USA > Illinois > Stark County > History of Stark County, Illinois, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 21
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remodeled the residence and barns and also made other improvements upon the place and keeps everything in excellent condition. His home farm comprises one hundred and twenty-five acres, and he also has an interest in an undivided sixty-five acre tract. He feeds a large number of cattle and hogs annually and derives a good income from the sale of his stock. The success which he has gained is doubly creditable in that it is due directly to his own well directed efforts.
In 1892 Mr. Steward was united in marriage to Miss Stella C. Sterling, and they have a son, Ross E., who is at home. Mr. Steward is a stanch republican and for twelve years held the office of road commissioner, while for many years he served as school director. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge of Castleton and to the Modern Woodmen of America at Bradford and is also identified with the Methodist Protestant church, of which his wife is likewise a men- ber. He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of Stark county, in which he has passed his entire life, and his stanchest friends are those who have known him intimately since boyhood.
WILLIAM H. PARISH.
William H. Parish, living on section 14, Goshen township, is busily employed in the further development of his farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which is pleasantly and conveniently located within four miles of Toulon. The farm is most pleasing in its appearance because of the many improvements that have been put upon it and the well kept condition of the fields. Mr. Parish was born in the township in which he still resides, his birth having occurred on his father's old homestead February 16. 1859. He is a son of Pethuel Parish. now of Toulon and one of the largest landowners of Stark county.
Upon the old homestead William H. Parish acquainted himself with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. enjoyed those pleasures which give zest to boyhood and in the neigh- boring schools mastered the lessons which qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. As he advanced in years his efforts were given more and more largely to the active work of cul- tivating the fields and then he made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage in February, 1875, to Miss Anna Fogel- son, who was born in Maryland, where she was reared to the age of
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seventeen years, when she accompanied her father, Henry Fogelson. to Illinois upon his removal with his family to this state.
For five years after his marriage Mr. Parish engaged in farming on a part of his father's land and afterward purchased an eighty-acre tract on which were fair improvements. Still later he made invest- ment in one hundred and three acres of land which he cultivated for several years, but eventually he sold that place and bought one hundred and sixty acres near by. ITis holdings include about thirty- five acres of timbered pasture land. He has remodeled the home and barn and now has a well improved farm on which he is engaged in raising and feeding stock for the market, while at the same time he carefully cultivates the erops best adapted to soil and climate. He was one of the promoters of the La Fayette Fair Association and is still one of its stockholders.
To Mr. and Mrs. Parish have been born four children, of whom ยท two are living. Everett, who is married and has one daughter. is engaged in farming in Goshen township. May is the wife of Jesse Frail. a farmer of Goshen township, and they have a son, Miles Clyde.
Mr. Parish exereises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party but his loyalty therto is never the outcome of a desire for public office. However, for some years he was a member of the school board and he has ever been interested in affairs that have to do with public improvement and eivic advance- ment. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen eamp at Toulon and both he and his wife are connected with the Royal Neighbors. They now have a wide acquaintance in Toulon and this part of the county and the warm friendship of many is freely accorded them. For more than a half eentury Mr. Parish has been a witness of the events which have marked the history of Stark county and throughout almost the entire period he has been closely associated with the agricultural development of this part of the state.
ALBERT W. KING.
Albert W. King gained financial independence through his well managed business affairs and is now living retired in Wyoming. He was born in Washington Courthouse, Fayette eounty, Ohio, on the 2d of November. 1846. a son of Wesley King, whose birth occurred
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in Maryland on the 18th of August, 1821. The paternal grand- parents were John and Rachel ( Hixon) King, natives of Virginia, who removed to Ohio at an early day in the history of that state. John King was a Methodist minister and three of his sons followed in his footsteps.
Wesley King was reared in the Buckeye state and devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits. He removed to Stark county, Illinois, in 1856 and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of good land in Valley township. Four years later, when it was thought that a railroad was going to be built through Wyoming, he established a furniture store there. But the road was not constructed and two years later he sold that business and bought a farm two miles northeast of Wyoming, which he operated until his demise in 1887 at the age of sixty-six years. He was very prominent in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in early days his home in Valley township was a stopping place for the Methodist circuit riders. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, and he held a number of local offices, including that of member of the school board. He was married on the 11th of November, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth Brown, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Peter and Eliza (Bateman) Brown. She reached the advanced age of eighty-four years: her mother died at the venerable age of ninety-four years: and her grandmother lived to be one hundred and three years old. By her marriage she became the mother of eleven children, of whom two died in infancy. Six are still living, namely: Celenia, the wife of Thomas C. Hepperly, of Lentz, Oregon; Albert W .: Peter, who resides in Missouri but was for forty years a resident of Kansas: J. E., who is farming in Stark county; Elizabeth A., the wife of W. R. Terpening, of Missouri; and Mrs. A. H. Pettit, of Los An- geles, California. John died in Holt county, Missouri, in 1909. Mrs. Alice Clark passed away in Burlington, Kansas. Isaiah died in Stark county, Illinois, in 1913.
Albert W. King was about ten years of age when the family re- moved to Stark county, Illinois, and here he grew to manhood. IIe attended the village schools of Wyoming for some time but being the eldest son in the family and his father needing help in the opera- tion of the farm, he put aside his school books at a comparatively early age and assisted his father until he was twenty years old. He then went to Independence, Missouri, and worked in a store owned by his uncle for a year, after which he returned to Wyoming and entered the employ of Seott & Wrigley. A year later he and Captain Otman purchased the business formerly conducted by Scott & Wrigley and
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for five years this association was maintained. In 1874, however, our subject became sole owner of a business but in 1879 admitted his brother, J. E. King, to a partnership and the firm became King Brothers. They continued in business for twenty-five years and for fifteen years the volume of their trade exceeded that of any other firm in Stark county. In 1899 they sold out and since then Mr. King of this review has not been active in business. His success was due to his quickness to recognize and take advantage of opportunities for expansion and for improving the service which he rendered his patrons, to his integrity and to his strong common sense- qualities which are always at a premium in the commercial and financial world. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of land in Penn township- the old family homestead-and is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of his community.
Mr. King was married in 1873 to Miss Mattie Stone, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Samuel S. Stone, who settled in Henry county, Illinois, before the Civil war. Mrs. King taught school pre- vions to her marriage. She has become the mother of three children: Fred S., a merchant of Preston, Iowa, who is married and has two children. Lawrence Schmidt King and Ferris Albert King: Nina L., the wife of Dr. C. C. Falk, of Eureka. California ; and Albert W .. who died when in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. King also reared a niece of Mrs. King, Julia Louise Stone, who, however, was always known as Louise Stone King until her marriage to Dr. W. H. Holmes of Pomona, California. Her mother died when she was an infant.
Mr. King has been prominent in public affairs for years and before the incorporation of Wyoming was president of the village board for two years and has since served many times as a member of the city council. He has brought the same sound judgment and in- sight to bear upon the solution of municipal problems that enabled him to successfully carry out his business enterprises and there has never been any question as to his devotion to the public welfare. For twenty-two years he was an officer in the Central Agricultural Society. realizing the close relation that exists between the prosperity of the farmers of the county and the development of the towns which are the trade centers for the county. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and chapter at Wyoming, to the commandery at Kewanee and has served three different times as master of the lodge and for twenty- three years has been its secretary, this record proving the high esteem in which he is held by his fraternal brethren. For forty years both he and his wife have belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star. Since retiring from business life he has found many other interests to
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occupy his leisure, and he and his wife both enjoy the months which they spend in California, going there frequently to visit their daughters.
GRANT DEXTER.
Grant Dexter is one of the prosperous farmers and stock breeders and dealers of Goshen township. His home on section 4 is known as the Cloverdale Farm and comprises three hundred acres of rich and arable land, on which he raises Hereford cattle. IIe is a native son of Stark county, born January 27. 1865, and he represents an old New England family. His father, George F. Dexter, was born in Bangor, Maine, January 11, 1832, and there reached adult age, after which he came with his parents to Illinois, the family home being established in Elmira township, where they were among the pioneer settlers. With the work of early development and improvement here they were closely associated. George F. Dexter was married in this county to Miss Laura Miner, who was the first white female child born in Stark county. Following his marriage Mr. Dexter purchased land whereon he now resides, his first tract comprising forty acres. He at once began to develop and improve the place and as his financial re- sources increased he extended its boundaries from time to time, becon- ing in the course of years one of the prosperous farmers of Goshen township. He erected a pleasant residence and provided shelter for grain and stock by building good barns and sheds. In 1889 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 27th of April of that year, sinee which time Mr. Dexter has made his home with his son Grant, who is the eldest in a family of three sons.
The usual experiences of the farm bred hoy came to Grant Dex- ter in the period of his youth. He attended the district schools and from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn worked in the fields. Eventually he relieved his father of the care and development of the home farm by assuming its management and control. At the time of his marriage he brought his bride to the old homestead. The residence has since been remodeled and is now a thoroughly modern and attractive home supplied with furnace heat, hot and cold water, bathroom, gas light and other modern conveniences. Mr. Dexter has also added to his farm by the purchase of adjoining land on section 3, Goshen township, and in con- nection with the cultivation of the fields he is engaged in the breed-
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ing and sale of Herefore pure bred cattle. He was also one of the promoters of the Galva Cooperative State Bank, of which he became a director, and he was active in promoting the La Fayette Fair Associa- tion, of which he became a stockholder.
On the 2nd of December, 1886, in Henry county, Illinois, Mr. Dexter was married to Miss Emma F. Keim, who was born and reared in that county and who by her marriage has become the mother of four children: Fay, the wife of Frazer T. Winans, a resident farmer of Goshen township; Grace; Gladys; and Marvin G.
In politics Mr. Dexter has been a lifelong republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire public office. He and his wife are both active workers in church and Sunday school. They belong to the Baptist church of Toulon and Mr. Dexter was made a member of the building com- mittee, having in charge the erection of the new church. He is never willing to make terms with anything underhanded but is straight- forward and honorable in all of his relations and has made his life a potent force in promoting moral progress and uplift in the community in which he has always made his home.
JOSEPH A. KIDD.
Starting out in life as a farm hand, Joseph A. Kidd has gradually worked his way upward. From his earnings he saved the money which enabled him to purchase land, and he now has one of the finest productive farms of Osceola township, his home being on section 18. He was born on the 17th of August, 1874, in Elmira township, his parents being James and Sarah (Gailey) Kidd, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the father's birth having occurred in County Antrim, and the mother's in County Derry. Coming to the new world they established their home in Stark county, Illinois, where their remaining days were passed, and upon the farm where they located they reared their family of five children: Elizabeth, the wife of W. H. Boardman, living in Elmira township; Thomas J., also a resident of the same township; Joseph A .; Mary, the wife of M. H. Londenburg, of Canova, South Dakota: and James, also residing in Elmira township. They also lost two children in infancy.
Joseph A. Kidd pursued his education in the Osceola Grove school, dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. He con-
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MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH A. KIDD
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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tinned at home with his parents until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he started out in life on his own account, working by the month as a farm hand for seven years. He was ambitious to engage in business for himself and during that period he saved his earnings until he felt justified, through experience and by reason of his capability, in renting land which he cultivated for six years. Further economy and industry enabled him during that period to save the sum wherewith he purchased his farm on section 18, Osceola township. Here he has one hundred and seventy-five acres, in addi- tion to which he owns eighty acres in Elmira township. IIc culti- vates all of this land himself and is quite extensively engaged in feeding stock. He has put up most of the buildings upon the place. erecting an excellent barn and sheds, while in 1913 he built his present residence, which is thoroughly modern, equipped with electric lights, and supplied with all the latest conveniences and comforts. His place is known as Glen View Farm, and the success of his stock feeding interests is indicated in the fact that he ships from two to four earloads of cattle and hogs annually.
When twenty-five years of age Mr. Kidd was married to Miss Lizzie Murray, and they have three children: Margaret Isabel; Dale Thomas: and James William. Mr. Kidd has always given his polit- ical support to the republican party where national questions and issues are involved, but casts an independent ballot at county elec- tions. He has served as school director and is interested in the edu- cational progress of the community. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen camp at Osceola, and religiously with the United Presbyterian church of Elmira. His life is actuated by high and honorable principles, and his practical and progressive efforts have been attended with successful results, which place him among the substantial stock raisers and agriculturists of the state.
JOHN ALLEN.
John Allen, residing on section 31. Toulon township, is a thrifty and progressive farmer, stock raiser and feeder who owns and culti- vates a tract of two hundred and forty acres of land eonstituting one of the well improved farm properties of the county, situated just south of Toulon. Mr. Allen was born in Fulton county, Illinois, May 22, 1864, a son of William Allen, who was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, where he was reared to the age of eighteen years. He then came to Vol. II-14
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the new world and for a time resided in New York state. Subse- quently he came west to Illinois and established his home in Kane county. He was married in St. Charles, Illinois, to Maggie Broderick, also a native of the green isle of Erin, whence she came to the United States in 1840. Mr. Allen removed from Kane to Fulton county and still later came to Stark county, where he turned his attention to farm- ing but later engaged in buying and shipping stock, including cattle, horses and hogs. He became a well-known dealer and shipper and won success through the careful management of his interests. He spent his last years in Toulon, where he died December 3, 1904, at the age of about seventy years.
John Allen was a lad of but four summers when brought to Stark county, where he was reared upon the old homestead farm, the public school system affording him the educational opportunities that he enjoyed, although he is largely a self-educated man, adding much to his knowledge through reading and observation as well as through practical experience since attaining his majority. In early manhood he rented land and thus engaged in farming for a number of years. After his marriage he rented land in Henry county for six years, and while residing there he made purchase of his first eighty acres in Stark county. He also purchased a half interest in a meat market and butchering business in Toulon, of which he had charge for two years. after which he disposed of that business. He carefully saved his earnings and in the spring of 1905 purchased an eighty-acre tract whereon he now resides, on section 31, Toulon township, a mile south of the city of Toulon. With characteristic energy he began its further development and improvement and he now occupies there a comfort- able residence in the rear of which stand good barns and other out- buildings, and these in turn are surrounded by highly cultivated fields. Ile has purchased more land as opportunity has offered and is now the owner of a farm of two hundred and forty acres. Mr. Allen makes a business of raising and feeding cattle and hogs for the market and fattens and ships from two to three carloads of hogs and one or more car loads of cattle each year.
On the 10th of February, 1896. Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Alice Brady, who was born and reared in this county and for four years was a successful teacher. By this marriage there have been born two sons and two daughters, Henry, Margaret and Paulina, all students in the township high school at Toulon, and William, who is attending the country school.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen were reared in the Catholic faith, to which they still adhere, and Mr. Allen is identified with the Modern Wood-
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men and the Mystie Workers, both of which are fraternal insurance societies. He is a self-made man and deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out in life empty handed and by persisteney of purpose and indefatigable energy has worked his way upward. His life has been a very busy and useful one and his success is the proof of his industry, determination and capability.
WOOD C. DEXTER.
An alert and wide-awake farmer is Wood C. Dexter, who is living on the old homestead farm of one hundred acres on seetion 4, Goshen township. His birth occurred in Toulon township on the 24th of November, 1874, his father being James Dexter, who was born near Bangor, Maine, and who came to Illinois with his father, Lolan Dexter, who settled in Stark county. James Dexter was married here to Elizabeth Johnson. a daughter of P. P. Johnson, one of the pioneer settlers of Stark county. Following his marriage James Dexter began the cultivation of his father's farm and then made purchase of what has since been known as the Dexter homestead. This he devel- oped and improved, erecting thereon a good residence and substantial barns and outbuildings. He was an active and industrious citizen and a prosperous farmer who carefully, systematieally and successfully cultivated his land until 1881, when he rented the place and removed to Galva, where for more than a third of a century he has now lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned rest.
Wood C. Dexter is one of a family of four sons and two daugh- ters. Ile remained under the parental roof until he went away to school, supplementing his early educational training. received in the district schools of Goshen township, by study in the schools of Galva. In 1903 he returned to the farm and has since been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, giving his attention to general farm work and to stoek raising. He also does some dairying, milking a number of cows and selling the eream. His work is carefully managed, system char- aeterizing everything that he does, so that there is no loss of time, labor nor material.
On the 9th of March, 1905, Mr. Dexter was united in marriage, in Galva, to Miss Effie Johnson, who was born, reared and educated in Galesburg, Illinois, and formerly engaged in teaching in the schools of this state and also in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Dexter have a family of five children, namely: James, Howard, Gertrude, Carl and Keith.
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Both Mr. and Mrs. Dexter are members of the Galva Baptist church and their lives measure up to high standards, being characterized by good deeds, noble purposes and fidelity to duty in every relation.
EMERY L. HALSTED.
Emery L. Halsted, a representative farmer of Toulon township, living on seetion 33, is well known not only as the owner of a highly improved tract of excellent land but also as a breeder of Clydes- dale horses, and a stock feeder. His life record began in Marshall county. Illinois, on the 19th of March, 1881. His father, Nelson Halsted, was a business man of that county and was there married and reared his family. For years he was proprietor of a meat market and butehering business but he passed away in 1881. His widow sur- vived him for more than two decades, her death oeeurring on the 9th of February, 1903.
Emery L. Halsted was reared in Marshall and Stark counties and is indebted to the public school system of the state for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He is, however, largely self-educated and has gained many valuable lessons in the school of experience and from reading and observation. He lost his own father during infancy and from the age of fourteen years has been dependent upon his own resources. He worked for several years by the month as a farm hand for his stepfather but was ambitions to engage in business on his own account and utilized every opportunity that led to that end. He was married in Wyoming, November 9, 1904, to Miss Drusilla C. Cox, who was born and reared in Stark county and is a danghter of the late Monroe Cox, who was a well known citi- zen here. Mr. Halsted and his brother rented land which they farmed in partnership for five years and eventually E. L. IIalsted took up his abode in Wyoming, where he engaged in elerking for a time and also did other work that came to hand. He afterward purchased the farm whereon he now resides, becoming owner of a one hundred and six aere traet of land ad joining another eighty-aere traet which his wife inherited, making their farm one of two hundred and forty acres of well improved land. He keeps everything about the place in good repair, has erected substantial outbuildings to protect stock. grain and farm machinery from inelement weather and has feneed his land. dividing it into fields of convenient size. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he is engaged in
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