USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 51
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The parents are members of the Lutheran church, in the faith of which they were reared. and Mr. Wilkening's political views are in har- mony with republican principles. Ile has served as township clerk for five years and for six vears has filled the office of justice of the peace. his decisions being strictly fair and impartial, so that he is a most trustworthy official. Ile is one of the well known public men of the county and is a popular citizen, possessing a genial man- ner and cordial disposition as well as public spirit and business enterprise. These qualities have gained for him favorable place in the regard of those who know him.
CHARLES L. PRUITT.
Charles 1 .. Pruitt is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising. He owns three farms comprising about six hundred acres in Milford and Lovejoy townships, his home being on sec- tion 3 of the latter township. He was also born in that township, his natal day being December 4. 1800. His parents were Joseph and Augusta ( Hurd) Pruitt, who are mentioned on another
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page of this volume. Charles L. Pruitt was adopted by his uncle. Albert P. Hurd, when but a child and by him was reared upon a farm, while in the district schools he acquired his preliminary education. Later he attended the high school in Wellington and in Milford, and subsequently the Onarga Seminary, thus being well fitted for life's practical and responsible duties by a thorough education. He remained with his uncle until the latter's death and cared for his uncle and annt during their last days, thus requiting them for the attention and love which they had bestowed upon him in his boyhood and youth. He early became familiar with the work of the farm, as he assisted in the labors of the fields and was thus well prepared to manage a farm when he started out in life for himself.
Mr. Pruitt was married in Sheldon, Illinois, on the Ist of January, 1896, to Miss Martha B. Smalley, a native of Iroquois county and a daughter of David Smalley, one of the early set- tlers who came to Iroquois county in 1873 and opened up a farm on section 3. Prairie Green township, where he carried on general agricul- tural pursuits for some years, after which he re- moved to Sheldon, where he now resides, having retired from active business life. Mrs. Pruitt was born and reared here and was educated in the home schools and in the college at Eureka, Illinois.
Following his marriage Mr. Pruitt resided with his uncle for a year and then located on his own farm, which adjoined his uncle's place. He had two hundred and twenty-five acres of land there and he resolutely undertook the task of its further development and improvement. He added to and remodeled the house, built a good barn and large corn crib with elevator and made a neat place. In the spring of 1906 he returned to the old Hurd farm, where he now has a com- fortable home. There is a fine walnut grove on the place, together with much fruit and all of the equipments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. In connection with the cultivation of the soil he also raises good cattle and hogs. He is very successful, owing to his capable management and his long experience.
Mr. Pruitt is a stalwart advocate of republican principles, being thoroughly in sympathy with
the party and its platform. He was elected and served as township school trustee for three years while in Milford township, has likewise been commissioner of highways for three years and vet has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. His wife is a member of the Christian church at Milford and Mr. Pruitt at- tends its services and contributes liberally to its support. He is identified through membership relations with Milford lodge, No. 211, K. P. In a review of his life it will be seen that his years have been fraught with earnest toil and lie early came to a realization of the fact that in America "labor is king." He knew that to win success he must work diligently and persevering- ly and because of the qualities he has thus mani- fested he has gained a place among the most prosperous agriculturists of this part of the state, his landed interests being very extensive and valuable.
SMITH S. SIMPKINS.
Smith S. Simpkins, a son of Absalom S. and Elizabeth (Bond) Simpkins and a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is living on section 26, Fountain township, where he owns and operates eighty-two acres of land and he is also cultivating a tract of one hundred and sixty acres which he rents. He was born July 27, 1853, and was therefore a young man of twenty- five years when he came to Iroquois county in 1886. His parents were also natives of the Key- stone state and the father, who was reared in Montgomery county, was a carpenter by trade. With his family he removed to Brown county, Ohio, in 1855, and, purchasing land there, he engaged in farming until his death, which oc- curred when he was fifty-five years of age. His wife survived him for ten years and died at the age of fifty-seven.
Smith S. Simpkins, the youngest of their fam- ily of nine children, was reared on the home farm and had good common-school advantages. When fourteen years of age he began earning his own livelihood and was employed at farm lahor up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated December 17, 1875, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah E. Fry, a native of
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Brown county, Uhlo, and a daughter of John to New York, he theyer preceded by boat down Fry, who was also born in that state. Ile after ward worked by the month for eight years, when he removed to Iroquois county, where he rented land and carried on general agricultural pursuits for fifteen years. When he had acquired capital sufficient to justify huis purchase of a farm he in - vested in eighty-two acres on section 20, loun- tain township, where he now resides, and he has since improved the buildings, put up good fences, laid tiling and otherwise developed a good farm. For the last three years he has also leased and cultivated one hundred and sixty acres, and he makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred Polan } China hogs.
Mr. and Mrs. Simpkins have become the par- ents of two sons. Emmet married Tabitha Judy. a daughter of Jehu Judy, and they have a daugh- ter. Edith. They live upon a farm in Fountain township. Charles, who married Sylvia Reed. is also an agriculturist of Fountain township. The parents are members of the United Brethren church, of which Mr. Simpkins is a trustee, and he has never missed an election since casting his first presidential vote for Grant. He does not seek office, preferring his farming interests.
GEORGE RIVARD.
George Rivard, in former years identified with farming interests but now living retired in Clif- ton, yet owns two hundred and forty acres of land in Ashkum township, together with other property interests that rank him with the sub- stantial residents of Iroquois county. He was the ninth in order of birth in a family of ten children whose parents were A. C. and Geneva (Ern) Rivard, and was born in Montreal, ( an- ada, on the 10th of September, 1835. His edu- cational privileges were somewhat limited but experience, reading and observation have added greatly to his knowledge. He came to the United States in 1845, when a youth of ten year -. anil took up his abode at Bourbonnais Grove in Kal - kaker county, Illinois.
There he remained until 1851. when at the age of sixteen years he went to California to take up a mining chim. Making his way eastward
the Atlantic coast and crossed the things by the Nicaranga route. While on the ship an epi- denic of yellow fever broke out on board and about twenty of the passengers died. When the vessel reached the San Francisco whari Mr. Rivard was laid out in one of the warehouses i dead, but some one discovered that life was not extinct and he was taken to the government hospital. where he was later laid out a second time for dead. Again he revived and his strength gradually returned. After three and a half months spent in the hospital he went to Placer county, California, where he staked out a claim and for five years he had the varied experiences of a frontier miner of that period. In 1857 he returned to his okl home in Kankake county, Illi- nois, but in 1858 he again suffered an attack of gold fever and went to Pike's Peak, thus start- ing west a second time to try his fortune as a miner. On reaching his destination, however, he did not like the looks of the place. so made his way to Salt Lake City, Utah. He was no bet- ter suited there and returned to Kansas, where he homesteaded a quarter section of land. After acquiring a title to that property he returned to Kankakee county, Illinois, in 1859. The follow- ing year he purchased a farm in Ashkum town- ship, which he still owns and which he contin- nously and successfully operated until 1800. bringing the fields under a high state of cultiva- tion and adding many modern improvements. In ISit he put aside the arduous duties incident to cultivating the farm and removed to Clifton. where he now resides. Here he has three and a half acres of land and a comfortable residence built in modern style of architecture. He also owns two hundred and forty acres of land in Lyon county, Kansas, in addition to his valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres in Ashkum township.
On the 20th of July, 1802. Mr. Rivard was united in marriage at St. Anne, Illinois, to Miss Vdelide Drolet, and unto them have been born twelve children: Ferdinand, Leona, Willie. Lena, Ada, Josephine. Phillip, Adolph, Laura. Anita. Lizzie ant Anna. His own lack of edu- cation and the disadvantages from which he suffered therelay led Mr. Rivard to provide his children with excellent opportunities in that di-
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rection and all have had the privilege of at- tending good schools.
Since coming to the United States Mr. Rivard has been loyal in his attachment to the country and its interests and in 1862 he made application for enlistment in the Union Army but was re- jected on account of physical disability. In 1858 he was employed as teamster, hauling government supplies on the frontier for a few months. He cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan and has always been a stalwart advocate of de- mocracy, and while on the farm he served as pathmaster at various times but has not been active as a politician in the sense of office seek- ing. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church of Clifton.
JAMES I. GORDON.
James I. Gordon is a retired farmer who re- sides on section 21, Ashkum township. where he owns one hundred and forty-four acres of land. He is a son of James and Jennie Gordon, who were of English and Scotch descent, and his birth occurred in Cambridgeshire, England, July 29, 1829. He was the eldest in a family of four children, the others being Henry and Joseph, twins : and Nancy.
James I. Gordon remained in his native coun- try until twenty-one years of age, when, on the 20th of June, 1850, he sailed from England and after a seven weeks' voyage landed at New York. Ile lived in Livingston and Genesce counties, that state, until 1857, when he came to Illinois, settling in Kankakee, where he resided until 1865. He then removed to Ashkum township. Iroquois county, and has since lived in this lo- cality. His life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and as the years have passed he has gained a good financial return as the reward for his enterprise and diligence.
Mr. Gordon was married to Miss Olive Hough- ton, at Rockville, Illinois, November 18, 1860, and they have become the parents of thirteen children : Nelson J., a carpenter by trade, living in South Dakota; Herrick J., who follows farm- ing in Danforth township. Iroquois county ; Henry, deceased ; Frank E., an attorney of ()sce-
ola, Iowa ; George S., who has departed this life ; Lizzie I., the wife of Frank A. Johnston, a resi- cent farmer of Ashkum township; Wilmer .A .. deceased ; Minnie I., the wife of Charles Dusing. of Pocahontas, Iowa; Lillie B., the wife of .Alfred Bernard, a carpenter of .Atlanta, Wiscon- sin : Clarence L., who married Viola Peters and is a telegraph operator on the Illinois Central Railroad, located at Irwin, Illinois ; Newton E., who married Miss Lizzie Houghton and is a farmer of Ashkum township; Walter E., who married Anna Neubewer and is a farmer of Ash- kum township ; and Fred A., who wedded Anna Jacobs and operates his father's farm.
In politics Mr. Gordon is a very emphatic re- publican, having supported the party throughout his entire life. He has served as school director for the past ten years and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church in the village of Ashkum and his life has been in harmony with his professions. Mr. Gordon has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on the journey of life and since attaining his majority has been a resi- cent of America. No native son is more loyal to the interests of the country and in the new world he found good business opportunities and is today enabled to live in comfort and ease, leaving to others the arduous cares of the farm and its business management.
GEORGE SOWERS HUMMER.
George Sowers Hummer is the leading hard- ware merchant of Sheldon and one of the prom- inent Masons of this part of the state. Since 1881 he has been continuously connected with the commercial interests of the town, and in Shel- don his name has become known as a synonym for business enterprise and integrity. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in York county, June 30. 1845. his parents being John and Julia Ann (Sowers) Hummer, the former a native of Pennsylvania, while the mother came of Holland ancestry. John Hummer was a merchant and also followed farming for a time. He died in Pennsylvania, where four of his children are yet
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MR. AND MRS. JAMES I. GORDON.
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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
living There were six in the family, and five still survive.
George Sovers Hummer, the only representa- tive of the family in Illinois, was eddiested in the Keystone state and in early business Hin Spent one year in a hardware store at York, Pennsyl vama. Later he attended the Cumberland In- stitute and afterward continued his education in the York County Acade ny in Pennsylvania. Ile then went upon the railroad as conductor for six years on a freight and traffic hne, but think- ing to enjoy still better business opportunities in the middle west he came to Sheldon in April. 1881, and established a hardware store, which he has since conducted. He is now the oldest business man in the city in years of continuons connection with mercantile interests. Ile carries a complete line of shelf and heavy hardware, and his store is located in the central part of the business district. All of the time he has con- tinued in one building save for about three years, when he occupied the adjoining building, and he is known as the leading hardware merchant in Sheldon.
Mr. Ilummer was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Frances A. Myers, who was born in . Adams county, that state, and was a sister of Mr. Myers. a shoe dealer of Sheldon. They had no children but reared an adopted son from the age of seven years. He is now a young man and has for some years been associated with Mr. Ilummer in busi- ness. His proper name is 1. Ingles Darnell but he is everywhere known by the name of I. D. Hummer. He married Miss Dora Mckeever, of Sheldon, and they have one child. Mr. Hum- mer lost his wife July 31, 1905. She was a de- vout member of the Presbyterian church and a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind. >> that she endeared herself to a large circle of friends.
Politically Mr. Hummer is a republican and For two years las served as supervisor of Shel- don township. He Has been a member of the town board of Sheldon since May 2, How, and is now clerk of the board. He is also ony clerk of Sheldon and his eforts in belali of community interests are far-reaching and beneficial. Mlere- Our, he is one of the distinguished Masons of this part of the state, having attained the thirty second degree of the Scottish rite. He belongs
to Sheldon lodge, No Ong, \ F. & \ M. Van Rensselaer lage of Perfect om, at Chicago and the Chicago , council of the Prince of Jerusalem. Forgas chapter of the Rose of Crops, at Chi cago, and Oriental consistory S. P. R. S. at Chicago. He is likewise identified with Watseka chapter, No. 114. R. A. M., Watscka council. R. & & M., Mary commanders, No. 15. K. T. at Watseka, and Sheldon chapter. No. 185. 0. I. S., together with the National Veteran Asso- ciation, at Chreago. He has hell many offices in the blue lodge at Sheldon and was worshipful master for six years. He has also been district deputy grand master from this district and has also been grand steward of the grand lodge. Ile was one of the members of Fraternal Courtes commandery for four years. He took an active part in the organization of the Eastern Star chap- ter at Sheldon, to which his wife also belonged. and he has always been much interested in lodge work, being one of the best posted Masons in the county, thoroughly in sympathy with the teachings, tenets and purposes of the craft. Ile holds membership in the Presbyterian church and his life displays those traits which work for hon- orable, upright character and which render the life of the individual of benefit to his fellowmen.
FRANK M. CRANGLE.
Frank M. Crangle, a lawyer practicing at the bar of Iroquois county as a member of the firm of trangle & Vennum, one of the strongest law firms of Watseka, was born in Grundy county, Illinois, January 3. 1861. His father, James Crangle, now living retired, at Gilman, was for many years identified with agricultural interests in Ash Groove township. He was born in Counts Down, Ireland, March 17, 1832, on the farm where his father. James ( rangk, was born and reared. His mother bore the maiden name of Mary Brennan, and in isto the family suled for America, the vessel on which they took passage w ighing ancher at Warren Point, on the 231 of April and reaching the barber of New York on the 28th day of May. With his wife and claldren James Crangle, Sr., made his way to Grunds county, Mines, and worked on the cand.
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but his death vecurred about 1843. after which his widow returned to Ireland. Both were mem- bers of the Catholic church.
James Crangle, Sr., was only eight years of age at the time of the emigration to the new world, and when a youth of ten he began earning his living as a farm hand, being in the employ of one man for seven years. He carefully saved his earnings during that period, and at length his capital justified his purchase of eighty acres of land, whereon he engaged in farming in Grundy county until 1869, save for the period of his services in the Civil war. On the 10th of August, 1862, he enlisted in support of the Union cause, becoming a member of Company D, Sev- enty-second Illinois Infantry, which was organ- ized at Chicago. Colonel Fred Starring being in command. The troops were sent south to Cairo, thence to Columbus, Kentucky, to Oxford, Mississippi, and afterward to Memphis, Tennes- see, where the winter was passed. In the spring they started from Wilkin's Bend for Vicksburg by way of Grand Gulf. participating in the battle of Champion Hill under General Grant. In a charge of Vicksburg Company D lost half of its number but continued to participate in the siege until the surrender of the city on the 4th of July. With his regiment Mr. Crangle went to Natchez and spent the following winter in Vicks- burg on provost duty. Because of impaired health he was brevetted to the Veteran Reserve Corps and for two or three months was stationed at Fort Lincoln in Washington, while the re- mainder of his service was in guarding prisoners at Rock Island, where he was honorably dis- charged July 17. 1865.
When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Crangle returned to his home in Grundy county and was there extensively engaged in raising stock. In 1869 he removed to Iroquois county and purchased a farm of two hundred acres on section 6, Ash Grove township, which he im- proved and made his home until 1803, when he retired to Gilman, where he is now residing in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
On the 29th of November, 1855. James Crangle was married in Brookfield township, La Salle county, Illinois, to Miss Bridget O'Farrell. a native of Ottawa, and a daughter of Frank and Mary ( Carey ) O'Farrell. U'nto them were born
thirteen children, of whom ten are now living. The seven youngest were natives of this county and the others were born in Grundy county. James Crangle and his family are all communi- cants of the Catholic church and he has been president of the Farmers Mutual Benevolent As- sociation. In former years he held membership with Williams post, No. 25, G. A. R., at Wat- seka, and later became connected with Crescent post, No. 717. G. A. R., and now the post at Gil- man. With the exception of the year 1864, when he supported Lincoln at the polls Mr. Crangle has been a stalwart democrat since cast- ing his first presidential ballot for James Buchanan. He has held some local offices and has frequently attended the conventions of his party, and is now, and has been for several years alderman of his city. His residence in the state covers a period of two-thirds of a century and he justly merits the rest which he is now enjoying.
Frank MI. Crangle was reared upon his father's farm. He early gave evidence of the trend of his mind toward intellectual pursuits and logical- ly entered upon a professional career. After attending the district schools he spent one year in Grand Prairie Seminary, at Onarga, and after passing an examination in the spring of 1876 was awarded a teacher's certificate and taught his first school in the following autumn in the Search Underwood district, although not then seventeen years of age. During the succeeding six years he taught school and at intervals attended the Grand Prairie Seminary. In 1886, he entered upon the service, which continued four years, as principal of the graded schools of Crescent City, and in 1800, after three months spent as teacher of the Buckley schools, he resigned to accept the office of county superintendent of schools, to which he was then elected. While the usual republican majority in the county had previously been more than seven hundred. upon the democratic ticket he received a majority of five hundred and ninety-one votes, which indi- cated his personal popularity and the confidence of his fellow townsmen reposed in his professional ability. While engaged in teaching his leisure hours were devoted to the study of law, and after securing admission to the bar he practiced for a ycar alone in Watseka. He then formed a part-
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nership with Robert Doyle, the sage of the lin quais county bar and this firm was continual for three years when Mr. Doyle went to California He then became the senior member of the firm of Crangle & Vennum, which is still in existence They have been connected with litigated interests in all the different courts, including various cases in the supreme court and Mr. Crangle is recognized as a man who has displayed broad and accurate knowledge concerning the principles of jurisprudence, and is logical in his deductions and sound in his argument. He has won a posi- tion of more than local distinction at the bar and his clientage is constantly increasing.
Mr. Crangle's political affiliations have always been with the democracy, and he is recognized as one of the leaders of the party, having been elected in 1800, and again in 1804. to represent his di- triet in the state legislature and is at this date chairman of the Iroquois county democratic cen- tral committee. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen, while his religious faith is that of the Catholic church. Ile is a ready and fluent speaker and is the orator for many fraternal meetings held in Iroquois county and elsewhere. Endowed by nature with strong mentality, possessing a laudable ambition to win success, he has so directed his labors that he has made constant advancement in those lines of life demanding honesty, intellectuality and un. faltering activity. His life motto is, "Never do anything for which you have to apologize."
11. N. TALBERT.
11. N. Talbert, who is now living retired in Onarga, was for many years an active and pros- peron- farmer and stock-raiser of Onarga town- ship and is still the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Moreover, he is a native son of the coun- to, his birth having occurred on the old home farm February 20. 1850, and as the years have come and gone he has kept pace with the general progress which has converted a wild and un- broken district into one of the richest agricul-
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