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 36
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The one of whom we write was reared in his New England birthplace, and much of his time was spent in his father's sawmill and he also performed some labors on the farm. His education was con- fined to his attendance in the subscription and early publie schools of Vermont, and since then by much reading and exercise of his observing powers, he has become very well informed.
In the fall of 1850 Mr. Arnold settled on his present farm which was then in a state of nature, just as its aboriginal owners had left it. In their attempts to develop that wild tract of land he and his wife experienced the vicissitudes and hardships of pioneer life, but steadily persevered through all and as a result have placed one hundred and twelve and one-half acres of land, which comprises their homestead, under substantial improvement. provid- ing it with an excellent set of buildings, and the soil is well tilled and yields abundantly.
June 6, 1850, was the date of the marriage of our subject with Lonisa N. Fisher, a native of Rut- land County, Vt. She was born August 4, 1834, to Amos and Lydia (Stoddard) Fisher, natives of New England. IIer father was of English descent and her mother was of mingled Welsh and Englishı origin. lTer mother's grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution and fought at Bunker Hill, where he is supposed to have been killed as he was never heard of after that famous conflict. In 1842, Mrs. Arnold accompanied her parents to Illinois, they becoming at that time pioneer settlers of Metamora,
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Woodford County. She was then eight years old, and was there reared to a true and useful woman- hood and at the time of her marriage with our subject was well fitted for the duties and responsi- bilities that fell upon her in the care of a house- hold. She is one of a family of twelve children, of whom seven survive, namely : Emerald, a resi- dent of Woodford County ; Martha, wife of Elijah Marshall, of Woodford County ; Mrs. Arnold; Ann, wife of L. M. Fuller, of Woodford County ; Rosina, wife of F. D. Learned, of Woodford County; Ezra. a resident of Butler County, Kan .; Cynthia, wife of E. Palmer, of Grafton, Vt. Francis W. Fisher was a soldier in the late Civil War and died bravely fighting for his country at the siege of Vicksburg.
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have three children: Au- gustus W., a resident of Butler County, Kan .; Lydia L., wife of E. G. Edson,of Woodford County, now deceased ; and Mary C., wife of E. J. Robin- son, of Sedgwick County, Kan.
Mr. Arnold is prudent and wise in the manage- ment of his affairs, displaying cool, cantious judg- ment in his transactions which are at the same time conducted with extreme fairness and unswerving honesty. Coming to this county before he had at- tained manhood, the better part of his life has been passed in Brimfield Township and he has contrib- uted much to elevate its eitizenship, and by his cordial co-operation with his fellow-citizens in their plans for improvement has forwarded its material welfare. He is a true Republican in politics, giving his party substantial support. He and his wife are among the most valued members of the Baptist Church of Brimfield, and he is now serving it worthily as Deacon.
EV. ELIJAH F. HOWE resigned the pas- torate of the First Congregational Church of Peoria in April, 1887, on account of failing health, and entered into rest Au- gust il following. As a pulpit orator, he was rich and original in thought, clear and forcible in ex- pression, earnest in appeal and enthusiastic in the presentation of the Gospel. So often were his
thoughts recalled during the week that "as Mr. Ilowe said," became quite a stereotyped expression with many who attended his services. His por- trait, presented on another page, will be valued by his many friends.
The birthplace of Mr. Howe was Grafton, Mass., and his natal day September 19, 1832. He was prepared for college at Munson, Mass. The Rev. James Tufts, a professor in the academy, says of bim: "E. Franklin Howe called at my boarding place in the spring of 1853, to see me in regard to entering the Academy to prepare for college. He was, I saw at onee, a mature, prompt, earnest young man, desiring if he came to teach penman- ship in the academy in aid of his support, which he did very successfully through his course. He commenced his studies the spring term, and con- tinued here the two following years, entering Yale College well prepared in 1855.
"Mr. Howe was not a brilliant scholar, and prob- ably did not learn so easily as if he had com- menced his studies younger, but he was always industrious and faithful, striving to get every les- son as well as he could. Such scholars usually improve rapidly, so that. Mr. Howe stood much higher relatively as a writer and scholar when he entered college than when he commenced bis preparation. Uncommonly patient and persistent, he did all his work thoroughly as he was able, never relaxing his efforts, no matter how great the difficulties. This was especially noticeable in his writing and his composition exereises. Though he could debate finently and speak acceptably in re- ligious meetings, yet he could not write and com- pose easily, and had none of that felicity of diction which he afterward developed. Still his patience never failed. There was not a student in school who showed more persistence in learning to think, write and compose than Mr. Howe, till he really began to exech in a clear, terse, thoughtful style, somewhat as he afterward appeared in his pulpit performances."
After being graduated from Yale in the class of 1859, Mr. Howe studied theology at Yale and Princeton. He began his pastoral life at South Canaan, Conn., in 1861. His second pastorate was at Terre Haute, Ind., where he remained eleven
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years. from 1865 to 1876. He then accepted a call to Newtonville, Mass .. and in 1882, a unanimous call to the First Congregational Church of Peoria. placed him in charge of the pulpit in September of that year.
The Rev. Hiram Eddy writes of him, "I like to write about that dear man. E. Frank Howe was one of my nearest neighbors in the ministry here in Connecticut, and while he and I remained in the State we were quite intimate. I loved him and I think he loved me. I had great confidence in his mental culture.and in the depth of his Christ- warmed experience. He was always ready for any good deed. for any good work. You felt a Christ in his sympathy and here was the charm of his preaching. It was luminous, warm, and coming home to the hearts of the hearers. He was more like the lovely and loveable John than like Peter or Paul. Ile drew not in the sensational sense but in the sense of winning. His people loved him and they felt he was one of them. He was a brother among their brothers, a child among their children, a neighbor among their neighbors and was a member of all their homes. Of course souls were won to Christ and many will call him blessed. Let us thank God for such a noble ministry."
A college classmate of the Rev. Mr. lowe pays this tribute to him: "I was one of the many class-mates of Frank Howe who knew him and loved him well, but I also stood in a closer and more sacred relation to him, for there were few who knew him and loved him as I did, and fewer still whom I loved and knew as I knew and loved Frank Howe. He was one of the deacons of the College Church from our class, and, while all the deacons, so far as I now remember, were faithful men and officers. yet it is no disparagement to the others to say that not one in all the college was more faithful or more useful than Deacon Howe. During his student life his prominent characteristics were his unhesitating adherence to the right in everything, his burning desire to do good to all about him and to develop the very best that there was in himself, his cheerful spirit, his lively affec- tions, and before all, above all and throughout all. his pronounced personal religion." Numerous were the letters expressive of similar sentiments to
the above sent to the bereaved widow, and the congregation for which the Rev. Mr. Howe minis- tered until so short a time before his death.
We make the following extract from a tribute from the First Congregational Church of Peoria, written by Miss S. S. Lines, one of its members: "He was pre-eminently a man who had the cour- age of his convictions. Aggressive and strong in his own opinions, he gave forth no uncertain sound, yet he was tolerant of and listened with deference to the opinions of others, and his pacitic spirit often during heated diseussions or argument 'kept the balance true and fair.' His sense of hu- mor was keen and his scorn of meanness intense. His sympathy with honest doubt and his clear presentation of the truth won the confidence of some whose only safety from agnosticism had been their belief in the fatherhood of God. Ile was quick to give and respond to a sympathetic touch. llis name was known and loved among those who were not of his own parish, and many who were outside of any church relation will long remember his thoughtful kindness. None looked to him in vain for help. The handful of choice flowers, the blooming plant, the little note, the timely word, the warm pressure of the hand, the appreciative glance, the prayer which voiced the agony and strong crying for help and which seemed to bring the answer down. are all remembered and cherished by countless hearts. Literally, he entered into our joys and shared our sorrows. The little child in its innocence : the young, looking forward with expectant eyes; the strong man in the stir and rush of business life, some of whom have said no other man ever came so near to them; the mother weary of her household round: the gray haired man and woman, sinking under the burden of help- lessness; the joyous, the suffering and the sinning he carried in his great, true heart, they were his people and knit to him by tender chords of love."
The maiden name of the first wife of our sub- ject was Frances Gates, of Munson, Mass. They had four children, two sons and two daughters, all living. They are: Frank C., an attorney in Peo- ria; Lewis B., a stenographer; Grace G. and Fannie C., all of whom are at home. Mrs. Fran- ces (Gates) llowe died in November, 1882. The
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second wife of the Rev. Elijah F. IIowe was in her youth Sarah Storrs, and was born December 12. 1845. Her father, Charles Storrs, a commission merchant of New York City, lived and died in Brooklyn. On May 5, 1869, Sarah Storrs was united in marriage with David Proctor, then of Peoria, Ill., and to them were born three children, Charles, Julia and David. Mr. Proctor was a man of wealth. and died in December, 1880. On Or- tober 26, 1885, his widow became the wife of the Rev. E. Franklin Howe, the subject of this bio- graphical notice. She now occupies an elegant home on Perry Street, and enjoys the esteem of a large cirele of friends and acquaintances.
W ILLIAM P. HAWVER. The thriving town of Monica is greatly indebted to this gen- tleman who is one of its leading business men, and has been foremost in establishing it on a sound financial basis. Ile was the first merchant to locate here after the village was platted, as with his customary enterprise and forethought, he seized the excellent opening offered to a live business man, and his store was the first building to be completed here, and he was the first man to sleep in the new town. He has since built up an extensive trade as druggist and grocer, and although other stores have been built here since, that are larger, there are none better finished, or more complete in all their appointments than bis.
Our subject is the son of Dr. Adam Hawver, who was born in Dutchess County, on the banks of the Hudson River. Ilis father was a pioneer farmer of that section of the country, and there made his home until 1856, when he came to Henry County. and in 1865 he moved to Mereer County, Ill., his death taking place at the advanced age of ninety- four years, he dying very suddenly.
Dr. Hawver was reared in his native county, and learning the trade of a shoemaker when a boy, fol- lowed it for some years, and kept a number of hands at work under him, and built up quite a trade as a shoe manufacturer. In 1856 he came to Henry County, Ill., and settled on a farm. There
he entered upon the practice of medicine. having gained his medical knowledge by study, experience and observation. Ile afterwards removed to Aledo, in Mereer County, where he engaged in the manu- facture of patent medicines of his own get up. and practiced as a specialist, traveling considerably in the interests of his business. He was very active in the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving in vari- ous capacities as Class-Leader, etc. He was a strong Republican, in his political views. Ile rounded out a long and useful life of ninety-four years in his home in Aledo, his death occurring in 1888. Ilis wife whose maiden name was Clarissa Dean, and who was a native of New York State, died in 1859 of typhoid fever. They were the parents of seven children. as follows: Betsey C., Mrs. Cass, died in New York in 1886; John II., who was a soldier in the late war, gave up his life for his country ; William P., our subject; Dianna, Mrs. Davis, died in New York; Eliza, Mrs. Hanion. died in New York, and Andrew and George died of ty- phoid fever in 1859.
He of whom we write, was born in Green County, N. Y., February 1. 1830, and was brought up on a farm, as his father carried on agricultural pursuits in connection with the manufacture of shoes. He learned the rudiments of farming and clearing the soil, and in the meantime acquired the shoemaker's trade under his father, and became a profficient shoemaker before he was twenty-one years old. His education was obtained in the common schools, and after he attained his majority, he worked out as a farm hand, farming. chopping. logging, etc. The next year he took a job of peeling two hundred cords of hemlock bark up in the Catskill Mountains. lle then determined to go to California and seek his fortune. and in 1852 set out on the long and venturesome journey, going from New York City on a ship by the way of Panama to San Francisco. After his arrival on the Pacific Slope. he went up into the mining regions, and, as his finances were at a low ebb, he first began clerking in a drug store in order to get some money. After that he en- gaged in prospecting in the Middle. Coloma, and Northern mines for two years. He was not overly successful. and he next turned his attention to farm- ing in San Jose, and the ensuing three years was
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actively engaged at that calling, and made a suc- cess of that venture. With the money thus ac- quired, he returned to New York by the way of Panama, and. as in the meantime his father had come to this State, he followed him directly to Henry County. He bought property in Galva, but it proved not to be a good investment. He farmed awhile in that place, and went from there in 1862 to Elmwood, and there be engaged in the manufac- ture of chain water-elevating pumps, manufactur- ing them by the hundred, and carrying on that business for one year. From boyhood he had been a worker in wood. and had shown himself to pos- scss natural talent as a mechanic, and can make most anything of that material. In 1863 he sold that business, and devoted himself to farming in Princeville the ensuing year. He then located in the village of Princeville, and carried on the manu- facture of shoes about two years. He next re- moved to O'Brien's corner, in West Princeville, and opened a grocery store and also carried a stock of boots and shoes. When the town of Monica was located on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road, he at once, as soon as the town was laid out, bought lots and began the erection of his present store. This is a well-fitted up and conveniently arranged building, and some of the fancy work that adorns its interior, is his own handiwork. He started in business here December 1, 1871, and was the pioneer merchant of the place. He transferred his stock of groceries from O'Brien's corner to this store, and about a year later put in a stock of boots and shoes, which he sold for some two years, when be sold them out and put in a stock of drugs, and since then has dealt solely in groceries and drugs. He manufactures some medicines, such as Ilawver's Pile Remedy, and Hawver's Diarrhea Cure, a salve. and several other medicaments.
Mr. Hawver has been married four times. He was first wedded in Cambridge. Ill., in 1858 to Miss Mary A. Price, a native of Pennsylvania ; she died in Galva, leaving two children, who grew to ma- turity : Harriet C., who was a school teacher here until her marriage with Burk DeBord, a farmer and an ex-Supervisor of Princeville Township; and Mary C., who married George Pinkerton, and died in 1889, of diphtheria. Mr. Ilawver's second mar-
riage took place in Galva, when he was united to Miss Lovina J. Cox, a native of Ohio. She died in that town, leaving two children : Avis M., wife of Leslie Hurd, a telegraph operator in Nebraska, and George A. The latter, a bright young man, taught school three years before he was twenty-one years old, and is now attending the Horological or Jew- elry College at LaPorte, Ind. The maiden name of our subject's third wife, to whom he was married in Wyoming, was Nancy A. Davis, a native of Penn- sylvania, but a resident of Princeville, at the time of their marriage. They had one child, Andrew, who died when nine months old.
Mr. Hawver was married to his present wife in Princeville, February 1, 1883. She is an estimable lady, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Hawver's maiden name was Julia E. Wheeler, and she was born in Greenfield, Huron County, Ohio, and lived there until she was eighteen years old. At that age she came to Illinois, and learned the trade of dress-making, and in 1876 came to Princeville, and made her home with her sister, Mrs. Herrick, until her marriage. Mrs. Hawver's father, Nahum Wheeler, was born in the village of Kean, N. H., where he was reared to the life of a farmer. He went from there to Ohio, and settled in Huron County, in early days, cleared a farm from the wilderness, and was Successfully engaged in agri- cultural pursuits there for many years. In 1871, he sold his property in Ohio, and came to Iroquois County, III., and located near Watseka, where he nuw lives retired from active labor, at the advanced age of eighty five years. A rather peculiar cir- cumstance led to the founding of the Wheeler fam- ily in America. Grandfather Asial Wheeler, was born in Cork, Ireland, and when a very small boy, he wandered away from his home to the docks of that city, his curiosity leading him there, and while there he explored a vessel lying in the dock. and before he knew it, had started on the long ocean voyage to America. He was too young to remem- ber his parents' names, other than Wheeler, and so could not be identified, and after landing in this country, the little lad had to make his own way in the world. He finally engaged in farming in New Hampshire, and became well-to-do. Mrs. Hawver's mother's maiden name was Mary Andrus, and she
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was born in Orange County, N. Y., and died in Illi- nois in 1875. Five of her children are living as fol- lows: George, in Crawford County, Pa .; LeRoy, a farmer in Iroquois County, this State; Mark, a car- penter in De Smet, S. Dak .; Cornelia, wife of O. F. Herrick, a harness-maker at Princeville; and Mrs. Hawver.
Mr. Hawver possesses that sturdy self-respect and rectitude of character that commands the confi- dence of his fellow-citizens, and since he has been a resident of this county, he has associated himself with the element that is most forward in promoting all that will in any way prove a benefit to the com - munity. He is interested in politics, keeping him- self well-informed concerning the affairs of the country, and is a follower of the Republican party. He is a member of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, at Princeville. He has been School Di- rector, and in that capacity did good service in ad- vancing educational matters in this locality.
ENRY MALLEN. Among the well-culti- vated and attractive farms which abound in Medina Township, one located on section 2, is owned and occupied by our subject. The three hundred broad acres which compose it are carefully and intelligently managed, producing crops which rank with the best in quality and quan- tity, and supplied with the various improvements which are expected of a man of enterprise.
Mr. Mallen is of Irish ancestry and birth, being a son of Patrick and Catherine (Taylor) Mallen, natives of County Meath, who spent their entire lives there. The father died when forty-five years old and the mother while yet in the prime of life. They were members of the Catholic Church. They had eight children, most of whom lived to mature years and came to America; three are still living. Ile of whom we write was born in County Meath, in August. 1838, reaching man's estate while still residing there.
In June, 1852, he embarked on a sailing vessel at Liverpool and after a voyage of six weeks landed in New York City. He remained in the
Empire State a year, then came to Illinois, where he has since been engaged in farming in the township where he now resides. Here he married Mary Mooney, who was born in New York City, May 18, 1833, being a daughter of Thomas and Helena (Stagg) Mooney, whose history may be found in the sketch of James Mooney on another page of this ALBUM.
Under the care of good parents Mrs. Mallen was reared and educated, having from the time she was three years old lived upon the farm she now owns as a gift from her father. She is one of the excel- lent mothers of the township, devoted to her chil- dren though not neglecting the duties which she owes to society, nor failing to surround her home with the comforts which her husband appreciates when the toils of his day are done. She and her busband, together with the members of their family, belong to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, of Medina Township. Mr. Mallen is a firm believer in the principles of Democracy, ever ready to cast his vote in their support. Their family includes nine chil- dren, one of whom, Helene T., died at the age of two years. The living are John E., Kate, Mary A., S. Jane, Margaret, Elizabeth, Ilenry T. and Agnes. Jane is the wife of Thomas Carroll, who lives on a farm in this township; Margaret is a teacher.
OSEPII F. MURPHY. The principal part of the population of Rosefield Township is com- posed of farmers and stock-raisers, and as a worthy member of this industrious, intelli - gent community Joseph Murphy occupies no un- important position. Ile has been successful in the prosecution of his calling, has established herc a comfortable home, and is the proprietor of as good a farm as may be found in the whole neighborhood.
Mr. Murphy was born in County Armagh, Ire- land, in the month of December, 1835, to Michael and Mary (McGiven) Murphy, who were also na- lives of that county. Paul Murphy, grandfather of our subject, was twice married. Ile and the grand- mother of our subject, who was a member of the McDermott family, had several children, among
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whom are mentioned Patrick. whom came to Amer- ica; Barney, Michael; Bridget, who married P. Larkin and Mary, the former dying and leaving a family, a part of whom came to America. The sub- ject's mother was the only daughter of Patrick Mc- Given, and she had one brother, Peter, who came to the United States. The father of our subject was a farmer, and was a life-long resident of Ireland. Of the eight or nine children born to him and his wife. but three grew to maturity: Palmer, who died in Peoria without children; Joseph F .; Mary, who married Charles Cratz, and died leaving one son and two daughters. After the death of her hus- band Mrs. Murphy came to the United States with the three children mentioned, landing on these shores in July, 1851. They lived in the East about a year. and in 1852, came to Peoria. The mother , spent her remaining days in this county. and finally died, aged seventy-three years, in the home of our subject January 13, 1877, surrounded by all the comforts that filial love could procure. The sister of our subject died two years earlier than his mother in the month of August, and his brother died May 1, 1870.
After coming to this county, Mr. Murphy lived in Peoria for about twenty years and then removed to his present place of residence on section 25, in Rosefield Township, where he is conducting his agricultural interests very profitably. He at first purchased one hundred and sixty acres which he placed under excellent improvement, and has since added to his farm by the purchase of other land. until it now comprises two hundred acres of choice farming land. He is also the proprietor of valu- able realty in Peoria, comprising three lots located in a desirable part of the city, one of which he purchased when he first settled there.
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