Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 61

Author: Kern, J. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 792

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eventually he was the owner of thirteen hundred acres of land, owing to his careful investment. He tilled the soil and continued the work of im- provement, being long recognized as one of the able and representative agriculturists of this part of the state. His death occurred here on New Year's day of 1893 and he is yet survived by his second wife, who now resides in Watseka.

Charles H. Miner is one of a family of four sons and two daughters yet living of the father's second marriage. He had good school advan- tages, supplementing his early education by study in Northern Indiana Normal College at Valpa- raiso, Indiana, where he spent five years. He was a member of the senior class when he left college to join his father on the farm, since which time he has been closely and actively associated with agricultural interests in this part of the state. He farmed his father's land for three or four years and then located on the place where he now re- sides, beginning here with one hundred and five acres. He worked diligently and persistently to make his farm a profitable one and as his labors brought to him a good financial return he bought more land from time to time and now owns two hundred and forty acres. in the midst of which he has erected a comfortable and well arranged residence. In the rear thereof stand good barns and outbuildings and he has placed many rods of tiling on the farm. the drainage greatly enhancing its fertility. He has also built fences and thus divided the farm into fields of convenient size. He has likewise set out much fruit and now has a neat and valuable property. He uses the latest improved machinery in carrying on the work of the fields and he also has upon his place stock scales, a windmill and a mill for grinding feed for stock. He is thoroughly in touch with the spirit of progress and enterprise which have dom- inated agricultural circles through the past quar- ter of a century or more and which have com- pletely revolutionized the work of the agricul- turist.

Mr. Miner was married in Onarga, October 17. 1897. to Miss Isabella Heddon, who was born, reared and educated in Crawford county, Indiana. Three children have graced this union : Gladys. Ethel L. and Homer. Politically Mr. Miner has been a life-long republican and he is also an ad- vocate of the principles of prohibition, support-

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ing the cause of temperance both by precept and example. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company, of which he has been presi- dent for several years, and he is also a surveyer of good ability, who has helped make surveys and establish many of the dramage ditches ci the county. In this work he has become widely known and his labors have been of the utmost benefit to his fellowmen, while in his individual farming interests he has displayed a capacity for successful management that has made hell oo of the prosperous agriculturats of Charge township.

CHARLES FASTBURY

Charles Eastburn is extensively and surces fully engaged in farming and stock-raising. In the latter connection he is particularly well known as a breeder and raiser of Percheron and coach horses, having produced upon his place some of the finest horses to be found in this part of I'- Vinois. He is. moreover, entitled to representa- tion not only as a successful business par but also as a prominent representative of ar worth pomer family of the county, for the name of Fastlege her Ding Ien close's april's associated with the history of the part of the state.

Mr. Eastburn was born February 12. 1856 in Sheldon township, a son cf William lloyd Fa- Burn, now of Watscka, who was here February 22. 1836, in Concord township, but the first white child born in Iroquois county. The ed homestead farm was on section 31. Sheld n town ship. The paternal grandfather vi our subject came in early pioneer days to Unois and pur chased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Concord township at the usual gnerenter price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. Willian LIovd Eastburn was reared antid pioneer scenes and cu- vironments, sharing with the fandly in all the hardships and trials incident to a settlement upon the frontier. He also aided in performing the difficult task of breaking raw land and convert ing it into rich and productive fields. After ar- riving at years of maturity I weder Massa Hoagland, of Coshocton, Ohio, who was concat in the common schools and has proved a most

Valuable helpinate and companion to her husband on hie's journey, being a kine and loving wife and devoted mother. In his business affairs Mr. Father has prospered, owing his success en- truly to his well directed labors and sound busi ness judgment. He was truly be called a veli Hade matt, deserving all of the prase which that turn in phes. He is today the owner of six but Fred and eighty deres i very valuable land and t. nie center. genent to others sh wirg what

vote for James Bucha For several years the to'ad the office of schend director. Una him and his wife were born ten children- charles. Jeph. Lines. Nieme Hla, Maggie, Giunge. Evetha. Haker and Sure. hat the Bran ded at the gent six months.

Chare Dethurn remained a home with his parc - through the point his muong , was

adult age legat farming in the place where is remy this faren trimmel's father -- a tract of 201 of about five hundred acres-and in too2 he pur-

Slo blon township 1 kg - placed alm ut ine him mobil lars worth of far or his farm and in con-

tto Verchere horses, having iron fifty to see- u s head uper ble place. He breeds and raise burn has the honor of having sold the highest priced want which ever hit the county, the pur- chasers Leing Malel Brothers, the well known merchants of Chicago. He also won first prize at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis in 1904 on a carriage team, which team he low has It is a fine patched team of seven year old- Mr. Eastburn is an excellent judge of horses. hồng seldom, if ever, at fault in bis valuation of an seiner of the noble steed, and he is justh accounted one of the prominent stock breeders and dealers of this part of the state.

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Mr. Eastburn was married February 14, 1877. in Concord township, to Miss Parthenia McKim- son, who was born in Laporte county, Indiana, in 1856. Her father, James McKimson, was a native of Ohio and became a resident of Concord town- ship, Iroquois county, at an early day, following general agricultural pursuits here. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Barnett, was born in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Eastburn have be- come the parents of font children : George Bur- ton, .A. Merle, Mrs. Cloa Bowton and Charles Homer.

Mr. Eastburn exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the re- publican party and has been called to some local offices, serving for eleven years as road commis- sioner and for several years as school director. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Modern Woodmen camp and is popular with his brethren of these organizations, for in his life he exemplifies the spirit of the fraternities. The name of Eastburn has been closely associated with the agricultural development of this county throughout the entire period of its growth and im- provement and Charles Eastburn, like others of the family, has made a creditable record by his activity, enterprise, integrity and success in his chosen field of labor.

WILLIAM A. WEEKS.

The history of a community is best told in the lives of its people and those who reflect honor and dignity upon the locality, town or city, are the men who are active and honorable in business and who uphold the legal and political status. Such a one was William A. Weeks, who for some time was a merchant at Sheldon. He was born at Lockport, St. Lawrence county, New York, .April 17, 1836, and in his boyhood days was taken by his parents to the western part of New York, the family home being established near Holly. When he was twelve years of age, he became a resident of Monticello, White coun- ty. Indiana, where his father resided until his death and where William A. Weeks remained until 1870.

In the meantime, on the 6th of January, 1856, Mr. Weeks was united in marriage at Menti- cello, to Miss Anna Eliza Moore, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, on the Muskingum river. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in the Hoosier state and in connection with agricultural pursuits Mr. Weeks engaged in the hardware business in Monticello for a part of the time during the fourteen years which followed his marriage. In 1870 he re- moved to Goodland, Indiana, where he conducted an elevator for six months. The month of March, 1871, witnessed his arrival in Sheldon, where he established a grocery and provision business. Later he dealt in dry goods and gro- ceries and admitted Richard Walsh into the partnership, this relation being maintained until his death, when his widow bought out the inter- est of Mr. Walsh. She and her sons conducted the business until the death of one of the sons. subsequent to which Mrs. Weeks sold out. Her husband had departed this life April 28, 1888.

He was one of the most thorough-going busi- ness men, systematic and methodical in all that he did, enterprising and active in the conduct of his business and reliable and honorable in all of his dealings. He became recognized as a leading merchant in Sheldon, carrying a large stock of hardware, furniture, groceries, dry goods, cloth- ing and other commodities, increasing his stock as the growing trade demanded. When he came to Sheldon his capital amounted to about one thousand dollars and when he died he was worth between twenty and thirty thousand dollars. The estate has since increased in value until now it is worth one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Weeks deserved much credit for what he accom- plished as he won his prosperity, not through speculation or through any fortunate combina- tion of circumstances, but as a result of close application and unfaltering industry.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weeks were born three children, but Paschal B. Weeks, of Sheldon, who is represented elsewhere in this volume, is the only one now living. Mention is also made on an- other page of this work of another son, George .A. Weeks. The father, William .\. Weeks, was a stalwart republican in his political allegiance and his aid and co-operation could always be counted upon to further any cause that promised

MRS. A. E. WEEKS.

1 1

AMA WEEKS

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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

to prove of public value He was hi forel and respected wherever known and most of all wlore best known. Mrs. Wecks is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She stiff resides in Sheldon and is a most pleasant, entertaining lady, having a nice home which stands in the midst of a large and well kept lawn. She also has other realty in the town and from her prop- erty interests derives a good income.

MRS. ANNA ELIZA WEEKS.

The history of Shellon would be incomplete without special reference to Mrs. Anna Eliza ( Moore) Weeks. For some years she was her husband's assistant in carrying on a mercantile enterprise, while after his death, she and her sons look charge of the business which was carried on under her own name. She is, moreover, well known socially in the city and her many good qualities have won for her a large circle of friends.

Mrs. Weeks was born in MeConnellsville. Ohio. May 19, 1837. Her father, James Moore. was born at Royalston, Massachusetts, while her mother, Mrs. Marie ( Lupardes) Moore, was a native of Marietta, Ohio. Both were men bers of the Methodist church and Mr. Moore was a stalwart republican in politics. Throughout his life he followed the occupation of farming.

Mrs. Weeks was educated in eastern Ohio, de- quainting herself with the common branches of English learning. At the age of sixteen she accompanied her parents on their removal from the Buckeve state to Monticello, Indiana, and after completing her education there, began teaching in the district schools. When nineteen years of age she married and made it her duty and object in life to make a happy home for her husband and children and to rear her sons to be geral men. This object she accomplished and it may well be said of her "Her children rise up and call her blesse 1." When her husband em barked in merchandising in Sheldon, Illinois, she became his assistant in the store, giving her time and energies to the In siness and contributing in large measure to its success. After her husband's death her sous, Paschal and George, together with

the mother, conducted the business in the name of Mrs. Weeks and were very successful in this enterprise up to the time of the death of George. the mother then elred out the business and is now giving her time to setting up accounts of long standing For fifty five years Mrs. Weeks has been a devoted member of the Methodlist church, and her life has been in harmony with her professions. She has been a sincere, carnest Christian woman, and wherever known is

1. C. LAKE.

F. C. Lake is a resident farmer of Chebanse township, cultivating one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 15, known as the William S. Lake homestead. Here he carries on general ag- ricultural pursuits, although the principal feature of his business is sheep-raising, in which connec- tion he has become very widely known.

His father, William S. Lake, who retired from active business life in 1803 and removed to Kan- kakve, was for a long period a prosperous farmer of Iroxpois county and in addition to his agri- cultural interests here he likewise owns one han- dred and sixty acres of land in Kankakee county and one hundred and forty acres in the county northwest of Kankakee, ore hundred and sixty acres in Chelanse township, Iroquois county, to- grether with eighty acres near Fronton, Minnesota, and three dwellings in the city of Kankakee valued at from three to five thousand dollars each. His extensive realty holdings have come to him as a reward of earnest, persistent labor. He started out empty-handed and as the architect of his own fortunes has buikled wisch and well.

F. C. Lake was born in Marshall county, li- nois, July 4. 1808, and acquired a common-school education in his youth. Throughout his entire life he has followed farming, having been reared to that occupation. He early became familiar with the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. and as the years have gone by he has concen trated his energies more and more largeh on sheep raising. He is the most extensive sheep- raiser of Chebanse township and in the morth of October, 1006, he shipped to Chicago eighty-

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six head of sheep, fifty per cent of which topped the market. He keeps only high grade sheep and his opinions upon the subject of sheep-raising are largely regarded as authority.

In 1895 Mr. Lake was united in marriage to Miss Alta M. Sirois, at St. Anne, Illinois, and they now have two children, Donald C. and Lee Verne, both at home. In politics Mr. Lake is a republican, keeping well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day and having hearty sympathy with the principles of the party. He is a member of Modern Woodmen camp. No. 994. at Chebanse, and is also affliated with the Sons of Veterans there. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church at Che- banse. At the time of his marriage he brought his bride to the old homestead farm, where he has since resided. Both are well known in the county and the hospitality of many of the best homes is freely accorded them, while their friends are al- ways sure to receive a cordial welcome at the Lake home.

C. E. BARBER.

C. E. Barber, of Donovan, who since 1882 has been engaged in the sale of Deering farm machinery and since 1896 has also dealt in bug- gies, carriages and harness, was born in the state of New York In August, 1843. He has lived in Iroquois county since 1861, in which year he was brought to Illinois by his parents. His father, David C. Barber, was born in Massachu- setts and came to Indiana in 1856. There he lived for about five years, after which he removed to Iroquois county and in Beaver township pur- chased one hundred acres of land in the raw state. He made this his home until 1866, when he re- moved to Knox county, Illinois, and after two years there he went to Missouri. He was mar- ried in early manhood to Miss Louisa Schumway. a native of Vermont, and they became the parents of six children.

(. E. Barber was a youth of eighteen years when he accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Iroquois county. During the dark days of the Civil war he entered the army, serving from February, 1862, until May, 1865. When his father

left for Knox county he purchased from him the farm, comprising the northeast quarter of section 34, Beaver township. This he further improved and developed. His father had built a small house and Mr. Barber but up a barn, corn crib and sheds. He has laid tiling to the value of two thousand dollars and paid one thousand dollars in ditch taxes. He was actively and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits until De- cember, 1874, when he removed to Donovan, renting the farm. Here he began oper- ating a threshing machine and corn sheller and was thus engaged until about 1888. In the meantime he gradually worked into commercial interests. Since the year 1882 he has sold Deering machinery, plows and cultiva- tors, etc. In 1896 he purchased from Tomquist & Swanson a one-story building, twenty by fifty feet, and a stock of buggies, harness, whips, robes. machine oil, etc. He has since carried on the business with excellent success and he also handles gasoline engines and grain dumps. His business has constantly increased with the growth of the community and he now receives a very liberal share of the public patronage.

In 1866 Mr. Barber was united in marriage, in Beaver township, to Miss Sarah E. Perrigo, a daughter of Artemus C. Perrigo and a native of Marion county, Ohio. They became the par- ents of three children but only one is now living -Mrs. Myrtle Winslow. The wife and mother died in April, 1894, and her loss was a matter of deep regret to her many friends, for her excellent traits of heart and mind had endeared her to those who knew her. Mr. Barber had built a home in Donovan in 1874 and has since rebuilt and added to the same, making it a comfortable modern re- sidence. His daughter, Myrtle, was married in January, 1902. to William Winslow, who was born in Beaver township, January 25, 1879. 11e was educated in the common schools and lived at home with his parents until four years ago, when he began farming on his father-in-law's farm of one hundred and sixty acres, since which time he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, making a specialty of short- horn cattle and Percheron horses. He has in- stalled a gasoline engine on the place, with which he operates a corn elevator and washing machine. puinps water and does the churning. His politi-

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

cal allegiance is given to the republican party and his fraternal relativi are with the Made Wowalmen. Unto Mr. and Mrs Wadlow br been born a daughter, Vera.

Mr. Barber is also a stauch advocate of repub- lean principles, having sopport d the purt attaining his majority. He has been called various positions of pable trost. survey . tieni the peace for eight wars, is client for terms, as assessor two years and as school di rector. He has gis capalle service m this various offices and his worth as a man, as a cilt zen and as a factor of lorsing -- hit are acknowledged.

Hugo Zachgo, a premir it representative of the farming interests of Ahkum township, has one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 32 and the farm is well improved. He is, no re over, prominently known as a stack breeder 2:0] has some high grade afinal on his place. 1 native of Illinois, he was born in Warford com ty in 186 and is a son of Frederik and Maria (Jacobs ) Zachgo. Their family minh rodo' 1 1 children: Antone, Nicholas, Abralaw. Manın Hugo, Maria, Catherine. I. min Fred. Army! and Jeanette.

Hugo Zachgo spent the first liv rar, of lis life in the county of his nativity. after which ho accompanied his parents on their renoval to Imu quois county, the family home bing established in Danforth township it 1875. He has since Ived in this county. At the usual age he began his education in the public schools and therein gained a good practical knowledge of the con mon branches of learning. His training at farn labor was not meager, for at an early age he began assisting in the work of the fields and when he started out in life on his own account he had intimate and accurate knowledge of the best methods of farming As stated, he owns a quarter section of land in Ashkum township, con- stituting a well improved farm, and he also has a house and three lots in the village of Alkom. He is likewise sole owner of Kruger. No. 18270. a thoroughbred Percheron stallion, valued at vigh-

ten andre balears He alsowas three colt-, two, three and four years old respectively, sire i In kruger, whose aggregate value will reach si Imple da's. He keeps his herse for bread is purposes and has bred wane of the fire stick of the county. He has a fine apiary of sixty-tive -tal aud ros de votes considerable attention to I. Les, securing about three thousand pounds

Chị the 24th of Februarye 1895, Mr. Zachgo was noted in marriage to Miss Kath Brockmann . . Nighter di E. H. Brockmann, a prominent farmer of Danforth to sash p. They have become " Curent- of three children. Frederick Edward. 1 ) May 11. 1800. Jeanette Tracy. December 3. IN : not Lester Charles, June 14. 1001. The w it and mother died May 22. 1003, and her With was deeply regretted In many friends throughout the community.

Mr. Zachgo supports the republican party and at theuber of the freeman Lutheran church at Danforth Its entire hie has been passed in 11- Die 's at 1 the greater part of it in Iroquois county. and the fact that many of his stancebest friends ar those who have known him from his boy Tool to the present time is an indication of an lo rables Upright career

ZORAII E .. PATRICK. M. D.

Dr Zorah I. Patrick, for fourteen years a productione . On Sheld n. was born October 18. 1850, In Washington, Ilmoi, his parents being Fli and Mary A. Patrick, the former a farmer by ocupations. HIS cara education was acquired in the public schools of Washington and his more specifically literary course in Eureka College. He prepared for the practice of medicine and sur- gers as a student in Rush Medical College in Chicago, from which he was graduated in the Class of 1872, and later he took more advanced work in Bellevue Hospital Medical College, of which he is a graduate of the class of 1877. After winning his degree he practiced for four scars at Plainfield, Illinois, and then took an Furopean trip, after which he became a student at Belleyne Locating in Sheldon in the spring of 1877, he was an able representative of the pro-

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fession there until 1891, when on account of ill- ness he removed to Chicago, where he has since resided. He has since abandoned the practice of medicine and devotes his time to other pursuits.

On the 24th of May, 1877, Dr. Patrick was married to Carrie H. Danforth, of Washington, Illinois.

JUDGE CHARLES O. CLEAVER.

Judge Charles O. Cleaver is a resident of Mil- ford and is influential in its publie life and com- munity interests. He is now serving for the six- teenth consecutive year as police magistrate and his public record has been at all times commend- able. A half century has come and gone since he took up his abode in the county, so that his men- ory compasses the period of early pioneer devel- opment as well as of later day progress. He was born near Lafayette, Indiana, October 10, 1835, and was there reared, while his elementary edu- cation, acquired in the common schools, was sup- plemented by study in the higher schools. His father, Charles Cleaver, was a native of Balti- more, Maryland, and was there reared and mar- ried. He wedded Anna Madden, also a native of Baltimore, and, removing to the west, they located in Indiana, where Mr. Cleaver departed this life in 1842, while his wife died about 1839.

Thus Charles O. Cleaver was left an orphan at the early age of seven years. After his father's death he went to live with a bachelor uncle, Mah- lon Cleaver, and his sister, Lydia Cleaver, by whom he was reared to farm life. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and he was trained to all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of an agriculturist. After attaining his majority he came to Milford, Illinois, and ac- eepted a clerkship in the drug store of Dr. C. Secrest, with whom he remained for two years.

On the 17th of October, 1858, Mr. Cleaver was united in marriage to Miss Charlotta Davis, the third daughter of Jonathan and EFzabeth ( Brit- ton ) Davis. In 1860 they returned to Indiana, the removal being made that Mr. Cleaver might take charge of his unele's farming interests. He car- ried on the farm until November 7. 1861. when he enlisted and joined the Tenth Indiana Battery

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Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 61

Author: Kern, J. W Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 792

Author: Kern, J. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 792