USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 56
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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
Perhaps no better indication of the life and character of Dr. Jewett can be given than in the words of M. H. Peters who said := "lle had a marked individuality, sometimes bordering on eccentricity, but his peculiarities rather added to
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IRDOLOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
his personal attractiveness than otherwise, final they sprang from the earnestness of his char actor and his mental absorption in his profession and in men professional subjects which interested hing His name has been a household word in hundreds of homes for over a third of a century. He united with the highest professional skill, the tendres human feeling. He was always the friend and sympathizer as well as the profession al adviser and his spirit was often wrong with anguish at the suffering, he was called to wit ness, His heart went out to young people, many of when he had attended all their lives and some- tinka when the great destroyer claimed one of these in spite of all that human skill and yearn- ing care could do, he sorrowed and would not be comforted. He was retired in manner and reserved in disposition and only those who harned to know him, understood how deep and Sweet were the springs of human sympathy that lay at his heart's core.
"The death of his only son some years ago. affected him intensely and he was never quite the same man afterward. Yet his hokl on life. it's recollections, its hopes and its infinite va- riety, never flagged. While in later years his interest in the past deepened and he loved to re- call reminiscences of a varied experience pecially in connection with his army life, he never ceased to face the future and his look was still forward when the summon came and he was taken while yet his heart was young and his natural powers not abated.
"He was the soul of honor, meeting life's problems in a manly and unshrinking way, bear- ing his full share in the labors and responsibil- tie- of life, a good citizen, a man whose fuss is mourned by thousands as that of a personal friend
" Another comrade has fallen. - comrade. friend and brother. He has heard the last tattoo, nor will the bugle sounding the reveille awaken him from his slumbers, to mingle again with 1-, to share the tedium of the camp, the weary march, or the wild tumultuous shock of battl ; his services to his country, His duties to his fel- lowmen, are ended and (, what a loss has the community and the country sustained. Our harts are rent, our tears will fall as we contemplate
The venerable form once creet and so bold, Vous Hicks and cold
"And vet how it soothes the soul to feel and know that as in life he was true and brave. In King of Terrors, his only solicitude, as the dark angel hovered over his conch, was in the dual companion, the chosen of his heart, who for w many years has walk of at his side, and today, the thirty with auniversity of their marriage follows her beloved to the grave. Our loss is great muncasurable, irreparable; but what a loss, It with a Ish, is here how our hearts bleud in sympathy for the bereaved wife the Father in Heaven alone knows her sorrow and He alone can comfort her. May He ale with her and give her fortitude and strength for this terrible crisis. We mingle our tears with hers. for as she loved the Doctor as a husband, so we loved him as a comrade, friend and brother.
"Dr. Jewett, S. C. Munhall and I came to Watseka about the same time. We were close friends three comrades of the Grand Army. three brothers of the Mystic Die. In 1807 we had our pictures taken in a group. Last year on Memorial day I exposed that picture in nis show window. Munhall going by saw it and stopped to speak about it. As we stood there Dr. Jewett came along. Here we were together again as we had been thirty nine years before. But. O. how changed, and the remark was passed, 'Who will be the first to break the trin?" Today Dr. Jewett reposes in the embrace of death. 1 write this trilmite and S. C. Munhall puts it into print. Muchall a.idl I must follow som-it matters not who will be the next.
"Dr. Jewett was very near and dear to me; we served in the same army during the last two years of the Civil war- he in the Twentieth Con- nectient and I in the Seventy -fourth Olo. We first met at Tantalon, Tennessee, in the early spring of 1864. served together through the Atlanta campaign, he in the Twentieth corps and I in the Fourteenth It was a strange co-inci- dent that fate of good fortune should bring us both to Watseka soon after the close of the war. und here we have dwelt to gether for more than forty years in the bonds of comradeship welded in the fire of battle. Dr. Jewett loved the old soller : all old soldiers were dear to him, and as
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love begets love he won the hearts of all who came in contact with him. He was an exemplary citizen, he held an exalted idea of his citizenship. of his duties to his country in peace as well as in war. He ranked high as a physician and was very conscientious in his profession ; many a heart will grieve for the lack of his ministra- tion for he was so kind and tender. He has gone to his reward, all is well with him; the sor- row is ours-we who are left to mourn his departure."
AMOS L. WHITEMAN.
Amos L. Whiteman, who carries on general agricultural pursuits in Concord township, was born in Middleport, .August 5. 1853, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county. Ile is a son of Amos (). and Lydia (Thomas) Whiteman. The father was born in Greene county, Ohio, and, journeying across the country by wagon in 1838, at length arrived in Iroquois county. He entered land on section 7, Concord township, at the land office in Danville, Illinois, and began transforming the raw land into productive fields, for not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place at that time. His first home was a pio- neer cabin, sixteen by twenty-four feet, and in 1854 he built a frame house there. He was closely associated with the early pioneer develop- ment of the county and further mention is made of him in connection with the sketch of Harmon M. Whiteman on another page of this work.
Amos L. Whiteman pursued his education in the district schools of Concord township and carly became familiar with all the duties and labors consequent upon the cultivation of the fields and the care of the crops. He was married December 24. 1879, to Miss Mary E. Savage. of Fulton county, Indiana. Their only childl. Sidney, was born May 25, 1881, and died on the 8th of the following December, and Mrs. White- man's death occurred April 20, 1882. Mr. Whiteman then returned to his father's home. On the 29th of June. 1895. he removed to Con- cord township, settling on fractional section 7. where he built a house and barn. He took up his
abode there on the 20th of August. and he has thirty-one acres on section 6 and forty-eight acres on section 7. which was part of his father's estate. He has put three hundred rods of tiling on the farm, has fenced the land and otherwise improved the property.
After losing his first wife Mr. Whiteman was married again in Concord township to Miss Grace C. Strickler. the wedding being celebrated June 29. 1895. She was born in 1809. Both Mr. and Mrs. Whiteman have a wide and favor- able acquaintance in this county. In politics he is a democrat and in 1880 he served as assessor. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and he is an exemplary representative of the craft. For more than a half century he has lived in this county and has therefore witnessed the greater part of its development and growth as time and man have wrought many changes. The wet. swampy lands have been converted into rich farms and the work of improvement and culti- vation has been carried forward. Mr. Whiteman bearing his part by leading a life of agricultural activity, wherein he has brought land under his care to a high state of cultivation.
WILLIAM W. ROSENBERGER.
William W. Rosenberger, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Sheldon township, was born in Beaver township. this county, on Christmas day of 1865. Ilis father, William Rosenberger, was a native of Germany. and. coming to the new world, cast in his lot with the agricultural population of Iroquois county. Upon the home farm his son, William W. Rosenberger, was reared, and in his youth he attended the district schools. When not busy with his text-books his time was largely given to assisting his father in the work of the home farm, and when twenty years of age he began farming on the Hoagland place, where he re- mained for nineteen years. That farm comprised two hundred and thirty-five acres, and in the management of the property he displayed keen sagacity and marked enterprise, conducting his business affairs in a manner that brought him a good financial reward. In 1903 he removed to
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Is present farm m securely 30, Sheldon est Ship, having purchased this place right care being. He has here a splendid tractet al . three hundred and twenty acres. Ile bail house in tog a fine residence of eight runts. He has also built & corn erile and fencal the land and has laid one thousand ro's of \'e The has likewise placed another set of farne bubl ings on the land, including a five Foot house. which he rents to a tenant. He cultiv les it hundred and sixty acres of the land whik the remainder he rents and he follows both general farming and stock-raising, his business interests claiming his undivided time and attention.
Mr. Rosenberger was married in Sheldon township, in 1804. 10 Miss Minnie Webster. whose birth occurred in Concord township. this county, in 1875. a daughter of John Webster. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberger have two children: Emma, twelve years of age; and Herman, a kul of eight years. Mr. Rosenberger has served is school director and is interested in providing good educational privileges in his home district. His political allegiance is given to the democrats. A review of his life shows that he has been per- sistent in purpose, energetic in his actions and determined in all that he has undertaken, and as the years have passed by he has steadily advanced. until he has left far behind him on the highway of life many who started out ahead of him.
FREDERICK LCHRSEN.
Frederick Lubren, living on a farm on section 24. Artesia township, is the owner of one I'm dred and sixty acres of land which at harvest season gives proof of the fertility of the soil and the care that has been bestewed upon it, for Mr Luhrsen annually gathers good crops and during the long years of his residence in this locality has prospered from year to your until he is now one of the substantial citizens of this part of the state.
He came to Illinois in 1857 and to Iroquois county in 1860, being then a young man of twen- ty-five years. He was born in Hanover, ter- many. April 20. 1844. a son of Frederick 1uhr sen, Sr., who was likewise born in that country.
le tither vas a stin mmen be tarde add this
Is ivens to the United States ducation is usually made with the hague nib there boy's financial condition and thus it was 'in it here of Mr Lehren, who had to la abl gave his ignals a better home and broader opper- at New York and thence made It was to the Mississippi valley. Salling in Dupage county. Il mots, where for twelve years he far med rented land. He also became the owner of a small trac in that county and, selling out there, he removed to Iroquois county, settling ab ant two miles west of Buckles. There he powied eighty acres of land, upon which he resided for six years, when he took up his abode in the village of Buckley and made it his home through his remaining dass, passing away in 1965, at the very venerable age of ninety -five years, He had long survived his wife, who died in 1882, at the age of sixty-
Frederick Lahr-en. Jr., was one of seven chil- dren, all of whom were reared on the home farm. He assisted his father until he had at- tained lis majority save for the period which he spent as a defender of the Union cause. When seventeen years of age he joined the army, en- listing at Bensenville, Illinois, August 22, 1802. as a member of Company 1. One Hundred and Fifth Mindis Volunteer Infantry. The regiment joined General Sherman's force. After being mustered in at Dixon in September the command proceeded to Chicago, went into camp there and Was later sent to Louisvilk, Kentucky. The first battle in which Mr. Luhrsen participated was at Resaca, Georgia, on the 15th of May, 1804. 11 was also in the battle of Peach Tree Creek and in various skirmishes and went with Sherman or the celebrated march to the sea and from Raleigh. North Carolina, marched to Washington, D. C .. where he was mistered out in June. 1805. 10 then returned to Chicago, where the regiment dis- banded In the years which have since come and gore he has ever remained loyal to the stars and stripes which he followed through the south in an arduous military experience.
On returning home Mr. Luhrsen worked for his father on the farm for four years, the father
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doing mason work during that period. In 1809. with his brother August, he purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land west of Buckley, where he carried on farming for five years. He then sold his interest in that place and purchased his present farm on section 24, Artesia township. The land was largely wild and the entire place gave little evidence of modern progress or de- velopment. All of the improvements which are here today seen are the work of his hands or the evidence of his progressive spirit. He has erected a good dwelling, barns and outbuildings, and modern methods of tiling have been used in draining the place. The entire farm is fenced and the property is altogether a valuable one. attractive in its appearance and giving every evi- dence of the care and supervision of a practical owner.
On the 28th of February, 1870, MIr. Luhrsen was married to Miss Emma Walberdine, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Henry Walberdine, who was born near Hanover, Germany. Mrs. Luhrsen has been a most faithful companion and helpmate to her husband and they are now en- joying together the fruits of their former toil. Nine children have been born to them but George died at the age of one year and Fred when three years old. Those still living are: August, now of Minnesota ; Martha, the wife of Fred Rusk, a farmer living near Buckley ; Henry, who is with the Northwestern Railroad Company in Chi- cago : Paulina, the wife of Fred Sprehe, a car- penter of Buckley; George, who is carrying on the home farm; Martin and Regina, at home.
Mr. Luhrsen has led a life of activity and cn- terprise and has thus provided a good living for his family. In connection with the cultivation of corn and other cercals he has been raising good stock and since twenty-one years of age has con- tinuously operated a threshing machine and has been the owner of one for thirty-five years. Hc now has a good steam outfit and does work all over the township. His sons, George and Martin, now take charge of the threshing busi- ness. The parents are members of the Lutheran church of Buckley and politically Mr. Luhrsen has been a democrat since 1870. He has served for twelve years as highway commissioner of Artesia township and the duties of the office have been faithfully and capably performed. Mr.
Lulirsen is interested in political questions, as every true American citizen should be. and while not a politician in the sense of office seeking he keeps well informed on the issues of the day. He is, moreover, active in support of many of the movements which have for their object the promotion of the county's growth and improve- ment and he has stood for progress in agricul- tural lines and exemplified in his own life the fact that industry and perseverance are the measure of success.
G. C. CURBY.
G. C. Curby is a factor in the business life of Donovan and the wise system of industrial eco- nomics that he has followed has gained hin a place among thie substantial residents of the town. He has for several years engaged in blacksmithi- ing and he is also operating a feed mill. He is one of the younger business men of the town, having been born in Beaverville. April 25. 1878. His father. Joseph Curby, was a native of Can- ada and in 1861 became a resident of Beaverville. since which time he has followed the occupation of farming in this county. He married Miss Matilda Belair, of Canada, and they are now well known residents of the county, having for forty- five years made their home within its borders.
G. C. Curby is indebted to the public schools for the educational advantages he enjoyed. Hc lived at home until sixten years of age and when a young man of nineteen years he began learn- ing the blacksmith's trade at Bradley. He after- ward spent one year and three months at Papi- nean and five months at Earl Park prior to lo- cating at Beaverville, where he conducted a shop in connection with his brother until about three years ago. He then came to Donovan, where he opened a smithy on his own account. In the spring of 1906 hie built a shop eighteen by fifty- six feet and two stories in height, the upper story being used by him as a paint shop. He does gen- eral blacksmithing and repair work and also a painting business, and in the present year he has been engaged in the grinding of feed and corn meal, using a horse-power gasoline engine. IIe is a man of unfaltering industry, not afraid of
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work nor that close application to details so of the war, when he was honorably discharged necessary to success. and returned home with a creditable military record.
Mr. Curby was married in Watscka in the year 102 to Miss Rosa St. John, of Beaver town- ship, and during their residence in Donovan they have gained many warm friends. Mr. Curby gives his political allegiance to the republican party and although without aspiration for office is interested in the success of the principles which he advocates.
FRANK F. BUTZOW.
Frank F. Butzow, who has been connected with the Goodell Bank at Lada for twenty years. was born near Watseka, Illinois, July 14. 1807. llis father. Henry A. Butzow, was born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, July 9, 1834. and was a son of Ludwig and Sophia ( Wille ) Butzon, who were likewise natives of the fa- therland. Henry A. Butzow was well educated in his native language and became a teacher m Germany, while his father also devoted his life to that profession. In 1854 the former crossed the Atlantic, landing in New York, and from that city made his way to Oneida counts. New York, where he worked at farm labor for more than a year. He then came to Illinois and en gaged in farming rented land in Kankakee conn- ty from 1855 until 1858. The latter year wit nessed his arrival in Iroquois county, at which time he took up his abode upon a farm in the- banse township, where he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits until 1802. In March of that year, with patriotic ardor. he offered his services to the government and joined the boys in blue of Company G. Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry for three years' service. He participated in a number of important engagements, inchid- ing the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, and was later in the Atlanta campaign, taking part in the siege and capture of the city of Atlanta. He sus- tained a gunshot wound in his left breast at Peach Tree Creek but though the injury was very painful it was not serious. After spending some time in the hospital he was put on detached duty at Louisville, where he served until the close
Mr. Butzow then visited for a few months with a brother in St. Clair county, Illinois, and in 1800 returned to his old home in Germany. While there he was married to Miss Sophia Piudel and with his bride he again came to the new world, taking up his abode on a farm in Iro- quoi township. Iroquois county, Ilinois. He gave undivided attention to his agricultural inter- cats until 1873, when he was elected county clerk : in 1877 was re-elected by an increased majority : and again re-elected in 1882, filling the office for thirteen years. In 1873 he removed to Watseka. where he resided while holding the office of county clerk, and in December. 1880, returned to hi- farm, but in 1903 again took up his residence in Watseka, where he now lives. He is well known throughom Iroquois county as a man worthy the confidence of his fellowmen and of ability that qualifies him for the discharge of any political service that may be entrusted to him. He has now been a resident of the county for more than a half century and has been a most useful and public-spirited citizen. He is alo one of the few remaining veterans of foreign birth who fought for the flag of the land of their adoption.
Frank F. Butzow was reared in Watscht. where he attended the public schools until 1881. When a youth of fourteen years he became all assistant in the office of county clerk under lis father, receiving the appointment as deputy in February. 1884. remaining in the office until the close of his father's term in December. 1880. The following month he accepted a posi- tion in the bank at Loda with Hon. Addison Goodell and in January, 1808, was admitted into the firm of W. Goodell & Sons Company as a partner with the two sons of Mr. Goodell, War- ren S and Nathan P.
On the 18th of June, 1880. Mr. Butzon Was married to Miss Katharine M. Eno, who was born and reared in Crescent City, Illinois, a daughter of J. H. Eno, one of the early settlers of Ford county, who came from Connecticut to this state in 1858. There are now three children in the Butzow family : Frank E., Ernest 11. and Katharine 1.
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AIr. Butzow is a member of A. Jonas lodge, No. 316. A. F. & A. M. : of Ford chapter, No. 114, R. A. M. ; and Mt. Olive commandery, No. 38. K. T .: and he and his wife are members of the Congregational church. He has always taken a keen interest in political affairs, especially those relating to county matters, and has in his possession bound copies of the proceedings of the board of supervisors of this county from 1880 down to the present time. In politics Mr. Butzow was formerly a democrat, his first ballot being cast for Grover Cleveland, whom he sup- ported at two elections, but in 1806 he gave his support to William Mckinley, because of his attitude upon the money question. and his last presidential ballot was cast for Theodore Roose- velt. He has served as president of the village board of trustees for six years and by various re- elections has been continued in the office of s11- pervisor of Loda township for eleven consecutive years. His intimate knowledge of the method and system of accounting of the various county officers no doubt led to his appointment on the auditing committee year after year by both demo- cratic and republican chairman. He has always insisted upon strict economy in public expendi- tures and persistently advocated the policy of fixing salaries and clerk hire of the county offi- cers at one lump sum, which prevents any extra allowances for clerk hire, which policy was in- augurated through the efforts of his father in the year 1877 and has been adhered to since that time with only two exceptions.
SANFORD S. DAVIS.
Sanford S. Davis, of Middleport township. was born in Washington county, Indiana, May 7, 1839. being one of the family of eight chil- dren who were born to Solomon and Chloe Am Davis. He had a brother James, and his sisters were Sarah, Catherine, Mary Ann. Lucinda. Nancy and Jane. Ilis father died at the home- stead in Indiana and his mother died at the home of her son in Middleport.
After spending the days of his childhood and youth in the state of his nativity Mr. Davis came to Iroquois county in July, 1865. after visiting
for a brief period in Indiana, subsequent to being mustered out of service in the Civil war. He was a member of Company B, Sixty-sixth Indiana In- fantry, in which regiment he enlisted in August. 1862, serving until the close of hostilities. While he was wearing the uniform of the nation his mother had removed with her children to Iro- quois county, the family home being in Iroquois township.
After a brief residence here Mr. Davis formed the acquaintance of Miss Mary Lyman, who was born October 14. 1848, and the friendship ripening into love their marriage was consum- mated January 28, 1868, at the home of the bride, who was a representative of one of the earliest families of the county. Her parents were Daniel and Hannah Lyman, who had opened up a farm in the midst of an unimproved district. It is upon this farm that Mr. and Mrs. Davis now live amid pleasant surroundings. and here Mrs. Davis has practically spent her entire life. Her ancestors were sturdy pioneer people and her parents were honest and industrious-respected by all who knew them. When Daniel Lyman first came to the county in 1839 he selected a site near the timber but on bringing his family to the county to live in 1844 he located upon the open prairie, realizing that it would be easier to de- velop a farm there. A number of his brothers and sisters were also living in the locality, which has since been known as the Lyman neighbor- hood, although the closing days of 1906 do not find very many residents of the neighborhood bearing the name thus honored. The Lymans, however, bore their part in the hardships and ad- ventures of frontier life, and there were wild animals wherever there was timber land. They lived in log cabins and aided in the work of developing and improving this part of the state. Mrs. Davis still relates many incidents of pio- neer days, which were told to her in her child- hood by her many relatives who participated in the work of development and early progress in Iroquois county. She had eight brothers : David, Peter, Asa, Lewis, Joseph, William, Daniel and James. Her three sisters were Rachel, Arvilla and Sarah. There is perhaps no better known pioneer family in Iroquois county. The Lyman cemetery is near the Davis home. once the Lyman family homestead, and here
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