USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 12
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 12
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 12
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JOHN A. VIXTRUM, M. D., one of the emi- nent and skillful physicians and surgeons of Princeton, Illinois, is a native of Sweden, born February 9, 1857, and in 1869 came to America with his parents, A. J. and Christina (Tilling) Vixtrum, who located upon a farm in Knox coun- ty, Illinois, where the father still resides, now living retired at the age of eighty years. In the old country he engaged in the manufacture of nails. The mother died on the 3d of August, 1895, at the age of seventy-six years. They both held membership in the Lutheran church. Our subject is the seventh in order of birth in the family of ten children, and the youngest of those still living, four in number, the others being Charles G., a farmer of Knox county; Fred, a resident of California; and Hannah, wife of R. Furbon, still of Sweden.
In the schools of his native country, Dr. Vix- trum began his education, and was later a stu- dent in the Yates City high school of Illinois. He began the study of medicine under Dr. A. J. Graham, of Peoria, and subsequently graduated from the medical department of the State and Vanderbilt university of Tennessee, at Nash- ville, his diploma dating March 1, 1883. It was
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in 1879 that he went to Tennessee, and shortly afterward began the practice of medicine at Nash- ville, being for one year connected with a hospi- tal of that city. After his graduation, however, he came north, locating at Victoria, Knox coun- ty, Illinois, where he engaged in practice until 1885, when he came to Princeton, and has since been a continuous practitioner here. He has been eminently successful in his chosen calling, is engaged in general practice, treating all dis- eases, and examiner for half a dozen insurance companies.
Dr. Vixtrum was married on the 5th of Octo- ber, 1887, the lady of his choice being Miss Jen- nie E. Orien, the daughter of Swan Orien, of Princeton, and they now have one son, Rollin Orien. Mrs. Vixtrum is a member of the Bap- tist church. In his social relations the doctor is connected with the Masonic order, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, while politically he is a stalwart dem- ocrat. Under President Cleveland's first admin- istration he was appointed a member of the pen- sion board of the state of Illinois. At the ex- piration of this administration he was succeeded by an appointee of President Harrison in 1889. He was re-appointed by President Cleveland in 1893, and is now serving in that capacity. Along the lines of his profession, the doctor is well read, a thorough student and successful prac- titioner, keeping fully abreast with the times, and socially and professionally stands high.
G EORGE REMLEY, a representative of that great class on whom the welfare of this nation depends, the honest farmer, resides on a beautiful homestead on section II, Rich- land township, and is one of the pioneers of 1835. In his sixty years of life in this locality he has witnessed such changes as were never dreamed of by the early settlers. His grand- father, Hyeronimous Remley, was a native of Germany, who settled in Pennsylvania prior to the Revolutionary war, where he reared a fam- ily of six children, of whom George, the father of our subject, born in 1775, was one.
George Remley, the father of our subject, mar- ried Miss Ella Lytle, a native of New Jersey, and a daugther of Henry Lytle, who removed from New Jersey to Pennsylvania in an early day. Soon after their marriage they removed from Fayette county, Pennsylvania, to Waynesburg, that state, where they remained eight years, and then went to Ohio, locating near Wheeling, West Virginia, but on the Ohio side of the line. From that point they moved to Belmont county, Ohio, where Mr. Remley purchased a large farm, on which he resided for sixteen years. He then sold out and moved down on the Big Sun Fish river, in Monroe county, where he remained eight years, then selling out, came to Marshall county, Illinois, in the fall of 1835. They emi- grated to this county by wagon, but spent the first winter at Walnut Grove, in Woodford coun- ty, then purchased a tract of land on section 28, Richland township. At this time there were but few settlers in the township or in the entire county. On his place he erected a hewed log house in which he resided until his death in 1840. His wife survived him about six years, dying in 1846. They were the parents of nine children, six daughters and three sons-John, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Sims, also deceased; Lucy Taylor; Mrs. Fannie Johns, deceased: Mrs. Ella Taylor; Mrs. Harriet Martin: George; Joseph, and Mrs. Eliza Toole, deceased. Of the sons, John was a lieutenant in the war against the In- dians in Oregon.
George Remley, the subject of this sketch, was born April 7, 1817, in Belmont county, Ohio, and there received his education in the pioneer subscription schools. He came to this county with his parents and on his arrival found a large open prairie country, and the various settlements made in the timber. The people in those days did not dare settle upon the prairie for fear of freezing and from the fact they thought it neces- sary to locate where they could obtain fuel and also water for their stock. At the time of his settlement here Marshall was then a part of Taze- well county. He remained at home, assisting his father on the farm until the latter's death, when
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he married Miss Ruth Buckingham, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Isaac Bucking- ham, a very prominent farmer in the early day, who located in Woodford county, Illinois, prior to the Black Hawk war. Mrs. Remley was born in 1807, and died in 1844, leaving no children.
Soon after marriage, Mr. Remley settled in Woodford county, and there remained sixteen years. After the death of his first wife, on the 4th of June, 1846, he married Miss Helen Rice, a native of Onondaga county, New York, born September 24, 1827, and a daughter of Elijah and Rebecca (Marshall) Rice, both of whom were natives of New York, but who removed to Woodford county, Illinois, in 1844, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of four children-Mrs. Remley, Rosanna, Delency, became the wife of Alexander Piper, and William, who lives on the old home- stead.
Mr. and Mrs. Remley are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living-Henry, who married Ella White, now resides in Hopewell township, Marshall county; Minerva Ellen, now the wife of Henry Duchesne, lives in Bennington township: Jane, now the wife of Baron Harper, resides at La Rose, Marshall county; Lucy Ann, now the wife of Matthew Van Patton, resides in Belle Plain township: Elizabeth, now the wife of Martin Hoover, lives in Woodford county, Illinois; George, who married Nannie Henry, resides in Richland township, and Emma R. is at home.
In the spring of 1857, Mr. Remley moved with his family to his present farm, where they have since resided. The farm which he purchased from Robert Gray, comprises four hundred and thirty-one acres, all of which is under improve- ment. He also has eighty acres adjoining the village of Washburn, Illinois. At one time he was the owner of nearly thirteen hundred acres of land, but has since given the greater part of it to his children.
Mr. Remley has during his entire life been a hard working man. For about fifteen years he engaged in carpenter work in connection with
his farming operations. All that he has of this world's goods he has secured by the labors of his hands, assisted of course by that of his wife, and success has crowned their efforts in a re- markable degree. Commencing life for himself under very unfavorable circumstances he has endeavored to prevent the same state of affairs from falling to his children, and so has well pro- vided for each and has given to each good edu- cational advantages. Politically, he is a demo- crat, but has steadily refused official positions. Mrs. Remley is what might be termed a model housekeeper, and she endeavors to make her home an inviting one to any and all who partake of her hospitality. In fact, the Remley house- hold is noted for its hospitality far and near.
R OBERT W. ILIFF, whose fine farm lies on section 14, Richland township, Marshall county, is a native of the county, the family of which he is a member being numbered among the earliest settlers of this locality. The Iliffs are of English descent, and the first of the fam- ily in America was James Iliff, who was a son of Richard Iliff. He was a member of the William Penn colony in Pennsylvania. The great-grand- father of our subject was John Iliff, a native of the keystone state. His son, Robert Iliff, mar- ried Jane Williams, and their son, John M. Iliff, who was born in 1827, in Perry county, Ohio. is the father of our subject. This family con- tributed fifty-two of its number to the union army from 1861 to 1865.
The first of the family to effect a settlement in Marshall county was Robert Iliff, the grand- father of our subject. He was a native of Penn- sylvania, born in 1801, and came with his fam- ily to Illinois in 1831, first locating near Wash- burn, and in the spring of 1832 moving to the farm which is now the home of Robert W. Iliff. The land was divided between timber and prairie and in its native state. At that time there were not over half a dozen families in the township and few improvements had been made. He at once commenced the development of the place and in due time had a most productive farm. On
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this farm his wife died in 1862, and nine years la- ter he retired from active life and made his home with his son, John M. Iliff, until called away by death.
Robert and Jane Iliff were the parents of five children, only one of whom, however, grew to maturity. They were both members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and took an active in- terest in the work of the church, both dying as they had lived, earnest, devoted Christians. He was a man of quiet disposition, taking little part in public affairs, and caring little for the honors of this world. During almost his entire life he was noted as being a very early riser, literally following the maxim of Benjamin Franklin, "Early to bed and early to rise." He was a sol- dier in the Black Hawk war.
John M. Iliff, the father of our subject, was but four years of age when he came with the family to Illinois. Here he grew to manhood and received a good common school education. The life of a farmer he adopted as his calling, and as soon as able commenced assisting in the cultivation of the home farm.
He was united in marriage with Caroline E. Henthorn, a native of Ohio, born June 30, 1828, and a daughter of Samuel and Penelope (Brown) Henthorn. Her parents were among the pio- neers of the county, first locating in Lacon town- ship, but soon after removing to Richland town- ship, taking up the southwest quarter of section I, which was their home until late in life, when they moved to Lacon and there died. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom are now living: Reason A., who resides in Nebras- ka: James P., Eliza A., and Frances Street, liv- ing in Lacon.
After their marriage, John M. Iliff and wife located on the northeast quarter of section 1, Richland township, where he improved a fine farm. To them were born seven children, six of whom grew to maturity: Robert W., our sub- ject; Samuel H., who lives in Mankato, Kansas; Clarissa J., living in Bloomington, Illinois; Wil- liam T., of Peoria; Ella C., now the wife of Hor- ace Ramp, of Richland township, and Mary,
widow of Professor J. R. Gray, now residing in Bloomington, and a fine musician, having charge of the musical department of the Wesleyan uni- versity. The mother of these children died in 1864. She was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, a woman of lovely disposition, one who followed closely in the footsteps of the blessed Master.
John M. Iliff was thrice married, his third wife being Miss Amelia Springer, who now resides in Galesburg, Illinois. After living a life of great usefulness for fifty-four years, he was called to rest, his death occurring in 1881. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an active worker in the same, serving the church in an official capacity for many years.
Robert W. Iliff, our subject, was born upon the old home farm on section I, Richland town- ship, March 22, 1851. After receiving his pri- mary education in the public schools of his town- ship, he entered Wesleyan university, taking a two years' course, but not graduating. He grew to manhood on the farm and remained at home, assisting in the work until his marriage in April, 30, 1873, with Miss Alice A. Bequeaith, a native of Tazewell county, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth Bequeaith, the former, now deceased, and the latter living in Pekin, Illinois. By this union seven children have been born: John E., who married Mary A. Williams, and now resides in Belle Plain township, and Flora C., Frank B., Herbert A., George W., Anna B., and Harry L., all at home.
Soon after their marriage the young couple removed to the farm, which is yet their home, and which has been in the family for over sixty years. It comprises eighty acres of finely im- proved land, everything about it evincing the thrift of its owner. In all his work he is thor- ough and systematic, believing in the doctrine "what is worth doing is worth doing well." For several years he has made a specialty of raising thoroughbred Poland China hogs and has been fairly successful, though losing heavily in 1895 from hog cholera.
In 1877, Mr. Iliff was sun-struck, the effects
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of which have continued with him to this day, at times causing him great suffering, but he bears his affliction patiently. Like his father, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which body his wife and eldest daughter are also members. For years he has served the church as trustee and steward, and has also been superintendent of the Sunday school. He be- lieves thoroughly in the Christian religion and in the work the Lord has left to his disciples in the conversion of the world. Politically, he is a republican, by birth and inclination. · Born at a time when the slavery question was the all- important topic of discussion, and when the slave power, grown arrogant by success, was deter- mined to still farther encroach upon the free ter- ritory of the country, almost his first recollec- tion was of hearing the discussion of the rights of the black man and the influence of slavery upon the country. As soon as old enough to express his views, he took sides with the repub- lican party, with which organization he has con- tinued to act. In the discharge of his duties as a citizen he has served in several local offices, and has discharged the duty of township assessor for many years.
Mr. and Mrs. Iliff reside in a very pleasant home and no family in Marshall county is more highly esteemed. Mrs. Iliff is a woman of ex- cellent judgment and good business ability, and has ever been truly a helpmeet to her husband, who at all times consults with and seeks her ad- vice on business matters.
W N. BECKWITH, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Buda, Illi- nois, is one of the retired farmers of Bureau county. He was born in Chenango county, New York, February 17, 1825, and is the only child of C. H. and Sophia (Whitford) Beckwith, na- tives of Connecticut and New York, respective- ly. When quite young our subject was taken by his father to Otsego county, New York, later to Steuben county, and when fifteen years of age they removed to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where the father purchased land and the son
grew to manhood. He received fair common school advantages for those days and is a well informed man.
In the fall that he was twenty years of age, Mr. Beckwith went to Texas to enter the United States army as teamster in the Mexican war, and remained in the service for about a year and a half. He then returned to Michigan, where his parents were still living, and began work on the Michigan Central railroad, at first laying track and afterward running trains. For six years he remained in that employ. During the Mexi- can war he had saved one hundred dollars, and during his railroad service speculated some in land and horses, so that at the end of the six years he had succeeded in accumulating two thousand dollars.
About this time-May 4, 1853-Mr. Beckwith was united in marriage with Miss Anna Burnet, of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, who was born in Niagara county, New York, of English an- cestry. They then emigrated to Lewiston, Ful- ton county, Illinois, where he invested his capi- tal in a steam gristmill, but lost everything, though he paid one hundred cents on the dol- lar. He was therefore compelled to begin life anew and soon afterward contracted for eighty acres of wild land in Macon township, Bureau county, going in debt for the entire amount- three hundred dollars. To this he removed and at once began its improvement and development. During the war he sold the place for thirty-two hundred dollars. He next purchased a farm in Concord township, for which he paid forty dol- lars per acre and on selling out received one hundred dollars. He continued to successfully engage in agricultural pursuits until 1882, when he removed to Buda, and for four years dealt in stock and was connected with the banking inter- ests of the place, but has now laid aside business cares and is enjoying a well-earned rest.
Three daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith, namely: Ella, married Charles H. Pettis, of Buda, but has no children; Mary F., is the wife of Charles Makutchan, of Macon township, Bureau county, and they have one
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child; Gertrude, graduated at the Geneseo nor- mal school in 1886, and has successfully taught in the Buda high school for several years.
Mr. Beckwith was reared a democrat, and cast his first ballot for Cass in 1848, later supported Pierce, but in 1860 voted for Abraham Lincoln, and has since been an ardent republican. He has never sought or desired public office, but has been called upon to fill a number of local positions of honor and trust. Since the age of twenty-two years he has been a consistent mem- ber of the Congregational church, in which he has often held office. A man of the strictest integrity, upright and honorable in all things, he has won the confidence and esteenì of those with whom he has been brought in contact and has gained the friendship of many.
F. S. JOHNSON, superintendent of the schools of Spring Valley, was born in Addison county, Vermont, September 30, 1851, and is a son of A. W. and Livonia A. (Britell) Johnson, both natives of Connecticut. While a resident of the Green Mountain state the father dealt in blooded horses, but after coming to Morrison, Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1857, he engaged in painting. In May, 1890, the parents removed to Spring Valley, where the father died on the 20th of the following October, at the age of seventy-two years, and the mother passed away January 13, 1892, at the age of seventy- one. Both held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he was a re- publican.
Our subject is the second in order of birth in the family of five children. Arvilla, the old- est, is the wife of Lewis Armstrong, a farmer of Dickinson county, Kansas, and they have three children-May, Guilford and Lewis. Edwin A., a painter and decorator of Chicago, married Vic- toria Carson. George E. is in the same business in Chicago. He married Oletha Hughes, of Morrison, Illinois, who died in 1882, and to them were born two children-Roy and Earl. His present wife was in her maidenhood Miss Harriet McNaughton, of Tampico, Illinois. Isabel, the
youngest of the family, is the wife of James Col- baugh, of Savanna, Illinois, and they have two children-Carl and Junietta.
After completing the high school course at Morrison, Illinois, Professor Johnson attended the State normal at Normal, and in 1870 began teaching in a district school in Whiteside county, Illinois. He taught in ungraded schools until the fall of 1873, when he went to Rock Falls, and was there employed for two years, having charge of five grades. He served as principal and also taught in the high school. In 1874 he became a clerk in the train service of the North- western Railroad Company, with which he re- mained for three years, but in the fall of 1878 re- sumed teaching, again taking charge of the first district school he ever taught, and successfully conducted the same until July, 1881. He then resigned and accepted the position of principal of the New Boston schools, comprising five grades, and he there remained for two years. For one year he was then at Garden Plain, Illi- nois, and for the following four years was prin- cipal of the schools of Tampico, Whiteside coun- ty, consisting of four departments.
Resigning that position in the summer of 1888, Mr. Johnson came to Spring Valley, and estab- lished The Sentinel, a weekly newspaper, which he continued to edit for five years. For the past six years he has had charge of the Spring Val- ley schools, which employ fourteen teachers and occupy four buildings. The high school course occupies two years, and in 1894 the graduates were seven, in 1895 nine, and in 1896 twelve. Professor Johnson has ever proved a popular teacher, and in 1894 was the democratic nomi- nee for county superintendent, but was defeated as his party was in the minority.
On the 4th of July, 1874, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Phillips, a daughter of James Phillips, and their wedding was celebrated in Fulton, Whiteside county. Five children have been born to them-Roy, who was born June 14, 1875, and died August 23, 1876; Nettie M., who graduated from the Spring Val- ley high school in 1896; Mabel J., a member of
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the class of 1897; Lillian E., and Ralph F. The mother and oldest daughter are members of the Congregational church, and fraternally our sub- ject is connected with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Professor Johnson has displayed great aptness and fitness as a teacher, organizer and disciplinar- ian, and his ability is unquestioned. During his race for superintendent of schools, he was com- mended by all the leading journals of the county, and had the office been out of politics would doubtless have been elected. His management of the schools in Spring Valley and elsewhere has always been an agreeable surprise to those capa- ble of judging the efficiency of school system, and his labors have given the highest degree of satisfaction to employers, parents, patrons and pupils. In editing his paper, The Sentinel, dur- ing the strikes in Spring Valley, his voice was always conciliatory and his paper did much in re- flecting sentiments of reconciliation and avoid- ing extremes in such exciting times. The trou- ble was settled largely on the lines of arbitration advocated by his paper. As a citizen, Mr. John- son manifests the greatest interest in all that concerns the best welfare of his city, and in his various positions he has acquitted himself so as to honor his vocation and show himself in every way a worthy citizen.
H ON. ELIJAH DEWEY RICHMOND, the present judge of the county court of Marshall county, like his honored father before him, is a man of the people, and has ever en- joyed the confidence and respect of those with whom almost his entire life has been spent. He was born in the city of Lacon, March 18, 1859, and is the son of Judge Samuel L. and Susan (Hunt) Richmond, the former a native of Ver- mont, and the latter of Ohio. His father for many years was judge of the circuit of which Marshall county formed a part, and was one of the most accomplished men and best read law- yers in the state.
Until his fifteenth year our subject remained with his parents at Lacon, where his primary
education was obtained in the public schools. At this time. the death of his father occurred, and his mother removed with the family to a farm in Douglas county, Illinois. Here the succeed- ing six years of his life were spent, much as that of other farmer boys. He was ambitious to learn and greatly desired a college education, but this seemed impossible. His services were in demand at home, and while other boys were in college he was engaged in tilling the soil and pursuing such studies as he could with the assist- ance rendered him by his older brothers and sisters. After leaving Lacon he attended school but comparatively a short time, but did succeed in taking a six months' course in a business college at Peoria with the view of entering upon a business career. At one time he was greatly desirous of entering West Point, there fitting himself for a military career. However, he never applied for examination, and that youthful am- bition was forever laid aside.
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