USA > Illinois > Bureau County > Past and present of Bureau County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead > Part 13
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settling in Fulton county, and in 1846 they re- moved to Princeton, where the death of Mr. Zink occurred. His wife was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. After living in Princeton for fourteen years she married Abraham Clark, and they became the parents of two children, Elinore and Arthur. Mr. Clark was a farmer by occupation, and on selling his land removed to Buda, where he condueted a meat market for about three years. He then went to Adel, Iowa, in 1862, and there carried on farming through- out his remaining days. Both he and his wife died in Iowa. His political endorsement was given to the men and measures of the republican party.
The year 1853 witnessed the arrival of Samuel B. Carper in Illinois, and soon after his marriage he began farming for himself on eighty acres of land. In 1817 he ereeted the residence which he now occupies and he has made all of the im- provements upon his farm, including the erection of substantial buildings and the planting of fine shade and fruit trees. He is now cultivating one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he owns, and he is also a breeder of high grade eattle, hogs and horses, feeding his own stock and making shipments to the city markets. His business in- terests are to him a gratifying source of income, for he is watchful of opportunities pointing to success and utilizes his advantages to the best of his ability.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carper have been born six children, namely : Leora A., who was born Octo- ber 31. 18:0, and died March 21. 1895; Ida J., born February 26. 1823; Samuel A., who was born February 2. 1875, and died April 9. 1895: Anna May, born May 12, 1828; Mary Edith, born June 22, 1882; and William Howard. July 5. 1885. Mr. Carper is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. vet has never cared for public office. He served, however, as justice of the peace of his township for one term. Fraternally he is eonneetel with French Grove camp, No. 196, M. W. A., at Buda; with the Yeoman of America; and with Emory post. G. A. R., at Buda; and in these organiza- tiens has the esteem of his brethren, who recog- nize in him many sterling traits of character. His residence in the county covers a long period, entitling him to mention with its early settlers.
AUGUST HASENYAGER.
Augu-t Hasenyager is a partner in the Srm of Fisher & Hasenyager, proprietors of a meat mar- ket in Walnut. He is one of the enterprising vonng business nien of this town and is one of it> 'native citizens, having been born her- April 15, 1874. His parents were Frel anl Anna ( Barman ) Hasenvager. The father was born in Germany in 1829 and died on the 1-7 of January.
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1901, at the age of seventy-five years, while his her husband were members of the Mothoch- church.
wife, also a native of Germany, is still living. They crossed the briny deep to the new world in the early '50s, and after residing for a short time at St. Louis, Missouri, came to Princeton, after which they established a permanent home in this county. The father was a farmer by occupation.
In the district schools of Walnut township August Hasenyager acquired his education. His boyhood and youth were passed uneventfully, but after attaining his majority he entered busi- ness life, and is today a wide-awake, alert and representative merchant of the village of Walnut, where as a member of the firm of Fisher & Hasen- yager he is conducting a well appointed meat market. They have a fine trade and their patron- -age is annually increasing. It is their aim to carry a large line of first-class meats, and by reason of their fair prices and straightforward dealing they have secured a business which is already profitable and which is steadily growing.
On the 16th of January, 1895, Mr. Hasenyager was married to Miss Lizzie Fordham, who was born November 12, 1873, in Walnut township. Like her husband, she, too, was educated in the district schools, and she has become the mother of two children: Arthur W., born January 30, 1897; and Ethel F., born October 12, 1899.
Mr. Hasenyager is an independent voter, cast- ing his ballot for men and measures rather than for party. He belongs to the Mystic Workers of America, and is well known in his village and township as a wide-awake, energetic business man of genial disposition and cordial manner-quali- ties which have rendered him popular with a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
JOHN ZINK.
John Zink, for almost half a century a resident of Bureau county, where as a progressive and en- terprising farmer he was widely and favorably known, was born in Bedford county, Pennsyl- vania, August 23, 1813. The family was estab- lished in Pennsylvania at an early epoch in its development, the grandparents being John and Elizabeth ( Howe) Zink, both of whom were natives of that state. The father of our subject, Samuel Zink, was a native of the Keystone state, born August 11, 178S. At an advanced age he went to Ohio, settling in that state in 1811, and in 1844 he came to Bureau county, Illinois, where he joined his son George, who had arrived a year previous to that date. He then remained a resi- dent of Bureau county until his death, which oc- curred February 15, 1866. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. llis wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Hannawalt, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1789, and died February 10, 1886. She was of German extraction, and both she and
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm lite for John Zink in his boy- hood days. He was one of a family of eleven chil- dren, which fact brought with it some advantage, and some disadvantages. lle shared with the others in the labors of the farm and acquired a district school education. There are always many pleasant recollections associated with a childhood where the family is a numerous one, the spirit of cheer and joy abounding in such a household. Mr. Zink was still single when in 1814 he came with his parents and the family to Bureau count ;. Soon afterward he purchased a farm near Buda. in Macon township. Few roads had been laid out, and there were still tracts of broad prairie that was uncultivated and covered with the native grasses. All grain was hauled to Chicago as the nearest market, as there was no railroad facility for shipment at a near point. As time passed by and invention brought improved machinery Mr. Zink kept abreast with the progress of the times and cultivated his farm according to more mod- ern methods than were in vogue in pioneer days. His first purchase of land comprised eighty acres, to which he added from time to time as his finan- cial resources increased, until he owned over two hundred acres of valuable land, which he operated until his life's labors were ended in death. IIe was a man of strong, rugged constitution, enjoying good health until his last illness, and thus he res- olutely carried forward the work of the farm and brought it under a high state of cultivation.
On the 5th of September, 1841, Mr. Zink was married to Miss Elizabeth Thompson, who was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, No- vember 2, 1816, and who came to this county with her parents in 1845. settling near Buda, where she died November 27, 1859. Four children had been born of this marriage; Mary, the wife of Rouben Smith, of Buda ; John A., who is a retired farmer, living in Ramona, South Dakota; Harriet, who died at the age of three years, and Christian Win- field Scott, a farmer of Elliott, North Dakota.
After losing his first wife Mr. Zink was again married, in Ohio, on the îth of March, 1865, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Sensel, who was born in Knox county, that state, August 22, 1835. Her girlhood days were spent in that state. In the paternal line she is of English lineage and in the maternal line of French descent. Her parents were John and Catherine (Schuebley) Sensel, both natives of Hagerstown, Maryland, where they were reared and married. They be- came residents of Knox county, Ohio, when it was still a new and undeveloped region, settling there during its pioneer epoch. There the father fol- lowed farming up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was sixty-six years of age, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-four. They were both consistent and devoted members
MR. AND MRS. JOHN ZINK.
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of the Lutheran church, and were highly estceined residents of their community. Mr. Sensel was a son of Peter Sensel, who came from Germany to America and served for seven years in the Revo- lutionary war.
Unto John and Elizabeth Zink were born six children: James 1 .. , who died in infancy; George E., who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Catherine E., the wife of W. A. Ruff, a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota; Samuel H., a farmer of Macon township, Bureau eounty; Margaret Jane, who died at the age of four years ; and Ahneda M., the wife of C. E. Blaine, of Tower City, North Dakota.
Mr. and Mrs. Zink were members of the Meth- odist chuch, in which the latter is still active. He continued his farming operations here until his death, which occurred April 2, 1892, when he was severity-eight years of age. He was a strong, robust man, never ill until the illness which ter- minated his life. On the contrary, he was ever active, energetie and euterprising, and what he acquired came to him as the reward of his earnest labor and perseverance. His name was a synonym for business integrity, and his life was character- ized by high principles, so that those who knew him instinctively paid deference to him as a man of uprightness and honor. Mrs. Zink is still en- joying good health at the age of seventy-one years, and now makes her home with her children.
JESSE EMERSON.
Jesse Emerson was ene of the early settlers of this county, having come here with his father in 1836 at the age of twelve. He spent his early years upon the farm, attending the country schools and afterwards a private school in Princeton. IIe spent some time in teaching and while thus en- gaged he commenced the study of law. He also aeted as clerk in one of the stores at Buda and finally opened a store of his own. During all these changes he found time to continue the study of his chosen profession and in 1858 was admitted to the bar and from 1860 spent most of the time in his law practice. In 1873 he was elected county judge and filled that office for four years, when he again resumed his practice. Judge Emerson was a plain, unassuming man, a man who pos- sessed more than average ability in many ways. He was a safe counselor and would lead a client out of a law suit rather than into one. He was one of the old residents and was respected for his honest and obliging ways. He lived to sce great changes in all his surroundings. When he eame here this was a part of Putnam county and was sparsely settled. The deep, rich soil of most of the county had never been disturbed by the white man, and he lived to see these barren prairies covered with the products of civiliza- tion. He lived to see the deer and the wolf sup-
planted by the flocks and herds of the modern farmer. The change was great, yet he had strength of character sufficient to enable him to step into the stream of progress and move grandly on, looking for and fully believing that there were great things in store for this country and this people.
CHARLES HENRY FABER.
Charles Henry Faber was born December 18, 1862, on what is now the old homestead farm in Clarion township, where he still resides. He is descended from German ancestry, his parents, Pe- ter and Margaret ( Mueller) Faber, having both been born in Germany. The year 1850 witnessed their arrival in Bureau county, Illinois, and they east in their lot with the early settlers. Mr. Faber provided a livelihood for himself and family by following the occupation of farming, to which he devoted his energies until his death, which oc- curred in Mendota, Illinois, September 13, 1885. His widow still survives at the age of seventy-seven vears and makes her home in Mendota with her youngest daughter, Mrs. V. C. Schaller.
Charles H. Faber of this review had seven brothers and two sisters: George, who is now a butcher in Paw Paw. Illinois; Henry, who was principal of schools in California, Oregon and McHenry county, Illinois, and died in 1900; Gil- bert, assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Mendota; John C., who was a merchant in Wal- nut township, Bureau county, and is now deceased ; Bertha, the wife of Rev. George Hueter, of Roeky Ridge, Ohio; Christian, a eattle buyer of Paw Paw. also associated with his brother George in the meat business : William C., a breeder of fine racing stock at Paw Paw; Fred G .. also of Paw Paw; and Emily, the wife of V. C. Schaller, who is engaged in the carriage business in Mendota.
Charles Henry Faber supplemented his prelimi- nary education, acquired in the common schools, by study in Mendota College, completing his course in 18 :. He then returned to the old homestead to engage in farming and has remained here eon- tinuously since. Ile today owns and operates two hundred and thirty-five aeres of land which is valued at the highest market price, and his well improved farm is indicative of the care and su- pervision which he bestows upon his place.
On the 17th of February, 1885, Mr. Faber was married to Miss Margaret Truckenbrod, who was born June 30, 1861. and is a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Billhorn) Truckenbrod, both na- tives of Germany. They came to Bureau county with the early settlers and through the explosion of a lamp Mrs. Truekenbrod was burned to death in 1868. Mr. Truckenbrod is still living and is now retired in Mendota.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Faber has been blessed with four children : Ella E., Agnes E .. Flor- ence M. and Clement F The parents are members
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of the Lutheran church and in his political views Mr Faber is somewhat liberal, voting for candi- dates rather than party at local elections, while at national elections he usually supports the demo- cratie party. He has, however, voted the republi- can ticket when he believed that its candidates were better qualified for oflice than those of the opposi- tion. He has been township collector for two years and justice of the peace for eight years and in the discharge of his official duties has been most con- scientious and zealous. Fidelity in public affairs, reliability in business lite and friendship and ge- niality in social relations have made Mr. Faber a man respected by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
THEOBALD J. HEITZ.
Theobald J. Heitz, a resident of Selby town- ship, where excellent farming interests return him a gratifying financial reward for his labors, lives on section 10. He owns three hundred and thirty-four and a half acres of fine farming land, all in Selby township, but not all in one tract. He was born upon the farm which is now his home, his natal day being September 22, 1818.
His parents were Gottlieb and Eva (Foute) Heitz. The father, a native of Baden, Germany, was born in 1800, and was there reared to the age of eighteen years, when he removed to Byron, Germany. For six years he was a soldier of the German army. While living in Baden he served for one year in the war with the French, and afterward was with the army for five years. He resided in Byron until 1842. and was married there. subsequent to which time he engaged in farming and the raising of cattle. Attracted by the opportunities of the new world and hoping to enjoy better advantages for the acquirement. of a comfortable living for his family, he crossed the Atlantic in 1817. accompanied by his wife and their seven daughters, settling on section 10, Selby township, where he purchased land from John Bushon. Here he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits until his retirement, and be- came known as one of the enterprising, leading and prosperous agriculturists of his community. During the last forty-tive year, of his life he lived retired, and died at the age of eighty-eight. In community affairs he was deeply interested, and assisted in building the Evangelical Lutheran church of Selby township, of which he was a most active and helpful member. His life was honor- able, his actions manly and sincere, and his upright life gained him an enviable position in public regard. Ilis wife was born in Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, in 1805. and remained a resident of Bureau county from 1847 until her death in 1888. She passed away about four months prior to her husband's demisc. In their family were eleven children, of whom three died in early life, while
eight reached years of maturity. Catherine be- came the wife of Conrad Weissenburger, and died in Nevada City, California, in 1899, leaving seven children, four sons and three daughters. Chris- tina became the wife of Joseph Gessepele, and re- sided in Selby township until her death about twenty years ago. She had four children by her first marriage, and later she became the wife of Ferdinand Werling, by whom she had six chil- dren, three sons and three daughters. Magdalena Heitz became the wife of Casper Ilage, and re- moved to Peru, Illinois. Following the death of her first husband she married Peter Smith, who passed away some years ago. She still makes her home in Peru, and has two daughters and a son living and has lost one daughter. Barbara is the wife of Samuel Heitz, residing at Depue, this county, and they have eight children, four sons and four daughters, who are yet living, and have lost two. Mary became the wife of Jolin Balzer, who died at their home in Peoria, Illinois, leav- ing two sons and three daughters, and Mrs. Balzer now resides in Chicago. Caroline is the wife of Jacob Sessler, of southern Illinois, and they have seven children.
Theobald J. Heitz, the other member of the family, was reared on the home farm in Selby township, where he has spent his entire life. He started out on his own account, practically empty- handed, and has been very successful. In early manhood he began operating a corn sheller and soon afterward a thresher, and he has continued in the latter business for the past forty years, being probably the oldest thresher in this part of the state. He first operated the home farm of sixty-seven acres on shares, and finally through his industry and economy secured a sufficient capita! to make purchase of the property. Since that time he has added various tracts until he now has an extensive acreage and is accounted one of the prosperous agriculturists of the community. Hle has made all of the present fine improvements on the home farm on section 10 and also on his farm on section 4, Selby township, and all who know aught of his history recognize that he is a man of sterling purpose, whose indefatigable energy and honorable dealing have been strou features in his business career.
Mr. Heitz was married in Princeton to Mis- Christina Irich, who was born in Hesse-Darin- stadt, Germany, in 1817. and came to America with two brothers and a sister in 1861. She is a daughter of Conrad and Christina ( Hoppe) Irich. ITer father died in Germany and the mother after- ward came to the United States and for fifteen years lived with Mr. and Mrs. Heitz, passing away in their home about 1886 or 18St, when seventy- seven years of age. Mrs. Ileitz was one of eight children, six sons and two daughters, but the> however, were born of the father's first marriage. Those who came to America were Adam. Louis. John. William. Catherine and Mrs. Heitz. Of
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these William died at the home of his sister Chris- tina, and the others are all yet living.
Mr. and Mrs. Heitz are the parents of seven children. Mary, the eldest, became the wife of Charles Lange, and died at her home in Selby township in 1901, at the age of thirty-five years, leaving three children, David, John and Harry, while a son and daughter had passed away. Chris- tina is the wife of John Erhart, a farmer resid- ing near Seatonville, in Hall township, and they have three sons and a daughter, John, Edward, William and Tina, while two sons and a daughter are deceased. Catherine is the wife of E. Grant Searl, of Selby township, and they had three children, but only one, Ira, is now living. Emma is the wife of William Hoppe, of Peru, Illinois, and they have one son, Adolph. Lena, at home, is the widow of John Bohn, and they resided in Selby and Dover townships. They had one child, John. Jacob married Miss Lizzie Dedrich, by whom he has a daughter, Pearl, and their home is upon a farm in Selby township.
Politically, Mr. Heitz is a democrat, and is now serving for the fifth year as road commissioner. He has also been school director for thirty-three years and was pathmaster. His official duties have ever been discharged with promptness and fidelity and he stands for progressive citizenship at all times. Both he and his wife are members of the German Evangelical church of Selby town- ship and are most worthy residents of the com- munity. Mr. Ileitz has spent his entire life upon the old homestead farm and his has been a most creditable record, for, starting out on his own ae- count empty-handed, he has worked his way stead- ily upward to success through the persistency of purpose and energy which never fail to win a desirable financial reward.
WILLIAM RUCK.
William Ruck is one of the citizens of worth in Fairfield township, where for the past eleven years he has served as assessor, and the fair and im- partial as well as prompt manner in which he has discharged his duties is manifest in his long con- tinuance in the office. His business interests are those of a farmer and stock-raiser, and his farm is on sections 9 and 16, Fairfield township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land. This has been well improved, largely by Mr. Ruck, who has resided upon this place since March, 1899. He had formerly made his home near Thomas, in Fairfield township, and his residence in this town- ship altogether covers a period of twenty-six years.
Mr. Ruek is a native of Dover township, born in 1853, his father being George Ruck, who died in April, 1902. at the age of seventy-nine years. He came to Bureau county in 1852, and after working for a year in Dover township at farm .
labor he removed to Fairfield township and pur- chased eighty aeres of land near the village of Thomas. To this he added as hi- financial re- sources increased, until he owned three hundred and sixty acres in Fairfieldl township and one hundred and sixty acres in Tampico township, Whiteside county. Ilis life furnislos an excellent example of business activity and integrity. He served for many years a- highway commissioner, and gave his political allegiance to the democracy. As a man and citizen he enjoyed to the fullest ex- tent the confidence, good will and respect of all who know him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Stallard, was born in Gloucestershire, England, which was also the birthplace of Mr. Ruck. They were married in that country, and one child had been born unto thom ere their emigration to the new world. For a brief period they tarried in New York, but soon afterward came to this county. Mrs. Ruek survived her hus- band for about four years and died in January, 1906, at the age of seventy-eight. This worthy couple were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are yet living, and all were reared upon the old home farm in Fairfield township. These are: Mrs. Annie Goembel, of Prophetstown, Illi- nois ; William, of this review : Fred, now a retired farmer, living in Tampico; Mrs. Alice Kopp, of Audubon county, Iowa ; John, of Bailey, Michi- gan ; Joseph, of Kenton, Michigan, and Lottie, who is living in Peoria. Charles and Mrs. Bessie Howlett, also of this family, both passed away several years ago.
William Ruck was reared in Fairfield township, where he has spent the greater part of his life. and the work of the farm early became familiar to him and has been to him a source of livelihood since he attained man's estate. He was married in Ke- wanee, Illinois, to Miss Elizabeth Moon, of Henry county, Illinois, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Moon, early residents of this state. Her father died in 18:2, but her mother is still living. In their family were six children: Seth. who resides in Annawan, Illinois : Thomas, whose home is in Henry county: Mrs. Ellen Booth. also of Henry county; Hannah. at home; and Mary. the wife of Fred Ruck, of Tangdro, a brother of our subject. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Ruck have been born two sons: Eugene W., who at the age of twenty-two years is an electrician in Rock Island, Illinois, and George Stephen, who was eighteen years of age on the 5th of October, 1906, and is attending Brown's Business College at Mo- line, Illinois.
Politically Mr. Ruck is an independent prohi- bitionist, who believes firmly in the principles of the party, but knowing how impossible it is to elect its candidates. he frequently votes for the best candidates of other parties. He has served for eight years as highway commission .- of Fairfield township. and has for years been a school trustee. Matters relating to the public welfare and those
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