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 128

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 128

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To Mr. and Mrs. Mathis seven children have been born, five of whom are now living, as follows: May Belle, born March 12, 1875: Lena Ettie, Aug. 19, 1876; Carl E., Jan. 14, 1879; George R .. Jan. 11, 1883, and Freddie J., Jan. 29, 1886; the other two died in infancy unnamed.

Mr. Mathis, as a merchant and newspaper pub- lisher, occupies a prominent position in the affair- of Reading Township. Ile is a very enterprising and industrious man, neat and methodical in the performance of his work, and has earned an envia- ble reputation for integrity and reliability. In po- litical matters he acts independently, and the tone of the paper which he publishes harmonizes with his political position. He and his wife are prom- inent and consistent members of the Christian Church, in which they manifest a deep interest.

P REDERICK A. LAKIN, a retired farmer and a resident of Dwight, is a descendant of excellent Scotch ancestry and the son of Joseph Lakin, who was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary War. He settled in Groton, Mass., and there pursued for a time his trade of a shoe-

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maker, subsequently embarking in the butchering business. He married a Massachusetts lady, Miss Huldah Simons, of Groton, and this union resulted in the birth of eight children-Polly, Joshua, Joseph, Jonathan. Jerusha, and three who died young.

After a residence of some years in the Bay State, Joseph Lakin migrated to Maine and located on a farm in the outskirts of the town of Sebago. There his first wife died, and he was subsequently married to Miss Doreas, daughter of William Gammon, and they became the parents of the following children : Joseph. Louisa. Loamia, Sybil A., Parker, Eunice, George, Huldah. Frederick and Lydia. Of. these but three are now living, namely : George, Fred- erick and Loamia. The father was one of the earli- est pioneers of Cumberland County, where he spent the remainder of his days occupied in farm pursuits. He was a man of iron constitution, living to the advanced age of eighty-seven years, and was gentle and kind. never turning from his door anyone who applied to him in time of trouble. Ile accumulated a fine property and was thus enabled to gratify his instincts of benevolence in assisting the poor and aiding the enterprises calculated for the good of the people. Ile was sixty years of age at the time of his second marriage, and presented the interesting spectacle of a patriarch with a blooming family around him.

Frederick A. Lakin, our subject, was born at his father's homestead in Cumberland County, Me., May 30, 1824, and passed his boyhood after the manner of the sons of pioneers. There were few school facilities and hi- early education was exceed- ingly limited, but as he was a bright and intelligent boy, and had a natural love for reading, he acquired an extensive fund of information and was generally in advance of the youths of that period. He was but seven years of age at the time of his father's death, and his mother was left with only a third of the property. the children of the first wife claiming the remainder under the old Maine law. Young Lakin when but fifteen years old assumed charge of the farm of fifty -- ix acres, upon which but one payment had been made, and taking care of his mother, paid off the mortgage and built up a good home. Here he remained until twenty-eight years of age, and then established domestic ties of his own by his

marriage with Miss Emeline H. Burnhun, of Harri- son, Me. Two years later they removed from Sebago to Harrison, where they resided for a period of thirteen years, and in 1864, gathering together their personal effects, they disposed of their real estate interests and set out for the prairies of Illi- nois.

Our subject upon reaching this State located for a year in Rutland Township, LaSalle County, whence he removed, in 1866, to Livingston, and purchased a farm on section 35, in Dwight Town- ship. Here he cultivated the soil successfully, built up a fine homestead, accumulated a compe- tency, and retired from active labor in 1887. His career is a fine illustration of the self-made man who struggled against difficulties and adversity in his youth and can now look back over the long road which he has traveled with a feeling that his life has in nowise been a failure. He bears the reputa- tion of being an honest and upright man of steady habits and moral character. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and has officiated as School Di- rector and Road Commissioner for a number of years.

Mr. and Mrs. Lakin were not blessed with children of their own, but while in Maine they adopted a little boy two and one-half years old, whom they named Edward fl., and reared him as their own son giving him an excellent education. He has now a wife and two children, and is farming on a tract of land belonging to our subject though intended for himself. Mr. and Mrs. L. are active members of the Baptist Church in Dwight and considered val- ned additions to the social circles of a town noted for the refinement and education of its people.

6 HOMAS MILLS. For nearly forty years the subject of this sketch has resided on the farm where he now lives, ou section I. Long Point Township, and during this time he has thoroughly identified himself with all the enter- prises which have resulted in the development and improvement of that part of Livingston County. Mr. Mills was born in Clinton County, Ohio, on the

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23d of March. 1816, the son of Daniel and Mary (Bennett) Mills, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. The father was reared to manhood in Kentneky, and went from that State to Ohio. where he met and became acquainted with Mary Bennett, whom he married in 1815. Thomas Mills, the subject of this sketeh, remained in Ohio until past thirty years of age, and came to Illinois in October, 1850.

Mr. Mills was married to Eliza C. Wier, of Fayette County, Ohio, on the 19th of October. 1837. She was a daughter of James and Mary (Varner) Wier, and of her union with our subject there were born the following-named children: Daniel Clark, Mary Louisa, William II., Ann Eliza. James N., Jeanette Elizabeth, Margaret Ellen and Melsena. Daniel C. was born Sept. 5, 1838, and died Oct. 6, 1839; Mary L. was born April 28, 1840, mar- ried Aaron Zeilman Feb. 26, 1860, and they have had seven children; William H. was born Jan. 27. 1842. and married Miss Zilpha I. Isenhour Dec. 25, 1867; they have three children, and live in Kansas. Ann E. was born Jan. 9. 1844, and married Daniel Flick, a physician ; they have two children and live in Custer City. James N. was born Nov. 6, 1846, and died in November, 1860; Jeanette E. was born April 3, 1848, married James Bradley, a farmer and stock-raiser in Dakota. and they have had three children, two of whom are living; Margaret E. was born Aug. 3, 1850, married Mason Kinzie, and died at Long Point at the age of thirty years, four months and one day; she was the mother of two children, one of whom is living. Melsena was born Feb. 17, 1855, married G. W. Bradley, by whom she had one child, and died at the age of twenty- two years, eleven months and twenty-four days; her husband and child had died previously.

On the 6th of March, 1870. Mr. Mills' first wife died, and on the 4th of March, 1872, he was mar- ried to Mrs. Phoebe, widow of Charles McCarthy. She is the daughter of James E. and Rachel LFRED BROWN, for the last ten years has been located in Union Township just out- side the town limits of Emington, and lives on his wife's farm on section 4. which property was given her by her father. As an ex- perienced farmer Alfred Brown takes his rightful (Castor) Van Winkle, natives of Allen County, Ind .. the former of whom died in September. 1866, and the latter April 6, 1881, at Ransom. Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Van Winkle were the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The names of the living are as follows: H. Amanda, James Ed- . place among the intelligent men around him, and is

ward, William Henry. Peter T. and Phobe. Il. Amanda was born Sept. 26. 1844. and in 1865 married David Kelley ; they had two children, one of whom is living. James E. was born in 1846, and marrying Jennie Elliot, they became the parents of four children, two of whom are living; William H1. was born in 1849. married Mary Growdie. and they live in Ottawa, Ill .: Peter T. was born Jan. 31, 1847. and married Miss Margie Fry, who died Aug. 13, 1887, leaving a family of four children, one of whom has since died: Phoebe, the wife of the sub- ject of our sketch, was born Jan. 8, 1850. To Thomas and Phobe Mills have been born four children, as follows: Louis Edward, Jan. 24, 1874; Elma May, July 10. 1876: Franklin Coral, Feb. 26. 1878, and Thomas Boyd. Nov. 8, 1881. By her former husband Mrs. Mills has one son, William H. MeCarthy, who was born April 13, 1868.

Mr. Mills is the owner of 160 acres of land, 120 of which is under a high state of cultivation. tlie remainder being reserved for timber and pasture land. This farm is well watered and the improve- ments are of a first- class character. Here Mr. Mills settled when he came from Ohio in 1850, and has continuously resided since. Politically he is a Republican, having grown up in that faith. He was formerly a member of the Whig party. but when the Republican party was organized he united with it and has never deserted its ranks. He and his wife are members of the Protestant Methodist Church, and they both take an active part in the affairs of the congregation to which they belong.

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

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pursuing the even tenor of his way. attending chiefly to his own concerns and lending a helping hand to whatever enterprise demand- the encouragement of the conscientious citizen He takes an active in- terest in the maintenance of schools, and although not strictly a party man. usually votes for the sup- port of Republican principles. He is particularly interested in the success of the temperance move- ment, and his sympathies are closely allied to the Prohibitionists.

Our subject, like so many of the solid men of Livingston County. is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born. in Franklin County, Jan. 22, 1852. His parents. George and Mary ( Kneff) Brown, were also natives of the Keystone State and of German descent. The father followed farming in Pennsylvania in a modest way, and our subject continued under the parental roof until a young man twenty-two year- old. Upon coming to this State. in 1874. he engaged a- a farm laborer in La- Salle County, and a few years later, on the 30th of July, is7s. wa- married to Miss Ellen Louise Edge- comb, who was born and reared in that county. Her parents, William and Eunice (Spaulding) Edge- comb. were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and New York. the father of English descent, and the mother. it is supposed, of German.

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brown removed to their present homestead, where they be- ene the parents of four children. namely : Mary Viola, who was born March 22, 1879; Mattie May. May 11- 1881 : Zella Josephine, Der. 21. 1882, and Wilhelmina Eunice. Oct. 21. 1884. Mrs. Brown was born March 13, 1857, in LaSalle County, this state. to which her parents had removed about 1×51. Her father was born in 1833, and her mother, Ort. 10. 1836. They were married March 9. 1-5t. and the mother departed this life at her home in Lasalle County, Sept. 23, 1861. Mr. Edgecomb, after the death of his first wife, wa- married again. and i- the father of seven sons and three daughter -. Mr -. Knox, one of the daughters. I- written of elsewhere in this Aum v; Emily Eliz- abeth i- the wife of William Smith, of Odell, and the boy- are mostly residents of LaSalle County.

Mr. and Mr -. Brown are members in good stand- ing of the Congregational Church at Emington,

and are carefully training their children to observe the principles of sobriety and morality, which will constitute them worthy members of society, well fitted to hear the mantle of their honored parents.

ON. LEWIS E. PAYSON. It has been truly said that the history of a country is contained in the lives of its citizens. Most emphatically can this saying be applied to Livingston County, and her distinguished citizen, Hon. L. E. Payson, of Pontiac, now Member of Congress for the Ninth District of Illinois.

Judge Payson is a native of Rhode Island, and was born in Providence, Sept. 17, 1841, and is the eldest child of Hanson and Maria ( Briggs) Pay- son, natives of the same State. All the children of Hanson and Maria Payson, five in number, are now living but one. Those living besides our subject are: Hanson L., now living in Milwaukee. and en- gaged in the mercantile business; Charles, a promi- nent attorney of Iroquois County, and Alma, now Mrs. S. Simmons, also of Iroquois County. The paternal grandfather of Hanson Payson was a na- tive of Massachusetts, where he engaged in the manufacture of paper, and was a much respected citizen. The father of the subject of our biogra- phy was a contractor and builder. In 1852 he moved with his family to Illinois, settling in Henry County. where he engaged in farming. Ile has now retired from active labor, and is living in Iroquois County.

Young Payson attended the schools of Providence up to the time his parents emigrated to the West. From this time until he was nineteen years of age he assisted his father in farm work. He was then placed at Lombard University, Knox County. Ill., to complete his school education. Subsequent to his college life he had the degree of LL. D. con- ferred upon him. After leaving the university he repaired to Ottawa, Ill., and entered as a student in the law office of Bushnell, Avery & Gray, study- ing there until September, 1862, when he was ad- mitted to the bar. He remained with the above- named firm until 1865, when he came to Pontiac and opened a law office. He was quite successful

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in his law practice, and soon took front rank with the members of his profession. He was elected to the office of City Attorney in 1867, which position he held for three consecutive years. At the end of that time he was elected to the office of County Judge and served four years. In 1880 Judge Pay- son was elected to his first term in Congress, as a Republican Representative from the Ninth District, to which place he has been continuously re-elected. Prior to this time he was on the Board of Education for several years; was local attorney for the Chi- cago & Alton Railroad Co. for fifteen years, and for the Illinois Central for ten years. He not only distinguished himself as an able lawyer and advo- cate, but was successful financially, accumulating a large property.

In 1876 the Judge completed his present beanti- ful residence, which contains all the modern con- veniences and luxuries. The grounds, which are extensive, are elegantly laid out and adorned with choice flowers and shrubs and tall shade trees. There is a gradual slope from the dwelling back- ward, terminating at the waters of the Vermilion, which gracefully winds around, shaded by trees. whose branches extend over its banks.

From the time of Mr. Payson's first entrance into Congress he has been active, laborious and watchful, ever looking to the good of the country and his constituents. This course has placed him among the foremost legislators of Congress, and given him an influential position. During his long term there he has been on many important commit- tees, among which were the Judiciary, Public and Private Lands, and Coinage. He was appointed by President Arthur on the Assay Commission, serv- ing two years. Here, as at all times, looking to the general welfare of the people, he was opposed to the suspension of the silver coinage. Among the more important bills introduced by Judge Payson, and bills championed by him, were those having for their object the reclaiming to the public domain what is known as lapsed land grants, which were conditionally granted to railroad corporations, and the Alien Land Bill. By his able efforts, and those of his co-workers, the prodigal land policy pursued by former legislators has been set aside or annulled. disappointing the voracious appetites of land-shark

railroad corporations, thereby saving millions of acres of land to the Government. Some fourteen bills were passed and became laws for reclaiming to the Government lands which had been granted to railroad corporations, and which had been forfeited by them for non-compliance with the conditions of said grants.

Judge Payson took the ground that the railroad corporations not having carried out the provisions of the laws granting the-e lands, Congre>> had the power to restore them to the public domain; that the grant was not a mere present but was a premium, offered to secure certain work done of public im- portance. Others held that Congress had not the power to restore these lands. These measures were passed in the Forty-eighth Congress. From the Texas Pacifie there were restored to the Government between 18.000,000 and 19,000,000 acres; from the Atlantic & Pacific about 23.000,000. There were other minor bills passed restoring about 12,000.000. These lands were mostly in C'ali- fornia, New Mexico and the Indian Territory. The result of the revocation of the indemnity land reservation was the restoration to the Government for settlement of some 30,000,000 acres. In this, Judge Payson was the pioneer. By his own special efforts about 55,000,000 acres of granted lands have been restored to the control of the Govern- ment.

Another bill in which the subject of this sketeli was the principal mover was one providing for the unlawful enclosure of the public domain, the Alien Land Bill, which he introduced, and had passed by the last Congress, providing that no foreigner shall acquire or hold any real estate wherein the United States has jurisdiction. The passage of this bill will be of great benefit to the people of the United States.

Judge Payson is also preparing a bill which he proposes to introduce to the next Congress, regu- lating emigration to the United States. This bill provide- that no foreigner, unless coming ou a pleasure tour, shall be permitted to land here, with- out producing a certificate from the United States Consul stationed at the port, or in the country from which he comes, stating that he was a law-abiding citizen, and had been self -- u-taining up to the time

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of his departure. This will be one of the most, if not the most. important bill that has been presented to Congres- for many years, and should be sup- ported by all who have the true interests of America at heart. Should the Judge secure the passage of this bill he will add greatly to his well-earned fame as a legislator. statesman and patriot.

In the Senatorial election for a successor to the lamented Logan, Judge Payson scoured nineteen votes. and was next to the snecessful candidate, llon. C. B. Farwell. On none could the mantle of this distinguished soldier and statesman have better fallen than on the subject of this biography, and really he is the man for the public to look to, to take the place of this departed statesman.

The Judge has been frequently aud favorably mentioned as the Republican candidate for Governor of Illinois, but he would much prefer to remain in Congress and finish the legislation he has in view. Unquestionably he can hold his place in Congress as long as he desires. Ile enjoys the confidence and the affertion of his constitueney. and this may be applied. not only to the Republican, but the Democratic party. He is supported by the people of the district. irrespective of party, and he has so ably and faithfully represented their interests that they want no other.

.Judge Payson is now in the prime of manhood, and it might be said is now especially fitted by study and long experience for a career of great use- fulness to the nation. The time in which he is not engaged in public affair- he spends chiefly with his family at hi- beautiful home. which is surrounded with elegance and culture. Like most prominent and intellectual men the Judge has the faculty of remembering in a remarkable degree, the features and names of persons whom he meets. He rarely forgets a name or face. There is hardly a man in luis district whose name he cannot give the instant of greeting.

Judge Pay-on has a splendid physique, standing five feet ten and one half inches high. and weigh- ing about 200 pounds. His chest is deep, and -holder- broad, carrying a large and well-bal- aheed head. Ili- features are full and open, with ah ample forehead, beneath which are light blue, or gray eyes, glowing with honest brightness. His

complexion is somewhat florid, with hair cast in blonde. now slightly sprinkled with gray. His voice is clear and rich in private conversation, in which he excels, and magnetic and commanding in the forum or on the stump. As an orator he has but few equals in the country. Added to this a dignified bearing. a polished and cordial manner, and a pretty fair pen portrait may be had of the popular and distinguished Representative of the Ninth Congressional District of Illinois.

6 SHIOMAS LAWLESS. The home of which this gentleman took possession in the spring of 1875 is one of the most desirable in Round Grove Township. It lies on section 22, and comprises 160 acres of valuable land under a good state of cultivation. Upon this Mr. Lawless has effected good improvements, having a neat and sub- stantial dwelling. a good barn and all the other buildings required by the first-class agriculturist. lIe has labored industriously and persistently, and besides being regarded as one of the most skillful farmers of the northeastern part of Livingston County, is held in equal esteem as a neighbor and citizen.

The early home of our subject was on the other side of the Atlantic, in County Wexford, Ireland, where he was born in 1828, and from which he emigrated when a young man in the spring of 1852. He landed at New York and thence proceeded southwest to the State of Mississippi, where he was employed for a time on the levee. Thence he mi- grated to LaSalle County, this State, and in the spring of 1853 entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, with which he remained two years. The two years following he was vari- ously engaged in LaSalle County, and then going into Burean County occupied himself at farming until the spring of 1868, when he became a resident of this county and operated on rented land in Ne- vaila Township for a period of seven years. He had lived economically, and finally invested his hard-earned capital in the land which he now occu- pies. This was partially improved but the build- ings were very unsuitable for his purpose. He

1882

RESIDENCE OF T.L.H. HOLMAN, SEC I.(T.27) SAUNEMIN TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF P. F. MC DONALD, SEC 21. ESMEN TOWNSHIP.

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put up his present residence in 1875, and has from time to time added those embellishments to the farm which have made it a point of attraction in that section of country.

While a resident of LaSalle County Mr. Lawless was married, in January, 1854, to Miss Margaret Lynch, a native of his own country, and born in . War of 1812. County Waterford about 1830. This union re- sulted in the birth of eight children, most of whom are at home with their parents. Their oldest son, Thomas M., married Miss Ellen Swanton, and is carrying on farming for himself near his father's homestead; Annie, the eldest daughter, is unmar- ried; Mary is the wife of Edward Johnson, who is engaged as a stonemason at Reddick, Ill. ; Katie. Mrs. Frank Laidig, resides in Decatur County, Kan. The younger ones are Maggie, Edward V., Hannah and Nora, and are still engaged in their studies at school.

Mr. and Mrs. Lawless were reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, to which they still adhere with loyal devotion. Our subject upon coming to this section of country was at once recognized as a val- nable accession to the community, and has always taken a lively interest in those enterprises inaugu- rated for the general well-being of the people. Ile has served as School Director and also as Town- ship Assessor. He votes the straight Democratie ticket, and keeps himself well posted upon matters of general interest.

P ATRICK F. McDONALD i- a farmer and stock-raiser on section 21, Esmen Town- ship, where he has a half section of highly improved and well cultivated land. His residence. as well as the site on which it stands, is one among the finest in Livingston County, and his barns and other buildings thoroughly correspond. A view of the homestead embellishes this volume. Hle was born in Harrison. now Taylor County, W. Va., on the 12th of May, 1825, and i- the second child of six born to Benjamin and Nancy A. ( Flem- ing) MeDonald, both natives of Virginia, which State was also the natal place of his paternal grand- parents, James and Mary McDonald. The mater-

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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 128

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