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 24
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On the 23d of February, 1882, Mr. Scott was married of Miss Elizabeth Batdorff, who was born in Neponset township, January 26, 1861, a dangh- ter of Michael and Sarah (Norton) Batdorff. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been born the following named children : Lucy. born March 6, 1881 : Rob- ert A., June 1, 1886; Albert E., January 23, 1893; Nellie M., September 28, 1894; Blanche, Septem- ber 28, 1896 ; and Velma, August 10, 1898. They also lost one child in infancy.
In politics Mr. Scott is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party, but he has little time or opportunity for political work, pro- ferring to give his attention to his business inter- ests. He is justly regarded as one of the foremost farmers and stock-raisers of Neponset township, for his business has now reached extensive propor- tions and in its control he shows keen discernment and marked enterprise.
EDWARD H. MARRIOTT.
Edward II. Marriott is proprietor of a meat mar- ket in La Moille, his native village. He was born February 28, 1860, and is of English lineage. He was one of two children whose parents were Henry and Jane ( Perry) Marriott, natives of England, who came to the United States in 185; and settled in La Moille township, Bureau county, Illinois. The other child of the family died at the age of six years. The father is living at Kearney, Ne- braska, but the mother passed away November 25, 1878.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
The boyhood days of Edward IT. Marriott were quietly passed, unmarked by any event of special importance. The duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground occupied his attention, his edueation being acquired in La Moille. After leaving school he entered into the meat market business and has since continued in this line, being now proprietor of a good establishment of this character. It is well equipped in its various ap- pointments for the care and preservation of meat and his shop is at all times neat and well con- dueted, so that he has a liberal patronage. His business methods are so strictly honorable and straightforward that he enjoys the confidence of the entire public and his trade is in consequence continually growing.
On the 17th of September, 1881, Mr. Marriott was married to Miss Sarah E. Lingel, of Sterling, Illinois, who was born in Pennsylvania, June 10, 1862, and was brought to Illinois when only two years of age by her parents, John and Frances (Finafrock) Lingel, who were likewise natives of the Keysloue state, born in Franklin county. In their family were six children, of whom Mrs. Mar- riott was the youngest. Her girlhood days were passed in this state and her education was acquired in the schools of Sterling. Three children have graced this marriage, Dare, Ned and Beth. The second son is now in the state of Washington, while the elder son and the daughter yet remain at home.
Mr. Marriott in his fraternal relations is con- nected with the Mystic Worker, lodge, No. 227. at La Moille, and since casting his first presidential ballot for Rutherford B. Hayes, of Ohio, he has been a stalwart republican in his political associa- tion. He owns in La Moille an attractive home and six acres of land, also a brick busines- block, in which he conducts his market, and other prop- erty. He had no special advantages at the outset of his career, but he stands today among the lead- ing business men of La Moille, having a good pat- ronage, while in his township he is known as a man of kindly and genial disposition, whose defer- ence for the opinions of others and whose genuine personal worth have gained him the confidence and goodwill of a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances.
JAMES S. FULLER.
James S. Fuller, engaged in general agrieul- tural pursuits, who in former years gained more than local reputation as a school teacher and is now making a creditable record in farming circles, resides in Ohio township. His birth occurred in Geneseo, Illinois, on the 27th of January, 1861, his parents being Charles and Catharine (Brady) Fuller. The father was born in Ithica, New York, and eame to Illinois in 1829 when all the northern section of this state was an almost uninhabited
district, giving little promise of its present devel- opment and progress. He married Mis Brady, a native of Pennsylvania, and of their family of nine children James S. was the sixth in order of birth.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for James S. Fuller in his early boyhood days. He pursued his preliminary education in the public schools of Henry county and afterward enjoyed the advantage of instruc- tion in the Northwestern Normal school at Gene- seo, Illinois. When his student life was ended he became a teacher and for ten years followed that profession with excellent success, proving an able representative of the system of public instruction in this part of the state. Ile was an excellent dis- ciplinarian and, moreover, had the ability to in- part clearly and concisely to others the knowledge that he had acquired. His entire attention is now given to general agricultural pursuits and he owns eighty acres of land which was the old homestead property of Mrs. Fuller. The farm is now well improved, the fields being richly cultivated and divided into tracts of convenient size by well kept fences. The buildings are in good repair and everything about the place is indicative of the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner.
On the 3d of April, 1889, James S. Fuller was married to Miss Ella Haines, who was born in Bureau county, July 4, ISGS. She, too, completed her education in Northwestern Normal at Gene- seo, Illinois. Her parents were A. J. and Julia (Williamis) Haines, natives of Maine and of Peun- sylvania respectively. They became carly pioneer residents of Bureau county, settling here in 1835, at which time they cast in their lot with the eiti- zens of Ohio township. Both, however, are now de- ceased. In their family were four children, of whom Mrs. Haines is the third in order of birth. The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with a son and daughter: Albert A., born May 11, 1894; and Mildred G., born March 30, 1900.
Regarding it the duty as well as the privilege of every AAmerican citizen to support the political principles which he believes are most conducive to general good and the best government, he gives a loyal support to the republican party. Frater- nally he is connected with lodge No. 61, Knights of the Globe, and he and his family are members of the Methodist church, in the work of which he is interested, while to its support he contributes liberally. The family are now comfortably sit- uated in life and Mr. Fuller is deserving of credit for what he has accomplished in the business world. IIe had little assistance when he started out on his own account, but he realized that the essential qualities of success are close appleation, unfaltering perseverance and trustworthiness, and upon that foundation he has buildled the super- structure of his pro-ent prosperity. He is an ad-
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vocate, too, of education and of all those things which promote esthetic, intellectual and moral eul- ture and his influence is ever on the side of the right, the true and the beautiful.
LE ROY HUDSON REED.
Le Roy Hudson Reed, whose name is now on the roll of Bureau county's honored dead, was born in Perry county, Ohio, July 13, 1841, and be- longed to that class of citizens who are true and loyal to public interests and who in private life manifest many sterling traits of character. His father, the Rev. John Reed, was a native of Massa- chusetts and a minister of the Methodist Episco- pal church. With his family he removed to Grant county, Wisconsin, in 1854, and there lived for ten years, coming thence to Bureau county, Illi- nois, in 1864, where he spent his remaining days. His political views were in accord with repub- liean principles.
Le Roy Hudson Reed was educated in the com- mon schools and was reared amid the refining in- fluences of a good Christian home, so that the seeds of honorable manhood were early planted in his inind through the training and teaching which he received under the parental roof. On the 7th of August, 1866, he wedded Miss Sarah F. Britton, who was born in Mason county, Illi- nois, May 20, 1846. She was one of the eleven children of Deacon Andrew and Eunice ( Benja- min) Britton. Her mother was from Allegany county, New York, and her father came to Bureau county from Mason county, Illinois, in 1850, ac- companied by his family. He lived upon his farm until 1872, when he retired from active business life and took up his abode in Bradford. Both he and his wife have now passed away. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reed were born eight children, six daughters and two sons, all of whom are yet liv- ing. Adda E. married John M. Christman, a farmer and stockman living in Nevada, Iowa, and has one daughter. Stella is the wife of Baxter Sharp, a dentist of Mendota, Illinois, and has three sons. Cora Etta is the wife of George Smith, a farmer of Marshall county, Illinois, and they have one son and one daughter. Sarah Grace, Dorlesque J., M. Viola and Frank B. are all at home; and Clark L., the youngest of the family, is attending college at Ames, Iowa. There is also an adopted son, Christopher King, who studied law in Chicago and has now practiced his profes- sion for seven or eight years with offices in the New York Life Building in Chicago. Before tak- ing up the profession of the law he taught school for several years and he is a young man of strong intellectual force and ability. Ile married Lottie Dutton, of Chicago, September 15, 1906.
During an active life Le Roy H. Reed became the owner of the land upon which his father first settled on coming to Bureau county and always
lived upon the old home place. He had altogether three hundred and twenty avres in Milo town:'up, where his widow now resides, and he improved the farm, making it a nice property equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories. It is located on section 31 and about three miles east of Brad- ford. The farm work is now conducted by their son Frank, who is extensively engaged in the rais- ing and feeding of cattle, horses and hogs and also buys and sells stock.
Politically Mr. Reed was an carnest republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party. He served as school director and road commissioner and was an active member of the Methodist Epis- copal church at Bradford, of which he served as trustee for many years. He was deeply interested in the material, intellectual and moral progress of his community and he stood for all that is right and just in man's relations with his fellowmen and for all that tends to ameliorate the hard condi- tions of life for the more unfortunate ones of the world. His good qualities were so many and his friendships so sincere that he was well liked by all and his death, which occurred April 29, 1906, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His widow still resides upon the old homestead and has many friends in the community.
THOMAS EARL VAUGHN.
Thomas Earl Vaughn, decrased, was a man whom to know was to respect and honor, and in Burean township, where he had very wide ac- quaintance, his memory is cherished by many friends. Ile was born at New Bedford, Massi- chusetts, in July, 1832, a son of Stilhnan and Lucinda (Washburn) Vanghn, both of whom were natives of the old Bay state. On leaving New England they located in Zanesville, Ohio, and re- moved thence to Bureau county, Illinois, where they arrived when their son, Thomas E., was a young man of eighteen years. This was about 1850 and through almost a half century he re- mained a resident of the county, identified with its agricultural interests.
On the 9th of November, 1855, Mr. Vaughn was united in marriage to Miss Lydia J. Hollings- head, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Hollings- head. Her father's death occurred in this eoun- ty and her mother passed away in the spring of 1891. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn was blessed with a family of twelve children : Lewis, John A., Nathan F., Julia A., Lillian MI., Thomas C., Emma J., Fannie E., Maggie S., Earl S., Verna V. and Nellie L. The daughters Lil- lian and Maggie, are now decea-ed.
As the years passed by Mr. Vaughn became the owner of a valuable farm property comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, in addition to which he owned fifty acres of timber land, This, however, did not comprise the extent of his
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THOMAS E. VAUGHIN.
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
acreage, for as his financial resources increased he made judicious investments in property and dur- ing his life time owned five hundred and thirty acres, being one of the large landholders of this part of the county. Ile also engaged in mer- chandising in the town of Wyanet for a number of years, dealing in hardware and clothing and afterward in groceries. Ile secured a liberal patronage in his store, owing to his earnest efforts to please his customers, his reasonable prices and his straightforward dealings. Ile was a man of good business capacity and of executive force and his labors resulted in the acquirement of a very handsome competence. He was always interested in matters relating to the general welfare and though he never sought or desired publie office he kept well informed on issues of the day and generally gave his support to the republican party. IIe did not consider himself bound by party ties, however, and frequently cast an independent bal- lot. His religions faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist church and was, moreover, evidenced by his daily life. his con- sideration for the rights of others and his hon- esty and integrity under all conditions. Hle passed away February 9, 1899 in his sixty-sixth year and the community thereby lost one of its valued citizens, his neighbors a faithful friend and his family a devoted husband and father.
Mrs. Vaughn is also a devoted and zealous mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. She still lives upon the old homestead and her son Lewis and daughter Emma J. are still living with her.
DARIUS MILLER.
Darius Miller, first vice-president of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quiney railway, with office in Chicago, was born in Princeton, Illinois, April 3, 1859. Almost his entire life has been devoted to railroad service, in which he has made steady prog- ress, his ability gaining recognition in promotion which has made him consecutively stenographer in the general freight office of the Michigan Cen- tral railroad from November, 1877, until June, 1880; clerk in the general freight office of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern railway from June, 1880, until February, 1881; chief clerk to the general manager of the Memphis & Little Rock Railroad from February, 1881, until October, 1883; general freight and ticket agent of the same road from October S, 1883, until June 1, 1887; general freight and passenger agent of the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas railroad from June, 1887, until July, 1889; traffic manager of the same road from July 1, 1889, until December 15, 1800; traffic manager of the Queen & Crescent route from December 15, 1890, until May 20, 1893; traffic manager of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railway from May 20, 1893, to September 1, 1896; vice president of the same road from Sep-
tember 1, 1896, until November 15, 18985 3cond vice president of the Great Northern radwas from November 15, 1898, to December 31, 1901; and on the 1st of January, 1902, he became first vice president of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railway. His rise has thus been rapid to a posi- tion of prominence, making him one of the well known factors in railroad circles in the country.
JONATHAN N. PETTIGREW.
Jonathan N. Pettigrew is a retired farmer liv- ing on section 16, Milo township. He has fol- lowed the natural course of events in a busy life, for nature seems to have intended that man should enjoy a period of rest in his later years. In youth he is full of energy and hope and these later are tempered by sound judgment and business experi- ence and when industry is well applied and when perseverance is unceasing he eventually earns a competence which in the evening of life permits him to enjoy a well carned rest. Such has been the record of Mr. Pettigrew, a most respected citi- zen of Milo township. He was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, December 19, 1831, a son of Nathan Pettigrew, who spent his later years in this county and here passed away. In the family were nine children, of whom there were seven sons, Jonathan N. being the youngest. He now has one sister living, Mary Frances, of Martinsville, Indiana.
Mr. Pettigrew of this review was educated in the common schools of his native state and also attended school for two winters after arriving in Illinois. He came to Bureau county in 1849 when a youth of sixteen years, arriving here with only fifteen cents in his pocket. His financial condition rendered immediate employment a necessity. He had driven across the country with one horse, an old buggy and a saddle horse, and after reaching his destination he worked at anything that he could get to do that would yield him an honest living. Thus he made his start, carefully saving his earnings until in 1851 he had a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase three eighty-acre tracts of land, for which he paid three hundred dollars. Ile has since lived upon the farm which at that time came into his possession. He now owns eighty aeres where he resides, together with fif- teen acres of timber land, and has a well developed farm property, his home being pleasantly and con- veniently situated about five miles from Bradford. He has seen the country grow from a rough prairie into one of the rich agricultural counties of the state and has done much toward making it what it is today.
Mr. Pettigrew was married to Mise Diana E. Blaisdell, of Peoria county, Ilinois, who was born in Mercer county, this state. They had four chil- dren : Jay, who married Mrs. Towilliger, by whom he has a son and a daughter, and lives in Brad-
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ford, Illinois; Lou, who died in 1901, leaving a wife and two children; Laura, the wife of Asa Lake of Stark county, Illinois; and Benjamin, who married a Miss Webster and lives upon his father's farm. He has one child.
Politieally Mr. Pettigrew is a republican but has never had aspiration for office nor has he ever identified himself with fraternal organizations. He and his wife are yet very active and he is a self- made man, deserving much credit for what he has accomplished. He has been both the architect and builder of his own fortunes and the result of his labors has been gratifying.
OLIVER WELLS MCKENZIE.
Oliver Wells MeKenzie, who died on the ?2d of July, 1892, was a citizen of sterling worth who for many years had resided upon his farm just south of Yorktown in Fairfield township and who was honored and respected throughout the community and wherever he was known. Coming to this country at an early day, he demonstrated in his life record that success and an honorable name may be won simultaneously, for he started out in life empty handed and worked his way steadily upward until he was numbered among the prosperous residents of the county. Moreover, he was closely associated with many early events which have left their impress upon the develop- ment and upbuilding of the community.
A native of New York, Mr. MeKenzie was born in Port Henry, March 8, 1825, his parents being John and Betsy (Havens) MeKenzie, who were likewise natives of that place. They came to the west accompanied by their family of nine chil- dren, including Hiram, Eliza, John, Oliver W., De Lafayette, Lyman, Louisa, Robert and Chaun- cey. Of these Lyman, Robert and Chauncey are still living and the last two are residents of this county, while Lyman makes his home in Wood- ruff. Kansas. The father purchased a farm near Yorktown in Fairfield township, constituting a part of the property now owned by his son Rob- ert. He devoted his remaining days to the ardu- ous task of developing and improving a new farm on the frontier and here passed away July 3, 1857, at the age of sixty-three years. while his wife died on the 5th of March, 1551, at the age of fifty-eight years.
Oliver W. MeKenzie, whose name introduces this record, accompanied the family on their re- moval westward to Bureau county in the spring of 1846. His education had been acquired in the schools of his native state and there he had learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed prior to his marriage. He was the first blacksmith and storekeeper in Yorktown and thus he became closely associated with the early growth and im- provement of the community and with the work. of establishing its industrial and commercial
status. Following his matibio he turned hie de- tention to farming, settling on section 7, Ffald township. Ile was a prosperous agriculturet and in addition to the tilling of the soil he was ex- tensively engaged in raising cattle, horses and hogs. Whatever he undertook he carried forward to completion and his unfaltering perseverance and his diligence, which enabled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path, at length gained him a place among the prosperous men of the county. He added to his original holdings until at one time he owned nearly seven hundred acres of land, of which one hundred and sixty acres was in Whiteside county, while the remainder was in Bureau county. He continued actively in business until about sixteen months prior to his demise and therefore his was a most useful, active life, while his business integrity also stood as one of the salient features in his career.
Mr. MeKenzie was married in Princeton to Miss Emily Dow on the 20th of March, 1850. She was a sister of Benjamin F. Dow, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work, and for thirty- eight years she proved a faithful companion and helpmate to her husband on life's journey, at the end of which time she was called to her final rest on the 5th of November, 1888, when fifty- eight years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McKen- zie were born six children, Eliza E., the eldest, born February 3, 1851, was married on the 13th of February, 18GS, to William M. Brooks, who was born August 27, 1816, near Cato. New York, and in 1859, when a youth of thirteen, accom- panied his parents on their removal to Gales- burg, Illinois. The family, however, was soon afterward established in Fairfield township. Bu- reau county, where the parents made their home until death. William M. Brooks was a son of Earl S. and Margaret (Jewell) Brooks, the former passing away February 21, 1853, at the age of seventy-six years, while the latter died on the 21st of April, 1901, at the advanced age of eighty- four. Mr. and Mrs. William M. Brooks now have three children. Clintom A., who was born March 12, 1822, and is now residing near Center Chapel in Fairfield township, was married March 25. 1894, to Miss Nettie Bunker and has thiee eh il- dren: Eva Dell, born September 6, 1995; De Wayne, born February 5, 1901: and Clara W .. who was born February 12. 1904. Glenn E. Brooks, horn February 16. 18$1, and now engaged in farming in Fairfield township, married Miss Lena Rowe on the 19th of March, 1902. and has one son. Gordon. Blanche M. Brooks, born June 23, 1883, became the wife of Le Roy Darnell on the 26th of August, 1903. They reside just south of Yorktown and they Live two children: Evelyn and Kenneth. Julius Adelbert MeKentic, born July 11. 1853, dial September 22, 18.6. Ravmen 1 H., born November 30. 1851, and now living relied at Tampico, was mirris I to Lovin
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
West and they have three children: Le Roy, Fern and Clyde. William E., born October 20, 1856, died November 25, 1858. Oliver Wilson, born July 5, 1859, died July 3, 1863; and one child, born September 27, 1861, died when only three weeks old.
Oliver W. Mckenzie was always a stalwart dem- ocrat in his political faith but frequently cast an independent ballot at local elections. He was the first constable and also the first assessor in Fairfield township and was closely identified with publie progress whether in office or out of it. He lived in the county in early days when its homes were largely pioneer cabins and when much of its land was uncleared and uncultivated. His mem- ory eompassed the time when the houses were heated with fireplaces and lighted by candles and when the farm work was done with very erude machinery as compared to the improved agricul- tural implements of this day. However, he kept in touch with the trend of modern progress and at all times he stood for every interest that tended to benefit the county along material, intellectual and moral lines. He was always straightforward in his business transactions, considerate of his friends, kindly in manner and of unquestioned integrity of purpose, and thus he left behind him a record which is indeed worthy of emulation.
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