USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
Mr. McMahon has been called to various pub- lic offices of honor and trust. In 1880 he was elected collector of Chebanse and from 1800 until 1808 inclusive was town clerk. In 1897 he was elected mayor and still fills the office, his re- election standing in uncontrovertible evidence of the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen and the capability which he has displayed in the discharge of his duties. He is watchful of the needs and opportunities of the city for substantial growth and advancement and in the discharge of his duties in connection with municipal busi- ness he has displayed marked enterprise and keen discernment.
Mr. McMahon was married June 16, 1807. at Chebanse, to Miss Mary J. MeGivney, of this place. Fraternally he is connected with Che- hanse lodge, No. 904. M. W. A .. which he joined
3
16
PAST AND PRESENT OF
in 1895. Both he and his wife have a wide ac- quaintance in the city where they have long re- sided, while the circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaint- ance. Of cordial, genial manner as well as of excellent executive and business ability, Mr. Mc- Mahon proves a popular officer in the bank as well as in municipal interests and his labors are directly beneficial in the management of those affairs which are matters of civic virtue and of civic pride.
WILLIAM H. SHEDD.
The business life of a community and its con- sequent prosperity depends upon the enterprise and energy of those who control its industrial and commercial interests in which connection William H. Shedd made a creditable record dur- ing his residence in Watseka. He became wide- ly known as a thoroughly reliable merchant who kept in touch with the trend of modern progress and who well merited the liberal patronage that was accorded him. In his death therefore the community lost one whom it could ill afford to spare because he not only was a promoter of the commercial interests of the town but also con- tributed in substantial measure to the further- ance of those movements which have direct bear- ing upon the general welfare.
Born in Pepperill, Massachusetts, October 8, 1821, his youth was passed in the east, where his parents always resided. He acquired his carly education in the public schools of his na- tive town and afterward went to Boston, where he had the benefit of instruction in some of the best schools of that city. Attracted by the broader business opportunities of the growing west, he made his way to Michigan City, Indi- ana, where he engaged in the dry-goods business for a few years. He then went to Chicago in company with his brother Joshua and in that city they established and for a few years con- ducted a lumber and stove business, but the dis- covery of gold in California led Mr. Shedd to dispose of his commercial interests in the mid- dle west and seek his fortune upon the Pacific coast. Accordingly in 1849 he started for the
mining region and was there engaged in a search for gold for several years. He was much more fortunate than many and in fact was very suc- cessful in his mining operations, after which he returned to the east and settled at Deep River, Indiana, where in connection with his brother- in-law. Mr. Wood, he conducted a dry-goods business for a few years. His next place of resi- dence was at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he also. engaged in the dry-goods business for several years and in 1866 he located at Middleport, Illi- nois, where he remained until 1869, when he- came to Watseka.
Believing that there was an advantageoits opening for a furniture store, Mr. Shedd secured a stock of goods in that line and at once began business. From the beginning the new enter- prise prospered and after a brief period he ex- tended the scope of his activities by also engag- ing in the undertaking business, owning the first hearse in Watseka. He afterward also engaged in the marble business, dealing in fine marble and granite monuments and gravestones. In these various lines he continued with good suc- cess until 1889, when impaired health caused him to close out his business and for two years he was an invalid.
Mr. Shedd was first married in Deep River, Indiana, to Miss Abbie Wood, of that place, who- died three years later, leaving a daughter, Abbie. For his second wife Mr. Shedd chose Miss Jo- sephine Blachley, a native of Ohio, and they became the parents of two sons. The elder, William J. Shedd, is a leading business man of Chicago, being vice president and general mana- ger of the Knickerbocker Ice Company and one of its largest stockholders, in which connection he controls a large share of the ice trade in the city. He also owns a large plantation in Cen- tral America. He married Miss Alice M. Till- inghans, of a prominent Watseka family, and they reside at No. 4033 Vincennes avenue, Chi- cago. He is a prominent member of the Ma- sonic fraternity there and the extent and impor- tance of his business connections makes him well known in commercial circles in the metropolis. Cornelius Orton, who died at the age of forty years, was also president and general manager of a large ice company in St. Louis, Missouri, for many years. He wedded Miss Fannie H ..
WILLIAM H. SHEDD.
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
49
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Hamilton, whose people were also prominent in port, New York, when that section of the coun- Watseka.
The death of Mr. Should occurred April 22. 1891, and he left to his family an untarnished name and a comfortable competence. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity in Watseka and exemplified in his life the benefi- cent spirit of the craft, which is based upon mu- tual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and his political allegiance was given to the republican party. His fraternal. church and social relations thus indicate much of the character of the man, who fully merited the esteem in which he was uniformly held. In his business life he never made engagements that he did not fill nor incurred obligations that he did not meet and his word became synonymous with commercial integrity in Watseka.
Mrs. Shedd still survives her husband and maintains the family home on West Walnut street, where she owns a large and beautiful resi- dence, which was built by Mr. Shedd a number of years ago. She spends the winter months with her son in Chicago or with her sister in Topeka, Kansas, but always passed the summers in Watscka, where she occupies a very prominent and enviable position in social circles.
ROBERT IL. PERRY.
Robert H. Perry, deceased, was one of the leading farmers and landowners of Iroquois county, at one time having a large farm near the village of Crescent, upon which he resided until he took up his abode in Watseka, where his last days were passed. All who knew him- and his acquaintance was a large one-enter- tained for him respect, confidence and good will and thus his death was deeply regretted by many friends, while his life record will be received with interest by all who knew him. He was born in Clarkson, Monroe county. New York, February 17. 1830, his parents being Samuel . 1. and Anna (Hoy) Perry, who were Fkewise natives of New York and resided in Clarkson for several years. In early manhood, however. Samuel A. Perry removed to a farm near Lock-
try was largely wild and unsettled. He cleared a tract of land and converted it into farming purposes, residing therem throughout his re- maining days, his time and energies being de- voted to general agricultural pursuits. The old homestead also remained the place of residence of his wife until she too was called from this life. There they reared their family of twelve children. Mr. Perry was recognized as one of the influential and leading residents of his com- numity and he left the impress of his individu- ality upon public life and progress, serving for twenty years as justice of the peace, in which office he rendered decisions that were strictly fair and impartial.
Robert H. Perry was educated in the common schools of Lockport and began farming on his own account in early manhood, but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial he went to Niagara Falls, where he accepted a position in the employ of the Esie Railroad Company as inspector of cars, acting in that capacity for eight years. In the meantime he invested his money in coal lands in Grundy county, Illinois, and on severing his connection with the railroad com- pany he came to the middle west to look after his interests in this state. Locating at Coal City in Grundy county, he there purchased more land. which was underlaid with bituminous deposits and thus became the owner of several thousand acres. As the mines were operated the land became more valuable year by year and Mr. Perry continued to reside there until he had soll off most of the property, which proved to be a splendid investment, bringing to him handsome financial resources. On leaving Grundy county he came to Iroquois county and settled upon a farm near Crescent.
Mr. Perry had been married in 1859. in Lock- port, New York, to Miss Esther Soper, a native of that city, born July 15. 1832. She was a daughter of Isine and Phoebe ( Pennington ) Super, both of whom were natives of New York and early settlers of Lockport, where the father engaged in farming for many years. He then removed to the middle west, purchasing a farm near Woodstock in Mellenry counts. Illinois. where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. Mr. and Mrs. Perry became the parents
50
PAST AND PRESENT OF
of three sons: Arthur, who married Miss Ger- trude Smith and resides at Gardner, Illinois. where he is now bookkeeper for a mining com- pany; George, who wedded Anna Cotton, of Grundy county, Illinois, and makes his home in Denver, Colorado, where he is engaged in the grocery and market business ; and Eugene H .. who married Miss Emma Plowman, and resides on the old Perry farm near Crescent. He has four children, while George l'erry has five chil- dren.
On coming to this county the father. Robert H. Perry, purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres near Crescent and there devoted his energies to general agricultural pursuits for five years. About the same time he invested in another valuable tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres near Creston, Iowa. His health becoming impaired, he abandoned farming and removed to Watseka to live retired and for sev- eral years he was in poor health. For many years he was president of the Mutual Insurance Company of Iroquois county and throughout his business career he displayed excellent powers of management and keen discernment in placing his investments. He formed his plans readily, was determined in their execution and carried for- ward to a successful termination whatever he undertook. After removing to Watseka he erected a beautiful residence on South Fourth street and there he passed away May 10, 1898. He was never an office seeker but was a stanch democrat in politics and though not connected with any religious denomination he always at- tended the Presbyterian church, of which his wife was a member. Mr. Perry could well be termed one of the typical business men of the middle west, possessing in large measure the spirit of determination and progress which have been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country. He was watchful of opportunities and seemed to recognize when and where and how to use his native talents to the best advantage. Thus his efforts were dis- cerningly directed and brought to him a measure of prosperity that classed him with the sub- stantial residents of Watseka. Moreover he pos- sessed a kindly and genial spirit that won him warm friendship and made him a devoted hus- band and father. Mrs. Perry still resides in
Watseka in the home built by her husband and she also owns the farm near Crescent upon which her son resides and also the farm property in Iowa.
WILLIAM H. MARTIN.
William H. Martin, prominent in the public life of Belmont township, was born and reared on the farm where he now resides on section 34. His natal day was September 5. 1870. His father, John J. Martin, a native of Washington county. Pennsylvania, was born in 1837 and was only three years old when brought to Illinois by his parents, who purchased what is now known as the Martin homestead. Upon this place John J. Martin has resided continuously, recognized for many years as one of the leading agriculturists of the community. He was married here to Miss Elizabeth John, a native of Iroquois county and a daughter of William John, one of the early settlers who came from Adams county. Ohio, to Illinois. Following his marriage John Martin engaged in buying and trading in land and at one time owned over four hundred acres. He built a comfortable residence and substantial outbuildings upon his place and actively carried on farm work, placing many rods of tile in the fields and thus draining the land and adding greatly to its productiveness. He has since sold a part of his property but still retains the owner- ship of two hundred acres.
William H. Martin was the only child born unto his parents and upon the home farm he was reared, being accorded good school privileges. He has never left the farm and his parents now make their home with him. On the 5th of May. 1897, he was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle (). Strain, a native of Milford. Iroquois county, born in 1880, and a daughter of J. M. Strain, of Milford township. Mrs. Martin died August 23. 1906, leaving three children: Elmer War- ren. Ruth Elizabeth and Jessie Fay. Mr. Mar- tin's mother now takes care of the grandchildren.
Reared to farm work in all of its departments. William H. Martin is regarded as one of the enterprising agriculturists of this part of the state. He raises full blooded Poland China hogs and also good grades of cattle and sheep, and
51
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
in connection with his stock raising interests and the cultivation of cereals he also owns and oper- ates a threshing outfit, having engaged in the business for fifteen years. He is also agent for farm machinery and in the season of 19oo sold two steam threshers. He is well known through- out the county as a business man of enterprise and energy, who forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution. Ile cultivates the old homestead farm of two hundred acres, which is highly improved, and through modern meth- ods of farming, the rotation of crops, the ju- dicious use of fertilizers and the utilization of the best improved farm machinery he is meet- ing with excellent success in his undertakings.
Politically Mr. Martin is independent at local elections, but where political issues are involved he gives his support to the republican party, be- ing in thorough sympathy with its principles. He has served his party in public life for ten years, acting for four years as constable and six years as justice of the peace, still filling the latter office. His decisions are strictly fair and im- partial, being based upon the law and the equity in the case pronounced without fear or favor.
Mr. Martin is a member of Woodland lodge. No. 649. 1. O. O. F., of which he served for three terms as noble grand and secretary for four terms. He has also been a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America at Woodland and is serving as venerable consul. The higher and holier duties of life are not neglected by him, for he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. By the faithful performance of each day's duty as it comes to him he finds encourage- ment and inspiration to take up the work of the succeeding day, conscientiously meets every ob- ligation that rests upon him and, with true appreciation of life's vahies and responsibilities. he apportions his time between the business, social, political. home and moral interests.
GEORGE SWARTZ.
George Swartz is one of the largest land- owners in Iroquois county, owning five hundred and forty acres of valuable land, which is situ- ated on sections 16, 21 and 24. Prairie Green
township, and is divided into three for . is a native son of Illinois, his birth having curred in Bloomington. April 16. 1800, a som of Phihp Schwartz, a native of Germany. The father was there reared and educated, and when a young man crossed the Atlantic to the new world, landing in New York, where he lo- cated. lle was there married to Miss Mary Ilartzog, a German lady. In 1857 he took up his abode in the west, settling at Bloomington, Il- linois, where he was engaged in farming for a number of years, when, in 1867. he came to Iroquois county and settled on a farm in Prairie Green township. He first purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, to which he after- ward added from time to time until he was the possessor of eight hundred acres, and was the largest landowner in his township. Ile there reared his family and continued to follow agri- cultural pursuits throughout a long period, but he later took up his abode in Dunnington, In- diana, where his death occurred .August 16, 1904. when he had reached the very advanced age of eighty-two years. His wife still survives and makes her home in Dunnington, Indiana.
George Swartz, whose name introduces this review, is the second in order of birth in a fam- ily of five sons and one daughter born of his father's marriage. He was reared in much the usual manner of farm lads of his period. assist- ing his father in the various tasks of carrying on the home farm, and when not thus engaged pursued his studies during the winter months in the Prairie Green school. He remained on the home farm until he had reached maturity, when he established a home of his own by his mar- riage, on the 2d of December, 1886, to Miss Emma Fields, a native of Illinois, born near Danville, where she was reared and educated.
Following their marriage the young couple located on the farm which has since been their home, but his first purchase comprised but eighty acres, which he tiled and fenced, and in course of time placed his land under a high state of cultivation. He set out considerable fruit on his place and further improved the property by the erection of good buiklings. As he prospered he added to his property from time to time, and also inherited some land, so that he has now alto- gether a tract of five hundred and forty acres,
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY
52
PAST AND PRESENT OF
which is divided into three farms. In addition to his general farming pursuits he also raises good grades of stock and this branch of his busi- ness is proving a profitable source of income to him.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Swartz has been blessed with four children, Susie, Lester, Claude and Lillian, all still under the parental roof. Mr. Swartz adheres to the faith of the democracy where national issues are involved but at local elections votes an independent ticket. supporting the men whom he believes best quali- fied for office, regardless of party affiliation. He has never been active as an office seeker, but is a believer in good schools and competent teach- ers. and served as township trustee for two or three years. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America.
Mr. Swartz was but a little lad of six years when the family home was established in Iro- quois county and has therefore spent the greater part of his life in this section of the state, so that he has a very wide and favorable acquaintance and is today numbered among the progressive and well-to-do agriculturists of Prairie Green township.
1
GEORGE C. HARRINGTON.
George C. Harrington was born in St. Law- rence county, New York, June 30, 1834. the son of Benjamin (). and Harriet E. ( Langdon ) Har- rington, both natives of Vermont. When three years of age he came with his parents to Joliet. Illinois, where the family made their permanent home. At the age of thirteen he entered the of- fice of the True Democrat ( now the Joliet Re- publican ) to learn "the art preservative of all arts." Here he applied himself industriously and faithfully to his chosen vocation and acquired a thorough knowledge of the printer's trade. Hlav- ing served out his apprenticeship in the compos- ing rooms of the True Democrat he went to Skowhegan Falls, Maine, and there, by a proper course of study, prepared himself for college. He afterward entered Union College, Schenectady, New York, then under the presidency of the dis- tinguished Dr. Eliphalet Nott. His career in this
celebrated institution of learning was a series of marked triumphs, standing at the head of his class in the classics, and in point of literary ability ranking first among the many able students then in attendance. From Schenectady he returned to the great west and rested at Davenport. Iowa, which presented an inviting field to the young student all aglow with enthusiasm and ambitious to carve out for himself a useful and worthy ca- reer. In connection with Franc B. Wilkie ( Poli- uto). then of the Chicago Times, he established the Davenport Daily News, which soon took rank as one of the leading democratie journals of Iowa.
In 1859 Mr. Harrington came to Iroquois county and associated himself with the Iroquois Press, a democratic newspaper. In the follow- ing year the democracy of Iroquois county placed him in nomination as their candidate for circuit clerk and although defeated at the ensuing elec- tion, he ran largely ahead of his ticket. He still continued his connection with the Press until 1862. The country was then writhing in the agonies of the Civil war, and as a patriotic son he felt that his services were required in the field. Hle consequently abandoned his editorial duties and began recruiting for the service, and after taking the first company into camp at Kankakee for the Seventy-sixth Illinois Regiment, assisted in filling up two other companies for the One Hundred and Thirteenth. He enlisted as a pri- vate soldier. but his superior ability being recog- nized, the members of his company (A) elected him captain. In January, 1863. he was promoted to major. He was, however, not permitted to serve long after this. On July 4. 1863. near Vicksburg, Mississippi, he was reluctantly obliged to resign on account of disease contracted in the army.
On his return from the army he engaged in the hardware business at Watseka, in the firm of Woodford & Company. He was soon appointed collector of internal revenue for Iroquois. Ford and Champaign counties, in which capacity he discharged his duties conscientiously, so that at the close of his official term not one cent of the large amounts of money handled by h'n was missing, and he turned over the books to his suc- cessors with a clean record. In 1866 Major ITar- rington was elected mayor of Watseka, and re-
Goo. G. Harrington
LIL OF THE LETY C. ILLINOIS
55
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
elected the following year, declining the office after having served three terms, though urgently pressed to accept a fourth term. This evidence the high esteem in which he is held by the people of Watseka. In the year 1870. in connection with several other enterprising citizens. Major Har- rington organized the First National Bank of Watseka, of which corporation he was promptly chosen as cashier, which office he still holds. This institution is one of the stanchest and most flourishing in the county, having, from its or- ganization, won the confidence of the people.
Major Harrington was married to Mary L. Hutchinson, at Crawfordsville. Indiana, in 1804. and has two children liv'ng. Very domestic in his habits, his home is a model of comfort and good taste. He has taken considerable interest in politics, though not an active politician in the usual sense of that term. He is recognized throughout the state as a prominent democrat, prominent more for his ability than his activity. Though never an office-seeker, he was, in 1876. without his consent, mentioned by several papers and prominently spoken of by eminent democrats as a candidate for secretary of state but he induced his friends to withdraw his name from the state convention. He presided over the democratic congressional convention held at Fairbury in 1878, and on invitation of that body addressed them. making a masterly speech, which was published and scattered broadcast as a campaign document. The same convention would have nominated him as their candidate for congress, but he emphatic- ally declined the proffered honor. In 1878 he was elected a member of the democratic state cen- tral committee : in 1880 chosen delegate to the national democratic convention at Cincinnati, which nominated General Hancock as its candi- late for the presidency : and in 1884 was presi- dential elector from Ilinois on the democratic ticket.
Mr. Harrington as a financier ranks among the leading men of the state, while his views on finan- cial questions, expressed by speech and in the press, command general attention among bankers. He is an active member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows and much esteemed by his brethren of the fraternity. A gentleman of cul- ture, a fine scholar and still a student from habit. a man towering high an ong his fellows, all recog-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.