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 67

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 67

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Brown & Co., succeeded C. A. Wilson & Co. in business.

On the 16th of January, 1868, Mr. B. married Elizabeth Browne Pope, of Piper City, Ill., daugh- ter of Thomas W. and Elizabeth J. (McKee) Pope. She was born in Rockcastle County, Ky., on the 7th of January, 1843, at which time her parents were passing a few months at their winter home, their permanent home being at Lancaster, Girard Co., Ky. In 1855 the family removed to Illinois and settled at Pope's Grove, Ford County, and later, in 1858, at Piper City. The mother died in 1875, aged fifty-seven years, and the father died Jan. 13, 1880, at the age of sixty-seven years. There were four boys and three girls in the family, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three children-Robert F., Bessie McKee and Madge Everett. Mr. Brown is an active member of the Republican party, and contributes of his means and time for the success of that organization. As a member of the Masonic fraternity he is a Knight Templar, and takes an active interest in the affairs of that noble organization. He was instrumental in organizing E. G. Trask Post No. 388, G. A. R., and occupied the position of Commander for two years. In his relations with his fellow-citizens he is courteons and cordial, and in business affairs is correct and conservative. lle is a valuable citizen in Chatsworth, and takes a lively part in all move- ments intended for her advancement.

Mr. Brown, while not a member, is a regular attendant of the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife and two eldest children are devout mem- bers.

C ORNELIUS BEUKMA, senior member of the firm of Beukma & Dow, druggists of Sammemin, is a native of Plainfield, N. J., and was born Jume 30, 1854. His parents, William and Helen (Benckma) Beukma, were born on the other side of the Atlantic, in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, whence they emigrated to America in 1836, and in company with relatives, located in La Fayette, Ind. Thence they removed eastward to New Jersey. where they located and remained until 1863. In 1863 the parents returned to Eu-

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

rope, but the mother died after landing at Bremen, Germany. The father now resides not far from the place of his birth.

Mr. Beukma accompanied his father to Europe in 1863, when a lad nine years of age, where he re- mained eleven years and completed his studies in the High School at Groningen, a noted institution under the supervision of highly educated instructors. The educational institutions of Holland have a world-wide reputation, and there young Beukma wa- admirably titted for the further duties of life and gained a fine insight into business methods, also acquiring a valuable fund of general information. lle returned to America in 1874, and taking up his abode near his birthplace, in Plainfield, N. J., was there engaged one year as a book-keeper, then mi- grated to the West and to this county. Here he en- graged a- a drug clerk two years at Odell, and subse- quently entered the employ of Richard Evans, the well-known coal operator of Streator, where he kept book- and made himself useful in the large interests centered at that point. Mr. Beukma came to Saunemin in 1882, and entered the drug-store of Dr. C. (. Hemphill, with whom he remained two years, and in the meantime applied himself closely to the business. In 1882 he received his certificate from the State Board as a licentiate in pharmacy and in 1884 he established himself in business at Pontiac, Ill., where he continued three years. In the spring of 1887 he associated himself with his present partner at Saunemin, and they have since been successfully engaged at their present location in building up a lucrative trade. Their correct buisiness methods have established them in the cou- fidence of the community and they are rapidly be- coming important factors among its leading inter-

Mr. Beukma, while a resident of Pontiac, was mar- ried. Sept. 1, 1884, to Miss Frances Camelin, the welding taking place at the home of the bride in Nebraska Township, Livingston County. Mrs. B. was born in Nebraska Township April 25, 1861, all i- the daughter of Thomas N. and Mary Came- lin, who located on a tract of land in Nebraska Township during it- earliest settlement, and built up a comfortable home where they still reside. Of thi- union there is one son, William, born Nov. 1,

1885. Mrs. Beukma is a lady of intelligence and good business capacity, and is conducting a millinery business at Sammemin.

Our subject, politically, is a warm supporter of Republican principles, and served one year as Clerk of Saunemin Township. Socially he belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Pontiac, and is also a member of the 1. O. O. F. at the same place. Ile keeps him- self posted upon all matters pertaining to his busi- ness, and takes a lively interest in the enterprises set on foot for the general good of the community.

Le UDWIG BISCHOFF is well known through- out Avoca Township as one of its most in- dustrious and enterprising German farmers, who commenced life in this section practically with- out means, and by a continued comse of industry and determination, has seenred a good homestead and a good position among his neighbors. His property includes 120 acres of good land on section 11, which is enclosed with meat and substantial fencing and supplied with good building>. His farm stock and machinery are creditable alike to the man and the township, and bear fair comparison with those ad acent.

Our subject was born in the Kingdom of Wurtem- berg, Germany, Ang. 17, 1828. His parents, Mat- thew and Margaret ( Polus) Bischoff, were also of German birth and ancestry, and passed their entire lives on their native soil. Our subject, in common with the youth of that Empire, which represents largely the education and cultivation of Europe, commenced his studies in the schools of his native Province when a lad six years of age and continued until fourteen. Thereafter he was employed in masonry and farming until twenty-six years of age, when, becoming dissatisfied with his condition and prospects in his own country, he determined to seek his fortune across the Atlantic. Hle set sail from Havre in February, 185t. and after a voyage of forty-two days on a sailing-vessel. landed in New York City and emme directly to the Prairie State. After a short time spent in the city of Chicago he came into Stephenson County, of which he was a resident two years and was employed at farming.

RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH R. KING, SE0. 24, WALDO TP.

RESIDENCE OF G.A. GARRELS , SEC. 16, NEBRASKA TP.

School

RESIDENCE OF JACOB KING, SEC. 14, WALDO TP.

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

Thence he removed to McLean County, where he rented a tract of land several years, and came in 1865 to his present farm in Avoca Township, where he has since resided.

While a resident of MeLean County. Mr. Bis- choff was married, Oct. 25, 1860, to Miss Mary Alendorff, a native of Prussia, born in 1840. She became the mother of five children and departed this life at her home in Avoca Township April 27. 1884. She was a faithful and affectionate wife, a wise and kind mother, and performed all her duties in life in a praiseworthy manner. She is remem- bered by her family and friends as a lady who pos- sessed all the womanly virtues, and was greatly mourned by a large circle of friends. Mr. Bischoff has but two children living, namely, Wilhelm, born Feb. 5, 1862, and Matilda, Sept. 10, 1869. IIe meddles little with political matters, but upon occa- sions of important elections casts his vote with the Republican party. He is recognized as a man hon- est in his transactions and as a valued factor in a community more than ordinarily intelligent.

OHN J. HOPWOOD, a thrifty farmer of Nebraska Township, is pleasantly located on section 9, where he raises some of the best erops of the Prairie State, and is also engaged considerably in stock-raising. He is num- bered among the reliable men and valued citizens of that locality, as the worthy descendant of sub- stantial old German ancestry. the first representa- tives of whom in America crossed the water proba- bly 200 years ago.

The parents of our subject were Moses and Sarah C. (James) Hopwood, the former born in Virginia, in 1806, and the latter, in Tennessee, probably about 1818. The mother of our subject was the third wife of Moses Hopwood. Of her first marriage there was born one daughter, Eliza, who married William Spiers; by the second no children, and by the third there were seven, of whom our subject is the second. They were named respectively. Martha; John J., our subjeet ; William M., Byron, Susan V .. Allie Jane, and Mary Geneva, Most of these live in Illinois; Susan is in Kansas.

Byron enlisted in the Union army during the late war and took the smallpox when about twenty-one years of age. Ile was brought home and died, and was buried in Central Cemetery, Nebraska Town- ship. The parents are now deceased.

Mr. Hopwood was reared to farm pursuits and received but a limited education. Ile remained with his parents until their decease. During the late war he was drafted into the Union army, and paid $900 for a substitute, who afterward deserted. was captured and suffered a deserter's fate. His marriage with Miss Catherine Ann Simpson took place at the home of the bride in Woodford, III .. Feb. 18, 1865. Mrs. II. is the daughter of Harri- son and Maria (Combs) Simpson, and was the third in a family of eight children, all of whom are now living. She was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1844, and came to Illinois with her parents when a child three years of age. She remained under the home roof until her marriage with our subject. Of this union there are six children, namely, Charles Harrison, born Jan. 8, 1866; Carrie Ellen, born Dec. 7, 1867, and died June 7, 1872; Sarah M., born Feb. 18, 1870; Benjamin F., Der. 15, 1872; James A., Oct 31, 1876: John Edward, June 5, 1880, and Mark V., Feb. 26, 1886.

The parents of Mrs. Hopwood were natives respect- ively of Ohio and Virginia, the father born in 1819, and the mother in August, 1811. Harrison Simp- son spent his last years in Collins County, Tex., where his death took place in January, 1885. His remains were taken to Minonk, Ill., for burial. The mother is still living in Texas. Mr -. H., like her husband, is of German descent on her father's side.

ONRAD MUNZ, whose farm is located on section 25, and is considered the finest in the township of Pleasant Ridge, was born in the canton of Thurgau, Switzerland, on the 29th of April. 1841. This eanton is in the northeastern part of Switzerland, and is separated from Baden by the River Rhine. It has an area of 270 square miles, and a population of about 100,000, of whom four- fifth> are Protestants. The surface is undulating and fertile, and the country is watered by the Thur,

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the Sitter and the Murg Rivers. Agriculture, spin- ning and weaving are the chief operations of the inhabitant -. The parents of Mr. Munz were Jacob and Elizabeth (Altwegg) Munz, who were natives of Switzerland. The father was born on the 4th of September. 1812, and died June 21. [858. Ile was by occupation a farmer and wine dealer, and achieved considerable reputation for the vintage of his wines. The mother was born in Switzerland July 29, 1822, and died Jan. 3. 1861. They were both devoted to zealous Christian work. The names of the children were as follows: Conrad, Jacob. Ida, Emil, Anna, John and Wilhelmina. two of whom died in infancy.

Mr. Munz came to America in 1873, and landed in New York October 28. He came almost imme- diately to Livingston County, and purchased 120 aeres of land. to which he has added forty acres. lle has erected a full complement of farm buildings, all of which are constructed with a view to comfort and beauty. He has put in over 30.000 tiles, and ha -. therefore. a most completely drained farm. Tak- ing its appointment- throughout Mr. Munz has as fine a farm a- there is in Pleasant Ridge Township, and he has recently purchased 104 acres of very ex- cellent land near Fairbury. Livingston County.

August 29. 1871. Mr. Munz was married in Switzerland to Catherine Bhimer, who was born Feb. 2. 1849. To them have been born the following children : Frieda, Annie, David, Paul. Jonathan and Conrad. Two children died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Munz are both members of the Omish Church, in which church they were both raised.

Mr. Munz is an enterprising cattle grower, and raises a considerable number of horses, but does not make any pretensions to cultivating blooded horses. lle has on his farm a large vineyard, and each year manufactures from six to eight barrels of wine. Mr. Munz procured the papers which made him a full citizen of the United States only about two years ago. Hle has not taken a very active interest in politie-, caring nothing for office-holding. and the only official position he has consented to hold was that of School Director, for which he was eminently fitted by education. In his native country Mr. Munz received a high education, and while in that country he was engaged most of the time as book- keeper and clerk in a large silk and damask factory,

a position which required considerable knowledge of business. At one time in Switzerland he was quite wealthy, but reverses overtook him which swept away the greater portion of his fortune. He is now one of the most enterprising and substantial men of the township in which he resides, and enjoy> the confidence of everybody who knows him.

AMES BESGROVE, of Belle Prairie Town- ship, is a prominent representative of its wealth and prosperity, and the proprietor of one of its choicest farms, comprising 160 acres on section 1. lle obtained the land while it was in its uncultivated state, purchasing first eighty neres which he improved. and then doubling the amont. He put up later a fine residence and all the other structures required by the intelligent and skillful agriculturist. For many years he diligently tilled the soil and took careful note of his expendi- tures, and ere long found himself on the high road to a competency. lle wisely invested his surphi- capital in additional land. Soon after coming to this section of country he was recognized as a valued addition to the community, and is respected no les- for his straightforward business methods than for his kindly personal character.

A large proportion of Livingston County is set- tled by substantial English residents, and our sub- jeet was himself born in Somersetshire, Dec. 13, 1846. His parents, Charles and Eliza (Browning) Besgrove, were also of English birth and parentage. and the father who died in 1862 spent his entire life in his native land. The mother is still living in England, and is now a very old lady. The parental family ineInded seven children, of whom one died in infancy. Those surviving were named respect- ively, William, Henry, Mary A .. James, of our sketch, Alfred and Charles. Most of the brothers and sisters are located in Missouri.

Mr. Besgrove came to the United States when a youth of sixteen years of age, starting out by him- -elf after the death of his father, and bidding adien to the associates and friends of his childhood. Ať- ter a tedions voyage of five weeks and three days ou

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

a sailing-vessel, he landed in the city of New York, whenee he proceeded to AAlbany, where he found himself pennile -- and a stranger. He found means to communicate with his brother Ilenry, who had preceded him to this country. and was located in MeLean County. III., who sent for him, and he worked thereafter in that vicinity by the month about three years, at $200 per year. By the most rigid economy at the end of this time he had man- aged to save the sum required to make his first pur- chase of uncultivated prairie land.

An important event in the life of our subject was his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Mastis, which took place in Indian Grove Township, Jan. 1. 1872. Mrs. B .. born Sept. 4, 1853, is a native of the -ame shire as her husband, and came to this country in 1870. Her parents died in England. Their family included four children-Mary. Susan. Elizabeth and Sarah N. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Besgrove, seven living and one dead. were born as follows: Frank. Nov. 18, 1873: Herbert J., Oct. 4, 1875: Mary C., Oet. 4, 1877 : Blanche E .. Sept. 3, 1879; Fanny, Ang. 9, 1881 : Charles, April 23. 1883; Annie, Jan. 26, 1885; and Eliza. born Sept. 12, 1887, and died Sept. 27, 1887. They constitute a bright and promising family, receiving a good education as they reach the proper age to attend school and bene- fit by its advantages. Mr. Besgrove is a Repub- lican in politics.

B ARAK M. BULLARD, the leading livery man at Forest. is a native of Fullerville. St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and was born on the 6th of October, 1836. He is the son of Luther and Sallie M. (Lee) Bullard, natives of Ver- mont. Luther Bullard, in early life learned the trade of bellows-making, and subsequently engaged with others in the manufacture of potash and iron, operated a saw and grist mill, and thus became widely and well known. In the fall of 1844 the family removed to Burean Connty. Ill., making the jour- ney in wagons. While living there, the father be- ing of a mechanical turn, adopted the trade of a carpenter, to which he applied himself during the remaining days of his life. He died in December,

1847, while his wife survived him many years. She died in April, 1886, having lived more than seventy-five years.

Four boys and two girls constituted their family of children: one girl died in infancy, and one son. Cheselton. died of typhoid fever in 1847, one month prior to the death of the father. Those living are Lucian, who at present occupies the position of Postmaster at Forest; Lockhart was a carpenter. and resides in Iowa : Delcena is the wife of D. C. Igon, of Forest; Morenus resides in Kansas City, Mo .. and B. M. is our subject.

Mr. Bullard was eight years old when the family settled in Illinois, and has since been a resident of his adopted Stato. He was reared to work upon the farm, and resided in Bureau County until 1861. when he enlisted and was mustered into the service in Company E, 33d Illinois Infantry. It was known as the Normal Regiment, as nearly all the officers, and many of the privates, were from the Illinois State Normal University, having been organized at Bloomington. The regiment was mustered in on the 15th of August, 1861, under Charles E. Hovey, formerly President of the Illinois State University. The officers and men were drawn from nearly all portions of the State, many of them being former students and teachers in the Normal University. On the 20th of September the regiment entered act- ive service at Pilot Knob, Mo .. then a frontier post. where it remained for nearly five months. Three companies were stationed on the Iron Mountain Railroad, on guard duty. On the 15th of October two of the companies, to one of which Mr. Bullard belonged, were attacked, and he with others was taken prisoner. On the 21st of October the re- mainder of the regiment participated in the battle of Frederickstown. in which Jeff Thompson's army was routed with heavy loss. On the 1st of March. 1862, the regiment marched southward with Gen. Steele's column, which united with the main army under Gen. Curtis at Batesville. Ark .. and then made the celebrated march to White River Valley. in which the army was for some time lost to the knowledge of the Northern public, and suffered con- siderable hardships and privations. During this march, on the 7th of July, a portion of the regi- ment was concerned in a severe fight at Ceche

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

Bayou, in which Gen. Rust's Texans were defeated with great loss. On the 13th of July the army ar- rived at Helena. AArk .. and the regiment was sta- tioned at and near Old Town Landing, below Ile- lena, until October, and during this time made fre- quent expeditions into the interior, and had numer- ous skirmishes with the enemy.

At St. Genevieve in Southern Missouri, under Gen. Davidson, on the 16th of March the regiment embarked. and descended the river to Milliken's Bend. La .. where it joined the expedition and en- gaged in the great campaign against Vicksburg. It composed a part of Carr's Division, of the 13th Army Corps, and at the battle of Champion Hills, on the foth of May. it was in the foremost lines. After the surrender of Vicksburg, the regiment was transferred, on the 19th of August, to the Depart- ment of the Gulf, which was under command of Gen. N. P. Banks. On the 19th of November it embarked on a vessel for Texas, and planted the Union colors on the walls of Ft. Esperanza on the 30th of November. Afterward it occupied In- dianola. where the regiment re-enlisted in the veteran service. and in January, 1861, departed for Illinois on veteran furlough. After spending thirty daysat home. the regiment returned to New Orleans, where it was largely increased by recruits. It then en- gaged in guarding railroads in Lonisiana until the 1st of March, 1865, when it went to Mobile, and partici- pated in its capture. It then went to Montgomery, Ala., and was the first regiment of Union troops to appear in that city. The regiment was subsequently stationed at Meriden, Miss .. and was mustered out of the service at Yazoo City in December, 1865.

The first time our subject was under fire was at Big River Bridge, on the Iron Mountain Railroad, 1 within forty miles of St. Louis, on the 15th of Octo- ber. 18Gt. There were only about forty men in the engagement. and they were surrounded by Gen. .Jeff. Thompson's command, and taken prisoners. They were soon paroled, and in February, 1862, were exchanged. and on the Ist of March rejoined the regiment at Pilot Knob, Mo., and with it marched to Helena, Ark. On the march to that place our subject was attacked by brain fever, and for fourteen days lay unconscious at Pocahontas, Mo. On June 23, having partially recovered, he | crossed the Atlantic during the Colonial days, and

started with a provision train, and was soon again with the regiment. After the war he returned North, and settled in Pleasant Ridge Township, Livingston County, where he engaged in farming.

On the 27th of March, 1867, Mr. Bullard was married to Mrs. Mary ( Hoover ) Chambers, who was born in Richland Township, Marshall Co., III. He continued farming mitil August, 1884, and then came to Forest, and engaged in his present business. To Mr. and Mrs. Bullard have been born five chil- dren, whose names are, Dell, Mason, JJohn, Byron and Nellie. Mr. Bullard still owns his farm of eighty acres in Pleasant Ridge Township, and also owns property in Forest.

In politics Mr. Bullard adheres faithfully to the doctrines of the Republican party, and gives to its candidates a cordial and hearty support. Hle was Assessor of Pleasant Ridge Township for twelve years, and in 1880 was the census enumerator. He has served as School Trustee for three years, School Director for five years, and was President of the Village Board for one year. He is a member of Forest Lodge No. 614, A. F. & A. M., and at the time of the writing of thissketch is Commander of Forest Post No. 114, G. A. R. In both of these orders he takes an active interest, and ocenpies a prominent position.

ORACE W. WINSOR, the owner of a fine and valuable farm of 160 acres in Dwight Township, traces his family history back to England, and tradition has it that the pat- ronymic and that of Windsor Castle, one of the favor- ite residences of the reigning Queen, were in some vague manner closely connected, although the lapse of years has partially obscured the detailed history. The family, however, are certainly of English de- scent and of great antiquity, and were the holders of valuable estates in England in the eighteenth century. Time, however, which works changes in all men and conditions, constrained one of the later descendants to seek his fortune in the New Work. This gentleman, the great-grandfather of our subject,

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

settled in Rhode Island near his kinsman, Roger Williams, the eminent champion of religious free- dom and the founder of the Baptist Church in this country.

The Winsor family for many generations, true to their natural instincts and their early training, con- tinued Baptists of the Old School, and strictly ad- hered to the peculiar and strict doctrines of that faith. From this branch of the Winsor family there were two sons-David and Charles. who after marriage located in Sterling, Windham Co., Conn. David, the grandfather of our subject, married Miss Lydia Angel, of Situate, R. I., and they be- eame the parents of thirteen children. David Win- sor was very successful in life and became the owner of a valuable farm of 200 acres, where he carried on agriculture, but only lived to be middle aged, his death occurring when he was forty-two years old. His wife, however, a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and excellent business eapac- ity, kept her children together until they were old enough to go out into the world for themselves, She spent the remainder of her life upon the home- stead, and reached the advanced age of ninety years.

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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 67

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