USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 41
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 41
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DRS. O. F. & F. C. TAYLOR.
The firm name which heads this article is one well known in Granville and Putnam county and the gentlemen who constitute the firm are widely recognized as leading members of the medical fraternity in this part of the state, having broad and comprehensive knowledge of the principles of the medical science, while in the application of their knowledge they are correct and accurate, thus securing good results in their professional labors.
0. F. Taylor, born in Champaign county, Ohio, on the 21st of May, 1843, is a son of R. O. and Elizabeth (Guerny) Taylor, also natives of Ohio. The father was born in Champaign county about 1828 and in early life learned the mason's trade, which he followed during the greater part of his business career. In 1849, when his son, Dr. O. F. Taylor, was but six years of age, he brought
his family to Putnam county, Illinois, and for three years lived in Hennepin, where he worked at the mason's trade. He afterward spent two years in Magnolia and subsequently resided at Paxton, Ford county, Illinois, About twenty-two years ago he and his wife removed to California, where the mother passed away about 1896, the father surviving until 1900. In their family were five children, of whom three are now living, but Dr. Taylor is the only one in Putnam county, the other two being residents of the Golden state.
Dr. Taylor, a youth of but six years when brought to Illinois, largely spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Putnam and Ford counties. He attended the common schools and for a short time was a student in a preparatory school in Peoria. He was thus well qualified for further prosecuting his studies along more scientific lines and the years 1867 and 1868 were spent as a student in Rush Medical College at Chicago. He received his diploma from that institution in the class of 1868 and immediately afterward located for practice at what was then called Pellsville, in Vermilion county, where he practiced for seven- teen years. On the expiration of that period he went to Omaha, where he remained but a short time, after which he returned to Putnam county, Illinois, and for a quarter of a century practiced his profession in Magnolia. In May, 1906, he lo- cated in Granville, where he is now associated with his son in the active practice of medicine.
On the 31st of December, 1867, Dr. O. F. Tay- lar was married to Miss Nellie Clark, a native of Bennington, Vermont, and a daughter of Decius Clark, who at the time of her marriage lived in Peoria. There were two children born of this
Fred C. Taylor, the only surviving child, is now his father's partner in business. He is an alum- nus of the State Medical College of Indiana of the class of 1894 and after completing his collegiate course engaged in practice in Granville for four years. He was afterward in the village of Florid for some time and subsequently returned to Gran- ville, where he is now associated with his father in the active practice of medicine and surgery. They are practically the only physicians of this place and have an excellent patronage.
Dr. F. C. Taylor was married to Miss Cora Bliss, a daughter of the Rev. Bliss, who is now preaching in Peoria. He has erected a very at- tractive cottage on Hopkins avenue and his father
DR. F. C. TAYLOR.
DR. O. F. TAYLOR.
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is building a home on an adjoining lot. On the opposite side of the street they have a new office building, which was erected in the spring of 1906.
Dr. O. F. Taylor has a creditable military rec- ord, having been a soldier of the Civil war. He enlisted in the Fourth Illinois Cavalry in 1863 and served for nearly three years, being on ac- tive duty on a hospital boat. He was also engaged in a little skirmish at Pittsburg Landing, but aside from that was in no field service. Being not continuously busy while at the front, he had a chance to see some of the country and was in New Orleans, Mobile and other places and went as far as Cuba. Both father and son are repub- licans in political views. The father served for six years as president of the village board of Mag- nolia and for eight years has been county coroner of Putnam county, filling the position ten years when his present term expires. The son has also served as coroner for four years. They are both men of good business ability and in the line of their profession have attained a degree of profi- ciency which is indicated by the liberal patronage that is accorded them, while their comprehensive knowledge is attested by the excellent results that have attended their labors.
RUDOLPH BOURDETTE.
Rudolph Bourdette, deceased, at one time ac- tively engaged in farming in Marshall county, where he resided throughout his entire life, was born in Henry, Illinois, April 22, 1853, and died on the 19th of May, 1902. He was one of a family of seven children and his educational priv- ileges were those afforded by the public schools of his native city. Throughout his business career he engaged in farming in Whitefield township and brought to his work a spirit of determination, en- terprise and laudable ambition that enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and make steady advancement on the high- road to success. He carefully tilled his fields, utilizing the most practical methods in his work, and as the years went by his annual income in- creased and he was thus enabled to leave his fam- ily in comfortable circumstances.
On the 19th of March, 1879, Mr. Bourdette was united in marriage to Miss Lura Culver, a daugh- ter of Orsemus and Adelia (Chapman) Culver, both of whom are now deceased. Her father was a native of Vermont and on emigrating westward
in 1836 settled upon a farm near Henry, casting in his lot with the pioneer residents of this sec- tion of the state who, following in the wake of the red men, reclaimed the region for the purposes of civilization and converted the wild prairie and timber tracts into rich and productive farms. He led a life of industry and activity and his many good qualities gained for him the respect of all with whom he was associated either in business or social relations. He died in. 1873. His politi- cal allegiance was given to the republican party, of which he was a most stalwart champion. His wife was a daughter of Joseph and Electa (Al- len) Chapman and both parents were descended from ancestors who served in the Revolutionary war, the respective families having been estab- lished in America in colonial days. In the fam- ily of this worthy couple were seven children, of whom two are living, Gilbert and Mrs. Bourdette. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bourdette were born three children, Ella, Charles and Edward. Ella is now the wife of Elmer Davis Higgins, a farmer of Eagle Grove, Iowa, and they have one daughter, who was born July 3, 1906. Charles, twenty-three years of age, is on the home farm with his mother and carries on the work of the fields.
In his political views Mr. Bourdette was a re- publican, voting for presidential candidates of the party and remaining loyal in its support when state and national questions were at issue, but at local elections he cast an independent ballot. He continued actively in business until October, 1901, when he became ill and his health remained im- paired until the following May, when he was called from this life, his remains being interred in Henry cemetery. He was a man of many good traits of character, was loyal in citizenship, faithful in friendship and devoted to the welfare and hap- piness of his wife and children. Mr. Bourdette left to his family a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land which is now carried on by his widow and her son Charles. The fields are under a high state of cultivation and a large number of cattle are raised and sold annually. Mrs. Bourdette also gives considerable attention to poultry, hav- ing about three hundred chickens, and she sells eggs and butter. A most earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, she has served as organist, has been a teacher in the Sunday-school and for three years has been president of the Ladies' Aid Society. In fact she is one of the
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most earnest and helpful workers in the church and her labors are far-reaching and beneficial. Her son Charles is secretary of the Sunday-school, while fraternally he is connected with the Henry lodge of Odd Fellows. The family is one of prominence in the community, well meriting men- tion among the representative residents of the county.
OWEN W. ALLEN.
Owen W. Allen, although now living in Henry, is still the owner of valuable farming property comprising three hundred and ninety acres in Putnam county. He was born in Putnam county, Illinois, in 1851 and is a son of James and Ro- sanna (Cassell) Allen, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was of Irish lineage and came to Illinois about 1845, settling in Put- nam county upon a farm. He was accompanied by his family, consisting of wife and three chil- dren, and he carried on general agricultural pur- suits, becoming a prosperous farmer and stock- raiser of that community. An earnest Christian gentleman, he held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, was one of its officers and one of its most active and influential workers. His political views were in accord with the principles of the republican party. By his friends and neigh- bors he was usually known by the term of uncle, which indicates the love and esteem which were entertained for him by all who knew him. He died in 1886 at the age of seventy-one years and left his family a most honored name. His wife survived him until 1890 and passed away at the age of seventy-four years. She was of German lineage and was a daughter of William Cassell, one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war. Her Christian faith was manifest in her membership in the Wesleyan Methodist church. She became the mother of eight children. Margaret, who married William Reynolds, a school teacher and grain merchant, died in 1861. William has also passed away. Jane is the wife of Joseph Umbar- ger, a retired farmer living in Melvin, Ford county, Illinois. Eliza is the wife of George Forney, also a retired , farmer of Ford county. Angeline is deceased. Owen W. is the next of the family. Nellie became the wife of Anthony Chance and has passed away. Cora married Sam- uel Eberly, a music teacher, who is also deceased.
Owen W. Allen was reared to farm life and
attended the district schools, supplementing his early educational privileges by later study in the schools of Hennepin. Throughout his active busi- ness career he was always a farmer and he is still the owner of a valuable tract of land of three hundred and ninety acres in Magnolia and Hennepin townships in Putnam county. There he was engaged extensively in raising thorough- bred stock, making a specialty of hogs and cattle, conducting a large business in that line, which brought to him a goodly measure of pros- perity and at length, content with the competence that he had secured, he retired from the farm, took up his abode in Henry, where he is now living in a beautiful home, enjoying life and its comforts.
In 1873 Mr. Allen was married to Miss Mary J. Edwards, who was born in Putnam county. Illinois, in 1853, a daughter of William and Mary Edwards and pioneer settlers of Putnam county, where they took up their abode about the time of the Black Hawk war, entering land from the government. Mr. Edwards added to his posses- sions from time to time until he owned four hun- dred acres and he was regarded as one of the men of affluence of his day and stood very high in the esteem of his friends and neighbors. He was of a Quaker family and his political faith was that of the whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He died in 1872 at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife was Mary Wiley and they had seven children, of whom they reared six to adult age. George, born in Putnam county, April 22. 1838, removed to Tama county, Iowa, in 1869 and served there as clerk of the district court for two terms. He died March 7, 1896. Harri- son, a resident farmer of Putnam county, Illi- nois, is highly esteemed by all who know him, and deals very extensively in thoroughbred hogs. Jos- eph A., who was born in Putnam county, Sep- tember 1, 1845, and died in 1898, was reared to farm life and in 1864 enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, with which he served until the close of. the war. He was graduated from the law department of the Iowa State University in 1873 and practiced law in Iowa City, Iowa, being very successful in his pro- fession. He also became a lecturer in the law de- partment of his alma mater. Prominent in po-
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litical circles, he was chairman of the republican county central committee, was city solicitor and one of the compilers of the city ordinances. In 1897 he was elected to the upper house of the Iowa legislature and was therefore a member at the time of his demise. Anna Edwards, the fourth member of the family, married Hiram Dunbar and they had two daughters, Mrs. Mattie Alle- man of Putnam county, and Mrs. Rena Foster of De Pue, Illinois. Her second husband is Wil- liam Cassell, of Putnam county, and they have three children-Peoria Rowe, Bessie and Harry Cassell. Luella Edwards became the wife of Wil- liam Eisenhouer, a farmer, and died in Novem- ber, 1903, at the age of fifty-six years. The next member of the family is Mrs. Allen, and the other died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen have had no children of their own but have been very generous in pro- viding for the support of others. They hold mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church and exemplify their faith in their daily works and in their relations with their fellowmen. Mr. Allen is a republican with firm faith in the prin- ciples of the party, and in matters of citizenship he is public spirited and loyal. He has found in an active and honorable business career that success is ambition's answer.
AMBROSE DUDLEY KEEDY.
Ambrose Dudley Keedy is now practically re- tired from active farm work, but for ten years has engaged in threshing during the season and still follows that business. His home is on sec- tion 10, Richland township, Marshall county, and' his birth occurred on section 16 of the same town- ship, October 30, 1842. His father, John A. Kee- dy, was a native of Orange county, Indiana, born April 25, 1820, and in 1834 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, the family home being established in . Marshall county. In 1841, having attained his majority, he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline M. Foster, who was born in Kentucky, October 10, 1820. Their only living child is Ambrose D. Keedy of this review and they lost one child. Mr. Keedy was the owner of a fine farm of three hundred acres of valuable land, which is indicative of his life of well directed energy and thrift. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they took
an active interest and in which he served as steward and trustee. He also filled nearly all of the local political offices of his township, was called upon to settle large estates and in various ways served the public. The trusts which were thus reposed in him were never betrayed. On the contrary, he was a most honorable and reliable man, whose good qualities gained him the confi- dence and high regard of all with whom he was associated. He died June 16, 1897, while his wife passed away April 23, 1894.
Ambrose D. Keedy in his boyhood days was a student in what is known as the Hull school. He worked for his father in the blacksmith shop until twenty-seven years of age and was then married in 1870 to Miss Mima Ramsey, a daugh- ter of Andrew and Martha Ramsey, who were farming people of Hopewell township, Marshall county. Mrs. Keedy departed this life December 28, 1877, in the faith of the Cumberland Pres- byterian church, of which she was a most devoted and loyal member. She left two daughters, Mar- tha Luella and Margaret Caroline.
At the time of his wife's death Mr. Keedy left his daughters with his mother and father, who reared them, and he went to the west, locating in Harper county, Kansas, where he worked on a ranch through the first winter. He then fed cat- tle for a year and afterward removed to south- western Kansas, where he worked on the Bell ranch, while later he joined his cousin, John Jones, and entered a piece of land in Meade county, Kansas. In the meantime he worked on the Crooked L ranch in order to secure money that might be used in improving his claim. He was in the west altogether for five years and had varied experiences with the cowboys. He was employed to watch the Indians at a salary of thirty dollars per month, during which time he had little to do and plenty of wild game to shoot. He has always been very fond of hunting and trapping and may yet be seen carrying his old shotgun to the timber when he goes to look after his stock. He has killed many a deer upon the frontier and he became quite an expert with the gun. Following his return to this county Mr. Keedy resumed farming, which he carried on suc- cessfully for a number of years, but is now re- tired from the active work of the fields. He still operates a threshing machine, however, having car- ried on this business during the greater part of
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his life, and the thresher which he now owns he has operated for about ten seasons.
Mr. Keedy has been called to various local offices by his fellow townsmen, who recognize his worth and ability. He has served as assessor for twelve years, has been school trustee and school director and was road commissioner for three years. During that time he was elected justice of the peace and is now serving for the second term in that office, wherein his decisions are strictly fair and impartial. Since 1862 he has been a member of the Masonic lodge at Lacon. His daughters are now keeping house for him and they are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Keedy's father was very much in- terested in the history of the country, and his son, like him, has a well filled library of old books, being particularly fond of history, so that he is well informed concerning the events which have molded the policy of the country and shaped its progress.
HENRY E. ZILM.
Henry E. Zilm, one of the most successful and prosperous agriculturists of Marshall county, is today the largest taxpayer in Belle Plain town- ship. He is a native of Germany, born in Meck- lenburg-Schwerin on the 9th of April, 1842, and is a son of Daniel and Minnie (Mevis) Zilm, who were also natives of Mecklenburg, the former born in 1804 and the latter in 1809. It was in 1857 that the father crossed the Atlantic and became a resident of the new world. Locating in Henry, Marshall county, Illinois, he purchased a farm near that place and turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. He subsequently lived on the Rolland place for a time and from there removed to Belle Plain township, where he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred in 1896. He was a supporter of the republican party and religiously was identified with the Ger- man Lutheran church, to which his wife also be- longed. She died in 1888. In the family of this worthy couple were seven children, namely: William, now deceased; Charles, a resident of State Center, Iowa; Louis, of Benson, Illinois; Henry E., of this review ; Frederick, a resident of La Rose ; Mrs. Alwina Speck, of Lacon; and Mrs. Minnie Cook, of La Rose.
Henry E. Zilm spent the first fourteen years of his life in his native land and there acquired a good education prior to the emigration of the
family to America. It was in 1856 that he and his brother Louis took passage on the sailing ves- sel Rhine and after a stormy voyage of forty-nine days landed in New York on the 1st of November. Locating in Henry, Illinois, he began to learn the wagonmaker's trade with William Hanna, with whom he remained for seven months, and for the following year worked on the farm of Steven Eckley, on the west side of the river. At the end of that period he returned to the parental roof and was employed on his father's farm for the greater part of the time until he started out in life for himself as a farmer. During his minority he gave the money that he earned to his parents and in return received only his board and clothes, but at the age of twenty-one his father gave him an old team and, renting a farm in Belle Plain township, he engaged in its operation for two years prior to his marriage, in the meantime boarding with his brother.
In 1866 Mr. Zilm was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Van Hove, who was born in New Amsterdam, Holland, in April, 1845, and died in this county in 1881. Four children were born of this union, namely: Lena, who married John Phillips and lives in Elgin, Illinois; Anna, de- ceased ; Matilda, the wife of William Harrin, a resident of Chicago; and Oscar, who married Car- rie Maddox and lives in La Rose. For his second wife Mr. Zilm married Miss Theresa Eringer, March 15, 1883. She was born in Hanover, Ger- many, May 15, 1859, and was twenty-three years of age when she came to the United States. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Zilm were born three children, Carrie, Adolph and Ernest, all at home.
For two years after his marriage Mr. Zilm lived on the William Spangler farm and engaged in its operation. He then made his first purchase of land, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres on the southeast quarter of section 9, Belle Plain township, belonging to Nicholson and Stevenson. As time has passed he has steadily prospered in his undertakings and has added to his landed possessions until today he is the owner of twelve hundred acres of rich and valuable land under a high state of cultivation and improved with ex- cellent buildings. He has worked persistently and energetically and the success that has come to him is due entirely to his own indefatigable la- bors, good judgment and careful management. He is a man of excellent business and executive abil-
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ity and usually carries forward to successful com- nois, and in the best homes of the locality cordial pletion whatever he undertakes. His political hospitality is extended to them. Mr. King is a support is given to the republican party and re- ligiously he affiliates with the German Lutheran church, to which his family also belong. His life has been one of earnest, persistent endeavor and he well merits the success that has come to him and also the esteem in which he is uniformly held.
SAMUEL KING.
Samuel King, at one time identified with agri- cultural interests in Marshall county and now conducting a drug store at Camp Grove, the en- terprising little village which has had an exist- ·ence of only about four or five years, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, on the 12th of Decem- ber, 1857, and was one of a family of eleven children, of whom ten are now living. The par- ents were John and Marguerite (Malone) King. The father was born in County Down, Ireland, and was a miner by occupation. Coming to the United States in 1864, he settled upon a farm in La Prairie township, Marshall county, Illinois, in 1867 and for many years was connected with agricultural pursuits, but is now living retired. His wife, also a native of the Emerald isle, passed away in 1878.
Samuel King was a youth of six years when brought by his parents to the new world. His education was largely acquired in the district schools of La Prairie township, where he also be- came familiar with the work of field and meadow, remaining upon the home farm until his twenty- seventh year. He then purchased a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 30, Sara- toga township, which now adjoins the corporation limits of Camp Grove, and there he actively and successfully carried on general agricultural pur- suits until October, 1904, when he took up his abode in the town and is now manager of the drug store owned by C. S. Liggett of Wyoming, Illinois. He still owns his home farm, as well as other farming properties in this county, and is a wide-awake and enterprising business man. He is alert and energetic at all times, watchful of opportunities for judicious investment and suc- cessful management, and his labor has brought to him a gratifying measure of prosperity.
In 1889 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. King and Miss Della Thomas, of Sparland, Illi-
democrat in his political views. He has served as school trustee in Saratoga township, was road commissioner for twelve years and township treas- urer for eight years, discharging the various du- ties connected with these offices in prompt and capable manner. He is likewise connected with Camp Grove lodge, No. 3350, M. W. A., in which he has filled all of the chairs. Almost his entire life has been passed in this county and while possessing the strong and sterling characteristics of his Scotch ancestry, he is also imbued with the spirit of modern progress that has been the dom- inant factor in the substantial growth and rapid development of the middle west. Of a friendly, genial disposition, he has gained a host of warm friends and is well liked by all who know him.
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