USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 7
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Thomas Enright, Jr., a successful young farmer and stockman of Gridley Township, was born on a farm in Woodford County, Ill., Dec. 18, 1893, the son of Thomas and Margaret (Roach) Enright.
Thomas Enright is a native of McLean County and the son of Tim- othy and Mary (Healy) Enright, natives of Ireland and early settlers of Illinois. After living in New York for two years, Timothy Enright came to Illinois, where he became the owner of 540 acres of land. He was a leading farmer and stockman and an extensive grain dealer. Mr. En- right served throughout the Civil War and was among the first Catholic settlers of this section of the state and the town of Enright was named after him. He died March 19, 1918, and his wife died Jan. 4, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Enright were the parents of the following children: Thomas, father of the subject of this sketch; Margaret, married Robert Quinn, lives in Chicago; Mary, the widow of Dennis O'Brien, lives in Chi- cago; Jerry, lives in Chicago; Catherine, married John Kearney, lives in Chicago; Ellen, the widow of William Sutton, lives at Peoria, Ill .; Bridget, the widow of James Gallagher, lives in Joliet, Ill .; Theresa, lives in Chicago; Sadie lives in Chicago; Elizabeth, deceased; William, deceased ; Lucy, married William O'Shea, lives in Chicago; and Florence, married George Fitzpatrick, lives in Chicago.
Thomas Enright, Sr., has always followed farming and has met with success. He now lives retired on his farm two miles west of El Paso. Mrs. Enright died in 1891. They had two children: William, an exten- sive farmer, lives in Woodford County; and Thomas, Jr., the subject of this sketch.
Thomas Enright, Jr., received his education in the public schools at El Paso, and then farmed on rented land for a number of years. He moved to the present farm of 171 acres in Gridley Township, in 1917.
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Mr. Enright was united in marriage with Miss Helen Krones, a native of Woodford County, born Feb. 21, 1897, and the daughter of William and Mary (Donohue) Krones, the former a native of Woodford County and the latter of Ireland. Mr. Krones has been a progressive farmer of Woodford County and now lives retired at Gilman, Ill. His wife died Oct. 27, 1919. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Anna, married William Cleary, lives in Gridley Township; Vincent, lives in Liv- ingston County; Mrs. Enright; George, lives at Gridley; Florence, mar- ried Frank Benedict, lives in Livingston County ; Donald, lives at Gilman, Ill .; Mary, deceased; and Joseph, lives at Gilman. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Enright have five children, as follows: Kathleen, born Jan. 17, 1914; Madeline, born Nov. 19, 1916; Florence, born July 12, 1918; Helen, born May 8, 1920; and Thomas, born July 29, 1922.
In politics Mr. Enright is a Democrat. He is a member of the Cath- olic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Enright is well known in McLean County and has many friends.
Clarence Foltz, manager of the Farmers Elevator Company at Enright, Ill., is a prominent young business man of McLean County. He was born at El Paso, Ill., Sept. 4, 1893, the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Valentine) Foltz.
Adam Foltz is a native of Illinois and now lives with his daughter at Chenoa. His wife died June 17, 1916. Before the time of his retirement, Mr. Foltz was engaged in business at El Paso, Ill., where he owned a barber shop for 30 years. Mr. and Mrs. Foltz had three children, as follows: Clarence, the subject of this sketch; Anna, married Henry Masso, garage owner, Chenoa ; and Francis, lives in Bloomington, Ill.
Clarence Foltz was educated in the public schools at El Paso and later was employed in a watch factory at Elgin, Ill., where he remained for two years. He later engaged in farming for four years, after which he took up the duties of manager of the Farmers Elevator Company at Enright. This company is owned by farmers of El Paso and the elevator is located at Enright, a small village.
On April 7, 1917, Mr. Foltz was married to Miss Pauline Fritz, a native of Elgin, Ill., born Oct. 11, 1895, and the daughter of George and Ada (Bair) Fritz, natives of Gridley. Mr. and Mrs. Fritz, who now live
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retired at Elgin, have seven children, as follows: Ralph, lives at Elgin; Mrs. Foltz; Dewey, a farmer, lives in Illinois; Gerald, a painter, lives at Elgin; Lucile, at home; Chelsea, a painter, lives at Elgin; and Earl, at home. To Clarence and Pauline (Fritz) Foltz two children have been born: Bethryn born May 30, 1918; and Margine, born July 4, 1921.
Mr. Foltz is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church. He is a progressive and enterprising young business man, whose success in life is practically assured.
J. F. Ward, well known retired banker and farmer of McLean County, now living at Colfax, was born in Gaston County, N. C., July 23, 1843, the son of David and Minerva (Weathers) Ward.
The Ward family moved to Bullinger County, Mo., from North Caro- lina in 1856 and David Ward purchased 200 acres of land, which he farmed until the time of his death in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Ward had six children, as follows: Cypress, died during the Civil War; Alexander, deceased; Jasper, deceased; David, deceased; J. F., the subject of this sketch; and Minerva Ann, the widow of Marshall Hagar, lives at Colfax.
J. F. Ward received his education in a log school house in North Carolina and was 13 years old when his parents moved to Missouri. He engaged in general farming and stock raising on the home place until 1872, when he came to Illinois and settled on a farm in McLean County. Mr. Ward paid $30.00 per acre for his first land in Lawndale Township, which he improved, and for many years he was a leading stockman of the county and specialized in the breeding of Poland China hogs. Several years ago Mr. Ward retired from farming and entered the banking business at Anchor, Ill., in partnership with Stephen A. Smith, and the firm was known as Ward and Smith. After two years the bank was robbed and Mr. Ward came to Colfax, where he entered the banking business with Edward McReynolds. Mr. Ward now lives retired at Colfax.
On Dec. 6, 1866, Mr. Ward was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Eliza Whitner, a native of Madison County, Mo., born Feb. 28, 1847, and the daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Best) Whitner. Mr. and Mrs. Whitner, natives of Madison County, Mo., and now deceased, were the parents of the following children: Bernice, married David Pew, both deceased; Lydia, the widow of Sidney Strolp, lives in Missouri; Pinkney,
8.7. ward
LIF ZARY OF THE
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deceased; Martha, married Joel Hovis, both deceased; Mrs. Ward; Cath- erine, married Anderson Dameron, lives at Colfax; Daniel, deceased; and Margaret, deceased. To J. F. and Hannah Eliza (Whitner) Ward three children were born, as follows: Noah, born Dec. 31, 1868, died June 7, 1922; Laura, born May 10, 1871, married Burt Morgan, a farmer, lives in Ohio; and Alice, born March 15, 1873, married Charles Summers, a retired farmer, lives in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have reared a niece, Della Ward, born Aug. 31, 1881, and she is now the wife of Charles Compson, lives at Cropsey, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have two grandchildren, Marie Sum- mers, the wife of Albert Malo, Chicago. She has one son, Clarence Malo; and Iva Ward, the wife of Alfred Homberger.
In politics Mr. Ward is a Democrat and he has served as school direc- tor for a number of years. He is a member of the Christian Church and an elder in the church. Mr. Ward is a substantial and progressive citizen of MacLean County, and has an extensive acquaintance throughout the community.
T. O. Tanton is a successful breeder of thoroughbred racing horses, and the owner of 480 acres of well-improved land in Gridley Township. He was born in Woodford County, Ill., Sept. 24, 1891, and is the son of Thomas Oscar and Amanda (Martin) Tanton.
Thomas Oscar Tanton was an extensive farmer of McLean County and the owner of large tracts of land in Kansas and Missouri. He was well known as a breeder of hogs and also as a horse fancier, breeding driving and draft horses. Mr. Tanton died May 4, 1913, and his wife died in 1895. They were the parents of two children: Florence Edith, married Dennis Nickols, both deceased; and T. O., the subject of this sketch. T. O. Tanton has the following half-brothers and sisters: Elizabeth, deceased; Jo- sephine, deceased; Edna, lives in Montana ; Maude, lives in Phoenix, Ariz .; and John Oscar, an extensive farmer of Woodford County, Ill.
T. O. Tanton received his education in the public schools of Peoria and has always followed farming and stock raising. He owns a well-improved farm near Gridley, but his home is located in the city of Gridley. Mr. Tanton is a race horse fancier and breeds some of the fastest horses in this section of the state.
On Nov. 25, 1911, Mr. Tanton was married to Miss Josephine Garrison, a native of Washington, Ill., born Dec. 16, 1894, and the daughter of Joseph
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A. and Mary Ann (Myers) Garrison, residents of Washington, Ill., and the parents of the following children: Jessie, married Herman Gronewald, a farmer, lives in Illinois ; Maude, lives at home ; Clyde, lives at Peoria, Ill. ; Nellie, married Edward Norman, lives in Chicago; and Mrs. Tanton. Mr. and Mrs. T. O. Tanton have four children, as follows: Thomas, Jr., born Nov. 25, 1912; Stanford Hill, born April 23, 1914; Mary Ann, born Aug. 31, 1917; and Josephine Hope, born Feb. 16, 1922.
Mr. Tanton is a Democrat and served as mayor of Gridley for one term. He is a member of the Congregational Church and is among McLean County's substantial and influential citizens.
William H. Fever is a prosperous farmer and stockman of Gridley Township and the owner of 160 acres of well improved land. He was born at Secor, in Woodford County, May 13, 1871, the son of Thomas and Susan (Reed) Fever.
Thomas Fever and his wife were born in England and shortly after their marriage came to this country. They settled at Secor and Mr. Fever was employed as a section foreman by the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railroad, where they remained for a number of years. Mr. Fever then purchased 240 acres of land and he became a successful farmer and stock- man. He is a Democrat and served as tax collector for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Fever now live retired at Secor and are the parents of the fol- lowing children: William H., the subject of this sketch; Ann, married Harvey Wright, a farmer, lives near Eureka, Ill .; Lewis, lives retired in Minnesota; Thomas, lives in Iowa; Maude, married Frank Bradle, a farmer, lives near Eureka, Ill .; Tinia, married Jacob Flinner, lives in Peoria County, Ill .; Hazel, married Carl Hettinger, lives near Eureka, Ill .; and Harvey, died in infancy.
William H. Fever spent his boyhood on his father's farm and attended the district schools. He has always engaged in farming and stock raising and specializes in the breeding of Poland-China hogs, Jersey and Swiss cattle, and is also a breeder of horses.
On Dec. 22, 1892, Mr. Fever was united in marriage with Miss Mary Shelmon, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., born Nov. 17, 1875, and the daugh- ter of John P. and Elizabeth E. (Walker) Shelmon. Mr. Shelmon was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Indiana after the Civil War and set-
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tled on a farm and later lived in Bloomington, Ill. He now lives retired at Remington, Ind. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Shelmon are the parents of the following children: Anna, de- ceased; Mrs. Fever; Laura, deceased; Cora, married Andrew Smith, lives at Laporte, Ind .; William, deceased; Scott, lives at Remington, Ind .; John, lives at Remington, Ind .; and Florence, married Edward Kusboki, lives at Remington, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. William H. Fever are the parents of seven children, as follows: Violet, born Feb. 21, 1894, married William Gull, lives near El Paso, Ill .; Myrtle, born July 15, 1896, married Charles Schaffer, lives at El Paso, Ill .; Clarence, born Oct. 21, 1897, a farmer, lives in Gridley Township; Freida, born March 4, 1900, married Samuel Culp, lives in Woodford County ; Bernice, born Oct. 4, 1903, married Fred Lampe, now lives at Gridley, Ill .; Gordon, born May 5, 1905, at home; and Leo, born April 18, 1909, also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Fever have five grand- children, as follows: Virgil Gull, Fern Schaffer, Vernon Fever, Kenneth Culp, and Cletus Fever.
Mr. Fever is a Democrat, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of integrity and a substantial citizen of McLean County.
John L. Messer, a farmer of Gridley Township, is a member of one of McLean County's oldest and most prominent pioneer families. He was born in the same house in which he now lives, Sept. 11, 1879, and is the son of John P. and Elizabeth J. (Dawson) Messer.
John P. Messer was born at Lexington, in McLean County, on March 11, 1836, and when he was six months old the parents moved to Gridley Township and settled on the Messer farm adjoining the subject's farm one quarter mile east. John P. Messer was the son of John Boyd Messer, a noted hunter, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., Aug. 4, 1807, the son of Isaac Messer. During the War of 1812 the Messer family moved to Franklin County, Ohio, and Isaac Messer, great-grandfather of our subject, fought during the war. In 1816 the family moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, where they lived for 12 years. It was there that John Boyd Messer began his hunting career, for which he was afterward famous. At the age of 14 years he was an expert shot and was fond of deer hunt-
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ing. In 1829 the Messer family came to Illinois and settled at Lexington, and they were among the first settlers of that section. Two creeks, Tur- key Creek and Buck Creek, were named by the hunter, John Boyd Messer, and many interesting stories are related concerning his career as a hunter in Illinois. His father, Isaac Messer, gave the land for the cemetery in the community, which is known as the Messer Cemetery. John Boyd Messer married Sidney Ann Forbes, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1811.
John P. Messer, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a promi- nent farmer and stockman of Gridley Township, and owned 200 acres of land, which he improved from raw prairie. He drove his stock to Peoria during the early days before the time of railroads. Mr. Messer was a staunch Democrat, a member of the Christian Church, and belonged to the Masonic Lodge. He died July 30, 1897, and is buried in the Messer Cemetery. Mr. Messer's first wife was Mary Weakley, a native of Grid- ley Township, born Feb. 21, 1842, and to this union seven children were born, as follows: Dora P., married Samuel Philis, a retired farmer, lives in Davis City, Iowa; Benjamin P., a retired farmer, lives in Minnesota; Ira D., deceased; John B., deceased; Myra J., married S. A. Wells, lives in Utah; William, a farmer, lives in Minnesota; and one child died in in- fancy. Mrs. Messer died Dec. 27, 1867, and on Sept. 30, 1869, John P. Messer was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Dawson, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born Nov. 7, 1838. To this union six children were born, as follows: Henry D., deceased; Arthur E., a farmer, Gridley Township; Francis C., a farmer, Money Creek Township, a sketch of whom appears in this work; Irvin, a farmer, Lexington Township; John L., the subject of this sketch; and one child died in infancy.
John L. Messer has always lived in Gridley Township and is an en- terprising farmer and stockman of McLean County. He was educated in the public schools of Gridley Township and has always followed farming. Mr. Messer owns 160 acres of land and is a breeder of pure-bred Short- horn cattle. He is also an extensive shipper of stock.
On March 16, 1904, Mr. Messer was united in marriage with Miss Lilly Flesher, a native of Woodford County, Ill., born Nov. 16, 1881, and the daughter of James Scott and Hattie (Drury) Flesher. Mr. Flesher, a native of Illinois, followed farming during his life and owned 287 acres of land. He died June 1, 1919, and his widow lives at Normal, Ill. They had seven children, as follows: Mrs. Messer; Clarene, married Francis
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Messer, Money Creek Township; Lester, a farmer, lives in Scott County, Ill .; Fred, a farmer, lives in Money Creek Township; Stella, married Henry Simpson, lives at Flanagan, Ill .; Eldon, a farmer, lives at Winches- ter, Ill .; and Hershall, a farmer, lives in Gridley Township. To John L. and Lilly (Flesher) Messer five children have been born, as follows: Ar- thur Wayne, born Dec. 14, 1904, farming with his father; Isabelle, born Feb. 9, 1906; Blanche, born Sept. 29, 1907; one child died in infancy; and another son, born Sept. 1, 1919, is also deceased.
Mr. Messer is a Democrat and has been school director of district No. 230 since 1909. He is a reliable and highly esteemed citizen of Mc- Lean County.
James W. Van Dolah, now living retired at Lexington, is a prominent and substantial citizen of McLean County. He was born at Lexington, Feb. 22, 1865, the son of David Hyatt and Britanna (Bray) Van Dolah. Mr. Van Dolah had one brother, Louis Sheridan Van Dolah, deceased, whose sketch also appears in this volume.
James W. Van Dolah was reared in Lexington and received his edu- cation in the schools there. He was associated with his father and brother in business, and they were well-known importers of Percheron horses, being the largest importers of fine draft horses in the state of Illinois. Mr. Van Dolah has made three trips to Europe in connection with this work, which he followed until 1890. At that time he engaged in general farming and stock raising and met with success. Mr. Van Dolah now manages the estate of his mother and wife, which consists of more than 1,200 acres of good farm land in McLean County.
In 1887 Mr. Van Dolah was united in marriage with Miss Ella Eliza- beth Kennedy, a native of Lexington, Ill., and the daughter of W. H. and Caroline (Harness) Kennedy, both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Dolah two children were born, as follows: David Hyatt, a farmer, lives at Lex- ington, further mention of whom is made below; and Louise, a graduate of the Lexington High School and also attended the National Kinder- garten, Chicago, Ill., married Charles Carnahan, and they have one child, Gwen, live at Lexington, Ill.
David Hyatt Van Dolah received his education in the public schools of Lexington and attended Culver Military Academy in Indiana. He was in- ducted into service during the World War in 1918 and sent to France,
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where he served for one year. He was married on June 22, 1921, to Miss Ione Ballanger, a native of Chenoa, Ill., and the daughter of Fred and Blanche (Lord) Ballanger, the former a prominent druggist at Chenoa. To David Hyatt and Ione (Ballanger) Van Dolah one child has been born, Jean Lucile, born July 30, 1922.
James W. Van Dolah is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He is a prominent citizen and stands high in the community and McLean County.
George Eckhart, well known postmaster and general merchant at Weston, is a native of Ohio. He was born at Circleville, Ohio, Nov. 1, 1861, the son of Henry and Julia (Wilson) Eckhart.
Henry Eckhart was a native of Ohio and owned and operated the first blacksmith shop at Circleville. In 1879 he engaged in farming at Fair- bury, Ill., where he owned 160 acres of land. Mr. Eckhart served through- out the Civil War with Company E, 43d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in service for three years and five months. He was a Democrat, a 32d degree Mason, and died Oct. 19, 1910, in Bloomington. His wife died Nov. 18, 1889. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Katie, married Robert Voglesinger, a retired farmer, lives at Wing, Ill .; George, the subject of this sketch; Ella, married John Robinson, lives at Hunting- ton, Ind .; Mary, married Burt Nahanna, lives at Springfield, Ill .; Bes- sie, married Edward Hankins, lives in Chicago; and Carrie, deceased.
George Eckhart spent his boyhood on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools. His first business venture was a railroad lunch room, which he conducted at Fairbury from 1889 until 1898. At that time Mr. Eckhart came to Weston and opened a general store, which he has since conducted. It is the largest business house at Weston and Mr. Eckhart carries a complete line of general merchandise. He was appointed postmaster of Weston on Aug. 10, 1914, which office he has filled in a most capable and efficient manner.
Mr. Eckhart was married on Dec. 25, 1889, to Miss Carrie Karnes, a native of Fairbury, Ill., born Oct. 23, 1870, and the daughter of William H. and Sarah (Dixon) Karnes, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ireland. Mr. Karnes died in 1896 and his wife lives at Fairbury, Ill. They were the parents of the following children: Steve, deceased;
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Thomas D., lives at Fairbury; Mrs. Eckhart; Sadie, lives at Fairbury; William, deceased; and Frank, lives in Chicago. To George and Carrie (Karnes) Eckhart two children have been born, as follows: William H., born April 26, 1894, further mention of whom is made below; and Helen Julia, born Oct. 3, 1898, taught school for two years and on Nov. 1, 1922, was married to Dr. R. B. Crawford, and they live at Weston.
William H. Eckhart was a rural mail carrier out of Weston until the time of the World War. He was inducted into service on March 20, 1918, and sent to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he died on Oct. 11, 1918, from in- fluenza. He is buried at Fairbury, Ill.
Mr. Eckhart is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He is representative of the best citizenship of McLean County and is highly respected.
Adolph Roeseler, deceased, was a leading citizen of McLean County during his life. He was born at Campbellsport, Wis., July 3, 1888, the son of Ernest and Julia Roeseler.
Ernest Roeseler and his wife came to the United States from Berlin, Germany, and settled at Campbellsport, Wis., where he became a mason contractor. Mr. Roeseler died in 1913 and his wife died in 1912. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: William, lives in Mon- tana; Augusta, married August Weber, a farmer, lives in Wisconsin; Anna, married James Gilboy, undertaker, lives at Campbellsport, Wis .; Ernest, a farmer, lives in Livingston County, Ill .; Ida, married Chris Garber, lives at Fairbury, Ill .; Mary, married Charles Henning, lives in Wisconsin; Adolph, the subject of this sketch; and Sarah, deceased.
Adolph Roeseler received his education in the public schools of Wis- cousin and worked on the home place farming until 1904, when he came to Weston, Ill., and engaged in farming and stock raising in Yates Town- ship. Mr. Roeseler operated 200 acres of well-improved land and was widely known as a breeder of Poland-China hogs, Shropshire sheep, horses and mules. He was also an extensive feeder and shipper of stock. Mr. Roeseler died on Feb. 13, 1919, after contracting influenza, and his widow and family still live on the home place.
On Nov. 24, 1909, Mr. Roeseler was married to Miss Anna Mary Readle, a native of Yates Township, born April 1, 1887, and the daughter
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of Jasper and Carrie (Stewig) Readle. Mr. and Mrs. Readle, who now live retired on their farm in Yates Township, own 547 acres of well-im- proved land and are prominent citizens of McLean County. They have two children: Mrs. Roeseler and Fred. To Adolph and Anna Mary (Readle) Roeseler four children were born, as follows: Martha Marie, born Sept. 14, 1911; Ray Adolph, born Oct. 16, 1912; Ida Ruth, born Jan. 10, 1915; and Carl Donald, born July 2, 1916.
Mr. Roeseler was a Republican, a member of the Evangelical Church, and belonged to the Masonic Lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. He was an energetic man who stood well in the esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens.
John Klein, deceased, was one of the most progressive and public- spirited citizens of Pike Township, Livingston County, Ill. He was born in Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, Germany, Aug. 24, 1833, the son of Jacob and Margaret (Weiser) Klein.
Jacob Klein and his wife were natives of Germany, where he followed the weaver's trade. In 1855, accompanied by his family he came to Amer- ica and located in Tazewell County, Ill., where some of his friends had previously settled. Mr. Klein rented land for some time and the second year rented a farm in Deer Creek Township, Tazewell County, giving in payment one-half of the crop raised that year. In 1864 Mr. Klein pur- chased a farm in Pike Township, Livingston County, upon which he spent the remainder of his life. He died in December, 1878, and his wife died in 1874. They were the parents of seven children.
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