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 40

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 40

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Our subject was a lad nine years of age when his parents came to Illinois. He remained under the home roof until after reaching his twenty-first year, when he was united in marriage with Miss So- phronia Olmsted, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride Jan. 18, 1858, Rev. John Elliott, of the Presbyterian Church, officiating. Mrs. Eik- lor was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., Feb. 27, 1839, and is the daughter of Caleb and Samantha

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( Wagner) Ohnsted, also natives of the Empire State. ller father was born in 1812, and came with his family to Illinois in 1846, locating in DeKalb County. where he engaged in farming and became quite wealthy. His death took place at the home- stead there in Jnly. 1886. The mother was born in 1814, and survived her husband less than a year, her death taking place in February, 1887, at Genoa, DeKalb County. She is affectionately remembered by her children as a lady possessing all the desirable qualities of a wife and mother, and was a devoted Christian and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. The parental family in- cluded eleven children, namely: Andrew, Alfred, Chester, Lester. Henry, Sophronia. Caroline, Helen, Emeline. Ella and Emma.

The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Eiklor are Will- iam A., who was born Feb. 25, 1859, married Miss Susan Blundy, and is now occupied in farming in Cropsey Township, McLean County; and Eunice S .. who was born Feb. 16, 1865, and died when an interesting child of seven years, Sept. 12. 1872. Our subject and his wife are members in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Cropsey, and politically. Mr. E. uniformly votes the Repub- lican ticket.

As representative of this section of country we refer to the view of Mr. Eiklor's residence on an ad- joining page of this ALBUM.

ONATILAN G. MOORE, the well-known farmer and stock-raiser, whose farm is lo- cated on section 33, Indian Grove Town- ship, has been boy and man a resident of Illinois, and in fact of this township, where he was born and where he has lived for over half a century. In that time he has seen the State grow from wildness to sparsely settled neighborhoods, which have grown to a thickly peopled common- wealth dotted over with populous cities, and rami- tied in all directions by railroads. The rise and progress of Illinois during the last half century has been one of the marvels of the West, and affords a gratifying comparison with the advancement of all other portions of the New World. No class of men

have had more to do with this remarkable progress than those who transformed the vast expanse of raw prairie into farms many of which are beautiful and fertile as gardens. It happens in this instance that both father and son share in the honors that crown the pioneers, who have lived to see, on every side, the happy results of their handiwork.

Richard Moore, the father of the subject of this sketch, residing on his farm on section 29, Indian Grove Township, is one of the original settlers of this State. He was born in Buford County, N. C., on the 31st of May, 1810, and accompanied his parents when they moved to Tennessee in the fall of the year 1818. His removal to Illinois occurred in 1830, and his settlement in Indian Grove Town- ship dates from 1832. In the year following he visited Chicago when the stores of that city con- sisted of six log structures. On the 12th of Oeto- ber, 1828, Richard Moore was married to Perlina Phillips, a native of Alabama, where she was born on the 25th of April, 1810, but was reared to womanhood in the State of Tennessee. They are the parents of a large family, as follows: Elizabeth, Sarepta J., Jonathan G., Sarah A., Nancy, Melinda, Martha, Hannah, James R., John M. He is of Ger- man and Welsh descent, while Mrs. M.'s ancestors were Irish. Ilis father was born in North Carolina, and died in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are men- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for many years have taken an active interest in the congregation to which they belong. The farm on which they have lived so long consists of 160 aeres, and it has been cultivated to the best advantage. lle gives liis political adhesion to the Democratic party, and for years has been constant in his fealty.

Jonathan G. Moore, the subject of this sketch, was born in Indian Grove Township on the 23d of November, 1835, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, sharing the hardships and privations incident to the primitive life of those days. He took advantage of such school facilities as were then afforded and succeeded in obtaining a fair education. As soon as he was capable he took charge of the home farm, the father being in ill- health and of defective hearing, and managed the place so that it proved remunerative. Mr. Moore was married, Dec. 244, 1862, to Miss Rosann ITight,

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a native of Pennsylvania. She was born in 1838, and is the daughter of David and Catherine light, who were Germans by birth. One child has been born to them, a bright-eyed girl on whom they have conferred the name of Laura E. Mrs. Moore is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and takes a deep interest in its affairs. Mr. Moore is independ- ent in his political opinions, and does not yield any allegiance to either of the old political organi- zations. Ile owns a farm of ninety-six acres, fifty- six of which are under excellent cultivation, while the remainder is nsed for pasture.

OHN M. ZOOK. Natives of Pennsylvania are numerous in Livingston County, and wherever a Pennsylvanian is found a thrifty farmer can be named. The original set- tlers of Pennsylvania were a hardy class of men and women, who were not only noted for their thrift and excellent ability as managers, but for their intelligence. When one can trace his an- cestry back to a generation or two of Pennsylva- nians he can establish beyond dispute the pedigree of good stock. The subject of this sketch is a Pennsylvanian, as was his father, which largely accounts for his success in life, having grown from a very unpromising beginning. When a man be- gins on nothing and attains to that point which makes him independent, he is deserving of eredit, and is generally awarded it. Mr. Zook has de- voted himself assiduously all his life to the work of making a home which should be a comfort to him and all those dependent upon him, and he has succeeded. He is now a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Avoca Township, where he is lo- cated on section 33. IIe is a native of Greene County, Pa., and was born Ang. 17, 1836, and is the son of Solomon and Clarissa Zook, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey respectively. IIis paternal ancestors were of German descent, and on the mother's side of German and Yankee origin. His maternal grandfather, John M. Sperry, was a soldier in the War of 1812.

When three years of age Mr. Zook's parents re- moved from Ohio to Montgomery County, Ind.,

where the father engaged in farming, and died about the year 1849. Our subject was reared to manhood in Montgomery County, Ind., on a farm, where he received but a limited education, on ac- count of the inability of his parents to pay for tuition, and the necessity of his performing much work upon the farm. He came to Livingston County, TH., in 1854. and for a number of years farmed as a renter. At the time he arrived in this county his cash capital amounted to $1.25, and with that small beginning he began life. 1le has been successful in his business affairs, and now owns a very excellent farm, the products of which yield him commensurate returns for the labor bestowed and the money invested.

Mr. Zook was married, on the 2d of March, 1865, to Sarah F. McDowell, daughter of Thomas Mc- Dowell, of Fairbury, Ill. To them have been born five children, four of whom are living-Jes- sie. Edward, Harry and Roy. The name of the deceased was Thomas. Mr. Zook is independent in political matters, voting for the best man for the office, regardless of party. For several years he satisfactorily discharged the important duties of School Director, and in that capacity showed con- siderable ability. IIe and his excellent family stand well in the estimation of all their neighbors, and whenever occasion requires respond cheer- fully and promptly to all calls which appeal to their generosity. As a farmer Mr. Zook is modern in his methods and enterprising in his undertakings. His success testifies to his energy and good man- agement.

ARON WEIDER. So far as relates to resi- dence, the man who was born in Ohio and resided there until wearing his majority. then became a citizen of Indiana until his marriage, and afterward a resident of Illinois, can boast of citizenship in three of the greatest Western States. Ohio people are good people wherever you find them. The adopted Indianian is distinguished the world over as a rugged, honest man, while he who has lived long enough in the Prairie State to be an Illinoisan, in fact has acquired about the best citizenship that one can boast of. In these declara-

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tions we have outlined the men among whom Mr. Weider can be clased. as the facts of his birth and life a- revealed in the following sketch will show.

Mr. Weider is a native of Ross County, Ohio. where he was born on the 9th of October, 1822. lle is the son of George and Patience (Ford) Wei- der. who were natives respectively of Pennsylva- nia and New Jersey, and were both of German ori- gin. The paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and the father served in a like capacity in the War of 1812. Ile was the fourth son in his father's family. and was reared in Ohio until hi- eighteenth year, when he accompanied his parents when they removed to Tippecanoe County, Ind.

On the 2d of May. 1854, Mr. Weider was mar- ried to Matilda Tanner. a native of Montgomery County. Ohio. They have had seven children, of whom five are living: Blanche, Mrs. A. M. Bentley. of Owego Township: Clara: Jessie F .. Mrs. D. M. Phillips, of Nebraska: Metta and Alfred G. In 1856 Mr. Weider came to Livingston County with his wife and one child, and after residing in various parts of the county finally settled on the farm which he is now occupying. on section 16. Avoca Town- ship. in the year 1877. This farm consists of 120 acres, every foot of which is available for cultiva- tion.

The subject of our sketch is an enthusiastic men- ber of the Republican party, which upon several occasions ha- chosen him to serve the people in some official capacity. For one year he was Col- lector of Avoca Township, and i- at present Asses- sor. lle served for many years as District School Director. and for four years in the responsible posi- tion of Treasurer of Livingston County, in all of which various positions he has discharged the du- ties which devolved upon him to the satisfaction of all the people. He is a member of Fairbury Lodge, A. F. & A. M .. and takes an interest in all things conneted with that fraternity. Ile and his wife are highly esteemed members of society, and popular with all their neighbors.

Mr. Weider has a war record of which any man might be proud. On the 24th of Ily, 1861, he enlisted in Company K. 3d Illinois Cavalry, and -erved until the 5th of December, 1864, during

which time he participated in many serious engage- ments, and marched many hundreds of miles. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bluffs, Black River, Edwards Station, and the siege of Vicksburg. He had two ribs broken by a fall from a horse while participating in a cavalry charge in the skirmish on Red River in Louisiana, He took part in numerous engagements and skirmishes. and was honorably discharged at Springfield, III., at the close of his term of service. He entered the army as a private soldier, and was soon afterward chosen First Lieutenant of the company, and for nearly two years, while holding that rank, com- manded the company, the Captain being absent on detached service nearly all that time.

ON. GEORGE TORRANCE, attorney-at- law and State Senator, a resident of Pon- tiac, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. and was born on the 15th of May, 1847. He is the son of David and Sarah J. (Kerns) Tor- rance, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Illinois in 1863. locating in Danville, Ver- milon County. where the father was engaged in con- tracting and building, and where he still resides. He is a member of the Republican party, and has always taken great interest in the success of that organization. The family consists of six children living-George, John, Elizabeth, Annie, Ellen and William. The ancestry on the father's side was Irish, and on the mother's German.

During his residence in Ohio George Torrance attended the public schools until he was sixteen years of age, at which time he went to Danville, Vermilion County, with his father's family, and was there variously engaged as clerk in a dry- goods store, clothing store, and assistant agent for the United States Express Company. In January, 1865, he enlisted in Company E, 149th Illinois Regiment, and remained in the service one year, the full term of his enlistment. He was on guard duty most of the time, and was captured at Charles- ton, Teun., between Knoxville and Chattanooga, but his imprisonment was of short duration, as his eap- tors were driven away by the Union troops with-

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out being able to take their prisoners with them. After his discharge from the army our subject re- turned to Danville, and obtained employment as a clerk in a clothing store, where he remained until 1869, when he came to Livingston County and settled at Chatsworth. At that place he clerked in a dry-goods house, and then became an agent for a Chicago business house until 1873, when he pur- chased the Chatsworth Palladium. He edited this paper and did most of the work on it for sixteen months, when he began the study of law with Fosdick & Wallace, in Chatsworth.

Mr. Torrance was elected Justice of the Peace in 1873, and served until admitted to the bar in 1875, when he resigned. 1Ie then commenced the practice of law in Chatsworth, and continued until 1881, when he came to Pontiac, where he continued the practice of law, and in 1884 formed a partnership with R. S. Mellduff, the firm now be- ing MeIlduff & Torrance. In 1880 he received the Republican nomination for State Senator, and was triumphantly elected. After serving four years in that capacity, the people were so well sat- isfied that they re-elected him in 1884. IIe has always affiliated with the Republican party, in which he has taken an active part. He is a com- rade of the G. A. R.

Mr. Torrance was married in 1869 to Miss Eliza M. Fenn, the daughter of E. P. and Louis (Afred) Fenn, who were natives of Connecticut. Of this union there are two children-Herbert E. and Grace T. The family reside in a very cosy and comfortably appointed residence on Howard street.

W ILLIAM II. ARNOLD came to this county over thirty-four years ago. locating in Read- ing Township, where he now lives. Ile shared in common the toils and anxieties of the pio- neer settlers, and with them labored long and late in the effort to maintain himself and his family com- fortably, and build up a homestead to shelter him in his declining years. His efforts have not been unrewarded, as he is now the owner of eighty acres of choice land, which is pleasantly located on see- tion 14, east of the town of Reading, and under a

good state of cultivation. In order to add to the fertility and value of this soil he laid about 800 rods of tiling, and is now able to produce in fair quantities some of the best crops of the Prairie State. Hle ha- a choice assortment of live stock. and the necessary farm implement for the successful prose- ention of his calling.

Mr. Arnold is an Ohio man by birth, first opening his eyes to the light in Fayette County, May 7. 1844. His parents, John and Louisa ( Mills) Ar- nold, were natives of Clinton County, Ohio. The former was born Dec. 10, 1816, and rested from his earthly labors Oct. 19. 1886, passing away at his home in Reading, Ill. His wife, Louisa, was born Sept. 14, 1818. They were married in Sabina Feb. 9, 1840, and became the parents of a large family of children, most of whom were born in Ohio. Daniel M. died when twenty years of age in Livingston County, Ill .; William II., of our sketch. was the second child: Martha Emily, Mrs. Daniel Coc. is the mother of two children: Levi Nelson, born Sept. 30. 1848, and died, unmarried. April 8, 1866. in Reading, III .. was for many years engaged in the mercantile business, having a store in Reading at the time of his death. Sarah E. married William Arm- strong, a farmer of Reading, in April, 1873, and they have one child; Franklin W. is a prosperous grain dealer of Peoria, Ill. ; Mary Melissa was married in June, 1873. to James A. Harley, a railroad engineer, who is now deceased; they had two children, one now deceased. and the other residing with his grand- mother in Reading. Anna Maria is the wife of John Kern, a farmer, of Reading, and is the mother of three children; Luella L. married M. M. Korn, a teacher of Streator, and they had two children, the younger now dead.

Mr. Arnold, when a youth of nineteen years. com- menced business on his own account, although re- maining under the parental roof until forty years of age. On the 23d of February, 1886, he mar- ried Mrs. Phoebe ( Laughlin) Arnold, the daughter of James and Phoebe Laughlin, natives of County Derry, Ireland, who crossed the Atlantic early in life and located in Hamilton County. Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mrs. Ar- nold was born June 2, 1860. After marriage our subject and his wife took up their abode at their

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farin near Reading. and on the 13th of December. 1s>6. became the parents of a son whom they named Edward Nelson, and who is now a bright chikl one year old.

About 1878 Mr. Arnold identified himself with the Masonic fraternity, and politically gives his sup- port to the Republican party. He has served as School Director in his distriet for several terms, and i- numbered among the quiet, steady-going citi- zens, with whom the interests of the community are always cafe, and who have contributed their full quota toward its welfare and progress.

M RS. EMELINE QUEST. In all countries where men possess gallantry women play an important part in affairs, and in this country, to the honor of the laws and the customs be it said, women are the equal of men in all rights and privileges, excepting the rights to vote and hold oflice, and it is possible that these rights would be conferred if it could be made ap- parent that the majority of the women so desired it. As it is. the influence of women as wives, mothers and sisters, is all potent, and wherever they have assayed to fill positions requiring tact and ability they have been successful, whether in professions or in the callings requiring talent of an executive order. Among the many biographical sketche- found in this ALBUM space is given to none more cheerfully than to the subject of this sketch, who is an ok! settler of Livingston County. and resides on section 30, Avoca Township. She is a native of Vermillion County, Ind., and was born on the 21st of October, 1838. She is a daughter of Minor and Elizabeth (Lawrence) Roger -. Iler father was born in New England and her mother was a native of Ohio. When Mrs. Quest was about ten years of age her parents emi- grated from Indiana to Livingston County, and were among the very early settlers of Avoca Town- ship. Her father died in July, 1886, and the mother still re-ides in Avoca Township, with Mrs. Armilda Carson, her youngest daughter. She has passed threescore years, and much of her life has been spent as a pioncer, enduring all the privations

and hardships of an early residence in Indiana and Illinois. Mrs. Quest's father was one of the repre- sentative pioneers of Avoca Township, and was a man of large acquaintance. He was universally esteemed and respected for his many good qualities, and when he died his loss to the county was severely felt.

Mrs. Quest was reared to maturity in Livingston County, and availed herself of such opportunities and advantages as were afforded for obtaining a common-school education. Her first marriage oc- curred on the 1st of May, 1861, her husband being Matthew Clark, a native of Ireland, and this union resulted in the birth of four children, as follows: Lizzic, formerly a successful school teacher, and now the wife of Robert Main, of Avoca Township; Annie, Jomm and Fannie. Mr. Clark was a Repub- lican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and in both of these organiza- tions he took a deep interest and played an active part. He died on the 5th of December, 1878. On the 11th of January, 1885, Mrs. Clark was married to her present husband, Charles Quest, a native of England. She is the owner of an excellent eighty-acre farm, which is highly improved, well drained and fenced, and contains good buildings. She is a highly respected member of society, and is prominent in all good works which are projected in her neighborhood. She stands deservedly high as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know her.

C HARLES M. JOHNSON, one of the steady, reliable men of Indian Grove Township, has, by a conservative business course and econ- omy, surrounded himself and family with the com- forts of the world. He belongs to that sturdy class of men who accomplish their aims by substantial progress, always making sure of a foothold before taking the next step. Such men are always gaill- ing headway. slow though it be sometimes, but never moving backward. Mr. Johnson has the care and management of a splendid 120-acre farm

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on section 17, Indian Grove Township, where, in : bers in good standing of the Baptist Church at addition to general farming, he engages to a con- siderable extent in raising live stock.

Charles M. Johnson was born in Oswego County. N. Y., on the 13th of August, 1848. He is a son of Franklin 1. and Mary A. (Wightman) Johnson. The father was born on the 2d of December, 1820, in New Lebanon, Columbia Co., N. Y., his parents being Franklin and Hopey (King) Johnson. Our subject's mother was born in Oswego County, N. Y., Oet. 24, 1821, and was the daughter of William and Hannah Wightman. To Franklin I. Johnson and wife were born four children: George. who died in infancy; Charles, the subject of this sketch ; Frank D. and Addie, the latter dying at the age of thirteen years. The father now resides at Fair- bury, where he is enjoying his later years in the midst of comfort and plenty. The mother, who was a woman of many very excellent traits of char- acter, and one who led a consistent Christian life as a member of the Baptist Church, died on the 21st of November, 1884.

The subject of this history lived in his native State but a short time, his parents emigrating to Fulton County, Ill., when he was quite young. In 1861 they removed to Peoria, and there Charles M. attended the city schools and acquired a good education. Later he employed himself in his fa- ther's pottery, and continued to reside in Peoria until the family came to this county, when he ac- companied them. Locating with his father on the 160-acre farm three miles south of Fairbury, ne there lived, and labored early and late for the good of the household. Subsequently this farm was sold and 240 acres purchased. This was divided into equal parts, and our subject is now living upon one, and his brother Frank upon the other. Both farms are supplied with fine residences, and our subject is meeting with success in the prosecution of his chosen calling.

On the 12th of February, 1878, was celebrated the marriage of Charles M. Johnson and Miss Dora Kenney. Mrs. J. was born on the 25th of October. 1851, in the State of Maine, and is the daughter of Edwin and Phidelia (Baker) Kenney, natives of the same State, and both now living. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have no children. They are mem-

Fairbury, and Mr. A. has held the office of Treas- urer in the Sunday-school for several years. lle is highly respected in his community, and numbered among its reputable and worthy citizens.

OHN IJ. SMITHI. farmer, stock-grower and grain-dealer, also engaged in the manufact- ure of tile, is one of the wide-awake and en- terprising men of Pontiae Township, and the owner of a good property on section 24. llis farm operations have been successfully conducted since he took possession of the valuable land now in- cluded in his homestead, and in the manufacture of tile he is the leader in this section of the country. The works are located near the city limits, and in the busy season furnish employment to eighteen men. He not only controls the local trade, but ships to various points outside.

The boyhood and youth of Mr. Smith were spent in the State of Pemsylvania. He was born in Centre County Aug. 12, 1840, and when a child of seven years removed with his parents to Hunting- don County, where he was reared to manhood and pursued his studies in the common schools. His parents, Jacob and Lydia Smith, were natives re- spectively of Union and Centre Counties, and spent their entire lives in their native State, the former passing away Dec. 25, 1880, and the latter in 1869. They pursued unobtrusively the lives of peaceable citizens and worthy members of society, and both were connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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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 40

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