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 27
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Clayton C. Pervier, whose influence has been far-reaching and his labors beneficial in the lines of agricultural and political activity in Bureau county, stands at all times for advancement. His position is never an equivocal one and he is not a theorist nor an idealist, but utilizes practical methods that produce results, so that his opinions carry weight and his ideas are carefully con- sidered, whether expressed upon some subject bearing upon the farming interests or the great politieal questions which affect the state at large.
Mr. Pervier is one of Bureau county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Mineral town- stip, March 4, 1857. He is a son of the Rev. Sylvester Lane Pervier, whose history is found on another page. His boyhood days were spent at home and he attended the public schools until sixteen years of age, when he continued his studies under Professor George B. Harrington, at Anna- wan. He also began teaching about the same time, following the profession in Kewanee town- ship, Henry county. He taught in the winter months, attended school in the spring and fall and worked on the farm in the summer, so that the year was a busy one, with few idle hours. He continued to engage in teaching through the win- ter seasons for sixteen years and he followed farming on the old homestead until 1887, when
he came to his present home. In the meantime, in 1815, he had entered the University of Illi- nois, at Urbana, where he remained as a student for two years, and then when his funds were ex- hausted he returned to the farm. His education was thus acquired under some difficulty, but he has embraced every opportunity for extending his knowledge and has been a broad reader. He is a practical farmer and is prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the state, keep- ing in close touch with the work of the experiment station and the United States department of agri- culture. He has been three times chosen presi- dent of the Bureau County Farmers Institute and is now secretary of that org .nization. He is also a state farmers' institute le turer, in which connection he is widely known throughout Ili- nois, and that he is a popular speaker on the themes which he handles is indicated by the faet that he is frequently recalled to the places where he has onee lecturel. A practical demonstration of his theories and proof of his opinions is found on his own farm, which is a splendidly improved property, on which the work is carried forward along modern scientific lines with results that are most admirable and desirable. He received from the governor of Illinois appointment as delegate to the Farmers' National congress in October, 1906, held in Rock Island. He had received simi- lar appointments twice before but the long dis- tance of the convention city from his home pre- vented his attending.
On the 16th of March, 1881, Mr. Pervier was married to Miss Jessie M. Curtis, who was born in Concord township and is a daughter of James M. Curtis, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. She is a graduate of the Sheffield high school. Unto them have bech born five chil- dren : Raymond C., Edgar M., Mabel Inez, Carrie May and Helen P., all at home. The parents are members of the Unitarian church and Mr. Pervier belongs to Ames lodge, No. 142. A. F. & A. M .; Princeton chapter, No. 28. R. A. M. ; and Prince- ton commandery, No. 20, K. T.
Mr. Pervier has been a factor in republican polities in this county for more than a quarter of a century and has ever stood firm in support of those principles which seem best to conserve the publie good. He has ever been opposed to mis- rule in political office or corruption of any sort in the political field and his political integrity is unquestioned. He has been a del gate to every county convention, with one exception, since he attained his majority and has been three times honored with the chairmanship. He has also been a delegate to district and state conventions and has been a member of the county central committee for twenty years. Varin 's local offices have been conferred upon him. He has been school trustee, assessor and collect - and for six years represented Concord township on the board of supervisors, being first chosen to the office in
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1894. He acted as chairman during the last year of his serviec, 1900, and then declined re- election as supervisor. On the 14th of August, 1906, at Galva he was nominated as the republican candidate for the general assembly, and his past record is an indication of what his service will be if he is elected to the office. Ile stands in sup- port of the well known principles of the party, believes in meeting the issues squarely and fairly and in working for the interests of the state at large. His patriotism and public spirit are unde- niably strong features in his life record, and aside from his political service he is a man of ac- knowledged worth in state and county, whose la- bors have been of direet and permanent benefit in agricultural circles.
REV. S. L. PERVIER.
Sylvester L. Pervier was brought up in the hill country of New Hampshire and enjoyed the edu- cational advantages of rural life amid rugged mountains, lonely valleys, flowing streams and green fields and forests. Born at Andover, in 1816, the common schools, whose sessions were from six weeks' to three months duration each year, furnished him with the rudiments of learn- ing. At the age of sixteen he bought his time of his father and went into business for himself. Though meeting with encouraging success he soon returned home to help the family through a finan- cial struggle.
As he came to know himself he found hunger- ings that business did not satisfy. Life to him had larger meaning than bread alone. Soul wants pressed him. He heard the call of religion to come up higher. Knowledge, virtue, truth, urged their demands upon him. Penetrated with such sentiments he looked around for a fitting field of activity. It was but natural that he should find it in the ministry, though painfully aware of lack of adequate preparation. Still he spoke to edifica- tion, inspired enthusiasm, and his hearers, regard- ing such qualities as ample proof of his being called to God to preach, gave him their entire approval. His father rejoiced that his first born was willing to dedicate himself to the Lord.
At the age of twenty-two Mr. Pervier went to western New York to begin his active labors as a minister, at the same time taking up a course of reading and study to better fit him for his chosen work. In Shelby, Orleans county, he planted a church to which he ministered some years and which still preserves its identity.
There, on the 7th of February, 1843, Rev. Per- vier was united in marriage with Philena Covell, of Ogden, Monroe county, New York, who was born May 30, 1820, and is a daughter of Edward and Polly (Gilman) Covell, both natives of Ver- mont. Mrs. Pervier still survives her husband at the advanced age of eighty six years. Later he
became a missionary at Janesville. Wisconsin, en- during not only the hardships and privations inci- dent to a new country, but much from lack of funds being furnished by the missionary board. Thence he moved to HIenry, Illinois, taking charge of a church for which he preached four years, meantime superintending the building of its chapel. Leaving Henry he located in Prophets- town, Illinois, again taking up missionary work, depending entirely upon voluntary contributions for support.
With much inisgiving be finally retired from active service in the field, devoting himself there- after to the maintenance of a home. Though his farm life continued forty years he never quite lost sight of his calling as a minister. Ile ever bore about with him some gospel of good news. His was no stereotyped message. It changed as wants change, as light came, as truth was revealed. He was familiar with nature, with actual things, with common facts. Ile thought much, observing the trend of things. Ile was a doubter, but all the more a believer. When in the progress of his thought the faith and methods of the popular church seemed no longer true and useful, they were displaced by others responding more to his reason. The verities as represented by the sermon on the mount he accepted ever; built his char- acter upon them, taught them at home and abroad. But the draperies of religion- its forms, philoso- phies, methods-he believed must change with the ever changing world. February ?, 1892, the forty-ninth anniversary of his marriage, pneu- monia claimed him for its victim. Quietly, peace- fully and with full assurance of a future life he passed away, leaving his wife and four children to venerate his memory. Mr. and Mrs. Pervier became the parents of five children. but lost one child in infancy who was born May 25, 1800, and died May 27, 1860. The surviving members of the family are: Melvin H., who was born in New York, May 28, 1815; Myron C., who was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, December 31. 184; : Donna I., who was born in this county, January 20, 1855, and is engaged in teaching school ; and Clayton C., who was born March 4, 1857, and is a farmer. His sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
Melvin E. Pervier, the eldest of the family, was educated at Henry, Illinois, and in the country schools. He has devoted his entire time to farni- ing and stock-raising and he now resides and carries on the old family homestend in Mineral township. In 1870 he went to Kansas. settling near Greenleaf, where he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits, and while there he served as school director. In 18:9 ha sold his interests in Kansas and removed to California, where he engaged in fruit raising for seven years. remaining on the Pacific coast until 1891, when he returned to Mineral township, where he ha- livel continu- ously since, being now a counted one of the lead- ing and successful agriculturists of this part of
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the state, his land being well developed and under a high state of cultivation.
Melvin E. Pervier was married to Miss C. Anna Morgan, of Kansas, a daughter of Joel Morgan. The wedding was celebrated in 1868 and the death of the wife occurred in 1879, many friends, beside her family mourning her loss.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Pervier is a Ma- son, holding membership in the Blue lodge, and he held the office of junior warden while in Cali- fornia. He has served as assesso- for three years and is now highway commissioner of Mineral township. Ilis interest in community affairs is deep and sincere and is manifest through tangible co-operation in those measures and movements which are of benefit to the community.
ELI R. MATHIS.
Eli R. Mathis, numbered among the pioneer residents of Princeton, located there in 1840, when the city was a mere village, and was identi- fied with its growth and development throughout his remaining days. lle figured in business circles as a dealer in groceries and dry goods and he also worked at the carpenter's trade. He was widely recognized as a man of enterprise and unfaltering determination, whose business methods would ever bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Mathis was born in Ur- bana, Champaign county, on the 14th of January, 1823. His parents were Jeremiah and Esther (Moss) Mathis, the former a native of New Jer- sey and the latter of the Buckeye state. Jeremiah Mathis removed to Urbana, Ohio, at an early per- iod in its development and there worked at the carpenter's trade until he came to the west. His wife died in Urbana when their son Eli was but eight years of age and father and sons afterward caine to Illinois together in 1840, settling in Princeton, where the former worked at the car- penter's trade until his death on the 30th of April, 1863.
At the time of his mother's demise Eli R. Ma- this started out in life on his own account. He learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father and as opportunity afforded he pur- sued his education, continuing as a pupil in the old log schoolhouse in West Bureau during the early period of his residence here. Hle afterward began work at his trade, being first employed on what is known as the old William Chamberlain home. In 1855 he helped to finish the residence which his widow now occupies. All through his life he was active and energetic, constantly watch- ful of opportunities, which he improved, making them resultant factors in the acquirement of a gratifying measure of success. He continued to work at the carpenter's trade for several years and he assisted in building some of the first business blocks of Princeton. He then turned his atten-
tion to the grocery and dry-goods business, dy en- ing a store in the old Templeton building, where he remained for several years. He afterward re- sumed building operations for a few years, but eventually gave up all business cares and retired to private life. Mr. Mathis was twice married. He first wedded Miss Matikdla Green, of Bureau town- ship, Bureau county, who died in Princeton. Sub- sequently he married Miss Esther Phillips, also of Bureau township and a daughter of John and Betsy (Templin) Phillips, both of whom were natives of Urbana, Ohio, whence in 1833 they came to Illinois, casting in their lot among the pioneer residents of Bureau county. They first lived in what was known here by the pioneers as the Squatters' log cabin in West Bureau, Bureau township, and there Mr. Phillips improved a farm and carried on general agricultural pursuits un- til 1856, when he removed to Livingston county, Illinois, and was engaged in farming until his death. His wife also passed away there. In their family were five children, namely : Mrs. Mathis; Mrs. E. J. Lemon, of Princeton; Levi T., a resi- dent fariner of Princeton township; James E., who is living in St. Joseph, Missouri; and Mrs. Sarah Leonard of Livingston county, Illinois. There were four children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Mathis; Alice M., the wife of A. C. Best, of Princeton, who is engaged in the conduct of a monument business here; Leslie Eli, city sales- man for the White Lead Company. of Kansas City, Missouri, who married Alice Fesler and after her death wedded Janna S. Scroggins; Leon- ard Templin, who resides in Chicago, where for five years he has occupied the position of clerk in the Victoria Hotel; and Guy Roy, who married Grace D. Boyd, of Springfield, Illinois, where he is engaged in the real-estate and automobile busi- ness.
Eli R. Mathis served as school treasurer in Princeton for over thirty years and was a warm champion of the cause of education. Ile took an active interest in politics and always voted the republican ticket and his efforts extended to many measures and movements which he deemed would prove of value to the community in promoting its material, intellectual, social and moral progress. He was a charter member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Princeton, which he assisted in organiz- ing in July, 1851. He always took much interest in temperance work and was an earnest Christian man, who gave liberally to the poor and needy and was widely known for his charitable work which, however, always was done in an unostenta- tious manner. In his business interests ho pros- pered, becoming well-to-do as the years passed by and in his later life he livel retired, enjoying a well earned rest until he was called to the home beyond on the 10th of September, 1905.
Mrs. Mathis is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and is identified with various fra- ternal and social organizations. She has been a
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MRS. E. R. MATHIS.
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E. R. MATHIS.
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member of the Woman's Club here since it was established and in fact assisted in organizing it. She is also connected with the Daughters of Re- bekah, the Sons of Temperance, the Good Tem- plars and the Women's Christian Temperance Union, all of Princeton-affiliations whch indi- cate her deep interest in the temperance cause and her efforts for its promulgation and adoption. She now owns and occupies a nice home at No. 419 South Main street and she also has much oth- er property here, including several store buildings on Main street, which return to her a good rental. The name of Mathis has for about two-thirds of a century been associated with Princeton and its interests and Eli R. Mathis is justly numbered among the honored pioneers.
OSCAR M. LYLE.
Osear M. Lyle, who is living on a farm in Ne- ponset township, was born in this township, De- cember 8, 1867. Ilis parents were Stephen D. and Eliza W. (Hateh) Lyle. The father was born in Vermont, February 4, 1833, a son of William and Atlanta (Darling) Lyyle, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Vermont. William Lyle was one of the pioneer residents of Stark county, Illinois, where he died at the age of fifty-five years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-seven years. In their family were fifteen children, of whom fourteen reached years of maturity, while nine are still living. Stephen D. Lyle of this family pursued his edu- cation in the public schools of Illinois, having been brought by his parents to this state when four years of age. He was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, sharing with the family in the hardships and trials incident to a pioneer ex- istenee. On the 19th of February, 1854, he mar- ried Miss Eliza W. Hatch, who was born in Ver- mont, April 15, 1832, and was a daughter of Moses and Jane (Gates) Hatch, who were like- wise natives of the Green Mountain State. In their family were five children, all of whom have passed away, with the exception of Mrs. Lyle. The father died at the age of sixty-five years, while the mother departed this life at the age of thirty-six, and both. spent their entire lives in Vermont.
Stephen D. Lyle began farming on his own ac- count in Stark county, and in 1857 removed to Bureau county, locating first on eighty aeres of land in Neponset township. This was wild prairie, for which he paid six dollars and a quarter per acre. That he prospered in his undertakings is in- dicated by the fact that he added to his property from time to time until his landed possessions ag- gregated four hundred anl twenty-five acres. of which one hundred and sixty acres was in Iowa. He first built a house sixteen by twenty-four fect, and subsequently erected a fine residenee at a cost of about five thousand dollars. He carried on gen-
eral farming until 1890, when he fought a home in the village of Neponet, and in 190. 1 verected a residence there which he has since oo pled. He has served as school director for nine years and as road commissioner for three or four terms, and the various duties that have devolved upon him have ever been discharged with promptness and fidelity. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is accountel one of the foremost resi- dents of Bureau county, having figured for many years as a prominent agriculturist, while his suc- cess indicates him to be a man of more than ordi- nary ability. In the family there were three sons: Charles, who was born December 2, 1854; Her- bert, who is represented elsewhere in this work; and Oscar M.
The last named is now living upon the old home- stead farm, where his entire life has been passed. He attended the public schools in his boyhood days, and after putting aside his text-books de- voted his entire attention to general agricultural pursuits. He is now successfully farming one hun- dred and sixty acres of land. and he anually ships about a carload of hogs of his own raising. He also buys and ships about twenty carloads of hogs and eattle each year, dealing more extensively, however, in cattle. He is also a breeder of Morgan horses, and has a fine stallion, half Morgan and half standard bred on the dam side. He is well known as a representative of the farming and stoek-raising interests of Neponset township and his native county, and in business affairs is alert, enterprising and progressive, allowing no obstacle to brook him in his path to suecess if it can be overcome by determined purpose and honorable effort.
On the 9th of January, 1899, was celebrated the marriage of Oscar M. Lyle and Miss Uluvia V. Phillips, who was born in Neponset, August 15, 1867, a daughter of John H. and Sarah E. (Aus- man) Phillips. Her parents were married Octo- ber 13, 1866. Her father was born in Redwood, Jefferson county, New York, November 16, 1846, and was educated in the public schools. Her mother was born in Clermont county, Ohio, Sep- tember 17, 1846. In their family were three daughters: Mrs. Lyle : Carrie L., born August 29. 18:1; and Effie June, horn June 12, 1819.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lyle were born eight chil- dren, but they have lost four. Those still living are: Wenona P., born May 12, 1599; Ros oe M., August 14, 1891: Floy M., February 23, 1804; and Stephen H., January 15, 1902. The parents are prominent socially, having the warm regard of a large circle of friends, while the hospitality of many of the best homes of this section of the county is cordially extended them. Mi. Lyle is a school director and believes in providing excellent educational privileges, for he regards the system of our public schools as one of the bulwarks of the nation. He votes with the republican party and fraternally is connected with the Modern Wood-
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men of America. As a business man he is alert, enterprising and progressive, and these qualities are the substantial and salient features of his success.
JESSIE PIERCE GARWOOD, M. D.
Although it is only in comparatively recent years that woman has entered the field of medi- cal practice she has demonstrated her right to be ranked with the ablest members of the profes- sion, and among those who are successfully en- gaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Princeton is Dr. Jessie Pierce Garwood, who for thirteen years has been thus engaged in this city. She was born in Bureau county, a daughter of James A. Pierce, a native of New York, who came to this county when a young man. llis father had taken up land from the government and Dr. Garwood's brother still owns the prop- erty. The death of Mr. Pierce occurred in the year 1892, while his wife survived until 1905. In their family were eleven children, six sons and five daughters, all of whom are yet living-a re- markable family record.
Dr. Garwood spent her girlhood days in her parents' home and after acquiring a good educa- tion in the public schools determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work and entered the Iowa Medical College at Iowa City, from which she was graduated in the class of 1888. Although she is a general practitioner she to a large extent makes a specialty of diseases of women and children. She makes occasional con- tributions to medical journals and is a member of the county and state medical societies and of the North Central Illinois Medical Association. She now has a good practice which is constantly increasing and numbers among her patrons many of the best families of the city.
In 1892 Jessie Pierce gave her hand in mar- riage to Louis 1. Garwood, who was born in Princeton and is a son of William Garwood, one of the old settlers of Bureau county. The father died in 1905 but the mother is still living at the age of seventy years and resides upon the old homestead which her father, Abel Hunt, entered from the government. At the time of the Civil war William Garwood enlisted for service in the army as a member of Company C, Ninety-third Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, with which he remained for three years. He held the rank of first lientenant and was injured in a railroad wreck and also sustained two gun-shot wounds. In the family were two children: Louis A. and Ida, the latter the wife of William Welsh, a resi- dent of Minnesota.
Louis A. Garwood was educated in Princeton and engaged in farming until about 1890. He devoted the succeeding year to the machinist's business and for ten years conducted a nursery,
but for the past four years has been engaged in the sale of pianos, having a store in Princeton wherein he handles the Kimball pianos, his sales being among the largest of any house of the kind in the county. Mr. Garwood is a republican and in 1900 was elected alderman of the third ward of Princeton. He is likewise a menther of Tono- luka lodge, No. 89, I. O. O. F. Both Mr. and Dr. Garwood are members of the Congregational church and they are pleasantly located in an at- tractive home at No. 130 North Main street in Princeton. Mr. Garwood possesses a fine voice and for years was leader of the choir of the Meth- odist Protestant church. He has also been a great campaign singer, having sung in almost every county in the state during the time when political rallies have been held. Both he and his wife are highly esteemed socially and their circle of friends in Princeton is an extensive one.
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