USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 86
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 86
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 86
USA > Illinois > Stark County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 86
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Desiring to come to Illinois in the spring of 1855, John M. and Ambrose Gehrt again bor- rowed money to make the journey, and ar- rived in Peoria on the 24th of March, traveling by steamboat. For the first two years our subject worked on a farm in Valley township, Stark county, and then went to Peoria county, where he worked one year by the month. Sav- ing enough of his wages to purchase a team he then rented land in that county and began life on his own account. By 1864 he had saved eight hundred dollars to pay on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he purchased in that year. It was a wild tract, but he at once began its cultivation and improvement, and to-day it is one of the most desirable places in Valley township.
In 1860, Mr. Gehrt became acquainted with Miss Catharine Best, of Peoria county, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 22, 1844, and came to America with her parents, John Jacob and Sabilla (Neidlinger) Best, landing in New York on the same day that her future husband arrived at Baltimore. She re- moved with her parents to Detroit, where they continued to reside until 1857, when they took up their residence in Peoria county, Illinois. There on the 1 2th of March, 1867, she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Gehrt. They began
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their domestic life upon the farm where they still reside, a house having been erected in the fall previous. He has since added to his orig- inal purchase until he now has four hundred acres of valuable land on section 35, Valley township, and also owns a tract of three hun- dred and sixty acres in Champaign county, Illinois, near Gifford.
Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gehrt, three died in infancy. The others are as follows: William Harmon, born January 25, 1871; John Edward, born February 18, 1873; Julius Martin, born May 27, 1879; Cath- arine Marguerite, born May 19, 1881; and Ida Alma, who was born January 26, 1877, and died April 12, 1893.
In politics Mr. Gehrt is independent, vot- ing for the man whom he considers best quali- fied to fill the office, regardless of party ties. He and his wife hold membership in the Lu- theran church, but as there is no church of that denomination very near their home, they cannot attend services regularly. They hold a high position in the esteem and confidence of their fellow citizens and Mr. Gehrt certainly deserves great credit for the wonderful success that he has achieved in life, it being due en- tirely to his own perseverance, industry, excel- lent management and sound business ability.
JOHN T. FOX, who was one of the brave boys in blue during the Civil war, is now a representative and prominent farmer and stock- raiser residing on section 35, Essex township, Stark county. A son of Abraham and Jane (Sampson) Fox, he began his earthly career January 7, 1847, in Fairfield county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, his early life be- ing spent upon the home farm and in attend- ance at public schools. When about ten years of age he left home and began work by the month as a farm hand, his wages going toward
the support of the family, which included eight children. He was the fifth in order of birth.
In October, 1864, at the age of seventeen years, Mr. Fox enlisted in Company A, Thirty- eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mus- tered in as private at Columbus. On going to the front he remained in Chattanooga, Tennes- see, for about a week, and then started with Sherman on the famous march to the sea. From Savannah they went north through the Carolinas to Goldsboro, and then on to Wash- ington, D. C., where Mr. Fox participated in the grand review. From there he was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was mustered out a few weeks later. Although he was in many hotly contested engagements, he was never wounded, and though ill never went to the hospital.
During his service, Mr. Fox saved some of his wages, and on his return home purchased a team and began operating rented land. On the 24th of December, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Weber, a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, and a daughter of Michael and Catharine (Fantz) Weber. He purchased a little home in Ohio, where they continued to reside until 1876, when he sold out and removed to Shelby county, Illinois; there buying eighty acres. Three years later, however, he disposed of his property and bought eighty acres of the farm in Essex township, Stark county, on which he still resides. To this he has added until he has a highly im- proved place of one hundred and forty acres, supplied with excellent buildings.
Mr. and Mrs. Fox have ten children, as fol- lows: (1) Lillie Florence, born in Fairfield county, Ohio, June 20, 1869, was married February 8, 1888, to C. B. Strayer, a resident of Essex township, Stark county. (2) Clara Catharine, born in Fairfield county, Ohio, August 9, 1871, was married April 2, 1890, to
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E. L. Gelvin, a merchant and postmaster of Duncan, and they have one son, Harold Sher- man. (3) Emma Jane, born in Ohio, August 6, 1873, was married October 19, 1893, to Austin Graves, a resident of Peoria county, Illinois, and they have two children-Byron Oscar and Everett Elmer. (4) Alice May was born in Shelby county, Illinois, November 13, 1876. The others are all natives of Stark
county. (5) Elmer Hayes, born December 28, 1878. (6) Effie Elizabeth, April 19, 1881. (7) Hattie Pearl, July 11, 1883. (8) Arthur Clyde, and (9) Bertha Maude, twins, March 16, 1886. (10) Myrtle Edith, March 17, 1889.
A stanch republican in politics, Mr. Fox cast his first presidential ballot for General Grant in 1868, and was elected tax collector in 1885, serving one year, and justice of the peace in 1894. He has also served as a dele- gate to the county conventions of his party. Fraternally, he affiliates with De Wolf Post, No. 371, G. A. R., at Wyoming, of which he has served as junior vice-commander and was a delegate to the state encampment at Gales- burg in 1897. He has been master and over- seer of the Grange, with which he holds mem- bership, and has been president and treasurer of the Home Forum, to which both he and his wife belong, she being the orator. In the Independent Order of Good Templars he and some of his children hold membership, and he has filled the office of chief templar. In all the relations of life he has been found faithful to every trust reposed in him, and therefore enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.
NDREW OLIVER .- Among the honored
A pioneers and progressive citizens of Stark county was this gentleman, who passed away February 8, 1895, and was laid to rest in El- mira cemetery, after a life of industry and rich
in those rare possessions which only a high character can give. For many years he labored with all the strength of a great nature, and all the earnestness of a true heart, for the bettering of the world about him; and when he was called to the rest and reward of the higher world his best monument was found in the love and respect of the community in which he lived for so many years.
A native of Scotland, Mr. Oliver was born in Roxburgshire, March 20, 1820, a son of Thomas and Margaret (Fife) Oliver, who are mentioned much more fully in the sketch of H. H. Oliver, which appears on another page of this work. In the schools of his native land our subject acquired his education, and in 1837 he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, becoming a resident of Stark county, Illinois, in the spring of the fol- lowing year. On reaching manhood he there purchased land and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. As a prominent and in- fluential citizen, he was elected to various pub- lic positions of honor and trust, including those of assessor and supervisor, and, as an enter- prising and progressive business man, he was identified with important financial institutions, being a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of Kewanee, Illinois.
In 1849 Mr. Oliver was united in marriage with Miss Helen Turnbull, a native of Scot- land and a daughter of William Turnbull, and of the six children born to that union all are now deceased with the exception of Mary, who resides on the old homestead on section 31, Elmira township, Stark county. The wife and mother departed this life in 1860. Subse- quently Mr. Oliver was again married, his sec- ond union being with Miss Elizabeth Arm- strong, a daughter of James Armstrong, of Stark county, formerly of Scotland. She died on the 17th of March, 1894, leaving three chil-
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dren: Mrs. William Grieve, whose husband is a substantial farmer of Elmira township; and Belle M. and Agnes J., at home.
A friend of our public-school system, Mr. Oliver efficiently served as a member of the school board for some years, and he always gave liberally to any worthy enterprise that would advance the interests of the community or promote the general welfare. The poor and needy always found in him a friend, and none were ever turned away empty-handed from his door. In early life he joined the Osceola Presbyterian church, but later became one of the most active members of the church at Elmira, serving as its trustee for a number of years. He was recognized as one of the most valued and useful citizens of the county, and none were held in higher esteem. His family is one of prominence in the community, holding a high place in social circles.
S YLVESTER HILL SANDERS .- There are few men more worthy of representa- tion in a work of this kind than the subject of this biography, who is passing the later years of his life in retirement in the village of West Jersey. . His has been a long and busy career, rich with experience, and in which he has es- tablished himself in the esteem and confidence of all who know him.
Mr. Sanders was born on the 16th of Decem- ber, 1812, in Morris county, New Jersey, and is a grandson of Simeon Sanders, who bravely fought for American independence during the Revolutionary war. He was a resident of Somerset county, New Jersey, where the birth of Darius Sanders, the father of our subject, occurred. The latter was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and spent his entire life in his native state. By his first wife, who died in 1820, he had five sons and two daughters, and 35
by his second marriage had one son and three daughters.
In Morris county, New Jersey, our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth, at- tending school to a limited extent and learn- ing the carpenter's trade. There he was mar- ried, in 1836, to Eliza Ann Bryant, a native of that state, and he continued to there work at. his trade, and also on Long Island, until 1845, when he emigrated to Illinois with a brother- in-law, Thomas Force, traveling with two teams and reaching Stark county in July of that year. He purchased a tract of one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 28, West Jer- sey township, and to its cultivation and im- provement he devoted his time and attention until coming to the village in 1871, since which time he has lived retired, enjoying a well- earned rest. He still owns the farm, however.
Mrs. Sanders died in August, 1869, and her remains were interred in the West Jersey cem- etery. Of the nine children born of that union three died in early life, and the other six are still living. Rev. Jacob H. is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, now living on a farm in Hardin county, Iowa. Mary Jane is the wife of Aaron Atherton, of Missouri. Fred- erick E. resides in Hardin county, Iowa, as does also Darius E., and both are engaged in farming. Sophrona is the wife of William Stetler, of Stark county, Illinois. Emma is the wife of Rev. Robert Brown, of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, now located at Nor- mal, Illinois.
In April, 1871, Mr. Sanders was again mar- ried, his second union being with Mrs. Cather- ine Egbert, who was born in 1825, in Schuyl- kill county, Pennsylvania, but was reared ill Northumberland county, that state. Her fa- ther, Henry Swank, brought his family to Illi- nois at an early day, and spent his remaining years in West Jersey township, Stark county.
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In 1850, Catherine Swank gave her hand in marriage to James C. Egbert, a native of New Jersey and an early settler of West Jersey township, where he was numbered among the prominent and representative agriculturists. His death occurred in 1863. To Mr. and Mrs. Egbert were born three children, two of whom are still living-William W., who is married and resides on a farm at Millersburg, Mercer county, Illinois; and Watson, who operates the old home farm in West Jersey township.
Originally, Mr. Sanders was a Jacksonian democrat in politics, but since the organization of the republican party he has fought under its banner, and has held a number of positions of honor and trust, including those of supervisor, assessor, collector, and trustee of his township.
H ARRISON MINER .- The name of this well-known resident of Stark county has long been familiar to the people of this section as one of their most valued citizens, resolute, energetic and enterprising, and one who has made his mark in the building up of Goshen township, socially and financially. As one of the most substantial and prosperous farmers of the county, he is the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, and is con- veniently located on section 3, Goshen town- ship, about equi-distant from Toulon, Kewa- nee and Galva.
On his present homestead Mr. Miner first opened his eyes to the light, June 22, 1840, a
son of Harris Wesley Miner and grandson of Harris Miner, both natives of Vermont. The latter, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, settled in New York after that struggle, and in I 827 came to Illinois, taking a claim at Prince's Grove, near the present site of Princeville. He then returned to the Empire state, and the fol- lowing year brought his family to their new home in the midst of the wilderness. A few years later Harris W. Miner secured a claim near the present site of Toulon, and in making a clearing burned down some old Indian wig- wams that stood on his place. Subsequently he sold out and made a claim on Indian creek -- the farm now owned and occupied by our subject.
Harris W. Miner was twice married, having He and his wife have long been prominent and . one son by the first union. For his second active members of the Methodist Episcopal church of West Jersey and give their hearty support to all worthy objects for the betterment of their fellow men or the good of the commu- nity. They are people of the highest respect- ability and sterling worth, and have hosts of warm friends throughout the community where they have so long made their home. wife he chose Susanna Smith, and to them were born four children-Laura, the deceased wife of George F. Dexter, whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this work; Addison, who reached manhood and married, but is now de- ceased; Carlos, an architect residing in In- dependence, Kansas; and Harrison, our sub- ject. Upon the present farm of our subject the father reared his family and spent his re- maining days, dying about 1858. The mother, who long survived her husband, passed away in 1880, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. They were highly respected through- out the community and had many warm friends.
Harrison Miner never left the parental roof, but during his boyhood and youth assisted his father in the labors of the farm and attended the district schools of the neighborhood, where he acquired a good practical education which has well fitted him for the responsible duties of life. On the death of his father he assumed the management of the farm and business in- terests of the estate and later purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old home-
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stead, which he has since operated with results that can hardly fail to prove satisfactory. He has made good and substantial improvements upon the farm, whose well-tilled fields and neat buildings testify to his thrift and industry.
On the 14th of November, 1861, in Stark county, Mr. Miner was united in marriage with Miss Avice Parish, who was born, reared and educated in the county, and is a daughter of Ruloff Parish, one of the honored pioneers of this section of the state. Five children bless this union, namely: Ida L., now the wife of L. D. Maxfield, a farmer of Henry county, Illi- nois; Edgar S., who is married and is engaged in farming in Stark county; Ernest, formerly a teacher of the county, and now a student in the Chicago University; Harrison E., at home, who is a graduate of the Toulon Academy; and Carl R., who is attending the home school.
Mr. Miner gives his political support to the republican party, with which he has voted since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. His fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability have called upon him to serve in several important posi- tions of honor and trust, and for two terms he was a member of the county board of super- visors. As a friend of education he has served for many years on the school board, and is also a stockholder and trustee of the Toulon Academy. He has ever been interested in all that pertains to the county's progress and ad- vancement, is a member and director of the Stark County Agricultural Society, and has been a delegate to numerous county and con- gressional conventions. With the Baptist church of Kewanee he and his estimable wife hold membership, and are charitable and lib- eral contributors to all good works. Through- out his entire life, Mr. Miner has watched with interest the growth and development of this region, and since old enough to handle a plow
has been an important factor in bringing about the present prosperity. He and his family oc- cupy a high position in social circles and have the respect and esteem of the entire com- munity.
M ILTON A. WILSON, whose home is on section 7, Elmira township, Stark county, is one of the most thorough and skillful agri- culturists of the community, as is plainly indi- cated by the well-tilled fields and neat and thrifty appearance of his place, which com- prises two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land, eighty acres lying in Elmira town- ship and one hundred and sixty acres in Wethersfield township, Henry county.
A native of the Empire state, he was born on the 7th of January, 1850, in Oneida county. The birth of his father, Thomas D. Wilson, oc- curred in England, but when only three years old he was brought to America by his father, Samuel Wilson, who settled in Oneida county, New York, where the former grew to manhood, spending his early life in McConnellsville and Camden, there obtaining a fair education for those early days. He married Sophrona Eme- line Mix, a native of Oneida county and a daughter of Amos D. Mix. After farming for a number of years in that county, Mr. Wilson emigrated to Illinois in 1864, locating near Osceola, Stark county, but two years later re- moved to Kendall county, where he spent the same length of time. There the mother of our subject died, on the 13th of September, 1866, and in the spring of 1868 the father removed to a farm in Buckley township, Iroquois county, Illinois, where he developed a farm. His death occurred in Lodi, Illinois, April 20, 1891, at the age of sixty-three years. He had returned to New York, where he was again married, and his second wife survived him a short time, but now sleeps by his side in the Buckley cemetery
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of Iroquois county, where the only sister of our subject, Carrie, was also interred. She married John Dora, of Iroquois county.
Mr. Wilson, of this review, accompanied his father on his various removals, and aiding him in opening up and improving the farm in Iro- quois county, where he remained until he at- tained his majority. Coming to Stark county, he was married near Osceola, January 14, 1876, the lady of his choice being Miss Maggie M. Purdom, who was born in Scotland, but was reared and educated in Stark county, hav- ing come with her father, Gideon Purdom, to the new world when quite young. He is now a resident of Henry county.
After his marriage, Mr. Wilson engaged in farming for one year in Iroquois county, and then returned to Osceola, where the following year was passed, but at the end of that time he bought his present farm, in partnership with his father-in-law. In 1882 the partnership was dissolved, and to the original eighty acres he has added one hundred and sixty acres, which he has since successfully operated and has erected thereon a good set of farm build- ings. Through his own untiring energy, per- severance and industry, he has worked stead- ily upward from a humble position, until he is now one of the most substantial farmers of the community.
Mr. Wilson has been called upon to mourn the loss of his excellent wife, who died very suddenly of paralysis of the heart, November 24, 1896. She was a lady of many noble traits of character, a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian church of Elmira, and was beloved and respected by all who knew her. While not a member of any re- ligious organization, Mr. Wilson attended church with his wife and daughters, who are also members. In the family were four chil- dren: Katie E., Jennie Carrie and Cora May,
all at home; and the oldest, who died in in- fancy.
In connection with general farming, Mr. Wil- son has given special attention to the breeding of thoroughbred French Percheron horses, and now owns a half interest in two fine imported horses. He also keeps upon his place a good grade of cattle and hogs, and is a business man of more than ordinary ability. In his political support he has always been a repub- lican since casting his first vote for General U. S. Grant in 1872. As a friend of our public-school system he has been the efficient clerk of the school board for several years, and does all in his power to promote all worthy enterprises for the good of the community.
J OSEPH S. GRAVES is one of the most genial and whole-souled men of Stark coun- ty. On section 34, Essex township, he has built up a fine homestead, his farm comprising three hundred acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. His tastes have always inclined him to agricultural pursuits, and the stock-raising industry has found in him one of its most able representa- tives.
A native of Ohio, he was born in Vinton county, June 7, 1833, a son of John H. and Amy (Wilkinson) Graves, the former a native of Ross county, Ohio, and the latter of North Carolina, being about one year old when taken by her parents to the Buckeye state. The Graves family was originally from England, and belonged to the Society of Friends. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Jonathan Graves, was also born in North Carolina.
Like most farmer boys, Joseph S. Graves spent his boyhood and youth, remaining with his parents until he had attained his majority, when he began the struggle of life for himself, though he still continued to live at home.
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During the dark days of the Rebellion he was a member of the Home Guards, who were suc- cessful in keeping Morgan out of the state. In 1863 he left Ohio, coming to Stark county, Illinois, where his father and brother had pur- chased land in 1856, and in 1865 the remain- der of the family also located here. As early as 1846 the father had visited this region, and again when accompanied by our subject's mother and grandmother, who drove through to see the country. Joseph S. was the oldest of the seven children, and was still single on coming to this state, but his brother Jacob and sister Amy had married in Ohio. One child died in infancy, and another at the age of two years. Ann married and remained in Ohio, where her death occurred some time during the '8os. The other four are still living and reside in Stark county. Mrs. Amy Bamber lives in West Jersey township, as does also Alma, wife of William Whitten, with whom the father now makes his home. He was born Decem- ber 26, 1809, and is now one of the oldest and most honored citizens of the county.
On the 12th of December, 1867, was cele- brated the marriage of Joseph S. Graves and Miss Mary Jane Whitten, of West Jersey township, and they have become the parents of the following children: Carrie E., John W., who is married and lives in Essex town- ship, Stark county; Amy E., Theodore P., Marion R., Alice M. and Joseph E.
Previous to his marriage Mr. Graves had erected a good residence upon his place, in which the family still reside. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his possessions until he now has three hundred acres of rich and arable land. Since voting for John C. Fremont in 1856 he has been an ardent republican in politics, and although no office-seeker, he has efficiently served as school director for the long period of twenty-one
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