USA > Illinois > Warren County > Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 28
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illiam O. Kidder, residing on his farm of 117 acres on section 21, Swan Township, was born in this county, Aug. 13, 1839, and is a son of Larnard Kidder, born in Mansfield, Conn., March 11, 1806, and who died Sept. 24, 1864, in this county (having em- igrated to Illinois in 1837), his remains being placed at rest in the Hammond Cemetery.
The father was married to Miss Mary Ann Hois- ington, March 22, 1837, in Champaign Co., Olio. She was born at Windsor, Vt., April 5, 1809, and was the daughter of Abisha and Lucinda (Hastings) Hoisington. Mary A., the mother of the subject of this notice, is at present (January, 1886) enjoying good health in lier venerable old age.
William O. Kidder, the subject of this biographical
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notice, married Miss Mary C. Perry, Dec. 20, 1865. She was born Jan. 20, 1847, and was the daughter of Charles Perry, who was born in 1815, and married Miss Elizabeth Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Kidder are the the parents of three children,-Nellie G., born Oct. 3, 1866; Grant L., Sept. 2, 1868; and Ross L., July 30, 1885. Mr. Kidder has 117 acres of land in this county, all well improved, on which he has a good dwelling and barn, 24 x 36 feet in dimensions, with 16 feet posts. In addition to the cultivation of his land, he is engaged in the raising of stock of a high grade.
Wm. O. Kidder's early education was acquired in the common schools, and was supplemented by a course of study at Lombard University, at which in- stitution he passed three winters. In 1861, he en- listed for the cause for the Union at Macomb, Mc- Donough Co., this State, in Co. H, 2d Ill. Vol. Cav., and was mustered in at Springfield, Aug. 12, 1861. The first general engagement was at Union City, Tenn .; then at Jackson, La Grange, Memphis, St. Joseph, Baker's Creek and Vicksburg. Mr. Kidder escaped the casualities of the war without receiving any wounds. He was on the Teche and Red River campaigns, under Gen. Banks, and was discharged at Baton Rouge, La., just three years after his en- listment. In politics, he is a Republican.
avid Van Gilder, the present Assessor of the township of Point Pleasant, was born in Hancock Co., Ind., Jan. 26, 1824. He was 12 years of age when his parents emi- grated to Illinois and became pioneers of Knox County. The family removed hither with ox- teams and brought all their personal property with them. They drove their stock and camped and cooked in the style of gipsies. The journey was long and tedious and was made across the trackless country that intervened, and when they were beyond the limits of civilization the streams were destitute of bridges and all the annoyances increased in pro- portion. To the unaccustomed people of the East the sloughs were something terrible.
The father bought land in Knox County and the family resided some time in Knoxville, until the head
of it could get out the timber necessary to build a house and make things comfortable for them. The first dwelling was a log house and was covered with clapboards or " shakes." It had also a puncheon floor according to the fashion of those days. The furniture of the house was made by the father from hewed timber. The parents' resided in that county until' their deaths, the father in September, 1857, and the mother about 1870.
Mr. Van Gilder resided with his parents until he was 22, when he was married to Nancy L. Maxey. They lived the following year on the farm of the father-in-law in Knox Township, whence they re- moved to the northeast portion of the same county and bought a farm in the vicinity of La Fayette, Stark Co., Ill. Mr. Van Gilder retained the posses- sion of that place 18 months and then sold out. He returned to the township of Knox, where he bought a farm and there resided until 1865. He again sold out and came thence to Warren County, where he located in what seemed to him the best township in the county. He established himself permanently by uniting his interests with those of the general public, buying land and proceeding to add his quota to the development of the resources of his property. His farm is situated on the northwest quarter of section 22, Point Pleasant Township, and is in advanced `cultivation. The owner has planted a grove of shade- trees and a valuable orchard. The buildings are in every way suited to the purposes of general farming and the place is well enclosed with hedges and is cross-fenced. The entire property is in a condition to compare favorably with the best farms in the county.
The first wife of Mr. Van Gilder died in 1853, leaving four children. James M. lives in Point Pleasant Township. S. Annie is married to Alex- ander Strickler, of this township. Jonathan S. mar- ried and left one child, and Mary A. and Ellen are now dead.
In 1858 Mr. Van Gilder was again married, to Mary L. Smith, She died in 1864 and left one child, who was named Smith Van Gilder. He is a resident of Fremont Co., Iowa. In 1865 the subject of this sketch was a third time married, to Jennie Axtell, a native of Pennsylvania, but was a resident of War- ren County at the time of her marriage. She was the daughter of Joseph Axtell, who died while on his way here in 1840. Mrs. Axtell died here. Mr. and
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UNIVERSIJI. SI ALINUIS
Jeremiah Hoornbeeck
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Mrs. Van Gilder have four children-Myrtie, Charlie E., Nellie and Ray M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Van Gilder are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Republican.
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eremiah Hoornbeek, residing [on section 35, Hale Township, where he is engaged in the vocation of an agriculturist and stock-raiser, is a son of Benjamin and Esther (Wilkins) Hoornbeek, natives of New York. They were of Holland and English ancestry respectively. Mr. H. traces his family back to the 16th century. His father (who was born in Ulster County) died Jan. 19, 1841, and 'his mother (born in Orange County) died Aug. 1, 1854.
Jeremiah was also born in Ulster County, May 3, 1824. He received a common-school education in his native State and their resided until 1855. In December, of that year, Mr. Hoornbeek came to this State and located in Hale Township, this county, on a farm which he had purchased, consisting of 160 acres. He at once engaged actively and energetic- ally in the improvement and development of his land. To-day he has it under an advanced state of cultivation and enhanced in value by the erection of good, substantial buildings, and where 'he still con- tinues to follow the vocation of his life.
The marriage"of Mr. Hoornbeek took place in Ulster County, N. Y., April 2, 1851, at which time Miss Elizabeth Bruyn became his wife. She was a daughter of Nathaniel and Cornelia (LeFevre) Bruyn.
The Bruyn family are of Norwegian descent. Ja- cobus Bruyn was the first of that name in this coun- try. He came from Norway and settled in New York al out 1660. The LeFevres are of French ex- traction and came to this "country about 1670 and settled in Ulster County, New York.
She was born in Ulster County, N. Y., Dec. 23, 1827, and of the children she has borne Mr. Hoorn- beek six an living, namely: Esther, Nathaniel B., Adelia C., meline D., John W. and Catherine B. Esther is tl. wife of Ira Dean, a resident of Nebras- ka, and they have two children, Ralph S. and Ho- mer H. N. naniel B. is a physician, engaged in practice at Youngstown, this county. He has two
children, viz .: Lillian and Clyde. The other chil- dren reside at home.
Mr. Hoornbeek has held the office of School Di- rector and Overseer of Highways, and he and his wife and children are members of the Presbyterian Church. The parents of Mr. Hoornbeek both died in Ulster County. The parents of Mrs. H. came to this county in 1853, and are at present residing in Tompkins Township. In politics, Mr. Hoornbeek affiliates with the Democratic party.
Mr. Hoornbeek is a raiser of fine Durham cattle, and has one of the finest-herds in the State. Victor, recorded in vol. 24, Short-horn Record, is at the head of the herd. He took first premium at the War- ren County Fair. Fannie Snowden stands at the head in the cow line. She is recorded in vol. 13, page 591, Short-horn Herd Book, and has taken the sweepstakes premium for a number of years. The herd took premiums at the Warren County Fair in the years 1884-5. An excellent view of Mr. Hoorn- beek's farm residence and fine stock, and also Mr. Hoornbeek's portrait, accompanies this sketch.
eWitt Phelps, who is the possessor of a clear title to 400 acres of good farm land, located on section 26, Tompkins Town- ship (and the adjoining section) and where he resides, following the vocation of an agricul- turist, was born Jan. 6, 1836, in New York. The parents of Mr. Phelps, Porter and Mary (Reese) Phelps, were natives of the same State in which their son, De Witt, was born. They moved therefrom to Knox County, Ill., in 1836, but in 1837 settled in Roseville Township, Warren County, and were con- sequently among the pioneer settlers who laid the corner-stone of the grandest commonwealth that now reflects the brilliancy of our Union's diadem. The father there purchased 80 acres of land, which he af- terwards increased to 320 acres, residing upon the same, engaged in its improvement and cultivation for 10 years. He then sold his land and moved to Len- ox Township, where he purchased 320 acres, on which he moved with his family and has since re- sided there, following his avocation as a fariner until the present time with satisfactory success.
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The gentleman whose name we place at the head of this notice was an inmate of his father's family for 25 years. His younger years were spent in acquir- ing an education at the common schools and in labor on the farm. After attaining the age mentioned, he went to California and was there engaged in mining and farming for five years. While a resident in the far West, he also visited Idaho, and was engaged in the livery business. He returned to this State in 1867, and the following year purchased 240 acres of unimproved prairie land, on section 26, Tompkins Township, where he has resided until the present time. He is engaged in stock raising and general farming, and in his chosen- vocation is meeting with success. He has a fine residence on his farm, to- gether with good barns, fences, etc., and the place is greatly beautified by the numerous fruit and orna- mental trees which have been made to flourish under his careful husbandry.
The marriage of Mr. Phelps with Miss Mary A. Lewis, a native of this State, was solemnized in 1872, and of their union four children, Kathrine L., Mary P., Henneth G., and Charles E., have been born. Mr. Phelps is a Democrat in his political af- filiations, and holds the position of School Director in his township. He is also a stockholder in the First National Bank of Kirkwood, and is one of the leading representative farmers of Tompkins Town- ship.
S amuel M. Hamilton, M. D., Coroner of Warren County. This talented physician and surgeon of Monmouth, a native of Darlington, Beaver Co., Pa., and son of Sam- uel and Arabella W. (Scroggs) Hamilton, of the same State, was born Oct. 23, 1829. At the age of 21 years, James Hamilton came from the North of Ireland to America, in the first ship that landed at Boston after the close of the Revolutionary War. He afterward married a young lady that came over in the same ship, made his home in Beaver Co., Pa., and there reared 15 children. Samuel, one of the ten sons, married Miss Aarabella Scroggs, in Beaver Co., Pa., where their four sons and five daughters were born, two of the former dying in
childhood, the rest growing to man and womanhood. The old gentleman, when about 60 years of age, re- moved to Lawrence Co., Pa., and there died in 1872, at the age of about 73 years. His widow at this writing (September, 1885) is living at New Castle, Pa., His son Lieut .- Col. Thos. J. Hamilton, of the Tooth Pa. Vol. Inf., was killed July 1, 1864, during the explosion of the mine in front of Petersburg.
The subject of our sketch was educated at the common and high schools of Darlington. When he was 16 years of age he was taken out of school on account of failing health. He thereupon learned the trade of saddler and harness-maker in his father's shop in Darlington, and continued in the business for nearly four years. He then returned to school and completed his studies. He began the study of inedicine, soon after reaching his majority, under Dr. Daniel Leasure, of Westmoreland Co., Pa., at New Castle. Entering Jefferson Medical College in 185r, he graduated in 1853, and returned to New Castle, and the following six years was in partner- ship with his old preceptor. In 1858, he reached Monmouth, where he at once took rank with the foremost of his profession. When the war cloud burst upon the country in 1861, he became Assistant Surgeon of the Ninth Ill. Regt., raised under the three months call for volunteers, but was regularly promoted to the position of Brigade Surgeon of U. S. A. Volunteers (commissioned at Pittsburg Land- ing in November of the same year), and saw service at Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Tuscumbia, Nashville, and was ten months in charge of hospitals at Gallatin, Tenn. In November, 1863, on account of loss of health, he resigned, returned to Monmouth, and the year following to New Castle, Pa., where he remained two and a half years, and then again returned to Monmouth, where he has continued in the practice of his profession to the present.
The Doctor has been for many years an ardent member of the Republican party ; in fact he was a delegate from New Castle to the Convention at Pitts- burg, Pa., in 1856, that nominated John C. Fremont for the Presidency and laid the foundation for the future greatness of the party. But, while taking an active part in politics, he is not a politician seeking office. He is devoted to his profession ; belongs to the various medical societies of the American Med- ical Association and of the State and county, and
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contributes largely to different journals and periodi- cals upon various subjects.
He was married at Philadelphia, Dec. 25, 1856, to Miss Eliza Starrett, native of Maine and daughter of the late Rev. David Starrett, of the Congregational Church. Their only child, born in 1859, died in infancy.
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ohn H. Frantz is a settler of Warren County of 1857. His farm located on sec- tion 22, Spring Grove Township, is one of the most attractive in the county. He was born Feb. 20, 1836, in Alleghany Co., Md. : John Frantz, his grandfather, was a native of Germany, and settled in the State of Maryland on emigrating to America. His father, Solomon Frantz, was born in that State, and there married Jane Mc- Elroy. A sketch of his life will be found included in the biography of Mr. W. H. Frantz. His wife was born in Virginia. When the subject of the pres- ent notice was 13 years old his father and mother re- moved with their family to Perry Co., Ohio. He . remained under the parental roof-tree until he reahed the age of legal independence when he made his way to Warren County. He rented a farm in Spring Grove Township, upon which he remained until he went to California in 1864. Going to New York in February, of that year, from thence by water to Pan- ama, he crossed the isthmus and continued by vessel to San Francisco. He made but a brief stay in the city of the Golden Gate, and turning his face east- ward, stopped at Virginia City, Nev. He made his headquarters there while operating in the wood busi- ness on Carson River. He remamed there until August, 1866, when he turned his face homeward, coming back by the Nicaragua route, and via New York, arriving at home on the 15th day of Septem- ber. As soon as he had become again acclimated, he bought 80 acres of land in Warren County, which has remained in his possession ever since, and which constituted the nucleus of his present farm. Entering at once upon the work of improvement, he has added to his real estate until he is now the owner of 240 acres of land, all of which is fenced and under cultivation. For the past five years Mr.
Frantz has been engaged in the breeding of thor- oughbred Short-horns, and is now the owner of some of the finest specimens of this stock in the coun- try. He is earnestly giving his attention to the propagation of fine stock, having determined to make it a specialty in the future operation of his farm work. He is a breeder of thoroughbred Clydesdale horses and has now about 35 head of horses and colts of superior grade, owning also some fine specimens of Morgan stock. He proposes to give his attention very soon to the breeding of Norman horses. An ex- cellent view of Mr. "Frantz's homestead appears on page 258.
In political connection Mr. Frantz remains, as he has always been, a Republican.
His marriage to Annie M. Porter took place Sept. 23, 1860. She was born in the township within the borders of which she has, all her life, lived; and is . the daughter of Joshua and Mary (Tinkham) Porter. Her birth occurred March 10, 1838. The children now living, that have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Frantz are Jessie A., Annie G., Virgie B. and Lillie May. They have buried a son, Thatcher Ellsworth, and three daughters, Jennie L., Rosa Belle and Bertha May. Our subject and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He is also a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows.
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O Carr, Jr., one of Warren County's most energetic and prosperous farmers as well as respected and representative citizens, resides on section 13, Roseville Township, and is a son of Otho and Nancy (Claycomb) Carr, having been born on the place where he 110 w resides, Sept. 22, 1841. His parents were natives of Breckenridge Co., Ky., the date of the birth of the father being Feb. 14, 1805, and the mother, Jan. 14,. 1805. They were among the early settlers here. Mr. Carr, Sr., moved to Perry Co., Ind., where he married and remained about five years, and then came West to this county. The, trip was made in wagons across the country. He entered 320 acres of land here. The cabin Mr. Carr built in 1835 was located one-half mile east of the present homestead, and here he lived until the present farm residence
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was built, where Mrs. Lucy J. Harris lives. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris were for 40 years members of the Christian Church, of Roseville Township. Mr. Carr remained on the above place until his death, which occurred in 1883, his wife having preceded him to the land of eternal happiness two years previously. Of their union were born six children, three of whom survive,-Redmond, Lucy J. and J. O., the subject of this notice.
J. O. Carr remained at home and was in partner- ship with his father and brother until 1875, and his success as a farmer and stock-raiser has been more than ordinary. Mr. Carr's close attention to busi- ness, being accompanied by industry and economy, has aided him in obtaining a competency. He is the possessor of 360 acres of excellent land in this township, and is engaged in raising horses, cattle and swine. His farm is valued at $40 per acre.
Mr. J. O. Carr and Miss Mary E. Cox were united in marriage, Dec. 31, 1869. She was born March 15, 1848, in Ellison Township, this county. Her parents were John and Fannelia (Lewis) Cox, na- tives of Illinois and New Jersey respectively, and in 1837 they settled in Ellison Township, where they made a purchase of 160 acres of land. Both died in this county.
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Mr. and Mrs. Carr have had their home bright- ened by the birth of five children, three daughters and two sons, as follows: Fannelia N., Nettie L. and William O. James F. and Mary E. are at home. Mr. Carr is a Democrat in political opinion, and with his wife and two daughters belongs to the Christian Church. Mr. Carr is one of the substan- tial and representative men of Warren County.
mos B. Billings. Among the well known and prosperous farmers, who in their early years entered actively and energetically in the pursuit of tilling the soil, and thereby accumulated sufficient of this world's goods to enable them to spend the sunset of their lives in peace and comfort, is Mr. Amos B. Billings. He is a resident of Kirkwood and is a son of Justis and Sarah (Alice) Billings, and was born in Lewis County, the Empire State, Jan. 10, 1811. His parents were natives of Connecticut, and in the year
1804 moved to New York and located in Lewis County, where they remained, having purchased land, until their death, occurring respectively on the, last day of July and the 11th of August, in the year 1847.
Amos B. made the home of his parents his abid- ing place until he reached majority, then worked out by the month for six years, at the expiration of which time he again resided on his father's farm and took charge of the same, also caring for his parents until the hand of death severed them. During his early life he had acquired a good English education and when opportunity presented itself, his father had hiın assist in the duties of the farm, so our subject was thoroughly initiated in the life of an agriculturist when left to earn his own living. He was, there- fore, well prepared for entering upon the task of the improvement of his farm of 160 acres, which he had purchased in Illinois, having sold his father's home- stead in 1864, and emigrated westward. His tract was located on section II, Tompkins Township, his present site, and upon this he has erected all neces- sary farm outbuildings and improved the same until at the present time it is in an advanced state of cul- tivation. He resided there until 1879, when he re- tired from his farm and bought a house and lot in Kirkwood village, where he has since resided.
Miss Eleanor Mott, a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., and a daughter of Elias and Lucretia (Shear) Mott, was married to Mr. Amos B. Billings in 1840. Her parents were natives of New Jersey and Massachu- setts respectively. Mr. and Mrs. B.'s family comprise the following named children : Amelia A. was born March 16, 1841 ; Ellen J., born Sept. 4, 1842 ; Em- ily L., born Aug. 10, 1844; Mary. L., born Dec. 15, 1845; Theodore J., born Aug. 13, 1847; Alfred E., born June 7, 1853. Emily L. is now deceased, hav- ing died Feb. 8, 1880. ` Amelia A. married William Starr, March 16, 1864. Six children was the result of this marriage,-Emory, Susan E. and Elmer. Ma- tilda E., Chaney A. and Harriet are deceased. Mr. Starr died Nov. 14, 1874. Mrs. S. was again mar- ried Oct. 6, 1881, to Perine Holinan. One child has blessed this union, Alida. Mr. and Mrs. H. are now living in this township. Ellen J. married James L. Perkins, Dec. 24, 1862, and is now living in Gales- burg. Emily L. married Jesse E. Lamphere, Dec. 14, 1865. They had two children, Ralph and Grant.
LIBRARY UNIVERSIIT WILLSON
ARILOR
SON'S RES . SEC. 11 LENOX TP.
SON'S RES. SEC. 22
SWAN TP.
SCALE
RESIDENCE OF JACOB SHAWLER . SEC. 12 , LENOX TOWNSHIP.
VICTOR
BEAUTY
FANNIE SNOWDEN
CLEVELAND
RESIDENCE OF JEREMIAH HOORNBEEK SEC, 35, HALE TOWNSHIP.
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Mary L. married Peter Burns, March 14, 1872, and is now living at Monmouth. Theodore J. married Sophrona Lamphere, Oct. 6, 1870. One child has been the result of this marriage, Minnie. Alfred E. married Emma Yeomans, Jan. 11, 1877. Two chil- dren have been born to them, Jennie and Charles. Jennie is now deceased.
Mr. B. with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is regarded as one of the leading and substantial men of Warren County. In his political affiliations, he is a Republican.
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acob Shawler. Among the early settlers of Warren County, having come here in the year 1847, is Mr. Jacob Shawler, an energetic, prosperous and representative citizen of this county, where, on section 12, Lenox Township, he is engaged extensively in agri- cultural pursuits. The date of his birth is Dec. 16, 1826, and he is a native of Edmonson Co., Ky. James B. and Eva (Duvall) Shawler, his parents, were natives of Kentucky, where his mother died. To them five children were born, all of whom reached the age of maturity. All are now deceased except Jacob and one sister. His father afterward removed to Warren County and settled in Floyd Township, having re-married before he left Kentucky. His second union was blessed with a family of 11 chil- dren, six of whom are now living. He subsequently removed to Swan Township, where he died.
Jacob was the second of a family of five children, and came to this county in the autumn of 1847. For three years he made his home in Floyd Township, when he sold his property there and moved into Lenox Township, where he has since remained and is one of the most highly respected and influential men in the township. In his business enterprises he has experienced an unusual degree of prosperity, and to-day owns 500 acres of land in Warren County and 200 acres in Kansas. He has erected upon the home farm an excellent class of buildings specially adapted to agricultural pursuits. The barn is a very commodious structure and a model building of its kind.
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