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 61
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148
OIIN A. BUELL, a prominent young farmer of Owego Township, is the owner of eighty acres of good land on section 12, of which he took possession in the spring of 1886. and is meeting with good success in his farming opera- tions. Ile represents the intelligence and enter- prise of that locality, and is a citizen of whom much is expected in the future, possessing those natural abilities which with ordinary effort on his part will bear their legitimate fruits.
Mr. Buell was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., June 30, 1853, and is the only child of Samuel and Harriet (Beach) Buell, who were also natives of the Empire State. The mother is now deceased, but the father is living and a resident of California. John A. was reared by his grandparents until four- teen years of age, and then, in company with his paternal uncle. James Buell, came to the West and at once located in Livingston County, where he has since resided. He was reared to farm pursuits, and received the advantages afforded by the common schools. After passing his twenty-seventh year he was united in marriage with Miss Luella Tucker,
the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in McDowell, Avoca Township, Dec. 23, 1880. Mrs. B. is the daughter of Willard and Matilda Tucker, natives of Ohio, but now residing in Avoca Township, and by her union with our subject has . become the mother of three children: Irwin A., who was born April 4, 1882; Earl B., June 19, 1884, and Bertha.
Mr. and Mrs. Buell began life together in a mod- est dwelling at Avoca, whence they removed to their present home, which with its neat residence and convenient ont-buildings, forms a pleasant pic- ture of quiet country life. They number their friends by the score in this section, and are fair rep- resentatives of its intelligence and worth. Mr. Buell uniformly votes the Republican ticket.
AMES H. HOWARTH. Lancashire, En- gland, is the great seat of the British cotton manufacture, which has increased sinee 1770 with a rapidity unparalleled in the .history of mechanical industry. Woolen, worsted, linen, silk, hats, paper, soap, chemicals, etc., are also man- nfactured on a large seale. Manchester is the prin- cipal seat of cotton mannfacture in the county, and Liverpool of the shipping trade; the former, how- ever, is carried on to a great extent in numerous other towns in the shire, including Preston, Bolton, Oldham, Ashton, Blackburn, Bury, Chorley, Wigan and other minor points. A complete network of railways and several important canals afford means of rapid conveyance between Lancashire and all parts of the kingdom. Lancaster is the capital of the shire, and it is picturesquely situated upon an eminence crowned by the church and castle. It is a city of 20,000, and was formerly a port which en- joyed a large foreign trade, but in later years that has been transferred to Liverpool.
Mr. Howarth, now a farmer and stock-grower on section 6, Belle Prairie Township, is a native of Lancashire, England, and was born on the 27th of February, 1817. He is the son of John and Selina (Fielding) Howarth, who were also natives of En-
527
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
gland. The father was born on the 24th of Janu- ary, 1814, and was a coal miner and stonemason by trade, and in his youth received a very limited education. He first came to the United States in 1842, and in the same year located in Peoria County, Ill., where he followed his trade until about 1862, when he hegan farming with the assist- ance of his boys, and also dealt in coal until 1872, when he retired from the latter business. lle is now the owner of about 600 acres of land, and still resides in Peoria County. The mother was born in 1820, and is still living. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been for many years. They are the parents of six children, all of whom are living-James H., Colonel D., Benjamin, Sarah A., John and Selina.
On the 5th of April, 1871, Mr. Ilowarth was mar- ried to Miss Alice Hindle, who was born on the 6th of April, 1849, in Peoria County. She is the daughter of John and Susannah Hindle, who were natives of England and came to America in 1842, and located at Peoria. The mother and father were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he had been a Class-Leader for many years. The father died in 1879. They were the parents of nine children, viz., Martha, Alice, David, Mary A., James H., Richard, Lilly, Arvesta J. and Selina M.
Mr. Howarth came to Livingston County in 1870, and purchased 120 acres of land, to the cul- tivation of which, and the raising of stock, he de- votes his time. In the spring of 1882 he was elected to the office of Township Supervisor, which office he filled for four years, and then after a year's intermission he was re-elected, and is now in his fifth term of that office, in which he is serving to the entire satisfaction of the people of Belle Prairie Township. He has held the position of member of the Committee on County Equalization, in which position he has been of much valuable service to the people. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is an active member of Tarbolton Lodge No. 351.
Mr. and Mrs. Howarth have had six children- Flora A., S. Lilly, Richard B. (deceased), Jesse D., Martha A. and John P. The parents are both active members of the Presbyterian Church, and
take a lively interest in the affairs of that organiza- tion. Mr. Howarth gives his political adhesion to the Republican party, and takes an active part in - its campaigns.
A. SMITHI. This country has become a safe harbor for thousands of men whose ideas of right were so pronounced as to preclude their remaining in their native land. In the case of the subject of this sketch the fortunes of war were such that to remain in Denmark he might be compelled to raise arms against his own people. After the southern portion of Denmark passed un- der the sway of Prussia the rigorous military law compelled the Danes to serve in the Prussian army and even fight their own countrymen, if it were the will of the King. Under these circumstances Mr. Smith had to chose one of two alternatives- remain and submit to this military service, or seek a home in some other country. Ile chose the latter, and became a citizen of the United States, and it is safe to predict that he has never regretted the step he took in the matter.
Mr. Smith, who is a progressive farmer of Dwight Township, is a son of J. Schmidt, and was born in Denmark in 1843. His father was a blacksmith at Berklew, near Sleswick, Denmark, now a Province of Prussia, and was the father of the following- named children : Jep, Paul, Catherine M., Maria, Meret, Peter S., Abbe, Andreas, and one child who died in infancy. Mr. Schmidt was married three times, and of his children, J. A., Andreas and Peter came to this country. Andreas is a farmer in Grundy County, Ill., and Peter is a blacksmith in Chicago. The remainder of the family are living in Denmark.
J. A. Smith, our subject, learned the trade of a shoemaker while a boy, and received a common- school education. At the age of twenty-three years, in 1866, he emigrated to this country and settled in Dwight, where he began working at his trade, in which business he continued at that place four years, and for a time at Gardner. In 1867 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Annie M. Nielson, daughter of Niels C. Nielson, of Jutland, Denmark.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Their household consists of the following children : Marius, Mary, Finne, Caroline, Andrew and Will- iam: they have also reared a girl named Hannah Howson. In 1870 Mr. Smith rented a farm in Union Township and began farming. He remained on this farm for two years and then rented a farm in Dwight Township. on which he lived for four- teen years, when he came to the farm which he now owns and lives on near Dwight.
Politically. Mr. Smith is strongly Republican, and uniformly casts his vote in support of the candi- dates of that party. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Lutheran Church, and participate actively in the affairs of the congregation to which they belong. Mr. Smith is providing liberally for his family, and is giving each the advantage of a good education. The family residence is pleasantly located, and within and without is indicative of cultivated tastes and ample means. The friends and associates of our subject comprise the cultiva- ted people of Dwight Township, and they are most worthily filling their places as worthy members of society.
C HRISTIAN BECKER, an industrions and thrifty young farmer of Charlotte Township. is pleasantly located on section 8, where he has IGO acres of valuable land, and has already dis- tinguished himself as a successful breeder of high- grade English, Norman and Clyde draft horses and good cattle. Although located here less than a year, he has already established himself in the con- fidence of his neighbors, and is recognized as a valued accession to the community.
Mr. Becker was born in Pontiac Township, this county. April 28. 1859, and is the elder of two children, the parents being John II. and Matha (Williams) Becker, natives of Germany. They emigrated to America in early life, and the father was a farmer by occupation. He is now a resident of Chatsworth Township, and one of the most in- dustrious and well-to-do citizens of that locality. He began life in this country a poor man, and is now the owner of a fine homestead comprising 160 acres of land, with good buildings and all the other appurtenances of a valuable country estate. A
sketch of him will be found elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Christian Becker remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, becoming familiar with the various employments of the farm, and de- veloping the habits of industry and economy in which he had been trained by his excellent parents. Ile was married, Feb. 28, 1887, at the home of the bride in Chatsworth, to Miss Hilka Muller, who was born in Germany, and is the youngest of the three children of Heinrich and Franka (Johnson ) Muller. She came to the United States alone in 1885, and is a lady greatly respected wherever known. Mr. Becker with commendable forethought, had laid the foundations for a future home, and they have begun life comfortably and surrounded by all that makes it desirable.
LFRED E. HARDING, attorney-at law at Pontiac, came to this place thirty years ago, and establishing an office immediately commenced practice. In July following he assumed charge of the editorial columns of the Livingston County News, the first Democratie paper published in the county. He remained con- nected with this until December. 1859, and since then has given his entire attention to the duties of his profession. He is the oldest living practitioner in the county, and for many years has been one of the leading attorneys of the Livingston County bar.
Mr. Harding. a native of Genesee County, N. Y., was born in the town of Bethany June 24, 1830. His parents were Alfred and Maria (Gilbert) Hard- ing, natives of Connecticut, and his paternal grand- parents, Ephraim and Susan ( Wheeler) Harding, were natives of the same State, and of English de- scent. Ephraim Harding served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War five years. When he entered the army he was a well-to-do farmer, and when the war was over he found that the British soldiers had stolen his horses, cattle, and whatever else of value they could lay their hands upon, which theft made him practically a poor man. lle engaged in farm- ing until quite well stricken with years, and at seventy-five years of age became blind. He was of a literary turn of mind and composed poetry, which
529
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
his grandchildren would write down for him. He lived in this manner nearly ten years, his death occur- ring when he was eighty-four years old. His wife was nearly one hundred when her death occurred, and both died at Bethany, N. Y. They were the par- ents of thirteen sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to mature years. Alfred, the father of our subject, was reared on a farm, and when about twenty years of age entered the American army, and was soldier and Sergeant in the War of 1812. Afterward he married, and became the owner of a farm in the Ilolland Purchase. He first seeured possession of a moderate extent of land, to which he added until he became one of the most extensive land-owners in Genesee County. The parental household embraced thirteen children, of whom seven are now living, namely, Erastus D., Elias E., Harriet B .; Alfred E., of our sketeh; Julia, Marcia and Thomas J. The father was a Democrat in bis younger days, but later in life wheeled over into the ranks of the Republicans. He and his estima- ble wife were members in good standing of the Baptist Church. Both are now deceased.
Our subject remained at his father's homestead until sixteen years of age, pursuing his early stud- ies in the common schools. He then took a three years' course in the Genesee and Wyoming Semi- nary and commeneed reading law in 1854, in Alle- gany County. He was admitted to the bar at Buffalo, in May, 1856, and afterward practiced in Allegany County one year, then started for the West. His career in Illinois has been one eminently creditable to him as a citizen and a member of the legal profession.
Mr. Harding was married, in October, 1855, to Miss Laura G. Manwaring, of New London, Coun., and they became the parents of three sons, two of whom are now living-Benjamin A. and Alfred. The mother of these children died at her home July 31, 1875. Mr. Harding was again married, in 1876, to Miss Mary E. Haines, of Dwight, Ill., who died in September, 1882, leaving no children. The present wife of our sub,eet, to whom he was married in Ottawa, Oet. 21, 1885, was formerly Mrs. Aliee J. Stephens, who has borne him a daugh- ter, Atossa Louise. The family residence is located at the corner of Livingston and Division street>,
and is one of the substantial dwellings which are an ornament and a eredit to the city.
Mr. Harding votes the straight Democratie -ticket, and was elected Mayor of Pontiac in 1875. He was at one time a Director in the Livingston County National Bank, and attorney for the Chi- eago & Alton Railroad.
=3-
G EORGE HALL. The 4th of July, 1863, will stand as one of the most important days in the history of the United States, for on that day the Union army was successful in the memorable battle of Gettysburg, and the Gibral- tar of the South, Vicksburg, which had blocked the Mississippi from the day of the commencement of hostilities, was surrendered to Gen. Grant, and the Southern Confederacy was cut in twain. The sue- cess of Meade's army at Gettysburg settled no question of advantage, but was simply a grand vic- tory of the Union troops, while the capitulation of Vicksburg gave us complete control of the great river from St. Paul to New Orleans. and made two minor Confederacies instead of one solid and com- paet body. The defeat of the Confederate army was virtually assured by the eapture of Vieksburg, and it could only remain a question of time when all the Southern States would be subdued and would surrender. It is not the intention to put in this ALBUM a history of the war, but, the subject of this sketch having participated in the siege of Vicksburg and witnessed the surrender of that stronghold, it is proper that the importance of the capture be set forth; for if he lives until history records all the facts of the war, the proudest boast he ean make will be "I was with Grant at Vieks- burg." This will be an honor equal to that claimed by the heroes at Waterloo, who fought with Wel- lington.
Mr. Hall is a representative citizen of Avoca Township, and resides on section 21. He is a na- tive of MeLean County, Ill., and was born on the 28th of September, 1845, being the son of Jere- miah S. and Jane C. Hall, both natives of New En- gland. Two of his paternal great-uncles were sol- diers in the Revolutionary War. Of the five chil-
580
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
dren born to his parents but three survive : William F., of Mclean County : Hannah, and George. the subject of this sketch. His parents settled in Me- Lean County in 1834, and were among the early settlers of that county. The father died in Sep- tember, 1882. and the mother in April. 1874. They were widely and favorably known in that county, where they enjoyed the esteem and confi- dence of all who knew them.
Mr. Ilall was reared to manhood in his native county, where he secured a good common-school education. On the 8th of December, 1861, he en- listed in Company K, 26th Illinois Infantry, and remained in the service until the 20th of July, 1865. The 26th Regiment was initiated into the realities of war at New Madrid and Island No. 10. which were the first engagements looking to the opening of the Mississippi River from the North. Afterward they participated in the siege of Corinth, the first and second battles of Iuka and the battle of Corinth. When Gen. Grant started with his army toward Vicksburg, the subject of this sketch was wounded, north of Holly Springs, Miss., in the right leg. After being at the hospital for about four months. he rejoined his regiment in time to participate in the operations in front and rear of Vicksburg. and in the siege, which lasted forty- seven days and nights. Subsequently he was in the battles of Jackson, Chattanooga, siege of At- lanta, and in Sherman's entire campaign, which cul- minated in the memorable march to the sea, and wound up with the grand review at Washington. Hle was honorably discharged on the 20th of July, 1865. and then returned to Illinois.
On the 21st of December, 1871, Mr. Ilall was married to Marian McKee, daughter of Williamn and Sarah ( Moore) McKee, of Woodford County, Ill., and to them have been born four children: Frederick J., born on the 28th of January, 1874; Corbin G., born May 18, 1877; Jennie M., born March 24, 1879. and Elsie R., born Jan. 21, 1883. In the spring of 1873 Mr. Hall went to Nebraska, and resided in Buffalo County until the fall of 1876, when he returned to Illinois, and resided in Ford County until 1880. In that year he came to Livingston County, and settled on the farm which he now occupies, and which consists of eighty acres
of very excellent land, where he is meeting with success in all his operations. Ile is independent in political matters, and does not owe allegiance to either of the old parties. He and his wife both oc- cupy an enviable position in society, for which they are fitted both by education and intimacy with the affairs of the world. Mrs. Hall is a mem- ber of the Christian Church.
C HARLES C. BOYS, a native of Monroe County, Pa., located in Sannemin Town- ship, on section 34. in the spring of 1876, and has, by his energy and industry, already laid the foundations of a good home and a competency. HIe has but just passed his fortieth year, and is one of the men in the prime of life, to whom a com- munity naturally looks for leadership in the enter- prises which are constantly being set on foot in this lively and progressive age. He is proving equal to the emergency, and in addition to his own extensive transactions as a farmer and stock-raiser, has still found time to contribute of his means and attention to the various matters involving the wel- fare and happiness of the people of his commu- nity. Ile has been uniformly successful in his farming operations, and has become quite promi- nent as a stock-raiser, from which business he en- joys a handsome income.
Our subject was born in Monroe County, Pa., May 23, 1847, and is the son of Samuel and Cath- erine (Andre) Boys, who were also born in the Keystone State. In 1857, in company with his father, Charles C. came to Illinois, and they subse- quently settled in Marshall County, where the death of the father occurred on the 22d of Au- gust, 1878. The mother of our subject died when he was only six years old, in 1853. The father's second wife was Hannah A. Tanguy, by whom one child was born. The six children, of whom five survive, were: Leonard A., a resident of Kansas; Mary H., the wife of William Watt, of this county ; Jane R., who married S. V. Jones, of Turner County, Dak., where they now reside; Charles C., our subject, the fourth in order of birth; Elizabeth T., who married W. H. Hull, a farmer of this
WATERLOO CHIEF. 2 ND.
LADY CORKILL
SHORT HORN GROUP.
MAJOR.
SCALO
FARM RESIDENCE OF J . W. MILLS , SEC. 16. READING TOWNSHIP, LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
533
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
township. and Martha B., who died when thirty . eight years of age.
Our subject continued with his parents in Mar- shall County until reaching manhood. Ile attended school quite regularly in his district, and later en- tered college at Quincy. Ill., where he spent three years. Subsequently he engaged in teaching, which he followed several terms, and in the meantime made the acquaintance of Miss Margaret J. Thomp- son, to whom he was married on the 4th of March, 1874. Mrs. Boys is the daughter of Asa and May (Orr) Thompson, the former one of the earliest pioneers of Marshall County, and whose death took place there Feb. 15, 1874. The mother still re- sides on the old homestead, in Marshall County. Mr. B. for two years after his marriage, continued in Marshall County, and in 1876 came to Living- ston and settled on section 33, Saunemin Town- ship, where he remained until the spring of 1882, when he removed to his present farm. This com- prises 156 acres under a good state of cultivation, and to which he has added many improvements since taking possession. Ile is a worthy member of a most intelligent community, and several years ago identified himself with the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in which he officiates as Trustee, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school for many years. Mrs. Boys has proved in all respect> the worthy companion of her husband, and with him is a member in good standing of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. They have five bright children, namely : Stella, born Sept. 26, 1875; Asa T., May 9, 1878; Samuel E., July 26, 1882; Will- iam L., April 13, 1884, and Milford C., April 3, 1886.
AVID W. HILSBACK has been a resident of the Prairie State for over thirty-five years. During this time he has mostly en- gaged in farming, but in January, 1881, re- tired from active labor, and is now enjoying the fruits of his industry in the comforts of a pleasant home in the city of Fairbury. When coming to this locality, in common with his brother pioneers, he established himself upon a tract of uncultivated land, which he transformed into a fine farm sup-
plied with a substantial set of buildings and every- thing necessary to complete a modern country home. This comprises 160 acres in Livingstou and Ford Counties. Mr. H. has been prominent in the local affairs of this section, and turned his attention largely to religious work, having been for over thirty years a licensed preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It has always been his disposi- tion to do good, and he has exerted a great in- fluence to this end among both young and okl, who have come within the sphere of his influence.
Mr. Hilsback was born in Stokes County, N. C., Jan. 9, 1819, and is the son of John and Catherine (Fulk) Ililsback, natives of the same State. Ilis father was born Dec. 9, 1791, and departed this life at his home in Owen County, Ind., April 8, 1847. The mother was born in August, 1792, and died in Iowa in 1866. Both were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than thirty years, and carried out in their daily lives the prin- ciples which they professed, rearing their children piously and carefully, and doing good to those around them as they had opportunity. Their views were liberal, and while the Methodist Church was their choice, they attended others and permitted their children to do so. The parental household in- cluded the following : Elias, Joseph, Eliza, David W., William, Elizabeth, Catherine, John and Permelia. Of these, eight are living and all married with the exception of Catherine. Joseph was married, and died about 1886.
Mr. Hilsback came to Illinois in the spring of 1851, and located first in Woodford County, where he purchased land, and upon which he remained twelve years. In 1864 he removed to the eastern part of the county, where he had purchased a farm, which he sold upon coming to the city of Fairbury. In the meantime the outbreak of the Rebellion had stimulated his patriotism, and on the 13th of August, 1862, he enlisted in the 77th Illinois In- fantry, and soon afterward marched with his com- rades to Covington, Ky. On account of failing health, however, he was only permitted to serve until March following, when, after having been confined in the hospital at St. Louis two months, he was dis- charged for disability. Since then he has never been able to do manual labor, and receives a pen-
534
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
sion from the Government. Ile is a member of the G. A. R., Post No. 75, at Fairbury, of which he has been Chaplain for many years. and is also Post Commander.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.