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 23
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NATHAN RACKLEY.
Nathan Rackley, deceased, was a valued and prominent factor in pioneer life in this county, and the history would be incomplete without men- tion of him. Born in Orange county, Vermont, on the 15th of December, 1800, he was reared in New England. and while still living in the place of his nativity was married to Miss Susan Judd, who was also born in Orange county, March 6, 1801. The wedding was celebrated on the ?Sth of January, 1820, and after living for a number of years in the Green Mountain state they came to Illinois in the spring of 1836. A few Indians still lingered in this part of the state, although the greater number of the red men had left after the Black Hawk war. Much of the land, however, was still unelaimed and uncultivated, and was covered with its native prairie grasses. Mr. Rackley se- eured a tract of land in Berlin township and re- mained upon the farm, which he there developed and cultivated, until called to his final rest. He and his wife were among the earlier pioneers, and experienced the hardships ineident to the estah- lishment of a home on the frontier. There were many hardships to be met, difficulties to be over- come and obstacles to be borne. The Indians would frequently visit the neighborhood and de- mand food of the white settlers. There were many
wild prairie wolves, and on more than one occa- sion Mrs. Rackley, who was renowned as one of the bravest women of this part of the country, stood with an axe to protect herself from the wild animals. It is said that she could fight a prairie fire with any man in the county, and it was necessary to do so at times, for the fires would break out in the dry prairie grasses in the late fall and hazard the safety of the homes and settlers. In 1837 it became necessary for Mr. Rackley to return to New York to settle up an estate which he left there. He was gone so long that his wife became alarmed and the supply of provisions ran low. Starvation seemed to stare the family in the face, but Mrs. Rackley with res- olute spirit faced the situation and fanned out a bushel of wheat by hand, after which she took it to the old red mill that then stood on the bank of Bureau creek, but is now no more. The miller told her that he could not grind her wheat that day. That was more than she could stand, and the resolute woman broke down in tears. Seeing her necessity, the miller then ground her wheat the next hour, so home she went with the flour that meant so much to the family. for they had had nothing to eat for several days. In those pioneer times Phebe Rackley on many an occasion would go a mile for coals in order to light the fire. There were no matches, and if the fire would go out they would have to borrow a little fire from a neighbor in order to again start the flame in their own fireplace. They used for light at that time a piece of rag in a dish of grease. All of the farm work was done by hand, and there were many hard- ships and privations to be borne, but the family resolutely set to work to overcome these, and in course of time prospered.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rackley were born four children, two sons and two daughters: George, Touisa, Nathan F. and Phebe A. Of these only two are now living: Mrs. D. K. Morris and George
. The father was a prosperous farmer, and at the time of his death owned a good tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres, which had been cultivated and improved through his own labor. He kept in touch with the spirit of modern prog- ross as manifest in agricultural development. In bis later years, when he became enfeebled, both he and his wife went to live in the home of their daughter, Mrs. Morris, and from there were laid to rest, the latter passing away on the 14th of June, 1892, while the death of Mr. Raekley oc- curred on the 25th of April, 1894, when he was ninery-four years of age. He was one of the most venerable citizens as well as one of the earliest settlers of the county, and as such was every- where respected and honored. The strong traits of his character had won for him the confidence and good will of all, and wherever he was known he was highly esteemed. Ilis politi al allegience was given to the republican party. The home ever
NATHAN RACKLEY.
MRS. NATHAN RACKLEY.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
abounded with the old-time spirit of frontier hos- pitality, and was ever open for the reception of the ministers of different denominations who vis- ited the county, and who always received a warm welcome there. Mr. Rackley was not only a wit- ness of, but was actively associated with, many events which have left their impress upon the his- tory of the county in its development and up- building, and he was especially helpful in reclaim- ing the wild land for the uses of civilization when the county was converted from a frontier district into a region of rich fertility, constituting one of the leading counties of the commonwealth.
ZOPHER PHILEMON HUMPHREYS.
Zopher Philemon Humphreys, deceased, was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, October 13, 1831, and came to Sheffield, Illinois, about 1848 ere the town was organized. He was then a young man of seventeen years and for about three years he engaged in farming. When the railroad was ex- tended as far as Sheffield he became a fireman on the engine and was thus employed until about 1855, when he invested his earnings in a farm of eighty aeres near Sheffield. He also bought teams and began the development and improvement of that property, which he enltivated until the early '60s, when he sold out and bought three hundred acres of land in Mineral township. Upon the latter farm he continued to reside until 1891, when he disposed of that place and invested in three hundred and forty acres in Mineral town- ship, whereon he resided until 1905, when he rented that place and bought an eighty aere tract ad- joining Mineral, ten acres being within the eor- poration limits. Here he built a residence and made it his home until his death. He was a wide-awake and energetic agriculturist, keeping in touch with modern methods of farm work, and his well tilled fields brought forth generous har- vests, his indefatigable energy constituting the basis of his success.
On the 13th of December, 1861, Mr. Humph- reys was married to Miss Mary Marrilla Case, a daughter of Gilbert and Martha (Wright) Case, who came from Ohio to Bureau county in 1850, establishing their home in Sheffield. Unto Mr and Mrs. Humphreys were born the following children : William Walter, who was born January 5, 1863, is a carpenter and farmer living in Mon- tana. Charles Edwin, born January 25, 1867, and now following farming, was married January 6, 1896, to Miss Amelia Gingrich, a daughter of Otto Gingrich, a farmer. Dora May, born August 1, 1870, was married October 30, 1993, to William B. Carr, of Sheffield. Effie Emeline, born Janu- ary 5, 1873, became the wife of Owen Meeks, a farmer of Sheffield, on the 11th of September, 1891. Frederick Lee, born June 26, 1828. is en- gaged in general agricultural pursuits. Iliram
Franklin, born January 15, 1ss1, i a farmer and was married April 4. 1905, to Ada, daughter of John Riley, of Mineral township, and they have one child, Wilber. Opal Blanch, born Oc- tober 13, 18St, died on the 15th of February, 1888.
The death of the husband and father ocenrred July 11, 1906, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret among his many friends as well as to his immediate family. He served as school director and was also road commissioner and he gave not only approbation but heart co-operation to many progressive public movements. He stood as a leader in agricultural progress and was one of the foremost farmers of the county. He brought the first traction engine and thresher into his township and carried on his business in- terests so carefully and ably that he soon ceased to be a renter and as the years passed added to his holdings until he had a very valuable and well improved farm. Mr. Humphreys was a self- made man and the first forty acres of land which he purchased he gave to his father in order to prevent him from moving farther west in order to get cheap land. He then went to work to make a new start and at length prosperity came to him. He always abided by the golden rule and was highly respected by all who knew him. His wife is still living and continues to enjoy good health.
C. F. OLSON.
It is ever a matter of wonder the progress made by foreign-horn citizens in America who, coming to this country without knowledge of the language. customs or habits of the people, readily adapt themselves to altered conditions, improve their op- portunities and work their way steadily and rap- idly upward until they occupy foremost positions in the various connnunities in which they live. To this class of citizens belongs C. F. Olson, now numbered among the representative residents of Arispie township, Bureau county.
Born in Sweden in 1817, he is a son of Olaf and Christine Ericson, who were born and died in Sweden. The son acquired his education in the public schools of his native country, and. realizing that the chances for advancement were compara- tively few in his native land, he resolved to enjoy the broader opportunities furnishel by the new world, and in 1867, when twenty years of age. came to the United States, making his way direct to Princeton. For two years he was employed as a farm hand and afterward orcupied a position in the plow factory in Princeton for eight years. In the meantime he had become owner of a house in Princeton, which he traded for forty acres of land in Arispic township. He afterward traded his farm for a tract of eighty acres, which he later sold and then bought a one hundred acre farm upon which he now resides, in 1896. He has prac.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
tically made all of the improvements here and has equipped his place with the modern acces- sories and conveniences which go to facilitate farm work and render rural life pleasant.
In 1869 Mr. Olson chose a companion and help- mate for life's journey, being married in that year to Miss Anna Matikdla Johnson, who was born in Sweden. They became the parents of seven children, of whom Simon, the eklest, was killed in Kansas City, Missouri, while engaged on the construction of an elevator. The others are Oscar, Selma, Henry, Jennie, Hulda and Joseph.
In his political views Mr. Olson is independent, and although he is not neglectful of the duties of citizenship he has never sought or desired office, preferring to aid in the advancement of public progress as a private citizen. He belongs to the Swedish Baptist church and is interested in all that pertains to the material and moral improve- ment of the community. Ilis is a notable and creditable record. He landed in New York with- out capital or friends, ignorant of the language and customs of the people. In his need, however, he met a fellow countryman who was coming to Princeton and they journeyed together, reaching their destination five days after leaving New York. In the early years Mr. Olson had a hard struggle, but he has conquered and is today one of the sub- stantial representatives of farming interests in the county. His industry, native intelligence and un- faltering honesty have been strong elements in his success and he has worked his way steadily up- ward from a humble position to one of affluence, and his fine farm is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry. He has seen many changes in the county during the years of his resi- dence here and no native son is more loyal to its interests or takes more genuine delight in its growth and development than does C. F. Olson.
MICHAEL F. COFFEY.
Michael F. Coffey, owning an interest in a valuable farm of one hundred and seventy-three acres, situated in Berlin town-hip, Bureau county, was born December 3, 1824, in the county which is still his home. His parents are Michael and Ellen (Campon ) Coffey, both natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated to America in early life and were married in Illinois. In their family were six children, of whom two daughters and the subject of this review still survive, while three have passed away, and the father is also deceased.
Michael F. Coffey, the only surviving son of the father's family, was educated in the conunon schools of Bureau county, and on putting aside his text-books engaged in farming, the occupation to which he had been reared. Ile is making his home with his mother and sisters on a farm of one hundred and seventy-three aeres of valu-
able farming land situated in Bechi town-lop. m which estate he has an interest. Here ke carry on general agricultural pursuits, raising the words best adapted to soil and climate. On the place are found many modern improvements, and he keeps everything in excellent condition, so that the farm is one of the best in Berlin township. Ile displays splendid ability in the management of his business affairs, so that he not only derive- individual benefit but also adds to the financial resources of his mother and sisters, to whom he gives every care and attention.
Mr. Coffey gives his political support to the democracy, and socially is connected with the Knights of Columbus, while in religious faith he is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. He has ever been honest and straight- forward in his business dealings, and by careful management of his farming interests has made this place one of the best properties of Berlin township. He is a noble young man, devoted to the comfort and welfare of his mother and sisters, and he is one of the most respected citi- zens in Bureau county, where is entire life has been passed, and where he has numerous friends and acquaintances.
GEORGE T. NELSON.
George T. Nelson, deceased, in whose death the community lost a representative and valued citizen, was a native of England, having been born in Manchester, September 22. 1531. He was a son of James Nelson, who died in that country. In the year 1811 the subject of this review came to America with his uncle and in 1855 became a resident of Illinois, locating on a farm of two hundred acres on section :, Indiantown township, Bureau county, where he spent his remaining days and where his widow now makes her home, having lived here since 1863.
Mr. Nelson married Miss Sarah M. Kohn, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio. a daughter of Dr. Joseph S. Kohn, a native of Pennsylvania, who came with his family to Illinois in 1851 and located in Ti-kilwa. Ile practiced his profe-sion in Tiskilwa for several years and then removed to Stark county, where he spent his remaining days. passing away there in 1886. Ilis wife survived him for ten years and departed this life in 1896.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson was blessed with ten children, five sons and tive daughters, all of whom are yet living, namely : William J .. who married Lula Evans and resides in Texas; Lizzie B., the wife of W. A. Caldwell, a resident of Tennessee; Minnie J., the wife of Willis Mar- shall, living in Sioux City, lowa: Frank G., who is a traveling salesman from Chicig ; Nellie B., the wife of Warren Grange, of Wheatland town- ship. Bureau county : Clifton HI., at home; Fred
George .T. Jelen
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
I., who makes his home in Chicago and is the inventor of the scenic aerial tramway used in parks, etc. ; Sarah B., at home; Thomas K., who is now in business with his brother Fred in Chi- cago; and Grace M., who is the wife of George Putnam, chief electrician of the Hotel Belmont, New York city.
Throughout his active business career Mr. Nel- son carried on general agricultural pursuits and brought his farm under a high state of cultiva- tion. He was one of the early residents of Bureau county and aided in its substantial improvement, continuing an active supporter of those measures and movements which he deemed of public good up to the time of his death. For many years he served as school director and took great interest in educational matters pertaining to the public schools. He passed away January 22, 1896, in the faith of the Congregational church of Provi- denee, of which he was an officer. His wife is also a member of that church. He was deeply interested in the moral development of his com- munity and ever stood for all that is just, true and right. Mrs. Nelson is a most pleasant woman and has reared a family of which she has every reason to be proud. Her son, Clifton H., remains upon the home farm, which he operates for his mother, and they have a beautiful country prop- erty with good buildings and well tilled fields, the residence being supplied with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
FRANK C. THACKABERRY.
Frank C. Thackaberry is a prominent farmer and breeder of thoroughbred Poland China hogs, shorthorn cattle and Oxford Down sheep. He re- sides on his well equipped and finely improved farm on section 9, Fairfield township, and has thus been engaged in business here since 1885, with the exception of three years spent in California. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Chester county in 1859, and is a son of Israel and Ruth Anna (Stanley) Thackaberry, who were natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent their entire lives. The father was a contractor and builder, and for many years was identified with building operations in Chester county. He was a son of Henry Thackaberry, whose grandfather was a sol- dier in the Napoleonic wars and who came to America from Ireland. Taking up his abode in Pennsylvania, he there followed the occupation of farming and reared his family. Unto Israel and Ruth Anna Thackaberry were born twelve children, of whom the following are living: Milton, Mrs. Lizzie Albright, Mrs. Florence Adams, Mrs. Lou Davis and Mrs. Lorena Morris, all of Coatesville, Pennsylvania ; Norman G., who is living in Phil- adelphia; Harry C., a resident of Grants Pass, Oregon, and J. W., of Princeton.
The other surviving member of the family is
Frank C. Thackaberry, of this review, who was reared and educated in Pennsylvania, and, after completing the common school course, he learned and followed the milling business for four years. He then came to the middle west, for a considera- tion of the business outlook led him to believe that he might have better opportunities in this section of the country. For some time after his arrival in Bureau county he was engaged in mine- chanical pursuits, devoting four years to such work in this county and in California. For twenty years, however, his attention has been largely given to general farming and stock-raising, and he is now one of the prominent agriculturists and breeders of thoroughbred stock in Fairfield township. His home is pleasantly and conveniently located on sec- tion 9, and there he tills the soil, bringing forth good crops, while at the same time he is extensively engaged in breeding and raising thoroughbred Poland China hogs, shorthorn cattle and Oxford Down sheep. At the fair held in this county in 1906 he made five entries and carried off five rib- bons, all being first premiums on the sheep which he exhibited. Ilis flock is headed by an undefeated buck that carried all first honors in Michigan from the time that he was placed on exhibition. Mr. Thackaberry also keeps about two hundred head of Poland China hogs and about fifty head of sheep, keeping only the highest grade stock. His farm is thoroughly equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences, his buildings being specially ar- ranged for the care of his fine stock, and through- out the county it is regarded as one of the model farms.
Mr. Thackaberry was married in 1882, before going to California, the lady of his choice being Miss Alvaretta Thackaberry, a daughter of Marcus Thackaberry, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. She was born in Fairfield township, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, of whom two were born in California. Frank is now preparing for the ministry at Eureka (Illinois) College, and has been engaged in teach- ing, and filled a professorship at Big Rock, Illinois. Wayne died in 1893, at the age of eight years. Mamie V. is attending college in De Kalb, Illi- nois. Harold, who was born in California, died in 1893, when sixteen months old. Forrest G., who was born in Fairfield township, is at home. The family has resided continuously in Fairfield township since 1892, and in the intervening years Mr. Thackaberry has given undivided attention to his stock-breeding and raising interests, which he has very successfully controlled, being recognized now as one of the leading stockmen of this part of the state. He has a new residence upon his farm, and it is a most splendidly improved place. Ho has served in various local offices, and was a candi- date of the prohibition party for state legislature, at which time he made a good run. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Mystic Werkers. They are also mem-
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
bers of the Christian church. Mr. Thackaberry is publie-spirited and recognizes the duties and obli- gations of citizenship and at the same time finds pleasure in aiding in support of the measures and movements which he deems of benefit to the county. His life is illustrative of the fact that prosperity and an honored name may be won simultaneously, for while gaining success in an active business career he has at the same time so directed his affairs that naught is said against his integrity and the methods which he pursues in conducting his business interests.
SIDNEY W. SCOTT.
Sidney W. Scott, engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Neponset township, was born in Henry county, Illinois, August 29, 1832. His parents were Robert and Deborah (Dunfee) Scott. The father, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio. was born January 10, 1825, and is now living in Neponset. His parents were John and Nancy (Crouch) Scott, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of Maryland. They die.1, however, in Jefferson county, Ohio. The great- grandfather of our subject was James Scott.
Robert Scott had but meager educational privi- leges, spending only six months in a schoolroom, but his desire for knowledge has been satisfied by constant reading and he has become a well in- formed man. He was reared in his native county and at the age of twenty-two years enlisted in the American army, serving for six months in the Mexican war. He then returned to Ohio and lived for five and a half years in Washington county. On the 31st of October, 1852. he married Deboralı A. Dunfee, who was born at Torch, Athens county, Ohio, March 21, 1835, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Styles) Dunfce. They became residents of Illinois in October, 1851, making the journey from Ohio by wagon and settling near Kewanee. There Mr. Scott followed farming for about three years, after which he removed to Neponset town- ship, where he purchased one hundred and twenty aeres which he afterward sold and then purchased three hundred and sixty acres of land, carrying on general farming and stock-raisin ;. He continued actively in the business until 1880, when he re- tired with a handsome competence, gleaned from his labors as the years passed by. He has since enjoyed a well earned rest at his home in Nepon- set, where he is widely and favorably known. His political support was given the republican party until Grant's second term, since which time he has voted with the democracy. His life illustrates the fact that success may be achieved by deter- mined and unfaltering diligence, for in that way Mr. Scott overcame all the difficulties and obsta- cles in his path and steadily worked his way up- ward until prosperity rewarded him. The family numbers two sons and two daughters: Melvin O .;
Sidney W .; Laura A., the wife of T. N. Bennett; and Josephine R., the wife of Edward F. Norton.
Sidney W. Scott pursued his education in the public schools of Neponset and was reared to the work of the fields, carly becoming familiar with alt the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. At the age of twenty-one years he started in life on his own account as a farmer and in 1882 he bought one hundred and twenty seres of land. In ISSS he purchased one hundred and sixty aeres and in 1897 made purchase of one hun- dred and twenty aeres, while on the 28th of Aug- ust, 1906, he became owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Manitoba, thirty-nine miles from Winnipeg, Canada. lle has always carried on general farming and stock-raising and has been well known as a stock-buyer and feeder of cattle, feeding from eighty to one hundred head of cattle annually and sometimes as high as one hundred and fifty head per year. He also feeds about three carloads of hogs each year and in former years he engaged in raising sheep, keeping at one time from two hundred to two hundred and twenty-five head upon his place. Ilis business in- terests have been carefully conducted and he has become known as one of the leading stock-dealers of the county.
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