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 6
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On the 4th of December, 1856, Mr. Patterson was married to Miss Mary Davis, who was born January 20, 1836, her parents being Benjamin and Unity (Smitn) Davis, both natives of Franklin county, Pennsylvania. They came to Illinois in 1854 and after living for a time in the town of Peru, La Salle county, removed to Bureau county, where they spent their remaining days. The father lived to the very advanced age of eighty-seven years, while his wife was called to her final rest
at the age of fifty-five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have been born nine children: Samuel HI .. Abel E., William R., Mary E., Benjamin Franklin, Melvin E., Harvey W., Alice Lewis and Clarence David. The family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death and in his farm- ing operations Mr. Patterson is assisted by his sons, save Melvin E., who holds a government po- sition in Chicago.
The subject of this review is a well preserved man, who has traveled life's journey for seventy- four years and possesses vigor. activity and a spirit of enterprise usually found in rien of much younger age. His life has been one of activity. Hle early came to a realization of the fact that in America labor is king and the years have wit-
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nessed a display of energy and determination upon his part that have made him a prosperous resident of Bureau county. In all of his dealings he has been reliable, never being known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any trade transaction, and his life is another illustration of the fact that honor and success may go hand in hand.
DAVID K. MORRIS. 1
David K. Morris, who own- and operates a farm in Berlin township, his labors being mani- fest in the well improved and attractive appear- ance of the place, was born in Harrisville, Har- rison county, Ohio, on the 2 tth of August, 1835. His father, Edward Morris, a native of Ohio, was born November 22, 1808, and became a car- penter and joiner. He was identified with build- ing operations in Harrisville for many years and there died December 10, 1892. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Katharine S. Matson, and was born in Virginia, January 11, 1809. Her death occurred in Harrisville in 1869. By that mar- riage there were born ten children: Mary E., who was born December 28. 1831, and died in March, 1832; Benjamin F., born July 18, 1833, and died in July, 1901: David K., born August 21, 1835; Alice E., who was born January 6, 1838. and died September 8, 1841; Narcissa S., who was born July 28, 1810, and died on the 24th of November of that year; George O., who was born November 28, 18-11, and died March 14, 1817; John W., who was born March 4, 1844, and lives at the old homestead in Harrisville; Thomas C., who was born October 19, 1846, and died March 6. 1848 ; Julia Ann, who was born March 14, 1849. and is deceased; and Sarah L., who was born April 19, 1851, and died March 25, 1854.
In the place of his nativity David K. Morris spent the days of his boyhood and youth and acquired his education. He came to Bureau county, Illinois, on the 7th of April, 1857, and settled in Berlin town-hip. Ile was then a young man of twenty-two years and as a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Phebe A. Raekley, whom he wedded in Princeton on the 12th of November, 1852. She was born in Alden, New York, March 24, 1835, and the following year was brought to Bureau county. Her father, Nathan Rackley, was born in Orange county, Vermont, December 15, 1800, and in 1836 came to Bureau county, settling in Berlin town- ship. He died April 25, 1895, and had he lived to the 15th of December following he would have been ninety-five years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Judd, was born in Orange county, Vermont. March 6, 1801, and passed away June 14. 1592. They were married in their native county, January 28, 1820, and became the parents of four children : George, born November 2, 1821: Louisa, September 15, 1825;
Nathan F., October 13, 1822; and Phobe.A., March 24, 1835. The last nathed was educated in a select school in Princeton, and, as stated. gave her hand in marriage in 185% to Mr. Morris. The children of this marriage are: Nathan E., born August 22, 1858; George O., September 25, 1860; and David E., Decende: 10, 1866. The last named enlisted for service in the Spanish- American war in April, 189s. and left for the south on the 26th of that month as a member of Company K, Sixth Regiment of Illinois Volun- teers. He died August 28. 189s. at Utuave, Porto Rico, from which place his remains were sent home for interment.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Morris began their domestic life upon the farm, and have since lived in Bureau county, his attention being given to the further improvement and de- velopment of his land. He now owns two hun- dred and thirty acres in Berlin township, and his wife is the owner of a valuable tract of one hundred and ton acres. This land is now worth two hundred dollars per acre. In addition to the cultivation of his fields Mr. Morris raises horses and Jersey cattle. He is & business man of determination and energy, who accomplishes whatever ho undertake -. and while looking out for his own welfare is never Legleetful of the rights of others.
He is a member of Bureau lodge, No. 112. A. F. & A. M., and his polities! support has been unfalteringly given to the rope lican party since he east his first presidential b flot for John C. Fremont in 1856. In his religious belief he is a Congregationalist. while his wife is a member of the Freewill Baptist church, For father having assisted in building the college of that denomina- tion in Hillsdale, Michigan. Both have many friends in the community and . ro a most highly esteemed conple. They have to a travell life's journey together for almost a half century. shar- ing with each other the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity which e .no to all. Wher- ever they have become known Joy live gained many friends and are held in warm regard by those with whom they have beer brought in con- tact.
B. F. SEARL.
B. F. Searl, whose home is on section 10. Selby township, follows farming and also gives considerable attention to the ring and bread- ing of stock. He was born on what is kne: n as the Ridge in that township. August 20, 1853. his parents being John S. and Amanda (Miller) Seatl, who came to Barean cc fity in the '104. and were married here. Both were natives of Ohio. Our subject's pat. "nal pendparents, Mr. and Mrs. Brown Searl, als cy. . to this county and settled on the farm in S., township now
Fiche st Morris.
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A.K. Morris.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
owned by E. G. Searl, where both died. They were laid to rest in the Ridge cemetery, as were the parents of our subject.
For three years the father, John S. Scarl, re- sided on the Ridge, and the following four years he spent on the Jacobs farm on the township line. At the end of that time he removed to section 11, Selby township, where the greater part of his life was passed, though he spent the last eleven years on his father's farm on the Ridge. In business affairs he prospered and became a large land owner, having altogether twenty eighty- acre traets, mostly in Selby township, and three hundred and twenty aeres in Guthrie county, Iowa. He gave to each of his ten children one hundred and sixty acres and all of the land which he owned is still in possession of the family. Flis son, B. F. Searl, owns four eighty-acre traets of land, including the home place on seetion 11. John S. Searl was deeply interested in the improve- ment and upbuilding of the county, and his fel- low-townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability and his devotion to the public good, several times called him to office. Hle served for a number of terms as supervisor, also as assessor, road com- missioner and in other offices, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. Unto him and his wife were born ten children: B. F., of this review ; Mrs. Mary M. Rawson, now of Holden. Missouri; A. J. and M. F., who are residents of Princeton; Mrs. Samantha Gross, of Princeton ; E. G., of Selby township; Mrs. Maria Hassler, of the same township; W. W., of lowa, who died March 7, 1905; Sarah Ann, who died on the old homestead farm, October 11, 1875; and Samuel, whose death resulted from an accident in lowa.
Reared under the parental roof, no event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of fari life for B. F. Searl in his boyhood and youth. He was educated in the public schools of Selby township and has always followed farm- ing. He has also handled horses and cattle in large numbers, making a specialty, however, of fine horses, and during the past few years he has raised a number of fast horses. For three years he made his home on another farm in Selby township and since his marriage has resided on his prosent home farm on section 10, Selby town- ship, where he has three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land, all in one body. This is well cultivated and highly im- proved and is altogether a model farming prop- erty, equipped with the accessories which facilitate farm work and render the work of the fields less laborious.
Mr. Searl was married to Miss Mary 1. Long, also a native of Selby township, where her girl- hood days were passed. She is a daughter of Francis M. and Caroline (Piper) Long, who came to this county in 1812 and were farming people. Iler mother died December 16, 1861, during the early girlhood of the daughter, and in 1888 the
father removed from Bureau county to Iowa, where he died about seven years ago. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Seart has been blessed with nine children : John S., of Iowa, who is engaged in farming, drilling wells and operating a thresher and also deals in agricultural imple- ments; Bert, Nancy, Andrew and Cole, all at home; Ada and Sadie, twins, at home; and Caro- line and Benjamin F., who are also under the parental roof.
Politically, Mr. Searl is a republican and has been elected to several local offices. lle ha- served as road commissioner and as assessor for several terms, and has also acted as judge of elections. Ile is quite prominent socially, belonging to the Masonie lodge at Arlington, the Knights of Pythias lodge at Malden and the Odd Fellows lodge at Hollowayville. He is carefully and sue- cessfully conducting his business interests and stands as a representative of that progress in agricultural life which has largely revolutionized farming in the last quarter of a century. The name of Scarl has long been a prominent and honored one in connection with the tilling of soil and the raising of stock in this county, and B. F. Searl has added luster to the family record by his own business activity and commercial in- tegrity.
LOUIS A. WHALEY.
Louis A. Whaley, whose farm of one hundred and fifty aeres i- pleasantly located in Olio town- ship, was born in Allen county, Indiana, July 28. 1850, his parents being lsaac and Eliza J. (John- ston) Whaley, whose family numbered three chil- dren, of whom Louis A. was the second. and is the only one now living. The father wis bern in Ohio, "lience he removed to Indiana and afterward to Illinois, settling in Marion county. He died during the early boyhood of his son Louis, and his widow, who was also a native of the Buckeye state, is now Mrs. James Si ccox, a resident of Patoka, Marion county. Her husband was formerly from Oneida, Illinois, but is now living in Patoka, and of this marriage six chil- dren have been born.
Louis A. Whaley largely acquired his e ucation in the schools of Patoka, and throughout his life followed farming operations. He is a sci-made man, having started out on his own accour : empty handed. He realized the value of hour-ty and enterprise, however, and has gralually worked his way upward, overcoming all obstacles in his path by determination and energy. He is today the owner of one hundred and fifty ac- , con- stituting an excellent farm in Ohio township, on which he raises grain and stock, his ann il sales of each bringing to him a good financia' return.
Mr. Whaley completed his arrangeu. at- for having a bone of his own by bis marria_ on the
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1st of March, 1883, to Miss Lavina Johnston, who was born in Allen county, Indiana, March 20, 1856. They have become the parents of four children, who are yet living: Guy, born March 25, 1884; Osear E., March 30, 1887; Roy Il., September 30, 1888; and Beulah HI., April 3, 1893. They have lost one son, Oscar E., who died May 28, 1887.
The family are pleasantly located upon the home farm, which is one of the attractive fea- tures of the landscape. There are splendid build- ings, commodious and substantial, and the house is surrounded by fine shade trees, while upon the broad aeres that constitute the farm there may be raised the various erops which are usually pro- dueed in the temperate zone, for the soil is rich and productive. In all of his farm work Mr. Whaley is practical and if others would follow the same enterprising methods similar success might be attained.
Exereising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, Mr. Whaley keeps well informed on the ques- tions of the day, but has never been a seeker for public office. His wife belongs to the Baptist church and he contributes to its support. Viewed in a personal light his life may be said to be a suceess, and he has made a creditable name in business circles and gained a handsome property as the reward of well directed and earnest labor. He has served as elerk of the district school, and community interests find in him a stanch advo- cate, if he deems any movement or measure will advance the welfare of the general public.
GUY A. BRYANT.
The phrase "a treeless tract" has ever been synonymous with a barren waste of arid land, while the tree has ever stood as a symbol of eulti- vation, marking the advent of the white settlers and their efforts for development and civilization. It has been said that none have done more for Bureau county in this direction than the Bryant family, Arthur Bryant, grandfather of our sub- ject, hring the first to set out upon the broad prairies of Bureau county the trees which have transformed it into one of the most attractive districts of this great commonwealth, and in this connection through his business interests Guy A. Bryant continues to do much for the county, at the same time promoting his individual commer- eial interests. Ife is a member of the firm of Ar- thur Bryant & Son of Princeton, proprietors of the best nursery in this portion of the state. The business was established in 1845 by the grand- father of Guy A. Bryant and is now the only en- terprise of this character in Bureau county.
Arthur Bryant, the senior member of the firm and the father of Guy A. Bryant, was born Octo- ber 15, 1834, on the old Bryant homestead in
Princeton townsInp, where he was reared. In the vicinity of his home he acquired a publicschool education. Environment and inherited tendencies combined to make it the natural thing that the sous of the Bryant family should become inter- ested in the growing of trees. The eldest son, Ar- thur Bryant, is now the head of the nursery firm of Arthur Bryant & Son, and is widely recognize ! as a prominent nursery man and horticulturist. known throughout the state in this connection and honored as one of the ablest representatives of the business to which he has given his entire at- tention. He has filled the offices of president and vice-president of the state and district horticul- tural societies and was for many years treasurer of the state society, while during the Columbian Exposition he was one of the committee in charge of the Ilinois fruit exhibit. In the year 1864 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hughes, a native of Virginia, who was reared in Ohio and was brought to Bureau county, Illinois, in 1855 by her father, George Hughes. Unto this marriage were born eight children : Lucy B., Harry G., Guy A., Henrietta, Cassandra II. Le -- tor P .. Ralph C., and Edith W. The parents are both well known in Princeton, where they are hold in the highest esteem in recognition of their many sterling traits of character.
Guy A. Bryant was born at the family home, December 12, 1868, and pursued his education in the schools of Princeton, completing the high school course by graduation in the class of 1886. From his youth he was associated with his father in business, becoming his active assistant, and in the year 1890 was admitted to a partnership. This is now the only nursery business in Bureau county and one of the most important enterprises of this character in northern Illinois. The nurseries of the firm are pleasantly situated about a quarter of a mile south of the city limits of Princeton and in point of establishment the business is undoubt- edly one of the oldest in the west or northwest. while the volume of trade also gives it precedence in that direction. They are growers of a great variety of fruit, shade and ornamental trees, shrub- bery, small fruits and hardy flowering plant-, but make a specialty of evergreens, in which ther probably have the largest and finest assortment and conduct the most extensive trade of any nur- sery in the state.
In 1891 Guy A. Bryant was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Miles, who was born in Princeton. Her father, William Miles, was born near Bath. Steuben county, New York, July 26, 1822. Ils grandfather, Isaae Miles, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, having served for two year- as a member of a regiment from Connecticut. of which state he was a native. William Miles ac- mired his education in the common schools, an ! afterward became acquainted with the lumber trade and eventually became an expert in hi- knowledge of lumber. He was married May 19.
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1-11, to Miss Nancy A. Parker, also a native of suben county, New York, where she was reared to womanhood. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Miles were seven children: Harriet M., Lucius P. George, William, Edward, Louisa and James. Following his marriage Mr. Miles embarked in the lumber business and throughout his entire life aus connected with that trade. He owned consid- . ralde land in lowa and Illinois and was very arcessful in all his undertakings. His political legiance was given to the republican party, of whose principles he was a strict adherent. He Bird February 22, 1896. and his wife survived him until January 1, 1899.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Bryant have been born five children : Arthur Guy, who died in infancy : Miles William, born February 10, 1894; Louis Ralph. Corn November 26, 1895; Elizabeth Parker, born November 13, 1898; and Robert Beach, born March 4, 1900. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bryant belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the de- grees of chapter and commandery. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he hus served for six years, from: 1900, as a member of the city council from the first ward. He is a young man of business acumen and enterprise, a worthy representative of a family long distin- zuished in Bureau county for loyalty in citizen- -hip, activity and progressiveness in business and reliability in all life's relations.
HENRY THACKABERRY.
Henry Thaekaberry dates his residence in this county from 1852. Therefore events which to many others are matters of history are to him matters of personal experience or observation. He has watched many changes and noted with interest the progress that has occurred during the long years of his connection with the county. lfe has now advanced far on life's journey, but appears to be a man of much younger age and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime.
He was born in the city of Queens, Ireland, on the 18th of August, 1824, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Christian) Thackaberry. The father's birth occurred in 1784 and the mother was born in 1800. They were reared and mar- ried on the Emerald isle, and about 1834, when their son Henry was a youth of ten years, they removed from Ireland to England. It was largely in the latter country that Henry Thackaberry acquired his education, and he remained a resident of England until the latter part of the year 1851, when he determined to seek a home in the new world, and made arrangements for leaving the "merrie isle."
He sailed on the 5th of November and landed at New York on Christmas day of that year. He fr-t went to Chesterville, Pennsylvania, where he
lived with his brother, who had previously come to this country, until the 5th of April, 1852. He then left the Keystone state and on the 5th of May following arrived in Princeton. He has since been a resident of this county, and for three years made his home upon a farm north of Prince- ton. Subsequently he took up his abode in Fair- field township, and for twenty-one years has re- sided in New Bedford. He was for a long period one of the active, energetic and capable farmers of the county, carefully operating his land and deriving therefrom a good income as the reward for the labor which he bestowed upon the fields. While now living retired, he is still the owner of two hundred and forty acres of good land on sec- tions 29 and 31, Fairfield township, worth from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five dol- lars per acre.
Mr. Thackaberry was married in August, 1851, in St. George's Episcopal church, Hanover Square, London, to Miss Jane Mearns, of Mont- rose, Scotland, and it was only a few months later that he started with his bride for the new world. Unto them have been born three children, of whom one is now deceased. The others are: Elizabeth, who was born May 9, 1855, and is now the wife of W. E. Booth, a merchant of New Bedford, Illinois; and Alexander, whose birth occurred November 18, 185%, who is a traveling salesman living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Mr. Thackaberry is a member of the Episcopal church, and of Yorktown lodge, No. 655, A. F. & A. M., exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, which party he has con- tinuously supported since casting his first presi- dential ballot after becoming a naturalized Ameri- can citizen. Although he inherited a little prop- erty he is largely a self-made man, his success resulting mostly from his own labor and careful management. A laudable ambition led him to seek his home in America and he has not been disappointed in the hope that caused him to cross the Atlantic, for here he has found good oppor- tunities and has steadily worked his way upward, until now in the evening of life he can enjoy a well earned rest, his former toil having brought to him a competence sufficient to surround him now with many of life's comforts.
C. W. ABBOTT.
Clement W. Abbott, a retired farmer living in Sheffield, but still owning good farm property in Bureau county, was born in Oglen, Monroe county. New York, December 13, 1825, his parents being Calvin and Charlotte ( Clement) Abbott, both na- natives of Vermont. At the penal age Clement W. Abbott began his education in the country school at Ogden, New York, but his advantages were
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largely limited to instruction in the "Three R's." After leaving school he worked at the carpenter's trade for ten years in the cast and in September, 1851, catne to the middle west, settling in Henry, Illinois, where he spent the winter working in a wagon shop. In the spring of 1855 he removed to Mineral township, Bureau county, and took up his abode upon a farm, continuing actively in agricul- tural life for forty years or until 1894. when he removed to Sheffield, where he now resides. I 1851 he purchased his farm, becoming owner at that time of one-half section, to which he after- wards added one hundred and fifty-five aeres about twenty years later. He made stock-raising and feeding the principal features of his business and became well known as an enterprising and successful stockman, readily and correctly esti- mating the value of stock so that he was enabled to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. Thus he prospered year by year and rose from a humble financial position to one of affluence. so that now, with a handsome competence, he is enabled to live retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
On the 6th of May. 1857, Mr. Abbott was mar- ried to Miss Martha M. Battey, at Sheffield, who is represented elsewhere in this work, a daughter of Major Silas Battey, and their children are: Fred W., who was born May 23. 1859, and died January 26, 1886; Calvin B., who was born Aug- ust 1, 1863, and died April 28, 1882 : Herman E., born May 10, 1865; and Hattie C., who was born December 19, 1870, and died February 5, 1888.
Mr. Abbott is a member of the Unitarian church at Sheffield and was first identified with the whip party, later becoming one of the founders of the republican party. He was assessor for the town of Mineral for five years and was elected and served on the county board of supervisors for six years, his capability and fidelity indicating his keen in- terest in the welfare and progress of the county as conserved by its public officials, while in other ways he has given his support to those matters which constitute civie virtue and civic pride. He is a self-made man and still takes an active inter- est in business affairs.
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