USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 65
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1901. They had been married in Iroquois coun- ty, the lady bearing the maiden name of Luella G. Skeels. She was born in this county and by her marriage became the mother of three sons: Chauncey A., Roy and Frank. B. H. Skeels, the father of Mrs. Thrasher, was born in Colum- bus, Ohio. in 1835, and came to Onarga, Illinois, about 1859. Here he bought a farm and in ad- dition to its cultivation he taught school. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in May. 1861. in the Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was made first lieutenant of his company. but on account of illness was honorably dis- charged in 1863. He then returned to Onarga and continued farming until 1871. when he re- moved to Thawville, acting as station agent at that place for five years. He was next engaged in the elevator and grain business with P. Risser & Son, and in 1884 started a bank. He was one of the first settlers of Thawville and served as county supervisor for nineteen years, being chair- man of the board two years of that time. He died in 1901, honored and respected by all who knew him.
Chauncey A. Thrasher was educated in the public schools, pursuing the high-school course in Roberts, and entered upon his business career at the age of sixteen years as an employe in the banking house of B. H. Skeels in Thawville. There he remained in various capacities for about a decade, during which time he thoroughly mas- tered the business in principle and detail. At that time he purchased a half interest and a general banking business has since been successfully car- ried on, a liberal patronage being accorded the institution, which occupies an enviable position in financial circles by reason of the thorough reli- ability of its owners and the interests which they have back of them. They not only conduct the bank but are also dealers in lumber and coal, in which they enjoy a good trade, and they like- wise conduct a real-estate business, handling con- siderable valuable property and negotiating many important real-estate transfers.
Chauncey A. Thrasher was married on the 8th of April. 1896, to Miss Phoebe Townsend. a na- tive of England and a daughter of Frederick Townsend, who was likewise born in that coun- try and who in early manhood came to Thaw- ville. Further mention of Mr. Townsend is made
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on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Thrasher have become the parents of three sons . Belias F., Jesse and Chauncey A. The parent. attend the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Thrasher is a member, and they are interested in community affairs to the extent of giving hearty co-operation and support to many movements for the general good.
Politically Mr. Thrasher is a stalwart repub lican and has served as tax collector for three years or since the incorporation of the town of Thawville. He is quite prominent in Masonry, belonging to the blue lodge, the chapter and commandery, and is also identified with Mo- hammed Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Pepria. He further affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Thawville, of which he is a past grand. From his hoyhood days he has been a resident of this part of the county and has a wide acquaintance here, so that his history is largely familiar to the reader of this volume and his good qualities have gained him a favor- able place in public regard. His unfaltering dili- gence has made him worthy of the success which has crowned his efforts and as "the merit sys- tem" is the one which secures advancemert in the business world the capability of Mr. Thrasher is indicated by the creditable place which he flew occupies in financial and commercial circle's.
WILLIAM FLANIGAN.
The home farm of William Flanigan is a tract of fertile land of two hundred acres, situated on section 32. Artesia township, and the care and labor which he bestows upon it result in bringing forth rich crops, for which he finds a goal annual sale. Mr. Flanigan was born in Scotland. Janu- ary 23, 1860, and was on of the four children of William F. and Catherine Flanigan, who were likewise natives of the land of hills and heather. The father was reared in that country and became a sailor. Two years after his mar- riage he crossed the Atlantic with His little fam- ily to the new world, landing at New York. where he remained for two years. He then made his way westward to La Salle county, Illinois. where he was engaged in mining coal for ser-
eral years, after which he rented land and en- gaked in farming. In 199 he removed to this county and bought eighty acres of land in Loda township near the village of Loda, where he made his home for some time, but he and his wife are now residing in Chicago. All . i their four children reached adult age.
William Flanigan, whose name introduces this record, was brought to America in his infancy and was reared upon the home farm in La Salle county. At the usual age he entered the public schools, and when not busy with his text-books his time was occupied with farm labor, with which he became familiar in all its departments. When he was nineteen years of age he began carning his living by working as a farm hand by the month and was thus employed for three years. after which he went to Chicago, where he worked in a pipe factory for some time. Subsequently he was a teamster there and upon his return to Iroquois county he cultivated rented land for four years, Carefully saving his carnings, he was at length enabled to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land and thus became the owner of a farm upon which he now resides on sec- tion 32. Artesia township.
Mr. Flanigan was married in this county. Jan- mary 22. 1888, to Miss Mary Hindman, a native of Iroquois county and a daughter of Joseph Hindman, who was born in Pennsylvania. Her father became an early settler here and contin- ned in the county until his death. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Flanigan has been blessed with four children. Leroy, Ella. William and May. and in social circles in the community the par- ent- occupy an enviable position.
Mr. Flanigan i- independent in politics but has never been remiss in the duties of citizenship in support of those plans and measures which were instituted ir the general good. He has served as school director and as president of the boar .! for nite wars He and his wife are members of the Catholic church at Loda. The cause of ed- mention finds in lim a warm friend and his ef- forts in its behalf have been far reaching and ben ficial.
The family home is a good two-story resi- dence, which was erected by Mr. Flanigan, who has also hinlt corn cribs, sheds and other build- ings for the shelter of grain and stock. He has
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a good orchard upon the place and the land is well drained and fenced. Since making his orig- inal purchase he has added forty acres to the farm, so that he now has a valuable property of two hundred acres. He raises good grades of stock and Norman horses, and his business is successfully conducted. He has every reason to be proud of his success and may truly be called a self-made man, for he is the architect and builder of his own fortunes. Without special advantages at the outset of his career he has worked so diligently and persistently that pros- perity has rewarded him and his life record com- mands for him the admiration and good will of those who are familiar with his history.
HENRY KNOCKE.
Henry Knocke is the owner of a fine country home on section 28, Ridgeland township, and his landed possessions aggregate six hundred and forty acres. He is now engaged in the breeding of Aberdeen Angus cattle and for many years stock-raising has been an important feature of his extensive agricultural interests. He came to this county in 1864, when a youth of fifteen years, his birth having occurred in St. Francis county, near Iron Mountain, Missouri, in June, 1849.
His father, Christ Knocke, was a native of Frankfort. Germany, where he grew to mature years and was married to Elizabeth Knocke, who though of the same name was not of the same family. They emigrated to the new world in 1848 and settled in St. Francis county, Missouri. where Mr. Knocke was employed in the iron works at Iron Mountain for a few years. He later invested his earnings in land and began farming, which he followed in Missouri until the battle of Pilot Knob was fought in 1864. when the Confederate troops under General Price raid- ed his place and he thought best to leave the state. He then purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land where his son Henry now resides. This he further improved and developed and later purchased more land until he had six hundred and forty acres in Ridgeland township. Ilis attention was given to its cultivation for a
number of years but at length he removed to Onarga, where he spent his last years in retire- ment from active business cares, passing away in that city in 1893. His widow still survives him and lives with a daughter in Onarga.
Henry Knocke, through the days of his boy- hood and youth, remained on the home farm with his father and later took charge of and carried on the farm, which has since been under his supervision. He has built to and remodeled the house, which is now a most modern and at- tractive home, heated with furnace and piped with hot and cold water. In fact it is supplied with all modern conveniences. There is a flow- ing well upon the place with a great abundance of water for the stock and for some years Mr. Knocke was engaged in breeding and dealing in graded shorthorn cattle. Now, however, he has a herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle and is a well known breeder of that strain. Since 1882 he has owned imported standard bred Percheron horses and mares and now has twenty-five head of Percheron horses upon his place. He is one of the leading stock farmers of the county, con- ducting an extensive and profitable business annually.
Mr. Knocke was married in Onarga, Illinois, in 1886, to Miss Lucy A. Ramsey, a daughter of J. C. Ramsey, one of the old settlers of the coun- ty and a veteran of the Civil war, who was held as a prisoner at Andersonville for some time, after which he was paroled and returned home. being honorably discharged while at home in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Knocke now have a family of three sons and a daughter: Roland P .. Grace Agnes, John C. and Henry W.
A believer and advocate of the cause of tem- perance and the principles of prohibition, Mr. Knocke gives his political support to the party which embodies his views upon that question but has never been an aspirant for office. He is a believer in education and good schools and for over thirty years has served on the school board and is also a member of the Onarga Seminary board. He and his wife are members of the Onarga Presbyterian church, in which he is sery- ing as a member of the board of trustees and as steward. and his influence is a potent element in the interests of the church and in those move- ments that tend to uplift humanity. Ile has al-
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
m all he's relations he has come anded will re conved the respect and trustat this with whom he has been associated through my of sieht relations.
G. W. Saum. to whom has been vouchsate honorable retirement from active firm aber, las resided at tillman for the past thirteen years, and the competence acquired through earnest tool is sufficient to supply him with all of the necessi ties and many of the comforts of life. He came to Iroquois county in November, to, and for a long period was closely associated with general agricultural pursuits and stock raising.
His birth occurred in Dekalb county, Illinois, near what is now Kingston, in 1845, his parents Ining Nicholas and Kittie (Russell) Samm, who came to this state in 1844 and resided in Dekalb county until the death of Nicholas Saum. Ile was born in Shenandoah counts. Virginia, in 1812, and, leaving the Old Dominion, took up his abode in Ohio. As a young man he went to Indiana and was married at West Lebanon, or Williamsport, to Miss Kittie Russell. He resid- ed at those two places until 1844. when he re- moved to Illinois, becoming one of the pioneer residents of DeKalb county. He was then close ly associated with general agricultural interests for many years and passed away there in 188t. He always took an active part in politics though not an office secker, and throughout the commonu nity he was recognized as a valued citizen and a man of genuine personal worth, public trust be - ing reposed in him on various occasions. Ile acted often as administrator of estates, for he was a man of sound judgment as well as busi- ness integrity. In the conduct of his own busi ness interests he was quite successful. His un- feigned cordiality and his gemin worth made him very popular and he was affectionateh known throughout the community as "I'nele Nick." For about six years he survived his wife, who died in March, 1875. In theer fantils
Here leur sehr and the daughters, and one of prior to her death she had been a resident . i Boone sporty. L'ayn One sister of our sub- ject restles iu Dices, Vabank, a brothe 11 Ve- bile, that state one brigher in Mayand. Ve- in Spokane. Washington
1. 1. Sam was rested Ison the ad hem stead farn m Ih kab county, carl being is miliar with the work of plowing, planting and harvesting as le ass sted his father in the labor. of the tools though the spring, smanger and alt- tunn months. When winter brought a respite front frit labor he attended the public schools. Je continu d'in the county of lis pativits until after he attained his majority, when he started out in life on hisown account in Iroquois emnt. taking up l's abode upon a tarne abort siv miles southeast of Amarga in November, 1800. There for a long period be filled the soil and cultivated Fis crops He also handed stock, making it specialty of imported Norman and Percher m horses for vers He gave close and unrunit ting attention to his business and derived there- from a gratifying and satisfying incone, which in course of years accumulated until he was in possession of a very desirable competence. He then sold his farm and removed to fillman, where for thirteen years he has lived a retired life.
Mr. Samm was first married in Belvidere. Ili nois, to Miss Margaret Birchfield, of De Kalb county, who died December 14. 1804, at the age of fifty-one years. They had two sons, Claude N., a practicing attorney of Watseka, Illinois. of the firm of Kav. Saum & Ka: and Koy (. twenty -one years of age, who is now attending the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chi- cago, as a member of the class of 1008 In De- comber, 1800, Mr Saunt Married his present wife. who bere the maiden name of Vina Green and is a daughter of Mr and Mrs Fred Green, for- merly of this county, but now residents of Indi- na For several years, however, the resided upon a farm nine miles west of Alkum, and on selling that property Mr Green purchased a farm fear Vinhos and Converse, Indiana Mr- Samm is a native of this state and was reared within its borders
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Politically Mr. Saum has always supported the principles of democracy but has never accepted office. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Onarga and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft, being in hearty sympathy with its tenets and teachings. He justly merits the rest which he is now enjoying and his life is an excellent illustration of the fact that success comes as the outcome of clear judgment, expe- rience and untiring labor.
EDWIN S. HERRON.
Illinois with its great agricultural possibilities affords a splendid field of labor to those who en- gage in the grain trade and to this line of activity Edwin S. Herron has devoted his energies for about eight years. He is a native son of Illinois and possesses the spirit of enterprise and deter- mination which has been a dominant factor in the growth and upbuilding of this great state. His birth occurred in Piatt county, April II, 1873.
His father, the Hon. William G. Herron, was horn, reared and educated in Ohio, and about 1850 removed to Illinois, establishing his home in Monticello. Piatt county, where he was en- gaged in business for about twenty-five years. Subsequently he removed to Vermilion county. Illinois. He was married, however. in Piatt county, to Miss Eveline Robinson, who spent the days of her girlhood in her native state-Ohio- and who accompanied her husband on the re- moval to Vermilion county, where her death oc- curred in 1895. Mr. Herron is now living retired in Vermilion county but for many years led a most active and useful life, and. moreover, exert- ed a wide and beneficial influence in public affairs. A stalwart champion of the republican party he was elected to a number of positions of public honor and trust and was chosen to represent Vermilion county in the state legislature, serving in the forty-first Illinois general assembly. While a member of the house he was on a number of im- portant committees. His opinions have often been decisive factors in matters relating to the general welfare. In both Piatt and Vermilion counties he is recognized as a prominent and
valued citizen and he is now living in honorable retirement in the latter.
Edwin S. Herron is one of a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters, who are yet living : George N., who follows farming near Osceola, Iowa; William H., who is in the gov- ernment employ on the geological survey of Illi- nois, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Iowa, and is a man of splendid educational qualifications, who was graduated from Columbia University and has been in the government service for twen- ty-two years : John H., who is a man of excellent business and executive ability and is now a grain commission merchant in Chicago: Edwin; T. C. who is living in Milford; and Alfred, who is engaged in the grain trade at Sidell, Illinois. One sister, Mrs. F. W. Martin, is the wife of Dr. Martin, professor of chemistry in the Woman's College, at Lynchburg, Virginia, and the younger is the wife of J. M. Keeney, of Dan- ville.
Edwin S. Herron was reared in Vermilion county, and after acquiring his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools he became a student in Chaddock College, at Quincy, Illinois. Sub- sequently he spent a year in Spencerian Brothers College, at Washington, D. C., where he received thorough and practical business training, and when he had completed his education he accepted a po- sition in the bank at Allerton, Illinois, where he remained for five years. In 1899 he came to Mil- ford and purchased an elevator, which. however was soon destroyed by fire. In fact it was burned before Mr. Herron took possession. He soon re- built the elevator and has since engaged in the grain trade with very gratifying success. The rich farming land of this part of the country brings forth bounteous harvests, and the work of the fields gives ample opportunity for activ- ity in the line in which he is now operating. From the beginning of his connection with the business life of the town Mr. Herron has en- joyed constantly growing success, his business in- creasing annually in volume and importance.
In community affairs he has also figured prom- inently and has wielled a wide influence. For two years he has been president, or mayor, of the town and has given a public-spirited and business- like administration that has been of material benefit in municipal life. For a still longer pe-
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
rod he has been connected with the formal and his election to these offices has com as a candidate of the republican party. Heis prime nent socially, belonging to the Masonic frater nity, in which he is now serving as master, and he has also been representative of his lage to the grand lodge. He is likewise connected with What seka chapter and has attained the Knight Tem- plar degree in the commanders.
Mr. Herron was married in Danville, Ilinois, October 10, 1001, to Miss Grace Southworth, who was born and reared in Vermilion counts and was educated in the Champaign high school. They have one son. Horace S. Herron. Mrs. Herron is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and the family are prominent socially, having a circle of friends almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance. The inthu- ence which Mr. Herron has wielded over public affairs has shown him to be a loyal citizen and one who has the best interests of the community at heart. While cherishing high ideals, he util- izes the practical methods at hand and is a man of action rather than theory.
FREDERICK TOWNSEND.
Frederick Townsend, who owns and conducts a valuable fruit farm and nursery a half mile cast of Thawville, has sixty acres utilized for this purpose and is regarded throughout this part of the state as authority on horticultural matters. Hle was born in Oxfordshire. England. July 20. 1852, a son of John Townsend, who was also a native of England and a farmer by occupation. On the "merrie isle" he wedded Miss Eliza Mobily and they became the parents of twelve children.
Their son Frederick was reared in the land ci his nativity and was educated there, enjoying good school advantages. Ile also learned the butcher's trade in that country and followed it for about five years. He was married there in the spring of 1874 to Miss Margaret Welsh, a na- tive of England and a daughter of Stephen Welsh. who was of Se teh-Irish des est Following his marriage he continued to engage in butchering for some years ere he determined to seek h's home in America.
Crossing the Atlantic, Mr. Towns tải nước hồi was to (lucas, where he was employed In packing house for about six months, subsequent to which time he came to Thawville. Here he worked out by the month for two years, after which he rented land and engaged in farning on his own account for four years. He next pur- chased the old Butler place of one hundred and fifty acres, which he further improved and de- seleped, carrying on farm work there for two years, when he sold out and with his family re- moved to Oregon He spent five months in that state, but not liking the climate or country he returned to Iroquois county and agan tok up h's abode at Thawville, purchasing a place upon which he made his home. There were no im- provement- upon it at that time and he at once Ix- gan to cultivate the land and add the equipments of a model farm. He created a goal dwelling and also built a good barn and other substantial outbuilding- for the shelter of grain and stock. The farm is today well improved and indicates in its excellent appearance the careful supervision and progressive practical methods of the owner. Mr. Townsend also began dealing in nursery stock and later put in his own nursery. He has now been conducting business along this line for fifteen years, in which connection he has a liberal and well merited patronage, disposing of hundreds of trees annually. Ile also raises much small fruit, having berries of all varieties, to- gether with many varieties of peaches and plums. He is likewise making a specialty of the raising of full blooded barred Plymouth Rock chickens and has raised registered birds for twelve years, exhibiting his stock annually at the poultry shows and winning many pronouns. He has the best stock in Iroquois county and is well known in this connection. He has recently divided four acres of his farm into town lots, for which he is find- ing a ready sale, and has created a nice residence in the village, where he is now living.
Mr. and Mrs. Townsend are the parents of three children : Pheele, the wife of C. ... Thrasher, of Thawville, who is mentioned else- where in this work : Nelie, at home : and George, who assists in the nursery.
Mr. Townsend is a member of the Independent Order of Odl Fellows at Thaw ville, in which he is a past grand. Hle is likewise connected with Thawville camp. M. W. A., and his wife is a
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member of the Congregational church. In politics he is a democrat where state and national issues are involved but at local elections votes independ- ently. He has served as highway commissioner for nine years and has been on the town board for three years or since its organization. He is much interested in all that pertains to the growth and development of the village and his eo-opera- tion can always be counted upon to further any movement for the public good. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America to enjoy the better business privileges and opportunities of the new world, for here he has made steady progress and occupies now an en- viable place in business circles in Iroquois county.
WILLIAM H. HUDSON.
William H. Hudson, living on section 18, Belmont township. his farming interests em- bracing four hundred acres of arable, productive land, was born on the farm where he resides December 16. 1855. His father. John Hudson. is a native of Delaware, born November 6, 1814. and is a son of John Hudson, Sr., who brought his family to Illinois in 1830, the trip being made by team, with one horse hitched to a light wagon and three to a large wagon. He was ac- companied by three sons and three daughters and the four children of one daughter, who was then a widow. The family settled in Iroquois county in 1834 and the grandfather erected the first frame building on his side of the creek. Seven- ty-two years have come and gone since the llud- son family located here, bringing many changes, for at that period Indians still lived in this sec- tion of the state and there had been few set- tlements made. Here and there was a little patch of ground cultivated, showing that the first seeds of civilization had been planted. The homes were mostly log cabins and all of the conditions of pioneer life were to be met.
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