USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 42
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A native of Chautauqua county, New York, He was born June 20, 1820, his father being Trong \\ Gas, who was fumiharly called Wish Case In his many friends. He became
a resident of Will county. Ilmes, in 1834 and thence removed to troques county in 1830 60 caring in what is now Kankakee county. he opened up a farm there, purchased land and reared his fanals. The place is still owned by his descendants.
Upon that farm Henry Clay Case was reared. carly assisting in the arduous toil incident to the development and improvement of a new farm. In 1853 he made the journey overland to Cali- forma, driving an ov team. He spent offe winter in the gold mines and renamed on the Pacific Slope until 1850, farming and herding cattle for two wear- In 1850 be returned to Ilinois, mask ing the entire journey across the plains on the back of a male. He was married in Kankakee comments. Jul 3. 1858, to Miss Sarah Platt, Who was born and reared in Ohio. They began their domestic life in Kankakee county, where Mr. Case carried on farming until August, 1802. when his spirit of patriotism was aroused and he enlisted as a member of Company V. Seventy- sixth Illinois Infantry, in defense of the Union. He went to the south, where he did active day with the army of Mississippi, partie pating in the battle of Vicksburg, of Fort Blakely and Cham- pion Hills. He was on detached duty and drove a team a considerable portion of the time and for a period was ill in the hospital at Natchez, for it few weeks. He participated in a number of skirmishes in addition to the regular pitched bat tles and he served until the close of the war, being mustered out in Galveston. Texas, and honorably discharged in Chicago.
When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Care at once returned to his home in Illinois. In to be removed to Unarga township and purchased an interest in the old Freeman farm. He broke and ienced the land and has made the farm what it is today. He now has a good resi- dence property and other substantial buildings upon the place and in connection with the tilling of the soil he raises stock, making a specialty of hogs. He likewise raises small fruit in abund- ance and produces some of the finest berries in ilis part of the state.
I'mto Mr. and Mrs Case have been born two Sos bruge 11. who resides in Kankakee, Las been married twice and by the first union had a son and daughter, Ernest and Gertie Ellen, both
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of whom were reared by their paternal grandpar- ents. The latter is now a young lady and has been a member of her grandfather's household since a little child. Eli HI. Case, the younger son, resides with his father and assists in carry- ing on the home farm.
In his political views Mr. Case is a republican but his first presidential vote was cast for General Winfield Scott in 1852. In 1800 he voted the republican ticket and has ever since deposited his ballot in favor of the candidates of that party. Ile has been without aspiration for office for himself and has never served in positions of pub- lic trust save as school director for some years. His son, Eh, who is a graduate of the commer- cial college at Onarga, is of much assistance to him in the farm work. He belongs to the Ma- sonic fraternity, being a Master Mason of the blue lodge at Onarga. For seventy-two years Henry C. Case has resided in Illinois, coming to the state when Indians still lived within its bor- ders and when there were many wild deer and other kinds of wild game. He has watched the reclamation of the county from a swampy dis- trict and unbroken prairie and timber land into a great agricultural state with splendidly de- veloped farms and extensive stock-raising inter- ests. His memory compasses the period when many of the homes were log cabins and when the greater part of the farm work was done by hand. The plow was guided in the furrow by the man who tramped behind it driving a single horse. The grain was cut with scythe and the corn was shocked by hand. All this meant ar- (nous and continuous labor for the farmer, who now has in his fields fine machinery. relieving him of much of the hard work. Mr. Case has kept in touch with the trend of general progress and improvement and has long been numbered among the representative agriculturists of the community.
ROBERT ROBERTS.
An excellent farm property of nearly four hun- dred acres on section 6. Onarga township. is in possession of Robert Roberts, who in its care and improvement indicates a spirit of progress and enterprise and who, moreover, is practical in all
that he undertakes. There are two sets of good farm buildings upon the place and this farm con- stitutes one of the attractive features in the land- scape. The owner, a native son of Illinois, was born near the present town of Crandall in Taze- well county. March 3. 1846. His father. Robert Roberts, Sr .. was a native of New Jersey but was reared in Hamilton county. Ohio, where he was married to Miss Charlotte Jones, a native of that state and a daughter of John Jones, who was a farmer by occupation and for a number of years had charge of the farm of General William Henry Harrison. About 1835 Robert Roberts, Sr .. removed to Illinois, settling in Tazewell county among its earliest residents. He entered land from the government, broke the prairie and opened up a farm, spending his life thereon. He lived to a ripe old age and both he and his wife died on the homestead property. Their family numbered five sons who reached adult age and three daughters. Of this number three sons and two daughters are yet living.
Robert Roberts of this review was reared upon the old homestead farm in Tazewell county and acquired a common-school education. He was trained to the work of field and meadow. assist- ing in the task of plowing, planting and harvest- ing. Until twenty-one years of age he remained with his father and then he and his brother Wil- liam went to Livingston county, where they broke a half section of land. each having one hundred and sixty acres. Robert Roberts improved and built upon his farm and made a good property there. continuing its cultivation for eighteen years, when he sold the property and bought his present farm of two hundred acres on section 6, Onarga township. He has since added to and remodeled the house, has built two corn cribs and has tiled and fenced the place. The drainage adds much to the fertility of the fields and the rotation of the crops also insures good harvests. Sometime after coming to this county Mr. Rob- erts purchased an adjoining place of two hundred acres and has further continued its development and improvement. He now has eighty acres of that farm rented. He has been raising, buying and feeding stock and is widely recognized as a successful farmer and business man.
In 1872 was celebrated the marriage of Rob- ert Roberts and Miss Virginia Watts, a native of
ROBERT ROBERTS AND FAMILY.
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1 WERSITY OF ILLPOIS
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IROQUOIS COUNTY ILLINOIS
Farewell county, the wedding, however, taking place in Mel.can county, Hlinor Her father, Robert Watts, was one of the early settlers of Tazewell county, Seven children have been born of this union and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. In order of birth they are as follows: Chester, who is now in tan- ada, where he has homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land ; Luther, a merchant of Del rey : Joseph, who assists in the work of the home fart: Cora, at home : Archie, who is farming in Indiana : and Edna and Mma, who are under the parental rooi.
Mr. Roberts holds membership in the Delrey Methodist Episcopal church and gives his politi- cal allegiance to the republican party, which he has continuously supported since casting his first presidential ballot for U. S. Grant in 1868. He served as township trustee in Livingston county. was a member of the school board for over twenty years and is now highway commissioner of Onarga township. His entire life has been passed in this portion of Illinois and, starting out in life for himself at the age of twenty-one years, he has made steady progress in the business world, being recognized as a man of strict integ- rity and worth and one whose success in life has been honorably gained.
GEORGE SPIES.
The name of George Spies was an honored one in Chebanse and Iroquois county, for at all times the principles which guided his life were those which command uniform confidence, respect and admiration. Never neglectful of the duties of citizenship and manifesting toward his associates a most kindly and considerate spirit, his death therefore came as a source of deep and lasting regret to all who knew him.
Mr. Spies was born in Geimbshein, Darmstadt. Germany, May 2. 1843, and in 1848 he was brought by his parents to America, the family home being established in Syracuse, New York. where they lived for three years, removing thence to Troy. New York, where two years were passed. In 1853. with his parents, he removed to
Hudson, Como, and there rested until 1850 when the fanohy went to Chicago In that oft George Spies was in the employ of his father, who was foreman of a collard for three years, and at the conclusion of this time they removed to Chi- ton in October, 1850. Where they occupied a farm adjoining the town on the north. In these va- nous localities Gorge Spies lived a busy like. assisting his father in various ways.
After the outbreak of the t ivil war he desired to your the army but was rejected on account of it lameness caused In falling from the root of a hotte On the 6th of February. 1865, however. he was accepted and remained with the army until January 16, 1866, at which time he received an honorable discharge from Company D. One Hundred and Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
When the war was over Mr. Spies spent a short time at home and then began to work on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. At a later date he went to Piqua, Ohio, where he was again in railroad service, but he thought the pay inade- quate to the amount of hard work demanded and returned home, remaining upon the farm until 180m). In that year he again went to Chi- cago, where for a year he was employed at the painter's trade, after which he again took up his abode on the old homestead three miles south of Chebanse, where he remained until 1875. In that year he located in the town of Chebanse and in partnership with Louis Falter purchased the business of Moses Everley. In 1878 he assumed control of the entire business, which he continued to manage until 1900, when he retired from com- mercial pursuits in order to give his undivided attention to his farming interests. As a mer- chant he was alert and enterprising, watchful of all the opportunities and indications pointing to success, and as the years passed by he enjoyed a large and profitable trade, which he well merited by reason of his honorable methods and his earnest efforts to please his patrons. In the meantime he had made judicious investments in farm property, from which he derived an ex- cellent income and in later years of his life his attention was given solely to the supervision of his farming interests. His financial position in his later years was in marked contrast to his moneyed resources at the outset of his business
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PAST AND PRESENT OF
life, for he started out empty-handed, dependent entirely upon his own labors for all that he achieved.
In 1879 Mr. Spies was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Falter, of Kempton, and as their mutual love and confidence increased as the years went by theirs was largely an ideal married re- lation. They became the parents of three chil- dren : Lillie M., the wife of George Wakeman. of Momence, Illinois, who operates two hundred and ninety acres of land and by whom she has two children, Earl S. and Louis () .: Louis G., a prominent young business man of Chebanse ; and John IL., who is attending high school in Chebanse.
The death of Mr. Spies occurred September 30. 1906. when he had reached the age of sixty- three years four months and twenty-eight days. He was a man of generous nature and of public spirit, who contributed liberally to many en- terprises for the benefit of the community. Ile regarded no personal sacrifice on his part as too great if it would promote the happiness or en- hance the welfare of his wife and children. Ile held membership with the Grand Army of the Republic and greatly delighted in its camp fires. He did all in his power to advance the interests of the order and frequently attended the state and national encampments. The funeral services were conducted by the Grand Army post to which he belonged. His life was crowned with a gratifying measure of success because of his landable ambition, his fertility of resource and his well directed labors, and he left to his family an honorable name as well as a handsome prop- erty. Mrs. Spies still survives her husband and occupies a pleasant home in Chebanse.
The elder son, Lonis G. Spies, who was måde administrator of the estate, was born February 28, 1883. at Chebanse, and is a graduate of the high school. He pursued a commercial course in Dixon, Illinois, and connected himself with the firm of Everley & Hennesey, bankers of Che- banse, on the Ist of January, 1902. He has since been a factor in the active business inter- ests of the bank and is regarded as a representa- tive young business man. He was married to Sophia Sirois, at St. Anne, Illinois, May 11. 1904, and they have one child. George Francis. In his political views Mr. Spies is a stalwart republican, and in the local ranks he takes active
and helpful interest in the work of the party. He is a valued member and the secretary of Che- banse lodge, No. 429. A. F. & A. M., also be- longs to Chebanse lodge. No. 924. 1. O. O. F. is captain of Williams camp. No. 16. Sons of Veterans, and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star chapter at Chebanse. He is likewise one of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church and is thus closely associated with the business, political and moral development of the community.
HENRY N. THEESFELD.
IJenry N. Theesfeld, who is farming on sec- tion 5. Onarga township, was born in Germany on the roth of January, 1843, and in the father- land the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. He had good common-school advan- tages in the German tongne but his knowledge of English has been acquired entirely since he came to the United States and although his un- familiarity with the tongue was somewhat of a handicap during the early years of his residence here he has long since largely mastered the language and also become acquainted with the manners and customs of the people, so that he is not only a successful business man but also a representative citizen, unfaltering in his loyalty to the stars and stripes.
Before leaving his native land Mr. Theesfeld was married in Germany to Miss Anna Sibens. who was born in that country. In September. 1800. the young couple started for the new work. taking passage on a vessel which weighed anchor at Bremen. This was a sailing ship and nearly seven weeks had elapsed before the voyage was completed and the passengers landed at Balti- more, Maryland. Mr. Theesfeld did not tarry long on the Atlantic coast but came at once to Illinois, settling first in Woodford county, where he joined his brothers who had previously come to the United States. For three years he worked by the month at farm labor, after which he rented land and thus engaged in farming on his own ac- count for eight years. He came to Iroquois county in 1880 and in 1889 bought one hundred and sixty acres of raw land, upon which he took
IROQUOIS CESTY ILLINOIS
Op ts abril The property when Guille It
.blonde to his present well developed fare Here was a house and at ble upon the plate ol a - nalf portion of the land Lad beer brok a Mr Hersteld resolutely undertik the work Wirther developing and Improving the fur nari Afterward he lagilt a maire compton for her c. other with substantial outbuilding- jeg the shell 1 of gram and stock.
und the capalm its which he displays in his bust ness affairs has made My Theesfeld one of the substant a agricultorist- of his community. It- das he has to posts of geen farm build -up its place and his tract of land of one hundred and visit acres responds readily to the care and cultivation which he bestow - upon it and am wall returns to hin rich harvests.
Uno Mr and Mrs. Thessi'd have been barn eight children U'rick, a farmer of Man esta. is married and has four children. Simon, who carries on agricultural pursuits in Kankakee county, is married and has three children Charles, who operates the home farm, is married and his children are Fred, Annie, Leo. William and Elsie. Martin is married and is a resident farmer of this counts. Henry, the Youngest will remain upon the home farm. Tena. the elkat daughter, is the wife of Jacob berker, a carpenter and joiner of this county, by whom she has six children. Maggie is the wife of for- ne hus Hershberger, a farmer of Troquer county. and they have force children Zena is the wife of tarl Reiners, an agricultureist of this county. and they have two children.
Mr. and Mrs Theesfeld are members of the Lutheran church, in the faith of which they were reared. Since becoming a naturalizol American citizen he has given stalwart support to the re publican party and its principles. The German American dement in our citizenship has ever been a valued and important one and of this Mr Thersfeld is a representative The hope that led him to America has been more than realized, for in this country where labor is un hampered Is caste " class he has made substan-
( Met auchan Met land, both of whom Were It tive of the and came of ance stry streets And ican in Its lineal and collateral Ines Abon isog Janis S. Met and came with his hands to Wineis, settling near Johet but sufrequently removed to Iroquois county. He had previously been engaged in the operation of a tax mill m this comis but he later turned his attention to contracting and bu lding. He afterward wen upon the road as a salesman for a coal firny and Has since followed that pursuit His wife die ! September 1. to, while on a vist in Min- She was a member of the Presbyterian church and was a woman well liked by all who knew her. In manner she was pleasant and genial and the circle of her friends was only lim- ited In the circle of her acquaintance. Int . Mr. and Mrs Met lotul were born eight children. six sons and two daughters, namely : William 1 ... Charles, who is living at Matterville, Minne- Sofa : Robert resides at Stillwell, Indian Terri- tory : James, Irving in St. Paul, Minnesota: 11. of Randolph, Minnesota ; and Harry, who makes hi- headquarters in Sheklon.
William I. Mecloud was a youth of seven years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois and after completing a com- mon school education he worked to some extent on the railroad, thus entering business life. 1h next engaged in checking for a time and after- ward well upon the road selling coal for a l'earia firm for twelve years In town he engaged in the miplement business and has met with excellent necess no this undertaking He deals in plos -. here we seeders, mowers, rakes, toddlers and in
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fact everything in the implement line. also han- dling machine oils, cream separators, Londen's feed and litter carriers, wagons, buggies, surreys, runabouts and cutters. His stock is very exten- sive and he has a constantly growing patronage, his business already having reached a large vol- ume, which renders it a profitable enterprise.
Mr. McCloud was married to Miss Anna D. Forsythe, a daughter of Rev. James P'. Forsythe. a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. well known throughout the county, who died in 1906. leaving behind an honored memory. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCloud has been born a son, James, now eleven years of age. The parents are both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. McCloud is a republican and has served as school director, while fraternally he is connected with the Ma- sons and the Modern Woodmen of Sheldon. Only the advantages which come to all were his in his boyhood and youth and that he has pros- pered is owing to his well directed labors in later years. He possesses a spirit of determination that has allowed him to brook no obstacles that could be overcome by honorable effort and as time has passed his close application, keen busi- ness sagacity and diligence have made him a prosperous merchant.
JOSIAH DARROUGH.
Josiah Darrough, a retired farmer making his home in Milford, is one of the worthy citizens that Kentucky has furnished to Iroquois county. He was born in the Blue Grass state. August 15. 1845. a son of Samuel V. Darrough, a native of Virginia, who was reared in the Old Dominion. With his parents he removed to Kentucky and was married in that state to Miss Riccanna Quaintance, who was born near Lexington. They began their domestic life upon a farm and in 1852 removed from Kentucky to Iroquois county. Illinois, where Mr. Darrough purchased two hundred acres of wild prairie land near Sheldon. Soon afterward the mother was left with the care of eleven children and an indebtedness on the farm, which she at length paid, being a woman of good business ability and excellent judgment. She carefully reared and educated her children.
all of whom reached adult age. She was an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died in this county at the age of seventy-two years.
Josiah Darrough was reared on the old home- stead and at the usual age began his education in the public schools, but his advantages along that line were limited. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age and in that period gained an intimate practical knowledge of farm work in all of its departments. On the 11th of February, 1869, he chose a companion and help- mate for life's journey, wedding Miss Emeretta Slife, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Dan- iel K. Slife, one of the old-timers, who came to this county in the pioneer days and died here in I902.
Following his marriage Mr. Darrough re- moved to a farm which he purchased in 1874. though he went in debt for the same. It com- prises three hundred and eighty acres, in the midst of which he built a comfortable residence, and has converted it into a good farm. He now has two sets of farm buildings upon it and for his own use he erected a comfortable and commodi- ous two-story house. He made a model farm, his place being equipped with all the modern con- veniences and accessories, and there he lived and labored until 1885, when he removed to Sheldon, where he resided for three years. On the expira- tion of that period he returned to the farm, where he continued until 1890, when he took up his abode in Chicago. There he was actively en- gaged in the real-estate business and was a mem- ber of the real-estate board for five years. On the expiration of that period he returned to the farm, which he improved and made his home for three years, after which he removed to Milford in 1898. Here he has since lived retired and has a comfortable and commodious home on Jones street, two blocks from the business center of the town.
Mr. and Mrs. Darrough have no children of their own but have reared three to maturity. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Darrough is serving as a trus- tee. In the work of the church they are deeply interested and do all in their power to promote its growth and insure its upbuilding. Mr. Dar- rough votes the republican ticket, being a stanchi advocate of the principles of the party. Ile is
JOSIAH DARROUGH.
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IROQUOIS COUNTY. 11INOIS
Dif . . nagement. keen discrimination and the estive that he has made of his oprotite. t gether with the assistance of Ina catu alle
Is well directed charts has achieved .let - Ironghent the confronts he & wich and i .- var. i Enown and the confidence and good will of all are freeh extended him, so that he is Classed with the representative result is , i .
GEORGE R. WRIGILI
Mange R. Wright, deceased, was throughout Is residence in Iroquois county connected will agricultural interests in Concord township, where he - still remembered by many as a citizen who ranked high in the estimation of his fellowmen. He was born in champaign county, Olio, June 27. 1841. and was there reared and educated. He was a young man of twenty-three years. when, in 1804. 10 accompanied his parents. Ben janon and Margaret chlodger Wright, both vi what were natives of Virginia, on their removal I Iroquois county. the family home being estal Ished in Concord township, where the father purchased three hundred and fifty five acres of land Thus tract was undeveloped when it came into he's possessed, but he laid many rod- of til- ing. divided the land into fiehl- In building incest and in due course of time brought the soil under a high state of cultivation. He like- Mis created a house, barn and other outbuild- ngs and continued his residence there anti his deatl, which ocehirred in 18to.
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