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 70
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RESIDENCE OF HOLLAND CATTON , SEC.4 , FAYETTE TP.
RESIDENCE OF JAMES H. LINN , SEC. 25, CHARLOTTE TP.
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have a claim upon 880 acres in Nebraska. The home farm is stocked with high-grade Short-horn and Hereford cattle, while in his stables are seen some fine specimens of Norman horses. All his farm operations are carried on in a regular and systematic manner, and the result is highly credita- ble to a man who commenced in life without means and dependent upon his own resources.
Mr. Linn was born in Clinton County, Pa., Dec. 3, 1835, and was the fifth child of Thomas and Ra- chel (Leyman) Linn, also natives of the Keystone State. His paternal grandparents, Andrew and Rachel Linn, were natives of Dublin, Ireland, and the parents of his mother, Michael and Rachel Ley- man, were born in Germany. Thomas Linn, upon reaching manhood, engaged in lumbering in his na- tive State, which he followed until 1856, when he came to Illinois and located on a farm in Kendall County. From there he removed to Chatsworth in 1874, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, the latter passing away Nov. 27, 1883, and the former Aug. 15, 1885.
James II. Linn early in life learned that he must work for his living, and first followed the canal and lakes from Erie, Pa., to Chicago, which business he continued until twenty-two years old. Afterward he engaged in farming, and on Jan. 1, 1859, after coming to the West, was united in marriage with Miss Jane Parkhurst, who was born in Kendall County, Ill., Nov. 7, 1841. Mrs. Linn is the , daughter of Joel and Fidelia ( Damon ) Parkhurst, and was the eldest in a family of four children. Her parents were natives of New York State, but spent their last years in Kendall County, where they were pioneer settlers. Our subject and his wife were residents of that county until their re- moval here. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom but six are living, namely : Orrin I'., who, possessing the enterprise of his father in a marked degree, has taken up a homestead in Ne- braska; Lora L., who has finished her education, and is now at home with her parents; Girdon F., James Eugene, Delia E. and Ida L. Orrin P. completed his education at the Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., and all of the children will receive the best advantages our well-regulated school sys- tem offers.
Mr. Linn was the first Assessor of Charlotte Township, and has officiated as School Director for a period of eighteen years. He uniformly encour- ages those enterprises which are for the moral and intellectual welfare of the people, and nothing pleases him better than to note the progress of ed- ucation and those enterprises which will build up a community socially and financially. Although not at present connected with any religious organiza- tion, he is always interested in church matters. Mrs. Linn and her eldest daughter are connected with the Methodist Church at Chatsworth. On an adjoining page may be found a view of Mr. Linn's residence, which is certainly one of Livingston County's representative country estates.
G EORGE W. BOEMAN, who is engaged in conducting livery, feed and sale stables, at Cullom, is a native of New Jersey, and was born in Hunterdon County on the 22d of February, 1841. llis parents were David and Mary (Sigler) Boeman, who were also natives of New Jersey. Our subject was reared to farm life, in which he carly evinced considerable interest, and was edu- cated in the common schools of his native State. lle resided in the State of New Jersey until he reached the years of his majority, and then came West and located in Bureau County, Ill., where he farmed until 1871. coming then to Livingston County, and settling in Sullivan Township, where he purchased eighty acres of wild prairie land on section 14. Hle began at once the improvement of this land. and followed farming there until 1887. During this time he had placed it under a high state of cultivation, and erected good and suitable buildings, properly drained it, and built good fences. In 1887 he removed to the village of Cullom, and commenced in the business in which he is at present engaged. Before removing to Cullom, however, he sold his farm to good advantage.
In June, 1869, Mr. Boeman was married to Sarah Martin, who is a native of Illinois, having been born in Bureau County. She is the daughter of James and Caroline Martin, natives of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Boeman have had two children, whose
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names are Sigler and Orlie. In 1:62 Mr. Boeman entered the Union army, having enlisted in Com- pany B. 93d Illinois Infantry, and remained with that regiment until the close of the war. participating with it in many of the hard-fought engagements and severest marches of the war. Hle took part in the memorable Vicksburg campaign, and in the bat- tles of Jackson and Champion Hills bore the brunt of the onslaught of the enemy. At the last engage- ment Mr. Boeman received a gunshot wound in the left thigh, and was taken prisoner, but as he was severely injured, he was paroled on the field, and in a few days was taken to the hospital. He re- mained in the hospital for about three months, when he rejoined his command. and remained with
it until his regiment was mustered out at the close ' and then came to this county, locating in Belle of the war.
Our subject take> an active part in politics, and in that direction gives his best energies to the main- tenance of the principles of the Republican party. For several year- he has been Township Collector, and is at the present time discharging the duties of that office. He and his family belong to the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and take considerable inter- est in moral and religious affairs.
ENRY RINGLER, a leading general mer- chant of Strawn, carries a large and well- assorted stock of dry-goods and groceries, and in fact keeps nearly everything required in the householdl together with the lighter imple- ments of the farm. His present store was estab- lished in 1877, and for the past twenty years he has enjoyed the esteem and confidence of the peo- ple of Fayette Township, where he has built up a lucrative trade among its best residents. His has been a life of industry, and the comforts with which he is surrounded to-day are but the just reward of hi- labors.
Mr. Ringler is one of the finest representatives of that nationality to which the State of Illinois is so greatly indebted for her present position among the commonwealths of the West. His early home wa- across the water in the Province of Hersfeld, Germany, where his birth took place June 16, 1844.
llis parents, Peter and Gertrude ( More) Ringler, were of pure German ancestry, and emigrated with their family to the United States in 1866. In the meantime there had been born to them seven sons. namely : Peter, George, John, Henry, William, Frederick and August. It has been the custom of the Emperor from time immemorial to bestow a gift of $42 upon the father of seven successive sons, and Peter Ringler was the recipient of this bequest from the present ruler of Germany, Emperor Will- iam. This remarkable incident oceurs only about once in 10,000 families, and is well worthy of record.
Upon setting foot on American soil the father of our subject resided for a time in New York State, Prairie Township, where he engaged in farming and as a contractor and builder. He had at one time a large fortune which he lost through the sehemes of a railroad company, and afterward abandoned contracting, and gave his attention exclusively to farming until his death, which took place in 1875. The mother died at the homestead in Belle Prairie Township about 1882.
Our subjeet remained with his parents until his childhood was passed, receiving a good education, and then served a thorough apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade. While the family were in New York he followed his trade there, and three years later, on the Ist of March, 1868. was married to Miss Catherine Fox, a native of his own country. ller parents emigrated to America about 1866 and located in Chicago, where they remained until 1870. Subsequently they came to this county and took up their residence with their son-in-law, our subject. where they passed their last days, the mother pass- ing away in 1872, and the father in 1878.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ringler, eight in number, were named respectively, Frederick, Au; gust, Lizzie, Ilenry, Mary, George, Katie and Will- iam. They form an interesting family group, which happily to this time has been unbroken, and they are all at home with their parents. Mr. Ring- ler has a brother in New York who has just pur- chased 320 acres adjoining this city, and our sub- ject takes charge of it in the spring.
Upon exercising the right of suffrage, Mr. Ring.
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ler identified himself with the Democratic party, and religiously, is a member of the Lutheran Church. The family residence is one of the most shapely and substantial in the village, and its in- mates enjoy the society of many friends. On an- other page may be found a view of Mr. Ring- ler's residence and place of business.
AMES MONAHAN. Although a Pennsyl- vanian by birth. our subject has been a res- ident of Illinois nearly all his life, and this State has been the exclusive field of his oper- ations. Like nearly all Pennsylvanians he has been an enterprising farmer, a hard-working man and a good manager, and where these qualities are combined success is the result. Mr. Monahan is now engaged in farming and stock-raising on sec- tion 36, Saunemin Township.
Our subject is a native of Dauphin County, Pa., where he was born on the 25th of March, 1834, and is the son of John and Margaret (Chambers) Monahan, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. The advent of the Mona- han family into Illinois was in the spring of 1838, and they settled in Richland Township, Marshall County. In this county the parents resided until their decease, the death of the father occurring on the 18th of August, 1871, and that of the mother on the 27th of January, 1883. They were among the very early settlers of Marshall County, arriving there when houses were long distances apart, and settlements few and far between. They had a fam- ily of twelve children, five of whom survive, whose record is as follows: John A., of Kansas: James, our subject ; Margaret, Mrs. Garrett Wykoff, Charles and William, all of Marshall County. Our subject was reared to manhood in Marshall County, where he obtained his first knowledge of agricultural pur- suits, and received an elementary education in the schools of that day, and that carly in the history of Illinois the common schools afforded very limited advantages.
On the 23d of February, 1864, Mr. Monahan was married to Susanna M. Jackson, who was born on the 10th of April, 1839, and is the daughter of
Andrew and Mary (Gray) Jackson, who settled at an early day in Marshall County. To Mr. and Mrs. Monahan have been born five children-Elsie .J., Mary E., Jane, Mabel C. and Kyle. Elsie J. was born Dec. 31, 1864. and is engaged in public school teaching; Mary E. was born Sept. 19, 1867. and is also a school teacher; Janet was born April 6, 1873; Mabel C., Dec. 14, 1877, and Kyle J., Sept. 10, 1886. In the fall of 1874, with his family our subject came to Livingston County, and settled in Sannemin Township, where he purchased 120 acre, of land. upon which he has since resided. This farm is well improved and has been placed under a good state of cultivation. The parents as well as two daughters, are active members of the Christian Church at Sannemin, and the father is at present serving as Deacon and Trustee of that church. Po- litically, he is a Republican, and is at present dis- charging the duties of the office of School Director. lle takes a deep interest in religious and moral af- fairs, and contributes liberally of time and means to each of these causes.
M ARION GALLUP, a representative young farmer and stock-raiser on section 29. Owego Township, has been a farmer since 1880, although by education he fitted him- self for the profession of law. He is a native of Peoria County, and was born on the 20th of No- vember, 1854, his parents being Joseph and Cecelia Gallup, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. The paternal aneestors were of English descent. coming to this country previous to the Revolution- ary war, in which several of them served and also in the War of 1812. The founder of the present Gallup family was Capt. John Gallup, who held that rank in the body of Colonial Troopers, which he organized during the French and Indian war. The parents of the subject of this sketch emigrated to Peoria County in 1851 and settled in Hallock Township, in which the father still resides and where the mother died in July, 1877. They had born to them six children, five of whom are living : Judie A., wife of Harvey Wetmore, of Dana, Ill .; Loren, of Peoria County : Sarah J., wife of Edward
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Timmons, of Peoria County: Ellen J., wife of Devillo Potter, of Peoria County ; Elvira, deceased ; and Marion. the subject of this sketch. Joseph Gallup was a member of the Illinois Legislature, in which he represented Peoria County in 1882 and 18.4. thus serving it two terms of two years each. For many years he served in his locality as Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he rendered efficient service on account of being well versed in legal matters. Politically he is a Democrat, and is one of the leaders of his party in Peoria County. To a very large degree he enjoys the confidence and respect of every one in his community.
Marion Gallup attained his manhood in his na- tive county. where he attended the common schools during his earlier days, and in 1872 he began a course of study in the lligh School in Chillicothe, Ill .. and was graduated on the 17th of June, 1875. Ile -oon began the study of law under the instructions of llopkin- & Morran in Peoria, and with them continued for two years, when he was admitted to practice at the bar in June, 1880, having passed a critical examination very successfully at Spring- field. While not making any pretensions of prac- ticing law as a business yet he occasionally takes charge of a ease in court.
Mr. Gallup was married, on the 4th of October, 1×77. to Nellie L. Kimball, a native of Maine, who is the daughter of Ira and Lucy M. Kimball, now residing in Douglas County, Dak. Her father is a native of Maine and the mother a native of Con- nectient. In 1865 her parents emigrated to Illi- nois, where they resided until 1882, in which year they removed to Dakota, and where they have con- tinned to reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Gallup have been born three children: Cecilia, Oct. 2, 1878; Joseph K .. Feb. 27, 1880; and Nellie J. April 4, 1881. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pontiac, and take great interest in the affairs of the church.
Mr. Gallup came to Livingston County in 1880, where he purchased 210 acres of land, on which he now reside -. and has given his best energies to its cultivation and improvement. He is meeting with most excellent and gratifying success. In politics he generally act- with the Democratic party, but is a man of strong Prohibition proclivities. He has
served the people of Owego Township as Tax Col- lector for one year, and School Treasurer for two years. Within the short time he has resided in Owego Township he has gathered around him a wide cirele of friends, in the confidence of whom he has firmly established himself.
MOS C. HANDLEY, one of the reliable citizens and successful farmers of Owego Township, occupies a fine property located on section 27. where in addition to gen- eral agriculture he is giving much attention to the raising of stock. His snug homestead includes eighty acres of finely cultivated land, upon which he has erected good farm buildings, the location being one of the best in this section and command- ing an extended view of the beautiful surrounding country.
Mr. Ilandley is a native of Licking County. Ohio, and was born on the 23d of July, 1837. His parents were John and Hannah Handley, both of whom were born in the State of Virginia. They were the parents of ten children, the roll of those now living being Daniel J., Lydia A., James W .. Sarah E., Amos C., John S., Esther J. and George W. The younger days of Mr. Handley were passed in Licking County, where he received a more than average education, and after passing out of school he became teacher and taught for eight or ten terms, in Ohio and Illinois.
On the 12th of January. 1865, in Ohio, Mr. llandley was married to Marinda E. Etnire, of Licking County, who died on the 11th of October, in the year of their marriage. He was married a second time, on the 26th of January, 1869, in Illi- nois, the wife of his choice being Sarah E. Chaney, a native of Brown County, Ohio, and to them were born eight children, six of whom yet live, their names being as follows: Ella A .. Marinda A., Clara E .. Edward C., Nina B. and Roy C .; the names of the two deceased are Gracie and Nora F.
Mr. Handley first became a citizen of Illinois in 1856, but did not remain long; he returned, how- ever. in 1858, and has resided in the State ever since and in Living-ton County during the entire period,
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excepting seven years, which he spent in Cham- paign County. He owns eighty acres of excellent land, which he cultivates after the most approved method, and devotes considerable energy and en- terprise to the raising of stoek. Ile and his esti- mable wife are active and enthusiastic members of the Methodist Church, of which he is a Trustee and a Steward. They closely identify themselves with the affairs of the church, and all movements inaugu- rated for the improvement and elevation of the people among whom they live. They are both public spirited in a large degree, and give liberally to all the charities which have a right to demand of their bonnties.
Mr. Handley is a member of the Republican party, to which he yields devoted loyalty upon all occasions when his services will be a benefit. He was elected as Treasurer of Owego Township in 1886, in the discharge of the duties of which office he has fully met the expectations of the friends who conferred their suffrages upon him.
OHN HAYES RAYMOND, who after living in various sections of Illinois, finally con- cluded that Odell Township, Livingston County, was about as good a place as a far- mer could find, located upon seetion 21, where he now resides, engaged in general farming and stoek- raising. Mr. Raymond was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., sixteen miles from Saratoga Springs, Sept. 27, 1828. He was the eldest child born to Isaae and Esther (Hayes) Raymond, natives of Connectieut. The paternal grandparents were Abram and Hannah Raymond, and the maternal grandparents were John and Tina Hayes, all natives of Connecticut, where they were farmers and lived and died on their original farms. The father of Mr. Raymond was a farmer, and came West in June, 1866. and settled in Tonica, LaSalle County, where he spent his deelining years. Mr. Raymond's mother died when he was six years of age, and he was thus deprived of her tender care.
The subject of this sketch was reared to work upon the farm, and obtained a fair common-school education. At the age of twenty-seven years he
left his home in New York State, and migrated to the prairies of Illinois. He first settled and farmed for one year in Putnam County, and then went to LaSalle County, where he farmed for two years. At that time he returned to his old home in New York, where he remained and engaged in farming for four years. Having had a taste of life in the West, he concluded to try his fortune here again, and returned to LaSalle County in 1863, where he farmed on shares.
On the 5th of October, 1865, Mr. Raymond was married to Miss Eliza L. Holcomb, who was born Sept. 1, 1842, in Crawford County, Pa. She was the oldest in a family of nine children born to William and Adeline (Temple) Holeomb, natives of Pennsylvania and New York respectively. Her father was a farmer and wagon-maker, and died in Pennsylvania. Her mother survived the father for many years and died at the residence of Mrs. Ray- mond. Her paternal grandparents were Asa and Lucinda (Miller) Ilolcomb, of English descent, but natives of Washington County, N. Y., and were born near Sandy Hook. The maternal grandpar- ents were Robert and Eliza (Allen) Temple, and were probably natives of New York. Robert was a drummer boy in the War of 1812.
Immediately after marriage, Mr. Raymond pur- chased eighty aeres of improved land and settled upon it. After erecting buildings and living upon this farm one year, he sold it and purchased a farm on the county line, upon which he lived three years. This farm he also sold and removed to the eity of Tonica, where he lived one year. lle then bought a farm of sixty-eight aeres, upon which he lived for four years. In 1874 he came to Living- ston County, and bought the farm of 120 acres upon which he now resides. Here he has erected a commodions residence, and suitable barns and other out-buildings. Through enterprise and en- ergy he is rapidly pushing forward, and now has : one of the best-equipped farms in Odell Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond are the parents of five children, all of whom are living at home-William Isaac, Jessie Belle, George Elmer, John Holcomb and Bertha May. The parents take much pride in educating their children, the oldest showing much talent as an artist. They are all bright and active,
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
and take to education readily. Mr. Raymond is not active in politics, but votes with the Demo- cratic party. Ile does not desire office, but con- sents to serve as School Director because of the in- terest he takes in educational matters.
LEXANDER R. HOKE, representing the grain and coal business at Rughy, is one of the most wide-awake business men of Owego Township, where he has been widely and favorably known for many years. Like many of the carly settlers of Central Illinois, he is a native of Pemylvania, and was born in Blair County Sept. 16. 1850. His parents, Samuel and Laura Hloke, were also natives of the Keystone State, whence they migrated West in 1859, and became residents of Uniou Township. this county. staying there twenty-eight year -. The father then retired from active labor and took up his residence in the village of Odell, where, with hi- estimable wife, he still re- sides.
Samuel lloke and his wife were the parents of seven children. - ix now living, namely : Alexander R .. our subject ; Ilana MI .. the wife of J. W. Hou- chin>: William E .. Charles II .. George K. and Frank 1. Our subject was reared to manhood and received a practical business education, taking his preparatory course in the Wesleyan University, at Bloomington. and completing his studies at Dixon College in Lee County, where he took the full scientific course, and being ambitious to excel, made the most of his op- portunities, He is also a graduate of the commer- cial department of the sune institution. He there- after engaged in teaching in various townships of this county.
On the 13th of December, 1882, Mr. Hoke was united in marriage with Mi -- Morey, of Ohio. They commenced life together in a snug dwelling in Un- ion Township. where Mr. Hoke then engaged in farming. which he carried on until the fall of 1886, when he removed to Rugby and embarked in hi- present venture. He has made good progress so far, and there is little doubt that it will be entirely -de- ce -- ful. He handle- large quantities of wheat, oats and corn. and besides his coal transactions intends. !
as soon as arrangements can be made, to establish a trade in lumber.
Mr. Hoke takes a genuine interest in the welfare of the people around him, and is recognized as a valuable addition to the community. lle is a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, and politically votes the straight Republican ticket. While a resident of Union Township, he served as Assessor for two years and Road Commissioner three years. Ile keeps himself well posted upon current events. and believes in giving to the young all the possible advantages which shall enable them to carry on business properly and fit them for worthy and desirable citizens. To this end he encourages the establishment and maintenance of schools, and is clearly destined to a position of prominence among the unobtrusive but working philanthropists, who, although perhaps silent, are always effective. Mr. and Mrs. Iloke have become the parents of three children-Frank F., Luella M. and Samuel L.
R EV. ALEXANDER B. POWELL, who has been engaged in the ministry of the United Brethren Church for twenty-seven years, is comfortably situated on a well-improved farm of 160 acres on section 3, Newtown Township. lle occupies a comfortable residence, and his farm products and domestic animals are eared for in a commodious barn. During his ministry, Mr. Pow- ell served for five years as Presiding Elder of the Illinois Central Conference of his church.
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