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 110
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March 14, 1850, Mr. Meeker, with two compan- ions, started for California, their outfit consisting of five yoke of oxen, a yoke of cows and one cov- ered wagon. They crossed the Mississippi at Quincy, the Missouri at Council Bluffs. forded the Platte and Laramie at Ft. Laramie, struck across to the Black Hills country, crossed the Sweet Water and Green Rivers, and taking Sublet's Cutoff, left Ft. Hall to the right. They entered California on the Humboldt River, crossed fifty-two miles of desert, and reaching Kit Carson River, sold their outfits and continued their travels on foot. They had been unmolested by Indians.
After selling their teams they crossed the Sierras to Placerville, prospected there for a few days, then went to Sacramento City, whence they sailed twenty miles up the river, consuming two days in the voyage. Leaving the boat they again proceeded on foot to Marysville, thenee to Park's Bar, where Mr. Meeker engaged in mining. Ile remained there until the spring of 1851, when, after the San Francisco fire. he went to that city and engaged in brickmaking, buying a half-interest in a yard which on a contract made $20 per day for each partner. lle next hired out to a company to mold brick, molding six thousand a day until fall.
Mr. Meeker then returned to the mines until spring, when he went to Marysville during the high water, working at brickmaking. He then
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went to his claim on the Yuba River, again engaged in prospecting and mining, making some $40 per day abont two months, when he was unable to work his lead longer on account of the water. The next winter he spent at Owsley's Bar and a point three miles below, where he continued to prospect until June 16. 1853. He then started home via Panama and New York City, with the intention of return- ing to the coast after visiting his friends. His brother, however, had bought some land for him in this county, and he finally decided to locate upon it. He therefore turned his attention to agricultural work, operating the one hundred and twenty acres on section 14, Trivoli Township, until 1857. when he rented it and engaged in brick- making in Farmington, also laying brick there about three years.
At the expiration of that time Mr. Mecker re- turned to his farm, his business having been ser- ionsly affected by the financial depressions and the "wild cat" money which flooded this section. He had a half-million of brick on hand, for which there was no sale, He worked his estate until 1869, when he sold it and bought the improved farm upon which he is now living. Ile has worked at his trade off and on, but has never abandoned agriculture. The principal products of his estate are corn and hogs, the latter being full-blooded Poland-Chinas, but he also raises good grades of cattle and horses snitable for general purposes. to- gether with some other crops. A fine spring of living water adds to the value of his land, all of which is tillable and which formerly held a fine maple grove, the timber from which has been sold. During the war Mr. Meeker hauled grain to Peoria, receiving seventy-six cents per bushel for oats, $1.50 for rye and $2.50 for wheat.
The marriage of Mr. Meeker and Miss Rebecca A. Dunn was celebrated in Trivoli Township, Feb- rnary 16, 1854. Mrs. Meeker was born in High- land County, Ohio, but came hither with her par- ents when quite small, they settling near Farming- ton. She is intelligent and capable, and prior to her marriage was engaged in school-teaching. The happy union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, of whom we note the following: George, a graduate of Knox College, is now Principal of
Petersburg Iligh School; Cena A., a graduate of the Farmington lhigh School, is the wife of J. H. Rockwell, their home being in Brookfield, Mo .; Everett is now living in Elmwood engaged in busi- ness, but formerly taught school; Lucy is the wife of G. W. Yerion, a prominent young farmer of the township, whose sketch appears in this ALBUM; Ruby, formerly engaged in school-teaching, mar- ried John Steck, a farmer in this township; Frank is engaged in agriculture here; Annie and William still remain at home.
Mr. Meeker served as Township Clerk three years. Assessor two years, School Trustee and Director for a long period, and was elected Justice of the Peace, but did not qualify for that office. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. He is a Trus- tee in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Concord, and was at one time Class-Leader; he helped much in the crection of the church edifice.
E LIJAH STARTS. This gentleman is one of the old settlers of Peoria County having removed thither from Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1848. Ile was born in Delaware, Decem- ber 16, 1818, to Elisha and Hester A. Starts, natives of Delaware and Ohio. When our sub- ject was quite young, his parents removed to Coshocton, Guernsey County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood. He received his education in the public schools of his district and made good use of the opportunities there afforded to acquire a fair English education. The knowledge obtained in the little, low building devoted to the purposes of a school, supplemented by close observation and subsequent reading has been of great value to him in his career in life.
When our subject reached the age of twenty-one he started out in life for himself and worked at odd jobs until the death of his parents, his father dying in 1841 and his mother in 1840. Soon afterward his home was broken up by the ravages of death. Mr. Starts was married to a lady in the neighbor- hood, but his wedded bliss was brief, as she died not long afterward leaving one child to the care of
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the sorrowing father. Although left motherless at such a tender age, the little girl, Hester Ann, blossomed into noble womanhood, and is now the wife of Nathan Fuller, of this township. After the wife's death our subject removed to Hollis,and worked for Mr. Powell and others for two years, after which he returned to the Buckeye State. There he married Miss Ellen Addy, a sister of his first wife and a daughter of William Addy. In 1850 he once more took np his residence in Hollis and settled on the eighty acres of land which is now a portion of his present home.
The happy home was again invaded by death, and in 1863 the beloved wife died, leaving three children to comfort,as best they might, the stricken father, left to gloom and loneliness. Their names are as follows: Sarah, the wife of John Stewart, of Hollis Township, who died leaving three children, Lydia, Stella and Bell, one of whom is now de- ceased: Mary, the second daughter, is the wife of John Johnson, formerly a resident of Ilollis, but now living in Pottawatamie County, Iowa. The youngest, Miss Violet, is still a member of her father's household and an ornament to the com- munity.
In 1866 Mr. Starts again visited his former home and won a bride there in the person of Miss Eliza- betli Bach, and was married November 15, 1866. She is a daughter of William and Mary (Murlattie) Bach, natives of America, of English and Welsh stock. William Bach was a son of William and Mary (Lloyd ) Bach, and still lives in Guernsey County, Ohio, where he is highly respected for his many sterling virtnes. He was born May 22, 1812. Mrs. Bach, wife of William Bach, and mother of Mrs. Starts, departed this life in 1854 at the age of for- ty-three years. She was a good Christian woman and her death was deeply lamented. William Bach, Sr., was born December 9, 1786, and lived to the ripe old age of eighty-seven, falling asleep June 29, 1873. ITis wife. Mary (Lloyd) Bach, was born May 25, 1789, and survived the storms of life until September 2, 1868, when she too entered upon eternal life, and there enjoys that rest which remains for the people of God.
By his third marriage Mr. Starts has had five children added to his family, as follows: Elijah
Lloyd died when twelve years of age; Nora J., a young lady still at home: two children died in in- fancy, and the youngest, a son, James A., aged eight years, is a bright boy, who gives much prom- ise for future usefulness.
Mr. Starts by energy and industry accumulated much valuable property. His farm comprises four hundred acres of good land, most of which he cleared from the timber and brush which covered it in its original wildness. He now operates about two hundred acres himself with the aid of hired help, and the fine condition of everything pertaining to it proclaims the care and thoughtful- ness of the owner. In addition to his farm work he followed carpentering for some twenty years, but has recently abandoned that business and now devotes his entire time to his home work. He learned the carpenter trade while a resident of Ohio under Albert Powell, a sketch of whom ap- pears elsewhere. The beautiful estate of our sub- jeet is situated about twelve miles from the city of Peoria, Harkers Corners being the nearest post- office.
Politically, Mr. Starts affiliates with the Demo- crat party on national issues, but is independent in matters of local importance. lle and his fam- ily are devoted and active members of the La Marsh Baptist Church, and he takes a deeper in- terest in its welfare than in almost anything else. Ile and his family live beautiful Christian lives, and are highly esteemed for their many good qual- ities by the people among whom their lot is cast.
NDREW W. PINCKNEY, Jr. There are those who think the life of a farmer is but a weary round of drudgery uncheered by intellectual or social enjoyments or un- marked by the exhibition of any high mental cnl- ture or spiritual aspirations. A visit to the home of A. W. Pinckney on section 12, Kickapoo Town- ship, would prove this to be erroneous. The re- finement of the home and surroundings indicates that the inmates possess intelligence, culture and a taste for all that is beautiful and ennobling.
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The gentleman of whom we write is the young- est in a family of three sons and four danghters, whose parental history may be found in the sketch of Andrew W. Pinckney, Sr., which occupies an- other page in this volume. He was born in Kicka- poo Township, October 12, 1856, but was reared to manhood in the county seat to which his father re- moved during his infancy. He was educated in the city schools where he displayed aptness in study and a keen comprehension of the practical use of knowledge. He remained with his parents until his marriage, after which he set up his own home.
Going to Colorado, Mr. and Mrs. Pinckney made their home in Denver for a year, thence re- moving to Boulder City,and after sojourning there an equal length of time, returned to the Prairie State. They abode in l'eoria until the spring of 1887, Mr. Pinckney being engaged in the real -es- tate business until that time, when he located on land entered by his grandfather from the Govern- ment. Ile now owns three hundred and twenty acres on which he makes a specialty of breeding trotting aud draft horses. The location is a fav- orable one for both stock-raising and farming and is pleasant for the family, as it commands a good view of the landscape diversified by hill and plain, forest and stream.
In Kansas City, Mo., October 7,1879, theinteresting ceremony took place which transformed Miss Lena Miedroth into Mrs. A. W. Pinckney. Mrs. Pinck- ney was born in Peoria February 22, 1863, being the fifth child of William and Caroline ( Little) Meidroth, both natives of Wurtemburg, Germany. They were early settlers in Peoria, where the father (lied about 1872. Mrs. Pinckney was the recipi- ent of excellent advantages in the way of schooling and maternal advice and instruction, and grew to womanhood, possessing a noble nature and a cultured mind. Mr. and Mrs. Pinckney are the par- ents of one son, who also bears the name of An- drew W., a brilliant lad, who bids fair to extend the usefulness and repute of the family name even more rapidly than his progenitors have done.
Mr. Pinckney is a believer in and supporter of the principles of the Republican party. A public spirited and energetic laborer in worldly affairs, and a genial, hospitable, upright man, he is re-
garded with great respect by those who know him while his good wife shares in the regard of their associates. Both are members of Orange Grange, to the work of which they devote considerable time.
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OSEPH DALTON is closely identified with the building interests of Peoria County as one of its leading brick manufacturers. He carries on his business in Richwood Town- ship, where he has all the best machinery for the manufacture of brick, of which he turns out a large quantity of the best and most durable make, which command a ready sale. Here he has built up a beautiful home on section 32, replete with every desirable comfort and has acquired other valuable property.
Mr. Dalton was born in County Kilkenny, Ire- land, December 26, 1826. He was reared to man- hood in the place of his nativity, being bred to farming pursuits. He left his old home in 1849. and in 1850 came to America with his mother, two brothers and a sister. They landed at New Orleans and from there came to Peoria, arriving in that city May 6. Ilis mother, whose maiden name was Mary Cody, died in Peoria. Our subject worked at different occupations in that city for several weeks and was then employed in the "l'eoria House" for thirteen monthis. After that he found work in a brick-yard, on what is now Taylor Street. He continued working for others at the same employ- ment from 1852 to 1859, when he invested his money and established himself as a brick manu- facturer, baving as a partner John Butler. They were together for four years, and then our subjeet bought a tract of land of fifteen acres, and en- gaged in making brick exclusively for himself, and has since continued in business alone. He mann- factures a large quantity of brick, turning off about one million and two hundred thousand annually. ITe owns one hundred and fifty five acres on sec- tion 32, of Richwood Township, and own's and oc- eupies a handsome, well-appointed residence.
To the lady who presides over his charming home and so graciously aids him in extending its
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well-known hospitalities to their many friends. Mr. Dalton was married in Peoria. Mrs. Dalton's maiden name was Catherine Nail, and she is, like himself, of Irish birth. They have eight children living, as follows : James, Mary, Richard, Elizabeth, Patrick, Catherine, Joseph and Margaret.
Joseph Dalton possesses more than ordinary force of character, guided by right principles and see- onded by clear discernment. wise caution and ex- cellent business capacity, and these make him an influence in the work of improving and further developing the township which he has made his home. Ile possesses true public spirit, yet he has never sought office. as he has to devote himself to his business in order to carry it on successfully. In his political views Mr. Dalton is conservative, but favors the Democratic party with his support. Religiously, he and his estimable wife are of the Catholic faith, and are respected members of the church of that denomination.
ORTIMER M. MILLER. One of the large landowners in Kickapoo Township is the gentleman above named. whose pleasant residence is located on section 25, and whose landed estate comprises five bun- dred and twenty acres, mostly in this township. It is marked with good improvements, and presents a beautiful appearance when the fine crops are wav- ing under a gentle breeze or drooping their heavy heads in readiness for the siekle.
Mr. Miller was born in Newport, Ky., July 3, 1837. and was seventeen years old when he left the city and engaged in farming about three miles from bis birthplace. Three years later he removed to Pekin, Ill, his means of transportation being a wagon, and soon afterward came into Peoria County, settling in Richwood Township. There he pursued his former vocation until early in the '60s, when he moved into Peoria, making that city his home about two years, and busying himself at different occupations. Returning to the farm in Richwood Township, he cultivated it about two
years, then rented land in Kickapoo Township for about the same length of time.
We next find Mr. Miller purchasing land on sec- tion 25, Kickapoo Township, which he has since made his home and upon which he has made good improvements. The fertile estate is divided into fields of convenient size, and under the intelligent tillage of the owner proves a very valuable piece of property. The years which Mr. Miller has spent in farming have made him a master of the art, and his crops are not only proportionate to the large amount of land which he owns, but are unex- celled in quality.
The wife of Mr. Miller bore the maiden name of Elizabeth H. Crook, and is the youngest child of George A. and Elizabeth (Holbrook) Crook. Her parents were born in Baltimore, Md .. and there the mother breathed her last. Mr. Crook afterward married Miss Martha Spurck, removed to Peoria in 1846, and after several years spent in mercantile pursuits engaged in farming in Kickapoo Town- ship. There the marriage rites of his daughter and Mr. Miller were celebrated September 13, 1859. Mr. Crook is now living in Brooklyn, N. Y.
The birth of Mrs. Miller occurred in Perry County, Ohio, September 12, 1839. She is well informed, has been devoted to her husband and children, and is kindly in her relations with those about her. She has borne her husband twelve children, viz .: Frederick, Ida, Eva, Lottie, Will- iam, Carrie, Kate, Sarah, Marion, Charles, Wilbur, and Pearl. Eva and William are deceased. Ida is the wife of William Blackwell, and Lottie the wife of Fred Matthews. Mr. Miller has not sought for office, preferring the quiet of home life to the turmoil of the political arena. He casts his vote with the Democratic party. Ile is regarded with the esteem which his personal character merits, and is numbered among the progressive farmers of this section.
The father of our subject was Frederick A. Miller, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., and his mother, Saralı A. Clifton, who was born in Paris, Ky. After their marriage this worthy conple settled in the Blue Grass State, and from Newport came to Peo- ria County, Ill., about 1857. They settled in Rich-
C
Emanuel Keller
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wood Township, where Mr. Miller died three years later. The widowed mother still survives. The family consists of eleven children, of whom Morti- mer M. is the fifth in order of birth.
E MANUEL KELLER. In this gentleman Princeville has not only one of its most practical and successful farmers, but also one of its most desirable citizens, who is a conspic- uous figure in the social, religious and political life of this part of the county. As a veteran of the late war, in which he fought long and well, and as an enterprising citizen of Peoria County, we are pleased to present his biographical sketch and por- trait on these pages.
The father of our subject, Flory Keller, was born in Germany, and when three years of age accompanied his father to this country, his mother having died in their native land. They settled in Pennsylvania, and Flory was put out to strangers, being reared on a farm and early becoming self- supporting. He lived in Little York, York County, Pa., and was there occupied in agricultural pur- suits until he removed to Ohio, and was engaged in the same occupation among the pioneers of Rich- land and Stark Counties. He remained there until 1841, and then coming to this State, located in the timber in Essex Township, Stark County. He made his living by working for others there until 1853, and then coming to Princeville Township, rented land for some years. In 1856 he bought eighty acres, comprising the western part of the northeastern quarter of section 10, which he im- proved from wild prairie into a well cultivated farm.
In the fall of 1868 Mr. Keller sold that place, and going to Doniphan County, Kan., purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, where he lo- cated and was engaged in its improvement several years. Ile subsequently removed to Phillips County and bought a claim, and made his title clear; he finally disposed of it at an advance, and returned to Highland, Kan .. and now lives retired with a son, he having reached the venerable
age of eighty-five years. He is in every way a worthy man, and has won the esteem of all about him. He has always been a sturdy supporter of the Republican party. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Catherine Coleman, and she was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Chris- topher Coleman, a farmer and likewise a native of the Keystone State. He was a pioneer of Ohio, and in 1841 removed to Illinois, dying at a ripe old age. The mother of our subject is still living at the age of seventy-five years. She belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is firm in the faitlı.
The following is recorded of the twelve chil- dren born to the parents of our subject: Eli was a member of the One Ilundred and First Illinois In- fantry, enlisting in 1862, and serving faithfully until he gave up his life for his country, in 1863, at Mission Creek; Andrew was a soldier in the Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, enlisting in 1862, and sacrificed his life in the cause, having been mortally wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, and dying two days afterward; Emanuel is the next in order of birth; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Lake, resides in Phillips County, Kan .; Edmond, a resident of Abilene, Kan., and County Coroner, enlisted in the Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry in 1862, and served until honorably discharged on account of physical disability ; he subsequently re-cnlisted in the One IIundred and Thirty-ninth, one hundred day regiment, and was afterward in Battery A, Second Illinois Light Artillery, until the close of the war; W. H., a resident of Highland, Kan., en- listed in 1862, in the Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the war; Levi resides in Highland, Kan .; Alfred is a farmer in Phillips County, Kan .; Ezra A. resides in Highland, Charles in Phillips County, and Samnel and David also in Highland, that State.
The subject of this notice was born in Richland County, Ohio, October 25, 1838, and was less than three years old when he accompanied his parents to Illinois, coming by boat to Peoria. His first recol- lections are of a pioneer home in Stark County, this State, where he lived until he was twelve years old. His school advantages were limited, as he attended school but a few months in his early
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boyhood. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one, and then engaged in work- ing out by the month until he entered the army. lle watched the course of the war with patriotic ardor, and in Angust, 1862, volunteered for the defense of his country, enlisting in Company K. Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, which was mustered in at Peoria, and dispatched to Louisville. Ky .. ar- riving there October 8. Mr. Keller took part in the battle of Perrysville, Ky., and was in the var- ions skirmishes around Nashville, the battles of Franklin and Brentwood, and with his regiment in its various encounters with the enemy in and around Murfreesboro. He engaged in the battle of Chickamauga, and was at Mission Ridge. From there he and his comrades went to Knoxville, thence returned to Chattanooga, and in the spring of 1864 accompanied Sherman on his Georgia campaign.
Our subject was wounded by a minie ball at the battle of Buzzard's Roost, the ball lodging in the right arm above the elbow, and on May 10 he was sent to the field hospital, and thence to Jefferson- ville, Ind., where he remained until July. In that month he joined his regiment at the front, and fought well in the battles of Atlanta and Jonesboro, and then followed Forrest to Florence, Ala., and did good service in the Florence expedition. Re- turning to Atlanta the next day, he started on the famous march to the sea, and from Savannah went northward through the Carolinas. and at the battle of Averyshoro his brave conduct won him deserved promotion to the position of Corporal. He fought in the battle of Bentonville, and marched on to Raleigh with his regiment, proceeded to Washing. ton by the way of Richmond, and took part in the Grand Review. He was mustered out as Corporal, and discharged at Chicago. June 27, 1865, having proved throughout his whole course in camp and on the field that he possessed true soldierly quali- ties. In the fight at Buzzard's Roost a spent ball hit him on the right shoulder, and another grazed his check and drew blood. In the second battle of Buzzard's Roost he was wounded badly in the arm.
After his long and hard experience of a military life our subject returned to Princeville, and quietly resumed the life of a civilian, and was engaged in working out until the spring of 1866. He then
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