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 29
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GEORGE W. REMSBURG.
George W. Remsburg, a progressive farmer of Ohio township, where he owns an interest in a valuable tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, is a native of Sandusky county, Ohio, his natal day being June 6, 1850. His parents are Solomon and Margaret (Shawl) Remsburg, the former born in Frederick county, Maryland, and the latter in Sandusky county, Ohio. The father was first married in Maryland to Miss Mary A. Michael, who was born in that state January 30, 1821. They then removed to Fremont, Ohio, where the wife's death occurred November 28, 1846. She Had become the mother of two sons, Isaiah and Carleton. For his second wife the father chose Miss Margaret Shawl, to whom he was married November 2, 1847, and unto them were born two children, of whom our subject is the younger. The parents remained residents of the state of Oh: until the year 1857. when they removed westward to Illinois, settling in Bureau county. Here the father's death occurred May 27, 1898, but the mother still survives.
George W. Remsburg was only seven years of age when he accompanied his parents on their re- moval from Ohio to Bureau county, Illinois, Ho received a common-school education. which was
later supplemented by a course in Wheaton college, at Wheaton, Illinois. After putting aside his text- books he engaged in fanning and stock-raising in Ohio township, and this occupation has continued to be his life work. As the years have gone by he has prospered in his undertakings, each year add- ing to his financial resources, until today he owns a quarter interest in an estate of one hundred and sixty acres of fine farm land, worth from one hun- dred and fifty to two hundred dollars per acre. He is operating this tract of land, on which he raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and he is also engaged in the raising of stock, both branches of his business bringing him a gratifying income.
Our subject has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Margaret R. Ross, the wed- ding ceremony being performed on the 3d of July, 18:2. She was born in March, 1852, and her death occurred in January, 1880. They had become the parents of two children : Maury B., born August 25, 1873, and Virgil C., born De- cember 4, 1877. Mr. Remsburg's second union was with Miss Aurelia Morse, a relative of Sam- uel F. B. Morse, the discoverer of telegraphy. She was born in Princeton, Illinois, August 26, 1858, and on the 24th of November, 1887, gave her hand in marriage to George W. Remsburg. Mrs. Rems- burg was educated in the schools of Princeton, passing through consecutive grades until she had completed the high-school course. She then en- gaged in teaching in Bureau county for ten years prior to her marriage.
In polities Mr. Remsburg is a republican and takes an active interest in politieal affairs. He is popular with his fellow-townsmen, having been called to a number of township offices. For three terms he filled the office of assessor, and for the past three years has filled the office of township treasurer, being the present incumbent. He has also served on the township republican committec, and for ten years was a member of the county cen- tral committee, filling these different positions in a ereditable manner. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, belonging to Bureau lodge, No. 112, and he is also a member of the chapter, coun- eil and commandery at Princeton. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen eamp, No. 17, and to the Knights of the Globe, while he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. In his religious views he is liberal, being identified with no denom- ination.
Having spent almost his entire life in Bureau county, Mr. Remsbury has been an active worker in its development and progress. He has labored earnestly anl por-istently, and. while adding to his individual prosperity, has done effective work for his township and county. He is leading an active and busy life, and, while operating a large tract of land, which claims much of his time and attention, he yet finds time for public affairs. He owns a beautiful country home, and he and his
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wife enjoy to the fullest extent the pleasures of life and are popular and influential people of Bureau county.
IIENRY LAWRENCE FOSTER.
When the toesin of war sounded men from all walks of life flocked to the standard of the Union. They came from the work shops, the counting houses, the offices and the fields, all actuated by the common purpose of sustaining the supremacy of the national government. Among the number of loyal sons furnished by Bureau county was Henry Lawrence Foster, who made a creditable military record and who in days of peace has mani- fested an equal spirit of patriotism. He is now actively and successfully engaged in farming in Concord and has been a life-long resident of this locality. He was born September 26, 1838, upon the farm belonging to his father, Franklin Foster, who came from his native country, England, to Ameriea at an early age. lle resided for a time at Boston, Massachusetts, and in the spring of 1838 came with his wife. Mrs. Ilarriet Foster, to Bureau county, Illinois, settling at French Grove, where he began farming, an occupation which he followed continuously and successfully until his death. He passed away May 22, 1880, having long survived his wife, who died on the 18th of August, 1857.
In the schools of Buda Ilenry L. Foster ac- quired his education and during the periods of vacation he worked on the home farm, continuing to assist his father in its development from the time his education was completed until the 1st of December, 1801, when he responded to the coun- try's call for troops, enlisting as a private of Com- pany E, Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Elliott, of Princeton. He contin- ued with that command during all of the battles and skirmishes in which it participated. He was first in the Missouri campaign with the western branch of the army and in March, 1863, moved down the Mississippi river to Milligan's Bend, par- ticipated in the battle and siege of Vicksburg, Mis- sissippi, where he was under fire for forty days, taking part in the charge on the forts May 22, 1863. The Union troops then drove General John- son back to Jackson, Mississippi, and Company E, to which Mr. Foster belonged, lost thirty-four men during that engagement. The regiment afterward proceeded to New Orleans and assisted in the re- capture of that city and of the railroad. They held the road until November, when they were sent to the border of Mexico, where trouble was threatened, going by boat to the Rio Grande river. They could not land. however, on account of bad weather, so they laid siege to Fort Esperanza, which they captured, continuing in that locality until January, 1864. His term of enlistment hav- ing then expired, Mr. Foster returned home on a
furlough of thirty days, after bowing pe-enlisted as a veteran to serve until the Cho of the war. Hle again joined the department of the north and took part in the Red River campaign. The Thirty- third Illinois afterward proceeded to Mobile, Ala- bama, where they assisted in capturing and de- molishing Spanish Fort in April, 1865. They then marched to Montgomery, Alabama, where they received the news of President Lincoln's as- sassination. From that point they made their way back to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and over into Arkansas, where they participated in more skir- mishes and battles, taking part in the engage- ments at Duvall's Bluff, Bayou Sasche and Helena. During the march from Mobile to Montgomery, a distance of one hundred and eighty-six miles, they had no provisions ouly such as they could pick up in a devastated country, much of the thne living on parched corn alone.
Mr. Foster was mustered out at Vicksburg, Mis- sissippi, November 24, 1865, after nearly four years of active service with the Union army, during which time he proved an intrepid soldier, whose valor was displayed on many a southern battle- field. When the country no longer needed his aid he returned to Bureau county and purchased a farin of forty acres, since which time he has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and as his financial resources have increased he has addel to his property until he now has over two hun- dred and fifty acres, constituting an excellent and well improved farm.
Mr. Foster had a brother. Edward Brooks Fos- ter, who served with the castern army in the Civil war, entering at the three-months' call and after- ward re-enlisting for three years. He was born in 1810 and joined the Union troops as a member of the Fortieth New York Regiment of Infantry, of which he became a commissioned officer. He participated in the first and second battles of Bull Run, of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and minny others of the most notable engagements of the war. Ile died in 1902 near Des Moines, Iowa, where he had lived from 1868. having been one of the prom- inent and extensive farmers of that locality.
On the 14th of October, 1866, HIenry L. Foster was married to Miss Sarai C. Weston, of Buda, a daughter of Joseph Weston, a farmer who had come to Illinois from Maine in 1852. Mrs. Foster died June 2, 1897, leaving three children: Hattie W., who is a graduate of the Buda high school and is at home; Arthur Kendall, who was born in 18:2 and follows farming; and Albert Webb, born in 1874. The family have altogether over four hundred acres of land and are prominent repre- sentatives of the farming interests of this section of the state. Mr. Foster belongs to Emory post, No. 198, G. A. R., of which he is a past com- mander, and he takes an interest in its camp fires, recalling memories of the past and of the experi- ence - upon the tented fields. He is a valued and helpful member of the First Baptist church of
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
Buda, in which for years he has served as a dea- con. This association is indicative of his character and his principles, for his life has been well spent and honorable.
HERBERT T. LYLE.
Herbert T. Lyle, a resident farmer of Neponset township, where he was born on the 11th of May. 1859, represents one of the old families of the county, his parents being Stephen D. and Eliza W. (Hatch) Lyle, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Oscar M. Lyle. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Herbert T. Lyle in his boyhood days. His time was divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the home farm, and he remained with his parents until he had attained the age of twenty- two years, when he started out in life on his own account-following the occupation to which he had been reared. He at first farmed eighty acres of land, and at the present writing, in 1906, is cultivating about one hundred and sixty aeres of the rich soil of Neponset township. In 1883 he erected the residence which he now occupies and his farm is a well improved property, equipped with good machinery for facilitating the work of the fields and supplied with many other modern conveniences and accessories. Mr. Lyle is well known as a breeder of cattle, horses, hogs and sheep, making a specialty of Norman horses and Poland China hogs. He now has one hundred and thirty head of hogs upon his place and he made an exhibit this year of his stock at the Ke- wanee fair.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Lyle was married on the 16th of September. 1880, to Miss Emma E. Barry, who was born in Winchester. Scott county, Illinois, October 9, 1858, a daughter of John W. and Louisa E. ( Blackburn) Barry. Her father was born in Zanesville, Ohio, January 5, 1833, and when a youth of nine years, accom- panied his parents on their removal to Illinois, the journey being made by team to Knox county in 1842. There the father, who had taught school in Ohio, continued to engage in teaching in the winter seasons, while in the summer months he followed farming. He was a great political speaker. In the spring of 1819, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope, he went to California, where his death occurred, and in the succeeding fall. John W. Barry accompanied his uncle to Henry county. Illinois, after which he earned his livelihood for some time by working by the day or mouth in Henry and Bureau coun- ties. On the 7th of February, 1855, he wedde I Louisa Blackburn, who was born in Yorkshire. England. in 1838, and was brought by her parents to America in 1812. the family being passengers
on a sailing vessel which weighed anchor at Liver- pool and reached New Orleans after a voyage of seven weeks and two days. From the Crescent City they made their way up the Mississippi river and for two years were residents of Winches- ter, Illinois, after which they located on what is known as the old Blackburn estate near Kewanee. It was in that neighborhood that Mrs. Barry bogan her education at the Weathershield school. follow- ing the cattle path across the prairie. In April subsequent to their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Barry removed to Knox county, where he carried mail and passengers by stage on the Quiney route from Galesburg to Avon, while the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad tracks were being laid. This route, in charge of William Horace Holcomb, was twenty-two miles long, and he made the round trip every day in the week. As soon as the rail- road was in operation he returned to Henry coun- ty, where he resided until 1871, when he removed to Aurora. For eight years he was engaged there in railroading and in the restaurant business, but on account of impaired health he resumed farming in Bureau county, where he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1888. when he took up his abode in the village of Neponset, there spending his remaining days. On the 7th of February, 1905, he and his estimable wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, which was a most enjoyable occasion to all present. Many substantial tokens of regard were received from their guests, not the least interesting of which was a box of orange blossoms for the bride, sent by Mre. Ira O. Smith, a sister of Mr. Barry's, of Los Angeles, California. Mr. Barry often ex- pressed the wish that he might live to celebrate his fiftieth wedding anniversary, and this was vouch- safed to him, but he did not tarry long in life after- ward. dying suddenly at his home in the latter part of March, 1905. He had long resided in this coun- ty and was an honored citizen. Young and old, rich and poor, were glad to claim his friendship and found him a most genial companion. He was a strong advocate of the cause of temperance and most earnest in his support of the prohibi- tion party. It is said that no man in Neponset had more friends than he. Mrs. Barry still sur- vives her husband and yet resides in Neponset. In their family were nine children, those vet liv- ing being: George, of Downer's Grove, Illinois: Mrs. Laura Nevitt. of Chicago: Walter, also of Downer's Grove : Mattio, the wife of Victor Stud- lev : Bessie, the wife of G. A. Reed : Blanche, the wife of Wilbur Blake, of Neponset: Emma, the wife of II. T. Lvle. of Neponset.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lyle has been blessed with two children : Edith L ... horn Febru- arv 18, 1882, and Theron B., born October 11. 1890. The former is now the wife of William Knapp and has three children. Mr. and Mrs. Lle have a wide and favorable acquaintance in Bureau county, enjoying the hospitality of many
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of the best homes. In politics he is a republican and has served as school director for six years, ad- vocating the employment of good teachers and the upholding of a high standard of publie educa- tion. He has also been assessor for four years and every public duty devolving upon him has been faithfully performed. Fraternally he is con- neeted with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- low's, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen. With the exception of one year he has resided continuously in this county, where he has a very wide acquaintance, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood days to the present is an in- dication that his has been an honorable and up- right career.
IRWIN CAPPERRUNE.
Irwin Capperrune was born in Yates City, Knox county, Illinois, December 31, 1845, and is a son of T. R. Capperrune. When four years of age he was brought by his father to Bureau county, and for nearly fifty years the father continued a resi- dent of this part of the state, living at Boyd's Grove, in Milo township, where he was recognized as a most valuable citizen, worthy pioneer and up- right man. He was interested in the intellectual and moral progress, as well as in the material de- velopment of the community, and he gave the land upon which was built the Methodist Episcopal church at Boyd's Grove. His death occurred in 1885, when he had reached the age of seventy-five years.
Irwin Capperrune is one of a family of four children, three of whom are now living, and at- tended the district schools near his father's farm. He then began business life as a farmer, follow- ing agricultural pursuits continuously until 1903, when with his family he came to Bradford.
Mr. Capperrune married Miss Eva C. Bowman, a daughter of Jacob Bowman, an early settler of Bureau county. There have been three children of this marriage, two sons and a daughter.
JAMES MeCREEDY.
On the list of Bureau county's honored dead appears the name of James McCreedy, who was born March 20. 1820, and died October 15, 1894. He lived the life of an upright. active and honorable farmer, who was ever a champion of all that pertained to general improvement and progress and who stood for all that is just, true and right in man's relations with his fellowmen. His parents were George and Margaret (Nelsen) McCreedy, the latter a descendant of Lord Nel- son of England. Both the father and mother, however, were born in Scotland. Becoming ri-
dents of America, they established Their home in Delaware, where the birth of Jan. McCreedy occurred. He completed his education in the schools of that state, and, removing to Michigan, settled at Greenville, where he conducted a gen- eral store for a number of years. He also owned property in the town, having fort, acres within the corporation limits. In the year 1858 he came from Michigan to Bureau county and made in- vestment in the present homestead, on which his widow is now living. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 17, Westfield township, and is a valuable farm property, equipped with modern conveniences and all the accessories that go to make up a model farm of the twentieth century. Mr. McCreedy displayed excellent ability as a financier, together with keen insight into business conditions and unfaltering energy in the execution of his plans. He engaged in the raising of grain and stock. making a spe- cialty of shorthorn cattle. He paid about twelve dollars per acre for the first land which he par- chased in Bureau county and which today is worth from one hundred and seventy-five to two hun- dred dollars per acre. His business interests were most carefully conducted and whatever he under- took he carried forward to successful completion.
Mr. McCreedy was married to Miss Ellen Me- Dowell in Chester county, Pennsyl mia, in 1860, and bringing his bride to Illinois, settled upon what has since been known as the homestead farm. She was born in the Keystone state, April 11, 1838, a daughter of William and Margaret (MeCracken) McDowell, both of whom were natives of Chester county, Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCreedy were born eight children, of whom four have passed away. na ... cly : Martha, who died March 18, 1861: Margaret. April 12, 1864: George, April 25. 1801; and Fred, Feb- ruary 1. 1893. Those still living are James El- ston. William John Eugene, Alber: J. and Ella V. Margaret.
In his religious faith Mr. MeCreedy was a Presbyterian, and the family all hold memler- ship in the church of that denomination at Arling- ton. He was also a Master Mason. bis affiliation being with Arlington lodge. His lid .. was in har- mony with the beneficent principles of the craft and with his professions as a member of the church. He was never known to tote advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any business transaction. and although he attaine ! i high meas- ure of success it was attributed entirely to his judicions investment, his careful ma :remont and bis marked business enterprise. AP who knew him respected him and those who came within the closer circle of his friendel ip entertained for him the warmest personal regard. Hp was de- voted to his family, and it was one of the pleas- ures of his life that his success's en del him to minister to the con fort and happiness of his wife and children. He attijoel the age of seventy-
ALBERT J. MCCREEDY.
MISS ELLA V. M. MCCREEDY.
MRS. JAMES MICCREEDY.
JAMES MCCREEDY.
1
JAMES E. MeCREEDY.
W. J. E. MOCREEDY.
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
four years, and when called to his final rest left behind him an untarnished name and a memory that is cherished by friends and neighbors as well as his immediate family.
Mrs. McCreedy still resides upon the old home- stead and superintends the place, two of her sons assisting her in the work, while William owns and operates two hundred and fifty-nine aeres of land in Whiteside county, Illinois, this being his share of the estate. Mrs. McCreedy has a beautiful home standing in the midst of well tilled fields and surrounded by a fine lawn and shade trees. In addition to this property she owns four hundred acres of land in Fairfield county, Illinois, one hundred and sixty aeres south of Arlington known as the Little homestead, four hundred and forty aeres in Chase county, Kansas, and some real estate in the village of Arlington. Her possessions altogether aggregate twelve hun- dred and forty aeres, and in the management of her property interests Mrs. McCreedy has dis- played excellent business understanding and enter- prise. The family is one of prominence in the community, greatly esteemed by all with whom they have come in contact and Mrs. McCreedy has won the most kindly regard by reason of her many excellent traits of heart and mind.
GEORGE WASHINGTON DABLER.
George Washington Dabler, one of Indiana's native sons now living in Bureau county, was born in Wabash, that state, on the 3d of December, 1848, his parents being John and Saloma (Cha- riet) Dabler. The father was a native of Penn- sylvania, where he worked as a boat builder. At a later date he took up his abode in Wabash coun- ty, Indiana, where he continued to make his home until 1852, when he removed to Bureau county, Illinois, and for some time lived in the Bryan log cabin near Princeton. Subsequently he purchased forty acres of land, and soon after bought a land warrant from the war of 1812 for one hundred and sixty acres, for whielt he paid at the rate of a dollar and a quarter per acre. Upon the farm he thus secured he spent the remainder of his days. His time and energies were given to general agri- cultural pursuits, which resulted in making him one of the substantial residents of the county. In 1865 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 1st of July of that year, while he survived her for about thirty years, pass- ing away June 21, 1894.
George W. Dabler pursued a common-school ed- ucation in this county, whither he was brought by his parents when but four years of age. When bnt a young lad he began work in the fields, taking his place behind the plow and doing other labor inei- dent to the care and cultivation of the fields. Throughout his entire life he has been engaged in farining, and the home place now comprises two
hundred and forty-six acres of rich and arable land, on which are good buildings and excellent grades of stock. It shows in its neat and thrifty appearance his careful supervision and practical business methods. By the faithful performance of each day's duties he finds inspiration and courage for the labors of the succeeding day. and as the years go by he adds to his competence, so that he is now a substantial citizen of his community.
Mr. Dabler was married to Miss Anna M. Hart- man, a daughter of John Hartman, of Manlius township. Her father was a native of Bueks coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and came to Princeton in 1853. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dabler have been born eleven children who are living, while three have passed away. Those who still survive are: Charles II., Bertha M., Franklin L., Rose G., Harvey G., Jess W., Grover C., Earl K., Clifford, Ray C. and Mar- shall. Those who have departed this life are: Wil- liam, who died at the age of two months; John, who died at the age of nine years, and Saloma, when ten years of age.
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