Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 28

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

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U'nto our subject and les wife have Been horn five sons and one daughter, namely . Charles. who results on the land tarn and is muriel. John, who is also, married and restkes on the

Wall. wh. oprity. a |w rtich it for taiher s

Harry ast (Wrongs al et under the parental remit

Mr. Burs has always been a stalwart alvinate of republican proples but has never felt mn lxal politica attars ter is extrsich sinds interests have cloned his till ing all atfem en, Mis Bury is a member of the Christian church. Having lived In frames comes through ing decades, Mr Bury Es Mirgeh fun iar with th progress that has here bien malle in agricultura htc, and he has not only been at Interested wit- Hess but an active participant in the country's development. Although starting out in bienes life in the humble capaots of a farm laborer having longted educational advantages he has persevered in his work and Is the assistance his estimable wife, he Has accumulated the val- nable property which texas is evidence of the success that has rewarded his efforts.

JOHN HOLMES.

John Holmes, a practical and progressive farmer living on section 2). Prairie Green town- ship, has three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land within five miles of Honor- ston He was born in Surrey, England. June S. 1852, and is a son of Henry Holmes, who was Thewise a native of that counts, and he mar- ried there Miss And Thompson, who was also barn and reared in England. They came to the new world in 1823 and spent almost a year in Viss Fork uts, after which the removed west- Ward to Vernation counts. I'mon, establishing their bothe at Rossville, where Mr Holmes spent His wife had died some years previous.

John Holmes was scared to manten in the land of his birth, spending his banhound at 1 youth largehs in London. In carks hife be worked at training and expressis becoming one of the nung capable and trusted drivers for Bickford. who conducted one of the most extensive transfer enterprises of the world. In 18;3. whentwenty- one years of age. Mr Holmes accompanied Ins

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PAST AND PRESENT OF

parents on their emigration to the United States. reaching New York harbor in November of that year. He remained in New York for eight months and was a driver for the Adams Express Company. In 1874 he came westward to Illi- nois, making his home in Iroquois county, where lived his brother, Tom Holmes. For three years he was employed by the month at farm labor and thus gained a start in the new world.

In 1886 Mr. Holmes was united in marriage to Miss Julia E. Daugherty, a native of Orange county, Indiana, where she was reared. The young couple began their domestic life upon a tract of rented land and thus Mr. Holmes car- ried on farming for several years, during which time they carefully hoarded their earnings and at length were enabled to purchase land in 1890. becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres, on which was an old house and barn. Mr. Holmes at once undertook the task of further developing and improving this property and laid many rods of tile, thus draining the place. He also bought more land as opportunity offered and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres, constituting a rich and valuable property. He also rents another eighty acres, so that he is now cultivating four hundred acres of land. He has erected a commodious two-story frame residence, built in modern style of architecture, and likewise has two big barns upon the place and two sets of farm buildings. He has put in stock scales and uses the latest improved ma- chinery in carrying on the work of the fields. He has also planted much fruit and altogether has a model farm property, equipped with all the accessories which indicate a spirit of enterprise and activity in the individual. Mr. Holmes started out in life in the new world with a cash capital of twenty-five cents. He has made his own way in the world from his youth to the present time and by his thrift and enterprise has become the owner of a large and valuable farm and good home.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have been born ten children, James A., Elma A., Rosa. John, Olive Blanch, Daisy, Floyd and Nellie, still under the parental roof, and two died in infancy.

Politically Mr. Holmes is a republican but has never been an aspirant for office. 1Ie belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Hoopeston and is in

hearty sympathy with its basic principles. He is well known in Hoopeston and in Iroquois and Vermilion counties, and is one of the progressive and enterprising sons of old England, who in Iroquois county have made an independent fortune and an honorable name. He may truly be called a self-made man and his life record is indicative of the opportunities that are here afforded to ambitious young men.

WILLIAM L. RANTON.

William L. Ranton, whose death was the oc- casion of deep regret in Sheldon, where he was serving as postmaster at the time of his demise on the 4th of January, 1902, was born in Bel- fast, Ireland, in 1869, and was brought to Amer- ica by his father, who now lives in Hoopeston, this state. He came to Iroquois county about 1870 and was educated in the common schools and in Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illi- nois, of which he was a graduate. Taking up his abode in Sheldon, he edited and published the Sheldon Journal from 1895 until 1899 and made it a successful business enterprise as well as an entertaining newspaper. He also did some bank work and was well known in this part of the county as a man worthy the esteem and trust of all who knew him. In 1898 he was appointed postmaster at Sheldon and in that office gave a businesslike administration, capably and faith- fully discharging his duties until he was called to his final rest. In politics he was always a stalwart republican and was prominent in the local ranks of the party, serving as one of the committeemen at the time of his death.

In 1895 Mr. Ranton was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Hockett, of Sheldon, Illinois. They had one child, Bessie, who was born April 24, 1896. Mrs. Ranton has lived in Sheldon for twenty years. She is a graduate of the high school and for some time engaged in teaching in the city schools here. Immediately after her husband's death she was appointed postmistress of Sheldon and was re-appointed for a second term in 1905, so that she is now filling the office, in which she has one assistant. She owns a nice home in Sheldon and she is one of the few lady

ILE RANTON AND DAL GHTER

OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAINOIS

exemplary repr . mative bens truc tr the teachings et the endlers Which are based upon pontual leptulness and Lod ris kindness He was well liked wherever kien of great Degang of the 1 afferr and he had a wide aomaintance in Iraqpes

AUGUST LUTIRSEY

Vignet Lubren is a worthy and prosperous representative of mercantile and agentural interests For fifteen years he was sentthed with the commercial hie of Buckles and for a considerable person has represented the farming interests of Trompete confty It has always been ionnel that the sons of the fatherland have om stituted an important element in the en ilza tion of the world and in the various localities m which they have hved they have borne a help- ful and beneficial part m advancing there meter- esta which contribute to material intellectual. po- htical and moral progress

The hie record of Ur Lukrsen is another prix tai this statement He was born in her- mans. Mas IS, 1856, and is a som vi frederick Libreen, who is the fall of 1857 engrated with his family to the United states He settled first n Cook county, Ihnen, where he rested noul 1875 and then care to liaphone fiets, paredes

int med on another page of this work. . mul the father spent his last tears in Buckles, where is

August Lahren was reared of Look enlas. Ilens and largely acquired los education in the colombian looks there although his opportunities Weresi what meager and since reichn & man's ett He has greath breakned les knowledge through experience, observation and research He was married in Artista township. November 15 1853 In His Alwine Volberding, a Battle

Years an die fifteen years he hhewor gave his di (st., llc has a gel reso tener en las taron bus

1mto Mr and Mrs Lubrsen louise leur beri and Arnold. They also lost their first born. Man, who shed in his fifth year

Pohtically Mr laihren has been a stiwar: democrat, vet the honors and englulients of office have had no attraction for lang He and his family hold membership in the Lutheran church He is widely recognized as a capable. successful and reliable business Inn and farmer and is well known throughout fromguess chants His business integrity is una gestione and the confidence and esterni of the community are il- formy accorded Ine Wherever known be The won friends and his hits record demonstr ates the

financial assistance

LOUIS BENSON

A part of enterprise del progress date as I sixty actes of valuable land which has In

( mirs and in his Native land wed kl

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PAST AND PRESENT OF

Pierson. They became the parents of six chil- dren, including Louis Benson of this review, who was reared upon the home farm, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of such a life for him in his boyhood days.

He heard favorable reports concerning Amer- ica and its opportunities and this aroused in him a desire to try his fortunes in the new world. Accordingly he made his way to the United States and located first in South Dakota but after three months he removed to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he began providing for his own support by working in a creamery at Woodland. A year was spent in that position, after which he worked out by the month at Sheldon, being in the employ of one man for five years. He was in the employ of Thomas John for two years and then began renting land, which was a forward step in his business career, as his labors now more directly benefited himself. In 1894 he bought one hundred acres with capital that he had acquired through his own labors. It was the nucleus of his present fine farm and he has greatly improved the property by erecting thereon a two-story frame residence built in at- tractive style of architecture. He has also built a good barn and carried forward his agricultural interests along most progressive lines. His place is well improved, modern methods of drain- ing have been employed to enhance the produc- tiveness of the fields and the farm is surrounded by well kept fences. He raises full blooded short- horn cattle and is a breeder and dealer in Per- cheron horses, keeping an imported stallion. He also raises Poland China hogs and his live-stock interests are an important branch of his business.

On the 4th of November, 1896, Mr. Benson was united in marriage to Miss M. Eloise John, daughter of Thomas John and a native of Bel- mont township. Further mention of her parents is made on another page of this work. For a year after their marriage Mr. Benson rented part of the John farm and then took up his abode at his present place of residence. Both he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Woodland.

Since becoming a naturalized American citizen he has voted with the republican party at state and national elections but casts an independent

local ballot nor has he ever been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He certainly de- serves much credit for what he has accomplished. He came to the new world without capital save for determination, strong purpose and unflag- ging industry. He soon proved his willingness to work, never found it difficult to obtain em- ployment and by reason of his economy and in- dustry at length secured the capital that enabled him to purchase land and begin farming on his own account. He has made steady progress, has won a goodly measure of prosperity, and his life has at the same time been another exemplifica- tion of the statement that "Sweden is the home of the honest man."

JAMES CRINK.

James Crink, of Milford, needs no introduc- tion to the readers of this volume, for he has been a resident of the county for more than four decades, being long classed with the pro- gressive and representative farmers. He owns a well improved tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres pleasantly located within four a half miles of the city of Milford. His birth occurred in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, March 22, 1855. His father, Patrick Crink, was a na- tive of Ireland and spent his boyhood days there. Crosing the Atlantic to the new world, he resided for some years in the state of New York, during which time he was married to Miss Elizabeth Chuite. He afterward removed with his family to Indiana, settling in Tippecanoe county, where he carried on farming, and the spring of 1864 witnessed his arrival in Iroquois county, Illinois, at which time he took up his abode in Ash Grove township. There he car- ried on general agricultural pursuits for several years and subsequently he settled in Milford township, where he also farmed for a number of years. His last days, however, were spent at the home of his son, John Crink, and he departed this life in 1894, having for about two years survived his wife, who died in May, 1892. Five of their children are yet living: Philip, a resident farmer of Douglas county, Nebraska :

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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Maggie, the wife of James Blu, who folows farming in Milford township : James and John. who are twins, the latter a farmer of Miliard township. and Mrs. Anna Compton, a widow residing in Nebraska.

When a youth of ten year- James Crink be- came a resident of Iroquois county and be re- mained in his father's home until he had at- tained his majority. At the usual age he entered the common schools and is indebted to the system of public instruction for the educational privi- leges he enjoyed. When not busy with his text- books his time was largely occupied in the work of plowing, planting or harvesting according to the season of the year, and thus he became familiar with the practical work of the farm.

In Ash Grove township, on the 24th of Decem- ber. 1800, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Crink and Miss Sallie Stimpson, and they located on a farm, commencing with eighty acres of land. in the midst of which Mr. Crink built a good dwelling, barns, cribs and granary. He also fenced the place and by tiling greatly enhanced the fertility of the soil. He led a most active and strenuous life and his unremitting diligence constituted the secret of a success which enabled him in the course of years to purchase an addi- tional tract of eighty acres, so that his farm covered one hundred and sixty acres. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1004, when he rented his place and purchased the residence property in Milford which he now occupies. He has not retired altogether from business life, however, for his time is given to looking after and keeping up his farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Crink have two sons and a daughter : Elmer S., Mary Elizabeth and Wilbur E. Mrs. Crink hold- membership in the Meth- odist Episcopal church at Milford and Mr. Crink was reared in the Catholic faith. His po- litical views harmonize with the principles of the democratic party but he has never been an aspir- ant for office. \ boy of teu when he came to this county he has assisted in its material growth and progress, aiding in the task of clearing and cultivating new land and developing fertile fields. He is known as a man of good busines capacity. of ready recognition of opportunity, and in his utilization of the chances which have come to him he has shown a ready adaptability and keen

foresight He and his wife are greatly respected in the community and are well known in Mil- ford. Watschy and throughout the county

EDWARD G. ECHARD

Edward G. Echard, who is engaged in g neral agricultural pursints in Prairie Green township. having made his home in this county since 1886, was born in Rockingham county, in the Shen- andoah valley of Virginia. April 5. 1852. He is at son of Frank Echard, also a native of Virginia, where he was reared and married. the lady of his choice being Miss Livelme R. Hoffman, who was also born in Virgina The father followed farming in the Old Dominion. devoting his life to that work until his labors were ended in death in 1802. His wife long sur- vived him and passed away in i&f.

Edward G. Echard was largely reared in the state of his nativity, remaining at home until after he had attained his majority. He learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner and was iden- tified with building operations in Virginia and to some extent in Ilinois. He came to the middle west in 1880, joining friends in Iroquois county. and for one year he worked as a farm hand by the month.

Before leaving his native state Mr. Echard had been married in Virginia on the 27th of October, I891, to Miss Anna Downey, a sister of T. J. Downey, whose sketch appears che- where in this volume. Mr. Echard then operated a rented farm for several years, after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, where he now resides. Subsequently, however, he dis- posed of forty acres of this. He was the first to pay as high as seventy-five dollars per acre for land in this locality but today the farm is worth double that amount. He at once began to till the soil and further improve the place and by tiling and fencing he has converted the farm into rich and productive fields. In its midst stand- a neat residence and he has a large vari- ety of fruit upon his place. He has also built cribs and sheds and the land is mostly enclosed with woven wire fence. He has also rented other farm land and in addition to his home

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PAST AND PRESENT OF

property of one hundred and twenty acres he is now cultivating the Greer College lands of three hundred and twenty acres, having for ten years been in charge of that property. He is an active and diligent man who works while others talk and who by his unremitting perseverance and energy has advanced to a prominent position among the prosperous agriculturists of Prairie Green township. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also raises pure blooded Aberdeen Angus cattle and has a fine registered male at the head of his herd. He also raises good grades of hogs and other stock and feeds a large number of hogs annually.

Unto Alr. and Mrs. Echard have been born two children, Hubert W. and Goldie M. Mr. Echard formerly gave his political allegiance to the democratic party but is now a strong advo- cate of prohibition principles. He has served as a member of the school board, has been school clerk for several years. and has likewise served as justice of the peace of Prairie Green township. He and his wife hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal church at Wellington, in which he is acting as steward and a trustee, and both are active in the work of the Sunday-school, and their son Hubert is a teacher in that organ- ization.

Mr. Echard is one of the progressive and pub- lic-spirited men from the Old Dominion and is today one of the honored and highly esteemed agriculturists of Iroquois county, where he and his family have a large circle of friends, and their home is a very hospitable one.

ALSON V. BROCKWAY.

In the quota of citizens that agricultural life has furnished to Sheldon Alson V. Brockway is numbered, having in former years been identi- fied with farming interests in Iroquois county. He was born in Elk county, Pennsylvania, July 23. 1839, and is a son of Vine S. Brockway, who was born in the state of New York, whence he removed to Elk county, Pennsylvania, while sub- sequently he took up his abode in Will county, Illinois, where his death occurred. He was a

physician and a man of marked ability and local prominence. He served as county judge in Elk county, Pennsylvania. for nine years and was a very prominent man there. His family num- bered five children who reached adult age and are still living, and Alson and his brother, Alonzo Brockway, are now residents of Sheldon.

Alson V. Brockway is indebted to the public- school system of his native state for the educa- tional privileges which he enjoyed. He worked in the lumber woods in Pennsylvania until 1864, when he went to Will county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm, carrying on agricultural pur- suits there until 1868. He then sold that prop- erty, that year witnessing his arrival in Iroquois county, where he purchased three hundred acres of land in Sheldon township. Upon this farm he resided until 1891. when he retired, removing to Sheldon, where he has since resided. He also owns eighty acres of land in Sheldon township. While upon the farm he carried on the general work of the fields and also engaged in stock- raising. He added many modern improvements and equipments to his place, erected two good dwellings and two barns and in fact added all of the necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and thus as the years passed his property became very valuable. When on the farm he bred the best stock he could find and this branch of his business proved to him a profitable source of income. On removing to Sheldon he erected a fine residence at a cost of three thousand dollars.

Mr. Brockway was married in 1864 to Jane S. Bly, who was born in Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, and removed to Elk county with her parents in her girlhood days. Two children graced the union of our subject and his wife but one died at the age of five years. The surviving daughter, Flora, is the wife of Charles Bowen, who lives upon a farm near her father's prop- erty. They have three children : Buneta, Dorathy; and Charles Alson, born January 12, 1907.

The parents are members of the Christian church and are prominent socially, having many warm friends in Sheldon and in other parts of the county. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he proudly cast his first

A. V. BROCKWAY.

C. THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

vote for Abraham Lincoln, Mr Brockwas Ha been a stanch republican and for the wars served as supervisor. He has also filled the c! fices of school trusted and school director and has been a member of the town land for three terms. He is a man ci much influence in local affairs and his support is given to all those meds ures which are di threat benefit to the commit Bits. The strong traits of las character are such as win for him uniform confidence and esteem and wherever known he is honored.

JOHN FLEMING,

John Fleming, who departed this hie August 22. 100, spent his last years as a retired farmer in Sheldon and was respected and honored by all who knew him. He was born in County Tyrone. Ireland. May 20, 1836, and was only three years of age when brought to America by his parents, John and Mary Fleming, who set- Hled in Stanhope. New Jersey, where they resided for seven years. They then removed to the vi- emity di Lockport. New York, where they re- mamed until their son John had reached man- hod. In 1856 they again made their way west- ward and on reaching Indiana settled not tar from the state line m Benton county. The sur- viving members of their family are Thomas and William, who are residents of Ranh, Illinois ; Robert, who is living at Freeland Park, this Slate: Sampon, of the same place: James, i Crawfordsville, Indiana; and Mrs Matkin, also Đi Raub.

In that locality and in Sheldon John Fleming of this review spent his remaining days. event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his youth. the 19th of November, 1865, be was married to Miss Susan Perkins, of Greencastle. Indiana. and their only child, a daughter. Orpha, is now the wife of Franklin Clarke, a prominent and representative citizen of Sheldon. The wife and mother died July 6, 1871, and on the 220 of the tober, 1873. Mr. Fleming was agam married, his seoul union bong with Julia Slavens, who was In rn in Greencastle, Indiana They became the

je ... . Horace who is now residing n the coat han & staat farro southeast of Sheldon.

Throughout his business hie Me Hlennog car- med en general agricultural pursuits, close af - plung museli to his work and samsung ml- faltering perseverance, diligence and capable management Thus as the years passed he added to Its possessions until he had accumulated con petence sufficient to enable hits to retire from active hie and vet enjoy the contents and luxu- ries which go to make hie worth living He then built a beautiful hene in Sheldon, in which to spend his remaining days, creating this in 1802.

Mr Heming was a member of the Methodist church and also affiliated with the Masonic lodge ist Sheldon. His political allegiance was given to the repubhem party and for thirteen years he served as commissioner of public roads. He was likewise a member of the school board for vers and a member of the town board of Sheldon for some time He owned two hundred and twenty acres of good land four miles from the city and derived from the property a gratifying inconte. Well liked by all, he possessed those traits of character which everywhere command conti- dence, esteen and friendship. Among the con- spicuous traits of his character were his truth- fulness, his tenderness and the simplicity of his life. He was a friend well worthy of the name. He had a sincere appreciation and respect for the good in other men and his regard could always be won by gemme personal worth without tak- ing into consideration the financial standing of the individual. Men and women of wealth and influence were proud to class him with their friends. He possessed a most cheerful, sunshiny disposition, which carried him through not only the serene and happy days but also enabled him to next courageously and smilingh the hard places in life. He was active in those things which tend toward the good and the prospects of the con munity and was unfaltering in his sup- port of what he believed to be right. In all of hts dealings he was upright and conscientious and he lived a life of genuine helpfulness. The juker and needs not only found in him a friend lut wherever sickness and sorrow were known he was ready with a word of sympathy and en coffragerent or with more material aid if it was necoled He contributed generoush toward the

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Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 28

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