USA > Illinois > Stark County > History of Stark County, Illinois, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 18
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husband, and through all of the years of hardship and struggle which they, as well as other pioneer families had to endure, she proved brave, resourceful and hopeful and did well her part in the development of the county. She was also a consistent member of the Methodist church and her life was at all times guided by the highest principles. She was the mother of six children, namely: Daniel B., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Elizabeth, who married Samuel Sturm and died when eighty-seven years of age; Naney, who beeame the wife of Solomon Geer and died when seventy-five years old: Mary C., who married Hiram Drawyer and died at the age of eighty-four years; Abram: and Harmon, also represented elsewhere in this work.
Abram Phenix was but seven years of age when he was brought by his mother to this county, and he remembers vividly the pioneer conditions that prevailed here during his boyhood days. He had prac- tically no educational opportunities as he was compelled to help with the farm work as soon as he was large enough to guide a plow, but he utilized his evenings in private study, reading by the light from the fireplace or from a tallow candle. Hle remembers when much of the land in the county was wild prairie and he himself broke considerable land with an ox team. All of the implements which he used in farming in those days were crude compared with the complicated farm machin- ery of today. The responsibility of the cultivation of the land devolved mainly upon him as his father and older brother, Daniel, devoted their time to the carpenter's trade. After the erops were harvested it was difficult to market them as there were no bridges over the streams and as no railroads had yet been built through the county and it was necessary to make long hauls in order to dispose of the grain raised. There were a number of wolves still left in this locality and the region abounded in game, including deer and wild turkey, and a good hunter never laeked meat for his table.
A year after his marriage Mr. Phenix began farming on his own account. purchasing forty acres of raw land for fifty dollars. Having no money, he paid for his land by splitting rails, and his first residence was a eabin fourteen by sixteen feet in dimensions. He brought his land under cultivation, and the following year bought an adjoining eighty acres, for which he paid eight hundred dollars, the difference in the purchase price indicating the rapid rise in land values. As his capital consisted of only one hundred dollars he was compelled to borrow seven hundred dollars, for which he paid the exorbitant rate of fifteen per eent interest. After breaking his land he sowed it to wheat and in due time harvested a good erop. Subsequently he paid seven hundred and seventy-five dollars for thirty-six aeres adjoining and
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still later bought forty acres for sixteen hundred dollars. As he pros- pered he erected a commodious and substantial house, a large barn and other necessary buildings, and in time his place became one of the best improved in the locality. He engaged in farming and stock rais- ing until 1881. when he rented the farm and removed to Bradford, where he has since made his home. For nineteen years he and his brother Daniel engaged in the threshing business and during that time owned twenty-one different machines. They were well patronized not only in this county but in adjoining counties and derived a good income from that source. Abram Phenix at one time owned the greater part of the land on which Bradford now stands but has since sold it to advantage as town lots. Since coming to Bradford he has erected three residences here. He is one of the substantial men of his county and none begrudges him his prosperity. for it is the direct result of his unremitting industry, economy and sound judgment, and he has not only gained financial independence but has also contributed to the development of the county along agricultural lines.
Mr. Phenix was married in August. 1851, to Miss Esther C. Geer. a native of Connecticut. She was brought by her parents to La Fay- ette. Stark county, Illinois, when but nine years of age and resided here from that time until her demise, which occurred on the 6th of April, 1909. She was a consistent member of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Phenix became the parents of five children: Mary J., who died when about thirty-five years of age: Phoebe Ann: Sarah Melissa : Emma Eliza, who died at the age of twenty-four years: and Rosie Maude.
Mr. Phenix has always been a stanch democrat and has taken an active part in public affairs. He has been honored by election to a number of local offices, having served as street commissioner of Brad- ford for a year. as pathmaster in Penn township for one year and as road commissioner of Osceola township for fifteen years. He was the leading spirit in the organization of school district No. 9. furnished the lumber for the schoolhouse and put up the building and for a number of years served as director. He has always been willing to give of his time and thought and also of his means to the advancement of community interests and his public spirit is recognized by all who know him. When he came here as a child there was only one small house between Peoria and Wyoming, only three small stores in the former place and but two houses in the latter town. He is entitled to high honor as one of the courageous and farsighted pioneers whose work has made possible the present high state of development of the county. and his fellow citizens justly hold him in the highest esteem
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and the warmest regard. Ile has reaped the reward of his labors and has gained a large measure of wealth but he takes greater satisfaction in the knowledge that his success has not been gained as the result of the failure of another, as he has always been strictly honest and upright in all of his dealings. He is now eighty-six years of age and is still active and interested in the affairs of the day.
HENRY DUCKWORTHI.
Henry Duckworth devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and through his well directed industry gained a competence which enabled him to spend his last years in honorable retirement in Wyoming. He was born in Haslingdon, Lancashire, England, on the 9th of July, 1828. He passed his boyhood and youth in his native country and received his education in the common schools. After putting aside his textbooks he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed in England until 1850, when he emigrated to the United States, sailing from Liverpool on the 6th of March in company with his sister, Elizabeth Duekworth, John Wrigley, Samuel Andrews. William Longdon, and Thomas Pearson and sister. They landed in New Orleans and came up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Peoria, arriving there on the 4th of May. Four years later Mr. Duckworth had gained a sufficient start in business to enable him to send for his wife and two children, a son and daughter, who accordingly joined him in this country. The daughter, however, died in the same month that they reached the United States. The family home was main- tained in Peoria county until 1858, when removal was made to Valley township, Stark county, where Mr. Duckworth purchased a farm. He devoted his energies to the operation of that place for thirteen years, and then took up his residenee upon a farm near Wyoming. Ile remained there until he retired from active life and removed to Wyoming, where he built a comfortable home on Galena avenue. He died there on the 7th of April 1904. deeply mourned by his many friends.
Mr. Duckworth was married on the 27th of August, 1848, at Berry Church, England, to Miss Mary Crabtree, who was born in Lanea- shire on the 19th of July, 1828. She passed away in Wyoming on the 10th of December, 1898. To their union were born twelve children, seven of whom are living, namely: Alfred, a resident of Toulon town- ship; Mrs. Jacob Farden. of La Platte, Missouri; Mary E., the wife
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of Edwin Hartley: Mrs. John Eagelston, a resident of Chicago; and Mrs. John Drinnin, William and Mrs. Charles Wrigley, all of whom are living in Wyoming.
Mr. Duckworth supported the republican party at the polls and at all times placed the party welfare above his private interests. This characteristic was manifest in the Civil war, when, in 1864, he enlisted in the Seventh Illinois Volunteer Regiment. with which he remained until the close of hostilities. IIe was well known in Masonic circles, being one of the first members of the Royal Arch Chapter at Wyo- ming and belonging also to the commandery at Peoria. He aided in organizing the Congregational church and could be counted upon to further its work in every way possible. In all the relations of life his conduct measured up to high standards, and he was justly held in great estecm.
THOMAS D. CHURCH.
Thomas D. Church, deceased, was one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Stark county, where he made his home for sixty-six years. He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1836. His father, Norman Church, was also a native of that state and was there reared and married, continuing his residence there until death called him to the home beyond. His widow afterward married a Mr. Kirby and in 1847 they removed westward to Illinois, settling in Goshen township, Stark county.
Thomas D. Church was at that time a lad of about eleven years and upon the home farm in this county the remainder of his youth was passed with the usual experiences that come to the boy who is bred upon the western frontier. On the 31st of December, 1857. he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah White, who was born and reared in Goshen township, a daughter of John White, whose residence here dated from 1834. He had removed to Illinois from Massachusetts and upon his arrival preempted land which was at that time entirely undeveloped and unimproved. He broke the sod, harrowed his fields and put in his crops and in time was gathering good harvests. He also fenced his land. built a dwelling thereon and continued the active work of the farm, being one of the industrious, energetic citizens of the community. Success attended him in his undertaking's and his further investment in property made him in time the owner of a large tract of land. He also bought and sold land and in this way realized
THOMAS D. CHURCH AND FAMILY
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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quite a substantial profit. He was a well known citizen of Stark county up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1852, his wife surviving him for a number of years.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Church located on the old Church homestead. He began farming an eighty-acre tract of land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation, and later he purchased an adjoining eighty acres, becoming in the course of years a prosperous farmer. The tangible evidence of his enterprise and industry was seen in the improvements which he made upon the place. He built a good residence, also substantial barns and sheds and transformed the farm into one of the excellent properties of the township. Thereon he resided until 1904, when he purchased a resi- dence in La Fayette, where he made his home for ten years.
As time went on, the marriage was blessed with eight children: Charles C., who is living in MeIntire, Iowa; Wallace, an active and progressive farmer living on the old home place; Elmer, who is en- gaged in the practice of medicine in Toulon: Mrs. Ed Miner, living in Goshen township; William, who makes his home with his mother in La Fayette: Mrs. A. G. Fell, of Peoria: and two who have passed away.
Mr. Church died in La Fayette, May 12, 1914, at the age of seventy-seven years, and was laid to rest in La Fayette cemetery. He and his wife were members of the Universalist church of La Fay- ette, the church property standing on the same block as their residence. Mr. Church was also a member of the Masonic fraternity and was always loyal to the high teachings and purposes of these two organi- zations. His was a well spent life characterized by loyalty to duty, by reliability in business and by public-spirited citizenship, and as the years went on he won many friends, so that his death was the occa- sion of deep and widespread regret.
G. S. MALLETT.
G. S. Mallett, residing in Bradford. controls important and profit- able business interests as a dealer in grain and coal at Lombardville and at Gravel Hill, where he is operating as the senior partner in the firm of Mallett & Code. His birth occurred in Milo township, Bureau county, Illinois, December 3, 1853, his parents being James F. and Mary L. (Steinhaner) Mallett, both of whom were natives of Provi- dence, Rhode Island. On removing westward the father settled in Vol. II-12
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Bureau county Illinois, in the early '40s, when the work of civilization and improvement had scarcely been begun in this section of the state, which is indicated by the fact that much of the land was still in posses- sion of the government. His father, E. J. Mallett. had pre-empted a claim and James F. Mallett began to develop and improve the prop- erty. E. J. Mallett was a paymaster general of the United States army and afterward took his son, James F., as his assistant and during a considerable period of his early life and again in later years he resided in New York city, where he died.
G. S. Mallett was educated in the schools of Milo township. early becoming familiar with the branches of learning there taught. IIis business training was received upon the home farm, where he remained until 1890, when he came to Bradford and entered the grain and coal business, establishing yards at Lombardville and also at Gravel Hill, conducting his interests under the firm name of Mallet & Code. He has direct charge of the business and his operations are directed by sound judgment and keen discernment which bring excellent results.
Mr. Mallett has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Laura Enos and for his second wife he chose Carrie A. Ebersole. He is a democrat and for some years he filled the office of collector in Milo township but has had little ambition to fill political positions. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church, while his wife belongs to the Methodist church. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge of Bradford, the Modern Woodmen camp and the Fraternal Reserves, while both he and his wife are identified with the Eastern Star chapter at Bradford. Their lives are guided by high and honorable principles, which shape all of their relations with their fel- lowmen. Mr. Mallett has many admirable traits of character, being persistent, energetic and farsighted in business, progressive in citizen- ship. loyal to his friends and devoted to his family.
FRED BROWN. D. D. S.
Dentistry may be said to be unique among the professions in that it demands ability of a threefold character. One must have mechan- ical skill and ingenuity as well as scientific knowledge. combined with the power to manage the financial interests of the business. Lacking in none of these particulars, Dr. Fred Brown has become well estab- lished in his profession during the eight years in which he has engaged
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in praetiee in Toulon. He was born in Mendota, Illinois, January 7. 1884, and was reared in his native county, pursuing his education in the public schools until he left the high school and became a college student. ITis professional training was received in the Northwestern University Dental School, from which he was graduated in 1908 as a member of a elass of one hundred and forty-two, of which there were one hundred and thirty-eight male and four female members. After completing his studies in the university. Dr. Brown located in Toulon, where he opened an office and entered upon the active work of the profession. His office is well equipped with the latest improved dental appliances and he has secured a satisfactory practice.
On the 24th of December. 1908, Dr. Brown was married at Rock Falls, Illinois, to Miss Arley Elaine Reck, a daughter of J. P. W. Reck, of that place. Dr. and Mrs. Brown have a son, Frederick Keith. The parents are members of the Congregational church. Dr. Brown belongs to the Toulon Masonic lodge, and is also a member of Wyoming Chapter, R. A. M., and Kewanee Commandery, K. T. He is now serving as eity treasurer. Ile and his wife oeeupy a pleas- ant home on the boulevard. During the years of their residence in Toulon they have gained many friends and enjoy the esteem of all who know them.
EDWIN TURNBULL.
A student of history eannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Stark county without learning of the close connection of the Turnbull family with the records of this part of the state, for from pioneer times to the present representatives of the name have been closely associated with the agricultural development and progress which have brought Stark and ad joining counties to their present con- dition of development and prosperity. Edwin Turnbull, now success- fully engaged in general farming on section 6, Elmira township. was born upon this place, January 30, 1873, his parents being William and Catherine (McClenan) Turnbull, hoth of whom were natives of Scotland. The father, when but ten years of age, came to the United States with his father. He had begun his education in the schools of Seotland and some time after coming to the new world he began farm- ing in Elmira township, Stark county, Illinois, establishing his home on seetion 16. where he continued to reside until ealled to his final rest in March, 1900. His entire life was devoted to general agricultural
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pursuits, and he was regarded as one of the worthy and highly respected farmers of his loeality. His widow survived him until 1906 and was laid by his side in the Elmira cemetery.
Edwin Turnbull was educated in the schools of Elmira and in the academy at Toulon, while his praetieal training along business lines was received under the direction of his father upon the home farm. HIe learned every phase of farm work and was thus able to assume the management of the home place, which he is carefully and systematie- ally cultivating. In this undertaking he is associated with his brother David. and together with their sister Mary they are owners of four hundred aeres, constituting one of the valuable and attractive farnis of Elmira township. They carry on general farming and also engage quite extensively in feeding stoek. They have put many of the improvements upon the farm and utilize the best machinery to facili- tate the work of the fields and eare for the harvests. The brother David was also born upon this place, and both brothers are regarded as representative agriculturists and enterprising young business men of the county.
Edwin Turnbull is a member of the United Presbyterian ehureh. and his life is guided by its teachings. His politieal support is unfal- teringly given to the republican party and for one term his brother David served as eounty supervisor, making an excellent record in the office. Having always lived in this distriet they are widely known. and the substantial traits of character which they have displayed have won for them enviable positions in the regard of their fellow eitizens.
A. R. GRIEVE.
A. R. Grieve belongs to one of the old families of Stark county and was born on the farm on which he now resides. his natal day being July 25, 1890. His parents were William and Esther (Oliver) Grieve, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work, being now resi- dents of Elmira township.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof. A. R. Grieve attended the common schools of Elmira township, where he acquainted himself with those branches of learning that are regarded as indis- pensable factors in preparation for life's practical duties and responsi- bilities. He worked in the fields during the vacation periods and has always remained upon the home farm, being now engaged in the further cultivation of three hundred and fifty acres of land, from
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which he annually gathers good harvests of corn, wheat and other cereals. He also feeds some stock.
On the 12th of January, 1916, Mr. Grieve was married to Miss Pauline Hall, a daughter of M. C. Hall of Toulon township. They are both people of genuine personal worth, holding membership in the Presbyterian church of Elmira and enjoying the confidence, goodwill and high regard of all who know them. Mr. Grieve is identified with no lodges and politically follows an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party.
ALBERT L. BARTON.
Albert L. Barton, who for many years has been living retired from business in Toulon, was born in Toulon township, on the old home farm of his father, Barnard Barton, who was a native of the state of New York. Through the period of his boyhood and youth the father remained in the Empire state and in early manhood came to the west, settling in Stark county, Illinois, where he rented land and carried on farm work. He became the owner of a traet of one hundred and sixty acres on seetion 9. Toulon township, by entering this as a elaim from the government. With characteristic energy he began the arduons task of transforming the wild prairie into productive fields. He broke the sod. opened up a farm and placed it in a high state of cultivation, carrying on the work of improvement as he found opportunity and gained the eapital necessary to further his labors. In time he ereeted a good farm residence, also built a large barn and outbuildings, planted an orchard and secured other modern equipments. In Knox county, Illinois, he wedded Miss Sarah Miller, who was born and reared in Indiana, a daughter of William Miller, an early settler of Warren county. Illinois, and afterward of Knox county. Mr. Barton was an industrious and prosperous farmer and a well-known eitizen of Stark county. Here he reared his family and spent the last years of his life on the old homestead, dying February 27, 1907. His wife had pre- viously passed away, her death oceurring August 16, 1902. He was a member of the Toulon Baptist church.
Albert I. Barton was one of a family of five sons and two daugh- ters. The eldest son, William A., is a retired farmer, now living in Garnett, Kansas. The second son, John M., is living in Kansas City, Missouri, and Silas HI. is a resident of Wyoming, Illinois. The next two, Albert L. and George W., are residents of Toulon and the sister,
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Cordelia, is also living in Toulon. She has ereeted an attractive resi- denee of cement blocks near the Methodist Episcopal church of Toulon, it being one of the pleasant homes of the city. The other daughter of the family, Emma, died at the age of five years and five months.
Albert L. Barton was reared on the old homestead and in time took charge of the place. After the death of his father he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the property and is still its owner. It is known as the Walnut Grove Farm and comprises two hundred and forty acres, which is divided into two well improved farms. He was always accounted an active and progressive agriculturist and stock raiser during the years in which he concentrated his efforts upon the further development and cultivation of his land. He afterward rented the farm, at which time he and his sister removed to Tonlon, where she. as previously stated, built a good home in 1908.
Mr. Barton and his sister have made two trips to California, visit- ing various cities on the Pacific coast from Seattle and Portland south to Los Angeles and Long Beach. In the sunny clime of California they have spent two winters. Mr. Barton owns an automobile and drives back and forth between his farm and his home in Toulon, and he has also made trips to Kewanee and Peoria and other cities in this part of the state. Politically he is a republican where national issues are involved but at local elections considers only the capability of the candidate. His has been an active and well spent life. and he is justly accounted one of the substantial citizens of Stark county.
ALVA M. JANES.
Among Stark county's most active and progressive citizens is Alva M. Janes, who occupies a position of leadership in the western part of the county, making his home in La Fayette. Fifty-three years have come and gone since he first opened his eyes to the light of day in a little log cabin in Goshen township, on the 10th of January, 1863, and through the intervening period he has not only been an interested wit- ness of. but also an active participant in, many events which have shaped the history and promoted the progress of this part of the state. His father. Charles Janes, was born in Wiltshire, England. where he worked in a woolen mill until he was seventeen, when he came to the United States, joining a brother and sister in Massachu- setts in 1854. After a brief period in that state he came west to
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