USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 48
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which he now resides. He has added to and im- proved the house and has put up two good barns. one forty-four by sixty-four feet and the other thirty-six by eighty-six feet with nine foot base- ment. He also has a crib with elevator. the di- mensions being forty by twenty-eight. All of the buildings are of substantial structure and the farm is well tiled and drained. Mr. Winterroth feeds stock and raises good grades of cattle and Poland China hogs. He is living a life of un- remitting activity and enterprise. He has put in a sawmill on his place and cuts all kinds of native lnumber. He likewise has a planing machine and sells considerable lumber. Ile bought poor land but has brought it up to a high valuation by reason of the care and labor he has bestowed upon the fields and the improvements he has made thereon.
Mr. Winterroth was married in Kankakee county to Miss Sophia Schwark, a native of Germany. the wedding being celebrated March 18. 1886. They are now the parents of ten children, nine sons and a daughter : John Jacob, Louis P., Albert A .. Gustave .A., George H., Walter William, Lambert F., Ilannah Sophia. William Julius and Claranca W .. all of whoi are at home.
In politics Mr. Winterroth is a stalwart re- publican where national questions are involved but casts an independent local ballot. Ile belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Chebanse and is a member of the Lutheran church. He is like- wise a stockholder in the new State Bank of Chebanse and is a citizen whose varied activities make him a leading resident of the community
JOHN B. ANDERSON.
John B. Anderson is one of the active, pushing and up-to-date farmers of Stockland township. His farming interests comprise two hundred and twenty acres of excellent land on section 31. which he has brought under a high state of eulti- vation and which returns to him bounteous har- vests. His birth occurred in the south part of Sweden on the 7th of May, 1862, and he is a son of Elias Anderson, a farmer, who was also born in Sweden and who was married there to
MR. AND MRS. J. L. WINTERROTH.
CINE
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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Miss Jennie Benson They were the parents it seven children, of whom John is the oldest. He was reared upon the home farm and attended the common schools, remaining with his father in the work of tilling the soil and cultivating the crops until twenty-five years of age.
Attracted by the broader business opportuni- ties of the new world, John B. Anderson bade adien to friends and native land in 188; and sailed for the United States. He made his way threet to Iroquois county, Illinois, locating first at Wellington, where he worked by the month for three years. Ile then rented two hundred and forty acres of land and began farming on his own account, living upon that place for nine years. lle afterward rented five hundred acres of land in Milford township and continued its further cultivation and development for four years, when with the capital he had saved from his earnings he made investment in one hundred acres of land on section 31. Stockland township. where he now resides. Subsequently he bought forty acres more and afterward eighty acres. so that he now owns altogether two hundred and twenty acres of good improved farming land. In toog he built a substantial two-story frame residence, which represents an attractive style of modern architecture and he has since put up a good barn and outbuiklings. The farm is well drained and fenced and the fields respond in rich harvests to the care and labor bestowed upon them. Mr. Anderson also raises good grades of stock and both branches of his business are yielding him a gratifying financial return.
On the 20 of September, 1801. Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Jennie Peterson, a native of Sweden, who was making her home with a brother here. Five children have been born of this union: Ilerman, Esther, Ellen. Arthur and Seigel.
When he became a naturalized American cit- izen Mr. Anderson allied his interests with the republican party and has since been one of its stanch advocates at state and national elections but at local elections does not consider himself bound by party ties and considers only the capa- bility of the candidate. He has never sought or cared for office But has given In time and at- tention to his farming and business. He has. however, been a school director for three years.
both of the district and of the township high school, and he and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Lutheran church and people of the highest respectability. He felt that the reports which he heard concerning opportu- nities in America were not exaggerated and as the years have advanced he has also njade prog- ress, reaching a place on the highway of life where limited financial resources have long since given way to affluence, for he is now in pas- session of a comfortable competence.
WILLIAM A. HOLZ.
On a farm on section 7. Artesia township, re- sides William .A. Holz and in the care and im- provement of his farm he works with a will and his resolute purpose and unfaltering diligence have gained for him a place among the substan- tial farmers of the community. He was born about a mile west of his present home on the 10th of March. 1805. His father, Matthew Holz, was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. having been born in Steinheim on the sith of June, 1828, his parents being George and Mary Holz, in whose family were four children. Matthew Holz was educated in the schools of his native country, which he attended until four- teen years of age. He then began learning the weaver's trade and when a youth of fifteen he left home to earn his own livelihood, for when but a lad of eight years he had lost his father. He was first employed in a the factory and his time was thus passed until he came to America in 1854. The voyage across the ocean was made in a sail- ing vessel and much severe weather was en- countered, but after sixty-four days spent upon the the deep he landed safely at New York. He did not tarry in the eastern metropolis, however. but went at once to Berks county. Pennsylvania. where he began work by the day. following any occupation that would yield him an honest living. Ilis capital was extremely limited when he reached America and thus immediate employment was a necessity. In 18so he left Pennsylvania and became a resident of Warren county. In- diana, where he was employed by the month in a short time and afterward rented land, residing
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thereon until the spring of 1864, when he came to Illinois.
In the meantime Matthew Holz was married in 1859 to Caroline Knuar, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in February, 1830. On removing to Iroquois county Mr. Holz rented land for several years and then invested his savings in one hundred and twenty acres of prairie land, which up to that time was still uncultivated. He at once began its development, however, and in the course of time brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. He paid twelve and a half dollars per acre for a tract of eighty acres and he afterward bough one hun- dred and twenty-four acres of timber land ad- joining. Still later he added forty acres and subsequently one hundred and five acres and thus from time to time he enlarged his holdings until he owned over five hundred acres. He made good improvement upon his property and reared his family on the farm.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Holz were born five sons and a daughter: John, Lewis, Jack- son. William, Charlie and Emma. The daugh- ter is now the wife of Robert McClave. The father died January 11, 1893, at the age of sixty- five years, while the mother still survives and lives with her son Jackson on the old home farm.
William A. Holz was reared under the parental roof and assisted in carrying on the farm work when not busy with his text-books. In fact he had little opportunity to attend school, for he worked about ten months in the year, aiding in plowing, planting and harvesting and in all of the tasks which constitute the life of an agri- culturist. The training which he received at that time proved, however, an excellent basis upon which to build his success in later life, for when he took up farm work on his own account he brought to the business parctical experience and sound judgment.
On the 27th of September, 1893, Mr. Holz was united in marriage to Miss Ella Deitz. a native of Iroquois county and a daughter of C. C. Deitz, who was born in Pennsylvania and came to this county at an early day. The young couple be- gan their domestic life upon the farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres where Mr. Holz still resides. He has since erected a good two-story residence with basement underneath, heated by furnace and
piped with water. There is also a good barn and corn crib with elevator and other outbuild- ings upon the place. Fences have been put up and the fields well tiled. Forty acres of the land was still unbroken when it came into his pos- session but his labors have wrought a wonderful transformation in the place. He now has a good orchard and much small fruit and he also raises good graded stock and feeds hogs for the market. When a young man he herded cattle on the prairies over the county and he has since wit- nessed much of the growth and development of the locality. Long since all of the ground has been taken up and converted into good farms, which are the homes of a contented and pros- perous people. So rich and productive is the land that no other district of the country sur- passes this in wealth of the cereals here raised and Mr. Holz is the owner of one of the good farm properties which yield rich crops in re- turn for the care and labor bestowed upon it by the owner.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holz have been born four children, three sons and a daughter: Lloyd, Hazel, Glenn and Harold. The parents attend the Presbyterian church of Onarga. Politically Mr. Holz is a democrat and in local affairs is in- dependent. 1Te has served as road and drainage ditch commissioner for his township for two years and his incumbency will continue for an- other year. As one of the native sons of the county he is well known within its borders and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those with whom he has been acquianted from his boyhood to the present is an indication that his strong characteristics are such as awaken con- fidence and trust.
J. FRANK TYLER.
J. Frank Tyler, living on section 13, Che- banse township, has attained a prominence as a poultry-raiser that has made him known not only through Iroquois county and Illinois but in various parts of the Union and in Canada as well. He was born in Columbia county. New York. November 19, 1857. a son of John J. Ty- ler, who was likewise a native of that county.
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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
The paternal grandfather, John Tyler. Sr. Was for some years a resident of Columbia county. and. having arrived at years of maturity there, John J. Tyler, father of our subject, was married to Miss Jeanette Ackley, a native of Massachu- setts and a daughter of Daniel Ackley. After restdling for forty-five years in the Empire state John Tyler, Jr., brought his family to Illinois. settling in Iroquois county. He purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Chebanse township, built a home and began to improve a farm, carrying on general agricultural pursuits here for several years. He died in 1803, at the age of seventy years, and is set survived by his widow, who is now living in California with a daughter, at the age of seventy -eight years.
J. Frank Tyler is one of six children, all of whom reached adult age, and he is the fourth in order of birth. He was reared to farm life and was afforded good school privileges. He always remained at home, coming with his parents to Illinois, and in later years he purchased eighty acres of the estate.
On the ad of April, 1870. Mr. Tyler was mar- ried to Miss Lenora Overhne, a native of llan- over, Germany, and a daughter of Charles Over- hne, who in 1865 be came a resident of Kankakee county, Illinois, where he spent his remaining days, passing away at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife died at the age of sixty years. Following his marriage Mr. Tyler added to the dwelling upon the farm and otherwise im- proved the buildings there. He has erected a good barn and has carried forward the work of developing and cultivating his farm, this claim- ing his attention for several years, In 1880. however, he began raising fancy poultry and for twenty-one years has made a specialty of barred Plymouth Rock chickens. The business in- creased so rapidly that he has eliminated all other business interests and concentrated his energies upon his poultry-raising, having from fifteen hundred to two thousand birds each year, mostly of very high grade. He is today recognized as one of the foremost poultry men in Illinois and has made exhibits throughout the state, where he has won many premiums. He ships fine birds all over the country, his trade extending to all parts of the United States and to Canada. Hle has received as high as three dollars for a
setting of eggs and twenty-five dollars for a single bird for breeding purposes. He has sold as many as eighty thousand eggs in a single season for hatching purposes. He annually packs from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy -five cases of eggs, there being thirty dozen to the case, so that hus average sales yearly are fifty thousand. His business has thus grown continually until it has assumed very extensive proportions and has long since become a most profitable industry.
In politics Mr. Tyler was for many years a supporter of democracy but in later years has voted with the prohibition party at national elec- tions and independently at local elections. lle is without aspiration for office yet is not remiss in the duties of citizenship. Fraternally he is connected with Chebanse lodge No. 004. M. W. A .. and with the Court of Honor, No. 25. at Springfield. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church at Chebanse and are highly esteemed residents of this part of the county. Mr. Tyler is recognized as a man of excellent business ability and executive force and is regarded as authority upon the subject of poul- try-raising. his practical ideas being demonstrated in his successful management of a business that has long since reached extensive proportions.
A. J. ASIILEY.
A. J. Ashley, a self-made man, dependent upon his own resources and exertions for a livelihood from his youth to the present time, lives on sec- tion 4. Onarga township, on a farm of one hun- dred and sixty-three acres and in connection with his own place he also operates one hundred and sixty acres, which he rents. He is a native son of Kentucky, born in Johnson county, in Octo- ber. 1801. and since 1802 he has resided in Iro- quois county His father. James Ashley, was also a native of Johnson county and was there reared. In early manhood he was married there to Susan Server, a native of Pennsylvania. By ocenpa- tion he was a farmer and stock-raiser and at the time of the Civil war he put aside business and personal considerations and offered his services to the federal government. He also had two
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brothers who were soldiers of the Union army. while three others served in the Confederate army. Thus were families often divided when they lived upon the border. James Ashley served throughout the war and after the cessation of hostilities located in Edgar county, Illinois, where he spent his last years, having for some time survived his wife. Of their family of five sons and four daughters all reached adult age, name- ly: John, who is a resident farmer of Edgar county ; Henry and Willard, who are also farm- ers of that county : Hardy. now of Indiana : . 1. J., of this review : Mrs. Maggie Wynn. a widow living in St. Louis, Missouri: Mary, a resident of Indianapolis ; Susan : and Ella, who resides in Paris, Illinois.
A. J. Ashley spent his childhood and youth in the state of his nativity and the educational priv- ileges which qualified him for the practical duties of life were those afforded by the common schools. Hardships and trials early came to him by reason of the fact that he started out in life on his own account at a tender age. He came to Illinois in 1802 and worked as a farm hand by the month for a time. In Onarga, in 1804. he wedded Kate Gray, who was born, reared, and educated in that city and success- fully followed teaching prior to her marriage. The young couple began their domestic life upon rented land and thus he engaged in farming until
his labors had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase eighty-three acres. This he farmed and improved and built thereon a good residence and substantial outbuildings. The land was low and wet and in order to do away with this condition, which was detrimental to crops, he placed many rods of tiling upon the farm and also built fences to divide his acreage into fields of a size convenient for cultivation. He afterward added eighty acres more and fenced and farmed that and also cultivated rented land until he is now recognized as one of the most in- dustrious and prosperous farmers of the county. He came to this state only thirteen years ago empty-handed, and in the intervening period he has accumulated a very comfortable competence and through the assistance of his estimable wife has gained a place among the substantial resi- dents of this part of the state. He has one daughter. Oma May.
In his political views Mr. Ashley is a demo- crat where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot re- gardless of party ties. He has served as a mem- ber of the school board, as overseer of roads and in other local offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Onarga and also affiliates with the Woodmen of the World and the Fraternal Insurance Association, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Ashley has displayed strong force of character in his business life, allowing no obstacle to brook his path if it could be overcome by determination and honorable effort. An ap- preciation of the value of industry and perse- verance in early life led him to closely apply himself to any duty that came to his hand and as the years have advanced he has made steady progress on the highroad to prosperity.
DAVID WHITE.
A large proportion of Sheklon's population is made up of retired farmers, who in the active and careful management of farming interests have accumulated a competency and are now numbered among the substantial residents of this part of the state. That Mr. White has pros- pered is indicated by the ownership of a beaut :- ful home in Sheldon, where he enjoys the com- forts of life without further recourse to arduous labor. He was in former years. however, a most diligent and energetic man and thus won his prosperity.
He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland. January 21. 1841. and is a son of Thomas White. He remained in the land of hills and heather until he reached the age of seventeen years, but dur- ing that period enjoyed very limited advantages. llis education was meager, but his ambition was strong and it was this which helped him to seek a home in the United States. Bidding adieu to friends and native land, he sailed for America in 1858, settling first in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where he lived for three years, working by the month as a farm hand. He then became a resi- dent of Whitley county. Indiana, and was em-
MR. AND MRS. DAVID WHITE.
1 UNIVERSITY OF ILUMOIS
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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
played in the lumber woods chopping timber for a year. He next went to Warren county, Indi ana, where he engaged in farming for a year.
It was during his residence there that Mr. White was married, and in 1800 he removed to Iroquois county, where he invested his earnings in forty acres of land in Sheldon township. It once he began farming here. This land he still owns, but it by no means represents his entire acreage. He worked diligently and without assistance to gain a good start and as his finan- cial resources increased he made judicious invest- ment in property until he now owns three hun- dred and eighty-six acres of good land that has been rendered very productive by reason of the tilling of the soil and also owing to the drainage that has been done through the judicious use of tile. The buildings upon the place stand as mon- uments to his thrift and enterprise, having been put there by him, and the fences are kept in a good state of repair. In fact the farm gives every evidence of careful supervision. Mr. White engaged in the raising of grain, cattle and hogs while on the farm and was very successful in his business undertakings. At length he re- tired to Sheldon in the fall of 1901 and bought the fine residence which he now occupies.
On the 3d of January, 1864, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. White and Miss Amanda Hemmilright, who was born in Ohio. This union has been blessed with eleven children : William T., who resides near Oklahoma City. Oklahoma : John D., who operates a farm be- longing to our subject : Nettie J .. the wife of Eli Conway, who resides on the old homestead prop- erty of her father; Agnes, the wife of Hugh Nairn, a resident of lowa ; Arthur, who wedded Grace Hull and resides in Sheldon: Emma E., deceased : Mary Ana, the wife of William Wol- verton, of Sheldon; Paul A., living in Okla- homa: May, the wife of Ernest Mccoy, who resides in Sheldon : Jesse and Ethel. both of whom are under the parental roof.
Mr. and Mrs. White and their family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and are prom- inent socially, the members of the household occupying an enviable position in society circles in which they move. Mr. White's study of the political conditions of the country has led him to give loyal support to the democracy, yet he
has never sought of desired office as a reward for party fealty, serving only as school director. When he came to this county Sheldon was a very small town. He has assisted in the upbuild- ing of the county and has watched with great interest its development and progress. He stands for advancement and reform and has ever been an advocate of justice, truth and right in all his relations with his fellowmen.
SAMICEL M. MAJOR.
Samuel M. Major, a veteran in the Civil war. has for the past twelve years resided in Carga but prior to that time was for a long period a prosperous farmer of Artesia and Onarga town- ship, when this county was emerging from più- neer conditions and taking on the evidences of modern civilization and improvement. He took up his abode here in 1853 to become an active factor in business life and general advancement, especially along agricultural lines. He was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana. April 25. 1830. Ilis father, James H. Major, was born in Dear- born county, Indiana, in 1802, and his father, William Major, was a native of Pennsylvania. When but a boy he joined the army for service in the war of 1812 and he became one of the first settlers of Indiana, aiding in its reclamation from a swamp and wilderness and its conversion into a rich agricultural state. James 11. Major was reared in Indiana and was married there to Miss Mary Hartpence, a native of that state. Locating upon a farm in Tippecanoe county, he reared his family there and subsequently he joined his son in Iroquois county, Illinois, spending his last years here. He passed away in 1882. at the age of eighty years, while his wife died about 1874.
Samuel M. Major was one of a family of ten children, two sons and eight daughters, who reached years of maturity, and is now the only survivor The days of his boyhood were passed in Tippecanoe county. Indiana, where he enjoyed but common-school advantages. He is largely self-educated and. possessing an observing eve and retentive memory as well as ready adaptabil- ity, he has learned many valuable lessons in the
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school of experience, while reading and investi- gation have also largely broadened his know]- edge. Ile came west to Illinois in 1853. when a young man, having purchased land in Iroquois county in the previous spring. He was married in the spring of 1853 to Miss Amy F. Lee, who was born and reared in Indiana. In the fall after their marriage they journeyed westward to Onarga and soon began their domestic life upon a farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres. Their home was a log cabin. in which they lived for about four years, when Mr. Major built a more modern residence. In 1855 he lost his first wife, who died leaving a daughter. In October, 1875. in this county, he was again married, his second union being with Catherine Stephens, who was born and reared in Licking county, Ohio, and was a daughter of John Stephens. The family removed to Illinois in 1865, locating near Buckley, and Mrs. Major was therefore largely reared and educated in Iroquois county.
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