USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 52
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 52
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On the 30th of November, 1905, Professor Bass- ler was married to Miss Anna M. Hoge. They are members of the Methodist church and are very prominent and popular socially in the circles of society where true worth and intelligence are accepted as passports.
LEWIS V. SMITH.
Lewis V. Smith, residing in Henry, was born in Peoria county, Illinois, March 14, 1851, and is a son of John T. and Anne (Bates) Smith. The father was born in Frenchtown, New Jersey, May 11, 1819, and in his youth accompanied his parents on their removal to Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, where he met and married Miss Bates, who was born at Bristol, Bucks county, July 15, 1818. The wedding was celebrated October 9, 1838, and eight years later they removed with their family to Brimfield, Peoria county, Illinois, where they spent a decade and then came to Mar- shall county. For twenty-one years Mr. Smith
owned and occupied a large farm on section 9, Whitefield township, save that for a few years he lived in Henry for the purpose of affording his children better educational privileges. He was a prosperous farmer, giving personal attention to every detail of his work. In 1877 he sold his place to his son-in-law, Thomas Monier, and re- moved to Henry, where he practically lived re- tired. In later years, however, he again invested a portion of his means in farm lands and gave his attention to the supervision of his property. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith were long devoted and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, assisting earnestly in its work and doing everything in their power to promote its growth and upbuilding.
In their family were nine children: William N., who is now living retired in Topeka, Kansas; Elwood, who was a prosperous farmer of White- field township and is now deceased; Charles C., who is living retired in Henry; Angeline, who died at the age of eleven years; Arabella G., the wife of John H. Clift, of Fairbury, Illinois; Lewis, of this review; Brooks, deceased ; Charlotta S., the wife of Thomas Monier, of Henry; and Jennie, the wife of Luke Gregory, of High Prai- rie, Whitefield township. The death of the father occurred December 3, 1893, while his wife sur- vived until April 17, 1895, and thus passed away two most worthy people who made the world better by their having lived because of their Christian influence and their good works.
Lewis V. Smith, of this review, pursued his education in the schools of Marshall county, at- tending first in Whitefield township and after- ward in Henry. For twenty years he devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm in McLean county of one hundred acres which he improved, bringing it under a high state of cultivation. Removing to Henry in 1881, he is now engaged in dealing in live stock and is a prosperous business man of the town."
In 1873 occurred the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Lizzie Duffield, formerly of Fulton county, Illinois. Unto them have been born four children: William T., who at the age of thirty- two years is engaged in farming in Henry town- ship; Lea L., twenty-eight years of age, who is a traveling salesman living in Peoria; and Pearl V. and Ivan, aged respectively twenty-four and eighteen years and both now at home.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
Mr. Smith belongs to Henry lodge, No. 119, A. F. & A. M., and has attained high rank in Ma- sonry, being now connected with the Mystic Shrine. He is a republican and for twelve years has served as assessor of Henry. He has held va- rious official positions in the township and county and over the record of his public career and pri- vate life there falls no shadow of wrong or sus- picion of evil. He and his family are connected with the Christian church and in Henry and throughout the county wherever they are known they have warm friends who hold them in the highest regard.
CHARLES E. BARNARD.
Charles E. Barnard, who is meeting with suc- cess in his undertakings as a farmer, his home being a beautiful and commodious residence which stands in the midst of a finely cultivated tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres in Granville township about two miles east of the village of Granville, was born on a farm near Peru, Ver- mont, September 28, 1822. He has therefore long since passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, but posssesses the vigor and energy of a man of much younger years and in spirit and interest seems yet in his prime. His parents were Benjamin and Hepson (Filbrook) Barnard natives of Massachusetts. After their marriage they removed to the Green Mountain state, where the father purchased a farm, upon which he and his wife spent their remaining days, the former passing away at the age of eighty-one years, while Mrs. Barnard died at the advanced age of ninety years.
Charles E. Barnard of this review is the only survivor of a family of nine children and is the only one who ever came to Illinois. In his youth he remained upon the old homestead and later he cared for his parents until their death, operating the old homestead farm in Vermont. He was mar- ried in that state to Miss Harriet Holton, who was born in Vermont in October, 1824, and thus for many years they have traveled life's journey to- gether, sharing with each other its joys and sor- rows, its adversity and prosperity.
Eight children had been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Barnard when in 1865 they left their old home in New England and came to Putnam county, Illinois, where Mr. Barnard purchased a tract of land north of Granville. He there lived
for two years, after which he sold that property and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, where he now resides about two miles east of Granville. This was an improved farm but he has since made many changes and it is now equipped with all the accessories and evidences of progress along agri- cultural lines. In addition to the large and beau- tiful residence which is standing in its midst there are good barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, together with the latest im- proved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barnard have been born nine children, of whom seven are living: Mary, now the wife of George Dunn, of Nebraska; Anna, the wife of William Bowers, of Kentucky; Ella, the wife of A. J. Robson, of Granville; Fred, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Frank, who is living upon a farm adjoining his father's place; Hattie, the wife of E. B. Coulter, a resident of Iowa; John, of Omaha, Nebraska; James, of Hennepin township; and Harriet, who died at the age of four years. Mr. Barnard has given his children excellent educational privileges and has assisted his sons in purchasing farms.
From the age of fourteen years he has been a church member and is now identified with the Congregational church in Granville. He is an in- dependent republican, voting for the men whom he thinks best qualified for office at local elections nor has he ever aspired to political honors or emoluments for himself. He has lived an upright life characterized by activity and diligence in business, by honor in his relations with his fel- lowmen and by fidelity to a high standard of conduct, and now in the evening of life he re- ceives the respect and veneration of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
DAVID D. OWEN.
No history of Marshall county would be com- płete without mention of the various representa- tives of the Owen family, for they have been most closely associated with its development and have been helpful factors in its upbuilding and progress. David D. Owen was born April 26, 1837, on the farm which he still owns on section 9, Richland township, his parents being Timothy and Jane (Dever) Owen. He was reared to farm life and pursued a district school education. Hav-
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES E. BARNARD.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
ing reached adult age he was married November 18, 1868, to Miss Emma L. Bequeaith, a native of Tazewell county, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (King) Bequeaith, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the former born November 1, 1820, and the latter January 7, 1821. Her parents removed from Ohio to Indiana at a very early day and in 1832 came to Illinois, establish- ing their home about four miles southwest of Pekin, in Tazewell county, where they continued to reside until 1881, when, retiring from the work of the farm, the father purchased a home in Pekin, where he resided until his death, on the 29th of September, 1893.
Mrs. Owen was born March 11, 1851, and was educated in the public schools of Pekin. At the time of her marriage she went with her husband to the farm upon which they resided until 1901, when they removed to Lacon, where they now live. Mr. Owen still owns the farm, which comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land, constituting one of the best farm properties of the locality. Mr. Owen also owns city real estate in Chicago, while his wife has a beautiful residence property on Buena Vista avenue in Pekin and a farm of one hundred and twenty acres about three and a half miles from that city.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. David D. Owen have been born five children : Louis R., Jay J., Walter D. and James K., all yet living, while Timothy D. died in childhood.
Mr. Owen votes with the republican party, which he supported in 1860 when Lincoln was first can- didate for president, while in 1858 he also voted for republican candidates for state and local offices. He has held some local positions of political pre- ferment and yet cannot be said to be a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring always to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, wherein he has prospered as the years have gone by.
WILLIAM SCHWARTZ.
William Schwartz, a prosperous and enterpris- ing citizen of Belle Plain township, Marshall county, where he owns a fine farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres, is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Peoria, Peoria county, in 1854, and, as the name indicates, is of German ancestry. His father, Henry Schwartz, was born
in the fatherland in 1824, being there reared and educated. In 1845, when a young man of twenty- one years, he crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel bound for the United States, and at once made his way to Peoria county, where he followed farming for about ten years, after which he re- moved to a farm west of Washburn, in Woodford county, this state. He had formed the acquaint- ance of Caroline Sandmyers in the old country, where her birth occurred in 1826, and she likewise made her way to the United States, locating in Peoria county, where their acquaintance was re- newed, and they were afterward married. They were worthy pioneer people of that part of the state, but both are now deceased, both dying in 1898, only three days apart, the father passing away during the hour of the funeral service of his wife. Their family numbered five sons and one daughter, as follows: William, whose name introduces this record; George, deceased; Mary, the wife of John Kanive, living in Belle Plain township; John, who makes his home with his sister, Mrs. Kanive; Henry, a real-estate dealer of Peoria; and August, a resident of Williams- field, Knox county, Illinois. The father was a democrat in his political views and both he and his wife were devoted members of the German Re- formed church, in the faith of which they died.
William Schwartz was reared in Peoria and Woodford counties, and acquired his education in the Garrison district school in the latter county. He was early trained to the duties of the farm, which fitted him to carry on business on his own account, when he began life on his own respon- sibility. He took up his abode in Marshall county in the fall of 1890, at which time he lo- cated in Belle Plain township, since which time he has carried on general farming. That he has prospered in his undertakings is indicated by the fine farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres which came into his possession three years ago, and on which he has since made his home. He has here made many valuable improvements in the way of buildings and his farm is one of the best country homes of Belle Plain township. On his place are found all the equipments and accessories necessary for the successful conduct of farming interests, and Mr. Schwartz follows only the most practical and modern methods in the prosecution of his labors.
Mr. Schwartz chose as a companion and help-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
mate for life's journey Miss Amelia Wagner, who was born in Richland township, this county, a daughter of John V. Wagner, and by her mar- riage she has become the mother of five children, all of whom are still under the parental roof, namely: John H., Dora Elizabeth, George Walter, Raymond William and Ida Amelia. In his political views Mr. Schwartz is a democrat and has served as road commissioner of Richland township, but aside from this has not been active in public affairs, preferring rather to give his time and energies to his own private interests, which claim his entire attention. He holds mem- bership with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the camp at Washburn, and both he and his wife are members of the German Re- formed church. Mr. Schwartz gives hearty sup- port to any movement or measure which he deems will prove of benefit to his community and by his careful management and well directed labors in his business affairs he has accumulated, through the able assistance of his estimable wife, a fine farm property, and both are highly esteemed in this part of Marshall county, where they enjoy the hospitality of the best homes.
LEWIS R. OWEN.
Lewis R. Owen, a prominent representative of the business interests of Lacon, was born in this county, October 2, 1869, a son of David D. Owen, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. His early education was acquired in the public schools of Dixon, Illinois, and he afterward at- tended the Northwestern College there, in which he studied music and harmony and also pursued the commercial and literary courses. In early life he engaged in farming south of Pekin, Illinois, and subsequently removed to Moravia, Iowa, where he remained for three years. On the ex- piration of that period he returned to Marshall county and settled in Lacon, where he purchased a half interest in a grocery and hardware busi- ness. In January, 1905, he became sole proprietor and has since had entire charge, successfully conducting the store, in which he carries a well selected line of goods, meeting with a very de- sirable patronage.
On the 27th of January, 1898, Lewis R. Owen was married to Miss Dora Johnston, a daughter of James H. and Sarah J. (Bott) Johnston, the
former a native of Woodford county, Kentucky, and the latter of Salem, Roanoke county, Vir- ginia. Mr. and Mrs. Owen now have two chil- dren: Mildred M., born May 21, 1899; and Dale D., December 7, 1901.
Mr. Owen is a republican in politics and frater- nally is connected with Lacon lodge, No. 61, A. F. & A. M. His wife belongs to the Methodist church and is a member of its ladies' aid society, while in other departments of the church activity she takes a helpful interest. Both are highly esteemed people, enjoying in large measure the friendship of those with whom they have been brought in contact.
JONAS T. BALL.
Jonas T. Ball, whose sterling worth of char- acter has won him political honors, while his business discernment and keen sagacity have gained him a goodly measure of success in his farming operations, is a native son of Marshall county. He was born at Lacon, February 6, 1853. His father, Jonas L. Ball, a native of Massachu- setts, came from Hamilton, Ohio, to Marshall county, Illinois, making the journey on horse- back. He settled here at a pioneer epoch in the history of the county, taking up his abode just west of Toluca, where G. W. Thomas now resides on a part of the old homestead. Mr. Ball be- came a very extensive land owner, having at one time fifteen hundred acres, but he divided his property among his children, giving to each two hundred acres when they attained their majority. He ever utilized his opportunities to the best advantage, was quick to recognize a chance for good investment and moreover in his daily life displayed a spirit of industry and capable man- agement that constituted the strongest elements in his success. His political views were in accord with the principles of democracy and he was one of the founders of the Antioch Christian church, which was afterward removed to Toluca. His land lay just west of Toluca about a half mile and extended into Belle Plain township. For four years he served as supervisor and his devo- tion to the public good stood as an unques- tioned fact in his life. He contributed to the ma- terial, intellectual and moral progress of the com- munity through his cooperation in affairs that had direct bearing upon the welfare of the county
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
along those lines, and he passed away in 1888, re- spected and honored by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth C. Fetter, was born in Pennsylvania in 1823 and was a daughter of Dr. Fetter. She too held mem- bership in the Christian church and was a most estimable lady. In the family of this worthy couple were seven children: Alice, who died in infancy ; William L., also deceased; Charles, who dicd at the age of two years; Jonas T., of this re- view ; John D .; Gertrude, the wife of Sain Welty, a lawyer of Bloomington ; and George L., who was drowned in Senachwine lake while in bathing on a pleasure trip at the age of thirty-three years. He left a wife and four children, the wife being now Mrs. Maria E. Ball, who is educating her children in Eureka.
"No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Jonas T. Ball in his boyhood days. He acquired his early edu- cation in the public schools and afterward had the privilege of attending Eureka College at Eureka, Illinois. He early became familiar with the task of tilling the soil and cultivating the crops and he began farming for himself in 1874 upon the place where he yet resides. He has extensive land interests and the fields are rich and productive, owing to the care and labor which he bestows upon them, his generous use of fertilizers and the rotation of crops. He has upon his place the latest improved farm machinery, together with good buildings and other modern accessories and equipments.
Mr. Ball was married in 1874 to Miss Mary E. Beckwith, who was born in Magnolia, Illinois, in 1853, a daughter of- Zera P. and Mary Ann (Gaylord) Beckwith, who lived upon a farm near Magnolia and afterward removed to Wenona, Illi- nois, where their last days were passed. Mrs. Ball is a member of the Christian church and is a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind. The children of the household are: Edna G., now the wife of Snow Van Netta, living at Chi- cago Heights; Gaylord, who has recently returned from a trip to Europe; Chauncey P., at home; Ralph T., who is attending school in Eureka, Illi- nois ; and Rollo D., who is a student in the schools at Chicago Heights.
Mr. Ball votes with the democracy and is recog- nized as one of its local leaders, his opinions fre- quently proving decisive factors in the councils
of the party. He has been assessor and super- visor and has also represented his district in the state legislature. Proving an able member of the house, he took an active part in constructive legis- lation and gave to each question which came up for settlement his earnest and thoughtful con- sideration. In the Masonic fraternity he has at- tained the Knight Templar degree and he is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. In manner Mr. Ball is entirely free from ostenta- tion and display, but his fellow townsmen recog- nize his genuine worth and have delighted to honor him with political office, while in private life they entertain for him warm friendship.
GEORGE HENRY SHAW.
George Henry Shaw resides upon a farm in Roberts township but largely leaves the active work of the fields to others, while he is enjoying a well merited rest. He was born April 3, 1840, in a log cabin which occupied the site of his present fine brick residence on his farm in the southwestern corner of the township. His father, George Henry Shaw, was a native of Kentucky, born about 1798. He there grew to manhood and acquired a liberal education for that day, being a fellow student of Buchanan. About 1828 he came to Illinois, making the journey on horse- back to Marshall county, where he selected the present farm of his son George. He then taught school at Washington, Illinois, for a few terms, after which he returned to his Kentucky home. In 1831, however, he brought his family to Mar- shall county and took up his residence upon the farm which he had selected on first coming to Illinois and which is now the home of George H. Shaw of this review. He continued to carry on farming throughout his active business career and died in 1877, at the age of eighty years. On the 5th of August, 1828, he wedded Penelope R. Ed- wards, also a native of Kentucky, in which state the marriage was celebrated. Their first home in this county was what was known as an open faced tent, in which they lived for a short time, or until the erection of a very substantial log cabin, which was the family home until 1844, when Mr. Shaw erected a brick residence. His wife died in May, 1840, during the infancy of their son George H., and the father afterward married Emma Edwards, who departed this life in 1871. By his first mar- riage he had seven children: Stoughton, who was
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
killed by falling from a tree in early manhood; Elizabeth Ann, who is the widow of Dr. Henry Tesmer and resides in Sparland, Illinois; Pene- lope R., the deceased wife of Fielding Miles, of Kansas; Thomas M., who was judge of the cir- cuit court of this district, but is now deceased; Mary, the wife of H. D. Whitcomb, a resident of Bloomington, Illinois; Almira, who died in in- fancy ; and George H., of this review.
During the first decade of the history of Mar- shall county George Henry Shaw, the father, was a prominent figure. He served as a private soldier in the Black Hawk war and in the establishment of the present school system he took a lively in- terest and assisted in organizing many of the school districts of the county. Politically he was a democrat, with firm belief in the principles of the party. For several years he served as su- pervisor and also as collector of Roberts town- ship. In religious belief he was a Universalist, though never a member of the church. His house was one of the early landmarks of the county and was the temporary home of many of the early settlers of this locality. Before coming to the county he had learned surveying and his services in this direction were often in demand. As a pioneer settler he took a most active and helpful part in laying the foundation for the present progress and prosperity of the county and in promoting the material, intellectual and moral welfare of the community.
George H. Shaw, whose name introduces this record, spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the old home farm which is still his home, and he supplemented his preliminary education, acquired in the district schools, by a year's study in Lacon and as a pupil in Lombard College at Galesburg, Illinois. He afterward engaged in teaching in the district school near his home and also in the district north and was a capable edu- cator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. After the out- break of the Civil war, however, he put aside all business and personal considerations and in August, 1861, offered his services to the govern- ment, enlisting as a member of Company I, Elev- enth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Fort. He was appointed sergeant of the company, which was raised in this locality and which joined the regiment at Bird's Point, serving under Gen- eral Grant and taking part in the battles of Fort
Donelson and of Shiloh. On the 10th of May, 1863, Mr. Shaw was promoted to the rank of sec- ond lieutenant of his company and shortly after- ward was in the battle of Champion Hills and later in the siege of Vicksburg. The regiment was then sent to the Yazoo river and Liverpool Heights and Yazoo City encountered the enemy in battle. The command also participated in va- rious expeditions out from Vicksburg and was in the Jackson, Mississippi, campaign, which in- cluded several fights. Lieutenant Shaw was in command of a force protecting a transport of two boats in tow going to Duvall's Bluff. They landed at night and were fired upon, but came off without severe loss. Mr. Shaw was slightly wounded at Fort Donelson by a minie ball, which first struck his musket and glanced, hitting him in the arm. He saw much active service in Mis- sissippi and Tennessee and he is greatly interested in reunions of the Grand Army of this district.
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