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 97

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 97

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when he sold out and came to Illinois, locating in Livingston County, where he bought eighty aeres of land in Esmen Township. which constitutes the farm on which he now resides. He immediately moved upon this farm, and has since devoted his life to developing and improving it. They have had six children, four of whom are living-Thomas .J., Francis B., Rachel and William Perry. The eldest. Celia Ann, and an infant are dead; Thomas married Mary Nichols, and is engaged in farming in Chase County, Kan. ; they have a family of nine children -Joanna, Nora, Anderson, Bertha, Charlie, Lloyd, Morgan, Olive and JJackson. Francis also lives in Chase County, and is a farmer and horse-dealer: Rachel is the wife of Benjamin Flowers. of Em- poria, Lyons Co., Kan., and they have two chil- dren, Cecil and Nettie; Perry married Flora Rhodes; they have three children-Jessie S., Ora and an in- fant.

Mr. Corbin has never taken a very active part in politics, but invariably casts his vote for the Dem- ocratie ticket. He has served as School Director, and Road Commissioner several times. During the late war he was drafted for service in the army, but being over the age established by law for compul- sory service, he was never taken into active service.

G EORGE B. MUNGER, a retired hotel-keeper, but now the owner of 1,000 acres of land on sections 35 and 36, Esmen Township, where he is devoting his time exclusively to agricult- ure and stock-raising, was born in the town of Sullivan, Madison Co., N. Y., on the 9th of April, 1838, and was the fourth in a family of seven boys, children of William 11. and Emily A. (Bushnell) Munger, natives of New York. The maternal grandparents were Reuben and Betsey (Chapman) Bushnell, who were natives of Connecticut .. The father of Mr. Munger was an inn-keeper, and built Lafayette llall at Verona, N. Y., and kept it as a hotel for twenty-five years. He was an enterpris- ing man, and largely interested in the country's progress at that time. He was a neighbor and warm personal friend of Hon. Horatio Seymour, and

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wielded a strong influence in State politics. He died in 1854. The widow survives him, and re- sides with her son at the Arcade Hotel, Springfield, Ohio.

Mr. Munger was reared to hotel life, and was educated in the city schools of his home. His mother moved West, and settled near Morris, Ill., where she had purchased a farm. Ile remained at home until the war broke out, and in August, 1861, enlisted in Company G, 36th Illinois Infantry, Capt. Parkhurst commanding. Mr. Munger be- gan to raise a company, but afterward united his men with Capt. Parkhurst's command, and was mustered in at Aurora. The company was placed under Col. Grossell, and was first sent to Rolla, Mo., where he was assigned to Curtis' command. which was attached to the Army of the Southwest. It was engaged in active skirmishing from the start, and met the first stubborn resistance at Pea Ridge. After this engagement Curtis' army moved from Pea Ridge in the direction of Helena, Ark., on the Mississippi River, which place was reached after a long and severe march, through a country which was barren of subsistence. Mr. Munger remained with the same division during his entire service, participating in all the marches and engagements in which it took part. Three of his brothers were in the service also. He was injured at Pea Ridge, but not wounded afterward. All the brothers went through the war without serious damage, but one of them died soon after his return. Mr. Munger was mustered out at Washington, and returned to his home, where he spent the next year, and then he and his brother started a hotel at Bridgeport, N. Y.

In the city above mentioned, on the 18th of No- vember, 1863, Mr. Munger married Miss Mary M. Siver, daughter of Joseph and Betsey (Ochempach) Siver, who were natives of New York. Three years later they came West, where he bought a hotel at. Earlville. He remained there three years, and then went to Princeton, Ill., and purchased the Empire. the leading hotel there. He bought it on Tuesday, and on Thursday it was totally destroyed by fire, without any insurance, leaving him to begin at the bottom of the ladder again. In a little while he started the National Ilotel in the same town. from

place altogether seven years. From there he went to Chicago, where he managed the Burdick House three years, the Clifton House some years. and the Matteson House five years. He then concluded to quit the hotel business and become a farmer and stock-raiser. In December of 1885 he bought a little more than 1,000 acres of land in the township of Esmen, which he has stocked with fine Norman horses. Short-horn cattle and Southdown sheep, and where he proposes to indulge his taste for farm- ing and stock-raising the remainder of his life.

Mr. and Mrs. Munger have but one child, Carrie E., wife of Clarence Russell Britton, of the Britton Iron and Steel Company, of Cleveland, where they reside. . Mr. Munger takes no part in political mat- ters, but devotes his entire time to business and domestic affairs.

C HESTER F. CROUCHI. The early life of this gentleman was spent in New England among the New Hampshire hills, where his birth took place in the little village of Haverhill, Aug. 27, 1815. Ile was reared and educated in his native county, remaining under the home roof until after passing his thirty-first year. and working with his father on the farm, which had been in posses- sion of the latter for a long period. He came to the West in 1854, and two years later purchased eighty acres of his present homestead, which now consists of one-quarter of section 22 in Indian Grove Township. He brought with him to Illi- nois the substantial traits of character with which he had been born and bred, and is tacitly accorded the respect and esteem of his neighbors.

Our subject is the son of Ephraim and Rebecca ( Whitmore) Crouch, also native- of the old Granite State, where they spent their entire lives. They are remembered by their son as Christian people possessed of the noblest qualities, and performing all their duties in life as parents, neighbors and friends, in a most praiseworthy manner. Ephraim which he went into the American, remaining in that . Crouch was reared to farming pursuits, which he

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followed all his life near the place of his birth, and there rested from his labors in Angust, 1853. He was a Christian in the broadest sense of the word, although never having connected himself with any religious organization. The same may be said of the mother, who passed to her rest many years previous to the death of her husband, her decease taking place in December. 1837, while she was com- paratively a young woman. The eight children of the parental household were named respectively, Eliza, Sarah, Rebecca, Olive. Franklin, Chester F., Richard and Ephraim. Of these six are living and mostly residents of Illinois.

Mr. Crouch was first married in New Hampshire in 1847, to Miss Harriet Taplin, who remained his companion for a period of thirty years and passed away Nov. 20, 1877, leaving two children-George B., who married Miss Lucetta Watkins, and Evelyn, Mrs. Elliott Carter; both reside in this county. The mother came to the West with her husband and died at her home in this township, where her remains were laid to rest in Indian Grove Ceme- tery.

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was · married Oct. 20, 1879, was formerly Mrs. Ursula (Makepeace) Sackett, daughter of Solomon and Jane Makepeace, and widow of James Sackett. The latter, a native of Lewis County, N. Y., was born in 1822, followed farming all his life, and died at his home in Pleasant Ridge Township in 1871. Ile was a true Christian gentleman, and served as Class-Leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. He had been a resident of Illi- nois twenty years, locating first in Kendall County, whence four years later he came to Livingston and took up a tract of land in Pleasant Ridge Town- ship, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was prominent in local affairs, and held the of- fice of Justice of the Peace four years.

Mrs. Ursula Crouch was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., in 1827. Her father and mother were na- tives of Massachusetts and Connecticut respect- ively, and their family included seven children, nainely : Lucy, Ursula, Jackson, Mary J., Solomon, John D. and Lydia. The marriage of Ursula with Mr. Sackett resulted in the birth of ten children, mainely : John H., Delia, Sabrina, Emma, J. E.,

Mary, Ella, Lydia, Hattie and Willie. Mr. Crouch is a decided Republican, politically, and served as Postmaster at Ilaverhill eight years.

ILLIAM A. PHILLIPS occupies the home- stead of his father, one of the most thor- oughly cultivated farms of Newtown Town- ship, and also represents this township in the County Board of Supervisors. He is a man of standing in his community, possessing good business capacities, and in all respects a public-spirited and liberal-minded citizen. His property is located on scetion 5, and he in common with a large propor- tion of the farmers of Livingston County, takes pride in his live stock especially, and gives to this department a large share of his attention.

The subject of this biography was born under the roof where he now lives, Oct. 3, 1855, and is the son of Jacob and Mary (Zeigler) Phillips, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this ALBUM. The father is still living on the old homestead. The dwelling formerly stood three- fourths of a mile west, whence it -was removed to its present location as being a more convenient and desirable one.

Young Phillips passed his childhood and youth after the manner of most farmers' sons in the early days, and pursued his first studies at the district schools. He was a studious boy, ambitious to ex- cel, and in the fall of 1872, when seventeen years old, repaired to Clarke County, where he took a thor- ough course of study, spending two years and six months preparing to enter upon a collegiate course at Westfield College. His plans, however, were sadly broken in upon by his failing health, and he was obliged to abandon his books and return to the more active life of the farm. Soon afterward he commeneed working on his own account and began the establishment of a home for himself.

In pursuance of his later plans Mr. Phillips now secured himself a wife and helpmeet in the person of Miss Catherine Parcel, to whom he was married at the home of the bride, in Westfield, Ang. 27, 1876, Rev. William McGinnis, of the United Brethren Church, officiating. Mrs. Phillips was

RESIDENCE OF THOMAS MILLS, SEC I, LONG POINT TOWNSHIP

RESIDENCE OF CHRIST. GMELICK, SEC 7, AMITY TOWNSHIP

RESIDENCE OF IRA COOK, SEC 16, AMITY TOWNSHIP,

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born in Westfield, May 8, 1857, and is the daugh- ter of John I. and Jane (MeQnern) Parcel, natives respectively of New Jersey and North Carolina. The father was born in 1805, and the mother about 1821-22. The parents of both migrated first to Ohio during its early settlement, and subsequently to Indiana, where the young people were married. From the new State of Indiana they removed to Illinois, and located in Clark County, where they still live, the mother in good health but the father quite feeble. They are people highly respected by all who know them, and members in good standing of the United Brethren Church. Their six children were named respectively, Margaret and Frances, twins; Samnel, Catherine, Alexander and Linnie. Of these two are deceased, and the others are mar- ried and residents mostly of Illinois. Margaret, the widow of Edwin Fish, resides in Kansas.

Mr. and Mrs. Phillips after their marriage made their home at their present residence, and are the parents of one child, a son, Clifford, born March 17, 1885. They belong to the United Brethren Church at Smithdale. The wife of our subject is in every way fitted to be the companion of an in- telligent and well-educated man, having taken a course of studies at Westfield College, giving par- ticular attention to music, in which she became proficient as a performer, and engaged in teaching before her marriage.

Mr. Phillips is a firm adherent of the Republican party, and besides his present office has held that of Township Clerk. He has been Supervisor of Newtown four years, and has proved himself ad- mirably fitted for the discharge of his duties.

OHN COCKRAM. The United States pos- sesses more inducements to emigrants from European countries than any other country in the world, and affords more opportunities also for the vocations of life. All varieties of cli- mate are represented within its boundaries, and its natural resources include nearly all that are com- prehended by other sections of the globe. So far as elimate and soil are concerned, they stand unex- celled for the production of crops, which form the

staple of life in all civilized countries, and as far as the relations of the people are concerned, the far- mer in this country is the peer of any other man, no matter what his calling in life may be. or how exalted his political position.

The subject of this sketch, who is a representa- tive and progressive farmer and stock-raiser, resid- ing on section 30, in Avoca Township, is a native of Devonshire, England. He was born on the 4th of July, 1836, and can consequently celebrate his birthday and the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of his adopted country simultane. ously. He is the second son of William and Mar- tha Cockram, also natives of England. While yet a boy in his native country he received a very fair English education, and acquired a practical exper- ience in farming. In 1856 he took passage at Liv- erpool on a steamer bound for America, and after a voyage of nine days landed at Quebec, whence he almost immediately proceeded to the State of New York, where he resided in Batavia for abont eight years.

On the 7th of March, 1862, at Batavia, N. Y .. Mr. Cockram was married to Helen Haslip, a na- tive of London, England. In the fall of 1869 they came west and located in Livingston County, where for several years they lived on rented land until he could acquire sufficient means with which to pur- chase a farm. Their efforts in this direction were successful, and the home place now consists of eighty acres of well-improved land, equipped with appropriate buildings. When he landed in Amer- ica he had but $8 in his pocket with which to begin life among strangers and in a strange land, but he had an indomitable will and a determination to succeed, having come to this country for the pur- pose of making it his permanent home.

Mr. Cockram is a Democrat when it comes to National issues, but in the matter of electing town- ship and county officers he gives his support, re- gardless of party, to the candidate he considers most competent to fill the office. He has been fre- quently solicited to accept office at the hands of his fellow-citizens, but has invariably declined, be- ing of an unassuming nature, and not having a taste for office-holding. He and his wife are both reputable and respected members of society, and

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enjoy the confidence and esteem of the community. They are so situated that in their declining years they will enjoy all the comforts of life. and will look back with considerable satisfaction at the events which led up to their success.

NDREW B. CLAUDON, money loaner, grain and coal dealer, and owner of the Fairbury Elevator, was born in Lorraine, while it was yet a Province of France, Ang. 31. 1846, and is the son of Nicholas and Bar- bara (Bechler) Claudon, who were also natives of France. The father was born in 1800 and is still living in France, following his occupation of farm- ing. The mother was born in 1814, and died in January, 1880.

Mr. Claudon is one of a family of eight children, namely : Christian. Joseph, Mary, Andrew B .. Bar- bara. Peter. Nicholas B., and one who died in in- fancy. Christian married Miss Annie Beckler; Jo- seph married Miss Mary Mosierman; Mary is the wife of M. D. King; Barbara married C. Summers, and they are residents of France; Peter married Miss Katie Vereler, now deceased, and his second marriage was to Miss Lena Engel; Nicholas B. mar- ried Mis- Mary Schertz, of Tazewell County, Ill .; they have two children --- Chester, and an infant not named.

Andrew and Nicholas compose the firm of ('laudon Bros., grain dealers, which business was established in the fall of 1877. They are the larg- est grain-buyers in Livingston County, their pur- chases annually aggregating about 600 carloads. They have the confidence and esteem of the grain- maiser- of all this section of Illinois, and virtually control the trade within the ter: itory tributary to Fairbury. Andrew B. Clandon was married, in 1877, to Mis- Mollie A. MeDowell, a native of Illi- bois, where she was born in 1858. They have had three children-Allie B .. Annie J. and Burt. the last-named dying in infancy.

May, 1860. Nicholas Claudon came to Illinois in 1873, and located in Chenoa, where he remained seven years engaged in farming. In 1881 he moved to Danvers, MeLean County, where he entered into partnership with C. R. Stuckey, as dealers in gen- eral merchandise, in which business they accumu- lated some money. On the 5th of July, 1883, Nicholas disposed of his interest there and moved to Fairbury, and entered into partnership in the grain business with his brother. Andrew B. Clau- don came to Illinois in 1867, locating in Chenoa, where he remained two years engaged in the har- ness business. In 1869 be closed up his affairs there and came to Fairbury, where he worked at the same business for five years, at the end of which time he made a visit to Europe and again looked upon the scenes of his childhood. Upon his return to the United States, he entered upon the business of grain- buyer, which he has since continued. In political matters both brothers act with the Republican party.

IRAM DRONENBURG, a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Owego Town- ship. where he owns a finely cultivated traet of 156 acres on section 4, is a native of Frederick County, Md., where his birth took place . Dec. 28, 1817. Ile remained in his native State until after his marriage, and then migrating west- ward to Marshall County, Ill., during its pioneer days, pitched his tent in this locality, and here he has since remained. This movement on his part proved an advantageous one for himself and of equal benefit to the community. He has acquitted himself ereditably as a citizen and with marked skill as an agriculturist, besides developing prime qualities as a business man.

The parents of our subject, Jacob and Mary ( Madary ) Dronenburg, were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and the paternal ancestors were of Holland descent. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Jacob Dronenburg, Sr., served in the War of 1812, Nichola- Clandon was married on the 2d of Fch. ruary. 1882. to Miss Mary Schirtz, whose father, Joseph Sebirtz, a miller by occupation, was one of and spent his last years in his native Maryland. Hiram, of our sketch, was the fifth in a family of twelve children, of whom besides our subject the the pioneers of Tazewell County ; she was born in | following survive, namely : Jacob, of Maryland;

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Margaret, widow of the late Charles Hagan, of Richmond, Va .; Henry, of Maryland ; Rachel, the widow of the late Samuel Kitsmiller, of Bartholo- mew County, Ind .; Mary A., Mrs. Nathan Jones, of Maryland, who is now a widow; William and Charles. The two last named are also residents of Maryland.

Mr. Dronenburg spent his childhood and youth in his native county, receiving a limited education and assisting his father in the blacksmith-shop. (where the latter employed much of his time) until fourteen years of age. The father of the family was then called hence, his death taking place about 1832. Several of the sons of Jacob Dronenburg had learned the trade of their father, and after the death of the latter Hiram also began a regular ap- prenticeship, and followed blacksmithing entirely until 1857, in which year he came to Illinois. He was a resident of Marshall County until 1871, and thence came to Livingston County, where he prac- tically abandoned blacksmithing and took up the more congenial pursuit of agriculture.

When Mr. Dronenburg took possession of the land which he now owns the sod had scarcely been turned by the plowshare, and the transformation which has been brought about, it will be apparent at once to the reflective mind, has been accom- plished only by the most persevering industry and patient waiting. The fields are now enclosed with beautiful hedge fencing, and the dwelling is sur- rounded by shade and ornamental trees, while a fine orchard stands in the rear, indicating at onee the commendable pride and taste of the proprietor.

The lady who has shared the fortunes of our subject for a period of over forty-five years, and to whom he was married Dec. 12, 1839, was in her girlhood Miss Sarah A. Price, a native also of Maryland, and daughter of Job and Mary Price. Of this union there were born six children, of whom they have suffered the loss of three. Those sur- viving are: Bertie, the wife of Robert Miller, of Odell Township; Robert, who is farming in Owego Township; and Laura, the wife of David Dowlow, who resides in the eastern portion of the county. Those deceased were named Mary, William and Reverdy. Mary died at forty-four years of age ; the others passed away in early childhood.

Our subject is essentially a self-made man, carving out his own fortune unaided, and has proved an ad- mirable illustration of the results of industrious of- fort coupled with an upright and worthy life. Hle has taken a lively interest in the moral and educa- tional welfare of his community, and has been a cheerful and liberal contributor to those enter- prises tending to this end. Politically he is a con- scientious Democrat, and with his estimable wife occupies an enviable position in his township, en- joying the confidence and esteem of all who know him. lle has represented Owego Township in the County Board of Supervisors several terms, and has also served as Commissioner of Highways, and to whatever position he has been called he has dis- charged his duties with credit to himself and satis- faction to all concerned. Mr. Dronenburg and his aged partner are now passing down the sunset hill of life, a life which they may justly feel has been well spent. for they have reared their children care- fully and have striven to exert a good influence upon all around them.

OIIN G. LOCKNER. This gentleman is pro- prietor of one of the most beautiful home- steads in Livingston County. It comprises 160 acres of land and is located on section 5, in Germanville Township, in all respects forming one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of that region. The soil has been brought to a high state of cultivation, while the farm buildings invari- ably attract the attention of the passer-by as having evidently been erected under the supervision of a proprietor of refined tastes and ample means. The residence stands on a slight elevation and com- mands a view of the surrounding country within a radius of many miles, including the town of Mel- vin, which at a distance of nine miles is plainly visible.

Mr. Lockner took possession of this delightful spot in the spring of 1871. - It would not then by any means bear comparison with its present condi- tion, although its natural advantages were great. Mr. Lockner by his skill and industry has developed in a surprising manner the resources at hand, and

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has been well repaid for his outlay of time and means. Of all the men who came from the Father- land to build up a home in the New World few have been more fortunate in their undertakings and none more deserving. The essential points in a history of more than ordinary interest are as fol. lows:

Our subject was born in the central part of the Kingdom of Prussia, June 24, 1840. He was the second of three children, the offspring of Goothelf and Anna Lockner, who were also of German birth and parentage, and were reared and married in their native Province. In 1857, when John G. was a youth of seventeen years, they came to the United States with their family and first located in Men- dota, this State. The parents resided in LaSalle County the remainder of their days, engaged in farming pur-nits. The father rested from his earthly labors in the spring of 1878, and the mother eighteen months later. in 1880. The three children of the parental household were all born in Ger- many. William, the youngest, a bright and intel- ligent lad nine years of age, was drowned in New York Harbor when they landed in this country. Anna is the wife of John Dumett, a farmer of La- Salle County.

Our subject celebrated his seventeenth birthday upon the Atlantic Ocean on the voyage to Amer- ica. Ile remained with his parents on the farm until the outbreak of the late war, in the meantime having become thoroughly Americanized. Feeling that the interests of his adopted country were his own. it is not surprising therefore, that now, in common with thousands of other young patriots, he wa> anxious to do battle in defense of her in- stitutions, and accordingly proffered his services as a soldier of the Union, soon after the first call for troop -. He was mustered into service as a member of Company B, 11th Illinois Infantry, and partici- pated in the battle of Shiloh and other minor en- gagements, after which he was detailed to service at the headquarters of Gen. McPherson for eight- een months. With the exception of a furlough of thirty day-, he was continuously in service there- after until the close of the war. During this period he traveled over nine of the Southern States, and although seeing much danger and hardship, was

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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 97

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