Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 37

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

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he broke and cultivated. He also placed the necessary buildings upon his farm and there suc- cessfully carried on general agricultural pursuits for nine years, after which he sold that property and bought a place of one hundred and sixty acres constituting a farm upon which are fair improvements. He later bought one hundred acres adjoining. He has led a life of industry and activity and as the years have rolled around he has acumulated a goodly measure of success. All of the buildings upon his place stand as mon- uments to his thrift, labor and enterprise. He has set out fruit and shade trees, which add much to the value and attractive appearance of his farm, and in the fields he has annually raised good crops, which have come to him as the re- ward of the care and labor he has bestowed upon the fields. Ile has also raised good stock, mak- ing a specialty of horses and hogs. This his life was passed in unremitting diligence and ac- tivity until 1902. when he put aside the more ac- tive duties of the farm and purchased a neat and a substantial residence in Milford which he has since occupied, enjoying there a well earned re- tirement from further labor. He also purchased nine acres of land in Milford, which he divided into lots. This tract was called Schaumburg's first addition to Milford. He has sold about one- half of these lots.

Mr. and Mrs. Schaumburg have a family of six sons and three daughters, as follows: Wil- liam, who is farming the old homestead : Wirtje, who also carries on agricultural pursuits ; Jonas, who follows farming on the old home place : Franz and Louis, who give their attention to general agricultural pursuits : John, who is with his parents in Milford: Ann E., the wife of Joseph Van Hoveln: Perteke, the wife of Dick Casper : and Anna, the wife of Sebo Frederick, a resident farmer of Crescent township. They also lost three children, Frank and Harm meet- ing death by accident, being instantly killed, and Alma, who died in her second year.

In community affairs Mr. Schaumburg has manifested a spirit of devotion to the general welfare that is most commendable. He votes an independent local ballot but supports the re- publican party on state and national issues. While on the farm he was elected and served for fourteen consecutive years as highway com-

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noner and was largely nutrition table lung good rods. He has served of the schond board and that he has the white con- dence and trust of his fellowmen is muchicated bs the fact that he has several times been done harmony with his Christian faith and profession- Both he and his wife were reared n th Length ran church and are now communicants therevi. In retrospect one can see Mr. Schaumburg a poor hans, dependent upon his own resources for having He had to start out carl in tight the battles of life but has come off victor in the strife Today he is the owner of a valuable and detrable farm property and a good bank I Milford and moreover he possesses an um tarmshed naine, for m all of his business dealings he has been straightforward and reliable. I example is indeed well worthy of emulation In all who have true regard for character and who wish to win prosperity through straightforward methods.

V.BERT H. TALBERT.

Mbert 11. Talbert, who carries on gereral agri- cultural pursuits on section 6. ( marga township. is one of Iroquois county's native sons. In fact the farm which is now his place of residence was his birthplace, his natal day being April 23. 1858. He is a son of George W. Talbert, who was born in Indiana and was reared and married there. the lady of his choice being Miss Catherine Devo. a native of that state. Mr. Talbert was a farmer of Indiana and on removing to Ilinois became one of the carly residents of Iroquois county. Much of the land here was still in possesion of the government and he entered two hundred and forty acres, which he broke and cultivated, trans bring the raw prairie into a richly improved farm. His work in the fields was continuons save for the period of his service in the Civil war. This patriotic spirit being aroused In the attempt of the south to overthrow the Unum. he joined the Ninth Ilinois Cavalry, of which he became sergeant, and while at the front he became ill and died in the field hospital in Mi- somri in 1802. He survived his wife for only a brief period, her death having occurred in 1801.

In their family were the cultren who were this leit orphans and were reared In funds Chk & n. Edward D. Talbert, died at the age of Sixteen veurs, while I. N. Talbert is now Ining retrol in marga. He is married and has the children and is mentioned on another page of this work.

Albert H. Talbert, whose name introduce - the- reviews, spent the days of his beshown] and youth im alu- county and is indebted to the common- school system for the educational privilege which he enged and which fitted hom for the practical duties of life. Having arrived at wears of maturity, he chose a companion and help- mate for his's journey and was married in kan- kaker, Illinois, May 1, 1884. to Miss Laura Car. who was born and reared in Kankakee county, a daughter di O. N. Case of that county. Fol- lowing their marriage they located on the old homestead farm, which Mr. Talbert began to cul- ivate and improve. He erected a good residence which was afterward destroyed by fire, and sub- serpent to that disaster he built a two-story dwelling which he now occupies and which is one of the substantial and comfortable homes of the township. He has also built a good barn and cribs, has laid many rods of tiling and has divided his place into fields of convenient size by well kept fences. He has altogether a neat and well improved farm, on which stock-raising is a fa- ture. He makes a specialty of hogy of the York- shire breed and has also high grade cattle and horses, being recognized as a successful stock- man and one who is seldom, if ever, at error in matters of judgment concerning the value of stock. In addition to his home property he also owns a residence in Onarga.

Mr. and Mrs. Talbert are the parents of ser- en children : George D., Lawrence O. Mva L. (lyde A. and Harold, who are still living and they have lost two children . Stella, who died at the age of nine years; and one son, Frank, who died in infancy. The parents have a wide and favorable acquaintance in (marga township and this part of the county. Mr. Talbert is a member of the Odd Fellow's lodge at Onarga and he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah degree. He votes with the republican party. having promille cast his first presidential ballet for James V. Garfield in 1880, while his last

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vote was given in support of Theodore Roose- velt. A stanch friend of the cause of education. he believes in good schools, has done effective service along that line as a member of the school board and is now acting as president of the district board. Always a resident of Iroquois county, he is classed with its industrious and prosperous farmers and in the conduct of his business affairs he has displayed a reliability and progressiveness that have gained him admiration as well as success.

GEORGE W. ALEXANDER.

George W. Alexander, living on section 14. Ash Grove township. was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, June 18, 1856. His father, Asa Alexander, was also a native of that county. which fact indicates that the family was estab- Iished in Illinois at an carly day. There he was reared and in early manhood he wedded Mary Tabor, likewise a native of this state. For sev- eral years thereafter he engaged in farming in Sangamon county and in 1876 removed to Iro- quois county, settling in Ash Grove township. Ilis last days were spent in Milford, where he died in 1895, his wife passing away about a year later in 1896. Their son, George W., was the eldest of their three sons and three daugh- ters, all of whom are yet living, the others be- ing: Mrs. Rose Seward, who resides in Indi- ana : Mrs. Clara Dixon, of Sheldon, Illinois : Mrs. Julia Crink, of Milford township: Samuel Alex- ander, a resident of Goodwine, Illinois ; and Wil- liam, who is living in Springfield, this state.

George W. Alexander was reared in Sangamon and Ford counties. He had fair school advan- tages and received practical training in farm work. After reaching man's estate he rented land and engaged in farming on his own account for several years in Ash Grove and Crescent townships and also in Milford township.

On the Ioth of October, 1888, in Ash Grove township, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Alexander and Miss Agnes Hislop, a daughter of Ninian Hislop and a native of Iroquois county, where she was also reared and educated. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander has been

blessed with four children : Glenn, Mary, Ruby and Katie.

Mr. Alexander's first purchase of land made him owner of eighty acres in Milford township and after his marriage he located thereon and engaged in farming for four years. On the ex- piration of that period he sold the property and purchased where he now resides, becoming own- er of one hundred and sixty acres on section 14. Ash Grove township. Taking up his abode thereon in 1803, he at once began its further de- velopment and has tiled the greater part of the land. He broke some of the original sod and now has a cultivable farm, the soil being very productive. He has likewise planted fruit and in connection with the raising of cercals he also raises good grades of stock. so that his busi- ness is bringing him a good financial return.

Politically Mr. Alexander is a democrat. He served on the school board for a number of years and has always been a believer in good schools and the employment of good teachers, so that while on the school board he did effective sery- ice in behalf of the cause of education. For six years he acted as drainage commissioner and was instrumental in the establishment of some of the big ditches of the county which have been of so great benefit to the district, draining the wet lands and rendering hitherto low and swampy tracts cultivable.

For thirty years Mr. Alexander has resided in this part of the state and has seen great changes as the wild, wet land has been trans- formed into fine farms equipped with all modern conveniences, so that it is today one of the rich agricultural districts of this great state.

SETII W. BOUGHTON.

Seth W. Boughton, regarded as one of the leading business men of Crescent City, where he is engaged in buying and dealing in grain, coal and seeds, is a native of Iroquois county, his birth having occurred in Iroquois township, three miles north of Crescent City, on the 13th of. June. 1870. Ilis father, Orris Horatio Bough- ton, came to Will county, Illinois, in 1842, from the state of New York, where his birth occurred

6. 1. ALEXANDER.

IF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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February 9. 1825. He resided in Will county until 1850, when, with three brothers, he went to California by way of the overland route, making the long journey across the hot plains, the sands stretches and through the mountain passes to the bollen state. One of his brothers died in lowa while on the trip. The other brothers and our subject's father remained in Califorma about a year, and then returned to Will county, Hmot. On the 3d of July, 1853, at Lockport, Will county, Orris H. Boughton was united im mar- riage to Miss Caroline E. Passmer, who was born at North Scriba. Owego county. New York, January 23. 18.30, and on the 230 of the- tober, 14. they removed to Iroquois county. locating in Frompois township near the home of James M. Calkin, one of the old settlers here. Mr. Boughton resolutely undertook the task of further developing and cultivating his farm. which comprised one hundred and twenty acres of good land that in course of time brought forth rich and abundant harvests, owing to the care and labor he bestowed upon the fields. Thus he prospered in his business and he was. moreover, regarded as a good neighbor, well liked by all who knew him. On the 4th of March, 1884. he removed to Marion county, Illinois, and located near Salem, where his wife died on the 28th of the following May, being laid to rest in Fast Lawn cemetery, Salem, May 30. 1884. She was in earnest and consistent member of the Congre- gational church at Crescent City. Mr. Bough- tom still makes his home in Salem, being now eighty-one years of age. His family numbered four children: Harry, who is engaged in car- pentering in Salem: Juniata. the wife of (. W. Leckrone, a resident of Salem: Warren, who is engaged in the gra'n business at Harrisville. Illi- nois : and Seth W.

The common schools afforded Seth W. Rough- ton the educational privileges which he enjoyed and he began business life on his own account when eighteen years of age, being employed at farm labor until he attained his majority. He afterward worked at the carpenter's trade for a year and then turned his attention to the grain business in the employ of T. McGill, of Watseka. with whom he remained for two years. He was afterward in the employ of Mr. Metill in Mil- ford for a year and a half and subsequently spent

siv and a half years in the service of 1. 1. Hutch- ms, a gram dealer of Milford. On the expira- tion of that period he came to Crescent City In Ist and entered into partnership with Harlan Brothers and has since been engaged in the gram trade under the firm name of Harlan & Bough toll They have an elevator with a capacity of hits thousand bushels, and in connection with grain they also handle seeds, coal and other can- modities and have a finely equipped office. Mr. Houghton owas one of the finest residences in Crescent City.

The lady who preside over this attractive home was in her mandenhond Miss Matic F. Roberds, of Milford to whom he was married June 18. 1800. She is a daughter of Sanford 1. Roberts, who became one of the pioneer resi- dents of Iroquois county but is now living in Colorado, Both Mr. and Mrs. Boughton held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and in its work take an active and helpful interest.

Mr. Boughton belongs to the Masonic lodge. No. 18. A. C. & A. M. at Milford : to Standard and to Crescent camp. No. 1425. \ \\ \ He is in sympathy with the distinguished chements of these organizations which recognize the brotherhood of mankind and inculcate mutual helpfulness and kindliness among the members. Mr. Houghton's interests extend to those lines of hie which affect the welfare of the people at large and he gives hearts endorsement to all movements which tend to advance the material. intellectual and moral welfare of a city.

WILLIAMI A. CVRM LA.

William A. Carman, a practical and progres- sive agriculturist living on section 3. Fountain Greek townolup, his possessions embracing two hundred and thirty-three acres, is a native of Indiana. He was born April 9. 180g, and the following year was brought to Illinois los his father. Monzo Carman, who was likewise born in the lloosier state and was there reared. He was a farmer by occupation, and in Indiana wedded Mercy A. Langer, who was likewise

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born in that state. Soon afterward they came to Illinois, settling in Iroquois county, where Mr. Carman purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. After living upon that property for a few years he bought another farm a mile south of Goodwine, comprising three hundred and twenty acres. His time and energies were then devoted to the development of the soil and the improvement of the fields and he made there a good farm. His family number three children.

William A. Carman, the eldest, was reared under the parental roof and enjoyed good school advantages. When he was twenty-one years of age his father gave him one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he has since cultivated, and as the years have passed he has won a place among the representative and successful agri- culturists of his part of the county. He made further preparations for having a home of his own by his marriage, on the 18th of October. 1893, to Miss Jennie Kesterson, who was born in this county and is a daughter of William Kesterson, who is now living in Ash Grove town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Carman have become the parents of three children, Mattie Florence, Rosa Adelaide and Hearsel.

With the added stimulus of having a family for whom to provide. William .A. Carman reso- Jutely took up the work of the farm and has carried it forward with unfaltering diligence and perseverance. The buildings upon his place are monuments to his enterprise and labor and in- clude a two-story dwelling, two good barns, cribs and other outbuildings. There are also three flowing wells upon the place and the fields have been drained by the judicious use of tile, while fences have divided the farm into fields of con- venient size. lle has altogether one thousand rods of tile on his place. The cereals planted bring forth rich harvests because of the practical progressive methods he follows in caring for the fields, and he is also engaged in raising thorough- bred Norman horses and is the owner of an im- ported stallion for breeding purposes.

Mr. and Mrs. Carman attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Goodwine, of which the lady is a member, while he holds membership rela- tions with the Modern Woodmen camp of Good- wine. His political views accord with the prin- ciples of the republican party and at local elections

he casts an independent ballot. With the assist- ance received from his father, which enabled him to gain a good start in life, he has made steady advancement on the high road to prosperity and is now one of the substantial citizens of the community.

JESSE R. EASTBURN.

Jesse R. Eastburn is numbered among the native sons of Concord township, having been born on section 32 in 1870. His father. Jesse R. Eastburn, Sr., was a native of Adams county, Ohio, born in 1815, and by wagon he journeyed across the country from the Buckeye state to Illi- nois in company with his father, Hezekiah East- burn. This was about 1830. The grandfather then entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, the tract being situated on section 32, Concord township. He built a log cabin and there made his home, living in pioneer style and aiding in laying strong and deep the foundation upon which has been builded the present prosperity and progress of the county. He died a few years later, at which time his son. Jesse R. Eastburn, Sr., took the farm, which he improved, building a house, barn and fences upon it. He also did considerable tiling and thus added much to the productiveness of the fields. On the 16th of September. 1848. he married Tobitha Crichfield, who died November 9, 1854. at the age of twenty-seven years. By that union were born two children, Anne and Ellen. He was married May 1, 1856, to Miss Margaret Howry, of Indiana, and unto them were born four children, of whom three are living: Jesse R., Laura J. and Mattie. The mother of these children was born November 13, 1840, and died November 16, 1898.

The surviving son. Jesse R. Eastburn, lived at home with his parents during the period of his boyhood and youth, and when twenty-four years of age started out in life on his own account, farming on sections 31 and 32. The tract of land comprises two hundred and seventy acres. Mr. Eastburn has purchased his sisters' interest in the old homestead and has made some substan- tial improvements thercon. He follows farming and stock-raising and everything about the place

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Indicates his careful supervision and practical methods. He has carefully systematized his work and he is always interested in anything that tends to promote the welfare of the agricultureet through the improvement of machinery of the acceptance of scientific knowledge which has di- rect bearing upon the best methods of tilling the soil and producing good crops. In connection with general farming Mr. Eastburn has also engaged in raising stock and finds this a profit able source of income.

On the 13th of September, 1803. occurred the marriage of Jesse R. Eastburn and Miss Bertha Clark, who was born in Concord township in 18-2. They have become the parents of seven children, Hazel L ... Marguerite E. John E. Jese E. Walter Clifford. Freeman P. and Bernard K Mr. Eastburn has served as school director and he gives his political support to the demoe- racy. Having always lived in Concord town- ship. he has a wide acquaintance within its bor- ders and his good qualities have won him favor- able regard and warm friendships.

CLARK H. MARTIN.

Among the residents of Loda now living re- tired is numbered Clark H. Martin, who in former years was identified with agricultural and commercial interests but who is now enjoying rest from all labor, save the supervision of his invested interests. He was born in Oneida county. New York, May 17. 1839, and comes of English ancestry, the family having been founded in New England during the pioneer epoch in its history. The grandfather. Ebenezer Martin, was a native of Connecticut and became one of the first set- tler- of Oneida county, New York, where oc- curred the birth of his son. Alfred Martin, fa- ther of our subject, in 1800. The latter was reared in that county and there married Rhoda Dennison, a native of New York. To provide for his family he followed agricultural pursuits in Oneida county and spent his entire life there. passing away in 1850. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, entering the army when a lad of only twelve or thirteen years, and his widow was

afterward pensioned by the government because of that service. For years be filled the office ni justice of the peace, his decisions being str eth far and impartial and he was known throughout the community as Squire Martin.

Unto him and his wife were born fourteen chil- dren, thirteen of whom reached years of ma- turity - five sons and eight daughters, but the only surviving sons are Clark H1 .. of this review, and Lyman. There are four sisters living, three be- ing residents of the state of New York and one of Florida. Two of the brothers enlisted for service in the U'nion army during the war of the Rebellion. Lyman jomed the One Hundred and Seventeenth New York Volunteer Infantry and served for three years. He was wounded and still suffers from the effect of that injury. llis home is in Rome, New York, where he is en- gaged in business as a contractor. Charles J. Martin, of the same family, enlisted when but a lad of fourteen years, joining the army in the fall of 1801 in an independent company. He was kept at the headquarters of General Mc- (lellan and his successors for special duty and served until the close of the war, when he partici- pated in the grand review at Washington, D. C. He beame a prominent and influential resident of Siloam Spring, Arkansas, where he lived for a number of years, and was cashier of a bank there at the time of his death in the spring of

Clark HE. Martin spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity, was reared to farm life and was educated in the public schools. He, too, was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting on the 1st of May, 1861, in response to the president's call for troops. He had watched with interest the trend of events in the south and had resolved that if a blow was struck to overthrow the Union he would stand loyally in its defense. Accordingly he joined Company G. of the Fourteenth New York Vol- unteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac under General George B. Mc- Clellan. He participated in the following battles : Bull Run, July 24. 1801 : Big Bethel : Yorktown, April 4. 1862: Williamsburg, May 5: Hanover Courthouse, May 27: Mechanicsville, June 27 : Gaines Mills, June 28: Fair Oaks, June 30; Malvern Hill, July 18-20: Bull Kun. August 30;

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Antietam. September 17: Shepherdstown. Sep- tember 20; Fredericksburg. December 13; and Chancellorsville, May 4. 1863. While at the last named place his term of service expired and he was mustered out and honorably discharged at Utica, New York. May 24, with the rank of cor- poral. Although he was never wounded he was ill with typhoid fever during the carly part of his service and saw much arduous military duty, experiencing the usual hardships of the soldier who engages in actual warfare.

AAfter recuperating for a time Mr. Martin entered the railroad station at MeConnellsville. New York, where he remained for four years as agent. About the time of the close of the war he was married there, on the oth of October. 1864, to Miss Harriet Hicks, a native of New York state, who, for several years prior to her marriage, had engaged in teaching. In 1867 they removed to Illinois, and Mr. Martin pur- chased land in what is now Pigeon Grove town- ship, becoming owner of three hundred and twen- ty acres of raw land. which he broke and fenced developing a new farm. He also put up good buildings, including a house. barn, cribs and sheds, and he carried on the active work of the farm until 1889. when he sold that property and removed to Loda, where he erected a dwelling. For three or four years he conducted a meat mar- ket in the town and then sold out, since which time he has lived retired. In the meantime, how- ever, he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of improved land in Barton county. Missouri, and from this he derives a gratifying income.

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Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 37

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