USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 58
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CHARLES M. SLIFE.
Charles M. Slife, engaged in general farming on section 7, Stockland township, has for forty- three years been a resident of Iroquois county and is a native of the middle west, his birth having occurred in Huntington county, Indiana, October 2, 1862. Ilis father, Daniel K. Slife, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was reared. Ile was a farmer by occupation and when a young man he removed westward to Indiana, where he purchased eighty acres of land upon which he made a home. He was married in that state to Miss Mary Good, whose birthi occurred in Huntington county, and for ten years after their marriage they continued residents of the Hoosier state. On the expiration of that period Mr. Slife sold his property there and re- moved to Iroquois county, settling in Milford
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township, where he purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land that is still the Slife home- stead. Upon the place he erected a good dwell- ing and made other substantial improvements. carrying on active farming there for a long period and finding in the business a profitable source of income by reason of his energy, per- severance and capable management. The last fifteen years of his life, however, were passed in Milford, where he died in 1903, at the age of seventy-seven years. Mrs. Slife still survives and is now in her seventy-eighth year. She makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. J. Darrough.
Charles M. Slife was the youngest of six chil- dren and was reared upon the home farm. lle had good common school advantages and for one year he engaged in teaching a district school. On reaching adult age he purchased eighty acres of land and began farming on his own account. He erected the necessary buildings upon his place, turned the furrows in the fields and in course of time gathered rich harvests. For nearly twenty years, or until 1902, he lived upon that farm but in that year purchased the Dawson farm of one hundred and sixty acres and has since removed to the south side of the farm. where he has a model country residence and two tenant houses. A progressive spirit keeps him in touch with advanced ideas of farming and in all of his business he has manifested an aptitude for successful management.
On the 22d of October, 1885, Mr. Slife was united in marriage to Miss Ella Hamer. a native of Iroquois county and a daughter of George Hamer, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, and settled here about 1860. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Slife have been born four children : ilattic, who is engaged in teaching school and resides at home: Russell and Fred, who are attending school ; and Helen, who completes the family.
In connection with his general farming inter- ests Mr. Slife raises good grades of stock and also feeds for the market. He is a man of strong purpose and unfaltering determination and these qualities have enabled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path. Politically he is an earnest republican and has served as town clerk and tax collector for several years. He has also been president of the board of
school trustees for a number of years and the cause of education finds in him a warm advocate. Fraternally he is connected with the blue lodge of Milford, with the chapter and the com- mandery at Watseka and has been a delegate to the grand lodge of the state. He likewise affil- iates with the Knights of Pythias of Milford and with the Modern Woodmen camp, and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star chapter. They also attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mrs. Slife belongs, and in the locality where they make their home they have a wide and favorable ac- quaintance, while the hospitality of their own household is greatly enjoyed by those who know them.
GLEASON & MOREL.
The firm of Gleason & Morel, general mer- chants and bankers have carried on business in Iroquois county for almost a quarter of a century and throughout this period have sustained an unassailable reputation for the fairness and probity of their methods and their enterprise and progressiveness. The mercantile business at Clifton was established in 1882. ocenpying a builling twenty by eighty feet, and from the be- ginning success attended the new enterprise. In ISif they enlarged the scope of their activities by opening a hardware, furniture and undertak- ing business under the firm name of Beardslic. Sanderson & Company. In 1805 the firm of Gleason & Morel opened the first and only bank in Clifton, conducting it as a private banking institution until 1902, when it was converted into a national bank. This has also proved a profitable investment and is moreover of the utmost value to the merchants of the town and the business men of surrounding districts, furnishing a me- dium for financial exchange. The firm probably controls the most extensive interests in their line in the county, occupying twenty-five thon- sand feet of floor space in a brick building which they created and own, and in addition to their mercantile and banking interests in Clifton, they are interested in a general mercantile enterprise at Ashkin, conducted under the name of H. G. Morel & Company. The partners are the
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firm of Gleason & Morel and H. G. Morel. of Ashkum, and comprise what is known as the Doddsville Land & Mercantile Company. of which J. C. Gleason is president and .A. G. Morel. treasurer. This company owns a plantation at Doddsville, Mississippi, of twenty hundred and fifty acres, on which are nine dwellings, whi'e eighteen hundred acres are under cultivation, the principal crop being cotton, while the output was one thousand bales in 1900, worth fifty dollars
J. C. Gleason, the senior member of the firm. is a son of John and Mary h. ( Rice) Glason, who became residents of Bloomington. Illin i -. in the early '50s, and who removed to this coun- ty in the early 'Gos. Their family numbered two sons and two daughters: Henry, of Sutherland. lowa; J. C., of this review : Olive and Mamic. both deceased.
J. C. Gleason was born at Normal. Illin 's. March 4. 1850, and following the removal of the family to Clifton attended the public schools here. He was twenty-three years of age when he entered upon an independent business career as a member of the firm of Gleason & Morel. which has had a continuous existence of almost a quarter of a century, bringing the success which is the outcome of earnest, persistent and well directed effort. In addition to his mercantile and banking interests Mr. Gleason is the owner of two hundred acres of land in Mills Grove township, Iroquois county, a quarter section in Arkansas and a small farm in western Kansas. Ile is also one of the directors of the Federal Life Insurance Company, of Chicago, in which he owns some stock, and thus his energies have covered a wide field and represented varied inter- ests in the business world, and his wise counsel and sound judgment have been stimulating factors for continuous progress and prosperity.
In 1802 Mr. Gleason was united in marriage to Miss Edith (. Balthis, a daughter of John M. and Susan O. Balthis, of Clifton, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. They are prominent socially and the hospitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Gleason is ardent in his re- publicanism though not an office seeker. He was elected mayor of Clifton but after a year re- signed. He is a member of the Congregational
church and endorses the many movements and measures which are promulgated for the good of the community in its material, intellectual and moral progress. Almost his entire life has been passed in Clifton and he has steadily advanced through the years in harmony with the spirit of modern business methods and ideas, and that he has been enabled to pass others on the highway of life is due to his close application, his watch- fulness of all the details of his business, his keen discernment and. moreover, his untiring industry. which, no matter how much theorizing one may do as too the causes of success, constitutes the real basis of prosperity.
WILLIAM DEWING.
On the roll of Iroquois county's honored dead. appears the name of William Dewing, who for some years was closely associated with farming interests here. He was born February 17. 1846, in England, and died on the 25th of July. 1902. Ilis parents were Robert and Susan Dewing and lived at Coston. England. where the father was a carpenter by trade.
In his native country, William Dewing pur- sued a common-school education. After puting aside his text-books, he learned the miller's trade. which he followed in his native country until he determined to try his fortune in the new world. Crossing the Atlantic he did not tarry long on the eastern coast, but made his way at once into the interior and settled in Shledon township, Iroquois county, Illinois, where he arrived in 1807. Here he gave his attention to farming and secured a tract of land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation. adding to the place all the modern equipments and ac- cessories of a model farm. He continued to en- gage actively in farming up to the time of his death and was not only industrious and perse- vering. but also progressive in his methods and utilized his land to the best advantage.
Mr. Dewing was united in marriage to Sophia Ann Nash, who was born September 3. 1851. daughter of James and Nora Nash, the former a native of England, while the later was born in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dewing was
WILLIAM DESING AND FAMILY
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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
born one son, whose birth occurred if Sheldon township, August o. 1889, and who is attending the high school at Sheldon.
In his political views Mr. Dewing was a re publican and served as road commissioner, but cared little for public office, preferring to de vote his time and attention to butsiless affairs in which he met with signal success. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity at Sheldon and his life was over honorable and upright. be- ing characterized by those principles which in every land and clime gain confidence and com- mand regard. lle recognized individual re- sponsibility and was ever just in his relations with his fellowmen. Thus he gained the good will of those with whom he came in contact and his death was deeply deplored when at the com- paratively early age of fifty years he was called to his final rest.
WILLIAM ROSENBERGER
William Rosenberger, who since this has made his home in Iroquois county and is now one of its venerable citizens, was born in Germany. November 1, 1828. His parents were Frederick and Sallie ( Todare) Rosenberger, In th , i won't were natives of Germany, where they came to America but at a later date returned to the it therland. In their family were five children
William Rosenberger acquired For education in the usual manner as prescribed by the laws of his native country, and was in the arna for nine months, at the end of which time he Wit Germany for the new world. He had heard in- vorable reports concerning the opportunities here afforded and attracted In the greater liberties and broader business advantages he came to the United States, stopping in Chica, , in 1850. llc was afterward employed in the butchering busi Hess at Crown Point Indiana, for two years, and. coming to Iroquois county, made his home in Middleport. There he and his brother established a brewery, which they conducted for three years. and in th they removed to Concord township. Mr. Rosenberger purchasing sixty acres of land from Mr. Buchanan, on section 30. Ambitious to have still greater landed interests he extended
the bonnylari . it has farm as opportunity offered until he is now the owner of two hundred and hity-two acres on section 30, and ten acres on section to, Concord township. Ins land With entirely wild and uncultivated when it came into his possession but as the years passed he broke the soul, planted the seed, and in due course . i time gathered good harvests. He likewise built a house and barn, his home, however, being for some time a log cabin, which was the typical home upon the frontier at that early day. I. time passed by he made a good start in his farming operations, bringing his fields under cul- tivation and raising stock. He cleared one hun- dred and seventy acres of land, which is well tilled, while the remainder of his farm is pasture lands. In former years he raised as many as forty head of cattle annually. Ile still cultivates the farm and has purchased a half section of farm land in Cana la.
Mr. Rosenberger was married in Crown Point. Indiana, in 1858, to Miss Catherine Ofenlock, who was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1832. They became the parents of six children. John, Mrs. Christie Keene, Mbert, William WV .. Oscar and George.
Mr. Rosenberger has been called to several local positions of hopeer and trust. He has served as school director for ten years and has been patlomaster His political support is given to the democracy for he believes that its prin- ciple - as enbodied in its platform will best com serve the interests of good government. His religions much is that of the Lutheran church. Viewed from a personal standpoint his life has been an honorable and upright one, and many good qualities have gained for Ium a place in public regard that makes him a respected and valid resident of concord township.
ARNOLD G BERYS
Arnold G. Berns is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of fine land in Miks Grove township, of which one hundred and sixty acres is comprised in the home place. He has improved this property from the raw prairie and an indica- tion of his life of activity is found in the ex-
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cellent appearance of the farm. Born in Verl, Westphalia, Germany, July 17, 1849. he is a son of Colon Henry Geruto Berns, who in that country was married to Marguerite Hagenheide. They became the parents of five children, of whom Arnold was the second in order of birth. He was educated in the schools of the fatherland and, in accordance with the laws of that country, served for three years in the German army and participated in the Franco-Prussian war. He also learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade in his native country and with the desire to im- prove his financial condition he came to the new world in the summer of 1875, sailing from Bremen to New York. The fact that he had relatives living in Iroquois county, Illinois, in- duced him to make a location here and for a scason he was employed by them. During that time he acquainted himself with American meth- ods of farming and through the succeeding year he worked by the month at farm labor.
Mr. Berns was then married in Febritary. 1877, to Miss Mary Langhorst, a native of Ger- many, who came to America to live with rela- tives. Following his marriage he rented a farm, which he operated for three years and on the ex- piration of that period took charge of the D. K. Pearson farm in Kankakee county. Two years were devoted to its further cultivation and for two years he was upon the Milks Wheeler farm. He then removed to Chebanse, where he followed the carpenter's trade for a year. Like all thrifty German people, he saved his earnings as he could until his capital was sufficient to enable him to purchase the quarter section of land, upon which he now resides. It is situated on section 30, Milks Grove township, and he became the owner in 1885. It was all raw land at that time but he converted it into rich and productive fields, improving and making it a valuable farm. He has erected a good two-story residence, a barn, twenty-eight by sixty-four fect with eighteen foot posts, good corn cribs and other structures that furnish adequate shelter for grain and stock. He was one of the first to tile his land in Milks Grove township and he has built good fences and carries on farm work along modern lines. In 1808 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 2 of the same township and this he has also improved, so that the well tilled fields
now return to him large annual harvests as the result of the care and labor he bestows upon them.
Mr. and Mrs. Berns have become the parents of three children: Henry, who is operating the home farm with his father; Andrew, who is cultivating the one hundred and sixty acre farm on section 2, Milks Grove township ; and Joseph. at home. The second son married Linnie Sieden- top, a daughter of Henry Siedentop, a pioneer of Milks Grove township. They now have one child, Mary. All of the family are communi- cants of the Catholic church at Milks Grove.
Mr. Berns is independent in politics and has always been without aspiration for public office. For ten years he served as school director but otherwise has filled no public position. He de- lights, however, in the advancement made by the county along various lines and has co-operated in many movements for the general good. Com- ing to America empty-handed, his life is an illus- tration of the fact that success may be acquired through close application and unfaltering purpose in this land where labor is not hampered by caste or class.
WEST BROTHERS.
The West Brothers, who are numbered among the prominent business men of Iroquois county, are engaged in the grain trade at Loda and Thawville. The firm consists of John T. and William West, who reside and carry on business in Loda, and George E., who has charge of the elevator and grain trade at Thawville and is also a partner in the business at that place. John T. and William West are partners in the electric light plant and in the ownership of the green- house at Loda and also own a third interest in the greenhouse at Paxton, Illinois.
These brothers, who occupy positions of prom- inence in business circles and belong to that class of representative men who while promoting in- dividual interests also advance the general wel- fare, are natives of Iroquois county. John T. was born July 24, 1863, and William April 3. 1866. They are sons of John West, Sr., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. They were reared in Iroquois and Lake counties and are
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indebted to the public school systembut the state also connected with the Modern Worldmen of for the educational privileges they enjoyed.
After putting aside his text-books John T. West was employed by F. V. Hungerford, of Lana, in the grain trade for about two years. He then formed a partnership with J \ thill and engaged in general merchandising for two years. while William West remained in the employ of Mr. Hungerford until under the firm name of West Brothers they embarked in general mer- chandising at the end of that time. For two years they occupied a rented store building and when that was destroyed by fire they removed their stock of goods to another building and re- samed operations the following day without loss of any time. Subsequently they built a business house and continued in that line of trade until September 1. 1004. when both retired from gen- eral merchandising and concentrated their efforts upon other lines of business activity. It was in 18 that the firm of West Brothers bought the elevator at Loda and took charge of the business, since which time they have also purchased the elevator and grain business at Thawville. They are numbered among the careful and progressive business men of the former place and are med- ing with excellent success as grain merchants, while their business is also a valuable element in the community, furnishing a market for many producers. John T. and William West also have large landed interests in lowa, consisting of ten hundred and forty acres in Calhoun and Poca- hontas counties. In their business they have man- infested a desire and effort to attain the highest perfection possible, to give public service that will render them worthy of a liberal patronage. and at all times they have conducted their inter- ests according to a high standard of commercial ethics.
John T. West was married in Lada. January 17. 1888, to Miss Leona West, who was born and reared in Illinois, and they now have four children: Ralph, Chester, Mabel and Leona. William West was also married in Loda, on the 25th of November, 1888, to Miss Eva Voldens. who was born and reared in Illinois, and to them Have been born three children: Edna, U'th and Marion.
The brothers are members of the Masonic fra- ternity, affiliating with the lodge at Loda, and are
America. Both have filled various offices in these bulges and are active in promoting the interests thereof being thoroughly in sympathy with the principles and purposes of these organizations Both gentlemen own neat residences in Loda and have helped to build up and advance the interests of the county. They enjoy in unusual degree the respect and confidence of the business com- munity and in woerd circles have gained cynalls favorable regard. Working in harmony, the la- bors of the one aptly supplementing and rounding out the efforts of the other, the West Brothers constitute a strong firm. Their success in his is due to no inherited fortune or to ans lags succession of advantageous circumstances, but to their own sturdy will, steady application, studi- ous habits, tireless industry and sterling integrity.
B. F. SHANKLAND.
B. F. Shankland, publisher of the Watscka Republican, was born in Indiana, in 1849, but was brought to Iroquois county by his parents in 1854. His father, Kendall Shankland, a native of Ohio, took up his abode in Prairie Green town- ship on coming to Illinois and bought and im- proved a farm there. He became one of the organizers of the republican party in this county and was recognized as a leader in molding public thought and action. Ile served for some time as a member of the board of supervisors. His wife. Amanda Harris, was a native of Indiana, and it was in that state that they were married, oming at an early day to Iroquois county will their family, inchuling B. F. Shankland.
The son supplemented Is preliminary educa- tion by study in Grand Prairie Seminars, at Onarga. He then took up the study of law in the University of Michigan, and following the completion of his course he practiced for some time in Watska. The law, however, was not to his taste and he served as deputy counts clerk for seven years, after which he entered the till of journalism as publisher of the Watscka Re- publican, a weekh paper. It was established in Max. 1856, In J. V. Graham and D. T. Lindles, and was called the Iroquois Republican. It is
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an eight-page paper, which has a large circulation throughout the county and is a well edited jour- nal, imparting the spirit of modern progress as manifested in the newspaper field.
In 1877 Mr. Shankland was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Miskimen, of Lovejoy township, who was born in Ohio. They have one son, Kendall, who is assistant editor of the paper and a graduate of Lake Forest ( Illinois) College. He is now secretary of the Iroquois Club and is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery at Watseka. He also served as secretary to the superintendent of the reformatory at Pontiac. Illinois, an office which B. F. Shankland also filled at one time.
In his political views Mr. Shankland is a stal- wart republican and publishes his paper in the interest of that party. This paper is now owned by Mr. Shankland and Walter R. Higgins, who is one of the oldest printers of the state, having followed the business from early boyhood. Mr. Shankland is filling the office of secretary of the republican county central committee and his opinions carry weight in the councils of his party and his influence is widely felt. He belongs to various branches of the Masonic fraternities, in- cluding the Knight Templar commandery, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church.
WESLEY V. BRUBAKER.
\ well developed farm property comprising eighty acres on section 10, Sheldon township, is in possession of Wesley V. Brubaker, who in his farm work has manifested a spirit of determi- nation and progress that is most commendable. He was born in Woodford county, Illinois, Sep- tember 27, 1855.
His father, Joseph Brubaker, was a native of Richland county, Ohio, born July 7, 1826. llc came to Illinois with his parents and settled in Woodford county near Eureka at a very carly period in the development of this state. There the grandparents of our subject were engaged in farming. In 1853 Joseph Brubaker went to Ohio and on the 22d of February of that year he
was married there to Miss Anna M. Charles, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio. He afterward returned with his bride to Woodford county, Illinois, and engaged in farming on his own account. That he prospered is indicated by his property interests, which were extensive. for he became the owner of four hundred and ninety acres of valuable and productive land in this county. He purchased three hundred and twenty acres of Mrs. John Sheets and one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 9. Sheldon town- ship. All of the improvements were made by him upon the farm and he continued to engage actively in general agricultural pursuits until about ten years prior to his death, when he re- moved to the town of Sheldon. where his re- maining days were passed. He died there in 1898. In matters of citizenship he was public spirited and progressive and he gave loyal alle- giance to the republican party until 1888. after which he supported the prohibition party, for he had firm faith in its principles. For four years he served as road commissioner and for ten years was school director, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Unto him and his estimable wife there were born four children, of whom two are now living: Charles II .. and Wesley V. Frank A. and Jennie M. are deceased.
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