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 2
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for his family, spending the greater part of the time in Clarion township. He died on the 22d of November, 1893, and his wife survived until July 8, 1903, when she, too, passed to her final rest.
Gabriel Geuther acquired his education in the schools of Clarion township, and has always fol- lowed farming. That he has prospered as the years have gone by is indicated in his excellent farm, comprising one hundred and twenty-four acres of good land. He raises corn and oats and to some extent mixed stock. His home is pleas- antly and attractively located on section 24, and the residence was erected by him. There are many good shade trees upon the place, and the latest improved machinery facilitates the work of the fields.
On the 26th of February, 1895, occurred the marriage of Gabriel Geuther and Miss Emma Stamberger, who was born in this county Febru- ary 8, 1865, and is a daughter of Charles and Barbara (Gross) Stamberger. both natives of Ger- inany. The former came to America when but six years of age, and the latter at the age of thir- teen, and they were married in Clarion town- ship February 17, 1867. They have now tray- eled life's journey together as man and wife for thirty-nine years. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Geuther has been blessed with one daughter, Leola Lillian Bertha, born October 1, 1902. The pa- rents are members of the German Lutheran church, and Mr. Geuther is politically a republi- can. He is elassed with the enterprising young farmers of his native township, and the success which he has already achieved argues well for the future.
JAMES WYMAN ADAMS.
James Wyman Adams, a representative of the farming interests of Bureau county, was born near Augusta, Maine, on the 28th of August, 1810, his parents being Rodney M. and Liddie (Stover) Adams. The father was a farmer by occupation and on removing to the middle west in 1842 settled in Chicago, but soon afterward made his way to the Fox river and established his home in Oswego. There he lived for three years, when he removed with his family to Concord township in 1847. He made the journey with wagon and a team of oxen and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land. With characteristic energy he began its cultivation and improvement and throughout his entire life he continued farming, making his home in the same neighborhood until he passed away on the 20th of January, 1860. His widow survived until August, 1862, when she was also called to her final rest.
James W. Adams was only two years of age when brought by his parents to Illinois. His edu- cation was acquired in the country schools and he
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received practical training at farm labor through the assistance which he rendered in the improve- ment and cultivation of the home farm. He was only twenty years of age when his father's death occurred, after which he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old home property, upon which he has since lived. He has here erected a good residence and substantial outbuildings and in fact has added all modern equipments and ac- cessories, making the place a model farm property.
On the 25th of December, 1866, Mr. Adams was nited in marriage to Miss Louisa White, of Web- ster, Iowa, a sister of Fred E. White, who is a congressman and a member of one of the old and influential families of Iowa. The father, God- fred White, came from Germany to America when Mrs. Adams was only six months old. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children, who are still living : Frederick E., a resident farm- er of Plymouth county, Iowa; Charles E., who follows farming in Concord township, Bureau county; Elmer E., a bridge builder for the Chi- cago & Northwestern Railroad Company, living at Buda; Percy E., a farmer of Kewanee, Illinois; Ida L., the wife of Alfred Ilartsell, of Princeton : and Louis E., living at home.
Mr. Adams gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and is one of the active work- ers in its local ranks. He is a member of the Wesley Methodist Episcopal church, and his in- terest centers in those lines of thought and ac- tivity which work for honorable manhood and for substantial improvement in the county. Almost his entire life has here been passed, and in an active business career he has at all times been found thoroughly reliable and trustworthy.
GEORGE W. MeDONALD.
George W. MeDonald is operating the old home- stead farm near La Moille. He was born in Bu- rean county, Illinois, February 2, 1822, and is a son of Lester Monroe and Rachel Ann Me- Donald. The father died in 1898, but the mother is still living with her son George on the old home farm. She was born in 1853, while Mr. McDonald was born in 1851. He was a farmer by occupation and devoted the greater part of his time and energies to agricultural pursuits. In the family of this worthy couple were the following named : George W., Alice M., David J., Frank, Mabel, Lester and Leonard, but the last named is now deceased.
George W. MeDonakl, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the com- mon schools and was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the stock. He now operates the home farm and is one of the enterprising agriculturists of the com- munity. In addition to the tilling of the soil he
is engaged in the raising of Duroc Jersey and black hogs.
On the 1st of January, 1895, Mr. MeDonald was united in marriage to Miss Alice Jane An- derson, the wedding being celebrated at her home in Van Orin, Bureau county. She died in 1898, and on the 1st of February, 1905, Mr. MeDonald wedded Gertrude Frances Williams, who was born in 1881.
Mr. MeDonald is a republican in his political allegiance and votes for the best interests of the town at local elections. He is a member of the United Brethren church and is a Christian gen- tleman who commands the respect and confidence of those who know him. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Stars of Equity. He has always resided in this county and his well spent life ha- made him respected by all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contect.
HENRY KRAMER.
Henry Kramer, conducting a merchant tailor- ing establishment in Ohio and numbered among the representative business men of the village, was born in Germany, September 13, 1871. His resi- dence in Illinois dates from 1883, in which year he was brought from the fatherland to the United States by his parents, Carl and Margaret (Eb- ling) Kramer, who were likewise natives of Ger- many. In their family were nine children, of whom Heury was the seventh in order of birth. The family home was established in Mendota, La Salle county, and in March, 1900, they removed to Bureau county, settling in the village of Ohio.
In the public schools of Mendota Henry Kra- mer completed his education, which was begun in the schools of his native country. He afterward learned the tailor's trade, which he has made his life work, and his persistency of purpose in the line of business activity in which he embarked as a young tradesman is undoubtedly one of the strong features of his success. He now has a well appointed merchant tailoring establishment and the work which he turns out is always first- class, so that he had a liberal patronage, his busi- ness having increased year after year until it has now reached extensive and profitable proportions.
On the 20th of February. 1895, Mr. Kramer was married to Miss Louisa Gross, who was born in Mendota, February 25, 1870. There are three children of that marriage: Carl H., born March 31, 1896: Julius .J., March 20, 1898, and Chris- tian J., January 4, 1900. Mrs. Kramer's par- ents are John and Margaret ( Hummel) Gross. who were natives of Germany, whence they emi- grated to the new world. Their family numbered nine children, of whom Mrs. Kramer was the eighth in order of birth. She, too, was educated in the schools of Mendota and became acquainted
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with her future husband in their childhood days.
Fraternally Mr. Kramer is connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 626, of Ohio, and with the Knights of the Globe. His political allegiance i. given to the democracy and on the 1st of April, 1906, he was elected school trustee, which office he is now filling. He is also serving as a mem- ber of the village board for a second term. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church. Through his entire business career he has carried on the tailor's trade, and as proprietor of a leading establishment in this line, is now conducting a business that is gratifying and profitable, his success being due to his indus- try. capability and thoroughly reliable business methods. The family are highly esteemed in the village where they reside, and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.
SEBASTIAN HERBOLSHELIER.
For over a half century Sebastian Herbols beimer has made his home in Bureau county, and for many years was actively identified with its farming and stock-raising interests, but is now practically living retired, having, through his own well directed efforts, became the possessor of a fine farm in Selby township, where he resides. Germany is the land of his birth, being born in Bavaria, December 22. 1829, a son of Sebastian Herbolsheimer, who, as was a'farmer, spent his entire life in that country, dying there in 1872. at the age of seventy-seven years. Our sub- ject lost his mother when only two years old. In the family were ten children, six sons and four daughters, and he had two brothers who came to America : Leonard, a resident of New York city, and Lucas. The others all remained in the fa- therland, where two sisters and one brother are still living.
Sebastian Herbolsheimer, of this review, passed his boyhood and youth in Germany and received a good education in the schools of that country. After putting aside his text-books he followed farming and stock-raising and throughout his ac- tive business life continued to devote his atten- tion to those pursuits. It was in 1854 that he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States, landing in New York. He procce led at once to Chicago, where he remained until October of that year, when he came to Bu- reau county. Soon after his arrival here he suf- fered with cholera and on account of illness lost much time. He was first employed by the day and month, and, saving his money, was finally enabled to purchase forty acres of land near De- puc, in Selby township, in 1856, this being most- ly covered with timber. Two years later he sold that place and removed to Peru, where he made his home until October, 1860, when he returned to Selby township, and bought forty acres on sec-
tion 20. As time passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added to his property from time to time until he now has three hundred and seventy-five aeres in one body, including consid- erable timber land. Besides this farm he has other property in Bureau county, mostly in Ser by township, aggregating six hundred and twenty- four acres He continued to carry on farming and stock-raising with marked success until about ten years ago, when he retired and is now enjoy- ing a well earned rest. Ilis prosperity has come to him as the result of untiring labor, persistent energy and perseverance and the property he has gained is well merited.
Mr. Herbolsheimer has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary Becht, who died about a year after their marriage. He later wedded Mis- Mary Danmer, who was born near Munich, in Bavaria, Germany, in October, 1932, and died in October. 1899, leaving nine children as fol- lows : George, a resident of Denver, Colorado, who is married and has two children: John, a farmer of Sdlby township, who is married and has three sons : Mary, at home with her father; Charles, also a resident of Denver, who is married and has four children: William, a farmer of Berlin township, who is married and has two sons ; Frank. a farmer of Selby township, who is mar- riel and has three children: Anna, the wife of John H. Weber, a farmer of Hall township, by whom she has three children; Kate, a resident of Chicago, and G. Leonard, at home. Mr. Her- bolsheimer has seventeen grandchildren living and three deceased. Politically he is independent and takes a commendable interest in public affairs and is loyal to the interests of his adopted coun- try. He deserves great credit for the success that he has achieved in life and he merits the es- teem and confidence in which he is uniformly held.
OTTO GINGRICH.
Otto Gingrich, who owns and operates a valua- ble farm of two hundred and forty acres in Min- eral township, was born July 3, 1833, in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, and is a son of Herman and Maria ( Bachman) Gingrich. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the fatherland, and on the 15th of April, 1852, when nineteen years of age, crossed the Atlantic to America, believ- ing that he might enjoy better business opportu- nities in the new world. He settled in Putnam county, where he worked on a farm for four years, and afterward rented a farm for two years. In 1858 he removed to Bureau county, and with the money he had saved from his earnings he pur- chased eighty acres of land. constituting the nu- cleus of his present homestead property. To this he has added from time to time until he now owns two hundred and forty acres and his farm is well improved, owing to the care and cultivation which
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is bestowed upon it. His wife also owns thirty aeres of land in Mineral township. The fields are now well tilled and he uses the latest improved ma- chinery in carrying on the farm work.
In March, 1858, in Putnam county, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Gingrich and Miss Anna Leidolf. Unto them were born three chil- dren: Otto, a farmer residing in Nebraska; Ed- ward C., who follows agricultural pursuits in the same state, and Marguerita, the wife of Fred HIar- ris, a resident farmer of Bloomington, Nebraska. The mother of these children died October 29, 1867, and on the 15th of June, 1870, Mr. Ging- rich was married to Miss Elizabeth Wagner, a daughter of Johannes and Withchaina ( Schunk) Wagner, who came from Germany to America in 1869. In this country the father followed the oc- cupation of farming. By the second marriage of Mr. Gingrich there are four children : Amelia M., the wife of Charles Edwin Humphreys, of Min- eral; Elizabeth, the wife of George Alexander, a merchant of Sheffield; John F., a farmer of Min- eral township, who wedded Miss Minnie Case, of the village of Mineral ; and Herman C., who mar- ried Nellie Cecil. of Concord township, and fol- lows farming on the home farm.
Mr. Gingrich has served as school director for twenty years and is interested in the cause of edu- cafion and its progress. He and his wife are identified with the Unitarian church, to the sup- port of which they are generous contributors. A self-made man, he has through industry and en- terprise, advanced from a humble position to one of afiluence, acquiring a property which now classes him with the substantial residents of his adopted county.
MAJOR SILAS BATTEY.
Major Silas Battey, whose title indicated his service in behalf of the Union in the Civil war, became a leading, prosperous and representative citizen of Bureau county, where for many years he owned and controlled extensive farming inter- ests and also operated largely in the development of the rich coal deposits of this part of the state. The importance of his business connections and the helpful and beneficial influence which he ex- erted in matters of general moment made him a leading citizen.
A native of Rhode Island, Major Battey was born in Providence county, July 10, 1815, a son of Sampson and Abigail ( Phillips) Battey. The father was a native of Warwick, Rhode Island, and a representative of one of the old families of that state. The life record of Major Battey was in many respects a varied and eventful one. He was reared to farm life but soon after starting upon an independent business career he became interested in an iron foundry and learned the molder's trade, which he afterward followed in
Providence, Bristol and Pawtucket, Rhode Island, being connected with that line of business until coming to Bureau county in 1854. Here he pit- chased a farm. which he cultivated and improved until the fall of 1862, when, having been elected sheriff of the county, he removed to Princeton. After a term of two years as sheriff, he, in the early part of 1865, recruited a company of sol- diers for the war and was mustered into service with the rank of captain in February of that year. The company was assigned to the One Hun- dred and Fifty-first Regiment of Illinois Volun- teers, as Company HI, and at that time Captain Battey was commissioned major of the regiment. During most of his service the regiment was sta- tioned at different points in Georgia and was ninis- tered out at Columbus, that state, in January, 1866.
Major Battey also had four sons in the army : Frederick A., who enlisted on the 12th of Sep- tember, 1861, as a private in Company F, Fifty- seventh Regiment of Illinois Infantry, and pass- ing through all the successive grades, save that of lieutenant, became colonel of his regiment. was twice wounded in the battle of Shiloh and wa- onice a prisoner, being captured at Dalton, Georgia. In command of his regiment he was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. After the close of the war he was commissioned first lieutenant in the regular army and served with that rank until he resigned October 31. 1870. Marshall Battey enlisted with his brother Frederick in the same company and regiment in the fall of 1861. was promoted to a lieuteniney and afterward to a captainey in the One Hundred and Eleventh United States Infantry, serving throughout the entire period of hostilities and participating in some of the most hotly contested engagement- of the entire conflict. George and Alonzo each served for about six months toward the close of the war. the former as orderly sergeant.
After retiring from the army Major Battey, the father, removed to a farid about a mile west of Sheffield which he purchased and upon which were extensive coal deposita. For a number of years he varied his farin pursuits with coal min- ing. operating at times quite extensively. His farm was a very valuable property of four hun- dred acres, well improved. His business affair- were carefully conducted, making him a man of considerable wealth, and the methods which he followed in trade transactions were of a nature that would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
On the 3d of November, 1583. Major Battey was united in marriage to Miss Mercy Benneti. who was born November 23, 1814, in the same township in which her husband's birth occurred She was the daughter of George and Martha (Wilcox) Bennett, natives of Providence county. Rhode Island. Unto Major and Mrs. Batter we born fifteen children: Sanford W., Martha M ..
Silas Baller,
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George, Frederick A., Cyrean, Bernard, Marshall, S. Alonzo, Betsey M., Linnaeus 1., Linnaeus A. (2d), Edson T., Jared, Herbert O. and Eliner E. Of these ten are now living. Betsey M., Lin- naeus A. (Ist) and Edson T. died while young. Jared and Herbert O. died in young manhood.
Major Battey was always interested in commin- ity affairs and in the welfare of state and na- tion and his opinion was often a decisive factor in movements of general moment. While still in his native state he was a participant in the constitutional troubles in Rhode Island and took his stand in favor of the people. He also served as deputy sheriff of Providence county and after his removal to Illinois filled various township offices in addition to serving as county sheriff. In all of these positions he discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity and was a worthy advo- cate of republican principles. Both he and his wife were active members of the Unitarian church of Sheffield and their aid was freely given to the deserving poor and needy. Major Battey left the impress of his individuality upon genera! affairs in the county, and was an avowed chain- pion of progress along material, intellectual and moral lines. His death, March 14, 1895, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He was survived by his wife to the 22d of September, 1905, who had attained the age of ninety-one years when she died.
WILLIAM J. YOUNG.
William J. Young, deceased, was one of the prominent and influential residents of Hall town- ship. Bureau county, who represented the agricul- tural interests of this section of the state. He was born in Selby township, April 20. 1860, and his death occurred in Hall township, February 20, 1898, at the comparatively early age of thirty- eight years. His parents were William and Mar- garet (Albrecht) Young, natives of Germany. About 1850 they left their home in the vicinity of Munich, Bavaria, Germany, and crossed the At- lantie to the United States, settling in Selby town- ship, Bureau county, Illinois, where the father en- gaged in general agricultural pursuits and here they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1874. while the mother survived for only about three months. They had become the par- ents of three sons and three daughters, of whom, with the exception of William J., all survive, namely: Mrs. Lizzie Gehringer, a resident of Ne- braska; Mrs. Katherine Werner, of Hall town- ship; Henry, residing at Avoca, Nebraska, and Jacob and Mrs. Mary Seamon, also living in that state.
William J. Young, whose name introduces this record, was reared in his native township and there acquired a publie school education. Ile grew to manhood on a farm and when he started out
in life on his own account he continued to fol- low the pursuit of farming, in which he met with gratifying success, so that at his death he was enabled to leave to his family a good farm prop- erty, situated on section 6, Ifall township, which is yet owned and operated by his widow.
Mr. Young was married to Miss Kate Erhart, likewise a native of Selby township, born August 4, 1861, a daughter of Jolin and J. Barbara ( Moser) Erhart, both of whom are now deceased. The father was born near Munich, Bavaria, Ger- many, June 9, 1829, and when fifteen years of age he lost his father. When he attained his majority he entered the army, in which he served for six years. After his return from the war he worked for two years as an apprentice to the carpenter's trade, which was his occupation for a few years. However, he had heard favorable re- ports concerning the United States, and, hoping to enjoy better advantages in this country, in the spring of 1858, in company with the lady whom he afterward married, he started for America, and at once made his way to Illinois, settling in Peru. Miss Moser was also born near Munich, on the 18th of November, 1824, and on the 11th of July, 1858. the year of their arrival in this country, she gave her hand in marriage to John Erhart, the wedding ceremony being performed in the Lutheran church near Hollowayville. They took up their abode on a farm near that place, where they remained for several years, but later removed to a farm on section 6, Hall township, which is now the home of their daughter, Mrs. Young. They were members of the Intheran church in which they were married, and for about twenty years Mr. Erhart served as one of the deacons of the church. His death occurred Febru- ary 27, 1905, while his wife passed away the day previous, on the 26th, and their funeral services were held at the same hour on the 1st of March. They were highly respected residents of Hall township and when they passed away they were mourned by many friends as well as their imine- diate family. They had become the parents of three daughters and one son, namely : Mrs. John Herbolsheimer, a resident of Selby township ; Mrs. Katherina Young : John C. Erhart, living in Hall township; and Mrs. David Herline, a resi- dent of Worthington, Minnesota.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Young was blessed with four children; Emma, Katie, William and John, all at home with their mother. In poli- ties Mr. Young was a democrat and socially was identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He held membership in the Lutheran church, of which his family are also members. He was a. man of high principle, always working for the best interests of his home locality, and at the same time he carried on his own private business in a progressive and practical manner. so that. at. his death he left to his family a good farm prop- erty on section 6, Hall township, which continues
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to be their home. He was always honest and up- right in his business dealings, so that he won many business as well as social friends, who felt deeply his loss. Mrs. Young possesses splendid business ability so that with the assistance of her sons she is continuing the work of the home farm, and she is one of the highly respected women of Bureau county.
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