USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 39
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Mr. Hull is regarded as one of the foremost agriculturists of Iroquois county, having under his personal supervision fifteen hundred acres of land. In addition to his own property he leases and operates the Ann C. Searls farm of seven hundred and fifty acres. The occupation to which he was reared he has always made his life work, nor has he desired to change in this particular. He has found therein ample oppor- tunity for the exercise of his industry and perse- verance-his dominant qualities-and as the years have gone by he has labored so effectively and discerningly in well directed channels of ac- tivity that his success has long been assured and he is now one of the most prosperous residents of Artesia township.
JOHN C. GILES.
Nature has been lavish of her gifts in almost all sections of this great country but particularly in Illinois, which constitutes a part of the richest farming belt of America. It remained to the residents of this locality to claim and improve the opportunities offered, bringing practical and scientific knowledge to meet the conditions that would transform Iroquois county from a wilder- ness and swamp into most productive farms. Among those who have labored earnestly, ener- getically and successfully along that line is num- bered John C. Giles, who today owns valuable farming property on section 2. Douglas town- ship. Ilis life record began in North Peoria. Illinois, December 29. 1844, and he comes of English ancestry. His grandfather. Thomas Giles, was an English soldier who acted as one of the British guards during the trip of the banished Napoleon to the Island of St. Helena. His wife, Ann Giles, was also of English birth.
and on leaving the military service of his coun- try he also left his native land, becoming a resi- dent of America in 1827. After four years passed in Utica, New York, he removed to Rich- land, that state, and in 1836, came to Illinois with his family, purchasing eighty acres of land now included in North Peoria. In order to fence his land he placed a broad sack on his pony's back, on which he balanced rails. thus transport- ing them to the desired place. With a mattock he dug up three acres for his first crop, and as the years passed he continued the further work of developing and improving the farm, which he at length brought under a high state of cultiva- tion, making his home thereon until his death.
His son. William Giles, was born in 1818, on an English ship then in American waters. He accompanied his parents to Peoria in 1836, and, having arrived at years of maturing. wedded Louisa AAnna Kiser, who was a native of Louis- iana. and of German extraction. She was left an orphan in early girlhood and had gone to Peoria with friends. Mr. and Mrs. Giles began their domestic life upon a farm, and in connec- tion with general agricultural pursuits he engaged in brick manufacturing, being the first brick- maker at Peoria. Many of the substantial struc- tures of that city were erected from brick from his kilns and he continued in business with con- stantly increasing success for many years, while the industry that he established is still carried on. He voted with the republican party and filled the office of collector of Peoria. serving also as school trustee. His wife died when but thirty-three years of age, while Mr. Giles long surviving, passed away in 1903. at the venerable age of eighty-five years. In their family were four sons and two daughters, three of whom yet survive, namely: John C .; Thomas, a mer- chant of North Peoria : and Nathan, a retired farmer of Peoria. Illinois. After losing his first wife the father wedded Ann Uphoff, a native of Germany and unto them were born five sons and three daughters.
John C. Giles spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and when not busy with his text-books in the acquirement of a common-school education, his time and ener- gies were devoted to work upon the farm, or in his father's brickyard. On attaining his ma-
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purity he started out in hie on his own det Il' as an agriculturest and has made steady progress n the business world. Atter renting Und for a time be operated his father's farm for this years and then made purchase of rights act in Princeville township. l'aria county. where be carried on general agricultural pursuit- no 188 ;. In that year he made investment in the hundred acres of land on section 2. Douglas township. Trong is county, and began the el vel offent of what is today one of the finest farms in this portion of the state. He has placed over fifty thousand tile on the farm and has thus re- claumed the land from a swamp. converting i into fields of richest fertility, from which he mmmally harvest large crops. & ne of the ac- cessories and equipments of a mok farm are lacking and the latest improved machinery is used to facilitate the work of the fields.
On the 17th of December. 180%, Mr. Giles Was united in marriage to Miss Amora Russell. who was born in Peoria county. Illinois. Her father, Ebenezer Russell, was a native of Lawrence county, l'ennsylvania, born No- vember 15, 1811, and when a youth of eighteen scars he left his parents' home and removed to Fredericksburg. Ohio. He was married in 1834 to Edith Emery, also a native of the Keystone state, and they resided upon an Ohio farm until their removal to Illinois, becoming residents of Peoria county, where Mr. Russell passed away in October. in, while his wife died in IM. They had a family of thirteen children.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Giles have been born four children: Emery W. who was born September 25. 1800), and is a carpenter of Peoria, married Florence MeTier, of Gilman, in 1895, and they have two children. Gladys B. and Howard. Hat- tic Mas, born July 10. 1874, is the wife of Thomas Scott, a farmer near Gilman and they have two children, Philhp Giles and Glenn Arthur. Arthur Ebenezer, born August 27. 1877. assists in the operation of the home farm, and John Ernest, who was born July 30, 8882. is en- gaged in breeding registered collie dogs, sending the n throughout the United States.
Since 1887 Mr. Giles has resided continuously in Iroquois county and his efforts have been a potent clement in promoting the agricultural progress and political and fraternal interests of
the count He has been a la wart apporter of the republican party for many years and has been crm-sicher of the D. D. and A hitch for the past dever vars. He has ever been active in part work set tot . a politician in search of office and Gas frequentes been a delegate to the thenher of the Methodist Episcopal church at GIman and b is identined with the Modern mination and honorable effort he has overthrown the obstacle which barred by's path to success and reached the goal of prosperity, while his genuine worth, bread nfind and public spirit have largely made him a leader of public thoughit and action in In- community. In everything he has been eminently practical and this has been manifest not only in his business undertakings but also in social and private life.
JACOB SCHURING.A.
Jacob Schuringa is a farmer located on section 5. Danforth township, where he owns and culti- vates a finely improved tract of land of eighty acres. Ile was born in the Netherlands. January 1. 1849, and is a son of John and Angia ( Hesse- may Schuringa, who came to America in 1868. bringing with them their son Jacob and their two daughters. Arriving on the western shore of the Atlantic, they made their way at once to Iroquois county, where they took up their abode in the month of May, establishing their home on section 6, Danforth township, where the fa- ther purchased eighty acres of land. With char- acteristic energy he began its development and improvement and subsequently he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 5 of the same township. He was among the first of the Holland setters in Iroquois county and he brought to the new world the thrift and perse- verance so characteristic of people of his national- 11. He continued actively in farming until his life's labor- were ended in death in 1870 and he Is still survived by his wife, who is now living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the age of more than eight years. The daughters of the family are Trinkia and Dena. The former is the wife of
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Geridge Hessema. a gardener residing at Dauphin Park in Cook county, Illinois, and Dena is now the widow of Albert Cooper, a resident of Chicago.
Jacob Schuringa spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in his native country and when a young man of abont nineteen years came to America with his parents, reaching Iroquois county, as stated, in May, 1868. A part of the old home farm of one hundred and sixty acres. which his father purchased and improved, is now in his possession. He resided upon the old homestead for thirteen years and afterward spent twelve years in Cook county, being en- gaged in gardening near Chicago. When his father died in 1876 he returned to the old home farm and in 1880 he removed to North Caro- lina. where he spent two years. It was after- ward that he passed twelve years in Cook county but since 1892 he has resided continu- ously at his present place of residence and has operated the farm with good success. All of the improvements here have been made by him and are in keeping with ideas of modern agri- cultural progress. He broke the first land upon the place and he has tiled the fields, which ow- ing to the drainage and the cultivation he has bestowed upon them are in excellent shape. llere he carries on general farming and his labors are meeting with gratifying success.
Mr. Schuringa was married in 1874 to Miss Cornelia Baker, who was born in the Neth- erlands and is a daughter of William Baker, who never came to this country and both he and his wife are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schuringa have been born three children who are yet living, and they have lost five. Those who yet survive are as follows: John, a farmer residing at Lansing, Cook county, Illinois, married Philopena Keesen and has two children. William, who resides at Blue Island, Cook county, wedded Emma Kraa and has two children. Jacob, fourteen years of age, is at home. The parents are members of the Holland Reformed church of Danforth and are interested in the intellectual and moral as well as mate- rial development of the community. In politics Mr. Schuringa has always been a republican, giving unfaltering support to the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen, yet
never seeking or desiring office for himself, as he has preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business interests, in which he is now meet- ing with gratifying success.
I. W. WILSON.
The productive and well developed farm is the rule in Illinois, for all but ten per cent. of the land in this great state is cultivable and the soil is particularly rich in those qualities which produce the cereals which constitute the basis of our food supply and the greatest source of wealth to the country. Nevertheless it is individual labor and merit that wins success. Indolence and idleness would result in farming circles in Illinois as they do in other sections of the coun- try, while diligence and enterprise bring most desirable results. The latter traits are manifested in the life of Mr. Wilson, who lives on section 22. Ridgeland township. He owns a farm of two hundred and forty acres pleasantly situated a mile from the village of Ridgeland and within two miles of Onarga. Moreover he is entitled to distinction not only as a successful agricul- turist but also as one of the earliest settlers of the county, his residence here covering a period of more than a half century, for he took up his abode in this locality in April, 1856.
He was born in Warren county, New Jersey, April 23, 1824, and was there reared to farm life with common school advantages such as were afforded to most youths of the period. His fa- ther, William Wilson, was likewise a native of New Jersey, where he was reared and married. the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Probasco. a native of New York. Mr. Wilson died in 1824 and thus upon his widow devolved the task of rearing their family of ten children. The sons, John, William, Thompson, George and I. W., all reached manhood, while the daughters, Eliza- beth, Sarah and Catherine, also attained to adult years. The mother performed her full duty by the little ones left to her care and I. W. Wilson remained with her and assisted her to the best of his ability until he had attained his majority. Hle and his brother, George Wilson, are now the only surviving members of the family. He left
1. W. WILSON.
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UNIVERSIDOIS
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New Jersey in 1845 and went to Auburn. Vous York, where he learned the moulder - trao. which he followed for ten years in different plan - in the Empire state
On the Ist of December, 1847. w Sprawie. New York, was celebrated the marriage . i M. Wilson and Miss Sarah Gaylord, a native of New York They resided in Syracuse for wear and afterward spent five years in Suora Talk, Mr. Wilson working at his trade in both paces. In the spring of 1850 he came with his family to the middle west. He had made a trip to California in 1853 by way of the isthum route and was absent from home for ume months. While on the coast he devoted his time to min ing the yellow metal and the return trip was made by the Nicaragua route. He then worked at his trade in New York until coming to the west in 1856. He had previously visited this locality and had purchased eighty acres of raw land, on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. After building a house here he returned for his wife and their house- hold effects and removed to the new home which he had prepared. With characteristic energy . he began breaking the prairie and in the course of years opened up a farm. Later he bought more land and he now has two hundred and forty acres in one tract. The farm buildings are in keeping with modern ideas of progress. Til- ing has added to the productiveness of the fields and fences have divided the land into fields of convenient size of into pastures as the need has been. He has likewise planted fruit upon the place and made the farm a valuable property. living a life of industry and close application for many years.
In 1883 Mr. Wilson was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife. The following year he was married again to Mrs. Julia Munson, a native of Franklin. New York. She had two children by a former marriage. She was reared in the Empire state, came west to Ilinois and married Ransom Munson. They settled at Wat- seka, where Mr. Munson, a carpenter and joiner. worked at his trade until his death in 18;t. The children of that marriage are John I Munom. a resident of Denver, Colorado, who is married and has three children, and Mary, who is with Der mother.
Mr. Wilson votes with the democracy and was cheted and served for two ferns as supervisor He actul on some of the important committee on the bard, melding the roads and bridges and finance connettere. He also served as coll Insioner of highways for some years and was appointed by the county commissioners as bridge commissioner. Internally he is connected with the Masonle Lige at & harga. His Hie has been one of activity and industry and his excellent Barney's prof thereof, for it was a tract of will land when it came into his presion. He is one of the few remaining carly settlers and can relate from memory incolents which occurred here a half century ago and events which consti- tuted the early history of the county. He is wel! known in Onarga aol throughout this part of the state and is one of the venerable citizens, having now passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey .
THEODORE GILCHRIST.
Theodore Gilchrist, supervisor of Crescent township and a resident of Crescent City, was born in Iroquois township on the 21st of July. 1859. his parents being Danicl and Sarah Jane (Lawhead ) Gilchrist. The father. a native of New York, came to Ilinois at an early day and cast in his lot with the pioneer residents of iro- pois township. He became the owner of one hundred acres of land there and was very pro- perous in the conduct of his farming interests. He died February 2. 1872, leaving three children : Theodore, Alice and leva. The eller daughter i- the wife of Joseph Sturdevant and Eva is the widow of Andrew Long and a resident of Wat- scka. After losing her first husband the mother, Mrs. Gilchrist, became the wife of Daniel Waters and is living in Watseka at about the age of ser- enty years. There was one child by that mar- riage. Rachel Waters, also in Watseka.
The public schools afforded to Theodore Gil- christ the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth. He was trained to farm work and has always given his attention to that calling since attaining his majority. In 1882 he made his first purchase of land. becoming owner of eight acres, and in June, 1800, he bought an-
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other eighty-acre tract, so that he now owns a quarter section in Crescent township. In 1991 he removed to Crescent City, where he bought a fine home and thirty acres of land one mile south of the town, and upon this place he has since lived. Ile gives personal supervision to the care and management of his farming inter- ests and from this source derives a good income.
On the 22d of November, 1882, Mr. Gilchrist was joined in wedlock to Miss Nettie V. Cast. of Crescent City, a daughter of Aquilla C. Cast, of that place, and one of the carly settlers of the county, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist have been born three children: Grace. Vernice and Theodore. The mother and two daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Gilchrist is connected with the Modern Woodmen camp at Crescent City and in politics is a democrat. He was elected mayor of Cres- cent City in 1905 to serve for two years, and was elected supervisor of Crescent township in 1895, in which office he has served continuously for cleven years. He was also collector for four years and assessor two years and has been a most capable official, over whose public record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. On the contrary he has been loyal to the best interests of the community and does every- thing in his power to advance the welfare of town and county. In everything that he does he has been eminently practical, which trait is manifest in his public as well as his private life.
WILLIAM M. DAWSON.
William M. Dawson is now living retired at Dawson Park but for many years was closely associated with agricultural interests in this county, and is still the owner of four hundred and cleven acres of valuable land on section 19. Stockland township, and two hundred acres on sections 7 and 8. These farms class him with the large landowners of the county and with the men of affinence. His business record well entitles him to representation in this volume and he moreover deserves mention by reason of the fact that he is one of the veterans of the Civil
war. and in citizenship in days of peace has been equally loyal to the best interests of the com- munity. \ resident of the county since 1851 he has watched its development as it has emerged from pioneer conditions and taken on all of the advantages and improvements known to the older cast. Born in Warren county, Indi- ana, on the 18th of March, 1842. he is a son of Elisha D. and Polly R. ( Davis) Dawson. The father was born at Lawrenceburg. Indiana, not far from Cincinnati, Ohio. He was there reared and subsequently removed to Warren county with his parents when a young man. There he followed farming and was married in that locality to Miss Polly Davis, a native of Warren county. They began their domestic life there and remained residents of that county un- til 1851. when they came to Iroquois county with their family, settling on Sugar creek. As yet comparatively few settlements had been made in this part of the state and Mr. Dawson entered land from the government, securing one hundred and thirty acres, which he developed and improved, converting it into a good farm. As the years passed he continually carried on the farm work until his place greatly increased in value. There he resided until 1879, when he was called to his final rest. at the age of eighty- two years. His widow still survives him and has now reached the very advanced age of ninety-six years, making her home with a niece in the old homestead.
William M. Dawson, who was one of a fam- ily of twelve children, was but nine years of age when he came to Iroquois county with his par- ents. Ile was reared upon the home farm and in the winter months attended the public schools for a few weeks, while in the summer seasons he aided in the work of the fields. Watching with interest the progress of events that marked the opening year of the Civil war, his patriotic spirit was aronsed by the continued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, and in the fall of 1862, when twenty years of age, he be- came a member of Company E. Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, joining the army at Kankakee. His regiment went south to Missis- sippi, and participated in the engagements at Yazoo City. Vicksburg and Jackson Cross Roads. At the last named place Mr. Dawson
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was wounded and hit on the field for af af but I was found that life was not extinct. He was then in the hospital for thirty days, and he will carries the scar of a rebel bullet that tore away a part of the skull. Subsequently he was in the battle of Mobile, Alabama. He served for the full term of three years, being honorable die charged and mustered out at Chicago, Illinois. lle participated in a mummiber of important en gagements and was always most faithful to the old flag and the cause it represented. When the war was ended he returned to his home and be- gan farming. at first purchasing forty acres of land and subsequently an additional tract of forty acres.
On the Ist of March, 1867, Mr. Dawson was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Coffelt. a rative of Warren county, Indiana, and a daughter of Michael Cofelt, a native of Ohio, who settled at Kentland, Indiana. Fol- lowing his marriage he purchased land on section 19. Stockland township, which he im- proved, making it a valuable property. It is now called Dawson Park, and is situated on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. After car- rying on farm work for some time Mr. Dawson rented his land and went to Missouri, where he remained for two years, after which he returned to Illinois. He has improved three farms and has thus contributed in substantial measure to the agricultural development and upbuilding of this section of the county. With his farming he has been a breeder of and dealer in draft horses and at one time was the largest breeder in the county. his business reaching mammoth proportions. He also made a specialty of Poland China hogs. He still holds extensive and val- uable farming interests, having four hundred and eleven acres of land on section 19. Stock- land township, and two hundred acres on sec- tions 7 and 8. Having put aside the more active work connected with farming and stock-raising. he makes his home in Dawson Park, which was named in his honor. Here he has lived for two years in comfort and case, enjoying the fruits of a well spent and active life.
Mr. and Mrs. Dawson have become the par- ents of three children: Flora Belle, the wife of Stephen A. Webster, who is operating one of Mr. Dawson's farms; Charles R., who married
Je me Jaggers and slangon the how place atol Jenme, the wife of James S. Wright, sheis also living on one of her father's farms. Mr. Dawson and his estimable wife have a fire home m Dawson Park, and are most comfortable - usted with their children around them. They are members of the United Brethren church, in which Mr. Dawson is serving as a trustee. 11 Is independent in politics nor has he ever sought or hield office. A witness of much of the growil of the county he remembers the time when wolves were almost as numerous in this part of the state as farm animals. It was the day of the swamp and the wild prairie and uncut tim- ber. Many hardships and privations fell to the lot of the early settlers but as the work of recla- mation was carried forward all this was changed and the present high state of devlopment and prosperity has been secured through the efforts of such men as William M. Dawson. In his business life he has manifested the spirit of en- terprise that has bronoked no obstacles which could be overcome by resolute, determined and honorable effort, and in the control of his busi- ness he has displayed an aptitude for successful management that has resulted in winning for him a place among the men of affluence in the county.
HENRY ELMER KORON.
Ninety per cent of the land in Illinois is arable and there is no finer agricultural state in all the Union, for climatic conditions are such that we seldom have late frosts in the spring or early frosts in the autumn and thus the cereals which are most essential for food are easily produced. Mr. Koon is one of the active and enterprising farmers of Onarga township, living on section 5. where he owns and cultivates two hundred and forty acres of land. He is one of the native. sons of Illinois and has had no reason to change his place of residence, for the excellent oppor- tunities offered by this state have been sufficient inducement for him to continue his labors here and gain through his industry and enterprise a creditable measure of success.
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