USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 31
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 31
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Mr. Smith, whose name introduces this record, spent the days of his youth in the land of hills and heather. He attended school there and in 1840, when a youth of fifteen years, accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, his first home in this country being in Steuben township. He began farming on his own account in 1848, and throughout his entire life has car- ried on agricultural pursuits. The record of his business is one of ceaseless toil, carefully directed labor and of unfaltering enterprise. He started out empty-handed, having no capital nor in- fluential friends to aid him, but he carefully saved his earnings and in due course of time made investment in property. He has since added to his holdings, until he is now the owner of eight hundred acres in Marshall county and over eight hundred acres in Vermilion county, thus gaining a place among the wealthy resi- dents of this part of the state. He is now the only living original stockholder of the Lacon First National Bank, and is also a stockholder in sev- eral banks in different parts of the state.
In 1856 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Lucy Canterberry, who was born in the town of Rathdrum, in the county of Wick- low, Ireland, and who departed this life in 1878, leaving five children : Fannie, who is now the wife of Louis Kelter, a farmer of La Prairie town- ship; Wilhelmina, the wife of Charlie Monier, who is also farming in La Prairie township; Mary B., at home; Sarah, the wife of Charles Collins, a farmer of La Prairie; Lucy, at home ;
James Smith
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Hettie and Alda, both deceased; and Willie, who died in infancy. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Episcopal church.
Mr. Smith is a republican who has given in- flexible support to the principles of the party since its organization. He acted as supervisor during the war and several other times was elected to that office until he finally refused to serve any longer. He has also been road commis- sioner and school director for a number of terms. His life record may well serve as a source of in- spiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished by determined pur- pose and unfaltering energy. It proves that suc- cess is not a matter of genius as held by many, nor does it depend upon fortunate circum- stances and environments. It may be achieved through close application and unfaltering dili- gence and it has been upon that foundation that Mr. Smith has builded his prosperity until he is now one of the wealthiest residents of the entire county, his possessions being equalled by few, if any, of the inhabitants of this district. Moreover, in all his relations he has been honor- able and upright and thus bears an untarnished name.
FRED VINCENT.
Fred Vincent, who for many years conducted the "village smithy" but since 1901 has lived retired, was born in Somersetshire, England, June 16, 1831, his parents being Richard and Eliza- beth Vincent, who were also natives of that coun- try. The father was born in Devonshire and be- came a successful farmer. He died in 1855 when seventy-two years of age, while his wife passed away in 1841. She was a member of the Episco- palian church. In the family were five children : Eliza, Henry and John, all of whom are residents of England; and Edward and Fred, in the new world.
Mr. Vincent of this review acquired his educa- tion in the schools of his native country and at the age of eighteen years came alone to the United States, landing at New York. He worked at various places in the southern part of New York state as a blacksmith and came to Illinois on the 17th of March, 1856, locating at Sparland. Dur- ing the first year he built a house and shop here and he continued to follow his trade until 1901, when he retired. . He was accorded a liberal pat- ronage because, of his good workmanship and
was a leading representative of the industrial life of the town, well known to all of its citizens as a man of business activity and integrity.
Mr. Vincent was married February 1, 1855, to Miss Sarah Adeline Edland, who was born March 17, 1840, at West Farms, now a part of New York city, about sixteen miles from the city hall. Her parents were Charles and Elizabeth Edland, both of whom died in the Empire state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vincent have been born the fol- lowing named: Anna Louise, who was born in the state of New York in a district now comprised within the city limits of New York city and who died in Sparland, February 17, 1880; Ed, who is engaged in railroading and lives in Butte, Mon- tana; Fred, who is employed in a wholesale gro- cery store in Chicago; Tom, who is in the- em- ploy of a large contractor in Peru, Illinois, act- ing as boss of the work ; Florence Ida; Anna, who was born February 4, 1856, and died February 17, 1880; Edwin F., born February 13, 1858; Florence, who was born October 9, 1859, and died November 18, 1883; Frederick Oliver, born Jan- nary 13, 1862; and Thomas Sherman, born May 28, 1865.
Mr. Vincent exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the denioc- racy, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to office. He has served as town clerk for seven years, has been collector and school treasurer. He is now president of the town board and is supervisor of Steuben township. In community interests he takes a most helpful and active part and his labors have been far-reaching and bene- ficial. His wife is a member of the Episcopal church and they are most highly esteemed people. Mr. Vincent has now passed the seventy-fifth mile- stone on life's journey but in spirit and interest seems yet in his prime. The careful husbanding of his resources in former years now enables him to live retired from business cares and his time is largely occupied with his official duties, which are discharged with promptness and fidelity.
ADDISON TANQUARY.
Addison Tanquary is one of the oldest residents of Marshall county in years of continuous connec- tion with its interests, for his birth occurred in Steuben township, August 29, 1837, and since that time he has lived within its borders, covering a
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period of almost three score years and ten. His father, James Tanquary, was a native of Pick- away county, Ohio, born in 1809 and in the fall of 1834 he came to Illinois, settling in Tazewell county, whence he removed to Marshall county in the spring of 1835. He located two miles north of Sparland, where he engaged in farming until the spring of 1848, when he removed to a farm two miles west on the prairie, there devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred January 21, 1849. In man- ner he was quiet and reserved. He gave his pol- itical support to the whig party and in religious faith was a Methodist, serving as class leader in his church. He married Mahala Bonham, who was born in Bainbridge, Ohio, March 24, 1810. They were married in the Buckeye state in 1831 and thus came together to Illinois. Mrs. Tan- quary, who was also a devoted member of the Methodist church, long survived her husband, pass- ing away on the 4th of March, 1883. In the fam- ily of this worthy couple were eight children : Cor- nelius, Rebecca B., Addison, Elizabeth, Willie, Mary, Newton and James J. The eldest was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, and was three years old at the time of the removal of the family to Illinois.
Addison Tanquary was reared upon the old home farm in Steuben township and attended the Bethel country school through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he aided in the work of the farm. With the exception of a period of eleven years he has always lived in Steuben town- ship and is among its oldest residents. In 1862, responding to the country's call for troops, he en- listed for service in the Union army as a member of Company E, Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, with which he continued until the 8th of June, 1864, when he was discharged on account of a wound which he had sustained in the arm. He then returned to Marshall county and soon after- ward settled upon a farm in Evans township near Wenona. In 1880, however, he returned to Steu- ben township, where he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits for twenty years and then re- tired in 1900, taking up his abode in Sparland. He was one of the energetic, progressive and prac- tical farmers of his township, placing his land un- der a high state of cultivation and deriving a good income from the care and labor he bestowed upon the fields.
On the 16th of October, 1859, Mr. Tanquary
was married at Sparland to Miss Ellen Williams, who was born in Clay county, Illinois, June 27, 1839, a daughter of Thomas G. and Sarah Will- iams, who were natives of Ohio, whence they re- moved to Clay county. In the fall of 1855 they became residents of Sparland and the father fol- lowed the occupation of farming as a life work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tanquary have been born seven children : Cassius M., who married Eva Reed and lives in Portland, Oregon; James, who died in infancy; Minnie A., at home; Thomas E., who died in infancy ; George S., a resident of Portland, Oregon ; Lawrence H., who wedded Minnie Pot- ter, of Marseilles, Illinois, and lives in Peoria ; and Nellie M., who is with her parents in Sparland.
Mr. Tanquary has been honored with a number of positions of public trust. He has twice served as collector of Steuben township, and is now serv- ing for the third term as assessor. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, while fraternally he is connected with Clayton lodge, No. 132, I. O. O. F., of Sparland, and with Lacon post, No. 134, G. A. R. His wife is a member of the Methodist church. His interest in community affairs is manifest in many tangible ways and has resulted in benefit to the county. Few men have for a longer period witnessed the growth and de- velopment of this part of the state. His memory goes back to the pioneer times when many of the homes were log cabins and when much of the land was uncultivated, being covered with its native prairie grasses. The streams were unbridged and the timber was uncut. In fact the work of devel- opment had been scarcely begun at that period, but time and man have wrought many changes and Marshall county has taken its place among the leading counties of this great commonwealth. Mr. Tanquary has aided largely in its agricultural de- velopment and has always faithfully performed his duties of citizenship.
HARRY SNELL.
Harry Snell, who is conducting a general store at Whitefield Corners, was born in Peoria, Illi- nois, on the 2d of December, 1878, and is a son of George Washington and Hattie (McCurdy) Snell. The father, a native of Indiana, removed to Illi- nois at an early day. In 1846 he became a resi- dent of Milo township, Bureau county, and he af- terward owned and operated a farm of forty acres between Sparland and Lacon and also one hun-
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dred and sixty acres of land a mile and a half south of Sparland. He has thus been associated with the agricultural development and progress of this portion of the state and he now makes his home in Sparland. He wedded Miss Hattie Mc- Curdy, of Bushnell, Illinois, who is also living.
Harry Snell, their only child, was reared upon the home farm in the usual manner of farm lads and acquired a district school education. He is now identified with mercantile interests, being connected with the store at Whitefield Corners. His fraternal relations are with Gem lodge, No. 572, I. O. O. F., in which he is serving as treasurer, and he has the warm regard and friendship of many of his brethren in this organization. His political views are shown by earnest and stalwart support which he gives to the republican party. His entire life has been passed in this portion of the state and his strong and salient character- istics are those which make him a popular citizen.
ยท GEORGE M. KUNKLE.
George M. Kunkle, a respected and representa- tive farmer of Richland township, Marshall county, living on section 17, was born in Cum- berland county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of Feb- ruary, 1862, and is one of the five living children of John and Elizabeth (Fosnaut) Kunkle. The father, also a native of the Keystone state, died about twenty-five years ago, passing away in 1881, while the mother's death occurred nine years ago. The members of their family are: John, a farmer residing in Steuben township, Marshall county, Illinois ; William C., who married Miss Iliff, and is a farmer of Richland township; Edward, who is engaged in farming with his brother John; and Mary.
In the district schools of his native state George M. Kunkle acquired his education and after start- ing out in life for himself he was employed for five years on a farm of his uncle in Richland township, Marshall county, Illinois, remaining there until eighteen years of age. He had had broad and liberal experience in all departments of farm work and at that time he rented his present place, which he leased for five years. He then purchased most of the property and his wife also inherited a part of the tract. He now has one hundred and sixty acres of the rich, alluvial soil of Richland township and in addition to culti- vating the fields, is extensively and successfully
raising hogs, cattle and other stock. He farms altogether three hundred and fifteen acres of land and has a most beautiful place, in which none of the accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century are lacking. He is an intelligent and progressive agriculturist, who keeps informed con- cerning the most modern methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and has intimate knowledge of the scientific principles which under- lie the work.
In 1888 Mr. Kunkle was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Kunkle, his cousin. They have three children, Myrtle, Rowland and Eugene, aged respectively seventeen, fifteen and thirteen years. Mr. Kunkle is a member of Lacon lodge, M. W. A., and is likewise connected with the Knights of the Maccabees. He gives his politi- cal support to the republican party and for six years has served as school director, filling the position at the present time. He is also one of the trustees of the township. The family is a promi- nent one in Richland township and Mr. Kunkle has fully sustained the honorable record made by the representatives of the name. Without spe- cial advantages at the outset of his career he has worked diligently and has achieved both char- acter and success. There is no esoteric chapter in his life history. On the contrary it is an open book which all may read, finding therein lessons of incentive, as it shows forth the power of in- dustry and business probity in the active affairs of life.
HODGE BROTHERS.
Prominent among the business men of Wenona are numbered Hodge Brothers, bankers, and the enterprise which they are now conducting is re- garded as one of the safest moneyed concerns of this part of the state. It was organized in 1886 and conducted as the First National Bank of Wenona. The stock of the First National Bank being purchased in 1902 by L. J. Hodge & Sons, the bank was then conducted under the firm style of L. J. Hodge & Sons, but another change in the partnership occasioned the change in the name to the present style of Hodge Brothers. The part- ners are George O. and John W. H. Hodge, wlio are now successfully conducting a private institu- tion, doing a general banking business. Back of this they have four thousand acres of land ad- joining the town of Wenona, which affords ample security.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
.. The brothers are native sons of Wenona, and are well known here, where they have a large and favorable acquaintance. George O. Hodge was born July 7, 1867, and John W. H. Hodge on the 1st of November, 1869. Both attended the public schools and have always lived in Wenona, where they are known as business men, alert, en- terprising and progressive. They conduct a bank along modern lines, are watchful of opportunities pointing to success and in utilizing the advan- tages which have come to them have broadened the scope of their activity and at the same time have maintained a moneyed institution which is a credit to the city.
Both brothers are married and have families. George O. Hodge in 1893 wedded Mary E. Sta- teler, a daughter of A. H. Stateler, a prominent resident of Marshall county, and unto them has been born a daughter, Elvira Permelia. John W. H. Hodge was married to Virginia Law, of Henry, Illinois, and they have three children: Lura Vir- ginia, John Law and George Frederick. The rec- ords of these brothers stand in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for in the place of their nativity they have so directed their labors as to gain recognition as men of ability and to win in their banking business a public patronage which makes them successful representatives of the financial interests of the county.
GEORGE SPARLING.
On the list of honored dead of Putnam county appears the name of George Sparling, who became a resident of this part of the state when the work of civilization had scarcely been begun here. In fact, he was among those who opened up this region, converting it from a wild and uninhabited district to one of rich fertility and aiding in the growth and progress that have wrought such a wonderful transformation here in the last half century. He was born in County Limerick, Ire- land, November 29, 1819, his parents being James and Mary (Atkins) Sparling. His forefathers in Ireland were called Palatines, being German peo- ple who came from Palatine on the Rhine. One hundred and ten families from Germany started to seek homes in the new world, but were ship- wrecked on the coast of Ireland during the reign of Queen Anne, who gave them homes at Pallas, .County Limerick.
The father of Mr. Sparling died in 1821 and in 1832 his mother, sister and himself sailed for America, landing at Quebec in May of that year. Three weeks later his mother died of cholera, leav- ing the orphaned boy to battle for life in a strange land. He had but six sovereigns in his pocket. For a short time he lived with relatives in Canada, but as he grew older he learned the carpenter's trade and started out on his own account. He had the spirit of adventure, was self-reliant, given to industry and was determined to make his way in the world. Taking his chest of tools with him he went here and there, following the carpenter's trade at various places. He was employed on the construction of a hotel and a barn at Niagara Falls and thence followed the march of empire westward on to Chicago, which at that time was a small place. There he worked at his trade, assisting in building operations in that embryonic city. Money was very scarce and his employer offered him for several months labor a lot of forty acres in Chicago about where the city. hall now stands. His reply was "He couldn't see it," as the lots were only mud holes. Becoming acquainted with a Mr. Harrison from Canada, he was pre- vailed upon to go to Dixon, Illinois, for Mr. Har- rison was greatly impressed with the country, exclaiming, "You can take a plow and turn over the wild prairie so that it looks like weather boarding on a large scale." Through the influence of Mr. Harrison, Mr. Sparling and other carpenters started on foot for Dixon, prevailing upon a farmer to haul their chests of tools, which were too heavy to be carried. They saw only four houses between Chicago and their destination. The hotel at Dixon was a log cabin which served also as a store and a small distillery and ferry were the attrac- tions of the place. Mr. Sparling secured a claim near there, built a log cabin and planted ten acres to corn the first year. In January, 1840, he came to Senachwine township, Putnam county, to assist John Harrison in building several houses for which he had taken contracts. He aided Mr. Harrison in building a log house upon the farm, which afterward became the property of Mr. Spar- ling, who purchased it from Josiah Hayes. He also helped to build the Bradley store in Henry in the fall of 1841-the first frame building con- structed in that place. Not having the money to pay Mr. Sparling for his summer's labor-the
GEORGE SPARLING.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
wage being two hundred dollars-Harrison sold to him the farm which became his future home, and he disposed of his claim near Dixon. In the sum- mer of 1842 he broke prairie for his neighbors who had preceded him to this new country, these being J. R. Taliaferro, S. C. Bacon, Phillip Read and James Buchanan. He also improved his own farm, turning the first furrows on the prairie and converting wild land into productive fields.
As a further preparation for having a home of his own Mr. Sparling was married January 12, 1843, to Miss Adeline Morgan, a daughter of Alanson and Melinda Morgan, by whom he had eight children: George E., who is living in Se- nachwine township; James A., who died at the age of fourteen years; Mary M., who is the widow of V. H. Wheeler and resides upon a farm near Putnam; Helen, the deceased wife of Fred Wood; William Henry, who is living in Iowa; John S., who resides in Senachwine township; and Albert and Adeline, twins. The former is now deceased, but the latter is the wife of John Mc- Kenzie and lives in Henry. Mrs. Sparling died April 13, 1857, when her youngest children were but eight months old. On the 8th of April, 1858, Mr. Sparling was again married, his second union being with Sarah McClung, a daughter of Harvey and Mary McClung. The children of this mar- riage were: Martha Jane, Sarah, Eveline, Kate B., Samuel M., Frederick L. and Emory H. The mother died February 8, 1871, and for his third wife Mr. Sparling chose Margaret McElroy, the widow of his cousin, James Sparling, who still survives him and is now living in Henry. They became the parents of two children: Susan Mabel Atkins and Homer Lewis. In 1844 Mr. and Mrs. Sparling adopted a little daughter of Louis Thompson.
Mr. Sparling's investment at Senachwine Lake was a fortunate one, as it proved to be one of the best fisheries in this part of the county. He began with spear and hook and found a ready market for all he could catch, customers coming as far as twenty miles. The lake was filled with fish. In the fall of 1843 Joseph Goodrich took a seine to the lake and proposed to Mr. Sparling that they should try using it. On the 3d of No- vember they made a haul and caught twenty-five hundred pounds of fish, averaging ten pounds cach. Mr. Sparling then bought up the land about the lake, purchased a seine and found farm-
ing and fishing profitable. The lake proved the more remunerative, as he often caught one hun- dred and fifty barrels at a haul and the demand was as great as the supply. In a single season he used on an average of forty-five teams a day for three weeks to haul away the fish. He sold one haul for two hundred and twenty-three dollars and before the dam was built his income was about three thousand dollars a year from this source. He also carried on his farm work and brought his land under a high state of cultivation.
In 1857 Mr. Sparling became identified with the Methodist Episcopal church of Putnam, of which he remained a consistent member and zealous worker until his death. He was a man of most generous and benevolent spirit and the poor and needy indeed found in him a friend. No one ever appealed to him for assistance in vain and no one was ever turned hungry away from his hospitable door. Mr. Sparling was perhaps as widely known as any resident of Crow Meadows and no man of the community had more friends. He was gen- erous to a fault and was most hospitable, giving with an open hand. In his home was extended a cordial welcome to all who chose to partake of its hospitality. He was a very generous contrib- utor to the support of the Methodist Episcopal church at Putnam and to all of its various activ- ities. He led a most useful life, performing each day's duties as they came to him, and he left be- hind a memory that is cherished by all who knew him because of his probity and his faithfulness. He was familiarly and lovingly called Uncle George by all who knew him. Such a name is only given as a token of the warmest esteem and friendship and such was the case with Mr. Spar- ling. That he had prospered in his business life is indicated by the fact that he left an estate of about sixteen hundred acres of land, yet he never selfishly hoarded his means, but was most generous in his donations to many worthy causes and ren- dered assistance to the poor that is immeasurable, for it was done unostentatiously, frequently none knowing about it save the recipient.
ROBERT RIDDELL.
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