Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 66

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

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Amid such environments John Hudson, Jr .. was reared and when he had arrived at years of maturity he married Rebecca Horner, who was a widow with six children. Following his mar- riage he turned his attention to merchandising in Milford, where he carried on business for sev-

eral years. He then sold out and purchased rail- road land on section 18, Belmont township. where he still resides. He built a house there and has continued upon the farm since that time with exception of a few years spent in Wat- seka. He is today one of the most venerable citizens of the county, having reached his ninety- second year, and, moreover, he is one of its okl- est settlers, for the period of his residence here covers more than the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten. He cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison. His wife died in 1885. There were but two children in the family, the elder being John, who died in infancy.

William H. Hudson was reared upon the home farm and had but common-school advantages. For many years he has been in partnership with his father and has long since relieved him of all active work and care of the farm. He has lived a life of industry and enterprise and has added many modern equipments to the farm. He has made additions to the dwelling, has built a good barn and shed. has tiled and fenced the place and has equipped it with all modern accessories. He has likewise raised good graded stock and he annually harvests large erops. In 1904 he bought a steam-threshing outfit and corn-sheller and now does threshing over a considerable territory.

On the ioth of April. 1883. Mr. Hudson was united in marriage to Miss Frances Smith, who (lied eight years later, leaving two children, while one had passed away in infancy. Those still living are Jessie B., who is now married; and Porter Ray, at home. In February, 1807. Mr. lludson was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Matilda Fletcher, a widow, who had two children: Laura, now the wife of John llurd ; and May, the wife of Harry Kissick. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hudson has been born one son. William, whose natal day was January 18, 1902.

Mr. Hudson belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Watseka, and he and his wife are con- nected with the Royal Neighbors. They attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Woodland and in politics he is an carnest republican where the issues of the country are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot, nor has he

nES HADSON

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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

ever sought or desired office as a reward for party ically. His hig has been active and his diligence and capable discernment in business affairs have brought him a godly measure of success. In the county where he has alway - lived he enjoys to the inliest extent the confidence and good will of those who know him and has made a creditable record in business circles as a straightforward, trustworthy man. The work instituted by his grandfather and continued by his father is now being carried on by him and he is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families.

LYMAN DARLING.

Lyman Darling, a retired farmer living in Shel- don, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, Feb- ruary 6. 1840. His father. Jacob Darling, was a native of Hardy commy, West Virginia, and in that, only a few years after the admision of Ohio into the U'nion, he was taken to that state by his parents. His birth had occurred in 1800. so that he was a little lad of only about six years at the time the family home was established in the Buckeye state. There he was reared to man- hood and engaged in farming, having two hun- dred and twenty-five acres of land in Coshocton county, which he developed into a good farm. He married Temperance Evans, of that county, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom four are now living.

Of this number Lyman Darling is now a resi- dent of Iroquois county. The days of his boyhood and youth were passed in the state of his nativity and he early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His education was acquired in the public schools. which he attended through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he worked on the home farm. In the year 1807 he removed from Ohio to Illinois, making the journey by wagon- a distance of four hundred miles. Hle was ac- companied by his wife and after traveling for eleven days they arrived in Iroquois county. Mr. Darling then purchased one hundred and twenty - three acres of land on sections 2. 11 and 13, Con- cord township, from B. Fry. He paid thirty dol-

lars per dere for this property, which is today worth one hundred and fifty dollars per acte There was a small house upon the place, to which he afterward added, making a comfortable and connections residence He also built barns and put up corn cribs and other outbuildings for the legate shelter of grain, stock and farm ma- chinery. He likewise fenced the fields and put in four miles of tiling. He now owns ofte him- Fred and sixty-three acres of land on section 13. Concord township, and has eight and a half acre- in timber. Day after day, month after month and year after year he continued the work of the farm. bringing his land under a high state of cultivation and adding to the place many modern equipments. lle tilled the fields and also raised hogs and cattle and was thus actively engaged with farming inter- ests until 1898, when he put aside the active duties of business life and removed to Sheldon. purchasing a home on First and tenter streets. He has remodeled and added to this property and is now very comfortably situated in life. Since leaving the farm his son Frank has operated it.

On the 220 of November, 1800, in Coshocton county, Ohio. Mr. Darling was united in marriage to Miss Nancy E. Crouch, who was born in that state in 1840. They have become the parents of two children but the elder son, William J., is now deceased. In his political views Mr. Darling has long been a stalwart democrat and served as road commissioner for one term. He also filled the office of school director but his business interests claim the greater part of his time and attention to the exclusion of active participation in political interests. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and his life has been honorable and upright, in strict conformity with his professions. He has won both success and an honorable name and Well deserves mention in the history of this conn- ty, having for many years been closely associated with its agricultural interests.

JOHN D. WHITE.

John D. White, a worthy representative of the farming interests of Sheldon, his native town- ship, was here born January 6. 1868. His father, David White, is a native of Scotland, whence he

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emigrated to the United States in 1860 and made his way to Sheldon township, this county, in 1867, where he purchased a tract of forty acres, situated on section 28. He, however, added to his original purchase from time to time, owning at present two hundred and fourteen acres on section 28 besides another tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 32. He made all of the improvements which are today seen on the place and continued in agricultural pursuits un- til 1900, when he retired and removed to Sheldon, where he has since made his home. He was married to Miss Amanda Himelright, and of their eleven children ten are now living.

John D. White supplemented his early educa- tion. acquired in the country schools, by a course in a business college at Onarga. He remained with his father on the home farm until he had attained his majority, when he started out upon an independent business career by renting land in Prairie Green township, carrying on general ag- ricultural pursuits there for several years, or un- til 1903. when he took up his abode on the farm belonging to his father, the place comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, Sheldon township. He has made many improvements since coming to this place and is successfully en- gaged in farming and stock-raising.

Mr. White was married in Chicago, in 1901. to Miss Pearl Goodland, who was born in Simcoe. Norfolk county. Canada, in 1882, and by her mar- riage she has become the mother of three chil- dren, Ada May. John Wilber and Elmer Engene. Mr. White gives his political support to the dem- ocratic party. Ile is progressive in carrying on his business interests, in which he is meeting with good success, and no doubt the future holds in store for him still greater success.

CHARLES C. SHRIMPLIN.

Charles C. Shrimplin is one of the young and enterprising farmers of Concord township. who has a wide circle of warm friends and is popular with those who know him. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, September 23, 1880, and is a brother of Robert Sanford Shrimplin, who is mentioned on another page of this work, and in connection

therewith is given a history of the family. Charles C. Shrimplin, reared under the parental roof, was educated in the district schools. On attaining his majority he began farming on his own account upon land belonging to his father, and he has since devoted his time and energies to the work of tilling the soil and raising stock. He now farms three hundred and fifty acres of land which under his care and supervision is highly cultivated, and for two years he has also owned and operated a threshing machine, doing a good business in this way through the harvest season. He owns and raises nothing but very high grade horses and has some fine animals upon his place. He believes in attaining the highest degree of perfection possible in all of his work and has kept in touch with the progressive spirit of the times as manifested in all lines of business life. His political allegiance is given to the democracy but he has never sought or desired office, prefer- ring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, and although a young man he has made a creditable name for himself as an enterprising farmer and one thoroughly reliable in all business transactions. He is a member of Sheldon lodge, No. 609, A. F. & A. M., and when he joined the organization he was its young- est member in Sheldon.

JOSEPH SCHAFER.

Joseph Schafer, a very successful farmer, who for the past thirteen years has cultivated two hun- dred and forty acres of land on sections 16 and 17, Chebanse township, was born in Kendall county, Illinois, February 9, 1864, and is a son of Anton and Katie (Long) Schafer. The father was born in Westphalia, Germany, and on com- ing to the new world in 1851. settled in Bristol. Kendall county, Illinois. He was married in Aurora, January 12. 1856, to Katie Long, a daughter of M. Long, and in 1856 they came to Iroquois county, locating on a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres. Mr. Schafer subsequently purchased another tract of eighty acres and still later bought one hundred and sixty acres in Kankakee county. In connection with general farming he gave considerable attention to the

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

raising and feeding of stock and why lenne tal basis, which bes assabrind 1 1 min ent ft- undertakings was very su cession, at he was nice, and in his business lite har canan lel the miqual hiel trust and gorat willof al.

able to retire from active labor in ist. 11 spent his last years 1 Chebane, where I alle June. 1006, and where He wie is a wife Although he voted for Abraham Lincoln, he afterward became a democrat and held the offices of road commissioner, sche I director and trust Hle was one of the founders of the Catholic church of Chebane, of which he was a thin! men ber, and was honored and respected wherever known.

At the usual age Joseph Schater entered the public schools and therein mastered the branches of learning that qualified him for the dinties of a business life. He received ample training in farm work on the old homestead and has always engaged in general agricultural pursuits though for the period of ten years between 18844 and 180)4. he also devoted considerable attention to the manufacture of tile in the village of the- banse. On the expiration of that period he re- tired from the latter pursuit and is now success- fully devoting his time and energies to the task of tilling the soil and caring for the crops.

On the 4th of February, 1802. in Kankakee. Illinois, Mr. Schafer was united in marriage to Miss Anna Clark, and in to them have been born five children: Harry W .. Florence C., Nellie. Joseph and Hazel. The parents are communi- cants of the Catholic church at Chebanse and Mr. Schafer is a member of the Modern Wind- men camp. No. of. in that village. His study of the political issues and questions of the day has led him to give his allegiance to the demo- cratic party but he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business affairs

J. G. WILLIAMS

J. G. Williams, president of the Citizens' State Bank of Watska, has threnghout his entire hi st ness career been comected with financial inter ests, so that banking is entirely familhar to him in its various branches. He was instrumental. with his associates, in establishing the institution, of which he is now the head, on a fafe, substan

I Tative of Ironpris courts, Mr. Willian . was born in Belnjort township July 11, 18449. a son di SanMel and Lasthanne. Wihans, who castle Tund from the government, rakilor their home thereem until the death of the father 1 18gb. 11 tok an active and helpful part in public affairs of the county, and from his agricultural fter ists, and was county judge for one term Hle was also president of the First National Bank for eighteen years and later was connected with the ( itize , Bank. The extent and m portance of his business interests made hun one of the substantial citizens of the county and in all hfe's reatiomnis he sustainel an unassulabh reputation, that madle hin valued in business, m public and in social life. In the family were for some, all vet living . J. 12, of this review : George V., at Wowallard, this county : John S, at Onarga ; and Frank L. at Guthra, Oklahoma.

Viter mastering the comnon branches of learning in the district schools. J. G. Willians beeine a student in Grand Seminary and Com mercial College at Onarga, los colocation being along practical and business lines. He was graduated in 18m2. His early b shood days Fad been spurt upon his father's farm, where through the summer months he assisted in the labors of the fields, but after his graduation he was given a position in the First National Bank i Watska, as bookkeeper, while later he was assistant cashier renaming in the emploss of the bank for aghtect years. In ix9) he took an in- lerest in the Citizens Bank of Walscka, in con- nection with his father. W. AL Cones and F. 1. Martin. The strong financial combination anel the wok acquaintance of the men bers of the firm soon budt up a large business and in 19044 the mistitution was incorporated under the laws of the state and is now the Citizens State Bank of Watscka, with ] G. Williams as president. It is now and of the strongest and most reliable Honeval concerns of the comity, the policy which has ever been followed commanding it to the con- fidence and support of all In addition to his linking interests Mr. Williams owns several hundred acres of good farm land and is also in- treated In livestock tidlig especially in phare

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PAST AND PRESENT OF

bred shorthorn cattle, of which he owns a fine herd.

In 1871 Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Orra A. Benson and they are most widely and favorably known in the county. Mr. Williams belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Methodist Episcopal church. He has taken an active part in its work and for many years has been superintendent of the Sunday- school. While loyal to his church and his pastor, he is not sectarian, believing that there is much good in all churches and manifesting at all times the broad humanitarian spirit which does not ad- init of harsh criticism of those who differ from him.

In politics Mr. Williams is a republican but is not an aspirant for office. He served, however, for one term on the board of county supervisors and two terms in the city council. He is also a member of the public library board and is one of the trustees of the Welles estate for the estab- lishment of a school for poor boys. He has had a large experience in the settlement of estates and enjoys the unlimited confidence of the public who have placed in his care a large amount of property. Thoroughly reliable, broad minded and liberal in his views, and living up to high ideals concerning man's relations to his fellow- men, there is no citizen of Watseka more hon- ored and respected than J. G. Williams.

CARL THEESFELD.

A good farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 25. Onarga township, is the property of Carl Theesfeld, who since 1868 has lived in Iroquois county, coming to this state immediately after crossing the Atlantic from Germany, his native country. He was born in the fatherland, September 22, 1840, and the years of his boyhood and youth were there passed, while his education was acquired in the public schools. Having heard favorable reports of business conditions here and the opportunities which were open to ambitious, industrious young men, he resolved to seek his fortune in the new world and bade adieu to friends and native country. He then

secured passage on a sailing vessel at Bremen and after eight weeks on the broad Atlantic landed at Baltimore in December. 1868. He did not pause in his journey there, however, but con- tinued on his westward way until he had arrived in Illinois, making his first settlement in Wood- ford county, where he joined some friends of his own nationality. He then worked by the month as a farm hand for a year. after which he joined another man in cultivating a rented farm. They were together for a year, after which Mr. Theesfeld began business independently.

He was first married in Woodford county in 1870 to Miss Anna Jansen, after which he rented a farm and carried on general agricultural pursuits on his own account in Woodford county for several years. He carefully saved his earn- ings during that period, living as economically and frugally as possible and when his capital had become sufficient to justify his purchase of land he bought one hundred and sixty acres. The fact that the farm was his own was an impetus for renewed effort and a stimulus for closer ap- plication. Accordingly he at once began to break the soil and fence the fields. He also built a house on the property and carried forward the work of development and improvement, placing many rods of tiling upon the farm and thus draining the land. As the years have advanced he, too, has progressed in his methods of farm work in keeping with the spirit of modern ad- vancement and now has a well improved prop- erty, his richly cultivated fields surrounding sub- stantial farm buildings. In the rear of the house stands a good barn and windpump, together with sheds and the latest improved farm machinery. The fields annually return rich harvests and in addition he raises good horses, cattle and hogs.

In 1882 Mr. Theesfeld was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died leaving two children : Maggie, now the wife of Dan Hasburger, a farmer of Onarga township; and John, who has started out in business for himself. Mr. Theesfeld was married again, his second union being with Anna Defreese, a German lady, who was reared in the fatherland. There were five children by this marriage and the four sons, Ulrich, Harm, Henry and Herman, are still liv- ing. They also lost a daughter, Mary, who died in infancy.

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

CHARLES A BRONCK.

Charles C. Brock - a general farmer, devoting total, nelleetal. pritical and moral des. The sport of enterprise which has been the doffert factur In the upbuilding of the nogle west is mamiest in hits lite del has made had a substr tal and representative lat ter at thebase town his time and energie- to the cultivation .itw hundred acres of land on sections 32 and 33 ( be- hanse township, and in addition to telling the fields he makes a special of the saking of Poland China hogs. Her a som of Sale and Sarah ( Brock ) Brock, who came from Highal to the Lifted States in 1854 and settled at Plau he Will counts. Hier, where they resulted until FRED W SIEDENTOP. 1870. In that year they came to Chebane town ship. Iroquois conals and i mme faring ( til 183. the father gorg hs atter boe to gor- eral agricultural pursuits 11te he put aside bu the walls wnet Hers and I le bih sale top. and purchased Land on sicher as, which he till news cares altogether. He mm hg retire in Clinton. The family numbered w children. of when, Charles t. is the third order of birth. I'm, where the father followed the manpatin the record berg as follows William. a rest of farging until it H they Brought he lan Clifton and also depats sheriff of the courts ; Charles C. : Alfred S .: Rollard 11 . and Faith. the wife of Charles Trimble, who is princip i the school at (itm.

The birth of charles (Brick Required

Mr Theesfeld has been an caries replication has kept we'll mformel on the political situation Vonder, 1850. at I at the heat and he entered of the country and the same which civile the the porble ches, where he acquire his clica- two great parties He has served for dy ( 1 tt lle was reared to the cupstemmendi tar t- Dwell that pursint At the time he engaged que externes m shipping stock but a more recent years has given up that business and news destes ha sido attert at the opera of the farm, where he has brought nour a high statt bf cultivation, so that be atimall Lathers the refr of rich and abdest Harvest. 11 is practical on Inis mulds. veter ate of all that management that is manifest of the prosperite that has attetold him Aside from the tillit. . to sothe to make a specialty of the rasser of Poland china hog». as a school director, acting as that arets ate- gether for sixteen years and at the writing he 1- president of the Board. He and I - wife are members of the Lutheran church, ny the faith ni which they were reared Hurts eight wars have come and gone since Mr. Theresien took the hits alle m IlInois an I while carrying torwart hi- own business interests he has at the waiter the advanced the property of the community through his farm, work. There have come periods of hardship and de-couragement to kin and he has suffered wany privations and trials ir establishing his home bere and in gaming a start in business, but he has persevered and in the end has triumphed over adversity until his posi tion among the prosperous farmers of t harga townshop is now assured.

Mr. Brock was happily marriedon the moth of February. Fri, at L'inter, the als di li's choice king Mas Alda I Bosles, and with them has Ich bin . daughter. Fh F Mr Bruch principles and in 12 le arvel as marshal of chiton. He attends and supports differen Vocal char low and is interested in the general improve

The birth of Fred W. Stekttop ics fre 11 Cuberry Ewasup. Lassen county, of the

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Ioth of January, 1872, and his education was acquired in the common schools. He worked in the fields when not busy with his text-books and has never sought to change his occupation but has always continued in that line of business life in which he was reared. As the years have gone by he has met with creditable prosperity and is now the owner of an excellent farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres on section 24, Milks Grove township. The land is very arable and productive, responding readily in rich harvests to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. In the midst of the fields stands good farm buildings. including a pleasant residence and substantial barns and sheds. Everything is kept in a good state of repair. the latest improved machinery is used to facilitate the work of the fields and the stock raised is of good grades.

Mr. Siedentop was married, March 5. 1899, upon his father's farm in Milks Grove township, to Miss Mary Hintz, and unto them have been born two children: Walter, born May 27. 1901 ; and Ilda, April 28, 1905. The family are mem- bers of the Lutheran church and Mr. Siedentop at- tends its services. He votes with the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never been an as- pirant for office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs, in which he is meeting with signal and gratifying success. In manner he is pleasant, genial and cultured and his good qualities have made him a favorite with a large circle of friends, while in business circles he sustains an unassailable reputation for enterprise and integrity.

JOHN CROUCH.

John Crouch is numbered among the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Iroquois county, owning and operating about one hundred and fifteen acres of well improved and valuable land in Concord township, his home being situated on section 8. He is a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, born January 22, 1838, a son of William and Sarah (Lyons) Crouch, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. The father fol-

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Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 66

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