USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
CHARLES R. STICHNOTIL.
Thanks R. Stichnoth, who is successfully car- rying en general agricultural pursuit; in Stock- Und township, his farm being on section 34. where he owns and cultivates one hundred and sista acres of arable Ind. is a native son of this county, for his birth occurred upon the firm
which is now his hand. his natal da bung Sep tomber 7. 1805. His father, George Stichnoth. was a native di Hannover, Germany, and came to America when eighteen years of age. He made his way direct to Minois, settling first in Dans le. where he worked out by the month for several years. He was married there to Miss Mary Jane Endaley. a native of Vermilion counts. Vier his marriage he operated rented land in Milford township for several years and his first pur chase made him owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Stockland township, where he built a house and rule a home. He improved the place. develo ping an excellent farm, the well tilled field- annually returning to him rich harvests. Later he bought one hundred and sixty acres adjoining and resided thereon until 1807. when he removed to Alabama. There he owned a peach orchard containing twelve hundred trees, and his atten- tion was given to horticultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1903. when he was seventy years of age. His wife died in 1801, when fifty-six years of age.
Charles R. Stichnath is one of seven children. five of whom reached years of maturity. He was reared upon the home farm and the educational privileges which he enjoyed were those afforded by the common schools. When twenty-eight years of age he went to Vermilion county and was there employed for two years. In that he returned to the homestead farm, purchased the interest of the other heirs in the property and now has one hundred and sixty acres which is rich and productive, responding readily to the care and labor he bestows upon it. In addition to cultivating the fields he has been a breeder ard dealer in shorthorn cattle.
On the 23d of September, 1896. Mr. Stichnoth was united in marriage to Miss Emma Bronsing. a native of Vermilion county and a daughter of August Browsing, a native of fiermany, who came to Ilinois when a young man. Mr. and Mrs. Stichnoth have become the parents of three chil- Iren : August. Eddie and Robert.
The family home is noted for its warm- hearted and generous hospitality and both Mr. and Mrs. Stichnoth have a wide circle of friends. Politically he is a good democrat where the issues that divide the two parties are involved but at Teal elections does not consider party tes. Ile
332
PAST AND PRESENT OF
has served as highway commissioner for three years and for one year was assessor, filling out an unexpired term. Ile has been school director and trustee for ten years and has fraternal relations with the Knights of Pythias of Milford and the Modern Woodmen camp at Stockland. Having spent his entire life in this county, he has a wide acquaintance here and has been a most interested witness of its growth and progress. manifesting a public- spirited devotion to the general welfare. That many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood days to the present is an indication that his life has been honorable and straightforward.
CHARLES A. CALKIN.
Charles A. Calkin, who carries on general farming interests on section 20 and 29. Iroquois township, traces his ancestry back to an early New England family. He is a descendant of Oliver Calkin, a son of Dr. John Calkin, who was a physician of considerable skill and came to this country from Wales in 1750, settling in Salem, New York, and a descendant of Hugh Calkin. Representatives of the family took an active part in the Revolutionary war as advo- cates of the cause of independence. James M. Calkin, the father of our subject, is one of the oldest settlers of Iroquois county. He is now retired and lives upon the farm with his son Charles two miles north of Crescent City. He was born January 18, 1813. in Sullivan county, New York, and is a son of Moses Calkin, who was a native of the same locality. His grandfa- ther built the first house in that settlement. Moses Calkin, the grandfather of our subject. was a farmer by occupation and served in the war of 1812.
James M. Calkin removed from the Empire state to Will county, Illinois, in 1836, traveling by canal to Buffalo and thence to Chicago on a boat which was named Daniel Webster. . At that time the metropolis of the west contained a popu- lation of only two hundred and there were two taverns in the little village. It was all swamp land at that time. Mr. Calkin made his way to
Will county and there resided until 1850. when he went overland to California, leaving his fam- ily in that county. lle spent two and a half years on the Pacific coast engaged in mining most of the time and made some money while there. He then returned to Will county, where he carried on farming, owning a good tract of land there. He had been engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in that locality before he made his westward trip and continued his residence in Will county until 1865, when he removed to Iro- quois county and purchased the farm upon which he yet resides. He and his son Charles own three hundred and forty-seven acres of land on sections 20 and 29. Iroquois township. The fa- ther improved the place, erected buildings, put up a fine home and carried forward the work of development and cultivation with gratifying success.
On the 13th of May, 1838. James M. Calkin was united in marriage to Miss P. F. Harris and they have now traveled life's journey together for more than sixty-eight years. They are two of the oldest settlers living in Iroquois county today. Mrs. Calkin was born December 4, 1820. in Massachusetts, and is a daughter of Shadrach Harris, who went from Massachusetts to Ver- mont and thence to Erie county, New York. Ile afterward came to Illinois with his family. settling in Will county in 1834. Whey they arrived in Chicago it was nothing but swamps and Mrs. Calkin walked through or waded the swamps on the journey from Chicago to their destination. The last two nights before they arrived in Chicago from the east they slept on the sand and after reaching the future western metropolis, which then contained but small huts. she had to sleep on the hay, then called prairie feathers. There were more Indians in Chicago at that time than were white people and the red men were likwise very numerous in Will county. Her father continued to live in Will county until 1864, when he removed to Iroquois county and bought the farm upon which our subject now resides. "There he lived for two years. after which he sold out and returned to Will county, where he spent his subsequent days.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. James M. Calkin were born six children, of whom two died in early life. The others are: Mary, the wife of Robert
-
MR. AND MRS. J. M. CALKIN.
MR. AND MRS. C. A. CALKIN.
19
1 WERSITE OF ILLINOIS
337
IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS
Jarvis, a resident of Texas. Newell an old strength have increased has added more and more soldier residing in Milford : Ruth, who married Sanford toldhar and lives in Blame county. Ne- braska ; and Charles .1.
In his political views James M Calkiem has been a republican since the organization of the parts and has served as asesor of frequen township for five years. He has voted at every presidential election from the time he cant lie first ballot for Martin Van Buren to the present. and he also voted for the first governor of tali fordia. lle and his wife are both faithful mem bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and were among the first representatives of that denomina- tion in this community. Mr. Cakin united with the church at the age of twenty-five years and Ins wife when a little maiden of thirteen years. He has been steward and class-leader in the church and has been one of the most prominent and worthy members, contributing generously of his means to it- support and doing all in his power to advance its growth and extend its in- Anence. Hle and his wife each have a gold medal awarded them at the the Settlers Reunion. Mr. Calkin has now passed the ninety-third milestone on life's journey, while his wife is but little younger. They are among the most venerable residents of the county and are most respected people. They have intimate personal knowledge of many of the events which have left their in- press upon the state and which to other people are merely matters of history. Great have been the changes that have been wrought since they arrived in Illinois. The red race has long since been supplanted by the white population and the Indan wigwams have given way before the at- tractive homes that now dot the county. Wild land which was uncultivated or else was used In the Indians for raising only a little patch of corn, has been converted into rich and productive fields, and all this broad countryside is cultivated. bringing forth rich crops of cereals of fruit. The Calk n family in the early days lived in true pio- n er style and they aided in laving broad and deep the fondation upon which the present growth and prosperity of the county rests.
Charles A. Calkin was educated in the confiden schools of Iroquois county and also spent one scar as a student at Bloomington, Illinois. Il has always Tived at home and as his years and
largely im farm work, long since assuming con- trol of the farm. As stated, with his father he Bis a valuable tract of land of three hundred and forty seven acres on sections 20 and 20. Tto
convenience of a model farm are lacking upon this place.
Mr. Ca'km was married March 12, 1883. 10 Miss Jennie Sure, who lived in the Mennty of Lacon, Illinois, and they have His children. Persis, Morris S. Hulda \. Ruth A .. Mary Belle and Newell Gia, all at line. The children have been educated in Onarga and in Bushnell. Illinois.
Charles A. Calkin carries on general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the rain- ing of sheep, cattle and thoroughbred Jersey hogy. He also figures in connection with finan- cial circles, being vice president of the First Na- tional Bank of Crescent City. He is independent in his political views, supporting men and meas- ure- rather than party. For eighteen years he served as clerk of the school board and he has Inen township collector. He and his wife and all of their family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, the work of which has been greatly promoted through their efforts and co- operation. Mr. Calkin has served for twenty- three year- as superintendent of the Sunday - school and has also been steward and trustee of the church. He is a member of Standard lodge. No. 07. 1. 11. 11. E., and of Crescent camp. No. 1429. 31. W. A. Ile has met in his business life with a measure of success that is indicative of his ability and enterprise, of his careful management and keen discrimination, and he is now classed with the substantial residents of Iraqpois county.
CLAUDE N. SAUM.
In professional circles Claude N. Saum has gained an enviable position, being accounted one of the able members of the bar in Iroquois com- 11. He resides in Watseka and is a member of the law firm of Kay. Saum & Kay. A native son of the county, his birth occurred March 10. 1875 His father, George W. Samm, was born
338
PAST AND PRESENT OF
-
in De Kalb county, Illinois, and when twenty-one years of age removed to Iroquois county, where he engaged in farming for many years, retiring from active business life in 1892, since which time he has resided in Gilman. In early man- hood he wedded Maggie .A. Birchfield, a native of Pennsylvania.
Claude N. Saum was educated in the country schools of this county and in the Gilman high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1803. Following the completion of his literary education he worked upon the home farm for two years, but thinking to find professional life more congenial he took up the study of law in Gilman in the office and under the direc- tion of Spencer S. Cone. Subsequently he con- tinued his studies in Dixon ( Illinois ) Law School and was graduated in the class of 1897. The same year he was admitted to the bar and com- menced practice at Gilman, where he remained until 1902, when he removed to Watseka and formed a partnership with James H. Carey, the firm of Carey & Saum having a continuous ex- istence until September, 1905, when Mr. Saum became a member of the present well known and prominent law firm of Kay, Saum & Kay. Al- though a young man his years seem no bar to his progress and he is accounted an able member of the Iroquois county bar, a position to which he has attained by reason of his wide and ac- curate knowledge, his correct application of legal principles and his devotion to the interests of his clients.
Mr. Saum was married in 1901 to Miss Olive Mather, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, and they are accorded a prominent position in the social circles of the city in which they make their home. Mr. Saum is identified with Gilman lodge of the Knights of Pythias and is also a popular and valued member of the Iroquois Club.
IRA HAMILTON GILLUM, M. D.
Dr. Ira Hamilton Gillum, who died at his home in Milford, March 6, 1906, was for years one of the leading and well known physicians of Iroquois county. He became a resident of Mil- ford, August 1, 1883, and the high character of
his professional service and of his individual worth made him a man whom to know was to esteem and honor. Born in Indiana on the 18th of September, 1843. he was reared to manhood in that state and acquired a liberal education at Bloomdale. In the period of his later youth and early manhood there was great discussion of the slavery question and the right of govern- mental interference. Party feeling ran very high and old political organizations ceased to ex- ist, while new ones took their place, their or- ganization caused by the momentous questions of the period. Dr. Gillum watched with interest the progress of events in the south and in 1803. when not yet twenty years of age, he offered his services to the government, becoming a member of Company H. Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Thoroughly patriotic in spirit and faithful in his service, he continued at the front throughout the remainder of the war and partici- pated in a number of important engagements. including the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. Be- coming very ill with typhoid fever. he was in the hospital for a considerable period, recovering his health toward the close of the war. He was honorably discharged at Indianapolis after the cessation of hostilities in 1865 and returned home with the boys in blue who had so faithfully de- fended the old flag and the cause it represented.
When the country no longer needed his aid Dr. Gillum returned home and resumed his studies at Bloomdale, completing a course there. Subsequently he engaged in teaching in Foun- tain county, Indiana, and afterward at Newport, that state, and thus he entered upon active busi- ness life, atlhough in later years he transferred his allegiance from the teacher's profession to that of the physician's.
At Newport, Indiana, Dr. Gillum was married on the 14th of August. 1867, to Miss Sarah Richardson, a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza- beth Richardson. Her father was one of the pioneer residents of the Hoosier state, to which he removed with his father, Joseph Richardson. who entered land from the government and cleared and developed a farm, upon which he spent his remaining days. Following their mar- riage Dr. and Mrs. Gillum resided near. New- port and he took up the study of medicine there, pursuing his first course of lectures in Rush
339
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Medical College in Chicago in 1868. He located of duty. There was a consideratene> and kind- at Ivesdale, Champaign county, IlInois, where liness in his manner that won confidence and made him a cheers presence in the steknem. and when he was called from this bic his death came as a personal bereavement to many who knew, respected and honored him and who were bound to him in the strongest ties of freeship as well as of professional service. The poor and needy always found in him a friend and he would as readily answer a call from those from whom he could expect no remuneration as from his well-to-do patients. He took great interest in schools and educational affairs and materially assisted in establishing the library at Milford. Being an active member of the Masonic frater- nity and the Grand Army of the Republic, he was laid to rest by those orders. he entered actively upon the practice of medicine and surgery. Ambitions to attain the greatest perfection possible, in 1872. he again entered Kish, where he completed the regular course and was graduated in the class of 1873. He then practiced in Parke county, Indiana, opening an office in Sylvania, where he continued in the active and successful prosecution of his protes- sion for ten years. Thinking to find a still more favorable opening at Milford, Illinois, he re- moved to this city in 1883 and soon demon- strated his ability to successfully cope with the difficult problems which continually confront the physician. Within a short space of time he had secured a liberal patronage and his practice stead- ily increased in extent and importance. He be- came the loved family physician in many a house- hold and his skill and ability were demonstrated in various occasions. He held membership in LOUIS J. LEMENAGER. a number of medical societies and kept abreast with his profession in the onward march of prog- ress through the perusal of medical and scientific journals and other medical literature, being a great reader and student.
Dr. and Mrs. Gillum became the parents of Ja children, of whom four are yet living : Mrs. Frank Wideman, of Milford: Mrs. James Allen. who is living in Eureka, Illinois: Mrs. Fleet Gil- Dum Thompson, of Peoria : and William Jenner. who is a professor of music, living in Sheldon. Lowa. They also lost two children. one dying in infancy and the other in early childhood.
Politically the Doctor was identified with the republican party and after coming to Milford 1 served on the national board of examiners for twelve years. In Indiana he was recognized one of the standard bearer of his parts and was elected and served in the state legislature representative from Parke county. He always stol for good , Bernment, placing the general welfare betere partisanship of self-aggrandize Toent. He regarded it as the duty as well as the privilege of every American citizen to keep well informed on the issues of the day and ex- press his preference - regarding political prince J. His public life professional and political. w. - characterized at all times by a sense of con sientions obligation and & faithinl performance
Louis J. Lemenager, the present supervisor of Ashkum township, now serving for the second year. is engaged in farming and stock-raising. making a specialty of the breeding of fine short- horn cattle. Ilis farm comprises two hundred and forty acres of land and has been his place of residence for the past nine years. He is one of the native some of Iroquois county, his birth having occurred in Alikum township, June 10. 1807.
Hli- parent- were Eugene and Antoinette (Aucremauje) Lemenager. The mother, a na- tive of Belgium, came to the United States when thirteen years of age. The father, who was also born in Belgium, died October 27. 180g), at the age of sixty years and nineteen days, He was born October 8. 1839, and came to Verica in the spring of 1850 keating in Achkum town- ship, where he secured a farm, upon which he resided until his death He owned at that time four hundred and eight acres of land all in- proved. His life demonstrated what could be accomplished Is determined purpose and un- faltering on rev. He was at one time supervisor di His town ship and be was justly regarded as a prominent farger and highly respected citizen His wife, who was born October 31. 1842 call with her parents to Iroquois county in 1855 the
340
PAST AND PRESENT OF
family home being established in Ashkum town- ship. She was a daughter of Joseph Aucre- manne, who was a brick manufacturer and spent about eight years in that line of business in Chi- cago, while subsequently he removed to a farm near Green Bay, Wisconsin, residing there until his death, which occurred about 1800. It was on the 23d of September, 1861, that his daughter Antoinette gave her hand in marriage to Eugene Lemenager. In the family were six children : Jules, a resident of Ashkum township : Arthur. who is living in the same township near the village of Ashkum : Mrs. Eugene Poskin, of Ash- kum township: Louis J .: Hubert, of Ashkum township: and Mrs. Alexander Petit, of Dan- forth township.
Louis J. Lemenager was reared upon the home farm to the age of seventeen years and during that period spent the winter months as a pupil in the Plato school, this county. He afterward spent one year at Grand Prairie Seminary, in Onarga, and throughout much of his life he has carried on general farming. He also devotes considerable time to civil engineering and has as- sisted in several important surveys for drainage and other improvements in this section of the county. During the past nine years he has re- sided upon his present farm, owning a valuable property of two hundred and forty acres in Ash- kum township, which is well tilled and brings forth abundant harvests. In all of his farm work he is progressive as well as practical and excellent results have therefore attended his labors.
When twenty-two voirs of age Mr. Lem- enager was married to Miss Augusta Poskin, a daughter of August Poskin, an carly resident of Iroquois county, now deceased. Four chil- dren grace this union, August. Albert. Stella and William, aged respectively sixteen, thirteen, nine and seven years.
Mr. Lemenager exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the dc- mocracy and has served for five years as school trustee in Iroquois township and has been school director in Ashkum township nine years. So- cially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the family attend the Catho- lic church. His entire life has been passed in Iroquois county, where he has manifest the
strong and sterling qualities that have gained for him a place among the substantial citizens and have also won for him the favorable regard of his fellowmen.
GEORGE A. WEEKS.
It is seklom that death brings genuine sorrow to so many hearts as it did when George An- gustus Weeks was called from this life on the 24th of September. 1904. He had been reared in Sheldon and from his boyhood days had dis- played many sterling traits of character which endeared him to those who knew him, and no resident of the city was more widely known than he. His birth occurred in Monticello, Indiana. on the toth of July, 1865, and he was the second son of William Augustus and Annie E. ( Moore ; Weeks. Mention is made of his parents on an- other page of this work in connection with the history of his brother, Paschal B. Weeks.
George A. Weeks spent the first six years of his life in the place of his nativity and then ac- companied his parents on their removal to Shel- don, where he continued to reside up to the time of his death. He was known here as boy and man, joyous and free-hearted in youth, and when the age of discretion and responsibility came he took up the duties of life bravely and manfully becoming recognized as one of the leading repre- sentatives of business life in the town. ITis father established a grocery and provision busi- ness in Sheldon and later began dealing in dry goods and groceries. After his death the busi- ness was continued by Mrs. Weeks and her two sons, Paschal and George, and for sixteen years the latter was prominently identified with com- mercial interests in Sheldon, being recognized as one of the most progressive and energetic busi- ness men of the town. After his father's death he largely had the management of the store and through his capability. keen foresight and in- domitable purpose he increased the volume of trade until the store became one of the largest in this part of the county. New lines were con- tinually added and finally the business developed into a department store. George .A. Weeks not only worked for the upbuikling of the trade but
GEORGE A. WEEKS.
ERSTY. IN EMOIS
343
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
extended his efforts into other lines He invented a lace curtain exhibitor, for which there was a wide sale, and subsequently he began the mann- facture of couches, meeting with gratifying sie cess im that undertaking. His buss mind was continually evolving new ideas and in all of his work he wrought along modern hines, keeping in touch with advanced thought and methods
On the 28th of December, 1902. Mr. Wecks was united in marriage at Little Rock, Arkansas. with Miss Winifred Strickler, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 1. N. Strickler, who were at that time living in Hunter, Arkansas, but had formerly been residents of Sheldon. Mrs. Weeks early girlhood days were here passed, so that she did not come as a stranger to Sheldon when brought to the city as a bride. The young couple at once took prominent place in the social life of the town and the hospitality of their own home was greatly enjoyed by all who knew them, so warm-hearted, generous and free was it.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.