Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 22

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

USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 22

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

11 PSYKIS

Il 1. Sakes, a draggist and proces of the base, was born February 17, 1873, and is a son of Oscar & and Josephine cheasy Sites His preliminary education was supple mented b a course of social stads preparing him for a chosen hic work He was graduated from the Northwestern University of Pharmacy at Che att wil the degree vi Ph. then the tek ni February, Hogy and after receiving practical tra ming as derk in a drug store in Chebaise he bought ont the establishment in which he was enopposed and a todas the proper of the on's drug store in the village He carries 3 large and well selected stock and his store is characterized by a new and tastefil arranz

220

PAST AND PRESENT OF

ment. In 1904 he established a grocery store and has been very successful in its conduct, re- ceiving a liberal share of the trade of the town. In connection with this he has a truck farm of two and a half acres within the corporation lim- its of Chebanse and his triple business interests are successfully carrried on by himself and his father, Oscar Sykes. The building in which the store is conducted is owned by the latter.

On the 9th of June, 1897, in Chebanse, was celebrated the marriage of H. P. Sykes and Miss Lena E. Wakeman, a daughter of B. J. Wake- man, a prominent nurseryman of Chebanse town- ship. They have two children: Donald, born January 4, 1902; and Hazel. January 4, 1904. The parents are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, are interested in its various ac- tivities and contribute generously to its support. Mr. Sykes is serving as one of its trustees and for eleven years he has been an exemplary mem- ber of the Masonic lodge at Chebanse. His po- litical allegiance has ever been given to the re- publican party but he has never been an aspirant for office. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honor- able methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.

FREEDUS POE BEACH.

Freedus Poe Beach, connected with agricul- tural and industrial interests in Iroquois county for many years, is now living retired in Onarga. The extent and importance of his operations at a former date gave him a position of prominence scarcely equaled by any in the county and he has ever been a representative of that class of Ameri- can citizens who while promoting individual in- terests also contribute to the general welfare. He dates his residence in the county from 1852 and is therefore one of its oldest settlers.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Beach was born near Columbus on the 15th of October, 1827. His father. Samuel Beach, was a native of Connect- icut, born in 1774, and was a son of Samuel Beach. Sr., likewise born in the Charter Oak state. The grandfather was a drum major in

the Revolutionary war and was a son of Samuel Beach, who was the founder of the family in America. Born in the little rock-ribbed country of Wales, he came from the old world to New England during the pioneer epoch in the history of our country and established his home in Con- necticut. Samuel Beach, the father of our sub- ject, was reared in Connecticut and served as a soldier in the war of 1812, also acting as a drum major and carrying a musket a part of the time. Subsequently he removed to Ohio, where he was married to Miss Violet Case, a native of Con- necticut. He opened up a farm in Ohio and. being a surveyor, he laid out the city of Co- Jumbus. He felled the first trees in what is now the state house yard and was closely associated with the work of establishing the capital city. In Ohio he reared his family and spent the great- er part of his life. The family numbered seven children, six of whom reached years of maturity.

Freedus Poe Beach, the youngest of the family and the only surviving member, was reared to manhood upon a farm near Columbus, Ohio, and his time was early occupied exclusively with the work of the fields. He is almost wholly a self- educated as well as a self-made man, but broad reading, experience and observation have brought him wide information, while untiring activity and keen discrimination have gained him a gratifying measure of prosperity in the business world. He was married in his native state on the 27th of March, 1849, to Miss Nancy Lewis, also a native of Ohio, and one child was born to them ere their removal to Illinois.

In 1852 they came to this state, settling first in McLean county, Mr. Beach entering land from the government in Yates township. This was the first entry of the township and he thereby became owner of three hundred and twenty acres. Immediately he took up the arduous task of opening up a farm, breaking the prairie with ox teams, and for several years he carried on general agricultural pursuits there. He is a car- penter and joiner by trade and he worked in that line, building houses and barns for the first set- tlers along the timber for about two years. He then concentrated his energies upon his farming operations. Well fitted by nature for leadership in public affairs, he took an active and influential part in framing the early history of the county

MR. AND MRS. F. P. BEACH.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

223

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

and in promoting it's pioneer progress and devel opment. Realizing the value of education, he or ganized the townshup into school districts in 18,50 and built the first school house of the township in 1857. In tag be removed to Charge, where he established a brick and tile yard He mannie tured over five thousand dollars worth of the before selling one hundred dollars worth, but when once he had made a sale the quality of his product brought him other patrons and his bust ness soon became a very profitable enterprise. Later he built the first brick business block in Onarga and two years later created the first brick business block in Gilman, Loth structures being two stories in height. He also built the first brick school house in Omarga and two of the first brick buildings in Buckley and all of these were constructed from brick of his own manufacture In this way he has contributed in substantial measure to the material develop- ment of the county and at the same time his la- bors have brought him a gratifying measure of prosperity.

In 1870 Mlr. Beach removed to Delrey, where he continued in the manufacture of brick and tile. Ile also built the first elevator there and conducted a grain business and also a store for nineteen years. He was thus closely associated with the business enterprise and activity whereon the growth and development of a city always de- pend. In 1895 he returned to Onarga and pur- chased an attractive residence here, in which he has since lived retired In 18;t be built the first brick residence in ( marga, it being the finest home of the city. He has been largely instrumental in improving and making this part of the county what it is today and has led a life of great activity and energy, resulting beneficially to the conun- nity as well as to himself

In 1004 Mr. Beach was called to mourn the loss of his wife, with whom he had long tras - eled life's journey happily, and who was land to rest in Onarga cemetery. Eight children had been born unto them in this county, but only four of the number are now living. Martha, the eld est. is the wife of Dr. A. 1 .. Whitcomb and the's have three children. Edwin Beach. Dwight and Lewis The Whitcomb family reside in Rogers. Arkansas. Libbie is the wife of Res. Il 1) Brown, now pastor of the Methodist Episcopal

church at Seattle, Washington Lavann is the wife of Charles herson, new of Los Angeles. Cahioniga, and they have one chill. Gerard. clifford Parl, an attorney at law at l'aston, 11- nols, is married and has two children, Vita and Leola Mr and Mrs Beach had two daughters sho reached nature years and were married Mary became the wife of Calvin Clark and died m Arizona, leaving four children Carrie becane the wife of a Mr. Whtam and passed away in Nebraska The other children of the fandly died m mianes Mr Beach was agun married in Onarga in to044 to Mrs, Mary Hunt, a widow, she died in May, tout, and on the 15th of tu- gust, Hogy he welded Mrs. Lucina R. Haves. of Scott, Ohio, a daughter of Wesley J. Miord

Politically Mr Beach has been a republican since the organization of the party and was a delegate to the first republican state convention of Illinois in 1856. He was the friend and asso- crate of Lincoln, Lovejoy, Yates and other men who were prominent in molding the policy of the farts and figured conspicuously in framing the history of the nation during that period. He has served as a delegate to mugerous county, con gressional and state conventions and continued his affiliation with the republican party until 1880, when beheving that the question of tem- perance was the dommant route before the pen- ple he joined the prohibition party and called the first prohibition convention held in Prophets county. He was the first delegate sent to the prohibition conventions iron his county and is still a champion of the organization which stands for the suppression of the Honor traffic. He has never sought. nor would he holl office, but has given his time and energies to his business at- fair- and to such public service as he could per- form in a private capacity.

For sixty one years he has been a member of the Methodist I pracoval church, which he joined in Ohio, and he has served as a delegate to the three annual conferences Taking a most active part in church work, he has served for thirty sears as superintendent of the Sunday school both Mclean and Proquons counties and has put forth untiring effort m behalf of the upbinlding of the cause of Christianity He was one of the organizers and builders of the first Method st Episcopal church at Delrey, built m 1882 For

224

PAST AND PRESENT OF

fifty-four years he has been a resident of the state and throughout the entire period has com- manded the respect, confidence and friendship of people not only of his own locality but throughout Illinois. He is a man of marked in- dividuality and force of character and his fidel- ity to principle has made him honored wherever he is known. He deserves to be ranked with those men who have distinguished themselves by the possession of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of pri- vate life and to the public stability and who have therefore enjoyed the esteem and confidence of those around them. For a half century he has participated in the business life of Iroquois county and during all that time he has so conducted the affairs entrusted to him as to merit the full trust of the entire community and no word of censure has ever been uttered against his actions.

JOSEPH A. GRAHAM.

The history of business development and prog- ress in Watseka would be incomplete without mention of Joseph A. Graham, who was one of the most active and influential residents of the city and also one of the pioneers of In quois county. He figured prominently in promul- gating republican doctrines at a time when it was unpopular to do so and yet he lived to see the triumph of the principles for which he stood. He published the first republican newspaper in Watseka and in fact brought forth the first newspaper printed in Iroquois county. Joseph A. Graham was born in Augusta county, Vir- ginia. November 26, 1823, a son of James C. and Isabella ( Henderson ) Graham, who were like- wise natives of the Old Dominion, where the father engaged in farming until 1833. Ile then removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, where he purchased land and engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits until his death, while his wife also passed away in the same locality.

Joseph A. Graham was a student in the com- mon schools of his native county and afterward of Montgomery county, Indiana, and his mental discipline well qualified him for the responsi-

bilities of an active business life. His school days ended, he assisted his father on the home farm for a few years, but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, he entered a printing office in Crawfordsville, Indiana, and learned the trade. Subsequently he entered the field of newspaper work on his own account. Going to Danville, Indiana. he there engaged in the publication of the Danville Weekly News in 1847 and 1848, after which he returned to Crawfords- ville and established the Indiana Christian Her- ald, which has since been merged into the Chris- tian Herald, now published at Cincinnati, Ohio, and one of the leading religious journals of the country. After a short period spent as editor of the above mentioned paper Mr. Graham went to Danville, Illinois, where he became foreman in a leading newspaper office, retaining the po- sition there until January, 1851, when he came to Iroquois county. Here he settled in Middleport. row a part of the town of Watseka, and entered upon the publication of the Iroquois County Journal, the first newspaper published in this county. It was devoted to the interests of the whig party and started with a circulation of about three hundred subscribers. For about three years Mr. Graham was editor and publisher of the Journal and then sold out to the firm of Scott & Keady, who immediately made it a democratic paper. . At that time Mr. Graham re- moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he was connected with the Janesville Weekly Gazette and at the same time he published the Wisconsin Educational Journal, a leading monthly paper issued in Janesville. He was thus associated with both enterprises until 1856, when he re- turned to Watseka and began the publication of the Iroquois County Republican, the first issue of which was given out in May. 1856. The paper has since had a continuous existence and is now one of the leading papers of the county. Mr. Graham was associated therewith until after the November election, when he sold out to Rob- ertson & Sheward. This paper wielded a wide influence in political circles and has ever been a factor in the upbuilding and progress of the county. During the time in which Mr. Graham had editorial charge great and momentous ques- tions were being discussed and Mr. Graham, not only in his editorial capacity but also as a private

225

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

citizen, stol for those principles which four years later were to receive vindication in the election of Abraham Lincoln. He was recognized as a leader of the republican party in this coun- ty and in 1857 was placed on the republican ticket for the office of county clerk, but the party strength was then insufficient for the election of any of its candidates and Mr. Graham was de- feated by Daniel Fry. although he received a vote in excess of the regular party ticket. In 1858 and 1859 he served as deputy sheriff and con- stable, and thus in active political and official service time passed on until the era of the Civil war was upon the country.

Mr. Graham had been a close and earnest will- dent of the signs of the times and of the que- tions which divided the country. He ston as a stalwart champion of the Union cause and in 1801 enlisted as a member of Company F. Twen- tv-fifth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, for three years, but in January, 1862, was discharged on account of disability caused by typhoid fever.

Mr. Graham had been married on the 24th of January, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Wilhite, a native of Crawfordsville, Indiana, while her par- ents were of Hardin county, Kentucky. They removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, at an early day when Crawfordsville was a small ham- Jet and Mr. Wilhite purchase a farm in that vicinity, there carrying on general agricultural pursuits until his death. His wife likewise passed away in that locality.

When discharged fren the army Mr. Graham refined his fans at Watseka and continued to make his honte m "Old Town." There he on- gaged in the real-estate and in legal business throughout his remaining days and he ow ned varion- pieces of property In Watseka, his realty holdings being sufficient to supply him with a good income. He trintamed huis interest in pub- lie affairs up to the last and was town assessor here for many years. He was also notary public and remained one of the most stalwart champions of the republican party until his demise. When be issued the first number of the Tromois Re- publican in 1850 the county contained only five or six thousand inhabitants and only about thir- teen hundred votes were cast. The democratic party then had almost unbroken record for su- premacy in the county and state. It was an era of

political revolution. The old things were passing away. New men were coming to the front and old political watchwords had lost their potentes. Immigration and the logic of events were wish ing together to shatter old combijati us and break down old traditions. Mr. Graham was a part of this revolution, established the first re- publican paper of the county and had the satis- faction of seeing the efforts of himself and his associates rewarded by the first republican vie- tors. He was a man of many good impulses. who held malice toward none. His instincts and sympathies were all on the side of whatever was good and pure. His good traits of heart and nand were many and the great majority of those who knew him entertained for hind genuine re- gard and warm friendship

The death of Mr. Graham occurred December 2. 1888, and the funeral services were held in the Old Town church, being conducted by the Rev. I. F. Cullom midler the ausness of the Grand Arms of the Republic. His wife passed away at the old home April 15. 1001 Mr. Graham had long been a devoted member of the Grand Army post of Watska and in bes carlier years was identified with the Independent Order of could Fellows. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church and they stood for these influences which work for the betterment of mankind.

In Jas will Mr. Grahamy kit all of his property to his wife's niece. Mrs. Louis (ales ) Carr D. for whom he always had the deepest affection. She was born in Crawfordsville. Indiana. Juh 12. 1844. a dig iter ci William W. and Lucy (White , Cakes, both of whom were natives of till am com is. Kentucky, the former born \ gust 31. 1803, and the latter December 18, 1800. At an early day they removed to Crawfordsville. Indiana, and the father, who was a tailer by trade, followed that pursuit during the greater part of his thức but in the evening of his dass retired from active business cares. He died in Crawfordsville. May 27. 1871, while his wife passed away there September 19. 1853. Mrs. Carroll Is the mother of two children. Kath- erine, the younger, is the widow of Dr. Earl Baker and resides at Hickory, North Carolina. She had three children, Richard Beverly, Charles Carroll and Katherine Beverly, but all are de-

226

PAST AND PRESENT OF

ceased. Charles W. Carroll, born in 1867, died August 14, 1874. Mrs. Carroll resides at the old Graham home in Old Town, where she owns many building lots. She always spends the winters with her sister, Mrs. George D. Hurley, in Crawfordsville. Indiana, but the summer months are passed in Watseka.

SAMUEL H. EDWARDS.

Samuel H. Edwards, living on section 22, Cres- cent township, is one of the pioneers of Iro- quois county, having since April 9, 1856, made his home within its borders. Thus for a half century he has been a witness of the events which constitute its history and have molded its policy. He has seen highly cultivated farms take the place of the swamps and the unbroken prairie and has witnessed the building of the railroads and the introduction of the telegraph and the telephone, while the work of improvement has been carried forward along all agricultural, in- dustrial and commercial lines, bringing about the present degree of prosperity which the coun- ty now enjoys.

Mr. Edwards was born in Scioto county, Ohio, January 14, 1836, and is a son of Jesse B. and Mary (Brown) Edwards, who were likewise na- tives of the Buckeye state, the former born in Scioto county and the latter in Adams county. Mrs. Edwards was the daughter of John Brown. After the death of her parents she made her home with Oliver Smith in her native county until her marriage. The young couple began their domes- tic life upon a farm which Mr. Edwards im- proved and cultivated, bringing it under a high state of development. Six children were born unto them, Samuel H. being the eldest of the sons. The wife and mother died when her son

Samuel was fourteen years of age and Mr. Ed- wards afterward married Mrs. Angelina Smith Freeman, a widow. There were three children born of that union. In April, 1856, the family removed westward to Illinois and Mr. Edwards purchased railroad land, investing in one hun- dred and sixty acres. He lived upon that prop- erty for several years or until 1867, when he

removed to Macoupin county, Illinois, where his last days were passed.

Samuel H. Edwards is indebted to the public- school system of Ohio for the educational privi- leges he enjoyed. He was a young man of twenty years at the time of the removal to Illinois and he started out in life on his own account, work- ing by the month as a farm hand for two seasons.

On the 4th of February, 1858, Mr. Ed- wards was married to Miss Elizabeth Oppy. a native of Iroquois county and a daughter of Jesse E. Oppy, one of the pioneer residents here. Mr. Edwards rented land and engaged in its cultivation for ten years. During that time, how- ever, his business interests were interrupted by his service as a soldier, for, aroused by a spirit of patriotism, he offered his aid to the govern- ment and on the 15th of August, 1862, was en- rolled as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at old Middleport, now Watseka. He joined the regular army at Memphis, and at Holly Springs, while on the sick list, was taken prisoner but was recaptured by the Union troops. For three months he was in ill health, unable to take part in active field service. In the meantime his regi- ment went to Arkansas Post and later to Spring- field, Illinois, doing guard duty at that point for fourteen months. Mr. Edwards was on guard and provost duty nearly the entire time of his three years' service. He participated in the en- gagement at Eastport, Tennessee, and at the close of the war was mustered out at Memphis and received his discharge at Chicago. The war ended, he immediately rejoined his family and for three years thereafter continued to operate rent- ed land.

Carefully saving his earnings during that pe- riod, Mr. Edwards was at length enabled to pur- chase forty acres of land where he now resides. He has since built thereon a good home and made a good farm. He has made a specialty of raising high grade stock of all kinds and his cattle, horses and hogs have proved to him a profitable source of income, while at the same time his fields have produced rich crops in re- turn for the care and labor he has bestowed upon them.

Mr. Edwards was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife in February, 1874. and on

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

MR. AND MRS. S. H. EDWARDS.

...

HOME OF . HE IDWARD

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

231

IRONOLOIS COUNTY. IL INOIS

the 14th day of May. (870, he was agam mar ried, his second umon lang with Mr. Kelucca And Hering His children were Si 11 - ber but four are deceased-Jel It. Nunes Jane, David 1. and one who and managed in imties The bying are Mary J., the wife of H H Conk. of Frequen township; and Iva I . the wife of Harvey 1. Roll, of Blue Earth county. Muine sold.

Politically Mr. Ilwards is a stalwart repub- lican, never nossing a presidential election since casting his first ballot for chief magistrate in support of Abraham Lincoln. He has served as highway commissioner for four years and has been a member of the school board for twenty years In religions faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church and he affiliates with Williams post. No. 25. fr. A. K. of Watseka, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He is an industri- ous man, whose success is attributable entirely to his own efforts and is a typical pioneer set- tler, whose memory embraces almost the entire period of the county's development, for half a century ago the county gave little evidence of what it was to become in the next fifty years

1. 11. HouL.F

The Hogy family was established in Umois in 1837 Is Leonard Hagl, who removed from by wagon. He pareris d tu cho dredaer . of land in Cone rel township, built a log cabin, and there tok up his alde, carrying ch general agricultural pursuits in til h's death. He was a vers prominent and influential man in these early dass, at mg m the deve't, more and progress di this portion of the state

family on the removal to the state Ile re named with his father throughist the period of his bashed and youth, and starting off up at independent bienes career, sonle laid nten cord township, and further nad arranjem it- for having a home of his own by his forrige

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 22

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