USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 35
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 35
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
again he sold out. About this time he became interested in the development of the rich coal resources of this part of the state and in the sinking of the coal shaft and was associated with the work until after the mine was opened up and had been in operation for a period of about two years. He then disposed of his interest in that line and established the First National Bank of Wenona, of which he was president for a number of years, when it was transformed from a national bank into a private concern under the name of L. J. Hodge & Sons. He was then connected with his sons in the business until he sold out to them, and they are still conducting the bank under the firm style of Hodge Brothers. The father has since lived retired save that he has operated to a considerable extent in land, and now gives his supervision to his property inter- ests, owning large tracts of land in Illinois and Iowa.
On the 20th of December, 1864, was cele- brated the marriage of Lewis J. Hodge and Miss Harriet E. Howe, a daughter of Peter Howe, by whom he had two sons, George O. and John W. H. Hodge, who constitute the banking firm of Hodge Brothers. The wife and mother died De- cember 3, 1889, and on the 25th of June, 1893, Mr. Hodge was married to Susan A. Wright, by whom he has one son, Paul L. He owns. and occupies a beautiful home in Wenona, in which he is now living in comfort. He has helped to build up this section to its present prosperity, having taken an active interest in its business development, whereon depends the welfare and growth of any community. He stands today in his mature years a strong man-strong in the consciousness of well spent years, strong to plan and perform, strong in his credit and good name and a worthy example for young men to pattern after, as showing what intelligence and persc- verance may accomplish in the way of success in life.
THOMAS G. HAWS.
For the long period of sixty-eight years this gentleman has been identified with the develop- ment and advancement in Putnam county, but now, after an active and well spent life, he is living retired, enjoying a well earned rest, his home being in the village of Magnolia. He was born in Clinton county, Ohio, February 6, 1827,
and is a son of Joel and Elizabeth (Gibson) Haws, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in con- nection with the sketch of William Haws. The first eleven years of his life were spent in his na- tive state, but in 1834 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, the family locating in Putnam county. Being the oldest son, it devolved upon him to go to work when quite young to assist in the support of the family, with the result that his education was neglected.
Mr. Haws tells a very interesting story of how he met the lady who afterward became his wife. At that time there were but two buggies in the neighborhood. On a certain day he and another young man, accompanied by two young ladies, drove thirty miles to attend a meeting on Otter Creek, where Streator now stands. They spent the night at a Mr. Brock's home, and while there our subject met the young lady, who was working for the family at the meager wage of seventy-five cents per week. She had been left motherless at the age of twelve, and was obliged to earn her own living. Mr. Haws was very much impressed by her appearance, and before returning home had arranged to call on her at the end of two weeks. He visited her a few times and then discontinued his visits, but it was not long before he once over- took her walking into the village of Magnolia, where she was to work in the family of Mr. Cowen. He was delighted to see her, and during the fol- lowing winter called on her regularly. When he finally asked her to marry him she refused, be- cause she had not the clothes or the money with which to get them. He, however, had saved some gold and silver coin and this he gave her to buy a dress, and on the 26th of April, 1848, at Fisher's Hotel at Lacon, Illinois, were married Thomas G. Haws and Mary Jane Ewing and also Henry Coe and Mary Ann Hunt, all of Magnolia, the cere- mony being performed by Captain Springer, jus- tice of the peace. Our subject brought his bride to his father's home and they were all pleased with their new daughter-in-law.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Haws' prop- erty consisted mainly of four horses, a wagon, a set of harness and thirty dollars in money, but as the years passed he steadily prospered in his un- dertakings and soon became a well-to-do man. Locating in the village of Magnolia, he dealt in horses for many years and later purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land a mile and a half
C
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS G. HAWS.
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east of the village, turning his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. He has always lived, however, in the village, going back and forth to his work each day. Since the Civil war he has lived at his present residence. For his first eighty acres he paid twenty-five dollars per acre, and for the sec- ond eighty, forty-three hundred dollars. Being a good, reliable business man, his credit has been good and he has been able to borrow any amount of money.
Mr. Haws has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who passed away on the 5th of February, 1905, her death being regretted by all who knew her. During the long years of their happy married life she was never known to utter a harsh word, and their relations were al- ways of the most pleasant. She was the first to be laid to rest in Magnolia cemetery, and he has recently erected a four hundred dollar monument to her memory. She was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mr. Haws also belonged in early life, and she was a noble Christian woman, loved by all who knew her. Her father and mother.belonged to the same church.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Haws, namely: Vivian, who lives on a farm in Magnolia township; Eva, now the wife of Louis Simpson, whose home is in Henry; Cyril, who resides on a farm in Magnolia township; Della, wife of Ash Judd, living in Wenona, Illinois; Clark, who is single and lives upon his father's farm ; John, who when last heard from was in a hospital at St. Louis, Missouri; Wilbur, who is a clerk in the office of the Pan-Handle Railroad at Chicago; and two children who died in infancy.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Haws has al- ways affiliated with the democratic party, and for three years he was a member of the village board, but he has never cared for political honors nor has he filled any other office. Since the death of his wife his granddaughter has kept house for him, and they have a nice home in Magnolia, surround- ed by ten acres of land. He is today the oldest Odd Fellow living in the village, and is highly respected by all who know him. Having come to the county in early pioneer days, he has witnessed almost the entire changes that have been made in transforming the wilderness into highly cultivated farms and beautiful homes. He can relate many interesting incidents of those early days when
the Indians still camped in the woods north of town. He used to put a penny in the split end of a stick and let the Indian boys shoot at it at a distance of twenty-five steps. If they hit the mark at the first shot the penny was theirs, but if they failed they must give one to our subject. He says he never won a penny from them in this way, as they hit it every time. At that time the postage on a letter was twenty-five cents, and money was very scarce. Mr. Haws often hauled pork to Henry and Lacon with a two-horse team, and made three trips to Chicago with wheat, receiving only fifty cents per bushel. But all this has long since been changed, and now his products are conveyed to the city market in a few hours by rail.
WILLIAM RIDDELL.
William Riddell, one of the most prominent representatives of financial interests in Sparland, where as president of the Sparland Bank he is occupying a foremost position in business circles, was born in Scotland, November 21, 1844. The days of his boyhood and youth were passed in that country and in 1866 he came to the United States and made his way to Marshall county. In early years of his residence here he engaged in general agricultural pursuits for five or six years and subsequently he turned his attention to ship- ping stock. For thirty-two years the grain trade figured as a prominent feature in his business and in May, 1903, he became president of the Spar- land Bank, with H. E. Westcott as its cashier. This is a private bank, having back of it personal resources to the amount of eight hundred thousand dollars. Mr Riddell has also various other finan- cial interests and his wise counsel and keen dis- crimination are valued factors in the successful es- tablishment and control of a number of important business concerns of the county. He possesses keen discrimination and marked sagacity and is a man of enterprise, positive character, indomitable energy, strict integrity and liberal views, and has been fully identified with the growth and pros- perity of the state of his adoption.
In 1881 Mr. Riddell was married to Miss Mary Smith, of this county, and they became parents of three children, of whom two are living. In his political views Mr. Riddell is a stalwart republican, having supported the party since he became a nat- uralized American citizen. He holds member- ship in the United Presbyterian church and stands
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
for all that is ennobling and uplifting in the so- cial life of the community. He has always been prominent in public affairs, yet without aspiration for office, and no one has been more actively or commendably interested in the welfare and devel- opment of this part of the state. Viewed from a business standpoint he has a most creditable rec- ord, having persevered in the pursuit of a per- sistent purpose and thus gained a most satisfac- tory reward. His life is exemplary in many re- spects and he has the esteem of his friends and the confidence of those who have had business rela- tions with him.
FREDERICK W. SUCHER.
Native and acquired ability have well qualified Frederick W. Sucher to become a leader of public thought and action and he exerts no inconsiderable influence in community affairs, as has been mani- fest in the fact that his fellow townsmen have frequently called him to public office, thus giving proof of their recognition of his worth and ability. At the present writing he is serving as chairman of the board of county supervisors as representa- tive from Granville township and is proving a most capable official. His business interests are those of the farm and he now owns and operates a good property of three hundred and twenty acres on section 12, Granville township.
Mr. Sucher was born in Downers Grove, Du- page county, Illinois, on the 11th of March, 1852 and is a son of Jacob and Katherine (Krebs) Sucher, mention of whom is made on another page of this volume. They removed from Down- ers Grove to Putnam county, Illinois, about 1858 and Frederick W. Sucher, then six years of age became a student in the district schools here, while later he completed his education in the public school of Granville. He has always re- mained upon the old homestead and at the age of twenty-one years he began farming for himself At length he purchased a half section of land from his father, the north quarter of which was his father's old homestead. On the south quarter he erected buildings, including a fine residence and other good substantial structures. Here he has since made his home and his is one of the well developed farm properties of the county. indicating in its neat and attractive appearance a life of industry and close application.
On the 22d of February, 1881, Mr. Sucher was married to Miss Eleanor A. Bender, a native of Granville and a daughter of Jacob Bender. Mr. and Mrs. Sucher now have three children: Victor E., twenty-one years of age; Howard J., a young man of twenty years; and Oliver W., a youth of fifteen. All are still with their parents upon the home farm.
Mr. Sucher carries on general agricultural pur- suits and has recently platted a town which he has named Standard. The Berry Coal Company has at a late date opened up and is now operating a shaft on the farm adjoining Mr. Sucher's place and it was this that led him to plat six blocks in the northwest corner of his farm. It has been divided up into seventy-five lots, thirty-four of which have already been sold. Wherever coal is mined extensively a village is bound to spring up and in a short time there will undoubtedly be a thriving town in this locality.
In his political views Mr. Sucher has always been a stalwart democrat, having firm faith in the principles of that party. Upon its ticket he has been elected to several local offices, serving now for the second term as supervisor from Granville township, whle at this writing, in 1906, he is act- ing as chairman of the county board. He has also been assessor for two terms and collector for one term and is regarded as a most public-spirited man, whose official record is above reproach, while in his private life he has manifested those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime command esteem, confidence and good will. In his business affairs he shows keen discernment and capable management, utilizing modern methods and the latest improved machinery. No man in the community occupies a higher position in public regard than Fred Sucher and as a representative citizen we take pleasure in presenting him to our readers.
ARTHUR McADAM.
Arthur McAdam is the owner of a fine stock farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres on sec- tions 10 and 11, Evans township. He was born in the city of Wenona in 1868, and is a son of G. G. McAdam, a native of Ohio, who came to Illinois when a young man with his parents and located in Evans township, where he worked at the carpenter's trade. Hc built a great many houses in this neighborhood, and afterward gave
J. W Sucher
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
his attention to general agricultural pursuits, which he followed up to the time of his death, becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he carefully tilled and improved. He was called to various public offices, serving as tax collector for a number of years, and was also secretary of the County Fair Association for sixteen years, in which connection he did much to stimulate progress and improvement among agricultural pursuits. He exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, and in his religious faith was a Presbyterian. He died a devoted member of that church in 1903 at the age of sixty years. In early manhood he had wedded Mary Elizabeth Moore, who was born in Kokomo, Indiana, a daughter of David Moore, who was a farmer of Evans township from the time of the Civil war until his death, which occurred in 1902. His wife, Mrs. Anna Moore, passed away in 1888. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. McAdam were three children : Ulysses Grant, a resident farmer living in Evans township; William T., who also follows farming in the same township; and Arthur.
In his early boyhood days Arthur McAdam ac- companied his parents on their removal to a farm in Evans township and his boyhood days were spent under the parental roof and in attendance at district school No. 5. He was early trained to the work of field and meadow, and when twenty- one years of age started out upon an independent business career, at which time he possessed only a team and farming machinery. With this to serve as a nucleus around which to gather more extensive possessions he has continually added to his holdings, until he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty-five acres of valuable land situated in the edge of the timber and constitut- ing a fine stock farm. He also owns property in Wenona and in Streator, Illinois. He is a lover of good road horses and always keeps a number of fine head upon his place. All of his live stock is of good grades and his farm is well improved in accordance with modern methods of agricultural development.
In 1893 Mr. McAdam was married to Miss Martha Butcher, who was born in Wetzel county, West Virginia, in 1869, and is a daughter of Robert J. and Harriett Butcher. Mr. McAdam is a supporter of the republican party. His wife belongs to the Christian church and both are
highly esteemed people, having a wide and favor- able acquaintance in the county in which their entire lives have been passed, both being repre- sentatives of worthy pioneer families of this part of the state.
LOUIS M. ELK.
Louis M. Elk, who for three years has resided in Henry, prior to which time his life was de- voted to general agricultural pursuits, was born in the southern part of Sweden on the 24th of Octo- ber, 1844. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Morton Larson, are both deceased. In the land of his birth Louis M. Elk was reared and educated and when a young man of twenty-four years he deter- mined to seek his home in America, for the busi- ness outlook in his native country was not as favorable as that offered in the United States. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic and on the 20th of June, 1869, landed at Quebec, Canada. He at once made his way to the middle Missis- sippi valley and became a resident of Princeton, Bureau county. Having but limited capital at the time of his arrival, it was necessary that he secure immediate employment and he found work as a farm hand, being thus employed for several years or until his labors had brought him sufficient cap- ital to enable him to engage in farming on his own account. He first rented land in Saratoga township, Marshall county, in 1878 and resided thereon for three years, after which he removed to another farm, which was his place of residence for sixteen years. He then removed to the north- west, settling in Douglas county, South Dakota, where he purchased two hundred and eighty acres of land upon which he lived for eight years. His entire life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits until in 1899 he retired from active busi- ness cares and is now enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He has resided in this part of the state continuously since 1869 with the exception of the eight years passed in Dakota and is well known in agricultural circles.
Mr. Elk was married on the 24th of March, 1885, to Mrs. Ursula M. Tanquary, widow of Mil- ton Tanquary, and a daughter of J. P. and Mary (Foster) Swift. Her father was a farmer in Bu- reau county, but both he and his wife are now deceased. Mrs. Elk has two children by her first marriage, Curtis and Ethel E., now the wife of
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Andrew Kelly. Mr. Elk is independent in his political views and affiliation. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Henry, Illinois. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Metho- dist church, in which he has served as steward. Mr. Elk has no occasion to regret his determina- tion to come to the new world, for here he has found a good home and many warm friends, while through the improvement of business conditions he made substantial advancement and is now in possession of a very desirable competence as the reward of his industry and perseverance.
RICHARD E. HILLS.
The commercial history of Henry would be incomplete without mention of Richard E. Hills, who for many years figured prominently in busi- ness circles here and his activity and enterprise made him a leading merchant and gained him a gratifying measure of success. He was born in Waterloo, Seneca county, New York, January 24, 1825, and was a representative of an old New England family, his parents being Elisha and Elizabeth (Catlin) Hills. The father was born in Connecticut and for forty years engaged in merchandising in Waterloo, New York, where his death occurred in 1856. His wife has also passed away. In their family were eight children, but only two are now living, the daughter being Helen P. Hills, who resides in Chicago.
Richard E. Hills, reared under the parental roof, acquired his early education in the public schools of Waterloo and afterward attended the academy there. Throughout his active business career he was identified with commercial inter- ests and while still living in the east engaged in the grocery and dry-goods business on his own account. The west, however, attracted him and in 1855 he became a resident of St. Charles, Illi- nois, where he established a store which he con- ducted for ten years. He then came to Henry, where he purchased a business which he carried on for thirty consecutive years and then sold out to C. E. Smith, who still occupies the same loca- tion. Thus the name of Richard E. Hills is inseparably interwoven with the commercial rec- ords of the city. He always carried a well se- lected and large line of goods and made every effort to please his patrons. His business meth- ods were such as would bear the closest investiga- tion and scrutiny and his commercial integrity
and honor were unassailable. As the years passed by he prospered and in the evening of life he retired to enjoy throughout his remaining days a well-earned rest.
Mr. Hills was married in 1849 to Miss Eliza- beth F. Owens, of Geneva, New York, and for many years they traveled life's journey together, but were separated through the death of the wife in 1883. Mr. Hills is a republican in his politi- cal views, having supported the party since its organization. For one term he served as alder- man of the third ward in Henry. He has pre- ferred that his public service, however, should be done as a private citizen rather than an office holder, and he has withheld his support from no plan or purpose for the general good. He favors the Presbyterian church, and a life of business integrity and his probity in public and private affairs have gained for him a foremost place as a representative and honored resident of Henry.
BERNARD YAEGER.
Bernard Yaeger, who is now living retired in Henry, was born in what is now Alsace, Germany, January 16, 1831, a son of France Antone and Katherine Yaeger, who were likewise natives of Alsace and were members of the Catholic church. The father followed the occupation of farming. In the family were six children, of whom Ber- nard Yaeger is the youngest. He was educated in the schools of his native place and there mastered both the French and German languages, after which he learned the trade of shoemaking. A consideration of the business outlook of that coun- try led him to the determination to try his for- tune in America, and in April, 1853, he came to the United States and settled in Chicago, where he remained until 1854, conducting a shoe shop there. There was an epidemic of cholera in that year and he removed to Henry, where he worked at his trade for two years. On the expiration of that period he established a saloon, which he con- ducted until 1867, when he opened a shoe store, which he carried on for two years. He then sold his store and in 1884 he retired, turning over his saloon to his son, since which time he has lived in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. In 1904 he bought out the Steam Soda Water Bottling Works and placed his son in charge.
In 1857 Mr. Yaeger was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Schick, who was born in Bavaria,
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
Germany, in 1836 and came to the United States in 1856 with her parents, Frederick and Kather- ine Schick, who were pioneer farming people of Putnam county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Yaeger were born two children : Henry, who is now conducting the. bottling works; and Ella, the wife of Joseph A. Schafer, who is a job printer of Peoria. The parents are members of St. Mary's Catholic church and Mr. Yeager is a stalwart democrat, inflexible in his support of the party. He has served as a member of the city council and also as highway commissioner and he is a director of the Henry bridge board. He is numbered among the successful and enterprising business men of Henry and is now living on a competence in hon- orable retirement from further business cares. He made no mistake in his determination to try his fortunes in America, for in this country he has prospered and as the years have gone by has accu- mulated a goodly sum for the evening of life.
EDWARD TANQUARY.
Edward Tanquary, carrying on general farming on section 8, Steuben township, was born in 1870 in the township which is still his place of resi- dence. His father, Cornelius Tanquary, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, December 12, 1832, and died September 2, 1904. He came to Illinois in 1835 when this portion of the state was a fron- tier district, its wild, uncultivated lands being still covered with the native prairie grasses, while few roads had been made across the country to indi- cate that civilization was moving westward. He located two mlies north of Sparland, where he engaged in farming, and he was also well known all over the county as an auctioneer. In public affairs he bore his part, serving as assessor for two years and as a member of the board of su- pervisors for a number of terms. He held other responsible local positions, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. He re- mained a resident of Marshall county until his death. In early manhood he wedded Sarah Huff and they removed to a farm near his parents' home. He always took an active interest in the old settlers' picnics, finding much pleasure in re- newing the acquaintances of earlier years and in recalling the scenes and events of pioneer times. He was also one of the singing masters of the early days and frequently conducted as many as three singing classes at a time in different locali-
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