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 17
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Theodore J. Beige was largely reared in this county, whither he accompanied his parents on their removal from Tazewell county in his boyhood days. The public schools afforded him his educa- tional privileges, and he early became familiar with the occupation of farming, which he has fol- lowed to the present time, now owning and op- erating a well improved tract of land of two hun- dred and eighty acres on scetions 16 and 17, Fair- field township, and also owns property in Minne- sota and Kansas. He carries on general farm work and stock-raising, and his close application and unremitting diligence constitute the salient features in his success.
Mr. Berge was married in this county to Miss Sabine E. Salzman, a native of Germany, and they now have four children, all of whom were born in Fairfield township, namely: Olga, Emma, Regina and Rudolph. In his political views Mr. Berge is independent, keeping wall informed on the questions and issues of the day, and not con- sidering himself bound by party ties. He has served for sixteen years as a collector, and is now school treasurer, and the public luties thus de- volving upon him have been discharged with promptness and fidelity. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Yorktown, and his religious views are indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church.
JOHN G. ANDERSON.
Among the citizens of foreign birth living in Bureau county is numbered John G. Anderson, a native of Sweden. Ile first openel his eyes to the light of day on the 17th of March, 1803, and is a son of Swan and Sarah ( Johnson) Anderson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, in which country they were married in October, 1858. The year 1866 witnessed their arrival in Illinois, at which time they took up their abode in Princeton. Mr. Anderson worked at farming aml railroading, continuing a resident of the county scat up to the time of his death, which occurred February 15, 1867, at the age of thirty-three years The mother of our subject is now living in Buda in her sixty- seventh year, having been born May 3, 1533. By her first marriage she had five children, but only two are now living, the elder being Matilda J .. who was born March 25, 1860, and is the wife of Herman Lundgren Having lost her first hus- band, Mrs. Anderson was married to Samuel A. Jolinson, who was born in Sweden and died Febru- ary 26, 1900, at the age of sixty-five years There were six children by that marriage. of whom four survive, namely: Hilma. Nellie, Ida and Minnie. The parents were members of the Congregational
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church, and for thirty-two years M. Johnson was in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, acting as section boss for twen- ty-two years.
John G. Anderson was only three years old when brought by his parents to Bureau county, Illinois, and he attended the public schools until ten years of age, when he began carning his own living by working in a grist and planing mill at Galva, where he remained for about three years. He then secured employment as a farm hand during the summer and attended school during the winter months, being thus engaged until twenty years of age, with the exception of a period of a year and a half, which was passed in the Hoxton steam- heating works at Kewanee. He began farming on his own account about the time he attained his majority, and when his labor and economy had brought him sufficient capital he bought seventy- five acres of land in Macon township. He is now cultivating one hundred and fifty acres of excel- lent farming land near Buda, ard derives there- from a desirable income
On Christmas day of 1889 Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Annie E. Crisman, who was born in Macon township, July 22, 1865, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Crisman. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson now have two children: Ruth E., born April 22, 1893, and William C., April 23, 1902. The parents are members of the Baptist church, and politically Mr. Anderson is a republican. Al- most his entire life has been passed in this county, and the success he has achieved has come as the direct reward of his own labors. Starting out for himself when on'y ten years of age, he has been the architect and builder of his own fortunes, and deserves much eredit for what he has accomplished.
MICHAEL RYAN.
Michael Ryan, to whom has been vouchsated a well carned retirement from active business life, is now living in Sheffield, where he has remained for a number of years, having put aside the more ar- duous duties of a business career. He was born in the village of Gloucester, King's county, Fre- land, on the 15th of August, 1819, and was reared to farin life, remaining at home with his parents until thirty-two years of age. On crossing the Atlantie to America in 1851 he joined his brother, then living in Schenectady, New York, and he first earned his living in the new world by werking in a brickyard at nine s' .: llings per day. He managed to save a little money, but his first wages were sent home to his mother. and he later paid the passage of a niece from Ireland to New York. For a year he was employed in an engine manufa tory at a wage of a dollar pri day, and the succe ding two years were devoted to railroad work in Ohio, after which he returned to Schencetady. New York, where he was employed at general labor for twenty
dollars per month by a firm engaged in the toutes, coal and hardware business. For seven oppe To remained in that employ-a fact which idel that he was faithful to the duties intrusted to Hita and was thoroughly reliable at all times
On the 22d of February, 1856, Mr. Ryan wed led Miss Catherine O'Hare, a native of County Down, Ireland, who was brought to the United States when ten years of age. They have one son, Wil- liam. In 1860 Mr. Ryan came to Illinois making his way to Princeton, where resided his wife's sis- ter. To provide for the support of his family he worked at farm labor until 1862, and then, putting aside all business and personal consideration, h. joined the army in defense of the Union cause, enlisting on the 2d of August of that year as a member of Company I, Ninety-third Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, under Colonel Putnam of Free- port, Illinois. He remained in the service until honorably mustered out, August 26, 1865, With his company he took part in the battles of Virks- burg, Fort Gibson, Raymond, Jackson and Cham- pion Hill. During the siege of Vicksburg, which lasted six weeks, every day or two he was in the rifle pits, and ou the 22d of May was in the charge, after which he was on patrol duty. AAfter a thirty days' furlough he rejoined his regiment and took part in the battle of Missionary Ridge, where Colonel Putnam was killed, and after that en- gagement only thirteen men of his company were fit for duty. The division then went with Me- Pherson to Huntsville, Alabama, to guard rail- roads, but was ordered back to Chattanooga to guard a train on its way to join Sherman In an engagement at Dalten, Georgia, in July 1864, his knce and back were severely injured from a ball, and he was sent to the field hospital at Chatta- nooga. As soon as able for service he was placed in the Veteran Reser e Corps and did guard duty at the hospital uatil h's discharge. He now receives a pension, as he has never recovered from the in- juries sustained at the last active engagement in which he participated.
Following his military service Mr. Ryan at once made his way to Princeton, and the succeeding year took up his abode on a small farm in Manlius township, where he still owns one hur Ired and sixty acres of rich and productive land He also) has eighty acres in Concord township. and his farming property is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and enterprise. For twenty-seven years he made his home upon his first purchase, but for a long period before leaving the farm he left the active work to others, on account of his health. He, however, gave personal supervision to its min- agement. and his business affairs were so capably conducted that he gained a goodly measure of success, and is now in possession of a confortable competence. Il resided upon his farm until abrit 1892, and erveted there a fine reglene. In the year menti med however, he removed to Ottawa. where he purchased property which he still
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owns. Then he removed from Ottawa to Sheffield, where he and his estimable wife still reside. They are devout members of St. Patrick's Catholie church, and have been generous contributors to its support. Politically Mr. Ryan is a republican, and while never an office seeker he has always been interested in those questions which affect the wel- fare of county, siate and nation. He has now passed the eighty-seventh milestone on life's jour- ney, being thus one of the vencrable citizens of the county, and in a review of his record it will be found that throughout the entire peried of his manhood he has displayed most commendable traits of character-honesty in business, fidelity in cit- izenship and trustworthiness in friendship. He can therefore look back over the past without re- gret, and he receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one of his years, whose life has been worthily passed. ITis son William, who manages the property, and is at home, is also a republican, and a member of the Catholic church.
MacCLAREY WEEKS, M. D.
Dr. MacClarey Weeks, a representative of the medical fraternity in Ladd, practicing along mod- ern scientifie lines, was born in Chicago, March 29, 1871, and is a son of Charles B. and Irene (Riee) Weeks, both of whom were natives of Illinois. The father was born in Loekport, and is a lawyer by profession. He is now residing in the Indian Ter- ritory, but his wife passed away in 1991.
Dr. Weeks pursued a public school education in Kansas, to which state he removed with the family in 1878 when a youth of but seven years. After completing a public school course he pursued the study of stenography, and for a number of years was employed as a stenographer in offices in the west. Later he took up the study of medieine, and was graduated from the Northwestern University of Chicago, completing the medical course with the class of 1902. He then located for praetiee in Spring Valley. He had previously gone to that place in 1893, at which time he entered the employ of the Spring Valley Coal Company as a stenog- rapher, retaining his connection therewith until he went to Chicago to enter upon preparation for the profession in hic .: he is now engaged Follow- ing his graduation he was associated in practice with Dr. Franklin, of Spring Vall.v. for two years, and in 1905 he removed to Ladd, where he has sinee remained. Here he has built up a good patronage and has demonstrated his ability to sue- cessfully eone with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to cheek the ravages of disease and restore health.
Dr. Weeks was married in 1896 to Miss Martha Nelson, a daughter of James Nelson, one of the early residents of Bureau county. Two children grace this union: Herbert Nelson. born Mareh
12, 1902, and Dorothy, born February 1, 1904. Dr. and Mrs. Weeks are well known and prom- inent socially, and their own home is the scene of many delightful social functions. The Doctor is a member of Dalzell lodge, No. 805, A. F. and A. M., at Spring Valley, and is in hearty sym- pathy with the principles and tenets of the craft. His time and attention, however, are given most largely to his professional duties, which he per- forms with a sense of conscientious obligation, and in his administration of remedial agencies he has shown himself thoroughly familior with moderr methods of practice.
CHARLES W. FORDHAM.
Charles W. Fordham, who for forty-one years has been a resident of Walnut township, and has spent his entire life in this county, was born in Wyanet township on the 20th of November, 1857. His parents were Charles and Elizabeth (Morgan) Fordham. The father's birth occurred in Cam- bridgeshire, England, in December 1835. and the mother was born there on the 13th of November, 1829. They became residents of Illinois in 1856, settling in Wyanet township, and the father re- mained a resident of Bureau county until called to his finad rest, his death occurring in September, 1902. His widow still survives.
Charles W. Fordham was a youth of eight years at the time of the removal of the family from Wyanet to Walnut township. Through the sum- iner months he aided in the work of the fields on the home farm, and in the winter season, pursued his education in the public schools. He has always carried on general agricultural pursuits, finding in that line of life ample opportunity for the ex- ercise of his native talents and energies. He is now the owner of two hundred acres of choice land which would comn and the highest market price. It is situated on sections 21 and 25, Walnut town- ship, and constitutes a very valuable farm, which Mr. Fordham has acquired through hard work and good management.
On the 25th of February, 1877, Mr. Fordham was united in marriage to Miss Florence Ferris, who was born February 27, 1859 They have be- come the parents of two children: Della B., born March 5, 1878, and Sylvia B., born February 11, 1880. Mr. Fordham exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, and is thoroughly in sympathy with its principles and policy. He keeps well in- formed on the important issues which divide the two great parties, and is thus able to support his political position by intelligent argument. In re Jigious belief the family are orthodox. Mr. Ford- ham is a member of the Masonic Indop. No. 122 and also hobls membership relations with the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. lle has been school director for a number of years and assessor for
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several years, and matters relating to the general welfare and the upbuilding of the county receive his indorsement and co-operation His life has been characterized by unfaltering diligence, which is always one of the essential concomitants of suc- cess, and it has been through this means that he has become one of the substantial farmers of Wal- nut township.
ANTHONY MORRASY.
The life record of few men better illustrates the value and sure rewards of character than does that of Anthony Morrasy, who for many years was a prominent and honored resident of Sheffield. Deprived in his youth of many of the advantages which most people regard as essential to success in life, he nevertheless developed his native talents and energies, made the best use of his opportuni- ties and by determined purpose, unfaltering per- severance and real strength of character he worked his way steadily upward, gaining simultaneously snecess and an honored name.
A native of Ireland, Mr. Morrasy was born in the County of Cork on the 25th of November, 1825, and when but eighteen monthis old was brought to the United States by his parents, who settled upon a farm near Baltimore, Mary- land. After a few years they removed to Wash- ington county, that state, and the father died when his son Anthony was but twelve years of age. There were six children in the family, and, being in humble financial circumstanees, the young boy found it necessary to seek employment, which he soon obtained with a distant relative of the family. After two years he accompanied his em- ployer to Ohio, and when a year had passed in that state they started for Missouri. After travel- ing nearly all summer they found themselves. in August, 1840, at Peru, Illinois. In 1841 Mr. Morrasy, not being able to make a definite con- traet as to wages with his employer, tied up all of his earthly possessions in a handkerchief and left the place which to him had become a home to seek employment. After two days of lonely wandering the fifteen year old boy came at night- fall to a little log cabin, where he obtained food and lodging. During the evening and the suc- ceeding morning he made himself so useful in doing chores that the gentleman of the house became interested in him and proposed to employ him for six months at a wage of six dollars per month, and the succeeding six months he was to work nights and mornings and Saturdays for his board while he attended school. In the follow- ing spring Mr. Morrasy secured employment on the south side of the Illinois river at a town opposite La Salle and thus he worked altogether nine months for six dollars per month. From the first year's wages he was enabled to buy a young colt worth twenty-four dollars, The second
year he saved enough to purchase another od:, and trading these for three jokes of oxen he thus drove across the country to California in 1850. In the meantime, covering a period of six or seven years, he had saved enough money to purchase ten acres of timber land and to make a third payment on eighty acres of prairie land, yet up to this date he had at no time received more than fifteen dollars per month.
Starting for the Pacific coast, he made the long and arduous journey across the prairies of the middle west, over the hot stretches of sand and through the mountain passes, until he gained the Golden state. He was fairly successful in his operations on the coast and in the year 1853 he returned to Illinois, where he purchased two hundred acres of land in Gold township, consti- tuting the present farm of his son, Frank W. Morrasy.
In the year 1853 Mr. Morrasy made a second overland trip to California, driving a herd of cattle, from the sale of which he received a good profit. After working in the gold mines for a short time he returned to his farm in Gold tow !!- ship in the year 1854, and for nearly a half century was identified with the agricultural de- velopment of Bureau county. Of the privations and hardships of those pioneer times, the long days of toil, the nights devoid of ease, the endur- ance of storms, eold and heat, the fording of un- bridged streams, the breaking of the prairies, these and a hundred other obstacles which Mr. Morrasy met and overcame, only those who are left of his early associates in Gold township can fully tell. In the making of roads, the build- ing of bridges and schoolhouses, the draining of the swamp lands, Mr. Morrasy bore his full share of the burdens, and in many of those enterpri-es he was an able leader. In a public way Mr. Morrasy served his town as supervisor for upward of twenty years and represented this district for two terms, 1887 and 1889, in the house of repre- sentatives of the Illinois legislature. In posi- tions of trust he was ever found to be a man of absolute integrity, faithful in his duties and un- vielding in his devotion to the cause of truth and justice.
Mr. Morrasy was married to Miss Esther A. Alexander at Randolph. Portage county, Ohio, April 19. 1858. She was born at that place in 1837, and is still living. enjoying good health. To them three children were born: Robert D. Morrasy, who now lives at Dorchester, Nebraska : Frank W. Morrasy, ex-supervisor of Gold town- ship : and Mary Irene, deceased.
Mr. Morrasy held membership in the Sheffield! Unitarian church and was a constant attendant upon its services until presented by the infirmiti - of old age. He was always an earer listener and was interested in all those things which promote the refinements and nobler aspirations, In 185? he joined the Masonic lodge. No. 13. of Nevada
Jours Ly July Anything Marrasy
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City, California, and in 1854 dimitted to Amies lodge, No. 142, A. F. & A. M., of Sheffield, of which at the time of his death he was the oldest member. He held all of the chairs in the order, and at all times was an exemplary representative of the craft. Retiring from his farm in 1887, he became a resident of Sheffield and practically spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well merited rest, the supervision of his property interests being largely left to his son Frank.
The Burean County Tribune, speaking of his political associations, said: "In the passing of Anthony Morrasy, democracy lost one of its stanchest friends, advocates and defenders; and one who was never at a loss to give reasons for the faith that was in him. He was a democrat because he believed the common people are the salt of the earth, and the only foundation on which a republic can cudure. Thrifty and prosperous himself, he had no toleration for the slothful and improvident, but he believed in a free field and fair opportunities for all. He was most radically opposed to special privileges for the rich, and therefore to the so-called 'economic system' with a high sounding name, but which instead of pro- tection for the American workingman, is but a subterfuge and a method of dicker, barter and sale between politicians and wealth, and by which the politicians secure the support of wealth in return for license to plunder the entire people. Mr. Morrasy was a thinker and a man of action, and prompt and determined in the execution of his purpose. He was a Jacksonian democrat. Party was much more than a mere sentiment to him-not the party name or the party organiza- tion, but the old democratic creed, as familiar to him as his own name, was to him a living princi- ple, pointing along the only pathway by which the common people had ever obtained liberty and re- lief from the insolent exactions of wealth and the oppressions of 'rule by divine right.' He thor- oughly believed that 'Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,' and that strict construction and rigid adherence to the principles of democracy as taught by the fathers of the republic is the only safe course for the common people and the only bul- wark against the greed of wealth and the secret plottings of a purse proud aristocracy which dis- owns its country to dwell among titles and kneel at the foot of a throne. And he would tolerate no heresies in even his own well loved party. In the old days Mr. Eckels used to say of Mr. Mor- rasy, 'that he was one of the most meaty talkers he had ever known' Mr. Morrasy was quite an able speaker, and in conversation he had a re- markable faculty of saying a great deal in a few words-of stating a proposition or expressing an opinion tersely, directly and to the point and with a peculiar originality all his own. With more favorable opportunities and under more be- nign conditions during his youth, he would have been a man of mark beyond the bounds of his
county. Personally, his methods were, yes and no. He would or he wouldn't, and you knew which as soon as he decided. Between man and man the golden rule was the line he hewed to, and he was therefore a good citizen, neighbor, husband and father. As well as he loved democ- racy Mr. Morrasy lived the last seven years of his life and died a man without a party. After a long life spent in active participation in all the efforts of democracy he positively refused to countenance the free silver movement, and withdrawing from the party, mourned as a father over a wayward child while warmly resenting any intimation that he was not a democrat."
Although men differed from Mr. Morrasy in opinion, all who knew him respected him because of his fidelity to his honest convictions. He had the unqualified confidence of those with whom he was associated in his business relations and his life was actuated by high principles and manly purpose. He certainly deserved much credit for what he accomplished. He started out on his own account penniless and each forward step in his career was the result of careful thought and study concerning the situation and of able use of his opportunities. Such a life record should serve as a source of inspiration and en- couragement to all who read it. He passed away October 24, 1903, when almost seventy-eight years of age, leaving behind him a valuable estate as the visible evidence of a life of thrift and enter- prise and also the untarnished name which is rather to be chosen than great riches, and today upon the roll of Bureau county's honored dead is engraved the name of Anthony Morrasy.
CHARLES L. PENDLETON.
Charles L. Pendleton, a farmer. residing on sec- tion 29, Princeton township, was born in this county, September 23, 1839, his parents being A. B; and II. N. (Loomis) Pendleton, who were natives of Connecticut. The father was born De- cember 29, 1807, and the mother May 2. 1815. They were married October 5, 1835, and in 1838 came to Bureau county. Illinois. from Tolland county, Connecticut. By frade the father was a carpenter, but during the greater part of his resi- dence in Bureau county devoted his energies to farming, and made substantial progress financially in that undertaking. IFe died June 21, 1879, and for a long period was survived by his wife, who passed away May 30, 1895. They were the par- ents of four children, of whom Miry and Erastus died when young, while a son and daughter reached years of maturity. The latter. Harriet, born March 26, 1851, was married December 28, 18:1 to W. W. Powell, of Putnam county, and died February 25, 1888, at the age of thirty-seven years.
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