USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 22
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 22
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 22
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faithful member of the Society of Friends. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Rachel Brooks, was a daughter of Ben- jamin Brooks, who for seven long years aided the colonies to secure their independence as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and for faith- ful service was granted a soldier's claim in High- land county, Ohio.
Our subject is the oldest now living and the fifth in order of birth in a family of fifteen chil- dren, numbering ten sons and five daughters, of whom the latter are all deceased. Three brothers still survive. During the dark days of the re- bellion five of the sons entered their country's service-John, who died in camp, and James, Isaac, Milton and Carey, all of whom returned from the war. John also had four sons and a son-in-law who wore the blue, and two of the former died soon after their return home from effects of starvation and disease while incarcer- ated in Libby prison. With the exception of two, all of the children of this large family lived to maturity. The father's death occurred in Sigour- ney, Iowa, when in his eighty-first year.
At the age of eighteen, William Knox left the parental roof and started westward, first stopping at Richmond, Indiana, on election day, when General Jackson was making his first race for the presidency, and the excitement was very high. Mr. Knox wintered on the Mississinewa river, and the following year went to the present site of Clifton, Indiana, where he opened up the first farm in the locality. The fall of 1834 witnessed his arrival in Illinois, settling at that time in what is now Lee county. The following spring, how- ever, he came to Bureau county, landing here without a dollar, his capital consisting of only a pair of willing hands and a determination to suc- ceed.
For two years Mr. Knox made his home with an uncle and aunt, assisting in the labors of their farm, and during that time, by the exercise of economy, succeeded in accumulating one thou- sand dollars, which he invested in one hundred ยท and sixty-six acres of land. This he at once began to improve and cultivate, and made his home
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thereon for ten years, when he sold out and pur- chased two hundred acres in Princeton township -his present valuable farm. This place he bought in January, 1851, paying for the same a little over fifteen dollars per acre. Forty acres are now within the corporate limits of Princeton, where he owns many valuable houses and lots, besides his farm of one hundred and seventy-six acres, all of which he has accumulated by his own per- severance and industry. In 1836 he took a load of hay to Chicago and returned with a load of salt.
On the 20th of April, 1837, Mr. Knox was united in marriage with Miss Mary Mercer, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, September 17, 1815, and is a daughter of Aaron Mercer, deceased. All of the eight children born of this union are still living, namely: Rachel J., is the widow of Jacob Chritzman, and has two children, Clarence and Lottie; Aaron J. and Sarah are next in order of birth; Oscar, now living in Seattle, Washington, married Miss Julia Ament and has one child, Winnie; Albert, who has been three times married, is now a widower and has one child, Sarah; Mary is the wife of Mr. Dan- ley, of Oklahoma, and has a son and daughter; Melvina is the wife of John Parks, of Gunnison, Colorado, and has a son and daughter, and Nancy completes the family. In politics Mr. Knox is a democrat. Mrs. Knox is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Knox has witnessed almost the entire de- velopment and progress made by civilization in Bureau county. On his arrival here Indians were still quite numerous in the community, and in 1835 he became acquainted with the chief, Shabona, who was second in command under Tecumseh, but a short time later announced his intention of never again fighting the white men. There was only one house between Princeton and Dixon, and the only dwelling at the latter place being that of John Dixon, which was, in reality, beyond the present limits of that city. Scarcely any roads had been cut through the country, but the old stage road from Peoria to Galena had been laid out and a station was lo-
cated about two miles north of Princeton. To the company owning this stage line Mr. Knox sold the first sheaf of oats that he here raised to feed their horses. On his arrival here Center Prairie was a vast swamp covered with sloughs and ponds, and the country was almost entirely in its primitive condition. He has watched with interest the wonderful changes that have taken place and has been no unimportant factor in as- sisting in its development. He has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office, the only position which he would ever accept being that of highway commissioner, in order to get roads opened up that were needed.
D AVID S. ZEARING, an influential and leading citizen of Princeton, is a worthy representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of Bureau county, where he has made his home since May, 1836. No state in the union can boast of a more heroic band of pioneers than Illinois. In their intelligence, cap- ability and genius they were far above the pion- eers of the eastern states, and in their daring and heroism they were equal to the Missouri and California argonauts. Their privations, hard- ships and earnest labors have resulted in estab- lishing one of the foremost commonwealths in America, the possibilities of which are far great- er than those possessed by any of her sister states.
Mr. Zearing was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1834, and was there- fore only two years of age when brought to Bu- reau county by his parents, Martin and Sarah (Shaffer) Zearing, also natives of the keystone state. The father's birth occurred on the 4ill of July, 1794. Accompanied by his brother John, he came to Illinois in 1835, going by boat to Peoria, thence through Princeton as far as Ot- tawa. Returning to Pennsylvania the following spring, he brought his family to this state, the journey to Hennepin requiring six weeks. By team they then came to Princeton, where they remained until the following December, when the father purchased one hundred and sixty acres
DAVID S. ZEARING.
MRS. D. S. ZEARING.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of land in Berlin township, and removed thereon. There he made his home until called from this life in 1855, at the age of sixty-one years. He was an important factor in the development and improvement of this locality, assisting in laying out many of the early roads, and for a number of years served as justice of the peace. His wife died in 1869, and they now sleep side by side in the Dover cemetery, where a handsome monu- ment marks their last resting place.
Upon the home farm our subject remained un- til 1859, when he made an overland trip to Cali- fornia by ox team, leaving home in April, and cross.i.g the border into the golden state on the 6th of the following September. For nine years he was engaged in hunting for the yellow metal, his success during which time was varied. One day he secured eight pounds in good-sized nug- gets and throughout his entire mining experience was moderately successful. He returned home by way of the Niearagua route and New York city, arriving in Bureau eounty in December, 1867. He purchased the old homestead, to the cultivation of which he then devoted his time and attention until 1879, when he removed to Prince- ton, but still owns the same. He also purchased and operated the old Bass farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He bought more land from time to time until he owned twelve hundred aeres, comprised in nine different farms in Dover and Berlin townships, all of which are well im- proved and valuable places. On his removal to Prineeton he engaged in merchandising for sev- eral years, but now gives his time and attention wholly to his extensive farming interests. He commenced life for himself without capital, and all that he now possesses has been secured through his own diligence, enterprise and per- severance.
In Berlin township, Bureau county, on the 5th of December, 1869, Mr. Zearing was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Bass, who was born, reared and educated in this county, and became one of its most successful and talented teachers. She is a daughter of George Bass, now deceased, who was a prominent, early settler of Berlin
township. Six children have been born to our subject and his wife-Alice, Elmer, who is mar- ried and resides on a farm in Berlin township; George B., David S., Roy W. and Martin M., bright and promising children, who are attend- ing the high school of Princeton.
Since voting for John C. Fremont in 1856. Mr. Zearing has been an ardent republican in politics, but takes no active part in political af- fairs, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. For the long period of sixty years he has found a pleasant home in Bu- reau county, and his circle of friends is only um- ited by his circle of acquaintances. He is a man of superior business capacity, of exemplary habits, strict integrity and upright character, and is worthy the confidence that is reposed in him. He and his estimable wife are active members of the Baptist church of Princeton.
J OHN GRASSLEY. It has been said that biography yields to no other subject in point of interest and profit, and it is especially inter- esting to note the progress that has been made along various lines of business by those of for- eign birth who have sought homes in America- the readiness with which they adapt themselves to the different methods and customs of Amer- ica and recognize the advantages offered and util- ize the opportunities which the new world af- fords. To this class belongs Mr. Grassley, mas- ter meehanie and foreman of the Buda division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad.
He was born in Baden, Germany, November 16, 1837, and when five years of age was brought to the United States by his parents, John and Reginal Grassley, who stopped first at Newburg, New York, where the mother had a sister living. Not obtaining work at his trade of blacksmith- ing, the father left that place a year later and removed to Columbus, Ohio, where he had a brother residing. For four years he made that place his home, but work at his trade becoming scarce he then went to Adrian, Michigan, where he purchased a home and continued in active business as long as his health and strength per-
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mitted, securing in the meantime a comfortable competence. There were only two children in the family, the sister of our subject being Carrie, now the wife of John B. Gippert, of Davenport, Iowa, who is foreman of the Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad roundhouse. They have five chil- dren.
John Grassley began his education in the schools of Newburg, continued his studies at Columbus and finished his literary course in the schools of Adrian, Michigan. At the age of sev- enteen he entered the railroad service as fireman on an engine on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad and fired the first engine on that road, which was run into Detroit in 1854. Later he worked in the shops for a year, and then became engineer on the same road, with which he continued until the strike of 1866. He then went to Galesburg, Illinois, where for two and a half years he was in the shops of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. Subse- quently he served as engineer, later was pro- moted to testing engines as they came out of the shop, which position he filled for five years, and on the Ist of January, 1884, accepted his present responsible position and removed to Buda. For thirty years he has now been in the service of one road, and his long retention plainly indicates luis faithful discharge of duties and the confidence and trust reposed in him by the company. He has been in three wrecks, once while fireman running between Toledo and Detroit, and twice while an engineer on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. In the first he went over with the en- gine, but in the other two he had time to jump and thus save his life.
While a resident of Adrian, Michigan, Mr. Grassley was married, September 23, 1861, the lady of his choice being Miss Marguerite Keck, of Riga, that state, who was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, and is a daughter of Carl and Marguerite Keck. She was provided with good common school advantages and is a lady of culture and refinement. Six children were born to them, namely: Carrie, is the wife of August J. Henig, proprietor of a flouring mill at Manito, Illinois,
and they have three children; Sophia, twin sister of Carrie, is the wife of E. E. Chambers, of Gales- burg, who is a mechanic in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. They have two children; John Louis, an engineer on the same road, is married and with his wife and two children reside at Buda; Lizzie, is the wife of C. C. Tyler, of Galesburg, chief clerk in the master mechanic's office of the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy. They have two children; Amelia and Edward O. are still at home. The former is a graduate of the Buda high school, and the lat- ter is still a student.
Although reared a democrat, Mr. Grassley voted for Lincoln in 1860, and continued to sup- port the republican party until 1872, since which time he has affiliated with the democracy. He has always refused to accept office on account of his business. His parents were members of the German Lutheran church, but since coming to Buda he has attended the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife and children are all members, with the exception of Louis, who is connected with the Congregational denomina- tion. Socially he belongs to Vesper lodge, No. 58.4, F. & A. M., of Galesburg. He is a public- spirited, enterprising man, taking an active in- terest in everything which seems to promise a benefit to the community, and enjoys the esteent and confidence of all who know him.
A. S. WALTER, senior member of the well- known firm of A. S. Walter & Son, en- gaged in merchandising in Ohio, is a native of Bureau county, his birth having occurred at Princeton May 18, 1840, a son of John and Eliza (Smith) Walter, natives of Pennsylvania and Bel- mont county, Ohio, respectively. The father was also a merchant, conducting the first clothing store ever established at Princeton. Later he sold the Singer sewing machine and subsequent- ly was agent for the Dickerson pump. He re- membered how the Quakers of Jefferson county, Ohio, assisted the slaves on their way to Canada and freedom, and became one of the first aboli- tionists of Bureau county, being associated with
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Owen Lovejoy, and serving as one of the con- ductors on the underground railroad through this section of the country. His death occurred June 17, 1894, at the age of eighty-one years. Both himself and his wife were prominent mem- bers of the Congregational church, in which he was a great worker and with which he was offi- cially connected for many years. She is still living, at the age of eighty-five years, and makes her home in Princeton. In their family were four sons and four daughters, but four died in in- fancy. The others are Elizabeth J., wife of E. Curtis, of Princeton; A. S., of this sketch; Nancy, wife of Hart Rawson, of Chicago, and John F., a farmer of Ohio township, Bureau county.
The education of our subject was such as the common schools of the county afforded, and he began his business career as a clerk for Rawson Bros. in Princeton, with whom he remained for many years. Subsequently he conducted a store in Iowa, but in 1871, after the railroad had been opened through the village, he came to Ohio, where he has since successfully carried on mer- cantile pursuits, with the exception of one year. He was alone in business until 1891, when he admitted his son to partnership, and they now conduct one of the best general stores to be found in the county, their assortment of goods being large and varied.
In September, 1867, at Princeton, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Walter and Miss Ophelia, daughter of Edgar Bartley, who was born at Fishkill on the Hudson, New York. To them have been born two sons, Hart E. and Fred- erick J. The elder is now connected with his father in business, while the latter is attending medical lectures at the Chicago Homeopathic School of Medicine, a member of the class of 1897. He has held the position of assistant phy- sician at the Magno-Medical Cure and Lithia Water Springs, near Attica, Fountain county, Indiana, and is a young man of much promise, taking high rank in his studies.
The political support of Mr. Walter is ever given the republican party, and fraternally he is a prominent member of the Masonic order, a char-
ter member of the lodge at Ohio, and also be- longs to the chapter and commandery at Prince- ton and Medina temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Chicago. His wife is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. As a straightforward, honorable and capable busi- ness man, Mr. Walter ranks among the best of the county, and enjoys the confidence and re- spect of all with whom he comes in contact either in a business or social way.
S QUIRE THOMAS JUDD, deceased, was a citizen of Evans township, where, as a leader among men, his memory is held in reverence and honor. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Marshall county, settling with his parents upon the old Judd farm on Sandy creek in 1831, and in this county made his home until his death, which occurred on the Ist of February, 1892. During those years he was very influential in public af- fairs, as by his strong force of character and un- doubted integrity he early gained the confidence . of the people, who saw in him a man they could trust as a guide and well fitted to hold public office. His death has left a vacancy hard to be filled, and was considered a severe blow to the material and moral interests of the community.
Squire Judd was born in Ashe county, North Carolina, May 26, 1827, and was only four years old when brought to Marshall county, where he was reared on a farm and received an ordinary district school education. He began teaching in Evans township, which at that time was Sandy precinct of La Salle county. On the 3Ist of Oc- tober, 1851, his marriage with Miss Mary A. Dillman was celebrated. She was born in Brown county, Ohio, August 16, 1830, and is a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Turner) Dillman, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. With her parents she came to La Salle county, Illinois, in 1844, locating three miles east of Magnolia, where they made their home until 1861, when they removed to Wenona, but both are now deceased.
After his marriage the squire lived for three years upon the old Judd homestead, but in 1854
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removed to the northwest quarter of section 20, Evans township, which was then all raw prairie land, and the same summer erected a good frame dwelling. He made that place his permanent home, improving the land himself and made the farm one of the most desirable in this section of the county. In the early days he took his grain to Hall's landing on the Illinois river. He was purely a self-made man, having no advantages ex - cept those given him by nature, and his promi- nent characteristics-honesty, economy, temper- ance and industry-were no doubt important factors in his success.
Squire Judd was always an ardent democrat in politics, took an active part in local affairs, at the early age of twenty was elected justice of the peace, which office he creditably filled for many years, for a number of terms was supervisor of Evans township, also chairman of the board, was school director for a long period, and was once a candidate for representation, but as the district was strongly republican he was not elected. So- cially, he held membership with the Masonic order, being a Royal Arch Mason, and was also prominently identified with the Grange for many years. He applied himself studiously to qualify himself for his after life, was looked up to by every one, and his advice was often sought. His remains now rest in the Cumberland cemetery.
Mrs. Judd, who is a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, still survives her husband, and four of their seven children are also yet liv- ing. Francis Lee, who is residing in San Diego, California, married Lettie Ashley, of Kansas, and they have five children-Fannie, l'earl, John, Katie and Ashley. Mary E. is the wife of Joseph Miller. John T., of Wenona, married Ella Dun- lap, and they have two children-Mabel Almeda and Roland De Witt. Alfred, living on section 18, Evans township, wedded Annie L. Brenn, and they have three children-Ethel, Gertrude and Roscoe.
The only daughter, with her family, now resides on the old homestead on section 20, Evans town- ship. She was married on the 16th of May, 1877, to Joseph Miller, who was born in Carroll coun-
ty, Ohio, September 10, 1851, and is the son of Abraham and Ruth (Miser) Miller, the birth of the former occurring near Harrisburg, Pennsyl- vania, in 1818, and the latter in Tuscarawas coun- ty, Ohio, in 1826. His parents were married in the buckeye state, where they located upon a farm in Carroll county, but in 1865 became resi- dents of Wenona, Illinois, where the father died in November, 1890. The mother is still living. In their family were four children, two of whom survive, the daughter being Mary, wife of Oliver Wingate of Wenona, by whom she has seven children-C. S., Inez Dent, Willis Herbert. J. Roy, Jessie Grimes, Don and Florence.
Joseph Miller was educated in the public schools of Wenona, and in his younger years learned the trade of a painter, which he followed for some time. He and his excellent wife now have six children-Wallace M., Benjamin F., Thomas J., Bernard O., Frederick J. and Lena. He is prominently connected with the Masonic fraternity and Evans grange, No. 35, in which he has served as master, and is president of the Farmers' County institute. Politically, he votes independent of party ties, and has been called upon to act as a member of the local school board. Mrs. Miller is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
P HILIP REED SHUGART, a retired far- mer of Dover township, Bureau county, now making his home at Princeton, Illinois, was born at Mercersburg, Franklin county, Pennsyl- vania, February 15, 1820, and, with his parents, John and Polly (Reed) Shugart, removed to Rich- land county, Ohio, in 1840, locating near Ash- land. On the 3d of June, 1850, he came to Illi- nois, stopping first in Peoria county, but in the fall of that year came to Bureau county. He was reared at a hotel on the old pike before rail- roads had been constructed through that sec- tion, and after the removal of the family to the buckeye state clerked in a country store for two years. There he also learned the brick and stone- mason's trade, which he there followed for about
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four years, and was thus employed for a time after coming to Illinois. For two years he car- ried on farming in Ohio.
In what was then a part of Richland, but is now Ashland county, Ohio, Mr. Shugart was married, April 22, 1847, to Miss Rebecca K. Cox, a native of that state and a daughter of Rev. John Cox, one of its early settlers, who died when past ninety years of age. The following children graced this union, namely: Mary, now the wife of Allen Smith, of Massena, Iowa; Alice D., wife of Dexter Hempstead, of Shasta county, Cali- fornia; Margaret, widow of Frank Wright, by whom she had two children, Beva M. and Arthur W., and is now the housekeeper for her father; Hettie Ann, who was killed by a runaway team when ten years of age; Thomas J., who has a feed store at Council Bluffs, Iowa: Carrie, wife of M. R. Thackerberry, of Tampico, Illinois, and John J., who married Cora, daughter of E. C. Matson, and is farming four miles north of town.
" In the same year of his arrival, the parents of Mr. Shugart came to Bureau county, passing their last years in retirement at Princeton, where the father died in 1864, at the age of seventy-two years, and the mother in 1872, at the same age. The father first located in Dover township, where he owned a farm, and there had settled his broth- er, Samuel, and the latter's son, Zachariah. On leaving Pennsylvania in 1846 the brother had come direct to Peoria county, Illinois, and with the other members of the family located in Dover township, Bureau county, in 1850. John Shu- gart, a brother of our subject, also made his home in the same neighborhood.
With his wife and two children, Philip R. Shu- gart drove the entire distance from Ohio, and on his arrival had but fifty dollars with which to begin life in this new country. He at first made his home upon the farm which his father had previously purchased, and with forty dollars of his own money and one hundred dollars which he borrowed of his father he entered one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, which at first seemed little better than a swamp. He and his family were forced to endure many hardships before he
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