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 31
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Mr. May is an active republican, interested in the success of his party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and secure the adoption of its principles. He is recognized as one of its able and earnest workers in this locality and is num- bered among those who regard it as the duty as well as the privilege of every American citizen to exercise his right of franchise and thus support the principles in which he believes. Though born across the water he is thoroughly loyal in his de- votion to the stars and stripes and there would he naught said against the foreign element it all manifested the spirit of allegiance and fidelity displayed by Mr. May. On the contrary, such a citizenship would be gladly welcomed to American shores.
SAMUEL S. EVANS.
Samuel S. Evans is one of the younger repre- sentative business men of Princeton connected with the Evans, Coppins & Starks Company, which controls one of the leading productive industries of the city. In his business career he has wrought along modern lines of development and progress, has sought out new methods for the enlargement of the trade and has manifested a spirit of enter- prise which has made him a leading business man of the county seat.
Mr. Evans was born in Bureau county in 1872, his parents being George P. and Arabella ( Mohler) Evans. The paternal grandfather, Win- field S. Evans, was born in Rockingham county, New Hampshire, March 8, 1816, and was a son of Samuel Evans, who was born in Strafford county. New Hampshire. The last named was a son of
Edmund Evans, the founder of the family in the new world. Ile was a native of England and with a brother crossed the Atlantic to America, boating upon a farm in Strafford county, New Damp- shire. Both he and his brother served as soldiers of the Revolutionary war. Samuel Evans was one of a family of nineteen children, all of whom reached mature years. The eldest child, Louisa, married a Mr. Layton, a farmer of the old Granite state, and died when in her one hundredth year.
On reaching manhood Samuel Evans married Mise Hannah Woodman, a native of New Hamp- shire, and afterward worked at his trade of black- smithing in Nottingham, that state, where his death occurred when his son W. S. Evans was seven years of age, and the following year his wife also passed away. Winfield S. Evans was the third in order of birth in their family of six chil- dren, the others being Elvin .A., William Harrison, Samuel Plummer, Sophronia and Leazer W. R.
The advantages, educational and otherwise, which were afforded Winfield S. Evans in his youth were very meager, but he became a well in- formed man through his own efforts, broadening his knowledge by experience, observation and read- ing. After the death of his parents he was reared to some extent by others but was early thrown upon his own resources. For a time he worked for his brother in Salem, Massachusetts, and then re- turned to New Hampshire, where he was employed on a farm for two months. The following winter and spring, however, he was again with his brother. Going to Brookline, Massachusetts, he secured a position as a gardener, remaining with one employer for three years, after which he went to Boston, where he was employed as a porter in a bank. Subsequently he spent two years in the service of a baker, boarding in his family.
Winfield S. Evans was married while in Boston on the 13th of July, 1842, to Miss Sarah J. Lang- ley, who was born, reared and educated in the same neighborhood in New Hampshire as her husband. In 1855 he came to the west, making his way to Bureau county, and was so well pleased with this locality that he returned to Boston the following year and brought his family to Illinois, and still resides in this county. Here he turned his atten- tion to farming and was very successful in that pursuit, so that he is now enabled to live a retired life in Princeton. llis wife passed away 'in April, 1880.
Their only son, George P. Evans, was born in Boston and was provided with good educational privileges. Coming with his parents to Ilinois he was reared to the occupation of farming and after- ward carried on that pursuit on his own account. but in later years has lived retired in Princeton. Ile married Miss Arabella Mohler, a daughter of Samuel and Caroline Mohler, natives of Harris- burg. Pennsylvania. Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. George Evans : Caroline .J., the wife of Scott R. Coppins, a member of the Evans.
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Ooppins & Starks Company of Princeton; Samuel Scott, of this review ; and Harry .A., at home.
Samuel S. Evans spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and after acquiring his educa- tion in the schools of Princeton devoted a number of years to the abstract business. He then turned his attention to manufacturing interests, with which he is still connected as the senior member of the above firm, manufacturers of ball-bearing axles, shaft holders and quick shifters. They also conduct a wholesale and retail trade as dealers in fine vehicles. Their factory in Princeton has now been in operation for five years and they employ twenty men throughout the year and are also rep- resented on the road by five traveling salesmen. They manufacture ball-bearing axles (patented) and quick shaft couplers, and they carry the larg- est stock of vehicles in Illinois outside of Chicago, selling six thousand per year in a wholesale trade. The firm is now doing a mammoth business and makes shipments to Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and other points in the west. They also ship axles from New York to the Pacific coast. The trade is extensive and growing and the success of the enterprise is largely attributable to the efforts of Mr. Evans, who is a most energetic and far- sighted business man. He is one of the promoters of commercial activity in Princeton and while winning a large measure of success he also belongs to that class of representative citizens who while advancing their own interests largely contribute to the general prosperity.
OSCAR S. BASS.
Oscar S. Bass, who is engaged in general farm- ing in Berlin township, was born in Malden, Bu- reau county, May 19, 1854, and is descended from New England ancestry. His father, Edwin Bass, was born in Connecticut, January 28, 1816, and was married in 1842 to Emeline J. Stannard, whose birth occurred in the state of New York May 3, 1824. They became early residents of Bureau county, settling within its borders during the pio- neer epoch in its history. In their family were the following named: Caroline, deceased : Lucian : Luther G .; Sidney and Charlotte, both deceased; Oscar S .: Edwin, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Heber and Howard, twins, also de- ceased ; Wallace, and Alonzo C.
Oscar S. Bass was reared on the old homestead farm and enjoyed excellent educational privileges. After attending the public schools he became a student in Chicago University, where he completed his course in 1880. The occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work. and is a pros- perous and enterprising farmer of Berlin town- ship, having two hundred acres of land which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. The fields are well tilled and there are good buildings and modern improvements on the place, which pre-
sents a neat and attractive appearatos. indicative of the care and labor which Mr. Ba- bestows upon his farm and also of his good business ability.
Oscar Bass was united in marriage to Miss Cora M. Cottrell, who was born in Bureau county, Au- gust 21. 1861, her parents being Nicholas and Mary (Cole) Cottrell, both of whom were natives of Worthington, Massachusetts, where the father was born December 8. 1829, and the mother on the 7th of May, 1831. Mrs. Bass is a lady of supe- rior culture, refinement and education, who com- pleted her studies in Smith College, in Massachu- setts. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children : Mary, born June 2, 1886; Ger- ald, January 4, 1889, and Helen, March 20, 1893. The eldest daughter will complete her education in Kalamazoo College, in Michigan, where she is pursuing a classical course. It is the intention of Mr. and Mrs. Bass to supply their other children with good educational privileges. Theirs is a pleas- ant and attractive home, standing in the midst of a fine farm of two hundred aeres, and they are cor- dially received in the best homes where culture and intelligence are accepted as the passports to good society.
Mr. Bass exercises his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of the republican party, and has been called by his fellow-townsmen to fill a number of public offices. He served as jus- tice of the peace for two terms, has been township assessor for three terms and is the present incum- bent, and is also acting as a member of the school board at this writing. He and his family are all members of the Baptist church with the exception of their son, who is a Presbyterian in religious faith. In a review of the life record of Mr. Bass it is evident that his success has come through frugality, business enterprise and irreproachable integrity, for these have been the salient features in his career, having been manifest throughout his entire business life, resulting in the prosperity which he is now enjoying.
R. W. STORY, D. V. S.
Dr. R. W. Story, a veterinary surgeon, who has been located in Princeton since 1886, enjoying a fine practice here, was born in Bloomington, On- tario, Canada, in October, 1857, his parents being William and Frances ( Robson) Story, who came from England about 1846 or 1848. They were from Yorkshire, and the father's birth occurred near Scarborough, a town on the sea coast. He died in December, 1890, at the age of sixty-eight years, while his wife survived until August, 1898, passing away at the age of seventy-seven. Two of her brothers came to America and served as sol- diers in the war of 1812. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Story were born twelve children, of whom eight sons and two daughters are yet living, while
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two of the daughters have passed away. One son, Mark Story, is also a veterinary surgeon, now practicing in Stark county, Illinois.
Dr. Story of this review was reared in Ontario, and after acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools prepared for his profession as a student in the Ontario Veterinary College, at Toronto, from which he was graduated with the class of 1887. Owing to the necessity of making his own way in the world he had practiced for some years before completing his course and since his graduation he has continuously followed the profession, locating in Princeton in 1886, and enjoying here a large and constantly growing pa- tronage, which is indicative of the skill and ability which he displays in following his chosen calling.
Dr. Story was married in Canada to Miss Rachel L. Badgerow, who was born in Ontario in 1856, a daughter of Joseph and Mary ( Clark) Badgerow. Her maternal grandfather was a Baptist minister and was of English and Scotch descent. Her paternal grandfather served as a soldier in the war of 1812. Mrs. Story was reared in Ontario, where she resided up to the time of her marriage. She, too, is a member of the Baptist church and is a most estimable lady, having a circle of warin and admiring friends. Dr. Story is connected with the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Bureau lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. M., and in poli- tics he is independent. Well qualified for the voca- tion to which he has given his energies, he has met with creditable success in practice and is a leading representative of his profession in Bureau county.
REV. WILLIAM MURTAUGH.
Rev. William Murtaugh, a priest of the Cath- olie church whose field of labor includes Shof- field and Wyanet, his home being in the former city, was born at Chatsworth, Livingston county, Illinois, July 5, 1860. His father Owen Mur- taugh, was born in County Louth, Ireland, Janu- ary 8, 1826, and was the son of a farmer. He was reared to farm life and when twenty-six years of age canie to America and worked at farm labor for three years. Attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast and hoping to realize a fortune in the mines of California, he proceeded southward to New Orleans and thence to Nica- raugua and up the river-the route being prac- tically the route of the present ship canal across the isthmus. He spent two years in mining in California, meeting with reasonable success and experiencing the usual hardships and privations of those carly mining days on the coast. With a fair sum of money as the result of his two years' work he returned to Illinois and purchased eighty acres of land, while subsequently he bought a half seetion in Marshall county. Later he removed tu Livingston county and from there to Ford county.
Minois, where he engagol in farming until 1820, when he took up his abode in Chatsworth, retir- ing from active business life. In 1855 he had mar- ried Miss Bridget Lawless, of Marshall county, Illinois, who died in 1861, and subsequently he wedded Miss Alice Cleary, of Wilmington, Will county, Illinois. Mr. Murtaugh held many offices of trust in the communities in which he resided and was a most faithful incumbent, ever discharg- ing his duties to the best of his ability. In poli- tics he was a stanch democrat, thoroughly in sym- pathy with the principles and policy of the party. He died May 11, 1901. leaving behind the record of a successful and honorable lite. His children are the Rev. William Murtaugh, of this review ; Frank ; Alice: and a son and daughter deceased.
Father Murtaugh, whose name introduces this record, pursued his studies in St. Viateur College at Kankakee, Illinois; at Watertown, Wisconsin ; in Grand Seminary, at Montreal, Canada; and in St. Mary's Seminary, at Baltimore, Maryland. At the last named he was made sub-deacon and after- ward deacon, Cardinal Gibbons officiating. He was ordained a priest at St. Mary's cathedral in Peoria, Illinois, August 6, 1888, and first served as assistant pastor at Pontiac for six months. He next had charge of the church at Chatsworth for about the same length of time, and was assigned to Bureau county July 21, 1898, his parish in- cluding Sheffield, Tiskilwa, Princeton and Wya- net, but his duties becoming too arduous he gave up Tiskilwa and Princeton in August, 1905. For eight years he has lahored among the Catholic families of this part of the state and his efforts have not been without tangible results, as shown in the increased numerical strength of the church and the spiritual growth among his parishioners. He has not only cleared off an indebtedness of four thousand dollars since he located here, but has also expended about eighteen hundred dol- lars on improvements to the church property. Up to this time he has held services in a schoolhouse at Wyanet, but has a fund started to build a church. He has about one hundred families in his charge, and visits the sick and medly in Min- eral, Buda, Neponset and Manlius, besides his parishioners in Sheffield and Wyanet. Liberally educated and consecrated to the work of the church, his zeal and devotion are recognized by all throughout the different towns in which his labors are put forth. and as a pleasant, genial gentleman he makes friends wherever he goes.
LINNEAUS A. BATTEY.
Linneaus A. Battey, who owns and controls an excellent farm on section 26, Mineral township. dates his residence in Ill nois from 1851. and dur- ing the greater part of the period has been a resi- dent of Bureau county. A native of Providence, Rhode Island, he was born May 14, 1853, and is
REV. WILLIAM MURTAUGH.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
a son of Silas and Mercy (Bennett) Battey, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this work.
Linneaus A. Battey was only about a year old when brought to Bureau county, and in his par- ents' home his youth was passed, his education being acquired in the schools of Mineral township and of Princeton. On attaining his majority he started out in life for himself, working by the month as a farm hand for a year, and following his marriage he began business on his own ac- count. It was in November, 1875, that he wedded Miss Laura Scoughton, of Mineral township, who is a native of New York and a daughter of John and Mary (Valleau) Scoughton. They began their domestie life upon a rented farm, after which Mr. Battey purchased eighty acres of land, on which he has since lived. He is an able farmer, discrim- inating in his business interests and of sound judgment, and his well improved property is lack- ing in none of the accessories and equipments of a model farm of the twentieth century.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Battey has been blessed with three children : Eva L., who was born August 12, 1876, and since graduating from the Sheffield schools has engaged in teaching : Pierrie A., who was born July 12, 1878, and accidentally shot himself at Nickerson, Kansas, when thirteen years of age, his remains being interred in Shef- field cemetery, and Clair E., who was born Sep- tember 24, 1881.
The parents hold membership in the Unitarian church, and Mr. Battey is identified with Mineral camp, No. 21, 3I. W. A. His position on political questions is never an equivocal one. He has stood firmly in support of the republican party since casting his first presidential vote for Hayes in 1876, and he has served as collector of Mineral township for several years and also as school di- rector. His devotion to the publie good is above question, and has been manifest in many tangible ways. He and his family occupy an enviable social position, and the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Bat- tey is one whose success in life has been buildled upon energy and determination rather than inher- itance or any fortunate combination of cireum- stances, and his history stands in exemplification of the fact that prosperity results from the efforts of the individual.
L. O. MAY.
In a history of commercial progress in Tiskilwa mention should be made of L. O. May, who is en- gaged in the furniture and undertaking business under the firm style of L. O. May & Son. For twenty-five years he has occupied a foremost placa in the ranks of the business men of the town, and has also been a prominent factor in public affairs here, serving at present writing as mayor of the
village. Ili- birth occurred in Indiantown town- ship in 1816. His father, Aaron May, came from Allegany county, New York, to Bureau county in 1832, but before the termination of a year re- turned to the cast. He had formed a strong tachment for the middle west, however, and in 1836 he brought his family with him to Hlino's. locating in Indiantown township. He came of one of the old families of New York of English lin- eage. His wife hore the maiden name of Elizabeth Norton, and was reared in Belmont, Allegany county, New York. Aaron May was a farmer by occupation, and in Indiantown township purchased land which he cultivated and improved, owning at one time a valuable tract of three hundred and twenty acres and several tracts of timber land, so that his possessions aggregated about six hundred aeres. Subsequently he invested extensively in property in Missouri and removed to that state, his death occurring in Ravanna. His family num- bered nine children, four of whom yet survive, namely: Mrs. Judith Freeman, a widow, residing in Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Carrie Belcher, a widow, living in Tiskilwa; L. O., of this review, and Le Roy, who occupies his father's old home in Missouri.
1. 0. May is indebted to the public schools of this county for the educational privileges he en- joyed. Ile started out in life on his own account at the age of twenty-one years, being employed at farm labor in Indiantown township until he camne to Tiskilwa in 1881, since which time he has been engaged in his present line of business, covering a period of a quarter of a century. The firm now consists of L. O. May and his son. G. A. May, and they carry a complete line of all kinds of furni- ture, carpets and other house furnishings, and also have a fine hearse and ambulance for their under- taking business. Their well selected stock and reasonable prices secure to them a liberal patron- age. and their trade is now profitable.
Mr. May was married in 1869 to Emma L. Rowe, a native of Wayne county, New York, and a daughter of Isaac Rowe, who came to Bureau county at an early day from the Empire state, establishing his home in Tiskilwa, where he en- gaged in the furniture business for twenty years. beginning about 1863. Mr. May made his start in this line by purchasing an interest in the business. In 1899 Mr. May was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in June of that year, leaving three sons, as well as her husband, to mourn her death. Gardner .1 .. the eldest. now in business with his father, married Jennie L. Smith. of Geneseo, Illinois, and they have one child. Dor- othy, three and a half years of age. Edgar married Catherine Bartholomew, of Wayne county, Now York, and is now manager of the independent Telephone Company at Tiskilwa. Clyde L., living at home, has been a traveling salesman for six or seven years.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
Politically Mr. May is a stalwart republican and is now serving for the third term as mayor of Tis- kilwa, having been re-elected in April, 1905. That he has given a public-spirited, business-like and progressive administration is indicated by the fact that he has been three times eliosen for chief over- utive officer of the village. He and his eldest son are members of Snatchwine lodge, No. 147, I. O. O. F., of Tiskilwa, and of Princeton encampment, while the son holds membership in Tiskilwa lodge, No. 550, A. F. & A. M. Mr. May is a communi- cant of the Episcopal church, and in all life's rela- tions has manifested sterling traits of character and fidelity to high and honorable principles. His advancement is due to his own labor and the exer- cise of his native talents, and as the years have passed he has ever been accorded by public opinion a foremost place in commercial eireles and public life in the town where he makes his home.
JOHN W. WHITE.
John W. White well deserves representation in the history of his native county and with pleasure we present the record of his life as that of a rep- resentative farmer who in all public and private relations has commanded the good will and confi- dence of his fellowmen. He still lives in his native township of Macon, where he was born on the 4th of April, 1859, his parents being William C. and Elizabeth A. White. The father was born in Ohio, July 2, 1824, and was a son of John and Jane (Robertson) White. John White was of German lineage but was born in New Jersey and his wife was a native of Scotland.
In early life William C. White learned and fol- lowed the miller's trade and in Ohio owned a flouring mill, which he conducted in connection with the operation of a turning lathe. In the spring of 1819 he went to California, where he en- gaged in mining and dealing in cattle until 1852, when he became a resident of Henry county, Illi- nois, where his parents were then living. In the fall of the same year he purchased from Mr. Motherell the farm that was first settled in Macon township and in 1853 he bought what has since been known as the homestead property of the White family. He lived for a number of years in a log cabin but afterward erected a more commo- dions and modern frame residence. Ife gave most of his attention to stock-raising and was very sue- cessful. As he prospered in his undertakings he invested more and more largely in land and at one time owned five hundred and thirty-two acres of prairie and timber land. He never eared for pub- lie office nor sought political preferment, content to concentrate his energies upon his business inter- ests. He held membership, however, with the Bap- tist church of Buda and acted as superintendent of the Walnut Grove Sunday school. Hle took a most helpful part in its work and also contributed
liberally to the support of other churches and to- ward the advancement of any good cause. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. Ile was unable to enter the service during the Civil war but did much for those at the front and was known as "the soldier's friend." On the 28th of December, 1851, in Bureau county, he married Elizabeth A. Lewis and they became the parents of nine children. The death of Mr. White Occurred March 6, 18:4. His wife, who was born in Utica, New York, is now living in Kewanee, Illi- nois. Of the family the following record is given. Loretta J. was born October 16, 1855. Florence 1., born August 29, 1857, died March 29, 1863. John William is the third of the family. David A., born January 1, 1861, died March 8, 1862. Carrie A., born December 20, 1862, was married October 29, 1883, to Charles Wolfersberger, of Princeton. Sarah E., born October 12, 1866, is the wife of William Hewitt. Warren J. was born May 10, 1868. Martin E. was born January 11, 1870. Ellen C., born October 18, 1812, is now the wife of Harvey MeMullen.
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