USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 17
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 17
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 17
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the operation of the home farm until eighteen years of age, when his father died. He and a younger brother then took charge of the two farms which their father owned, and gave their attention to clearing, cultivating and improving the same.
Mr. Stewart remained in Pennsylvania until the time of the oil excitement, when he sold out and went to Richland county, Ohio, where he became acquainted with Miss Hannah J. Sweet, whom he married on the 30th of October, 1866. She is the daughter of Onesimus Curtis and Nancy B. (Hamill) Sweet. She had received an excellent education and engaged in teaching for one year before her marriage. There were six children of this union: Archibald, Hannah J., Elizabeth S., who died at the age of three years; Hezekiah, living on the old homestead; Sarah A., who died at two years of age; Lydia C., the wife of Samuel Ellar, living at Bellville, Ohio. The father died at Bellville, Ohio, March 30, 1856, and the mother at Buda, June 11, 1885.
In 1867 Mr. and Mrs. Stewart came to Bureau county, Illinois, taking up their residence in Buda, which is still Mrs. Stewart's home. For a number of years he was engaged in the milling business at this place, and although it furnished employment to many, it was no financial benefit to him. He also bought and shipped grain to the city markets. As a man of business he was successful, securing a competence which enabled him to lay aside business cares and to spend the evening of his life in ease and retirement.
Mr. Stewart was reared a whig and cast his first presidential vote for General Harrison in 1840. In 1856 he supported John C. Fremont, and from that time on affiliated with the repub- lican party, whose principles he always stanchly advocated. He was never an office seeker, but served on the town board of trustees and proved a most capable official. He was a devout and an active member of the Congregational church, of which he was deacon for a number of years, and in which his estimable wife was and yet is an earnest worker and a valued member. They both did all in their power for the betterment of
mankind and for the good of the community in which they dwelt. Mr. Stewart was a worthy citizen and had the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He departed this life August 25, 1896, deeply mourned by all who knew him. His loss to the church he loved so well can hardly be estimated. The Bible to him was the book of books, and it gave him great pain to hear it spoken of ir- reverently. His last hours were but the natural sequence to a life of piety. His last words com- mended his loved ones to the Savior's care. "God's finger touched him and he slept."
"Though dead, he speaks in season's ear, And in example lives; His faith and hope and loving deeds Still fresh instruction give."
R ICHARD BAGULEY, a leading tailor and the popular postmaster of Van Orin, Illi- nois, was born in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, January 8, 1828, a son of Charles and Anna Baguley, who for many years made their home in that state. By trade the father was also a merchant tailor, which business he followed, both in Wheeling, West Virginia, and in Browns- ville, Pennsylvania. He had learned his trade in the old world, but in his early days served as a sailor, and traveled around the world, visiting Africa and all the eastern countries. His death occurred in 1864, at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife died in 1844, at the age of fifty-three years. In religious belief they were Presbyterians.
During his youth our subject learned the trade of a tailor, but for six years was engaged in the drug business at Wheeling, West Virginia, with: his brother-in-law, James Reed. He is one of a family of twelve children, three still living, his sisters being Fanny, who has now reached the age of eighty-two years, and is the widow of Wil- liam J. Jourdan of Muscatine, Iowa, and Mary, aged seventy-six years, who is the wife of James Reed of Wheeling.
On coming to Illinois Mr. Baguley engaged in the grain business in Henry, and subsequently
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carried on the same business in Van Orin for ten years. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster, which position he has since efficiently filled, his duties being discharged in a most creditable man- ner, and to the satisfaction of the many patrons of the office. He is an ardent democrat in poli- tics, is a man of undoubted integrity and honor, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
In 1864 Mr. Baguley was united in marriage with Miss Malvina Hulben, a daughter of George and Mary Hulben, of Pennsylvania, and they have two children-Clara and Edith. Mrs. Bagu- ley, a most estimable lady, is a consistent mem- ber of the United Brethren church.
W ILLIAM I. MOORE is successfully ope- rating a farm of forty-six acres on sec- tion 8, Princeton township, with most excellent results. With its fine location it forms a most attractive spot in the landscape of the township. A portion of the land is devoted to fruit culture, and some of the choicest fruits are raised upon it.
Mr. Moore was born in Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 6, 1824, and was the youngest child of Alex- ander and Sarah (James) Moore, the latter also a native of that state, where she was married near Harrisburg. The father's birth occurred in Ire- land, was a student at Dublin, and came to the United States at the time of the trouble in his country, in the early part of the nineteenth cen- tury.
At the age of ten years William I. Moore was taken by one of his brother-in-laws to Ohio, and was early thrown upon his own resources. He began learning the tailor's trade, but in 1849 started for California, but stopped at Ottawa, Illinois, where he began the study of medicine, but never qualified for practice. In 1852 he locat- ed in Princeton. On the IIth of November of the same year he wedded Maria L. Hughes, who was born in Ohio, May 14, 1826, and was a daughter of Isaac and Jane Hughes, natives of Tennessee, and early settlers of Bureau county, their home being in Dover township. Three children were born of this union-Jewel H., deceased; Frank
A., an attorney of Chicago, and Edward G., a practicing physician of Spring Valley, Bureau county.
After his marriage Mr. Moore assisted in the construction of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad from Mendota west, and was with the mechanical department of that company for about fifteen years. He has since given his time and attention to the improvement and cul- tivation of his farm. In 1859 he was out on the plains, being at Denver when it contained but four shanties-the winter quarters of some min- ers. He remembers seeing Horace Greeley while on his western trip and hearing him speak of seeing a herd of buffaloes numbering about a million.
Mr. Moore has been called upon to mourn the loss of his faithful wife, who died on the 7th of October, 1893. She was a consistent member of the Christian church, to which our subject also belongs. In 1851 he became a member of the Masonic order at Ottawa, and is now a charter member of the blue lodge and chapter at Prince- ton. He took the Knight Templar degrees at Ottawa in 1866, established the commandery at Princeton, and has served as treasurer of all three divisions. He also helped to establish the council at the same place. Seeing the advantages of a good education he provided his children with excellent privileges in that direction. Political- ly, he is an ardent republican, and he stands high in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. In the vari- ous enterprises inaugurated for the advancement of the community he has been a cheerful and ready assistant, and takes a lively interest in the progress of the people around him. He is en- tirely a self-made man, having worked his way upward from childhood unaided, and well de- serves the success which has come to him.
J AMES HAMILTON, one of the solid and substantial citizens of Bureau county, is now a retired farmer of Princeton. He is a native of Ireland, born in county Down, December 27, 1836, and is a son of Hugh and Mary (Craw- ford) Hamilton, whose births occurred in the
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same county. In religious belief the Hamiltons were what is known in this country as Scotch Presbyterians. The paternal grandparents of our subject, John and Betsy Hamilton, never came to the new world.
It was in 1857 that the parents of our subject crossed the Atlantic and took up their residence in Princeton, Illinois, where they became well known and highly respected, as well as valued and worthy citizens whom to know was to love. The father's death occurred in 1858, at the age of sixty years, but his wife survived him some years, dying at the age of seventy-four. In their family were seven children, five of whom are still living, namely: Eliza, widow of James Campbell and a resident of Princeton; John, a farmer of Bureau county; William, living in Eu- clid, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio; Samuel, who resides with his sister, and James.
Mr. Hamilton, of this sketch, came to America in 1854 and spent the first year at Cleveland, Ohio, where he learned the carpenter's trade. From 1855 until 1880 he followed that occupa- tion in Princeton and then purchased and re- moved to a farm of three hundred acres in Gold township, to which he later added sixty acres. It was all highly improved, and to general farnı- ing and stock raising he devoted his time and at- tention until 1891, having upon his place fine grades of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. While living upon the farm he served as school direc- tor in his district. In 1891.he returned to Prince- ton, and has since lived retired from active busi- ness cares.
On the Ist of March, 1864, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage with Miss Adeline Baxter, only child of Gardner and Amanda Baxter, na- tives of Steuben county, New York. With the family, Mrs. Hamilton arrived in Bureau county, Illinois, on the 3d of March, 1847, the fifth an- niversary of her birth. Her father was born Sep- tember 15, 1819, and was the son of Simeon and Mary Baxter. On coming to Illinois he pur- chased a farm three and a half miles north of Princeton, but later bought and sold several farms, and carried on agricultural pursuits quite
extensively. He was known as a business man of good and reliable qualifications, and was high- ly respected for his many sterling traits of char- acter. He passed away March 31, 1884, in the faith of the Methodist Protestant church.
The mother of Mrs. Hamilton was born April 9, 1808, and was a daughter of Elihu and Mercy Pike. Her father was well known to the early settlers of Princeton, where he died at the ripe old age of ninety years. His wife had departed this life many years previously in New York. The mother of Mrs. Hamilton was twice mar- ried, her first husband being Danford Warren, by whom she had four sons, as follows: John Franklin, who was born September 24, 1831, and died at the age of sixty years; Phineas C., born March 19, 1833; George W., who was born August 14, 1834, and died at the age of forty-two years, and Daniel K., born March 12, 1836. The four brothers crossed the plains in wagons in the spring of 1852, their destination being Ore- gon, where the two still living yet reside. They encountered many trials and hardships on their journey, and arrived at their destination late in the fall, strangers in a strange land, with only seventy-five cents among them, and one of the number dangerously ill. They lodged at the best hotel and told their story of suffering to the proprietor in an honest, straightforward, boyish way. The kind landlord was favorably impressed, let them stay, told them where they could find work, and even loaned them money, all of which was in due time paid, with their grateful thanks, and they are still fast friends. Danford Warren has become quite wealthy, being president of a bank and railroad, which runs through a town that he laid out, called Warrington. The moth- er's death occurred September 15, 1882, at the age of seventy-two. She was a devout Christian, a lifelong member of the Methodist Protestant church, and noted for her many excellent traits of character. She was a great Bible student, possessed a retentive memory, and few could quote scripture with such freedom and exactness as she. She was a noble type of Christian wom- anhood, having great confidence in the religion
,
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which she possessed, and her great aim in life was to make others happy.
The home of our subject and wife has been blessed by the birth of five children, namely: Amanda A., born March 1, 1865, is the wife of Edward Newell, a farmer of Fairfield township, Bureau county, by whom she has five children, Frank N., George, Maud, Myrtle and an infant; Hugh F., born February 17, 1867, married My- netta C. Warrick, by whom he has one daughter, Maud A., and is a farmer of Gold township, Bu- reau county ; George W., born December 4, 1870, is also an agriculturist of Gold township; Arthur J., born September 29, 1874, is a natural me- chanic of much promise and an engineer of Princeton, and Nellie May, born May 15, 1884, is a pupil of the public schools of Princeton. The parents are both consistent members of the Luth- eran church and are classed among the best and valued citizens of Bureau county, where they are numbered among the highly respected old settlers.
B ENJAMIN F. TURNER. Like many other residents within the bounds of Marshall county who started out in life with naught but an abundance of determination and indefatigable industry, and a strong and healthy constitution, and who have succeeded through their own dili- gence, energy and economy, we classify the gen- tleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch, who, on arriving in Illinois, had but seventy-five cents with which to begin life. He was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, but is now living retired in Wenona.
Mr. Turner was born on the 24th of July, 1826, near Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio, and is the son of Clem and Dorcas (Snyder) Turner, the former a native of Delaware and the latter of West Virginia. They were among the early settlers of Muskingum county, where the father engaged in farming, and there both died. In their family were eight children-William, de- ceased; Mrs. Nancy Hammitt; Mrs. Rebecca Kelley, and John, both deceased; Jeremiah, who lives in Columbus, Ohio; Benjamin F., of this
review; Mrs. Margaret Cannon of Fulton coun- ty, Illinois, and Elizabeth D., of the same county.
When quite small our subject lost his mother and was taken into the family of Judge Thomas Ijms, a prominent man of his time and judge of the county court of Muskingum county. In the district schools of Ohio Mr. Turner secured his education and was reared to farm work. It was in 1845 that he came to Illinois, arriving in Magnolia township, on the 4th of March, accom- panying the late George Dent, and was there employed upon a farm until 1850.
In that year Mr. Turner led to the marriage altar Miss Hannah L. Miller, who was born at Steubenville, Ohio, January 16, 1830, and was the daughter of Abram and Jane (Porter) Mil- ler, who located on a farm two miles east of Mag- nolia in 1846. There they made their home for ten years, when they removed to Wenona, where they were numbered among the first settlers, and there spent their remaining days. Her father, who was a carpenter by trade, helped to erect many of the buildings in the village.
Six children came to bless the union of our subject and his worthy wife, namely: William Emery, who died December 15, 1881, had mar- ried Nellie Moon and they had two children, Guye Franklin, who graduated at the Abilene, Kansas, high school in 1895, and Harry. Abra- ham Martin married Ida Snider, by whom he has two children-Nellie and Cecil. Arthur Lee, who lives in Evans township, Marshall county, wedded Mary Work, of Wenona, by whom he has three children-Benjamin F., Morine and Lee A. L. Turner, and he is now serving as super- visor of Evans township and chairman of the board. Charles Marion, also of Evans township, married Lou Carrithers, and they have four chil- dren. Jennie is the wife of Clarence Axline of Evans township, by whom she has five children. Stella May, who completes the family, died April 14, 1883.
After his marriage Mr. Turner rented land in Putnam county for six years, but in 1857 re- moved to a farm which he purchased on section 21, Evans township, three miles west of Wenona,
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and as it was all raw prairie land he at once be- gan its improvement and development. He there continued to make his home until 1884, when he laid aside active business cares and re- moved to Wenona, where his wife died on the 13th of November, 1892, and her remains were interred in the Wenona cem- etery. She was a consistent member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and took an active part in church work. On the 18th of March, 1896, Mr. Turner married Mrs. Hannah E. See- bree, nee Hendricks, of Bloomington. Mr. Turn- er is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has served as trustee and steward of the same. For many years he was an active member of the Good Templars society, and took a prom- inent part in promoting the temperance cause. He is an influential member of the republican party, has frequently served as delegate to its conventions, and has been called upon by his fellow-citizens to serve in several official posi- tions of honor and trust, being road commission- er in Evans township, a member of the city coun- cil of Wenona from the third ward, and is now serving his eleventh consecutive year as justice of the peace to the general satisfaction of all con- cerned.
J AMES H. CODDINGTON. In the great and fertile west there are some extensive farmers, men who bring to their calling rare bus- iness skill and excellent judgment. Some of the most enterprising of these may be found in Bu- reau county, Illinois, among whom is the gentle- man whose name introduces this sketch. He is one of the representative agriculturists of Dover township, where he owns and operates three hun- dred and thirty-three acres of rich and valuable land on section 33, two miles and a half north of the city of Princeton.
Mr. Coddington was born in the same town- ship January 25, 1847, and is descended from good old Revolutionary stock, of Scotch descent. When the colonists resolved to throw off the yoke of British oppression his grandfather, Ben- jamin Coddington shouldered his musket and
went to the front to aid them in securing their independence. When the war was over and peace once more established he located upon a farm in Maryland, which was operated by nu- merous slaves owned by him.
Upon that plantation James Coddington, the father of our subject, first opened his eyes Janu- ary 25, 1798, and there he grew to manhood. In 1832 he left the parental roof and emigrated to Bureau county, Illinois, which was then little better than a wilderness and swamp. During the Black Hawk war, however, he returned to Maryland, but the following year came again to Bureau county, where he entered three eighty- acre tracts of land on section 27, Dover township, now owned and occupied by his son, H. C. Cod- dington. This the father cleared, broke and im- proved, transforming the same into one of the most highly cultivated farms in the community, and gave his time and attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits with excellent results. In this county he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Fear, also a native of Maryland, who was reared in the same neighborhood as her hus- band. While on a visit to his native state, on his way to the Centennial Exposition, he was thrown from a buggy and accidentally killed in June, 1876, at the age of seventy-eight years, but the mother is still living on the old home- stead with her son, Henry C., at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. They were valued and highly respected citizens and honored pioneers of the county.
Our subject is the third in order of birth in the family of two sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. The others are as fol- lows: Mary, is the wife of D. W. Chase, a far- mer of Walnut township, Bureau county; Caro- line, married Calvin Shugart and died in this county September, 1872; Anna, is the wife of Milford Frazee, an agriculturist of Dover town- ship; Henry C. operates the old homestead farm, and Martha Belle wedded Peter Ostran, of Lan- caster county, Nebraska, where her death oc- curred November, 1890.
Mr. Coddington, of this review, grew to man-
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hood on the home farm, assisting in its labors during the summer months and attending the common schools in the winter seasons. He com- pleted his literary course at Dover academy and remained with his father until his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated January 25, 1872, Miss Lizzie Keel becoming his wife. She is a native of Ohio, but when a child came to Illinois with her father, J. W. Keel, who was one of the first settlers on North Prairie. Mrs. Coddington completed her education in the Princeton academy. By her marriage to our subject she has become the mother of the fol- lowing children: James K., who graduated at the Western college of Toledo, Iowa, and is now a medical student in Iowa City; John W., who graduated at the Princeton high school, and is now attending the Western college; Harry, Frank, Nellie and Willie, who are students of the Princeton high school; Mattie, who is attending school in the same city; Lloyd and Lottie (twins), and one daughter, who died in infancy.
For two years after his marriage Mr. Codding- ton lived upon rented land, and then purchased one hundred and fifty acres of the farm on which he now resides. From time to time he has add- ed to the amount until to-day he is the owner of three hundred and thirty-three acres of valuable land in Dover township, which is under excellent cultivation and improved with a neat and com- modious residence, three good barns, cribs and other outbuildings. In fact, it is one of the model farms of Bureau county.
An ardent republican in politics, Mr. Codding- ton has supported every presidential nominee of that party since casting his first vote for General U. S. Grant, and has served as a delegate to a number of county and state conventions. For several years he has been an efficient member of the school board, and has filled other local offi- ces with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Earnest, conscientious Christian, both himself and wife are faithful members of the United Brethren church. In- dustry, enterprise and perseverance are num- bered among his chief characteristics and have
been important factors in bringing about the suc- cess which he to-day enjoys, as he started out to fight life's battles in limited circumstances, but has overcome all obstacles and to-day is num- bered among the wealthiest citizens of Dover township. He is widely known as a man of un- doubted integrity, conducting his interests with ability and strict regard to details.
C LAYTON C. PERVIER, a man who has been useful in his community and ever tak- en a prominent part in the enterprises tending to the enlightenment of the people, the friend of education, and active in political affairs, is now engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 17, Concord township. The old idea that the farmer requires little beyond his muscle to en- able him to battle successfully with the elements of the soil is fast passing away, and the fact is everywhere recognized by intelligent men that experience and education go hand in hand in achieving the best results in this as well as other employments of life.
A native of Bureau county, Mr. Pervier was born in Mineral township, March 4, 1857, a son of Rev. Sylvester L. Pervier, a native of Andover, New Hampshire, where he was reared on a farm in the midst of the pineries. The father's birth occurred September 16, 1816, and in the com- mon schools he acquired his education. Going to Monroe county, New York, he there became acquainted with Miss Philena Coval, who on the 2d of February, 1843, became his wife. He had previously entered the ministry of the Christian or Union church, and engaged in preaching in various counties of the empire state until 1845, when he removed to Janesville, Wisconsin. At that place and Beloit, Wisconsin, he had charge of churches for two years, and then came to Henry, Marshall county, Illinois, where he was pastor of the Union church for four years, and later was engaged in the work of the ministry at Prophetstown, Whiteside county, Illinois. From that place he removed to his farm in Mineral township, Bureau county, having purchased a tract of government land at one dollar and a
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quarter per acre. There his death occurred Feb- ruary 7, 1892, and his remains were interred in Mineral cemetery. Previous to the war he was a strong abolitionist and took an active part in opposition to slavery. In his family were five children-Melvin, who lives upon the old home farm; Myron, also at home; Donna, who gradu- ated at the Annawan high school, and is now successfully engaged in teaching; Clayton, of this review, and one who died in infancy.
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