USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 90
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 90
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 90
USA > Illinois > Stark County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 90
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A ARON D. VAN SICKLE, residing on sec- tion 28, West Jersey township, is the owner of much valuable farming land, includ- ing his homestead, which comprises one hun- dred and sixty acres of highly cultivated and well improved land. He is numbered among the self-made men of Stark county, his accu- mulations being the result of his own industry, obtained by self-denial and economy, and the exercise of a naturally good judgment both in regard to agricultural pursuits and business matters.
Mr. Van Sickle began his earthly career in Warren county, New Jersey, March 24, 1831, a son of Aaron and Naomi (Decker) Van Sick- le, also natives of that state, where the father
engaged in farming and blacksmithing until 1852, when he came to Stark county, Illinois, traveling by team with another family. He first purchased forty acres of land in West Jersey township, a small portion of which had been placed under cultivation and a cabin erected thereon. He gave his time and atten- tion to the further development of his place, to which he added until he owned two hun- dred and forty acres of rich and arable land. In 1854 he was joined by his family, and here continued to make his home until his death, June 1, 1874, when sixty-eight years of age. His wife survived him many years, passing away January 20, 1896, at the advanced age of eighty-seven, and both lie buried in the West Jersey cemetery, where a monument marks their last resting place.
Our subject was the second in order of birth in the family of eight children, all of whom reached years of maturity, but one brother and three sisters are now deceased. Phebe, the oldest, is the wife of Jonathan Thompson, of Buda, Bureau county, Illinois. George is a farmer of Ringgold county, Iowa. Wilson operates the old homestead in West Jersey township. Albert married and engaged in farming in Stark county for a few years, and then removed to Union county, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1873. Amy and Mar- garet were married but are now deceased, and Mercy died unmarried.
As our subject had no school advantages he is entirely self-educated, and at the early age of nine years began to make his own way in the world, working as a farm hand. For three years he remained in the service of one man, and before leaving his native state served as foreman on a farm of two hundred acres, over- seeing the men. In May, 1850, in Warren county, New Jersey, was celebrated his mar- riage to Mary Kelley, who was born and reared
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in Dublin, Ireland. They remained in the east until 1856, but in March of that year joined his family in West Jersey township, Stark county, where Mr. Van Sickle rented land for about seven years. In January, 1863, he purchased a slightly improved tract of one hundred acres, on which he still resides, and at once began its cultivation and further im- provement. Subsequently he purchased sixty acres adjoining, and is now the owner of three fine farms aggregating five hundred acres, all of which property has been acquired through his own unaided efforts, perseverance and skill- ful management. Upon his home place is a large, substantial residence, good barns and out-buildings, and all the accessories found upon a model farm of the nineteenth century.
Mr. Van Sickle's first wife died December, 1875, leaving four children, namely: Harriet, now the wife of W. A. Barr, of Annawan, Illi- nois; George, who is married and is engaged in farming in West Jersey township; Josephine, wife of Robert C. Laing, of Cedar county, Mis- souri; and Willie, who is married and resides on his father's fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Bureau county, Illinois.
On the 15th of February, 1877, in Stark county, Mr. Van Sickle was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha Wiley, who was born, reared and educated in the county, and is a daughter of Jacob Wiley, an- other of its old settlers who came from New Jersey. Mr. Wiley was twice married, his second wife being the mother of Mrs. Van- Sickle. His death occurred October 23, 1889. By his second marriage Mr. Van Sickle has three children: Bertha, a successful music- teacher, residing at home; Elvia, who assists in the operation of the farm; and Carl, who is attending the home school.
As an advocate of protection and sound money, Mr. Van Sickle is an ardent supporter
of the republican party, and, although he has never sought office, he has been elected to a number of local positions, including that of trustee of his township. His estimable wife is an active member of the Methodist Epis- copal church of West Jersey, and she and her daughter are both teachers in the Sabbath- school. While Mr. Van Sickle holds member- ship with no religious organization, he attends church with his wife and contributes to its support. They are held in the highest regard by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who fully appreciate their sterling worth and many excellent traits of character, and they also have the confidence and respect of all with whom they come in contact.
G IDEON MURRAY .- In the career of this I gentleman we find an excellent example for young men just embarking in the field of active life of what may be accomplished by a man beginning poor, but honest, prudent and industrious. He is now one of the most sub- stantial and prosperous agriculturists of Stark county, owning and operating a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres on section II, Toulon township, pleasantly situated six miles from the village of Toulon.
A native of another hemisphere, Mr. Murray was born in Roxburg, Scotland, May 23, 1833, a son of Thomas and Janet (Scott) Murray, whose births also occurred in that county. There the following children were born to them: David, Gideon, William, George; Ag- nes, wife of Orin Jackson, of Stark county, Illinois; and Thomas, now deceased, who was a soldier of the Civil war, and for a number of years was a resident of Des Moines, Iowa. David, the oldest of the family, was the first to come to the United States, arriving in 1851; but the following year the remainder of the family also crossed the Atlantic, leaving Liver-
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pool on a sailing vessel, the A. Z., which safely reached the harbor of New York after a long voyage of sixty-three days. By rail they pro- ceeded to Chicago, and on to Stark county, where David had previously located. They reached here in July, 1852, and the father at once began to improve a farm in Elmira town- ship, but the following year was called to his final rest. The sons then purchased land in that township, which they operated together for a number of years and then divided the property.
In the schools of his native land Gideon Since casting his first presidential ballot for John C. Fremont, in 1856, Mr. Murray has affiliated with the republican party, but has never aspired to official distinction, preferring Murray acquired his education. He was twenty years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to the new world, and was in partnership with his brother in · to give his undivided attention to his farm and Elmira township for a number of years. Sub- sequently he bought a slightly-improved place in Osceola township, which he operated for ten years, repairing the house and building a stable in the meantime, but in 1875 sold out and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm, and also a timber tract of forty acres adjoining. He has since added eighty acres on section 2, Toulon township, making a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which is tiled and also improved with good and substantial buildings.
In Stark county, in the fall of 1865, Mr. Murray married Miss Jane Fairbairn, also a native of Roxburgshire, Scotland, and a daugh- ter of Robert Fairbairn, who emigrated to America about 1858, and was followed by his family about five years later. Of the children there were four daughters and one son, but one of the daughters is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Murray have three children, namely: Agnes, who is at home. Robert, a prosperous young man owning a good farm in Penn town- ship, Stark county, was educated in the home schools, and was married in Stark county,
February, 1891, to Miss Lizzie Malone, who was born, reared and educated in the same county of which her father, Samuel Malone, was an early settler. A bright little son graces their union, Alva G., the joy and pride of the household. Thomas, the youngest of the family, married Anna Barton, daughter of Joseph Barton, in February, 1897. He owns a farm adjoining his father's, was educated in the common schools, is a young man of exem- plary habits, and is now a member of the school board.
business interests. Although he started out in life for himself with no capital, he has steadily worked his way upward by perseverance, en- ergy and good management to a position of affluence. For forty-four years he has been identified with the growth and development of Stark county, and his sterling worth and many excellent traits of character have gained for him the friendship of a large circle of acquaint- ances. With his wife and daughter, he holds membership in the United Presbyterian church of Elmira, and the family is one of prominence in the community.
B. F. CORBIN, now living a retired life in Bradford, Illinois, was born in Knox county, this state, October 27, 1839. His father, Anderson Corbin, was born at Cul- peper Court House, Virginia, while his mother, Caroline ( McGinnis ) Corbin, was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer and millwright by occupation, and came to Illinois in 1836, locating in Salem township, Knox county, where he purchased land and opened up a farm. Previous to this,
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however, he went by the Ohio and Missis- sippi rivers to St. Louis, and there engaged with Smith, Sublet & Jackson, who were en- gaged in the fur trade in competition with the Astors. With this company he went to the Rocky mountains, and remained there about three or four years. On leaving the employ of the fur company he went to Zanesville, Ohio, to which place his parents had removed. There was celebrated his marriage, soon after which he came to Knox county, Illinois. At the time of his removal to this state small bands of Indians were frequently seen. Here he died in the latter part of 1839. After the death of her husband Mrs. Corbin married Capper Rune, of Knox county. She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in May, 1884, at about sev- enty-five years of age. But two children were born to Anderson and Caroline Corbin : B. F., our subject, and Emily, now the wife of George Snow, of Cambridge, Illinois.
In 1850 Mr. Corbin, of this review, came with his stepfather and family to Milo town- ship, Bureau county. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and has followed the occupation of a farmer dur- ing his entire life. He began business for himself in Milo township, Bureau county, and still owns a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres in that county, which is under a good state of cultivation. His marriage with Miss Sarah E. Reid occurred in November, 1866. She is a daughter of M. M. Reid, and a native of Scott county, Indiana. Her father was a native of Maryland, born near Harper's Ferry, while her mother, whose maiden name was Sarah A. Horner, was a native of Wash- ington county, Indiana. They removed from the latter state to Bureau county, Illinois, locating in Milo township. In 1859 he removed to Tiskilwa and engaged in mercantile business
and two years later resumed farming in Milo township, where his death occurred December 6, 1880, at the age of sixty-five years. Mat- thew M. Reid and Sarah Reid were the par- ents of nine children : John L., who resides on a farm in Milo township, Bureau county ; Sarah E., wife of our subject ; David L., a farmer and grain-dealer residing in Audubon county, Iowa ; George W., who resides in Wyoming, Illinois ; Maria I., wife of Festus Bentley, of Milo township; William N., who resides on a farm near Castleton, Illinois ; Mary E., wife of Frank Christman, of Yates City, Illinois ; Atlanta, wife of Joseph Huff- nagle, of Milo township ; and Nellie, wife of Eugene Vail, who resides near Princeton, on a farm. The mother of these children was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while the father was a supporter of the same. He was a well-informed man and always kept posted on the issues of the day. Few men were better known in the section of the country where he resided and none were more highly respected.
To Mr. and Mrs. Corbin six children were born, of whom there are now living : Edith. wife of Edward Reed ; Charlotta M. and Mark, who still reside at home. The deceased are Maria, who died at the age of nineteen months, and two in infancy. The mother is a consist- ent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active interest in its work. Mr. Corbin is one of the substantial men of Brad- ford, where he has resided a year. A worthy · citizen, he is well entitled to a representation in the biographical record of his adopted county.
R DOBERT M. H. SCOTT, who owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 19, Osceola township, Stark county, is a worthy representative of the
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sturdy Scotch race, his birth occurring in Rox- burgshire, Scotland, September 9, 1848. His parents were Thomas and Jane (Mitchell) Scott, and in early life he made his home with his grandfather, Robert Mitchell Hill, for whom he was named. Upon that gentleman's farm our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, and as a schoolhouse was near their home he had a good opportunity of securing a literary education. When about nine years old, the grandfather concluded to emigrate to Canada, and after a voyage of fourteen days upon the steamer " Kangaroo," they landed at New York, whence they proceeded at once to Galt, Canada, about twenty or twenty-five miles from Hamilton. There the grandfather died a year later, and at the end of another year the family returned to their old home in Scotland.
On reaching that country, Mr. Scott went to live with his parents, who had remained there, and he continued under the parental roof until 1872, when he concluded to again come to the new world, having saved enough money to pay his passage. This time he landed at Portland, Maine, in the winter, and at once continued his journey to Illinois, stop- ping for a time in Henry county, near Kewanee, where he worked on a farm by the month un- til the following July, when he went to Toronto, Canada. There he clerked in a store until the following spring, when he returned to Kewanee and again worked by the month as a farm hand, following that .occupation for three years.
Mr. Scott was then married, on the 2d of March, 1877, to Miss Mary Margaret Turn- bull, who was born in Elmira township, Stark county, May 26, 1851, and is a daughter of James and Ann (Matheson) Turnbull, natives of the highlands of Scotland, where their marriage was celebrated. Mr. and Mrs. Scott began their domestic life in Toulon, where he
rented land for a year, and then purchased eighty acres of his present farm, to which he has since added another eighty-acre tract. The well-tilled fields and neat appearance of the place indicate the supervision of a pro- gressive, painstaking owner, who is now meet- ing with a well-deserved success in his chosen calling.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott have a family of seven children, of whom the eldest was born in Toulon, but the birth of the others all occurred in Osceola township. Their names and dates of birth are as follows: Margaret Mitchell Hill, January 17, 1878; Anna Jane, August 21, 1879; James William, July 5, 1881; Agnes Ellen, March 5, 1883; Thomas, November 2, 1885; Julia Isabelle, January 21, 1888; John Henry, June 6, 1890.
Mr. Scott took out his first naturalization papers after a residence here of two years, and the last two years afterward casting his first vote for Hayes in 1876. He has since affil- iated with the republican party, and has served as school director for the most of the time for the past ten years. With the Presbyterian church of Elmira he and his estimable wife hold membership, and have taken an active and prominent part in its work. He is now serving as elder and also assists in the work of the Sunday-school. They hold an enviable position in social circles, where their sterling worth is justly appreciated, and enjoy the friendship and esteem of all with whom they come in contact.
W ILLIAM CORNELIUS CONRAD .- Many of the most enterprising and prosperous farmers of Stark county have come from the land beyond the sea, and especially is this true of the many who have left their homes in the German empire and sought in this land of freedom a refuge from the military
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despotism and the penury and poverty that so rule their native land. Among these quite a prominent figure is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and who now makes his home on section 35, Penn township, where he is successfully engaged in farming and the breeding of short-horn cattle.
A native of the kingdom of Hanover, Ger- many, Mr. Conrad was born in Ostfriesland, September 22, 1846, and is a son of Cornelius and Gretchen (Rosenburg) Conrad. By occu- pation the father was a laborer and our subject was reared upon a farm. In the schools of his native land he obtained a good education, and on leaving the school-roomn at the age of fourteen he began working as a farm hand, following that vocation until twenty years of age, when for two years he followed the sea, as he did not wish to enter the German army. During that time he twice visited the West Indies, made two trips to Russia, stopping at St. Petersburg and Cronstadt, and also visited Liverpool and other European seaports. At length he sailed from England to New York. where he was paid off.
Resolved to remain in this country, Mr. Con- rad came at once to Peoria, Illinois, where he had a brother living, and began life here with a capital of only two dollars and forty cents; but as he did not obtain employment for a week, he was in debt at the end of that time, for his board bill amounted to five dollars. From September, 1868, until the following March he was employed at the water works, and then came to Stark county, securing work on a farm only one mile from his present home.
Here Mr. Conrad became acquainted with Miss Minnie M. Tess, of Penn township, to whom he was united in marriage on the 18th of April, 1870, in Peoria. She was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, July 16, 1855, and when about two years old was brought to
America by her parents, John and Mary (Schlisting) Tess, who are still living in Castle- ton, Stark county. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad be- gan housekeeping on a rented farm in Penn township, but six years later he was able to purchase eighty acres near Castleton, where they resided for four years. He then sold and bought one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm, which he has improved with good and substantial buildings, and he has tiled and placed the land under a high state of cultivation. In 1893 he purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 26, Penn town- ship, and also owns one hundred and twenty acres which he purchased of Mrs. Conrad's parents. A progressive, energetic farmer, his success is certainly deserved.
Twelve children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad, but two died in infancy. They are as follows: Marie Gretze, who was born March 22, 1872, and was married March 27, 1890, to Hedde Pyell, by whom she has two children; Cornelius Henry, who was born December 1I, 1874, and died July 22, 1876; Emma Getze, who was born February 20, 1877, and was married December 22, 1896, to George Noll; John Cornelius, who was born January 30, 1879, and died August 16, 1880; Gertze Johannah, born May 6, 1881; Albert Frederick, born May 4, 1883; Minnie Eliza- beth, born April 28, 1885; Rosa Sophia, born March 3, 1887; Ida Better, born February 13, 1889; William John, born July 18, 1891; Fritz Wilhelm, born October 26, 1893; and Reinold Karl, born September 20, 1895.
Since casting his first vote for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876, Mr. Conrad has been a stanch republican in politics, but has never cared for public office, though he has served as school director for six years. He has also provided his children with good educational privileges, all being able to both read and
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speak German and English. The parents are active and prominent members of the German Lutheran church of Castleton, which Mr. Conrad was instrumental in building, and his name appears in the corner stone as one of its charter members. For fifteen years he served as trustee, and has always contributed freely to the support of all religious or educational institutions. Public-spirited to a great degree, he takes an active interest in every measure calculated to benefit the community or accrue to the good of society in general.
JAMES E. ARMSTRONG .- Among the young men of Stark county who have se- lected agriculture as their vocation in life, and judging from their present indications are bound to succeed in their chosen calling, is the sub- ject of this biographical notice, who resides on section 21, Elmira township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved and productive land, conveniently located one- half mile east of the corporate limits of the village of Elmira.
Our subject is a native son of Illinois, born in Henry county August 1, 1868, his father, John Armstrong, being a prominent farmer of that county. He is a native of Scotland, and a brother of Adam and George Armstrong, of Stark county, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. On coming to the new world he first located in Stark county, where he en- gaged in farming for some years, and then re- moved to Henry county, first purchasing ninety- six acres in Wethersfield township, where he still resides. He has met with excellent suc- cess in his farming operations, and is now the owner of about seven hundred acres of rich and arable land, well improved with good and substantial buildings, and pleasantly situated five miles from Kewanee. In Bureau county he married Miss Jane Rule, also a native
of Scotland, who was reared and mostly edu- cated in Illinois. Our subject is the second in order of birth in their family of eight children, the others being as follows: Jennie, now the wife of Ernest Jackson, of Elmira township, Stark county; John Adam, a mechanic, now employed in Chicago; Robert, who assists in carrying on the home farm; George, who is now attending his second year in Knox College at Galesburg; Cybella and Katie E., who are attending the Kewanee schools; and Mary, at home.
James E. Armstrong, of this sketch, was also provided with excellent educational privi- leges, being a student in the Kewanee high school, and later completing a course in the Quincy Commercial College, after which he remained with his father until he attained his majority, assisting in the operation of the home farm. In New York city, on the 18th of Sep- tember, 1893, was celebrated his marriage with Miss Isabella Murray, a daughter of Dr. Mur- ray, of Castleton, Scotland, and a sister of Mrs. George Armstrong, of Stark county. She was reared and educated in Scotland, and for nine years made her home in the city of London. In 1891 she came to the United States, but later returned to her native coun- try, coming again to America in 1893, when she was married in New York city. They have one daughter, Agnes Jeanie.
Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong began their domes- tic life upon their present farm, where he has since successfully engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He not only carries on general farming, but is interested in the raising and feeding of stock. Politically he is independent, casting his ballot for the man whom he considers best qualified for the office, regardless of party affil- iations. He is now serving as town clerk of Elmira township, which position he fills to the satisfaction of all concerned. Both Mr. and
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Mrs. Armstrong are active members of the Elmira Presbyterian church, and hold a high position in the social circles of the community.
G EORGE A. LOWMAN, a leading agri- culturist of Goshen township, makes his home on section 24, and has been a resident of Stark county since October, 1851. He has therefore been identified with much of its prog- ress and development, and is a worthy repre- sentative of one of its honored pioneer families. He was born January 10, 1839, in Highland county, Ohio, of which his parents, William and Esther (Keys) Lowman, were also natives, the former born in 1813. Michael Lowman, the grandfather, was a Pennsylvanian by birth, and was descended from one of three brothers -Michael, George and Jacob Lowman-who came to America from Germany, and became pioneers of Pennsylvania, Virginia and Illinois. With his parents, the grandfather of our sub- ject went to Ohio at an early day, locating in Highland county, where he cleared, fenced and opened up a farm in the midst of the for- est. In 1834 he came to Illinois and settled in Knox county west of Farmington, where he also converted a wild tract into a productive farm and there continued to reside until his death.
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