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 36

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 36

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America, and was called Moses. Moses Neal gave his attention to the study and practice of the law and took an active part in politics; he was for thirty years Speaker of the House in the State of New Hampshire. The parents of Mrs. Tanquary settled in Peoria County in 1830.

Mr. Tanquary has three children-Gracie, Ru- berta and Neal. Ile and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Aside froni be- ing one of the most successful attorneys of the Livingston County bar, our subject has accumu- lated considerable property, being mostly real estate located in Livingston and Marshall Counties.

ACOB DOWHOWER, who occupies a prom- inent position among the agriculturists of Livingston County, is comfortably located on section 24, in Owego Township, where he took up his abode in the spring of 1884. Here he has eighty acres of good land, and is numbered among the skillful and progressive farmers of Cen- tral Illinois.

Our subject was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, May 8, 1838, and is the son of Jacob and Mary (Shire) Dowhower, natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal ancestors were of German descent. To the parents of our subject there was born a large family of children, of whom but two are now liv- ing, namely, Jacob and David. Jacob was a youth of sixteen years when his parents removed from the Buckeye State to Wisconsin, where they resided until about six years ago, when they returned to Ohio, where the mother departed this life in 1880, and the father in 1881. Our subjeet upon coming to Illinois located first in Bureau County, where he resided until 1867. Thence he removed to a point near Dwight in this county, where he engaged in farming a year. and after a short sojourn in Sanne- min Township, where he owned eighty acres, came to Owego, which he purposes making his permanent home.

Mr. Dowhower, while a resident of Bureau County, was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Rider, their wedding taking place at the home of the bride, in September, 1861. Mrs. Dowhower was

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born in New York State, July 3, 1844, and is the daughter of John and Kate Rider, who came to Bureau County, this State, when their daughter Eliza was a child eight years of age. They were among the earliest settlers of that region and ex- perienced all the vicissitudes of pioneer life; they are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dowhower are the parents of one child only, a daughter, Ilattie, who was born Feb. 17, 1877. Our subject is Re- publican in politics and has served as Director in School District No. 6 for a period of three years. Socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F. Although receiving but a limited education himself, he stoutly maintains that the establishment of schools is a matter which should receive the first attention of any community. To this end he has been will- ing to give his time and attention, and has in other directions indicated the bent of his mind in regard to the general welfare of society. He and his estim- able lady number their friends by the score in Owego Township, of which he is destined to become one of the leading men. Mr. Dowhower since com- ing to Livingston has been very successful in all his undertakings, and promises to be one of Living- ston County's solid men in the near future. In religion he is liberal in his views, attending and as- sisting all the Evangelical Churches.

Le INCOLN HAMLIN TUTTLE, farmer and school teacher of Rook's Creek Township, owns and occupies a good farm on section 20, and is numbered among the wide-awake and representative men of that locality. He is a native of this State, having been born in Sparland, Mar- shall County, Sept. 6, 1860. Seven years later his parents removed from town to the farm but he pursued his education in the Sparland High School, lacking one year of finishing the full course.

Mr. Tuttle when fourteen years of age removed to Livingston County with his parents, who lo- eated on a farm in Rook's Creek Township, where he was employed in rural pursuits until 1878. He then entered the State Normal University, spending several terms in study, and upou returning home prepared to follow the profession of a teacher. His

first experience was in Pike Township, District No. 3, and he was thus occupied until 1883, in different places in this county. Hle then took up the study of law in the office of II. II. McDowell, and in due time was fully qualified for admission to the bar. His inclinations, however, lay in other channels, and he consequently did not apply for permission to practice as an attorney. Mr. Tuttle when a boy nine years of age met with an accident which nearly proved fatal. While riding on horseback he was practicing on a peculiar halter knot which his father had taught him, and had fastened the strap about his leg. The horse became frightened and starting suddenly threw him, and dragged him through the timber until the strap was broken by the horse go- ing on one side of the tree and throwing the boy the other side. He was considered beyond recovery when picked up, but under good care he survived. Subsequently, on the 21st of June, 1887, while endeavoring to board a moving train, he fell and his right femur bone was broken in two places. From this he has recovered very slowly.

Our subjeet is the eldest of a family of four children. The names of the other three are: Lois S., born Feb. 2, 1868; William A., Aug. 5, 1872; Carrie E., Aug. 20, 1875; the three eldest were born in Sparland and the youngest in this county. The father, Samuel B. Tuttle, a native of Steuben County, N. Y., was born Feb. 25, 1832, and was the youngest of his parents' family. When he was a mere child they left the Empire State and located on a farm in Monroe County, Mich. He received a good education, completing his studies in Hills- dale College, and for ten years thereafter followed the profession of a teacher in Michigan, Ohio, Indi- ana and Illinois. In 1856 he went to Kansas, and was associated with John Brown in the troubles brought on by the agitation of the slavery ques- tion. This over, he returned to Illinois, locating first in Peoria, whence he removed to Sparland, Marshall County. In the latter place he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Swift, Dec. 25, 1859. Mrs. Tuttle was born Jan. 20, 1839, and like her husband was also a native of New York State. Her father, Philander Smith, was born Feb. 7, 1800, and married Miss Arzilla Agbert, born July 11, 1802. They emigrated from New York to Illinois in 1844,

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and located in Marshall County, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

The paternal grandfather of our subjeet, John Martin Tuttle, was born near New Haven. Conn., in 1788, and when quite young removed with his parents to New York State, where he afterward en- gaged in lumbering, and participated in the War of 1812. He was first assigned as a seont to the Middle Division, and was afterward transferred to the Western Division which was under the com- mand of Gen. Harrison. At the battle of the Thames he was appointed messenger to carry orders from Gen. Harrison to Col. Johnson, or- dering the charge upon- Tecumseh. Grandfather Tuttle was present at the charge and witnessed the death of the great chieftain. lle married Miss Rhoda Palmer, daughter of Gideon Palmer, of Greene County, N. Y., whose family was largely represented in that part of the State. John Tuttle subsequently removed West to Michigan and served as Sheriff of Monroe County two terms. Our sub- jeet took possession of his present homestead in 1875.

OHN SULLIVAN, since the spring of 1876, has been a resident of Cornell, where he owns a snug home and an acre of land. He is spoken of as an honest, energetic, hard- working and highly respected eitizen, and ranks among the representative business men of the town. Ile possesses inventive genius, and has a patent on a novel wagon-box catch, for which he has refused the sum of $7,000 from an Eastern capitalist. Aside from perfecting his invention he has been principally engaged in blacksmithing.

Our subject was born in Lucas County. Ohio, in 1830, and is the son of Daniel and Mary (Dugan) Sullivan, who were natives of Ireland. When lie was quite a boy. John came to Michigan with his parents, and served a thorough apprenticeship at blacksmithing. lle is an expert workman and a natural mechanic, and has worked at his trade in Illinois, Ohio. Indiana and New York. The wife of our subject was formerly Miss Phebe, daughter of Dennis and Wilis lleath. She was born Oct. 14, 1×11. They were married in Oil City, P'a.,

July 2, 1865. After marriage they located in Venango County, Pa., where Mr. Sullivan followed his trade until becoming a resident of Cornell.

Our subjeet and his wife have become the parents of five children living, named respectively, Burton C., Winnifred C., Kate, Franc and Edward. Two little ones were laid away in early graves, namely, Mary Alberta, who was born Sept. 26, 1867, and died April 9, 1868, and Nellie, who died when two years and eleven months old.

AMES P. MORGAN, one of the most hon- ored pioneers of Livingston County, came to Illinois in the spring of 1854, and for a period of more than thirty years has tilled the soil and watched with intense satisfaction the development of Central Illinois. He comes from a race of people renowned for their courage and en- terprise. being the son of James and Elizabeth (Rob- erts) Morgan, natives of Carlisle, Pa., the former the first white settler who crossed the Allegheny Mountains to the West. He located at a point not far from where now stands Morgantown, in Virginia, and which was named after the family. James Morgan first purchased a traet of land near Olli- phant's Iron Works, where he resided for a time, then removed to Greene County, Pa., of which he was a resident many years. Hle subsequently settled across the line in Virginia, six miles below Wheeling, where the death of both parents took place, the mother passing away in December, 1856. James Morgan survived his wife nearly thirty years, and died m 1885. The father of our subject was one of a family of six children, three boys and three girls, who were named respectively, Nathan, James, William, Polly, Ruth and Sarah. He became fa- miliar with farm pursuits early in life, which he was content to follow until its close.

The parental family of our subjeet included eight children, only three of whom are now living. James P. was born in Fayette County. Pa., Sept. 30, 1802. He spent his early life amid the quiet scenes of farm life in Pennsylvania. Branching out somewhat from the regular routine, and having a taste for books and newspapers, he in 1827 became

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connected with the printing business at Waynes- burg, Pa, and continued a printer thereafter for " a period of about twenty years. He understands the business of conducting a first-class country newspa- per, having officiated as both compositor and editor, and still retains his interest in the "art preserva- tive." He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson, and voted for the old hero for President three times afterward. When Mr. Morgan came to this section of country in 1854 wild game of all kinds was plentiful, and he has seen as many as 100 deer in a herd. The pioneers usually set aside Saturday as a general hunting day, when they went out and secured their game for the week. These occasions were the source of considerable hilarity, and the hunters uniformly met with success and kept their families supplied with the finest of wildl meats.

James P. Morgan was married in 1834 to Miss Nancy Bradley, daughter of William and Mary (Gorman) Bradley, natives of Ireland. Of this union there were the following children: William was born July 5, 1835; Elizabeth, Sept. 30, 1837; James P., Jr., Oct. 30, 1838; Ann Eliza, Nov. 28, 1840 ; Charles, Jan. 5, 1843 ; Thomas, Sept. 21, 1844; Nathan, July 26, 1846; Margaret, Oct. 19, 1847; Rebecca, Dec. 27, 1848, and John, Nov. 10, 1850. William is married and has a family of twelve children : he is farming in Cowley County, Kan. Elizabeth died when young; James P. is married, and a resident of Crawford County, Kan., where he is engaged in mercantile business: Ann Eliza is the wife of Charles Lonsberry, of Long Point Town- ship; Charles resides in Independence, Montgom- ery Co., Kan., is Marshal of the city, and one of the respected business men of the place : he is married and has three children. Thomas died when about four years old. Nathan located in Stonewall, Col., where he engaged as a merchant, and was shot on the 26th of December, 1886. The assassin was a young man who went into the store where he was and ordered him to hold up his hands. Al- though the destined victim had a revolver, the young man fired before he could use it. The thief and murderer was afterward captured, but had re- ceived a fatal wound and died in a short time. Nathan Morgan left a widow and two children to

mourn their loss. Margaret became the wife of Jerome Blair, of Michigan, and they located in Cowley County, Kan, where they are farming, and are the parents of two children; Rebecca died when an infant: John is farming in Long Point Township; he married a Mis Wheeler, of Long Point Township.

James P. Morgan, our subject, is the owner of eighty-two acres of fine farming land, besides town property at Long Point, which includes thirteen lots, in the midst of which he resides in a handsome and comfortable home. The residence i- not far from the Chicago, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad depot. It is supplied with all the modern conven- ience», and both within and without gives evidence of cultivated tastes and an ample supply of this world's goods. Mr. Morgan has been quite promi- nent in local affairs, and was one of the first County Supervisors, which position he occupied six years. He was County Judge from 1857 to and including 1858, and has been Justice of the Peace for twenty years or more. In early life he identified himself with the Democratic party and has stoutly main- tained it- principles since that time. Socially he belongs to the Masonic fraternity. As a citizen he has contributed his full quota toward the building up of Long Point Township. ile is held in the highest regard, and is particularly noted for his kindly disposition, while his ample fund of inform- ation constitutes him a most intelligent gentleman with whom to converse.

R ICHARD STRATTON has been a resident of Avoca Township for the past twelve years. He is in possession of 179 acres of land on section 29, and besides general farming, is largely engaged in stock-raising, in which he has met with more than ordinary success. He has been a resident of the Prairie State for nearly a half century, having been brought here by his parents when a child three years of age.

Our subject was born in New York City, Dec. 30, 1835, and is the son of William and Sarah (Clay- ton) Stratton, natives respectively of Ireland and

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New Jersey. The mother was of excellent German ancestry, her grandparents who emigrated to the United States. being among the prominent and substantial settlers of New England. William Stratton departed this life at his home in Peoria County about 1877. The mother is still living ou the old homestead there.

Richard Stratton was the third son of his parents, whose household ineluded eleven children. Ile was reared to manhood on the farm in Peoria County, and received his education in its pioneer schools. Upon coming to this county in 1870, he resided about five years in Eppard's Point Township, and thenee removed to his present farm. The improve- ments which we see around him to-day, the finely cultivated fields and substantial buildings, are the result of his own industry and perseverance. He has labored early and late in the effort to construct a desirable homestead, and the passer-by will con- eede that he has succeeded in a manner which should be entirely satisfactory to all interested. Ile was thrown upon his own resources early in life, and may consequently be termed a self-made man, while he is certainly a member of his community of whom his fellow-townsmen have the best opinion.

The lady who has been the elose companion of our subject for a period of fifteen years, was for- merly Mrs. Mary Wagenseller, of Juniata County, Pa., whom he married Feb. 7, 1873. They have no children. By her first husband Mrs. Stratton be- came the mother of two children-Harry W. and Juniata W. Our subject, politically, is a reliable Democrat, and in the pleasant home which he and his wife have together labored to build up, they dis- pense a generous hospitality to a large number of friends.

ORGAN THOMAS owns 160 acres of land on section 17, Newtown Township, but, af- ter a long and busy life, he has retired from active work, and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor. He was born in Wales Sept. 13, 1×12, and is the son of Jenkin, and Mary ( Williams) Thomas, also natives of Wales. The father lived until he was eighty-four years of age, and the

mother died when she was eighty-seven. They were the parents of four children, whose names are as follows: Thomas, Eleanor, Rees and Morgan.

Morgan Thomas lived in Wales with his parents until 1840, receiving such education as the ordinary schools of that country afforded, and also learning the rudiments of farming, and the practical details of coal mining. In the year 1840 he came to America, landing at New York City, from which he proceeded to Pennsylvania, where he engaged in sinking and superintending coal shafts. He remained in Pennsylvania engaged in that busi- ness, excepting while on a trip to St. Louis, Mo .. and to Leavenworth, Kan., for about ten years. Upon his return from the West, he remained but a short time in Pennsylvania, and then came to Illi- nois, where he settled in La Salle County, near tlie town of Streator. Removing thenee in 18.68, he came to Livingston County, and settled upon the 160-acre farm which he now owns. In March, 1850, Mr. Thomas returned to Pennsylvania, where he was married to Mrs. Margaret Cozad, formerly Miss Margaret Moore. She was the daughter of James and Jane (Johnson) Moore, natives of Scot- land and England respectively, who came to Amer- ica after their marriage, and were early settlers in Pennsylvania. They were the parents of five chil- dren, named Ilugh, Margaret, James, Sarah and Matilda; they are all living. James is residing in West Virginia, and the others in Pennsylvania, ex- cepting Margaret, the wife of our subject. Margaret first was married to Jacob Cozad, and by this union were born three children-Mary Ann, Thomas and Leonard. Mary Ann lives in Minnesota, Leonard in West Virginia, and Thomas in Streator, Ill. Af- ter the death of Mr. Cozad, Margaret became the wife of our subject. Of the marriage of Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Cozad have been born two chil- dren-Ellen and Elmer. Ellen is the wife of Sam- nel Tidabeck, a native of New York State; they have for children-John, William, Margaret and a baby unnamed. Elmer resides at home with his parents, and is crippled in one knee, caused by a out with an ax when he was a child.

Mr. Thomas has retired from active life, and his farm is managed by his son-in-law and son. Dur- | ing his entire life Mr. T. has been an active man,

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and has been measurably successful in all his un- dertakings. He has been a citizen of Livingston County for about twenty years, and during that time has firmly established himself in the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

OHN REX. Ten years is a tender age at which to commence buffeting one's way through life, and where one succeeds who be- gins at that age hundreds fail and fall by the wayside. The boy who is then thrown upon his own resources and reaches anything like independ- ence by the time he arrives at the prime of man- hood, is deserving of much commendation for his pluck and perseverance. While the writer does not desire to be fulsome in any sense he can commend to boys and young men the career of the subject of this sketch, who was left an orphan at the age of ten years.

Mr. Rex, who was a farmer for many years, but now a resident of Fairbury, was born on the 6th of April, 1844, in Greene County, Pa., and is the son of Charles and Mary (Hickman) Rex, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by oecu- pation, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an old-line Whig. During his life he accumulated considerable property, which inelnded about 600 acres of land. He was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1800, and died in that State in 1854. There is a remarkable coincidence of dates in the birth, life and death of the parents of Mr. Rex. The mother was born in the same year as the father, and they both died in the same minute and hour, of the same disease, and are both buried in the same grave. At their death they left five children-Margaret, Eliza- beth, Peria, George, and John, who was the young- est of the family.

Mr. Rex was married on the 31st of December, 1865, to Miss Mary A. MeMinn, the daughter of Thomas R. and Elizabeth (Pollock) MeMin, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The father died in 1886, and during his life was a saddler by trade; the mother is still living. Mr. Rex received a tol- erably fair education in the common schools, but at

the age of ten years began to support himself, and for a considerable time earned what money he coukl at working by the month on the farm. In 1862, when eighteen years old. he enlisted in the t5th Pennsylvania Cavalry, in which he was assigned as a private to Company C. and with which he served for three years, participating in the battles of An- tietam, Md., Stone River, Ten., on the march from Nashville to Atlanta, was with Gen. Stoneman in his raid through Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina, and marched through Alabama to Nash- ville. His discharge from the army bears date July 3, 1865. Upon his discharge from the army Mr. Rex returned to Pennsylvania on a visit. In 1880 he came to Livingston County, and moved upon the farm which he now owns, consisting of 160 acres on section 17.

Mr. and Mrs. Rex have five children-Lizzie M., Willie M., Annie M., Maggie and Tressa. In 1886 Mr. Rex moved to the town of Fairbury, where he has been engaged in the dairy and creamery busi- ness in connection with his farm operations. He i- a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the only interest he takes in politics is in the cause of prohibition, of which he is an earnest and ener- getie advocate. In his business affairs he has been eminently successful, and in his later venture, in Fairbury, especially so. There have been wonder- ful improvements in the dairy and creamery bnsi- ness within the past few years, and Mr. Rex has kept abreast of the times in all of them. His farm furnishes him ample facilities for feeding and car- ing for cattle, and the products of his dairy can be relied upon as coming from healthful sources.

AMES TAPPER, a thrifty English farmer of Owego Township, owns a fine property on section 22, including 280 acres of valu . able land, a substantial residence with a good barn and other suitable out-buildings, a goodly assortment of live stock, and the extensive mod- ern machinery required by the progressive agri- enlturist of this day and age. Mr. T. has willingly availed himself of whatever would tend to bean- tify and increase the value of his country home.

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which has now become one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of Livingston County.

Our subject, a native of Devonshire. England, was born March 10. 1835, and is the son of John and Sarah (Casey) Tapper, also of English birth and parentage. 1Ie had three elder brothers, and was reared with them in his native country until nineteen years of age, when he set out alone on a voyage to the New World, where he hoped to bet- ter his condition in life. After landing in New York City be made his way to Albany, where he was employed as a laborer one year, then came to Illinois, and for two years afterward was a resident of Grundy County. His next abode was in Peoria County, where he resided several years and thenee, in 1867. migrated to Livingston. which has been his home now for a period of twenty years. lle had, during these years. lived economically, and landed here with a snug little sum of money which he in- vested in a quarter section of uncultivated land, from which he at once proceeded to build up a permanent homestead. The dwelling which first constituted a shelter for his family was a small frame structure, which they occupied for a few years, and which then gave place to their present more modern residence. He afterward added 120 acres of land to his first purchase, which he has brought to a fine state of cultivation, and which produees in abundance the choicest crops of the Prairie State. He can look around upon his pos- sessions with the satisfaction that he owes no man anything, and that he has received few favors and no assistance financially.

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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 36

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