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 34
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Mr. Marshall had but $25 when his family was located and for some time he had a hard struggle to keep the wolf from the door. Ile finally bought eighty acres of land on section 30, to which he added as his circumstances would allow until his landed estate amounted to four hundred acres. When sixty-two years old he divided this among his heirs, and retiring to Brimfield, spent the re- mainder of his life in quiet comfort. He breathed his last June 4, 1883, at the age of seventy-three years, during the last three of which he was an in- valid.
He was originally a member of the Whig party,
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later a Republican of the strongest type, and during slavery days an Abolitionist of the deepest dye. The needs of his family was all that prevented his bearing arms during the Civil War. He became a Captain in the New York Militia when twenty-five years old. He had held nearly every township office except Supervisor and Justice of the Peace. Wide-awake in every respect, lie never became dis- couraged, but was always confident that behind the cloud was the sun still shining. Ile was converted in 1851, and until his death was a devout member of the Baptist Church.
The mother of our subject was known in her girlhood as Lois Bruce. She was born in Chester, Vt., of which her father, the Rev. Joseph Bruce, was also a native. He attended school but six months in his life, became a self-made man, and en- tering the Baptist ministry did efficient work as a Ruling Elder until his death. He owned a small place where he found rest during the interims of his ministerial labors. lle was of Scotch deseent. After the death of her husband, the mother of our subject sold the residence in Brimfield, went to Utica, Neb., and remained there about two years. She then returned to Brimfield and after a time, being nearly blind, became an inmate of the home of our subject, remaining with him until her death. She breathed her last .June 25, 1886, at the age of seventy-three years, cheered in her passage through the dark valley by the faith of the Baptist Church, with which she had been identified since the age of sixteen years.
The parental family consisted of ten children, six of whom reached years of maturity, the oldest of these being our subjeet. The second was Reuben II., who fell at Kenesaw Mountain. The third was James N., now living in Iroquois County; Charles E. is living in Fillmore County, Neb. ; Cassius M., in Chase County, Neb., and Mrs. Ellen Ilockenbary in Hamilton County, Neb. Rouben enlisted in 1862 in the Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and served faithfully until pierced through the heart by an enemy's ball. . Iames enlisted iu 1863, when but seventeen years old, in the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, and is now an invalid from disease con- tracted in the service.
The gentleman with whose name this sketch is
introduced was born in the village of Coxsackie, Greene County, N. Y., on the banks of the Ilud- son, May 3, 1838. Hle was reared in the village with the privilege of attending good schools during a greater part of the year until he was twelve years old, when the family came West. After reaching Illinois his schooling amounted to but three months per year. He was put to work immediately upon his arrival, learning to drive oxen.guide the break. ing plow, and do other man's work during the years of hard times which were made more trying to the family by reason of both father and mother being siek the first year. He learn. I to turn his hand to anything which would aid in the improvement of the farm and in the family resources, remaining under the parental roof until twenty-four years old, although at the age of twenty-one he began work- ing for himself.
After having worked for wages a year, young Marshall rented land of his father until his mar- riage which occurred in Jubilee Township, in An- gust, 1862. Hle then bought and located on eighty acres on section 30, which comprises a part of his present estate. He built a comfortable dwelling, made various improvements, and in the course of time had a good farm, where onee there had been an undeveloped tract. Mrs. Marshall, a native of Massachusetts, who bore the maiden name of Nancy S. Sweet. was taken ill six months after marriage and after almost four years of suffering entered into rest in June, 1866. At her death Mr. Marshall was $1,100 in debt, but continued perseverance and un- remitting industry enabled him to discharge his obligations, and as years passed by become the pos- sessor of more land with all the accompanying con- veniences.
lle now owns one hundred and forty acres on section 32, in addition to his original tract,together with nine acres in Rosefield Township. All is well improved, enelosed and divided by good fences, much hedge being used for this purpose. He di .. vides his attention between stock and grain, the produce of the soil being of excellent quality and above the average in quantity, while the stock are full-blooded Poland-China hogs. good grades of Short-horn and Durham cattle, and good grades of horses, Mr. Marshall has been fortunate in his
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dealings in swine, by which he has made quite a good deal of money.
Mr. Marshall contracted a second matrimonial alliance January 1, 1867, his bride being Miss Ab- bie R. Willard, and the marriage rites celebrated at the residence of Deacon Hathaway, in Jubilee Township. The bride was born in this township, being a daughter of Alpheus and Maria (Sabin) Willard, the former an early settler here, who came from Rockingham, Vt. He died in India some years since. His widow, a native of Vermont, now lives in Farmington, Fulton County. By his first union Mr. Marshall is the father of one son, Ruben Il., who works for himself, but lives at home. The second union has been productive of eight children, viz: Birdie A., Cora M., Ernest W., William A., Ilarry E., Janie McC., Nellie M. and Stella. Birdie and Cora are teachers, both being graduates of Brimfield schools.
For twenty-five years Mr. Marshall has served as School Director. Ile votes the straight Republi- can ticket, has been delegate to county conventions and member of the Central Committee. He is iden- tified with the Baptist Church at Brimfield, in which he has been Trustee and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. When the edifice in which the so- eicty worships was contemplated, he spent about four months in soliciting and collecting funds, him- self giving more money than any other member, and acting as a member of the building committee. For the past decade he has had poor health and has therefore been obliged to abandon to some extent, the active religious and other public work in which he has ever taken such delight.
E DSON HARKNESS. This name will be at once recognized as that of an almost life- long resident of Elmwood Township-one who from early boyhood has borne a part in the work which has made of this seetion one of the finest agricultural regions in the State. Ilis father, Daniel Harkness, a native of Massachusetts, is well remembered by the older settlers here, among whom he began his labors in 1846, surviving to realize a
good reward for the industry and indomitable cour- age which led him from poverty to a condition of comfort. Inheriting the sturdy qualities for which both father and mother gained deep respect, it is not to be wondered at that our subject discharges well his duties in life, and is held in good repute throughout this region.
The father of our subject, after his marriage, made his home in Pennsylvania for some years, that State having been the residence of himself and wife for some years prior to their union. In 1830, lie and his brother Isaac walked from the Keystone State to Peoria, Ill., that being their first visit to the region which was destined to become the scene of their efficient labors. After a short sojourn they returned to the Keystone State, from which Daniel Harkness removed his family by wagon, in 1846. A location was secured on section 32, Elmwood Township, where the father breathed his last, in December, 1867. IIe had seven children, five of whom are now living.
The mother of our subject is still living, making her home with the son of whom we write. She was born in Halifax, Vt., December 21, 1804, and is therefore in hier eighty-sixth year. Her maiden name was Eliza Scott, her parents being Asahel and Elizabeth (Peck) Scott, the former of whom was born in Windom, Vt., July 2, 1768, and the latter in New Hampshire, in 1772. Mr. and Mrs. Scott lived in the Green Mountain State until 1810, when they removed to Pennsylvania, where the husband died in 1823, and the wife in 1847. Of the eight children born to them, the only survivor is Mrs. Harkness, who still enjoys quite good health, but is crippled.
From his third year the subject of this notice has lived in Elmwood Township. He was born in Pennsylvania June 24, 1843, having a twin brother, Edwin, now Assessor of Elmwood Township. As before stated, the parents were poor, consequently the boys obtained but a common school education, and were early taught to avail themselves of every opportunity to assist in securing a capital with which to begin life when they had grown to man- hood. The twin brothers picked wild blackberries and sold them for fifty cents, with which they bought a young pig, and had another given them
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by their uncle, Ben Duell. They traded them off, and finally when our subject came of age, he had three horses as the result of his share of the black- berries.
After the death of his father, our subject took charge of the home farm upon which he still makes his abode. Ile now has two hundred and three acres of land in a body, a portion of which is left to hardwood timber growth, while a large amount is devoted to pasturage, he being quite extensively interested in stock-raising. Sixty acres are under cultivation, the diversified crops equalling in qual- ity and quantity per acre, any to be found in this section. The stock is all of good grades, the cattle being Herefords, of seventh-eighth blood. This herd runs from thirty to ninety, at the head being a grand specimen of the breed, an imported animal weighing seventeen hundred pounds. Mr. Hark- ness is fully convinced that it pays to market beef of high grades. Ile raises about fourteen head of horses, and seventy-five to one hundred hogs per year.
The residence now occupied by the Harkness fam- ily, was built in 1866. It is a comfortable and suf- ficiently commodious dwelling, and under the charge of an efficient housekeeper and woman of taste, presents an attractive and homelike appear- ance. It is very different from the home occupied by our subject at the time of the building of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad through this township. His father's family then occupied a log house, 12x14 feet, having but two rooms, one above and one below. In addition to sheltering the family, it was utilized as a boarding place for thirteen of the railroad men, the parents desiring to add to their income in every possible way. Be- sides his land in this township, our subject also owns an improved tract in Nebraska.
The trials and successes, joys and sorrows, of Mr. Harkness have been shared since 1871, by a lady who was formerly known as Miss Anna Kightlinger. She is a daughter of John Kightlinger, a native of Pennsylvania, whose father was one of the pioneers of Elba Township, Knox County. Iler mother, Martha Jane Smith, was born in Richland County, Ohio, and came to Illinois in 1837, with her father, Ichabod Smith. The parents of Mrs. Harkness
finally settled in Elmwood Township, where the mother died January 8, 1859, and the father Au- gust 9, 1862. They had four children, two yet living. Mrs. Harkness was born February 4, 1852, receiving a common-school education, and devel- oping a character which exerts an influence in what- ever society she may be. She and her husband are the parents of two children, but have been bereft of both by the hand of death.
Mr. Harkness has been Director in his school dis- triet, and Trustee of Elmwood Township, in these stations, as in a private capacity, doing all that in him lies to advance the best interests of the peo- ple. Ile is one of those who believe that the elect- ive franchise should not be neglected by any loyal citizen, and he never fails to deposit his vote. which is given to the support of Republican can- didates and principles.
ENRY R. GERDES, senior member of the firm of Gerdes & Barton, of Bartonville, and also Postmaster of the village, is one of the best educated and most upright of its citizens. 1le is a son of R. H. and Trinke Gerdes, of Limestone Township, in which he was born No- vember 29, 1863. Ile received his education in the district schools, and at the age of eighteen years went to take a position in a grocery store. which he held about four years, during that time attending a business college at night. His quick- ness of apprehension and ardent desire to become well fitted for the battle of life, had given him a better understanding of those branches usually found in the curriculum of the public schools than is sometimes the case. The determination which led him to devote his evenings to study rather than to the sports generally indulged in by youth, has accompanied bim in his career as a business man, and has been one of the most important factors in his success.
After the period mentioned, Mr. Gerdes entered the employ of Robert Hill, in Bartonville, and at the death of his employer, two years later, formed
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a partnership with William W. Barton. The con- nection began March 29, 1886, since which time the business of the firm has been steadily increas- ing, having now grown to such proportions as to require the almost constant labors of four salesmen. Messrs. Gerdes & Barton have now a fine stock of all the goods needed to supply the country trade, as well as to gratify the wishes of the residents in the town. Mr. Gerdes attends very strictly to his business interests, in which lie displays a creditable amount of financial ability, while the reputation of the firm for honorable and straightforward deal- ings in every transaction is unimpeachable.
Under Cleveland's administration Mr. Gerdes was appointed Postmaster, and beginning the du- ties of the office on New Year's day, 1886, while still clerking for Mr. Ilill, he has continued them since that time. Ile belongs to the Knights of La- bor, in whose workings he takes an active part. He is the eldest of seven children, of whom the other survivors are: Tobias, Emma, George and Benja- min. Emma is the wife of Will Wolfschlag. The brothers and sister have each received good educa- tions in both German and English, it having been a practice of their parents to send them to school about twelve months in a year. Parents and chil- dren belong to the Lutheran Church, and consist- ently follow the teachings of their faith.
The father of our subject was born in Ilanover, Germany, October 23, 1836, and received his edu- cation in the schools of his own land. When twenty- four years of age he sailed from the Fatherland to the United States, his port of entry being Balti- more, in which he landed just at the time the first Northern troops reached that city on their way to the seat of war, Ft. Sumter having just been tired upon. The emigrants were detained a day on ae- count of the fighting in the Monumental City, but immediately thereafter Mr. Gerdes came on to l'eo- ria County, Ill. Ile bought land where he now lives, and has devoted his attention to hortienlture, taking his fruit to the Peoria market. Ile has twelve acres of small fruits, where during the sea- son a dozen fruit pickers find employment. He has held the office of Road Commissioner, and like his son, our subject, belongs to the Democratie party. Ile and his wife are looked upon as honest,
industrious and frugal citizens, who are ever ready to assist those in need, and bear a part in any good work which may be instituted in the neighbor- hood.
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ETER CAHILL is one of the most agreea- ble, hospitable and enterprising men of the county, and is in consequence one of its most popular citizens. Ile resides in a pleasant and comfortable dwelling on section 30, Jubilee Township, where he is always glad to re- ceive old friends or make the acquaintance of new ones. Ilis ability and popularity is attested by the fact that he has been chosen Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors, and it is universally conceded that he is the right man in the right place.
Onr subject is a native of Ireland, having been born in that country February 12, 1843, in County Meath. His father was a native of County Meath, Ireland, where he followed the occupation of farm- ing until his death when our subject was a child of four years. The mother, Catherine McDonnell, also a native of County Meath, was a daughter of Alex McDonnell, a son of the Emerald Iste, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his de- parture for the shores of America in 1847. Ile accompanied his daughter, the mother of our sub- ject, but did not long survive the change, dying the first summer he spent in this country at his new home in Peoria County. Following the death of her husband the mother of our subject emigrated to America, bringing with her the family of three children. The trip was made from Liverpool to New Orleans in a sailing vessel and occupied nine weeks, but the tedious voyage did not dampen their ardor and they were soon on their way to Peoria via the Mississippi. Upon arriving in the county she went to her brother in Millbrook Township, where she remained until the next fall when she bought one hundred and ten acres of land on sec- tion 30, Jubilee Township, for 85 per aere, npon which she located. As the farm was improved she was enabled to begin farming operations at once, and by industry was able to make a success of her life work and retire in old age from active duty to
1
Dr Edwin M.Colburn
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the home of her son, our subject, who was then in charge of the place, wherein she finally departed from the duties of this life and entered upon the future one January 26, 1888, at the age of seventy- seven years. She was a devout member of the Catholic Church and was a consistent Christian who made many friends by her kind deeds and loving words.
E DWIN M. COLBURN, M. D. With perhaps one exception the late Edwin M. Colburn was undoubtedly better known and exerted a more powerful influence than any other resident Peoria ever had. His death, which took place May 29, 1890, awoke expressions of universal sorrow, not only among those who knowing, loved him, but from all who beheld the influence of his spot- less life upon the community. Few men whom the world has known combined in so just a proportion the qualities which we include in the word "gentle. man,"-in the best sense of that term-sincerity, tenderness, courage and modesty. He was without reproach in his personal and domestic relations; wise and prudent in the conduct of his professional business, just and generous in all business transac- tions, a steadfast friend and a safe counselor. IIe was a true lover and disciple of science, in which his attainments were neither few nor small. That he did not rise to more than local eminence was owing to the circumstances of his life.
Dr. Colburn was of Puritan ancestry, former generations having resided in Connecticut. He was born in Rome, N. Y., September 13, 1813, carly in life showed signs of unusual brilliancy, and although reared as a merchant, in early man- hood determined to devote himself to a professional career. Going to Buffalo, N. Y., he was graduated from the Medical College in 1837, and removing to Bloomington, Ill., began the practice which he con- tinued for more than half a century. His talents soon won for him a high place, not only in medical practice, but in the fields of literature and science. He was a close and constant student, who, by a long and careful study of the great authors, both ancient
and modern, acquired a broad literary culture, and his years were prolific in scientific research. In 1850 he removed to l'eoria, continuing his practice until disabled by a fall which developed into progressive paralysis and eventually caused his decease.
Dr. Colburn was the leading spirit of the Peoria Scientifie Association and for seven years its Presi- dent. He gave the society the benefit of his know]- edge, being a constant source of information to his co-workers. The " great object of his life was to arrive at the real truth of things, just as God made it, and to him all truth was sacred, whether of the earth, of the air, or of the sky." His fame as a scientist was such as to win for him an honorary fellowship in the Association for the Advancement of Science and in the American Academy of Social and Political Science, of Philadelphia. His life was a model for the young men, the highest honor that can be paid to his memory being to emulate his wisdom, purity and reverential faith.
At a meeting of the medical profession of Peoria, May 31, 1890, the following resolutions were adopted: "Whereas, our old friend and co-laborer, Dr. E. M. Colburn, has departed this life, therefore, Resolved, That in his demise the medical profession has lost one of its oldest and most distinguished members-one who labored faithfully and well and was an ornament to the profession during a period of over fifty years. Resolved, That the profession has lost one who always had its good at heart and maintained its dignity and honor. Resolved, That in his demise the sick have lost one of their kindest and truest friends-one who was ever ready to sac- rifice his personal comfort to give them the most able counsel and to sympathize with them in their afflictions. Resolved, That Peoria has lost one of its best citizens, one of its most genial and dignified gen- tlemen-one who for forty years has been a leading member of society, whose integrity was unimpeach- able and whose character was unsoiled. Resolved, That we tender to his family our heartfelt sympa- thy in this their great bereavement."
At the regular monthly executive session of the Scientific Association soon after the death of Dr. Colburn, no formal program was prepared, no stereotyped resolutions offered, but the occasion
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was converted into a memorial where each of the intelligent audience was privileged to speak freely, and where earnest tributes to the memory of the deceased member of the society found utterance.
Dr. Colburn was married November 21, 1841, to Mrs. Mary Angeline (Phelps) Parcells, the only living representative of their union being Walter P. Colburn, of the firm of Colburn. Birks & Co., wholesale druggists. Mrs. Colburn died in this city October 9, 1873.
A portrait of the late Dr. Colburn appears in connection with this sketch.
REDERICK STEGENS came to this coun- try from Germany a quarter of a centu- ry ago. and when he landed on these shores found himself in debt to the extent of $25. Now the balance is decidedly in his favor and he is numbered among the moneyed men of Rosefield Township, with whose farming and stock-raising interests he is closely identified.
Mr. Stegens was born in Oldenburg, Germany, December 20, 1837. His parents, Frederick and Katie (Schultz) Stegens, were natives of the same place as himself, and there they lived and died,their occupation during life being that of farming. They reared six children: Martin, Fred; Deitrich, and Mattie, deceased; Katie, who died leaving one son and one daughter; and Louisa who lives in Ger- many.
Our subject gleaned a good education in the excellent schools of his native land and subse- quently learned the trade of a ship carpenter. May 1, 1865, in the prime of a vigorous manhood he came to this country with his brother Martin, who had been in the United States since 1858. Our sub- jeet settled in Jefferson County, Mo., whence he came to this county in 1866, and located where he now resides. He at first worked on a farm for his brother on shares. In 1873, he bought eighty acres of land, then ten acres, then a one hundred and fifty-eight acre tract, then added forty-four more acres to his original purchase, and subse. quently bought ten acres more land, and now has
in his possession two hundred and sixty-two acres of landed property, which he has so improved and has placed under such good tillage that. it is now one of the choicest farms in the vicinity.
Mr. Stegens has been twice marrie.l. He was first wedded May 15, 1862, to Ann Stalling who was a native of the same place as himself. She was a daughter of Barnard Stalling, she being one of five children, two sons and three daughters. The daughters all came to the United States and Helena is now deceased; Christina married John Renemann, and both are now deceased, leaving one son and two daughters; the wife of our subject died March 23, 1882.leaving nine children, namely : Deitrich, Maggie, wife of Commodore Snider; Katie, Anna, Sallie, Hanna, Harmena, Fred and William. Mrs. Stegens was a woman of most ex- cellent character, was a sincere Christian and a member of the Lutheran Church, and was well thought of by all who knew her.
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