The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois, Part 77

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 77
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 77
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 77
USA > Illinois > Stark County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 77

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).

Mr. Webster has been twice married, first in 1868, when he wedded Miss Ora E. Smith, a native of Stark county and a daughter of Daniel P. Smith, a pioneer of the county. She died in 1869. On the 16th of March, 1876, Mr. Webster led to the marriage altar Miss Margaret Craig, who was born in Mary- land, near the city of Baltimore, and is a daughter of William Craig, a native of Scot-

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land, where his marriage was celebrated. On coming to the new world, at the age of twenty, he located in Maryland, and in 1861 moved to Knox county, Illinois,, settling near Abingdon, where he spent his last years upon a farm. At the time of her arrival in Illinois, Mrs. Webster was but five years old, and she was reared and educated in Knox county. Five children grace our subject's second union. namely: Robert Oliver, Francis Marion, Net- tie Maud, David Ray and James Henry, all at- tending school.

Since casting his first presidential ballot for General Grant in 1868, Mr. Webster has been identified with the republican party, but has never aspired to official distinction. Religiously, he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church of West Jersey, and socially he affiliates with the Odd Fellows lodge of that place, in which he has filled all the chairs and is now past grand. His honor- able, straightforward career has gained him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has come in contact either in a business or social way, and his friends are many through- out Stark and adjoining counties.

JAMES D. WEBSTER was also born on the old homestead in West Jersey town- ship, November 30, 1846, and never left the parental roof, aiding his brothers in its cultiva- tion until after the mother's death, since which time it has been his property. He has made some substantial improvements upon the place, has purchased more land until he now has two hundred and forty-eight acres, all under a high state of cultivation, and has erected a large and comfortable residence as well as good outbuildings. He is an industrious, thrifty farmer, and through his own untiring efforts has become one of the substantial and well-to-do citizens of the county.

In Knox county, Illinois, February 5, 1874,

was celebrated the marriage of James D. Webster and Miss Mary C. Craig, a native of Maryland, who came with her brother, Will- iam Craig, to Illinois, settling in Knox county, where she grew to womanhood. She departed this life on the 30th of March, 1896, leaving five children, namely: Homer, who is now assisting in the operation of the farm; May Bell, Keith, Don O. and Claudius R., who are attending school. The first born, a daughter, died in infancy.

Like his brother, James D. Webster is a re- publican in politics and has never cared for office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests, but being interested in education he has served as a school director in his district. In religious be- lief he is a Methodist, and socially is a promi- nent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being past grand of the lodge of West Jersey, which he has also represented in the grand lodge of the state. He is one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of the county, and is widely and favorably known.

JOSEPH CHASE, the present efficient cir- J cuit clerk of Stark county, was for years classed among the leading and representative agriculturists of Stark county. He yet owns one of the most desirable farms in Essex town- ship, and its neat and thrifty appearance plainly indicates the owner to be a man of in- dustrious habits, energetic and enterprising.

Mr. Chase was born on the 28th of October, 1854, four miles from the city of Toulon, in the township of the same name. His parents, Peleg and Fanny M. (Taber) Chase, were born, reared and married in Saratoga county, New York, whence they came to Illinois in the fall of 1853, and took up their residence upon the farm where our subject's birth occurred, which at that time was only partially improved.

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They endured many of the hardships, trials and privations incident to pioneer life, but overcame all obstacles and succeeded in mak- ing a good home. In his native state the fa- ther had followed milling, but here turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. His interests centered around his home, and he gave but little time to public affairs. In religious be- lief he was a Baptist, holding membership with the church at Toulon. His death oc- curred October 21, 1871, at the age of forty-one years. The mother is still a resident of Tou- lon, and is now the wife of Josiah Higgins. Our subject is the younger of two sons, the other being John, a carpenter, who erected the new academy in Toulon, where he has made his home since 1890. He wedded Mary C. Bowman, of Nebraska, where he lived for several years, while he also made his home in Kansas for some time.

In the common schools of Stark county, Joseph Chase began his education, but later attended the Westfield college, at Westfield, Illinois, and subsequently Hedding College, at Abingdon, Illinois. On the 23d of February, 1876, he led to the marriage altar Miss Sarah A. Rist, a daughter of Martin and Elizabeth ( Myers) Rist. Her father, a native of Penn- sylvania, came to Illinois in the fall of 1856, and is still living near Toulon, but the mother is deceased, dying October 17, 1867, at the age of thirty-three years. She was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In her family were four children - John W., a resident of Toulon, who married Alice Goodale ; Irvin, who died at the age of four and a-half years ; Sarah A., now Mrs. Chase ; and Rev. Franklin, who married Alda B. Christy, of Toulon, and is now a Methodist minister of Pennington's Point, Illinois. He has been a member of the Central Illinois conference for about five years. The father of these children

was again married June 28, 1868, his second union being with Mrs. Elizabeth ( Shaw ) Mor- ris, who died January 12, 1897. From this union were born three children - Onetta, wife of Murdo Leitch, a farmer of Stark county ; Rev. Benjamin, a member of the Rock River conference, located at Antioch, Illinois, who married Grace Owen ; and Mary E., at home.

After his marriage Mr. Chase began farming and for five years engaged in that pursuit dur- ing the summer season, while in the winter he followed teaching. In 1890 he was elected county clerk of Stark county, which office he acceptably filled for four years, and on his re- tirement again took up agricultural pursuits. He has also been a member of the town board for four years, and on the 30th of March, 1896, received the nomination of the repub- lican party for circuit clerk and at the Novem- ber election following was elected by a large majority. Every duty that devolves upon him, whether public or private, is discharged with the utmost fidelity and promptness, and he has therefore won the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has come in con- tact.

Mr. and Mrs. Chase have nine children - Bertha L., a graduate of the high schools of Toulon, who will also complete the course at the academy in 1897 ; Fannie A., Jennie E., Onetta M., Martin R., Wilbur P., Helen, Pauline and Joseph H. The family is one of prominence, holding a high position in the social circles of the community and enjoying the esteem of a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. The parents are both active and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Chase is steward. He is an honored member of the Odd Fellows' lodge, of Toulon, in which he has passed all the chairs, and is now holding the office of treasurer. For the past few years he has

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taken quite an active and prominent part in political affairs, and is a recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party of this com- munity.

R OBERT STEER, formerly an enterprising and successful farmer of Stark county, but now in business in Kewanee, Henry county, Illinois, while yet owning one hundred and sixty acres of fine land two and one-half miles southwest of Wyoming, was born on the 26th of May, 1860, near Peoria, in Peoria county, Illi- nois, a son of Thomas and Grace (Mitchell) Steer, who are now spending their declining days in Wyoming, enjoying that peace and re- tirement that should always follow long and useful careers.

The father first saw the light in Winkley, Devonshire, England, March 18, 1817, his parents being William and Mary (Sampson) Steer, who spent their entire lives in that country, the former surviving his wife for about two years, and the remains of both were in- terred in the parish of Winkley. By occupa- tion William Steer was a farmer and cattle dealer. As a boy the father of our subject worked on the home farm, his labors leaving him little time to obtain an education. At the age of twenty-one he began learning the tailor's trade, paying nine pounds for the privilege, and during his four years' apprenticeship re- ceiving no wages. Just before the expiration of his term he was married, November 7, 1841, to Miss Grace Mitchell, who was also born in Winkley parish, October 20, 1821, and is a daughter of John and Grace (Mills) Mitchell. For the next few years he worked at his trade in the adjoining parish of Ringcash.

nishing his own help. He was quite successful in this venture, but lost over fifteen hundred dollars by not receiving money that was due him. Later he followed farming for eleven years in Peoria county, and then came to Stark county, where he operated rented land for seven years, but on the expiration of that period purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres for nine thousand dollars, selling the same on his removal to Wyoming in 1892 for thirteen thousand dollars. He owns a comfortable home in the village, and is now en -· joying a well-earned rest free from the cares and responsibilities of business life. On be- coming an American citizen he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has since been a pronounced republican in politics. In re- ligious belief he is a Methodist, and as a citizen he merits and receives the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.

In the family are nine children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: John, born January 30, 1844; Anna, March 24, 1845; Mary Ann, February 11, 1849; William, Jan- uary 26, 1852; Thomas, September 26, 1854; James H., May 10, 1856; Elon, November 30, 1857; Robert, May 26, 1860; and Rachel, November 17, 1862. The first four were born in England.

In the public schools of Illinois Robert Steer obtained a good, practical education, and at the age of twenty-two he started out in life for himself as an agriculturist. On the 8th of March, 1882, he led to the marriage altar Miss Emma Wright, who was born and reared and educated in Penn township, Stark county, and is a daughter of John C. and Rachel (Poague) Wright. Two children have blessed their union-Fred, born August 21, 1883, and Nina, born August 24, 1887.

In 1854, with his family, Thomas Steer sailed for the new world, and on arriving in America located in Peoria county, Illinois, where for The young couple began their domestic life seven years he engaged in burning lime, fur- upon a farm in Penn township, near his father's

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place, but afterward made their home in Mar- shall county for seven years. Returning to Stark county in 1892, Mr. Steer purchased the old homestead of his father, but after operat- ing it for two years he sold the place for fifteen thousand dollars, thus realizing two thousand dollars on the investment. He met with ex- cellent success in his agricultural pursuits, but desiring a change has gone into business in Kewanee. His first presidential vote was cast for James G. Blaine in 1884, he being, like his father, an ardent republican. He is a consist- ent and faithful member of the Pleasant Val- ley Methodist Protestant church in Penn town- ship, and his sterling worth and many excellent traits of character have gained him many warm friends.

W ILLIAM TURNBULL, an industrious and thrifty farmer residing on section 16, Elmira township, Stark county, where he owns two hundred and twenty acres of valua- ble land, was born on the 29th of December, 1838, in Ross-shire, Scotland, a son of Will- iam and Mary (Harvey) Turnbull, also natives

of that country. The father's birth occurred in Dumfries-shire about 1798, and, after reach- ing manhood, he was interested in sheep-rais- ing in his native land for a number of years. With his family, in 1849, he left Glasgow on a sailing vessel bound for Quebec, Canada, and from there proceeded by the lakes to Chicago, by canal to Peru, Illinois, and on to Stark county, where he joined two brothers, who had located here some twelve years previously. Purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, he built a snug little frame house, and with the assistance of his sons began to break, fence and cultivate his land, which he soon transformed into one of the best farms of the locality. There his last days were passed,

dying July 12, 1882, at the ripe old age of al- most eighty-five years. His wife had passed away some years previously, dying February 17, 1873, and both were laid to rest in the El- mira cemetery.

In the family of this worthy couple were seven sons and four daughters, who were born in Dumfries-shire and Ross-shire, Scotland, and came to the new world with their parents. In order of birth they were as follows: Robert; George, who died soon after reaching this country ; James, a substantial farmer of Bureau county, Illinois; John H., whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this volume; Alexander, an agriculturist of Bureau county; William T., of this sketch; Thomas, a farmer of Missouri; Ellen, who became the wife of Andrew Oliver, but both are now deceased; Elizabeth, wife of William Oliver, of Henry county, Illinois; Margaret, who wedded William E. Turnbull, of Stark county, but is now deceased; and Stephana, deceased wife of David Murray, of Stark county.

Mr. Turnbull was a lad of eleven years when he arrived in Stark county in the fall of 1849, and in the development and cultivation of the home farm he bore an important part, as he never left the parental roof and assumed the management of the place after reaching man- hood, caring for his father in his declining years. As soon as old enough he began attend- ing the common schools of Scotland, and con- tinued his studies after coming to this country, so that he is now a well informed man. He has remodeled and added to the residence and other buildings standing upon the farm, mak- ing it one of the best improved places of the community, and he is recognized as a skillful and thorough farmer as is evidenced by the thrifty appearance of his place.

In Stark county, March 9, 1866, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Turnbull and Miss

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Catherine McLennan, who was born at Loch Karran, Ross-shire, Scotland, and when a child of five years came to America with her parents, John H. and Mary (Mckenzie) McLennan, also natives of that shire. They sailed on the same vessel with the Turnbull family and both located in Elmira township. In the McLen- nan family were nine children, of whom Mrs. Turnbull and a brother were born in Scotland, while the births of the others occurred in Stark county. The father spent his last years upon the farm which he here opened up, passing away in October, 1894, at about the age of eighty years; but his wife still resides on the old homestead, with a son, and although seven- ty-five years of age still enjoys good health.

To Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull have been born seven children, namely: George, now a farm- er of Henry county, Illinois, who wedded Mary Mckenzie, of Stark county, and has three children; John W., a farmer of Stark county, who married Margaret Murray, daughter of Hon. George Murray; James Arthur, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Henry coun- ty; Edwin and David, who assist in operating the home farm; and Mary Ellen and Alexan- der, who are attending the local school.

In his political views, Mr. Turnbull is an ar- dent republican, having always supported that party since voting for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, but has never cared for the honors or emolu- ments of public office. He and his estimable wife are earnest, conscientious Christian people, faithful members of the United Presbyterian church of Elmira, and Mr. Turnbull served as trustee for several years of the old Knox church. They give their encouragement to all objects tending to benefit the community or ad- vance the general welfare. He is a true and loyal citizen of his adopted country and well deserves the high regard in which he is univer- sally held. '

C ARLON RICE, an active, enterprising and successful agriculturist residing on section 27, Goshen township, Stark county, two miles and a half west of Toulon, is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land. He comes of an old Pennsylvania family, which on coming to the new world first located near Philadelphia, and his birth occurred in Mercer county, that state, November 9, 1842. His father, William Rice, and his grandfather, James Rice, were both born in that state, and there spent their entire lives. The former wedded Mary Carlon, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, whose father was of Irish birth. They located upon a farm in Mercer county, which he developed from the wilderness, and there they reared their family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, namely: James, who is married and resides in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania; Robert, who is married and lives in Newcastle, that state, where he is engaged in contracting and building; Hiram, who mar- ried and reared a family, but is now deceased; Elizabeth, who died unmarried; Hannah F., who still resides on the old homestead in Mer- cer county; Charilla W., who married, but is now deceased; Carlon, of this sketch; and Newton B., who owns and operates the old homestead. The father was a successful farm- er and prominent man of his township, being elected to several local positions of honor and trust. He was also an active member and officer in the Presbyterian church. His death occurred in December, 1883, and his wife passed away in 1885.

Mr. Rice, of this review, spent his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farmer boys, aiding in the labors of the fields and at- tending the common schools in the neighbor- hood. In 1861 he was a student in the Har- lansburg Academy, but while home on his vacation in August, 1862, he enlisted in Com-

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pany A, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, Sixth Army Corps, F. H. Collier being the regimental commander. Our subject entered the service as private, but was promoted to second sergeant. The organ- ization of the regiment was effected at Camp Howe, September 1, 1862, and on that day started for the seat of war. It was the first three-year regiment filled in the state under the president's second call. The first task performed by the One Hundred and Thirty- ninth was a very melancholy and historic one -the burial of our dead on the second Bull Run battle-field, which had lain exposed to the torrid rays of the sun for ten days. The regiment proceeded thither under a flag of truce by permission of the rebel authorities. Seventeen hundred and ninety-nine bodies were buried. On September 10 the regiment joined Major Couch's division of the Sixth Corps, Howe's Brigade, and was in reserve at Antietam. This brigade made the celebrated march of thirty-six miles in sixteen hours from Manchester, Maryland, to Gettysburg, Penn- sylvania, and was thrown immediately into the second day's battle at Gettysburg, the brigade being the only one in the Sixth Corps actually engaged with the enemy that evening. Among the other engagements in which Mr. Rice par- ticipated were those of Fredericksburg, Salem Church, Culpeper Court House, Orange Court House, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, where Mr. Rice received a gunshot in the right arm near the shoulder, which disa- bled him for further duty. For three or four months he lay in the hospital, rejoining his regiment in front of Petersburg, and later took part in the capture of Richmond. He was also present at Lee's surrender to Grant at Appo- mattox, but reached Washington too late to participate in the grand review. In that city

he was honorably discharged and mustered out in June, 1865.

Returning home, Mr. Rice worked with his brother in the Newcastle glass factory for about two years, but in the spring of 1869 came to Stark county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for a short time, and then returned to Newcastle, Pennsylvania, being there employed in a sash and door factory for one year. In the winter of 1874 he went to California and Oregon, spending one year on the Pacific slope, but since the spring of 1876 has made his home in Stark county, Illinois.

In Toulon, on the 19th of March, 1878, Mr. Rice was united in marriage with Miss Lillian Potter, who was born in Stark county, but re- ceived the greater part of her education at the high school in Princeville, Peoria county, and in that county she successfully engaged in teaching previous to her marriage. Her par- ents, Joseph and Joanna Potter, were natives of Ohio and Stark county, Illinois, respectively. Three sons grace the union of our subject and his wife-Harold, Rollin and Alvin, all attend- ing school.

After his marriage Mr. Rice operated the Potter farm in Goshen township for six years, then purchased a farm in West Jersey town- ship, where he made his home for eight years, and in the spring of 1892 bought and located upon his present place, comprising one hun- dred and sixty acres of valuable land, to which he has since added an eighty-acre tract. It is well improved, being one of the most desira- ble farms of the locality. Reared a democrat, Mr. Rice still uses his right of franchise in support of the principles of that party, was twice elected supervisor from West Jersey township, and for several years has been an efficient member of the school board, doing all in his power to promote the cause of public education. His wife is a member of the Con-

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gregational church of Toulon, and he holds membership in W. W. Wright Post, No. 327, G. A. R., of the same city. Their sterling worth and upright lives have gained them the confidence of the entire community, and they enjoy the respect and esteem of all.

F 'REDERICK W. STEPHENSON, vice- president of the E. W. Houghton Lumber company, of Wyoming, Illinois, belongs to the goodly array of progressive business men in that thriving town, and his ability, enterprise and upright methods have already established for him an enviable reputation. Although he is still a young man comparatively, his popu- larity is established on a firm basis-that of his own well-tested merit.

A native of Illinois, Mr. Stephenson was born October 23, 1863, in Oneida, Knox county, and is a son of William and Susan (Cornish) Stephenson. The father was born in Scotland, at Creton on the Wigton Bay, and when about seventeen years of age came to America with his father, James Stephenson, who located in Knox county, Illinois, in 1850, and engaged in farming there until his death. In his native land the father of our subject had learned the stone-cutter's trade, but here turned his attention to agriculture, and is still living upon his farm near Oneida at the age of sixty-five years. His wife, a native of Christ- Church, England, also came with her parents to the United States in early life and located in Knox county, where their marriage was cele- brated. She departed this life in 1882. Our subject is the younger of the two children of the family, the other being Elizabeth, the wife of John F. McCulloch, of Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, by whom she has two children, Jessie and Mark.

Mr. Stephenson, of this review, was reared

upon the home farm, and during his boyhood and youth obtained an excellent education, graduating from the Oneida high school in the class of 1880, and pursuing his studies for one year in Knox College, at Galesburg, Illinois. On the completion of his education he taught a country school in Knox county for one fall and winter, and then accepted a position with the Walworth & Reed Lumber Company, of Chicago, taking charge of a lumber-yard at Arcadia, Nebraska. During the two years and a half he was in their employ he was located at different places, as they had a chain of forty or fifty yards. After the firm sold out he re- turned to Illinois, taking up his residence in Wyoming, and in the spring of 1887 he took charge of the lumber-yards here. When it was organized as a stock company he became interested in the business, was made a director and has served as vice-president since 1892. To some extent he has also invested in real estate in Wyoming and has been instrumental in putting up a number of dwellings, and thus materially advanced the interests of the town.

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The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois, Part 77

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