USA > Illinois > Stark County > History of Stark County, Illinois, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 12
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His parents were James and Sibella (Elliot) Armstrong, also natives of Scotland, and on coming to the United States the father secured a tract of land on section 32. Elmira township. It was then raw prairie covered with the native grasses, but with characteristic energy he began to break the sod and cultivate the fields, continuing
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
GEORGE ARMSTRONG
PRIESTER
MRS. GEORGE ARMSTRONG
'WOGRY UNIL NONTI OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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his residence upon that place until his death, which occurred in 1876. Hle was interested in the welfare and progress of the district and held some local offices. His wife passed away in 1880. They had a family of eight children, as follows: Elizabeth, Abel, Adam, Jane and Robert. all of whom are deceased; John, who is a resident of Henry county, Illinois; James, who has passed away; and George, of this review.
The last named began his education in the schools of Scotland and continued his studies in the district schools near his father's home. Ile was early trained to the work of the fields and when his father passed away, in 1876, George Armstrong, in connection with his two brothers, Adam and Robert, took up the task which their father had laid down and he has since carried on general agricultural pursuits. He has won notable success, becoming one of the foremost agriculturists of his part of the state. From time to time he has added to his holdings until he is now the owner of eleven hundred and fifty aeres and his place is without doubt the best improved farm of Elmira township, and probably of the county. Ile has always engaged in cultivating the erops best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here and has engaged quite extensively in feeding stock. The value of his judgment in business affairs has been recognized by his fellow citizens, who have sought his cooperation in other lines, and he is now vice president of the First National Bank of Kewanee and was one of the charter members of the Union National Bank, now the Union State Trust Bank of Kewanee, in which he is still interested.
On the 14th of October, 1884. Mr. Armstrong wedded Miss Mary T. Murray, a native of Scotland and a daughter of Dr. William Murray. It was when upon a visit to his native land that Mr. Arm- strong formed her acquaintance and they were married there. They have a family of five children: Sibella Agnes. the wife of James E. Jackson, of Elmira township; James M., Robert E., and William M .. all at home; and Victor, a student in Knox College of Galesburg.
Mr. Armstrong has long been a stalwart champion of the repub- lican party and has also stood for prohibition, being ever an advocate of the cause of temperance. At the present time he is president of the County Prohibition League and he does everything in his power to hasten the day when the manufacture and sale of intoxicants will be abolished. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and the high principles which govern his conduct have made him a man hon- ored and respected wherever known. and most of all where he is best known. His is a notably successful career, but more than that, Vol. II- 8
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it has been notably honorable, for he has never taken advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in business affairs, his prosperity being won through indefatigable effort, careful management and judieious investment.
THEODORE BACMEISTER, M. D.
In the death of Dr. Theodore Baemeister, Stark county lost one of its valued and representative eitizens and his demise was the oeea- sion of deep and widespread regret. He passed away Mareh 8. 1911, when eighty-one years of age, his birth having oeeurred at Esslingen, Wurtemberg. Germany, January 17, 1830. There he was reared to the age of eighteen years and obtained good edueational opportuni- ties. IIe erossed the Atlantic in 1848, landing in New York. His training had been in preparation for engineering and after coming to the United States he served as a draftsman for a few years but later turned his attention to the study of medieine and was graduated from the Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1856, in which year he turned to the middle west in search of a loeation.
Dr. Bacmeister made his way to Toulon, Illinois, which was then a small village, and he became one of the pioneer practitioners of Stark county. He was thoroughly imbued with the principles of homeopathy and ever closely studied the profession that he might advanee in accordance with the seientific researches which were carried on. He traveled over a large territory to meet the needs of suffer- ing humanity, starting out early in the morning and driving all day. His ability was pronounced, for he was very careful in the diagnosis of eases and seldom, if ever, at fault in his judgment concerning the out- come of disease. He was a valued contributor to many homeopathic journals and he stood for many years as one of the foremost repre- sentatives of that branch of medieal seience in the middle west. In 1868 he accepted the chair of materia medica in the Hahnemann College of Chieago and for a year was a resident of that eity, but in that time he became eonvineed that he mueh preferred practice in the country and in the spring of 1869 returned to Toulon. where he remained until his death.
On the 19th of April. 1864. Dr. Baemeister was married to Miss Laura L. Ogle. a native of Stark County, born near Toulon, her parents being William and Lueretia Ogle, who were among the earliest settlers of this part of the state, arriving here in 1835. Her
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father assisted in laying out Toulon and contributed in marked measure to the upbuilding of the county. Following his marriage Dr. Bacmeister purchased a residence in Toulon, which he rebuilt in 1879, converting it into an attractive home. To him and his wife were born nine children, six of whom are yet living: Emily F., the wife of Dr. Johnson, of Peoria ; W. O .; Charles A., of Chicago: Theodore, a well known physician and surgeon of Chicago: Louise, the wife of Benja- min Younger, of Bloomington: and Otto, who, after graduating from the high school and academy of Toulon and also from Williams Col- lege of Massachusetts, is now postmaster of Toulon. One daughter, Laura Pauline, reached young womanhood, married A. E. Sundquist, but died December 31, 1909.
Dr. and Mrs. Bacmeister were members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, in which he served on the official board. He took an active part in both church and Sunday school work, acting as Sunday school superintendent for twelve years. In community affairs he was also helpfully interested and was president of the town board and also president of the board of education. In a word, he stood for all that proved of public benefit and his community numbered him among its most valued and worthy citizens. He was a consistent member of the Masonic fraternity and enjoyed the fullest regard of his brethren of the order. Along professional lines he was connected with the local medical society, the Illinois State Homeopathic Medical Society and the American Institute of Homeopathy. He regarded his pro- fessional duties seriously, recognizing the great obligation that devolved upon him, and he became the loved family physician in many a household. Wherever known he was held in high esteem and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of all with whom he came in con- tact.
ELTING ARGANBRIGHT.
Elting Arganbright, a prominent general merchant of Wyoming, owes his success largely to his determination and his self-reliance. which have enabled him to surmount all obstacles and prosper in his undertakings. He was born in Vinton county, Ohio. October 10, 1863, of the marriage of Abraham and Susanna (Tweed) Argan- bright, also natives of Ohio. Ilis paternal grandfather, Phillip Ar- ganbright, was born in Germany. Abraham Arganbright devoted his life to farming and passed away in his native state as did his wife.
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Elting Arganbright remained at home until he was sixteen years of age and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an edu- cation. He then began providing for his own support and, thinking to find better opportunities farther west, came to Stark county, Illi- nois. Ile had to spend all of his money for railroad fare but he had two sisters living in this county and found work on a farm almost immediately after his arrival here. As there was little farm work to be done during the cold season he attended school in the country during the first winter and during the two following winters was a student in the Wyoming schools, walking in every day from the country. He completed the course taught in Wyoming at that time, which was before the schools were graded, and he is an honorary member of the High School Alumni Association. He decided that business pursuits would be more congenial than farming and secured a position with King Brothers, merchants. as delivery boy at a wage of five dollars per month. He remained with that firm for thirteen years and during that time learned thoroughly the principles of suc- cessful merchandising in a small town. He carefully saved his wages, which were advanced from time to time, and on severing his connec- tion with that firm purchased a bankrupt stock of goods for twenty- five lumdred dollars. In order to do so he had to sell his house and lot and borrow nine hundred dollars. At the end of three months he sold out and purchased an interest in the store owned by H. A. Gal- braith and A. G. Hammond, and the firm of Hammond & Argan- bright was established. Eleven years later he bought out his partner and for nine years has been sole owner of the store. He carries a complete line of general merchandise, selected with a view to the especial needs of his community. and his liberal business poliey. coupled with the high quality of his goods, has commended him to a large patronage. The volume of his trade has increased steadily and his enterprise has not only resulted in his attaining financial indepen- dence but has also been a factor in the commercial advancement of Wyoming. He also owns a third interest in the Scott & Hammond block and his residence, which is the old Hammond homestead, is one of the most attractive in the city. His motto has always been "I will" and he has succeeded in carrying it out, his enterprise and confidence in his ability enabling him to work out plans and projects which a less determined man would have hesitated to attempt.
Mr. Arganbright was married in 1894 to Miss Nellie Dunlap. a native of Canton. Illinois, and a daughter of T. C. Dunlap. They have become the parents of six children. namely: Ernest E .. Julia L .. Elting. Jr .. Robert and Ruth, twins, and Myron.
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Mr. Arganbright supports the republican party at the polls and has long been recognized as a leader in public affairs in Wyoming. His influence is due not only to his courage in standing firmly and openly for what he believes to be right but also to his insight into conditions and his sound judgment. He has served on the city eouneil for two years and is now a member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen, and he attends and contributes to the support of the Con- gregational church. His integrity and honesty have never been questioned and he has done much to promote the moral progress of his community. He has seen elearly the relation between the develop- ment of the agricultural resources of the county and the prosperity of the merchants of the county and has been a leader in movements to promote more scientifie farming and served for a considerable period as secretary of the Central Agricultural Society, or, as it is some- times known, the Wyoming Fair Association.
W. F. PRICE.
W. F. Priee, who is familiarly called Fred by his hosts of friends and is regarded as one of the active and progressive business men of Toulon, is the president and manager of the Stark County Telephone Company. He is numbered among the old settlers of this part of the state, dating his residenee in Illinois from 1856 and in Stark county from 1869. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, February 11, 1853, and his father, W. H. Price, was also a native of that eity, born on the 5th of July, 1828. Reared and edueated in Newark, he there wedded Miss Mary Burns, who was also born in that eity on the 11th of February, 1828. After his marriage Mr. Price engaged in business in Newark for a number of years and three of his children were born there. In 1857 he removed to the west, settling first on a farm near Canton, Illinois, where he remained until 1869, when he came to Stark county and purchased land whereon he continued his agricultural pursuits for a number of years. He was a successful farmer and well known eitizen. In 1905 he purchased a lot in Toulon. ereeted thereon a neat and attractive residence and has sinee lived retired in this eity. Here he and his wife have celebrated their golden wedding and also their sixty-sixth anniversary February 11, 1916. They are still a hale and hearty old couple, living by them- selves and earing for their own household at the advaneed age of
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eighty-seven years. Both are members of the Toulon Methodist Episcopal church and their children have become active workers in church and Sunday school.
W. F. Price arrived in Stark county with his parents when a youth of sixteen years and assisted in carrying on the home farm, remaining with his father during the period of his minority. On the 27th of December, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Quin. a native of Preble county, Ohio, and a daughter of J. II. Quinn, who was one of the early settlers of this county. He took his bride to the old home farm and thereon continued the work of the fields for a number of years. While they were there residing Mrs. Price passed away on the 12th of September, 1902, leaving three children, two sons and a daughter. The eldest son, Frank L., is married and now owns and operates the old Quinn homestead. The daughter. Mary, is the wife of Minott Silliman, a resident farmer of Toulon township, and the younger son, William Henry, is married and resides upon one of the old Price farms, which belongs to his father. Each son is living on the same farm and in the house in which he was born.
After successfully carrying on general agricultural pursuits for many years W. F. Price removed to Toulon, where he erected a good residence. On the 15th of November, 1908, in Peoria, he was united in marriage to Miss Belle Cliff, who was born, reared and educated in that city. In 1900 Mr. Price became a stockholder in the Mutual Telephone Company of Toulon and later organized the Stark County Telephone Company, of which he became president and manager. This company has since erected a neat brick office building and busi- ness house and Mr. Price has extended the telephone line, which has its switchboards in Wyoming, Elmira, Castleton, Camp Grove and Duncan, with headquarters in Toulon. They now have about two thousand instruments installed in the county and connect with all other lines in Illinois and adjacent states. Mr. Price spends a goodly portion of his time on the road with his men, putting in new lines and instruments, and he gives most thorough supervision to the business. He is also still interested in agricultural pursuits, for in connection with his sons he owns a large tract of rich and well improved land near Toulon. He has ever been recognized as a progressive and enter- prising business man whose plans are well formulated and are carried forward to successful completion.
Mr. Price is a member of the Toulon Baptist church, while his wife holds membership in the Congregational church. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Toulon. He has been a liberal contributor to various churches and to benevolent
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projects and is a most public-spirited and progressive citizen, inter- ested in all those things which pertain to the welfare of the individual and the betterment of the community. Those who know him esteem him highly and he has a very wide acquaintance throughout the county.
JACOB HI. KOPP.
Jacob II. Kopp, actively and successfully engaged in general farming and stock feeding, was born May 7, 1870, on the farm on section 5, Osceola township, on which he now resides. He is a representative of one of the old German families of the county, his parents being Jacob and Elizabeth ( Kopp) Kopp, who were natives of Germany. In early life the father crossed the Atlantic and made his way to Stark county, where he continued to engage in farming until his death, which occurred July 26, 1886. Securing a tract of land on section 5, Osceola township, he placed the first improvements there- on and bent his energies to the further development and cultivation of his land as the years passed by. His widow survives and is now living in Bradford.
In his youthful days Jacob H. Kopp was a pupil in the district school near his father's home and through the summer months he worked in the fields, becoming more and more actively the assistant of his father. Upon the latter's death he assumed the management of the home property and is now busily engaged in the cultivation of an excellent tract of land of two hundred and seventy-eight acres. in addition to which he has eighty acres in Bureau county. His land is very valuable and productive, bringing forth rich harvests annually as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. In addition to cultivating the crops best adapted to soil and climate he is engaged quite extensively in feeding stock and both branches of his business are proving profitable. Upon his farm are the latest improved farm implements and machinery. He has a threshing machine and corn sheller and everything that will facilitate his work.
When twenty-four years of age Mr. Kopp was married to Miss Anna Tilson and they have become the parents of four children, Jen- nie. Stella, Mollie and Dorothy, all four daughters being vet at home. The parents are members of the Catholic church at Bradford and Mr. Kopp is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he never seeks
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nor desires political office. He has served, however, for three years as school director and he is interested in the welfare and progress of the district, cooperating in well defined plans and measures for the general good.
ELISHIA B. BASS.
The Bass family has been represented in Stark county since pioneer times, Elisha B. Bass arriving in this county in 1854. He was a native of Fulton county, New York, born in 1812, and in his native state was reared to manhood, after which he married Miss Eunice Ferguson, who was also born in New York. He became a farmer of Fulton county and there carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years, during which time four children were born to him and his wife.
At the end of that period Mr. Bass determined to try his for- tune in the middle west. He had previously visited Illinois when a young man, making the trip in 1837, after which he spent two years in this state, mostly in Peoria county, although he was also in Stark county. He was employed at farm labor by the month, but upon the death of his mother he returned to his old home in New York and assumed the management of that place. There he remained until 1854, when he disposed of his property in Fulton county, New York, and removed westward to Illinois, making a permanent location in Stark county. It was still largely a frontier district, the work of improvement and cultivation being then in its initial stages. Mr. Bass purchased a tax title to a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres and also purchased an adjoining tract of forty acres, of which farmi twenty acres had been broken and was placed under cultivation. With characteristic energy he began the task of developing the place. He turned the first furrows in his fields, feneed his land and con- verted the farm into a very productive place. It comprised two hundred acres and through his efforts it became a very valuable property, his practical labors resulting in the harvesting of good crops annually. He also erected substantial buildings upon his place and made other improvements which added to the attractive appear- ance and to the worth of the land. Year by year he continued to engage actively in farming until 1877, when he leased his place to his son and removed to Toulon, retiring from active business life. He then purchased a good residence property and spent his remaining
ELISHA B. BASS AND FAMILY
L'BRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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days there in the enjoyment of a rest which he had truly earned and richly deserved.
Mr. Bass was not only a progressive agriculturist, but was also a prominent and valned citizen in other connections. ITis fellow townsmen, appreciative of his ability and his worth, ealled him to various official positions, including that of member of the town board. In 1885 he was ealled upon to mourn the loss of his wife and it was not until almost a quarter of a century later that he passed away, his death ocenrring October 9, 1908, when he had reached the remarkably venerable age of ninety-six years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bass were born a son and three daughters. 'The son, Osear J. Bass, was reared on the home farm in Stark county, afterward leased the place and thus tilled it for a number of years. Later he purchased the property and continued its cultivation for some time thereafter, but eventually he sold the farm and removed to Henry, where he continued to make his home until his life's labors were ended in death October 28, 1915. IIe left a wife but no chil- dren. The three daughters of the family are: Elizabeth, the wife of Beason Lambert, a retired farmer living at Columbus Junetion; Laura, who died in 1908; and Eliza J., to whom we are indebted for the material coneerning her father and the family. She was reared and edueated in Stark county and remained with her parents, caring for them and a erippled sister. She has resided in Toulon sinee 1877 and is here widely known and greatly respeeted, all speaking of her in terms of warmest regard.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Bass were consistent and faithful members of the Baptist church, guiding their lives aeeording to its teachings. Their daughter, Eliza J., is also a member of the ehnreh and was formerly a teacher and worker in the Sunday school. For more than six deeades the family has been represented in Stark county and throughout the entire period their influence has been found on the side of right, progress and improvement.
PROFESSOR GEORGE C. BAKER.
Professor George C. Baker is a well known edueator, now serving his third term as superintendent of schools in Stark county, his incum- beney in the office covering ten years. ITis residenee in Illinois dates from 1892 and throughout this period he has been recognized as one whose efforts have been of marked value in connection with the de-
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velopment of the school system. He is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred at Council Bluff's, January 9, 1856. His father. Jacob Warren Baker, was a native of Virginia and was born in Feb- ruary, 1818, representing one of the old pioneer families of that state. When a young man he removed to the middle west, settling in lowa, and in Farmington, that state, he married Miss Caroline Leavit, a native of Ohio, who went with her parents to Iowa. Mr. Baker was a saddler by trade and carried on that business in Farmington and in other Iowa towns. In 1849 he made an overland trip to California, where he was engaged in mining for a time, meeting with fair success. He then returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama to New York and later went to Pike's Peak. For some years he resided in Athens, Clark county, Missouri, where he lost his wife. He afterward came to Toulon and spent his last days in this city.
Professor Baker was reared in Iowa and Missouri and obtained his primary education in the common schools, but not content with the advantages thus far received, he continued his studies without a tutor and prepared for teaching, which he began in the country schools of Missouri when quite young. He was also engaged in merchandis- ing for a time but afterward gave up that pursuit and again concentrated his energies upon educational work, following the pro- fession of teaching in the country schools of Missouri and Iowa. He afterward secured the position of principal of the school at Hamilton, Illinois, and so satisfactory was his service there that he was retained in the position for nine consecutive years. He afterward became principal of the schools of Toulon, continuing as such for five years, and in 1906 he was nominated and elected superintendent of schools of Stark county. In 1910 he was reelected and again in 1914, so that he is now serving for the third term, his incumbeney to continue until 1918. There are now seventy schools in the county, with one hundred and seven teachers, and when he entered upon his present position there were but ninety-two teachers in the county. There are also added school buildings and most of these are well equipped, while the teachers are efficient and well qualified for their work. Professor Baker devotes his entire time to his official duties and he maintains a county institute for the further training of the teachers.
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