USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 20
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 20
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
In 1854 Mr. Bishop was united in marriage with Miss Eliza J. Champ, the daughter of John W. and Lydia (Horrom) Champ, the former a native of Rockingham, New Hampshire, and the latter of New Jersey. Her maternal grandfather, Timothy Horrom, came to Illinois in 1832, set- tling in Grundy county, where he resided until his death. When a young man her father fol- lowed the carpenter's trade, but later went to California and Washington, in the employ of the Hudson Bay company, with which he remained for forty years. Returning to Putnam county, Illinois, although over sixty years of age, he joined the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, as a member of Company H, with which he served for three years, and was then discharged on account of illness. During his service he was taken prisoner by the enemy. He died in 1869, and his wife, who had long pre- ceded him to the other world, passed away in
1837. They had two children-Mrs. Bishop, and William W., who lives in Hope township, La Salle county, Illinois.
Mrs. Bishop was the first white child born at Princeton, Illinois, the date of that event being January 1, 1834, and losing her mother when only three years old, she was reared by Lyman Horrom, a native of New Jersey, who came to Illinois in 1830, settling on Ox Bow Prairie in Putnam county. There he improved a farm, and in the early days also worked in the lead mines of Galena. He finally laid aside business cares and removed to Henry, Illinois, in 1863, where he passed away in 1886. He had married Eleanor Baker, who still survives him, making her home in Henry at the age of eighty-four years, but for the past ten years has been an in- valid. They had no children of their own, but reared both Mrs. Bishop and her brother.
Four children were born to our subject and his wife-Charles W., who lives on section 27, Evans township, Marshall county, married Clara Swisher. Mary Ella is the wife of Fred Whiting, by whom she has five children, and they also make their home in Evans township. Lydia, who lives in Nebraska, is the wife of John Mc- Laughlin, and they have four children. Lyman Hamlin completes the family. The children were all provided with good common school educa- tions.
The parents are both conscientious Christians, worthy members of the Methodist church, and politically Mr. Bishop is a republican, but has never accepted office with the exception of school director, which position he held for about twelve years. Although starting out in life with no cap- ital, he struggled along and by hard work has succeeded in gaining a competence. During the first year at Ox Bow Prairie he was able to lay up seven hundred dollars.
W ILLIAM MILLER, a well known resi- dent of Malden, was for many years a leading and energetic farmer of Selby township, Bureau county, but is now living retired. He is a native of the buckeye state, his birth occurring
I54
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in Clark county December 2, 1822. His grand- father, Cristley Miller, was born in Germany, and on coming to the United States located in Virginia, where was born Isaac Miller, the fa- ther of our subject. The last named spent his boyhood and youth principally in Kentucky and Ohio, and during early manhood participated in the war of 1812. He was married in Ohio to Miss Sarah Searl, a daughter of Timothy Searl, who at an early day came to that state from New York. In Clark county the parents spent their remaining days, the father dying in 1843, and the mother a number of years previously.
Upon the home farm in that county our sub- ject remained until after his father's death, aid- ing in the labors of the fields. He is wholly self- educated, as during childhood he had no school privileges, and the knowledge he has acquired has principally been gained since reaching man- hood. The year 1848 witnessed his arrival in Bureau county, having made the journey by team from his old home, and here purchased a tract of two hundred acres in Selby township. This he cleared, improved and cultivated for about forty-four years, converting it into one of the best farms in the locality. Renting it, in March. 1885, he removed to Malden, where he pur- chased his present comfortable residence, and there has since made his home. After many years of usefulness he is now enjoying a well- deserved rest, surrounded by everything that goes to make life enjoyable.
In Bureau county, on the 23d of November, 1850, was performed a wedding ceremony which united the destinies of Mr. Miller and Miss Cal- ista Parlanna Lathrop, a native of Otsego county, New York, and a daughter of John S. Lathrop, a pioneer settler in Bureau county. Here Mrs. Miller has made her home since a child of six years. Their union has been blessed with the birth of the following children: Lucinda, now the wife of William J. Motz, of Malden; Arlina A., wife of Joseph Miller, a farmer of Bureau county; Marcellus M., who is engaged in busi- ness in Butte City, Montana; Candis I., wife of John McNabb, who is now with her father; John
H., a veterinary surgeon of Dixon, Illinois; El- sie, who is successfully engaged in teaching in Bureau county; Cyrenus, who died at the age of four years, and Juliette Ida, who married Charles Ruttann, but is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Miller also have three grandchildren.
In his political views, Mr. Miller is a demo- crat, having supported the principles of that party since attaining his majority, but cares nothing for the honors or emoluments of public office. He has, however, acceptably served as a member of the school board for a number of years. His wife and two daughters hold men- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Malden, and in social circles stand high. For fifty-one years Mr. Miller has now made his home within the borders of Bureau county, dur- ing which time he has become closely identified with its interests, and being a public-spirited, progressive citizen has materially aided in ad- vancing its welfare and prosperity. His upright, honorable course has made him many friends, and he has the respect of all who know him.
S AMUEL PAINTER, a prominent farmer and dairyman of Hall township, is one of the industrious and energetic citizens of Bureau county, where he has now made his home for about four years, during which time he has made many friends throughout the community. For the past two years he has given his attention al- most exclusively to the dairy business, in which he has met with a well deserved success.
Mr. Painter is a native of the keystone state, born in Chambersburg, Franklin county, No- vember 24, 1857, and is a son of George and Re- becca (Marshall) Painter, also natives of Penn- sylvania. The father was a substantial farmer of Franklin county, where he continued the opera- tion of his farm until called from this life in 1891. His faithful wife still survives him and now makes her home with a daughter in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. In their family were eleven chil- dren, seven sons and four daughters, of whom three sons and all the daughters are still living.
I55
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In the county of his nativity Samuel Painter grew to manhood, assisting in the labors of the farm and attending the common schools near his home. In 1876 he came west, locating first near Kearney, Nebraska, where he engaged in farm- ing until 1881, in which year he removed to Miami county, Kansas, and there carried on the same occupation for four years. It was in 1892 that he took up his residence in Bureau county, and has since been prominently identified with her agricultural interests.
In Miami county, Kansas, on the 15th of No- vember, 1885, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Painter and Miss Loretta Goodrick, who was born, reared and educated in Warren county, Indiana, where her father, John Goodrick, was one of the early settlers. Two children grace this union-Charles Richard and Samuel E.
Politically, Mr. Painter has ever identified him- self with the republican party, and is a firm advo- cate of protection to American industries. He is a man of good industrious habits and sterling integrity, winning the confidence of the entire community, and well deserves to be mentioned in the history of his adopted country.
S AMUEL HILLS. Prominent among the successful farmers and extensive stock-grow- ers of Bureau county may be named the subject of this historical notice, whose homestead lies in Lamoille township, and who, by enterprise and energy in the direction of his chosen industry, has given to his work a significance and beauty of which few deemed it capable.
He was born in Hampden county, Massachu- setts, November 20, 1814, a son of Elijah and Olive (Ryder) Hills, both natives of Connecti- cut. By occupation the father was also a far- mer, and died in the town of Palmer, Massachu- setts, in July, 184I, at the age of seventy-two years, while his wife passed away in May of the same year. In their family were eight children, who, in order of birth, are as follows: Cyrus, Elijah, Sylvester, Sanford, Olive, Hiram, Ly- man and Samuel. With the exception of our subject, all are now deceased. Cyrus became a
farmer of Clarion township, Bureau county, where his death occurred, and the others all died in the east.
In the state of his nativity, Mr. Hills, of this review, was reared and educated, and until he had reached man's estate worked on a farm. For fifteen years he was then employed in a paper mill, but the year 1851 witnessed his arrival in Bureau county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm of three hundred and thirty acres on sec- tion 25, Lamoille township, of Simeon Huffacre, who had entered it from the government. He immediately commenced its cultivation and im- provement, transforming the land into one of the most productive and valuable places of the locality. Most of it he still has in his possession. and its neat and thrifty appearance plainly indi- cates the enterprising, progressive spirit of the owner.
At East Hartford, Connecticut, on the 18th of October, 1841, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hills and Miss Adaline Pitkin, daughter of George Pitkin, a resident of that state. Her death occurred on the 17th of February, 1876, at the age of fifty-nine years and six months. Two children were born to them, but both are now deceased. Mr. Hills was again married February 28, 1878, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Nancy L. Harwood, a native of the old bay state and a daughter of Eli and Martha (Thayer) Thayer, who were also born in Massa- chusetts. The father was a farmer and a most highly respected citizen of the community where he made his home. Captain Seth Frary, the ma- ternal grandfather of Mrs. Hills, was a hero of the revolution, and for many years received a pension for services rendered in that war. He married a Miss Scott, whom he survived for many years, and after her death made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Thayer, who was the third in order of birth in his large family of chil- dren.
The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Hills are as follows: Henry, who died at the age of twenty years; Alanson, who came to Bureau county, where he died at the age of forty-two, and was
156
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
buried in the Lamoille cemetery; two children, who died when quite young; Mary, who wedded Stephen Avery and is now residing at Unadilla, Nebraska; Seth, who died at the age of ten years, and another, who died in infancy.
In 1854 Mrs. Hills was first married, becoming the wife of Fordice Harwood, with whom she came to Illinois. They first located at Henne- pin, later for several years were residents of Chi- cago, subsequently went to Sterling, and finally settled at Lamoille. By this union three children were born, Carrie Gertrude, born in 1855, died at the age of six months; Mary Newton, born in 1860, is the wife of H. M. Stacy, a prominent merchant of Lamoille, and they have two chil- dren, Esther and Helen; Martha, born in 1868, died at the age of seven months. Mrs. Hills died July 19, 1896, and lies buried in the Hills ceme- tery, in Clarion township.
Mr. Hills gives his political support to the re- publican party, and has most capably filled nearly all of the township offices, actively supports all movements for the benefit of the community, and is a wide-awake, enterprising citizen, whose honorable, upright life has won the commenda- tion of all.
A LEXANDER BOYD, who is now living a retired life in Princeton, has been a resident of Bureau county for sixty-six years, and with the exception of his brother, Nathaniel, of Shef- field, Bureau county, is probably the oldest liv- ing settler in the county. The great changes which have taken place in that sixty-six years cannot be realized even by those most active. In no thousand years in the previous history of the world have so many events transpired of such importance to mankind as in the years from 1830 to 1896. All modes of conveyance have been changed, and the telegraph, telephone, phono- graph, electric light, steam threshers, steam printing, and a thousand and one other import- ant articles have been invented and come into general use, thus revolutionizing thought and action.
Alexander Boyd was born in New York city
July 3, 1817, and when but three years of age came with his parents, Charles S. and Eliza (Dixon) Boyd, to Illinois, the family locating at Springfield, then a very small village. Charles S. Boyd was a merchant tailor in New York city, and proposed following that occupation in this new country. When he arrived at Springfield he found but two cabins in the place, and he at once erected the third. He resided at Spring- field ten years, working at his trade whenever he could find anything to do, and often took his pay in cattle during the summer and early fall months, and then drive them to Galena, where he would dispose of them to the miners, after which he would work in the mines until spring, when he would return to his home.
John Dixon, the brother-in-law of Charles S. Boyd, came to Bureau county in 1827, locating in the south part, in what is now Arispee town- ship. Mr. Boyd, in going to and from Galena, would stop at his place, and, taking a fancy to it, purchased the claim, and the locality took the name of Boyd's Grove. To this place he re- moved in 1830, and for ten years was there en- gaged in farming. Mr. Dixon, on selling out, re- moved to what is now Lee county, and estab- lished the ferry across Rock river, and finally laid out a portion of his place, the town taking the name of Dixon, now the county seat of Lee county.
When Charles S. Boyd removed to his new place there was not another house within twelve miles. It was that distance to the nearest house on the north, and eighteen miles to the nearest house on the south. His home was on the stage route from Springfield to Galena, which passed through Peoria, then known as Fort Clark. Here the stage stopped for refreshments, and many travelers were entertained by Mr. Boyd as long as he remained. At his home stopped many who were looking up claims, and he assisted many in the selection of their future homes. Two years after his removal from Springfield, the Black Hawk war broke out, and the family were sent to Fort Clark. Around his home at this time were camped a large number of Indians, who
157
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
annoyed the family greatly, and as many were getting disaffected it was thought that Mrs. Boyd and the younger members of the household should seek a place of safety.
The Black Hawk war ended, Bureau county attracted many settlers from the east, and the village of Princeton began taking on airs. It was made the county seat, and to that place Mr. Boyd removed with his family in 1840. For many years he engaged in the hotel business and invested quite largely in Princeton real es- tate, owning at one time a large part of the north end, together with many lots in other por- tions of the place. His last days were spent in retirement from active business life, and in 1887 he was called to his final rest. His wife had pre- ceded him to the other shore some years be- fore.
The family of Charles S. and Eliza Boyd con- sisted of five sons and two daughters, as follows: Charles S., who left the county some twenty years ago, and whose whereabouts are unknown; Alexander, of this sketch; Nathaniel, now living a retired life in Sheffield; Elizabeth, now the wife of Ebenezer Chamberlain, of Gallatin, Missouri; James, who went to California in 1849 and there died of typhoid fever; Angelica, widow of Dr. Allen S. Paddock, now temporarily residing in San Antonio, Texas, with her son, Captain George H. Paddock, of the regular army, and John H., who went to California, and later to the South Sea islands, where he engaged in the wholesale merchandising and there died.
Alexander Boyd, of this sketch, was thirteen years of age when he came to Bureau county with his parents. He remained at home until after attaining his majority, and for five or six years was engaged in a general store in Prince- ton, going from there to Peru, La Salle county, where he was in the lumber business until 1844. While at Peru he furnished the lumber for the plank road to Arlington, a distance of twelve miles from that place. The plank furnished was three inches in thickness and eight feet long, and the price contracted for was eight dollars and a half per thousand. At that time there was no
lumber yard in Princeton, and much of his trade was from that place and in its vicinity. His busi- ness for some years was quite large.
Returning to Princeton in 1844, Mr. Boyd sold dry goods for ten years, in company with J. P. Baldwin. Just previous to this he had failed in business, but has the satisfaction of knowing that in time he paid every cent of his indebted- ness, dollar for dollar. His mercantile business in Princeton, from 1844 to 1854, was quite profit- able and very extensive. On closing out this line of trade, he engaged in the fire insurance busi- ness, and later secured the general agency for Illinois in the old Continental Life Insurance company, which position he held for two years. When the company failed he had some five or six policies in it on his own life, and other members of his family were likewise insured in it, each of whom took out policies on his recommendation, much to his regret.
Under the first call for three months' men at the commencement of the rebellion in 1861, Mr. Boyd enlisted and served his time. Nearly thirty years before this he did duty in behalf of his country. In 1832, at the breaking out of the Black Hawk war, he rode his fleet mare, Kit, carrying dispatches to General Stillman at Peoria, a distance of forty miles, making the ride in one-half a day. The fort at Apple river had been attacked by the Indians and two or three killed. His cousin, young Jim Dixon, brought dispatches as far as his father's home in Boyd's Grove, and, being exhausted, persuaded Alexander to go on to Peoria. General Still- man, in appreciation of his gallantry, supplied him with a new suit of clothes and a hat, and some years ago the government granted him a small pension on account of his youth at the time of his making his perilous ride.
In 1841 Mr. Boyd was united in marriage with Mrs. Elizabeth Chamberlain, whose maiden name was Merritt, the widow of Oscar G. Cham- berlain, who was the brother of the well known Dr. William Chamberlain. She died in 1891, after a happy married life of fifty years. Their children are Charles S., who resides at Los An-
158
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
geles, California; Elizabeth, who married Jerome E. Kilbourne, and now lives at St. Louis, Mis- souri, with her son, who is employed as a sten- ographer in the office of the general manager of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad; James S., who died at the age of thirty years; Elijah Day, who died when twenty-six years of age, and two others who died in childhood. For his second wife, Mr. Boyd married Mrs. Anna J. Lewis, of Ohio township, Bureau county, in 1892. Mr. Boyd has always been fond of hunting, and until within a comparatively short time has made it a rule of his life to engage in this sport, and as a duck hunter would compete with the best. He is well known throughout Bureau county, and enjoys the respect and confidence of all. To such men is due all that the present generation possesses in the way of comfort and the evidences ยท of civilization and culture. Mr. Boyd was origi- nally an old-time whig, but has been a stalwart republican since the organization of that party.
F ENWICK ANDERSON, a retired farmer, residing in the village of Ohio, was born in the south of Scotland, January 14, 1818, and is a son of James and Jane (Murray) Anderson. In that country the father was a shepherd, but on coming to the new world in 1839 located in the midst of the forests of Canada, and there devel- oped a farm, cultivating the same until his death in 1867, at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife died at the age of seventy-two. In their family were six children, four sons and two daughters, four of whom are still living-Mary and Fergus, who still makes his home on the old home farm in Canada; William, who lives in Australia, and Fenwick.
Our subject did not long remain in Canada, but went to New York, and in the fall of 184-4 came to Illinois and was overseer on a stock farm in Ogle county for five years, when he came to Lee county, Illinois. Four years later he pur- chased a half section of government land at one dollar per acre, and to agricultural pursuits con- tinued to devote his time and attention, until laying aside business cares on his removal to
Ohio, in 1887. He has disposed of some of his land, but still owns a valuable tract of five hun- dred acres, improved with good buildings, in- cluding a commodious brick house, the bricks for which he burned himself. He was also ex- tensively engaged in sheep raising, and in pioneer days clipped the wool from fifteen hundred sheep, hauling the same to market at Chicago, where he often received forty cents per pound. His aver- age flock was about one thousand, but he often had as high as sixteen hundred head, which he would have to place in a pen at night on account of the wolves, and even then lost many.
On the 15th of May, 1848, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Miss Jeannette Peek, who was born in Vermont, September 9, 1831, and is a daughter of John and Lucretia (Lamb) Peek, also natives of the Green Mountain state. Their marriage was celebrated in Ogle county, Illinois, and to them have been born thirteen children- Alice is the wife of William Balcom of Ohio, and they have two children, Pearl and Burt. The next two died in infancy. Fenwick R. is engaged in the livery business in Ohio, Illinois. William H., operating the old home farm, married Katie O'Neal, and has three children, William, Seth, and Nettie. Frank F., a farmer of Ohio town- ship, married Agnes Shehan, and has one daugh- ter, Edna. Albert J., residing in the village of Ohio, wedded Mary Knuth, and has one child, Pearl. Emma J. is at home. Fergus Lincoln was born just three weeks previous to the as- sassination of President Lincoln, and is now an attorney of Marion, Iowa, but was for many years a telegraph operator. He lost one arm in a threshing machine. Hattie L. is the wife of J. L. Neis of the village of Ohio, and has one child, Adelbert D. Mellona died at the age of one year. George W. was married June 10, 1896, to Edith Savage of Ogle county, Illinois. Char- ter Samuel completes the family.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church, and are highly respected and honored citizens of the com- munity in which they make their home. They are numbered among the worthy pioneers of the
FENWICK ANDERSON.
16I
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
state, with whose interests they have now been identified for half a century, and Mr. Anderson was the first man to take a reaper to Ogle coun- ty, this being in 1845. In politics he is an ardent republican, as are also his sons, a firm believer in a high protective tariff, and while a resident of Lee county served as supervisor three terms and as justice of the peace four terms. For many years he held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but does not take an ac- tive interest in civic societies at the present time. He occupies an important position in the com- munity as an honorable, upright citizen, and possesses the confidence and csteem of his fel- low-townsmen.
M RS. SERENA WINSER, a highly es- teemed citizen of Princeton, is a native of Warren county, Indiana, born September 19. 1832, and a daughter of Sino and Sarah (Fenton) Munson, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. By occupation the father was a farmer, and at an early day also conducted a saw and grist mill, which was a very important factor in procuring a maintenance. The mills were located on a stream known as "the Little Pine," in Warren county, Indiana, where Mr. Munson was among the carly settlers, locating there when the Indians were still quite numerous in the locality and gave considerable trouble to the white settlers. The father died in Warren county in 1863. at the age of seventy-four years, and the mother passed away in September, 1842. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.