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 26

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 26

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).

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

P. Mathis, and has had three children, one of whom is dead; her husband is a merchant, and stock and grain dealer at Rutland. Robert G. resides in California, where he is engaged as a clerk in a bank.

To Mr. and Mrs. Girard Fordyce eight children have been born: Mary L., in Pennsylvania, on the 25th of May, 1865: she is now a student in Eureka College. Joseph C .. born Feb. 1, 1867, died April 1, 1868: Franklin, born June 23, 1869; Charles J., March 21, 1872: John G., July 19, 1874; Harry S., Cet. 16, 1876: Nellie R., Dec. 28, 1880, and C. Roy, Jan. 27, 1885. Mr. Fordyce now owns 2073 aeres of land. located on sections 21, 28 and 33, seven and one-half of which are covered with timber, while all the remainder is susceptible of high culti- vation. A good class of improvements, including snitable buildings, has been made by Mr. Fordyce.

In his youth Mr. Fordyce received an excellent common-school education, and afterward graduated from the Waynesburg College, located in Greene County, Pa., after which he attended medical lec- tores in Cleveland, Ohio, and then practiced medi- cine for two years. In 1863 he responded to his country's call by enlisting and recruiting a eom- pany of which he was appointed Lieutenant. After going into camp he was notified by telegraph that his father was fatally ill and could not live long, and upon his arrival at home he found the truth of - the summons verified. His father exacted a prom- ise from him to resign his commission in the army and return home for the purpose of settling np the estate he might leave. Ile considered that his ob- ligations to his father and his family preceded his duty to his country, and heeded the call made upon him by his father.

Mr. Fordyce is a member of the Republican party, in which he takes an active interest. Ife has been School Director for four terms, and has also served to the satisfaction of the people in the office of Justice of the Peace. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic Lodge at Long Point, and cheerfully engages in such works of benevolence as the conditions of the case may war- rant. He is a business man of rare ability, and of pleasant social address, progressive in his ideas and energetic in whatever he undertakes.

ICHAEL D. PETERS is farming on section 1, Newtown Tp .. and coal mining in Shaft No. 3, of the Vermillion Coal Company, and has been a resident of this locality for sixteen years, during which time, for about four years, he operated a small shaft of his own on his farm. Mr. Peters is one of the oldest employes in the shaft, and has always been constant and faith- ful in his work. When not engaged at the shaft, he devotes his time to his farm.

Mr. Peters was born in Ireland in the year 1841, and is the son of Patrick and Mary Peters, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1849, at which time they had six children. They left Waterford in April, and landed at New York City on the 9th of June, after a long and tempestuous voyage. From New York City they went to Troy, N. Y., where they remained about two months, and then moved to Blossburg, Pa., where they remained, the boys engaging at work in the coal mines at that place. The father was then too old to work, but remained there until his death, which occurred in 1866. Our subject's mother died in 1851, soon af- ter settling in Pennsylvania. To the parents were born eight children-James, Patrick, Dennis, John, Michael, Mary, Sarah and Bridget. Of these, three are now living : John, married, has three children, and is engaged in the coal mines at Houtzdale, Pa .; Bridget, the.wife of Michael Eagan, who has been engaged as watchman for the New York & Erie Rail- road at Corning, N. Y., for twenty-five years. Of the others, two died in Ireland, two died in Penn- sylvania, and Sarah, Mrs. James Lacey, died in Mor- ris, Grundy Co., Ill. Michael, our subject, lived at home until sixteen or seventeen years of age, when he devoted several years to traveling from one place to another, nearly all over the United States, and has been in most of the principal cities of the North and South. He was near Chattanooga at the time of the breaking out of the war, and en- listed in the 6th Alabama Regiment for one year. About the expiration of his term of service he ran away and crossed the line into McClelland's camp, where he surrendered himself and then returned to Pennsylvania.

On the 15th day of January, 1867, Mr. Peters was married to Ann Lonergon, of Bellefonte, Pa.,

H.RINGLER. GROCERY STORE

STORE AND FARM PROPERTY OF HENRY RINGLER, STRAWN, ILL.

RESIDENCE OF D. F. SMITH, SEC.3. INDIAN GROVE TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF HENRY ULBRIGHT , SEC . 9. FOREST TOWNSHIP.

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where she grew to womanhood. She was the dangh- ter of Thomas and Mary ( Murphy ) Lonergon, na- tives of Ireland, who came to this country at an early day, and were married in Pennsylvania. They reared a large family of children, of whom our subject's wife was the third. Soon after mar- riage, Mr. Peters came to Pontiac, and engaged in coal mining in the Pontiac mines, where he re- mained for about one year, and then mined coal in La Salle for about the same length of time. From La Salle he went to Streator, remaining one year, and then to his present location. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Peters, four of whom died in infancy : Sadie was born Jan. 15, 1875; Annie, Feb. 8, 1878; Michael and Katie, twins, Jan. 6, 1881. These four are all living at home, the rest are dead. Mr. Peters and his family are de- vout members of the Catholic Church, and attend services at Streator.

W ILLIAM A. LATHAM, a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Owego Town- ship, is a native of New Hampshire, and was born on the 12th of December. 1837, and is the son of William H. and Eliza Latham, both New Englanders by birth. When an infant he was taken by his parents to Fayette County, Ohio, where he was reared. He received a fair English education, and after having reached years of ma- turity came to Illinois and resided in McLean County a number of years. He removed from Kankakee to Livingston County in 1885, and has resided here ever since. He owns 400 acres of land in Livingston County, and also an interest in a large stock ranch in Colorado.

In Bloomington, Ill., on the 5th of February, 1874, his marriage was celebrated, at which time Miss Frances J. Weyand, an accomplished lady of Bloomington, Ill., became his wife. She is a daugh- ter of William and Catherine Weyand, they having been among the worthy and esteemed pioneers of McLean County, who settled in Bloomington at an early day. The mother is deceased. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Latham has been blessed with seven children, four of whom are living-Florence,

Arthur W., Mary C. and John II. Mrs. L. is a member of the Christian Church, and an active and influential member of society.

The subject of this sketch has been successful in business affairs, and is a public-spirited man, being in favor of all things which tend to elevate society and improve the community. He is a Republican in politics and a leading citizen in all public affairs. None are more worthy of a place in this ALBUM than Mr. and Mrs. Latham, who enjoy the estcem and confidence of the entire community in which they live.

-F -

OSEPH R. PLOWMAN. Whatever a man may own of this world's goods, it is some satisfaction to himself, and certainly a credit readily conceded to him, when they are ob- tained through his own efforts, as the reward that comes of industry and prudence. The greatest ac- complishments are those made by men who are thrown entirely upon their own resources, and carve ont the fortunes of which they become possessors, and when these men succeed in their efforts, they seldom fritter away their holdings, for they know under what difficulty they were obtained. The sub- ject of this sketch is a self-made man, and his ex- cellent farm in Pontiac Township, with all its be- longings, stands as the evidence of hard work through life.

Mr. Plowman was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., on the 4th of July, 1838, and is the son of Edward L. and Sarah L. Plowman, the father a na- tive of Maryland, and the mother of Mifflin County, Pa. His paternal ancestors are of German descent, and the maternal of English descent. Ilis fore- fathers were among the pioneers of Huntingdon County, Pa. His parents settled in La Salle County, Ill., in the year 1854, and were among the pioneers of that county, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying on the 29th of March, 1884, and the mother on the 11th of September, 1876; they had two children, named Joseph R. and Apollos F.

Mr. Plowman married on the 3d of April, 1868, Martha E. Cays, daughter of Conrad Cays, of La Salle County, Ill. They have four children : Dora,

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wife of II. F. Davis, of this county ; Arthur. Elmer and Minnie. Mr. Plowman removed to Living- ston County in the fall of 1880, and thence upon his present farm in the spring of 1887. He owns 120 acres of land, which is known for its fertility and fine location. On the 14th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, 104th Illinois Infantry, under Capt. W. II. Collins, and was attached to the 14th Army Corps. Army of the Cumberland, and participated in many engagements and skirmishes in Kentucky and Tennessee. the principal field of operation of that army corps. After serving nearly three years. he was honorably discharged on the 5th of July, 1865, when he returned to peaceful pur- suits in Illinois.

Mr. Plowman is a Republican in politics. a mem- her of the Masonic fraternity. and a comrade of the G. A. R. In each of these organizations he takes an active interest, and occupies a prominent position. While a citizen of La Salle County, he served as Collector and Assessor of Reading Town- ship. Although comparatively a new citizen of Livingston County, he has already formed very pleasant social relations with the older citizens, and it is very probable that his conditions and sur- roundings will prove very pleasant and profitable in the future.

AMUEL M. PRICER. Supervisor of Avoca Township, and the representative of a fine old Pennsylvania family. is one of the most prosperous farmer- and stock-raisers of this township. to which he came in 1873 and settled on hi- pre-ent farm, which embrace- 460 acres on sec- tion 1. and to the management of which he gives hi- attention. The land wa- then in an uneulti- vated -tate, but by the exercise of continuons in- du-try and good judgment. ha- become one of the most finely cultivated and fertile tracts in the south- ern part of Living-ton County. Mr. Pricer, of late year -. ha- taken life easier. but still extends the same supervision a- of old over his farm operations. which are conducted after the most modern and ap- proved method -.

Our subject was born in Ross County, Ohio, Feb. 16, 1824. med i- the son of Jacob and Elizabeth 1

(Benner) Pricer, whose birth took place near the city of Philadelphia. Pa. Upon both sides the par- ent- were of German ancestry, and their household included seven children. of whom the following sur- vive: Elizabeth, Mrs. Alexander Brown: Louisa. Mrs. David Brown: Frances L .. the wife of John M. Dwire: and Samuel M .. our subject. With the exception of the last they are all residents of Ross County, Ohio. The parents located in that county during the pioneer days, where the father carried on farming successfully. and where his death took place in the spring of 1852. The mother is still a resi- dent there. continuing on the old homestead. near the town of Comstoek, and has now passed her eightieth birthday.

Mr. Pricer spent his boyhood and youth among his native hills. receiving a good education in a State renowned for its school facilities, even in the country districts. Ile was fond of his books, mak- ing good use of his time, and after leaving school was engaged for a time as a teacher. Subsequently, when but a youth of eighteen, he engaged as clerk and book-keeper in the mercantile establishment of Elijah Rockhold, with whom he continued four years. At the expiration of this time he had ac- cumulated sufficient capital to go into business for himself, and established a store of general merchan- dise in company with Jacob Benner, with whom he continued five years. He then purchased the in- terest of his partner, and continued there in busi- ness several years longer, after which he came to this State.

Mr. Pricer. upon his arrival in Illinois, in 1862, established himself in the hotel business at Salem, Marion County, and thence removed to East St. Louis. After a year's residence at that point, he established himself as a general merchant at Quincy, Ill., where he was thus occupied three years, and then engaged as a traveling salesman for a St. Louis house, In 1873 he came to this county, settled down upon a farm, and has since continued a resi- dent of the rural districts. To this latter life he seems more especially adapted, and nothing could suit him better than its employments and pleasures. Ile has been blessed with good health, the result of good habits, and besides his farm duties has found time to interest himself in the welfare of his com-

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munity. He first served as Commissioner of High- ways three years, and in the spring of 1886 was elected to his present office of Supervisor, the du- ties of which he is discharging with credit to him- self and satisfaction to all concerned. He takes a keen interest in the success of Sunday-school work, as well as in that of the temperance movement, and is Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Society of Owego Township, the meetings of which are held regularly in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The marriage of Samuel M. Pricer and Miss Mary E. Latham was celebrated at the home of the bride, in Washington, Fayette Co., Ohio, in May, 1856. Mrs. Pricer was born in Grafton County, N. Il., in 1835, and is the daughter of Will- iam II. and Eliza (Comers) Latham, the latter now deceased. Her father is living, and a resident of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. P. have no children.

RANK RAISBECK, one of the enterprising young farmers of Esmen Township, is lo- cated near the homestead of his father-in- law, Amariah Bemis, on section 2, where in addi- tion to general agriculture he is engaged in the raising of fine stock, including horses, cattle and hogs. Ile is a native of a far country, having been born near Laxey Beach, on the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, July 4, 1852. He was the eldest in a family of seven children, the offspring of Robert and Jane (Gelling) Raisbeck, the former a native of England, and the latter of the original Manx blood, and born on the Island where her son was given birth. The paternal grandparents of our subject, Frank and Betsey Raisbeck, natives of Yorkshire, England, emigrated to the Isle of Man about 1839. The mother's parents were John and Jane Gelling, natives of the Isle of Man.

Robert Raisbeck, the father of our subject, was a silver miner in his native land and emigrated to America about 1856, going directly westward to Benton, La Fayette Co., Wis., where he en- gaged in farming and lead mining. About 1861, leaving his family in Benton, he went to Pike's Peak and thence, after a short stay, to Idaho, returning in 1865. He then removed his family to Grundy

County, Ill., where he engaged in coal mining, at which he still employs himself, though now a resi- dent of Braceville.

Our subject was reared partly on a farm, but spent much of his time in the mines where his father was employed. He remained a member of the par- ental household until reaching his majority, and then coming to this county engaged as clerk in a general store at Odell. He remained with his first employer four years, and then desiring a change to outdoor life he went up into the lumber regions of Michigan, where he spent one year. He was married, March 23, 1876, to Miss Sarah A., daugh- ter of Amariah N. and Lucinda (Backus) Bemis (a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work). The young people located at Odell, where they lived six months, when Mr. Raisbeck made his trip to Michigan. Upon his return he took possession of a farm, but soon after resumed clerking in Odell. A year later he returned to farm life, and in 1881 purchased a tract of land near the limits of Odell, where he combined the occupations of clerk and farmer. In 1883 he sold this property, and with his family took up his residence on the Bemis homestead, where he has since resided. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Raisbeck, six in number, are named respectively, Edith May; Maxwell, deceased; Robert Bemis, Nellie Viola, Lila and Bessie.

G EORGE GOSHORN, proprietor of 100 acres of fine farming land on section 21, Indian Grove Township, is regarded as one of the successful stock-growers of the southern part of Livingston County, to which he came in February, 1866. He is an Ohio man, and was born in Butler County, Sept. 25, 1835, remaining a resident of his native State until the outbreak of the late war, when he proffered his services to assist in the pres- ervation of the Union.

The parents of our subject, Leonard and Ellen (Dorman) Goshorn, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and neither lived to be aged, the mother dying in 1849, and the father two years later. They spent their last years in Ohio, where the father followed blacksmithing.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

The household circle included the following chil- dren: Mathew, John. Sarah J., George, William and Smith. They received a common-school edu- cation and careful home training. George remained on a farm until the outbreak of the Rebellion called for U'nion troops. and then laid aside his personal interests and enlisted in Company 1, 39th Ohio In- fantry, as a private. In 1863 he was promoted Corporal. and served in the army four years, partic- ipating in some of the most important battles of the war. He first met the enemy at New Madrid, after having been detailed to the northern portion of Missouri. and was afterward at the siege of Cor- inth and the battle of luka. Miss. In October, after a second engagement at Corinth. his regiment was assigned to quarters near Memphis. Tenn .. and subsequently went to Chattanooga and joined Sher- man's army in its march from Atlanta to the sea.

While at Atlanta our subject, on the 22d of July, 1864. received a bad flesh wound in the right arm, and was confined in the hospital forty days. lle was granted a short furlough, upon which he re- turned home to Ohio, but rejoined his regiment at 1 Atlanta, whence they went to Savannah and took steamer for Buford. S. C. Thence they marched across the State, and afterward engaged in the hard-fought battle at Bentonville, N. C. About this time the war practically ended by the sur- render of Gen. Lee at Appomattox. Our subject and his comrades not long afterward entered the Na- tional capital for the grand review. and were mus- tered out at Louisville, Ky. Mr. G. received his final and honorable discharge at Camp Dennison, Ohio. about the 25th of July, 1865. Concerning the hardships, privations and fatigues which were the common lot of all who participated in that memorable struggle, those who were the most in- ! terested have remained for the most part admira- bly silent. Mr. Goshorn, likewise, bore with fortitude the difficulties and dangers which he en. countered. and is entitled to equal consideration.

After retiring from army life Mr. Goshorn spent a brief time in his native State, and then set out for the West. After -electing his future abiding- place he was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca J. Crouch, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Indian Grove Township on New

Year's Day. 1867. The young people commeneed life together in a modest dwelling, and in due time became the parents of one child, a daughter, Nellie, born Nov. 15, 1872. She is now an interesting young lady of fifteen years. Mis. Goshorn is the daughter of Richard G. Crouch, and was born in New Hampshire, of which State her parents were also natives. Her mother is deceased.

Both our subject and wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically Mr. Goshorn is a decided Republican. Socially he belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

S IMON F. SLYDER, an aged and highly re- speeted citizen of Owego Township, has been identified with its farming interests for over twenty years, being one of the earliest settlers of this section, and coming here when but a small portion of the Prairie soil had been turned upward to the sun. He was born and reared in the Keystone State, imbibing with his na- tive air those substantial qualities of character which were so much needed in the West at that period, and came here in the prime of life. With his strong hands and resolute will, he set himself to work to establish a permanent home, and has built up a record of which his descendants should be proud. He was then the possessor of but modest means, and the fact that he now owns 100 broad acres of the most valuable land in Central Illinois, is sufficient indication of the success which has crowned his efforts. The main points in a history of more than ordinary interest are substantially as follows:

Mr. Słyder was born in Cumberland County, Pa., Nov. 27, 1816. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Borah) Slyder, were natives of the same State, and possessed all the substantial elements of their excellent German ancestry, the first representatives of whom in this country, crossed the water prior to the Revolutionary War. Several of them served as soldiers on the side of the Colonists during their struggle for liberty, and afterward located in Penn- sylvania, where the family has been largely repre- sented for the last century.

The parental family of our subject included seven

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children, of whom but two are now living, namely, Lydia, the wife of Joseph L. Near, of Warren County, this State, and Simon, our subject. The latter was reared to manhood near the place of his birth, receiving a good common-school education, and becoming familiar with all the employments of farm life. He remained under the home roof until his thirty-fifth year, when in April, 185{, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Beam, a na- tive of Franklin County, Pa., and born Ang. 7, 1833. Mrs. Slyder, who is several years younger than her husband, was a daughter of Abram and Margaret (Bowermaster) Beam, natives of Penn- sylvania, and of German descent. They located in Franklin County soon after their marriage, and during its early settlement, where they remained until 1855, when they came to Illinois and located in Fulton, where they were finally laid to their long rest.

Mr. and Mrs. Slyder commenced housekeeping in a modest dwelling at Clay Lick Hall, Pa., where they remained until after the birth of one child, and then, not quite satisfied with the results of their labors, decided to emigrate to the then far West. They came to this State in the fall of 1854, locating first in Fulton County, whence, in 1869, they re- moved to this county with the results which we have already indicated. In the meantime the household circle had been gradually enlarged until it included ten children. These were named re- spectively, William E. : Elizabeth M., Mrs. Charles Schnurr, of Owego Township; Simon F., Samuel D., Luther B. : Louisa C., Mrs. D. S. Myers : Annie M., Jesse C., Susie A. and Della L. All the chil- dren are still living, and are located in different parts of Illinois and Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Sly- der are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the former has served as Deacon for many years, and was one of the number who first assisted in the organization of the society in Owego Township. He also contributed liberally to the building of their edifice, which is located on section 2. He has labored fifteen years as teacher and Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and no man takes more interest in the intellectual and re- ligious education of the people.

Mr. Slyder has watched with unabated interest

the growth and development of Livingston County, and has at all times done what he could toward sus- taining its reputation as one of the most desirable localities for the residence of an intelligent people. Politically, he was identified with the Whig party, casting his first Presidential vote for W. H. Harri- son, and upon the abandonment of that platform, he associated himself with the Democratic party, with which he still affiliates. He has held the various township offices, serving as Assessor and a member of the Board of Supervisors, and for the last nine years has officiated as Justice of the Peace. He is the favorite of young and old in his com- munity, and is held up by the elder members as a worthy example for imitation by the younger ones.

C HARLES F. H. CARRITHERS, State's At- torney for the county of Livingston, has been a resident of Fairbury since 1883, tak- ing up his residence here soon after being gradu- ated from the law department of the Iowa State University. He has already become one of the prominent young members of the legal profession in this county, and possesses in a large measure those elements of character which insure success.

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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 26

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