USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 21
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Samuel K Nolit was one of eight children and the year 140 wholessed his arrival in His. He settled in Stock land township, where I he cated four Eurofred acres of government 1 und. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upin the place at 1 thrs the arduets rask ci devel going new land devised upon Nut to the Years passed he prospered in hes amdortak 19es and added to his property from time to time until he became the owner of fourteen hundred acres, of which three hundred and save his it Benton county, Indiana, and the remainder in Illinois. San nel Nolan thus in his life dention- new the parents of seven chi fren Cars , w
being strewn with the wreck of other mert fortune He was tw cemarnel, having 1 1; wedded Miss Rachel Dawson, & Oughter of Elisha and Polly Daw wo. Her death ox urr j in 1854 and in August, 1857. Mr A be wal united u marriage te Miss Clarissa Cotfelt The became the parents of four children but the vet and chee in mianes. Those still living are Mrs Mary Voliva : William, of this review ; and Mrs Matilda J. Nickel. The wife anl noter died in January, 1800, at the age of sixty-three years. and Mr Nohin, long surviving her. passed away in 1902, at the venerable age of eighty one years
William T. Nolin was reared upon his father's farm and his educational advantages were those afforded by the district schools. When not buss with his text books he worked in the fields and when a young man of twenty years he began working by the month as a farm hand. He was this employed for three years after which he rented land and engaged in farming on his own account near Hopested for four years. Of the expirati nei that perial he entered into partner- ship with His father and the relation was con- tinned for five years, Inheriting the old home- stead of three hundred and thirty six acres, and purchasing four hundred acres in Mi ford town ship, he now owns seven hundred and thirty six acres of valuable lard in Ir wins comes With hi- farming he raises goal stock of all kinds having thoroughbred Dure Jersey boys, l'er cheron and Shire horses and registered Hereford cattle. He also breeds, raises and deals In regis tered Shropshire sheep, and at the present writ ing has sixty five Head of registered Hereford cattle in his herd He has large and substantial bindings upon his place, including two gol barns of the hand farne and good har lenge and tenant houses in Fisother arms. He has made steady and consecutive progress in his business life. working persistently along Ties of later that always accen pish desired results.
In January. 1830, Mr Nolin was married to was att orpl g and had soak her love with les e Si ner for ten years Mr and Mrs Nog ere
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is attending school in Hoopeston : Grace M., Ruby E .. Samuel K., John M., Lester W. and Ruth Edith, all attending school with the exception of Ruth Edith.
Mr. and Mrs. Nolin hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Stockland. in which Mr. Nolin is a trustee, and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias of Mil- ford. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day as every true American citizen should do. He was elected and served as supervisor for one term. At local elec- tions he casts an independent ballot and he stands for reform, progress and improvement in citizenship as well as in other relations of life. In his farm work he has made steady advance- ment, and he heartily believes in raising high grade stock and in utilizing the improved methods of farming, realizing that the best results are thereby obtained. He has a reputation for busi- ness integrity and activity that is most commend- able and therein lies the secret of his success.
JOHN PAUL PALLISSARD.
John Paul Pallissard, state's attorney of Iro- quois county and a resident of Watseka, was born in the town of Aroma. Kankakee county, Illinois. January 3. 1871. He is a son of Jean Cecile Edward Pallissard, a native of France, who. when a young man, emigrated to Illinois in the early '50s with his father. Paulin Narcisse l'al- lissard, who became one of the carly settlers of that town. The grandfather had selected land in central Illinois, upon which he settled and which is still in possession of the family. The mother of our subject, Herminie ( Lemoine ) Pallissard, is a native of Canada and a daughter of John B. L. Lemoine, a man well known among the early settlers from Canada.
John Paul Pallissard of this review was reared upon his father's farm and continued to follow the vocation of farming with intermissions until he reached the age of twenty-five. Ilis carly education was received in the district school on his father's farm, and he afterward attended the public schools at Kankakee. St. Viateurs College.
and the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. He pursued his studies in those different institutions in the winter months and in the summer seasons his time and energies were devoted to the work of the fields. Much of his education, however, was obtained by study while he was following the plow. In 1891 he was granted a license to teach school, and fol- lowed that profession for some time, at first de- voting only the winter months to it, while after- ward he gave his entire time to educational ser- vice for five years. During the latter part of the time he took up the study of law under the di- rection of W. G. Brooks, at St. Anne, and subse- quently matriculated in the Bloomington Law School, from which he won the degree of L. L. B. in June, 1808. He then entered the law office of Daniel H. Paddock and Bert L. Cooper, at Kankakee, remaining with them for some time.
Mr. Pallissard was instrumental in establish- ing the First National Bank at St. Anne, and became its first cashier, remaining with that in- stitution for two years but in 1900 he was ad- mitted to the bar, and preferring the practice of law as a life work, he removed to Watseka in 1901 and has since prosecuted his profession here. In the fall of 1904 he was elected state's attorney by the people of Iroquois county and has since occupied that position. He has much natural ability but withal is a hard student and is never contented until he has mastered every detail of his cases. Ile believes in the maxim "there is no excellence without labor" and follows it closely. He is seldom surprised at an unexpected dis- covery by an opposing lawyer for in his mind he weighs every point and fortifies himself as well for defense as for attack. He convinces by his concise statement of law and facts rather than by word-painting and the profession as well as the public acknowledge his ability.
Mr. Pallissard was united in marriage. in 1897. to Miss Lida Durand, of St. Anne, Illinois, and unto them have been born two daughters: An- nette, who was born February 5. 1900; and Rosella, born September 30. 1902. Mr. Pal- lissard has taken considerable interest in social matters, being a member of several fraternal or- ganizations and of the Iroquois Club as well. In politics he is a republican, having been more or less active in political circles since attaining his
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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
majority. He is a great behever in common people with whose cause he has been associated all his life and is known as a sturdy argument of monopoly and di misrule in municipal affair -.
W. R. ROBERTS, M. D.
Dr. W. R. Roberts, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Cisma Park, is one of the prominent representatives of the medical fra ternity in this part of Iroquois county, where he has practiced continuously for about ten years. A native of Illinois, he was born m Mclean county, January 3. 1873. His father, Dr. Wil- ham Roberts, was one of the pioneer physicians of that county but for some years has lived re- tired at Corpus Christi, Texas.
Dr. Roberts of this review was reared to man- hood in the state of his nativity and at the usual age began his education, passing through snc- cessive grades until he had completed a high- school course. He then took up the study of medicine and pursued his first course of lectures in the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louis- ville, from which he was graduated in the class of 184. He then located for practice in Goodland. Indiana, where he remained for two years, and in my came to Iroquois county, settling at Woodworth, where he resumed practice and so continued for four years. In too he took up his abode at Cissna Park, becoming the successor of Dr. MeClintock, and during the intervening years he has made steady and gratifying prog- ress in his professional career He has now an extensive patronage and is regarded as one of the most skilled and capable members of the medical profession in this county, for his ability has been demonstrated in the excellent results that have followed his professional service
Dr Roberts was married in Woodworth, on the 28th of February, 1897. to Ml - Jennie Leath erman, a daughter of Joseph Leatherman, of Iroquois county, and their home is now blessed with the presence of four children, l'and, Parl, Joseph and Rhoda.
In public life and local political circles the Doctor has exerted a wide ich influence He is a democrat vet without aspiration for Diffi
-Traded to the call of his Ichlos townsmne # 1 have sought his services in public die and he is now acting on the village board. He and ecker men bers of the board are working hart of leus! and effectiveh for the letterment of the town In town they made arrangements to entertain the old settlers at Ciona Park and made prepa rations to care not only for the old settlers but for all who visited here on that occasion. Dr Roberts was one of the most active in the work of making this meeting a success and all pro- claimed it to be the most enjoyable ever land in the county. The Doctor is also interested in the cause of education, serving new as a member of the school board and doing everything in his power to promote the interests of public in- struction and to advance the standard of the schools. He has filled all of the offices in the Knights of Pythias lodge to which he belongs and is a past chancellor. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America art 's camp physician. Thus in community interests he takes an active and helpful part. He is, more- over, well known to the medical profession in Ford, Vermilion and Iroquois counties and is accorded a place of prominence in its ranks by reason of his knowledge and his conscientious discharge of the duties that devolve myon line in the practice of his profession.
FREEMAN P. MORRIS.
Freeman P Morris lawyer and law maker. where connection with the legal profession ha- san him distinction, while his services in the state legislature have reflected honor upon the that has hon rel him, A leading a life di ged activity and useinless. He was bru ir ck county, Illinois, March In. 1854. His father, I harles Merris, was a native of l'en- "i'mand removing westward. Icated of a farn in Cook county. Illinois, at an early period in the deve quest of that portion of the state. Here he made his bond until his death is sie wle borg the marken name of Sarah There de was ale borg in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of Freeman Thomas, who disons !
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PAST AND PRESENT OF
the value of anthracite coal and operated the first coal mine. He left the Avondale and Grand Tun- nel mines to his children and their descendants. The family of Charles Morris numbered five children, all of whom are living.
Mr. Morris of this review was reared and edu- cated in Cook county, and his preliminary educa- tion was supplemented by study in Cook County Normal, the old Chicago University and the Chi- cago Northwestern Law School. Thus having prepared for the bar, he was admitted to prac- tice in 1874 and came to Watseka, where he opened a law office, practicing alone for a time. He then formed a partnership with Robert Doyle, which connection continued for abont ten years. and for the past fifteen years he has been a part- ner of Judge Hooper, practicing law in Iroquois county and elsewhere and being connected with nearly all of the noted cases of this section of the state. For many years he has been attorney for va- rious important business interests and counsel for the various railroads of the county. His knowl- edge of the principles of jurisprudence are broad, comprehensive and accurate, and as advocate and counselor he has won distinction, the utmost con- fidence being placed in his legal ability-a confi- dence of which he has shown himself worthy in the successful conduct of the litigated interests entrusted to his care.
Mr. Morris has gained equal distinction in pub- lic life, where he has figured prominently in con- nection with democratic interests. He has repre- sented his district in the state legislature six times, his work there becoming a matter of his- torical record. That he has embodied the views of the county at large in his legislative work is shown by the fact that he has so often been re- elected, and as a member of the general assem- bly he has commanded the respect and honor of his political opponents by reason of his fidelity to duty and the spirit of unselfish patriotism which he has manifested. He has also been mayor of Watseka and president of the library for ten years. He is strongly opposed to misrule in municipal affairs and to the machine politics which serves the purposes of the individual or works to the detriment of the people at large. On the contrary he is interested in all those plans and purposes which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride, and his labors have been di-
rectly beneficial to his city and county in many ways.
Mr. Morris was married in Colorado, in 1882, to Miss Minnie A. Lott, who was born in La Salle county, Illinois, and they have one son, Eugene, who is now a student in a law school in Chicago. In addition to the home property Mr. Morris owns farm lands in Iroquois county and realty in Chicago. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. Carlisle wrote that "history is the essence of in- numerable biographies" and it is therefore fitting that the sketches of the distinguished citizens of the county should find a place in this volume, in which connection Mr. Morris, by the consen- sus of public opinion, is rated. He stands today as a high type of our American manhood, who has won success in a useful field of business and gained the respect and honor of his fellowmen by his public service and private life.
WILLIAM S. HISLOP.
William S. Hislop, a representative of the agri- cultural interests of Ash Grove township, his home being on section 10, where he owns and cultivates a farm of two hundred and forty acres, was born in Milford township, this county, Jan- uary 30, 1865. Ifis father, Ninian Hislop, was a native of Scotland, having been born at Rox- bury, on the boundary line between England and Scotland. There he was reared, residing in Great Britain until 1842, when he took passage at Liverpool on a westward bound vessel which sailed for Quebec. Landing there, he made his way at once into the middle Mississippi valley and settled in Milford township, Iroquois county. Illinois, in 1859. Much of the land was at that time still uncultivated and Mr. Hislop opened up a new farm, which he operated for a number of years, or until 1889. In 1878 he removed to Ash Grove township and established his home on the farm where his son William now resides. There he tilled the soil and produced his crops for a number of years, when he retired from active business life and is now making his home with a son in Milford township, enjoying in well carned retirement the fruits of his former toil.
WILLIAM S. HISLOP.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
the farm wlers vet his place t reslete
1 small tingle in such istitiffi ns He renconel w 11 - tather uhtif I had reached fes materij and af erward weekel tor hun as a i. rm late that the exportations of that prin i bought a halt int rest on the hundred of one hundred and hits collars The res It Is set to work to remove all adeleghe . nel which he naw rot. He has been a goal Is tess , carci in his management. sagactors in his Bestments, and controlling Ine interests with an algots that has brought hun grattismg prispetits. Purchasing the interest of the ather hers in the old ligne place, he now has th (1 fire property and has expended large sums it's a provement and development He has put in one thousand dollars worth of tik, has built a goal barn and only and has kept up the place 'in accordance with ideas of modern progress its is indicated im its wel' kept appearance and its productive full-
Mir Ilslop was married in All Grote Lol Ship on the 6th of December. I. t. V . A Thickman a daughter vi F 1, Thickening con
hp They now have four children. Jest. Il
Mr Hisp sites with the republican puls ne has done cheese and shrible ary for
goma, in 1813 He was there rearel and not
ther removed with his family to Him about
Fringens cimento, where he spent one winter. after which he removed to a farm in Miliard townslop. where the purchased land, which he will in 1813. and purchasel the faret im Prairle tor ah township, on which the sun now makes his opo His first purchase comprised a tratti rights which he added an and food tract of fuerte ser - thus making altogether a trace of ost hindre
agri miral pursuits trongledit las 1 110g dans. 11 - dealer osc red in Werch ISS1.
二 reci the big ditches of the empty, one will
-
-
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11 . 1
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PAST AND PRESENT OF
ment at farm labor for others, working in that way for two years, subsequent to which time he returned to the home farm and worked with his father for one year, or until the latter's death, when he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the homestead property and succeeded to the ownership. and here he has since continued to make his home. Since taking possession of the property he has tiled the land and further im- proved the property, which is today a valuable farm. He has also installed a stock scale and built a feed mill, and in connection with his farm- ing interests raises and feeds stock for the mar- ket, including good grades of horses, cattle and hogs. In 1904 Mr. Decker purchased a thresh- ing machine and a corn sheller and in connection with his eldest son, Merle, he is carrying on op- erations along this line, and they have a large patronage not only in their immediate locality but throughout a large portion of the county, and during the threshing season are kept very busy. They have already shelled about one hundred thousand bushels of corn and are meeting with gratifying success in this new venture.
Mr. Decker was married in Watseka, Illinois June 23, 1881, to Miss Emma T. Fidler, who was born in Indiana, but was reared and edu- cated in Iroquois county, Illinois, a daughter of Andrew Fidler. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children, of whom one is deceased: Henry Guy, who died when in his sixth year : Merle F., who is a young man at home and assists his father in the operation of the home farm and also in operating the thresher and corn sheller ; Musette, who has been afforded liberal educational advantages and was formerly a teacher in the schools of Iroquois county but is now a student in the Gem City Business Col- lege, at Quincy, Illinois ; and Ivan J., who is also a student in that institution.
Politically Mr. Decker is a stalwart repub- lican and has taken an active and helpful interest in local affairs, having served as township school trustee for two years, township clerk for two years and for the same period was tax collector, while for six years he has been clerk of the dis- trict schools. He and his wife hold membership in the Christian church in which Mr. Decker is acting as a deacon, clerk and treasurer. Hav- ing resided in Iroquois county throughout his
entire life, Mr. Decker is familiar with much of the development and progress that have been made in this section during the last half century, and he has been an active factor in making the county what it is today.
JEREMIAH DAWSON.
Jeremiah Dawson, who for a long period was prominently known in Iroquois county as an ag- riculturist and breeder of Norman Percheron horses and shorthorn cattle, is now living re- tired in Milford, where he has made his home since 1900. His residence in Iroquois county. however, covers a period of more than a half century, for it was in March. 1851, that he took up his abode within its borders. His memory. therefore, compasses the period of its early pio- neer development, for at the time of his arrival the work of improvement had been carried for- ward to only a slight degree and much of the land was still uncultivated, the swamps undrained and the timber uncut. Mr. Dawson aided in the task of reclaiming the wild land for the uses of civili- zation and deserves prominent mention among the honored pioneers and successful agricultur- ists and stock-raisers.
A native of Warren county, Indiana, he was born January 16, 1836. His father, Elisha Daw- son, was likewise a native of that state, his birth having occurred in Dearborn county, where he spent a portion of his youth, while the remain- der of his minority was passed in Warren coun- ty, following the occupation of farming. He was married in the latter county to Polly R. Davis, a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, and subse- quently he carried on general agricultural pur- suits in Warren county for a number of years, or until his removal to Iroquois county with his family in 1851. He died in this county at the advanced age of eighty-one years, and his widow is still living at the ripe old age of ninety-four years. being the oldest lady in Iroquois county.
Jeremiah Dawson was one of a family of twelve children and was reared under the parental roof, largely acquiring his education in the common schools of Indiana, in which state he remained until sixteen years of age, when the family came
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILINOIS
of developing and i proving new land.
in the mei September 1850, secured the Harra get Mr Dawson and Miss Mary M. Cof it's also a native of Warren county, Indiana, and dighe cof Michad & wich, who res ved from
1." why he mina. Mr. Dawson purchase i rtv acres bi lar l and later bought forty acres Here which he began to farm and improve. He Fructe l'a good tweestory resslerce and also vari- aus thing for the shelter i gram al Stock. He tiled an l ditched his place and brought the entire farm under a good state of cultivation. while centrally he extended it's beenlares bs the purchase of an adjoining eight acres mti he had one hundred and sixty acres in his hone for all three hundred and three acres in Con cord township, Iroquois county, holding that property for some years. He later sell that and purchased six hundred and forty acres in Davte'ss county Missouri, He was a breeder of pure blooded Norman horses for many years and also full blooded shorthorn cattle and his stock-rais- ing interests constitute an important branch of his business.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Dawson were born five children, but they lost their second born, Eva, at the age of nineteen months. Edgar A. the oldest. a resident farmer of Davies county, Missouri. married Savannah Jones, who died, leaving two children Homer Lekoy and Gwyneth The lat for warded Methe Alexander, di Nesten county. Indiana. Emma J., the eldest living daughter. is the wife of John English, and they have of lafighter, Lole Fdith, who is with Lent at Dirit home in Davies county. Mashre Ira D., ar - ident farther of Ironiges comty, married Mattic laird, and they have four children, Chee F. Clarence. Vetta May and Ira Lee and the va's lost their seerne chill. Daisy A far Franklin Daw ơn, the von get of the family, is ale a farmer of Iroquois county, who wedded Funds I. Live, and they have one son, And W.
Chị removing to Alford in tooo Mr. Daw en purchased a good piece of ground. en which he created an attractive and confortable residence. where he and his wie resile. He he was given his political allegare to the republican parts since he proudly east his first vote for Abra
he las cooperated in THIS Is A
Henry g es back to the days when con patat ve- Is iens of the roads of the county had ban lie ont, when chy here are there was a dwelling to in I cate that the seeds of civilization had ler Parted methe district Mais velence of inan tier life were seen and on the feres the work was dne In vers primitive machinery 45 offre with that is the at the present das The stock. tos had not been are I up to Its prosent han state of perfectoon arolig every department di ic were sun fications which show a remotees from old and in portat cortereal centers. The carly products of the farm had to be hand book distances to market but as the years passed and settlement increased all the was changed and Mr. Dawson was among those who were foremant in bringing about development in agricultural lines. His enterprise and well directed Valeurs gained him a gratgiving dhasure di success in the conduct of his personal interests and he is now classed with the substantial calzene whome possessions are sufficient to pernot theny to be retired without recourse to further arrive lateor
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