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 20
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Henry Guither
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where they arrived prior to 1850. They were farming people and lived near La Moille, Illinois, in Lee county, where they remained until called to their final rest, the father passing away Feb- ruary 5, 1861, and the mother, who was born June 19, 1823, died in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Guither have a family of four children : Samuel W .. George H., Ezra P. and Florence A. M., all vet under the parental roof. The parents and children are members of the Evangelical church of Red Oak. The two sons, George and Ezra, have been attending college at Naperville, Illinois, and Mr. Guither is providing all of his children with excellent educational privileges. The family is prominent socially and the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
Mr. Guither has always followed farming and now has a valuable property of two hundred and sixty-seven aeres on section 1, Walnut township, where he raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also some stock. Ilis horses are of the Norman breeds, his hogs Poland China, and he also raises pure blooded shorthorn cattle. He likewise owns an interest in a fine Belgian horse and he is one of the stockholders in the Walnut bank. He is accounted a man of sound business judgment, carefully controlling his in- terests and making safe and judicious investments. He has served as school director for a number of terms and the cause of education has profited by his efforts in its behalf. His home is a beautiful and commodious residence standing in the midst of great pine trees, and there are other large and substantial buildings on the farm. He is regarded as one of the most enterprising agriculturists of this part of the county and is respected and es- teemed by his neighbors and friends.
WILLIAM A. CRISMAN.
William A Crisman, of Macon township, dates his residence in Bureau county from 1854, cover- ing a period of mere than a half century. For many years he has been engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits and the raising of stock, and his success has come as the legitimate reward of per- sistent labor. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1851, and is a son of William and Elizabeth ( Bowser) Crisman. The father's birth occurred at Denen's ercek, in Penn- sylvania, June 26, 1825. He was the sixth in a family of fifteen children, whose parents were William and Margaret Crisman, of Bedford coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and his life history covered a period of almost eighty years, for he passed away on the 9th of February, 1905. He was a self- made and self-educated man. He had limited op- portunities for schooling, and at the age of seven- teen he left home to learn the millwright's trade. After serving an apprenticeship of four years he worked at his trade for two years in Waterside,
Pennsylvania. On the 29th of April, 1845, he wedded Margaret Bowser, and they made their home in the east until April, 1855, when Mr. Crisman brought his wife and three children to Buda, having in the meantime made a prospecting tour through Ilinois and Iowa. For three years he worked at the carpenter's trade in Buda, and then rented land for two years. Finally he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land, on which he was able to make a small payment of one hundred dollars. He had a friend who aided him at this opportune moment, which enabled him to make the required improvements upon the place. By hard labor and strict economy he became one of the well-to-do farmers of Macon township, and as he was always dependent upon his own re- sources, the success he achieved was justly earned. His political allegiance was given to the democracy in early life, his first presidential vote being cast for James K Polk. He voted with that party until the organization of the republican party in 1856, after which he remained an earnest advo- cate of its principles until his death. He served as commissioner of his township for a number of years, and in him the public schools always found an carnest friend. He did effective service in be- half of public education, as a member of the school board and as school trustee for a period of fourteen years, and he always believed in employ- ing competent teachers. He was frequently a dele- gate to the county and state conventions of his party, and was recognized as one of the stalwart and leading republicans of Macon township. At the time of his death he was a director in the Neponset and Macon Insurance Company. He held membership in the Buda Baptist church, and from the first manifested an active interest in every phase of church work, an interest that was intensified with the passing years. He was a mem- ber of the first building committee, and served two succeeding times when extensive repairs were made. He held the office of deacon with kut slight interruption from 1858 until the time of his death. In his material interests he prospered, and became the owner of four hundred acres, constituting a fine farm, pleasantly situated three and a half miles southwest of Buda. In 1885 Mr. Crisman was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 10th of October of that year. She was born March 3, 1828, in Bedford county, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of John and Margaret (Hisong) Bowser. She was an excellent mother and a faithful and loving wife, ever ready to make sacrifices for the welfare of her family. She, too, was a devout member of the Baptist church, and in her life displayed many sterling traits of char- acter. Mr. Crisman survived until February 9, 1905, and then. in the eightieth year of his age, was laid to rest in Hopeland cemetery In the family were eight children: Calvin. who is mar- ried and follows fanning in Macon township ; Wil- liam A., who is married and is a farmer of the
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same township; Viola, the wife of John Ober, residing on the old homestead; Mattie L. and Ar- thur V., twins; Carrie, the wife of Lewis Akin, and Anna, the wife of John G. Anderson, a resi- dent farmer of Macon township.
William A. Crisman was only about three years of age when brought by his parents to Illinois, at which time the town of Buda contained only a few houses scattered along the line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, which hal but just been complete !. The father, a carpenter by trade, built one of the first frame houses in Buda, where he followed carpentering until his removal to Macon township. In his boyhood days William Crisman attended the public schools through the winter months and in the summer season worked upon -the home faun with his father, being thus engaged until 1870, when he began formning on his own account. He started with only sixty acres of land, but he has added to this, and at the pres- ent time is farming a quarter section, on which he has made splendid improvements, having all the equipments of a model farm of the twentieth cen- tury. In 1903 he built a fine barn. He is a breeder of Poland China hogs, keeping on hand from fifty to one hundred head, and he also raises some shorthorn Durham cattle.
On the 10th of February, 1876, Mr. Crisman was married to Miss Alice K. Horton, who was born in Macon township, January 4, 1855, a daughter of Allen and Margaret (7ink) Horton. Her father, the second son of Septimus and Wealthy ( Foster) Horton, was born near the village of Stonerstown, in Bedford county, Penn- sylvania, December 31, 1819, and died at his home, southwest of Buda, January 5, 1900, at the age of eighty years and five days. He was one of seven children, six sons and a daughter The father, Septimus Horton, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1795, and died May 20, 1831, while his wife, who was born April 9, 1794, long survived him and died March 31, 1881. Septimus Horton learned the blacksmith's trade in early life, but made farming his chief occupation. He was a democrat in politics, and cast his last vote for Andrew Jackson. In October, 1822, he emigrated to Highland county, Ohio, where he re- mained until his death.
Allen Horton, father of Mrs. Crisman, was only two years of age at the time of his parents' removal to the Buckeye state, the trip being made overland by wagon and requiring four weeks. When he was nineteen years of age he returned to his birth- place in Pennsylvania, where he remained for a little more than a year, during which period he began learning the trade of a carpenter and joiner. He followed that occupation after bis return to Ohio, and in 1840 he again went to Pennsylvania, but after a brief period once more took up his abode in the Buckeye state. He had had but lim- ited educational privileges. The log schoolhouse in which he obtained his primary eduction was
but sixteen feet square and was built of round lo_ the chinks being daubed with mind. It was heated by an old-fashioned fireplace, and the chimney was made of mud and sticks. Greased paper took the place of window glass, and all of the furnish- ings were very primitive, but in later years Mr. Horton had the opportunity of attending a much better school. He was married December 22, 1812, in Licking county, Ohio, to Miss Margaret Zink, also a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. She was born January 13, 1820, and removed to Ohio with her parents in 1812. "They became the parents of eight children: Alice C., now Mrs. Crisman; Addie, the widow of John W. McClain, who now resides in Buda. These are the only ones living. Septinos I Horton, of this family, died at his home at Santa Cruz, California, where at the time of his death he was serving for the third veal as a member of the police force. Almost his entire life, however. was spent in railroading. For one year he served as a soldier in the Civil war. and acted as one of the guards assigned to watch over the body of the lamented Lincol i after his assassination. He married Miss Anna Dolan, and they had four children. Septimus Horton was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Grand Army of the Republ'e and the Mae- cabees, and was spo' en of by the Santa Cruz paper as one of the best officers the town ever had. Other members of the far tily of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hor- ton were Mrs. Catherine Carper, Mrs. Mary Car- per, Lola, Harvey and Samuel, all of whom are now deceased.
In the spring of 1814 Allen Horton came to Bureau county, where he arrived after a three weeks' trip in company with John and George Zink. After prospecting for a time he finally de- cided to settle in Fulton county, where he resided until 1847, when he came to Macon township, Pu- reau county, where he made his home until his death. He had the honor of naming this township. was its first supervisor and represented it on the county board. He was also several times elected and served as township collector, and was school director of his district. His duties were ever promptly and faithfully performed, and he was a publie-spirited man, aiding in the advancement of various interests in his town and neighborhood. It was about 1851 that he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, Macon town- ship, for which he paid a dollar and a quarter per acre. The land was entirely unimproved, and the first house built thereon was a log cabin. When the first survey of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad was made the line went through a corner of the house, which was afterward moved to the present site, on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 8, Macon township, and convertel int , a barp. Mr. Horton was upusnally successful in his busi- ness affairs, and became one of the substantial farmers of Macon township. His political sup- port was given to the whig party, and he cast his
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first presidential vote for Henry Clay. He be- came a stauch champion of the cause of abolition, and when the reput fican party was formed to pre- vent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks, and continued one of its advocates until his death. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, as did his wife, and their Chris- tianity was evidenced in their every-day life. As a citizen Mr. Horton was patriotic and law- abiding; as a Christian was conscientious, de- vout and pious ; as a neighbor obliging and consid- erate; as a husband loving, faithful and true; and as a father kind, indulgent and firm. Hc had no enemies, as he was every person's friend, and wherever known he was uniformly loved. He survived his wife for only a few months, her death having occurred April 10, 1899. Mrs. Horton was a lady of gentle disposition, and her cheerful ways, her kindness of heart, her charity and benev- olenee and her real goodness won for her the love and respect of a wide circle of friends and neigh- bors. Only two of the children of the family yet survive: Mrs. Crisman and Mrs. Addie MeClain. The latter was born December 15, 1858, and on the 15th of February, 1885, she gave her hand in marriage to John W. McClain, who was born in Trough creek valley, Huntington county, Penn- sylvania, March 16, 1859. He came to Illinois about 1881, and wich the exception of eight years spent in Kansas, resided continuously in the vicin- ity of Buda. In his boyhood he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and lived a consistent Christian life. After an illness of about four years he passed away, July 13. 1899, leaving a widow who now resides in Buda.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Crisman was blessed with a family of six children: Tracey E., who was born December 12, 1877, and is now liv- ing in New Mexico; Howard W., born March 30. 1880 ; Merton .1., who was born Mav 22, 1882, and died March 12, 1886; Myrle, who was horn May 23, 1884; Ada, who was born December 24, 1889. and died June 27, 1906, and Clarence W., born November 16, 1893. The family have a pleasant home in Macon township, in the midst of a well developed farm, and in addition to this property Mr. Crisman owns a half section of land in Barnes county, North Dakota, near Litchville, which he purchased in 1901.
He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. For twenty years or more he has been a school director, and has done effective work in behalf of the cause of public instruction here, believing in the employment of competent teachers and in up- holding a high standard of education. He has long been a witness of the changes that have oc- eurred in Bureau county, for when he came here Buda was but a tiny hamlet, and much of the land throughout the county was still undeveloped and unimproved. Now all has been converted into rich
and productive farmis, dotted here and there with attractive and substantial homes; and all of the evidences of culture, learning and refisement, as well as of business activity known to the older cast are here to be found. The Crisman family has long figured prominently as upholders of the legal and political status of the county and promoters of its intellectual and moral immovement, and in this connection William A. Crisman bears an honorable record.
EDMUND L. ANSTETH.
Edmund L. Ansteth is classified with the prom- inent farmers of Clarion township, where he owns and operates one hundred and eighty-nine acres of valuable land. He was born in this township, Jan- uary 28, 1866, his parents being Jacob and Lucy (Dayton) Ansteth, the former a native of Ger- many and the latter of Clarion township, Bureau county. The father is now living retired in Men- dota, but the mother passed away June 15, 1898. He became a resident of Bureau county in the early '50s, and at the age of twenty-six years he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union in the Civil war, becoming a mem- ber of the Fifty-second Illinois Regiment, under Captain Bowen. He followed the fortunes of his company throughout the period of hostilities, and was ever a brave and loyal soldier. He enlisted one night together with seventeen other young men in the little German church in Perkins Grove, Clarion township, and was engaged in inany de- cisive battles. After his return from the war he took up the occupation of farming, which he con- tinuously followed until recent years, when he put aside the more active work of the fields and is now living retired.
Edmund L. Ansteth completed his education in the district schools of Bureau county. but has greatly broadened his knowledge through reading, experience and observation in later years. Ile has always been a great reader, and is deeply interested in educational work. He was reared to the occu- pation of the farm, and is today the owner of one hundred and eighty-nine acres of fine land, consti- tuting one of the excellent farms of Clarion town- ship. This he has secured entirely through his own efforts, his close application, and his ability to plan and perform, combined with keen discern- ment in everything relating to agricultural inter- ests, have made him a prosperous farmer, and he is now elassed with the leading representatives of agricultural life in Bureau county. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and also some cattle of mixed breeds.
On the 24th of June, 1888, Mr. Ansteth was married to Miss Emma Shambaugh, who was born October 11, 1869, a daughter of Peter and Elmira (Bash) Shambaugh, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to Bureau county in the
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early '30s, and the father began farming here in order to provide for his family. He is now living retired, however, although he and his wife still occupy the old home farm. He, too, is a veteran of the Civil war, having served with an Ohio com- pany for three years during the period of hostili- ties for the preservation of the Union. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ansteth has been blessed with six children: Roy, Arthur, Walter, Harvey, Pearl and Edith. Mr. Ansteth is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp at La Moille and of the Methodist church, associations which indicate much of the character of the man in his upright life and con- sideration for others.
SAMUEL OBERG.
Samuel Oberg, a retired farmer, residing near Princeton, still owns his farm of one hundred acres in Selby township, which is operated by his son, Selby Oberg, and also owns ten arres in Princetown township, located near the city of Princeton, on which he makes his home. He is a native of Sweden, born on the 29th of June, 1832, a son of Johannes (John) Andreas and Christina (Larson) Oberg, who were farming people in that country and died there more than twenty years ago. In their family were seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom John and Claus Oberg, and one daughter, Mrs. Gusta Nelson, the wife of Captain Nelson, all reside in Princeton. Claus Oberg is engaged in the meat business, while John is a farmer. of Arispie township. One daughter, Mrs. Annie Fairn, still makes her home in Sweden. One son, Andrew Johnson, also makes his home in Sweden and is now eighty years of age. Otto and Sarah are deceased.
Samuel Oberg was reared in his native country, where he received but limited educational advan- tages. In 1864 he emigrated to America, lo- eating in Selby township, Bureau county, Ilinois, where he purchased fifty acres of land which was covered with hazel brush. As his financial re- sourees increased he added to this tract until at one time he was the owner of four hundred and ten aeres, but he has since sold three hundred and ten acres, so that he now has but one hundred acres. He has always engaged in general fari- ing. and for ten years conducted a dairy, selling milk in Princeton.
Mr. Oberg was married forty-seven years ago in Sweden to Miss Johanna Earn. Her father was a soldier in the Swedish army, and died in that country a number of years ago. Mrs. Oberg is Low seventy years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Oberg are the parents of the following named : Albert. born in Sweden, has resided in Minnesota for the past twenty years, where he is engaged in general farming. Ile is married and has four sons and one daughter. Lavine, born in Sweden, is a farmer, of Princeton township. He has been mar-
ried twice, and by the first marriage has one son, and by the second marriage has a son and daugh- ter. Esther, born in Bureau county, is the wife of Alvin Johnson, a farmer, residing near La Moille, Bureau county. They have a son and daughter living. Selby, who is operating his father's farm in Selby township, was married in this county to Miss Amanda Axelson, who was born in Sweden and came to America in the fall of 1889. She is a daughter of Axel and Johanna Axelson, and the former died in Sweden in 1891, while her mother now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Selby Oberg. They are the parents of two daughters, Grace and Hazel, both at home. William Oberg is now in Cuba, being in the et- ploy of the government, engaged in railroad build- ing. He is married and has one daughter. He resided for several years in Princeton previous to going to Cuba. Ida Oberg is at home.
Mr. Oberg gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and holds membership with the Swedish Mission church, of which he was one of the organizers, and is one of the few surviving members of that organization. Mr. Oberg has re- sided in this county for forty-two years, and has helped to make it what it is today. Ile was for many years an active agriculturist, but since 1903 has made his home in Princeton township, where he is now enjoying a well earned rest, being one of the well known and highly respected citizens not only of that township but also of Bureau county.
GLENNIS. PIHLLIPS.
Glenni S. Phillips is a self-made man, who, starting out in life on his own account empty handed, has accumulated a very desirable comp - tence and is now the owner of an excellent farming property in Walnut township. He was born in this township, September 3, 1866, and is a son of Alonzo J. and Alzina Phillips. The father, a native of Warren county, Pennsylvania, was born August 28, 1833, and died October 10, 1897, at the age of sixty-four years. Ilis wife was a native of Ohio. They became residents of Illinois in 1857, settling in Walnut township, where for many years the father successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits, there residing until 1895, when he retired from active business cares and re- moved to the city of Princeton, where he made his home until he was called to his final rest, and where his widow yet resides.
Glenni S. Phillips was reared on the old home- stead farm, under the parental roof, amid the re- fining influences of a good home. His education was acquired in the Bunker Ilill district school, and his training at farm labor was not meager, for at an early age he took his place in the fields and followed the plow or the harrow and Inter aided in the task of cultivating and of harvesting the erops.
MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL OBERG.
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Throughout his entire life he has carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of a valuable property of two hundred and twenty- two and a half acres of land on sections 28, 21 and 22, Walnut township, worth from one hun- dred and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty dol- lars per acre. This is one of the best farms of the locality, being improved according to modern ideas of agricultural progress and development. Mr. Phillips also owns one of the best threshing and corn-sheller outfits in the county, and, in fact, is regarded as one of the most prosperous and pro- gressive farmers of his township. All modern fa- eilities and conveniences are found upon his place, which is altogether attractive in its appearance be- cause of the air of neatness and thrift which per- vades it.
On the 31st of May, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Phillips and Miss Anna L. Dunn, who was born May 21, 1873. They have become the parents of three children : Hazel S., born Sep- tember 27, 1894; Inez E., February 21, 1901, and Iva G., January 16, 1906.
Mr. Phillips gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and has served as school director for four years, but has not been active in politics in the sense of office seeking. He is, however, in- terested in all that pertains to national progress and local advancement, and in community affairs has taken a helpful interest. He belongs to Garri- son No. 81 of the Knights of the Globe, and his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church in Walnut. They are both well known in the county where their entire lives have been passed and where they have so lived as to win and merit the good will and trust of those with whom they have been associated.
CHARLES W. GUNKEL.
The name of Gunkel is inseparably interwoven with the commercial history of Sheffield, and as represented by grandfather, father and son, it has always stood for business integrity and enterprise. For many years a general store was here con- dueted by the succeeding generations of the fam- ily, continuing from 1857 until 1900, when Charles W. Gunkel sold out, and is now living retired.
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