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 8
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In the township where his birth occurred Will. iam May was reared and his education was a - quired in the schools of Hollowayville. He start' out in life on his own account in 1820, when al ott
MR. AND MRS. HENRY STABLER.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
twenty-two years of age and has always been en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, depending upon the soil for his living and bringing to bear in its cultivation practical knowledge and keen discern- ment. He purchased his present farm in 1902 and year by year the fields bring forth bounteous harvest, for he uses modern scientific methods of farming, the practical value of which he has proven in the actual work of the fields.
Mr. May was married in this county to Miss Philopena Halde, who was born in Selby town- ship, a daughter of George and Lena Halde. Unto Mr. and Mrs. May have been born five chil- dren, all natives of this county: George, who is married and resides in Selby township; Mrs. Annie Fiste, of Selby town-hip; William, who is mar- ried and follows farming in Berlin township; Joseph and Philip, who assist in the operation of the home farm.
The parents are members of the German Lu- theran church and in politics Mr. May is a demo- crat, but while he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship, he does not seek or desire office. Pur- suing the even tenor of his way, watchful of the interests of his farm, making the best use of his advantages, he is conducting his business inter- ests in a manner productive of good financial re- sults.
THOMAS BURDEN.
Thomas Burden is now living retired, but still resides upon his farm in Fairfield township. He is one of the most extensive landowners of the county, his holdings embracing eighteen hundred acres, which he leases to various parties. He first eame to Burean county in 1850 and, being please.l with the country and its prospects, he decided to make his home here and located on his present farm on section 10 in 1832. Here for more than a half a century he has continuously lived and throughout this entire time has maintained a most unassailable reputation as an honorable business man. He was born in Queens county, Ireland, in 1830, and was seventeen years of age when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling first in New York. While there he worked on the rail- road between Syracuse and Rochester and laid the first T rail in that state, such rails being used to replace the old strap rails of the first roads.
In the fall of 1818 he proceeded westward to Chicago and thenee to Elgin, Illinois, where he was employed on the construction of the old Chi- cago & Galena Railroad, while at a later date he also worked on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the Rock Island and other railroads. He had come alone to this country, his father having died in Ireland. At a later date his mother and other members of the family crossed the Atlantic and lived in Oswego, New York, but from the time when he made the voyage to the new world Mr.
Burden has depended entirely upon his own re- sources. As stated, he arrived first in Bureau county in 1850 and two years later purchased his present home farm on section 10, Fairfield town- ship, on which he erected a log house about ten by twelve feet in dimensions. His railroad work brought him the capital that enabled him to be- come the owner of land. He carefully saved his earnings and pre-empted his homestead, which cov- ers the northwest quarter of the sertion. He has added to this at different times and he is now the most extensive landowner in Fairfield town- ship. while his realty holdings are among the larg- est in the county. He has followed farming since securing his pre-emption claim about 1851 and he has been largely interested in stock-raising, mak- ing a specialty of full blooded Durham cattle. For a great many years he hauled his grain to Ster- ling, a distance of eighteen miles. He has brought his land under a high state of cultivation and has four residences and sets of fari buildings upon his large acreage. At the present writing he is practi- cally living retired save for the supervision which he gives to the management of his property, but for many years he did much manual toil and he has borne a very helpful and important part in reclaiming the prairies from ther will condition and converting them into fine farms.
Mr. Burden was married in La Salle, Illinois, to Miss Eleanor Fitzgerald, of Bureau county, who was a native of Queens county, Ireland, and who as a young girl went to Canada. whence she accompanied her parents on their removal to this state. Subsequently her parents came to Fairfield township, Bureau county, where they spent their remaining days. Her father died more than thirty-five years ago, while her mother passed away in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Burden long traveled lite's journey happily together, but were separated by the death of the wife on the 15th of April, 1901, when she had reached the age of seventy- one years.
Mr. Burden has eight living children : George, a resident farmer of Fairfield township, who mar- ried Rosanna Wisley, who died four years ago, leaving ten children; Charles, a partner of the firm of Burden Brothers, of Tampico, who mar- ried Kate Coproy ard has seven children ; John, who manages the home plate; Mary, who is the widow of Joseph Clyne and lives upon the home farm ; Emma, the wife of William MeCabe, super- visor of Gold township, by whom she has three children ; William, who is also a member of the firm of Burden Brothers, of Tamnico, and was married to Margaret Harty; Elizabeth, the wife of William Graham, of Sterling, Illinois: and Nellie, the wife of Richard Kelley, a farmer of Fairfield township, by whom she has two sons. There were also two children who died in in- fancy : Katie and one who died unnamed.
Politically Mr. Burden is a democrat and has served as commissioner and in some other Incal
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offices, although he has never sought or desired political preferment, his business interests hav- ing made close claim upon his time and attention. In addition to acquiring extensive property inter- ests in this county he also is the owner of four hundred and thirty acres of land in Whiteside county. Ile has a fine residence in the village of Tampico and he holds membership in the Catholic church there. The life record of Mr. Burden may well serve as a source of inspiration and encour- agement to others, for when he came to the United States he was empty handed, possessing only a strong heart and unfaltering determination. He was ambitious to succeed, however, and scorned no honest work that would yield him a living. On railroad construction he made his start and as the years -passed he invested largely and judiciously in land until his present hoklings make him one of the wealthy residents of Fairfield township.
ENOS M. HAYES.
Enos M. Hayes, living in New Bedford, was born in Putnam, Illinois, August 2, 1853, and has been a resident of Fairfield township since 1857, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Bureau county. lle is a son of An- drew J. and Nancy ( Brown) Hayes. His father was born in Indiana, July 29, 1820, and his mother's birth occurred in the same state, Febru- ary 28, 1830. They arrived in Illinois in the '30s and, as stated, became residents of Bureau county in 1857.
Enos M. Hayes acquired his education in the district schools of Fairfield township and in that locality was reared to farm labor and was con- neeted with agricultural interests there until 1894. when he came to New Bedford, where he has since lived, his attention being given to various business enterprises.
On the 13th of March, 1872, Mr. Hayes was married to Miss Nettie Failing, who was born in Iroquois, Illinois, September 10, 1855. She, too, was brought to Bureau county in her childhood days and her early education was acquired in the public schools of Wyanet, while later she became a high-school student in Princeton. Eight children have been born of this marriage, of whom one is now deceased. Those still living are: Laura M., born October 30, 1874; Percy J., May 25, 1880; Lena M., November 30. 1884; Rowena E., August 1, 1886; Irvin A., May 13, 1889; Melva M., May 15, 1893 ; and Barnal C., October 2, 1899.
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Mr. Hayes exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is interested in its success and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. His tam- ily are all members of the Church of Christ. He is now living in comfortable circumstances in New Bedford. For five years he served as constable of Greenville township and is interested in public
progress and improvement, withholding his and and co-operation from no movement that he be- lieves will prove of general good. Ile has resided continuously in this county for ahnost half a cen- tury and has therefore been a witness of much of its growth.
LEWIS JAMES HOLMES.
Lewis James Holmes operates a valuable farm of two hundred and fifty-five aeres, of which he owns one hundred and sixty-five acres. This is situated in Macon township and in its well im- proved condition there is indication of the care- ful supervision of the owner.
Mr. Holmes was born in Macon township, Au- gust 7, 1860. His parents were Lewis and Sarah (Coate) llolmes. The father was born in Wind- ham county, Connecticut, August 10, 1814, and was the only child of Thomas and Jerusha Holmes. He was reared upon a farm, acquired a common school education and remained with his parents until he attained his majority, assist- ing in the cultivation of the farm, subsequent to which time he worked in the woolen and cotton manufactories of Rhode Island and Massachusetts until 1838. He then went to Oneida county, New York, and spent a year working on the Erie canal, after which he was again connected with woolen manufacturing interests in Madison coun- ay, where he remained until 1818. He then came to Illinois, settling on the present site of the village of Providence, having purchased a quar- ter section of land there before leaving the east. Ile did not like the location, however, as he do- sired to live where there was some timber, and he purchased a quarter section of land from the government in Macon township at a dollar and a quarter per aere. There were no improvements upon it and his first dwelling was a log cabin. By industry and thrift he not only added much to his original tract of land but also had a com- fortable residence and good buildings with mod- ern improvements. The journey westward was made by way of the lakes to Chicago, thence by canal to La Salle and on to Macon township. In 1850 he bought eighty acres and as his financial resources increased he added to his property un- til at one time he had six hundred and fifty acres of land. Hle was one of the pioneer settlers ant broke the wild prairie and did other arduous work connected with the development of a new farmi. His entire life was devoted to farming and stock- raising and his capable business management is indicated by the excellent results which followed his efforts.
Lewis Holmes was twice married, his first union being with Miss Hannah Lee, whom he wedde! in Connecticut in 1837. Unto this marriage were born six children : Mary, the wife of 1. W. Eaton. a resident of Buda; William II., who is married and resides in South Dakota: Emma L .. the wife
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of Henry White; Galusha L., who was born Feb- ruary 21, 1817, and is living in this county; Lewis B., who was born May 1, 1849, and died March 21, 1859 ; and Ellen J., who was born De- cumber 5, 1853, and died February 18, 1858. Having lost his first wife, Lewis Holmes, Sr., married Miss Sarah Coate, of England, on the 25th of September, 1860, and they had three children, of whom George W. and Lewis James are living, while a daughter, Dell, who was the second child, was born November 3, 1861, and died November 10, 1881. The death of the wife and mother occurred November 29, 1898, eight weeks prior to the demise of her husband. He passed away at his home in Macon township January 21, 1899, at the age of eighty-four years, five months and eleven days. In politics he was a republican and served as assessor for forty years. He was also school director and trustee and was a firm friend of the public schools. He lived an upright life and had the respect and esteem of all who knew him. His wife, who was born in Essex county, England, August 25. 1821, came to America in the fall of 1854, landing in Sheffield, after a voyage of six weeks and three days. She was formerly a member of the Church of England. Mrs. Hohnes had a kind word for every one and was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. In the community she was mourned as a true friend and in the family cirele is greatly missed. It can truly be said of her that those who knew her best loved her most.
Lewis James Holmes pursued his education in the public schools and was reared upon his fa- ther's farm in Macon township, carly becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agrieulturist. He began farming on his own account when twenty-eight years of age and his time and energies are now given to the further development and improvement of two hundred and fifty-five acres of land, of which he at present owns one hundred and sixty-five acres. In all of his work he is energetie and determined, carrying forward to successful completion what- ever he undertakes.
On the 5th of April, 1888, Mr. Holmes was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Sanfleben, who was born in Germany, May 2, 1865, and is a daughter of Henry and Christiana (Dahl) San- tleben, who were likewise natives of that country and came to the United States in 1868. They located near Neponset, Illinois, and the father worked out as a farm hand. Later he bought ninety-two and a half acres of land and subso- quently purchased one hundred and sixty acres north of Kewance. In 1901 he purchased a resi- dence in Neponset, where he and his wife are now living, having put aside the more active cares of a business career. Mr. Sanfleben is a democrat, having given his allegiance to the par- ty since becoming a naturalized American citizen. Unto him and his wife have been born four chil-
dren : Louisa. Charles, Mrs. Holmes and Henry.
The marriage of Mi. and Mrs. Holmes has been blessed with nine children: Lewis IL., Eva B., Sarah C., Lizzie 11 .. Grace M .. Ruby M., Bessie 31., George W. and Cecil E. Mr. Holmes votes with the republican party and has served as school director for the past seven years. His interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community is indicated by his efforts to promote public progress and advance the material development of the county. His entire life has been passed in Macon township and the consensus of public opinion regarding him is altogether fa- vorable.
FRANK GEBECK.
Frank Gebeck is a representative of the farming interests of Concord township. His parents, Con- rad and Christina (Duvwald) Gebeck, came to Buda, Illinois, in July, 1857, from Brunswick. Germany. They were farming people and spent their remaining days in Bureau county. identified with its agricultural interests. The father's death occurred in June, 1591. while his wife passed away February 27, 1883.
Frank Gebeck aegured his preliminary educa- tion in the district schools and afterward continued his studies in Sheffield. He spent his youth upon the home farm, working with his father through the period of his boyhood and after completing his education until the time of the father's death. Ile still resides on the old home place but has added many acres to the farm, making purchase from time to time until within the boundaries of the old homestead are now comprised one hundred acres. He has been very energetic and capable in his farm work and the felds have been brought under a high state of cultivation and return to him golden harvests for the care and labor he be- stows upon them. There are good buildings and modern equipments on the farm and none of the accessories of a model place of the twentieth cen- tury are lacking. On the contrary everything in- dicates the spirit of enterprise which dominates the owner and has made him a successful agri- enlturist.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Gebeck chose Miss Melissa Winslow, of Buda. to whom he was married on the 1-t of June, 1592. She is a daughter of Gardner and Christina Wins. low, who were farming people of this county. The young couple now have three children: Charles Raymond, born Jannary 5, 1894; Fred Bryan, born November 22, 1895: and Hazel Bertha. Sop- tember 19, 1891.
In his political affiliation Mr. Gebeck is a demo- crat. always giving stanch allegiance to the party and its principles. He holds men borship in the German Lutheran church and the cause of educa- tion has found in him a warm and stalwart friend during his twenty-one years' service as a schoo!
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director, in which time he has labored effectively and earnestly to uphold the standard of the schools and promote their efficiency. Spending his en- tire life in this locality, he is well known as a representative of its farming interests and his success is largely attributable to his earnest labors.
EDWARD TINLEY.
For nearly a half century Edward Tinley, now deceased, was a well known business man of Bu- reau county. Ile was a native of Southwall, Eng- land, born September 22, 1833, and was a son of Samuel and Sarah Tinley, both of whom were natives of the same country.
Samuel Tinley was engaged in the grocery and bakery business in his native country for many years. Wishing to better his condition, and know- ing of the possibilities in the United States for one in limited circumstances, he resolved to make this country his future home. Accordingly, in 1848, he came with his family and first located near Frankfort, Illinois, where he bought a farm and engaged in its cultivation for five years. He then moved to what is now known as Tinley Park, which was named in his honor, and he was made station agent of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pa- eifie Railroad, which position he filled for twenty- four years, when he resigned and for two years lived a retired life in that village, or until his death at the age of seventy-four years. In the same village the death of his wife occurred many years ago. Of their children, but two are now living: Samuel, who lives in Nebraska; and Charles, residing in Chicago, who is a passenger conductor on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad.
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Edward Tinley was but fifteen years of age when he came with his parents to the United States. In his native country he attended the publie schools and received in them the founda- tion of an education that was supplemented in the school of experience in after life, he being what might well be termed a self-educated as well as self-made man. He was a close observer of men and events and put the knowledge thus obtained to a practical use.
On his arrival in this country, Edward Tinley assisted his father in farm work for a time, after which he went to Tinley Park, where, on March 29, 1854, he entered the employ of the railroad company, first pumping water at their tank in that place, and then as switchman, baggageman and assistant to his father as station agent. In 1856 he went to Del'ue, where he served as station agent.
While still living in Tinley Park he was mar- ried, September 22, 1855, to Miss Doreas A. Kit- tell, at Mendota, Illinois. She is a daughter of Rev. Ephraim and Hannah Kittell. Her father
was one of the pioneers of Du Page county. II .- nois, where he engaged in farming and alo m preaching the gospel as a minister in the Baptist church. He was well and favorably known to the people of Du Page and adjoining county .. and was respected for his sterling worth ant hi, labors of love in the gospel ministry. He made De Page county his home until his death. His wife also died in that county.
There were no children born to Mr. and Mrs. Tinley, but they partially reared several, inchid- ing Sarah Bansor, who was Mr. Tinley's cousin ; and Gardner L. and Loretta H. Kittell, children of Warren Kittell, who was a brother of Mi -. Tinley and died at Memphis, Tennessee, June 17, 1864, while in the Union service. Mr. amt Mrs. Tinley also reared Jessie Stephens, a daugh- ter of Sarah Bansor Stephens, and she became the wife of Frederick A. Tyng, a contractor of South Ottawa, Illinois, where his death occurred in the summer of 1906 by drowning. a son also losing his life at the same time and in the same way. Mr. Tyng was born and reared in Providence. Bureau county. His widow still resides in Sont !. Ottawa.
After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Tinles moved to Trenton, now De Pue, Bureau county, where he became station agent for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, which position he held for many years to the satisfaction of the patrons of the station and the traveling public. The duties of that position did not require his entire the. so he engaged in other lines of business frou. time to time, and was quite successful as a busi- ness man. In 1860 he engaged in buying anl shipping grain. He also, abont the same time. entered into partnership with Jacob Bernhard & Hassler in the general mercantile trade and con- tinned in that line for several years, adding ma- terially to his bank account. For some years af- terward he engaged in the lumber and coal bast- ness in connection with merchandising, being al- ways a very busy man.
While residing in De Pue. Mr. Tinley served 2- postmaster, notary public, justice of the pra c. school director and a member of the town heard. In every position filled. he served with entire sat- isfaction to his constituents, and with credit p himself. In politics he was always a stanch i- publican, attaining his majority and rights a- . 1 American citizen about the time the republi party came into existence. Hle conscientin - voted that ticket until 1892, when he voted for Grover Cleveland, who then was for the scor ! time elected to the presidency. Unlike many al. ers he did not leave his party, but as a free Apps - can citizen exercised his right to vote a- ha thought best. Socially ho was a member of P. Pne lodge, I. O. O. F., and Princeton lodge. A. F. & A. M. In early life ho united with the M. ;- odist Protestant church and was identified wo
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Edward Junley
Dorcas a. Jindy
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAL COUNTY.
that body until the church broke up, after which he and his wife attended the churches which they found most convenient.
For more than twenty years before his death Mr. Tinley was in poor health and in 1895 sold his business interests in De Pue and decided to . travel for both pleasure and health. He and his wife visited many points of interest both in Amer- ica and abroad. In 1826 they visited Niagara Falls, Buffalo, New York city, Washington, Phil- adelphia and the Centennial Exposition. In 1828 they crossed the Atlantic and traveled through England, going to Liverpool and Manchester, the birthplace of Mr. Tinley. They also visited Southwall and the cathedral where he was chris- tened in the Episcopal church; Newark, where his parents were living when they started for America; Nottingham, Lincoln, London, Exeter and beautiful Torquay were also visited. Iu France they attended the Paris exposition and went to places of interest surrounding. They af- terward traveled to Brussels and in Germany took a trip down the Rhine to Cologne, seeing Bingen ; Rheinstein Castle, two hundred and sixty feet above the river; Mayence and Strausburg, where they saw the fa nous clock; also Heidelberg, with its university ar I castle; and Baden Baden, where they enjoyed the famous baths. Continuing on their way they traveled through Switzerland to Lucerne and went up the cog railroad on Mount figi, where the fog obscured the view, which should have extended for one hundred miles. They also visited Zurich and Geneva, with the sky above. the blue water beneath and the snow capped mountains, making a scene of beauty almost in- describable. From Geneva they proceeded by coach to Chamoun, a distance of abont sixty miles, and then on mules made their way up Mount Blanc to Montanvert, a height of five thou- sand three hundred and sixty-six feet. Leaving the mules there, they walked down the mountain to Mer-de-Glace (sea of ice), which resembles gentle waves frozen. At one place they crossed a strip of ice well hacked to prevent slipping. The strip was about six feet wide with large crevasses on each side four or five feet wide and of great depth, so that when a stone was thrown into one. several seconds would elapse before it reached the bottom. On one side towered Mount Aiguille du Dru to a height of twelve thousand five hundred and seventeen feet; on the other side Aig du Moine, eleven thousand two hundred and fourteen feet-a sublime scene. After walking some dis- tance the party proceeded down Mauvais Pas. For a short distance the path is made of steps hewn in the rock, of various widths and depths. and an iron rod is attached to the rocks to which one may eling for safety, as the glacier is a hun- dred or more feet down and the rock is nearly perpendicular. The face of the rock also extends upwards several hundred feet, as the steps are cut on the side of the mountain, and at intervals
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