Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 38

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

USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 38

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).

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born two children, Gertrude, a music teacher ; and Wil- liam C., a farmer, both at home. Mr. Martin exercises his right of franchise in support of the republican party. having been one of its stalwart champions since casting his first presidential bal- lot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. When living on the farm he served as township treasurer for fourteen years, being the first to be elected after the organization of the township, and continuing in that office until he removed to Loda. He was also township clerk for three terms. His wife is a member of the Christian church and he be- longs to the Grand Army post at Loda, in which he is a past commander. During the thirty-nine

years of his residence in Iroquois county he has so lived as to win the esteem and friendship of those with whom he has come in contact and he deserves mention in this volume as a representa- tive citizen and as a veteran of the Civil war.

A. J. CARTER.

A. J. Carter is a retired farmer living in Ashkum. He still owns one hundred and sixty acres of finely improved land on section 22. Ashkum township, together with a modern home in the village where he resides. He represents one of the old pioneer families of this part of the state. His parents, S. O. and Lorena (Thorn- ton ) Carter, removed to La Salle, Illinois. from Morristown, St. Lawrence county. New York. in 1836. In 1849 S. O. Carter went to California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope, and turned the manage- ment of the farm over to his son. A. J. Carter, then a boy of fifteen years. He remained in the far west until 1855. when he rejoined his family in Illinois. There were three sons, of whom A. J. is the eldest. The others are H. H. Carter, a retired farmer now living in Earlville, Illinois : and Joel Carter. who has likewise retired from the work of the farm and makes his home in Earlville.

A. J. Carter was born in Morristown, St. Lawrence county, New York. August 9. 1833. and was therefore but three years old when brought tby his parents to this state. His early education was somewhat neglected on account of the poor school privileges in Illinois at that early period. His training at farm labor, however. was not meager, for he carly began to assist in the work of the fields, taking his place be- hind the plow almost as soon as large enough to reach the plow handles. For many years there- after he was closely associated with agricultural interests and, as stated. assumed the management of the home farm when a youth of fifteen years. As time passed by he saved his earnings and at length purchased a farm of his own. Coming to Iroquois county in 1868, he invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 22. Ashkum township. This is now a splendidly

MR. AND MRS. A. J. CARTER.

{ UNIVERSOS OF ILLINOIS

379

IROQUOIS COFFEY ILLINOIS

improved property from which he deries a god The then refused to the ants setting i incorre, and he continued to carry on the work of the farm until 1800. when he took up his abode in the village Kim township, where is re-bled for two years and there reggel to crescent township. The le lived retired until his death which occurred im tot. Ht wife has also passed away. The family of this worthy couple numbered for children, three of whom are set living- Thomas ship. and trike, loving in Arkansas.

Mr Carter was married in karlville Decem ber 17. 1807, 10 Miss Mary Ann Jans, of that place They became parents of a son and daugh ter but the former. Arthur Wells, died at the age of nineteen years. The daughter, Jerme B. atter attending the public schools of Ahkun. entered the Grand Prairie Seminars at Charge. from which she was graduated. She has taught school in Ashkum township for the past six years and in connection therewith she non manages her father's home since the death of the wife and mother, which occurred en the 3d of November. 1001.

Mr. Carter bas supported the democracy throughout his life, although he has become somewhat independent in politics in later years. He gives to the support of local churches, al- though he does not hold membership with any denomination. His life has been honorable and upright and the success which he enjoys has come as the legitimate result of earnest labor and close application.

THOMAS T. WESSELS.

Thomas T. Wessels, engaged in general farm- ing and also operating a threshing machine and corn sheller, resides on section 33. Iroquois town- ship, where he has one of the finest and best improved farms in the county. With unfalter- ing determination and laudable ambition he has worked with this end in view and his prominence and prosperity as an agriculturist are well merited.

Mr. Wessels was born in the town of Middle -. in the county of Aurich. Hanover, Germany, in 1804. a son of Frederick Wessels, also a native of that locality. The father, who was a me- chanic, worked in a brickyard and also followed farming. He married Gesche Reinholz. likewise a native of Hanover, and in 1800 they came with their family to America, making a location in Washington. Tazewell county, Ilinois, where Mr Wessels engaged in farming for a few years.

The father wisely decided to bring his family to America and thus Thomas T Wessels has had the broader opportunities of the new world. He was an's five years old at the time of the emigra- tion and in the common schede of this state he acquired his education, assisting on the work of the farm when not busy with his text-books. He has always followed farming. Having been reared to that occupation he has never desired to change and has found ample opportunity in this department of labor for the exercise of close application, keen discernment and capable man- agement. These qualities have shown forth in the results that he has achieved. He first bought one hundred and twenty acres in Crescent town- ship, which he later sold and bought three hun- dred and thirteen acres of fine land on section 33. Iroquois township where he now resides. Ile has one of the finest farms in the county, in the milst of which stands a large commodious resi- dence, built in modern style of architecture. In the rear of this is a large barn, which he has recently built, and the fences and all of the build- ings upon the place present a well kept appear- ance. Modern methods of farming are utilized and he is systematic in all that he does. Drain- age, rotation of crops, the use of the latest im- proved machinery, all contribute to the success of the business which he is making his life work, and stock-raising is no unimportant branch of his interests. In Soo he began threshing and corn shelling and he now owns two tine threshing outfits and two corn shellers and does much work with these, operating extensively in the community.

Mr. Wessels married Miss Jennie Renken, of Iroquois county, a daughter of Renke A. Renken. a very carly settler of the county who came from Germany and died in town. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hoved have been born five children: Fred-

380

PAST AND PRESENT OF

erick. Herman. Leta. Walter and Edith, all vet at home, the family circle remaining unbroken by the hand of death. The parents are mem- bers of the Lutheran church. Mr. Wessels is independent in political thought and action. 1le has spent much of his life in this county, which has been the scene of his business activity. Early in life he became imbued with a strong de- sire to attain affluence and acquire good farming property and bent his energies toward stenring this result. He has made good use of his op- portunities, turning every advantage to the best account, in accordance with honorable business principles, and his life is an illustration of what may be accomplished by persistent effort and the practical use of one's native talents.

JULIU'S KIETZMANN.

Julius Kietzmann, living on section 5. Onarga township, is one of the active and prosperous farmers of Iroquois county, his place embracing two hundred acres of Illinois' rich soil. He has been a resident of this state since 1866 and of the county since 1872. He was born in Prussia, April 12, 1846, and was reared to manhood there upon a farm. He had varied common-school ad- vantages in the German language but is self-edu- cated in English, having mastered the latter tongue since coming to the new world. The year of his emigration was 1866, at which time he took passage on a sailing vessel at Hamburg which was eight weeks and three days on the broad Atlantic ere the voyage was completed by dropping anchor in New York harbor on the 11th of June. Mr. Kietzmann worked at Albany for two months, earning seventeen dollars. after which he made his way westward to Chicago. llis capital at the time he arrived in New York was but twenty-five cents and he also had only a quarter when he reached the western metropo- lis. Going to Will county, Illinois, he there worked for three years as a farm hand in the employ of one man and thus made a start in busi- ness life in this state.

Mr. Kietzmann was married in Will county. October 9. 1870, to Miss Amelia Luckow, a na- tive of Germany. He then rented land in Will

county, which he operated for two years, after which he came to Iroquois county and again carried on farming on rented land for two years. With the capital he had managed to save from his earnings he afterward purchased eighty acres on which he took up his abode, there carrying on general farming for six or seven years. When he had disposed of that property he bought another farm of one hundred and twenty acres. which he cultivated for several years, and as his financial resources permitted he added to his holdings from time to time until he owned four hundred acres in that tract. There he carried on farming until 1899. when he sold his property there and bought two hundred acres where he now resides on section 5. Onarga township. This has since been his place of residence and in the meantime he has purchased another tract of one hundred and sixty acres about two miles to the east, so that he now owns altogether three hundred and sixty acres. Here he has put up a good residence and also substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. Though he started out in life empty-handed he is now in very comfortable financial circumstances and the se- cret of his success is his good management, his enterprise and his unfaltering perseverance.

Mr. Kietzmann lost his first wife about 1881. There are four living children by that union : Gotlieb, who is married and now owns and op- erates a farm : Theodore, who is married and fol- lows farming in this county; Ida, the wife of Henry Frochling, an agriculturist of Onarga township : and Emil, who is likewise married and engaged in farming in this county. Mr. Kietz- mann was again married in February. 1883. in Chicago, his second union being with Anna Wendtland, a native of Germany. They now have seven children : Charles, August, Martha. Henry, Minnie, Rosa and Lillie.

Politically Mr. Kietzmann is a true blue demo- crat, having stanchly supported the party for a number of years. He was reared in the Lutheran faith and his wife is a communicant of the Catholic church. His residence in Illinois covers a period of four decades, during which time he. has been a most industrious man. Ile worked hard to gain a start and as the years have gone by he has made judicious investment in property until he now owns two well improved and valu-

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

able farne. His record is an honor to the land of his nativity and the land of his adoption and proves what may be accomplished in a country where effort is not hampered by cast of class. but where the road to success is the highway it iscfulness and general activity.

TRANALIN P. ZUMWALT.

Franklin D' Zumwalt, of Sheldon, - numbered among Iroquois county's native sons and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families Of the state, while in 1847 his father became a resident . i this county. casting in his lot with the carly settlers who were reclaiming the wild land and wol proved region for the purpose of civil- ration. It was upon the old farm homestead in Sletdon township that Mr. Zumwalt of this re View was born, February 5. 1808. His parents ware Christian and Salinda 10 kr) Zumwalt. The father was born in Lexington, Harrison county, Kentucky, September 8, 1824, and was the youngest in the family of eight children b rn uit . Philip and Leah (Powell) Zumwalt, who were likewise native of the Blue Grass state. In 1833. when their son Christian was a lad of nine wars they removed with their family to Indiana, sealing in Fountain courts, where Philip Zumwalt & nducted a grist and saw mill but he was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, his death occurring in 1837.

thestian Zumwalt parsued his education in the comonon schools and remained at home until he attained his majority. In 1842, with his widowed mother, he removed to Illinois, settling first in Vermilion county, where he carried on general farming. His mother died while on a visit in Fountain county, Indiana, in 1849. In the meantime, in 1847. Christian Zumwalt had removed to Iroquois county but after his mother's death returned to Vermilion county. Later he took up his abode in lowa and subsequently (- tablished his home in Tazewell counts. Illinois, but lived at each place for only a brief period. He came again to Iroquois counts in 1855 and began farming here. Prosperity attended his well directed efforts and he made judicions invest

ments in property until has farm land embraced two hundred and forty acres. This he brought under a high state of cultivation and improve- Bent and in the course of years the fields returned In a gratifying mcome in bounteous harvest Mr. Zumwalt secured a portion of his land from the government. Not a furrow had been turned Her an improvement made upon that tract but he resolmely set to work to convert it into pro ductive fields and his labors in court of time wrought the desired transformation. He also created good buildings and added the various equipments which are clemens of a modd farm. Withont desire for office Mr. Zumwalt gave a stalwart support in the republican party and 11- principles. The only offices he would ever coll want to hold were in connection with the schools and the roads and he did this, realizing their value as factors in the best development of the county. He and his wife were consistent mell- bers and active workers in the Christian emurch and were highly respected in the communi's.

On the 18th of February, 1840, Christ m Zumwalt was married to Miss Salinda Oder a native of Illinois and a daughter of Joseph til r. Fight children blessed this union, seven of wh 1 tre now living. The father died in Watseka in oh, at the age of seventy -me years, while his wife survived until 1902 and passed away at the age of seventy-four.

Franklin 1. Zumwalt at the usual age became a student in the district schools and mastered the various branches of learning therein taught. When net occupied with the duties of the school- r om of the pleasure of the playground his at- tention was claimed by the farm work and thus he became familiar with all of the tasks neces- sary to the successful cultivation of the fields. When twenty-one years of age he started out in life on his own account, and whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own labors. He has made farming his life work and is today the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land in Sheldon township, whereon he raises both gram and stock. He has made a specialty of Percheron horses and high grade cattle and hogs, and he employs men to assist him in carrying on the work of the farm. In 1905 he retired and re Hoved to Sheldon, where he purchased a beauti- inl residence that he now occupies. He has ton

382

PAST AND PRESENT OF

lots in town and his home is one of the most at- tractive residences in Sheldon.

Mr. Zumwalt was married in 1891 to Miss Della Waity, a daughter of Nelson H. Waity. who was one of the pioneer residents here but is now deceased. He was born in Norway, in .An- gust, 1824, and there spent the first twelve years of his life, after which he accompanied his par- ents on their emigration to the new world. the family home being established at Beaver Creek. Illinois, where his parents died. He lived there but few months. when he went to Monticello. Illinois, where he spent one year. He afterward returned to Beaver Creek and for six years was employed by the month at farm labor. He then engaged in farming on his own account, and in 1854 he bought a farm, to which he added until he owned four hundred and thirteen acres in Iroquois county, all of which property was pur- chased with the money he himself earned and is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry. On the 13th of September. 1849. he married Miss Elizabeth Enslen, who was born in Indiana and died August 3. 1868. Having lost his first wife Nelson H. Waity was married February 13. 1870, to Miss Rosanna Coughe- nour, who was born in this county. They be- came the parents of five children, three of whom are yet living: Della E., now Mrs. Zumwalt : Charles N .; and Frank. Both Mr. and Mrs. Waity have now passed away.

Mr. and Mrs. Zumwalt have four children. Mabel. Hirschel, Kenneth and Freda. Mr. Zumwalt is unfaltering in his support of the re- publican party, his study of the questions and is- sues of the day leading him to the opinion that the platform of that party contains the best ele- ments of good government. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, at Sheldon. and also of the Woodmen camp there.

ELWIN IIULL.

It has been said that the history of a country is best told in the lives of its people, and it is the enterprise and public spirit of the citizens who enrich and ennoble a commonwealth through their enterprise, their high standards of conduct

and their public spirit. . As one of the represen- tative iren of Artesia township Elwin Hull cer- tainly deserves mention in this volume, for he is the oldest settler of the township and has been a resident of the county from the age of ten years. For almost two decades he has resided upon the farm which is now his home and his agricultural interests are extensive and important. for he owns and cultivates four hundred and fifty-three acres of land. His home is situated on section 13. Artesia township, and stands in the midst of a highly developed farm.

Mr. Hull was born in Delaware county, Ohio. on the 27th of March, 1843, and was one of a family of five children born unto Japheth and Betsy ( Lusk) Hull. The father was born in Crawford county, Ohio, March 3. 1821, and was there married on the twenty-first anniversary of his birth to Miss Lusk, a native of Genesee county, New York, born November 1. 1822, and a daughter of Seth Lusk. The young people began their domestic life in Delaware county. Ohio, where they resided until 1853. when they came to Iroquois county, settling in what is now Onarga township, although the township organi- zation had not then been effected. A year later they removed to what is now Artesia township and took up their abode on a farm of one hin- dred and sixty acres near Buckley, where they resided for twenty-one years. Throughout his active life Mr. Hull carried on farming and the secret of his success was found in his close appli- cation and unfaltering diligence. At the time of his death he owned six hundred and thirteen acres of well improved land, and he passed away on the 25th of October. 1876, at the age of fifty- five years.

He exerted a widefelt influence in political circles and in early days his opposition to slavery led him to become a stanch abolitionist, while he was known as a conductor on the famous under- ground railroad and in this way assisted many a poor negro on his way to freedom in the north. lle joined the freesoil party on its organization and when the republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he be- came one of its advocates and remained one of its faithful followers until his demise. At differ- ent times he was honored with positions of pub- . lic trust. He acted for several terms as a mem-

OF ILLL.OIS

MR. AND MRS. ELWIN HULL.

JAPHETH HULI ..

UNIVERSITY OF CITROIS

387

her of the board of supervisors and for - steel cars was justice of the peace, rendering det. Vous which were strieth fair and impartial. Fra- fornals he was a Master Mason and in his hie selfiltre of the beneficent spirit of the craft. He Was also ahong the California argonauts, for in 18:30, attracted In the discovery of gold on the cast, he went to the far west, where he worked In the mouth and mined. He met with good sue cess, but lost eight thousand dollars In leaning Is to a than in when he had such confidence that three years on the coast Mr. Hull returned by war of Cape Horn and New York city and the salle year came on horseback to frogner county, limiting on the farht which he owned at the title ni his death. He then returned to Ohio and frenight his family by team to Illinois, casting in bis let with the pioneer settlers. All was wild and unimproved in this part of the state His Inarest miglior to the north was four miles www. on the cast five nales, on the west eighteen and on the south thirty five miles, all of which indicates his isolated position, but he bravely took up the work of poncer hie and in course of time developed a good farm. The postofice was at Middleport, a distance of twenty-five miles Both parents have now passed away. In their family were two sons and three daughters, of whom four are vet living. Elwin, Elner, Alice and MI- wildla. while Alma, the third in order of birth. died March 5. 1872.

Ilwin Hull spent the first ten years of his life in the place of his nativity and then came with his parents to Iroquois county, where he has sukce made his home. Few settlers have more intinaile knowledge of the changes that have oc cured and the transformation that has been wrought during this period. His home was a frontier set- tlement and the schools of the district were very primitive All around stretched the un broken prairie, over which one night ride ir niles without coming to a fence of habitation to un pede his progress. Mr. Hull carl became m- mured to the hardships of frontier life and was trained to the work of the fields, assisting in the arduous task of developing a new farm. He re- rained with his father until his thirty-first ver and is now the owner of the old fanliks honte-

mitel m marriage to the Sabe K Kerns a Haine of Pennsylvania, born on Chester county. Sqten or ;. 1852 She is one of eight children burn unto Jacob and Hannah chatrekin Kerns. The father was born in the salle county. Feb rubry 12. 1815, and was ci German parentage. while his wife was likewise a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, born January ;. 1810. in an early das they removed to La Salle county. cumthere Mrs. Berns died December 21. ember 1 152 He presperch ou hus und tak og- nd bucine core of the Ire landowners ni the Merits. Both In and Ins He were active their power to advance its growth and extend

For a number of years after his marriage Mr. Hull located upon a part of the old home fam and upon his father's death cane mio possesso of a portion of it. He continued to reside there- on until the spring of 1888, when he removed to hi- present place of residence on section 13. \r- tesia township. He owns four hundred and fifty - three acres of land, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. He now lives retired. his sons operating the farm. He has always been a breeder of shorthorn cattle and Norman horse's and this branch of his business has proved proi- itable.

Unto Mr. and Mrs Hull have been born five children: George, who lives on his father's farm, married Rosa k. ( mard, a daughter of Ju- soph Conrad, and they have three children : Fern, Borice and Elwin, Frank, who is also married und resides on the home farm, wedded M. Blanche Hollingsworth, and they have one child, Verna 1. Cora B is the wife of Jesse 1. Singleton, a tile manufacturer of Buckley. Les K. is a young toan and operates a part of the hore place Jay I. is also assisting in carrying on the home farm. The mother passed away in isto, at the age of forty six years, after having been an invalid for seven years.

Politically Mr. Hull is a stalwart republican. having given mifaltering support to the princi- ples of the party at each presidential election since he cast his first vote for Abraham lincoln.

388

PAST AND PRESENT OF

He has held the office of highway commissioner for eigliteen years, has been treasurer of the board for a number of years and has been school treasurer for sixteen years. He was also town- ship assessor for nine years in succession and has been a delegate to various conventions of his party. A Master Mason, he belongs to Buckley lodge, No. 634, A. F. & A. M., and to Mount Olivet commandery, No. 38. K. T., of Paxton.

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.

Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 38

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