USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 23
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 23
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 23
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
could get a start here, as he could find no work at his trade, and their principal diet was bread and blackberry jam. Added to their other mis- fortunes, the wife was taken ill, and the old cabin was so dilapidated that it was impossible in rainy weather to keep the bed dry on which she lay. During the first few years they suffered much from fever and ague. In the fall after their arri- val, however, he began the erection of a more commodious dwelling, and soon got work at lay- ing foundations for buildings in the county. The first ninety dollars which he earned was worth more to him then than that many thousand at the present time, and for three years he was princi- pally employed at his trade, especially in the autumn.
Mr. Shugart sold his first one hundred and sixty acre tract and secured a farm of one hun- dred and forty acres in Dover township, for which he went in debt, and both himself and wife at times became very much discouraged, and at one time was on the point of selling, but in figur- ing up the property that he owned found that he was getting along very well, and so decided to remain. During the hard times of 1857-8 he had to pay as high as twenty-five per cent on his loan in order to keep his farm.
In 1863 Mr. Shugart laid aside agricultural pursuits, and, in connection with his brother, E. L., engaged in the hardware business at Prince- ton under the firm name of Shugart & Company, and this was continued until 1868, when the brother removed to Council Bluffs, lowa, there engaging in the agricultural implement business and making a fortune of half a million. Ashis wife would go no further west, our subject returned to the farm, where he erected a good dwelling and began breeding short horn cattle and fine hogs, which occupation his neighbors thought would be a failure, but he was quite successful. He paid for his first two hogs fifty-two dollars. He also became a successful breeder of Norman horses, and at many fairs he has carried off the highest prizes for his stock. He is a life member of the Bureau county Fair association, of which he is also one of the original members, joining
178
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the organization thirty-six years ago, and has since been closely identified with its interests.
Mr. Shugart has been called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who passed away January II, 1885, and two years later he left the old farm and took up his residence in Princeton, where he is now living retired, resting in the enjoy- ments of the fruits of his former toil. He added to his farm until at one time he had four hundred acres, a part of which he has sold and given to his children, but still owns two hundred and forty acres on section 29, Dover township, where he erected a handsome and commodious brick residence, and his place is now worth about one hundred dollars per acre. A part of his land was so low and level that it was thought by many to be worthless, but he converted it into one of the most highly cultivated tracts in the locality by the use of tiling, being the second man in the community to use that means. He also owns eighty acres in Fairfield township, and a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Ames, Iowa, in Story county. To his children he has given about eighty acres each.
Politically, Mr. Shugart is a lifelong republi- can, taking a deep interest in local affairs, at- tending the conventions of his party, but is no politician in the sense of office seeking. His wife was an earnest member of the Baptist church, but he holds membership with no reli- gious organization. He is an upright, honor- able man, one who has the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, and is numbered among the valued citizens of Prince- ton and Bureau county.
A RCHIBALD RIDDELL, deceased, was for miany years one of the most enterprising and public-spirited men in Marshall county, and to him the people owe a debt of gratitude which, in all probability, they will never meet. He was a native of Scotland, born in Glasgow, January 30, 1822. He there grew to manhood, his boy- hood and youth being mainly spent on a farm. However, for one or two years, in company with
a brother, he engaged in the mercantile trade in his native city.
Stories of the new world began to reach his ears, and the desire came into his heart to come to this favored land, and here try his fortune in competition with others. With him the desire for a thing brought about its fulfillment, and so, in 1844, he crossed the Atlantic, and arriving in New York, he proceeded at once to Ohio. After traveling for some time in Missouri and other states, he finally located in Chillicothe, Illinois, where he engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with his brother Robert. In 1846 he made his first purchase of land, securing the tract on which his son William now resides in La Prairie township. There were no improvements upon the place at the time of his purchase, and he at once set about the cultivation of the farm. Erecting a small log house he kept "bachelor's hall" for about one year, when, realizing that "it was not good for a man to be alone," he was united in marriage June 19, 1847, with Miss Janet Davidson, of Steuben township, and a daughter of George Davidson, the first Scotch- man to locate in the township.
Taking his young bride to the primitive home prepared for her reception, he set about in earn- est what was to be his life's work. The partner- ship between himself and brother Robert con- tinued until 1849, when the latter was stricken with the gold fever, and disposing of his interest to our subject, he went to California, the lately discovered "Eldorado." But farming and not mercantile trade was now the chosen occupation of Mr. Riddell, and in a short time he added to his original purchase of land until his home farm consisted of three hundred and sixty acres. For the erection of his barn he hauled lumber and shingles from Chicago with ox teams, a trip re- quiring three weeks. This was rendered neces- sary from the fact there was no mill in this sec- tion of the country. The barn then built still stands the same to-day except for a new roof. It was an exceptionally fine barn, and for years the church meetings were held in it. All the early settlers of southern Marshall and northern Peoria
179
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
counties remember this barn, which to-day is one of the old landmarks.
In the beginning of this sketch it was stated that Mr. Riddell was an enterprising and public- spirited man. This was well illustrated in the erection of the Lacon woolen mill, in which he was the prime mover. He stood by the enterprise and backed it up with his means until his death, owning two hundred and five shares of the stock, which is still held by the family. For some years he was president of the woolen mill company and gave it much time and attention, though never receiving any compensation for his services.
In 1866 Mr. Riddell was bereft of his wife, who had truly been to him a loving helpmeet. To them were born five children: John, who died at the age of twelve years; George D., a grocer and hardware dealer of Watseka, Illinois; William D., on the old home farm; Archie, who married Lydia Gallup, a daughter of William A. Gallup, and who resided on the old home place, but died in May, 1893, at the age of thirty-seven years, leaving no family, and Jessie, who died in infancy.
Mr. Riddell subsequently married Margaret Sockwell, of Canada, where she now lives, hav- ing returned to her old home after the death of her husband. To them was born one daughter, Martha, now a stenographer in the Great North- ern hotel at Chicago.
Politically, Mr. Riddell was a republican from the organization of the party until within a few years of his death, when he separated from the party, and on one occasion voted the democratic ticket. For years he was an active worker in his party, and his face was a familiar one in all con- ventions. During the war he was an enthusiastic supporter of all measures for the suppression of the rebellion, and had the utmost faith in the great emancipator, Abraham Lincoln. In reli- gious views he was advanced and was well read in the scriptures, having a wonderfully retentive memory for scriptural quotations. He delighted in discussing Biblical subjects, and his great knowledge of the Word of God enabled him to catch preachers of the gospel in misquotations, and it did him good to corner them. His death
occurred August 30, 1892, while in his seventy- first year. He left not only a sorrowing family, but a very large circle of friends throughout Marshall and adjoining counties.
William D. Riddell, the son of Archibald and Janet (Davidson) Riddell, was born May 8, 1852, in the house in which he now lives. Here his en- tire life has been spent, and on Christmas day, 1888, he married Miss Ellen Stephenson of Spar- land, a native of Woodford county, Illinois, and with his wife has made the old farm his home.
In company with his brother Archie, now de- ceased, William Riddell worked the old farm for a time, when he bought thirty acres near by, and on the death of his brother purchased the interest of the other heirs, and now owns all the farm, consisting of three hundred and fifty acres. He devotes his attention to mixed farming and stock raising, and has been a successful farmer. Politically he is a stanch republican.
S AMUEL R. WILSON. Among the ener- getic and influential agriculturists of Prince- ton township, Bureau county, the subject of this sketch occupies a prominent position, and is also a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of the county. His father, Squire James Wilson, was born in Union county, Kentucky, in 1813, and was a son of Ambrose Wilson. He was there reared, and as early as 1833, became a resi- dent of Illinois, conducting a store at Princeton north of where the railroad has since been built. He also secured a tract of government land in Dover township, to which he removed on dispos- ing of his stock of goods, and developed a good farm, which continued to be his home up to the time of his death, which occurred October I, 1888. His remains now rest in Oakland ceme- tery. The mother of our subject, who bore the name of Hannah Heaton, was a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Reece Heaton, who brought his family to Bureau county at an early day in its history. She died in the spring of 1852, leaving six children-Ambrose H., of Dover township; William Harrison of Nebraska: Cyrus E., of Humboldt county, Iowa; Mrs. Parthena Elizabeth
180
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Hensel, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Samuel R., of this sketch, and James L., of Labette county, Kan- sas. After the death of his first wife the father married Louisa Taylor, who was born in 1812, and died in 1890. The parents were first mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal and later of the Methodist Protestant church. He first took a prominent part in local affairs, serving as road commissioner, school director and justice of the peace. One of his sons, Harrison, aided his country during the dark days of the rebellion, serving in Company B, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
Upon the home farm in Dover township, Bu- reau county, the birth of our subject took place October 6, 1850, and he was there reared, receiv- ing his elementary education in the district schools of the neighborhood, after which he at- tended a select school at Princeton. He remained at home until attaining his majority, and then worked by the month until twenty-four years of age.
On the 16th of December, 1875, a wedding ceremony was performed which united the des- tinies of Mr. Wilson and Miss Sarah Elizabeth Field, who was born December 30, 1853, in Princeton township, and is a daughter of Harry C. and Elizabeth (Reasoner) Field, both now de- ceased. Three children bless this union, namely: Alice May, George Eugene and Leroy.
For two years after his marriage Mr. Wilson operated land in Bureau township, then removed to a farm in Dover township of eighty acres, which he still owns, and where he remained until 1886. The same year he purchased eighty acres in section 3, Princeton township, where his resi- dence is. In 1891 he purchased sixty acres in section 34, Dover township, adjoining the other eighty acre tract. This made him altogether a valuable tract of two hundred and twenty acres, all under a high state of cultivation and well im- proved. He raises both grain and stock, mak- ing a specialty of Galloway cattle and Clyde and English shire horses. He takes a commendable interest in educational affairs, and has provided his children with excellent privileges along that
line, sending them to the Princeton schools. Mr. Wilson began life for himself with the limited capital of three hundred dollars, but by his per- sistent and well directed efforts he has succeeded in accumulating a fine property and his success is well deserved.
J UDGE GEORGE W. STIPP, judge of the Ninth Illinois circuit, including the counties of Will, Grundy, La Salle and Bureau, is justly numbered among the honored pioneers and lead- ing citizens of Princeton, where he has made his home for over forty years. He has been prominently identified with her business inter- ests as a member of the legal profession, and is now serving his eighteenth year as circuit judge. His is an honorable record of a conscientious man, who by his upright life has won the confi- dence of all with whom he has come in contact.
The judge was born in Champaign county, Ohio, March 2, 1818, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Harrison) Stipp, the former born on the Potomac, near Sheppardstown, Virginia, and the latter near Cynthiana, Kentucky. On the paternal side he is of German extraction, while his grandfather Harrison was of English or Scotch descent, and the latter's wife, who was a Crocket, was of Irish lineage. By occupation the father of the judge was a farmer, but during his later years preached for the Newlight branch of the Christian church. His death occurred in Fulton county, Illinois, at the age of fifty-seven years, being instantly killed by a runaway team. The mother of our subject, who was a member of the same church, died at the age of thirty years. From Virginia her family had moved to Kentucky, and later to Champaign county, Ohio, where the parents of the judge were married. The maternal grandmother, Martha Harrison, emigrated to Dubuque, Iowa, where she became well known and there died at the age of eighty- four years, in the faith of the Newlight church. Judge Stipp is one of a family of seven children, four of whom died in early life, but the other three are still living. His brother, James, of Pratt, Kansas, is the oldest. In 1837 he settled
FRANKUNG
HON. GEORGE W. STIPP.
183
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in Fulton county, Illinois, making the trip from Urbana, Ohio, on horse back, and has now reached his eightieth year. . The sister, Mrs. Martha Jane Everett, a widow lady, resides in Dubuque, Iowa.
The early education of our subject was largely obtained under the guidance of his father, who engaged in teaching during his early days, and was quite proficient in mathematics and grammar, leaving a manuscript for an English grammar, which would have been published had it not been for his sudden death. For eighteen months the judge also attended school in a prim- itive log school house. He began his business career as a farm hand, receiving four dollars per month, and was thus employed for a few months, after which he learned the coopers' trade, work- ing at the same until he was fourteen. For eight years he then engaged in clerking in Bellefon- taine, and from twenty-two until thirty years of age engaged in teaching school and reading law.
Judge Stipp has a military record of which he may justly be proud. In 1845 he came to Illi- nois, and after a severe illness enlisted for ser- vice in the Mexican war, becoming first lieu- tenant of Company K, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Lewis W. Ross and Col- onel Ed. D. Baker, who was killed at Ball's Bluff. He was taken ill at New Orleans and was sent to Camp. Belknap, on the Rio Grande, in Texas. On receiving an honorable discharge he returned to his home in Ohio, in the fall of 1846. He was given a land warrant and the bounty ac- corded the soldiers in that day. For four months lie engaged in teaching at West Liberty, Ohio, after which he went to Bellefontaine, where he studied law with William Lawrence until Octo- ber, 1847, when he entered a law school at Cin- cinnati.
In the spring of 1848 Judge Stipp located at Canton, Fulton county, Illinois, where he was admitted to the bar, one of his examiners being Hon. Richard Yates. In that city he engaged in practice until the following fall, when he went to Ellisville, Illinois, and for three years was in partnership with his brother in the mercantile
business. In 1851 he first came to Princeton, but the same year went to Lewiston, where he engaged in practice with Lewis Ross until the fall of 1853, when he permanently located at Princeton, for five years being in partnership with Joseph I. Taylor. In February, 1857, he was elected state's attorney for one year for Bu- reau, Marshall and Putnam counties. Bureau was then attached to the La Salle circuit and Wood- ford added to the other. He refused to accept the office longer and engaged in general prac- tice in Bureau and surrounding counties until his election to the judgeship of the ninth judi- cial circuit in 1879, which important position he has since creditably filled, his decisions being impartial, giving general satisfaction and seldom reversed by the higher courts.
At one time Judge Stipp had served as a lieu- tenant in the Ohio militia, and when the late Civil war broke out he raised a company, which left Princeton September 8, 1861, going to the front as Company B in a battalion called the Yates Sharp Shooters, of which he was captain. Being joined by other companies it became a part of the Sixty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In November, 1862, Captain Stipp was promot- ed to major, but was forced to resign soon after- ward on account of impaired health brought on by his arduous service, and for one year was quite ill.
On the 28th of May, 1849, Judge Stipp married Miss Louisa C. Wolf, who was born March 23, 1833, and is a daughter of Truman and Mercy (Perry) Wolf. Ten children have been born of this union, all yet living, namely: Elizabeth M., wife of William Kitterman, a farmer of Bureau county; Dr. James H., of Putnam, Illinois, who married Harriet Barnhardt; Peter C., who mar- ried Harriet Lawrence, and resides in Chicago; William W., an attorney of Princeton; Jessie May, wife of George Kitterman, a farmer of Bu- reau county; George M., an attorney of Prince- ton, who married Rose Q. Clark; Jennie Louisa C., wife of Adelbert Hamrick, a farmer of Bureau county; Richard C., a blacksmith of Princeton, and David C., a successful teacher of Bureau
IO
184
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
county. The wife and mother is an earnest mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, and socially the judge belongs to the blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
As an advocate Judge Stipp took front rank and was remarkably successful in the trial of causes. In early life he took to public speaking, especially in political campaigns, and was called upon where Lincoln, Douglas, Lovejoy, Brown- ing, were the orators. He is a forcible, eloquent and attractive speaker, and always held the at- tention of his audience.
Judge Stipp was born and brought up a whig of the Henry Clay school, but upon the dissolu- tion of that party he supported the republican party up to the spring of 1860. During the cam- paign of that year he became convinced that the only hope of peace between the North and South was the election of Stephen A. Douglas, whom he supported as the compromise candidate for the Presidency. Since then he has supported the democratic ticket, except in the campaign of 1876, when he voted for Peter Cooper. In the estimation of the judge Mr. Cooper was an hon- est, capable man, and a sound democrat, and of his vote for him he is still proud.
The judge was pleased with the nomination of Mr. Bryan and voted for him at the late presi- dential election.
Judge Stipp always held that the judiciary should be disconnected from partisan politics, and was three times elected as an independent candidate in a republican circuit. The judge is a man of dignified bearing, gentle and winning in manners and popular with the people.
E LIJAH MOSHER. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch is one of the leading agriculturists of Wyanet town- ship, having resided upon his present farm on section 8 since coming to the county in 1858. He is meeting with a well deserved success in his calling, and his fine, well-ordered farm, with its carefully cultured fields, its neat buildings and all their surroundings, denotes the skillful man-
agement, industry, and well-directed labors of the owner.
A native of the empire state, Mr. Mosher was born on the Ioth of April, 1844, in Dutchess county, and there his father's birth occurred December 13, 1813, while his grand- father, Hugh Mosher, who was of English de- scent, was born in the same state, March 23, 1785. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Charity Rowe, was also a native of Dutchess county, and the daughter of Elijah Rowe, who is supposed to have been born in Germany. Shortly after their marriage, which was celebrated in December, 1835, the parents removed to Chenango county, New York, and in 1858 became residents of Wyanet township, Bureau county, Illinois, locating upon the farm still occupied by our subject, and where they spent their remaining days, the mother dying April 14, 1865, and the father October 26, 1892.
In the family of eight children our subject is fourth in order of birth, and he began his educa- tion in the schools of New York, being fourteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to this state, where he later attended the district schools for a time. While living peacefully upon the home farm, the dark cloud of war, which had for some time lowered over our beloved country, broke upon our people. Patriotic men from all walks of life thronged to the front in response to the call of the general government to defend our national life. September 10, 1864, Mr. Mosher enlisted in Company H, One Hun- dred and Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, as a private, and remained in the service until the close of the war, when he was mustered out July 10, 1865, and returned home.
On the Ioth of June, 1869, Mr. Mosher was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Love, who was born in Toronto, Canada, April 2, 1849, but when only two years of age was taken by her parents, Robert and Margaret (Landers) Love, to Kane county, Illinois. When about three years of age she entered the home of Marcus Lathrop, by whom she was reared, and where she lived until she was married. For about three
185
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
years before her marriage she engaged in teachı- ing at Sandwich, De Kalb county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Mosher began their domestic life upon their present farm, and there five children were born to them-Jessie, now the wife of Dr. Rich- ard Herrick, a practicing physician of Florid, Putnam county ; Edwin B., Belle D., John G. and Genevieve R.
Upon his fine farm of two hundred and seventy acres, Mr. Mosher is engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising. He is an ardent republi- can in politics, and by his fellow-citizens has been called upon to fill several important official posi- tions, being elected supervisor in 1886, 1887 and 1888, and in 1892 and in 1894 for two years each, so that he has now filled the office for seven years to the satisfaction of all concerned. In 1890 he was census enumerator, and for the long period of twenty-two years has faithfully served as school director. He and his wife are leading and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the former is serving as trustee and steward.
W ILLIAM H. BECKER, a worthy repre- sentative of the farming and stock-raising interests of Bureau county, is pleasantly located on section 3, Concord township. He was born October 8, 1828, in Schoharie county, New York, a son of Martin and Maria (Becker) Becker. The birth of the father occurred near the county seat of that county, at Gallupville, a place once owned by our subject's grandfather, John Becker, who was the proprietor of extensive grist and saw mills on Fox creek. His great-grandfather had emigrated to this country from Germany before the Revolutionary war, and had erected a stone house on Fox creek, which during that struggle was used as a fortress. He took up the cause of the colonists, aided them in securing their in- dependence, and was commissioned major in the continental army. From earliest times members of the family have either been farmers or millers by occupation, and have been highly respected and valued citizens of the communities in which they made their homes.
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.