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 9
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water from melting snow above dashes across the steps. At the chateau, the party may again mount the mules, which make their way over a narrow path, turning very sharp corners. Mr. Tinley and others of the party walked down, but Mrs. Tinley rode. They afterward visited Borne and the bear pits and several other points of inter- est and later returned to Paris and England. In 1889 they again crossed the Atlantic, visiting rel- atives in various towns in England and also going to the English lakes and to Scotland, visiting Edinburgh, Glasgow and the birthplace of Rob- ert Burns near Alloway kirk. The house is still standing and has a roof of thatch two fret thick. The bed stood in a recess of the living room and there was one pane of glass at the head of the bed and on the other side four small lights. A large fireplace was on the side of the room oppo- site the bed and on one side of it some shelves contained a few pieces of the crockery once in possession of the poet's mother. Mr. and Mrs. Tinley also went to Melrose Abbey and Abbots- ford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, and after vis- iting London and Paris again returned home. In the fall of 1894 they went to California and Oregon and in 1895 visited the City of Mexico, returning by way of New Orleans and down the gulf to Florida. In 1896 they visited Nassau, Bahama Islands. About 1898 they went to Can- ada, going through the Lachine rapids in the St. Lawrence river, to Montreal and Quebec, and after returning to the United States went up Mount Washington and to Portland. Maine, and to Boston. On visiting Canada again they went from Quebre to the Chicoutine Falls, then down the Saguenay river into the St. Lawrence and up that river to Quebec and to Montreal by rail. This was the last extended trip Mr. Tinley made, and in all their travels they said they never saw any- thing as grand as Niagara Falls.
Mr. Tinley returned to Chicago to live a retired life, making his home in various hotels, including the Southern, Saratoga, Morrison and Placa. In 1903, while residing in the last named hotel, he was taken seriously ill, and there died June 2, 1903. By his request his body was eremated at the crematory near Graceland cemetery, on the Saturday following. The ashes were placed in a small receptacle that had been prepared under his direction. The receptacle was sealed and sent to the relatives. On Thursday, June 11, the ashes were conveyed to Princeton, and on arrival at the depot the funeral party was met by rep- resentatives of the Masonic order, who acted as an escort. Princeton and Bureau Masonic lodges and Royal Arch Masons accompanied the funeral cortege to the cemetery, and arriving there the beautiful Masonic burial service was read over the remains, after which they were placed in the larger receptacle prepared for them. The cere- meny was witnessel by many people from the
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county at large who had gathered to pay tribute to the memory of a good man.
In the life of such a man as Edward Tinley there is much that should be an encouragement and incentive to those who come after himt. With but limited education, with no advantages of wealth or influential friends, he pursued the even tenor of his way, doing the work that came to his hand, and doing it well. That success should crown his efforts is not to be wondered at, and that same success will erown the efforts of any one who will work as he worked, being guided at all times by the divine principle of honor and integrity and following the teachings of the golden rule.
Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Tinley -has traveled extensively all over this country, and still spends much of her time in that way. In 1905, however, she determined to make Prince- ton her future home, and there purchased a large and handsome brick residence on South Main street, where with her nephew and nioce, and the latter's children, she now resides. Iler house is always open to friends and relatives, many of whom partake of her hospitality from time to time, and who delight to be in her presence. She traveled life's journey with her husband for many years, partaking with him of its joys and sor- rows, much more of the former than of the latter, however, and in death her ashes will doubtless be mingled with his, and in the resurrection she will rise with him to enjoy the bliss of an eternal life where sorrow and death shall never come.
CAPTAIN ERASTUS DENNISON BILL.
Captain Erastus Dennison Bill, deceased, was a representative of a picturesque maritime ex- perience when viewed in the light of the present improvements in navigation, for he was one of the very last of the old-time seamen who cir- eumnavigated the globe under canvas. He passed away at Sheffield, December 23, 1905, hon- ored and respected by all who knew him, and it is meet that his history be given a place in this volume, for during many years he was widely and favorably known in Bureau county. His birth occurred at Groton, Connecticut, May 13, 1826. He came of an ancestry distinguished for loyalty, his father having served as a soldier in the war of 1812, while his grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. His mother was a daugh- ter of Colonel Benjamin Adam Gallup, who also won distinction by his valor as a defender of the colonial cause in the war for independence, joining the army when he was only sixteen years of age.
Believing that he would find a seafaring life congenial, Captain Bill made his first voyage on the whaling ship, Citizen. - iling from Sag Har- bor, Long Island. He was a seaman for fourteen
years and won promotion from time to tink sitte til he became first officer on one of the lito elipper ships sailing from New York. Afu ! two-years' ernise on one occasion they brou ;. home thirty-seven hundred casks of oil.
On leaving the sea Captain Bill becamea resident of the middle west and was identified with mercantile interests in Ottawa, Illinois, prier to the establishment of his home in Shetfield. Later he removed to Plymouth, Indiana, bu. finally returned to Bureau county and lived in. retirement upon a farin near Sheffield until his death. In his business career he won the success which comes through close application and per- sistent, earnest effort. He did not engage in speculation or place his trust in any fortunate combination of circumstances but labored dil- gently and perseverngly for what he acquired and enjoyed. In addition to his farming interests in Bureau county he was also agent for an insurance company.
Captain Bill was married twice. On the 1st of. September, 1857, he wedded Ada Mary West, of Plymouth, Indiana, a daughter of Dr. Charh : and Ada Mary ( Messenger) West, who were origi- nally from Massachusetts and became residents of Indiana about 1845. They are still living at about seventy years of age. Captain Bill had a family of nine children. Emma Frances became the wife of Frank M. Littlefield, of Dorchester, Nebraska, February 20, 1884. Charles Dennison married Theresa Keese, of Green Mountain, Iowa. September 28, 1892. Henry Avery was married October 16, 1896, to Bessie MeCarroll, of Green Mountain, Iowa. Albert Edward wedded Lena Octavia Cummings, of Sheffield, March 2, 1901. Bertha Curtis became the wife of James Mitchell.
of Utica, Illinois, May 4, 1898. Fred Arthur now operates the home place and rents one hundred and twenty acres adjoining, making his home with his mother. He is a veteran of the Spanish :- American war. having enlisted in the navy, May 24, 1898, as ordinary seaman on the steamship Uneus, a dispatch boat. He was in the Havan .. blockade and was discharged in August, 189%, and retired on account of illness. Fannie Louise was married November 8, 1899, to Allen O. Stetson. of Sheffield. Laura Eva became the wife of Bat Norris, of Tiskilwa, April 1, 1901. Hattie Ad .. who was the second in order of birth, and w'. died September 6. 1890, was the wife of Ilome Thomas, to whom she was married November .. 1883.
In his political views Captain Bill was an 1 !- dependent and always kept informed on questiv . and issues of the day, so that he was able to sul - port his position by intelligent argument. never sought office but was school director f .. many years. He was naturally a fluent spod : and one of the best posted mon in his comment on matters of current interest. He held member- ship in the Congregational church, in which 1 .
TINLEY MONUMENT.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
acted as deacon, and his life was in harmony with his professions. His was in many respects an eventful and interesting earcer. Long before the Spanish-American war or before Commodore Dewey had captured Manilla Captain Bill had walked the streets of that island city and for a few months he was in California among the miners who sought gold on the Pacific coast fol- lowing its discovery in 1848. He visited Japan and China before their ports were open to for- eign trade and was also at the Sandwich islands before the influence of civilization had seareely taken root there. He visited many other ports of the globe and retained to the last many inter- esting recollections of those early days and the varied experiences which they brought to him. At all times he manifested the good qualities of a considerate neighbor, a faithful friend, a devoted husband and father and an upright, conscientious citizen. Thus, when he passed away, in the seven- ty-ninth year of his age, he left behind him a name which is honored and respected, and he well deserved a place upon the pages of the history of his adopted county. He left a valuable and well- improved farm of eighty acres, whereon his widow and son make their home, but he cared not to ae- cumulate wealth. He was kind-hearted and lost considerable by being too easy with those indebted to him.
ULYSSES G. HAYDEN.
Ulysses G. Hayden, a representative member of the Bureau county bar and a leader in repub- lican eireles, is praetieing in Princeton where, in recognition of his skill and broad professional learning, a liberal clientage is accorded him. He was born in Kentucky, on the 28th of February, 1868. His father, Robert W. Hayden, was also a native of that state and a representative of an old Kentucky family. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Jennie Reeves, was likewise born in Kentucky. Robert W. Hayden was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit throughout his entire life save for the period of the Civil war. when he joined the Union army and served throughout the entire period of hostilities as a defender of the national government. He died February 20, 1906, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Ulysses G. Hayden, whose name forms the eap- tion of this review, pursued his education in Ken- tueky. His elder brother, Elijah, was engaged in farming in Bureau county, Illinois, and because of this Ulysses G. Hayden came to this state about 1886 and continued his education in Princeton high school. On completing his course there he engaged in teaching school for several years in Bureau county and was a capable educator, who imparted clearly and coneisely to others the knowledge that he had acquired. At length he entered a law office in Chicago, having in the
meantime devoted his leisure hours to the study of law while connected with the system of public instruction. He afterward attended the Chicago Law School and the law school of the Northwest- ern University, from both of which he was grad- uuated with the degree of Bachelor of Law. He then pursued a special law course in Illinois Col- lege of Law and was admitted to practice before the Supreme court of Illinois, also the United States district court and the United States eir- euit court. He entered upon the active work of the profession in Chicago and at the same time practiced considerably in Princeton and in other states, including Indiana, Alabama, Louisiana and Kentucky. He located in Princeton in 1901 and has since been a leading member of the bar with a large and distinctively representative clientage. He throws himself easily and natural into the ar- gument in the trial of a eaus- There is no straining after effect, but on the contrary a pre- eision and clearness in his statement and an acute- ness and strength in his argument which speaks a mind trained in the severest school of investiga- tion and to which close reasoning is habitual and easy.
Mr. Hayden is recognized as a leader in repub- lican circles, doing active and effective work for the party, in the success of which he is deeply interested. He is now serving as an alderman of the fourth ward.
On the 7th of June, 1894, Mr. Hayden was united in marriage to Miss Cora M. Riley, a daughter of Joseph Riley, of Princeton, and they have two children, Leta M. and Glenn R. Mr. Hayden is a member of the Princeton Masonie lodge and of Peace Lodge, 1. O. O. F. He is likewise affiliated with other societies, is a mem- ber of the Chicago Law Institute and of the Meth- odist Protestant church, in the work of which he takes an active and helpful interest, serving at the present writing as superintendent of the Sunday school. He occupies a beautiful home on North Main street, which he erected in 1905. His nature is kindly, his temperament genial and his ideals high. In political thought and action he has always been independent, carrying out his honest views without fear or favor and his life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor.
HANS SANDBERG.
Hans Sandberg is one of the extensive land- owners of Bureau county and is a self-made man whose prosperity has come as the direct and legiti- mate outcome of his own labors and perseverance. He was born in Sweden, June 9, 1857, a son of IIans and Matilda (Johnson) Sandberg. The father was born in Sweden in August, 1823, while the mother's birth occurred in that country in June, 1824. She is still living but the father
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passed away in 1903, at the age of eighty years.
Hans Sandberg, whose name introduces this ro- view, spent the first twenty-four years of his life in the land of his nativity and there acquired his education, but thinking to improve his financial condition in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic in 1881, localing in Putnam, Illinois, where he lived for three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Bureau Junction in Bureau county, where he also spent three years, after which he removed to Walnut, where he has since resided. That his life has been one of untiring activity and enterprise is indicated by the fact that he is today the owner of six hundred acres of land worth one hundred dollars per acre, of which three hundred and twenty acres lies on see- tione 18 and 19, Walnut township, while two hun- dred and seventy-three and one-half acres is on section 30, Greenville township. He had about eight hundred dollars when he came to America and that he is now one of the substantial residents of Bureau county is due to his hard work and his frugality. His industry and enterprise have won him the admiration and respect of all who know him and his business record is such as any man might be proud to possess, for he has always been prompt in meeting his financial obligations, in keeping his engagements and in performing any task that has devolved upon him.
On the 24th of April, 1889, Mr. Sandberg was married to Miss Sophia Johnson, who was born April 25, 1861. By a former marriage he had one daughter, Mary, whose birth occurred September 25, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Sandberg are members of the Swedish Lutheran church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has never had time for seeret societies nor for active search for office, preferring always to leave political service to others, while he has devoted his time and energies to the management of a business which in the course of years has brought him an excellent financial return, making him one of the prosperous, prominent and respected residents of Walnut and Bureau county.
ANDREW F. B. OLSON.
Andrew F. B. Olson. deceased, was a self-made man, whose life record in its persistency of pur- pose and honorable effort, is well worthy of emula- tion. He was born in the south part of Sweden, at Christianstad. February 6, 1832, and was reared upon a farm. His parents, however, were very poor, and he had to earn his own living. When only seven or eight years of age he attended geese and sheep, and as soon as he was old enough he drove a team on farm, receiving only his board in compensation for his services. Feeling that he had little opportunity for advancement in his native land he borrowed the money from his old- est brother to come to America and arrived in
Princeton on the 11th of July, 1857. He than remained a resident of Bureau county up to the time of his death. Here he was first employed by S. S. Newton at fourteen dollars per month, and later was an employe of Amos Bacon. De- sirous to engage in farming on his own account, he incurred an indebtedness in order to purchase eighty acres of land, which he bought in 1861. He worked hard, and when his unremitting labor and perseverance enabled him soon to discharge his financial obligation, and as the years passed, his financial resources increasing, he added to his property from time to time until he was the owner of six hundred and forty acres of valuable and productive land. He started out empty-handed, and as the years passed, won a must gratifying measure of success. He overcame all the ditli- culties and obstacles in his path by determina- tion and energy and his business integrity was ever unassailable.
On the 30th of January, 1862. Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Christine John- son, who was born in Smaland, Sweden, January 3, 1811, and came to Princeton in 1853, with her parents, Nels and Inga Johnson, also natives of Sweden. Her father, who was a watchmaker and farmer by occupation, died at the age of ninety- six and a half years, and her mother at the age of eighty-four. Mis. Olson was reared and educated in this county and still lives upon the obl home- stead left to her by her husband. They became the parents of eleven children, namely : Ella H., who was born November 5, 1862, was married June 16, 1885, to Arthur C. Larrison, a merchant residing in Rock Island, Illinois. Nels G., a farm- er, who was born May 20, 1861, was married March 12, 1896, to Miss Mary Fletcher, of Con- cord, who died leaving three children, and he zub- sequently was married June 30, 1904, to Miss Helen Pottorf, by whom he has one child. Albert O., born June 28, 186:, in Wyanet township, was married March 12. 1896, to Miss Emma Nelson, and has two children. Edward C., born January 20. 18:0, was married October 20, 1892, to Miss Minnie Oloffson, of Manlius township, and they have four children. Nettie E., born April 21. 1822, became the wife of Henry Owens Miles, of Concord township, November 14, 1894, and died in January, 1901, leaving two children. Esther B. V., born October 8, 18:5, was married Janu- ary 24, 1905, to John C. Pettee, a resident farmer of Wyanet township. Fredolph R., born March 15, 1872, is farming on the old homestead, which property he owns. Jennie A., born March 6, 1819, is at home. Julia J., horn March 28, 1882, was married February :. 1906, to William R. Wes- sell, of West Bureau, a farmer by occupation. Mabe! R., born February 26, 1885, and Nellie W., born June 29, 1887, are both at home.
The death of Mr. Olson occurred June 25, 1896. He was a member of the Swedish Lutheran
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church at Wyanet, to which his widow also be- longs, and he served as a deacon of the church while at Princeton. During the long years of his residence in Bureau county he gained the un- qualified regard and confidence of his fellowinen by reason of an upright life, by well directed in- dustry, by deference for the opinions of others and by a kindly and genial spirit. He was a very successful farmer and stock-raiser, and his prop- erty is still owned by his heirs, to whom he left not only a goodly estate, but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
THOMAS JEFFERSON FIFIELD.
Thomas Jefferson Fifield, actively connected with general farming at intervals throughout his entire life and continuously since 1820 and also conducting a life and fire insurance agency for many years, makes his home in Concord township. It was in this township, on the 13th of July, 1814. that he began his life record, his parents being Samuel and Lurena G. (Stevens) Fifickl. The father came to Bureau county in 1840 and took up the occupation of farming here. The mother arrived in this county in 1836 and belonged to a family of farmers who came from New Hampshire. Thus in both the paternal and maternal lines Mr. Fifield is descended from an agricultural ancestry. His father continued in active connection with the farming interests of this community up to the time of his death, which occurred March 23. 1869. He was a prominent man in his community and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public office. He served as assessor, collector, postmaster and school director and in the midst of an active and useful life passed away at the age of fifty-two years. His wife long survived him and died on the 20th of March, 1902. In their family were nine children, all of whom were born in the old family residence upon a farm in Concord township, and all are now living with the exception of three.
Thomas J. Fifield was educated in the schools of Buda and in Lombard College at Galesburg. Il- linois, where he completed his more specifically literary course. He then prepared for the respon- sibilities of a business career by a course of study in Eastman's Business College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in the year 1870. In early manhood he engaged in teaching for four years and then entered mercantile circles at Buda. where he conducted a store for two years. Later he devoted three years to general agricultural pur- suits, when he again entered commercial life at Buda as a lumber merchant, conducting a yard for three years. Since 1890, however, he has re- sided continuously upon his farm, which he has successfully conducted and he now has a good tract of land which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, the fields being well tilled, while
the buildings are all kept in good repair. He like- wise maintains an insurance agency, writing both life and fire insurance, and for many years he has represented a number of the old substantial com- panies.
On the 10th of December, 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr. Fifieldl and Miss Mary AAugusta Mosher, of Buda, a daughter of Elijah Mosher, a merchant of that place. The children born of this marriage are: May Victoria, a graduate of the schools of Buda and now a student in Lombard College at Galesburg, Illinois; and Chester Mo.her, who was born January 9, 1882, and, having grad- uated from the Buda schools, is now assisting his father on the farm.
The home property comprises three hundred and sixty arres, constituting one of the large and vahi- able farms of Concord township, whereon the owner is successfully engaged in the raising of grain and stock. He and his family are members of the Union church and are prominent in the community, the members of the household occu- pring an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Fifield was equipped by good educational training for a business career and. making the best pos- sible use of his opportunities, he has advanced along substantial lines until he is accounted one of the men of affluence in Concord township with a record which is as creditable for its honesty as for its success.
JOHN J. SWEENFY.
John J. Sweeney, filling the office of justice of the peace and notary public in Spring Valley, where he is engaged in the fire insurance and real estate business, claims Ireland as the land of his birth, his natal day being June 24, 1853. When two years of age he came to the United States with his parents, who settled in Illinois. The carly education of the son was obtained in the public schools of this state and he afterwards at- tended Niagara University in New York, where he completed his college course.
On leaving school he returned to La Salle coun- ty, where he was living at the time he went east to continue his studies, and following his return, was elected to the office of town clerk of Dim- mick township, and subsequently township col- lector. He taught school in Bureau and La Salle counties for about fifteen years and proved an able educator, imparting with clearness and con- ciseness to others the knowledge he had acquired. He was also for several years identified with jour- nalistic interests, acting for two years as city edi- tor of the Ottawa Free Trader. He was also re- porter and editor for several years of the La Salle Democrat and une La Salle Democrat-Press. For a few years he resided in the northern peninsula of Michigan, where he also engaged in the daily newspaper business, and in the spring of 1892
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