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 28

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 28

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Mr. Johnson's father came to Livingston County about 1823, and was the second man to settle in Rook's Creek Township. He at first bought 160 acres of land, and afterward added to it until he had 240 acres. He was married, on the 17th of March, 1825, to Nancy Bloyd, born Oct. 25, 1806. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom grew to maturity except two: William, born Jan. 2, 1826; John, born Sept. 1. 1827, died Jan. 30, 1855; Lydia, born Oct. 6, 1829; Elizabeth, Dec. 19, 1831 ; Henry, Jan. 5, 1834; Eleanor, born Sept. 9, 1836, died Nov. 14, 1837; Oliver, born Aug. 30, 1838; Amanda, April 5, 1841; Stephen, our sub- ject; Lucinda, born Mareh 4, 1846, died Aug. 25, 1848.

Stephen Johnson was married, on the 17th of June, 1866, to Miss India Ann Sellman, and they are the parents of the following-named children : Oliver E., born Feb. 9, 1868, on the Little Sioux River, Cherokee Co., Iowa; John Henry, born Oct. 10, 1869, in Cherokee County, Iowa; Stephen, born Nov. 15, 1871, in Lawrence, Kan .; Sherman, born Nov. 2, 1875, in Rook's Creek Township; Sharon Perry, born June 8, 1885, in Esmen Township. Mr. Johnson lived on the home farm while a boy, and divided his time between work on the farm and learning the trade of a carpenter from his father. Shortly after his marriage he moved to Cherokee County, lowa, where he followed both farming and carpentering. He lived in that State for three years, when he moved to Lawrence, Kan., where he worked on the Kansas Pacific Railroad as a bridge carpenter, and served two years as foreman. HIe

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

then returned to Livingston County, and now lives on the old homestead where he was born, and where his father died.

UKE JORDAN. There are no people on earth who have a greater love and af- fection for their native land than the Irish. No matter what their condition is or may have been in the land of their nativity. they look upon it as the most favored spot on earth, and the oppressions and abuses which have been heaped upon them by English landlords have only served to intensify their love for the old sod. This oppression and proseription in years became so in- tolerable that thousands upon thousands have emi- grated to other countries, the largest proportion of whom have sought homes in this country, where they have become useful and prosperous citizens. The laws and customs of this country permit the largest liberty and freedom, which is especially en- joyed by a people who have been trampled upon for centuries.

Among those who came to this country at an early date is the subject of this sketch. a represent- ative farmer and stock-raiser in Pontiac Town- ship, who was born in Ireland in the year 1823, be- ing the son of James and Catherine Jordan, also natives of Ireland. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are now living-Michael, James. Luke and Catherine. Luke spent the days of his boyhood in his native country, securing a very fair education in spite of the fact that at that time the schools were of very inferior quality and widely separated, and in order to obtain an educa- tion at all it was necessary for him to walk miles each day to and from the nearest school. In the year 1851 he made up his mind that he would emi- grate to that country of which he had heard so much, and took passage on a ship at Liverpool, when after spending seven weeks upon the Atlan- tic Ocean, he landed in the city of New York, where he remained for about four years, and then came to Livingston County, where he resided at Pontiac for two years.

Mr. Jordan was married to Miss A. Nevalle,

with whom he lived happily until her death on the 18th of September. 1872. She was a woman of many estimable qualities, and her death caused a gloom not only within the household but throughout her entire circle of acquaintances. She was the mother of six children, four of whom are now liv- ing-Thomas, John. James and Anna. Mr. Jor- dan's farm is located on section 18, Pontiac Town- ship, and contains 232 acres of well-drained land, which under the intelligent manipulation of Mr. Jordan produces excellent crops. He is consider- ably interested in the raising of stock, and in this line of business has been very successful. He deserves a very large measure of credit for his success in life, as he began without means and has succeeded in accumulating property sufficient to make him independent, and have no fear of want during the remainder of his days. Having been one of the early settlers of this county, he has long since established himself in the affection and esteem of his fellow-citizens, whose confidence he enjoys to a large degree.

ILLIAM RUTZ bears the reputation of be- ing one of the most thorough and skillful farmers of Eppard's Point Township. He deals largely in live stock, fattening each year from fifty to 100 head of cattle, and fully the same num- ber of swine, He owns 400 acres of finely culti- vated land, and for the last six years has bent his energies to the establishment of a good home, while at the same time keeping in view those matters per- taining to the general welfare of the community, in whose advancement he takes a lively interest.

The early years of Mr. Rutz were spent in the Empire of Germany, where his birth took place March 31, 1856. His parents, John and Minnie (Bung) Rutz, were natives of the same Province, of pure German ancestry, the father born in 1836, and the mother a year later. They emigrated to the United States after their marriage, and subsequent to the close of the late war, in 1865, and after set- ting foot upon American soil, proceeded directly to the West, locating in Peoria County, Ill. Three or four years later they came to this county, and

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the father purchased a tract of land in Pike Town- ship, where he engaged in farming, and now re- sides. IIe has been a hard-working and industrious man, commencing here with little means, but is now the owner of a comfortable home. The parental household included three sons only, namely, Charles, who was born in Germany and died about 1876, in this county ; John, a resident of York County, Neb., and William of our sketch.

Mr. Rutz continued with his parents until reach- ing manhood. He was but a lad of eleven years when he crossed the ocean, and remembers that the voyage consumed nine weeks and three days, be- sides being stormy and dangerous. They set out on the 26th of November, 1865, and landed in New York City on the 1st of January following. In the meantime the father had been taken ill with small- pox on shipboard, and was confined in the hospital in New York City six weeks after landing. The mother was afterward stricken with the same terri- ble disease, and died on the farm in Peoria County. The memory of that time still brings to Mr. Rutz the shadow of the affliction with which he was then visited. The father subsequently married Mrs. Rynsta Chanabeck, a native of his own country. She came to America in 1867, and by her first mar- riage had become the mother of two sons and a daughter.

William Rutz continued with his father and step- mother until twenty years of age, and then started out for himself. He had little capital to commence with, but by living economically, and saving his earnings, found himself in due time enabled to pur- chase eighty aeres of land north of Chenoa, in the cultivation of which he was engaged for a time, but which he afterward sold in order to remove to Woodford County. After a residence there of one year, during which time he was married, he came to this county and first purchased a quarter section in Eppard's Point Township. His industry and perseverance met with their legitimate reward, and he wisely invested his surplus capital in additional land. He is now the proprietor of 400 acres, finely stocked with excellent grades of cattle and swine. and supplied with good buildings.

The wife of our subject was formerly Miss Katie J. Altman, of Woodford County at the time of

their marriage, but who was born in Tazewell County, July 21, 1862, and became the wife of our subject Dec. 29, 1881. They have two children : Minnie, born Nov. 18. 1882, and Freddie, March 4, 1884. Mr. Rutz meddles very little with political affairs, but performs his duties as a good citizen at times of general elections, and votes the straight Republican ticket. lle and his estimable lady are members in good standing of the Brethren Church at Ocoya.

E MANUEL SWYGERT. who is numbered among the representative farmers of Owego Township, is pleasantly located on section 9. where he owns 156 acres of improved land, of which he took possession in 1869. During his resi- dence here of nearly twenty years he has fully established himself as a reliable and valued citizen, and has attended strictly to the farming pursuits which he commenced in his boyhood. He was comparatively without means when he started out for himself in life, but is now enjoying the ample rewards of in- dustry and frugality. Ile is public-spirited and liberal, and nothing pleases him better than to note the prosperity and advancement of the people around him, both morally and financially. He is now, with his aged and estimable wife, passing quietly down the sunset hill of life, comforted with a good conscience and the satisfaction of feeling that they have done what they could in exerting a good in- fluence around them, and setting an example worthy of imitation by the rising generation.

Mr. Swygert forms an important member of the colony which, in the early days, emigrated in small detachment> from Pennsylvania, he having been a native of that State, and born in Franklin County, July 14, 1814. His parents were John and Susan Swygert, natives of the same State, where his pater- nal grandfather. George Swygert, had located at an early day, after serving as a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War. When the struggle ended he took up his abode in Franklin County. where he was married. and reared his family. whose descendants are largely represented in that section of country. Ilis son John. the father of our subject, was there reared to farming pursuits, which he followed all his life, and

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where he was married and became the father of seven children. Of these four survive. namely. William. Henry. John and Emanuel. In middle life John Swygert came to the West with his family. lo- eating in Fulton County. Il .. about 1842. where he resided with his estimable wife until called from the scenes of earth.

Our subject spent several years in Fulton County with his parents, and was there married. in 1844. to Miss Catherine Hawker, who has remained his close friend and companion for over forty years. Mrs. S. is a native of the -ame State as her husband. and they became the parent- of two children: Charles. now deceased. and Matilda. the wife of James Lowe, a prosperous farmer of Owego Township. They re- moved from Fulton to Livingston County in 1869, where Mr. S. had purchased the land which he has since transformed into a valuable farm. It had then but a small frame dwelling upen it, with a poor exeu-e for a barn. which the family took possession of until they could afford something better. In due time the first humble residence was replaced by a more modern and convenient structure, and a good barn stands in the rear. Adjacent is a fine orchard of apple and other choice fruit trees, and the live stock and farm machinery combine to give the premises a substantial and homelike appearance which is pleasant to the eye. Mr. and Mrs. Swygert number their friends by the score in Livingston County, and enjoy the distinction of being munbered not only among its first, but among its best residents.

OSEPH BRADSHAW. When one has per- formed all the duties devolving upon him in rearing a family of chikIren to manhood and womanhood, he deserves the ecomium, "Well done, thou good and faithful," and is enti- tled to pass the sunset days of his life in rest and quiet. The subject of this sketch, now a retired farmer living in Fairbury, was born in Washington County, Pa., on the 9th of July, 1821, and is the son of Edward and Nancy (Patterson) Bradshaw, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland, where they were married. [Before emigrating to this country they had one child, Anna, now Mrs. William Brock,

They came to America in the year 1811, landing at New York, and proceeded at once to Washing- ton County, Pa., where he followed the occupation of a weaver, a trade which he had learned in his native country. and in which he had become very proficient. From Pennsylvania he removed into Ohio, where he died on the 31st of December, 1875, aged eighty-three years; his wife died on the 22d of November, 1863. They were the parents of ten children-Ann, Sarah, David, Mary, Joseph, John W., Margaret, William, George and Catherine.

At the age of sixteen years, the subject of this notice was apprenticed to a millwright, which trade he learned and followed for about fifteen years, when he concluded to engage in the occupation of a farmer. In 1859 he moved to Buchanan County, Mo., but not being favorably impressed with the country there, he remained but five months, when he went to Pike County, Ill., and rented a farm on which he lived for six years. At the end of that time he came to Livingston County and purchased eighty acres of land, which he successfully managed until 1883, when he discontinued farming, and re- moved to Fairbury, where he will reside in the future, enjoying the fruits of a long life of success- ful labor.

On the 23d of December, 1842, Mr. Bradshaw was married to Miss Dorcas Arnold, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, who was born Sept. 13, 1823, and was the daughter of Solomon and Bar- bara (Stonebrook) Arnold. The father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1791, and died on the 15th of May, 1846. He was a farmer by occupation, and by trade a cabinet-maker. The mother was a na- tive of North Carolina. To them eleven children were born-Hickman, Dorcas, Rebecca, Prue, Bar- bara E., Mary A., Sarah Jane, David, Eli, Drusilla and Jacob S.

Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw have had seven children : Barbara, now Mrs. William Rutledge, living in Linn County, Kan .; Edward H .. born Oct. 22, 1846, died Dec. 31, 1875; Nancy J., now Mrs. Michael Morris, living in this county ; Mary, Mrs. Darius Vail, living in Joplin, Mo. ; William T. mar- ried Miss Sarah E. Cox; David W. died in infancy ; Ilarriet E., Mrs. Barkley Connor, living in Wichita, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw are active and influ-

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ential members of the Christian Church, of which he has been an Elder for the past seven years, and a member for nine years. The wife has been a member of that church for over fifty years; they are both much devoted to their chu: ch. Mr. Brad- shaw has been a great observer of political events all his life, and very early in the career of the Re- publican party became one of its enthusiastic adher- ents, remaining so up to the present time.

OSIAH M. FETZER. Many of the earlier settlers of Virginia came from Germany, and they were among the most thrifty far- mers and tradesmen of the Old Dominion, although for a great length of time they labored under many disadvantages unless they were well enough off to own slaves, which few of them de- sired to, even had they been able. Many Virgin- ians of German ancestry are now scattered throughout the West, and among her best citizens Illinois can claim a multitude of them. In Liv- ingston County there are quite a number of fami- lies who are natives of Virginia, and they are all thrifty and prosperous people. The subject of this sketch, who is a representative farmer and stock-raiser on section 28, Avoca Township, is a native of Shenandoah County, Va., and was born on the 17th of January, 1848.

Mr. Fetzer is the son of George and Catherine Fetzer, the latter deceased, who were Virginians by birth, and the father was of German descent. To them were born eight children, five of whom are living: John W .; Eliza, wife of L. T. Courtney ; James B., George and Josiah M. When our sub- ject was about four years of age his parents emi- grated to Illinois and settled in Vermilion Town. ship, La Salle County, where the mother died in the month of June, 1881. The father, who is nearly seventy years of age, resides in that county, an honored and respected citizen. He has always been identified with moral reforms and movements for the betterment of the people. For a consid- erable time he served as School Director in La Salle County, and during his administration the

affairs of the schools were well and judiciously managed.

Mr. Fetzer was reared to manhood on a farm in La Salle County, where he received a good educa- tion in the district schools. On the 18th of March, 1874, he was married to Mary F. Scott, a native of La Salle County, and a daughter of John Scott, a pioneer of that county. Of this union there are three children: Cora E., born on the 2d of May, 1875; Charles R., May 4, 1879; Pearl, Sept. 30, 1884. Mr. Fetzer came to Livingston County in the year 1886, and settled upon the farm which he now occupies in Avoca Township. This farm con- sists of 100 acres of well-improved land, which has been thoroughly drained and made exceedingly productive. Iu connection with his farming oper- ations he devotes considerable attention to the raising of stock of all kinds, and in this has been quite successful. He is a Democrat in his political affiliations, but does not engage in politics for the purpose of securing office. He has served for several years as School Director, to the duties of which position he has given close and careful at- tention. Ile is a friend of education and pro- gressive in his ideas of the management of schools. He and his wife ocenpy an enviable position in the society of Avoca Township, and are highly re- spected and esteemed for their many good qualities.

h ERMAN GIRARD, one of Long Point's thorough-going and progressive farmers and stock-raisers, located on section 13, was born in Prussia, Germany, Dec. 23, 1836. He is the son of Frederick and Dorothea Girard, who are natives of the same country, and came to America in July, 1856, landing at Castle Garden, N. Y. From New York they proceeded to Chi- cago, where they remained two weeks; thence they went to Ottawa, and from there to Livingston County, where Frederick purchased ninety acres of land, twenty of which were heavily timbered.

On the 16th of February, 1868, Herman Girard was married to Mary Zeilman, danghter of Corne- lius and Betsy (Hall) Zeilman. To Mr. and Mrs. Girard have been born eight children, seven of

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whom are now living. Olive was born Dec. 6, 1868; Dorothea, Sept. 4. 1870; Adolph, Nov. 25, 1872; Philo Wesley, Nov. 5, 1874; Marian Blanche, born Feb. 20, 1877, died July 6, 1880; Mabel Lu- cinda. born Jan. 11, 1880; Mamie Bell, April 5, 1882, and Hilda Melvina, Dec. 31, 1884.

Mr. Girard enlisted in Company C. 39th Illinois Infantry, which was organized at Pontiac, but his enlistment was at Chicago in August, 1861. The regiment went to St. Louis and from there to Will- iamsburg, Md., arriving there Nov. 2, 1861, at which time and place they received their first guns. Mr. Girard received a flesh wound on the knee at Morris Island, S. C .. on the 9th of October, 1863, while he was on duty rebuilding the old fort. He was discharged from the hospital Jan. 1, 1864, and was afterward wounded at Drewry's Bluff, Va., May 16 of that year. At the battle of Petersburg, Va., he was again wounded in the left leg in the charge on Craig, April 2. 1865. He is now receiv- ing a pension of $10 per month on account of these last two wounds. Mr. Girard was promoted Cor- poral, and Sept. 1, 1863, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was in the battle of Petersburg, and on the 20th of March, 1862, was in the engage- ment at Winchester, and afterward was continu- ously under fire while on guard duty along the river. At Ft. Waggoner he helped to dig up to the fort, and the night the fort was taken he was one of the twenty men who first entered it as vol- unteers. After the Union troops had taken pos- session the Johnnies tried to blow it up by setting fire to a fuse leading to the magazine; this was first noticed by Mr. Girard. He was in the engagement at Folly Island, after which he was engaged in scouting and skirmishing until his discharge from the army.

After his return from the army Mr. Girard en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, although he was a cooper by trade. He now owns 120 acres of fine farming land under a high state of cultivation, which is well improved, fenced, and drained by 100 rods of tiling. Politically, Mr. Girard is a Repub- lican, having grown up in that faith. His service in the army strengthened it, and his mature judg- ment, formed by close observation of men, and the course of political parties, has given a still more

stalwart character to his political belief. He does not, of course, carry his politics into his business, nor, on the other hand, does he allow his business to enter into his politics. Ile is a Comrade of Post No. 223, G. A. R., at Cornell, in which he takes a leading and active part. Hle was brought np in the faith of the Lutheran Church. He is one of Long Point's most progressive citizens, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. His family occupies an enviable position in that section of the county, and deservedly so.

OUN HARRIS. Some of the best citizens now residents of the United States were con- tributed by England, not only in Colonial days but in later years. They are nearly all men of intelligence, because of the advanced posi- tion of England in educational advantages, and also of the imate aptness of the English people for getting on in the world. A large per cent of the English- men now in the United States are skilled mechanics, and they have been indispensable aids in assisting American manufacturers to occupy the leading posi- tion they do in the markets of the world. The En- glish farmer displays as much tact and aptness in his special calling as does his brother in the manufact- uring world. The subject of this sketch. who is one of the wealthy and respected farmers of Living- ston County, residing in Belle Prairie Township, was born in North Devonshire, England, on the 30th of March, 1832, and is the son of William and Mary (Bennett) Harris, both of whom are of pure English blood. The father was by occupation a gentleman's footman. His death occurred in 1881, and the mother's in 1848. They were the parents of seven children-Jeremiah, William, Elizabeth, John, Susan, Thomas and Mary J.

John Harris came to America in 1855, landing at Quebec, Canada, from which place he proceeded to Genesee County, N. Y. There he remained for five years engaged at work by the month. He then came to Ilinois and located at Shirley, a place sonth of Bloomington, where he worked by the month for the same man, a Mr. Baird, for the next five years. At the end of that time he purchased a piece

RESIDENCE OF JOHN HARRIS, SEC.18. BELLE PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.

SEC. 3 . PONTIAC TOWNSHIP.

SEC . 3 PONTIAC TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE AND FARM PROPERTY OF J. S. FINLEY , SEC. 34. ESMEN TOWNSHIP.

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of land in Forest Township, Livingston County, where he remained one year, and sold this and rented land for two years of Dr. Bartlett. He then came to Belle Prairie Township and purchased 130 acres of unimproved prairie land, which he immediately set to work to transform into a productive farm, in which enterprise he succeeded so well that he now owns 380 acres of as good land as can be found anywhere. During his residence in this township he has devoted considerable attention to the raising of hogs, and also in this particular branch has been eminently successful. and now is looked upon as one of the wealthiest men of the township.

In May, 1852, Mr. Harris was married to Miss Mary Cooper, who was born in Devonshire, En- gland, on the 27th of October, 1830, and to them have been born eight children: John C., who mar- ried Miss Mary A. Weeks, Nov. 9, 1881, and they have two children. Blanche and Mabel: Frank J., who married Hattie K. Knight, and they have one child named Roy; Walter W., William, Emanuel, Mary J., Lydia A. and James A. Mr. Ilarris is a leading and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he contributes liberally of both time and money. He is a straight Repub- lican in polities, and takes an active part in the cam- paigns of his party. In business affairs he is prompt and reliable, and faithfully keeps all his obligations.

Among the numerous farm homesteads shown in this volume as specimens of what Livingston County affords may be found Mr. llarris' place.

OSEPH S. FINLEY, an extensive farmer and stock-dealer of Esmen Township, is the owner of 600 acres of land on seetion 34, which comprises one of the finest estates in Livingston County. His land is under good cul- tivation, and the farm buildings are of a handsome and substantial style of architecture, and admira- bly adapted to the purposes for , which they were intended. The live stock includes some fine spec- imens of Norman and Cleveland Bay horses, Short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs. Mr. Finley has attained a fine reputation as a breeder, and in his business has been remarkably successful,

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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 28

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