Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 84

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 850

USA > Illinois > Henry County > Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 84

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For 14 years Mr. C. J. T. Little carried on black- smithing at Wethersfield. He then engaged in mer- cantile business and followed that about five years, serving as Postmaster of Wethersfield at the same time. Since he was 18 years of age he has followed auctioneering, at which he made himself so popular that even in his retirement his old neighbors, when they have anything of the kind to be done, give him no peace until he ascends the block and cries off their fatted stock. Since 1870, at which time he sold his last farm, he has not interested himself any in agriculture. In fact, for the last 20 years he has done little else than take the world easy. True, he has cried more farm and stock sales than probably any other two men in the county, but with him auc- tioneering is so nearly a "labor of love" that it ceases to be labor at all.

In politics, Mr. Little was originally a Jackson Democrat, but not approving of the men and meas- ures of the party, he left it in 1846 At the outbreak of the Rebellion he identified himself with the Re- publicans, and has since voted and worked with that party. At no time has he been an aspirant to office, though his neighbors have coerced him into various minor positions, such as Assessor, School Director

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and School Trustee; the two last named offices he filled in Wethersfield Township for 23 years. He has been for more than 40 years a consistent member of the Congregational Church, and took a leading part in building the first church edifice, a small log house erected at the village of Wethersfield. He was also as prominently identified with the con- struction of the fine frame structure which replaced the old log building. Through the various struggles of a long life, Mr. Little has been dependent upon his individual industry and effort. The recipient of no gratuities, no gifts, testamentary legatee to no for- tune accumulated by some relative, aided and abet- ted by his industrious, prudent Christian wife, he has fought the battles of life, and it is but truth to say that he has won them.

May 13, 1834, at Milford, N. H., he was married to Miss Eliza Ann Brooks, daughter of Leonard W. and Sarah (Hosley) Brooks, and a native of Massa- chusetts. To this union eight children have been born, and the following brief memoranda give · suffi cient testimony of the fitness of Mr. and Mrs. Lit- tle to rear children : the eldest son, Charles Freder- ick Little, M. D., was born at Milford, N. H., Jan. 27, 1836, graduated as M. D. from Rush Medical College, Chicago, served through the war as Surgeon of the 19th Ill. Vol. Inf., now practicing medicine at Manhattan, Kansas ; Ellen Elvira, born at Weth- ersfield, Oct. 6, 1839, received a thorough education and was married to G. W. Perkins, Esq., when she was only 18 years of age, a wealthy farmer of Far- ragut, Iowa ; he was formerly a prominent teacher in the High School at Danvers, Mass .; Sarah Jane, born at Wethersfield, Nov. 7, 1842, also several years a talented teacher in the public schools, married Dr. J. F. Todd, of Chicago; Harriet Newell, born at Wethersfield, Sept. 7, 1845, and accomplished teach- er of music, married to the Rev. Giffen, of the Presbyterian Church, died Sept. 26, 1872, leaving one child, Lida J. Giffen, who has been in the care of her grandparents, Little, since she was 15 months old ; William Cutter, born March 17, 1847, by pro- fession a lawyer, and real-estate and money broker and ex-Judge Probate Court, Wichita, Kansas ; Eliza Ann, born July 15, 1849, now Mrs. F. H. Reed,; Wethersfield; George Bailey Little, M. D., born April 15, 185 1, a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, practicing physician of Burlington, Iowa ; and John Jewett Little, D. D. S., born Feb. 8, 1857,

graduate of Ann Arbor University, practicing dent- istry at Burlington, Iowa. The children are all members of the Congregational Church.

May 13, 1884, Mr. and Mrs. Little celebrated, at their home, their golden wedding. All the children of the' family were present except Charles F., the oldest son, who was detained at his home in Kansas owing to the sickness of his wife. Besides the chil- dren, there were present some two hundred of their neighbors and friends. The occasion was one that will long be pleasantly remembered by those present. The presents were numerous, and many of them costly, and all very appropriate. All the children present were fine singers, and the exercises were closed with singing the famous piece, " Sweet- Bye and Bye."

ohn Newton, a retired farmer, resident at Cambridge, was born April 14, 1827, in Cheshire, England. His parents, who were Aaron and Elizabeth (Billingham) Newton passed their whole lives in the same shire. Their children, Elijah, Thomas, John and An- na, are all deceased save him who is the subject of this personal narration.

He emigrated to the United States in June, 1854, landing at the port of New York. He went thence to New Jersey, where he was occupied three years in a hat manufactory. In -1857 he came to Rock Island County, and devoted his time, strength and energies to agricultural pursuits, operating as a renter near the city of Rock Island, and had the satisfaction of winning success. Later he became a land-holder by purchase, and conducted his affairs successfully. After being in New Jersey three years he returned to England, where he remained six months; then returned to Rock Island County, where he remained four years. He came thence to the township of Andover, in Henry County, and bought 160 acres of land, which he managed seven years previous to purchasing, with profitable results. He sold the property in March, 1876, and removed to the village of Cambridge. In May of the same spring, accompanied by his wife, he sailed for Eng- land. May Ist they set sail from the home of their birth, embarking at Liverpool and landing at Phila-

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delphia, for the purpose of attending the Exposition. Left Liverpool to return July 4. They returned thence to Cambridge, which has since been their home. The marriage of Mr. Newton to Sarah Har- rison took place on Easter Sunday, in April, 1847, in Prestbury Church, in Cheshire, England. The par- ents of Mrs. Newton, Henry and Ann (Quinn) Har- rison, were natives of Northumberlandshire, England. They had six children : Jane was the name of the oldest, Mary married William Ammond, first mate of the ocean steamship, "City of New York ;" Cath- erine married John Grantham, and died Oct. 7, 1881, aged 55 years, leaving four children; Mrs. Newton is the next in order of birth; Mrs. Ann Dav- enport and Eliza were the youngest. The latter is not living. Miss Emma H. Grantham, niece of Mr. Newton, came to Cambridge from England, in June, 1884, and is an inmate of his family. She was a velvet cutter in her native county. Mr. and Mrs, Newton are zealous members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

scar Kreidler, proprietor of the "Enter- prise " Carriage Repository, dealer in car- riages, buggies, etc., and manufacturer of carriage and buggy tops, and making general repairing a specialty, at Kewanee, Ill. Such is the reading of the business card of this gen- tleman, and which we insert without apology and without price. Mr. Kreidler is a manufacturer, and therefore, though too young a man to have made any particular history, is entitled to representation in this department of the ALBUM.

He was born at Newburg, Northampton Co., Pa., Oct. 18, 1859, and was the fifth in order of birth of seven children of John F. and Maria (Miller) Kreid- ler, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His education was limited, as at the age of 11 years he began the trade of which he is now master. At the end of an apprenticeship of six years in Penn- sylvania, he came West, spent a year at Eureka, Ill., and showed his good judgment by removing to Ke- wanee. He landed here July 8, 1878, and went to work at once for O'Brien Bros. as carriage trimmer. Those people found him so thoroughly up in his trade that when they removed to Ohio, they took

Mr. K. with them, and with them he remained until November, 1882, when he returned to this place and set up in business.

July 19, 1882, at Kewanee, Mr. Kreidler was mar- ried to Miss Capitola Lampson, a lovely and accom- plished young lady, who yielded up her life April 1, 1 883, and with that of her new-born babe.

That Mr. Kreidler inherited nothing may be un- derstood from his history; that he has been success- ful in business is known from his standing. He is a prominent Mason, and, we believe, a Republican.

ohnson Lorenzo Wilson, residing on sec- tion 27, located adjoining the town of Galva, is a native of Ohio. He was born in St. Albans Tp., Licking Co., that State, Aug. 2, 1832. The parents of Mr. Wilson of this sketch were Seuel and Esther (Burnett) Wil- son. He was born in New Hampshire, and died in Jay County, Ind., in July, 1857, having removed to Ohio, that State, in 1846. He was a farmer by oc- cupation, and in his religious belief was, from the time he attained the age of manhood, a member of the Baptist Church. His father, grandfather of our subject, was born in New Jersey, was of English ex- traction, and a soldier of the Revolutionary War ; was a farmer by occupation and died in Ohio. Seuel Wilson was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. Wilson's parents lived and died in Indiana.

J. L. Wilson, of whom we write, received his edu- cation principally in Ohio. He removed with his par- ents into Indiana, and from there came to this State, in 1854, stopping in Peoria County. He remained there until the spring of that year, when he moved near Elmwood, Knox County, this State, where he followed the occupation of farming for three years. At the expiration of this time, in 1857, he came to Galva, in the neighborhood of which village he rented land and was occupied in its cultivation for two years. Previous to moving here he had purchased land, which during the last few years mentioned he im- proved as time would permit. At first he purchased 80 acres, which he afterward sold and purchased an- other 80 east of the present village of Galva. He subsequently bought 40 acres more, and then sold the 120 acres, and with the proceeds purchased 100

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acres adjoining the present village of Galva, the same being located on section 27, Galva Township, and on which he at present resides.

Mr. Wilson was united in marriage April 11, 186 1, with Miss Amanda M. Herbert. She was born in Lewistown, Fulton Co., Ill., in 1842. She has borne him seven children : Lillian M., Ralph L., Fred H., Walter, Myrtie E., Katie and Ethel L. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, together with their children, Lillian and Ralph, are members of the Baptist Church. Polit- ically, Mr. Wilson indorses the party which advocates prohibition.

ra D. Marston, a practicing attorney, resi- ident at Cambridge, was born April 30, 1838, in Parsonsfield, York Co., Maine. His ancestral progenitors were pioneers of New England, and their genealogy is now in process of compilation (1885). David Mars- ton, his grandfather, was a Revolutionary soldier. His father, Jacob Marston, was born in Parsonsfield, Maine. He was a stone-cutter by occupation and died at Parsonsfield, as did his wife, Martha (Doe) Marston. They had II children. The mother was the daughter of John and Abigail Doe, and her par- ents of English extraction.

Mr. Marston grew to the age of 17 years in New England. At 14 he became the arbiter of his own fortunes, and at 17 he came to Henry County, on foot and alone, with not an acquaintance west of New England. He worked one season on a farm in Clover Township, when he entered diligently upon the work of securing an education, employing his leisure to the best possible advantage in study. At 18 he taught school for the first time in Clover Township. He alternately taught and attended school three years.

In July, 1861, he entered the army, enlisting in the 42d Ill. Vol. Inf., in Company B. In August, 1862, he received an honorable discharge for disabil- ity. In June, 1865, he began the study of law, which he prosecuted with energetic perseverance, and in November, 1867, was admitted to practice in the State Courts of Illinois. Later he was admitted to the privileges of the Federal Courts. In 1869 he formed a partnership with Judge J. S. Hinman, and

they were partners for three years. In 1872 his present relations with the Hon. W. H. Shepard were established. The firm of Shepard & Marston is one of the most reliable in this section, and their business and popularity have increased together from the commencement of their connection. Mr. Marston is popular in his profession through his gen- ial character and his abilities as an attorney. He possesses an available and comprehensive knowl- edge of common and statutory law, and he is able and effective in argument before a jury. He is con- sidered one of the safest counselors and one of the best trial lawyers connected with the Bar of Henry County.

Mr. Marston is a Republican in his political opin- ions. He is a member of Post A. A. Dunn, G. A. R., and of the A. O. U. W.

He was married May 14, 1861, in Rock Island Co., Ill., to Miss C. L. Weir. They have six children. Mrs. Marston was born Nov. 30, 1841, in Mercer Co., Ill., and she is the daughter of Thomas M. and Lovina (Whitmore) Weir, who were among the earliest settlers of this county.

ewis Brasel. The year Illinois was admit- ted into the Union, Mr. David Brasel came with his family and located in Green Coun- ty, which at that time was about as far north as any of the sturdy settlers had ventured. In his family was an infant two months old, to whom they gave the name of Lewis, and who is the subject of this personal sketch. He is to day a pros- perous farmer, residing upon section II, of Burns Township.

He was born in Tennessee, Aug. 16, 1818. His parents, David and Anna (Clarkson) Brasel, were also natives of that State. Lewis was the eldest of their five children, and, as stated above, was an in- fant when they came into the newly made State of Illinois. His parents moved, as many of those ear- liest pioneers did, from county to county. They seemingly could not endure to live in a too thickly populated settlement, and consequently, when a few families would move in, they would move on to some new place. Lewis followed them in their wander- ings until he was 21 years of age, when he rented a

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farm in Morgan County. Here, however, he lived but a year, when he moved into Putnam County, where he worked at the carpenter's trade, which he had previously learned, for about three years. He then went to Henry, Marshall County, where for an- other seven years he made his home, working at his trade and farming. This he followed until 1854, when he came into Henry County and purchased a piece of land in Barns Township. He then ceased his moving, for we find him since that day a perma- nent resident of Burns. Here he owns 120 acres of land.

In Jacksonville, Ill., on the 4th of March, 1841, the wedding of Mr. Brase! and Miss Mary Stout oc- curred. She was a daughter of Ezra and Fannie (Robinson) Stout, natives of Ohio. Here she was born, Nov. 25, 1825. Her parents came to Illinois in an early day and for several years lived here, then went to Oregon, where they died. Mrs. Brasel was the eldest of their I I children ; she has also become the mother of II children, five of whom are de- ceased. Those living are James D., Wiley L., Ezra S., Francis E., Olive E., Ida M. and Eddie K. The deceased are Frances L., Ann E., William H. and Robert J. Olive is the wife of Albert Krause, a farmer of Burns Township; Ida M. is the widow of Elmer A. Anderson, and resides in Burns Township. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Old-School Baptist Church. He has held some of the minor offices of his towhship and politically is a Democrat.

rederick Gunther, tile and brick manufac- turer, residing in Kewanee Township, is prominently identified with the interests of the community. His native home is Germany, for in that country, on the 13th of June, 1832, he was born. When a young man he came to America, reaching our shores in August, 1855. He soon found his way West, and we find him directly at work at the mason's trade in Wethersfield Town- ship. This trade he learned in Germany, where he served an apprenticeship of three years. He con- tinued to work at his trade, also devoting some of his time to other occupations, until about 1867. At that date he started a brick-yard in Kewanee Township, west of the village. 'This he operated for two years,

when he moved to his present location. In connec- tion with his brick-yard he is engaged in the manu- facture of tile. In this line he carries on quite an extensive business. He has erected a good house upon his lot, which consists of nine acres of land, and is living in comfortable circumstances. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Order, and in politics is an independent.

Mr. Gunther was married in Wethersfield Town- ship to Fredericka Brandt: She is also a native of Germany, and was a Christmas present to her parents in the year 1833. Mary, Frank and William are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gunther. Mary is the wife of Emil F. Speigel, of Wethersfield Township, a sketch of whom is given in this volume.

ilson Fierce is a resident in the township of Cambridge, and is a farmer of section 33. He is a native of Athens Co., Ohio, and is of German descent, his grandfather, Christopher Fierce, having been born in that country. The former came tlience to the United States and located in the State of Virginia. He there engaged in farming and reared his family, which included four sons and four daughters. He was married before he left his native land. His son, Conrad Fierce, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was also a farmer, and passed his life in the same pursuit in which his father had done be- fore him. Conrad Fierce, father of Wilson Fierce, died in the State of Indiana, April 4, 1840, aged 63. He was married in 1802, to Elizabeth Wilson. She

was born in Loudoun Co., Va., and died Sept. I, 1836, in Hamilton Co., Ind., at the age of 54. To her and her husband 12 children were born. Wil- liam, Ebenezer, Frances and Wilson came to the West. Another brother, Clark Fierce, now deceased, settled in Jefferson Co., Iowa. A sister, Mrs. Eliza- beth Hoddy, now deceased, went to Wapello Co., Iowa. Mrs. Margaret Dickinson, another sister, re- moved to Fall City, Richardson Co., Neb. Mrs. Frances Herrold, the eldest, is living in Victoria, Knox Co, Ill., at the advanced age of 82 years. The others are not living.

Mr. Fierce was educated in Hamilton Co., Ind.,

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whither his father had removed when he was seven years of age. The latter was a blacksmith, and there he followed that calling. He was married July 16, 1846, to Rebecca B. Grubbs, and she survived her marriage but a short time. Mr. Fierce was again married, to Charlotte Gibbs, who was born in Ohio, and died in Cambridge, Aug. 3, 1871. She was the mother of 11 children. Eight of them are now liv- ing: Wellington, Sarah E., Margaret E., Francis E., Jessie M., Mrs. Nellie Dill, deceased, Mrs. Eva M. Dill and Ira E. Mr. Fierce contracted a third mat- rimonial alliance, with Mrs. Phietta Biggerstaff. She is the daughter of Simeon Gibbs. By her first mar- riage she became the mother of nine children. W. L. Day Fierce is the only child born since her sec- ond marriage.

Mr. Fierce is the owner of 160 acres of land. He came to Illinois in 1849 and settled at first in Knox County, where he lived 12 years. In 1862 he came to Henry County. He is an adherent of the Prohi- bition party, and has held various town offices. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church.

ugust Furst, Jr., residing on section 26 of Kewanee Township, was born in Germany, Oct. 13, 1840. His parents, August and Caroline Furst, were also natives of Germany, and emigrated to America in 1857. They located in Henry County, and she (the mother) died in Kewanee Township, in 1884. The father still survives.

August, Jr., came to the New World with his par- ents, and has resided in this county ever since. He is the possessor and proprietor of 450 acres of valu- able land, which by his energy, industry and hard labor has been put in a good state of cultivation and improvement. Upon the same he has erected a fine residence, barn and outbuildings, and is a well known, respected and successful farmer.

Miss Augusta Baartz, daughter of Frederick and Mary Baartz, was the lady chosen to become the wife of our subject, Mr. August Furst, Jr., which event was celebrated on the 12th of March, 1863. Her parents came to America in the year 1856 and settled in this connty, where her father died Nov. 4,

1884. Her mother still survives. Mrs. Furst was born in Germany on the IIth of April, 1842, and she has become the mother of seven children, namely : Louisa A., Albert A., Ottila C., Caroline A., Wil- liam F., Theodore and Mary L. The deceased are Louisa A., Theodore and Mary L.

Mr. Furst has been School Director of his town- ship, and he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In his political faith Mr. F. affiliates with the Republicans.

V. Caldwell, the leading apiarist of Henry County, is a farmer in the township of Cambridge and is located on section 5. He was born Dec. 26, 1847, in the city of Phila- delphia, and is the son of Edward and Anna (Hutchinson) Caldwell. His parents are na- tives of the Quaker City and are now living in Burns Township, in Henry County. They came to Illinois in the fall of 1856. They have four children: John V., Mrs. Sarah Howe, Mrs. Emma McCulloh and Mrs. A. R. King. The latter is the wife of the Judge of Delta Co., Col.

The Caldwell family is of Scotch origin and Irish birth, belonging to the class distinguished as " Scotch-Irish." The first ancestor, John Caldwell, came to the United States in 1812. He located in Philadelphia, where he pursued his business as a dentist until his death. He married Ann Vollum, who was born in Philadelphia, and was a daughter of Edward and Rachel (Soper) Vollum. Her pa- rents were natives of the part of the State of Mary- land known as the Eastern Shore. That portion of that commonwealth for a long period of years had no municipal divisions. Her father and mother were respectively of Scotch and Welsh descent, and their married life covered a period of 80 years. Her father lived to be 106, and he had been for 80 years a member of the Methodist Church. The mother died at 99. She is the mother of four children, named James, Edward, John and Robert.

After the death of Mr. Caldwell his widow was again married to James Hutchinson and had three children. They were named William, Mary and Henry. She is yet living in Philadelphia and is 86

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years of age. The mother of Mr. Caldwell, Ann (Hutchinson) Caldwell, was born in Philadelphia, and is a daughter of James and Anna (Scott) Hutch- inson. She is of Irish extraction.

Mr. Caldwell was brought up in Henry County and has passed his life principally in farming. Since 1879 he has devoted much time to the culture of bees. He is noted for his skill in that line of busi- ness and keeps 180 colonies. He ships the product of the hives chiefly to Boston. His farm contains 80 acres of land under good cultivation. He is an adherent of the Republican party and has served in the capacity of Collector. He is a member of the Order of Masonry and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

His marriage to Mary L. Funkhouser took place Dec. 24, 1873. Mrs. Caldwell was born March 30, 1854, in Beaver Co., Pa., and she is a daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Baldwin) Funkhouser. Her pa- rents were natives of the same State in which she was born. Edward V. and Alice Edna are the chil- dren of the household.

lias M. Crane, a business man of Cam- bridge, has been connected with the de- velopment of Henry County since 1854, when he settled in the township of Osco. He was born in Union Co., N. J., Sept. 3, 1827. He attained to the estate of manhood in the State of his nativity and on arriving at an age suitable to embark in active business he interested himself in farming.

Dec. 10, 1851, he was married to Louisa A. Miller. They have seven children, who are named Britton, Sarah, Josephine, Winfield, John A., Libbie and Etta.

On coming to this county Mr. Crane located on section 25, in the township of Osco, taking posses- sion of a tract of land four miles southwest of the vil- lage of Cambridge. He followed the calling of a farmer there until his removal to Cambridge in 1883. He is the owner of 610 acres of land, which is chiefly situated in that township. For some years previous to the transfer of his residence and business rela- tions to the place where he is now operating, he was extensively and successfully engaged in the busi-

ness of a stockman. He has given much intelligent attention to the improvement of the stock on his es- tate and exhibits some fine Hereford cattle, includ- ing about 75 animals. Among other interests in which he has been successfully engaged for 20 years past, is the purchase of large quantities of broom- corn for shipment to the Eastern markets.

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Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 84

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 850

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 850