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 32
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It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the maternal ancestry of the White family. The mother of our subject was a daugh- ter of John W. and Ann ( Roberts) Lewis. Her father was born December 14, 1807, in Lewis county, New York, and was a son of William I. Lewis and a grandson of John Lewis, who eame to the United States from Wales about 1281. Wil- liam I. Lewis had one sister who came at the same time and who married a Mr. Jones, settling in Philadelphia. William I. Lewis and his brother, Lewis Lewis, settled with their father near Tren- ton Falls, New York, and their descendants still live there. Both of the brothers served in the war of 1812. John W. Lewis, the eldest son of Wil- liam I. Lewis, came to Bureau county in 1853 and in the fall of the same year took up his abode on the northwest quarter of section 15, Macon town- ship, where he lived until his death, Jannary S, 1873. In March, 1832, he married Ann Roberts, who was born in Wales, August 18, 1813, and was brought to this country by her parents when three years of age. She died November 16, 1874. She was the mother of twelve children, namely: Wil- liam, Elizabeth, Sarah, David, John, Walter, Henry, Ellen, Thomas, Jerome, George and Al- bert. Walter died in New York in 1843 but the other members of the family came to this eounty with their parents.
John W. White, whose name introduces this rec- ord, was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, attending the district schools in the winter season and working on the farm through the summer months. He remained at home to the age of twenty-four years and then bogen farming for himself south of the old homestead, where he cul- tivated one hundred and sixty acres of land. In 1898 he erorted a residence on what was known as the old Motherell property and he is today cu !-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
tivating a farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres of his own and also rents some land. In 1900 he purchased a half section of land in Tra- verse county, Minnesota, three miles from Whea- ton, the county seat. He is engaged in the breed- ing of Poland-China hogs and also raises a good grade of cattle and horses. His fields are well tilled and in his farming operations he is meeting with success. Ilis political allegiance is given to the democracy but he neither seeks nor desires office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to give undivided attention to his business affairs.
On the 31st of January, 1881, Mr. White was married to Miss Annie Wood, who was born in Macon township, July 28, 1864, and is a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Gould) Wood, promi- nent pioneer residents of this county, who are mentioned at length on another page of this vol- ume. Mr. and Mrs. White have three children : Arilla E., who was born December 23, 1884, and is teaching in the Walnut Grove school; Verne J., born July 4, 1888; and Ethel, born May 20, 1890.
Both parents are worthy representatives of prominent pioneer families of this county and, having always resided here, are widely known, while their many good qualities have gained for them the favorable regard of all with whom they have been associated. Mr. White has been a wit- ness of many of the events which have marked the county's development and progress and are now matters of history, and the good name made by his father has been upheld by him, the White family having been among the most respected families of Macon township for many years.
EDWIN F. NORTON.
Edwin F. Norton, who is half owner of six hun- dred and sixty acres of valuable land in Bureau county, is well known as a breeder of sheep, goats and hogs, and his stock farm bears a good reputa- tion throughout the county and this portion of the state. He is a wide-awake and enterprising young business man, his home being in Neponset town- ship, which was also the place of his nativity. His natal day was July 26, 1866, and his parents were George and Ann (Studley) Norton. The father, long a resident of Neponset, was born at Brawhy, Yorkshire, England, March 24, 1817, and his par- ents, John and Sarah (Noble) Norton, were like- wise natives of England. In their family were six children, who reached years of maturity. On the 1st of November, 1840, the grandparents of our subject arrived in Bureau county and here spent their remaining days. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are still well remembered by many of the old settlers.
George Norton came to Neponset in the spring of 1841 and about 1841 entered some land, which became the old homestead property. He added to this from time to time until he was the owner of
a fine place of three hundred and twenty acred which he brought under a high state of cultiva- tion, adding thereto many improvements. Ilis snecess in life may be honestly attributed to his perseverance and industry, for he started out on his own account empty handel. He was married April 13, 1847, to Miss Ann Studley, who was born in England1, January 6, 1827, and about 1836 was taken to Morgan county, Ilinois, by her parents, William and Annie ( Chapman) Studley, who were early settlers of Neponset township. Unio Mr. and Mrs. George Norton were born ten children. Sarah A., born February 5, 1848, became the wife of William Hood, and died February 26, 1900. Eliza, horn February 25, 1850, is living in Neponset township. Thomas N., born February 17, 1853, follows farming in Iowa. Emma, born July 4, 1855, is the wife of John Senife, of Neponset. Levi G., born October 15, 1857, is also living in Neponset. Addie J., born December 5, 1859, is the deceased wife of Walter Pratt. Moses J. is in partnership with his brother Edwin. Fannie E. died April 12, 1889, at the age of twenty-five years. Edwin F. is the next of the family. Irena C. is the wife of Rev. Sanford P. Archer, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Norton were al o active and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political allegiance was given to the republican party, which found in him a stalwart champion, every loyal to its interests. IF died September 29. 1882, and is still survived by his wife, who lives in Neponset.
Edwin F. Norton is indebted to the public school system of Neponset township for the early educa- tional privileges which he enjoyed, and he was further qualified for life's practical and responsi- ble duties by a course in a business college at Quincy, Illinois. He started in business on his own account in 1888, when a young man of twenty-two years, being associated with his brother, Moses J. Norton, in farming and stock-raising on two hun- dred acres of land in Neponset township. In the fall of 1892 they acquired one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Macon township, and in March, 1899, purchased other property in the same town- ship. In June. 1902, they made purchase of one hundred and sixty acres more in the same town- ship, and they are today owners of six hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Burein county. In the fall of 1892 they went to Billings, Mon- tana, and purchased twelve hundred head of grad- ed Merino sheep for breeding purposes. They have siner been engaged in the breeding of sheep, and now have a flock of four hundred at the present time. They also have about five hundred head of hogs, and they ship their own hogs to the Chicago market. They also buy and feed cattle, which they ship to Chicago, sending about two carloads each year, and they breed horses for their own use. Their stock-raising interests are an important source of revenue to them, and they are accounted lending stockmen of the county. They are also
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breeders of Angora goats, having a good flock of high-bred animals on their place.
On the 25th of May, 1898, Edwin F. Norton was married to Miss Josephine R. Scott, who was born in Neponset township, April 3, 1812, and is a daughter of Robert and Deborah ( Dufee) Scott, who are mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the history of her brother, O. M. Scott. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Norton has been born one son, John Ward, whose birth occurred March 30, 1904. The parents are well known and prominent socially, and their own home is attrac- tive because of its warm-hearted and gracious hos- pitality. Mr. Norton has served as assessor for three terms and gives his political support to the republican party. He is loyal and progressive in his citizenship, and his efforts for the public good have been far-reaching and beneficial, yet he has never sought to figure as an office secker.
Moses J. Norton, brother and partner of Edwin F. Norton, was born where he now lives, upon the old homestead farm, January 8, 1862, and, like his brother, was educated in the public schools. They have long been associated in business, and are prominent as stock-raisers of Illinois, in which connection they are widely known through the state. Moses Norton is also a stalwart republican. and for three terms has served as a member of the village board of Neponset. Both are accounted enterprising business men, who keep in touch with the spirit of the times, and their efforts for indi- vidual prosperity also result beneficially for the county in the promotion of agricultural and com- mercial activity, whereon the success and growth of every community depends.
GEORGE LITTLEWOOD.
George Littlew.od, living in La Moille town- ship, is a native of England, his birth having oc- curred there on the 26th of July, 1865. His par- ents, Samuel and Sarah (Smith) Littlewood, were likewise natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives. In the common schools of Eng- land their son George acquired his education, re- maining in the land of his birth until 1882, when at the age of seventeen years he crossed the Atlan- tic to America and became a resident of Bureau county, Illinois. Here he devoted his time and en- ergies to farm labor, and, although his possessions were quite limited when he came to the new world, he is now known as one of the wealthy and sub- stantial agriculturists of Bureau county. His farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of choice land, for which he paid sixty-five dollars per acre, and which is today worth from one hun- dred and fifty to two hundred dollars per acre.
"Mr. Littlewood was married to Miss Anna Swanlund, whose birth occurred in Bureau county October 10, 1874. This marriage has been blessed with four children: William J., born December
25, 1893; Harold R., June 21, 198; Elles F .. November 25, 1900, and Albert E., March 26, 1901. The family are now nicely located in a new residence which was bu'It about two years ago, and which in its tasteful furnishings and attractive surroundings makes it one of the delightful coun- try homes of La Moille township. Mr. Littlewood is now erecting an excellent barn, forty by sixty feet, and altogether has one of the finest sets of farm buildings in the county. He is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of his township . and deserves much credit for what he has accom- plished, for he is still a young man. If he lives to the allotted age of three-core years and ten he will undoubtedly become one of the wealthiest citizens of this part of the state. Ile raises good erops, and is engaged in breeding Norman and Clydesdale horses. Ile also has hogs which are cross-bred be- tween the Poland China and Chester White. Ev- erything about his place is in keeping with the spirit of modern agricultural progress and suc- cessful accomplishment.
Mr. Littlewood fraternally is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his political support is stanchly given to the republican party. His wife belongs to the Methodist church, and the family attend its services. Mr. Littlewood has served for several terms as school director, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend, while to his family he is providing excellent oppor- tunities in that direction, realizing the value of mental discipline as a training for life's practical and responsible duties. His ambition is to provide a good home and comfortable living for his fam- ily, and that he is a man of kindly nature and gen- erous disposition is indicated in his face and man- ner. All who come in contact with him entertain for him warin regard, and the name of George Littlewood is an honored one in this community. Coming from England when a young man, he has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, with its broader business opportunities and advancement more quickly secured.
CHARLES F. MATSON.
Charles F. Matson, a representative of the farm- ing interests of Dover township, where he was born December 28, 1864, is a son of Enos M. and Helen (Westbrook) Matson, who became residents of Illinois at an carly day, settling in Bureau county upon the farm now owned by their son Charles. The father landed in Hennepin, Put- nam county. Ilinois, with a family of nine chil- dren and only five dollars in money. He worked for nine dollars a month in order to support his family, and as the years pass el he addol to his financial resources until at the time of his death be was worth fifty-four thous. nl dollars, repre- senting the accumulations of a life-time. That
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C. F. MATSON AND FAMILY.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAF COUNTY.
he was a most diligent and enterprising man is indicated by his success, which was also attributable to his good management.
Charles F. Matson was reared under the parental roof and is indebted to the public-school system of Bureau county for the educational privi- leges which he enjoyed in his youth. Ile com- pleted his education at the age of twenty-two years and remained at home until his marriage. Fle was reared to the occupation of farming, and has always made it his life work and is today the owner of two hundred and nineteen acres, which constituted a part of the old home property, that at one time comprised five hundred and nineteen aeres. His father purchased this at a dollar and a quarter per acre, and six years ago Charles F. Matson bought his farm at ninety dollars per aere, while today the property is easily worth one hundred and seventy-five dollars per aere. He raises eorn, oats and hay, which are the staple erops of this scetion, and he also makes a spe- eialty of stock-raising, including horses, cattle and hogs.
On the 23d of December, 1SS7, Mr. Matson secured a companion and helpmate for life's journey by his marriage to Miss Clara E. Shettel, a daughter of Solomon and Mary Shettel, who eame to Illinois at an early period in its develop- ment. Mr. and Mrs. Matson now have but one ehild, Earl V. S. Matson, who was born May 17, 1888.
In his political views Mr. Matson is a repub- liean, stalwart and earnest in support of the party, and on the issues of the day he is well informed, but has never been an aspirant for publie office. Fraternally he is connected with the modern Woodmen of America and the Mystie Workers, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the English Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. An analyzation of his life record shows that honesty, industry and economy are his salient characteristics and have led to his sneeess, making him one of the leading and prosperous farmers of Dover town- ship.
JOHN DWYER.
in the citizenship of Bureau county among the sons of Ireland who have borne an important part in the business life which has brought about the present prosperity of this section of the state John Dwyer is numbered. He first openel his eyes to the light of day on the Emerald Isle, July 15, 1840, his parents being Cornelius and Bridget (Burns) Dwyer. The father died in Ireland when his son John was but two years of age, and the inother afterward came to the United States with her family of four sons, erossing the Atlantie in the year 1852. She did not tarry on the eastern eoast, but made her way to Springfield, Ohio, and
afterward to Miami county. On leaving the Back- eye state she became a resident of Its, and her last days were spent in the village of Arlington, Bureau county.
John Dwyer of this review was a youth of but twelve years when he left the land of his nativity and came with his mother to the new world. For three years he resided in Springfield, Ohio, and on the expiration of that period went to Miami county, where he learned the cabinet-in .ker's trade. He afterward removed to Dayton, Ohio, where lived his brother, Dennis Dwyer, a prominent and influential eitizon there, who for nine years Elled the position of judge of probate. Later he became judge of the superior court, remaining upon that bench for six years. Ile was likewise judge of the court of common pleas for ten years, his julicial service covering altogether twenty-four years. That he was a distinguished and able jurist is indicated by the fact that in all that time he had but one decision reversed. He has figured je minently in connection with the legal history of Ohio, and at the present writing he is president of the inter- urban railroad, with a line extending fiom Dayton to Cincinnati.
While Jolin Dwyer did not pursue his education consecutively, he resumed his stulicz after the re- moval of the family to Arlington. He has always been a great reader and a strong supporter of pub- lic education, his influence being ever given on the side of intellectual progress through the system of publie instruction. In his early manhood he de- pended upon the trade of cabinet-making for a livelihood, continuing in that work until 1857, when he secured employment at farts labor by the month. As he was still but a boy, his wages were small, but he displayed fidelity and industis a gradually as his worth became recognizel his wages were increased. He possessed. more-ver. lavable ambition and fitin purpose, and as the years have passed he has made steady advancement i :. busi- ness eireles until he is today classel with the pros- perous farmers of his adopted energy. When his capital was sufficient to justify il. purchase of land he became the owner of a small tract, to which he has added from time to time as his financial resources have increased. until his h llings in farm land comprises three hundred and sixty acres, val- ved at about two hundred dollars per acre. He purchased forty aeres in the village of Arlington, on which he now has his home, an ! for this traet he paid one hundred dollars per acre over twenty- four years ago. He erected his own resider. e. and it is a comfortable and attractive one. plassantly situated and surrounded by a fine grove of shade and ornamental trees. There are various 7. Il kept buildings upon the place, and near is ar ! thrift pervade his farm in every departing :. t. H- is now one of the pros; erors agriculturists of the county, anl in addition to the cultivation of cer ils best adapted to soil and climate he also: - gols Humble- tonian trotting horses and Galloway emple. He
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likewise raises hogs to some extent, and his live- stock interests are no unimportant part of his business.
On the 4th of March, 1867, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dwyer and Miss JJohanna Dee, who was born in April, 1816, and is a daughter of James and Annie (Burke) Dee, natives of Tre- land. Mrs. Dwyer was brought to the United States when but two years of age, her parents having died on the Emerald Iste. In this country she was reared to womanhood, and by her marriage she has become the mother of eight children : Dennis, John A., Mary, Emily, Elizabeth, William, George and Catherine. Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer are giving to their children good educational advan- tages, thereby fitting them for life's practical and responsible duties. They have one son, who is a graduate of Niagara University, at Buffalo, New York, after which he followed teaching for about a year, while subsequently he has engaged in mer- chandising in the village of Cherry, Bureau county.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer are communieants of the Catholic church. His political support is given to the democraey, and his fellow-townsmen, rec- ognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to publie office. For four years he served as supervisor, and for ten years he has been a trustee of the village of Arlington. His home is within the corporation limits of the town, and his farming interests are in Westfield township. All that he possesses has been obtained through his own efforts, and as the architect of his own for- tunes he has builded wisely and well. He early realized the value of perseverance and industry as essential factors in a successful career, and though he has met some difficulties and obstacles in his path he has made steady progress toward the goal of prosperity by reason of his keen business dis- erimination, by unabating energy and industry that never flags.
FRANK WARD.
Frank Ward, who for twenty-two years has ell- gaged in the live stoek business, and is the oldest buyer in Tiskilwa, was born in Sullivan county, New York, April 9, 1846, and is a son of Henry and Eliza ( Broadhead) Ward, who spent their en- tire lives in the Empire state. The Ward family is an old one in Bureau county and the ancestry may be traced back to colonial days, while representa- tives of the name served in the Revolutionary war.
Frank Ward was reared in New York and pur- sued his education in the subscription schools such as were common at that time. Wishing to see the country, especially in the west, he came to Illi- nois alone in the fall of 1867. when a young man of twenty-one years. He subsequently went to Nebraska and after spending one year in that state he returned to Illinois, settling in Bureau county.
For some years he engaged in fargang in hlo township, becoming owner of a tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres, which he cultivate 1 and improved, transforming it into a fine farm. The fields brought forth rich crops in return for the care and labor he bestowed upon them and he also successfully raised stock. In 1881 he removed to Tiskilwa and in 1886 he sold his farm in Milo township, but has since owned several other good farms. For the past twenty-two years since com- ing to Tiskilwa-he has engaged extensively in the live stock business and is the oldest stock buyer of this town. His operations have been ex- tensive and have been profitably conducted, owing to his business enterprise, his correct judgment of the value of stock and his judicious sales.
Mr. Ward was married to Miss Judith A. Ed- minster, a daughter of Orange Elminster, one of the early settlers of Tiskilwa. Two children grace this marriage: Ada, now the wife of Bernhard Steinle, of Tiskilwa, and Clay, at home. Mr. Ward has a nice home, which is especially attrac- tive by reason of its warm-hearted and gracious hospitality. Politically Mr. Ward is a democrat and his social relations connect him with Tiskilwa lodge, No. 550. A. F. & A. M., while in Princeton he has attained the Knight Templar degree of Ma- sonry. Ile is free from ostentation or display and is a man of genuine personal worth, whose many good qualities have made him popular with his fellow citizens.
CARL J. PIERCE.
Carl J. Pierce is one of the enterprising young farmers of Bureau county, his birth having ou- curred August 11, 1822, upon the farm in Berlin township, upon which he still makes his home. llis paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Pierce, took up bis abode upon this farm in 1st, when Bureau county was yet largely a pioneer district. The land had passed into possession of James .1. Pierce, father of our subject, in 1812. and became the property of the present owner in 1905, so that it has remained continuously in possession of the family for more than six decades, James .1. Pierce was born in Greene county, New York. in 1821, and, having arrived at years af maturity. was married to Miss Mary J. Perry, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, January 1, 1833. The father had been previously married, his first union being with Esther Green, by whom he had two daughters, Ann E., now the wife of William Booth, and Millred E., the wife of W. S. Martin. By the marriage of Jame's A. Pierer and Mary J. Perry there were born the following nanel: Sherbarn. James A .. Mrs. Jessie P. Garwood, Rodney E .. Louis L., Olive B .. Mary L., Carl J. and David H.
Carl J. Pierce, reared upon his father's farm. acquired his only education in the district schools
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
and afterward attended Dover Academy, while his eduention was completed in the Northern Indiana Normal school, at Valparaiso. The occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work, and in 1905 he came into possession of the old home- stead farm, having here one hundred and thirty acres of land, which is very productive, responding readily to the care and labor bestowed upon it. Here he raises horses, Durham cattle and Poland China hogs to some extent, while his fields produce large crops of the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate. Everything about his place is kept in excellent condition and the farm presents a heat and thrifty appearance.
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