USA > Illinois > Stark County > History of Stark County, Illinois, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 13
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On the 13th of January, 1882, in Clark County, Missouri, Pro- fessor Baker was united in marriage to Miss Emma Fenten, a native of Missouri, born in Montgomery county, as was her father. George Fenten, who was of English parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Baker became the parents of four children: Edgar, now living in Alberta, Canada : Margaret, a sneeessful teacher of Stark county: Clarence, a business
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man of Toulon; and Ralph, an electrician holding a position with the Electric Light & Power Company of Toulon.
Professor Baker holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving on the official board and also is Sunday school superintendent. He does everything in his power to promote the moral progress of the community and his aetive work in the church has done much to promote its growth and extend its influence. Ilis entire life in fact has been given to the betterment of the in- dividual. He believes that the object of education is to train each individual to reach the highest perfection possible for him and that the purpose of teaching is to develop capacity. He holds a life diploma' which entitles him to teach in any school in Illinois and he is today regarded as one of the most successful educators of the state. ITis own advantages were very limited. He was never in a high school until after he was elected principal of the school at Hamilton, but when it was no longer possible for him to pursue his studies in a school- room he marked out a line of study for himself and throughout his entire life has been a student, until he is now recognized as a man of scholarly attainments with whom association means expansion and elevation.
P. B. COLWELL.
P. B. Colwell, the efficient and popular postmaster of Wyoming, was born in Essex township, Stark county, on the 15th of July, 1856. a son of Henry Colwell, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared upon the home farm and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. When seventeen years of age he became a school teacher and after teaching for one year in Valley township went to Peoria county, where he followed that pro- fession for three years. He then spent one year in Chicago in the employ of the Deering Binder Company and then went on the road for that corporation as salesman. He was later in St. Louis for a year and for a similar period of time was at Helena, Montana, after which he returned to Stark county and began farming the home- stead in Essex township. He devoted fourteen years to the opera- tion of that place and then turned his attention to the grain business, being active in that connection for a year at La Fayette and for eight years at Wyoming. On the 24th of April, 1914, he was made post- master of Wyoming and has since concentrated his energies upon the
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discharge of his duties, proving a systematic, accurate and courteous official.
Mr. Colwell married Miss Cecelia Burns, a native of Peoria county, this state, and a daughter of Peter and Anna Burns, both of whom are deceased. Five children have been born to this marriage, namely: Henry, at home; Louise, who is teaching at St. Anthony; Idaho: Clara, a school teacher of Rupert, Idaho; Miles, at home: and Margaret, who is assistant postmaster.
Mr. Colwell has supported the democratic party since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise and for eight years represented Essex township on the board of county supervisors. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Wyoming. All of his various undertakings have proved successful as he possesses good business judgment, is enterprising and gives close attention to the matter in hand, and he is in comfortable circumstances.
II. D. D. MARTIN.
Among the well known publie men of Stark county is H. D. D. Martin, who is the present county treasurer-an official capable and prompt in the discharge of his duties and loyal at all times to the trust reposed in him. He was born in Peoria county, Illinois, July 27, 1851. Henry Martin, his father, was a native of Canada and was a son of Squire Martin, who removed from that country to the United States with his family and settled in Peoria, Illinois, about the year 1829, being numbered among the earliest residents of that city. which in fact, was but a village at the time of his arrival there. He preempted land, broke the sod and tilled the fields, opening up and developing a fine farm. Ilis son, Henry Martin, was reared in Peoria and Marshall counties, where the family home was main- tained at different times, and after arriving at years of maturity was married in Peoria county to Miss Eliza Jane Sommers. He afterward made his home in Peoria and Marshall counties until 1861. when he removed to Henry, where he engaged in the manufacture of carriages and buggies, carrying on business there for a number of years. While there residing he lost his wife and later he joined a daughter in Saybrook. after which he lived retired from business there for a number of years. Subsequently he came to the home of his son, H. D. D. Martin, in Wyoming, and with him spent his last years.
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Hle was long a respected and worthy eitizen of this part of the state and enjoyed the merited regard for all with whom he came in contaet.
II. D. D. Martin was reared upon the old home farm in Marshall county and completed his education by graduating from the high school of Henry, Ilinois. He afterward learned the trade of carriage and buggy making with his father and subsequently removed to Castleton, this county, where he conducted a manufacturing and repair business, remaining there for twelve years. He then disposed of his shop and went to Wyoming, where he built another shop and began the manufacture of earriages, wagons and buggies, also doing general repair work of that character. For five years he remained at Wyoming and then sold out, after which he concentrated his efforts upon merchandising, in which field of business he continued aetive for fourteen years. In 1914 he was nominated and eleeted treasurer of Stark county and removed to Toulon, assuming the duties of his position in December of that year. He had previously served in a number of positions of publie honor and trust, continuing for some years as township elerk and also as township colleetor for two terms. He has ever been prompt and faithful as a public official and over his reeord there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
Mr. Martin was united in marriage in Valley township, Stark county, in 1877, to Miss Mary E. Joh, who was born and reared in this county, where her father, David Joh, settled at a very early day. Mrs. Martin passed away in Castleton and in Wyoming Mr. Martin was married to Miss Mary Haywood, also a native daughter of Stark county and for a number of years a successful teacher, being con- nected with the schools of Wyoming in that eapaeity for eight years.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin are faithful members of the Congregational church of Toulon and he has been a very active church and Sunday sehool worker for many years, serving for twelve years as superinten- dent of the Sunday school at Castleton, also as superintendent of the Congregational Sunday school in Wyoming for some years. He still takes an active interest in the various branches of ehureh work, partienlarly in the religions training of the young, believing in the wisdom of Solomon: "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." He has aecomplished much good in his Sunday school work and for fifteen years he has been president of the Sunday School Association which is maintained in Stark county. He is continually alert to improve upon methods of religious instruction that the young people may be fortified for life's temptations and its responsibilities, and the influence of his example as well as for his preeept has been strongly and widely felt. There
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are few residents of Stark county more widely known and none are held in higher esteem than H. D. D. Martin, for whom his fellow citizens entertain the warmest regard, for his life has ever measured up to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship. He never boasts of his own worth. In fact he is entirely free from ostentation and display, but whenever his fellowmen mention him, it is in terms of admiration and regard.
ALBERT DEYO.
Albert Deyo has long been active in business in Bradford, giving his attention to the work of well drilling. He represents one of the old families of Stark county, his birth having occurred in Osceola township on the 24th of May, 1869, his parents being Josiah and Julia (Hayden) Deyo. The father was born in New Paltz, New York, while the mother's birth occurred in Maine. They were married in Illinois, the father having come to Stark county in 1854. Ile secured a tract of land which he converted into an excellent farm, making his home thereon until his death. The family come of Hugue- not ancestry.
Albert Deyo attended school in Bradford, supplementing his public school training by a commercial course. His early practical experience eame to him through the work of the farm, on which he continued to reside until he reached the age of twenty-four years. when he removed to Bradford. For two years he was engaged in clerking in a store and since that time has been engaged in the well digging business. This has made heavy demands upon his time, keep- ing him constantly busy, and through his earnest and intelligently directed efforts he has won substantial suecess.
In 1894 Mr. Devo was married to Miss Rena Bevier, who was born in Osceola township, this county, a daughter of Mordecai and Adelaide (Bradford) Bevier, who came from Binghamton, New York, to this county at an early period in its development, arriving about 1854. Seeuring a traet of land. the father bent his energies to the cultivation of a farm. He carried on general farming for a con- siderable period but later concentrated his energies upon the raising of vegetables and fruit. Ile was quite prominent in the commmity, holding some loeal offices, ineluding that of supervisor, in which posi- tion he remained for a number of years. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's eall for aid, enlisting as a member of
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Company K, Sixty-third Illinois Infantry, with which he rendered valuable service to his country. He died in the spring of 1912, having for seven years survived his wife, who passed away in 1905. Their daughter, Mrs. Deyo, was reared and educated in Bradford and by her marriage has become the mother of five children: Doris, who was graduated from the high school of Bradford in the class of 1914 and is now attending the Nebraska State University at Lincoln; Marian, who is a senior in high school: Eleanor, Jeanette and Bradford, all in school.
Mr. Deyo exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is active in supporting its principles, having firm belief in their efficiency as factors in good government. For one year he filled the office of mayor of Bradford. IIe belongs to the Woodmen lodge and he and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist church, doing all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Deyo has erected a fine residence in Bradford and the home is moreover very attractive by reason of its warm-hearted hospitality, which is greatly enjoyed by the many friends of the family.
WILLIAM E. GRIEVE.
For twenty-nine years William E. Grieve occupied a farm on section 30, Elmira township, having there a tract of four hundred and eighty acres of good land. In 1916, however, he put aside the more active work of the fields and took up his abode at his present place of residence. He is now living retired and the rest that has come to him is well merited. He was born in Toulon township. this county, September 8, 1859, his parents being Robert and Ellen (Scott) Grieve, both of whom were natives of Scotland, whence they came to the new world with their respective parents. Their marriage was celebrated in Stark county and throughout his remaining days the father was actively engaged in farming in Toulon township, where he passed away twelve or fifteen years ago.
The boyhood experiences of William E. Grieve were those which usually fall to the lot of the farm lad. He was educated in the eom- mon schools near his father's home and when not busy with his text- books worked in the fields, being thus employed to the age of twenty- six years. After his marriage in the spring of 1886 he removed to a farm belonging to his father, there remaining for one year, after
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which he took up his abode in Elmira township, near the village of Elmira. Extending the boundaries of his place by additional pur- chase, he became the owner of four hundred and eighty acres, consti- tuting one of the excellent farms of the locality, and thereon he resided for twenty-nine years, being actively and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits during that period. In 1916 he re- moved to his present place of residence on section 30, Elmira town- ship, having put aside active business eares.
In 1886 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Grieve and Miss Esther A. Oliver, by whom he has four children, namely : Ellen Eliza- beth, who is the wife of Chester Jackson and resides near her father's place: Andrew R., living on the home farm; Marion S., also at home: and Flavel, who is a student in Knox College of Galesburg.
Mr. Grieve votes with the republican party and is a trustee of the Presbyterian church, in which he and his wife hold membership. His has been a well spent life guided by honorable principles, and his up- right manhood and sterling citizenship have gained for him the warm regard of those with whom he has been brought in contaet.
JOHN W. FLING, JR.
John W. Fling. Jr .. one of the leading attorneys at the Stark county bar, is the only representative of his profession in Wyoming. He was born in Cumberland, Marion county, Indiana, on the 22d of January, 1878, a son of John W. and Rebecea (Bolander) Fling, likewise natives of that place. The father engaged in farming in Indiana until 1885, when he came to Stark county, Illinois, and took up his residenee at Wyoming. For many years he has served as a section hand for the Chicago, Roek Island & Paeifie Railroad, mak- ing an excellent record for efficiency in that eonneetion.
John W. Fling, Jr., was graduated from the Wyoming high school in 1898 and for three years thereafter followed the profession of teaching. Having determined to make the practice of law his life work. he pursued his legal studies under the direction of F. A. Kerns and on the 13th of May, 1903, was admitted to practice by the supreme court of Illinois. On the Ist of July of that year he was taken into partnership by his former preceptor and this relation was maintained until May, 1912. In November of that year our subjeet was elected state's attorney for Stark county and his reeord in that eonneetion reflects credit upon his legal knowledge, his aggressiveness and his
JOHN W. FLING, JR.
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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power of convincing argument. He has built up a large and repre- sentative private practice and his ability is recognized not only by the general public but also by his professional brethren.
Mr. Fling was married November 22, 1904, to Miss Mamie Mc- Clyment, also a native of this county and likewise a graduate of the Wyoming high school. They have a son, Richard A.
Mr. Fling has given careful study to the problems of government and is convinced that the policies of the republican party are best. calculated to secure the permanent prosperity of the country. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and frater- nally he belongs to the local lodges of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He realizes the importance of good schools in a democracy and as president of the board of education has done much to bring about the advancement of the local schools. He is an ardent admirer of Abra- ham Lincoln and has collected what is probably the largest Lincoln library in the state. The gratifying success which he has gained is especially noteworthy in that he has depended entirely upon his own resources and upon well directed industry in the struggle for profes- sional advancement. 1
CHARLES D. STURM.
An excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres situated on sec- tion 5, Osceola township, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by its owner, Charles D. Sturm, who has devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits, meeting with very desirable suc- cess in his undertakings. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county, his birth having occurred on section 16. Osceola township, on the 18th of May, 1855, his parents being Isaac and Jane (Stedham) Sturm. The father was born in Shelby county, Ohio, November 11, 1824, and was a son of Henry and Kath- rine (Dalrimple) Sturm, both of whom were of German descent. Henry Sturm was born October 17, 1791, in Kentucky, and was married in Shelby county, Ohio, in 1814 to Kathrine Dalrimple, who was born in South Carolina, February 5, 1799. It was on the 25th of September, 1836, that they became residents of Illinois. Here Isaac Sturm grew to manhood and was married March 11, 1849, to Miss Jane Stedham, the wedding ceremony being performed by Joshua Gillfillen, justice of the peace. Mrs. Sturm was born in Wilmington, Vol. II-9
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Delaware, February 7, 1830, and came to Illinois in 1839. Her parents were John and Maria ( Robson) Stedham, both natives of Delaware, the former born in 1797 and the latter in 1806. They were married in New Jersey in 1825. Mr. Stedham was of Irish and Swedish descent. IIc came to Illinois in 1833.
After his marriage Isaac Sturm became a resident of Boyd's Grove, Illinois, but after two years removed to Osceola township, Stark county, settling upon a farm on section 16 in 1831. Mrs. Sturm had come to Illinois with an uncle from Wilmington, Delaware, traveling in a wagon drawn by a single horse. She was then a girl of about nine or ten years and to lighten the load she walked about half of the way. Her father gave her uncle a quarter section of land near the present home of Charles D. Sturm in payment for her rearing until she was fourteen years of age, after which she kept house for her father at the place where Charles D. Sturm now resides. In 1851 Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Sturm located on the farm where their son Charles was born. There they resided for a long period but eventually removed to the town of Bradford, where Mr. Sturm passed away December 11, 1901, at the age of seventy-seven years and one month. For sixty-five years he was a resident of Illinois, and for almost fifty- three years he and his wife traveled life's journey together. He was a democrat in his political views and was called upon to serve in many local offices. the duties of which he discharged with promptness, fidelity and capability. In his business affairs he displayed excellent manage- ment, keen discernment and unfaltering enterprise, and was a self- made man whose labors were attended with substantial success. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons, having membership in the lodge at Bradford.
Charles D. Sturm was educated in the common schools of Osceola township and remained upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-seven years, during which time his experience in all depart- ments of farm work well prepared him for the conduct of farming interests on his own account. On leaving home he first settled on section 17. Osceola township, where he remained for nine years and then came to his present location on section 5. During the inter- vening period he has made excellent improvements upon the land, has remodeled the house and has built good barns and other outbuildings, personally doing the work of construction. He owns in the home farm one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land, all of which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, and he also has one hundred and sixty acres in Neponset township. Bureau county.
Mr. Sturm was married when twenty-six years of age to Miss
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Minerva J. Ames, a daughter of Major Andre and Maria (Barber) Ames. Her father was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and eame to La Salle county, Illinois, in 1831. He owned and operated a farm near Bradford, Stark county, and in the early days was well acquainted with the old Indian chief Shabbona, who was a great friend of the white people. To Mr. and Mrs. Ames were born seven children who reached man and womanhood and all are still living. The mother died when the children were small, but Mr. Ames reached an advanced age, passing away in 1888.
Mr. and Mrs. Sturm have a hospitable home whose good cheer is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. In politics Mr. Sturm is a republiean and for one term he filled the office of assessor but other- wise has never sought nor held positions of political preferment, desir- ing rather to give his undivided time and attention to his business interests, which are carefully and wisely managed.
DAVID K. FELL.
Death often removes from our midst those whom we ean ill afford to lose. and such was the feeling throughout Stark county when David K. Fell was called from this life, for he was regarded as one of the progressive and publie-spirited citizens of the county, having for a long period been one of the active and progressive farmers of Goshen township. Ile was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland, November 22, 1842, and was a youth of ten years when in 1852 he came to the United States, making his way direet to Illinois, at which time he joined friends living in Elmira, Stark county. He made the voyage and journeyed across the country in company with his parents and the family home was established in the Seotch settlement. There D. K. Fell was reared to manhood upon the home farm, having the usual experiences of the farm-bred boy who early began his work in the field. His school privileges were quite limited and he was largely a self-educated as well as self-made man, but in the course of years he became well read and developed excellent business ability. In early manhood he took up farm work as a livelihood, being employed by the month, but he was ambitious to engage in business on his own account and utilized every opportunity that led to advancement.
On the 9th of August, 1867, Mr. Fell was united in marriage to Miss Helen Jackson, also a native of Scotland, whence she was brought to the new world when but four years of age. Her father,
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Thomas Jackson, was born and reared in the land of hills and heather, as was his wife, Mrs. Isabella Jackson. On bidding adieu to friends and native country they sailed for the new world and became members of the Scotch settlement at Ehnira, Stark county, where their daugh- ter spent her girlhood days.
Following his marriage Mr. Fell settled upon a farm in Goshen township, beginning the improvement of one hundred acres of land near Toulon. His persistent and energetic efforts soon wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of his place, and he con- tinned his farm work with excellent success, adding to his property from time to time as his financial resources increased until he was the owner of four hundred acres all in one hody but divided into two farms with two sets of buildings thereon, including residences, barns and all the necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain, stock and farm machinery. In addition to tilling the soil he devoted considerable time to buying and shipping stock and built up a business of considerable proportions. Year by year his success increased and he was regarded as one of the foremost agriculturists of his community until 1900. when he left the farm and removed to Toulon. Here he became one of the organizers of the State Bank and was made vice president of that institution. He also assisted in the organization of the Kewanee State Bank and remained as its viee president, as well as vice presi- dent of the Toulon bank, until his death, which occurred October 4, 1913. Upon removing to the city he purchased a lot and ereeted there- on a commodious and attractive residence built in modern style of architecture, thus providing a most attractive home for his family.
To Mr. and Mrs. Fell were born seven children: Adam, who is now a traveling salesman residing in Peoria: Thomas and William, who are upon the Fell farm: Shubeal, who is engaged in business at Toulon; Jennet, the wife of Henry Burns, a resident farmer of Adams county, Illinois: Elizabeth, the wife of James Beadleman ; and Mary, the wife of Claud Kean, a business man of Evanston, Illinois.
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