USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 31
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Mr. Brenner belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Rankin and is likewise connected with the Modern Woodmen camp and the Tribe of Ben Hur at Rankin. His wife is also identified with the latter and is a member of the Presby- terian church. His political support endorses the principles of democracy but at local elections where no issue is involved Mr. Brenner votes independently. We would always have better public service if such a course was followed. The selection of candidates for local office should depend entirely upon their merit and not upon political affiliation as they are chosen merely to take charge of the business necessary for the conduct of county and municipal affairs, In *** > Mr. Brenner was elected assessor and has served continuously in that office for six years, while for two years he has been collector, and the duties of the positions have been discharged with a promptness and fidelity that makes him a pub- lie-spirited man.
VICTOR GERARD.
There are in Abkum many representative and valued citizens who in former years were pro- moters of the agricultural development of the county and to this class belongs Victor Gerard. a retired farmer who, though living in the vil- lage of Ashkin, is still the owner of a good tract of land of eighty-seven acres on section 10. Ashkum township. He likewise has a block and
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a half of real-estate in the village, in the midst of which stands the comfortable and commodi- ous home which he occupies.
Mr. Gerard was born in Dianen Kapple. France ( now Germany ). October 19. 1840. and was the fifth of the six children born unto Ste- phen and Rosa lee Gerard, who were farming people of France, living thirty-six miles north- west of Strasburg. The other members of the family were Mina, Julian. Rosa Lee. Mary and Edward, but Victor is the only one who ever came to the United States and he therefore knows nothing of the whereabouts of the other members of his father's household. August 15. 1863. witnessed his arrival in America. He was at that time a young man of thirty-three years and the hope of profiting by the better business opportunities of the new workt led him to cross the Atlantic. He made his way to Lacon, Illi- nois, where he arrived with a cash capital of only fifty cents. From Lacon he went to Meta- mora. Woodford county, Illinois, where he re- sided for four years. In 1869 he came to Iro- quois county, where he has since resided and through the greater part of the period has been closely connected with its agricultural interests. In 1805. he rented his farm since which time he has lived a retired life in Ashkum. His ear- nest purpose and unfaltering diligence consti- tuted his sole capital and upon these he has buikled the superstructure of his prosperity.
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Mr. Gerard was married to Miss Anna Hu- guet, a daughter of Nicholas and Sophia Huguet. of Washington, Ilinois. With the passing of the years nine children were added to the family : Nicholas G., now a farmer of Ashkum town- ship, who married Lizzie Zimering, by whom he has four children, Anna. Tracy, John and Lil- lian : Edward G., a farmer of Ashkum township. who wedded Lucy Gleason and has three chil- (Iren. Florence. Belle and Irene: Mary, the wife of Henry Francis, a farmer residing in the vil- lage of Ashkum, by whom she has one son. Dewey: John G. and Joseph G., who follow farming and are still at home: Frances, the wife of Fred Davidson, who operates her father's farm in Ashkum township and by whom she has two chikfren, Andrew and Iva: Ida, the wife of Bert Vandervliet, who is clerking in Kankakee and by whom she has one daughter, Pearl: Ju-
lian. who is a bookkeeper in a commission house in Kankakee: and Elizabeth, at home.
In his political affiliation Victor Gerard has continuously been a democrat since coming to the United States and he and his family are members of the Catholic church at Ashkum. The hope that led him to seek a home in America has been more than realized, for as the years have passed he has embraced the opportunities which have been presented and has advanced from a humble position until his competence is now suf- ficient to enable him to rest from further labor.
L. C. MARSH.
The real founders and promoters of a town are not those who put in motion the wheels of the city government but those who establish and conduct business interests of extent and impor- tance-for the commercial and industrial activity and prosperity are the real foundation of a city's growth and development. In this connection therefore Mr. Marsh is deserving of more than passing mention for he figured for a num- ber of years as one of the leading merchants of Watseka. where he engaged in the hardware and implement business. He was born in New Hart- ford. Connecticut, June 17. 1828. a son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Marsh, who were also natives of the Charter Oak state. where the father fol- lowed farming the greater part of his life. His wife died in Rochester. New York, and he after- ward came to the middle west with his son. L. (. Marsh. at whose home in Wilmington. Illi- nois. he lived retired until called to his final rest.
At the usual age L. C. Marsh began his educa- tion as a common-school student in his native county and later attended an institute in Alfred. New York, so that liberal mental discipline well qualified him to meet and solve the intricate prob- lems of a business career. He started in life on his own account as proprietor of a general store in Oramel. New York, and while thus engaged he came to the middle west to look over the country. He finally purchased a farm near Wil- mington, Illinois, and in course of time this proved to be a very valuable tract of land. for it was found that it was underlaid with rich coal
L. C. MARSH.
1
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UNIVERSITY OF MUITOIS
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bude Viter placing his investment, Mr. March returned to framel, New York, where he ell tired the conduct of his general store for a less years, and then, disposing of his business inter- ist in the est, he took up his abode in Walming tom, where he engaged in the dry-goods business for two years. On the expiration of that pored He sold out there and went to Morris Minor. where he again conducted a dry-goods store for a short time. At a subsequent date he estab- Ished a grocery store in Carbondale, Illinois, car- trying on the business successfully for four years or until 1872, when he sold out and removed to Watseka.
Mr. Marsh was married in Schenectady. . New York, to Miss Carrie B. Mecker, a native of New York, where her parents lived until they were called to the home beyond. Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Marsh. Jennie R., the eldest, is the wife of Millard F. Dunlap. a banker of Jacksonville, Illinois. He is a per- somal friend of William Jennings Bryan. with whom he has recently been on a trip abroad. Fannie, the second daughter, died in Carbondale. Ilinois, when but eight months old. Lytta N. is with her mother in Watseka.
On coming to Watseka Mr. Marsh purchased the Doyle hardware store on Main street and there carried a line of general shelf and heavy hardware and farm implements. continuing in the business for several years, but at length on account of his health he disposed of his hard- ware but continued to engage in the sale of farm implements until January, 1848, when he sold out and lived retired until his death. He was never a robust man and during fifteen years of his life he spent the winters in the south. He passed away October 20, 1868, amid the deep regret of his many friends as well as his immediate family.
He voted the republican ticket and always kept well informed on the question- which divide the two great parties but was never an office seeker. He was a prominent member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and the Knights of Honor, both of Watscka, and he always attended the Preshy - terian church, of which his wife is a member. He possessed superior musical ability and was a leader in the church choir in Watseks and also in other towns in which he resided, both in Ili-
nus and in the cast, and his services were greath appreciated. In his business be displayed all aptitude for successful management and a spirit of trustworthiness that was hin được - and honor and causes his memory to be cherche by all whokrew him. Mr- Marsh owns a bean- tiful home on Bast Mulberry street, where all and her daughter result, but she spends the winters in Louisiana or Florida, leaving Watscka in the latter part of November and returning in the spring.
JAMES WASSON.
One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful business men who ever lived in Watseka was the late James Wasson, who en- gaged in real-estate dealing and in the manufac- ture of brick for many years. He came to Ire- quois county in 1805, and first settled in Ash Grove township, where he purchased a farm. Ile was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, January 18. 1827. His father, John Wasson, also a native of Ohio, resided on a farm near Cincinnati for sev- eral years, after which he removed to Delaware county. Indiana, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuit- until his death.
In the public schools of Delaware county, James Wasson acquired his education, and when a young man he began learning the brick-making trade, thoroughly mastering the business, and after a short time engaging in the same line on his own account. He owned a brickyard at Muncie, Indiana, where he continued in the con- duet of the business for several years, and at the same time carried on farming operations near that place. He resided at Muncie until his re- moval to Iroquois county, at which time he pur- chased a farm in Ash Grove township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for six months. Selling that property, he removed to Watseka, where his widow now resides in that section of the city known as Old Town. Here he began investing in real estate and at the same time also established a brick manufactory, own- ing one of the first brickyards at Watseka, in the conduct of which enterprise he employed ses- eral men. He manufactured the brick that was
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used in the construction of the Iroquois county courthouse and also the public schools of Wat- seka, and different structures which add much to the appearance of the city. He had purchased four blocks in Old Town, and likewise made other investments in property in Watseka, en- gaging quite extensively in real-estate dealing, in which he continued in connection with his in- dustrial interests up to the time of his death.
Mr. Wasson was married three times. He first wedded Miss Clarissa Taylor, who died a few years later, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. Flora James, a resident of Kansas. For his sec- ond wife Mr. Wasson chose Miss Susan Car- michael, who died in Delaware county, Indiana. There was also one child by that union, Benja- min Franklin Wasson, who married Margaret Zimmerman and now resides at Everett, Wash- ington. The mother passed away a few years after her marriage and for his third wife Mr. Wasson chose Mrs. Arabella ( Peterson ) Veach, whom he wedded in Henry county. Indiana. Her father, Aaron Peterson, was a resident far- mer of Henry county, where he spent his last years. Two children have been born of this marriage: Mark W., who married Mamie Ly- man and is a farmer residing near Ocean Springs, Mississippi ; and Richard M., who wed- (led Naomi Erickson and is a railroad engineer on the Frisco road residing at Forth Worth, Texas. Mrs. Wasson was first married to Isaac F. Veach, of West Virginia, who was a farmer and also engaged in the lumber business in Henry county, Indiana, where his death oc- curred. There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Veach. Kate, the eldest, is the widow of John S. Pumyea, of Fulton county, Illinois, who died at his home in Guthrie, Oklahoma. His widow now resides with her mother, Mrs. Was- son, in Watseka. Doak Veach married Adda Mead, and they reside in Marion, Illinois, where he is engaged in business as a brick-mason. Ada Veach became the wife of Frank Romine and resides in Champaign, Illinois.
Mr. Wasson was a republican in his political views and was thoroughly conversant with the political situation of the country, although he never sought or desired office. He served, how- ever, in a few minor positions and was school director for many years. Throughout the greater
part of his life he was identified with the Masonic fraternity and took a deep and active interest in the craft. He was also one of the charter mem- bers of the Christian church of Watseka, and his widow holds membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church. He was a very genial. jovial man and was a most entertaining companion, so that he was very popular in social circles. He died after a brief illness of only six days, on the 26th of February, 1885, and his death was the occa- sion of sincere and widespread regret. Cour- teous, genial, well informed. alert and enterpris- ing, he stood as one of the leading representative men of his city and county-a man who was a power in his community. He had a remarkable faculty for the conduct and dispatch of business, and his interests were of such a nature as con- tributed to general prosperity as well as to indi- vidual success. He was pre-eminently a man of action and did what others think about doing. He was a man among men and was recognized as such by all who knew him. Mrs. Wasson still owns the family residence at Old Town and the four blocks which were left her by her husband and there she and her daughter, Mrs. Pumyea, now reside.
E. J. COBB.
E. J. Cobb, station agent for the Toledo. Pe- oria & Warsaw Railroad Company at Crescent City since November 6, 1880, is one of the trusted officials of that road, as his long continuance in its service indicates. He was born near Wood- land in Iroquois county, January 18, 1864, and is a son of J. Cobb, who removed from Ohio in 1842 and settled on the prairie, where he engaged in farming. He became the owner of a good tract of land on section 27, Crescent township, which he tilled and cultivated until he had made it a very productive tract. Both he and his wife have now departed this life. Of their ten chil- dren six are yet living, four daughters and two sons, but E. J. Cobb of this review is now the only one in Iroquois county.
After mastering the branches of a preliminary education in the common schools E. J. Cobb spent one year as a student in Onarga and also attended a business college at Ann Arbor, Mich-
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Han iron which he was graduated with the class of 1883. In 1885 he entered the employ of the Toledo, L'eoria & Warsaw Railroad Company and has since remained with that corporation as me gins faithful and valued employees. He has are as station agent at Crescent City since Vinen ber 6, 18, and is popular here because ci the unfailing courtesy which he extends to the patrons of the road and his obliging manner combined with his nuremitting care of the inter- ests of the company.
Mr. Cobb was married to Cordelia Kaler, i brought by her parents to Ilinois when only two years old. She is a daughter of S. Kaler, who m 1808 removed from the Old Dominion to this state and spent his remaining days here. His widow still survives and is new living with Mr. and Mrs. Cobb. The other members of the fam- ils are their two children : Gladys, twelve years of age ; and Paul, a youth of eight years.
Politically Mr. Cobb affiliates with the repub- lican party and he is a member of Standard lodge, No. 607. 1. O. O. F., and of the Crescent camp. No. 1429. M. W. A. His wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Their home is a fine two-story residence in Cres cent City which he erected, and the air of culture and refinement which pervades the place makes it attractive to their many friends, while it's hos- pitality is one of it - pleasing features. Mr. Cobb is regarded as a capable telegraph operator and station agent and is well liked in the community.
THORNTON J. DOWNEY.
Thornton J. Downey, operating a farm of four hundred and forty acres, one hundred and sixty acres of which he owns, is a self-made man. for, starting out in life a poor man, he has worked earnestly and persistently until today his well improved farm, which is situated on see- tion 25. Lovejoy township, is the visible evidence of the success which he has made in his labors. He was born in Shenandoah counts, Virginia. October 17, 1855. a son of Eleazer Downey, also a native of Shenandoah counts, where he was reared and married, the lady of his choice being
Mis Iulia Haha, also & nature of that state. The father followed farming throughout his en- ure lite, and they in his native state, in July. 1803. His wife survived for a long period, her death occurring in July, ley's, at the home of a daughter in Rockingham courts. Virginia. This were the parents of eight children, namely : Ja cash, a farmer of Mount Jackson, Virginia; Mrs. Martha Stroke, a widow, resting at Brook, In- hana: Mary, the wife of H. Likes, a resident of Rockingham county, Virginia ; Thornton J. of this review ; Eli, also a resident of Rocking- ham county, Anna, the wife of E. G. Eckard, of François county, residing in Prairie fireen town ship: Turner .A., a resident farmer of Prairie Hirten township; and Fannie, who died in infancy.
Thornton J. Downey, the eighth in order of birth in his father's family, was reared to the occupation of farming, assisting his father in the work of the home place until he reached man's estate. During the winter months when not busy in the fields be pursued his studies in the district schools, and thus acquired the edu- cation which fitted him to later begin business on his own account. He remained in his native state until he reached the age of twenty years. when, in 1875, he made his way to Illinois, com- ing at once to Iroquois county, where he worked as a farm hand for eight months, subsequent to which time he went to Brook, Indiana, being em- ployed there at farm labor during the succeeding two years. He then came again to Iroquois county, where he was employed in a similar man- ner for five years, when, having saved from his earnings a sum sufficient for the establishment of a home of his own, he was married. Decem- ber 23. 1884. to Miss Lillie M. Barritt, who was born and reared in this county, a daughter of 1. Barritt.
Following his marriage Mr. Downey took up his abode on the Crawford farm, which he rented for fourteen years. In the meantime, having prospered in his undertakings, he made purchase of one hundred and sixty acres, which he rented. however, for two years. Since that time he has worked his land, and has since built a good barn and has otherwise improved the place and made it a valualde property. In addition to operating his own land, he also rents a tract of two hun
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dred and eighty acres where he resides, thus farming altogether four hundred and forty acres. which he manages with the assistance of hired liclp. He is also engaged quite extensively in raising stock, having good grades of cattle. horses and hogs, feeding and shipping for the market. He is practical and progressive in all that he does and is accounted one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Iroquois county.
U'nto our subject and his wife have been born eight living children. Harry, Edgar. Lillie. Mant- rice, Irby, Vera, Anna and Bernice. all of whom are yet at home with their parents. They have also lost one son. Hiram A., who died in infancy. In his political allegiance Mr. Downey has been a lifelong democrat but has never been active as an office seeker. the only public office he has held being that of school director.
The life of Mr. Downey shows what can be ac- complished by energy, economy and determina- tion, for he started out in life a poor boy. in the humble capacity of a farm laborer. but through his close application and careful management of his business affairs he has worked his way stead- ily upward year by year, and through the assist- ance of his estimable wife, who has indeed proved to him a faithful companion and helpmate. he is today in possession of a valuable property com- prising one hundred and sixty acres, which con- stitutes one of the excellent farms of this sec- tion of the state. He dates his residence in the county from 1875. and is therefore widely and favorably known, for he has ever been honorable and trustworthy in all his trade transactions and has therefore won the confidence and high re- gard of all with whom he has been associated.
OWEN KERN.
Owen Kern, living on section 19. Crescent township, is numbered among the old settlers of the county. AA life of toil in the Illinois prairie country, to which he came as a young man when it was a frontier district, has made him one of the substantial residents of the county, where he is still actively engaged in agricultural pur- stiits, owning and operating two hundred and forty acres of well improved land. He has lived
in the county since 1855 and many events which are matters of history to others are known to him through personal experience or as a witness.
Mr. Kern was born in Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania. November 5. 1834. His father, Henry Kern, was also a native of that county, where he followed the occupation of farming. He was married there to Miss Elizabeth Weir, whose birthplace was likewise in Lehigh county, and in 1839 he removed westward to Indiana, set- tling with his family in Tippecanoe county, where he entered land from the government, de- veloping a good farm there. Both he and his wife spent their subsequent years in that county and upon the farm reared their family of eight children.
Like the other sons of the household, Owen Kern early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and when seventeen years of age he took up car- pentering. following the trade for four years. He then came to Ilinois and bought sixty acres of land in Onarga township. Iroquois county, thus wisely investing his earnings in real estate. He did not remove to Illinois, however, until 1858.
In the meantime, on the 28th of September, 1856, he had married Miss Catherine Peters, a native of Tippecanoe county. Indiana, and a daughter of Daniel Peters, who was born in Pennsylvania. For two years after their mar- riage they remained in the Hoosier state and then took up their abode permanently in Iro- quois county. For a year their home was a typical log cabin on the frontier and at the end of that time Mr. Kern built a good dwelling in Onarga township and developed a productive farm, upon which he lived for eight years. On selling that property he bought eighty acres where he now resides, adjoining one hundred and sixty acres which he had purchased in 1856 and which has been the Kern homestead since 1800. Ilis is one of the best improved farms in the county and forms a most attractive feature of the landscape. His residence is a beautiful and commodious dwelling. There are many other buildings necessary for the shelter of grain. stock and farm implements and he uses the latest im- proved machinery in carrying on the work of the fields. The land is well tilled and he also
MR. AND MRS. OWEN KERN.
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raises god graded stock. His life has been olle ·i mustry characterized by perseverance and strong purpose, and m all that he has undertaken he has shown an aptitude for successful wan agement and a strict conformity to a high stand- and of business ethics.
In Box, Mr. and Mrs. Kern celebrated their golden wedding, on which occasion many friends and relatives gathered to express to this worthy and honored couple their congratulations and gold wishes. As the years passed their home was blessed with eleven children, nine of whom are set living. The oldest surviving member of the family is Mary Elizabeth, the wife of Les- ter 1. Stubbs, a resident farmer of Coldwater. Kansas, In whom she has one child, Flossie. Leah Malinda is the wife of D. F. Parcel. also a farmer of Coldwater, Kansas, and they have three children, Bessie lona, Melvin O, and Ray- mond E. Maria Theresa, the third member of the family, is at home. Dora Ann is the wife of James R. Brelsford, a farmer of Crescent City. and they have three children, Elmer E. Jessie 1. and Gertrude M. Harriet F. is the wife of George H. Clark, of Crescent City, who is men- tioned elsewhere in this work: Melissa C. is the wife of J. Frank Jelly, a carpenter of Crescent City. Ida May is the wife of Fred Ranz, of Claytonville, also mentioned on another page of this volume. Henry S. died when only three weeks old. Calvin Eugene died at the age of twenty -one years. Effie Leona is the wife of 1. S. Humphreys, who assists Mr. Kern in the os- eration of the farm, and they have one child. Hazel Irene. Mabel C. is the wife of Francis Hartman, of Miami county, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Kern are now old-time resident- of the county and have witnessed much of its growth and development. For a half century they have traveled life's journey together, shar- ing with each other it- joys and sorrows. it- adversity and its successes and now they are en- joning the fruit of their former labors surround- ed by loving children and grandchildren. Mr. Kern has always stood for progress and improve- nent He was among the first to recognize the value of tiling the land and to put that course in practice. Politically he is an earnest republican and he cast his first presidential ballot for John ( Fremont, since which time he has never failed to
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