USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 18
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West in 1850, Taking his was to low . City, low .. then the terminus of toe radr al It was 1 s eints. Island, where he live I for the walls.
Mr Dez is a nativera Palailephes P'erasil vinter, lars September 21, 1832, and when he was hit six years oldthe parents ren ved with the r Ist | | | |'e Vat Dutch . the rest 11 Lebanon counts north of Lancaster tus. J'en tine Caroline (Krantz) Dietz, who were nettves . i Wurtemberg, finans, and came to America in 1831 The father was a habe rer in l'email vara, atol in tsog he made lls wn westward 1, I. g. start. Indiana, where he pourchase there Immered and twenty acres of farm Luot mjum which I resided well his death a quarter i a centery later He was born Septen ber 17. 1800. and died in 185. slik his wife passed away in Parmesania and was buried February 22. 1812. In their family were pour some and a daughter. all of whom are set living. Chark . t. of this review, being the oldest. The others are Thea- dore, Jolm. Christine and Hours. After Long hi- first wife the father married again in Penn- Silvania before the subject of this review came to the west.
Charles Christian Dietz had very little opper- mums to acquire an education but las read broadly, thinks deeply and is a self educated man who has acquired practical knowledge and is now wel mformed He was a young man of almost twenty - four years when he can't the needle West and as stated. he located in Madison county. Inbana, where he remained for me years. In 1805 he came to this counts and for more than four decades has been dad's associated with events which have left their impress upon the history of this part of the state He was ofe of the first pires of the first term of court hell in the old courthouse after its erections and! le da much to shape the public policy and mole public opp of at an early das. For two years he rested of the J James farm, which is now the chants farm, and he then purchased from Das d Metill one hundred and twenty acres of Land me Crescent township, for which he pand angle lars per acre Is mine pressed and his financial resources increased owing to his in
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dustry and economy he added to his property until now he owns two hundred acres of excellent farm land in Crescent township beside the twenty- acre tract in Gilman, upon which he resides and ten acres of timber.
Mr. Dietz was married in Indiana in 1857 to Miss Eliza Carmany, who died in Crescent town- ship about 1870. Their children were as fol- lows: Melissa Jane, who married John Burk- halter and died about five years ago, leaving one daughter, Rosa, who is grown and is now keep- ing house for her father in Crescent township : Charles, a graduate of Grand Prairie Seminary. who after studying physiology at Kankakee pre- pared for the practice of medicine, which he now follows at Carson, Iowa; John, who is married and follows agricultural pursuits upon his fa- ther's farm in Crescent township; Milton, who has a half section of land in South Dakota ; Ella, the wife of William Holz, living near Delrey, Illi- nois : and Annie, the wife of Henry Forbes, a farmer of Pottawattamie county, Iowa.
For his second wife Mr. Dietz chose Mrs. Emma E. (Orth) Thompson, who was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, a representative of a prominent old family there. Her great- grandfather. Balsor Orth, was born in Austria. May 5, 1702, and died October 20, 1788. He came to America prior to the Revolutionary war and aided the colonies in achieving their inde- pendence, Orth Fort being upon his place in Leb- anon county, Pennsylvania. On the maternal side Mrs. Dietz's great-grandparents were both killed and scalped by the Indians. In early womanhood she removed with her father to Keithsburg, Mer- cer county, Illinois, and was first married to Wil- liam Thompson, who died while in the army in 1864. To them was born a daughter. Fannie, now the wife of Frank Bedford, chief engineer on railroad transfer on the Mississippi at Vicks- burg. Mr. and Mrs. Dietz have two sons: Gott- lieb Orth, an attorney of Chicago, who was gradu- ated from the Grand Prairie Seminary at Onarga and from the Northwestern University at Evans- ton, Illinois ; and Cyrus Edgar, who is married and practices law in Moline, Illinois, being an able member of the bar there. He, too, is a gradu- ate of the Grand Prairie Seminary and of the Northwestern University, and both brothers were noted football players in college. the younger act-
ing much of the time as coach for various teams in this and other states. Mr. and Mrs. Dietz also have an adopted daughter. Maude.
Politically Mr. Dietz has given his support to a greater or less extent to the democratic party, although he is somewhat independent. He has refused nomination for office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and he has been capable and progressive in all that he has done. He was the first man to de- horn cattle in this section of the county and in all of his business life he has manifested a spirit of leadership that made him a prosperous and successful agriculturist. He was reared in the Lutheran church but he and his wife both favor the Presbyterian church and to a large extent attend its services in Gilman. From an early age he has been dependent upon his resources and with a realization that merit is the basis of all genuine and desirable success he has put forth his efforts along lines of intense and well directed activity and through former toil has gained a competence sufficient to enable him now to live retired.
ALONZO BUCKLEY.
Alonzo Buckley, who in former years was ac- tively connected with agricultural interests in Iroquois county but is now living retired in Shel- don, is a native son of Sheldon township, born on the 8th of February, 1859. His parents were Stephen and Eliza Jane (Harper) Buckley. The father was born in Preble county, Ohio, January 2, 1823, and was but two years of age when his parents removed to Tippecanoe county. Indiana, being among its earliest settlers. He there re- sided until 1856, when he came to Iroquois county, Illinois, and settled on land which he had taken up from the government two years before. He became one of the most extensive landown- ers and prosperous farmers of the county. in- creasing his holdings from time to time until he was the owner of fourteen hundred and sixty acres in this county. His own labor was the basis of his success and added to his diligence was a sound judgment seldom at error in any business transaction.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
MR. AND MRS. STEPHEN BUCKLEY.
ALONZO BUCKLEY AND FAMILY.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
On the 3d of June, 1848. Stephen Buckley wedded Miss Eliza Jane Harper, who was born in Montgomery county, Indiana. They came to Iroquois county among its carly residents and shared in the hardships of the pro- neer hic in the early days but later were enabled to enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries winch go to make hie worth living Mrs. Buckley passed away at the age of sixty-nine years, while Mr. Buckley died in Shel- don m June, 1904. in the eighty-second year of his age Of their family of six children five still survive : Samuel, of Sheldon ; Mrs. Delilah Amos. who resides in Shellon : Mrs. Sarah A. Boatman. a widow, living in Chicago: MMlonzo, of this re- view ; and Mrs. Maria Elizabeth Roberts, a resi- dent of California.
The ancestry of the family can be traced back to a still more remote period, as representa- tives of the name were residents of North Caro- lina in an early day. James Buckley, the grand- father, was born in that state and married Sarah Lincoln, a native of Ohio, who died in Tippeca- noe county. Indiana, in 1844. He afterward week- ded a Mrs. Jacobs and in 1854 came to Iroquois county, but remained here for only eighteen months, when he took up his abode in Carroll county, Indiana. His last days, however, were passed in Tennessee.
After acquiring a common-school education Alonzo Buckley started out in life for himself at the age of twenty-one years. He worked for his father for wages for some time and in 1882 bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Sheldon township, which he still owns. Later he increased his holdings until he now has two hun- dred and thirty-seven acres of good land in Shel- don and Concord townships, which he has im- proved and made into good farms. He also owns three hundred and twenty acres in Jasper county, Indiana. In connection with the tilling of the soil he also engaged in the raising of cattle, hogs and horses, and both branches of his business proved remunerative. He continued in the active management of the farm until 1900, when he re- moved to Sheklon, where he owns a commodious and attractive two-story residence built in mod- ern style of architecture.
The lady who presides over his home was in her maidenhood Miss Calista M. Hickman, of
Concord township, a daughter of I. Thekman, who lived in this county for some years, Both he and his wife are now deceased Unto Mr. and Mrs. Buckles have been born three children : Nina B., who is attending the Gemt is Business College in Qumey, Illinois ; Free M, and lugar Allen, both at home Mrs Buckley is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church and for two years has been worthy matron of Shel- don chapter. No. 185. ( I. S., which she jomed 10 1002, and which her daughter joined in www.
Mr Buckley is a democrat in politics and has served for seven years as school director, while fraternally he is connected with Sheldon lodge. No. (xx). A. F. & A. M. He has now practically retired from business life, but is one of the stock holders in the Farmers Elevator at Shellon. In his business affairs he has been very successful and is now a prosperous resident of the county. having accumulated the competence which en- ables hiln to live retired in the enjoyment of the comfort- of life He is a native son of the county and a representative of one of its pioneer fami- lies. Ilis interest in public affairs is deep and sincere and is manifest in substantial co-opera- tion which he has given to plans and measures for the public good.
JOSEPH 11. PELTIER.
Joseph H. Peltier, merchant and postmaster of Martintor, was born in this town. December 31. 1874. He is a son of Victor Peltier, a native of Canada, who came to this county in the year 180) and for many years followed general ag ricultural pursuits as a hie work. He afterward took up his abode in the town and filled the ju- sition of postmaster and was also justice of the peace. Ile married Miss Florence Faucher, of Canada, who stil survives him, his death hav- irg occurred in May. 18)5. His political allegi- ance was given to the republican party and he was an exemplary member of the Independent Order of Cold Fellows.
Joseph HI. Peltier was educated in the Martin- In schools and afterward engaged in teaching school for two years. Subsequenth he was em plonel as a clerk is a store in Momente and in
IO
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PAST AND PRESENT OF
returning to Martinton he embarked in business on his own account after clerking for six years. In 1897, however, he was appointed postmaster by William Mckinley-a position which his father had previously held. This is a fourth- class office and he handles three mails a day and there are two rural routes. In connection with managing the office Mr. Peltier is also engaged in merchandising, having in 1898 bought out the store of J. L. Ducharme, dealer in drugs, paints, oils, wall paper and stationery. He has a well equipped store and carries a good stock. The building which he occupies is twenty-five by ninety feet, two stories in height with basement. He also owns the opera house in the town, which was originally built by his father but was de- stroyed by fire and rebuilt by Mr. Peltier. In community interests he has been quite active and influential and for one term has served as village clerk.
Mr. Peltier was married in Martinton in 1900 to Miss Allie Money, who was born in Middle- port township, Iroquois county. in 1880. They are well known young people of Martinton and this section of the county and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.
HERMAN WALTER SNOW.
Although no longer a resident of Iroquois county, for at the present time he is living re- tired in Kankakee. Herman Walter Snow de- serves honorable mention in this volume. No citizen of Sheldon or of Iroquois county com- mands more genuine respect and his life record is a splendid example of what may be accom- plished through the force of character, through laudable ambition, strong determination and hon- est purpose. Starting in life without any of the advantages of the schools or of fortunate envi- ronment which are so often considered necessary to success, he has arisen from a humble and even obscure position to one of affluence and promi- nence-winning success in the business world and gaining political honors, not through the methods of many modern politicians but in recog- nition of his sterling personal worth and public spirit.
His life record began in northern Indiana, July 3. 1836, and during his infancy he was taken by his parents to Kentucky, where he re- mained for thirteen years, spending a part of that time upon a farm. The family then removed to Illinois, locating on a farm near Peoria, where for four years Mr. Snow did a man's work, rais- ing and harvesting crops, opening a coal mine. using the pick and shovel, digging and hauling coal. Owing to the death of his father he was left without educational privileges and when six- teen years of age was unable to read a letter which he received from his elder brother. but he hunted up an old speller with the script alpha- bet. deciphered the letter in a week and in a few weeks was able to answer it. This effort awakened in him a desire to know more and he studied from that time on, working by day and poring over his books by the blaze of the coal which his hands had dug. He was already a fair reader, could write some and was making fair progress in grammar and arithmetic while still working in the coal mines.
While on the farm with his mother and sisters their house was destroyed by fire and the already harvested crops were consumed. The death of the best horse and the sweeping away of nearly all the fences by a torrent of water completed his misfortune, so that with his mother and sisters he removed to Peoria, where he secured a position as janitor of a school building. All his leisure time at night was devoted to study until he qualified himself for the position of a country school teacher and, entering upon that work, he "boarded 'round" as was then the cus- tom. He continued teaching for three years. during which period he embraced every opportu- nity for the study of algebra, geometry and sur- veying. A kind friend then offered him a posi- tion in the circuit clerk's office, where he recorded deeds and did other clerical work and later he was given a position in the office of the county clerk, extending taxes and doing other such duties. One day Hon. Judge Gale, of Peoria. accidentally caught him reading Cæsar in Latin. talked with him and finally offered him a small school in the city-the judge being at that time city superintendent. He remained at the school for only one term. for he gave such satisfaction that he was then placed at the head of the old
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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
second ward school with two hundred pupils and three assistants. He remained there sich years and reached the highest salary pand for principals.
Mways a student from the time when he took up the speller in order to read his brother's letter. he had while engaged in educational work m Peoria prosecuted his stitches in preparation for the legal profession and on being admitted to the bar resigned his school and opened a law office in Peoria. There he was waited on by a dozen or more of his former pupils, who said that they would enlist for service in the Civil war if he would do so. He promptly threw down his law books and all marched to the re- cruiting office and enlisted. Mr. Snow was sent out for further recruiting service, helped to fill up the company, which he drilled, having him- self privately drilled, and. wholly unexpected 10 himself, was elected captain, though carrying a musket as a private only the day before. After this term of service was over he again raised a company, was again elected captain and subse- quently was promoted lieutenant colonel of his regiment. It was to this regiment and the im- mediate supervision of Major General Stead- man that Brigadier General Wofford, with ten thousand four hundred Confederates, surrendered at Kingston, Georgia. General Steadman was so pleased with the excellent condition of his regiment, at that time under charge of Colonel Snow, after a most exhaustive march of over thirty miles on a hot day to reach Kingston in time, that the Colonel was sent for and men and officer- complimented.
Some months later Colonel Snow was d tailed on the staff of Major-General Steadman and made provost marshal general of the state of Georgia, relieving Brigadier General Grosvenor, of Ohio, who was ordered home with his regi- ment to be mustered out. Colonel Snow filled the offices with credit and satisfaction until it was abolished by order of the war department, when he returned to his regiment at Columbus, Georgia. The regiment saw but little fighting, being on detached service most of the time, but was a part of the First Brigade of the Second sepa rate Division of the Army of the Cumberland. Colonel Snow has two honorable discharges for his two terms of service, though short ones, and
has two commossi me as captam and ona as hill- tenant colonel. He also has a certificate signed by Abraham Lincoln, thanking ham for special services after his term of enlistment had expirel. and a private letter from the secretary of the treasury thanking hun for saving a large sum ot money for the United States by his vigilance.
On his return home Colonel Snow, owing to sickness and death in his mother's fanby, whom he had mamly supported while in the army, was compelled to resume teaching and for several years thereafter was thus connected with the Chicago high school, having been one of four that passed the examination out of seventy-five applicants for the situation. At length he re- signed and removed to Washington, Ilinois. While in that city he became the junior partner of the banking house of Danforth, Snow & Company and acted as bookkeeper for four years. Desirous of going into business for himself, he removed to Sheldon, where land was cheap and
the country new and wholly undrained. Here in the midst of what seemed in some ways un- promising conditions be established the Bank of Sheldon on the 20th day of January, 1875. be- ginning business in a little frame building one story in height and fourteen by twenty six feet. llis capital had been saved from his labors in other fields of activity. The first depositor was Dr. 1 .. B. Brown, who made a deposit of five hundred dollars. He was quickly followed by Dr. Barry and one by one others came in and opened ac- counts. It required perseverance and determi- nation to establish the bank upon a paying basis, owning to the fact that many of the carly set- there were poor and needed to borrow money rather than to deposit it, but the Bank of Shel- don prospered. It was carcial, economical and conservative. It weathered the financial storms that followed the Civil war and in the course of years found it advisable to seek more common- dions and better quarters, removing in the 'Sos to the center of the brick block on the west side of Fourth street During this time Mr. Snow. finding the business increasing rapidly. admitted 1. E. Crandall to a partnership under the firm style of Snow & Crandall and under this name the bank was conducted until 1885. when Mr. ( randal removed to the south. He was won afterward succeeded by J D. Watkins under t
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firm name of Snow & Watkins, which relation was maintained until 1899, when Mr. Watkins withdrew and the firm became 11. W. Snow & Son, the junior partner being L. D. Snow, who is the present cashier and manager of the bank. In 1900 the present fine fire proof brick building was erected and equipped with the most modern accessories for the conduct of a safe banking business. The firm also has an insurance de- partment, makes loans and does other business of a similar character.
Mr. Snow was married while living in Wash- ington, Illinois, to Miss Hattie C. Danforth, a daughter of an old settler and well known citizen, Asa H. Danforth. Deprived of practically all school advantages in his youth Mr. Snow, how- ever, is now a man of extensive education, well versed in English literature, well read in law and a fair classical scholar in Latin, Greek and French. He has traveled extensively in this country, there being but few states or territories that he has not visited, and he has been a close observer of our institutions and a broad reader of our literature. The great political problems which effect the country in its various relations have also claimed his time and consideration and his ability for leadership has led to his selection to several positions of prominence. While in Washington he was elected to represent his dis- trict in the state legislature and in the fall of 1890 was elected to congress from the ninth Illinois district, going in on the "tidal wave" by about one thousand majority in a district that was hopelessly regarded as republican. After taking his seat in congress he proved himself an earnest, hard working member, scrupulously honest and careful in all his official acts. In 1892 he was again a candidate for congress but was defeated by Hon. II. K. Wheeler. In Att- gust, 1893, at the beginning of the special ses- sion, he was elected sergeant-at-arms of the house of representatives, which office he filled with credit until the close of the fifty-third congress.
In 1894 Mr. Snow removed with his family from his old home in Sheldon to Kankakee, Illi- nois, where he now resides. He is retired from active business but is still part owner in the Bank of Sheldon, which is conducted by his son under the firm name of H. W. Snow & Son. Mr .. Snow is about five feet eight inches in height.
of rather light complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His temperament is sanguine and nervous He is a man of good character, strictly honest, somewhat reserved and distant but very social with those who are intimately acquainted with him. He is quick tempered but very just, never judging any one harshly without hearing both sides and always ready to make amends when convinced that he has been wrong. His habits. are in a marked degree domestic and he loves the home circle. While religiously inclined and broad in his views, he has but little regard for the mere forms of worship and judges men by their actions rather than by their words. Creed is little to him-life much. He is fond of good literature. especially poetry, and takes the keenest delight in fine scenery, in forest and mountain rambles and in traveling. The unbroken tran- quility of his domestic life and his fondness for wife and children are more to him than the dig- nities and honors of political or public service.
WILLIAM B. FLEAGER.
William B. Fleager, whose life is a living illus- tration of what ability, energy and force of char- acter can accomplish, is numbered among the leading men of Sheldon, and the city and state have been enriched by his example. It is to such men that the west owes its prosperity, its rapid progress and its advancement. At fourteen years of age he started out in life on his own account as a clerk in a mercantile estblishment and from that humble position he has worked his way steadily upward until, in the control of large and important commercial and industrial inter- ests, he has gained a place among the prosperous residents of Sheldon and at the same time has contributed thereby to general advancement and prosperity.
Mr. Flcager was born in Carlisle, Pennsylva- nia, September 20, 1830, and is a son of Charles and Mary Ann (Wetzel) Fleager, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and spent their entire lives there. The father was born August 9. 1800, and died March 5, 1875, while the mother's birth occurred November 1I, 1807, and her death occurred on the 15th of March, 1866 ..
W. B. FLEAGER.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Both were faithful and consistent members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Fleager was one of its officers for the long period of twenty -eight years. William B. Fleager was the eldest in their family of thirteen children, and with the exception of the youngest is the only one now living, his sister being Arminda J. Anderson. She was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 28, 1851, and is the wife of Milton Anderson, of Sheldon.
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