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 84
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When we consider the fact that these vast posses- sions were built up from comparatively nothing, words seem insufficient to illustrate the persever- ance and determination which must have been em- ployed on the part of Mr. Spafford. Upon landing on American soil he had but $2.50 in his pocket, and was swindled out of even that small amount before leaving New York. This experience has caused him to watch with interest the career of young men around him, and he has always been willing to assist those who would strive to help themselves, and to support the enterprises which had for their object the general welfare of the com- munity. lle was largely instrumental in securing the building of the Wabash Railroad through Saun- emin Township, and contributed liberally of his means for this purpose. He has served as School Director for probably twenty years, and has been Commissioner of Highways, besides being promi- nent always in township affairs.
Politically Mr. Spafford is independent, voting for the men whom he considers best qualified for office, regardless of party. He was formerly a Methodist in bis religious views, but is now a Uni- versalist. lle contributes, however, to the support of all the churches in his neighborhood. He was the first to build up Methodism in Saunemin Town- ship, and the first lay delegate from Saunemin to the annual conference at Peoria. Socially he be- long> to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Sullivan Center Lodge at Saunemin. He has passed the several degrees, being now a Master Mason, and a member greatly valued by the brethren. There can be nothing more gratifying in the whole career of a man than the belief that his life has proved a
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success, and Mr. Spafford may gather large comfort from this thought, for his days have certainly been well spent, and he has not only surrounded himself aud his family with all the comforts of life but has generously remembered those less fortunate.
AMES CHADWICK. The biographer, his- torian and traveler, in passing through a sec- tion of country, naturally has in mind that which has contributed to its present condi- tion in point of the cultivation of the soil, the erec- tion of buildings, the appearance of the farm stock and all those elements which indicate the habits and disposition of the people. As a straw will show which way the wind blows, so a single individual may have great influence upon his community espe- cially during the period of the early settlement of a town or township. In reviewing the character of the subject of this biography and in looking upon the homestead which he built up from the unculti- vated prairie, little need be said as far as regards the industry with which he has labored and the money he has expended while building up one of the most creditable homes in the eastern part of Livingston County.
Mr. Chadwick has now passed his threescore years and has been a resident of this State since 1853. Ten years later he made his way from Grundy to this county, where he purchased 240 acres of land and put up his present residence with other necessary buildings. The dwelling, although having stood for twenty-four years, has by the ex- ercise of good care and occasional repairs, pre- served its first solidity and is still substantial and good for many years to come. Mr. Chadwick sold 120 acres, so that he is now simply cultivating a traet of the same size, and has had ample time and means to bestow upon this his best efforts. It is all neatly enclosed with good fences and every acre has been made available, either in raising grain or in being utilized for pasture. lle keeps good horses and especially fine cattle, the latter including graded Durham and Jerseys, of which he exhibits some nnexceptionably good specimens.
Our subject spent his early years among the New
England hills near the town of Sunderland, Ben- nington Co., Vt., where he was born May 9, 1823. 1Ie was the eldest in a family of four chil- dren, the offspring of Rufus and Freelove ( Mont- gomery) Chadwick, also natives of the Green Mountain State, and of English and Irish ancestry respectively. Rufus Chadwick was a well-edu- cated man and a surveyor by profession, although be owned a small tract of land and was fond of agricultural pursuits. He only lived out one-half his days, however, passing away when his son, our subject, was but a child five years of age. The mother survived her husband for a period of sev- eral years, her death taking place at her home about 1860, after she had arrived at the advanced age of seventy years. She remained a widow and devoted herself to the care and training of her children.
Mr. Chadwick was reared in the lumber districts of Vermont and remained in his native State until thirty years of age. He received a common-school education, and a few weeks before attaining his majority was married, in the month of April, 1844, to Miss Lucy Day, a native of his own county and born in 1830. She was the daughter of Jo- seph and Susan (Kemp) Day, and the young- est. in a family of five children. The young peo- ple commenced life together in a modest dwelling at Sunderland, where our subject continued to work in the lumber district until deciding upon a removal to the West. Upon first coming to this State he rented a farm located near Morris, Grundy County, of which he was a resident with his family for about nine years. He had been fairly prospered and in 1863, as we have stated, took possession of the land a part of which con- tinues his homestead.
Mr. Chadwick upon coming to this section of country was recognized as a valued addition to the community. He interested himself in schools and churches, and was ever ready to respond to the calls for assistance in support of those enterprises calculated to build up the township and encourage its settlement by an intelligent class of people. He served as School Director for a number of years. lle has now, with the exception of some years, during which he was a resident of Chatsworth, for the purpose of educating his children, been one of
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the most prominent citizens of Sullivan Township for a period of over thirty years. He has looked with deep satisfaction upon the development of the natural resources of Central Illinois. and should be satisfied with the part which he has borne as one of the important factors associated with its progress, both morally and financially.
Our subject and his estimable vife became the parents of eight children. of whom but four are now living. Their record is as follows: Edwin is mar- ried and a resident of Minnesota: Delia, Mrs. Zoans, lives in Indiana; James R. i- at home with his parents: Lilia is the wife of John Gilpen, a thrifty farmer of Avoea Township; Ella ched at the age of eight years, and Charles when but four years old: two died in infancy unnamed.
1 RA M. PARKER. a prominent resident of Dwight Township, where he is engaged in act- ive labor as a wide-awake farmer, has served a full apprenticeship with his hands and brain. and is now enjoying the rightful reward of the toils and anxieties of earlier years. He is the descendant of American-born people down through two genera- tion-, his great-grandfather Parker having come to this country from England prior to the Revolution- ary War.
This first representative of the Parker family to cross the Atlantic located in New York State dur- ing its first settlement, where he built up a home in the wildernes- and reared a family of sons and daughters. Among these was Ira, the father of our subject, who was born at the homestead in Gene-ee County, where he remained until quite a youth. Then, being of an adventurous turn of mind and desiring to see something of the world, he learned the trade of ship carpenter, and finally occupied himself as a boatman on the Hudson River. He married Miss Jemima Turner, of his own State, and they became the parents of seven- teen children. most of them born in New York.
In 1852 the father of our subject left the Em- pire State, and coming to Will County, Ill .. located near Joliet and lived there for a period of twenty years. Thence he removed to Kalamazoo, Mich., |
where he operated a sawmill in connection with a small farm. From there he eros-ed the Mississippi into Humboldt, Kan., and a year later, in 1881, took up his residence in the town of Dwight. Ile is now enjoying his later years in the midst of the friends who have learned to respect him for his native worth of character and the excellent qualities which constitute him a valued and praiseworthy citizen. Mr. Parker began the struggle of life in New York State when wages were low and it was a difficult matter to keep soul and body together. Among other employments he engaged in threshing with a flail, at which labor he could command only fifty eents a day. This even was at some seasons eon- sidered a large priee and he was sometimes com- pelled to fall back upon just half of it, thankful to receive even twenty-five cents for a hard day's work. In spite of these difficulties he and his family managed to thrive, and fifteen of the children grew to mature years. Those surviving are now seat- tered all over the Union.
The subject of this history was born at West Point, N. Y .. in 1842. and came to Illinois when a lad nine years of age. At that time this county was comparatively new and there were but few op- portunities afforded for seeuring an education. Ira, in common with his brothers and sisters, began working as soon as he could be of any use, and continued at the parental homestead until the out- break of the late Rebellion. He was then but a youth of eighteen years but was eager for the fray, and promptly responded to the call of President Lincoln for 300,000 men. He enlisted in Company 1. 46th Illinois Infantry, of which his brother Elijah was also a member. Subsequently Edmund and Edward, two younger brothers, also enlisted, but were compelled by their father to abandon their project before being mustered into service. Ira, with his regiment, was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and participated in the engagements at Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Vieksburg, and all the battles and skirmishes in which his regiment was engaged. Ile was often in the midst of danger and death, having many narrow cseapes. besides suffering all the privations and hardships common to the lot of the soldier. Ile fortunately, however, was neither wounded nor captured, and never in a hospital or
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ambulance during his time of service. Ile was mustered out in December, 1864, in Memphis, Tenn., where he received his honorable discharge. IIe spent the few months following in Will County. and in 1865 accompanied his father to Kalamazoo. Mieh., where he worked in the sawmill four years. and in 1873 assumed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Sarah Drollinger, Nov. 20, 1873.
After their marriage Mu and Mrs. Parker settled in Michigan, and two years later came to Dwight Township, locating on a farm two miles east of the town which property Mr. Parker had purchased in 1868. This he afterward disposed of and purchased his present homestead. llere he has the various modern improvements necessary to the formation of the complete country home, and to their house- hold cirele there have been added four children, namely : Arthur H., Mabel F., Carrie L., who died in infancy, and Amy, who is now a babe.
The wife of our subject is the daughter of Mat- thias and Jane (Lloyd) Drollinger, of Livingston County, this State. She is a most estimable lady and has many friends in this locality. Mr. Parker pursues the even tenor of his way, giving his at- tention mostly to his farming interests. and being particularly peaceable, has little use for Justices, courts or lawyers, but keeps himself posted upon all matters identified with the public welfare. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and socially belongs to the G. A. R.
AMES A. SMITH. The newspaper of the town is generally a faithful reflector of the enterprise and business of the place. While much of the success of the newspaper de- pends npon the personal management, yet the source from which it draws its support is after all its main- stay, and a newspaper which is well supported gen- erally shows that the business community is thrifty and enterprising. The Plain Dealer at Chatsworth. of which the subject of this sketch is the editor and publisher, shows both these conditions of things: excellent and intelligent personal management, and a generous patronage on the part of the reading and business public.
Mr. Smith is a native of Vermillion, Ohio, a small
town on the shores of Lake Erie, where he was born on the 6th of August, 1845. The parental ances- tors were of French extraction, but a residence in this country of several generations has obliterated the traces of French ancestry. The grandfather of Mr. Smith was a nail manufacturer in the days be- fore the introduction of machinery. The father, Aaron B. Smith, was born in Morristown, N. J., it 1813, where he served an apprenticeship to the tailor's trade, and when a young man moved to Oswego, N. Y., where he pursued that occupation. At that place he made the acquaintance of Eliza L. Erwin, who became his wife in 1835. She was born in Oswego, N. Y., in 1813, at which place her father owned a large smelting furnace.
Shortly after their marriage the parents of our subject moved to Vermillion, Ohio, where they re- sided until the fall of 1845, at which time they had four children, and the family started west in a prai- rie schooner, passing through Chicago and Ottawa, and went to Rushville, where Mrs. Smith had a brother living, who had just returned, wounded, from the Mexican War. They passed the winter at Rushville and then went to Ottawa, where they settled down for life. The father pursued his trade nearly one year, and in the spring of 1847 was elected Justice of the Peace, and held that office by re-election for forty-two consecutive years. Ile died on the 18th of April, 1887, being the oldest Justice of the Peace in point of consecutive years served, in the country. He was a stanch Demo- crat, and could always be relied upon for valuable service during the campaign. He had the distinc- tion of the personal friendship of Stephen A. Doug- las, of whom he was a great admirer. While there was nothing negative in liis character and he was very pronounced in all his views, he was scrupu- Iously respectful of the opinions of others. On the question of the tariff he was one of the best posted men in the country, and early took a position in favor of Free Trade, while he was for years Presi- dent of a club, the object of which was the promul- gation of that doctrine. The first bill providing for a public school introduced into the Legislature of Illinois, was drafted by Mr. Smith, and to him Ottawa is indebted for her first public school. He was tendered the Democratic nomination to the
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office of County Judge, and other important offices of trust and honor, but declined all except the office of Justice of the Peace. member of the Board of Education, and of the City Council. Ile was a man of much publie spirit, and engaged heartily in all public enterprises that tended to benefit and ad- vance the people of the community in which he lived. Mrs. Smith is still living and resides in Ot- tawa. the mother of eight children. all of whom are living. surrounded with the comforts of life.
James A. Smith, although a native of Ohio, grew to manhood in Illinois, as he was but an infant when the family stopped at Ottawa. In the schools of that city he received a liberal education and be- came book-keeper and cashier in a large wholesale and retail house in Ottawa, where he served in that capacity from 1864 to 1867, when he came to Chatsworth and engaged in the grain trade, in which he continued until 1880, when he became proprie- tor of the Chatsworth Plain Dealer. While he de- votes all the time necessary to matters relating to the editorial and business management of the paper, his principal business is dealing in real estate and personal securities. In his business transactions he has been eminently successful, and financially is one of the substantial men of the county. In po- litical matters he follows in the footsteps of his father, being a stanch and enthusiastic member of the Democratic party. It has been his province to hold several local offices, and at the time this sketch is written he is President of the Village Board, a position he has held for four consecutive years, and has been a member of the School Board for twelve years, in which capacity he has expended his best efforts for the advancement and upbuild- ing of the schools. In 1880 he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for State Senator, and was the only Democrat who carried Livingston County for this office, but a> the district was very strongly Republican, he was defeated, although he ran ahead of his ticket throughout the district. Ile has never chosen to connect himself with any religious society.
On the 5th of December, 1867, Mr. Smith was married to Mary C. Hemperley, daughter of Adam and Rebecca (Schuler) Ilemperley. She was born in Danphin County. Pa., on the 5th of December,
1839, and came to Illinois in 1866, accepting the position of manager of the notion department of the store in which Mr. Smith was cashier. There gather around their hearthstone four children, the names of whom are M. Eva, Ora G., Clarence H. and James A., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Smith take a leading position in the society at Chatsworth, and are the center of a large number of friends and ac- quaintances. Being amply able to live well they make their home and surroundings so pleasant that people are intuitively attracted toward them. The Plain Dealer, the journal over which Mr. Smith presides, wields a decided influence in the affairs of the town and county. It is outspoken, emphatic, but respectful and respectable in its tone.
DOLPH KOEHLER. a resident of Living- ston County for the last twenty years. now operates the farm of Judge L. E. Payson. which includes a fine tract of 200 acres. Ile is accredited with a full understanding of his business, and what he accomplishes is done well. Ilis experience in farming extends back to his boy- hood, as he was reared on a farm in LaSalle County, this State. He is a native of the Kingdom of Sax- ony, where he was born Sept. 6, 1847, and whence he was brought to this country with his mother when a small child, after the death of his father in his na- tive Germany.
Mr. Koehler received a common-school educa- tion, and upon first coming to Livingston County, assisted his brother Gustavus, in breaking prairie in Chatsworth Township. With the exception of three years spent in Ford County, he has resided in Chatsworth Township since that time. He has his residence on section 32, where, with his wife and family, he lives comfortably and enjoys a large pro- portion of the good things of life.
Mr. Koehler was first married, in the spring of 1872, to Miss Amelia Beleyg, a native of Wiscon- sin, with whom he became acquainted in German- ville. Of this union there were born two children. Charles and Cora May, and the mother died in December, 1875.
The present wife of our subject, to whom he was
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married in the spring of 1880, was formerly Miss Abbie Koestner, who was born June 7, 1862, and is the daughter of George W. and Sophia Koestner, of German birth and parentage. The three chil- dren born of this marriage were named Willie, El- mer and Nellie. The youngest died in infancy.
Mr. Koehler uniformly votes the straight Demo- cratic ticket. He is not identified with any secret or religious society, but as near as he is able en- deavors to adhere to the precepts of the Golden Rule, and is consequently held in due respect by his neighbors and acquaintances.
RS. MARY R. MASON, widow of the late William D. Mason, of Pontiac, and daugh- ter of Leonard and Margaret ( Miller ) Posten, was born in Preston County. W. Va., July 18, 1827, and became the wife of Mr. Mason in 1847. Mr. Mason was a native of West Virginia, born in Preston County, March 16, 1822, and was the son of William and Lydia D. (Turner) Mason, also natives of the Old Dominion, descended respectively from the Scotch, Irish and Welsh. William Mason, Sr., was a farmer by oc- eupation, and served as Justice of the Peace in his native county for a period of twenty-one years. The parents spent their entire lives in Virginia. Their family included eight children, four now living, namely: John, Albert G .; Mary A., Mrs. Coburn, and Emily, now Mrs. Messenger.
William D. Mason, Jr., spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, but when starting out for him- self engaged in general merchandising at Albright- ville. W. Va. About 1864 he removed to Win- chester, Adams Co., Ohio, and was engaged as before for six years following. Upon selling ont he came to this State and purchased a farm in Pon- tiac Township, where he spent the remainder of his days cultivating the soil. His farm included 266 acres and he built up a good homestead, where he spent his last years in ease and comfort, closing his cyes for his final rest in 1884. Ile was Dem- ocratic in politics, and as a man and citizen was held in the highest esteem.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Mason Was
James A. Posten, a native of England. Her mother's parents were John Il. and Mary A. ( Lin- ard) Miller, natives of Germany, who immigrated to this country in their youth, where the father en- gaged as a cabinet-maker in Maryland. Their son Leonard, the father of Mrs. Mason, during his younger years followed milling and farming in Preston County, W. Va., whence he immigrated to Iowa in 1868. Hle located in Poweshick County, where his death took place in 1872, and that of the mother in 1884. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Leonard Posten, who always took an active part in politics, was a stanch adherent of Democratic principles. The parental household included eleven children, nine now living, namely : Harriet, Mrs. Pile: John H .; Mary R., our subject; Alphous P., Salathiel J .: Charlotte, Mrs. Morris; Lovilla, Mrs. Cress: Will- iam, and Sarah, Mrs. Irwin.
Mr. and Mrs. Mason became the parents of six children, three of whom are living, namely : Levas .. seur, married to Miss Margaret Debruin, and they have four children-William D., Ella R., Frank and Edna; Albert married Miss Clara Grandy, and they have three children-Ollie L., Leonard L. and an infant unnamed; Elizabeth L. is the wife of T. E. Grandy, of Pontiac; they had one child, Ida, who died Oct. 29, 1884. The deceased were W. M., who died in Pontiac in February, 1877, and is buried in that cemetery. The other two. Margaret, an infant, and Smith, were laid to rest in Preston County, W. Va.
Mrs. Mason now lives in the city of Pontiac. and since a small child has been a devoted member of the Methodist. Episcopal Church. In younger years she was quite active in the temperance movement and a member of the W. C. T. U.
ARCELLUS H. COOK. The great novel- ist, James Fennimore Cooper, through one of his characters. Leatherstocking, main- tained that every man had his gifts; that the Indian was adapted to one kind of life, the white man to another, and each in his station pos-
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sessed peculiar qualities for following a particular calling. We are often reminded of this in noting the phenomenal success which follows some men, and are led to believe that Cooper was entirely right in his idea. The subject of this sketch was fortunate in selecting the calling to which he seemed best adapted, viz., that of a stock-breeder, and he is one of the leaders of this department of agriculture in Livingston County. For the last fif- teen years he has been operating upon 640 acres of land, owning a quarter section and renting the bal- anee. He makes a specialty of high-grade Short- horu cattle, which he feeds and ships largely to the Chicago market. He also has a stable of Norman horses containing some of the finest specimens of the equine race to be found in Pleasant Ridge Township. where his homestead is located on sec- tion 26. and is a pleasant spot fully in keeping with the tastes and means of the proprietor.
Mr. Cook is a fine specimen among the descend- ants of his New England ancestry, and was born in the town of Hadley. Mass., Jan. 26, 1842. Ilis parent -. Philander and Marcia (Childs) Cook, were natives of Vermont. The father was born in June, 1810, and was of English descent. He was a mason by trade and also followed farming, spending his last years in Bureau County, this State, where his leath took place Oct. 29, 1859. The Cooks located in Massachusetts during its early settlement, as also did the Chikls family. The mother of our subject was born in 1821. and died when a young woman at the age of twenty-seven years, on the 23d of July, 1848. Of her union with Philander Cook there were born four children, of whom Marcellus was the eldest. The next. a daughter Lucia, mar- ried John Blanchard. of Vermont, and they are now living in Moulton. Iowa; Arthur L. married Miss McGibbon. of Winterset, lowa, where she now re- sides; the youngest died in infancy.
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