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 48
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Mr. Winter is a member of the Tribe of Ben Hur and also of the Mystic Workers. He is es- teemed as one of the most prominent, energetic and prosperous business men of the city, belong- ing to that class upon whom the commercial ad- vancement and growth of the community depends. Hle allows no obstacles to obstruct his path if they can be overcome by determined and honorable effort, and, moreover, he is a thorough master of his trade, possessing, too, not a little artistic taste, which is manifest in the excellent results which are produced through effective device and coloring in painting and paper-hanging. He well merits the liberal patronage that is accorded him, and he is today enjoying constantly growing success.
RICHARD HALL.
The attractiveness of Bureau county as a place of residence is indicated by the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her bor- ders since attaining their majority and have found opportunity here for advancement in business life and the acquirement of the success which each individual seeks. Mr. Hall was born in this county, August 31, 1859, being the sixth in order of birth in a family of ten children, whose par- ents were John and Charity F. (Smith) Hall. They were natives of New Jersey, and in the spring of 1859 took up their abode in Bureau county. In the fall of the same year their son Richard was born, and the days of his boyhood and youth were spent in his parents' home, while in the public schools he acquired his education. He was trained to farm work. early becoming fa- miliar with the duties and labors of the fields, and throughout his entire life he has carried on general agricultural pursuits. Ile has today a farm of two hundred and forty acres under his manage- ment and he owns eighty-five acres in another part of the township.
On the 27th of November, 1879, Mr. Hall wedded Miss Martha J. Wade, who was born in Tuscarawas county. Ohio, June 4, 1859, and in 1866 was brought to Bureau county by her parents, in whose family were ton children, she being the fifth in order of birth. Mrs. Hall was also edu- cated in the schools of Bureau county, and to her husband has been a faithful companion and help- mate on life's journey for more than a quarter of a century. He affiliates with the Modern Wood- men of America, his membership being in camp No. 227. and his political views accord with re- publican principles. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are a worthy Christian couple, who have always enjoyed the confidence of neighbors and friends. They have long been permanently settled in this community and are now comfortably situated in
life, meeting with a spirit of fortitude every ad- verse condition and steadily progressing toward the goal of prosperity by reason of their careful man- agement and business capacity. They are citizens worthy of the unqualified confidence of their fel- low townsmen and are well deserving of mention in this volume.
JOHN HENRY HUSEMAN.
Among the native sons of Bureau county still residing within its borders is numbered John Henry Huseman, who was born in Princeton, March 16, 1858. Ile is of German lineage. His parents were Frederick W. and Mary ( Kassing) IFuseman, who came from Germany to the United States in 1852. settling first in St. Louis, Mis- souri, whence they removed to Princeton in 1856, remaining residents of the county seat until 1874. They then removed to Dover township, and in 1878 took up their abode in Kansas. There Mr. Huse- man followed general agricultural pursuits. and he passed away in the Sunflower state in 1599, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his wife died in 1889.
John II. Huseman is indebted to the public- school system of Princeton for the educational privileges he enjoyed, and when he entered upon his business career he took up the life of the farmer, but subsequently worked in a nursery. In 1877 he went to Kansas, where he engaged in farming until 1880, when he returned to this county and was hore employed at farm labor. Am- bitious and energetic, however, he could not con- tent himself by passing his life in the service of others, and, desirous of having a farm of his own, he carefully caved his earnings, and now has one hundred ard twenty acres of land in Manlius township, on which he has recently erected a hand- some modern home. He also has sixty-six acres in Greenville township, and in addition to culti- vating his own land, comprising about two hun- dred acres, he has also rented and tills about four hundred and eighty arres besides. He is thus extensively engaged in carrying on agro ultural pursuits, and in addition to cultivating the soil he also raises a high grade of cattle, horses and registered Poland China hogs. A inan of resource- ful business ability, he is constantly watchful for opportunities to extend the scope of his activity, and in addition to managing his farming interests he assisted in establishing the Independent Tele- phone Company, and is a stockholder in the grain and coal company of Manlius.
On the 14th of December. 1882, Mr. Huseman was married to Miss Anna Helena Fenn. of Man- lius township, a daughter of George Fenn. a resi- dent farmer there. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Haseman have been born six children: Mary, why is em- ployed as a clerk in the store at Walnut. Illinois ; Anna, a school teacher; Alvina and Minnie, at-
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tending school in Walnut; Emma and Leona, at home. The family attend the English Lutheran church of Manlius, and Mr. Iluseman is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Globe. He has been school director, road commissioner and constable and has filled other local offices, and viewed from the standpoint of a citizen or a business man he has made an equally creditable record, while the extensive cirele of his friends is indicative of the warm personal regard which he wins from those with whom he comes in contact.
ROBERT JOSEPH STABLER.
Robert Joseph Stabler, deceased, started out in life on his own account as a farm hand and at his death was the owner of a valuable property of four hundred and fifty acres. His success was attributable entirely to his diligence, perseverance and capable management. and his record should serve as a source of inspiration and encourage- ment to others. Born in Poektrop, Yorkshire, England, on the 9th of May, 1835, he passed away in this county. February 11, 1901. llis parents were Robert and Elizabeth ( Hood) Stabler, who were natives of England, in which country they were reared and married. They crossed the At- lantic to Quebee in 1857 on the steamship North America, which was eleven days in making the voyage. They proceeded to Kingston, Canada, by canal and river, thence by rail to Port Huron, Michigan, over the Michigan Central Railroad to Chicago, where they boarded a train on the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad that brought them to Neponset, on the 22d of June, 185 ;.
Robert J. Stabler acquired his education in the schools of his native country and remained under the parental roof throughout the period of his minority, accompanying his parents on their emi- gration to America in 1851. He was then a young man of twenty-two years and he began earning his own living in the new world while working as a farm hand by the month. Carefully saving his earnings he was enabled in 1861 to make his first purchase of land and bought from Mr. Lyford eighty acres in Neponset township. Subse- quently he purchased eighty acres from Mr. Barrons. As his financial resources increas- ed he made further investments in land until he owned four hundred and tifty acres in Illinois. Throughout his entire business career he followed general farming and stock. raising, and in his later years he retired, with a handsome competence, making his home in Ne- ponset from February, 1895, until his death. Dur- ing that period he enjoyed a well earned rest, de- riving from his farm an income sufficient to sup- ply him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
In early manhood Mr. Stabler chose as a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Mar- tha Bramble, to whom he was married in England on the 22d of March, 1857. She was born in Munston, Yorkshire, England. November 14, 1848, and is a daughter of John and Martha ( Willis) Bramble. Mr. and Mes. Stabler became the par- ents of five sons and five daughters, namely : John, Henry, Sarah A., Edwin, Nellie, Alice May. Alfred G., Cora E .. Walter J., and Ethel MI. Of this number John, the oldest, died December 5, 1905.
Mr. Stabler exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party, but was never very active in the sense of office seeking. He served, however, as road com- missioner and for twenty years or more acted as school director and was a stalwart champion of the case of public instruction. He also contrib- uted to the support of the Methodist Episcopal church and was an advocate of every movement tending to promote the material, intellectual, so- cial and moral progress of his community. Hle deserved much success for what he accomplished in a business way, for he depended entirely upon his own resources. He brooked no obstacles that could be overcome by determination and carnest effort and gradually he worked his way upward to affluence, so that at his death he left his family a goodly estate and also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. His widow still survives and now makes her home in Neponset, where she has many warm friends, and the family occupies an enviable position in social circles in the vil- lage, while wherever known they are held in high regard.
FRANK C. JACOBY.
Frank C. Jacoby owns and operates a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Westfield town- ship and makes a specialty of the raising of Po- land China hogs and shorthorn cattle. He was born November 19, 1854, in La Salle county. Illi- nois, and is of German lineage, his parents being Mathias and Catherine (Pantenburg) Jacoby, who were born in the old world, the father in Luxem- burg province and the mother in Germany. In the year 1852 Mathias Jacoby became a resident of Bureau county, Illinois, having lived for some time previous in Michigan, where he was engaged in steamboating on the lakes. The mother went to La Salle county with her parents in 1847. the family being among the early settlers of this part of the state. About 1819 they removed to Bureau county and resided in Westfield township, where Mr. and Mrs. Pantenburg were identified with farming interests until called to their final rest. Mathias Jacoby was also numbered among the active agriculturists of Bureau county. for many years continuing in business until his life's labors
Mathis Staleles
R. g. Stabler
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
were ended in death in 1902. He had for several years survived his wife, who passed away in 1885.
Frank C. Jacoby completed his education in the schools of Westfield township and has always been a farmer. He was early trained to habits of in- dustry and economy and these qualities have proven essential factors in his success in later lite. In early manhood he sought a companion and help- mate and was married on the 28th of January, 1879, to Miss Ellen Skeffington, who was born in Gloucester, Canada West, April 2. 1854, her par- ents being Michael and Mary ( Brennen) Skef- fington, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They removed from Canada to Bureau county thirty-four years ago, taking up their abode here in the month of May, and the father was thereaf- ter continuously connected with farming until his death, which occurred on the 28th of Septem- ber, 1880. His wife survived him for about twelve years and passed away August 10, 1892. Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby have been born tive children, of whom Joseph, Katie and Mary, twins, and Robert are still under the parental roof. One daughter, Emmeline, died at the age of five months. Robert was graduated from the high school with honors and is entitled to free tuition at any normal school in the state.
In order to provide a livelihood for himself and family Mr. Jacoby has continuously followed farm- ing and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land pleasantly situated in Westfield town- ship. Here he cultivates corn, oats and other crops, and is also well known as a stock-raiser, making a specialty of Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle. Both branches of his business are proving profitable and he is meeting with grat- ifving success in his undertakings. Ile and his family are all communicants of the Catholic church al Arlington.
JOIIN PETERSON.
John Peterson, who dates his residence in Bu- reau county from 1861, has resided upon his pres- ent farm since March, 18:6, and in the thirty years which have since come and gone he has wrought a wonderful transformation here. for the fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation and the farm has beett converted into a valuable and productive property. As the name indicates, Mr. Peterson comes of Danish ancestry. Ile was born on the island of Lolland, belonging to Denmark, August 15, 1844. and is a son of Peter and Marguerite ( Miller) Rasmussen, who were farming people of that country, in which they spent their entire lives.
John Peterson was reared in the land of his birth, and when a young man of about twenty years, believing that he would have difficulty in inaking rapid business advancement there, and feeling that he would enjoy better opportunities
in the new world, crossed the Atlantic to Am rica. The year 1861 witnessed his arrival at Shetfield, and he soon afterward secured employment at farm labor, being thus engaged for two years. He was afterward with the Rock Island Railway Com- pany at Burcan JJunction for some time, and when he had saved from his earnings sufficient capital to justify his purchase of land he bought his pres- ent homestead of one hundred and sixty avres and has resided thereon since March, 18:6.
It was about six years before this, when on the 9th of February, 1820. Mr. Peterson was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Christina Jensen, of Holland, Denmark, who came to the new world in 1864. She was a daughter of Jensen and Ellen Christen, who remained in Demark throughout their entire lives. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson now have eight living children: James F., who oper- ates a thresher and corn sheller and lives at home with his parents; Albert C., who is proprietor of a hotel in Manlius : Ella, the wife of James Hack- ett, a farmer ; Martha, the wife of Dr. T. Sprague, a practicing physician of Sheffieldl; Harry L., an engineer, who for one year has been in the employ of the United States government: Emma G., at home; Carrie, now living in Moline; and Henry V., at home. They also lost one son. Peter Her- man, who died in Colorado at the age of thirty years.
Mr. Peterson has been road commissioner for the past six years, school director for twenty years and a member of the drainage commission for the past eight years. He takes a very active interest in politics as a stanch advocate of the republican party, yet he does not desire office for himself, and the positions which he has filled have come to him in recognition, on the part of his fellowmen, of his worth and ability. The family are members of the Danish Lutheran church of Sheffield, which Mr. Peterson aided in organizing, becoming one of its charter members, while for many years he served as one of its trustees. His life has been spent in consistent harmony with his religious professions, and under all cireum- stanees he has been found loyal to justice, truth and right.
MRS. MARY J. (SMITH) CHAMBERS.
Mrs. Mary J. (Smith) Chambers is well known in Bureau county, where she has spent her entire life, now living in Ohio township, where she owns seventy-seven acres of choice land, which is op- erated by her son. She was born August 26. 1852, and is a daughter of Daniel P. and Rachel ( Mat- son) Smith, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Belmont county, Ohio. In their family were thirteen children. of whom Mrs. Smith was the third in order of birth.
She acquired her education in the public schools near her father's home and was carefully trained
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
in the duties of the household, so that she was well prepared to take charge of a home of her own when on the 30th of March, 1871, she gave her hand in marriage to Leander Chambers, who was born in Tusearawas county, Ohio, August 26, 1843. Mr. Chambers was also educated in the common schools of Bureau county, having been brought to Illinois in his early childhood. At the time of the Civil war, when a youth of about eighteen years, he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in 1861 as a member of Com- pany B, Eightieth Ohio Infantry. The regiment was assigned to the Western army, and he par- ticipated in the battles of Iuka, Vicksburg, Sa- vannah, Corinth, the march under Sherman from Atlanta to the sea and in others of lesser note, making a most ereditable military record. He was ever found at his post of duty, gallantly and valiantly defending the old flag and the cause it represented, and in 1865, the war having ended, he was honorably discharged. He had veteranized at the close of his three years' term, and passed through all the experiences meted out to the sol- dier. and ean relate many incidents of the war.
Mr. and Mrs. Chambers have become the par- ents of two children: Amy Bell, born October 25, 1872, and John W., born November 30, 1813. The son is now operating the farm of seventy- seven aeres of choice land which his mother in- herited from her father, and is accounted one of the enterprising young farmers of the county. He is engaged in the raising of corn, oats and hay, and has good stock upon the place.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Chambers are members of the Methodist Protestant church, and he is a re- publican in his political affiliation. Mrs. Cham- bers has spent her entire life in this county and is a representative of one of the worthy pioneer families of this part of the state, and in the community where she has now lived for more than half a century she has many warm friends. She has witnessed many changes in the county since her girlhood days, for the work of improvement and development has been carried steadily for- ward and time and man have wrought a marked transformation here.
WILLIAM W. CLEMENT.
William W. Clement follows farming on what is known as the old Clark farm, on section 19, Wheat- land township, and is serving as township super- visor, which office he has filled since 1902. He was born in Niagara county, New York, August 19, 1840, and came to Bureau county in 1865 after the elose of the war. He is numbered among the veterans who wore the blue in defense of the Union, having enlisted on the 16th of August, 1862, in the Nineteenth New York Independent Light Artillery from Niagara county. With this command he served until June, 1865. He spent
two winter seasons in Washington and afterward participated in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Courthouse, also in other engage- ments that led up to the siege of Petersburg and Richmond; in fact, was in every engagement with his company, which he never left for a day, for- tunately escaping all wounds. Few men in all of the war saw more hard fighting, and though he was continuously at the front he never faltered in his allegiance to the old flag, loyally and uncom- plainingly defending the interests of his country.
When the war was over Mr. Clement came to Bureau county, and for two years was connected in business with I. D. Whiting. He afterward went to Missouri, where he spent two years, and then returned to Bureau county, where for thirty- four years he has continuously followed farming.
Mr. Clement married Miss Clara E. Clark, who was born on this farm and is a daughter of Stephen M. Clark. They have become parents of ten children: Clarence A., who married Josie Mayo and is a civil engineer living in Chicago; Emma L., at home; Flora Belle, who died at the age of eight years; William W., who married Ada Reynolds and lives in Oklahoma; Lora E., Jesse W., Roy G., Eva C., Leslie C. and Lillian G., all at home. Politically a republican, Mr. Clement has been supervisor of Wheatland township sinee 1902 and chairman of the board from 1901 to 1906. He has also been justice of the peace since 1890 and has served as highway commissioner, and his elections and re-elections to these various offiees stand in evidence of his capable service and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen.
JOHN BEHRENS.
John Behrens, who arrived in this country from Germany empty handed and with no knowledge of the English language and yet who, adapting himself to altered conditions and environment, soon familiarized the different methods and customs of the new world, has gained in the course of years a place among the substantial agriculturists of Bureau county, having now one hundred and eighty acres of land in Manlius township. He was born in Germany, September 22, 1857, a son of John and Dorothy Behrens, who, crossing the Atlantic to America in 1881, made their way di- rect to this county, where they spent their re- maining days, the father passing away at the age of seventy-three years, while his wife died at the age of seventy-four.
John Behrens, of this review, on coming to Bu- reau county, secured employment at farm labor and worked for five years for a Mr. Howard. Am- bitious to engage in agricultural pursuits on his own account, he then rented the Curtis farm about a mile north of Sheffield and continued its culti- vation for six years, during which time he lived carefully and frugally and thus saved the capital
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
sufficient to enable him to purchase his present farin. It was in 1892 that he bought this prop- erty, comprising one hundred and eighty acres in Manlius township. He has improved the same by carefully tilling the fields and by erecting first- class buildings, including a house and barn. He has always followed farming and the success he has achieved has come to him through his elose ap- plication and ability in that line of work.
On the 18th of December, 1886, Mr. Behrens was united in marriage to Miss Anna Barnokow, a daughter of John Barnokow, who was a native of Germany and came to the new world in 1882. Nine children have graced this marriage and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. These are: Carrie, John, Mary, Carl, Al- fred, Max, Bernhard, Lizzie and Martha, all yet at home.
Mr. Behrens is a democrat where national ques- tions and issues are involved but casts an indepen- dent local ballot. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church of Manlius and are esteemed as worthy people of the community. He was absolutely without money when he arrived in the United States and his present possessions are the fruits of his toil, indicating that his has been an active and useful life and showing what may be accomplished in this country where effort is not hampered by caste or class.
GERALD F. STOODLEY.
Gerald F. Stoodley, engaged in farming in Manlius township, was born in Gibraltar on the 18th of July, 1848. His father, John Stoodley, was a military officer and chief of the commissary department in the British army. Prior to accept- ing that position he was connected with the med- ical department, and he served in the army until his death, in 1857. It was while he was stationed at the military post of Gibraltar that the birth of his son Gerald occurred. Ilis wite bore the maiden name of Eliza Fitzgerald.
Following the return of the family to England, the subject of this review pursued his education at Crewkerne, Somersetshire, England, and in 1870, when about twenty-two years of age, came to America, making his way to Bureau county, Illi- nois. About 18:8 he purchased his present home of one hundred and sixty aeres and has since re- sided thereon. his time and energies being given to his farm and his stock. He has standard bred horses, cattle and hogs and has provided ample shelter for his stock and his grain in large barns and sheds. The fields are well tilled and he an- nually gathers good harvests, for he thoroughly understands the best methods of farming and is practical in all that he does.
On the 2d of May, 1877, Mr. Stoodley was mar- ried to Miss Addie V. Werick, of Manlius town- ship, and they are well known socially, having the
favorable regard of many friends. Mr. Stoudley is a member of the Episcopal church or the Church of England, in the faith of which he was reared. Time has sanetioned and proven the wisdom of his resolution concerning his emigration to America, for here he has found good business op- portunities and through the improvement of con- ditions wherewith he has been surrounded he has gained a goodly measure of success.
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