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 50
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On the 2d of May, 1883, Mr. Andrews wedded Miss Kittie MeKenzie, of Buda, a daughter of Gideon and Carrie MeKenzie, the father an em- ploye of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have seven children : Henry G., George G., Paul M., Gwendolyn D., Lura N., Jessie C. and William P. The family cirele yet remains unbroken and all are still at home.
Mr. Andrews is a Master Mason, belonging to the lodge at Sheffield, and he is likewise a mem- ber of the Unitarian church at Buda. His politi- cal allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served as school director but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, prefer- ing to leave the contests of the political arena to others, while he gives his individual attention to his business affairs, wherein he is now meeting with a goodly measure of prosperity.
GEORGE HUNT.
George Hunt, deecased, was one of the pioneer settlers of Bureau county, who took up his abode here in 1846 and found many evidences of fron- tier life, for much of the land was still unclaimed and uneultivated, only a comparatively few roads had been made and the work of development and upbuilding had scarcely been begun in many dis- tricts of the county, while the now thriving towns and eities were then little villages. Mr. Hunt was a young man of twenty-six years at the time of his arrival, his birth having occurred in Massa- chusetts in 1820. His life portrayed many of the typieal characteristics of the New Englander, in- cluding the thrift and industry which led him from humble surroundings to the plane of afflu- ence. In 1866 he became the owner of what is now the old family homestead, comprising eighty acres of land in Gold township, whereon he continued to reside until his death, his attention being given to the further cultivation and improvement of the fields.
Mr. Hunt was married to Miss Margaret Finley, who was born July 1, 1852, in Missouri, and came
here in 1831 with her parents. Upon the home farm Mr. and Mrs. Hunt reared their family. The father there resided to the age of sixty-four years, when, in 1888, he was called from this life. For more than four decades he had been a resident of the county and had assisted in its early reclama- tion. He had kept in touch with modern prog- ress in agricultural affairs and his life was one of business activity and honor. His widow still sur- vives him, and resides upon the old homestead at the age of seventy-four years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hunt were born six chil- dren : George C., the eldest, who is a farmer of Gold township; Charles D., who at the age of forty-six years is engaged in the raising of bees at New Bedford; Mary, forty-four years of age. the wife of George W. Culberson, of Dover, Ilmois, who is agent for the Reader Medicine Company, of Peoria : William L., of whom mention will be made later : Bertha, thirty-six years of age, the wife of Arthur Williams, a resident farmer of Manlius township; and Cora, who has reached the age of thirty-three and is the wife of Pearl Webb, a carpenter living in Buda.
Of this family William L. Hunt is now man- aging the estate left by his father. He was born in 1861, was educated in the district school and was reared to the occupation of farming, which he has always followed. He is now manager of the estate, which as yet is undivided, and he keeps the farm under a high state of cultivation and makes many modern improvements thereon.
William L. Hunt was married to Miss Ann B. Fay, and they became the parents of three chil- dren : Hlazel, Virgil and Dora. aged respectively fifteen, thirteen and ten years, and all yet at home. Mr. Hunt served as a member of the police force of Sheffield for one year. 1900-1, but his attention is now confined to his farming interests. He sup- ports the republican party and is in thorough sym- pathy with its principles and purposes. Frater- nally he is connected with the Old Fellows lodge, No. 808, at Sheffield, and with the Modern Wood- men camp. No. 166, at New Bedford. The fam- ily are all Methodists in religious faith. The name of Hunt has long figured prominently and honorably in this county in connection with busi- ness affairs, the material interests and the intel- lectual and moral development, and is worthy of an honored place on the pages of the county's his- io!v.
WILLIAM MERCER.
William Mereer, representing the agricultural interests of Bureau, his native county, where he was born September 26, 1876, is operating a tract of one hundred and eighty-six acres. belonging to his mother. He is a son of Dr. Thomas D. and Margaret R. ( Kasbeer) Mercer. likewise natives of Bureau county, Illinois. The father was a phy- sieian and surgeon, practicing his profession for
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many years in the village of Ohio, but he is now deceased. In their family were four children, two of whom have also passed away, the sister of our subject being Alice G. Mercer, who was born August 16, 1879.
William Mercer, the subject of this review, was reared on the place which is yet his home, and was educated in the public schools of his native place. He is now operating his mother's farm of one hundred and eighty-six acres, located in Ohio township, and that he is an enterprising and pro- gressive young farmer is indicated by the fact that each year abundant harvests are gathered as the result of the care and labor he exercises in the cultivation of the land. He keeps everything about the place in good condition, so that this property is considered among the best in Ohio township.
As a companion and helpinate for life's journey Mr. Mercer chose Miss Florence L. Limerick, a popular young lady of Bureau county, to whom he was married December 22, 1897. She was born July 26, 1877, and was about twenty years of age when she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Mercer. Iler parents are Robert and Mary ( Perry) Limerick, both natives of Illinois, the father born in Bureau county, while the mother's birth oe- eurred in La Salle county. Mrs. Mercer is the eldest of the four children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Limerick. Two sons and a daughter grace the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mercer: Robert T., born September 10, 1898; John G., August 21, 1900; and Gladys, May 3, 1904.
In his political views Mr. Mereer is a republican, and while keeping informed on political questions, is not active in the work of the party, preferring to give his entire time to his farming interests, in which he is meeting with very desirable success. Fraternally he is connected with the American Stars of Equity, belonging to lodge No. 33, at Kasbeer, and his wife is also a member of the order, while their church membership is with the Methodist Protestant denomination at Kasbeer. They are excellent young people, having many warm personal friends throughout the community in which they live.
HARRY W. PALMER.
Harry W. Palmer, actively associated with farm- ing interests in La Moille township, was born in Bureau county, May 22, 18:5. His parents were Charles W. and Elizabeth (Ames) Palmer, the former a native of Belmont, Ohio, and the latter of Wyoming county, Pennsylvania. They were married in the Keystone state, and, removing to the middle west, settled in Bureau county, Illi- nois. It was at an early period in the development of this locality that Charles Palmer took up his abode here, making a permanent location. Hle secured land and began the development of a farm,
to the further cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his energies throughout his re- maining days. Hle was a devoted husband and father and worthy citizen, and was held in high esteem by neighbors and friends. He was twice married, and by the first union had three children, while by the second marriage there were born a son and daughter, Harry W. and Hattie J., twins, who are still at home with their mother.
Harry W. Palmer of this review was educated in the schools of La Moille, and is well known as a dealer in horses, which he breeds and raises, also buys and sells. He is an excellent judge of horses, being seldom at error in the valuation which he places upon an animal, and is thus able to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. Ile is an enterprising, active young business man, who has made a creditable record and won the respect and confidence of the entire business community.
In connection with his mother and sister Mr. Palmer owns a beautiful home within the corpora- tion limits of the village of La Moille, where they have eight and one-half acres of ground, and the residence is surrounded by many fine old shade trees and a well kept lawn, which adds much to its attractive appearance. In his political affiliation Mr. Palmer is a republican, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is orthodox in his religious belief, and, with his mother and sister, attends the serv- ices of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are members. All occupy an enviable posi- tion in social circles and are highly esteemed by many friends, whose number is almost as great as the number of their acquaintances.
HARDING PIPER.
Among the more successful of the younger rep- resentatives of farming interests in Bureau county is Harding Piper, of La Moille township. He was born in this county, August 2, 1816, and is a member of a prominent and well known family, his parents being Harding H. and Mary A. (Mc- Williams) Piper, in whose family of ten children he is the youngest. At the usual age he entered the public schools and therein mastered the branches of English learning which commonly con- stitute the curriculum of a district school. He was trained to habits of business activity and en- terprise under the direction of his father, one of the prominent and successful business nien of the county and one of its largest landowners. Hard- ing Piper is now manager and heir of five hundred and fifty-six acres of choice land belonging to his father, and in his business affairs shows excellent executive force and keen discernment. Ile allows no obstacle to brook his path and is making steady advancement toward the goal of prosperity.
In September, 1899, Mr. Piper wedded Miss Polly E. Jullian, who was born in this county,
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September 25, 1828, a daughter of John and Mar- garet (Jay) Jullian, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The mother came to Ilinois in 1851 and the father in 1855, and they were married in Bureau county, November 30, 1865. The death of Mr. Jullian occurred July 12, 1892, and the community thereby lost one of its representative and honored citizens. In his family were nine children, of whom Mrs. Piper was the eighth in order of birth. Three children grace this mar- riage: Asa H., born January 28, 1900: Francis J., January 28, 1902; and Mary L., August 16, 1903.
Mr. Piper holds fraternal relations with camp No. 227 of the Modern Woodmen of America. He votes with the republican party, and while he keeps well informed on questions and issues of the day has never been an office seeker. He has served as school director, but otherwise has held no official positions in his township. He is a thoroughily progressive farmer, having a home equipped with all modern accessories and con- veniences. He keeps an automobile, and in all of his business and social interests manifests a pro- gressive spirit. The Piper family is one of the most prominent and influential in Bureau county. Its men having been noted for their prowess in acquiring wealth, while they are equally notable for the honorable methods followed in business. The sterling traits of character which Harding Piper has already displayed indicates that he pos- sesses the family characteristics in this regard, and he is now accorded a prominent position among the leading representatives of agricultural life in Bureau county.
PATRICK HI. HICKEY.
Patrick H. Hickey, who is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty aeres of choice land en sections 12 and 13, Walnut township, and who, moreover, is entitled to rep- resentation in this volume, not only as a sub- stantial resident of Bureau county, but also as an honored veteran of the Civil War, having been one of the loyal defenders of the Union, was born in Tipperary, Ireland, November 9, 1831. His parents were Thomas and Margaret (Maher) Hiekey. The father, who was born on the Em- erald isle in 1280, passed away in 1838, while his wife, whose birth occurred there in 1782, died in 1882, at the remarkable age of one hundred years.
Thomas Hickey was a farmer by occupation and thus Patrick H. Hickey was reared to farm life. His education was acquired in the schools of his native country, and he remained a resident of Ireland until 1861, when he came to America. settling in Sandwich, Illinois, where he made his home with his sister until his enlistment in the Union army in 1862. He proved his loyalty to his adopted country by offering his services to the
goverminent and going to the front as a member of Company K, Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. With that command he was in active duty until June, 1865, when he was transferred to the Fifty-ninth Illinois Volunteers and sent to Texas, where he remained until December 8, 1865, when he returned to Springfield, Illinois, for final dis- charge. He participated in many important and sanguinary battles, including the engagements at Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Knoxville, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Pulaski and Franklin, Tennessee. In the battle of Resaca he was wounded in the right limb just above the knee, the bullet passing through the knee, but in three weeks' time he was again with his regi- mnent.
Following his return home Mr. Hickey began farming, and has since followed that occupation. Through earnest, unremitting toil, accompanied by economy, he was at length enabled to make purchase of land, and is now the owner of a val- uable traet of one hundred and sixty aeres on see- tions 12 and 13, Walnut township, valued at from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five dol- lars per acre. His possessions are now such as would enable him to spend his declining years in retirement from business. Following his return from the war he lived at Sandwich, Illinois, until 1868, when he removed to Serena, but afterward returned to Sandwich, where he lived for five years. Subsequently he spent seven years in Lee county, Illinois, and then took up his abode in Walnut township, where he has since resided.
It was on the 29th of August, 1868, that Mr. Hickey was married to Miss Hannah Nora Hunt, who was born January 28, 1818, and acquired her education in Ireland, her native country. Her parents were Terence and Margaret ( Morstan) Ilunt, who were hkewise natives of Ireland. The father was born in 1811 and died in 1851, while his wite, whose birth occurred in 1817, passed away June 30, 1882. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hickey have been born seven children, of whom four are yet living: Martin T., born May 28, 1869; Mary E., December 15, 1813: Caroline I., November 4, 1875, and Esther, March 6, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Hickey and their children are members of the Catholic church.
Mr. Hickey is a republican in his political views and stanchly advocates the principles of the party. although he has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. He belongs to Brewer post, No. 571, G. A. R., at Walnut, and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades with whom, wearing the blue uniform, he marched in defense of the stars and stripes. Many years of labor now enable him to enjoy an age of ease, and in the evening of life he can surround him- self with many of the comforts and luxuries which go to make life worth living.
MIR. AND MRS. P. H. HICKEY.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
JOIIN CONDON.
John Condon resides upon a farm in Manlius township, a portion of which he purchased in 1867. and while giving much of his attention to general agricultural pursuits, he has also been connected with building operations and has worked on a number of important buildings in the county.
John Condon was born June 13, 1829, in Ire- land, and came to America in 1838, when a youth of but nine years. In 1813, at the age of fourteen, he went to Syraense, New York, and entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the mason's trade, at which he worked in the Empire state until 1851. That year witnessed his arrival in Illinois, and he assisted in building the brick station and freight honse at Mendota. Subsequently he removed to Princeton, where he erected a number of the best buildings, including the American House and other important structures there. He lived in Princeton for some years, working at his trade, and evidences of his handiwork are seen in the residence of Justice Stevens and also in the poor-farm buildings of Henry county. He like- wise aided in building a number of the business blocks of Sheffield and of Buda, and thus he has worked at various places in the county, becoming well known in building circles. In 1867 he pur- chased eighty acres of his present home place, and has sinee extended the boundaries of the farm until he now has one hundred and twenty acres. Here he has worked at his trade also, erecting the Cath- olie church in Sheffield and other buildings in this part of the county. He is likewise a stockholder in the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company.
Mr. Condon was married in Syracuse, New York, in November, 1852, to Miss Bridget Flaher- ty, a native of Ireland, who was a maiden of nine summers when she crossed the Atlantie to the new world. They now have six living children : Wil- liam II., a farmer and mason of Sheffield; John J., who also follows farming; Edward V., pro- prietor of the Hotel Antlers at Taylorville, Illi- nois; Mary B., at home; Kate, the wife of Jaines Coggins; and Anna, the wife of Patrick Curren, an engineer on the Northwestern Railroad, who was fortunate enough to draw land in the Rose- bud reservation. As her husband could not go, Mrs. Curren secured a car from the railroad and went to Bonesteel, South Dakota, whence she tray- leed overland with the car on wheels and there lived for eight months with her five children, prov- ing up the claim. Prior to her marriage she en- gaged in teaching school. Mr. and Mrs. Condon have lost four children : Eugene, who died at the age of thirteen years; Frank, who died at the age ef twenty-nine; and two who died in infancy.
Mr. Condon supports the democracy and is an active worker for the party, while he and his fant- ily are communicants of the Catholic church at Sheffield. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey, and. reviewing the past, we note that he has ever been a busy, active man,
placing his dependence upon the safe and sub- stantial qualities of industry and perseverance in order to gain a good living and provide for his family. Whatever success he has achieved is the direct result of his own labors, and while he has never sought to figure prominently in public af- fairs, there has been much in his life that is worthy of emulation.
LOUIS II. WIMAN, A. B., M. D.
Dr. Louis II. Wiman, an able and prominent medical practitioner of Bureau county, living in the village of La Moille, was born in Yale, Illi- nois, April 19, 1871, his parents being George H. and Jane E. ( Power) Wiman, natives of Illinois and Ohio respectively. In their family were seven children, of whom Dr. Wiman is the second, and with the exception of the two youngest all are col- lege graduates.
The Doctor spent his early life in attendance at the common and high schools of La Moille, being graduated from the latter with the class of 1895. He afterward engaged in teaching school for one year and then entered Austin College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bach- elor of Arts in 1900. Ile again engaged in teach- ing during the succeeding year and subsequently matriculated as a member of the sophomore elass of the Medical College of Indiana in the fall of 1901. He was under the preceptorage of Dr. E. D. Clark, and he located for active practice in La Moille on the 6th of August, 1901.
On the 4th of August, 1904, Dr. Wiman was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Grogan, who was born in Crawford county, Illinois, September 20, 1879. This union has been blessed with one son, Louis IT., born June 5, 1905. Mrs. Wiman is a daughter of George W. and Elsie W. (Wilkin) Grogan, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of this state. Their family numbered three children, of whom Mrs. Wiman is the eldest. She pursued her early education in the public schools of Crawford county, Illinois, and is a graduate of Liebling's Conservatory of Music in Terre Haute, Indiana. She holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
In his political affiliation Dr. Wiman is a repub- lican, and while he never seeks or desires office, he always keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Masonie lodge at La Moille, and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Dr. Wiman, in the line of his profession, is connected with the Bureau County Medical Society and the State Medical Society. Conscientious and zealous in his practice. a man of energy at all times and strong in his friendships, he has made for himself a creditable position in professional circles and in publie regard in this county. A lover of music, a friend of education, he stands for all that pro-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
motes intellectual, aesthetic and moral culture, and is, in the truest and best sense of the term, a manly man.
ALLISON WILSON.
Allison Wilson, who, starting out in life on his own account, has worked his way steadily upward from a humble position to one of affluence, makes his home in Ohio township, where he owns a good farm of one hundred and eighty acres. His suc- cess in a business way would entitle him to repre- sentation in this volume, but he furthermore de- serves mention by reason of the fact that he is an honored veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, June 15, 1841, and has been-a resident of Bureau county since 1858, when he was brought to this locality by his grandfather. He is a son of William and Ruth ( Wilkinson ) Wilson, also natives of Belmont county. Ilis mother died in 1849, in that county, when he was very young, leaving four children, of whom Alli- son was the third in order of birth. The father's death occurred in Dover township, Bureau county, Illinois, in 1879.
Brought to Bureau county when only seventeen years of age, Allison Wilson acquired his educa- tion in the common schools and in his youth be- came familiar with farm labor. Hle put aside all personal and business considerations, however, at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, enlist- ing at Dover in response to the country's call as a member of Company B, Ninety-third Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry. He served for nearly three years with the Fifteenth Army Corps and participated in many important engagements, including the battles of Champion Hills, Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, Altoona Pass and others. He was twice wounded and was honorably discharged on account of his injuries after five months spent in a los- pital. He carried a minie-ball weighing an ounce in his body for five years, three months and four- teen days. He had many narrow escapes while serving his country and met the usual experiences and hardships meted out to the soldier.
It was not long after his return that Mr. Wilson was married, ou the 7th of January, 1866, to Miss Maria Ary, who was born in this county, Deeem- ber 31, 1847, the daughter of Tobias and Sarah (Ogan) Ary, who were natives of Greene county, Ohio. In that state they were married and in 1846 came to Bureau county. They had but two chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Wilson, who was born De- cember 31, 1847, is the elder. She, too, is in- debted to the public-school system of this county for the educational privileges she enjoyed, and by her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Linconie, who was born April 8, 1868; and Herbert E., born February 3, 1875. Mrs. Wilson belongs to the Methodist Protestant church, and Mr. Wilson is orthodox in his belief although not a member of any church. His political allegi-
ance is given to the republican party and he has always stood as a loyal defender of that party, which was the champion of the Union cause in the dark days of the Civil war.
Throughout his business career he has carried on general farming and is the owner of one hun- dred and eighty acres of choice land, valued at from one hundred and fifty to two hundred dol- lars per acre. His farm lies near the village of Ohio and his fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation, responding readily to the care and labor bestowed upon them. Mr. Wilson has watched with interest the changes that have been made in the methods of farming and has kept abreast with the general progress and improve- ment. For eleven yearse he served as school di- rector and has done much to further public edu- cation in his home locality. He and his wife now occupy a beautiful residence and they enjoy the esteem of all who know them, being numbered among Bureau county's best citizens. Mr. Wil- son's residence here covers a period of almost sixty years and thus his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progres- sive present, for he recalls many scenes of pioneer life and the experiences incident to the develop- ment of a new farm upon the frontier.
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