USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 101
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116
The pleasantly located and attractive home of Mr. Duke is under the careful oversight of an amiable and cultured lady who became his wife March 18, 1885. She was known in her girlhood as Miss Anna Jaeckel. She was born in the city of New York. but reared in Pekin, Tazewell County, Ill., to which her parents, Franz and Jane Jaeckel, removed during her infaney. Mr. and Mrs. Duke have two children-Chester Clark and Leslie Burton.
W ILLARD PUTNAM. One of the most flourishing business establishments of Peo- ria is the "Great Five and Ten Cent and Bargain Store" at Nos. 225 and 227 Main Street. It occupies a commodious double store. 60x90 feet, with ground floor and basement, being the largest five and ten cent store in the West and having oeeupied the present location five years. The firm of Pennock & Putnam, of which our subject is the resident member in Peoria, also has stores in Ot- tumwa, Iowa, Adrian, Mich., and Fostoria, Ohio. Mr. Putnam has had sole charge and management of the establishment in this eity from its founda- tion, and by his business ability and energy has
876
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
built up from a moderate beginning a trade of over $50,000 per annum.
Mr. Putnam is still a young man, having been born March 17, 1861, at Horse Heads, N. Y. He pursned the ordinary occupations of youth until eighteen years old, when he went to Adrian, Mich., and there engaged as dry-goods clerk. He re- mained in that city until 1885. when the present partnership was formed and he became a resident of Peoria. He gives his entire attention to the business, carefully ascertains the wants of the com- munity, and as far as possible supplies them on his bargain counters. His acumen in trade, his intel- ligence on general topics, his manliness and square dealing, find appreciative friends throughout the city in which he has taken up his abode.
The parents of our subject are Joseph and Mary (Owen) Putnam, both now deceased. The father was born in the green hills of Vermont, and was a practical mechanic. He was respected for his hon- esty, skill and uprightness, while to the advice of a good mother our subject owes much of his pres- ent honorable reputation.
· E
R RANK MCINTYRE. Among the men now cultivating a portion of the soil of Rose- field Township with good results, and whose financial prosperity has resulted from industrious application to the work in hand, together with a prudent control of expenditures, the subject of this notice deserves mention. His fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres is a standing monument to his zeal and industry, and we are pleased to pre- sent a view of it with its principal buildings on another page.
The parents of our subject were Edward and Mary (McIntyre) MeIntyre, natives of the Emer- all Isle, where the father breathed his last. Their family consisted of nine children, one of whom, a son, Edward, was drowned when eighteen years old. The others came to America, as did the widowed mother, the first earning money to send for the next. and each in turn assisting to bring the re- maining members of the family across the water.
Mrs. McIntyre died in Elmwood, this county, and was buried at Kickapoo. Our subject is the fifth of the family who came to America. The others are : Rose Ann, now Mrs. Dougherty, of Yates City ; Thomas, who died in Groveland, Mass .: Patrick, who after living some time in Maine, came to Illi- nois; John, who died in this State; Mary. who married Michael Brannon and died in Knox County, leaving one daughter; Barney, who enlisted in the United States army, and was lost at sca."
The eldest son of the parental family came to the United States in 1851, the others following at various times until 1857, when our subject, his mother, two brothers and a sister made their way to the New World. He of whom we write was then about twenty-nine years old, having been born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1828. After landing on American soil he spent six months at Clover- port, Ky., afterward coming to Peoria County, Ill., working in a brickyard at Elmwood a season. He then removed to Knox County, where he remained until 1871, then returning to this county purchased forty acres of land which he now operates. lle subsequently added forty acres, still later purchas .. ing a hundred more, all of which he has brought to the condition common to the estates of progress- ive farmers.
The marriage of our subject took place in Peo- ria, January 26, 1863. His bride, Catherine Byrnes. who was then living at Elmwood, is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, whence she came to the United States in 1857. at the age of fourteen years. with a neighbor's family. She came at once to Elmwood where she had friends, remaining in that neighborhood until after her marriage. The happy union has been blessed by the birth of nine chil- dren, named respectively, Ellen, Thomas, John, Francis, Patrick, Mary, Catherine, James and Bar- ney. The latter died when ten months old. The eldest daughter is a successful school teacher. Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre belong to the Catholic Church, are held in excellent repute by their neigh - bors, and enjoy the friendship of a large circle.
Mrs. McIntyre is a daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Byrnes) Byrnes, her father being an Irish farmer, who was three times married. Of the four children born of the first marriage, one died when
- 1
RESIDENCE OF FRANK MEINTYRE, SEC. 8. ROSEFIELD TP. PEORIA CO. ILL.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN BRIDSON, SEC. 27. MILLBROOK TP. PEORIA CO.ILL.
879
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
seven years old; Mary is living in England; Bar- ney came to the United States, having been sent for by Mrs. Melntyre. The second wife of Mr. Byrnes was Bridget Sheridan, who reared two sons and two daughters: Thomas is living in England; Martin in Ireland and the daughters in Massachu - setts. The third wife of Mr. Byrnes had two daughters, who are now living in Lawrence, Mass.
OIIN BRIDSON. This gentleman and his good wife are representative pioneer settlers of Peoria County, and their many friends will be pleased to see a record of their life and a view of their pleasant home on these pages. Mr. Bridson is, in the truest sense, a self-made man, and since taking up his residence in this county has acquired by honest industry a valuable property that makes him one of the solid citizens of the place, and here he is still extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Our subject was born in the month of August, 1820, on the Isle of Man, his parents being John and Catherine (Sansbury) Bridson, who were like- wise natives of that little spot of earthi in the Irish Sea. His early years were passed in the home of his birth on a farm, and the practical knowledge that he thus acquired has been very advantageous to him in his work later in life. He had practically no opportunities for an education, but his keen, quick intellect and self-reliance have perhaps been of more use to him than mere book knowledge.
Shortly after his first marriage Mr. Bridson de- termined to try life in America, and took passage for this country on a sailing vessel from Liverpool and after a four weeks' voyage landed in New York City and came from there directly to Illinois. For a short time he rented a farm in Brimfield Town- ship, and subsequently came from there to Mill- brook Township, and farmed as a renter for four years. He did well, laid up money and was ena- bled to become more independent by purchasing land for himself and bought eighty acres of the farm he now owns on section 27, paying $10 an acre for it. The land was not at all cultivated nor
had it any improvements when he settled on it, and was isolated and lonely as there were no neighbors near. Ile actively entered upon the work of its development, broke the wild prairie sod, and did other necessary pioneer labors, and in time placed it under excellent cultivation, and has now one of the finest farms in all the township, consisting of three hundred and thirty-five acres. His home here is one of the best and most comfortable in the lo- cality. The fine condition of his farm, whose broad acres yield abundant harvests, testifies to the hard work he has done and to his practical ability as a farmer.
Our subject has been twice married. He was first married in his native isle, to Ann Gelling, who bore him three children, namely: John, deceased ; Albert, at home with his father; and Marilla, wife of Truman Lyons, of Rice County, Kan. He was married a second time after coming to this country to Marilla Kimler, who was born in Montgomery County, Ind., July 23, 1831. Her parents, Evan and Love (Walker) Kimler, were natives of Vir- ginia, and it is said that her father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. Bridson's marriage with his second wife has brought him seven children as fol- lows: Walker, a resident of Chicago; Hattie, at home with her parents; Ethel, wife of Frank Run- yon, of Knox County; Allie, deceased; Minnie, wife of Ilomer Collister of Brimfield Township; Frank and Josephine with their parents.
Our subject has achieved success in life entirely through his own efforts, as he started out in the world with no other capital but stout muscles, a clear head and a brave, honest beart, and what he has accomplished by years of toil, should be an en- couragement to young farmers who are just begin- ning where he began so many years ago. He has contributed his quota in bringing Millbrook Town- ship to its present position as a rich agricultural center, and holds an honorable place among its most worthy pioneers. He is a man of earnest character, possessing in a full degree those sturdy traits common to the men of his native isle and as a citizen, neighbor, friend, husband and father, is all that can be desired. A man of religious prin- ciple he is identified with the Episcopal Church, while Mrs. Bridson, who is a sincere Christian, is a
880
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
member of the Presbyterian Church. She comes of an old pioneer family of this county, her parents having crossed the line from Indiana to this State, in 1852.
G EORGE KUNTZ. Some men, though they excel in tilling the soil, yet lack the judgment and business qualifications to make of their labors a financial success. They de- vote too great an acreage to a crop which proves the surplus one of the season, or sell at the wrong time and so fail to make the gains their industri- ous labors merit. Such is not the case with the gentleman above named, who combines with his skill as a farmer the business ability and training which makes his calling renumerative.
The birth of George Kuntz took place in Gærs- dorf, Alsace, France, April 11, 1843. His parents were Jacob and Mary Ann (Breydenreacher) Kuntz. They came to America in 1849, bringing with them a family of six children, of whom George is next to the youngest. For two and one-half years they made their home at Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., removing to Peoria in May, 1852. They remained in the city until the following spring when the father bought land in Hollis Town- ship and removed his family thither. There he breathed his last February 3,1882, survived by all his children, one of whom has since departed this life.
The subject of this notice attended school in his native province, learning the German language, which he writes readily. After coming to America he attended English schools and being an apt pupil soon became proficient in the various branches taught. He became particularly skillful with the pen and has many fine specimens of this work to adorn his home. Among these is a map of Hollis Township which was drawn without the assistance of instru- ments and which is considered so correct that it was copied in making the county map in 1872. Another is the drawing of a bridge, with plans, made for the engineer who had charge of the con- struction of a bridge over the creek, a few miles from the home of Mr. Kuntz. Still another fine
specimen of his handiwork is a picture copied from a photograph and enlarged to five times its orig- inal size, preserving every line and feature.
Mr. Kuntz is now carrying on the farm former- ly belonging to his father. His home is pre- sided over by an estimable lady with whom he was united in marriage February 5, 1879. She bore the maiden name of Catherine Ilessling, and is a daughter of Bernhard and Agnes M. (Shoemaker) Ilessling, of Richwood Township, her father being a large farmer. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Kuntz consists of four children, namely: Bern- hard M., George H., Charles A. and Frank A. The parents are members of the Catholic Church, as were Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kuntz.
The mental ability and culture, and financial skill of Mr. Kuntz have been called forth in the service of his fellow citizens, by whom he has been elected to office year after year. Ile is now Township Clerk, having first been elected to that office in 1871. llis books are kept in such a man- ner as to show all the changes made in the roads and to give a good understanding of township af- fairs at a glance. He has held the office since his first election except for a few years, after he had refused to be a candidate. This was in the spring of 1879, but in 1883 his candidacy was insisted upon and he has beld the office continuously since that time. In 1873 he was elected School Trustee and after holding the office for thirteen years, positively refused to serve longer. He belongs to the Democratic party but his friends are not con- fined to that political body.
AVID HORNBAKER is one of the old soldiers and old settlers of Peoria County, where he enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. He was born in Frank- lin County, Ohio, nine miles west of Columbus, March 27, 1829. Ilis parents left that place when he was very young and settled in Peoria, where they remained about five years then removed to Hollis Township where they located. Our subject accompanied his parents to Hollis and has made it
1
- -. .
.
f
881
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
his home from that time forward, except the time spent in the service of his country during the War of the Rebellion. The boyhood of our subject was mostly passed in and about Peoria. His par- ents were John and Margaret ( Essex) IJornbaker. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, of German extraction, but while yet a young man removed to Ohio where he met and married his wife.
Our subject was married to Miss Ilannah Kenedy, daughter of Daniel and Ruth Kenedy. of Ohio, September 6, 1855, in Illinois, and immediately afterward came to this county where he located on the place where he still lives. Mrs. Hornbaker died May 20, 1890, of cancer of the tongue from which she suffered three years previous to her final taking off. 'Flie cancer started under her tongue and ate through her throat killing its helpless vie- tim by inches, but although enduring such extreme agony as only the martyrs to that disease know, she never, during all her long illness, murmured or complained, submitting to the trial of her patience and fortitude with true Christian resignation and cheerfulness. Instead of fretting and bemoaning her fate she exerted herself to make all about her pleasant and happy, and when told by the physi- eians in attendance that her case was hopeless, she simply replied that she would make the best of it, and her after conduet gave ample proof that she had not spoken in vain. Mrs. Hoinbaker was possessed of a frail constitution and had always been in delicate health until a few years before the cancer made its appearance, when she improved and great hopes were entertained by her family and friends that she would live many years to bless and brighten hier home, but the Great Ruler willed otherwise and her friends can only imitate lier example and bow in humble submission to the will of llim that doeth all things well.
In 1865 our subject enlisted in Company K, Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and went imme- diately thereafter to Cairo, thence to New Orleans. from there to Morgan Island, and some time later to the siege of Spanish Fort. He next saw the en- emy at Montgomery, Ala., then at Selma and his last encounter with the foes of the starry flag of our fathers, was at Demopilis, Ala. Ile was mus- tered out after liis short but brilliant record, at
Cawhaba, Ala., and reaelied home in 1866. His wife at that time an invalid, had grieved sorely at his absence and never fully recovered from the effects of that trying time.
Six children cemented their union with cheerful presence, as follows: Eliza J. remained a brief per- iod in this lower world then winged her flight to the upper and better one while yet an innocent babe; Josephine, the second child grew into a beautiful womanhood and married John S. Johnson of Hollis, but alas, their earthly dream of happi- ness was ended hy her death ere a year of . wedded bliss had passed; John A .. a young man of slight build and weak constitution is still at home; Charley is married but has no children; Ida is at home; Myrtle died when about twelve years of age after suffering three years with a sore throat.
Mr. Hornbaker has a fine farm of eighty acres of well-tilled land and bestows much time and thought upon its cultivation and improvement. He and his family are members of the La Marsh Baptist Church. He has been connected with it since 1849 and notwithstanding his severe afflie- tions exhibits a cheerfulness and submission to the Divine Will, only obtained by reliance upon the wisdom and goodness of One who knows our needs and has promised to overrule all things, even evil, to our good. In polities he is a Republican and an intelligent observer of events.
OHN F. KING, a native of Peoria and a son of one of its most respected pioneer set- tlers, now occupies an honorable place in the business circles of this city as a con- tractor in stuccoing. He originates beautiful de- signs for all manner of fine work, and many of the finest buildings in Peoria have been embellished by his rare skill in a calling that he has made an art.
Mr. King was born in this city April 27, 1836, to Samuel D. and Josina (McComsey ) King, na- tives respectively of New Jersey and Ohio. They came from Urbana, Ohio, to Peoria in 1831, in wagons drawn by oxen, and were six weeks on the way. They found here a small settlement of
882
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
twelve families, and the present site of the city was known as Ft. Clark. A part of the original primi- tive fort or stockade that had been built in 1813 as a defense against the Indians was still standing, and on the outbreak of the Black Hawk War measures were taken to rebuild the fort, a stockade being placed around the old pickets of the first fortification. Mr. King, who was a potter, having learned his trade at Urbana, built a pottery where the High School building now stands, in 1842, and actively engaged in the manufacture of pottery four years, and then disposed of his business very advantageously to George Alton. He next became a painter, and at first painted sign-boards, and then steamboats, and then did gilding. In 1851 he opened a drug-store in this city, which he managed profitably for about ten years. At the expiration of that time he accepted a position as storekeeper in the United States service under Gen. Henderson, in 1861. Ile acted in that capacity until 1871, giving good satisfaction by the fidelity and hon- esty that marked the discharge of his duties. No- vember 4, 1887, at the age of eighty-two years, this venerable pioneer of Peoria County, who had been variously identified with its industries for many years, and was held in honor as one of its best citi- zens, passed away, leaving behind him the blessed memory of a life well spent. To him and bis good wife had been born fourteen children, four of whom lived to maturity, and three of them are still living: Samuel T., a resident of Los Angeles, Cal. ; Mrs. Martha J. Pattce, a resident of Birmingham, Ala .; and our subject.
John F. King received his education in the pub- · lie schools of this his native city, and when old enough to adopt a calling became a modeller in stucco work, and by diligent attention to his work, making a careful study of it in all its details, he soon rose to be one of the most artistic and expert stucco workers in the city, and to-day easily takes the lead in his vocation. He is much sought after to decorate interiors, and he has built up a large and prosperous business as a contractor for stucco- ing.
The home of our subject in this city is an at- tractive one, and to its presiding genius, formerly Miss Pamelia Godtrey, he was united in marriage
in 1865, the wedding ceremony being solemnized in Toulon, Stark County. Five sons and daugh- ters complete the pleasant household of our subject and his estimable wife, namely: John F., Jr .; Maude, who inherits much of her father's artistic talent, and is skilled in painting; Harry P., in business with his father; Jamie and Walter.
Mr. King is a gentleman of talent and culture, possessing a mind of a high order. He is a true lover of nature, and is keenly interested in the natural sciences, in which he is well versed, and he has a fine cabinet, containing a valuable collection of minerals, etc. In politics, he uses his influence to advance the interests of the Republican party. Ilis father was one of the early members of that party, and was a strong Abolitionist in the ante- bellum days, and many a poor slave had cause to bless him for the aid he gave him in obtaining liberty. As a boy our subject assisted his father in showing the negro fugitives the way to safety and freedom by couducting them from station to station on the "underground railroad" as occasion offered.
G EORGE JOOS owns and occupies a pleas- antly located and fertile estate on section 24, Kickapoo Township. It consists of about one hundred and sixty acres of land on which the present owner has put a full line of good buildings suitable to the needs of his family and to the work which he carries on, and has made the other improvements which would be expected of an enterprising man. The most casual observer would have a fair idea of the chief characteristics of Mr. Joos and his wife upon viewing the estate and the surroundings of the dwelling.
In the far-famed land of Switzerland Mr. Joos was born May 21, 1826. There be acquired a practical education and fitted himself for a useful and honorable carcer. In 1849 he left his native conntry and crossing the Atlantic landed in New York, whence he came directly West to Milwaukee, Wis. He remained in that city a few months, then removed to Peoria where he was engaged in
-
-
1
non Gramer
885
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
carpenter work until about 1873. He then deter- mined to devote himself to the pursuit of agricul- ture and therefore removed to Kickapoo Township where he has since made his home.
Mr. Joos has been twice married, his first alli- ance having been contracted in Peoria in Decem- ber, 1852. His bride was Miss Elizabeth Leuen- berger, a native of Switzerland, with whom he lived happily nntil 1855, when she was called from time to eternity. The present wife of Mr. Joos was known in her maidenhood as Miss Elizabeth Breidenstein and became his wife in Peoria, in December, 1864. She is a native of Germany possessing all the domestic knowledge and moth- erly feeling characteristic of the race. This union has been blessed by the birth of five children, named respectively, Anna, George T., Emily, Hen- rietta and William.
In his political views and practices Mr. Joos is an independent Republican. A law-abiding citi- zen, an honorable man and an affectionate mem- ber of the family circle, Mr. Joos is regarded with due respect by those to whom he is known.
90
ILLIAM CRAMER. It gives us pleasure to place on these pages the record of the life and to present the portrait of this ven- erable pioneer of Peoria County, who is numbered among its wealthy and influential farmers and stock dealers. Ile is one of the old settlers of Trivoli Township, where his farming interests have been centered for many years.
John Cramer, the father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, a son of one of its farmers who was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and in early man- hood went to Ohio on foot and settled ten miles east of Columbus as one of the early pioneers of Franklin County. lle cleared away the forest and broke the soil of one hundred and sixty acres of land on which he had a hewed log house for a dwelling. There he tilled the soil and raised stock until 1839, when he again took up the westward march and, coming to Illinois, located in Farming-
ton, where he rented and farmed until he settled permanently on ninety-five acres of land that he bought on section 8, Trivoli Township. This was partly developed and he continued its improvement until his premature death, at the age of sixty-two years, in 1845. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations, and while a resident of Ohio was a mem- ber of the United Brethren Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.