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 85
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Our subject returned home in 1878 a few months prior to his father's death, and when that event occurred he, in company with his brother Patrick, took charge of the farm. They bought out the in- terests of the other heirs and divided the place be- tween them, our subject taking the portion con- taining the family residence. Before the division the farm contained four hundred and thirty-two acres of land, which had been largely improved by the father during his lifetime. It was under a good state of cultivation, and has been further im- proved and beautified until it is now one of the handsomest places in the county.
In 1881 Mr. Jordan took to himself a wife in the person of Miss Mary Tighe, daughter of John and Catherine Tighe, natives of County Kil- kenny, Ireland, and at the time of the marriage of their daughter residing at No. 114 Charlotte Street, Peoria, Ill. The family of Mrs. Jordan came di- rectly from their native land to the city of Peoria about the beginning of the Civil War, and have resided there from that time to the present, with the exception of two years spent in Burlington, Iowa. The father died in April, 1890; the mc her still lives in Peoria. The Jordans were origine from the same county in Ireland as the Tighes, bu they tarried in Ohio for a number of years before taking up their residence in Illinois. Our subject was born while the family were living on a farm near Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio.
Mr. Jordan takes an active interest in all matters of political importance, and has done as much for the success of his party-the Democratic-as any
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man in the township. In 1883 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of Ilighway Commis- sioner, and at the expiration of the term was elected to the place, and has been successively re-elected to the present time, a period of seven years. In 1890 he was furtber bonored by the nomination of his party to the office of Supervisor of the town- ship, and at election time his friends rallied to his support and triumphantly elected him. His con- duct in office has been such as to call forth many encomiums from both friends and party opponents. He is gentlemanly in his demeanor, and makes many friends. He is one of the firm of Jordan Brothers & Swords, contractors and excavators of this city. He has an interesting family of five children, whose names are: Katie, Josie, Martin, Roger and Leo. They are bright children, and give promise of much future usefulness in the world. A fine portrait of this gentleman may be seen elsewhere.
M ARTIN VAN BUREN CONKLIN. Proba- bly the most important member of the com- munity of Mapleton in business and politi- cal affairs, is the gentleman above named, who carries on the only large mercantile business therein. He is still quite a young man. having been born July 15,1858, but has already pushed himself to the front by reason of energy and good business qualities. He was born in Mason County, in the little town of Bath, where be lived until reaching man's estate. He is a son of Henry and Eliza (Nott) Conklin, who were natives of the Empire State. Henry Conklin had been left an orphan at an early age, and he and his wife died when our subject was but ten years old. During the summer the latter worked for money with which to pay his board while attending school in the winter and so secured for himself a fair education.
When twenty-one years old Mr. Conklin was united in marriage with Miss Jennie E. Hardin, a native of the same county as bimself and a daughter of James and Martha ( Micklen) Hardin. Her an- cestors were of English origin, the Hardins being
of the old Maryland stock. The young couple went to Johnson County, Neb., where Mr. Conklin purchased a farm and lived seven years. He be- came the owner of a second farm in the same county prior to the expiration of that period, when he sold out and returned to Mason County.
Embarking in the mercantile business in the vil- lage of Kilburn, Mr. Conklin continued in trade there about three years, when in 1886 he removed to Mapleton, Peoria County, and bought out the business of James Walker, together with the fine residence and store occupied by that gentleman. Since locating here he has been interested in coal mining, but has recently disposed of his mining stock and now devotes himself entirely to bis mer- cantile business. lle carries a full line of all goods sold in a general store and is working up a fine trade for a village of this size.
When Mr. Conklin bought out Mr. Walker be also took full charge of the post-office, which he kept for two years or more. In the spring of 1889 he was elected to the office of Township Supervisor for the short term, and in the spring of 1890 was re-elected for the long term. lle bas been an active Democrat since Grover Cleveland was first nomin- ated for the Presidency, and since removing to Mapleton has done much for the party in Hollis Township. He belongs to Phoenix Lodge No. 663, A. F. & A. M. He and his good wife have four children, named, respectively, Gertrude, Ollie May, Fay, and Hardin Guy. They form an inter- esting group whose growth and intelligence delights the hearts of their parents, whose object it is to fit them for useful and honorable careers.
NDREW WEATHERWAX, a pioneer of Brimfield Township, occupying a fertile and attractive estate on section 11, is one of those to whom Peoria County owes a debt of gratitude for unremitting industry, well- directed efforts and sturdy integrity during many years. He is a native of Holmes County. Ohio, born April 27, 1827. His father, George Weather-
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wax, is believed to have been a native of New York State, and his mother, Susan ( Craig) Weather- wax, of Virginia. The father was a pioneer in the wilderness of Holmes County, where he and his wife entered into rest after having scen a marked change in the appearance of that conntry and borne a fair share in the toil which condnced to it.
The parental family was a large one, comprising twelve children. Those now living are, Jolin, a resident in Greene County, Ind .; Andrew, of whom we write; Ann, whose home is in the Buckeye State; Catherine, wife of Thompson Patterson, living in Warren County, Iowa; Jacob, a resident in Ohio; Abram, living in Coshocton County, Ohio, and George L., of Peoria County, Ill.
The gentleman of whom we write was reared to manhood in his native county, bred partly to farm pursuits and partly to the trade of a carpenter, his father before him having been a mechanic. He re- ceived his education in the early subscription schools of Ohio, and although his advantages were not of the best he has endeavored to keep posted regarding the general topics of interest and while mainly self-educated, is well informed and intelli- gent. About 1847 he went to Ohio County, W. Va., where he worked as a farm hand three years. Hc then rented land five years.
On December 24, 1847, Mr. Weatherwax was married to Miss Sarah A. McGlothlin, of the county in which he located, who has borne him two chil- dren, Susan and George W., the former now de- ceased. The paternal ancestors of Mrs. Weather- wax are said to have been Irish. To her parents were born four children. Jane is now the widow of Joseph Buchanan, living in Virginia; Ezekiel lives in the same State, and so also does Emily, wife of James Nickerson.
In 1856, Mr. Weatherwax removed with his family to Peoria County, Ill., where for a time he operated rented land, finally purchasing that on which he now resides, owning all told one hundred and sixty acres. The farm was new and in poor condition. but by dint of persevering energy and good management it was gradually hrought to a condition equal to that of other well-improved farms in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Weatherwax have a clear understanding of what is embraced in
pioneer life and looking back to their earlier hard- ships and toils, rejoice in their present peace and plenty and the beautiful appearance of the country round about them.
Mr. Weatherwax is independent in politics, voting for the principles and the man, not the party. He can always be counted upon when movements for the public good are on foot, being anxious to have future generations enjoy every possible opportun- ity for comfort and improvement. He is well known and esteemed in his locality, and the esti- mable woman whose wise counsel and loving as- sistance have been bis for years, has likewise many friends.
OHN R. ENGLISH, deceased, shared in the pioneer labors that resulted in bringing this county to its present fine condition as re- gards its wealth and rank among its sister counties, and when he laid down his life-work April 4, 1887, in the comfortable home which he had built up for his family in Brimfield Township, he left behind a record of an industrious man of exemplary habits and upright life that many a man might envy.
Mr. English was a native of Ohio, born March 25, 1824, to Daniel and Lucy English. Ile was reared in their humble pioneer home amid the primitive scenes of his native State at that early day of its settlement, and was brought up to a farmer's life and always followed that calling. Ilis educational advantages were not extensive, but he acquired sufficient book-learning to enable him to transact business properly, which was about all the education the youth of his day received. He con- tinued to live in Ohio until 1860, having in the meantime married and established a home on his native soil. Thinking that he could materially better his financial condition on the rich prairies of this State, he came here that year, accompanied by his wife and two children, and for a few years was a resident of Sangamon Connty. He subsequently came to this county and located on the farm still occupied by his widow. At the time of his death
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it comprised sixty aeres of land which he had placed under excellent cultivation and had pro- vided it with all necessary improvements ineluding an excellent set of buildings. Its acreage has since been reduced by the sale of a part of it and now comprises forty acres of valuable land, which is owned by his widow.
Mr. English sceured by his marriage to Miss Al- mira Beardsley, which was soleinnized October 12, 1854, one of the best of wives, whose encourage- ment and cheerful assistance greatly aided him in his work. She was born in Lieking County, Ohio, February 24, 1836. IIer parents were Daniel and Fannie (Leggett) Beardsley, the former a native of the State of New York, and the latter thought to have been born in Virginia. Five of the nine chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. English are still living, namely: William, David, Daniel, Flora and Milton. The four deceased are, Lney, Henrietta, Elsworth and Ann.
Mr. English was a thoroughly good man, whom to know was to esteem. and he was held in high re- gard by his fellow-citizens. He was a hard worker, was prudent and frugal, was sober minded and honest, and tliese traits placed him among our most desirable citizens and his death was a loss to the township.
Mrs. English is one of a family of six children, of whom three are now living, herself, her brother Milton and her sister Dorinda. She has been a wit- ness of much of the growth of this part of the country and may be classed among its worthy pio- neer women.
HOMAS D. GANTT, deceased, was for many years a well-known and honored resi- dent of Peoria, who was influential in vari- .ous ways in advancing its interest in different directions, and was a conspicuous figure in the pro- motion of various projects for the improvement of the city, and his death, while scarcely past the meridian of life was a serions loss to the com- munity with whose material, social and religious interests, he had so thoroughly identified himself.
Mr. Gantt was born in Newport. Pa., April 17, 1833, a son of Hiram Gantt. His parents removed to Philadelphia when he was a lad and he received his education in the schools of that city, and then for a short time, worked on his father's farm in that vicinity. He subsequently engaged in book- keeping for a number of years, and finally estab- lished a grocery store at Atkinson, in Henry County, he having gone there when a young man. For a number of years he was station agent on the Rock Island Road. After the breaking out of the war he became connected with the Commissary Depart- ment, and for that reason came to Peoria. He re- mained in the Government employ until after the close of the war, and rendered very efficient aid as a commissary official. After peace was declared he accepted a position as clerk, and later was agent for three years for the packet office. At the expira- tion of that time he became a railway official, and was soon given the position of general freight and track agent of the C. P. & S. W. Railway, and acted in that capacity until that railway was sold. During this time his office was in Joliet in the general office of the same road, but he still made his home in Peoria, and for a time was at Evansville, Ind., on the Blue Line.
About three years before his death Mr. Gantt re- tired from that business, and his fellow-citizens, finding him free to devote his time to public affairs, called him to the important office of Secretary of the Peoria Improvement Association, which posi- tion he held until the time of his death November 24, 1889. He was very much interested in his work and lent cheerful assistance to all plans for beauti- fying and improving the city and adding to its at- traetiveness as a place of residence. Mr. Gantt was in other ways closely identified with the progress of the city. He was one of the charter members of the Chamber of Commerce and was very active in securing the erection of the building. He was one of the leading members of the Board of Trade, and at the time of the State Fair he was Secretary for local and city matters. He was much prospered in his finances and built a handsome residence at No. 207 Fifth Street.
Mr. Gantt's devoted wife to whom he owed much of his success in life, survives him. They were
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SAlarry Raubend un.
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united in marriage in 1856, and of their union are two children : Ira W. of Chicago, and Thomas A. of this city. Mrs. Gantt's maiden name was Su- retta Walters and she is a native of Ohio, and a daughter of David Walters. She remained in that State until she was thirteen and then came to At- kinson in this State.
S HARVEY LAMBERT, M. D., F. G. S. Al- though this gentleman has been located in Peoria but a brief period be has already won the honors of a skillful, conscientious physi- cian, continuing the reputation which he had hield elsewhere. He was the recipient of the best of in- struction, both from private parties under whom he read and in the schools which he attended, and has continued the pursuit of knowledge regarding his chosen profession, making various scientific inves- tigations which have a bearing on his work and contributing some excellent articles to the literature of the science which he professes, many of his treatises being widely circulated.
Dr. Lambert was born in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, February 25, 1851, being a son of Jeremiah D. Lambert, a native of Vermont, who had come to the Buckeye State in 1838. The father remained in Eaton until 1859 when he changed the place of his residence to Liberty, Ind., and in 1868 he re- moved to Union City, in which place he is still living. When the removal took place our subject was a lad of about eleven years and when twelve years of age he returned to his native place where he spent two years under the tutelage of Dr. Huggins. Returning to Union City he took a course of study in the academy at that place and when nineteen years old, following the bent of his natural tastes, began the study of medicine under Dr. Daniel W. Humphreyville, a man of rare ability, who is now located at Waterville, Kan.
In 1872 young Lambert entered the Medical College, of Ohio, at Cincinnati, continuing his studies there two years, then returning to the office of his former preceptor, with whom he practiced a year. He next spent five years at Ogden, Ind.,
and from there went to Indianapolis, where in 1880 he graduated from the Central College of Physi- cians and Surgeons. While there he was the per- sonal assistant of Dr. Joseph Eastman, Demonstrator of Anatomy, and also of Dr. Haughton, Surgical Clinie. After this experience he located in As- sumption, Ill., and while in active practice there was chosen Local Surgeon of the Illinois Central Railroad, in which capacity he served until 1885. He was then chosen Examiner-in-Chief and Medieal Actuary to the Northwestern Benevolent Associa- tion, a position which he resigned in 1887 on ac- count of his health, locating in Peoria. While serving in the arduous position he held in the Northwestern Benevolent Association, he won the respect and confidence; of his" associates on the Board, as he has that of other members of the pro- fession whom he has met in the course of his life work.
The marriage of Dr. Lambert and Miss Callie Funk was celebrated at the bride's home October 21, 1873. She is a native of_Ohio, a member of an old and honored family, and the possessor of the ready intelligence, sympathizing spirit and cul- ture which fit her for a place by the side of a young man who already displays such ability as her hus- band and who bids fair to rise still higher as his years increase. Doctor and Mrs. Lambert have two children: Winnie, born November 5, 1876, and Hermann, November 9, 1878. The family attend the Presbyterian Church and Dr." Lambert is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
A portrait of Dr. Lambert is shown on another page of this volume.
ILLIAM J. BRUS. This name will be at once recognized by the German citizen of Peoria, as that of a gentleman who is edi- torially connected with the Sonntags Post, and who is well known to many besides those of similar an- cestry. He was scarcely more than a boy when he began contributing to a newspaper, and so much fitness for journalism did he exhibit, that he rap- idly advanced to a position as associate editor. Ile
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wields the pen of a ready writer, is terse, vigorous and conrageous in his expressions when dealing with questions of social or political import, and skillful in his selection of that which exchanges can furnish to his patrons.
Mr. Brus is a son of Anton and Mary (Seifert) Brus, natives of Bavaria, Germany, whence they emigrated to America in 1850. The father had been a weaver in his native land, but after coming to America engaged in farming. In 1855 they re- moved to Tazewell County, Ill., Mr. Brus dying at Groveland in August, 1865. Mrs. Brus had de- parted this life a few months after the birth of our subject, the only son, who was born June 27, 1853, at Harper's Ferry, W. Va. The boy attended the public schools in Tazewell County six years, displaying aptness in comprehending that to which he applied himself and grasping the practical rela- tion of his studies to the work of life.
In 1865 young Brus entered the office of the German Demokrat, in Peoria, and from the position of office boy worked up until he was able to do any duty connected with a printing establishment. His first contributions to the press were published in the columns of the Demokrat, with which he sev- cred his relation in 1876, in order to take charge of the Pekin Freie Presse as foreman and associate editor. In 1879 he returned to Peoria, and became one of the firm publishing the Peoria Sonne. The firm of Wolf & Brus continued six years, when the second member withdrew, and in connection with Mr. Rennen, started the Sonntags Post. Mr. Ren- nen died soon after the establishment of the paper, and others have been associated with our subject in its publication, the firm now being Brus & Schaefer.
The Post is a first-class family paper, extensively circulated in Peoria and the adjoining counties. Beside editing and managing the Post, Mr. Brus has connected with it a complete job office, which his thorough knowledge of printing enables him to conduct in such a manner as to send out good work at prices satisfactory to his patrons, while leaving him a fair margin of profit.
An event of great importance to our subject and to Miss Mary Schleehuber occurred November 27, 1878, it being the celebration of their marriage rites. Their home is brightened by the preserce
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of four children-Dora Antoinette, William Jo- seph, Elmer Peter, and Joseph Emil. Mr. and Mrs. Brus mourn the loss of one child. They have many friends throughout the city, and the social nature of our subject finds an added expression through various societies to which he belongs. He is As. sistant Secretary in the St. Joseph Benevolent So- ciety, Vice-President of the Knights of St. George, and President of St. Michael's School Society. Po- litically he is independent. He and his wife are both members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
OSEPH D. HIGGS is one of the oldest set- tlers in this county, to which he was brought when an infant, in 1835. He has devoted himself to agriculture as a life-work, has ac. quired an independent fortune thereby, and while prosecuting his private affairs has not neglected his duties to his fellow-men, but has secured a high standing in the community as one of the most worthy citizens. He is the son of Thomas and Caroline (Doty) Higgs, of whom and his ancestry an account is given in the biography of Charles Higgs, found elsewhere in this volume.
Our subject was born near Elizabethtown, N. J .. January 4, 1835, the scenes of his earliest recollec. tions being in Trivoli Township, where he was reared on a farm, early bearing his share in the development of the homestend and pursuing the limited school advantages furnished by the first free schools of the district. Oxen were used upon the place and many a day has he spent in driving five yoke when hauling rails or produce. His rec- ollection goes back to the time when wild game was plentiful and wolves and other savage animals roamed at will over the prairies. He remained at home until twenty years old, then began working out by the year, thus getting his first start in life. As soon as possible he bought a team of horses, which he used in breaking prairie during the sum- mer and in teaming for A. D. Reed, hauling pork from Farmington to Reed's Landing on the Illinois River.
After having followed those occupations two or
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three years, Mr. Higgs located on eighty aeres of his father's land in Marshall County, improving the place and operating it for some years. He then bought eighty acres near Canton, Fulton County, and in 1886 bought eighty acres of partly improved land in Trivoli Township, this county, which forms a part of his present estate. He was soon able to purchase an adjoining eighty acres on the south, which he also improved, farming the entire quarter- section until 1875. Ile then bought eighty acres on section 9, for. 85,250, taking possession of it, but still retaining his ownership of the old place.
In the prosecution of his work, Mr. Iliggs uses the latest machinery and means of fertilization. He has put in tiles, built good fences, set out hedges, and fitted each of the farms with the necessary buildings. He has raised both stock and grain, feeding a large part of the latter to hogs and cattle, in which he has dealt quite extensively. He has also raised draft horses and roadsters. He now rents most of his land, although he continues to occupy one of the residences npon it.
Realizing that it is not good for man to live alone, Mr. Higgs won as his companion Miss Nancy Kline, with whom he was united in marriage, in Farmington, November 8, 1859. Ilis bride was born in Franklin County, Pa., June 6, 1835, and educated in the common schools of that county, which she left when twenty years old for a journey to Illinois, which was accomplished by means of three teams and wagons. The family of which she is a member included nine children, one of whom died before the removal to the West. Those who accompanied the parents hither were: Jacob. now living in Bradford; Andrew II., who died in Can- ton in 1890; George W., who died in Henry, Marshall County, in 1880; Mrs. Elizabeth Harri- son, now living in Marshall County; Mrs. Mary Duffield, whose home is in Henry ; Mrs. Christie A. Miller, living near Mansfield, Iowa, and Susan, wife of Thomas Higgs, of Storm Lake, Iowa. The parents of this family were John and Elizabeth (Hocker) Kline, natives of Maine and Pennsylvania, respect- ively. The father was a farmer and large land- owner in Franklin County, Pa., and after eoming West owned two hundred and forty acres in Ful- ton County and other lands in Marshall County.
Ile was a Democrat and a member of the Dunkard Church. He died in Canton in 1865, his wife also breathing her last there.
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