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 116

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 116

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AMES EWING. This gentleman. located on section 24, Pontiac Township. has fairly commenced his career as an independent farmer, and is acquitting himself with great credit, displaying a thorough understanding of his calling, tilling the soil to good advantage, and con- siderably interesting himself in stock-raising. His property includes 160 acres of finely cultivated land. with a good residence, barn and out-buildings, the accumulation of his own industry, as he began life with modest means and dependent only upon his own resources.

Mr. Ewing, like many others forming a large pro- portion of the substantial residents of Livingston County, is a native of Huntingdon County, Pa.,

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where he was born Nov. 17, 1852. Hle is the son of William and Mary Ann (Henry ) Ewing, also na- tives of the Keystone State, and of German and Irish ancestry respectively, with enough comming- ling of the Scotch-Irish to make up a very worthy and substantial whole. William Ewing was born and reared in Huntingdon County, Pa .. and was prominent in the local affairs of his county, holding its various offices as one of the stanchest supporters of the Democratie party. The parental household included nine children, seven now living, namely : James. Mary. Fanny. Carrie, Lizzie, Idol and Hen- rietta.

James Ewing was reared to manhood in Hunting- don County, receiving a good English education, and after completing his studies engaged for a time in teaching. le came to the West in 1875, locat- ing in Pontiac Township, this county, where he has since resided. He was married. in the twenty- fourth year of his age, Feb. 17. 1876, to Miss Nannie McCord, who was born in his own county, Jan. 24, 1.52. and is the daughter of Samuel and Martha (Barr) McCord. They became the parents of five children, namely: Grace, who was born Nov. 4, 1×76: Fanny, Ang. 20, 1878: William, Oct. 29, 1×79; Carrie, Aug. 27, 1881, and James, March 20, 1883. Mr. Ewing's farm is neatly laid out and en- closed with substantial fences, while the stock is well cared for and the machinery is of the best de- scription. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing, with their in- teresting family. form no unimportant portion of the intelligent community where they dwell. and are held in universal respect.

We are pleased to present on an adjoining page a view of Mr. Ewing's residence, as representative of the buildings of this section of country.

EREMIAII SULLIVAN, a farmer of inte]- ligence and education, and one who while tilling the soil ha- carefully kept in mind the training of his intellectual capacities, has been a resident of Sunbury Township since the spring of 1870. He is one of the finest representa- tives of the warm-hearted Irish nationality who have contributed so essentially to the progress and

devolopment of the resources of the great West. He was a youth of fifteen years when he first set foot on American soil, and has become thoroughly identified with the interests of his adopted country. Some of our best educated men, our poets and our scholars, besides those who have engaged in the various industries of the United States, are emana- tions of Erin's Green Isle. Our subject is one of the worthiest representatives of a long line of hon- ored ancestry, and the main points of his history, necessarily brief in a work of this kind, we give as follows:

Mr. Sullivan was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1837, and is the son of Michael Sullivan, a native of the same locality, who was there reared to man- hood, and married a maiden of his own county. In 1847, after the birth of his second son. he immi- grated to America with one son, locating in Michigan, where he was employed for a time in the copper mines. Ile was joined by his wife and their remaining children in 1851, at Milwaukee, and the following year came into LaSalle County, this State, and went into the employ of the Rock Island Railroad Company and afterward the Illinois Cen- tral. He remained a resident of LaSalle County until his death, which took place in 1857.

The mother of our subject was, before her mar- riage, Miss Johanna Harrington, a native of the same county in Ireland as her husband and son. Iler father, Thomas Harrington, was also a native of County Kerry, where he spent his entire life en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Johanna Sul- livan is still living, and makes her home with her daughter in the State of Nebraska. Although eighty-five years of age she is quite active and in good health.

Mr. Sullivan, our subject, first employed himself on American soil as a fisher on Lake Michigan. He was thus occupied one season, but afterward took up farming, working by the month at Watertown. Wis., at less than $1 per week. The season follow- ing be repaired to Milwaukee and engaged as host- ler at the stables of the Farmers' Hotel. He sub- sequently joined his father on the Rock Island Rail- road. and on account of his intelligence and hon- caty was given a berth in the contractors' depart- ment. Upon the completion of this section of the

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

road he engaged as deek-hand on a boat on the Illinois River, one summer, and the winter follow- ing drove a team for the grading of the Illinois Central. Hle was connected with this road until its completion to Dunleith, its northwestern terminus. The trains bere cross the river by a grand iron bridge, which is said to have cost at least $2.000,- 000. He was now for some time employed at whatever he could find to do, and then resumed boating on the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers. This. however, was only an alternative, as he much pre- ferred farming and was employed in the rural dis- triets whenever he could secure anything to do.

Mr. Sullivan had been bred to habits of industry and economy, and as soon as he had laid by a suf- ficient sum to gather together the necessary farm implements, he rented a tract of land in LaSalle County, upon which he operated successfully until the spring of 1870. ITis course was still prosperous, and he now purchased 160 acres on section 13, Sun- bury Townsbip. He did not, however, have enough to pay the whole purchase money, and as it was unimproved he rented a traet adjacent, upon which he could raise crops at once. He managed in this manner until 1875, when, paying the last dollar and securing his warranty deed, he took possession. and has since remained upon it. He bas trans- formed the wilderness into a highly cultivated farm, upon which he has erected good buildings, while he has a choice assortment of live stock. We present on another page of this volume a view of Mr Sulli- van's residence with its surroundings. Although it has required the outlay of considerable money to effeet the improvements which the traveler now observes with admiration, it has by no means em- ployed all his capital, but he has invested in addi- tional land on section 13, and is now the proprietor of 320 aeres. all under a good state of cultivation.

The marriage of Jeremiah Sullivan and Miss Ann Manley was celebrated at the home of the bride in Dimmoek Township, LaSalle County, in 1860. Mrs. S. is of the same nationality as ber husband, and was born in County Mayo, in 1837. She is the daughter of Thomas and Ellen Manley, also of Irish birth and ancestry. Her mother is now deceased ; her father lives in LaSalle, Ill. Of her marriage with our subject there have been born seven chil-

dren, viz. : Ella, Michael, Annie, Mary. Maggie. Jeremiah and Martin. The eldest is twenty-six years of age, and the youngest fourteen. They comprise an interesting family and their father is giving them good educational advantages. Mr. Sullivan is quite an extensive reader, and his chil- dren have inherited in a marked degree his own in- telligence and love of learning. Three of them are engaged in teaching. Mr. Sullivan adheres closely to the Catholic faith of his forefathers, and in po- litical matters exercises the privilege of an inde. pendent voter.

ILLIAM BRUNSKILL has been promi- nently identified with the agricultural in- terests of Esmen Township since 1855, and is the owner of a good property on section 14, where he is engaged in the breeding of fine stock, includ- ing Norman horses and Durham cattle. His land is chiefly devoted to the raising of grain and hay. He is quite prominent in local affairs, and has served as Road Commissioner and School Director, but is by no means an office-seeker or active politician. pre- ferring to give his time and attention to his private affairs. Hle performs his duty, however, annually at the polls, where he uniformly casts an unadulter- ated Democratic ballot.

Mr. Brunskill is a native of Westmoreland Coun- ty, England, where he was born Jan. 15, 1826. He is the fifth in a family of eight children included in the household of William and Martha (Todd) Bruns- kill, also of English ancestry. The father of our subject was the son of John and Elizabeth Bruns- kill, whose ancestors occupied the same estate from the reign of King John down to the paternal grand- father of our subject. It then passed into the hands of strangers by the emigration of most of the mem- bers of the family to the United States. Grand- father Brunskill spent his last years in Martinsdale, Westmoreland. and lived to the ripe old age of ninety-five years. He was remarkably strong and active, and during his early manhood a devotee of athletic sports.

The maternal grandparents of our subject. David and Ellen (Cameron) Todd, were natives of Scot-

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land. of the Lowlands and Highlands respectively. They spent their entire lives in their native land, but one of their -ons emigrated to America more than a century ago, settling in Pennsylvania, and their descendants are now scattered throughout that State. An unele of our subject became famous for his extreme strength and endurance, having inher- ited the muscle and frame of his father. During Napoleon's time he was caught on the northern coast of England, and with a number of others im- pressed into the naval service. While being con- dueted to the vessel he forced the sides out of the small boat with his feet and shoulders, and all were precipitated into the water. This representative of the Brunskill family escaped as he deserved, and lived to tell the tale to his grandchildren.

The subject of our sketch was reared to farm life, and educated in the common schools. In August, 184>, be enlisted in the Queen's Housebold Guards, a body of troops which are seldom called into active service, and with which he remained five years, be- ing quartered in and around London and Windsor Castle. the rule being to change barracks once in six months. The Duke of Wellington was their Colonel until the time of his death, and the place which was thus made vacant was subsequently filled by Prince Albert. At the expiration of his term of enlistment our subject continued in London about six months, and then decided to cros- the Atlantic. Ile embarked Aug. 11, 1854, on the sailing-vessel "Patrick Henry," and after a voyage attended by high wind- and much danger, including the scourge of cholera, of which eleven of the passenger- died, landed finally in New York City. Mr. Brunskill made his way first to New Jersey, where he was employed on a farm in Clin- ton County six months. In the meantime he re- ceived a serious injury while hauling ice, and was laid up several weeks, which enforced idleness ex- hausted his scanty mean -. He found himself pen- niless on an alien soil. and without friends to whom he could apply for assistance. Hle, however, man- aged to keep soul mal body together, and turning his stop- westward, landed in Kendall County, this State, where he secured employment on a farm. Here he again met with the misfortune of sickness, word upon his recovery found himself $25 in debt.

There was no time, however, to spend in bewailing his misfortunes, and as soon as able he resumed his labors at farming, and in the fall of 1855 removed to this county.

At length Mr. Burnskill's prospects began to im- prove. and he took unto himself a wife and help- meet in the person of Miss Susan Ross, to whom he was married on the Ist of April, 1860. To the household thus established there came in due time a family of nine children, who are all living, and whom they named respectively, Elizabeth, Robert, George, William. Martha, Ellen, Byron, Annetta and Arthur. The eldest daughter became the wife of John Wray, who is farming in Dallas County, lowa, and has one child, a daughter, Edith Elida. George Brunskill was graduated from the business college at Dixon, and is preparing to enter upon mercantile life.

Mrs. Brunskill was the fourth in a family of ten children born to her parents, Moses and Elizabeth ( Westbrook) Ross, natives respectively of Vir- ginia and Pennsylvania. They located in Ohio dur- ing its early settlement, and were residents of Ross County a number of years. Here their daughter Susan was born, May 19, 1833, and was reared on the home farm, receiving a fair education in the district schools. Mr. Ross in connection with gen- eral agriculture also followed blacksmithing. In 1852, he started overland with his family and house- hold goods for Illinois, driving his stock, and camp- ing out at night after the fashion of the travelers of those days. They first located at Ottawa, and thence, in 1853, removed to Livingston County, where the parents spent their declining years. Aaron Ross, the brother of Mrs. Brunskill, served as a Union soldier in the late war with the 129th Illinois Infantry, and during the passage of his regi- ment over a bridge in Kentucky, was injured by falling through with a number of their horses and accoutrements. He, however, recovered from this after a time and continued until the regiment was mustered out at the close of the war. Ile met the enemy in many important engagements, but escaped without a wound Further than we have mentioned. Subsequently he took up his residence in Kansas, where his death occurred about 1883.

Mr. Brunskill after his marriage, rented a tract of

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land in Esmen Township, which he occupied four years, and then purchased forty acres on section 14. A small portion of this was under cultivation, and upon it stood a small house. This structure con- stituted the dwelling of the family until in 1869. when he put up the more modern and substantial building which now, with its surroundings. forms a comfortable and handsome home, a view of which may be found in this work.

ENRY NORRIS, who is engaged in grain buying at Risk. Fayette Township, is a na- tive of Somersetshire, England, where he was born on the 1st of December, 1831. He is the son of Robert and Mary ( Andrews) Nor- ris, who came to the United States in 1843, and located at Racine, Wis., where they have since re- mained, engaged in farming.

The parental family of our subject included eight children, five boys and three girls, who were named : Henry, George, Mary Ann, Thomas, Oliver, Jane, Helen and Willard. In the spring of 1861 Oliver enlisted in the 64th Illinois Infantry, and after serving about six months returned home, and died in the spring of 1862. Willard enlisted in the three months' service, and at the end of that term re- enlisted, and after remaining in the army three months longer returned home and began farming. The other children are all living, two of whom are in Kansas, and the others, excepting our subject, are residents of Texas.

Our subject remained at home with his parents until the age of twenty years, during which time he assisted in the work upon the farm and attended the district schools of his township. After leaving home he engaged in the lumber business, west of Detroit, in Wayne County, where he remained about two years. After this he went to the Missis- sippi River, where he engaged in building flatboats, and continued this business for four or five years. He then went to Michigan and resumed the lumber business, in which he was engaged for one year. From Michigan he went to LaSalle County, Ill., where he engaged in farming for five years, and in 1866 sold out his property in LaSalle County, and

came to Livingston County, where he bought 200 acres of land on section 25, Forest Township. He remained on this farm, doing quite an extensive business in grain and stock raising until 1885, when he put the management of the farm in the hands of his son Oliver, and purchased a few acres of ground on section 3, Fayette Township, where he now re- sides. On this land is a splendid house, good barns and other buildings. Since 1883 Mr. Norris has been buying grain at the village of Risk.

On Aug. 15. 1861. our subject was married to Miss Aunie Moore, daughter of Samuel and Jane (McGaughy ) Moore, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania and came West in 1855, first locating in Ottawa, where they remained until the father died, in 1863, when the mother and children came to Livingston County, and located in Chatsworth Township. Mr. and Mrs. Norris have two children- Oliver and David M. Oliver was married on the 10th of February, 1885. to Miss Emma Wallace, a daugh- ter of John Wallace, a farmer and well-known eiti- zen of Forest Township; David is unmarried and resides at home with his parents.

Mr. Norris' acquaintance throughout this section of įLivingston County is very extensive, and the business in which he is engaged brings him much in contact with the people. They have learned to know him well, and he has firmly established him- self in their confidence by fair and prompt deal- ings. Politically Mr. Norris is a Republican, and gives the men and measures of his party a cordial and hearty support. For ten years he held the of- fice of School Director of District No. 7. Forest Township, and during his achministration these schools were in admirable condition. Mr. Norris takes great interest in educational mateers, and whenever opportunity presents does what he can to elevate the standard of the publie schools.

G EORGE HART, the subject of the following sketch, is a substantial citizen and general farmer, occupying a comfortable homestead on section 29. Dwight Township. Hle is a native of England, being born in Norfolk on the 20th of August, 1843. His father's name was George Hart, who married Miss Mary Lock, and they became the

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

parents of five children, whose names are. James, Walter. Dennis. Mahala and George. Mr. Hart nugrated to Kane County. Ill .. in 1855. where he purchased a farm. and lived until he retired from active work and moved to Pontiac. He died in 1482, at the age of seventy-five years.

Our subject was but twelve years of age when he came to this country. and can well remember the events of the six weeks' voyage across the Atlantic, in a sailing-vessel. which he enjoyed very much, although there were several severe storms, during which the passengers were kept under hatches. Arriving safely in New York, the family came direct to Kane County, Ill .. where they settled in sugar Grove Township. Young George received a common-school education, and in early life learned farming.

On the 18th of August, 1864, at the age of twen- ty-one years, Mr. Hart was married to Miss Balinda Evans, daughter of Francis and Mary (Pyatt) Evans. of Kendall County, Ill .. who were Ameri- cans by birth. but of Welsh descent. Mr. Evans lived to the patriarchal age of ninety-three years. His father participated in the war of the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Hart became the parents of seven children : Mary, who died in infancy ; Olive, Frank, Jessie. Ilorace. Joseph and James; the latter also died in infancy. The others reside at home with their parents. After their marriage the young couple went to her father's home and managed the affairs of the farm for two years, and then went to LaSalle County, where they lived upon a rented farm one year. After spending the same length of time in a similar manner in Grundy County. Mr. Ilart came to Livingston County, in 1870, with his family, and rented a farm now occupied by Thomas Glass, and here lived for three years. He then pur- chased a farm in Grundy County, on which he lived for eight years, and then returned to this county, and rented a farm of Mr. Iletzel, in Dwight Township, where he now resides. In 1885 he bought a farm of 160 acres of land. of Orrin Gal- lup, which he farmed in connection with the Hetzel place. In 1x86 hi- devoted wife died, and the care of the family fell to Mr. Hart and the oldest daugh- tor.

Mr. Hart i- a member of the Methodist Church,

and his political affiliations are with the Republican party. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lin- coln. at the time he was elected for a second term. Mr. Hart has been Township Clerk and Township Trustee, which positions he held for six years in Grundy County. He is a careful and successful farmer, and a very reliable man in all his transac- tions. The entire family are of good moral char- acter, and enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them.

OIIN M. FINLEY. A large proportion of the farmers of Pontiac Township. besides the generous cultivation of the soil, are giving much of their attention to the raising of fine stock, in which department our subject ranks among the leading men, and has been uniformly success- ful. ITc possesses good business capacities, and has never been afraid of hard work, taking pride in put- ting forth his best efforts at whatever he saw fit to engage in. He began life at the foot of the lad- der, and his present possessions are the result of his own industry. His ancestors were a substantial and reliable race of people, noted for their thrifty hab- its, and believed that each individual should be of some use in the world. This principle, transmitted from one generation to another, has resulted in a race of sturdy men of whom their descendants may well be proud.

Mr. Finley was born in Delaware County, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1831, and is the son of Robert and Eliza- beth (Riley) Finley, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Pennsylvania. The Finley's were of Irish descent, but the mother was of German blood. John Finley, the paternal grandfather of our subject, served as a soldier in the Revolution- ary War, and afterward settled in Virginia, whenee he subsequently removed to Delaware County, Ohio, in the pioneer days. From this branch of the family sprang the descendants now scattered throughout Pennsylvania and Illinois. and who pos- sess in a marked degree the characteristics of their grandsire. Robert Finley. the father of our sub- jert. was married early in life, and became the head of a family of nine children, seven of whom still

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survive, namely : Joseph S .. John M., David R .. Ezra, Mary J., Isaac and George. The parents, in 1838, left Ohio and located in Kane County, this State, proceeding again to build up a home in the wilderness. Here their children were reared. and at the old homestead in Kane County the parents spent the remainder of their lives. They were members of the Congregational Church, and trained their offspring in the strict principles of morality which was a distinguishing feature of the family.

Our subject received a fair English education and early in life began to lay his plans for the future. When nearly thirty years of age, he led to the altar the maiden of his choice, Miss Frances E. McDugal, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Pontiac Township. Mrs. Finley is the daugh- ter of Robert and Christiana MeDugal, of New York, and by her union with our subject hecame the mother of two children: Marian E., who was born Oct. 29, 1863, and Orella E., May 7. 1865.

Mr. and Mrs. F. after their marriage located upon the farm which they now occupy, and which con- sists of 160 acres of land under a good state of cnl- tivation. The residence and other buildings are substantial and comfortable. The stock is well cared for, and the premises kept in good shape gen- erally.

Mr. Finley, politically, uniformly votes the Re- publican ticket, and has served in his township as Road Commissioner and Schoot Director. Nothing pleases him better than to note the progress and welfare of his adopted county, and he has been the warm supporter of those measures tending to this end.

LFRED G. POTTER is a prominent farmer and land-holder of Dwight Township, who has passed a busy life and reaped the success which generally results from perseverance and good management. He is of German and En- glish ancestry, and a tradition of the family is that seven brothers came to this country at an early day, and settled in Plattsburg. William Potter, who was born March 4, 1809, was the father of our sub- ject. He was a shoemaker by trade, and lived in Blair County, Pa., where he married Miss Susan Ni-

kirk. To them were born three children-Julia Ann, Alfred D. and John. The father of these children (lied of typhoid fever when he was but twenty-five years of age.

Alfred G. Potter was born in Henderson County, Pa., April 3, 1833. When his father died he was but two years of age, and was left to the care of his mother, who afterward married Daniel Goodman. When Alfred was about twelve years of age, he be- gan work on his stepfather's farm, where he re- mained until he was twenty-one; at that time he had received a very limited education, but has since added to it by reading, observation and ex- perience. In those days it was difficult to obtain an education in the rural districts, and young Potter went to school a month or so for a few winters, which constituted all the advantages he enjoyed ; but like many of the American pioneers, having an active mind, be has been able to attend to his busi- ness in an intelligent manner. After quitting the employment of Mr. Goodman, Mr. Potter engaged as a teamster for three years.

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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 116

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