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 58
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In 1848 Mr. Lane erected a good brick house, the material for which had been made by him the preceding year. While in IHamilton County he be- gan preaching in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and after coming to Peoria County he founded a society in his own neighborhood, assisted in build- ing an edifice, and until his death was a prominent member. He became Local Elder, rode many miles to preach the gospel and started numerous churches. He was much interested in township affairs, particularly in educational matters. He died suddenly, April 1, 1879, at the age of sev- enty-two years, having been in active life up to that date.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary B. Mathis. She was born in Union County, Ky., in 1811. Her father, Martin Mathis, a native of the same State, was a farmer. After his death his widow married a Mr. Proctor and came to Illinois. Mrs. Lane is now living on the old homestead; she has been blind for two years. She is the mother of cight children, our subject being the second in order of birth. The first-born. Mary J., died in Hamilton County; Lewis MI .. John M. and Sarah E. died in Trivoli Township,
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this county, the date of the latter's decease being 1883; William II. resides on section 1, this town- ship; Thomas S. in another part of it; and Mrs. Eliza E. Rice at the old home.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born in Hamilton County, July 27, 1833, brought to this county when but little more than a year old and reared on the farm. He first attended school when eight years old, the text books which he used being the old Webster spelling book, the New Tes- tament and Pike's Arithmetic, in which he passed the Rule of Three, gaining the reputation of an advanced scholar. The school was in session about six months during the year and, strange to say, was held in a frame building. The lad was early set to work on the farm, learning to drive oxen. breaking prairie with the wooden mold-board plow, grubbing and bearing a part in wolf and coon hunts, husking bees, and fox hunting with hounds, and also killing some deer. One of his experiences in early life was killing thirty snakes in an hour. His early home was the log house, which was suc- ceeded by the brick structure which family and friends considered an elaborate mansion.
Young Lane remained at home until after he had become of age, but when twenty years old be- gan working with his father on shares, getting one- half the proceeds of their labors. He then rented four years, and in 1856 boughit eighty acres of the land he still owns, paying $3.000 for the same. Grain was hauled to Peoria and Reed's Landing, and to those places he also drove the hogs and other stock he had to sell. Two years after pur- chasing the property he located upon it, making the improvements, which include everything need- ful and convenient. He has added to his real es- tate as circumstances warranted, now finding almost constant employment for five teams on the farm which he personally superintends. He raises high- grade Short-horn cattle, shipping his own stock and also feeding one to three car loads per year. His hobby is raising and feeding hogs, and his droves are probably the largest in the township. Hle also deals to some extent in sheep and horses.
a native of Nicholas County, Ky., came to this section when a young lady, and, having borne an excellent reputation as Miss Mary E. McGraw, has added to her list of friends by her capability and devotion to her family.
Mr. and Mrs. Lane became the parents of a large family, comprising four sons and eight daughters. Edwin M. is married and farming in his native township; Thomas S., a graduate of the Springfield Commercial College, operates a farm of four hundred and eighty acres in Kansas; Mary E. is the wife of Ed. Wells, a farmer in Rice County, Kan .; Emily F. died when thirteen months old; Louis J. is married and residing in this town- ship; Minnie A. died May 23, 1878; George H. is working on the home farm; Amanda T. married Jackson Wright, a farmer in Fulton County; Sa- rah E., Ida MI., Ada T. and Amy L. are with their parents.
In 1879 Mr. Lane was elected Justice of the Peace, and has since served continuously, and is also School Director, in which position he has acted for years. He is a Democrat and has been a delegate to county conventions. He is Trustee and Steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Concord, was on the Building Committee when the edifice was rebuilt, and has been Class-Leader.
A lithographie portrait of Mr. Lane will be found elsewhere in this volume.
IT
OSIAH JAQUES is one of the foremost of the pioneers who came to this county in the '50s and he has been prominently identified with its agricultural development ever since. He has been pre-eminently successful in the prose- cution of his calling and is one of the largest land- owners and wealthiest citizens of Millbrook Town- ship, where he has his home and is here possessed of a valuable property.
Mr. Jaques is a native of Richland County, Ohio, born March 15, 1829, to Santford and Elizabeth (Thomas) Jaques. His father was a native of New York State, the Jaques family being of French ori-
The lady who presides over the pleasant home of Mr. Lane became his wife February 4, 1858, the marriage being celebrated in this township. She is j gin. His mother was a native of Virginia, her fa-
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ther coming from Wales. The parents of our subject were early pioneers of Ohio, and he grew up under the influences of the primitive life that the early settlers of that State were obliged to lead. In the early subscription schools of Ohio he gleaned a somewhat meagre education, as the ad- vantages were not such as the youth of to-day en- joy, but our subject was a bright intelligent lad, and made good use of his books and observing powers and having read much and thought much, has kept abreast of the times. He was bred to the life of a farmer, and having a natural taste for that ealling, has always pursued it, and has been more than ordinarily prospered. The same ambitious, active spirit that led his forefathers to leave their early homes in sunny France, or among the monn- tains of Wales, and cross the waters of the Atlantic to a new and strange country, and in a later day brought his parents to settle in the primeval for- ests of Ohio, animated our subject, and in 1853, he ventured forth from his early home and came to Peoria County, and in the spring of 1854, settled on his present farm in Millbrook Township, his residence being on section 18.
Mr. Jaques first purchased eighty acres of land here paying $20 an aere for it, it being almost in its original wildness with scarcely any improvements. Ilis original investment has brought him in large returns, and he is now the owner of six hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, lying mostly in this county. He has placed his property under excellent improvement, has provided commodious and conveniently arranged buildings for every pur- pose, and has all the modern machinery in use on a model farm. The abundant harvests gleaned from his broad acres bring him in a large income and he derives much money from other sources.
April 17, 1856, Mr. Jaques was united in mar- riage with Miss Isabella Pratz. Mrs. Jaques was born in Ashland County, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Sarah ( Wetzel ) Pratz, and a sister of the well-known W. W. Pratz, of whom a sketch appears in this work. Mrs. Jaques' parents were pioneers of this county, coming here from Ohio when she was about two years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Jaques have had eleven children, of whom the following seven are still living: Will-
iam H., a resident of Brimfield Township; Aimira, wife of Charles Craig, of Knox County; Alvira, David, Margaret, Harriet and Mattie. The names of the deceased are John, Sarah and Elizabeth, and one child died in infancy. Millbrook is indebted to no one more than to our subjeet for the great work that has been accomplished in making it one of the best improved agricultural centers of the county, his activity, far-seeing and intelligent en- terprise, and marked force and decision of character being potent factors in the advancement of its farming interests. Ile has also played an important part in elevating its social and religious status, his generous hand being noted in every scheme devised for the welfare of the community. Ile is a man of consistent Christian virtues, of a broad and calmn outlook on life, and in him and his amiable wife the Christian Church finds two of its most earnest sup- porters. In politics he is identified with the Dem- ocratic party and uses his influence to forward its interests.
C ONRAD BONTZ, JR. of Limestone Town- ship, is the son of one of Peoria's early German settlers. The father, Peter Bontz, came to America when a young man from the Kingdom of Bavaria, determined to try his fortunes in the New World that promised protection to all who would take refuge under her banner. Like most of those who sought our shores, he was poor except in health and energy, but with this capital he set out to make for himself and those he loved a comfortable home, his spirit buoyed by hope amid all his discouragements. At Chillicothe, Ohio, he was married to the maiden of his choice, Miss Mary Ann Kauffmann. She had accompanied her parents, Henry and Christina (Fellastean) Kauff- mann, to America a short time before Mr. Bontz, they having come from the same place as himself.
The young couple lived in Ohio for a short time after their marriage, then removing to Peoria County, 111., they made for themselves and their growing family, a pleasant and comfortable home by their frugality and close application to business. At
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the same time they managed to give to each of their children a good education, by which they have been well fitted for the battle of life. Before mov- ing from Ohio they were blessed with one daughter, Margaret, who is now the wife of John B. Look, also of a very old German family. This couple now have five children and are among the prosper- ous farmers of the county.
The oldest member of the parental family born in Peoria County is Mary Ann, now the wife of H. J. Neumiller, a prosperous liveryman of Peoria and the mother of one child. William P., the eld- est son, now owns a fine farm adjoining the old homestead, his family including two children. Peter, who is married and has one child, is also located on a farm near the old home; Louie E., a young man of fine education and great promise, a graduate of the Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., is head book-keeper for a large iron mining firm at Ironwood, Mich., his present salary being $100 per month. Conrad, our subject, is the only one of the family left at home, he being the youngest and unmarried.
Our subject found it necessary at the death of his father, which occurred in 1887, to leave school and take charge of the farm for his mother, who is now well advanced in years. Ile has been a student in the college at Valparaiso, from which he still expects to be graduated whenever circumstances will allow him to complete the course of study there. Ile is the possessor of a first grade certificate for Peoria County and has taught several terms in the neighboring schools. He is a young man of very studious habits, with a mind capable of great ac- quisitions, and ambitious to develop his capacities to their full extent. With his attainments, a strict integrity, and zeal in any calling he may choose, we predict for him a bright future in the great world which lies before him.
From the small beginning made by the father of our subject, he was able to rear his family to be. come useful members of society and leave his widow in easy circumstances. With the help of his boys, as they became able to assist him, he reclaimed his estate from the woods by continuous hard la- bor, making it one of the most highly-cultivated farms in the township. He had the satisfaction of
knowing that he had done his whole duty to his family ere called from time to eternity. Ile was a son of John and Eva (Sniderfritzer) Bontz. The maternal grandmother of our subject also came to Peoria in 1851, spending the remnant of her days in this neighborhood.
G EORGE F. CONKLIN is numbered among the old timers of Elmwood Township, where he has lived nearly half a century. His home is situated on section 26, the estate compris- ing one hundred and sixty acres of good land, well improved and nearly all under tillage. The entire place presents an appearance of order and wise management indicative of the enterprise and pro- gressive ideas of the owner, who carries on general farming according to the most approved methods, and who is reaping the reward of his efforts.
The parents of our subject were John J. and Calista (Campbell) Conklin, natives of the Empire State, in which they were married and continued to reside until 1845. They then removed to Illi . nois, setting up their home in Elmwood Township, Peoria County, which was still but sparsely settled. There was at that time but one house in Elmwood, and that a log one. A tract of unimproved land on section 16, became the scene of the efficient la- bors of the husband, to whom farming was a life work. A log house was first built and from time to time, as his means would allow, Mr. Conklin put up other buildings and made various improve- ments.
The parents of our subject were poor when they came to Illinois, having but $10 when they reached here, but painstaking efforts and frugal manage- ment conquered adverse circumstances and they became possessed of a competence. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, well known and highly respected in the community, and the husband was prominent in local offices. HIe belonged to the Republican party. He died in 1876, but his widow still survives, being now sev- enty -eight years old. She lives with her daughter, Mrs. Jolin Post, on the old homestead. The par-
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ental family consists of three children, of whom our subject is the first-born. William C. resides on section 16, and Adeline is the occupant of the old home.
The eyes of our subject opened to the light in Livingston County, N, Y., September 12, 1837. He was reared to the occupation of tilling the soil, his boyhood being spent in the manner customary on new farms and in securing such an education as the common schools afforded opportunities for. He began life for himself when twenty years old, rent- ing and operating farms for several years. In 1861 he won as his companion Miss Zerelda Whitney, who has looked well to the ways of her household and has as capably managed her department of their affairs as our subject has the matters which per- tained particularly to him. Mrs. Conklin is a daughter of Seva and Hannah Whitney, who died during her childhood.
In 1866 Mr. Conklin bought eighty acres of his - present estate to which he afterward added, making up the quarter-section. The residence was new when he took possession of the property, and upon it he has kept up adequate repairs, surrounding it with other necessary buildings. He has been School Director and Pathmaster, manifesting an earnest interest in the matters which will add to the welfare of the community of which he has long been a re- speeted member. He has always been interested in politics and believing that the principles of de- mocracy are best adapted for the national good, he upholds them with his ballot. IIe has been a mem- ber of the Grange.
S AUL HAGERTY. Peoria has been the home of this gentlemen since 1855, and the center of the mechanical labor in which he enjoys a high reputation. He is a mill- wright, thoroughly understanding his trade and excelled by none in the reliable manner in which all his business tranactions are conducted and con- tracts fulfilled. In the course of thirty-five years he has had a hand in the construction of numerous mills and distilleries, having built or rebuilt nine-
teen of the latter in Peoria alone. Every distill- ery in the city except one was erected by him, either alone or in company with a former partner, and the one exception was rebuilt by them. It will thus be seen that the city contains many evidences of his skillful workmanship and capability as a di- rector of others.
Mr. Hagerty is a native of Venango County, Pa .. and the youngest of seven sons and three daughters born to John I. and Ann (Sharp) Hagerty. Six of this family are still living. The natal day of our subject was June 24, 1823. At the age of sixteen years he began learning the art of making pig metal from the raw material, becoming capable of taking charge of a furnace for which he obtained as high wages as 860 per month. Sceing no pros- pect for advancement in that line of labor, how- ever, he accepted an apprenticeship as millwright at 818 per month. Ile was twenty-two years old when he began the new trade, after learning which he spent about two years as foreman of construction on the New York & Erie Railroad.
In 1852 Mr. Hagerty came to Illinois, locating at Ottawa, where he began constructing bridges for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company. Three years later he removed to Pc- oria where until 1869 he worked with I. G. Rey. nolds, as a millwright. At the date last mentioned he opened business for himself. The first mill he built was at Kewance and the second at Pekin. Al- though he is growing old in years hic still carries on his business, being possessed of abundant vital- ity and enterprise.
In his political affiliations Mr. Hagerty has been with the Republicans from the organization of the party. Prior to that time he was a Whig, his first vote having been cast for Henry Clay. Of a social nature and benevolent spirit, he has identified him- self with the Masonic fraternity as a channel in which to exercise those traits. In business circles he is held in good repute for his honorable dealing and mechanical skill, and throughout the city he has many warm personal friends.
The marriage of Mr. Hagerty was celebrated at the bride's home in Peoria May 15, 1856. The lady whom he won as companion and helpmate was Sarah Sloan, a native of Chenango County, N. Y.,
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who had accompanied her parents to Peoria in 1855. She is an estimable woman who looks care- fully after the comfort of her dear ones, who has carefully reared her children, and is ever ready to do neighborly deeds of kindness. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty consists of Samira, wife of Robert Graber; Almon S .; Clara, wife of Les- ter Rose; Sarah Ann, wife of C. P. Tefft; Robert S .; and Harry Guy. The youngest son still re- mains under the parental roof and the others abide in Peoria. Robert holds a position in the Mer- chant's National Bank. Mr. Hagerty and wife are both members of the Baptist Church.
AMES CLARK. The history of this county is best told in the record of the lives of its pioneers, and it gives us pleasure to place on the pages of this BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM these lines concerning an early settler of this part of Illinois, who has passed the best part of his life within the borders of this county, and has done much for its good, and has greatly aided in devel- oping its resources and in beautifying it. He has here a comfortable home and he has made the grounds around it very attractive by the lovely trees that adorn the place, and many of which were planted by his own hands. Some of them have a diameter of from three to four feet through the butt,and some fine large black walnut trees which he raised from the seed, having planted the nuts, are particularly noticeable.
James Clark, Sr., the father of our subject, was born in England, coming of a good family, and he received a fine education. As a young man he was a clerk in a bank, and afterward gave his attention to tilling the soil, and had under his management a farm of fifteen hundred acres. To a man of such a mind and energetic characteristics, life in a new country had particular attractions, and in 1837 he left his native land and came to the United States, and took up his residence in this county. He shrewdly saw the great fertility of the land on the open prairie and made his settlement on a quar- ter-section, while he rented a home in the neigh-
borhood, where he lived until he could improve his place. His family lived on that place two or three years, and there his death occurred in 1840, and a valuable pioneer was removed from the scene of his usefulness. When he first located on his land he had to have a plow to break the prairie sod, and he ingeniously contrived one that was a great improvement on any that were then in use. He went to a blacksmith in Peoria and had a share and an upright piece made, which he attached to the beam, and to this he added a frame mold, and then fastened them with iron rods on the back of the share, and with this implement he could throw the sod in any direction he wished. Toby & An- derson, who afterward became famous for their plows. when they began their business invited Mr. Clark to Peoria to give them his idea of the way the plow should be made, and they followed his di- rections in every respect in manufacturing breaking plows. The first Scotch harrow used in this county was made by them on the original Scoteli harrow plan, they having brought the teeth with them from England. In 1839, or 1840, Mr. Clark im- ported the first grain drill from England that was ever used in Peoria County, and this machine is still on the place and is better than any now in use. At that time it cost him 850 for importing it.
The first year after his father's death our sub- ject erected a substantial house on the place, and in 1842 the family moved into it. In the spring of the following year the mother, whose maiden name was Isabella Walker. and the oldest sister died, and Mr. Clark soon brought Miss Susan Ben- son to preside over his home. She has been to him a most excellent wife, and her able management of household affairs greatly contributes to the comfort and happiness of her household. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have five children living, as follows: Susan Harriett, at home; Ella G., James Benson, J. W. W. and Cyril B. The three sons are married and well settled in life. The daughters are young ladies of unusual ability and force of character, and are both teachers and writers for Sunday-school papers. James, who is engaged in the lumber business at Oak Park, Chicago, has three children-Ella, Ruth and a baby : William, whose business is putting up elevators, is a resident of Riverside, near Chicago,
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and has a family of three children-Douglas, Lueia and Margaret; Cyril is now a student of Champaign College, where he expects to graduate from the engineering department; he is married, and has two children-Grace and an infant.
Mr. Clark is among our most highly esteemed citizen, and no one knows him but to respect the genuine integrity of his character. Ile has always been identified with the Republican party, and the family have adhered to the Church of England and are faithful members of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Clark's wife was reared in the neighborhood where his father settled. She is a daughter of John Benson and a sister of the Rev. John Ben- son, and it gives us pleasure to incorporate in this sketch a notice of the life and work of the latter. He is the beloved rector of St. James Episcopal Church, and makes his home with our subject. Ile was born in Yorkshire, England, June 8, 1815, and was there reared and received some educa- tion: He came to this country in 1833, with his parents, Jolin and Harriett Benson. and the same year accompanied them to Illinois and settled with them in Edwards County, where they remained until the spring of 1834. The family then came to Peoria County, the Rev. John being a youth of nineteen years, and here he studied law. His father was a lawyer, as was also his grandfather, John Benson, who was a member of the English bar, and their ancestry were of the lords of Eng- land, being all land-holders and members of the Church of England. Mr. Benson, Sr., bought the claim to several pieces of land and settled on one tract that was in Kickapoo and Limestone Town- ships, comprising three-quarters of a section. He was intending to purchase the place at the land sale in 1835, but his death by the accidental dis- charge of his rifle put an end to his plans. Ile left a widow and a family of six children, John being the eldest boy. This placed the responsi- bility of the care of the family mainly upon his shoulders, and he took charge of affairs until the death of his mother, which occurred in September, 1835.
In May, 1835, our subject went to Quincy and bought the land on which the family had the claim in the name of his mother, and he lived on the
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