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 115

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 115

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Of the children of Edward and Margaret Flani- gan, nine in number, seven lived to mature years. William, being but an infant when his parents came to America, knows no other than his adopted home. HIe remained under the parental roof until the out- break of the late Rebellion, and then in August, 1862, enlisted in Company F, 104th Illinois Infantry, which

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1 1th Army Corps. During his three years' service he participated in many of the important battles of the war, and finally joined the army of Gen. Sherman, being pres- ent at the battle of Chattanooga, and the siege and capture of Atlanta. He joined in the famous march to the sea. meeting the rebels at various points in the southeast. and then up through the Carolinas, and via Richmond to Washington, after the sur- render of Gen. Lee at Appomattox. He was pres- ent in the grand review at the capital, and there re- ceived his honorable discharge, and was mustered out. His experience in the army was like that of many of the brave boys who fought heroically. suf- fered uncomplainingly, and esteemed it nothing less than the duty they owed to their country. that they should sacrifice for a time their liberty, and it might be their lives.

Upon becoming once more a civilian, Mr. Flanigan returned to LaSalle County, and resumed the occu- pation which was most in harmony with his tastes and capacities, namely, the independent career of a far- mer. It is true he had yet to assert his independence, but he had witnessed too often the results of per- severence and industry not to be assured ot success. Hle remained as an employe for a couple of years per- haps, and then purchased eighty aeres of wild land in Richmond Township, LaSalle County, at 822 per acre. This he broke and fenced as rapidly as possi- ble. and the following year sold it at $40 per acre. thus realizing a handsome profit. In 1869 he came to this county. and purchased a quarter section in Sunbury Township, which is now a part of his pres- ent homestead. This was wild prairie, the sod of which had never been broken by the ploughshare, and for which he paid $18 per acre. He operated upon this as upon the other. and the locality suiting him much better. he decided to remain here perma- nently. He put up good buildings, and in due time became owner of eighty acres adjoining. He has availed himself of modern methods and im- proved machinery, and takes the lead among the progressive agriculturists of his section.

After he had laid the foundations of a future home. Mr. Flanigan took unto himself a wife and helpineet in the person of Mis- Maggie Moore, to whom he was married at the home of the bride in

Richland Township. Feb. 21, 1871. Mrs. F. was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in the year 1847, and is the daughter of Thomas and Maggie ( Mor- gan) Moore. also of Irish birth and ancestry. The family came to America in 1852, and located sonth of the present city of LaSalle. The father engaged in farming, and died there two years later, aged about fifty-eight years. Mrs. Moore survived her husband for a period of nearly twenty-four years, her death taking place at the home of her son in Richland Township, March 12, 1878.

Mr. Flanigan takes considerable interest in local politics, and usually votes the Republican ticket, although asserting his right of independence, and aiming to support the men whom he considers best qualified to serve the interests of the people. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, and still clings to the religion of his forefathers. There is no more reliable man within the preeinets of Sun- bury Township. or one who is held in higher respect. The home which he has built up indicates his in- telligence and thrift, and forms one of the most at- tractive spots in the landscape of that locality.

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W ILLIAM HACK, proprietor of eighty aeres of good land on section 6, in Sannemin Township, took possesion of his present farm in the spring of 1884. Ile is known as a law- abiding and peaceable citizen, marked for his hon- esty and industry, and possessing the steady persistence and resolution which invariably bring success. He is in the prime of life, in the midst of his strength and activity, and is the head of a fam- ily, comprising an estimable and capable wife and four children. They are regular attendants of the Lutheran Church, to which they contribute cheer- fully as their means justify, and Mr. Hack, politi- cally, votes with the Democratic party.

Our subject was born in the Province of Meck- lenburg, Germany, March 1, 1841, of parents who descended from pure German ancestry. He was reared to manhood near the place of his birth, and early in life was made acquainted with its labors and duties. When twenty-nine years of age he was married, Ang. 3, 1870, to Miss Dora Pflughaupt.

Hanah. Barnes

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

He embarked for America, taking passage at Ham- burg, and two weeks later landed in New York City. Thence he came directly to Grundy County, this State. and secured employment, first as a farm laborer, after which he rented a tract of land upon which he operated until coming to this county. Fortunately he was blessed with good health, and by the aid of his sensible helpmeet ere long was enabled to save a snug sum of money which he in- vested in his present property. He has been con- tinually adding improvements, and keeps pace with his neighbors in the modern methods of farm- ing.

The names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Haek are John, Ida, William and Louis. John was born Jan. 30, 1872; Ida, June 14, 1873; William, April 18, 1875, and Louis, Feb. 19, 1881.

TEPHEN F. BARNES, the subject of this sketch, is a gentleman who has been so in- tently engaged in proseeuting his business of farming and stock-raising in Sunbury Township, that he has reached his forty-sixth year without tendering his heart and hand to any of the fair sex. and is fast verging on to bachelorhood, which stage of life he will reach within a very few years if he does not conclude to take under his pro- tecting care one of Mother Eve's fair daughters. Mr. Barnes was born in Fairfield County, Conn., Nov. 20, 1841. He is the eller of two children born to John L. and Hannah (Cooper) Barnes, both of whom are natives of Connecticut. The pater- nal grandparents, William and Susannah (Finney) Barnes, were natives of Whitehall, N. Y. The maternal grandparents, Prezarva and Phila Cooper, were natives of New York. John L. Barnes, the father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, and died when the latter was two years of age. In 1857 the widow sold out in Connecticut, and with her family of two children, our subject and Mark C., migrated to the West, settling first in La- Salle County, Ill., where they remained for six years. In 1863 the family came to Livingston County, and purchased a farm of 160 acres of par- tially improved land, upon which they immediately

settled, and began the work of developing and im- proving it. In this they have been quite success- ful, and have erected upon the place good and sub- stantial buildings of all descriptions. Our subject has remained upon this farm since first settling upon it, and resides with his mother, who has charge of the household duties. Mr. Barnes raises considerable numbers of fine grade horses, cattle and hogs, and in these specialties exhibits consid- erable taet. Mark C. Barnes settled in Dawson County, Neb., where he is a successful farmer and stock-raiser.

Mr. Barnes has always been an industrious and painstaking man, and whatever he finds to do he does well. He was reared a farmer, which occupa- tion he has always followed. His education was obtained in the common schools of Illinois. In his political affiliations he goes with the Republican party, but does not take an active interest in politi- cal matters. He has served in some of the minor offices of the township, but has neither the taste nor the time for office. He has frequently visited Nebraska for the purpose of making investments, which have always proved fortunate ones for him. He devotes his entire time to his farm and stock, and goes about his work with much enthusiasm.

In presenting the portrait of the mother of Mr. Barnes, which we do in this connection, our patrons have the picture of a most estimable lady, and one who deserves the highest commendation for the ex- cellent manner in which she has managed her affairs since the death of her husband, and the way in which she has reared her sons.

ILLIAM ROOK, who is not only a leading farmer, but a representative citizen in For- est Township, located on section 26 since 1882, was born in Lincolnshire, England, Oct. 20, 1822. He is the son of Thomas and Mary (Sut- ton) Rook, who were natives of England. The father was a laborer by occupation, and both the parents died in England. There were eleven chil- dren, whose name> are as follows: William, Ann, Charles, Mary, Eliza, Thomas, John, Sarah and Hannah, and one pair of twins. Ann became the

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wife of lohn Tipler, who was a native of England ; she died in 1>53, and the husband died two years later. Charles is still living in England, where he is a laborer: John is married, and is engaged in farming in Kansas: Mary married Matthew Bell- more, who is deceased: Eliza married William Lambler, who is a laborer. and they live in Peoria County: Hannah married John Bugg, and they reside in England: Thomas. Sarah and the twins are dead.

William Rook began for himself when about fif- teen years of age, and for fourteen years before marriage worked by the day and month. On May 5. 1851. he was married to Miss Mary Bickett, a daughter of very highly respected parents in England. They had but one child. who was the wife of our subject. About four weeks after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rook embarked for the United States, and landed at Philadelphia, where they remained for a short time. They then re- moved to the State of Delaware, where he worked as a laborer for about two years, and then returned to New York and located in Ansville, Steuben County, where they remained from March until October; in the latter month they came West and located in Peoria County, Ill., and remained for fourteen years. For two years after locating in that county Mr. Rook worked by the month, and then tended a rented farm for about eleven years, and then rented one year of another man. In the year 1868 they came to Livingston County, and first stopped in Forest Township, and bought eighty acres of land on section 27. On this farm he constructed a good house and began other im- provements. The family remained upon this farm until 1882, in which year Mr. Rook purchased 160 acres on section 26, where he now lives with hi- daughter.

Mr -. Rook died Sept. 2, 1875, and was buried in Forest Cemetery. She was a consistent mem- her of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a woman of many excellent qualities. Mr. and Mrs. Rook had born to them four children. two girls and two boys. Mary married George Swarts, a farmer. and they located in Nebraska: William married Mary Gould-burry. and is residing on his father's place on section 27, Forest Township;

Eliza married Ephraim Spray, a farmer, who died in October, 1881, leaving a wife and three chil- dren, named Mary, John and Charlie: Thomas is unmarried and lives at home. Mr. Rook, who is among the older settlers of Livingston County, is in all respects a representative citizen. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, of which he has been a faithful adherent for very many years.

REDERICK CARLTON, one of the first English residents of Livingston County, came to Central Illinois when a young man, without other means than his strong hands and res- olute heart. Ile had not long before made an ocean voyage in the hopes of bettering his condition in life, having been born in Kent County, England, Jan. 18, 1814. He had been trained to habits of industry and economy by his parents, and was fairly well fitted for the further struggle of life.

Our subject is the son of Edward and Judith (Breble) Carlton, who were also of English birth and parentage, and spent their entire lives on their native soil. The parental family included sixteen children, who are recorded as follows: William, liv- ing in England: Ann was married and became the mother of fourteen children ; she died in June. 1882. Louisa is married and a resident of the city of London; she has no children. Henry died in De- cember, 1886, in England, leaving a wife and six children; Charles, Elizabeth and Joseph are also deceased; Benjamin is farming in Long Point Township, this county, and Josiah died unmarried many years ago; Miriam is living in England, and has a husband and several children; Sarah, John and Edward are deceased; . Jane is living with her seeond husband in the city of London. The young- est son, also named Edward, came to America and is farming in Long Point Township.

lu Kent, England, Dec. 20, 1840, Mr. Carlton was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Winser, whose parents were also natives of England. Mrs. Carlton died Oct. 16, 1879. Our subject and his wife became the parents of eight children, as fol- low>: Charles was born April 17, 1842, and died August 14 following; Caroline was born July 21,

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1844, and died Sept. 20, 1845; Frances was born April 28, 1847, and died on the 3d of May follow- ing; Jennie was born Aug. 22, 1850, and died Aug. 20, 1852; Betsey was born Sept. 20, 1852, and died November G following; Charlotte Eva was born March 3, 1855, and is living with her parents; Al- fred was born Nov. 13, 1859, and died January 13 following: Frederick was born Oet. 30, 1862, and died Aug. 10, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Carlton being greatly afflicted in the loss of so many of their little ones, adopted a boy, Alfred York, who was born Nov. 6, 1860. He was also taken from them. Aug. 10, 1868.

Entering 160 acres of land in 1842, Mr. Carlton at once began its cultivation and improvement, and in dne time found himself upon a solid footing and on the road to a competency. He is now the owner of eighty acres, having sold 100 of his original farm; this has been thoroughly drained with tile, enelosett with good fences and supplied with excel- lent farm buildings. Notwithstanding the labor it has required to bring the homestead to its pres- ent condition, he has always been willing to devote time and means to the encouragement of those en- terprises calculated for the good of the people around him. He has contributed hundreds of dol- lars in various directions to worthy enterprises, his generosity being one of the distinguishing traits of his character. He is known as a kind man in his family and one of the most obliging and pleasant of neighbors.

On another page of this ALBUM is shown a view of Mr. Carlton's residence with its surroundings.

RA COOK, one of the prominent citizens of Livingston County, who have established them- selves in the esteem and confidence of their neighbors, is the subject of this sketch, who is a farmer and stock-raiser on section 16, Amity Town- ship. He was born in Ohio, April 1, 1829, and is the son of Eli and Mary (Crary) Cook, and the third child. in a family of nine, five of whom are yet living.

Mr. Cook was married to Miss Harietta Ann, daughter of Michael and Jane (Taylor) De Velbis,

natives of Ohio and Maryland respectively. She was the third in a large family of children who were born in the following order: Kate, James, Taylor, Harietta, Eliza, Mary, Andrew, Alfred and Albert. Kate married Jonathan Hawk, who died on the 21st of March, 1881, leaving a wife and three children ; she now resides in Loveland, Ohio. James T. died in childhood ; Eliza married Lewis Summerrell, who died in 1872, and she now lives in Minneapolis, caring for her three children ; Mary died at the age of fourteen; and Andrew, when twenty-one; Alfred, who is now a resident of Cincinnati, married Susan Crosson, and Albert died in childhood.

The parents of Ira Cook had a large family of children, as follows: William was born near New- port, Ky., June 25, 1821, and was married to Sarah Cobb, who died in 1850; he died in October, 1867. Eli was born Nov. 25, 1825, and was married to Almeda Davis; he died in 1885, leaving four chil- dren-William F., Charles F., George F. and Frank; the widow lives in Cupola, Col., with Frank, the youngest child. Ira is the subject of this sketch ; Wesley was born in 1832, and lives in Cornell; Emily was born April 12, 1834, and was married to Henry Kane of Mainville, Warren County ; she died in October, 1868, leaving two children. John, born on the 7th of September, 1836, married Relia Beaver. of Hamilton, Ohio, and with their family of four children lives in Nebraska; Amanda was born in 1840, and died in December, 1841 ; Adeline was born in 1842, and married Henry Kane of Main- ville : Joseph, now a resident of Philadelphia. was born in 1847. in Cincinnati, and was married to Emma Tufts, of Mainville, who has borne him two children, a boy and girl; he served for a time in the southern division of the pension department, but stepped down and out with the incoming of Cleveland's administration. Willis Edward was born on the 28th of July, 1853. and was married to Kate Antrim in Iowa; they live in Platte County, Neb., and have five children, named : Archie. Al- fred, Charlie, Elizabeth and Hattie, Ireatta K. was born June 5. 1855, and married Charles E. Gill, of Peoria, Ill., and they have three children, named Emery, Earle and Ira. Mary Jane was born Oct. 20, 1857, and was married to Archie Dicken, Dec. 6, 1879; they have three children, named Harriet,

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Grace and Harry: Alfred N. was born Feb. 22, 1×66, and is now, after attending school in Ohio, teaching in Illinois,

Mr. Cook's father was born Nov. 2, 1795, and died in October, 1881, and his mother died on the 6th of January. 1873; both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Cook's mother died in 1844, and her father died in 1855. Ira Cook migrated to Lasalle County. Ill., from Ohio, in 1854. thence to Livingston County in the spring of 1862. and to his present location in March, 1883, where he owns a farm of 141 acres of good land. a large proportion of which is under cultiva- tion, and wherever necessary is drained with tile. His home is convenient to school and church, the former being but a half mile and the latter two and one-half miles away. Mr. Cook devotes his time principally to farming and stock-raising, although he fills the position of Supervisor of his township, and holds the office of Justice of the Peace, in which he has served for the past six years. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are both members of the Methodist Protestant Church. of which he is a Trustee and Secretary of the Quarterly Conference.

A- illustrative of the progress made in this sec- tion of country, since the days of the okl log cabin, we present on another page of this Aunty a view of Mr. Cook's residence.

ACOB J. FOLTS, the subject of this sketch, ha- had much to do with the material inter- este of various sections of Livingston County, und ocenpies a prominent position in her commercial interests of to-day. He has also occu- pied a notable position in a judicial sense, hav- ing for many years been the legal arbitrator be- tween the people who have invoked the law in the settlement of their differences and the establish- ment of their rights. Ile is the Justice of the Peace at the village of Campus, and also senior member of the firm of J. J. Folts & Son, hardware dealer -.

Mr. Folt- i- a native of the State of New York, where he was born in Boonville, Oneida County,

Dec. 25, 1826. Hle resided in that place until he was sixteen years of age, during which time he availed himself of the advantages afforded by the village school for obtaining an education. From Boonville he went to the town of Alexander, Jef- ferson Co., N. Y., where he engaged in farming until the fall of 1852, when he came West and lo- eated in Kendall County. Ill., where he purchased a farm and continued to live until the winter of 1867, at which time he came to Livingston County and settled in Broughton Township, where he purchased a farm. Here he resided until the establishment of the village of Campus, of which he was one of the founders and first settlers. The growth of the vil- lage has been largely the result of his untiring en- ergy in securing for it both people and business. He erected the store building which he now occu- pies, and has been engaged in the hardware busi- ness since the village was established. In addition to hardware, his firm also deals largely in lumber, furniture and agricultural implements. Besides this establishment in Campus, the firm of J. J. Folts & Son operates a similar store at Emington, in Broughton Township, and is also interested' in the manufacture and sale of furniture at Reddick, Kankakee County. Mr. Folts owns farms aggre- gating 320 acres of land in Livingston County, which are occupied and farmed by intelligent and enterprising tenants. and are quite remunerative. Sinee the spring of 1886 Mr. Folts has held the office of Justice of the Peace, in which position he has displayed most excellent judgment and un- doubted fairness. His decisions have invariably been based upon the law, and the evidence and ap- peals from them are indeed very rare. He was Supervisor of Broughton Township at the time of the erection of the new court-house in Pontiae.

In Jefferson County, N. Y., on the 13th of Jan- nary, 1848, Mr. Folts was married to Miss Silvia A. Lewis, who was born in Jefferson County. To them two children have been born-Clarissa J. and Frank E. Clarissa J. was the wife of Clark W. Beecher, and died in Broughton Township, Living- ston County, on the 5th of August, 1883; she left three children, whose names are, Arthur J., Frank and Della. Frank E. married Miss Emma Morris, and they have six children-Lela, Lewis, Arthur,

RESIDENCE OF JAMES EWING , SEC.24, PONTIAC TP.

RESIDENCE FO WM CHAPPLE.SEC. 1, ROUND GROVE TP.

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Clara, Vera and a babe unnamed ; he is engaged, in company with his father, in the prosecution of the business at Campus.

The Folts homestead in Campus is one of the finest in that section of Livingston County; it is imposing in appearance and comfortable in interior. Its owner is a gentleman who appreciates comforts and conveniences, and in the construction of this house he seems to have made special provision for both. It is a hospitable home, and the neighbors and friends of the surrounding community are made welcome at all times by the generous-hearted host and hostess. Mr. and Mrs. Folts belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

W ILLIAM CHIAPPLE, the subject of this sketch. has been a resident of Round Grove Township, located on section 1, for ten years, and has within that time made himself and family a most pleasant and comfortable home. During the year 1887 he completed a new residence that is a credit to the township, and one over which Mr. Chapple exhibits pardonable pride. Such far- mers as our subject are the kind who beautify and advance the country in which they live, and not only add to their own comfort, but to the general welfare of the community which surrounds them. We are pleased to present on an adjoining page a view of Mr. Chapple's handsome homestead.

Mr. Chapple was born in England, Dee. 12, 1830, and is the son of Edward and Fannie Chapple, both of whom died in that country. His early life was spent on the farm in England, and he was after- ward, during a period of about eight years, em- ployed in extensive iron works in Wales, where he obtained a practical knowledge of the manufacture of iron. In June, 1865. Mr. Chapple immigrated to this country, and coming direct from New York to LaSalle County, Ill., he concluded to adopt farming as his occupation. The first year of his residence in LaSalle County he worked upon a farm by the month, and then farmed rented land until July, 1877, when he came to Livingston County, and purchasing eighty acres of land on section I, upon which he has since resided, he has

brought his farm to an almost perfect state of cul tivation, and made all classes of improvements.

On the 10th of April, 1854, Mr. Chapple was married to Miss Elizabeth Cockram, who was born in England on the 17th of January, 1828, and is the daughter of John and Betsey ( Mooreman) Cockram, who were also natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Chapple have three children living, namely : Mary, Thomas W. and Emma E. Mary is the wife of Austin Ellsworth, and they reside in Colorado; Thomas and Emma are at home with their parents. They have buried six children, three of whom died in infancy, unnamed. Those who died after being named were Jane, Rhoda and Lucy.

Upon coming to this country Mr. Chapple inves- tigated the political status of affairs with the inten- tion of intelligently identifying himself with one or the other of the great political parties, and the re- sult of this investigation was that he allied himself with the Republican party, of which he has since been a zealous member. He has been in no sense a seeker after political preferment, but has been chosen by his neighbors to discharge the duties of the offices of Road Commissioner and School Di- rector, which he did to the entire satisfaction of the people. Mr. Chapple and his family have es- tablished themselves in the good wishes of the peo- ple among whom they live.

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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 115

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