USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 43
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 43
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
coal company began using steel in construction work. Mr. Colby found that business very prof- itable, and, in fact, has prospered in all of his undertakings.
At the age of twenty-six years Newton H. Colby was married to Miss Mary Whedon, who was born in Ohio but was living in Madison, Wisconsin, at the time of her marriage. Unto them have been born two children: Irving N., who was edu- cated in the Granville schools and later at Brad- ley Polytechnic School at Peoria, Illinois, and who is now conducting a machine shop in Granville; and Jessie M., at home, who was also a student in Bradley Polytechnic School in Peoria.
Mr. Colby exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party. He served for four terms as super- visor and has been school director, but is holding no office at the present time, as his business interests require his undivided attention. He is a member of the Congregational church and con- tributes generously to its support. While he takes no active part in public affairs as an office sceker, he is nevertheless interested in the welfare of the community, and his labors have largely been of a character that have contributed to general pros- perity and progress as well as to individual suc- cess. He is a typical business man, alert and en- terprising, and possesses in large measure that quality which has been termed commercial sense. Seldom, if ever, at error in matters of judgment, he has keen insight into business situations and their possibilities and seems to have accomplished at any one point in his career the possibility for successful accomplishment at that point.
RICHARD WAUGHOP.
Richard Waughop, who in former years was identified with general agricultural pursuits and now lives in Henry, was born in Portsmouth, Vir- ginia, October 8, 1830. His father, Richard Waughop, Sr., was also a native of the Old Do- minion, and was a ship carpenter by trade. In 1825 he married Miss Eliza Willis, of New York. To them were born five children: James, Rebecca, Richard, Amos and Eliza. The two oldest and the youngest of these children died during childhood, and Amos in 1892 at Decatur, Illinois, at the age of fifty-nine years. Thinking to enjoy better busi- ness opportunities in the middle west, Mr. Waug- op came to Illinois in 1834 and settled in Tazewell
county, where he followed the occupation of farm- ing. His wife died in 1835, at the age of twenty- eight. Mr. Waughop was married again in 1837 to Miss Mary Bowman, and to them were born eight children : Mrs. Lizzie Wilmot, of California; Dr. J. W. Waughop, who was superintendent of the hospital for the insane at Steilacoom, Wash- ington, for sixteen years and died on shipboard en route from Honolulu to the United States in 1903; William, a retired farmer of Bloomfield, Iowa, who died in October, 1906; Virginia, who died in 1877; Franklin, of Manchester, Iowa; George, professor of ancient language in Mt. Union (Ohio) College, who died in 1876; Amanda, who died in childhood; and Mrs. Caroline Van Petten, a missionary in Japan since 1881. Mr. Waughop, Sr., lived in Tazewell county for forty years, his death occurring in December, 1874, at the age of sixty-nine years.
Richard Waughop, of this review, was only four years of age when brought by his parents from Virginia to Illinois. He acquired his education in the early schools of Tazewell county and worked upon his father's farm until twenty-three years of age, when he left home and came to Marshall coun- ty, settling in La Prairie township, where he en- gaged in farming on his own account. He at first bought eighty acres of land, which he increased to one hundred and sixty. This he sold when he re- moved to Whitefield township in 1865.
In 1857 Mr. Waughop married Miss Mary C. Bondurant, daughter of Isaac and Marcy Hay Bondurant, of Kentucky. She came with her parents to Washington, Illinois, when a child. Mrs. Waughop is a lady of superior intelligence and culture, and in early life engaged in teaching. To Mr. and Mrs. Waughop were born four chil- dren : Clara Belle, at home, who taught school several years, attended Eureka College and is prominent in church work. Isaac Willis, a farmer, married Miss Susie Jacobs in 1880 and has two children, George and Effie, and one grandchild, Opal Sale. Marcie, a graduate of Eureka College and a special student of Wellesley College (Mas- sachusetts), taught in the public schools a few years, was principal in the Eureka (Illinois) high school four years, and also occupied the chair of English literature in Eureka College. In 1899, during the second year in this last position, she passed away at the age of thirty-one years, deeply mourned by a large circle of friends. Richard
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
Leslie, who follows farming and stock-raising on the old homestead, was married to Miss Estella Deck in 1896. They have two children, Irma and Vada.
In his political views Mr. Waughop is a stalwart republican, who has continuously voted for the party since casting his ballot for Abraham Lin- coln. He has served as school director and was collector in La Prairie township, but has never been active as a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs or other interests. He holds membership in the Christian church and has been elder therein for over thirty years- a fact which indicates his prominent position in the church and his active and helpful interest in its work. His life has been a busy, useful and honorable one, and now, in the evening of his days, he is able to enjoy a rest which has been justly won and is therefore well merited. He is now the owner of two good farms, one of one hundred and sixty acres and the other of two hun- dred acres, besides a tract of timber land.
ROBERT R. MCCULLOUGH.
Robert R. McCullough, whose farming interests comprise three hundred and twenty acres of val- uable land on section 15, La Prairie township, was born in Winsted, Connecticut, February 17, 1831, and there resided until three years of age, when he was taken by his parents to New York, where he remained until after he attained his majority. He comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His father, Samuel Mccullough, was a native of County Down, Ireland, and well remembered the revolutionary war of that country, when so many people were massacred. After seeking a home in the new world he acted as foreman in large manufactories in different parts of Connecticut. His political views were in accord with the prin- ciples of democracy, and he died at Caroline, Tompkins county, New York, in 1846. He mar- ried Nancy Robinson, also a native of Ireland, whence she came to the new world at the age of ten years, making the voyage on a sailing vessel with her uncle. She belonged to the Presbyterian church and was an earnest, sincere Christian woman. Her death occurred in Henry county, Illinois, in 1865, and she was laid to rest in Boyd's Grove. The members of the family were
Samuel, James and David, all now deceased; Adelia ; Jane; Robert, of this review; and John L., who was supervisor in Bureau county for twenty-eight years and was one of the best known citizens of this part of the state. He died in April, 1904, at the age of seventy-three years.
Robert Mccullough spent his childhood in New York, and when twenty-two years of age started out to face the hardships, difficulties and oppor- tunities of the world. He had no capital and he worked by the month as a farm hand. He spent four and a half years in Minnesota, and was well acquainted with the majority of the people who were massacred there by the Indians at the fork of the Yellow Medicine river. He realized the possibility of an attack, and, thoroughly under- standing the frontier conditions, he prepared a plan by which to escape in case of the approach of the savages. Those that followed his advice managed to escape unharmed, but the others were killed. Mr. Mccullough certainly deserves much credit for his plan, but modestly disclaims all credit. Throughout his entire life he has carried on general farming, and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land in La Prairie township, where he is successfully carrying on general agricul- tural pursuits, having brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. He has also added many modern improvements to the property, and it is now one of the excellent farms of the com- munity.
On the 22d of December, 1864, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mccullough and Miss An- geline Jones, who was born in Chillicothe, Illi- nois, February 3, 1834. Her father, Edwin S. Jones, who was always known by the title of squire, assisted in laying out Peoria county, and was one of the honored and prominent pioneer residents of this portion of the state. He lived here during the Black Hawk war and took part in the Civil war, while two of his sons were also loyal defenders of the Union cause. He married Emily Root, who was born in Roxbury, New York, in 1807. Her father, Jerel Root, was at one time a resident of Chillicothe, Ohio, and in 1829 was elected treasurer of Hancock county, that state. In 1831 he came to Illinois and served in the Black Hawk war during the follow- ing year. In 1832 he was elected county com-
MR AND MRS. R. R. MCCULLOUGH.
,
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
missioner of Peoria, and, with the assistance of he possesses he has acquired through his own Mr. Wrenn and John Coyle, they platted the labor, and his is a valuable farm of three hun- land whereon Peoria now stands. He was like- dred and twenty acres, equipped with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm property of the twentieth century. wise a soldier in the Civil war. His wife, Mrs. Jones, was a devoted member of the Christian church, and died in 1892. The members of the Jones family are as follows: Mrs. Isabella Wood, W. P. JENSEN. the eldest, was a resident of Chillicothe, Illinois, and died in San Antonio, Texas, March 12, 1906. Albert W. Jones was a lieutenant of the Union' army in the Civil war and later served on the staff of the governor of Colorado with the title of colonel. He is now retired from business in Greeley, Colorado, but takes a very active part in politics. Mrs. McCullough is the next of the family. Mrs. Harriet Foster, a resident of Brad- ford, Illinois, died in 1875. Julius E., who was also a soldier, is deceased. Julia married How- ard Edminster, and died April 30, 1895.
Mrs. McCullough attended school in Henry, Illinios, and at the age of sixteen years began teaching, which profession she successfully fol- lowed. In 1864 she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Mccullough, and unto them have been born the following named: Albert J., who mar- ried Anna B. Madison, of Fort Scott, Kansas, is now living in La Prairie township, farming his own land and also his father's farm. He com- pleted his education at Quincy Commercial Col- lege. Anna B., who engaged in teaching school in Chillicothe and in the State Normal, is now the wife of A. B. Stickney, a prominent railroad man and train dispatcher, living at Chillicothe, Illinois. Louis E. is a student in the high school at Chillicothe. Edwin, who for seven years was a student in a college at Galesburg, Illinios, was graduated with both a Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees. He is also a graduate of the State Normal of North Dakota and was formerly prin- cipal of the high school at Valley City, while at the present writing he is a professor in the high school at Anamoose, North Dakota. Mrs. Mc- Cullough is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Mccullough is rather inclined, politically, to the democracy, yet is independent of all party ties. He has now passed the seventy-fifth mile- stone on life's journey, and in a review of his record it will be seen that he has been most en- ergetic and capable in his business affairs. What
W. P. Jensen, owning and conducting a black- smith shop in Toluca, where he also owns a nice home, is a native of Denmark, his natal year being 1871. His parents, John J. and Mary (Anderson) Jorgensen, were also born in that country, the former in 1841 and the latter in 1839. The father is also a blacksmith, and has always made his home in that country. His wife, however, is now de- ceased, her death having occurred in 1881. She was a member of the Luthern church. In their family were the following named: Jorgen, who eight years ago started on a trip to the north pole and has not been heard from since that time; Katherine, the wife of John Hempel, who lives in Streator, Illinois ; Caroline, the wife of James Fort, a farmer residing near Dwight, in Living- ston county, this state; and W. P., of this review.
Mr. Jensen was reared and educated in his native country, and during his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed ere he emigrated to the new world. When he had at- tained his majority he decided to try his fortune in the new world, for he had heard of the ad- vantages which might be enjoyed in this country, and accordingly on crossing the Atlantic and reaching the United States, he made his way at once to the home of his sister in Livingston coun- ty, where he was employed for six months on her farm, which is located near Dwight. He then went to Streator, where he resumed his operations as a blacksmith, being employed in a shop there for two years, and in 1895 he came to Toluca, where he opened a shop of his own and has since con- tinued in business. He is an expert in this line and therefore enjoys a large and growing patron- age. He has been very successful in his business affairs and is ever known to be reliable and trust- worthy in all trade transactions. He owns a nice home in this city and is accounted one of the enterprising business men of this part of the county.
Mr. Jensen was united in marriage to Miss Mary Mathis, who was born in Marshall county, in 1867, a daughter of Jesse and Eliza Mathis, who were
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
farming people of Bennington township, but the former is now deceased, having passed away in 1905. Mrs. Jensen was reared and educated in this county, and in 1897 gave her hand in mar- riage to Mr. Jensen. She is a devoted member of the Christian church, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Le Roy Dewey, who was born in 1898, and died in 1904; and Irene, who was born in 1900.
Mr. Jensen gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is interested in every move- ment which tends toward the advancement of his town or community. His fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America, while in religious faith he is a member of the Lutheran church. He is well known not only in Toluca but throughout many of the surrounding districts, for his trade is drawn from many portions of Marshall county, and he and his wife enjoy the esteem of a large circle of friends.
A. J. CARLSON.
A. J. Carlson, who was accounted one of the foremost representatives of agricultural life in Richland township, was born in Sweden in 1850. When a young man of eighteen years he came to the United States, making his way at once to Illinois, and through unremitting labor and frugal habits he saved a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase a farm of eighty acres, which is now a very valuable property in Richland township. Ex- cellent improvements have been made thereon, in- cluding the erection of good barns and outbuild- ings, while the latest improved machinery is used in facilitating the work of the fields and the gath- ering of the harvests. He bought the farm about seven years ago, previous to which time he had been employed at farm labor or had operated rented land in various parts of the county. He never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for the years wit- nessed his progress and advancement, resulting in success. His father had died in Sweden, but the mother came to the United States and made her home with her two sons, A. J. and Charles Carl- son. Both are now deceased, however, and the mother passed away about sixteen years ago.
In the year 1877, in Varna, Illinois, A. J. Carl- son was married to Miss Amanda Palm, a daugh- ter of John and Christine Palm, who were early
settlers of Roberts township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carlson were born the following named: Edward, twenty-seven years of age, who works on a farm near the home place; Charles August, who is op- erating the home farm; Minnie and Elsie, who are also with their mother. The death of the husband and father occurred September 26, 1905. He was building a new corn crib, and met his death through accident, timbers falling upon him. He was a man of excellent traits of character, widely known as a devoted husband and father, a faithful friend and a loyal citizen. Wherever known he was respected and his life was characterized by unfaltering fidelity to a high standard of conduct. His political allegiance was given to the repub- lican party and for years he acted as a school di- rector. His religious faith was that of the Swedish Lutheran church. Men who knew him respected him and had the utmost confidence in his business integrity. His diligence was one of the salient features of his success, and his life record proved that industry is the key which will unlock the portals of prosperity. Although he came to Amer- ica empty handed, he gradually made advance- ment, and at his death was the owner of a valuable farm property. Mrs. Carlson has since carried on the farm with the assistance of her son, Charles August, who, though now only twenty-five years of age, is recognized as a most enterprising, prac- tical and progressive young farmer. The family are all members of the Swedish Lutheran church and have many warm friends in this community.
ADDISON PORTER WEBBER.
Addison Porter Webber, deceased, who was spoken of by his friends as "one of the best men that ever lived," became a pioneer resident of Marshall county and for more than a half century lived within its borders-respected and honored by all who knew him. His birth occurred in Gay- head, New York, October 9, 1829. His parents were Dr. Robert and Harriet (Pitts) Webber, who came to Illinois in 1852, settling near Lawn Ridge, where the Doctor engaged in the practice of medi- cine until his death, being one of the prominent early physicians of the county. He was the young- est of a family of five sons and was the last sur- vivor of that family. The Webbers are descend- ants of one of the first Dutch settlers of New York, the ancestry being traced back to Henry Webber, who was born in the Empire state in 1727.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
Reared in the state of his nativity, A. Porter Webber acquired there a common-school educa- tion and remained in New York until twenty- three years of age, when, at the time of his parents' removal to Illinois, he also became a resident of, Marshall county and settled with them upon a farm near Lawn Ridge. Coming to this county in early manhood, while it was nearly all raw prairie, he endured many hardships and priva- tions such as are incident to frontier life. He also worked for many of the early settlers and bought and sold different tracts of land, but did not en- gage in farming on his own account until his mar- riage, in 1858, when he settled in Valley township, Stark county. It was in December of that year that he wedded Miss Rachel Naomi Calder, also of Lawn Ridge and a daughter of Joseph Calder, one of the early settlers of that locality. Follow- ing their marriage the young couple began their domestic life in Stark county, where they lived until 1867, when Mr. Webber purchased a farm in La Prairie township, whereon he resided until his death, covering a period of almost four decades. Throughout his entire life he carried on general agricultural pursuits and placed his land under a high state of cultivation, adding thereto many modern improvements as time wrought changes in the methods of farming, while inventive genius introduced new machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. His life was one of industry, perse- verance and enterprise-qualities which are essen- tial elements in success, and as the years passed he won a goodly measure of prosperity.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Webber were born six chil- dren: Alice, now the wife of Lewis T. Wood, a real-estate and insurance agent at Lacon; Alma, the wife of J. W. Green, an extensive farmer and stock-raiser of La Prairie township; Lulu, who died at the age of thirteen years; Maud, the wife of Linus Root, a farmer living near Blue Ridge; Mabel La Veta, who remained at home to care for her aged parents until their death, and is still a resident of this county; and Herman, who is the fourth child and only son. He was married Sep- tember 24, 1895, to Miss Anna Collins, and now resides just across the road from the old home- stead, which he has managed for several years in connection with the work of his own farm. His wife was a daughter of Patrick Collins, a well known and prominent pioneer resident of this part of the state. Herman Webber attended the Spar-
land high school, the Northern Illinois Normal School at Dixon, Illinois, and was thus well fitted for life's practical and responsible duties. He is now numbered among the enterprising and suc- cessful farmers of La Prairie township and owns four hundred acres of valuable and productive land, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. In politics he is independent, and has served as justice of the peace. His religious views are indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Unto him and his wife have been born five children, namely: Mar- garet, Robert, Lawrence, Wilfred and Florence.
During the time of the Civil war and for many years thereafter Mr. Webber was a stalwart re- publican, but as the issues which brought about that rebellion passed away he saw that the next great battle of the American people must be fought at the ballot box, and so arrayed himself with the prohibition party and voted as he prayed as long as he was able to attend the elections. He was never connected with any secret organizations, but in early life united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and until the time of his death was a faith- ful and devout member and one of its most active and helpful workers. He held the office of trus- tee, steward and Sunday-school superintendent and teacher and for many years was regarded as one of the most valued representatives of the congre- gation, his labors being far reaching and bene- ficial for the upbuilding of the church. Mrs. Web- ber was also equally faithful to the church and was a most estimable Christian woman. Together they traveled life's journey for forty-seven years, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity, but on the 27th of February, 1905, they were separated through the death of the wife, who passed away at the age of sixty-five years. Not long afterward the health of Mr. Webber began to fail, and his strength grad- ually declined until on the 27th of July, 1906, at his home in La Prairie township, where he had resided for nearly forty years, he passed away. One of the local publications said of him: "He was quiet and reserved in his manne .: but firm in his belief of what was right. When quite young he united with the Methodist church and lived a conscientious Christian life. He hated shams or pretense in everything and lived only for what was grand, noble and uplifting. In the com- munity in which he resided he was considered a
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
pillar on which all might lean. He never mingled in politics or public affairs, but was ever ready to give freely of his advice, which was much sought for. His noble character was shown to best advan- tage in his own home. He was a kind and loving husband, a devoted father. He was never more happy than when surrounded by his children, their husbands and wives and his grandchildren. In his parents' home he was one of five brothers, and in later years when they moved to Marshall county the affection of the Webber brothers for each other was always noticeable. He was the last survivor of the family. The funeral was held Sunday at three o'clock at the Methodist Episcopal church in La Prairie and was very largely attended. Rev. Dille, pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. Thom- as Martin, conducted the services. Both were per- sonal friends of the deceased and spoke comforting words to the bereaved children. They held his life as an example for the rising generation and touched on the beautiful character of the man' who had spent a full half century in the neighbor- hood and departed without leaving an enemy or a stain on his character."
CHARLES A. BROWN.
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