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 54

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 54

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family removed to Logan County, Ohio, where he was educated in the common schools, and assisted in the work upon the farm. In 1862 he enlisted in the month of July, and was mustered into the Uni- ted States service in Company E. 45th Ohio In- fantry, with which he served three years, and soon after entering the army participated in the battles of Dutton Hill and Campton West. He was with Gen. Burnsides in his famous raids through Ken- tueky and Tennessee. The winter of 1863-64 was passed by the regiment at Mt. Sterling, Ky., after which it joined Gen. Sherman at Chattanooga, and participated in the Atlanta campaign, subsequently returning with Gen. Thomas and participating in many a hard-fought battle. In the battle at Knox- ville, he received a gunshot wound in the head, which rendered him unfit for duty for a few weeks, but he did not go into a hospital. At the expira- tion of his term of service, he received an honor- able discharge from the army, and came to Illinois, as during the interim the family had moved to Mc- Lean County. In 1866 he came to Livingston County, where his father owned land, which Mr. Stoutemyer improved, and has since followed farm- ing as a constant occupation. Ile now owns 320 acres of land, which he cultivates after the most approved methods, and devotes a large share of his attention to the propagation and raising of stock, in which business he has attained a large measure of success. Ilis farm buildings are of ample dimen- sions and excellent quality. lle is a strong ad- vocate of the principles of the Republican party, and believes that the affairs of the nation ought to be administered by the men who saved it. He has held several local offices, and served nine years as a Trustee. In religious matters he espouses the doc- trines and tenets of the Baptist Church, of which he is a Deacon and a Trustee.

Mr. Stoutemyer has been married three times. In 1868 he married Sarah Kinnan, who was a native of Ohio, and died in January, 1869. On the 6th of June, 1871, he married Mary E. Newman, who was born in Ohio, and died in April, 1872, leaving one daughter, Mary E. In 1875 he married Anna J. Little, who was born in Logansport, Ind., and they have five children-Flora May, Nancy E., Edwin Ross, Howard and Sarah Margaret. Mr. Stoute-

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myer and his family are very pleasantly situated in their home. and are able to command almost any of the comforts of life that they require. They are highly esteemed by all their neighbors, with whom they are on the best of terms.

S YLVESTER LONGNECKER. The peo- ple who settled in Livingston County over forty years ago found it a vast expanse of wild prairie, isolated almost from civiliza- tion and wholly devoid of comfort. Since that time they have seen the country transformed from it- original condition to productive fields and val- uable farms. dotted here and there with cities and village -. with a dense population of intelligent. pro- gressive. prosperous people, who are happy and contented in all their surroundings. These condi- tion- have been brought about by just such active and courageous people a- the subject of this sketch, who were the pioneer settlers.

Mr. Longnecker. a farmer on section 32 in Sun - bury Township, was born near Cincinnati, Ohio Jan. 22. 1827, and was the fourth child in a family of eleven born to Jacob and Sarah D. (Porter) Long- meeker. natives of Maryland and Kentucky respect- ively. The paternal grandparents. Andrew and Elizabeth ( Rhinehart) Longnecker, were natives of Germany, and emigrated to America at an early day. settling first in Maryland, whence they re- moved to Kentucky, and thence to Ohio. Ile died in Ohio and she went to Ottawa. III., and spent her last days there with her daughter. The maternal grandfather was a native of Kentucky, and his fa- ther. John Porter, was a soldier in the Revolution- ary War. and was reputed a bold and fearless sol- dier. He was taken prisoner by the Indians, by whom he was wounded, and carried two musket ball- in hi- body until his death. The father of our subject was a shoemaker by trade, and while engaged in that occupation also carried on farming. In Ix33 he moved to Clinton County. Ind .. remain- ing two years. when he removed to Tippecanoe County, where he farmed until 1844, and then took the overland route with horses and oxen for Illi-

nois, bringing his sheep, cattle and hogs with him.

Our subject was seventeen years of age when the family arrived in Livingston County. While liv- ing in Indiana he had no opportunity for obtaining an education, but since arriving at manhood he has applied himself diligently to study, and succeeded in fitting himself for business affairs. Hle and his father bought and entered 320 aeres of wild land upon their arrival in Livingston County. At that time there was plenty of deer, turkeys, wolves and small game. On the land then purchased they built a house on the edge of a strip of timber, and it is yet occupied by our subject and his family. They cultivated a small portion of the land at the beginning, and gradually developed it until it has all been placed under cultivation. The township of Sunbury was organized after their arrival in Livingston County, and took its name from a post station which was located on a road for general travel through that part of the county. In this county seven of a large family of children grew up, only one of whom, besides our subject, is now liv- ing in the county-a sister, Mrs. Gates, of Cornell. Of the children we have the following record : John, born Dec. 19, 1820; William W., Sept. 23, 1822; Elizabeth, May 19, 1825; Sylvester, Jan. 22, 1827; Mary J., born Dec. 27, 1829, died July 16, 1842; Rachel, born Oct. 13, 1830, died July 14, 1843; Absalom, born July 13, 1833, died Ang. 28, 1842; Jacob. born May 30, 1836; Newberry S., July 27, 1838; Sarah M., born Ang. 13, 1840, died Aug. 25. 1842; Jeremiah, born Nov. 6, 1842. The fa- ther of our subjeet was born in November, 1798, and died in April, 1860, aged sixty-two years. The mother was born Oet. 7, 1801, and died in 1870.

Mr. Longnecker was married, Oet. 12, 1854, to Laura M. Hampton, who was born in Darke Coun- ty, Ohio, on the 14th of July, 1836. and was the eldest in a family of eight children born to John and Eliza (Booth) Hampton, natives of Ohio and Connecticut respectively. ller parents eame to Illinois about 1837, making the journey overland with teams. They bought and improved a farm on Fox River, and after a time settled in Livingston County. The mother died in Grundy County, and the father married again, and settled in Livingston

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County permanently immediately after the second marriage.

Mr. Longnecker has 150 acres of land in Sunbury Township, and twenty acres in Esmen Township, all of which is highly improved. He devotes much attention to raising graded stoek, and to the de- tails of farming. Mr. and Mrs. Longnecker are the parents of eight children, whose names are as fol- lows: Eliza B., born Oct. 16, 1855; Mary E., May 31, 1857; Andrew, Dec. 1, 1859; Oscar, June 22. 1862; Arthur, Jan. 8, 1865; Martha Ann, March 28, 1867; Leroy, Dec. 27, 1870, and Frederick, July 14, 1876. Mary E. married John Webb, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising in Barton County, Mo. These children have all been given a good education, and two of them, Oscar and Ar- thur, have developed considerable talent for music. Andrew was in the Chatsworth railroad disaster of 1887, but escaped without serious injury.

Our subject has served as Road Commissioner and School Director. While he is a member of the Republican party he does not take an active part in politics, and in the selection of township officers he is wholly non-partisan. He is decidedly in favor of choosing the best men for the administra- tion of local affairs regardless of the political party to which they belong. As a citizen and neighbor Mr. Longnecker is held in high esteem, and in his business relations enjoys the confidenee of all with whom he comes in contact.

M ICHAEL MARTIN. One reason why the population of the United States contains so large a per cent of foreign born citizens is because of the oppressive laws of many of the European countries. While an Irishman loves his native country as he loves himself, the systems of landlordism and tenantry in that country for many years have been so unjust and oppressive as to compel hundreds of thousands of the people to leave their native land to seek homes in new countries. America has become a rallying point for the greater number of these people, and when once here and settled down they have become the most lawful and law-abiding of our citizens. There are no anarchists

nor socialists among the American citizens of Irish deseent. As a rule they readily assimilate with the native-born citizen, and respect law and order while they enter with zest into all movements for building ups American institutions. The subject of this sketch. a resident of Union Township, is the son of a man who was compelled to leave the land of his birth on account of the tyranny of landlordism, and seek a home in this country.

Michael Martin was born in Kerry County, Ire- land, on the 25th of June, 1842, and was the third child in a family of four born to Thomas and Mar- garet (O'Sullivan) Martin, natives of Ireland. His paternal grandparents were Michael and Mary ( Fitz- gerald) Martin, and the maternal grandparents were Daniel and Margaret (Welsh) O'Sullivan; all were natives of Ireland and farmers by occupation. The father of the subject of this sketch was a farmer in Ireland, but because of the oppression of the land- owners was compelled to leave that country. He came to America, where for a time he engaged in railroading, and afterward located on a farm in Bureau County, where in 1864 he was enabled to buy a farm of his own. In 1855 one of his dangh- ters came and located in the East, and soon after the subject of this sketch and the remaining mem- bers of the family came to the United States. They embarked on the " Lady Russel," and after a stormy voyage of nearly five weeks landed at New York. They went to Massachusetts, where they lived until the next spring, and then he and his mother proceeded to Bureau County, Ill., where they joined the hus- band and father on the farm. The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life and had but limited chances for obtaining an education.

In November, 1868, Mr. Martin was married to Ellen Lines, who was born in Vermont, and was the daughter of Thomas and Julia ( Dunn) Lines, natives of Ireland. They first settled in Bureau County. where he purchased 100 acres of land from his father, and lived there for about twelve years, when they sold out and came to Livingston County, where he bought 160 acres of partly improved land, and on which he has resided ever since. They have had a family of ten children, nine of whom are living- Margaret Theresa, Julia Agnes, John Joseph, Thomas William, Michael Allen, Enos Patrick,

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James Edward, Daniel Henry and Mary Ellen, the latter two being twins. One child, Thomas, is de- cea-ed. These children are all at home with their parents, and attending school. They are all bright and intelligent, and it is the ambition of their parents that each shall be well educated.

Mr. Martin devotes considerable time to raising a fine grade of cattle and horses, and in this line of business has met with excellent success. While he is not an active participant in politics he invariably cast- hi- vote with the party of his choice, the Demo- cratie. He and his family are devout members of the Catholic Church. and are regular in their attendance. As citizens Mr. Martin and his family are re-peeted and esteemed, and so far as neighbor- -hip is concerned there are none better. Whatever i- intended to elevate the condition of the people of Union Town-hip meets with Mr. Martin's most hearty and cordial support, and he is always fore- most in such enterprises. The pages of this ALBUM would be incomplete without this biographical sketch. and it gives us pleasure to present it here- with.

J. SHEARER migrated from his native State of Pennsylvania when a young man, having in view the establishment of a per- manent home. The country was then pass- ing through it- first stages of settlement, and was waiting for just such industrious hands and strong hearts of which our subject was a striking example. Ile had been reared to habits of industry and econ- viny, and the fact that hardship stared him in the face. together with many other difficulties, did not in the least dismay or discourage him. He went to work with a will, and can now look around him upon the result of his labors with a just feeling of pride and satisfaction. He put his shoulder to the wheel, and year after year pushed ahead steadily, and has no regret for the muscle which he expended. for the result has been satisfactory to the last de- gree. He owns a fine property in Sullivan Town- ship. consisting of 200 acres of land on section 24, where he is carrying on farming and stock-raising,

surrounded by all the comforts of life, and held in the highest esteem by his neighbors.

The early years of Mr. Shearer were spent in Franklin County, Pa., where his birth took place on the 11th of May, 1828. 1Ie was the eldest of six children born to Michael and Mary Ann (Stewart) Shearer, who were also natives of the Keystone State. His paternal grandparents, Michael and Mary (Rhodes) Shearer, were also natives of Penn- sylvania, and on his mother's side his grandparents, Thomas and Mary Stewart, were born in Scotland and Virginia respectively. Grandfather Stewart was a shoemaker by trade, and in the Colonial days made shoes for the slaves of Gen. George Washington. lle also voted for the Father of his Country when he was a Presidential candidate, and was a member of the same Masonic lodge to which Washington belonged.

Michael Shearer carried on farming in Pennsyl- vania until 1850, and then removed to Franklin County, Ohio, with his family, where he spent the remainder of his days employed as before, and where his death took place in July, 1885, when seventy-nine years of age. His excellent wife had preceded her husband to the silent land in August, 1882, when seventy-five years old.

Our subject continned with his parents in Penn- sylvania, and was married before their removal to Ohio, his bride being Miss Catherine Lehman, and the wedding taking place at the home of her par- ents, March 14, 1850. Mrs. Shearer was born in Franklin County, Pa., Aug. 6, 1825, and is the second child of Samuel and Elizabeth (Kauffman) Lehman, also natives of that State and where they spent their entire lives. Directly after marriage, the young people removed to Ohio with the father of our subject, where they went to housekeeping, and Mr. Shearer employed himself at farming. They remained residents of Franklin County for a period of eighteen years, and in the fall of 1867 Mr. Shearer, having caught the Western fever, came to this State and purchased a quarter section of wild land in Sullivan Township, where he now resides. The following spring he was joined by his family, and then commenced the improvements which now stand as a silent monument of his en- terprising industry. He added 151 aeres to his

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first purchase, has now 200 acres near Cullom, and upon it a fine set of farm buildings. In addition to this he also purchased 151 acres in Ford County, which he has since sold to his sons upon easy pay- ments.

The home farm of our subject is in a high state of cultivation, and he exhibits some of the finest live stock in this section of country. This includes high-grade Norman and Clyde horses, with Dur- ham cattle and Poland-China swine. In consider- ation of the large interests which he has controlled in so praiseworthy a manner, it is not surprising that he has found little time to take part in politi- cal affairs. He, however, performs the duties of a good citizen at the polls each year, and usually supports the Republican candidate. He has offici- ated as Town Clerk, and held the office of School Treasurer nearly twenty years. He represented Sullivan Township in the County Board of Super- visors, which is sufficient evidence of the estima- tion in which he is held by his fellow-citizens. 1Ie has been warmly interested in educational matters, and taken an active part in the organization of school districts. These are now all complete, and the township boasts of ten good school-houses, which are excellent indications of the class of peo- ple by which it is settled. Mr. S. and his excellent lady are prominently connected with the German Reformed Church.

The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Shearer are ali living, most of them married and settled in com- fortable homes of their own. Samuel W. is farm- ing in Ford County ; Joseph P. assists in the labors and management of the homestead; John L. is en- gaged as a grain-dealer at Cullom; Mary E. is the wife of William Hildebrand, who is carrying on farming in Adams County, Neb .; Uriah S. is Sta- tion Agent and operator at Flanagan, this county; Emma F. is the wife of J. W. Null, Station Agent of Buckingham, Kankakee County. Mr. Shearer, it is hardly necessary to state, gave his children the best of school advantages, and they have grown up around him intelligent and accomplished, and form a group of which the parents may reasonably be proud.

Two brothers of Mr. Shearer served as soldiers in the late war, and our subject himself, as a mem-

ber of the Ohio militia, was on active duty at the time of Morgan's raid in the Buckeye State. He has seen much of life, made the most of his oppor- timities, and his social and financial standing to-day is the result of his own industry and determination.

G EORGE W. BILLINGS, one of the most promising young men of Long Point, and one who has thoroughly popularized himself with the people of the community, is now the tele- graph operator, express, freight and ticket agent at this point. He is the son of John and Hannah Bill- ings, who were natives of Maine, and both of whom are dead, the mother dying on the 20th of October, 1880, and the father on the 16th of December. 1883, at Ancona, Livingston County. Their family con- sisted of seven children, whose record is as follows: Sarah, who married George II. Fisher, a grain in- spector, lives in Indianapolis, Ind., and has one child; Mercy married C. II. Crowell, who is a far- mer and stock-raiser, and resides in Maine; Artie G. married W. F. Edgerly, who is a farmer, living near Stewart, Jowa; Mary E. and Hannab J. are twins; the former married E. N. Gillman, who is a farmer, and they live at Rutland, Ill., and the latter lives with their brother, George W. Eva C. married A. 11. Eagerly, a farmer, and lives in Maine. The father was a physician of the Eclectic School, and was a graduate of the Metropolitian College of New York. He was a practicing physician for about forty years, and was successful in his profession. He came from Maine to LaSalle County, the first time in 1867, and soon after returned to his native State, where he remained about one year, when he returned to Illinois and located in LaSalle County, living there until 1872, when he went to Champaign County, where he remained for two years and then went back to LaSalle County, and in 1875 moved to Livingston County, where he died in 1883, at the age of sixty-nine years.

George W. Billings came with his parents to Long Point in 1875, and studied telegraphy in the railroad office at Ancona. Since then he has devoted most of his time to telegraphy, and two years ago took posses- sion of the office at this place, and in addition to its

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management is also express. freight and ticket agent. He never enjoyed any educational advantages other than those afforded by the common schools, but he was so studious that he obtained far more than an average education. He does not assay to he an active politician, but has earnestly espoused the doctrines of the Greenback party.

RED DUCKETT. who is engaged in the drug trade at Forest, is a native of Somer- setshire, England, where he was born on the 10th of November, 1840. Ilis parents were Benjamin and Jane (Redmond) Duckett, also na- tives of England, where they passed their lives, the mother dying in 1885. There were born to them seven children, five of whom are living: Francis lives in Sac County, Iowa : Daniel : Sarah, Mrs. Ar- ney; Fred. and Gabriel, who resides in Australia.

The subject of this notice resided in his native country until 1854. and then emigrated to the I'nited States, where his two elder brothers had pre- ceded him. He landed in New York, going at once to the central part of the State, and worked as a farm hand in Oswego and Onondaga Counties. In the fall of 1856 he made his advent into the State of Illinois, first stopping at Henry, Marshall County, where he was engaged as a farm hand for a few mouths. He then proceeded to Peoria County and worked at farming until 1862.

During the Rebellion Mr. Duckett enlisted in the army, and in June was mustered into Company K, 11th Illinois Cavalry, serving until September, 1865. He was with Gen. Grierson in his raid into Eastern Tennessee, and participated in all the sub. sequent raids and engagements in which the regi- ment took a part. He was promoted from private to Corporal and then to Sergeant, and in March, 1865. he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, in which rank he was mustered ont in September, 1865. He then returned to Peoria County, where he engaged in growing hedge plants until 1867, when he came to Forest and entered the employ of his brother. Dr. Daniel Duckett, with whom he served as drug clerk until JJuly, 1881. On the 4th of July of that year Mr. Duckett was badly injured by a prem-

ature discharge of fireworks, and when he recov- ered from his injuries in September, he purchased his present business.

On the 19th of February, 1866, Mr. Duckett was married to Mary E. Munhall. a native of Ohio, who is the daughter of Samuel and Sarah Munhall. To them have been born six children, whose names are Jennie, Arthur F., Jessie S., Nellie M., Mabel M. and Loie A. Mr. Duckett is a Republican in poli- tics, and takes considerable interest in public affairs. Ile has served as Township Collector and Village Trustee, and in both of these capacities gave good satisfaction to the people. He takes great interest in social and benevolent orders, and is a prominent and leading member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a Knight Templar, and for nine years served as Worshipful Master of Forest Lodge No. 614, A. F. & A. M. In his social intercourse he is genial and pleasant, and is a man of good business ability. He has already secured a large and profitable trade, which he will have no difficulty in increasing.

SAAC T. RAMSAY, of Long Point Township, owns a snug farm of eighty aeres on section 27, of which he has been in possession since the spring of 1868. He has good buildings, and his fields are handsomely laid off with hedge, which con- tributes greatly to the beauty and value of the prop- erty. Ile also uses wire fence considerably, which is a great improvement upon the the clumsy and old- fashioned rails. Ile is recognized as a skillful far- mer, a man who provides well for the wants of his family, and in all respects a valued factor in the community.

The early years of our subject were spent in Montgomery, Pa., where he began life on the 28th of April, 1840. Ilis parents, Thomas and Rebecca (Conog) Ramsay, were also natives of the Keystone State, the former born in 1807 and the latter two years later in 1809. The mother departed this life at the old home in Long Point Township, where the father is still living at an advanced age.

Our subject came to this State with his parents in 1854, locating first in Northampton, Peoria County, where he was engaged a year at farm work,

RESIDENCE OF STEPHEN POTTER , SEC . 15. ROUND GROVE TOWNSHIP.

RES. OF ULRICH EGGENBERGER, SEC 30. UNION TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF AMOS HERTZ, SEC 9. BROUGHTON TOWNSHIP.

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and thence came to this county, where he developed into manhood. In 1863 he took unto himself a wife and helpmeet in the person of Miss Maria Moffett, a native of Illinois, and at that time a resident of Bu- reau County. She is the daughter of Hugh and Jane (Laughlin) Moffett, and was born in 1837. By her union with our subject there are six children: Allen J. was born .June 10, 1864, makes his home with his grandmother Moffett, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising; Jennie, born Sept. 23, 1866; Jessie, in 1869; Hugh, Jan. 17, 1872; Maud B., Ang. 29, 1875, and Walter, July 20, 1878, are at home with their parents.

Mr. Ramsay, politically, is a Democrat "dyed in the wool." He is a gentleman of decided opinions and fearless without being offensive in the expres- sion of them. He takes pride in his farm, and has always aimed high in his career as a citizen and a member of the agricultural society. He has served in his township as Road Commissioner and School Director, and is always approachable upon those matters having for their object the general welfare of society.

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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 54

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