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 71

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 71

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Mr. Powell was born in Knox County, Ohio, on the 13th of March, 1835, and is the son of Thomas Powell, who died when our subjeet was but nine years of age. The grandfather, who was killed in the Revolutionary War, was a native of South Wales, and came to this country at an early day, when he was a young man. lle was married, and had four children, of whom the youngest, the father of our subject, married Margaret Engle, a native of Ohio. They were the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living : Curtis Powell is married, and an active minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, a member of the Illinois Conference, and located in Bowen, Ill .; one of his sons is also a

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minister in the same church. William, who has been a minister in the Protestant Methodist Episco- pal Church, is now a practicing physician in Sebuy- ler County, Ill. : Mary J., a twin sister of William, died at about the age of eighteen years; Thomas, married, has three daughters, and is engaged in farming in Menard County, Ill .; David resides in Mason City, Mason Co., Ill., where he was a banker. but is now a member of the firm of Powell & Tueker, boot and shoe dealers: he has been married twice, and has a family of three daughters and one son by his first wife, John. married and living with his second wife in Kansas, was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but is now a member of the United Brethren Church, in which denomination he has a license to preach : Alexander B. is our subject; Martha Ann is the wife of Jacob Ogle. a retired farmer living in Salem City, Ore .: they have three children living. Jefferson S. went to Wisconsin when he was a young man, where he married and then removed to Oregon, where he now resides and has a family of six children ; Mar- garet died when she was three years of age. The father came to Illinois in about 1836, and first set- tled in Menard County, whence he removed to Ful- ton County, near Astoria, and entered land, and there his death occurred in 1845. Some time after the father's death, the mother returned to Menard County, where she remarried and soon after died. During her entire life she was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Alexander B. Powell remained at home until his mother discontinued housekeeping. He was edu- cated in the common schools, and in 1860, at the age of twenty-five, entered the ministry. On the 8th of August, 1858, Mr. Powell was married to Mary C. Haffner, of Fulton County, Ill., daughter of Daniel and Diana (Lutz) Haffner, natives of Augusta County, Va., who came to Illinois in 1850 and settled in Fulton County. To them were born eight children, seven of whom are now living- John - B., Mary C., Samuel H., Sarah, Elizabeth. William and Andrew, all of whom are married. John B. and Andrew reside in Kansas, Elizabeth in Iowa, Henry in Schuyler County, Ill .. William in Fulton County, on the home place, and Sarah in Schuyler County. The father died Ang. 4, 1886,

at the age of seventy-one years, nine months and three days; the mother is still living in Fulton County. They were both active members of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Haffner was very much interested in the work and financial affairs of the church.

The following-named children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Powell: William O., born July 10, 1859, is married and is a practicing physician in Tazewell County, Ill., with a diploma from the State Medical Board; he was educated at Westfield, Ill., and was married to Angeline Stites, daughter of Dr. Stites, of Pontiac. Charles Andrew, born Sept. 8, 1861, married Susanna Hoobler, daughter of Frederick Hoobler, has three children, and is engaged in farming near Saunemin, Livingston County ; Esther Florence, born Dec. 8, 1863; Dan- iel Thomas, May 15, 1867; George Ellsworth, June 8, 1869, and Jessie Roy, Feb. 3. 1882, Mr. Pow- ell came to Livingston County in 1864, and located where he now resides. lle was appointed by the Conference to which he belonged to take charge of the church at New Michigan, where he lived for about ten years. He then went to MeLean County, where he had lived before coming to Livingston County, and traveled, engaged in church work, for six years. In 1878 he returned to Livingston County, where he has since lived. Mr. Powell's family are mostly church members, those who do not belong to his, being members of some other church denomination.

ILLIAM MOKINDLEY, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 16. Waldo Township, is a son of Andrew and Delilah (Graham) McKindley, and was born in Iligh- land County, Ohio, about fifty miles east of Cincin- nati, on the 11th of May, 1847. He was reared on a farm. receiving a common-school education. and came to Illinois with his parents in the fall of 1865, when he was about eighteen years old. driving through with wagons and locating in Peoria County, where he remained for about two years. From that county they moved to Waldo Township, Livingston

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County, where our subject purchased forty acres of land. upon which he now resides. lle bought this land a few months before he was twenty-one year- of age. lli- parents lived with him, and shortly after coming to this locality his father died.

Mr. MeKindley'- father was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1805. He was of Scotch descent and came to America when thirty years of age, locating in Canada, where he remained for many years. While living in Canada he was seized with ague, and the doctors failing to cure him, he was finally advised to cross the ocean. but before he had arrived upon the other side he found himself so much improved that he became a sailor, and followed that occupa- tion for several years. He returned to Canada and participated in the so-called "Patriots' War," and was at the bombardment of Navy Island and at several important council meetings. After that war was over he went to Ohio, where he was married. He died in Waldo Township. Livingston County, May 31. 1870. Mr: MeKindley's mother was born in Highland County, Ohio, March 22, 1821. She was the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Bevans) Graham. The father was of Scotch descent, and left Scotland when but fifteen years of age, locating in New Jersey. Hle afterward resided in Pennsyl- vania and Ohio, and died in Peoria County, Ill., in 1857.

On the 29th of February, 1872, Mr. MeKindley wal- married to Miss Jane Gee, daughter of William auml Ellen Gee. She was born in England on the 30th of May, 1852. and came to America with her parent- when about three years of age. She is the eldest child in a family of three. Her brother John married. ha- two children, and resides in the State of Nebraska. Her sister Ellen married Thomas Gard- ner. ha- four children, and lives in Barton County, Kan. Mr -. MeKindley's mother is deceased, and the father is living near El Paso. I]].

Mr. and Mr-, MeKindley have had six children, as follows: Maria, who was born March 30, 1873; Frank. Oct. 9, 1871; Elizabeth, July 19, 1876; Till- Inan. May 15. 1878; Clara, July 5, 1880; Rebecca. Oct. 2. 1887. Mr. MeKindley i- the elder child in a family of two. the other being a sister named Elizabeth. born Ang. 22, 1849 ; she was never mar- ried. and died Ang. 30. 1878. Since becoming a

citizen of Waldo Township Mr. MeKindley has met with good success in his occupation as a farmer and stock-raiser. He is comfortably situated on a very snug farm, and has the good-will and esteem of all his neighbor -.

ASPER N. MORRISON. About the most independent men in this county, whose voca- tion is closely allied to agricultural pursuits, are those who devote their time to the prop- agation of fine blooded stock. They are generally men of large natural intelligence, and quite fre- quently of splendid education. There is some- thing about the graded-stock business which seems to require comprehensive minds which can appre- ciate, analyze and utilize certain laws of nature, and apply them intelligently in mingling strains of blood in animals so as to produce the best results. When a man of broad comprehension once engages in the stock business, and particularly that branch which involves thoroughbred and expensive ani- mals, he becomes wedded to it and grows enthusi- astic, just as the scientist does when he discovers the solution of a great problem. Much advance has been made in stock-breeding, particularly as it relates to horses, within the last few years, and no- where has this attained to a greater extent than in Illinois, which is fast becoming the great fine-stock propagating State of the Union.

One of the most enthusiastic young stock-raising farmers of Livingston County is the subject of this sketch, born in Livingston County on the 17th of June, 1856, and now located on section 5 in A voca Township. He is the son of Joseph C. Morrison, of whom mention is made in the biographical sketch of Albert J. Morrison. He was reared to manhood in this county, where he has always made his home. lle devotes most of his attention to farming, and has the general supervision of his father's ex- tensive stock farm, following his specialty of rais- ing fine blooded stock. In 1883 he accompanied his father to Europe, and assisted in the purchase of forty-two head of French draft horses, which they imported and shipped to their Livingston County farm. Mr. Morrison is the owner of six imported French draft mares, valued at $800 each. He owns

Sobrehingin

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eighty acres of excellent land, which is well im- proved in the way of buildings, fences and ditches. Both his farming and stock operations are con- dueted on a liberal basis and a large scale.

While Mr. Morrison has but little time to look after political matters he affiliates with the Repub- lican party. He has served as Director of the schools of his district for several years, and takes deep interest in educational matters, as well as in everything that has a tendency to improve the con- dition of the people of his township.

OHN VIRGIN. Remarkable strides have been made in the improvement of the qual- ity of horses and other domestic animals in this country within the past few years, and in Livingston County may be found some of the men who have accomplished so much in this re- spect. One of these gentlemen, whose name is known throughout the country, resides at Fairbury. He is engaged in importing, breeding and dealing in French draft horses, and brings to bear in his business a rare amount of enterprise and skill. To him belongs the honor of first introducing this stock of horses into Livingston County, and since those pioneer days in the development of this noble animal in this section of the State, no man has done more and deserves higher praise than he, and in presenting his portrait, which we do in this connec- tion, we give to our patrons the picture not only of an enterprising business man, but an estimable and worthy citizen. He takes special interest in all movements for the public good, and contributes liberally both of his time and means to every good work.

Mr. Virgin is a native of Indiana, and was born in Carroll County on the 10th of August, 1838. Ile is the son of Thomas and Lucinda (Girard) Virgin, who were natives of Ohio. The former was reared to manhood in that State, moved to Indiana and was there married. He was a farmer by ocenpation and became a citizen of Illinois, where he continued the cultivation of the soil up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1870. His widow and family of eight children are all still living.

Our subject came with his parents to Illinois in 1854, and located near Pontiac, where he worked on a farm until 1870, and during that year moved to Fairbury. In 1868 he began the breeding of French draft horses, which, as above indicated, was before anyone else had inaugurated this en- terprise which has since proved to be of such vast importance, not only to the agriculturists of the country, but to the business interests of the great cities. In 1872 he made the first importation of these horses to Livingston County, bringing at that time three splendid animals. Of late years the purchase of these horses in France is effected through a resident party in that country, who buys the finest stock and consigns them to Mr. Virgin for sale. Since beginning the business he has shipped between 400 and 500 animals, and the sales now amount to $30,000 or $40,000 annually. When Mr. Virgin began the business he had no capital with which to operate, and the first money used was borrowed at a time when he was a farm tenant. His splendid success from such a beginning cer- tainly indicates rare business talent.

Mr. Virgin was married, Jan. 26, 1865, to Miss Sarepta J. McDowell, of Fairbury, the ceremony being performed by Rev. John Houston, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Virgin was born in Livingston County April 5, 1842, and came from a pioneer family who settled in Avoca Township in 1832. The names of her parents were John and Elizabeth (Moore) MeDowell, natives respectively of Ohio and Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Virgin have had four children : Georgie, who was born Oct. 23, 1866, and died Sept. 12, 1881; Minnie, who was born Ang. 18, 1868; Alta, Aug. 4, 1870, and Daisy, Feb. 25, 1875.

Mr. Virgin was a member of Company K, 3d Illinois Cavalry, for three years. He entered as a private Aug. 7, 1861, and was promoted Orderly Sergeant, in which capacity he acted for nearly three years. He participated in all the heavy battles of the West, and was taken prisoner Nov. 25, 1863, at Vermillionville, La., and was held for thirty days when he was paroled. He remained on parole seven months, during part of which time he served as Quar- termaster in the parole camp, and upon being ex- changed remained in this capacity until the expir-

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

ation of his term of service. He was discharged Sept. 4. 1864. at Springfield, Ill.

The firm of Virgin, Brown & Co., own 400 acres of fine land in various tracts which is specially devoted to raising fine stock. Much of this land is under a tine state of cultivation. Mr. Virgin is a Republican, and takes great interest in both the National and local campaigns managed by that party. Mr. V. is and has been a member of the State Board of Agriculture for the past four years, and is now General Superintendent of the State Fair and fat-stock show. He is one of the charter members of Fairbury Post No. 75, G. A. R., and has occupied most of its posts of duty and is now Commander. He takes great pleasure in at- tending State Encampments and meeting his old comrades. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and contribute liberally to the support and maintenance of that organization.

Le OUIS METTE, a prosperous grain merchant of Chatsworth, came to this section over twenty years ago, bringing with him the industrious and reliable traits of his substantial German ancestry. He set out for himself in life with the sole capital of his strong hands and reso- lute will. and now presents the pleasing picture of a man of property, and occupies a comfortable home, surrounded by that which makes life most desirable. On the other side of the Atlantic he was a shepherd boy, and probably while watching his flocks had cast many a glance to the future and saw more to hope for in the New World than he could probably attain in the old. He was not long in putting his plans into execution, and at the early age of sixteen years bade adieu to his family and friends and embarked on a sailing-vessel at Bre- men, from which he landed at New Orleans eleven weeks and five days later, and there commenced the struggle which has been so fortunate in its re- sults. He is the youngest of a family of eight chil- dren. and is the only one who came to the United States.

Our subject was born in the Dukedom of Bruns- wick, near the Hartz Mountains, Feb. 27, 1829.

His parents were John and Johanna ( Leur) Mette, also natives of Germany, where the father and brothers were employed as shepherds. The father died in the spring of 1846, a few weeks before his son Lonis left his native land. Our subject re- mained in the Crescent City until the spring of 1847, then engaged in steamboating on the Missis- sippi, Ohio, Missouri and other rivers until 1858. He had now been absent from his home and friends a period of twelve years. He had occupied his time industriously and had saved some means, and felt justified in appropriating a part of his hard- earned money toward treating himself to a trip to the old country. He there spent three months and then returned to the New World, greatly refreshed in mind and body, the result of again looking upon the faces of his family and childhood friends. Upon returning he set out for Pike's Peak, in the spring of 1859, and spent a year traveling over the western country, employing himself at times in re- munerative labor. Finally, coming east as far as Illinois, he took up his abode at Minonk, where he commenced dealing in grain, and was thus success- fully occupied until 1865. He then changed his location to Chatsworth, where he continued his former business and in due time erected the ele- vator which is now owned by Searing & Messler.

Mr. Mette, in 1868, once more crossed the Mis- sissippi, and going to Kansas City, Mo., commenced dealing in Texas cattle. Two years later he en- barked in the grocery trade, and in 1875 returned to Chatsworth, still continuing in the grocery busi- ness. In 1879 he resumed his operations in grain, which have yielded him excellent results. In 1883 he invested a goodly amount of his surplus capital in a fine tract of land, seventy acres in extent, part of which lies within the town limits. Upon this he erected a handsome residence and has effected other admirable improvements. Of late years he has given considerable attention to the breeding of draft horses, and has been fully as successful in this as in his other ventures. His stables contain some fine specimens of the equine race, and Mr. Mette has already attained quite a reputation as a breeder.

The mariage of Mr. Mette took place in the spring of 1861, at Minonk, Ill., his chosen bride be- ing Miss Mary Wienand, who was born in the

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Kingdom of Prussia, and emigrated to the United States when a young girl, with her parents, Joseph and Theresa (Susewind) Wienand, natives of Prus- sia. Our subject and his wife have had two chil- dren, a boy and girl who died in infancy, but some years ago they adopted a boy whom they named Louis, and who is now nine years of age. Mrs. Mette is an adherent of the Roman Catholic. faith, and our subject, religiously, is a German Lutheran. lle votes the straight Republican ticket, and has worthily discharged the duties of the various town- ship offices.

In the pictorial department of this ALBUM may be found a view of Mr. Mette's residence and its surroundings.

ACOB PHILLIPS owns 900 acres of valuable land in Newtown Township and has his home on section 7. The greater part of his real estate is under a good degree of culti- vation, and the balance includes 180 acres of tim- ber. The family residence is a substantial and convenient structure, and the large barn in the rear one of the finest in the township. Our subject, as one of the oldest settlers of Livingston County, is looked upon with peculiar respect. Ile came to this locality in the spring of 1837, with his parents, who located near the creek but a few feet from the present residence of our subject.

The gentleman of whom we write is the son of Edward Phillips, who was born in Maryland about 1768, about eight years prior to the Revolutionary War. He continued in his native State until reach- ing middle life, in the meantime having married and become the father of a family. Then with his wife and seven children he emigrated to Ohio, where the mother subsequently died, and the father was married to Mrs. Barbara ( Welsh) Loman, the widow of James Loman, a native of Maryland, who died six weeks after reaching Ohio. They had be- come the parents of eight children, and Mr. Loman had been an acquaintance of Mr. Phillips. The Loman children grew up under the protecting care of their step-father, but only one is now living, Arthur B., who came to this State many years ago

and is engaged in farming and stock-raising near Ottawa.

The children of Edward Phillips' first union are recorded as follows: James, born in Maryland and died in Logan County, this State, leaving a wife and large family of children; William died in Ohio when about twenty-one years old; John engaged in farming in Newtown Township, and died about 1879-80, leaving a widow and five children; Ed- ward died in lowa leaving a family : Rebecca died in Ohio when about twenty years of age. Of the second marriage of Edward Phillips there were born four children, namely : Barbara, the wife of a wealthy farmer living near Odell; Jacob, of our sketch ; Rachel, of Fairmont, Neb., and Mary, Mrs. William Ziegler, of Newtown Township. The mother of these children died at her home in New- town in 1863. and her remains were laid to rest in the cemetery not far from the residence of her son, our subject. The father had died in 1847, when seventy-nine years old, and the mother was about the same age at the time of her death. Both were members in good standing of the Methodist Epis- copal Church for many years, in which the father officiated as Class-Leader, and was one of the or- ganizers of the society at Bethel. He had enjoyed only limited advantages during his youth but pos- sessed a remarkable memory, and being more than ordinarily intelligent, kept himself well informed upon matters of general interest. He preserved his health and strength remarkably and when sev- enty-four years old would walk eight or ten miles to attend church. He was of a resolute and de- termined disposition and greatly respected by his neighbors.

Jacob Phillips was but thirteen years of age when his parents caine overland to Illinois, and he remembers many incidents of the journey and the after difficulties which the family experienced as pioneers. He continued with his mother until her death, and when twenty-two years of age was mar- ried to Miss Amy Jane Lundy, born Jan. 28, 1848, and the daughter of Amos Lundy, now deceased. The young people commenced housekeeping in Newtown Township, and in due time became the parents of two children, namely : Orville F., now married and living in Dakota, and Mary Melissa,

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the wife of Levy Snyder, of Newtown Township. The mother of these children lived only a few years after her marriage, her death taking place at her home in Newtown Feb. 28, 1851.

Mr. Phillips was married the second time, Oct. 7, 1852. to Miss Mary Ziegler, of Indiana. This union has resulted in the birth of the following- named children: Frederick E., W. A. Phillips, Elizabeth B., Salsbury E., Jacob D., John M., Lu- cretia R., and Minerva A., who remains at home with her parents. They have been carefully trained and educated and those who are married the father has assisted to a good start in life. Both parents and children belong to the United Brethren Church in which Mr. Phillips and his wife are active work- ers. Mr. P. has been quite prominent in township affairs, officiating as Supervisor four years and serving as School Director in his district. In early manhood he identified himself with the old Whig party but upon its abandonment cordially endorsed Republican principles, to which he has since given his support.

G EORGE KOESTNER. It is a serious step in life when one leaves the roof which has sheltered him for twenty-eight years, and bids farewell to relatives, and starts on a journey which is to put a vast ocean between him and them for the balance of their lives: yet this is just what the subject of this sketch did when. with his young bride, he set sail for America where they expected to shape for themselves a home in which to live in comfort. and rear to manhood and womanhood the children which Providence might give them. Mr. Koestner. who is the Supervisor of Germanville Township. was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 23d of March. 1816, and is the son of John and Fearkalp Koestner, who had a family of four chil- dren. the other three, daughter-, remaining in Ger- many. George being the only member of the family who came to this country. In 1844 he was married to Sophia Wachter, who was born in the same town in which Mr. Koesther was born. Very soon after

their marriage the young couple concluded to seek a home in the New Work, and sailing from Bre- men, after a voyage of seventy-two days entered the port of New Orleans in December, 1844, where they remained until the following May, when they ascended the Mississippi River as far as St. Louis, and there Mr. Koestner followed the occupation of carpenter for some time, receiving a compensation of &I per day. In 1855 he removed to Marshall County, Ill., where he engaged in farming, and re- sided there until 1869, when he came to Livingston County, and settled in Germanville Township, where he has since resided. The farm which he now owns contains 240 acres of land, which is very prodnetive and considered valuable. Good build- ing> have been erected upon this farm, and his res- idence is one of the most comfortable in the neigh- hood. The wife he married in Germany, and who accompanied him to this country, died in Marshall County in 1866, leaving eight children: Frank; Mary, wife of Henry Bartel; Conrad: Anna, wife of Gustav Koehler: Michael, John; Abby. wife of Adolph Kochler. and Hemy.

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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 71

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