USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 15
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 15
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 15
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Of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Cook, Helen J. married D. W. Warner, and now resides in Boulder, Montana : Belle V. is now the widow of S. M. Garrett, of Lacon, while George W. E. still resides in Lacon, enjoying the respect and es- teem of all its citizens. He resides on the old homestead in the north part of Lacon, which has been in possession of the family since 1855, the brick part of the house having been erected in 1837. To such men as Washington E. Cook much is due, and the lesson of their lives must be an'inspiration to all.
George W. E. Cook is a native of Bethany, Pennsylvania, born June 23, 1834. Like his father before him, he has been quite active as a democratic politician and has served in various official positions to the satisfaction of every one. He has been an alderman and mayor of Lacon, a member of the school board for twelve years,
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seven of which he acted as president of the board. In county and state conventions he has repre- sented his party as a delegate, and for some years was president of the democratic club of Lacon. He has been a delegate from his club to the national democratic club conventions, and in every way has shown a knowledge of men and measures, entitling him to deserved recognition.
Not only as a politician has Mr. Cook been active and influential, but as a horticulturist he has taken high rank, having given much atten- tion and study to that subject. About three acres of the home place he has set aside for use in experimenting in horticultural products, espe- cially the strawberry. He is a member of the National Pomological society, and is its vice- president for Illinois. He has also been a mem- ber of several farmer clubs, in which he has taken an active part. In educational matters, also, he has given much time and attention, and has ever been a true friend of the public school, contrib- uting to educational journals and being con- sulted by legislators on legislation pertaining to the public schools. For some years he was a regular contributor to the Prairie Farmer, and has contributed more or less to various horti- cultural journals in the country. As has been stated, his mother was almost a life long invalid, and to her he gave the love and affection of a dutiful son, ministering unto her wants and do- ing all in his power to alleviate her misery. To do this work he remained under the parental roof until the mother was called to the upper and better world.
S AMUEL M. DALZELL, director and man- ager of the Spring Valley Coal company, is one of the representative business men of Bu- reau county. He was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, December 3, 1850, and is a son of Rev. William and Elizabeth C. (Martzall) Dal- zell. The father is a native of Ireland, born in Dromore, County Down, of Scotch parentage, his father being Samuel Dalzell, who came to this country in 1827 and settled in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, where he spent the re-
mainder of his life, dying upon a farm there in 1848, at the age of seventy-one years. He was the son of William Dalzell, who was born in Scotland and emigrated to Ireland with the chief of their clan-the Earl of Carnwath. There they took up a large tract of land in what was known as the Ulster plantation. The original family were from Clydesdale, but removed to Dumfries- shire, Scotland. One of its members served un- der Kenneth II., previous to the year 900, and for his prowess and bravery had conferred upon him by that monarch the title of Baron Dalzell, and with it the barony of Dalzell in the county of Lanark. The motto of the family then and to this day is "I dare." Their old manor house or castle is still standing, its outer walls being fully eight feet thick, and in the old parish church- yard for centuries were interred the ancestors of our subject. Chivalrous, they certainly were, as we find them marching under the banner of Robert Bruce in the reign of King Edward I., in 1296. They took part in the battle of Otter- burn, Dumfriesshire. in 1508, and in the battle of Langside, in 1560, under the standard of her majesty, Mary, Queen of Scots. An earldom was conferred on the family in 1639, as Earl of Carnwath. This noble, Sir Robert Dalzell, had two sons, Robert and John. The latter's grand- son succeeded to the title and estate in 1703 as the sixth Earl of Carnwath.
The Scottish family of Dalzell bear for arms a denuded human figure. In old seals and paint- ings the man is represented as hanging from a gibbet, but this ensign of honor has been laid aside, and the figure alone is retained. These arms of Dalzell are said to perpetuate the mem- ory of a brave and dangerous exploit performed by one of their progenitors in taking down from a gibbet the body of a favorite and near kins- man of King Kenneth 11. Whether true or false it is all one, since it gave occasion to such bear- ing. For, as the story goes, the king, being exceedingly grieved that the body of his friend should be so disgracefully treated by his enemies, proffered a great reward to any of his subjects who would venture to rescue it; but when
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none would undertake that hazardous enterprise, a valorous gentleman came and said to the king, "Dalziel," which, being interpreted in the old Scottish language, means "I dare," which at- tempt he effectually performed to the king's sat- isfaction. His posterity took this remarkable bearing and the word Dalziel for their surname, when surnames came to be used, with the signifi- cation thereof, "I dare."
The heraldic device of the Dalzell motto, "I dare," crest, "a dagger erect as pommel and belt. Supporters, two chevaliers in complete armour, bearing a target on his exterior arm. Arms La, a naked man, ppr."
The paternal grandmother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Mary Chambers, was a daughter of Robert Chambers and a niece of Benjamin and James Chambers, who founded what is now known as Chambersburg, Pennsyl- vania. The former was scalped by the Indians. The grandmother was also of Scotch descent and lived to the advanced age of ninety-five years. She was the mother of eleven children, namely: John, Robert, Elizabeth, wife of William Yoder; Sarah, wife of Cowden Taylor; James, Isabel, wife of William Welker; Nancy, who died un- married; Martha, wife of James Gill; Margaret, wife of William Hill; William, the father of our subject, and Mary Jane, wife of Robert Hill.
In 1851 Rev. William Dalzell removed with his family to Le Clair, Iowa, where he made his home for two and a half years, during which time he traveled over the state as a home missionary. Later he went to Ohio, where he resumed pas- toral work at Mansfield, Kenton, Hanover, Car- rolton, Mechanicstown, West Point and Mineral Ridge. His death occurred at Niles, that state, in 1877, at the age of fifty-seven years. His widow is still living at the age of sixty-nine, and now makes her home at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of Martin and Margaret (Lenhart) Martzall. Her father was of Holland extraction, his ancestors settling at New Am- sterdam, or New York, at an carly day, and his wife belonged to a Pennsylvania Dutch family.
Mr. Dalzell, whose name introduces this
sketch, is the oldest of seven children, the others being Margaret Ellen, now the wife of Louis S. Blachly; Mary Leila Ada, who died at the age of four and a half years; William Francis, a resi- dent of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Charles Edgar, a resident of Spring Valley; Lizzie Madeleine, wife of Rev. A. A. Mealy, of Bridgeville, Penn- sylvania, and Lyda St. Clair, wife of James Kil- duff, of New York city.
The early education of our subject was ob- tained in the common schools, and for a time he attended a seminary in Ohio. He began his business career as a merchant at the age of eighteen years, and four years later entered the coal business, with which he has since been iden- tified, either in Ohio, Pennsylvania or Illinois. In the latter part of August, 1889, he came to Spring Valley, and since the Ist of September of that year he has been the efficient manager of the Spring Valley Coal company.
At Sharon, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of De- cember, 1875, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dalzell and Miss Elnora King, and to them have been born three children: Lizzie Elnora, who died in infancy; Ada May and Bessie King, who are now attending college at Rockford, Illi- nois. The parents and their daughters are faith- ful members of the Congregational church, and Mr. Dalzell is serving as president of its board of trustees. He is a prominent member of the Ma- sonic order, has taken the thirty-second degree and is connected with S. M. Dalzell lodge, No. 805, F. & A. M., of Spring Valley, of which he is past master; Peoria consistory, Medina
temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Chicago. He casts his ballot in support of the principles of the repub- lican party, but takes no active part in politics.
During the strike troubles in Spring Valley his sentiment, character and inherited combative- ness enabled him to stand firm for what he be- lieved to be right on all disputed questions. His insight has always been true, and in every in- stance his judgment has proved correct, so that he has been victor in the fray. His fore- sight has, indeed, seemed to many people almost
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marvelous. Mr. Dalzell stands high in the esti- mation of his fellow citizens, and well deserves the reputation which he bears of being a capable, honorable and in every way a worthy citizen.
Mrs. Dalzell is a daughter of Joseph and Bar- bara (Strough) King, both natives of the key- stone state. Her father was for many years the owner of several manufactories of stoves and hardware, and also a stove store at Sharon, Penn- sylvania. For the last fifteen years, however, he has dealt in real estate and served as justice of the peace. Both himself and wife are promi- nent members of the Presbyterian church, with which he has been officially connected for over thirty years, now serving as elder. He is a man of great inventive genius, and has patented many articles, including a damper for a grate, which has proved very serviceable. Mrs. Dalzell is the second in order of birth in a family of three chil- dren. Albert, the youngest, died at the age of three months. Addison, a young man of great promise, died at the age of twenty-nine years. He made good use of the excellent educational advantages afforded him, and was a great reader and logical thinker. His death occurred on the 2d of November, 1875.
The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Dalzell, John and Hannah Strough, had a family of six children, namely: Margaret, the widow of Ja- cob Clevenstine and a resident of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; Catherine, who married John Nei- ler, and died in 1894, at the age of seventy-six years; George, a resident of Kimberton, Penn- sylvania; Barbara, the mother of Mrs. Dalzell; Mary, widow of Edward Miller and a resident of Philadelphia, and John, who died at the age of twenty-one years. The paternal grandfather, Phillip King, was an extensive farmer, living near Downingtown, Pennsylvania. He married Susanna Slonnaker, of Westchester, that state, and they became the parents of five children who grew to maturity. William was a resident of Reading, l'ennsylvania, but died in Philadel- phia. He married Julia Vanderslive, who now resides at Phoenixville. John, deceased, was a prominent coal merchant, owning a large inter-
est in a mine near Sharon, Pennsylvania. He first wedded Catherine Young, and after her death Mary McFarland, who is also now de- ceased. Joseph is the father of Mrs. Dalzell. Susan married John Buckwalter, who died at Lionsville, Pennslyvania. She then liven with her son Samuel at Yankton, South Dakota, where her death occurred in October, 1895. Eliza married David Buckwalter, of Euchland, Penn- sylvania, but both are now deceased.
H IRAM J. WEYER. It is quite interesting to observe, in noting the various members of a community, how they are gathered together from different states and localities and how well usually they combine to form an intelligent and prosperous community. The subject of this his- tory, now a resident of Malden, is a native of the Buckeye state, born at St. Clairsville, Bel- mont county, July 24, 1817, and is a grandson of Rev. Anthony Weyer, who was chaplain in the United States army during the war of 1812.
Anthony Weyer, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where he spent his early life, and there wedded Mary Pogue, who was of Irish birth and who came to the new world with her brother, a sailor on the high seas. After bringing his sister here the brother returned to the ocean and was never heard of again. By trade the father of our sub- ject was a hatter, which occupation he followed for a number of years in St. Clairsville, Ohio, and became a prominent and influential man of Belmont county, of which he was elected sheriff, and also filled other positions of honor and trust. During the war of 1812 he served as captain of a company of militia. When our subject was about eight years of age his mother died, and the father was again married. He continued to make his home at St. Clairsville until called from this life.
Hiram J. Weyer is one of a family of six sons and four daughters that grew to mature years, but his brother, Captain Anthony Weyer, and himself are the only ones now living. The for- mer sailed for years upon the ocean, but now
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makes his home in Allegheny city, Pennsylvania. and runs on the Ohio river.
In the rather uneventful manner of most boys, Mr. Weyer, of this review, spent his carly life in Belmont county, where he attended school in a primitive log school house with its hard punch- con benches for seats and its huge fireplace at one end. There he conned his lessons through the winter season, but his educational privileges were rather meager, and the excellent knowl- edge he has acquired has been obtained mostly outside of the school room by reading and ob- servation. On starting out in life for himself he chose the occupation of farming, which he carried on for several years in Belmont county. In 1841 he came west to see the country, visit- ing Bureau county, with which he was much pleased and chose a location here. He returned to Ohio with the intention of settling here, but again resumed farming in that state, where he remained until 1854.
In that year Mr. Weyer again came to Bureau county and took up liis residence upon one hun- dred and twenty acres of raw land in Berlin township belonging to his brother. This he later purchased, fenced, broke and improved, converting it into a most desirable farm, which he still owns. For thirty-four years he continued its cultivation and made thereon many good and substantial improvements. Since 1888 he has rented his land and makes his home in Malden, where he owns a good residence and is sur- rounded by all the comforts of life.
In March, 1858, in Bureau county, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Weyer and Miss Mary E. Sabin, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, but when twelve years of age was brought by her father, Marcus Sabin, to Berlin township, Bureau county, where for many years he was numbered among the prominent farmers, but is now living in Malden, at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Weyer have two daugh- ters, Ida Ann, now the wife of John Sutton, an agriculturist of Berlin township, and Lena A., wife of Enos Steele, a farmer of the same town- ship. They also lost one son in infancy.
In politics Mr. Weyer is a stanch democrat, always supporting the men and measures of that party, and fraternally is a Mason and Odd Fel- low. He is a charter member of Dover lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand, and for eleven years served as a delegate to the state grand lodge and for the same length of time was district grand deputy. He is probably the oldest Odd Fellow now living in Bureau coun- ty. With the interests of the county he and his worthy wife have been identified for over forty years, and she can well remember when, as a child, she and her brother and sisters chased the deer over the prairie in their endeavor to catch a fawn, but as the county became more thickly settled the wild game was either driven away or fell by the huntsman's gun. After a long life of toil Mr. Weyer is now calmly resting from labor and is spending the evening of life pleasantly at his home in Malden, surrounded by the love, respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Truly a good life has a happy ending.
C HARLES NORRIS THOMPSON, de- ceased, was one of the best known and most highly esteemed of the young inen of Marshall county. He was a native of the county, born in the city of Lacon, April 1, 1865, and was the son of John S. and Eliza H. (Norris) Thomp- son, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. In his native city he grew to manhood and received his literary education in its public schools. Later he entered Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Chicago, from which he grad- uated with honors, and at once entered upon a business career.
Few men had a brighter future before them than did the subject of this sketch. From his youth he took an interest in the business car- ried on by his father and in the office made him- self generally useful. Before attaining his ma- jority he was made a member of the firm, and the business was carried on under the name of J. S. Thompson & Son, and later, when his broth- er, John 1. Thompson, was admitted to the firm,
CHARLES N. THOMPSON.
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it went under the name of J. S. Thompson & Sons, Investments Bankers. (For an account of the remarkable success of this firm and its sys- tem of doing business see sketch of J. S. Thomp- son.) In this business he showed great apti- tude and became thoroughly proficient in every department. His judgment of men was good, and he was ever considerate of others. In 1885, while but twenty years of age, he was elected as- sistant cashier of the First National Bank of Lacon, a position he held until the time of his death, the duties of which he discharged faith- fully and well, to the entire satisfaction of the directors of the bank and its patrons.
On the 8th of October, 1885, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Miss Ada Burns, daughter of Judge John Burns of Lacon, Illinois. Their wedded life of a little over ten years was a happy one, and it can be truly said that they lived in each others love. Mrs. Thompson was reared in Lacon, and was there educated in the public schools and later attended Eureka Col- lege. She is a lady of fine tastes and accom- plished in art and music. She now makes her home at Colorado Springs, Colorado, in an ele- gant home left her by her husband.
For four long weary years Mr. Thompson was an invalid. Three years of this time he was al- most daily consumed with a burning fever, yet it is said that he never complained.
He had promise of a bright future in life and was anxious to live, to care for and to be a com- fort to his loved ones. Yet, when it was evident that he must give up this world he nobly and quietly yielded to the Divine will. The last few months he dwelt much on the world to come. His Christian experience was bright and clear and full of hope and joy. A short time before his death when his friends were bending anxi- ously over him to catch every gesture, word and look, before he passed to the Great Beyond, his face lighted up with a radiant, heavenly smile, and pointing upward he exclaimed in a clear voice: "O! see the brightness." His father did not look, and with his own hand he turned his father's face upward and said: "Look quick."
Who can say that the heavenly spirits were not awaiting his coming?
No greater tribute could be paid him than this -aside from the sorrow his illness caused, he never gave his parents one hour of sorrow. Though dying far from home, his sweet, gentle ways drew to him many loving friends, who, with flowers, loving words and deeds comforted him and his beloved ones in the last days as if they were old-time friends. Among these pleasures were the letters of a number of little Indians from the Indian school of Phoenix, which he treas- ured.
A few days before his death he said to his father: "I am sorry for you and all our loved ones. You will have to toil and be anxious about many things, while I will be happy all the time, and be with mother. She has been waiting for me twenty years." Another time he said in broken words: "It is harder for you than for me." At another time: "Father, have the preach- er tell all the boys to be sure and meet me in heaven. I love them all; yes, I love every one." Truly, it may be said Charlie Thompson loved every one and had not an enemy in the world. His last message to his brother John I., and sis- ters Jennie and Emma Mai, were: "To be good and do good," and later, to emphasize it, he said: "Set it down, lest a mistake be made." Truly, he struck the keynote when he said in substance: "Become good that you may do good.”
Far from his loved home, in the city of Phoe- nix, Arizona, he was called to rest, his death oc- curring February 22, 1896. To that place he had gone, accompanied by his loved wife and parents, with the hope that the bracing climate of that state might do him good. But it was not to be. While in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he gave his heart to the Lord and united with the Metho- dist Episcopal church at that place, and when the end came he was prepared to go. He was also a Mason, Knight Templar and a member of the Knights of Pythias societies.
The circle of friends of Mr. Thompson was not confined to his Illinois home, for warm per-
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sonal friends came to him at Colorado Springs and at Phoenix, Arizona, where he passed his last days on earth, so sad yet precious to his loved ones. The bereaved wife and parents re- ceived their many tokens of tender love and sympathy. The friends of the family and of Charles sent messages of condolence from many parts of the United States. His remains were brought to Lacon for interment. The public schools and business houses of Lacon closed during the funeral services, which were held in the Methodist Episcopal church, which, large as it is, could not contain the people, many of whom were turned away. The Rev. T. C. Moots conducted the services and was assisted by Rev. L. B. Kent, who twenty years previous had had charge of the Lacon Methodist Episcopal pulpit, and preached his mother's funeral sermon; Rev. Long of the Congregational church, and Rev. Hammond, Episcopal church, all representing the united pulpits filled in Lacon. The floral tributes were worthy of more than a passing notice and covered the platform in set pieces, palms, ferns, roses and callas. The M. E. Quar- tet rendered the songs selected by himself, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" and "In the Sweet Bye and Bye," singing at the final resting place "Silently Lay Him to Rest, God Thought it Was Best."
The Knights of Pythias and Masonic orders were largely represented and the beautiful Ma- sonic burial service took place in its most impres- sive and perfect manner. Such a life is a bene- diction to all who come in contact with it, and will bear precious seed for many years.
S AMUEL HOLMES, known throughout the entire section of the country in which he lives as Squire Holmes, is one of the most prom- inent citizens and farmers in Hopewell town- ship, Marshall county. His father, also named Samuel, was a native of Lancashire, England, born in 1786, while his grandfather, James Holmes, was also a native of the. same shire. His mother was Hannah Jackson, a native of Chestershire, England, and a daughter of James
Jackson, who came to America in 1812, locating in New Jersey, near Trenton, where he made a permanent home. Samuel Holmes, the father, came to America in 1818, landing in New York city, and going from thence to Clinton, New Jersey, where he married Hannah Jackson. Shortly after their marriage they removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he worked as a common laborer for a time, and subsequently operated a lumber yard.
In 1835 the family came west and settled in Putnam county, Illinois, in the heavy timber land. The country was then very sparsely set- tled, and the father at once commenced the clear- ing up of the small farm. In his native country he had been educated as a veterinary surgeon, and it is said that he had not a superior in this line in America. Before coming to this country he was veterinary for the Earl of Balcares, and had considerable experience in the line of his profession. He never followed that business in this country for money simply, but responded to calls from Ottawa to Bloomington, and throughout this entire section of country.
Samuel Holmes, Sr., was a pioneer in Put- nam county, and came to this country with his wife, two sons and a step-son. One child died in infancy. Of the sons, Joseph, born November 20, 1819, married Miss Avis Taber, and now lives in southern California. They are the par- ents of four children, Mary, J. H., Avis and Sam- tel J. The latter is a graduate of the state uni- versity of California, and is a professor of biol- ogy in the Chicago university. The other son is the subject of this sketch. In 1850 the father went to California, making the journey overland, and there died shortly after his arrival, October 29, 1850. The mother survived him many years, dying on the old homestead in 1876. Under the old constitution of Illinois, Mr. Holmes became a voter, but never became a partisan politician and never held office.
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