sanders, an extensive landowner in Bradford township, and one of the leading stock dealers and shippers in this part of the state. He was born in this county, June 5, 1882, and is a son of J. F. Sanders, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work.
N. H. Sanders remained at home until he was twenty-three years of age and then rented a farm, which he now occupies. With characteristic energy he carried forward the work of developing this place along progressive and modern lines with the result that he was soon able to purchase the property. It comprises two hundred and forty acres on section 4, Bradford township, and Mr. Sanders makes his home upon it, while carrying forward the work
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of supervising his extensive interests here and elsewhere. He owns in addition to it, two hundred and eighty acres in Ashton township, adjoining the village of Ashton, and three hundred and twenty acres in Osceola county, inherited from his grandfather, Mr. George, of Lee county. Mr. Sanders specializes in the raising of high-grade stock and has now a flock of twenty-five hundred sheep and a number of Poland-China hogs. He is regarded as an expert judge of stock values, and the animals which he breeds command a high price and a ready sale upon the market. All of the land which he owns is in a high state of cultivation, equipped with substantial buildings and provided with modern machinery.
Mr. Sanders has been twice married. He wedded first Louise Kelley, a daughter of Peter Kelley, who died in 1910, leaving a son, Murrill D. Sanders. In 1912 Mr. Sanders wedded Miss Mil- dred Suter, a daughter of Rev. Cyrus Suter of Franklin Grove, this county. Mr. Sanders is a member of the Presbyterian church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. Al- though he is never active as an office seeker he takes an intelli- gent interest in the welfare and growth of his native community, where he is held in high honor and esteem as a young man whose energy, enterprise and progressive spirit have been the foundation stones of his success.
F. H. HILL.
F. H. Hill, carrying on general farming and dairying upon a fine tract of eight hundred and twelve acres in Dixon township, was born in Lee county, Illinois, January 25, 1860, a son of Jacob and Lucy Hill, the former born in Lancaster county and the lat- ter in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. The parents came to Lee county in 1858 and located on a farm here, where they spent the remainder of their lives. To their union were born seven chil- dren, of whom the subject of this review is the only one sur- viving.
F. H. Hill acquired his education in the public schools of Lee county and following the completion of his studies remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age. He then spent three years working at farming in the employ of others, after which he rented a farm. At the end of eight years he purchased the old homestead of one hundred and seventy-two acres in Dixon
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township and this property he has since operated, adding to it from time to time until his holdings comprise today eight hun- dred and twelve acres. Mr. Hill specializes in dairying, keeping a fine herd of fifty milch cows, and he has also about thirty head of young cattle. His general farming and stock-raising interests are extensive and important, and his success in their conduct places him in the front ranks of progressive agriculturists of his locality.
Mr. Hill married Miss Lottie Miller, a daughter of Samuel and - Mary Miller, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Illinois in the early '60s, locating on a farm in Lee county, where both passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have become the parents of four chil- dren: Samuel J. and Lester, at home; Frederick, deceased, and Lee, at home. Mr. Hill gives his political allegiance to the demo- cratic party and is now serving in a capable and progressive way as school trustee. He is one of Lee county's most energetic and enterprising native sons, and he enjoys in full measure the con- fidence and good-will of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
FRANK K. EMMONS.
Frank K. Emmons, specializing in the breeding and raising of high-grade stock upon a farm of two, hundred acres on sections 2 and 3, May township, was born in Lee county, June 12, 1873. He is a son of Abe and Mary (Hall) Emmons, the former of whom came to this part of Illinois from Kendall county about the rear 1870 and settled upon a farm about half a mile from the property upon which his son now resides. He is now living retired with the subject of this review. The family is of English origin and of old American establishment, the first representative in this country having settled in New Jersey in the early part of the seventeenth century ..
Frank K. Emmons acquired his education in private schools in Amboy and Dixon Normal College, later taking a course in a business college at Amboy. After laying aside his books he assisted with the operation of the home farm for some time. In 1895 he made his first purchase of land but after a few years sold this and bought the property which he now owns. He has two hundred. acres on sections 2 and 3, May township, and concen-
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trates his attention upon the breeding of high-grade stock. He has met with a gratifying measure of success and is known as one of the representative stockmen of his locality.
In Lee Center, on the 26th of September, 1900, Mr. Emmons married Miss Lena Keller, a daughter of Frank and Della (Avery) Keller, the former for many years a well known farmer in Lee county and now a resident of Amboy. His wife has passed away and is buried in Prairie Repose cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Emmons have two children, Gertrude and Helen, who are attend- ing school.
Mr. Emmons is a republican in his political beliefs and inter- ested in the progress of the community, although his attention is concentrated upon his business affairs, in which he has met with a success which is the natural result of his constant labor and intelli- gent management.
ELHANAN D. CHANDLER.
Elhanan D. Chandler, who has remained a resident of Lee county during the past fifty-seven years, is well known and highly esteemed as one of its representative and successful agricultur- ists, owning a farm of one hundred and forty-six acres on section 9, East Grove township. His birth occurred in Union county, Ohio, in 1838, his parents being Winthrop and Lucy (Hammond) Chandler, both of whom are deceased and lie buried in the Wal- nut cemetery of Bureau county, Illinois. The father passed away. in the year 1861, while .the mother was called to her final rest in 1865.
Elhanan D. Chandler acquired his education in the schools of his native state and when twenty years of age put aside his text- books and turned his attention to the buying and selling of cattle, also being engaged in farming on his own account for three years. On the expiration of that period he came into possession of a farm of one hundred and forty-six acres on section 9, East Grove town- ship. in Lee county, the operation of which has claimed his time and energies continuously since. In addition to the cultivation of cereals he also devotes considerable attention to live stock, keeping about five horses, sixteen head of cattle and fourtcen hogs. The residence and other buildings on the place were erected by him, and as the years have gone by he has won a gratifying
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and well merited measure of prosperity in the careful conduct of his agricultural interests.
Mr. Chandler has been married twice. In Princeton, Illinois, in 1859, he wedded Miss Martha A. Bradshaw, a daughter of James and May Bradshaw, both of whom are deceased and lie buried in Sublette, Illinois. By this union there were the follow- ing children: Lucy M., the widow of Olaf Nelson, who passed away in 1889 and is buried at Ottawa, Illinois; Edith, whose demise occurred at Rock Falls, Illinois, in 1892, and who was the wife of Robert Nicholls, a mechanic in the Keystone shop at Rock Falls; Minnie, who gave her hand in marriage to Phillip Boose, an engineer residing in Dixon; and Dorwin, an agriculturist of Lee county. In 1888 Mr. Chandler was united in marriage to Mrs. Annie Biggs, a daughter of Lawrence and Mary Ann (Lumry) McLeod. The father's demise occurred in 1878 and the mother passed away in 1874, the remains of both being interred in New York city. By his second wife Mr. Chandler has four children, as follows: Elliot, who is an engineer of Red River, Minnesota; and Myrtle, Lawrence and Pansy, all of whom are at home.
In his political views Mr. Chandler is a progressive, being a stanch admirer of Theodore Roosevelt and a firm believer in his policy of government. He has now passed the seventy-fifth mile- stone on life's journey and enjoys the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
WILLIAM MEISTER.
One of the progressive and active young business men of Ash- ton is William Meister, who conducts there a first class livery. He is a native son of Lee county, born January 26, 1890, his parents being George and Catherine (Stutzel) Meister, natives of Ger- many. They came to America as children and both grew to matur- ity in Lee county, where their marriage occurred. The father passed away in 1908 and is survived by his wife, who has reached the age of sixty-one. To their union were born five children: Ernest, of Ashton; Elizabeth, who has passed away; Mary, the
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wife of George Walters, a farmer of Ashton township; Charles, deceased; and William, of this review.
The last named acquired his education in the public schools of Lee county and remained at home until his marriage, which occurred in 1907. He then established himself in the butcher business and after a few years bought a livery stable in Ashton, which he has since conducted. He has a number of attractive carriages, buggies and automobiles and controls a large and repre- sentative patronage.
Mr. Meister married Miss Beulah H. Hurd, a native of Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois, and a daughter of Joseph and Mary Hurd. Mr. and Mrs. Meister have become the parents of a son, G. W., born January 9, 1908. They are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Meister gives his political allegience to the democratic party. He is a young man of energy, ability and enterprise and these qualities will undoubtedly carry him forward into still more important relations with business interests of Ashton.
WILLIAM F. BUNGER.
William F. Bunger, engaged in general farming upon two hundred and forty-eight acres of excellent land on section 24, Ashton township, was born in Germany, August 21, 1872. He is a son of Peter and Etta (Decker) Bunger, also natives of Ger- many, who came to America in 1885, locating in Peoria county, Illinois. To their union were born thirteen children, of whom six are yet living.
William F. Bunger was reared in Peoria county and there acquired a district school education. He remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age and then engaged in farming upon rented land, living upon this property for nine years. He made his first purchase of land in Lee county, buying two hun- dred and forty-eight acres on section 24, Ashton township. Upon this farm he has resided since that time and his interests have steadily grown in importance until he is today one of the lead- ing agriculturists of his locality.
Mr. Bunger married Miss Katherine Bruns, a native of Peoria. Illinois, and a daughter of Heye and Gretchen Bruns, both of whom were born in Germany. The parents came to America at an early date and both passed away in this country.
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They had four children, of whom three still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Bunger have become the parents of four children, Etta M., Gretchen K., Edith H. and William F. The parents are mem- bers of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Bunger gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. His success is largely the result of his own energy and enterprise, and these qualities have made him widely and favorably known in the community.
J. E. LEWIS.
J. E. Lewis, engaged in the practice of law in Amboy since 1877, occupying a suite of rooms in the postoffice building, was born December 21, 1847, in the city which is still his home and is the oldest native resident in his part of the county. His parents were Joseph and Rachel (Cargill) Lewis. The Lewis family is of Welsh origin and was established in America long prior to the Revolutionary war. The great-grandfather of our subject was wagon master for General Putnam during the struggle for inde- pendence. Our subject's grandmother, Mrs. Sarah Cole, wife of Nathaniel Cole, was a niece of Pickering, the naturalist, who traveled extensively over the globe with Commodore Perry. Joseph, father of our subject, came to Lee county in the spring of 1845 from Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. He found here a district which was largely wild prairie, and he settled upon a tract which he converted into rich fields, leading a busy life as an enterprising agriculturist. In politics he was a republican. His death occurred in 1882 when he was seventy-six years of age and his wife passed away some years later at the advanced age of ninety years. They were laid to rest in Oakridge cemetery near Amboy. One of their sons, James C., died while serving in Com- pany C, Eighty-ninth Regiment of Illinois Infantry, meeting death at Chattanooga. Two other sons, John and Andrew, died while members of the Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, known as the Yates Phalanx.
J. E. Lewis, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the Amboy high school and in the Mount Morris seminary, from which he was graduated in 1868. He afterward began reading law under the direction of Norman H. Ryan and later taught school as principal for some years in Rockton, Illi- nois. Another year was spent upon the home farm, and in 1877
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he was admitted to the bar, since which time he has engaged in practice in Amboy. Here he has been accorded a liberal and dis- tinctively representative clientage, and his devotion to his clients' interest is proverbial. That he has prospered as the years have gone by is indicated in the fact of his investments in real estate. These have been most judiciously made, and he is now the owner of the postoffice building and several other business blocks of the city.
In Ogle county, Illinois, December 21, 1870, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Margaret M. Hayes, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Hayes and a granddaughter of Captain Cameron, who was killed by the Driscoll bandits, when he was acting as captain of the vigilance committee. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have passed away and are laid to rest in White Rock cemetery in Ogle county. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have become the parents of six children: Benjamin D., a salesman residing at home; Ada E., the wife of John H. Heil, principal of the Morgan Park school of Cook county ; Fred E., a carpenter of Amboy; Paul R., who was court reporter with Judge Bond, afterward in the naval department and later chief law agent with the Morgan Railroad System, but who died in March, 1904; Ethel E., who died at the age of sixteen years, and Stella B., who died in Rockton, Illinois, in 1873, when but two years of age.
In politics Mr. Lewis is a stalwart republican and has been clerk of Amboy township since 1895. He has practically had charge of township affairs since 1878, acting at all times as attorney in such matters. He was postmaster of Amboy under Benjamin Harrison. No citizen of the community is more public- spirited or more loyal to the welfare of the district. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and is faithful to the teachings and high ideals of that organization.
MODEST L. GEHANT.
The name of Gehant is a familiar and respected one in Lee county, a number of representatives of the family having spent their entire lives within its borders and being here successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits. Modest L. Gehant, of this review, is a worthy native son of the county and the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres on
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sections 33 and 34, Viola township. He was born on the 19th of April, 1874, a son of Modest and Olympia (Chaon) Gehant. The father, whose demise occurred in February, 1904, lies buried at West Brooklyn, but the mother survives at the age of sixty-nine years and resides in Brooklyn township.
In the acquirement of an education Modest L. Gehant attended the schools of Lee county until fifteen years of age and subsequently devoted his entire time to assisting his father in the operation of the home farm, being thus engaged until the latter passed away. At that time he came into possession of the tract which he owns and operates at present and which embraces one hundred and thirty-one acres of rich and productive land on sec- tions 33 and 34, Viola township. He engages in mixed farming and keeps about eleven horses and about fifteen head of cattle. Success has attended his undertakings in such measure that he has long been numbered among the prosperous and representative citizens of the community. All of the buildings on his property, including an attractive and commodious residence, were erected by him and are kept in good repair.
On the 16th of May, 1907, in Dixon, Mr. Gehant was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Jacobs, her parents being Henry and Fannie (Rothamaker) Jacobs, residents of Iowa. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is at all times a most loyal and public-spirited citizen. In religious belief he is a Catholic. He has remained a resident of Lee county from his birth to the present time, and that his life has ever been upright and honorable is indicated in the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his stanch friends and admirers.
JOHN H. GROVE.
John H. Grove, serving in a creditable and able manner as supervisor of Willow Creek township and connected with agri- cultural interests through the operation of his father's farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 21, is a native of Lee county, born in the house in which he now resides July 19, 1874. He is a son of William H. and Amanda N. (Gee) Grove, the former of whom came from Ohio to Lee county in October, 1865. He purchased a farm near Scarboro and improved this until
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