USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 24
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 24
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J. C. Bacon was eleven years of age when his mother died. He then went to live with an uncle, Lawrence Lippert, who resided in Hennepin town- ship, and with whom he resided until he attained his majority. He attended the district schools and later had the advantage of a course in the Illinois State Normal. When twenty-one years of age he came into possession of the old home farm of one hundred and twenty acres by buying out the inter- ests of the other heirs, and he then took up farming on his own account and has added to the place until he now owns three hundred and forty acres of land. The soil is rich and productive and his attention is given to the cultivation of various cereals. Well tilled, the fields bring forth abund- ant harvests and his business is profitably con- ducted. The latest improved machinery facili- tates the work of the fields and he keeps in touch with the progress made along scientific lines for the benefit of the farmer.
Mr. Bacon was married April 12, 1882, to Miss Carrie M. Read, who was born in Henry, Marshall county, a daughter of R. L. and Mary A. (Bro- caw) Read, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. Her father, who has been a carpenter all of his life, is still living in Henry, at the age of eighty-one years. At the time of the gold discov- eries in the west he went to Pike's peak, but for many years he has made his home in this portion of the state and in earlier years was closely asso-
MR. AND MRS. J. C. BACON.
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ciated with building interests. Mrs. Bacon was a student in the public schools of Henry and later attended the State Normal, at Normal, Illinois. She taught school in both Bureau and Putnam counties prior to her marriage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have been born six children: Samuel, Eugene, Ralph, Beryl, Susa and Elsie. All are yet with their parents and Beryl is attending the State Normal. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Henry and the members of the household are prominent in the social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports of good society. Mr. Bacon votes with the republican party. He has served as road commissioner one term and is now serving for the third year as assessor, and he re- gards a public office as a public trust, to the duties of which he is ever most faithful. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Putnam. With little assistance at the outset of his career Mr. Bacon has made steady progress on the highroad to prosperity by utilizing the means at hand and his own abilities to the best advantage. The duty which has come to him each day he has performed and has thus found inspiration and encouragement for the labors of the succeeding day, and the re- wards of honorable labor are now his.
GEORGE LEWIS WABEL.
George Lewis Wabel, deccased, who at one time was connected with the farming interests of Mar- shall county, was born in Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of February, 1865. His parents were Andrew Jackson and Mary Ann (Dean) Wabel, both of whom have passed away, the father having died on the 30th of September, 1904. Following the removal of the family from Pennsylvania to Illinois and the establishment of the family home near Magnolia, George Lewis Wabel pursued his education in what is known as the Dayton school in that locality. When not busy with his text-books he aided his father in the work of the home farm and thus gained practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil. He worked at home until seventeen years of age, when he started out in life on his own account, being employed as a farm hand for about three years. When twenty years of age he rented land, securing one hundred and twenty acres on the north edge of Henry
township. He devoted his time and energies to general farming and stock-raising throughout his remaining days and died upon the Dry Hollow farm-a stock farm-which he was renting and which belongs to Mrs. Law. He lived a life of industry and enterprise, working diligently year after year, and whatever success he achieved and enjoyed was attributable entirely to his own labors.
Mr. Wabel was married on the 22d of February, 1887, in Whitefield township, Marshall county, to Miss Alice Blackburn, a daughter of J. A. and Sarah (Clawson) Blackburn. Her father was at one time a farmer of Whitefield township, but is now living in Henry. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wabel was blessed with four children: Gerald, who was born July 4, 1889; Mildred, born April 4, 1892 ; Marian, born August 2, 1897; and Bernice, born April 29, 1900. Since her husband's death Mrs. Wabel has removed to the farm upon which she now resides and which is being operated under her direction. She is a lady of excellent business ability, executive force and keen discrim- ination and is carefully managing her farming interests, so that they produce a good living for herself and children. Mr. Wabel was a republican in his political affiliation and was recognized as one of the stalwart supporters of the party in his locality. He served as collector of Whitefield township for two terms and at the time of his demise was filling the office of school director and of road commissioner. He led a busy and useful life, and all who knew him respected him for his genuine personal worth, so that his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, not only among his immediate family, but also among his friends, who were many.
A. W. BETTS.
A. W. Betts is living on section 32, Whitefield township, and owns a good farming property com- prising the south half of the southeast quarter of section 32 and also cighty acres constituting the west half of the southwest quarter of section 33. He is one of the native sons of Whitefield town- ship, where his birth occurred on the 3d of Feb- ruary, 1855. His parents were John and Chris- tina (Grift) Betts, both natives of Germany. The father was born in Wurtemberg and came to the United States in 1848, at which time he made
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his way into the interior of the country and took up his abode upon a farm in Whitefield township. His entire life has since been given to general agricultural pursuits and he has long been num- bered among the well known and prominent far- mers of his community. It was after his arrival in this country that he married Christina Grift and unto them have been born six children, of whom four are yet living, namely: A. W., of this review; Margaret, the wife of John Rheinbeck, a resident farmer of Saratoga township; Amy, the wife of Edward Rheinbeck, who carries on farm- ing in La Prairie township; and Henry, who is devoting his energies to general agricultural pur- suits in Whitefield township.
Reared under the parental roof, A. W. Betts early became familiar with the work of the farm and when the labors of the field were finished for the year he would attend the district schools near his father's home. He continued on the old home- stead until he had attained his majority and then began farming on his own account, removing to his present place of residence in Whitefield town- ship. Here has has one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land situated on sections 32 and 33. It responds readily to the care and improve- ment placed upon it, so that he annually harvests good crops. The farm is also improved with mod- ern equipments and in all of his work he is pro- gressive and enterprising, being thoroughly fa- miliar with the best methods of carrying on gen- eral agricultural pursuits.
On the 29th of May, 1878, Mr. Betts was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Doyle, of Saratoga, a daughter of Thomas Doyle, and they are now pleasantly located on their farm in Whitefield township. Mr. Betts is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Sparland lodge, No. 441, A. F. & A. M. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and while he has never been prominent as a politician in the sense of office seeking he served as assessor for Whitefield town- ship in 1904.
JOHN A. KAYS.
On the roll of Putnam county's honored dead we find the name of John A. Kays, who was born on the farm in Magnolia township where his widow now resides, his natal day being March 7, 1851. His father, Henry B. Kays, was a native of In- diana, and from that state removed to Knox coun-
ty, Illinois, but later came to Putnam county, making his home on the farm just mentioned until his death, which occurred in 1877. He left an es- tate of over eight hundred acres. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachel E. Read, was born in Indiana in 1820, and is also now deceased. In their family were seven children, but Mrs. Jane Bobbitt, of Magnolia; M. B. Kays, of Tonica, Illinois; and Mrs. Clara Cole, of Ottawa, are the only ones now living.
During his boyhood John A. Kays attended the district schools near his home and for a time was a student in the old academy at Henry, after which he pursued a business course at Poughkeep- sie, New York. Having thus acquired a good practical education he engaged in teaching school for several years and later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, becoming a most progressive, enterprising and successful farmer. He continued to follow that occupation throughout the remain- der of his life, and at his death, which occurred on the 20th of February, 1906, he left a valuable farm of four hundred and fifty-three acres sup- plied with all modern improvements.
In 1881 Mr. Kays was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Hartenbower, who was born in Put- nam county, and still survives her husband. She is a daughter of Hon. J. H. Hartenbower, who was born in Kentucky in 1828 and died in Wich- ita, Kansas, October 28, 1903. He was at one time a very prominent citizen of Putnam county and was a prosperous farmer. In 1850 he made a trip to California, and after spending some time on the Pacific slope returned east by way of the isthmus of Panama. For twenty years he lived in Kansas, but previous to this time he resided in Iowa and Minnesota, where he served in the legislature. He married Miss Anna A. McCaleb, a native of Put- nam county, whose parents came here in 1832. She died in Iowa in 1867. In their family were seven children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kays were born six children, namely: Victor C., who was for two years a student at Champaign University and was called home by the death of his father and now assists in the operation of the farm. He takes quite an active interest in public affairs, has served as school director and took a prominent part in the consolidation of the three districts into the John Swaney school. Lois L., the next of the family, died at the age of two years. Don- ald J., a graduate of the Northern Illinois Nor-
JOHN A KAYS
1
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mal at De Kalb, is now engaged in teaching in the high school at Rockford. Albert R. is attending school in De Kalb. Mark E. and Lora G. are at home with their mother.
Mrs. Kays and her son, Victor C., now carry on the farm, and are meeting with excellent success in its management. The family is one of prom- inence in the community where they reside,. and wherever known are held in high regard. By his ballot Mr. Kays supported the men and measures of the democratic party and took a very active part in local politics, being at one time the candidate for county judge on his party ticket. He was one of the leading and influential citizens of Magnolia township, and no man in the locality was held in higher esteem.
ROBERT DORAN.
Robert Doran, who after many years of active, honorable and successful connection with the farming interests of Marshall county, is now liv- ing retired in the village of Henry, was born in New Brunswick, March 7, 1844. His father, James Doran, was a native of County Down, Ire- land, and on leaving the place of his nativity re- moved to the Isle of Man, whence he afterward emigrated to New Brunswick. He, too, followed the occupation of farming as a life work. In early manhood he wedded Rebecca Maxwell, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and after liv- ing for some years in New Brunswick they came to Illinois, the father purchasing a farm in La Prairie township, Marshall county. His attention was here given to general agricultural pursuits for a time and he then retired to private life, enjoying throughout his remaining days a well earned rest. He died in 1891 at the age of ninety years, while his wife reached the very advanced age of ninety-six years. In their family were ten children, of whom eight are yet living.
Robert Doran, whose name introduces this re- view, accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois when seven years of age and has spent the greater part of his life in Marshall county. He was reared upon the old homestead farm in La Prairie township and acquired his education there in the district schools. When not busy with his text-books his time was largely occupied with the work of the fields and he continued to assist his father until about twenty years of age, when
in response to the country's need he enlisted at Princeton in 1864 as a member of the One Hun- dred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, with which command he saw active and ardu- ous service until the close of the war. After re- ceiving an honorable discharge he returned to his home in La Prairie township and was again en- gaged in work on his father's farm until twenty- five years of age, when he was married to Miss Amanda Baker, a native of New York. They be- gan their domestic life upon a farm in this county and until his retirement from business cares were continuously identified with agricultural interests in this locality save for the period of three and one-half years spent in Kansas. Mr. Doran went to that state in 1886 with his family and was engaged in general farming there. He now owns four hundred acres of land in Kansas and also has a valuable farm of a quarter section in La Prairie township. These property interests re- turn to him a good income, enabling him to live retired and yet enjoy the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Doran were born six chil- dren, of whom two have passed away. Those still living are: Clarence Howard, a resident of Chillicothe, Illinois; Charles Clifford, who is en- gaged in the undertaking business in Henry; and Robert Clyde and Ira Claude, who are living up- on the home farm in La Prairie township.
Mr. Doran exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republi- can party, with which he has been associated since he attained his majority. His life has been an honorable and upright one, in harmony with his professions as a member of the Methodist church, and in all of his business relations he has been straightforward and honorable, while his duties as a citizen have been promptly met. He is now managing his property interests but otherwise is living retired, occupying a pleasant and attractive home in Henry, while throughout the county wher- ever he is known he is held in warm regard.
JOHN R. BELSLY.
John R. Belsly, living on section 8, Richland township, was born in Deer Creek township, Taze- well county, Illinois, May 29, 1863. His father, Christ Belsly, was a native of Woodford county, this state, and one of the first children born in
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that county. He is now living at the age of seventy years, his home being in Tazewell coun- ty, where after many years of active connection with farm life he is now retired. His farm in Deer Creek township, on which he resides, was purchased about forty years ago. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Schurtz, was born in Butler county, Ohio, and is also living. Of their twelve children nine survive, namely: Mrs. Kate Engel, whose husband is a farmer and bank- er of Eureka, Illinois; Joseph, who is living on the old farm of his grandfather in Woodford coun- ty; John R .; Samuel, who is engaged in the real-estate business at Deer Creek; Mrs. Anna R. Anske, of Lacon; Mrs. Maggie Phillips, of Hen- ry; Mrs. Barbara Chapman, of Deer Creek ; Frank, who is engaged in the banking business in Deer Creek; and Mrs. Emma Davis, of Chilli- cothe, Illinois.
John R. Belsly pursued a district-school educa- tion in his native township and remained upon the old home place until he had attained adult age. He then entered upon his business career as a clerk in a general store, where he was employed for three years, after which he located upon a farm in Richland township, where he resided for ten years. He next purchased his present place, comprising one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 8, Richland township. He likewise has a farm of four hundred and ninety acres on sections 30 and 31 of the same township, so that his landed possessions now aggregate six hundred and ten acres of very valuable property. In con- nection with the tilling of the soil he is engaged extensively in raising stock and both branches of his business are bringing to him a good revenue. Moreover he is connected with the telephone ex- change, having forty phones upon its line.
In 1887 Mr. Belsly was married to Miss. Alma Ross, of Joliet, Illinois, who died in 1895, leaving three children: Roscoe, seventeen years of age; Bruce, who died in 1900; and Mark, twelve years of age. In 1896 was clebrated the marriage of Mr. Belsly and Miss Jennie Chambers, of Rich- land township, Marshall county, a daughter of Charles and Minerva Chambers, the former a far- mer of this county. He is a native of Illinois, while his wife was born in Pennsylvania and in their family were three children. Mr. and Mrs. Belsly also have three children: Frieda and Cleota, who are in school; and Arla. Mr. Belsly
gives his political support to the democracy but casts an independent local ballot. He was elect- ed assessor of Richland township in 1904 and is now filling the office of school director. Whatever tends to benefit the county along lines of material, intellectual and moral progress receives his en- dorsement and co-operation. He is regarded as a most progressive business man and model far- mer and he and his family occupy an enviable social position in the locality where they reside. He has steadily worked his way upward in his business career and his progress has been the legitimate outcome of the concentration of his energies upon the purposes and plans in hand.
JOHN HENRY AUKLAND.
John Henry Aukland, who owns and operates a good farm of one hundred and nine acres on section 20, Whitefield township, is one of the na- tive sons of this township, born on the 18th of June, 1872. His father, Thomas Aukland, was a native of England and when a young man came to the United States, settling first in Ohio, where he lived for a time. He then came to Illinois and took up his abode in Peoria county, where he engaged in farming forty acres of land. About 1841, however, he came to Marshall county, Illi- nois, where he spent his remaining days, passing away about sixteen years ago when sixty-nine years of age. He lived here during an early period in the development and upbuilding of the county and was thus associated with its pioneer interests and progress. His widow, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Blankenship, still sur- vives him and is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Bell, in Henry. In their family were ten children : William, Elizabeth, Mary, James, Martha, Sabinih, Savanah, Charles, Henry and Amanda.
In the district schools John Henry Aukland pursued his education and received ample train- ing at farm labor upon the old homestead where he has continuously resided. He has never desired to engage in other lines of business but has con- centrated his time and energies upon the work of the farm and is today cultivating a valuable tract of land of one hundred and nine acres. The place is rich and arable and the fields yield golden harv- ests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them. Everything about the place is kept in good
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condition and the farmn work is materially ad- vanced through the practical and progressive ef- forts of Mr. Aukland.
In 1893 occurred the marriage of John Henry Aukland and Miss Hattie Newman, a daughter of Captain James Newman. This union has been blessed with five children: Willis, Leslie and Howard, aged respectively twelve, ten and eight years and all now in school; Oliver, four years of age; and Marie, a little daughter one year old. Mr. Aukland votes with the republican party and has served as school director. He belongs to Whitefield camp, No. 1653, M. W. A., and he takes a most active and helpful interest in church work and is serving as superintendent of the Auk- land Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school. All who know him entertain for him warm regard because investigation into his life history indicates his fidelity to high principles.
C. E. SMITH.
C. E. Smith, who is engaged in the grocery business in Henry, was here born on the 15th of September, 1866, his parents being James F. and Margaret M. (Darnall) Smith. The father, a native of Maryland, is a carpenter by occupation and for many years was identified with building operations in Henry, but is now living retired. He wedded Margaret Melvina Darnall, whose an- cestry can be traced back to Henrietta Maria Neal, daughter of Captain James Neal and goddaughter of Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I. of England, for whom she was named. Her first husband was Richard Bennett, Jr., one of the Puritans who founded an asylum in Maryland, and who was the son of Governor Richard Ben- nett. Richard Bennett, Jr., was drowned, leaving two children-Richard Bennett, of Bennett's Point, Queen Anne county, who was said to have been the wealthiest man in Maryland; and Su- sanna Maria Bennett, who became the wife of John Darnall, who died leaving one daughter. Her second husband was Henry Lowe, the ances- tor of Governor Enoch Louis Lowe, by whom she reared a large family of sons and daughters. One daughter, Elizabeth Lowe, married Henry Darnall, Jr., of Portland Manor, and they became the great-grandparents of Mrs. Margaret M. Smith. Her son, Francis Darnall, and his wife Margaret were the grandparents of Mrs. Smith.
When the old courthouse at Portland Manor was destroyed by fire all the records and wills were burned and because of this the father of Mrs. Smith, who was the next heir to Portland Manor, was cheated out of his patrimony. His name was Henry Bennett Darnall and the members of his family were: Francis Henry; Richard Bennett; Nicholas Lowe; one who died in infancy; Mar- garet Melvina, who became Mrs. Smith; and Daw- son Darnall, the last named being so called be- cause Dawson was his mother's maiden name.
C. E. Smith, whose name introduces this rec- ord, was a student in the public schools of Henry and afterward in the district schools of White- field township. He worked upon the home farm to the age of twenty-three years and then came to Henry, where he entered the employ of H. Atkin- son, with whom he remained until 1892. He then purchased a half interest with R. E. Hills in a grocery business, and this relation was maintained for four years, at the end of which time Mr. Smith purchased his partner's interest and has since been alone in the ownership and conduct of the store. He now carries a large and well selected line of goods and has a liberal patronage, being accounted one of the leading merchants of the town.
In 1893 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Lois M. Dunlap, of Whitefield township. They are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Smith is a stalwart republican in his political views. He has served as a member of the bridge board and three times has been chosen alderman from the second ward, in which con- nection he has exercised his official prerogatives in support of many beneficial public measures. His has been a creditable record in both public and private life and in Henry, where the greater part of his time has been passed, he is both widely and favorably known.
ALBERT S. NEWMAN.
Albert S. Newman controls a valuable farm of two hundred acres, situated on section 17, White- field township, belonging to his father. Here he is engaged in tilling the soil and also in raising cattle, which is an important branch of his busi- ness. It was upon this farm that his birth oc- curred on the 13th of July, 1865, his parents being Captain James R. and Mary (Reinbeck)
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Newman. The parents are still living and nine of the children of the family yet survive.
At the usual age Albert S. Newman began his education by attending the district schools of Whitefield township, and when not busy with his text-books liis hours were largely employed at farm labor, so that he early became familiar with the work of field and meadow. He has sought no other occupation as a life work, but has been content to devote his time and energies to general farming. George Washington has said that agriculture is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man. That Mr. Newman leads a busy life is indicated by the splendid appearance of his farm. He has two hundred acres of land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation, so that he annually harvests good crops. He also raises cattle on quite an extensive scale, having good stock upon his place.
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