USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 31
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In 1884 Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage to Miss Letitia J. Lyon, of New York city, and they have two daughters : Pauline Reynolds Harvey, the wife of Douglas G. Harvey, who is acting as superintendent of the wire factory and resides in Dixon ; and Lucile G., at home. Mr. Reynolds holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and his political sympathies are with the progressive party. The family attend and are members of the Episcopal church and are prominent socially. Mr. Reynolds thor- oughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the beginning of his residence in Dixon has been uniform and rapid. No plan or movement for the bene- fit of the city along lines of progress and improvement seeks his
442
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
aid in vain. In his life are the elements of greatness because of the use he has made of his talents and opportunities, because his thoughts are not self-centered but are given to the mastery of life's problems and the fulfillment of his duty as a man in his relations to his fellowmen and as a citizen in his relations to the district in which he lives.
JOHN DIEHL LAHMAN.
With agricultural and manufacturing interests John Diehl Lahman was long actively connected and since 1889 has been pres- ident of the Franklin Grove Bank, being chosen for the present position on the organization of that institution. He was born June 22, 1834, in Washington county, Maryland, one-half mile north of the Potomac river, five miles south of Williamsport. When ten years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal west- ward to Lee county and for some time they lived on the southeast quarter of section 35, township 22, range 10, which farm the father purchased May 26, 1845, save a tract of thirty-one acres. The father, Christian Lahman, Jr., was born February 25, 1808, in Adams county, Pennsylvania, and married Elizabeth Em- mert, who was born June 12, 1812, in Washington county, Mary- land, east of the Antietam river. Christian Lahman, Sr., built a flour mill near Bendersville, Adams county, Pennsylvania, about 1800, and in time his son and namesake became owner of a third interest in the mill, which interest he sold in 1831. About the same time he married Elizabeth Emmert and in 1833 they took up their abode upon a farm near Williamsport, in Washington county, Maryland, residing in that locality for about ten years and after- ward for two years lived north of Hagerstown, Maryland, one mile south of the Pennsylvania state line. In the spring of 1845 they started with their family to Lee county, Illinois, travel- ing by team, and resided near the present site of Franklin Grove. The father there successfully carried on general agricultural pur- suits until 1864, when his life's labors were ended in death. He had also devoted considerable time to the manufacture of flour, owning and operating a mill for a number of years that was built by his father-in-law, Joseph Emmert, on Franklin creek, two and a half miles northwest of Franklin Grove, about 1846 or 1847. It was about 1849 that he laid out in town lots ten acres of land, which
443
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
was later known as Chaplin and now constitutes the southwestern part of the village of Franklin Grove, which village was laid out in 1853 for A. W. Tolman, Christian Lahman and F. D. Robert- son. He became the owner of several farms and assisted many early settlers financially and with wise counsel. His life was, indeed, an exemplary one in all of its business and personal rela- tions. He and his wife were members of the Church of the Brethren (Dunkard). To them were born seven sons and three daughters. Two of the sons, William H., now of Chicago, and John D., of this review, are still living. The mother survived her husband for several years, passing away in 1872.
John D. Lahman had but limited educational opportunities. He attended the country schools and spent two terms as a pupil at Lee Center. He remained upon the home farm until he attained his majority, then learned the milling business and afterward operated his father's mill on Franklin creek, which mill he and his brother Joseph C. afterward purchased. This was the same mill which their maternal grandfather, Joseph Emmert, had built about 1847. Mr. Lahman followed the milling business until 1861, when he purchased and located upon the southeast quarter of section 26, township 22, range 10, this farm being about a mile and a half north of Franklin Grove. Upon that farm he and his wife resided until they removed to Franklin Grove thirty years later, and throughout the entire period he had his land under a high state of cultivation, making it one of the valuable properties of the dis- trict. In addition to farming Mr. Lahman was a member of the firm of J. D. Lahman & Company, which for a number of years engaged in the manufacture of the Great Western Seeder, which machine obtained a large sale in the west and northwest. He was also interested in stock-raising and feeding in Story county, Iowa, and dealt quite largely in farm real estate. He has served as presi- dent of the Franklin Grove Bank for twenty-five years, commenc- ing with its organization in 1889.
On the 11th of November, 1860, at Panora, Guthrie county, Iowa, Mr. Lahman was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Haughtelin, a daughter of John C. and Eliza (Diehl) Haughtelin, all members of the Church of the Brethren. Her father was a descendant of Abraham H. Haughtelin (or Hoogtalin), who served in the Revolutionary war, participating in fourteen battles. Her great-great-grandfather, Huskeya (Hezekiah) Hoogtalin, was born in the vicinity of East Shore, New Jersey, in 1729. He
444
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
had ten children in all, and three of his sons settled a little south- east of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Lahman were born three children. Clarence W. was born near Franklin Grove, March 1, 1862, and married December 9, 1889, Miss Martha Beery at her father's farm near Pleasant Hill, Miami county, Ohio. Vinna A., who was born October 27, 1871, died June 19, 1889, of scarlet fever, while attending Cornell College in Iowa, and an infant son died October 26, 1873. To the living son, Clarence W. Lahman, and his wife, both of whom are members of the Church of the Brethern, have been born three daughters and three sons: Mary, now the wife of Loring J. Whiteside; Lela; Helen; John Harold; Wilford Clarence; and Joseph Beery. Mr. and Mrs. John D. Lahman also became foster parents to several chil- dren needing homes, death having in each case deprived them of their father or mother. These were Walter Keiser, Mary Shuhart, Oscar Chamberlin, Hiram Tibbals, Wilford Tibbals and Estella Haughtelin. They also cared for Wilbur Brecunier during his early life from thirty months to five years. Certainly the foster parents have done their share of good in the world in thus caring for orphaned children, upon whom they have bestowed the train- ing and affection given to their own. They have been most liberal in their support of the Church of the Brethren of which they are members, and of Christian missions in both home and foreign lands, of schools and of many benevolent and charitable projects. They are both still enjoying good health and it is hoped that they will be spared for many years to come. In politics Mr. Lahman was for many years a republican, but in later years has voted with the prohibition party, regarding the question of temperance as one of the paramount issues before the people.
CHARLES B. MORRISON.
Among the residents of Dixon to whom have come high profes- sional preferment through political appointment is Charles B. Morrison and his ability in office is recognized by all who have rea- son to know aught of his official career. He was admitted to the bar on the 13th of June, 1877, and after practicing law success- fully for about twenty-eight years he was appointed United States district attorney for the northern district of Illinois by President
445
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
Roosevelt, March 21, 1905, to succeed Solomon H. Bethea, who had been elevated to the bench of the United States district court for the northern district of Illinois. This was a recess appointment, and he was reappointed by President Roosevelt for a term of four years on the 20th of December, 1905.
ALMON W. ROSECRANS.
Almon W. Rosecrans needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for his connection with educational, commercial and political interests has made him widely known. Nevertheless he is a man of unassuming manner, free from ostentation, yet the sterling worth of his character has gained him high regard, while his activities have brought him a wide acquaintance. Ogle county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Lafayette township, September 5, 1851, his parents being Crandall and Emily Rosecrans.
Mr. Rosecrans' early education, acquired in the public schools, was supplemented by study in Iowa College at Grinnell, Iowa, and in early manhood he entered upon the profession of teaching, be- coming principal of the public schools of Ashton in 1878. For four years he continued at the head of the educational system of Ashton and the schools under his direction made continuous advancement. In 1883 he retired from the profession and turned his attention to commercial pursuits, establishing a business in Ashton, where he has since remained. More than thirty years' connection with merchandising here indicates not only something of his success but also the confidence and trust reposed in him as the result of his business integrity, his progressive methods and his unfaltering enterprise. He has always carried a good line and his reasonable prices and fair dealing have been the secret of his growing success.
On the 8th of August, 1880, in Ashton, Mr. Rosecrans was united in marriage to Miss Westanna E. Glenn, a daughter of George Glenn, and unto them have been born two children, Glenn C. and Miriam E. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are interested in its work and upbuilding, doing much to further its interests and extend its influence. Mr. Rosecrans was elected president of the Illinois State Sunday-
446.
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
School Association at Dixon, May, 1908. He presided during the session at Dixon and the following year at Peoria.
When age conferred upon Mr. Rosecrans the right of franchise he joined the ranks of the republican party, to which he gave stalwart support for many years. He is now identified with the progressive movement, feeling that it is a forward step in politics toward securing a cleaner government that shall be more the ex- pression of the will of the people and not of the opinions of a few. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth, called him to the office of mayor and gave evidence of their satisfaction with his manner of conducting the office through his first term by reelecting him. He is indeed well known in Ashton and his part of the county, where he has now lived for about thirty-six years.
STELZER APPALONIA DURKES.
Stelzer Appalonia Durkes, cashier of the Franklin Grove Bank, which position he has filled continuously since 1901, was born January 9, 1873, in Franklin Grove, his parents being Conrad and Mary Elizabeth (Jones) Durkes. The father was a pioneer merchant of that town and also the organizer of the Franklin Grove Bank. He was born in Germany, but came with his parents to America when about thirteen years of age and for many years was prominently and actively identified with the commercial and financial interests of the community in which he made his home. His wife was a native of Canada but came to the United States at an early age.
In the public schools of Franklin Grove Stelzer A. Durkes pursued his education until graduated with the class of 1889. He afterward took a commercial course in the Bryant & Stratton School in Chicago. Subsequently he was employed by his brother in the grocery business at Erie, Illinois, for several years, thus receiving his initial business training and learning something of the responsibilities and obligations which feature so largely in business affairs. He has been connected with banking interests since 1898, in which year he entered the Franklin Grove Bank as assistant cashier, succeeding to the cashiership in 1901. He is now thoroughly familiar with all forms of banking and is most careful in safeguarding the interests of the patrons of the insti-
i
447
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
tution. He is ever found a courteous and obliging official and is classed with the representative business men of the city.
On the 14th of March, 1895, at Franklin Grove, Mr. Durkes was married to Miss Elizabeth Lahman, a daughter of Joshua E. and Hannah Lahman. The father and his parents were among the early settlers of Franklin Grove, arriving in that vicinity in 1845. At the time of the Civil war J. E. Lahman responded to the coun- try's call and did valiant service for the Union. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Durkes are Dorothy Jane, Luther Lahman, Clara Esther, Marion Elizabeth, Josephine Edith and Phyllis Mabel. In politics Mr. Durkes is independent, yet is not remiss in the duties of citizenship, for he is interested in all that pertains to the general welfare and cooperates in many movements for the public good. His entire life has been passed in the community where he yet makes his home and that his record is an honorable and com- mendable one is indicated in the fact that his warmest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
SOLOMON HICKS BETHEA.
Judicial preferment in a federal court came to Solomon Hicks Bethea in his appointment by President Roosevelt to the position of United States district judge. He was one of Lee county's native sons and one whose record reflected credit and honor upon the community in which he lived. He was born in Palmyra township, May 20, 1852, a son of William W. and Emily (Green) Bethea. He attended the Dixon public schools, supplemented by study in Rock River Seminary in Dixon, and was graduated from the Uni- versity of Michigan in 1872. His preparation for the bar was fol- lowed by admission to practice in 1877. He entered at once upon the active work of the profession, and he continued to the last a student of the principles of jurisprudence. In his law practice one of his strong characteristics was the thoroughness with which he prepared his cases, and he never seemed at a loss in presenting his cause but was ready to meet any contingency. On the 20th of De- cember, 1898, he was appointed United States district attorney for the northern district of Illinois by President Mckinley and was reappointed by President Roosevelt on the 9th of December. 1902.
448
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
He held that position until appointed United States district judge for the northern district of Illinois by President Roosevelt on the 18th of March, 1905. He wore his honors with becoming modesty, and he carefully lifted the judicial ermine above the mire of par- tisonship. Strictly fair and impartial in his rulings, his decisions were based upon comprehensive knowledge of the law as applicable to the facts in litigation. He resided in Dixon throughout his entire life and following his judicial appointment continued upon the bench until his death, which occurred August 3, 1909.
IRA R. TITUS.
Ira R. Titus, cashier of the First National Bank, of Steward, Illinois, was born in Richland county, Illinois, December 29, 1862, the third son of Abraham B. Titus and Elizabeth (Chancey) Titus. When one year old he was brought by his parents to Champaign county Illinois, where he grew up on a farm about ten miles north of Urbana. Remaining with his father until twenty-two years of age, he in the meantime received his education in the district schools and a business college at Champaign and then engaged in the mercantile business at Rantoul and continued in that business for six years.
Then having formed a partnership with his brother, Edgar L. Titus, in November, 1894, they purchased the elevator and agri- culture implement business of Merritt Miller at Steward, Illinois, Lee county, which they carried on under the firm name of Titus Bros. later acquiring ownership of the Steward & Henning Ele- vator, purchased from the L. E. Birdsell Company, and for the next eighteen months carried on an extensive grain, coal and lum- ber business. In the fall of 1902 they sold out the Steward & Hen- ning Elevator and their lumber business, but still retained the ownership of the elevator first purchased. On January 1, 1903, in connection with a number of the leading business men of Steward, the Titus brothers organized the First National Bank of Steward, with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. of which Ira R. Titus is at present (1914) the cashier, and his brother, Edgar L. Titus, the president-the Titus brothers being owners of the controlling interest.
On May 21, 1889, Mr. Titus was married at Rantoul, Illinois, to
449
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
Lulu Coon, and three children have been born of this marriage: Lyle, born in 1892; Ray, born in 1899; and Harry, who was born in 1905, died on the same day.
Mr. Titus is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has held several offices of honor in both church and village.
INDEX
Abell, Leonora
172
Drummond, C. E. 217
Albrecht, Anton 286
Allsledt, Harriet 124
Durkes, S. A .. 446
Armington, A P.
63
Durkes, W. C .. 54
Dysart, U. G. 369
Aschenbrenner, Reinhart 28
Atkinson, C. M.
227
Auchstetter, William 155
Aydelotte, W. F. 370
Ayres, J. C .. 5
Badger, H. H. 137
Baird, R. L .. 185
Banks, J. W. 408
Barth, H. C. 146
Bend, W. H .. 239
Bernardin, H. A. 366
Bethea, S. H. 447
Betz, J. F.
105
Ewald, Henry 402
Ewald, John 432
Ewald, W. A. 362
Faber, C. C. 144
Faber, W. C .. 128
Farrand, R. S. 50
Farver, J. B .. 70
Fassig, J. P. 351
Fenstemaker, C. A. 194
Ferguson, E. J .. 218
Finch, G. M ... 243
Fordham, H. L. 77
Forrest, J. A. 263
272
Garrett, James 81
Garrison, Harriet E .. 302
Gates, F. E. 438
Gehant, Andrew 410
Gehant, A. F.
332
Gehant, F. D.
321
Gehant, F. J .. 249
42 Gehant, G. W. 80
Gehant, H. F. 8
Gehant, H. L .. 405
Gehant, L. E. 375
Gehant, Louis 411
Gehant, M. L. 427
40
Devine, J. P .. 161
Gehant, X. F.
125
George, David
340
George, I. R ..
186
Dixon National Bank, The
134 Gibbs, Charles
212
Dixon, Sherwood
435
Gleim, Charlie
320
Gonnermann, A. H.
301
Downing, B. F.
16
Gonnermann, C. H. 319
Downing, G. J.
143 Gonnerman, Jobn . 337
Downing, O. J.
13 Gonnermann, W. H. 386
Drummond, B. P.
Earll, W. 8 .. 200
Eckhart, J. E. 135
Edwards, Frank 176
Edwards, Harry 236
Edwards, Isaac 323
Edwards, J. A .. 121
Edwards, W. J. 310
Eells, S. C. . 39
436
Emmons, F. K. 420
Ewald, Charles 377
Ewald, C. M. 397 *
Bieschke, M. J.
191
Bokhof, C. H ...
170
Brewster, C. W.
116
Brewster, E. H.
6
Brinton, W. B.
385
Brooks, C. C.
143
Brooks, H. A.
69
Buckley, James
390
Bunger, W. F.
425
Burhenn, Nathan 288
Burns, Ellen E. 269
Cahill, F. J .. 409
Chandler, E. D. 421
Church, J. A. 283
Church, R. W. 278
City National Bank. 115
Cook, Morris 406 171
Coppins, W. H ...
83
Countryman, I. B.
73
Crabtree, J. B .. 33
Crawford, Joseph
Dana, F. D. 193
Dean, R. J .. 415
Degner, F. C .. 162
Degner, W. F. 154
Dempsey, J. F.
417
Gehant, O. L.
Dimick, F. G. 202
Dixon, H. S .. 68
Dodge, S. 8 .. 147
258
Grand Detour Plow Co.
132
451
Frost, W. S.
Countryman, E. J.
Egan, J. M.
Durkes, Conrad 122
Aschenbrenner, Andrew 34
452
INDEX
Griese, A.
345
Mc Wethy, W. C. 164
Griese, J. H.
361
Martin, O. H .. . 226
Gross, Christian
148
Mason, P. W .. 284
Grove, J. H.
428
Meister, Conrad 270
Meister, John 17
Halderman, B. R.
48
Meister, William
422
Meyer, F.
293
Miller, J. C ..
276
Harms, H. W .. 221
Moore, A. F ..
19
Hartwell, J. L.
291
Morrison, C. B.
444
Harvey, J. P ..
138
Hausen, S. C. .
10
. Nass, H. J. 306
Heibenthal, Conrad
167
Heibenthal, H. W.
347
Niebergall, Philip
55
Heinzeroth, William
356
Helmershausen
84
Helmershausen, Adella
96
Helmershausen, H. C. F., Jr.
90
Helmershausen, H. W. F.
103
Henert, George 204
287
Pogue, Robert 72
Herrmann, J. M.
398
Pomeroy, E. A .. 177
Herwig, E. M .. .
285
Prescott, G. F. 240
Herwig, Herman
308
Preston, C. F. 37
380
Hill, F. H ... 419
373
Hillison, H. W.
300
Reis, Paul 142
Reitz, H. W. 18
Reitz, J. A ... 203
Reitz, T. M. W. 339
Reynolds, H. G. 440
Richardson, G. L .. 180
32
Roe, H. A .. 264
James, P. M ..
46
Roper, J. A.
111
Johnson, Mary S. 307
Rosecrans, A. W.
445
Jones, W. C .. 261
Jones, W. E. 201
62
Ruckman, R. W.
113
Keller, M. C. 280
248
Sanders, J. F. 331
Kersten, A. R ..
376
Sanders, N. H. 418
Kersten, Henry
158
Sandrock, William 348
Schafer, F. G. 131
257
Schuler, W. A.
429
Killmer, J. M ..
374
Scott, R. H.
41
Self, C. T ..
399
Semmler, Henry
354
Shaw, B. F.
56
Krug, W. G.
Shaw, E.
64
Shaw, S. L.
360
Shaw, W. M.
407
Shoemaker, H. O.
255
Lauer, A. J ..
61
Sickels, E. A.
214
Leffelman, Francis 316
Smith, Clyde 266
Smith, David 400
Snyder, W. R. 198
297
Little, Andrew 355
391
Stephan, G. B. 116
Stetler, T. H. 106
Stevens, F. E. 368
Streit, Peter 338
Strong, W. F .. 168
Swingley, L. B. 228
McAlpine, W. J. 256
MeCarty, W. J .. 157
McMahan, W. B. 209
Thompson, W. C.
207
i
Lewis, J. E. 426
Lincoln, J. H .. 197
Squires, G. H.
234
Long, W. P .. 192
232
Luckey, C. G.
344
Lyman, A. F.
219
Lyman, G. A.
277
Lahman, J. D.
442
Larson, A. J .. 416
389
Kries, Gust
235
Krug, M. B ..
294
Rosecrans, E. S. 124
Ross, C. W .. . 222
Jones, W. V.
Sanders, C. D. 74
Kelley, P. A.
Kersten, H. M.
324
Kersten, John 396
Schnell, Henry
. Kesselring, F. L. 299
330
Hughes, C. H ..
20
ยท Hussey, C. D ..
49
Ives, C. E. 178
Roberts, Benjamin
Jacobs, R. G. 225
Pitcher, Louis 241
Henert, J. H ..
O'Malley, G. F. 136
Ortt, R. K. 253
Owens, E. B ..
156
Hall, J. G. 333
Hanneken, A. H. 231
Harper, Elizabeth 309
Morris, H. W. 379
Nichols, C. A. 431
Preston, W. L.
Hilleson, T. E ..
Holdren, W. C.
Killmer, William
Lewis, I. W. 271
Staples, J. W.
Long, Lafayette
Titus, I. R.
448
- -
INDEX
453
Thornton, J. B. H.
250
Wagner, J. J., Jr 367
Trein, W. E ..
247
Watts, J. W. 189
Trusdell, A. K.
163
Wendel, Adam 117
Tyrrell, P. G ..
388
Werren, J. B. 71
White, E. C. 313
Union State Bank 153
White, M. L.
334
Vaile, Edward
233
Vaughan, F. C ..
392
Vaughan, F. N.
210
Vaupel, Henry
118
Ventler, Marcus
346
Vogeler, William
314
Yenerich, E. J. 244
Vosburgh, W. H.
387
Yenerich, W. C. 108
Yocum, F. M.
79
Wagner, C. W.
103
Wagner, George
353
Zeller, S. P. 437
Wagner, J. J ..
279
Zoeller, W. C.
265
Wiener, E. H.
412
Winder, H. L.
298
Wingert, E. E ..
104
Wood, Lewis
114
Woods, Albert
127
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