USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 13
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Joseph A. Fletcher, a retired farmer of Heyworth, who is now enjoy- ing the freedom from active business cares, was born in Bedford County, Pa., Feb. 28, 1866, the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Smith) Fletcher. Alexander Fletcher was born in Pennsylvania in 1821 and followed farming for many years. He went to West Virginia and later to Mary- land, where he died April 15, 1886. His wife was also a native of Penn- sylvania, born in 1831, and she died in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher were the parents of the following children: Daniel, deceased; Phillip, deceased ; Susan Ann Powell, lives at Akron, Ohio; Manuel, lives at Leoti, Kans .; Jennie Haynes, deceased; John, deceased; James, lives in Parsons, Kans .; Franklin, lives in Maryland; Sallie, lives in Maryland; Joseph A., the subject of this sketch; and William, lives on a farm near Heyworth, Ill.
Joseph A. Fletcher was reared on his father's farm and received his schooling in the schools of West Virginia, and when he was a boy walked three miles to a log school house. When he was 33 years of age, Mr. Fletcher engaged in farming for himself, and came to McLean County in 1883. He has lived retired at Heyworth since 1917.
On Dec. 17, 1891, Mr. Fletcher was united in marriage with Miss Carrie May James, a native of McLean County, born Oct. 24, 1874, and the daughter of Merith and Florence Amelia (Buck) James, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Henry County, Ill. Mr. James was an early settler of McLean County and a successful farmer. He died July 14, 1921, and his widow now resides at McLean, Ill. She was born June 27, 1852, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lineback) Buck. To Mr. and Mrs. Merith James four children were born, as follows: Mrs.
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Fletcher; Nellie Edith Baker, deceased; Elizabeth Pearl Mathews, de- ceased ; and Bertha Maude Dye, lives at McLean, Ill.
To Joseph A. and Carrie May (James) Fletcher three children have been born, as follows: Verna I. Hicks, born June 13, 1893, a nurse, lives at Normal, Ill .; Clay Philip, born June 28, 1894, died Sept. 28, 1912; and Warren Harris, born Aug. 9, 1896, died Sept. 28, 1918.
Warren Harris Fletcher was inducted into service during the World War on April 1, 1918, and served with Company L, 139th Infantry. He took part in many important battles of the war, including St. Mihiel. He was killed during the Argonne Drive and his body is buried in France.
In politics Joseph A. Fletcher is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher are among the dependable citizens of McLean County and are widely and favorably known.
Fred Ehlers, who recently retired and now lives at Cooksville, has been an extensive farmer and stockman of Blue Mound Township for many years. He was born at Bloomington, Ill., July 17, 1871, the son of Fred and Louise (Pflughaupt) Ehlers.
Fred Ehlers, Sr., was a native of Germany, as also was his wife. After coming to the United States they settled at Bloomington, Ill., where Mr. Ehlers was employed as a miller for 13 years. He then purchased a farm in Arrowsmith Township which he operated for 35 years. Mr. Ehlers owned 180 acres of land and was an extensive farmer in his time. Later, he retired and moved to Bloomington, where he died Nov. 1, 1918. His widow resides at Bloomington. Mr. and Mrs. Ehlers had three children, as follows: Fred, the subject of this sketch; Frank, a farmer, lives in Martin Township, McLean County; and Emma, married Isaac Fariss, a farmer, and they live on the old home place in Arrowsmith Township.
Fred Ehlers has always followed farming and stockraising and has met with marked success. He spent his boyhood on the home place in Arrowsmith Township and attended the district school. He rented land for a few years and now owns 440 acres of good farm land in Blue Mound Township. Mr. Ehlers has a well improved farm and has been known as a breeder of Chester White hogs, Aberdeen Angus cattle, and Shropshire sheep.
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On Feb. 14, 1894, Mr. Ehlers was married to Miss Emma Conrad, a native of Towanda Township, McLean County, born March 27, 1871, and the daughter of Charles and Ida (Schmidt) Conrad. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad came to this country from Germany and were early settlers of Towanda Township. They were the parents of three children, as follows: Minnie and Louie, died in infancy ; and Mrs. Ehlers. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ehlers have two children, as follows: Lena, born May 25, 1895, married Ollie Eades, a farmer, lives in Blue Mound Township, McLean County; and Minnie, born Feb. 23, 1900, married J. P. Sarver, a farmer, lives in Blue Mound Township. Mr. and Mrs. Ehlers have five grandchildren: Dale, Lyle, LaVerne, and Virgil Eades; and Oleta Sarver.
In politics Fred Ehlers is a Republican and he has served as road commissioner and school commissioner. He is a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Ehlers has put much energy, thought and time into his business of farming and stockraising, and merits the marked success which he has made.
Robert T. Smith, deceased, was a prominent farmer of McLean County, and was born in New Albany, Ind., Oct. 18, 1846, the son of Jacob T. and Eliza (Williams) Smith. The Smith family came to Illinois from Indiana in 1858 and located on land in Blue Mound Township, where Jacob T. Smith became a widely known stockman. He owned and operated 160 acres of land and was a breeder and feeder of pure bred stock. To Jacob T. and Eliza (Williams) Smith the following children were born: William L., served throughout the Civil War and is now deceased; Julia, married John Newton, both deceased; Robert T., father of the subject of this sketch; Eliza, married Thomas Newton, both deceased; Charles and George, de- ceased; and Oliver, lives retired in California.
Robert T. Smith spent his boyhood on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools. He rented land for several years and later owned 160 acres in Blue Mound Township. Mr. Smith met with success in his work and was a leading stockman of McLean County. He died April 24, 1918, and his wife died Jan. 21, 1905.
On Jan. 1, 1867, Robert T. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Rhoda Arnold, a native of Wabash, Ind., born Sept. 5, 1850, and the daughter of William Arnold. William Arnold was a native of New Jersey
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and an early settler of Blue Mound Township, McLean County, where he improved 320 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold were the parents of four children, as follows: Elizabeth, married Vinton Wamsley, both deceased; Mary, deceased, was the wife of John Clupper, and he lived in Indiana; Mrs. Smith; and John, served throughout the Civil War and is now de- ceased.
To Robert T. and Rhoda (Arnold) Smith seven children were born as follows: John, deceased; Edward, deceased; Miss Jennie; Zelma, de- ceased; Bessie, married Ollie Gilbert, a farmer, lives near Decatur, Ill .; Mabel, lives with her sister Jennie at Cooksville; Jennie and Mabel Smith are members of the Daughters of the American Legion; and Earl, born July 16, 1890. He enlisted for service during the World War on Sept. 1, 1918, and on Oct. 15, 1918, died of influenza at Camp Taylor, Kentucky.
Robert T. Smith was a Republican and served as county supervisor for 26 years. He was a member of the Methodist Church.
Andrew Beller, the well known mayor of Meadows, in Chenoa Town- ship, is a prominent pioneer citizen of McLean County. He was born in France, May 5, 1849, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Shirk) Beller.
Jacob Beller and his wife were natives of France, where they spent their entire lives. He was a farmer and owned 40 acres of land. Mr. Beller died in 1876 and his wife died in 1871. They were the parents of the following children: Joseph, deceased; Jacob, deceased; Lena, de- ceased; Mary, deceased; Elizabeth, came to America and married Joseph Moseman, both now deceased; Kate, married Joseph Eyman, a farmer, lives at Pontiac, Ill .; Fannie, married Joseph Good, a retired farmer, lives in Iowa; Mary, married Joseph Hudley, a farmer, lives in Indiana; Peter, lives in France; Christian, a farmer, lives in Iowa; John, a retired farmer, lives at Pontiac, Ill .; and Andrew, the subject of this sketch.
Andrew Beller was educated in the schools of France and came to the United States in 1874, the trip requiring 15 days in a sailing vessel. He rented land in McLean County for three years and then purchased 80 acres. Mr. Beller owns 3611/2 acres now in Livingston County, and also land in Indiana. He was an extensive stockman for many years and shipped stock to different points. Mr. Beller now lives retired at Meadows, and his home is located on North Main Street.
ANDREW BELLER
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On March 4, 1877, Andrew Beller was married to Miss Elizabeth Baker, a native of France, and to this union one child was born, John, who lives with his father. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Beller was married to Miss Mary Stiffen, a native of Austria.
Mr. Beller is identified with the Republican party in politics and is serving as mayor of Meadows. He has served as school director for 20 yeears and as road commissioner for 17 years. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Bank of Meadows and is now vice-president and director of the bank. Mr. Beller is a member of the Mennonite Church. He performs his duties of office very faithfully and has many friends who hold him in high esteem.
Oscar Pickering, now living retired at Cooksville, has been a resident of Blue Mound Township for 60 years. He was born in Grundy County, Ill., Nov. 2, 1861, the son of John L. and Elizabeth (Eaton) Pickering.
John L. Pickering, a native of Ohio, came to Illinois with his parents in 1835, settling in Grundy County. In 1860 Mr. Pickering moved to Mc- Lean County, where he owned a well improved farm in Blue Mound Town- ship. He died April 22, 1913, and his wife, a native of Ohio, died Jan. 19, 1908. They were the parents of nine children as follows: LaDrew, deceased ; Rebecca Jane, died at the age of 15 years; Oscar, the subject of this sketch ; Thomas B., a farmer, lives in New York; George L., a retired farmer, lives at Normal, Ill .; William C., a farmer, lives in Indiana ; Lewis S., deceased ; D. C., a farmer, lives in Indiana; and John A., a farmer, also lives in Indiana.
Oscar Pickering spent his boyhood on the home place and received his education in the district school. After renting land for seven years, Mr. Pickering purchased 160 acres of land in Blue Mound Township, which he improved. He is widely known as a breeder of pure bred Shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs, and now has 125 head of the latter. He is also an extensive shipper of stock, shipping two carloads per year.
In 1886 Mr. Pickering was united in marriage with Miss Alvira Lilly, a native of Livingston County, Ill., born April 1, 1860. To this union two children were born: Johan Doran, born Nov. 29, 1891; and one child died in infancy. John Doran Pickering served throughout the World War and after the armistice re-enlisted in the regular army for three years and
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again re-enlisting at the expiration of that time. He is now stationed in the Philippine Islands.
In 1898 Oscar Pickering married Miss Salina Leatherman, a native of Ford County, Ill., born in 1867, the daughter of Cyrus and Mary Jane (Allen) Leatherman. Mr. Leatherman was a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler of Ford County, Ill. He died in 1898 and his wife died in 1913. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: William, lives at Watseka, Ill .; Maggie, the widow of George Edwards, lives at Watseka, Ill .; John and Cyrus, deceased; Mattie, the widow of Edgar Pettys, lives at Urbana, Ill .; Emma, the widow of Morrison Pettys, lives at Chicago; Mrs. Pickering; Eva, married George Schub, lives at Chicago; and James, lives in Illinois. To Oscar and Salina (Leatherman) Pickering one child has been born, Mildred Lucille, married Clyde Hefner, a farmer, and they live in Lexington Township, McLean County. Mr. and Mrs. Pickering have two grandchildren, Marjorie C., and Bernard P. Hefner.
Mr. Pickering is a Republican and has served as road commissioner and school director. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Pickering has been unusually successful and is considered one of Blue Mound Township's most efficient citizens.
Charley Barker is a prominent farmer and stockman of Blue Mound Township. He was born at Holder, Ill., July 13, 1879, and is the son of Jesse and Martha (Thompson) Barker.
Jesse Barker came to this country from England when he was a young man and located in McLean County, near Holder. In 1881 he removed to a farm in Blue Mound Township, which he operated until the time of his death in 1911. His wife, also a native of England, died in 1906. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Thomas, Samuel, and William, all deceased; Richard, a retired farmer, lives in Blue Mound Township; Charley, the subject of this sketch; Mary, married Cyrus Perry, a retired farmer, lives at Heyworth, Ill .; Lizzie, the widow of James Leary, lives at Cooksville, Ill .; and Ella, married William Lausterer, a farmer, lives in Blue Mound Township.
Charley Barker grew up on his father's farm and received his edu- cation in the district schools. After renting land from his father for a few years he purchased his present farm and now operates 320 acres of
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good farm land. Mr. Barker is a widely known breeder of Shorthorn, Jersey and Hereford cattle, and Duroc Jersey hogs. He is also a grain farmer.
On Oct. 5, 1904, Mr. Barker was united in marriage with Miss Mollie Williams, a native of Kentucky, born May 27, 1881, and the daughter of Edward and Susie L. (Ridings) Williams, natives of Virginia. Mr. Wil- liams was a successful farmer of Virginia for many years and in 1903 came to Cooksville, where he died in November, 1905. He served throughout the Civil War and was a member of the Methodist Church. His widow lives at Cooksville. There were eight children in the Williams family, as follows: Thomas, a farmer, lives in Kentucky; Richard, deceased; New- ton, lives in Erie, Ill .; John, died in infancy ; Harry, a farmer, lives near Lexington; Mrs. Barker; and Mattie, married Wesley Woodward, a re- tired farmer, lives at Cooksville, Ill .; and Margaret, married Ike Harness, garage owner, Lexington, Ill. To Mr. and Mrs. Barker three children have been born, as follows: Jesse, born Oct. 12, 1905; Carl, born Sept. 8, 1907; and Alvin, born July 10, 1913.
Mr. Barker is a director of the Cooksville Telephone Company and the Farmers Co-operative Store at Cooksville. He is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Fred Kerber, an enterprising and reliable farmer of Blue Mound Town- ship, was born in the township where he now lives, May 12, 1869, the son of William J. and Elizabeth (Lorig) Kerber.
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Kerber came to this country from Germany and were pioneer settlers of McLean County. Mr. Kerber owned 120 acres of land in Blue Mound Township and was an extensive grain farmer. Dur- ing the early days he hauled his grain to Bloomington, receiving only 11 cents per bushel for it. Mr. and Mrs. Kerber, deceased, were the parents of the following children: Nicholas, deceased; John, deceased; William, a retired farmer, lives at Bloomington; Mathew, a retired farmer, lives at Bloomington; Mary, married Joseph Sutter, a retired farmer and they live at Bloomington ; Michael, a retired farmer, lives at Bloomington ; Fred, the subject of this sketch; Peter, a retired farmer, lives at Bloomington; Henry, a farmer, lives at Chatsworth, Ill .; Anna, married William
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Leary, lives in New Jersey ; Lizzie, married Charles Froelich, lives in Iowa ; and Clara, married John Grimes, a farmer of Blue Mound Township, Mc- Lean County.
. Fred Kerber was reared in Blue Mound Township and received his education in the district school. He then engaged in farming on his fath- er's farm land and later purchased his present place in 1911. Mr. Kerber owns 180 acres of well improved land and raises a good grade of stock. The Kerber farm is located on the main road from Bloomington to Cooks- ville.
Mr. Kerber was married on Feb. 1, 1912, to Miss Elizabeth Seiwert, a native of Germany, born in 1892, and the daughter of Mathew and Eva Seiwert. Mr. and Mrs. Seiwert live in Chicago, and are the parents of six children, as follows: Gertrude, married Ward Murray, lives in Chicago; Mrs. Kerber; Eva, married Patrick Russell, a banker, lives in Chicago; John, Nicholas and Joseph, all living in Chicago. To Fred and Elizabeth (Seiwert) Kerber two children have been born: Eva, born Feb. 17, 1914; and Robert, May 21, 1915.
Fred Kerber is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Kerber's home is one of the attractive homes of Blue Mound Town- ship, and he is a substantial citizen of the community.
William Naylor, known as a capable and efficient engineer on the Chi- cago & Alton Railroad, was born in Racine, Wis., May 28, 1868, and is the son of Joseph and Sarah (Henderson) Naylor.
Joseph Naylor was a native of England and his wife was born in Scotland. They were early settlers of Wisconsin where Mr. Naylor farmed for many years. He died in 1875 and his wife died in 1921. They were the parents of the following children: Esther, the widow of Reuben Neff, lives at Racine, Wis .; Jennie, deceased, married Hiram Bowers, lives in Wisconsin; Emma, the widow of Henry Levy, lives at Racine, Wis .; Wil- liam, the subject of this sketch; George, deceased; Maggie, deceased; and Joseph lives in California.
William Naylor was reared and educated at Racine, Wis., and began life as a fireman on the Wisconsin Central Railroad. After 13 years, in 1889, he entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad as engineer. He has had a passenger run out of Bloomington since 1903. The Naylor home is at 706 West Mulberry Street.
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On Dec. 28, 1889, Mr. Naylor was married to Miss Tillie Schaefer, a native of Wisconsin, born May 25, 1873, and the daughter of Martin and Margaret (Palm) Schaefer, natives of Germany and early settlers of Wis- consin. Mr. Schaefer died in 1875 and his wife died April 12, 1912. They were the parents of nine children: George and Frederick, deceased ; Otto, lives at Waukesha, Wis .; Alyta, deceased; Emma, lives in Chicago; Albert, lives in Milwaukee, Wis .; Mrs. Naylor; Edward, lives in California; and one child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Naylor have one daughter, Helen, born Jan. 2, 1901, the wife of Robert Edmond, Peoria, Ill.
In politics Mr. Naylor is identified with the Republican party. He and his family are members of the Methodist Church and he belongs to the Masonic lodge, as also did his father. He is also a member of the Locomo- tive Engineers. During his long residence in Bloomington Mr. Naylor has established an excellent reputation.
G. H. Brown, well known passenger conductor on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, living at Bloomington, is a native of Illinois. He was born at Joliet, March 24, 1875, and is a son of George and Julia (Burgen) Brown.
George Brown was among the pioneer railroad men of Illinois. He was born in Ohio and in early manhood came to Joliet, where he entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad as a fireman and later was promoted to engineer. In 1876 he removed his family to Bloomington. Mr. Brown was killed on the railroad in 1891. His wife, who is now 80 . years of age, lives at 702 South Indianapolis Street, Bloomington. There were 10 children in the Brown family as follows: May, married Sidney Duncan, lives at Normal, Ill .; Julius, died in infancy ; G. H., the subject of this sketch; Bessie, married Bernard Crosby, an engineer, lives in Bloom- ington; Harry, lives in Bloomington; Margaret, the widow of Leslie A. West, lives with her mother; Nellie, married Charles O'Connor, lives in Roodhouse, Ill .; Gussie, married Harry Hempstead, lives in Bloomington ; and Anna and John, deceased.
G. H. Brown received his education in the public schools at Blooming- ton and in 1891 entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad as an engine wiper and later fired five years. He then began braking and in 1902 was promoted to freight conductor, and in 1914 was promoted to passenger conductor. He has been a conductor for 22 years and has been in the passenger service for the past 10 years.
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On Dec. 31, 1903, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Anna O'Brien, who was born in Ireland, Aug. 1, 1877, the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Spillane) O'Brien. The O'Brien family came to the United States in 1880 and located in Bloomington where Mr. O'Brien was employed by the Chi- cago & Alton Railroad. He died March 15, 1904, and his wife died Jan. 25, 1924. They were the parents of eight children: Michael, who died in 1905; Mrs. Brown ; John, deceased ; Dennis, lives in California ; Philip, lives in California; Nellie, married Joseph Richard, lives in St. Louis; William, lives in California, and Marie, also lives in Bloomington. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown five children have been born: Anna May, born March 19, 1905; George, born Sept. 29, 1908; Harry, born April 7, 1909; Florence, born Sept. 7, 1913, and Ilene, born April 5, 1916.
Mr. Brown and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors and the Brotherhood of the Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen.
William F. Lausterer, one of the progressive farmers and stockmen of Blue Mound Township, was born on a farm north of Normal, Ill., Sept. 10, 1862, a son of Fred and Regina (Wolf) Lausterer.
Fred Lausterer and his wife came to this country from Germany during the early days and settled on land in Menard County, Ill., where Mr. Lausterer engaged in general farming. After several years they returned to Germany for a visit, after which they returned to McLean County, locating in Towanda Township. Mr. Lausterer was a Republican and a member of the Lutheran Church. He died May 25, 1883, and his wife died April 15, 1915. They were the parents of two children: William F., the subject of this sketch; and Catherine, married John Sutter, both de- ceased.
William F. Lausterer received his education in the district schools of McLean County and also in Bloomington. He farmed on the home place until the time of his father's death, then purchased his present farm of 440 acres in Blue Mound Township. The land is well improved and the farm is equipped with excellent buildings and facilities for caring for the stock. Mr. Lausterer ships three carloads of stock each year.
On Dec. 14, 1892, Mr. Lausterer was married to Miss Ella Barker, a native of Old Town Township, McLean County, born Sept. 15, 1867, and
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the daughter of Jesse and Martha (Thompson) Barker. The Barker fam- ily were natives of England, and were early settlers of Dawson Township, McLean County, where Mr. Barker owned 320 acres of land. He died July 19, 1912, and his wife died Nov. 4, 1895. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Mary, married Cyrus Perry, a retired farmer, lives at Heyworth, Ill .; Thomas, deceased; Lizzie, the widow of James Leary, lives at Cooksville, Ill .; Mrs. Lausterer; Richard, a farmer, Blue Mound Township, McLean County; Charley, a farmer, Blue Mound Town- ship, McLean County; Thomas, William and Samuel, all deceased. To William F. and Ella (Barker) Lausterer six children have been born, as follows: Catherine, born Sept. 29, 1893, married Raymond Benjamin, a farmer, lives in Dawson Township, McLean County; Charles W., born Aug. 25, 1896, a farmer, lives at home; Anna, born March 26, 1899, at home; Frederick J., born Dec. 9, 1901, a farmer, lives near Heyworth, Ill .; George H., born Jan. 2, 1905, a farmer, lives at home; and Franklin R., born Sept. 26, 1911, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Lausterer have two grand- children : Charles and Anna Benjamin.
In politics Mr. Lausterer is identified with the Republican party and he is now serving as justice of the peace. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Elks lodge. Mr. Lausterer is an industrious and energetic farmer, highly esteemed in his neighborhood.
Clarence Deetz, a well known citizen of Bloomington, highly esteemed for his integrity and industry, was born at Stanford, Ill., Jan. 25, 1885, and is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Garris) Deetz.
Henry Deetz, a native of Zanesville, Ohio, came to Illinois during the early days and located at Stanford. He served throughout the Civil War and is now deceased, as also is his wife. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Marshall, lives at Milwaukee, Wis .; Susie, deceased; Maude, the widow of T. P. Davis, lives in Bloomington; and Clarence, the subject of this sketch.
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