USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 68
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On the 16th of October, 1879, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Inez Potter, who was born in Beaver township and was a daughter of M. G. Potter, a native of New York, who came to Iroquois county at an early period in its de- velopment and entered land from the government
WILL.I.AM SMITII
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IROQUOIS COUNTY ILLINOIS.
m Beaver township waren de la conte mathemat Megh . There. and reared his family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ontif he was Kommtably discharged of the 25th Smith have been born the children, Harry. of March, 1543. It is one . . . . . . hun for further service in the arts Hazel. Bruce, Gertrude and Willam Lawrence
Mr. Smith gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has served on the sch- board of Sheldon but has never sought of de sired public office, for his business interests fully claim his time and attention. He has shown a genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, combined with that substantial quality which for want of a better terin has been called common sense. lle is sound in business judgment, progressive and alert, and in all his undertakings endeavors to reach the highest point of perfection attainable.
SILAS HOOGLAND
Silas Hoogland, who is engaged in the op- eration of a tract of land comprising one hun- dred and sixty acres in Sheldon township, was born in Concord township. November 30. 1870. His paternal grandfather. Jan e- Hougland, con c In wagon from this to Iroquois county, estali- fishing his home in Concord township. The father. Eli Hoogland, was born in this November S. 1837. and in ha native state acquire I les elu a tion. He accompanied his father's jannis to this state, renaming under the parents' roof until he attained man's estate, when he legat d'un a farm on section 33. Sheldon township, whereon he has made his home for the past twenty seven years He was united in marriage, January 16, 1802. to Miss Adelia Manter, who was born in 11 .- ilton counts. Ohio, and who survived her mar riage but little more than a year, her death.o curing May 19. 1863
Soon after his marriage Eh Hlougland cslisted for service in the Civil war, on the 11th of An gust, 1802. Joining Company I. Sevents isth Illinois Infantry under comomand of Colonel \ W: Mack. Mr. Hougland participated in i regular battles but saw service in Kentucky. Tennessee and Mississipi under General Hurl but. On the truth of October, 182. Mr Houg land was taken ill with n'casles, after which he had an attack of jaundice and rheumati i. being
Feeding voar in recuperating his health stilist ( nent to which time he began farming on lits Father's land. continuing it operations des ant four years In the meintine, having Lost his first wife while absent in the war, he was married In Mas Ikken \ Barnes, ther marriage Ining celebrated in concord township, on the 8th of Member, ist, She was a native of Rochester. Fulton county, Indiana, barn November 21. 1880. a daughter of Elijah and Sarah Harnes, both of when they during the carly girlhond of Vr- Hoogland Her father was a carpenter and joner bs trade Mrs Hoogland was celu- cated no the schools of Inhana and Minor. and In her marriage she became the mother of seven Ira. Edgar. Charles and lastes Chear, all of whom were born in Bates county, Missouri; Silas, of this review, and Ernest and Farl, twins, who were born in Concord township, Iroquois counts Vr. and Mrs Fli Hoogland made their home in Iro- quels cents for about a year after their mar- rage, subsequent to which tine he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty deres in Pistes counts. Misure and removing to that place made his home there for about eight years, when he again returned to drogues counts, having traded his property in Missouri for one hundred and fifty-tour acres in Concord township This has since been his home to the present time and he is tim bered among the prominent farmers of this section of the state His first presidential Site was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 18%). and he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church
Salas Hongland was carls tramed to the liters of the farm, and during the winter months he pursued his education in the common schools ner his father's home He remained under the parental remi until he had reached man's estate. when he started out in the business world on his Own account In operating land which belonged to his father and grandfather in them in the Both of January, Low, he and his bride cm menced housekeeping on his father's farm, where
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they still live. He keeps everything about the place in good condition, while his fiekls have been placed under a high state of cultivation, so that he annually gathers good crops therefrom. addition to his general farming interests he like- wise engages in raising stock for the market.
On the 3d of January. 1900. occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Hougland and Miss Mary E. Goosey. who. like her husband, is a native of Iroquois county. Their marriage has been blessed with an interesting little son and daughter, George Leslie and Mabel Marie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hougland are popular young people and have a wide circle of friends in this county, where they have spent their entire lives.
GEORGE W. BRAINARD.
George W. Brainard, a representative of the grain trade in Donovan, was born in Kankakee. Illinois, July 13, 1853. He is a son of William Brainard, a native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, born in Cleveland, whence he came to Illinois at an early day, settling at Kankakee before there were any railroads in this part of the state. He married Lydia Jane Woods, who was born in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, and came with her parents to Kankakee, Illinois. Her father was Alonzo Woods, who entered from the gov- ernment a half section of land, upon which the Kankakee hospital now stands. The farm which he bought for a dollar and a quarter per acre he afterward sold for one hundred and twenty- five dollars per acre, and he owns lots in Donovan.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for George W. Brainard in his boyhood and youth. At an early age he became familiar with the task of plowing, planting and harvesting, and he remained at home until 1877, when he came to Donovan, where he has since been identified with shipping interests. For six years he was engaged in the purchase, sale and shipment of poultry, which he bought and dressed and shipped to New York, buying as high as ten thousand dollars worth in a single year. On the expiration of that period he
formed a partnership with a Mr. Johnson in a general merchandise venture and on selling out bought lots, upon which he erected a building twenty-two by fifty feet. He carried on general merchandising there for five years and about five years ago he took charge of the elevator for L. T. Hutchins & Company, since which time he has built on a clipper room. He handles corn, oats and other cereals and is controlling an extensive trade at this point. He has bought lots and built a fine home in Donovan.
The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Brainard and presides over his attractive home was in her maidenhood Miss Mary Alta Donovan. She was born in Kankakee, Illinois, in 1876 and is a daughter of Frank Donovan. They now have one child, Leslie True. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brainard are quite prominent in fraternal circles in this town. Mr. Brainard belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and to the Masonic fraternity and his wife is Oracle Woodman and matron in the Eastern Star chapter. He holds membership in the Methodist church and his political support is given to the republican party. He helped to organize and was one of the first members of the board of trustees, has been township clerk. was supervisor of Beaver township for eight years, and chairman of the board of supervisors for two terms. His public service is commendable be- cause of his fidelity to a high standard of con- duct in office, and in the business world he has attained a creditable measure of success, while throughout his entire life he has manifested those sterling traits of character which endear man to his fellowmen.
THOMAS ASKEW.
Thomas Askew, deceased, commanded the re- spect, good will and confidence of all who came in contact with him. He was born January 10. 1822, in Westmoreland, England, his parents be- ing Richard and Elizabeth Askew. also natives of England. Ilis father was a farmer with whom he spent his boyhood days, assisting him in the work of the fields when not in school up to the time of his marriage, which occurred in 1846.
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Isabella Taylor and then corsise in laco-02 in til the fall of 1849. when, thinking that le moen enjoy better business opportunity - 10 the on world for he had heard most favorable to nie bi the conditions here. He sailed for Angri .. Mak- ing his way into the interior of the counter le was engaged at farm later in Kankaker u.u! 1850. In the meantime he had saved hs carn- ings and made arrangements for his wife and two children to join him in the United States In cordingly they left their native country in the fall of 1851 an 1, after landing on Anerican shores. Mrs. Askew and her children journeye! as far west as Buffalo, New York, but found that the lakes were frozen over and traffic had casal so she could not join her husband until the spring of 1852. In 1856 Mr. Askew rented a farm in Beaver township, Iroquois county, and in 1850 toxik up his abode in the first house le had ever owned, it standing in the midst of forty acres which he had purchased. He then resolutely took up the task of improving the property, working from early morning until late evening and putting forth carne-t and strenuous effort to acquire suc- cess. Hle carefully cultivated his fields and, as the years passed by, was enabled to add to the property from time to time, until he became the owner of a good farm of two hundred and eighty acres. He certainly deserved much credit for what he accomplished as his success was honor ably won and his life record may well serve as an example and source of inspiration to others. showing what may be accomplished by de- termined and honorable purpose,
The marriage of Thomas Askew and Isabela Taylor, which was celebrated in Westmoreland. England, on the bath of May, 1846, was blessed with a family of nine children, namch : Richard ! G. : John ; John T, Jr. ; Dion A. : Wellington (. : Edward; Agnes E. : Maud M. : and George C. The second son, John, died during Mr. She's's stay in New York in 1852. whole Grainge ( passed away in 1884. The others are still living and Wellington C. How owns and operates the old homestead farn which belonged to his father. The mother died in the year isto, and Thomas Askew passed away in IM, after a residence of forty years in Imes. II. idw lownsmen, recogizing his worth and allits, fre
was a descerat is polattes and was told in the Hot bild adopted country. He he pler- ships the Christian church and his life with upright and hom rable.
Albright, who is engaged in gor cral farming and in the rating of polled Angus cattle and Sons an horses, making his hatte all section 3 . Martinton township, was bornin hall- Kaskee, Illinois, November 13. 187. His father, charles 1. Albright, a Hat veoffertsum, careto America m 1553 settling first in Uno, where he resided und ist, when he removed to kal- kakve. Ilmos He began farming here and lived in the vicinity of Martinton until about three years ago, when he refused to Waldron, Hinos His wife, who bote the maiden name of so phronia Sabb and was born in the, die 1003. In their family were mine children all of whon are vet hving. The father holls nes ber- ship in the Mas the lodge, at the Independent Order of Odd Fellow's and the Modern Woodieen
Willian 1. Albright acquired he education m the city schools of kankakee and canle to Ire- township He was engaged in farming by the Host for two years and then began forming on his own account la renting land im Ashken township for seven years The afterward settled m Martinton township, Kankakee county, where he lived for one year, stree which tine he has rested two hundred acres of land on section 3.4. Martinton township, Troquer county, which is the property of Williso Som Mr Mbright tuns are ilence and other property in Martinton I wishup which he rent. This time at Detergies
the rister of the cereals hest adapted to all and climate he als rates pelled Angus cattle.
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Norman horses and a high grade of hogs, and he finds this a profitable source of income.
Mr. Albright was married in Martinton town- ship, in 1893, to Miss Lena E. Scoon, who was born here in 1868. Her father, James Scoon, came from New York at an early day in the development of Iroquois county. took up his abode within its borders. broke the land and built a home. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Mary Thompson, was born in Vermont.
Mr. Albright gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He served as collector of Ashkum township for one term and in April. 1000, was elected supervisor of Martinton town- ship, so that he is now filling the office at the present time. He is an energetic farmer, of good business capacity, thoroughly conversant with his line of work and meeting therein a creditable measure of success.
F. FRONVILLE.
F. Fronville is a retired agriculturist living in the village of Clifton and a representative of one of the pioneer families of Iroquois county. His parents. Joseph and Catherine (Theiry) Fron- ville. were natives of Belgium and became resi- dents of this county in 1856 when the work of settlement and development had scarcely begun here. Their son, the subject of this review, was born in Boneffe, Belgium, April 12, 1838, and was therefore a youth of eighteen years at the time of the emigration of the family to the new world. He had acquired only a limited educa- tion in his native land and since 1856 he has re- sided continuously in this county, being actively associated for many years with its agricultural interests.
In 1862, at Clifton, he married Miss Rosalie Ponton and unto them ten children have been born: Rosalie, now the wife of Alfred Cailtuex. a farmer of Clifton township; Louise, the wife of Joseph Detour, a resident farmer of Ashkum township; Mary, the wife of Louis Schultz, a farmer living near Watseka : Eugene, a mail car- rier of Ashkum township: Malina, deceased : Emile, who operates his father's farm in Clifton township: Amillia, at home : Lonis, who married
Eugenie Petit and rents one of his father's farms in Chebanse township: Josephine, the wife of George Prault. a farmer of Ashkum township; and Eliza. the wife of Emile Matby, a farmer of Ashkum township. After losing his first wife Mr. Fronville was again married on the 21st of July, 1902, at L'Erable. Illinois. his second union being with Clementine Mazy, a daughter of Henry and Catherine Mazy, of Clifton.
Mr. Fronville is an independent democrat and has filled various local offices in creditable man- ner, serving as highway commissioner for six years, as school director for a similar period and as pathmaster for eleven years. He is a member of the Catholic church of Clifton and has made his home in the town since 1902. Throughout his active business life his time and energies were devoted to general agricultural pursuits and the years witnessed his acquirement of a comfort- able competence, for he is now the owner of two hundred and thirty acres of land in Clifton town- ship and one hundred and sixty-two acres near Elreno, Oklahoma. He likewise owns his resi- dence on Second avenue in Clifton, two houses on Third avenue in Clifton and one in Ashkum .. His property interests are thus valuable and are as a momment to his life of thrift and enterprise.
EDWARD M. LYON.
Edward M. Lyon, a resident farmer of Ridge- land township, started out in life on his own ac- count when fourteen years of age and has since been dependent upon his own resources, so that he well deserves the praise that is implied in the terin "a self-made man." All through his life he has worked diligently and persistently and he is now successfully cultivating the Lyon homestead farm of one hundred and sixty acres. A native of this county. he was born in Onarga township. October 17. 1866, and is a son of Howard Lyon. a native of Vermont, who came to Illinois in 1864 and who is mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of his son. James A. Lyon.
Edward M. Lyon was one of five brothers and was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of the locality and period. At the usual age he began
MR AND MRS F. FRONVILE!
TROO CE COUNTY ILLINOIS
attending the district salud, at ala . ma and in the Mat where he conel tex aan bied of fourteen he worked me as a fin Layfor adans le Astro log. thirteen dollars per month. He was the hut a few years pour .. that capacity for del Bary at de Gel of health which die in 1 Ile maa? which time he was married on the Sprecher, the free h 181. to Miss Sade Heller, a native in Inches away hand working all where counts and a daughter of the rgy lder. why was born in Masouri, where he care to Illons He lived for some time andrixjuos counts but s lacare to sider it twelve chores, al of whende sti survive now residing In Bloomington
Following his marriage Mr. Lyon loca ted up on a rented farm, which ne cultivated for three years. He then worked out by the month for a year, at the end of which time he took up his aloale upon his father's farm. On the expiration of that pe- sie he removed to h's present place of residence and it has since been his home. The labor that he has bestowed upon the place is manifest in the good results which have followed it. He has erected some substantial buildings here and has tiled the fields, thus draining them of all super- thuous moisture and greatly adding to their pro- ductiveness. Altogether he has a valuable farm and he raises good grades of stock as well as rich crops of corn and other cereals.
Unto Mr. aand Mrs. Lyon have been born four children : Howard E., Mildred, Esther and Mer- rill. Mr. Lyon has been a member of the ted Fellows louge at Onarga since 1895 and in politics he is an unfaltering advocate of democratic prin- ciples. While his life history is not marked by events of unusual occurrence but on the contrary has been passed on the more quiet plane of busi- ness life, he has nevertheless manifested a spirit of willingness, of persistency and of diligence. which are most worthy of emulation and which have proved to him the source of a gratifying success.
W. F. ORTMAN.
W. F. Ortman is a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Martinten township. where he owns one hundred and wants deres of land. He was born in Laporte county Inland. August 1, 1864. a son of Willam Ortnar, who) was born in Gon ans, and after con me to the United States followed farming both it had we weer Ar Orten started out in the business
when he sce nya al lis parents t tir re-
the development and improvement of the home place, with through the winter months he at tended the district schon's, this acquiring the education which mitted luft for an independent business career. He remained with his parents miti he reached the art of twenty two years. what he started out to make his own way in the world, ben's employed In others during the four succeeding vare Cardials hushanding hi- carmmgr- he was at length enabled to begin business ơn his own account by renting the hand- dis farm for two years, subsequent to which time he operated his father's property for two years. I prospered in his work and accumulated the Competence wlech enabled hon therteen years ago to purchase lavol. becoming owner of eighty deres on section 24. Martinton township. He tiled the land and make many other inprovencets in the was of fences and buildings, and has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of horses red bog. He has since adde ! to his orignal purchase me eighty acre trust located in section 25. He land about four hun- dred ress of the win this land and made wany substantial improvements, and is now leaving the property, which brings to him a goal annual Torta
Mr Ortman was married in this townsh p in que's canis born 1 1873. The marriage has beck basel w E two deldren Lester, eight vairs all, and Jale, three stars of 1. a views Vr Ortran is a den erat, .11 wkc he has likewise been drainage com's
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world without capital but through his honesty. industry and economy he has worked his way up- ward until he is today one of the substantial land- owners of Martinton township and is numbered among its best citizens.
RICHARD GILBERT ASKEW.
Richard Gilbert Askew, deceased. was for many years one of the prominent and influential citizens of Iroquois county, connected with the agricultural development of Beaver township. He was born in England in 1847 and when a little lad of four years was brought to the United States by his mother, his father. Thomas Askew. having come two years previously. Landing in New York, the family there spent the winter of 1851-2 and then proceeded to Kankakee, Illinois, by lake after navigation opened in the spring. They remained there one year and then took up their abode in Beaver township, Iroquois county, on a farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres, which has since remained in possession of the Askew family.
Our subject remained with his father during the periods of his boyhood and youth, accompany- ing the family on their various removals after the emigration to the new world. He commenced farming on a forty-acre tract adjacent to his father's farm and made many improvements thercon by tiling the land, fencing the fields and erecting substantial buildings. He also added to his property until he became the owner of two hundred and forty acres. In 1893 he built a mod- ern residence, containing seventeen rooms, sup- plied with every convenience and accessory for the comfort of the occupants. Through a long period Mr. Askew engaged in carrying on gen- eral agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, hav- ing good grades of hogs as well as Durham cat- tle, which he raised in large numbers. He was a very successful business man. accomplishing whatever he undertook, so that when called from this life he left to his family a valuable estate.
While conducting extensive business interests, Mr. Askew also found time to devote to public affairs, serving as supervisor of his township for two terms and also as road commissioner for a
time, while for thirty years he filled the office of school director, the cause of education ever find- ing in him a warm and stalwart friend. He gave his political support to the prohibition party. thus indicating his views on the temperance question. HIe held membership in the Christian church, which he joined at the early age of eleven years, and he lived a consistent and upright life, adher- ing to high and noble principles. He died sud- denly January 29. 1905, being struck by a pas- senger train, and in his death the county lost one of its valued and honored citizens, his family a devoted husband and father, and his associates a kind friend.
In Newton county, Indiana. in 1872, Mr. Askew was united in marriage to Miss Emma Griffith, who was likewise a native of England, born in 1853. whence she came with her parents to America in 1856, being a little maiden of only three years. Her father, Thomas Griffith, fol- lowed farming in Indiana, where he owned two hundred acres of land, making his home in that state until he passed away. His widow, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Bartholomew, was born in England and is still living at the very advanced age of ninety-one years. Mrs. Askew was reared and educated in Indiana, where she made her home until her marriage. She is the mother of five children : Cora, who is engaged in teaching school ; Orren E., who operates the old home- stead farm : Arthur, at home ; Myrtle, who is also engaged in teaching ; and Bernice, at home. In 1003 Mr. Askew erected a beautiful residence in Donovan, containing thirteen rooms, supplied with every modern convenience and accessory. Here Mrs. Askew is now residing with her chil- dren, surrounded by a large circle of friends. She is an estimable lady and presides over her pleasant home with gracious hospitality.
ORREN E. AASKEW.
Orren E. Askew, the eldest son of Richard G. and Emma (Griffith) Askew, was born in Beaver township, September 28, 1875. He was reared on the homestead farm, where he remained through- out the period of his boyhood and youth. He at- tended the common schools and later obtained a
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in support of other churches. His co-operation and assistance could always be counted upon to further progressive public movements. He was a gentleman of liberal education and broad mind and became a most loyal American citizen, mani- festing deep attachment for the stars and stripes and for the various institutions of our republican government. In his business life he prospered and to his family he left a valuable property, for there is no better investment than Hlinois farming land.
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