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 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
Mr. Dabler has been road commissioner for eighteen consecutive years, and treasurer of the board of commissioners for sixteen years. He has been elected on the democratic ticket, and the fact that he has again and again been chosen to these offiees is proof conclusive of his capability and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-townsmen. He was appointed postmaster of Manlius under Grover Cleveland, and served from 1884 until 1903. Fraternally he is connected with Hope lodge, No. 171, Mystic Workers, of Manlius, while all of the family are Baptists in religious faith, attending the services of that church and alding in its work and support.
ORRIS W. MASON.
Orris W. Mason, engaged in general farming in Concord township. was born at Bada, Illinois, June 21. 1861. and is a son of Cyrus Parker and Sarah Jane (Noves) Mason. of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. The parents were of Seotch de-cent and were natives of New Hampshire. The father, who devoted his life to farming and stock-raising, was born August 13, 1831, and died January 8, 1802. while his wife. who was born February 25, 1833, died March 3, 1900. They were both members of the Buda Union Christian Society.
Orris W. Mason pursued his education in the publie schools of Buda and was rear- 1 to the orcu- pation of farming. early becoming familiar with the work of field and meidow. He has always lived upon the home place with the exception of about a year and a quarter spent in Nebraska. in the employ of J. H. Clark, of Dis hestes. that state. He resides on section 33, Con-rd tow :. - hip. and owns and operates two hundred and twelve aeres of rich farming land. which is local in
728
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
Concord and Macon townships, and is entirely free from all indebtedness. In addition to the farin he also has various financial interests in dif- ferent places and he owns and operates the best equipped cider mill in the county with a capacity of three thousand gallons in ten hours.
On the 13th of June, 1893, at the home of the bride's parents, in Macon township, Mr. Mason was married to Miss Adah L. Chase, who was born February 1, 1822, in Buda, Illinois, a daugh- ter of James S. and Imogene L. ( Hood) Chase. The father, born in Fairfield, Maine, June 25, 1831, died January 10, 1897, only two days after the death of Mr. Mason's father. Mrs. Chase, who was born June 10, 1850, at Indianapolis, Indiana, now resides in Buda. They were the parents of three children : Adah L., George E. and Laura W., all residents of Buda. Mr. and Mrs. Mason have two children: Celia Chase Mason, born April 26, 1901, and Eunice Hood Mason, born January 23, 1903.
In politics Mr. Mason is a republican, unfalter- ing in his allegiance to the party. He has served as director for six or seven years of the Bureau County & Wyanet Mutual Insurance Company, and for the last three years has been its president. The honors and emoluments of political office, however, have no attraction for him, as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business af- fairs and other interests. He belongs to Buda lodge, No. 575, I. O. O. F., of which he has been noble grand for two terms: Buda lodge, No. 309, A. F. & A. M., of which he was senior and junior warden one term: the Buda Daughters of Re- bekah, No. 339: the Buda chapter of the Eastern Star, No. 248, of which he was worthy patron for four terms, and Buda encampment. No. 130. I. O. O. F., of which he was chief patriarch for one term. He is liberal in his religious views and is a Unitarian in his affiliation, while for nine years he has been secretary of the Buda Union Christian Society.
CHARLES HIRAM PETTEYS.
Charles Hiram Petteys owns and operates a val- uable farm of one hundred and ninety-four acres in Concord township. He was born at Janesville. Wisconsin, April 15, 1852, and is a son of George and Sarah M. (Wilber) Petteys. The father was a farmer by occupation and with his family re- moved to Boone county, Illinois, from Wisconsin in 1853. The following year, however. he took up his abode in Henry county, this state, where he spent his remaining days. passing away in August, 1862.
Charles H. Petteys was a youth of twelve years when, in 1864. he came to Bureau county to br- come a resident of Macon township. His early education was acquired in the district schools and he afterward continued his studies in Buda, being
graduated from the high school there His youth was largely devoted to farm labor and he gained broad practical experience in this direction. After leaving school he entered the railroad shops at Buda and was employed as a brakeman and in other railroad services for a year. Subsequently he returned to farming in Macon township, where he lived for four years, when he took up his abode in Concord township, in the vicinity of Buda, where he has since remained. Ilis time and ener- gies are devoted to general agricultural pursuits, and he owns one hundred and ninety-four acres of rich and arable land, constituting an excel- lent farm that in its equipments has become known as one of the model farm properties of his locality.
Mr. Petteys was married December 20, 1877, to Miss Ella M. Beckwith, of Buda, a daughter of W. N. Beekwith, a farmer and stockman. In his religious views Mr. Petteys is a Congregationalist, holding membership with the church in Buda, and he stands for all that is right and just in man's relations to his fellowman and for all that is pro- gressive and practical in citizenship.
MRS. ALICE C. FAUBLE.
Mrs. Alice C. Fauble, residing in La Moille. was born in Clarion township. Bureau county, Illinois, October 6, 1860, and is a daughter of John and Luey M. (Smith) Clapp. Her father was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, on the 1st of October. 1814, while the mother's birth occurred in Alden, Erie county, New York, April 19, 1818. In the year 1834 John Clapp arrived in Bureau county and on the 20th of October. 1834, was married in Princeton to Miss Lucy M. Smith, whose residence here dated from almost as early a period as her husband's. Mr. Clapp was a farmer by occupation and owned at the time of his death a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres. In the family were seven children : Charles S .. Harriet W., Cephas F., William A .. Dwight, Albert N., and Alice M. Of this family Charles was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting from Illinois at the beginning of hostilities, and he lost his life at the battle of Champion Will on the 16th of May. 1863.
The daughter Alice spent her girlhood days in her parents' home and obtained her education in the public schools. On the 30th of August, 1881. she gave her hand in marriage to John Fauble. who was born in Lee county. Illinois. November 16, 1857. Hlo was a farmer by occupation and became a resident of Bureau county in 1892. spending his remaining days here. He was the owner at the time of his death of one hundred and fifty-three acres of choice land. together with a house and lot. He displayed excellent manaze- ment in his business affairs, combined with keen sagacity and unfaltering enterprise, so that what-
729
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
ever he undertook he carried forward to success- ful completion. He held membership with the Mystic Workers, and was prominent and influ- ential in community interests, acting as a member of the village council and also as school director. Matters relating to the publie welfare received his earnest consideration and he gave his support to whatever he deemed would prove of general good. Ile held membership in the Evangelical church at Perkins' Grove and was one of its active, earnest and etlieient workers. His life was honorable and upright, his actions manly and sincere and his good qualities of heart and mind drew to him the friendship and kindly regard of all with whom he came in contact, so that his death, which occurred on the 29th of October, 1900, was the occasion of deep and wide-spread regret. The community lost a valued citizen and his family a devoted hus- band and father.
Mrs. Fauble is a member of the Congregational church and of various societies connected there- with for the promotion of its growth and the ex- tension of its influence. She is a lady of excellent business ability, a capable financier, and is in every way able to manage her business interests, which are of considerable importance. The fami- ly to which she belongs is one of some note, her brother, Cephas, being a Congregational minister and state superintendent of home missionary work at Forest Grove, Oregon. Mrs. Fauble is a lady of high attainments, of natural culture and refine- ment, and enjoys the esteem and good will of many friends. Her home is justly celebrated for its gracious and pleasing hospitality and her co- operation may be relied upon in every good work.
REV. H. DECKER.
Rev. H. Decker has since 1882 been pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Zion church in Clarion township. This church was organized August 17. 1856, and Rev. George Guebner became the first pastor. A few months later, however, he was suc- ceeded by Rev. 1. Koch, who came in April, 1857. and remained until December of that year, when Rev. George Guebner was called to take charge. He remained from the 30th of May, 1858, until August, 1860, and was followed by Rev. H. Ehlers, who continued as pastor until October, 1867. His successor was the Rev. G. Albert Schieferdecker, who served the church until April, 1874, when Rev. John Wittig was called to the pastorate, remaining until August, 1857. The Rev. K. Heinrich .A. Decker, then assuming the pastorate on the 15th of September. 1887, has since ministered to the spiritual needs of his congregation and under his guidance the church has made substantial progress.
Rev. Decker was born in Rendsburg. Germany. June 12, 1851, and in 1873 came to America. He was assistant pastor of a church at Keokuk Inno- tion from December. 1874, until February. 1876.
after which he filled the pastorate of St. Paul'e church at Fowler and of St. Peter's church at Coatsburg, Illinois, until 1882. He was then called to hi- present charge, his pastorate here covering nearly twenty years. He was educated in the schools of Hadersleben and Schle-wig and afterward in the Mission House of Melsungen, Germany, and in the Wartburg Seminary at St. Sebald, lowa. In 1874 this seminary was re- moved to Mendota, Ilinois, and he finished his education there, being ordained to the priesthood on the 23d of June, 1876, at Mendota. Ilis lite has since been devoted to his holy calling and his labors and efforts have been of no restricted influ- ence but have borne good fruit in the growth of the church.
Rev. Decker was married July 11. 1876, at Peoria, Illinois, to Miss Sophie Muenstermann, who was born in Hoenebach, Germany, January 6, 1852, and came to this country on the same ship with her future husband. Their marriage has been blessed with nine children: C. August. who was born June 25, 1876, and is now pastor of a church in Peoria, Illinois: C. Heinrich T., who was born January 2, 1529, and is a mining engineer in Ari- zona ; Rudolph F. C., who was born July 20, 1581, and is a practicing physician; Paul G. H., who was born March 25, 1883, and is now studying philosophy ; Erich G. T., who was born August 2, 1885, and is a telegraph operator in Colorado; Johannes F. K., who was born December 20, 1887. and died Angust 30. 1888: Theodore C. R., who was born December 2, 1890, and is a student in the college at Clinton, Iowa; Elizabeth L. L. E., who was born March :. 1892, and is at home; and Frieda M. M., who was born August 23. 1894. and is also with her parents.
Politically Mr. Decker is a republican with in- dependent tendencies. He belongs to the Luth- eran synod of Iowa. and is president of the south- ern district of the synod. He has hell several of the offices which have come as the gift of the church through its auxiliary hran hos. Zion church, of which he is now pastor. has a member- ship of sixty heads of families and ar attendance of three hundred and fifty people. The house of worship was erected in 1956. the corner stone having been laid on the 11th of October of that year by the Rov. Koch, while the dediratory ser- vices were conducted by the Rev. Guebner. Sep- tember 19. 185S. The three members who offi- ciated at the laving of the corner stone were Frederick Stamberger, John F. Meier and Nicho- las Gross. The church steeple was built in 1974. and two bells, placed therein, were dedicated on the 25th of October of that year. The church was enlarged in 1902 and a pipe organ secured. while at the same time now windows were purchased and put ir. A pew Lutheran constitution was adopted January 13. 1968. This church has many associations for the people of Chrior township and it: pastor has been the counador an ! sen pitkatie
130
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
adviser of many of its members and friends through a long period. He has worked untiringly for the npbuilding of the church and the extension of its influence and his words of wisdom and truth as pronounced in the pulpit Sunday after Sunday have led many to seck a better way of life, leading to the development of high character. The pastor enjoys the fullest regard of the entire community irrespective of religions faith, his own life bring largely an exemplification of his teaching. He was ably qualified by liberal educational advan- tages for his holy calling and since leaving college he has been unfaltering in his devotion to the church and its work, his labors proving a strong element in the moral development of Clarion town- ship.
HENRY C. CODDINGTON.
Henry C. Coddington, a retired farmer resid- ing at the corner of Warren and Fourth streets in Princeton, is one of Bureau county's native sons, having first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 14th of August, 1850, on the old family home- stead in Dover township. His parents were James and Catherine (Fear) Coddington. The father was born, reared and married in Allegany county, Maryland, but at an early day emigrated to Bu- reau county, Illinois. He comes of good old Revo- lutionary stock and is of Scotch descent. When the colonists resolved to throw off the yoke of British oppression his grandfather, Benjamin Coddington, shouldered his musket and went to the front to aid in securing independence. After hostilities ceased and peace was once more estab- lished he located upon a farin in Maryland, which he operated with the aid of the numerous slaves that he owned.
It was upon that plantation that James Cod- dington, father of our subject, was horn January 25, 1798, and he was there reared to manhood in the usual manner of sons of the planters of the south in comfortable circumstances. In 1834 he started for Illinois, walking part of the way and traveling by water to some extent. At length he landed at Hennepin, Illinois, whence he came to Bureau county, and here he invested in land in Dover township, upon which he spent his remain- ing days as a farmer. He took prairie land. which was scarcely improved, save that a little cabin had been built. He paid a dollar and a quarter per acre for two hundred acres and he placed all of the improvements upon the property, which in course of time was transformed from a wild, uncultivated tract of land into one of rich fertility, adorned with all of the evidences of the model farm. In early days he hauled his grain to Chicago and Henry C. Coddington now has in his possession a grindstone for which his father traded an entire load of wheat in Chicago. James Coddington was a stalwart republican, but with-
out aspiration for office. He amended the Meth- odist church and Sunday-schoofat Dover and his influence was always on the side of right and jus tice, although he did not hold membership in the church. He was accidentally killed by being thrown from a buggy in June, 1876, while on a visit to his native state. His family numbered ten children, three of whoin are living: Henry C .; Harvey J., who resides upon a farm in Dover township; and Mrs. Anide Frazes, the wife of Milford Frazee, residing bear her brother Henry.
Reared on the ol.l homestead, Henry C. Cod- dington at the usual age began his education in the public schools and when not busy with his text-books his time was largely occupied with the work of the fields or other tasks connected with the farm work. He remained with his father un- til the latter's death and then succeeded to the ownership of two hundred acres of land. to which he has added until his real-estate holdings com- prise five hundred and sixteen acres of very valu- able farming land in. Burea county. For a con- siderable period he devoted his time and energies to tlie labors of the farm and continued to reside upon the old homestead in Dover township unti! 1900, when he retired to Princeton. where he pur- chased a new and beautiful residence. Upon the home place is a large briek it -idence of ten rooms and two large halls, all lighted and heated by gas. Mr. Coddington added all modern equipments to his farm and has there a natural gas well, one hundred and sixty feet deep with twenty pounds pressure. This has been in continuous operation since 1892. Mr. Coddington became well known as a successful stockman and from 1889 until 1899 han lled Galloway cattle, while since the lit- ter date he has handled Hereford cattle. His cattle are thoroughbreds and he has the best herd in the county, numbering fron forty to fifty head. Hle also raises Poland Chi i hogs and is one of the substantial farmers of the county.
On the 23d of December. 1526, Mr. Coddington was unitol in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Pierce, of Paw Paw. Lee county, Illinois, a daughter of Charles Pierce, who was born in Kingston, Penn- sylvania, and became a resident of Lee county in 1835. There he opened up a farm of three hun- dred and twenty-five acres of land and became a representative eitizen of the- county, continuing his residence there until called to his final rest. Six children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Coddington: Charles J., born March 21, 15ft : Emma, who died in 1902; Musel, born in August. 1881; Martha and Mary, twins, Forn July 29. 1885, the former now the wife of Albert Schmaus. of Ohio, Ilinois; and Mary. the wife of Elmer Hoover, their home being u. on the old home- stend in Dover township; at . Philip Raymond, who was born November 10, 1590. The wife and mother died December 10. 1004, and Novender 23, 1905. Mr. Coddington was married to ME :-
.-
H. C. CODDINGTON.
1
JAMES CODDINGTON.
135
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
Nellie Blanchard, a native of Milwaukee, Wis- consin.
Mr. Coddington votes with the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and is- sues of the day, so that he is able to support his political position by intelligent argument. Fra- ternally he is connected with Bureau lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. M., and Princeton chapter, No. 28, R. A. M. His children are members of the English Lutheran church. In his business affairs he has prospered and is now one of the extensive landowners of the county. Through his carefully directed labors he has been able to provide his family with the comforts of life and has more- over a splendid competence. Although he inher- ited the farm huis prosperity is largely attributable to his continued activity and energy and his well directed labors. He is seldom at error in matters of business judgment and is still supervising his farming and stock-raising interests, from which he derives a very gratifying financial return.
LEWIS M. PETERSON.
Lewis M. Peterson, familiarly called "Uncle Louie" wherever he is known, is now a retired farmer of Bureau county, still holding large landed interests in Wyanet and Concord town- ships. He resides in the village of Wyanet in the enjoyment of well earned rest, which has come to him as a reward of carnest, persistent and con- sceutive labor in former years. Ile was born in Sweden in 1812 and is a son of Peter Olson, who came to Bureau county in 1868 and died soon afterward.
Lewis M. Peterson received but limited educa- tional privileges in the schools of Sweden. He came to Bureau county in 1865, when a young man of about twenty-three years, and here began farming, an occupation which he made his life work. At length when his labors had brought to him sufficient capital he purchased forty acres of land in Concord township, for which he paid twenty-eight dollars per acre, earning the money by chopping wood and splitting rails. He began the development and improvement of the land and as the years have passed and his financial re- sources have increased he has added to this forty acres until he now owns eight hundred and fifty acres of fine land in Bureau county, which is very valuable and desirable. He likewise has five hun- dred and sixty acres in Colorado and is num- bered among the wealthy residents of this part of Illinois. His land is devoted to general farming and stock-raising and he continued as an active representative of agricultural interests until 1902. when he retired from the more arduous duties of farm life and removed to Wyanet, where he built a beautiful home and has since lived. He has also erected two fine residences upon his two farms in Bureau county and also on his farm in Colo-
rado, which are almost equal to his splendid how residence in Wyanet. He is now one of the di- rectors of the Farmers' Elevator of Wyanet, which was purchased by a company, of which he is a member, in 1905.
Mr. Peterson was married to Sophia Dahlberg, who was born in Sweden and came alone to this country. Six children were the result of this mar- riage. Albert is married and lives upon his father's farm, which is located eight miles northwest of Wyanet. Sarah Maria is married and lives upon her father's farm in Colorado. William makes his home in New Jersey. A. G. lives upon one of his father's farms near Wyanet. Rosa is at home, and Hilma is the wife of Oscar Ryburg, a resident of Princeton.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, in the work of which they are deeply interested and to the support of which they contribute liberally. Mr. Peterson is now serving both as deacon and trustce of the church. In politics he is a republican, who keeps wwH informed on the questions and issues of the day and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party, be- lieving that its policy is most conducive to good government. When he arrived in this country he had a capital of only four dollars and a half. He has worked hard until he is now one of the richest men in this part of the county. His farms are all well improved and under a good state of culti- vation. He has indeed been a very successful man and is a leader among the Swedish-American peo- ple of this portion of Illinois. His life record proves conclusively the value of industry and per- severance as a factor in business and should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, for, as the architect of his own fortunes, he has builded wisely and well and his property interests are the visible evidence of a life of thrift and well directed lahor.
GEORGE MAY.
There are representatives of various nationali- ties in Burean county but none have proven a more worthy element in its citizenship than those who have come from the fatherland. To this class be- longs George May, who was born in Prussia, Sep- tember 22. 1832, and when twenty-two years of age crossed the Atlantic to the United States. Thinking that he would have better business op- portunities in the middle west. he continued his journey from the seaboard to Chicago, where he remained for about four years. He then removed to Hetinepin, Putnam county, where he worked at farm labor until his diligence and enterprise had brought him saff ient capital to enable him to purchase a farm of his own. Later, however, he sold his property in Lucram county and in 1812 removed to Burem county, where he pur-
736
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
chased eighty acres, constituting the nucleus of his present homestead. As his financial resources have increased and favorable opportunity has of- fered he has added to the original tract until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres of good farm land. His place is carefully cultivated and he annually harvests good crops. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator and is thus identified with the grain trade of the county.
Mr. May was married in Hennepin, Putnam county, Illinois, to Miss Lucy Wintersein, a daugh- ter of Lambert and Mary (Drasin) Winterscin, who were farming people of Hennepin, Putnam county, Illinois. The wedding was celebrated June 28, 1866, and has been blessed with five living children: Anna May, now the wife of Nathan Coddington, a resident farmer of Bureau township: George P., who is also engaged in the tilling of the soil in Bureau township and who married Miss Kate Draman; William Henry, a stock-buyer of Manlius, who wedded Miss Nellie Morgan, of Bureau township: Benjamin Frank, who is living in Manlius township: and Everett Forest, at home. One daughter, Mary, became the wife of Peter Johnson, of Irvington, Iowa, and . died in September, 1901.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.