USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 30
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 30
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gunn have been born fifteen children. Joel C., who was born December 1, 1840, was married and removed to Iowa, where he died about two years ago. Francis E., born November 30, 1842, died in infancy. Amos D., born March 14, 1843, is married and has a fam- ily and follows carpentering at Index, Washing- ton. Levi P. died at the age of thirteen months. Fannie Ellen, born January 27, 1846, is the wife of Baxter A. Dickinson, a resident of Chicago. Lucy Caroline, born June 28, 1847, is the wife of Charles Ware, a resident of Downs, Kansas. Mary A., born December 1, 1849, became the wife of Beecher Newport, a resident of Granville town- ship, and died February 22, 1883. Luther H., who was born November 24, 1851, died January 24, 1852. Esther Eveline, born October 31, 1853, is the wife of C. H. Van Wormer, of California.
Sarah E., born April 1, 1856, is the wife of Lyman Parmalee, of Osborne City, Kansas. Ellen T. is the wife of James Packingham, of Granville. Delia M. died in infancy. Henry D., born April 1, 1863, is now living at Startup, Washington. Nellie Louise is at home. Clara P. is the wife of George Sucher, an attorney at law of Peoria.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Gunn have been church members from early life. They assisted in organ- izing the Presbyterian church at Union Grove in 1839 and attended services there when rough planks were used as seats. All the work for that church was donated and the brick was made on the ground. At length there occurred a division in the church and Mr. and Mrs. Gunn joined the Wesleyan Methodist church, but are now members and regular attendants at the Congregational church and Sunday-school in Granville, while their daughter Nellie has been leader of the choir for several years. Mr. Gunn has been a republican since the formation of the party, and has also frequently voted the prohibition ticket. He has served as school director, but otherwise has held no office, nor has he desired political preferment. He is the oldest man in Putnam county, while his wife, who is eighty-four years of age, is the second oldest lady so far as known. Both are well pre- served mentally and physically, enjoying fair health, while both have good memorics. They can relate many interesting incidents of the early pioneer times, and, like most of the other settlers of the period, they came to the middle west empty handed and had a hard struggle to establish a home and gain a start in life here. They were cut off from the advantages of the older east, owing to the lack of railroad facilities, and they experienced all the privations and hardships in- cident to the settlement of the frontier; but they possessed the courageous spirit characteristic of those who founded this great commonwealth, and in Putnam county they soon became widely and favorably known and are justly deserving of prom- inent mention in this volume.
TOBIAS WHITMER.
Tobias Whitmer lives on section 26, Whitefield township, where he is engaged in farming and also in the manufacture of brick. He is, moreover, entitled to representation in this volume from the fact that he was one of the veterans of the
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Civi! war. His birth occurred in Niagara county, New York, April 5, 1842, his parents being Ab- raham and Elizabeth (Hare) Whitmer. The father was a native of Langston, Pennsylvania, and in early life learned and followed the milling business. He also engaged in farming for many years. In 1853 he removed from New York to Illinois, settling in Will county, Illinois, and his remaining days were devoted to general agricul- tural pursuits. He died about twenty years ago. His wife, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, died twenty-two years ago. In their family were eleven children, but only five now survive, name- ly: Mrs. Sarah Shaw, a resident of Canada ; Sam- uel, who follows farming in Iowa; Abraham, who is living retired in Steuben county, Illinois, and Jacob, who is located in Pueblo, Colorado. The other living member of the family is Tobias Whit- mer of this review, who was a young lad of about eleven years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from the east to Illinois. He pur- sued his education in the public schools of Joliet and in early manhood, his patriotic spirit being aroused, he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union and enlisted as a private of Company I, Forty-seventh Illinois infantry. He enrolled at Henry, having come to this city during the war times. With his command he went to the front and participated in a number of important engagements. Throughout the great- er part of his life Mr. Whitmer has engaged in general agricultural pursuits and is now a farmer of Whitefield township, living on section 26, where he rents forty acres of land from Timothy Hunt. He is also engaged in the manufacture of brick, having a plant for this purpose upon the farm.
Mr. Whitmer was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah Porch, of Illinois, and unto them have been born eight children: Mrs. Ida Dwyer, living in Whitefield township; Mrs. Della Nightsonger, a resident of Sparland; Mrs. Lulu Dwyer, whose home is in Bureau county; Mrs. Clara Niles, a resident of Sparland; Mrs. Pearl Steele; Floyd, Harold and Homer, all at home.
Mr. Whitmer votes with the prohibition party and is a stanch advocate of the cause of temper- ance. He believes this to be one of the most im- portant questions before the people of the country today and he does everything in his power to in- culcate among those with whom he comes in con-
tact an opposition to the liquor traffic. He and his family are members of the United Brethren in Christ and he is one of the ministers of the church giving much of his life to Christian work. He has led an active and useful life, upright and honorable, and his influence has ever been for good, being strongly exerted in behalf of justice and truth and also for the best development and progress of the county.
JOSEPH ZIEGLER.
Joseph Ziegler, deceased, was at one time promi- nently identified with farming interests in Mar- shall county and his record was one worthy of emulation and commendation, showing what could be accomplished by determination and hon- orable purpose. He was born in Baden, Germany, February 17, 1840, and spent the first seventeen years of his life in the land of his nativity, there acquiring a good education. Investigation into business conditions and careful consideration of the outlook before him in his native land led him to seek a home in the new world and in 1857 he crossed the Atlantic. He did not tarry on the seaboard, but made his way at once into the interior of the country and settled in Mar- shall county, Illinois, where he was first employed at farmi labor, but he was ambitious to engage in farming on his own account and as soon as his work had brought him a little capital he rented a farm in Putnam county. He afterward removed to High Prairie and secured four hundred acres of land in' Saratoga township. This extensive farm was the visible proof of his life of industry and enterprise and for many years he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits, carefully tilling the soil and bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation, so that he annually harvested rich crops. He also added good buildings to the place and supplied it with all modern equipments and accessories.
On the 13th of February, 1865, Mr. Ziegler was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Thomas, a native of Prussia, Germany, who was eight years of age when she was brought to America by her parents, Peter and Eva (Bocoh) Thomas. Her father was a farmer by occupation and both her parents are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler were born fourteen children, thirteen of whom are yet living: Peter, who resides in Mis-
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souri; Michael, who follows farming in Saratoga township; Kate, the wife of Peter Swartz, of Oklahoma ; Charles, Joseph and William, who are operating the home farm; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Barney Swartz; George, who is living at McNabb, Illinois ; Frank, who is farming in Saratoga town- ship; John, who resides in Henry; Louis, upon the home farm; Amelia, at home; Matilda, who is a clerk in the Watercott store in Henry; and one who died when sixteen months old.
In his political affiliation Mr. Ziegler was a stalwart democrat, thoroughly in sympathy with the principles and policy of the party. He filled the office of school director for sixteen years and was road commissioner for twelve years. He held membership in the Catholic church and was ever faithful to its teachings. After many years of active and successful connection with farming operations he at length put aside business cares and removed to Henry, but scarcely had settled down in his new home when he was called from this life on January 8, 1903. He had become widely known in the county and many friends mourned his loss. He was a self-made man, whose prosperity came as the direct reward of diligence, enterprise and laudable ambition and his history may well serve as a source of inspira- tion and encouragement to others.
CHAUNCEY CURTIS BARNES.
Chauncey Curtis Barnes, whose life record cov- ered fifty-eight years, the entire period of which was spent in Marshall county, left at his death an untarnished name and a memory that is still cherished by all who knew him. He was born on the old homestead farm on section 27, Whitefield township, April 17, 1847, a fact which indicates that the family was established here in pioneer times. His father, Chauncey W. Barnes, was a native of Massachusetts and was reared to the occupation of farming, which he made his life work. He came to the state in 1836 and made purchase of the farm now owned by Mrs. Chaun- cey C. Barnes and son, thereon spending his re- maining days. He lived there with his son and daughter-in-law for thirty years following the death of his wife. Mrs. Barnes bore the maiden name of Sally B. Martin and was a native of Connecticut. Unto them were born four children but only two are now living: George M., whose
home is in Webb City, Missouri; and Charles L., who resides in Pattonsburg, Missouri. The mother died in 1872 and the father survived her for three decades, during which time he made his home with his son Chauncey and his wife until his demise, which occurred in March, 1902. He performed the arduous task of developing a new place in the early years of his residence here, con- verting wild prairie land into richly cultivated fields. His life was one of untiring activity and enterprise and his success was well merited. When he passed away the county lost one of its venerable citizens and worthy pioneer residents. Both he and his wife were members of the Chris- tian church and their lives exemplified their re- ligious faith.
Chauncey Curtis Barnes at the usual age began his education in the district schools of Whitefield township and therein mastered the branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. Af- ter leaving school he gave his entire attention to the work of the home farm, with which he had previously become familiar during the periods of vacation, and when some years had passed he relieved his father of the management and care of the property and remained an enterprising and progressive agriculturist of the community up to the time of his death. Many substantial improvements were made upon the farm, includ- ing the erection of good buildings, while modern farm machinery was secured to facilitate the work of the fields. Neatness and thrift characterize the entire place and give evidence of the care and supervision of the former owners.
On the 6th of January, 1870, Mr. Barnes was united in marriage in Lacon to Miss Mary C. Kirk, a native of Peoria county, Illinois, the wedding ceremony being performed by Rev. J. Curtis of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Barnes is a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Erwin) Kirk, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. In their family were four children, all of whom are yet living, namely: James Madison, who is a contractor and builder residing in Montezuma, Iowa; Matilda Ann, the wife of A. A. Earl, of Chicago; Mary C., now Mrs. Barnes; and Mrs. Ella K. Hackett, who is living with her sister Mary.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barnes were born a daugh- ter and two sons, but Netta Belle Barnes, born in 1871, died in 1872. Charles Curtis, who married
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Edith Hadley, of Chicago, died in June, 1905, at the age of thirty-two years. He was a druggist of Chicago, having graduated from the Chicago College of Pharmacy. James Madison, who wedded Jessie Tanner, of Sparland, Illinois, is now living with his mother upon the home place and operates the farm.
Just after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Barnes located on his father's farm adjoining the pres- ent place, but in 1871 took up their abode upon the farm on section 27, Whitefield township, which is now the home of the widow and son. Here for thirty-four years Mr. Barnes gave his time and energies to agricultural pursuits, carefully cultivating and superintending his place and manifesting in his labors the progressive spirit of the times. He always kept in touch with mod- ern agricultural progress and his labors were therefore the source of a gratifying success. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes resided in Henry for fifteen years, and during that time he was engaged in the dairy business. He was a member of the Whitefield Baptist church and was a republican in his political views but was never ambitious for office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He was ill throughout his last year and he passed away in Chicago, Decem- ber 1, 1905, after which his remains were brought back to Marshall county and laid to rest in Hen- ry cemetery. Having always lived in this county he had a wide acquaintance in Whitefield town- ship and other localities and his many sterling traits of character were recognized and honored by his fellow men. He had a kindly manner and cordial disposition that gained him many friends and he was known as a straightforward, reliable business man. He left his family well provided for, for his farm was a valuable tract of one hun- dred and ninety acres. This is now in posses- sion of the widow and son, the latter operating the farm, which is one of the well improved prop- erties of Whitefield township.
HENRY L. WHITE.
Henry L. White, for many years an honored and respected representative of the farming in- terests of Hennepin township, Putnam county, now practically living retired, has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey. He was born at Norton, Bristol county, Massachusetts, March 17, 1826, his parents being Hiram P. and Mary (Carpenter) White. The family comes of English ancestry and the line can be traced back to Pere-
grine White, thic first white child born in America. The grandfather of our subject was a major of the Revolutionary war and did valiant service in behalf of the cause of independence.
Hiram P. White belonged to a family that for many years was closely associated with the foundry business and he was also thus engaged in the east together with the work of manufacturing combs. When a boy of seventeen years he desired to come to Illinois with a friend, a Mr. Wiswall, but parental authority intervened and the opportunity of seeking a home in the Prairie state did not again present itself until after his marriage, when he brought his family to Illinois in 1833. He shipped his goods from Providence, Rhode Island, by way of New Orleans to Jacksonville, Illinois, where Mr. Wiswall was then living, but the goods did not arrive for a year and a half, having been detained at St. Louis, Missouri, from which place they were forwarded to Hennepin. Mr. Wiswall advised Mr. White to come to Putnam county, where he had a friend, Mr. Leeper, living, so after a brief stay in Jacksonville Mr. White visited Mr. Leeper, who was residing in the vicinity of Hen- nepin and within two miles of the present home farm of Henry L. White. The village at that time contained only two frame houses. A week previous to Mr. White's arrival William Fairfield had come to Putnam county from Massachusetts, and as his wife was homesick, he sent for Mr. White and his family. The two gentlemen took up claims to- gether, buying land from Mr. Patterson, whose home stood on the present site of the residence of our subject. There had been four or five acres broken on the place, which was said to be the first plowing done in the county. A log cabin, which had no floor during the entire winter of 1833-4, was built, and as the household goods did not arrive the White family were not very comfortably situated through that first winter. Prairie chick- ens constituted their principal meat and they dried the breasts for 'summer use, while their bread was largely made of corn. Mr. White's cash capital on his arrival in this county consisted of but twelve dollars, and during the first year the family en- dured many privations and hardships incident to life on the frontier. In the following year, how- ever, a crop was raised and its sale enabled them to do away with many of the difficulties of a fron- tier existence. In later years the family were en- abled to enjoy the comforts and many of the lux- uries of life, Mr. White prospering in his under-
MR. AND MRS. H. L. WHITE.
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takings. He passed away April 1, 1870, on the anniversary of his birth, which occurred on the 1st of April, 1800, while his wife survived for about five years. They had traveled life's journey to- gether for more than a half century, and they were most hospitable people, never turning any one away who asked for food or shelter. One night sixteen persons were sleeping in their log cabin when a man on horseback rode up and asked to stay all night. He was made welcome and slept on the floor with his saddle for a pillow.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. White were born but two sons, the elder being Hiram W. White, who was three years the senior of Henry L. and who died in Streator, Illinois, about three years ago. The parents were both active and prominent workers in the Methodist Episcopal church, and in their cabin in 1834 a class was formed, consisting of three other members-Dr. Richey and wife, who lived at Florid, and Miss Betsy Carpenter, a half- sister of Mrs. White, who lived with her and later became the wife of John P. Hays. For about two years serviees were held at the White cabin, at the end of which time a church was erected in Henne- pin, to which Mr. White was a liberal contributor, and during his entire life he continued to serve as class-leader and steward. His early political al- legiance was given the whig party and he joined the republican party on its organization and was called upon to serve as school commissioner and coroner.
Henry L. White was a lad of seven summers when he accompanied his parents on their emi- gration to what was then the far west. The Black Hawk war had occurred only the year be- fore and the Indians still lingered in some sections of the state, while much of the land was still unclaimed and uncultivated. The experiences of the pioneer soon became familiar to him and he remained upon the home farm after attaining his majority, while his brother owned land in Gran- ville township, but for twenty years they carried on operations in partnership. In connection with general farming they also engaged in threshing and reaping, owning one of the first reapers brought to the county. Later the brother sold out and removed to Putnam, while subsequently he became a resident of Streator. Mr. White added eighty acres to the old homestead and now owns a valuable tract of land of one hundred and sixty-five acres, which is under a high state
of cultivation and is well improved with substan- tial buildings. Upon this farm he still resides, and his niece and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. F. P. Hamm, reside with him, the former operating the farm, while Mrs. Hamm acts as housekeeper. For a quarter of a century Mr. White has been inter- ested in the lumber and coal business at Hennepin, becoming connected with George C. Reed in this enterprise under the firm style of White & Reed, the junior partner being the active manager of the business.
When about thirty years of age Mr. White was married to Miss Fannie A. White, a cousin, and a native of Norton, Massachusetts, who came to Putnam county in 1849. Two daughters were born to them, Cora and Carrie, but both died in childhood, and Mrs. White passed away June 15, 1896. She was a member of the Congregational church and was greatly interested in various church activities, so that her death proved a great loss to the church and the community as well as to her husband, with whom she had so long trav- eled life's journey happily.
Since the organization of the republican party Mr. White has been one of its stanch champions and has frequently attended its conventions. For eight years he served as coroner and for three years was supervisor in his township. He, too, belongs to the Congregational church of Henne- pin, in which he served for twenty-five years as treasurer. His life has indeed been an exem- plification of the Christian spirit, and there is probably not a more temperate man in every way in the county. He has never used liquor nor tobacco and for many years has used neither tea nor coffee. As a man he lias endeavored to follow the golden rule, being thoroughly reliable in his business affairs and often tempering the attitude of justice with that of mercy. Those qualities which work for righteous living and for the de- velopment of upright character have long been manifest in his career, and now, in the evening of his days, he can look back over the past without regret, being one of the most respected and ven- erable citizens of Putnam county.
CHARLES MOTTER.
Charles Motter is engaged in the livery business in Henry, his native city, where his birth oc- curred in 1864. His father, George Motter, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1829 and died in
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1892 at the age of sixty-two years. He came to Illinois in 1858, settling in Henry. He was a man of broad and liberal education and before his removal to this city engaged in the practice of dentistry. Here he established an office and for years was the only dentist of Henry. He became very prominent in his profession and had an ex- tensive patronage. His political allegiance was given to the democracy. He married Martha Dun- lap, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, who is now living at MeNabb, Putnam county, Illinois, at the age of eighty-one years and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In their family were the following named: Gertrude, the wife of George B. Hewitt, a carpenter of Henry; Edgar, who died, leaving a widow and three children ; George Arthur, a practicing dentist of Henry; Stella, the wife of Thomas Wabel, who follows farming near McNabb, Illinois; and Charles.
The last named pursued his education in the public schools of Henry and in the periods of va- cation devoted his attention to farm labor. For several years after leaving school he was engaged in general agricultural pursuits and then embarked in the livery business in Henry, in which he still continues. He has well appointed stables, keeping a number of good horses and a fine line of vehicles, and his earnest desire to please his patrons has secured to him a large and growing trade.
In 1899 was celebrated the marriage of Charles Motter and Miss Katherine Culligan, of Henry. She is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church. Mr. Motter holds membership with the Mystic Workers and is a stalwart democrat, recognized as a leader in the local ranks of his party. He has served as constable, as city marshal, as road com- missioner and as deputy sheriff and in these vari- ous offices has discharged his duties with a prompt- ness and fidelity that have won him uniform re- spect and commendation.
JAMES SMITH.
James Smith is one of the venerable citizens of Marshall county, having attained the age of eighty-one years. He is, moreover, one of the most extensive landowners of the county, his possessions aggregating sixteen hundred acres. His extensive holdings are the visible evidence of a life of thrift and enterprise, for all that he possesses has come to him as the reward of his energy and perseverance. He was born in Dum-
friesshire, Scotland, May 9, 1825. His father, William Smith, was likewise a native of Dum- friesshire, and was married in that country to Miss Wilmina Scott, who was also born there. He came to the United States in 1840 and estab- lished a home in Steuben township, Marshall county, but afterward removed to Peoria county, where Mr. Smith carried on general farming. He voted with the republican party, and died in 1843. His widow survived, and died in 1882 at the home of her son Andrew when she was eighty years of age. In the family were three sons and one daughter: William, now a retired farmer living in Sparland; James, of this re- view; Andrew, who was born in 1827 and died at the home of his brother James in 1891; and Mary, who married Robert Turnbull, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this work.
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