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 17

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 17

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AMES TANNER. This gentleman is one of the oldest living citizens of Avoca Town- ship, and has made his impress in the his- tory of both the county and township. He was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, on the 27th of September, 1815, and is the son of Rob- ert and Jane Tanner, the former a native of Ken- tueky, and the latter of Pennsylvania. His pater- nal ancestor- were of English and the maternal an- centers of Irish descent. His parents settled in Montgomery County. Ohio, about the year 1812, and were among the very carliest pioneers of that region of country. His father has been twice mar- ried. and of a large family of children there are but three survivors-James, John AA. and Ann M., the last the wife of Samuel Parrott, of Kansas.

The subject of this sketch, when abont twelve years of age, accompanied his parents when they reinoved to and settled in Fountain County, Ind., where he was reared to manhood and received a

rudimentary education in the early subscription schools, which were the only kind they had before the inauguration of the present free school system in Indiana. His early days were spent upon the farm, where he gained that practical experience which has been so valnable to him in active life. lle was first married in Indiana, on the 24th of December, 1840, to Ann, a daughter of Robert Buchanan, and a native of Pennsylvania. She died on the 5th of March, 1852. Mr. Tanner's second marriage occurred in Illinois on the 14th of Decem- ber, 1853, when he was united with Ulala Tucker, who was born on the 14th of December, 1823, in Butler County, Ohio. She was a daughter of Joel and Sarah Tucker, who were natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania respectively. When seven years of age she accompanied her parents when they re- moved to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where she was reared to maturity. In 1851 with her parents she came to Livingston County, where they settled on the Vermilion River in Avoca Township, and were among the pioneer settlers of that section. They both died in this place.

In the spring of 1850 Mr. Tanner came from Indiana to Livingston County, and bought eighty acres of land on seetion 17, in Avoca Township, to which he has added by subsequent purchases until he now owns 154 acres, most of which is under cul- tivation. He has resided continuously on section 17 since he became a citizen of Livingston County. At the time he settled here the market for his farm products and the base of supplies was Ottawa, to which point he hauled all his grain. Ile endured all the usual hardships that befall the pioneer in a new country, but he has been successful in life, overcoming all obstacles, and has now one of the most pleasant homes and best improved farms in the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Tanner are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and for years he has served as Class-Leader, Steward and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. To the church he is a liberal contributor, and as a member his example is wor- thy of emulation. To encourage those actively engaged in the battle of life, a few words of his Christian experience from his own pen are quite appropriate in this connection. "I was born of

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Christian parents, who in early youth taught me the fear of the Lord, and to read Ilis holy word. I was converted and gave my heart to God in my sixteenth year. finding great peace in believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. In this Christian faith and hope I have lived for fifty-six years. A large ma- jority of my friends and neighbors have passed on before, and I hope to meet many of them in the land where sickness and death will never come." He has served as Road Commissioner of the town- ship one term, for several years of said board as Treasurer, and as Justice of. the Peace five years, and all these positions he has filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the people. Mr. Tanner was appointed Postmaster of Lodemia, Oct. 24, 1878, and has held the office up to the present time. He is a Republican in politics, and is thor- oughly imbued with the doctrines and modern ideas of that party. He has a tendency toward the doctrines of the Prohibition party, and looks upon the evil of intemperance as one of the greatest curse of the land. He and his wife are now in their declining years, but are enjoying the fruits of a life spent in usefulness and well-doing. They are both highly esteemed by their neighbors and acquaintances.

E DWIN A. HUNTER. One of the most prominent young business men in the city of Odell. and one who deserves special men- tion for the energy with which he conducts his business, is the subject of this sketch, who is a dealer in drugs and medicines. He was born in Lawrence County, Pa., on the 5th of November. 1857, and in order of birth was third in a family of four children born to James A. and Jane (Struthers) Hunter, whose biographies appear in this ALBUM.

Mr. Hunter was reared to city life and educated in the schools of Odell, where his parents located when he was eight years of age. From that time until he was sixteen years of age he constantly at- tended school, and was then granted a teacher's certificate. and engaged to teach school in the country, but an eminent physician. Dr. Waldon, at

this time bought a half interest in the Odell City Drug Store with J. P. Kidder, with the understand- ing that young Hunter should take charge of his interest there. At the end of the first week in the school-room he turned over to a successor his school work and entered the store, in 1871. It being the home of his youth, his acquaintance ex- tended throughout the entire city and many miles in the surrounding country, and his natural genial disposition and upright life, which was an open book to all, brought to him the patronage of the best people of the community. His business ca- reer proved him to be, as a man, what his conduct as a boy indicated. After being engaged as a clerk four years, and Dr. Wallon desiring to with- draw from the business in Odell, for the purpose of going West, Mr. Hunter arranged to buy his in- terest in the store. Negotiations were soon com- pleted and at the age of twenty-one years he was in full possession of a half interest in the best pay- ing store in the city.

On the 17th of November, 1881, Mr. HI. was mar- ried to Florence M. Shaw, who was born in Lawrence County, Pa., on the 16th of February, 1859, and was the second child of eight born to Stephen and Harriet ( Ramsey ) Shaw, who were natives of Penn- sylvania. Her father was a stanch Abolitionist during the exciting days of the discussion of the slavery question, and during the war was one of the most active aiders and abettors of anti-slavery doctrines. An early acquaintance between Mr. Hun- ter and his wife during their childhood led up to their marriage. They are the parents of two chil- dren : James A. was born on the 29th of Septem- ber, 1882, and Harriet J., on the 4th of March, 1887. Mr. Hunter has been remarkably successful in his business affairs, and makes safe investments of his surplus cash. The cottage home which he purchased some four years ago was the beginning of his investment in real estate. In addition to this he also owns a half interest in the store build- ing where his business is carried on, and a quarter section of line farming land in Dakota.

Mr. Hunter is quite active in political matters. displaying the same energy as he does in his busi- ness, and all his political efforts are directed for the benefit of the Republican party. There is no self-

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ish motive to any part he may take in politics, for he does not desire public office, preferring to de- vote his time to his private business. He is a member in high standing of the Masonic fraternity, and both he and his wife are members of the Con- gregational Church, in which he serves as Trustee, and is an active Sunday-school worker.

AMES E. MORRIS. one of the oldest settlers of Broughton Township. is a native of En- gland. having been born in Wiltshire, June 21. 1815, and is the son of Prince and Sarah Morris, both of whom were natives of England. When the subject of this sketch was fifteen years old his parents decided to emigrate to America. taking passage at Bristol on the sailing-vessel "Mary ; Jane." which left her port May 4, 1831. They came via Quebec to Hamilton, Ontario, where they landed June 21 following. His parents located on what was then known as the "lluron Tract." near Goderick, which was a wild country in those days, and the family remained there until 1851, when the father came to LaSalle County, Ill., our subject following the year after.

Mr. Morris received but a limited education, even for his day, and learned the trade of a car- penter. which he followed for thirty years, part of the time in connection with farming. Ile was first married in 1843. to Miss Charlotte Carey, by whom he had four children, only one of whom survives, Susan, wife of Martin Seabert, of Round Grove Town-hip, this county. Mr. Morris was married a -crond time. Ort. 13. 1853. to Miss Mary A. Carey, and thi- marriage resulted in the birth of eleven children, of whom eight are now living, namely : Emina J., the wife of Frank Foltz, and Lydia, the wife of Edward Lakin. both of whom reside in Campus. Ill .: James C .. a hardware merchant of Emington, Ill .: Seth E., John E., Sarah A., Han- Dah E. and Benjamin C.

The subject of this -ketch came to Livingston County in December, 1x58, settling in Broughton Township, on the place where he now resides. Ilis farin was then in a primitive condition, and it was only by much hard and unremitting labor that

he transformed it into its present finely improved condition. Hle experienced the usual hardships of pioneer life, such as distant markets and small prices for the products of his labor. An uncon- querable will, however, overcame all obstacles, and he 'now owns 161 acres of good land, all of which has been the result of his own efforts. Mr. Morris i- a member of the Baptist Church, in which he has officiated as Deacon for several years. Ile was among the first to preach the Gospel in his neighborhood, which he did in the capacity of a local preacher for many years. In recent years, however, owing to increasing age and infirmities, he has not engaged actively in ministerial labor. but is still an active worker in the Lord's vine- yard, and is an earnest promoter of every move- ment tending to improve society. While not an active politician he has filled several of the local offices. having served as Assessor and School Di- rector. In politics he is a Republican, and as a man his unsullied reputation has won for him the esteem and confidence of all who know him.

OHN GEIS, cigar manufacturer of Dwight, is regarded among the substantial German citi- zens of the town, and is a fine representative of the industry and persistence which are so essential in the building up of communities, both agricultural and industrial. He is the descendant of a long line of pure German ancestry, and was born and reared near the town of Villmar, in the Province of Ilesse-Nassau, of which his father was one of the most prosperous farmers. The latter. who owned a large extent of land, and accumulated a good property, is now retired from active life. spending his declining years in ease and comfort. Only two of the family came to the United States, our subject and his brother Joseph, the latter being now a resident of Nebraska.

Mr. Geis was born in 1849. and spent his boy- hood years not far from the beautiful valley of the Rhine, which is so renowned for its fertility and richness in quarries of marble and iron ore. In common with the youth of his country, he was thor- oughly educated in the schools of his native Proy-

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ince, and remained there until eighteen years of age. In the spring of 1867 he embarked on a steamer from Bremen, and after a fair passage set foot on American soil, and proceeded directly to the city of Chicago. Thence, not long afterward, he migrated to Milwaukee, Wis., where he learned the shoe- maker's trade, and remained four years. Then re- turning to Chicago he took up cigar-making. re- maining there four years also, and in 1875 was married to Miss Mary A. Schmidt of that city. They are now the proud parents of four boys- John, William, Joseph and Edward.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Geis were all born at Dwight after their removal here, March 30, 1875, where during a residence of twelve years, they have fairly established themselves in the esteem and con- fidence of the community. The career of Mr. G. has been steadily onward, and he has built up a sue- cessful patronage. both as a wholesale and retail dealer, he owning his residence and bis store. Ile is declared to be one of the most straightforward and honorable business men of Dwight. He is Democratic, politically, and socially, belongs to the 1.O. O. F. and the K. of P.

H. CHIISAM. It being generally believed that heredity has much to do with the forma- tion of character, and that our lives are stimulated by the indirect as well as the immediate influences of our ancestors, a short resume of the lives of Mr. Chisam's parents may serve as the in- dex to the liberal and humane impulses which mark his daily life, and which have won for him the esteem of those who know him.

The subject of this sketch, a dealer in grain and hay at Odell, was born in Rome, N. Y., on the 19th of July, 1849, and is the eldest child born to James and Margaret (Hayden) Chisam, natives of New York. The paternal grandparents were James and Mary (Cook) Chisam, of North of Ireland deseent and of the Protestant faith. They came to America about 1820, where James Chisam was engaged in farming, and spent his declining years. The ma- ternal grandparents were Dr. Anson and Kate (Ilill- iard) Hayden, natives of New York, where he was

a practicing physician when the wolves chased night travelers across the country to their dooryards. The grandparents all lived to be more than ninety years of age.

The father of the subject of this sketch was a carriage-maker by trade, and for many years car- ried on the business in Taberg, N. Y. After the death of his wife he came West. and spent his declin- ing years in Springfield, Ill., with his son Charles, freight agent of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Ile was a quiet, conservative citizen, taking but little part in politics, though he espoused the principles of the Republican party. At the age of sixty-two years he died in Springfield.

C. Il. Chisam was reared to city life, and was educated in the common schools until thirteen years of age, when he entered : general store at Taberg, as clerk, where his parents resided at that time. In that line he remained five years and then came West to see what this section of country had in store for him. He came by the way of Chicago, and down to Lincoln, where he had friends, and en- gaged in a general merchandise store for two years. At the end of that time he went to Springfield, Ill., where he served in the capacity of railroad agent for the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, for about eight years.

While residing at Springfield, Mr. Chisam was married, on the 12th of May, 1875, to Clara Arming- ton, of Atlanta, Ill., who was born Oct. 19. 1850. and was the third in a family of four children born to llezekiah and Frances (Verry) Armington, who were natives of the State of Vermont, but were early settlers at Armington. Tazewell County, where their daughter was born. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Chisam settled at Springfield, where he was em- ployed, and thence removed to Atlanta, when Mr. Chisam accepted an engagement as a traveling sales. man in Illinois. Five years later he left the road, and coming to Odell, engaged in the grain business. leaving his wife and family at Atlanta. They were the parents of three children, all of whom are liv- ing. Mr. Chisam had been in business only a short time, spending his Sundays at home, when his wife died on the 22d of March, 1885, having been a suf- forer from consumption.

Mrs. Chisam was a lady of high womanly virtue

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and many accomplishments, a graduate of the High School in Atlanta, and identitied with the best in- terests of the young people of that eity. She was a bright. vivacious. open-hearted young woman. whom all her associates respected and loved. She had always been a promising flower, and was a faith- ful wife and loving mother: her bright. happy man- ner, and many excellent traits of character making her the friend of all who knew her. The little boys are with their father in Odell, which he eontem- plates making their permanent home. Mr. Chisam is a Republican in politics, but does not take an act- ive part : he is a member of the City School Board.

II. IlINKEY, a prominent farmer. stock dealer and breeder of full-blood Percheron and Norman horse-, on section 31, Dwight Township, is of German origin. Herman Hinkey, the founder of the family in America, came to this country from Germany in 1853, and settled in La- salle County, Ill. llis father bought a farm in Wallace Township, LaSalle County, and this home- stead is still in the hands of his son, John II. Hinkey. He was the father of ten children, and lived on this farm until hi- death, which occurred in 1881, at the age of sixty-four years. He was a hard-work- ing and industrious man, reliable in all his transac- tions.

The subject of our -ketch was born on the 15th of February. 1849, and came to this country with his parents when he was but four years of age. While yet a boy he received a good common-school educa- tion and took his first lessons in the details of farm- ing. Early developing a great interest in stock of various kind-, and especially in horses, he has been given opportunities in after life of fully gratifying his inclinations. When but twenty-two years of age. young flinkey went to Humboldt County, Nev .. in 1871, and worked three years by the month for his brother. Saving his money he rented hi- brother's ranch of 610 acres of land, and raised 15,000 bu-hel- of barley and wheat, which he sold for ninety cents per bushel, and cleared $5,000. At this time Mr. Hickey was prostrated by a very -prions illness, and was confined to his room for

three months, but ultimately regained his health. In 1873 he bought a half interest in a hotel in Winnemucca, Nev., and was sneeessful in the con- duet of the business.

In 1875 Mr. Hinkey returned to LaSalle County, and on the 20th of April. he was married to Mis- Mary McGinnis, daughter of Philip and Ellen (Lynch) McGinnis, of LaSalle County, Ill. To them have been born six children, namely : Maggie, Philip, Ella, Agnes, Belle and Mary. Mr. Hinkey took his young bride to his hotel in Nevada, where they remained until the fall of 1875, when he sold the hotel and purchased a ranch. which he stocked with cattle. lle continued in this business until 1884, and was very prosperous.

In 1884 Mr. Hinkey returned with his family to Illinois, and purchased 320 acres of land in Dwight Township, which is situated on a gently rolling prairie. On this land he began farming and rais- ing blooded Norman horses. He now has two im- ported stallions, "Tadueah" and "Superb," full- blooded Percheron Normans, which were purchased from the importer, J. J. Kemp, of Lexington, Ill., at $2,000 cach. Mr. linkey has also four full- blooded mares, imported by Mr. Kemp. They are all first-class animals, and were purchased at a eost of $2,000, which makes a total investment in Nor- mans, of $6,000. In point of superior beauty, power of draft and weight, these horses are unequaled. Mr. Hlinkey is also a large feeder and dealer in steers, and as he is a man of large and varied ex- perience in this line of business, his work is all conducted upon an intelligent basis. His stock has achieved a reputation throughout the West equaled by few and surpassed by none.

ANIEL REED is familiarly known through- out Reading Township as the leading dealer in full-blooded Jersey eattle and high-grade Durhams, in which business he has had several years' experience, and has operated with success. Hi- headquarters are at a pleasantly located farm on section 29, where he also has a blacksmith-shop, in which he employs his leisure

FARM . RESIDENCE OF DANIEL REED, SEC . 29. READING TOWNSHIP.

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time, and which proves a great convenience in the general business of the farm, enabling him to re- pair the machinery and at once save time and labor.

Mr Reed came to this State from Ohio in 1856, and carly in life had been made acquainted with hard labor and economy, and his early education was extremely limited. When quite young he la- bored to assist in the support of his father's family. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, the experience he acquired was of such value that on starting out for himself he was found well litted for the strug- gle of life, and only sought the reward of his hon- est efforts. This in a measure he now enjoys, as he has a good farm of 160 acres under a high state of cultivation. Upon this farm was laid the first tile for agricultural purposes in Reading Township, and Mr. Reed has in other respects been one of the most progressive men in this part of the county, availing himself of approved methods and modern machinery.

Mr. Reed was born in Clermont County, Ohio, Dec. 29, 1826, and is the son of Conrad and Cath- erine ( Weaver) Reed, natives respectively of Penn- sylvania and Maryland. Conrad Reed was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1796, and was the son of John Reed, one of the pioneer settlers of the Keystone State, whence he removed later to Ohio, and was also a pioneer there. The mother of our subject was born in 1805, and is still living, in Streator, Ill .; she has now been a widow twelve years, her husband having died in 1875, at the ripe old age of seventy-nine years. Their children were named Elizabeth, Mary, Daniel, Amanda, William, Nancy, Catherine, Conrad, Matilda, Jane and Jacob. Elizabeth became the wife of David Tullis; Mary married Thomas Osborne, and is now a widow; Amanda was the second wife of David Tullis, who served three years in the army and en- dured great exposure and hardship, which finally resulted in his death at home; William receives no- tice elsewhere in this volume; Nancy is the wife of A. D. Thomas, a practicing physician of Missouri ; Catherine married Charles Werner, and is now de- ceased; Matilda is the wife of Leonard Wetz, a farmer of Long Point Township; Jane is the wife of John Wetz, brother of the above Conrad; the twin brother of Catherine died when quite young

in Ohio, and Jacob died there when nine years of age ; one infant died unnamed.

Mr. Reed learned the trade of a blacksmith in Butlerville, Warren Co., Ohio, and remained a res- ident of his native county until thirty years of age. Before coming to the West he was united in mar- riage with Miss Eliza G. Merrill, the wedding tak- ing place at the home of the bride, in Clermont County, Ohio, March 8, 1849. Mrs. Reed is the daughter of William and Mary Ann ( Woliver) Merrill, natives of New Jersey. Mr. Merrill, who was a wagon-maker by occupation, boarded a ship bound for Australia which is supposed to have been lost with all on board, as she was never after- ward heard from. His wife died in Clermont County, Ohio, in 1833, when her daughter Eliza was but seven years of age. The parental house- hold included the following-named children : Maria, Eliza, Margaret, Hannah, Emma and Mary Jane. Maria became the wife of lugh Lemmons, and the mother of one child; she died of cholera at Pickaway, Ohio, in 1849. Eliza was born Feb. 6, 1829, in the State of New Jersey. Margaret died in Michigan when ten years of age, while Hannah came to her death by being scalded when about five years of age: Emma married David Brown in Hamilton County, Ohio, and they are now residents of Reading Township: Mary Jane ched when three months old, and the youngest died unnamed in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Reed commenced life together in Clermont County, Ohio, whence they removed to their present farm in 1856. In due time the house- hold was increased by the birth of the following- named children : Catherine, Amanda, Lucy Jane. Conrad and Daniel M. Catherine was born March 14, 1850, and married Samuel Yerty, who is Con- stable of Ancona : they have two children. Amanda was born July 10, 1851, and died March 5, 1853: Lucy Jane was born March 5, 1853, and died Sept. 7, 1858; Conrad was born Dee. 7, 1855, and died Oct. 20, 1857; Daniel M. was born May 28, 1860. and is now in LaSalle. IIl.

Mr. Reed, politically, is untrammeled by party. and in religious views he and his estimable lady are independent. Their children were given the ad- vantages of a good education, and have taken their

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places in society a- the honored representatives of wise and judicious parents and good citizens. The Reed homestead is one of the most attractive in Livingston County. the result of the labors of a self-made man, who commeneed in life without means and has proved an admirable example of what may be accomplished by persevering industry. No man is more highly respected among his neigh- bors, and few have contributed more toward ein- bellishing the county and assisting to develop its resources than he has.

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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 17

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