USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 46
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 46
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
his attention to general agricultural pursuits. which he continuously followed until the fall of 1906, when he retired from active business life and took up his abode in Lacon. He still owns two hundred and twenty acres of land in Steuben township, which is valuable property and yields to him a gratifying income.
On the 17th of October, 1893, Mr. Garrett was married to Miss Electa Sargent and unto them have been born four children: Millie, Marie, Ella and Amasa, all at home. In his political views Mr. Garrett is a stalwart democrat and has served as supervisor of Steuben township for the past six years, but on account of ill health has resigned. He has held a number of other local offices and he belongs to the Masonic lodge of Sparland and to the Methodist Episcopal church. The Garrett family has long been a prominent, influential and prosperous one in this part of the county and the life record of Augustus Garrett is in harmony with that of other members of the family, who are accounted leading and valued citizens.
GEORGE RITHMILLER.
George Rithmiller is the owner of seven hun- dred acres of valuable land, from which he de- rives an excellent income that now enables him to live retired. Few men can show a more cred- itable record. A man's success is not measured by his possessions, but is determined by the abil- ity and energy that he shows in working his way from a lowly position to one of prominence and affluence. In the early years of his residence in America. Mr. Rithmiller encountered many diffi- culties and obstacles. Having come to the United States empty-handed, the language and customs of the people being unfamiliar to him, he never- theless by determined and unfaltering purpose worked his way upward, making a business rec- ord which any man might be proud to possess.
Born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 15, 1833, he was a son of George and Christina (Frey) Rithmiller, who were likewise natives of that coun- try. The father, who was born. in 1796, engaged in farming in Germany on a small farm and passed away there in 1866, when about seventy years of age. In the family were four children of whom Jacob and Gotfried are both now de- ceased, while the daughter, Mrs. Anna Maria Feazle, has also passed away.
George Rithmiller is thus the only surviving member of the family. He spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native country and in 1854 came to America, hoping that he might have better business opportunities in the new world. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic, land- ing at New York on the 26th of July from the sailing vessel Sir Robert Peel, which was seven weeks in crossing the Atlantic at that time. Mr. Rithmiller did not remain long in the eastern metropolis, but continued on his journey to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, in company with a friend by the name of Gampler. His friend was a baker an 1 soon obtained a situation, but Mr. Rithmiller was less fortunate and during the first year after his arrival in America he found it very difficult to secure work. He was employed in a hotel when a certain man wanted to know if there was a raw Dutchman there who desired a position, saying that he had heard they were good workers. Mr. Rithmiller desired the job and wanted to know what was expected of him. He was told that he must wheel mud to make eight thousand bricks per day and that the pay would be a dollar and a half per day, which was considered good wages at that time, but there was considerable danger attached to the work and Mr. Rithmiller's friend objected to him accepting the position. About eight miles from Cincinnati he secured work in a starch fac- tory for fifty cents per day and boarded himself. Later he was employed at Cottage Hill at ten dollars per month with board, and while thus en- gaged he managed to save about seventy dollars. He was then told by a friend that he could obtain a good situation in Cincinnati and he went to the city, where all of his funds became exhausted while he was seeking employment there. He then borrowed money in order to go to Indiana and from that state later came to Illinois, making his way to Bennington township, Marshall county. This proved to be the turning in the tide of his affairs and during his residence in this county he has continuously prospered. At length when his labors had brought him some capital he in- vested in land and began farming on his own ac- count. He placed his fields under cultivation and his crops brought him a good financial return. He did the first tiling in Bennington township in 1877. As the years passed by he kept adding to his land until he has accumulated a goodly for- tune in Marshall county, being now the owner of
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seven hundred acres of the rich farming land of Illinois, which is equal to any in this great land of ours for the production of crops. In 1901 he went to Oklahoma and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, which has since dou- bled in value.
In 1858 Mr. Rithmiller was married to Miss Sarah Shilling, who was born in New Jersey and in her early girlhood became a resident of Ohio, while later she went to Indiana. They were mar- ried at Clarksburg, Indiana, and remained in that state for about nine years, after which they came to Illinois, locating about four miles south of Toluca in Bennington township. For many years thereafter Mr. Rithmiller was continuously en- gaged in general farming, but is now practically living retired, merely giving his supervision to his landed interests. He makes his home in the village of Toluca and derives an excellent income from his property, which comprises seven hun- dred acres. He is the oldest representative of the Masonic fraternity in this locality, having joined the order in 1856, and throughout his life he has exemplified its beneficent spirit. The success which Mr. Rithmiller has achieved seems mar- velous when we remember how he started in life in America. Working at fifty cents per day and boarding himself, he eagerly watched for oppor- tunities for advancement and for the improve- ment of his condition and made good use of the advantages that came to him. His success is due, however, not to any fortunate combination of cir- cumstances, but to his own earnest and persistent labor and his careful, judicious investments. Dili- gence was the basis of his prosperity and his life record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished through unfaltering industry when supplemented by sound judgment and business in- tegrity.
HARLEY B. ZENOR.
Harley B. Zenor, a prosperous farmer owning eight hundred and fifty acres of land in Putnam county, his home being just outside the city limits of Hennepin, was born upon this place December 31, 1855, and was one of the ten children of Housen K. and Flora (Patterson) Zenor. The father was born in Kentucky in January, 1810, and died upon his farm southeast of Hennepin in February, 1870. He was a son of William and
Sarah (Seaton) Zenor, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia, while her mother was the first nurse that George Wash- ington ever had. William Zenor was reared in the state of his nativity, whence he removed to Kentucky, while his last days were spent at the home of his son, Housen K. Zenor, where he died at the age of eighty-nine years. His wife passed away in Hennepin township at the age of sixty years.
Housen K. Zenor accompanied his parents on their removal from Kentucky to Indiana in 1830 and in 1832 came with his brother Jacob to Put- nam county, Illinois, where he took up govern- ment land. He then returned to Indiana and brought the family to this state. His father pur- chased a farm in Hennepin township and lived thereon until his wife's death, after which he made his home with his son Housen. The latter was married May 7, 1835, to Miss Flora Patter- son, who was born in Indiana, October 29, 1815. They began their domestic life upon a farm and Mr. Zenor continued to carry on agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. He took up land before it was placed upon the market by the government. It is probable that he served in the Black Hawk war. He was one of the ear- liest settlers of this part of the state and contrib- uted in substantial measure to the task of reclaim- ing and developing the land. As the years passed he prospered in his undertakings and at his death left an estate of eleven hundred acres. He was a devoted member of the Methodist church, in the work of which he was actively interested, and his political support was given to the republican party at the polls. He served as supervisor for several terms and held other minor offices, the duties of which he discharged in prompt and capable manner. As stated, he died in February, 1870, and was long survived by his wife, who passed away November 4, 1902. Of their ten children only three are now living, the sister being in Kansas, while Henry makes his home with his brother Harley.
The latter was educated in the district schools and spent his boyhood days on the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties of field and meadow. After the death of his father he continued upon the old homestead and carried on the place until his mother's death. He then pur- chased the interest of the other heirs in the prop-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
erty and has since resided thereon. His home is a beautiful residence which was erected by his father, and the farm presents a well kept appearance, being neat and thrifty in every department, while the fields return golden harvests for the care and labor bestowed upon them. Mr. Zenor is one of the extensive landowners of the county and in his business interests shows a most practical and progressive spirit.
In December, 1896, Mr. Zenor was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Greiner, who was born in Hennepin, a daughter of Charles B. Greiner and a sister of C. C. Greiner, who is county clerk of Putnam county. Mr. and Mrs. Zenor have three children-Flora, Helen and Irene. The parents attend the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Zenor is a member. Mr. Zenor gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as highway commissioner for two terms and as assessor for two terms. He has been a member of the Odd Fellows society since 1877. Wherever known he is esteemed and is justly ac- counted one of the leading and representative agriculturists of Putnam county, his business be- ing of such extent and importance and so capably managed as to class him with the prominent agri- culturists of this part of the state.
FRANK FARLING.
Frank Farling, who for eight years has resided in Marshall county, his home being on section 26, Whitefield township, is however, a typical resident of the middle west, being a native son of Illinois, while in his life he has been imbued with the spirit of enterprise that has been the important factor in the substantial upbuilding of the central Mississippi valley. His birtlı occurred in Men- dota, La Salle county, on the 21st of May, 1865, his parents being Thomas B. and Elvina (Eby) Farling, both of whom were natives of Pennsyl- vania. When a young man the father came to Illinois and, having learned the trade of a car- penter and builder in the east, he began working in that way in Mendota, where for many years he was closely associated with building operations. He there died in 1904 and his widow is still living in that city. Six of their children yet survive: Emma, the wife of a Mr. Feathergeau, who is con- nected with an engraving house of Chicago; William, who is with his brother Frank; John, a carpenter of Chicago; Frank, of this review; Ed-
ward, who is engaged in the engraving business in Chicago; and Carrie, who is with her mother in Mendota.
Mr. Farling, whose name introduces this record, is indebted to the public school system of Mendota for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and which prepared him for life's practical duties. After putting aside his text-books he entered upon lıis business career as a farm hand in La Salle county, and for eighteen years he was connected with agricultural interests in Putnam county. Eight years ago he came to Marshall county and his time and energies are now given to the further development and improvement of a farm of eighty- one and a half acres situated on section 26, Whitefield township. This property is the vis- ible evidence of his life of thrift and enterprise and from his fields he annually gathers good har- vests as the reward of his persistent and energetic labors.
In 1888 Mr. Farling was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Long, a native of Bureau county, Illinois, and they became the parents of four children, of whom three are living, Thomas, Al- bert and Blanche, all of whom are in school. In 1902 Mr. Farling was again married, his second union being with Miss Henrietta Lyons, a native of England. There is one son by this marriage, William I., born July 3, 1906.
Mr. Farling is connected through membership relations with Putnam camp, No. 2107, M. W. A., while in his political views he is an earnest repub- lican. No special family or pecuniary advantages assisted him at the outset of his career in the busi- ness world, but he recognized the fact that earnest labor is a safe foundation upon which to build success and as the years have passed his diligence has been manifest until his work is now crowned with a goodly measure of prosperity and he is ac- counted one of the substantial farmers of White- field township.
ARTHUR P. OWENS.
Arthur P. Owens, cashier of the recently organ- ized bank at Camp Grove, was born in Saratoga township, about two miles from this village, on the 10th of July, 1875. His father, John Owens, was a native of Ireland, born in County Cork in 1838. He came to America in 1855 and made his way to Henry, Illinois, where he worked for the
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
meager wage of seven dollars per month. In the early days he once walked from Henry, Illi- nois, to the farm of John Roof, near Camp Grove, a distance of sixteen miles, in order to secure a half day's work at shocking wheat, and then walked back the entire distance. He labored earnestly and persistently in order to gain a start, and at length purchased eighty acres of land in Stark county in 1820, for which he paid eight hundred dollars. Later he sold this property, and at different times has bought and sold farms and made further investments in real estate until he now owns six hundred acres of valuable land ad- joining Bradford, Illinois, and is one of the pros- perous property holders, his possessions being ex- tensive and valuable. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he started out in life empty-handed and was forced to work for a very meager wage during the early days of his residence in this country. He holds member- ship in the Catholic church and fraternally is con- nected with the Knights of Father Mathew. He married Miss Maria Dillon, who was born in Ire- land, their wedding being celebrated in Lacon in 1870. They traveled life's journey together for more than a quarter of a century, and were then separated through the death of the wife on the 18th of December, 1898. She too was a devout Catholic. Her father was Patrick Dillon and she was a sister of Mrs. Thomas O'Brien and Mrs. Anna Donavan, of Wyoming. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Owens were born the following: Daniel J., Charles P., J. Thomas. Arthur P. and Hannah M.
Arthur P. Oweus acquired the greater part of his education in the schools of Bradford, Illinois, and was also for one year a student in St. Mary's College, St. Mary's, Kansas. He was reared to farm life until 1900, at which time, thinking that he would find other pursuits more congenial, he turned his attention to the banking business as an employe in the Phoenix bank at Bradford. There he remained until February 11, 1902, when the bank at Camp Grove was opened and Mr. Owens was placed in charge as cashier. He has since been in control of this institution, which, under his capable management, has grown and developed and has become one of the valued moneyed con- cerns of the county-a great convenience to the residents of this locality as well as a source of in- come to the stockholders. Mr. Owens belongs to the Catholic church and is identified with the
Knights of Father Mathew. A young man, he has displayed many traits of character which have ren- dered him popular both in social and business cireles.
THOMAS WARE.
Thomas Ware was one whose life record con- stituted an important element in the pioneer history of Putnam county. He is now numbered among the honored dead, but the influence of his life and labor still remains. A native of Massa- chusetts, he was born in Conway on the 6th of January, 1806, and his early years were spent in the state of his nativity, where after entering the field of business he was engaged in the manufac- ture of combs until his removal to the west. While still living in the Bay state Mr. Ware was married at Worcester, Massachusetts, March 19, 1833, to Miss Nancy Lauretta Shepherd, and the following summer, accompanied by his brother Ralph, he came to Putnam county and entered a large tract of government land in the vicinity of Granville, where he continued to make his home until his death. They were among the earliest settlers of the township. The Black Hawk war had occurred only the year previous and some Indians still lingered in Illinois. Great tracts of land were still unclaimed and uncultivated, being covered with the native prairie grasses and crossed with many sloughs, which made travel across the prairie somewhat difficult. Deer were still seen and lesser wild game could be had in abundance. The homes of the early settlers were widely scat- tered. the nearest neighbor being frequently miles away. Most of the pioneer dwellings were built of logs and the cooking was done over the fire- place, while the work of the fields was largely performed by hand. The usual experiences of frontier life confronted Mr. Ware and his bride when they came to Putnam county, but he reso- lutely set to work to establish a home and develop a farm.
On the 9th of October, 1846, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. There had been five children born by that marriage, namely: Thomas S., a resident of Manhattan, Kansas : Cynthia McEowen and Nancy Farwell, both de- ceased ; Charles K., of Downs, Kansas ; and Henry M., who died in infancy. On the 6th of May, 1847, Mr. Ware was again married, near Florid. Illinois, his second union being with Miss Mary
THOMAS WARE.
MRS. THOMAS WARE.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
Ann Stewart, who was born in Bond county, Illi- nois, November 6, 1819, and still lives at the old home. She is one of the oldest native residents of the state and one of the earliest pioneers of Putnam county. There is not a resident of Gran- ville who was here at the time of her arrival. She is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Willis) Stewart. Her father, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1793, and reared in Ohio, died near Florid at the age of fifty-seven years, while the mother, whose birth occurred in North Caro- lina, passed away when Mrs. Ware was only seven years of age. William Stewart and his family removed from Ohio to Bond county, Illinois, in 1818-the year in which the state was admitted to the Union-and in May, 1832, they arrived in Putnam county, settling on government land near Florid. His first home here was a log cabin, and he later built another joining it, it being the first "double log cabin" in the locality. In 1840 he erected a brick house, which is still standing, the brick being made upon the place. It is one of the old landmarks of the county and a mute wit- ness of the many changes that have occurred, bringing about a wonderful transformation. James Willis, an uncle of Mrs. Ware, built the corn cribs which were used as a protection against the Indians and won for the locality the name of Fort Cribs.
Unto the second marriage of Mr. Ware there were born eight children, namely: William S., who is carrying on the home farm in connection with his brother James; Mary A., who for several years engaged in teaching and is now with her mother; Sarah, the wife of G. A. Whitney, a resi- dent of Pasadena, California; Henry M., who is living near Blairsburg, Iowa ; James W., at home; Joseph E., who died at the age of twenty-five years; Lucy Hullinger, living in Granville; and Justin P., who is living in Weaubleau, Missouri. The family home is one of the finest residences in Granville, and was built by Mr. Ware. He also left to his family an excellent farm of three hundred and ninety acres.
Throughout the greater part of his life Mr. Ware devoted his time and energics to general agricultural pursuits and he transformed his tract of raw land which he secured from the govern- ment into fields of rich fertility and added many modern equipments to his farm in the way of good buildings and improved machinery. He was a
man of diligence and enterprise and brooked no obstacles that barred his path to success when they could be overcome by persistent and honor- able effort. Moreover, he was prominently iden- tified with the establishment of schools and churches and was an active and cheerful worker in providing suitable accommodations for those indispensable adjuncts of civilization. For years he was a member of the Presbyterian church, but in later life joined the Congregational church and at all times was an earnest, consistent Christian gentleman. His political allegiance was given to the republican party but he never aspired to office, although for some years he filled the position of justice of the peace. His life was at all times actuated by high principles and characterized by manly conduct and his record forms an integral chapter in the pioneer history of the county. He passed away December 6, 1886, honored and rc- spected by all who knew him. Mrs. Ware is an exceptionally well preserved woman for one of her years and recalls and relates in interesting man- ner many incidents of early pioneer life. She has now passed the eighty-seventh milestone on life's journey and is therefore one of the oldest citizens of Putnam county, while the years of her residence in Illinois are scarcely surpassed by that of any native citizen.
ALBERT D. FISHER.
Albert D. Fisher has practically retired from active business life and yet makes his home upon his farm a mile west of Granville. His former activity, enterprise and carefully directed labor brought to him a goodly measure of success and the competence which he acquired is sufficient to now supply him with the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
A native of Indiana, he was born in the town of Richmond in Wayne county, January 24, 1835, his parents being Thomas and Elizabeth (Wig- gins) Fisher. The father's birth occurred in Ohio, April 8, 1809, and he reached the venerable age of eighty-four years, passing away in Huntington county, Indiana. His wife, who was born in Clin- ton county, Ohio, in 1810, died in Indiana in 1844, when her son Albert was a little lad of nine years. Thomas Fisher was a nurseryman and farmer and for more than sixty years lived upon one farm, on which he took up his abode in 1834, when Huntington county was a frontier region.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
His political allegiance was first given to the whig party and later he became a frecsoiler, while upon the organization of the republican party to pre- vent the further extension of slavery- of which he was a strong opponent-he joined its ranks and followed its banners until his death. His wife was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends or Quakers, but in later years she and her husband became members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were people of the highest respect- ability, their good qualities of heart and inind gaining for them warm friendships and high re- gard. In their family were seven children, all of whom reached years of maturity, but only three are now living, one, Nancy E. Fisher, still re- maining upon the old homestead in Indiana, while Daniel D. Fisher has for several years been cir- cuit judge of St. Louis and is still upon the bench He studied law in Ottawa, Illinois, and practiced for several years in St. Louis, Missouri, before his election to the office which he is now filling.
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Albert D. Fisher spent his boyhood days upon the home farm and attended the country schools. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his youth. When he had largely mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools he entered upon a scientific course at Wheaton (Illinois) College. He had no other thought nor desire than to become an agriculturist, being well con- tent to devote his energies to the occupation to which he had been reared. and in this department of labor he has found ample opportunity for the exercise of his industry and enterprise-his domi- nant characteristics. In 1861 he came to Putnam county and for a year, in partnership with Joseph B. Albert, leased land near Florid and engaged in farming. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Granville township, to which he afterward added forty acres. With characteristic determiation and en- ergy he improved this farm, built a house thereon and made it his home for twenty years. In 1884 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, comprising two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land adjoining the village of Gran- ville. He has built a commodious residence here and other good buildings. He no longer works the land, but rents it to a family who live upon the place and the income from his property is sufficient to bring him the comforts of life. For
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