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 61
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On the 15th of September, 1886, Mr. Garvin was united in marriage to Miss Hessie Camry, who was born in County Down, Ireland, Septem- ber 2, 1862, and is a daughter of Barney and Eliz- abeth ( Lennon) Camey, who were likewise natives of County Down. Her father became a resident of Bureau county, Illinois, in the year 1877, lo- eating in Neponset township, where he followed the occupation of farming until his life's labors were ended in death in 1895, when he was seventy- five years of age. His political allegiance was given to the democracy, and he was a communi- cant of the Roman Catholic church. His widow still survives him and is now living in Neponset township. In their family were twelve children, of whom the following vet survive. These are: Mary Ann, the wife of Timothy Driscoll; Kate, the wife of Thomas Curran; Sarah, the widow of Thomas Smith; Mrs. Garvin; Maggie, the wife of William Stone; Ella, the wife of Henry Smithers; Lena, who married P. Rouse; Theresa, the wife of Morgan Hunnel; John ; Robert ; and Bennie.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Garvin has been blessed with ton children, of whom seven yet sur- vive, namely: Margaret, Sarah, Thomas, Mary, Elizabeth, Catherine and Alice. Mr. Garvin is desirous that his children shall enjoy good school advantages, and has done effective service in be- half of education through the employment of com- petent tecaher, in the school district in which he is a director. He votes with the republican party, and his interest in community affairs is that of a public-spirited citizen. Since starting upon his business career he has displayed many sterling traits of character, including unfaltering perse- verance and diligence and a laudable ambition. He has in this way attained a measure of success that is very gratifying, and he is now accounted one of the progressive and prosperous agricul- turists of his community.
SEWARD MARTIN.
Seward Martin, whose farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres in Bureau township is largely de- voted to the breeding and raising of pure blooded Galloway cattle, whereon are some of the finest specimens of this breed to be found in northern Illinois, was born in Manlius township, Decem- ber 23, 1859, his parents being Thurlow W. and Mary L. ( Alvard) Martin, who became early resi- dents of this part of the state. No event of spe- cial importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for their son Seward in his boyhood days. Ile attended the district schools and worked in the fields. and, as the years passed by, gained in proficiency and his knowledge of the best methods of carrying on farm work.
On the Sth of February. 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah R. Morgan. a daughter of W. If. and Barbara L. (Jontz) Morgan, the
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former a native of England and the latter of Bureau township, this county. It was in the year 1857 that Mr. Morgan came from his native coun- try to the new world and took up his ahode in Bureau county. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Martin has been blessed with five children, but their first born, Mabel, is now deceased. Those still living are William, Everett, Barbara and Florence.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Martin has carried on farming, and has found that diligence constitutes a safe basis upon which to build the superstructure of success. Day after day, week after week and year after year he has labored per- sistently, his efforts being guided by sound judg- ment and business capacity. Today he is the owner of one hundred and ninety-six acres of land in Bureau township, where are seen well tilled fields, promising golden harvests, while in his pas- tures are found fine specimens of Galloway stock. He is making a specialty of the breeding and rais- ing of cattle of this kind and is finding it a suc- cessful venture.
His political allegiance is given to the repub- liean party, and he is well informed concerning the questions and issues of the day. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, and in matters of citizenship he is found progressive and active, manifesting the same spirit of enterprise which has made him successful in his business career. Measures for the general good receive his hearty indorsement and he does what he ean for the benefit and welfare of the com- munity.
CHARLES M. SAPP.
Charles M. Sapp, who, having retired from farm life, makes his home in Princeton, was born in Wyanet township, Bureau county, May 30, 1864. His father, Henry Sapp, is practically retired from fann life, but still manages his agricultural inter- ests in Wyanet township, although for the past four years he has made his home in Princeton. Ile was born in Kent county, Delaware, December 13, 1834, a son of Solomon and Ann (Carter) Sapp, both of whom were natives of Delaware. They became residents of Bureau county in July, 1835, and, after a brief residence in Princeton, settled about four miles west of the city, in what is now Wyanet township. This was at that time a pioneer district in which few settlements had been made, the most of the land being unclaimed and uncultivated, while many of the now thriving towns had not yet sprung into existence. it a later date Mr. and Mis. Solomon Sapp spent eight mouths at Galena, Illinois, but afterward returned to Bureau county, and he entered a large tract of land from the government in Wyanet township. becoming owner of between four and five hundred aeres. As the years passed he prospered, and, in- vesting more and more largely in real estate, be-
eame the owner of over twelve hundred wo -. fol- lowed farming and sto k-raising, and while culti- vating part of his land, he based much of it, de- riving therefrom a good income. He served as justice of the peace for years, but was never very active in polities in the sense of office seeking. His political allegiance was given to the democracy for a long period, but in later years he was a prohi- bitionist, for the party embodied his ideas upon the temperance question. Both he and his wife were life long Methodists, and were most earnest Christian people. His death occurred in Decom- ber, 1891, when he lacked but four days of being eighty-four years of age. He was twice married before he wedded Ann Carter, and by a former marriage had one son, John W., who served in the Civil war and died after returning home. Mrs. Ann Sapp passed away about 1850 at an advanced age. By this marriage there were eight children, of whom four are now living, two died in child- hood, a daughter passing away in infancy and Solomon at the age of eleven years. The other six arrived at maturity, namely : Alfred B., who died upon his farm in Wyanet township in 1892, leaving three children; Julia, who became the wife of E. K. Mercer, and dial in August, 1905, when fifty years of age: Elijah, a farmer residing west of Wyanet; Mrs. Sarah E. Foreman, whose home is in Iowa; Ann E., the wife of J. S. Clark, of Prineeton ; and Henry.
The last named was reared in Bureau county from the age of six months, and has here lived for seventy-one years. He attended the public schools and a private school at Princeton, and was also a student in northern Illinois, pursuing his stud- ies at one time at Mount Morris, in Ogle county. He has successfully followed farming and stock- raising and still owns two farms, one of one hun- dred and sixty aeres and the other of eighty acres, both lying in Wyanet township. To those ho yet gives his personal supervision, although he leaves the active work- of the farm to others. His life has been one of industry and enterprise, and indo- lence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature. In 1859 Henry Sapp was married to Miss Martha Mills, who was born in flamilton county, Ohio, and came to Bureau county in 1857 with an aunt. Her parents, John R. and Ann ( Marshal! ) Mills, had arrived in 1856. The father died in the 'sos, at which time he was a retired farmer at Tiskilwa. His wife passed away in August, 1906, at the very advanced age of ninety-three years, and both were laid to rest in the Tiskilwa cemetery. Mrs. Sapp was one of seven children, five daughters and two sons. The latter are now deceased, but the five sisters are all living, though they are widely seat- tered. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sapp were born two children who yet survive, and they also lost one in infancy. The daughter. Lnella, is the wife of M. M. Cusie, residing at Chicago, who for years has been engaged in the boot and shoe business. They have one child, Dennis, who is about twenty-
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three years of age and is connected with a steel company at Chicago. Politically Mr. Sapp has given his support to the democratic party through much of his life, although he is practically inde- pendent in politics. He has filled some local offices, but has never been ambitous in that direction. He now resides at No. 201 East Pern street, in Princeton, and is comfortably situated as the re- sult of his enterprise and labor in former years. He worked persistently to acquire a competence, and as the years have passed he has gained that success which is the legitimate outcome of earnest and unfaltering labor.
The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Nell R. Virden, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Virden, mentioned on another page of this vol- ume. She, too, was born and reared in Bureau county and educated in the district and city schools. Two children grace this marriage: Ed- ward Virden, who was born in 1886, and is now a stenographer in the freight office of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, having graduated in the business college in Princeton on the com- pletion of the commercial course; and Charles Lee, eighteen years of age, at home.
In his political views Mr. Sapp has always been a democrat, yet never active in the work of the party. He is prominent in Masonry, having taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter and commandery. and his wife is connected with the P. E. O., while her religious faith is indicated by her membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. They have a pleasant home at No. 521 West South street, and are prominent in social circles of the city, having a wide and favorable acquaintance, while the hos- pitality of many of the best homes of Princeton is cordially extended them.
WARREN L. MERCER.
Warren 1. Mercer, residing in the village of La Moille, is an enterprising and wide-awake busi- ness man, who has charge of his father's estate. A native son of the county, he was born May 15, 1873, his parents being George W. and Sarah (Little) Mercer, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New Jersey. They were married in 1870 in this county and located upon a farm. Mr. Mereer successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits, making judicious investments in prop- erty until he is now the owner of six hundred acres of very valuable land. Unto him and his wife were born seven children.
Warren I. Mercer, the second in order of birth, was a student in the La Moille schools until he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught, after which he turned his attention to the farming and live stock business. Hle now owns property in the village of La Moille and his time and energies are largely occupied with the man- agement of his father's extensive interests. He
has charge of the farming of six hundred acres of land and in its care d'-plays excellent business ability and executive fort.
On the 20th of August, 1891, Mr. Mereer was married to Miss Ida MeCray, who was born August 18, 1814, in La Moille township,, a daugh- ter of Joseph MeCray. They now have three children : Alma E., born April 8, 1891; Gladys E., October 2, 1898; and Gaylord, July 26, 1900. In his political views Mr. Mercer is a republican and he and his family are members of the Metho- dist Protestant church. He is a man of fine physique, who has attained proficiency in various athletic sports and is a model citizen, whose in- terest in public affairs is manifest in the tangible co-operation which he gives to many movements of direct and permanent benefit to the community. In his business affairs he has attained distinction as one thoroughly familiar with his chosen line of activity and also thoroughly competent therein, and in the control of the interests of which he now has charge he is displaying excellent ability and extentive force.
HENRY D. STEELE, M. D.
Dr. Henry D. Steele, physician and surgeon of Princeton, with large patronage, indicative of the publie confidence in his professional skill and knowledge, was born in Dover, Illinois, June 17, 1869. His father, Andrew L. Steele, was a native of New York, and married Susan Zearing, a native of Pennsylvania and a relative of the Zearing family of Bureau county. The marriage was cele- brated in 1852, and Andrew L. Steele followed merchandising in Dover, Illinois, thus providing a comfortable living for his family. He took a warm interest in public affairs, and has always been numbered among the highly respected citizens of the different communities in which he has lived. 'He now makes his home in Princeton, where he is enjoying a well-earned rest after long, active and honorable connection with commercial pursuits.
Dr. Steele, having completed his literary edu- cation in Dover Academy. entered upon the study of medicine as a student in the medical depart- ment of the Northwestern University of Chicago, from which he was graduated in the class of 1892. After spending a year as a student in John Hop- kins hospital at Baltimore, Maryland, he located for practice at Buda in 1893, where he remained until 1895, when he pursued a special course of study on the eye, ear, nose and throat in Chicago Polyelinie. Later he went to Moline, Illinois, where he remained from 1896 until 1899, and in the latter year he went west to Colorado for the benefit of his health. He was greatly improved by his sojourn in that state and engaged in prac- tice there, being so successful that he took his family to the west, continuing his residoner in Colorado until 1900, when he came to Princeton,
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where he has since been located.
On the 13th of November, 1891, Dr. Steele was joined in wedlock to Miss Alta M. Mesenkop, a daughter of W. H. Mesenkop, of Princeton, and they have one son, William Henry. Dr. Steele holds membership in the Masonic lodge of Prince- ton, the council and the commandery, and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. He possesses the enterprising spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the middle west, and his laudable ambition and close application have made him an able representative of his profession, with broad, thorough and accurate knowledge. He is seldom, if ever, at fault in the diagnosing of a case or in anticipating the outcome of dis- ease, and anything which tends to bring to man the key to' that complex mystery which we call life is of interest to him. A love of scientific re- search and broad humanitarian principles combine to make him a successful physician.
ALBERT PIPER.
The broad acres which constitute the farm of Albert Piper are well cultivated, and golden har- vests are anmially gathered as the reward of his labors. Ile is one of the most progressive agri- culturists of his community, and that he keeps in touch with modern progress is indicated by the fact that among his possessions is included a fine automobile, whereby he is enabled to cover the distance of twelve miles between his home and the county seat in thirty-five minutes. Born in Bureau county on the 1st of April, 18:5, he is a son of Iliram 11. and Amanda (McWilliams) Piper, who were married December 18, 1859. The father was born in Harveysburg, Ohio, December 11, 1828, and the mother's birth occurred Janu- ary 16, 1811. Hiram II. Piper arrived in Bureau county in 1836, and has since lived within its bor- ders, taking a prominent part in shaping its agri- cultural development. He is now one of the ven- erable citizens of the county, and well deserves mention in this volume as a pioneer who has aided in subjugating the wilderness and extendling the frontier.
Albert Piper at the usual ago became a public- school student, and through the winter seasons mastered the branches of learning usually taught in the public schools, while in the summer months he was trained to farm labor, with which he be- came thoroughly familiar, gaining accurate knowl- edge of the best methods and time of planting his crops and of caring for the fieldls during the season of development and of harvest. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Ella M. Turner, whom he woulded on the 1st of October, 1896. She was born Semember 18, 1611, in this county, and her parents, Clarence L. and Mary .1. (Palmner) Turner, were also natives of this county and are now living retired in Princeton at the age
of sixty years. Lile her husband, Mis. Piper was educated in the public schools hin. They allend the Methodist Episcopal church at Malden and contribute to its support, while Mr. Pipet follows in the political footsteps of his father and gives unfaltering allegiance to the republaan party. He belongs to the Knights of Pytlas fraternity, his membership being in Dauntless lodge, No. 150, and is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America.
While his is a well rounded nature, in which due attention is given to the various interests bearing upon man's physical, mental and moral develop- ment, his time naturally is given mostly to his business allaire, and he is now the owner of two hundred acres of choice land, in the management of which he displus excellent business foresight and sagacity. Ile is seldom at error in matters of judgment, is capable and honest, and success has come to him as the result of well directed ef- fort. He bids fair to repeat the work of his father, who has long been numbered as one of the pros- perous and leading farmers of the county. Al- ready he has a fine farin. in the midst of which stands a handsome residence. Near by are good barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and these in turn are surrounded with broad fields, giving promise of golden harvests. No modern equipment of a model farm is lacking, and he is always interested in everything that pertains to agricultural progress. Fifty years ago people were riding to town in this part of the state behind the slow plodding osen. Today Mr. Piper covers a distance of twelve miles in thirty- five minutes in his automobile. Equally pro- nounerd progress has been made in other depart- ments of farm work and with all Mr. Piper has kept in touch. Money making is not the sole end and aim of his life, for while he is successful he believes also in enjoying life and in his home hospitality reigns supreme, the Piper residence being a favorite resort with the many friends of the family.
WILLIAM E. ANDERSON.
William E. Anderson, who, having retired from active farming life after many years of connection with general agricultural interesis, is now living in a comfortable home in Milo township, was born in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1858. lle is a son of Emanuel Anderson, who came to this county from Pennsylvania and settled on the fain where Peter Banckman now lives. He as- sisted in improving this land and subsequently went to Iowa, but after a time removed to Ne- braska, where he died in 1901 at the age of seventy seven years. He had four children, three sons and a daughter, of which number three are now living, namely: William : Francis, who re- sides in Oregon; and Mary, the wife of Jerome Lewis of Kansas.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
William Anderson was educated in the common schools and has always followed farming. bought his first tract of land in 1885, becoming owner of two hundred and forty aeres at a later date. He has prospered in his undertakings, his investments have been judiciously placed and as the result of his careful management and enter- prising business affairs he is now in possession of a handsome competence that enables him to live retired.
Mr. Anderson married Miss Charlotte Hunter, a daughter of Edward Hunter, an old settler of Bureau county, who came here when a boy about 1850. They now have four children, two sons and two daughters: Charles, who is a graduate of the Tiskilwa high school and is now attending college at Champaign, Illinois ; Hiram MeClellau, a graduate of the Tiskilwa high school ; Ethel; and Inez.
Mr. Anderson is a republican who has served as road commissioner, as school trustee and school director, and the duties devolving upon him in these connections have been faithfully performed, for in all matters of citizenship he is loyal to the best interests of the community. He holds meu- bership with the Masonie fraternity at Tiskilwa and he and his wife favor the Methodist Episco- pal church. In former years Mr. Anderson was a leading farmer and stock man, who raised hogs and cattle for the market. By his close applica- tion and unremitting attention to his business, combined with unfaltering industry, he steadily worked his way upward, reaching the plane of affluence. He built a beautiful home on the farm where he now resides, but he has recently disposeil of this property and will take up his abode in the town, his capital being sufficient to supply him with the comforts and many of the luxuries of life without recourse to further labor.
A. M. BRYAN.
A. M. Brvan resides at No. 104 South Fourth street in Princeton and is well known throughout the county and this part of the state as a promi- nent and prosperous breeder of registered short- horn cattle and Poland China hogs, to which busi- ness he has devoted his energies for twenty-three years. Ile was born in Ohio in 1853 and in 1855 was brought to Bureau county by his parents, James and Julia ( Leanham ) Bryan. His mother, a native of Ohio, had a family of sixteen children. of whom thirteen are now living. She still sur- vives, but the father passed away in 1891.
A. M. Bryan acquired his education in the com- mon schools of Bureau county and throughout his business career has been identified with farming and stock-raising interests here save for a period of two years spent in northwestern Iowa. In 1901 he purchased a farm of two hundred and fifty
acres cast of Princeton, wash fo @lowse. It. la one of the prominent stodtales of southern Il linois and keeps about fort. bowl of grille and three hundred hogs. He has guld korn every month in the year and sells har- each month in the year. He has made sabes of hogy in thirteen states of the Union, including Tevis, Pennsyl- vania, South Dalata, Delaware, Oklahoma and others. He makes a specialty of the bruding and raising of logs and for this purpose buys the best -tock regardless of price. He now owns Junction Chief, eleven years obl and weighing one thousand pounds. In 1905 he bought a hog, U. S. Sun- shine, two years old, weighing eight hundred and fifteen pounds and measuring eleven inches on the smallest part of the leg. Captain R. Bruton, liv- ing ten miles north of Princeton, who has the reputation of being the best pork pro lucer in Bu- reau county, has bought two male hop- cach year from Mr. Bryan for seventeen consecutive years. In his business Mr. Bryan has been very success- ful. He advertises in breeders' journals and has become well known in stock-raising circles throughout the country. Ilis business has reached very extensive and profitable proportions and he has become the owner of valuable property hold- ings, including a fine farm of two hundred and eight acres ju-t south of Princeton, where he carries on his stock-raising interests. He has there a fine two-story residence and large barns. He also owns two hundred and fifty acres cast of Princeton and his present residence is situated at 101 South Fourth street. just opposite the Prince- ton high school, in which his daughters are being educated.
Mr. Bryan was married to Miss Maggie Elliott, a daughter of J. F. Elliott, of Iowa, and a sister of Simon Elliott of Princeton. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan now have two daughters, Zathoe and Viv- ian. The parents and daughters are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bryan is a demo- crat with independent tendencies and though he keeps well informed on questions and issues of the day he has never sought for office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business inter- ests. He does not possess a dollar that he has not himself honestly earned. It has been through in- domitable perseverance and a hard struggle that he has worked his way steadily upward and the story of his achievement should inspire all young men who read it with a truer estimate of the value of industry and the sure rewards of character.
LEWIS M. LONG.
Lewis M. Long, whose life has been an active and useful one, deserves much credit for what ho has acomplished. He was born in Ottawa county, Ohio, December 12, 1831, and was only six years of age when brought to Bureau county by his parents in 1852. He was the oldest of five chil-
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