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 76

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 76

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Mr. Guthrie was born on the 21st of February, 1828. in Fountain County, Ind. He is the son of John and Jane (Mcintyre) Guthrie, the former born in Rockbridge County, Va., in 1788, and who died. at the age of eighty-one years, m Ep- pard's Point Township, at the residence of the sub- jeet of this sketch. When the father left Virginia he went to Cincinnati, where he lived until 1816, and then removed to Washington County, Ind .. where he was married and lived until about 1827, following farming and carpentering. Ilis wife's parents were from Virginia, and came to Indiana in about 1816, where the father died when he was over eighty years of age. The names of Mr. Guthrie's maternal grandparents were Robert and Sarah MeIntyre. Robert was a Representative in the Legislature from Fountain County, Ind., and was a Deputy Sheriff For several years. He was a man of good business qualifications and was highly respected.

To the parents of our subject were born seven children-Indiana, George W., Mary J., Margaret, Robert M., Catherine and John Nelson. Indiana was born in Washington County, Ind., and married John Jone-, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they had one boy, Joseph W. Jones, now a lawyer in Danville, Ill., who has served as State's Attorney for several years; Indiana died in 1850, in Fountain County, and her husband was married a second time and died soon after in Wis- consin. George W. was born in Washington County. Ind., i- married, has a family of five chil- dren, and lives in Franklin County, Ill. : Mary J. was born in Washington County. Ind., and died in Fountain County. at the age of seventeen; Mar-

garet was born in Washington County. married Daniel Brown, and died in 1860, in Jasper County, Ind., leaving four children: Robert M. was born in Washington County, Ind., was a wagon-maker by trade, and died in Fountain County, at the age of twenty-live; Catherine was first married to Philip Liekenhons, who died one year afterward : she is now the wife of the Rev. Jeremiah Clark, of Cedar County, Mo., and has a family of seven chil- dren.

The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the family. His mother died when he was about four- teen months old, and he lived at the home of a -is- ter until he was old enough to take care of himself. At the age of twenty-three years, on the 19th of September. 1850. he was married to Ann Auter, the daughter of James and Martha ( Marlatt) Auter, natives of Ohio, who came to Indiana about 1831, at which time she was about six months old. Her parents had six children-llarvey, Peter, John, Mary J., Elizabeth, and Ann, the wife of our sub- ject. Of these, three are living: Mary J .. the widow of Allison Virden, of Pontiac; Elizabeth, who lives in Pontiac: and Peter, who lives in Fountain County, Ind. The father died when Ann was a child.

Mr. Guthrie has been a farmer ever since he was eleven years of age, and for the past year and a half has been Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, of which he has a lease for three years. His management of this farm has given great satis- faction to the people and the authorities. He has served in an official capacity as Trustee and Assessor of the township.

To Mr. and Mrs. Guthrie have been born five children-Martha J., Florence A .. Lillie, Cora, and one who died before being named. Martha J. was born Sept. 6, 1851, and acts as Matron of the asylum. She was married to William llalsted, of New York, who came to Illinois when quite young and died on the 25th of August, 1878, leaving one child, Florence AA. Habsted; Florence A. died in infancy; Lillie was born April 14, 1863, and is the wife of Lewis Thrasher: she is a teacher by occupation. Cora married George Wooley, and lives in Avoca Township; they have three sons. The wife of Mr. Guthrie died of consumption on

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

the 5th of March, 1887. In May, 1886, she went on a visit to her brother in Douglas County, and while waiting at the depot was exposed to the weather and contracted a cold which resulted in her death.

Mr. Guthrie is an active member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which for many years he has served as Steward. He is Democratic in politics and takes quite an active part in the cam- paigns of the township and county. He is a man of excellent business reputation, which is justified by his record in this county.

W ILLIAM G. MESSLER is the junior mem- ber of the firm of Searing & Messler, deal- ers in grain and agricultural implements at Chatsworth, and is numbered among the cuter- prising and reliable business men of the county. He is a native of Illinois, having been born in the town of Cuba, Fulton County, on the 14th of Oc- tober, 1849.

Benjamin W. Messler, the father of our subject. was a native of the State of Maryland, but when a young man he moved to the State of Ohio, locat- ing near the city of Dayton, where he was united in marriage with Mary E. Cline, a native of Vir- ginia, where she was born June 25, 1820. Imme- diately after their marriage the young couple loaded their household goods into a wagon and started westward, and after a weary journey ar- rived in Fulton County, III., where they were num- bered among the early pioneers. The father at first['engaged in merchandising at Farmington, but a few years later located on a farm, which he soon after left, and became a hotel-keeper in the town of Liverpool. He next removed to Cuba, near which place he resided and followed farming for several years, meeting with marked success. He continued in this occupation until 1863, when on account of his advanced age, he moved into the village, where he passed his remaining years in retirement from active business, and died in the year 1871, at the age of fifty-six. Mrs. Messler is still living, and re- sides at Cuba. Their family consists of six chil- dren : Hannah, the wife of W. H. IIeller, resides

on a farm adjoining Cuba; Elizabeth, the wife of Il. E. Heiffner, resides in Beardstown; John C. lives near Crete, Neb .; William G .; Benjamin F. resides in Farmington, and George F. at Havana.

Mr. Messler was reared on a farm, and received a good education in the public schools at Cuba. When about twenty years of age he learned teleg- raphy, and was employed as operator at Canton, Ill., for the C., B. & Q. R. R. After discharging his duties faithfully for three years for this com- pany, he entered the employ of the Toledo. Peoria & Western Railroad Company, for which he worked about ten years, being located at intervals at State Line, Gridley and Chatsworth, serving as operator and Station Agent. In 1883 he became associated with A. B. Searing in the business in which they are at present engaged.

On the 2d of April, 1874, Mr. Messler was united in marriage with Miss Mary L., daughter of Martin F. and Mary J. Wright, and born near Lewistown, Fulton Co., Ill., Feb. 11, 1848. They have three children-Bloice N., Gertrude Etta and Alta Bernice. Politically, Mr. Messler affiliates with the Democratic party, but never takes any in- terest more than to perform the duties of a citizen by casting his vote. Office-seeking has no allure- ments for him, and the only position he has ever accepted was a membership in the Town Council. He is an ardent member of the Masonic fraternity, is a Knight Templar, and for three years served as Master of Chatsworth Lodge No. 539. The firm to which he belongs is a very reliable one, and has large transactions with the people of Livingston County, whose confidence it enjoys in a large measure.

A view of Messrs. Searing and Messler's elevator is shown on another page of this work.

E DWIN G. MITCHELL. The time was when a farmer was simply a man who devoted his time to putting the seed in the ground, and harvesting the crops that grew therefrom when ready for garnering; but during the past few years the Illinois farmer has discovered that there are accessories to farming that pay a profit which fully

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

justifies him in including in his calling that of breeding live stock. Some stock-raisers devote their attention to raising cattle simply for the food markets, while others with higher ambitions, strive to improve the strains of certain breeds of horses and cattle. The subject of this sketch has a parti- ality for raising fine Belgian horses and has been quite successful, one stallion of that breed in his stables pulling the beam at 1,500 pounds, and is one of the finest specimens of horses in all Living- ston County. In horse culture Mr. Mitchell com- bines great ambition with much sagacity. His farm is located on section 6, Belle Prairie Township.

Mr. Mitchell was born in Calhoun County, Mich., on the 22d of January, 1840, and is the son of George W. and Clara M. ( Brainard) Mitchell, both of whom are natives of the State of Connecticut. The father was a farmer by occupation, in which he met with much success. During the early days he was a Captain in the State Militia, in which position he served for many years. He emigrated to Michi- gan soon after his marriage in 1837, and died in 1849. The mother, who was born in 1818, is still living. To them were born four children-Melissa A., Edwin G., Myba MI., and Clara M., now de- ceased.

Our subject remained at home with his parents until he was eighteen years of age, devoting his time to learning the rudiments of farm work, and obtaining a common-school education. In 1858 he moved to Marshall County, Kan. where he re- mained two years and thence went to Burlington, Jowa, where he remained for three years, when he came to Illinois, in which State he has since resided.

In 1874 Mr. Mitchell was married to Miss Fran- ce. Travis, daughter of Martin M. and Eliza (Thompson) Travis, both natives of Tennessee. She was born on the 13th of June, 1854, and is the inother of three children-Zelpah, Martin E. and Clayton. Mr. Mitchell owns a farm of sixty-five acres, which is thoroughly tile drained and highly cultivated. Ile lives in a model residence, which is a credit to him.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and take unusual interest in church affairs. He is an enthusiastic member of the Republican party, to which he gives

willing and ready allegiance, on all occasions de- fending its principles, and votes for its nominees. At the present time he is School Director, and takes great interest in all matters pertaining to the schools of his township, and to education in general.

ANIEL M. COY, a farmer and stock-raiser on section 33, is the owner of one of the best-cultivated and improved farms in Reading Township. It consists of 160 acres of fine land, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. McCoy is a native of Ohio, and was born on the 23d of October, 1834. He is the son of John and Tacy (Slaughter) McCoy, natives of Virginia. The father died on the 8th of September, 1879, and the mother in June, 1843. The father was a farmer by occupation, and at the age of twelve years accompanied his parents to the State of Ohio. He and his father Joseph were the first settlers in the southeastern portion of Ohio.

Daniel McCoy, the subject of this sketch, is one of a family of nine children as follows: Henry, Millie, Lucinda, Elizabeth, Eliza, Penny Ann, Mary Ann, Daniel and Molona. He was educated in the common schools of Ohio, where he remained until 1862, when he came to Livingston County and located where he now resides. In 1869 he re- moved to Missouri, but after living there about four months, returned and occupied the same farm and house from which he had removed.

. On the 4th of January. 1855, Mr. MeCoy was married to Isabelle MeGrew, who was born on the 27th of November, 1827, and is the daughter of Nathan and Mary MeGrew, natives of Pennsylva- nia. Iler parents had a family of nine children, whose names are, Eliza, Mary, Margaret, Isabelle, Finley, Lueinda, Nathan, Sarah and George. To Daniel McCoy and wife four children have been born-William, John Finley, Sarah Maria and Tacy Bell. William was born on the 1st of October, 1855, and died at the age of eleven months and eighteen days; John Finley was born March 8, 1857, married Elizabeth Blacklidge, and had one | child, now deceased; he is a lawyer and resides in Kansas City. Sarah Maria was born Dee. 13.

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

1860, and attended the Normal School at Valpa- raiso, Ind .. from which she was graduated in the teachers' course, in 1884; Tacy Bell was born Dec. 27, 1864, and attended the same school, being graduated in the scientific and classical departments in 1886. Both of these daughters are now at home with their parents.

Besides general farming, Mr. McCoy makes a specialty of fine horses and other stock. lle is at present the owner of two Abdallah horses, and a grade of Norman strains in others. He has earned considerable reputation as a stockman, and in all the affairs of the township he is considered a lead- ing as well as a representative man.

ACOB STREAMER, proprietor of the fine store of drugs and varieties located on Mad- ison street, Pontiac, came to Illinois in April, 1844, settling first at Magnolia, Putnam County, where he engaged in the practice of med- icine. Six years later he removed to Reading, this county, and became book-keeper in a store of gen- eral merchandise. On the 22d of May, 1852, he came to Pontiac, when nothing but the name sug- gested a town, for there were but seven persons in the place. He, however, engaged a room in one of the new buildings which had been put up, and be- gan the tailoring business which he had learned in his youth. In connection with this he put in a stock of drugs, and to eke out a slender income, carried the mail in his hat and was digni- fied by the name of Postmaster in connection with J. P. Garner. It is hardly necessary to say that he . has been the witness of many and great changes since that time, and has been no unimportant fac- tor in the growth and development of this part of Livingston County. He served twelve years as Justice of the Peace in Pontiac Township, and has been largely identified with those enterprises tend- ing to the moral and intellectual advancement of the people. Considering the fact that he came to this section of country with a cash capital of $15, and that now he is the owner of a fine property, it is hardly necessary to say that he has been diligent in business and judicious in his investments.

Mr. Streamer was born in Williamsburg, Blair Co., Pa., Feb. 8, 1818. Ilis parents were Chris- tover and Elizabeth (Knefller) Streamer, natives respectively of Germany and Pennsylvania. Chris- tover Streamer emigrated to America when a young man, settling first in Baltimore, Md., where he fol- lowed his trade of tailor. 1Te was born July 7, 1779, and died in Williamsburg Aug. 11, 1849. The mother was born Jan 30, 1792, and died Dec. 2, 1873. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living, namely : Jacob, our subject; Mary, Martha, Christover, George and Francis. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Dr. Francis Streamer, a native of Germany, who emigrated to America and settled first in Lan- caster County, Pa., whence he afterward removed to Williamsburg, where he remained through life. The maternal grandfather was Dr. Jacob Kneffler. a native of Germany, who after coming to the United States also located at Lancaster, Pa., where he followed the practice of his profession and passed the remainder of his life.

Jacob Streamer attended school until eighteen years of age, and then employed himself in the tailor shop of his father. His tastes, however, in- elined otherwise, and he spent considerable time among the medical works in the office of a physi- cian. He obtained a good knowledge of diseases and their remedies, and became admirably qualified as a dealer in drugs and medicine. He also availed himself of the works of the best authors of the pres- ent day, and one of the most attractive features of his present home is a library for which he has re- fused $5,000.

The marriage of Jacob Streamer and Miss Salina Sturman took place at the home of the bride in Pontiac, April 14, 1853. Mrs. Streamer was born in Virginia Oct. 3, 1831, whence her parents re- moved to Ohio when she was but a babe, and after- ward came to Illinois and settled in Rook's Creek Township. They are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Streamer have been born four children, all living: Joseph is a resident of Chicago; Mary E., of Pontiac; Frances M. and Hattie E., of Boulder, Col. Mr. Streamer was born and reared a Demo- crat, and has adhered loyally to first principles. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F. He is a

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

public-spirited citizen, and nothing pleases him better than to note the progress and advancement of the town which was hardly a hamlet even when he came here. Ile donated the lot upon which to build the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is noted for his hospitality and kindness of heart. lle has been the especial friend of the poor and needy, to whom he deals out the remedies for their physical ills withont money and without priec.

RCHIBALD MCMULLEN. One of the men who are entitled to credit for trans- forming Chatsworth Township from an ex- panse of raw prairie to a township com- posed of highly cultivated farms, is the subject of this sketeb, who became a resident of Livingston County in 1868, locating on section 31. He is a native of Canada West, where he was born Jan. 7, 1836. His father, Archibald McMullen, was born in Scotland, and possessed all the peculiar traits of that splendid people, and his mother, Jane (Boyd) McMullen, was born in the North of Ireland. The parents were married in Canada, and resided there during their entire lives. The father was killed by the fall of a tree in 1844, and the mother died in 1852. They were the parents of five children. three of whom are living: Mary Jane, Mrs. John Karsting; Eliza, Mrs. Robert Baggs, and Archibald. Our subject resided in Canada nutil nineteen years of age. when he crossed over the line to find a future home in the United States. Journeying west he first stopped at Ottawa, LaSalle Co., Ill .. where he secured employment first as a farm hand, and then in rafting for three months on the Missis- sippi River. He subsequently rented land and farmed on his own account for six years, In 1868 he came to Livingston County, and first rented land near the village of Forest, where he remained until 1870, when he settled in Chatsworth Town- -hip, where he has since resided. The farm which he owns and enltivates contains 160 acres, which was raw prairie when he took possession of it, not a plowshare ever having been sunk in it, and now is one of the best improved farms in the county.

In the month of March, 1866, Mr. MeMullen was

married to Louisa Harman, who was born in France Nov. 7. 1846, and is the daughter of John and Ade- laide (Obrey) Harman, who with their family came to the United States in 1850, and became settlers of LaSalle County. She has one sister and three brothers-John, Amil, Joseph and Kate. Mr. and Mrs. MeMullen are the parents of ten children, one of whom, Lizzie, died in infancy, the nine living being: George, Ella, John, Addie, Louisa, Jennie, Josie, Stella May and Ethie Vera Arzelle. Mr. MeMullen votes and acts with the Republican party, and has discharged efficiently the duties of School Director. He and his family are attached to the Presbyterian Church, of which they are worthy members.

G EORGE B. DURKEE is one of the many excellent farmers and stock-raisers of Read- ing Township, whose home is pleasantly lo- cated on section 27. He is a native of the State of New York, was born on the 29th of March, 1837, in Tioga County, and is the son of George W. and Linda (Swartwood) Durkee, the father be- ing a native of Vermont, who was born in 1806 and died in 1862. The mother was a native of New York. born in 1810, and died there Feb. 6. 1881. The father was a carpenter, which trade he followed nearly all his life, both in his native State and in the State of Virginia. to which he removed in 1828. He was married in the year 1832. and became the father of five children, whose names are: Mary Durkee, born July 14, 1834, married A. P. Gordon, a carpenter by trade, has six children and now re- sides in California; George B., our subject; John, born Oct. 10, 1839, has followed various occupa- tions, and resides in New York; Charles A., born Sept. 14, 1842, married Ellie Kinney, has a family of three children, and resides in Virginia, where he is a farmer and merchant; Frank E., born in Sep- tember, 1848, married Warren Knapp, a merchant, has two children ; and resides in Waverly, N. Y.

The subject of our sketch resided at home until about twenty-three years of age, during which time lie received a good common-school education, On the 6th of April, 1860, he was married to Carrie

RESIDENCE OF FRANK CONRADT , SEC. 13. LONG POINT TOWNSHIP.

RES. OF V. E. STRATTAN , SEC. 24. LONG POINT TOWNSHIP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

Poyer, a native of New York, who was born Dec. 17, 1838. She was the daughter of Richard and Sarah Poyer. By this marriage there were born the following-named children: George M., born June 21, 1862, at Little Rock, Ark., who was a soldier in the regular army, his term of service ex- piring in October, 1887; Fred C., born June 21, 1868; Annie, born Oct. 10, 1873, and Linda, born June 8, 1877.

Mrs. Carrie Durkee, our subject's first wife, died on the 6th of April, 1880, and on the 30th of All- gust, 1881, Mr. Durkee was again married, to Mrs. Emma (Fillingham) Rien, the widow of J. W. Rien, who died Aug. 28, 1877. By her first marriage she was the mother of one child, who died in in- fancy. Mrs. Emma Durkee is the daughter of Levi and Eliza (Savage) Fillingham. Iler father was born on the 29th of September, 1817, and her mother was born April 20, 1818, and died April 20, 1886. They were both natives of England and came to America in the year 1847. They were the parents of the children whose record is as fol- lows: Saralı Elizabeth, who married Miles Corkin, has a family of seven children, and resides in Liv- ingston County ; Esther, who married Orris Barto, . has a family of three children, and resides at Colfax, Ill .; Phæbe married John Collins, a drayman by occupation, has a family of five children, and re- sides in Colfax, Ill .; Edmund L. married Hadusa Maxwell, has a family of four children, and resides in Woodford County, Ill .; Mary A., born Feb. 8, 1857, married Henry Zinck, a farmer by occu- pation, has a family of nine children, and resides in Nebraska; Emma, the wife of our subject, born June 16. 1853; Naomi Jane, born Oct. 15, 1855, married James Black, a farmer and carpenter, has one child, and resides in Nebraska : Annie M., born May 28, 1857, married John Black, a carpenter and poultry dealer, has two children, and resides in Eu- reka, Ill .; and two brothers now deceased.

Our subject owns eighty acres of land in Pontiac Township, which is under good cultivation, and is well improved, containing a good house, commodi- on- barns and a fine orchard. This farm is located on section 3, in the above-named township, but the farm which Mr. Durkee cultivates consists of a quarter section of land near Ancona, Reading . ical waters. After a six months' cruise they re-

Township. He has the reputation of being a first- class farmer, and conducts his business systemati- cally. Politically he has identified himself for several years with the Greenback party, and is an earnest and intelligent advocate of its doctrines.

ILO M. MILLER, of Chatsworth Town- ship, is of New England birth and parent- age, and migrated to the West when a young man, in 1855. Eight years later he became a resident of this county, where he has since remained, and is numbered among its most valuable and enterprising citizens. He is the owner of a good farm property located on section 17, and also carries on the manufacture of brooms.

Our subject is a native of Adams, Berkshire C'o., Mass., where he began life Nov. 15, 1830. His father, Caleb Miller, was a native of Rhode Island, whence he removed during his early manhood to Adams, Mass. He there met and married Miss Nancy Mitchell, a native of his own State. They located on a farm near the town of Adams, Mass., where they became highly esteemed citizens and spent the remainder of their days. They became the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, seven of whom grew to mature years.

Milo Miller was the youngest of his parents' fam- ily, and in common with his brothers and sisters received the advantages of the Adams schools. He remained a member of his father's household until a youth of fifteen years, and then commenced for himself by working for his brother-in-law. Ile con- tinued with him about four years, and in October, 1849, migrated to East Whitley, and securing a position in a broom manufactory, served a thorough apprenticeship, and afterward worked as a journey- man in Hatfield. In the spring of 1851, becoming wearied of the monotony of his trade he boarded a whaling-vessel from Provincetown, and in his subsequent voyages passed through the Gulf of Mexico, and visited the Bermudas and the coast of Africa. His vessel was principally engaged in the capture of sperm whales, which only frequent trop-

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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 76

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