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 55
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
July 14, 1887; Sarah A., October 22, 1890; and Carrie, February 5, 1895.
The political support of Mr. Bass is given to the republican party and he has been called to local office, serving now for the third year as road commissioner of his township, while for six years he has been a school director. Ilis mem- bership with the Baptist church covers thirty- four years and the family are also communi- cants thereof. Ilis entire life, covering a half century, has been passed in Berlin township and in the years of his manhood he has so directed his business affairs that success has resulted and his record proves the value of integrity, enterprise and perseverance as factors in prosperity.
WINFRED K. TRIMBLE.
Winfred Kenneth Trimble, engaged in the practice of law at the bar of Bureau county, Illinois, was born in Princeton, July 25, 1867. His parents were Harvey Marion and Margaret (Dakin) Trimble, whose records are detailed else- where in this volume.
Winfred K. Trimble entered the public schools of Princeton at the usual age and continued his studies until graduated from the Princeton high school in the class of 1885. He immediately entered the employ of J. W. Templeton, as clerk in the postoffice in Princeton, which position he resigned in the spring of 1886 to engage in the real estate business in Omaha, Nebraska, where he remained two years, leaving there at the ces- sation of the real estate boom to accept the offer of employment with Wemott, Howard & Company, of St. Paul, Minnesota. While at home on a vacation in 1889 he assisted J. W. Bailey. then supervisor of census, as the result of which service he was asked to come to Wash- ington, D. C., and accept a position in the cen- sus office under Robert P. Porter, then superin- tendent of census, which offer he accepted, as it afforded him the opportunity he had long desired. to attend the Columbian (now the George Wash- ington) University to fit himself for the practice of law. He occupied his position in the census office (a part of the interior department of the government) for nearly three years, during which time he pursued his studies at the Columbian University law school, from which he graduated in the spring of 1892, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
In September, 1892, he resigned his position with the census office and settled in Braidentown, Manatee county. Florida, in which stato he was immediately admitted to the bar and bogan the practice of law. and where he remained until the fall of 1808, when he returned to Princeton to accept the appointment of deputy county clerk. which position he filled for two years. He was manager of the Jasper County ( Missouri) .1h-
stract Company and receiver of the International Zine Company, at Joplin, Missouri, in 1901. After the affairs of both of the> > companies had been closed he returned to Princeton to accept the appointment of master in chaneery of Bureau county, which position he held for four years. In addition to his individual law practice he is now assisting his father, Judge Il. M. Trimble, as receiver of the Spring Valley National Bank, of Spring Valley, Illinois.
Mr. Trimble has always been a pronounced advocate of the principles of the republican party and has always stood ready to perform his share of the work to promote the success of the party.
He was married May 23, 1891, to Clara Me- Neill Stoody, a native of New Philadelphia, Tus- carawas county, Ohio. While they resided in Florida they had two children born to them, Winfred Edward, born March 11, 1895; and an infant son, born April 2, 1892, who died os. May 6, 1897. Since removing to Illinois, a daughter, Clara Elizabeth, was born to them on October 19, 1905.
Mr. Trimble is a member of the Elks lodge of Joplin, Missouri, and a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, the Masonic blue lodge, the chapter of the council of Princeton, Illinois, and of Oriental Consistory and Medinale Temple of the Mystie Shrine, of Chicago, Illinois.
JAMES E. STOTHARD.
James E. Stothard, engaged in farming and stock raising in Clarion township, was born in Michigan, November 20. 1863. His parents were James E. and Mary E. ( Headland) Stothar 1, who were natives of England and came to America at an early age. settling in Michigan. In their family were twelve chillren. Their son, James E. Stothard, the fourth in order of hirth, was. like the other members of the household, elueated in the common schools of Bureau county. He was early trained to farm la' or and instrueted in the value of industry, frugality and diligence as fac- tors in the acquirement of success. Throughout his entire life he has carried on general agr !- cultural pursuits and he now has charge of fifty aeres of land, owning the stock thereon. He is well known as a stock reiser and one whose opinion is seldom at fault in l'e valuation of fun ani- mals. Possessing energy and unfaltering deter- mination, he carries forward to successful comple- tion whatever he undertakes and has thus gained a good living for himself and family as the years have pissed by.
It was on the 12th of September. 1824. in La Moille. that Mr. Stofhard was married to Miss Leah D. Dougherty, who was born in Ohio, May 2. 1866. By this marvinge there are twwel ildren : Dale F., born February 13, 1993; and Chester N.,
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
born August 28, 1904. Mrs. Stothard is a daugh- ter of John J. and Martha T. (Norman) Dough- erty and a native of Coshocton county, Ohio. She became a resident of Ilinois in 1828, when her parents removed to this state, bringing with them their four children, of whom Mrs. Stothard was the eldest.
Interested in the political questions which af- fect the welfare of community, state and nation, Mr. Stothard gives his support to the republican party, the principles of which he has advocated since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise. He is a man of genial, pleasant disposi- tion and kindly spirit, recognizing the rights of others and never taking advantage of the neces- sities of his fellowmen in any business transaction. He works for the best interests of the community at large. while at the same time laboring for his individual success in business affairs and during his residence in this county he has eagerly availed himself of the opportunities which may always be secured by those who desire a prosperous business life and have the will to dare and to do.
JOSEPH HENRY EICKMEIER.
Joseph Henry Eickmeier, now identified with farming interests in Bureau township, was born in the city of Princeton, December 31, 1859. His parents, Joseph and Ricke Eickmeier, were both natives of Ilolland and came to the United States in the '50s, locating first in St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained for about two years. On the expiration of that period they came to Prince- ton, where Mr. Eiekmeier worked at the carpen- ter's trade for some time, being identified with the early building operations in that city. He was afterward engaged in the milling business and later he turned his attention to farming, which he carried on a short distance south of Princeton. For the past thirty years, however. he has not been actively engaged in business and at the present writing makes his home in Kansas with one of his daughters. Ile has attained the age of eighty-one years and is now in quite feeble health. His wife died of consumption in April. 1875.
Joseph Henry Eickmeier acquired his educa- tion in the old Holiday school in Dover township, where he mastered the branches of learning usu- ally taught in such institutions. In his youth he also performed various labors such as devolve upon the farmer lad and he assisted his father to the age of twenty-five years, when he was mar- ried to Miss Laura V. Stiles, who was born May 4. 1868, in Bureau township. upon the farm where they are now living. She is a daughter of Alvah and Elvira ( Darin) Stiles. Her father. who was born in Greene county, Ohio, February 23, 1831, died in Princeton, October 13, 1900, at the age of sixty-nine years, seven months and
twenty days. He was married in 1853 to Miss Elvira Darin, and came to Bureau county in 1855, at which time he took up his abode on a farm north of Princeton and there resided until 1893. He then removed to the county scat, where he lived until his death. His widow survived him for more than five years and passed away on the 16th of January, 1906. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fickmeier has been blessed with eight chil- dren, namely: Milton, Alvah, Georgie, Elvira, Marion, Lester, Laura and Lillian.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Eickmeier be- gan farming on his own account and has since carried on general agricultural pursuits with the result that he is today one of the prosperous farmers of his community, owning two hundred and eighty-six acres of good land which is very rich and arable, returning excellent harvests for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. Ile is largely engaged in the cultivation of corn and oats and he also raises considerable stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs.
Hle and his family are members of the Wes- Jeyan Methodist church of Bureau township and are interested in its work and growth. Mr. Eick- meier has spent much of his life in his native county, but in 1885 he went with his family to Nebraska, where he engaged in farming for six- teen years. Five years ago he returned to this county and in 1905 he purchased the Stiles farm. which he has since been operating. Ilis life has been one of unremitting diligence and persever- ance and he has brooked no obstacles that he could overcome by determined and earnest effort. Realizing that labor is the basis of all success, he has by his close application to his business made steady progress and is now a leading agriculturist of Bureau township.
HERMAN H. KROOSS.
Herman H. Krooss, a public-spirited citizen and one whose business interests have contributed to the agricultural development and progress of the community as well as to his individual success, now resides in La Moille township, where he is en- gaged in raising stock and in operating a large clay bed. He was born in La Salle county, Illi- nois. August 21, 1820, and the following year was brought to Bureau county by his parents, IJenry and Sophia (Wiegman) Krooss, who were natives of Germany and came to America in 1866. Four children were born of this union, of whom Herman HI. is the youngest. Educated in the public schools of La Moille township, after putting aside his text-books he began farming and also manufacturing brick and tile and is a lead- ing representative of the agricultural and indus- trial interests of this part of the county. He now owns a tract of one hundred and twenty-five aeres adjacent to the village of La Moille and
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MR. AND MRS. J. H. EICKMEIER.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
constituting a very valuable place. He raisss and feeds stock, using all of the products of his fields in this way. He owns the old homestead property which he occupies and there is a large deposit of clay, suitable for the manufacture of brick and tile, upon this farm. There is also a large factory for converting the elay into the finished product and the plant is now in full operation. Mr. Krooss is a very enterprising, wide-awake and active business man and owes his success entirely to his own etforts. He possesses superior business ability and executive force and brooks no obstacles that may be overcome by de- termined and honorable effort. lle is now care- fully supervising his farming and manufacturing interests until they bring him a handsome in- come and as the years pass his success will un- doubtedly be largely increased.
Mr. Krooss is a member of the Modern Wood- inen camp, No. 227, and in his political views is an earnest republican. He holds membership in the Congregational church and his life is devoted to much that is elevating and helpful in the de- velopment of honorable character. In manner he is genial, kindly and approachable, according to all the courtesy of an interview, and in relation to the general welfare he is regarded as a public- spirited and valuable citizen, whose efforts have been effective for the promotion of the general good, his labors being at all times of a practical as well as progressive nature.
T. CLARK HAYS.
Among the residents of Wyanet to whom has been vouchsafed an honorable retirement from business cares and labors, is numbered T. Clark Hays, who in foriner years was an active factor in commercial circles. He was born July 5, 1836, in Clinton county, Ohio, his parents being Elijah and Rachel (Thatcher) Hays. The father came with his family to Bureau county from Clinton county, Ohio, in 1843, and took up his abode in Wyanet township, where he followed farm- ing and made his home until his death, which occurred in 1871.
T. Clark Hays was reared in Bureau county and was educated in the common schools, while for one year he was a student in the James H. Sinith seleet school in Princeton, and later in Abingdon (Illinois) College. He engaged in teaching for several years in his early manhood -- from 1856 until 1867-and received his first certificate from Aaron B. Church, school com- missioner.
Mr. Hays is a man of parts. He does his own thinking and looks at life from a philosophical standpoint. He is not an extreme optimist nor is he in any sense a pessimist, but his logical mind enables him to pilot his lifeboat between the elation of the former and the depression
of the latter, a condition that is very soontial to the prosperity and happiness of commonit's and individuals. His mind is well store with useful knowledge, acjuned both from reading and observation, and his plain and unassuming ways make him a most desirable and useful citizen.
ANDREW C. SWANSON.
Andrew C. Swanson, whose homestead property comprises ciglity-tive acres of rich land in Manlins township and who has financial holdings in busi- ness interests in the village of Manlius, was born in Odeshog, Linkoping, Sweden, November 24; 1812. His parents, Swan and Hannah (Johnson) Anderson, were also natives of Sweden and there spent their entire lives as farming people. Their son Andrew, reared and educated in his native country, came to America in 1869 when twenty- one years of age, hoping to improve his financial condition by enjoying the broader business oppor- tunities that he had heard were afforded in the new world. He did not tarry in the east but came at once to the middle west, seltling first in Prince- ton, after which he went to Tiski!wa. For two years he was employed at farm labor by Hart Mor- ris and then, desiring that his work should more directly benefit himself, he began renting farms and thus tilled the soil for six years. On the ex- piration of that period he took up his abode in Manlius township and purchased eighty-five acres, constituting his present homestead property. This is now well improved. A few years ago, however, he was unfortunate in having all of his buildings, fences and other improvements upon his place de- stroyed in a cyclone, entailing a severe loss. He has, however, rebuilt and now has modern and substantial structures upon his place, indicative of the progressive spirit of the owner. He is wide- awake, energetic and enterprising in all that he does and he has become a stockholder in the Man- lius Elevator & Coal Company and also in the First State Bank of Manlius. When we consider that he came to this country empty-handed, having little more than would pay his passage to the new world, his success seems indeed remarkable and his example, characterized by industry and integ- rity, may well be followed by others who desire to enter upon a successful and honorable business career.
Mr. Swanson was married December 24, 1871, to Miss Emily J. Anderson, who was born in Swe- den, July 9. 1845, and is a daughter of Gus and Hannah Anderson, farming people of that country. They now have six children: Anna Maria, who was born September 22, 1822, and fol- lows dresstraking in Joliet and Lockport, Illinois; Ada Josephine, who was born October 11, 18:4, and is the wife of George W. Dahl, a resident farmer of Greenville township: Emma Matilda, who was born December 14, 18;6, and is the wife
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BERENE COUNTY.
of Herman Draper, who likewise follows farming in Greenville township; Frank Alfred, who was born August 19, 1819, and married Edith John- son, a daughter of Christian D. Johnson, and for the past two years has successfully engaged in farming on the Greenville place of one hundred and eighty-two acres; Jennie Amanda, who was born December 2, 1882, and is now the wife of Le Roy Banton, a machinist of Sterling. Ilinois; and Clarence Edward, who was born May 11, 1886, and is at home, engaged in farming for himself.
Mr. Swanson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party. In his business life he has recognized obstacles as well as possibilities and has overcome the former by determined effort, while improving the latter through his energy and industry. In all of his work he has been practical and during the years of his residence in Bureau county has arisen from a humble financial position to one of afflu- ence.
DAVID H. LAW.
David HI. Law is one of the pioneer residents of Bureau county, having been brought to Illinois by his parents in early boyhood. He has thus for a long period been a witness of the changes which have been wrought here as the work of civilization and improvement has been carried forward and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. He can recall the days when many of the homes were log cabins, when much of the land was uneulti- vated and when one could ride for miles without coming to a fence or other sign of habitation to impede his progress.
His birth occurred in Windham county, Con- neetient, November 9, 1835, and he was educated in the private schools and in the Plainfield high school of that state. His parents were William A. and Polly (Henry) Law, who were also natives of Windham county, Connecticut, the former born December 21, 1810, and the latter December 29, 1813. They were married September 8, 1834. Mr. Law, who was a carpenter by trade, continued to follow that pursuit in Connecticut until Sep- tember, 1851, when he came to Illinois with his wife and three children. They journeyed from Connecticut to Worcester, Massachusetts, thence by rail to Buffalo, New York, and by steamer to Detroit, Michigan, whence they crossed that state by rail to St. Joseph, Michigan, where they em- barked on a steamer for Chicago. They then pro- ceeded down the Illinois and Michigan canal to La Salle and across the country by team to Indian- town, which is now Tiskilwa, stopping for dinner at the old Prairie House at Princeton. They re- mained at Indiantown for about three or four months after which they removed to Freuch Greve, now the town of Buda. Mr. Law began farming and
on the 1st of April. 1856, he raised his house on section 3, Macon township, where he had one hun- dred and sixty acres of wild prairie land. lle split rails for fencing and in those early days shared in all of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer lite. He never cared for public office yet kept well informed on questions and issues of the day. He preferred to give his time and energies to Ins business affairs, following farming and building, and his handiwork can yet be seen in the Blueville mill in Windham county, Connecticut. In addition to the tilling of the soil he built vari- ous bridges. He belonged to the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows and was in hearty sympathy with the basic elements of that fraternity. He was also a consistent member of the Freewill Baptist church, and both he and his wife sang in the church choir at Chestnut Hill for a long peroid. Ilis political allegiance was given to the democ- racy. He died in Bureau county, September 1, 1860, and was long survived by his widow, who passed away December 5, 1900. In their family were six children : David Il .; Helen M., who was born March 9, 1838, and is the widow of Harrison Bray and a resident of Chicago; Alfred N., of Putnam, Connecticut, who was born September 7, 1810: Adeline T., who was born March 21, 1852, and died in infancy ; and Dallas 1., who was born November 26, 1856, and is living in Buda.
David HI. Law was a youth of about sixteen years when he accompanied his parents on the long trip by water to Illinois. Hle shared with the family in the hardships and privations of pioneer life and as the years passed by he aided more and more largely in the work of the fields as his age and strength permitted. He has seen this county transformed from wild prairie into finely im- proved farms and witnessed the introduction of the railroad. He saw the first passenger train that entered Buda, James R. Cottle being the engineer and Mr. Denny the conductor. He has seen wild geese, ducks and prairie chickens by the hundreds, also wild deer. Following his father's death he operated the home farm and assisted in caring for the family up to the time of his marriage. He added one hundred and sixty acres of land to his place, so that he is today the owner of three hun- dred and twenty acres. constituting a fine farm. all of which is well improved with the exception of about twelve acres of wild prairie which he keeps in remembrance of the old times and which is well worth looking at. He raises some stock and ships directly to Chicago.
David Il. Law was married October 9, 18;3. to Miss Lucy J. Fifield, who was born in Bureau county, May 13, 1850, and shed July 28. 1900. She was a daughter of Samuel and Lmtens G. ( Stevens) Fifield, both of whom were natives of Andover, New Hampshire. Her father died March 23, 1869, at the age of fifty years, while his wife passed away March 20, 1902, at the age of seventy. two years. In their family were teu children, of
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
whom seven are now living: Thomas J .; Lucien M. C .; John S .; George; Chester D .; Frank ; and Mary E., the widow of Charles Chichester. Mr. Fifield came to Hlinois in the '10s, locating at French Grove, now the town of Buda. He was one of the pioneer residents of that district and hewed out a farm in the midst of the wilderness and on the wild prairie, for the land which came into his possession was entirely uncultivated and unimproved. He held township offices and was at one time postmaster of Buda, his election coming to him as a candidate of the democratic party. He held membership in the Masonic fraternity and was one of the organizers of Buda lodge.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Law has been blessed with two children, but Willie, the elder, died in infaney. Ernest II., born September 21, 1878, was married December 24, 1903, to Miss Laura Anderson, who was born in Macon township March 28, 1883.
Mr. Law cares nothing for public office but sup- ports the democracy and advocates the principles expounded by Jackson. Ile attends the Unitarian church and has lived a life which will bear close investigation and scrutiny, for in all of its varied relations he has been true to high standards of manly conduct and has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any business transaction.
CHARLES L. SAVAGE.
Charles L. Savage, one of the oldest living residents of Bureau county, residing in Selby township, near Depue, was born in Morgan county, Illinois, August 5, 1831, and has made his home within three miles of his present location through- out his entire life. Ilis paternal grandfather served in the Revolutionary war, being taken prisoner with Burgoyne. His wife was Hannah Rich, a native of Vermont. His father, Peter S. Savage, was a native of Cayuga county, New York, and was married in the east to Miss Dolly Shontz, a native of Pennsylvania. On leaving his native state, Peter S. Savage went to Indian- apolis, Indiana, making his way to that place by raft and ox team. In 18 ?? he made the shingles used for the old log state house there. In 1824 le went to Morgan county, Illinois, where he entered from the government a tract of land. on which the city of Jacksonville now stands. In 1831 he soll that tract to a syndicate for sixteen thousand dollars and the same year entered an- other tract in Putnam county, this state, which is now known as the Lebe Covle farm. He then returned to Morgan county, where he spent the winter, but in the spring of 1832 came again to Putnam county, locating on a claim two and a half miles cast of Hennepin, and here in the winter of 1833-34 his wife died. In 1835 he was again married, his second union being with Miss
Charlotte llas-ler, and on the Ist of January, 1836, the family removed to Bureau county, set- tling on a farm on section 32, Selby township. After residing for a number of years on this place he removed to Labette county, Kansas, where he resided until his death in 1880, when he had reached the age of eighty-four years. In the fam- ily of Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Savage were the following named: Jane first married George W. Venehioneur, who died at Hennepin in 1835, and after his death wedded John G. Greener, whose death occurred in 1900, and she is also now deceased, her death having occurred in 1853. James, who accompanied his brother Morgan to California in 1816 and became conspicuous as an Indian chief, having several tribes and fully three hundred warriors at his command, died in that state many years ago. Morgan, who while en route to California, was married to Miss Anna Brisben, who became the mother of twelve chil- dren, died in 1901 at Corvallis, Oregon. Harriet is the wife of Perry Piper and resides at Prince- ton. Illinois. William and Silas both diel in in- fancy. Charles L. is the next member of the family. John, who served as a soldier in the Civil war, resided for a number of years in Bu- reau county but later removed to Red Willow county, Nebraska, and subsequently to Fr ewater, Oregon, where his death occurred in 190; at the Soldiers' Home. There were also two daughters of Mr. Savage's second marriage: Ann, who be- came the wife of William Piper and is now de- ceased ; and Amanda, who married Frank Walker and resides in Nebraska.
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