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 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148
The father of our subject was born in 1815, and departed this life at his home in Nebraska Town- -hip, in February, 1867. llis remains were laid to rest in Central Cemetery. The mother was born Nov. 23, 1812, and surviving her husband twenty years, passed away April 11, 1887. She was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Nebraska Township.
21>
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
A sister of Mr. Garrels. Elske by name, was born in Hanover. Feb. 22. 1845, and is now the wife of Herbert Dui-, who is carrying on farming near Milford. Iroquois County, this State; they have nine children. Two half-brothers, Alex J. and John II. Park. are residents of Nebraska Town-hip, this county.
M MATTHEW R. MAXSON, son of one of the early pioneers of the Prairie State, came to Illinois with his parents when a lad ten years of age, locating first in Tazewell County. Thence the family removed to Peoria County, and from there our subject, in 1880, came to Livingston and located upon his present farm in Saunemin Township. He is comparatively a young man and is one of those of whom much is expected in the future, being wide-awake, enterprising and indus- trious, and taking a lively interest in the enterprises calculated to advance the morality and education of the people. rightly judging that whatever affects the whole will. in a like degree, affect each member singly. A well-regulated farm increases the value of the property adjacent, just as a fine building in the city enhances the value of property around it.
Our subject was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y .. April 2, 1844, and is the son of Randall and Deborah (Kenyon) Maxson, also natives of the Em- pire State. Ilis paternal ancestors were of Scotch descent, and Mr. Maxson is one of a family of eleven children : Mary, the eldest, is the wife of William Judson, of Nebraska; Potter is engaged in the nursery business at Benton Harbor, Mich .; Norman is farming in Jefferson County, Kan. ; Elizabeth is the wife of Clinton W. Card, of Morris, III .; Orson lives in Nebraska; William in Ford County, Ill. ; Matthew R .; Addie is the wife of San- ford Stillman, of Jefferson County, Kan. ; Ellen L., Mrs. Lewis Johnson, lives in Fayette County, this State : Jane, wife of Willim Cole, of Nebraska, died July 22, 1887 : Delia is the wife of Anson Stillman. of Jefferson County, Kan. The parents passed their last year- in Peoria County, where the father died in March, 1867, and the mother, surviving twelve years, passed away in May, 1879. They were most
excellent and worthy people, fulfilling their whole duty as parents and neighbors, and are kindly re- membered by a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances.
Young Maxson during his youth became familiar with the various employments of farm life and re- reived a fair education in the district schools, pur- suing his studies mostly in the winter. He was naturally inclined to be industrious and economical, and was extremely prudent about taking upon him- self the responsibilities of a f. mily until he could suitably provide for them. After reiching his thirty-fourth year, he was married, Nov. 27, 1878, to Miss Alice E. Miller, who was born in Peoria County, Ill., July 26, 1856, and was consequently twenty-two years of age at the time of their marriage. The wedding took place at the home of the bride. and Mr. and Mrs. M. at once settled in Peoria County, where they remained until removing to their present farm.
The wife of our subject was the daughter of John E. and Eliza A. (Hare) Miller, who were pioneer settlers of Peoria County, locating there in 1849. Mr. Miller was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., and his wife was a native of Kentucky; she died Nov. 7, 1887. Their family included four children : George; Flora, the wife of Edgar Davis, Harry L. and Alice. All but Mrs. Maxson are residents of Peoria County. Mr. and Mrs. M. have two chil- dren: Fred R., who was born Sept. 24, 1881, and Alice E .. Aug. 19, 1884. The homestead includes eighty acres of good land, a comfortable farm resi- dence, a fair-sized barn and all the other buildings required for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. They do not pretend to live elegantly, but are simply surrounded by all the comforts of life, and probably are far more contented than those who shine in the fashionable world. Mr. Maxson takes an interest in school matters and for the past five years has served as School Director.
During the late war Mr. Maxson served in the Army of the Cumberland several months, being a member of Company C, 86th Illinois Infantry. Hle participated in the battle at Perryville, Ky., and was engaged in numerous other skirmishes with the enemy. He is an ardent Republican, politically, and a member of the G. A. R. Post at Saunemin.
B. Humister
223
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
B ENNET HUMISTON, deceased, was a pio- neer settler of Livingston County, in Esmen Township, becoming a resident in October, 1852. IIe became well and widely known, as one of the most enterprising farmers and stock- breeders of the county, and during all the years of his residence liere was recognized as a business man of the utmost probity of character, one whose word was considered as good as his bond. Born in the good old State of Connecticut, and descended from a long line of Puritan ancestry, who were noted for their sterling qualities of man and woman- hood, it could not be otherwise but that he would inherit in a large measure the pure principles which are characteristic of those people.
Bennet Humiston was born Sept. 6, 1830, in the town of Thomaston (then known as Plymouth), Conn., and was the son of Bennet and Emily (War- ner) llumiston. His parents were natives of Ply- mouth, Conn., and his father was extensively en- gaged in farming and stock-raising. His father, Jesse, the grandfather of our subject, was also a na- tive of Thomaston, and was likewise a farmer. The grandparents of Bennet on the mother's side, were Aaron and Mary (Camp) Warner, who were farmers, and descended from a long line of English ancestry.
Our subject was liberally educated in the district schools and the academy in his native town, after which he spent a year in assisting his father on the farm, then eame West as above stated, with Mr. Camp, and they entered into partnership in the stock business, and were so engaged most of the time until 1876, the date of Mr. Humiston's re- moval to Pontiac. While still a single man, he came with Mr. Apollos Camp to this county in October, 1852, and purchased a traet of land and settled in Esmen Township; he subsequently be- came an extensive breeder of imported horses, and was also a large stock-raiser of the higher grades.
1883. He had accumulated a handsome com- petency before his death, and was known and loved in the community where he had resided for over thirty years. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. When a child he was baptized in the Episcopal Church. He was a liberal contributor toward the erection of the beautiful church of that denomina- tion in Pontiac. IIe left to his widow a large landed estate besides other property.
The portrait of Mr. Humiston, which is shown in this connection, will be looked upon with pleas- ure by all who knew him, as being the likeness of one who at all times used his influence on the side of right. As a fitting accompanying picture, that of his wife is also given.
W ILLIAM CAPES. The connecting link be- tween an American and an Englishman is so close that it is difficult to tell when one ceases to be an Englishman, and begins to be an American. The Americans sprung from the En- glishmen at a time when tyranny drove Englishmen to the New World, and made Americans of them. Ever since then has the work of making Americans out of Englishmen been going on. Through proc- esses which are largely pleasant, the subject of this sketch, who is a representative farmer on sec- tion 33, Pontiac Township, became an American citizen. Mr. Capes was born on the 23d of July, 1851, in Lincolnshire, England, and during that year his parents emigrated to America. He is the son of Willoughby and Elizabeth ( Milner) Capes, both natives of England. Upon their arrival in America in 1851, they came direct to Tazewell County, and there resided for twelve years, when they moved to Livingston County, and settled in Pike Township, where they still reside. There was born to them a large family of children, nine of whom survive: Charles; Hannah, Mrs. John Crabb; William, George; Jennie, Mrs. A. Mott; John : Sarah A., Mrs. IIerman Baxter; David; and Mary L., Mrs. George Crow. The parents are ardent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are widely and favorably known throughout their
Mr. Humiston was married, May 22, 1856, to Harriet, the only living child of Apollos and Nancy (Thomas) Camp, whose biography and portraits are shown on another page. Mr. and Mrs. Humis- ton continued to live in Esmen Township until 1876, when they removed to Pontiac, and there re- sided until his death, which took place Nov. 14, | locality, enjoying the respect and confidence of
224
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
their neighbors and friends. The father is a Re- publican in politics, and takes an active interest in political affairs.
When a boy. the subject of this sketch came to Livingston County with his parents, where he has ever since resided, and the very liberal education he enjoys was obtained in the district schools of this county. He was married on the 21st of August, 1874. to Miss Mary Kirkpatrick, daughter of G. L. Kirkpatrick. formerly a citizen of this county, but now residing in Kansas. They have two children : Mary E., born on the 3d of June. 1875, and Della M., on the 2d of October, 1880, Mr. Capes be- came a citizen of Pontiac Township in 1880, where he has since resided. His admirable farm consists of seventy acres of most excellent land, finely un- derdrained. and well cultivated. He has erected good and substantial buildings, and employs the most improved machinery in the cultivation of his farm. He acts with the Republican party, and has been four years Overseer of Highways in his road district.
Mr. Capes and his wife are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, which they regularly attend. They are highly respected members of the community in which they live, and engage in all social and moral undertakings that are calculated for the improvement of themselves and neighbors. In their own affairs they have been signally suc- ce-sful, and not yet having reached the meridian of life. the future before them looks bright. They have learned that "where there is a will there is a way," and they have the will to yet accomplish much.
ACOB YOUNG. Some of the most stable and substantial citizens of this country have been contributed by Germany, and this is es- pecially true of that portion of our country known as the boundless West, where magnificent farm- have taken the place of the wilderness, and the wild prairies "blossom as the rose." The sub- ject of this sketch, a native of Bavaria, has done hi- part in this world of transformation, so far as one of the most beautiful portions of Illinois is
concerned. He is a farmer and stock-raiser on sec- tion 33, Rook's Creek Township, and was born on the 29th of November, 1844, in Bavaria, the son of Henry and Margaret (Wirth) Young.
Mr. Young arrived in this country on the 11th of May. 1866, making the voyage across the ocean in the steamer "Pennsylvania," which required about fourteen days. He remained in New York while awaiting information concerning his relatives who had come to this country before him. Leav- ing New York, he went to La Salle County, Ill., where he remained nearly seven years, six of which he spent as a hired man, and the seventh he worked for himself on a rented farm. On the 1st of Jan- uary, 1873, he left La Salle County and rented land near Pontiae, on which he remamed five years, and then came to Rook's Creek Township, where he purchased 160 acres of land on section 33, and subsequently eighty more on section 34. On the 9th of January, 1872, he was married to Mary Hensel, daughter of Christian and Annie (HIensel) Hensel, of La Salle County, who were natives of Wurtemberg, and came to this country in May, 1867. They are still living in La Salle County. Mr. and Mrs. Young are the parents of seven chil- dren, all living with their parents: Annie, born Oct. 28, 1872; Charles, born March 31, 1874; Ja- cob, born June 4, 1876; Christian, born July 12, 1878; William, born Dec. 13, 1880; Mary, born Jan. 6, 1883; Ilenry, born Aug. 10, 1885.
The father of Mr. Young was born in the year 1819, the mother in 1816, and they were married, as nearly as Mr. Young can remember, about 1838. The state of the father's health disqualified him for military service, and he met his death by being struck by lightning while seeking shelter under a tree during a storm. Our subject was the youngest in a family of three children, the other two of whom are still living in Bavaria. The brother llenry was born in 1842, and has four children. Ilis sister Catharina, born in 1839, married Peter Wirth, and has two children. The name of Mr. Young's grandfather was Michael Young, born about 1790, and was old enough to be a soldier in the French army under Napoleon. He avoided service in Russia by employing a substitute, which consumed all of his portion of his father's estate.
225
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
He was a very rugged mau physically, and lived to be eighty-six years of age, accumulating consider- able property. Mr. Young remembers seeing his great-grandfather, and of hearing him relate the details of procuring the release of his son from the army. The father-in-law of Mr. Young's grand- father, also named Young, was a wagon-maker by ocenpation, and a great hunter, fifty years of his life being devoted to the latter pastime as a business. He was born about 1760, and lived to be ninety-six years of age.
Mrs. Jacob Young had five brothers and one sis- ter, their names being as follows: Christian, born in 1849; Fred, born in 1853; Christina, born in 1857; Mary Gottlieb Walker; John, born in 1862; Gottlieb, born in 1865, and August, born in 1869. Her grandfather's name was Michael Hensel, who was born in 1791 and died in 1853, being sixty- two years of age.
Mr. Young is not a party man, but in elections votes for the men he considers the most compe- tent to discharge the duties of the office. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.
G EORGE ANDREWS, who is largely engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 29, Waldo Township, is a native of Lincoln- shire, England, which is one of the best known of the counties of that country. It excells in its agri- cultural products; its cattle, which are mostly Short-horn and attain a great weight; its sheep, which are famous for size and long wool; its fine horses, fine soil, and number and beauty of its ancient parish churches. Our subject was born on the 31st of May, 1848, his parents being James and Elizabeth (Plowright) Andrews. They came to this country when he was about seven years of age, landing in New York, and going at once to La Salle County, Ill., where the father rented land and lived for about two years. He then lived in Knox County for a time, then returned to La Salle County, and then went to Putnam County, where he remained two years. He then came to Livings- ton County in 1861, and purchased 160 acres of land, to which he afterward added 160 acres.
At that time the chances for obtaining an educa- tion in Livingston County were very limited, and in the township in which our subject lived there were but two school-houses, and they were so far distant that a greater portion of the day was con- sumed in going to and fro. Besides, it was neces- sary to devote the greater portion of his time to work upon the farm. He managed, however, by close application to his studies during the time lic was permitted to attend school, and at odd times, to secure a fair common-school education. At the age of twenty-one years he began doing for him- self, and engaged in working by the month for about one year, then rented ground of bis father, which he began farming. This arrangement was continued with profit to himself until he was twen- ty-six years of age, when he purchased eighty acres of land, which he owned and farmed until 1883. In 1880 he bought another eighty acres, which he also sold in 1883, and purchased 200 acres, npon a portion of which bis house now stands, and the other portion is on section 32.
On the 14th of December, 1876, Mr. Andrews was married to Mary J. Kingdon, daughter of Henry and Mary Ann (Hodge) Kingdon. To them have been born three children: Mary Elizabeth, born Oct. 31, 1878, died November 4 of the same year; Lillie Mabel, born May 19, 1880, and Percy Henry, April 15, 1887. Mrs. Andrews was born on the 20th of August, 1856, in Peoria County, III. The father of Mr. Andrews was born in En- gland on the 5th of April, 1820, and died on the 5th of August, 1883. He was a Republican in politics, and after becoming a citizen of this country took an active interest in political affairs. The mother of our subject was boru in England in 1825, and is still living in Gridley, III. Our sub- ject is the third child in a family of fourteen, nine of whom are still living. Unlike his father, in political matters he is a Democrat. In the way of official positions he has held the office of Township Collector three years in succession, and was elected and re-elected as Road Commissioner. IIe is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Gridley, in which he is a Steward.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have surrounded them- selves with very many of the comforts of life, and
226
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
the home which they occupy is one of the pleasant- est in Waldo Township. The farm is well im- proved. being under-drained. and thoroughly fenced. In their social relations with the people among whom they live they stand well. and enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them.
ERBERT F. ADAMS, one of the enterpris- ing and promising young business men of Livingston County, is a member of the firm of R. C. Adams & Son, general merchants, dealers in lumber, and proprietors of the Black- stone Creamery. Ile is a native of Livingston County, being born in Nevada Township Feb. 28, 1861. and is the second son of R. C. Adams, whose biographical sketch appears on another page of this ALBUM. Our subject received a good education in the public schools in the town of Dwight, which he attended until eighteen years of age, At that time he began clerking in the banking house of D. Me Williams, of Dwight, and remained in that institution for about four years. After this he oc- cupied a trusted and confidential position in the bank of J. C. Iletzel, and at the end of one year. with another party he purchased this bank, and they conducted it one and one-half years, when he sold his interest to his partner and came to Black- stone, purchasing an interest in his present busi- ness in connection with his brother. Edwin F. They were associated together until the latter's death, which occurred in the terrible Chatsworth railroad disaster. on the morning of the 10th of August, 1887. In 1886 they established the creamery business in Blackstone, which proved to be a very profitable adjunct to their other business.
On May 27. 1885, Mr. Adams was married to Mis- Mamie Bradford, who was born in Will County. IH., on the 29th of February, 1864. Iler father was Chauney Bradford, who was a native of Vermont and the lineal descendant of Gen. Will- iam Bradford, who came to America as a member of the P'ly mouth Colony, and wa- its second Gov- ernor. To Mr. and Mr -. Adams have been born two children, upon whom they have conferred the names of Jennie Olga and Catherine.
The firm of R. C. Adams & Son is one of the best known in Livingston County, not only for the magnitude of its business, but for its business methods. It is prompt. reliable and enterprising in all its dealings with the people, and has estab- lished itself in their confidence. While the busi- iness in which they are engaged is remunerative to them, R. C. Adams & Son may be looked upon as public benefactors, in that they furnish a good, ready and cash market for the products of that section of the country.
UJCAS HI. BROWN is the proprietor of eighty acres of good land on section 35, in Rook's Creek Township, where he carries on farm- ing and stock-raising, and is known as a peaceable and law-abiding citizen. He is a native of this State, and the son of Henry O. and Margaret M. (Schonbeck) Brown, who were of German birth and parentage. Ilenry O. Brown was born in 1807, and the mother in 1816. They were married in 1844, and came to this country in May, 1857, where the father died of lung fever. The mother married again, and of this union there was born one son, who is married and farming in this township.
On their arrival in this country in 1857, the fan- ily of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Brown consisted of three children, and was increased in September of the same year by the birth of our subject. The eldest son, Ilenry, enlisted as a soldier in the Union army during the late war, and since the close of that struggle has never been heard from; Frederick C. was twice married. is a painter by trade, and is now a resident of St. Louis; Anna II., the wife of G. Westermann, is the mother of six children, and a resident of Woodford County.
Mr. Brown was educated in both English and German in the common schools, and with the ex- ception of a brief season spent at wagon-making, has followed agriculture all his life. When twenty- three years of age he purchased his present farm, which was then a tract of partially cultivated land, and he has made good improvements. Two years later, Sept. 24, 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Lottie Frobish, at the residence of the
227
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
bride's mother, in Rook's Creek Township. This union has resulted in the birth of two children, namely, Daisy, born Oct. 31, 1884, and Elbert C., Oet. 21, 1886. The parents of Mrs. Brown are J. Michael and Elizabeth (Konner) Frobish, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Switzerland. They were married in Ohio.
.
E DWIN F. ADAMS, deceased, formerly a mer- ehant at Blackstone, was born in Nevada Township May 11, 1859, and was the oldest son of R. C. Adams (see sketch.) He received his early education in the public schools at Dwight, after which he advaneed in his studies by attend- anee at the State University at Champaign. After completing his edneation at that institution he en- gaged as clerk in a drug-store in 1880, where he continued for three years. He then formed a part- nership with B. B. Dow, and rented a building at Blackstone. in which they began the business of general merchants. This firm continued in exist- enee until 1884, when he bought his partner's in- terest and conducted the business alone until 1885. . He then sold an interest to his brother, H. F. Adams, with whom he was associated at the time of his death. On the morning of the 10th of August, 1887, he joined an exeursion which was to run over the Toledo, Peoria & Western Road, from Peoria to Niagara Falls. Within a short time after boarding this train, and while running at the rate of forty miles an hour, it ran upon a bridge which had been partially destroyed by fire, and many of the ears were precipitated into the chasm be- low. The train being very much crowded at the time, many persons were either instantly killed or burned to death. Among those who lost their lives in this terrible disaster was the subject of this sketch. The Chatsworth railroad disaster has gone into history as one of the most destructive of human lives that has occurred in the annals of railroading.
On the 7th of December, 1881, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Elizabeth Baker, who was born in Lebanon, Ind., in October, 1858. She is the daugh- ter of Nathan and Margaret Baker, of Dwight, II).
To Mr. and Mrs. Adams were born two children- Ethel and llarry. The widow is now living in Dwight. At the time of his death the subject of this sketch was one of the most promising young business men of Livingston County. Ile was thor- oughly fitted by education for business affairs, and his natural inclination led in that direction. Ilis death, and the manner of it, was a terrible shock to his family and all who knew him. He had en- deared himself to the people among whom he lived, and will live long in their memories. The wife and orphaned children were the recipients of the tenderest and most heartfelt sympathy of relatives and friends.
OHN ATTIG, an industrious young farmer of Rook's Creek Township, occupies a snug homestead on section 34, comprising eighty acres of land, with a neat farm residence and the necessary out-buildings. He has spent his life thus far in the Prairie State, being a native of Woodford County, where his birth took place Nov. 19, 1859. He has started out fairly for a young man, and is making good progress toward the es- tablishment of a permanent home and the acenmu- lation of that which greatly assists in smoothing the rugged path of life.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.