USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 52
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Uha counties of this great state İliş father, George Talbert, came to Illinois from l'eanssl- vama. He was married in Indiana and located in Onarga township, where he secured a tract of wild land and transformed it into a fertile farm. When the country became involved in civil war and needed the aid of her loyal sons he joined the army as a member of the Ninth Ilinois Cavalry and died in the field hospital in Missouri in 1802, thus giving his life as a ransom for the cause of the U'nion. His wife had died about 1860. Their family numbered three sons, of whom Edward died when a young man of eighteen Vcars.
From early youth 11. N. Talbert has been dependent upon his own resources. He was left an orphan when only six years old and his early education was acquired in the public schools, while later he attended a seminary at Onarga for five terms. When he reached manhood he sought a companion and helpmate for the jour- Hey of life and was married in Onarga township. January 7. 1879. to Miss Anna Lyman, who was born in Illinois and was reared here. She is a lady of culture and refinement, having been pro- vided with good educational privileges and sur- rounded in her girlhood days with the environ- ments of a pleasant home.
Following his marriage Mr. Talbert resolutely took up the work of cultivating and improving his farm and as the years passed he added many modern equipments. He rected a good residence and in the rear put up substantial barns and corn cribs. He also added stock scales and a wind pump to the place, together with the latest im- proved machinery for the work of the fields. Many rods of tiling were placed upon his land. thus draining it of the superfluous moisture and rendering it much more productive. Fences ap- portioned the farm into fields of convenient size and in connection with the work of raising cereals Mr. Talbert engaged in raising and feed- ing stock, finding this a profitable source of in- come. He bred and raised a colt that won third premium at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Ile made a specialty of standard-bred horses and also good hogs, which he fattened for the mar- ket. His time and energies were thus given to general agricultural interests until 1901, when he left the farm and removed to Onarga, where
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he purchased a fine residence that he now occupies.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Talbert has been blessed with four children. Lyman, who is mar- ried and operates the old home farm, has two children, Helen and Ralph. Clara is the wife of Charles Gray, a farmer of Onarga township, and they have one son, Nelson. Jessie, the youngest of the family, is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Talbert also lost one child, Myrtle, in infancy.
Politically Mr. Talbert is a stalwart republican. He served as a member of the school board but otherwise held nor desired public office. He filled all of the offices in the Onarga lodge of (dd Fellows, of which he is now a past grand and also the treasurer, and for two years he repre- sented the lodge in the grand lodge, while he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah degree. Investigation into his life history shows much that is commendable. Left an orphan at an early age, without the guiding influence of a good home to shape character and set an example for business activity and upright living, he neverthe- less has made good use of his opportunities and with firm and unfaltering purpose he resolutely accomplished the task which he set for himself and gained a place among the substantial resi- dents of his community. His business methods, too, have been thoroughly reliable and trust- worthy, and he is greatly esteemed in Onarga and throughout the county by all who know him.
WILLIAM H. JIMISON.
William H. Jimison, a resident of Iroquois county since 1872, is well known as an exten- sive buyer and shipper of stock, shipping on an average of about forty carloads per year. Ile lives in Onargo township, owning a good farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres on sections 35 and 36. His close application to his business, his keen foresight and sagacity, have been the salient features in his success and his life record is one that might be profitably followed by others.
Born in Missouri, he first opened his eyes to the light of day in Schuyler county, September 10. 1858. His father, James C. Jimison, was likewise a native of that state, born in Pike con-
to, where the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. There he wedded Mary Ashworth, a native of Indiana. and subsequently he removed to Schuyler county, where he carried on farm- ing for a number of years. In 1872 he took up his abode in Iroquois county, Illinois, making the journey across the country with a team. He located on a farm at Ash Grove, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for several years, but he is now living retired, his home being at Watseka. Through a long period he carried on the work of tilling the soil and harvesting his crops and as the years passed he added annually to his income until his competence is now suffi- cient to enable him to rest from further labor.
William H. Jimison was a youth of fourteen vears when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Missouri to Illinois. He was afforded good common-school advantages and he received ample and practical training at farm labor, aiding his father in the improvement and cultivation of the homestead property until after he had attained his majority and started out in life on his own account.
He was married in Onarga township, on the 26th of January, 1881, to Miss Luary Crumrine, a native of Ohio, who was reared, however, in this county, where her father, Peter Crumrine, lo- cated at a very early day, coming from Ohio. Following their marriage the young couple set- tled upon a rented farm in Ash Grove township, where they lived for three years. They after- ward rented the Grove place in Onarga town- ship for four years and during that period lived economically and frugally. The financial return from the crops which they harvested was care- fully put away for the purpose of some day in- vesting in land and about seven years after their marriage Mr. Jimison purchased one hundred and forty-five acres of the Boswell place in Onarga township. Here he has since resided, and with characteristic energy he began the task of further developing and improving the prop- erty. He keeps in touch with modern progress along agricultural lines and a glance at his place indicates his careful supervision and practical methods. In the midst of richly cultivated fields stand good farm buildings, which include not only a comfortable residence but barns, cribs and sheds for the shelter of grain and stock. He also
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W. H. JIMISON.
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has stock scales and many modern equipments his activity and reliability. Through struggles and much of the latest improved machinery. to success seems to have been his watchword and at all events it is the epitome of his life record. Since his original purchase was made he has added eighty acres to the farm, so that he now has an excellent property of about two hun- dred and twenty-five acres. The tiling that he has done has drained his land and made the MARTIN HENKE. fields very productive. He has also built fences which divide the farm into fields of convenient size of into pastures whereon his live stock grazes, for he raises and feeds both cattle and hogs, shipping about a carload of cattle and the same of hogy each year. In connection with his brother, E. L. Jimison, he owns residence prop- erty in Watseka. His business is carefully man- aged and his diligence and perseverance have resulted in gaining for him a desirable place among the substantial residents of the county. In 1808 he suffered an accident, falling and breaking his ankle. From this injury he has never fully recovered.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jimison has been born one son, Earl 11 .. still at home. Mr. Jimison is prominent in their ranks of the Odd Felows so- ciety and has passed all the chairs in the local lodge at Onarga and is now a past grand. Ile has also been one of the representatives to the grand lodge of the state and is a member of Paxton camp, while he and his wife are con- nected with the Rebekah degree. Mr. Jimison likewise affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Code of Honor. Politically he is a democrat. lle believes in good schools and the employment of competent teachers and dur- ing fifteen years' service on the school board has put forth effective effort in behalf of the system of public education.
It is a well known fact that under the pressure of adversity and the stimulus of necessit; the best and strongest in men are brought out and developed and it is therefore natural that the rec- ord which the American citizen holds in greatest honor is the record of a self-made man. Mr. Jimison deserves all the praise which that term implies, for on attaining his majority he had no capital save a strong determination and willing hands. He eagerly embraced every opportunity that was offered, however, and as the years have gone by has gained a creditable position in the business world, where he is widely known for
Martin Henke, living on section 1, Milford township, possesses the spirit of enterprise and determination that brooks no obstacles but car- ries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He has been a resident of the county since 1873 and was born in Prussia, Gier- many, on the 3d of November, 1854. so that he was about nineteen years of age when he took up his abode here. His father, John Henke, was also a native of Germany, where he lived and died. lle was a carpenter by trade and thus provided for his family. Ilis wife, Caroline Kopinski, was also a native of Germany, and they became the parents of twelve children, of whom Martin is the youngest.
Martin Ilenke earned his own livelihood when quite young in Germany, learning and following the carpenter's trade. He had good school ad- vantages and when in his twentieth year he came to America, sailing from Hamburg to Hull, Eng- land, thence proceeding to Liverpool, where he embarked on a westward bound steamer that dropped anchor in the harbor of Philadelphia. Making his way westward to Chicago he after- ward came to Iroquois county, where he began work as a farm hand, remaining in the service of one employer for eight years-a fact which indicated his capability and trustworthiness ; but desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself he rented a farm and has since engaged in farming on his own account. He was on the Logeman farm for fourteen years. on the expiration of which period he took up his abode on the farm belonging to J. Goldstein. where he lived for five years. In 1800 he rented the Julia Scott farm of three hundred and thirty- nine acres, which he has since conducted, and in addition to tilling the soit he has engaged in breeding and dealing in horses, cattle and hogs.
Mr. Henke was married October 8, 1882. 10 Miss Mary Ann Tiborski, a native of Germany and a daughter of Felix Tiborski, who was like-
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wise born in the fatherland and who came to Iroquois county in 1880. He died here, leaving a wife who still survives him. Mr. and Mrs. Henke are the parents of ten children: John, who married Emma Natschke and is living in Milford; Anna M. and Frank, both at home ; Martha, who occupies a position in Chicago: Lena ; Mary : Carrie : Justina : Julia ; and Martin.
Mr. Hlenke is a republican and has served as school director but has never sought office as the reward of party fealty. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Milford and also to the Masonic lodge there, and he and his wife attend the Lutheran church. Ile has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for he has had good business opportunities here and has made steady progress, winning a goodly measure of success as a farmer and breeder of stock.
WILLIAM MURPHY.
William Murphy, living on section 20, Che- banse township, has extensive landed possessions, owning and cultivating four hunded acres. Ile was born in Hinsdale, Massachusetts, November 27, 1856, and is a son of James Murphy, a native of Ireland, in which country he was reared. He there married Catherine Kirk, and in the '40s they came to the United States. They were the parents of four children. In 1857 they became residents of La Salle county, Illinois, where the father followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1859, when he was thirty-two years of age. Later Mrs. Murphy was married in La Salle county to Frank Cooley, and they remained in that locality until 1867, when they removed to Iroquois county. Here Mr. Cooley purchased a quarter seetion of land and turned his attention to farming, spending his subsequent years in Chebanse township, his last days being passed in the village of Chebanse, where his death oc- curred in 1896. His wife had died the previous year when seventy-four years of age. There was but one child of that marriage.
William Murphy remained with his mother and came with her and his stepfather to Iro- quois county in 1867. The common schools
afforded him his educational privileges and he was reared to farm life, early gaining practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil. He was twenty-one years of age when he took charge of the home farm, renting the land from Mr. Cooley. His first purchase made him owner of eighty acres, and five years later he bought eighty acres more.
Having made arrangements for having a home of his own Mr. Murphy was married on the 15th of January, 1882, to Miss Mary Lynch, a native of Iroquois county and a daughter of Philip Lynch, one of the old-time settlers of Che- banse township. In 1892 Mr. Murphy built a two-story house and barn and has added all other equipments and accessories necessary to a model farm. He has a large crib forty by forty-two feet, with sixteen foot posts and this has an ele- vator, he being one of the first in the county to put in an elevator. He has done a great deal of tiling and the farm is lacking in none of the modern accessories. He raises good grades of stock and feeds his grain.
Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are the parents of five children, William J., Louis Arthur, Burt J .. Frank and Irene, all of whom are still under the parental roof. Mr. Murphy votes independently at local elections but where national issues are involved supports the principles of democracy. For twenty years he has served as school director but otherwise has filled no publie offices. He affiliates with the Knights of Columbus and he and his family attend the Catholic church at Chebanse. His years have been characterized by an unfaltering diligence and perseverance and through this means he has acquired the property which classes him with the substantial agriculturists of the county.
J. D. HAWK.
J. D. Hawk, of Pittwood, formerly a member of the firm of Gregory & Hawk, is now local representatives of the R. F. Cummings Grain Company, which company operates a number of elevators in this locality with the head office at Clifton. Mr. Hawk is the eldest son of William S. and Harriet (Reed) Hawk and was born
MR. AND MRS. J. D. HAWK.
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June 3. 1804. in Loda township, but while he was quite young his parents removed to Middle port, so that almost his entire life has been passed m Iroquois county. He had one brother, Il- ward, and two sisters, Mrs. Clara taltillan and Miss Maud Hawk.
J. D. Hawk was at one time a resident farmer of Middleport township and has a wide acquaint- ance in the vicinity of Watseka. For a long period he has been connected with the grain trade, purchasing grain in several localities. Ile was for a short time in Attica, Indiana, but has spent the greater part of his life in Illinois. Ile served as postmaster for two years while located at Lodge, Illinois, and he was also engaged in the grain business there. He located a second time in Pittwood in December, 1905. and now occupies a cozy home in this town near the ch - valor where he is employed. As a representative of R. F. Cummings he handles a large grain trade in this locality and is thoroughly conversant with the grain business, so that his efforts are of value to his employers and also a source of good income to himself.
Mr. Hawk was married on the 14th of April. lexx), the lady of his choice being Miss Wealthy Canady, who was born May 23. 1880, and their children are Winifred May, who was born July 27. 1002; Oral Louise, born April 11. 1903 : and Edward Sydney, born February 17. 1900.
Mr. Hawk has a wide circle of acquaintances and enjoys the confidence of the public in a business way. He votes the republican ticket and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is also a member of the Odd Fellow> lodge and of Iroquois encampment. No. 81, at Watseka. He has great respect for the institutions of the country and possesses in marked degree all of the elements of good cit- izenship and of honorable manhood.
ETHAN ALLEN. M. D.
Dr. Ethan Allen, who, practicing along modern scientific lines, has been classed with the capable physicians and surgeons of Sheldon since 1800. was born in Fort Wayne. Indiana. September 2, 1871, his parents being Corns W. and t'enthia
Y clerrist Allen The father was born mar Bangor. Mame, and was a son of Isaac Allen, also a native of the line Free state. Virus IS. Allen became a contractor and builder and m 1838 removed westward to Fort Wayne, Indiana. where he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1808, at the venerable age of eighty one years. His wife, who was a native of New York, ched in this, at the age of fifty-mme years. In their family were eight children, five of whom are now living: Frank F., an architect, who resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana : George 1., who is engaged in the lumber business in Mapleville, Mabama ; Mbert, who is living in Chicago: Jennie M .. who resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Dr. Allen, of this review.
Reared in the city of his nativity Dr. Allen pursued his more specifically literary education in the public schools of Fort Wayne and then prepared for his professional career in Fort Wayne Medical College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1807. For two years thereafter he was assistant surgeon in the Sol- diers' Home in Lafayette, Indiana, and thus gained a fair experience. In 18go he came to Sheldon, where he has since been practicing, and in 1903 he pursued a post-graduate course in Chicago. He is a member of the State and County Medical Societies and of the American Medical Association, and has been a contributor to medical journal. He has his office with Dr. Horace Gibson, with whom he is associated in practice, and he is regarded as an able young physician, while in his chosen field of labor he is making steady advancement.
Dr. Allen was married in 1898 to Miss Le- nora Heard, of Whitley county. Indiana, and they have two duldren, Helene and Catherine. Theirs is a beautiful residence two stories in height. the interior finishings being in hard world. It is one of the attractive homes of Shel- don, situated in the northern part of the town. and it is. moreover, justly celebrated for its pleas- ing social functions.
Politically Dr. Allen is a republican, serving at the present writing as president of the school board of Sheldon. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and Masonic fraternities and of the Modern Woodmen camp. Not so almor- malls developed in ams direction as to become a
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genius, he is nevertheless a young man of well rounded character, giving due consideration to the social as well as the business ide of life, and to the political questions which effect the welfare of state and nation. In fact he looks at life from a broad standpoint and through reading and in- vestigation keeps in touch with the thinking men of the age.
JOHN BARD.
John Bard is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to Iroquois county, his birth having occurred in the fatherland in 1840. He was but a small boy when brought by his parents to the new world, the family home being established in Pennsylvania, where the father en- gaged in the manufacture of shingles in order to provide a living for himself and family. In the Keystone state the son was educated and there remained to the age of eighteen years, when, believing the west would offer better advantages to young men of ambition and determination, he accordingly, in 1858, made his way to Illinois, being employed in Will county for four years, subsequent to which time he came to Iroquois county, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land in Beaver township. This was an unimproved tract when it came into his posses- sion but he resolutely set to work to break the land, which he divided into fields of convenient size by building fences. He ditched and tiled his fields and thus made them very productive. As time passed and he accumulated a compe- tence he added to his original purchase until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres, con- stituting one of the valuable farm properties of this portion of the state. He erected a house, two barns, granary, corn crib, and other out buildings usually found upon a model farm, and he has through a long period been engaged here in general agricultural pursuits, in addition to which he raises live stock, having at the present time thirty head of registered Hereford cattle, and he likewise raises the best draft horses to be found in this locality. He has placed his stock on exhibition at various times and frequently wins premiums. He is progressive in his farmi work, using only the latest improved machinery
in carrying on the work of the fields and he is accounted one of the up-to-date and leading farmers and stock-raisers of Beaver township.
In 1858 Mr. Bard established a home of his own by his marriage in Pennsylvania to Miss Barbara Allman, who was likewise born in Ger- many but was brought to this country when two years of age. They have reared a family num- bering eleven children, of whom they have every reason to be proud. the record being as follows : Joc. John, George. Fred, William. Mrs. Mary Emmert, Mrs. Barbara Johnson, Mrs. Anna Freeburg. Mrs. Kate Freeburg. Maggie and Mrs. Abbie Weiger.
Although coming to the new western country when a young man. Mr. Bard adapted himself to the pioneer conditions which here existed and allowed no obstacle or difficulty to deter him in his efforts toward advancement, so that he soon worked his way upward and is now in posses- sion of a valuable property which supplies him- self and family with all the comforts of life and permits him to be classed with the leading citizens of Iroquois county.
DIRK H. MONK.
Dirk H. Monk is the junior partner of the firm of Monk Brothers, who own and cultivate one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 28, Ashkum township. He is, moreover, one of the native sons of this township, his birth having oc- curred here in 1872. He comes of German an- cestry, his parents being Henry and Cassie Monk, who crossed the Atlantic from Germany to the United States in the carly '50s and established their home in Illinois.
Reared under the parental roof, Dirk H. Monk acquired a good common-school education in Ashkum township, and when not busy with his text-books he received thorough training in the work of the farm, early becoming familiar with the task of plowing, planting and harvesting. He was the youngest in a family of seven chil- dren, the others being: Anna, the wife of John Bushman, a resident farmer of Douglas town- ship: Maggie, the wife of Ben Shoneman, a farmer of Ashkum township; Richard, who is
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the senior partner of the firm of Monk Brothers ; Iliram, a farmer of Ashkum township; Atthie. the wife of David Alberts, a resident farmer of Ashkum township: and Cora, the wife of Phil Hilgert, who follows farming in Ashkum town- ship.
Mr. Monk of this review was reared under the parentil roof and has always remained at home. his mother now managing the household affairs. Joining his elder brother in the formation of the firm of Monk Brothers they have since con- «lucted farming interests together and are the owners of one hundred and twenty acres of good land on section 28, Ashkum township, which they have greatly improved. the fields being most highly cultivated, while all the accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century are here seen. Dirk H. Monk is a natural mechanic and is an expert on engines and threshing ma- chines. Hle gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is a member of the German Lutheran church. He has a wide acquaintance in the locality in which his entire life has been passed and is recognized as a good business man. enterprising and of keen discrimination.
ALBEN L. BROUGHER.
Progressive in all of his farming methods and with a landable ambition that is the stimulus for active and untiring labor, Alben 1. Brougher now owns and cultivates four hundred and eighty acres of land on section 20 and 21, Prairie Green township. The farm presents an excellent ap- pearance, being well improved with two sets of good buildings, while the fields are highly enlti- vated and bring forth rich crops. A resident of the county since 18;1. Mr. Brougher has been a witness of varions changes that have been wrought in business methods and in life here. for Iroquois county has ever kept in touch with the trend of general improvement and is today one of the rich agricultural sections of this great state.
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