USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 81
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 81
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 81
USA > Illinois > Stark County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 81
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at his residence, and he was a man of good business ability and sterling worth.
Our subject is one of a family of ten children, who in order of birth are as follows: Helen, wife of John T. Thornton, who was for some time a farmer of Elmira township, but is now a business man and editor at Farragut, Page county, Iowa; Mary L., who is the widow of Asa Bunton and a resident of Kewanee, Illi- nois; Lucy C., widow of Thomas Robinson, and a resident of Kewanee: Carlos B., of this sketch; James B., who died in early childhood; Emily, who faithfully cared for her father dur- ing his last years, and is now living at the old home in Kewanee; and Horace E., who died leaving a wife, now residing in Kewanee.
After pursuing his studies for some time in the common schools of Stark county, Carlos B. Lyle attended Abingdon College, Abingdon, Illinois, until the 18th of May, 1864, when he laid aside his text-books and joined Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois In- fantry, for three months' service. With his regiment he went to Columbus, Kentucky, and did guard duty there and at various other places in that state until honorably discharged at Camp Fry in October, 1864, after six months' service.
Returning to his home, Mr. Lyle remained with his father until his marriage, which im- portant event in his life was celebrated March 21, 1865, Miss Mary S. Engles becoming his wife. She was born in Menard county, Illi- nois, but was mostly reared and educated in Henry county. Her father, Levi Engles, was an early settler of Tazewell county, Illinois, whence he later removed to Henry county, where he spent the remainder of his life. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lyle: Frankie, who died in early childhood; Noble A., who is operating the home farm; Daisy, who is with her brother on
the farm; Charles M., a farmer of Iowa; Nellie E., at home; Thomas E., who is with his brother on the farm; and Emma M., who is attending school in Elmira.
After his marriage, Mr. Lyle located on his farm one mile north of Elmira and successfully operated his land until 1891, and also made many valuable and useful improvements upon the place. He then purchased a comfortable residence in Elmira, where he is now enjoying a well-earned rest, free from the cares and re- sponsibilities of business life. Politically, he has always used his right of franchise in sup- port of republican principles since casting his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, but has never cared for official preferment, though he has served as a member of the school board. In early life he joined the Methodist church, and has been an active member since a young man, while Mrs. Lyle is a member of the Pres- byterian church of Elmira; both take an active and prominent part in church work, doing all in their power to advance the moral as well as the material interests of the community. Fra- ternally. Mr. Lyle affiliates with James Jackson Post, No. 37, G. A. R., of Elmira, and is now the popular commander, having served in that honorable position for a number of years. His honorable, upright life is well worthy of emulation and has won for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.
W TILLIAM J. TOWNSEND has for some years successfully engaged in the agri- cultural implement, hardware and poultry business in Wyoming, Illinois. It is not diffi- cult to conjecture what manner of man is Mr. Townsend. In a republican country where merit must win, we can tell much of his life. Wealth may secure a start, but it cannot main- tain one in a position where brains and execu-
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tive ability are required. He did not have wealth to aid him in the beginning of his busi -. ness career. His reliance has been placed in the more substantial qualities of perseverance, untiring enterprise, resolute purpose and com- mendable zeal, and withal his actions have been guided by an honesty of purpose that none have questioned. He is a true type of western progress and enterprise. His intel- lectual energy, prudent business methods and reliables agacity have all combined to make him one of the ablest business men of Stark county.
Mr. Townsend was born in Pike county, Ohio, June 15, 1850, and in the fall of the same year his parents, Benjamin and Lydia (Jarman ) Townsend, drove through to Indi- ana, where they spent the winter, but in the following spring they came to Illinois, locating in the southern part of Peoria county. By trade the father was a shoemaker, but here he turned his attention to farming, operating land in that county for one year. In 1852, how- ever, he came to Camp Grove, Penn township, Stark county, where he bought eighty acres of land for two dollars and a half per acre, and gave half the amount to have the other half broken, but to this he later added eighty acres, making a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He was in very poor health during the last years of his life.
Our subject is the third in order of birth in the family of nine children, eight of whom are still living, one having died in infancy. Thirty years ago there were over forty representatives of the Townsend family living within a radius of two and a half miles, but William J. is the only one now left in Stark county. Cyrus L. is married and lives in Hoisington, Barton county, Kansas ; Winfield S., a resident of Crawford, Dawes county, Nebraska, entered the Union service as a drummer boy when thirteen years of age and served for nearly
three years ; David M. is a farmer of Jefferson county, Nebraska ; Christina is the wife of Samuel Clark, of Jefferson county, Nebraska ; Mary E. is the wife of Marshall Nelson, of Connersville, Indiana ; James, a traveling sales- man, is married and lives in Indianapolis, In- diana ; Benjamin lives near Crawford, Ne- braska; and Nancy is the wife of Henry Spilker, of Gem, Hancock county, Indiana.
William J. Townsend secured a good prac- tical education in the local schools and re- mained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, when he began life for himself as a farmer upon rented land. His first purchase consisted of fifty-two acres of land, upon which he made his home for eight- een years, and while there he erected a store building at Camp Grove, where he carried on general merchandising for some time. He was also appointed postmaster during Presi- dent Hayes' administration, and acceptably filled that position for sixteen years. He erected three good store buildings in Camp Grove, and continued to successfully engage in business at that place until December, 1894, but previously, in 1889, he had embarked in his present business at Wyoming. He not only made his own way in the world from an early age, but also helped his family, paying off a debt of twelve hundred dollars on the home farm. Besides the property already mentioned he owns two hundred and forty acres of im- proved land in Jefferson county, Nebraska, is engaged in business at Bradford, Stark county, where he owns two store buildings, and is also interested in mercantile pursuits in Brimfield, Peoria county.
On the 4th of July, 1874, was consummated the marriage of Mr. Townsend and Miss Jane Houghtaling, of Camp Grove, who was born in Beardstown, Illinois, a daughter of Henry and Harriet (Fargo) Houghtaling. As her
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mother died when she was quite young, she was reared by her maternal grandmother at Camp Grove, and there obtained her education in the public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Town- send have been born nine children, namely: Stella V., Harry E., B. Gilbert, Cora D., Frank E., Nellie S., Mary W., William H. and Le- land Elwood.
Politically, Mr. Townsend follows in the foot- steps of his father, voting the republican ticket, casting his first ballot for U. S. Grant in 1872. For many years he creditably served as school director and alderman of his town, and was elected justice of the peace but would not qual- ify, Fraternally, he is an honored member of Wyoming Lodge, No. 479, F. & A. M .; Wy- oming Chapter, No. 133, R. A. M., and the Eastern Star at Wyoming, to which his wife also belongs. He is also connected with the Knights of the Maccabees, being a charter mem- ber of the local order in Wyoming, No. 121, and he has served continuously as treasurer with the exception of the first six months. Whether in public or private life he is always a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving the high regard in which he is held.
P ERRY C. BURDICK. - Among the prom- inent and energetic farmers and stock- raisers of Stark county the subject of this sketch holds an honorable place. By perse- verance and industry he has gained a foothold in the world, and is now the owner of a valua- ble and productive farm on section 34, Valley township. He is a native of the Empire state, his birth occurring in Otsego county on the 26th of March, 1824. His parents, Clarke and Permelia (Richardson) Burdick, were born in Vermont, of Holland ancestry, but in early life removed to New York, where they were married and spent the remainder of their days. The father was a mechanic, following the
mason's trade in the summer, while through the winter he worked at coopering. From Otsego county, he removed to Chenango county, New York, where he died at the age of sixty-one, having been born on the Ist of December, 1798. His wife, who was born December 31, 1800, died in October, 1869.
To this worthy couple were born ten chil- dren, nine of whom reached maturity and five are still living. (1) John L., who is still living, married and has one son, James G., of Long Point, Illinois, who has a daughter, Bessie. (2) Perry C. is the next in order of birth. (3) Levi, who laid down his life on the altar of his country, was a member of the Thirty- first Illinois Cavalry, died from disease at Mem- phis, Tennessee, and was buried in Lawn Ridge cemetery. He left no children. (4) The next child died in infancy. (5) Martin lives in Lawrence county, Missouri, and has four children. (6) Jane married John Gates and died in Valley township, Stark county, Illinois, leaving a number of children. She was also buried in Lawn Ridge. (7) Warner E., who served for one year in the Union army, now lives in Valley county, Nebraska, and has three children. (8) Permelia is the wife 'of Frederick Esterbrook, of Sumner county, Kansas, and has four children. (9) Rosanna married John Manning, and died in Door county, Wisconsin, leaving two children. (10) Calvin, one of the brave boys in blue, died in the hospital at Alexandria, Virginia, and was buried in Lawn Ridge, Illinois.
Our subject had nearly reached man's estate when the family removed to Chenango county, New York, and at the age of eighteen he be- gan life for himself. In 1853 he came to Stark county, Illinois, being the first of the family to arrive here. He had succeeded in saving about one thousand dollars from his wages, which did not exceed twelve or fifteen dollars per month,
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and this amount he invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 29, Valley town- ship, which he began to improve, but in 1855 sold out and purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of wild land. This he trans- formed into one of the most desirable farms of the locality, and still makes it his home.
In 1863 Mr. Burdick wedded Miss Mary Ann Hixon, by whom he had two children, namely: Grant married Blanche Wolf, of Wyoming, Illinois, and to them were born three children -Perry D., born July 30, 1890; Forest De Haven, born February 5, 1893; and Clara, who died at the age of two and a half years. The other son of our subject was Sherman, who was born June 16, 1867, and died August 10, 1883, being laid to rest in the Lawn Ridge cemetery. The wife and mother departed this life in 1868. Mr. Burdick was again married January I, 1871, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah J. Stout, nee De Vall, who was born in West Virginia, and is a daughter of Nicholas and Sarah (Cole) De Vall, the former of French ancestry. Mrs. Burdick had no children by either marriage, but proved a most loving and tender mother to her husband's sons, as well as a faithful helpmeet to him.
The father of our subject was a democrat in politics, but all his sons became ardent repub- licans. Our subject cast his first presidential vote for the democratic nominee in 1848, but on the organization of the republican party he joined its ranks, voting for Fremont in 1856. He served as collector for Valley township one year and school director several years, and is recognized as one of the most valued citizens of his community.
H ENRY D. D. MARTIN, who for years was successfully engaged in the general wheelwright business in Wyoming, Illinois, and at other points, was born on the 28th of July,
1851, in Radner township, Peoria county, a son of Henry and Eliza (Sommers) Martin. The father, a native of Canada, came to the United States with his parents and settled on Kickapoo creek, in Peoria county, where the grandfather followed farming. At the time of their arrival the present city of Peoria con- tained but six buildings and almost all of the land in this region was still in its primitive con- dition.
For a time the father of our subject also fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, locating upon a farm in Marshall county, and there remaining until our subject was thirteen years of age. The family then located in Henry, that county, where the mother soon afterward died. She was a native of Indiana. In Henry the father carried on wagon-making for a number of years, but is now living retired with our subject at the age of seventy years.
During his boyhood and youth, Mr. Martin, of this review, attended the public schools near his home, and at the age of fourteen began work in his father's shop, but soon afterward entered upon a regular apprenticeship with W. A. Hanna, of Henry, to learn all kinds of car- riage and wagon painting, at which he worked for three years. On account of failing health he was obliged to abandon that business, and began to learn the wheelwright's trade, serv- ing two years, and also two years at the regular blacksmith's trade. He then worked as jour- neyman for about eleven years in Henry.
On the 24th of December, 1877, at the age of twenty-six, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Mary E. Joh, of Stark county, a daughter of David and Judith (Ferbrach) Joh. The young couple made their home in Castleton, Illinois, where Mr. Martin had a shop of his own, and where his wife's death occurred. He was again married in December, 1892, his second union being with Miss Mary E. Heywood, of
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Wyoming. In 1892 he took up his residence in Wyoming, working at his trade until February 1, 1897, when he entered into the mercantile business with C. W. Purviance, the firm name being Purviance & Martin.
Since voting for General Grant in 1872, Mr. Martin has been a stalwart supporter of repub- lican principles, and has been called upon to serve in official positions, being town clerk in Penn township for twelve consecutive years, and collector for three years. At the age of nineteen he was united with the Method- ist Episcopal church, but since his re- moval to Wyoming he has become identified with the Congregational church, to which his estimable wife also belongs. Possessing excel- lent inusical talent, he has served as chorister in church since eighteen years of age, and has proved a most capable leader. As he is a strong temperance man, he now holds member- ship in the Independent Order of Good Tem- plars, in which he has filled all the chairs, in- cluding that of worthy chief.
S YLVESTER BAMBER is one of the ener- getic and substantial agriculturists of West Jersey township, Stark county. He is meet- ing with well-deserved success in his chosen calling, and his fine, well-ordered farm of two hundred and forty acres, which is pleasantly situated on section 24, with its carefully-cul- tured fields, its neat buildings and all their surroundings, denote the skillful management, industry and well-directed labors of the owner.
In Vinton county, Ohio, Mr. Bamber was born, October 16, 1840, a son of Allen Bam- ber, who was born in New York and became one of the pioneers of Vinton county, Ohio, where he married Rebecca Cox, a native of that county. The father, who was a carpen- ter and joiner by trade, died when our subject was only two weeks old. Subsequently the
mother married again, and spent her last days in Kansas. Sylvester was the only child by the first marriage, and he was reared by his grandmother on a farm in Ohio. At the age of sixteen he began working for others by the month, and three years later rented land which he operated on his own account until joining the Union army.
In the spring of 1864 Mr. Bamber enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and joined Grant's command in Virginia. He be- longed to the Ohio militia, having enlisted in that service for five years, and while in the United States service did mostly guard duty, at one time standing for five days and nights behind breastworks. In the fall of 1864 he was honorably discharged and returned to Ohio, but in October of the same year came to Illi- nois.
Mr. Bamber was married in Vinton county, Ohio, March 14, 1861, to Miss Amy Graves, who was born, reared and educated in that county, and is a daughter of John Graves, also a native of Ohio. With his father-in-law's family our subject came to Stark county, Illi- nois, and for two years rented land. He then purchased eighty acres of his present farm, to which he has added, and also owns one hun- dred and seventy-two acres in Essex township. His property has all been acquired through his own unaided efforts, as he began life here with no capital save a pair of willing hands and a determination to succeed, but to-day he is one of the well-to-do and prosperous citizens of West Jersey township.
Ten children have graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bamber, namely: Stinson, who is married and engaged in farming in Essex town- ship; Flora, wife of Elmer Whitten, of West Jersey township; Della, wife of Marvin Cald- well, a farmer of Essex township; John, who
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assists in the operation of the home farm; Electa and Emma, at home; Effie, Hattie, Harley and Selby, who are all attending school.
Since voting for General Grant in 1868, Mr. Bamber has given his unwavering support to the men and measures of the republican party, but he has never cared for official distinction, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. Always interested in se- curing good schools, he has proved a most competent member of the school board. He is eminently worthy of the trust and high re- gard in which he is held by his fellow-citizens, and is an honored member of W. W. Wright Post, No. 327, G. A. R., of Toulon.
E MERY S. BUFFUM, a leading and in- fluential agriculturist of Stark county, re- siding on section 7, Goshen township, is a na- tive son of Illinois, his birth occurring at Rock Island, January 7, 1842. His father, Abel C. Buffum, was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1818, but in 1826 was brought to this state by his father, Jonathan Buffum, who was a na- tive of Vermont and removed to the Buckeye state in 1816. On coming to Illinois the grand- father first located at Canton, Fulton county, but latter settled near Monmouth, where he erected a flouring-mill, subsequently known as Rockwell's mills. This he operated for some years, and was living at that place at the time of the Black Hawk war. During the troubles with the Indians he was at one time forced to seek shelter in the block house. Going to Rock Island, he there erected the first brick hotel in the city, and upon a farm in Rock Island county he spent his remaining days- an honored and highly respected pioneer.
Amid the primitive scenes of frontier life, Abel C. Buffum grew to manhood, and in Illi- nois married Miss Lucinda Pease, who died 33
September 27, 1842, when our subject, the only child of that union, was eight months old. Subsequently the father married her sister, Miss Sylvia Pease, who died about 1858, and for his third wife he chose Mrs. Clara Hawks. The Pease family, which was originally from Connecticut, was early founded in Vermont, and in 1836 came to Illinois. For some time Abel C. Buffum resided in Galena, Illinois, where he engaged in teaming for the lead mines, then returned to Rock Island, and af- terward resided for some years upon a farm in Knox county, Illinois. In 1875 he removed to Adams county, Iowa, but since 1889 has made his home in Shasta county, California. He is a man of good business ability and has been called upon to fill a number of official positions, including those of supervisor and justice of the peace, in which he served for many years. By his second marriage he has three children- John W., a resident of Salina, Kansas; Lucin- da, wife of Captain L. P. Himes, of California; and Mervin P., also of the Golden state. Of the third union there are the following children : Miles A., who is married and resides in Cali- fornia; Frank A., of the same state; Mary S. and Wells R., both at home; and William E., who is married and resides in Shasta county, California.
In Knox county, Illinois, Emery S. Buffum was reared and obtained his early education in the district schools, but the knowledge there acquired has been greatly supplemented by reading and observation in later years. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism he enlisted at LaFayette, in July, 1861, joining Com- pany B, Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, under the command of Colonel White, and later General John C. Black. In August the regiment went south and subsequently par- ticipated in the following battles: Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, Newton, Springfield, Missouri,
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and many others. During the engagement at Prairie Grove, Mr. Buffum was wounded, De- cember 7, 1862, and in March, 1863, was honorably discharged, returning home the fol- lowing month.
In May, 1864, Mr. Buffum was united in marriage with Miss Anna L. Himes, a native of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, born near Elmira, New York. She was only four years old when brought to Illinois by her father, Charles Himes, who was born in Rutland, Vermont, and there married Laura Greeno, a native of the same state. From their Penn- sylvania home they came to Illinois in 1846, locating in Goshen township, Stark county, where they reared their family of nine chil- dren, two of whom are now deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Buffum have been born the following children: Laura L., wife of Simeon Dunbar, of Harrison county, Iowa; Albert J., who died at the age of thirteen years from diphtheria; Nellie E., who also died in 1880 of the same disease, their deaths oc- curring within three days of each other; Charles A., who is married and is the senior member of the firm of Buffum Brothers, cloth- ing and grocery merchants of LaFayette, Illi- nois; Edwin E., who is also married and is the junior member of the firm; Clara L., wife of Fred P. James, a farmer of Goshen town- ship, Stark county; Elmer H., who is attend- ing the Princeton Commercial College; George N., who is a student of the Toulon Academy; Perry H., also attending the Princeton Com- mercial College; Roy L., who is pursuing his studies in the LaFayette high school; and Anna May, a student of the home school.
In November, 1864, Mr. Buffum came to Stark county, and in the following spring lo- cated on Captain Himes' place, where he lived until the spring of 1867, when he moved to his present farm, purchasing at that time eighty-
eight acres. To this he has added until he has a valuable farm of one hundred and seventy-eight acres now under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and sub- stantial buildings. Besides his own farm he operates two others, aggregating four hundred acres, which yield abundant harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them.
Since casting his first vote for Abraham Lin- coln in 1864, Mr. Buffum has been identified with the republican party and has taken quite an active and prominent part in local politics, serving as a delegate to many county, congres- sional and senatorial conventions. He has been elected supervisor of his township, was justice of the peace several years, and has long been a member of the school board. He and his wife are earnest, consistent Christians, the former holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Galva and the latter in the Baptist church of the same place. Fra- ternally, he belongs to LaFayette Lodge, No. 657, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs and is now serving as past grand, and Mrs. Buffum is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah. He also affiliates with the Grand Army post, No. 33, of Galva, in which he has served as quartermaster and in other official positions. His career has been such as to win the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, and has a host of warm friends who appreciate his sterling worth.
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