USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
JOSEPH CRAWFORD.
The now flourishing city of Dixon, with its population of more than ten thousand, was scarcely a hamlet when Joseph Craw- ford took up his abode here. The site of the city was marked by a log cabin and ferry. From that time until his death Mr. Crawford was counted among the upbuilders of the city and he builded wisely and well. He was associated with public affairs as an office holder, with business interests as a surveyor and banker, and in the former connection he formed a very extensive acquaintance, so that he was one of the best known men of his part of the state. The success which attended him in his earlier years resulted in his giv- ing his time and attention from 1875 until his death to the super- vision of his private interests and to his duties as bank president.
,
Jos Crawford
45
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
Joseph Crawford was born in Columbia county, Pennsyl- vania, May 19, 1811, a son of John and Catherine (Cassidy) Crawford. When he was eleven years of age the family removed to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where he acquired his education in the public schools and through his own efforts, learning many valu- able lessons in the school of experience and through private read- ing and observation. In 1831 he began teaching, which profession he followed for four years. He also took up the study of surveying and became very proficient along that line. In April, 1835, he started for the far west, walking all the distance from Pennsyl- vania to Illinois. He first made his way to Chicago, thence to Dixon and afterward to Galena, but finally returned to Dixon Ferry, as the place was then known, and settled on a farm in the valley of the Rock river, between Dixon and Grand Detour. This was in May, 1835. It is difficult to realize the condition of things which then existed in that part of the state. This was only three years after the Black Hawk war and northern Illinois was largely an undeveloped and unsettled wilderness. Two years passed ere Chicago was incorporated as a city and many of the now thriving towns in the central and northern part of the state had not yet sprung into existence, while the fertile fields of the present day, were then undeveloped prairie land, not a furrow having been turned on many an acre. Mr. Crawford began surveying and fol- lowed that pursuit until early in the '80s. His skill and proficiency in that line brought him large success in his work. He made all the surveys for towns and villages from Rockford to Rock Island and in 1836 he was appointed by the governor to the position of deputy county surveyor for all the northwestern portion of Illinois. In the same year he was elected county surveyor of Ogle county, which then included Whiteside and Lee counties. It was not until 1839 that Lee county was set off from Ogle and organized as a separate county. In 1841 Mr. Crawford was elected one of the three county commissioners of the new county and at the time of its organization he was chosen county surveyor, which position he filled continuously for eighteen years. He was not only active in directing public interests of his section of the state but also became a factor in shaping the history of the commonwealth inas- much as he was twice elected to the legislature, serving in 1849 and 1850 and again in 1853 and 1854. It was still the formative period in the history of the state and he was connected with much important legislation which was shaped at that period.
46
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
While thus filling public offices Mr. Crawford continued active in the management of his private business affairs. In connection with surveying he also acted as land agent and eventually became a dealer in real estate. He utilized his excellent opportunities to invest in property when it was to be had at a low figure and dealt principally in farm lands, which rose in value and brought to him splendid financial returns. He handled large property interests on his own account in both Illinois and Iowa and in 1865 he became a factor in the financial circles of the state as one of the organizers of the Lee County National Bank, which was afterward reorgan- ized under the name of the City National Bank, Mr. Crawford continuing as its president up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 11th of August, 1891.
It was on the 16th of September, 1852, that Mr. Crawford was married to Huldah Bowman Culver and they became the parents of two children: Charles, deceased, and J. W., now of Dixon.
To say that Mr. Crawford was prominent scarcely expresses the place which he occupied in the public regard and in business and official connections. He was a man whose opinions carried great influence, for he was known to be thoroughly honest and, combined with his integrity, he possessed keen sagacity, which enabled him to thoroughly understand all the phases of public questions as well as of private business interests. Ere death called ยท him Dixon had become a city of large and important interests and to the result he had contributed liberally through his business activities. He was, indeed, one of the promoters and builders of its greatness and its prosperity, and his name should stand high on the roll of Dixon's most honored residents.
P. M. JAMES.
Peleg Miner James, practicing law at Amboy since 1882, came to Lee county in 1874 and taught that year in the Austin district in Sublette. He came to Amboy the next year as a teacher where, excepting for the year 1876-77 when he was superintendent of the El Paso, Illinois, schools, he has remained ever since.
He is a native of New England, being born in the town of Exeter, Rhode Island, July 14, 1850. His parents were Peleg W. and Sally A. (Lewis) James, both of Rhode Island. He traces his ancestry back to Allen James of Providence, then Thomas Allen
47
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
James of West Greenwich and his grandfather, William James of Exeter, all of Rhode Island. His father died January 22, 1888, and his mother September 1, 1893 and both are interred in Wood River cemetery, near Wyoming, Rhode Island. The James family is of English lineage and came to New England in an early day but at the present time are well scattered throughout the United States.
P. M. James received his secondary education in Providence Conference Seminary at East Greenwich, Rhode Island, the high school at Mendota, Illinois, at the University of Illinois and by private study. He was a teacher for many years,-was superin- tendent of schools at El Paso and Amboy and county superintend- ent of schools of Lee county, all in Illinois. He was admitted to the bar in 1881 and in 1882 he resigned his position in the Amboy schools and opened a law office in the Vaughan block in Amboy, where he has since remained. He is a director in the First National Bank of Amboy, president of the Sanitary Creamery Company, vice president of the Jones-Berry Lumber Company and of the Colson Clothing Company.
At Amboy, on December 25, 1878, Mr. James was married to Miss Lottie L. Vaughan, a daughter of C. D. and Louise M. (Balch) Vaughan of Amboy.
Mr. and Mrs. James are the parents of six children; Harold D., born April 12, 1881, who has the degrees of A. B., University of Illinois, and LL. B., Illinois College of Law, and who is practicing law at Freeport, Illinois; Leonard V., born June 9, 1884, who has the degrees B. S., M. S. and E. E., University of Illinois, and is at the present time a member of the faculty of the University, with the rank of associate in electrical engineering; Herbert M., born. February 13, 1886, who has the degree B. C. S., New York Univer- sity, and at the present time is engaged in audit work in New York city ; Louise A., born April 22, 1890, who has the degree of A. B., University of Illinois, and is the wife of Chester H. Forsyth, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, who is a member of the faculty of the University of Michigan; Edward A., born February 5, 1893, and at the present time a junior in electrical engineering at the University of Illinois; and Harriet L., born November 18, 1895, who is at the present time a freshman in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Illinois.
In politics, Mr. James is a republican; in church affiliation a Baptist and he is secretary of the board of education. He is past master of Illinois Central Lodge, No. 178, A. F. & A. M., past high priest of Amboy Chapter, No. 194, R. A. M., a member of Dixon
48
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
Commandery No. 21, K. T., and a member of Green River Lodge, No. 999, I. O. O. F.
Aside from his professional work, Mr. James has always taken a deep interest in all matters pertaining to the development and betterment of his adopted city. He has never aspired for social honors but can always be found among the workers in all efforts for improvement and higher standards in politics, morality, and education and he believes that thorough preparation is the best equipment of the young for the duties of life.
BELA RHEA HALDERMAN.
The career of Bela Rhea Halderman furnishes a splendid example of the value of energy and perseverance in the accomplish- ment of success, for although he has been in the printing business only five years he has risen in it from a comparatively humble position to be editor and proprietor of the Franklin Reporter. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, May 2, 1889, and is a son of Isaac and Jennie Olive (Orner) Halderman, the latter born at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1860. The father enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war in 1898 and never returned. The maternal branch of this family is of German-Swiss extraction and was founded in America by the grandparents of the subject of this review, Jonas B. and Susan (Baker) Orner, the latter a direct descendant of William Penn. Consequently Mr. Halderman of this review is a legal heir to the great Penn estate in Germany and Philadelphia, amounting to over one hundred and fifty million dollars. This estate remains unsettled, the case being now in litigation.
Bela R. Halderman acquired his education in the public schools of Franklin Grove, graduating from the high school June 4, 1907. He then secured a position as clerk in a clothing store in Franklin Grove. He afterward turned his attention to the printing business. In this he made rapid and steady advancement, rising from the position of compositor to that of assistant manager of the Franklin Reporter and becoming at the age of twenty-three, editor and pro- prietor of this paper. This responsible position he has since filled and his success in the management of the journal affords the best proof of his capabilities.
49
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
Mr. Halderman is a member of the Methodist church and is serving as secretary of the Sunday school. He is affiliated with Camp No. 45, M. W. A., and served as clerk of this organization for some time. He is also a member of the American Stars of Equity. His success at an early age demonstrates his force, ability and capacity, qualities which will undoubtedly carry him forward into important relations with journalistic interests in Lee county.
C. D. HUSSEY.
C. D. Hussey is a representative of one of the best known pioneer families of Lee county and one of the most progressive and enterprising native sons of Franklin Grove. For many years past he has been engaged in the lumber business here and by intelligent and careful management of his interests has surrounded himself with a gratifying measure of success. He was born September 4, 1852, and is a son of Amos and Jane F. (Holly) Hussey, the former a native of York county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Fredonia, New York. She was the first white child born in that community. The parents were married in Pennsylvania and in 1838 came to Illinois, making the journey in a covered wagon. They settled upon a tract of land adjoining Franklin Grove and this farm is now in the possession of the subject of this review. After the mother's death the father moved to Amboy and there lived retired until he passed away. Of the six children born to their union only one now survives.
C. D. Hussey remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one and then moved to Amboy, where for a year and a half he worked in a hardware store. At the end of that time he secured a position as cashier in a bank, resigning this after one year in order to enter the employ of C. M. Butler. One year later he returned to Franklin Grove and in 1876 went into the lumber business in partnership with B. F. Dysert. They conducted this enterprise together until 1881, when Mr. Hussey bought his part- ner's stock, continuing alone for four years. He then sold the yard to his brother but five years later repurchased the enterprise, with which he has since been connected. He is a progressive, farsighted and resourceful business man and, understanding his own particu- lar line of work in principle and detail, has gained a success which places him among the substantial and progressive men of the city.
.
50
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
He has valuable property holdings in this vicinity, owning ninety acres of the old homestead upon which his father located in 1838 and he has also a half interest in three hundred and twenty acres of land in South Dakota.
In 1883 Mr. Hussey was united in marriage to Miss Maud H. Secrist, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1856, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Nicademus) Secrist, natives of that state. The parents came to Lee county, Illinois, in the '50s and both passed away in Franklin Grove. Mr. and Mrs. Hussey have become the parents of seven children: Blaine C., a farmer of Lee county; Margaret, the wife of C. W. Trostle of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Amos J., now a resident of Long Beach, California; Donald C., in business with his father; Mary L., and Medrick, at home; and Jennie Y., deceased.
Mr. Hussey gives his political allegiance to the republican party, has served for five years as supervisor and is now school trustee. He has proven a capable and conscientious public official and in this and all other relations of life has adhered to high ideals, so that he commands and holds the esteem and confidence of his associates and friends.
JUDGE RICHARD S. FARRAND.
Judge Richard S. Farrand is now serving for the third term as circuit court judge, following five terms' service as judge of the county court of Lee county, and the history of the bench of this section of the state contains the record of no man who has been more loyal to duty, honorable in purpose, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation. Judge Farrand was born in Allen county, Indiana, October 1, 1852, and is a son of R. S. and Delilah (Cook) Farrand, who were natives of Oneida county, New York, and at an early day became residents of Indiana, settling there at a pioneer epoch in its history. Their son, Richard, left home when but eleven years of age to earn his own livelihood, working as a farm hand and in other humble capacities, but actuated at all times with the laud- able ambition of preparing for and entering upon better things. When fifteen years of age he arrived in Lee county, where he worked and also attended school. Diligence and close application enabled him not only to master his studies but also to qualify for teaching, which profession he followed with success for seven
JUDGE RICHARD S. FARRAND
53
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
years. His worth and ability became recognized and when twenty- five years of age he was made deputy sheriff of Lee county. While acting in that capacity there developed in him an interest in the profession of law and resolving to enter upon its practice, he began studying under the direction of A. C. Bardwell. It has been said that when in the matter of life the city boy crosses swords with the country lad, the odds are against him. The early rising, the daily tasks, and the economical habits of the country boy prepare him for the struggle that must precede ascendency. Such had been the training of Judge Farrand, who when he entered upon his studies was found ready to apply himself with that diligence and determination that must constitute the source of success with the law student. That his good qualities were recognized by his pre- ceptor was indicated in the fact that he was admitted into partner- ship following his admission to the bar in 1880. The firm of Bardwell & Farrand then existed until 1882, at which time the junior partner was elected judge of the county court for a term of four years.
Public indorsement of his service came in a reelection in 1886 and again in 1890, 1894 and 1898, and he retired from the office of county judge in 1902 mid the high encomiums of those best quali- fied to comment upon his service. In July, 1902, he was elected judge of the circuit court to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Crabtree; was reelected in 1903 for a term of six years and again in 1909 was elected for a six years' term, so that he is now upon the bench.
In 1873 Judge Farrand was married to Miss C. J. Marsh and they have one living son, Ernest W., while another son, Wilbur A., died at the age of ten years. Judge Farrand is a Royal Arch Mason, thoroughly in sympathy with the teachings and principles of the craft. In politics he has always been a republican and aside from strict professional paths has filled office, having been elected mayor of Dixon. Duty and honor have ever been his watchwords and justice one of his strong characteristics. The legal profession demands not only a high order of ability but a rare combination of talent, learning, tact, patience and industry. The successful lawyer and a competent judge must be a man of well balanced intellect thoroughly familiar with the law and practice, of compre- hensive general information, possessed of an analytical mind and a self-control that will enable him to lose his individuality, his per- sonal feelings, his prejudices and his peculiarities of disposition in the dignity, impartiality and equity of the office, to which life,
54
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
property, right and liberty must look for protection. Possessing these qualities Judge Farrand justly merits the high honor which has been conferred upon him by his election to the circuit bench.
WARREN CONRAD DURKES.
The name of Warren Conrad Durkes is inseparably interwoven with the records of financial activity in Dixon and this part of the state. For twelve years he was cashier of the City National Bank, is now its president and is likewise associated with a number of other banking concerns and business enterprises. His entire career has been characterized by orderly progression and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider oppor- tunities until he is now prominently connected with interests and enterprises having to do with the substantial upbuilding and progress of this section of the state. He was born at Franklin Grove, Illinois, May 20, 1868, and is a son of Conrad and Mary (Jones) Durkes. While spending his youthful days under the parental roof he acquired a public-school education and later entered a business college of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1886. He then entered his father's bank at Franklin Grove in a clerical capacity and upon its reorganization under the name of the Franklin Grove Bank in 1889 he was made cashier. His identifica- tion therewith brought him intimate and comprehensive knowl- edge of every phase of the banking business and he remained in successful control of that institution until 1901, when he came to Dixon and entered upon active relations with the City National Bank as its cashier, in which capacity he served until 1913 when he was elected president. He is still connected with the Franklin Grove Bank as vice president and he is a director of the First National Bank of Erie, Illinois, a director and treasurer of the Dixon Home Telephone Company, a director of many others which have developed telephone connections throughout this part of the state, giving to the public excellent service, and a director of the Dixon Loan and Building Association. Mr. Durkes recog- nized the possibilities in these directions and his cooperation has been a feature in carrying the enterprises forward to successful completion.
In 1893 Mr. Durkes was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Can- terbury, of Chicago, and they have become the parents of two
55
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
daughters, Leona and Katherine. Mr. Durkes is a member of the Elks and Knights of Pythias lodges and is a prominent Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree in the Dixon Com- mandery, while he is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. His geniality and unfeigned cordiality have made him popular, while his tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose and genius for devising the right thing at the right time have gained him a prominent place among the foremost business men of Lee county.
PHILIP NIEBERGALL.
Since 1884 Philip Niebergall has lived upon his farm of two hundred and sixty-three acres on sections 22 and 15, Wyoming township, and he has made this one of the finest agricultural properties in this locality. He was born in Linn county, Iowa, June 5, 1855, and is a son of John and Catherine (Trautwein) Niebergall, the former of whom came from Germany about the year 1840 and settled in Wisconsin, where he worked as a monthly laborer. He afterward moved to Iowa and in 1866 went to LaSalle county, Illinois, where he resided until his death, which occurred April 17, 1908. His wife survives him and makes her home in Mendota, Illinois.
Philip Niebergall acquired his education in the public schools of Iowa and LaSalle county, Illinois, attending until he was twenty- one years of age. During this time, however, he spent only a short period in each year in school, for during the summer months he assisted his father with the work of the farm, remaining at home until almost thirty years of age. He then married and came to Lee county, where he purchased his present property, whereon he has since carried on the work of improvement and cultivation along progressive and practical lines. He has erected excellent buildings upon the place, including a comfortable residence, barns and sheds, and has neglected nothing which would add to the attractive appearance or the value of the place. In addition to general farm- ing he is also interested in stock-raising, every year shipping stock to the eastern markets.
In Paw Paw, Illinois, on the 15th of April, 1885, Mr. Niebergall was united in marriage to Miss Elva Uleine, a daughter of S. H. and Gertrude (Sharpe) Uleine, the former a pioneer farmer of Lee county. The father passed away in 1910 and is buried in Wyoming
56
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
cemetery. His wife survives him and makes her home with her children. Mr. and Mrs. Niebergall have three sons: Glenn, a farmer in DeKalb county, this state; and Wayne and Floyd, who are assisting their father. Two are married and the eldest son has one child, Gladys.
Mr. Niebergall is a member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a progressive republican in his political beliefs. He has served with credit and ability as road commissioner and as a member of the committee of three which investigated the affairs of the Independent Harvester Company. He is a man of broad interests and progressive public spirit, cooperating heartily in all movements for the advancement and betterment of the com- munity. He is highly respected by all who know him as a success- ful and able business man and a valued citizen who is considerate of the general welfare as well as active in promoting his personal success.
BENJAMIN F. SHAW.
The record of Benjamin F. Shaw, of Dixon, honors the name of journalism. He entered upon newspaper publication at a period when the purpose of journalism had its educational fea- tures in addition to the dissemination of general and local news and had not been tinged with that commercial spirit which seeks through sensationalism to stimulate the curiosity of the public without regard to wrong impressions which, like tares, grow up and choke out the good seed. He never deviated from the high principles which he set up or lowered his standards because he considered it expedient or profitable to do so. At the time of his death he was perhaps the Nestor of the Illinois journalists, having for many years been editor and proprietor of Dixon's oldest news- paper. He was born in Waverly, New York, March 31, 1831, and passed away September 18, 1909. His ancestry was traced. back to William Bradford, who kept the log of the Mayflower and later became the first governor of Plymouth Colony. His grand- mother on the paternal side was the last surviving of those who suffered from the Wyoming massacre of 1778, her father and two brothers having been killed in the battle which preceded the mas- sacre. His mother's father, Major Zethon Flower, was a soldier of the Revolution and one of the last survivors on the pension
BENJAMIN F. SHAW
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.