USA > Illinois > Stark County > History of Stark County, Illinois, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 16
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Rollin E. Wheeler was a resident of the Empire state until he
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reached the age of twenty-six years, when in 1906 he determined to try his fortune in the west and made his way to Toulon, where he assumed the management of a hardware business owned by W. W. Wheeler. He was unacquainted with the trade but soon became familiar with the business and he also won popularity among the people. Under his guidance the enterprise proved profitable, and feeling that he could win success in that line, R. E. Wheeler in 1908 purchased the business and also bought the hardware store of Davis & Fell. He admitted C. D. Fowler to a partnership and they con- ducted their interests together for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Wheeler bought Mr. Fowler's interest and became sole pro- prietor but soon afterward took J. P. Williams into partnership, that relation being maintained until the death of Mr. Williams in Novem- ber, 1914. Mr. Wheeler has since been 'alone in the ownership and conduct of the store. He carries a large stock of shelf and heavy hard- ware and in addition to retailing goods of that character he conducts a plumbing business, installs furnaces, handles gasoline engines, also installs electric light plants and is engaged in selling automobiles, largely handling the Chalmers car since 1909. This is a fine, well built, serviceable car, popular in Toulon. The various branches of his business are proving a source of success to Mr. Wheeler, who is a very energetic man, placing his dependence upon industry, close application and honorable dealing.
On the 2d of October, 1912, Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Williams, a daughter of J. P. Williams, of Toulon, now deceased. IIe erected an attractive modern residence on West Main street and he also purehased and still owns a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in the Red River valley of North Dakota, all under cultivation. His activities are reaching out along many lines, and it is characteristic of him that he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
MRS. HARRIET E. WINANS.
Mrs. Harriet E. Winans is the widow of W. H. Winans and a representative of one of the old families of Stark county. It was in the year 1872 that the Winans home was established in Goshen town- ship. W. H. Winans was born in New Jersey, January 20, 1853, and was a son of J. H. Winans, also a native of the same state. After spending the days of his boyhood and youth in New Jersey, during
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which period he obtained a public school education, W. H. Winans was married there on the 10th of May, 1871, to Miss Harriet E. Clemens, who was born and educated in the city of Newark. New Jersey.
At length the Winans family determined to try their fortunes in the middle west and J. H. Winans and family, together with Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Winans, came to Illinois, establishing their home in Stark county. They purchased an improved farm of two hundred and forty acres in Goshen township, near La Fayette. in 1872, and settling upon that property. J. H. Winans and son in partnership began its further development and improvement. Their labors were both practical and progressive and resulted in the production of sub- stantial erops. They also gave considerable attention to raising and selling pure-blooded stock, making a specialty of Hereford cattle. and they became well-known breeders and dealers in pure-blooded Herefords. Their business affairs were ever carefully and wisely managed and a spirit of energy and determination actuated them at every point in their business career.
Whatever W. II. Winans undertook be accomplished. allowing no obstacles to bar his path that could be overcome by persistent and honorable effort. He continued to carry on the farm for a number of years. after which he removed to Toulon. where he purchased a residence and then lived retired. His rest had been well earned and be merited the enjoyment that came to him in his later years. IIe passed away in Toulon in June. 1902. when in the prime of life. being then but forty-nine years of age. He was a loyal member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Toulon and also a helpful and consistent mem- her of the Baptist church. In fact his life was an expression of Christian manhood characterized by a recognition of the rights of others and his obligations to his fellowmen.
To Mr. and Mrs. Winans were born six sous and three daughters. Henry C .. who is married and has a family of five children. is now a resident farmer of Goshen township, living on the old homestead. Lida II. is the wife of Frank Price and has a family of three children. Robert S. makes his home in Galva, Iowa. Emma C. is the wife of J. W. Rist. a farmer living near Burt. Iowa, and they have two children. Clifford W .. who carries on general farming at Elkton. South Dakota. is married and has two children. John D .. a farmer of Essex township. Stark county. is married and has one child. Bessie D. is at home. Leslie H. is now a junior in Denison University at Gran- ville. Ohio. and Elbar J .. a young man at home. completes the family.
Mrs. Winans is a lady of excellent business ability, capably man-
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aging her interests and investments. Since the death of her husband she has purchased a lot on South Ilenderson street in Toulon and thereon has erected an attractive residence built in modern style of architecture and tastefully furnished. She is one of the active work- ers and earnest members of the Baptist church, and all who know her esteem her for her kindly spirit and her many good deeds. For forty- five years she has now lived in Stark county and is therefore familiar with many of the events which have figured most prominently in shaping the history of this part of the state.
BARDWELL D. PHENIX.
Bardwell D. Phenix, of Bradford, who has aceumulated con- siderable wealth through hard work, thrift and wise investment, is connected with banking eireles of the county as a member of the Phenix Banking Company of Bradford and is also a prominent farmer and breeder of Guernsey cattle. His birth occurred in Penn township, Stark county, on the 27th of March, 1863, and he is a son of Daniel B. Phenix, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He passed the days of his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and received his edueation in the district schools. As soon as old enough he began helping with the farm work and assisted his father until he was twenty-five years of age, when, in partnership with his cousin, Osear Phenix, he came to Bradford and established a store here.
After being connected with its management for six years Bard- well D. Phenix sold out his interest therein and in 1895, when the Phenix Banking Company of Bradford was formed, he entered the bank as assistant eashier. He also had charge of his father's exten- sive interests and had the management of the large tracts of land owned by the bank. He and his cousin, Daniel J. Phenix, have since directed the poliey of the institution and have been very successful in its management, securing a large and representative patronage. He has large landholdings, owning four hundred and fifty acres in Stark county and having a half interest in the following traets: two hundred and eighty aeres in this eounty, one hundred and sixty aeres in Kan- sas, seven hundred aeres in Iowa, and three thousand aeres in Missis- sippi, Illinois and Minnesota, all of which is rented to good advan- tage. He is also well known as a breeder of Guernsey eattle and has imported from the Island of Guernsey as the nucleus of his herd
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a pure blooded bull, Governor of the Bells, and four pure blooded cows. Ile now has about twenty head of as fine cattle as are to be found in this state. He was also among the first to raise Cornish Indian Game chickens and took a number of premiums on his fowls at fairs in Chicago and Peoria.
Mr. Phenix was married on the 21st of December, 1887, to Miss Anna V. Downing, a native of this county. Her parents were Nathan and Hannah Downing, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Germany. They were numbered among the early settlers of Penn township, Stark county. Mrs. Phenix died from the effects of a surgi- cal operation at a Chicago hospital June 18, 1911, and was laid to rest in the Bradford cemetery. In 1913 Mr. Phenix was again married, his second union being with Miss Gale J. Seipt, of Peoria, a daughter of Charles and Anna Seipt.
Mr. Phenix is a stalwart republican in politics, but has never desired office. His beautiful residence in Bradford is thronghly modern and is the finest home in the town. His marked success in all that he has undertaken is the direct result of his enterprise and good judgment and all who have come in contaet with him acknowledge his ability. He is quiet and unassuming but those who are admitted to his close friendship recognize his many fine qualities and hold him in the highest esteem.
WILLIAM L. HULSIZER.
More than a half century has come and gone sinee William L. Hulsizer became a resident of Stark county. He arrived here when a lad of twelve years and for a long period has been known as one of Toulon's valued and public-spirited citizens. He can give an accurate account of many events that have shaped the history of the county, having witnessed the greater part of its growth and up- building.
His birth occurred in Oxford, Warren county, New Jersey, De- cember 3, 1846, his father being Abner Hulsizer, also a native of New Jersey, in which state he was reared and learned the blacksmith's trade. He and his brother, James Hulsizer, in early manhood drove with horse and buggy across the country to Illinois, after which the brother traded the horse and buggy for land in West Jersey. Abner IIul- sizer made the return trip to New Jersey by stage when he found opportunity to travel in that way but covered much of the distance
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on foot. He worked at his trade at various places on the return trip and afterward conducted a blacksmith shop at Oxford for a number of years. He was married there to Miss Mary Ellen Correll, who was born in Pennsylvania but was reared in New Jersey. In 1853 they left the east for Illinois, traveling by train and by lake, with Stark county as their destination. They settled in West Jersey township, where Mr. Ilulsizer purchased land at three dollars and a quarter per aere near the village of West Jersey. He afterward built a shop in the town and there carried on business, at the same time devoting every available opportunity to the work of opening up and improv- ing his farm, whereon he reared his family and made his home for a number of years. Ile afterward disposed of that property and came to Toulon, where he spent his last years in honorabe retirement from business, his death occurring December 19, 1898. His wife survived him for a few years and throughout the period of their residenec in this locality they were numbered among the valued, worthy and re- spected eitizens.
William L. Hulsizer, arriving in Stark county when a lad of six years, was here reared on the old homestead farm and in his youthful days attended the district sehools. He is, however, largely a self- educated as well as self-made man and from experienee has learned many valuable life lessons. Ile remained upon the farm with his father until he attained his majority and then made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage on the 23d of December, 1868. to Miss Luzetta C. Swank, who was born and reared in Stark county and is a daughter of Henry Swank, who came from Pennsyl- vania and died during the early girlhood of his daughter, Mrs. Ilul- sizer. Her mother had passed away during the infancy of the daughter, so that she was thus early left an orphan.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hulsizer was celebrated in Toulon and they began their domestie life on a farm. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Goshen township and there for a long period he was actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits, his industry and capable management resulting in the annual harvesting of large erops. He likewise engaged in raising and feeding hogs and cattle and this constituted an important branch of his business. He built a good residence on the farm, also erected substantial barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain, stoek and farm machinery and his place became one of the neat and well improved properties of his township. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil until 1896 and then removed to Toulon, where he erected a very pleasant and attrae- tive home. Although residing in the city, he still looks after his farm
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and is also engaged to some extent in the real estate business, handling Illinois farm lands and eity property.
In 1903 Mr. and Mrs. Hulsizer started on a trip abroad. They visited the Madeira Islands, Spain, Portugal. Algiers, Greece. Pales- tine, Egypt and other points along the Mediterranean, and returning to the European continent, visited Switzerland and England, having a most enjoyable trip in foreign lands. They also traveled westward through the Pacific coast states and have visited Mexico. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hulsizer are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Toulon, in which he is serving on the official board. He is very much interested in both church and Sunday sehool work and for twenty years served as Sunday school superintendent, filling that position for eight years in Toulon. He is a most publie-spirited and progres- sive citizen and is a leader in many of the publie enterprises which are of value and worth to the city. He was largely instrumental in estab- lishing the Chautauqua and seeuring prominent and well known lee- turers. speakers and entertainers, making the Chautauqua one of the attractive features in the educational and social life of the eity. IIe stands loyally at all times for those things which are matters of eivie virtue and civic pride and labors just as earnestly to advance the gen- eral welfare as he has done to promote his individual success along the legitimate lines of business. His prosperity is well deserved and the most envious eannot grudge him his prosperity, so honorably has it been won and so worthily used. There are those who regard publie affairs as matters of no eoneern to them, but Mr. Hulsizer has always recognized the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of life and fully meets every obligation as it comes.
EDWIN HARTLEY.
Edwin Hartley, who is living in Wyoming. still supervises the operation of his valuable farms in the county. from which he receives a gratifying income. He was born in Essex township, this county, on the 13th of June. 1857. a son of James Hartley. a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Edwin Hartley was reared upon the home farm and attended the distriet schools and the schools at Wyoming in the acquirement of an edueation. Following his father's demise he inherited one hundred aeres of land in Essex township and has sinee added to that traet until he now holds title to one hundred and eighty-three aeres. In addition
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to this place he owns one hundred and thirty acres in Toulon township and three hundred and twenty acres in Potter county, South Dakota. He personally cultivated his land until 1906, when he removed to Wyoming, where he has since lived. He still looks after his agri- cultural interests, giving close attention to the operation of his farms, although the actual work is done by others. He understands all phases of farming, possesses good business ability, which enables him to man- age his affairs well, and the suecess which he has gained is well deserved.
Mr. Hartley was married December 4, 1879, to Miss Mary E. Duckworth, who was born in Stark county and is a daughter of Henry Duckworth. To this union have been born two children: Arthur C., who married Miss Ella Russell and is operating one of his father's farms: and Bertha, who married Lewis Wagner, of Wyoming, and has a danghter, Velda Loraine.
Mr. Hartley indorses the principles of the republican party and supports its candidates at the polls. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife is identified with the Congregational church. He has been a lifelong resident of Stark county and is keenly interested in everything relating to the advance- ment of his community. Through the development of his farm he has gained financial independence, and he has also contributed to the wealth of the county, whose greatest resource is its rich land.
J. W. HOUSE.
J. W. House, living in Osceola, is the owner of valuable farm property in Elmira township, including three hundred and twenty acres lying on section 11. As the years have passed he has made judieions investments in farm property and from his holdings derives a gratifying annual income. A native of New York, Mr. House was born in the town of Memphis, March 9, 1856, a son of James T. and Miranda (Weaver) House, who were also natives of the Empire state. where they remained until 1856. when they removed westward to Illinois, settling in Osceola, Later they established their home three miles east of Osceola and upon that place continued to reside for many years. The mother died in 1894, while the father passed away about 1902, their remains being interred in the Osceola cemetery.
J. W. House is indebted to the distriet school system for the educa- tional privileges which he enjoyed. He remained at home until he
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reached the age of twenty-three years and then removed to Bureau county, Illinois, spending about seven years in farming near Nepon- set. At the end of that time he removed to Osceola township, Stark county, and afterward located in Elmira township, where he resided for seven years. He purchased a residence in Osceola and is now the owner of extensive farm lands, including three hundred and twenty acres on section 11, Elmira township, and two hundred and forty acres elsewhere in Stark county. He likewise owns a traet of land of forty aeres, at Palm Grove, Florida.
In 1880 Mr. House was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Laekie, a sister of R. Y. Lackie, mentioned elsewhere in this work. She was born on the old homestead in this eounty and has beeome the mother of three daughters: Edna, the wife of Herbert Ford, of Elmira township: Mabel, who married Don Traey, of Elmira township: and Lena, at home.
Mr. House and his family are members of the Baptist church and are people of the highest respectability, to whom is extended the hos- pitality of the best homes of the county. He also has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, while both he and his wife are connected with the Royal Neighbors, the latter having been reeorder for the Royal Neighbors since the lodge was started in 1890, save for one year. Mr. House has served as school director and the cause of edueation finds in him a stanch friend. In polities he has ever been an earnest republican sinee age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise, and for nine years he served as assessor of Elmira township. IIe is well known in this part of the state, where he has spent praeti- cally his entire life, and as an enterprising business man, a progressive citizen and a faithful friend he enjoys the warm regard and goodwill of all with whom he has been associated.
SAMUEL HALL.
Samuel Hall, a prominent citizen of Bradford, is an extensive landowner and engages in stoek raising on a large seale. He was born in Oseeola township, two and a half miles northwest of Brad- ford, on the 4th of August. 1860, of the marriage of James and Elizabeth (Howe) Hall, both natives of Derbyshire, England, where they were reared and married. The father worked in a eotton factory until May, 1854, when he eame to the United States, where his family joined him in 1856. Removal was made to Stark county,
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MRS. JAMES HALL
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Illinois, and Mr. Hall worked by the month until he had saved enough money to purchase a team, when he began farming rented land. Later he bought eighty acres of land in Osceola township, paying therefor ten dollars per acre, and, although he had to go into debt to secure this property, it was not long before he was able to clear the farm of all ineumbrances. The place has since remained in the possession of the family and is now owned by his daughter, Mary. He continued to prosper as the years passed and purchased more land from time to time until he held title to one thousand acres in Stark county. He gave his attention chiefly to cattle and hog rais- ing and gave his personal attention to his extensive interests until he reached an advanced age. He then deeded his land to his children and removed to Bradford in 1904, where he lived in honorable retire- ment until his death on the 18th of February, 1915, when eighty-nine years old. He was supervisor of his township and was also called to other local offices, although he was too busy with his business affairs to take a very active part in politics. His wife also reached a good old age, passing away about 1908 in the faith of the Church of England. to which she belonged. To their union were born six children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being: Samuel; Jennie, de- ceased; James, also deceased; and Mary, a resident of Bradford.
Samuel Hall passed his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and received his education through attending the public schools. He continued to assist his father until the latter retired, and then received title to a portion of his father's estate, subsequently increasing his holdings until he now owns eleven hundred and sixty acres of land in this county. He rents part of his land but is engaged in breeding Hereford cattle and in feeding both cattle and hogs extensively, find- ing the stock business very profitable. In addition to his large land- holdings here he and his son own three hundred and twenty acres in North Dakota. IIe has given thorough study to the various problems that enter into the business of stock raising, and his success is not dne to good fortune but to the eare which he has taken to provide his stoek with well balanced rations and the proper shelter and the elose watch which he has kept upon the market. He is progressive, energetic and farsighted. and these qualities go far toward securing prosperity in any field of activity.
Mr. Hall was married on the 7th of March, 1889, to Miss Eliza- beth Hawksworth, who was born in Peoria, Illinois, and is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Elm) Hawksworth. In 1854 her parents removed to the United States from their native Yorkshire, England, and settled in Peoria, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming, Vol. 11-11
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although he had previously been connected with merchandising. Hc passed away a short time after his arrival in this state. but his widow survived for many years, spending her last days with our subject and his wife. She was a member of the Episcopal church and was the mother of seven children. those besides Mrs. Hall being: Helen, the widow of John II. Mendenhall, of Peoria: Mrs. Eliza A. Marden: Esther, who beeame the wife of Amos H. Mendenhall and is now deceased: Mary Jane, who married Finis Faweett, a resident of Ne- braska: Charles, who is farming in Stark county: and John. a farmer of Peoria county. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are the parents of three chil- dren, Joseph Howe, IIelen Hope and Martha Virginia.
Mr. Hall has always given his political support to the republican party but has never been willing to accept office. preferring to devote his entire time to his important business enterprises. His wife and children are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his influence is consistently given to the side of fair dealing and right- eousness. In 1907 he built a beautiful home in Bradford, where he has since resided, but he still gives careful supervision to his stock raising interests. He has been a factor of no little importanee in the development of his eounty along the lines of agriculture and animal husbandry and is justly esteemed for his ability and progressiveness.
W. DAVID FULK.
For sixty-five years W. David Fulk has been a resident of Stark county, witnessing its growth and development from pioneer times to the present and taking an active part in promoting its agricultural interests. He is still busily engaged in farming. his home being on section 16. Osceola township. He represents one of the early families of the county, for his birth occurred in Elmira township. December 29. 1830. His parents were Levi and Rachel ( Medaris) Fulk, who were natives of Ohio, in which state they were reared and married. They arrived in Illinois in the fall of 1850. having journeyed west- ward in a prairie schooner after the primitive manner of travel in those days. The father secured land and with characteristic energy began the development of a new farm, which he converted into rich and productive fields. In 1899 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, while he survived until June. 1915. His political alle- giance was given to the democratie party.
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