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 39
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He was born in Mineral township, November 6, 1860, a son of Phillip Lindner, who was born June 21, 1833, in Zu-Simmershausen, Germany. In early life he learned the trade of eloth-weaving. which he followed for seven years, and, coming America at the age of twenty-one, he spent a year in New York, arriving in Sheffield in 1855. Iu this locality he was employed at farm labor for four years and when gold was discovered in Colo- rado he joined a party preparing to make the over- land trip with ox teams. They started from Sheffield in 1859 and eventually arrived at Pike's Peak, but were not suceessful in their search for gold there, and Mr. Lindner made the return trip to Mineral township, Bureau county, again travel- ing with ox teams. Once more he took up the work of the farm and throughout his remaining days devoted his life to general agricultural pur- suits. On the 26th day of January, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Louise Dorothy Mever, also a native of the province of Hanover, Ger- many. born November 26, 1836. She crossed the Atlantie to the new world in 1857 and lived for a year and a half in Buffalo, New York, while in 1859 she came to Sheffield. Mr. Lindner contin- ued to engage in farming throughout the re- mainder of his life following his venture in the gold fields of the west and at his death left a valuable estate of three hundred and eighty acres of fine land in Mineral township. He had thus prospered in his undertakings as the years had gone by, his success resulting from his close appli- cation and unfaltering diligence. He passed away September 8. 1898. while his wife is still living, making her home in Sheffield.
Frederick George Lindner, whose name intro- duees this review. was an only ebild. He acquired his early education in the district schools and afterward attended the Sheffield high school. He then entered upon his business career as a clerk
in the general store of Boyden & Dewey, with whom he remained until 1897, when he turned his attention to the grain trade, operating the elevator at Buda and conducting the business under the firm name of F. G. Lindner & Company. Two and a half years later he sold the business, but bought it again in 1902 and the firm of F. G. Lind- ner & Company has not only conducted a large grain trade, but has also owned and operated a lumber business under the same name. On the 15th of March, 1902, they purchased the Bank of Buda, which is conducted under the name of Lind- ner & Boyden. It is a substantial finaneial insti- tution, following a safe and conservative policy. and yet does not lack the progressive spirit which is manifest in all successful enterprises of the pres- ent day. In addition to his commercial and finan- cial interests Mr. Lindner is also a representative of the agricultural life of the county, owning one hundred and ninety aeres of land in Mineral and Gold townships, from which he derives an excel- lent income.
On the 10th of January, 1884, Mr. Lindner was married to Miss Agatha A. Siemons, a daughter of Siemon and Anna Siemons. IIer father, formerly a merchant of Minonk, Illinois, came to America in early life and is now a resi- dent of Washington. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lindner have been born four children: Phillip S., who is in his father's bank at Buda; Annetta L., a stu- dent in Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois; and George R. and Marion D., both at home.
The parents and family are members of the Advent Christian church at Mineral, of which Mr. Lindner is a trustee, and while he is leading a busy life and has extensive and important busi- ness interests he yet finds time for the higher and holier duties and is deeply interested in the growth and progress of his church, as well as in the ad. vancement of those community affairs which have direct bearing upon general progress and improve- ment.
JOHN REYNOLDS.
John Reynolds, who since 1871 has engaged in farming in Bureau county, now owns and oper- ates two hundred acres of land in Gold township, whereon he has resided for thirty-one years. He is a native of Herefordshire, England, and has at- tained the age of sixty-six years. His father. John Reynolds, Sr .. was also born in Hereford- shire and there both he and his wife spent their entire lives, the former dying at the age of seven- ty-six years, while the latter reached the very advanced age of ninety-seven.
In taking up the personal history of our sub- ject we present to our readers the life record of one who is now widely and favorably known in Bureau county. He is a descendant in the fifth generation in direct line to bear the name of
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
John. He was reared and educated in his native country and was there married to Miss Mary Burnett, of Herefordshire, the wedding being cele- brated in a little town called Sutton St. Nicholas. They have since traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other in the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity which chocker the lives of all. They remained residents of England until 1821 and from 1860 Mr. Reynolds was em- ployed as a gamekeeper, but the favorable reports which he heard concerning the business oppor- tunities and privileges of the new world attracted him and in 1871 he bade adieu to home and native country and sailed to the United States. Making his way to Bureau county he was employed in Neponset-township. When his labors had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase land he began farming on his own account and is now the owner of two hundred acres, constituting one of the valuable farms of Gold township, upon which he has lived for thirty-one years, carefully cultivating the soil and harvesting rich crops as the result of the able manner in which he tills the soil.
Mr. Reynolds was reared in the faith of the Church of England, but is not identified therewith at the present time. Ilis political support has been given the democracy since he became a nat- uralized American citizen, and he has deep and strong attachment for the land of his adoption and its institutions, recognizing that its privileges are inany.
GEORGE W. WATERHOUSE.
George W. Waterhouse is the owner of a good farm property of one hundred and ninety-seven acres on sections 23, 26 and 15, Walnut township. His residence stands on section 23 and is a beau- tiful home surrounded by fine shade trees. A native of Bureau county, his birth occurred on the 18th of April, 1861, his parents being Joseph and Kate (MeCann) Waterhouse, the former born in England and the latter in Ireland. In childhood days they became residents of America and were reared in Princeton, Bureau county, Ilinois, where their marriage was celebrated about 1856. The father followed the shoemaker's trade there until his removal to Walnut township, where he pur- chased one hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 14 and 15. He turned his attention to farming upon this property, which is the old home- stead of the family, and there he lived for a num- ber of years, but afterward bought other land and at the time of his death, which occurred on the 21st of December, 1885, he was the owner of a valuable estate of five hundred and sixty acres. His success in life was the reward of his diligence and enterprise and he was accounted one of the foremost representatives of the county.
George W. Waterhouse completed his educa-
tion in the Fairview district school No. 29, in Walnut township. He early began work in the fields and as the years passed by he continuously assisted in the farm labor and gained practical experience that has been of much value to him since he began farming on his own account. He is now the owner of an excellent property of one hundred and ninety-seven acres equipped with all modern conveniences. His home forms one of the attractive features of the landscape and in addi- tion to his fine residence there are commodious and substantial barn- and outbuildings and all of the improvements which go to constitute a model farm of the twentieth century. He breeds pure blooded Hereford cattle and raises some hogs and horses, but his attention is largely given to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. Hle carries on his work along modern scientific lines and the value of his labors has been proven in the excellent success which has attended him.
On the 28th of January, 1891, Mr. Waterhouse was married to Miss Orilla Bunn, who was born January 28. 1868, and is a daughter of Denton and Nancy ( Fritz) Bunn, both of whom were na- tives of Pennsylvania. They came to this county at an early date and engaged in farming in Bu- reau township, Bureau county, Illinois, but now reside in Kewance, Mr. Bunn having retired from active business. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse has been blessed with two children : Hazel M., who was born June 19, 1893, and is thirteen years of age; and Verl N., horn August 23, 1896. The daughters are attending the same school in which their father acquired his educa- tion.
Politically Mr. Waterhouse is a democrat, but is without political aspiration. His life has been quietly passed and yet his record contains many lessons that are worthy of emulation, as it proves what may be accomplished by persistency of pur- pose, untiring will and capable management. He finds in the faithful performance of each day's duties courage and inspiration for the work of the succeeding day and as the result of his labors he is now the owner of a very desirable and produc- tive farming property.
RASMUS KNUDSON.
Rasmus Knudson is a worthy representative of the farming interests of Gold township, where he has lived since 1872. owning one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land. He was born on the island of Lolland, Denmark, November 10. 1846. and is a son of Knud Peterson, who is still living at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, making his home with our subject.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the usual routine of life for Mr. Knudson in the
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days of his boyhood and youth. He was trained to habits of industry and economy which have proven of value to him in his business career in later years. le came to America in 1868 and throughout his entire life has been identified with agricultural interests, having for thirty years re- sided upon the farm in Gold township which is now his home. It covers a quarter section of land and is an excellent specimen of the richness of the soil which characterizes Bureau county farms. His fields are well tilled and respond readily to the care and cultivation bestowed upon them, yield- ing good crops, which he cultivates with the latest improved machinery. Hle also has substantial buildings upon his place and in his business life has manifested the sterling traits of industry, un- faltering perseverance and unremitting diligence which have ever characterized the Danish race.
In 1875 Mr. Knudson was united in marriage to Miss Dora T. Peterson, who came from Den- mark in 1869 and settled in Sheffield. This mar- riage has been blessed with seven children : Henry, thirty years of age; Mary, aged twenty- eight, now the wife of Shuman A. Bistlin, a farmer residing south of Buda; Christina, aged twenty-five years; Lena, twenty-two years of age; Julia, aged twenty : and Herman and Ida, aged respectively fifteen and eleven years.
In his political views Mr. Knudson is a re- publiean and religiously is connected with the Danish Lutheran church. His has been an hon- orable life, marked by fidelity to manly principles and governed by sterling rules of conduet. He had few advantages in his youth and his financial resources were very meager, but, realizing the value of earnest, persistent work, he has built upon that foundation a goodly super-tructure of she- cess.
CYRUS WILSON RILEY.
Cyrus Wilson Riley, of Mineral township, owns two hundred and fifty-eight acres of good farming land and has a coal mine on his property. He is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Bureau county, where he has resided for more than three- score years and ten, having been brought to the county by his parents in 1835. Ile was born in Licking county, Ohio, April 10, 1830, a son of Paul and Elizabeth ( Loughrey) Riley, who, leav- ing Ohio in 1835, cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of this county. The father always fol- lowed farming, and he aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present development and progress of the county through the assistance which he rendered in the work of publie improve- ment at an early day. When he came to the county there were no railroads and little indication of future progress and improvement. Much of the land was still unclaimed and uncultivated, and its rich resources had hardly been recognized in the slightest degree. Here and there was to be
seen a log cabin, and at long distance. there were tiny hamlets or villages, but many of the now thriving towns of the county had not yet sprung into existence.
Amid pioneer conditions and environments Cyrus W. Riley was reared, sharing with the fam- ily in the hardships and privations which usually fell to the lot of those who live in frontier dis- triets. He assisted in the arduous task of de- veloping a new farm, and has throughout his entire lite followed agricultural pursuits. His education was obtained in the district schools and also in the schools of Buda, and when not busy with his text-books his time was largely occupied with the work of the fields. He is today the owner of a valuable farming property of two hundred and fifty-eight acres of good land, on which there is a coal mine, which adds to the value of the place. He has raised standard-bred stock and his crops have been an indication of well cultivated fields and work carried on along progressive lines. In 1864 he went to California, mainly for his health, and returned home in 1862, traveling by team both ways. Locating on the old homestead, he cared for his parents until their deaths, and then purchased the interests of the other heirs in the farm, consisting of two hundred and twenty acres, to which he has since added a thirty-eight acre tract.
Mr. Riley was first married in 1851 to Miss Sarah Alvira Humphrey, a native of Ohio, who came here at an carly day and died August 20, 1883. The children born of this union were: Mel- vin P., who lives on the home farm with his father : Debbie E., wife of L. R. Bond, of Dakota; Thomas Wilson, a farmer, of Minnesota : Charles W., who, with his brother, Melvin, conduets the home farm ; Sarah Emaline, wife of Otto Gingrich, living on a ranch in Kansas; Hiram, a fariner, of Mineral township : James, who died at the age of seven years ; and Cyrus L., a coal miner and farm- er. In 1888 Mr. Riley was married to Mrs. Cath- erine T. Adams, who was born in Ohio, but when six years of age went to Wisconsin and in 1887 came to Illinois. In the community where they reside they are held in warm regard, having many friends.
Mr. Riley attends the United Brethren church, and has served as school director for eight years. He stands for progress along material, intellectual and moral lines and rejoices in what has been accomplished in the county during the long years of his residence here. Few men have for a more extended period been witnesses of the changes which have occurred. His memory forms a con- necting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. He has seen the log cabins replaced by substantial and commodious resi- dences, the wild prairie converted into rich and productive fields, the tiny hamlets developed into thriving eities, while all of the evidences of com- mercial progress and culture known to the older
CYRUS W. RILEY.
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
east have been introduced here and made this one of the leading counties of this great common- wealth. In all of this work Mr. Riley has borne his full share as a public-spirited citizen.
GEORGE W. PRUNK.
George W. Prunk, whose farin of one hundred and sixty acres lies on sections 11 and 14, Indian- town township, is one of Bureau county's native sons, his life record having here begun on the 16th of November, 1866. Hle represents one of the early families of Virginia. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Prunk, was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, in 1194, and became a brave and fearless soldier, participating in the war of 1812 and in the Indian wars of that section. He was of German lineage and was reared in his native state, where he was married to Miss Cath- erine Hammond, a native of Maryland. They be- came the parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, as follows: Martha, Jane, John, Hammond, Madison, Maggie, Daniel HI., George E., Washington, Catharine and Mary A.
In 1831 Daniel Prunk with his family emi- grated to Illinois, settling first at Hennepin, where he built a shop and worked at his trade of black- smithing for a few years. During the Black Hawk war he again took up arms and went forth to battle in defense of the pioneer settlers and their homes. In 1813 he became a resident of Bureau county and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 11 and 14, Indiantown township, where his grandson, George W. Prunk, now re- sides. Ile became one of the most energetic and prosperous farmers of his locality, and, making judicious investments in property, at one time owned six hundred and forty acres of valuable land. He spent his remaining days upon the old homestead and passed away March 14, 1862, while his wife, who survived him several years, departed this life at the home of her daughter in Minnesota in February, 1880, at the age of eighty years.
Washington Prunk, father of George W. Prunk, was born at Hennepin, Illinois, March 22, 1836, and was reared in Bureau county, where he aided in the development and improvement of a new farm, but though his training in agricultural life was extensive, his opportunities for securing an education were limited. He attended the public schools of the neighborhood, but the system of publie education was not well developed at that time and only a few branches were taught. He continued upon the home farm until the death of his father, and after the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in August, 1862, as a member of Com- pany E, Ninety-third Illinois Infantry, going to the front as corporal. He participated in nearly all of the engagements of his regiment, and at the battle of Champion Ilill sustained a gun-shot
wound in the foot which disabled him for a time. Ile was confined in the hospital at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, but at the end of a month was able to rejoin his regiment, then on the Missis- sippi river. Soon afterward he participated in the battle of Jackson, and at Altoona, Georgia, he was taken prisoner by the rebels, being held at Milan, that state, for about three months, when he was paroled and returned home. Later he again joined his regiment at Alexandria, Virginia, but was soon afterward discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, in June, 1865, for hostilities had ceased and the war had been brought to a successful termination.
On again reaching Burean connty Mr. Prunk resumed farming on the old homestead, to which he had succeeded, and he greatly improved the place by the crection of a large two-story stone residence, also substantial and commodious barns and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and these are still substantial evidences of his thrift, industry and progressive spirit. He lived upon the old home place until 1893, when he purchased residence property in Tiskilwa, and from that time forward until his death enjoyed a period of rest and retirement from active busi- ness. He was married December 20, 1865, to Mrs. Charlotte R. Stewart, a native of Fulton county, New York, and a daughter of John Haw- ley, who came to Illinois in October, 1862. She was the mother of four children, namely: George W .; Bertha, the wife of Ervin R. Kitterman, of Indiantown township; Harry A., who died Sep- tember 22, 1893; and Rome, wife of J. Miller, of Colorado. The father of this family was a republican in his political views, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. lle was never an aspirant for office, as his atten- tion was fully occupied by his home and business interests, and yet he was active in the work of the party and served as a delegate to various county conventions. The cause of education found in him a stalwart friend, and he did effective service in its behalf as school trustee. Although not a mem- ber of the church, he always contributed liberally to the support of the Baptist church, of which his wife was a member and which he attended with her. Ile belonged to Swain post, No. 666, G. A. R., and he remained a respected and worthy resident of Tiskilwa until his death, which oc- curred in 1899. His widow still resides there and is now sixty-seven years of age.
George W. Prunk was born upon the farm which is yet his home, and the schools of Tiskilwa afforded him his educational privileges. When not busy with his text-books his attention was given to the work of the fields, so that he brought to his present business broad. practical experi- ence. He carries on general farming and stock- raising and breeds high grade Norman horses. His place is pleasantly and conveniently located about a mile and a half west of Tiskilwa, and he here
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
occupies a fine stone residence which was finished by his father and started by his grandfather. The stones were all dressed by hand, and this dwelling is one of the notable features in the landscape.
On March 19, 1892, Mr. Prunk was married to Miss Nora B. Dabler, a daughter of William Dab- ler, who is now living in Princeton. Unto this marriage have been born two daughters: Ruth, June 13, 1900; and Lois, born April 10, 1906. In his political affiliation Mr. Prunk is a republican, and has served as school trustee. Matters of cit- izenship are of interest to him and he gives earnest championship to many movements which have direet bearing upon the welfare of his town and county. He has always lived in this county, is a representative of one of its honored and prom- inont pioneer families, and by reason of his per- sonal worth is entitled to representation in this volume.
CHARLES W. WEDDING.
Foremost among the leaders of agricultural in- terests in Bureau county is numbered Charles W. Wedding, who is operating a farm of one hundred and ninety-seven acres situated in Ohio township, Bureau county. A native son of this county, he was born November 20, 1851, a son of John W. and Harriet (Adams) Wedding, both natives of Ohio and now deceased. Eleven children were born of this marriage, of whom our subject is the sixth in order of birth.
. Charles W. Wedding, whose name introduces this review, received his education in the public schools at Princeton and on putting aside his text books started out in life on his own account, fol- lowing the occupation of farming, which has al- ways been his life work. He had no financial as- sistance when he started out in the business world but possessed those qualities which are always sure to win success -- industry and perseverance -and with this as a foundation he has advanced steadily year by year, raising excellent crops which added to his financial resources until he is now operating on quite a large scale. For twelve years he rented the Gray farm and was very successful in the man- agement of his affairs there. He has, however, for the past three years been operating one hundred and ninety-seven acres of valuable land, which he rents and which is situated in Ohio township. Here he is engaged in the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and elimate, following practi- cal and modern methods in his farm work and using the latest improved machinery in the cultiva- tion of his fields. He is meeting with very grati- fying success in the management of his business interests, accumulating a handsome competence which in due course of time will enable him to become the possessor of a farm of his own.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Wedding chose Miss Rosa Cork, likewise a
native of Bureau county, to whom he was married on the 17th of May, 1884. She was born Novem- ber 3. 1861. a daughter of Stephen and Jane ( Hubbard ) Cork, both of English birth, who emi- grated to America in 1845, settling in Bureau county. Ilinois. In their family were ten chil- dren, Mrs. Wedding being the eighth in order of birth. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wedding has been blessed with four children but ouly three survive, namely : Lilley MI., born October 26, 1884; Maud D., born April 21, 1886, and Harry D., born August 6, 1899. Their eldest son and third child, Stephen W., born January 13, 1838, died in July following.
In politics Mr. Wedding supports the men and measures of democracy, and in religion faith is liberal. being identified with no church organiza- tion. One daughter is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. Fraternally he is connected with Modern Woodmen camp, No. 3681, at Ladd. Starting out in life on his own responsibility and without assistance, but with a strong determina- tion to succeed. he has, with this end in view, worked his way steadily upward year by year until he is now operating one of the extensive and valu- able farms of Ohio township and is numbered among the most prominent and progressive agri- culturists of this section of the state. He is hon- est in his dealings with his fellowmen, energetic in his farm labor and, possessing sterling traits of character, has won the confidence and good will of his fellow townsmeu and is deserving of mention among the leading citizens of Bureau county.
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