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 40
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NEHEMIAH J. KNIPPLE.
Nehemiah J. Knipple, filling the office of post- master at Buda, was born in the neighboring state of Indiana on the 5th of September, 1846. His parents were Robert G. and Alice E. (Schenek) Knipple, who were farming people and in 1853 removed to Michigan, settling. at Centerville. In 1863 they made their way to Kewatec, Illinois, in which locality the father purchased a farm, and in 1866 he came to Buda, where he lived retired for many years. He passed away. however, in 1889, while his wife survived him until 1904.
Nehemiah J. Knipple was a young lad of six years at the time of his removal of the family to Michigan and his education was acquired in the schools of that state and of Buda. He also at- tended Bryant & Stratton Commercial College in Chicago and was thus well qualified for the oner- ous and responsible duties of a business career. He engaged in merchandising for three years at Buda in the early part of his business life and afterward turned his attention to the hardware trade, which be carried on for nineteen years. He next entered manufacturing circles and was thus connected until 1801, when he once more became a factor in mercantile life. In 1897 he was ap-
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pointed postmaster and is still filling that posi- tion, first under appointment of President MeKin- ley and later under President Roosevelt.
Mr. Knipple has a creditable military record, for in 1861, when not yet eighteen years of age, he of- fered his services to the government as a defender of the Union army, enlisting as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Infantry. He thus served until the close of the war as a private and was in the commissary de- partment. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant relations with his comrades who wore the blue upon the tented fields of the south. lle is likewise a Mason, belonging to lodge No. 399, and has held the offices of secretary, senior warden and master. In his political views Mr. Knipple is a stalwart republican and takes an active interest in the work of the party. He has been a delegate to congressional and other conventions for the past thirty-five years and his opinions carry weight in local party councils. Ile has been honored with some publie offices and has always done capable service as a public official. He served for nine years as school director and six years as township trustee. He has been elerk of the village board for three years and township clerk for eight years, while for two years he has been president of the village board. Community interests find in him a stalwart champion where the question is one for the betterment of the county and its substantial improvement.
Mr. Knipple was married to Miss Eunice B. Foster, a daughter of Stephen H. and Sarah Fos- ter, who were farming people of Bureau county. Her father died in 1901 and the mother in 1902. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Knipple was cele- brated at Buda, October 16, 1814. They are well known people of the community and the hospital- ity of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
CHRISTIAN SCHEUNEMAN.
Christian Schiuneman is the owner of very valu- able farming property in Bureau county and is one of the most extensive agriculturists of Man- lius township. all of which indicates him to be a wide-awake. alert and enterprising business man, who carefully and successfully manages his interests. A son of John and Caroline ( Lembke) Schuneman, he was born in the province of Pom- erania, Germany, near Stralsund, December 19. 1856. His father, a farmer by occupation, crossed! the Atlantic to America in the fall of 1821 and settled near Princeton, Bureau county, where he lived for four years. In the spring of 1826 he removed to Manlius township and purchased one hundred acres of land at forty-two and a quarter dollars per acre. He took up his abode upon that farm and there carried on general agricultural
pursuits continuously until 1883, when he rented the place and retired from active life. llis re- maining days were spent in the enjoyment of a well earned rest and he died at the old homestead October 15, 1899.
Christian Schuneman came to America with his parents when fifteen years of age. He was totally unacquainted with the English language but with a boy's readiness he soon picked up a knowledge of the English tongue as he came in contact with neighbors and acquaintances. Ilis training at farm labor was not meager, for from an early age he assisted his father in the work of the fields, and when twenty-three years of age he started out in life on his own account as an agriculturist. Ile had no money to buy property, so rented eighty aeres of land in Walnut township, where he lived for three years. On the expiration of that period he rented his father's farm on section 29, Manlius township, and also lived upon it for three years. He next purchased his present home of one hun- dred and twenty aeres, for which he gave seven thousand dollars. In 1893 he bought one hundred and twenty acres adjoining his farin on the west for sixty-two hundred dollars. He has continued to buy land to the present time and has sold dif- ferent properties to good advantage. In 1902 he bought the homestead of one hundred acres, for which he paid ten thousand dollars, and in 1904 he bought the adjoining property, making his holdings in farm lands four hundred and twenty acres. He also raises stock and markets from eight to ten thousand bushels of grain annually. He is perhaps one of the largest tax-payers in the town- ship and is one of the most extensive farmers in this part of the county. His farms are very valuable owing to the excellent buildings which have been placed thereon and the high state of cultivation manifest in the fields. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the farm work and everything about the place is indicative of the skill and care of the owner who has not been a follower but a leader in the work of agricul- tural development in this leahty.
Mr. Schuneman was married December 9. 1879, to Miss Caroline Krebs, a daughter of George W. and Theresa ( Wilhelin) Krebs, of Manlius town- ship. Her father was a farmer by occupation and in 1849 came with his wife to America, settling in Bureau county in 1858. Here he died at the age of seventy-three years, but the mother is still living. Uuto Mr. and Mrs. Sehuneman have been born eight children : Mary B., who is the wife of Fred Lebabn. a farmer of Depue. Bureau county, by whom she has one child. Ernest; John George. Albert Theodore. Frederick Carl, Lena Anna, Frieda Theresa. Bernhard John and Clara Min- nie, all at home.
The parents and family are members of the German Lutheran church and in polities Mr. Schuneman is a democrat who takes an active in- terest in the work of the party and does all in his
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power to promote its growth and insure its suc- cess. Ile is ever loyal to a public trust and in private life has manifested sterling traits of char- acter, while his example in business circles might well be followed by those who wish to attain an honorable success.
JOHN R. PADEN.
John R. Paden, owning and operating a valuable farm of three hundred and eighty aeres, situated in Ohio and Walnut townships, on which he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits and the raising and breeding of fine grades of stock, was born in Fremont, Sandusky county, Ohio, June 6, 1851. He is a son of Alexander and Mary (Remsburg) Paden, natives of Maryland. They removed to Ohio in 1831, where they made their home until the fall of 1859, at which time they came westward to Illinois, settling in Bureau coun- ty. In their family were eleven children, of whom six are deceased.
John R. Paden, whose name introduces this re- view, is the youngest child in his father's family. He accompanied his parents on their removal from Ohio to Illinois in 1859, being then a youth of eight years. He received his education in the pub- lie schools of Bureau county, and after putting aside his text-books engaged in farming, which has continued to be his life work. He was ambitious to succeed, and with this aim in view, by industry and economy prospered in his undertakings until he was able to make purchase of land. For his original holdings he paid fifty dollars per acre, but he has improved and cultivated this until it is now valued at one hundred and twenty-five dol- lars per acre. He has added to his first purchases as his financial resources have increased, until he is now in possession of three hundred and eighty acres, constituting one of the most productive tracts in Ohio township or in Bureau county. Here he is engaged in raising corn, oats and hay, an- nually harvesting good crops as the result of the practical methods which he follows in carrying on his work. He is also engaged in breeding short- horn cattle and Percheron horses, and this is proving a most important branch of his business. He is most progressive in his farming and stock- raising interests, keeping good grades of stock and raising the products which he uses for feeding pur- poses.
As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Paden chose Miss Martha E. Remsburg, whom he wedded on the 23d of March, IS76. She is a native of Middletown, Maryland, born November 14, 1853, a daughter of Hanson and Susan R. (Sheffer) Remsburg, likewise natives of that state. They removed to Bureau county in 1873. Mrs. Paden received a public school education in her native place, and was a young lady of about twenty years when she accompanied her parents
on their removal to Illinois. In her father's fam- ily were teu children. she being the sixth in order of birth, and four of the number are now deceased Unto Mr. and Mrs. Paden were born the following children : Harry B., born April 14, 1878; Mrs. Orpha E. Fordham, born March 10, 1880; Abby F., born May 10, 1882 ; Maggie M., who was born April 8, 1884, and died on the 19th of June, fol- lowing; Mrs. Elma R. Kasbeer, born June 13, 1885: Bula S., April 18, 1888; Walter E., June 11, 1890; and Ferris W., born May 23, 180 1.
Mr. Paden is a Mason, belonging to the lodge, chapter and commandery at Princeton. In his political views he is a republican, having firm faith in the principles of that party. IIe has served as school trustee for twenty years, the cause of edu- cation finding in him a stalwart supporter, one who is always working for the betterment of the school system. Aside from this he has filled no other public offices, preferring to give his entire attention to his farming and stock-raising inter- ests, in which he is meeting with very desirable and creditable success. He and his family are identified with the Methodist Protestant church. taking an active and helpful interest in the cause of Christianity.
Starting out in life to face its responsibilities and overcome its obstacles and with a determina- tion to succeed, he has worked his way steadily up- ward until today his fine farm of three hundred and eighty acres, on which is found a good home. surrounded by large shade trees and well kept and substantial outbuildings, is proof of a life of in- dustry and perseverance which has accomplished gratifying results. Mr. Paden is numbered among the highly respected and prosperous residents of Ohio township and Bureau county, having here a wide and favorable acquaintance. for he has spent almost his entire life in this section of the state.
WILLIAM HENRY SMITH.
William Henry Smith, a son of Nathan and Susan Ann (Wix) Smith and a resident of Man- lius township, was born in Kent county, Delaware, on the 20th of May, 1861. His ancestors through various generations had resided in that state. At the usual age he entered the public schools, mas- tering various branches of learning, while through the periods of vacation he was reared to farm labor. At the age of twenty-three years he came to Burean county, Illinois, attracted by the broader business opportunities that he believed might be enjoyed in the middle west. He had no capital save ambition and energy. These, however. are a safe foundation upon which to build success-a fact which has been proven in the life of Mr. Smith. He worked at farm labor for eleven years in this county and carefully saved his earn- ings, so that in 1901 he was enabled to purchase his present farin in Manlius township, comprising
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one hundred and ninety-five acres of rich and arable land, which he is now further cultivating and improving. It is an excellent farm property and shows the careful supervision of the owner in its neat and thrifty appearance. lle is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company of Manlius and thus is connected with the grain trade of the county.
Mr. Smith was married January 16, 1894, to Miss Mattie Fenner Aldrich, a daughter of Fen- ner and Martha ( Mowry ) Aldrich, of Wyanet. Iler father died November 20, 1901, and her mother is still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born three children, who yet survive: Nathan Lloyd, born January 19, 1892; Cecil Leota May, born . November 6, 1899; and Fenner Ed- ward, October 25, 1902. They have also lost two children: Edith Arista, who was born Novem- ber 13, 1894, and died May 29, 1899; and Clar- ence Galena, who was born May 13, 1901, and passed away June 12, 1903.
Mr. Smith is a republican with firm belief in the principles of the party, yet he has never been an office seeker, as he feels that his time and at- tention are fully occupied with his business affairs. The success he has achieved is entirely due to his own labors, and he has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man. Brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by determined and earnest purpose, he has steadily advanced on the highway to success and the goal is now not far ahead of him.
JOHN P. FOLLET.
It is seldom that one finds a man of Mr. Follet's years yet actively engaged in business, but he largely possesses the vigor of a man of much younger years and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. He has, however, passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey and his has been an honorable and a creditable career, winning him the justly merited esteem of his fellowmen and also gaining for him a substantial competence. He was born at Gibson, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1828, and is a son of Hiram and Nancy ( Green ) Follet. His father was born January 7, 1803, and the mother's birth occurred March 23, 1805. He was a farmer by occupation and always followed that pursuit, be- ing identified with agricultural interests in Penn- sylvania for many years, but removed thenee to Illinois in the latter part of his life. He died in 1876, while his wife passed away in 1866. One daughter, born April 25, 1832, who spent the greater part of her life in Pennsylvania, passed away September 25, 1899.
John P. Follet was a public-school student in his boyhood and youth and afterward worked at farm labor in the cast. Subsequently he conducted a general mercantile store in Pennsylvania for ten
years, on the expiration of which period he came to Bureau county to look after his father's inter- ests and has since resided here. He is now the owner of a very good farin of about ninety aeres, situated near the village of Manlius. His land is rich and productive and because of the eare and labor bestowed upon it yields good harvests.
Mr. Follet was married, November 26, 1862, to Miss Adaline E. Claflin, who was born in Gibson, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1837, a daughter of Watson and Eliza P. Claflin. Her father engaged in the operation of a flouring mill as a life work. He died at the age of sixty-nine years, while his wife passed away at the age of sixty-five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Follet has been born one son, Ralph Claude, born January 1, 1864, in Penn- sylvania. Ile now resides in Manlius and is a merchant and farmer. He was married December 29, 1892, to Miss Mand May Miller, of Manlius, a daughter of David A. Miller, and they now have two sons: Gerald Alonzo, born May 26, 1894; and Burl Millard, April 26, 1903.
In his political affiliation Mr. Follet is a demo- erat and the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen and his personal popularity are indi- cated by the fact that he was elected supervisor in a strong republican community and by re-elcetion has been retained in office for eleven years in all, discharging his duties with the ulmost fidelity and ability. He has also served as school director and he has given tangible aid to many interests of a publie character, for in all matters of citizenship he is interested, withholding his support from no movement that tends to promote the general good. His business is that of farming and he now has ninety acres of rich land near the town of Man- lius, where he is continually busy with the work of tiling the soil or improving the property in accordance with ideas of agricultural progress.
A life of activity is well deserving of the high- est commendation. It has been said that "a man is just as old as he feels," and judged by this criterion Mr. Follet is still in the prime of life. Few would judge him to have reached his pres- ent age, so active is he in his business affairs and so interested in matters of general moment. Wherever he is known he commands high respect and regard. and it is with pleasure that we present his life record to our readers.
JOHNSTON D. HANEY.
Johnston D. Haney, whose home farm adjacent to La Moille comprises thirty-nine acres of good land, the place being well improved and adorned with many evidences of modern agricultural progress, is a native son of Pennsylvania, born January 15, 1841. His residence in Bureau county covers a period of forty-two years. His parents were Coonrod and Mary ( Lewis) Haney,
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both of whom were natives of the Keystone state and died there.
At the usual age Johnston D. Haney began his education in the public schools of Pennsylvania, where he continued his studies until he had mas- tered the common branches of English learning. He was the fourth in order of birth in a family of seven children and was reared upon the old homestead farm. Having arrived at years of ma- turity he was married to Miss Sarah Baird, the wedding being celebrated in Pennsylvania, March 26, 1863. She was born in that state, March 28, 1843, a daughter of Charles and Martha (Snyder) Baird, who were likewise natives of Pennsylvania and came to Illinois about forty-two years ago, settling in Bureau county. Mrs. Haney was the second in order of birth in their family of eight children and by her marriage she has become the mother of four children : Adda .J., the wife of John Rapp, of Dixon, Illinois; Mary E., the wife of Albert Wade: Hattie, the wife of Theodore Shoultz, of Mendota; and Pearl, deceased. All were born in Bureau county.
Mr. Haney has continuously followed farming save for the period of his service in the Civil war. After the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south he joined Company D of the Fifty- fourth Pennsylvania Infantry for the defense of the Union and went to the south, where he fol- lowed the stars and stripes until honorably dis- charged. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant rela- tions with his old comrades of military days. In his political views he is a republican and keeps well inforined on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position bv intelligent argument. He and his family are all members of the Methodist church. Their home is situated on an excellent tract of land of thirty- nine acres adjoining the corporation limits of La Moille. The house is surrounded by fine shade trees and is an attractive place, culture, refinement and hospitality combining to make it a favorite resort with their many friends. Mr. Haney's suc- cess is attributable to his own perseverance and efforts, as he startel ont in life on his own ac- count empty handed and has worked his way stead- ily upward. He is a genial, pleasant gentleman and a typical farmer of the modern age, a lover of education and of the beautiful. His taste in this direction is indicated in his home and the family is one of prominence in the community.
CYRUS PARKER MASON.
Cyrus Parker Mason, deceased, was born in Pittsfield. New Hampshire. August 13, 1831, and died at his home in Buda, Illinois, January 8. 1897. He was the youngest son of John and Abi- gail (Rober) Mason. (See John Mason's sketch for genealogy.) In childhood he was not strong and
could not stand outside work so was accustomed to help his mother, thus becoming sony handy auout the house work. He obtained a meager common- school education and later went to an academy at Henry, Illinois. His first work was teaching coun- try school and also a writing school, for several years. Ifo was advised to go into the brick busi- ness as a health measure and for several years con- ducted the business on the farm of his father, which afterwards became his own. In 1866 he be- came associated with Horatio Churchill and moved the business to Buda, where he sold his in- terest to J. N. Pervier, and now the business is conducted by Mr. Chruchill. Though farming was his occupation he always had some other work in hand. In 1876 he started a eider-mill, which is to this day known far and wide as the best equipped of any in this part of the state, and is operated by his son Orris. A feel-mill and sorg- hum-mill were added to the business in 1880 and a creamery in 1888 and were operated for several years.
In polities he was a republican. joining the abo- lition faction in his young manhood. He held various positions of trust and honor in the gift of the people and always dischar_el those duties faithfully. Early in life he belonged to several fraternities. In war time, while he was physically unable to serve as a soldier. he was an active mem- ber of the Union League Club of Princeton. Ile was a prominent temperance worker and was hon- ored with the highest otlice in the state by the Sons of Temperance. On December 29, 1881, he joined the Odd Fellow's lodge in Bula and in time received all the honors of office that his brethren could confer. On January 9, 1883. he joined the Masonie lodge in Buda and was an active mem- ber. His religion was liberal, his belief being that "Deeds are more than Creeds." He was connected with the Buda Union Christian Society and at the time of his death had been the secretary for thirty- six years.
In that church he was married by Rev. Chester Covell, on January S, 1860, to Sarah Jane Noves, daughter of James and Sally ( Philbrick) Noves. Mrs. Mason was born February 25. 1833, and was the youngest of a family of five girls: Ursula A. Noyes, born May 24, 1819. marriel Charles Dur- ham, April 16, 1860, and died February 17, 1903, leaving one son, Charles, now living in Maytown, Lee county, Illinois. Caroline P. Noves, born July 11, 1822, marriel Moses G. Loverin, May 8. 1841, and died December 21, 1890. leaving two sons, Byron N., of Kearney, Nebraska, and Daniel Bruce, now deceased. The others were Millie and Sarah E. Noyes, who died in early youth, and Sarah Jane Noyes. Fu 1815 Mrs. Mason went to Lowell. Massachusetts, to attend s cool and later worked in the cotton-mills until she came to Buda, Illinois, where she arrived January 29, 1857. She made her home with her sister Caroline on the farm now owned by Tobias Burke until her mar-
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MR. AND MRS. CYRUS P. MASON.
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riage. With the exception of six months in 1866 her married life was spent on the old Mason farm, where she departed this life March 3, 1900. The illness which terminated her life was of ten years' duration and attended with much suffering. Her home was her kingdom, for which she was ever ready to make sacrifices and poured out the wealth of her affections on its inmates. In all the rela- tions of life she was faithful, tender and true, pos- sessed of an amiable disposition and always full of life and hope. Fler father died September 10, 1842. In 1818 her mother married James Fland- ers and in 1857 they emigrated to Illinois, lo- cating on a small farm, a part of which is owned by D. O. Brainard in Buda, where they lived until from age and failing health they had to quit the farm. Mr. Flanders died July 5, 1881, at the home of Cyrus P. Mason. with whom they were living. Grandma Flanders, as she was familiarly known, remained with her youngest daughter un- til her death, October 11, 1889, at the advanced age of ninety-one years, two months and twelve days.
To Cyrus and Sarah Mason were born two sons: Parker Noyes, born October 4, 1862; and Orris Wesley, born Jime 21, 1864. (A separate sketch of each is given in another part of this book.)
MARSHALL M. LAMB.
Among Bureau county's native sons who are now leading representatives of its farming and stock-raising interests, is numbered Marshall M. Lamb, owning a valuable farm of two hundred aeres situated in Ohio township. His birth oc- curred January 3, 1850, his parents being Jere- miah and Martha A. (Shiflett) Lamb, who were natives of Virginia and removed to Illinois in 1831, settling in Bureau county, but both have now passed away. In their family were twelve children, of whom our subject is the seventh in order of birth.
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