USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 32
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Vote at a presidential election He has been honored by his fellow townsmen with various local offices, serving as school director for eight cen years, as highway commissioner for eleven years, at school trustee six years, assessor olle ver and patho aster for three years. He helped to construct the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Rail road across the county in 1859 but. like the oth- ers who assisted in the work, received no coll pensation for that service. He was also one of the promoters and organizers of the First Na tional Bank at Crescent City and was the first man nominated for president, but refused to ac- cơpt that office. He was then chasch its Vice president, serving two years, at the end of which time he sold his interest in the bank. He and his family attend the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Kern is a member. Few men are more widely known in this part of the county than Owen Kern and none are held in higher esteem or more justly deserve mention in this volume among the representative citizens.
ALPHONSE CARRON.
Alphonse Carron, who in early life learned the shoemaker's trade which he followed for a long period but has now put aside business cares to spend the evening of life in case and confort, makes his home in Clifton. He was born in province of Quebec, Canada, on the 5th of May. 1838, his father being Joseph T. Carron. a farmer of that locality. In early life Aphonse learned the shoemaker's trade in his native country and in 1857 he crossed the border into the United States, making his way southward to Kankakee, Illinois .. He there worked at his trade until 1803, when he removed to Cliton.
where he has now made his home for more than four decades. He established a shoe shop here and continued to engage in making and repair- ing shoes for many years, receiving a liberal patronage that enabled him as time passed by to put aside annually a goodly sun from his carn- ings until he is now in comfortable financial circumstances He made judicious investment in property. owning eighty acres of land in Che-
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banse township, together with a house and lot on Third avenue in Clifton, where he resides.
On the 28th of July, 1862. in Kankakee, Illi- nois, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Carron and Miss Philemene Laroch, of that place. They have two children : Nellie, now the wife of Thomas Ilobson of the firm of Hobson & Sutton. grocers of Clifton ; and Anna, the wife of Fred Brock, a farmer of Chebanse township.
Zealous and emphatic in his advocacy of re- publican principles, Mr. Carron has continuously supported the party since casting his first presi- dential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and he has never seen occasion to change his opinion concerning the superiority of the party principles as elements in good government. He was a trustee of his village for three terms, discharging his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constitutents. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church, and in Clifton, where they make their home, they have many friends.
JAMES O. WEST.
This is a utilitarian age and the successful man is he who recognizes and sizes all of the ad- vantages which surround him and who utilizes every opportunity so as to accomplish maximum results with minimum effort-that is without use- less expenditure of time, energy or money. James (). West is a typical representative of this spirit as manifest in farming life and as the re- sult of his own labors he now owns and operates one hundred and ninety-five acres of valuable land, one hundred and twenty acres of which is in his home place on section 7. Belmont town- ship. He was born in this township near Wood- land on section 18, November 26, 1862, and is a representative of one of the old families of the east. llis father. Thomas West, was a native of Delaware and with his parents removed west- ward to hidiana, whence they came to Illinois in 1840. Attracted by the discovery of gold in Cal- ifornia, Thomas West made his way to the Pa- cific coast in 1849, remaining there for three years, during which time he worked to a consid- erable extent in the mines. Ile then returned to Illinois and in this state followed farming. be-
ginning with one hundred and sixty acres of land. His first wife died leaving no children and he afterward wedded Mary Longshore, a native of this state. Following his marriage Mr. West began developing and improving his farm, which he placed under a high state of cultivation. Adding to his property from time to time as his financial resources increased, he became the owner of four hundred and forty acres and there- on resided throughout his remaining days, pass- ing away in 1887, at the age of sixty-nine years. llis widow still survives and is now in her sey- enty-second year.
This worthy couple were the parents of nine children, five of whom reached years of maturity. James (). West was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the work of field and meadow. He also had good common-school ad- vantages and spent two terms as a student in Onarga Seminary. After completing his educa- tion he worked for his father until the latter's death and then inherited his share of the home- stead and purchased the share of one of his brothers.
On the 5th of February, 1888, Mr. West was united in marriage to Miss Anna Warren, a na- tive of Middleport township and a daughter of Wesley Warren, who was born in Indiana but became a pioneer settler of Iroquois county. After his marriage James West built a home on section 7. Belmont township. He also put up a good barn, thirty-six by forty-eight feet, and sheds and cribs have been built for the shelter of stock and grain. He has also set out shade and ornamental trees and has two good orchards con- taining one acre of apples and peaches. There are also plum and cherry trees on the place and in season he gathers considerable fruit. The farm is well tiled and fences divide it into fields of convenient size. In 1898 he bought sixty acres adjoining the home place and he now has a valuable and highly improved farm, owning altogether one hundred and ninety-five acres. Hle raises good grades of stock, including Nor- man Percheron horses.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. West has been blessed with five children: Dwight, who assists in the operation of the farm; Mary, at school : Linnie, who is in Watseka at school : Benjamin. also in school; and Bernie, who completes the
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fanny The parents attend the Methodist las copal church, of which Mrs. West is a member Mr. West affiliates with the Modern Woodmen Grup. No 339, at Watseka, and in politics he - a stalwart republican but at local elections votes without reference to party ties. He has been ditch commissioner for six years and school di- rector for ten years and every public trust re- posel in him is faithfully met. In citizenship. in public office, in home and social life. he is a man worthy of the confidence and good will which are uniformly tendered him.
FRANK J. RIPLEY.
The spirit of progress and enterprise is man- nested by Frank J. Ripley in his farm work. He owns one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Prairie Green township, and also operates another tract of two hundred and forty acres adjoining. He is one of the more recent arrivals in Frangois county, where he has lived since 1893. but is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Kendall county. September 2, 1803. Hle comes of English ancestry, his parents, Wil- liam and Elizabeth ( Stamper) Ripley, having been natives of England, where they were reared. Following their marriage they crossed the Atlan- tie to the U'nited States and made their way into the interior of the country, casting their lot with the early settlers of Kendall county. There the father purchased land and opened up a new farin, performing all the arduous labor neces- sary to the development of the fichls and the care i the stock. He became owner of two hundred and eighty acres and upon that place reared his family and remained until called to his final rest. which was in 1873. His wife survived him for hout twenty years.
Frank J. Ripley was a youth of only ten years at the time of his father's death. He was reared in Kendall county and at the usual age entered the public schools there Later he spent two winter spawns as a student in the Aurora Som- Ears and when not in school he remained upon the farm with his mother, assisting her in the development and improvement of the place until
1- marriage, while later be carried on the farm for her
Mr Ripley was married in Kendall county, mi INSt. to Miss Jenne Vreeland, whose birth occurred in that counts, where she spent her girlhol days and acquired her education. Viter farming for a time in Kendall counts. and for one year in Grundy county, Mr. Ripley removed to Iroquois county in 183. and during the succeeding year cultivated a tract of rented land. In 1804 be located where he now resides and has since worked diligently in further im- proving and developing the place. He now has one of the neatest homes in the township. having remodeled and rebuilt the house, which stands in the midst of a large and well kept lawn, adorned In a number of fine pine and cedar trees. together with flowering and ornamental shrubs. The grass is well trimmed and the place is most attractive in its appearance. Not far distant from the house Mr. Ripley has built a large corn crib and has other buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He has tiled and fenced the place and altogether has made a good farm. whereon he raises the cereals best adapted to the conditions of the soil and climate, also rais- ing horses, cattle and hogs to some extent. It's attention, however, is principally given to the cultivation of grain.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ripley have been born five children, Charles, Blanche, Irving, Lyle and Willie. Mr. Ripley and his son Charles affiliate with the Modern Woodmen and a fraternal in- surance order. He votes with the republican party but has never had time nor inclination for public office, preferring to concentrate his energie- up m his business affare.
W. A. ROSENBERGER.
1. A Rosenberger, the senior member of the firm of Rosenberger & Miller, dealers in luncher. building materials and farm implements, was born in Papineau township, Iroquois county. Na- vember 25. 1875. Il is a son of Emil and Amand Rosenberger, who were natives of tier- many and on coming to America settled in Papi
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neau township, Iroquois county, Illinois, in 1854. Emil Rosenberger purchased a farm which he continued to cultivate for some time. He after- ward engaged in the hardware business with Mr. Engleburt. of Papineau, and later he sold out and entered the firm of Rosenberger Broth- ers, grain dealer, of Papineau. This relation was maintained for a few years, when Emil Ro-enberger sold out to his brother August, and removed to Woodland, where he began dealing in grain, lumber and coal in connection with Robert Zemple. Subsequently they dissolved partnership but Mr. Rosenberger continued in the coal and grain business and after a few years formed a partnership with Samuel Williams, of Watseka, in the same line, this association being maintained until his death in 1892. He thus figured actively for many years in connection with agricultural and commercial interests in Iroquois county. His political allegiance was given to the democracy.
W. A. Rosenberger, who was one of a fam- ily of ten children, was educated in the common schools and in the Terre Haute Commercial Col- lege at Terre Haute, Indiana, from which he was graduated in 1894. He then occupied a position as public accountant in Chicago for two years. after which he spent one year in California, on the expiration of which period he returned to Papineau. In the year 1899 he purchased the grain and implement business of William Sievert. and conducted the same for three and one-half years, after which be sold out to the R. F. Cum- mings Grain Company, of Clifton, Illinois, but held a position as buyer for a year. After sever- ing his connection with the firm he removed to Martinton, Illinois. For two and a half years he has been connected with the lumber and coal business which was established by John Lee Sage in Martinton ten years ago and which was purchased by August Rosenberger & Company. W. A. Rosenberger of this review being a men- ber of the firm. On the 20th of August, 1906. the firm was changed to Rosenberger & Miller and they conduct a general lumber business, also deal in brick, lime, cement. tile, wire fencing. farm implements and coal of all kinds. They oce ipy a large building sixty-two by one hundred and fifty feet. in which they store all their lumber The trade has constantly increased since Mr.
Rosenberger became a member of the firm and has long since reached profitable proportions.
On the 17th of December, 1839, occurred the marriage of Mr. Rosenberger and Miss Emma Perrault, who was born in Papineau township in 1880. They became the parents of three chil- dren but only one daughter is now living- Thelma Inez. Mr. Rosenberger is a stalwart democrat, prominent in the local ranks of the party, and is now a member of the county central committee. In his fraternal relations he is con- nected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen. He is an enterprising and up-to-date business man, energetic and pro- gressive and carries forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertakes.
GEORGE P. STEPHENS.
Artesia township has its full share of enter- prising agriculturists who have converted the once wild prairie into rich and productive farms. the yield of which is unsurpassed in other sec- tions of the state. One of the thrifty and en- ergetic farmers of this township is George P. Stephens, who lives on section 6 and who owns one hundred and forty-two acres of land, while altogether he farms three hundred acres. More than four decades have come and gone since he arrived in this county in 1865. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, September 24, 1849, and is a son of John Stephens, a native of Eng- land, in which country he was reared. Com- ing to the new world in 1842, he established his home in Ohio and was married there to Miss Susan McMurphy, a native of Delaware. On leaving Fuscarawas county Mr. Stephens took up his abode in Licking county, Ohio, in the year 1853. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed that pursuit in early life but afterward concentrated his energies upon farm work. In 1865 he came to Iroquois county, Illinois, set- tling upon a farm upon which he spent his re- maining days, passing away April 16, 1906. He had survived his wife for about two years, her death having occurred August 12, 1004.
Civorge P. Stephens is one of a family of six sons and a daughter and with the exception of
GEORGE P. STEPHENS.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
32 )
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
brother all are set living. He was a youth vi fifteen years when he came to Iroquois counts and his minority was spent as that of most farm lads. The public school system afforded him his «lucato nal privileges and after attending the dis- tritt schools he became a student in Buckley high schonal. After he put aside his test-books he assisted his father in the work of the homestead farm un til le attained his majority. after which be conducted a meat market in Buckley. Sulve- quently he purchased a hardware and grocery business in that town and carried on the enter- prise for about four years. Throughout his life he has manifested close application and keen business discrimination-qualities which are al- was s essential to success.
Mr. Stephens was married on the farm where he resides November 13. 1879. the lady of his choice being Miss Flora Majors, a daughter . i S. M. Majors, who is represented elsewhere in this work. In 1885 Mr. Stephens removed to the farm and has since engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits. He located first on the Ma- for- farm and afterward purchased one hundred and forty-two acres adjoining. He now has a good and well improved property and in addition to this he owns four hundred and eighty acres "I land in Mercer county, North Dakota, which his son Raymond is now operating. Mr. Sie- phens lost his first wife in 1895 and her remains we're laid to rest in the Buckley cemetery. There were five children: Raymond, mentioned alone: Frank M., of Chicago: John B. and Harry, at home; and Hazel, who has resided with her maternal grandparents from the age of three years. Mr. Stephens was again married Dece nber 20. 1900, the lady of his choice being Miss Laura M. Hurlbutt, of Chicago, who was reared in Iroquois county.
Mr. Stephens exercises, his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the re- publican party, which he has supported since at- tuning his majority. He has never sought nor desired office and the only public position that he has ever filled has been that of a member and president of the school board. He holds nem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Del- rey, in which he is serving as an officer, and he is an earnest worker in the Sunday school, in theh be de superintendent. He started del j
life a poor man at the bottom . it's bald r. The todas pues no man a dollar and is the passion of of god farming property which is the visible et dence of his life of thrift and energy. He has lived in Iroquois county for more than to us years and is respected and honored as an active and industrious citizen, who while prom sing his individual interests has also helped to make and improve the county. A man of exemplary habits, of high principles and of upright conduct. wherever he is known he commands the good will and trust of those with whom he is associated.
S. R. WALKER, M. D.
Dr. S. R. Walker, who is engaged in the prac- tice of medicine and surgery along modern scien- tific lines at thebanse, was born August 30, 1803 .. in Kingston township, in the province of Ontaria. Canada, his parents being George W. and Eliza (Beaty ) Walker, who were farming people of Canada and were of English and German ex- traction. His father died in 1903. while the mother is now living at Glenvale, Ontario.
Having mastered the elementary branches of learning. Dr. Walker continued his studies in the Sydenham high school at Kingston. Canada. and determining to make the practice of medicine his life work he began preparation for that call- ing by matriculation in Queens University at Kingston. He there pursued the regular four years course and was graduated with the de- grees of M. D. and C. M. In 1880 he came to Chebanse, where he has since engaged in active practice with growing success, his professional duties calling him into many of the leading homes of the town and surrounding country. He has been a close and discriminating student of the science of medicine, keeping in touch with the trend of modern thought and investigation, and he is identified with the Bi-County Medical So- cietv. the State Medical Association and Amor ican Medical Association. He assisted in or ganizing the Kankakee County Medical Society and was identified therewith until the Bi-County Medical Society was organized.
On the 4th of July, 1800, at Kankakee. Dr. Walker was married to Miss Bertha Wulffe, of
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that place. He holds membership with the Meth- odist Episcopal church of thebanse, while his wife is a member of the Lutheran church of Kankakee. In politics he is a stanch republican and about 1895 was chosen president of the vil- lage board, serving for one term. He belongs to Chebanse Temple lodge. No. 429. A. F. & .1. M .. in which he has filled all of the offices, and likewise affiliates with the Knights of Pythias. the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Arcanum and the Loyal Americans. To him there has come the attainment of a distinguished position in connection with the practice of med- icine and surgery in Iroquois county, for he has manifested an ability which shows comprehensive understanding of the science of medicine and a conscientious regard for the duties and obliga- tions that devolve upon him in this connection.
THOMAS WILLIS.
The life record of Thomas Willis is an ex- cellent illustration of the fact that in America "labor is king"-that earnest purpose and perse- verance can conquer difficulties and obstacles and secure a measure of success which places the in- dividual among the men of affluence in his com- munity. Mr. Willis is one of the well known residents of Loda, where for twenty years he has made his home and is, moreover, classed with the old settlers of the county. He dates his resi- dence in the state from 1853 and thus his memory compasses the period of pioneer development as well as later progress in this portion of Illinois. Hle was born in Somersetshire. England. June 10. 1820. His father, Peter Willis, was also a native of England, where he spent the period of his minority. He was married there to Sarah Cooms, also a native of that country, and they reared their family there. Both the father and mother have long since passed away.
Thomas Willis was the youngest of their four children, the eldest being George Willis, who spent his entire life in England. while the second son. Robert Willis, was the first of the family to emigrate to the new world. He spent a few years in New York state and thence went to Wisconsin, locating at Fond du Lac, where his
last days were passed. The only daughter, Eliza- beth Willis, became the wife of John Hopkins. and cro-sing the Atlantic to the United States. they settled in Illinois. A few years latter they removed to Wisconsin, where Mr. Hopkins died.
Thomas Willis was reared to adult age in Eng- land and was granted fair school privileges there. lle is, however, a self-made man, owing his prosperity entirely to his well directed efforts. Before leaving his native country he was married on the 26th of March, 1851, to Miss Ellen Sal- vage. a native of England, and soon afterward they took ship at Bristol, crossing the Atlantic on a sailing vessel which eventually reached the harbor of New York in safety. After spending about two years in that state they came to the middle west in 1853. and. locating in Chicago, Mr. Willis entered the employ of the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad, being engaged at track-laying and in other work. He dug the foundation for the depot at Chebanse, and later he was pronioted to foreman and had charge of the men laying the track and building the road as far south as Paxton. For ten years he was in the employ of the railroad company, and, saving his earnings. he made his first purchase of land in 1863. be- coming owner of eighty acres in Pigeon Grove township. With characteristic energy he began its development, put up the necessary buildings tilled the soil, and in the course of time bought more land until he became the owner of two hundred acres, constituting a well improved and valuable farm which is still in his possession. In his agricultural life he displayed much capa- bility in developing the fields, was systematic and energetic in his work and kept in touch with the trend of modern progress as manifest in farm life. lle continued to operate his land until 1886. when he rented the farm, removed to Loda, and purchased residence property. lle was after- ward engaged in the agricultural implement busi- ness kere for a few years but has now lived retired for some years in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Willis have been born eight children: F. P., a resident of Hammond, Louisiana : Mrs. Phobe Webber. of Montin: Ellen, the wife of Charles Oathout, a fumer of Pigeon Grove township : Sarah, the wife of D. Stroup, who carries on agricahiral pursuits in
IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLIN US
tars tothe president e i the Detroit ( ity Gets til- pany . Bernice, who is the wife of Eugene Ve- ers, of Detroit, Michigan: Thomas, who died when a young man of twenty years: Fanny. I'm hương the wife of W Ham Hockndry, and removed to Nebraska, where she died in Sinh.
Mr. and Mrs. Willis are members of the thri- tian church cí Paxton, with which he has beca identified for thirty three years. It has been without aspiration for public office. The cause i ulication, however, finds in him a warm and stalwart friend and he has done effective service in its behalf while acting on the school board in his district when living on the farm and also on the Loda school board. A review of his life Show - that he has advanced from a humble finan- sal position to one of affluence, that his methods have always been honorable, and that his success Ires come as the sure reward of carnest and im- faltering labor. At the same time he is of that class of citizens who, while promoting individual interests, yet find opportunity to aid in public progress, and during the fifty-three years of his residence in Hinois he has been much interested in the growth and improvement of the county ard to the extent of his ability has aided in its Substantial development. Led to seek a home in America by the hope of enjoying better oppar- tunities than were afforded him in his native land, he was not disappointed in the conditions which he found here, for he realized that oppor- tunity was open to the ambitions energetic man. He has never feared that laborious attention to the details of business so necessary to saccess and in former years labored persistently and unremit- tingly until his work placed him in comfortable circumstances, being now the owner of a good home and valuable farm returning him a grati- fying income.
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