USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 47
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he resided for a number of years. In 1830 he went with his family to Ohio and later came to
Illinois, casting in his lot with the pioneer resi- dents here. He entered a quarter section of land from the government and began the develop- ment of a farm, for not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place when it came into his possession. It was therefore on this farm amid pioneer surroundings that he reared his family.
Samuel Rush, Jr., enjoyed only such common- school advantages as were affored at a very carly day but his training at farm labor was not meager, as he assisted in the development and care of the fields upon the old homestead through the period of his boyhood and youth. He did not choose to make a change in his occupation when manhood came but always followed farm- ing and stock-raising. After his marriage he began to buy land as opportunity offered and his financial resources permitted and thus he added to his property from time to time until he accumulated eighteen hundred acres. becom- ing one of the most extensive landowners of this part of the state. He was married in this coun- ty to Miss Annie West, a native of Indiana, who
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
deal some years later, leaving three children. For has served on the school board for twelve years It is without desire for public office, as he pre fers to concentrate his time and energies upout Is Inimes interests where he has made a goodly measure of success, and where he finds opportunity for the exercise of perseverance and diligence Is dommant qualities.
his second wife he chose Names Martin, a na tive of l'ennsylvana and a daughter of Ephraim Martin, who became one of the early settlers of Iroquois county. There were eight children by the marriage. \ most useful, active, honorable and successful life was that lived In Samuel Rush. Jr., and he figured for many years as one of the most influential and leading agriculturist of this part of the state. He died in 1875. while In wife, long surviving him, passed away in
William Harvey Rush of this review was reared on the old homestead farm and acquired a good education in the public schools. He has always remained on the farm and on the 7th of November, 1870, he was married to Miss Hattie Garner, a native of Indiana, and a daugh- ter of William S. and Mary Garner, pioneeer residents here. Following his marriage he he- gan the operation of one hundred and ten acres ci land, upon which he still resides, and in its midst be created a two-story dwelling. in the rear of winch stands a good barn and other outbuild- mgs that are monuments to his thrift and labor. He has transformed this into a very valuabk. place and has laid over one thousand rods of tile, being among the first to begin the process of draining the land in this manner. Every pos- sible effort has been put forth for the further development and improvement of the farm along lines that would enhance its productiveness and value. He now has two good artesian wells upon the place, together with the latest improved machinery for the cultivation of the fields and the care of the crops. Moreover, he has for over thirty years been a breeder and dealer of high grade cattle and hogs, making this an im- portant branch of his business.
Mr. and Mrs. Rush are the parents of a dangh- ter and son. The former, May, is the wife of Perry Saylor, a farmer of Jackson county, In- (liana, and they have three children. Wilbur is still attending school and also aids in the op- eration of the home farm. The parents are worthy Christian people, actuated in their lives by high principles in harmony with their pro- fessions as members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Rush is strong in his republicanism though not bitterly partisan. He
11. W. HOLLINGSWORTH.
11. W. Hollingsworth, one of the large land- owners of Onarga township, his possessions ag- gregating more than four hundred acres, lives on section 1, and his farm is a well improved and valuable property. The house which he now oc- cupies was his birthplace and his natal day was August 2. 1864. His father, William Hollings- worth, a native of Ohio, was twice married. his second union being with Sarah Weeks, whom be wedded in 1804. Before removing to Illinois he came to Iroquois county and secured between eight and nine hundred acres of land. At length taking up his abode upon this tract he began farming and further improved his property. spending his remaining days upon the old home- stead, which he developed. He passed away in 1804 and his widow, who still survives him, now resides with her son, 11. W. Hollingsworth, on the home farm. In their family were three chil- dren, of whom Joseph Hollingsworth is a resi- dlent of Chicago, while the daughter Wice is the wife of Dr. Mosher, of Havana, Illinois.
The youngest is H. W. Hollingsworth of this review, who was reared to manhood upon the home farm and pursued a common-school edu- cation. He assisted in the work of tilling the soil and caring for the crops until his father's death. after which he succeeded to the ownership of the property Since that time he has built some good outbuildings and has tiled and fenced the land, which is now a well improved property, ex- amphiying in its fine appearance the spirit of progress that has been so manifest in agricul- tural circles during the last three or four decades. In connection with the work of raising the ce- reals best adapted to soil and climatic conditions he also raises high grade stock, including horses.
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cattle and hogs, feeding hogs on quite an exten- sive scale.
Mr. Hollingsworth was married in Onarga, February 27. 1889. to Miss Katie Doyle, who was born in Mclean county and was reared there and in Iroquois county. They have three children : Victor Earl, Lula May and Cecil (irace.
Politically Mr. Hollingsworth was formerly a democrat but is now a republican, having cast his last presidential ballot for Theodore Roose- velt. He is a believer in good schools and teach- ers and he served on the school board for a num- ber of years. He and his wife were reared in the Catholic faith. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Onarga, in which he has filled all of the chairs and is now chancellor commander. He likewise affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of Onarga and with the Fraternal Insurance Society. Widely recog- nized as a man of good business ability and tried integrity and worth, he has the confidence and esteem of the community and is regarded as one of its substantial and public-spirited citizens. His entire life has been passed in the county and he feels a commendable local pride in its advance- ment, while his efforts have been an element in its development and growth along various lines.
JOHN ALLISON.
In various avenues of usefulness John Allison directed his labors, and from pioneer times in the history of Iroquois county until his death re- mained an honored and representative citizen of this section of the state. He arrived in the county in 1854. being at that time a young man of twenty-nine years. His birth occurred in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1825. and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Allison, were also natives of the Keystone state, spending their entire lives in Beaver county, where both passed away. The father was a carpenter by trade and also engaged in farming there in his later years.
The public schools of his native county af- forded to John Allison the educational privileges which equipped him to meet the daily duties of life, and when he put aside his text-books he
began to learn the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father, but he was always a lover of machinery and his tastes naturally directed his efforts into that line, so that he obtained a posi- tion on a ferry-boat on the Ohio river at Wells- ville, Pennsylvania. For a few years he devoted his energies to that business, after which he removed to Oxford, Indiana, where he lived for a short time. He then came with an uncle to Iro- quois county, arriving in 1854, and soon he be- came a factor in industrial and business life in this section of the state. Ile purchased a sawmill near the town of Milford, and for eleven years continued its operation, being thus closely associ- ated with manufacture of lumber here. How- ever, he sold out and removed to Watseka, where for several years he followed the carpenter's trade. after which he began the drilling of arte- sian wells. In this work he continued for a number of years or until his health became im- paired in 1883. He suffered a stroke of paraly- sis, and for fifteen years he was in an invalid con- dition.
In 1859 Mr. Allison had been married in this county to Miss Mary Axtel, who was born here in 1837, her parents being John and Mary ( Ven- num) Axtel. Her mother was well known all over the southern part of the county as Aunt Polly, and was the eldest daughter of Colonel Thomas Vennum, an honored pioneer resident of this part of the state. Mr. Axtel was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and he and the Vennum family came to Iroquois county in 1834. Settling upon a farm three miles north of the town of Milford, he was one of the first resi- dents in that locality and aided in reclaiming a wild and unimproved region for the purposes of civilization. He purchased three hundred and sixty acres of brush land, which he cleared and cultivated, making substantial improvements thereon. He split the rails for a fence, some of which is still standing, having been in use more than seventy years. Ile continued to engage in general farming there throughout his remaining days and led an active life until his labors were ended in death, in 1860. His wife had passed away in 1852. In their family were two chil- dren : Mary, now Mrs. Allison ; and Thomas, who resides in Woodland, this county. Ile is a retired farmer and carpenter and at the time of the Civil
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JOHN ALLISON.
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war was a defender of the Union cause Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Mlhson- Jennie died at the age of fifteen years. Stella married Grant Nightwronger, of this county, and is living in Alva. Woods county, Oklahoma, where he is engaged in the implement business. They have six children, Louise, Mary, Florence, Vene. Orba and Paul. Charles S. married Lydia Chue and they reside with his mother. He is a plumber and steamfitter by trade, but is now in the employ of the Chicago & Eastern Ilmois Railroad Company, and travels most of the time. Lizzie V. is the wife of Orma Leroy Clark, a machinist, residing in Pittston, Pennsylvania. They have two children, Lawrence .A. and Dor- othy Helen.
Viter retiring from business Mr. Allison was made tax collector for the county and filled the office for three years, assisted by his daughter Stella, but his health gradually grew worse and he passed away February 7. 1898. He gave un- faltering support to the democracy and took a deep interest in political questions, Socially he was a charter member of the (kkl Fellows lodge at Milford, which he joined upon its organiza- tion in 1859. while his wife became identified with the Rebekah degree there. Hle always attended the United Presbyterian church, but Mrs. Allison and her family are now members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church at Watseka. He was well known as a pioneer of the county and as a most industrious and useful man, whose probity was an unquestioned element in his career. His en- ergy was often at the service of his community and he had the love and respect of all among whom he lived. In daily life and action he was genial and affable. In the highest and best sense of the term he was ever and essentially a gentle- loan, of which fact his friends bear witness.
MOORE BROTHERS.
The firm of Moore Brothers in classed with the most prominent representatives of agrient- tural interests and business life in Douglas town- ship and Iroquois county, and in the control of their interests they display much of that spirit of enterprise and progress which have been the
gommant factor in the rapid and substantial up- building of the middle west.
Parker Whitman Moore, the eller brother. was born in Warren county, Indiana, February 5. 1850, and Sino Franklin Moore was born April 14. 1800. Their parents were Davil and Elizabeth Moore, who came to Illinois in 1800. The father was a native of Ohio and the mother of Kentucky. Mr. Moore was a farmer los ve- cupation and followed that pursuit for some time after coming to this state, but on account of ill health he had to abandon the active work of the fields and the business was taken up by his sons. Parker W. and Sino F. Moore, who practically provided for the family from that time on. The father retained his residence here until his death. which occurred when he was sixty-seven years of age, and the mother afterward became a resi- dent of Gilman, where she died at the age of seventy-four years. The daughters of the house- hold were as follows: Sarah Ellen, who be- came the wife of Samuel Higginson and died at the age of twenty-five years; Rachel Anna, who married John Robertson, of Indiana, and died May 4. 1902: Mary Jane, who became the wife of Henry Whittaker, of Emporia, Kansas, and chied in 1874: Nancy Lavina, who married Ed- ward Smith, of Indiana, and after his death be- came the wife of William P. Whittaker, who has also passed away, while she lives in Farmer City. Illinois ; and Hannah Etta, who resides with her brothers.
The only sons of the family are the brothers who constitute the firm. The elder. Parker W. was educated in the common schools and at an early age started out in life for himself. In con- nection with Sino F. Moore he rented land for a number of years and as time has passed they have prospered in their undertakings. As their labor and diligence brought to them sufficient capital they made investments in land, adding to their property from time to time until by hard work and good management they are now the owners of a valuable place of three hundred and twenty acres in Donglas township, which they purchased in 1895 at sixty-seven dollars per acre. It is now worth much more and is well improved. In fact it is one of the valuable properties of the township, quipped with all modern accessories and conveniences for carry-
PAST AND PRESENT OF
ing on farm work along most progressive lines. The fields yield rich harvests and they also raise a high grade of horses, mostly of the Percheron breed. For years they have raised registered stock and until recently have owned stallions. Both are excellent judges of horses and there- fore make judicious purchases and profitable sales.
Sino Franklin Moore. like his brother. ob- tained a common-school education and in early manhood started out in life for himself. Their business interests have never been separated but on the contrary have been carried forward with mutual pleasure and profit. Working together in utmost harmony, the labors of one supple- ment and round out the labors of the other and the firm of Moore Brothers is one of the strong business combination of this locality. In con- nection with their general farming and stock- raising interests they have for some years op- erated a threshing machine and corn sheller very successfully. In matters of business they display keen discernment as well as marked enterprise and are seldom at error in business judgment. Both of the brothers have served as school di- rectors in their district and Sino F. Moore is now filling that position. Community interests awaken their attention and elicit their support when the plan or measure seems to promise pub- lic benefit. For four decades the family have been residents of the county and investigation into the history of the firm shows that they have always employed only such methods as would bear the closest scrutiny.
F. D. PATMOR.
Dr. F. D. Patmor, engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery, with a large business cover- ing a wide territory, makes his home in Shel- con. He was born at Sharonville, Hamilton county, Ohio, May 22, 1858, and is a son of Alfred Patmor, who was likewise born in the Buckeye state. The father was a mechanic in his early days, and in October, 1865, removed to Kentland, Indiana, whence he came to Illinois in 1872, settling in the town of Iroquois. There he lived until March, 1876, when he removed to
Sheldon, where his subsequent days were passed. He served as justice of the peace for fourteen years and was also notary public for the same length of time. His decisions were ever fair and impartial. being based upon the law and the equity of the case and thus he won the commenda- tion of all law-abiding citizens. He served in the army during the period of the Civil war for nearly five years, doing duty with Companies A and B of the Seventy-fifth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Colonel McLean. He participated in twenty-six battles and on one occasion was wounded, having a finger shot off. Itis valor and loyalty were above question and at all times he was most faithful to his country. Socially he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellow's and with the Grand Army of the Republic at Sheldon. He has passed away. In his family were six children, all of whom survive, namely: F. D .: Charles E., a resident of Fairbury, Illinois ; Mrs. Cora Shaw. of Sheldon: Mrs. Emma Clawson, of Sheldon ; Mrs. Nettie Bilden, of Kankakee, Illinois; and J. B., of Chicago.
Dr. Patmor acquired his early education in the schools of Kentland, Indiana, and continued his studies in Iroquois, Illinois. Entering business life, he was made inspector for the Peoria. To- ledo & Warsaw Railroad, at Sheldon, for eight- een years, and then took up the work of veterinary surgery under the direction of L. D. Brown, of Watseka, with whom he was connected for five years. He began independent practice in 1801 and has since been a representative of this pro- fession. He has had some of the most important cases in the county and is regarded as one of the most proficient veterinary surgeons in this part of the state.
On the 15th of April. 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Patmor and Miss Edith Chin- borg, of Chicago, who was born February 22. 1858, and was reared in Kentland, Indiana. The Doctor and his wife now have five children, four daughters and one son. Harry, who was grad- nated from the Sheldon high school, is now car inspector for the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Rail- road, at Gilman, Illinois. Eva, also a graduate of the Sheldon high school, afterward pursued a stenographic course in the Kankakee Business College, and was employed in that capacity at
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Kankakee. She is now the wife of Fred Clarke. of that city, by whom she has a son and daugh ter. Florence is the wife of William Ross, a farmer, resulting near Sheldon. Bessie D. who likewise completed the high-school course in Sheklon, is now engaged in teaching at Dan- forth, Illinois. She is a cornet player of con- siderable ability, here services in this connection being in demand at various gatherings in many parts of the state. Lida, the youngest of the family, is at home.
Politically Dr. Patmor is a republican and has served on the city council at Sheldon for two terms. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp, and is captain of the Sons of Veterans. In community affairs he is deeply interested and his labors have been an element in the general progress in the city which he has so long made his home.
JOHN HELLER.
John Heller, who for almost a half century has made his home in Iroquois county, while his residence in the state dates from 1859. is living on section 35. Chebane township, where he owns and operates a well improved farm of two hun- dred and seventy acres. His landed possessions are valuable as well as extensive, owing to the excellent improvements which he has made upon the property, the well tilled fields bringing forth rich crops annually, and in his farm work he is methodical, systematic and enterprising.
Mr. Heller is a native of Darmstadt, Germany. where he was born February 8. 1842. His father, Conrad Heller, was there born and reared, and, having arrived at years of ma- turity. he wedded Apolona Lucas, likewise a native of that locality. In his native country he followed farming until 1852, when with his family of four sons and daughters. he sailed from Rotterdam, and after a voyage of fifty-two days on the broad Atlantic reached the harbor of New York. He did not tarry in the east, however, but made his way at once to Chicago. It that locality he engaged in gardening, living there for seven years, after which he came to Iroquois county and rested
land. He thus followed farming for a few years, when he invested his savings in eight acres. constituting a part of the home farm. He built a good residence there and spent lis remaining days upon the farm, passing away m 1880, at the age of seventy -six years. His wife had departed this hie in 1875. When sixty-eight years of age.
John Heller, whose name introduces this rec ord, was reared to farm life. He had only com- mon-school advantages but his training in the work of the fieldls was not meager and he carh became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Following his father's death he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the home property and at two other times has purchased eighty-acre tracts of land. His possessions now aggregate two hun- dred and seventy acres, embracing the old home- stead on section 35. Chebanse township. Here he has built a good residence, together with sub- stantial barns, corn cribs and other structures for the shelter of grain and stock. He was among the first to tile the land. and the entire farm was thus well drained. He has two good artesian wells upon the place, and he raises high grade stock, also feeding hogs for the market.
On the 2d of January, 1872, occurred the mar- riage of John Heller and Miss Carrie Falter, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a daughter of Louis Falter. She was born October 20, 1852. and remained in Columbus until thirteen years of age. Her father. Louis Falter, was born in Germany and on removing from Chio to Illinois, settled in Joliet. Afterward he went to Ford county and subsequently came to Iroquois coun- ty in 1868. For several years he lived upon a farm in Chebause township but his last days were spent in the village of Chebanse. Mr. and Mrs. Heller have become the parents of five chil- dren: Minnie and Nettie, who are at home ; Jacob, who assists in carrying on the homestead farm : Charles, who is living on a farm adjoining his father's, and who married Carrie Chapman. In whom he has one child. Jester : and Alice, who is attending school in Clifton.
The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Clifton. Mr. Heller is a stalwart re- publican, inflexible in his advocacy of the prin- ciples of the parts. He has been school director for a number of years but has never been an
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office seeker. He is today mimbered among the valued pioneer residents of the county, for he has lived within its borders for forty-seven years and has witnessed its transformation from a com- paratively wild and unimproved district into one of the richest agricultural centers of this great state. Moreover. his has been a life of activity and energy, and as the years have passed by he has made steady and substantial advancement until he has long since left the ranks of the many and is today numbered among the successful few.
JOHN L. WINTERROTH.
John L. Winterroth, living on section 30, Che. banse township, is one of the enterprising and progressive farmers, who gives his time and at- tention to the cultivation of three hundred anl twelve acres of valuable land. lle was born in Salina township. Kankakee county, Illinois, Sep- tember 5, 1860, and is a son of J. W. Winterroth. a native of Germany, who came to America in 1840. He was a shoemaker by trade and fol- lowed that pursuit in Chicago for a few years but gave much of his life to general farming. He was married in Chicago to Miss Mary MI. Ludwig. a native of Germany, and subsequently he purchased forty acres of land in Salina town- ship, Kankakee county, where he developed and improved a farm, making it his home until he was called to his final rest in 1880, when fifty- one years of age. In the meantime he had pros- pered in his undertakings and had added to his property until he owned two hundred acres at the time of his death. Ilis widow is still living in Kankakee at the age of sixty-nine years.
John L. Winterroth was the second in order of birth in the family of eleven children. He was reared under the parental roof and had but common-school advantages. When not busy with his text-books his time was given to the work of the farm and he remained at home until after his father's death, working for his mother for four years. He then rented the farm and engaged in general agricultural pursuits on his own account until 1895, when he removed to Iro- qnois county and with the capital that he had saved from his earnings purchased the farm upon
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