Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 67

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

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lowed farming both in his native state and after coming to Illinois, the year of his arrival here being 1881. He is now deceased, his death hav- ing occurred in Iroquois county February 24, 1895, when he was in his eighty-fifth year. His family numbered seven children, of whom one is deceased.

John Crouch was educated in the common schools of his native county and was reared to farm life, which occupation he has always made his life work. He was married in Ohio, Novem- ber 16, 1865, the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy E. Carroll, who was there born October 20, 1843. Following their marriage they took up their abode in Coshocton county, where they remained during the succeeding five years, when, believing that he might better provide for himself and family in the new and growing west, in 1870 he removed to Iroquois county, Illinois, and rent- ed a farm in Concord township, whereon stood a log house, in which the family took up their abode. This building had previously been used as the courthouse of Iroquois county.

In the following spring Mr. Crouch removed to the Fowler farm near Iroquois, on which he made his home for ten years. He worked hard and energetically to acquire a competence, and through his economy and careful management of his business interests he saved a sum sufficient to enable him in 1873 to purchase a tract of eighty acres, situated on sections 8 and 9, Con- cord township. This tract was the property of John White, and was entirely unimproved when it came into possession of the present owner, who at once set to work to break the land, plow the fields and cultivate his crops. He also erected the buildings, tiled and fenced the land, and in 1887 erected a comfortable residence, and a good barn thirty-six by thirty-two feet, with shed. As his financial resources increased he added to his land from time to time until he now owns altogether one hundred and fifteen acres, which constitutes a good farm. He was formerly engaged in buy- ing and shipping stock off and on in Iroquois for about twenty years, and now in addition to carry- ing on general agricultural pursuits he is quite extensively engaged in the raising of polled An- gus cattle, and hic also raises some horses and hogs for the market. He has recently become in- terested in the industry of raising Shropshire

MR AND MRS JOHN CROUCH

IROQUOIS COUNTY. H.LIVS

sheep, and in all his lerihess affairs lo to well ing with very desirable and grannving access fern seven children.

In his political views and attdations In Crouch is a democrat, and Ins worth and advent being recognized he Has been cale I by his Tos low namen to fill a number of public offices, has ing served as supervisor for ten tor- in Comemnt township. He was thewre collecter for one year and has been road computer, school di rector and school trustee, all of which positions he has filled m a capable and acceptable nummer Both he and his wife hold men bership with the Methodist Episcopal church. The two children born to them. Willie and VI are both de ceased. They have reared a bons. Rom A. Halil ton, who has made his hước with them from the age of seven years and is now nineteen

Mr. Crouch has always been found reliable and trustworthy in all his business dealings, and to his honesty, industry and economy is due the sure cess which he has achieved.

FRANK DI ZENBERRY

Every community has a number of mer. Who stand at the head of its business interests and are the real promoters al upbuilders of town or cift. In this class in Dasvan is numberel Frank Du- zurberry, who is engaged In dealing In Tu lar. building materials mol coal, and his efforts are so concentrated spent the En tant al development of his business as the win for him grat 1 15 the

metle 1- t tilling the sun and cung ir the tre ty Donna at I bought out the Under the enterprise a quarter i a century before. If ples. Five comment ane chal, and has recet's

And legitimate fre of trade and in keeping with the spirit of meleri pr gress at a liln rd patronage - wurde Im 1 30 in the purchase and shipment of live stock at both Inovar and hopes and . this entonces

est n political affairs and gives loval support to the republican party, for he believes its principles contam the best comments [ gel geht In the Mast fraterno le Is attarol il Koval Arch degree He was married of Besser Low have Bar duldret

Leslie, five vous old and Autres and Sobre

the art of their seguentine ha bet -

who came to Beaver township at an car's perun Ile 1. three lin - dred and Son ares i had there, which Is transforna inm a rmm tract Int robo de- huit a confortable restric there are carried of general farming all stock along with good agentura phone. He was born i len success Fight years ago however, he bought 1 1825 and wa ther reare anlolncited Weg eighty acres i lar ! u tomor towyslep fer the village of frape - where he has hig and now results In's wife bare the mallen

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PAST AND PRESENT OF

1855. He purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 18. Beaver township, which is still owned and operated by his widow. The land was a tract of raw prairie when it came into his possession but with the energy and in- dustry, so characteristic of the Swedish race, he undertook the task of developing and cultivating new land. He broke the prairie, plowed the fields, planted his crops, and in due course of time gathered good harvests. He continued his farming operations here until his death, which occurred in 1883.

Loyal to the best interests of his country, Mr. Johnson defended the Union cause by si months' service in the Fifty-first Illinois Regi- ment, and one year's service in the One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois Infantry. He was a re- publican in his political views and affiliations.

Mrs. Johnson bore the maiden name of Johanna C. Johnson, and by her marriage she has become the mother of four sons and three daughters, namely: Mrs. Emma Anderson ; Frank F .; Mrs. Minnie Maurits; Ellida, who resides with her mother : Lawrence, also at home ; Clarence, who is practicing law in Chicago; and Arthur, at home. Since the death of her hus- band, Mrs. Johnson and her children have con- tinned to operate the homestead property, thus carrying forward the work of cultivation and im- provement which was instituted by the husband and father. They have drained the land by the judicious use of tiling and have erected all of the buildings upon the place with exception of the residence which was built by Mr. Johnson. Mrs. Johnson is an estimable lady, well liked by her neighbors and friends, and through the careful management of her business affairs she is en- abled to provide herself and family with a good living. The family has lived in Beaver township for a long period and is therefore widely and favorably known.

JOHN E. AMOS.

Among the native sons of Iroquois county who are now carrying on the agricultural develop- ment of this part of the state is numbered John E. Amos, who operates a farm of two hundred

and fifty acres in Sheldon township, of which he is the owner of ninety-two acres, situated on section 33. He likewise engages in breeding and raising Norman and Shire horses, making this an important branch of his business. The family was founded in Illinois by the paternal grandfather, Stephen Amos, who located here at an early day. The father, William A. Amos, was born in Warren county, Indiana, and his sketch appcars elsewhere in this volume.

John E. Amos, as stated, was born in Iroquois county, February 8, 1869, and pursued his educa- tion in the common schools and the public schools of Sheldon. He remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, when he started out in life on his own account by engaging in the business of breeding and raising Norman and Shire horses, giving this his entire time and attention until about seven years ago, when in connection with handling horses he also engaged in general agricultural pursuits, taking up his abode on the old homestead property, situated on section 28, Sheldon township. He has since bought and improved a tract of ninety-two acres, lying on section 33, and now operates this in connection with his father's land. He is a capable business man and is meeting with excellent success in his work both as a farmer and a breeder of horses.

Mr. Amos was married February 11, 1903, the lady of his choice being Miss Jessie Wingard. She died December 19, 1904, leaving a little daughter, Jessie Ione. Mr. Amos is a republican, stanch in support of the principles of his party. Having spent his entire life in Iroquois county he has a very wide acquaintance, and this section of the state has become endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood and youth, as well as those of later manhood.

ALFRED WINSLOW.

A finely improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 2 and 3. Beaver township, is the home of Alfred Winslow, who was born in Sweden in 1860, a son of Peter and Mary Wins- low, who always remained in that country. Mr. Winslow emigrated to the United States in 1885, making his way at once to the state of Iowa,

015

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

where he remained for one year, and the 6. to Iroquois county, locating in Beaver township. He was here employed mitil 18&, when lee pur chased one hundred and sixty acres of land wl ch was all wild and unimproved when it came into his possession. He has tree the land, thats mak ing the fiel Is very productive. He has also hult fences, erected a residence and substantial out buildings, and altogether his is one of the valuable farms of this section of the state. In addition to his own property he cultivates a rested tract of one hundred and sixty acres, thus operating al- together three hundred and twenty acres.

In 1886, the same year of his arrival in Beaver township. Mr. Winslow was married to Miss Minnie Moore, a native of Iroquois county. Their marriage has been blessed with four daugh- ters. Pearl, Mary. Laura and Ruby. Mr. Wins- low has one brother and one sister who came to this country, the former making his home in Donovan, Illinois, while the latter resides in Chicago.

Mr. Winslow came to the United States twenty- one years ago without capital, and with no knowledge of the language or custons of the American people. He, however, soon acquired the English tongue and adapted himself to the changed conditions of the new country and has through the years which have since come and gone worked his way steadily upward until he is toxlay in possession of a comfortable property. which supplies himself and family with all the comforts of life and ranks him with the leading citizens of this community.

WILLIAM FIDLER.

Among the native sons of Iroquois county who have made farming their life work is numbered William Fidler, whose birth occured in Iroquois township, March 14. 1859. His parents, George and Harriet (Parker ) Fidler, were both native- of Indiana, whence in 158t they came by wagon to Trongsons counts, the father entering a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Progress low ship. The land was all wild and unimproved. not a furrow having been turned, but he at once set to work to perform the duties necessary to

the development of a new far He broke the land, po wel the fields, planted the seed and in die course of the gathered sich harvests, and he Thewie created a house and substantial out- buildings. The family there lived ard labored through many years, sharing in the hardships and privations mcident to hic on the frontier. By good management the father was able to pur- chase one hundred and twenty acres of section 5. Iroquois township, which he likewise improved and cultivated until his death, which occurred December 10, 1882, and thus passed away one of the prominent and influential pioneer farmers of this section of the state.

Wilham Fidler was one of a family of nine children born of his father's marriage He was reared in much the usual manner of farm lads. being assigned to the duties of the fields as his age and strength permitted, and during the win- ter months he pursued his studies in the district schools near his father's homme, thus acquiring the knowledge that fitted him to later carry on bu -- ness on his own account. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority, when he rented a farm in Iroquois township, cultivating the same during the succeeding five years. In the meantime his father died and in the division of the estate he received forty acres, this being located in Iroquois township He later added a tract of eighty acres to his original forts, this giving him ore hundred and twenty acres. Hle made many improvements thereon, which greatly enhanced the value of his property, so that he later disposed of it to gena advantage, and in 1000 came to Martinten township and bought from A. M. Lanche a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land, bring on section 18 Hle has land two carloads of thing on his place, this ga - ing good drainage to his farm, whereis the wall has been made very productive. In tool he erected a modern country home, containing seven rennes, bust a barn thirty six by thirty -eight inst, and his place is also supplied with corn cribs and other outbuildings necessary to a farm prop- erty. In addition te carrying on general agricul tural pursuits he also raises horses, cattle and hogy of good grades, and bath branches of his business are Melding him an excellent return.

In Iroquois township, in 18%, occurred the marriage of Mr. Fidler and Miss Amelia J Ort

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PAST AND PRESENT OF

man, who was born in Laporte, Indiana, in 1858. Their union has been blessed with a son and daughter: George E., who is now a college stu- dent at Ann Arbor, Michigan ; and Bernice A .. a student in the Martinton schools.

Mr. Fidler has served as school director for fifteen years but aside from this has taken no active part in public office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his private business interests, which enables him to provide a com- fortable home for himself and family and like- wise give to his children good educational priv- ileges. In his fraternal relations he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Fidler and his family are highly esteemed in the local- ity where they reside, and the hospitality of their pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.

C. O. SHAW.

C. (). Shaw, representing the agricultural inter- ests of Iroquois county, owns and operates a farm on section 35. Martinton township. which has been his home continuously since 1865. He was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, June 2. 1863. where his father died in 1864, our subject being then only a year old. His mother was then left with the care of eleven children, of whom three sons and three daughters still survive. In 1865 the mother removed with her family to Iroquois county, where she purchased from A. Rush a farm of eighty acres, situated on sec- tion 35. Martinton township. This tract had few improvements upon it but with the aid of her elder sons she cultivated and improved the land. to which she added an additional tract of forty acres. When C. O. Shaw was a lad of twelve years he and his elder brother. S. P., who was two years his senior, took charge of the farm for their mother, operating the land for twelve or fourteen years, when the latter went to Colorado. The mother made her home on her farm until her death, which occurred in March, 1904. She was a woman of excellent business ability. capably managing her private affairs, while at the same time she carefully reared and educated

her children. In her death the community lost a kind neighbor and friend and her family a devoted and loving mother.

C. O. Shaw was reared and educated in Mar- tinton township, and has been engaged in farming throughout his entire business career. He pur- chased the interest of the other heirs in the old home property and has since bought land on sections 1 and 2. Middleport township, so that his landed possessions now aggregate two hun- dred and forty acres. About four years ago he erected a modern nine-room house, a good barn thirty-six by fifty feet, while corn cribs and other outbuildings furnish ample shelter for grain. stock and farm implements. He has laid consid- erable tile and thus his fields have been made very productive. In addition to his farming interests he is engaged quite extensively in rais- ing stock for the market, where he always re- ceives the highest prices.

Mr. Shaw was married in 1890 to Miss Rosie Pearce, the wedding being celebrated in Concord township. Her birth occurred in Milford in 1864, and by her marriage she has become the mother of a daughter and son: Clara, who is now eight years of age; and Elmer, a little lad of five years.

Mr. Shaw gives his political support to the democratic party but has never been active as an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his time upon his private business interests which are now extensive and thus claim his entire attention. Ile is a worthy and highly esteemed citizen of Martinton township and is known among his business associates as a man of upright principles and honest dealing.

ROBERT C. HITCHINGS. M. D.

Dr. Robert C. Hitchings, who for seventeen years has been engaged in the practice of medi- cine in Donovan, was born in Newton county, Indiana, in 1865, and is a son of John C. Hitch- ings, a native of Maine, who, removing west- ward to Indiana, cast in his lot with the early settlers of that state in the year 18440. He was always a farmer and became the owner of four hundred acres of good land. He wedded Mary

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Swigert, of Maryland

seven children.

Robert C. Hitchings was cdi cat for the on the

mon schools and i Valpara Du moment, Il Pm 2, 15 Indiana. When he had completed his liter.r - course be entered npon the stich of nach tin and in 1880 was graduated from the henrik School of Medicine at Louisville. When to had Vi tried again. At that time Alizo Cart m completed a full course he entered upon the prac- tice of his chosen profession at Donovan in the

enten years he has continued in active practice in this county and has been accord d a liberal patronage in recognition of his skill and all its He makes the best possible use of remechal agen cies, understands the use of diet, of rest an! hygienic appointments and keep in touch wul modern progress in his profession In perusal of the leading medical journals and books of refer- ence. In addition to his practice he is conduct- ing the drug store which be purchased from 1. I .. Jimison, carrying a full line of drugs and kin- dred goods. He purchased the building in which this store is located. It is a story and a half structure, twenty two by sixty feet, and in addi tion to drugs he also handles a full line of wall paper, paints and oils, a liberal patronage being accorded him.

Dr. Hitchings is a member of the Modern Woodmen fraternity. He gives his political alle- giance to the democracy and has served for one term as supervisor of Beaver township Enter- ing upon a profession in which advancement de pends entirely upon individual merit, he has made steady progress and his knowledge and skill, combined with the conscientious perform- ance of the duties that devolve upon him, have gained him rank among the able medical practi- tioners in Donovan and this locality

ALONZO CARMAN.

AFa western man by bitte. tr. nic ast (\1 1

e plo of ha un ( Pháp Lunger le alt - ward engaged in raising crops on the shares off

for solle the. continuing to operation after the Both Di his aut ant his mich and also, thr -T, who terel the Uimor Arny, was captured within a rear and there was left a fan Is si five daughters

Mr. Carmen continued to engage in tarn ng this oncle's place until i. in the meantime he was married in Montgomery county. Mas to. Indiana, who, prior to her marriage, eiffage In

the farin which had belonged to Mr Carmeli's uncle and there lived for about two years. when they came to Iroquois county, here purchasing three hundred and twenty acres of land in sec ton o. Fountain Crack township. later he bought forty acres more and continued the work of improving his farm, which he ditched and drained, residing there until 1875. At length he sold that property and bought another farm nearer Milford. of four hundred and twenty acres, making Ins home there for lunt a year, after which he sold ett He Best purchased the William Gremlin farth of three hundred and twenty acres and continued the work of improvement and development there 1. time passed he added to Its land In additional purchases until he owned seven hundred and twenty acres The thing which he did converted the swan py land into fertile fields and he con tu ! the tilling of the soil well almost ihm Later he spent two years on another farm, and in tommy he font a good residence in the town. since which time he has resided in townwie He was one of the ste kholders and directors of the Farmers elevator, in which he still owns

Alonzo Carman is accounted one of the prom inent farmers of Fountain Creek township, where he owns and cultivates an excellent tract of lan of two hundred acres adjoining the village of Goodwine. Since the fall of 1868 he has con- an interest He has laid off an addition to the

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PAST AND PRESENT OF

town and his son Frank has also recently made an addition.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carman were born three sons : William, who is married and follows farming near Claytonville, having two hundred and forty acres of land; Frank, who is married and owns a farm of two hundred and seventy acres adjoining Goodwine; and Lewis W., who is married and owns about three hundred acres of land. He, however, occupies the okt home- stead.

Politically Mr. Carman is a stalwart republican but has never been an office seeker. He served as highway commissioner for eleven years and has been township trustee for a few years but has always attempted to avoid office and only at the solicitation of his friends and fellow cit- izens has he consented to accept positions of political preferment. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and they are a most worthy couple, who enjoy in large meas- ure the good will and esteem of all who know them. Mr. Carman has been the architect and builder of his own fortunes and though he com- menced life empty-handed he is now one of the prosperous residents of the county, having ac- quired large real-estate interests. The utilization of the opportunities which surround all, com- bined with close application and unfaltering dili- gence, constitute the foundation upon which he has builded the superstructure of his success, and his life record, too, proves that a competence and an honored name may be won simultaneously.

ORREN G. SMITH.

Orren G. Smith, a prominent representative of commercial interests at Sheldon, where he is engaged in the grain trade, was born in Iroquois, January 9, 1854. His father, William Smith, was a native of Virginia and came to this county when seventeen years of age. He entered into general merchandising with Mr. Donovan in the village of Iroquois, where he remained for a number of years, but in 1859, when the Toledo, l'eoria & Warsaw Railroad was built, he re- moved his stock of goods to Sheldon and erected the first building of that town. It was a two-

story frame structure, twenty-four by sixty feet. The lower floor was used for a store and the second floor as a dwelling. Mr. Smith then fol- lowed general merchandising at Sheldon up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1861, and he was an enterprising, wide-awake and pro- gressive business man, who met with success in that town. In addition to his commercial inter- ests he owned several tracts of land, together with town property. In his political views he was a Douglas democrat. He married Malie Ketchum, of New York, and they became the parents of two children but one has passed away. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Major George P. Ketchum, who served in the war of 1812 and was in charge of the troops at Fort Erie for a time.

Orren G. Smith, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the common schools and began work in the employ of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad and the old C., L. & C. Railroad, with which he remained for a num- ber of years. He then entered the grain business in the employ of R. G. Risser and was with him for about seven years. In 1889 he formed a partnership with a Mr. Hutchins and they now own two elevators at Milford with a capacity of one hundred and fifty thousand bushels, one at Donovan with a capacity of sixty thousand bushels and one at Iroquois with a capacity of ninety thousand bushels. They buy all kinds of grain of the farmers and also other dealers and have their head office at Sheldon. They are among the most extensive grain dealers of the county and their business is of benefit to the district. furnishing an excellent market for the producers. At the same time they are meeting with very gratifying success, having made steady progress since the organization of the firm. Mr. Smith also bought a farm of eighty acres in Concord township from John Sheets and Joseph McNear. He placed all of the improvements upon it to the value of about three thousand dollars, and in 1871 he erected a substantial residence there.

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Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 67

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