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 53
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
where he participated in the grand review, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen in the western hemisphere. He was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 2, 1865.
Returning to Buda, Mr. Ford again worked for the railroad company until 18:1, when his bank account had sufficiently increased to justify his purchase of one hundred and twenty acres of land. He then became the owner of his present farm in Manlius township, and has since engaged in gen- eral agricultural pursuits, ably performing the various duties connected with the capable manage- ment of a farm property along modern lines, using the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and keeping everything about his place in a state of good repair.
Mr. Ford is much respected in the community, and for thirty-five years he has been school director in his district, while for two years he was path- master. In politics he is a democrat, and the fam- ily are communicants of St. Patrick's Catholic church at Sheffield.
On the 15th of September. 1868, Mr. Ford was married to Miss Margaret Henneman, of Wyanet, who is also a native of Ireland, and they now have cleven living children : Mary Emma, the wife of John Brady, of Kewanee, Illinois; Margaret, a milliner of Sheffield; Patrick M .. a carpenter ; Ed- ward J. and Francis, who follow farming; Alice. at home; Agnes, who is living in Concord town- ship ; Katherine, who is attending business college ai Moline, Illinois; Jennie, a school teacher; In- geline, who is attending school at Sheffield; and William, at home.
Such is the life record of Timothy Ford, who. with sound judgment, recognized the superior ad- vantages of the new world and came to America to enjoy the broader opportunities here. Nor has he been disappointed in his hope of bettering his financial condition, for, empty-handed at the time of his arrival, he is now in possession of a comfort- able competence.
JAMES H. CLARK.
James II. Clark, who as a business man has been conspicuous among his associates not only for his success but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods, is now living in Buda. He has been for many years associated with financial and agricul- tural interests, his life being one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due reeogni- tion of labor. Today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of Bureau county and is in possession of a handsome competence that enables him to rest from further business cares. His in- terests are thoroughly identified with those of the community in which he resides, and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and co-operation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.
A native of Pennsylvania, he was born on the 19th of March, 1812, near Umomtown, Fayette county, a son of John M. and Jane ( Ilankins) Clark. His father being a farmer, he was reared amid rural scenes, becoming familiar with the duties of an agriculturist and acquiring his educa- tion in the common schools near his home. En- tering upon an independent business career at the age of twenty years, he operated a farm on shares which belonged to his uncle, and during that time succeeded in saving a small amount. He first came to Buda in March, 1861, and for five years thereafter was employed on a farm. He then re- turned to Pennsylvania, where he again operated a farm on shares for three years, on the expiration of which period he located at Lombardville, in Stark county, Illinois. There he conducted a grain business for three years in the employ of C. C. Warren & Company, after which he went to Dorchester, Saline county, Nebraska, where he followed the grain business on his own account from 18:8 until 1890. He prospered in that undertaking and also became interested in banking as one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Dorchester, of which he was a prominent stockholder and director. He was elected its first president and re-elected seven consecutive torms, at the end of which time the bank went into volun- tary liquidation. The Citizens' Bank of Dorches- ter having gone into voluntary liquidation at the same time, the Dorchester State Bank was at once organized, composed of the stockholders of the two former banks, and Mr. Clark was elected its president, serving in that office for fifteen terms, making twenty-two years in all to the present time, a period of continued service as bank president not often exceeded. Mr. Clark has also served four years as village trustee and at present is serving his second year as president of the village board of trustees.
On the 14th of April, 1872. Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Celia Maria Chase, a daughter of Colonel Charles and Celia B. ( Pitts) Chase and a native of Fairfield, Somerset county. Maine, born February 6, 1839. She is descended from early New England families. Representa- tives of the name went from France to England at an early day and during the stormy years that followed the accession of the house of Stuart they came to this country soon after the landing of the Pilgrims. Several members of her grandfather's family served in the Revolutionary war and two were in the battle of Bunker Hill and were not heard from afterward. Later --- in 1>21-two of her ancestors were appointed escorts of Lafayette on his visit to America and subsequently they vis- ited France. A cousin of her mother had the con- tract for the building of the Bunker Hill monu- ment.
Her father, Colonel Chase, was a master luin- berman and for twenty-eight years each spring brought rafts of lumber down the river. He was
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
also a member of the state legislature and served with the rank of colonel in the state militia. At the beginning of the Mexican war he was offered a commission as colonel by the war department at Washington but declined to enter service on account of business interests. Twin brothers of her mother, John A. and Hiram A. Pitts, were inventors and manufacturers of the Pitts thresh- ing machine with establishments at Buffalo and Chicago. .
Mrs. Clark lived in Maine until about thirteen years of age and then accompanied her parents on their removal to Illinois in 1852, the family home being established near Buda, in which vicinity she has since resided. They traveled by the slow boats of the lakes and rivers. Leaving the Illinois river at the point nearest their destination, they proceeded by team to Buda, which was then a col- lection of a few farm houses scattered along the state road. Ou the farm, bearing the many bur- dens that usually fall to the only daughter and sister, caring tenderly for her parents in their old age and never leaving them until they were laid to rest, she lived for many years. As stated, she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Clark April 17, 1822, and some years afterward they came to the village of Buda, where she lived an exemplary life, devoted to her home and family. One who knew her well said: "She was unselfish in a marked de- gree; would deny herself comforts and pleasures that others might be benefited. She was in touch with nature. She dearly loved the birds, the trees, the flowers; all nature had charms for her. Her first years were spent on the banks of the Kenne- bee river and the beauty of her surroundings lin- gered with her all her life, an inspiration. She was a true friend, a faithful, loving wife, and a de- voted mother." She was a woman of unusual intelligence, having clearly defined opinions on all questions of the day. She held her opinions gra- ciously and was generous of her knowledge to those who would learn. On the greatest of all themes, that which relates to our highest and holiest duties. she held definite views. In her life she endeavored to follow God's precepts, and she re- joiced in the progress of ITis kingdom. To live in the past as well as the present. to live in the whole world and watch its progress and rejoice in it, this was characteristic of Mrs. Clark. Tinie sometimes adjusts a balance, as it were. for those whose life has been a ministry of care for others, and so for her there came later the comforts of luxury as far as she cared for them, and the joy of love of husband and son and family in her last years. She died July 1, 1906, aged sixty-seven years, four months and twenty-five days.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark was born but one child. Walter C., whose birth occurred February 25, 1878. He married Jessie Goodell and is now living in Buda. Mr. Clark was reared in the faith of the democracy but has always been a stanch republican since casting his first presidential bal-
lot for General Grant in 1868. He has been with- out aspiration for the honors or emoluments of public office. Fraternally he is connected with Doric lodge, No. 118, A. F. & A. M., and also be- came a member of the chapter at Crete, Nebraska. His life in its various business connections and phases has always manifested certain characteris- ties, among which are indefatigable energy and the successful accomplishment of whatever he has undertaken. In all of his dealings he has been strictly fair and trustworthy and in his social and fraternal relations with his fellowmen has dis- played those sterling traits which win warm friendship.
CHARLES O. WHITE.
Charles O. White, of Princeton, secretary and general manager of the Bureau County Indepen- dent Telephone Company, of which he was also one of the incorporators in 1899, was born in La Moille township, May 5, 1859, a son of Oziel and Minerva ( Hammer) White. The father was a native of Warren county, New Jersey, and came to Bureau county in 1850, spending most of his subsequent life upon a farm within its borders. He died November 18, 1881. His wife, who was born in Indiana, May 2, 1:31, is a daughter of the late George Hammer, an early settler of Bil- rean county, and is now making her home in Princeton.
Charles O. White supplemented his early edu- cation, acquired in the district schools, by study in the academy at Dover, Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1879. His father being in poor health it largely fell to his lot to manage and oper- ate the home farin and from an early age he was familiar with the work of field and meadow. He taught two winter terms of school in his home neighborhood but otherwise gave his entire at- tention to agricultural pursuits from early man- hood, carrying on the tilling of the soil and also raising stock. His business interests were care- fully conducted and he met the success which al- ways crowns earnest labor. In 1899 he was one of the three incorporators of the Bureau County Independent Telephone Company, of which he was chosen general manager, while later he was elected secretary. He now holds both offices and gives his entire time and attention to the business, which under his guidance has made substantial growth and become an enterprise of vast importance in the business life of the county. Since becoming ac- tively interested in the telephone business he has sold his farm in La Moille township but still owns a farm in Missouri and some land in South Da- kota. He also owns residence property in Prince- ton, where he has made his home since March, 1900. He has been one of the principal pro- moters of the telephone company and in extending its scope has shown good management and execu- tive skill.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
On the 18th of January, 1883, Mr. White was married to Miss Ella Taylor, a daughter of Matthew and Catharine Taylor, of Dover, Illi- nois. Their children are Irma Belle, born January 24, 1884; Margaret Faith, June 19, 1890; and William Douglas, May 12, 1900.
While interested in public affairs Mr. White has had no aspiration for public office, content to do his publie service as a private citizen through co- operation in the movements which directly benefit the community. He has always been a republican in his political faith but does not consider himself bound by party ties. He is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen camp and the Fraternal Reserve Life Association and he also belongs to the Meth- odist Episcopal church of Princeton.
JOHN KANE.
John Kane, whose farm of one hundred and eighty aeres in Manlius township is the visible evidence of his life of labor and unremitting dili- gence, was born in Ireland, November 12, 1840, and after spending the first twelve years of his life on the Emerald isle came with his parents to America, the family home being established at Buda in 1852. There he acquired much of his education through attendance at the public schools, after which he was employed for a time as a farm hand and later he engaged in farming on his own account on rented land. He rented a farm with his father and thereon remained until 1821, when in October of that year he purchased eighty acres of land in Manlius township. To this he has added from time to time until he now has one hundred and eighty acres in the home place, all of which is well improved. There are good build- ings on the place, together with modern machinery, and the entire farm presents an excellent appear- ance, a glance being sufficient to indicate to the passer-by the enterprise and energy of the owner. He also raises standard bred horses, cattle and hogs.
On the 25th of October, 1871-the year in which he purchased his farm- Mr. Kane further completed his arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Mary Cole, a daughter of James Cole, a farmer. They began their domestic life at their present place of resi- dence, and as the years have gone by eleven chil- dren have been born unto them: Richard, who is deputy sheriff of Valley county, Montana : James, an agriculturist; Kate and Allie, both at home; Joseph and George, who follow farming; John and Edward, twins; Nellie; Jennie, attending school in Sheffield; and Mary, the wife of Daniel Hag- gerty, a fariner of Iowa. The family are com- municants of St. Patrick's Catholic church at Sheffield, and MEr. Kane is a democrat who for the past twenty years has served as school director.
Such is the history of a self-made man, who ha. worked earnestly and persistently to secure a good property and has succeeded in his undertakings.
ARTHUR C. HUPP.
Among the well known, alert and energetic busi- ness men of Westfield township is numbered Ar- thir C. Hupp, cashier of the Arlington State Bank. He was born in La Salle county, Illinois, December 11, 1814, and is a son of G. C. and Mary J. (Callaghan) Iupp. The father was also a native of La Salle county, while his grandfather, a resident of Pennsylvania, settled there in 1836. After the outbreak of the Civil war G. C. Hupp, responding to the country's call for aid, enlisted as a member of Company K, Eighth Illinois Cav- alry. He became first lieutenant and with his regiment was attached to the Army of the Po- tomac. He participated in many important and decisive battles, including the engagements at Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and Shiloh and made a splendid military record, characterized by valor and meritorions conduct on the field of battle. His mother was a native of Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, and her parents were natives of Ireland, arriving in the United States in 1838.
Arthur C. Hupp spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity and is indebted to its public-school system for the edu- cational privileges he enjoyed. Coming to Bureau county in April, 1902, in search of a favorable business opening, he established a private bank in Arlington and in the following October it was converted into a state bank with the following ofli- cers: Peter J. Cassidy, president : Mrs. Anna N. Kendall, vice-president; and Arthur C. Hupp, cashier. From the beginning Mr. Hupp has been the active manager of the institution and its sue- cess is due to his capable control and markel business ability.
ALFRED NORRIS.
Alfred Norris is one of the extensive landowners of Bureau county, whose holdings comprise eight hundred acres, all of which lie on seetion 31, Clarion township, and the east half of the east half of section 36, La Moille township. A man of excellent business ability and keen discerment, he carefully manages his invested interests. and Pleasant Fields -- the name of his estate-is one of the finest country properties in Bureau county.
Mr. Norris was born on the 20th of March, 1863, in the township which is still his home, his parents being William and Mary ( Mans) Norris, the former a native of Belmont county, Ohio, where he was born May 20, 1835. He was a son of Luther and Pleasant ( Hogy) Norris, the for-
A. C. HUPP.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
mer being born in Frederick county, Maryland, February 1, 1293, and died in Bureau county, Ilinois, on March 20, 1869. Pleasant Hoge was born in Belmont county, Ohio, June 9, 1:96, and died in the same county, on April 11, 1833. Luther Norris' parents, William and Mary ( Hayes) Nor- ris, were natives of Frederick county, Maryland, emigrating from there to Belmont county, Ohio, in 1808.
William Norris, the father of our subject, drove a team of horses from Befruont county, Ohio, to La Moille, Illinois, in the fall of 1816, and the next year bought the quarter section where his son Alfred now lives. In 1852 he drove a yoke of oven to Sacramento, California, where he mmed with poor success for one year. Returning to Bu- rean county, he devoted the rest of his life to agri- cultural pursuits and stock-raising, and at one time owned the best herd of shorthorn cattle in the county. Having a thorough knowledge of the productive value of Hllinois land, he added to his original one hundred and sixty acres until, at the time of his death, July 1, 1891, he owned two sections of land, lying in Clarion, La Moille and Westfield townships. In the fifty years of his resi- dence on this farm he made great improvements in the way of buildings and the planting of trees, until his was one of the most attractive places in the neighborhood. In August, 1853, he was mar- ried to Mary Maus, who came to La Moille in 1852. They were the parents of six children, of whom Lundy and Elmer both died in infancy ; Pleasant, born May 2, 1856, died June 20, 1821; William L., born April 20, 1859, died May 23, 1895; Alfred, our subject, born March 20, 1863, as above stated ; and Isaac HI., born July 4, 1866, and is now a resident of Yorkville, South Carolina.
Mary Norris, the mother, died January 1, 1829. She was born in Quakertown, Bucks county, Pen- sylvania, April 19, 1828. Her parents, William and Ann (Rawlings) Maus, were natives of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, the former being born there in 1:86 and dying in the same county in 1866. Frederick Maus, father of William Maus, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1150 and was a revolutionary soldier, participating in the battles of Germantown, Pennsylvania, and Tren- ton, New Jersey, and died in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1833.
Alfred Norris is indebted to the public-school system of Bureau county for the early educational privileges he enjoyed and completed his studies at the Princeton high school. Throughout his entire business carcer he has been identified with general agricultural pursuits, and his home is very appropriately named "Pleasant Fields." It is a tract of rolling prairie, splendidly located, and a most pleasing picture of rich and abundant har- vests. There are fine buildings upon the farm, commodious, substantial and well painte.l, and are all equipped with the latest improved modern
improvements connected with the purpurs for which they were designed.
On October 8, 1898 Mr. Norris was married to Miss Grace L. Clark, whose birth occurred in Dover township, this county, April 18, 1863. The history of her parents is given in connection with the sketch of S. P. Clark on another page of this work.
Since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise, Mr. Norris has given his political allegiance to the republican party and is in thorough sym- pathy with its principles. He is orthodox in his religious faith but is not a member of any church. His wife, however, belongs to the Congregational church. He is a man of broad experience and of wide general culture, who has traveled extensively, gaining the knowledge which is acquired only in that way. He has visited every state and territory in the Union, spending about three years in travel, and is thoroughly familiar with the many places of historic and scenic interest in this country. He and his wife live and enjoy life to its fullest extent, being abundamly able to gratify their de- sires in the way of travel, and they are, moreover, held in the highest esteem for their attractive social qualities and for their genuine appreciation of all that is truest and best in life.
ANDREW OLOFFSON.
Andrew Oloffson, deceased, was numbered among the residents of Swedish birth who were a most important factor in reclaiming ail improv- ing Manlius township, converting it into one of the richest agricultural districts of this part of the state. All who knew him respected him by reason of what he accomplished and the methods which he followed in an active business career. He was born in Sweden, September 23, 1831, a son of Olof Johnson. Upon the home farm he was reared and in the common schools was edu- cated. When a young man of twenty-two years he resolved to try his fortune in the new world, reaching Princeton on the Sth of June, 1854. From that time until his death he resided confina- ously in Bureau county save for the period of the year 1867 which he spent in Jowa. In the spring of 1869 he removed to what is now the old home- stead farm of three hundred and forty acres on section 25, Manlins township. Throughout his entire life he carried on agricultural pursuits and year after year engaged in the tilling of the soil with the result that his labors were followed by good erops and he was thus enabled to add aunu- ally to his incomo.
On the 26th of August, 1866, Mr. Oloffson was married to Rachel ( Hosier) Clary, who was born in Indiana in 1836. Her first husband. a native of Ohio, died in Indianapolis. Indiana, in 1863, being at that time a member of Company G of the Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry. He left two chil-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
dren : John Clary, who was born June 12, 1858, and was married September 13, 1852, to Ella J. Scott, a native of Bureau county, their home being now in Whiteside county; and Sylvester ML., who was born April 19, 1862, and is a farmer of Bureau township. On the 10th of February, 1886, he wedded Miss Mary E. Garman, who died Au- gust 10, 1896, and he was married November 9, 1898, to Miss Emma Bearfoot, of Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oloffson were born four children. Francis A. was married, October 30, 1889, to Miss Ida Lattey, of Bureau town- ship. Minnie A. was married October 20, 1892, to Edward C. Olson, a resident farmer of Manlius township. William A. is following farming in Manlius township upon the old homestead. Ora .J. Garfield is yet at home.
Mr. Oloffson was a member of the United Breth- ren church and his influence was ever given on the side of right, progress and improvement. IFe voted with the republican party and in all matters of cit- izenship he was loyal and faithful, having a deep attachment for his adopted country. He served his community as school director and was consid- ered a good man, worthy the respect of all who knew him. As the years passed by he won success as the reward of his earnest and indefatigable la- bor and thus when he was called from this life on the 24th of September, 1902, he was enabled to leave his family in comfortable financial circum- stances. Mrs. Oloffson still remains upon the old homestead in Manlius township, where she has about one hundred acres of land.
BENJAMIN F. METCALF.
Benjamin F. Metealf, engaged in farming and stock-raising in La Moille, his native township, began his life record here on the 22d of April, 1866. He is a representative of one of the old New England families. His father, Frederick C. Metealf, was born in Williamstown, Vermont, No- vember 14, 1822, and during the pioneer epoch in the history of Bureau county came to Illinois, where he has resided continuously since the year 1839. He married Sarah Ann Hubbard, a native of Pennsylvania, and for many years they traveled life's journey together but were separated by the death of the wife on the 26th of December, 1905. Mrs. Metcalf was then seventy-eight years of age, her birth having occurred on the 20th of June, 1822, while Mr. Metcalf has attained the very ven- erable age of eighty-four years. They were mar- ried in Pennsylvania, June 10, 1855, and became the parents of six children : Sahara N., Rodolpho, Harriett, Benjamin F., Buena Vista and Maebell. Of this number Harriett and Maebell are deceased.
Benjamin F. Metcalf, whose name introduees this record, entered the public schools at the usual age and completed his education in Dixon ( Illi- nois) Business College. He was reared to farm
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