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 28
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JOHN A. McGANN.
All parts of the country have s.at their repre- sentatives to Bureau county to become factors in its citizenship, and among those New England has contributed is numbered John A. McGann, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on the 4th of June, 1851, and became a resident of Illi- nois in 1846. His parents, Arthu- and Bridget (O'Ilare) McGann, were natives of Ireland and, crossing the Atlantic to the new world in 1850, settled in Massachusetts. They became parents of two sons and a daughter, of whom Owen Me- Gann was born in 1852. The daughter died in infancy.
John A. McGann was but two years old when brought by his mother from Massachusetts to Bureau county, Illinois, and was therefore reared in this locality. Lessons of industry and economy were early impressed upon his mind and have borne rich fruit in later years. His early life was a period of earnest toil and he has always been an energetic, enterprising inin, dependent upon his own resources for all that !. ; has achieved and enjoyed. He now has charge of three hun- dred and twenty aeres of land in Ohio township and is engaged extensively in the raising of grain and stock. For eight years he has lived upon this farm and both branches of his business are prov- ing profitable. returning to him a gratifying an- nual income. His methods are entirely practical and his success may be rightly attributed to his indefatigable industry. He now owns a house and lot in the village of Ohio and his savings would permit of his investment in a farm of his own.
It was on the 25th of November. 1820, that Mr. McGann was united in marring to Miss Mar- garet Enright, who was born in Bureau county, February 18, 1861. Her parents were Daniel and Bridget ( Doran) Enright, nativos of Ireland,
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whence they came to the United States in May, 1855. Mrs. McGann is the eldest of their family of twelve children and by her marriage she has become the mother of six children, as follows: Bridget Ethel, born January 21, 1892; Arthur C., born September 29, 1891; Mary, July 21, 1896; Bernadetta, August 19, 1899; Patrick Leo, April 17, 1903; and Margaret Annetta, June 9, 1905.
The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. McGann is a member of Father Mathew's total abstinence society and is also identified with Modern Woodmen eamp, No. 17. His political endorsement is given the re- publican party and while he never seeks nor desires office as a reward for party fealty he is always quick to respond to any demand for public service or for co-operation in movements for the general good. His residence in the county covers a period of a half century and he is therefore largely familiar with its history, as he has been a witness of its development from an early day and has seen the introduction of those lines of business activity which have led to its substantial improvement.
EDWARD SCOTT.
Edward Scott, who owns and occupies a farm in Berlin township, comprising eighty acres of land which is very productive and highly culti- vated, dates his residence in Bureau county from April, 1855, and has therefore been identified with its interests for more than a half century, during which time he has witnessed much of its growth and development as pioneer conditions have given place to the evidences of a modern civilization. He was born in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Au- gust 26, 1853, and is one of a family of nine children, whose parents were Henry and Nancy (Gruendyke) Scott, both of whom were natives of Warren county, New Jersey, the former born in 1820 and the latter in 1821. In the year 1855 they left the east and came with their family to Illinois, settling in Bureau county in April of that year. Their children were: Johanna W., Jolin, Sarah C. and George, all now deceased; Woodhull, who died in Tennessee while in the army; Edward; Isaac; William Elmer; and Charles 1. The father has now departed this life, his death having occurred July 3, 1898, when he had reached the venerable age of seventy-eight years. His widow still survives.
Edward Scott pursued his education in the schools of Bureau county, which he entered at the usual age of six years, mastering therein the com- mon branches of English learning. Ile has fol- lowed farming all his days, for at an early age he began assisting his father upon the home farm and has since given his time and energies to gen- eral agricultural pursuits. Twenty years ago he
purchased his present farm for sixty-five dollars per aere. It comprises eighty acres of valuable land, responding readily to the care and labor bestowed upon it, so that golden harvests are annually gathered. It is today worth one hun- dred and seventy-five dollars per acre and upon the place Mr. Seott has made many modern im- provements, so that he now has an excellent prop- erty. He raises Norman horses and Poland-China hogs in addition to tilling the fickls and his busi- ness affairs are capably and successfully con- ducted.
As a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney Mr. Scott chose Miss Mary E. Wolfersberger, to whom he was married December 31, 1874. She was born September 7, 1852, on the farm which is still their home. Iler father, Charles Wolfers- berger, was a native of Pennsylvania, born July 13, 1827, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Susanna Fahnenstock. was likewise born in Pennsylvania, February 17, 1830. In their family were nine children, of whom two are decease.l. The others are: John F., Mary E., Ida A., Sarah Matilda, Charles E., George S. and Maud S. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been born two children : Elsie May, who was born December 12, 1875; and Nancy Lulu, born May 12, 1879. They have been given liberal educational privileges, having been students in Valparaiso Normal School.
Mr. Scott holds a membership in Dauntless lodge, No. 150, K. P., which he joined on its or- ganization. For twenty years he has been a school director and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion, who does all in his power to uphold the standard of public instruction. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and he was reared in the faith of the Methodist church, to which the family all belong. Ile stands for progress and improvement in material, intellectual and moral lines and wher- ever there is a movement for civie virtue or for opposition to misrule in public affairs he is found working in support of such and during the long years of his residence in Bureau county has been numbered among its valued citizens.
JOHN BUTLER PITTMAN.
John Butler Pittman, who carries on general agricultural pursuits on sections 14 and 23, Man- lius township, where he owns one hundred aeres of land, was born in this township, September 10, 1861, his parents being Henry S. and Sarah (Sayers) Pittman, who were farming people. The father came to Illinois about 1854 and was here married. He gave nis attention to geueral agri- cultural pursuits and continued actively in farm- ing until his death. which occurred on the 11th of March, 1902. He had for a year and a half survived his wife, who died on the 17th of Oc- toher, 1900.
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John B. Pittman is indebted to the public- school system of the county for the educational privileges he enjoyed in his youth. He pursued his studies in a little country schoolhouse two miles north of Manlius and has devoted his entire life to farming, having been reared to that oc- cupation. He early became familiar with the duties and labors of the agriculturist and as he worked at plowing, planting and harvesting he became familiar with the best methods of eultivat- ing the fields, so that he brought to his work broad practical experience when he started out in life on his own account. At an early age he began operating rented land and in 1888, when his labors had brought him sufficient capital, he bought his first farm, it being his present home. It comprises one hundred acres of land on sections 14 and 23, Manlius township, and is now a well cultivated and well improved property, being equipped with the latest improved machinery and many facilities for carrying on the farm work. In connection with farming he is engaged in buying cattle.
On the 12th of February, 1890, Mr. Pittman married Miss Pauline Schultz, of Bureau town- ship, who was born in Germany and is a daughter of Frederick A. Schultz. They now have three children: Ernest, born November 10, 1891; Wal- ter, June 4, 1892; and Arvilla Emerly, April 11, 1897. The family are members of the English Lutheran church and Mr. Pittman is independent in his political views. At the present writing he is serving as one of the councilmen of Manlius and he has also been school director. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows lodge at New Bedford. A casual glance at his life history seems to indicate that he has always lived a quiet and uneventful career and yet investigation into his record will bring forth the fact that his has been an honorable manhood and at all times he bas been faithful and loyal in his duties of citizen- ship.
DAVIS H. VAN ORMER.
Davis H. Van Ormer, one of the well known and representative agriculturists of Manlius town- ship, has found in his business career ample op- portunity for the exereise of his latent energies, and through his well directed labor has gained a place among the successful farmers of the commu- nity. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Juniata county on the 24th of September, 1853, and is a son of William and Sarah (Shellenbarg- er) Van Ormer, who were likewise natives of that county, where the father followed farming for a number of years. About 1858 he came to Illinois, but while en route tarried for a time in Miami county, Ohio, where he aided in the erection of 3 barn and remained for about sixteen months. In 1859 he arrived with his family in Bureau county,
Illinois, having in the mcintime purchased the farm upon which his son Davis H. nov. Triple- It was then all wild prairie land, which he at once began to develop and improve until his farm labor had transformed it into rich fields. To some ex- tent he likewise followed the carpenter's trade, and thus he lived a life of activity and enterprise. He continued to make his home in this county until March, 1889, when he was called to his final resi. His wife had died a number of years before, pass. ing away in 1866. In their family were six chil- dren : Elizabeth, now the wife of John Spielman, living in Coffey county, Kansas; John, a resi- dent farmer of Greenfield, Adair county, Iowa; Malissa, the deceased wife of Samuel Kiskadon; David H .; Lucien, who died when about nineteen years of age, and Oliver M., who is married and lives upon a farm in South Dakota. After losing his first wife William Van Ormer was again mar- ried, and by that union there was one daughter, Angie M., now residing in Plymouth county, lowa.
The father was one of the prominent and influ- ential republicans of Manlius township, where he filled nearly all the local offices, including those of supervisor and justice of the peace. He acted in the latter capacity for about twenty years, and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. He was an active and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as class- leader for several years, and in all the various re- lations of life his straightforward, honorable course won him friendship and regard.
Davis H. Van Ormer was a youth of five sum- mers when his parents left the Keystone state, and he had reached the age of six years ere the journey was completed to Illinois. The father then in- vested in eighty aeres of land, to which additions have been made until the farm now comprises one hundred and sixty aeres, and it is upon the old family homestead that the subject of this review yet resides. In the common schools he pursued his education, mastering the branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. When he was twenty-three years of age he and his brother John rented the old homestead, which they operated to- gether for four years, and on the expiration of that period Davis H. Van Ormer purchased the interest John had in the eighty-aere tract. After the father's death and when the estate was settled he bought the interest of the other heirs in the other eighty-acre traet, so that he is now the owner of a fine farin of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultiva- tion. He has added many modern accessories and equipments, and uses the latest improved machin- ery to facilitate the work of the fields. Everything about his farm is carefully done, and he now has valuable property which is largely a monument to the enterprise, thrift and business activity of the owner.
On the 6th of February, 1881, Mr. Van Ormer was married to Miss Emma Carnes, who was then
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residing in Bureau township. Her birth, however, occurred in Putnam county, Ilinois, and her par- ents were John and Angeline ( Farney) Carney. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Van Ormer have been born five children: Leona May, born January 5, 1882; Orpha Angeline, August 19, 1882 ; Erville Davis, July 24, 1889; Perey MeKinley, April 10, 1894, and Lloyd Freedom, April 26, 1896.
Mr. Van Ormer has several times been called to public office by his fellow-townsmen, who recog- nize his worth and ability. For twenty-five years he has served as school director, and after the build- ing of the new school house of Manlius he resigned. He has likewise been road commissioner and assessor, while for twelve years he served as jus- tice of the peace, making a record equally credit- able with that of his father through the control and faithful discharge of his duties and his un- biased opinions, which were ever based upon the equity and the law in the case. His political alle- giance has ever been given to the republican party, which he has stanchily supported since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise, and he cast his first presidential vote for Hayes in 1826. Ile has not been a politician in the sense of office seek- ing, and it is only when urged to accept office by his fellow-townsmen that he has consented to do so. He and his wife are earnest religious workers, but are not connected with any denomination. They have always stood for right, for progress, improve- ment and reform, and their influence is a potent element along lines which work for the welfare of the community.
JOHN M. TELLKAMP.
John M. Tellkamp is an enterprising business man of La Moille, connected with its industrial and commercial interests. He belongs to that class of representative American men who while promoting individual success also contribute to the general prosperity and thus he has become a valued and representative resident of his native village. He was born October 16, 1863, and is one of the ten children of Martin and Katherine ( Eg- gers) Tellkamp, who were natives of Germany and on coming to this country in 1858 settled in La Moille, Illinois. They had four sons and six Caughters, of whom John M. was the fourth in order of birth.
John M. Tellkamp was educated in the public schools of La Moille township and when he put aside his text-books he took up the trade of his father and became a proficient painter. He has since followed that occupation, having a liberal share of the public patronage in this line. As the years have gone by and his trade has increased. bringing him a good financial return, he has in- vested in town property and is the owner of three houses and lots in La Moille. Ile is also conduct- ing a prosperous business as proprietor of a res-
taurant and is thus well known in trade circles in his native town.
In 1886 Mr. Tellkamp was married to Miss Carrie Drummer, who was born in Buffalo, New York, January 25, 1868. Her parents were An- drew and Elizabeth (Cook) Drummer. The father, who was born in Germany, came to Amer- ica and located at Buffalo, New York, fifty-six years ago. He was there married to Miss Eliza- beth Cook, a native of that city, and on leaving the Empire state they took up their abode in La Moille about thirty-seven years ago. In their family were ten children, Mrs. Tellkamp being the fifth in order of birth. By her marriage she has become the mother of two sons: Fay A., born Oc- tober 22, 1893; and Harvey G., born March 2, 1892. Mr. Tellkamp is a member of the Gernian Lutheran church, while his wife and children are communicants of the Catholic church. He is also identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America. He votes with the republican party and has held the office of coun- eilman of La Moille.
From an early age he has made his own way in the world and his possessions are the visible evi- dence of a life of industry and thrift supple- mented by unquestioned business integrity and keen discrimination. He has the patronage of the public and the csteein of his fellow citizens and the family is a prominent one in the commu- nity. He is likewise recognized as a leader in local republican ranks and was a delegate to the county convention which nominated J. W. Tem- pleton for state senator. To his children he has given excellent educational privileges, sparing no expense in this direction and, leaving the kinder- garten at the age of six years, Harvey is now at the age of nine years in the fourth grade, and Fay in the seventh grade. They are also being instructed in music and Mr. Tellkamp is resolved that they shall have excellent educational privi- leges. Both he and his wife are widely known in La Moille, where the circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their ac- quaintances.
WILLIAM H. HAINES.
William H. Hain s. wh se farm of eighty acres in Ohio township is the visible proof of his life of activity and energy, for he started out upon his business carcer empty handed, was born in this county, September 24, 1866. There were five children, of whom he was the third, in the family of his parents, Andrew J. and Julia A. ( Williams) Haines. The father was born in Maine and mother in Pennsylvania and both are now deceased. They became residents of Bureau county in the '50; and continued to reside bere until called to their final rest. The father was twice married and by the
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second union had one daughter, who has now passed away.
Reared as a farmer boy, William H. Haines pursued his education in the district schools and in Fulton high school, and when not occupied with his text-books his time was largely demanded in farm work and he gained practical experience in all the tasks relating to the cultivation and devel- opment of the fields, so that he brought practical experience to his work when he took up farming on his own account. He received some assistance from his father and has practically depended upon his own resources for all that he has achieved, and he has added to his property until he now owns eighty acres of very rich land, worth from one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars per acre. There are good buildings upon the place and his home is conveniently and pleasantly located near the village of Ohio in one of the best farming sections of the state. Abundant crops are annu- ally gathered and his business is now capably and successfully conducted.
On Christmas day of 1899 was celebrated the marriage of William II. Haines and Miss Erva Staples, who was born in Bureau county. They have a pleasant home and are widely and favorably known in this part of the county. Mr. Haines votes the republican ticket but has never been active in search of public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he is now meeting with signal success. He holds no mistaken ideas regarding the ease with which one may win success but realizes that en- ergy and perseverance are essential factors in gain- ing prosperity.
JACOB CHRITZMAN.
On the pages of pioneer history of Bureau county the names of Chritzman, Knox and Mer- cer figure conspicuously and honorably, aud Jacob Chritzman, whose name introduces this review, is elassed among those who bore an important and active part in the business development of Princeton from an early day. He became a resi- dent of the city in 1855 and for many years con- ducted an implement store there. His birth oc- curred in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1833. His parents were Henry and Margaret (Zigler) Chritzman, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father's birth occurred in the beautiful district near Gettysburg, and he made his home in Pennsylvania throughout his entire life. His wife also passed away there. In their family were six children but only one is now living, Dr. Harry Chritzman, who is a prac- ticing physician residing at Welshrun, Pennsyl- vania.
In the schools of his native town Jacob Chritz- man acquired his education. His father died when he was a boy and after attending school for
a few years he went to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he began to learn the trade of a moulder. He was employed there in a foundry for a few years and afterward removed to Berrysburg, Penn- sylvania, where he was also employed in a foun- dry until 1853. That year witnessed his removal to the middle west. He first settled in Minnesota, where he took up land claims, remaining in that state for a short time. He next came to Illinois, settling in Carroll county, where he worked at his trade until 1855, when he came to Princeton. Ilere he purchased an acre of land near the depot and erected thereon a small building, after which he began foundry work on his own account. He soon removed his plant to Main street owing to the increase of his trade and there he began deal- ing in implements and wagons, manufacturing his own goods. Ile thus conducted a good retail as well as manufacturing business for many years a.nl was one of the leading and representative mer- chants of the city. His patronage steadily in- creased and his business had grown to such pro- portions that in 1878 he felt justified in extending the scope of his activities, by adding a complete stock of plows, reapers, mowers, threshers, engines, cultivators, buggies, wagons, etc., and for a num- ber of years he controlled the most extensive busi- ness of the kind in Bureau county, continuing therein until his death.
On the 10th of January, 1859, Mr. Chritzman was married to Miss Rachel Jane Knox, a native of Bureau county and a daughter of William and Mary ( Mercer) Knox, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was born March 31, 1814, and was a son of Joseph Knox, who came from the Buckeye state to Bureau county in 1832, the vear of the Black Hawk war. He was one of its first settlers and established his home upon a farm in Princeton township, which he developed from the wild prairie. Aaron Mercer, grandfather of Mrs. Chritzman, built a log cabin just west of Princeton on what is now the Wagner farm. He engaged in general agricultural pursuits there and occupied his cabin home until his death. He was a man of industry and enterprise and pros- pered in his undertakings. William Knox, father of Mrs. Chritzman, engaged in farming in Prince- ton township the greater part of his life but in his later days removed to the city of Princeton, where he lived retired for seventeen years or until his death, which occurred on the 17th of October, 1898. His wife also passed away in Princeton and both were eighty-four years of age at the time of their demise. All of their children, eight in num- ber, are yet living, namely: Mrs. Chritzman. Aaron, Sarah, O-car, Albert, Mary. Malvina and Van.
Mr. and Mrs. Chritzman be ame the parents of six children: Albert is now deceased: Lottie is the wife of Thomas Marks, a resident of Rushville. Illinois, where he is station agent for thu Chicago. Burlington & Quiney Railroad Company, and they
JACOB CHRITZMAN.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
have two children, Kathryn Marie, born June 3, 1901, and Clifford C., born February 25, 1903; Fannie died at the age of five years; Clarence mar- ried Nellie Pitman and resides in Princeton, where he is engaged in the laundry business; Mer- cer and Marie M., are both deceased. The death of the father occurred October 16, 1889.
For several years Mr. Chritzman served as school director and held several local offices, in which he was ever found to be a competent and faithful official His political allegiance was given to the democracy and he belonged to the Masonic lodge and the Knight Templar Commandery of Princeton. In his business affairs he prospered. becoming well-to-do. Honest and upright in all life's relations, his name was a synonym for busi- ness integrity and activity. There were no sensa- tional chapters in his life history. On the contrary his record was characterized by a steady persever- ance resulting in successful accomplishment of whatever he undertook. He always seemed to real- ize and fully meet his obligations of citizenship and of business and private life and when he was called from the scene of earthly activities his death was the occasion of deep regret to all who knew him, for he was respected and honored wher- ever known. He died at the family home at No. 221 La Salle street. This is a beautiful residence yet occupied by Mrs. Chritzman, who is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a lady whose many good traits of character have won her a large circle of friends.
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