USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 49
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Mr. Major continued the work of the farm and transformed wild land into productive fields. He has built an addition to his house and further remodeled it and now has a substantial resi- dence, in the rear of which stand good barns, cribs and granaries. An orchard adds to the value and attractive appearance of the place and modern processes of tiling have been used to drain the land, thus promoting its fertility. Fences also divide the farm into pastures and fields of convenient size until today Mr. Major is the owner of one of the valuable farm prop- erties of this part of the county. Ile added to his land from time to time until he became the owner of more than five hundred acres but, wish- ing to put aside the more arduous cares of busi- ness life, he has since disposed of much of this, although he still retains one hundred and seventy- two acres.
The only interruption to his farm labor up to the time of his retirement came because of his service in the Civil war. On the 10th of Sep- tember, 1861, he enlisted in defense of the Union as a member of Company M, Ninth Illinois Cav- alry. Ile joined the army as a private but was promoted on the field to the rank of second lieu- tenant and served until the close of the war. In the spring of 1864 he veteranized and returned home on a thirty days' furlongh. He was in
numerous engagements, including the battles of Salem, Tupelo, Guntown, Hurricane Creek, Mar- shall, Franklin and Nashville. He lost no time from duty on account of illness or other cause and escaped all wounds, serving until the close of the war, when he was mustered out and re- turned home, receiving an honorable discharge at Springfiekl in July, 1865. He made a creditable record, never faltering in his allegiance to the old flag or hesitating in the performance of any duty assigned hin.
When the war was over Mr. Major returned to the farm and again took up the active work of the fields. Stock-raising and feeding became an important feature of his business and was continued in connection with the work of the fields until he gave up active farm life in 1803 and removed to Onarga, where he has since lived retired.
Mr. Major had a daughter, Flora .A., who reached mature years and became the wife of George P. Stephens, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. They located in Buckley, where Mr. Stephens engaged in merchandising, and later they took up their abode upon the Major farm, where Mr. Stephens is still living. His wife died, however. April 8, 1895, leaving five children : Raymond L., who is now in North Dakota, where his father purchased land : Frank M., who holds a responsible business position in Chicago: John B., who is with his father ; Harry W .; and Hazel G. The last named has had a home with her grandparents since infancy, owing to her mother's death.
Politically Mr. Major has been a lifelong re- publican and cast his first ballot for John C. Fremont. No presidential nominee of the party since that time has failed to receive his endorse- ment at the polls and he has firm faith in the ultimate triumph of the principles of the party. While on the farm he served as director and school trustee and as a member of the school board, and he has also been highway commis- sioner. He acted as township trustee for nine or ten years and has been a delegate to numerous county conventions. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Onarga. in which he has served as trustee, and at one time was very active in Sunday-school work. lle became a member of the Odd Fellows so-
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
ucts by joining the lodge at Onarga 11 1857- He served through all the chairs and is not a past grand, and both he and his wife are alenti hed with the Rebekah lodge. He likewise be- lings to the Grand Army post at Onarga, if which he is a past commander. One of the its remaining veterans of the Civil war, he de lights in meeting with his old army comrades at camp- fire - and in recalling the incidents of the tenter fields when he valiantly battled for the U'mon cats and followed the old tag through the with. He has lived an honorable and useful He and is esteemed as a pioner settler, as a reliable business man and a progressive citizen. While he has never sought to figure prominently in public life, his example and influence have ever been for the best and might well be followed Is those who have true regard for character and genuine personal worth.
SAMUEL WASHBURNE.
Samuel Washburne, whose official service has been of direct and permanent benefit and whose varied business interests have likewise been an element in the progress and prosperity of the county in which he has long made his home, is now living in Milford. He has, however, active- 's engaged in farming in Ash Grove township for a long period and is still the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of weil improved band there. To every duty that has come to him. whether in business or public life. he has brought a spirit of willingness and fidelity, so that his record has at all times been characterized by high and honorable principles and faithful execution the tasks that have devolved upon him.
Born on a farm in Oswego county. New York. in the 4th of August, 1838. Mr. Washburne comes of an old family of the Empire state, and Is more remotely of English ancestry. Ilis great-grandfather with two brothers left Eng- land, their native land, and sought a home in American colonies They located in the state of New York and were therefore defenders of American interests during the struggle for inde pertence. Samuel Washburne, grandfather of our subject, was born and reared in Westchester
county, New York, where he followed farming throughout Ins entire hie. His son, Willett Washburne, was also a native of Westchester county, his natal year being 1798. He bec une a farmer, lumberman and contractor, and after traveling through the wilderness with of teams to what was then the frontier, settled in theword county, New York, where he spent his subase quent years, his death occurring m 1887, when he had reached the ripe old age of eighty-nine. 11is wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Bashford. and was born in Westchester county, New York. but died in Oswego county Unto this marriage were born seven sons and five daughters. of whom two sons and one daughter are yet hiv- ing. One brother, J. M. is now a retired farmer of Rock Falls, Whiteside county, Illinois, while the youngest brother, W. 1. Washburne, now de- ceased, was the originator of the emblematic sign business. At the fine President Lincoln was murdered he was making clocks as signs for jewelers in New York city, and placed the hands of these to mark the hour of Lincoln's assassina- tion. Nearly all such signs have since been made in the same way.
On the home farm in his native county Samuel Washburne spent the days of his boyhood and south. On attaining his majority he started out upon an independent business career and when & young man of twenty-six years became a resi dent of Kendall county, Illinois, where for four year's be operated a rented farm. He then came in 1808 to laquois county, and made a pur- chase of land on section 14. Ash Grove town- ship, where he resided continuously until his re- moval to Milford. In connection with the active work of tilling the soil and his labors resulted in the harvesting of good crops-he engaged in raising stock from 1872, and for many years made a specialty of the breeding of Chdesdale horses and shorthorn cattle He became well known in this connection as one of the leading Stockmen of the county. He raised, fed and fat- tened stock for the market and was also engaged in the dairy and cheese business and the manu- facture of butter. In fact he found a ready sale for all his dairy products and this branch of his business proved very remunerative. As oppor- tuits offered he entended his realty holdings in this locality until his farm embraced three him-
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dred and twenty acres of rich and productive land, and in connection therewith he also operated another quarter section. He has, moreover, ex- tended his activities to many other fields of busi- ness, for he is a man of resourceful ability. He is a dealer in real estate and has owned land in Indiana and other states. Through trade he be- came possessed of a stock of hardware and wood- enware in Washburne. Woodford county, Illi- nois, and for two years engaged in the conduct of the business there. On the expiration of that period he traded the store for a farm in Fulton county, Indiana, which he still owns. In 1894 he bought a piece of ground and a residence in Milford, and has since made his home in the city. When he took up his abode in Ash Grove town- ship the land upon which he settled was entirely destitute of improvements but he resolutely un- dertook the work of preparing it for the plow and in the course of time placed the entire amount under a high state of cultivation, and erected thereon substantial farm buildings. Though he started out empty-handed he steadily worked his way upward and his own labor and good busi- ness management have enabled him to accumu- late a very desirable fortune.
On the 30th of December, 1860, in Oswego county. New York, Mr. Washburne was united in marriage to Miss Jane A. Lee, who was born December 5, 1839. They became the parents of the following named: Flora, who is the widow of Frank Flutro, of Milford, was born in New York and has five children: Lewis and Frank S. Flutro, who are married; Robert L., Mildred E. and Adell, who are at home. Jesse Lee Washburne, born in Kendall county, Illinois, is now living in Milford. Mary M. is the wife of Thomas N. Sinderson, a resident farmer of Mil- ford township and they have three children, Iva W., Samuel L. and Leland. Charlotte F. is the wife of T. N. Willoughby, of Kewanna, Indiana, and they have four children, Forest S., Wilbur, June W. and Gale N. Mr. and Mrs. Washburne have also lost three children.
The political allegiance of Sammuel Washburne has been stanchly given to the republican party since he cast his first vote for president in sup- port of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He has long been recognized as one of the leaders in the local ranks of the party and has done effective service
in its behalf and for the general welfare. He has often attended its conventions and his opin- ions have frequently been a decisive element in its councils. He has never been utterly partisan, however, and is interested in that progress which both parties are making toward good govern- ment and which is the most hopeful political sign of the period. While on the farm he served for eighteen years a shighway commissioner and was the first incumbent in that office to use a grader and a twelve horse power machine on the roads. He was also one of the first to lay tile for drain- age along the roads and has thus contributed in substantial measure to the making of good high- ways. He has likewise served as township school trustee for years and has been a member of the school board for two decades. In every possi- tion to which he has been called he has made a faithful and efficient officer, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity and with a sense of conscientious obligation. He has also been a leading and honored member of the Farmers Mu- tual Benefit Association. Men of merit are everywhere recognized and as such Mr. Wash- burne is well known. His residence in Iroquois county covers a period of almost thirty-four years and throughout the third of a century he has been an active and progressive business man and farmer. He stands for progress not only in his individual business interests but also in county and municipal affairs and he uses practical methods in working toward the ideal. His name is synonymous with good citizenship, with lion- esty and diligence in business and with courtesy and friendship in social life. His wife, a most es- timable lady, shares with him in the high regard in which he is uniformly held, and no more worthy citizens of Iroquois county can be named than Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Washburne, of Milford.
PASCHAL B. WEEKS.
Paschal B. Weeks, a retired merchant and cap- italist of Sheldon, honored and respected by all not only because of the success he has achieved but also by reason of the straightforward busi- ness methods he has ever followed, was born in
PASCHAL B. WEEKS.
48 3
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
White county. Indiana. December 13, 1803. his kansas. He was a member of the Modern Wood- parents being William A. and Anna lhza Help of America and was also a good business man, who, associated with his brother Paschal. successfully conducted the store at Sheldon until Ins denne The father, William A. Weeks, was a stalwart republican in his political allegiance and in citizenship was deeply interested in all movements pertaining to the general welfare. ( Moore) Weeks. The father was born at Lock- port, St. Lawrence county, New York. April 17. 1830, and lived there for a short time, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to the Western part of New York, the family home be ing established near Holly. When he was twelve years of age the family became residents of Monticello, White county, Indiana, where Wil- liam A. Weeks remamed until 1871, and there his father resided until his death.
His widow is a member of the Methodlist Epis- copal church. She still resides in Sheklon and is a most pleasant, entertaining lady, having a nice home, which stands in the midst of a large and well kept lawn. She also owns two other houses in the town, which she rents, and a num- ler ef lots.
Pauschal 1. Weeks, brought to Sheldon in his bus hond dass, was educated in the public schools here, and when fifteen years of age, started out in business life as a clerk in his father's store. thoroughly mastering the business in principle and detail, as he aided in carrying on the mercan- tile enterprise. Upon the father's death he and his brother took charge of the business, which was conducted under the name of V. E. Weeks. und after the death of George Weeks, Far Fal . Weeks and his brother renamed at the head of the concert until March, 1005, when they 11 118 Mr. Weeks has since concentrated his cher- gies unng the image rent of the estate and the control of the property interests and is recur- mized as a man of keen business discernment. sel- døn it ever at error in matters of judgment.
On the 7th of August, 1895, was celebrated the marriage of Mr Weeks and Miss Cora May Strickler, a daughter of Newton Strickker. fon of Hunter, Arkansas, but at the time a resident of Sheldon. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks have on child. Lester Laverne, born October 21. 1904. The par- ent- hold men bership in the Christian church. contribute generously to its support and are in- forested in its work. At one time Mr. Weeks served as church secretary. In politics he is a republican and is a man of genial disposition and cordial manner. who recognizes true worth in the individual and places a just valuation upon character. He has never sought office, prefer- ring to concentrate his energies upon his busi ness interests, which have claimed his time and attention and which are now extensive He is
On the oth of January, 1850, William .1. Weeks was married at Monticello, to Miss Anna Iliza Moore, who was born in Morgan county, Oh, on the Muskingum river. Following his marriage he engaged in farming in the Hooster state and was also in the hardware business in Monticello for a part of the time for fourteen years, In 1870 be removed to Gomulland, Indiana. where he conducted an elevator for six months. and in March, 1876, he came to Sheldon. where be established a grocery and provision business Later he began dealing in dry goals and grocer Tes and admitted Richard Walsh to a par tershis. this relation being maintained until his death. when his widow bought out the interest of Mr. Walsh, and she and her sans conducted the bsi nes- nul the death of ương of the sims, the guent to which time Mrs. Weeks sold out Her husband had departed this life April 28, 1988 He was one of the most the rough business men. sisten atte and methodical in all that he did, en- terprising and active in the conduct of his bust- ness and reliable and honorable in all dealings He became recognized as the leading merchant of Sheldon, carrying a large stock of hardware. furniture, groceries, dry good- and other com noulities. When he came to Sheldon his capital an ounted to about one thousand dollars, and when he died he was worth between twenty and thirty thousand dollars. The estate has since in- creased in value until it is now worth one hun- dred thousand dollars.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weeks were born three children : Paschal B., of this review. however, is the only one now living. One brother. George 1. married Winifred Strickler and died Septen ber 24. 1004. leaving his widow and one son. George A., who are now living in Hunter. Are now controlling an extensive estate, which has
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PAST AND PRESENT OF
been greatly enlarged since the father's death, having increased in value more than threefold. This is due in considerable measure to the efforts and ability of Mr. Weeks, whose energies have been discerningly directed along well defined lines of labor and who in all that he has undertaken has striven to achieve the highest degree of per- fection possible.
WILLIAM A. AMOS.
William A. Amos. deceased, was an enterpris- ing and respected agriculturist of Sheldon town- ship for many years. He was born in Warren county, Indiana, in 1844 and was a son of Ste- phen S. Amos, who came to Iroquois county about 1850, and with his family settled in Shel- don township, where he broke the wild land and improved a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and successfully carried on general farm- ing and stock-raising there for a long period. He had four children, of whom two are living .- Mrs. Michaels and Edward M. Amos, both of Chicago.
William A. Amos was a little lad of nine sum- mers when brought to Illinois and was therefore reared in Iroquois county, while his educational advantages were those afforded by the district schools. When not busy with his text-books his labors were required on the farm and after reach- ing man's estate he began farming at home and bought forty acres of land from his father in Sheldon township. six miles south of the city of Sheldon, to which he added as his financial re- sources permitted until he owned three hundred and twenty acres. He prospered by feeding stock and he kept good grades of horses, cattle and hogs. Whatever he undertook he carried for- ward to successful completion and was one of the progressive farmers, keeping in touch with the advancement which is continually being made along agricultural lines.
In 1867 Mr. Amos was married to Miss Delilah Buckley, a sister of Samuel and Alonzo Buckley. who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. Her parents were Stephen and Eliza Jane ( Harper ) Buckley. Her father's birth occurred in Preble county, Ohio, January 2. 1823. his parents being
James and Sarah ( Lincoln , Buckley, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Ohio. The mother died in Tippecanoe county, Indiana. in 1844. and James Buckley afterward wedded Mrs. Jacobs. In 1851 he became a resident of Iroquois county. Illinois, but after eighteen months removed to Carroll county, In- diana, where he spent his remaining days. His son Stephen Buckley, was only two years old at the time of the removal to Tippecanoe county. Indiana, where he lived until 1856. when he came to Iroquois county and settled on land which he had purchased from the government in 1854. He added to this until he owned at one time four- teen hundred and sixty acres in this county and his life was always devoted to general farming. That he was very successful is indicated by his extensive holdings which were acquired entirely through his well directed labor and judicious in- vestment. Ile was married June 3. 1848. to Miss Eliza Jane Harper, who was born in Mont- gomery county. Indiana. and they became the parents of six children, five of whom are living. as follows: Samuel, a resident of Sheldon : De- lilah. now Mrs. Amos ; Mrs. Sarah A. Boatman. a widow, residing in Chicago: Alonzo, a resident of Sheldon ; and Mrs. Maria Elizabeth Roberts. who resides in California. Stephen Buckley. the father. died in Sheldon, Illinois, in June. 1904. at the age of eighty-one years and five months. while his wife passed away at the age of sixty- nine years. They had remained continuous resi- dents of the county since locating within its bor- ders in 1856.
Mr. and Mrs. Amos had two children. John married Jessie Wingard, who died, leaving one daughter. Ione. now two years old. Florence E. is the wife of Hobart Bissell, a practicing physician at Edgerton. Wisconsin.
Mr. Amos was a defender of the Union cause in the Civil war, and in April. 1865. he enlisted as a member of Company K. Forty-third Regi- ment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry with which he continued until discharged in December of the same year. He lost his health while in the army and was never again physically the same man. He voted with the republican party, which was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery and which was a champion of the Union cause in the dark days of civil strife. For some
485
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
time he was a member of the school board, a
to , Mentolred acts of freely improved and in this he belonged to the Mamme fraternity and the cants. Has farm, however, Is operated by his Grand Army post, at Sheldon He attended to . n and suturaw. while le & enjoying a well nont df re-1. Methodist Episcopal church, to which Is why Mr. Br ckmain was married first in Pokud, lin- imored by all who knew him for in business i was reliable. In citizenship loyal and in the 1 te and social life be displayed these sterling traits of character which always wie ireally regard and confidence.
Mrs. Anes now resides in Sheldon, where si las purchased a gond brick resulence. She stil owns me hundred and sixty acres of good land in Shelton township, together with two good farmi- which she inherited from her father. She 1. a most estimable lady and has an extensive circle of warm friends.
E. 11. BROCKMANN.
1. 11. Brockmann is now living a retired hie upon hvis farm in Danforth township. For many years he was closely associated with agricultural interests and the years brought him a good finan- cial return for his labor, so that he is now enabled to enjoy the comforts of life without recourse to further active work. He was born in Ostfries- lamel. Germany. in 1833. a son of Herman and Atje ( Deakon| Brockmann, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. There is one is- ter. Mrs. Annie Shipper, who for the past twenty - three years has resulted in Danforth township. her husband beng now a retired farmer of ile village of Danforth, where they make their home.
I. H. Brockmann was reared upon the all homestead farm in Germany and pursued his education in the public schools of that country. He remained a resident of the fatherland until 1857. when he hade adien to friends and native country and crossed the Atlantic to America. He resided for eight years in l'ekin, Illinois, and after spending some time in other countries re- need to fromquais county in 1875 Here he pur- chased a tract ci prairie land on sectich 4. Dan forth township, and resided thereen continuously mil ING, when he removed this present line carsection & of the same township. Here as forts acres of land and he owns altogether
which has birt occurred and who passed a vat 00 184, at the age of sixty-two years, having tis Children. Lena, to the wife of the age Ment -. who owns and operates & far in setul 4. Danforth township. Mine, the wife of John Helenar. o Danirty township. Herman a prosperous farmer of Danforth towishp! led- ward who is operating the home farm and who married Rena Habbinga, by whom he has two sims: and Katie. the wife of Hugo Zacho, a resi- dent of Vahkur township, by whom she has three children. Mr. Brockmann was again mar- ried May 20, 18. Ha- present wife bore the maiden name of Eliza backen and was also born in the province of Hanover. Germany, whence she came to the United States in 18)3. Her birth occurred in 1847, her father being Enno Facken. She was reared in Germany and was married there in 1877 to Dick Habbinga, who died in Nebraska in 1805. They had two children: Rema. now the wife of Edward Brockmann, son of our subject : and Margaret, Who resides at home in Danforth town-hip.
In his religions views Mr. Brockmann is a Lutheran and was the first to laul lumber for the building of the church of that denomination at Danforth. He has always been interested in church work and his efforts have been of value in promoting the cause which he advocates, l'u- litically he has been an carnest republican since casting his vote for Abraham Lincoln and he has served for seventeen years as school director in h's district. No native son of America is Ingre devoted to its welfare. While he has alle cessfully carried on private business interests at the same time Me has found opportunity to aid in the pr nu tien of these plans and irasur - wirell have been of benefit 16 the county and at a times he is known as one where business and politically integrity is alive question ile de serves much credit for what he has accomplished htc, fur be came to Viterica enpty har led
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