The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois, Part 88

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 88
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 88
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 88
USA > Illinois > Stark County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 88

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After his first marriage, Mr. Parish operated

his father's farm for about eight years, and then purchased eighty acres of the old home- stead, to which he later added an adjoining tract and there made his home for ten years. In 1880 he moved to his present fine farm, on which he had erected a comfortable and com- modious brick residence, large barns and con- venient outbuildings, making it one of the best improved farms in Goshen township. He is a self-made man in the truest sense of the term, and the success that he has achieved is certainly well deserved, for he is industrious, energetic and progressive, and these qualities have been guided by a sound judgment.

Since voting for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, Mr. Parish has been a stalwart republican in politics, and although he has never aspired to office he has served his fellow citizens in the ca- pacity of highway commissioner three years and as a member of the school board a number of years his wife and some of his children hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, which he attends and to which he contributes liberally, although not a member of any relig- ious organization. For sixty-one long years he has watched with interest the transforma- tion that has taken place in Stark county, converting the wild, unimproved land into some of the finest farms and homes in our great state, and he is held in the highest re- spect and esteem in the community where his long and useful life has been passed.

J JOHN H. TURNBULL .- This gentleman ranks among the retired farmers and rep- resentative citizens who are living at their ease in the village of Elmira, and who, as excellent business men, know how to take care of the property they accumulated in their younger years by untiring industry, persever- ance and good management. He is a native

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of the north of Scotland, his birth occurring in mira township; and Thomas, a farmer of Kan- Ross-shire, September 22, 1830. sas.

William Turnbull, the father of our subject, was born in Roxburgshire, where he grew to manhood and wedded Mary Harvey, a Scotch lady, and for a number of years they continued to reside in the highlands of Scotland, where the father was interested in sheep-raising. In 1849, with his family, he embarked on a sail- ing vessel at Glasgow, bound for Montreal, Canada, which place was reached after a voy- age of eight weeks, and at once proceeded up the St. Lawrence and around the lakes to Chicago, by canal to Peru, and thence over- land to Stark county, where the father had two brothers living - Robert and John Turn- bull-who had located here twelve years pre- vious. In Elmira township he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which about forty acres had been placed under cultivation, but no house had yet been erected. He built a frame house, into which the family moved, and he and his sons at once commenced the cultivation and improvement of the farm, where he spent his remaining years. His wife pre- ceded him to the other world, and both were interred in the Elmira cemetery.

To this worthy couple were born seven sons and four daughters, all of whom accompanied their parents to the United States. They are as follows: Robert, who went west after reaching manhood; George, who died in early life soon after locating here; James, a farmer of Bureau county, Illinois; Ellen, wife of An- drew Oliver, of Stark county; Elizabeth, wife of William Oliver, of Henry county, Illinois; John H., of this review; Alexander, a sub- stantial farmer of Bureau county; Margaret, deceased, wife of William B. Turnbull, of Far- ragut, Iowa; Stephana, deceased, wife of David Murray, of Stark county; William, who owns and operates the old homestead in El-

The first nineteen years of his life John H. Turnbull spent in the land of his nativity, there acquiring most of his education, though he at- tended one term of school after his arrival in Stark county. Here he was married, February 5, 1858, to Miss Mary Armstrong, who was born, reared and educated in Scotland, as was also her father, William Armstrong. In 1856 she came to America with her brother John, who located in Stark county. They made what was considered a quick trip at that time, the vessel being just six weeks and two days in running between Liverpool and New York. Mrs. Turnbull spent about a year in Gault, Canada, and then joined her brother in Stark county.

Seven children grace the union of our sub- ject and his estimable wife, namely: Marga- ret, now the wife of Adam Turnbull, of Stark county; Andrew Oliver, who is married and en- gages in farming on the old homestead; Han- nah, who died at the age of eighteen years; Sophia, wife of Thomas Murray, a farmer of Taylor county, Iowa; Mattie, who died at the age of nineteen; William Nathaniel, who now lives in Kansas City, Missouri; and Francis E., who died in childhood.

Mr. Turnbull began his domestic life on a farm in Neponset township, Bureau county, Illinois, where in partnership with a brother he owned one hundred and sixty acres, to which they later added another tract of the same size. There he made his home for ten years, but on the expiration of that time sold out his interest and returned to Stark county, buying one hundred and twenty acres of land in Elmira township, to which he has since added eighty acres, making a fine farm of two hundred acres, which he has improved with good buildings. There he reared his children, most of whom

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where born in Bureau county. For many years he was numbered among the most active and progressive farmers of the community, but in 1891 removed to the village of Elmira, where he bought a comfortable residence and is now living retired, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, and surrounded by many warm friends and acquaintances, who have for him the highest regard. Since voting for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, he has been an ardent supporter of the republican party, has served as a delegate to many county conven- tions, and has been called upon to fill a num- ber of official positions, the duties of which he ever promptly and faithfully discharged. He has now been the efficient assessor of his town- ship for about twelve years, and was collector, school director and a member of the election board for a number of years each. Both Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull are consistent members of the United Presbyterian church of Elmira.

B ENJAMIN A. NEWTON, who is pleas- antly located on section 10, Toulon town- ship, has been an honored and valued resident of Stark county since November, 1844, and has been an important factor in its develop- ment and progress. He is a native of Penn- sylvania, born in Susquehanna county, October 12, 1835, and belongs to an English origin that was early founded in Connecticut, where oc- curred the birth of Benjamin Newton, Sr., the grandfather of our subject. He became a pioneer of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania.

In that county, David Newton, the father, was born, September 6, 1811, and his child- hood was passed in Luzerne and Susquehanna counties. On reaching manhood he married Sarah A. Brundage, a native of the Keystone state, and a daughter of John Brundage, of Pennsylvania, who was also of English de- scent. She died when our subject was a child

of two years, and he then lived with his grand- father a few years, but after his father's second marriage he accompanied the family on their removal to New York, where they remained for four years.

In 1844, David Newton and his brother Za- rah, with their respective families, consisting of fourteen persons, left New York on the 4th of October, and after a long and tedious jour- ney arriv d in Stark county, Illinois, Novem- ber 5. They expected to take a boat at Buf- falo, but the rates charged were unreasonably high, and they concluded to proceed by teams, which seems almost providential, as the boat on which they were to have sailed was wrecked in a storm a few days later. David Newton located in Penn township, while his brother settled in Elmira township. The former purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres which had been partially improved, and there made his home until 1860, when he sold out and removed to Johnson coun- ty, Iowa. Later he traded his place there for a farm in Crawford county, on which he spent his remaining days. By his first marriage he had two children: Benjamin A., and Sarah, wife of Robert Cinamon, of Marshall county, Illinois. There were nine children by the second union who grew to maturity.

Mr. Newton, of this review, was a lad of nine years when he came to Stark county, and in the common schools of this locality he com- pleted his literary education. He is a natural mechanic, always handy with tools, and in early life mastered the blacksmith's trade. In Modena, Stark county, he opened a black- smith and wagon shop, which he successfully conducted until 1894, when he disposed of the business. He has successfully engaged in breeding a fine grade of English shire horses, and has also owned and operated a steam

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thresher and run a stationary engine in Modena prior to embarking in blacksmithing.

On the 9th of November, 1856, Mr. Newton married Susanna C. Dunn, a native of Spring- field, Illinois, who died August 20, 1890. To them were born the following children: Frank A., who is married and is engaged in farming in Greene county, Iowa; William S., who died in early childhood; Eliza M., now the widow of G. W. Moffitt, of Castleton, Illinois; Lora B., wife of J. L. Harris, a farmer of Penn township, Stark county, by whom she has three children; Mary S., wife of G. W. Han- chett, of Peoria county, Illinois, by whom she has five children; Elbert P., a farmer of Tou- lon township, Stark county, who is married and has two children; and Fred B., of Penn township, who is married and has one child.

In January, 1896, Mr. Newton was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Maggie A. Holmes, widow of George E. Holmes, who was a farmer of Stark county and died in March, 1891. She is a native of Fulton county, Illinois, and by her first marriage became the mother of six sons and three daughters, name- ly: William H., a farmer of Iowa; Lovel, who is married and is with his brother in Buena Vista county, Iowa; David W., who is mar- ried and lives in Toulon township, Stark county ; Effie, wife of Onnis Galbreth; Mary, who was educated at the Toulon Academy and is now a successful teacher of Stark county; Edward, a resident of Iowa; and Maggie, Robert and Ly- man, who are still with their mother.

After his marriage Mr. Newton located on his present farm, and now gives his attention to agricultural pursuits and operates his thresh- er during the season. His political support was formerly given the republican party, but he now votes with the populists, and takes an active part in public affairs, having served as collector and commissioner of highways for

several years. Since 1869 he has been a Mas- ter Mason, holding membership in Wyoming Lodge, No. 479, and in 1894 joined Castleton Lodge, No. 553, I. O. O. F., in which he has served in several offices, and is also a member of the Rebekah lodge. Religiously he and his wife are consistent members of the American Presbyterian church of Elmira. For over a half a century he has taken a prominent part in promoting the prosperity of his adopted county, and his career has ever been such as to command the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. He certainly deserves an honored place among the pioneers and respected citizens of his community.

H. P. HOPKINS, manager of the E. W. · Houghton Lumber Company, Bradford, Illinois, was born in Allegany county, New York, July 25, 1841. His parents, Ezra M. and Fanny (Stacy) Hopkins, were natives of Rochester, Vermont, in which place they were reared and married. Later they removed to Allegany county, New York, where the father engaged in farming and dairying until he came west in 1866. For twenty-two years he served as justice of the peace in New York, and was a life-long member and for many years a dea- con of the Presbyterian church. An exemplary man, he had many friends and was in every way a worthy, good and representative citi- zen, such as gives character to a community. He died in 1869, at the age of sixty-four years, his wife preceding him some three years, dying at the age of sixty-one years. She was also a life-long member and an active worker in the Presbyterian church.

The subject of this sketch is sixth in a fam- ily of seven children, of whom five are now deceased. His youngest sister, Fannie, is now the wife of A. J. Thompson and now resides in Crab Orchard, Nebraska. Mr. Hopkins

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grew to manhood in his native state, received his education in the common schools and in Rushford (New York) Academy. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age. In 1863 he came to Illinois to engage in map work. Business being dull he taught school in Milo township in the winter of 1863-4. In the spring and summer following he engaged in the delivery of a state map of Illinois. In the spring of 1865, he commenced farming in Milo township, following that. occupation in summer and teaching in the winter. This he continued to do until his removal to Bradford in 1870, when, under the firm name of White & Hopkins, he opened a drug store, which business they carried on for some years. Our subject then engaged in the clothing business, retaining his interest in the drug store, how- ever, which was run by Mr. White. In the last year of President Harrison's administra- tion, he was appointed postmaster and served a little over four years.

In February, 1884, Mr. Hopkins commenced the lumber business with E. W. Houghton, and the business was shortly afterward incor- porated, our subject taking the position of man- ager of the yards at Bradford. It is the only lumber-yard in the place, and the company does a large and fairly profitable trade, supplying quite a territory in the vicinity of Bradford. The company also owns a half interest in the Bradford Grain Company, and control both elevators. They buy and ship about five hun- dred car loads of grain a year.

Mr. Hopkins was married in 1869, to Miss Viola W. White, daughter of Washington White, the father of his partner. Their mar- riage occurred at Rushford, New York, of which place, Mrs. Hopkins is a native. Three children have come to bless their union: Ezra W., bookkeeper for the lumber and grain com- pany; Carrie May, who died at the age of

seventeen years; and Harla E., a pupil in the Bradford schools. Mrs. Hopkins received her education at Rushford, New York, and also at the Clinton Seminary, in that state. After graduating she was engaged as a teacher for two years in the Rushford Academy, but never taught after coming west. While her hus- band held the position of postmaster, she at- tended principally to the duties of the office. She is at present president of the Woman's Relief Corps of Bradford, and also Worthy Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star, of which our subject is also a member. A mem- ber of the Baptist church, she takes an active interest in its work, and is a successful teacher in the Sunday-school. Her father is deceased, but her mother is still living, and makes her home with our subject, having reached the advanced age of seventy-eight years. She is a well-pre- served woman for one of her age. Mrs. Hop- kins has two brothers and one sister living: F. S. resides in Denver, Colorado; May is the wife of C. C. Colburn, of Oneonta, New York; and W. S., who resides in Montreal, Canada.

Mr. Hopkins is a member of Bradford Lodge, F. & A. M., and Wyoming Chapter, R. A. M. In politics he is an ardent republican, a be- liever in protection, reciprocity and sound money. He is one of the leading men of his town and township, a genial, courteous gen- tleman, and believes in keeping abreast with the times. While he seeks no office, he is free to exert his best efforts for the men and the party which will promote the best interests of the people. But few men have more friends and none are more willing to do for a friend than is the subject of this sketch.

REV. PATRICK HENRY MCCARRON, pastor of St. John's Catholic church of Bradford, Illinois, and also of St. Dominic's church, of Wyoming, was born in Massachu-

REV. P. H. MCCARRON.

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setts, and is a son of P. H. and Ellen Frances (Scott) McCarron, the former a native of Lon- donderry, Ireland, and the latter of the central part of that country. They came with their respective parents to the new world and located in Boston, where they were reared and married. The father of our subject was a blacksmith by occupation, and by his many sterling qualities made many warm friends in his adopted city. He died suddenly in Octo- ber, 1888, at the age of fifty-six years, and his wife passed away January 15, 1896, in the sixty-first year of her age. Both were very devout members of the Catholic church, and Mrs. McCarron was a woman of a most lovable disposition, and had the esteem of all who knew her. She was the only daughter of an excellent family, her parents being James and Margaret (Grady) Scott, the former a well-to- do farmer of Ireland, who died just before the removal of the family to America. His two sons, John and James Scott, fought in the Union army during the Civil war and are now deceased. The father of the Rev. P. H. Mc- Carron also comes of a very patriotic family, having several brothers who took part in the late war, in which two were wounded. All are now deceased, with the exception of Richard and James.

Father McCarron is the fifth in order of birth in a family of ten children, of whom seven are still living. Of those deceased, one died in childhood, and James, who was an excellent swimmer, was out boating and in some unknown way was drowned. Though every effort was made, his body was never recovered. At the time of his death he was successfully engaged in the hotel business in Portland, Oregon, in partnership with his brother, Richard. He was a man of excellent character, much energy and perseverance, and his untimely death brought great sorrow to his

many relatives and admiring friends. In order of birth the children were as follows: John, Richard, Mary, wife of Matthew Scullion, of Boston; Elizabeth, wife of A. J. Simmons, who is head agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Boston; Rev. P. H .; James; Mar- garet, who became the wife of Arthur Fish, and died at the age of twenty-four years; Catherine, who died in infancy; Edward, and George. With the exception of Richard, Ed- ward and our subject, the other sons reside at Boston, Massachusetts.

Father McCarron is a graduate of the public schools of Boston; was also a student at the Boston College, of that city, where he studied the classics, and completed the theological course at Mount St. Mary's, Cincinnati, Ohio, with the class of 1891. He also attended St. Joseph's College, of New York, where he made his philosophical and a part of his theological course; and, while a theologian and waiting for ordination, he engaged in teaching for awhile at St. Viator College, in Kankakee, Illinois. On the roth of January, 1892, he was ordained at Mount St. Mary's by His Grace, Most Rev. William Henry Elder, D. D., Archbishop of Cincinnati, and was then appointed an assistant to the late Vicar Gen- eral Father Hurley for six months, during the absence of the bishop. He then served as the Right Rev. Bishop Spalding's secretary for over two years at the cathedral in Peoria, and on the expiration of that time was appointed pastor of the churches at Bradford and Wyo- ming, Illinois, where he still remains.

The church at Bradford was founded in 1875, being at that time a part of the Camp Grove parish, and the house of worship was erected under most trying circumstances, as there was no resident pastor. While belonging to the Camp Grove parish the congregation was pre- sided over by Rev. Patrick Campbell, who was

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greatly beloved and respected by all who knew quently entertained under his hospitable roof him, of whatever denomination. He died Generals Butler, Banks and Hancock, who always showed a great appreciation of the many kindnesses manifested by this noble priest. After the war, feeling that he could do more good elsewhere, he applied to the newly consecrated bishop, whom he had met in the east, for admission into the diocese of Peoria. Bishop Spalding cheerfully accepted the services of so eminent a man. some twenty years since. For some time the congregation was under the charge of priests from the surrounding missions, one of the most noted of these being Father O'Gara McShane, now the esteemed pastor of the Church of the Annunciation, Chicago. He laid the corner- stone and dedicated the church at Bradford under the name of the Right Rev. Dr. Foley, bishop of Chicago, to which diocese the parish then belonged. The sermon on this occasion was delivered by the Right Rev. Dr. Edward J. Dunne, at present the beloved bishop of Dallas, Texas, who was then pastor in Chi- cago. Father McShane, like Dr. Dunne, is gifted with the eloquence for which the Celtic race is noted.

The first resident pastor of Bradford was the Very Rev. Jeremiah Canon Moynihan, who had been, prior to coming to Bradford, on duty in the archdiocese of New Orleans. He was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, and after finishing his classical education at All Hallows College, of that country, he came to America, and entered the archdiocese of New Orleans as a theological student at the invita- tion of the Most Rev. Dr. Blane, of that city. Here he finished his theological course and was raised to the priesthood by this eminent prelate, who always held Father Moynihan in the high- est esteem. The latter held very responsible positions under Drs. Blane and Odin, and on the assumption of Napoleon Joseph Peche to the office of archbishop of New Orleans he was elected one of the canons of the cathedral of that city. His brother, Cornelius, was also raised to the same dignity. Father Moynihan was pastor of the largest congregation in that city and one of the most noted. During the Civil war he was with the northern people in feeling, sentiment and sympathy, and fre-

On the 23d of November, 1896, at St. Bede College, in Bureau county, Illinois, Canon Moynihan celebrated his "Golden Sacerdotal Jubilee," which was an occasion of great con- gratulation and rejoicing. Solemn mass was celebrated at 10:30, in which the following par- ticipated : the Very Rev. Canon Celebrant ; deacon of the mass, Rev. Donatus Crowe, rector at Utica ; sub-deacon, Rev. Henry O'Kelley, rector of Streator ; archdeacon, Very Rev. Dean Keating, rector of St. Colum- bia's church, Ottawa, Illinois ; deacons of honor to the Right Rev. Bishop, Very Rev. P. J. O'Reilly, V. G., rector of St. Patrick's church, at Peoria, and the Very Rev. Dean Weldon, rector of the Holy Trinity church, at Bloomington, Illinois ; master of ceremonies, Rev. P. H. McCarron, rector of St. John's church, at Bradford, Illinois ; and assistant master of ceremonies, Rev. O'Gara McShane, of Annunciation church, Chicago. On this occasion the eloquent bishop of Peoria, Right Rev. John Lancaster Spalding, D. D., gave a beautiful and interesting portrayal of the life and charming characteristics of the venerable jubilarian. A banquet was served at which sixty-odd priests partook. After the dinner several toasts were responded to, some of which were eulogistic of the venerable priest, and telegrams were read from His Grace, Archbishop Feehan, of Chicago, Right Rev. Bishop Wigger, of Newark, New Jersey, Right

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Rev. Bishop Ryan, of Alton, Illinois, and many other notable personages, conveying felicitations and regrets of their inability to be present on that occasion. The Canon was presented with a purse from his fellow priests of over thirteen hundred dollars as a testimon- ial of esteem, together with many other valua- ble presents from his numerous friends in dif- ferent parts of the country.

Among the other priests at Bradford was Father Henry Delbaer, a native of Belgium, who administered to the wants of the congre- gation for nearly three years. He is a retir- ing, scholarly man, of amiable disposition, and is at present chaplain at St. Francis hospital, Danville, Illinois. His successor was Rev. Thomas J. O'Callahan, who did much to fur- ther the interests of the church at Bradford, .and other people.

where he remained for seven years. He was a man of pleasing character and a preacher of much ability. Owing to declining health he was released of his office by the bishop, and is at present chaplain to the Sisters of St. Francis, at St. Anthony's hospital at Rock Island, Illi- nois. During the sojourn of Father O'Calla- han in Europe, whither he had gone in search of health, for a year, Rev. Charles A. Hausser, a native of Joliet, Illinois, took his place, and endeared himself to the church and the people at large by his many sterling qualities. He is now the worthy rector at Princeton, Illinois.

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The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois, Part 88

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