USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 53
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Herbert W. Crowder received his education in the public schools and has been in the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad since 1900. He began as a brakeman and in 1905 was made conductor on a local freight train.
On Dec. 25, 1901, Mr. Crowder was married to Miss Frances Dorothy, a native of Dawson, Ill., born Jan. 5, 1884. To this union three children were born: Dorothy, born March 24, 1904, lives at Decatur, Ill .; Dean, born Dec. 10, 1911; and Herbert W. Jr., born May 29, 1913. Mrs. Crowder died Jan. 18, 1917. On Aug. 17, 1918, Mr. Crowder was married to Miss
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Anna Rosenbaum, who was born in Germany, March 4, 1878, the daughter of Carl M. and Matilda (Bent) Rosenbaum, natives of Germany. Mr. Rosenbaum, who died Sept. 1, 1913, was in the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad for many years. His wife died March 4, 1911. They were the parents of seven children: Carl, chief deputy sheriff, of Joliet, Ill .; Fred, twin brother of Carl, lives at Moline, Ill .; William, deceased; Mrs. Crowder; Martha, married Albert Hayes, lives in Bloomington; Tillie, married James Worth, lives in Bloomington ; and Walter, deceased.
Mr. Crowder is a member of the Christian Church and belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose. He and his family are well and favorably known in Bloomington.
J. F. Saxton, a prosperous farmer and stockman of West Town- ship, and the owner of 547 acres of good farm land, was born in Harri- son County, Ohio, Jan. 11, 1860, and is the son of Thomas A. and Mary Jane (Healea) Saxton.
Thomas A. Saxton was born in Harrison County, Ohio, as also was his wife. He was born in 1827 and she during the same year. The Saxton family came to Illinois in 1864, locating on land in West Town- ship, where Mr. Saxton purchased 160 acres. In 1870 they moved to the farm now owned by their son, W. F. Saxton. Mr. Saxton died in 1890 and his wife died in 1900. They were the parents of the following children: Sarah M. Grizzell, died in Kansas; Mary, deceased; George, died in infancy; J. F., the subject of this sketch; and W. F., a farmer, lives in West Township, McLean County.
J. F. Saxton spent his boyhood on his father's farm and has always followed general farming and stock raising. He was in partnership with William, his brother, for a number of years. Mr. Saxton is well known as a breeder of sheep and his farm is among the fine stock farms of West Township.
On Dec. 21, 1893, Mr. Saxton was united in marriage with Miss Della M. Arrowsmith, a native of LeRoy, Ill., born May 24, 1874, and the daughter of Ross and Mary (Hefling) Arrowsmith, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Arrowsmith had five children, as follows: Mrs. Saxton; John L., deceased; Vauna Balf, deceased; Ethel, married Vauna's husband; and Otis, lives on the home places near LeRoy, Ill. To J. F. and Della M.
J. F. SAXTON AND FAMILY
LIBRARY OF THE
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(Arrowsmith) Saxton three children were born, as follows: Guy, died in infancy ; Jessie Agnes, wife of Keith Swigart, lives in West Township, McLean County, and they have two children, June Aldine and Henrietta ; and Ruth Marie, attends school. Mrs. Saxton died Dec. 23, 1915, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery at LeRoy.
Mr. Saxton is a Democrat and has served as tax collector and road commissioner for a number of years. He is a member of the Methodist Church and a capable and reliable citizen of his community.
George Allen Davidson, a well known conductor on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, living in Bloomington, is a native of Illinois. He was born July 19, 1880, and is a son of Albert and Polyanna (Becham). Davidson.
Albert Davidson, now living retired at Casey, Ill., is among the pio- neers of Illinois. He was born in Pennsylvania and removed to Illinois at an early date, where he was successfully engaged in farming for many years. Mr. Davidson was a contractor and built a government ditch in Jackson County, Mo. While doing this work he used 20 yoke of oxen in one team. Mr. Davidson is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church, of which he has served as trustee for a number of years. His wife died July 26, 1913. There were five children in the Davidson family, as follows: William and James, live at Casey, Ill .; George Allen, the subject of this sketch; Lizzie, married Edward Weaver, lives at Greenup, Ill .; and Rev. Harry Davidson, lives at Casey, Ill.
George Allen Davidson attended the public schools, after which he worked in the oil fields for three and one-half years. He entered the em- ploy of the Chicago & Alton Railroad on Sept. 8, 1910, having previously been engaged in railroad work in the west. On Dec. 31, 1918, Mr. David- son was promoted to conductor, in which capacity he is now serving.
Mr. Davidson was married on Dec. 17, 1912, to Mrs. Lillian Craig, a native of Illinois, born Feb. 17, 1882, and the daughter of J. F. and Martha (Stoltz) Kniest, residents of St. Louis. Mr. Kniest was employed in the construction of the Eads Bridge in St. Louis and was foreman during the building of the Nelson Morris Packing Plant in that city. He suffered severe injuries during the St. Louis cyclone of May 27, 1896, and was be- tween life and death for many weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Kniest have six chil- dren, as follows : Mrs. Davidson ; Elizabeth, married Herman Scamas, lives (77)
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in St. Louis ; Fred, lives in St. Louis; Emma, married Leo Brandstter, lives at Alton, Ill .; Amelia, married William Reichneider, lives in St. Louis ; and Edward. Edward Kniest enlisted for service during the World War and served with Company B, 341st Machine Gun Battalion for two years and seven months. He spent 18 months overseas and was wounded twice dur- ing the battle of the Argonne. He was also gassed. After the close of the war Mr. Kniest went into Germany with the Army of Occupation. By her former marriage, Mrs. Davidson has a son, Irvin I., born March 3, 1900. Irvin I. Craig was married on March 26, 1921, to Miss Ethel Reibe, and they live in Bloomington.
Mr. Davidson is a Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Park Methodist Episcopal Church of Bloomington. He is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors No. 87 of Bloomington. Mr. Davidson is a substantial citizen and deservedly stands high in the estimation of his friends and acquaintances.
John B. Davidson, known in Bloomington as a progressive and enter- prising citizen, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., June 26, 1881, and is the son of William and Mary (Irvin) Davidson.
William Davidson, a native of Ireland, who now lives retired with his son, John B., was an Evangelist minister for many years. His wife died July 18, 1921. There were 13 children in the Davidson family, as follows: James, deceased; Anna, the widow of William Little; Jennie, Emma, John, and William, deceased; John B., the subject of this sketch ; Thornton, lives retired in Florida; May, married Harry Murnaham, lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; John, deceased ; and five children died in infancy.
John B. Davidson was educated in Ohio, where his parents moved when he was a boy. He followed farming for several years, and then en- gaged in railroad work. Since 1910 Mr. Davidson has been in the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad and on Dec. 18, 1918, was promoted to passenger conductor. He and his family live at 504 West Empire Street.
On July 3, 1902, Mr. Davidson was united in marriage with Miss Can- zanda Stewart, a native of Kentucky, born Nov. 25, 1880, and the daughter of James and Lida (Farmer) Stewart, natives of Kentucky. Mr. Stewart died March 13, 1920, and his wife lives in Kentucky and is 69 years of age. They had 12 children, as follows: Samuel, lives in Kentucky ; Mary, mar-
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ried Mance Hamilton, lives in Kentucky ; Sarah, married John Baker, lives in Kentucky; Balzora, married J. F. Edwards, lives in Tennessee; Mrs. Davidson; Lenora, married Luther Sears, lives in Bloomington; Lonzo, lives in Kentucky ; Melvin, lives in Kentucky ; Pearl, married Howard Todd, also lives in Kentucky; Ida, deceased; and Minnie, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have one daughter, Minnie, born April 22, 1903. She was married on Dec. 28, 1920, to Al Homer, and they reside in Ohio.
Mr. Davidson is a Republican, a member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Loyal Order of Moose.
Lee P. Paul, whose residence is 404 North Allin Street, Bloomington, is a native of McLean County. He was born at Lexington, March 18, 1883, and is the oldest son of Frank A. and Virginia (Arbogast) Paul.
Frank A. Paul was a son of Henry and Catherine Paul. Virginia Paul was the youngest daughter of Benjamin and Cynthias Arbogast. Mr. and Mrs. Paul were born at Lexington, Ill., where they spent their entire lives. He served as marshal and constable in Lexington for a number of years. Mr. Paul also operated a dray line. Mr. and Mrs. Paul had four children : Lee, the subject of this sketch ; Ruby, married B. F. Harrison, lives at Clin- ton, Ill .; John, lives at Lexington, Ill. ; and Donald, who lives at Pasadena, Calif. John Paul served throughout the World War in the United States Navy, and is now an engineer for the Conway Construction Company. His brother, Donald, also served throughout the World War, being stationed at Fort Wright in charge of searchlights, and later was transferred to the Electrical School at Fort Monroe, Va., where he remained until the close of the war.
Lee P. Paul was reared in Lexington and received his education in the public schools there. In 1902 he entered the employ of the Chicago & Al- ton Railroad Company as a fireman. On Oct. 1, 1904, he entered the gov- ernment mail service, but in 1909 returned to the Chicago & Alton Road. Mr. Paul was promoted to run an engine in 1917 and is known as a capable and trustworthy engineer.
On Oct. 10, 1905, Mr. Paul was married to Miss Sadie Stansbury, a daughter of Ellis and Ida (Brown) Stansbury. Miss Stansbury was born July 3, 1882, and is a native of Saybrook, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Stansbury are natives of Illinois and have lived in Bloomington since 1888. They are the
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parents of seven children: Mrs. Paul; Wayne, deceased; Neil, lives at 616 E. Oakland Avenue, Bloomington; Dean, deceased; Lora, married Ellis Lawbaugh, lives in Bloomington ; Eva, married Homer Orendorff, lives at Randolph, Ill .; and one child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Paul have two children ; Lola, and Donald. Lola was born Oct. 5, 1906, was educated in the Bloomington public schools and was graduated from Brown's Business College. Donald was born June 1, 1916, and is attending the public schools.
Mr. Paul is not affiliated with any political party, but it has always · been his policy to vote for the man he thought best qualified for the office they were seeking. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engine- men ; Wade Barney Lodge, No. 512, A. F. & A. M .; Bloomington Consistory ; Mohammed Shrine; and Keystone Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, No. 619. Mrs. Paul is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen and of the Keystone Chapter, No. 619, Order of the Eastern Star, and Brotherhood of American Yeomen.
John B. Forrest, owner of Snook Lawn Stock Farm in West Town- ship, is a progressive farmer and stockman of McLean County. He was born at Springfield, Ohio, July 10, 1863, the son of Hanson Thomas and Nancy M. (Snook) Forrest.
Hanson Thomas Forrest was a native of Hagerstown, Md., born Dec. 24, 1835, and at the age of 23 years he came to Ohio, where he engaged in farming in Clark County. On Dec. 25, 1854, Mr. Forrest was married to Miss Nancy M. Snook, a native of Ohio, born May 22, 1843, and the daughter of George William Snook, a native of Maryland. In 1873 the Forrest family moved to Illinois, locating in McLean County. Mr. Forrest became a prosperous farmer and at one time owned over 500 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Forrest, deceased, were the parents of ten children, as follows: George, lives in Minnesota; John, the subject of this sketch; Celesta Barr, lives in Minnesota; Irvin, lives in Illinois; one child died in infancy ; Emra, lives at LuVerne, Ill .; Mary Cross, deceased; Alva, lives at Arrowsmith, Ill .; Perley, lives on the home place; and Blaine, lives at Bloomington, Ill.
John B. Forrest was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools. He has lived on his present farm since 1915, and owns
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JOHN FORREST
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240 acres of well improved land. Mr. Forrest was an extensive breeder of pure bred stock and also raises grain. His farm is named after George W. Snook, grandfather of Mrs. Forrest.
In politics, Mr. Forrest is identified with the Republican party. He is an industrious and energetic farmer, highly esteemed in his neigh- borhood.
Willard Burns, known in Bloomington as an enterprising young man, was born at Mansfield, in Piatt County, Ill., Jan. 2, 1900, and is a son of James E. and Mary (Adams) Burns.
James E. Burns was born in Omaha, Neb., Dec. 28, 1873, and his wife is a native of Illinois. Mr. Burns came to McLean County in 1913. He and his family live at 402 West Grove Street, Bloomington. There are three children in the Burns family : Lottie, married J. D. Shields, lives in Bloom- ington; Willard, the subject of this sketch; and Josephine Gertrude, de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Burns have one grandchild, James Edward Shields, who was born April 5, 1916.
Willard Burns received his education in the public schools of Bloom- ington and when a young man entered the employ of the Postal Telegraph Company as a telegraph operator. He has been employed as caller by the Chicago & Alton Railroad since 1918. Mr. Burns is greatly interested in radio and has constructed his wireless outfit.
Ou Aug. 17, 1923, Mr. Burns was married to Miss Zula Ping, who was born in Pulaski County, Ky., April 19, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Burns reside with his parents.
Robert Barniville is one of the oldest engineers on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, in years of service. He was born in Bloomington, in January, 1857, and is the son of Thomas and Bridget (Dunn) Barniville.
Thomas Barniville was a native of Ireland, as also was his wife. They came to America at an early date and were among the first settlers of Bloomington, where Mr. Barniville entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, as a blacksmith. He was a staunch Democrat and a mem- ber of the Catholic Church. Mr. Barniville died in 1903 and his wife died in 1917. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: Mary, mar-
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ried Malcolm Gordon, both deceased; Catherine, lives with her brother, Robert; Robert, the subject of this sketch; Rose, lives in Bloomington; John, a conductor on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, now deceased; Mar- garet, also lives with her brother, Robert; Simon, lives in Chicago; Ed- ward, deceased; Charles, lives in Bloomington; and William J., who was killed in a wreck on the Chicago & Alton Railroad at Odell, Ill. He was a conductor.
Robert Barniville was reared and educated in Bloomington and after clerking in the grocery store of O'Neill Bros. for 11 years, he entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad on Sept. 11, 1883. In 1892 he was promoted to engineer. The Barniville home is located at 704 North Oak Street, Bloomington.
Mr. Barniville is unmarried. He is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Barniville is an excellent citizen and one of the re- liable and trustworthy men in his line of work.
Fred C. Builta, a progressive farmer and stockman of Arrowsmith Township, is a member of one of McLean County's prominent pioneer families. He was born in Arrowsmith Township, April 5, 1870, and is the son of Frederick and Jane (Maurice) Builta, whose complete life history appears in this volume with the sketch of their daughters, Mary E. and Roselia Builta.
Fred C. Builta has followed general farming and stock raising since he was a young man and now owns 240 acres of good farm land in Arrow- smith Township. He raises good stock and for a number of years was a cattle feeder.
On Dec. 25, 1895, Mr. Builta was married to Miss Almeda Kiser, who was born March 12, 1876, the daughter of Martin and Elsie Kiser. She died Sept. 3, 1898, leaving one son, Guy G., born in 1896, who is a farmer in Arrowsmith Township. On Oct. 10, 1900, Mr. Builta was united in marriage with Miss Celia Snedden, who was born at Peoria, Ill., Dec. 15, 1879, the daughter of James and Margaret (Gebbie) Snedden. Mr. Sned- den, a native of Scotland, was born Oct. 19, 1839, and died Oct. 22, 1917. His wife also died the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Snedden were the parents of 12 children, as follows: Richard, deceased; Thomas, lives at Peoria, Ill .; John, also lives at Peoria, Ill .; Jean, lives in Indiana; Thomas, lives
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at Peoria, Ill .; James, lives at Peoria ; Margaret, Peoria, Ill .; Mrs. Builta; Mary Cook, Indiana; George and Jeanette, twins, live at Peoria; and Elizabeth, deceased. To Fred and Celia (Snedden) Builta seven children have been born: Eva West, born Jan. 2, 1902, lives in Arrowsmith Town- ship; Verna May, born March 5, 1904, a music teacher, now the wife of Roy Smith, Arrowsmith, Ill .; Lucile, born April 14, 1906; Charles F., born Jan. 31, 1908; James A., born Oct. 6, 1910; Margaret E., born Aug. 28, 1915; and Russell Wayne, born Sept. 26, 1917.
Mr. Builta is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He is a good farmer and a citizen of material worth to his community.
Mary E. and Roselia Jane Builta, two of the well-known women of Arrowsmith, are members of an honored pioneer family of Illinois, and are the daughters of Frederick and Jane (Maurice) Builta.
Henry and Mary Builta, the parents of Frederick Builta, were natives of Germany and came to the United States in 1834. They first located in Peoria County, Ill., and in 1836 went to Woodford County, settling in the vicinity of Congerville, where the remainder of their lives were spent. Jane (Maurice) Builta, the wife of Frederick Builta, was a sister of Thomas W. Maurice.
Frederick Builta was born in Prussia, Germany, Nov. 28, 1824, and ten years later came to this country with his parents. He lived in Wood- ford County until 1863, at which time he took up his residence in McLean County, settling on a farm of 160 acres in Arrowsmith Township. To this he added until he was the owner of 226 acres at the time of his death, on Aug. 27, 1899. His wife died Dec. 7, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Builta were the parents of nine children, as follows: John H., born Oct. 4, 1851, died Dec. 30, 1909; Thomas W., died in infancy ; George A., born Jan. 9, 1855, lives near Arrowsmith; Roselia Jane, born Jan. 18, 1857, lives at Arrow- smith; David M., born Oct. 30, 1859, died Feb. 27, 1922; Mary E., born April 8, 1862, Arrowsmith; Abraham L., born Dec. 22, 1863, lives at Ells- worth, Ill .; Sarah A. Hileman, born Dec. 17, 1865, lives in Bloomington ; and Fred C., born April 5, 1870, lives at Arrowsmith. Mr. and Mrs. Builta were charter members of the Christian Church. He was a Mason.
Miss Mary E. Builta was reared and educated in Arrowsmith and, after attending Illinois State Normal University, engaged in teaching.
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She taught in the rural schools 18 years, the schools at Arrowsmith six years, and retired in 1906. She is now serving as a member of the school board. Miss Builta was instrumental in obtaining the first school library in Arrowsmith. She has been a reporter on the Pantagraph in Bloom- ington since 1916. Miss Builta is a member of the Christian Church at Arrowsmith and has taught Sunday school for 30 years. At the Builta home there is an unusual picture containing four generations of the family, and each generation is represented by three members.
Roselia Jane Builta remained with her parents until their death. She is now living with her sister, Mary E. They own 80 acres of well im- proved land one and one-half miles south of Arrowsmith.
George A. Builta is a substantial farmer and stockman of McLean County and the owner of 320 acres of well improved land in Arrowsmith Township. He was born near El Paso, Woodford County, Ill., Jan. 9, 1855, and is the son of Frederick and Jane (Maurice) Builta. A complete sketch of the ancestry of the Builta family appears in the sketch of Mary E. Builta.
George A. Builta was reared on the farm and received his educa- tion in the district schools. He has always devoted his attention to farming and now owns one of the fine stock farms of Arrowsmith Town- ship. He has Poland China hogs and is also an extensive feeder of stock.
On March 3, 1897, Mr. Builta was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude Martin, a native of Lexington, Ill., born Jan. 22, 1877, and the daughter of James and Martha (Matlock) Martin, natives of McLean County. Mr. Martin was born Sept. 12, 1851, the son of Creighton Mar- tin, whose father came to this country from Ireland. Martha (Matlick) Martin, was born March 26, 1857, the daughter of James and Evaline (Hensley) Matlock. Mr. and Mrs. James Martin reside on the old home- stead in Lexington township. This homestead has been handed down through the Martin family since 1849. Besides Mrs. Builta, they have another daughter, Lucy Myrtle Malcom, born July 17, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Builta have no children.
Mr. Builta is identified with the Republican party in politics and has served as road commissioner. He is vice president of the Arrowsmith Bank as well as director. Mr. Builta is a member of the Christian Church and is one of the representative citizens of his community.
FREDERICK BUILTA
MRS. FREDERICK BUILTA
LIP POR
- هـ ٢اليه
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A. W. Wersch, a well known locomotive engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, living in Bloomington, was born in that city, June 5, 1878, and is a son of Casper and Bertha (Burkholtz) Wersch.
Casper Wersch was a native of Switzerland. He came to this country with his parents when he was ten years of age and they settled in Bloom- ington. He served throughout the Civil War and died April 28, 1911. His- wife, who was born in Berlin, Germany, lives in Bloomington with her daughter, Josephine. There were six children in the Wersch family: Josephine, married Jabus Scelton, lives in Bloomington; Erwin, deceased ; Ida, married August Sablotske, lives at Des Moines, Ia .; Tillie, deceased ; A. W., the subject of this sketch, and Elmer, an engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, lives at Bloomington.
A. W. Wersch has always lived in Bloomington. He attended the third ward school and entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad in 1896. In 1900 he became a fireman and five years later was promoted to engineer.
On Oct. 28, 1909, Mr. Wersch was united in marriage with Miss Alice M. Strimple, a native of Bloomington, and the daughter of Adolphus and Susan (Wolley) Strimple, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of McLean County. Mr. Strimple was a Civil War veteran and died Oct. 28, 1921. His widow lives at 608 North Oak Street, Bloomington. Mrs. Wersch is their only child. To A. W. and Alice M. (Strimple) Wersch one child has been born, Ralph L., born Feb. 9, 1911.
Mr. Wersch is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, and belongs to the Masonic lodge. He is a man esteemed for his reliability and industry.
Pliny E. Brust, a locomotive engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, out of Bloomington, since 1903, was born in Logan County, Ill., on Oct. 26, 1876, and is the son of Conrad and Minerva (Burdick) Brust.
Conrad Brust was a native of Ohio and came to Illinois in 1865, locat- ing on a farm in Logan County. He served throughout the Civil War with an Ohio outfit and died March 23, 1921. His wife, a native of Wisconsin, died May 8, 1912. They were the parents of the following children: Pliny, the subject of this sketch; Myrtle, deceased; Sadie, married Frank Al- bright, lives at Lincoln, Ill .; Lee, lives at Springfield, Ill .; Vincent, lives in Michigan; Mabel, married Frank Stirt, lives in Chicago; and Gilmore,
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lives in Bloomington. There are four half-brothers and sisters: Jacob, lives in Logan County, Ill .; Lizzie, married John Cuzer, lives in Nebraska ; John, lives in Minnesota ; and Henry, lives in Livingston County, Ill.
Pliny Brust attended Hopedale school, in Logan County, and started life railroading with the Chicago & Alton Railroad. He began as a fire- ·man and on Aug. 17, 1903, was promoted to engineer.
Mr. Brust was married March 12, 1898, to Miss Iva Gallion, the daugh- ter of E. H. and Martha (Hagar) Gallion, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Gallion died in 1912 and his wife died in 1919. They were the parents of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Brust have four children: Lucille, married Kirk Strange, lives in Detroit, Mich .; Ern- est, a veteran of the World War having served in the navy, now living in Bloomington, where he is employed as a fireman on the Chicago & Alton Railroad; Margaret, and Martha Frances.
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