USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 50
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PAST AND PRESENT OF
and has worked his way steadily upward through the force of his character, his unflagging de- termination and his diligence.
JOSEPH YOUNG.
Joseph Young, a resident of Donovan, is op- erating three hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land in Beaver township. He was born in Delaware county, Ohio, September 5. 1852. His father. Arzel Young, also a native of that county. was born April 27. 1827. and brought his fam- ily to Iroquois county in 1854. making the jour- ney westward by wagon after the primitive man- ner of travel at that early time. They were upon the road for thirteen days but at length reached Beaver township and Mr. Young located on one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 24. which he had previously purchased, in 1853. hav- ing come here and entered it from the govern- ment. The land was raw and uncultivated and in the midst of it he built a log cabin sixteen by eighteen feet. With characteristic energy he began to turn the furrows and break the sod, so that in the course of time he transformed the wild uncultivated tract into fields of rich fertility. He did all of his breaking with an ox team and as the years passed he successfully followed farming and stock-raising and made many sub stantial improvements on his place, supplying it with all of the equipments of a model farm. There he made his home until his death, which occurred July 10. 1800. Ilis political allegiance was given to the republican party and his reli- gious views were in harmony with the teach- ings of the Methodist church, in which he held membership. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sally Carver, was also a native of Dela- ware county, Ohio, born July 20, 1827. She now lives with her son, Joseph, and although eighty years of age still attends to the duties of the householdl. being a remarkably well preserved woman for one of her years. Since the age of sixteen years she has been an carnest and con- sistent member of the Methodist church. Her daughter. Dora Jane, the eldest of the family. and Charles, the younger son, are both deceased. Joseph Young was educated in the common
schools of Iroquois county, having been brought by his parents to Illinois when only two years of age. lle always remained under the parental roof and has had charge of the farm for about twenty years. He has added to the original tract of one hundred and sixty acres until today he and his mother own three hundred and sixty acres of very valuable and productive land. He has tiled it all and thus by judicious drainage has enhanced its productiveness. lle has also added other improvements in the way of good buildings and has erected a fine ten-room residence in the town of Donovan. In October. 1903. he and his mother left the farm and removed to the village. where they now reside, but he still gives super- vision to the farm.
In 1880 Mr. Young was united in marriage in Beaver township to Miss Emma MeCurtain, who was born in that township but died January 12. 1001. her death being deeply deplored by many friends, who had learned to esteem and love her for her many good qualities. Mr. Young exer- cises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. llis religious faith has made him a member of the Methodist church. In his farming operations he has displayed ex- cellent business ability and capable management and the years have brought him, as the reward of his labor, a comfortable competence that now enables him to live retired.
ISAAC J. GARDNER.
Character and ability will come to the front anywhere and the truth of this assertion is veri- fied in the life history of Isaac J. Gardner. one of the leading and representative citizens of Douglas township, who for many years has care- fully conducted his business interests with the result that prosperity has attended his labors, while the methods he has followed have gained for him the respect and honor of all. For many vears he has been connected with general agri- cultural and stock-raising interests and has also owned and operated threshing and corn shelling machines. He has ever stood for progress and
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MR. AND MRS. ARZEL YOUNG
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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
improvement, keeping in touch with the onward march that has revolutionized the methinks it agricultural life in scarcely more that at generati m.
Mr. Gardner was born in Susquehanna com tv. Pomyslvania, on the 12th of May, 1837. am. I- a representative of one of the oldest con families of New England. It is said that Is nestors cane to America on the Mayflower. It is definitely known that the first white child horn in connecticut-in 1030 was a Gardner, wink Stephen Gardner, a direct ancestor of our sub- ject resided in Connecticut during the earliest epoch in its colonization. He had a family of twelve children, of whom the eleventh. David Gardner, became the father of five children. The youngest of this family was Isaac Gardner. who was born in Connecticut. November 30. 1-01. and when the colonies attempted to throw of the yoke of British oppression he joined the army and fought for the independence of the nation. He was twice married, his first wife being Martha Rogers, by whom he had five eli ?- dren. Following her death he welded Father Palmer and to them were born min . children. She became his widow and as such received a pension in recognition of the service which he rendered in the Revolutionary war.
William P. Gardner, father of Isane J. Gardner and the seventh child of the marriage of Isaac Gardner and Esther Palmer, was born in New London, Connecticut. December 27. 1812. and was married July 5. 1835. to Miss Sarah F. James, whose birth occurred in Connecticut on the 30th of September. 1815. Leaving New England, he became a farmer of tiibson township. Susquehanna county. l'ennsylvania, where he re- sided until 1857. when accompanied by his son. Isaac I .. he came to Illinois in search of a lu- cation. Phased with Iroquois county and its possibilities, they became pioneer settlers of Douglas township, building on the present site di Gilman a house which was constructed from the first carload of lumber unloaded at Gilman. The little dwelling was built in August. 1857. and in February. 1858. William P. Gardner brought his family to the west. This district was largely a wilderness ant much of the land was under water, but the possibilities of making it a rich agricultural district were there 11
about the close of the tail war Mr. Gardner re- manved to a farm near thelance, but after five Sears returned to falman, where he continued to make his lane until his demise on the 24th of Man. IN. He built the first house in full name and he was a prominent factor in the material progress and improvement of the county along agricultural line- He was over ready to take up ans new methods where practical utility le recognized and for a long period was accounted one of the prominent and leading agricultureet ni Douglas township. His political allegiance was given to the whig party m carly manhood and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the republican party, following its banners until Is death. He long survived his wife, who passed away in September, 1873. In their family were five children, the surviving members being Isaac J. of this review : I. B. an agirculturist of Nuckolla conmy, Nebraska : and William D. of Seattle, Washington. A daughter of the family taught the first school in Gilman. Viter losing his first wife William P. Gardner wedded Mrs. Lydia Hunt. He and both of his wives were members of the Baptist church and were earnest Christian people, respected In all who knew them.
The early educational privileges which Isaac J. Gardner received were those afforded In the district schools, but all through his life his mind has been both receptive and retentive and in the school of experience he has learned many valu- able lessons, while reading and observation have greatly broadened his knowledge. He was trained to habits of industry and economy upon the home farm, which was situated in a timbered and stone country and arduous toil therefore fell to his lot. As stated. he came with his father to Iroquois county in 1857 and the family home was established here the following year, so that from pioneer times to the present he has been identified with the agricultural interests of this part of the state and with its substantial improve- ment Som after his marriage in 1802 he re- moved to his present home, purchasing eights acres of land at twelve dollars per acre. and five years later he added forts acres more bought at the same price. It was very low land. being largely under water, but he recognized its possi- Inlities for development, improvement and cult
PAST AND PRESENT OF
vation and he has since invested hundreds of dollars in tiling and drainage, transforming it into richly cultivated fiells. At one time, in connection with his farming operations, he car- ried on a dairy and throughout the greater part of his life he has owned and operated threshing and corn shelling machines, having owned one of the first machines of this port of the county. In all of his farm work he has been intensely practical as well as progressive and a glance at his place indicates his careful supervision, for the farm in every department is characterized by neatness and thrift.
On the 21st of December, 1862, was celebrated the marriage of Isaac J. Gardner and Miss Inverno Bennett, a daughter of Lewis J. and Hannah (Green) Bennett. Descended from an carly New England family. her grandfather. Ezekiel Bennett, removed from Vermont to the state of New York during the period of its pio- neer history. He wedded Mary High and their son. Lewis J. Bennett, was born in the Empire state, where he wedded Miss Hannah Green, also a native of New York. In 1850 they look up their abode near Onarga in Iroquois county. there Mr. Bennett carried on general agricul- tural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death June 20, 1877. When he was seventy cars of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have been born four children. Frank D., a graduate of the state imiversity of the class of 1891, was formerly assistant professor of agriculture in his alma mater and also assistant agriculturist at the experiment station at Champaign. After many years thus passed he was sent to south- western Texas and later placed in charge of the United States experimental station in Porto Rico. which he established there for the government and which he conducted for three and a half vears. He is now assistant to the chief of the department of soils at Washington, D. C., and is an expert in his field of labor, having broad. comprehensive and accurate scientific knowledge concerning agriculture and all that bears upon the production of crops from the soil. He mar- ried Ellen Crum, of Farmer City, Illinois, a daughter of Mathias Crum, a banker, June 6. 1894. and they now have three children, Mathias C .. Frank Easter and Raneit. William 1 .. Gardner, the second son of the family, was grad-
nated from the Metropolitan Business College of Chicago and is now bookkeeper and manager for the Nutriola Medical Company of Chicago. lle married Miss Jessie J. Chase, of Chicago, on the 28th of May, 1802. May E., who is a grad- tate of the Gilman high school. became the wife of John Gruber, of Chicago. June 29. 1804. and they have one child. Ethel May. Carrie E .. who completes the family, became the wife of William S. Kaufman, a salesman at Elgin. Illi- nois, on the 3d of January. 1900, and they have one child. Harold Duane. Mr. Gardner gives his political allegiance to the republican party, of which he has been a stanch advocate since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. In April. 1863. he was appointed school treasurer of township 27. range it. cast. Iroquois county, and has continuously occupied the position to the present time without the loss of a dollar to the district. No public trust re- posted in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. On the contrary he is most loyal to the public welfare and his efforts have been of material benefit to the county along many lines of improvement. His activity in busi muss has not only contributed to his individual success but has also been an active factor in the development of the state and he is now accounted one of the honored pioneer settlers and respected business men of Douglas township.
JACOB ALLINGER.
Jacob Mlinger, who carries on general farm- ing on section 1. Artesia township, where he owns one hundred and twenty-four acres of good lan 1. was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, November 10. 1848, and when a young man of twenty years became a resident of Illinois, while three years later he took up his abode in this county. His father. Henry Allinger, was also born and reared in Germany, and followed farming there. He married Elizabeth Ziegler, who was also of fir- man birth. In their family were eight children. who were reared on the farm in the okl country, Jacob Allinger, when nineteen years of age. sailed from Havre. France, for the new world.
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
attracted by the opportunities here offered Ut able service which he rendered different business advancement. His education had been acquired in his native country and he had been reared to agricultural hie there llc landel at New York and went first to Bradford counts. Pennsylvania, where he remained for about the months. On the expiration of that person tok up his abode in Logan county. Blues. where he was employed as a farm hand at twells dollars per month, working in that way for three years. He saved his carilings and in esti cafff to Iroquois county, investing his capital im about eight acres of land near Hoopeston m Version counts. Upon this place he followed furun. for twelve years and brought his land midler a ROBERT FINOIL. ligh Mate of cultivation, ammally gathering therefrom good crops.
Mr. Allinger was married in Hoopston. No Vember 20. 1881. to Miss Elizabeth Dinger, a la tive of New York and a daughter of Peter Danger. who was also born in the Entire state and came to Illinois when a young man. Selling his property Fear Hoopeston, Mr. Allinger afterward look up Hi- aborde upon his present farm on sein . Artesia township. He created the two-story res- derce which adorns the place and has also put up gond cribs and sheds and bas fenced and titel his land, transforming it into a valuable farmi. In addition to the work of the fields he raises inte blooded Morgan Horse and Poland this hogy and his stock-raising interests are all 11- partant branch of his business, bringing to hu a good financial return.
( m ) Mr. and Mrs. AMlinger have been born three children: William, who assists in carry- ing on the home farm: Ada and this, who are also under the parental roof. Mr. Allinger an 1 his family attend the Methodist Episcopal chure's · i Buckley. The wife and mother died in 102. at the age of fifty years, and her death with deeply deplered by many friends as well as her immediate family
Where national questions and rules are Il- solved Mr. Allinger votes with the democracy In le casts an independent local ballet. Thirty- eight years ago he came to America a volte 10an with little more capital than was necessary to meet the expenses of the trip. He possessed courage and determmation, however, and a will- inguess to work that was soon manifest in the
plovers Becoming more familiar with the com try and the prestaties offered in different set Hans, he resolved to make his home in the middle west and has i'm more than a third di a century resulted in Illinois. The hope that led him to make this change has been more than realized and here he now has a good home and many friends, Blake in his business life he has gamed that strecess which is the measure of industry and capable management and is the reward of carnet labor.
Robert Lunch represents the agricultural lite of Iroquois couts, owning and operating a valu- able and well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated on section 20, Prairie Green township, his postoffice being Amba. Indiana. He is a native of Warren county, Indiana, born m October, 1852, and when two years of age was brought by his parents to Illinois, the family home being established in frequent county, where the som was reared and educated. The remained with his parents umil he reached mature sears, when he started out in life on his own account. his first purchase of land constituting a track of eighty acres, which he operated during the she- codling twelve years. As he prospered in his undertakings be extended the boundaries of his home place, and later disposed of that property and invested the money in a farm of one hundred and twenty acres situated in Crawford county. which was located in the all regions. Taking up his abode there be further improved the land Is the creation of a good barn, and he likesis set out a large orchard covering thirty acres and containing tham varieties of fruit. He this made it a valuable property.
Renting that property Mr. Finch returned to Irespons county and purchased the farm which is his present home, comprising one hundred and SINDS acres situated on section 20. Prairie Green township. He has resided on this place since 1804. Much of this land was a swamp bat bs the indians te of ting he has dramed the land and made the fields very productive. He has built forces and otherwise improved the
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PAST AND PRESENT OF
place and now has one of the best farms in this section of the county. In addition to his farm- ing interests he devotes much of his time to the raising of stock, including horses, cattle and hogs and this is proving to him a good source of revenue. Ile is practical and methodical in all his work and his labors are bringing him a gratifying measure of prosperity.
In 1807. in Streator, Illinois, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Finch and Miss May Homan, who was born and reared in Iroquois county and was a well educated and cultured young lady. She became the mother of two daughters: Flossie, who died July 13. 1902 : and Mabel, a bright little girl, who is with her father. In November. 1004. Mr. Finch was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, whose remains were laid to rest in a cemetery in Crawford county.
Politically Mr. Finch is a stalwart supporter of republican principles but he has never been active as an office seeker, for his private business interests have always claimed his entire time and attention. llaving resided here from the age of two years Mr. Finch is well known, having a large acquaintance in Benton county, Indiana. as well as Iroquois and Vermilion counties, and he is ever reliable and straightforward in all his business dealings and has thereby won the con- fidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
FRED ALBRECHT.
Fred Albrecht is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, his home being on section 32. Iroquois township, and his systematic business methods and enterprise constitute the strong fca- tures in his success. Ile was born in Prussia. Germany. December 3. 1849, and was a young man of nineteen years when in 1868 he came to America, attracted by the favorable reports which he had heard concerning the opportunities and advantages afforded in the new world. Mak- ing his way to Will county, Illinois, he there re- sided for a year and afterward went to Ne- braska, where he remained for cleven months looking over the country. In that time he he- came convinced that Illinois offered better ad-
vantages than the state farther west and returned to Will county, where he engaged in the opera- tion of a rented farm. Saving his earnings, he at length acquired capital sufficient to enable hin to purchase a farm in Concord township, Iro- quois county. in 1873, and he took up his abode thereon. He is now the owner of three hundred and thirty acres in the home farm in Iroquois township, two hundred and ten acres in Middle- port township and one hundred and seventy acres in Concord township. He resided in Concord township until 1000. His father had also come to this country and after residing for a time in Michigan removed to Iroquois county in 1874 and lived in Concord township until his death. Fred Albrecht has been very prosperous and as his financial resources have increased he has placed his money in the safest of all investments -real estate-and is now the owner of many farms. He has three hundred and thirty acres where he resides on section 32, Iroquois town- ship, which is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. He raises thoroughbred Durham cattle and also hogs and other stock. He has improved his farms and all are in good condi- tion and the investments have been very carefully placed and have therefore returned to him a gratifying income.
Mr. Albrecht was married January 27, 1870. to Miss Fredericka Kerchman, and they have eight children: Charley W., who is a dealer in general merchandise in Crescent City : Henry. Paul. Robert and Otto, all at home : Mrs. Minnie Walkner, who is living on one of her father's farms: Mrs. George Easter, also living on one of her father's farms: and Mrs. Samuel Salt- kill, who resides on a farm east of Iroquois.
Voting with the republican party since becom- ing a naturalized American citizen, Mr. Albrecht has been most loyal to its interests and is a stanch champion of its principles. 1le has served as commissioner of highways but other- wise has neither sought nor desired office. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and he is one of the prominent men of his part of the county. He owns a fine store building in Crescent City, where his son conducts business and his property interests are now ex- tensive and valuable. His business record has been one that any man would be proud to pos-
FRED ALBRECHT.
MRS. FRED ALBRECHT.
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INNERST 00 0IS
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
sess, Beginning at the very bottom round of the ladder, he has steadily advanced step by step until he is now occupying a position of promi- nence. Through his entire business career he has been looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, never making an engagement that he has not fulfilled and standing today an example of what determination and force, combined with the highest degree of business integrity, can ac- complish for a man of natural ability and strength vi character.
JOHN C. WILKENING.
J. C. Wilkening, engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising on sections 20 and 29. . Ish Grove township, where his possessions cover one hundred and seventy-six acres, was born in Will county. Illinois, September 4, 1859. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood days. He attended the public schools and when not occupied with his text-books worked in the fields, assisting his father on the home farm up to the time of his majority and acquiring thereby a practical knowledge of the best methods of conducting farming and. stock-raising interests, so that he was well qualified to engage in business on his own account when he started out in life for himself.
Mr. Wilkening was married in his native coun- ty, April 20. 1888, to Miss Sophia Lucke, who was born and reared in that county. They re- moved to Iroquois county, where he had pur- chased a farm the year before and upon which they began their domestic life. Hle resolutely undertook the task of further developing and improving this place and the present attractive werstory residence, built in modern style of architecture stands as a monument to his enter- prise, for it was erected under his chrection. He has three good barns, one silo, and he keeps everything about his place in excellent repair. He has perhaps the only farm in this locality with a silo and he puts up ensilege. He has all of the modern farm machinery and thus the work of his fields is greatly facilitated. He has set ont much fruit and has drained the land. In
connection with general farming he saves good dairy stock and is engaged quite extensively in the manufacture of butter, the product being of excellent quality that it finds a most ready sale upon the market. Mr. Wilkening is an alert. enterprising farmer and stock-raiser. He has also bought land in Minnesota and though he commenced life empty-handed he is today a sub- stantial agriculturist with large, valuable and profitable holdings.
Mr. Wilkening lost his first wife in 1843, her death having occurred in the month of February. She had many friends and her loss occasioned much sadness to those who knew her. She left two children, Lydia and Tholinda.
Mr. Wilkening was married again in Will county, October 25, 1804, to Miss Bertha Tatge. a native of Will county, who was reared and educated there. Following their marriage they lived in Will county for about two years, as he had his own place rented. Five children have been born of the second union, Amiel. Julia, Tilla, Henry and Willie.
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