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 75
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While a resident of Woodford County, Mr. Reis- ing made the acquaintance of a most estimable young lady, one of his own country-women, Miss Maggie Foltz. and they were married on the 14th of October. 1858, at the home of the bride in Woodford County, and commenced housekeeping in that place. In due time the home circle was en- larged by the birth of eight children : Mary, who was born Nov. 14, 1858; John and August N. (twins). Jan. 4, 1861; Henry, Feb. 4, 1863; Jo- -cph. June 20, 1865; Annie M., Oct. 6, 1868; Su- san B., Dec. 16, 1870, and Matilda, who was born March 1, 1873, and died Feb. 13, 1880.
willing to give his support to men of other parties whose qualifications and political views meet his approval. lle, however, meddles little with poli- ties, preferring to devote his time mostly to his farming interests.
2 HEODORE WIENAND. The thrifty Ger- man citizen is found all over Livingston County, andwiched between its most en- terprising and industrious agriculturists, where he holds his own and often outstrips the native-born American in the extent of his possessions and his value as a citizen and business man. The subject of this biography is one of the foremost of his coun- trymen in this part of Central Illinois, and is lo- cated on seetion 35, in Charlotte Township, where he has built up a good homestead and is largely engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
The early home of Mr. Wienand was in Areus- berg, Germany, where he first opened his eyes to the light Dec. 11, 1829. He was the sixth in a family of eleven children, the offspring of Joseph and Theresa (Susewind) Wienand, also of German birth and parentage. Joseph Wienand was a man of good education and possessed great musical talent, employing himself as a teacher of music in the city of Oldenburg. Theodore was reared at home with his brothers and sisters, receiving a good education in his native language, and after leaving school at the age of fourteen years, served an ap- prenticeship at harness-making and followed this trade for a period of seventeen years.
Young Wienand, however, being of an ambitious turn of mind was by no means satisfied with the result of his labors, and resolved to seek a new field of operations on this side of the Atlantic. Accordingly, in the spring of 1853, after passing his twenty-fourth birthday, he repaired to Hamburg, and on the 17th of April boarded a sailing-vessel bound for New York City. After a rough voyage of about forty days he landed in the great metrop- olis, where he remained two months, working at his trade. Thence he migrated cast to Barring-
Our subject and his wife were reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, to which they closely adhere, and Mr. R., politically, usually vote- the Democratie ticket. although exercising the right of an independent American citizen, and ; ton, Mass., and from there, in 1855, started for the
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West. After coming into Woodford County, this State, he secured employment in a harness-shop at Panola and worked two years at $18 per month. He then in connection with his brother-in-law pur- chased the shop and its equipments, which he con- dueted about two years.
Mr. Wienand continued in Panola until the spring of 1860. In the meantime he was married, March 8, 1858, to Miss Wilhelmina Cook, one of his own country-women, born in the Province of Mecklen- burg Oct. 1, 1834. She is one of a family of nine chil- dren, most of whom were born on the other side of the water. Only four are now living, all in the United States. Two years after his marriage Mr. Wienand invested a part of his surplus funds in forty acres of partly improved land near Oliver Grove, this county, to which he removed after put- ting up a small house and otherwise making things comfortable for his family. It was a wild section, although near the town, and infested with rattle- snakes, of which he killed thirty-two in the space of . three weeks. Ile soon tired of this kind of farming and traded the property for a store building in Chatsworth, where he opened a harness-shop and worked at his trade two years.
Although Mr. Wienand's first farming venture proved unsatisfactory. he determined to give coun- try life another trial, and now traded his >tore with its contents for eighty acres of improved land where he now resides. This experiment proved highly satisfactory ; he was prospered in his farm operations. and invested his spare cash in additional land until he is now the owner of 240 acres, 160 of this being in Ford County. It has all been brought to a high state of cultivation and the homestead embellished with first-class buiklings and stocked with mixed grades of Jersey, Durham and Short- horn cattle. besides Norman and Clydesdale horses. The fences are neat and substantial and the farm machinery embraces some of the best inventions of the day.
Mr. Wienand has become thoroughly Ameri- canized, and takes an active interest in politics, casting his vote with the Democratic party. He assisted in organizing the different school districts in his township and has officiated as Director for some time. Ile and his excellent lady are among
the most valued members of the German Evangeli- cal Church at Chatsworth. They have a blooming family of children, nine in number, and named respectively : Amelia, Clementine, Louisa, Theo- dore, Joseph, Lewis, Otto, Olga' and Minnie. Amelia was born March 8, 1863; Clementine, Ang. 24, 1864; Louisa, Ang. 20, 1866; Theodore, Dec. 8, 1867: Joseph, April 6, 1869; Lewis, Jan. 11, 1871; Otto, Nov. 8, 1872; Olga, April 11, 1875; Wilhelmina, Dec. 8, 1877. The eldest daughter, Amelia, is the wife of Lewis Meisenhelder, a pros- perous farmer operating near the Wienand home- stead ; Clementine married Frederick Meisenhelder, and also lives not far from her parents: Louisa is keeping house for her brother in Ford County, and the younger children are at home with their par- ent>. They have received all the advantages pos- sible, being well educated, while the son Joseph, who is attending school at Chatsworth, i> a youth of more than ordinary ability and will doubtless choose one of the professions for his ealling in life. Mr. Wienand has accumulated his property by the sweat of his brow, having never been afraid of hard work, and will have a snug income for a rainy day.
A> representative of the buildings of this section of country, we present on another page a view of Mr. Wienand's residence.
ILLIAM A. MYER. It is no small honor to be the son of one of those men who early in life signalized the resolute enter- prise of their character by breaking away from the common routine and seeking in a new country to build up for themselves a home and a reputation which could not be otherwise than an honor to their posterity. The subject of this history occu- pies this enviable position, being the son of Eli Myer, who came to Illinois nearly forty years ago.
Eli Myer was a native of Alleghany County, MId., and was born Oct. 18, 1796. He was the son of John Myer, also a native of Maryland, where he spent his entire life and reared a large family, of whom Eli, William and Peter came to the West. William located in LaSalle County during its
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earliest settlement and there spent the remainder of his life, passing away at a ripe old age. Peter located in Shelby County, Ind., where he also died. Their brother, John, continued in his native State. Elizabeth, Naney and Sarah lived in the same neighborhood, but on the borders of three States, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Eli Myer, the father of our subject, was reared within five miles of Cumberland, Md., and con- tinued there with his parents some time after his marriage. Then. accompanied by his wife and one child, he started overland for Ohio, in May, 1831, and located in Lieking County, where he engaged in farming until the fall of 1850, then came to Illinois. He had a Mexican land grant of 160 acres, and took up a claim on seetion 29, of Eppard's Point Township. He was prospered in his labor of till- ing the soil and invested his surplus capital in more land until he became the owner of 478 acres. This he willed to his children, the home place of 320 acres being divided among the three youngest boys. He was public-spirited and liberal, and took a genuine interest in the welfare of the peo- ple around him, doing much to encourage emigra- tion and holding up the hands of the faint-hearted by his eounsel and encouragement. He was the first Supervisor after the organization of the town- ship and served as Clerk several years. He identi- fied himself with the Baptist Church, serving as Deacon and contributing largely of his means for the maintenance of the society. He also left a bequest for the purpose of putting up a church edifice at Ocoya, a sum equal to one-fourth its cost. and which was used as he designed. He was also foremost in the establishment of educational institutions and taught the first school organized in Eppard's Point Township. After a well-spent life he folded his hands for his final rest on the 30th of December, 1868, at the age of seventy-two years.
The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Catherine I'mphenour. She was a lady in every respect fitted to be the companion of her husband, standing bravely by his side in all his projects and plans for the general welfare of the community, and taking an active part in church work. She survived her husband about six years,
her death taking place in 187 1, at Fairbury, where she was on a visit with her daughter. She was born in 1809. and was nearly sixty-six years of age at the time of her death. Eli Myer and his wife were of German ancestry. The record of their children is as follows: Emily was born in Mary- land, is the wife of O. P. MeDowell, a prosperous hardware merchant of Fairbury, and the mother of seven children; William, of our sketch, was the second of the family ; Joseph E. was born in Ohio, and is farming on section 22, in Eppard's Point Township, where he has a wife and three children; Matilda is the wife of Rev. W. C. Knapp, who is carrying on a nursery near Normal, MeLean County ; she has been twice married, her first hus- band, James MeDowell, being killed in the army near Vicksburg, and has two children living and one deceased ; Benjamin F., born in Ohio, is farm- ing on section 20, in Eppard's Point Township, and has a wife and three children; Samuel G. and Charles F. occupy the old homestead; both are married, the former has two children and the latter one. Nelson J., the youngest, was born in Eppard's Point Township, where he now lives on section 21, and has a wife and two children; he was elected Supervisor in 1883.
William A. Myer was born in Licking County, Ohio, Dee. 31, 1833, accompanied his parents to Illinois, and remained with them until taking pos- session of his present homestead. In the meantime he had worked two years as a farm laborer, and with the means thus accumulated was ready to lay the foundations for a future home. With this end in view he was married, April 21, 1859, to Miss Eliza St. John, who was born in Warren County, Ind., June 25, 1838. She is the daughter of Sam- uel and Margaret (Coldron) St. John, natives of Ohio, and the parents of five children. Their eld- est son, Seth, served as a soldier in the Union army and was captured by the rebels, by whom he was held a prisoner until his death at Florence, S. C .; William Isaac is farming in Long Point Township, . this county ; Ada C. is the wife of Samuel G. Myer; Ruth An died when about nineteen years of age.
The houscholl circle of Mr. and Mrs. Myer was completed by the birth of seven children, and they were called to part with three of these in their in-
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faney. Rosa Olive is the wife of Lewis Dillon, and resides in Logan County ; they had one child, Katie, who died at the age of one year and ten months. Margaret C. married C. N. Wicksizer and lives in Vernon County, Mo .; Seth E. and Samuel J. are at home with their father. The wife of our subject departed this life at her home in Eppard's Point Township, Nov. 15, 1872, aged thirty-four years. She was a lady to whom her family and friends were greatly attached, and a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Myer has never aspired to office, although serving as Township Trustee for a period of twelve years or more. He is a firm adherent of the Republican party, and takes a genuine interest in the welfare of his community, and is a man always approachable at those times when assistance is needed to further a worthy enterprise.
OMER J. CLARK, junior member of the firm of Lowry & Clark, editors and proprie- tors of the Pontiac Sentinel, is connected with the pioneer and leading Republican pa- per of Livingston County, which was established thirty years ago, in 1857. The office contains an unusual amount of valuable material, with power- presses and all the other appliances necessary for the successful carrying on of steam printing.
Mr. Clark is a young man, having been born Sept. 20, 1853, in Peoria County, this State. His parents, John L. and Laura ( McManus) Clark, were natives respectively of Washington and Chautauqua Counties, N. Y., where they both, be- fore marriage, were engaged in school teaching. The former, before this time, had removed with his father's family to Michigan, then a Territory, where they settled in the town of Raisinville, near Mon- roe, and where he pursued his education as best lie could till he arrived at the age of eighteen years. He then returned to New York State, and entered an academy at West Avon, where he acquired the rudi- ments of an English education, and began teaching in Livingston County, N. Y.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Dr. Thomas Clark, was a native of Scotland, and emi-
grated to the United States with his parents when young, with whom he settled in Washington County, N. Y. Choosing a professional life, he began the study of medicine, and after graduating at a medi- cal school, engaged in practice in Argyle, N. Y. Here he married a Scotch lady by the name of Isa- bella Campbell, and subsequently removed to Michi- gan, where he spent the balance of his life, his death taking place in 1824.
The parents of our subject were married in Michi- gan, in 1848, where the mother, Miss Laura MeMa- nus, was engaged in teaching, and immediately went East to the home of her father. Rev. Joseph Me- Manus, near Forestville, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. Ilere they remained the two succeeding winters, the father teaching school, and in the summer he was engaged with a corps of civil engineers in survey- ing the line of the first railroad west from Roches- ter to Attica, N. Y. After the birth of their first child they removed to Peoria County, Ill., where Mr. Clark was employed as a teacher for about twenty years, and then retired to his farm in Trivoli Township, until 1882. The death of the mother then broke up the family. and Mr. Clark retired from business. He now divides his time between the residence of the subject of this sketch and that of his married daughter, Mrs. Martha E. Bitler, who resides in Knox County, Mo. The parental house- hold included three children by a former wife, two of whom are now living, and two children of the mother of our subject, of whom only the latter is living. ITis half-sisters are Mrs. Isabella Walford and Mrs. Martha E. Bitter.
Mr. Clark attended the school taught by his father, and worked on the farm until eighteen years old. His education was continued afterward at a private school in Peoria, where he attended six months, and then commenced teaching. After a few terms thus occupied he entered Monmouth Col- lege, in Warren County, Ill., where he studied dur- ing the years of 1876-77. He afterward resumed teaching in the common schools for a few years, and then accepted the principalship of the Prince- ville graded school, where he continued two years. We next find him located in Gibson City, Ford County, occupying a similar position in addition to being Superintendent of the city schools. IIe re-
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signed two years later to take the position which he now holds, and to which he is admirably adapted by his natural talents and education.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Julia Scott was celebrated at the home of the bride. Oct. 30, 1878. Mrs. Clark is a native of the same county as her husband, and was born Oct. 30, 1860. ller parents are John A. and Philaney ( Watrous) Scott. ! also natives of Peoria County, where her father operates extensively as a farmer. Mrs. Clark is their only child, and by her marriage with our subject has become the mother of two sons, Lawrence A. and Bruce E., and a daughter. Grace Eleanor. Mr. Clark is one of the most reliable members of the Republican party, and with his accomplished wife, is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church.
AMES M. MARTIN. This gentleman, al- though in the prime of life, has been the subject of many interesting experiences and is a fine illustration of the results of self- reliance. resolution and industry. le began in life without means. dependent upon his own resources. and with little encouragement. Ilis education had been adly neglected but he was inclined to reading and -tudy. and in this manner picked up consider- able information. After an experience in the army of three and one-half years, he rented a tract of land two years in Marshall County, Ill., and in 1867 came to thi- county with small means and purchased forty acre- where he now resides in Nebraska Town- -hip. Thi- he has carefully cultivated and has given considerable attention to stock-raising. Ile is re- garded a- a praiseworthy and reputable citizen, and i- tilling hi- - phere in life to the best of his ability.
Mr. Martin is a native of this State, having been born in Belle Plaine Township. Marshall County, Dee. 12. 1813. His parents, James and Charlotte ( Ferri-) Martin, were people of modest means who could do little for their children, and James M. when a lad of thirteen years left the parental roof and commeneed working by the month for himself, being permitted to receive his own wages. When fourteen years of age he was employed by Joseph
Irvington, of Marshall County, for a period of eight months, and at the expiration of this time, upon de- manding his wages, found that he was to be disap- pointed, as he did not get a cent of the entire amount. This was a severe trial to the industrious boy but there was nothing to do except to go at it again, which he did under another employer, and thu> labored until the fall of 1861.
Our subject was then only eighteen years old but was well developed and intelligent, and upon prof- fering his services 'as a soldier of the I'nion was accepted, and became a member of the Ith Illinois Cavalry, to continue for three years. le partici- pated in the battles at Ft. Donelson, Pittsburg Landing and Corinth, and met the rebels in various minor engagements and skirmishes, receiving in the meantime a shot through the wrist. Being now unfitted for service for a time, he was left behind hi- regiment at Trenton, Tenn., and afterward, in the engagement at Trenton Station, Tem., was taken prisoner by Forrest's Cavalry, and for abont seven days he had scarcely any food. Shortly af- terward, however, he was paroled and escorted to the Union lines, when he was sent to Benton Bar- racks. Ile concluded that as he could not fight for his country he would go upon a visit to his friends, . which he did without leave, and upon reporting for duty the following May, was fined about $125, for his absence, which was at least an improvement upon being shot for a deserter, although he had by no means intended to desert. He was returned to his regiment in October following, when near the expiration of his term of service, and mustered out on the 3d of November, 1864, receiving his honor- able discharge.
Mr. Martin, the second time. after leaving the army, repaired to Marshall County, and spent the winter following in attending school, in the mean- time working for his board night and morning. A> the spring opened, the war still being in progress, he resolved to again become a soldier, and enlisting March 2, 1865, in the 11th Ilinois Cavalry, con- tinned with his company until again honorably dis- charged the following September. Upon returning to Illinois he purchased a team and' crossed the Mississippi into Kan-as and back. He had expected to locate farther west, but changed his mind and
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concluded there was no better place than the Prairie State, of which he has since been a resident.
After becoming satisfied that he could comfortably maintain a family, Mr. Martin was united in marriage. Sept. 10. 1868, with the maiden of his choice, Miss Rachel A., daughter of Benjamin S. and Mary (Hitchner) Gilman. They first began housekeep- ing in a modest home where they at present reside, and in due time the household was enlarged by the birth of nine children : Eugene V. was born May 29, 1869; Harvey Benjamin, Oct. 2, 1870; Walter M., March 7, 1872; Linden C., July 3, 1874; Will- iam Ferris, May 6, 1877; Lulu May, April 8, 1879; Rachel E., Oct. 1, 1880; Charlotte B., May 19, 1882; and Hope Emma, May 21, 1885.
AVID F. SMITH. The tendency of the vegetable production of nature is to do- teriorate, and particularly is this so in the case of fruit. In order to maintain a high standard of quality in apples, peaches, pears, grapes and other fruits which enter so largely into the con- sumption of the world, the constant attention of man is required not only in preparing the soil which is to nurture them, but in grafting and interming- ling the varieties. This business has so many nice and delicate points involved in it that much intelli- gence and constant study are required to make a success of horticulture, and to be a competent florti- culturist a thorough knowledge of botany is re- quired. When these two lines of business are com- bined and carried on where the climatic and soil conditions are right they are a source of much pleas- ure and profit.
The subject of this sketch is engaged in flortienlt- ure and horticulture on section 3, Indian Grove Township, one-half mile north of the town of Fair- bury, Ill. Ile was born on the 21st of January, 1833, in Perry County, Ohio, and is the son of George and Mary (Fisher) Smith, the former a na- tive of Ohio, and the latter of Switzerland; they are both living, he at the age of seventy-eight years and she at eighty. This venerable couple were the parents of eight children, the eldest of whom is the subject of this sketch; the names of the others are:
Sarah. Lena. Elizabeth, Susan, Eve, Rebecca and George F. Sarah is the wife of Peter Humbarger; Lena, of Isaac Foucht : Elizabeth, of Mr. Schrider: Susan, of Charles Poorman: Eve, of Alfred Mech- ling, and Rebecca, of Levi Ilumbarger; George F. married Sarah King.
On the 26th of September, 1867, Mr. Smith mar- ried Miss Clart Smith. Our subject's advent into Illinois was on the 18th of April, 1865. He came alone and at once entered into the nursery business. His place consists of seven acres of land which is well planted in small fruit trees, and other nursery stock, and 'on which he has erected two fine hot- houses, which are fifty feet in length. During the time he has been in business he has built up an ex- tensive trade in Livingston and adjoining counties, and gained an enviable reputation for his trees and -hrub> wherever they have been introduced. On this small farm he has erected one of the finest dwelling-houses in the county, and in its surround- ing> Mr. Smith has displayed much taste. In 1853 he met with an unfortunate accident. Josing his right hand by the explosion of a gun. In political matters he votes and works with the Democratic party, but under no circumstances does he permit political matters to interfere with his business affairs.
In our illustration department we present a view of Mr. Smith's residence and surroundings.
OHN N. GUTHRIE. While it is not one of the principles of our Government that the State shall provide food or raiment, home or money for its citizens who are able to care for themselves, without a return on their part of some sort of an equivalent, there are in all the minor branches of our Government, systems of charity and benevolence, maintained by taxation, whereby the indigent of all ages and nationalities are cared for. The States have pro- vided asylums for the deaf and dumb, blind and feeble-minded, and hospital- for the insane. The General Government has founded homes where those who lost their health or their limb, in the service of the country may spend their days in comparative comfort, and the counties of the
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states have provided houses of refuge for the des- titute, who may have no claim upon either the State or the General Government. The County Poor Hlou-e is not a palace in any sense of the word. but under the systems in vogue in most of the counties it is a comfortable home for the un- fortunate men and women who have not where to lay their heads. Nearly all these houses are man- aged upon humanitarian systems, and are in the hands of people of true benevolence. The sub- ject of thi- sketch is the Superintendent of the Asylum for the Poor of Livingston County.
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