USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 57
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MR. AND MRS. SANFORD F. DAVIS.
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1 POWERS. TY OF ILLMOIS
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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
many of its members have been laid to rest after ably performing life's duties and bearing a part in the work of developing and upbuilding the county.
Three sons were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Davis: D. Alvin, whose birth occurred March 17, 1870: J. Franklin, born February 17, 1872; and Pearl W., July 30, 1876. They also reared Lottie Ficke, who was born December 23. 1884. as their own daughter. The oldest son was married January 1, 1800, to Miss Hattie Cadore. while J. Franklin Davis was married AAugust 28, 1897. to Miss Sadie Crawford. On the 19th of March, 1902, the adopted daughter became the wife of Jesse R. Goodman. All have the greatest affection for the old home, around which cluster many pleasant and hallowed memories of Mrs. Davis and her children.
Mr. Davis is a member of Williams post. G. .A. R., in Watseka, and the family hokl member- ship in the Friends church at the same place. although they often attend divine service at other churches near their home. Since coming to Iro- quois county Mr. Davis has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and has now for many years resided upon the old Lyman home- stead, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation and adding all modern equipments and accessories. He is highly esteemed as a man of genuine personal worth and during the forty-one years of his residence in this county has made many warm friends.
GEORGE K. MCINTYRE.
George K. Melntyre, of Middleport, the junior member of the firm of Burkitt & Melntyre, op- erating extensively in real estate and live stock in the vicinity of Pittwood, has displayed keen foresight and an aptitude for successful manage- ment in control of all the varied interests with which the firm has been connected and is classed among the representative business men of this part of the county. Hle was born in Old Middle- port, July 2, 1864, being the son of Robert K. and Sarah J. McIntyre, at one time prominent people of that locality. When he was a small hoy his parents died, leaving a family of nine
children, some of whom, however, were grown and able to look after the needs of the younger members of the houschokl. The father was an attorney and was active in the practice of law in Watseka when his untimely death occurred. Hle was highly esteemed as an able member of the Iroquois county bar and was well known to all of the pioneer citizens. During the administra- tion of President Lincoln he served as postmaster of his town.
The father and mother dying in the same year, George K. Mcintyre, a boy of ten, found a home with his sister, Mrs. Mary J. Burkitt, who was at once sister and mother to him. The other members of the family were: Bennett J. : Mrs. Sarah A. Burkitt, whose husband was the broth- er of her sister Mary's husband; Mrs. Nancy M. Channell : William Robert ; George R. and Mrs. Fanny M. Cooper. Of this number four have passed away, leaving two brothers and three sisters, all of whom except John are married and all are living in Iroquois county.
Mr. Mcintyre grew up in the Burkitt house- hold, where he was trained to habits of industry and enterprise and in the public schools he ac- quired a good education. As soon as he attained his majority he became a member of the firm of Burkitt & Melntyre, which has been in existence for twenty -five years, W. R. Burkitt being the senior member. In all of the years of the firm's exist- ence one pocketbook and one bank account has been sufficient, each working all the time for their united interests. For some years they traded in grain, coal and lumber and operated a general store for a number of years, doing a very satisfactory business along all these lines, but since 1900 they have confined their operations to real estate and a general farming business, al- ways controlling several hundred acres in farm and pasture lands. They have bought and sold much real estate in the county, making many ad- vantageons transfers of property. They keep many horses and much farm machinery to be used in the conduct of their agricultural inter- ests and are abreast of the times in the cultiva- tion of their land. the control of their interests and the placing of their investments. The firm of Burkitt & MeIntyre is a strong one, the labors and abilities of one partner ably supplementing
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and rounding out those of the other, and they have been very successful in their dealings, so that they are now numbered among the prosper- ous residents of the county.
On the 9th of October, 1888, Mr. Melntyre was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Smiley. of DeKalb county, Illinois, who was born No- vember 3. 1864. and their married life has been spent in the vicinity of Pittwood. Their chil- dren are: Halcyon .\., born September 13, 1889 : Hazel. May 18, 1892: Helen, July 23, 1805 ; and Robert A .. December 15. 1808. All are now students in the Pittwood school. The Melntyre home adjoins the town. The improvements to be seen thereon are of the best of the kind to be seen in the farming community, and the well kept appearance of the place indicates the careful su- pervision and progressive spirit of the owner.
V. B. HANSON.
W. B. Ilanson, living on section 20. Ridgeland township, is widely and favorably known in this county and has the confidence and esteem of the large majority of those with whom business and social relations have brought him in contact. Ilis attention is now given to the cultivation of his farm of two hundred and forty acres and he also works an eighty-acre tract which he leases. One of Illinois' native sons, he was born in Hancock county, in June. 1850.
His father, W. H. Hanson, was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego county, New York, and removed from the Empire state to Michigan. There he was reared and when he had attained man's estate he married Miss Lydia Ann Burke. who was born near Cleveland, Ohio. They re- moved from southern Michigan to lowa and later became residents of Hancock county, Illinois, where the father opened up a farm. Subsequent- ly he took his family to Cook county, Illinois, and after a few years came, in the fall of 1868. to Iroquois county, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 20. Ridgeland township, where his son. W. B. Hanson, now re- sides. He developed a good farming property here, put up good buildings upon it, brought the land under a high state of cultivation and then.
enjoying well earned rest in the evening of life, lived retired in Onarga for several years. His death, however, ocurred upon the home farm. in January, 1905, while his wife survived until June, 1906. In their family were three children. the living brother of our subject being E. B. Hanson, a resident of Denver, Colorado, while the other brother, Fred Hanson. died in Salt Lake City, where he had been engaged in business.
W. B. Hanson was a youth of about seventeen years when he came to Iroquois county with his parents and following the establishment of the home in Ridgeland township he assisted in the work of opening up and improving the farm. There are elms, now thirty inches in diameter. and also large maples upon the place which were planted by him and which now afford most grate- ful shade in summer, and also add to the value and attractive appearance of the place. Mr. Ilanson has tiled and improved the place and has added to the original tract by his purchase of eighty acres, so that he now has an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres, in addition to which he cultivates a rented tract of eighty acres. Hle raises good stock and has fed consid- erable cattle and hogs, while in the fields he pro- duced abundant crops, owing to the practical methods which he employs in the care and culti- vation of the fields.
Mr. Hanson was married in Onarga. in 1878. to Miss Helen Robbins, a daughter of F. D. Rob- bins. a business man of Onarga, in which city she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have five children : John, who is married and follows farming in Ridgeland township : Anna, William, Mand and Nettie, all at home.
Politically Mr. Hanson is an ardent republican but without aspiration for office. Hle served. however, for ten or twelve years as a member of the school board and the cause of public instruc- tion is one dear to his heart. He belongs to the Onarga lodge of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all the offices and is a past grand. His son also belongs and he and his wife and daughter. Anna, are members of the Rebekah lodge, Active and industrious, trustworthy and reliable. W. B. llanson has made an excellent record as a busi- ness man and public-spirited citizen and during a residence of thirty-eight years in the county
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he has advanced far on the highroad to pros- perity, being now one of the substantial agri culturists of Ridgeland township.
SAMUEL J. MOOCEN.
The farming interests of Chebanse township find a worthy representative in Sammel J. Me- Chen, and his excellent farm of two hundred and thirty acres indicates in its splendid and well kept appearance his careful supervision and progressive methods. A native son of Illinois. he was born in Cook county, March 7. 1850. and is of Irish Incage, for his father William Mc- Chten, was born on the Emerald isle, whence he came to America in 1849, making his way direct to Cook county. For some years he was employed in various ways, and with his savings he bought forty acres of land in that county, this being hi- first real estate. He was married in Ireland to Miss Jane Conley, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom seven reached year- of maturity.
Of this number Sammel J. Meinen spent his youth in the usual manner of farm lads of the period. The limited financial resources of his father rendered it impossible for him to enjoy more than very meager school privileges, for he aided in the labors of the fields and continued to assist his father in that manner until his twenty fourth year. In 1844 William MeQuen remove 1 with his family to Iroquois county, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Chebanse township. He there built a goe 1 house, barns and sheds, and afterward extended the boundaries of his place by the additional pur- chase of forty acres. There he successfully car ried on general agricultural pursuits until 1888. when he retired from active business life and 1 now living in the enjoyment of comfort and case in Chebanse.
Samuel J. MeChen on starting out in life for himself rented land for several years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings until his capital justified his purchase of the old home place in 1802. He has since added eighty acres more and is today the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and thirty acres. His property
has been acquired entirely through his thrift and industry, for he started out in life with nothing save his strong purpose and sandable ambition. Ili- farm is well tiled and well fenced and he has built a good crib with elevator and also a sub- stantial barn. In connection with the task of cultivating the fields he raises registered Poland China hogy and good grades of horses, together with some cattle, and his live stock interests con- stitute a gratifying source of revenue.
On the 4th of January, 1880, Mr. Mol nen was married to Miss May 1. Franklin, a native of Iroquois county and a daughter of John Frank- lin, a pioneer business man of Iroquois county but now living retired in Kankakee. Mr. and Mrs. Metten have one child, Gladys Maurine.
Politically. Mr. McCuen is a stalwart repub- lican but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. Ilis only public service has been on the school board, his in- cumbeney covering three years. He is a member of Chebanse lodge, No. 429. A. F. & A. M .. in which he is now serving as junior warden, and he likewise affiliates with the Modern Woodmen camp at Chebane, and Chebanse lodge. No. 924. I. O. O. F .. while he and his wife are members of the Congregational church. . A period of carnest and unremitting toil in his youth brought to Mr. Metien a practical knowledge of the value of labor and also taught him the worth of perseverance and persistence of purpose. Ex- amination into his life record shows that these qualities are his strong characteristics, and as the years have passed by they have enabled him to triumph over difficulties and obstacles and gain a prominent place among the leading farmers of the county.
ROBERT C. TODD.
Robert C. Todd, now living retired in Sheldon, was born in Hocking county, Ohio, January 14. 1841. His father, Israel Todd, was a native of Virginia and in early life removed from the Old Dominion to Ohio, where he settled about 1821. Hle had a farm of fifty-five acres in Hocking county and he also followed the trade of wagon- making there. He wedded Miss Mary Garrett.
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of Virginia, and they became the parents of seven children, of whom three are still living, includ- ing Robert C.
Robert C. Todd has been a resident of Iro- quois county since 1876,-a period of thirty years. His childhood and youth were passed in a manner similar to that of other farm lads of the neighborhood and his educational privileges were afforded by the public schools. He was thirty-five years of age when he removed from Ohio to Illinois, establishing his home on section 9, Concord township, where he purchased eighty- three acres from George Wright. He built a house on the place, made other improvements and put in six hundred dollars' worth of tile. Year after year he further developed the place, residing thereon until 1887, during which period he successfully followed farming and stock-rais- ing. In that year he removed to Chicago, where he resided until 1895, when he came to Sheldon and purchased a residence, in which he has since lived retired, enjoying here a well earned rest after many years of active and successful labor.
Mr. Todd was married in Ohio, in 1865, to Miss Elizabeth J. Schlotman, who was born in that state in 1846. They have one daughter, Lucy May, now the wife of Louis Taylor, of Chicago.
Mr. Todd exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He belongs to the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Presbyterian church. His life has been well spent and his many sterling characteristics have gained him kindly regard and warm friendships. Dur- ing his residence in Iroquois county he has be- come widely known and wherever known is held in high estecm.
HARMON M. WHITEMAN.
Harmon M. Whiteman, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Concord, his native township, was born December 12, 1858. Ilis father, Amos Whiteman, was a native of Greene county, Ohio, and came to Iroquois county by wagon in 1838. He entered land at Danville, thereby becoming
owner of a tract on section 7, Concord township, Iroquois county. The conditions of the county were those of primitive frontier life. Few set- tlements had been made in this section of the state and all of the land was wild and unim- proved. Mr. Whitman took up his abode on his claim and there built a log cabin sixteen by twenty feet, in which he lived in true pioneer style for a number of years. The cabin was heated by a fire-place and the furnishings were very primitive. He resolutely undertook the task of clearing and developing his land and as the years passed by he prospered. In 1854 he built a good frame house upon the farm. He was prominent in community affairs and in 1848 served as county surveyor, also filled the position of justice of the peace and in 1852 was elected county clerk. He fol- lowed farming and stock-raising for many years, breaking the raw prairie and converting it into rich and productive fields. In every way he improved his farm in accordance with ideas of modern progress and he added to his original holdings from time to time until he had five hundred and fifty acres, thus becoming one of the extensive landowners of the county. His death occurred on the 5th of March, 1895. He was the father of fifteen children, eight of whom are still living. His first wife bore the maiden name of Lydia Thomas and was born in Virginia. His second wife was in her maidenhood Margaret C. McCoy, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and his third wife was Miss Barbara A. Strick- ler, a native of Sullivan county, Tennessee.
Harmon M. Whiteman was born of the second marriage and acquired his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools, while later he studied at Valparaiso, Indiana. When not busy with his text-books he aided in the farm work, remaining at home until his father's death. He had the management of the farm during the last few years of his father's life and after his death he and his brother, .A. L. Whiteman, were ap- pointed executors of the estate. Since 1895 Har- mon M. Whiteman has continuously carried on general agricultural pursuits on the old home- stead place on section 7. Concord township. where he owns and cultivates a farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres. Here he feeds and raises considerable stock and in his business is meeting with a large measure of prosperity.
Harman /. Waterman
DOS WHILEIAN.
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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
In 1005 Mr. Whiteman was cette | superior of Concord township and he has for sofre y it's been recognized as one of the sulwart wat of democracy in this part of the county. Il- fraternal affiliation is with the Masne hage and he is now serving as master of 01. 11. Miner
LEWIS E. SCHAFER
Lewis E. Schafer, owning and operating . me hundred and sixty acres of farm land on section 20. Artesia township, is one of the native soll- of Ihnois, having been born in Putnam omity. March 17. 1850. He. however, represents a far ily of German birth and in his life display . many of the sterling characteristics of his lettome ancestry. Ilis father. Philip Schafer, was a na tive of Germany, where he was reared and mar- ried. His wife bore the maiden nante of Kath arine Baker and was also born in Germany. Three children were born unto them before they crossed the Atlantic to America in the year 18.12. The father was a stonemason by trade and after taking up his abode in Dayton, Ohio, he worked as a day laborer, oftentimes chopping wood for a living. Two years were passed at Dayton and he then removed with his family to Putnam county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for eleven dollars per month. He was this em- ployed for three years and during that time saved from his meager earnings money enough to bus a horse and a plow. and he then began to grub timber and for five or six years raised potatoes. after which he rented land and engaged in gen eral farming for twelve years. On the expira tion of that period he came to Tropos county and purchased the farm upon which Is son Lewis now resides, becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid twelve dollars per acre. It was raw land. a statute of improve ments, but he soon placed it under the plow, built a substantial dwelling thereon and developed a good farm, which continued to be his home until tm, when he removed to Champagne Illinois. Hle then lived retired until his death, which oc. curred in 1805, when he was seventy three years of age. His wife survived until 100g and died at
the age of eighty-four years. The family mm- bered eight children, of whom two are d ceased, Louise having thed at the age of six years and Margaret when seven years old. There are now four living daughters and two sons.
Lewis |. Schafer was refred under the parental riand came with the family to Irepois coulis when fifteen years of age. His educational pris- iltgen were somewhat meager, for In south was largely a period ri carnet toil. When he was twenty eight years of age he was married of the 24th of December, 1884. 10 Miss Minerva Drake. a rative of Marion county, Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph Drake, also a native of that state, who came to logues county and was a rough- bor of the Schafer fanny. The year of his arrival was 1856 and he lived in the county until 1885. when he went to Kansas, where he is now farming. His wife died in that state in 1802. at the age of fifty seven years.
Following his marriage Mr. Schafer Ived upon the home farm for five years and then purchased eighty acres on section 20, Artesia township. He tiled and improved the place, converted it into a fruit farm and lived thereon for seven years, when in 1005 he sold that property and purchased the interest of the other heirs in his father's old homestead. He has since resided thereon and has built a good barn and outbuild- ing. Many rods of tiling have been land to drain the land and fences divide it into fields of convenient size. 'There is an orchard containing all kinds of fruit and in fact none of the access- sories of a model farm are lacking. In connection with the work of tilling the fields and raising fruit Mr. Schafer is giving considerable atten- tion to the raising of Shropshire sheep.
The home of our subject and his wife has been blessed with two children but one died in mianes. The surviving son. Roy, is a young man at home. They have also reared two adopted children. Mamie and Blanche. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Buckley and Mr. Schafer served for a number of years as trusted. His wife is a valued, earnest worker in the nussionary cause and is closeh identified with the development of the church. In politics Mr Schafer is a democrat at state and national elections Just casts an independent local ballot. He has served as drainage commissioner of two
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districts, also as road commissioner, and has proved capable in these offices but is without po- litical aspiration. He is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. What he possesses has been gained through his unremitting dili- gence and careful economy. His opportunities in youth were limited and he started out in life on his own account empty-handed. He early realized that he must earn if he would gain the rewards of labor and his unabating energy and industry that never flags have been the salient features in his success.
JAMES H. CAREY.
James H. Carey, attorney at law at Watseka, is connected with a profession which has long been considered as conserving the best interests of society at large by upholding the public sta- bility and furthering the ends of justice, and in his practice he has gained a measure of success which comes only in recognition of ability and merit. He was born in Kendall county, Illinois, November 2, 1861. His father, Peter Carey, a native of Ireland, came to the United States when a boy of seventeen years and lived in Natick, Massachusetts, where he was employed in a shoe manufactory. In 1861 he came to Illi- nois and settled at Plattville, Kendall county, where he was engaged in farming until 1873. when he removed to Iroquois county, where his death occurred in 1876. His wife, Mary Kelly, was also a native of Ireland, and was thirteen years of age when brought to the United States. She survived her husband for a number of years and passed away in 1891 in Iroquois county.
James HI. Carey was the third in order of birth in a family of eight children, all of whom are living. In the year 1873 the family came to Iroquois county, and he continued his educa- tion in the district schools here and in the North- ern Indiana Normal College at Valparaiso. Thus provided with a liberal education he en- gaged in teaching school for four years in Iro- quois county, and during that period devoted his leisure hours to the study of law, reading private- ly and also as a student in the law office of the firm of Morris & Hooper, of Watscka. Ad-
mitted to the bar in 1897, he entered upon prac- tice in Watseka in partnership with C. N. Saum, a connection which was continued for two years, since which time Mr. Carey has practiced alone. Correct in his application of legal principles and with comprehensive knowledge of jurisprudence, he has won various notable forensic victories. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and skill and always enters the courtroom well qualified to parry the attacks of his opponent and also present his case in a strong, clear, concise manner, that seldom fails to impress court and jury with the justice of his cause.
On the 22d day of May, 1901, Mr. Carey was married to Miss Bertha Apgar, a daughter of David Apgar, of Iroquois county, and they have one child, Irene, who was born October 18, 1902. Mr. Carey holds membership in the Masonic fraternity and is a communicant of the Catholic church. His political opinions accord with dem- ocratic principles and he is chairman of the county central committee. He takes an active part in the work of the local organization, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party and for one term he lias served as city attorney. His interests and energies, however, center upon his profession in which he is making steady and gratifying progress.
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