USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 87
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 87
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 87
USA > Illinois > Stark County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 87
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years. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Duncan, of which he was one of the building commit- tee, and has since served as trustee and treas- urer. His upright life and sterling worth justly entitle him to the high regard in which he is universally held.
H' IRAM G. REWERTS, a leading and in- fluential member of the agricultural com- munity of Penn township, Stark county, re- sides on section 21, where he has a valuable and well-improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Besides general farming he makes a specialty of the raising and breeding of thoroughbred Poland China hogs and pure Plymouth Rock poultry.
Mr. Rewerts was born on the 25th of April, 1858, in Kickapoo, Peoria county, Illinois, a son of John and Fannie (Westerman) Rewerts, who were both natives of Germany, where they became acquainted, but were not married until after their emigration to America. They began life in very limited circumstances, the father not having a dollar on landing in this country. For some time he worked by the day in Peoria county, but when our subject was quite small came to Stark county, where he first operated rented land, but was finally able to purchase eighty acres on section 28, Penn township. There he still makes his home, but has added to the original tract until he now has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and has also materially helped his children. One of the family died in infancy, and Fannie died at the age of thirteen and was buried at Pleasant Valley. Mary is the wife of John T. Johnson, of Woodford county, Illinois, and has six children. Hiram G. is the next in order of birth. Rudolph, the youngest, married Bertha Stang.
The common schools near his home afforded
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our subject good educational privileges, and James A. Garfield in 1880. Both himself and under the able guidance of his father he has wife were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, to which they still adhere. become a practical and skillful farmer. After his marriage he continued to operate the old homestead until 1895, when he removed to his present place, whose well-tilled fields and neat appearance plainly indicates the supervision of an industrious and thrifty owner.
On the 16th of March, 1880, Mr. Rewerts was united in marriage with Miss Lena Banuat, of Penn township, who was born in Beiland, Germany, November 1I, 1860, and when six years of age was brought to America by her parents, Daniel and Lena (Wilde) Banuat. For a time the Banuat family made their home in Wyoming, Illinois, whence they removed to Valley township, Stark county, but the father passed his last days in Penn township, where his death occurred in 1884. His wife, how- ever, is still living. Mrs. Rewerts is the old- est of their family of five children, one of whom died in infancy. Jacob lives with his mother in Castleton, Illinois. Daniel, a farmer . of Penn township, is married and has three children. Louis is still at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Rewerts have become the par- ents of six children, namely: John, born in Valley township, October 19, 1879; Daniel, born in Penn township, March 22, 1881 ; Mary, born in Penn township, May 2, 1883; Fannie, born in Penn township, June 21, 1885; Rosa, who was born in February, 1887, and died November 5, 1892, being buried in Pleasant Valley cemetery; and Rudolph H., who died at the age of six weeks and was buried at the same place.
In his politics, Mr. Rewerts is a straight and stanch adherent of the principles formulated in the platforms of the republican party, and in the exercise of his elective franchise almost invariably supports the candidates offered by that organization. His first vote was cast for
A MBROSE GEHRT, an honored veteran of the Civil war, is now one of the prom- inent and highly respected farmers and stock- raisers of Valley township, Stark county, mak- ing his home on section 27. It has been said that biography yields to no other subject in point of interest and profit, and it is especially interesting to note the progress that has been made along various lines of business by those of foreign birth who have sought homes in America-the readiness with which they adapt themselves to the different methods and cus- toms of America, recognize the advantages of- fered, and utilize the opportunities which the new world affords. In the life of Mr. Gehrt we find a splendid example of a self-made German- American citizen.
Our subject was born in Saxony, Germany, April 21, 1837, a son of George and Christina (Gabler) Gehrt, and at the age of sixteen he accompanied his brother, John M., to the United States, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, after a stormy voyage of six weeks, during which the masts of the vessel were broken and the passengers never expected to see land again. On reaching the shores of this country the brothers were compelled to borrow money to take them to Steubenville, Ohio, where they had friends living. There our subject worked on the railroad for about two years, receiving from seventy-five cents to a dollar and twelve and a half cents per day, which he considered a fortune at that time. At the end of that time they came to Peoria, Illinois, by way of the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois rivers, and in the neighborhood of Princeville Ambrose Gehrt obtained employment upon a farm, it being his first experience at agricultural pur-
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suits. In his native land he had received a fair common-school education, and during the two years and a half he spent near Princeville he learned the English language very rapidly. There he received from fourteen to eighteen dollars per month, and on attaining his ma- jority he purchased a team and operated rented land in partnership with his brother.
Although of foreign birth, Mr. Gehrt pos- sessed that true love and loyalty for his adopted country that prompted his enlistment during the dark days of the rebellion. In 1862, he laid aside all personal interest and enlisted in Company E, Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he participated in many important engagements, including the follow- ing: The battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Rome, Georgia, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta, during which the troops were under fire every day, and the battle of Jones- boro. Later he was with Sherman on the famous march to the sea and the Carolina cam- paign, and witnessed the surrender of General Johnston. Mr. Gehrt took part in the grand review at Washington, D. C., and as the war had ended he was honorably discharged June 6, 1865. Although he was in such active and arduous service, he was never captured, wounded nor confined to the hospital, and his war record is one of which he has just reason to be proud, as he was always found at his post of duty, faithfully defending the old flag that now floats so proudly above the united nation.
During his service Mr. Gehrt had succeeded in saving about two hundred dollars, and again engaged in farming in partnership with his brother, who in the meantime had purchased some land. After two years the connection was discontinued and the property divided, our subject receiving eighty acres in Peoria county.
In 1879 he removed to his present farm, which he has since enlarged until it now comprises four hundred and eighty-five acres of rich and arable land and well improved with good build- ings. He also owns one hundred and twenty acres in Champaign county, Illinois.
On the 22d of March, 1869, Mr. Gehrt was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Mar- garet Wessensee, of Valley township, Stark county, who was born in New York. Her par- ents, George and Catherine Margaret (Zink) Wessensee, were both natives of Germany but their marriage was celebrated in the Empire state, where they continued to reside until coming to Lawn Ridge, Illinois, in 1857, at which time Mrs. Gehrt was about six years old. Her father died the following year, and her mother later married again. Seven children have been born to our subject and his estima- ble wife, namely: Clara Lena, now the wife of Charles Bonn, of Valley township; Albert George, who married Barbara Oertlee and lives in the same township; Emma Louisa, who died at the age of five years; Martin Julius, Joseph Leroy, Anna Wilhelmina and Otelia Alma, all at home.
In 1865, Mr. Gehrt took out his naturaliza- tion papers, voted for General Grant three years later, and has since been an ardent sup- porter of the republican party. For many years he has acceptably served as school di- rector of his district, and does all in his power to advance the interests of his township and county. Both he and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith, but now attend the Con- gregational church. She has proved a true and faithful helpmeet to her husband, aiding him in every possible way, and by their combined efforts they have arisen from a humble position in life to one of wealth and affluence and none are held in higher regard throughout the com- munity.
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H JENRY HALL OLIVER. - Scotland has furnished to America many men who have not only led lives that should serve as .an example to those who come after them but have also been of important service to their adopted country through various avenues of use- fulness. Our subject, who now resides on a farm on section 31, Toulon township, Stark county, five miles north of the city of Toulon, was born on the Ist of January, 1832, in Ross- shire, Scotland, but since the spring of 1838 he has been a resident of Stark county, Illi- nois, and has been prominently identified with the upbuilding and prosperity of this section of the state.
Thomas Oliver, the father of our subject, was born in Roxburgshire, Scotland, about 1784, and in the southern part of that beauti- ful country married Margaret Fife, also a na- tive of the land of hills and heather. For a number of years he continued to there engage in farming, but in 1828 moved to Ross-shire, where he spent some years as a shepherd. The year 1837 saw him and his family on their way to the new world. At Greneck they took passage on a sailing vessel bound for Quebec and Montreal, Canada, whence they went by the Great Lakes to Chicago, and from there to the present site of Joliet, where they spent the first winter, but in the spring of 1838 took up their residence in Stark county, the father purchasing a timbered tract on section 15, Toulon township. There he erected a log house, in which the family made their home for about a year, when a more commo- dious residence was built on the prairie. To the development and cultivation of his land he devoted his time and attention, and from time to time added to his original purchase until he had four hundred acres of valuable land. He was also interested in sheep-raising, and became one of the most successful farmers and stock-
raisers of the county, where he spent the re- mainder of his life, dying in 1869, while his wife passed away in 1858.
Our subject is one of a family of six sons and four daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity. Adam, the oldest, married and settled in Stark county, where he reared a fam- ily, but is now deceased. Margaret became the wife of John Turnbull, of Stark county, and both have passed away. Beatrice is the deceased wife of Alexander Rule, of Henry county, Illinois. Andrew, deceased, was mar- ried and inade his home in Stark county. Charlotte inarried Robert Rule, of Stark county, and both have departed this life. Ann resides with our subject. William is married and lives in Henry county, Illinois. Thomas is married and resides in Audubon county, Iowa, where John, the youngest of the family, also resides.
Mr. Oliver, of this sketch, was only five years of age when he became a resident of Illi- nois, and almost his entire life has been passed in the neighborhood where he still makes his home. After attending the local schools for some time, he was a student at Galesburg in the winter of 1847, and subsequently attended the McDonough College at Macomb, Illinois, for two winters. In 1853-4 he served as as- sistant teacher in the latter institution, and later, while still a student, taught for a time in Monmouth College. During 1854 and 1855 he engaged in civil engineering, but since that time has given his attention principally to his agricultural interests, operating his farm in El- mira township, Stark county.
On the 23d of September, 1857, in Stark county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Oliver and Miss Mary Murchison, who was born, reared and educated in Scotland, com- ing to Stark county, Illinois, in 1851, with her parents, Finley and Catherine Murchison.
1
2
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1
OLIVER BROTHERS. JOHN
HENRY H.
ANDREW
WILLIAM
THOMAS ADAM
KATHERINE E. OLIVER.
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Nine children graced their union, of whom six still survive and have been provided with ex- cellent educational privileges, three of the daughters being graduates of noted literary institutions. David W., the oldest, is married and resides on a farm near Sterling, Illinois. Margaret E., a graduate of Monmouth College, is a most successful teacher, having for several years been professor of mathematics and elo- cution in Albert Lee College, Minnesota. Katherine E., born in 1865, graduated from the Toulon high school in 1880, and from Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois, in 1886. She studied oratory under Professors Cumnock and Murdock, and also for some years at the Emerson School of Oratory at Boston. She has taught in several colleges in Minnesota and Iowa, but now spends most of her time in the eastern cities and Canada, delineating Scottish character and interpreting literature. Lottie J., a graduate of Knox College, has also successfully engaged in teach- ing. William H. assists in the operation of the home farm. Agnes B. is still a student at Monmouth College. Three of the children died in early childhood - Christina Ann, Thomas F. and May Lois. The wife and mother, who was a consistent and active mem- ber of the Canada and the United Presbyter- ian church from an early age, was called to her final rest October 8, 1890, and her death was deeply mourned by all who knew her.
Mr. Oliver is also a member of the United Presbyterian church of Elmira, with which he is officially connected. In connection with his other business, he engaged in surveying for many years, and in 1864 was elected county surveyor, and has twice been re-elected, being the present incumbent. He has ever been identified with the republican party, has served as a delegate to a number of county, congressional and district conventions, and has
been a member of the county board of super- visors several terms. Mr. Oliver takes great delight in travel and has twice visited Europe and his native land, the first time in 1891, when he was accompanied by two of his daughters, remaining abroad about three months; and in 1896, with his daughter Kath- erine, he visited all the principal points of in- terest in England, Scotland and the islands, during which time he corresponded with the home papers and his letters were read with interest throughout this section of the state. For almost sixty years he has now made his home in Stark county, and his life has been such as to win him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, either in business or social life.
D ANIEL O. ADDIS .- Among the agricult- urists of Stark county who have attained success from a financial point of view is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is one of the most progressive and energetic farmers and stock-raisers of West Jersey town- ship, his home being on section 10, and he is a complete master of the calling which he is fol- lowing. His sterling integrity and honorable, upright manhood fully entitle him to the posi- tion which he holds in the estimation of the people of the community.
In Warren county, New Jersey, Mr. Addis was born September 6, 1838, a son of Simon Addis, who was born in the same place in 1804, while the birth of his grandfather, Dan- iel Addis, occurred in Somerset county. He was descended from one of three brothers who came to this country from England prior to the Revolutionary war, and in that struggle Enoch Addis, the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, took part, holding a captain's commis- sion in Washington's army.
Simon Addis grew to manhood in Warren
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county, New Jersey, and there married Eliza- beth Ann Little, a native of Hunterdon coun- ty, New Jersey, and a daughter of John Little, who was a soldier in the war of 1812 and laid down his life on the altar of his country, after which his widow received a pension. The fa- ther of our subject owned and operated a large farm in Warren county, New Jersey, until 1853, when he brought his family to Illinois, coming by rail to Buffalo, New York, across the lakes to Detroit, Michigan, by rail to Chi- cago and La Salle, Illinois, and by boat to Peoria. They arrived in Stark county about the Ioth of April, and Mr. Addis at once bought about three-quarters of a section of land, lying partly on sections 9 and 10, West Jersey township. This he converted into a fine farm, and there made his home until called to his final rest, April 12, 1889, at the age of eighty-five years. His wife, who sur- vived him several years, passed away in Janu- ary, 1897, at the age of eighty-seven, and their remains were laid to rest in the West Jersey cemetery, where a monument has been erected to their memory. In early life they were members of the Presbyterian church, but later joined the Methodist Episcopal church, and gave liberally to all church and benevolent work.
Our subject is the third in order of birth in the family of four sons and two daughters, the others being as follows: Mary E. became the wife of Benjamin Anderson, of New Jersey, and for a time they made their home in La Fayette, Stark county, where he was engaged in merchandising, but later moved to Iowa, where his death occurred. She subsequently departed this life in California. John L. is a farmer of Rush county, Kansas. Sarah M. is the widow of John Smith, and now resides in Chicago. James is a substantial farmer, living on section 9, West Jersey township, Stark
county. Irvin is married and engaged in farm- ing in Knox county, Illinois.
When a lad of about thirteen years Daniel O. Addis came with his parents to Stark county, where he grew to manhood and assisted in the development and improvement of the home farm. During those early days they would haul their grain to Peoria or Lacon, which was their market place. Our subject was provided with fair school advantages in both his native county and also after coming to Illinois, and has become a well-informed man.
In Stark county, September 13, 1864, he led to the marriage altar Miss Margaret Caskey, who was reared and educated in Ohio. Her father, Silas Caskey, located in Stark county about 1863, but some years later removed to Adair county, Missouri, where he spent his re- maining days. To Mr. and Mrs. Addis have been born the following children: Franklin V., who is married and engaged in farming in West Jersey township; Alva W., who died at the age of twenty-five; Flora, who married Clyde Boyd, February 25, 1897, resides upon an adjoining farm; Eva B. and Pearl, at home; Laura E., who died at the age of six years; and Grace E., who died at the age of three years. The living daughters were all educated at Hedding College, Abingdon, Illinois.
After his marriage, Mr. Addis located on the farm where he still resides, at first purchasing but eighty acres, but as his financial resources increased he secured more land until at one time he owned seven hundred acres. He has sold a part of this, however, but still has one hundred and sixty acres in the home farm, and three other tracts of one hundred and forty-five, eighty and eighty acres, respectively. His residence is commodious and comfortable, his barns and out-buildings large and conven- ient, and in fact the whole place is one of the best improved in West Jersey township. The
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house is built in the latest style of architecture, heated with a furnace and supplied with all modern conveniences.
Mr. Addis cast his first presidential vote in 1860 for the "Little Giant "-Stephen A. Douglas-but since that time has given his support to the men and measures of the re- publican party, and has taken active interest in political affairs, although he has never cared for office, preferring to give his undivided at- tention to his extensive business interests. He has served as a member of the school board and does all in his power to promote the edu- cational, moral and material welfare of the community. He is public-spirited and enter- prising, and his straightforward course has won the commendation of all. With the Methodist Episcopal church of West Jersey, he and his wife and daughters hold member- ship, and he is now serving as trustee of the church. They are people of prominence, holding a high position in social dircles.
P ETHUEL PARISH .- There is particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the honored gentleman whose name initiates this review, since his name bears impress of the historical annals of Stark county from early pioneer days, as he has here made his home since 1836, and been prominently identi- fied with its growth and prosperity, doing all within his power to promote the interests of the community or advance the general welfare. His home is located on section 10, Goshen township, and he is the owner of eight hundred acres of valuable and productive land, which have been acquired through his earnest, per- sistent effort and good business ability.
Like many of the prominent citizens of Illi- nois, he is a native of Canada, born near Brockville, Lower Canada, September 5, 1832. His parents, Squire and Sophia (Althouse)
Parish, were also natives of that country, whence they came to the United States in 1836, making the journey by way of the Great Lakes to Chicago, and by canal and river to Peoria, and then by team to Goshen township, Stark county, where the father entered a tract of eighty acres of wild land and opened up a farm. Their first home here was a rude cabin, built of split basswood logs, the bark of which was used for the roof and held in place by poles, while the chimney was of mud and sticks, and the floor of puncheons. A quilt at first served as the door. They suffered all the hardships and privations of frontier life, but as time passed the country became more thickly settled, and the comforts of civilized life were easier obtained. Mr. Parish added to his original purchase until the home place contained one hundred and sixty acres, and he also owned another eighty-acre tract south of Toulon. In that city he spent the last few years of his life, dying in 1876. He was widely and favorably known throughout Stark and Henry counties, and had made many warm friends, who appreciated his sterling worth and admirable character.
Our subject is the oldest of a family of four sons and six daughters, who reached man and womanhood, the others being as follows: Sarah, wife of James Stimson, a substantial farmer of Goshen township; Hiram, who is married and is engaged in farming in Missouri; Peter, who was a Union soldier in the Civil war, as was also his brother Hiram, and is now deceased; Cynthia, wife of George Max- field, of Fairmont, Nebraska, who was also a Union soldier; Happy, wife of George Dugon, also a soldier and now a fariner of Taylor county, Iowa; Lucy, who became the wife of Jonathan Cooley and died, leaving three chil- dren; Sophia, wife of Dexter Maxfield, living near Fairmont, Nebraska; Squire, who died at
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the age of six years; and Rulof, who resides with our subject.
Mr. Parish, of this review, was reared amid the scenes of frontier life in Stark county, and his early education privileges were limited, as he was only able to attend school about two months during the winter and then had to walk a distance of two miles. Later, how- ever, he was a pupil in the Toulon schools for two terms and has become a well-informed man. Until he had attained his majority he remained under the parental roof, and broke many acres of prairie land with several yoke of oxen.
In Stark county, in 1856, Mr. Parish was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Stray- er, who was born in Pennsylvania, but came to Stark county from Stephenson county, Illi- nois, where her family had located at an early day. She died in 1858, leaving one son, William, now a substantial farmer of the county. In February, 1861, Mr. Parish was again married, his second union being with Miss Celesta, daughter of Elijah Ferris, a pioneer of Stark county. Mrs. Parish was born in Canada and was brought here when about twelve years of age. Of the ten chil- dren born of the second marriage, five are still living. In order of birth they are as follows: Lillie, who died at the age of fifteen years; George, who died at the age of seventeen; Bertha G., who was married and died at the age of twenty-six; Herman, who is married and resides on a farm in Stark county; Blanche, wife of John Leitch, a farmer of the same county; Lizzie and Lucy, twins, who completed their education in the Toulon Acad- emy and are now at home; Sadie, who died at the age of twelve years; and Bessie and Jessie, twins, the latter of whom died at the age of twelve.
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