USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 65
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 65
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 65
USA > Illinois > Stark County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 65
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The 8th of September, 1849, witnessed the ar-
rival of our subject in Bureau county, when but few houses stood on the present site of Prince- ton. Much of his early life was spent in grist and saw mills, and on his arrival here, together with his brother Warren and S. P. Bingam, he built a mill west of the town of Bureau, which was first run by water and later by steam. The old race is all that is left to mark the spot where the old mill stood. He lost money in this enterprise, and has since devoted his time to farming and teaming, now carrying on the latter occupation with good success.
On the 29th of December, 1859, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hurlburt and Miss Frances Wilcox, daughter of Lyman and Mary (Scoville) Wilcox, who were married in New York, and came with their family of three children to Bu- reau county in 1850, Mrs. Hurlburt being the oldest, born April 23, 1843. Her sister Harriet, born February 13, 1845, married Philip Shmaus, by whom she has three children, Harry, May and Philip. They reside in Fulton county, Illinois. Clara is the wife of Samuel Garmon, of Prince- ton, and they have eight children-Harriet, wife of Ferris Aldridge; Daisy, wife of William John- son, George, Grace, Willie, Floss, Ernie, and Bonnie. Lyman Wilcox was a native of Rome, N. Y., and for some time worked at the car- penter's trade in Rome. On his arrival in Prince- ton, he continued to work at that trade, and erected several of the mills of Bureau county. He became boss in chief in constructing many of the bridges for the Rock Island railroad. He was a devout Christian, holding the office of deacon in the Baptist church, of which he was a member, and was widely and favorably known. He was born May 1, 1813, and died on the 27th of October, 1887. His faithful wife, who was born at Watertown, New York, August 31, 1821, is still living, and well preserved for one of her years. She has been a life long and active mem- ber of the Baptist church, and is thoroughly con- versant with the scriptures.
Ten children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hurlburt-Alice, the wife of John T. Reed. a farmer of Malden township, Bureau county, by
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whom she has six children-Bessie, Charlie, Wallace, Francis, Merl and Johnnie; Cora, wife of John Hubbard, of Princeton, by whom she has two children, Effie and Inez; Mildred, who mar- ried Clell Sutton, and died in 1888, at the age of twenty-two; Lawrence, who married Martha Stropth, and lives in Peoria; Nettie, who died at the age of eight years; Massilon, who died at the age of eighteen; George, who died at the age of two years; Bertha, Edward, and Robert, at home.
Mr. Hurlburt is a valued and useful citizen, enterprising and public spirited, and in his polit- ical views is an ardent republican, voting for pro- tection and sound money. He is a highly re- spected citizen, having the confidence of all who know him. Mrs. Hurlburt is an earnest member of the Baptist church.
W ILLIAM P. HOYLE. This gentleman is credited with the ownership of one of the best farms in Magnolia township, his residence being on section 4, and all the buildings and ma- chinery found thereon are in keeping with the enterprise and progressive spirit of the propri- etor. Upon his present farm he first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 4th of July, 1849.
His father, William Hoyle, was a native of Berkshire, England, and a son of John Hoyle, who, on crossing the Atlantic to America, set- tled in Jefferson county, Ohio, where his death occurred. In his native land the father grew to manhood, coming to this country when twenty- two years of age and making his first home in Jefferson county, Ohio. He married Miss Edith Newport, and to them were born three children- Elma, widow of Jonathan Wilson, living in Grun- dy county, Illinois, and Lindley and Nathan Ed- ward, both dying unmarried. For his second wife, Mr. Hoyle chose Mrs. Sarah Sharpless, nee Wheatley, a native of Pennsylvania. By her marriage with R. Sharpless she had four chil- dren-Mrs. Elizabeth Guss and Mrs. Jeannette J. Ong, Mrs. Adeline Gudgell and Mrs. Nar- cissa Murphy, the three younger now deceased.
In 1836 the father emigrated to Putnam coun-
ty, where he was numbered among the pioneers, and was one of the first to plant an orchard in this section, having the apple trees brought by boat at a very early day and always taking a great interest in fruit culture. He lost his right arm by catching it in the first threshing machine ever brought to this locality. In connection with his brother, he introduced the first reaper here.
On his arrival Mr. Hoyle located on wild land on section 4, Magnolia township, where he con- tinued to live for several years, greatly improving his place, and then removed to the farm now owned by our subject. He made many useful and valuable improvements upon the place, in- cluding a good dwelling, and there devoted his attention to farming and stock raising, having good grades of cattle, horses and hogs. Al- though he began life here in moderate circum- stances, he became quite well-to-do, and his hon- orable, upright life won the respect and confi- dence of all with whom he came in contact. Quiet and unassuming, he always talked to the point, was a man of sound judgment and good business ability. By birthright he belonged to the Society of Friends and was one of the lead- ing members and elder in his church. Being a strong abolitionist, he joined the republican par- ty on its organization, which he supported up to the time of his death, January 9, 1876. The mother of our subject died in October, 1885. There were only two children by the second union, our subject, and Sarah L., who married William G. Parker, a native of Ohio, by whom she has four children-Anna, Mary, William and Fred. She now resides in Pomona, California.
Mr. Hoyle, whose name introduces this sketch, grew to manhood upon his present farm, re- ceiving his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, and assumed the management of the place on attaining his majority. On the 27th of May, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Elvira Hoyle, who was born July 13, 1852, in Belmont county, Ohio, where their wedding was celebrated, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Julia (Willis) Hoyle, the two fam- ilies being distantly related. For several years
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they lived where they now reside, but subse- quently passed six years on section 9, Magnolia township, and seven years in the city of Henry. In 1895, however, they returned to the old home- stead, remodeling and enlarging the residence, and has built a large cattle barn and other out- buildings. Buying and selling stock has been his specialty, and he now owns twelve hundred and fifty-five acres of excellent land, well im- proved, in Magnolia township.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoyle-Lizzie J., Sarah W., Warren J., Ben- jamin G., Hannah Marie, and Paul, deceased. The mother is a consistent member of the Con- gregational church, taking an active part in its work. Mr. Hoyle uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party, for two terms served as road com- missioner, was a member of the city school board of Henry, and has also been school director in Magnolia township.
M ONS CARLSON is prominent among the agricultural interests of Princeton town- ship, and is one of its most prosperous and en- ergetic men, who from a humble beginning in life has accumulated a handsome property. He not only commenced without means, but was obliged to battle with the elements of a foreign soil and the customs of a strange country, as he is of Swedish birth and parentage. He was born September 29, 1821, and in Sweden was reared and educated. In his native land he worked upon a farm and also Icarned the cabi- net-maker's and carpenter's trades.
In 1854, Mr. Carlson bade adicu to home and friends and sailed for America, arriving in Princeton, Illinois, on the 13th of July, with only ten dollars in his pocket-a stranger in a strange land, unable to speak a word of English. He was first employed by Mr. Triplett and John Warfield, and also worked some at carpentering. assisting in the erection of the railroad depot at Wyanet. where he fell from a scaffold, and the injuries sustained prevented him from work- ing for some time. He was next employed in
a cabinet shop and put up most of the book cases in the court house and also the patent drawers in the grocery stores.
Mr. Carlson purchased a farm near Wyanet. in 1869, of a Mr. Mann. It was a partially im- proved tract, though not well developed, but he soon placed it under a high state of cultiva- tion and was very successful in farming opera- tions there. In March, 1885, he sold out and removed to a farm on section 35, Dover town- ship. This was also an improved place, which he tiled and erected a good granary and corn cribs, and there made his home until the spring of 1895, when he purchased the old Henry C. Field farm on section 3, Princeton township. where he is now residing. It comprises two hundred and sixty acres of highly developed land. He has built a good granary, and is now engaged in general farming and in raising graded stock. He is one of the most skillful and thorough farmers in Bureau county, and his success has come as a just reward of his un- tiring labors. He has tables, stands and book- cases in his own home, which lie made when over sixty years of age, cutting the timber and doing all the work by hand.
Mr. Carlson was married in 1860, to Caroline Christine Stowell, who was born in Sweden, February 24, 1833, and is a daughter of John G. Stowell, who came from that country to America in 1852, locating at Princeton, Illinois, where he worked at shoemaking and where him- self and wife both died. They had two children who are still living-Mrs. Carlson and Swan, now a resident of Nebraska. Our subject and his wife have become the parents of four chil- dren-Emma, born July 27, 1862; William G .. born May 29, 1864; Jennie S., born July 29. 1867, and Mary M., born September 10, 1870. The children have all been given good educa- tional privileges, and two of the daughters are graduates of the Princeton high school. The two younger are expert crayon and pastel work- ers in Chicago, and Mary is a fine musician of much natural ability. The son devotes his time and attention to farming.
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Politically, Mr. Carlson is identified with the democracy, But votes for the man rather than the party in local affairs; served as road commis- sioner at Wyanet, and has also been a school di- rector for several years. He has ever been a hard worker and is purely a self-made man and a highly respected citizen.
O RRIN L. DAYTON, a carpenter and con- tractor of Princeton, native of Bureau coun- ty, born at Lamoille, July 12, 1846, can trace his ancestry back to Captain Michael Dayton, his great-great-grandfather, of English descent, who gained his title in the colonial service during the Revolutionary war, being captain of a Massachu- setts company. He was the father of sixteen children, ten sons and six daughters, one of whom was Charles Dayton, the great-grand- father of our subject. The grandfather bore the name of Charles Dayton also. The parents of our subject are Chauncey L. and Lydia (Brain- ard) Dayton, of whom more extended mention is made in the sketch of Frank E. Dayton, else- where in this work. As early as 1838 the father took up his residence in Bureau county, where for many years he was numbered among the prominent agriculturists. He is an honored and respected pioneer and citizen.
In the schools of Mendota and Galesburg, Illi- nois, our subject acquired his literary education, and on laying aside his text books he began learning the jewelry business and silver plating at Springfield, Illinois, where he remained six years. Going to Linn county, Missouri, he there learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked in connection with farming and stock raising for the following sixteen years. Sheep raising, too, claimed much of his attention there, and in this venture he was very successful.
On his return to Illinois, Mr. Dayton assisted his father on the homestead farm in Lamoille township, Bureau county, until March, 1892, since which time he has lived in Princeton, where he has followed his trade, winning a well merited success. He is a skilled workman and has
erected several good residences, which he has sold.
On the 23d of December, 1874, Mr. Dayton was united in marriage with Miss Emma Mc- Candless, of Springfield, Illinois, a daughter of John B. McCandless, who died in 1894. He was a bookbinder and old resident of Springfield, coming from the east at an early day. In his family were the following children: Lizzie, de- ceased, wife of John H. Gordon; Amanda, wife of James Graham; Richard, a resident of Texas; Charles, of St. Paul, Minnesota: Emma: Willie, a grocer of Horton, Kansas; Fannie, wife of Charles R. Coon, and Maggie, wife of Edward Gathers. Mrs. Dayton died February 4, 1877. leaving one child, Alta, now a successful teacher of Bureau county, this being the second year she has followed that profession.
Mr. Dayton was again married October 2, 1888, his second union being with Miss Helen Gordon, daughter of William B. and Mary A. (Stevens) Gordon, of New Jersey, of which state Mrs. Dayton is a native, her birth occurring near Basking Ridge, in Morris county. In 1852 she accompanied her parents to Springfield, Illi- nois, where her father became superintendent of the woolen mill of Armstrong & Thayer, filling that position for about four years. He died in 1857 in that city at the age of forty-seven years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a great musician, a good vocalist and also leader of a band. In many ways he was a most thoroughgoing and useful citizen. His wife, who died in January, 1882, at the age of seventy-three years, was a member of the Presbyterian church.
Mrs. Dayton is the fifth in order of birth in the family of seven children, the others being as follows: Henry S., died at the age of twenty- one years: John H., enlisted in April, 1861, in the union army, as a member of Battery A. Third Illinois Light Artillery. He married Lizzie McCandless, who died in December, 1878, at the age of thirty-five years; Samuel R., enlisted in 1861, in the Tenth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and served three years. He was severely wound-
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ed by being thrown from a horse, and later was honorably discharged, but served for a time in the commissary department. He died in 1889, at the age of fifty-two years; Benjamin A., a resi- dent of Springfield, was for many years an en- gineer on the Wabash railroad, and served in that important capacity during the war. He also learned carpentering, which occupation he has followed more or less since that struggle. He married Margaret Manning; Nathaniel D., died in Springfield of cholera, at the age of six years; Robert B. died in New Jersey at the age of one year and two months.
Miss Mary. E. Gordon, a daughter of John H. and Lizzie (McCandless) Gordon, was adopted by Mrs. Dayton as her own child after the death of the child's mother, and has found a happy home with our subject and wife since the age of three months. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Dayton was Henry Stevens, who married Sarah, a daughter of the elder Cornelius Van- derbilt. Her grandfather Gordon was a Scotch- man, while her maternal ancestry were from Germany.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Dayton attend the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and for the past twelve years the former has been an ardent prohibi- tionist in politics. They have a home, the house being planned and erected by our subject, and they justly deserve the confidence which is so freely accorded them by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
JAMES H. SMALL is one of the honored and leading citizens of New Bedford, where he is serving as postmaster and notary public, and is also proprietor of a hotel and feed stable. A native of England, he was born in County Kent, April 18, 1831, a son of William Small, now de- ceased, whose birth also occurred in that coun- ty. With the hope of bettering his financial con- dition, our subject sailed for the new world in 1852, and on his arrival spent a short time in the country of the empire state, after which he returned to New York city, where for several
years he was employed in the distribution of pa- pers, handling the Tribune, Evening Post and others.
In 1857, Mr. Small came west to Bureau coun- ty, Illinois, locating at Dover, where for a year and a half he was in the employ of Dr. Robin- son, who assisted him in obtaining the office of postmaster of that place, in which capacity he served for seven years. At the same time he was also engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1867, he came to New Bedford, and in the fall of the same year was made postmaster, which office he most acceptably filled until 1873. He also served as assistant postmaster for John Scott from 1881 until 1884, and in 1889, under President Harri- son's administration, was again appointed post- master and is still holding that position to the satisfaction of all concerned. Since becoming an American citizen he has been an ardent sup- porter of the republican party, whose principles he stanchly advocates, and has taken a promi- nent part in local political affairs. For several years he served as town clerk in Dover and for many years in New Bedford. It was also the desire of his friends that he should become jus- tice of the peace, but he refused to accept the posi- tion. He is a public-spirited citizen, taking a deep interest in the welfare of his adopted coun- try and throughout Bureau county has made many warm friends.
In New York city Mr. Small was married, April II, 1855, the lady of his choice being Miss Ann Terry, also a native of Kent, England, who was his playmate during their childhood. She is a daughter of Philip Terry, now deceased, who brought his family to the United States in 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Small were born six children, four of whom are still living, namely: Horace H., a barber, of Princeton, Illinois: Julia J., now the wife of Albert Dodge. an attor- ney, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, by whom she has three children, Edith J., James H. and John B .; George E., a barber, of Harvey, Cook coun- ty, Illinois, who married Anna Stauffer. of New Bedford, and Charles F., of New Bedford, who married Lillie Peterson.
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A. M. PIERCE, M. D., of Wyoming, is one , of the successful and prominent physi- cians and surgeons of Stark county. One of the most exacting of all the higher lines of occupation to which a man may lend his ener- gies is that of the physician. A most scrupu- lous preliminary training is demanded and a nicety of judgment but little understood by the laity. Then, again, the profession brings its devotees into almost constant association with the sadder side of life - that of pain.and suffer- ing - so that a mind capable of self-control and a heart responsive and sympathetic are essential attributes of him who would essay the practice of the healing art. Thus when professional success is attained in any instance it may be taken as certain that such measure of success has been thoroughly merited.
The Doctor was born December 19, 1836, near Chillicothe, in Ross county, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Mary L. ( McDonald ) Pierce, who came west and located in Peoria county, Illinois, in 1847, but two years later took up their residence in Stark county. The boyhood and youth of our subject were princi- pally passed upon a farm, and in the common schools he obtained his primary education. He later attended school for a time at Gales- burg, Illinois, but was obliged to abandon his studies on account of failing health.
At the age of twenty-one he began reading medicine under Dr. J. B. Thomas, who was then a resident of Wyoming, but is now gov- ernor of the Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio. He later attended lectures at Rush Medical college, from which he was graduated with the class of 1861, and during the following year engaged in practice at Toulon.
On March 17, 1861, Dr. Pierce was united in marriage with Miss Mary W. Thomas, a sister of Dr. J. B. Thomas, his former preceptor, and a daughter of Isaac and Lydia Thomas. Three 26
children bless their union, as follows : Harry L., who graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, and was ad- mitted to the bar in various states, began newspaper reporting, but having a great love for music, he now gives his entire time and attention to that art. He makes his home in Spokane, Washington. Mary E., at home, also possesses excellent musical talent, and was educated in the art at Peoria, Illinois. Jerome T. is a graduate of the business college of Peoria.
In the spring of 1862 Dr. Pierce went south under the order of Governor Yates, acting as surgeon with the Army of the Southwest from the battle of Pea Ridge until the engagement at Helena, Arkansas. In November, 1862, he became ill and was obliged to return home, where he remained until early in the year 1864. He was then regularly mustered in as surgeon of the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the end of that year.
On his return north, Dr. Pierce located in Peoria, where he made his home until 1868, since which time he has been successfully engaged in practice at Wyoming, Stark county. While a resident of the former place he was a member of the Peoria County Medical Society, but since that time has not been identified with any professional organization. He voted for Abraham Lincoln for United States senator in 1858, and for president in 1860 and 1864, while his last presidential ballot was cast for William McKinley. He has always been a stanch republican in politics, and for many years has been a member of the board of trustees, of which he has served as president and which office he now holds. The only fraternal organization with which he holds membership is the Grand Army of the Republic, and he has frequently served as commander of
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his post. He holds an enviable position in the ranks of his professional brethren and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who how him.
N AAM B. LEIGH, residing on section 27, West Jersey township, Stark county, was born on the same farm, February 15, 1852, and is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of this region. His ancestors, on coming to the new world from England, first located in New Jersey, and for several generations they have been prominent in the affairs of that state. The great-grand- father of our subject, a native of New Jersey, served for three years in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war, and was major of his regiment. The birth of Daniel Leigh, the grandfather, occurred in Hunterdon county, New Jersey.
Samuel Leigh, the father of our subject, was born in 1808, in Warren county, New Jersey, where he grew to manhood and married Rachel Mitchell, a native of the same place. In 1836 they emigrated to Illinois, spending the first two years after their arrival in Fulton county, and then removing to Stark county, where the father is still living. His first purchase con- sisted of forty acres on section 27, West Jersey township; later he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, and eighty-five acres of timber land, eighty of which is in Peoria county. With his family he endured all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life; but as time passed the comforts of civilization were added to the home, and he became one of the most successful, prosperous and ener- getic farmers of the community. His present fine orchard of apple, pear, peach and cherry trees, he planted from the seed sent him by his father from New Jersey, and previous to the late war he erected the comfortable residence now occupied by the family. He is one of
the most highly respected and honored early settlers of Stark county, with whose interests he has now been identified for almost sixty years. His faithful wife, who was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, passed away on the 17th of August, 1887, and now lies buried in the West Jersey cemetery, where a substantial monument marks her last resting place.
Of the children born to Samuel and Rachel Leigh, three died in early childhood; Daniel married and settled in Stark county, where his death occurred in 1885; and George married and also died in Stark county in 1876. There are three still living-Sarah, wife of William Coleman, a farmer of Ross county, Indiana, whose home is near Chicago; Mary J., wife of Anson A. Young, a business man of Wyoming, Illinois, and N. B., of this review.
Like most farmer boys, our subject spent his early life in assisting in the labors of the fields and attending the district schools of the neighborhood. He never left the parental roof, and since attaining to man's estate he has assumed the management of the farm, which is a valuable tract of two hundred acres on sections 27 and 28, West Jersey township, and the well tilled fields and thrifty appear- ance of the place indicate his skill and ability in his chosen calling.
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