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 36
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In politics Mr. Coulter is a republican, and he and his family are members of the Metho- dist Protestant church. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, No. 814, at Ohio, and also of Modern Woodmen camp, No. 492. Although starting out in life empty-handed, Mr. Coulter has through his energy and perseverance accu- Inulated a fine property, being now the owner of two hundred and eighty-eight acres of valuable land situated on section 29, Ohio township, white his wife is the owner of one hundred aud sixty acres near by, and he also owns six hun- dred and forty acres of land in Wisconsin. He has added many modern improvements to his home place, is progressive in his farm work, giv- ing his personal supervision to his business in- terests, and year by year he harvests excellent crops, so that he is now numbered among the substantial residents of Bureau county. He de- serves much credit for what he has accomplished in a business way, for his success is due entirely to his own labor and business ability. He has always been straightforward in his dealings with his fellowinen, and he and his estimable wife have many warm personal friends in Bureau county, where they have both spent their entire lives.
PARKER NOYES MASON.
Parker Noyes Mason, who has been closely asso- ciated with journalistie interests in the county and is now publisher of the Plain Dealer at Buda. was born in Concord township, October 4. 1862. upon the farm belonging to his father. Cyrus P. Mason, who was born August 13, 1831, in Pitts- field, New Hampshire. He was a farmer and stock-raiser and died January 8, 1897, at Buda.
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Illinois. He married Sarah J. Noyes, who was born in Springfield, New Hampshire, February 25, 1833, and died March 3, 1900, in Buda. Further mention is made of the family in con- nection with the sketches of John Mason and Cyrus P. Mason on other pages of this work.
P. N. Mason was born and reared upon the home farm, a mile west of Buda, and pursued his education in the public schools of Buda, although his attendance covered less than ten years, during which time he completed the work of the ninth grade. His early experiences were those which usually come to a farmi boy, and in his youth he manifested considerable mechanical ingenuity. Ilis father established a cider-mill, operated by a steam engine, and afterward a feed-mill and sugar-cane-mill and subsequently a creamery. P. N. Mason did his share of the work in connection with all of these enterprises as well as in the fields, and in 1885 he extended the scope of his activity by purchasing a small job press and some type. He then began to do job printing, master- ing the business from the reading of books or papers or anything he could get bearing upon the subject. In January, 1882, he carried out a cherished idea of entering the newspaper field by establishing the Buda Plain Dealer, which he be- gan to publish on the farm, a mile from town. He continued its publication there for two months and then, as it promised to be a success, he re- moved to Buda, since which time he has continued in the publication of the paper, which is one of the leading country newspapers of this part of the state. He has also been connected with vari- ous other publications. On the 3d of January, 1889, he established in Sheffield the Bureau Coun- ty Times, which he sold to Charles A. Pratt on the 19th of September of the same year. On the 7th of November following he established a paper in Wyanet, with A. B. Case in charge, but dis- continued its publication when S. R. Warden & Company opened a newspaper office in the town July 14, 1893. That paper was published in the Buda office during the four years of its exist- ence. On the 27th of February, 1891. Mr. Mason started a paper in Neponset, with J. T. Miller in charge, the printing being done in the Buda office, but discontinued this paper in the fall of 1891 on the removal of Mr. Miller from Neponset. He has been generally successful in his newspaper ventures and from the beginning the Plain Dealer has proven a profitable investment. In 1900 he became interested in the Independent telephone movement, now known as the Empire Telephone Company, and has since managed the exchange in Buda.
Mr. Mason as editor and as a private eitizen has been closely identified with everything tending toward the improvement of his town and com- munity. He has, since attaining his majority. been a strong factor in local republican ranks and is against licensing or in any way favoring the
liquor traffic. He has exerted a strong and bene- ficial influence in community affairs and has ren- dered capable service in public oflice, acting as village clerk of Buda from 1896 until 1900, as president of the board for two years, in 1900 and 1901, and as village trustee in 1904 and 1905. His fraternal relations are extensive. He belongs to Buda lodge, No. 399, A. F. & A. M., in which he has served as secretary, and in other offices; to the Eastern Star chapter, No. 218, in which he has been secretary and worthy patron; the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 525, in which he has filled all of the offices; Buda encampment, No. 130, 1. O. O. F., in which he has also filled all of the chairs; Rebekah lodge, No. 339, of which he has been secretary; French Grove camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he was elerk for five years; and Arena lodge, K. P., of which he was a charter member.
Mr. Mason was married in Buda, July 3, 1889, to Gertrude Seguine, a daughter of William S. and Barbara (Buchan) Seguine, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Masou have been born two children: Mayne, June 3, 1890; and Ross N., April 22, 1893. Both were born in Buda. The parents and sons are members of the Baptist church.
ANDREW W. NELSON.
Andrew W. Nelson, engaged in farming in Manlius township, was born in Sweden, February 14, 1834, a son of Nels Carlson and Ingre Nelson. He eame to America in the spring of 1861. He had spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native country, and, believing that the new world offered better opportunities, he came to the United States when a young man of twenty-seven years. His capital was limited at that time, his lack of financial resources rendering immediate employment a necessity. Hle therefore worked at farm labor for about four years and then with the capital which he had acquired began farming on his own account on rented land. As a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Christina Sophia Widestrom, of Princeton, whom he wedded on the 23d of February, 1865.
It was in 1870 that Mr. Nelson purchased a part of his present homestead, becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he has since added until within the boundaries of his farm are now comprised three hundred and sixty acres of very rich and productive land. He has greatly improved the property, putting up good barns and other outbuildings and erecting a fine resi- dence, which is one of the model farm homes of the locality. Everything about the place is neat and is kept in excellent condition, showing his careful supervision and progressive methods.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were born two chil- dren : Nels Oscar William, who was born Decem-
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
ber 13, 1865, was married February 16, 1888, to Miss Martha M. Hurst, and they have two chil- dren, Carrie Christine and Earl Oscar. Hannah Josephine Nelson, born April 8, 1869, became the wife of James Montague Allen, a commercial traveler of Chicago, on the 20th of November, 1894, and they also have two children, James M. and Merle Edith. In 1871 Mr. Nelson was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 25th of November of that year. About two years later, on the 9th of October. 1873, Mr. Nel- son was married to Miss Rebecca Nelson, of Wyanet, a daughter of Okey and Ellen Nelson, who were farming people of that locality. Five children have been born of this marriage: Emma Geneva, born August 13, 1826; Arthur Harmon, a farmer who was born February 18, 1879, and was married February 15, 1905, to Miss Estella M. Martin, by whom he has one child, Viola Ellen ; Edith Blenda, who was born May 13, 1881, and is a milliner at Manlius ; Mabel Elcanora, born Sep- tember 7, 1884; and Carl O., March 7, 1889.
In his political views Mr. Nelson is a democrat and has served as school director for many years. He has never been a politician, however, in the sense of office seeking, preferring to give his un- divided time and attention to his business affairs and in connection with his agricultural interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Manlius. Coming to the United States without capital, he has here improved the business op- portunities offered, has made the best use of his advantages and has gradually worked his way up- ward until he is now one of the substantial resi- dents of his adopted county, with a valuable farm to show for his life of industry and perseverance.
JAMES EDWARD MONIER.
James Edward Monier is a farmer and stock- man, residing on section 33, Milo township, where he owns two hundred and forty acres. He was born April 18, 1864, in Marshall county, Illinois, and possesses the typical spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the dominant factor in the rapid and substantial upbuilding of the middle west. His parents were William and Wilmina (Doran) Monier. The father was born on the Isle of Man, and, with his parents, came to America when sixteen years of age. He married Miss Doran, a native of Massachusetts. Locating in Peoria county, Illinois, he afterward removed to Camp Grove, Marshall county, where he has since resided. He is an extensive and wealthy farmer, now owning a thousand acres of fine land in Marshall county and one hundred and sixty acres in Bureau county. He engages in stock- raising on a large scale, and his dealings in fine stock have made him a leading representative of this line of business in Illinois. He displays ex- cellent business judgment, keen discernment, sa- gacity and unfaltering diligence, and thus the
success which he has acquired has been most hou- orable as well as gratifying, for it has come as the legitimate result of his own labors. Prominent in political circles, he gives a stalwart support to the republican party and does everything in his power to promote its growth and insure its suc- cess. His home is pleasantly located six miles west of Lacon, Illinois.
James Edward Monier is the only member of a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, who is not a resident of Marshall coun- ty. His youth was there passed and his educa- tion was acquired in the district schools and the high school of Sparland. He always lived at home until 1894, when he was married and came to Bureau county, where he has since resided. The occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work, and he now owns and operates two hundred and forty acres of fine land in Milo township, where he raises both grain and stock. He is a breeder of shorthorn cattle, is breeding first-class stock and has fifteen head of registered cattle. He also breeds Percheron horses, and has about twenty-five head upon his farin most of the time. Success seems an attendant to his busi- ness efforts, for whatever he undertakes he ac- complishes, and he has not lacked the financial return which is the desired reward of all business endeavor.
In 1894 Mr. Monier was married to Miss Clara L. Casey, of Marshall county, Illinois, a daughter of Charles Casey, a farmer now residing in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Monier have become the parents of four children, and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. These are Nellie, Margaret, Lura and Wilbur Monier. The parents hold membership in the Methodist church, and Mr. Monier belongs to the Masonic lodge at Bradford and to the Modern Woodinen camp at Whitefield, Illinois. Politically he is a republican, and in 1902 was elected supervisor of Milo township, which office he is still filling. He has been a member of the school board for years, and is still the incumbent in that position. He regards a public office as a public trust-and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. He is loyal and patriotic in his citizenship, is progressive and diligent in busi- ness, and in friendship he is ever faithful and true.
JOIIN LEONARD REID.
John Leonard Reid, who has resided in Milo township from the age of twenty-two years, now follows farming on section 35 and is also filling the office of road commissioner, in which capacity he labors to secure the adoption of his ideas con- cerning good roads. Born in Scott county, In- diana, on the 16th of October, 1841, he is a son of Matthew M. and Sarah Ann ( Horner) Reid, the former born in Maryland in 1811 and the lat-
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
ter in Indiana in 1820. After residing for some years in the Hoosier state, the father came with his family to Illinois in March, 1851, and lo- eated in Milo township, Bureau county. He first purchased land on section 36, just across the road from the farm of his son, John L., and there he spent his remaining days, but in the meantime he added to his property until he was the owner of two hundred acres of very valuable farm land. He died December 6, 1880, and his wife has also passed away, while of their family of nine chil- dren one is deceased, Sarah E., who married Frank Corbin and died December 1, 1899. She was the second in order of birth, while John Leon- ard Reid is the eldest. The others of the family are: David L., a resident of Iowa; George W., of Milo township; Maria J., the wife of Festus Bentley, of Milo township; William U .. who is living in Modena, Illinois; Mary Evaline, the wife of Frank Crisman, a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska; Atlantic, the wife of Joseph Hufnagel, who follows farming in Milo township; and Nel- he, the wife of Eugene Vale, of Princeton, Illi- nois.
John L. Reid was educated in the common schools and started out in life on his own acount when twenty-two years of age, sinee which time he has lived in Milo township. His first tract of land comprised forty acres, which he purchased from his father in 1870 and which is still in his possession, but the years have witnessed consid- erable progress in his business career and he is today the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, well improved, in Milo township, to- gether with thirty acres of timber land. His work is that of a general farmer and stock-raiser and he also feeds considerable cattle and hogs. He has likewise operated a threshing machine for a number of years and his life has been one of untiring activity and unfaltering perseverance.
In 1864 occurred the marriage of Mr. Reid and Miss Fannie Moore, who was born at Birming- ham, England, in 1847, and was brought to the United States in 1849 by her parents, John and Harriet (Butler) Moore, both of whom are now deceased, her father having resided in Indiana until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Reid became the parents of four children. Charles L., the eldest, born in Milo township, November 2, 1865, at- tended the comon schools and spent three years as a student in the Bradford high school. He has always followed farming and he purchased forty aeres of land where he now resides. On this he has erected a fine residence and has inade many modern improvements. He also works his father's farm and keeps some stock. He married Jennie Colehower, a native daughter of Milo township. Her parents, Conrad and Elizabeth (Grady) Cole- hover, are both living. Mrs. and Mrs. Charles L. Reid became the parents of six children, four of whom survive: Ethel, Harold, Harriet and Howard. Jennie A. Reid became the wife of
Henry Smith, of Milo township, and died June 1, 1899, leaving one child, Margaret, who makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Reid Sadie A. died October 16, 1894. Hattie V., who completes the family, is yet at home.
Mr. Reid is a stalwart republican, deeply in- terested in the snecess and growth of his party. He has been road commissioner for a number of years, filling the office at the present time, and he has also been school director for some years. He belongs to Gem lodge, No. 5:2, 1. 0. 0. F., of Whitetield, Illinois, of which he is a charter member and in which he has twice passed through all the chairs. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen camp at Whitefield, and is in thorough sympathy with the principles of these orders, which are based upon brotherly kindness and helpfulness. Mr. Reid is popular with many friends because of his excellent traits of char- acter and genial, cordial disposition.
JOSEPH E. WATERHOUSE.
Joseph E. Waterhouse is one of Walnut town- ship's native sons, born on the 15th of January, 1863. Hle is still living in the same township, and has always followed the occupation of farming. His parents were Joseph and Kate (McCann) Waterhouse, natives of England and of Ireland, respectively. In early life they came to the United States, settling in Burcan county, and were mar- ried in Princeton about 1856. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and during his residence in the county scat followed that occupation. Sub- sequently he removed to Walnut township and engaged in farming on sections 14 and 15, pur- chasing one hundred and twenty acres of land, which constitutes the old home farm, on which he reared his family. He afterward bought other land. and left at his death a valuable estate of five hundred and sixty acres. He passed away December 21, 1885.
Josephi E. Waterhouse completed his education in district school No. 29, in Walnut township, and has always followed farming. He early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, for in the periods of vacation he worked in the fields, taking his place behind the plow when but a young lad. Since at- taining his majority he has carried on farm work on his own account, and as the years have passed he has prospered in his chosen field of labor. His home farm comprises two hundred acres of very arable and productive land, whereon he is largely engaged in the raising of corn and oats. He also has considerable stock, his cattle being largely of the Hereford breed, his hogs of the Poland China breed and his horses of Norman blood. His farm is equipped with substantial buildings and a beautiful home, and everything about the place proves to the passer-by the enterprise of the owner
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and the fact that he keeps in touch with modern ideas of agricultural development.
On the 26th of February, 1891, Mr. Waterhouse was united in marriage to Miss Clara Ilibbard, who was born April 27, 1862, a daughter of Joshua and Mary ( Lumbard) Hibbard, both of whom were natives of New York. They came to La Salle county with the early settlers, and the father always followed the occupation of farming as a means of livelihood for himself and family. He departed this life in 1888, and is still survived by his widow, who is now living in Aurora, Ili- nois. Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse have but one child, Mabel J., who was born July 25, 1894, and is therefore twelve years of age. She is now a student in district school No. 30, in Walnut town- ship. Mr. Waterhouse has served for the past six years as school director, and believes in the em- ployment of competent teachers and in upholding the standard of public instruction. Politically he is a democrat, but has no aspiration for the honors and emoluments of public office. Ilis at- tention has been fully occupied by his Imsiness affairs, and he is one of the representative agri- culturists of the community, carefully conducting his business interests.
GEORGE ZINK.
The life history of a self-made man is always of interest. There is something inspiring in a vie- tory, and he who fights the battle of life courage- ously and comes off conqueror in the strife is de- serving of respect. Such was the history of George Zink, one of the pioneer residents of Bureau county, who was well known in this part of the state and was respected and honored wherever known. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1822. The family was established in Pennsylvania at an early epoch in its development, the grandparents being John and Elizabeth ( Howe) Zink, both of whom were natives of that state. The father of our subject, Samuel Zink, was a native of the Keystone state, born August 11, 1788. At an advanced age he went to Ohio, settling in that state in 1841, and in 1844 he came to Bureau county, Illinois, where he joined his son George, who had arrived a year previous to that date. He then remained a resi- dent of Bureau county until his death, which oc- curred February 15, 1866. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Ilanawalt, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, Au- gust 26, 1:89, and died February 10, 1886. She was of German extraction, and both she and her husband were members of the Methodist church.
George Zink was one of a family of eleven chil- cren. His boyhood days were spent upon the old home farm, and he attended the public schools until about nineteen years of age, when he went
to Ohio with the family. In 1813, on attaining his majority, he came to Bureau county, Illinois, locating about a mile east of Buda, where he pur- chased eighty acres of military land. It was all wild prairie, and he hauled the hunber from Chicago in order to build upon his place a frame house. lle then turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, and at one time owned about four hundred acres of land, while at the time of his death he had an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Coming to the county at an early day, he experienced many of the hardships incident to life on the frontier, and he resolutely struggled with conditions that made farming a difficult task because of the remoteness of the district from railroads and city markets.
On the 25th of November, 1811, Mr. Zink was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Thompson, who was born June 29, 1822, in Huntingdon coun- ty, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Andrew and Eliz- abeth ( Heater) Thompson, natives of the Key- stone state. The father was of English lineage, while the mother was of German descent. In 1845 they came to Bureau county, settling near Sheffield, where Mr. Thompson followed the occu- pation of farming. He was born November 30, 1786, and died December 24, 1817, at the age of sixty-one years, while his wife, who was born May 1, 1192, passed away January 21, 1851, at the age of sixty-one years and eight months, her re- mains being interred at Sheffield. Mrs. Zink was a young lady when she accompanied her parents to this county, and she has since made her home here. As a bride she went to her husband's farmi, and they resided continuously thereon for almost a half century. In 1895, however, they rented the farm and removed to Buda, Mr. Zink retiring from active business lite. He had well earned the rest which he enjoyed, for in former years he was a most energetic, active farmer, laboring untiringly day after day, month after month and year after year until his diligence and perseverance had brought to him a substantial financial reward. In the meantime seven children had been born into the family: Samuel Davis, who enlisted in the army at the age of only sixteen years, and died at Springfield before going south for active service; Thompson A., who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume ; Elizabeth E., who is still with her mother ; Mary C., the wife of W. H. Stutzman, of Buda ; George A., of Chicago, and Orrin A. and Warren A., both of whom are residents of Buda.
Mr. Zink held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife still belongs. He remained a resident of Buda for about five years, and passed away on the 5th of March, 1900, when in the seventy-eighth year of his age. His had been an upright life, and in all relation- he was found honorable and reliable, courteous and considerate. He exemplified daily the spirit of the Christian religion, in which he believed, and followed closely the golden rule, doing unto others
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE ZINK.
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as he would have them do unto him. He met with a fair measure of success in his business life and won his prosperity not by taking advantage of others, but through close application and untiring effort. Such a record is indeed worthy of emula- tion. Mrs. Zink, still surviving her husband, resides in Buda, and is greatly esteemed by many friends whom she has made during the years of her long residence in this county.
A. A. SPOONER.
Among the prominent and substantial citizens of Bureau county, Illinois, are those who assist in the agricultural progress and development of this section of the state, and to this class belongs A. A. Spooner, who is a representative of the farming interests of Ohio township. He is a native of the state of New York, his birth having ocenered in Madison county on the 18th of Decem- ber, 1826, a son of Sir Prince and Rebecca (Pat- terson) Spooner, in whose family were eight chil- dren, of whom the subject of this review is the youngest.
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