Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 16

Author: Kern, J. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 792

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JACOB J. WIENRANK.

Belmont township has its full proportion of energetic, wide-awake and alert farmers, which number includes Jacob J. Wienrank, who is liv- ing on section 27. where a valuable tract of land of two hundred and forty acres pays annual tribute to his care and labor in rich erops. 1 native of Illinois, he was born near Benson,

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Woodford county. November 8, 1870. and in 1876 was brought to Iroquois county by his par- ents, John and Antje (Duitsmann) Wienrank, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father's birth occurred in Hanover and he came to America with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ja- cob Wienrank, when a youth of twelve years. The family home was established near Peoria in Tazewell county, where John Wienrank was reared upon a farm. He was married in Wood- ford county to Miss Duitsmann and afterward engaged in the cultivation of rented land for five years. He then came to Iroquois county and in- vested the capital which he had saved from his earnings in one hundred and sixty acres of land. He then began farming in Ash Grove township and converted his property into rich and pro- ductive fields.

Jacob J. Wienrank, the eldest of his father's family of six children, was reared upon the old homestead farm in Ash Grove township and ac- quired a good common-school education, his time being divided between the work of the school- room, the pleasures of the playground and the tasks incident to the development of the farm. He remained at home with his father until he had attained his majority and then started out in life on his own account by renting land. After nine years thus passed he purchased one hundred and sixty acres where he now resides on section 27, Belmont township. In 1905 he erected a large harn, fifty-eight hy fifty-eight feet. His place is well tiled and well fenced, he having laid three thousand rods of tile on the farm. He has since purchased eighty acres adjoining his original tract and now has two hundred and forty acres of valuable and well improved land, constituting one of the excellent farms of the county. He is a breeder of good graded stock and makes a spe- cialty of draft horses, Duroc Jersey hogs and polled Angus cattle.

On the 18th of April, 1901, Mr. Wienrank was united in marriage to Miss Hattie M. Shively, a native of Ohio, born March 6, 1873, and a daughter of Daniel Shively, who was also born in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Wienrank are the parents of two children, Leah Madeline, born June 15, 1902 ; and Gladys Anna, born October 7. 1904. He votes with the democracy but does not consider himself bound by party ties at local

elections, nor has he ever desired office as a re -- ward for party fealty. Both he and his wife are- members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Woodland and are worthy people whose lives are actuated by high and honorable principles and who by their earnest endeavor to follow the teachings of their denomination have awakened the respect and good will of all with whom they have been associated.

ELLIS J. LINDSEY.

Ellis J. Lindsey, who is successfully conduct- ing farming interests on section 25, Onarga township, owns an excellent tract of land of two hundred acres adjacent to the city limits of Onarga. He is, moreover, one of the native sons of the county and one whose life record well en- titles him to representation among its leading agriculturists. He was born in Onarga. August 8, 1874, and is a son of B. F. Lindsey and a brother of Ira M. Lindsey, mentioned on another page of this work.

Ellis J. Lindsey was reared to manhood on the. old home farm and his educational privileges were afforded by the Onarga schools. He has been an active man on the farm and since the age of fifteen years has carried on farm work on his own account. In the fall of 1897 he located where he now resides and his energies and attention have since been given to the con- trol of the place. In this farm he has two hun- dred acres and also owns another tract of seventy acres. He has been watchful of opportunities for development and has so conducted the work of the fields that his labors have brought forth rich crops and success has attended him. The residence, a large, neat, two-story dwelling, was. erected by him and is thoroughly modern in its appointments, being heated by furnace and sup- plied with every accessory which adds to the com- fort and conveniences of a model home. For three years Mr. Lindsey has rented the land but gives supervision to his farm and his other busi- ness interests, and from these he derives a good income.

Mr. Lindsey was married in Danforth, Illi- nois, December 20. 1897, to Miss Olive Kindig ..

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS,

who was born in Woodworth, Illinois, but was reared and educated in Iroquois county, spend- ing her school days in Onarga. Three children grace this marriage : Virginia, Lloyd F. and Lester J.

Politically Mr. Lindsey is a democrat where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He has never as- pired to office, preferring to give undivided at- tention to his business affairs, in which he has met with signal success. Ilis wife is a member of the Christian church of Onarga and he be- longs to Onarga lodge. K. P., in which he is serving as an officer. He is a man of good busi- ness ability, who quickly recognizes and utilizes his opportunity and his integrity has been one of the salient features in his business life. Ile has always resided in the vicinity of Onarga and is well known in the city and throughout the surrounding district, being popular with his fel- lowmen hy reason of his genial nature and affa- bility, combined with his close adherence to a high standard of conduct.

JAMES PORCH.

James Porch is a self-made man who without special family or pecuniary advantages at the outset of his career has worked his way steadily upward from a humble financial position to one of affluence, and his business record is one that any man might be proud to possess, for he has ever been faithful in meeting his obligations and commands the admiration and respect of his con- temporaries. A native of England, he came to Iroquois county in 1867. Ilis educational priv- ileges were limited and his means were small. He was handicapped in many ways, yet he has achieved greater success socially and financially than the great majority of residents of this sec- tion of the county. On taking up his abode within its borders he engaged in the hardware and tinware business and from the beginning met with prosperity, bis sales annually increas- ing until his business had assumed large pro- portions. In 1875 he turned his attention from trade to finance and purchased the private bank

of Robert Nation, of thebanse, which had In n established in 1872. He also has a half interest in bank and elevator in Porch & Adams at Caberv, Ihnois. Moreover, he has made judi- clous investments in property and is now the owner of four hundred and hity acres of land m kankakee comits. Ilmois, eighty acres 1 Miks Grove township, Irequons county; two hundred acres in Wright conmty, lowa ; six lin- dred and forty acres in Butler county, Kansas ; and one hundred and sixty acres in Iron county. Wisconsin. From his farming property he de- rives a good income.

In 1867. at Wilmington, Illinois, James Porch was married to Miss Effie Tracy, a resident of that place. They are now the parents of three children: Carl, Kitty and Nellie. The son was born February 25. 1808, at Chebanse, acquired a common-school education in his native town and has since been connected with his father in business. lle now owns a half interest in the general store of Porch & Wulffe at Chebanse. although his attention is more largely given to the conduct of the harware store of Porch & Porch, in which he also holds a half interest. He makes his home in Otto township. Kankakee county, Illinois, where he has a new residence in course of construction. He is a wide-awake and enterprising young business man, who closely ap- plies himself to the duties in hand so that the best results follow. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge of Chebanse, in which he has held membership for ten years, and he is also connected with the Modern Woodmen at Che- banse. The elder daughter, Kitty, is the wife of F. W. Elliott, a farmer of Otto township. Kanka- Lee county. Nellie is the wife of Henry Wulffe, of the firm of Porch & Wulffe, of Chehanse.

.At the time of the Civil war James Porch manifested his loyalty to his adopted country by service in the Fifth cavalry of U'nited States Vol- unteers, enlisting at Andover, Ohio. He went to the front and did active service in support of the stars and stripes and the cause they represented and after the war he came to Iroquois county. In politics he has always been a stanch repub- lican and was once a candidate for state repre- sentative but was defeated by a small majority. although the democratic strength in this locality is very marked.

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A little thoughtful consideration of the carver of James Porch brings one to the conclusion that in all of his business undertakings he has been impelled by an indomitable spirit of progress and enterprise. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recog- nition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county. His in- terests are thoroughly identified with those of northern Illinois and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and co-operation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its development. In private life he has gained that warm personal regard which arises from true nobility of character, deference for the opinions of others, kindliness and geniality.

MILTON ANDERSON.

Milton Anderson, whose life has been marked by steady progress, by recognition and utiliza- tion of opportunity and by fidelity to every duty. figures prominently in the business life of Shel- don, as president of the Citizens Bank. He was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, March 23. 1838, and is a representative of one of the old families of the east. His grandfather, W. G. Anderson, was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. in June, 1788, and married Anna Whitaker, who was born at Fort Duquesne, now Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, January 7, 1787. Their son, Elijah W. Anderson, was a native of Shelby county, Kentucky, born in 1812, but owing to the removal of the family from the Blue Grass state, was largely reared in Indiana, and his education was acquired in the common schools. He married Lucinda Lott. Although a miller by trade, he followed farming throughout the greater part of his life and thus provided for his family. In politics he was an old-line whig and the organization of the republican party elicited his attention and co-operation and he became an active worker in its ranks. Ile was a devout member of the Christian church, while his wife held membership in the Baptist church. She was a native of Kentucky and died when her son Milton was only three years of age.

He is now the only survivor of the family of three sons and a daughter.

In his early youth Milton Anderson attended the common schools but is largely a self- educated man, having learned valuable lessons in the school of experience and through reading and observation. He remained in his native state until fourteen years of age, when he came alone to Illinois, settling at Bloomington in 1850. Since that time he has been dependent upon his own resources, and the prosperity that he has achieved and enjoyed has come as the direct reward of his own labors. In early youth he accepted any employment that would yield him an honest living. For a time he worked as grade teanister for the Chicago & Alton and the Illinois Central Railroads. and he continued a resident of Bloomington until the outbreak of the Civil war. He had watched with con- siderable interest the progress of events that denoted its approach, and in 1861 he enlisted in the Union Army in the company commanded by Captain McNulta but as the quota of his county was full his company was rejected.

Not being able to go to the front Mr. An- derson went to Indianapolis and entered the employ of the Bee Line Railroad Company as a conductor and was thus employed for eight years, his run being between Indianapolis and Crestline. Ohio. After eight years devoted to that service he entered the employ of the Pan- handle Railroad Company, with which he con- tinued for the long period of sixteen years, being one of its most faithful and trusted employes.

On the Ist of May, 1872, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Anderson and Miss Arminda J. Fleager, who was born in Carlisle, Pennsyl- vania, September 28, 1851, and is a daughter of Charles and Mary (Wetzell) Fleager. The father, who was born in Pennsylvania. August 9. 1800, died March 5. 1875, and the mother. whose birth occurred in the Keystone state, No- vember 11, 1807, passed away March 15, 1866. Both were faithful and consistent members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Fleager was one of its officers and devoted adherents for twenty- eight years. Unto this worthy couple were born thirteen children but only two are now living. the brother being William B. Fleager, of Sheldon. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have be-

MILTON ANDERSON.

LIBRAKY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

115

come the parents of four children who is a graduate of the Northwestern Unver Mary 1. His sin, John West. when a south of sixteen wars. engrated to the new world 1 . 1. sits at Evanston, Ihmois: Helen, a graduate of af 1852 crossing the Atlantic of a salling vessel the Shield n high school; Harry, a graduate of the State University, and Bertha, a graduate of the Northwestern University. which reached New York on the 28th of thetie Ile went to. Upper Canada and for ab ant two wars was enploval in connection with the construction of the Welland canal Mont 1854 he went to Chicago and in the vicinity of that es was employed at farm labor. He spelt a summer near Naperville and for three winters he attended school in Chicago. Securing a po sition as maltman with a brewery, he was this employed until 1802, when he came to Loda and occupied a similar position with a large distil lery here. He was thus employed for twelve years, or until 187;, when he located upon a farm in Lake county. Illinois, carrying on agricultural pursuits there for eight wears. In 1885 he re- turned to Loda and bought a farm here, his tine and energies being given to its further improve- ment and development until i>. He owned a comfortable home and good tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres but at length he re tired from active farm life and bought a resi- dence in Loda, where for five years he has made his home. He has since sold his farm but has purchased land in Calhoun county, Iowa, near Daisy, where he has one hundred and sixty acres of well improved and valuable land.

A stalwart republican in his political allegi ance. Mr. Anderson has been identified with the parts since his first presidential ballet was cast for Abraham Lincoln. He belongs to David Crockett camp, No. 502. M. W. A., and to the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America in Shel4 don. He was instrumental in successfully estab fishing in 1888 the Farmers Co-Operative Grain Association of Sheldon, which built an elevator that has been one of the successful business undertaking, of the town. He is a large land- owner, having one hundred and sixty-six acres near Colfax, Illinois, three hundred and sixty acres near Kentland. Indiana, and three hun- dred and forty-seven acres in Humboldt county. lowa, in addition to his beautiful residence in Sheldon. He is, moreover, president of the Citizens Bank of Sheldon, and is one of the most successful men in this part of the county. His labors have been so discerningly directed along well defined lines of labor and enterprise that he seems to have realized at any one point of progress the possibility for successful ac- complishment at that point. He has been a man of action rather than of theory, has laid his plans carefully and has prosecuted them with diligence and, moreover, he has had strict re- gard for the rights of others in all business transactions and thus has maintained an unassail- able reputation. His life record, therefore, sould prove a source of inspiration to others, showing that success is ambition's answer.

JOHN WEST.

John West, who is now living retired in Loda. was born in Lincolnshire. England, June 21. 1836, His father, Thomas West, was likewise a native of that country and was reared in Lincoln- shire, where he wedded Mary Fanthorp. likewise a native of England. Thomas West reared his family and spent his entire life in that country

On the 5th of November, 1862. in Chicago, Mr. West was married to Miss Betsy Kemp, a native of Lincolnshire, England, who came to the new world on the same vessel on which her husband crossed the Atlantic. They have become the parents of four sons and two daughters: John T. and William James, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work : George Edward, why operates the elevator at Thawville and is a part ner with his older brother- in the grain business : Francis Henry, who is living in Gran 1 Rapids Michigan, being secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association there: Mary 11 .. at home. who is an assistant in the postoffice at Loda ; and Maud Isabella, a teacher.

Politically Mr. West and his sons are repub- licans and his first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1800, since which time he has supported every nominee at the head of the ticket. He has never sought or desired ofic although at one time he served as a member ni

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the town board. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Loda, in which he is serving as one of the trustees, and his wife is connected with the Foreign Mission- ary Society and the Ladies Aid Society. During his residence in this part of the county Mr. West has supported all the various measures which contribute to general progress and improvement and is known as a public-spirited man. His life has been characterized by unfaltering diligence, by faithfulness in the performance of duty and by recognition of his obligations to his fellow- men and to his country.

JOHN A. McCURTAIN.

John A. McCurtain, now deceased, was for many years a prosperous farmer of Iroquois county, and the success which gained him place among the substantial residents of the commu- nity was attributable entirely to his own diligence and perseverance. Moreover, he was strictly re- liable in all his business transactions and thus he left an honorable name as well as a comfort- able competence to his family.

Mr. McCurtain was born in Champaign coun- ty, Ohio, September 6, 1831. He was reared to farm life and lived at home until twenty-one years of age but worked out by the month for some time before he attained his majority. He saved his earnings and at length bought twelve calves. These le fed for some time and when he sold them the proceeds helped him to make a payment on eighty acres of new land, which he bought at the usual purchase price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. This land was just across the Illinois border in Indiana, and the year following his marriage he began breaking and cultivating it. Two years later he built a log cabin and took up his abode upon the farm. During the winter months he made rails, which was the only way of making ready money at that time. Hle received a dollar per hundred for splitting rails and this supplied him with funds sufficient to meet the demands of daily existence, while at the same time he carried on farm work and in the course of years his harvests became large and profitable.

In 1855 he sold that place and bought one hun- dred and sixty acres in Iroquois township, which was entered from the government by Mrs. Mc- Curtain's brother, Benjamin Moore. This, too, was a tract of wild prairie land, raw and unculti- vated. He erected thereon a hewed log house of one room and lived there for many years, in the meantime making fine improvements which converted the farm into a valuable place. He brought the fields under a high state of culti- vation, erected commodious and substantial modern buildings and secured the latest improved farm machinery to facilitate his labors. He lived upon the farm until 1893, when he removed to Watseka and bought eleven acres in the city limits, on which he erected a fine residence and lived retired from business. His widow still owns two hundred acres of the old homestead, together with two hundred and forty acres in Beaver township.

In September, 1852, Mr. McCurtain was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Moore, who was born in Shelby county, Ohio, January 17, 1834, and is a daughter of William and Eliza- beth (Lewis) Moore, the former a native of Kentucky, and the later of Ohio. They removed to Jasper county, Indiana, in 1841, making the journey with three horses and a wagon. They also brought with them two saddles, four cows and two calves, and thus traveling westward in true pioneer style they became identified with the development of Indiana during the period when it was a frontier district.

There were four children born unto Mr. and Mrs. McCurtain: Emma, who became the wife of Joseph Young and is now deceased ; Addison, who lives in Salt Lake City, where he is en- gaged in the practice of medicine and surgery ; Irene, the wife of L. D. Brown, of Guthrie, Oklahoma; and Celnira, the wife of Herbert Potter, of South Dakota.

.After removing to Watseka. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Curtain spent considerahle time in traveling, vis- iting California, Mexico and various points in the west, and thus enjoying the fruits of their former toil. The death of Mr. McCurtain oc- curred on the 25th of June, 1902. He had lived a life of industry, perseverance and honor, and his own labors and the assistance of his estimable- wife proved the basis of his success. At the.

OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

John A. M. Curtam Sarah M" Burhan

...

RESIDENCE OF MRS. SARAH M CURTAIN.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

1-1

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

time of the Civil war he enlisted in Company F. he purchased and began the improvement of a small farmı.

One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ilinois Volunteer Infantry in 1805 and served until the close, being on guard dats most of the time. In politics he was a republican but never sought or desired public office, preferring to concentrate Is cher- gies upon his business interests. He and his wife were members of the Christian church for over forty years and were most earnest people. faithful to their professions and maintaining a high standard not only of belief but of conduct. Mrs. Mecurtain still lives in Watseka and her life is enriched by many memories of her his- band's kindliness and his numerous good qualities.

BENJAMIN CHILD.

Benjamin Child, who departed this life May 20, 1896, was a resident of Danforth township from 1868 and was widely and favorably known in that locality. He was born in Bristol, Rhode Island, October 19. 1823. his parents being Ben- jamin and Phoebe A. (Champlin ) Child. The father died when his son Benjamin was a little lad, and the mother passed away about twenty- five years ago in Rhode Island. They were both representatives of old New England fan ilies and the men were generally scafaring people. Ben- jamin Child was one of two sons, his brother be- ing James, who spent his life in Rhode Island. and they had two sisters, Mrs. Maria M. Hoar and Phoebe A. Child, but all are now deceased.

In the state of his nativity Benjamin Child was reared ard educated. He removed with his par- ents from Bristol to Warren, Rhode Island, when about two years of age and his father died soon afterward. In his youth the son learned the cooper's trade and as a young man he went to California by way of the isthmus route about 1844), attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope. He spent five years in the mines and was quite successful in his search for the precious metal, so that he returned home with a very desirable competence. On again locating in Rhode Island he followed coopering for some time and abont 1853 he came westward to llli- nois, making a location in Peoria county, where

Mr. Child was married there September 25. 1850, to Miss Mary C. Johnston, who was born in Peoria county, January 22, 1839, and is a daughter of Samuel and Maria ( TantInger) Johnston, both of whom died there fifty years ago. They had come to this state front Johnston. Cam bria courts. Permalvagia, about 1835. atol secured a farm in Peoria county but subsequently removed to Bringfield. Unos, where their sub- segment years were passed. In their family were six children and the four sisters are set living but the brothers. Thomas and William Theodore. have both passed away. The sisters of Mrs. Child are: Elvira N., who married Cyrus Mar- shall, and is living in Butler counts, Kansas ; Harriet C .. who is the widow of William Cur- ren, now of Brimfield, Illinois: and Maria Jane. the wife of Joseph Ingall, who reside, at Ash- kum, Iroquois county.

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Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 16

Author: Kern, J. W Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 792

Author: Kern, J. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 792