USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 27
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Mr. Wand is a republican in His political views but was formerly identified with the democracy. and later with the prohibition parts. The posi- tion of the democratic party upon the money question led him to transfer his allegiance and for some years he has now supported republican
wants anl has been a Chera uminh or it benefit of the collegeit m Wer n mcorporating the town of |Flas al night. . i which fact he has our recent to b proud He has given frech for the billing at different churches and has lent In- and al fluence to mans the sure that have had af reet faith is muchicated by his nieintership in the Meth- alist I pricipal church of thearea and he is ale a valued representative of the field Del af ciety, in which he has filled all of the chairs and is a past grand. He has thewise been a repre sentative to the grand lodge of the state and is thoroughly in sympathy with the purposes and principles of this organization. Living in Ire- quois county throughout the period of his Han how, his life record is fannhar to many of our readers and the fact that he is best hiked where best known is an indication of an honorable. up- right career. In this country, where labor is king, he has been a faithful follower of that sovereign and it has been through his diligence and perseverance that he has gained the cred itable position which he now occupies as a man of affluence.
JAMES BLU
James Blu is one of the public-spirited citizens of Iroquois county who was long associated with agricultural interests to the betterment of farm hie m general He is a typical representative of the middle west, alert and enterprising with true valuation of possibilities and opportunities and of the love of character as well. Born in Menard county, Illinois, on the 22d of May, 1852, he is a son of Harrison and Margaret C. ( MMlexander ) . The father, a native of Virginia, was reared in the Old Dominion, and when a young man came with his parents to Illmois. He was
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married in Menard county, to Miss Margaret C. Alexander, who was born in Sangamon county, this state, and was a daughter of John Alexan- der. a native of North Carolina. To provide for his family Harrison Blu followed agricutural pursuits in Menard county, where he died in April. 1855. at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving three children to the care of his wife, who conducted the farm alone for several years. She then married again, becoming the wife of George Martin, of Menard county, and there were three children by that union. Her death occurred in 1887 upon the home farm near Milford. Mr. Martin having removed to Iroquois county in 1870, at which time he purchased land.
James Blut, whose name introduces this record, was reared upon the old home place. His edu- cational privileges were somewhat meager but in the school of experience where eventually all become students he has learned many valuable lessons. Ambitious to engage in farming on his own account. when twenty-one years of age he bought fifty acres of land in Milford township. which he farmed for two years, when he sold that property and purchased eighty acres on sec- tion 5, Milford township. It was a tract of raw land but he brought it under a high state of cul- tivation, adding many modern equipments and accessories. He further made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage on the 3d of November, 1878, to Miss Maggie Crink, a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and a daughter of Patrick Crink, who was born in Ireland and came to Illinois at an early epoch in the development of this state. Mr. Blu owned land in Milford township, where he continued to carry on general agricultuarl pursuits for thirty-six years, and in 1890 he removed to Mil- ford, from which place he has superintended his farm, leaving the more active work of the fields, however, to others. He made a creditable record as an agriculturist and attained a measure of suc- cess most gratifying. Ile has recently purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in South Dakota near Huron, which he intends to improve.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Blu were born three chil- dren, of whom one, James Walter, died in in- fancy. The oldest living is John Harrison, of Danville, who has followed the drug business for a year. He was graduated in pharmacy at the
Northwestern University of Illinois, and he is a Knight Templar Mason. Elmer F. is now a senior in the law department of the Northwestern University. at Evanston. and still makes his home with his parents. Mr. Blue and his wife attend the Christian church, of which he is a member and he also fraternizes with the Modern Wood- men of America. Since voting for U. S. Grant at the first presidential election after he attained his majority, he has since stanchly supported the republican party. He served as assessor for two terms and as tax collector for three terms and the trust reposed in him as an official has been well placed because he is ever most loyal in pub- lie service. A native son of Illinois, he is one whose life record is as creditable to the state and in the years of his residence in Iroquois county he has won uniform confidence and regard be- cause of his fidelity to a high standard of con- duct, his loyalty in citizenship and his progress- iveness and reliability in his business life.
FRANKLIN CLARKE.
Franklin Clarke, after many years of active, honorable and successful connection with agri- cultural pursuits, is now living retired in Sheldon in a beautiful home which he purchased here. His life record began in Coshocton county, Ohio, January 1, 1860, his parents being S. K. and Mary (Darling) Clarke. The father was born in Coshocton county, September 25. 1833. and when six years of age was left an orphan. He afterward lived with a relative for about nine years and was employed at farm labor until he reached the age of eighteen. He was married October 13, 1851, to Miss Susan Burrell, who was also a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, and died in March, 1852. After his marriage Mr. Clarke continued working by the month until February 1, 1856, when he was a second time married, Miss Mary Darling, also of Coshocton county, becoming his wife. He then rented a farm which he operated until 1867, when he re- moved to Iroquois county, Illinois, and rented a farm from Dr. Fowler in Concord township. He lived thereon for three years and during that period lost his wife on the 5th of July. 1870.
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They had four children, of whom two are now living: Franklin ; and Mrs. Isaac Motor, of Stockland township. On the 15th of October, 1872, S. K. Clarke was married to Miss Lomsa Baird, who was also born in Coshocton county, Ohio, and they became the parents of six chil- dren. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Clarke pur- chased a farm in Concord township and has add- ed thereto until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres of good land upon which he yet makes his home. He has placed many modern improvements upon it, including good buildings which stand as monuments to his thrift, enter- prise and labor.
Franklin Clarke was educated in the common schools of Illinois, having been brought to Iro- quois county in his early boyhood. He has since lived within its borders and he was reared to the work of the farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Ambitious to engage in farming on his own account and to own a good tract of land, he carefully saved his earnings and made his first purchase in 1803, becoming owner of two hundred and forty acres in Sheldon township which is still in his possession. With character- istic energy he began the further development and improvement of that place and carried on the work of the farm there until Februar, 1903. when he retired and removed to Sheldon, pur- chasing a beautiful and attractive residence that he has since occupied.
Mr. Clarke wedded Miss Orpha Fleming, a daughter of John and Susan ( Perkins ) Fleming. of whom further mention is made on another page of this work. Her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke have one daughter, Susie. born February 22. 1802.
The political allegiance of Mr. Clarke has been given to the democracy since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He served as town clerk of Sheldon township for two years, was road commissioner for six years and while living in the country served on the school board. He has also been administrator of a number of large es- tates and, having been chosen for this office, it is indication of the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen-a trust of which he is well worthy. Socially he is connected with the Masons and with the Royal Arcanum, of 15
Sheldon, and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist depiscopal church. In all of his business dealings he has displayed the strictest integrity and honor and at all times he has stood for advancement and improvement in those lines of life leading to intellectual, political, social and moral progress. He is a most worthy citizen of the community in which he lives and in which he is now enjoying life. He keeps two horses for driving purposes and is most comfortably sit- uated in a pleasant and connections home that is an indication of his business ability and his un- faltering enterprise m former years.
FRANK L. HOOPER.
Frank 1. Hooper, of Watseka, judge of the cir- cuit court, is one whose successful career stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for in the county of his birth he has won prominence and honors in the profession which stands as the conservator of human rights and liberties. A native of Belmont township, he was born on the 21st of April. 1804, of the marriage of John R. and Sarah M. (Harter) Hooper. who were pioneer residents of this county. The father was born in Seneca county, New York, in 1825, and when a lad of seven years accompanied his parents, Pontius and Lyda (Clark) Hooper. natives of Saratoga county, New York, on their removal to Clinton, Michigan, where he acquired a common-school education and was reared to mercantile pursuits. He resided at West Point. Indiana, from 1840 until 1840 and then went to Ohio, where he engaged in merchandising until 1849. He spent the last mentioned year in Day- ton, Ohio, and was afterward a resident of In- diana until 1801, when he came to Irespois coun- ty, Illinois. He then engaged in the cattle busi- ness in Watseka until 1871 and spent the ten succeeding years in Danville, returning in 1881 to Watseka. He was married April 21. 1852. in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, to Miss Sarah M. Harter, who was born in Lafayette, that state Mr. Hooper voted with the democracy and was a Royal Arch Mason.
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Frank L. Ilooper, one of a family of four children, accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Danville, Illinois, in 1871, and after spending some time as a student in the high school there took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of Tracy B. Harris. of Watseka. He afterward pursued a full law course in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and subsequent to his graduation from that institution was admitted to the Illinois bar when twenty-one years of age and entered into partnership with T. B. Harris for the practice of law in Watseka. That connection continued until broken by the death of Mr. Harris and in January. 1891. Mr. Hooper entered into partner- ship relations with Hon. Free P. Morris. He has reached his majority in the length of his con- nection with the Watseka bar and has long been accorded a foremost place in the ranks of the legal profession here, for in the trial of causes he has displayed clear and cogent reasoning, a thorough understanding of the law, a correct knowledge of precedent and marked ability in the application of legal principles to the points in litigation. The ability which he has displayed in practice led to his selection for judicial honors and in 1905 he was elected judge of the circuit court. following the death of Judge Hilscher. and is now sitting upon the bench. His opin- ions indicate a breadth of judicial wisdom and a freedom from personal bias that ranks him with the able men who have sat upon the circuit bench in eastern Illinois.
Mr. Hooper has not confined his attention en- tirely to the practice of law and yet it has been his main life work. The firm of Morris & Hooper, however, became proprietors of the Watseka electric light plant and are also inter- ested in farm lands in Iroquois county. Mr. Hooper is a man of excellent business judgment and keen sagacity as well as of broad judicial knowledge. He is a democrat with little aspira- tion for office, yet for two years filled the posi- tion of city attorney of Watseka, the duties, how- ever. being in the direct path of his chosen pro- fession. Fraternally he is connected with Wat- seka lodge, No. 446, A. F. & A. M.
Mr. Hooper was married September 29. 1891. in Watseka, to Miss Grace Willoughby, who was born in this city and is a daughter of Aaron and
Nancy Willoughby, carly residents of this place. In social circles Mr. and Mrs. Hooper have long occupied a position of prominence, being readily accorded recognition wherever true worth and in- telligence are received as the passports into good society. Since coming to the bench he has won the favorable criticism of the public and the pro- fession in the conduct of the litigation of his court and since entering upon the practice of law his career has been marked by steady progress indicative of devotion to the interests of his clients, of close reasoning and of thorough un- derstanding of the principles of the law.
PETER B. STRICKLER.
Peter B. Strickler, now one of the venerable citizens and honored pioneer settlers of Concord township. has had a varied and interesting ex- perience which embraces a sojourn in California during the days of early mining excitement there as well as active participation in various phases of life on the frontier in Illinois. Few residents of the county have longer resided with- in its borders, for it was in 1835 that he took up his abode on section 12, Concord township.
Born in Virginia April 6, 1827, Peter B. Strickler was a son of Henry D. Strickler, of the Shenandoah valley of Virginia. The father's birth occurred in 1796 and on leaving the Old Dominion he traveled in a northwesterly direc- tion until he reached Iroquois county, Illinois, bringing with him his family of nine children. The journey was made by wagon from the old home in Virginia. They proceeded by slow stages, for the roads were very poor at that time. and at night for six weeks they camped out by the wayside. At length reaching his destina- tion, Henry D. Strickler entered from the gov- ernment one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 12, Concord township. The land office was at that time located at Danville. Mr. Strickler built a hewed log cabin and barn. The house was twenty-four by thirty feet, was two stories in height and had a split floor. It also contained glass windows, although some of the carly dwellings had greased paper windows. There Mr. Strickler made his home until his
MR. AND MRS. PETER B. STRICKLER.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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death, which occurred in the year 1883 after resulence of almost a half century in the county. He had prospered in his undertakings, so that he had extended the boundaries of his fare un- til It comprised four hundred and eighty deres. For some time he served as coroner of the county and gave his political allegiance to the denon racy. His wife, catherine Brubaker, was born in Virginia and by her marriage became the njother of thirteen children, of whom four are till living.
Peter B Strickler was a south of eight vers when he left the Old Dominion and with his par- erts the the long and tedious journey across the country to Illinois. His educational privi- leges were such as were afforded in a log school house with greased paper windows and the school session covered only three months of the year, for in these early days the services of the sons and daughters were needed upon the farm throughout the remainder of the season. He as- sister in the arduous task of developing new and unbroken land and cultivating a farm which lutherto had been an unclaimed prairie tract. He lived at hente until twenty -one years of age and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he fal- loved until twenty-mme years of age, being thus closely identified with early building operations in Iroquois county. The discovery of gold in California and the tales of the fortunes that were made in that state led hin in 1852 to make his was to the Pacific coast He journeyed by was of the water route and was absent for two years in the Golden state
Mr. Strickler then returned to Ilinois and again took up carpenter work As soon as pol ble, however, he made investment in property and in 1857 located on his present farm on section 1. Concord township, purchasing eighty acres of land from Daniel Strickler This was all raw land, but he broke it and in course of time gath ered good harvests. He also built a house and other buildings and laid many rods of tik m order to drain the land, thus reclamning the swamps portions until he had converted them into rich fields. He likewise fenced the entire farm himself and as the years passed In he care fully, energetically and successfully carried on the work of general farming and also engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of logs and
cattle. He likewise added to his holdings by the purchase of seventy four acres of the old home- Steat lon section 12. Concord township, a part at which is pasture land and a part of which he has tiled and cultivated His father entered this land from the government and it has never passed wort of the family
Mr. Strickler was married in Rensselaer, In
tive of Virginia, and they have become the par ents of five children, of whong three are now In- mg : Lewis, Mrs Ella Klanska and trace. The wife and nother died in isto and in 1871 Mr Strickler was married in Concord township to Miss Martha Tharp, who was born in Clinton comto, Indiana They now have three children. Frank 1 : Mrs Mattie Pearce, and Edward, who marriedl Miss D). The Sunh
Mr. Strickler has served as school director for twenty-six years and in this connection has done effective service in behalf of the cause of public education in his district His political allegiance has long been given to the democrats, for he he- lieves that the platform of that parts contains the best elements of good government Has relig ous faith is that of the U'inted Brethren church. In February. 1805. Mr Strickler enlisted i Con- pam F. One Hundred and Hits with Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after leng unsered in at Springfield went to Fullahon a, Tennessee, un- der General Thomas, He did grand Jut . guard mg railroads, etc. nul mustered out of service n September, 1865 He joined 0 11 Miner - 1208, and has filled various offices in the same
Is one of the honored pioneer residents of the county he deserves prominent mention m this volume, for in the early days when few settlers lived in this part of the state he broke the prairie with worden plows and carried on the farm work with primitive machinery There was plenty of wild gane here, including deer, prairie chickens and turkeys. In the cabin home was a fireplace. over which hung the crane, while the bread was baked in the ashes. A comprehensive descrip- tươm để pa ner hic would be to give in detail the carly experiences of Mr. Strickler in Tempos counts He has witnessed almost the entire up building and development of this section of the state and relates in interesting manner n' im
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incidents of the early days before the railroads had brought the state into close communication with the east. There were broad stretches of unclaimed land, some of which was swampy. while other was covered with the native prairie grasses or the timber. The most far-sighted could scarcely have dreamed of the changes which were to occur with great rapidity and transform this into a rich agricultural district with flourishing towns and villages in its midst and all of the evidences of an advanced civili- zation in its churches, schools, libraries and busi- ness interests.
SOLOMON MYERS.
A good farm of three hundred and forty-eight acres is the property of Solomon Myers. It is situated on section 19, Iroquois township, and indicates in its splendid appearance his care and supervision. Mr. Myers was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, near Circleville, May 17, 1850, and was brought to Illinois in his boyhood days. He is a son of Peter Myers, who in 1861 removed with his family to this state, settling in McLean county, where he followed farming for some time. In 1866 he removed to Iroquois county, where his remaining days were passed, and when he was called to his final rest the community mourned the loss of an honored and representative citizen.
Solomon Myers acquired a common-school education, coming to Iroquois county with his father in 1866, when a youth of sixteen years. Hle early received practical training in the work of the home farm, and lessons of industry and diligence were carly instilled into his mind and have borne rich fruit in his later life. In 1894 he bought two hundred and twenty-eight acres of his present farm of three hundred and forty- eight acres on sections 18 and 19), Iroquois town- ship, the remaining one hundred and twenty acres being purchased in 1901. In the midst of the farm stands a fine, two-story residence, built in modern style of architecture, It stands back some distance from the road and has a wide spreading lawn in front. It is one of the attract- ive features of the landscape and the farm pre-
sents an excellent appearance in all departments, the fields giving promise of rich harvests. He has some fine Durham cattle upon the place and his stock-raising interests are an important ele- ment in his success. In 1868 he took up the last piece of railroad land in Onarga township, this being a tract of forty acres for which he paid nine dollars per acre.
Mr. Myers was married to Miss Mary Web- ster, who was born at Buckley. this county, and unto them have been born three sons. Burt married Stella Weagant, and they have one son, Lloyd A. Edward C. is at home. Charley W. is also under the parental roof. The mother of these children died in December, 1889, and Mr. Myers afterward married Mrs. Hilterbrick, of Onarga, widow of Samuel E. Ililterbrick and a daughter of E. W. Swafford. She had one child by her first marriage, Gertrude Hilterbrick.
Voting with the republican party, Mr. Myers thus expresses his views upon the questions and issues of the day which concern the general pub- lic, and he is now serving for his fourth year as road commissioner of Iroquois township. He has been a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Onarga since 1874, and also affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America at Crescent City. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church. Mat- ters secular and religious that have for their object the benefit of the community receive his endorsement and co-operation, and he is a man who in his life has been actuated by high and honorable principles, while in his business career he has manifested a laudable ambition and un- faltering energy that have gained him place with the men of affluence in the township.
GEORGE BURY.
George Bury has during his residence in this country demonstrated the characteristics of the Irish race-industry and perseverance, for though starting out in life a poor boy without capital or assistance from friends and with limited educational advantages, he has worked his way upward until he is today one of the largest land- owners in Iroquois county, having here a tract
IROQUOIS TRUY HVOR
Mr. Bury was brought to the United States by his parents when only two years of age. the family home bong established in Topeer counts, Indiana, where he was reared as a tarm lad He had united e lucational advantages his youth but through reading and albertall in in later he has become a well formed man He came to Hơn in 18 when & young man and secured employment at farm labor. buna thus engaged for two or three years, in Ir aque He was married here in 18et to Me I'llen Merritt, who was born in Madison cam- ty, luciana, a daughter of John Merritt, who became one of the early settlers af bronquios county, and thus the daughter was reared and educated here.
Following his marriage Mr. Bury located on a rented farm, which he operated for several years, and prospering in his undertaking, he was at length enabled to purchase land, first be- coming possessed of a tract of eighty acres, which was but partially improved and whereon hand ken Mult a small house. Taking up his alink thereon he further developed and improved the property, placing his land under a high state of cultivation, and he also created a good two- story residence, substantial barn and other out buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He tiled and fenced his land, set out a good orchard and made it a valuable tract. As time passed and he accumulated a competence be added to his property from time to time mul he is now the ster of five hundred and sixty acres, which constitutes one of the valuable and well imprese l firma of Toques commits He has recently created a new residence on his farm, whichis Hoy nesped by his son, and there are two gond sets of buildings, such as are found upon a Finkel proquests In addition to los agricultural interests he is crigaged quite estensich m raising stock. and he also buss and ships cuttle and hugs to the city markets, having been this engaged for the past fourteen years, and this has been no un important branch of his bisthess
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