USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 11
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 11
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 11
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In politics Professor Magee has been independ- ent, though lately acting with the prohibition party, on which ticket he twice ran for county superintendent of schools. He was made a Ma- son in Woodhull lodge, No. 502, F. & A. M .; the chapter No. 28. R. A. M., of Princeton, and the commandery No. 20, also of Princeton. Both himself and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has filled several offices and has also served as super- intendent of the Sunday school. They hold an honorable position in literary and social circles, and have the respect and esteem of all who know them.
OHN MONIER, deceased, was for many years the leading farmer in Marshall coun- ty, and had a very wide and extensive acquaint- ance. He was born on the Isle of Man Septem- ber 7, 1826, and was the son of William and Jane (Quaile) Monier, also natives of the Isle of Man, but of French descent, the great-great-grandfatlı- er of John being a native of France. He grew to manhood in his native country, and in 1849 came to the United States with the family and located in Peoria county, Illinois. At that time he was twenty-three years of age, and was en- titled to all the legal rights of man, but did not choose to exercise his rights. His parents were getting along in years and were not well pro- vided for as respects this world's goods. Until such was the case he could not think of self. ' With his younger brother, William, he hired out by the month, and saving their wages they pur- chased eighty acres of partially improved land, on which was a small house, and into which the
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family moved and continued to live six years. In 1857 they sold out and went to Saratoga town- ship, Marshall county, where they bought a tract of land, and all continued to work together for a few years, when the children began to leave the family home and go out one by one to carve their own destinies. John, however, remained upon the homestead, and there continued to make his home until his death. Both parents died upon the place when past eighty years of age.
After living a bachelor's life for nearly thirty- five years, John Monier, in June, 1861, married Miss Ellen Farrell, a native of Ireland, by whom he had four children, Jennie, now the wife of David Hosfield, of Whitefield township; Anna, who died at the age of twenty-two years; John, who married Mollie Harney and now resides near Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, and Cath- erine, who makes her home with her sister Jen- nie. The mother of these children died in 1870.
Three years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Monier was united in marriage with Miss Janet Bell, the wedding ceremony taking place at the home of the bride's parents, Richard and Mar- garet Bell, of La Prairie township, March 12, 1873. Mrs. Monier was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland, of which country her parents were also natives. They are now living in Cass county, Iowa, and Mrs. Monier is the only one of her family remaining in Illinois. She is a relative of the Davidsons, who were among the first of her nationality to settle in Marshall county. Six children came to bless this union, Margaret, now the wife of Charles Roberts, of Champaign, Illi- nois; William, at home; Vivian, a student in the State university at Champaign; Sarah, attending the high school at Henry, and James and Harry Hammond, at home.
As already stated, Mr. Monier made his home upon the farm purchased on coming to Marshall county. A man of great energy and of thrifty habits, from time to time, as his means increased, he added to his possessions until he became one of the largest real estate owners in Marshall county, owning the home farm, which had been
increased from eighty to eight hundred and eighty acres in extent, with four sets of improve- ments, two farms of one hundred and sixty acres each, in Steuben and Whitefield townships, to- gether with one thousand six hundred acres in Texas, near the Santa Fe railroad. As a far- mer he was a success in every particular, giving his personal attention to every detail of farm work. Not a thing about the place escaped his watchful eye, and he knew the whereabouts of every farm implement which he owned, and of all the numerous stock which he owned and fed. For years he was an extensive cattle feeder, and was very successful in this branch of busi- ness, and it is said that he raised the best hogs in Marshall county. His various farms were all well improved and adapted to the purposes to which they were applied.
While by nature conservative, he did not hesi- tate to adopt and make use of every labor-saving appliance that seemed to insure success. A farmer, he was content to work his farm and al- low others to look after such interests as lay outside of his chosen calling. A democrat in his political belief, he respected the views and opinions of others, and never sought nor would he accept official position. While not a mem- ber of any church, he had great respect for the Christian religion, and usually attended services at the Methodist Episcopal church.
Until within a few years of his death, Mr. Monier gave personal attention to his farm in- terests, but as age advanced he mainly rented his land, only giving such time and attention to his various farms as to see they were properly kept up and conducted. His death occurred June 16, 1890, and his body was laid to rest in the Methodist Episcopal cemetery in Saratoga township. He was naturally a strong, vigorous man, fine looking, with full brown beard and gray eyes. Few men were better known and none more highly respected in his section of the country. A kind, loving husband and indulgent father, his memory is cherished by family and friends and none will ever forget the one now gone before, whose life of ceaseless toil was
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spent for the good of humanity and to give hap- piness to others.
In October, 1891, Mrs. Monier left the farm and removed to Henry, where she has a very neat and comfortable home, and where she can enjoy life with ease, surrounded by her family and friends. She is a woman of great natural ability, one who thoroughly understands her business, and well posted on the affairs of the day. With a warm heart, ever open to hear the cries of the unfortunate ones of earth she makes her life a blessing to many, and while unosten- tatious in all things, it may be said of her as of one of old, "She hath done what she could."
M ARTIN SACK, one of the successful and representative farmers and dairymen of Hall township, lives upon section 26, where he owns one hundred acres of rich and fertile land. Active and enterprising, he has prospered in his chosen calling, and may be classed among the prominent citizens of the community. He was born in Peru, Illinois, September 17, 1860, and is a son of Simon Sack, whose birth oc- curred in Bavaria, Germany, in 1820. In that country the father was received, was afforded a good education and learned the carpenter's trade, which he there followed until his emigra- tion to the new world in 1850. In New York state he worked at his trade until coming to Peru, Illinois, in 1853, and there engaged in contracting and building for several years. Hc was married in that city to Mary Bower, a na- tive of Bavaria, who died in Peru, when the sub- ject of this sketch was a lad of twelve years, in May, 1872. Later Mr. Sack was again married, and in 1878 purchased eighty acres of land in Hall township, Bureau county, which was but slightly improved. He erected a good residence, built substantial barns and outbuildings and placed the land under a high state of cultivation. With the assistance of his son he engaged in its operation until called from this life on the 2d of April, 1896, at the age of seventy-six years. In the family were two sons and three daugh- ters, of which our subject and his sister, Nettie,
now the wife of Frank Miller, of the state of Washington, are living. Mary died at the age of ten years; Barbara died at eight years, and Johnnie at one year.
The early life of Martin Sack was passed at Peru, where he secured a good education in its public schools, and with his father came to his present farm in 1878. He practically took charge of its operation and success has rewarded his" labors. He has added twenty acres to the origi- nal tract, so that he now has a valuable place of one hundred acres. Besides general farming he began the dairy business in August, 1892, giving his place the name of the Clover Farm Dairy, and now supplies about one hundred families with milk and cream.
In Bureau county, on the 5th of March, 1885, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Sack and Miss Kate Guenther, a daughter of Michael Guenther, one of the substantial farmers of the county, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Here Mrs. Sack was reared and re- ceived her education in the schools of this coun- ty and Peru. Three sons have been born to our subject and his wife-Freddie, Bernell and Si- mon, the two oldest of whom are now attending school. The parents attend the services of the Congregational and Lutheran churches and en- joy the esteem and confidence of the whole com- munity.
In politics, Mr. Sack adheres to the princi- ples of the republican party, but has never been an aspirant for office. He takes a lively interest in matters pertaining to the prog- ress and development of his adopted county, and is one of its most reliable and public-spirited citizens.
M ARTIN AMMON, a retired farmer of Bu- reau county, is one of the worthy citizens of German birth, who in the new world have taken advantage of the opportunities offered for advancement and worked his way upward to a position of prominence and affluence. Energy, enterprise and careful management have formed the rounds of the ladder on which he has risen,
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and now in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, he is living upon his farm on section 14, Hall township, a mile and a quarter east of the village of Ladd.
Mr. Ammon was born in Saxony, October 6, 1824, and is a son of Ludwig Ammon, a native of the same country and a carpenter by occupa- tion. The father passed most of his life in Sax- ony, but on his son's removal to Illinois, he joined him and here died in 1865. In the land of his birth Martin was given good educational advantages, and there remained until 1852, when he crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in Ohio, near the city of Cincinnati, where he worked as a farm hand for nine years. There he was married in 1854 to Miss Catherine Dentz, also a native of Saxony.
The year 1861 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Ammon in Bureau county, Illinois, where he rented land and engaged in farming for three years, and on the expiration of that period he purchased two hundred and thirteen acres on section 14, Hall township, the farm which has since been his home. He has made extensive improvements upon the place, erecting a com- fortable dwelling, neat and substantial outbuild- ings, and now has one of the most valuable farms of the locality.
On the 6th of August, 1889, Mrs. Ammon died, leaving five children, who in order of birth are as follows: Emil married Anna Bunsack, by whom he has four children, and since the death of his mother has had charge of the home farm; Emma is the wife of Charles Madaer, a farmer of Iowa; Anna is the wife of William Beerider, a farmer of La Salle county, Illinois; Hettie is at home; and August is married and is engaged in farming in Hall township.
Mr. Ammon always casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican par- ty, but has never cared for political preferment. He is an earnest friend of education, a believer in good schools, and has efficiently served as a member of the school board. He is connected with the Lutheran church of Peru, Illinois, and is one of the most highly respected citizens of
Hall township, where for thirty-five years he has now made his home, aiding in its growth and development. His upright character and ster- ling integrity have won the confidence of all and he is justly entitled to a place among the leading men of Bureau county.
E MANUEL BROWN EMERICK, deceased, was one of the leading and enterprising ag- riculturists of Marshall county, where he died of consumption on the 8th of September, 1880, after one year's illness. He was widely known and honored, and in his death the community, with whose interests he was closely identified, has lost a valuable citizen. His integrity of charac- ter, unbounded benevolence, and never-failing courtesy, made him beloved by all who had the honor of his acquaintance.
Mr. Emerick was born near Wheeling, West Virginia, July 26, 1850, and was the son of George W. and Cassie (Brown) Emerick. His boyhood days were passed upon his father's farm in Mar- shall county, and in the district schools of the neighborhood he acquired a fair education, being particularly good in mathematics. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which important event in his life occurred October 20, 1877, Miss Anna J. Moodey becoming his wife. She was born in Covington, Miami county, Ohio, and is the daughter of J. C. and Rachel S. (Orr) Moodey. They began their domestic life upon a part of the old homestead of his father, which he continued to operate until his last illness. He was an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and supported the democratic party, but took no active part in po- litical affairs. When called from this life his re- mains were interred in the family cemetery at Henry, where they now rest.
One daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Em- erick-Anna May, who goes by the name of Bonnie. She is one of the three heirs, besides the widow, of her grandfather, George W. Em- erick, who left her a handsome property. A young lady of seventeen years, attractive and agreeable in manner, she is now attending high
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school, and is a great favorite of all who know her. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Emerick has made her home with her father, J. C. Moodey, in Henry, and as the guardian of her daughter, devotes most of her time and attention to the education and improvement of that young lady. She is a lady of taste and refinement and through- out the county has a host of warm friends.
G I deceased, was probably better known for EORGE WASHINGTON EMERICK, a time than any other person in the northern part of Marshall county. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Washington county, July 12, 1820. His parents both lived to an advanced age, and both died on the old homestead where George was born many years ago. An only daughter, Ellen, yet resides on the place, which is near the village of Moundsville, Pennsylvania. On that farm the boyhood and youth of George were passed and he was given excellent edu- cational advantages, which were improved, so much so, that while yet in his teens he was en- abled to teach the district schools, and it is said that his first work, aside from that on his father's farm, was as a teacher in the public schools.
Before leaving his native state, Mr. Emerick was united in marriage with Miss Cassie Brown, in August, 1847. By this union six children were born: Minerva A., Emanuel B., Mary E., Margaret M., Frances Luella, George W., all of whom are now deceased. Minerva A. married Holmes Morrison, and dying left one daughter, Mary Morrison, who is a most estimable young lady, yet residing in Henry. Emanuel B. mar- ried Miss Anna Jennie Moodey, a daughter of J. C. Moodey. He died, leaving one daughter, Anna May, better known as Bonnie Emerick, who also resides in Henry, and is a graduate of the Henry high school class of 1896. None of the other children ever married.
In 1855 Mr. Emerick determined on leaving his old home, believing the west a better field for the industrious and energetic man to succeed. Coming to Marshall county, he purchased forty
acres of land on section 18, Henry township, which was the basis of his vast accumulations in after years. To the original forty he added other tracts, and selling none, had at the time of his death over one thousand acres, divided into six farms, all of which he leased to other parties. Much of the success attending him was (lue to his wife, who was a careful, painstakin., and economical woman. She died in 1877.
Some two years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Emerick married Miss Emma Mor- rison, and leasing his farm, removed to Henry, where he embarked in the grocery trade, in which line of business he was likewise quite successful. By this union there was one child, Norman Clyde, now at home. Their married life was of comparatively short duration, Mrs. Emerick dying in 1884. Two years later, in 1886, he married Miss Laura V. Wood, who survives him.
In early life Mr. Emerick was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal church. with which he was identified until his death, and in which he took a great interest. For many years he was class leader of the class at Snyder's school house, which was located near his farm, and for a time was superintendent of the Sunday school meeting at the same place. On his re- moval to Henry he became an active worker in the Methodist church of that place, and was in- terested in the building of the house of worship, which was erected under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Scott. He greatly rejoiced in the- con1- pletion of the building, having contributed large- ly in time and money to that end. He was a member of the building committee and watched the erection of the building with an interest that never flagged, and when finally turned over to the congregation and duly dedicated to the ser- vice of Almighty God, he was indeed happy. For twenty years he served on the board of trustees, and for a still longer period was a class leader in the church. Over forty years he had a name in the house of God and a fellowship among his brethren, and his interest in the cause was strengthened as the years went by. He was
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GEO. W. EMERICK.
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loyal to the faith as he saw it, and his trust in the Heavenly Father was as a little child. The Sunday school was ever dear to him, and he was faithful in attendance as long as he was able regularly to attend church.
The cause of temperance also found in him a strong friend and a most earnest advocate. In fact, he was keenly alive to all the moral and reform movements of the day. His intellectual force was considerably above the average and he thought and read much upon religion and temperance, and was always ready to give a reason for the faith that was in him. A man of strong will and determination, when once he decided upon a course of action he held tena- ciously to his opinions and defended them against all who took issue with him. He was, however, not a blind sectarian, but was broad in his esti- mate of the good in others wherever they brought forth fruit. He intensely desired to see the triumph of the cause of temperance and believed that constitutional prohibition, both state and national, was the most direct way of securing that end. For this reason he identified himself with the prohibition party, and always voted as he prayed.
George W. Emerick was an unpretentious man, of a quiet and retiring disposition, but when aroused was full of force and energy, and none were at a loss where to find him. Possessed of foresight and good calculation, and withal a close manager, he succeeded in all his business undertakings and at his death left a good prop- erty to his heirs. In 1890 he became a sufferer from the grip, from which he never fully re- covered. Death came to his relief on the 16th of July, 1893, and the funeral services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church in Henry, and were very largely attended by sympathizing friends, many coming from a considerable dis- tance. The services were conducted by Rev. William Woolley, the pastor of the church, as- sisted by Rev. J. H. Scott and Rev. E. E. Was- muth. Rev. Scott offered the prayer, Rev. Was- muth read the ninetieth Psalm as a Scripture lesson, and Rev. Woolley preached a brief ser-
mon from the text, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain." Following the discourse Mr. Scott paid a just tribute to the memory of the deceased, whose connection with the church as a Christian for forty years he emphasized, as also in his official character while he was pastor. His remains were then laid to rest in the Henry cemetery, there to wait the great judgment day, when the dead in Christ shall be raised to meet their Lord in the air and reign with Him through- out all eternity. His monument stands at the head of the north avenue in the cemetery. It is seventeen feet high and weighs twenty tons. The design was selected by Mrs. Emerick from designs exhibited at the world's fair, but was erected by a Henry firm, at a cost of two thou- sand one hundred dollars.
In early life Mr. Emerick was a democrat and voted with that party until he saw that, if in the providence of God any reform was to be obtained it must come through some other source. For years he was an auxiliary member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union. He was a lover of music, and in early life was a good vocalist and played the violin, but in later years lost his interest in such mat- ters. His home was always open to the preach- ers.
Mrs. Laura V. Emerick, who survives her hus- band, is a woman of taste and refinement, a Christian who delights in doing good, and by thus doing serves her Master.
R OBERT M. POLLOCK, M. D., a leading physician and surgeon of Princeton, was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, April I, 1858, and is a son of James H. and Lydia M. (Phillips) Pollock, the former a native of Penn- sylvania, and the latter of Vermont. In 1863 the father brought his family west to Illinois, lo- cating first near Bloomington, in McLean coun- ty, upon a farm, and in 1872, removed to Cham- paign county, where he still resides. He has now laid aside active business, living retired at the age of seventy-four years, while his wife has
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reached the age of sixty-six. They are both con- sistent members and active workers in the Meth- odist Protestant church. All of the eight chil- dren born to them are still living, namely: Da- vid W., a merchant at Foosland, Champaign county, who married Barbara Lewis; Joseph P., a merchant of the same place, who married Ida Ball; Samuel H., a resident dentist of Rocky Ford, Colorado, who married Jennie Carlyle; Robert M .; Charles K., a farmer of Champaign county; Milton D., a physician of Decatur, Illi- nois, who married Emma Miles; Ulysses S. G., a farmer of Champaign county, who married Iva Miles, and Emma M., wife of Winfield Hinton, a farmer of Champaign county.
In the common schools Dr. Pollock acquired a good literary education, preparing himself for a teacher, and on examination received a first- grade certificate. Subsequently he became a registered pharmacist at Foosland, Illinois, and remained in the drug business for ten years, and then took up the study of medicine under Dr. Harvey L. Harris, of Champaign county. He later entered Rush Medical college, and was graduated with the class of 1895. In the spring of that year he began practice at Princeton, and although a recent arrival here, has gained the confidence of the people, and is now at the head of a large and constantly increasing patronage.
On the Ist of July, 1878, Dr. Pollock led to the marriage altar Miss Jennie N. Maltby, and to them have been born four children-Estella O., who died at the age of seven months; Lloyd R .. Floss E., and Cary R. The parents of Mrs. Pol- lock, Rollin C. and Nancy J. (Carr) Maltby, are now living at Rocky Ford, Colorado, where they went for their health, and finally settled. The father, having secured a competence as a farmer, has retired from active business. He has taken a prominent part in local political affairs, holding several minor offices and served as mayor of the city of Rocky Ford, from 1893 to 1895. Mrs. Pollock is the third in order of birth in the fam- ily of eight children, the others being as follows: Frank, now deceased; Fanny E., wife of Charles C. Cornelius, of Colorado; Warren R., a farmer
of Champaign county, Illinois, who married Louisa James, who died in 1890; Ella F., wife of Herman Hafferkamp, foreman of the Beggs Manufacturing Company of Chicago; William W., bookkeeper for Sethness Chemical Com- pany of Chicago; Zelda G., wife of Chauncey Shelton, a butcher of Rocky Ford, Colorado, and Harvey, who is still with his parents.
Both the doctor and his wife have been life- long members of the Methodist Protestant church. In politics he is a republican, but has often supported the prohibition ticket. Socially is connected with the Knights of Pythias frater- nity. He is a close student of his profession, therefore an excellent physician and a thorough practical chemist. In social as well as profes- sional circles he stands high, winning the friend- ship and confidence of those with whom he comes in contact.
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