USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 43
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Được K Wright was mực of a Banh vi Sven children, all of whom are now dece ived. Following his father's death, the son inherited the Homestead property, whereon la continue the Ark of development and improve ment had been begun Is the former He was sie tul in Is m dertokings and through bis labors
one of its value and worthy oft cells.
Since the death of her husband, Mr. Wright has continued to make her home of the farm and has, with the assistance of others, carried farming and stock ralsing interests, raising pulled Angus cattle as well as horses and hogs She How own three hundred and fifty-five acres of land and is a very competent business woman. managing her business affairs in a capable mar- Her. She has a wide acquaintance in Progress counts and the hospitality of her pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by many warm friends.
WILLIAM STEWARI.
William Stewart, Ogaged in market garden ing in Martinton township las place, however being within the corporation Iunits of l'utwood was born in tuvaliga county. Ohio, June 24. 1810, and there spent the first twelve years of his Tic, during which perio the acquired a public schol education. He then accompanied Is par ents David and Jane Stewart, on their removal " Iroquois county, the family home being tablashed on Spring er ck, at the present site it rescent city. While having there be enlisted the arms and during his form of service the
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parents crossed the Iroquois river and upon his return from the front he found them living in Middleport township.
His military service covered almost the entire period of the war from 1861 until 1865, although for twelve months he was with the invalid corps on account of a gunshot wound which he had sustained in battle, and because he was somewhat incapacitated by his injuries he is now granted a pension by the United States government. While wearing the uniform of the nation he served as a guard at Lincoln's tomb in Spring- field and at one time he had a picture taken in uniform, while he was on guard duty. It has since been lost much to the regret of Mrs. Stew- art, who is a lady of strongly marked patriotism. so much so that she chose Independence day as the date of her marriage. After his return from the war Mr. Stewart rejoined his parents in Mid- dleport township, where for many years he car- ried on agricultural pursuits with marked suc- cess, continuing to live upon the farm until 1904. when he removed to Pittwood. He is still in business life, although for several years he has lived in semi-retirement in Pittwood. He de- votes his attention, however, to the cultivation of garden products, making a specialty of growing lettuce under glass, and finding a ready market for it without the necessity of sending it to out- side markets, although at one time he had to de- pend upon Chicago for sales. He also has a fine trade in asparagus in season and his garden is a source of profit to him, as well as of pleasure, for. enjoying good health, he is not content to pass his time in idleness, and this affords him with pleasant as well as a prosperous occupation.
Mr. Stewart was married. July 4, 1869, to Miss Isabella Brandenburg, who was born in Fountain county, Indiana, January 5, 1853, and they have become the parents of the following named: Mrs. Ada Ash, who was born March 27. 1870, and is now a resident of Watseka; Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, who was born September 28, 1871 and died May 10, 1906; Mrs. Laura Phelps, who was born August 15, 1873. and lives in Fountain Creek township: Mrs. Grace Garver. who was born January 21. 1875, and lives in Fort William, Canada ; Mand, who was born July 1, 1880. and died when three years of age ; and Vene Brandenburg, the only son, who was
born .August 4. 1882, and died when twenty years of age. The three married daughters were suc- cessful school teachers and all of the family, with the exception of Mrs. Garver, who lives with her husband in Canada, are residents of Iro- quois county.
Mr. Stewart is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen camp and his wife of the Royal Neighbors, while in the United Brethren church she also holds membership. They are greatly esteemed in the community where they make their home, and although never demanding public attention their own genuine worth has gained for them the favorable regard of those with whom they have come in contact and made them representative citizens of the county.
JACOB VAN HOVELN.
Jacob Van Hoveln is actively engaged in farm- ing and the breeding of pure blooded English shire horses and has gained desirable reputation as one of the leading stockmen of Iroquois coun- ty. His home is on section 2, Ash Grove town- ship, where he has a farm well equipped for the purpose to which it is utilized. Mr. Van Hoveln was born in Peoria county, Illinois, March I, 1866, and was only five years of age when brought to Iroquois county by his parents, the family home being established in Ash Grove township, where he was reared in the usual man- ner of farm lads of the locality and period. He attended the common schools and remained with his father until he had attained his majority, during which time he gained practical knowledge of the best methods of carrying on the farm work.
Starting out in life for himself he purchased one hundred and twenty acres where he now resides, and locating thereon began the improve- ment of the property, which is now an excellent farm, forming one of the attractive features of the landscape, because of its well kept appear- ance. Ile has erected a pleasant home of two stories, large barn, granary, cribs and elevator, and has tiled and fenced the place. He has also extended the boundaries of the property by the purchase of an additional tract of forty acres,
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that he now has a valuable farm of one han gars a half century. having taken up his almale drul and sixty acres which is one of the best Improved in the township. In connection with the task of tilling the sont he has also Have a busmess of raising good stock and in sons he purchased a pure blooded English shire stallion for breeding purposes. This is one of the best horses of the kind in the counts and he fer owns some high grade mares. He likewise his ime cattle and hogy and is very successful as it Stock raiser and breeder, this branch of his busi Hess proving to him a profitable source of income.
Mr. Van Hoveln was married in Ash Grave township in iSuoi to Miss Falka Wienrank, a daughter of John Wienrank, one of the all set- there and prominent farmers of Ash Grove town- ship, who is mentioned on another page of this volume. Six children have been born of this marriage: Frank, Anna, Maggie. John, Henry and Wvena. Mrs. Van Hoveln is a member ni the Lutheran church. in the faith of which she was reared.
Mr. Van Hoveln gives his political allegiance to the democracy and although he has never wanted office he is now serving on the school board and is one of its directors. Throughout his entire life he has been a resident of Illinois and of Iroquois county from his youth. He has seen the swamps and sloughs drained and the best farms made from land which a few decades ago was regarded as almost worthless. In the work of reclamation he has borne his full share and has helped to improve and make Iroquois county what it is today, a thriving center of the great agricultural belt. In all of his business he has shown keen discernment and marked enter- price, allowing no obstacle to brook his path that could be overcome by determined and honorable purpose and effort.
W. S. PARCEL.
Active and energetic in his work and thor- oughby up-to-date in his methods of farming. W. S. Parcel, living en section 24. Onarga town- ship, now owns and cultivates a well improved pr perts, embracing one hundred and twenty acres. He has lived in Iroquois conny for al-
withen ts borders if 1857. He was at that took a vonth of thirteen years, having been born in 1his father, Dante! Parcel was a native of Penshama, whence he removed to this and was there married to Miss Letitia Tharp, who was likewise born in the keystone state and had become a resident of ( in in her girlhood days. They Used for some tome in Ohio and in 1858 brocante residents of Indiana, while the year 1857 witnessed their arrival in Tronguns county, Ulmon. The father purchased land upon which not a furrow had been turned or an morroscient made and at once began the ardnous task of developing a new farm. Later he sold his original property and bought the land upon which his son, W. S. Par- cel. now resides, becoming owner of eighty acres. He opened up this farm, created substantial buildings upon it and continued the task of de- veloping and cultivating the fields until the land became very productive and good crops were an- mually gathered. Mr. Parcel continued to en- gage in general agricultural pursuits here until his life's labors were ended in death, September 2. 18;1. Ilis wife survived him for a number of years and then she too passed away, March 20. (8). In their family were seven sons and three daughters.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for W. S. Parcel in the days of his boyhood and youth. He remained in his father's home and acquired his education in the public schools. He accompanied the fam- ily on their removal to Illinois in 1857 and re- mained on the old homestead farm here, pur- chasing the interest of the other heirs after his father's death. He has since bought forty acres of land adjoining the original tract, so that he now has a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres. It is well developed and improved and his work is carried forward along those lines which receive the endorsement of all progressive agriculturists. He raises god horses and hogs. while the production of the cereals best adapted to sol and climate constitute for him an im- portant source of revenue.
Mr. Parcel was married in this county. Decen- ber 23. 18;3. to Miss Mary Burkhalter, who was born in Indiana but was reared in Iroquois coun-
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ty from the age of five years. She is a daughter of Joseph and Rosa ( Miller) Burkhalter, who came to Onarga township in 1858. Four chi - dren bless the union of our subject and his wife: Frank, who is married and now resides in north- vastern Missouri : Grace, Lloyd and Elsie. all at home. Politically Mr. Parcel is a republican, his first presidential vote being cast for General Grant in 1868. He has never failed to support the nominees at the head of the ticket since that time and is in thorough sympathy with the prin- ciples which constitute the special features of the republican platform. Hle has served as town- ship school trustee and school treasurer but has never been active as a politician in search of office, for his business cares and interests have fully claimed his time and attention. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church. in which he is serving as deacon. and the moral development of the community is a matter of interest and concern to them. From his youth to the present time Mr. Parcel has made his own way in the world and in his life of continuous activity he has been accorded due recognition of labor, winning the success which always crowns consecutive effort when guided by sound judg- ment and practical common sense.
JOSEPH G. WITHERS.
Joseph G. Withers, who is operating the Donu- van farm of eight hundred acres five miles cast of Milford, having devoted his time and ener- gies to this work for the past seventeen years, is one of the pioneers in Illinois in the fine stock business and has gained much more than local reputation in this connection. He has today upon the farm some of the finest specimens of stock to be found in the county. the value there- of is demonstrated by the fact that he has carried off many premiums at county, state and national exhibits. He has made his home in Illinois since the spring of 1876 and in Iroquois county for the past seventeen years.
A native of England. he was born in Hamp- shire. July 16, 1830. and was one of the five children of Aaron and Sarah F. (Saunders ) Withers. The parents were likewise natives of
Hampshire and there the father followed farm- ing and stock-raising. All of their children reached years of maturity and both Mr. and Mrs. Withers spent their entire lives in the land of their nativity.
Joseph G. Withers acquired a good educa- tion in the public schools of his native country and was for four years a college student. When a lad of eighteen years he went to work for an uncle in the stock commission business, remain- ing in that employ for five years. Favorable reports which he had heard concerning Amer- ica and its opportunities awakened in him a desire to try his fortunes in the new world and in 1802 he started for the United States, mak- ing the voyage on a sailing vessel which was twenty-one days in crossing the Atlantic owing to the heavy seas. Landing at New York city. he at once went to Dutchess county. New York. where he entered the employ of an extensive farmer as manager of the live-stock interests upon that farm. For two years he filled that position and subsequently removed to Hartford. Connecticut, where he took charge of an estate of seven hundred acres, supervising the raising of crops and live stock. He remained there for seven years, after which he went to Kentucky. where he became manager of the Clay estate of six thousand acres, having charge thereof for seven years. He displayed his ability in the successful management of extensive farming interests. for under his care these different farms proved a source of gratifying profit to the own- ers. For two years he had charge of a stock farm in Kankakee county. Illinois, and in 1880 he removed to Cook county, where he followed farming. renting land near Richton for nine years. In 1889 he came to Iroquois county and at once took full charge of the John Donovan estate of eight hundred acres. Upon this place he has since remained, covering a period of seventeen years -a fact which indicates his thor- ongh trustworthiness as well as his business capacity and enterprise. lle has always had charge of extensive estates and throughout his life has made a specialty of the raising of Scotch shorthorns, keeping imported stock. He has registered animals and with his fine stock enters all of the big fairs. He has exhibited at the International Live Stock Show and has carried
MR. AND MRS. J. G. WITHERS.
1 D THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
on several first and champion premi ile has exhibited at all the principal tur- 1 the United States, his stock ranking invorabby with the finest in the land. In www. Mr With us- traded sixty four head of cattle, valued at sixtyen thousand dollars, for a farm of three hundred and seventy-four acres in Buchanan county, lowa, and Ins son Fred will manage that place
Mr. Withers was married October 3. 1803 1. Miss Sarah Ann Archer. Making a visit to his all home in England, he there renewed the acquaintance which they had formed in chull- hood days and their friendship ripened into love. which was consummated in marriage. She is a daughter of Charles Archer and a representa tive of an old English family. They have become the parents of mine children, but they lost their third child, a daughter, Grace, at the age of five years. The oldest living is Charles A .. who remains at home with his parents and assists in operating the farm. Ehzabeth is the wife of J \. Peterson, a resident farmer of Vermilion county, Illinois, and they have three children : Susan, John and Irene. William J. marrie 1 Catherine Fields and is a resident farmer of Stockland township. Walter S., living in Stock- land. is married and has two children, Bessie and Arthur. Fred, who married Rose Parky Bricks, is living in Michigan. Rinh, Jane and Susan, the younger members of the family, are all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Withers and their family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. They are communicants, however, of the Epis- copal church, but there is no congregation of that denomination in their immediate vicinity.
Mr. Withers votes with the democracy at state and national elections and casts an indi - pendent local ballot. He has held various town- ship offices in Cook county and has served as highway commissioner and also as township col- lector. He has likewise been school director for fourteen years. He belongs to the told Fel- low society, has filled all of the chairs in his lodge and has been noble grand and past grand. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known in the county and have a large cich of friends almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance. Mr. Withers is a man of resourceful business ability and there is in him
a weight of cutter and a native capacit, th t ruller- lom a leader in agricultural circles. where he Is operated extensively and success. fully for many years
ORVILLE E. DIA.
Orville 1. Div, & farmer and stock-raser re- siding on section 32. Iroquois township, was born December 27. 1852, in Grundy commits, 11h- not, and is a representative of one of the old families of New York that was established there when the state was largely a frontier wilderness. Richard Dix, the grandfather of our subject. was born in New York and shed when his son Oliver, the father of our subject, was a small boy, after which the grandmother married again and removed with her family to Illinois about 1833. making the journey from the Empire state with team and wagons. At that time there was not so much as a trading post at Chicago.
Oliver Dix was born in Oneida county, New York, January 5. 1821, and was therefore a lad of about twelve years at the time of the removal westward. The family made a settlement in Kendall county, and it was upon that frontier farm that Oliver Dix was reared to manhood. sharing in all the hardships and privations inci- dent to life on the frontier. He was twice mar- ried. In Kendall county he wedded Lydia Wing. an aunt of Judge Wing, a distinguished attorney of Chicago. She was a native of Chan- tanqua county. New York, and her death or- curred when her son Orville was only four years ok. It was still an early period in the develop- men of Illinois when Oliver Dix removed to Grundy county, becoming one of its first resi- dents. He settled on wild land and from the raw prairie developed a good farm, which he yet makes his home. Ile is a republican in his political views and affiliations and has held a number of positions of public honor and trust. Ile was one of the founders of the Methodist Episcopal church near his home and has always been one of its most active and faithful mem- ber -. The honorable, upright life which he has lived has won for him many friends and he has
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the unqualified confidence and esteem of all who know him.
Orville E. Dix is the younger of two sons. llis brother. Asa W. Dix, is an enterprising and progressive farmer of Nettle township. Grundy county, and is quite prominent locally in po- litically circles. Orville E. Dix was reared to manhood upon the old homestead, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood days. lle remained with his father until he reached his ma- jority and in the meantime acquired a good edu- cation in the common schools, the academy and the Newark high school. After completing his studies he engaged in teaching for a time and displayed considerable ability in imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He afterward rented a farm, which he operated until 1882, and in that year he re- moved to Iroquois county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 32. Iroquois township, where he now makes his home. He has put all of the improvements upon the place and has tiled the land, which, well drained, is a model of high production and is now all under cultivation. In the midst of the farm stands a pleasant and comfortable residence and the property is one of the desirable and valuable farms of this locality. The work of repair and improvement is well kept up, good farm machin- ery is used to facilitate the labors of the fickls and everything is done in accordance with pro- gressive ideas concerning agricultural life. He also raises stock and in his pastures are found good grades of horses, cattle and hogs.
In October, 1874. occurred the marriage of Mr. Dix and Miss Elizabeth Riggs, the wedding being celebrated in Grundy county, Ilinois. The lady is a native of West Virginia, and in her carly girlhood days she was brought by her father to Illinois, being reared and educated in Grundy county. Three children have come to bless this union: Lettie. the wife of M. F. llilchin, a resident of Loda, Illinois: Ida, the wife of Walter Curtis, of Loda, by whom she has one daughter, Marie: and Eugene, who is at home. The wife and mother passed away in 1884, and in October, 1887, Mr. Dix was again married. his second union being with Mrs. Ma- tilda ( Anderson ) Harvey, a widow, who is a na-
tive of Sweden but was reared in America. Four children grace this union, Oliver, Mildred Pearl. Hazel and Elsie. All are living at home.
Mr. Dix votes with the republican party and is a strong advocate of its principles and policy. Hle regards it the duty as well as the privilege of every American citizen to stanchly uphold his views in regard to political questions and he is an active worker in the local party ranks. The cause of education also gains his stalwart sup- port, for he believes in good schools and compe- tent teachers and while serving for six years as a member of the school board in his community he did effective work in behalf of public education. He and his wife are both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and labor untiringly in its cause. His fraternal relations connect him with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Dix is truly a self-made man and as the architect of his own fortunes has buildled wisely and well. By his industry, enterprise and perseverance he has made steady progress until he now ranks with the county's substantial farm- ers and is well known and well liked in the community.
MARTIN TOTHEROH.
Martin Totheroh is a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Iroquois county. owning and operating a well improved farm of one hundred and fifty acres, situated on section 10. Prairie Green township, on the Indiana state line, his postoffice address being Ambia of the latter state. His birth occurred in Reading. Pennsylvania, August 9. 1838, a son of Joseph Totheroh, who was born in Berks county of the Keystone state, and was there reared and married to Miss Catherine Richards, also a native of Berks county. The father followed farming in the cast until 1854, when he removed to Indiana. the family home being established in Benton county, where the father continued his farming operations, and there met his death by accident in the fall of the same year. His widow then reared their family, numbering five sons and two daughters, all of whom reached mature years. and those surviving are: Joseph, a resident
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farmer of Prairie Green township; Daniel, who was here one of the valuable and well improved follows farming in Benton county, Indiana ; Mar tin, of this review ; and C'atherine, the wife of George Walls, a resident of Fowler, Illinois.
Mr. Totheroh was reared to farm life in his native state, and was there educated in the com- mon schools to the age of sixteen years, when he accompanied the family on their removal to the west, the family home being established in Benton county, Indiana, where the son worked at farm labor. His patriotic spirit being aroused at the outbreak of the Civil war. in 1862. he en- listed for service in the Union army, becoming a member of Company F, Seventy-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Going south, he participated in the battle of Chickamangna, and was on scout- ing duty most of the time. After the first nine months he was with Wilson's corps and was on detached duty the greater portion of the time. His entire service covered a period of three years. when he was honorably discharged at Nashville. in 1865.
After the war he returned home, and was then engaged in herding cattle in Benton and Iro- quois counties, being employed in this way for about thirteen years, having as high as four hun- dred head of animals in a herd. Establishing a home of his own, Mr. Totheroh was united in marriage in Benton county, Indiana, in Septem- ber, 1871. to Miss Mary Alice De Witt, who was born in the state of New York, where she was reared and educated.
Following their marriage the young couple located on a farm in Iroquois county, which he rented for one year, after which he located on the farm which is his present home, first renting the land, but he later purchased the property. which comprised eighty acres, but as his finan- cial resources increased he extended the bound- aries of his land until it now embraces one hun- dred and fifty acres. He has cleared the land and has added many improvements, having erected a good residence, in the rear of which stand a good barn, cribs and other outbuildings which have also been placed here by the present owner. He has laid many rod- of tiling, thus affording good drainage to his fields, from which he annually harvests rich and bounteous crops. He has also set out two good orchards, which contain a great variety of fruit, and altogether he
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