USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 26
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
lations with his d'al artis erades Of life has been mo di activity in business affairs. . patriotism in citizenship and i progressions in all other relations tending to procent the 11 tellectual and moral progress of the individual and of the e momunits.
JOHN BYRON SAYLER.
John Byron Sayler is a stock buyer and ship per of Crescent City, conducting a successful and growing business. His birth occurred on the 25th of April, 1850, in Marion county Ohio. His father. Barnhart Sayler, came to Iroquois county with his family in 1883 and settled south of Watseka on a farm of two hundred and thirty - five acres, where he carried on general agricul- tural pursuits and stock-raising. The land was rich and fertile and therefore large crops were gathered as a reward for the care and labor he bestowed on the fields. He had twelve children and also reared an adopted child. Four of the number are now living in the county : John Byron, of this review ; Mrs. Myrtle Greene, of Woodland: Mrs. Hla Ml. Smead, of Watseka ; and W. O., who is engaged in teaching school at Thawville. One brother. A. L. Sayler, died at Watseka, leaving three children. Arah. Wallace and Vena.
At the usual age John Byron Sayler began his education in the common schools, and after mas- tering the branches of learning therein taught he profited by three years' instruction in the Northwestern University of this. The occupa- tion to which he was reared claimed his attention after he had completed his school life and he for- lowed farming and stock-raising in frompuoi county until 1844. when he resolved to turn his attention to commercial interests and removed to Crescent City, where he has since been bus ng and shipping live stock The rich pasture land- of Illinois offer ample opportunity to the stock- raiser and Mr. Savler is doing an excellent busi- news in the purchase and sale of stock, being the only buver at Crescent City. His business has constantly grown and he now ships fifty car- kads of stock per year. He still owns and inter- est in the old homestead in Belmont township.
260
PAST AND PRESENT OF
A man of resourceful business ability, he has extended his efforts into other fields of activity and is a director and the second vice president of the First National Bank of Crescent City. The years of his residence in the county and his close connection with its business interests are suffi- cient to have demonstrated to his fellow towns- men the fact that he is a reliable and enterpris- ing man and therefore a citizen of value to the community because it is upon the industry and progressive spirit of its residents that the pros- perity and growth of every town or city depend.
Mr. Sayler married Miss Lucy Grunden, who resided near Watseka and is a daughter of John Grunden, one of the old settlers of Iroquois coun- ty but now a resident of the Indian Territory. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sayler are well known in this locality and their hospitality is greatly enjoyed by many friends. They have one child, Golda Evangeline, born March 6. 1802.
Mr. Sayler belongs to the Odd Fellow's lodge. No. 649. at Woodland, and is also a member of Crescent camp, No. 1429, M. W. A., while both he and his wife are connected with the Royal Neighbors. At the polls his political endorse- ment is given to the republican party and he is one of the prominent representatives in Iroquois county and serving now on the central committee. For six years he filled the office of mayor of Crescent City and has also served as alderman and village clerk. It was through his efforts that the city secured the water power which is one of the best in the county. As chief execu- tive officer he gave a public-spirited and busi- nesslike administration and has always been very active in local affairs. his efforts being far-reach- ing and beneficial. Pleasantly located in Cres- cent City, he is a factor in business and public life in the town and his opinions carry weight in settling many questions of moment to Crescent City.
ROBERT CLIFTON.
Robert Clifton, who carries on general agri- cultural pursuits, making his home on section I, Ash Grove township, was born in Warren county. Indiana. February 26, 1838. His par- ents were Thomas and Sarah (Gullet ) Clifton,
both natives of Delaware, from which state they removed to Warren county, Indiana, in 1833, lo- cating in the midst of the forest, where the fa- ther hewed out a farm. He died there at the age of eighty-two years, and his wife at the age of seventy-nine. They were earnest and consistent members of the Methodist church.
In his youth Robert Clifton had hut common- school advantages and his most valuable lessons have been learned in the school of experience, where eventually every individual becomes a stu- dent. Reading and observation have also broad- ened his mind and he is now a man of practical business education. He came to Illinois in 1865 and has since lived in Iroquois county, purchas- ing land upon which he now makes his home. He first bought one hundred acres of raw prai- rie, on which no improvements had been made nor a single furrow been turned, but he broke the sod and developed the farm, bringing it un- der a high state of cultivation. He later bought eighty acres adjoining and afterward fifty acres more and still later one hundred and sixty acres more in Crescent township, which also adjoins the former tracts. The home farm comprises one hundred and ninety-three acres and his posses- sions in Crescent township cover two hundred and ten acres, so that he now has more than four hundred acres. Some of this land was swampy and all was wild and unimproved when it came into his possession. The digging of ditches and the placing of many rods of tiling have greatly enhanced the fertility of his fields, while the ro- tation of crops has made the soil very product- ive. Mr. Clifton has put up good buildings and the beautiful grove of shade trees which now adorns the place was set out by him. Year after year, from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn, he worked diligently and persistently in the fields and in connection with the cultivation of cereals best adapted to soil and climate he has also bought and fed stock, shipping annually a num- ber of carloads of cattle and hogs. Thus his life for a long period was a most busy and useful one but eventually he rented the farm and now looks after and keeps up the place, but leaves the active work of the fields to others.
Mr. Clifton was married in Belmont township, Iroquois county. November 20, 1867, to Miss
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT CLIFTON.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
IROQUOIS COUNTY ILLINOIS
Names ( John, who was fri and regrediuthis more others who have broken the verge el county. Her father, Lemuel John, cule to 11| and make the other that dratt of the svamp and slaget. His efforts have heart of fact 1 nois with an older brother almost 1832, bring it of the first settlers of trongboss conflit The jour He's was made from this, his native state, in my it what Has todas and he will despite case i ation with the valued, progressive and dil gut citizens His hier bas Imen at all times all lonerable aurol use in one and he and his estir which he spent his youth The year of his ar rival was the one m which the Black Hawk war occurred and practically coded the rule of the red race in this state, although for sale vers thereafter Indians could still be seen in various sections of Illinois The forests were nett, the rivers unbridged and the land uncharted and uncultivated and the settlers had to bear all the 111 VRY B HARVIY hardships menlent to pioneer hic Mr. John was married here to Catherine Williamson, a Henry H Harves has for over six years filled the office of postmaster al tassna Park an lis one god's ems. he was borgon Ah breve town- shop. March 21. 1865 and at the usual ag . be came a pupil in the public schnelle the after- ward profited by instruction in the Ervant & Stratton Business College, in Chicago, and sub sequently was engaged in merchandismy with Ins father at Ash Grove, where they continued for several years. In 19 they removed the business to Lossna Park and continued the con- thiet of their store there native di Indiana, who, however, spent her girl hood days in Imes Mr. John followed farm- ing in Belmont township and died there while in the prime of his Has widow survived him for a number of years, carefully reared her family and passed away in May. ING. Mrs. Chiton was one of four children who reached adult age. while two are set living. The elder daughter. Sarah J. married George Wilson, removed west- ward to Nebraska and afterward to ldaho and died in the latter state in 1905. Mrs. Clifton is the next of the family. Thomas John is a farmer of Belmont township, owning and operating the old home place. Saninel John is a merchant at Winnland.
Mr and Mrs. Chiton have two daughters : Mr. Frances Hammann, who is a widow and resides with her parents, and Mary, the wife of Frank Hlen mg. a fritter of Crescent township The older daughter has two children. I ris Kuth and Gladys 6; Hanmann, and Mrs. Heving hass two children, Lillis J and Morris (-
Mr and Mrs ( Fiton are worthy ( kristin) people, Addig Penbership in Woodhnel Meth odist Episcopal church, in the work of which they are deeply interested Mr Bitten as sers ing as one of the trustees He also belongs in the Mask badge at Wat cha and in politics in a denprat who east his first vote for Stephen 1. Douglas, the little grant of Ill ness, 1 1htm). He has been without aspirato a for public office. although he served for twelve years on the school board and has been district clerk The perunl of his residence in Iraqnon county covers nearly forty years, so that he is one of the few rental
Mr Harves was appointed postmaster in the and realmente m not and moon, so that has . served in other positions of public hon s and trust, having been township assessor for three years in Ash Grove township, township collector of Pigeon Grove township for two years and village clerk for ten seurs He is most active and mil until i Les plural circles and h.
and had provinis served in that carpets for active and public splitof citizens of Clans Park and a prominent man who uses las inthu unesurprise and share the interests of the
Mr Harvey was married in Una Park. tive of Illmais, who was born and reared at
264
PAST AND PRESENT OF
Hoopeston. Her father, John Densmore, was a pioneer settler and business man of Cissna Park. Mrs. Harvey is acting as assistant to her hus- band in the postoffice and helps him conduct the business there. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Rankin and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias at Cissna Park, has served in all of the chairs and is now past chancellor. He is president of the Building and Loan As- sociation here and has been a promoter of many interests which have had direct bearing upon the welfare and upbuilding of his locality. In all life's relations, whether in public office, in busi- ness or in social circles he has gained the good will and regard of those with whom he has been associated and his friends speak of him in terms of high praise and kindly esteem.
GEORGE H. CLARK.
George H. Clark, a worthy representative of the industrial interests of Crescent City, where he is successfully conducting a blacksmith shop, was born in Iroquois county, July 8. 1861. His par- ents were Henry and Martha (Parcel) Clark, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. In early life each removed to Indiana, and subsequently they came to Iroquois county, where Henry Clark, who was an agriculturist. owned and operated a fine farm in Iroquois town- ship. He brought his land under a high state of cultivation and manifested great thoroughness and system in his work. He hewed trees for the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad at the time it was building, hauling ties and rails used in its construction, and in fact aided in building the line through Crescent City. Unto him and his wife were born five children: George H. : Arthur. a resident of Kansas: John, of Oklahoma : Bertha. of Kansas ; and one who is deceased. The father died in 1906 at the ripe old age of eighty years, and the mother is still living in the Sunflower state.
The public-school system of Iroquois county afforded Mr. Clark his educational privileges. He learned the blacksmith's trade with Cal Burk- halter, of Gilman, prior to which he engaged in farming and threshing for ten years. It was
when twenty-eight years of age that he began learning the blacksmith's trade, being employed in Gilman until 1891. He then engaged in busi- ness on his own account, and in August, 1893, built a new shop in Crescent City. He is one of the best workmen in his line in this part of the county and is now the oldest representative of the business in the town in years of continu- ous connection therewith save one. He does general blacksmithing, carriage and rubber-tire work, and being an expert in his line, receives a liberal patronage.
In 1885 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Clark and Miss Hattie F. Kern, of Iroquois county, a daughter of Owen Kern, who was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, and went to Indiana in 1839 with his father. Henry Kern, who resided in Tippecanoe county. They removed to Iroquois county in 1855, and Owen Kern built a barn on a farm in Crescent township. He then returned to Indiana, and in 1858 he re- moved to Iroquois county with his wife, Mrs. Catherine ( Peters) Kern. He here followed car- pentering until 1860, when he turned his atten- tion to farming. heing associated with agricul- tural interests in the county until 1900, when he retired. He is still living upon the farm but rents the land. He owns two hundred and forty acres in Crescent township, upon which he has made all improvements, transforming the tract into a very valuable and productive farm. Mrs. Kern is also living and is a devoted member of the Congregational church. Mr. Kern gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for one year served as assessor, for eighteen years as school director. for twelve years as road commis- sioner and for six years as school trustee. He is a man of genuine, personal worth, alert and enterprising in business and public spirited in citizenship, and thus in the community where he resides has become highly esteemed.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Congregational church and fraternally he is con- nected with Crescent camp. No. 1425. M. W. .... and also with the Yeomen in Crescent City. His political allegiance supports the men and meas- ures of the republican party and for two years he was city clerk of Crescent City. He owns a nice two-story residence, which he occupies, be- ing pleasantly located in life as the result of his
MIS
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
industry and diligence in former wears. He has always lived in this county, so that his acquaint- ance is a wide one, and that he is best liked where best known is an indication that his salient char- acteristics are those which command respect are good will.
EDWARD R. BEEBE.
Edward R. Beebe, who is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising in Tountam Greek township, his home being on section to. was born May 21. 185 ;. in Litchfield county. Connecticut, and is a son of Charles and Ammira ( Lockwoodde leche. He was only two years old when he lost his father, who was also a native i Litchfield county. In the family were five children and those still Inving are Charles, a farm- er of Prairie Green township. Iroquois counts : Edward R, of this review ; and Stanley, who is conducting a store in Claytonville, Illinois.
It was during the infancy of our subject that the family came to Ilmois in 1802 and Icated in La Salle county, where he was reared upon his grandfather's farm, early becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits. He came to Ire- quois county in 1875 and has since been identi fied with its farming interests. Un starting out in life for himself he engaged in the operation ci realted land and as time passed has prospered in his undertakings, eventually becoming the owner of a valuable farm of eight hundred acres. which he has placed under a high state of cult- vation and improved with good and substantial buildings. Throughout his business career he has given considerable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of Norman horse. He has not confined his attention, however, Wholly to agricultural pursuits, but became interested in general merchandising at Claytonville in part- rerslap with his brother Stanley, and also bass gram at that place, owning a third interest in an elevator Her a wide awake, progressive bus He's man of known reliability and the success that he has achieved in life is due entirch te his own well directed efforts and good management
In 180033 Mr. Beche was mited in marriage to Miss Laura May Smith, who was born in
Komtum (reck township and was a daughter of Varan W Smithy one at the gameers of the cember, IN, Mr Bethe was azam married his second umon being with Mass Lame Mas Wie. a daughter of Jacob J, Wise, whose sketch ap- pears on another page of this volume. Pour children bless this untem . Howard M. Forrest E. Charles Jacob and an mint set unnamed.
Mr. Beebe is a member of the Methodist church, while his wife Inlongs to the U'ited Brethren denomination. Fraternally he is con nested with the Masonic order, belonging to the lalge at Rankin, and politically he is Hlentified with the republican party, taking an active and commendable interest in public affairs. He has been a delegate to the conventions of his party and has been honored with local office, serving as postmaster of claytonville for about eight sears. He has also been road commissioner fif- teen years, is the present school treasurer of his district and has served on the board for several years.
EUGENE L'HOTE.
Eugene L'Here, editor and publisher of the Herald at Milford and postmaster of the ter. has contributed in large and substantial measure to the growth and development of the city, utiliz ing practical methods while working toward the real and accomplishing results the value of which is acknowledged by al' He was born in Marshall, Wings, May 7. 1802, and was given the name of Eugene Favne L'Hote but never uses other the middle name or initial. His parents we're Edward and Charlotte ( Whaley ) L'Hote. The father was born on the island of Guadalupe in the West liches and worked on the New Orleans Picayune when it was printed on a hand press and worked by hand ball- Removing to Illinois, he located at Marshall m an early day and was married while there During the Im- colo campaign be published a paper called the Hornet and was afterward postmaster under President Lincoln He came to Milford in 1870 and purchased the Herald, which he continued unul INS, when he was succeeded by his son.
266
PAST AND PRESENT OF
Engene L'Hote, educated in the public schools, entered his father's printing office at the age of sixteen years and has since been identified with journalism in Milford. For ten years he was an employe in the office, mastering the business in every department, and in 1888. by purchase, he became his father's successor and has since published the Herald, which is one of the strong- est country newspapers of eastern Illinois. The office was destroyed by fire on the 25th of Janu- ary, 1905, entailing a loss of five thousand dol- lars less fifteen hundred dollars insurance. Notli- ing was saved from the ruins but the spirit of the proprietor was shown by the fact that while the fire occurred on Wednesday the paper was issued on the following Friday. He has today a new office and building and the best equipped plant in the county. The postoffice is also in the building and both the newspaper and the building which it occupies would be a credit to a town of five thousand population. Mr. L'Hote was ap- pointed postmaster in 1900 and has held commis- sions under President Mckinley and Roosevelt, filling the position at the present time and giving a businesslike and systematic administration higlily satisfactory to the public.
In his political views Mr. L'Hote is a stalwart republican and a warm champion of "Uncle Joe" Cannon. He publishes the paper in the interests of the party and through its columns champions many progressive public movements. He was the originator and became secretary of the Milford Improvement Association, whereby the interests of the town have been greatly en- hanced. He was the promoter in the movement toward securing the rubber factory here, an im- portant addition to the industrial interests of the city, and it was he who secured a gift of seven thousand dollars from Andrew Carnegie for a library, keeping the movement secret until it was successfully accomplished and the announcement was made in the paper. He put in a public drinking fountain and flowers in the public park were secured through entertainments given by his efforts. Mr. L'Hote has also been secretary for years of the Great Milford Horse Fair, one of the big fall festivals of eastern Illinois. While not a member of any religious organiza- tion he contributes to the support of all churches and has been very generous in aid of the erection
of new buildings. His columns are open to all churches and his belief is that of a broad humani- tarianism that believes in week-day as well as Sunday Christians and exemplifies the gospel of helpfulness and brotherly kindness. He has been an Odd Fellow since twenty-one years of age and is also identified with the Modern Woodmen.
Mr. L'Hote was married in Milford, Septem- ber 24, 1884, to Miss Elda Fairman. Her fa- ther built the first elevator in Milford and was a leading grain merchant here for years. Their children are Lulu E., Ray F. and Elda P. Mr. L'Hote and his family are prominent socially. While taking a very active and helpful interest in public affairs, he has never sought to figure prominently before the public in connection with political office and the only position that he has ever filled is that of postmaster. in which he is now serving. The spirit of public improvement. however, actuates him in all his life and his efforts have been directly beneficial, his worth as a citizen placing him among the foremost repre- sentatives of Milford.
THOMAS WAND.
In a history of the county embracing its pio- neer epoch and devoted to those who in early days became residents of this portion of the state and aided in shaping its policy and molding its destiny mention should be made of Thomas Wand. of Onarga, who, since the fall of 1856. has been a resident of that city. In the years which have since come and gone he has borne his full share in the work of development and upbuilding here and while neglectful of no duty of citizenship he has at the same time carefully directed his individual business interests along well defined lines of labor until he is now one of the prosperous residents of Onarga.
A native of Scotland, his birth occurred in the town of Dolar. on the 17th of May, 1832, and in early life he learned the tailor's trade in that land, after which he worked as a journeyman in different towns. The favorable reports heard concerning America and its opportunities awak- ened his desire to become a resident of the new world and when a young man he took passage
THOMAS WAND.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
sel, which was four weeks in making the voice and served on the town bitte, But across the Atlantic. during which the a visu Orleans. Mr. Ward then made Ins was up the Mississippi river to St Louis and atterwani tor & Picage, where he worked at his trable for the Scars
In the tall Để thị0 i came to (harga Whit I was employed at ha trade for about & scar. on the expiration of which person he established a merchant tuformy business, which he cam dicted a summer of years. He then extended the scope of his enterprise In adding a starch of general merchandise, carrying of Ise store with constantly increasing success until INES. He thus figured prommenth in commercial dir es in the city for almost a third of a century and on selling out he permanently put aside busi Hess cares and is now living a retired life. Ile has erected elglit good residences and also owns a farm about three miles from Onarga. His property interests therefore are to him a sub stantial source of revenue and enable him to en- Joy many of the comfort and luxuries of life.
In 1850 Mr. Wand was muted in marriage to Miss Mary Pickle, a native of Indiana, in which state she was reared They traveled life's jour- ney together for twenty-four years and were then separated In the death of Mrs. Wand in 1843 They had become the parents of three children. of whom the ellest. Andrew Wand, is a travel- ing salesman residing in Sullivan, Hanois. Ile is married and has two sons, Witham and Fred. Thomas 8. Wand, the second member of the father's family, was married at New Philade- phia. Ilmois. December 30, 1886, to Miss Eliza Harris, who was born and reared in this state and is a daughter of Michael Harris, als & m- tive of Illinois. They have two sons. Walter and Thomas 11., and the father. Thomas C. Wand, is engaged in business as a traveling sales- man. The only daughter of our subject reached womanhood and passed away December 18, 18%.
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.