Portrait and bigraphical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies , Part 108

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago) publisher
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 1208

USA > Illinois > Livingston County > Portrait and bigraphical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies > Part 108

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Mrs. Kenney, after the disappearance of ber hus- band, made her home for a time in New Bethle- hem, Pa., and then came West with her family; she is now a resident of the city of Dwight. this county. Of her marriage with Mr. K. there were born eight children, of whom only four are living, namely : Laura V., Anie, John M. and A. Washington. Those deceased were, Samuel Harvey, Jennie, Wal- ter and Mima T. Harvey was accidentally killed at Chicago, Sept. 19, 1887, being crushed between cars while in the discharge of his duties as an engi- neer. He served as a valiant soldier in the late war, and when his first term of enlistment was out, re-enlisted and was in the Union service until the close of the struggle. Subsequently he identified himself with the G. A. R., and at the time of his death was a member of Dwight Post No. 626. He was remarkably upright in his life, and a member of the Presbyterian Church at Dwight, where his remains were taken for burial. He was also a mem- ber of Peoria Consistory, and Captain of Company E, 10th Batallion, I. N. G., at Dwight. He left a widow and two children-Charles H. and Annie M. Annie Kenney married Charles C. Arlington, an artist of Chicago, and she is also engaged in the same profession. John M. married Miss Alice Neadham, and is a resident of Chicago, where he is engaged as a contractor and builder: they have four children-Alice M., John William, Nettie and Annie L. Washington married Miss Kate Gra- ham, of Odell, and is conducting a sale stable in Chicago; their only child, Virgil, died in infancy.

on the old homestead which the father of our sub- jeet had built up, and have become the parents of one child. Arthur V., now a young man, and en- gaged as a carpenter. He is finely educated, and has inherited the same industrious and reliable traits which characterize his father. Mr. Hamlin, in 1887. retired from active labor, and is wisely enjoying the fruits of his early industry. Other- wise than voting the straight, Democratic ticket, he takes little part in politics, but has represented his township in the County Board of Supervisors und has officiated as Collector and School Director. Mrs. H. is strongly Republican in sentiment.

Mariam V. (Fox) Kenney, the mother of Mrs. Hamlin, was born in Pine Creek Township, Arm- strong Co., Pa .. April 17, 1828, and is the daugh- ter of John and Anna (Barclay) Fox, natives of the same county. Mr. Fox was a farmer by occu- pation, and spent his entire life in his native county, his decease occurring in 1855. He dropped dead of heart decease as his daughter was bidding him good-bye, when starting to the South with ber hus- band.

ENRY NETHIERTON, one of the most skill- ful and successful stock-raisers of German- ville Township, occupies a good farm on section 11, of which he took possession in the spring of 1869. He is a gentleman in the prime of life, blessed with musenlar strength, the result of sensible hving and correct habits, and with his family presents a picture of blooming health. whom the doctor passes by as a very poor patron.

Onr subject, like many of the other early residents of Livingston County, was born on the other side of the Atlantic, in Cornwall County, England, Feb. 12, 1838. He is the son of Richard and Catherine (Stevens) Netherton, who were also of English birth and parentage, and who crossed the water about 1848-49, locating first in Victoria, Province of Ontario, Canada, where they engaged in farm pursuits. The father, however, only lived until about 1853, and our subject, a youth of fifteen years, assisted his mother in carrying on the farm. She survived her husband only about twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Ilamlin commenced life together : her death taking place in 1865. The household in-

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cluded five children besides Henry, namely : Will- iam. Mary. Ann. Phillipi, and one who died in in- fancy. Ann is now deceased, and the other three are residents of Canada.

Our subject received a common-school education, became familiar with farm pursuits, and continued in the Dominion until 1866. Upon coming to this State he located first in Grundy County, wbence he afterward removed to Kendall County, and from there to Livingston." Here he first took up a tract of uncultivated land in Germanville Township, which he improved and added to, so that he is now the owner of 320 acres which each year is growing more valuable. He received $600 from his father's estate, but the balance of his property has been the result of his own industry. His farm stock includes horses, cattle and hogs, and he is able to exhibit some of the best -peeimens of these that are to be seen in the southeastern part of Livingston County.

The wife of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Sarah E. Walley, and they began life together in February, 1869, shortly before coming to German- ville Township. Mrs. N. was born in Grundy County, this State, Oct. 11, 1846, and is the dangh- ter of Zachariah and Catherine (Cryder) Walley, natives of Maryland and Ohio respectively. Of her union with our subject there are the following children : Catherine E., William, Richard, Samuel, Arthur and Etta. Mr. N. is thoroughly imbued with Republican principles, and although meddling very little with politics, attends the general elections and to the best of his ability casts bis influence in support of his convictions.

Le OVEJOY IIUNT is not only one of the lead- ing farmers and stock-raisers of Reading Township, but he is an active man in the affair- of the county and township. His farm of 100 acres is located on section 20, and contains many valuable improvements. Mr. Hunt is a native of Ohio, where he was born in Delaware, now Morrow County, on the 10th of December, 1837.

Our subject i- the son of William Fleet and Mary L. (Barn-) Hunt, who were natives of New Jersey

and Vermont respectively : the former was born in 1804, and the latter in 1809. The father was the son of Stephen Hunt, who was born in 1764, and died in 1852, in Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation, and removed to the State of Ohio when a young man, where he first met the lady whom he afterward married; he died in Kansas in 1875. llis widow is now living in Tustin City, Los Angeles Co., Cal .. and is a hale and hearty old lady seventy- eight years of age.

Lovejoy Hunt remained at home with his parents until the 22d of April, 1861, when he enlisted in Company D. 20th Illinois Infantry, for a term of three months, and after being in eamp one week, the company enlisted for three years, and served three years and nearly three months. From the 13th to the 16th of February, 1862, he was engaged in the operations about and the battle of Ft. Don- elson, Tenn. On the 6th and 7th of April, with McClernand's division, he engaged in the battle of Shiloh. Miss., the position of his regiment being in the advance of the right wing of the army. On the 1st of September, 1862, he was with the regi- ment which, in connection with the 30th Illinois Infantry, was engaged at Briton's Lane. On the Ist of May, 1863, the morning after Grant threw his army across the Mississippi River below Vicks- burg, he was engaged in the battle of Port Gibson, and also at Raymond a few days later. He was also in the battle of Jackson, Miss., May 14, and on the 15th, with his regiment, camped in the city. On the 16th he was in the battle of Champion Hills, where he was seriously wounded by a ball cutting off the leaders of the right foot, from which he has always been lame, and for which he now receives a pension of $6 per month. Upon leaving the army he returned to his home in this township, and remained with his parents until his marriage.

On the Ist of April, 1866, Mr. Hunt was mar- ried to Lydia Rien, who was born on the 13th of January, 1844. She is the daughter of Nathan and Martha ( Fallows) Rien, who became the par- ents of ten children-John F., Nancy Ellen, Will- iam, Eli 11., Martha Elizabeth, Lydia, Mary Jane, Rosanna, David Carter, and one born and died Dec. 30, 1836, unnamed. John F., born Jan. 28, 1831, married Elizabeth MeEllfresh, by whom he had

RESIDENCE OF ALEX . S. PIPER. SEC 31. AMITY TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF LOVEJOY HUNT. SEC. 20. READING TOWNSHIP.

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

eight children, six of whom died; Elizabeth Rien died in 1880, and John F. subsequently married llannah Curtiss; they had two children, one of whom is dead. John F. was a farmer by occupa- tion and met his death in July. 1886, by a fall from a ladder while picking apples. Nancy E. was born May 10, 1835, was married, and died Der. 12, 1851 : William was born Nov. 17, 1833, and died June 9, 1835 ; his death was caused by being knocked off the wharf into the Ohio River by a dog. Eli Il. was horn June 22, 1840, and died Oct. 30, 1840 ; Martha E. was born Jan. 1, 1842, mar- ried James Smith, a farmer by occupation. has had eleven children, eight of whom are living, and re- sides in Edwards County ; Mary J. was born Sept. 24, 1838, and died Aug. 30, 1839; Rosanna was born Dec. 9, 1846, and died Nov. 25, 1847 ; David C. was born Ang. 11, 1848, and died in the army on the 1st of April, 1865, while a member of the 179tli Ohio Infantry.

To the parents of our subject were born eight children-Albina Jane, Fidelia Ann, Lovejoy, Cor- nelia Eliza, Lenora Marah, William L. G., Myron Ilolly and Virgil Fleet. Albina J. was born in September, 1833, married William McKinney, a farmer of Reading Township, and they have a family of three children; Fidelia 1. was born July 10, 1836, married Seymour Chambers, a lumber manufacturer, has eight children, and resides in Ohio; Cornelia E. was born April 18, 1839, mar- ried George Olmstead, a lumber merchant, had two children, and resides in Kansas City ; Lenora M. married Edbert Pratt, a farmer, has four chil- dren, and resides in Ohio; William L. G. was born in 1844, and died in Annapolis (Md. ) Hospital, on the 10th of August, 1863; he was a member of the 53d Illinois Infantry, and was starved to death in Libby Prison. Myron Il. married Sarah Wamsley. has three children, and lives in Sumner County, Kan .; Virgil Fleet was born in 1851, and is a min- ister of the Second Adventist Church, in California ; he was married to Alice Jane Smith, and they have had four children, four of whom are living.

and is now visiting at the home of an uncle in Cal- ifornia; Duran was born March 6, 1869; Milton was born March 3, 1871, and died Sept. 18, 1875; David G. was born June 16, 1876, and George Washington, Aug. 11, 1879. Another daughter was born Jan. 19, 1884, and died at the age of five days.

Mr. Ilunt eultivates a farm of 100 acres on sec- tion 20, on which he has made good and substan- tial improvements. He takes quite an interest in all matters pertaining to agriculture and stock- raising, and is an active member of the board con- trolling the Union Fair at Wenona. He is an active member of Streator Post of the G. A. R., and in political matters goes with the Republican party. He has been elected one term as Township Col- lector, and has also held the office of School Di- rector nine years. Mrs. Hunt is an active member of the Christian Church, in which she takes much interest. The family, the children as well as the parents, are deservedly popular in the neighbor- hood in which they reside.

As representative of the buildings of this section we present in the pictorial department of this ALn'y a view of Mr. Ilunt's residence and its sur- roundings.

LEXANDER S. PIPER, one of the pro- gressive and liberal-minded citizens of Amity Township, located on section 31, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born on the 10th of July, 1835. He is the son of John and Ann (Quigley ) Piper, and the grandson of Samnel and Mary (Elder) Piper, while his ma- ternal grandparents were Michael and Mary Quig- ley. John Piper, the father, was a native of Pennsylvania, as was also the mother. He was a Whig in early days and afterward a Republican, and was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church. Ilis death occurred from heart disease in 1866, and that of his wife in the month of Decem- ber, 1837, when the subject of this sketch was but two years of age.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lovejoy Hunt the following- named children have been born: Jessie Fremont, In 1858 our subjeet removed from Pennsylvania to Woodford County. IH., and thence to Livingston Duran, Milton, David Garrison and George Wash- ington. Jessie Fremont was born Sept. 17, 1867, 1 County in 1867. Alexander S. Piper was married

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

to Mis- Deleney Rice. on the 28th of December, 1×66. in Woodford County. Ill., by Rev. Isaac Cornelison, of the Presbyterian Church. She was the daughter of Elisha and Rebecca Rice, who were natives of New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Piper have been born five chillren, three of whom are living-Rebecca Ann. Ada Laura and Charles Elisha. Rebecca. the eklest child, was born in 1867. and is now attending the High School at. Pon- tiae: Ada 1 .. was born on the 8th of February, 1869, and is a pupil in the common schools, assist- ing her mother also in the household work ; Charles E. was born on the 23d of July, 1871.

The unele, and aunts of the subject of this sketch were named as follows : James Piper, Robert, Samuel and Peggy. JJame- P. died when quite young : Robert died when about forty years of age; Samuel died of old age: Peggy died at the age of seventy, and another sister died of lung trouble. The brothers and sisters of Mr. Piper were named as follows: Jane 1-abel, Samuel Eller, Sarah Ann and Nathaniel. Jane 1. died of bronchitis when about twenty. two years of age : Samuel E. is a farmer by occupation, lives in Pennsylvania, and has a family ; Sarah A. married. and died of consumption; Nathaniel lives in Kansas, and is employed in farming and stock- raising. The brother and sisters of the wife of Alexander S. Piper are named as follows: Helen Melissa. William and Rosanna Rebecca. Helen M. is married to George Remley, a farmer. and they live in Marshall County ; William is unmarried and i- farming in Woodford County : Rosanna R. lives in Woodford County, where her father settled when he first came to this State: Mrs. Piper is the youngest of the family.

Mr. Piper was in the ranks of the Union army for a term of three years and two months. as a member of Company I. Hth Ilinois Infantry. and participated in numerous skirmishes and many of the important battles of the war. The first en- gagement he was in was at Behnont. Mo., which was the beginning of Gen. Grant's magnificent career. At F1. Donelson he received a gun-hot wound in the left knee, and at the same time was hit by a -Ing. which caused such a serious wound that he was sent to the hospital and then furloughed home for sixty day- that he might recover. At

the expiration of his furlough he returned to his regiment just after the battle of Shiloh, and partici- pated in the engagements at Jackson, Tenn., and La Grange and Holly Springs, Miss., in all of which engagements the Union side was successful. lle also took part in the battle of the Big Black in the rear of Vicksburg, and in the siege of Vicksburg until the surrender of the Confederates on the 4th of July, 1863.

Mr. Piper and family are now pleasantly located on their fine farm of 160 acres, where, besides farm- ing he gives large attention to the raising of stock, and not withstanding the dry summers of the past few years has been quite successful. Ile is a strong Republican in politics and an ardent member of the Methodist Church. As a citizen he is liberal and progressive, and an earnest friend of all educa- tional enterprises.

On an accompanying page of this ALBUM may be found a view of Mr. Piper's residenee with its sur- roundings.

G OONER T. GUNDERSON is a farmer and stock-raiser, residing since Nov. 7, 1867, on section 26, Broughton Township. and is the son of Thomas and Ellen (Osman) Gunderson. IIe was born in Norway, April t0, 1833, and was reared on a farm, receiving a common-school education. At the age of fourteen he came with his father's family, which included five children, to America, landing in New York in June, 1847, after an ocean voyage of six weeks, and reaching Chicago on the Sth of July. They located in LaSalle County, Ill., where the father bought a farm, making a very small first payment as his means were limited.

Our subject remained at home assisting his father until he was about twenty-five years old, when he went to Colorado, to the part called Big Timbers, near Pike's Peak. The following December he returned to Illinois, when he began farming for him- self on rented ground. By industry and economy le accumulated a little means, and was able to buy some stock and teams, and finally eighty acres of land where his home now is. Sept. 3, 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Juliette Mariott,

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daughter of John R. and Margaret (Davis) Mari- ott, and born in Cumberland County, N. J., Aug. 31, 1839, of which connty her parents were natives. Her father was of Welsh and Irish, and her mother of English descent. The father of our subject was born Dec. 6, 1806, and is now in his eighty-second year, living in LaSalle County, Ill., retired from active pursuits. Ile was three times married. By the first marriage there were five children, as fol- lows: Ellen, Julia, Belinda, Isabella and George. Ellen married first A. Osborn, by whom she had two children; her second marriage was to David E. Davis, of which union there were no children. She is now a widow, living in LaSalle County, III. Julia married Osmand Thomasson, lives in Leb- anon, Mo., and has five children ; Belinda married Lewis Jones, lives in LaSalle County, Ill., and has four children: Isabella became the wife of Ole Keikhus, resides in LaSalle County, and has six children. By the second marriage our subject's father had two children-Edward T. and Amelia. Edward T. lives in LaSalle County, Ill .; Amelia married Oliver Ellifson, who resides in Wright County. Iowa, and has two children. Our sub- jeet's mother was born in 1804, and died in La- Salle County, June 21, 1850.

The wife of our subject is the youngest in a family of five children; the record of the others is as follows: Susan Ann was born Feb. 1, 1825, mar- ried John Heritage, lives in DeKalb County, Ill., and has five children : Anna Maria was born Sept. 30. 1831, married Charles William Yonggren, lives at Amboy, Lee Co., Ill., and has three children ; Jona- than was born Nov. 30, 1833, and lives at Augusta, Hancock Co., Ill: he was a soldier in the 105th Illinois Infantry, Company E, beginning as First Sergeant, but was afterward promoted to First Lieutenant, and filled for about two years the place of the Captain who had been wounded. He has two children. Margaret was born Nov. 14, 1836, and died in January, 1881.

The father of Mrs. G. was born Nov. 29, 1800, at Shiloh, N. J., and came to Illinois in 1850. set- tling at Shabbona Grove, DeKalb County, and liv- ing for the first eighteen months in a double log house, which was built expressly for the great In- dian chief Shabbona, who was then living, and oc-

casionally paid a visit to his old hunting-ground. It was burnt about 1876. He located about one and one-half miles from there, and spent the remainder of his life, dying March 20, 1885. Her mother was born Sept. 24, 1797, and died .Jan. 9, 1875.

Our subject has four children: Elman E .. who was born May 16, 1867: Earle_Lloyd, Aug. 25, 1869; Margaret R., May 4, 1873; and Annie L., Aug. 8, 1875. In politics he is a Republican, hav- ing cast his first vote for J. C. Fremont. Mrs. G. is a member of the Christian Church, They are among the leading citizens of the township, and have made all they i possess by hard work, close economy and self-denial.

OHN EARING stands prominent among the substantial farmers and stoek-raisers of Broughton Township, where he has a fine body of land on section 27, which comprises 320 acres, and is under a good state of cultivation. Like most of his neighbors around him, he com- menced in life a poor man, and has the satisfaction of knowing that he is indebted to nothing but his own energy and perseverance for his present pos- sessions and standing in the community, He is a liberal-minded citizen, an encourager of all enter- prises tending to the general welfare of the people, and is accordingly held in high regard by all who know him.

Our subject is a native of the Empire State. where he was born, in Rensselaer County. Oct. 14. 1832. His parents were also natives of New York State, and to them were born five children, of whom four survive-Samnel, Stephen. Sarah A. and one subject. all except the latter residents of their na- tive State, and living not far from the home of their childhood.

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving a limited education and making himself useful around the homestead. He was married, when twenty-four years of age, to Miss Catherine Lattimer, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Rensselaer County, in De- cember, 1856. They became the parents of live

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

children: Frank J .: Annie, who is now deceased : George Lewis, Melbern W. and Leslie. Mr. Ear- ing eame to Illinois with his family in 1863, first taking up his residence in LaSalle County, and three years locating on a farm in Broughton Township. Thence he removed to his present homestead in test.

Mr. Earing's children have grown up to be re- spected members of society, and most of them re- side in this county. Remembering his own early struggles and difficulties, he gave to them all the advantages necessary for their well-being, and they have happily escaped the anxieties and ardnous toil to which their parents were subjected in earlier years. Mr. Earing need now no longer labor as he did in years gone by. having the prospect of a com- petence by which he may, in his declining years, live surrounded with all life's comforts and relieved from its cares.

AMES CLOSE, one of the oklest settlers of his neighborhood, residing on section 30, Broughton Township, is a native of York- shire. England. where he was born Aug. 22, 1×20. lle is the son of William and Barbara Close, both natives of England, and was reared to years of manhood in that country.

In 1> 12. not satisfied with his prospects at home, Mr. Close determined to try his fortunes in the New World. and embarking at Liverpool on a sail- ing-vessel called the " Olive Branch," after an ocean voyage of eighteen days, landed in New York City. Thence he went to Ontario, Canada, and located hear what is now known as the town of Brampton, where he remained some two years, and then re- moved to what was then called the Queen's Bush, 101th of Guelph, Ontario. He resided there until 1-6t. when he immigrated to Illinois, locating in Boone County, where he remained until 1866, and then cage to Livingston County and settled on the farm where he now lives.

While residing in Canada Mr. Close was instru- mental in having the rest of the family come to America. They settled in Canada, where they con- finne to reside, and are all doing well. Sept. 3,

1844, Mr. Close was united in marriage, in Canada, with Miss Jane Bentley, a native of York-hire. En- gland. Of this union there were born sixteen chil- dren, of whom eleven still survive: Robert, of Broughton Township: Mary, the wife of S. A. Mc- Feely, of Streator, Ill. ; James, of Louisiana: Jo- seph, of Julesburg, Col .; Martha, the wife of Joseph Shaw, of Kankakee, Ill .: Sarah .I., Mrs. George Weatherhead, of Chicago: Anna. the wife of Peter J. Gerhart, of Julesburg, Col. ; William, of the same place, and John, Lillian and Hattie S., at home. The names of the deceased chiklren were Maria, Wilhelmina, Frank, and two who died in infancy, unnamed. The mother of these children died Sept. 4, 1887, leaving behind her a circle of sorrowing loved ones. Her loss was not alone mourned by her family, but by her neighbors and many friends, whose respect and affection had been gained by her exemplary life.

When our subject settled on hi- present farm it was a piece of raw prairie land, and he broke the first sod that was turned in that neighborhood. The surrounding country was will and unsettled. and his only neighbors were the family of Mr. Johnson Sarvis, who resided on section 31. He had to undergo the usual inconvenience, and hard- ships incident to pioneer life, having for several years to go to Dwight, Ill., some fourteen miles di -- tant, for all the necessaries of life, and to transport the products of his farm thither over unimproved and often well-nigh impassable roads. The advent of the Ilinois Central Railroad, in later years, was hailed by the settlers with the utmost satisfaction. Mr. Close now owns eighty acres of good land, which is well provided with agricultural machinery, live stock and farm buiklings. He has given his children a fair education, and a much better start in life than he himself had. Two of his daughters were engaged as teachers in the public schools. He is eminently a self-made man, having accumulated the very considerable property which he now has by his own unaided efforts.

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Portrait and bigraphical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies , Part 108

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago) publisher Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 1208

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago) publisher
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 1208