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 72

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 72

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In 1867 Mr. Koestner married Sophia Hertel, who was also a native of Bavaria, and by this marriage seven children have been born, five of whom are now living-Adam, Andrew. Peter, Sophia and Maggie. When Mr. Koestner first arrived in the United States the outlook for the future was ex- ceedingly gloomy. When he and his wife stepped ashore at New Orleans all the money they possessed in the world was $4, and his first employment was work upon the river which yielded him but seventy- five cents per day; but they were economical and lived within that income until they could do better. He had received a good education in his native country, and readily learned to read and speak the English language; and during his years of residence in this country has kept himself well posted upon internal and foreign affairs. The doctrines of the Democratic party appeared to him most wholesome when he began to study the politics of this country, and he espoused them, and has remained a member of that party ever since. In an official capacity he has served the people three terms as Supervisor, nine years as School Director, twelve years as Commis- sioner of Highways, and seven times as member of

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the Grand Jury within the past eight years. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, to which he is devotedly attached.

E THIAN ANGELL. This aged and highly respected resident of Odell Township, after the labors of a well-spent life, during which he was prospered, has now passed nearly fourscore and ten years, and surrounded by the comforts of life, is patiently waiting for the call which shall bring to him his higher reward. His course in life has been such that it has earned him the good-will and esteem of all who have known him, and the children watching his declining years with affec- tionate solicitude, in this manner illustrate the pre- cepts of their early training.

Mr. Angell was born in Providence, R. I., Nov. 6. 1798, and was the fourth in a family of five chil- dren, whose parents were natives of the same State. Ile was reared to farm life, and being in a locality where there were no schools, never had a day's in- struction in one of these institutions. He was, how- ever, naturally bright and well balanced, and acquired a sufficient knowledge of business to insure his future success. While yet a boy his parents re- moved from Rhode Island to Pleasant Valley. N. Y., where the father put up a hotel and a cotton factory, which he operated successfully and also the farm which he had purchased. Young Ethan soon became the leading spirit of his father's business, and was of that temperament by which he became known far and wide and was a general favorite among his associates. The family subsequently re- moved to Ithaca, and Ethan remained under the home roof until his marriage. His chosen bride was Miss Martha Dudley, who was a native of New York State, whose parents were of English birth and parentage. They emigrated to this country just at the close of the Revolutionary War while unmarried, making their acquaintance upon the vessel which brought them over, and united their fortimes soon after.

County, where our subject purchased a tract of tim- ber land which he transformed into a good farm and which he occupied for a period of thirty-five year -. He became the father of twelve children, of whom two died in infancy. Those now surviving are William D., Elizabeth, Cornelia, Lucinda. Martha, Calista and Harriet. Lu Fannie and Esock died Nov. 26, 1886, and May 6, 1841, respectively.

In 1868, the children of Mr. and Mrs. Angell ail being married and settled in homes of their own, they disposed of their property in the Empire State and migrated to Illinois, locating at once in Odell Township, where Mr. Angell purchased 200 acres of land and where he has lived since that time. He commenced in earnest its improvement and cultiva- tion. repairing the old buildings and putting up new, and it was not long before he was recognized as an important addition to the community. In the meantime he also crossed the Mississippi and pur- chased land farther west. Ilis faithful and affec- tionate wife departed this life on the 15th of Janu- ary, 1872, and since that time he has made his home with his married daughter.

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S AMUEL L. MARSH, one of the model farmers of Sannemin Township, located on section 27, and whose farm and its improve- ments are attractive and valuable, is a native of Worcester County, Mass., and was born on the 15th of February, 1820. Hle is the son of Albi- gence and Catherine (Clemans) Marsh, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. The pa- ternal ancestors were of English descent, and came to America previous to the war for the indepen- dence of the United States. Our subject was reared to manhood in his native State, where he received a good English education, and after leav- ing school engaged for a time in teaching. When about eighteen years of age, he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, which he followed as his occupation until 1856. In that year he immi- grated to Illinois for a permanent settlement, hav- Mr. and Mrs. Angell began life together on a farmi ing, however, been on a prospecting tour of the near Ithaca, but four years later removed to Wayne . State one year previously. He first located in

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

t856 for a time in LaSalle County, and eame to Livingston County in 1858, and settled on his pres- ent farm, on section 27. Saunemin Township. At this time and place be purchased 160 acres of land from Joseph E. Wilson, who entered it directly from the Government. At the time of his settlement upon these lands there had never been a furrow turned, and it was covered with prairie grass which had never been disturbed. He has continued mak- ing improvements upon this farm until it is now considered one of the most complete in all its de- tails in Saunemin Township. The farm. at the present time, consists of ninety acres, he having disposed of seventy aeres some years ago.

On the 20th of June. 1848, Mr. Marsh was mar- ried to Miss Mary Lee, who was born in Worces- ter County. Mass .. on the 2tst of April, 1826. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca (Sloan) Lee, both natives of Massachusetts. ller paternal aneestors were of English-Irish deseent, ; and on the maternal side of Seoteh descent. Her maternal great-grandfather, Jonathan Pierce, and three -ons, were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. During her girlhood Mrs. Marsh was afforded am- ple educational facilities, whereby she made her- self competent for school teaching, in which pro- fession she was engaged some years previous to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Marsh have been born seven children, five of whom are living: Myra C., born Jan. 29, 1858, and now the wife of Webster Pearson. of Saunemin Township: Abbie R., born Aug. 3. 1860. now the wife of George C. Erwine. of Saunemin Township: Elvira L .. born July 27. 1862: Henry S., born Feb. 19, 1866, and Frank II., born July 13. 1869. Emily and Wil- lard L. died in infancy. In their religious opin- ions. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are inclined to the doc- trines of the Universalist Church. In political matters. Mr. Marsh acts independently of any of the organized parties, and votes for the man whom he considers the best qualified to discharge the duties of the office and possesses the best reputa- tion for honor and integrity. He has several years served as Road Commissioner, and for twenty-two years has discharged the duties of school Treasurer with credit to him-elf and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are now in their

declining years, but their pathway down the de- eline of life will be made les- rugged by the de- voted friends who surround them.

ARSHALL B. KNIGHT. Among the eounties of Pennsylvania which have fur- nished a large quota of the present popu- lation of Illinois, none sent hither a more intelligent or enterprising class of eitizen> than Susquehanna, which is located in the northeastern part of that State, bordering on New York. It is one of the principal counties of Pennsylvania, with a diversified surface, and is extensively covered with forests of beeeh, oak, chestnut. pine, ash and silver maple, and the products are hay, oats, eorn, potatoes, butter, cattle and wool. It is drained by the Susquehanna, Tunkhannock, Wyalusing Creeks. and the Lackawanna River rises in the eastern part. and transportation facilities are afforded by the Delaware. Lackawanna & Western Railroad and a branch of the Erie Road. The subject of this sketch, who is a prominent farmer of Livingston County residing in its extreme southeastern part, and whose farm comprises the south half of section 13, Germanville Township, bordering on Ford County, is a native of Susquehanna County, Pa., where he was born on the 5th of April, 1831, and is the son of Amasa and Lovina Knight, who were natives of Vermont. In about 1845 the family migrated to Illinois, and first stopped near Ottawa. where they engaged in farming. The father died in about 1850, and the mother, who lived some years longer, died of smallpox in Bureau County. There were nine children: Mary married Edward Stricklin, and died in Pennsylvania; Lydia married Myron Fairehilds, and died in Pennsylvania; Phoebe married Samuel Lindsey; Iluldah married M. L. Minder, and died in Bureau County, Ill. : Fannie married William Smith; Austin, Mareus, Albert and M. B.

Mr. Knight was about fifteen years old when the family emigrated to Illinois, and he was reared on a farm until the death of his father about the time he was twenty years of age. He then began the struggle of life for himself, and engaged in farming

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in Bureau and LaSalle Counties. In 1851 he mar- ried A. C. Tillotson, who is a native of Ohio, and after marriage continued farming in LaSalle County, and then for a time in Will County, and next in Ford County, where he purchased 160 acres of land. In 1874 he sold this farm and purchased the one he at present owns, which consists of 320 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Knight have eight children : Mary, the wife of F. D. Pettis; Almeda, now Mrs. Charles Rudd; Ellen, now Mrs. William Marsh; Alice, the wife of M. J. Davis; Eva. Warren, Ira and Elmer. In his early life Mr. Knight was so situated that he could not even avail himself of the meager advantages those days afforded for obtain- ing an education, but in later life he has improved the opportunity to learn the rudimentary branches. He is a Republican in politics, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to display patriot- ism by his devotion to his party rather than by seek- ing it for office.

W ILLIAM COWLING is the proprietor of the Cottage Hotel at Chatsworth, and pos- sesses all the qualifications necessary to make a popular public entertainer. He is a very genial gentleman in his intercourse with the public and has fixed views on the subjects upon which all intelligent citizens are supposed to be posted, and while he shows great respect and consideration for the opinions of others he is not afraid to express himself upon any question. He is a man of sharp judgment and has a keen eye to business, while he is ever ready to assist any public enterprise which has for its object the betterment of the community in which he lives. In his capacity as proprietor of the Cottage Hotel he is deservedly popular, not only with the traveling public, but with his fellow- citizens, and in their esteem his wife holds an equal place.

Mr. Cowling was born on the 20th of November, 1848, in St. Stephens, near St. Anstell, Cornwall County, England, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Trethewey) Cowlings, who fol- lowed the occupation of farming. The father died

in 1885, aged sixty-six years, and the mother is now living at the age of sixty seven. To them were born ten children, all of whom grew to the age of maturity, named as follows: Catherine, Charles, William, Sarah, Emily, Richard, Lewis H., Arthur, Mary and Bessie. Catherine married Samnel Williams, and now resides in Australia; Charles and Sarah reside in England; Emily mar. ried Arthur Cunday, and died in England; Rich- ard resides in St. Louis, Mo. ; Lewis H. and Arthur died in England; Mary, wife of F. Richards, re- sides in London, and Bessie resides with her mother in England.

Mr. Cowling spent his youthful days upon the farmi, and attended the common schools in his na- tive country until 1869, when he bade his friends farewell and sailed for the United States, taking passage at Liverpool and landing in New York in the month of October. He at onee started west- ward, making short halts at Philadelphia, Harris- burg and Pittsburgh, terminating his journey at Chicago. He soon after came to Chatsworth, being induced to do so from the fact of having met a gentleman upon the steamer who gave him the ad- dress of M. L. Sullivan, the king farmer of Illinois: but when he arrived in Chatsworth instead of going on the farm he worked for some time by the day at whatever he found to do. Hle then engaged as a night watchman of a firm which manufactured tow from flax. In 1871 he entered the employ of Hall & Crane, hardware and grocery merchants, whom he served for nearly four years, and then en- gaged in the hotel business at Forest for two years, when he returned to Chatsworth, and in 1876 took possession of the Cottage Hotel, which property he had purchased in 1875. Soon after taking posses- sion of the hotel he enlarged the building materially and improved it in various ways; it is now the only hotel in Chatsworth. A barn has been purchased, and he conducts a livery stable in connection with the house. To illustrate how hardly pressed Mr. Cowling was when beginning his business career it can be stated that in 1870 he carried a letter in his pocket for three weeks because he did not have the money with which to purchase a postage stamp; but by industry and the observance of due econ- omy he has been successful and is now numbered

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

among the substantial business men of Chatsworth. Hle became a citizen of the United States five years after arriving in this country, and has ever since affiliated with the Republican party, and has been a member of the Village Board for several terms. He was reared under the influences of the Episco- pal Church, but since coming to the United States has not attached himself to any religious organiza- tion. He is a member of the' Masonic fraternity, in which he is a Knight Templar, and stands high among the members of that ancient and honorable fraternity.

Mr. Cowling was married, in May, 1872, to Miss Martha Jane Lyons, a native of Washington County, N. Y. They have one boy, named Harry Stuart. Mrs. Cowling is an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and takes deep interest in all things which pertain to the welfare of that organi- zation. She occupies an enviable position in the society of Chatsworth, for which her education and experience in life peculiarly fit her.

On another page we present a view of Mr. Cow- ling's Cottage Hotel.

MIEL HARMON, a gentleman of French birth and parentage, came to America with his parents when a child nine years of age. After setting foot upon the soil of the United States they proceeded directly westward to Illinois, of which State our subject has since been a resident. He is now proprietor of one of the best farms in Forest Township, comprising 160 acres of land on section 35. His agricultural operations have been conducted skillfully and successfully, and he i- numbered among the public-spirited citi- zens of the county.

Our subject was born in France in the Province of Alsace, now part of Germany, on the 2d of Jan- vary, 1842. and is the son of John B. and Adeline ( Abury ) Harmon, also of French birth and parent- age. Their first home in this country was in Ot- tawa, LaSalle County, near which place the father engaged in farming many years, and where his death took place Feb. 16, 1886. The mother had also died at the old homestead two years before, [ good grades of cattle and excellent Norman horses.

May 14, 1884. The parental family included six children, four sons and two daughters, namely : John, Joseph, Kate, Amiel, Louisa, and Phelix, who died in infancy.

Young Harmon left the parental roof when nineteen years of age, and soon after the outbreak of the late Civil War. He had now become thor- oughly Americanized, and determined to indicate his sympathy with the Union sentiment in a de- cided manner. He accordingly enlisted, Sept. 9, 1861, in the 4th Illinois Cavalry, and followed the fortunes of war until its close, receiving his honor- able discharge Jan. 10, 1866. He participated in many of the important battles, including the sieges of Fts. Henry and Donelson, and was present in the engagements at Shiloh, Corinth, and the siege of Vicksburg, besides meeting the enemy in many other minor engagements and skirmishes. Like many of the old veterans, he speaks little nowadays of the hardships and dangers which he endured.

Upon returning to civil life Mr. Harmon sought his old haunts in LaSalle County, and remained with his father until September, 1866. On the 27th of that month he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Cashion, who was born in New York City in 1842. and was a few months younger than her husband. Her parents, Michael and Mary (Murphy) Cashion, were natives of Ireland. The father died in about 1844, and the mother emi- grated to the United States, where she is still living in LaSalle County ; Mrs. Harmon was their only daughter.

Mr. and Mrs. Harmon are the parents of seven children, live sons and two daughters. They com- prise an interesting family, and are being carefully trained and educated. They were named respect- ively : Florence Adeline, Albert, Joseph, Louis, Charles, larry and Mary Louisa. Mr. Harmon, after marriage, operated his father's farm for about eight years with good results, and in 1875 invested his capital in the land lying around his present homestead. It was then a tract of wild prairie, but now presents a linely cultivated farm with good buildings and modern improvements. In the fall of 1887 he put up a fine barn, and is now quite extensively engaged in stock-raising, producing

RESIDENCE OF AMIEL HARMON. SEC 35. FOREST TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF P. M. POTTER, SEC. 14, INDIAN GROVE TOWNSHIP.

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Ile was reared in the Catholie faith, to which he still closely adheres, and is one of the most liberal and cheerful supporters of his church at Strawn. lle votes the Democratic ticket, and has officiated as School Director.

On an adjoining page of this work may be found a view of the residence of Mr. Harmon.

ERRY M. POTTER, widely and favorably known throughout Indian Grove Town- ship as one of its most extensive and suc- cessful breeders of fine horses and cattle, has a valuable traet of land 220 aeres in extent, on seetion 14. where he spends the most of his time and takes pride in the superiority of his stock, and the general excellence of his farm products. 1Ie operates mostly in Short-horn cattle and pursues the methods adopted by Mr. Haaf, of Henry County. Ilis herd comprises fifty head of fine animals, in- cluding a magnificent bull, while his horses are of the English draft, and models of symmetry and strength. Mr. Potter located on his present farm in 1866, and has bent his energies to its improve- ment and embellishment. As a financier he is a de- eided >necess, displaying the same judgment in this direction which is illustrated in his financial opera- tions. The main points in a history unusually in- teresting are substantially as follows :

Our subject was born in Windsor County, Vt., Dec. 11, 1833, and is the son of Benjamin and Clarissa ( Robinson) Potter, natives of Massachu- setts, whence they removed to Vermont, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father was born in 1786, and departed this life in 1848. He served in the War of 1812, and when but a lad had the honor of sharing in the victory of Commodore Perry on Lake Erie. He was fortunate enough to receive a liberal education, and subsequently learned ship carpentering and also the trade of a millwright. Politically he was identified with the old Whig party, and was a man of decided views and fearless in the expression and advocacy of them. The mother was born in 1793. and survived her husband about seven years, her death taking place in 1855.

Mr. Potter was fairly educated and started out

for himself early in life, engaging first in a hotel at Boston, where he remained six years. lle then em- barked as a sailor on the whaling ship "Callao," and sailed around Cape Horn to the Sandwich Islands, whenee he voyaged to the Arctic Ocean and back, when he was taken ill and confined in the hospital at Ilighlow three months, and subsequently in that at Honolulu. In nowise discouraged by this little stroke of misfortune, as soon as able Mr. Potter shipped for Hong Kong, China, and after his arri- val there staid three weeks, when he embarked for Australia, landing at Melbourne, where he remained with the ship's crew two months. In the mean- time he experimented in gold mining, with little success, however, and boarded a vessel for San Francisco, Cal., revisiting the Sandwish Islands on the way, and landed at the Golden Gate in July, 1858. Here he once more engaged in mining, with indifferent success two years, finally migrating to Vancouver Island, and thence up the Frazier River, still in search of the yellow ore. Here he was more successful, remaining until January, 1860. lle then returned to San Francisco, and a year later he started home via the Isthmus, landing in Fair- bury, this county, in the vicinity of which he has since been contented to remain.

Mr. Potter met with some thrilling incidents during these years. In making the return trip to Vancouver Island he started down the Frazier River in December, and before reaching their des- tination there came a sudden cold snap which formed ice so rapidly that they were unable to pro- ceed. They were obliged to leave their vessel in the midst of the stream, and proceed on foot from the mouth of the Harrison to Ft. Langley, now New Westminster, in British America, and thence on to the Pacific, a distance of forty-five miles over four feet of snow. Mr. Potter with his companions was without food nearly six days, and when reaching the end of his journey was comparatively without clothing, having only a Hudson Bay blanket with which to cover himself, bis clothing having been literally torn from him by the brush through which he had been obliged to labor. The weather as in- (lieated was cold, and upon this trip 150 out of 500 men perished. The survivors were first. taken to Vancouver Island and thence to San Francisco, ex.

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tremely glad. as may be supposed, to again enter the bounds of civilization.

The marriage of Perry M. Potter and Miss Eliza- beth Vanarsdale was celebrated on the 28th of February, 1866, in Pontiac. Mrs. Potter was born in U'tiea, N. Y., in 1844, and is the daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Cooper) Vanarsdale, a prom- inent family of German descent whose ancestors settled on the Mohawk River. The parents after- ward became residents of Grundy County, this State, where their decease occurred. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Potter there have been born nine children, namely : Eva E., the wife of Charles W. Keck, of Fairbury : Charles P., Eunice. Dean, Mary, Kirk. Grace, Clarissa and Lura. The last is a babe of twelve months. The family residence, of which we present a view on another page of this work, is a convenient and commodious structure, finely fin- ished and furnished. and in all respects in keeping with the tastes and means of the proprietor. The homestead attracts universal attention from the passing traveler and with its embellishments forms one of the most attractive spots in the southern part of Livingston County. Mr. Potter is a mem- ber of the Fair Association at Fairbury, where he is in the habit of carrying off first premiums by the half dozen, and to the interests of which he has added largely by his stock operations. Politically, he is confined to no particular party, usually voting independently.

ILLIAM D. ANGELL. In the subject of the following sketch we find an excellent example for young men just embarking in the field of active life. of what may be aceom- plished by a man beginning comparatively without capital. but honest, prudent and industrious. Mr. A. in carly life enjoyed only ordinary advantages. having followed the plow until a youth of eighteen years. He became acquainted early in life with the fact that he must rely mainly upon his own efforts woukl he achieve seces. This he has realized to a marked degree, not alone in the sense of accumulating wealth, but by his large-hearted- les and public spirit as a citizen, winning the re-

spect and esteem of those who have been familiar with his career. Ile has distinguished himself in business as careful and conscientious, and both in public and private matters has been guided by the dictates of his conscience, and the principles of honor and honesty in which he was reared by most excellent parents.

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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 72

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