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 37
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In the district schools of New York our sub- ject received his preliminary education, which was supplemented by a course of study in Madison Academy in that state. He came to Illinois from the east at an early day, believing that the west would afford better opportunity for advancement in a business way than he would enjoy in his native state. He soon manifested the spirit domi- nant in the western country and by his industry and good business ability, in due course of time, became the possessor of good farming land, to which he has added as his labors have brought him capital, until he is now owning and operating a fine tract of land, constituting three hundred and twenty acres, valued at one hundred and fifty dollars per acre. It is situated in Ohio township, and here he carries on general agricultural pur- suits, following modern and practical methods in all his work. He has here a nice home and many substantial outbuildings, and the neat and at- tractive appearance of the place makes it one of the most valuable farms of the county.
After residing in Illinois for a few years Mr. Spooner sought a companion and helpmate for life's journey, and on the 24th of March, 1858, was married to Miss Mary E. Philpot, who was born September 20, 1811, a native of New York and a daughter of George and Mary ( Tooke) Philpot, both natives of the state of New York, where they always made their home. Mr. Philpot was a well educated man and a lawyer by profes- sion, but on account of ill health was unable to engage in the practice of his chosen calling. Mrs. Spooner received here early educational privi- leges in the common schools of her native place and later pursued a course of study in the Oneida Ladies' Seminary, at Oneida, New York. Uuto
Mr. and Mrs. Spooner have been born five chil- dren, of whom two are deceased. Those living are: Prince Edward, born September 20, 1863; Winifred R., October 22, 1872; and Allen G., born May 1, 1880.
In his political views Mr. Spooner is a repub- lican and takes an active interest in local political affairs. Popular with his fellow townsmen, he has been called to fill a number of positions of trust, having served as supervisor of East Grove township, Lee county, Hlinois, for several years previous to his removal to Bureau county. He also served as justice of the peace for two terms, as road commissioner for eight years, and as school trustee for a similar period, and in all these posi- tions he displayed marked ability and discharged the duties which devolved upon him in a very creditable manner. In his religions views Mr. Spooner is liberal, but is not identified with any church organization.
Having started out in life for himself without capital, he possessed a strong will and a determina- tion to succeed, and coming to the west in early manhood he sought and utilized every opportunity that presented itself and by hard work and econ- omy worked his way upward until he is now the owner of a tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres, valued at one hundred and fifty dol- lars per acre, and his is one of the most pro- ductive farms of Bureau county. He is one of the prominent and progresive farmers of his com- munity and is highly esteemed both in business and social circles.
GEORGE EDSON ZINK.
George Edson Zink, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising in Concord township, making a specialty of Durham cattle, was born October 27, 1866, in Macon township, his parents having been pioneer residents of that locality. Hle is a son of John and Elizabeth (Sense! ) Zink, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this work.
The public schools afforded George E. Zink his early educational privileges, and after completing his inore specifically literary education in the high school at Buda he entered the Davenport Busi- ness College and was thus qualified for the trans- action of important business interests. Putting aside his text-books, he entered actively upon the work of the farm and has since been a representa- tive of agricultural interests, placing his fields under a high state of cultivation. He also raises stock and is now making a specialty of regis- tered Durham cattle and Poland China hogs, of which he has some fine specimens upon his place. He has a well cultivated farm and an air of neat- ne-4 and thrift pervades it in all its departments.
On the 19th of February, 1891. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Zink and Miss Nettie Con- ley, a daughter of George and Triplena (Sturte-
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
vant) Conley, of Bureau county. Her father, a farmer by occupation, died February 10, 1900, and his wife survived him only until the 21st of April of the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Zink have three children : Neva Elizabeth, born January 17, 1893; Althea M., January 13, 1895; and Laurine Fern, July 6, 1897.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Zink is serving as trustee and steward. In politics he is a re- publican, stalwart in his advocacy of the party principles, and he has frequently served as a delegate to county and congressional conventions and has held the offices of assessor and road over- seer. He has various fraternal relations, being a member of Buda lodge, No. 339, A. F. & A. M., while he is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen of America. He is an enterprising, energetic business man, of keen fore- sight and laudable ambition, and has already at- tained a gratifying measure of success in his busi- ness life.
WILLIAM WILSON.
William Wilson, editor and owner of the Walnut Leader, was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, October 18, 1852. His parents were James and Catharine (Schorman) Wilson, the former born in. Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and the latter near Reading, that state. In their family were eight children, of whom William was the third in order of birth. They were brought by their parents to Illinois in the spring of 1865, the family home being established in Whiteside county.
William Wilson began his education in a log schoolhouse in Pennsylvania and afterward con- tinned his studies in the public schools of Illinois and in the high school at Morrison, this state. After putting aside his text-books in 1868 he entered the printing office of the Reform Investi- gator in Morrison to learn the trade, remaining there for two years. In August, 1871, he removed to Prophetstown and became a printer in the office of the Prophetstown Spike, then owned by Charles Bent and A. D. Hill. He was connected therewith for some time and in 1874 he was mar- ried and began farming, operating his father's old home place. Subsequently, however, he re-entered the newspaper field at Walnut, purchasing the Walnut Motor in 1883. In 1890 a disastrous fire visited the town, destroying nearly its entire busi- ness section, including the printing office of Mr Wilson. Hle, however, at once made arrangementi for the continuance of the paper, which he pub- lished until March 1, 1891. In April, 1892, he established the Walnut Leader, which he has since owned, edited and published. It is a six column quarto and has a bona fide circulation of over eight hundred and twenty-five copies. It is pub-
lished weekly and is devoted to the dissemination of general and local news.
Mr. Wilson was married on the 8th of October, 1814, to Miss Louisa F. Cox, who was born in Prophetstown, Illinois, December 8, 1855, a daughter of Edwin F. and Lucy R. (George) Cox. Her father, a native of Vermont, came west in 1852 and located at Prophetstown, Illinois. In his family were four children, of whom Mrs. Wil- son is the oldest. She was educated in the high school at Prophetstown and in Averil's Seminary, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children : Maud C., born July 23, 1812; W. Gor- don, who was born August 21, 1879, and died November 2, 1902: Agnes Lucy, horn September 21, 1881 ; Louisa Mary, April 9, 1883 ; and Edwin C., February 15, 1886.
Mr. Wilson has been active and influential in community affairs. He served as village clerk of Walnut for two terins and is a republican in poli- tics. Formerly he gave his political allegiance to the democracy, but two years ago his political faith changed and he has since edited his paper in sup- port of republican principles. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, but he does not hold membership therewith. His wife, however, is a member of the Baptist church.
Mr. Wilson is a self-made man, whose only cap- ital in starting out in life was his good health, his energy and willingness to work. He thoroughly mastered the business in which as a young trades- man he embarked, becoming familiar with print- ing in principle and detail, and through his in- dustry and perseverance he has gained a credit- able place as a representative of journalistic in- terests in this county.
ERNEST J. ILALL.
Ernest J. Hall, who is farming in La Moille township and is one of Bureau county's native sons, was born January 18, 1867. His parents were John H. and Charity (Smith) Hall, both of whom were natives of Hackettstown, New Jersey. They were married in that state, and, thinking to enjoy better opportunities in the middle west, came to Illinois in 1860, settling in Bureau county.
Ernest .J. Hall, the youngest in their family of ten children, is indebted to the public-school sys- tem of La Moille for the educational privileges he enjoyed, and during the periods of vacation he was trained to habits of industry and enterprise through the assistance which was required from him in the work of the fields on the home farm. Ho gradually gained broad and accurate experi- ence in farm work in all of its departments, and throughout his entire life he has followed agri- cultural pursuits. Hle now owns one hundred and thirty-three acres of goo.l land lying adjacent to the village of La Moille. This is a valuable prop- erty, and in addition to the cultivation of the fields
781
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
Mr. Hall feeds hogs and finds in their sale a good source of income annually. He is a self-made man, having started out in life alone and gained his present possessions through unremitting diligence and unabating energy. He is accounted our of the leading farmers of the township in which he resides, and his place is splendidly located, so that the advantages of the town are easily obtainable, while those of rural life are constantly enjoyed. There is a good set of farm buildings and fine shade trees add to the value and attractive ap- pearance of the place. In the pastures are found good grades of stock, and the latest improved machinery facilitates the work of the fields.
Mr. Hall was married to Miss Laura B. Frary, who was born in Bureau county, August 15, 186 ;. They became the parents of four children: Mar- garet M., born June 23, 1895; Lucy E., May 22, 1898; George W., December 30, 1900; and Esther C., June 19, 1903. Mrs. Hall is a daughter of George and Mary (Palmer) Frary, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Ohio. They became residents of Illinois in 1863, and in their family were six children, of whom Mrs. Hall is the youngest. She, too, was educated in the public schools of Bureau county.
Mr. Hall is a valued and popular member of the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 227, and the Mystic Workers, No. 18. His political allegiance is given the republican party. He contributes to the sup- port of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is an earnest and faithful member. They are greatly esteemed in the community, and their circle of friends is almost co-extensive with the cirele of their acquaintance.
JAMES FISHER.
James Fisher, living in Gold township, where he is owning and operating a farm of ninety-four acres, was born in Pennsylvania, and dates his residence in Burean county from an early period in its development, having lived here for tifty-two years. Ile was only two years old at the time of his arrival, having been brought to this county by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Fisher, who came from Pennsylvania in 1851 and settled south of Buda. The father began farming there upon one hundred aud twenty acres of land, and the son was reared to agricultural pursuits, early becoming familiar with the work of field and meadow. His education was acquired in the common schools of Gold township, wherein he mastered the branches of English learning usually taught in such insti- tutions. Having arrived at years of maturity, he began farming on his own account. and is now the owner of ninety-four acres, constituting an excel- lent place, for the land is valuable, being of a char- acter that would enable him to command the high- est market price did he desire to sell.
Mr. Fisher was married in this county to Miss
Maggie Blaisdell, a native of Stark county and a daughter of Horace Blaisdell, who was a farmer. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have been born six chil- dren, five daughters and a son : Lydia, who, at the age of twenty-three years, is at home with her parents; Emma, the wife of David Smith, a fire- man on the Rock Island Railroad, living in Blue Island, Illinois; Mabel, Florence, Irene and Wil- ber, aged respectively eighteen, fourteen, twelve and eight years.
Mr. Fisher exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party, but has never desired office. On the contrary, he has preferred that others should serve officially, while he gives his attention to his farm work, which, being capably conducted, is bringing to him a gratifying measure of success. A resi- dent of this county for more than a half century, he has been an interested witness of its growth and development, and has seen many changes here as the evidences of pioneer life have been replaced by the evidences of modern civilization.
FRANK LAWRENCE DABLER.
Frank Lawrence Dabler, a son of George W. and Anna May Dabler, was born upon the old family homestead in Manlius township, October 5, 1873. At the usual age he entered the common schools, mastering the branches of learning therein taught. ITis time was also divided with the pleasures of the playground and the work of the farm, for at an early age he began assisting his father in carry- ing on the farm work, and his entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. The practical knowledge which he gained in his youth has proven of immense value to him since he began farming on his own account. He has never desired to enter other business, and is now the owner of one hun- dred and sixty acres of land near the old home- stead and a short distance from Manlius, whereon he has erected some very good buildings. He has also brought his fields under a high state of culti- vation, and thus annually harvests good crops.
On the 20th of January, 1802, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dabler and Miss Elsie Par- melia Hewitt, a daughter of George W. Hewitt, of Manlius township, who was one of the oldl settlers of the county. Two children grace this marriage: Ervin, born November 11, 1901 ; and Vonda, Sep- tember 20, 1902. They also lost one child in in- fancy. The parents are highly esteeme1 socially and have a large circle of friends.
Mr. Dabler votes the democratic ticket, but is without aspiration for office. He holds member- ship in the Baptist church in Manlius township, in which he is now serving as a deacon, and he is also a trustee of the Baptist cemetery. It will thus be seen that his interest does not center in his business to the exclusion of all other things, for while successfully conducting his farm he yet
782
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
finds time and opportunity to do his part in the work of general progress and improvement in his county, standing for intellectual and moral devel- opment as well as material progress.
JAMES HENRY SMITH.
James Henry Smith is a farmer and stock- raiser, living on section 13, Milo township. One of Bureau county's native sons, his birth occurred in this township, August 11, 1822. He is a son of James 1. Smith, a retired farmer residing in Bradford. The father was born in Ithaca, Tioga county, New York, November 25, 1840, and was a son of William and Huey ( Robinson) Smith. The father came west in 1863 and located in Milo town- ship, where he was employed at farm labor and afterward engaged in cultivating rented land until 1813, when he bonght one hundred and sixty acres, which he still owns. He now has about four hun- dred aeres in Milo township, which is devoted to general farming and stock-raising, but he leaves the active management and work of the farm to his son, William J. Retiring from business life in 1903, he removed to Bradford, where he owns a beautiful home which he now occupies. On the 28th of March, 1868, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Fox, a native of New York. They became the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter, and after the death of the wife and mother Mr. Smith married again, his second union being with Jane Culton, a native of this county. The children of the first marriage are: James II., of this review; William J., of Milo township; George R., who is living in Mar- shall county, Illinois; and Sarah J., the wife of William Hardy, of Indiana. Mr. Smith is a re- publican, but without aspiration for office. A man of many excellent qualities, he has in his private life and his business relations won the confidence and good will of those with whom he has been as- sociated. All who know him entertain for him the warmest regard, and his circle of friends is an extensive one.
After attending the common schools James H. Smith continued his education in Dixon Business College at Dixon, Illinois, and was graduated with the class of 1884. He has always followed farm- ing, early becoming familiar with the work of plowing, planting and harvesting, as he assisted in the improvement of the old home place. He purchased his present farm in 1895 from C. B. Edminston, of Wyanet, Illinois, and is now the owner of four hundred acres of fine and productive land in Milo township, upon which are good build- ings and all modern accessories and improvements. He also owns considerable land in Brown county, South Dakota, and he carries on general farming and stock-raising, feeding much stock and buying much corn for this purpose. He is a man of indefatigable energy, displaying keen discernment
in business affairs and excellent ability as a man- ager. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion, and he realizes that "there is no excellence without labor."
Mr. Smith was married to Miss Jennie Reid, of Milo township, a daughter of J. L. Reid, and they had one child, Marjory, who is living with her maternal grandfather. In 1900 Mr. Smith was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the Ist of June of that year, and he has since wedded Margaret M. Bradshaw, of Chambersburg, Pike county, Illinois. They have a pleasant home and are highly esteemed people, who hold mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Po- litically Mr. Smith is a republican, and has served as school treasurer for some time. while fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He has been very successful, and is recognized as one of the representative citizens of the community, who bears a good name in the county where his entire life has been passed, and who, through a genial, cordial manner, has be- come a popular citizen of Milo township.
PETER JENSEN, JR.
Peter Jensen, a progressive fariner of Ohio township, where he is operating a tract of eighty acres, is a native son of Denmark, having been born August 5, 1876. His parents are Peter and Marie (Jensen) Jensen, likewise natives of Den- mark, where they were married and made their home until the year 1895, at which time they emi- grated with their family to America, hoping to enjoy better business advantages in this country than were afforded in their native land. In their family are eight children.
Peter Jensen, Jr., the fourth child in his father's family, was a youth of about nineteen years when, in 1895, he accompanied his parents on their em- igration to America. He received his education in Denmark, and since coming to this country has acquired a fair knowledge of the English lan- guage. After coming to America he engaged in farm work, being employed by others, but by his industry, honesty and economy he soon won suc- cess, and for the past four years has been carrying on agricultural pursuits on his own account, now operating a tract of eighty acres in Ohio township. He is thoroughly familiar with the best methods of farm work, and each year gathers good harvests as the result of the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields, thus adding to his financial re- sources, and the time is undoubtedly not far dis- tant when he will become one of the well-to-do agriculturists of his section of the county.
On the 30th of September. 1903, Mr. Jensen was united in marriage to Miss Ada Wiesel. a native of Bureau county, Illinois. born December 24, 1881. Her parents are John and Margaret ( Bauersock) Wiesel, both natives of Germany.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
They emigrated to America in the year 1866, and their marriage was celebrated in Bureau county. In their family are eleven children, of whom Mrs. Jensen is the eighth in order of birth. She re- ceived her education in the district schools of Ohio township and is now a successful teacher, having followed the profession for the past six years. She is an intelligent lady and is proving herself a worthy helpinate to her husband.
Mr. Jensen gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party. He is one of the residents of foreign birth who, util- izing the opportunities offered to young men of anibition and determination, is steadily advancing toward the highway of success, and while he is now classed among the leading agriculturists of his section of the county, has promise of even a brighter future.
J. C. HAMRICK.
J. C. Hamrick, to whom has been vouehsafed a well earned retirement from labor, was in former years a prominent and worthy representative of the agriculrial interests of Bureau county, and now resides in Princeton, making his home at No. 127 South Church street. He was born February 12, 1838, in Coshocton county, Ohio, aml in the fall of 1839, when only about a year and a half old, was brought to Bureau county by his par- ents, James and Rachel ( Markley) Hamrick, who settled in what is known as Center Prairie, in Wyanet township. They were farining people, the father successfully carrying on general agricultural pursuits until he retired from active business life, after which he made his home in Wyanet, where his death occurred. His wife also passed away there. She was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, March 20, 1816, and on the 14th of May, 1837, gave her hand in marriage to James Hamrick, They long traveled life's journey happily together, and on the 27th of August, 1881, Mrs. Hamrick passed away. In their family were ten children.
J. C. Hamrick, whose name introduce. this re- view, was reared in Wyanet township, and pursued his education in the public schools of the neighbor- hood, while in the periods of varation he worked upon the home farm and gained practical knowl- edge of the best methods of carrying on the labors of the fields. Throughout his entire business career he carried on farming, and was a successful agriculturist, who still owns a fine farm in Wyanet township. For many years he tilled the soil and cared for his erops, but since 1892 he has resided at Princeton, where he has built a fine residence at No. 127 South Church street. There he is liv- ing retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
On the 25th of June, 1857, Mr. Hamrick was united in marriage to Miss Isaphine Diggins, who was from Pennsylvania, and when young eame
with her parents to Bureau county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hamrick have a wide circle of warin friends in this county and enjoy the esteem, confidence and good will of many who know them.
JOHN HENRY PHILLIPS.
John Henry Phillips, a veteran of the Civil war, who is now farming ninety acres of land on see- tion 3, Neponset township, where he has made his home for fifteen years, was born in Redwood, Jef- ferson county, New York, November 16, 1846, and acquired a public-school education. His parents, William and Malinda ( Helmner) Phillips, were both natives of Cortland county, New York, and were there reared and married. The mother died in Jefferson county, New York, September 8, 1855, and the father, afterward coming to Illinois, passed away in 1865, at the age of sixty years, while living in Neponset. In their family were eight children, six of whom still survive: Carrie, the wife of William Cook, a resident of lowa; Char- lotte C., the wife of Thomas C. Otley, of Nepon- set ; Marvin, who resides in Jefferson, lowa; John Henry, of this review; Levi, who is living in Bil- lings, Montana; and James, who makes his home in Adel, Iowa. The father followed the occupa- tion of fanning in the Empire state in order to provide for the support of his family. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party and held membership in the Baptist church.
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