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 33
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By his marriage with the mother of our subject,
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Mr. Dawson became the father of seven children, namely : Cornelius, a resident of Farmington, who served in Company 1, Eighteenth Illinois Infantry ; Rebecca; Mary, wife of Samuel Finarty; Charles W .; James, a resident of Iowa County, lowa, who served in the Seventy seventh Illinois Regiment; Elizabeth, wife of George Ilammerbacker, and Jen- nie, wife of W. H. Bower.
The subject of this sketch was reared to the life of a farmer and early began to assist his father in his work. He was given a common-school educa- tion and at the age of twenty-one began lite for himself as a railroad man, and was thus employed for the space of one year. He had not attained to manhood when the war broke out but he watched its progress with intense and patriotic interest and as soon as he could,entered the army, enlisting in Com- pany I, Eighteenth Illinois Regiment, February 28, 1865, and in his service at Little Rock, Ark., proved himself to possess good soldierly qualities. He was honorably discharged in the month of December, 1865, at Pine Bluff.
Since his return from Iowa, Mr. Dawson has lived on the homestead where he now resides and has been busily engaged in general farming and in stoek-raising. Ile has acquired considerable valu- able property, and is the proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in Dawson County, Neb. Ile lives very comfortably on his Rosefield homestead, which is provided with a substantial set of buildings, and everything about the place indicates care and good management.
Mr. Dawson was married March 3, 1870, to Mary A. Bower, who is all to him that a devoted wife and able helpmate can be. She is a daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Stall) Bower, who came from Pennsylvania to Rosefield Township, about 1851. They had a family of three sons and two daughters. Our subject and his wife have five children-Edgar Charles, Nettie O., Hiram Reuel, Maggie Alsasia and Myra Edna.
Mr. Dawson's course through life has been hon- orable to himself and creditable to his native town- ship, and all who know him will certify to his high moral character and steady sober habits. He and his wife are Christians in the truest sense of the word and are zealous in the cause of religion as
represented in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they are members of high standing. So- cially, Mr. Dawson is identified with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
AMES M. KELLEY, a veteran of the late war, has done yeoman service in aid of the grand work carried on by men of his class and calling in the upbuilding of this county, and to-day occupies an honorable position among the farmers and stock men of Brimfield Township, where he is possessed of a good farm.
Mr. Kelley is a native of Green County, Pa., born February 25, 1828. Ilis parents, George and Mary (Dougherty ) Kelley, were natives of Virginia, and migrated from there to Maryland, and thence to Pennsylvania. His father did good service as a soldier in the War of 1812, and fought in the famous battle of Lundy's Lane.
James Kelley was reared to man's estate in Pennsylvania, and was bred to the life of a farmer, gaining a thorough knowledge of his ealling. His educational advantages were limited, but by much reading and observation he has become a well-in- formed man. Ile was in life's prime when the war broke out, and with patriotism worthy of the son of an old soldier, he enlisted in the fall of 1861, having determined to do his share in suppressing the rebellion and saving the Union. Ile became a member of Company F, First Pennsylvania Cav- alry, which subsequently formed a part of the Army of the Potomac, and he was actively en- gaged with his regiment, some three months. A part of the time the many hardships and privations that he was called upon to endure, told so greatly on his health, that he was obliged to be in the hos- pital for treatment. lle remained in the service, however, nearly a year, and in 1862 was honorably discharged.
The coming of our subject to this county in the fall of 1862, was an important turning point in his life. The first two years of his stay here he worked on a farm by the month for M. Wiley, in Elmwood
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Township. He was subsequently employed by the month for three years, and by frugality and hard labor earned and saved up money until he was en- abled to marry and establish a home for himself. After marriage, for some years he farmed as a renter, and then bought the farm he now owns, and settled thereon in the spring of 1874, and has lived here continuously since. His farm is very pleas- antly located, the soil is exceptionally fertile, and from it he garners plenteous harvests. He has its eighty acres well tilled, and has a neat set of build- ings, and everthing about the place is in a good condition.
Mr. Kelley and Miss Mary M. Patterson, united their lives and fortunes December 31, 1869. One son has been born of their pleasant wedded life, whom they have named Frank. January 26, 1870, is the date of his birth. Mrs. Kelley is a native of Preble County, Ohio, born February 14, 1835, to John and Sarah Patterson. She is a sister of John M. Patterson, of Brimfield Township, whose biog- raphy appears in this volume. She came to this county with her parents when she was in her eight- eenth year. The surrounding country was then open prairie, there being not many settlements here and she has been an interested witness of much of the growth of the county.
The life which our subject has led, is creditable to himself, and, as we have seen, has been useful to his adopted township. le and his wife have so condueted themselves in their relations with all about them, that none know them but to esteem them. Mr. Kelley is a sincere believer in the policy of the Democratic party, and gives it his liearty support. All plans for forwarding the material or social interests of the township, find favor with him.
ILLIAM ANDREW, Postmaster of Chase Post-office, Millbrook Township, occupies a leading position in his community and is identified both with the agricultural and mer- cantile interests of this county. Mr. Andrew is a native of England and was born in Devonshire, June 29, 1828. His parents were Thomas and
Eliza (Jones) Andrew, who were likewise of Eng- lish birth and antecedents. When he was ten years old he accompanied his father and mother to America, taking passage at Liverpool on a sail- ing-vessel, and after a voyage of about eight weeks landed in the city of New York. They went directly from there to Erie County, Ohio, and set- tled among its pioneers, and they bore an honor- able part in its development. Our subject passed the remaining years of his boyhood and the open- ing years of his manhood in that part of the coun- try. He had but little schooling as the educational advantages were then somewhat limited, but in the parental home good principles were early instilled into his mind and he acquired industrious habits, which have been of great use to him in his after career.
In 1855, when in the prime and vigor of life, he came to this county to take advantage of its won- derful agricultural resources, and for some three years was engaged in farming as a renter in Mill- brook Township. At the expiration of that time he bought a farm of his own in this township and was actively engaged in its improvement until the fall of 1888, and in the meantime had developed his property, comprising one hundred and twenty acres of very productive land, into one of the best regulated and best tilled farms in all the region around, placing upon it a good class of buildings. and supplying it with ample machinery for all the necessary operations in conducting farming. When he abandoned the cultivation of the soil he estab- lished himself in the mercantile business at Chase, and now has here a well-appointed and conveni- ently -arranged store, well stocked with general merchandise, and the substantial building in which he carries on his trade is of ample dimensions, being 20x40 feet. He has built up quite an ex- tensive trade, partly on account of his honorable dealings, as his customers have come to learn that that they may place implicit reliance on his word and judgment. He is gifted with a good faculty of business, is methodical in his work, and makes it a point to do with others as he would be done by. In connection with his mercantile business, he has charge of the post-oflice at Chase, receiving his appointment as Postmaster July 16, 1889, and
Mop theed.
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he is found to be the right man in the right place, his genial and friendly manner making him well liked by the public in general.
The marriage of our subject with Mary Morse, a native of England, took place in Ohio in 1853, and has been a felicitous and happy one, which has been blessed to them by the birth of four chil- dren, of whom two are living: Mary A., wife of Abraham Rarick, of Millbrook Township; and Eva, wife of Il. W. Crone, of Millbrook Township. The greatest sorrow of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew's wedded life has been in the death of their daugh- ter, Alice, and their son, William.
Mr. Andrew is a self made man in the best sense of the term, and has been successful in a career in which he started out with no adventi- tious aids of fortune and name, and has gained a high position among the solid, reputable men of this community. He is broad and sensible in his views and in politics is inclined to be inde- pendent, though favoring the Republican party. He is a member in high standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Elmore, is serving as Trus- tee of the same, and carries his religion into the every day affairs of life.
ORROW P. REED, the present Supervisor of Brimfield Township, is one of the oldest set- tlers in the neighborhood and one who has been an eye witness of much of the growth of the county during the half century just past. lle has shared to a considerable extent in the work of development as a member of farming commu- nities, and while aiding thus bas advanced his own financial interests and become the owner of an excellent piece of property. His estate consists of two hundred and ten acres of well culti- vated land on section 3, the same being marked with a complete line of good buildings and the va- rious nseful accompaniments of a well-regulated farm. In the accumulation of his property, in the careful rearing of his children, and in all which has pertained to his interests since his marriage, he has been ably assisted by his worthy wife, who now
shares with him the fruits of their industry and prudence.
Mr. Reed is a native of this county, having been born in Peoria, June 19, 1840. His parents were George W. and Joannab ( Patterson) Reed. natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was a carpenter and joiner who, having lo- cated in Peoria about 1834, was there married, the lady of his choice having preceded him to that city a short time. The family of the good couple consisted of six children, of whom our subject is tie second. The others are Mary and Thomas, who reside in Kansas; Joannah, wife of Joseph Morri- son, of Ohio; Louisa, Mrs. Joseph Langlois, who also lives in Kansas, and George, deceased. The father entered into rest in 1849, the mother surviv- ing until 1857.
The subject of this notice was reared in Peoria until about thirteen years of age, and after the death of his father, which occurred when he was nine years old, had soon to begin to assist bis mother. He attended the common schools of the city, in which his advantages were not equal to those now afforded in that thriving place, but such as they were, he improved them as long as he was able to attend school, and by self effort bas added to the knowledge then obtained. About the time that he entered his teens he began working on a farm, receiving during the summer 86 per month and his board. Until 1862 he was employed mainly as a farm hand, then renting land he worked for himself until his enlistment in the Union Army.
On the 11th of February. 1865, Mr. Reed be- came a private in Company F. One Hundred and Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry, serving until Sep- tember 22. following, when he was discharged at Springfield, 111. During his army life he had been engaged in guard duty on the Nashville & Chatta- nooga Railroad. At its expiration he returned to Peoria County where, the following year, he was married to Miss Jane A. Whittaker, the date of the ceremony being February 22, 1866. During that year the couple settled on a farm which is now in- cluded in their present place of residence. where they have labored assiduously in developing their land and making of their home an abode of peace and plenty. For a short time, during 1861, Mr.
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Reed tilled the soil in Missouri, but with that ex- ception and the time devoted to his country's cause he has lived in Peoria County.
The wife of our subject was born in County Queens, Ireland, being a daughter of John C. and Susan (Carter) Whittaker, who were likewise na- tives of the Emerald Isle. Her union with our subject has been productive to them of twelve children, three of whom are deceased. The surviv- ors are: George W., Susan A., Joannalı L., Nettie J., Lottie B., Ella O., Henry A., Clara E., and Margaretta P. Susan A. is now the wife of George A. Pursell, of Elmwood; George W. married Mary M. Moore, of Millbrook Township.
Mr. Reed was appointed to fill a vacancy as Su- pervisor of Brimfield Township in 1882, and since that time has been annually elected to the position. He has previously acted as Commissioner of Iligh- ways. He is a member of the Lodge of Modern Woodmen at Brimfield, and of G. L. Fort Post, No. 177, G. A. R., in the same place. It is scarcely necessary to say that he and his wife are respected for the uprightness of their lives and the part which they have borne in the progress of this section of country. In politics he identifies himself with the Republican party.
The attention of the reader is invited to a litho- graphic portrait of Mr. Reed, which is presented on another page of this volume.
OIIN S. POTTER. The smaller towns of this county contain many beautiful homes, which if less pretentious than some in the large cities. are pleasing in design, substan- tial in construction, and so surrounded by evidences of order and good taste, as to prove very attract- ive to the passer-by, who at once coneludes that their owners are people of refinement. Such a dwelling is that occupied by the widow of the late John S. Potter, who erected the house, fitted it up for his family, and gave to them all the comforts that his financial success warranted.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, was born in Allegany County, N. Y., .July
6, 1834, being the younger of two children born to Asa C. and Lucy (Eldred) Potter, the parents also being natives of the Empire State. Thither they removed in 1850, settling in Fulton County, Ill., near Farmington, but afterward removing to Akron Township, this county. The wife and mother still survives at an advanced age, but the husband and father breathed his last April 13, 1883. Our sub- ject received a part of his education in his native State, completing it after his removal to the West, and adopting the occupation of farming, in which he occupied himself for a number of years.
In Knoxville, Knox County, July 17, 1858, Mr. Potter was united in marriage with Miss Ellen M. Brassfield, a lady of noble and generous nature, in whom he found a fitting companion. After their marriage they settled in Akron Township, residing there until December, 1883, with the exception of one year, during which they lived in Mt. Ilolly. At the date named they removed to Dunlap, where Mr. Potter erected his fine dwelling, and was en- gaged in the grain and stock business until his death. That sad event took place August 8, 1889, remov- ing from the town, one of its best and most public- spirited citizens. In addition to his town property, Mr. Potter left an estate of some eight hundred acres of fine land. He voted the Democratic ticket, ever taking an active part in political affairs, and keeping well informed regarding the issues of the day. For several years he served as Township Su- pervisor, performing his duties satisfactorily. He was also Assessor and Collector of the township at different times. He was highly respected, and sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends when called hence.
Mrs. Potter is the third child of Michael and Ruth (Freeman) Brassfield, having one brother and two sisters. Her parents were born in North Caro- lina, but shortly after their marriage settled in Parke County, Ind., whence they came hither about 1839. For a time they resided in Radnor Town- ship this county, but subsequently made their home in Fulton County, where the father died in 1857. Mrs. Brassfield is still living, now quite aged. Their daughter, Ellen M., was born near Farming- ton. Fulton County, May 3, 1841, remaining an inmate of the parental home until her marriage to
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our subject, and acquiring much useful knowledge, both of books and of home duties. She is a mem - ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one who earnestly endeavors to make her life corres pond with the principles of her religious belief.
The fine family of our subjeet and his good wife comprises eight children, several of whom are set- tled in homes of their own : Nettie L. married Mor- ton B. Vars; Devillo M. married Miss Ella Gallup; Asa E. won for his wife Miss IJelena Myer; Frank married Miss Lydia Shane; Ida E. is the wife of William Myer; Charlie died when a little more than seven years old; and Noel J. when about three years of age; Lottie R. is unmarried, assisting her mother in the hospitable management of the home, which is a gathering place for the best society of the town.
HIOMAS MATHERS. More than three- score and six years ago there was born in the humble home of a pioneer family in Ohio a sou, who grew to a sturdy manhood amid the scenes of the primeval forests and wild prairies of that State. Ilis social and educational advantages were of the primitive order, and he had to begin the battle of life early. He was well fortified for the struggle, however, as the privations and sacri- fices of the people of a newly settled country had hardened and strengthened him for the conflict, fitted him for the work he had to do, and have en- abled him to attain a high position among the wealthy and substantial farmers and stock-raisers of Peoria County, and in him we have a worthy subject for representation in this BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. He is one of the largest landowners in Millbrook Township, having a valuable farm on section 10, whose broad, well-cultivated fields yield rich harvests. The improvements that he has placed upon it are of a substantial order, and his extensive agricultural interests net him a good in- come.
Mr. Mathers was born in Washington County, Ohio, June 10, 1824, a son of William and Sarah (McDonnell) Mathers, who were early settlers of
the Buckeye State, having gone there from Vir- ginia, their native State. Our subject passed his youth and early manhood in Ohio, having but lit- ited educational advantages, but acquiring a sound praetical knowledge of farming that has been of great benefit to him in his after years. When he was sixteen years old he had the misfortune to lose his father, and when about eighteen years of age, he started out in the world on his own ac- count.
In 1853, Mr. Mathers came to Illinois to invest his earnings in land, shrewdly foreseeing that this State was to be the paradise for a wide-awake enterprising farmer. Ile purchased eighty acres of land in Millbrook Township, paying $10 an acre for it, and afterwards brought his family, then consisting of his wife and two children, to this county from Ohio, performing the journey with one team and a wagon, camping by the wayside at night, and in twenty-two days arriving at their destination. lu 1864, he settled on his present farm, which was then without cultivation or im- provement. By hard and untiring labor he has brought it to its present condition and its five hundred and eighty-five acres of land to-day con- stitute one of the most desirable and productive farms in the neighborhood. He was a poor man when he came here, and it is only by the exercise of keen, far seeing judgment and superior man- agement that he has been enabled to accumulate this valuable property.
For forty years our subjeet has had the active co-operation of a helpful, capable wife, to whom he was married March 11, 1850. Mrs. Mathers' maiden name was Anne Shuttlesworth, and she was born in Washington County, Ohio. Her marriage with our subject has been productive of three chil- dren, namely : Boone, a resident of Millbrook Township; Adeline, wife of John F. Kidder, of Monica, Ill .; and LaFayette, of Millbrook Town- ship, all of whom are well settled in life and are useful citizens.
Mr. Mathers is well-known and greatly respected for bis honesty and integrity in business, and pos- sesses the confidence and good will of his neighbors and many friends. Millbrook Township is indebted to him for what he has done in developing its re.
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sources and he is valued as one of its most useful citizens, who favors all things that tend to advance its prosperity. In politics he is a sturdy Democrat and gives his party generous support. He has served as Highway Commissioner of Millbrook Township for three years, and is found to be one of the most efficient men who has ever beld that im- portant office.
CI 1.BERT A. M. MARSIIALL. In the agri- cultural distriets of Jubilee Township, no more prominent or useful man can be found than he with whose name we introduce this sketch. He comes of a fine New England family of Eng- lish descent, has inherited an abundance of energy, quickness of perception and firmness of principle, to which many sterling traits have been added by example and training. He began his active life at an early age, the years which are spent by many in study and recreation having been devoted by him to hard work in a comparatively new country. He takes great delight in all which pertains to country life, from his childhood having enjoyed much which would prove irksome to others. The sight of green things growing Alls him with pleasure, not due alone to his success in securing that end, but to his artistic perceptions and genuine love of na- ture.
Our subject is a direct descendant of John Mar- shall, a member of the Colonial Army, who. having been taken prisoner by the English, was held in a prison ship off New York Harbor three months. Those familiar with the history of that period know that this confinement was one from which few escaped alive. The party of which Mr. Marshall made one were fed on heans which were cooked in copper kettles, thus endangering the lives of . all who partook of them. Thirteen of the number at last jumped overboard, only three of them reach- ing shore and making their way back to their homes. Mr. Marshall was one of these, and in later years became well-to-do.
The next in the direct line of descent was Elijah
Marshall, born in Roxbury, Mass., who bought a farmu in his native State, but the title proving de- fective, accompanied a colony to Vermont. They located on new land in a heavily timbered region where he obtained his financial start by making black salt and potash. He carried on an extensive dairy business, owning one hundred and twenty-five cows and three hundred acres of land. Ilis son, Marvin, the father of our subject, was born at Ches- ter, Vt .; and reared on a farm. When grown to manhood he settled in Greene County, N. Y., buy- ing forty acres of land on the Hudson, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick. For years he made a million and a half of brick per annum, sending them by boat to New York City where he received $2.50 per thousand.
For a year Marvin Marshall held a position as overseer of a brick yard in Rhode Island,and a few months after his return to the East made up his mind to become a farmer and to locate in the Prairie State. He therefore embarked with his family on the Hudson River, and upon reaching Troy took the cars to Buffalo, embarked upon a steamer for Toledo, and there took the canal for LaFayette, Ind. The party then boarded the stage which con- veyed them to Olney, Ill., whence with a prairie schooner they completed their journey to Peoria where they arrived on Sunday morning August 2, 1850. They had spent four weeks in the neighbor- hood of Olney, but Mr. Marshall did not like it there and so came on to Peoria County. From the county seat they drove out to the home of Cyrus Brooks at Brimfield, shortly afterward locating on land in Jubilee Township.
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