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 122

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 122

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Beginning life for himself with nothing except $10 which he had borrowed, Mr. Mulford is now one of the largest land-owners in Central Illinois, having 880 acres in Livingston and Kankakee Counties and 330 acres in Missouri. This, with the exception of $5,000 inherited a short time ago, has been accumulated by his own industry, but the economy which he practiced and the hard labor to which he was subjected year after year did not tend to warp his disposition or make him selfish. On the contrary he bears the reputation of being a large- hearted and liberal man, and has always encouraged by his substantial aid those enterprises calculated for the general good of the people and the devel- opment of his township.

One of the most important events in the life of our subject was his marriage with Miss Sarah S. Herrick, which was celebrated at the home of the bride in DuPage County, Nov. 26, 1855. Mrs. Mulford was born in that county, Ang. 6, 1834, and resided there with her parents, Ira and Mabel E. (Gallusha) Herrick, until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Herrick were natives of Vermont, whence they removed to the West after their marriage. Their household included two sous and six daugh- ters, of whom Sarah S. was the fifth in order of birth and the first of their children born in Illinois. They were among the early settlers of DuPage County, and there spent the remainder of their

RESIDENCE OF ABRAM LOWER, SEC.10. BROUGHTON TOWNSHIP.

CFALG

RESIDENCE OF D. A. MULFORD, SEC 13. ROUND. GROVE TOWNSHIP.

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lives, the mother passing away Jan. 28, 1873, and the father Aug. 30, 1878.

To our subject and his wife there were born six children, of whom there are only three living, namely: Fred II., who was born Dec. 5, 1863, and is a resident of this township: Oscar J., who was born Sept. 11, 1870, and Mabel S. J., Feb. 1, 1876. Ellen, Frank and Johnnie died in infancy. Mr. Mulford has been identified with the Republican party since its organization, and still upholds the principles which he then most cheerfully endorsed. Ite has held the various offices of his township, serving as Highway Commissioner and Township Trustee, and has often been called upon as a leader in the matters which naturally come up in a grow- ing community and are of interest to all good citi- zens. He has lived through the period of hard work and anxiety and now, in a home surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, has abundant reason to feel that his labors have not been in vain.

BRAM LOWER. The name of this gen- tleman has for the last twenty-five years been prominent among the liberal-minded and public-spirited citizens of Broughton Township, of which he was one of the pioneer set- tlers, and is now among the oldest living residents. lle has all his life been engaged in farming pursuits. and for several years past has given much of his at- tention to stock-raising. Ilis property consists of 160 aeres located on section 10, where he has a comfortable farm residence and all the out-build- ings necessary for carrying on successfully the la- bors of a modern agriculturist.

The State of Pennsylvania has contributed largely to the development of Central Illinois, sending in their youth and strength many of her most enter- prising sons to subdue the primitive soil and open up a rich section of country, which has now become familiarly known, not only to the great Northwest, but all over the Union. Our subject was born in Blair County, Pa., Oet. 10, 1835, and is the son of David and Susan ( Rhodes) Lower, the former now deceased and the latter a resident of Lanark, III. 1

Ilis ancestors, on both sides, were of German de- scent, and the parents were natives of Pennsylva- nia. Their household consisted of a large family of children, of whom the following survive: Levi. of Washington County, Kan .; Samuel, of Dwight, Ill. : Abram, our subject ; Catherine, the wife of Samuel McCoy, of Carroll County; Annie, Mrs. John Chestnut, of Adair County, Iowa, and Han- nah, the wife of George Weed, of Carroll County, Ill. The members of the Lower family for gener- ations have been noted for their longevity, and the father of our subject had reached his fourscore years at the time of his death, which took place at his home in Lanark April 7, 1880; the mother is now in the seventy-ninth year of her age. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Rhodes, was at least one hundred years old at the time of his death.

Abram Lower remained a resident of his native county until reaching manhood, and enjoyed only the advantages of a limited education. He was trained in his youth to habits of industry, becom- ing thoroughly acquainted with the manner of con- (lueting farm labor, and was thus well fitted for his chosen calling in life. In 1858, upon leaving the home roof, he came to Carroll County, this State, where he remained until the spring of 1860, and then took possession of his present farm, which he purchased from his father, who had accompanied him to the West. This land was then but slightly removed from its primitive condition, young Abram turning the first furrow upon it. There were no buildings of any kind, but the prospect which opened up before him, presenting, without question, very much hard labor and small returns for years, did not in the least dismay him. He saw about him other men laboring under the same disadvan- tages, and resolved to be fully equal to the emer- gency. In the course of time he began to realize the reward of his labors, and was enabled to slowly effect the improvements of which he had dreamed for years. The farm is now one of the most at- traetive spots in Livingston County. The land has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and the buildings, neat and substantial in their character, will bear fair comparison with those of the enter- prising farmers adjacent. We present on an ad-

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joining page a view of Mr. Lower's homestead. This property Mr. Lower has accumulated through his own industry and perseverance. he having had very little assistance in the beginning, and is essen- tially a self-made man. His experiences have proved a most salutary lesson. developing in him the best qualities that a man can possess.

Mr. Lower, soon after passing his twenty-fifth year. and about the time of purchasing his land, was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Miller, the wedding taking place in Dixon, Lee County, Oct. 16. 1860. They commeneed their honsekeep- ing in a small board eabin on the new farm, and the wife has labored equally with her husband in build- ing up a homestead which is a credit to them, and a comfortable abiding-place for their children. The latter. twelve in number, are recorded as follows: Maggie is the wife of Walter Morrison, of Jackson County. Mo .: Augusta, Mrs. Percy Glover. lives in Custer County. Neb .; Albert, Leroy, Frank, Marietta. Lillie. Grace and Gertrude are at home with their parents; Kenneth died when one year, one month and eleven days old: Arthur, when one year. four months and three days, and Mabel, at the age of two years and eleven days.

Mr. Lower identified himself with the Demo- cratie party in 1856, and since that time has usually adhered closely to its principles, although claiming the rights of a free American citizen, and voting independently when he has chosen so to do, his ob- jest being to support the man best qualified for office. He has been quite prominent in the affairs of Ji- township. serving ten years in succession as Highway Commissioner, and still holds the office. He officiated a- School Director several terms, and wa- Collector two year. He has uniformly been the encourager of the enterprises calculated to pro- mote the welfare of the people, and to this end has contributed in a cheerful and liberal spirit accord- ing to hi- mear -.

Mrs. Lower was born in Franklin County. Pa .. Aug. 7. 1-12. and i- the daughter of George and Margaret ( Davis) Miller, natives respectively of Germany and Pennsylvania, The father died in Carroll County. June 20. 187; the mother survives. and makes her home mostly in Carroll County, this State. They were the parents of thirteen chil-

dren. of whom the following survive: Mary, the wife of Charles E. Cross, of Stephenson County : Catherine, the wife of our subject: S. E .. of Che- non; Albert, who is living in Muscatine, Iowa; Emma, Mrs. Philip Gelwicks, of Butler County, Neb .: Luther, of Carroll County, Ill; Scott and Upton, of Nebraska : Gertrude, the wife of Edward Sullivan, of Rochelle, Ill .: Lincoln and Maggie, of Carroll County.

u LRICHI EGGENBERGER, who is pleasantly located on section 30, Union Township. is looked upon as one of its most worthy citi- zens and enterprising farmers. He came from a far land to establish his permanent home. having been born in Switzerland, April 7. 1839. His na- tive country, as we all know, has for centuries fur- nished a theme for the poet and the historian. and is a point to which the American traveler in Europe looks forward with the greatest of pleasure. The people of Switzerland speak various languages in different parts of the Republic, the native tongue of our subject being German.

Mr. Eggenberger is the fifth child of John and Afra (Stricker) Eggenberger. who were natives of the same country, and the parents of nine children. John Eggenberger followed farming on his native soil during his early manhood, and until after the death of the wife and mother. Then, in 1865. ac- companied by his family, he crossed the Atlantic, and coming directly westward, located in Union Township, this county, where he took up his old employment as an agriculturist and still resides. He is now, however, retired from active labor, and makes his home with his son John, on section 34.

Our subject established domestic ties of his own by his marriage with Miss Annie Luceger, a native of his own country, where she was born May 12, 1846. The family of her parents. Ulrich and Anna Luceger, consisted of two children only. Mr. Eg- genberger and his wife remained one year with the father of the latter, and in the fall of 1865 em- barked on a sailing-vessel from Liverpool, England, for America, where after a voyage of fourteen days. they landed in New York City. A few days later

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they started for the West, and made their first halt in Peoria. Ill .. but not finding a desirable location, they came to this county, where our subject, pro- viding a shelter for his family in Odell Township, engaged as a farm laborer, at which he continued for three years following. In the meantime he lived eco- nomically, and saved what he could of his earnings. so that in 1874 he was enabled to secure an 80-acre tract of improved land. Upon this there were some buildings, and after establishing his family com- fortably, he entered in earnest upon the improve- ment and cultivation of his purchase. This land now constitutes his present homestead, but so great is the change which he has effected upon it that it would scarcely be recognized. His career, how- ever, has not been without adversity and affliction, for on the 16th of November, 1875, the year follow- ing his purchase of this land, and when he was in the midst of his plans for a future home. the wife and mother was called from earth. He was thus left bereaved with two little children-Ulrich and John. These are now promising young men. and continue at home with their father. Mrs. Annie Eggen- berger had been carefully reared in the doctrines of the Reformed Church, in her daily life furnishing a bright example of piety and truth, and adhered closely to the religious faith of her parents.

Our subject, ou the 18th of September, 1876, was a second time united in marriage, with Mrs. Katie Eggenberger, who was also born in Switzerland, in 1842. Her parents, Andrew and Agatha Eggen- berger, were also of Swiss birth and parentage, and spent their entire lives in their native land. Their family included nine children, Katie being the sixth in order of birth. By her first marriage Mrs. E. had become the mother of two children, John and Andrew, both of whom make their home with our subject. Mr. E. has distinguished himself as a skill- ful and thorough farmer, and has been rewarded for his industry and frugality. He has wisely invested his surplus capital in additional land, and is now the owner of 230 acres which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and which is amply stocked with graded animals, including Norman horses. Short-horn cattle, Cotswold sheep and Poland-China swine. Ilis dwelling and farm buildlings compare favorably with those of the enterprising farmers

around him, among whom he is held in universal respeet.

Upon becoming a naturalized citizen, our sub- ject identified himself with the Republican party, al- though taking no active interest in politics. He has served as Road Commissioner two years, and gives his support to those enterprises calculated for the general good of the community. Both our subject and his wife are devoted members of the Reformed Church, and are numbered among its most cheer- ful supporters.

As representative of the buildings in this section of country, we present on another page a view of Mr. Eggenberger's homestead.

6 HOMAS G. RILEY. No man in the stock growing sections of Central Illinois perhaps has been more fortunate in this department of farming than the subject of this sketch. He came to Forest Township in 1864. and located on section 5, where he now has a beautiful farm of 520 acres, stocked with fine grades of cattle and horses, and has also been very successful with Poland-China swine. He first purchased a quarter section at $25 per acre, to which he added gradually as time pro- gressed and his means accumulated. His enter- prise and ambition seem almost unlimited, and he is credited with having done his full share toward advancing the agricultural interests of Livingston County.

Mr. Riley, like many of the earlier settlers of the county, is an emanation of Erin's Green Isle. where he was born Nov. 5, 1820. His parents, Charles and Aun (Gordon) Riley, were also of Irish birth and parentage, and their household included ton children, six sons and four daughters, of whom one is deceased. The parents spent their entire lives on their native soil, but their children all emigrated to America. Our subject was reared on the small farm which his father cultivated. and in the mean- time gave very much thought to the future. He saw little in his native Ireland to aid in developing the natural enterprise of his character, and deter- mined to seek his fortunes on another continent.

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Accordingly in the spring of 1847, after passing his twenty-third year, he set sail from Liverpool, and after a somewhat tedious voyage arrived safely in New York Harbor. Ile remained in the Empire State a few years thereafter occupied in farming pursuits, then going to Indiana took up his resi- dence in Tippecanoe County, and remained there

seven years. While a resident of New York he was married. in the spring of 1855, to Miss Jane McGovern, a native of Ireland. The young couple began life together in a modest dwelling in indiana, where they remained until the removal to Forest Township. Of this union there were born six chil- dren. only one living, a daughter. Letitia, who is now the wife of Jefferson Trumbo, a prosperous farmer of Lasalle County, residing near Ottawa. Four of the five childlien deceased were buried in- side of four months.

Mr. Riley keep> a herd of about t 10 Short-horn cattle, and thirty to thirty-six head of full-blooded Norman horses, five of which were imported di- reetly from France. He is without question one of the leading stockmen of the county and exhibits some of the finest animals within its borders. One of his most valuable horses weighs 2,000 pounds, ail another 2.100 pounds. The latter, "Gen. For- rest." valued at $1.850, and a beautiful dapple- gray, sixteen and one-half hands high, with white mane and tail, was imported in 1883 by Degen Bros. of Ottawa. "Marquis," mmbered 1635, a bright bay. seven years old. seventeen hands high, and weighing 2,000 pounds, was imported in 1882, In Virgin & Co. of Fairbury. The former was purchased by Mr. Riley when three years of age, and the latter when two. One of his colts when six months old weighed 960 pounds. and is owned by James Bergen. of Charlotte Township. He is considered one of the finest colt- in the State.

The farmn is located about one and one-half miles from the town limits of Forest, and besides the handsome residence and out-building- there is a fine orchard five aeres in extent, and all the other ap- partenances of a first-class country estate. Mr. Riley. with his family. belongs to the Protestant Episcopal Church, and is a gentleman who has alway - taken an active interest in the public affairs of his township. contributing liberally to the main-

tenance and support of its educational and religious institutions. In politics Mr. Riley has always been a stanch Republican, but has never been an office- seeker.

ILLIAM SELLMYER is a young man who has always followed the vocation of a far- mer, and considering the circumstances which have surrounded him. has succeeded better than most men of his age. He has closely identi- fied himself with the interests of Saunemin Town- ship, and is one of its most promising citizens.

Mr. Sellmyer is a native of Illinois, and has re- sided in the State all his life, He was born in La- Salle County on the 10th of March, 1858, and is the son of Joseph and Frances Sellmyer, both of whom were born in Germany, but early in life came to America. In 1874 our subject accom- panied his parents when they came and settled in Livingston County, loeating in Odell Township, where the father died on the 220 of November, 1885. The mother is still living, and resides in Odell Township. To his parents were born twelve children, of whom five are deceased. The living are named as follows: Emma, William M., Eliza- beth, Mary, Annie, Eva and John. In his youth our subject had few opportunities of attending school, and as a consequence received but a limited education. His entire life has been spent upon a farm, and he has always entered upon that work with zeal and earnestness.

On the 4th of April, 1883, Mr. Sellmyer was married to Mary Fisher, of LaSalle County, IN .. who was born on the tst of April, 1863. She is the daughter of John and Gertrude Fisher, both of whom were born in Germany, and at present are residents of LaSalle County, this State. Her par- ents are members of the Catholic Church, to which they are much devoted. Mr. and Mrs. Sellmyer have one child, born on the 3d of November, 1885, upon whom they have conferred the name of Jo- seph.

Mr. Sellmyer owns 138 acres of land lying in Owego Township, and to the improvement and cul- tivation of this farm he devotes his entire atten- tion, and has already made considerable improve-

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ment of a substantial nature. In politie -.. Mr. Sellmyer is Democratie, and votes and works with that party without the hope or expectation of re- ward in the nature of office. He and his wife are consistent members of the Catholic Church, and de- vote of their time and means liberally to its susten- ance. Mr. Sellmyer is yet a young man, but ha- already well established himself in the confidence of his fellow-citizens.

BRAHAM FUNK. After a long and active life the subject of this sketch is now a re- tired farmer residing in the city of Odell. He was born in Augusta County, Va., near Staunton, on the 23d of October, 1819, and was the eldest in a family of nine children born to Chris- tian and Susanna ( Roadifer) Funk, who were na- tives of Rockingham County, Va., where they were born, reared and married.

The paternal grandparents of our subject were Henry and Susanna (Fry) Funk, natives of Penn- sylvania. The great-grandfather on this side was also named Henry, the original spelling of his sur- name being Funek, which form of orthography pre- vailed down to the present generation. He was one of five brothers who came to America from Switzerland just before the Revolutionary War, and it is believed that the entire descent was from these five brothers. Two of them were soldiers in the war of the Revolution, after which they seat- tered, and from them sprung the branch to which the subject of this sketch belongs. The one from whom he descends was a Mennonite preacher, and the inclinations are all in that direction. The ma- ternal grandparents, William and Catherine (Sho- walter) Roadifer, were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent, the name being originally spelled Rodehafer, but Americanized to its present orthography. Catherine Showalter's father came from Switzerland about the time the Funks emi- grated, and lived on the Susquehanna River during the Revolutionary War.

The father of Abraham Funk was a farmer by occupation. although a blacksmith by trade, and followed the latter in his younger days. In 1820

he moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, and in 18 19 to LaSalle County, Ill., where he spent his declining years engaged in farming. He died on the 29th of August, 1856, and his widow survived him until Jan. 28, 1887. The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life, and also learned the trade of a carpenter. He was fairly educated in the common schools of those days, and at the age of twenty years, while his parents were residing in Fairfield County, Ohio. he left home to do for himself. For three years following he followed his trade and then engaged in farming, which has been his occupation ever sinee.

April 29, 1841, Mr. F. married Miss Margaret Hutchinson, who was born in Fairfield County. Ohio, on the 10th of May, 1822, and was the youngest in a family of eleven children born to James and Margaret ( Logan) Hutchinson, natives of Huntingdon County, Pa. James Hutchinson was a soldier in the War of 1812, and one of the very earliest settlers of Ohio. In 1850 Mr. Funk and his wife left Ohio, and coming to LaSalle County, Ill., bought a farm near Streator, upon which they lived until 1866, when he sold out and bought a farm six miles east of Odell, where he re- mained for fifteen years. In 1883 he bought a home in the city, and retired from active life. Mr. and Mrs. Funk are the parents of ten children, six boys and four girls, whose record is as follows: James H. was born Feb. 15, 1842; Nancy was born April 3, 1843, and died Aug. 29, 1852; David A. was born March 28, 1846; Christian, Dec. 29, 1818: Mary E., March 2, 1851 ; William Albert, Feb. 25, 1854: Rhoda A., Oct. 26, 1856; Warren L., Oct. 15, 1858, Sarah Alice, Jan. 18, 1862, and Arthur A., Nov. 28, 1864. Nine of them are living, and all married but Warren and Arthur, who are in Minnesota engaged in professional life.

Mr. Funk has always been a prominent man in the community in which he lives. In LaSalle County he served as Road Commissioner, Assessor, Justice of the Peace. School Director and Trustee. Since residing in this county he has kept out of office as much as possible. 1le has not been an act- ive man in politics, but his votes have been cast for the Whig and Republican tickets for forty- seven years. His first vote was cast for Gen. Will-

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

iam Henry Harrison for President, and he has voted for every Whig and Republican candidate for that high office sinee. He is a member of the Congregational Church. in which he has served as Trustee, and has for years been an active Christian worker.

OIIN CHRISTMANN. In the subject of this sketch is illustrated one of the great ad- vantages of this country. le came from Germany a few years ago without means and without friends to help him in making a start, and to-day. he owns a most excellent farm which is equipped with all the necessary buikdlings for the comfort of his family, and the protection of his domestic animals and farm products. On another page of this work is shown a view of Mr. Christ- mann's homestead. This is perhaps the only coun- try in which such ends could be accomplished in so short a time. even with the same energy and enter- prise displayed by Mr. Christmann ; the only coun- try in which the adopted citizen has an equal chance in all the affairs of life with the native citizen, for he takes his place without discrimination or preju- dice. and has equal privileges with those to the manor born. Mr. Christmann has acted well his part in the land of his adoption, and has his reward in a comfortable home among an intelligent and Christian people. It is of such citizens that Illinois is largely compo-ed.

Mr. Christmann's farm is located in Dwight Town-hip. which is noted for its good farms and progressive farmers. The father of Mr. Christman wa- Peter Christinaan. of Hochstetten, Germany. who was a cooper by trade. He was the father of seven children-Jacob. Peter, Henry. Conrad, Jacobina. Margaret and John, of whom four of the brothers-Henry, John, Jacob and Peter-came to this country. Henry went to California and to in- telligence has been received from him for twenty Vear -.

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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 122

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