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 42
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
William Chesney, the only surviving son, was educated in the common schools and began life as a farmer, since which time he has continuously carried on agricultural pursuits. He inherited some property from his father, to which he has added as his financial resources have permitted until he now owns two hundred and eighty acres of good land, upon which are substantial build- ings, the whole constituting a valuable and at- tractive farm which is characterized by neatness and thrift in all of its departments. He is en- gaged quite extensively in raising cattle, hogs and horses and he buys much stock and grain. Ile ships about ten carloads of hogs and cattle each vear and in addition to this part of his business he carries on general farming. IIe is watchful of every detail pointing to success, is thoroughly familiar with the farm work in all of its minor as well as its more important interests, and his care- ful management and thorough acquaintance with his business are salient elements in his success.
Mr. Chesney married Miss Flora E. Murphy, who was born in Indiana but was reared in Ili- nois and Nebraska. She is a daughter of John Murphy and by her marriage has become the mother of six children : William, Samuel, Electa,
810
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
Esther, Clara and Ernest. The parents are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take a deep and helpful inter- est. Their home is pleasantly located about five and a half miles from Tiskilwa and is always open for the reception of their friends, who are many. Mr. Chesney is a democrat and has served as school director and rond commissioner. Ile has at- tained high rank in Masonry, holding membership in the lodge at Tiskilwa and the chapter and com- mandery in Princeton, while he and his wife and daughter are members of the Eastern Star lodge, and his son Samuel is a Master Mason. The family are prominent socially and the con- sensus of public opinion classes Mr. Chesney with the alert and enterprising business men of this part of the state, whose prosperity has been hon- ofably earned and is therefore well deserved.
ALBERT DESTAING BOAL.
Albert D. Boal, druggist, dates his residence in Buda from 1866, and in Illinois from 185%. He was born in Columbus, Ohio. November 12, 1847, a son of Dr. James F. and Lucinda (Starr) Boal, who came to this state from Columbus in 1857. The father was a physician and druggist, and on his removal to Illinois located at Uniontown, Knox county, where he resided until 1864. when he removed to lowa. After two years he returned to Illinois and took up his abode in Buda, where he opened a drug store and engaged in the prac- tice of medicine until his death, which occurred on the 3d of April, 1899, when he was eighty- two years of age. He was a leading and promi- nent citizen of this place, his professional skill and business ability gaining him a foremost place in publie regard as well as in business circles. He was a strong and active Union man during the Civil war, and a republican in politics. Ilis wife survived until May 2, 1903, dying at the age of ninety years.
Albert D. Boal was educated in a private school in Uniontown, Illinois, and afterward assisted his father in the drug store. With the exception of two years spent in attending lectures at Rush Medical College, in Chicago, in 1868 and 1869, he has been constantly engaged in the drug busi- ness. The name of Boal has long figured in con- neetion with the commercial interests of Buda, and stands as a synonym of commercial activity, enter- prise and business integrity. A well appointed store, a carefully selected line of goods, tasteful arrangement and straightforward dealings have gained for the present owner a liberal and well- deserved patronage.
In 1871 Mr. Boal was married to Miss Elizabeth Murphy, of Buda, who died in February, 1873, leaving a son, Tracy E., who is now associated with his father in the drug business. He married Es- tella Reid. of Buda. After losing his first wife
Albert D. Boal wedded Mary E. Stetson of Rochester, Wisconsin, October 10, Isso, and they have two children : Albert Dwight, born February 16, 1888, and William Stetson, born November 15, 1896.
Mr. Boal is recognized as one of the leaders of the republican party in Buda and Bureau county, active in the work of the party and a stalwart champion of its principles. Keeping well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day, he is able to support his position by intelligent argu- ment, and for many years he has been a delegate to the various conventions of the party, and for six years he has served as chairman of the county central committee. Hle is well fitted for political leadership, having the ability to co-ordinate forces and utilize the means at hand in producing desited results, and his opinions are often a decisive factor in the discussion of political problems. He has been chosen by the vote of his fellow townsmen to various political offices, serving as tax collector. supervisor for four years, when he resigned, and a member of the board of trustees of Buda. He lias been president and secretary of the school board and has filled many other offices of trust in the community. Affairs relating to general improve- ment receive his earnest indorsement and co-op- eration, not only in political but in other lines as well, and his efforts have been effective and far- reaching. He is a Mason and a past master of Buda lodge, No. 399, A. F. & A. M. Ile was formerly treasurer and is a member of the board of trustees of the Congregational church, of which he is a member, and he gives hearty aid to all matters relating to the material, social, political, intellectual and moral progress of the community, and therefore deserves classification with the rep- resentative citizens.
GREG W. DRUMMER.
Greg W. Drummer operates the old Drummer homestead, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land in La Moille township. This tract of land has been in possession of the family since 1867, at which time it was purchased by Andrew Drummer, father of our subject, who was born in Bavaria, Germany. When but seven years of age he was brought to the United States and was reared in Buffalo, New York, where he met and married Miss Elizabeth Cook, a native of that city. On leaving the Empire state they came to Illinois in 1867, settling in Bureau county, where the father secured the tract of land upon which his son Greg now resides. In the family were ten chil- dren, eight of whom are living, while two have passed away. Greg W. Drummer being the fourth in order of birth.
In his boyhood days Mr. Drummer of this re- view was a public-school student in Bureau coun- ty, and when not occupied with his text-hooks his
.-
A. D. BOAL.
813
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
attention was largely given to farm work. Through the periods of vacation he assisted in the labors of the fields, and since leaving school permanently he has given undivided attention to his agricultural interests. He is today the renter of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, constituting what is known as the old homestead property. Corn, oats and hay are his main crops. The fields are well tilled, and everything about the place is in- dicative of the spirit of progress and enterprise manifested by him in the capable conduct of his business interests.
Mr. Drummer was married to Miss Clara Bell Marriott, who was born in La Moille on Christmas Day of 1875, and is a daughter of Joseph E. and Maria C. (Booth) Marriott, both of whom are natives of Burean county, where the father has carried on business as a stockman. There were nine children in the Mariott family, of whom Clara Bell is the eldest, and on the 26th of April, 1899, she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Drum- mer. She, too, was educated in the public schools, and, like her husband, she is held in high esteem throughout this community. Mr. Drummer be- longs to the Roman Catholic church, while his wife is a member of the Congregational church. He is identified with La Moille camp, No. 227, M. W. A., while his political ballot is cast for the men and measures of the republican party. He and his wife are most highly esteemed, and their home relations are largely ideal. They are pleas- antly situated, and neighbors and friends attest their good qualities and their sterling worth. They are warmly esteemed by all who know them, and the circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
FESTUS BENTLEY.
Festus Bentley is proprietor of the Burr Oak farm, which is located in Milo township, and is a veteran of the Civil war, having in the darkest hour of our country's history stood loyally by the stars and stripes. A native of Indiana, his birth occurred in Henry county in 1841. He lost his mother in infancy, and in 1853 came to Bureau county with his father, Eli Bentley, who in the meantime had married again, his second union be- ing with Mary A. Custer. Eli Bentley settled on the farm which is now owned and occupied by his son Festus, and there spent his remaining days. He brought the lumber from Rock Island for his buildings, and he improved the place from its nat- ural condition, transforming wild land into richly productive fields and adding many substantial buildings which are indicative of modern progress. His children, five in number, were all born of his first marriage, and Festus is the only one now living. The death of Mr. Bentley occurred in 1880, when he was seventy-two years of age, and the com-
munity thereby lost a valued and representative citizen.
In the common schools Festus Bentley mastered the branches of learning that usually constitute such a curriculum, and on the 16th of August, 1861, when twenty years of age, he offered his ser- vices to the government as a defender of the Union cause. He was assigned to duty with Company D, Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain J. C. Townsend, and had the usual expe- riences and hardships meted out to the soldier who engages in active duty on the field of battle. He participated in the movements and engagements of the Army of the Mississippi, the siege of Co- rinth, also the battle of Farmington and the second battle of Corinth, the charge upon Vicksburg and the siege of that eity until its surrender, the Red River expedition and the battles of Pleasant Hill, New Madrid, Island No. 10, and Jackson, Mis- sissippi. He was in more than twenty engagements in all, but was never wounded, although he was frequently in the thickest of the fight. IIe served until after the expiration of his three years' terin of enlistment and was honorably discharged Octo- her 11, 1864, at Springfield, Illinois, when he re- turned home with a ereditable military record, having never faltered in his allegiance to the old flag nor the cause it represented.
Not long after his return Mr. Bentley wedded Miss Maria J. Reid, of Indiana, a sister of J. L. Reid, a representative farmer of Milo township. They are now parents of five children: William C., who married Gertrude Sherman, has two chil- dren and lives in Milo township; Mary Josephine, the wife of Robert Conover, of Saratoga township, Marshall county, Illinois; Alma E., the wife of Le Roy A. Hill, a resident farmer of Whitefield township, Marshall county, and Walter E. and Elsie G., both at home.
The home farm of the family is a fine property of two hundred and forty acres in Milo township, in addition to which Mr. Bentley owns eleven aeres of timber land. The farm is lacking in none of the equipments and accessories of a model prop- erty of the twentieth century, for there are good buildings upon it and the fields are well tilled, while the stock which he raises is of good grades. He annually raises many hogs, and feeds both cattle and hogs, his business in this particular proving a source of gratifying profit.
On election days Mr. Bentley never wavers in his allegiance to the republican party, and at all times is prepared to give an intelligent reason for his political affiliation because he keeps well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served as pathmaster, has been justice of the peace and was for many years a school director. HIe belongs to the Grand Army post at Bradford, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old military comrades, and he is also identified with the Odd Fellows lodge at Bradford, while his wife is a member of the Methodist church. This worthy
814
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
couple are highly esteemed, their many sterling traits gaining for thein the friendship of the great- er number of those with whom they come in con- tact. The diligence and enterprise of Mr. Bentley have made Burr Oak farin one of the leading agri- enltural properties of the county, and since start- ing out in life for himself he has continually pro- gressed toward the goal of prosperity.
WILLIAM FETZER.
Among the native sons of Illinois who have taken a deep and helpful interest in the agricul- tural development of the state is numbered Will- iam Fetzer, who was born in Lee county, Septem- ber 7, 1853, a son of Casper and Frederica L. A. (Huffman) Fetzer, both natives of Germany, the former born January 16, 1829, and the latter Oc- tober 13, 1829, whence they emigrated to America in 1852, locating in Bureau county, Illinois. In their family were ten children, of whom the sub- pect of this review is the eldest.
William Fetzer received his education in the district schools of La Moille, and after acquiring a fair knowledge of the branches there taught, started out in life on his own account. Although he inherited some property, he has through indus- try, economy and careful management met with success in his work, and year by year has added to his financial resources, until through purchases at different times he is now in possession of a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres, worth from one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars per acre. This is situated in the northeast quarter of section 13, Ohio township, and here he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits, following the best methods in tilling the soil and caring for his crops, so that he annually harvests a large amount of grain as the result of his well directed efforts. He has added many modern improvements to his place, including fences, a good house and substantial outbuildings, all of which he keeps in good condi- tion, so that his farm now ranks with the best in Bureau county.
As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Fetzer chose Miss Mary A. Miller, to whom he was married October 19, 1882. She was born Au- gust 25, 1859, a danghter of George J. and Eliza- beth Miller, who were natives of Germany, and emigrated to this country in 1853. Mrs. Fetzer re- ceived her education in the district schools of Clarion township and was trained to the work of the household by her mother, so that she proved to her husband a worthy assistant in his business af- fairs, for she was capable in the management of the duties which devolved upon her in connection with the care of a home, and was devoted to the welfare of her family. After a happy married life of more than two decades, the wife was called from this life, her death occurring December 28, 1903, being the occasion of deep regret not only to her
immediate family, but also to her many friends, to whom she was endeared, for she possessed inany excellent traits of heart and mind and was loved wherever known. Mrs. Fetzer had become the mother of three sons and two daughters, who with the husband and father still survive. They are Ida F., born July 14, 1883; Gilbert W., September 25, 1884; Martha E., November 10, 1886; George C., July 14, 1889, and Oscar W., September 2, 1893.
Politically Mr. Fetzer is a democrat and in re- ligious faith he and his family are identified with the German Lutheran church of Ohio township. Interested in the cause of education, he has served as school director for sixteen years and is now fill- ing that office, but aside from this has filled no public positions. Although Mr. Fetzer inherited some property, he has used precaution in the man- agement of his business affairs, and by judicious investment, energy and determination has added to his original holdings until he now has a good farm of two hundred and forty acres of as finc land as can be found in the entire county, thus classing him with the prominent representatives of this section of the state, where he has a wide and favorable acquaintance, and where, through his straightforward dealing and honorable ineth- ods, he has gained many friends.
WILLIAM HARTZ.
William Hartz, successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits and in the raising of reg- istered shorthorn cattle, in which connection he has gained more than a local reputation as a stock- man, was born March 26, 1867, in the county which is still his home. His parents, Nicholas and Anna M. (Houk) Hartz, were both natives of Ba- varia, and became residents of America in 1855, after which they located in Bureau county in 1865. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in this county he reared his family, numbering eight children. He not only provided comfortably for their support, but also managed to save a goodly competence and was numbered among the success- ful agriculturists of the county, where he con- tinued to make his home until his death on the 2d of October, 1889.
William Hartz was a publie-school student in his boyhood and youth, and when not busy with his text-books aided his father in the work of the home farm, to which task he also gave his atten- tion for some years after completing his education. In 1890 he made his first purchase of land, com- prising eighty acres, and later, in connection with his brother, George Fred Hartz, he bought one hundred and twenty acres, making this pur- chase in 1893. For some time they were associated in the management and cultivation of their land, but afterward dissolved partnership. William Hartz of this review now has the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in connection with
815
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
the share which he received after the division of the property with his brother, and the fichls are well tilled, being cultivated for the raising of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. He also raises reg- istered shorthorn cattle as well as good grades of horses and hogs, and his stock interests are no un- important branch of his business.
Mr. Hartz has served as school director from the age of twenty-one years to the present time, and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion, whose labors are effective for good schools. In 1906 he was elected supervisor, and he has been road commissioner for one term and tax assessor for seven years. His political alle- giance is given to the demoeraey, and he is promi- nent in the ranks of the party, being frequently chosen as a delegate to senatorial and county con- ventions. Fraternally he is a Mason and holds memberhip with Sheffield lodge, No. 142, A. F. & A. M., and also with the Odd Fellows lodge at New Bedford.
Thus publie interests have claimed his atten- tion, and at the same time he has won a place among the prominent business men of his county. He is a man of resourceful ability, and, while farming has been his principal occupation, he has not confined his attention entirely to the work of the fields, but has extended his efforts into other lines of trade and commerce. For the past five years he has been the president of the New Bed- ford Creamery Company, and for many years be- fore was one of its dircetors. He is likewise the president of the Manlius Grain & Coal Company. His business interests therefore are quite exten- sive, and he has so conducted his affairs that he has made steady progress toward the goal of suc- cess, and finds that prosperity is ambition's answer.
GEORGE FREDERICK HARTZ.
The name of Hartz is well known in Bureau county in connection with agricultural interests, and the life record of George Frederick Hartz adds new luster to the ereditable record always borne by the family. Ile was born December 2, 1870, in Bureau county, and, like his brother, whose sketch is given above, he was educated in the country schools of Manlius township. He worked on the home farm with his father for years, and thus re- ceived practical training in the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the erops. He bought eighty aeres of land in 1890 and in 1893, in con- neetion with his brother William purchased one hundred and twenty acres, which they cultivated together for six years, or until 1899. George F. Hartz now owns and operates two hundred and forty acres, constituting a valuable and well im- proved farm in Manlins township.
On the 8th of September, 1897, he married Priscilla S. Dale, of Fairfield township, who was born September 12, 1874, and is a daughter of
Thomas Edward and Eliza S. Dale, who are men- tioned on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Thomas Ilemy Dale. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hartz have been born five children : George Edward, born January 17, 1898; James William, October 21, 1899; Mary Othea, February 4, 1902; Vernon Harold, February 22, 1203, and Perry Carlysle, August 22, 1901.
Mr. Hartz votes with the democracy and is iden- tified through membership relations with the Odd Fellows lodge at New Bedford. He is highly re- spected as an enterprising farmer, as a reliable business man and good citizen, and, although yet a young man, has attained a measure of success that many an older one might well envy.
CAPTAIN F. C. DUNCAN.
Captain F. C. Duncan, manager of the Prince- ton gas plant, although one of the more recent ac- quisitions to the citizenship of Princeton, is so well known in business circles in Illinois as to have become already a representative resident of this place. He is a native of Bath, Maine, born March 23, 1847. His parents were Captain Charles C. and Hannah (Tibbetts) Duncan, who were likewise natives of Maine. In early life Captain Charles Duncan began following the sea and was a ship- master. He took his family on various European and Mediterranean voyages until he established himself in New York city as a ship broker and ship owner in 1854. He also had a branch office in England, and carried on that business until 1867. Desiring to form a European connection, he took in with him a partner, whom he left in New York, while with his family he crossed the water to Eng- land, establishing offices in London and Liverpool, making his home in the latter city. Returning to this country. he resided in Brooklyn, New York, until he removed to Northfield, Massachusetts, in 1885, and became interested in school work there, in which he continued up to the time of his death, which occurred in Northfield in 1898. His wife passed away in New York city in 1869.
Captain Duncan of this review largely acquired his education in the schools of Bath, Maine, and attended the Polytechnic schools of Brooklyn, New York, and he also continued his studies in England to some extent. He went on his first voyage in active connection with a sea-faring life in 1859, and until 1863 he made occasional voyages be- tween Europe and the United States, and between such trips attended school in both New York and Liverpool. In 1863 he came to the United States from England, and after receiving a special order from Gideon Welles, then secretary of the navy, to have his age waived and his examination fore- gone, he obtained an acting appointment and went on board the United States ship Brooklyn as an officer of the United States navy, the vessel being ordered to join the western gulf squadron,
816
PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
then in charge of Admiral Farragut. After the battle of Mobile Bay the Brooklyn was so dam- aged by the fire of the forts and rams that she was sent north for repairs. Mr. Duncan then took up his service on the ship Owasco, bloekading ports from Mobile Bay to Galveston, and at the close of the war he returned to the merchant service and sailed as chief officer until he obtained command in 1871. Since that date he made all of his voy- ages in command of ships on long voyages to dif- ferent parts of the world. His last ship, Florence, was built for California trade and was so utilized for ten years. He sold the Florenee in 1898 at San Francisco, and for a year thereafter remained a resident of that city. On that ship he made voy- ages around the cape of Good Hope to the East Indies, the Philippines and Java. On nearly all of these voyages he was accompanied by his fam- ily, and his two youngest sons were born on board that ship.
In 1899 Captain Duncan located at Galesburg, Illinois, where he became assistant secretary and treasurer of the gas and electric light company, which afterward became the Galesburg Railway & Light Company. He was also financially inter- ested in the enterprise. He was connected with all of these enterprises until his removal to Prince- ton a short time ago. When George F. Duncan of the Mckinley syndicate purchased the Princeton gas works of H. S. Capron, he asked his brother to take charge of the new purchase, and he removed his family to Princeton on the 12th of May. This is his present business connection. The gas plant had its inception in 1874 and became an estab- lished fact in 1875. At times it has had a pros- perous existence and at others a precarious one, but during much of the period the business has been large and profitable, and under the capable control of its present manager-a gentleman of broad business experience -- it will undoubtedly prove successful.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.