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 18
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Charles L. Pendleton, the only surviving mem- her of the family, was reared and educated in
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his native county, where he has always resided, and his training at farm labor in his youth well qualified him to take up the same line of business when he reached man's estate. He was associated with his father in general agricultural pursuits, and he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty- six acres of land in his home farin, besides other farming property. In connection with the tilling of the soil and the production of the crops to which it is best adapted, he has always been engaged in the stock business, breeding, feeding and ship- ping, and he still handles some stock, both horses and cattle. He is watehiful of every opportunity pointing to success, and manifests keen discrim- ination in business affairs, combined with excellent executive ability.
In 1882 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pendleton and Mrs. Sarah Bennett (nie Vaill), who was born in Wethersfield, Illinois, a daughter of the Rev. William F. Vaill, deceased, who con- tinued in the ministry until his death, which oc- curred when he was about eighty-two years of age. Thus was ended a long life of usefulness crowned with the honor and respect of his fellow- men because of his devotion to the welfare and moral advancement of his race. Mr. and Mrs. Pendleton have two children: Porter, living in Peoria, Illinois, and H. Grace, at home, and by her former marriage Mrs. Pendleton had a son, William D. Bennett, now living in Los Angeles, California.
Mr. Pendleton is a republican, and the family are members of the Congregational church. Their home is pleasantly located about two miles south of the courthouse ir. Princeton, and here Mr. Pen- dleton is carrying on farming and stock-raising with good success, his ability and energy having gained him place with the representative agri- culturists of this part of the state.
CLARENCE H. DELANO.
Clarence H. Delano, conducting one of the old- est established mercantile enterprises of Prince- ton, but with a record which fully sustains the rep- utation that has always been attached to the fam- ily name, was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and is a son of John H. Delano, pioneer merchant of Princeton, represented elsewhere in this work. He was an only son, and was educated in the pub- lic schools of Princeton, to which city his parents removed in 1855. On the completion of his edu- cation he joined his father in business as a sales- man in the store, and in 1876 was admitted to a partnership under the firm style of Delano & Son. Under the able management of Clarence H. De- lano the business has grown and developed until he now carries one of the most select and extensive lines of goods in this section of the state. His store is a credit to the city, and is a commercial enterprise which contributes to general prosperity
as well as to indivdual success. He is also a di- rector of the First National Banl :.
In 1886 Mr. Delano was married to Miss Lizzie McConihe, a daughter of 1. H. MeConihe, of Princeton. Four children have been born unto them : Martha I., John H., Robert C. and Isabella M. The parents are members of the Methodist church and are advocates of all that tends to ad- vance material, intellectual and moral progress. Mr. Delano is president of the school board and a man of many admirable qualities, being genial and publie spirited as well as progressive, alert and enterprising in his business life. He is spoken of as "a worthy son of a worthy sire," and his name stands not only as a synonym for business suc- cess here, but also for business integrity.
JAMES GRAHAM
James Graham is now practically living retired, but still resides upon his farm of two hundred and eighty acres, lying on section 2, Fairfield town- ship. For many years he was identified with farm- ing and stock-raising. He came to Bureau county about 1850. His birth occurred in Quec is county, Ireland, eighty-three years ago, aul when a young man he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. establishing his home in New York, living for some years in Ithica. In his native country he had learned the business of sorting wool and he was thus engaged in Ithica, working in a factory there for a number of years. Consideration of the busi- ness outlook and the opportunities which he thought were before him in the west led him to the determination to seek his fortune in the west and accordingly he came to Illinois, sattling in Bureau county. Hle bought a farm of forty acres in Fairfield township, to which he has added until it has reached its present acreage. For a long period he was active in the work of the fields and also successfully engaged in stock-raising and thus as the years passed by his financial resources grad- ually increased and now with a comfortable com- petence he is living retired, the fruits of his for- mer toil supplying him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries which go to make life worth living.
Mr. Graham was married in the state of New York to Miss Mary Ann Sterling, who died in 1901, at the age of about seventy-seven years. She was a native of northern Ireland, born in County Antrim. Mr. and Mrs. Graham became the par- ents of three children, two daughters and a son : Mrs. Caroline Adamis, who is residing in Fair- field township; Elumbeth, who became the wife of Peter Burke, a resident of Whiteside county, and died a number of years ago, leaving three daugh- ters and two sons ; and Alfred J., who operates the home farmn. He married Miss Mary J. Wisely, who died in 1903, leaving one con, Alfred Leo, now eleven years of age. They had also lost a
C. H. DELANO.
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daughter, Ellen, who died when only nine months old.
Politically Mr. Graham has always voted the democratic ticket since he became a naturalized American citizen. He has served as school di- rector and in other township offices. He was reared in the Church of England but joined the Catholic church about five years ago. He has now travele l far on life's journey and can look back over the past without regret, for he has always been a man of strong purpose and of high principles, en- deavoring to do to others as he would have them do to him, and finding that while following straightforward business methods he could at the same time achieve a measure of success such as is desired by all who enter business life. He now receives the Veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one of his years and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers this record of his career.
DENNIS BRADY.
Dennis Brady, living in Macon township. came to Illinois in 1850 and to Bureau county in 1851. Although his residence here has not been continu- ous through the intervening period, he has resided upon his present farm since 1868. Ile was born in County Armagh, Ireland, September 10, 1825. and is a son of Francis and Nancy (O'Neil) Brady, who were likewise natives of the Emerald isle. They were married in that country, and on a sailing vessel went from Belfast to New York city in 1828, arriving at the Atlantic port after eight weeks spent upon the water. They then proceeded up the Hudson river to Albany and by canal and team to Rochester, New York, where the father worked as a brickmason and stonemason, having mastered the trade in his native country. Later, when his capital was sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm, he invested in land at the mouth of the Genesee river, where he lived for a long period. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church, and gave his political support to the democracy. Unto him and his wife were born four children, three of whom survive, namely : Dennis, Mrs. Naney Lynch, and Francis, who is living in California. Having lost her first hus- band, the mother became the wife of Thomas MeManus, now deceased, and unto them were born four children, of whom two sons and a daughter are yet living.
Dennis Brady was only three years old when brought to the United States by his parents, and his education was acquired in the public schools of New York. He remained a resident of the east until twenty-five years of age, when, in the fall of 1850, he journeyed westward to Illinois, eventually reaching La Salle. He was both a brickmason and plasterer by trade, and worked in La Salle through the summer of 1851. He
then removed to Indiantown, now Tiskitwa, Bu- reau county, and subsequently went to Henry, Marshall county. In the spring of 1852 he made his way to St. Louis, Missouri, afterward to Vicks- burg, and on to New Orleans, where he was em- ployed on the government custom house, then in course of construction. Ile afterward engaged in steamboating, and made a trip up the Cumberland river to Nashville. Subsequently he returned to New Orleans and afterward proceeded up the Mis- sissippi and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati. He was then again at St. Louis, and worked on the grading of the Illinois Central Railroad at a time when the dirt was conveyed in wheelbarrows, for the modern machinery of the present time was then unknown. Mr. Brady, however, was the first man to use a scraper for grading purposes. In the fall of 1853 he returned to New York, where he re- mained until the spring of 1851. He next made his way to Iowa City. Iowa, and at a later date re-" turned to Indiantown, where he was engaged at his trade. He afterward again went to the Empire state, and, following his marriage he returned to Indiantown. Since 1868 he has lived upon his present farm, comprising three hundred and twen- ty acres of rich and productive land. He has now a well improved property, and in 1891 he erected thereon a fine residence. He breeds shorthorn Durham cattle and also Poland China hozs and Norman horses, shipping his cattle and hogs to the Chicago market.
On the 22d of December, 1851. Mr. Bra ly was married to Miss Emily Moxon, who was born in Doylestown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1826, the wedding being celebrated in Char- lotte, New York. Mrs. Brady was a daughter of John and Martha ( Aldous) Moxon, both of whom were born in England, where their marriage was celebrated July 3, 1813. They had six children, all born in England with the exception of Mrs. Brady. The father, whose birth occurred June 28, 1186, died July 20, 18;8, while his wife, who was born May 21, 1781, died August 21, 1829. They came to this country in 1823 by sailing ves- sel and took up their abode in Doylestown, Penn- sylvania, removing thence to the state of New York. The father purchased a farm, which was partially improved, in Monroe county, New York, and at one time was the owner of two good farm properties. He held the office of school director for a number of years and was supervisor of the county poor for a considerable period. His interest in public affairs was deep and sincere, and was manifest by tangible support given to many move- ments that proved of public good. His political allegiance supported the democracy, while both he and his wife were baptized in the Church of Eng- land. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moxon were born six children, of whom three still survive. Charlotte. the eldest, is the widow of Captain E. S. Church. and resides in St. Louis. Alfred weddel Mary Lloyd and is now living in Kansas.
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Unto Mr. and MIrs. Brady have been born eight children, of whom five still survive, as follows: Edward B., Frederick C., John D. Martha E. and Arthur B. The family are well known in the community as prominent, influential and respected citizens. Mr. Brady is a democrat, and has served as school director for eight or twelve years, but has not been active as a politician in the sense of office seeking. He has now passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey, and Lis has been an honorable and upright career, characterized by diligence, by perseverance and by unwavering in- tegrity. While working at his trade he visited many sections of his country, but in more recent years he has resided upon his farm, and although now in the evening of life he yet gives personal supervision to his place and its. improvements, seeming in spirit and interests yet in his prime. Although born across the water, he has ever been loyal to the stars and stripes, and has deep attach- ment for the institutions of the country.
ROYAL VICTOR CASS.
Royal Victor Cass, who follows farming and stock-raising in Concord township, annually feed- ing and handling a large number of hogs, cattle and horses, was born at Arlington, Bureau county, June 17, 1857, his parents being Isaac Hill and Hannah W. (Blexham) Cass, who came to Illi- nois the former about 1850 and the latter in 1853. The father was a grain buyer. who engaged in business at Wyanet for some years and later turned his attention to the hardware and grocery trade.
Royal V. Cass spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, and was edu- cated in the schools of Wyanet and Princeton. When twenty-two years of age he went to Harper county, Kansas, where he remained for a year, and then worked for one year on a cattle ranch for the T5 Kansas City Cattle Company. He afterward went to Cawley county, Kansas, where his father owned large interests, and there engaged in farm- ing for seven years. In 1800 he returned to Con- cord township, where he bought nis present home. He has a good farm, on which he has a modern residence and all conveniences that render rural life pleasant and facilitate the work of the fields. There are good barns and other substantial out- buildings, and the farm is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences. He raises stock and feeds and markets large numbers of hogs, cattle and horses annually, this branch of his business proving very profitable. He has be- come well known as a stock-raiser and dealer, and in his business is meeting with very gratifying success.
As a companior and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Cass chose Miss Emma M. Darling, whom he wedded on the 11th of October, 1983, at Akron,
Kansas. She is a daughter of Willard Darling. a farmer, and they have become the parents of six children : Asa F., Mamie M., Isaac Il. Mattie Hannah, Mary and Edith Victor, all at home. In his political views Mr. Cass is a stalwart re- publican, but without aspiration for office. He belongs to the Congregational church, and is a school director, the cause of education finding in him a warm and stalwart friend. Ile withholds his support from no movement calculatel to prove of general good, and as a citizen and in social and business relations has made a ereditable record.
MARSDAL E. PRUTSMAN.
Marshal E. Pratsman is the owner of one hun- dred and fifty-seven aeres of choice land adjoin- ing the village of Kasbeer, Ife purchased this property in 1899, and has made his home thereon since 1901. It is equipped with modern acces- sories and improvements, and indicates in its pres- ent fine appearance his careful supervision and progressive methods. A native of Bureau county, Mr. Prutsman was born April 1t, 1859, and is a son of W. R. and Mary (Adams; Protsman, like- wise natives of this county. In their family were three children, of whom Marshal E. is the eldest. He is indebted to the public school system of the county for the educational privileges which he en- joyed and which prepared him for life's practical and responsible duties. He was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the work that falls to the lot of the agriculturist as he plows and plants his fields and harvests his crops.
Having arrived at years of maturity, Mr Pruts- man was married on Christmas day of 1883 to Miss Nora Adams, who was born in Illinois, De- cember 9, 1865, a daughter of Robert and Amanda (Sill) Adams, the former a nati, , of the state of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania They came to Bureau county with their respective parents in their childhood days and were married here. Eight children were born unto them, and Mrs. Prutsman is the eldest of the family. She, too, acquired a common school education, and remained under the parental roof until her marriage. Four children have been born of this union; Ray O., who was born September 23, 1886, and lied August 13, 1905; Harold C., born July 29, 1895; Winifred B., who was born August 18, 1899, and died April 1, 1904, and Orletha M., born Jane 5, 1906.
The family are members of the Methodist Prot- estant church, and in politics Mr. Prutsman is a prohibitionist-associations which indicate much of the character of the man and his devotion to high and honorable principles. Throughout his business career he has carried a farn.ing, and now owns one hundred and fifty-seven acres of choice land adjoining the village of Kasbeer, valued at from one hundred and seventy-five to two hundred dollars per acre. "Te is entirely a
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self-made man, starting out in ire empty handed, without assistance from any source. In 1899 he purchased his present farm, and two years later took up his abode thereon. Ile now rents his land and practically lives retired, leaving the active work of the fields to others. There are excellent buildings upon the place and ting shade trees, and the farm is splendidly located. This excellent family enjoys life to the fullest extent. and are numbered among Bureau county's best citizens. The life record of Mr. Prutsman should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and the courage to do, for it has been in this way that he has attained a gratifying measure of prosperity.
DAVID L. MILLER.
David L. Miller has been a most active and prominent factor in the promotion of the interests of the town of Manlius, and at the same time has successfully conducted outside business affairs, the extent and importance of which have made him a representative resident of the community. He was born March 21, 1861, in Manlius township, upon the present site of the village, and is a son of David Addison Miller, who came to Bureau county, Illinois, in 1850 from Clark county, Ohio. It was in the latter county that he was born May 2, 1827. He had no special advantages nor priv- ileges in his youth, and started out in life on his own account empty-handed. He chopped wood and worked at farm labor for some time in order to gain money sufficient to enable him to purchase land, hut as the years passed he eventually amassed a comfortable fortune, having at one time about six hundred acres of valuable land. He was also an extensive breeder of horses, cattle and hogs, and for years engaged in stock buying. He likewise did business as an auctioncer, conducting stock sales, in which connection he became very widely known. He possessed the unfaltering purpose and keen business discernment that enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, and he made a splendid record, not only by reason of his prosperity, but also on ac- count of his business probity and straightforward dealing.
David A. Miller was married in Bureau county to Miss Ovanda Williams, and unto them was born one son, William W. Miller, who is now residing in Wyanet. After the death of the wife and mother David A. Miller was married to her sister, Amanda M. Williams, and they became the par- ents of six children, who are still living, as follows : Mary Ann, the wife of Joseph Kulp, of Prince- ton ; Julia Delphie, the wife of Lyle P. Smith, of Manlius ; David L. : Owen Alonzo; Maud May. the wife of Ralph Follett: and Bertha D., who is at home. They also lost two children. Mr. Miller,
coming to this county in limited financial eireuin- stances, steadily worked his way upward. Each year he made advancement toward the goal of prosperity, and the methods which he followed were such as would bear the closest investigation and serutiny, so that his name became an honored one in business eireles and all acknowledged that bis success was the fitting reward of his labor.
David L. Miller, reared in his parents' home, entered the public schools at the usual age, and when he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught he took up the business of farming and stock-breeding, thus taking his place in agri- eultural circles as one who recognizes the obliga- tions that devolve upon the individual as he attains manhood. In connection with the tilling of the soil he engaged in business as a stock buyer, and has also bred stock, keeping fine registered and pedigreed horses and cattle. In July, 1905, when the town of Manlius was incorporated, he divided forty aeres from the farm, and on that land the railroad built its property and laid out the town. He likewise became manager of the Northwestern Elevator Company from the time its elevator was constructed, and thus successfully controlled the grain trade until his son, wishing to enter business life, became his successor in the management of the elevator.
While his private business interests have claimed much of his time and attention, he has yet found opportunity to devote to matters of public moment, and has always stood for advancement and prog- ress. In 1901, upon the forination of the drainage commission, he was made one of the commis- sioners, in which capacity he has since served, being elected at each succeeding election. Ile has also served as school director for twelve years and has filled the office of alderman in Manlius, being chosen to the position upon the democratic ticket. He believes it to be the duty as well as the priv- ilege of every American citizen to exercise his right of franchise and to stand in support of those measures and principles which careful considera- tion and sound judgment indicate to be a correct policy.
Mr. Miller was married December 28, 1882, to Miss Lizzie Bowen, of Walnut, Illinois, a daugh- ter of Burton and Julia Bowen, farming people of this part of the state. The marriage has been blessed with eight children, seven of whom are living: Burton B., born December 31, 1883, who is now manager of the Northwestern Elevator Company at Manlius, and who married Lulu Jones, of Manlius, on the 10th of June, 1906; Bertha L., at home; Julian Stewart; Perry David; Harold Foster ; Dorothy Elizabeth ; Arminta Dora, who was born April 23, 1898, and died February 2. 1899; and Donald Leslie, born September 12. 1903.
In every community are found men of enterprise and worth who recognize possibilities and are the leaders in those movements which bring about
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material prosperity and substantial growth along agricultural and commercial lines. Such a one in Manlius is D. L. Miller, and while promoting his individual success he also advances the general welfare.
FRANK M. SKEFFINGTON.
Frank M. Skellington, the owner of valuable property interests and a man of considerable ability as a financier, was born in Westfield town- ship, May 12, 1855. His home is now on section 27 of the same township, where he has lived continuously since 1896. Ilis parents were Pat- rick and Nora (Stackpole) Skeffington, both na- tives of Canada, whence they came to Illinois. Locating in Bureau county, their son, Frank MI., was here born and reared and he completed his education in the schools of Arlington. Through- out his entire life he has followed farming and he is today the owner of two hundred and twelve and a half acres of valuable land on section 27, Westfield township. This constitutes the old homestead farmt and is a well improved property, the fields having been brought under a high state of cultivation, while excellent improvements have been added in the way of substantial buildings. He was formerly the owner of eighty acres of land on which the Rochelle & Northern Railway Coal Company has located the town of Cherry, having a population of about eight hundred.
Mr. Skeffington started out in life largely empty handed. At the time of his marriage he rented land from W. II. Neil, upon which he lived for a year, after which he removed to the Milner farm east of Arlington. There he resided for five years, during which time he purchased one hundred and thirty-two and a half acres of land known as the old Grundy farm. He made the purchase in 1892 and took up his abode thereon in 1896. In 1904 he sold eighty acres to the Rochelle Railroad Company for two hundred and thirty-one dollars per aere and the same year he bought of Hermas Gray one hundred and sixty acres for which he paid one hundred and seventy-five dollars per acre. He gave seventy-five dollars per acre for the old Grundy farm in 1892. His business ea- pacity is shown in his judicious investments as well as in the care which he bestows upon his property.
On the 9th of February, 1888, Mr. Skeffington was united in marriage to Miss Teresa Coakley, who was born April 1, 1856, a daughter of Cor- nelius and Mary Ann Coakley, both natives of Ireland. They came to this country in the early '50s and always lived in Hall township, Bureau of farming up to the time of his death. Mr. and county, where the father followed the occupation Mrs. Skeffington have become the parents of three children, Joseph, Francis and Anna, and the fam- ily are communicants of the Catholic church of Arlington.
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