USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 9
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In Austin, Texas, in 1884, Mr. Odern- heimer was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Buchanan, of Mansfield, Illinois, who died at Champaign, this state, in the year 1886, leaving a daughter, Virginia Frances, who is now at home. She has completed the common-school course and expects in the year 1903 to become a student in the Illinois University. On the Ioth of August, 1887, in Monticello, Illinois, Mr. Odernheimer was again married, his second union being with Charlotte Jane Baird, a daughter of William and Marie Baird, of Circleville, Ohio. Three children were born of this union, but all died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Odernheimer is a stalwart Republican, and takes a very
active and influential part in the work of the party. He has served as a committeeman of Monticello township for six years, being chairman for three years, and for three years he has also been a member of the county central committee, acting as its chair- man for two years. He is likewise a mem- ber of the executive committee of the Illinois Republican State League Club, and is chair- man of the Monticello League Club. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, thus being able to give an. intelligent support to the party and his la- bors in its behalf have been effective and far- reaching. He is now acting as government crop reporter for Monticello township and is secretary for the Piatt County Farmers' Institute. Fraternally, Mr. Odernheimer is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and is now venerable consul of Monticello Camp, No. 346. He also belongs to Fraternity Lodge, No. 58, F. & A. M., 48, R. A. M., while his wife is connected with the Order of the Eastern Star. He and . his wife and his daughter are all members of the First Methodist Episcopal church and are people of the highest respectability, hav- ing the warm regard of many friends. The hope that led Mr. Odernheimer to seek a home in America has been more than real- zed, for here he has gained an excellent competence and has won the friendship and regard of a large majority of those with whom he has been brought in contact. His business affairs have been so capably man- aged that they have returned to him a splen- cid income, and his methods have ever been above question. Keen and clear-headed, al- ways busy; always careful and conservative in financial matters, moving slowly and surely in every transaction, he has kept in
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the steady progress which invariably reaches an objective point. The story of his advancement should inspire all young men who read the history of his life with a truer esteem of the value and sure rewards of character.
JOHN LARSON.
No foreign element has become a more important part of our American citizenship than that furnished by Sweden. The emi- grants from that land have brought with them to the new world the stability, enter- prise and perseverance characteristic of their people and have fused these qualities with the progressiveness and indomitable spirit of the west. Mr. Larson is a worthy repre- sentative of this class. He came to Ameri- ca a poor boy, hoping to benefit his financial condition, and his dreams of the future have been more than realized, for he is to-day one of the prosperous farmers of Piatt county.
son, of Argenta, Macon county. Those liv- ing in Sweden are Annie, Larson ,and Sophie.
John Larson was reared and educated in his native land and there learned the trade of carriage making, but has never followed that occupation since coming to America. It was in April, 1886, that he sailed for the new world and landed in Boston, Massachu- setts, whence he made his way westward to Bement, Illinois. On his arrival here he was unable to speak a word of English, but mastered the language in one summer. He commenced work in tiling, which he fol- lowed for one year, and the next year con- tinued to engage in the same occupation in connection with farm work. Having saved enough money to purchase a team in 1887, he rented a farm in Unity township in con- nection with his brothers. N. B. and S. B. Larson, and the following year took entire charge of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which he operated successfully for four years. A part of the time he also had charge of his brother's farm of two hundred and forty acres. At present he rents a half- section of land in Moultrie county, which he operates together with his own farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, Unity township, Piatt county, which was part of the McCabe estate. He paid twenty thousand three hundred and ninety dollars for this place, and has erected thereon a substan- tial residence and made other improvements to the amount of three thousand dollars. He has tenants upon his land, but gives his per- sonal supervision to the work, which is car- ried on in the most systematic and practical manner. Mr. Larson is also interested in stock-raising, making a specialty of short- horn cattle and thoroughbred Norman
Mr. Larson was born in Sweden on the. 26th of February, 1868, a son of Bonde and Bessie Larson, who are still living in that country, where the father is engaged in farming. He visited his sons in America during the summer of 1902. In the family are nine children, four sons and five daugh- ters, six of whom are now living in this country, namely : N. B. Larson, who lives on the Thompson farm in Unity township, Piatt county ; S. B. Larson, who lives on his uncle Nels Larson's place on section 7, Unity township, just one mile east of our subject : John Larson, of this review; Han- nah Hanson, a resident of Macon county, Illinois; Segrie Pierson, who makes her home in the same county ; and Emma Pier- ' horses, and he owns two registered mares
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sired by Dewey and an interest in some fine stallions in this county.
In Moultrie county, Illinois, October 3, 1894, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Selma Nelson, also a native of Sweden and a daughter of Nels and Bessie Nelson. She came to the United States in 1889, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children : Luella, born June 8, 1896, and Elmer, born April 1, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Larson are members of the Swedish Luth- eran church, and he is a Republican in poli- tics. He has become thoroughly identified with the interests of his adopted country, and is well known as an enterprising and re- liable business man, one who keeps abreast with the times. All who know him hold him in high esteem.
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GILBERT A. BURGESS.
The name of Gilbert A. Burgess is close- ly associated with educational interests of tion has been carried on in this connec- tiontion has been carried on in the school- room and through the press. He is now the editor of the Piatt County Republican, pub- lished in Monticello.
Mr. Burgess was born in Sigourney, Ke- okuk county, Iowa, February 12, 1848, and is a son of D. G. Burgess, whose birth oc- curred in New York. When quite young the father accompanied his parents on their re- moval from the Empire state to Illinois, the family home being established near Ellisville, Fulton county. The grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of the community, coming to Illinois when much of the state was still unsettled and unimproved. It was amid the wild scenes of frontier life in Ful-
ton county that D. G. Burgess was reared and with the family he shared in the hard- ships and trials that fall to the lot of pio- 'neers. In 1844 he became a resident of Iowa, which was still under territorial gov- ernment. He learned the carpenter's trade in Iowa City, where he spent two years, and in 1846 he went to Sigourney, Iowa, being connected with the building interests at that place until his death, which occurred in 1855, at the age of thirty-three years. He had married Louisa Smith, who was born in Fulton county, Illinois, and she, too, died at a comparatively early age, passing away when her son Gilbert was only two years old. She was a daughter of Hezekiah and Lydia Smith, who were born in Indiana and became early settlers of Fulton county, whence they removed to Keokuk county, Iowa, in 1843. Mr. Smith was a millwright, carpenter and builder and these pursuits oc- cupied his time and energies until his death.
At the early age of seven years Gilbert Burgess was left an orphan, and in the spring of 1856 went to live with his pater- nal grandmother in Henry, Marshall county, Illinois. He resided with her until 1861, when he removed to Warren county, Illi- nois, there making his home with his uncle, Henry B. Burgess, through the succeeding years, coming with him in the year 1866 to Piatt county. His early education was ob- tained in the public schools and two years in Lombard University at Galesburg, while in Eastman's Business College of Chicago he had mastered the branches of a commercial course in the winter of 1865-6. In the fall of 1866 he began teaching in Kankakee coun- ty, Illinois, and the following summer he spent in Iowa, but in the fall of 1867 he re- turned to Illinois and taught at Mackville. For ten years he followed his chosen profes-
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sion during the winter seasons and in the summer months engaged in farming. He entered the state normal school at Normal, in the spring of 1876, therein pursuing a course of advanced study until 1878, when he graduated. For one year, 1878-9, he was assistant in the high schools of Monticello and then became superintendent of the schools of this city, serving in that capacity for two years. When a vacancy occurred in the position of county superintendent of schools in July, 1881, he was chosen to fill out the unexpired term and subsequently re- appointed to the same office for a year. At the regular election, 1882, he was chosen for a term of four years, and thus served as county superintendent for more than five years altogether, during which time the schools made rapid advance.
Since leaving the position of county su- perintendent of schools in Piatt county Mr. Burgess has been connected with journalis- tic work. Removing to Decatur in the spring of 1887 he engaged in the publication of a school journal in which he owned an inter- est. He then purchased the entire interest in the business, and returning to Monticello, issued the first edition of the Piatt Independ- ent in December, 1887. In 1889 he erected the substantial building in which he is now located, and in 1892 bought the Piatt Coun- ty Herald. Since then the union of the two papers has been known as the Piatt County Republican. This was sold to a joint stock company in 1896, and Mr. Burgess has since been its editor and manager.
On the 18th of June, 1874, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Jane Conaway, a native of McLean county, Illinois, and a daughter of James and Melissa Cayton Conaway. Three sons have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Burgess : Lou, Fred and Ralph, all of
whom are of age. Mr. Burgess is a mem- ber of Fraternal Lodge, No. 58, A. F. & A. M .; Markwell Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M., Monticello Counsel, No. 27, R. & S. M .; and Monticello Chapter No. 159, and in these various departments of Masonry he has held office. He is also a member of Ur- bana Commandery No. 16, Knights Tem- plar.
HON. J. N. RODMAN.
An enumeration of the prominent and honored men of Piatt county would be in- complete without mention of Hon. J. N. Rodman, who at the time of this writing, in 1903, is serving as representative to the gen- eral assembly of Illinois from the twenty- fourth district, comprising Champaign, Moultrie and Piatt counties. He now resides in DeLand, but for many years has been ac- tively associated with farming interests within the county. His activities have touched along other lines of business, and his keen discrimination, wise counsel and unfaltering diligence have been important factors in the successful control of many public and private concerns.
Mr. Rodman is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Muskingum coun- ty in 1848. In his childhood days he was brought to Illinois by his parents, Scammon and Eliza (Woolf) Rodman, who located in McLean county. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Virginia. On emigrating westward they took up their abode upon a farm in Oldtown township,. McLean county, where they spent their re- maining days, the father devoting his ener- gies untiringly to agricultural interests. He died at the age of eighty-six years, while his
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Julius of Padman
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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wife passed away at the age of sixty-four years. In their family were ten children, of whom the subject of this review was the eighth. He has one brother who resides in DeLand.
J. N. Rodman was reared in McLean county, Illinois, and began his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses, which were common throughout this state in pio- neer days. Later he spent two years as a student in the Wesleyan University, pursu- ing a general course and through the years of an active manhood his knowledge has been constantly broadened by reading, expe- rience and observation. He first worked up- on the old home place known as the Cusey farm. He continued to assist his father in the operation of his land until the time of his marriage, which occurred on the 13th of October, 1878, the lady of his choice being Miss Clara E. Colvin, of Zanesville, Ohio, a daughter of James Colvin who always made his home in the Buckeye state, and who was a prominent and influential citizen, there serving for years as county commissioner. He had a family of six children, including Mrs. Rodman.
Prior to his marriage Mr. Rodman pur- chased and shipped stock, making his head- quarters at Holder, Illinois, for several years. After his marriage he began farm- ing in 1879, settling in Goose Creek town- ship, Piatt county, since which time he has been identified with its agricultural interests. In 1881 he removed to the I. W. Scott place of five hundred acres, and this he has con- tinued to operate and improve. He has been buying and selling land throughout the years of his residence in McLean and Piatt counties, and in addition to his property in Illinois, he also owns land in the cotton belt of Mississippi. A man of marked business
ability he is quick to note opportunity and to utilize it. He was one of the founders of the State Bank of DeLand, of which he is now the vice president, and his enterprise and counsel have been valued factors in the successful control of this institution. For some time Mr. Rodman was also proprietor of a grain elevator in DeLand, but has now disposed of the property. While still on the farm he engaged in the raising of cattle, hogs and horses, and he brought up Lady Rodman, training her to a record of 2:1514.
When Mr. and Mrs. Rodman were liv- ing upon the home farm their place was not- ed for its open-handed hospitality, and their door was never closed to their many friends and they now occupy a very attractive and beautiful residence in DeLand, fitted up with every modern convenience, including both hot and cold water, bath rooms, a hot air plant for heating and a lighting plant. This home is the center of a cultured society circle and its good cheer is greatly enjoyed by those who visit them. Mrs. Rodman is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a most estimable lady. In his social relations Mr. Rodman is a Mason, belonging to DeLand Lodge, No. 812, F. & A. M. He also belongs to the Twentieth Cen- tury Lodge, No. 603, K. P., and has twice been its representative to the grand lodge, and was its first chancellor commander. In politics he has always been a stalwart Repub- lican and has kept well informed on the is- sues and questions of the day, but steadily refused to accept office until 1902, when he was prevailed upon to become a candidate for the general assembly. He made a suc- . cessful race and was elected, so that he is now a member of the house of representa- tives. He served as chairman of the commit- tee on roads and bridges, and has been a
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member of the committees on agriculture, appraising, farm drainage, federal buildings, live stock and dairying and warehouses. He was likewise made a member of the commit- . tee whose purpose it was to visit, inspect and report upon penal and reformatory institu- tions. A man of keen perception and un- bounded enterprise, his success in life is due entirely to his own well directed efforts, and . new home, departing this life in January, he deserves prominent mention among the leading and representative business men of his town and county. Over his life record there falls no shadow of wrong; his public service has been most exemplary, and his private life has been marked by fidelity to duty.
ELI F. WOLFE.
Eli F. Wolfe, deceased, who for many years was one of the most honored and high- ly esteemed citizens of Cerro Gordo town- ship, was born on the 8th of January, 1849, in Clinton county, Indiana, his parents be- ing Eli and Barbara (Mussellman) Wolfe, both natives of Ohio. He was one of a family of seven children, two of his broth- ers being now residents of Kansas, while one sister lives in California and another makes her home in Dakota.
About 1865 Mr. Wolfe came to Piatt county, Illinois, and took up farming, which he followed successfully until failing health caused his retirement. For about a year prior to his death he was confined to his bed most of the time, and he passed away on the IIth of March, 1902, at the age of fifty-three years, one month and twenty- four days. Four of his children had previ- ously died.
Mr. Wolfe was married March 7, 1869,
to Miss Catharine Wolfe, who was born near Lafayette, Indiana, in 1849, and in I86I came to Piatt county, Illinois, with her parents, Jacob and Hannah (Shively) Wolfe. They were natives of Ohio, born near Dayton. Her father purchased a half section of wild land one mile east of La Place, but did not live long to enjoy his 1870. His wife survived him some years and died in 1887. Their children were: Solomon, deceased; Catharine, widow of our subject; Lizzie, who died in infancy; Eli, who first married Fanny Friesner and second Mary Metzger, and is the owner of a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 34, Cerro Gordo township, which came to him by inheritance ; David, who died with consumption when about twenty-five years of age; John, who died at the age of eighteen years; George, who married Ella Friesner and lives south of Mrs. Catharine Wolfe.
Unto our subject and his wife were born seven children, but only three are now liv- ing, namely: Hannah is the wife of Cyrus Metzger, a resident of Cerro Gordo town- ship, and has two children, Clarence and Goldie. Frank married Dolly Baney, of Cerro Gordo township and lives on the home farm, one mile east of La Place. Laura is with her mother.
Since her husband's death Mrs. Wolfe has made her home in LaPlace, where she has erected a very comfortable residence, surrounded by beautiful shade trees. She still owns the fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres willed her by her husband and now rented to her son Frank. The place is improved with good and substantial build- ings, and the land is well tilled and under a high state of cultivation. Mrs. Wolfe has
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
witnessed the greater part of the growth and development of this section of the state. When the family settled in Cerro Gordo township much of the land was covered with sloughs and ponds and was thought unfit for cultivation, but it has since been tiled and drained and converted into the best farming property of the state.
Mr. Wolfe led a very quiet, peaceful and industrious life and was a model husband and loving father. He was an active and prominent member of the German Baptist or Brethren church, to which his wife and children also belong, and was a trustée of the same. His funeral was conducted by Elder M. J. McClure, of that church, and his death was widely and deeply mourned, for he had many friends among all classes of people who appreciated his sterling worth and many excellencies of character. For many years he held the office of school di- rector and never withheld his support from any object which he believed would advance the interests of his fellow men or promote the general welfare.
ALBERT C. EDIE.
Endowed by nature with strong mental- ity and a keen, logical power of resolving intricate problems into their component parts and thus gaining knowledge of the points at law which bear upon them, Albert C. Edie lras won success and prominence at the bar of Piatt county, where he has prac- ticed for almost eight years as a member of the firm of Reed & Edie. At the present time the firm style is Reed, Edie & Reed. the son of the senior member having recently been admitted. .
Mr. Edie is one of Piatt county's native sons; his birth having occurred upon the home farm in Cerro Gordo township, on the 28th of August, 1868, his parents being Wil- liam H. and Amelia J. (Funk) Edie. The father was born in Hancock county, Ohio, in 1844, and the mother's birth occurred in Washington county, Indiana, in 1843, her father being Abraham Funk, one of the pio- neer settlers of that locality. William H. Edie served his country as a Union soldier in the Civil war, rendering valiant service on the battlefields of the south, and after receiving an honorable discharge he re- turned to his old home in Ohio. Later he came to Piatt county, Illinois, and located on a farm in Cerro Gordo township, where he resided for a number of years, devoting his time and attention to the development and further improvement of his farm. Aft- er some years had passed, during which time he acquired a comfortable competence, he came to Monticello, where both he and his wife are now living. He has retired from business cares, and both Mr. and Mrs. Edie are numbered among the highly respected citizens of the community.
. In the usual manner of farmer lads, Al- bert C. Edie was reared and in Cerro Gordo township he began his education, attending the district schools, while later he entered the Cerro Gordo school, in which he was grad- uated with the class of 1887. Desirous to make the practice of law his life work, he then began preparing for the bar in the of- fice and under the direction of W. G. Cloyd, of Bement, who was his preceptor for a year. He then went to Decatur and spent one year in the office of Judge W. C. Johns, and in 1892 he was admitted to the bar before the supreme court at Springfield. After his admission he took charge of the
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Building and Loan Association, at Cerro Gordo, remaining there for two years, and on the expiration of that period he came to Monticello, where he has since made his home. In 1894 he entered into partnership with S. R. Reed, a distinguished member of the Piatt county bar, with whom he has since been associated in practice, and the law firm ranks first among the lawyers of the coun- ty. Their clientage is extensive, embracing connection with the most important litiga- tion which comes before the courts of the district. As a lawyer, Mr. Edie has the suc- cess which might naturally be looked for where close application and immense power for work are united to mental strength and quickness, an excellent memory and a large appetite for the activities of the profession.
In .1894 Mr. Edie was united in mar- riage to Miss Callie M. Fisher, of Monticel- lo, a daughter of E. P. and Ellen M. (Ward) Fisher. Mrs. Edie is a lady of culture and innate refinement and was educated in the schools of Monticello. By her marriage she has become the mother of two sons, Burl A. and Willis R. The family have a good home in Monticello and both Mr. and Mrs. Edie have the warm regard of many friends here.
In his political views Mr. Edie is a stal- wart Republican, and for six years he served as city attorney of Monticello, his term of office expiring in May, 1903. While the incumbent he was a most loyal official, giv- ing most careful attention to the legal inter- ests of the city. Socially he is connected with Phoenix Lodge, No. 204, K. P., and he is the secretary of the Monticello Busi- ness Men's Association, and president of the board of education. Everything pertaining to the social, intellectual, political and moral progress of his community receive his in-
dorsement, nor has his co-operation been found lacking along lines for the general good.
ANDREW J. LANGLEY.
The subject of this sketch finds an ap- propriate place in the history of men of busi- ness and enterprise in the state of Illinois, whose force of character, whose sterling in- tegrity, whose fortitude amid discourage- ments, whose good sense in the management of complicated affairs and of marked success in establishing and bringing to completion important business interests, have contrib- uted in an eminent degree to the develop- ment of the best resources of this common- wealth. His career has not been helped by accident or luck, wealth, family or powerful friends, but he is in the broadest sense a self- made man, being both the architect and builder of his fortunes, but not only has he won prominence in business life, but has al- so gained high regard .by his genuine worth. He is now the vice president of the First National Bank of Mansfield and was long associated with agricultural interests, his home at the present time being on his farm on section 17, Blue Ridge township.
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