The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois, Part 66

Author: Clarke S. J. Publishing Company
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 788

USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 66
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 66
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 66
USA > Illinois > Stark County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 66

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On the IIth of September, 1878, in Stark county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Leigh and Miss Hannah Arabelle Young, a native of Andover, Sussex county, New Jersey, and a daughter of Michael Young, who was also born in the same state. There Mrs. Leigh was reared and educated. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, three of whom are yet living-Edna, Anna Viola and Laura-all attending the home school.

Politically, Mr. Leigh has always been a

505

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

stanch adherent of democratic principles, but has never aspired to office, preferring to give his exclusive attention to his agricultural and business interests. Fraternally, he affiliates with the West Jersey lodge, No. 234, I. O. O. F., and the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 1441, while religiously his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of West Jersey. In 1879 she spent several enjoyable weeks in visiting relatives and friends at her old home in New Jersey, and stopped at Hackettstown and various other cities and villages in Sussex, Hunterdon and Warren counties. Mr. Leigh has also visited the Leighs and Mitchells in that state.

JOHN FOWLER. Among the leading and influential farmers of Stark county who thoroughly understand their business, and pur- sue the vocation of their chosen calling in a methodical and workman-like manner, is the subject of this biography. He is the owner of one of the best farms in Toulon township, pleasantly located on section 4.

A native of Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, Mr. Fowler was born October 31, 1833, his parents being Brady and Rebecca (Wise- man) Fowler. The father was born in Phila- delphia, September 24, 1808, and was a son of Morris and Sarah (Bell) Fowler, and in 183 I was celebrated his marriage with Rebec- ca Wiseman, whose birth occurred in Cumber- land county, of the Keystone state, in 1806. In June, 1836, they emigrated westward, crossing the mountains to Pittsburg, and tak- ing a boat down the Ohio and up the Missis- sippi rivers to St. Louis. It was the intention of Mr. Fowler to locate in Missouri, but not liking the institution of slavery he boarded another boat and came to Peoria, Illinois, whence he proceeded to Osceola Grove, Stark county, and in Elmira township took up a

claim which he abandoned, and later secured five hundred and sixty acres of land, in Toulon township, a part of which he entered from the United States government. He and his wife were well known and highly respected pioneers of the county, and he was called upon to fill a number of official positions of honor and trust, being county treasurer and supervisor for sev- eral terms. He was one of the first county commissioners, helped lay out the county seat, and in every way proved a most useful and valued citizen in those early days. To all churches he contributed liberally, and his home was the stopping place for the ministers who came to preach the gospel to the pioneers. He is said to have kept a station on the under- ground railroad, and assisted many a slave on his way to Canada. His many sterling quali- ties and upright, honorable life secured for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he came in contact. On the 12th of November, 1889, he departed this life, and his wife had passed away previously, dying Oc- tober 14, 1882. She was reared in the Pres- byterian faith, to which she always adhered, and like her husband was greatly beloved and highly respected by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Their home was noted for its generous hospitality, and the kindly home feeling which at all times pervaded the family circle.

John Fowler is the second in order of birth in the family of eight children, the others being as follows: Jane B., wife of John Martin, of Goshen township, Stark county; Kirk H., who is living in Colorado; Jonathan W., who is married and living on a farm in Iowa; Mary, who died in 1847, at the age of seven years; Matilda, wife of Jeptha Mosher, of Nebraska; Sarah F., wife of Alexander McKinzie, of Tou- lon township, Stark county; and Mary, wife of John C. Mckenzie, of Toulon township. Of

506

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

this family seven grew to mature years and are still living.

Since old enough to aid in the work of the home farm, Mr. Fowler, of this review, has turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and for the past sixty years has been an hon- ored resident of Stark county, living in all these years in sight of his present home. He has a valuable farm of four hundred and eighty acres, all well improved and under a high state of cultivation. It is beautifully located on a high and rolling prairie, four and a half miles north- east of the county seat, and is supplied with a comfortable and commodious dwelling, large and convenient barns with sufficient shed room for his stock, and in fact is equipped with all the conveniences and accessories found upon a model farm of the nineteenth century. The principal crops which he raises are corn and oats.

As a companion and helpmate on life's jour- ney, Mr. Fowler chose Miss Sarah E. Norris, a native of Tazewell county, Illinois, and their marriage was celebrated July 3, 1861. Her parents, Silas and Ann M. Norris, were natives of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and on coming to Illinois first located in Tazewell county, but later took up their residence in Stark county, where they reared their six children, of whom Mrs. Fowler is the eldest. The others are John E., a farmer of Bureau county, Illinois; Harriet S., wife of Amos Fleming, a farmer of Iowa; George A., also an agriculturist of Iowa; Amelia, wife of Charles E. Stebbins, a farmer of the Hawkeye State; and Mary J., deceased. Four children grace the union of our subject and wife, namely: Oliver W., who married Sarah Paul, and is a farmer of Toulon town- ship, Stark county; and Tillie E., Courtney D. and Maggie A., at home. The parents and children are all faithful members of the Pres- byterian church, of Elmira.

Mr. Fowler uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the re- publican party as a general thing, but believes in voting for the best man regardless of party affiliations. He has never aspired to office, but has filled in a very satisfactory manner the position of supervisor for several terms, and has been a school director most of the time since attaining his majority. Public-spirited and enterprising, he keeps fully abreast with the times, and gives his assistance to all enter- prises which he believes for the good of the community or for the betterment of mankind.

C. A. BUFFUM. Among the young and

· energetic business men of Stark coun- ty is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, a member of the firm of Buffum Brothers, of La Fayette. He was born on the 30th of January, 1870, in Goshen township, the same county, where his parents, Emery S. and Anna L. (Himes) Buffum, still reside, their farm being two miles north of La Fay- ette. The father was born in Rock Island, Illinois, and during the dark days of the Civil war, he enlisted in 1861, in Company B, Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Pea Ridge he was seriously in- jured, and was honorably discharged after two years of faithful service. He has ever taken quite a prominent and active part in public af- fairs, serving his fellow citizens in the capacity of supervisor, justice of the peace, and fre- quently as delegate to the county, district and . state conventions. His father, Abel C. Buffum, is still living at the ripe old age of eighty years, making his home in California, but his mother, Lucinda (Pease) Buffum, died when he was an infant.

The mother of our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, but when only four years of age

507

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was brought by her father, Charles Himes, to Stark county, Illinois, where she has since made her home. She is an earnest, concien- tious Christian, very active in all church work, and is a prominent member of the Relief Corps and Daughters of Rebekah. In all enterprises and organizations which promise for the bet- terment of mankind, she takes a deep and commendable interest.

Eleven children were born to Emery S. and Anna L. Buffum, six sons and five daughters, but two of the latter are now deceased-Bertia L. and Nellie, who died at the age of twelve and fourteen years, respectively. Those liv- ing are Laura, wife of Simeon Dunbar, a farmer residing in the Missouri valley, Harri- son county, Iowa; C. A., of this sketch; Ed- win E., the partner of our subject; Clara, wife of Fred Janes, of Goshen township, Stark county; Elmer, George, Perry, Roy and May.

C. A. Buffum obtained his education in the public schools of Goshen township and La Fayette, and subsequently took a course in Elliott's Business college, in Burlington, Iowa. He remained upon the home farm, assisting in its labors until 1894, when he bought out the grocery firm of Grant & Redfield, in La Fay- ette, where he has since successfully en- gaged in business. On the 3d of December, 1895, his brother became a member of the firm, and the name was changed from C. A. Buffum to Buffum Brothers. To the original stock they have added men's furnishing goods, and now carry a full and complete line of gro- ceries, queensware, crockery and men's fur- nishing goods. In December, 1895, they erected their present substantial store build- ing, buying the lot of D. J. Hurd, whose store had been destroyed by fire sometime since. They are progressive, energetic and industrious young men, and by their fair and honorable dealing and courteous treatment of customers

have secured a liberal share of the public pat- ronage.

On the 6th of. December, 1893, was cele- brated the marriage of C. A. Buffum and Miss A. Fern Smith, a daughter of Austin and Sarah Smith, of Knox county, Illinois. Her father is a native of New York, but her mother was born in this state, and after their marriage they lived in Henry, Illinois, until 1860, when they located upon their present farm in Knox county. They have four children, as follows: Dr. May C. is a graduate of the Ann Arbor Dental College, and now successfully practices her profession in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Ruth B., a lady of fine scholarship and literary at- tainments, is successfully engaged in teaching in Carlisle, Illinois. A. Fern, wife of our sub- ject, pursued her studies in the public schools of Galva and at Knox college, and completed her musical education at Eureka college. She also successfully followed the teacher's pro- fession before her marriage. Charles, the youngest of the family, is still at home. The mother, who has reached the age of sixty years, is a consistent member of the Christian church. The father is now seventy-four years of age. Being a cripple he was unable to enter the Union army, but remained at home en- gaged in farm work and took care of his moth- er, who lived to the extreme old age of one hundred years.

Two children bless the union of our subject and his wife-Harry Austin and Thurlyne. The parents are both active and prominent members of the Christian church, in which Mr. Buffum is serving as elder. In politics he is an ardent republican, and for the past three presidential campaigns has been a member of a glee club. Possessing musical talent of a high order, he has been chosen president of the La Fayette band, a position he is now ac- ceptably filling.

508

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Edwin E. Buffum, the brother of our sub- ject, married Miss Ida Jones, a daughter of Samuel and Martha Jones, of La Fayette, and they have become the parents of one child, Verna May. They hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Buffum is identified with the republican party, and socially, affiliates with the Knights of the Maccabees.

W ILLIAM E. NIXON, editor and pub- lisher of the Post-Herald, Wyoming, Illinois, is a native of Stark county, born in Toulon, November 14, 1859. He is a son of Edward and Margaret (Kenney) Nixon, both of whom were natives of what is now West Vir- ginia. In their childhood they accompanied their parents, who formed part of a colony, from Hampshire county, West Virginia, to Illinois. This was in 1837, and the parents located in Peoria county, where the two grew to manhood and womanhood, and in 1852 were united in marriage.

Edward Nixon, in his youth, learned the trade of a carpenter, but much of his early life was spent on a farm, and like all boys in pio- neer times, he was required to do his full share of the work of developing a new country. In 1854 he removed with his family to Toulon, Stark county, where, for a few years, he en- gaged in merchandizing, and then returned to his trade, at which he continued until his death in May, 1883. He was a man of exemplary character, an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, one whose life and heart was devoted to the cause. Politically, he was an uncompromising republican from the forma- tion of the party, ever taking an active interest in political affairs, though never seeking official position. His good wife, who is likewise a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a thorough and conscientious Christian

woman, yet survives, and makes her home in Toulon. Of their four children, three sons yet survive. One daughter is deceased.

William E. Nixon, our subject, grew to manhood in his native town, and was educated in its public schools, supplemented by a thor- ough training in what is known as the " poor man's college"-the printing office. When but fifteen years of age he entered the office of The New Era, at Toulon, as an apprentice, and continued with that paper until its sus- pension. He then worked in various offices in the county until 1880, when he established the Stark County Sentinel, at Toulon, which he published for nearly three years and then sold to J. Knox Hall. Soon after this he com- menced the publication of the Tri-Weekly Call, at Toulon, which, after continuing for nearly a year, he sold out, and the office was removed to Peoria.

After disposing of the Call, Mr. Nixon went to Wyoming and accepted a position in the of- fice of the Post-Herald, and in 1889, in com- pany with J. M. Newton, purchased the office and continued the publication of the paper. Some three years later he purchased Mr. New- ton's interest, since which time he has con- tinued alone in its publication. The Post- Herald is a seven-column quarto and is one of the neatest papers in the state. In point of circulation it is at the head in Stark county, and its columns are extensively used by live advertisers at home and abroad. A ready writer, and one who has grown up with the business, Mr. Nixon endeavors to get up a good local paper and his success is unques- tioned.

On the 30th of November, 1882, Mr. Nixon was united in marriage with Miss Lottie R. Brace, a daughter of Orlando and Lucy (Hud- son) Brace, of Stark county. Her father served during the war as a member of the

509

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

One Hundred and Twenty-fourth regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry; and for twenty years was treasurer of the county, and since his retirement from that office has been the efficient superintendent of the county farm. Three children have blessed this union-Ed- ward B., Grace F., and Paul O., all of whom are yet under the parental roof.

Mr. Nixon is a supporter of the Congrega- tional church, of which his wife is a devoted member. Fraternally he is a member of Wy- oming Lodge, No. 479, F. & A. M., in which he has passed all the chairs, and has been worshipful master five years. He is also a member of Wyoming Chapter, No. 133, R. A. M., and of Mollie Stark Camp, No. 234, M. W. A. Politically, he is a republican, with which party he has been connected since at- taining his majority, and in his paper, the Post-Herald, he has given no uncertain sound in behalf of the principles of that party. For three years he served as village clerk of Wy- oming, and for the same length of time was a member of the school board. No enterprise for the good of his town and county but finds in him an earnest friend and hearty supporter.

G EORGE M. WRIGHT, insurance agent, notary public and conveyancer of Castle- ton, Illinois, was born on the 5th of October, 1847, in Orange county, Vermont, of which state his parents, Hale G. and Margaret M. Wright, were also natives. The former was of Irish and Welsh extraction, and the latter of Scotch descent. The father engaged in car- pentering, cabinet-making and contracting in Vermont, but in 1850 brought his family to Illinois, and for two years engaged in farming in Elmira township, Stark county. He then removed to a farm in Neponset township, Bureau county, which he operated for a few years, and then went to the village of Nepon-

set, where he worked at his trade until making his home with our subject on a farm in Stark county. He died at the age of seventy-seven years and his wife passed away at the age of eighty. They were both consistent members of the Congregational church and highly re- spected by all who knew them. Their four children are as follows : Charles D., who was a druggist of Newton, Iowa, and died at the age of fifty years; Alma J., who became the wife of Edward P. Wright, and died near Afton, Iowa; Elizabeth J., wife of C. P. Lewis, of Agency, Iowa; and George M.

Our subject obtained his education in the common schools of Illinois, mostly in Nepon- set, and began his business career as a house painter. For two years he held a position as a painter in the shops at Burlington, Iowa, but in 1876 returned to Neponset, where he engaged in clerking for nearly two years. He then purchased a farm in the north part of Stark county, which he operated until 1884, when he removed to Castleton, where he has since successfully engaged in his present busi- ness. He has capably filled a number of minor offices to which he has been elected, including those of collector and school director.

On the 29th of December, 1869, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Wright and Miss Amanda E. Bunnell, a native of Pennsylvania, as was also her father, Benjamin Bunnell. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wright are active and prominent members of the Methodist Episco- pal church of Castleton, with which he has been officially connected, and she is now serv- ing as steward. She obtained her education at Evanston, Illinois, and is a lady of culture and refinement.

Since reaching a sufficient age, Mr. Wright has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being initiated in the Kewa- nee lodge, and afterward becoming a charter

510

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

member of both the Neponset and Castleton lodges. For many years he has served as secretary of the lodge at the last place, has passed all the chairs in the local order and been a representative to the grand lodge. Both he and his wife have taken the Rebekah de- grees. They have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances throughout Stark county, and are held in the highest regard by all who know them. In politics, Mr. Wright is an ardent republican.

W ILLIAM LEET, deceased, was for many years a well-known banker and business man of Bradford, one whose personal acquaint- ance throughout Stark and adjoining counties was equal to, if not greater than, that of any person residing in the county. He was a na- tive of Connecticut, born in Chester, October 20, 1827, and was the son of Samuel W. and Anna Leet, both of whom were natives of the same state. His ancestry is traced back to William Leete, who came from England in 1639, and who filled many offices of trust, being governor of the New Haven colony, and after the union of that colony with the colony of Connecticut, was governor of the latter, which position he filled continuously until his death in 1683.

But little is known of the boyhood of our subject. His parents were in very limited cir- cumstances, and when quite young he went to live with a Mr. Jones, of his native town, and served as a chore boy. He accompanied Mr. Jones to Illinois in 1841, and remained with him on his farm in Trivola township, near Elmwood, Peoria county, some four or five years. The treatment received from his em- ployer becoming unbearable, he left and worked for other persons until he secured enough to pay passage for his return east. Having had a taste of western life, he was dissatisfied with

his New England home, and again returned to Illinois. In some way he was attracted to Milo township, Bureau county, and he there en- gaged with a farmer for ten dollars per month. His first month's wages were promptly paid, but on the expiration of the second month his employer told him that he could not pay him. "Very well," said Mr. Leet; "give me your note for the amount due. I want my money to be earning something as well as my hands."

As a boy Mr. Leet showed none of that trait of character which so distinguished him in after life. In fact, his employer, Mr. Jones, told him he was a worthless fellow and would never be able to earn his living. The incident related above marked but the beginning of what ever afterward was the ruling spirit of his life-the determination to accumulate and succeed in all his undertakings. When he was able to buy out Mr. Jones three or four times over he took pleasure in calling his attention to his estimate of him so freely expressed.

No educational advantages were given our subject, and it is doubtful if in his entire life he spent six months in the schoolroom. But he was possessed of a large amount of com- mon sense and Yankee shrewdness, and his remarkable successful career is but another illustration of what may be accomplished, even though the environments may not be of the best. Too much stress is laid by many for their failures by ascribing it to the influences with which they were surrounded. But Will- iam Leet, the poor boy, exiled from home and the tender and loving care of parents, while yet in his boyhood, rose above his surround- ings and set a worthy example to coming generations.

As soon as his accumulations were sufficient Mr. Leet made his first purchase of land, con- sisting of eighty acres of wild prairie in Milo township. This land he at once began to im-

WM. LEET.

MRS. HELEN LEET.

513

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

prove, but later sold to Andrew Britton, and purchased three hundred and twenty acres on section 33, which became the old home place. Early in the spring of 1854 Mr. Wilcox came to Milo township and rented a portion of the Leet farm. In his family was a young lady, Miss Helen Spear, a native of England, who was brought by her parents in infancy to this country. Her mother having died a few months after her arrival, she was kept in the families of different persons until she was about four and a half years old, when she was taken and reared by Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox. Mr. Leet was at once attracted by this young lady, and after an acquaintance of but a few months they were united in marriage, August 29, 1854. By this union eight children were born, three of whom died in infancy. The living are: (1) Mary J., wife of Rev. J. C. Stoughton, of Au- rora, a noted minister of the Methodist Epis- copal church, belonging to the Rock River conference, who was instrumental in founding the State university at Champaign, and also the Jennings seminary of Aurora, and is widely and favorably known throughout central and northern Illinois. (2) Frank M., who married Lida Lenton, of Audubon, Iowa, and has two children-Helen and William. (3) Rosa, now the wife of Robert Thompson, of Bradford, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this vol- ume; they have two children-Claude R. and William L. (4) Anna L., wife of Asmus Boy- sen, of Manning, Iowa, by whom she has three children-Allen, Helena and Anna. Mr. Boy- sen is a land agent and dealer, owning con- siderable land in Arkansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota, with his main office in Chi- cago. (5) George Keller, who is unmarried, resides in Aurora.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Leet had accumulated about twenty thousand dollars and was considered a wealthy man. But this

was but the beginning. His aim was still higher. Industrious as the day was long, he gave himself little rest. While yet residing on the farm it was his custom to be up long before day, and seldom did he retire until late in the night. Some years before the war he erected a warehouse in Henry, Marshall county, and commenced the purchase of grain, shipping to Chicago and other markets. Although his farm was twenty miles away, when the roads were at all passable he drove to and from each day. His success here was remarkable.

Soon after the war Mr. Leet commenced buying and shipping grain from Bradford, and until his removal to the village, in 1873, he rode in daily from his farm, returning in the evening. For some years he not only con- trolled the grain market of Bradford, but at Castleton, Duncan and Lombardville, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. When business was rushing he would not stop to write checks for grain purchased, but would tear off the corner of an envelope, letter head or take even a piece of brown paper, jot down the weight and price and tell the seller to take it to the bank and get his money. When the cashier would remonstrate with him and tell him to write regular checks, he would reply: "You know my figures, and you know my signature ; that is enough." They were paid.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois, Part 66

Author: Clarke S. J. Publishing Company Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 788

Author: Clarke S. J. Publishing Company
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 788