USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 13
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rents that land. He continued actively in farm- ing until 1901, since which time he has lived retired. for he is now well advanced in years. In connection with the work of tilling the soil he has raised cattle. sheep and hogs. He like- wise has forty acres of land in Concord town- ship on sections 20 and 21 and his different holdings indicate his life of thrift and industry, for he started out on his own account empty- handed, so that whatever success he has achieved and enjoyed is the merited reward of his own labor. His political views are in accord with the principles of demoracy, but he has never sought or desired office. preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs.
Mr. O'Brien was married in Jasper county. Indiana, in 1876, to Miss Pauline Spitznagel, a native of Germany. They have two children, Lula and Edward, at home.
ORMAN M. MILLER.
Orman A. Miller, one of the few surviving veterans of the Civil war and a prosperous farm- er, owning and operating a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, situated on section 13, Prairie Green township, dates his residence in Illinois from 1856, and in Iroquois county since 1877. He is a native of Ohio, born in Hamilton county, near Cincinnati, May 24, 1841. His paternal grandfather was Stanfield Miller, who was born in Germany and was one of the first settlers of Hamilton county, locating there when Cincinnat: was only a crossroads village. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. His son, George Miller, was born in North Carolina but was reared in Hamilton county and was there mar- ried to Miss Hannah Van Blangan, and they be- came the parents of Orman M. Miller of this review. The father always followed farming in order to provide for himself and family, and his death occurred in Hamilton county, after which his widow removed with her family near Toulon. in Stark county, Illinois, where she bought a farm, which she operated by the assistance of hier sons. O. M. and George. Her death there oc- curred in January, 1861.
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Orman M. Miller was reared in the Backise state to the age of fifteen years and then accop panied his mother on the removal to this state. Is a result immer of la Grange county, lah and he assisted her in the management of her farm und her demise. On the 12th of August. 1862, his patriotic spirit being aroused by the continued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, he enlisted as a member of the ( me Hun- dred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 11- der Colonel J. Henderson. The regiment being sent to the south, he participated in the battle at Knoxville, Tennessee, and was captured at Cleve- land and held as a prisoner of war for six months at Richmond and Belle Isle, after which he was exchanged. Ile rejoined his regiment and took part in the fight at Kenesaw Mountain, was ir the Atlanta campaign, the battles of Nashville, Franklin. Goldsboro, and Greensboro, and was later mustered out at the latter place, and was honorably discharged at Chicago, in July. 1805. He then returned to his home in Stark county and again resumed farming. but later went to Mclean county, where he purchased a farm. whereon he made his home for a decade, when he sold that property and in 1877 removed to Ir- quois county and purchased the farm on which he has made his home to the present time. He has here one hundred and sixty acres of land, and all of the improvements which are here seen have been made by the present owner. Ile built fences. tiled his land and soon placed the fields under a high state of cultivation, each year harvesting good crops in return for the care and labor he HORACE GIBSON, M. D. had bestowed upon the soil. He has a genel sub- stantial house, barn, cribs and other outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock, and everything about his place is kept in good repair and the place in its neat and attractive appearance indicates the careful management and gonl butsi- ness judgment of Mr. Miller. In addition to his agricultural interests he also raises good grades of stock and finds this to be a profitable sourer of revenue.
rol .nul ws farming at Crab Ajak Grave.
ada ; Frank and Artheir, who assist their father in carrying on the work et the bonde farm ; 1. 10. the wild et Charles Thor psen. a res deit tarner Berta @mints. Indara , Myrtle, row the wrie of Luisytte lett, a laricer oi Prerie Green towilslop ; and Nora, the wife of Frank Wilkin- son, who redes at Wellington, IlInois.
Mr. Miller formerly adhered to the principles of deminerais but is now a profilotionist, thus indicating his views on the temperance question. He is a believer in grad schools and competent teachers and has been a member of the school board for twelve years and president of the dis triet for several years. Both he and his wife hold men bership in the Christian church, in which he has served as elder for the past twelve or fourteen years. He maintains pleasant rela- tions with his old army comrades by his member- ship in the Grand Army post at Hospreston. He has spent the greater part of his life in Iroquois county, and has been a valuable assistant in much of the progress and development that has here been made in the line of agricultural pursuits. He is a progressive and well known farmer and a veteran of the Civil war, and is honored and respected wherever known.
Dr. Horace Gibson has gained in his profession a position of prominence among the representa- tives of the calling in Iroquois county and, more- over, he is concerned in practical politics, his worth and allits leading to his selection for various political honors. At this writing he is serving as Mayor of Sheldon and as supervisor of Shellon township, and his official service has ever been of a character that is proof of his pub- le spirit and his sense of conscientious obli- yatomiin the performance of all the duties that thus develve upon himn.
Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Em- ily Long, their wedding being celebrated in Chari ton, Iowa, March 9. 1864). She was Burn in \'>- ble county. Indiana, but was reared in Stark Dr Gibson was born in Lockport. New York. February 5. 1858, and is a son of Thomas Gil- son, who canwe to this county in 1865. settling county, this state, from the age of seven of light years. U'nto our subject and his wife have been born seven children; Ernest Ro, why is nar- m Sheldon. He was a farmer by occupation
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and followed that pursuit throughout the period of his active business career. For thirty-eight years he continued a resident of Sheldon, where his death occurred in 1903, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-two years. He was of English descent and became a resident of New York in 1850. In early manhood he wedded Jane Pope and unto them were born seven chil- dren, but Dr. Gibson is the only one now living.
In the common schools the Doctor acquired his early education and worked upon the home farm until nineteen years of age. He after- ward spent three years as a student at Onarga, Illinois, and subsequently attended Wabash Col- Jege in Indiana for one year. He then engaged in teaching at Wabasha, Minnesota, for three years and during that period spent the summer seasons in Minneapolis. Desirous for further educational advancement, he matriculated in the University of Wisconsin, where he won the mas- ter degree, after which he taught for three years at Mayville, that state. He regarded teaching. however, as an initial step to other professional labor and at length found opportunity to gratify his ambition, he becoming a medical student. He entered the Chicago Medical College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1802 and was further equipped for the duties of the profession by hospital work. Dr. Gibson made his own way through college, having previously earned the money necessary for his tuition and the ex- penses of a college course. Following his grad- uation he went to Colorado, where he engaged in practice for three and a half years and on re- turning to Illinois he located at Sheldon, where he has since resided. While in college he made a specialty of the diseases of children and has been very successful in his practice along that line. He also does gynecological work and has an extensive general practice indicative of the trust and confidence reposed in him. He has constantly broadened his knowledge and pro- inoted his efficiency by reading and investigation and is a physician and surgeon of wide crudi- tion and practical skill.
Dr. Gibson has been married twice. He first wedded Cora Merrill, of Minnesota, who died in 1894, and subsequently he married Clara Bush, of Sheldon, who departed this life in November. 1905. leaving one daughter, Genevra, now five
years of age. The family home is a beautiful residence and its hospitality is one of its attract- ive features.
Dr. Gibson belongs to Sheldon lodge, No. 609. A. F. & A. M., and is a man of influence in local political circles. Ile votes with the democ- racy where state and national questions are in- volved but casts an independent local ballot and holds the opinion that municipal and county busi- ness would be better performed if politics was not allowed to enter into the selection of men for office. That his fellow citizens recognize his fitness for leadership and appreciate his fidel- ity in positions of public trust is indicated by the fact that he has been elected and re-elected to the office of mayor, in which he has served since 1903. He has also been supervisor of Sheldon township since that time. Of limited financial resources in youth, he has throughout his life eagerly availed himself of the opportunities which have presented and thus has advanced steadily in those walks of life demanding keen intellectual- ity, a clear vision and steadfast purpose. Both in his professional and political life his efforts have been of great benefit to his fellowmen and Sheldon has profited by his progressive citizen- ship and his skill in the practice of medicine and surgery.
J. D. RIGGS.
J. D. Riggs is one of the substantial business men of Iroquois county and his efforts are of material benefit to the city of Buckley, in which he makes his home. He has been a resident of the county for a half century, having located here in 1856 when a youth of about twelve years. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, August 15. 1844, a son of W. G. Riggs, whose birth occurred in the same locality ard who was a son of William Riggs. The father of our sub- ject was reared to manhood in Pennsylvania and there wedded Miss Mary Davis, also a native of that state. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade and conducted other business interests as well. In 1856 he brought his family to Illi- nois, locating first on a farm in Iroquois county, where he engaged in the tilling of the soil for a few years. He erected the first business house.
J. D. RIGGS
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in Buckley in 1850. put m a stack of pounds and Jest me son, Jeel P. who rachel adult age and became the first merchant of the town. The del in Jus. 1805. at the age of twenty-three present time two-story brick business block of ! D). Riggs occupies the site upon which the father built the first store. The latter continued in ac- tive business for twenty years and prospered in his undertakings, becounng one of the well known and leading merchants of the county. Ile continued to reside in Buckles until called to his final rest in April, 1807, his wife surviving hin for about two years and passing away in Jan- uary, 1800.
J. D. Riggs spent the first twelve years of his life in the place of his nativity and then came with his parents to Illinois, continuing his edu- cation in the common schools of Iroquois county and i Onarga Seminary. In March, 1864. when not yet twenty years of age. he offered his serv- ices of the government, joining Company E of the One Hundred and Thirty -fourth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry. He was then sent south to Ken- tucky and was kept on guard duty. Becoming ill he was granted permission to return home on a furlough and because of his physical disability was honorably discharged in the fall of 1804.
After sufficiently recuperating Mr, Riggs joined his father in business and assisted him in the conduct of the store, receiving practical Imsi- ness training during that period. He was this engaged for several years, after which he became cashier of the Buckley Bank, serving for about twenty years. Previous to this time, however, he had acted as deputy in the office of the cir- cuit clerk for about one year. lle took an in- terest in his father's business and after his long banking experience he returned to the store and is now senior partner of the firm of Riggs & Me- Clave They carry a large stock of general mer- chandise, including hardware and implements. and have built up an extensive and constantly increasing trade, being known as substantial business men of Iroquois county.
In 1807. in Artesia township, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kiggs and Miss Mary F. MeClave, who was born in Ohio and in 1804 be- came a resident of this counts. They now have two living children: Lee J., a well educated young man who is connected with the railroad service of the Illinois Central ; and Willian T .. who is with his father in the store They also
Mr Riggs votes with the republican party of slach he has been an meuble advocate since casting his first presidential vote for General Grant m is He has never missed a prest dential election and at each has given his alle- grance to the nominees at the head of the ticket. Without aspiration for office, he has nevertheless been called to positions of public trust by his fellow town-men, acting as town clerk and trustee, as school treasurer, as township clerk and in other local offices. He has likewise been a delegate to numerous counts conventions lle and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Buckley, in which Mr. Kiggs is now serving as trustee and steward, and in the work of church and Sunday school takes a most active and helpful interest He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge at Buckley, to the chapter and commandery at Paxton, while his wife is a member and one of the officers in the Eastern Star lodge. The Musi- Hess record of Mr. Riggs has been characterized bs consecutive progress and by a spirit of en- ergy and perseverance that has enabled hun to work his way upward until he is now one of the prosperous merchants, not only of Buckles but of this district. His record is one which any man might be proud to possess, for he has never made engagements that he has not met nor in- curred obligations that he has not discharged Integrity is synonymous with his name in trade circles in this locality and he enjoys the respect and admiration of his contemporaries and the good will of the majority of those who know him.
TEGGE BROTHERS.
The history of the legge family is closch identified with the business and social interests of Papinem Its representatives have been in Freuen counts for almost a half century and the name has figured continuonsh in connection with the business hie of the town Legge Brothers. How engaged in general merchandising and in the grain trade in Papincan, are well known in
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commercial circles. The members of the firm are William F. and Edward J. Tegge, who for ten years have been buying and shipping grain and live stock and have prospered all of the time. They are sons of Fred Tegge, who was born in Germany and came to America with his parents in the spring of 1859. settling on wild land in Martinton township, Iroquois county, Ilinois, where he continued to live until the fall of 1875. Ile then went into business with his brother, Wil- liam Tegge, a partnership which was continued until the fall of 1887, when William Tegge re- tired from the firm and the business was con- tinned by F. Tegge until the time of his death, which occurred January 25, 1895. For five years afterward it was conducted as his estate and then the present firm of Tegge Brothers came into existence.
Fred Tegge was born in Germany, February 27. 1847, and in 1858 crossed the Atlantic to America. It was in Martinton township, on the 2dl of July. 1870, that he married Miss Margaret Friendt, who was also born in Germany, De- cember 21, 1848, and who crossed the Atlantic about 1868. They began housekeeping in Mar- tinton and five years later removed to Papincau. where Mrs. Tegge still resides in a comfortable home amid pleasant surroundings. The children born of this marriage are as follows: Emma, who was born April 13, 1871, and whose death occurred April 30. 1902: William F., who was born February 17. 1876: Edward J., born No- vember 26, 1878; and Hattie, July 26, 1889. (f this family W. F. Tegge was married October 1, 1902, to Miss Bertha Voss, who was born April 6, 1878. They had two children : Leona, born November 17, 1903; and Lawrence, who was born June 13. 1905, and who died on the 7th of December of that year. E. J. Tegge was married September 24. 1901, to Miss Emma Bahnke, who was born in November. 1878, and they have a daughter, Mildred, born July 14, 1903: and a son, Freddie, born December 25. 1904. the father frequently commenting on the fact that he was a most acceptable Christmas gift.
Reared in Iroquois county, the Tegge brothers have made a creditable record in the business circles of their home locality and prosperity has followed their efforts. They are conducting an
excellent store, well equipped with a large and carefully selected line of goods, and their posi- tion in commercial circles is a prominent one. They enjoy the entire confidence of the trading community and the house sustains an unassail- able reputation for business integrity and fair- ness. The labors of the one ably supplement and round out the labors of the other and in ad- dition to general merchandising they carry on a good trade as shippers of grain and live stock, in which connection their business has assumed large proportions and brings them a gratifying profit. They also deal in coal, lumber and farm implements at Papineau and carry on a grain. coal and implement business at St. Anne, Illinois.
WILLIAM LLOYD EASTBURN.
William Lloyd Eastburn has the distinction of being the first white child born in Iroquois county and that he has found this section of the state an attractive place of residence, affording good opportunities to the settlers is indicated by the fact that he has always made his home within the borders of the county. His birth occurred in Concord township. February 22, 1836. His paternal grandfather. Jesse Eastburn, came to Sheldon in 1832, and there made his home. That was the year in which the Black Hawk war oc- curred, which practically ended the Indian do- main in Illinois.
Joseph Barton Eastburn, father of our subject. was born in Ohio, and came to Concord town- ship by wagon in 1830. lle entered land in Concord and Sheldon townships, broke the virgin soil and carried on the work of improvement until he had brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. Upon his farm he built a cabin of round logs, the little pioneer home being only eighteen by twenty feet, and across one end of the room was a fireplace. In that primitive dwelling the family lived for a number of years. In those carly days oiled paper was used instead of window glass in log houses and all the fur- nishings were very meager and primitive, while the farm implements were extremely crude as compared to the improved machinery used at the
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houses when an inneratt minister e . m . neighborhood, and school was complet subscription plan. One winter a big ( cheti house, fourteen by sixteen feet, which Mr. Last burn had built, was used for school purposes as no other building could be secured. In these early days crops had to be handed to Chicago and al eight hundred deres His wife where the marlen rado of Sustur Clark, was brit other distant markets. As the years passed. however, Joseph B. Eastburn prospered in his undertaking- and. investing in land from nok 1 I, at the vers venerable age of mets sever years, being the oldest resident of the county at that time He had lived here from promener dass and had a very will acquaintance and the taver- abdle regard it al with whom he can c in contact Mr. and Mrs. Eastbury celebrated their gallen wedding on the 12th of May, 1005. Uno then have been born eight dla deren, Charles, Joseph, James, Mrs. Pla Mackkimpson, Gorge, Mrs. Maggie Fleming. Mrs. Comha kebev, and Park W., who resides on the honk turn. t me as his financial resources increased, he i'll- match became the owner of about five hundred acres, which he had in his possession at the time of his death m 1800. His wife, who in her maid enhed was Sarah Truitt, was a native of Ohio. and they were the parents of six children but only three are now living: Witham Lloyd, of this review ; Alen Miner, a retired farmer living m Sheldon; and Parker 'I .. who has also retired but still lives on his farm near Eastburn stati m. Those deceased are Jesse, the oldest of the iam- il, who died when about nineteen years of age : David, the youngest, who died at his home in Kansas in 1002; and one daughter who died in infancy.
William Lloyd Eastburn assisted his father in the work of the home farm until he was twenty years of age. when he began business hie on his own account, operating some of his father's larol. Later he bought a quarter section in Sheldon townolup and has added to this place until he now owns five hundred acres there. He has also farm land in t'oncard. Middleport, Belmont and Sheldon townships, and his landed possessions aggregate seven hundred and forty acres. He has built three sets of buildings on his land, has tiled the entire farm and has added many other substantial and modern improvements Through- out his entire life he has carried on farming and stock-raising, and has also bought and shipped cattle and hogs. In 1870 the town of Eastburn was established and named in honor of the fam- ily, as was the Eastburn United Brethren church. Ten years ago W. L. Eastburn retired from ac- tive farm work and has since rented his land to his sons. Five years ago he bought the home of G. W. Brown and four acres in Watseka and has resided here continuously since, enjoying a well earned rest.
Mr. Eastburn has served as read commissioner. as school director and treasurer and has always been interested in matters pertaining to general progress and improvement, giving his support to many movements for the general gond. He be- longs to the U'nited Brethren church and h's hic has been ever honorable and upright. As the oldest native son of the county he has most well- mate knowledge of its history and its develop- ment. Very few evidences of civilization could here be found at the time of his birth There we're still many traces of Indian role here and only at wide intervals was to be found a home of the white settler to show that the seeds of civ- ilization had been planted. Much of the land was wild and swampy and the prairies were un- cultivated. Deer. prairie chickens and other wild game were plentiful and many wolves were also seen. Many hardships and privations were to be endured in the early days because of their remoteness from towns of any size, where they could obtain needed supplies. The only way they could get shoes in the early days was to have a shoemaker come to the house, when he would take measurements and make shoes for all the fanok. The cooking was done over a fireplace and the bread was baked in pans which were covered Is hot coals. In subduring the wilder- ness and extending the frontier Mr Eastburn
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bore his part and as the years advanced he kept in touch with the steady progress made along agricultural lines. He is now one of the pros- perous residents of the county with large landed holdings and his property interests return him a very gratifying annual income.
ABRAHAM R. LA BOUNTY.
Abraham R. La Bounty is the owner of a fruit farm near Crescent City and a life of industry and thrift has brought him the measure of suc- cess which he has enjoyed. His life record be- gan in Clinton county, New York, February 24. 1850. His father, Abraham La Bounty, was a native of that county, while the grandfather, Jo- seph La Bounty, was born in New York and was of French lineage. In the place of his nativity Abraham La Bounty was reared and having ar- rived at years of maturity he wedded Sarah Ray- mond, also a native of New York. They began their domestic life upon a farm and for several years the father carried on general agricultural pursuits in the Empire state, but thinking to enjoy better business opportunities in the new and grow- ing middle west, he came with his family to Iro- quois county, Illinois, settling in Douglas town- ship. There he carried on the work of the farm until he met his death by accidental drowning in Sugar creek in May, 1869. His wife still sur- vives him and is now residing in Nebraska.
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