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 63
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esty. integrity and everything they A goof in pol- ittes and public his. ant no man in Burcan county has stood nearer to the hearts of the people."
WILLIAM H. BOOTH.
William Il. Booth, who in former yeats was a representative farmer of Berlin township but is now living retired in Princeton, was born in Put- nam county, Illinois, October 21. 1841. His pa- rents were Jeremiah and Elizabeth A. ( Carver ) Booth, natives of Ohio, whence they came to Illi- uois in 1816, locating in Putnam county. Their marriage was celebrated in the former state and they became the parents of six children, of whom William H1. was the fifth in order of birth. Ifis youth was passed in his parents' home, where he was carly trained to habits of industry and econ- omy. His preliminary education was supplement- ed by study in Dover Academy and after leaving school he went upon a farm and has devoted al- most his entire life to general agricultural pur- suits.
On Christmas day of 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Ant E. Pierce, who was born May 11, 1815, a daughter of James A. and Esther ( Green) Pierce. Mrs. Booth was also educated in Dover Academy and is a lady of natural cul- ture and refinement. By this marriage have been born two children: Eva E., who was born March 8. 1811, and is the wife of J. C. Field, a resident of Berlin township; and May P., who was born June 28. 1815, and is still at home.
Mr. Booth owns one hundred acres of land in Berlin township but now resides in the city of Princeton, renting hi- farin. This land, which was purchased for five dollars per acre, is now worth from one hundred and seventy-five to two hundred dollars per acre and the rental therefrom brings him a good income. He has up to recent years led a very busy, active and useful life. His place is situated in one of the finest farming see- tions of the county and is adorned with excellent buildings, beautiful shado tree, and all modern equipments and accessories which go to render it an ideal country home. There he raised aud fed stock in addition to the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate. His prosperity is attributable entirely to his own efforts, having been acquired through honest, earnest labor, through economy and careful management. Whatever he undertook Mr. Booth carried forward to successful comple- tion and his business affairs were so ably directed that he is now in possession of a very handsome competence.
Mr. Booth holds membership in Lovi Lusk lodge. No, 220, A. F. and A. M., at Arlington ; in Princeton chapter, No. 28. R. A. M. ; in Temple commanderv. No. 20, K. T .: and the entire fam- ily belong to the Eastern Star Indge of Princeton.
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They are also members of the Congregational church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. Mr. Booth has filled all of the offices in the Masonic lodge and in his life exemplifies its beneficent spirit. In politics he has always been a republican, voting with the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. For several terms he has served as school director and the cause of education finds in him a stal- wart friend and supporter. He and his wife were numbered among the leading citizens of Berlin township and left behind them many friends when they removed from the farm to the city, where they now reside and where they have already gained the favorable regard of those with whom they have become associated. Mr. and Mrs. Booth have always provided their children with good educational privileges and the youngest daughter is a graduate of the Princeton high school. The family stand for educational progress, for material improvement and for advancement in all those walks of life that are of benefit to humanity at large and those who know them entertain for them the warmest esteem.
CHRISTOPHER BOYLAND.
Christopher Boyland, a farmer of Westfield township, where he owns a fine tract of eighty acres, was born in Dimmick township, La Salle county. Illinois, February 5, 1854, his parents being Thomas and Mary (O'Brien) Boyland, both natives of County Mead, Ireland, who emigrated from that country to America in the year IS16, their destination being La Salle county. The father there engaged in farming until 1862, when, on the 6th of April of that year, he remeved to Bureau county, Illinois, settling on a farm on sertion 13, Westfield township, where he con- tinued his farming operations until his death, which occurred on the 4th of August, 1858, while his wife survived him for only a few years, pass- ing away on the 15th of September, 1895.
Christopher Boyland, the subject of this re- view, was reared to farm life, as-isting hi- father in the work of cultivating the land, planting and harvesting the erops when not engaged with his tasks in the school room. His educational priv- ileges were received in Morris McDonald's dis- triet school No. 7. now No. 91. When he had put aside his text-books and was ready to start out in life on his own account he chose the oc- cupation to which he had been reared, and, as he was energetic and industrious, always alert for every opportunity that would prove of beneft to him, as the years have passed by he has pros- pered in his undertakings until he is today the owner of eighty acres of very valuable farming land, situated in Westfield township. He has im- proved his land, keeping the best farm machinery in order to facilitate his labors, and on his farm
are found good, substantial buildings for the shelter of gram and stock. He has recently com- plated a new corn crib, which Is a capacity of six thousand bu-bels of corn and five thousand bu-liels of oats. Besides raising the grain best adapted to soil and climate, Mr. Boyland is also engaged in raising stock, having horses, cattle and hoge of fine grades, and thus he has been very successful in both farming and stock-rais- ing interests.
On the 28th of February, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Boyland and Miss Catherine MeDonall, who was born December 17, 1856, a daughter of Thomas and Nora ( McDonald) Me- Donald, both natives of Ireland, from whence they emigrated with their respective parents to Newfoundland, where they were engaged in the fishing business. The MeDonald families later removed to Bureau county, Illinois, the year of their arrival here being 1852. Here Thomas Me- Donald engaged in railroading for a number of years, or until 1862, when he turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits until his death, which ocenrred on the end of July, 1901. He had been married in 1851 to Miss Nora M. Donald and she vet survive- her husband, making her home on the old farm hom stead.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born eight children, namely: Richard. Thomas, Ed- ward, John, Patrick, Agnes, Mint and Marcella. Politically Mr. Boyland is a democrat and he and his family are communicants of the Catholic church at Arlington. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 3111, at Arlington.
Mr. Boyland is numbered among the substan- tial farmers and stock raisers of Westfield town- ship, having a fine tract of eighty arres on which he has played all modern improvements and through his industry and careful supervision of his business interests he is meeting with gratify- ing succes -. He atel his family have many warm friends and are classed among the best people of their community.
CLIFTON D. COCHRAN.
Clifton D. Cochran, who was one of the heirs of a fine farm of one hundred and eighty aerc- in Westfield township, Bureau county, was born in Ilall township, this county, March 1. 1865, a son of David A. and Melissa ( Dewey) Cochran, both natives of New York, and the latter a cousin of Admiral Dowey. The grandfather, David Coch- ran, Sr., came from New York to Bureau county in 1848 and in the early '50s purchased from the government the south half of se tion 32, pay- ing the usual price of one dollar anl a quarter per acre, the patent bearing the sien .ture of P'res- ident James K. Polk The father acompaniol his parents from New York to this state, and the mother arrived in the year 1861. The former is
DAVID COCHRAN.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
now deceased, his death occurring July 1, 1881, and his wife still survives, making her home in Ladd, Illinois. Fred Cochran, a brother of our subject, was born April 8, 1820, and lives in Ladd with his mother.
Clifton D. Cochran was reared to farm life, as- sisting in the operation of the home farm, and thus receiving practical training which fitted him for carrying on a farm of his own in later years. He pursued his education in the Bureau school in Westfield township, and after putting aside his text-books he continued to follow the occupation to which he had been reared, and at one time owned a valuable tract of land in Westfield town- ship, which was entered from the government by his grandfather many years ago.
On the 12th of March, 1881, occurred the mar- riage of Clifton D. Cochran and Miss Sylvia Cheesman, who was born July 15, 1863, and is a daughter of John T. and Elizabeth ( Barker) Cheesman. The father is a native of England, and the mother claims Canada as the place of her birth. They came to Bureau county prior to the Civil war. The father is now deceased, but the mother still survives, and makes her home in Peoria county with her daughter, Mrs. Carrie Brown. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cochran have been born five childlien: Carrie, Walter, Jean, Sylvia and David.
Mr. Cochran is a Mason, belonging to Levi Lusk lodge, No. 270, at Arlington. He is now sery- ing as a trustee of the Bureau Baptist church in Westfield township, although not a member of that denomination. He is a republican in politics. For the past twenty years he has served as school di- reetor, and is now acting as clerk of the school board. He is interested in the cause of education, and does everything in his power to advance the system of publie instruction. He has followed farming as a life work and has been very suc- cessful in his undertakings, and is a man highly esteemed by his many friends and acquaintances.
WILLIAM PRATT BUSWELL.
William Pratt Buswell, deceased, who was con- nected with farming interests in Bureau county, and in business life won prosperity and the re- spect of his fellowmen, was born in Peachanı, Cal- edlonia county, Vermont, August 23, 1821, and died in Neponset, Illinois, July 20, 1891. He was descended from one of the oldlest New Eng- land families, tracing his ancestry back to Isaac Buswell, who left England on the ship Caroline, April 11, 1638, and died at Salisbury, Massachu- setts, July S, 1683. Without referring specifical- ly to succeeding generations, we come down to Nicholas Colby Buswell, the father of James Bus- well. The latter was born in Peacham, Ver- mont, in 1793 and married Chloe Pratt.
At an early period in the first half of the nine-
teenth century James Bu-well brought his family to Illinois and William Pratt Buell acquired his education in the district school of Osreola, Stark county, and in Knox College, at Gales- burg, Illinois. Ever of a studious nature and dis- position, he was a great reader of history and English literature, and continually enriched and broadened his mind by his reading and research, which acquainted him with the works of the master minds of all ages. Throughout his active business life he was connected with agricultural pursuits and the purchase and improvement of farm lands.
On the ?1th of July, 1851, Mr. Buswell was married to Mis- Elizabeth Holgate, a daughter of Judge James Holgate, of Wyoming, Stark coun- ty, Illinois, and the members of the family are: James Jay, who married Elsie Fowler, a daugh- ter of Morris Fowler of Bradford, Illinois; War HI., who married Elizabeth Boynton, of Galva, Illinois ; May Il. ; Scott; and June.
In politics Mr. Buswell was a stanch republican and took a deep and active interest in the work of the party and its growth and success. Gifted by nature with good intellectual powers which he cultivated by reading and study, he was always interested in life-problems and was conscientious in the fulfillment of his duty as a man in his re- lations with his fellowmen and as a citizen in his relations to his county and his country.
FRED G. BAUER.
Fred G. Bauer, whose valuable farming inter- ests comprise three hundred and twenty acres of land and who in addition to the development and improvement of his farm has been engaged in threshing for the past thirty years, was born in Clarion township, April 13, 1858, and it is in the same section of the county that he still resides. His parents were John and Katherina (Heffner) Bauer, both natives of Bikeheim, Germany. They came to America in the latter part of the '40s, probably about 1848, and were among the earlier settlers of Bureau county, taking up their abode on a farm on section 28, Clarion township, where they remained for seven or eight years. Subse- Imently they settled on section 16 of the same township and there the mother is still living, but the father passed away on the 15th of August, 1815.
Frederick G. Bauer completed his education in the Clarion township schools and throughout his entire life has carried on general agricultural pursuits. That he has prospered is indicated by the fact that he is today the owner of extensive landed interests covering three hundred and twen- ty aeres in Clarion township valued at from one hundred and seventy-five to two hundred dollars per acre. Every accessory of the model firm is here found in the good residence, the substantial
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outbuildings and well kept fences, the richly cul- upon the place, which add to its wanie and attrac- tivated fields and the good grades of stock. Ile t'w appearance and the home is a pleasanthy hos- pitable one, presided over by a most estimable lady, who gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Kumpf about seven years ago. has led a life of industry crowned with success and his example serves to prove what may be ac- complished through unremitting diligence and carefully executed plans.
On the 18th of November, 1882, Mr. Bauer was married to Miss Mary Fresc, who was born in Germany, January 4, 1861, a daughter of Henry and Anna ( Ehlers) Frese, who were likewise born in the fatherland. Mr. Frese came to Bureau county with his daughter, Mrs. Bauer, his wife having died three years previously in the old country. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bauer have been born five children, who are yet living: John E., Herman C., Tillie E., Hattie M. and Paul J. They also had one son, Robert, who died in in- fancy. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church and are actively interested in its work. Politically Mr. Bauer is a republican but without aspiration for ofice. In disposition he is jovial and genial and is a man loved by his many friends. His entire life has been spent in this county and he is very popular with all with whom he has come in contact.
LOUIS KUMPE, JR.
Louis Kumpf, Jr., of La Moille township, owns two hundred and twenty acres of fine land lo- cated in one of the best farming districts of Bu- reau county. He is well situated financially for a young man of his years, for he has just com- pleted his third decade, having been born in Bu- reau county on the 14th of January, 1876. His father. Louis Kumpf, was born in Germany and came to America in 1841. In 1848 he established his home in Bureau county and was married in the United States to Miss Sylvia Garinger, also a native of Germany. As the years passed their family numbered eleven children, of whom Lonis was the seventh in order of birth. Of this num- ber five are now living in Nebraska and the others in Illinois. To a boy wide awake and full of life there is always something of interest happening and though Louis Kumpf passed his youth upon the farm it was not an uneventful period, for he acquired the education and laid the foundation for the development of a character that has en- abled him to win a place among the leading farm- ers of La Moille township in later years. A life of diligence and enterprise has been crowned with a gratifying measure of success and he is today the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of fine land in La Moille township. This is rated at the highest market price and through the ju- dicions investment of his capital and the careful improvement of his land Mr. Kumpf has doubled his wealth in five years. The farm is supplied with excellent buildings, which are commodious, modern and well painted. There are fine trees
It was on the 11th of Derember, 1899, that the marriage of Louis Kumpf and Miss Bertha Schwab was celebrated. She was born in Gre n- ville township, Burcan county, February 18, 1928, and is a daughter of Chris and Eva (Schneider) Schwah, who were natives of Germany, but were married in this country. They had a family of five children, of whom Mrs. Kumpf is the fourth. Like her husband, she was educated in the district schools of La Moille township. Their union has been graced with three children : Lillie, born June 10, 1900; Verna, born April 21, 1903; and Min- nie, born May 14, 1906.
The parents are members of the German Lu- theran church at Hollowayville and Mr. Kumpf votes with the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good govern- ment. He and his family are very comfortably situated in life and he has already gained a place among the substantial men of afinence, attaining a measure of success superior to that of most men of his years. Straightforward business dealings and indefatigable perseverance have marked his way and those with whom he has had trade and social relations speak of him in terms of praise and commendation. for in his history there has been naught that savors of underhand dealing or questionable practices.
FRED B. STEIN.
Fred B. Stein, a former, owning and operating one Inmindred and fifty-four acres of land in West- field township, Bureau county, Illinois, is a na- tive of this county, having been born in Clarion township in 1820, his natal day being September 22. He is a son of Henry and? Minnie (Mei-1) Stein, both natives of Germany, who came to America at an early age and settled in Bureau county, being numbered among its early pioneer settlers. Daring hi- active business cares the father always followed agricultural pursuits, but he has now retired from all business connections and with his wife is now living retired at Men- dota. Illinois. He was always an energetic and in lustrious farmer and his jest from further toil is well merited.
Fred B. Stein, whose name introduces this record, was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, assisting in the work of cultivating and de- veloping his father's land, and It was thus well fitted for carrying on business on his own account in later years. He receivel his eine: tion in the district schools of Clarion township. After put- ting aside his text-books he continued agricultural
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
pursuits, which has always been his life work. When he started out on his own account he pros- pered in his undertakings, and year by year has added to his income until today he is the owner of one hundred and fifty-four acres of fine farming land, situated in Westfield township, which he has improved, adding all modern accessories, until it is now one of the fine farm homes of the town- ship. He is here engaged in raising corn and oats and esch year the land yields splendid erops, owing to the care he bestows upon the fields. Ile is also engaged to some extent in raising Norman horses, and he finds this branch of his business a very profitable one.
On the 18th of January, 1891, Mr. Stein was united in marriage to Mis- Gertrude Klein, a na- tive of Germany, born on the 5th of June, 1813, a daughter of Peter and Frances ( Kindersvelt ) Klein, who were likewise natives of that country. Mrs. Stein was nine years of age when her par- ents emigrated to America and settled in La Salle county, Illinois, the year of their arrival being 1882. The father there engaged in agricultural pursuits and he and his wife still reside there. Mr. and Mrs. Stein are the parents of five chil- dren, namely : Edward, Viola, Minnie, Laurina and Florence, and the family are members of the German Lutheran church at Mendota. Mr. Stein is a democrat ju his political views, although he does not adhere strictly to that party and some- times votes an independent ballot, regarding the men whom he thinks best qualified for office rather than adhering to party ties.
lle is an enterprising agriculturist, as is mani- fested by the finely improved condition of his land, which is a very valuable property, being worth from one hundred and seventy-five to two hundred dollars per acre. Here he is engaged in the raising of grain and stock and ranks among the most successful farmers of Westfiekl town- ship. lle and his wife are hospitable people and have a host of warm friends. 1
VICTOR A. NELSON.
Among the citizens of Bureau county of foreign birth is numbered Victor A. Nelson, whose life record is creditable alike to the land of his na- tivity and of his adoption. Ile was born in Sweden, May 26, 1869, has been a resident of America since 1888 and is now actively interested in farming operations in La Moille township, Bu- reau county. Hle pursued his education in Swe- den, where he was reared ander the parental roof, and in the year 1888 he came to America, hoping to benefit his financial condition in the new world, of whose opportunities and privileges he had heard very favorable reports. For eight years he has resided upon the farm which he now owns and occupies, comprising ninety acres of good land in La Moille township, for which he paid one hun-
dred dollars per acre. The impressoroots placed upon it and the natural rise in realt, values have made it today worthy one hun fred and fifty dol- lars per acre. Mr. Nelson is a grain farmer, his felds producing large crops of corn, bats and hay. The place is one of the finest farms of the county, splendidly equipped with all modern conveni- ences and accessories. It is supplied with natural gas for heating and cooking purposes and the buildings are model farm structures in every par- ticular. The attractive residence is surrounded by fine shade trees and in the rear stand commo- dious barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. These in turn are surrounded by well tilled fields, which are divided into tracts of convenient size by fences that are ever kept in good repair.
On the 26th of December, 1895, Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Catharine Fetzer, who was born in this county, August 16, 1868, a daughter of Casper and Fredericka (Huffman) Fetzer, who were natives of Germany, and after coming to America established their home in Bureau county. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson now have one child, Estah Nelson, born July 23, 1896. They attend the I'nited Brethren church and are progressive peo- ple who stand for all that is of value in the wel- fare and substantial development of the com- munity. Mr. Nelson votes with the republican party and no native-born son of the new world manifests a more loyal spirit in his support of the institutions of the republic. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the United States, but on the contrary has found here the opportunities he sought, which, by the way, are always open to ambitions, energetic young men. He has had here full scope of his energy and determination-his dominant qualitie - and as the years have passed he has wrested fortune from the hands of fate and is already one of the substantial agriculturists of La Moille township with valuable property holdings. Everything look- ing to the betterment of town and county receives his endorsement and in his publie life, as in his business interests, he has the genius for de- vising and executing the right thing at the right time. He and his wife are esteemed by many friends, being always spoken of by their neigh- bors in terms of kindly and appreciative regard.
JOHN CLANCY.
John Clancy, dealing in fine wines and liquors in Arlington, is a son of the Emerall isle, where his birth occurred June 24. Esto His parents wer . Patrick and Johanna (Power) Clancy who were likewise born in that country, where the father still lives, but the mother passed away in 1886.
John Claney remained a resident of his native land through much of the period of his youth
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
and on the 20th day of May, 1888, he came to Arlington, since which time he has lived in Bu- reau county. He was identified with agricultural pursuits here for abont eleven years, but is now a business man of Arlington, where he is dealing in fine wines and liquors. He holds membership in the Catholic church.
J. F. WAGNER.
J. F. Wagner, owner of the largest brickyard and tile manufacturing establishment in Prince- ton, which business has been under his personal control for a number of years, although estab- lished by his father in 1852, is a man whose in- tense and well-directed activity has gained him prominence in connection with the productive in- dustries of the county, while in all his business relations he has manifested the spirit that places him with that class of representative men who, while promoting individual interests, also con- tribute in substantial measure to general progress and prosperity. He was born in Princeton in 185: and is a son of John Wagner, a pioneer of Bureau county, who arrived in 1818, coming from Ger- many to America when young. After his arrival in this country he learned the trade of brick and tile making and in 1857 established in Princeton the brickyard which is now being conducted by his son. The new enterprise prospered from the beginning and in the course of years he built up a large business, the output being of such a qual- ity as to find a ready sale on the market, while his straightforward business dealings won for the house an unassailable reputation. He was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Michel, who also arrived in this county in 1848. They had seven children, but J. F. Wagner is the only one now living. The father departed this life in 1894, but the mother still survives and makes her home with her son at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
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