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 57
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snowstorm overtook him on the prairie between In Salle and what is now Arlington. With noth- ing to mark the road he was soon lo-t. After a long search in the dark his feet struck the rough wagon road, which he followed by the side of the wagon until he came to the grove near Arlington. He was among those who established the first house of worship in La Moille-the old brick Baptist church-of which he remained an active member up to the time of his death. He was a man of benevolent and generous spirit and a-si-ted many poor people in gaining a start by loaning them seeds, teams and even land to work, and on one occasion he built a small house for a family, who were empty-handed when they came to this country, but through the assistance given them by Mr. Hopps they soon became independent and How the sons of the family have over one thousand acres of good Illinois soil. In all of his business life Mr. Hopps showed close application and un- faltering energy and yet he found time to make several trips to his native land and also visited in Ohio, Vermont and Maine. He did not make the accumulation of wealth his sole aim and end in life, but found time for social and church in- terests. Ile was also one of the financial supporters of the old University of Chicago. He gladly em- braced the opportunity of sending his sons away to school that they might be qualified thereby for the responsible as well as practical duties of life. Hle was a man honored and respected by all who knew him and he had a wide acquaintance. At his death, which occurred on the old home farm near La Moille, February 5, 18:2, he left behind him a host of warm friends as well as a goodly estate and his memory is yet cherished by many who knew him.
To Martin and Hannah M. Hopps were born three sons, Herman K., Arthur D., and Irving W. Herman K. studied for the ministry, but was drowned at Providence, Rhode Island, in the twenty-sixth year of his age. Arthur D. is men- tioned elsewhere in this work.
I. W. Hoppe, whose name introduces this rec- ord, acquired his early education in the district schools and afterward attended the University of Chicago, but during his father's last illness he left school and took up the care and management of the farm, which had been borne by his father for so many years. He was made executor of his father's estate and therefore abandoned his college work in order to setthe up the business and divide the property. which was accomplished in 18:2. In the latter part of that year Mr. Hopps purchased his brother's share in the estate and rented the portion left to his mother and half sister, Myra B. Hours. The succceding year he had the farm all under his control, although his mother and Myra B. Hopps retained their residence on the farm. Since that time he has improved all of the opportunities for making judicious investment. In 1819 he bought twenty acres of John E. Smith for
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eight hundred and thirty-three dollars, paying for it out of one shipment of hogs raised that year on the farm. In 1886 he paid thirty-four hundred dollars for forty aeres of the old Holbrook farm, and in 1883 he had purchased seven acres from George Crossman, for which he paid six hundred and thirty dollars. In 1899 he bought of the John Gill heirs one hundred and seventeen acres at sey- enty dollars per acre, and in 1902 he purchased his brother's share in the home property, which fell to him after the death of his half brother and sister, so that he is now the owner of little more than six hundred acres of valuable Illinois land, and is justly accounted one of the prominent rep- resentative and prosperous farmers of Bureau county.
Mr. Hopps was married November 2, 1828, to Miss Margaret D. Boyle, at the homestead near La Moille by the Rev. E. P. Bartlett. Mrs. Hopps was born in Missouri and after the death of her father she and her mother returned to La Moille, at which place the mother, Mrs. Jemima Boyle, became the second wife of Martin Hopps, father of our subject. The father of Mrs. Hopps was Hugh Wilson Boyle, who was born in East Kil- bride, near Glasgow, Scotland, and his mother was a descendant of William Wallace. Mr. Boyle began his apprenticeship at the tailor's trade at the age of ten years and came to this country. Oc- tober 7, 1855. He remained for a brief period at Lighthouse, in Ogle county, Illinois, and in 1856 carne to La Moille, where he opened a tailor shop. He was married October 2, 1857, to Jemima Dun- can Melntire, at Lighthouse, Ogle county, she be- ing also a native of Scotland. Soon after coming to America Mr. Boyle took out his naturalization papers and became a stanch republican. He lived in La Moille for about three years and then re- moved to Missouri, settling on a farm, which he operated through the summer months, while iu the winter seasons he taught school. Eventually, however, he returned to Illinois and died at Bun- ker Ilill, this state, January 28, 1861. He was a self-educated as well as self-made man and was a very active and well informed citizen, pro- gressive in his views and in his conduct. ITe was a man of strong personality, interested in every good work for the benefit of others. Reared ir. the faith of the Presbyterian church he afterward became identified with the Baptist church on con- ing to La Moille. He served as librarian in his town and was active and influential in political cireles, delivering many addresses during the presi- dential campaigns. As his activity extended to many lines of life he developed thereby a well rounded character. Six children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Hopps: Caroline L., Grace G., Hester M., Hugh M., Alida B .. ang one child who died in infancy.
Mr. Hopps and all his family are members of the Baptist church, he having been converusl and joined the church in 1867. He has been very
det've and helpful in Christian work in confor Hon with that church and has been a generone con- tributor to it- support. At different times i . has served as trustee and clerk of the church ampl col- lector and treasurer, and he has held other oficial connection-, being a director of the La Moille cemetery and director of the Reed Drug Company, school director and school trustee and trustee of the Allen high school fund, commissioner of high- ways, and supervisor of Clarion township. Further crust has been reposed in him through his appoint- mient as careutor of two estates and as guardian of different children, and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. Ile is most reliable at all times and under al! eir- enmstances, and his probity stands as an ungnes- tioned fact in his life record. For thirty-one years he has been a stalwart advocate of the re- publican party and its principles, and in the dis- charge of his official duties he has displayed un- faltering fidelity as well as capability. He has never sought to figure prominently in public life outside his own conununity, but has been content to labor among the people where he has always re- sided and where he ha 'so directed his labors as to make his life one of signal usefulness and honor.
C. A. PALMER, M. D.
Dr. C. A. Palmer, a leading physician and sur- geon who has attained distinction in the profes- sion and at the same time found opportunity for co-operation in progressive publie measures, so that the city has benefited by his efforts, was horn in Dover township, Bureau county. September S. 1855. His father, George M. Palmer, was a native of New York and came to Bureau count: from Ohio in 1855. A farmer by occupation. he care- fully conducted his agricultural interests and was a prominent representative of that class. He mar- ried Ellen Russell, a native of Ohio.
Dr. Palmer completed his more specifically lit- erary education by graduation from the Princeton high school and was graduated in medicine. from the Northwestern I'niversity as a member of the class of 1826. He added practical experience to his theoretical training by active service as interno in Mercy hospital for a year and this well equipped for the profession came to Prin. ton in 1817 and has since been engaged in active prac- tice here. He has pursued various post graduate courses, including two in New York and three in Chicago, and at all times he keeps abreast with professional advancement in the ever widening knowledge of the profession, resulting from re- search and scientific experiment. The extent of his practice is the best criterion of his ability and few physicians of this section of the stat > can equal him in the volume of patronage arcorded him. He was honored by election as the feet pres- ident of the Bureau Coanty Medical Soubry, of
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which he was one of the active organizers, and he also belongs to the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Some- what in the line of his profession, he was for twenty years a partner in the drug business as a member of the firm of Palmer & Truison, but re- cently has disposed of his interest to Mr. Trulson.
Dr. Palmer was married in 1882 to Miss Jane I. Eckels, a daughter of James S. Eckels of Bu- reau county, and they became the parents of four children, three daughters and a son who are living, while their second child, Charles, is deceased. Those who still survive are Margaret Ellen, Alice, Eekels and Jean Isabella.
Dr. Pahuer, prominent in Masonry, has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite and is a member of various other fraternal organiza- tions, including the Knights of Pythias. He has the distinction of holding the first connmission for surgeon major for the uniformed rank of the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Presby- terian church and his interest and co-operation have extended to many movements for the ma- terial, intellectual and moral progress of his com- munity. He has been a member of the city school board and for eight years he was president of the high school board and from 1899 until 1903 was mayor of the city, giving a public spirited admin- istration looking to general improvement and ad- vancing civic virtue and civic pride.
JOHN C. FIELD.
John C. Field, a resident farmer of Berlin township, has erected his home upon an eminence commanding an excellent view of the surrounding country and has one of the attractive farm prop- erties of this section of the state. He still lives in Berlin township, which was the place of his nativity. his natal day being April 21, 18:0. His father, John Field, was born May 22, 1818, and became a resident of Bureau county in 1853, at which time he located on section 10, Berlin town- ship. Later he bought two quarter sections of land on section 15 of the same township and persist- ently and energetically gave his time and energies to farm work, with the result that the wild land was transformed into very fertile and productive fields that yielded good annual harvests. Mr. Field was married in Peoria, Illinois, about 1858 to Miss Catharine Schnebly, who was born in that city in 1836. They became the parents of six children, of whom John C. is the youngest, and two of the number have now departed this life.
Reared under the parental roof, John C. Field at the usual age became a student in the common schools and later he completed his education in Geneseo (Illinois) College. During the periods of vacation he assisted in farm work and after his school days were over he aided in the labors of
the fields. In fact throughess his entire life he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and is now a leading and prosperous farmer of his community, engaged in the raising of short-horn cattle, Poland China hogs and Norman horses in addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. He has i: adle a success in his business career and although he now rents his fields he yet gives supervision to his place. When his present farm came into his possession it was one vast corn-field, but he has erected good, sub- stantial buildings upon a rise of ground, giving him an excellent view of the surrounding country unsurpassed by that secured from any other farm residence of the county.
On the 21st of December, 1-92, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Field and Miss Eva Booth, who was born March 8, 18;1. a daughter of Wif- liam and Ann E. (Pierce) Booth, who were natives of Illinois and have spent all of their lives in Bureau county. They became the parents of two children, Eva and May. the former now the wife of Mr. Field. This marriage has been blessed with one daughter, Heen R., born May 30. 1895.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Field is a Mason, and has attained the Knight Templar degree. belonging to Arlington lodge, No. 210, A. F. & A. M .. and to Princeton Tende Commandery. No. 20, K T. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church at Dover, in which he has been treasurer for sey- eral years and is still holding the office. His interest in community affairs is deep and sincere. matters of local progress and national improve- inent being causes dear to his heart, so that his co-operation and aid can always be counted upon for the furtherance of any progressive public movement. He has prospered in his business, and through his capable management has been enabled to double the farm since it can. into his posses- sion. He today owns one hundred and sixty acres of good land in Berlin township. and his well directed labors have been the resultant factor in lis acquirement of a success which is as enviable as it is gratifying.
DAVID H. BARKMAN.
David H. Barkman has for the past six years resided upon his present farm in La Moille town- ship. His life record began in New Jersey on the 23d of February, 1862. and his :silence in Illi- nois dates from the 24th of March, 1886, when he located in Bureau county. In a family of twelve children born unto Henry M. and Marinda ( Reinhart ) Barkman he was tiy eighth. His parents were likewise natives of N. .. Jersey, where they were reared and married and made their home upon a farm.
In the public schools of his native state David
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
Il. Barkman acquired his education and received ample training at farm labor, for he was early instructed in the best methods of cultivating the fields and by practical experience became well qualified for work in this connection. Thinking to enjoy better business opportunities in the mid- dle west he came to Illinois when a young man of twenty-four years and has since resided in Bu- rean county. A life of diligence and business ac- tivity has made him the owner of one hundred and eighty-one and a fourth acres of excellent farming land which is well located and is im- proved with good buildings and beautiful shade trees. Here Mr. Barkman has lived for six years and the value of the place is constantly increasing by reason of the modern equipments and acces- sories he has added. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and his farm is neat and thrifty in every department.
Mr. Barkman was married on the 20th of August, 1889, to Miss Ida B. Wood, who was born near Sandusky, Wisconsin, November 27, 1861. Her parents were Samuel and Frances ( Gray) Wood, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. In their family were five children, of whom Mrs. Barkman is the ellest and one of the number is now deceased. She completed her education in the Princeton high school and by her marriage has become the mother of three children : Heury I., born May 2, 1891; Cecil L., August 23. 1897 ; and Viola B., October 22, 1900.
Mr. and Mrs. Barkman attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she is a member, while he holds membership relations with Ohio lodge of the Knights of the Globe. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party but has never been an aspirant for office, prefer- ring to concentrate h's energies upon his business affairs, which are now bringing him gratifying success. He made no mistake in choosing the middle west as a favorable location and by utiliza- tion of the opportunities offered here he has gained a place among the substantial residents of the county, being now classed with the leading and prosperous farmers of La Moille township.
W. C. GRISWOLD, M. D.
Dr. W. C. Griswold, who for many years de- voted his life, with gratifying success, to the prac- tice of medicine and surgery, is now living retired in Princeton, where he has made his home since 1900. He is a native of Allegany county, New York, and a son of George W. Griswold, who came to Bureau county in 1856. settling in Milo, For twenty years the father devoted his life to teach- ing in the high school there and also carried ou general agricultural pursuits. He likewise filled the office of town clerk for two years and was actively and helpfully interested in all matters
of local progress and improvement. Both he and his wife died in this county.
Dr. Griswold pursued his early education in New York and afterward atended the Northwest- ern University. The completion of his more spe- cifically literary course was followed by several years of teaching and he then entered upon prepa- ration for the practice of medicine as a student in Chicago Medical College, of Chicago, from which he was graduated March 6, 1864. Immediately afterward he joined the army and acted as assis- tant surgeon until the close of the war, whereby he not only rendered effective and valuable aid to his country but also promoted his own efficiency through the broad and varied experience which comes to the military surgeon.
For a year after the close of the war Dr. Gris- wold practiced in Princeton and then removed to Memphis, Tennessee, where he remained for thirty-five years as one of the able general prac- titioners of medicine and surgery with a large and Inerative patronage. He was also examining sur- geon for pensions in Tennessee and was a member of the Loyal League and other beneficiary so- cieties in that state. He not only attained profes- sional prominence but was also a candidate for the legislature on the republican ticket and recog- nized as a leader in publie life in the community, exercising considerable influence in affairs of gen- eral moment. In 1900 he returned to Princeton, where he has since lived retired.
Dr. Griswold was married to Miss Josephine R. Anthony in 1879. the wedding being celebrated in Providence. Bureau county. Mrs. Griswold is a daughter of Alfred Anthony, one of the earlier settlers of the county, who came here in 1837 and followed the occupation of farming. Both Dr. and Mrs. Griswold are members of the Christian church and they reside at No. 902 South Fourth street in Princeton, where he owns a beautiful home that he has erected since locating here. It is a large two-story residence standing in the midst of a fine lawn. Since his retirement from the active practice of the profession the Doctor and his wife have enjoyed many pleasures, including a trip to the Orient. They were gone five months and during that period they visited France, Italy, Rome, Paris, Constantinople. Black Sea. Smyrna, Joppa, Jerusalem, Jericho, the Jordan, the Dead Sea. Bethlehem. Alexandria. Cairo, and traveled up the Nile for six hundred miles. They also vis- ited Madeira, Malta. Algiers, Spain. Switzerland, Greece. London and Liverpool, thus viewing many points of modern, historic and sonic interest. Dr. Griswold is a stockholder in the Bureau County Independent Telephone Company and oth- er corporations, his capital being judiciously placed. He is a member of the Memphis Medical Society of Memphis, Tennessee, the Princeton Medical Association, the Tri-State Medical Isso- ciation of Tennessee and the American Medical Association. He attainel considerable prominence
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in his profession and the years of his active labor therein were crowned with a success that now en- ables him to enjoy much that life has to offer in the way of pleasures and comfort.
DAVID YOUNT.
David Yount is the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty-eight acres in Macon township. He was born in Bedford county, Penn- sylvania, April 5, 1835, and is one of the eight children whose parents were Jacob and Sarah (Koontz) Yount. The father was born in Bed- ford county, Pennsylvania, and lived the life of an agriculturist, spending his entire days in his native county, where he owned and operated two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land. He held various township offices, to which he was elected on the democratic ticket. fle held mem- bership in the Christian church and his life was upright and honorable, winning him the respect of all with whom he associated. Ile died in 1865 at the age of fifty-five years, while his wife, long surviving him, passed away March 20, 1898, at the age of eighty-three years, eleven months and twenty-seven days. Her last days were spent in the home of her son, John Yount, in Bedford township and she was the last survivor of her father's family. She was a faithful member of the Reformed church for more than half a century. For more than three years prior to her demise she was a confirmed invalid but she bore her ills with Christian resignation and although she outlived the alotted time of man her mind remained per- fectly bright and clear to the last. Of the seven sons and one daughter born of her marriage five are now living: John, Scott. Jacob, George and David, while Henry and Peter are deceased.
David Yount, whose name introduces this rec- ord, was reared to farm life and his attention was largely given to the work of the fields until about nineteen years of age, when he learned the trade of a brick and stone mason, being employed along that line until 1859. He then removed to Springfield, Missouri, where he remained until the fall of 1861, when he came to Macon town- ship, Bureau county, where he now resides. In 1865, soon after his marriage, he began farming on his own account and that he has prospered as the years have gone by is indicated by the fact that he is today the owner of three hundred and twenty- eight acres of valuable land, whereon he tills the soil and raises erops, his business proving profit- able.
Mr. Yount was married January 26, 1865, in Macon township, to Miss Elizabeth Carper, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. a daughter of John Carper, who was a native of that county and diel at the age of sixty-one years, while his wife passed away when her daughter. Mrs. Yount, was a little child. In their family
were seven children, of whom foot are now living: Jacob John, Adam, Henry and Christina. The father, Mr. Carper, was one of the pioneer resi- dents of Macon township and & Il a number of local offices during the period of his connection with this county. He belonged to the Church of God and his political views were in accord with the principles of the whig party until its dissolu- tion, when he joined the ranks of the new repub- liean party.
In 1901 Mr. Yount wa- calle l upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 10th of May of that year at the age of sixty-one. In the family were two daughters and a son, John, Della and Allie. The elder daughter i- now the wife of T. Pratt, a resident of Macon township.
Mr. Yount holds membership with the Church of God and in politics is a stalwart republican but has never cared for public office. He has served, however, as school director for about fifteen years and is interested in public education. His succes has been by no means the result of for- tunate circumstances. It has cone. to him through energy, labor and perseverance directel by an evenly balanced mind and by honorable business principles. He finds his greatest social enjoyment at his own fireside and he has many friends, who esteem him for his genuine personal worth ..
HOWARD II. PRIESTLEY.
Howard H. Priestley is a member of the Priest- ley Hardware Company, the largest enterprise of this character in Bureau county, an I as such needs no introduction to the residents of Princeton or the surrounding country. He is one of the native sons of this city, born August 25. 1861. His fa- thei, C. M. Priestley, who was in the hardware busines- here for a short time, arrived in Bureau county in 1856 from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and is still living in Princeton.
At the usual age Howard H. Priestley entered the public schools and passed through successive grades until he had completed the high school course by graduation in the class of 18:9. Sinee that time he has been engaged in the hardware business and as a member of the Priestley Hard- ware Company is active in the control of the larg- est enterprise of this character in Bureau county. The store is located on North Main street. where they handle all kinds of hardware, stoves, fur- naces, cream separators, refrigerators, hammocks, tinware and wire fencing. The business was or- ganized here on the present site in 1855 and has always been a foremost factor in the commercial interests of the county. The company is now com- posed of Howard IT. Priestley, Harper N. Noble and 1. P. Larson. In addition to the above men- tioned line of goods which they carry they also handle all kinds of builder' hardware, iron and blacksmiths' supplies, the woodw ;k for wagons
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