USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 18
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 18
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 18
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The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in the usual manner of farmer lads, as- sisting in the labors of the fields and attending the district schools. Later he was a student in the school of Annawan, Illinois, and at the early age of sixteen began teaching, his first school being north of Kawanee, where he had forty- two pupils, many of whom were much older than himself. Meeting with success in this venture, he continued to follow the profession through the winter seasons for a period of sixteen years. In the meantime, however, when eighteen years of age, he entered the University of Illinois at Champaign, which he attended for four terms.
On the 16th of March, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pervier and Miss Jessie M. Cur- tis, a native of Concord township, and a daugh- ter of James M. and Helen M. (Stevenson) Cur- tis. She is a graduate of the Sheffield high school. Four children grace their union, name- ly: Raymond C., Edgar M., Mabel Inez and Carrie May. For six years after his marriage Mr. Pervier operated the old home farm, but in 1887 removed to the farm he is now cultivating, comprising a half section of valuable land, which he has placed under excellent cultivation.
Since casting his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield in 1880 he has been a recog- nized leader in the ranks of the republican party in his locality. In the spring that he attained his majority he was sent as a delegate to the county convention and has since continually served in that capacity, being chairman of the convention in 1894, and in 1896 refusing to ac- cept the same position. Being well versed in parliamentary rules, he makes a most efficient
presiding officer. He has also served as a dele- gate to the various district conventions of his party. While a resident of Mineral township he was nominated by the republican party for jus- tice of the peace, and was also elected assessor, receiving the nomination of the democratic or people's party. In 1892 he was appointed collec- tor to fill a vacancy. In 1894 he was elected supervisor by the republican party and re-elected in 1896, a fact which plainly indicates his popu- larity and the confidence and trust reposed in him. He also served as school trustee in Min- eral township. He is now acceptably serving his second term as supervisor, supporting all meas- ures calculated to benefit the community. He was appointed one of the commissioners to levy the special tax for the extension of the mains in the town of Buda, which work has recently been completed. He has been a member of county republican committee for the past eight years, and is a member of the present executive com- mittee who have charge of the campaign work.
Mr. Pervier holds membership in the Unitar- ian church at Sheffield. In June, 1892, he was initiated into the mysteries of the Masonic order, becoming a member of Ames lodge, No. 142, F. & A. M., at the first election was made senior warden, one year later junior warden, and is now worthy master. Both himself and wife are con- nected with Ames chapter of the Eastern Star. They joined the order at Buda in 1895, but have since been transferred to Sheffield. They are worthy and valued members of society, and hold an enviable position among the intelligent and enterprising citizens of their native county.
TAMES O. CRAIG, superintendent of the county farm of Bureau county, has long been numbered among the prominent residents of Wyanet · township. His life has been well spent, and the high regard in which he is held makes him well deserving of representation in this volume. A native of New York, he was born in Delaware county, April 16, 1833, and is a son of Robert Craig, whose birth occurred in Scotland, but when a young man he crossed the
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Atlantic to America, locating first in New York city, where he married. There he worked at the veneering trade until his removal to Delaware county, becoming one of its earliest settlers, and cleared and developed a farm in the midst of the timber. There he passed his remaining days, dying in his fifty-fourth year. He was a con- scientious, Christian man, a deacon in the Pres- byterian church, to which he belonged, and was a whig in politics.
Our subject was the eighth in order of birth in a family of eleven children, of whom six are still living. Until twenty-three years of age he re- mained in the county of his nativity, and com- pleted his education at the Delaware academy of Delhi, New York. He also took a prominent part in the literary society of Franklin township, Delaware county. On leaving school he engaged in teaching from the age of seventeen years un- til thirty-two, and proved a most capable in- structor.
The year 1860 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Craig in Bureau county, and for some time he followed the profession of teaching in Neponset, Sheffield and Wyanet townships, and in the lat- ter township he has since made his home. In 1863 he turned his attention to farming, and has since followed agricultural pursuits. Two years later he also engaged in general stock shipping in the village of Wyanet, which he continued until he took charge of the county farm in Janu- ary, 1882, and has since faithfully served in the capacity of superintendent of that institution, proving a most capable and efficient officer. He was also justice of the peace and notary public for a number of years in Wyanet township, and besides has filled many other official positions to the satisfaction of all concerned.
In Wyanet township, Bureau county, Mr. Craig was married in November, 1862, to Miss Nellie Hays, a native of Ohio, who came with her parents, Elijah and Rachel (Thatcher) Hays, to this county, being numbered among its early settlers. Six children were born of this union, one son and five daughters, but only three are now living-Ella, Herman C. and Maude.
In his political relations Mr. Craig is a stal- wart republican, and socially is a member of the Masonic fraternity. At the early age of sixteen years he joined the Presbyterian church, but since coming to Illinois has held membership in the Congregational church, of which he is a valued and consistent member. In all the re- lations of life, whether public or private, he has ever been found true and faithful and justly de- serves the high esteem in which he is held.
R EV. FRANK G. BRAINERD, pastor of the First Congregational church of Spring Valley, is a native of Bureau county, his birth having occurred in Wyanet, December 15, 1862, and is a son of Theodore G. and Elizabeth (Gunn) Brainerd, in whose family were five chil- dren, our subject being the oldest. Amy G., a music teacher, resides at home, and the other three, George, Elizabeth and Mina, all died in childhood.
Theodore G. Brainerd was born in Canada July 13, 1816, and was married on the 19th of May, 1851, to Elizabeth Gunn, also a native of that country, and the oldest living child of George and Elizabeth (Brown) Gunn, who were mar- ried in 1827 and became the parents of five chil- dren, two now deceased. The maternal grand- mother, who was born in 1810, is still living, but the grandfather died in 1891, at the age of eighty-seven years. He was a native of Scot- land and was taken to Canada when a child. During his mature years he held a position under the government for her majesty and later retired on a pension. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Ezra and Nancy (Hurd) Brainerd, the former a member of an old Connecticut fam- ily and the latter of an old Massachusetts fam- ily. In 1851 Theodore Brainerd removed to Wyanet, Illinois, and for many years there en- gaged in grain dealing. He was a devout Chris- tian, an active church worker and zealous in pro- moting the cause of the Master. He was well informed on general topics, was widely and fav- orably known throughout the county, and was prominent in his community. For the past
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twelve years he served as collector of his town- ship. His death occurred September 9, 1896.
After completing the common school course at Wyanet, Mr. Brainerd of this review entered Oberlin College, of Ohio, where he was a student for two years. On his return to Bureau county he resumed teaching, which he had previously followed, and in all taught five terms in the dis- trict schools. In 1884 he took charge of the grammar room in the De Pue schools, which position he held for two years, and in 1886-7 en- gaged in teaching in Wyanet. For the follow- ing two years he was principal of the schools of Tonica, Illinois, and then gave up that profes- sion for the work of the ministry.
In July, 1889, Mr. Brainerd began preaching at Cambridge, Illinois, where he supplied the pulpit for two months, and in the fall of that year entered the Chicago Theological Congrega- tional Seminary, where he pursued his studies for one year, during which time he taught a night school at two dollars an evening, thus earning his own way. He also preached every Sunday at Rutland, Illinois, riding a distance of one hundred and twenty-five miles. In May, 1890, he became pastor of the Congregational church at Gridley, this state, where he remained for fifteen months, at the end of which time he went to the Lake Superior region for the benefit of his wife's health. He accepted a charge at Portage Entry, Michigan, where he remained from August, 1891, to February, 1893, during which time he converted the mission into an organized church.
Mr. Brainerd then went to Parkersburg, Iowa, where he was pastor until May, 1894, but the February previous brought his wife, who was still ill, to their parents at Wyanet. His salary was allowed to go on and he hired an assistant, whom he paid. He resigned the pastorate there on the Ist of May, 1894, and on the Ist of June his wife died at the age of twenty-four years.
It was on the 26th of June, 1890, that Mr. Brainerd had married Miss Effie M. Carter, daughter of Samuel and Jeannetta (Holroyd) Carter, old residents of Bureau county and prom- 8
inent farming people of Wyanet. Mrs. Brainerd was a lady of scholarly attainments and pleasing presence. She was a beautiful woman, of a most lovely disposition and popular wherever known. For four years she had engaged in teaching, during that time having charge of one school. She was a devout Christian, having been a faithful member of the Congregational church since 1887.
Mr. Brainerd came to Spring Valley July 29, 1894. to supply the pulpit and the same year ac- cepted a call from his present congregation. Un- der his able pastorate the church has prospered and is now in a flourishing condition. He has the courage of his convictions and in his conflict with the saloon element of the city has succeeded in doing what seemed to many "the impossible" -the closing of the saloons on Sunday, which for years had been open on that day. For the excel- lent services he rendered the village its best citi- zens tendered him a reception, at which he was presented with a plate of gold as a small token of their appreciation.
G EORGE R. ROSS, a reliable and energetic member of the sturdy sons of toil who are engaged in tilling the soil of Bureau county, is operating a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres of nicely improved land on sections 14 and 23, Ohio township. The buildings on the prop- erty are of excellent and substantial character, and the whole surroundings betoken thrift and prosperity.
A native of Bureau county, Mr. Ross was born near the village of Ohio, in 1847, and is a son of Rev. Andrew and Hannah (Randall) Ross, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. His primary education was obtained in the dis- trict schools, and subsequently he took a two years' course in Abingdon college, where he completed his literary course. He was reared on a farm and with the exception of ten years, when engaged in mercantile pursuits at Ohio, has always followed farming. He is numbered among the most progressive, skillful and ener- getic farmers of the community.
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In 1872 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ross and Miss Saralı Ross, daughter of Joseph Ross, of Bureau county, and they now have six children-Harvey, Benjamin A., Howard, Nellie, Debbie and Frank, constituting an interesting family, all at home. The parents and children all hold membership in the Christian church. They enjoy the warmest regard and esteem of the whole community, and are valned members of society. In politics Mr. Ross was formerly a republican, but owing to his views on the ten- perance question, has for the past few years been identified with the prohibition party. He is widely known for his upright dealings and ster- ling qualities, and is universally respected throughout the county where he has always made his home.
G EORGE M. WHITE, who occupies a fine and well improved farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Lamoille township, is num- bered among its energetic and well-to-do agricul- turists. The residence and its surroundings are highly creditable to the proprietor and indicate him to be a man of industry and enterprise, who has kept his eyes open on what is going on in the world around him, and availed himself of the most approved methods of carrying on agri- culture.
A native of Bureau county, Mr. White was born in Dover township, December 31, 1853. and is a son of Oziel and Minerva (Hammer) White, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Indiana. His father came to Bureatt county in 1850, and was a merchant in the village of Dover for two or three years. His general oc- cupation was that of a farmer and stock-raiser. He held a number of minor offices, and was a prominent member of the North Prairie Metho- (list Episcopal church, with which he was offi- cially connected. He departed this life November 15, 1881, at the age of fifty-four years. The mother, who was born May 2, 1834, is still liv- ing at Princeton, well preserved both in body and mind, and is a devout member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
George Hammer, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Kentucky, early re- moved to Indiana, and in 1834 came to Kane county, Illinois, where he owned a good farm, a portion of which is now within the corporation limits of Elgin. He helped to raise the first cabin ever erected in that city. In 1848 he took up his residence in Bureau county, where he be- came quite active in church work, being a class leader in the Methodist church for over half a century. At one time lie served as supervisor of Ohio township, and was widely and favorably known throughout the county. He was born in 1810, and died at Princeton in 1887. He was three times married.
George M. White is one of a family of nine children, of whom Alice, William and Margaret, all died in infancy. Alida R. was the wife of L. N. Perkins of Lamoille township, and died at the age of thirty years. She held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Charles O. is a farmer and stock-raiser of Lamoille town- ship. Jennie died at the age of sixteen years. Edson D. is attending college at Evanston, Illi- nois. Percis took a four years course in the wom- an's department of the North Western Medical college and engaged in the practice of medicine until her health became impaired. She is now a resident of Princeton.
After attending the common schools for some time Mr. White, whose name introduces this sketch, pursued his studies for two years in the Princeton high school. He then successfully taught two winter terms in Bureau county, but has principally devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, and has proved a most thorough and skillful farmer.
On the 14th of September, 1881, Mr. White led to the marriage altar Miss Elizabeth, G. Bar- rett, a native of Bureau county, and a daughter of Mark and Josephine Barrett, both of whom were born in Massachusetts. She is the second in order of birth in their family of seven children, the others being Ernest, a farmer of Lamoille; Mamie, wife of Fred Star of Texas; Dwight H., a graduate of the State university, and a young
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man of more than ordinary ability, who died at Baltimore; Arthur L., who married Melissa McCray, and lives in the village of Lamoille, and Grace, a trained nurse residing in Minneapo- lis. The mother of these children makes her home in the village of Lamoille. Two children bless the union of our subject and his wife-Jen- nie B. and Esther. A nephew, Richard J., also finds a pleasant home with them.
Both Mr. and Mrs. White are earnest and ac- tive members of the North Prairie Methodist Episcopal church in Ohio township, of which he is now trustee, and has also been superintendent of the Sunday school. In his political views he is an ardent republican, always advocating the principles of that party, and has most creditably served in a number of local offices, being for six years commissioner of highways in his township, is now serving his second term as supervisor of the same, and has been school director. He has been very successful in his life work, and being endowed with many virtues and a genial, hos- pitable manner, receives the respect and confi- dence of the entire community.
Chiarles O. White, a brother of our subject, is also a leading farmer and stock-raiser of La- moille township, where his birth occurred May 5, 1859. He was reared to agricultural pur- suits and decided to make that occupation his life work, though for two terms he engaged in teaching a district school. He owns a valuable tract of one hundred and eighty acres on sec- tion 30, where he resides, and another farm on section 6 and 7, Berlin township, Bureau county. Besides attending to his extensive farming inter- ests he also deals in coal, which has also proved quite profitable.
On the 18th of January, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Charles O. White and Miss Ella Taylor, a daughter of Matthew and Catherine (Smith) Taylor, respected old settlers of Dover township, the father having come from Ohio to Bureau county in the '50s. He has now reached the age of sixty-five years, while his wife is fifty- eight. They have nine children-Sadie L., wife of Madison Hensel, a farmer of Walnut township,
Bureau county; Ella, Flora, wife of J. O. Belk- nap, a general merchant of Goldfield, Iowa; Lot- tie, wife of S. M. Morton, a farmer of Eagle Grove, Iowa; Isa, wife of E. G. Smith, a farmer of Conde, South Dakota; Elmer, who married Mary Keel, and operates the home farm in Dover township; George, who died at the age of twenty-three years; John L., who is clerking in his brother-in-law's store at Goldfield, Iowa, and Myrtle, wife of Oscar Matson, a farmer of Dover township. Mr. and Mrs. White have two daughters, Irma Belle and Margaret Faith.
Like his brother, Charles O. White supports the men and measures of the republican party, and in November, 1896, expects to vote for the author of the Mckinley bill, or, in other words, "Bill McKinley." Socially, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and, religiously, both himself and wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is trustee and steward.
C HARLES Y. DAHLGREN. As an enter- prising, wide-awake business man of Princeton, and one who, through his own efforts, has established himself among the prominent and well-to-do men of the city, we take pleasure in giving a brief biography of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He is a leading harness and saddle maker of the place, and also a dealer in real estate.
Mr. Dahlgren was born in Sweden, December 5, 1858, and there served a five years apprentice- ship to the trade which he now follows, being un- der the guidance of a gentleman who is now work- ing for him. On the expiration of that time he worked for three years as a journeyman in his native land, but in 1880 he emigrated to the United States, where he also has two brothers and a sister living. As he had two cousins, Theo- dore and A. M. Johnson, residing in Bureau county, he came at once to Princeton, and for one year was employed at railroad work, while the following year was spent in a brick yard.
In the meantime, however, Mr. Dahlgren had worked some at his trade, and after three years
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in this country started in business for himself along that line and has 110w secured an excellent trade, always having in his employ one or two men. He is also interested in Princeton real estate, in connection with John F. Backstrand and J. M. Peterson, being the original proprie- tors of the ten acres known as the Backstrand addition, lying just south of the city, which is now all sold. He also has five acres near the city limits, and owns other city property in addition to his store. In Butler county, Kansas, he owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres.
On the 16th day of May, 1880, in Sweden, Mr. Dahlgren was united in marriage with Miss Christina Erickson, and they now have three chil- dren-Theodore, who was born January 17, 1881 ; Theckla, aged eleven years, and Theresa, aged three years. The parents hold membership in the Swedish Lutheran church, in which Mr. Dahlgren has served as trustee and treasurer for six years. He is the president of the Princeton Swedish Sick Benefit society, which was organ- ized about a year ago, and now has one hundred and fifty members. It is kept up by monthly dues and has assisted in many cases of illness, having paid out about five hundred dollars in that way. It is confined to male members only.
Since becoming an American citizen Mr. Dahl- gren has given his allegiance to the republican party, which finds in him an earnest advocate, and is now serving as vice-president of the Swed- ish-American Republican State league, being re- cently elected to that position, but had previously been vice-president of the county organization from its beginning. He usually attends the con- ventions of his party, and is at present efficiently serving as city treasurer. Although this coun- try has been his home for a comparatively short time, he has its best interests at heart, and aids in every possible way in promoting its welfare.
C' RISPIN WOOD, who for over forty years has made his home in Putnam county, is both widely and favorably known, and is now practically living retired, at the city of Henne- pin, surrounded by many warm friends. He was
born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1820, and when a mere child was taken to Warren county, Ohio, by his parents, Joseph and Julia (Elma) Wood. On reaching manhood he was there married October 6, 1852, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha Crosby, whose birth occurred nine miles from Philadelphia in Delaware county, Pennsylvania. One daughter was born to them-Mary Ida, now the wife of Adam Deck of Hennepin.
Until twenty-four years of age Mr. Wood worked by the month as a farm hand, received from nine to nine dollars and a half, and for the following eight years rented land, but accumulat- ed nothing. After his marriage he leased his father-in-law's place, and on the close of a year had saved five hundred dollars. Coming to Put- nam county, Illinois, in 1854, Mr. Wood sold the one hundred and sixty acre tract which he owned in Central Illinois and purchased two eighty acre tracts near Mt. Palatine, where he made his home for thirteen years. He was one of the first to attempt to raise hogs on the prairies and none were more successful, winning many premiums at the fairs where he exhibited. He next lived at a neat place at the edge of Henne- pin, where he expended five thousand dollars on improvements, but after some years removed to his present location-the Fairfield house-an old landmark opposite the court house, where he has made extensive improvements, and now has a most desirable place. He has a valuable farm of five hundred and forty-eight acres on the river below Hennepin, which he rents, deriv- ing therefrom a good income. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres near Atlantic, in Cass county, Iowa. He has bred some fine Ken- tucky horses, but met with poor success in that undertaking, suffering the loss of some valuable animals. He now devotes his time and atten- tion to the management of his little home in Hennepin, and to overseeing his fine farm on the river.
Politically, Mr. Wood is an ardent republican, but has never cared for the honors or emolu- ments of public office, never having filled any
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political position aside from that of assessor of his township. Since a boy he has been lame, an affection of one hip, and though handicapped in this way has been remarkably successful in his life work, and justly ranks among the most ener- getic and progressive agriculturists of Putnam county.
In religious belief Mr. Wood is a Universalist, having held to that belief fifty-two years, and the society in whose house of worship he sung as a member of the choir for thirteen years have re- cently erected a new church building at Spring- boro, Warren county, to which he contributed one hundred dollars. On coming to Hennepin he also gave liberally to the support of both tlie Congregational and Methodist Episcopal churches as there was no church of his choice in the place, and his daughter for a number of years was organist in the former. At one time he in- vited a Universalist preacher to Hennepin and that church was promised him for his use, but the minister of the church refused its use to any "such trash." At the Methodist church he re- ceived no better treatment, with one exception, when they allowed him to hold services. Mr. Wood is a pleasant, genial gentleman, easily winning friends, which he always retains.
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