USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 40
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 40
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In 1863 Mr. Casson was married to Miss Mary McMahon, who was born in Putnam county in 1842 and died February 19, 1904. She was a daughter of Owen and Margaret (Smith) Mc- Mahon, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England. In the '30s they came to this country and for some years resided in Putnam county, Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Casson were born three children, but the youngest died in in- fancy. The daughter, Margaret Louise, is now the wife of Benjamin Robinson, professor of bo- tany in Harvard University, and the son, Robert Owen, is engaged in the poultry business at Alexis, Illinois.
Mr. Casson is a stalwart republican and for many years has been prominent in politics in this county, wielding a wide influence in the councils of his party, his opinions often proving a decisive
MR. AND MRS. W. H. CASSON.
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factor in the settlement of some contested ques -. tion. His residence in Hennepin compasses the period of early pioneer development and of later progress. He can remember when people thought Chicago was so close to Hennepin that it would never amount to anything. Time and man have wrought many changes in the county and state during the six decades in which he has lived in Hennepin and Mr. Casson has performed his full share in the work of development and improve- ment. He was gifted by nature with strong men- tality and keen discrimination, and the develop- ment of these latent powers and energies gained him place among the brilliant and able members of the bar of this part of the state. Now, how- ever, he is living retired, owning and occupying one of the best homes in the city of Hennepin, while his realty possessions also include two hun- dred and fifty acres of good farming land in Put- nam county, from which he derives a substantial annual income.
EDMUND WEIS.
Edmund Weis was an enterprising farmer who resided on section 36, Whitefield township, where he was extensively engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. In his death the community lost a worthy and prominent repre- sentative of its farming interests. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1828, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the land of his nativity and when twenty-two years of age came to the United States to test the truth of the favorable reports which he had heard concerning oppor- tunities and advantages in the new world. He joined an uncle in Marshall county and worked for him on a farm in Whitefield township for some time, after which he took charge of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which had been purchased by his father. He made good use of his oppor- tunities and as the years passed was enabled to make investment in land for himself and eventu- ally became the owner of four hundred and eighty- five acres, constituting a very valuable property. He was thus extensively engaged in general farm- ing and he also made a specialty of the raising of cattle, which branch of his business likewise proved profitable.
Mr. Weis was married on April 5, 1861, to Miss Johanna Lindsey, of Prussia. Germany, and unto them were born eight children, of whom six are
now living : Michael, a resident farmer of Wood- ford county, Illinois; Alexander, at home; Ida, the wife of Otto Noll, a farmer residing east of Chillicothe, in Woodford county ; Conrad, at home; Edmund, who also follows farming in Woodford county; and Emma, who completes the family. Alexander and Conrad still reside on the old home- stead and carry on the business of the farm, giving their time and energies to the further development and improvement of the place of four hundred and eighty-five acres. They are well known cattle raisers, always keeping a good grade of stock, and in the control of their interests they display marked enterprise and keen business ability and discernment. The family are communicants of the Catholic church and the sons are supporters of the democratic party. Conrad has served' as tax collector for a number of terms, but their attention is largely concentrated upon their busi- ness interests, in which they are now meeting with signal success. The father, Edmund Weis, contin- ued actively in farm work until his death, which occurred when he was fifty-six years of age. His was a notable and exemplary record. He came to the United States without capital and without acquaintance with the English language, but he soon mastered the latter and gained a goodly por- tion of the former. He worked diligently and persistently year after year and it was his earnest toil that gained him a start in life and brought him gratifying success in later years. All who knew him respected and admired him for what he ac- complished and for the methods of his business life.
HENRY EUGENE WHITMAN.
The farming interests of Henry township find a worthy representative in Henry Eugene Whit- inan, who is successfully engaged in the tilling of the soil, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. He is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Bureau county, September 15, 1869. His paternal grandfather was George Whitman, a Methodist minister, who devoted many years of his life to gospel work and became a pioneer preacher of Illinois, where he aided largely in planting the seeds of moral develop- ment at an early day. His son, George Henry Whitman, was born in the state of New York. He is a carpenter by trade and in connection with building operations he has followed the occupation of farming and is now engaged in the implement
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business at Cherryvale, Kansas. He wedded Mary Jane Pettitt and unto them have been born seven children who are yet living and one deceased, namely: Mrs. Eudora Uletha Blue, a resident of Kansas; Clarissa Lucina, now Mrs. Grady, of Whitefield Corners, whose husband is a painter ; Ira, deceased; Henry, of this review; Frances Emily, at home; Clinton Addington, who is en- gaged in the implement business in Kansas ; New- ton Ernest, who is in partnership with his father at Cherryvale; Luther Eads, who is a commercial traveler.
Henry E. Whitman accompanied his parents on their removal from Illinois to Kansas and largely acquired his education in the schools of Independ- ence. He returned to Illinois and became a resi- dent of Henry township. He is now engaged in farming and is raising excellent crops, having fifty acres planted to corn and thirty-eight acres to oats. He is a very practical man and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His work therefore is proving a source of good income to him and he is now ac- counted one of the representative farmers of his community.
In October, 1902, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Whitman and Miss Harriet Ketcham, a daughter of Daniel Ketcham. This union has been blessed with one son, Harry Daniel, now three years old. Mr. Whitman belongs to White- field Gem lodge, No. 572, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all of the chairs, and he is like- wise connected with the Fraternal Reserves. He also holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he gives his political support to the republican party, but is without aspiration for office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business affairs which he is now capably conducting.
WILLIAM NELSON OSBORNE.
William Nelson Osborne, who carries on gen- eral farming on section 36, Whitefield township, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of May, 1845, and is a son of Milton and Margaret (Hamilton) Osborne. They, too, were natives of the Keystone state. The father became a carpenter and builder and continued his resi- dence in the east until 1854, when he came to Illinois, settling at Sparland, Marshall county.
For some time thereafter he was employed by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad at Spar- land and subsequently at Lacon. He then turned his attention to general agricultural pur- suits, which he followed in Whitefield township, Marshall county, and in Livingston county. He was a man of enterprise and perseverance and worked diligently to achieve the measure of suc- cess which he enjoyed. He died about sixteen years ago, while his wife passed away twelve years ago. In their family of six children two are now living, the brother of our subject being Scott Osborne, who resides at Lacon.
William Nelson Osborne began his education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and contin- ued his studies after the removal of the family to Illinois, which event occurred when he was about nine years of age. He was then a student in Livingston county until he permanently put aside his text-books and gave his father the benefit of his services in the operation of the home farm. He afterward worked at farm labor for others and throughout his entire life he has carried on general agricultural pursuits. He came to his present place of residence about seven years ago and here has two hundred and ten acres of land which he rents and which he is now tilling. His fields indicate thorough care and his farm is per- vaded by an air of neatness and thrift that is indicative of the business characteristics of Mr. Osborne.
Few men of Mr. Osborne's years can claim a military record of service in the Civil war. In his sixteenth year he enlisted in the Twentieth Illinois Infantry and he served for three months in the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment of Illinois Infantry, being too young to enter the army prior to that time. His years, however, were no bar to his valor and loyalty, which were equal to that of many a man of twice his age.
On the 6th of July, 1873, Mr. Osborne was married to Miss Clara Bonham, a daughter of William and Amanda Bonham, both now de- ceased. Her parents were early settlers of this part of the state and her father was a farmer and merchant of Sparland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have been born five children: Edna, the wife of John Riddell, of Sparland; Louis, also of Sparland; Scott, at home; Mary, who is engaged in teaching school in Sparland; and Flora, who is yet under the parental roof.
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Mr. Osborne is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Sparland lodge, No. 212, in which he has filled all of the chairs. He exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. These associations indicate much of the character of the man, who is true to the teachings of the fraternity. It is no unus- ual thing for the American citizen to work his way upward from a humble financial position to one of affluence but the record is none the less worthy, for it indicates a force of character that at all times merits admiration and respect. Such has been the history of William Nelson Osborne.
FRANK LAUF.
Frank Lauf, engaged in the insurance business in Wenona, was born in La Salle county, Illi- nois, about eight miles from Wenona, on the 19th of August, 1867, his parents being William and Catharine (Herkenreth) Lauf, both of whom were natives of Coln, Germany. The father came to this country when fourteen years of age and the mother when a maiden of twelve summers. They met and were married in Peru, Illinois, and Mr. Lauf was an insurance man, connected witlı the German Insurance Company of Freeport, Illi- nois, for thirty-seven years. He entered the serv- ice of that company when they employed but three men and advanced with the growth of the com- pany, which is now a very large concern repre- sented by large policies and with a constantly in- creasing business. During the first fourteen years of his connection with the insurance company of Freeport he did not have a loss in his district. He also represented the North German Lloyd Steamship Company for thirty-seven years and sold more passages at one time for this company than all other companies combined. He owned a farm in Richland township and nineteen lots in Peoria. At one time he conducted the Clifton Hotel at Wenona, removing to this place in 1887. He thus led an active and useful life, character- ized by enterprise and successful accomplishment. He died May 8, 1903, while the mother of our subject passed away twenty-six years before. The father was afterward again married. The living children of his first marriage are Frank, William, Lena, Anna, Charles and Belle. By his second marriage there are two children, Mamie and Le Roy. He served as supervisor while living in
Richland township, La Salle county, for a period of twenty-one years, was also school director, deputy sheriff and constable. He held other offices and in these various positions discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity.
Frank Lauf was reared upon a farm and edu- cated in the public schools of what was known as the Swamp college. He remained on the farm until he came with his father to Wenona in 1887 and for some time was in the hotel here. How- ever, he has practically been in the insurance business since twelve years of age, having been trained in the detail work of the business by his father. He represents the German Insurance Company of Freeport, the German National Com- pany of Chicago, the Security of New Haven, Connecticut, the American of Newark, New Jer- sey, the Germania of New York, the Concordia and the Connecticut North American Accident In- surance companies, likewise the Phoenix of Hart- ford. He also represents the North German Lloyd Steamship Company. His thorough knowledge of the insurance business in principle and detail and his energy and unflagging industry have been the leading concomitants in his success, making him one of the most prominent representatives of the insurance business in this part of the state.
Mr. Lauf was married on the 9th of January, 1900, to Miss Veronica Eirich, a native of Mount Palatine, Illinois. They are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Lauf holds membership with the Knights of Columbus. He is now serv- ing his second term as alderman of the city and was formerly water commissioner. A resident of Wenona for almost twenty years, he is deeply in- terested in local progress as well as national ad- vancement and is a public spirited man, who stands for all matters pertaining to general im- provement and who is the champion of the varied interests of civic virtue and of civic pride.
HIRAM HUNTER.
Hiram Hunter, prominent among the energetic, far seeing and successful business men of central Illinois, is the subject of this sketch. His life history most happily illustrates what may be at- tained by faithful and continued effort in car- rying out an honest purpose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his career and his connection with business enterprises
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has been of decided advantage to Henry and this part of the state, promoting its commercial and material welfare in no uncertain manner. He is the senior member of the firm of H. and E. F. Hunter, dealers in lumber, coal, lime and build- ing materials. The firm operates extensively throughout this portion of Illinois, maintaining business houses in various places and also dealing in farm lands.
Mr. Hunter is a native of the state of New York, born in 1837. The family is of Scotch lineage and was established in America at an early epoch in the history of the new world. The father, Andrew Hunter, was born in Vermont and upon his removal to Illinois in 1846 settled upon a farm in Bureau county, becoming one of the prosperous agriculturists of this portion of the state. There he remained until called froom this life by death. He was a member of the Congre- gational church, in the work of which he took an active and helpful interest, and in politics he was an old-line whig until the dissolution of the party, when he joined the ranks of the new repub- lican party. In early manhood he wedded Hulda Haskins, also a native of the Green Mountain state, and she died in Milo, Bureau county, in the faith of the Congregational church, of which she was a consistent member. Her father was of Irish lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hunter became the parents of seven children, of whom Hiram is the youngest. Three of the number are now living. His sister Mary is the wife of H. H. Allen, a retired farmer living in Henry, while Robert is a retired farmer of Tiskilwa, Illinois.
Hiram Hunter was reared to farm life, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of such work for him in his boyhood days. He acquired his education in the district schools and also in the public schools of Henry and for seven years following his marriage he en- gaged in farming in Bureau county. It was in 1858 that he was joined in wedlock to Miss Adelia C. Stevens, who was born in the Empire state in 1838, a daughter of S. K. and Katherine (Ma- ricle) Stevens, who came from New York,and located on a farm in Bureau county in 1856. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hunter were born two sons: Elmer F., who is a member of the lumber firm of H. & E. F. Hunter, and who is stationed at Chilli -- cothe, having charge of several branches of the business; and Clarence, who died in infancy.
For his second wife Mr. Hunter chose Philena Stevens, who was born in Bureau county in 1862. This marriage was blessed with five children : Harold S .; Alden; Lloyd H .; Newell, who died in infancy; and Esther L.
After carrying on general farming for a num- ber of years in Bureau county Hiram Hunter removed from his farm to Wyanet, Illinois, where he was engaged in the hardware business for seven years and also conducted a drug store there for a similar period. He came to Henry in 1881 and here engaged in the lumber business under the firm name of Hunter & Houghton, his partners being E. W. and E. F. Houghton of Wyanet. After two years they sold out the business and Mr. Hunter then became connected with the Han- na Wagon Company and was in Peoria for two years. On the expiration of that period he again purchased the lumber yard and admitted his son, Elmer F., to a partnership in the business under the firm style of H. & E. F. Hunter. From time to time they have enlarged and extended the scope of their activities and are now owners of various lumber yards in different points in central Illi- nois. Their business embraces the yards at Henry, Chillicothe, Sparland, Edelston, Winchester, La- con, Chapin, Bluffs, Meredosia, South Wilming- ton, Chebanse, La Salle, Varna, Magnolia, Ur- bana and Marseilles. They handle lumber, coal, lime, cement, sash, doors, blinds, mouldings and other building materials and the firm are also interested in farm lands in Scott county. Their business has thus constantly increased in volume and importance until it has reached considerable magnitude, making the firm one of the most prom- inent in commercial circles in central Illinois.
Mr. Hunter holds membership in the Presby- terian church and is one of its trustees, taking an active part in its work, contributing generously to its support and doing all in his power to ad- vance its interests. He is likewise an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and his polit- ical allegiance is given to the republican party. His business ability has been by no means limited to one line of undertaking and he has demon- strated his powers as a successful financier in the enlargement and capable management of the en- terprise of which he is now the head. He has made an untarnished record and unspotted repu- tation as a business man. In all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and
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right, justly valuing his own self respect as in- finitely more preferable than wealth, fame or po- sition. In those finer traits of character which combine to form that which we term friendship, which endear and attach man to man in bonds which nothing but the stain of dishonor can sever, which triumph and shine brightest in the hour of adversity-in those qualities he is royally endowed.
PETER ZIMMERMAN.
Peter Zimmerman, a prominent representative of business interests in Wenona, where he is en- gaged in merchandising and also deals in cattle, is one of the men of foreign birth who, adapting themselves to altered conditions and the different customs of their adopted country, have made steady and substantial advancement in the world of trade. He was born on the Rhine in Germany, October 4, 1852, and is a son of Henry and Eliza- beth (Altenhafen) Zimmerman, who were like- wise born on the Rhine in Germany. The father was a cattle dealer and butcher and died in the town of Essen. His wife has also passed away. In their family were nine children, of whom eight are now living: Englebird, Henry, William, Pe- ter, August, John, Marguerite and Louisa. Mar- guerite resides in Bonn on the Rhine and Louisa is living in Chicago. All of the sons excepting Peter are still in Germany and all of them are living on the Rhine and are engaged in the stock and commission business in the same town in which the father carried on business.
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Peter Zimmerman was educated in the public schools and early became familiar with the cattle trade through the assistance which he rendered his father. In 1872, at the age of nineteen years, he sailed from Antwerp with his sister Louisa and landed in New York city, whence he went to Sterling, Illinois, where he engaged in the butchering business. He followed his trade in a number of places before locating in Wenona, tak- ing up his abode here in 1881, since which time he has been a resident of this city. He has here engaged · extensively in dealing in cattle and in the butchering business and has been very pros- perous in his undertaking. On the 1st of March, 1905, he opened a mercantile store in Tonica, where he has done an excellent business. He was engaged in merchandising in Wenona for four years under the firm name of Zimmerman & Hoge and is now engaged in buying and selling
cattle. In all of his business affairs he has dis- played an aptitude for successful management combined with a keen discernment and unfalter- ing energy whereby he has attained a large meas- urc of success. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to completion and his business record is most creditable and commendable.
Mr. Zimmerman was married in 1886 to Miss Anna Wiesbach, a native of Germany, who came to this country when only three years old. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman now have four living chil- dren : John, Arthur, Esther and Peter J. Mr. Zimmerman has made several trips back to his native land, finding pleasure in revisiting the scenes of his youth and renewing the acquain- tances of his earlier years, but while he has a strong love for his native country he has a still deeper attachment for the land of his adoption. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church and they are highly esteemed residents of Wenona. where their circle of friends is large and con- stantly growing. His business interests too have constantly developed during his residence in the new world and he has worked his way upward from a humble position, making a business rec- ord which any man might be proud to possess.
ALLEN A. ROUSE.
Allen A. Rouse devotes his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits in Henry town- ship, where he rents a tract of land of two hun- dred and eighty-nine acres, of which he is culti- vating one hundred and seventy-five acres. His life record began in Stark county, Illinois, on the 18th of December, 1860. His father, William Rouse, was a native of the Empire state and a farmer by occupation. During his infancy, how- ever, he was brought from New York to Illinois by his father and a settlement was made by the family in Valley township, Stark county. There he was reared to the occupation of farming, which he made his life work after attaining his majority, but he is now living retired from active business. He married Cynthia Ratcliff, a native of Ohio, and their home is in Stark county, Illinois. In their family were nine children, of whom five are still living.
No event of special importance occurred to vary for Allen A. Rouse the routine of farm life when he was in his boyhood days. He attended the dis-
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trict schools in the winter months and in the summer seasons aided in the labors of the fields and after starting out in life on his own account he continued in the agricultural work and is now renting a farm from Holmes Morrison, comprising two hundred and eighty-nine acres of very rich and productive land, of which he has one hundred and seventy-five acres planted to crops. He thus annually gathers good harvests and his energy and business ability constitute the secret of his success.
In 1882 Mr. Rouse was united in marriage to Miss Maggie McMullen, also a native of Stark county, this state. They now have four daugh- ters: Mrs. Ada Cox, who is living in Stark county ; Nora, who married Frank Curry, and lives in Whitefield township; and Maud and Aura, both of whom are attending school and still make their home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Rouse hold membership in the Methodist church and are interested in its work and growth. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to sup- port his position by intelligent argument, yet the honors and emoluments of public office have no attraction for him. He prefers to depend upon business interests for an income and is accounted one of the wide-awake, alert and enterprising farmers of his community.
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