USA > Illinois > Stark County > History of Stark County, Illinois, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 9
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From boyhood until he retired at the age of sixty-eight years, he was actively connected with agricultural interests and he may well take pride in the part which he has played in the development of his township. The leisure which he has enjoyed for the past fifteen years is well deserved, and he is honored as one of the oldest residents and leading citizens of the county.
PETER TERNNS.
Peter Ternns, who for twelve years has been engaged in the buy- ing and shipping of live stock at Bradford, is a self-made man who had a very limited eapital when he came to this eity but in the interim, through his close application, his energy, determination and persisteney, has built up a business of substantial and gratifying proportions. He was born in Prussia, Germany, December 10, 1846, a son of John and Anna ( Wegner) Ternns, who spent their entire lives in the father- land.
It was in that country during his boyhood days that Peter Terms acquired a good education and in 1867, when twenty years of age, he started for America, bidding adieu to friends and native country with the hope of finding better business conditions in the new world. For a year he resided on Long Island and then made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Marshall County. Illinois, where he resided from 1868 until 1894. During that period he lived upon a farm in La Prairie Township, concentrating his energies upon general agricultural pursuits, his labors resulting in the harvesting of good erops owing to the provident care with which he prepared and cul- tivated the fields. In the year mentioned, however, he removed to Milo Township, Bureau County, where in addition to general farm- ing he carried on stoek feeding quite extensively. Thirteen years ago be eame to Bradford and a year later began buying and shipping live stoek, in which business he is still engaged, handling a large amount of stock annually. He is still the owner of two hundred and ninety- five acres of land in Milo Township and also has one hundred and twenty aeres in Marshall County beside a quarter seetion in Norman County, Minnesota. His property interests also include a fine home in Bradford. All this is the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift, for he came to the United States empty-handed and has worked his way upward through energy, perseverance and deter- mination.
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In 1872 Mr. Ternns was united in marriage to Miss Katie Schmitt, who was born in Peoria County, Illinois, and they have become the parents of nine children: John, living at Coleman, South Dakota; Joseph, whose home is in Texas; Peter, living in Mayfield. Kansas; Maggie, the wife of Martin Stembley of Stark County; Julia, the wife of Jess Hopkins, living in Milo Township, Bureau County; Anna, who is a trained nurse located in Rock Island, Illinois: Lizzie, at home: Amanda, who is engaged in teaching school; and Clarence, at home.
Mr. Teruns gives his political support to the democratic party, and for eight years he filled the office of village commissioner in Bradford, while for seven years he was assessor of Osceola Township, discharg- ing his publie duties with promptness and fidelity. Both he and his wife are communicants of St. John's Catholic Church. to the support of which they contribute generously. Mr. Ternns has never had occa- sion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought-opportunities which are open to all ambitions and energetic young men., Step by step he has advanced financially, and his position is now a most gratifying one.
GEORGE W. SPRINGER.
George W. Springer is now living retired in Toulon but for years was one of the active. progressive and successful farmers of the county. He was born in this county May 5, 1845, a son of George Springer, a native of Ohio, who in that state married Christina Fantz. a native of Germany, who was reared, however. in Ohio. After his marriage Mr. Springer followed farming in the Buckeye state for several years, but in 1841 left his old home and drove across the coun- try with a team to Stark county, also bringing with him a cow, which seemed in such a hurry to reach this county that she jumped off the ferry at Peoria and swam across the Illinois river, reaching the oppo- site bank before the ferry. Mr. Springer settled in Essex township. where he purchased some land, becoming owner of a raw tract of one hundred and sixty acres, but with characteristic energy he undertook the task of breaking the sod and tilling the fields. He split rails and feneed the entire place, brought his land under cultivation and erected thereon a good residence and substantial barns and outbuildings for the shelter of his stock. Upon that place he reared his family and spent his remaining days, his wife surviving him for ten years. He
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was one of the original members of the United Brethren church, of which he served as a trustee. His life was ever upright and honorable, and he left to his family not only a comfortable competence but also the prieeless heritage of an untarnished name. His son, George W. Springer, was the fourth in a family of six sons and a daughter, of whom one died in infancy, the others being Noah, now of Toulon; Michael, who in 1862 joined Company E of the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was captured, his death occurring in Andersonville prison: Henry, who is now living retired in Princeville, Illinois; Elizabeth, the wife of James Estep, also of Princeville; and David, a farmer residing near Marshalltown, Iowa.
George W. Springer spent his youthful days in the usual manner of farm lads, early becoming familiar with the work of the fields, to which he devoted the summer months. He is largely a self-educated as well as a self-made man, for his opportunities of attending school were limited. IIe was married in Stark county, February 14, 1869. to Miss Sarah J. Eekley, who was born and reared in this county and is a daughter of Joseph Eekley, one of the pioneer settlers who came to this state from Ohio. Mr. Springer had up to that time remained upon his father's farm but following his marriage began farming on his own account in Peoria county, his father assisting him to purchase eighty aeres of improved land upon which he lived for fourteen years. Ile made further improvements there, building a barn and otherwise adding to the value of the place. Subsequently he disposed of that property and invested in eighty-four aeres of land in Essex township, Stark county, built a barn there and otherwise carried on the work of general improvement and development. He carefully tilled his fields, produeing large crops, and his work was successfully carried on until 1905, when he rented the place and purchased a residence in Toulon, where he has sinee lived retired, enjoying a rest that he has truly earned and riehly deserves.
While living upon the farm Mr. Springer lost his first wife, who passed away in 1902. Of the three children born of that marriage Charles died at the age of twenty-one years, and the youngest, Mary E., died at the age of seventeen months. The surviving daughter is Edith Jane. the wife of C. W. Sherman, of Peoria. Mr. Springer was married in Burlington Junetion, Missouri, September 14, 1905, to Mrs. Barbara Barton, who was reared in this eounty, a daughter of John Barr, who after living in Stark county for some time removed to Nodaway county, Missouri, his home being near Burlington Junetion. Ilis daughter Barbara there beeame the wife of Nathan Barton, who followed farming in that loeality.
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In politics Mr. Springer is independent and for one term served as supervisor, while for a number of years he has been a member of the school board. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church, in which he is serving as a trustee. Diligence has characterized his career at every point. He has worked earnestly and persistently to win his success and he knows what hard labor means, but his efforts were crowned with prosperity and he is now the possessor of a hand- some competence which he has justly earned and richly deserves. Those who know him entertain for him warm respect. and he has a large circle of friends in the county.
NELSON GRANT.
Among the native sons of Goshen township who served in the war of the Rebellion is Nelson Grant, who for years was an active and prosperous farmer of the township but is now living retired in La Fayette. His birth occurred November 18, 1841, his father being Nelson Grant, Sr., who was born in Cortland, Cortland county, New York, and was there reared to manhood. He married Polly Chatfield on the 12th of October, 1834, and she, too, was a native of New York, her birth having occurred in Broome county. In the year 1835 they removed westward to Illinois, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Stark county at a period when the work of development and progress seemed scarcely begun. Only three years before the Black Hawk war had occurred. thus terminating Indian supremacy within the borders of Illinois. There were vast sections of land into which white men had not penetrated and much of the territory of Illinois was yet in possession of the government. The father pre-empted land in Goshen township, split rails, fenced his place, built a log cabin and occupied that primitive home for several years while developing his farm. Upon that place he reared his family and spent the years of his aetive life there. His widow survived him for a few years and made her home with her son Nelson.
It was upon the old homestead farm that Nelson Grant. Jr., spent the days of his boyhood and youth, while in the public schools he pursued his education. He was not quite twenty years of age when. in September, 1861, he enlisted for service as a soldier of the Civil war, joining Company B of the Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, which company was raised in Stark county and was commanded by Captain C. V. Dickinson. The regiment was mustered in at
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Chicago and was sent south to Missouri. The first engagement in which they participated was Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and later they were in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. They also took part in the siege of Vicksburg until its surrender and in the Red River expedition. In 1863 Mr. Grant was sent home to reeruit men for the regiment. which he afterward rejoined, and served with his command until the expiration of his term of enlistment, when he was honorably dis- charged and again came to Stark county.
For a few years thereafter he remained with his father on the farm and on the 10th of November, 1877, made arrangements for having a home of his own through his marriage to Miss Mary A. Howell, who was born near Rochester, New York. She was there reared and edneated in Ingham University. The young couple began their domestie life upon a farm which Mr. Grant rented and which he enlti- vated for a few years, during which time they most carefully managed their expenditures, so that the most of their income was saved, which enabled them to purchase a farm in Knox county, Illinois. This, however, Mr. Grant rented, while he personally gave his supervision to the cultivation of the old home farm until the death of his father. A year later he removed to La Fayette, where he purchased a resi- dence and has since lived retired. He has added to and remodeled his home and now has one of the attractive dwellings of the town.
In January, 1912, Mr. Grant was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife and his daughter. Ida May, a young lady of twenty years, who died within twenty-four hours of each other, and were laid to rest in the same grave in La Fayette cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Grant were born three daughters, of whom the eldest, Edna May, died at the age of twelve years. The surviving daughter, Ethel E., was a gradu- ate of the La Fayette high school and pursued a business and steno- graphic course. She later occupied a business position in Chicago for eight years but returned home upon the death of her mother and sister and has since acted as her father's housekeeper, devoting her life to his happiness.
Politieally Mr. Grant has been a life long republican, having cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has served as a delegate to numerous county and congressional conven- tions and has also been a member of the county central committee from Goshen township. He was elected township assessor and afterward was re-elected to the ofliee, and later served for two terms as township colleetor. He has also been a member of the village board and is now serving as treasurer of La Fayette, discharging his duties with marked promptness, fidelity and ability. He holds membership with W. W.
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Wright Post, G. A. R., of Toulon, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He is likewise a member of the Masonic lodge at La Fayette and filled many of its chairs. His daughter Ethel is connected with the Eastern Star, in which she is now Worthy Matron. Mr. Grant has led a busy, useful and active life, honorable in all its relations and straightforward in its purposes, and in matters of citizenship he has been as true and loyal to the country as when he followed the old flag upon the battlefields of the south.
ROBERT L. MCCLELLAN.
Robert L. Mcclellan is one of the popular citizens of Toulon, where he has many friends by whom he is familiarly called Bob. No one addresses another by a first name unless there is a spirit of eomradeship and warm regard such as every one entertains for Mr. Mcclellan, who is recognized as a wide-awake business man of the city, where for the past ten years he has conducted a livery stable. His residence in Stark county dates from 1898. He is a native of Washington county, Virginia, born December 3, 1878.
His father. William MeClellan, was also born and reared in that state and was a son of Samuel MeClellan, likewise a native of Vir- ginia and a representative of one of its old pioneer families. Samuel MeClellan served as a soldier in the War of 1812 and also in the Civil war. William MeClellan has devoted his life to farming and stock raising and still resides on the old family homestead. To hin and his wife were born five children: Etta, the wife of Harvey Fuqua, of Richmond, Virginia: R. L., of Toulon: Georgia, the wife of Thomas Hutton, of Washington county, Virginia: Nannie, the wife of Buck MeCloud, also of that eounty; and Walter.
In the place of his nativity R. L. Mcclellan was reared and edu- cated, although his privileges of attending school were somewhat limited and his knowledge has largely been acquired sinee he has attained his majority. He eame to this eounty when a young man of twenty years and here seeured work as a farm hand by the month, being thus employed for six years. He afterward removed to Toulon and with the capital which he had saved from his earnings he em- barked in the livery business. From the beginning he enjoyed suc- cess in that undertaking and after a time he built a large cement block barn and has excellent equipment for the conduct of his business. He also does some freighting and delivers coal. Ile
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT L. MCCLELLAN AND FAMILY
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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started out a poor young man, empty-handed but possessed of reso- lute courage and determination, and as the years have passed on he has built up a profitable and well established business. The public has come to know that in all of his dealings he is reliable as well as enterprising, and that in no business transaction does he ever attempt to take advantage of the necessities of another.
In Toulon on the 19th of October, 1909, Mr. Mcclellan was married to Miss Agnes L. Fell, who was reared and educated in this county and is a daughter of Robert Fell, one of the pioneer settlers of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. McClellan have two children, Dorothy Margaret and William Robert.
Mr. MeClellan belongs to the Masonic lodge of Toulon and his wife is connected with the Eastern Star. They are both well known in this city, where they have an extensive circle of warm friends. Mr. Mcclellan is always courteous and obliging, possesses a genial nature and a social disposition, and his sterling qualities have gained for him the popularity which he enjoys.
FRANK COLGAN.
Frank Colgan, living on section 36, Osceola township, has become well known as a breeder of Durham cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs as well as full-blooded Percheron horses. He was born in Valley town- ship, this county, May 22, 1869, a son of Bernard and Anne (Sloan) Colgan, who were natives of County Down, Ireland, but were married in this state. The father was a farmer by occupation and developed and improved a farm in Valley township, which he converted from raw prairie into richly cultivated fields. Both he and his wife are still living, their home being in Wyoming, Illinois.
Frank Colgan attended the district school in Valley township and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-four years. becoming familiar with all of the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He then purchased a farm in Valley township. on the line of Marshall county, becoming the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, upon which he lived for eight years. He then sold that property and made an investment in one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Wheatland township, Bureau county, which he owned and cultivated for five years, although he resided thereon for but four years. In the spring of 1907 he removed to his present farm on seetion 36, Osceola township, and has ocenpied it for nine years, during
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which period he has added many modern improvements and equip- ments. He has three hundred and seventeen acres of very valuable land, the work of which is facilitated by modern machinery and farm implements. He produces excellent crops and in addition he has been extensively engaged in breeding Percheron horses. Five years ago he began to breed full-blooded Percherons and in the interim has owned some fine stock. He has also been the breeder of full-blooded Durham cattle, and for six years he has bred Duroc-Jersey hogs. He has like- wise been an extensive feeder of stock, but at the present time is feeding only his own stock and using only the crops which he raises.
In 1894 Mr. Colgan was married to Miss Margaret A. Cartney, and they beeame the parents of seven children. The mother died four years ago, or in 1912, and was laid to rest in St. John's cemetery. Of the children Effie, Ellen, Fred, Francis, Jane and Anna are all yet at home, while one died in infancy.
Mr. Colgan is a communicant of St. John's Catholic church of Bradford, as was his wife, and he is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. For ten years he served as school director, and he has usually given his political support to the democratic party. A self- made man, his advancement has been continnous since he started out for himself, for in early life he recognized the eternal principle that industry wins, and he has therefore worked earnestly and persistently to attain success. What he has undertaken he has accomplished, utiliz- ing his time and opportunities to good advantage, and today an extensive and valuable farm. splendidly equipped, proves the worth of the methods which he has followed.
M. J. JACKSON.
M. J. Jackson is a representative of one of the old families of Stark county and the name has ever been synonymous of business enterprise and integrity through all the connection of the family with the agricultural development of this part of the state. It was upon the farm where he now resides that M. J. Jackson was born January 13. 1871, his parents being John II. and Abbie S. (Stewart) Jackson. The father was a native of Scotland, while the mother was born in Vermont and was of Scotch and German extraction. The son was reared upon the old homestead farm and after attending the district schools continued his education in the schools of Toulon, Illinois. He has spent his entire life upon the old homestead save for a period of
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about four or five years and now owns one hundred and sixty aeres of land which is well named the Maple Holm Farm. He carries on gen- eral agricultural pursuits and has also engaged quite largely in raising stock. His diligence, elose application and energy are the salient features in his growing success, which has placed him among the substantial farmers of the community.
In January, 1911, Mr. Jackson was married to Miss Winnie Gardener, who was born in Osceola and, like her husband, is widely and favorably known in this part of the state. They are consistent members of the Presbyterian church and enjoy the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. In polities Mr. Jaek- son is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire public office. He bends his energies to the development of his farm and his practical and progres- sive methods are bringing substantial results.
GEORGE A. MARSII.
George A. Marsh, who is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Bradford and is one of the most sueeessful of the younger business men of the town, was born there on the 7th of July, 1883, and he is a son of Harry A. and Carrie (Searl) Marsh. The father was born and reared in Maine, and in his youth learned the confectioner's trade. When about sixteen years of age he came west and for several years engaged in setting up portable sawmills, but in 1876 he eame to Bradford, where he carried on the flour and feed business. Subse- quently he added a line of home-made candies to his stoek but at length sold his feed store and established a furniture store. He continued active in business until twenty-four hours before his death, which occurred in 1910, when he was sixty-three years of age. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and served as noble grand of his lodge. In religious faith he was a Methodist and took an active part in the work of the church. He gained a fair meas- use of financial success, all of which was due entirely to his own efforts. His wife was born in Stark county and was a daughter of Squire Wheeler Searl, who removed here from Pennsylvania at an early day. He was a farmer and also devoted considerable time to earpentering. She passed her entire life in this county and died when about fifty-five years of age. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal
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church and was the mother of two sons: Wheeler Searl, who is head designer for the Green Duck Company of Chicago: and George A.
The latter was born in the building in which his store is now located and has always resided in Bradford. He received his eduea- tion in the public schools, and while still a youth gained valuable training in mercantile methods through assisting his father in the conduet of his store. For four years in addition to helping his father he carried the mail over a rural route and in the evenings taught music, thus securing enough money to buy an interest in the store. At length he became sole owner of the establishment, and has since concentrated his energies upon its conduct and the development of its trade. He completed a course in embalming at Chieago and is also engaged in the undertaking business in addition to managing his furniture store, and has gained an enviable reputation for giving excellent and unob- trusive service.
Mr. Marsh was married on the 30th of September. 1908. to Miss Nellie Blaisdell. also a native of Bradford and a daughter of J. C. Blaisdell, now assistant editor of the Henry Republican of Henry, Illinois. Mrs. Marsh was reared and educated here and has many warm friends. Her religious faith is that of the Baptist church.
Mr. Marsh is an adherent of the republican party and is now serv- ing for the second year as eity clerk. in which eapaeity he has made an excellent record. He has also been quite active as a temperanee worker, as he believes that the liquor evil is responsible for many of the bad conditions of the present day. He holds membership in the Methodist church and is also connected with the Masonic blue lodge. the Eastern Star and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand. He is progressive and far-sighted in the conduet of his business interests and is accorded a large and repre- sentative patronage. He is also very popular personally, his salient characteristics being such as never fail to win and retain respeet.
CHARLES MYERS.
Charles Myers, although not one of the earliest of Stark county's pioneers, has yet been a resident of the county for more than sixty years, arriving here on the 10th of May, 1855. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1827, his parents being John and Sarah (Stark) Myers. From youth to manhood his prin- cipal employment was that of the farm and his education was acquired
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