USA > Illinois > Stark County > History of Stark County, Illinois, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 14
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D. K. Fell was a stalwart supporter of the republican party but would never seek or hold offiee. He belonged to Toulon Lodge, I. O. O. F., served through the chairs and became a past grand, while both he and his wife were connected with the Rebekah degree and Mrs. Fell is also a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. She belongs to the Congregational church, of which Mr. Fell was an active member and a generous supporter. He also gave liberally to benevolent proj- eets and was at all times a publie-spirited citizen, cooperating heartily and earnestly in every movement that promoted the benefit of the community. For some years prior to his death he was in ill health
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and traveled quite extensively in various parts of the country. He visited Hot Springs, Arkansas, a number of times and with his wife visited Denver and other parts of Colorado, also Washington, D. C., and different points in the east. His travels added largely to his knowledge, for he possessed an observing eye and retentive memory. Ile never regarded lightly the obligations and duties of life and he was one who derived much joy from the companionship of family and friends. His death therefore was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret when he was called away. He left behind him a memory which is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him and his life record should largely serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing that success and an honored name may be won sinmltaneously.
H. P. HOPKINS.
H. P. Hopkins, who has been engaged in the lumber business in Bradford since 1884, is now vice president of the E. W. Houghton Lumber Company, which owns eight yards in this and adjoining counties. His birth occurred in Allegany county, New York, on the 25th of July, 1841, and his parents, Ezra M. and Fanny (Stacy) Hopkins, were natives of Rochester, Vermont, where they were reared and married. Subsequently a removal was made to Allegany county, New York, and there the father devoted his time to farming and dairying interests until 1866, when he came west with his family. He passed away three years later when he had reached the age of sixty- six years and his demise was regretted by those who had come in close contact with him, for he was a man of sterling worth. For twenty- two years he served as justice of the peace in New York. and he was a lifelong member and for many years a deacon in the Presbyterian (burch. His wife, who was also an active church worker, passed away when sixty-five years old.
H. P. Hopkins is the sixth in order of birth in a family of seven children. He has one sister living, Mrs. Fannie Thompson, a resi- dent of Buda, Illinois. He grew to manhood in New York and after attending the common schools beeame a student in the Rushford Academy. In 1863 he came to Illinois and was here connected with the map business, but trade being dull, he turned his attention to other work, teaching during the winter months in Milo township. The following spring and summer he was employed in delivering a state
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map of Illinois and the next year he began farming in Milo township. In the fall he resumed teaching and continued to follow that profes- sion until 1870. The summers, however, were devoted to farming in Milo township, but at length he decided that other pursuits would be more congenial and in 1870 he removed to Bradford and became a member of the firm of White & Hopkins, proprietors of a drug store. Later he also engaged in the elothing business, retaining, however, his interest in the drug store, which was managed by his partner, Mr. White. In February, 1884, Mr. Hopkins became associated with the E. W. Houghton Lumber Company, which was incorporated not long afterward, and he was made manager of the yards at Bradford. IIe has since remained with the company and in 1904 was made viee president. Following the death of Mr. Houghton, in 1912, he acted as president until January, 1913, when W. O. Houghton was elected president, sinee which time Mr. Hopkins has confined his attention to his duties as vice president. He understands the various phases of the business thoroughly, keeps in elose touch with the trade and has had much to do with the growth and success of the concern. The com- pany owned a half interest in both elevators at Bradford for several years and shipped a large amount of grain annually. Their home office is in Bradford and in addition to their yard there they own yards at Galva. Altona, Wyoming. Wyanette, Lamoille, Van Orin and Vie- toria, while they formerly also had a yard at Princeton but sold that to L. R. Davis and Ezra W. Hopkins, a son of our subject.
Mr. Hopkins was married in 1869 at Rushford, New York, to Miss Viola W. White, a daughter of Washington White and a native of Rushford. To this union have been born three children: Ezra W., who is a member of the firm of Hopkins & Davis, owners of the Princeton lumber yard : Carrie May, who died when seventeen years of age: and Harla, who is manager of the lumber yard at Bradford and is also engaged in farming and dairying.
Mrs. Hopkins is a well educated woman, having attended the schools of Rushford and Clinton Seminary, and for two years was a teacher in Rushford Academy. While her husband was postmaster of Bradford she was his able assistant. She has taken an active part in the work of a number of organizations, having served as president of the Woman's Relief Corps of Bradford and as worthy matron of the local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, and having been an active worker in the Baptist church and Sunday school.
Mr. Hopkins has given his politieal support to the republican party sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise and during the last year of President Harrison's administration he was appointed
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postmaster, an office which he capably filled for four years. He was also president of the town board for several years and has likewise served as township trustee. The confidence which the public has placed in him has always been justified, as he has considered public office a publie trust and has discharged his duties with a conscientious regard for the public welfare. He is now supervisor of his township. He belongs to Bradford Lodge, No. 514, A. F. & A. M .; and Wyo- ming Chapter, No. 133. R. A. M. He is one of the leading business men of Bradford and also one of its most popular citizens, as his attractive personal qualities and his proved integrity have gained him the warm regard of all who have been closely associated with him. He has passed his seventy-fifth birthday and is yet keen of mind and vigorous of body and retains also the spirit and courage of youth.
LEVI FULKS.
Illinois is the center of the great farming industry of the country and Stark county is one of the rich agricultural districts of the state. Throughout his entire life Levi Fulks has been identified with the work of tilling the soil, which George Washington said "is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man." He lives on section 16, Osceola township, and it was upon this section that he was born March 9, 1867, his parents being Levi and Rachel ( Medaris) Fulks, who were natives of Ohio, in which state they were reared and married. On removing westward they settled in Illinois in the fall of 1850, establishing their home in Osceola township. Afterward they lived for two years at Boyd's Grove and then settled on section 16, Osceola township, where their remaining days were passed. The father reached the notable old age of ninety years, his birth having occurred on the 12th of October, 1824, while he passed away on the 16th of June, 1915. His wife died November 3, 1899, and both were laid to rest in the Osceola Grove cemetery.
Levi Fulks prepared for life's practical duties as a common school pupil and lived at home through the period of his boyhood and youth. In fact he has always remained upon the old homestead. His father has acquired several hundred acres of land and the labors of Levi Fulks were needed in the further development, cultivation and im- provement of the farm. He has always carried on the work of general farming and today owns and cultivates an excellent tract of land of eighty acres.
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In 1898 Mr. Fulks was united in marriage to Miss Florence Hall, and they have become the parents of two children. Nora Maybel and Myra Fern. Mrs. Fulks was born in Osceola township. a daughter of John and Mary C. (Grife) Hall. Her father was born at Broad- bottom. England, and in 1855 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, after which he made his way at once into the interior of the country, settling in Osceola township, Stark county. He was then a youth of sixteen years and he began work as a farm hand. being thus employed until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when in response to the call of his adopted country for aid he enlisted in 1862 as a member of the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years. His army experience, with all of its hardships and privations, largely undermined his health and he never recovered his normal condition. At the close of the war he returned home and was married in 1870. Ile afterward lived in Osceola town- ship until about twenty-one years ago, when he removed to south- western Missouri. where he passed away in 1896, while his wife died in 1897. Their daughter, Mrs. Fulks, was educated in the common schools of Osceola township and in the State Normal School at Nor- mal, Illinois, after which she took up the profession of school teach- ing, which she followed in Illinois and Missouri for ten years.
Mr. Fulks is a member of the Modern Woodmen of American and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. Both he and his wife are widely known in this county and have a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance, for their many good qualities have won for them warm regard.
THOMAS J. KIDD.
Thomas J. Kidd is the proprietor of the Riverview Farm, a well improved property in Elmira township. He was born in that town- ship. November 7, 1871, and is a brother of Joseph Kidd. mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was educated in the Grove school and remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he secured employment as a farm hand, devoting three years to that work. He then returned home and again aided in the cultivation of that place up to the time of his marriage, when he removed to his present farm on section 22. Elmira township. Here he built a small house, but in the intervening period he has made many changes in the appearance of the place by reason of the excellent improvements which he has
JAMES KIDD
MIR. AND MRS. THOMAS J. KIDD
L'OPARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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put upon it. He today owns two hundred acres of rich and produc- tive land, and the Riverview Farm is one of the fine properties of the locality. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and annually gathers substantial harvests.
On the 24th of November, 1897, Mr. Kidd was united in marriage to Miss Mary McLennan, and they have become the parents of four children: John Everett, who died at the age of nine weeks; Sarah Sophia, at home: James William, who died when three years old: and Leah Mae, at home. Mr. Kidd has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America but concentrates his attention and energies almost entirely upon his business affairs and through his elose appli- eation and industry has won a gratifying measure of snecess.
HENRY COLWELL.
Henry Colwell, who became one of the pioneer settlers of Essex township, Stark county, where he engaged in farming for many years, was born in Ross county, Ohio, on the 20th of April, 1813, and almost reached the age of eighty-seven years, dying on the 4th of March, 1900. It was in the fall of 1836 that he and his brother, Presley Colwell, and their wives came to Illinois from the Buckeye state and settled in what is now Essex township, Stark county, though then a part of Putnam county. The following year their father, Thomas Colwell, and the rest of their brothers and sisters came from their home in Ohio and settled in the vicinity. Henry and Presley Colwell lived the first winter in a log cabin on section 15, Essex township, on land now owned by William Cornell, near the place where the first settlement was made in Stark county by Isaae B. Essex in 1829 and near where the first school was built in Stark county in 1834. In 1837 Presley Colwell moved to section 21, Essex township, where he had bought land and where he lived until the fall of 1868, when he sold out and removed to Nodaway county, Missouri. He died at his home there a few years later.
In the fall of 1838 Henry Colwell removed to a farm which he had bought on section 30, Essex township, where he lived for a number of years, or until he traded farms with John Martindale. whereby he became the owner of the southwest quarter of section 29. Essex township. The farm is known as the old Henry Colwell home- stead and it is still owned by Henry Colwell's heirs. He was elosely connected with the growth and development of Stark county.
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He very early knew the need of education. Besides being greatly interested in the common schools of his township, with a number of others he contributed liberally to the building of Lombard University at Galesburg. Illinois. The Colwell family still hold a scholarship in that institution as a recompense for the money contributed by Mr. Colwell. His son George was one of the first enrolled as a student in the university. Henry Colwell had a very large acquaintance throughout the surrounding country, as he was one of the first auction- eers in Stark county and the only one for many miles around. He was one of the foremost farmers. He with others organized the Stark County Agricultural Society in 1853, which held successful fairs at Toulon for more than thirty years, doing much good in the advancement of agriculture in the county. He filled the office of presi- dent of the society for many years with credit to himself and benefit to the society. He also held several offices in the township and credit- ably performed his duties. He was supervisor of Essex township at the time the railroad was built in Stark county.
Mr. Colwell was one of those early pioneers who had the experience of hauling grain to the Chicago market and it was almost impossible to get any money for their produce. They could only trade it for the actual needs of life. such as sugar, salt, sole leather. ete. Mr. Col- well was one of the leading stockmen of Stark county for a great many years, buying, selling and shipping stock of all kinds. Before the railroads came to Stark county he would buy stock, which he would drive to Kewanee or to Chillicothe and ship from there to Chi- cago. Like many of the pioneers he was able to meet disappointments and do all in his power to overcome them. He met with many mis- fortunes. the greatest of which was no doubt the death of his first wife, who passed away in 1847. at the age of thirty-three years, leav- ing him with six small children for whom to care. She was in her maidenhood Elizabeth Dawson and resided in Hocking county, Ohio. Afterward Mr. Colwell married Clarinda Eby, who died in 1880 at the age of fifty-one years. To them were born thirteen children. Of his large family of nineteen children all lived to manhood and woman- hood except one who died in infancy, but several are now deceased. Those living are: Mrs. Mary Nicholson, a resident of Oshorn. Mis- souri: Mrs. John McGregor, of Grand Junction, Iowa: Mrs. E. A. Trimmer, of Perry. that state: Marvin M .: Mrs. M. B. Trickle. Lillie and Ollie. all of Toulon: David. of West Jersey: P. B., of Wyoming; and Jennie, residing in Peoria.
It is interesting to note the intermarriages of this with other early families of the south part of Stark county and of adjoining counties.
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Two of the sons, George and Miles, married Sarah and Amanda Barr, of Essex township. John married Almira Fast, of Essex township. Marvin married Mary Kendig, of Naperville, Illinois. David first married Addie De Lent, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and his second union was with Maggie Dryden, of West Jersey. P. B. wedded Cecilia Burns, of Princeville, and Douglas married Maggie Selby, of Princeville. Two of the daughters, Aleinda and Mary, married Jacob and Thomas Nicholas, respectively, of Essex township. Martha married John MeGregor, of Monica. Anna married E. A. Trimmer, of Essex township. Sarah wedded M. B. Trickle, also of Essex township.
CHARLES S. MCKEE.
For years Charles S. McKee was identified with mercantile inter- ests of Tonlon and at all times his business methods measured up to the highest commercial standards, but in 1916 he sold his store. He was born in Ohio, May 2. 1864, a son of Robert McKee, who in 1865 removed to Illinois, settling on a farm near Galva. It was upon the old homestead property in Henry county that Charles S. McKee was reared, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the Galva schools and in early manhood began elerking in a dry goods store, being there employed for several years, during which time he gained thorough and practical knowledge of mercantile methods, thus laying the foundation for his later success.
In November, 1888, Mr. McKee was married in Toulon to Miss Mary E. Hall. the only daughter of Dr. Hall, a native of this city and a son of Dr. Hall, Sr., who was one of the pioneer physicians not only of Stark county, but of central Illinois as well. Mrs. McKee's aunt was the first white child born in this section of the state.
In 1889 Mr. McKee located in Toulon and for twelve years engaged in clerking here. He afterward established a new dry goods store on the south side of Main street, where he carried on business for three years. He afterward bought out a competitor on the north side of the street and removed his stock to that store and carried on business there until he sold out in 1916. He had a large double store, well lighted, and he carried an attractive line of merchandise attractively displayed. His stock included dry goods, clothing, boots
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and shoes and groceries. He knew how to purchase advantageously and his prices were always reasonable, while his business methods were thoroughly reliable. He won a most creditable position among the leading merchants of the city and all who know him recognize that he deserves the success that has come to him.
To Mr. and Mrs. McKee have been born six children: Emily Irene, the wife of Roland Forman, a farmer of MeLean county, Illinois, by whom she has a son, Roland Forman, Jr .: Eleanor. Ruth. Lucile and Rachel, all at home: and a daughter, Lucy, who died at the age of eleven years.
With Mr. McKee family interests are always first but he does not neglect the duties of citizenship, and while he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, he has responded to the demand of his fellow townsmen that he assume some of the public duties and responsibilities. He has several times been a member of the town council, was also city clerk for several years and for twenty-three vears he has served as chief of the fire department, which is a volunteer service, the department numbering twenty-eight active young men. While some disastrous fires have occurred here, they have been very successful in fighting the flames, few buildings having been entirely destroyed. Mr. McKee certainly deserved much credit for his work in this connection and many other evidences of his public spirit could be cited, showing that he has the best interests of the community at heart and is most unselfish in his devotion to the general good. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has passed through all of the chairs in Toulon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he is now a past master. He and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star chap- ter, and he belongs also to Wyoming Chapter. R. A. M., and to Kewanee Commandery, No. 71. K. T. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church of Toulon and Mrs. McKee is connected with the auxiliary societies of the church. They stand for all that is most worth while in community life and cast their influence on the side of right, progress and improvement.
C. W. BOCOCK.
From his fellow citizens there have come to C. W. Bocock. of Toulon, many evidences of their confidence and trust in him, for on various occasions he has been elected to public office, while into his hands have been placed some public trusts. He was born in Fulton
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county, Illinois, May 2, 1859, a son of Cyrus Bocock, of Bradford, who is one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Stark county. It was in this county that C. W. Bocock was reared and at the usual age he became a public school pupil. He afterward attended the Wyoming high school and later he was employed upon his father's farm and in his father's store, continuing with him until he had reached the age of twenty-two years. Parental eare and training qualified him for life's practical duties and instilled into his mind many of those principles which have guided him in his later relations.
Mr. Bocock was married in Wyoming, March 5, 1882, to Miss Anna L. Markland, who was born in Ohio but was reared in Stark county, a daughter of John Markland, who died during her child- hood. Following their marriage Mr. Boeoek and his bride established their home upon a farm in Marshall county, bordering the Stark county line. In fact portions of this farm extended into the two counties, although the residence and other buildings were in Marshall county. There Mr. Boeock carried on general agricultural pursuits for eight years and during the period of his residence in Stark county he was elected and served for six years as road connnissioner and as assessor for one year, while for two years he was township collector in Marshall county. From Marshall county he returned to the old home farm in Penn township and there he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits for sixteen years, bringing the land under a high state of cultivation and adding materially to its value and productiveness. While living upon the farm he was elected supervisor and served for one term, after which he was reelected. In 1906 he received the nomination of the republican party for treasurer of Stark county and was elected to that office. In 1907 he removed to Toulon and entered upon the duties of his position in December of that year, continuing as the ineumbent in the office for four years. His broad business experience and his public spirit well qualified him for the discharge of his duties and he made a most ereditable record. Following his retirement from the position of county treasurer he served for four years as elerk of review. He is now secretary of the Elmira and Stark County Mutual Insurance Company and writes the policies and adjusts some of the fire losses and damages.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bocock have been born two children: Nettie, the wife of Clarence E. Seholes, now of Henry, Marshall county, where he is bookkeeper in the National Bank; and Louva N., who is a student in the township high school of Toulon.
Mr. Boeoek has purchased residence property in Toulon which his family now occupies and there he is most comfortably situated. He
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belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge of Toulon, in which he has filled all of the chairs and is a past grand, and he has represented the local organization in the grand lodge of the state on several occasions. He is likewise connected with the Rebekah degree and he has membership with the Modern Woodmen and the Fraternal Insurance Association. A spirit of progressiveness actuates him in all that he does, whether in the control of his private business interests or in the management of public affairs. He has ever recognized the fact that there is no such thing as standing still, that one must either advance or retrograde, and progression therefore became his watchword. He has done to the best of his ability whatever he has undertaken and on all occasions has manifested those sterling traits of heart and mind which in every land and every clime awaken confidence and goodwill.
WALTER F. YOUNG.
Well known and popular in Toulon is the circuit clerk and recorder of Stark county, Walter F. Young, who has practically spent his entire life in this county, arriving here when a lad of three years. He was born in Allamakee county, lowa, near Waukon, August 23, 1859. Ilis father, B. F. Young, was a native of Maine and after he reached adult age was married there to Miss Sarah Gould, who was also born in the Pine Tree state. Mr. Young was a wheelwright by trade and carried on that business in Maine for some years after his marriage. During that period two children, a son and daughter, were born to himself and wife. In the year 1855 Mr. Young removed with his family to the middle west, settling in Allamakee county, lowa, upon a farm near Waukon, where he continued to make his home for seven years. In 1862 he brought his family to Toulon and here established business as a contractor and builder. He possessed natural mechanical skill and ingenuity and invented and patented the first riding cul- tivator which is now in universal use. He spent his last years in Tou- lon, passing away in 1868. His widow still survives him and is today a well preserved woman of eighty-six years.
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