USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 10
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They were the parents of nine children, of whom the eldest two died in infancy, while Richard, who was born in 1827, passed away at the age of fourteen years. The eldest daughter, Elizabeth, whose natal day was February 13, 1829. was the first white child born in Rutland township. La Salle county, Illinois. She was married in that county, January 22, 1855. to Franklin Bruner. and passed away October 10, 1896. David Brumback is the next of the fan- ily. Jacob, born December 28. 1837. in La Salle county, died there January 3, 1877. Elton, born November 26. 1844. is living retired at Mar- seilles, LaSalle county. He was married Jan- uary 3. 1867. to Cordelia Cate. Theodore, born July 22, 1846, resides with his sister, Almira, on
David Brumback
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the old homestead. She was born July 8. 1849. and is the youngest of the family.
David Brumback was reared in La Salle com- ty amid pioneer surroundings and environments and his memory compasses a period in the early development in this portion of Illinois. llis pre- liminary education was acquired in the public schools and he afterward spent one year as a student in Jacksonville, Illinois. In his youth he was trained to the work of the farm, assist- ing in the task of plowing, planting and harvest- ing, and after reaching man's estate he carried on general agricultural pursuits in La Salle coun- ty until his removal to Iroquois county. For the past thirty-nine years he has resided at his present home, which is a finely improved prop- erty, situated on section 20, Danforth township. He owns the south half of this section, and a glance at the place indicates his careful supervi- sion and practical methods, for it is neat and thrifty in appearance, and gives every evidence of progressive management. He also owns other farms in Douglas and Danforth townships, his holdings embracing altogether six hundred acres of rich and valuable land of Iroquois county.
On the 2d of March, 1858, in La Salle county. was celebrated the marriage of David Brumback and Miss Helen G. Barnes, who was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county, New York, March 12, 1841, a daughter of Hider P. and Lucia M. (Goodwin) Barnes. The father was born in Lanesboro, Massachusetts, and the mother's birth occurred near Hartford, New York. They came west in 1856, arriving in Illinois on the 20th of March, at which time they took up their abode in La Salle county and later spent the evening of their days in Iroquois county, making their home with our subject. The father died July 18, 1881. at the age of seventy-four years, five months and two days, and the mother's death occurred February 20. 1888, when she was seventy-two years of age. Mrs. Brumback was their only child, and by her marriage she became the mother of two sons and a daughter. Allen, the eldest. born April 25. 1863, is now residing in Califor- nia. Lucia R., born November 17, 1867. is the wife of C. E. Bogardus, and lives in Seattle, Washington. Their children are Almon E., born September 28, 1805; Wallace D., born December 21, 1806; and Helen E ... January 17, 1801. 11-
mon Brummback, the youngest member of the family, born May 8, 1874, is at home.
Mr. Bromback is an active factor in commu nity affairs and interests. He was one of the organizers of the Iroquois Farmers Agricultural Institute and its president for a great many years. He is president of the Farmers Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company at Buckley, Illi- nois, which in its operations covers nine town- ships and has over two and a half millions of insurance in force. The success of this company is largely attributable to the efforts of careful planning and business management of Mr. Brum- back, who in his farming operations also has dis- played keen discernment and unflagging enter- prise-qualities which always constitute a firm foundation upon which to build the super-truct- ure of success. Politically he is a democrat with somewhat independent tendencies, usually voting for the men and measures of the party yet not considering himself bound by party ties. Ile has served in various local offices of the township and county and no resident of this part of the state has so long been a member of the county board as has Mr. Brumback, who is now serving for the twenty-four year. In his official capacity he discharges his duties with promptness and fidelity and with a public spirit which indicates his devotion to the general good. In political thought and action he has always been inde- pendent, carrying out his honest views without fear or favor. In business he has achieved suc- cess through honorable effort, untiring industry and capable management, and in private life he has gained that warm personal regard which arises from true nobility of character. deference for the opinions of others, kindness and geniality.
ALMET POWELL.
Almet Powell, who has been a resident of Gil- man, Iroquois county, since 1871, has had marked effect in shaping the public policy and in promot- ing general prosperity, the former through his service in political circles and as a member of the state legislature, the latter as a Imsiness man of broad activities and keen discernment who has promoted and conducted several enter-
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prises. Close application and thoroughness are strong characteristics of his in every department of life and have been essential elements in his advancement.
Mr. Powell was born in Albany county, New York. March 20. 1846, and was brought to Illi- nois when nine years of age by his parents, who settled in Peoria county. His father. Leander Powell, was engaged in merchandising for a number of years in that county and eventually came to Iroquois county early in 1871. Here they engaged in business under the firm name of L. & A. Powell, general merchants. which connection was continued for several years in the conduct of an enterprise that proved very successful. After the withdrawal of the father the firm became Almet Powell & Company, with H. C. Mosher as a partner, and in 1896 Mr. Mosher retired from the business and was suc- ceeded by B. B. Powell, a son of our subject. The general mercantile store in Gilman is still conducted under the firm style of Almet Powell & Company, while a second commercial interest is conducted under the name of the Gilman Im- plement & Transfer Company, incorporated. Of this A. Powell is president, B. B. Powell, secre- tary and treasurer, and Jolin H. Gleason, mana- ger. The Almet Powell Bank is a private insti- tution, managed largely by the subject of this review. The bank was organized in 1898 and the implement business was founded in 1904. These varied interests which claim the time and attention of Mr. Powell are now very important elements in the commercial life and prosperity of Gilman and no one has been more closely asso- ciated with the business development here in the past third of a century.
It is but natural that a man of strong mind and broad outlook like Mr. Powell should be deeply interested in those questions which are guided by public legislation and which have such direct and important bearing upon the welfare and prosperity of county, state and nation. Mr. Powell has ever kept thoroughly informed con- cerning the issues and questions which have di- vided the country into great political organiza- tions and has never faltered in his allegiance to republican principles. He has been called to vari- ous positions of honor and trust, having been a member of the board of trustees of the Illinois
Eastern Hospital for the Insane. at Kankakee. appointed by Governor Tanner, and re-appointed by Governor Yates, and during the latter part of Governor Yates' administration he was made president of the board. He also hield the office for a year under Governor Deneen, so that his incumbency in the position covered seven years. He was elected to represent his district in the fortieth general assembly of Illinois, where he served on a number of important committees and took an active interest in legislative matters dur- ing the session.
Mr. Powell married Miss Cordele Borthwick. of Albany. New York, and they have one son, B. B. Powell, who is now closely associated with his father in business. In his fraternal relations Mr. Powell is an exemplary Mason and has at- tained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. He is now a member of Gilman lodge, No. 591, A. F. & A. M. : Gilman chapter, No. 217. R. A. M. : Ivanhoe commandery. K. T., of Kan- kakee: Oriental consistory, of Chicago: and the Medinalı Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Chi- cago. He has thus taken the degrees of York and Scottish rite of Masonry save for the thirty- third or last degree and is well known in the craft in this state. He comes of a family of William Penn Quakers but in his religious views is lib- eral. He is not in any sense an office seeking man in public life yet he has nevertheless exerted immeasurable influence in the city of his resi- dence : in business life as a financier and promot- er of extensive commercial enterprises : in social circles by reason of a charming personality and unfeigned cordiality ; in politics by reason of his public spirit and devotion to the general good as well as his comprehensive understanding of many of the questions affecting state and national welfare.
WILLIAM NATION.
William Nation, who for many years figured as one of the most prominent and successful business men of Chebanse, and in whose death the community lost a valued citizen, was born in Exeter. Devonshire. England, June 28, 1831, but when he was only about a year old his par- ents brought their family to the new world and
WILLIAM NATION.
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settled in New York. Later they removed to Laporte, Indiana, and he remained under the parental roof until about 1855, when at the age of twenty-four years he came to Chebanse and pre-empted the southeast quarter of section to, Chebanse township. From that time he owned real estate in Iroquois county, and much of his fortune was made through judicions and careful investment in property. For thirty years he was engaged in the real-estate business in Chebause and negotiated many important real-estate trans- iers for others, at the same time improving his opportunity to make purchases for himself that promised to prove profitable. The rapid settle- ment of the county and the improvement made upon his land caused the substantial apprecia- tion of the value of his property and made him one of the most prosperous landowners of the county. In the earlier years of his residence here, however, he was actively engaged in farm- ing and converted wild land in productive fields. Ile continued the work of tilling the soil until 180g, when he put aside the active work of the farm and removed to Chebanse, where he lived until his death, save for the year 1897, which he spent in California for the benefit of his health.
Mr. Nation was married March 16, 1805. to Miss Anna M. Eason, a daughter of J. D. and Eliza (Carr) Eason and a native of Williams- port, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Nation became the parents of six chil- dren, as follows: Mrs. G. E. Me Afee, who is located at Freeport, Illinois, her husband being an official of the Illinois Central Railroad: W. O., a farmer of Chebanse township: Mrs. J. L. Morrison, whose husband is engaged in the coal and oil business at Doddsville, Wisconsin, where they reside : J. Leroy, a resident of Loveland. Colorado: Ethel, who is now attending the State University at Champaign, Illinois, and will com- plete the course in 1908; and Eloise, at home with her mother.
Mr. Nation, when in health, regularly attended the services of the Congregational church and was always a contributor to the support of the various churches in Chebanse, although not a member. He was a stalwart advocate of the republican party for many years and afterward was equally loyal to the prohibition party, for
he was a strong temperance man and did all in his power to aid in the suppression of the liquor traffic. He possessed excellent business qualifications, keen foresight, indomutable ener- gy and executive force, and the success of his life was attributed to his own efforts, nor was his pathway strewn with the wrecks of other men's fortunes. He died March 7. 1901, at the age of sixty-nine years and ten months, at his home at Chebanse, and the community and his family mourned the loss of a progressive citizen, a capable business man and a devoted husband and father. Mrs. Nation still makes her home in Chebanse, where she has gained many warm friends during the long years of her residence here.
THOMAS TEMPLE.
Thomas Temple is living a retired life in Buck- ley, but for a half century was an active repre- sentative of business interests as a contractor and builder of Iroquois and Ford counties. Since 1867 he has occupied the home which is now his place of residence and therefore he is well known in Buckley and throughout this portion of the state. Ilis natal day is April 2, 1830, and the place of his birth Chester county, Pennsylvania. His father, Richard Temple, was also a native of that county and a son of Thomas Temple, who was likewise born in that locality and who served as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. The Tem- ple family is of English lineage and was founded in America during the earliest epoch in the colo- nization of the new world. William Temple, the first of the name in this country, braved the dan- gers incident to an ocean voyage at that period and became a resident of Massachusetts. Later members of the family were pioneer residents of Pennsylvania.
Richard Temple, father of our subject. was reared in the Keystone state and was married there to Miss Mary Hart, who was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Barney Hart. He, too, was one of the heroes of the war for independence and two of his sons likewise served as men bers of the American army in the Revolution. Richard Temple was a farm- er by occupation and followed that pursuit in his
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native county until 1844. when, at the age of thir- ty-six years, his life's labors were ended. His wife survived him for about half a century and reared their family. Three sons vet survive : John, who resides in Chester county, Pennsyl- vania : Thomas, of this review ; and Richard, who is also living in Chester county.
Thomas Temple was reared in the place of his nativity. He is practically a self-educated as well as self-made man, for in his youth he had few advantages, owing to his father's early death and the limited financial circumstances in which the family were left. When nineteen years of age he began learning the trade of a carpenter and joiner, serving a four years' apprenticeship. He then followed the trade in the city of Phila- delphia for sixteen years and throughout his en- tire business life he carried on building operations. Undoubtedly one of the strong elements in his success is the persistency of purpose which he displayed in following that pursuit in which he embarked as a young tradesman. He thereby gained a mastery and efficiency in business that secured him a liberal patronage.
While still living in Philadelphia Mr. Temple was married on the 2d of July, 1856, to Miss Anna Elizabeth West. who was born and reared in that city and was a daughter of Richard West, a native of England. In 1867 Mr. Temple re- moved with his family from Philadelphia to Iro- quois county. Illinois, settling at Buckley, where he purchased ten acres of land. He built a house there, where he now resides, upon what was then the open prairie. The town contained but two small stores and a few residences. Mr. Tem- ple began his building operations here and as a contractor did an extensive business in Iroquois and Ford counties for thirty years. In many localities are seen evidences of his skill and handi- work and he gained an excellent reputation in building circles by reason of his fidelity to the terms of a contract and the excellent work that was done under his direction. At length he de- termined to retire to private life, and all ac- knowledge that his rest has been well won.
Mr. and Mrs. Temple were the parents of seven children, of whom three sons are living : Edwin F., who is married and lives on a farm at Longview, Texas; Frank, a carpenter, who is married and resides in Buckley, where he is now
engaged in the 'conduct of a lumber business ;. and Rev. N. M. Temple, a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, now acting as pastor at South Bend. Pacific county, Washington. They also lost four children, of whom Thomas died in Philadelphia in infancy. Professor Richard Tem- ple was a graduate of the Northwestern Uni- versity ai Evanston. Illinois, and became a teach- er in ancient languages, holding that chair in Fayette, Iowa, and later at Grand Junction, Colo- rado, where he died in 1886, at the age of twenty- nine years. William was a lawyer by profession and engaged in practice at San Antonio, Texas. Anna died at the age of twenty years.
Politically Mr. Temple is a republican with strong prohibition principles, giving earnest sup- port to the cause of temperance, although he does not believe its adoption can be secured through political measures. Hc and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist church, with which they have both been identified for more than a half century. Mr. Temple is a Master Mason, having become one of the charter members of Buckley lodge, No. 634. He and his wife cele- brated their golden wedding July 2, 1906, when most of their children and grandchildren gath- ered at their home, together with numerous friends. Many substantial and beautiful tokens of esteem were given and congratulations and good wishes were extended to them by many friends who could not be present on that occasion but who sent the message in writing. For nearly forty years this worthy couple have been resi- dents of Iroquois county and they are most wide- ly and favorably known. His life has been one of great activity and usefulness and through his diligence and labor he has done much to develop and improve the county. His life has been exem- plary in many respects, being guided by high principles and exemplifying honorable purposes.
AUGUST MUEHLENPFORDT, M. D.
Dr. August Muehlenpfordt, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery and in the con- duct of a drug business at AAshkum, has been actively connected with the city in these lines of business for a longer period than any other busi-
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ness man of the village. He was born at hairde. Germany, September 10, 1839. a son of August and Minnie M. Mueblenpfordt. Liberal educa- tional privileges were afforded him, for after ac- quiring his early education in the common schools he attended Georgia Angerstine University at Hanover, of which he is a graduate. He came to the United States in 1867 when about twenty- eight years of age, and located at Peotone, Ili- nois, where he entered upon the practice of med- icine. The following year he removed to Ash- kum and established a drug store, which he has since conducted in connection with the practice of medicine and surgery. He is the oldest busi- ness man in years of consecutive connection in Ashkum and from the beginning of his residence here has occupied a foremost position in profes- sional and commercial circles. He has a well ap- pointed store, carries a carefully selected stock and in his professional life he has kept abreast with progressive thought and invention wherehy the efficiency of the medical fraternity has been so greatly increased in the past third of a century.
Dr. Muchlenpfordt was married in Monee, Illinois, in 1868, to Miss Henrietta Kruse, a na- tive of Oldenburg, Germany, and their family numbered six children : Angust H., who is pro- prietor of a furniture and undertaking estab- lishment in Ashkum: Emma, the wife of Henry Morrell, of the firm of Morrell & Company, gen- eral merchants of Ashkum and of Clifton, Illi- nois : Adele, who is a graduate of Grand Prairie Seminary at Onarga and is now a music teacher living at home : Frieda, the wife of Frank Meents. cashier in the bank of M. R. Meents & Sons at Clifton ; Johanna, deceased : and Carl, who oc- cupies a clerical position in a bank which has a capital of three million dollars, at Mitchell, South Dakota.
Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Dr. Muehlenpfordt has given unfaltering al- legiance to the democracy, believing that its plat- form contains the best elements of good govern- ment. He served as postmaster of Ashikum under President Cleveland's second administra- tion but on account of the stress of business and professional duties he turned the management of the In stoffice over to his daughters, who proved to be very efficient assistants, discharging the duties of the office in such a painstaking way as
to give perfect satisfaction to the public Dr. Muchlenpiordt has also served as school director and township trustce at various times and has been a member of the board of health for the past ten years. He regards it as the duty as well as the privilege of every true American citizen to promote the interests of his community to the extent of his ability and he has therefore been a co-operant factor in many plans and measures for the general good. He is a member of the German Lutheran church of Ashkum and has reared his family in that faith. The years have brought him a goodly measure of prosperity and in addition to his professional interests and com- mercial business in Askum he is also the owner of a quarter of a section of land on sections 15 and 10, Ashkum township.
L. T. HUTCHINS.
The record of L. T. Hutchins is that of a man who has by his own unaided efforts worked his way upward to a position of affluence and is to- day a prominent representative of the gram trade in Iroquois county. His life has been one of industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable business methods which he has fol- lowed have won him the support and confidence of many. Without the aid of influence or wealth he has risen to a position among the prominent men of the county and his native genius and ac- quired ability are stepping stones on which he mounted.
Mr. Hutchins was born March 2, 1851. in Richmond, Indiana, a son of Thomas and Letitia UIntchins, who were also natives of that state. the former of English descent and the latter of German lineage. The father was a farmer by oc- cupation and thus provided for his family. In his youth L. T. Hutchins of this review attended the common schools and worked on his father's farní. It has always been the greatest regret vi his life that he was unable to secure a college education and yet it is a well known fact that it is under the pressure of adversity and the stimu- lus of opposition that the best and strongest in men are brought out and developed and thus it has been in the case of Mr. Hutchins. When
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only seventeen years of age he began teaching in the country schools, following that profession in the winter seasons, while in the summer months he was employed at farm labor. When eighteen years of age he came to Iroquois county and se- cured a school, devoting his attention to teaching for three winter seasons, while in the summer months he labored in the fields. When twenty- one years of age he took up the study of teleg- raphy, was employed at Middletown, Indiana. and afterward became night operator at Watseka on the Toledo. Peoria & Warsaw Railroad. He was thus engaged for almost a year, after which he worked for R. G. Risser for eight years, buying grain at Donovan. In 1885 he came to Sheldon, where he was also in the employ of Mr. Risser until he formed his present partnership with O. G. Smith in the grain trade. This is now one of the strong firms of the county, oper- ating four elevators-two at Milford, one at Don- ovan and one at Iroquois. The business is car- ried on under the firm style of L. T. Hutchins & Company and the trade has constantly in- creased until it has now reached an extensive vol- ume.
On the 26th of November, 1879, at Donovan, Mr. Hutchins was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jones, a daughter of Anson Jones, one of the early settlers of Kankakee county, Illinois. Their children are Myrtle, Laura and Verne. The daughters are graduates of the Woman's College at Baltimore, Maryland, for Mr. Hutch- ins, realizing the need of education in his own life has provided them with excellent school priv- ileges.
His political allegiance is given to the repub- lican party and for eight years he served as post- master at Donovan, filling the office from 1875 until 1883. He has been president of the vil- lage board of Sheldon for three years and trus- tee for eight years. He was also president of the board of education for four years and its secre- tary for eleven consecutive years. He is like- wise a trustee of the Grand Prairie Seminary at Onarga, in which capacity he has served for six years. Thus has he been called to various official positions of honor and trust, showing that he occupies a high position in public regard and enjoys in large measure the confidence of his fel- lowmen. His career has ever been such as also
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