Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 9

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

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L UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

C.D. Diosway

Mrs C. D. Discosway

OF THE CA.VERSITY CF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

in all the country than in Illinois and thus his property is very valuable. He has made all of the improvements and erected all of the build- ings on his two farms, together with the build- ings at the place where he now resides. These stand as monuments to his thrift, enterprise and labor, and his persistency of purpose and unial- tering diligence constitute the secret of his suc- cess, and enabled him to advance from an humble position to one of affluence. He retired in 1808 and took up his abode at his present home, all- joining the corporation limits of Sheldon. While on the farm he raised cattle, hogs and horses and was widely known as a successful stockman, making a specialty of fine horses.

Mr. Disosway was married January 1, 1884, to Miss Hulda B. Slife, of Huntington county, In- diana, and they have three sons. Mark D. is a graduate of the Sheldon high school and will complete the mechanical engineering course in the University of Illinois with the class of 1907. Dan S. is a graduate of the high school of Shel- don and of the Quincy ( Illinois ) Business Col- lege, and for one year was a student at the State University. Charles Wilbur is now in his second year in the Shellon high school.

Mr. Disosway is a republican, and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is a stalwart advocate of the principles in which he believes. He was elected supervisor of Sheldon township in 1902 and served for one term. lle has been a member of the board of education since taking up his abode in the city and he previously served on the school board while living upon his farm. He is now one of the directors of the Farmers Elevator Company at Sheldon, and in community affairs is deeply interested to the extent of giving hearty support and co-operation to many movements which have direct bearing upon the welfare and upbuilding of the county. He and his wife and their young- est sons are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. The family home is a fine two-story residence. On the place is a large barn and he keeps two horses for driving purposes. There is also much small fruit upon the place. Their home is one of comfort and hospitality, and their friends greatly enjoy the entertainment which is furnished them. Both Mr. and Mrs. Disosway have a large circle of friends who esteem them

highly for their many good qualities. Without special advantages at the outset of his career Mr. Disosway has put due valuation upon life's oppor- timities, has utilized his advantages to the best of his ability and is now enabled to live retired, surrounded by many of the comforts of life and some of the luxuries.

THOMAS J. MCMAHON.

Business records are largely the standards by which men are judged today. This is a utili- tarian age and the prominent man is he who snc- cessfully establishes or controls growing enter- prises which contribute to general development and prosperity in the community in which he lives, An able representative of the business life of Che- banse is Thomas J. McMahon, assistant cashier of the State Bank and a real-estate dealer, and in the control of his interests he has not only shown an aptitude for successful management but also has closely followed methods which neither seek nor require disguise.

His life record began in Chebanse township, October 17, 186 ;. his parents being Michael and Elizabeth ( Maloney ) McMahon. He pursued his education in the public schools of the village, of which he is a graduate and, entering commercial life. he was for three years employed as a clerk in the general store of Hickey Brothers of Chebanse. He afterward went to Chicago, where for two years he was a salesman in the establishment of I. R. Eagle & Company, wholesale and retail grocers, and on the expiration of that period he returned to his native township, where he en- gaged in farming until March, 1803. In March. 1803. he took charge of the general store of Mrs. Porter in Chebanse ard served as manager for ten years. When that decade had passed he turned his attention to the real-estate and insur- ance business, in which line he has since been very successful, negotiating annually many im- portami realty transfers and at the same time writing a large amount of insurance each year. In October, too, he closed the largest deal in real estate ever consummated in the county the sale of five hundred and thirty-seven acres of land in Chehanse township, for which sixty-two thou-

PAST AND PRESENT OF

sand dollars cash was paid. His commissions, because of the number and magnitude of his sales. have been large and gratifying and he has made judicious investment in property. so that he now owns a good farm near Heron Lake, Minnesota, together with a house and lot in Chebanse. He also holds forty shares in the State Bank of Che- banse. in which he is filling the office of assistant cashier. He was the organizer of this institution, which is proving of great value in the business life of the town.

Mr. McMahon is recognized as one of the lead- ers in the local ranks of democracy and in 1892 he served as tax collector in Otto township, Kan- kakee county, Illinois, while living upon the farm. In 1902-1903 he was collector of taxes in Chebanse township. He served as a member of the village council for six years and at the present writing is a member of the central com- mittee of Chebanse township. He keeps thor- oughly informed concerning the questions and is- sues which divide the two great parties and is in thorough sympathy with those political ideas and plans which constitute the platform of democracy.

Mr. McMahon is identified with various frater- nal and civic societies, belonging to Modern Woodmen camp, No. 994, of Chebanse, to St. Mary's Court, No. 485, of the Catholic Order of Foresters at Chebanse, to the Royal Arcanum at Chicago, to the Knights of Columbus at Bour- bonnais Grove, Illinois, to the Illinois Central Land Agents Association and to St. Mary's and Joseph's Catholic church of Chebanse. In these different organizations he has won warm friend- ship of many who recognize his genuine persona! worth as well as his business ability and his public spirit.

THOMAS JOHN.

The name of John has figured in connection with the history of this county for a period equalled by few, for when Indians still inhabited this section of the state, when the homes of the white settlers were very widely scattered and the work of developing the land for the uses of civilization had scarcely begun, Lemuel John, father of our subject. took up his abode in Mil- ford township, and the work which he instituted

is now being carried forward by Thomas John,. who is justly accounted one of the leading agri- culturists of the county.

Lemuel John, a native of Adams county, Ohio, was born May 8, 1807, and was a son of Thomas and Nancy John. His childhood and youth were spent in the usual manner of farm lads of that period and locality and, while he had the oppor- tunity of attending the common schools, his advantages in that direction were somewhat lim- ited, because of the inferior condition of the schools at that time. Thinking that it would not be so difficult to obtain a farm upon the frontier, yet realizing fully the hardships and difficulties which he would meet in a pioneer lo- cality, Lemuel John came to Iroquois county when twenty-four years of age, and entered a claim from the government. This was in 1831, and his land lay in Milford township. He at once began to develop the farm, which up to this time was entirely destitute of improvements and after living upon the place for some years he sold out to Mr. Vennum and removed to Bel- mont township. In the latter township, about 1836, he married Miss Catherine Williamson, a native of Adams county, Ohio, and they became the parents of three sons and two daughters: William, who died in childhood ; Sarah, the wife of George Wilson, of Nebraska : Nancy, the wife of Robert Clifton, a resident farmer of Ash Grove township: Thomas; and Samuel, who is living retired in Woodland. . As the years passed Mr. John reared his family and carried on the work of the farm, advancing by reason of his intense and well directed industry from a humble financial position to one of affluence. In the early days the family endured all the hardships, privations and trials incident to the establish- ment of a home upon the frontier, and at the time of the Black Hawk war, they were forced to flee to the fort in Danville for protection. The father died in Belmont township, November 30, 1847, at the age of forty-one years, while the mother survived until the 10th of May, 1867.

The old homestead farm in Belmont township was the birthplace of Thomas John and his natal day was October 20, 1841. His environ- ment in youth was such as is usually met on the frontier. When but a small boy he began work in the fields, for he lost his father when only

THOMAS JOHN.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

six years of age, and as his years and strength increased more and more of the work of the farm devolved upon him and when still quite young he assumed its entire management. With the assistance of his mother be carried on the farm and attended to all of the business interests. Hle has never sought to change his occupation but has always carried on the work of the fields and also raised stock. Hle owns today four hundred and forty-five acres of valuable land. A commodious and attractive residence and sub- stantial barns, sheds and cribs are leading fca- tures of the place and the farm is one of the desirable properties of Belmont township, with its richly cultivated fields and good grades of stock.

On the 23d of October. 1867. Mr. John was united in marriage. in Milford township, to Miss Elizabeth V. Webster. a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Robert and Mary J. Webster, who came with their family to Illinois from Indiana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John were born six children. Elizabeth V .. the wife of Guy Davis, was for some time prior to her marriage a successful teacher. She died at the age of thirty-one years. leaving two children, Lavern and Elizabeth. The oldest living member of the family is Cath- erine Edith, now the wife of Isaac Kirby. a resident farmer of Scotland county, Missouri. Lillian, who also engaged in teaching. is the wife of Ed Hawk, a farmer of Iroquois town- ship. Eloise is the wife of Louis Benson, a farmer of Belmont township, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Sarah Mand is the wife of C. A. Long, a railroad contractor at Dayton, Ohio, Lemuel C., a graduate of Onar- ga Seminary, is operating the home farm. The mother died March 30. 1891. at the age of forty- five years and Mr. John and his son Lemuel em- ploy a housekeeper to take care of the home.

With the exception of one year spent in the Idaho gold-fickls. Mr. John has continuously re- sided in Iroquois county, and the pioneer home of the family, a log cabin of a typical character, is now in possession of the Old Settlers' Association of Watseka. He has cleared land and split rails for fences. The old homestead stood on Sugar creek and as was the custom in pioneer times. the cabin was built near the water. They suf- fered much from fever and agne rather than

brave the winters on the prairies The work of development and cultivation has been carried forward with the advancing years according to modern ideas of agricultural progress. There is today fifteen hundred rods of tile on the place and the farm is well fenced and equipped with the latest improved machinery.

Mr. John is a stanch advocate of the demoe- racy but votes independently at local elections. He served his township as highway commis- sioner for seven years and was school director and trustee for over twenty years. He i a valued member of the Odd Fellows society, at Woodland, and the Masonic lodge, at Watseka. and is trustee of the Woodland Methodist Epis- copal church. His life has been characterized by honorable principles and manly conduct. by faithfulness to duty in friendship and by trust- worthiness in his business. The family name has ever been a respected one of this county. where from the earliest period in the develop- ment of the locality, the name has been known. The life record of Thomas John is in harmony with that of others of the name and as a repre- sentative citizen we present his record to our readers.

JOHN D. WEBSTER.

John D. Webster is one of the active business men of Woodland, where he is engaged in deal- ing in grain, lomber and coal. He has thus been identified with the interests of the town for the past four years and previously he was classed with the prosperous farmers of Milford township for more than four decades. His long residence in the county makes him one of its old settlers for here he has lived since 1861. Mr. Webster was born in Ireland and came to the new world with his father and his family, settling first in Ohio, while subsequently they removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, locating near Crawfordsville. In 1801 they came to Iroquois county, Illinois, and the father purchased a farmi upon which he spent his remaining days, passing away on the old home place on the 24th of Octo- ber. 1901 llis wife had died some years be- fore.

PAST AND PRESENT OF

John D. Webster, whose name introduces this review. was but a young lad when brought to the United States, and in Indiana he was reared. He received only common-school advantages and re- mained with his father until his death. His train- ing at farm labor was not meager, for at an early age he began work in the fields and soon became familiar with all of the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. As the years passed by he took charge of the farm and busi- ness and in due course of time succeeded to the old homestead, comprising three hundred and six- ty acres of rich land, in the midst of which stands a good residence and substantial barns and outbuildings. He has tiled the place and thus added to its productiveness, and fenced the fields. while several artesian wells furnish an exhaustive supply of flowing water for the stock. At one time he was also the owner of a farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres two and a half miles west of Milford. Later he sold that place and in 1902 he put aside the more active work of the fields and removed to Woodland, where he purchased the elevator, lumberyard and coal business. Ile has been quite successful as a mer- chant and has secured a liberal patronage here which makes his trade a profitable one.

Mr. Webster was married in 1877 to Miss Ella Williamson, who was born and reared here and died February 13. 1884. There were four children by that union, three sons and a daughter : Nellie Grace, a graduate of the state normal school and now a teacher in the public schools of Decatur, Illinois : Robert B., who is now con- nected with mining interests in Arizona : John Wesley, who is the manager of the grain and lumber business for his father : and George, who is married and carries on the home farm. After losing his first wife Mr. Webster was again married, when in Milford township, in 1891. he wedded Miss Mary E. Goodyear, who was also born and reared in Iroquois county. There are four children of this union, of whom three are living : Alice Mabel. Jennie D. and Mary Helen. They also lost one child, Olive G.

Mr. Webster affiliates with Watseka 'odgc. A. F. & A. M., and is in thorough sympathy with the teachings and tenets of the craft. He is un- faltering in his advocacy of republican principles, believing that the party platform contains the

best elements of good government. When on the farm he served as district clerk for thirty years and he is a stanch advocate of the public schools. He is highway commissioner in Wood- land. and has been re-elected. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor. He has been practical in all that he has undertaken, working toward results that are gratifying, and in his business life has manifested a spirit of devotion to wearisome details, without which success can never be achieved.

EDWARD ELMING.

Although born in Sweden in 1863. Mr. Elming was brought by his parents, Andrew and Bertha (Anderson) Elming, to the United States when he was two years of age, and with the exception of about a decade has resided in Iroquois county since that time. Coming to America in 1866, the father located in Beaver township. Iroquois county and in 1874 purchased a farm of eighty acres on section 14. He developed and cultivated the farm, made all of the improvements upon the place and followed farming and stock-raising there throughout his active business career. His family numbered a daughter and two sons, name- ly: Mrs. Emma Swanson ; Edward, whose name introduces this record; and Albert, deccased. The wife and mother has also passed away.

As stated. Mr. Ehning was brought to Amer- ica in 1866, being then but two years of age. He was here reared and educated, remaining with his parents until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Kansas, and later to Chicago, Illi- nois, where he worked for one year at the under- taking business. Ile then engaged in the gro- cery business, which he followed for nine years, after which he came again to Iroquois county and took up his abode on the old homestead farm, which he rented and operated for three years. He then bought an improved farm of eighty acres on section 14. Beaver township, and in ad- dition to the cultivation of his own land he leases a tract of eighty acres from his father, thus culti- vating altogether a traet of one hundred and sixty acres. In addition to raising the cereals

IROQUOIS COUNTY ILLINOIS

best adapted to wil and climate he thewire en gages in the raising of cattle and less.

It was during his residence in theage that Mr. Elming net and married Miss Mirne Fes- ter, a resident of that city, their marriage In celebrated in 1805. They have Income the par ents of two children, both still under the parental ref. these being Albert Foster and Aura this tine.

Mr. Elming's study of the current topics and events of the day has led him to give his sup- port to the prohibition party. His religions faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee and the secretary. while in the Sunday-school he is now acting as superintendent. Mr. Elming and his family are highly esteemed in the community where they re- side and are prominent in church and social circles.

DAVID L. PARKER.

David L. Parker, who became a resident of Iroquois county in 1876 and made his home here until his death in 1889, became closely associated with agricultural and manufacturing interests and in his business career manifested those traits and qualifications which contribute to general commercial progress as well as to individual suc- cess. All who knew him and his friends were many-respected him and thus his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. Born in Jefferson. Indiana. December 23. 1844. he was a son of Samuel and Lydia (Adelott ) Parker. both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. whence they removed to Indiana at an early day. The father purchased a large tract of land near Jefferson, where he engaged in general farming until his death, which occurred when he was at the comparatively early age of thirty eight years. His widow also died there.

Having mastered the branches of learning taught in the common schools, David L. Parker continued his education in the high school of Jefferson and was thus well qualified for the practical and responsible duties of business life. As his parents died when he was quite young he was reared by his uncle. David Parker, upon a farm near Linden, Indiana, and from him re- age of twenty-two years, was the wife of Dr.

I wenthe with and the martian den . latter part i the war, when about weiter of age. David 1. Parker. . itwww ... in the Chic Hin rol and IErty tinh be Regin ent, with which he served for a short the Hi- company was I to engagements lot whe they were in the sith Mr. Parker was taken ill and did not recover his health will after h . return home. He was honorably Fischargel at Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1865.

Following the close of hostilities be located in Lafayette. Indiana, where he begar the newu facture of brooms ard while residing there he wa. married. He welded Miss Eva Funket, a 1 .. tive of that state and a daughter of Wilham and Angeline (Gould) Tankes, the former a native of Canada and the latter of the state of Veu York. Mr. Turkey removed to Lafayette. In- diana, at an early day and there engaged in the grocery business for many years or until his death, while Mrs. Funket ched at the host of her son, at Ash Girose, Illinois.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Parker resided in Lafayette for three years and in 1870 removed to Iroquois county. He began farming on what is known as the old Janes farm, cast of Watseka, where he resided for two years, al then took up his abode on a farm near Crescent City in this counts, where he continued in active agricultural pursuits for a few years, but failing health caused him to abandon that line of work and he removed to Watcha. brating in the west ern part of the town, where he agam engaged in the manufacture of browns. He employed several men and did an extensive business in that line. continuing in the trade throughout the re mainder of his life.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parker were born five children : Harry c., who married Myrtle Davis and resides in Warschau is one of the leading business men of the town, being the senior part- Her in the retail shoe store of Parker & Ash. He is also engaged in the realestate and insurance business, Charles IL who married Miss Holen Henning, is manager for the Bell Telephone Com- pais, at Wantschat. Laura I ... who died at the

PAST AND PRESENT OF

Fred E. Corless, a dentist of Chicago. Fred, who resides with his mother, is a rural mail car- rier. Robert, also at home, is connected with the telephone business in Watseka. The first death in the family was that of the husband and father, who passed away June 16. 1889, and he was laid to rest by the Grand Army Post of Wat- seka, of which he was a valued member. He was always very much interested in political questions and gave stalwart allegiance to the republican party. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. For ten years Mr. Parker was in ill health but he con- tinued in business to the last, and the persever- ance, energy and enterprise which he displayed in his business affairs won him the admiration and respect of all. In his death the community lost a good citizen, his associates a faithful friend and his family a devoted husband and father. who always reserved the best traits of his char- acter for his own fireside. Mrs. Parker now owns a nice residence at 502 North Third street, where she and her two sons reside.

DAVID BRUMBACK.

David Brumback, supervisor of Danforth township, is serving for the twenty-fourth year in that office and is the present chairman of the board of Iroquois county. No higher testi- monial of his capability and trustworthiness could be given than the fact that he has been so long continued in this office, and the county numbers him among its leading and valued resi- dents. He makes his home on section 20, Dan-

forth township, where he owns a half section of valuable land and elsewhere in the county he has fine farms, his possessions aggregating over six hundred acres of land. He is still interested in the care of grass lands but leases some of his till- able land and from this he derives a gratifying income.

Mr. Brumback is one of the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Sangamon county, August 31, 1832. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth ( Pitzer) Brumback, who came to Illinois from Newark. Licking county.

Ohio, and settled in Ottawa, La Salle county, in 1829. The father was born in the Shenandoah valley. Virginia, and removing to Ohio at an early date, made his home in Licking county, where he was married. The journey westward to Illinois was made with an ox train with a party of twenty-nine pioneer families, only one of whom is now living,-Jesse Green, of Ottawa. They drove through Iroquois county and took up their abode in La Salle county. During the Indian troubles Henry Brumback, like many other settlers, took his family to Sangamon coun- ty because of the more numerous population there that offered better protection against the red man and there it was that David Brumback first opened his eyes to the light of day. When the danger from the Indian outbreak was over his parents returned to La Salle county and lived about nine miles east of Ottawa until they were called to their final home. The old homestead is now in possession of two of the brothers of our subject. As soon as the land came into market the father secured claims, paying a dollar and a quarter per acre for his homestead, and as the years passed he converted the property into richly productive fields and assisted materially in the substantial development and improvement of the locality in which he made his home. His death ocurred June 24. 1885, when he had reached the age of eighty-three years, three months and thirteen days, for he was born on the IIth of March, 1802. His wife, whose birth oc- curred in Licking county, Ohio, August 11, 1805, passed away September 19, 1869.

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Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 9

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