USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 59
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Past and present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 59
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Reared under the parental roof in the county of his nativity, Walter Foster attended the Fair- view district school and began work for himself at the age of twenty-one years, previous to which time he had received ample training in the work of the farm through the assistance which he had
JOSHUA FOSTER.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
rendered his father in the care and cultivation of the fields upon the old home place. He now owns the old homestead, which comprises one hun- dred and seventy-four acres of land that is very rich and productive and responds readily to the care and labor bestowed upon the fields by yield- ing golden harvests.
On the 5th of March, 1891, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Sylvia Traver and unto them have been born six children: Emory, Rolland, Nellie, Edith, Jessie and May, all yet at home. Mr. Foster votes the prohibition ticket and attends the Christian church, and these asso- ciations are indicative of the character of the man and the high principles which govern his life and are manifest in his conduct.
HENRY W. TIDMARSH.
Henry W. Tidmarsh owns and occupies a beau- tiful home that stands in the midst of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 30, Roberts township, Marshall county, in addition to which he has one hundred and sixty acres in Richland township, so that his landed possessions aggregate four hundred acres, all in this county. He was born in 1863 in a log cabin which stood on the Jesse Bane farm in Roberts township and has spent his entire life in this locality.
He is a son of Abel Tidmarsh, who was born in Wiltshire, England, December 27, 1821, and who died October 25, 1898. The father was one of seven children of Richard and Sarah (Wood- ham) Tidmarsh, who spent their entire lives in England. In the land of his nativity Abel Tid- marsh was reared and from an early age his life was one of toil. When but seven years of age he began working to help his mother and sub- sequently followed teaming for many years and . also worked at other occupations that would yield him an honest living. He was married January 12, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Witts, a native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, born January 31, 1822. Her parents, Seth and Barbara (Howell) Witts, also spent their entire lives in England. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tidmarsh were born four children: Sarah Ellen, the wife of Sampson Rowe, of Whitefield township, Marshall county; Emma W., the wife of John Wetzel, of Roberts township; Clara, the wife of John B. Martin of the same township; and Henry, of this review.
The year 1855 witnessed the emigration of
Abel Tidmarsh and his family to America, at which time he became a resident of Whitefield township, Marshall county, Illinois. After being employed for one season in a brickyard he pur- chased the plant, which he operated for four years, and in 1860 he rented a farm from Jesse Bane in Roberts township. Six years later he purchased a farm in the same township and in 1879 he re- placed his log house by a commodious frame resi- dence. He also made excellent improvements upon his land and added to the property until he became owner of four hundred and four acres, constituting a valuable farm. When he arrived in this country he had a cash capital of only seventy-five cents and at the time of his death he was numbered among the men of affluence in Marshall county. He voted with the democracy and filled the office of school director. He sur- vived his wife for about two years, her death oc- curring June 13, 1896. She was a member of the Church of England.
Henry W. Tidmarsh, reared under the parental roof, early became familiar with the work of field and meadow and his boyhood days were largely devoted to earnest and unremitting work. He continued to engage in farming upon his father's place until 1897. In the meantime he attended school at Shaw's Point and at Varna, and thus acquired his education. As the years passed he has prospered in his undertakings and his landed holdings now embrace four hundred acres in Marshall county, of which two hundred and forty acres is comprised in the home farm on section 30, Roberts township. Hc also has one hundred and sixty acres in Richland town- ship. His home place is splendidly improved and in its midst stands a beautiful and commo- dious modern residence, together with large and substantial barns an outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock.
In 1887 Mr. Tidmarsh was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Miller, who was born in Lacon in 1868 and is a daughter of Robert and Anna Miller, who are now deceased. She was edu- cated in the schools of Lacon, of Roanoke and of Washburn, Illinois, and by her marriage has be- come the mother of five children: Robert, born September 20, 1889; Edwin M., March 10, 1892; Ellen Marie, July 18, 1894; Irlene May, August 21, 1899; and Virgil Ray, March 19, 1904. All are still under the parental roof. Mr. Tidmarsh
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
is well known in the county where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his labors as to win a place among the farmers 0I affluence, also gaining recognition among those whose lives of business integrity command the highest respect.
MILTON E. NEWBURN.
Milton E. Newburn, living upon a farm within the city limits of Hennepin, is one of the native sons of Hennepin township, born on the 28th of September, 1843. His parents, Mahlon and Mary (Ford) Newburn, were natives of Ohio and prior to their removal to Illinois made their home near Dayton, that state, whence they came by team to Putnam county at an early period in the pioneer development of this part of Illinois. There were no facilities for railroad travel at that time and there had been little advance made in reclaiming this district for the uses of civilization. Mr. and Mrs. Newburn located on government land east of Florid and with characteristic energy the father began the development of a farm, which hitherto was entirely wild and uncultivated. After some years he disposed of that property and for four years was a resident of Granville township, subsequent to which time he resided upon the farm now owned by his son Milton. His death occurred in Peoria, February 14, 1895, at the age of seventy-eight years, having survived his wife for about eight years. He deserved all the credit implied in the term "a self-made man" for his close application, persistency of purpose and unremitting diligence were the strong feat- ures in his success, whereby he advanced from a humble financial position to one of affluence. He was almost penniless when he arrived in this county and at his death was the owner of a valu- able farm property of one hundred and sixty acres. He had in the meantime disposed of much of his land, for he had formerly been the owner of three hundred and forty acres. His father, John Newburn, also came to Putnam county, lo- cating upon a farm near Florid, where he died during the boyhood of Milton E. Newburn and his wife also passed away at that place.
Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon Newburn were the parents of five children: Alfred, who lived at home and died at the age of twenty years; Milton E .; Stephen, who owns and occupies a fruit farm
in California; Sarah, the wife of George Baxen- dale, of Peoria, Illinois; and Aaron, who inherit- ed a part of the old estate and died thereon at the age of twenty-three years after a short mar- ried life of two years.
The boyhood days of Milton E. Newburn were spent in the usual manner of farm lads of the period. He assisted his father in the operation of the farm and in the winter months when there was considerable respite from farm duties he at- tended the public schools. On attaining his ma- jority he began the cultivation of his own farm in the vicinity of the old home place, but contin- ued to live with his parents. Later he disposed of that property and secured another farm near Hennepin. He became owner of his present farm in 1885 and continued actively in its cultivation and improvement until 1892. In the meantime he had devoted considerable attention to the breeding of Chester White hogs and for thirty years he has engaged in this business, making ex- hibits of the stock at state fairs in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, at St. Louis and at the World's Colum- bian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. At the last named he carried off premiums amounting to six- teen hundred dollars on a herd of nineteen ani- mals, at which time he had to compete with the whole world. He has always given his attention to the Chester White breed and has been most successful in raising high grade hogs.
On the 1st of May, 1894, Mr. Newburn was married to Miss May Turner, of Hennepin, a daughter of Oakes and Rebecca (Butler) Turner, who came to Illinois in the `30s and settled at Wyoming, Stark county. Their subsequent days were passed at Hennepin, where the mother died in 1884 and the father in 1888. Mrs. Newburn was born in Hennepin, May 16, 1850, and after the death of her parents acted as housekeeper for her brother until her marriage. She has now passed away and Mr. Newburn has since wedded Miss Prudence M. Huron, a native of this county. He lives upon a farm within the city limits and rents his other land, which brings to him a good income.
The democratic party receives his political sup- port at the polls and he was elected assessor of his township, which office he held for nine years, and for the past twelve years has continuously held the office of supervisor in a township which gives a normal republican majority-a fact which
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
is indicative of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He keeps in touch with the political issues of the day and is frequently a delegate to the conven- tions of his party. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed and his service in political office is indeed commendable. He represents one of the old pioneer families of the county, where the name of Newburn has ever been a synonym? for good citizenship and progressiveness in busi- ness.
PETERSON P. DAHL.
Peterson P. Dahl, an apiarist of Granville, now devoting his entire attention to bee culture and the production of honey, has become well known in connection with this industry and his opinions throughout this part of the state are largely regarded as authority upon the business which claims his energies and attention. Mr. Dahl is a native of Denmark, having been born in Bornholm, August 5, 1838. His father, Hans P. Dahl, likewise born in that country, was a ship carpenter by trade and died of typhoid fever at the age of forty-five years, when his son Peter- son was but two and a half years old. The moth- er, Mrs. Bertha Dahl, lived to be seventy years of age and died in Denmark, her native country. After losing her first husband she married again.
Peterson P. Dahl acquired his education in the schools of Denmark and was confirmed in the Lutheran church at the age of fifteen years. His school life was considered ended at that time and he was bound out for a term of five years to learn the shoemaker's trade. On the completion of his apprenticeship he worked at that vocation as a journeyman until 1861, when his attention was called to the new world and the opportunities of- fered in this country. A fellow countryman, who had been in Granville, Putnam county, Illinois, was at that time making a visit to his old home in Denmark and gave such glowing descriptions of the new world and the possibilities here of- fered that a party of young people decided to come to America. Accordingly they sailed from Hamburg on a westward bound steamer and after fourteen days landed at Castle Garden, New York, whence they proceeded westward to Gran- ville. Mr. Dahl at once sought and secured work
at his trade of shoemaking and was thus em- ployed until 1878, save for the period of his mili- tary service.
On the 11th of August, 1862, in response to his country's need, Mr. Dahl joined the army as a private in Company B, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served with that command for seven months, going as far south as Nashville, Tennessee, and at Hartsville he was taken prisoner. Owing to the rigors and hard- ships of war he was ill much of the time and was discharged for disability at Camp Douglas, but in the meantime he had manifested his loyalty to his adopted land and given substantial proof that he desired the perpetuation of the Union.
In 1868 Mr. Dahl was married to Miss Mary Blake, who was born in Putnam county and is a daughter of John P. and Zilpah (Atwood) Blake, both of whom are now deceased. The father, a native of Massachusetts, came to Putnam county in 1831 when the evidences of civilization here consisted of but a few scattered huts and little clearings, the greater part of the land being still in its primitive condition. He was a surveyor and followed that profession for some years. In com- munity affairs he took an active and helpful in- terest, served as a trustee of the school lands of Putnam county and acted as a trustee of the Granville school funds from 1833 until 1877. In the former year he was also commissioned judge of the probate court, being the second judge the county ever had, and in 1836 he was appointed deputy surveyor, acting either as deputy or as surveyor for over thirty years. His official career is blameless, as it was characterized by the most conscientious purpose and unfaltering fidelity to the trust reposed in him. He was prominent in church and school work for many years and was actively connected with the Sabbath-school throughout his entire life. Thus his influence was a potent force in the material, political, in- tellectual and moral progress of his community and his name is honored in Putnam county, where for many years he made his home. His memory compassed the period of early pioneer development and of modern progress as well, for a good old age was accorded him. He passed away in Union Grove. His first wife, Zilpah Atwood, was born in Massachusetts and died in 1845, leaving a family of seven children. His second wife was Mary Smith, who was born in
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Pennsylvania and is now deceased. She left a family of five children.
Following his return from the war and after his marriage Mr. Dahl continued to work at the shoemaker's trade until 1877, when he traded his store building for the place where he now lives. He has two and a half acres in the western part of the village of Granville, whereon is a com- fortable residence. He also has a large garden, good orchard and numerous shade trees and the place in its well kept appearance is most attract- ive. For thirty-five years he has been engaged in bee culture and at present has about one hundred and forty-five swarms, although at different times he has had as high as three hundred hives. One year three hundred hives produced seven thousand pounds of honey. His broad experience and his study of the methods of the bees, combined with care in housing them, makes him authority upon the subject. He is thoroughly posted in every detail of the business, including the making of the comb foundation, a process which requires special machinery and also the separating of the honey, which is done by an interesting piece of mechanism and requires much care and skill. When the honey is extracted from the comb it is placed in pint cans and put upon the market and nothing excels the pure strained honey which bears the stamp of Peter Dahl, apiarist, Gran- ville, Illinois. It is to this work that Mr. Dahl is now giving his time and attention and he de- rives therefrom a good income.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children: Nettie T., now the wife of Charles Conklin, resides near Kempton, Illinois. She is a graduate of the state normal school and for ten years engaged in teaching in Putnam county, at one time being principal ,of the schools of Granville. She now has three children. Lo- . rena, the second member of the Dahl family, is acting as housekeeper for her brother, Percy E., in Missouri. She pursued a two and a half years' course in the state normal school of Illinois and she, too, has taught school in Putnam county. The only son, Percy E. Dahl, went to Missouri in the spring of 1905 and there purchased and is improving a farm of ninety-nine acres.
Since 1861 Mr. Dahl has been a member of the Baptist church but during the past few years has attended the Congregational church, of which his wife is a member. He is a strictly temperate man
and his views upon this question are indicated through the stalwart support which he gives to the prohibition party. He has served as a mem- ber of the village board for a number of years and community interests find in him a stalwart champion, who does all in his power to promote reform, progress and improvement. He belongs to Hennepin post, G. A. R., and since becoming a naturalized American citizen has manifested a loyalty to this country and her institutions un- surpassed by her native-born sons.
CHARLES A. FROMMEL.
Charles A. Frommel, who is engaged in the manufacture of cigars in Henry and is prominent in community affairs, was born in Canton, Ful- ton county, Illinois, December 31, 1862. His father, Albert C. Frommel, was a native of Ham- burg, Germany, and in 1849 came to the United States, settling first in Utica, New York, where he engaged in business as a cigar manufacturer. He became the first representative of that line in Canton, Illinois, where he carried on his en- terprise for many years. He died in Troy, New York, in 1901, since which time his widow, who bore the maiden name of Anna E. Rowley, has become the wife of T. A. Schipper, of Henry, and is again a widow. By her first marriage she had three children: Charles A .; Ernest, a cigar manufacturer of Peoria; and Mrs. W. B. Miller, who is also living in that city.
Charles A. Frommel pursued his education in the public schools of Canton, Illinois, of Inde- pendence, Kansas, and of Henry, as his parents removed to the different places. He learned the trade of manufacturing cigars under the direction of his father and began business for himself on the 31st of July, 1886, when he came to Henry. He has conducted his present cigar manufactory since 1893 and is now carrying on a good business in this line. His leading brands are the Rose Queen, a first class domestic five cent cigar, and My Best, which is a ten cent domestic cigar. The excellence of his goods enables him to secure a ready sale for his output and his trade is growing in substantial manner.
In 1886 Mr. Frommel was married to Miss Nellie C. Miller, of Henry county, Illinois, and unto them has been born a daughter, Anna Jean- ette, now five years of age. Mr. Frommel is prom-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MARSHALL AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
·inent in fraternal circles, belonging to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Henry and to the Eagles of Peoria. In the former he has filled all of the chairs and has been master of finance for four terms. In politics he is a democrat and has been alderman of the second ward for two terms. He was elected the first foreman of the Chemical Engine company and was a member of the com- mittee to draft the constitution and by-laws in 1891. He has several times been chairman of the democratic county central committee with head- quarters located on Second street opposite Central park. He is likewise a member of the bridge board and is recognized as one of the leaders in the local ranks of the democracy, and, earnestly desiring the success of his party, labors along practical and effective lines for its upbuilding.
ADAM BROWN HENKINS.
The life record of Adam Brown Henkins can- not fail to prove of interest to many of our read- ers, for he is a venerable citizen of Senachwine township, living upon section 26, and for more than a half century he has resided in this part of the state. Today he is one of its most exten- sive land owners, his possessions aggregating ten hundred and fifteen acres in Putnam and Bureau counties.
He was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, near the Virginia line, September 24, 1824, his parents being Elijah and Elizabeth (Brown) Hen- kins. The father was born in West Virginia, September 29, 1792, and died in Putnam county, Illinois, September 6, 1887, while his wife, whose birth occurred July 1, 1797, in West Virginia, passed away in this county, August 12, 1875. In their family were the following named: Rawley, who died February 11, 1900; Christina, who be- came the wife of Robert Worley and died May 2, 1863; Catherine, who married John Roberts and died September 3, 1900; Margaret, who died Oc- tober 12, 1887; Adam, of this review; Susan, who died April 21, 1824; Mary Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jacob Syphers and died Jan- uary 17, 1875; Andrew P., who departed this life September 16, 1872; Elijah, who is living in Senachwine township, Putnam county; Elizabeth, who married Stace Stevens and passed away April 2, 1901; Martha Jane, who died April 3, 1854;
and Amanda, who is living with her brother Elijah.
The educational privileges which Adam B. Henkins received in his boyhood were somewhat limited but in the school of experience he has learned many valuable and useful lessons. Under the parental roof, however, he was trained to hab- its of industry, perseverance and economy. In 1850, with a party of sixteen people, one of whom was his uncle, Colonel Levi Anderson, Mr. Hen- kins drove across the country from Pennsylvania. The party were upon the road twenty-six days. proceeding by slow stages after the manner of travel at that time, which was long before the era of the railroad. Reaching Illinois Mr. Henkins worked at the carpenter's trade in Princeton and afterward rented land in Bureau county, where he carried on farming for two years. His father and the other members of the family then came to Illinois, settling in Senachwine township, Put- nam county, and his father gave him eighty acres of land in payment for two years' work. On receiving this Mr. Henkins engaged in farming for himself, placed the land under cultivation and has continued the work of improving the farm, making his home thereon to the present time.
In 1860, desiring a companion and helpmate for life's journey he married Sarah Jane Dawson, who was born in Pennsylvania, June 18, 1832, and died in Putnam county, November 17, 1897, when about sixty-five years of age. They had be- come the parents of seven children. Jchu, who was born February 11, 1860, married Lorena Hall and lives in Senachwine township. Commo- dore, who was born March 21, 1862, married El- mira Smith and was killed November 3, 1905; while sawing wood. Dowdy D., born May 11. 1864, died April 24, 1865. Susan L., born April 29, 1866, is the wife of Dwight M. Ball and they reside with her father. Jacob S., born August 1, 1868, died March 6, 1895, while studying med- icine in Chicago. Adam, born June 12, 1874, wedded Alice Putcamp and is living in Bureau county. Miles W., born June 15, 1877, married Miss Ball and lives in Senachwine township.
Throughout almost his entire life Mr. Henkins has followed general agricultural pursuits and is thoroughly familiar with the best methods of till- ing the soil and caring for the crops. He now has a nice home and his landed possessions are extensive, for from time to time he has added to
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his property through careful investment until he year. He had no capital when he arrived at his now has ten hundred and fifteen acres in Putnam destination but possessed energy and determina- tion, and was employed by his brother William, working at farm labor for two years. On the expiration of that period, having saved a sum of money, he purchased a few implements, rented a piece of land, and began farming on his own ac- count, retaining his home with his brother. For three years he used a double shovel plow. He was successful in his new venture and as time passed he added to his financial resources, and, having acquired a capital sufficient to establish a home of his own, he further completed his ar- rangements by his marriage, February 12, 1874, to Miss Lena Weesbach, who was born in Prus- sia, July 25, 1852. She was a daughter of Henry William Weesbach who, in 1867, removed with his family from the fatherland to La Salle county, where he engaged in farming. He was killed by a train near Wenona, while on his way for mail, and his wife died in Wenona about four years ago. and Bureau counties. He started in life a poor man and all that he possesses has been acquired through his own labor. He early realized the fact that persistent effort is the basis of all success and his perseverance and energy have enabled him to overcome many obstacles and difficulties in his path. His property is one which any man might be glad to possess. There is no better in- vestment to be made than by placing money in the rich farm lands of Illinois, for the soil is so productive that it makes a splendid return and the equable climate with liberal rainfalls and warm sunshine always insures good crops. Thus farming is profitably carried on by all who have industry and energy enough to till the soil ac- cording to modern methods and the life record of Mr. Henkins demonstrates the possibilities for success in this particular. For fifty-four years he has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his political support has been given to the republican party for almost an equal length of time, as he joined its ranks on its organization. He has served as road commis- sioner and as school director and was also town- ship school trustee for years. His has been a long and useful life, crowned with prosperity and also with the respect of his fellowmen.
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